Four local pupils have got top marks for creating artwork which depicts Ilkley Carnival’s 2025 theme!
Addingham Primary School’s Alice Cheeseman (8), Ilkley Grammar School’s Emily Cotterill and Polly Baker (12-16 category) and Burley Oaks’ Nate Radcliffe (10), were voted as the top entrants in this year’s Ilkley Carnival Creative Competition, with Nate announced as the overall winner, securing his detailed design on the cover of this year’s event programme.
The four art enthusiasts were among 350 local pupils who created unique artwork to represent the theme of Ilkley, Past, Present and Future. The committee received its highest ever number of entries submitted by 11 schools covering Addingham, Askwith, Ilkley and Burley-in-Wharfedale.
The annual competition is sponsored by Bradford Grammar School - once home to the world-renowned artist David Hockney – whose art department is providing prizes for all category winners alongside a bespoke arts workshop at the school for Nate and his classmates.
Nate Radcliffe’s detailed entry was judged best of the best by Bradford Grammar School’s Head of Art Sarah Horsfield, who declared it:
“An incredibly thoughtful design encapsulating images of Ilkley’s Roman past, a Cow and Calf vision of the future and a detailed look at the present as seen through all the things that the town is loved for.”
Nate, who also entered the 9-11 category last year, said he loves to create artwork for the peacefulness it brings and the time it gives you to think:
“I did a rough sketch of the artwork first, then a more detailed plan and then I worked on the final piece. It took about four hours over two days and was something I really enjoyed making,”
“I’m so excited to have won the overall prize, I couldn’t believe it! And I can’t wait to tell my classmates that we’ll all be going to Bradford Grammar School for an art lesson together as part of my prize!”
He added:
“I’m really looking forward to Ilkley Carnival this year and it’s going to be really exciting to see my artwork on the front of the programme.”
Addingham Primary pupil Alice, who has won the 5-8 age category for the second year in a row, created a picture showing historic Ilkley events from the opening of the Lido in 1935 to it being saved from closure in 2025.
Emily Cotterill and Polly Baker combined their talents to create picture for the 12-16 category which tracked the years of Ilkley carnival from 1988 through to 2025 with a vision for Ilkley Carnivals of the future.
All three winning entries will be framed and placed on display at Clarendon Fine Art on The Grove while other entries will be on display in select Ilkley retailers throughout the town and in the foyer at Booths.
Ilkley’s past, present and future is the theme of the 2025 Ilkley Carnival. Marking the start of Ilkley’s “events season” on Monday 5 May 2025, the 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.
Profits raised from the carnival go back into the community with the 2025 primary beneficiary announced as Ben Rhydding Sports Club. The event begins on The Grove at 11am with a 1,200 strong parade, finishing at East Holmes Field parade ground on Denton Road. The day’s family entertainment includes the annual fun dog show, a free craft tent, Ilkley Rocks featuring live local bands and the main act.
For more information on Ilkley Carnival visit www.ilkleycarnival.org and to keep updated with all the news follow @IlkleyCarnival on X/Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. For more information on Bradford Grammar School visit www.bradfordgrammar.com.
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