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Crocuses around the Ilkley fountain The 24th October was designated as this year’s World Polio Day and, for 35 years, Rotary have been involved with helping to eradicate Polio worldwide.   The Rotary Club of Ilkley Wharfedale have purchased 4,000 crocus bulbs as part of the Purple4Polio drive by Rotary in Great Britain & Ireland for a Polio free world.   The bulbs have, in turn, been donated to (but not limited to) Friends of Ilkley Moor, Friends of Ilkley Riverside Parks, Im

Mrs Norton portrayed by Irene Lofthouse  The talk at Ilkley Manor House will celebrate past pioneers and today’s changemakers.   An engaging new interactive talk, Brilliant Bradford Lasses, will take place this Friday 6 March 2026, 5–6:30pm, marking International Women’s Day by shining a light on extraordinary women and girls connected to Bradford from the 19th century to the present day.   Audience members can expect a lively session that blends history, performance and part

Mason Jones died following a serious assault on Sunday Police investigating the death of a man who was seriously assaulted in Burley-in-Wharfedale at the weekend have charged a man with murder. John Robinson, aged 30, of Derry Hill, Menston, has been charged with the murder of Mason Jones. Mason, aged 30, was the victim of a serious assault on Main Street in the village on Sunday 1 March. He later died of his injuries. Robinson, who self-defines as white British, has been rem

Crispin McKie Drone Photography Ilkley has announced its intention to submit an Expression of Interest for the UK Town of Culture 2028, a new initiative from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The bid, led by Ilkley Business Improvement District (BID) and supported by Ilkley Town Council in consultation with other local organisations, aims to celebrate the town’s rich arts, heritage, culture and creativity. As part of the competition, Ilkley will compete for

Ilkley Carnival creative competition is open until Monday 9 March Ilkley Carnival’s organisers have extended the entry deadline for its programme cover competition to give young artists one more weekend to get creative!   The event’s Children’s Books theme is set to inspire colourful and creative illustrations designed by local young people who now have until Monday 9 March to submit their designs for a chance to appear on the Ilkley Carnival 2026 programme cover.   The Ilkle

The CCTV system at the Grade II listed Ilkley Railway Station will be renewed and enhanced. An application was submitted to Bradford Council by Northern Trains Limited in December 2025 with plans to bring the existing CCTV system up to current standards and technology. Ilkley station was originally constructed in 1864, with the station listed in 1976. Northern said in the application: "There is no requirement to alter, extend or demolish the listed buildings at the site. The

A Charity Lunchtime Opera Gala at the King's Hall in April will invite audiences into the thrilling world of opera. Headlining is international soprano, Alexandra Lowe, renounced for her performances rich in drama, passion, and vocal brilliance. Alexandra weaves powerful storytelling with soaring melodies, bringing timeless operatic moments vividly to life. Alexandra will be joined by distinguished guest artists, Elgan Thomas (Tenor), and Katie Stillman (Violinist), accompan

📋| ILKLEY CHAT JOBS BOARD |📋 03.03.26 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 ■■■ IN-HOUSE CLEANER – ILKLEY LAWN TENNIS & SQUASH CLUB 20 hours/week, permanent. Join our

Ilkley Grammar School The vast majority of children in Ilkley and across the Bradford district have been offered a place at one of their preferred secondary schools, figures from Bradford Council show. On Secondary School National Offer Day, (2 March), 92% of pupils who applied on time were offered a place at one of their top three preferred schools, with 95% receiving one of their top five choices. In total, 7,823 applications were processed this year, and every child who ap

Jason Watkins [centre} with members of Ilkley Clean River group Ilkley Clean River group has written an open letter to the town and its supporters following the broadcast of “Dirty Business” on Channel 4. 'If you watched Dirty Business you will be outraged, shocked and sad. How is it that this country has let our rivers be polluted whilst we look the other way. That's how the Ilkley Clean River group started, watching our river turn brown with sewage pollution, getting a grou

Main Street in Burley-in-Wharfedale {Photo: Noah Renshaw ] Police have now launched a murder investigation following the death of a man who was seriously assaulted in Burley-in-Wharfedale. The Homicide and Major Enquiry Team is investigating following the death in hospital this afternoon of a 30-year-old man who was found in the street at the junction of Main Street and Iron Row today (1 March) with an apparent stab injury. As previously disclosed, emergency services were cal

PippaFest 2025 After a phenomenal debut last year, PippaFest is back and bigger than ever. The family-friendly music festival returns to Burley-in-Wharfedale on Sunday 3 May with an incredible 11-hour programme of live music, bringing the community together for a day of celebration, remembrance and fundraising. Held in memory of Pippa Simpson, a talented singer/songwriter who sadly passed away in 2024 from brain cancer, age 25. PippaFest was created to honour her wish of an a