Last year’s first ever Ilkley Pride event exceeded all expectations and was very popular bringing in visitors from all over Yorkshire and the UK. Since then the team of volunteers behind the event have been working hard to make 2023 even better.
In January local dignitaries, sponsors, volunteers and supporters of last years event were invited for an evening of entertainment at Ilkley’s Clarke Foley Centre, headlined by local drag artist Marigold Adams. Since then the team have held regular socials for members of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies, the highlight of which was a sunny Sunday spent at Crafty Dogg’s Beer Festival at Ilkley’s King’s Hall and Winter Garden.
It wouldn’t be possible to put on the annual Ilkley Pride event, run Ilkley’s LGBTQIA+ youth support group and fund other outreach work without the support of local business sponsors as well as the support of both Ilkley Town Council and Bradford Council.
This year Bradford Council are celebrating Pride Month in Ilkley with a special display in Ilkley Library. This is free to view and will be on display until the end of June.
Ilkley Pride & Diversity Group are celebrating pride month in style this year with activities and events on throughout June and July. Pride Month began in the US after the Stonewall riots, a series of gay liberation protests in 1969. These days June is celebrated all over the world as the month of pride and Ilkley is no exception.
Sponsors and supporters of Ilkley Pride & Diversity Group were invited to a cocktail evening last Thursday at Bistrot Pierre to mark the beginning of pride month. Chris, the new general manager, was very accommodating and the feedback on the event was excellent. Attendees were treated to a magic show by Roger Yaxley, well known local magician and member of Leeds Magic Circle. Chair of Ilkley Pride & Diversity Group, David Shaw MBE gave a speech alongside Town Crier, Isabel Ashman, and the newly elected Mayor of Ilkley Town Council, Karl Milner.
The next social event is a general knowledge quiz planned for Wednesday June 14th, 7pm at The Flying Duck on Church Street. All are welcome to attend.
Ilkley Pride 2023 is on July 1st at Ilkley’s King’s Hall and Winter Garden, tickets and further information is available on the website: ilkleypride.co.uk
The Station pub is hosting Ilkley Pride’s official after-party a week later on July 8th from 7:30pm until late.
