I S S U E 16
FREE
CITY LIFE & TIMES LEEDS | YORK
Throughout history, when global events go awry, individuals have always reacted in two ways: one is to feel powerless, adopt the ‘what can one person do’ approach, and become passive. It’s understandable, you’ve got a life to be getting on with. But the other is to join together, take action, make positive change, and reclaim the power!
LITTLE is the new
Presently, we are right there right now, and already individuals are standing up and stepping out, to challenge and to improve. In this issue, we champion the ordinary folk quietly impacting their local area and the small people collectively changing the world and bringing it back home. For like never before, local is the new global, and little is the new big. There's no excuses my friend; let's push things forward.
BIG
Cover Illustration
Personality Test
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Catherine Pape @catherinenoel www.catherinepape.co.uk
Yes Chef
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I created this illustration in response to this issue's theme 'Little is the new Big'. From looming faceless factories in the background to a colourful character-filled scene down on the ground, it celebrates local productivity and creativity at a grassroots level.
Editor John Barran : john@independentlife.co.uk Fancy contributing drop him a line!
I’ve Got A Bike
10
Diggers Island Discs
13
Eye View
16
Hoping For The Best
20
Completing The Circle
24
Microcosm 26
Sales Sarah Laycock : sarah@indpendentlife.co.uk
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Inspiration Station
28
Hello Kirkstall
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Seasons Eatings
36
Poems
39
I’m Gonna Start A Revolution
42
What’s Up
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Words: Tim Sinclair @ambientefossgate @ambientegoodramgate Illustration: Joshua Pell @pelltopsy
Now at this point I have to say I love (most of) the Libertines' music. However, at no moment have I ever considered that they would be good company. I have never had the remotest desire to spend any time in their orbit. They are the perfect example of an experience that is best enjoyed from a distance. So, assuming I am not alone in this evaluation, how can anyone possibly believe that a hotel with The Libertines playing the 'mien host' role would be anything but a commercial disaster? What sort of twisted mind could begin to consider promoting a holiday experience that could best be described as the bastard lovechild of Fawlty Towers and Trainspotting? From a marketing perspective this could be a really tough sell.
There are some news headlines that stop you in your tracks and leave you with no alternative but to seek out more details. These aren't necessarily the stories of national or international importance featuring the latest stunts of a comedy government. Sometimes they are far more mundane, but with a twist that makes them irresistible and almost unbelievable at the same time. One such story broke at the beginning of last year, and all this time later I'm still trying to process it.
But maybe they do have a chance. There is always greater scope for an independent business to exhibit a degree of 'personality', thereby putting distance between its own offer and that of the competition. Here in York, the thriving small business scene has numerous examples of indie businesses displaying an individuality and character that the corporate chains couldn't begin to replicate. Over the last decade, many of these businesses have become concentrated on specific streets which are now synonymous with an indie culture. Streets like Bishopthorpe Road, Fossgate, Micklegate and Gillygate all have a unique feel within the city. Their galleries, shops, cafe-bars and restaurants all feed on each other's strengths in terms of offer, personality, presentation and narrative. The result is a synergy that resonates with the modern urban consumer and clearly marks these areas out as ‘destinations’.
The story concerned the opening of a new 10 bedroom hotel in Margate. Now we could argue that this story is only borderline newsworthy within the hospitality industry, but for it to appear so prominently in the national press meant that there had to be more to it. The 'more' was that this new enterprise was the brainchild of those noughties naughty-boys The Libertines. Remember them? Of course you do, and if you don't, then please allow me to remind you of the salient points... Initial interest in the band was due to them taking the rock world by the scruff of the neck and delivering a storming debut album. Their backstory soon revealed reports of debauchery, squalor, scandal and squats in the musical underworld of East London. Soon this was eclipsed by band co-founder Pete Doherty's inability to control his rampant drugs habit, which in turn led to incidents of a most dubious and frequently nefarious nature. His daily appearances in the tabloids documenting a chemically induced journey of self-destruction became something of a ritual, made even more newsworthy by his pairing up with uber-model Kate Moss. We were treated to deaths, breakups, reunions, overdoses, drug busts and rehab attempts. Doherty was subsequently kicked out of the band following an episode of breaking and entering into his bandmates' flat to steal a guitar to fund his addiction.
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Apparently The Libertines plan is to open more hotels, but can their USP be packaged into a sustainable business model? As businesses grow, they inevitably have to adopt a more corporate structure and it becomes harder to maintain that individuality. More staff have to be employed and that initial shared attitude and ethos can get diluted or lost. As a fiercely independent business operating four restaurants, we know at Ambiente just how much of a constant challenge it can be to hold on to the personality we exhibited when we traded from just one site. As a new venture, this small hotel in Margate ticks a lot of boxes that have helped many of its indie counterparts succeed. It has an interesting backstory and the personality to appeal to ‘experience-seekers’ - which makes it even more significant that over a year after it was announced the hotel still hasn't opened its doors. Perhaps, in this instance, the deciding factor may prove to be that other quality which all good owneroperators of great independent businesses I’ve met in York and beyond have had - a single-minded determination to succeed.
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Brunch Every Saturday & Sunday 11am – 3pm. To book visit oxclub.co.uk
Sam Pullan is the master mind and master chef behind Bears Pantry, the creative caterers providing magical dishes and memorable experiences. Here, tells us how it began and how it continues...
at Headrow House
Food was not my initial career path. Although I have been interested in cooking and eating food from a young age as both my mum and my nan were avid cooks. My mum used to make her own chocolate and Christmas puddings for Lishman’s Butchers in Ilkley before they got famous, so I always found myself helping out in the kitchen which spiralled my interest in it.
Water Lane Boathouse
SUMMER SERIES Pie & Ale
My main passion however was art, and I originally went to Leeds College of Art to pursue a career in advertising, which I did for about 10 years until I eventually got despondent with it. Whilst working in that industry I still had a passion for food and I had still been cooking and eating pretty much everything I could - but an opportunity arose and I decided to instead start a food business.
21st April
Pizza & Prosecco
25th & 26th May
Seafood & Wine 30th June
Ox Club Grill Takeover 20th July
Taco & Tequila 3rd August
Bank Holiday Boathouse Feast 24th & 25th August
..
.
