Leeds News

15/11/2025

Leeds Celebrates 10 Years of Baby Week UK Where It All Began. Leeds is celebrating a major milestone as the birthplace of Baby Week UK, with the much-loved annual event for the city’s youngest residents returning this year for its 10th anniversary. Taking place from 14-20 November at venues across the city, Baby Week will shine a spotlight on the wide range of support, services and activities available locally for babies, toddlers, new parents and families with children aged five and under. The initiative was launched in Leeds in 2016, inspired by Lucy Potter, a former Leeds City Council family support worker. After visiting Brazil on a fellowship, she set out to bring the success of their UNICEF-backed ‘Semana do Bebe’ project to Leeds – a vision that has since grown into Baby Week UK. Since then, Baby Week has grown rapidly becoming a registered charity in 2018 and now being replicated in 20 other regions across the UK, including Nottingham, Newcastle and Cambridgeshire. This year’s theme, ‘Healthy Parent, Healthy Baby’, will see more than 175 activities taking place across Leeds during the week, ranging from taster sessions and health and wellbeing talks to parenting classes with all events either free or low cost https://leedsstar.co.uk/child-friendly-leeds/leeds-celebrates-10-years-of-baby-week-uk-where-it-all-began/

Leeds is celebrating a major milestone as the birthplace of Baby Week UK, with the much-loved annual event for the city’s youngest residents returning this year for its 10th anniversary. Taking place from 14-20 November at venues across the city, Baby Week will shine a spotlight on the wide range ...

15/11/2025

Leeds Welcomes Sienna Silva-Farber as New Children’s Mayor. A new Children’s Mayor of Leeds has been officially elected, with a powerful pledge to tackle bullying, discrimination and poverty over the coming year. Sienna Silva-Farber, 10, a pupil at Harewood C of E Primary School, has been named Children’s Mayor of Leeds for 2025–2026 following a closely contested election. This year’s vote saw a record 7,688 children across the city take part, each casting two votes, resulting in an impressive 15,376 votes shared between the 12 shortlisted candidates. Sienna’s winning manifesto centred on celebrating diversity and standing up against bullying and discrimination. In her pledge, she called on children and adults alike to unite behind her vision: “We must work together to create a safe, accepting environment for all.” The Children’s Mayor programme is designed to help young people from across Leeds develop a stronger understanding of democracy and the importance of voting, while also encouraging them to think about the role they can play in improving their communities. The initiative supports Leeds City Council’s Child Friendly Leeds ambition to create a city where every child and young person feels heard and valued. Congratulations, Sienna Silva-Farber, on becoming the new Children’s Mayor of Leeds. This is a truly wonderful achievement and a testament to your kindness, your passion, and the trust that children and young people across Leeds have placed in you. By stepping forward, sharing your ideas, and being brave enough to lead, you’ve shown what young people can do when they believe in themselves and care about their city https://leedsstar.co.uk/our-city/leeds-welcomes-sienna-silva-farber-as-new-childrens-mayor/

15/11/2025

Parkinson’s Table Tennis Club Scoops Compassionate City Award. A pioneering table tennis club for people living with Parkinson’s disease has been named one of the winners at this year’s Compassionate City Awards. The awards recognise individuals and organisations who go the extra mile to improve life in their communities, with this year’s ceremony held last week at Leeds Civic Hall. Kirkstall-based club ParkyPING!, founded in 2023, was honoured with the Community Sports Project of the Year award. Its founder, Rob Cook, returned to table tennis after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2019, turning to the sport after learning that regular exercise is widely regarded as one of the best and possibly only ways to help slow the progression of symptoms. Launched in 2022, Doodle Chat brings together people from all walks of life, using creativity to boost wellbeing and help people connect with others. The inclusive sessions attract a diverse mix of participants, with many saying the group has helped reduce feelings of isolation and improved their mental health. Since starting, the initiative has continued to grow and now runs at three locations: Armley, Harehills and Hyde Park. Congratulations to everyone who took part in this year’s Compassionate City Awards – from the inspiring winners to all those shortlisted and nominated. Your compassion, creativity and commitment to others are what truly bring our city to life. Whether you’ve supported neighbours, built welcoming spaces, championed health and wellbeing, or used sport and art to bring people together, your efforts are noticed and deeply appreciated https://leedsstar.co.uk/our-city/parkinsons-table-tennis-club-scoops-compassionate-city-award/

