Weaver Network, new mayor, Ilkley Brewery rescue, new nature reserve and more ...
The Ilkley Journal roundup 🗞️
By Narinder Purba
Weaver Network: the new name for West Yorkshire’s public transport network
The Weaver Network is the new name for West Yorkshire’s public transport network, replacing the Metro branding that has been a familiar feature since 1974.
Describing the update as a “bold new era” for public transport in the region, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) said that the new name had been inspired by the region’s industrial past – while also reflecting “the cultural fabric of modern-day West Yorkshire”.
According to the WYCA, one of the benefits of the Weaver Network will include simplified fares and travel information.
Tracy Brabin, mayor of the combined authority, said that the new branding would see an end to “a disjointed, confusing and increasingly hard to navigate public transport system”.
“With the mayor's decision to take back control of the bus network, we are now moving towards a fully integrated transport network under one brand, replacing about 19 different brands currently in use,” councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council and chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, added.
“The Weaver Network will reflect a public transport network that the region can be proud of, while helping the public to understand who is responsible for helping them travel to where they need to be."
Robbie Moore asks for farming petition sign-up
The MP for Keighley and Ilkley wants the public to back a petition asking for a 12-month amnesty on agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR) policy proposals.
Calling for the “family farm tax” as he described it to be axed, Robbie Moore explained that if the petition gets to 100,000, it will have to be debated in Parliament.
He said: “Our family farming businesses are feeling immense strain, huge financial pressures and vast amounts of uncertainty as a result of this vindictive Labour government’s policies.”
The petition claims that a year-long amnesty would allow farmers to “transfer land and chattels of agricultural businesses to a named person” ahead of changes to APR and BPR.
The Labour government has stated that changes to APR and BPR will not have an impact on the majority of estates.
Take APR reforms. Only the wealthiest 500 estates will be impacted every year, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has claimed.
Staff and public feedback for key work on Airedale Hospital revealed
Plans for a new car park, a sustainable space that promotes biodiversity and relocation of the nursery at the new Airedale Hospital have largely been welcomed by members of the public and staff.
This is according to a new report documenting the results of focused consultations that took place late last year.
There was support for car park designs that featured larger bays, lots of disabled access and secure bike parking; support for the environmentally-friendly sustainable space that will include a wildflower meadow and 5,000 new trees; and support for plans to conceal and improve the appearance of the substation.
“Building the supporting infrastructure is a really important step on our journey to a new hospital,” said Foluke Ajayi, chief executive of Airedale NHS Foundation Trust.
“This feedback is invaluable and has been shared with architects and planners who are using the information to finalise the plans prior to submitting planning applications to Bradford Council.”
Labour bags mayor and deputy mayor roles for Ilkley Town Council
Jane Gibson, councillor for Ben Rhydding, and Amanda Simmonds, councillor for Ilkley South, have respectively been elected as mayor and deputy mayor of Ilkley Town Council.
Gibson, who served as deputy mayor, will take over from Damian Kearns, with Simmonds stepping into the shoes of her fellow Labour colleague.
“I love this town,” Gibson said. “I believe in social justice, fairness, opportunity, inclusion and community. I feel that protecting our natural environment and our community resources is crucial.
“There is more to do to support community groups in and around Ilkley … these community groups are the town's lifeblood and make Ilkley the wonderful place it is.”
Local entrepreneur “saves” Ilkley Brewery from closure
Ilkley Brewery has been given a lifeline with a “fresh injection of capital” provided by local entrepreneur Graham Smith.
The deal means that the brewery, which was founded in 2009, will be able to keep all of its staff and invest in new facilities.
Luke Raven, who heads up the management team alongside Jonny Moore, described the last year as an “extremely challenging” time for the business.
“There was a risk that Ilkley Brewery beers could disappear,” he went on to say. “I am delighted that Graham has been able to step in and ensure not only continuity but also look ahead to grow the business and build on the excellent work that the brewing and management team have done in the past.”
Ilkley Moor to be part of the new Bradford Pennine Gateway National Nature Reserve
Ilkley Moor is to be part of a huge new nature reserve that spans 1,274 hectares in West Yorkshire, which is said to be “the first of its kind” in the region.
The Bradford Pennine Gateway National Nature Reserve will provide the area with even greater protections.
Labour councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, portfolio holder for regeneration, planning and transport on Bradford Council, said:
“Around two-thirds of our district is rural, and we boast unique and breathtaking scenery. The creation of the Bradford Pennine Gateway National Nature Reserve ensures that these sites are protected and accessible for everyone in our district and beyond.”
There are currently 221 National Nature Reserves in England. Their purpose is to conserve rich landscapes like Ilkley Moor and learn from them.
Mary Creagh, the minister for nature, described the new nature reserve as a landmark moment. She added that:
“[It ]will bring huge numbers of people closer to their iconic nature-rich habitats, as part of this government's ‘plan for change’ to halt nature's decline.”
What we’re reading, watching, listening to
Read | The Wager
The New Yorker’s David Grann at his David Grann best, The Wager is a gripping tale of how men, confronted with the savagery of the sea and the absence of civilisation, castaway and hungry, are able to endure life at its most miserable – and seek out better days.
Watch | Andor (Season 2)
Star Wars done well – that’s Andor in a nutshell. After the shockingly poor The Acolyte, the second and final season of the television prequel to Rogue One (itself a prequel to A New Hope) has shown how good spin-offs set a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away can be.
Listen | The Great Beauty soundtrack
The soundtrack to Paolo Sorrentino’s 2013 cinematic masterpiece, The Great Beauty (one of many gems in his unfinished oeuvre), starring his muse, the brilliant Tony Servillo (who should be better known), is a lovely mishmash of music, from classical to pop. Vladimir Martynov’s sublime The Beatitudes is arguably the standout track.
Quote of the week
“Now, in a diverse nation like ours, and I celebrate that, these rules become even more important. Without them, we risk becoming an island of strangers, not a nation that walks forward together.”
Labour, not yet a year in, was seen to have hit its moral low this week with a hugely divisive speech from Keir Starmer that has widely been seen as a not-so-subtle attempt to mimic the language and personality of Reform (right wing populism that stokes up unwarranted fears over immigration). It has also been likened to parts of Enoch Powell’s incendiary 1968 Rivers of Blood speech.