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Bettys is introducing daytime bookings at its Ilkley café on The Grove for the first time. The bookings are optional, the café will continue to accept walk-in customers. Nicky Sellers, director of operations at Bettys, said: "This is a milestone for Bettys and reflects our ongoing commitment to enhancing the guest experience while preserving the timeless charm that has made Bettys a Yorkshire institution. "We realise that the queue can be a barrier for some customers and we w

[1st prize winners] The Youth Committee of Ilkley Wharfedale Rotary Club have once again held their annual Young Artist and Young Photographer Competitions with over 120 entries. Entry was open to any young person aged between five and seventeen who lives or goes to school in Addingham, Ilkley or Burley-in-Wharfedale. This year's theme was Happiness in Nature and the committee commented on the high standard of entries across the three categories: Junior 5 to 10, Intermediate

New trails exploring Ilkley's watery heritage will launch on Saturday, 28 March. A group of retired ex-teachers have been inspired by the new fountain to create new trails, which explain to children how it works, and also how the nature and science of water has shaped our town. Chris Oxlade, a published children’s author, has helped to create two walks which include a challenge for children and visitors. The trails map has an accessible Riverside Walk, suitable to pushchair

Menopause and Cancer, the only non-profit supporting cancer survivors through treatment-induced menopause, is organising ten guided walks in twelve months across various locations in West Yorkshire, starting in Ilkley on Saturday. Led by trained Menopause and Cancer volunteers with lived experience, these walks will be accessible, inclusive, and paced to suit a wide range of physical abilities. To join the walk, meet at Ilkley Park Riverside Gardens on Saturday 28 March 2026

Geoffrey Hogben A member of the Ilkley Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club has been recognised at a national level after winning the Veteran category in the prestigious Royal Navy Photography Awards. Chris North, a well-known figure within the Ilkley veterans’ community, secured top honours with a striking photograph featuring fellow club member Geoffrey Hogben. The image, praised for its character and composition, highlights not only Chris’s talent behind the camera but a

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Alan Titchmarsh at the opening of the new fountain in April 2025 The Ilkley Flower Show will make a triumphant return on Saturday 19 September at All Saints Church, featuring renowned garden writer and broadcaster and IFS president Alan Titchmarsh CBE as guest judge. Now in its 67th year, the community-focused event will bring horticulture, arts, food and family-friendly competition back to the heart of Ilkley with a full day of displays, stalls and activities. This year’

King Duck training his ducks in the Ilkley fountain King Duck is getting his ducks all in line ready for next month’s Great Ilkley Duck Race. Organised by the Ilkley Wharfedale Club Rotarians who are hoping to sell all 6000 yellow ducks this year race on Saturday 18 April. Ducks are launched into the River Wharfe from the New Brook Street Bridge and be swept along to a finish line 350m downstream. The first ducks into the water at 2:15pm will be the red ducks taken by 100 b

The PSSA [Public Statues and Sculpture Association] have announced the new Ilkley Fountain has been nominated for the 2026 PSSA Marsh Award for Excellence in Fountains. Several nominations were made for the Ilkley fountain, which was delivered after a competition and consultation period by the charity Improving Ilkley, and opened by Alan Titchmarsh CBE in 2025, Announcing the nomination, the PSSA said: "We are delighted to announce that Juliet Gutch, Ilkley Fountain has been

This Easter, Ilkley BID is inviting families to explore the town centre with a fun-filled Easter Bunny Trail! From 28 March to 12 April, children and adults alike can join the hunt for Flopsy bunnies, hiding in 16 local shops across Ilkley. One lucky winner will take home a giant Ostrich Egg, weighing over 1kg, generously donated by Hotel Chocolat on Brook Street. Jos Mountcastle, BID Communications Officer, said: “We’re inviting families to explore Ilkley over the Easter hol

Cllr Andrew Loy [middle] with Jane Sellers and Richard Downey outside the former HWRC Ilkley district councillor Andrew Loy has called for a “common sense” approach to improving recycling and restoring access to local waste facilities, following a motion he presented at a meeting of Bradford Council on Tuesday 17 March 2026. The motion highlighted that Bradford district’s household recycling rate currently stands at just 32.53%, significantly below the national average of 4

Spring is in the air - and so is music as Ilkley Live brings a delight of musical events to entertain Ilkley in the coming months! The first offering is the Spring Community Sing , which will take place at the Clarke Foley Community Hub from 10.00-12.00 on Saturday 11 April. This event will once again be led by natural voice leader Keely Hodgson. Keely teaches songs through singing and repeating, mixing traditional and new tunes to create a joyous sound that is full of harmon