30th March 27th April 25th May 11am ‘til 4pm Free Entry Headrow House
Words and Photos: Sam Pullan @bears_pantry
Bank Holiday Boathouse Feast
YES CHEF
18th May
How it happened wasn’t really intentional. I had received a gift from a friend which was a beer pack with about 12 different beers in, and I decided to take to Twitter every Thursday evening and tweet a meal that I had paired with the beer. This got a few breweries interested in doing beer and food pairing evenings, including Wold Top brewery just outside of York. From the beer and food evenings I then got asked to do a wedding, which then resulted in more weddings, which then led to a real take off for Bears Pantry. We now do about 100 weddings a year. I had to completely retrain as a chef when we began. From going to cooking for myself to cooking for lots of people, I had to learn quick to keep with the demand. I used my creative background in art
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and combined it with my love for food to create showstopping creations for people on their big day. My advice for up and coming chefs is to go with your gut and create your own art. We use a saying here which is “creating food memories”, which is an ethos we pride ourselves on doing when we bring drama to the table. It all stems from never being able to sit still, and being obsessed with all types of cuisines and flavours. Street food and social eating is something we do, and is a trend throughout the UK food industry. People are getting smart about the way they cook and are constantly reinventing the wheel to provide something different for the consumer. We’re seeing a huge rise in people asking for Vietnamese food or Korean Barbecue when we cook. But also lots of people wanting to have well cooked English dishes such as fish and chips and steak and ale pies. At the moment with Brexit and what not coming up, it’s hard to say what is going to be a trend as we’re unsure about what produce is accessible for us. We’re quite lucky in the sense that we can quickly change to cater what is going on in the food industry. We use produce from all over the world as our dishes are completely varied, but we could easily work using only local English produce. Whatever happens, chefs across the UK will make it work. The food industry is unpredictable and constantly changing, and I think that’s what people love about it... I know I do.
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INDIAN STREET FOOD • CRAFT BEER
“ Vibrant Indian street food served with craft beer in a friendly communal space... Why has no one done this before?” Jay Rayner, The Observer
MEATS/CHEESES/ WINES/BEERS/BEARS Sunbridge Wells Upper Millergate Bradford BD11SD
Bears Den is Bradford’s newest, cosy eatery and bar from the team behind one of Yorkshires finest event caterers Bears Pantry
OPEN FROM 12pm Mon - Sat
We are serving up the very best local charcuterie & cheese boards, grilled cheese sandwiches & our own ‘bear’ style seasonal bruschetta/ toast.
Our meats are sourced from Yorkshire farmers & curers, and our cheese & fresh bread from local stars Black Mouse & Edward Street Bakery. We have over 13 wines by the glass, and a solid range of craft beers. Our coffee is supplied by Bradford legends Casa Espresso.
INSTA: @bears_den_bfd TWITTER: @BearsPantry WEB: bearspantry.com
“Their dishes are all exceptional in their freshness, depth & adept spicing.” BBC Good Food
“A no-two-mouthfuls-the-same delight.” The Guardian
LEEDS 6 MILL HILL • LS1 5DQ #BundobustLDS @Bundobust
MANCHESTER 61 PICCADILLY • M1 2AG #BundobustMCR @BundobustMCR
LIVERPOOL 19 BOLD STREET • L1 4DN #BundobustLIV COMING SOON
PARTISAN I’VE GOT A BIK E , YOU CAN RIDE IT IF YOU LIK E As a British woman living in the city of York, I take it for granted my right to ride a bicycle - to zip from one side of the city to the next in a few minutes, to access work, leisure and the shops with ease. It is easy to forget how lucky I am to be free to move with no limits. I can’t drive due to health reasons, so even though it is a choice and an everyday joy to ride my bike, if I really think about it, it is also a lifeline. I believe in the power of the bicycle. I believe that it can improve physical and mental health, it can increase access to essential services, education and work. It is quick and it saves you money. So, in 2016, after learning of the York Resettlement programme of Syrian refugees, it made me think that maybe the bicycle could help. Offering refugees living in York a way to freely move around the city, as I do every day, seemed a simple way for me to offer support to these newly arrived individuals. This is where our story began.
RESTAURANT
United Bikes offers a free cycle training service to refugee women living in York. We meet regularly in local parks in the city, bring a fleet of bikes and some cake. It is as simple as that. The bike is the tool to bring these women together. The project has opened up opportunities for socialising, making friends, improving language skills and learning about this beautiful city. The bicycle not only improves the health of these women it also encourages positive cultural and social integration between British locals and their multi ethnic neighbours. It offers freedom to move, learn, talk and share. We have taught women from all over the world. Turkish, Syrian, Indian, Malawian and Sudanese to name a few! Each woman comes to the session at varying levels of cycle ability. However, most have never sat in a saddle before. Some women have come from countries where it is frowned upon to cycle as a woman, and until very recently it was illegal to cycle in some parts of the world - another shocking fact that jolted me into being thankful for my freedom here in the UK. Admittedly, we do spend a lot of time chatting over tea and something sweet! But that’s OK, and in fact equally as important as learning to ride a bicycle. We offer social activities throughout the year, including city walks, picnics and even supper clubs, with plans to expand further. We have built a multicultural, multilingual community of women who are friends, residents and people who also happen to be able to ride a bike.
Words: Alice Thatcher @unitedbikesyork Illustration: Victoria Gregory @victoriamarydesign
Partisan 112 Micklegate York YO1 6JX
Opening Times: Thu-Sat: 9am–5pm, 6:30–10pm Sun-Wed: 9am–5pm
www.partisanuk.com @partisanyork
Words: Jericho Keys @JerichoKeys Emily Pilbeam @empilbeam Photos: Jack Forward @jackforward Kirsty Garland @photogarland
DIGGER'S ISLAND DISCS
Tang Hall Food Cooperative: a community-led food project bringing fresh, local, organic seasonal veg and wholefoods to Tang Hall. For more information, events and shop opening hours, visit http://thccentre.co.uk/tang-hall-food-coop/
Digger's Island Discs explores the collections of Leeds' most prolific vinyl slingers and groove bringers to present us with the records they could not live without. Second hand guitars bought and sold Guitar shop upstairs Monday to Saturday 12pm-6pm
In this issue, we get the local tips from BBC Introducing, the platform for great undiscovered music, in North and West Yorkshire. Jericho Keys leads the way by hosting the top new tunes on Radio York every Saturday night, whilst Emily Pilbeam assists in York, Leeds and Hull, as well as hosting her own Monday Night Mixtape on Radio Leeds.
JERICHO KEYS THE HOWL & THE HUM - PORTR AIT 1
The Howl & The Hum songs never fail to evoke an emotion in me. Their records have the ability to make me go from sheer elation to a blubbering wreck in a heartbeat. And I wouldn't want it any other way. It's the amazing poetry written by Sam interwoven with their intricate soundscapes that just pull my ribs apart every single time. These lads are quite frankly one of the best things to ever come out of York. Ones to watch, NOW!
Bar open seven days a week until late Regular live music Northern Guitars, 41 Call Lane, Leeds, LS1 7BT northernguitars.co.uk 0113 2341976 independentlife.co.uk
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TEAM PICTURE / L AMINATE PET ANIMAL CPWM SPLIT SINGLE
E M I LY P I L B E A M
Team Picture and Laminate Pet Animal are two of my favourite local artists, so having Come Play With Me put them on a split single together is a total dream. ‘Back To Bay Six’ is a track of fuzzy goodness, and ‘Eve’ is a polished dance track saturated with fractured samples. Both are as infectious as the other, and were my top tracks of 2017.
