Welcome to the award winning Ilkley Chat!

A previous Climate Action Ilkley in-person workshop People in Wharfedale and beyond are being offered the chance to learn how to talk about climate change starting with a free online workshop at 19:30 on Tuesday 24 February 2026. Conversations are at the heart of big social change – for example with equal marriage in the UK, or abortion rights in Ireland. But surveys show that while 3 in 4 of us think climate is a serious threat, not just globally but here in the UK, more tha

L to R   Rachel Podger, Marcin Świątkiewicz, Elizabeth Kenny  Geoffrey Mogridge reviews Ilkley Concert Club's concert featuring Rachel Podger (violin), Elisabeth Kenny (theorbo) and Marcin Świątkiewicz (harpsichord), at the King’s Hall, Ilkley on Wednesday 14th January 2026. An evening of burnished sonorities built on five sonatas for violin and basso continuo by Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber (1644-1704) beckoned. Rachel Podger’s opening remarks embrace her audience and we a

Wrapt Homes run regular community draught-proofing workshops [Photos: Wrapt Homes Ltd] Climate Action Ilkley is inviting local residents to take part in one of two practical healthy homes workshops on Saturday 14 February 2026 at the Clarke Foley Community Hub. The 1.5‑hour group sessions - running 11:00am–12:30pm and 1:30pm–3:00pm - aim to give people the skills and confidence to make their homes warmer, healthier, and more energy‑efficient. Delivered by Wrapt Homes Ltd, a L

Lucy Steer, Good Neighbours Manager and Rosie Reay, Clarke Foley Manager Ilkley Good Neighbours have announced their move into Wright Place, the newly named community space within Clarke Foley Community Hub. The move marks the start of a six month pilot partnership designed to strengthen community connections and provide a welcoming space for local residents. Lucy Steer, Good Neighbours Manager said: “Wright Place gives us a fantastic platform to expand our work and connect w

📋| ILKLEY CHAT JOBS BOARD |📋 20.01.26 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 ■■■ VARIOUS ROLES – ECOLOGY BUILDING SOCIETY, SILSDEN We have a number of exciting new oppo

Ilkley Carnival’s 2026 theme of “Children’s Books” was launch at The Grove Bookshop with carnival committee member Colin Watson, with Lucy Allen and pupils from local schools Ilkley Carnival has announced its 2026 theme with organisers inviting the community to step into the magical world of Children’s Books for the event on Monday 4 May. The theme launch marks the start of preparations for one of the town’s most anticipated annual events which raises money for the local comm

The training camp in Ilkley Last weekend, 32 young people from West Yorkshire Scouts took part in an intensive training camp in Ilkley as they prepare for an exciting international expedition to Peru 12 - 24 August 2026. The training camp at Curley Hill marked a key milestone in the group’s journey, helping participants develop the practical skills, resilience, and teamwork needed for a challenging overseas expedition. When in Peru, the Scouts will split into two groups, each

[Photo: The Joyful Deli Bar and Restaurant Facebook] An Addingham café destroyed by fire last June has showed off how its amazing new interior will look. Owner Jilly Pittendreigh had been celebrating her birthday when she was woken by noises and discovered a blaze in the early hours of Monday 9th June 2025. Fire crews reported that morning being called to reports of a barn fire on Ilkley Road, saying: "A farm building 100% involved in flames which crews used large jets to ext

An art vending machine is coming to Ilkley offering original mini artworks for just 50p each, while raising vital funds for local homelessness support. The vending machine will be stocked with small, paper-based artworks created by the community. Every coin placed into the machine will be donated directly to Simon on the Streets , a charity supporting homeless and vulnerable people across Leeds and Bradford. The project invites everyone  who enjoys making art to take part. Yo

Ilkley Philharmonic New Year Concert [Photo: Michelle Heseltine Photography] Geoffrey Mogridge was in the sell out audience at the King's Hall on Saturday evening, 10th January, for the Ilkley Philharmonic New Year Concert which featured the Academy of Northern Ballet . A packed King’s Hall eagerly greeted the Ilkley Philharmonic Orchestra, leader Sally Robinson and conductor John Anderson, at the start of their annual New Year Celebration. This one, like the inaugural 2025 e

David M Lishman - the Beef Chief! [Photo: Lishman's of Ilkley] It was on 13th January 1986 that David Lishman opened the doors to David M Lishman and the journey began. 40 years on, and now multi awarding winning Lishman's of Ilkley. Taking to Facebook to congratulate David, the Lishman's team said: "Back in 1986, the shop was small, he worked alone, served just 12 customers on day one… and took £28. "Fast forward 40 years and so much has changed. The shop has grown, the busi

At its Full Council meeting on Monday 12 January, Ilkley Town Council discussed and formally agreed its budget for the 2026–27 financial year. Councillors approved a precept of £420,381, which means a Band D household will continue to pay £56.97 per year (collected alongside their Bradford Council tax) – the same amount as in 2025–26. This remains well below the national average, with official government data showing the average Band D parish precept in England for 2025–26 wa