15/11/2025

Leeds United Superfan Makes Emotional Return to Elland Road After 30 Years. A resident at Paisley Lodge Care Home has recently been reunited with a lifelong passion, thanks to a special visit to Leeds United’s iconic Elland Road stadium – a place he hadn’t seen in more than three decades. Bernard has supported Leeds United since the age of 10. During a recent reminiscence session at the home, he revealed that his last trip to Elland Road was back in the 1980s and spoke about how much he longed to go back. Inspired by his story, the care team set about turning his wish into reality. With the help of Bernard’s daughter Caroline and son-in-law Alan, staff at Paisley Lodge arranged an exclusive tour of the stadium. Bernard, along with Caroline, Alan and members of the care team, explored behind the scenes at Elland Road – from the players’ changing rooms and the dugout, where so many legends have sat, to the unforgettable moment of standing pitch-side once again. During the visit, Bernard was surprised with a special Leeds United scarf to keep – a limited item given only to super fans on selected matchdays. The scarf had originally been produced for a game against Norwich City a couple of seasons ago, making it an extra meaningful memento of his day. Paisley Lodge Care Home, located in Hopton Mews, Armley, Leeds, provides specialist support for people living with complex dementia through its dedicated Reconnect communities. These communities are designed to feel like a true home-away-from-home, helping residents to live as independently and meaningfully as possible https://leedsstar.co.uk/news/leeds-united-superfan-makes-emotional-return-to-elland-road-after-30-years/

15/11/2025

Carriageworks Theatre Marks 20 Years of Family Ties. An inseparable mum-and-daughter duo who have worked side by side in local theatre for almost 30 years have offered a rare glimpse behind the scenes of a much-loved Leeds venue as it celebrates a major milestone. Kath Harrison and her daughter Helen Shippin are key members of the dedicated costume and backstage team at The Carriageworks, which this year marks its 20th anniversary at the heart of Leeds’ local performing arts scene. As the venue’s official anniversary celebrations get started this month, the irrepressible duo have been reflecting on years spent handling lightning-fast costume changes, outfit mishaps and last-minute backstage role swaps. Their family’s love affair with theatre began 29 years ago, when a 14-year-old Helen secured her first dancing role in a festive show at the former Leeds Civic Theatre. A year later, mum Kath followed her into the world of theatre, stepping into the crucial role of wardrobe supervisor. Both later moved across to The Carriageworks when it opened in 2005 and they’ve been working side by side on the theatre’s much-loved pantomime ever since. In that time, Kath has spent every season making sure the entire cast’s costumes are washed, ironed, mended and ready for each performance of the annual festive run. In a typical year, that adds up to polishing around 200 pairs of shoes and ironing roughly 4,000 items of clothing https://leedsstar.co.uk/culture/carriageworks-theatre-marks-20-years-of-family-ties/

15/11/2025

Nature’s Wonders Take Root in New Gallery Show. Stunning depictions of the natural world by leading contemporary artists invite visitors to see our relationship with plants in a new light in a major new exhibition at Leeds Art Gallery. Plant Dreaming delves into imaginative, alternative perspectives on plants, fungi and the deep connections that bind our planet together. Bringing together work by artists including Emma Talbot, Noémie Goudal, Yan Wang Preston, SHARP, Jane Lawson, Aliyah Hussain and Charmaine Watkiss, the show spans large-scale textiles, ceramics, drawing, photography and film. Inviting visitors to consider what humans might learn from plants, rather than simply how we use or exploit them, Plant Dreaming celebrates nature’s power to heal and to forge global connections in the midst of the climate crisis. The exhibition weaves together local, national and international viewpoints, including Aliyah Hussain’s installation, which links her experience of flooding in the Calder Valley with the floodplains formed by the construction of the Mangla Dam in Pakistan. Yan Wang Preston’s work centres on the plant Rhododendron ponticum, cast as an invasive species in the UK but cherished in its native China https://leedsstar.co.uk/museums-and-galleries/natures-wonders-take-root-in-new-gallery-show/