MARSICANS - WAKE UP FREYA / THROW OURSELVES IN
Marsicans are an indie-pop band from Leeds that are absolutely killing it right now and it’s so wonderful to see. ‘Wake Up Freya’ is a song that James (vocals & guitar) wrote about his once unborn niece. It’s a really beautiful, observational track that touches on all of the smaller things in life that should be appreciated, and other things that should be ignored. During the time this track got released I was struggling quite badly with my anxiety and ‘Wake Up Freya’ really helped me put things into perspective. I always return to it when I need a bit of a reminder that everything will be alright.
BILLIE MARTEN - WRITING OF BLUES AND YELLOWS
SIVU - SWEET SWEET SILENT
When Billie first came in to record a session with me she was still at school studying. I knew immediately that she wouldn't need to worry about grades and all that jazz for much longer. Billie's voice is absolutely beautiful and her debut record showcases her true brilliance. There's a reason why so many people rave about this singer songwriter because she is that good. It's record I think everyone needs to take time out of their day to sit back, switch off from the world and turn it up.
I feel like you can measure the importance of a record that you’ve listened to in your life when you can remember exactly the time and place you first listened to said record. With Sweet Sweet Silent I was on a megabus to London. A friend had recommended me the record, and within the first 30 seconds I knew I had found a gem. The record is heart-wrenching, breath-taking and completely all consuming. My record player was out of action for a few months and as soon as it was up and running again this was the first record I listened to. Sivu is a really talented and fascinating artist. He suffers with Meniere’s disease which is a condition that leads to sudden attacks of hearing loss… when he was recording this record there would be days that he would lose his hearing. It’s just a fantastic record, and I urge you to listen to it.
THE MUSIC - WELCOME TO THE NORTH
The title track in my eyes is the official song for Yorkshire. It does exactly what it says on the tin. For me, The Music are one of the greatest bands from around these neck of the woods. Their records are jam packed with anthems and Rob Harvey's vocals are immense. I do hope one day they'll reform and hopefully I'll be able to get a ticket, this time.
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WWW.EATYOURGREENSLEEDS.CO.UK
FRIENDS OF HAM BEER WINE charcuterie CHEESE
Quiz every Tuesday from 8pm in the basement - win a £40 bar tab Upcoming Events 10th April - An Evening with Nevel Artisan Ales 18th April - Beer, Music and Light Pairing with Liquid Light Brew Co 22nd/23rd/24th May - Who Let The Pigs Out? - 6 Course Food and Beer Pairing Dinner
trotting along since 2012 Observer Food Monthly Awards Best Place to Drink - Winner - 2014, Runner Up - 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 4 - 8 New Station Street, Leeds, LS1 5DL
www.friendsofham.com
Words: Lisa Price @hoping_york_street_kitchen_ Illustration: Henry Makin @henrymakin
HOPING for the best
About 2 years ago, due to illness, not getting sick pay, and waiting to get universal credits, things took a turn for the worse. There just wasn't enough money coming in. As a mum of 4 kids, with an ex husband not paying towards his children, mentally and physically, I was struggling.
As a way to bring attention and understanding to the situation, we have done a summer and a winter sleep in a doorway in York, raising awareness and money for homeless this winter and coming spring. The winter sleep out was brutal to me, once my feet got cold so did the rest of me, which made me miserable and anxious as I became desperate for the daylight to hurry up. It’s awful some nights driving away when you know you’re coming to a heated house and a hot bath and bed. I don't think homelessness will ever go, but groups like Hoping are some people’s lifelines. They’re reliant on us, waiting for us when we arrive in King’s Square to help
unload the cars and vans and set up. When I have a week off, I can't wait to see them all, and them of me. They tell me their highlights since we last saw each other, and also the low times; you just listen. I have a warped sense of humour, so I sing, I dance and I raise a smile on their faces. We look forward to seeing them as much as they look forward to seeing us; these people are like a new set of friends. It would be hard if ever I had to stop going down, it's like a hobby, a habit, you get a real buzz from it. The volunteers too are a really amazing set of people, all with the same end goal. For me, being part of Hoping is a very humbling and rewarding experience.
Eventually, I asked for help, which is a very hard thing to do. Despite my fears, instead of judging me, people helped me with my finances, with food, and to keep my house. I was overwhelmed, and thought I must do something in return. Soon after, I went down to another group who fed the homeless. Their intention was amazing, but it wasn't the best set up and needed rebranding. Since then, Kym, Alex Brown, and myself have taken it over and stripped it back to start again. I took on the admin roll for my sins. I was - and still am - constantly emailing and sending letters out to supermarkets, builders, massive companies and little businesses, just asking for help, or sponsorship, or for their surplus food at the end of a day. It really took off! We now only get 2 nights off a week, Mondays and Thursdays. Working full time, being a mum, and keeping this group running is a mammoth project, but you just do it. We now collect surplus, short dated food and damaged stock from Farmfoods, Greggs, Coops, Marks and Spencer and Morrisons, meaning we are driving around all of the above to collect donations from all over York. All meals are homemade, with whatever perishable and non perishable food we had that we can take down to feed the homeless of York, with a food bank every Wednesday and Sunday evening at Kings Square. Not a single item is ever left, as we take the left overs to either Ark Light or Akro. Clothing is donated too, and sorted by myself, which is massive job - I had to buy a new shed to keep them all in! The aim is so every homeless or needy person has had a hot meal with a hot drink, and if they need clean, warm clothes, sleeping bags, roll mats and rucksacks, we have all of them on us to make someone's day. We are often the first person to have spoken to them, for whatever reason, and that's sad. A lot of people tarnish the homeless with the same brush; I ask you to take time out to listen to the life stories of most of these people - we really shouldn't judge.
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Fifty Works by Fifty British Women Artists 1900 –1950 library.leeds.ac.uk/galleries
Free exhibition, open to all 9 April – 27 July 2019
Words: Joe Fennerty
@good_york
Illustration: Richard Liptrot ï… @liptrot_illustration
A
h Skipton
Harrogate
York
e
C i r It starts with the soil.
Local food stays local. The produce heads to local towns and cities - freshly harvested, cleanly grown and completely traceable . This is food for body and soul, an integral part of our lives and our identity. Kids grow up with it. Adults grow old with it. Good food is the expected norm. There is a sense of pride and appreciation for everyone who is involved in putting it on the table.
