SHOPPERS and day-trippers stepped out on The Grove on Saturday in local celebrations for International Women’s Day.

The international celebration of the achievements of women, and global call for greater equality, was on Sunday.

But Ilkley Soroptimists made the most of a busy town centre shopping day — and warm weather — by holding celebrations and a charity fundraising event at Ilkley Bandstand on Saturday.

Ilkley talent was on show at the bandstand to entertain throughout the day with a programme of choirs, dance and instrumentalists.

A total of £650 was raised in the street collection, organised by the Soroptimists, for CARE International, to promote safe water, in addition to money raised online.

Performers included Ben Rhydding Primary School choir, the U3A ukulele band, singer and musician Adam Catlin, pre-teen boy band Altum, Moor Notes Choir, Wright Theatre Arts and Dance Academy, Ben Rhydding Community Choir and Panard Dansarts dance band.

Ilkley Soroptimists, who also held a five-mile walk last Wednesday (March 4) were raising money for Walk in her Shoes, an initiative under the umbrella of CARE International.

In the world’s poorest countries, women and girls have to spend their days walking for water.

This daily trek prevents them from going to work or school, and the charity says they cannot fulfil their potential.

By providing their communities with safe water and sanitation, the charity aims to tackle basic inequality and injustice.

The Soroptimists also set up an information stand on The Grove