Four young people have been announced competition winners after creating artwork which reflects Ilkley Carnival’s 2026 Children’s Books theme!
Burley Woodhead pupil Flora Steel (6), Saskia White (15) from Ilkley, Lily Cherrill (13) from Bradford Grammar and Sasha Wilkinson (11) from Burley Oaks Primary were voted category winners in this year’s Ilkley Carnival Creative Competition, with Sasha announced overall winner, securing her design on the cover of this year’s event programme.
The art enthusiasts were among over 350 local pupils who created children’s books-themed artwork. The competition received its highest ever number of entries from local schools including Addingham, Ilkley and Burley-in-Wharfedale.
The competition is sponsored by Bradford Grammar School – once home to the world-renowned artist David Hockney – whose art department provides winners’ prizes alongside a bespoke arts workshop for Sasha and her classmates.
Sasha Wilkinson’s entry was judged overall winner by Bradford Grammar School’s Head of Art Sarah Horsfield, who said: “Sasha’s entry is a stunning blend of children’s classics cleverly intertwined with Ilkley’s iconic Cow and Calf rocks. We particularly enjoyed the BFG representing Rombald behind the moors and the parade of children’s book characters processing along The Grove!”
Sasha said:
“My entry was inspired by Ilkley’s Cow and Calf rocks which formed the backdrop of my drawing. I wanted to incorporate the Carnival in some way and decided to replace joyful parade goers with the most iconic story book characters, depicted marching around our beloved town!
“I am so thrilled to be crowned overall winner of the Ilkley Carnival Creative Competition. I always enjoy the carnival but this year having a VIP experience is going to make it even more epic! I'd like to say a massive thank you to the carnival organisers and Bradford Grammar School for the opportunity to compete. I can't wait for our class to have a special art workshop at BGS as part of my prize!”
Burley Woodhead Primary pupil Flora created a vibrant picture signposting Ilkley and storybook locations, adding clever detail from Little Red Riding Hood the Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland. Meanwhile 15-year-old Saskia White recreated an image of White Wells nestled within an Elmer patchwork-styled Ilkley Moor alongside Winnie the Pooh, the Tiger who Came to Tea, the Gruffalo and Peter Pan.
BGS pupil Lily Cherrill receives a Special Commendation for her detailed bookcase which gives a clever and discreet nod to classic stories including the Lorax, Snow White, Peter Pan, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the Faraway Tree.
The winning entries and other submissions will be framed and displayed at Clarendon Fine Art on The Grove while further entries will be displayed in Ilkley retailers and in Booths’ many windows.
Carnival committee member and programme designer Colin Watson said the level of entries was incredibly high this year, adding:
“We’ve all been impressed with the quality of the artwork – it makes it so hard to choose the winners!
“To help showcase the fantastic artistic talent we have across Wharfedale, we are making sure as many entries as possible are showcased around the town so please watch out for updates on this on the Ilkley Carnival social media channels.”
Children’s Books is the theme of the 2026 Ilkley Carnival and marks the start of Ilkley’s events season on Monday 4 May. With profits raised from the carnival going into the community, the event hopes to draw huge crowds from the parade itself down onto the showground at East Holmes Field on Denton Road where ticketed entry offers a family day of entertainment.
The parade begins on The Grove at 11am and the showground entertainment includes a BMX stunt show, fun dog show, craft tent, live bands, food and trade and charity stalls.
Since 2012 Ilkley Carnival has donated around £170k of profits to local charities and organisations. This year, profits are being distributed amongst the volunteer groups who help to make the day happen.
For more information on Bradford Grammar School visit www.bradfordgrammar.com. For more information on Ilkley Carnival visit www.ilkleycarnival.org and to keep updated with all the news follow @IlkleyCarnival on Instagram and Facebook.
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