A local primary school will be hosting a climate strike this afternoon to protest against climate change.
Moor Allerton Hall Primary School will be swapping Maths and English for a day of learning about the COP26 and ongoing climate emergency.
The children will been learning about how to use their voices to make a difference and will join young activists around the world on strike this morning.
The strikes, particularly in Glasgow where the COP26 is taking place, are demanding action on climate change before changes become irreversible.
Moor Allerton Hall Primary School are also striking against the national curriculum in school to learn more about climate change.
The protest march will be held in the playground at 2.15pm and have invited parents and carers to join the protest.
This isn't the first time that the Roundhay school have paused their usual curriculum to make time to learn about climate change.
Playground climate strikes have been held on the school grounds. Pupils created their own placards to explain why they think the planet needs to rethink its environmental priorities.
A select number of year six pupils have also attended to the YouthStrike4Climate protest in Leeds to represent the primary school and their message.
Staying true to the school motto: “Moor Allerton Hall gives you the roots to grow and the wings to fly”, pupils will spend today learning about the effects of climate change in an easy-to-understand way.
Without passing on any 'climate anxiety', staff will be delivering the key messages of global warming and encourage children to use their voices to make positive changes.
There will be climate action aplenty over the weekend.
On Saturday 6 November, COP26 Global Day of Action, has inspired a large climate protest at Millenium Square.
Local speakers will explain the important steps that can be made in Leeds to reduce carbon emissions and reverse the devastating effects of climate change that are already evident in the city.
The protest will leave Millenium Square at 1pm and march around Leeds city centre before returning to that square, where the event will end at 5pm.
Otley has announced its intention to bid to become UK Town of Culture 2028.
Entering into the national competition launched by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the West Yorkshire town is hoping to be the first-ever town to claim the title.
The Town of Culture competition invites towns across the UK to showcase their cultural story and develop ambitious programmes that celebrate local heritage, creativity, and communities.
The winning town receives a £3 million grant from the Government to deliver a major year-long cultural programme in 2028 designed to boost civic pride, attract visitors, and provide everyone with the opportunity to participate in cultural activities.
Their bid is focused around the Otley 800, a year-long programme that will mark the 800th anniversary of the granting of the Royal Market Charter in 1227 and the bridge over the River Wharfe in 1228.
These two historic moments transformed Otley into the bustling market town that it is today, so it deserves to be recognised.
Work has been going on behind the scenes for the past two years, with the council and Otley BID working with residents to put plans in place for the special year.
More than 70 organisations have been involved.
Mayor of Otley Cllr Paul Carter said: “Otley has always been a town that punches above its weight. This bid is about celebrating our history, but also about investing in our future — creating opportunities for our community, raising our profile and making sure Otley continues to thrive for the next 800 years.”
The shortlist for UK Town of Culture 2028 is set to be announced later this year, with each chosen town receiving £60,000 to help deliver their full bids for the competition. Fingers crossed!
Permission granted for new ‘Corn Exchange Pavilion’ to be built in Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
The green light has been given for a brand-new pavilion to be built outside the Corn Exchange in Leeds city centre.
Yesterday, Tuesday 31 March, the planning committee of Leeds City Council officially gave the green light to plans submitted by CX Leeds Ltd.
These include plans to build a pavilion outside the Corn Exchange, one of Leeds' most iconic city centre landmarks.
The new building will go where that rather underwhelming patch of astroturf currently lays, in front of the Cornucopia mural and next to the bus shelter.
It lies between New Market Street and Crown Street.
DEN Architecture state that the materials selected will create an intriguing single-storey structure that compliments the surrounding area.
They stated: “The scale of the building and roof form of the proposal pays tribute to the previous tram and bus shelters that once occupied the site.
"While retaining the appropriately subservient nature of any new building in close proximity to the Corn Exchange. This will also provide greater visibility of the Cornucopia Mural.
“The building has been designed following extensive and thorough analysis, with a clear understanding of the built environment and the area’s historic significance.”
It's not yet been decided upon what the building's use will be, although Leeds city council suggests it could be used for "outdoor functions, shops and cafes".
When first put forward to the council back in December 2024, the plans were met with three objections from the public.
So, what would you like to see go into this new space?
Sophie Smith -
5th November 2021 
