Events and Activities I
Well over 2000 people have attended the Trust’s lectures and walks this year, just one part of the fullest and most varied programmes we have ever produced.
Our events programme aims to inform and enthuse our members and the general public about Leeds and to stimulate debate about aspects of its future. Enabling members to meet key people in organisations and institutions is a vital element in forming opinions.
Visits to Leeds Institutions
A return visit to the Grand Theatre in October, after16 months of improvements, drew over 60 members who were very impressed with the new and upgraded facilities both front-of-house and backstage. The scaffolding was also down at St Anne’s Cathedral where in January we were able to see the wonderful results of the restoration project. This has taken the building back to its Arts and Crafts design of simple yet strong, elegant lines. A new lighting scheme now enhances these beautiful features.
In February we visited a flourishing institution on our doorstep--Leeds College of Building—where Principal Ian Billyard told us about its wide range of courses and its successes. We also saw students ‘in action’ during a fascinating tour.
In March, before its opening, we visited the brand new Leeds Museum Discovery Centre and walked through with John Roles (Head of Leeds Museums and Galleries) hearing plans for its use as a public resource, collection store and conservation workshop. Later that morning, at the Royal Armouries, Steven Burt, Director of Collections, explained the full extent of the Royal Armouries’ collections countrywide and enthused us with plans for an extensive Tudor exhibition in Leeds.
Finally, in July 60 members were given a highly informative tour of the splendidly refurbished City Art Gallery by Curator Layla Bloom. We were impressed, particularly by the magnificent Tiled Hall, now home to the Gallery’s stylish café and shop.
Public Lectures
The Trust has been a major contributor to two celebrations this year. On 30 October, 350 years after his death, the Leeds benefactor John Harrison was remembered in a tribute lecture given by Kevin Grady, jointly organised with Leeds Parish Church and the Harrison and Potter Trust. ‘The Life and Legacy of John Harrison’, hosted at Leeds Grammar School (re-endowed by Harrison), attracted over 200 people including 20 descendants of Harrison’s sisters.
The second celebration was ‘Celebrate Leeds 2007’,the year-long festival marking the 800th anniversary of the creation of Briggate. As a way of setting the scene, in February and March, Kevin Grady gave a series of 5 public lectures. ‘Leeds in Your Lunch Hour’. They proved to be phenomenally popular with Holy Trinity Church, Boar Lane, literally overflowing each week. Kevin followed this with ‘The History of Briggate’, a public lecture attracting almost 300 people to The Venue, Leeds College of Music. It was a gratifying demonstration of the great interest in Leeds history and heritage and value of Trust events.
Guided Walks
Once again the Trust’s ever-willing volunteer guides and supper providers laid on an extensive and very popular programme of guided walks, all open to the public.
In May and June there were 10 Supper Walks covering topics as diverse as Medieval Leeds, Leeds Waterfront, Edwardian Leeds and Leeds Personalities.
We also ran some special anniversary walks: ‘In the Steps of John Harrison’, showing various city centre sites linked with the great man, and tours of Briggate on every Sunday afternoon in June.