of that family serving as Members of Parliament for Knaresborough. It later passed into institutional use and is now a care home. Community Prior to the gala ending in the late 2010s, on the first May Bank Holiday each year the Bilton Gala took place. The first Gala was held in 1977 and the event, which is attended by local families, raises money for groups and organisations within the local community. Bilton has five churches, four primary schools and its own library. There are a number of shops, including two convenience stores. The Library closed but has now re-opened on the site of Woodfield Primary School. Bilton has its own online community page, called the Bilton Community Group on Facebook. Started in lockdown to bring a larger ‘sense of community to the area’. There is one public house, the Gardeners Arms, in Old Bilton. The Skipton (formerly the Dragon) on Skipton Road closed in February 2014 and The Oak Beck public house on Woodfield Road has been demolished and is being replaced with eight dwellings. There is a working men's club on Skipton Road. The Red Cat Cottage (formerly Red Cat Inn), a Grade II listed building is located in the area. It is situated close to the Nidd Gorge conservation area. Transport Roads out of Bilton lead to Skipton Road, the major artery across North Harrogate, resulting in very heavy congestion at peak times, and heavy traffic throughout the day. The number 2 bus route runs between Bilton and Harrogate bus station. It is split into service 2A and 2B; 2B serving the Knox area of Bilton while 2A runs along Bilton Lane towards Fieldway and Woodfield. A railway station is proposed on the Harrogate Line at Bilton. References External links Harrogate district council information on visiting Bilton Historical Society Villages in North Yorkshire Geography of Harrogate Former civil parishes in North Yorkshire