Audio transcript: Hidden Histories Tour

Transcript to the audio recording embedded on the WOW Park Report page.

Welcome to Woodhouse Moore Hidden Histories guided audio tour. Today, we'll delve into the park's rich history and discover its hidden gems using the accompanying PDF heritage map, which highlights spots 1 through to 7 in the park. As we journey together, the stories and the insights you'll hear will bring the sights and sounds around you to life.

Let's begin. Woodhouse Moor, spot one. Picture the transformation in the 1870s as this untamed land was meticulously landscaped. Envision the elegant tree lined walkways, the inviting seating areas, a bandstand and a charming fountain. Features that still grace the park today. Imagine strolling under ornate arches, with gas lamps added in 1902, creating a magical scene for evening Edwardian walks, their soft glow illuminating the pathways.

The Bandstand. Spot two. In 1879, alderman William North gifted a bandstand and an ornate drinking fountain to the park. Surrounded by gas lamps, flagpoles, green hedges and flagged paving, it was a vibrant centre of activity. Every June and July, for two days each week, the bandstand hosted free musical concerts.

These events, likely financed by North himself, drew thousands from the local working class community, filling the park with joyous music and laughter. Unfortunately, during World War II, the bandstand was dismantled and melted down for armaments, a poignant sacrifice for the war effort. The fountain likely met a similar fate.

The Women's Photography Centre. Spot three. Where Akmal's Tandoori Bistro stands today once stood the UK's first ever Women's Photography Centre. In May 1983, graduates from the University of Leeds opened the pavilion Women's Photography Centre here, offering a gallery and a darkroom space. This was a revolutionary space where local working women learnt photography, gaining access to equipment and resources that were usually out of reach. The pavilion hosted events, Exhibitions and workshops that delved into the politics of representation, shedding light on often ignored aspects of women's lives, such as domestic labour and child rearing. 

Women in Revolt. Spot four. Woodhouse Moor has a rich history of feminist and working class protest. On July 28, 1908, it was the site of the North's largest women's liberation rally. Imagine a hundred thousand women led by the Women's Social and Political Union marching from the Town Hall to Woodhouse Moor, passionately advocating for votes for women. Among them was Adela Pankhurst, daughter of Emmeline Pankhurst, addressing the crowd with passion and hope. In 1970, the Moor witnessed the textile workers strike, where 20,000 women marched demanding fair pay.

Picture the determined faces, the solidarity and the courage as they marched from factory to factory, their numbers swelling. On February 25, 1970, 5,000 workers gathered here, rejecting an offer of negotiations. From 1977, the mall became the starting point for the Reclaim the Night protests. Born in response to the Yorkshire Ripper murders, imagine the flickering torches, the determined faces of women marching for their right to walk safely at night. This movement highlighting gender based violence remains profoundly relevant today. 

Party, spot five. The Moor has long been a place for large social gatherings and celebrations. As early as the 1800s, the Woodhouse Moor Feast was an annual event with music, performances, stalls, and later fairgrounds. In 1980, The 7th Lord Mayor Annual Parade saw over 3,000 participants and 70 floats with a theme of Leeds into the 80s.

In 1997, the mall hosted Hideout, the precursor to Leeds Pride, featuring AIDS awareness, LGBTQIA+ charities, community groups, performers and live music. Today, Unity Day champions diversity and community. starting in response to the 1995 local riots.

Play, spot six. Leeds' first children's playground and outdoor gymnasium were located on Monument Moor, known as Swingmoor. The area was relocated during World War II to make way for an air raid shelter. The photo from 1945 shows children playing on a more recent playground resembling today's playground with Saint Augustine's Wrangthorn church visible in the background. 

Air raid shelter, spot seven. During World War II, large public air raid shelters were built under Woodhouse Moor. After the war, these shelters were sealed and filled in. Some evidence still exists today, like the mound of earth at the junction of Hyde Park Road and Brudenell Avenue, and a concreted over escape hatch, now easy to overlook among the grass.

Thank you for joining this audio walk through Woodhouse Moor, a park rich in history, activism, and community. As you continue your stroll, let the past inspire your steps and the stories shape your appreciation of this beloved Leeds landmark. This audio has been created and spoken by Emma Atilbrooks with thanks to the Cultural Institute University of Leeds, and our partners Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority and artist Emma Bentley Fox.