Mayday at Inkwell, a wonderful new arts centre in Chapel Allerton.

As a child I’d been to a fair few May Day celebrations. They’ve stuck in my mind or the photos had at least. Perhaps it was the brightly coloured ribbons and the jingly jangly Morris Dancer types. But city dweller than I now am I had not seen hide nor hair of a maypole in the last few years. So it was really lovely to see one again at an event at Inkwell creative arts centre in Chapel Allerton during the last bank holiday weekend.

My friend and I were late of course. We’d been at our laptops working all morning having packed in a fair amount that weekend. But how pleased we were to make it there. Not only did a maypole take centre stage, there were billowing white stalls with homemade cakes, books, cards, soaps, jewellery, a plant exchange, a very welcome beer tent courtesy of Ridgeside Brewery and a raffle – of course.

The event was blessed with beautiful warm sunshine and the place was packed. A big garden full of families, children and a few dogs.  A lovely scene.

I’d not been to Inkwell before so had a little wander. Run by mental health charity Mind it is a creative arts centre at the former Shoulder & Mutton pub on Potternewton Lane.

Inside there is a beautiful bright white café overlooking the big garden with lots of really good art on the walls and the food looked good too. There were cupcakes, soup and sandwiches – all fresh and tasty looking and supplied by www.rocket-catering.co.uk

Best and perhaps most surprising of all, the place does not have that special community or institutional feel. Perhaps it is the beautiful garden or the talented artwork – I don’t know, but to me it just felt like a warm and very welcoming place.

Later in the afternoon the Happy Red Tractors folk band took over. Great music, adults holding their pints overseeing their kids dancing and chasing dogs and all while the sun was setting. A wonderful day and a wonderful place.

The day itself was held to raise funds for an outdoor wellbeing arts space for the use of local children, mental health service users and the Leeds 7 community.  Based on the lovely spirit there lets hope they do just that.