Events

Heritage Open Days is Here!

Friday 11 until Sunday 20 September

It's back; the countries largest heritage festival. With over 50 events happening here in Leeds, there really is something for everyone, all from the comfort of your own home.  This year, the festival will be going ‘digital’ for the first time in its 25 year history enabling more people than ever to participate in virtual walks, talks and tours.

Take a look at our dedicated listing page here, and tune into a host of virtual events from home. Or visit the national site heritageopendays.org.uk to see a full list of events happening locally and nationally.

As the local Heritage Open Days coordinator, the Leeds Civic Trust has been amazed at the response of volunteers, local historians, creatives and guides to take the challenges posed during these last few months to devise an exciting, thoughtful and imaginative programme of events.

The Leeds Cross in its Historical Context – Prof Joyce Hill

Wednesday, 16 September 2020, 7 PM

Professor Joyce Hill, an international authority on the transmission of Christian culture in early medieval Europe, presents an online talk about one of the city’s greatest treasures – the 10th-Century Leeds Cross which stands proudly in Leeds Minster. This event is part of this year's Heritage Open Days festival.

The End of an Era: a history of mining in Leeds – Michael Meadowcroft

Thursday, 17 September 2020, 7 PM

In 1935 almost 4,000 Leeds men were employed in mining; today it is just a handful. The city has a long history of coal mining but the last deep mine, Allerton Bywater, closed in March 1992. Michael Meadowcroft's illustrated talk will trace the chequered history of an industry that was once so crucial to the development of the city of Leeds. This event is part of this year's Heritage Open Days festival.

Blue Plaques - City Centre Trail

Available to download

Leeds Civic Trust has been proud to install over 170 blue plaques throughout our city for the last 30 years. Enjoy a selection of the city centres plaques on this self-guided trail. Feel free to pop into the alleyways, yards and arcades on your way - you'll no doubt spot a few extra plaques on your travels too!

LCT_BP_Map_1018_UK_A6_St08 by Meleri Roberts on Scribd

Click on the heading or image to watch the video on YouTube:

Montague Burton: Tailor of Taste

Wednesday, 5 August, 7 PM

Tracing his footsteps from improverished door to door hawker to creator of the world's largest clothing empire, Jacki and Bob Lawrence present an illustrated history of the life and times of the UK's most famous manufacturer and retailer of Mens Wholesale Clothing in the 20th century, Montague Burton.

Leeds in Sculpture: a Virtual Tour

Wednesday, 29 July 2020, 7 PM

Join Civic Trust Director Martin Hamilton for a virtual tour of the city of Leeds through its sculpture, statues and monuments: the city's representation in physical form.  This will also be an opportunity to reflect on who and what we represent in sculptural form and consider why these choices are made.

Lockdown Lowdown with Kully Thiarai – Creative Director of Leeds 2023

Wednesday, 29 July 2020, 11 AM

In a special one-off "lockdown lowdown" interview, Civic Trust Director Martin Hamilton is in conversation with Leeds 2023 Creative Director Kully Tharai – finding out how she, her team and her board are addressing the new challenges in delivering a truly special cultural festival for Leeds.

A Stranger’s Guide to Leeds in 1830 – Dr Kevin Grady

Wednesday, 15 July 2020, 6pm

A visitor from London arrives in Leeds to gather information for a talk he is giving to his local Literary and Philosophical Society. During his stay he will meet some Leeds personalities and discuss the issues of the day. In this ‘Tardis-type tour through time’, using a profusion of contemporary illustrations Kevin Grady will recreate Leeds and its buildings and streets in 1830.