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Nostalgic memories of Ilkley's local history

Share your own memories of Ilkley and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

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It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin

Add Your Memory for Ilkley

Displaying Memories 21 - 27 of 27 in total

Information Wanted About Royal Hotel Ilkley
My grandfather's uncle - Harry Briggs - ran this hotel with his wife Isabella. They were there in the 1911 census. Does anyone have information about the demise of the hotel? Any information at all would be extremely helpful in my family history research.
Ilkley, Royal Hotel 1914
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Added 02 January 2012

Heber's Ghyll Off Grove Road, Ilkley
We used to live on Grove Road in the 1960s and 1970s and, being a tomboy, I would also go exploring with our two dogs. One of my favourite walks was up Heber's Ghyll - sometimes following the path up through the woods but most often just walking "wild" through the woods. It was full of bluebells (still is) and the Ghyll (stream) is a delightful place to sit and look at. At the top of the path, ...see more
Ilkley, Heber's Ghyll, Chalybeate Spring 1921
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Added 30 November 2011

Born At Semon Convalescent Home Oct 1944
My mother was evacuated from London to Ilkley when the first V. bombs dropped. She was expecting me and I was born on 22nd October 1944 in Semon Convalescent Home which was turned into an emergency maternity home. We had been evacuated to Yorkshire as we had a cousin who lived in Ilkley. My mother was from Northumberland but lived in London. I went back to find the place in about 1992 ...see more
Ilkley, the Semon Convalescent Home 1900
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Added 02 September 2011

Lund And Becker Houses In Ilkley
I believe this house was built by my great grandfather, Charles Lund, in 1876. He was married to Hannah Pullen. They had three daughters. The youngest, Alice was my grandmother. She married Clarence Becker. They lived most of their lives in Ilkley. Their son, Maurice and daughter Sylvia, my mother, grew up in Ilkley. She moved to America in the 1930s. I travelled many times with my mother to ...see more
Ilkley, Hollybrook Guest House c1955
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Added 26 March 2011

I Was Born At Ilkley
I was also born at the Semon Convalescent Home in 1943, my mother was booked into St Lukes for my birth but was sent here instead, I often wondered what the home was like. I have visited Ilkley many times and never did find the home, now I know why.
Ilkley, the Semon Convalescent Home 1900
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Added 17 February 2011

Semon Emergency Maternity Hospital
I was born at the Semon Emergency Maternity Hospital in 1943 even though my parents lived in Bradford at the time. I have always assumed this was because of the threat of bombing during the war, though I have never been sure if this is correct. I viewed an map of Ilkley at the time recently and noted where the Hospital once stood, and have since been to see the location and wondered what it must ...see more
Ilkley, the Semon Convalescent Home 1900
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Added 20 August 2010

Born There In 1943
I was born in The Semon Emergency Hospital August 1943 and often wondered what it looked like and why I was actually born there and not in Bradford which is where my birth mother lived at the time, unless she was visiting Ilkley and was taken there as an emergency. I was adopted soon after birth.  But have since met up with my half siblings. Both birth parent and adoptive parents are now deceased and so I never found out how I came to be born there.
Ilkley, the Semon Convalescent Home 1900
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Added 25 March 2007