Welcome to the award winning Ilkley Chat!

ASO at the King's Hall with David Greed [inset] [Photo: Niamh O'Hearne] The audience will hear wonderful violinist David Greed playing the exquisite Korngold violin concerto - full of passion and yearning for love – at the Airedale Symphony Orchestra’s next concert ‘Yearning’ on Sunday 29 March. Taking place in the King’s Hall in Ilkley, the orchestra will perform Jennifer Higdon: All things majestic: Teton Range, Korngold: Violin concerto with soloist David Greed and Dvorak:

Ilkley Musical Theatre Society's [IMTS] upcoming production of Annie is coming to the Kings Hall, Ilkley from 15th–18th April. For this production IMTS are taking Annie back to its original 1920's comic book roots. Inspired by the world of Little Orphan Annie, the creative team have worked to recreate the black and white pages and exaggerated characters of the famous comic strip on stage. Every costume, wig and prop has been carefully sourced or lovingly handmade, while a spe

Music fans in Ilkley came together on Friday evening for a special Elton John tribute night at The Hollygarth Social Club, raising £1,000 for two charities supporting mental health and cardiac care across the region. The event was organised by John from Ilkley School of Motoring as a community fundraiser in support of Andy’s Man Club and Take Heart, two organisations providing vital support to people facing significant health challenges. Providing the evening’s entertainment

Business as usual at the Ticket Office [Photo: Heidi Marfitt] A popular bar in Ilkley has made a statement to reassure staff and customers that despite reports in local newspapers it's business as normal. Twisted Bars (Ilkley) Ltd, which runs The Ticket Office and The Yard in Ilkley, has made an order for a creditors' voluntary liquidation to wind up the company, as reported in Ilkley Gazette on Friday. Posting on the Ticket Office Bar Facebook page Friday evening the statem

Violinist Andy Long Geoffrey Mogridge was in the audience to review Ilkley Philharmonic Orchestra's ' Turkish Delight' concert at All Saints Church, Ilkley on Sunday 8th March 2026. The orchestra’s spring concert brought exotic colour and eastern mystery to a capacity audience on an otherwise grey Ilkley afternoon. Conductor John Anderson’s tempting bill of fare consisted of works by Rossini, Mozart and Rimsky- Korsakov. Rimsky was represented, not by the familiar and much lo

MP Robbie Moore with Marie Curie nurses Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore has met with nurses from Marie Curie at an event in Westminster to celebrate the charity’s annual Great Daffodil Appeal and hear about the crisis in end-of-life care. Mr Moore pledged his support to the appeal and is urging people across Keighley and Ilkley to donate and wear one of Marie Curie’s iconic daffodil pins, as well as legislative change to protect the palliative care sector. It comes after

Ghyll Royd School in Burley-in-Wharfedale is delighted to invite its alumni, parents, grandparents, friends and supporters to a special community event marking the official launch of the 1889 Foundation The exciting new initiative is designed to support the school’s future development and long‑term vision. Founded in Ilkley in 1889, Ghyll Royd School has a proud and rich history and as part of the Foundation’s launch, the school is eager to reconnect with anyone who attended

The Acapella Fellas performing The Acapella Fellas, Ilkley’s lively all-male acapella choir, are on the lookout for new voices to join their weekly dose of fun and harmony. No auditions, no fancy skills needed – just lads ready to belt out rousing sea shanties, uplifting gospel, cheeky pop tunes, gritty blues, sentimental country ballads and proper folk favourites, all without a single instrument in sight. No experience required, no need to read or understand music, just a si

The car park at Ben Rhydding Sports Club Members of Ben Rhydding Sports Club have launched a crowdfunder campaign as they look to raise up to £300,000 to fix the club car park which is in urgent need of repair.   The facility, which is used by over 2,000 people each week as well as Ilkley Grammar School students who arrive by bus throughout the day, is in its worst condition in memory with water-filled craters covering most of its 4,900 square metres. Investigations show the

Ilkley's new Banking Hub has opened this week The new Ilkley Banking Hub has opened its doors for the first time this week, moving from it's temporary home within Ilkley Library, to its new permanent location in the former HSBC bank, on the corner of Wells Road and Station Road.   Cash Access UK, the organisation set up to protect access to cash across the UK, has confirmed the official opening will take place on Friday 27 March at 11am, with Ilkley's MP Robbie Moore, attendi

