Welcome to the award winning Ilkley Chat!

Piece from the new art exhibition Moorfield School will open its doors on Thursday to give Ilkley residents a chance to view its Turner Prize Inspired Art Exhibition! Featuring an exciting collection of artwork bursting with inspiration, colour and creative energy created by children and staff, the exhibition takes inspiration from the themes, creativity and innovation showcased in the 2025 Turner Prize exhibition. Local artist Helen Brayshaw and Nick Hockney, nephew of the l

Getting the ducks ready at the 2026 Burley-in-Wharfedale Duck Race [Photo: Gary Bowkett] A flock of racing yellow ducks took to the River Wharfe last Sunday [21 June] as the annual Burley-in-Wharfedale Duck Race returned to the village. The event brought fantastic weather, big crowds, and the familiar mix of excitement, teas and community pride. Organised by the Burley in Wharfedale Community Trust, the race got underway just after 2pm from the field next to the river east

Bradford Council has made a planning application seeking permission to convert existing office accommodation on the first floor of Dalesway House in Ilkley into residential apartments. Dalesway House is connected to The Moors Shopping Centre in the heart of Ilkley, and the offices on the first floor are above business premises including Boots Optician and Fifth Avenue, the women's clothing store. The applications asks for 'Permission in Principle' to provide between six and n

📋| ILKLEY CHAT JOBS BOARD |📋 23.06.26 every Tuesday with Right at Home Ilkley, Keighley & Skipton - recruiting CareGivers to provide quality care in a client’s home: rightathome.co.uk/ilkley-jobs There are three sections - main jobs, apprenticeships and volunteers. 🖱 To add a vacancy next week or view the Jobs Board on our website visit ilkleychat.co.uk/jobs-board ■■■ MAIN JOBS ■■■ TEACHING ASSISTANTS – SACRED HEART, ILKLEY The Governors are looking for enthusiastic and fr

Bradford Council bin crews will be starting an hour earlier this week to avoid possible heat related health issues. Due to the forecast of high to extreme temperatures, Bradford Council has said its bin crews will be starting collections an hour earlier from 5am all this week. A spokesperson said: "Working in extreme heat is physically more demanding so starting when the temperatures are cooler will help reduce the risk of crews experiencing heat related health issues. "Did y

The highly anticipated Ilkley Cycle Races will return on 3rd July, bringing elite cycling, high-energy racing, and a town-wide hospitality experience designed to showcase the very best of Ilkley’s independent food and drink scene. The event is organised by the Ilkley Cycling Club in partnership with British Cycling, continuing a long-standing collaboration aimed at developing grassroots racing while delivering a major community spectacle in the heart of the town. This year’s

Ilkley Pride is gearing up for its biggest celebration yet as it returns to the iconic King’s Hall & Winter Garden on Saturday 27 June 2026, marking the 5-year anniversary of Ilkley Pride. With less than a week to go, anticipation is building across the town for a day-long festival celebrating LGBTQ+ pride, inclusion, creativity, and community spirit. Organisers have announced that this year’s celebration will also mark an important turning point: Ilkley Pride 2026 will be th

John Richardson on the podium in 1st place A member of Heavy Metal Gym in Ilkley is celebrating after being crowned British National Champion in his age and weight category at the British Masters Powerlifting Championships in Edinburgh. John Richardson (Gez) secured the M3 Under 105kg British National Champion title at the Championships, held on 5–6 June, which are organised by British Powerlifting, the UK's national governing body for the sport. The British Masters Powerlift

Addingham Gala Festival returns on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th July and this year's theme is 'Out of this World'. Taking place over two days in the village, Friday consists of live music from 6pm, with a bar courtesy of The Swan, along with lots of food outlets and games for the kids. Saturday, the 'Out of this World' themed parade will head down Main Street from 12pm, ending at the Gala field, which will host lots of exciting things to do, including a dog agility display,

Linda Wellings, Tamila Salimdjanova, Yuanfan Yang Concert pianist, Yuanfan Feng, hosted the Waterman Piano Recital in the Winter Garden, Ilkley on Wednesday 10th June 2026. Geoffrey Mogridge has written this review. This is the 4th annual recital promoted by Wharfedale Festival of Piano to celebrate the legacy of Dame Fanny Waterman (1920-2020). Fanny founded the famous Leeds International Piano Competition back in 1961. Her life was dedicated to the nurturing of young and be

Six firefighters, including James and Adrian based at Ilkley, will join members of the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association (UWFRA) for one of the region's most demanding fundraising challenges next Saturday, 27 June, and they're not making it easy for themselves. The firefighters will complete the Wharfedale Three Peaks Challenge in full fire kit and breathing apparatus, while three UWFRA volunteers carry a rescue stretcher across 17 miles of Yorkshire Dales terrain. The

[Photo: Fusion Chocolate] Fusion Chocolate in Ilkley has been crowned a winner in the Muddy Stilettos Awards 2026. The annual awards, which celebrate the very best independent businesses across the UK, attracted almost half a million votes this year and reached an audience of around 14 million people nationwide. Now in their 13th year, the Muddy Stilettos Awards recognise standout local businesses across a wide range of lifestyle categories, from hospitality and retail to wel