Baildon builds on rich sporting heritage like Aidy Boothroyd

There’s a community here that helps everyone find their place and purpose in the world, whether it's with the lads at Baildon Rugby Club, afterschool activities at the local primary school or the Baildon Runners.

Businessmen and brothers James and Tom Greaves are just two people using their talents to nurture a new cohort of sport heroes.

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The town has a long held reputation as the home of legendary sportsmen and women - mountaineer Ian Clough, current England Under 21's football manager Aidy Boothroyd, ex-Yorkshire & England cricket captain Brian Close, England cricket fast bowler Matthew Hoggard and England rugby player Dan Scarbrough.

And The Greaves are champions of sport in their own right.

The pair created their own sports coaching company, Fisical, back in 2016 which helps toddlers, teens, adults and pensioners alike stay active.

From five-a-side with children, educating children in schools to ‘walking football’ – a regular team of 12 players made up of those forced to retire due to injuries or ex-footballers now in their 60s and 70s - Baildon is for everyone.

James told the Telegraph & Argus: “We’re trying to do our bit. In the schools, we try encourage the kids to do as much (exercise) as possible.

“We started off when we were younger. We started playing rugby with Baildon Rugby Club. He started playing football and I went to pursue coaching. Tom pursued a semi-professional career in football.

“It’s not easy when we run these sessions but it gives the kids an extra activity.

“Growing up there was a youth club but that was only once a week.

“We do get quite a lot of decent footballers coming out of the sessions. It’s tough getting them off the streets. It’s been a problem since when I was young - there’s always not a lot to do.

“We’ve never left Baildon.”

And so, while these two brothers look after those with sporting talent, there’s another space which unites the community in other ways.

Meet the Baildon Belles - a women’s institute run by newly selected president Emily McDowall which brings together people in their early 20s to their 80s.

Emily moved up from London five years ago and joined the Baildon Belles in the hopes of finding her people.

Now she says her entire friendship group blossomed at the WI and has lead to spin-off groups like gardening, running and book clubs.

These girls are the brainforce behind the Christmas season and the annual carnival - not to mention Baildon Farmers Market.

And when they’re not planning, they gather for blissful little evenings of chatter, events and sometimes traditional WI talks.

Emily explained: “I used to live in London and it’s fairly isolated for a community point of view.

“It’s just such a massive difference. We chose Baildon because we wanted to live somewhere with a strong community and we felt that from day zero.

“People are like ‘Welcome to the area’ in a very Yorkshire way, but it’s very particular in somewhere like Baildon.

“We had a young couple move from Scotland just around the corner from us. It’s something we would have never done when I was in London but I posted them a card. She has just joined the WI.

“I would never have dared to do that in somewhere like London.”

Emily is one of the organisers for Baildon Open Gardens, an annual Summer event which sees neighbours invite people in for a coffee, tea and chat in the outdoors.

“It just shows what people in Baildon are like. They say ‘Of course I’ll open my garden and serve cakes! For me it feels idyllic. That’s what I love about Baildon,” Emily added.

And this isn’t just a feeling experienced by those who move to Baildon - locals know that emotion too well.

20-year-old Harriet Skye, who was born at Airedale Hospital and raised in the town, said there’s still a “very tight knit community”.

The aspiring doctor, now studying in Hull, said: “You often know others when you go to the shop. When I think of home I think of relaxation. Baildon is very relaxing and not hectic - and of course, Websters!

“My favourite part about being from Baildon is the fact it is so close to different town- Shipley, Saltaire, Bingley, Guiseley, Ilkley - whilst being out of the way and quiet.

"I love that it is placed on the huge moor so you can always get out on a nice walk.

"I would say Baildon is unique."