The Ilkley Journal

14/11/2025

FYI …

👩🏼‍⚕️ Local hospitals prepare as resident doctors announce strike action 👨🏽‍⚕️

Local residents are being urged to use health services "wisely" as resident doctors (aka junior doctors) will take part in strikes that are set to run from 7am on Friday 14 November until 7am on Wednesday 19 November 2025.

The action will affect both Airedale Hospital NHSFT and Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS FT, with core cover maintained by striking staff.

Non-striking consultants and SAS doctors will adapt their schedules to prioritise patient safety across both sites.

Hospital management anticipates that some elective care treatments and outpatient appointments may be postponed or rearranged.

Patients with existing appointments are advised to attend as normal unless they are explicitly contacted to reschedule.

Saj Azeb, chief operating officer at Bradford Teaching Hospitals, highlighted the strain on emergency services: “The industrial action will reduce the number of resident doctors we have in our hospitals, and this will have a particular impact on our emergency department."

Both trusts stress that 999 and A&E remain for life-threatening emergencies only. For less urgent needs, the public should utilise NHS 111 online as the first point of contact.

Leanne Cooper, chief operating officer at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Our emergency departments are extremely busy and will be affected by the industrial action taking place, so it’s incredibly important that people only come to A&E if they are seriously unwell or injured.”

13/11/2025

We ask after it was revealed that Ilkley Town Council’s planning committee had agreed to object to replacing the dated and very neglected phone box on The Grove with a modern BT Street Hub.

Answer below or complete the poll in our story.

12/11/2025

🏠 Leeds' low-carbon heating pipeline to power net-zero city bid 🏠

is gearing up for a significant expansion of its award-winning low-carbon heating system, Leeds PIPES, as part of a bold push to become the UK’s first " and nature positive city."

Senior city are set to meet on Wednesday 19 November to review the progress of the district heating network and approve its next crucial phase.

The system, already recognised as the fastest-growing of its kind nationally, currently supplies over 4,000 homes and 70 public and private buildings with affordable, greener heat recovered from the city’s non-recyclable domestic waste.

The planned expansion – construction began in July 2025, will see the network connect to new residential developments, including SOYO Leeds and a 300-apartment block on Flax Place, underpinning the city's growth with sustainable infrastructure.

Crucially, the council will consider renewing the Leeds District Heating Network Local Development Order 3 (LDO3), which is due to expire at the end of 2025.

Extending this simplified planning order until 2035 will eliminate the need for lengthy full planning applications for every new pipe route and building connection, ensuring the rapid continuation of the project.

Councillor Mohammed Rafique, executive member for climate, energy, environment and green spaces at Leeds City Council emphasised the urgency of the work.

He said: “Homes in the UK are some of the least energy efficient and most reliant on costly fossil fuel gas in Europe, and too many families in our city struggle to pay their . We are committed to helping households by making our homes greener and fit for the future.”

The ongoing investment in this network is considered a vital piece of the city's strategy to meet its ambitious climate goals.

12/11/2025

“Our natural world, like the planet earth, is one of our kind. Everything it consists of, from the complex, delicate and harmonious balance of animals, plants, rivers and trees to all the phenomenon that takes place beneath the thin kármán line, is exceptional. And not just in our solar system or the milky way or the local group of galaxies we belong to. In all the vastness of the universe, there is nothing like our natural world. We are all there is …”

Discover more by tapping on the link below 🌳

11/11/2025

, 11 November 2025, Ilkley Memorial Gardens

11/11/2025

On this day of remembrance, take a moment to learn more about the men and women from who served during the on Ilkley Remembers, an archive put together by local resident Edward Wild:

This blog has been created to record some 250 men and women from Ilkley who died whilst serving in WW1 or who were killed by direct enemy action. All the research contained he has been completed by me and is free to use. However, I would be grateful if you do use the information here that suitable a...

