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Ilkley News


Starbucks apply for new smaller sign
The old sign which was removed last month Plans have been submitted to Bradford Council to install a new short advertising totem at Starbucks in Ben Rhydding after it was forced to removed the previous totem. In 2025, the company installed a nine metre totem without consent and was subject to many complains and objections from residents, with planners saying it was a 'disproportionate and discordant feature'. A retrospective application was refused and the sign was eventually
Apr 16


Ilkley Town appoints new women’s manager
Ilkley Town AFC Women [Photo: broganphoto.uk] Ilkley Town AFC has appointed Rich Walker as its new Women’s First Team Manager. The current Brighouse Town AFC Women’s U23s Manager and Bradford City Girls U15s Lead Coach will join the club ahead of pre-season. Rich said: “I’m honoured to take up the role of Women’s First Team Manager at Ilkley Town, It’s a club of real stature with an outstanding reputation and a genuinely positive commitment to the growth of girls’ and wom
Apr 16


Ilkley History Hub: Walk to see the Spa Hydro
Explore Ilkley's health resort heritage on foot with this guided walk led by Ilkley Civic Society Local History Hub. Starting from Ilkley Manor House, this walk on Saturday 25 April will take you to see the historic spa hydro buildings that made Ilkley famous as a Victorian health destination. Learn about the architecture, the people, and the stories behind these buildings. Meet Ilkley Civic Society's Alex Cockshot outside the Manor House at 2pm. This is an outdoor walking ev
Apr 16


Police to hold bike-marking session in Ilkley on Saturday
Cyclists are being offered a chance to protect their bikes from thieves. Local police are running a bike-marking session in Ilkley on Saturday, 18 April 2026. Taking place outside Wheelbase on Skipton Road between 11am and 1pm. Take your bike to get it added to the national, police-preferred database, BikeRegister, and increase your chances of it being recovered should it ever be stolen. It will also be a chance to meet Ilkley's PCSO.
Apr 16


Hidden circus discovery set to arrive in Ilkley this summer
A long forgotten travelling circus is set to return to Yorkshire this summer, following an unusual discovery in a North Yorkshire barn. Local theatre producer Jamie Hudson, of Yeadon Town Hall Theatre, uncovered records of a historic “Yorkshire Circus” after finding references in an old book. Further investigation led to the discovery of original equipment, including wagons, costumes and props, which had been left untouched for years. Over the past two years, the collection h
Apr 15


Rail disruption warned on Sunday due to engineering work
Northern say planned engineering work on Sunday, 19 April, will impact services on the Wharfedale Line. Buses replace trains between Bradford and Guiseley, with no direct trains between Ilkley and Bradford Forster Square. Service changes include: Leeds and Skipton: Trains will run to a reduced timetable between Keighley and Skipton. Leeds and Bradford Forster Square: Trains will not run. Leeds and Ilkley: Trains will call additionally at Kirkstall Forge. Leeds and Carlisle: T
Apr 15


Walking for Val: friends turn tragedy into action
Val Jones A group of Ilkley friends are going on a three day 'Reiki Ramble' to help Val get the help she needs after being left paralysed below the neck. For 37 years, upper limb specialist physiotherapist Val Jones walked into her NHS physio department to care for her patients, but after a serious road traffic collision in June last year, now she can't. Among other injuries, she sustained damage to her upper spinal cord, leaving her paralysed below the neck, unable even to b
Apr 15


Hundreds enjoy Easter fun at Nell Bank in Ilkley
During the Easter holidays, over 400 people enjoyed a visit to Nell Bank Outdoor Education Centre in Ilkley. A group from Ilkley Soroptimists joined staff at Nell Bank and other volunteers from the district to give families a fun day out. The event was funded through the Government Holiday Activities & Food Programme, which aims to provide holiday activities for eligible children to benefit their health, wellbeing and learning. Transported to and from the centre by bus, each
Apr 15


Local runners take on the London Marathon to support Children’s Charity
L-R Simon and Joe are running London Marathon in support of The Principle Trust Children’s Charity Two dedicated fundraisers, Joe Gaughan and Simon Horsfall, are preparing to take on the iconic London Marathon this year in support of The Principle Trust Children’s Charity. The pair are aiming to raise thousands of pounds to help families enjoy much-needed respite breaks. For Joe Gaughan from Silsden, running the marathon has always been on his bucket list, watching in awe eac
Apr 14


Coming soon to the Ilkley Playhouse stage
Rehearsals underway for Calendar Girls The Musical, opening on 22 April Plan your next visit to Ilkley Playhouse, we take a look at the latest what's on guide with Caroline Mutton from the playhouse. This coming Friday 17th April The After Hours Quintet will be making their Ilkley Playhouse debut, treating audiences to a scintillating, exhilarating jaunt through the vaults of British Trad Jazz, New Orleans Swing, Gypsy Jazz and Jump Blues. Led by front man Oly Clarkson (on
Apr 14


Former Ilkley Mayor standing for Liberal Democrats in Bradford elections
Bradford Liberal Democrats have announced their candidate. Mark Stidworthy, for the Ilkley and Addingham Ward in the Bradford Council elections on 7 May. Mark, a former town councillor who chaired Ilkley Town Council as Mayor between 2019 and 2023, said: “Labour’s leadership of Bradford Council has become complacent, improvements are slow, inefficient and costly, services are fragile and unresponsive to local need. Nationally, the Conservatives are largely responsible for
Apr 14


New Litter Awards to recognise local environmental heroes
Litter Free Ilkley are one of nine groups involved in the new Thomas Black Local Litter Awards The new Thomas Black Local Litter Awards aim to recognise volunteers, groups and businesses improving our local environment and celebrate efforts in litter clearing, conservation and community engagement. Nine Litter-Free groups covering Ilkley, Silsden, Addingham, Keighley, Denton, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Menston, Guiseley and Baildon have joined forces to highlight the invaluable wo
Apr 14
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