THE Friends of Ilkley Riverside Parks (FOIRP) have started work on creating new flowerbeds at the Riverside Garden’s Memorial area to boost visitors’ wellbeing following the easing of lockdown. “We are aware it’s been a tough time for everyone during the pandemic and we felt it would be great to put a smile back on people’s faces and to create a beautiful area for contemplation and enjoyment around the War Memorial at Riverside Gardens,” said Ed Duguid, Chairman of the Friends. “We have extensive plans to improve the whole of the embankment area surrounding the Memorial. However, phase 1 is to focus on the immediate area around the memorial itself, and we are pleased the Council has given us permission to proceed with the first part of our plan. Hopefully, those who have been watching our work will now know where we are focusing our efforts.”
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NEARLY 90 local residents enjoyed a surprise Christmas treat, when volunteers from a local charity delivered the present of either a hamper or a potted plant to them in their homes. Organised by Ilkley and District Good Neighbours, the Christmas Parcel Project, which began some 25 years ago, has always brought an annual touch of seasonal good cheer to a number of the area’s older and less able residents; some of whom might feel lonely and isolated during the festive period. Ilkley Good Neighbours Trustee and Christmas Parcels Co-ordinator, Ed Duguid said: “At this particularly tough time for everyone and certainly for some of the older members of our community, we all agreed we had to find a way to deliver the annual Christmas Parcels and bring a smile to their faces.”