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B X A ,H E S OU A H E K A HAXBY B ND TIN PHIL A BREAD
Sheffield
y r a i p r a field f
am b dri e bla hon zej
The mammoth, industrial farms are being broken up and a hungry generation of new growers are being given the chance to have access to land. And it's not just farms that prosper but small scale rural infrastructure starts to reappear too - cooperative presses, mills, dryers, and abattoirs develop to meet the demand from productive agriculture.
ORGANICS, FADMOOR D L E I F NEW ARY AND JOHN M ROSE IXED ARABLE M
llers i f y l o p m a howshperative co-o tables vege
o ds j stringer an mike high callis wold ye rape seed oil, oats and r
This is the soil of a small mixed arable farm, whose acreage is a patchwork of field crop, woodland, wetland and meadow. Government policy allows such farms to flourish, rewarding those who grow cleanly, nurture nature and promote biodiversity. Lifestock is kept to improve the land, rather than drain and destroy it.
Leeds
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Tred on lightly, rooted by trees and hedges, manure fed, protected by crops and cover plants and teeming with life.
BLE S
YORKSHIRE
G S ES LL N D A NE KS O S O N H G TRE ROLI ETA NT IRE O S CA EG O R N G V UR PHIL ANIC MILLER S Hull LIP
Bridlington
YOR U SPA FLO
And here's my vision for a wonderful system.
ROW ING
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This is a map of wonderful producers.
n nursery o t p a kn the mb aco tony d n a e n ja nd veg a t i u fr
Northallerton
Leyburn
EAMERY, DANBY R C N O BOTT STAIR AND KEVIN ALA RT AND CHESSE HU G O Y
IRY A D N COR GTON IN OLINE L R DA CAR REAM C ER , K L MI D BUTT AN
ey
ICK ORGANIC NURSE W S N U R B RY BISHOPTHORPE MIKE AND DEBS FRUIT AND VEG
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GRASSFRUITS ESCRICK FRASER PORK AND CHICKEN
PURE NOR HOL TH C MFI IDE CIDE ROB RTH R RV INEG AR
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And nothing is wasted. Just composted, to return to the soil where it all began. 25
microcosm noun mi·cro·cosm | \ ˈmī-krə-ˌkä-zəm \ 1 : a little world especially : the human race or human nature seen as an epitome of the world or the universe 2 : a community or other unity that is an epitome of a larger unity
Words: John Barran
In a sleepy Yorkshire town, amongst the tulips and the pensioners, sits a restaurant full of vibrancy and life that is seemingly at odds with its peaceful surroundings. For here, in the beautifully preserved spa town of Harrogate, a new social scene has been bubbling ever since a set of Leeds lads arrived with one of the count(r)y’s hottest restaurants. Four years on, and Stuzzi have not only brought a unique feel and experience here, they have created their own little world; a community of customers and workers, madcaps and misfits, suppliers and buyers, family and friends, all joined together in the name of good food, good drink, and good times. And as the guys return home by opening in the grandest space in the Grand Arcade, this little world is quickly growing bigger. Over three impressive floors, fronting up on Merrion Street and rising through a glorious looking glass to Vicar Lane, Stuzzi have brought their infectious microcosm of Italy to the city. With an authentic pasta shop, a sumptuous dining space, and an upstairs bar that feels that extra bit special, they’re not doing things by half, and are offering the people of Leeds every reason to step into their made-in-Yorkshire piece of Italia; one small step for man, one giant leap for man’s dinner.
Far from diluting the authenticity for the British passport and palate, the founder friends’ Italian obsession led them on a DIY tour, scouring the country to locate and meet the finest suppliers, makers and servers of its incredible produce, and bringing them to the tastebuds of home. The resulting menu of shared small plates, from elevated crowd-pleasers to undiscovered delicacies, surprise and delight equally, and as the aforementioned frolic around Italy undoubtedly involved many a merry night, the booze list is fittingly unstoppable too. But the food and drink is only part of the story; the right vibe is where it’s truly at. Think of the nation from which Stuzzi import, and one sees meals as communal events, families gathering, friends socialising, communities sharing; the food and drink is an excuse - albeit a damn fine and highly important one - for a bloody good time. So too here, customers become regulars, treated as friends; the staff become a gang, treated as a family; taken on trips to Italy, to learn happily, eat heartily, and drink heavily. The whole is a bundle of bullshitless brilliance, treading their own uncompromising path, and sticking two fingers up at mediocrity.
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INSPIR ATION station
MADE WITH MUSIC
AIRE PLACE STUDIOS
Words: Kathryn & Hannah
Words: Gem Carlier and Sarah Francis
Made with Music began when we couldn't find any classes featuring live music to take our young children to. We decided to start our own, including one for Little Hiccups - a support group for parents of disabled children. Through Little Hiccups, we learnt about the barriers to music that some families face and we decided to try and remove these from then on. Leeds Inspired have helped us to take this in a new direction through our accessible, family-friendly Mini-Gigs at the Brudenell Social Club, for which we won an Outstanding Attitude Award for access to live music!
Aire Place Studios was founded in 2015 as a welcoming, affordable space for creatives looking for a thriving community to work from. At its main core, it believes in removing barriers to creativity. Sarah Francis and Gem Carlier; two women who have faced hurdles to accessing art, wanted to give art back to the community and out of the hands of the privileged few.
Advised by a focus group, we designed the Mini-Gigs to be inclusive for families with a disabled family member. Leeds Inspired provided the Changing Places trailer at each event, an essential requirement for many families who would have otherwise had to use a toilet floor. Our next challenge is to raise enough money to continue to pay for the trailer making our Mini-Gigs fully accessible; we won't run them if we don't. Made with Music is now a charity working in hospitals, schools, and at festivals, as well as producing our gigs, delivering training and running early years classes. It's still just the two of us (Hannah & Kathryn) working part-time around our families, but we're now supported by our board and some brilliant freelance musicians. We don't always get it right, but we try to make small changes that make music more accessible, and we'd love to connect with other musicians and organisations who want to do the same.
FIRST OF MANY Words: Emma Tregidden
First of Many was a Leeds Inspired funded visual arts project run by arts and social change charity, Space2. This was Space2’s first visual art exhibition at its new location at The Old Fire Station in Gipton and the aim is to establish Gipton as a centre for collaboratively produced visual art, with community members working alongside professional artists. Led by artist-in-residence Carine Brosse and apprentice artist Maria Hatton, from Seacroft, the exhibition included work created by Space2’s weekly social groups and members of Heart to Art, run by artist Tony Stephenson. Groups displayed work alongside Leeds artists Kevin Hickson, Marcia Brown and Jeny Howorth. The exhibition brought together a range of sculpture, paintings, collages, prints and photography accompanied by a sound scape. Visitors to the exhibition were also greeted on arrival by a brightly coloured, quirky outdoor tree sculpture. This was created as part of the project launch last summer, which also involved local primary schools, Wykebeck and St Nicholas creating sculptures. Project Manager and artist, Jelena Zindovic: “Space2 has a well-established track record of bringing professional artists and communities together to create work in which everyone has equal status. We are working with local residents, some of whom have been involved with previous projects and now have the skills to truly influence the direction and vision of this project.”
