Posted: Sun 31 Oct, 2010 8:34 pm
I've been reading a few diaries of people who lived in the 1800's and 1700's in Leeds recently including one from a woman who lived in Wortley around 1870 (and is now buried in Oldfield Lane graveyard). One thing that strikes me is how little they discuss their thoughts about the future. Not once have I read someone ponder what the Leeds would look like in one hundred or five hundred years time. Their thoughts are entirely concerned with the present - with occasional references to the past.It would have been great to have read their views and compare them with actual events today.So ... here's my prediction/guess (if you are reading this in 2100 - how wrong am I?)I think the main roads across Leeds will still exist Elland, Gelderd, Whitehall, Tong, Stanningley, Kirstall, Burley etc.Kirkstall Abbey will still existThe townhall - still existsHeadrow, Briggate, Boar Lane, Leeds Bridge - still there.The river Aire and the canal will still exist though it's path may be altered or even underground like has happened with some of the becksTransport - a minefield - I'd say electric vehicles though I doubt if many of us will be flying - though new technology could change everythingPublic transport - underground maybe rail replaced by monorail or levitated railPubs - all gone (just extrapolate today's closures)Back to backs - all clearedChurches - one or two Christian ones remaining, large number of Muslim mosquesWork - we need a new "industrial revolution" some dramatic discovery that will create new types of jobs.Wars - global ones - don't even go there!500 years time 2500 - anyones guess - put yourself in the shoes of Ralph Thoresby in 1700 and try to imagine 2000 with the changes that technology broughtAny thoughts?