SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

I've just discovered that there is such a thing and that it's meeting at 5pm this evening (22/06/10) at the University.

I have to admit I have never heard the word 'psychogeography' before. I've just looked it up in Wikipedia and in that it states:-"Psychogeography was defined in 1955 by Guy Debord as "the study of the precise laws and specific effects of the geographical environment, consciously organized or not, on the emotions and behavior of individuals." Another definition is "a whole toy box full of playful, inventive strategies for exploring cities...just about anything that takes pedestrians off their predictable paths and jolts them into a new awareness of the urban landscape." From its website the Leeds Psychogeography Group looks interesting.

Thats me out can't even read it never mind pronounce it not much hope for us foxwood lads    

My geography extends to map reading... the psycho bit... no thanks!!!

PC - Dublin wrote: My geography extends to map reading... the psycho bit... no thanks!!! I could go but can i take my mother with me if i can get her out of the basement?lol    

It's strange how something you have never heard of -Psychogeography - can crop up elsewhere.I wasn't happy with the views put forward in the Leeds-The New Westminster thread,all seemed a bit iffy.'Searching' Leeds at War threw up a link to Monolocular.co.uk whichquotes excerpts from the video,and lo and beholdPasted from sitePsychogeographical mapping of coincidence in Leeds and Dortmund. Drifting through superimposed narratives of two cities at once.And these from Leeds at war etc which I want to look at in more detail re bommbing and Quarry HillQuarry Hill Flats was damaged when a nearby goods yard was hit. A gas main was severed, and the fire burned so severely that the stained glass windows in St. Patricks church melted. Documentary film, Leeds At WarHeaviest Raids on BritainNight Bombing of NorthStore Set on FireDuring the first attack - made just as the town's amusement places were emptying - a large store, a chapel, and a cinema were struck... Subsequently, bombs were dropped on industrial premises, [St. Patricks] church - which suffered a direct hit with high explosive...No one was injured at the [St. Patricks] presbytery or the nun's house adjoining a demolished Roman Catholic church.Yorkshire Evening Post, 02/09/40

Think how often you take the same route from one place to another, the places your regularly visit, the places you don't. Why? That's about it. What drives you to take a certain route or go somewhere? Convenience, speed, perceived safety, prettiness, an interest in semiderelict buildings......how often as a secret Leedser have you gone the long way round to stare at something? Have you pictured the past as you stood on a corner of holbeck (not like that!), that makes your psychogeography different from those who rush to the White Rose or through the station without thought. For others a fast dual carriageway through South Leeds has more importance. It's a bit like trying to find what makes people tick when it comes to their environment.

dogduke wrote: It's strange how something you have never heard of -Psychogeography - can crop up elsewhere.I wasn't happy with the views put forward in the Leeds-The New Westminster thread,all seemed a bit iffy.'Searching' Leeds at War threw up a link to Monolocular.co.uk whichquotes excerpts from the video,and lo and beholdPasted from sitePsychogeographical mapping of coincidence in Leeds and Dortmund. Drifting through superimposed narratives of two cities at once.And these from Leeds at war etc which I want to look at in more detail re bommbing and Quarry HillQuarry Hill Flats was damaged when a nearby goods yard was hit. A gas main was severed, and the fire burned so severely that the stained glass windows in St. Patricks church melted. Documentary film, Leeds At WarHeaviest Raids on BritainNight Bombing of NorthStore Set on FireDuring the first attack - made just as the town's amusement places were emptying - a large store, a chapel, and a cinema were struck... Subsequently, bombs were dropped on industrial premises, [St. Patricks] church - which suffered a direct hit with high explosive...No one was injured at the [St. Patricks] presbytery or the nun's house adjoining a demolished Roman Catholic church.Yorkshire Evening Post, 02/09/40 WOAAAAHHH there DoggyMy Grandads pride was injured that night!!!Ive told this tale before on this site,so ill tell it again.The night you speak about was one of many nights that my grandad refused to go to the shelters.He was on HMS Caroline at Jutland (WW1) and NO German was going to get him out of his bed after he had a long shift.And so this went on from raid after raid,the drone of the Heinkels and Messerwhatevers came over the skies of Leeds.My grandma and 8 kids went to the shelter,but not the old sea dog.Anyway,it came to the night in question and the sirens went off,grandma and brood (including "Mi Mam") went to the shelter,beligerant old grandad stayed in bed.Bombs then hit St Pats and the Woodpecker.Being in Moynahan house he was pretty close,close enough to physically blow him out of his bed.At this point he decided to go to the shelter,however he forgot to dress himself correctly and ran down the middle of quarry hill flats with his middle wicket flowing in the wind.Thats my grandad,and im proud of him.