Latest local news
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Top marks for Ilkley Carnival Creative Competition!
Three local school children have got top marks for creating artwork which depicts Ilkley Carnival’s Mardi Gras theme!
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Family fun at Bradford Libraries this Easter
Bradford Council’s Libraries Service is offering a host of fun family friendly activities to encourage book-sharing and reading during the Easter School Holiday.
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Free Easter activities in Keighley for all ages
Try Something Spring is a programme of free activities over the Easter holidays for people who live in the Keighley parish area.
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Westville House Ilkley celebrates exam success
Year 6 children are celebrating their outstanding exam success at Westville House School in Ilkley.
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Ilkley Gift Card joins national gifting platform
The Ilkley Gift Card is one of the first local gift cards available to buy in the GiftRound store as part of a drive to encourage local shopping.
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Ilkley Town AFC to celebrate 75 years of football in town
Ilkley Town AFC is planning a celebration event at the Craiglands Hotel in May to mark the club's 75th anniversary.
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Skipton features in Best Places to Live guide for 2024
Skipton is among a handful of places across Yorkshire and the North East identified this year by the Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide.
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Yorkshire Water announced more projects to improve River Wharfe water quality
Yorkshire Water has announced this week it is planning to invest £1.4m in Ilkley and Ben Rhydding to further reduce the number of discharges into the river, helping to improve water quality.
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Retro fair returns to Ilkley Playhouse
Easter Saturday, Ilkley Playhouse sees the return of the Ilkley Vintage Fair with 20 retro specialists from across the north of England, each bringing a host of nostalgic items for shoppers to peruse and buy.
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West Yorkshire bus plans are 'biggest shake up of sector in 40 years'
The decision to bring West Yorkshire’s bus services under public control has been described as the biggest change to bus services for four decades.
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Singer turned environmental campaigner in Ilkley on Sunday
Feargal Sharkey will visit Ilkley on Sunday (17 March) to support the Ilkley Clean River Group's campaign to stop residents paying more money to for Yorkshire Water to treat sewage.
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Local schoolkids take part in climate change event
Children from Cowling Community Primary School, Kildwick C of E Primary and Thornton-in-Craven Community Primary have taken part in a special day of activities to help create a greener future.
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Labour candidate wants Ilkley tip 'mothballed' and deals to use nearby facilities
Labour's candidate to be the next MP for Ilkley and Keighley has called for a deal to be done that would allow Ilkley and Addingham residents to use the tips in Otley and Skipton when Ilkley's closes.
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Council to give financially stricken schools £972,000 lifeline
North Yorkshire Council - which has one of the country’s highest number of schools failing to balance their books - has set out how it intends to distribute a £1m government grant to ease pressures over the coming year.
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Play awarded Best New Comedy Award in 2014 continues at Ilkley Playhouse
Jeeves and Wooster in ‘Perfect Nonsense’ runs until Saturday at Ilkley Playhouse.
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20mph Parish Poll costs Ilkley over £40k
Ilkley Town Council has learnt that the cost of the Parish Poll to challenge the 20mph scheme will cost the council over £40,000, money that will come out of the ‘local pot’.
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Ilkley’s oldest and newest business unite to say “Yes” to the BID
Ilkley’s oldest and newest businesses are uniting to encourage their peers to vote “Yes” as the ballot deadline approaches for a second term of Ilkley Business Improvement District.
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Ilkley to Bradford trains to remain suspended for several more weeks
Network Rail says train services through Baildon on the Ilkley to Bradford line won't return for several more weeks, as work following a landslip progresses more slowly than anticipated.
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Airedale Hospital to host military connections coffee morning
Patients, hospital visitors and staff with a military connection or who are ex-armed forces are being invited to a special coffee morning event at Airedale Hospital next week.
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Limiting flying and driving: The key to achieving net zero?
The second event in the Climate Action Ilkley (CAI) series ‘Your World, Your Vote’ takes place on Wednesday 20 March and will cover a potentially highly controversial topic: ‘To meet Net Zero do we need policies to limit flying and driving?’
