The attendance of past and present players from Leeds United makes Leeds Pride the first UK Pride event to have Premier League footballers in attendance.
Leeds United is a premium sponsor of the event, for the second time, but this will be the first time players have attended the Pride Weekend.
Luke (Bill) Ayling, Leeds United CEO Angus Kinnear and former Leeds United playesr Jermaine Beckford and Noel Whelan will all be in attendance, appearing with members of Marching Out Together and other Leeds United supporters.
Angus Kinnear the Leeds United CEO, issued a statement to explain why he looking forward to attending his first Pride event here in Leeds: “The Leeds United players and directors all send their best wishes to Marching Out Together and everyone associated with Leeds Pride. We do hope fans will come along and join us or watch the Parade pass through the city – it is a great opportunity to show our support to the LGBT+ community.
Image: Marching Out Together
“Everyone will be meeting at 1.30pm, as the parade assembles on Cookridge Street and Portland Crescent. Please look out for the Leeds United shirts and the Marching Out Together flags!”
Leeds United has also reported that a number of members of the first team have recorded messages to show their support for Marching Out Together. Captain Liam Cooper said: “I am proud to captain a club that not only supports Leeds Pride, but also works throughout the year with Marching Out Together, to make sure that everybody at Elland Road feels welcome.”
"Looks like we’ll be making history at the weekend! We’re the first UK Pride event to have current and past Premier League footballs attending. Huge moment for football and it’s support to breakdown barriers and we’d like to thank Leeds United for taking a huge step as LGBT+ allies.
"Here are the thoughts of WIGGY, Chair, MOT Marching Out Together: “This Sunday sees Leeds pride return for the 1st time in 3 years and I cannot wait. For the second time in their history, Leeds United are a premium sponsor of the event.
"The importance of having Leeds United sponsor the event is massive - a powerful visible statement showing Leeds United not only welcome everyone at Elland Road, but want to be seen to support the wider local LGBT+ community.
"Marching Out Together will be joined on the pride march by staff and officials from Leeds United. And in a huge statement of solidarity, for the first time in Pride history, an active Premier League player will be marching at a pride parade.
"Luke Ayling (“Bill”) will proudly stand side by side with Leeds United CEO Angus Kinnear and former stars Jermaine Beckford and Noel Whelan along with Marching Out Together members and other Leeds United fans.
"We can't wait to see everyone at the march on Sunday. Please do come along, bring your friends and family, have a fun day and be part of Pride history with Luke Ayling and former stars.”
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 -
3rd August 2022 
