Double Celebration at Ilkley

 Wednesday 1st July 2026.           Double Celebration at Ilkley.

Today will be a joint celebration in the West Yorkshire town of Ilkey , firstly to celebrate the birthday of our good friend Brian and secondly to assist our other good friend John’s so-called Stag do!

Those attending and taking part in the riverside walk will be Glenn, Keith, Dave, Brian, John and his son Mathew, the rest of the team will be joining us later at the Flying Duck pub, this will be Derek, Mark and John Howarth along with 2 of Mathews friends, Martin and Russel also joining in the celebration will be Kevin, John’s neighbour.

The riverside walk is due to commence at a few minutes after 11am, hopefully meeting the rest of the guys at about 12:15 pm in the vicinity of the Pub.

The walk will take the group of 6 heading down stream as far as the suspension bridge,once they have crossed the river they will return upstream to the point where the old packhorse bridge is situated, then recross the river and head for the pub, a total distance of about 3 miles or so.

It was a pleasant morning here in Ilkley, not too hot like last weeks outing to Stanley Ferry ! just great for walking with no apparent signs of rain. It was a leisurely stroll along the riverbank taking in all aspects of the surrounding scenery etc, at one point a group of schoolchildren were encountered making various observations also.

Waiting on the wall outside the Flying Duck was Derek he had arrived a few minutes before the rest of the joining bunch, upon entering the pub we were greeted by the landlord that he would be unable to cater for 12 guys for lunch, somewhat disappointing reaction from him to say the least!!

Anyway drinks were ordered and various conversations ensued, once all gathered in the pubs quaint setting the frivolities began, Brian received a resounding rendition of Happy Birthday to his great delight, while John was adorned with a Groom to be sash to great amusement by all. With no prospect of a lunchtime meal here in the Flying Duck an alternative venue was sorted out by Mark, so it was drink up lads and venture off to pastures new courtesy of the Bar’t  Tat pub a few hundred yards away up the road. This was a more accommodating place, we eventually got seat at numerous tables with various groups of us engaged in various conversations etc. Our food orders were taken and soon delivered, meanwhile Russell was engaged in taking individual Polaroid photos of us all much to our delight.

Eventually it was time for some of the group to disperse and take their respective journeys home , the rest continued to enjoy themselves frequenting a few others pubs and activities etc.

Upon Reflection today was a great time for all concerned 

Cheers Everyone.