The Rotary Club of Ilkley was founded in 1937, meeting weekly at various venues in Ilkley ever since, and is now looking at a new style of club for the town, to run alongside the existing club.
The format has not changed with the club meeting as a group at lunchtime and has raised money for and supported a countless number of projects both locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
President Elect Martin Smith says:
“It is appreciated however that this format does not sit easily with modern working practices and so now is the time to introduce a new style of club more suited to modern working conditions.”
“My Rotary colleague, and current Club Secretary, Peter Settle and I have been working hard over the last months to create this new look. As a start a new Facebook page was launched recently to highlight the projects we are currently involved in and can be found by searching on Facebook for “Rotary Ilkley Forward.
“This new club will be what is called a ‘satellite’ of the Rotary Club of Ilkley initially, but will have 2 senior members of the existing club there to advise and assist. This new satellite club is free to join and will continue to be free until fully established and working for all its members.
"It is understood that due to time constraints of modern working that face to face meeting will be minimal and this new club will meet virtually. The new club will be project led from the start by volunteers, so that peoples time is well spent and these projects would be chosen by the members.”
Does this appeal to you? The Rotary Club of Ilkley would love to hear from you, please email bmsmith.ilkley@gmail.com if possible by the end of April.
For more information about the wider Rotary Movement search for 'Rotary International'.

Ilkley Pre-School faces closure without urgent financial lifeline
MP shares update on redevelopment of Airedale Hospital
Age UK shop is Ilkley appeals for donations as stocks are low
Fuggle & Golding saved by Horsforth Brewery
Joanna seeks life-extending treatment after brain tumour diagnosis
Winners revealed for Ilkley Business Awards 2026
Airedale Hospital charity hits the road for its fifth annual World Book Day adventure
Yorkshire Water, what is happening behind all those blue hoardings?
Ilkley Cemetery's Beanlands Parade gates repairs
Local MP backs campaign to protect affordable residential experiences for young people
Claire Baxter Gallery announces closure in Ilkley
Ilkley's Annual Town Meeting and Citizen Awards 2026
Outside the Box and Ilkley Live make music together
New drone will be used 'wherever it is needed' to stop fly tipping
Calendar of events announced at Burley-in-Wharfedale Community Trust AGM
Experience the magic of opera at charity gala in Ilkley
Your Local Experiences earns thousands for local businesses in first month
Four Ilkley businesses in finals of Leeds Oliver Awards 2026
Ilkley Wharfedale Rotary involved with eradicating Polio worldwide
International Women’s Day talk to celebrate ‘Brilliant Bradford Lasses’


