Your Ilkley Radio

4:00pm - 8:00am

Email the studio

Band Aid

Do They Know It's Christmas?

Listen Live Podcasts

New Stagecoach Ilkley principal 'buzzing with excitement'

Thursday, 28 August 2025 15:07

New principal Laura Holden is excited for her new role

New Stagecoach Ilkley principal Laura Holden is set to inspire the next generation of budding young performers in Ilkley and the surrounding areas.

Stagecoach have been running singing, dancing and acting classes since 1998, and Laura, who is also the Principal of Stagecoach Keighley and Skipton, brings a wealth of creative experience to her new role. A long-standing member of the Stagecoach family, performing arts have been a major part of Laura’s life since she took up the role of Principal at Stagecoach Keighley in 2010 and Skipton in 2015.

Over the last fifteen years Laura has taken her schools to perform in iconic venues including The Lawrence and Batley Theatre, Leeds Grand and The Bingley Arts Centre and is excited to share those opportunities with her new students in Ilkley.

Laura is so inspired by her new role:

"I’m buzzing with excitement at the opportunity to build a strong, creative programme that will challenge the talented children of Ilkley, whilst being fun, educational, stimulating and rewarding for them."

Stagecoach Performing Arts Ilkley is part of the biggest network of extra-curricular performing arts schools in the UK. The classes are divided across Early Stages (ages 4-6), Main Stages (ages 6-15) and Further Stages (ages 15+) and cover singing, dancing and acting.

Laura and her new team have already started planning how to make Stagecoach Ilkley even better:

"We have been extremely busy planning the year and its activities. Watch this space for some of the exciting events we have in store, such as Christmas productions and LAMDA examinations."

For more information about Stagecoach Ilkley, please visit their website at www.stagecoach.co.uk/Ilkley or call Laura Holden on 07734875140.

More from Local news

Are you brave enough to take the new year plunge at White Wells!

The New Year’s day plunge at White Wells on Ilkley Moor takes place on Thursday 1st January 2026 between 10am and 5pm.
Santa Paws: Festive photo competition winner revealed

The winner of this year's Santa Paws photo competition with Tyler James Pet Supplies has been revealed.
Festive tractor run raises £45,000 for charity

A festive convoy of more than 200 decorated tractors has raised more than £45,000 for charity after touring towns and villages across the Aire Valley.
Ilkley Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club celebrates successful year

Ilkley Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club marked the close of another successful year with a Christmas Lunch held at The Lister Arms in Ilkley.
Ilkley charity’s lunches bring Christmas cheer and new friendships

There was plenty of joyful festive cheer and a feeling of community connection as eighty-five older residents joined Ilkley and District Good Neighbours for their annual Christmas lunches.
Night of glitz and giving as charity ball raises £20k for Sue Ryder

The Rotary Club of Ilkley hosted its annual charity Holly Ball on Saturday 13 December, welcoming a sell‑out audience of 200 guests to the stunning King’s Hall and Winter Garden.
MP’s Small Business Award winners crowned as local businesses “fight on”

The winners of local MP Robbie Moore’s 2025 Small Business Awards have been crowned after more than 2,500 votes were cast for over 200 small businesses across Keighley, Ilkley, Craven and the Worth Valley.
Separate waste and recycle more this Christmas

Bradford Council is encouraging people to remember what bins to put their waste in this Christmas and make a New Years resolution to recycle more.
Christmas timetable revealed for Ilkley trains

Train operator Northern has released a calendar to provide customers with a handy reference guide for service levels over the festive period.
Ilkley Beer Festival tops Yorkshire beer festival guide

The Ilkley Beer Festival has been included in a guide to the 'Fantastic Beer, Wine and Spirit Festivals in Yorkshire to Check Out in 2026'.
Spanish airport operator acquires Leeds Bradford Airport in £270m deal

Spanish airport operator Aena has acquired a majority stake in Leeds Bradford Airport in a deal worth £270million.
Changes to bus and train services over Christmas and new year

As usual bus and train services in and around Ilkley will be amended over the Christmas and new year holiday period.
Two special parkruns in Ilkley for Christmas

As well as the usual Saturday morning East Holmes Field parkruns, the team in Ilkley will host two special events on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
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.