Could you buy a book for a child in need this Christmas?

2026 has been named “The Year of Reading” but many children in our district have little access to books. Churches Together in Ilkley, plus local reading groups and other people, have come together to ask people to ‘Buy a Book for Bradford’ in December. It would be wonderful if, as part of your preparations for Christmas and the New Year, people in Ilkley could each buy one or two story books for us to take into Bradford.

You might buy a favourite book that your own family has enjoyed, or the Grove Bookshop has a list of suitable books that we’ve prepared with expert help. The bookshop has also kindly agreed to hold onto books that people buy, for us to pass on. For under-5s, the books will go to the Bradford Baby Bank charity. For older children (up to 11yr olds) they will go to some of the local schools with pupils from poorer areas.

Please let Elizabeth Hall know if you have new or nearly new books to donate (email hueydog@icloud.com).

We hope the Year of Reading will be able to start off with some fun for Bradford children, from the generosity of people in Ilkley this month.

LATEST FROM THE GROVE BOOKSHOP:

The team at the Grove Bookshop is thrilled to be involved with the Buy A Book For Bradford scheme, run by Churches Together, Ilkley.

As a response to the National Literacy Trust's 2026 Year of Reading, they are suggesting that people buy a children's story book to be distributed by local charities among the children of Bradford who will most benefit from them.

The Grove Bookshop has a list of suggested titles for children of different ages, or you are welcome to choose your own favourites or ask the staff to choose for you. Pop in and ask the team for details.

The bookshop is pledging to donate books to the value of 10% of what's been spent through the scheme. Manager Mike says: 'We've been overwhelmed by the generous response to this initiative.'

Christmas Services in Ilkley and Ben Rhydding

As we prepare for Christmas all the churches in Ilkley have been busy with carol and advent services.

In the coming week there are many opportunities for everyone to come and celebrate Christmas at a variety of services. Many offer Carols by Candlelight while others offer the familiar Christingle or Crib Services that are particularly suitable for children and families.

Listed below are all the services offered in the week before Christmas by churches in Ilkley. More details can be found at the individual church websites or at https://www.facebook.com/churchestogetherinilkley

Everyone is welcome at any of these services.

Ben Rhydding Methodist Church

Dec 21st
4pm - Carol Service with Candlelight

Dec 24th
4pm - Christmas Eve All-Age Worship Service with Candlelight

Dec 25th
9.30am - Christmas morning worship

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ilkley

Dec 21st
9.15am - Sunday Mass - Fourth Sunday of Advent

Dec 24th
6.30pm - Christmas Family Mass

Dec 25th
10am - Christmas Day Morning Mass

St Margaret's Ilkley

Dec 21st
9:15am - Christingle Service
6.30pm - Service of Lessons and Carols

Dec 24th
3pm - Crib Service
10pm - 'Bethlehem' Midnight Mass

Dec 25th
10am - Mass of Christmas Day

St John's Ben Rhydding

Dec 21st
10am Carol Service followed by Soup Lunch

Dec 22nd
9.30am - Messy Church Breakfast

Dec 24th
4pm & 6pm - Christingle Service
11pm - Midnight Communion

Dec 25th
8.30am - Holy Communion
10am - Family Communion

All Saints Church, Ilkley

Dec 21st
10.15am - Sunday Worship
7pm - Carols by Candlelight with the Moornotes choir

Dec 24th
3pm, 4.30pm or 6pm - Christingle Services
11pm - Midnight Communion

Dec 25th
8am - Christmas Day Communion (BCP)
10.15am - Christmas Day All Age Service

Ilkley Baptist Church

Dec 21st
6.30pm - Carols by Candlelight

Dec 25th
10am - Christmas Day Celebration

Christchurch Ilkley

Dec 21st
10:15am - All Age Nativity Service.
3.30pm - Messy Church Christingle

Dec 23rd
4pm – Traditional Christingle Service

Dec 25th
10.15am Christmas Morning Worship

Ilkley Quaker Meeting

Dec 21st
10.30am - Meeting for Worship

Dec 25th
10.30am - Meeting for Worship