First Snowfall of Winter

Like many areas in the north and north east, we've had our first snowfall of the winter. There's been sledging and snowball fights but roads and rail services have been operating normally. For guests arriving on any day during the winter, please check the Met Office website for Skipton. Click here before setting out! We've never been cut off, although we have had to rescue guests in our 4x4 when it's been really bad. But once here, it's great in snowy weather! .Latest - it's still all clear for guests arriving. Take extra care getting up the hill and pack a shovel and boots just in case things get worse during your stay!

Christmas Lights Switched on!

Christmas lights in Ilkley have been switched on by actress Kathryn Apanowicz. The television and radio presenter and partner of the late Richard Whiteley, had a good turnout on The Grove, which was closed to traffic. Born locally, Kathryn Apanowicz is best known for her television appearances in the 1980s, playing nurse Rose Butchins in BBC1 series Angels, and Magda Czajkowski in EastEnders. She has also had minor roles in Emmerdale and Coronation Street, and as a child she was in the film Bugsy Malone. She and Channel 4 Countdown presenter Richard Whiteley, who died in 2005, used to live in nearby Burley Woodhead. Richard was a major supporter of community events, who frequently found time to perform local opening ceremonies and Christmas lights switch-on events. He even became the special guest at an Ilkley art exhibition at very short notice in 2004 after being spotted walking past the venue where Coronation Street stars had failed to show up. There had been plans to ask him to switch on the Ilkley lights in the year he died.

Further Upgrades and Refurbishment Winter 2010-11

As well as the Listed Building Consent application currently lodged with our local council and which will see replacement of all the remaining 1960's windows, new guttering etc. we've got a raft of other work planned over the winter. This includes :-

• All cottages will have eco wooden kitchen floors (the apartments already have them)
• All cottages and apartments will have iPod docking facilities
• All master bedrooms and all apartment bedrooms will have flat screen digital TVs (by late 2011 when we go fully digital)
• All cottages will have an upstairs family bathroom (two bathrooms in The Old Gallery) and a further ensuite
• All cottages and apartments will have iPlayer, 4oD and movies/ music on demand (the latter at extrda cost)
• All cottages and apartments will have a review of lighting taking advantage of the new eco technology
• All cottages and apartments will have environmentally friendly cleaning materials and paperware throughout
• and much more..!

If you're staying with us over the winter months, please email us if you wish to be sure what work will have been completed by the time of your visit.

Philip Catches Cycling Bug!

Philip Richardson, from Essex, is a regular guest here at Westwood Lodge. He's stayed here loads of times and is almost part of the furniture! He courted with his (then) girlfriend Theresa here. They came here for their honeymoon and have visited at least 6 times since (our computer records only go back to 2003!). Now Theresa is expecting their first baby so they'll be needing to try one of our larger cottages perhaps? Do please keep coming!

This year Philip splashed out on a new bike from JD Cycles here in Ilkley. He's putting it to good use as in May & June this year, Phil, together with some of his colleagues, will be raising money for the ‘Children’s Hospices UK’ charity by cycling from John O’Groats to Lands End… some 936.3 miles!

This event is also being supported by a host of fundraising and volunteering events by Barclays Bank colleagues across the UK, in an attempt to raise as much money as possible for the 42 nationwide children’s hospices that support life-limited children in the UK.

A web site has been created – http://www.lifecycle-uk.net/ for further information, including detail on the riders, progress so far and, of course, a Just Giving link. The web site will be constantly updated to maximise interest (see some of the initial photos!) and will ultimately follow the daily journey of the riders.

Children’s Hospices UK - http://www.childhospice.org.uk/ is a national charity which supports all 42 children's hospices across the UK which in turn, provides a wide range of care to some 25,000 children and their families. Their vision is for every child who is not expected to reach adulthood to have access along with their families to the highest standards of children's hospice care and support close to home.

Phil rides a Scott CR1 Team and is worried that he has more lycra in his bottom drawer than Theresa. Phil says "If I can show half as much grit and determination as the children we are trying to help the ride will be a breeze

Good Luck Philip and do come back here to rest those aching limbs and to carry out any necessary repairs to your bike!