Events and Activities II
Walks
‘A Light Stroll’ was led by lighting designer and Trust member Lee Gunner, who gave a short, illustrated presentation showing examples of lighting effects on buildings in the City centre. He followed this by a walk to key sites, discussing members’ responses to the lighting schemes before them.
For another fascinating event we teamed up with Pippa Hale of Vitrine to talk with 5 artists as they joined us for a walk to examine their work in-situ—that being shop windows and display cabinets around the city centre. A cooling ‘Walk of Woods and Plaques’ in hot July took us through Gledhow Valley and Gipton Woods. En route we examined blue plaques to Oakwood Clock and the Blackburn Aircraft Works. Thanks to Hilary and Peter Dyson for enlightening us.
Our annual programme of themed walks followed by a buffet supper continues to be popular and is a regular source of income. Thanks go to Dörte Haarhaus and Gwen Turner for organising the programme and to the walk leaders and supper providers for the 10 evenings; it was a major effort.
Liaison with Civic Societies
Now firmly in the diary are the topical twice-yearly meetings with our Affiliated Societies. The first meaty topic, in October, was an explanation by Janet Howrie about the City Council’s development of a ‘Statement of Community Involvement’. This was followed in March by a session on Community Engagement at which Kevin Grady guided listeners through the maze of bodies influencing change in Leeds.
Heritage Open Days
7-10 September 2006
We were once again delighted to co-ordinate Heritage Open Days in Leeds this year, though it is an enormous amount of work. Over 70 building openings and activities made it the largest event outside London. First-timers Barwick Historical Society attracted over 370 people to the Iron Age Fort, while other newcomers included Leeds University’s Business School, Gildersome Quaker Meeting House, Farnley Hall and the Thoresby Society Library. Thank you to everyone who took part. Publicity is the key and we are grateful to the Yorkshire Evening Post for excellent coverage and to Leeds City Council for printing and distributing leaflets. An innovation was details appearing on the BBC’s Big Screen in Millennium Square.
Thank You!
A heartfelt ‘Thank You’ to our VOLUNTEERS – the Trust could not function without the work they do. In recognition, Kevin Grady played host to over 40 volunteers, leading a walk along part of the Meanwood Valley Trail and then laying on a splendid afternoon tea. Special thanks are due to Gwen Turner who is retiring from the Activities Committee after many of invaluable service. Thank you too to all our speakers and hosts throughout the year.
Lynda Kitching
Chair, Activities Committee