For its 30th anniversary the Heritage Open Days Festival, England’s largest festival of history and culture, has chosen the theme of Routes, Networks and Connections, and events in South Leeds offer insights into religion, industry, sport and entertainment.
Leeds Civic Trust has worked with organisations across the city to put on over 120 events for the festival which runs from Friday 6 – Sunday 15 September 2024.
We’ve picked out some local highlights, but you can find the full programme and booking details at www.heritage opendays.org.uk
Middleton Railway – site of the first steam trains, an illustrated talk
Moor Road, Hunslet, LS10 2JQ
Middleton Railway was where the world’s very first proper steam engines ran. Starting in 1812, the Leeds locos hauled 90-100 tonnes of coal into the city, we even have a bit of track from 1812 to show you. Staff will give an illustrated talk on the hour between 10am-3pm on each weekend of the festival. Although entry to the museum and the talk are free, you will need to buy a ticket if you want a ride on this, the world’s oldest continuously-operating railway.
Skelton Grange Environment Centre Open Day
Skelton Grange Environment Centre, Skelton Grange Road, LS10 1RS
It’s Skelton Grange Environment Centre’s Open Day on Saturday 7 September, 11am-4pm. Enjoy nature walks, activities and refreshments at our award-winning eco-building and nature area.
1970s Slide Show
The Cross Keys Pub, 107 Water Lane, LS11 5WD
“Come on a journey to a time when life was much simpler, when people dressed up to go into town and drove pastel coloured cars!” A slide projection and talk featuring fascinating scenes of Leeds in the 1970’s by Clifford Stead. Monday 9 September 7pm. Organised by Marshall’s Mill, booking essential.
Aire and Calder Navigation Heritage Walk
From The Corn Exchange, Call Lane, LS1 7BR
A walk along the river and Navigation to the Thwaite Mills area, led by Roderic Parker, Leeds Civic Trust guide. It will include: a brief history of the Aire & Calder Navigation; the use of the Navigation and the river for transport through the ages; the regeneration of the dock area; the flood defences; Leeds Dock; local industries; and the former railway line. On Tuesday 10 September at 2pm and Thursday 12 September at 10:30am. Booking essential.
Visits to DePuy Synthes
DePuy Synthes, St Anthony’s Road, Beeston, LS11 8DT
An opportunity to visit a historical manufacturing site in Beeston. The site has been here since the 1950s as a Medical Devices Manufacturing Facility, supporting the pioneering manufacturing of Charnley Hip Stem which has led the way for standards in Orthopaedics Hip Implants that are used today worldwide. On Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 September 10am-12pm, booking essential.
Beeston Hill Community Cinema
St Luke’s CARES shop, 246 Dewsbury Road, LS11 6JQ
Enjoy a slice of South Leeds cinema history. Designed and built in 1911 by Thomas Thompson, and called The Pavilion Picture Palace, one of the first purpose-built cinemas in Leeds is now home to Beeston Hill Community Cinema. The exhibition includes pictures, photographs and artefacts relating to our former cinema. A video installation directed and filmed by local artist Tyvin Haque, called “A walk through South Leeds Picture House Past” of a route around our local area taking in the buildings and plots of former cinemas. The exhibition will open with an introductory talk. Thursday 12 September 2-4pm, booking preferred.
Heritage Pub Walk
The Adelphi, 1-3 Hunslet Road, LS10 1JQ
Join heritage pub enthusiast Jim Brettell for a guided walk round some of the city centre’s most popular examples. Thursday 12 September, 2pm, booking essential.
Waddingtons at the Discovery Centre
Carlisle Road, LS10 1LB
Join Kitty Ross, Curator of Leeds History and Social History at Leeds Museums and Galleries for an illustrated talk on Leeds famous boardgame makers Waddingtons. Leeds was home to Waddingtons, Britain’s leading manufacturer of board games and playing cards. Waddingtons produced the UK version of Monopoly from the 1930s and was responsible for the now famous London properties in the game. Thursday 12 September, 2-4pm, booking essential.