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Gem: “I started as a volunteer at Aire Place Studios, at the time I was long term unemployed due to mental illness and being a lone parent. Through Aire Place Studios, I’ve gone from never having exhibited before to having two exhibitions, for the first time I've considered myself an artist even though I've never had access to a formal art education and have felt ostracised through art spaces. I never thought any of this would be possible and I want to make sure others have this opportunity too.” The Leeds Inspired funding is helping Aire Place Studios to offer exhibitions to people who have traditionally been ignored by mainstream arts, including women, people with disabilities, people of colour and those living with mental health difficulties. It has enabled Aire Place Studios to make exhibiting as stress free as possible by funding: action based mentoring for anyone who hasn’t exhibited before, hanging rails for easy curating, frame hire for those that can’t afford to purchase their own, an archival printer for affordable prints, and exhibition programs to advertise the wide range of shows happening this year.
PYRAMID Words: James Hill
Pyramid is a charity which invests in people with learning disabilities through the discovery, development, and disruption of the arts. We support around 125 artists with learning disabilities, to explore and develop their creativity, and to make great art for a wide public. We also work to disrupt the social and institutional barriers which all too often prevent artists with learning disabilities from being recognised, supported, and celebrated to the degree that they should be. Every artist out there needs a particular kind of support structure to help them develop, and a favourable culture around them which supports their involvement in the arts. Artists with a learning disability also need a particular kind of support structure. They face too many avoidable and discriminatory barriers to participation. There is also a lack of role models with LD in any art form, to inspire them to get involved. We do everything that we can to begin to change that, and we have been really well supported by Leeds Inspired down the years, through music projects with our amazing prog rock band Ultimate Thunder and a major project with our Ribblehead Group who created Bringing the Outside In for the Tetley in 2016. We’ve also supported individual artists to apply for Leeds Inspired Small Grants, such as for Liam Hirst graphic novel The Adventure of Square. And currently our YoYos Group for young artists with learning disabilities are working with artist Tim Curtis to produce a flock of sheep mounted on bikes which will appear at this year’s Tour de Yorkshire. 29
Thur 4th Apr • 7pm
The Zutons - Who Killed The Zutons? Sat 6th Apr • 6pm
The Wedding Present - The Bizarro Tour Sat 6th Apr • 11pm
PROJEKT
Wed 10th Apr • 7pm
Mo Amer & Guz Khan Thur 11th Apr • 7pm
Beirut
Wed 13th Apr • 7pm
Sun 28th Apr • 7pm
Sat 22nd Jun • 7pm
Hollywood Undead
The Doors Alive + The Gimi Hendrix Experience
Tue 30th Apr • 7pm
Tue 25th Jun • 7pm
The Specials
Interpol
Fri 3rd May • 7pm
The Macc Lads
Fri 28th Jun • 7pm
Sat 4th May • 12pm
Sat 6th July • 7pm
The Dreamboys
Live at Leeds Sat 4th May • 11pm
From Manchester and Beyond
PROJEKT
ft The Clone Roses, The Smiths Ltd., Kazabian, DJ Clint Boon
Sun 5th May • 7pm
Mon 15th Jul • 7pm
Fri 10th May • 7pm
Sat 24th Aug • 5pm
Kid Ink
Garbage
The Amy Winehouse The Undertones Experience… A.K.A Lioness + Neville Staple Band
Titans of Solid Rock Sat 7th Sep • 7pm
+ Lauren Hope
Tue 16th Apr • 7pm
Dave
Wed 17th Apr • 6pm
Defiant Wrestling – Lights Out Thur 18th Apr • 7.30pm
Adore Delano - A Pizza Me Tour Fri 19th Apr • 11pm
Black Parade - 00’s Emo Anthems Sun 21st Apr • 6pm
Papa Roach + Nothing More Tue 23rd Apr • 7pm
Dropkick Murphys
PROJEKT
Fri 13th Sep • 7pm
Thur 16th May • 7pm
Daniel Sloss: X + Kai Humphries Fri 17th May • 11pm
The Greatest Showman Singalong Club Tour Sat 18th May • 6pm
Little Steven & The Disciples of Soul
Definitely Mightbe Tue 22nd Oct • 7pm
Heels of Hell Sat 26th Oct • 6pm
Black Star Riders + Stone Broken + Wayward Sons
Mon 28th Oct • 7pm
Picture This
Sat 18th May • 11pm
Sun 3rd Nov • 6pm
PROJEKT
Greta Van Fleet + Ida Mae
Sat 25th May • 7pm
Fri 15th Nov • 10pm
Maren Morris
Festival Of The Dead
Sun 26th May • 9pm
Sat 23rd Nov • 6pm
Digital Society
Sigrid
Wed 24th Apr • 7pm
Mon 27th May • 7pm
Sat 7th Dec • 6pm
Anne-Marie + Lennon Stella
Happy Mondays
Wed 29th May • 7pm
Fri 13th Dec • 8pm
Sat 27th Apr • 7pm
M Huncho
www.bearspantry.com Insta @bears_pantry
Pearl Jam UK
Sat 11th May • 11pm
+ The Devil Makes Three + Grade 2
Suede
GASTRONAUTS/OBSESSIVES/BIG FLAVOURS/ BIG SMILES/YORKSHIRE
+ PIXX
ticketmaster.co.uk
Gov’t Mule
Brutus Gold’s Love Train
o2academyleeds.co.uk
Words & illustration: Emma Saynor @emma_illustrates
KIRKSTALL ABBEY
KIRKSTALLVALLEYCOMMUNITYASSOCIATION
Kirkstall Abbey is not only a listed ancient monument whose stunning ruins are nearly a thousand years old, it is also a modern day community hub of Kirkstall! Hosting events all year round, such as Kirkstall Festival and Kirkstall Art Trail, as well as a monthly weekend deli market, pop up theatre and gigs, and a secret cinema, which projects films in the main part of the ruin, including a Halloween special to match it's spooky surroundings. When there are no events on, the Abbey grounds are always open to provide a special green space for residents and visitors alike.
Kirkstall Valley Community Association is an organisation always running behind the scenes in Kirkstall, helping to make things happen. They support both the Art Trail and the Festival amongst many other positive actions.
KIRKSTALL ART TRAIL Now in it's 5th year, Kirkstall Art Trail occurs in July and is where artists from the area come together to provide free exhibitions and workshops for a whole weekend. It aims to facilitate acess to the arts for all ages and artists are encouraged to interact with members of the public. Applications for KAT2019 are open until the end of March, and for the first time, the submissions can be from artists from any part of Leeds.
