Showcasing personal stories from local athletes, including Leeds Rhinos player Stevie Ward, the immersive event explores the fascinating history of sports injury.
Thackray Museum of Medicine has announced the launch of its summer season’s schedule, featuring an exciting lineup of exhibitions and events related to sports for all the family.
Entitled "On the Bench," the exhibition presents the opportunity to learn the science behind sports from different perspectives. From professional athletes and sports medical professionals to sports enthusiasts.
Launching 22 July 2023, anyone is invited to embark on an unforgettable journey into the world of sports, injuries, and triumph.
Image: Thackray Museum of Medicine
The main exhibition will focus on showcasing the incredible individual stories of injury from former Leeds Rhinos captain Stevie Ward, and the brilliant untold story of Norman Francis (Coach for Let's Do More Basketball), while the Leeds Roller Dolls Rollerderby will focus on team sport injuries.
Objects donated by the athletes alongside medical and physiotherapy equipment routinely used to treat sports injuries will be on display, telling the stories of their careers, injuries, treatment, and road to recovery.
The exhibit also includes photographs by the phenomenal Ian Beesley, showcasing his documentation of the Bradford Bulls during their peak of fame in the memorable 2001 season.
Image: Thackray Museum of Medicine
Commenting on the exhibition, Stevie Ward expressed his excitement: "It appears the injuries I had in my career are resulting in something I could never have imagined! I am so proud to be part of creating “On the Bench” alongside the Thackray Museum of Medicine.
"With Thackray at the heart of such a huge sporting city like Leeds, I think it’s going to be the first remarkable insight and look behind the curtain into how athletes recover both mentally and physically in the pursuit of glory.”
To celebrate the opening of On The Bench, families are invited to take part in activities exploring how athletes prevent injuries and how they are treated if they do across the school holidays.
From trying your hand at physical warm-up routines used by your favourite sports stars to testing your skills at sling and cast making.
To find out more about these activities and tickets to the exhibition, take a look at the Thackray Museum of Medicine's website.
Bramley’s independent festival is back after a sell-out first year.
Three local businesses, no corporate sponsor, one big day.
That's the motto of Mill Fest - an indie festival returning to Swinnow Grange Mills in Bramley after a sell-out debut that brought more than 600 people through the gates.
Mill Fest began as a shared idea between three Bramley businesses who fancied putting on a proper day out for the area, and we're so glad they did.
Last August it turned Swinnow Grange Mills into a full day of live music, street food, flash tattoos, market stalls and cold pints in the sun. We can't think of a better way to spend the day to be honest.
Images: Supplied
This year Mill Fest is back and taking place on Sunday 2 August, and the plan is simple - keep what made it work and build on it.
There will be a full day of live music, the return of the flash tattoo day, more independent traders, street food and local beer. This time the team is keen to bring in more businesses and faces from around the area, and the full lineup and programme will be announced over the coming weeks.
Images: Supplied
Owen Wilson from Against the Grain Bar said: “We started this because we wanted to put something on for Bramley, run by the people who actually work here. Last year went better than any of us expected. The place was full, the sun came out, and it felt like the whole area showed up. We can’t wait to do it again.”
Danae Miller from Grays Salon said: "The aim for this year is the same day people loved, just a bit bigger. We’d love to get more local businesses and artists involved, and to see even more familiar faces down at the mill. If we get the weather, it’ll be another one to remember.”
American rapper cancels rescheduled Leeds gig AGAIN due to ‘ongoing illness’
Clementine Hall
Action Bronson cancels Leeds gig for a second time, and it's safe to say fans aren't happy.
Ariyan Arslani, better known by his stage name Action Bronson, is an American rapper, chef and TV personality with a huge following.
The star was meant to perform at Project House last Tuesday 30 June but the show was cancelled the morning of, and subsequently the venue released an updated date of Tuesday 7 July.
It seems fans of Bronson may be experiencing some deja vu, as the gig has yet again been cancelled with short notice.
Except this time, no rescheduled date has been given.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The statement by Project House reads: "We have been informed by Action Bronson's team that regrettably, due to an ongoing illness he will be unable to perform at Project House this evening.
"We're incredibly sorry to be cancelling at such short notice. We had hoped last week's postponements would allow for sufficient recovery time but sadly, that has not been the case. Action is as disappointed as we are and we'd like to wish him all the best. Refunds will be issued from the point of purchase."
And it's fair to say the comments are...interesting, with fans far from happy about a second cancellation.
One comment reads: "Well enough to play two shows in London and one in the Netherlands, but just can’t seem to shake a cold to get to Leeds."
Whilst another disappointed fan commented: "He’s not ill guys! Obviously not a knock on the lovely folks at project house, but that’s a bullshit reason he and his team have come up with for insurance purposes!"
Clementine Hall -
25th July 2023 
