Horsforth Host - My Leeds 2023

15/12/2023

Did you take part in Leeds 23 this year?

- were you a volunteer?
- did you go and see one of the events?
- did you visit our special Horsforth Walk of Art celebration?

I would love to see your photos or videos 📸 as I am wanting to celebrate Horsforth wards' involvement in Leeds 23.

Post them here, send them to 07984025335 or email them to [email protected]

14/12/2023

Have you got your tickets?
This is going to be incredible!

Tickets are now SOLD OUT for our first night of ‘The Gifting’ - with others selling fast! ⚡️

This is one show you won’t want to miss! Go and grab your tickets whilst you can 👇

https://leeds2023.co.uk/whats-on/the-gifting

28/09/2023

Leeds - A city without seams - This was the moment that Horsforth received our 'Gift' which was created by and as part of to celebrate all 33 wards.

I could not personally be there, so it made absolute sense that our Community builder, who has been my mentor and brick throughout this whole process, was there to receive on our behalf.

'The gift' for Horsforth and Rawdon ward will be on display very soon for everyone to see. Looking forward to the big reveal.

Thankyou so much Keith.

22/09/2023

A City Without Seams - The Gift is a project each of the 33 LEEDS 2023 Neighbourhood Hosts have been involved with. Artist Keith Khan visited many of the wards earlier in the year including the Harewood ward to gain inspiration for our ward motif.

A City Without Seams exhibition created by Keith Khan is opening at the Corn Exchange in Leeds from the 21-24 September.

LEEDS 2023 will be showcasing the Burberry woven fabric turned into garments by Leeds-based fashion students along with photos from The Gift Photo Booth that toured the city as part of the events including the one in our ward held in in July.

You will also have the opportunity to see a brand new animation of all The Gift motifs in one place.

Check out the full details and opening times of the exhibition on our website: https://leeds2023.co.uk/whats-on/a-city-without-seams

You can also find all of Leeds' ward motifs and animations here: https://leeds2023.co.uk/the-gift

19/09/2023

Why not pop over to Trinity this weekend to see an exhibition of the work of Keith Khan featuring Horsforths very own gift.

The lovely Claire Evans who is your ABCD community builder, a lead member of Horsforth Community Assets Project - HCAP and just an all round blooming good citizen of Horsforth, will be recieving the gift on behalf of Horsforth. I will then let you know where it will be permanently based in Horsforth so you can pop in whenever you want.

Here's what Keith says about our ward...

"Horsforth is home to a really creative community, so I designed a variety of patterns and shapes that all fit harmoniously together. It is almost a mask, or something created by guerrila knitters"

Don't miss out on 'A City Without Seams' exhibition this weekend!

The exhibition will feature 33 individual textile artworks, one for each ward in Leeds, plus loads more!

This is the creative culmination of months of research and exploration into Leeds’ 33 distinctive and diverse wards. Keith has spent the past few months visiting wards and learning about the people, communities and history that make our city special with the My LEEDS Neighbourhood Hosts. From these experiences he has created bespoke ‘motifs’ – one for each ward – and a unique textile design bringing them together in a celebration of the richness and diversity of Leeds communities.

Learn all about the event and Keith's exploration of the city at: https://leeds2023.co.uk/whats-on/a-city-without-seams

05/09/2023

Nest is causing quite a buzz.
Are you one of the lucky ones who have a ticket?
Any of our ward residents actually in it?

30/08/2023

Absolutely loved this project!! ❤️
Thankyou to everyone for their hardwork x

30/08/2023

It's more celebration time!
Lets celebrate Horsforth's LEEDS 2023 My LEEDS Summer collaborations between artists, residents and groups for the Walk of Art.

One such collaboration was engaging the local community with their local green space via art, on behalf of Horsforth Climate Action (HCA)

Each community group was matched with a professional artist and a representative from HCA and responding to information about the different types of Green space we are lucky enough to have in our local area, with conversations taking place about the environmental importance of these spaces and how we can look after them.

See the pictures attached for which artist worked with which group and what was explored.

The final pieces were shared across the Walk of Art weekend in 2 locations and was incredibly well received. So proud of everyone who made this happen.

And...watch this space as we make a special announcement about one of the final pieces.

Special thanks to the artists Tim Gomersall Art Becca Batchelor leighlalovesyou Rosie McAndrew Penny Lewis and Nicole Colbert.

To HCA and Penny Lewis who made it all happen.

And our lovely community groups MHA Communities Horsforth, our friends who are currently seeking asylum, Cragg Hill toddler group, Horsforth Ukranian support group and Creative Support .

29/08/2023

Can you help?

