Hello
I hope we are all well.Christmas is starting a bit early this year with a lot of homes wanting to get their decorations up as soon as possible to add a bit of light and sparkle to the darker evenings. I know a friend has decorated the outside of her house a week ago so that her neighbours at Emmanjay Court can look on to a bit of festive cheer. Personally, I’ve got my Christmas cake baked and my lights primed!
Christmas Food BanksI know there are lot of groups around at the moment trying to make sure that those less well-off are looked after at Christmas. To do my bit, I am planning to add food to the Ilkley Food Bank box when I go shopping. They have them available at Tesco and Booths and are currently looking for: mince pies, tins/tubs of chocolates or biscuits, family packs of cereals, instant coffee, fruit squash, sugar, rice, pasta sauces, tinned fish, tinned tomatoes, pulses, tinned vegetables, tinned fruit, biscuits, toiletries (gift sets would be lovely), toothpaste, toilet rolls. They also need more CARRIER BAGS.If you want to donate, just leave your food/gift donation in the box at the supermarket and they will get it to those who need some extra help this Christmas.Christmas Lights – Talking of Christmas, Ilkley Town Council have switched on the towns Christmas lights a little earlier than usual. I have to say that the lights ae spectacular some if you get the chance it’s worth a walk around the the town to take in the splendor of the lights.
DVD Library – Ilkley Playhouse has set up a Lockdown Library where they are selling books and pre-loved DVDs. They have a list of all the books and DVDs available and to get a book or dvd, you email your order or any questions to Jonty at jonty@directsave.net. The Lockdown Library will be run every other week so the next one will take place on Saturday 28th November, then Saturday 12th December. This is a ‘Click & Collect’ service, where you must order before the relevant Saturday & your order will be ready to pick up from the bottom door at the Playhouse. For those who can’t get to the Playhouse, they may be able to deliver for a small charge. Have a look here for more information – https://www.facebook.com
Warm Homes and Healthy PeopleThis may have been shared before, but it seems apt to share it again as we enter the winter months. The Warm Homes and Healthy People team provide free independent energy advice for those living in the Bradford District area. Their aims are to save you money and keep you warm. They install small energy efficiency measures and offer support and advice on energy bills. They also provide emergency support and help you with debt and benefits checks. Their telephone number is 0808 1683547 and the link to their website is…here
Mystery knit along and the Big Knit there are a few fabulous, local knitting initiatives around at the moment. Firstly, if you are into knitting, have a look at the Mystery Knit Along, in aid of Macmillan Cancer. I can only find details of it on their Facebook page but it looks fun. They say it is a knit-along with a twist. They will release a piece of the pattern for 4 weeks starting on 16 November (you will be able to look at the pieces already released). It looks like a good place to share your knits, swap tips and have a natter from the comfort of your sofa.
Another knitting project is the Big Knit. This is run by Innocent Smoothies who started putting little knitted hats on their smoothies back in 2003, donating 25p to Age UK for every behatted bottle sold. Sounds a bit crazy but volunteers knitted and crocheted around 1.5 million little hats for last year’s Big Knit, bringing the total raised for Age UK over the years to just under £3 million. Hats will be back on bottles in 2022, and you can get help create some and raise money for Age UK. Anyone can get involved, whether you’re a pro or a novice. To find out how you can click on this link – thebigknit
Can you help create a Winter Wonderland at the Manor House?
Though the Manor House is closed to the public for the rest of the year they are keen to find ways of everyone still enjoying the space, even if it is only from the outside.
The Manor House is planning a light installation in the house over the Christmas period called ‘Peeping In’. Part of this installation will be a snow scene in one of the downstairs rooms and to achieve this, they need hundreds of white paper snowflakes. They are asking the local community to help make them.
If you would like to be part of creating this installation just create a white paper snowflake to your own design or if you would like some help, there are some templates on the Manor House website for you to download and use. Have a look at the ilkleymanorhouse. The paper to use is just simple printer paper (80gsm) or even a lighter weight paper is OK and tissue paper is fine too. The important thing is the snowflakes have to be white!!
When you have made your snowflakes pop them in an envelope and post them through the letterbox at the Manor House and they will add them to the display. If you have any questions about the plans, please email events@ilkleymanorhouse.org
Winter pop up courtyard performances
The Manor House is working in partnership with Ilkley Playhouse to hopefully hold a series of short pop-up performances in their courtyard. These will be shown on Sunday 6 December at 2 – 2.30pm, Sunday 13 December at 2 – 2.30pm and Sunday 20 December at 2 – 2.30pm. Details of individual performance still being finalised and will be ready very shortly. The events are free but donations are welcome.Private Prayer Openings in Local Churches –I understand that the openings for private prayer in the churches are as follows:
St Margaret’s each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9.30am – 11.30am.
Sacred Heart Church will be open on Sundays from 3.00 to 4.00 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 11.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon
Christchurch Ilkley Fridays 1 – 2.30 pm
Ben Rhydding Methodist open daily 2 – 3 pm
All Saints will be open for private prayer from 8:00am-9:00am on Sundays and 11:00am-12:30pm on Wednesdays
St John’s Ben Rhydding Tuesday to Friday , 1pm – 4pm
Walks and Trails starting at the Manor House
The Manor House has information on routes (some short, some longer) that begin and end at the Manor House. They have some information about each walk that tells you about the history of the area, as well as the route. Have a look at this link for more information – walks-and-trails Keep well everyone and keep smiling!
All the best
Hannah