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New Barclays Local site opens in Skipton after branch closure
Skipton MP Julian Smith has formally opened a new Barclays Local site in the Swadford Centre following the closure of the bank's branch in the town last week.
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Local running clubs offered anti-harassment training
Running club members in the Aire and Wharfe valleys are being offered training on how to act if they see female runners being harassed.
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Details of bus franchising consultation revealed as Mayor's big decision looms
The future of bus services in West Yorkshire will be decided on Thursday, with a new franchising model likely to be brought in to try and turn around the decline in local services.
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Union and community leaders’ dismay over hospital parking
Union and community leaders have expressed dismay after an NHS boss claimed it was "not realistic" to consider including a free car park for staff when Airedale Hospital is rebuilt.
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5000 unforgettable memories: Children’s charity celebrates major milestone
The Skipton based charity, The Principle Trust, dedicated to supporting disadvantaged families is celebrating a major milestone - providing free respite breaks to 5000 children from Yorkshire.
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Local charity celebrates £257k award from National Lottery
Local charity Moor Time is celebrating after being awarded £257,000 in National Lottery funding to support its work providing short breaks for children with additional needs.
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Former Haworth mill site homes plan withdrawn
A local Councillor has said she is “delighted” that plans to build housing on a former mill site in Haworth have been withdrawn.
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Elderly patients at Skipton GP practice let down by controversial online booking system
Councillors say they want to grill health leaders at Modality, which runs Skipton’s Fisher Medical Centre, after describing how elderly patients are continuing to struggle with a controversial new online booking system.
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Prime Minister in Keighley for boiler firm visit
Rishi Sunak has visited Keighley firm Byworth Boilers as part of a focus on the manufacturing sector in the town.
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Praise for community litter pick from Ilkley's MP
Ilkley's MP joined the 'Litter Free Ilkley' group for one of the group's regular community litter cleans last month.
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Bradford's "most devastating budget" is approved
Councillors have voted to approve what's been described as "the most devastating budget ever to be discussed" in Bradford City Hall.
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A59 at Kex Gill won't reopen until after Easter
The A59 between Skipton and Harrogate is not set to reopen until after Easter in an update that’s likely to frustrate motorists and businesses.
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BID supports Ilkley Grammar with awareness of local careers
Ilkley Business Improvement District is working with local employers and Ilkley Grammar School to help highlight career opportunities in the town during National Careers Week (4 – 9 March).
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New Ilkley Fountain model taking shape
Members of the Improving Ilkley team made a visit to the fabricator of the model for the Ilkley Fountain last Saturday and were delighted with the progress.
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Police appeal after 3 men attempt to break in to house in Skipton
North Yorkshire Police have issued an appeal after three males attempted to break into a house in Skipton on Tuesday afternoon.
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Ilkley Town Council supports Tram-Train proposal
Ilkley Town Council has written to Bradford District Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority, urging them to support tram-trains as a key element in future planning of Bradford’s public transport infrastructure.
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Don't discard, donate - Sue Ryder launches Spring Clean Appeal
Sue Ryder, which runs Manorlands Hospice in Oxenhope, is urging the public to dust off the cobwebs, organise our cosy, cluttered winter homes and get spring cleaning to help the charity be there when it matters for everyone approaching the end of life or living with grief.
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Ilkley Town Council awards grant to Clarke Foley
Ilkley’s much-loved Clarke-Foley Community Hub has been awarded a £12,000 grant by Ilkley Town Council to support the appointment of a bid writer to apply for funding that will ensure the Centre’s future as a community hub.
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Careers event held at Keighley special school
Students from Beechcliffe School in Keighley explored potential jobs roles when a range of employers visited them for an employability careers session.
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Commissioner heralds police transformation ahead of inspection report
North Yorkshire's outgoing police commissioner has heralded the transformation of a force, days before the publication of an inspection which is expected to show the service is on the path towards becoming outstanding.
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New board members sought for Keighley Towns Fund
The board in charge of an ambitious multi-million pound plan to regenerate Keighley is looking for a new Chair and for new members to join them.
