About Clarke Foley

Who we are and what we do

The Clarke Foley centre officially opened its doors in 1981 and has been serving the community of Ilkley and surrounding areas ever since. The Clarke Foley Community Hub is a charity providing inclusive facilities for people of all ages to pursue recreational, educational and leisure activities.

Our main charitable objective is to provide facilities for the over 50s of Ilkley and beyond, however, contrary to popular belief, we are a hub that is open and available to all. Over recent years we have developed and expanded our offer to respond to the needs of the wider community, and to be a resource that is available to everyone. The more people that come in to use this unique and versatile community facility, the longer we can continue providing our essential service to the community.

What is the role of the Clarke Foley in the community?

We are a Community Hub and Registered Charity that has been at the heart of Ilkley for 43 years. We operate a Community Cafe and have a range of rooms and spaces that are used and hired out for the benefit of the community. The overarching aim of everything we do is to provide facilities in the interest of social, physical, and mental wellbeing, to combat isolation and loneliness, and to improve the lives of those who visit us. We host a wide range of classes, groups, activities and events which allow people to engage in their passions and leisure pursuits, keep active, broaden their minds, meet like-minded individuals, share stories and experiences, and form friendships and relationships.

What activities take place?

We have a broad and varied schedule of classes, groups, and events. It is used by people of all ages, many local clubs, businesses, organisations, and charities who provide a variety of classes, groups, events, talks, exhibitions, fairs, meetings, and more! In 2023, we had over 150 unique users booking rooms here, with over 2,500 different bookings taking place. Our versatile rooms are available for so many different purposes, and the possibilities are endless. We are a bustling community facility that is open and available to all. We are a hub and second home that branches out and touches the whole community. Our Community Café is open 10am – 4pm, Monday to Saturday, which provides a range of delicious and reasonably priced sandwiches, toasties, hot meal specials, soups, cakes, and other tasty offerings! We also open on the first Sunday of each month for the Ilkley Antiques Fair. Call in for morning coffee, lunchtime snacks, hot food, afternoon tea and you will see all we have to offer. We have a friendly team of staff and volunteers that are always happy to help.

How did the Clarke Foley come about?

The Clarke Foley Community Hub is the result of an extraordinary act of kindness from local brother and sister, James Clarke and Sarah Foley. Their story can be found on the beautiful tapestry which hangs on the wall in our café (pictured left). James and Sarah were the children of Irish immigrants, Martin and Bridget, who settled at Low Mill, Addingham in about 1880. The family moved to Ilkley for some years before eventually emigrating to America. James was the last to go, and in 1914 he left for America on an overcrowded Cunard liner.

Landing penniless in New York, James sold bundles of firewood until he got work. Sarah married a New York attorney, becoming Sarah Foley. Money from a wealthy sister enabled them to acquire property in Brooklyn, New York which they converted into flats. When the property was demolished as part of a redevelopment scheme the compensation money was invested in the stock market. The family prospered and James was able to retire.

James returned to Ilkley several times over the years and during his last visit arranged with the Bishop of Leeds that a bequest be paid to cover the building of the Clarke Foley and interest from the endowment fund contribute to help support the facility. The building was opened in January 1981 and has since grown and expanded its facilities and offerings to become the Community Hub it is now. Their generous bequest enabled the building of this fabulous facility, and it is largely thanks to the generous gifts that people have left in their wills since then that mean, 43 years on, we are still here today.