Ilkley celebrated Yorkshire Day in style this weekend as the town co-hosted the official civic Yorkshire Society events with Bradford, during the district's UK City of Culture year.
Every year on 1 August, the Yorkshire Society holds Yorkshire Day to celebrate the county's rich culture and traditions. Civic dignitaries, including Mayors and Lord Mayors from across Yorkshire, all come together.
The national spotlight shone on Ilkley on Friday with ITV's This Morning broadcasting live from the bandstand with Colson Smith, Craig from Corrie, sampling Fat Rascals from Bettys and award winning pork pies from Lishman’s before chatting with Ilkley Town Crier Isabel Ashman. GB News spent the day reporting from around town.
[Colson Smith with Ilkley Town Crier, Isabel Ashman (Photo: Discover Ilkley)]
The highlight of the celebrations on Friday was the Yorkshire Day civic procession which set off from the Winter Garden.
[The Yorkshire Day procession on The Grove (Photo: Stephen Garnett)]
The procession was led by Punjabi Roots drummers, with mayors and dignitaries handing out white roses to the waiting crowds lining Station Road and The Grove.
The Yorkshire Day declaration was read by Ilkley’s Town Crier, Isabel Ashman to a backdrop of Yorkshire flags at the Station Plaza at midday, followed by the singing of Yorkshire's unofficial anthem, On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘At.
The celebrations continued across the weekend with live music across two stages and a Yorkshire Market on The Grove in the Saturday sunshine. Sunday was the monthly Real Yorkshire market on The Grove, with Ilkley Cycling Club hosting a fun kids cycling/scooting skills circuit at Ilkley Riverside Park,
At Ilkley Manor House, the weekend also saw Rombald’s Rocks Keighley’s Sculpture Trail installed at the house until 10 August and the unveiling of a new exhibition looking at 160 years of railway history in Ilkley, Keeping Track.
[Outside Bettys on The Grove (Photo; Ilkley Chat)]
Reflecting on the event, Jane Gibson, Mayor of Ilkley said:
“Wow! What an amazing weekend. As a town, we were so happy to co-host Yorkshire Day with Bradford, celebrating our wonderful county and the people, from all walks of life, who make it so special. The Town Council would like to thank everyone who came along to enjoy the Yorkshire Day celebrations this weekend and all the people and organisations who helped to make the event such a success. Special thanks to Ilkley Live and all the talented acts and artists, and to all the volunteers who gave their time to support the event.”
Sarah Brookfield-Almond, Manager of Ilkley BID, said:
“It was a wonderful occasion that truly shone a spotlight on our town and its businesses. We hope viewers at home were impressed by what Ilkley has to offer. Huge thanks to our sponsors, including David Wilson Homes and Booths, for their generous support in making Yorkshire Day unforgettable.”
The Clarke Foley Community Hub on Yorkshire Day, a stunning new mural was unveiled at the heart of its café, celebrating the people, places, and stories that make Ilkley so special. Read all about the mural here.
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