ILKLEY’S Car Free Festival on The Grove on Sunday was a great success.

From the moment it was opened by Ilkley Town Cryer, Isabel Ashman, riding up on one of the community cargo bikes owned by Climate Action Ilkley, and doing a fantastic Cry based on the Ilkley Town Council Climate Emergency Declaration, to the last notes of the songs played at the bandstand by The Finishers, the day definitely went with a wow.

The sun shone and the residents attended in large numbers to enjoy the day and the different atmosphere on The Grove when it was completely pedestrianised.

There were tables and chairs for people to sit at and enjoy the music or the food that was available or just chat with friends. The tables and chairs were made from recycled pallets and organisers had help from the Ilkley & District U3A Sheds group amongst others to do this.

The majority of the gazebos, tables, chairs and other equipment were brought to The Grove using the eCargo bikes and the trailer, making this event as car free as possible.

The storytelling session was a winner with the children, as Jenna Drury from Mud Pie Arts was telling Cloud Tales from her new book. The children’s play area was also extremely popular.

Performer Alby Duncan from Open Source Arts entertained the crowd with his juggling and unicycling, he was even seen in the children’s area skipping with his unicycle.

Performers who played at the bandstand included local bands Adare, Alex, The Bring Me Sunshine Trio, The Sheds and The Finishers who gave up their time for free, and the two dance academies, The Wright Theatre Arts Dance Academy and the Joze School of Dance who did dance displays with such energy and panache, and a special thanks to Pav who compered the whole event.

The Climate Action Ilkley stall was staffed by members of Ilkley Town Council and students from Ilkley Grammar School, and was very busy having conversations about how to change Ilkley for the better and improve climate resilience at the same time.

The XR Ilkley stall was very popular with flag printing. There were also stalls run by Ilkley Cycling Club, Better Buses Yorkshire, Climate Action Menston, Ilkley in Bloom and the Land and Nature Groups from Climate Action Ilkley, Fairtrade Ilkley and Friends of Wharfedale Greenway.

Churches Together ran a COP26-themed stall giving people a chance to send a message to the politicians taking part in the COP26 talks, which start in November. Information was available on installing solar panels and heat pumps to reduce your energy consumption and there was also a stall helping people to work out their carbon footprint.

At the end of The Grove in the sensory garden next to Martinez people were invited to step through the Magic Wardrobe and imagine Ilkley in 20, 30 and 80 years time and also how the people in those times might look back at us and what we are doing now, how would they see us?

Kath Steward, of Climate Action Ilkley, said: “The day was a resounding success and we have had lots of positive feedback. We are really grateful to everyone who helped to make the festival such a success.

“We are looking forward to doing a similar event next year, with a series of small street closures for children to play out on the streets leading up to the main Festival in September 2022.”

Ilkley Town Mayor Cllr Mark Stidworthy added: “Thank you to organisers Climate Action Ilkley and the many community groups and performers who took part in Ilkley’s Car Free Festival.

“It was a joy to see residents and visitors of all ages enjoying the atmosphere, freedom and safety of the Grove without cars, and engaging with the shared opportunities and problems that climate change transition will bring.

“I found it a welcome taste of what streets freed for pedestrians, cyclists and young people’s play could bring to the town.”