King Duck tests water as tickets go on sale for Ilkley Duck Race

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• 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. 

• Don't blame wildlife for £11.7m Kex Gill overspend, say Green councillors

  ​Financial mismanagement rather than a requirement to protect wildlife caused an £11.7m overspend on a major road building scheme, opposition councillors claim. 

• Wanted on suspicion of theft offences locally including Ilkley

  Police are appealing for information to help locate Richard Thompson who is wanted on suspicion of theft offences.