Welcome to the award winning Ilkley Chat!

Ilkley's first-ever Pumpkin Festival has been hailed a huge success, with families enjoying free Halloween activities during the October half-term, including a town centre Pumpkin Trail and a community carving event on The Grove. Organised by Ilkley Business Improvement District (BID), the festival brought local businesses and the community together to celebrate all things pumpkin. The Pumpkin Trail featured 17 Ilkley businesses, each displaying their own carved creation. Hig

The proposed new toilet block with nine separate cubicles in total Ilkley Civic Society has recommended that Bradford Council refuses the planning application by Ilkley Town Council for the proposed replacement of the public toilets in Ilkley's central car park. The Society accepts that the existing building needs replacing due to its poor condition and appearance. However, it believes the proposed design is a missed opportunity to improve an important public space in the tow

🎆2026 Bonfire & Fireworks events in Ilkley & Addingham🔥 THURSDAY 5 NOVEMBER 𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐦 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 [ Start 6pm, 6:30pm bonfire, 7:15pm fireworks] Tickets from bar £12 including first drink and supper, U18s free with paying adult. Just entry £5 on the day [if capacity]. FRIDAY 6 NOVEMBER 𝐈𝐥𝐤𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 [ Start 5pm, 6:45pm bonfire, 7:30pm fireworks] Bar open 5pm, with pie and peas available from 6pm. FREE entry! 𝐀𝐁𝐁𝐀 𝐁

Ilkley resident Andy Willers beside the Hadfield Farm fields site off Skipton Road. Residents are distributing leaflets across Ilkley as the deadline approaches for public feedback on Bradford Council’s latest Local Plan, which includes proposals for more than 250 homes on Green Belt land at Hadfield Farm, off Skipton Road. A group of residents living to the west of Ilkley are urging the local community to make their voices heard over plans to allocate the Hadfield Farm site

Police are investigating one burglary and two attempted burglaries at homes on Colbert Avenue and Belmont Road in Ben Rhydding, Ilkley. The burglary on Colbert Avenue is reported to have happened around 4.50am Sunday morning (25 October). The attempt burglaries on Belmont Road are reported to have happened at around 4.30am on Sunday morning (25 October). Police say enquiries are currently ongoing and anyone with information or who witnesses anything suspicious is asked to c

Back in 2012 starting the bonfire [Photo; Colin Williams} Ashlands Primary School's Bonfire & Fireworks is set to celebrate its 40th anniversary in spectacular style this Saturday. This year’s anniversary promises to be the biggest and brightest yet, with an enhanced fireworks spectacular taking centre stage alongside the traditional bonfire, food, drinks and family-friendly atmosphere visitors have enjoyed for generations. Ste Hallam, from Friends of Ashlands, said: “Reachin

Trumpeter Shannon Gateley Acclaimed Ilkley trumpeter Shannon Gateley will perform solo with the Airedale Symphony Orchestra for a spectacular afternoon of music in Ilkley. Music lovers are invited to the King’s Hall, Ilkley, on Sunday 22 November 2026 for Echoes Through Time – an inspiring afternoon of orchestral music exploring history, tradition and the enduring power of musical legacy. The concert opens at 3pm with the luminous, contemplative beauty of Vaughan Williams’ Fa

The wining students, with IGS staff and Rotary Club members Ilkley Grammar School [IGS] sixth-form student Maya Robinson-Bakes has been named as the winner of the inaugural Alan Bennett Prize, launched by The Rotary Club of Ilkley. Open to IGS students, the new competition has been named after, and inspired by, one of Yorkshire’s greatest storytellers: playwright and novelist Alan Bennett. IGS sixth-form students were encouraged to write a 1000-word story entitled ‘Who am I?’

Young artists and photographers in the Ilkley area are being invited to showcase their creativity by The Rotary Club of Ilkley Wharfedale. The Rotary Young Artist and Young Photographer Competition is open to children aged 5 to 17 who live in the Ilkley area or attend schools in Ilkley, Addingham or Burley-in-Wharfedale. This year’s theme is ‘Friendship’, encouraging children to explore the subject through art or photography. There are three age groups: 5–10, 11–13 and 14–17

Ilkley Art Club’s annual show is now on display in the café area of the Clarke Foley Community Hub, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy and purchase original artwork created by club members. The exhibition is free to visit and will remain on display until January 2027. Each piece is clearly labelled with its price and the materials used, allowing visitors to learn more about the artwork and purchase pieces that catch their eye. Ilkley Art Club meets every Wednesday aft

Sam Bentham and Ed Hobbs with their team-mates [Photo: duncan.richards] Sam Bentham and Edward Hobbs represent England Athletics at the prestigious Trofeo Vanoni Relays in Italy, with both finishing first in the U23 category on their respective legs. Ilkley Harriers athletes Sam Bentham and Edward Hobbs helped England’s Under-23 team secure an impressive fourth-place finish at one of Italy’s most iconic international mountain running events. The pair represented England Athle

Amy and Sophie Local aesthetics practitioner Amy Wilson has opened a new AW Aesthetics clinic on Cowpasture Road, following a £100,000 investment transforming the former Ilkley Moor pharmacy. Amy said opening the clinic was a long-held dream, allowing her to offer advanced treatments in a premium environment. Amy said: "Opening AW Aesthetics has been a dream I've worked towards for many years. From treating clients in my home clinic, to renting a treatment room locally, I've