SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

You know that Lottery quiz show on Saturday nights? Well, last Saturday two contestants were challenged to come up with a number of most visited places in the UK. They did all the obvious ones then started to struggle as to which else to choose to achieve their target. One of them suggested to the other Leeds, but he dismissed it, saying, 'Why would anyone go to Leeds? What's there?'It seemed to sum up in a nutshell what the city fathers continue to get wrong. Of the other "non obvious" cities they chose, I could think of attractions they're famous for - Manchester, The Lowry; Bristol, Clifton Suspension Bridge; Coventry, the Cathedral etc. etc.. But I must admit that for Leeds, I'd struggle to think of anything that's well known to people from down south, say. I think the city's greatest attraction is its parks, but that's just a personal view. I asked a few people at work today what they thought of when I said Leeds, and [if we ignore the derogatory Dirty Leeds football comments!] the best they could come up with were the Market and Harvey Nicks. Oh, and the youngsters mentioned the music festivals. Isn't that just a sad indictment though? The city needs a BIG attraction, something iconic, visionary. Leeds was on the most visited list, by the way, so they were wrong, so it's not all bad news. But wouldn't it be good for the city to have something BIG to shout about? *ducks*    

Leeds has nothing of course. Never has-never will.

I can't believe you've written that, Phill. Leeds has so much to offer. We have first class opera based here. We have world class dance. We have a wonderful museum, an excellent art gallery, an amazing medical museum, the best sculpture gallery outside London, great music festivals, fantastic shopping, unique ruins at Kirkstall, outstanding country houses at Temple Newsham and Harewood, three cracking universities and a very good college of music. Add to that the surrounding countryside, welcoming locals, good restaurants and tempting places to drink. I think I'll stop there, but could continue............and all this from a Glasgow Girl to boot. I hope you had tongue in cheek and that you'll want to add some favourite places of your own.

Dalehelms wrote: I can't believe you've written that, Phill. Leeds has so much to offer. We have first class opera based here. We have world class dance. We have a wonderful museum, an excellent art gallery, an amazing medical museum, the best sculpture gallery outside London, great music festivals, fantastic shopping, unique ruins at Kirkstall, outstanding country houses at Temple Newsham and Harewood, three cracking universities and a very good college of music. Add to that the surrounding countryside, welcoming locals, good restaurants and tempting places to drink. I think I'll stop there, but could continue............and all this from a Glasgow Girl to boot. I hope you had tongue in cheek and that you'll want to add some favourite places of your own. Yes, yes, yes, it does. But crucially, no one knows. There's no stand out attraction, and the fact that few people are aware of what IS in Leeds suggests somewhat of a failure of the publicity machine. No one here in the north east is aware of anything except the shops.

Dalehelms wrote: I can't believe you've written that, Phill. Leeds has so much to offer. We have first class opera based here. We have world class dance. We have a wonderful museum, an excellent art gallery, an amazing medical museum, the best sculpture gallery outside London, great music festivals, fantastic shopping, unique ruins at Kirkstall, outstanding country houses at Temple Newsham and Harewood, three cracking universities and a very good college of music. Add to that the surrounding countryside, welcoming locals, good restaurants and tempting places to drink. I think I'll stop there, but could continue............and all this from a Glasgow Girl to boot. I hope you had tongue in cheek and that you'll want to add some favourite places of your own. No i'm deadly serious. Leeds is useless. It lags behind all the other major players. We haven't been the first, biggest or best in anything yet. Leeds is not an innovative go forward City. We make do with smaller copycat versions, and half hearted attempts years later (If were lucky enough to get past the Y.E.P drawings and stories)Leeds isn't noteable for anything to outsiders. The Don Revie 70 side been the exception to the rule.    

There is the world famous Piano Competition.

Johnny39 wrote: There is the world famous Piano Competition. Yes. Musn't forget Leeds own Fanny Waterman of course lol

I agree that Leeds is rapidly falling behind Cities like Manchester and Sheffield. It just doesn't have that vibrant feeling that a major City should have. This is mainly because Leeds City Council have not had the vision to go ahead with any scheme which would bring the City up to date. Instead we have ghostly Shopping Arcades. Even when they tried to bring the Area around the Armouries into the 21st Century they have just ended up with a White Elephant of empty shops in the Clarence Docks.I was so annoyed when they turned down the opportunity to have the replica of the Globe Theatre (Bought for by Judi Dench) being brought up to Leeds. That would have been a wonderful attraction for everyone.We do have the new Ballet Academy opening soon, but then again we only have 3 Theatres. Look at Manchester and see how many they have plus the Supertram which takes you direct to The Lowry and the riverside at Salford is fabulous.You get the feeling that it is getting too late for Leeds to forge ahead and people will start looking elsewhere. I know lots of people who will travel to York for a day out because of its lively streets and diverse shops. Leeds is becoming a City without Soul.

Dalehelms wrote: I can't believe you've written that, Phill. Leeds has so much to offer. We have first class opera based here. We have world class dance. We have a wonderful museum, an excellent art gallery, an amazing medical museum, the best sculpture gallery outside London, great music festivals, fantastic shopping, unique ruins at Kirkstall, outstanding country houses at Temple Newsham and Harewood, three cracking universities and a very good college of music. Add to that the surrounding countryside, welcoming locals, good restaurants and tempting places to drink. I think I'll stop there, but could continue............and all this from a Glasgow Girl to boot. I hope you had tongue in cheek and that you'll want to add some favourite places of your own. No he isnt

cnosni wrote: Dalehelms wrote: I can't believe you've written that, Phill. Leeds has so much to offer. We have first class opera based here. We have world class dance. We have a wonderful museum, an excellent art gallery, an amazing medical museum, the best sculpture gallery outside London, great music festivals, fantastic shopping, unique ruins at Kirkstall, outstanding country houses at Temple Newsham and Harewood, three cracking universities and a very good college of music. Add to that the surrounding countryside, welcoming locals, good restaurants and tempting places to drink. I think I'll stop there, but could continue............and all this from a Glasgow Girl to boot. I hope you had tongue in cheek and that you'll want to add some favourite places of your own. No he isnt Sadly i'm not your right Chris.I was looking on envious at the new South Manchester metro link extension been built herehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/alr1970/sets/7215 ... 95/detail/(That's a good set of pics showing the work in progress)There making good use of there disused railway infrastructure out to Rochdale and Oldham.Another extension is heading out to Manchester airport.£250 million transport projects, 40 brand new trams delivered, and new depot facilities been built here http://www.flickr.com/photos/alr1970/41 ... 489895/All this is been added 18 years after the Manchester metro link was up and running.It kinda puts Leeds Y.E.P drawing of a trolly bus into perspective methinks!Sums up Leeds about right in my opinion. Not even playing the same game unfortunately. Small time City minnows!