Last Stand at Ilkley RFC vs Hartlepool Rovers

Saturday saw the last league game of the season to be played under the shadow of the Old Stand at Ilkley RFC. Stacks Field. Their opponents were Hartlepool Rovers.

Ilkley RFC Stand and Clubhouse due to be replaced 2011

Ilkley RFC Stand

Plans are well under way to demolish the stand/clubhouse and replace them with a new Community Clubhouse, completion of the new clubhouse is scheduled for the end of May 2011. 

The 3.00pm kick off saw the ground bathed in sunshine and more reminiscent of a midsummers day.

Referee leads the Ilkley team onto the pitch

 Ilkley started well and went into the lead 

Ilkleys Chad Shepherd on his way to a try

but unfortunately for Ilkley, Hartlepool Rovers found their second wind later in the game and went on to win.

Hartlepool Rovers in possession

I managed to photograph the game from start to finish without any mishaps.

 

Ilkley Captain Stuart Vincent with Club President Ronald Obank and Chairman Richard Scargill

Photographs from the game can be viewed at Ruggerpix ( an Image and Style Gallery )

Details of the new clubhouse can be viewed at Ilkley RFC Website

I think this is as good a time as any to thank all the clubs in League North 1 East that I have had the pleasure to visit on my photographic quest, for their excellent hospitality, I have enjoyed some superb pies, Thankyou.

Peter W. Clark 11th April 2010

Sunrise Service, Easter 2010, Cow and Calf Rocks, Ilkley Moor

Cecile and I went to The Sunrise Service at the Cow and Calf Rocks at Ilkley on Easter Sunday. 

One of our photographs and an article were to be published in the local paper.

On Easter Sunday Ilkley was still fast asleep when several cars from different corners of the town passed through the empty streets. It was after 6.00 am and they were all going in the direction of the little car park below the Cow and Calf Rocks.

 

Not only cars were there but also on the moors were a few brave walkers heading in that direction. It was still dark when at 6.30am the car park was full and around seventy people representing many of the churches in Ilkley greeted each other heartily. 

Gathered on the slopes by the famous Yorkshire rocks and waving colourfull ribbons everybody joined in the singing of the hymns. As the prayers continued the sun was rising and the group were taking in the light and dawn of the new day.

Rev. Dick Watson leading the service

 For a brief moment betweeen one cloud and another, the warm golden rays of the rising sun covered everything and everybody.

Ilkley Moor, Cow and Calf Area

Rev Dick Watson

On this moment  ' Thine be the Glory ' sounded really joyful on this very special Sunrise Service. 

Rev. Dick Watson, the curator of All Saints church who was leading the service for the first time was as amazed as all the other participants with the wonderfull spectacle nature had shown us. 

As we were departing the sun was hidden again in the thick cloud but below in the Wharfe valley we could see the suns rays coming through illuminating the fields and woodland. 

Very significant, bringing hope and proving 'Every cloud has a silver lining'

Maria Cecylia Paslawska  4th April 2010