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Alan Titchmarsh becomes the first Ilkley Manor House 'Supporters Scheme' member


Ilkley Manor House is launching a new Supporters’ scheme providing the community with a way of supporting the House financially in return for a series of exclusive benefits.


The Grade 1 Listed Medieval house sits in the heart of Ilkley and is a centre for arts, heritage and events – a hub for the local community as well as attracting visitors to the town.


Now, for an individual membership fee of £15 a year, supporters can expect early access to the House’s varied events programme of exhibitions and concerts, with advance booking on ticketed events and activities, exclusive supporter-only shopping events including at the ever-popular Christmas Makers’ Fair, as well as invitations to exhibition previews and a regular e-newsletter. There will also be the opportunity to meet with the Trustees to share ideas and plans for the Manor House, which is run by volunteers.


Alan Titchmarsh, Patron of Ilkley Manor House Trust, visited last week and is the first member of the new scheme. 'I am delighted to be the inaugural member of the Manor House Trust's new Supporters’ scheme. As the Patron of the Trust, I am well aware that fundraising to conserve this beautiful building and gardens as well as putting on the programme of activities and exhibitions that happen in the house all costs money. So a thriving supporters’ group is essential to the future of the Manor House and I hope lots of the local community will sign up too'.


Sarah Thomas, Chair of Ilkley Manor House says ‘It’s fantastic to have Alan’s support for this new scheme, which launches on 1st March, and we hope that it will appeal to both our loyal and new visitors. This is a way that, in return for a relatively small fee, the community can support the House, and engage in the culture and history it has to offer in an interesting way, whilst also helping to provide the additional funds the House needs to remain open and develop its offer.


Alan's visit also gave him an opportunity to see what had been happening in the house during the lockdowns as well as hearing about the plans are for the future. Louise Hepworth-Wood presented Alan with an advent calendar, a set of cards containing garden seeds designed by Carolyn Hird-Rogers and a painting of Ilkley Moor by Helen Brayshaw.


Interested in becoming a Manor House Supporter? To sign up to the scheme online, visit www.ilkleymanorhouse.org/supporters, or pop into the House, talk to one of our friendly volunteer stewards or pick up a flyer. Opening Hours are Saturday and Sunday, 11-4pm.

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