Claire Lomax

Jet2 has launched Yorkshire-exclusive promotions offering £100 off holiday bookings and 10% off flight-only bookings from Leeds Bradford Airport, alongside additional discounts for single-parent families and solo travellers. The offers apply to departures through March 31, 2028, if booked by August 31, 2026. Jet2 is operating its largest-ever Leeds Bradford programme, with 65 destinations currently on sale, six planned new routes, and 15 aircraft expected to be based there by summer 2027.

More than 140 people participated in a climate-change survey organized in Ilkley by Climate Action Ilkley, Climate Action Menston and Climate Action Silsden. Respondents expressed particularly high concern about wildfires, drought, heavy rainfall, rising temperatures and the effects on future generations, with many also anticipating higher food, water and insurance costs. Participants generally supported greater domestic energy generation and felt the Government was not doing enough to address risks to public health and national security. Organizer Steve Peel attributed the strong response partly to recent heatwaves, wildfires and heavy rainfall, and promoted screenings of The People's Emergency Briefing.

Otley and Yeadon councillors have objected to a new application by Johnson Mowat to demolish the shopping parade at 12–22 Weston Lane, which dates to 1924 and includes shops and flats. They argue that its loss would harm older residents, disabled people and those without private transport, damage the character and heritage of the Weston Estate, and leave the site vulnerable to vacancy, antisocial behaviour or inappropriate redevelopment. The councillors also say demolition would be environmentally unsustainable because the buildings could potentially be refurbished or reused. Leeds City Council previously rejected two applications and will now assess the latest proposal, application 26/04418/DEM.

Thousands of people attended Ilkley’s two-day Yorkshire Day 2026 celebrations on August 1 and 2, featuring a civic proclamation, live music, markets, food and drink, family activities, heritage events and local performers. Organized by community interest company Olicana Events with music programming from Ilkley Live, the festival aimed to celebrate Yorkshire’s heritage, strengthen community spirit, support local businesses and attract visitors. Clarendon Fine Art also displayed a rare work by Yorkshire-born artist David Hockney.

Ilkley’s Yorkshire Day Celebration Weekend will return on August 1 and 2 with free live music, local food and drink, a Yorkshire market, family activities, maypole dancing and community events across the town. Organized by volunteers from Olicana Events CIC, the festival builds on the success of the 2025 event, which was part of Bradford’s UK City of Culture programme. Ilkley’s three breweries will participate, while local councils, sponsors, businesses and volunteers are supporting the event.

Bradford Council has approved an additional £100,000 for essential roof restoration at Ilkley Manor House, bringing the total project budget to £300,000. Specialist surveys uncovered further historic defects after earlier repairs were approved, prompting the council to fund a comprehensive restoration using conservation techniques. Trustees and council officials welcomed the decision, which is intended to preserve the Grade I listed building, museum, gallery and community venue for future generations.

A new partnership between Evri and the disability equality charity Scope enables people across the UK to donate second‑hand goods using more than 12,500 ParcelShops and lockers. The initiative includes what is believed to be the UK’s first parcel locker inside a charity shop and offers free postage labels for donors. Both organisations emphasize the convenience and accessibility of the service, which has already helped raise £200,000 to support Scope’s work assisting disabled people.

The Ilkley Book Fair, organised by the Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association, will return to King’s Hall and Winter Garden with free admission and around 30 booksellers offering second-hand and antiquarian books and ephemera. The Grove Bookshop sponsors the event, which aims to attract readers and collectors to Ilkley. The fair features a wide price range and highlights past guest Martin Edwards, an award-winning crime writer.

Eighty-nine-year-old Joan Livesey plans to participate in the Zip the Cow charity zip wire event in Ilkley to celebrate her 90th year and honour loved ones who received care from Sue Ryder. She credits the organisation’s nurses for their compassion and hopes her participation will motivate others to join. Sue Ryder’s regional fundraiser, Andrew Wood, praised her enthusiasm and highlighted new evening sessions to encourage wider involvement.

Yorkshire Water has begun a £1.1 million project to replace 2.5km of ageing water mains in the Pool area to improve supply reliability and reduce leaks. United Infrastructure is installing new flexible pipes on Castley Lane, Arthington Lane and nearby streets, with the work set to finish by year’s end. The project is part of Yorkshire Water’s wider £8.3 billion regional investment, including £406 million dedicated to water main replacements. Local residents have been notified about expected disruption, with the company committing to minimise impact during construction.