Welcome to Ilkley Civic Society

We are a local group interested in Ilkley past and present. We meet regularly to help preserve, develop, improve and research features of historic or public interest in Ilkley. We seek to promote high standards of planning and architecture and educate the public in geography, history, natural history and architecture. We also work with local schools and welcome people sharing information and memories about Ilkley. We reply to all enquiries. Come along to one of our public meetings or guided heritage walks or talks and find out more. Everyone welcome.

Next Highlights: 

Thursday Nov 28 7.30pm Public meeting - The rise and fall of the Ben Rhydding Hydro with Alex Cockshott   Light seasonal refreshments.  Ilkley Arts Festival

Saturday Nov 30 3pm Zoom - Ben Rhydding Hydro

For full programme go to https://civicsociety.ilkley.org/ics-meetings.html

  Joining the Civic Society's Blue Plaque on Hillside is the first in a proposed English Heritage Blue Plaques series outside London. It commemorates Daphne Steele of whom many may have happy memories.

For our views on the 20mph/speed hump plans, see    Traffic_Calming__20mph_press_R__31_07_23_v2.pdf

Programme 2024

Public Meetings - 7.30pm Church House

except September and March

Thu Feb 15 Local issues   - zoom     

Mar 28  5pm Design & Conservation Awards

Thu Apr 25 AGM & talk: Ilkley Bid - Helen Rhodes  

Sunday Sept 1 2pm Trees walk at Ilkley Cemetery  - meet at Beanland Gates to discover the variety of trees in the Cemetery with local experts    

Friday Sept 6 4.30pm Unveiling of blue plaque at the former site of the Semon Home on Westwood Drive. Please note there is limited parking. 

Thursday Oct 24 7.30pm   Ilkley's New Wetlands with Nathan Lawson from Yorkshire Water

Thu Nov 28 Ben Rhydding Hydro   -  Alex Cockshott, illustrated talk   Ilkley Arts Festival

Thu Feb 27  Local Issues

Thu Mar 27   Design & Conservation Awards (time and place tbc)

Thu Apr 24   AGM

Heritage Walks - 2.45pm for 3pm

Feb 24 Zoom - 1860s Ilkley - the start of the transformation

Mar 30  No meeting (Easter)

April 27 Walk -    East Holmes and the New Bridge - meet Ilkley Manor House

May 25 Ilkley Manor House exhibition - Ben Rhydding Hydro

June 15 Walk - 11am Ben Rhydding with Helen Kidman, meet at Ben Rhydding Station

July 27 Walk - West Grove and East Grove Road, meet Grove Garden (corner of Parish Ghyll Road)

Thursday Sept 12 2pm Blue Plaques Upper Trail - launch of trail map, meet Ilkley Station Heritage Open Day

Sep 28  Zoom - Blue Plaques Upper Trail

Oct 26 Zoom - East Holmes and the New Bridge 

Nov 30 Zoom  Ben Rhydding Hydro   -  Alex Cockshott, illustrated talk 

Dec 28 11am Christmas Walk Blue Plaques Lower Trail with Helen Kidman, meet Old Grammar School Skipton Road

Local History Hub page https://civicsociety.ilkley.org/local-history-hub.html . For further info : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Friends of the Cemetery have working parties on most Tuesday afternoons. For details contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.