Ilkley Civic Society Recent Articles

Civic Day Walk 2026

A lovely small group walk today on Civic Day to celebrate Ilkley’s fresh air, healthy water and open spaces and the various benefactors who helped create...

Read More

Sixty years of caring for Ilkley

Ilkley Town's Mayor unveiled a new information board at Canker Well Gardens to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of of the Ilkley Civic...

Read More

Blue plaque at Wells House

On Saturday 30th May a Blue Plaque was unveiled at Wells House, sponsored by the management committee of Wells House and Ilkley Civic Society. The Ilkley...

Read More

Society News

NEWSLETTER MAY/JUNE 2026

Hydro Exhibition

Thanks to those who acted as Stewards at the Exhibition.  We are very  grateful for your help.  Also many thanks to members of the Local History Hub for putting the information together for the Exhibition. A lot of visitors were unaware of the hydros.

Annual General Meeting

There was a good attendance, and the Officers and Committee were elected enbloc.  The Chairman and Treasurer’s reports are on the website, but if anyone would like a copy emailed to them please contact Kate on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Programme

The walk on 25 April to the site of the Spa Hydro, looking at part of the original Ilkley village and how it has changed, was well-attended.

30 May – 2 pm at Wells House.  Meet by the entrance steps where a new Blue Plaque will be launched to celebrate 170 years since Wells House was built.  We have been invited into the Atrium, and will walk around the outside of the house and the lake. The original Blue Plaque in the Darwin Gardens will remain in situ.

18 June - 2pm Canker Well Gardens. We will be celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Ilkley Civic Society, meeting at 2 pm on Thursday 18 June, in the Canker Well Garden on The Grove.  We will be unveiling the new notice board, looking at the history of the Garden and the work we have carried out on part of the Gardens.

If you would like to attend, and haven’t yet let us know, please email Kate at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

After the unveiling we will be going to Outside the Box for tea and cake to celebrate

As has been mentioned previously, as part of the Society’s 60th Anniversary Celebrations we are carrying out some work in the Canker Well Garden, including the installation of a notice board giving some history of what is there, and also improving part of the gardens.

CankerWellinvite180626

20 June - 2pm Canker Well Gardens. A Civic Day Walk - Ilkley's Health Heritage. Fresh Air, waters, small parks, charity hospital and hydros

2026 06 Walk poster

 

 

 The Friends of Ilkley Cemetery continue to meet weekly, weather permitting. Please contact Jan on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information