Outside area at The Yard Bar & Kitchen Ilkley Pride & Diversity Group has announced its Pink Pony Club, the town’s most fabulous LGBTQ+ party, is set to return, taking place on Saturday 28 March at The Yard Bar & Kitchen. Get ready for a night of big pop anthems, glitter, dancing and unapologetic self-expression as Pink Pony Club transforms The Yard Bar into a high-energy celebration of Pride, community and pure joy. Doors open at 8pm, and the dancefloor will be waiting. Insp

Arborist comes to Ilkley on Monday 4 May Village Pavilion have announced another exciting musician coming to Ilkley on bank holiday Monday, 4 May. Arborist will perform at Ilkley Moor Vaults. with support from Serin and BP Walker. Arborist is Belfast's Mark McCambridge, who first made waves with his debut single "Twisted Arrow" featuring Kim Deal of The Breeders. Since then, Arborist has gone on to support legendary acts including Low, Cat Power, Echo and The Bunnymen, and Gu

Representatives from Ilkley Town Council, Ilkley Business Improvement District (BID), and Ilkley’s business community staged a protest outside Bradford City Hall yesterday, 10 March 2026, in response to recently implemented parking charges. The parking changes include the removal of free one-hour parking on most streets and the extension of paid parking until 8pm. The protest coincided with a Bradford Council meeting at which the proposed 2025/2026 budget was being discussed

MP Robbie Moore outside the Winter Garden in Ilkley Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore has revealed which ‘Town of Culture’ bid he is backing - as both Ilkley and Keighley compete for the national award.   The new competition, launched by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), will see towns across the UK compete for the title.    The winning town will receive £3 million in 2028, while three finalists will each receive £250,000. Shortlisted towns will also recei

A compelling new theatre production, Bindweed, is coming to Ilkley Playhouse this spring. Produced by Ilkley based company Rise & Howl and written by Martha Loader, the award-winning Bindweed follows four men convicted of domestic abuse offences who meet each week to undergo a perpetrator programme. But as Jen, the new group facilitator, starts to make progress with the men inside the room, life outside begins to buckle. A shattering and darkly funny play about responsibility

Beyond The Baseline 2025 After much anticipation, Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club (ILTSC) have now revealed the full line up for this year’s Beyond the Baseline music concerts. Held in association with the Lexus Ilkley Open, the debut of the music concerts in 2025 became the talk of the town, with many hailing the week as the highlight of the Summer calendar. Following the success, the team at Ilkley have been working away to create another week to remember from 5 th -14 t

Cast & crew of Aladdin & his Marvellous Lamp The Addingham Village Panto team have announced its production of Aladdin & his Marvellous Lamp raised a whopping £3,200, which will be split between two amazing local good causes! The pantomime was on stage at the Memorial Hall across dates in February, with many of the performances selling out. £2,200 was raised in donations for Martin House Hospice, and £1000 in the raffle, which will be given to Ilkley & District Good Neighbour

The charity Nell Bank in Ilkley is once again opening its doors for two days of Easter fun with the return of its Easter Egg Hunt. The outdoor education centre is inviting families on Thursday 9th and Friday 10th April between 10am and 3pm. A spokesperson said: "Spring's arrived, but all the eggs have vanished. Come and help us find them this Easter in our best-ever Easter Egg Hunt. "As well as the egg hunt itself, there's plenty to keep everyone busy — our Adventure Playgrou

📋| ILKLEY CHAT JOBS BOARD |📋 10.03.26 every Tuesday with Right at Home Ilkley, Keighley & Skipton  - recruiting CareGivers to provide quality care in a client’s home: www.rightathome.co.uk/ilkley-jobs 🖱 To add a vacancy next week or view the Jobs Board on our website visit ilkleychat.co.uk/jobs-board There are three sections - main jobs, apprenticeships and volunteers. ■■■ MAIN JOBS ■■■ EXPERIENCED CLEANER – THE INCREDIBLE CLEANING COMPANY UK, ILKLEY We seek a conscientiou

Staff at Ilkley Pre-School A much-loved Ilkley pre-school that has supported local families for over 60 years will be forced to close its doors at the end of April 2026 unless it raises £30,000 in emergency funding. Ilkley Pre-School Playgroup, which has served the community since at least 1968, is facing a critical shortfall after being forced to leave its previous home of more than six decades. During the period of uncertainty over its relocation, the setting was unable to