L L ! A O T L S L K E H IR K N I Y T I N U M M O K
KIRKSTALL BREWERY
LEEDS CANOE CLUB Often kayakers and canoers can be seen on the River Aire in Kirkstall, learning and enjoying the water. Open to children, students, adults and families with some, little or no experience, they run introduction and beginners courses and sessions both in pools and outdoors.
KIRKSTALL LEISURE CENTRE Located in the centre of Kirkstall, the leisure centre provides activities for the community, both guided and not, As well as a swimming pool and squash and badminton courts, there are also fitness classes, yoga, martial arts and more.
KIRKSTALL VALLEY NATURE RESERVE
Immerse yourself in Kirkstall relaxation by enjoying a pint and a view of the River Aire at Kirkstall Bridge, a terrific pub owned by Kirkstall Brewery, who make delicious beer on Kirkstall Road. That’s Kirkstall that is.
Towards Leeds between Kirkstall Road and the canal is Kirkstall Nature Reserve, untouched and home to wild meadows, making for a perfect route for a natural walk. The outdoors is kept well throughout the area, with notable mentions to Kirkstall In Bloom and Kirkstall Community Garden.
KIRKSTALL FESTIVAL
OWLS (OLDER WISER LOCAL SENIOR)
Kirkstall festival, put on by the Kirkstall community, is located at the Abbey every first weekend of July. It is organised entirely by volunteers and makes the area busy with bustling crowds from all around, coming to go on rides, see live music, buy crafts, eat food, and support local charities. A fine annual day out.
OWLS provides older residences with activities, trips and social events to help people stay independent as they get older. They have a wide range of things to do including exercise classes, lunches, movies nights and shopping trips. They send out newsletters with events to members and membership is free for over 55s.
KIRKSTALL FORGE
KIRKSTALL CLEANUP
After years out of use, Kirkstall Forge train station is again open. The modern redevelopment is still in progress but will eventually be a home and a workplace for residents, making transport to and from the area easy and accessible.
After the 2015 boxing day flood, when the River Aire overflowed into Kirkstall, it damaged businesses and left more than a bit of a mess. The community got together and Kirkstall CleanUp was formed to help clear the debris from the river. The project continued and is facilitated by Open Source Arts, another Kirkstall community organisation which provides a community arts space for events and classes.
KIRKSTALL HARRIERS A running and social club for locals wanting to stay active and train. They have race routes for road, cross country and fell running. Kirkstall Abbey Ladies is another running group that encourages beginners and beyond to run together, get fit and make friends.
TENNIS COURTS AND BOWLING GREEN As part of the green space available at Kirkstall Abbey, there is a well kept bowling green and also free to use tennis court, allowing all ages to get active! 33
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27/03/2019 16:03
Words: Craig Worrall @edible.leeds Photos: James Feaver, Hedgerow Harvest
SEASON'S eatings
Spring : Japanese Knotweed aka Wild Rhubarb
When, where and what to pick.
By the time this edition of Independent Life is published, Spring will indeed be in the air. As I sit here writing this article (after cleaning approximately 100 Scarlet Elfcup fungus), I’m casually tucking into some delicious, homemade, spicy chicken & pork, wild garlic dolmade type parcels, including several other wild seasonal herbs, and joyfully day dreaming of nature’s abundant wild-spring-bounty to be.
The best time to harvest is when the young shoots are no larger than 1 foot in height, usually mid-March to midApril. Its preferred habitats are water courses, waste ground, railway embankments, gardens and allotments. If left unpicked it can grow as tall as 8 or 9 feet but at this stage it is very hard to render edible, it becomes impressively tough and stringy, so do pick it in its infancy. Knotweed shoots look like cylindrical spears, they have an olive-green hue with purple-crimson markings and taste very similar to rhubarb. Raw they are sharp, sour, crisp and refreshing (the sharp, sour taste is from a chemical called oxalic acid which in large quantities isn’t very good for you, so treat it as you would rhubarb).
Already, in Leeds and further afield, the usual, and unusual, ensemble of wild spring edibles are breaking through the soils, emerging from their winter hibernation. This naturally occurring, cyclical growth includes several plants that we all became familiar with as young children; stinging nettle, dandelion, cleavers aka sticky weed (you know the one), wild garlic and many more besides. As much as I’d love to delve into the wide range of seasonal green treats a-growing, we have limited space and time, so I’m going to focus on one extremely versatile and tasty plant, Japanese Knotweed, yes, Japanese Knotweed! Why pick Japanese Knotweed?
More to the point, why not? Japanese Knotweed is a member of the polygonaceae family, the exact same family as rhubarb, and as such, is as culinary versatile as rhubarb - who doesn’t like rhubarb? It’s also classed as a non-native, invasive species and grows at a remarkable rate, so gathering for cooking purposes isn’t an issue, as it’s not a rare, at risk species.
independentlife.co.uk
Issues and myth debunking
Before we get to the funkier and tastier aspects of this wild, culinary star, we need to look at some of the issues and myths surrounding Japanese Knotweed. Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica) aka ‘arch-villain-number-1’ of the UK plant kingdom suffers from a somewhat tarnished reputation. Its propensity to spread and colonise so readily has created quite a furore over the years and this has led to what can only be described as a war on it, with some less-thansound treatment techniques. Contrary to popular opinion and belief, it isn’t the terrible triffid, unwelcome squatter and habitat invader it’s been portrayed to be, it doesn’t smash down or through buildings like some bad tempered, testosterone-fuelled, teenage Godzilla! It’s seeming more likely that we humans have compromised the complex and intricate fabric of our wild spaces, and Knotweed is merely taking advantage of the environmental niches on offer to it.
How should we be treating it?
What can you make with it?
Probably the most ridiculous part of the knotweed saga is the way in which the majority of local councils, environmental contractors and some conservation bodies go about attempting to eradicate and control it by using herbicides laced with chemical toxins. It doesn’t take a genius to work out that those toxins get leached and absorbed into the surrounding soils, damaging them and a whole host of beneficial microscopic organisms, insects, birds and animals. Those chemicals will eventually enter the water system and us – when will such madness cease! Knotweed’s deep root system, in some non-mainstream circles, is even reported to aid in the eradication of soil contaminants such as heavy metals, by absorbing them via its roots and therefore it is helping to cleanse the soil, restoring it to better health. And given the seed is non-viable and that it only regrows from root sections, why aren’t we picking the tasty shoots? I’ve heard on the grapevine that the annual and continual picking of fresh stems eventually begins to weaken the rootstock – maybe we need to be looking at this as a solution to control and management while getting some tasty food in the process?
