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Olympic medalist Rebecca Adlington is opening a new swimming pool for kids in Leeds
""It has been a joy to watch a new swim facility take shape in Yorkshire, and I hope it encourages local children to learn to love the water as much as I do.”
A new purpose-built facility on Frontier Business Park in Batley (just fifteen minutes from Leeds city centre) will open on Saturday 7 May thanks to four Olympic medalist, Rebecca Adlington OBE and will cater for families with children aged 0 - 11.
The centre is thought to have been designed to offer a unique swimming journey for both babies and children and is set to include modern amenities like a 31 degree warm pool, parent and guest viewing lounge, kids play area, online progress tracking and fun swimming lessons.
Best of all, there's no current waiting lists and upon opening, lessons will run every day of the week, some of which will initially come free of charge.
Named Swim! Leeds Batley, introduction sessions for all children will be available free of charge from Saturday 7th May, with official swimming lessons starting on Monday 16th May.
Double Olympic medalist Rebecca Adlington has been behind the development, as co-founder of Sporting House, a group of Olympian-led brands, which includes swim!, SwimStars and Beth Tweddle Gymnastics.
The athlete has a number of swim-related businesses that help children to access swimming pools. / Image: Becky Adlington's Swim Stars
Becky Adlington is a decorated athlete that's become a household name and an inspiration for young swimmers across the UK since her rise to fame at the 2008 Olympic games.
With a staggering number of accolades to her name, the athlete hopes to encourage little Yorkshire folk to "take the plunge and discover their love for swimming".
The new centre will provide an opportunity for children in Batley the opportunity to do just that- but learning the incredible life skill in the water can also aid additional development skills like confidence, determination, resilience and social skills too.
The new Batley pool is just one of the efforts that the decorated swimmer has made to ensure that children of all ages, abilities and background are able to access swimming lessons.
Speaking about Swim! Leeds Batley, the Becky Adlington commented: “As schools and leisure facilities closed and the pandemic left children with less spaces to get active, we needed to take action and give kids the chance to get moving, socialise with others and hopefully discover a new hobby.“
"Swimming is also an essential life-saving skill and we are determined to break down barriers, whether that be a lack of facilities, teachers or lesson availability, to make sure swimming is accessible for all children.“
"With the opening of the new Batley centre, children will not only learn to swim, but will gain a whole host of transferable skills sure to benefit them as they grow up.
"It has been a joy to watch a new swim facility take shape in Yorkshire, and I hope it encourages local children to learn to love the water as much as I do.”
Hop City, the long-running beer festival from award-winning Leeds-based brewery Northern Monk, returns this month for its ninth year.
Beer lovers, this one's for you.
Bringing over 35 of the best independent breweries from the UK, Europe and North America together to The Old Flax Store, Hop City will have approximately 250 different world-class beers for guests to try across one weekend of festivities.
The best part? Every pour across the weekend is included in the price of the ticket alongside a Hop City branded glass to enjoy them in, so don't worry about having to continuously reach for your wallet.
Images: Supplied
Joining Northern Monk this year are UK breweries including Brighton’s Beak, Deya from Cheltenham, Manchester-based Track and Edinburgh’s Newbarns who will be pouring next to the likes of US breweries Trillium, Root + Branch, Finback and everywhere; Canadian’s Messorem and Third Moon, and a selection of Europe’s finest indie brewers.
Seriously, this is a beer lover's paradise.
And it's not just about the booze, as joining Hop City 2026 will be joined by Leeds’ own Bundobust who will be bringing their Indian street food alongside Bonehead Fried Chicken and Hermanos Caliente, courtesy of Niko’s Comfort Kitchen.
Images: Supplied
Not a beer fan? Don't fret as natural wine bar Rinse will be pouring all weekend whilst Below Stairs will be providing the cocktails.
Russell Bisset, Founder of Northern Monk, said: “What started out as an idea to host some of our favourite breweries in Leeds has grown into something bigger than we could have imagined. From the beginning, the ambition was clear - to champion the best hop-forward breweries in the world and to create the first beer festival in Europe dedicated to celebrating hoppy beers and IPAs.
"Today, it’s about bringing some of the greatest breweries from across the globe together under one roof, creating something genuinely special for people who love beer as much as we do. Heading into our ninth year with a line-up of this calibre is something we’re incredibly proud of. It’s not just about the beer, but the community, collaboration, and spirit behind it.”
Hop City 2026 will take place from Friday 15 to Saturday 16 of May, and you can buy your tickets here.
A breathtaking giant sculpture of the sun is coming to Yorkshire for the summer
Clementine Hall
A giant model of the sun is set to be illuminated in Wakefield.
The sun is coming to Wakefield… and we’re not just referring to that one that’s popped up in the sky at long last.
We’re taking about Helios, the amazing art installation that’s about to stop off at Wakefield Exchange as it tours around the UK.
Created by renowned artist, Luke Jerram, the beautiful art piece measures a whopping seven-metres in diameter and has been created using images captured by NASA.
Helios builds on the success of Luke Jerram’s previous installations in Wakefield, including the hugely popular Museum of the Moon.
Image: Wakefield Exchange (Press photos)
With its striking scale and rich scientific detail,the artwork provides a safe and captivating way to encounter the Sun up close, highlighting everything from solar flares to the phenomena that created the unforgettable Northern Lights visible across the UK in 2024.
Stepping beneath the breathtaking glowing sculpture, audiences can experience an atmospheric fusion of solar imagery, sunlight and a specially commissioned surround‑sound composition that brings the science and mystery of our nearest star vividly to life.
Alongside the striking sun instillation, Wakefield Exchange will present a full programme of free, family‑friendly, space‑themed activities throughout the summer.
Visitors can enjoy hands‑on workshops, creative crafts, dressing‑up sessions and playful drop‑in experiences.
Helios will be hosted by Wakefield Exchange from Friday 12 June until Sunday 6 September 2026, and you can find out more here on their website.
Sophie Smith -
28th April 2022 
