Guest blog post by Daniela Hardy
What can you do on a rainy bank holiday in Leeds? I decided to see the sights with my partner in crime Rob (No pun intended – Ed.) and answer that very question.
Rainy days don’t call for too early a start, so after a bit of grumbling and deciding on which anorak to wear, we finally hit the ‘road to expedition’ at 10am. Luckily we live on a good bus route so we took the bus to Leeds and within 10 minutes flat we were outside the Corn Exchange marvelling at the piece of artwork just on the side of the corner shop. Amazing what’s before your eyes when choose to see!
The Corn Exchange has had a mighty revamp in the last 2 years. Part of me wants to run out in rebellion because I used to mooch about on those steps every Saturday wearing baggy jeans and too much eye make up and it’s almost sad to see such a vibrant part of the Leeds scene gone. However from a less angsty perspective, the interior looks clean, with an Art Deco feel and a flirtation with being upmarket. Apart from the nice smells coming from the gourmet hot dog shop. I think it lacks atmosphere, but then again, it is early on a bank holiday. Onwards towards Leeds Markets we wander past vintage shops noticing that Blue Rinse and its neighbour used to be a butchers, you can just make out the faded painted sign underneath which reads ‘Quality Meats’. We meander up to Whitelocks which is Leed’s oldest pub.
Time for a coffee and one of the places that has always caught my eye, although I’ve never gone in is Café Rouge. Yes, I know it’s a chain and I know it’s not really in Paris, but I love the red and gold glimmer from inside Leeds Light and the Art Nouveau pictures appeal to my showgirl side, so in we go. Not quite the atmosphere I had hoped for, no jazz, no sweet cigarette smoke and no freshly baked bread smells, or even coffee to be honest. I opted for a hot chocolate and smiled as I noticed they operate a book swapping system. If nothing else, it’s somewhere to sit and read. So far, we’ve not spent much money but noticed and tried out a few things we normally wouldn’t, which is of course, the very ethos of being a home tourist.
However being a culture vulture too, we decided to head to Leeds Art Gallery and have a peek inside – to our dismay it was closed on bank holidays so we traipse across to Leeds City Museum, tails between our legs. Yet we needn’t have been so reluctant, If only we’d known what we ‘d been missing, not only is the museum free to get in, it’s also one of the most fun places I’ve been in ages. It’s very child friendly there are kids rolling around all over a giant map of the world doing forward rolls and making crazy shapes. It’s also the ‘Spice Girls’ exhibition which made me blush, not just because I used to absolutely love them, but because it reminds me that my adolescence is now officially history and I still can’t drive!!! Where has the time gone?
There is a ‘natural world’ exhibition filled with brightly coloured lions and tigers, giant bison, little penguins and turtles amongst other wonderful things. My favourite exhibition was the ‘History of Leeds’ section. Never have I appreciated so much that we’re steeped in rich history, neither was I aware that Roundhay Park was opened in 1876 as more and more factory workers got Sunday’s off and desired a public space to relax with their families. I’d also never considered the wide open space of Harrogate Road with nothing but a horse and cart for transport, and I felt proud. By ‘eck I did.
Filled with wonderment after spending £1 on a 1p coin press to record the experience on the way out, we decided food was a must so we headed towards Da Mario’s, a small Italian restaurant on The Headrow. It says it’s been here since the late 70’s and I don’t doubt they’ve forgotten to decorate since, but that’s what I find so endearing about this place. I’ve only been once or twice before but its cosy, not pretentious and they make one mean spaghetti carbonara, serve cold Moretti beer and I still have change from a tenner.
Stuffed to the brim we waddle over to Leeds Grand Theatre to catch our bus home, reflecting on our lovely day and noticing the welcoming ambience of the Theatre and the cosmopolitan skyline of Leeds. As we get near our home, we walk round the century old mansion that guards our apartments like a fortress from back in WW1, and make a pact to go exploring again very soon.
In the words of our hero, Ferris Bueller;
‘Life moves pretty fast if you don’t stop and look around once in a while…’
A lovely piece of nostalgia from one so young but yes, I suppose it will be your nostalgia of yesterday, whereas mine is yesteryear.
I remember one of our big events,which was ‘Childrens Day in Roundhay Park in the middle to late 50s.
The Park was heaving with people children, pets and all kinds of entertainment, and sports, and we tended to be lucky with the weather too, the sun was always shining, back then, unless it was only in our hearts, no matter, we all fully enjoyed it.
There was no fear of fights, everybody went to the bar or brought their own refreshments and everyone seemed more responsible, no drunks, no fights, the park was heaving with life and very pleasant it was and safe.
As children we couldn’t waite for that day, an outdoor picnic, parents so relaxed and happy,we could even wander around the park without the fear of being harmed, families, friends and lovers met there to celebrate this special day.
Where have they gone?