Mayor joins veterans club for Armed Forces Covenant signing

The Major of Ilkley witnessed the Armed Forces Covenant signing

The Mayor of Ilkley, Councillor Jane Gibson, attended the recent Ilkley Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club and witnessed the Armed Forces Covenant signing.

The club marked a highly successful start to the year with its first breakfast of 2026, attracting a larger-than-usual turnout of serving personnel and veterans from across the area.

Cllr Gibson joined members for breakfast and spoke informally with attendees about their service, experiences, and the role the club plays in supporting the Armed Forces community locally.

A key moment of the morning saw the Mayor formally witness the signing of the Armed Forces Covenant on behalf of the club. The Covenant was signed by the club’s administrators—Paul Wilson, Jason Sands, and Mark Sugrue—representing a public commitment to uphold the values of the Armed Forces Covenant and to support those who serve or have served, along with their families.

The Ilkley Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club is open to all ranks and all services, welcoming both serving personnel and veterans. The group provides an informal, supportive environment aimed at reducing isolation, encouraging peer support, and maintaining strong links between the Armed Forces community and local civic life.

The club meets on the last Saturday of each month, from 10am until midday, at The Lister Arms (Wetherspoon’s), Ilkley.

Organisers described the event as a strong and positive start to the year, despite several regular members being absent due to other commitments, and said the Mayor’s attendance and the Covenant signing represented an important milestone in the club’s ongoing development.