Group for Action of Leeds Bradford Airport (GALBA) joined the COP26 Day of Action protests in Glasgow at the weekend and called for action against airport expansions in the UK.
If just one return flight from the UK to New York emits as much greenhouse gas as the average British household does in a whole year, why are we still expanding airports?
That's just one of the limitless questions that climate activists around the country have been asking this week.
The COP26 brought leaders and protesters around the world for a week of climate change conflict and is now entering into its second week in the city.
Whilst searching for efficient new technologies to make the aviation industry a greener environment at the UN Climate Conference, the government has been criticised for greenwashing.
The government spoke out about their 'techno-centric' Jet Zero strategy, explaining its importance in reducing emissions across the UK.
According to GALBA, the group protesting against the expansion of Leeds Bradford Airport, this announcement was despite Climate Change Committee members "repeatedly warned that because there is no realistic prospect of international flying becoming zero carbon by 2050".
GALBA has been protesting, virtually and in person, against the expansion of Leeds Bradford Airport due to environmental damage. / Image: GALBA
The group believes that the government needs to implement ‘demand control’ measures, including an immediate halt on all UK airport expansion plans.
In protest, demonstrations at airports across the UK took place, including Doncaster-Sheffield, Manchester, and Leeds Bradford Airport.
Chris Foren, chair of GALBA, said: “The government and the aviation industry claim that new technology means we can carry on flying as much as we like despite the climate crisis. It’s deeply irresponsible to spread these false claims.
"The experts on the Climate Change Committee warn that such a ‘techno-centric' approach has a high risk of failure. New aircraft designs and alternative fuels are decades away from making a dent in the huge amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by international flying".
The day of protest will not be the last of the GALBA group, as the protesters want to ensure that Leeds Bradford Airport capacity does not grow from 4 to 7 million, as current plans suggest.
For more information on the Leeds Bradford Airport expansion and the protesters opposing the plans, visit the GALBA website.
The UK Aids Memorial Quilt is set to go on display across Wakefield this summer.
The quilt - consisting of 42 quilts and 23 individual panels, representing over 384 individuals affected by HIV and AIDS - will go on display at WX Wakefield from Thursday 4 to Sunday 7 June 2026.
All 42 quilts will be on display, with WX working in partnership with the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt Conservation Partnership.
Across the same weekend, selected individual panels will be displayed at different venues across the city including The Hepworth Wakefield, The Art House Wakefield, Theatre Royal Wakefield, Pontefract Castle and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
Part of the world’s largest community art project, this is a huge opportunity for the city of Wakefield. The project started in the USA back in 1985 by activist Cleve Jones, commemorating friends, family and loved ones lost to AIDS.
Individual panels were then stitched together to create larger quilts, which were shown outdoors as a form of protest to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS.
Today, the quilt stands as a crucial reminder of those who were lost and of the continuing affect that HIV and AIDS has on the people of today.
At WX Wakefield, viewing the quilt is completely free and on Friday 5 June there will be a special late night opening up until 10:30pm to view the exhibition.
And on Saturday 6 June at 2:30pm, there will be a very special and poignant reading of the names of those commemorated on the quilt.
Featured image - UK AIDS Memorial Quilt, installation view at Tate Modern, June 2025. Photo: AM Hanson
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Leeds’ first frozen yoghurt bar is opening in Headingley this weekend
Clementine Hall
The frozen yoghurt craze is on its way to Leeds as Kefiyo is set to open in Headingley in just a few days.
It's a phenomenon that has caught the attention of the TikTok and Instagram girlies as of late, with frozen yoghurt bars popping up in Manchester and going viral online.
The ice cold sweet treat is supposedly 'healthy' and with a slogan of 'eat Clean. feel Light. live Better.' - this new spot in Leeds seems to be going down that route too.
Kefiyo will be opening in the old Sixes site on Ash Road in Headingley, and they've just announced that they'll be soft launching this Sunday 19 April 2026.
The space is already sporting a super cute pastel green and pink exterior, and it's exactly matching the aesthetic that you'd expect with froyo.
Kefiyo will offer a range of frozen yoghurt flavours with a whole bunch of toppings for you to customise to your tastebuds, as well as fresh acai bowls.
Situated slap bang in the centre of Headingley, we've got a feeling it'll be very busy with students on their way to their morning lecture or at night for those looking for a sweet treat that doesn't feel too naughty.
We'll keep you updated on more Kefiyo updates as and when we find out.
But in the meantime, you can keep an eye on their socials here. We'll see you soon for a scoop Leeds.
Sophie Smith -
8th November 2021 