15/11/2025

White Rose calls on Leeds locals to help break skating record with Leeds Knights. White Rose Shopping Centre is calling on the people of Leeds to lace up their skates and help make history this November, as it embarks on a world record attempt with a little help from local ice hockey champions, the Leeds Knights. On Wednesday 26th November, the centre will host a thrilling attempt to achieve the most high fives in 30 seconds on ice, adding a festive twist to the challenge by having all participants take part on skates. Shoppers, families, and skating enthusiasts are encouraged to get involved in the once-in-a-lifetime event. Adding star power to the occasion, Leeds Knights players Liam Peyton and Balint Pakozdi will step into the role of speed skaters, aiming to deliver as many high fives as possible within the tight time limit. While popular radio presenter Rich Williams will also be present to host the festivities and keep the energy high throughout the challenge. The record attempt will take place at the White Rose ice rink between 5pm and 7pm, with free skating offered exclusively to those taking part. Complimentary tickets can be booked online now, giving guests the perfect chance to join in the fun at no cost https://leedsstar.co.uk/whats-on/white-rose-calls-on-leeds-locals-to-help-break-skating-record-with-leeds-knights/

White Rose Shopping Centre is calling on the people of Leeds to lace up their skates and help make history this November, as it embarks on a world record attempt with a little help from local ice hockey champions, the Leeds Knights. On Wednesday 26th November, the centre will host a thrilling attemp...

15/11/2025

West Yorkshire Creative Charities Share £25,000 to Boost Local Creative Careers. Amazon’s Regional Creatives Fund is a new nationwide initiative designed to widen access to careers in the creative industries for people from underserved communities. Two West Yorkshire charities have been awarded £25,000 to grow programmes that help local people access careers in the creative industries. MAP Charity (Music and Arts Production Leeds) has been awarded £15,000, while Lawrence Batley Theatre will receive £10,000 from Amazon’s Regional Creatives Fund. The fund, which supports the Government’s Creative Places Growth Fund, is designed to open up pathways into creative careers for people from underserved communities – defined by Creative Access, the UK’s leading inclusivity organisation in the sector, as groups proven to be under-represented in the industry. Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield delivers a year-round programme ranging from drama and contemporary dance to circus and pantomime. As the creative heart of the town, it nurtures talent and builds community across Kirklees through initiatives such as its Future Creative programme https://leedsstar.co.uk/education/west-yorkshire-creative-charities-share-25000-to-boost-local-creative-careers/

Amazon’s Regional Creatives Fund is a new nationwide initiative designed to widen access to careers in the creative industries for people from underserved communities. Two West Yorkshire charities have been awarded £25,000 to grow programmes that help local people access careers in the creative i...

15/11/2025

Leeds Conservatoire Secures National Lottery Heritage Fund Grant to Develop Musical Archive. Leeds Conservatoire is pleased to announce it has received a £116,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to create, secure and develop a sustainable, accessible musical archive. The grant comes at a significant moment as Leeds Conservatoire (formerly Leeds College of Music) marks 60 years of pioneering music education and contributing to the musical landscape of Leeds and beyond. This funding will enable the conservatoire to continue playing a collaborative role in preserving its rich history while remaining firmly focused on the future. Support from the Heritage Fund will help ensure that important stories are not lost. It will enable the conservatoire to formally establish an archive documenting its journey since 1965, and to work with key partners and communities across Leeds to uncover and celebrate musical memories from the city. The conservatoire’s 60th anniversary provides the ideal backdrop to engage existing partners and build new relationships, uncovering important stories from underrepresented communities and exploring their contributions to the city’s musical culture. A range of activities will help bring music-making to new communities and age groups, including volunteer training, music workshops and the recording of oral histories https://leedsstar.co.uk/music/leeds-conservatoire-secures-national-lottery-heritage-fund-grant-to-develop-musical-archive/

