ILKLEY Parish Council recently held a Civic Reception at the Winter Garden, Ilkley for Mr David Pyett and invited guests. This was to celebrate Mr Pyett’s 90th birthday and to acknowledge his contribution, over many years, to the cultural life of the town.

Mr Pyett was chairman of the very successful Ilkley Concert Club from 1976 to 2012 and was largely responsible for this club acquiring a national, if not international reputation. He is chairman of the Wharfedale Recorded Music Society which he established in the mid-60s and is still going strong today. David was founder and leader of the Ben Rhydding Clarinet group from the mid-1990s to 2012. This group still thrives under the leadership of Tim Clarke.

David was an enthusiastic founder teacher when the Ilkley Music Centre was formed in 1976 and became responsible for Music Centre Administration as part of his role as Area Organiser for the Adult Education in the Ilkley and Wharfedale Area. As noted by a Bradford MDC Music Inspector ‘his enthusiasm and energy were always apparent and so much of the success that this thriving Centre enjoyed was due to his unfailing and imaginative support.’ At its peak, the Ilkley Music Centre provided playing opportunities for more than 300 children and adults on Saturday mornings, with subsidiary groups meeting on weekday evenings.

Recognition of a gap in music provision in Bradford and his connections with Bradford College led to David being made responsible for the establishment of the Bradford Cathedral Chamber Concerts. He continued in a voluntary capacity devising programmes with such expertise that an audience base was established that has allowed the Chamber Concert series celebrate its 30th anniversary this year

Involvement with musical affairs has led to many other local initiatives which have had far reaching benefit to the community. The Ilkley Concert Club holds its concerts in the Kings Hall, so when the ‘Friends of the King’s Hall & Winter Garden’ was formed David immediately became a member and vice-Chairman. He did so in a private capacity, rather than as a member of the Club, so his brief could be as wide as possible. He is indefatigable in his efforts to identify improvements that will be of an advantage to all the residents of the town, and ingenious in his ways of obtaining funding. David has played a major part in the steady improvement of the facilities so that the Hall and Winter Garden become more attractive and more widely used, and in turn more revenue is generated so the improvements can continue.

David Pyett’s involvement with young people has not been limited to the Music Centre and Sunday Afternoon Funday Concerts for children provided by the Concert Club. For much of his adult life he has spent time working with the management committee of the local youth club, for many years as Chair, and his example has encouraged others to contribute as well. David Pyett’s help has been outstanding because of his energy, persistence and ability to see where the greatest need lies.

This long list of community involvements was referred to by Cllr Steve Butler, Chairman of Ilkley Parish Council, in his speech of welcome to Mr Pyett, his family and the invited guests. A birthday toast was proposed by the Vice Chairman of the Council, Cllr Mike Gibbons and a birthday cake was cut prior to everyone enjoying afternoon tea. This was a very happy event which the Parish Council was pleased to organise to acknowledge the great contribution which Mr Pyett has made to our town.