As the final weekend Ilkley Manor House is open to the public in 2025 approaches it seems fitting to reflect on the past year. The final opening day is Sunday 14 December from 11am – 4pm.
As with all organisations it has been a challenging year financially for the Trust but the programmes the House has delivered have delighted more than 11,000 visitors over the past 10 months.
Sarah Thomas, outgoing chair commented:
"We have been thrilled to showcase a wide range of art and heritage exhibitions this year in support of Bradford’s UK City of Culture 2025. We have had the opportunity to work in partnership with some neighbouring organisations this year such as Keighley Creative, South Square and Bradford Heritage Hub which has expanded our audiences and we hope these partnerships will grow in future years’."
To help strengthen the Board for the future the Trust has appointed 3 trustees in May and another 4 in November.
‘"The new trustees will add a wealth of experience and expertise to the team to help continue the success of the Trust,"
said Julia Richards, who is going to act as joint chair with Roger Tilbrook from 15 December 2025 when Sarah Thomas steps down.
"We are also proud to have provided work opportunities and experience that have supported several key team members to develop their careers in the arts and heritage sector. We celebrate their success and remain committed to nurturing emerging professionals across the sector’."
Just a few highlights of the year – April saw the Spring Fair in the courtyard and the lovely artwork by Judith Cain was exhibited in both upstairs galleries of the House. June saw the launch of a new festival in Ilkley – photoILKLEY– which was a celebration of photography, community, storytelling, reflection, and inclusion. It is hoped this will become an annual event.
August was a busy month with the ‘Keeping Track’ exhibition celebrating 160 years of rail in Ilkley. Yorkshire Day saw Ilkley hosting the countywide celebrations this year as part of B2025. The Manor House opened its doors on Yorkshire Day too and the following Saturday saw the largest ever footfall in the House in a single day with 542 people enjoying the exhibitions and activities. Bard in the Yard, the annual Shakespearean collaboration with Ilkley Playhouse, was its usual resounding success with sell out audiences on both days.
In September the open call exhibition – Connections - attracted many visitors with art on display from across the UK and Europe. The Solar gallery opened its ‘Beauty of Small things’ exhibition later in October and the Town Council approved a grant for the Trust to plant a wildflower border to protect the exposed part of Roman wall which is part of the scheduled Roman fort, Olicana. In November, we were proud to take part in OUR TURN, the first Bradford Visual Arts Festival, supported by Arts Council England and Yorkshire Visual Arts Network, and commissioned by Bradford 2025.
The trust were also delighted to receive an Arts Council grant under the Museum Renewal Fund of £16.5K. Robbie Moore, MP wrote a letter to congratulate the Trust on the award, and he said:
"Please do keep up the great work. I only hear positive things, and it was so good to come and visit recently. Your whole team make a hugely valuable cultural contribution".
The year was rounded off with the much-anticipated Christmas Fair and the final art exhibition ‘The Colour of Dreams’ and ‘Midwinter Revels’ with Green Matthews will be the final musical event of the 2025 year.
Though the House will be closed to the public from 14 December a lot will be happening over the weeks until we open on 28 February 2026. A new roof and insulation will be being installed on the House over this closure period, funded by Bradford Metropolitan District Council.
Julia adds:
"Our staff and volunteers are essential to running the Trust and the Trustees would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for their invaluable contribution to making 2025 such a success. The Trust looks forward to another successful and stimulating year in 2026 and we would like to thank the local community for its continuing support and look forward to welcoming even more visitors to the House in 2026."
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