Original Victorian Arch restored

The winter refurbishment programme has set off with the original pedestrian arched entrance being restored. Bricked-up for many years (some say since the First World War!) it too a digger two days to clear the rubble and debris that was almost hiding it from view. Working with neighbours, we will be continuing to restore The Carriage Road that runs at the back of the gardens, by clearing up to 100 tonnes of overgrown stinging nettles, laurel, leaf mulch and garden debris.

1st Ilkley Science Festival

Ilkley has just had it's first ever science fair and Westwood Lodge guests were among the first audiences. A group of leading scientists from Leeds University gave various lectures at Ilkley Grammar School in a bid to help boost funds for a student trip to Ecuador. Headteacher Gillian James officially opened the talks, which were held over two days. They covered a wide range of science topics such as Marion Hetherinton’s talk on chocolate addiction. Prof Hetherington described how we learn to like bitter foods including vegetables. She encouraged parents to keep giving their children vegetables because they need to eat them at least ten times before they develop a taste for them! Another speaker, Catriona Morrison, a world expert in memory, made the audience recall their earliest memory and suggested that our earliest memories date from when we first have the words to describe an event. All in all - a great weekend and we hope the event will become an annual one.

Christmas Lights Switched on 21st November

Amazingly, it's that time of year again! The Ilkley lights get switched on Saturday 21st November at 5pm. The Parish Council have invested in some new lights and a huge tree has already been erected at the end of The Grove ready for the big switch on!