AFTER a short closure for essential maintenance the Manor House in Ilkley is re-opening its doors on Friday, March 1.

Thanks to a generous donation from a local benefactor the Ilkley Manor House Trust has been able to commission work to improve the heating in the house. This work is beginning this month.

Sarah Thomas, chairwoman of the Trust said: “The team at the Manor House have been busy while the house has been closed to the public and this time has allowed work to start on improving the heating system in the House, some changes to the layout of the heritage room and plans for the new art gallery space upstairs to be developed.”

The full Spring programme will be published mid-February and has lots for visitors to come and see, listen to and be part of.

The regular weekend openings start on Saturday, March 2 from 11am - 4pm.

The opening exhibition in the house body is aptly called ‘The changing face of the Manor House’. There will be pictures of the House over the last two hundred years starting with Thomas Girtin’s painting of 1801. The Friends of the Manor House coffee morning on Friday, March 1 at 10.15am is about two remarkable women- Catherine and Isobel Salt. Pauline Ford will share her research about these women with their interest in women’s education.

The Manor House team is also delighted to welcome Leeds College of Music students for the first in the ‘Music at the Manor House’ series happening on Friday, March 15. Tickets will be available via the Manor House website.

Sarah added: “We are thrilled with how the programme has come together with several music concerts, an afternoon of two of Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads performances, the opening of the Ilkley Local History Hub and Poets Corner, art and heritage exhibitions as well as fun for children with the Easter holiday activities and family fun afternoons.

“The discussions with Bradford museums and galleries service about the return of some of the artefacts are progressing well and it is hoped these will be back in the museum soon.”

To find out more about the spring programme and opening times visit www.ilkleymanorhouse.org