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Ilkley News


Charity founder's MBE medal replaced after Ilkley theft
Mike Davis MBE Ilkley resident and founder of a Skipton based children's charity, Mike Davies MBE, has received a replacement medal after the original was stolen during a break-in at his Ilkley home. Mike founded The Principle Trust Children's Charity, which offer respite breaks and support for disadvantaged children, in 2011 and was appointed MBE by the Queen in 2017. Early February, burglars broke into his home on Curly Hill in Ilkley and took his MBE, along with passports,
Mar 16


Improvements planned for Ilkley’s 'pocket park' this summer
Pocket park by the South Hawksworth Street car park public toilets Improvements to the cycle hub in Ilkley’s ‘pocket park’ are planned for summer and will be delivered by Bradford Council’s Landscape Design and Conservation team. The cycle hub, adjacent to the public toilets in the centre of Ilkley, is to be improved with repairs to the damaged cycle shelter, new additional cycle storage and the installation of a new bin store. Created in 2020 to provide a base for cyclists t
Mar 16


Join Liz Flanagan for an evening of historical fiction at The Grove Bookshop
Award-winning author, Liz Flanagan The Grove Bookshop is excited to be hosting an evening of historical fiction with award-winning author, Liz Flanagan this week. The event will be at the shop from 7-8.30pm on Thursday, 19 March. The author will be in conversation about her novel, When We Were Divided , which is set in Yorkshire during the English Civil War. Bookshop manager Mike said: 'I am looking forward to speaking to Liz about the eternal issues faced by families torn ap
Mar 16


Violinist David Greed fulfils a long-held goal with Airedale Symphony Orchestra
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:
Mar 16


Annie set to grace the King's Hall stage in April
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
Mar 16


Elton John tribute night raises £1k for mental health and cardiac care charities
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
Mar 15


Ticket Office says business as usual despite company reports
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
Mar 14


Review: Ilkley Philharmonic Orchestra, All Saints Church
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
Mar 14


Ilkley MP meets Marie Curie nurses to discuss Great Daffodil Appeal and crisis in end-of-life care
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
Mar 13


Ghyll Royd School to launch the 1889 Foundation
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
Mar 13


Join Acapella Fellas, Ilkley's all-male choir
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
Mar 13


Ben Rhydding Sports Club seeks £300k for car park renovation
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
Mar 12
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