Ilkley Pride & Diversity Group have announced the details of their social events for the rest of 2024. Designed to bring members of the LGBTQ+ community together the events include walks, drinks and visits to local events.
For the past few months the group’s volunteers have been running ‘Walk, Coffee & Cake’ socials the first Sunday of each month. The group have been joined by LGBTQ+ community members and allies from all over West Yorkshire in the past and now they’re appealing for new members.
November’s Walk, Coffee & Cake social will take place on Sunday 3rd. The group will be meeting outside the Riverside Hotel at 2pm before setting off up the northern slopes of the valley towards Myddelton Lodge and the calvary. The route then drops back into Ilkley via Middleton Woods before visiting The Lister Arms (Wetherspoon) for coffee and cake. Anyone who can’t join for the walk element of the social is encouraged to join the group in The Lister Arms for coffee and cake at roughly 4pm.
The last ‘Walk, Coffee & Cake’ social of 2024 is on Saturday 30th November. Meeting at Moss & Moor Garden Centre at 1:30pm the group will wander round the Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits Nature Reserve returning to the Moss and Moor café at around 2:30pm. At 3:30pm the staff at Moss & Moor will take anyone interested on a guided tour of the centre.
Saturday 7th December sees Ilkley Pride & Diversity Group pay St Margaret’s Church a visit for their annual Christmas Tree Festival in the afternoon to soak in the festive spirit and then on the evening of 13th December the group are venturing into Leeds for an evening of fizz, fun and festivities.
A spokesperson for the group said: “We’ve plenty more socials planned for 2025 so keep an eye on our social media for more details. The Queer Ilkley social group on Facebook is a dedicated safe space for members of the local LGBTQ+ community and allies to make plans and socialise so if you haven’t already, join the group and get to know likeminded individuals from Ilkley and the Wharfe Valley.
"If anyone’s any questions they can just drop us a message on social media or email info@ilkleypride.co.uk. We hope to see you soon!”