Wharfedale news, s port, entertainment and local information from Wharfedale Observer

Wet weather fails to dampen spirits at Otley Show

3:16pm Tuesday 21st May 2013

Brollies, waterproofs and wellies were much in evidence at a fun-packed, but decidedly soggy, 204th Otley Show.

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New Ben Rhydding development for retired opens its doors

9:00am Tuesday 21st May 2013

Residents and supporters celebrated the opening of a new retirement development last week.

Wharfedale brewery taps into the appeal of beer festival

9:00am Tuesday 21st May 2013

Ilkley’s newest brewery, which will be located within the grounds of the new Flying Duck Brew Pub in Church Street when it opens, is to support two forthcoming local beer festivals.

Winner is stunning night shot over Ilkley

1:57pm Tuesday 21st May 2013

Here is the fantastic winning image of our photographic competition. It was taken by Kirsten Grant, of Ilkley. She captured the picture just outside the village of Askwith, near Ilkley, looking over towards Ilkley. It was taken earlier this year, just as the winter sun dropped below the horizon, a few days after a snowfall. Originally from Berkshire, Kirsten says one of the main reasons she moved to this area was because of the beautiful countryside. The 24-year-old doesn’t have professional training in photography but describes it as an “expensive hobby”. She will receive the first prize of a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ40 digital camera, worth around £350, as well as a 20x30in canvas of her work, worth £99, all courtesy of Annings of Ilkley camera shop. Second place was the black and white image of a sheep, above left, taken by Robyn Peniket, and third place was Timble Inns, by Jim Ashton. They will both receive a canvas print of their image. The picture editor praised the technical skill shown in all of the top ten pictures printed last week and praised the high standard of many of the other entries received.

Ilkley singers return to where it all started

1:41pm Tuesday 21st May 2013

A popular singing course is returning to the town where it started out almost 15 years ago for a concert helping street children in Nepal and raising church funds.

Otley band closing in on the final of national talent contest

9:00am Tuesday 21st May 2013

Teenage rockers from Otley are celebrating reaching the penultimate stage of a national talent competition.

Guiseley theatre group bag Biggins as their new patron

8:00am Monday 20th May 2013

A drama group has bagged itself a national treasure after asking I’m A Celebrity winner Christopher Biggins to be its patron.

Bank gives support to Ilkley Art Trail as organisers appeal for sponsors

8:00am Monday 20th May 2013

Ilkley Art Trail organisers are appealing for further support from local businesses as they welcome their new “Corporate Friend” on board.

Horsforth professor tackles peaks challenge for Alzheimer’s

7:00am Monday 20th May 2013

A professor who researches Alzheimer’s is raising money to help fight the disease.

Australian religious speaker to give talk in Otley

2:00pm Monday 20th May 2013

A renowned Australian religious speaker with a historic link to Otley will give a talk in the town next month.

Lord Mayor's appeal concert at Clarke Foley Centre raises £1,000

11:00am Monday 20th May 2013

The Lord and Lady Mayoress of Bradford, Councillor Dale Smith and his wife Margaret, enjoyed a charity gig performed by 50s-style band The Good Buddies at Ilkley’s Clarke Foley Centre.

Rotarians delivering anti-crime message on Otley Chevin

10:00am Sunday 19th May 2013

More crime prevention cards have been handed out to motorists at car parks on Otley Chevin.

Authors meet former Rowntree workers at Ilkley bookshop

1:40pm Sunday 19th May 2013

Authors Lynn Russell and Neil Hanson met up with a 95-year-old former employee of Rowntrees of York when they visited an Ilkley bookshop to promote their new title.

Bikes and cars ‘need Tour de France truce’ says Ilkley councillor

9:00am Saturday 18th May 2013

Cyclists, drivers and pedestrians must call a truce before cycling fever hits Ilkley during next year’s Tour de France visit, says a councillor.

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Otley man's friends rally to raise cash for charity

9:00am Saturday 18th May 2013

A grieving Otley woman has teamed up with a local pub to fundraise in memory of her late partner.

Carriages coupled up for first viewing at Embsay station

10:00am Saturday 18th May 2013

Railway enthusiasts have been given a taste of how an historic locomotive and its trailer will look when operational.

Morrisons in online link-up with Ocado

8:20am Friday 17th May 2013

Bradford-based Morrisons is set to start selling groceries online by the end of the year after reaching a deal with delivery firm Ocado.

Urgent appeal to keep Otley Neighbourhood Watch

10:00am Friday 17th May 2013

Otley’s “irreplaceable” Neighbourhood Watch is urgently appealing for new volunteers to help it keep going.

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Outgoing Otley mayor praised for ‘extraordinary’ work

9:00am Friday 17th May 2013

Otley’s new town mayor paid tribute to her predecessor’s “extraordinary” hard work as she took over the role this week.

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Ilkley Riding Association celebrates 40th anniversary

9:00am Friday 17th May 2013

A horseriding club is looking forward to many more years in the saddle as it celebrates its 40th anniversary.

Ilkley Golf Club's charity day raises £4,000

8:40am Friday 17th May 2013

A golf day in aid of a man who was paralysed by a rare infection has raised four times its original target.

Dutch tourist in crash that led to death of Ilkley gran goes free

9:31am Thursday 16th May 2013

The considerable guilt of a man who killed a much-loved wife, mother and grandmother in a car smash in Ilkley will be his gravest punishment, a Crown Court judge has said.

Silsden man locked up for 'brutal' Ilkley rape

1:43pm Thursday 16th May 2013

A rapist who used “unnecessary violence in achieving his desires” has been jailed for five-and-a-half years by a Bradford Crown Court judge.

Ilkley Police Station cuts open hours to three days

9:22am Thursday 16th May 2013

Ilkley Police Station is closing its doors to the public two days a week as the West Yorkshire force tightens up on spending.

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Letters to the Editor

3:29pm Thursday 16th May 2013

It's been a pleasure to represent town

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Horsforth toy shop is ‘best in county’

2:38pm Thursday 16th May 2013

A Horsforth toy shop has been named as the best in West Yorkshire in a new guide for parents.

West Yorkshire police commissioner in Otley surgery

2:32pm Thursday 16th May 2013

West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner will discuss concerns with residents in Otley tomorrow.

Ilkley resident's celebrations for 100th birthday

1:48pm Thursday 16th May 2013

Ida Hillas celebrated her 100th birthday on Tuesday, May 7 with family, friends and staff at Ghyll Court Residential Home in Wells Walk, Ilkley.

Appeal for help in catching Ilkley street robber

1:46pm Thursday 16th May 2013

Police investigating an attempted street robbery in Ilkley have released an e-fit of a man they would like to trace in connection with the incident.