Hyde Park Picture House is the latest in Leeds to show its support for the people of Ukraine.
The cinema will be donating ticket sales of a range of movies to the UNHCR Refugee Agency Emergency Appeal, which aids Ukrainians that are forced to flee their homes in search of shelter and safety.
Image: Hyde Park Picture House (HPPH)
The showings will highlight a selection of Soviet 60s movies alongside more contemporary films that feature Ukrainian talent or storylines, as well as raising money for the cause.
All movies will also be shown either as a socially distanced or reduced capacity showing. The first being a distanced screening of Wings on Sunday 20th March at 3.30pm inside Leeds University Union.
Wings. / Image: HPPH
The picture house had initially planned to host a Soviet 60’s screening season but decided in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine this could no longer go ahead as planned.
Instead, they have revised the schedule and plan to donate all proceeds to help Ukrainian refugees in need.
Hyde Park Picture House explained that:
"This screening of Larisa Sheptiko‘s Wings was originally part of the Soviet 60's season, alongside three other Russian and Armenian-language films from the 1960s, in collaboration with Klassiki.
"In light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, this season is now no longer able to go ahead as planned. However, we have decided to go proceed with our screening of Wings, for two reasons. Firstly, Larisa Shepitko was a Ukrainian director, and her work is an important part of the cultural heritage of a country now under assault. And secondly, we've agreed with Klassiki to donate all the ticket sales to the UNHCR emergency appeal."
Olga. Image: HPPH
Olga, a movie about a young gymnast with Olympic-potential leaves Kyiv just as Ukraine experiences unprecedented political turmoil, will be shown at Leeds University Union on Sunday 3 April 2022 at 3.40pm with a reduced capacity.
The film follows the life of Olga, who is a distant bystander, as her mother, an investigative journalist, challenges a brutal regime. A subtle, tensely handled tale of exile reflecting the pressures on young athletes, the clash between the personal and the political, and Olga’s search for who she is and what she is prepared to sacrifice.
Meanwhile, We and Our Mountains, "one of the most storied of the USSR’s so-called “national” cinemas, which remains relatively unknown abroad" will be shown at 3.30pm the following weekend on Sunday 15 May 2022- another of the Soviet 60s season that was due to be shown but was cancelled in light of current events.
Hyde Park Picture House in its current scaffolded state is presented in the colours of the Ukrainian flag to show its support.
Singer-songwriter Myles Smith has just announced his biggest headline tour and is set to play a huge arena gig in Leeds this year.
Quit ‘Stargazing’ and get ready to fight for tickets as Myles Smith has just announced he’ll be visiting Leeds later this year for his biggest arena gig to date.
Known for hits like ‘Nice To Meet You’, ‘Stay (If You Wanna Dance)’ and ‘Wait For You’, this BRIT School graduate is now heading on the road for some headline shows across the UK.
Recognised for his folk-pop sound, Smith has built quite a name for himself just three or so years into his career, with solo efforts and a few collaborations under his belt.
Myles Smith is heading to First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds, on tour this year / Credit: Press shots (supplied)
Recently, the Luton-born artist collaborated with some well-known names like Shaboozey on their track ‘Blink Twice’ and even features on a new single from former One Direction member Niall Horan titled ‘Drive Safe’.
It was only last year that the ‘Stargazing’ songwriter visited Leeds, bringing his high-energy hits to O2 Academy back in February.
Now, Smith is ready to tackle an arena crowd and has chosen Leeds First Direct Bank Arena and is expected to raise the roof when 13,500 fans flock to the star’s show this winter.
Titled after his upcoming album My Mess, My Life, My Heart, Smith will be playing a variety of well-known and brand new hits when he makes his way up North.
Fans who are signed up to the official artist presale can get exclusive access to tickets from Wednesday, 25 March at 10am, with the window closing on Friday, 27 March at 9am.
Meanwhile, general admission tickets go live by 10 am that same Friday (27 Mar).
Myles Smith is embarking on his ‘My Mess, My Life, My Heart’ tour this winter and visiting First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds on Sunday 8 November – tickets and more info HERE.
Leeds city centre crowned one of the best places to live in the north by The Sunday Times
Clementine Hall
Today, Leeds city centre earned itself a coveted spot in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide.
What brilliant news to end the week on, hey?
Leeds city centre was amongst eight other locations across the north and the north east to be featured on the list.
The market town of Skipton took home the dazzling first prize, but it's still nice to be included isn't it.
Here's what the judges had to say about Leeds city centre: “Leeds has five universities, the fourth largest urban economy in the UK (with job opportunities in finance, insurance and big business), a youthful vibe and a relatively affordable average house price (£285,100).
Image: Unsplash
“Stay close to the centre, where you won’t have to worry about the patchy public transport, and it all adds up to a fun-filled, fulfilled life within walking distance of stylish shops, cafés, bars and restaurants. There’s a good choice of riverside homes, where you may spot kingfishers and otters, and even the schools are good.”
In total, 72 places across the UK were selected by The Sunday Times to showcase the very best of Britain, with Norwich named the overall national winner.
The full list of locations in the north and northeast include:
Skipton
Howardian Hills, North Yorkshire
Leeds city centre
Morpeth, Northumberland
Newcastle: Gosforth
Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire
Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire
York
Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, said: “This guide is a great opportunity to highlight the best places in Britain.
“It is full of places that show that our village, town and city centres can still be full of life, as well as places bursting with natural beauty, culture, connectivity and most importantly a sense of community.
“Our expert team of judges visit every location on the list and talk to the locals to find out what they love about the place they live."
Sophie Smith -
17th March 2022 