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MP finds out about knockout success of local boxing club
Local MP Robbie Moore has been shown the ropes at Eastburn Amateur Boxing Club and found out about how the club is making an impact on the lives of young people in the area.
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Councillors back Carleton holiday lodges scheme
Councillors backed a scheme to build eight holiday lodges on a farm in Carleton — but final approval will be made by a planning officer subject to conditions being agreed.
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Bradford Council say cuts still likely
The proposed cuts in Bradford Council’s budget for the coming year makes “grim reading” – the Council’s leader has acknowledged.
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Ilkley Playhouse presents: "Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense"
Opening Thursday at Ilkley Playhouse is Jeeves and Wooster in ‘Perfect Nonsense.’
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Step through the Wardrobe, classic tale told through dance!
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe! The title alone conjures up magical scenes of adventure in another world. The curtains open on this classic tale at Ilkley’s King’s Hall this month, brought to you by Wright Theatre Arts (WTA).
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Airedale Hospital trust named menopause-friendly workplace
Airedale NHS Foundation Trust is among 14 organisations in West Yorkshire that have been given the Menopause Friendly Workplace Accreditation in recognition of their support for staff.
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Keighley Leisure Centre operated at a £838,000 loss in 2022-23
Bradford Council-run leisure and sports facilities across Keighley and Ilkley made a loss of more than £1m last year - according to the authority's own figures.
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Rotarians hand over cheque to Manorlands after Santa Fun Run
A cheque for £27,000 - raised through last year's Great Skipton Santa Fun Run - has been handed over to Manorlands Hospice
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Airedale hospital set to permanently stop delivering some premature babies
Airedale Hospital is seeking to make permanent changes to its neonatal service that has seen some premature babies delivered in Bradford instead.
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Strong field for Ilkley Moor Fell Race
Organised by Ilkley Harriers, the 32nd Ilkley Moor Fell Race took place on Sunday 3rd March, with a Junior Race preceding the main event.
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Dates announced for 5th Ilkley Food and Drink Festival
As the countdown begins to the fifth event, organisers of the Ilkley Food & Drink Festival announced the dates for 2024, 15th and 16th June, with thousands expect to return to East Holmes Field.
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Ilkley BID board speaks out as voting deadline approaches
Board members of Ilkley Business Improvement District have spoken out about their dual roles of running Ilkley businesses and leading the town’s first ever BID, as the deadline approaches for voting in a second term.
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Research shows what mums really want and need this Mother’s Day
A poll for the Ilkley Gift Card has revealed some of the key challenges faced by mums, from ‘mum guilt’ to worry and limited time. 77% of mums feel guilty about spending money on themselves.
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Celebrate World Book Day
Bradford Libraries are gearing up for a fantastic World Book Day with special story times and crafts.
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Congratulations to the winners of the Ilkley Business Awards 2024
The winners of the 2024 Ilkley Business Awards were announced at the Awards ceremony which took place at The Craiglands Hotel on Friday 1st March 2024.
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Former Skipton to Grassington bus timetable to be reinstated
North Yorkshire Council has confirmed that the more frequent timetable for the 72 Skipton to Grassington bus route will be reinstated from April.
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Nobby hits high target for Sue Ryder hospice
Nobby Clarke, from Silsden, hit the target once again for Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice in Oxenhope after his annual charity clay pigeon shoot was a resounding success.
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Painter of Paul McCartney’s famous ‘Magic Piano' to give captivating talk at Ilkley Manor House
To accompany ‘Beauty’, his remarkable exhibition of paintings on display at Ilkley Manor House from this weekend, artist Dudley Edwards is to give an accompanying talk about his pioneering work during the Swinging Sixties and how his work has developed over the decades.
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Ilkley Brewery celebrates 15 years of brewing
The multi-award winning Yorkshire brewery, famous for its Mary Jane session pale ale, will celebrate its latest milestone on March 1st.
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MP warns council leaders should be 'held accountable' following government support
Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore says leaders at Bradford Council now need to be held accountable for what he calls their 'dire mismanagement' of the district - after the government took action to ensure the authority didn't go bankrupt.
