It sounds unbelievable, but sometimes it's the strangest things that turn out to be true. Such is the case with this story of the mysterious hippos that once roamed the streets of Leeds.
Suggest to the average Loiner that hippos once walked the same streets we do and your sanity is likely to be called into question, but there are cold hard facts to back this far-fetched-sounding story up - trust us.
Although no written record survives from the time they were actually walking around Leeds, we can prove their existence thanks to the discovery of several huge bones by workmen digging clay in a brick field in 1851.
Unearthed in Wortley, Leeds over 150 years ago, the bones were so massive the workmen knew they couldn't possibly be human bones but were still at a loss as to what they were.
It wasn't until the workers visited Henry Denny, the curator of the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society Museum, that the real truth was uncovered.
Impressively, Henry identified them as the bones of the Great Northern Hippopotamus, much to the excitement of the workers - who saw Henry a lot over the coming months, due to the fact he visited their field regularly to collect more bone specimens.
These ranged from more huge thigh bones to tiny teeth, and as Henry continued his discovery he realised it wasn't only hippopotamuses in this field. There were elephants and an extinct species of wild ox, too.
For a long time, it was thought following their discovery that the hippos were from relatively recent times - however that turned out to be an error created by a preservative coating on the bones, which misled scientists as to their true age.
It turns out, they were actually hundreds of thousands of years old: with the closest estimate coming between 113,000 and 130,000.
It's believed by scientists that they once roamed in the area close to Armley Gyratory, now one of the busiest road intersections on the city's outskirts today.
Leeds would have been very different at that time, according to Phil Murphy, from the University of Leeds' School of Earth and Environment.
"Leeds would have been just like Africa in those days – and the climate would have been exactly the same as hippos enjoy in that continent today, in the so-called Ipswichian interglacial.
"Hyenas were also around at the time and hyena dens have been found in Victoria Cave near Settle in Yorkshire and Kirkdale Cave on the North Yorkshire Moors.
"But it is important to remember that during the last glacial period, the glaciers did not reach Leeds.
"The earth has experienced some 24 periods of cooling and warming over the last 2.5m years."
Asked if Hippos could return, Murphy answered unequivocally 'yes' - stating "If it is warm enough in Leeds in the future, the Hippos will return."
Entire hippo skeletons are very rare, making the Leeds hippo extra special. It can be viewed on display at the Leeds City Museum.
It's official, Uniqlo is making its way to Leeds. Well, it's about time isn't it?
You may remember last June that murmurings of Uniqlo opening in Leeds were happening.
The news spread after planning documents appeared for new ‘Uniqlo’ signage on the Store House building on Briggate.
We've been keeping our fingers crossed that the news was actually true, and it is.
Uniqlo themselves have confirmed that three new stores will be popping up across the UK over the next two years, with one of them being right here in Leeds.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Their first store of the roll-out opened in Birmingham's Bullring, followed by a new store in Bristol this year.
Leeds was also meant to open this year, but unfortunately, Uniqlo has announced things are delayed and its opening will be pushed into 2027.
The Leeds store will be 1,100 square metres and will be located on Briggate in the old House of Fraser site.
CGI mockups from firms Thirty One Design and Ink Associates include the glass fronted store with Uniqlo’s signature red signage hanging above the door and off the building.
These will be made from sheet metal with a “sprayed finish” – sounds pretty swanky if you ask us.
Uniqlo UK COO Alessandro Dudech stated: "Uniqlo remains committed to strengthening its presence within the UK retail sector by expanding both our physical store network and ecommerce capabilities nationwide.
"As part of this strategic initiative, we look forward to introducing Uniqlo to the communities and visitors in the North of England, at the new Leeds location and simultaneously reaching customers in the South West in Bristol's Cabot Circus.".
Uniqlo is known for its affordable and minimalist clothing, stocking everything from raincoats and puffer jackets to jeans and a wide range of accessories.
We’ll keep you updated on the timeframe, as to be honest we’re just as excited as you are to be welcoming Uniqlo to the high street.
Police urgently appeal after teenage boy was stabbed in Leeds over bank holiday weekend
Emily Sergeant
Detectives are appealing for witnesses after a teenage boy was stabbed in Leeds over the bank holiday weekend.
West Yorkshire Police explained that officers were called out to Roundhay Road at around at 6:05pm on Monday 31 August following reports that a 13-year-old boy had been stabbed, and once they arrived on the scene, the victim was located and subsequently taken to hospital, where he received treatment for an injury described as non-life-threatening.
Police say the incident occurred near to the Leeds West Indian Carnival, but are keen to assure the public that they believe this was an 'isolated and targeted' act.
Following further enquiries, it is now believed that the actual offence occurred on Shepherd’s Lane, potentially near the junction with Back Hares Avenue.
Investigating officers have released information on the suspect and identified several people they are keen to speak to.
As the police investigation is ongoing, Detective Chief Inspector Scott Hartley commented: "This is clearly a concerning incident in which a young teenage boy has suffered a significant stab wound.
"We have extensive enquiries ongoing, including house to house enquiries and reviewing CCTV. We are conscious though that this offence has occurred near to the Leeds West Indian Carnival and there will have been a large number of people in the vicinity who may not necessarily be from the Chapeltown area.
“The suspect for this offence is described as being male, around 15-16 years-old and was wearing a balaclava. He was with two girls. We are keen to speak to anyone who believes they may have seen this group in the area or who witnessed any part of this incident.
"Although this was a serious incident, our enquiries so far suggest it was an isolated and targeted act... [and] we remain focused on identifying those responsible and providing reassurance to the community."
Can you help? Anyone with information is asked to contact Leeds CID online, or by calling 101, quoting crime reference 13260496572.
Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Georgina Pellant -
7th August 2021 