More to the point, what can’t you make with it? Knotweed lends itself perfectly to both sweet and savoury dishes and makes a cracking wine and a superb liqueur! To date I’ve enjoyed no less than 12 different products from it including; ketchup, chutney, jelly, jam, ice cream, sorbet, fruit leather, sweets, verjus (for wild cocktails), wine, liqueur, compote/ puree. For simple and delicious ways of preparing knotweed, please go online, where you can also find my homemade Japanese knotweed ice cream recipe! If wild food dining is your thing, email 4wildseasons@gmail.com and come to one of the 4 Wild Season Pop Up Dining Experiences. And if you’d like to learn more about the veritable array of healthy, gourmet, wild edible spring plants and fungi, come join me on one of my spring wild food walks: www.edible-leeds.blogspot.co.uk
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POEMS
Yorkshires No.1 Magician OUSE NICKY K I P PA X Winter greening flats and gullied mouth call out freezing banks shaming school run rain. Tidal to the locks with trophy swans. Leaving us curses of fallen mirrors and ruinous, cloying mud.
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At hometime we find you in the reeds measure your swell in the cold ache of our hips. Feel your forfeits in damp scrambles of guesswork. Low tide detritus: supermarket trolley - reeling steel elbows wedded to gumbo, brittle dritt and dregg, fronds blown to scum. Summer in bursts of seams and we all see you again for the first time.
W C E E
E O L D
L M E S
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New waters are bright. A foal of a river trembling with showy, lapping swagger all soft eddies. Hallowed pools running thick with bullhead and flounder. Stories of coal and cocoa still turning in the loops of your wash. I know why you flash us silvery winks eyes dazzled by the shimmering track of beams. Mimicking wide skies to rosey our glances and conceal your depths like early love, people fall for you. Toes poise then blind blunder. The smitten unwitting are in. Into you. Into this river that has suddenly grown black and swift. And I want to shout from all your bridges
I F N OT N OW, WHEN? STUART DOBBINS The heart unseals its valves (One-two, one-two) And so Unbinds the continental shelves Of power, thought; the warring halves Of every cell outgrow Their harmless plot, take form In hope and love, in fear And bitter human rage. Unborn Potentials speak across the dawn A voice profound and clear: If not me, whom? If not Now when? Again, again, The resonating afterthought: If not this place, then where? If not This present moment, when?
do not trust this raddled beauty this duplicitous river.
www.unionsquareleeds.co.uk
I L J @unionsquareleeds independentlife.co.uk
39
PAT R I C I A SARAH C ALL AGHAN We had a great night.
PENDING COFFEE CHARLOTTE PAC E Y
We went to get some food before the night was properly finished, Thats when we spot a woman - asleep in a Mcdonalds words whispered in broken english, A woman whose embarrassed to have fallen from grace, But her eyes reassure us she hasn't lost her faith, Only her job thats left her unable to pay rent, And ended up with her sleeping rough just with blankets; no tent. Empathy is in the air and as she eats that chicken wrap and gulps her coffee, Everything is put in perspective for me. The homeless in this country you avoid their looks, Shoes worn down to their soles Souls just worn down - no amount of tape can plaster over the holes. A wink, a nod, an acknowledgment of any kind Can give a glimmer of hope, some change to change their mind. What they’re going through you just cant imagine. Really you dont know nothing And all they know is suffering Put yourself in their shoes maybe you’ll learn something.
Next to the weather-rotting bin, he slumps there again in sodden, moth-bitten clothes. The doors to the supermarket open and close; a glimpse into the untouchable world of golden-washed biscuit bars and not-quite-ripe avocados. The lights reflect on the drenched pavement and he watches the mirages flicker alive and die as quickly. He’s counted 327 tonight so far. She walks into the luminescence to seize a sausage roll from the hot counter before heading to the tills and back into the sepulchral night. He doesn’t react to the warm pastry in front of his face. Can he see it? Maybe his eyesight has deteriorated again since last week. She bends down, the tail of her coat dipping into a puddle, “Craig? Can you hear me? I’ve bought you a sausage roll.” His stagnant gaze moves to meet hers. “Thank you love.” He wheezes and breaks out into a cough. He takes the bag and reveals its warm contents while she pulls out her umbrella. Holding it over his head as pastry falls into his lap, she clasps his skeletal hand, “Come on, I want to take you somewhere.” The water droplets on his face could be tears or rain, but he smiles through his mouthful.
Coz I never have to worry about a roof over my head or where I'm guna sleep. The wind, the cold, the rain pouring down on me, Sleeping with one eye open in case i get robbed, No privacy, no comfort, no door I can lock. I never have to worry about being clean, I never have to listen to words that demean my character. Harsh realities woke me up from this slumber, I never have to worry about being a number. We had a great night. Three friends talking and laughing, Drinking and dancing, Listening to live music and enjoying the sounds that it engulfed us in, Beautiful memories - what are Patricia's memories? A faded band hugs her finger, does she think of her husband when the winter stings her, Does she think of her childhood or just her favourite meal, I hope she locks these memories away in a cage made of steel, Coz your memories is all that we own - theres no repercussions if you miss rent, No one can rob you or claim that its theirs, The dont fade or die or get thrown out, Everyone has a story and she did no doubt.
Her café is vivacious with laughter and chatter when they arrive; torn coats are hanging on chairs, dirt-darkened sleeping bags dot the floor under legs and chairs. Candles waver on tables where diners are gulping down free hot teas and devouring steaming bowls of chilli. Craig spots two of his friends on a sofa to the right side of the orange room, “Lou and Matt are over there.” She takes his fleece, “Go sit with them. I’ll bring you some food over.” Samantha clatters around the coffee machine and hot water dispenser preparing more mugs, “This is definitely the most meals we’ve had paid for by customers so far.” She grins to her colleague while grabbing a plate brimming with food from the kitchen hatch. The chef is already churning up another batch. Craig is deep in conversation with his friends so she places it down on the coffee table and wanders to stand by the living wall. All around she can see smiling mouths and cheeks flushed from the warmth; arms falling around shoulders in affection and a whole lot of empty plates. These people are not from the streets tonight. They are just enjoying good food in good company.
We had a great night. Handing over all our loose change and a spare jumper we had in the back of the car, we part. I enter my flat and its just black, I, flip a switch and theres light. Easy as that. Get into bed. Tonight events are a daily occurrence - its a bitter pill to swallow, Stop looking through them, they have souls they aint hollow. I pray for Patricia and all that are like her, We had a great night but its left me in wonder, How a woman can keep the faith alive, even when shes been made to sleep outside. One person can make all the difference We’re all in this together We have to help fellow man and be the change we wish to deliver. Whats a couple of quid - now is your time; Dig deep come on, Survival shouldn’t have a price.
independentlife.co.uk
41
Words: Susannah Bird
YorSpace was started in 2014 by a group of York residents who believe that there is a better way to address the issue of unaffordable house prices and rising rents in their city.
