Helping to fight the flooding is where 50% of the profits will go from this year’s Ilkley Carnival as Ben Rhydding Sports Club is announced primary beneficiary.
With more than 20 applications and a shortlist of five organisations invited to meet the Ilkley Carnival committee, Ben Rhydding Sports Club was selected – in its 125th year - for its bid to raise vital funds to improve the club’s fight against flooding which can impact 2,000 weekly facility users.
Ben Rhydding Sports Club’s Robin Snook said:
"As a long-time supporter of Ilkley’s premier annual community event, Ben Rhydding Sports Club is delighted to be recognised by the Carnival committee as the main beneficiary for 2025!
“The effects of climate change are all too often seen in the Wharfe Valley these days, and we have never been more vulnerable than we are today. Following the Boxing Day floods of 2015, we invested in flood gates for the clubhouse, which now need replacing. Then, following the catastrophic floods of February and November 2022 which destroyed our premier hockey pitch, we no longer enjoy the benefit of flood insurance.
“So, in 2022 we embarked on a costly programme of flood prevention works to all our astroturf playing surfaces. While these works are ongoing, we are nearing the completion of Phase 1 at a cost so far of £50,000 and are grateful for funding received from Ilkley Parish Council, Ilkley Round Table, and for the generosity of our members who have raised the majority of monies.
“With over 900 playing members aged between 6 and 90-years-old, across Bowls Cricket, Croquet, Football, Hockey and Lawn Tennis sections, and with many community groups using our facilities from Ilkley Grammar School to U3A, we are the biggest Sports Club in the Wharfe Valley. All monies received from Ilkley Carnival will be put back into the club with our main purpose of safeguarding our facilities for the enjoyment of current and future generations.”
Donations, sponsorship and business support mean that since 2012, Ilkley Carnival has raised and distributed just under £150k from its profits to local charities and good causes, with just over £22k raised for local good causes in 2024.
Carnival organisers, led by chair Andrew Stacey, are expecting this year’s Ilkley Past, Present and Future-themed event, which draws on the town’s contribution to culture and amplifies Bradford’s City of Culture status – will be one of the best yet for the town.
Andrew said:
“This is set to be a bumper year for Ilkley Carnival as we support and champion the cultural theme that is giving our district national and international recognition. We are delighted that we can support the passion and commitment of the volunteers at Ben Rhydding Sports Club and help protect this valuable community asset for year-round use.”
He added:
"The more successful Ilkley Carnival is, whether through business sponsorship or simply buying tickets for the day, the more help we can give to this and the many other good causes in our area. Every organisation that offers volunteers to help the carnival run smoothly receives a donation from our final profits and so together, we ensure the continuation of an event which is growing in size, reputation and value to our community.”
If you would like to join the Ilkley Carnival committee, volunteer to help on the day or sponsor the 2025 event, please contact Andrew Stacey directly on chair@ilkleycarnival.org.
For more information on Ilkley Carnival visit the website on www.ilkleycarnival.org.