John Stidworthy was elected as Chair at the 2013 AGM in April. After university John worked at the London Zoo for 10 years giving talks and tours to parties from schools and colleges.

Subsequently he worked at the Natural History Museum first as a lecturer, then becoming involved in designing museum exhibits. After 10 years at the museum, his wife went back to work and he became a househusband. Both his young sons survived his cooking.

Over the years he has written more than thirty books on natural history, most aimed at children. In Buckinghamshire he was chair of governors at three primary schools. He and his wife Sue moved to Ilkley in 2010 to be near their grandchildren and enjoy the countryside.

At the 2013 AGM, Owen Wells stood down as Chair of FoIM after 5 years. Roger Gook (Secretary of the Friends) gave a vote of thanks to Owen Wells. On behalf of the members and committee he said “ Owen’s passion for the moor was one of the main factors in setting up the Friends five [...]

The 18th Event organised by The friends of Ilkley Moor took place on Saturday, 15 September. Learning to navigate around the moor using map and compass, the walk was lead by Phil Jones of Bradford Council Adventure Development Unit. The participants spent over two hours using special orienteering maps to find their way to designated points over the lower and upper slopes of the moor.

Said Tracy Gray FOIM Project Officer. “Despite the bad weather over the summer months the walks and working days have been a success. This is the 5th year that the Friends have published their Events & Learning Programme, there are two walks still to do Moorland Fungi starting from the Darwin Gardens car park at 10am to 12noon on Saturday 29th September and Heritage Walk from the Cow & Calf at 1pm to 2.30pm (also on the 29th)”

The Friends of Ilkley Moor had an outstandingly successful AGM at the Clarke Foley Centre last Friday. Approximately 100 members attended out of a total membership of 475. Owen Wells, Chair of FoIM said “For a small voluntary organisation to be able to attract over 20% of its total membership to an AGM is an [...]