Friends of Ilkley Rail Station (FOIRS) and Ilkley & District u3a are joining forces to raise awareness of their work and encourage new memberships.
The week-long campaign will take place at Ilkley Railway Station from 7 to 14 June, coinciding with the Lexus Ilkley Open Tennis Tournament when many visitors will be travelling into the town by train.
FOIRS has long played a key role in maintaining and developing Ilkley Railway Station as an important gateway to the town. Led by Stephen Thornton, the team works closely with Network Rail and other partners to create what they hope will be the best town rail station in the UK.
As part of the campaign, display boards from the recent 150-year railway celebration at the Manor House will be reinstalled at the station, showcasing the town’s rich railway heritage. FOIRS is also inviting new volunteers to join their efforts.
Ilkley & District u3a supports retirement activities in Ilkley and the surrounding areas, offering affordable activities and social groups that help people meet new friends, pursue hobbies, stay active and enjoy life after work.
During the campaign, members from both organisations will be at Ilkley Railway Station handing out flyers and talking to the public about their activities. A prize draw will also run throughout June, with 50 lucky winners receiving a free coffee or tea from La Stazione café in the Station Plaza.
John Hancock from Ilkley & District u3a said:
“We are looking forward to meeting lots of new people and sharing what we do. Our railway station is a real asset to the town, and we commend the great work that Stephen and his team do to maintain and improve it.
"Our u3a has over 2,000 members and more than 100 activity groups and we want to show that retirement is not the end of a journey but the start of a new one. Look out for us at the station, pick up a flyer, and enter our prize draw for a chance to win a free coffee or tea.”
This initiative highlights the community spirit at the heart of both organisations and invites everyone to get involved, whether through volunteering, joining u3a activities, or simply enjoying the heritage of the station.
For more information about FOIRs visit: www.foirs.co.uk, and Ilkley & District u3a visit: https://ilkleyu3a.org.
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