Ten years ago, as a film student, I was encouraged to head out into City Square late one night to join a demo being held by a homelessness charity whose representatives we’d recently interviewed for the purposes of a short documentary.
The plan was to congregate in as big a number as possible before walking to a small garden behind Leeds Minster where volunteers would pitch tents and stay overnight in order raise awareness and possibly money in the name the city’s rough sleepers.
Being 17 and everything, me and the rest of my class headed into City Square reluctantly, hoping to bag a few scenic shots before getting the next bus home. But within two minutes of being there, we found ourselves in the grips of a movement whose attitude and ethos was mesmerizing. The night remains a vivid exception in a period of my life that is quite blurry.
It’s bittersweet to know that charity, Simon on the Streets, is going strong in 2021. While no doubt an admirable endeavour, in a country as developed as the UK, it’s painful to know that organisations such as them still have enough demand in terms of rough sleepers.
Founded in 1999, Simon on the Streets focuses on unsupported people with a history of rough sleeping across Bradford, Kirklees, and Leeds. The team of volunteers offer street-based, emotional, and practical support for those who cannot access mainstream services. A main incentive is tackling the behavioural issues and mental illnesses that often lead to or manifest from homelessness and addiction.
Simon on the Streets
Earlier this month, a sleep-in similar to the ones they’ve done in the past was twisted to appease the current climate. On Friday 7 May, families across the country pitched tents in their homes and gardens as part of a “Little Sleep In” to raise money for West Yorkshire’s homeless. In the end, a mighty £2,500 was raised.
Natalie Moran, CEO at Simon on the Streets, said: “We’re really grateful to everyone who took part in our second Little Sleep In and helped raise £2,500.
“We’re still unsure if our biggest fundraising event, our annual sleep-out, will be able to go ahead later this year and with the inaugural Little Sleep In being such a great success last year, the public have continued to show immense creativity and support for us to fundraise at home. The funds raised will go a long way to enable our hardworking outreach workers to continue to support the most vulnerable people living on our streets.”
What is particularly amazing about the charity is how people who’ve often slept rough themselves, if not struggled with some form of mental health or addiction problem, have gone on to become volunteers and act as proof that things can and will get better, even if the cards seem to be stacked against you.
Scotty Bell, a recent addition to the team, gained his first fixed address in 2010. He said, “My role is essentially customer service and market research to make sure that Simon on the Streets involves the people using our service in everything from the design and delivery and capturing and using their feedback to deliver a better service for them.
“This is something businesses do, and it is just as important, if not even more important, that we do this as a charity too. We work in this sector because we care about people and we are problem solvers. Our hope is that we can empower people to take action themselves.”
Another new recruit, Leah Charlson, added: “I’m so excited to have joined the Simon on the Streets team. I’ve spent my first few weeks getting to know all aspects of the charity and going out with the outreach team to fully understand how my work supports the great work they do.
“Covid has changed the world overnight with charities hit particularly hard. We’re starting to rebuild our efforts and create new ways to engage people across business, education and communities.”
The BBC is currently casting for the next series of The Traitors, and is looking for some deceptive Yorkshire folk to take part.
It's safe to say that The Traitors is pretty much a cultural phenomenon at this point.
Pretty much everyone and their dog is tuning in to watch The Celebrity Traitors on Thursday and Friday evenings, but this time it's not about the celebs.
Producers describe The Traitors as a ‘game of trust and treachery’, and there’s always plenty of twists, turns, shocks, and surprises along the way – but do you reckon you’ve got what it takes to play?
If so, the BBC is currently casting for the next series of the popular show, and is calling on people in Yorkshire and across the UK to apply.
Applications are currently open to players who are over 18 years of age and have the right to legally reside in the UK.
The first series of the smash-hit BBC reality competition show proved pretty popular when it premiered back in 2022, but the second series took things to a whole new level, and truly seemed to capture the attentions of the nation like no other – with millions of viewers tuning in to watch the three episodes each week.
But in case you haven’t seen it, The Traitors is, put simply, a competition series that’s built on strategy, suspicion, and deception, where a team of players are tasked with competing in a series of missions – with the more missions they complete successfully, the bigger the prize pot gets.
However, hidden among the players are the ‘Traitors’, who meet in secret and decide who to eliminate from their fellow players known as the ‘Faithfuls’.
The aim for the ‘Traitors’ is to stay undetected until the end, while the aim for the ‘Faithfuls’ is to banish all of the Traitors before the game ends.
Up for it? You have until 31 May 2027 to get your applications in online here.
Leeds Christmas Market is getting two brand-new themed bars for 2026 – including a Scottish Highland Lodge
Clementine Hall
Organisers of the Leeds Christmas Market have announced it will host two new bars for 2026.
Yes, we know it's only October...but is it too soon to be getting excited about Christmas? We think not.
The Leeds Christmas Markets are going to look a little bit different this year, as the owners of Thor's Tipi will be running the festivities at City Square for 2026.
Completely new for this year, the market on City Square will introduce two bars with different themes - a Scottish Highland Lodge and a Folie Ski Bar.
Image: Supplied
Firstly, the Highland Lodge will welcome visitors into a spacious tipi filled with snug seating, twinkling lights, roaring fires and plenty of tartan.
Designed to welcome large groups, the lodge will have space for 280 guests inside and a further 100 outside, whilst the drinks menu will feature Highland favourites including Scottish beers and ales, a selection of whisky and even Iron-Bru.
Over at the Folie Ski Bar on Quebec Street, expect a relaxed festive retreat with the feel of an alpine chalet, complete with rustic wood detailing, fairy lights, faux fur throws and roaring fires.
The bar can accommodate 180 guests inside and 50 outside, serving mulled wine, boozy hot chocolates, Kirkstall Brewery beers and a selection of low and no-alcohol drinks.
Image: Supplied
THORS’s director, Amanda Monaghan said: “We’re excited to bring two new bar experiences to Leeds Christmas market this year. Having hosted THOR’s tipi in the city for many years, we’ve had plenty of practice creating festive spaces and entertainment, so we know what customers love.
“We’ve listened to lots of feedback on what people would like to see at the market and we want to make sure we give visitors and residents of Leeds plenty of reasons to stay with us long after they’ve finished their shopping or a day at the office.
“The new venues have been created to cater for all ages and tastes and will be perfect for passing visitors, after work drinks or planned Christmas get-togethers. From the lively Scottish spirit of Highland Lodge to the cosy alpine atmosphere at Folie, there’s going to be a spot for everyone to settle in and enjoy drinks by the fire and plenty of festive fun.”
Josh Teal -
4th June 2021 
