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Keighley Couger owners Kaue Garcia and Ryan O'Neill Kaue Garcia and Ryan O'Neill, the owners of the rugby league club Keighley Cougars, have announced their plans to step away from the club citing homophobic abuse as the main reason. The pair took ownership of Keighley Cougars in 2019 and have confirmed in the lengthy statement on the club's website their 'difficult decision' to step away as 'custodians of Keighley Cougars at the end of this 2026 season.' In 2024, the same-se

One of Yorkshire's most celebrated restaurants, The Box Tree in Ilkley, has announced a £500,000 investment in the future of the business, with a significant refurbishment set to begin this August. Following its final service on Saturday 1st August, the restaurant will temporarily close before reopening on Wednesday 9th September, unveiling a thoughtfully reimagined dining experience that honours more than 60 years of heritage while looking confidently towards the future. The re

Throughout July Ilkley Playhouse has a variety of events to keep you entertained as Caroline Mutton previews for Ilkley Chat. On Friday 3rd July Essence Of Django will raise the roof in the Wildman Studio. A vibrant celebration of gypsy jazz and swing, featuring some of the region’s most exciting and expressive musicians. Audiences can expect fiery, virtuosic solos, foot-stomping rhythms, burning ballads, and moments of delicate lyricism, alongside the occasional Latin-inspi

Flotilla Ilkley Summer 7s takes place on Saturday 4th July at Ilkley Rugby Club [Photos: Peter & Cecile Clark at Ruggerpix} One of Yorkshire's leading rugby festivals returns to Ilkley Rugby Club on Saturday 4th July as the Flotilla Ilkley Summer 7s welcomes teams, supporters and visitors from across the North of England. Now in its ninth year since the tournament's revival at Stacks Field, the event has become an increasingly important fixture in the rugby 7s calendar, attra

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