Ilkley Complementary Medicine Festival marks its 25th anniversary (From Ilkley Gazette)

Ilkley Complementary Medicine Festival marks its 25th anniversary

1:10pm Friday 22nd March 2013 in News By Amanda Greaves

It will be a celebratory Ilkley Complementary Medicine Festival this month as the event marks its 25th anniversary.

The first complementary medicine festival took place in Ilkley in 1988, and present-day organiser, Michael Weaver, has been working with local therapists to add a new and local feel to the region’s top festival of its type.

Ilkley is the working base for more than 60 complementary therapists and therapy centres - 20 of which have responded to the invitation to co-operate on the new stand of ‘Therapists of Ilkley… together…’ at the festival, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday, March 23 and 24.

Mr Weaver said he was thrilled to be approached with the proposal to promote the huge range of therapies available in Ilkley.

He said: “There have always been a few Ilkley therapists exhibiting at the festival, but this focus on what is available to local people here all year round is a wonderful addition.”

The ‘Therapists of Ilkley… together…’ group will be sharing a triple stand upstairs in the Winter Gardens throughout the festival weekend.

“Ilkley and its surroundings have been a centre of healing and spirituality since ancient times, and the Ilkley Complementary Medicine Festival is one of the most recent signs of the continuing, healing energy of the moor, the river and the town,” said Jenny Howarth, founder of Ilkley Complementary Therapies.

Paul Birch, who provides psychotherapy and hypnotherapy, says he was amazed at how many practitioners of complementary therapies he found based in Ilkley when he moved to the town eight years ago.

Those participating on the stand will be Ilkley Complementary Therapies, Paul Birch Therapy and Coaching, Valley Clinic, Ilkley Healing Centre, The Happiness Centre, The Wells Practice, Harmoney Life, Rachel Warren Reflexologist, Lynne Lovery Homeopath, Amanda – doulala, True Form Pilates, Olicana Holistics.

The group is planning to be present at future Ilkley Complementary Medicine Festivals and to run other events in Ilkley.

Any therapists who would like to join the group can contact Jenny Howarth on (01943) 603388 or email info@ilkleycomplementary therapies.co.uk The festival will be open from 10am to 5pm, admissions is £4 for adults, £3.50 concessions, and children under 16 are admitted free. A two day pass costs £5.50.