Hunslet’s Rugby History
South Leeds Stadium, Middleton Grove, LS11 5DJ
From Union to 1895 Northern Union breakaway to Rugby League, explore the 141 yearr history of Hunslet RLFC. In the Phoenix bar at South Leeds Stadium, you will find old Minute books, artefacts and lots of pictures with explanatory captions and information. See from where around the world our players came including Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and Australia. Plot on the map where Hunslet RLFC have been based. Explore their exploits in WW1, learning about those who sacrificed most and those who survived. Learn about the triumphs of the first team to win All Four Cups, first team to have an American player, first team to have joint Lance Todd trophy winners, first to have tuning fork goal posts. See the Hall of fame, Heritage Certificates and Timeline. Browse the extensive programme collection. The Phoenix Bar will be open from 7:30-9pm. Watch the present team training on the pitch. Reminisce about old times. Friday 13 September, 7:30-9pm
Cross Flatts Park – connecting the past with the present
Cross Flatts Park, LS11 7NA
Discover the 100+ year history of Beeston’s park with tours starting at at 10:30am, 12pm and 1:30pm from the Watsonian Pavilion near the top of the park. Tea, coffee and light refreshments are available from the café and there will be a display of events and activities that are currently available in the park all year round. Beeston in Bloom will be holding a plant sale between 10am-12pm. Saturday 14 September, 10am-3pm.
Faith Connections in Beeston – Jamia Masjid Abu
Catherine Grove, LS11 6LU
Visit this splendid Mosque, built in 2018, with the largest chandelier in Leeds, and discover more about the faith, customs and culture of Islam. The tour will explain the symbolism on the bronze doors and the five floors used for prayers which have sufficient space to accommodate 1,000 people each Friday. There will be an explanation of the five pillars of Islam, the importance of the Qur’an and how it was revealed to The Prophet and memorised and written down. Find out why fasting is important, what the Hajj is, why women have a separate area, what is halal and why is it important, why prayers are held on Fridays in particular and ask any other questions which you may have. Visitors are asked to dress modestly, head covering preferred but not compulsory and shoes to be left on entry. Saturday 14 September 10am-12pm with tour at 10:30am. Timed to allow link with GNNSJ Gurudwara; both sites can be explored in the same morning.
Faith Connections in Beeston – the GNNSJ Gurudwara
78 Lady Pit Lane, Beeston, LS11 6DP
A warm welcome awaits at this imposing Gurudwara (Sikh Temple), beautifully converted from the former Ringtons Tea premises. You can find out about the Sikh faith, its traditions, customs and culture, including a tour and refreshments.Where do Sikhs come from? How do Sikhs practise their faith? What are their values? How is a new born child given its name? What are the 5Ks and why are they important? Why is a turban important and how is it fastened?
There will be a tour of the building and an opportunity to find out answers to the above questions and others which you may have. Sharing and equality are important aspects of the faith and this extends to food. You will be invited into the kitchen/dining area to sample the hospitality.
Removal of shoes and a simple head covering will be required. This event is timed to allow an earlier visit to the nearby Jamia Masjid Abu Huraira (mosque) and so give the opportunity to explore two sites and two faiths in one morning. Saturday 14 September 11am-1pm with a tour at 11:30am.
Religion in Middleton’s Past
Middleton Park Visitor Centre, Middleton Park, Town Street, LS10 3SH
Join Friends of Middleton Park member John Newbould for a walk and talk about recusancy in Middleton. From the Reformation until Catholic emancipation the ‘old faith’ survived by those members of the Catholic gentry who could allow their houses to be used as chapels and were able to maintain a chaplain. From the early to mid 1700s Middleton and the Brandling family were to gain notoriety for having such a chapel in Middleton. In response to a growing population, St Mary the Virgin Church was consecrated in 1846. The people of Middleton now had their own church and no longer had to travel to Rothwell to worship. There will be a short history and tour of the Church and a viewing of the Brandling family graves. Sunday 15 September, 1:30-3:30pm.
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