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[Photo: FoIM] The Friends of Ilkley Moor (FoIM) have launched an ambitious programme to restore Ilkley Tarn as a thriving, nature-rich wildlife pond. Once an important breeding site for amphibians, the Tarn is now heavily affected by pollution and a large duck population, with much of its former aquatic wildlife apparently lost. As the first step towards restoration, FoIM has commissioned a detailed scientific evaluation under the supervision of Professor Rick Battarbee FRS,

📋| ILKLEY CHAT JOBS BOARD |📋 22.09.26 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 ■■■ FRONT OF HOUSE TEAM F&B – AUDLEY CLEVEDON RETIREMENT VILLAGE, BEN RHYDDING £12.74 per ho

The birthday brunch was held at The Wheatley Arms [Photo: Natasha Cadman photography] A birthday brunch brought together 60 women in business as Inspire & Connect Business Networking celebrated its second anniversary. Founded in 2024 by local entrepreneur Anna Clewlow and now co-led with Dani Bolser of My Vibe VA, the network has grown to include active groups across Ilkley, Bingley, Farsley and Thackley. The brunch was held at The Wheatley Arms in Ben Rhydding on Monday 14 S

Ilkley residents are being encouraged to clear out unwanted items and give them a new lease of life when the town’s annual Recycle Day returns on Saturday, 26 September. Organised by the Rotary Club of Ilkley Wharfedale, the event will take place at Ilkley's main car park from 10am to 3pm, offering residents the opportunity to donate a range of items that can be reused, refurbished or put to good use through charitable projects both in the UK and overseas. Items being accepte

Families are invited to attend the St John’s Children’s Nearly New Sale on 17 October, offering an opportunity to pick up great-value children’s clothing and items while supporting children in Uganda. As the summer season comes to an end and colder, wetter weather approaches, the sale will provide families with the chance to stock up on winter essentials, school uniform basics, Halloween costumes and other children’s items. Shoppers can also get an early start on their Christ

The Climate Café is being held at the Quaker House in Ilkley Local residents are invited to a free Climate Café listening circle, offering a safe, supportive space to share feelings and emotions about the climate and ecological crisis. The first Climate Climate Café is Monday 21 September between 7pm and 8.30pm. Organised by Climate Action Ilkley, Climate Cafés provide a simple, welcoming and empathetic environment where people can talk openly about emotions such as fear, ang

The Ukrainian bench in the Riverside Gardens Members of the Ukrainian community in Ilkley are appealing to local residents for help following a series of incidents in which a small Ukrainian community area in the park has been repeatedly vandalised. Four years ago, following the arrival of Ukrainians seeking safety in the area, members of the local Ukrainian community bought and installed a bench in the Riverside Gardens at their own expense. The bench was painted in the colo

The Ilkley Singers performed at the 2025 Ilkley Christmas Tree Festival St Margaret’s Church in Ilkley is inviting local community groups, charities and schools to take part in this year’s much-loved Ilkley Christmas Tree Festival. The annual display of sparkling Christmas trees will take place on Friday 4 December and Saturday 5 December, with the Queen's Road church showcasing the organisations that touch the lives of people across the community. Nordmann Fir Christmas tree

Overall Winner, Julie Lawler from Mayfield View with their certificate In the build-up to the Ilkley Flower Show this year, show organisers teamed up with Ilkley BID to run the first Blooming Ilkley competition. Shops and businesses across town created their own wheelbarrow creations. Alan Titchmarsh CBE DL VMH, Patron of the Ilkley Flower Show, judged the displays and said: “What a difficult job I had deciding on the winners. It’s really rewarding to see so many entries and

Ilkley author and quizmaster Joe Varley is celebrating the publication of his 13th book, The Great Northern Quiz Book, with a launch quiz night. Packed with 2,500 questions about the North of England, the book covers everything from history and culture to sport, food, music and much more. Publisher HarperCollins has described Joe as “Yorkshire’s premier quiz author.” The book will be launched at a special quiz night at Fuggle & Golding in Ilkley, on Monday 26 October at 7pm.

Ilkley Library and Visitor Information Centre will reopen to the public next week following a major refurbishment. The building on Station Road will be back open to the public on Monday, 21 September. The library service and Visitor Information Centre will move back into the refurbished building after operating from temporary accommodation at the Town Hall during the improvement works. Visitors returning to the library will benefit from a range of improvements, including new

Dacre, Son & Hartley's office in Ilkley Dacre, Son & Hartley’s Ilkley office recorded an 82% increase in home sales during July and August, compared with the same period last year, as Yorkshire’s property market enjoyed a busy summer. The Ilkley-headquartered estate agent also agreed 32% more home sales across its 17-office network in August compared with August 2025, following a 12% increase in July. Patrick McCutcheon, head of residential at Dacre, Son & Hartley in Ilkley,