Welcome to the award winning Ilkley Chat!

[West Yorkshire Police] West Yorkshire Police say a motorist has been arrested on suspicion of driving whilst disqualified, without insurance and for drugs offences. Officers from Keighley Neighbourhood Policing Team say they were conducting patrols in the Ilkley area on Sunday afternoon, when they spotted a Volkswagen Jetta, believed to be driven by a disqualified driver, and linked to drug supply. A spokesperson said: "The vehicle was stopped, and checks confirmed the drive

Ilkley customers can support families facing financial difficulties during the Easter school holidays by picking up an extra bag to put through the checkout at the Tesco Springs Lane store. The donation bags, which cost between £2 and £5 and are available until 12 April, are pre-packed with healthy long life food items. are are available in Ilkley's Tesco store during the Easter break to make donating the most-needed items to the charities FareShare & The Felix Project and Tr

Tyson Kelly as John Lennon coming to the King's Hall The Internationally acclaimed John Lennon performer Tyson Kelly is bringing his 2026 UK tour to Ilkley next month. Renowned for his portrayal of John Lennon in ‘Let It Be’ on Broadway and performing as Lennon with the celebrated Beatles Tribute act ‘The Bootleg Beatles’ for seven years, Tyson's uncanny look and sound-a-like embodies Lennon’s voice, presence and artistry with remarkable authenticity. In Imagine Lennon, at th

Rave On: The Ultimate 50s and 60s Experience returns to Ilkley on Thursday 30 April. Back for another year to the King's Hall and jam-packed with more classic hits than ever before, the live band performs note perfect renditions of the most loved sounds from the decades that gifted us Rock and Roll - with hits from the likes of Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, The Beatles, Connie Francis, Little Richard, Roy Orbison, Lulu, The Beach Boy and many more. From the emergen

Ricky Balshaw is frontlining Stagefright this weekend This coming Saturday, 28 March, Stagefright Comedy Club returns to the Wildman Studio at Ilkley Playhouse, we look ahead to the line-up and what else is on in April. The event will be frontlined by Midlands Comedy Award Winner Ricky Balshaw. He has been described as ‘a fascinating fusion of witty observations and storytelling’ (The Times). Joining him is Slim, who has appeared on Live at the Apollo, Live at the Hackney Emp

The Ilkley community joined forces once again to deliver 240 Easter food parcels to children eligible for free school meals, easing pressure on families facing rising food prices. The large-scale local effort provided nutritious essentials, treats, and fresh produce to children across local schools, ensuring families had support over the holiday period. Organised by Ilkley Great Get Together, with help from volunteers, businesses, charities and schools, who all played a vital

Cornish lifestyle brand Seasalt Cornwall has announce its latest store in Ilkley will open on 4 April 2026. Located on Brook Street, the new shop brings Seasalt’s signature coastal-inspired collections and commitment to sustainable craftsmanship to Ilkley. As a retailer with more than 1,000 employees, the new shop demonstrates the brand’s continued support for physical retail. The Ilkley store will employ a team of 9, led by Store Manager Tanya Goffe, offering customers a war

Moorfield School and Nursery in Ilkley has joined Bradford Grammar School (BGS) in a move that secures the school’s long-term future and strengthens independent education across the region. The agreement brings Moorfield into the BGS Foundation while retaining its distinctive ethos, leadership and identity. The partnership builds on an established relationship between the two schools and a shared commitment to academic excellence, strong pastoral care and opportunity beyond t

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