New Woodland Path improves access to Nell Bank facility

Thursday, 28 November 2024 09:20

Access to the 'Paul Hockney Room' at The Nell Bank Outdoor Education Centre in Ilkley has greatly improved thanks to a brand new path.

Installed by B Gallagher Construction who kindly donated their time and materials, the path create a much needed ‘Woodland Path’ to the new early years building.

The new early years facility was fundraised for by the Nell Bank Charitable Trust and named in memory of Paul Hockney, the founder of Nell Bank and Lord Mayor of Bradford in 1977 when the centre was set up as a Queens Silver Jubilee project.

The new path provides a lovely route to the front of the building and is suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs and Buzz, the electric accessibility vehicle which was provided to the centre by the Freemasons of West Yorkshire in 2022.

Brendan Gallagher, Director of B Gallagher Construction, the company currently undertaking the groundworks on the A65 in Burley-in-Wharfedale, visited the Centre as part of their community engagement work. Brendan said:

“I was really impressed when I came to Nell Bank, they do some tremendous work, particularly in supporting disadvantaged children.” Brendan continued, “we were delighted to be able to help with the new path which we hope will make the experience of some of their youngest visitors even better”.

Dan Goodey, Head of Centre said:

“We were delighted to have the help and support from B Gallaghers Construction, we worked closely with Brendan and his team to plan the best route for the new path and with minimal impact on the surrounding environment. We wanted to make it as easy as possible for our three , four and five year old visitors to access the ‘Paul Hockney Room’ all year round.” Dan continued “We are incredibly grateful to Brendan for his generous donation to the Centre and to Bren Daly and Andreas Pavlou, who did an amazing job building the path for us. We are also very grateful to Lightwater Quarries Ltd who kindly donated some of the materials.”

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.