I knew Freda since the mid 1980’s when I was working for Leeds University Union and later after 1990 when I was CEO of Unipol. Over those years she was a key member of the Little Woodhouse Community Association, which she helped establish in the early 1990’s (becoming Honorary President fairly recently). We worked together to save a number of important buildings and return them to their proper condition.
On a personal note, I valued the enormous amount of work she undertook as a local historian. I was almost going to say amateur historian, but there was nothing amateur in Freda’s work. She produced several excellent publications and I still use her walks through Little Woodhouse guides on a regular basis. Much of that history and information would have been lost or buried without Freda.
Freda always had a real sense of place in Leeds and coupled her interest in people (present and historical) with her architectural expertise. On a personal level, she was a passionate campaigner for the women in Leeds who had helped mould the city and contributed towards its people.
Freda was always fair-minded, a passionate and indefatigable campaigner and had a strong sense of social justice which she sought to put into daily practice.
I am pleased to have known Freda and benefitted from both her expertise and beliefs and her death is a real loss, not only to those who knew her, but to Leeds.
In campaigning for the recognition of women who had helped mould and create both Little Woodhouse and Leeds, I wonder if she ever fully realised that she was one such woman.
Martin Blakey – Retired CEO of Unipol and Friend of Freda Matthews
I was sorry to hear of the death of Freda Matthews. Freda is someone who I encountered both during my time here at the Trust and in the past when I was a Councillor. She was a committed champion of her area of Little Woodhouse and a font of knowledge about its history.
I remember first encountering her more than 20 years ago when I chaired the Inner North West Area Committee. At a time when tensions between the student community and long term residents were running high, she championed the area where she lived, recognising that students, academics and “host” residents were what made the area so special, but doggedly pushing the Council to intervene to maintain a happy equilibrium. This certainly made for some lively public meetings!
Martin Hamilton – Director, Leeds Civic Trust
Freda Matthews (31.12.1931 – 19.7.2026) – her links with Leeds Civic Trust
Like many people, I remember Freda as a powerhouse of local activity, and she achieved so much whilst chairing and leading Little Woodhouse Community Association. The group was an early supporter of the Civic Trust’s Affiliated Societies scheme, and often wrote reports for the Trust’s newsletters about their activities.
In its early days, Leeds Civic Trust was based at Claremont, sharing a house with the Yorkshire Archaeological Society, of which Freda was a stalwart, and a great fundraiser in partnership with Dorothy Payne.
She regularly signed up for Heritage Open Days, to lead walks around her beloved Little Woodhouse, enlightening many of us about that historic area. We knew we were listening to an expert on its history and development.
The Trust supported Freda as she led the campaign for the Rosebank Millennium Garden. The campaign was successful, and it is still used and valued as a community green space, standing as testament to her hard lobbying.
Recognition of her work in the community has been recognised in numerous ways – Leeds Civic Trust’s Board of Trustees nominated Freda for a Spirit of Leeds Award, at a time when the Trust held its biennial celebratory lunch at the Queen’s Hotel.
She was selected as a nominee by Wheatfield’s Hospice for a ‘Women of Achievement Award’, at their annual fundraising event.
Her name is carved in stone on the Leeds Award wall in Leeds Civic Hall, along with many other illustrious people.
It is also there for all to see on the Ribbons sculpture in Playhouse Square.
As was evident by the grand turnout at St George’s Church on Gt George St for her funeral, she will be remembered fondly by many people as a good, sometimes fierce, champion of causes close to her heart. It was a pleasure to know her, and she will be missed.
Lynda Kitching – Vice President, Leeds Civic Trust
Freda’s funeral was held on 21 August 2026 at 13:00 at St Georges Church, Great George Street, Leeds, LS1 3BR.
