The Peacock mural celebrates the Marching Out Together campaign: the community "paving the way for an inclusive space for LGBTQ+ fans at Leeds United Football Club (LUFC)".
Internationally recognised artist Jay Gilleard, Cbloxx, has taken the mural from concept to creation and has unveiled their work today in Leeds city centre.
Celebrating the Leeds-based 'Marching Out Together' group, East Street Arts, the leading artist-led arts charity in the city, and Leeds United Football Club teamed up to commission the mural to show the progress the club has made, the safe spaces they offer and the incredible community of LGBTQ+ supporters.
Organisers have commented: "the focus of The Peacock is to bring a union of football, art and queer culture into the limelight. Cbloxx’s intention is to deliver an image that would both honour the lengthy heritage of LUFC, whilst celebrating the diversity of its fans and the important work of Marching Out Together".
The Marching Out Together group now has over 300 members, and chose Cbloxx, a Huddersfield-born and celebrated internationally as a multi-disciplined muralist, painter, music producer and co-founder of street art duo, Nomad Clan, as the perfect artist to complete the mural.
Speaking about their work with East Street Arts, Leeds United and Marching Out Together, Cbloxx said:
''It’s an honour to be painting back in a place I used to call home. Leeds has always rallied for liberalism, equality, and multiplicity, its cultural significance is something to remain incredibly proud of. Speaking personally, football at its very best is a cohesive healer when it champions diversity. Football signifies a unification, the Leeds chant 'All Leeds Aren't We' speaks volumes and is a wonderful sentiment to start ideas flowing around LGBTQI inclusivity.
“The core thematic of The Peacock really is Pride, what is more sassy and full of pride than a peacock? Its otherworldly flamboyance, confidence and striking visuals made it a focal point no brainer.
"To convey the notion of activism, protest and visibility I borrowed aesthetics from the old coal mining embroidered flags, which echo the typical northern working class heritage that is so often celebrated in my work. It’s hard to not be inspired by your own ancestry! The elegance and creativity executed in the banners really highlight the ornate features of the building, so that it adds to its aesthetic beautifully.
Image: @spraydaysofficial
“With The Peacock I hope to echo the sentiments of 'Marching Out Together', take some visible space for LGBTQI football fans and spread a wider message of solidarity and togetherness.”
The mural will sweep across the side of East Street Arts Studio building adjoining York Road, inspiring hope and change to 68,000 people passing by each day.
Feature Image- @spraydaysofficial
News
Female-founded independent jewellery brand to open in Leeds’ Victoria Gate
Norfolk-based jewellery brand Lisa Angel is opening their first Yorkshire site right here in Leeds.
Jewellery and trinket lovers, this one's for you.
Lisa Angel, a female-founded jewellery and gifting brand will open the doors to its new store in Victoria Gate next month.
Shoppers can expect a wonderful range of jewellery, gifts, and accessories that have established a loyal following during more than twenty years of business.
Founded in 2004 by Lisa hand making jewellery which she sold at craft fairs local to her Norfolk home, the business has only gone from strength to strength since.
Image: Supplied
The brand is now a recognised part of the British high street landscape, boasting seven other stores across Norfolk, Suffolk, and the Midlands.
After opening two stores last year and three stores in 2024, Lisa Angel’s founder and Creative Director, Lisa, said: “As an independent retailer, we are thrilled to launch in a destination with such a reputation as Victoria Leeds.
"We believe retail should remain grounded in inspiration and discovery, and we look forward to bringing just that to the vibrant city of Leeds, in our first store in the north.”
Managing Director James Moody explained the significance to the business of opening a new store in a city as influential as Leeds: “We're incredibly excited to be opening our first northern showcase store in such a prestigious location.
"Victoria Leeds represents exactly the kind of vibrant retail destination where we can bring the full Lisa Angel experience to new customers. This is a significant milestone for us as we continue to grow our retail presence."
We'll keep you up to date when we know an opening date, but for now you can check out what to expect here.
Yorkshire residents are being invited to name two new bin lorries
Clementine Hall
Well...this is a new one.
Ever fancied naming a bin lorry? Well today is your lucky day, because now you can.
Yorkshire-based waste management experts Divert are celebrating the arrival of two swanky new tbin rucks by inviting the local community to help name them.
The iconic purple bins, vans and trucks can be seen across the Yorkshire area helping to clean up waste from Bradford to Harrogate.
Two new lorries are set to be joining the fleet in April and May, and of course they need a name.
And who better to ask than the general public? The winning names will be added to the cabs of each of the trucks for all to see, and announced via the Divert website and social media channels.
Absolutely anyone from across the UK is welcome to take part, but the company are especially keen for people from Yorkshire to enter.
You can be as creative as you like, but there are a couple of rules...
No swearing or offensive names. Aside from that, you can let your freak flag fly.
The Divert team are keen to hear the 'best celebrity puns, local namesakes, and downright silly names' the public have to offer.
John Verity, Managing Director of Divert, comments: “Naming our bin trucks is a great way to bring some joy to the local community. We hope to bring a smile to the faces of passing drivers and pedestrians as our fleet passes by.
“Not only that, naming our lorries can help our drivers to take pride and ownership in the vehicles they drive and be a key reminder of our engagement within the community. We’re always keen to employ any initiatives that help the public to engage with us and ensure we’re seen as a friendly face in the area.”
Winners will be voted for by the team internally, and the competition closes at 5 pm on 31 March 2026.
Sophie Smith -
7th April 2022 
