All aboard! First Bus announced as Ilkley Carnival main sponsor!

Tuesday, 18 March 2025 10:38

Next stop Ilkley Carnival! Announcing First Bus as Ilkley Carnival’s 2025 main sponsor are First Bus Communications Manager Richard Harrison (R) and Ilkley Carnival volunteer Colin Watson (L)

First Bus is this year’s Ilkley Carnival main sponsor, the first time the bus operator has partnered with the event.

First Bus, one of the UK’s largest operators and the biggest in West Yorkshire, believes Ilkley Carnival’s ability to galvanise all corners of the local neighbourhood and the wider district, reflects its own values of community collaboration, making it an ideal local event to support in 2025.

As the Official Travel Partner for the year-long Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, First Bus was also inspired by Ilkley Carnival’s cultural theme this year, “Ilkley: Past, Present and Future”, selected to dovetail the event into the City of Culture celebrations.

First Bus Marketing Manager for West Yorkshire, Lucy Mottram, said:

“Ilkley has been the focal point of our routes linking Wharfe Valley towns for many years. And while it is the first and last stop on our X84 service to and from Leeds, Ilkley is so much more than a destination – it’s a town with a rich historic past, a strong community spirit and an altruistic, forward-thinking nature which means events like the carnival mean so much more because they are run by the community for the community.”

Lucy added:

“It is fitting that we are Ilkley Carnival’s main sponsor in the year that our drivers are acting as ambassadors for Bradford 2025 and our teams and buses are welcoming visitors into the district, while reinforcing our commitment to sustainable travel.

“We understand the true value of community and of sustainability whether that is through travel or through community cohesion and are delighted to be supporting Ilkley Carnival in this milestone year.”

Held on Bank Holiday Monday 5 May, the carnival’s “Ilkley: Past, Present and Future” theme is expected to draw more than 1,000 school children, alongside local organisations and groups, into the most creative town centre parade yet. However, escalating costs and new legislation continue to impact on the carnival’s running costs and potentially, on the future of the event.

Ilkley Carnival chair Andrew Stacey explained:

“We are really thankful to First Bus for becoming our main sponsor in 2025 because volunteer-run community events are becoming harder to sustain with costs at around 30% higher than in previous years. First Bus – and all of our sponsors – are critical in helping us deliver yet another Ilkley Carnival. Events like ours are vital for raising valuable local funds and maintaining a spirit of unity, co-operation and positivity.”

Since 2012 Ilkley Carnival has raised and distributed just under £150k from its profits to local charities and good causes. This year’s primary beneficiary is Ben Rhydding Sports Club and income donated by the carnival will help to fund the club’s vital flood prevention works.

Marking the start of Ilkley’s “events season” on Monday 5 May 2025, Ilkley Carnival will draw on the town’s contribution to culture, history, its strong community and its hopes and dreams for the future as it amplifies Bradford district’s 2025 City of Culture status.

The parade starts at 11am on The Grove, finishing at the East Holmes Field showground where visitors can enjoy live entertainment from jaw dropping acrobatics to local bands, a fun dog show, food and drink, trade and charity stalls and a host of free children’s activities.

Tickets cost £8 for adults on the day or £6 in advance. Children and OAPs are £2.

For more information, visit www.ilkleycarnival.org and to keep updated follow @IlkleyCarnival on X (formally Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.

More from Local news

Changes to bin collection dates over Christmas

Residents are being urged to take note of alternative bin collection dates over the festive period so that they don’t miss them.
Entries close in three weeks for tenth Ilkley Business Awards

Organisers of the 2026 Ilkley Business Awards are reminding businesses within LS29 that entries close on 9th January 2026 – and there will be no extension.
Airedale NHS microbiology staff announce December strike

Microbiology workers at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust have announced plans to take industrial action later this month, citing concerns about pay and working conditions.
Classic Victorian thriller next at Ilkley Playhouse

Classic Victorian thriller Gaslight opens in the Wharfeside Theatre at Ilkley Playhouse on 15th January, Caroline Mutton previews this and more highlights for the start of 2026.
Review: Ilkley Concert Club, James Newby & Jong Sun Woo at King's Hall

Geoffrey Mogridge reviews Ilkley Concert Club, James Newby & Jong Sun Woo, King’s Hall, Ilkley, Wednesday, 10th December 2025.
Ilkley's Christmas church advent and carol services

As we prepare for Christmas all the churches in Ilkley have been busy with carol and advent services.
Community group praises council’s swift response to moor fly-tipping

Last week a serious case of fly-tipping was reported along Moor Road by the Cow & Calf. Items included building materials, bath, toilet and cabinets.
Ilkley charity brings community Christmas cheer

Over 100 local residents enjoyed an early Christmas treat when volunteers from Ilkley Good Neighbours, accompanied by 6th-form students from Ilkley Grammar School, delivered gifts to their homes.
Frantic bidding war for Burley-In-Wharfedale auction property

A three-bedroom terraced house in Burley-in-Wharfedale has been sold using Dacre, Son & Hartley’s auction service and generated a vast amount of interest with dozens of viewings and 131 bids.
Success again for local nursery

Esscroft Private Nursery in Burley-in-Wharfedale has been named Nursery of the Year at the prestigious Yorkshire Prestige Awards 2025/26, winning the coveted Legacy Award.
Route Revealed for Rudolph's Tractor Run this Sunday

Rudolph's Run is coming back on Sunday 21st December, with over 200 decorated tractors set to light up the streets of Yorkshire's villages and towns and the route has been revealed.
10 week A65 roadworks for essential drainage works start January

Developers of the new housing project on Skipton Road in Ilkley say essential drainage infrastructure works will mean a lane closure of the A65 for approximately 10 weeks.
Join Ilkley Civic Society for its Christmas walk

Ilkley Civic Society is inviting walkers to a ‘Find Your Way around Ben Rhydding’ heritage walk on Saturday 27 December from 11am.
Local charity refocuses its mission as demand for children’s mental health support surges

Local children’s charity, The Principle Trust Children’s Charity, has announced a strategic refocusing of its work to place greater emphasis on supporting children experiencing mental health challenges, as concerns continue to grow across the region.
Airedale emergency department 'exceptionally busy' with flu cases rising

Airedale Hospital says its Emergency Department is exceptionally busy and staff are having to prioritise the sickest patients.
The Box Tree recognised as one of the best restaurants in Leeds

The Box Tree restaurant in Ilkley is celebrating after being included in The Telegraph’s list of the 21 best restaurants in Leeds.
Swing into Christmas promises an evening of festive favourites

It’s full steam ahead for The Northern Swing Orchestra as they prepare for their forthcoming festive concert ‘Swing into Christmas’, on stage at The Kings Hall in Ilkley on Friday 19 December 2025.
Local dads raise £11,892 to support Airedale Hospital and Community Charity

Will Schaffer, Sam Prus, Martyn Stocker, Joe Smith, and Dan Chadwick - all from Ilkley - took on the 82-mile Dales Way walk with a goal to complete the challenge in under 36 hours.
Second leg of 'magical' Santa tour starts on Friday

The Ilkley & District Round Table is celebrating a hugely successful start to this year’s Santa Float with hundreds of families stepping outside to greet Santa and support local causes in Addingham, Valley Drive and Ilkley Town Centre.
Yorkshire Water finally lifts five-month hosepipe ban

Yorkshire Water has lifted its hosepipe ban today (Wednesday), bringing an end to restrictions that have affected more than five million people since July.