A CHARITABLE trust set up to improve Ilkley is celebrating the success of its first project.
Improving Ilkley has been established by trustees Karl Milner, Matthew Ward and Louise Hepworth-Wood with the aim of delivering three brand new flowerbeds outside Ilkley Railway Station.
Ilkley resident Roger Yaxley initiated the flowerbeds project back in 2019 but fell foul of planning laws and work was halted.
Improving Ilkley trustee Louise Hepworth-Wood said: “Improving Ilkley want to thank everyone who has helped us to deliver the first of three brand new flowerbeds outside Ilkley station. The flowerbeds are the first thing you see when you exit the station. They had fallen into disrepair and no-one was picking up the responsibility for sorting them out. First impressions last, that’s why we were so keen to sort them out and bring some much needed joy after a terrible period; the feedback we have received is incredible and it’s clear the residents of Ilkley are absolutely delighted with the results so far.
“After a few false starts, a lot of patience, delegation and mitigation, Improving Ilkley was set up and agreed to work with project benefactor Mr Roger Yaxley to reach agreement with the landowner and local representatives about the most appropriate way forward.
“We are moving onto the second and third beds in the next few weeks and, if we secure a few more donations the entire project should be completed by the end of the summer.
“We would like to sincerely thank everyone for their patience and forbearance with this project. We hope that the end result has been worth the wait.”
Mr Yaxley said he was “over the moon” with the completed flowerbed and the support being given to the project.
Donations can be made in a variety of ways:
Via PayPal: Improving Ilkley Reg charity 1193192
Text FLOWERBEDS to 70085 to donate £5
Text IMPROVINGILKLEY to 70085 to donate £10