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Bradford Council to avoid bankruptcy after Government agrees 'exceptional financial support'
Bradford Council will not need to declare bankruptcy after the Government today agreed to measures that would allow the cash-strapped authority to borrow millions.
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New cladding needed to improve sections of former Keighley police building
Work to improve 'failing' sections of a building in Keighley town centre could see it brought back into full use.
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School raises £3,500 for Rob Burrow MND centre
Ghyll Royd School in Burley-in-Wharfedale has raised over £3,500 for the new Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease.
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Shadow Rail Minister visits Ilkley to discuss local rail issues
Labour’s Shadow Rail Minister Stephen Morgan MP visited Ilkley Railway station with Labour’s parliamentary candidate John Grogan. They met representatives of the Friends of Ilkley Rail Station and Northern Trains.
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Call for MP to back council request for extra funding
Labour's candidate to be the next Keighley and Ilkley MP has called on the towns' current MP to 'put the blame game aside' and support Bradford Council's requests for extra funding and flexibility from central government.
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North Yorkshire schools forecast growing financial difficulties
Schools across North Yorkshire have forecast they are likely to be facing a collective annual deficit of more than £11m in just over two years, councillors have heard.
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Council reveals list of assets it could sell to help balance budget
The planned sale of over 150 Bradford Council-owned buildings and assets has been compared to "selling the family silver" and something future generations would "curse" the authority for.
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Council accused of spending on marketing at expense of Craven bus routes
North Yorkshire Council has been accused of spending money on "puff pieces" about its achievements at the expense of saving bus routes in the Dales.
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Ilkley law firm pledges to raise thousands for cancer charity
An Ilkley law firm has announced a packed calendar of activities to raise thousands of pounds for its 2024 nominated charity Yorkshire Cancer Research.
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Study reveals North Yorkshire firefighters have slowest response times in UK
North Yorkshire has the slowest firefighter response times in the UK, according to a new study.
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Rotary Club of Ilkley donates £16k to Martin House
The Rotary Club of Ilkley has donated £16,000 raised from its Holly Ball and Business Quiz to Martin House Children’s Hospice.
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Silsden barber to retire after 35 years running Cut Italia
It's the end of an era at Silsden barbers shop Cut Italia this week as Gino Familio retires after 35 years of running the business.
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Investment in Ilkley at stake as BID ballot opens
Around 300 Ilkley businesses are being asked to vote to secure the future of the town’s Business Improvement District.
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Local Modality GP surgeries support Manorlands with fundraising
Staff from GP surgeries across Keighley, Silsden and Skipton are backing Manorlands Hospice with their fundraising throughout 2024, starting with the Keighley 10k and 5k next month.
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Keighley men jailed over drug offences
Two men from Keighley have been jailed after admitting to the supply of drugs.
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EV bus charging points will help with rollout of electric buses
The installation of 14 EV charging points at a depot will help with the electrification of the district’s bus fleet.
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Budget likely to be approved next week - with borrowing needed to avoid bankruptcy
Bradford Council’s top financial officer is “not minded” to declare the authority bankrupt yet – but only if a huge package of cuts, price increases and borrowing measures are approved.
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Council plans to replace Ilkley Grammar School buses with train travel
Bradford Council is consulting on plans to scrap school bus services from Menston and Burley-in-Wharfedale to Ilkley Grammar School.
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Ilkley charity to celebrate Learning Disability Week
Ilkley Community Enterprise, which runs the Outside The Box Cafe, is putting on a packed programme of activities to highlight the achievements of people with a learning disability.
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Ilkley Rugby Club unveils new LED scoreboard
Ilkley Rugby Club is excited to announce the installation of a brand new state-of-the-art LED scoreboard at its home ground.
Today's weather
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Skipton
Light rain
High: 12°C | Low: 6°C
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Ilkley
Sunny intervals
High: 13°C | Low: 7°C
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Keighley
Sunny intervals
High: 12°C | Low: 7°C