“This year Ilkley will host the county’s ‘Yorkshire Day’ celebrations. Many of those coming to the events in our town will arrive by train, which is perfectly fitting because 1st August also marks the 160th anniversary of Ilkley Station opening. It was on this date in 1865 that the joint railway companies the Northern and the Midland started their services to Leeds and Bradford.
The history of the line from the 1860s to the present-day features in a new exhibition being held at the Manor House. The exhibition, organised by the ‘Friends of Ilkley Rail Station’ (FOIRS) brings together a fascinating collection of images from across the different eras telling the story of the station and some of the people who have worked on the local railway.
on display will be copies of the architect’s plans for the viaduct, built in the 1880s to carry the Skipton line over the western portion of Ilkley; and a piece of decorative ironwork salvaged from the bridge that once spanned Brook Street.
Stephen Thornton Chair of the Friends Group commented “As a small team we are very proud of the material we have assembled for this exhibition. We believe the event will be of interest to all age groups and brings alive this vibrant asset of the town. I want to make a personal thank you to the team in particular to Mark Hunnebell a local historian who has dedicated 100’s of hours researching and preparing the material.”
The ‘Friends of Ilkley Rail Station’ are also very grateful to everyone who has contributed to the exhibition. Particularly F.W. ‘Bill’ Smith, Mike Dixon, Sally Gunton, Jason Newman and Aimee Maxwell-Stewart (madebyaim.co.uk).
The free exhibition will be open for viewing at the Manor House, 11am to 4pm Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Monday between 2nd and 25th August. Additionally, on Thursday 21st August, the ‘Friends of Ilkley Rail Station’ will be holding an informal evening with an illustrated talk about the station’s history. This will also be at the Manor House