@yorspace
I ’ M G O N N A S TA R T A REVOLUTION FROM MY BED
As documented in the excellent short film, Britain’s Housing Crisis: A PeoplePowered Solution?, schemes like this and LILAC in Leeds have begun to appear from the ground up by the people of cities with a high cost of living, and all are taking an external situation into their own hands, by joining together and forcing improvement. A lot of YorSpace members have benefited from York’s unique sense of community, but are challenged by its relative unaffordability. We want to pioneer the use of an innovative mutual home ownership model in York that provides residents with a solution: a way to secure equity whilst guaranteeing the houses stay affordable for generations to come. We have been working over the last 18 months to design 19 homes, around the needs of the residents. These will be low cost, cooperatively-owned homes which include a mix from 1 bed apartments to 4 bed houses, with common shared spaces, and a mix of private and communal outside land.
further enhancing the community’s sustainable credentials, and there has been a conscious decision to reduce car ownership, ensure good public transport and cycle storage, so residents can be more ethical in how they travel. We will hear later this month whether YorSpace have secured planning approval on York’s first sustainable co-housing community at Lowfield Green, Acomb next month. This is a crucial step in building a tangible solution to York’s housing shortage, by creating affordable and environmentally friendly homes, designed to deliver a real sense of community. But that is not all, the hope is that the homes built in Acomb are the first of many sustainable communities across York. Later this year a community share offer will be launched for people to invest in the project which will allow Yorspace to keep resident deposits low and make the homes that are built available to a wider pool of people. Following the Acomb project, Yorspace will look at other areas of York and work with members and local people to create new communities.
http://yorspace.org/
The homes will be efficient, affordable to heat and healthy, as they will be built from locally sourced, low carbon, natural materials, providing high standard insulation and ecologically beneficial. Renewable energy will power the homes,
independentlife.co.uk
43
What's up Leeds
What's up York
LIVE AT LEEDS
YORK CHOCOL ATE FESTIVAL
@ Various Locations 4 May / All Day
@ Parliament Street 18-22 April / All Day
It’s back, back again! Live at Leeds returns this May for a day of amazing music across a host of amazing venues in Leeds. Live at Leeds showcases the best new talent from the UK and beyond, it truly is a special day for music!
GOLD SOUNDS FESTIVAL
Start celebrating Easter with this delicious chocolate festival! No Easter is complete without chocolate after all. All kinds of chocolate demonstrations and classes will also be taking place.
@ Brudenell Social Club11 - 12 May / All Day Gold Sounds Festival is back at the Brude for 2019 as the festival runs into its fifth year. Firmly established as one of the most unique and exciting events in the country, this year plays host to over 25+ artists across the two days, and will feature two stages of legendary music.
@ Revolution Electric Press 6 April / 11.00 - 14.00
Embark on a trail around the city as The Great York Bunny Search returns. Discover the 26 hidden bunny sculptures. Look high, look low, these mischievous bunnies love to hide. Apparently, their favourite place to hide is in a window (hint, hint). You would be hopping mad to miss out, so dust off those detective skills and find them all!
YORK FARMERS’ MARKET @ St. Sampson Square 5 April, 3 May, 7 June / 09.00 - 16.00 LEEDS CULTUR AL CONVERSATIONS: AN AMERICAN IN CALC
@ York Dungeon12 March, 20 April, 30 May / 20.00 onwards
MUSEUM OF BROKEN REL ATIONSHIPS @ York Castle Museum 22 March 2019 22 March 2020 / 09.30-17.00
MINI DARTS DAZZLER @ Morley Town Hall 26 April / 18.00 Join some of the biggest names in Darts as they take on members of the crowd. As always, legendary Sky commentator John Gwynne will be hosting.
MICK Y P KERR: Z LIST CELEBRIT Y
DUNGEON L ATES
Arguably one of Yorkshire’s best markets. Pick up your fresh meat, bread, eggs, organic vegetables, pies, cheeses, fudge and anything else you can think of from this monthly event.
@ Leeds Town Hall 8 May / 12.30 Presented by Dr Andrew Lawson, this fascinating talk examines the business strategies of Boston merchant Henry Lee. Find out why his business collapsed in 1811, and how he drew on his business intuitive when voyaging to Calcutta to restore his lost fortune.
@ City Varieties Music Hall 6 April / 20.00 Micky rocketed to stardom when he won over both Simon Cowell and Andy Murray’s mum with his performances on Britain’s Got Talent a couple of years back. In this, his debut solo tour, the now semifamous Micky invites you to join him for an evening of music, social commentary and, above all, lots of laughs.
YORK BLUES FESTIVAL
Bringing the ‘blues’ to York! This all-day jazz event donates all of its profits to Charlies- Angel-Centre-Foundation. The charity supports bereaved parents. Spend your Saturday enjoying the local jazz scene whilst supporting a fantastic charity at the same time.
BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH
@ First Direct Arena 10 April / 19.30 C anadian superstar (no, not Justin Bieber) Shawn Mendes will make an appearance in the centre of Leeds this April. The ‘In My Blood’ hitmaker
2 April - 21 April / Throughout the City
@ 8 The Crescent 6 April / 13.00 - 23.45
Enjoy 3 wonderful hours of bottomless brunch for £25 per person. Pancakes, nachos, and chicken and bacon waffles will all be on the menu. Yum.
SHAWN MENDES
THE YORK BUNNY SEARCH
GAMEL AN SEK AR PETAK @ Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall 15 May / 19.30 GREAT BRITISH FOOD FESTIVAL @ Harewood House 25 - 27 May / 9.00 - 17.00 Experience tasting the finest food from local and regional artisan producers in the May sun. Hot food, ale and wine, craft and gift stalls, kids’ entertainment, top chef demos and more await.
Words: Ellie Palmer @elliepalmtree96
Gamelan Sekar Petak and friends return with their trademark blend of old and new, exploring the intersections between diverse musical traditions. This promises to be a spirited celebration of local and global culture!.
On selected evenings, York Dungeon will open its doors after hours for an adults only scare fest. You'll be taken back through 11 Live Shows, but with even more twists and turns than usual - visit if you dare!
Just as Britain is set to break up with the European Union, York Castle Museum brings a collection of stories and symbolic possessions to the city which relate to the ways we fall out of love. Borrowed from the Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb, Croatia.
LUCIE RIE: CER AMICS AND BUTTONS @ Exhibition Square Until 12 May / 10.00-17.00 Lucie Rie was one of the most respected potters of the 20th century. She emigrated to the UK during the Second World War and began producing ceramic buttons for the fashion industry, after spotting a gap in the market as many British button factories had been requisitioned for the War effort. Visit her marvelous exhibition at Exhibition Square.
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