11/11/2025

👩🏼‍⚕️ Local hospitals prepare as resident doctors announce strike action 👨🏽‍⚕️

Local residents are being urged to use health services "wisely" as resident doctors (aka junior doctors) will take part in strikes that are set to run from 7am on Friday 14 November until 7am on Wednesday 19 November 2025.

The action will affect both Airedale Hospital NHSFT and Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS FT, with core cover maintained by striking staff.

Non-striking consultants and SAS doctors will adapt their schedules to prioritise patient safety across both sites.

Hospital management anticipates that some elective care treatments and outpatient appointments may be postponed or rearranged.

Patients with existing appointments are advised to attend as normal unless they are explicitly contacted to reschedule.

Saj Azeb, chief operating officer at Bradford Teaching Hospitals, highlighted the strain on emergency services: “The industrial action will reduce the number of resident doctors we have in our hospitals, and this will have a particular impact on our emergency department."

Both trusts stress that 999 and A&E remain for life-threatening emergencies only. For less urgent needs, the public should utilise NHS 111 online as the first point of contact.

Leanne Cooper, chief operating officer at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Our emergency departments are extremely busy and will be affected by the industrial action taking place, so it’s incredibly important that people only come to A&E if they are seriously unwell or injured.”

11/11/2025

Our next feature is all about nature … follow us here or via email to find out about it first

10/11/2025

⛸️ Leeds Prepares for festive magic as Ice Cube Returns ⛸️

Leeds is set to illuminate the holiday season as Ice Cube at Christmas returns to Millennium Square, Victoria Gardens, and Cookridge Street starting November 21.

The experience will run daily until New Year's Eve, typically from midday with some 11am starts. The latest it's open to is 10pm.

The centrepiece is the 400-square-metre covered ice rink, ensuring skating continues despite the weather.

Special offerings include the Penguin Club for children under nine on weekends, one-to-one lessons and dedicated accessible sessions every Thursday morning.

There will also be a Bavarian-style Christmas market to explore, featuring food stalls selling seasonal favourites including bratwurst, smoked brisket (which is new for 2025), homemade crumble and warm caramelised nuts.

For relaxation, the alpine-inspired Ski Bar – complete with the iconic four-metre illuminated Ski Bear – awaits.

If you're a thrill-seeker, you can enjoy the fully wheelchair-accessible Big Wheel on Victoria Gardens, the Golden Gallopers carousel and the 30-metre high Starflyer in Millennium Square.

Roger Tuby of International Funfairs said: "We’re excited to once again partner with Leeds City Council to bring a magical winter wonderland feel to the city."

Jonathan Pryor, deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development at the council, said: “Once again we can’t wait for the festive season to begin and to see everyone in the city enjoying everything Leeds has to offer."

Image credit: Leeds Council

10/11/2025

🏥 Vital First Step Taken for New Airedale Hospital 🏥

Airedale Hospital NHSFT has submitted a full planning application for a new multi-storey car park and access road, marking a crucial initial phase for the development of its future hospital.

The proposed five-level car park, located on the southwest grounds, aims to significantly ease current parking shortages, offering 1,280 wider spaces, 91 accessible bays and a substantial 160 electric vehicle (EV) charging points (including 45 surface spaces).

The design reflects community feedback, featuring larger bays and a laser-cut visual façade that mirrors the local landscape. Solar panels will also feature on the roof to boost sustainability.

The accompanying new access road from Skipton Road will streamline traffic flow, importantly separating construction traffic during the main hospital build.

It promises clearer, safer routes for pedestrians and cyclists accessing the site.

Foluke Ajayi, chief executive, stated the car park is a "key enabler for our new hospital," noting that public feedback was vital in shaping the accessible and complementary design.

The application includes details on stakeholder engagement, and if approved by the Council Planning Committee next February, construction is slated to begin in summer 2026.

This preparatory work is essential before the main hospital build can commence.

Note: Images are the artist’s impression of what the new car park could look like

10/11/2025

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