Events and Activities I
Trust events this year attracted record attendances. A major benefit of Trust membership is the chance to be involved at an early stage with city issues, to give and hear opinions on a whole range of ‘hot topics’, and to meet the people ‘at the sharp end’. At the same time we run many events which are open to the general public. This year’s programme was one of the most varied we have ever had.
Talks and Debates
In November 2005, as partners in the Leeds Initiative, we organised a large public consultation meeting at the Art Gallery about the need for new major cultural facilities in Leeds. The presentation by consultants PMP stimulated many comments including those from the Earl of Harewood, the Director of Opera North and the Principal of Leeds College of Music.
On a broader theme our 40th Anniversary AGM a week later was followed by a ‘Leeds 40:40 Debate’ reviewing the past 40 years and looking 40 year ahead in the sphere of architecture and planning, the arts and heritage. The speakers were Ken Powell, architectural writer, Martin Wainwright, Northern Editor of the Guardian, and Kevin Grady.
Away Days: Regeneration and Conservation
In September we made an inspirational visit to Castleford. Before taking a walk around, we heard of ambitious regeneration plans, with extensive community support, championed by Alison Drake of Castleford’s Heritage Trust and the Town Centre Partnerships.
In June we gained a fresh perspective on familiar destinations as we spent a day in Scarborough and Whitby. From Gordon Somerville of Scarborough District Council we learned the vast differences in the current state of these two seaside towns. Scarborough is a wonderful place but has lost its purpose, while Whitby’s problem is how to deal with success. Courtesy of the local civic societies we saw at first hand the effects of decline in the former and experienced the overcrowded narrow streets of the latter.
Tours
In October we were privileged to have an early opportunity to take a tour of Kirkstall Abbey, including the new Visitor Centre, before it all opened to the public after its extensive restoration. In contrast, in January we went multimedia with a fascinating behind-the-scenes tour of Yorkshire Television. This was by popular demand and a repeat performance by Mark Covell, Head of Regional Affairs and a Trust Council member. A month later, just over the Leeds border, Carlton near Wakefield was the site of our most popular visit of the year – Oldroyd & Sons’ rhubarb farm, the most successful of its kind in Britain. Fourth-generation grower, Janet Oldroyd-Hulme extolled the virtues of rhubarb and explained how its medicinal properties are being taken seriously once again.
March found us in one of the largest hospitals in Europe – Leeds’ own St James’s. We had a presentation from the Director of Strategic Projects about plans in the pipeline and the hospital’s involvement in the long-term ‘Making Leeds Better’ project, before being given a tour of the site, including the new, huge Oncology unit.
On an April Saturday, ‘Treasures Revealed’ lived up to its name, as members piled on and off a coach to visit four contrasting Leeds suburban churches, all with architectural surprises inside.
Celebrations!
Good friends, good food, good conversation! That summed up the 40th Anniversary Dinner, held on 25 October, the exact founding date of the Trust. Our thanks go to Shaun Callighan and his team for a very enjoyable evening at the Headingley Experience. May brought the Spirit of Leeds Award Lunch reported elsewhere.
Lynda Kitching
Chair, Activities Committee