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Sir Captain Tom Moore statue moves into permanent home in Chapel Allerton
The statue was donated to Leeds Hospitals Charity by sculptor Andrian Melka, who raised over £32,000 through online crowdfunding to bring this project to life.
After spending a few months on a detour to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, the Captain Tom Moore statue has finally made its way to its permanent home in Leeds.
Located outside the entrance of the Chapel Allerton hospital, the bronze status has been months in the making.
The statue was donated to Leeds Hospitals Charity by sculptor Andrian Melka, who raised over £32,000 through online crowdfunding to bring this project to life.
Over 250 donations paid for the work to be completed and by late 2021, the statue was ready to show the public and now remains a symbol of hope for patients and staff at the hospital.
Located at the newly refurbished courtyard garden at Leeds Chapel Allerton Hospital, the statue is likely to be seen by patients who may have to stay in hospital for many months undergoing lengthy and intensive rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury, long-term neurological conditions or following a stroke.
Artist Andrian says "It’s hoped that the gardens will be a calming space for rest and relaxation and that the statue of the 100-year-old war veteran determinedly walking laps of his garden on his walking frame will inspire patients on their own difficult road to recovery."
Image: Crowdfunder
According to Leeds Hospital Charity, "Thanks to Captain Sir Tom’s fundraising efforts, raising over £38 million for NHS Charities Together, Leeds Hospitals Charity benefitted from £600,000 in funding."
Artists Andrian hopes that the statue will inspire others visiting the hospital and told Leeds Hospital Charity:
“Captain Tom inspired so many people during the pandemic, not only with his incredible fundraising for the NHS but with his positive outlook and desire to be of service to others.
"Even at the age of 99, when most people would be sitting back, he wanted to do what he could to help others and to contribute.”
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept is on its way.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast is gearing up to bring its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds will combine saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space will feature two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: Supplied
Plunge pools can be enjoyed solo or shared, depending on what guests choose, giving people the opportunity to shape each session around exactly what they need that day.
To suit different moods and preferences, Kontrast Leeds will include both a social sauna and a silent sauna, giving guests the option to come for conversation or reflection.
Single sessions will cost just £12 for 45 minutes, with 90-minute sessions from £20.
Image: Supplied
Known for making sauna and ice feel more accessible, welcoming and community-driven, Kontrast has grown beyond regular sessions to become a base for recurring events. These include their live ambient DJ set event, Unwind, which celebrates local talent, and their weekly run club, both of which the team hopes to bring to Leeds as part of building a similar sense of community in the city.
The Leeds site builds on everything the team has learned from Kontrast in Manchester.
Alongside the core sauna, Ice, cafe offering, the new site will include improved facilities, more spacious sauna provision and additional ice baths meaning more room for people to get involved.
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 -
25th February 2022 
