Inspiring women who have made their mark on Leeds are set to have their names etched in history at Leeds Civic Hall.
It's time to have your say on which women of Leeds have made their biggest mark on history.
People across the city are being asked to help decide which remarkable women from history will have their names inscribed on the walls of Leeds Civic Hall's prestigious Council Chamber.
A consultation has now been launched, closing on Friday 1 March, asking for residents’ views on those that might be recognised.
Leeds locals are being asked to choose from an initial list of six women, who have each blazed a trail in their own, unique way, whilst also being invited to make their own suggestions as to who might be included.
Image: Leeds City Council
The initial list features:
Gertrude Paul - the city's first black head teacher and an advocate for the Afro-Caribbean community in Yorkshire
Leonara Cohen OBE - a leading member of the campaign for the right of women to vote, who was arrested for smashing a glass case at the Tower of London
Alice Bacon CBE - became the city's first female MP and later served as a Home Office minister in the 1960s where she oversaw the abolition of the death penalty, the legalisation of abortion and the decriminalisation of homosexuality
Beryl Burton OBE - the racing cyclist who dominated the sport in the UK and abroad, winning more than 90 domestic championships and seven world titles
The Barnbow Lasses - these were the women and girls who worked in the Barnbow Munitions Factory during World War One, 35 of them were killed in an explosion in 1916
Ivy Benson - a saxophonist and bandleader, who led an all-female swing band. Her band were the first entertainers to be invited to perform at the VE celebrations in Berlin in 1945.
The names of those chosen will be announced on International Women's Day on Friday 8 March, and will form part of a report for the final decision making process.
The names formally agreed will be added to the walls of the chamber alongside the men from the city's past who already feature there.
Image: Leeds City Council
Councillor Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for resources, said: “As a city, Leeds has a very proud track record of honouring those who laid the foundations of the place we know and love today.
“However, there’s no question that the names which currently feature on the walls of the Council Chamber echo a time when the accomplishments of women were not held in the same high esteem which they are today.
“It’s high time we began to address that imbalance, to ensure that the achievements of these truly remarkable women get that same recognition and that their names stand as a lasting inspiration for future generations.”
A Leeds pizza takeaway has received a glowing review from popular review duo.
Edges Pizza opened up their first permanent spot in Leeds back in June this year, after making a name for themselves slinging out pizzas at multiple pop-ups across the city.
Owners Grace and Edge from Harrogate opened Edges Pizza two years ago, taking inspiration from trips to New York over the years.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Their pizzas are a love letter to the class New York slice, think thin and crispy rather than chewy and floppy. But above all else, think absolutely delicious.
And now, they've caught the attention of a major review page, with Bite Twice Food Reviews (a page with almost 300k followers) paying Edges a visit.
The food review duo of Gerry del Guercio and Paul Delany popped up in Holbeck beneath the arches to get their hands on a pizza, and the outcome is brilliant.
In the video, Bite Twice said that the pizza is 'f**cking exceptional' and up there with 'one of the best pizzas in the UK'.
Before even taking a bite, they said: "On aesthetic, I don't think anywhere in the UK is doing pizza like this".
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Then after the first bite, they go on to say: "There are very few pizzas in the UK that create this, I’m a little bit blown away".
As Londoners themselves, they go on to say that Edges is 'easily hitting with the best that we’ve got down south'.
And if that's not high praise enough, they sign off the video saying: "Leeds has got an absolute gem. I give this a stamp so hard my foot went through the pizza. Edges. Don Level."
The 42-year-old Kirkgate Market stall serving freshly shucked oysters for £1.90 a pop
Clementine Hall
Tucked away in Leeds Kirkgate Market you'll find a wonderful seafood stall selling freshly shucked oysters for £1.90 each.
It's places like these that remind us why we love Leeds so much.
Established in 1880, Hayes Seafood is widely regarded as the oldest trader within the historic Kirkgate Market.
For the past 42 years, it has been run by Cliff and Michelle, the loveliest couple who welcome every customer with open arms.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The menu here is small but perfectly formed, focusing on fresh, ready-to-eat seafood that you can enjoy with a squeeze of lemon and a dollop of mayonnaise at most.
Delivered fresh every morning, there's pre-cracked crab shells, brown and white crab meat, cockles, crawfish tails - all perfectly prepared for you to eat at their bar or high tables opposite.
But, it's the oysters that you'll see people queueing for. And rightly so.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Everything here is prepared to order right in front of you, and for no extra fee. You can choose from two types of oysters: super salty Lindisfarne oysters or the slightly sweeter English Loch Fyne.
We recommend having a couple of each, pulling up a stool right by the counter and getting stuck in. If you ask Cliff nicely, he might tell you a bit about the history of the place - but you may have to order a couple more oysters for that.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You're left to dress them yourself, whether you prefer dash of fiery tabasco or a few pickled shallots. But to be honest, they're delicious just as they come.
This spot is a real piece of Leeds history, and the queues at lunchtime as well as the repeat regular customers proves just how special it is.
All it's missing is a champagne stall next to it...now wouldn't that be perfect?
Clementine Hall -
31st January 2024 
