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Weather warning issued to Leeds Festival-goers as Storm Lilian arrives
Tents are flying everywhere.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning in the UK today as Storm Lilian batters the nation - with specific advice for those braving it out at Leeds Festival.
Over the last couple of days tens of thousands of music-lovers have been piling into Bramham Park ready for a weekend of huge acts.
This year's line-up includes headline performances from Fred Again, Liam Gallagher, Blink-182, Lana Del Rey and Catfish and the Bottlemen.
But the huge party weekend has got off to a bit of a damp and blowy start as a yellow weather warning blankets the festival site.
The Met Office has now issued a statement to those at Leeds Festival, including a word of advice about tents.
Met Office forecaster Greg Dewhurst said: “The strongest winds are likely to start forming through the early hours initially across parts of north Wales into the Liverpool, Blackpool area, and then crossing over the Pennines and into the east and north-east England – Yorkshire, up to Northumberland before then clearing out into the North Sea. So it’s really quite quick."
Warning campers at Leeds Festival, Mr Dewhurst added: “The wind will pick up in that area through the night, particularly strongest towards dawn and then first thing in the morning, before then easing through the morning.
"So there could be potentially some impacts from those strong winds, of 50 to 60mph in the area so it’s worth making sure your tents are secured. There could also be disruption first thing to the transport networks for those travelling first thing.”
The good news is that it looks like the worst of the weather is now almost over for Leeds Festival.
The yellow weather warning is set to lift at 11am.
The weather forecast for the rest of the weekend at Leeds Festival isn't warm, with highs of 17 degrees, but it is mostly dry.
There's a chance of heavy rain around midday on Saturday, with some light showers forecast for Sunday afternoon.
It will be unseasonably cold at night, dropping to as low as 9 degrees.
Read more: Everything you need to know about Leeds Festival 2024
Featured image: The Hoot Leeds
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Otley is now bidding to become the UK’s first-ever Town of Culture in 2028
Clementine Hall
Otley has announced its intention to bid to become UK Town of Culture 2028.
Entering into the national competition launched by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the West Yorkshire town is hoping to be the first-ever town to claim the title.
The Town of Culture competition invites towns across the UK to showcase their cultural story and develop ambitious programmes that celebrate local heritage, creativity, and communities.
The winning town receives a £3 million grant from the Government to deliver a major year-long cultural programme in 2028 designed to boost civic pride, attract visitors, and provide everyone with the opportunity to participate in cultural activities.
Their bid is focused around the Otley 800, a year-long programme that will mark the 800th anniversary of the granting of the Royal Market Charter in 1227 and the bridge over the River Wharfe in 1228.
These two historic moments transformed Otley into the bustling market town that it is today, so it deserves to be recognised.
Work has been going on behind the scenes for the past two years, with the council and Otley BID working with residents to put plans in place for the special year.
More than 70 organisations have been involved.
Mayor of Otley Cllr Paul Carter said: “Otley has always been a town that punches above its weight. This bid is about celebrating our history, but also about investing in our future — creating opportunities for our community, raising our profile and making sure Otley continues to thrive for the next 800 years.”
The shortlist for UK Town of Culture 2028 is set to be announced later this year, with each chosen town receiving £60,000 to help deliver their full bids for the competition. Fingers crossed!
Read more: Permission granted for new ‘Corn Exchange Pavilion’ to be built in Leeds city centre
Featured image - Wikimedia Commons
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Permission granted for new ‘Corn Exchange Pavilion’ to be built in Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
The green light has been given for a brand-new pavilion to be built outside the Corn Exchange in Leeds city centre.
Yesterday, Tuesday 31 March, the planning committee of Leeds City Council officially gave the green light to plans submitted by CX Leeds Ltd.
These include plans to build a pavilion outside the Corn Exchange, one of Leeds' most iconic city centre landmarks.
The new building will go where that rather underwhelming patch of astroturf currently lays, in front of the Cornucopia mural and next to the bus shelter.
It lies between New Market Street and Crown Street.
DEN Architecture state that the materials selected will create an intriguing single-storey structure that compliments the surrounding area.
They stated: “The scale of the building and roof form of the proposal pays tribute to the previous tram and bus shelters that once occupied the site.
"While retaining the appropriately subservient nature of any new building in close proximity to the Corn Exchange. This will also provide greater visibility of the Cornucopia Mural.
“The building has been designed following extensive and thorough analysis, with a clear understanding of the built environment and the area’s historic significance.”
It's not yet been decided upon what the building's use will be, although Leeds city council suggests it could be used for "outdoor functions, shops and cafes".
When first put forward to the council back in December 2024, the plans were met with three objections from the public.
So, what would you like to see go into this new space?
Read more:
Featured image - DEN Architecture
Daisy Jackson -
23rd August 2024 
