Winter is Coming and just in time for Leed’s Unleashed Comic-Con.
A new comic con is set to arrive in Leeds in October, giving all Game of Thrones fans a chance to meet their favourite characters.
The one-day event will be bringing the Marriott Hotel to life on Sunday 10 October, with special appearances from Game of Thrones Lannister legends: Ian Gelder (Kevan Lannister) and Eugene Simon (Lancel Lannister), as well as Mace Tyrell actor, Roger Ashton-Griffiths.
Image: Leeds Unleashed Comic Con
Ian Gelder played Kevan Lannister from seasons one to six of HBO’s acclaimed show, but fans may recognise the 72-year-old actor from BBC’s Torchwood: Children of Earth or more recently, as Charles from the dramatization of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials.
Gelder has also appeared in episodes of Poirot (1993); Holby City (2006); Robin Hood (2009); Mr Selfridge (2013); Eastenders (2016); Ripper Street (2016) and a special episode of Doctor Who in 2020.
Gelder shared the stage with fellow comic-con guest Roger Ashton-Griffiths. Both featured in Game of Thrones and Doctor Who from 2014-16, Ashton-Griffiths playing Mace Tyrell and Quayle respectively. The 64-year-old’s impressive resume spans from Jack the Ripper (1988) to Coronation Street and Empire.
There will be plenty of photo opportunities, some even from a galaxy far far away. There will be Star Wars characters around every corner and in a room of their own you may even spot TikTok and YouTube creators, The Marshmello Family.
Join the fun cosplay family or find comics, collectables, gaming and toys from geeky traders dispersed around the venue. Leeds Unleashed invite you to come dressed as your favourite TV, movie, gaming or anime character to enter their cosplay competition.
Sharon Hall of Unleaded Events shared her excitement: “As usual there is loads of geeky stuff going on for you to see and do as well as geeky traders where you can purchase items that you simply won’t find on the high street.
"Our events are not just for the ‘geeky’ they are for people of all ages who want to come along and enjoy a great day out, something that all the family can enjoy.”
For more information visit unleashedtickets.com, tickets cost £4 for children and £6 for adults.
Feature Image- Unleashed Events
Leeds
Architects secure planning permission for jaw-dropping ‘boulder house’ on Ilkley Moor
A house that looks good enough for James Bond is set to be built on Ilkley Moor.
Is that a formation of angular grey rocks sitting atop of the Yorkshire dales? No, it's a house.
The wildly contemporary structure, which has huge irregular-shaped windows and a natural outdoor pool, is based off the famous Cow and Calf Rocks in Ilkley, West Yorkshire.
It will be built just down the road from them too, on green belt land which is the garden of a home off Heber's Ghyll Drive.
Images: Shaw & Jagger Architects
It is the work of Harrogate-based architects Shaw & Jagger, who said the project was passed through the country house clause which allows things to be built on green belt for buildings of "exceptional quality".
The house itself has been named 'Fomorian', after a supernatural race of giants in Irish mythology. The name takes inspiration from the mythical giant Rombald who is said to have roamed on Ilkley Moor.
Images: Shaw & Jagger Architects
Shaw & Jagger wrote: "The design approach was to propose a scheme that is intrinsically linked to the spirit of its place. Fomorian is of its place, part of the Moors, its geology and its spirit.
"We took cues from local folklore, the surrounding rocks; ancient carvings, standing stones and escarpments that are synonymous with the landscape.
"The building depicts a series of monolithic elements embedded in the earth as the wild, dramatic environment looms around, attempting to overcome them. The building is new, yet part of this ancient landscape.
Images: Shaw & Jagger Architects
"Fomorian is to be built over the next couple of years and will provide family accommodation consisting of 4 bedrooms, kitchen, dining room, sitting room and study.
"It was important to offer the client viable outside space therefore a paved courtyard garden allows external living to be within the heart of the plan. The abstract rock forms allow the design to have exciting internal spaces with large irregular windows designed to maximise views out across the valley."
Leeds railway station reopening delayed AGAIN due to problems with lift
Clementine Hall
The highly anticipated opening of Leeds City Station's new entrance has been further delayed.
The £46.1m Leeds Station Sustainable Travel Gateway has been in the works since 2022, with the original target for completion set for autumn 2025.
That date subsequently slipped to summer 2026, then September, then October, and now...well who knows?
This time, Leeds City Council have confirmed that the problem is to do with the lifts that connect New Station Street and Bishopgate.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
These lifts will allow the ever so turbulent taxi rank to move from the temporary arrangement at the rear of the station to its new home on Bishopgate Street.
A Leeds City Council spokesperson said on the recent setback: "Having opened the pavement along Bishopgate Street and sections of New Station Street, unfortunately we have encountered an issue with one of the lifts, which is delaying essential safety testing from being completed.
"We are working to resolve this as soon as possible so we can open the final parts of the scheme imminently."
When it does finally open, there should be plenty to like. The scheme is designed to make the area around the station more pedestrian-friendly, with improved public space, wider walking routes, better cycling facilities, a new cycle hub and step-free access between Bishopgate Street and New Station Street.
The taxi rank will also move to Bishopgate Street, with a new shelter and kerbside boarding.
So, after years of barriers, diversions, temporary arrangements, engineering works and at least one deeply controversial letter (lest we forget 'Welcome to Leeps') the end is apparently in sight.
We'll keep you updated with any updates and opening date of the new station, but we wouldn't hold your breath if the last couple of months are anything to go by.
Sophie Smith -
29th September 2021 