15/11/2025

National Express brings loved ones together this Christmas with the UK’s largest festive coach network. National Express remains one of the UK’s most trusted and recognisable transport brands, connecting millions of passengers every year through its extensive coach network. On Christmas Day, National Express will operate 20 coach journeys to and from Bradford and more than 30 to and from Leeds, connecting friends and families across key UK destinations including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Sheffield, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, Birmingham, London and Heathrow Airport. With rail services coming to a standstill on Christmas Day and planned rail disruption affecting travel throughout the festive period, the UK’s largest scheduled coach operator is stepping up to keep the country moving, offering reliable services and great-value fares from just £6 one-way. Whether travelling for work, visiting family, heading to university or exploring the UK, National Express offers a blend of reliability, comfort and value that has made it a cornerstone of British travel for decades. With a continually expanding network and a focus on customer experience, it remains committed to delivering safe, affordable and sustainable journeys for everyone https://leedsstar.co.uk/transport/national-express-brings-loved-ones-together-this-christmas-with-the-uks-largest-festive-coach-network/

15/11/2025

Multi-Million Pound Backing Secured for New Zero-Emission Weaver Network Bus Fleet. A multi-million pound investment in a new fleet of publicly owned, zero-emission electric buses has been signed off by West Yorkshire’s council leaders. The move paves the way for a new, region-wide franchised bus network, with fares, routes and timetables set by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority as part of the integrated Weaver Network. The aim is to better meet passengers’ needs, support local businesses and provide more seamless, reliable journeys. The West Yorkshire Combined Authority has now started the procurement process to appoint operators, using a range of contract types and sizes, to run services on its behalf. The Combined Authority committee has agreed to allocate a £30 million deposit to secure the delivery of the new vehicles in time for the launch of the first franchised services in April 2027. Franchising will be introduced across the region in three stages, with each phase covering three geographic zones, starting in April 2027 and completing in 2028. It will be a central element of the integrated Weaver Network, which will link buses, trains, and walking and cycling routes to better connect communities, improve access to employment and unlock new opportunities https://leedsstar.co.uk/transport/multi-million-pound-backing-secured-for-new-zero-emission-weaver-network-bus-fleet/

15/11/2025

‘English Teacher’ Frontwoman Lily Fontaine Named Fellow of Leeds Conservatoire. Lily Fontaine, vocalist, lyricist and multi-instrumentalist with acclaimed band ‘English Teacher’, has been made a Fellow of Leeds Conservatoire. Presented at an October graduation ceremony at the Royal Armouries, the honour recognises Lily’s advocacy, influence on the music industry and her alignment with the conservatoire’s creative and innovative values. Leeds Conservatoire, formerly Leeds College of Music, awards Fellowships to leading figures in music and the wider creative industries. Lily now joins an esteemed list of Fellows including Marc Almond of Soft Cell, The Selecter’s Pauline Black, and jazz musician Courtney Pine CBE. Originally from Colne, Lancashire, Lily formed ‘English Teacher’ with bandmates Lewis Whiting, Nicholas Eden and Douglas Frost while studying at Leeds Conservatoire. What began as a student collaboration has grown into one of the UK’s most exciting bands, with their debut album ‘This Could Be Texas’ receiving widespread acclaim and securing a Mercury Prize win. As a mixed-race woman working in music, Lily has become a powerful advocate for representation and inclusion in the industry. She has mentored artists and aspiring professionals from diverse backgrounds, and her own journey has been one of personal growth and resilience — overcoming social anxiety, speaking openly about building confidence and community through creativity, and inspiring others to do the same https://leedsstar.co.uk/music/english-teacher-frontwoman-lily-fontaine-named-fellow-of-leeds-conservatoire/