Once again, someone in Ilkley’s business community is taking the initiative and making an effort to promote local trade and employment.

Beyond making Ilkley and Ben Rhydding an attractive place for shoppers to visit, and making sure there is a good supply of groceries, goods and services close to home, our local businesses play a much wider role in the community.

Many residents find employment in their home town, or are able to make their living running a business, which, of course, effectively reinvests local spending in the area.

Ilkley Business Forum’s local marketplace event this autumn will serve as another reminder to consumers of what is on offer on their own doorstep, and will help bring even more businesses and employers together in a way that could help them nurture further opportunities.

To be a success, the event needs residents to come along, but it also needs as many businesses as possible to be involved.

The opportunity has been provided – now it is up to as many members of the business community to take advantage of the offer to hand.

Let's give our congratulations

The royal excitement might be happening hundreds of miles away in London, but the birth of a healthy baby boy to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge is as much a cause for celebration here as it is in the capital.

So it is only right that dignitaries, civic leaders and ordinary people gather to send their best wishes to Kate, William and their new son.

The young prince will be third in line to the throne, and while there are many these days who ponder just what place the monarchy has in modern Britain, the fact is that we still have a Royal Family and the re-ordering of succession in this way is an event that impacts on us all in some way.

More than that, perhaps, is the happiness that comes with the birth of a new child, and whatever William and Kate’s privilege and station, today they are like any other happy couple, gazing with love and wonder at their new baby, just days old.

So let us all join those who have offered their congratulations today in this newspaper and wish Kate, William and their young son all the very best.

The child will grow up in the glare of the spotlight and these early days they have with their baby are to be cherished.