“Local4Lent” event in Leeds
The Twitter sensation #local4lent is culminating in an exciting event taking place on Saturday 24th March between 10am and 5pm at The Corn Exchange, Leeds, showcasing the wealth of extraordinary local business talent including food, drinks, art and craft stalls.
The #local4lent campaign is the brainchild of Harrogate resident Zana O’Connell who decided to do something worthwhile for Lent and support local businesses in place of the traditional custom of giving up a certain type of food or drink. The idea has received support from the Twitter community and businesses from Leeds, across Yorkshire and now across the country. The event offers a rare opportunity to see the famous Blue Peter Ship sculpture, as seen on TV, created by Yorkshire artist Steve Blaylock who has supported the campaign throughout as well as kindly donating a prize for the charity tombola.
Zana explains: “This year rather than give up chocolate for Lent like everyone else, I decided to make a promise to shop at smaller local businesses and support the local economy. It all started on Twitter where I posed the idea and many people responded favourably! Charlotte Farringdon from Zap! replied saying she would take up my challenge and we decided to try and get #local4lent trending. We joined forces to start the campaign and I am really pleased that the trend was picked up – I am thrilled that there are so many people and businesses alike who have got onboard. We have some brilliant and talented businesses from food to crafts to art and it’s economically important that people support their local small producers and artisans. The event taking place at The Corn Exchange is bringing together some of these small producers and promises to be an enjoyable day for all involved.”
The event will feature live music from one of the UK’s leading piano vocalists, blues, soul and rock musician Dan Burnett throughout the day and craft stalls including Harrogate-based crafter Jayne Carle who helped to organise the event. It will also feature face-painting for the younger ones and those young at heart by teaching assistant Andy Farringdon from Wakefield, who has just been confirmed as one of those receiving the prestigious role of Olympic Torch Bearer! Food stalls from local producers include brownies, pies, honeys, cheeses, preserves and many more. The event, organised by Zap!, a free smartphone application company based in Leeds who have supported the campaign from the beginning, will be showcasing artwork by finalists from the Zap! design competition and presenting prizes to the winners at 2pm.
For more information please visit @zapmenow or @charliegeorge1 on Twitter.