A SCALED down Summer of Fun is to be held in Ilkley this month.

Ilkley Youth and Community Association usually teams up with the Bradford Youth Service each August to put on a variety of activities for young people in the town.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, has meant ‘business as normal’ was not an option this year.

Instead, the Ilkley Youth and Community Association has held a meeting to discuss what kind of events can still safely take place.

The association’s Chair, Martin Smith, said: “Having held a meeting with the senior youth worker on July 30 it is clear we cannot run our usual Summer of fun programme due to government advice at the moment.

“Ilkley Youth and Community Association will run what we can during late August in line with what the Government allows, hopefully with Clip ‘n Climb being involved.

“It is essential that some activity happens.

“It may be possible for the association to help the Youth Service and later assist with our usual programme of events on the riverside, and with Clip ‘n Climb, as permissions allow.

“We can then maintain contact with the youth within the town in offering support during the summer recess period.

“In the past this has been very well received by parents and kids, providing as it does some respite time in August for kids and parents alike.”

The Summer of Fun also receives support from Ilkley Town Council, the Rotary Clubs of Ilkley and Ilkley Wharfedale and the Keighley Area Committee.

The full programme, in previous years, has seen Bradford Youth Service holding all kinds of free activities at locations around the town.

Events that have been featured before include:

*Cricket and football

*Jenga and chess

*Balance boards

*Tug of war contests

Many of the sports activities are usually held at the Riverside Gardens while tennis mini-camps have also been offered and held at Ilkley Lawn Tennis Club.

Clip ‘n Climb meanwhile, based on Station Plaza, is an indoor climbing area designed to allow people to try the sport safely.