Can you help?

The Town Team are organising an end of summer event on New Road Side on the 9th Sept from 1- 7.30pm

We have been invited to do kids activities and to talk about Walk of Art 2024!

We are looking for volunteers to come and help run activities and crafts.

Can you give any time?

Contact me through here, via email [email protected]
Or
Text 07984025335

22/08/2023

NEST performance is casting!

Are you around the age of 65? Then read on!!!

www.leeds2023.co.uk/whats-on/nest

They are currently looking to cast two participants in the role of ‘Nanna’ in Nest – this would not be a live speaking role but there would be pre-recorded voice elements and it would involve being in a boat. We are looking for two women aged around 65 and available for some key rehearsals and performances – ideally with a strong Leeds presence and someone who is confident with performing to the public.

Key dates
27th August – 10-6pm
1st September (1-9pm but won’t be needed for all of this)
3rd September (10-10pm but won’t be needed for all of this)
4th September (12pm-7:30 but won’t be needed for all of this)
5th, 6th, 7th, 8th 9th September 6:30-9:15pm

22/08/2023

NEST performance is casting!

Are you around the age of 65? Then read on!!!

www.leeds2023.co.uk/whats-on/nest

They are currently looking to cast two participants in the role of ‘Nanna’ in Nest – this would not be a live speaking role but there would be pre-recorded voice elements and it would involve being in a boat. We are looking for two women aged around 65 and available for some key rehearsals and performances – ideally with a strong Leeds presence and someone who is confident with performing to the public.

Key dates
27th August – 10-6pm
1st September (1-9pm but won’t be needed for all of this)
3rd September (10-10pm but won’t be needed for all of this)
4th September (12pm-7:30 but won’t be needed for all of this)
5th, 6th, 7th, 8th 9th September 6:30-9:15pm

A timely, urgent and hopeful performance that acts as an epic call to action about the future of our planet at RSPB St Aidan's Nature Park.

22/08/2023

This looks incredible. Cannot wait to see it x

“A once-in-a-generation experience for performers and audience alike!” ⚡️

On 5th-9th September, we’re coming together with the award-winning to stage a series of breath taking performances against the stunning backdrop of St Aidan's Nature Park 🌲

Learn more at: https://bit.ly/46HdMy8 👀

20/08/2023

Horsforth once again getting stuck into a LEEDS 2023 project!

The Next Chapter is a spoken word short film looking at the past, present and future of Children's Day - exploring growth, development, overcoming obstacles, breaking down barriers, focusing on ambition and hope.

All words have been co-created by Lence and 3 children from Leeds including Horsforths very own Maks from LS18 Rocks !!!

The Next Chapter, produced by Lence.

The Next Chapter is a spoken word short film looking at the past, present and future of Children's Day - exploring growth, development, overcoming obstacles,...

18/08/2023

LEEDS 2023 Children's day re imagined featured in The Guardian!
And once again our amazing kids of Horsforth featured.
Meet Noa and Sid!! Xx

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/gallery/2023/aug/18/childrens-day-portraits-of-the-kids-of-leeds-in-pictures

05/08/2023

Absolutely brilliant.
Who is going?

28/07/2023

Did you knit arms and hands for the Walk of Art 2022 woodland and Stanhope Drive installation?

Well, they have a new home!
They will be used as scarfs to keep people warm whilst using the Moon Palace Observatory for LEEDS 2023 !

Our gift to East Leeds.

Here is the lovely Gipton and Harehills Neighbourhood host - Kelly, doing a marvelous job of modelling them.

https://leeds2023.co.uk/whats-on/collection/moon-palace-events

25/07/2023

Let us celebrate another artist(s) that worked with our community for My LEEDS Summer: Walk of Art.

Clare Wigzell and Oz Hardwick - Leeds Trinity University College

In our session, we wanted to enable people to centre down into quietness, to connect to their inner selves, to experience the beautiful woodland which we have just over the road from Leeds Trinity University, and then to write in response to these experiences. We also wanted them to enjoy being part of a group doing a shared activity.

The people who came along had little in common on the surface, but all enjoyed writing – or just felt like giving it a go – and were willing to walk in nature and write about it. There was quite a range of ages, personalities, backgrounds, and levels of confidence.

As facilitators, we were reminded about the joy of working with people in reality and not digitally, and of the pleasure in sharing. It was a very ego-free session, full of thoughtful spontaneity and generous creative community.

At a time at which the news is full of debate about AI-generated text, this was a great reminder that the value of art is only in part connected with the finished product, and resides much more in the feeling and doing of the creative process itself. Each poem speaks with its own voice. It is a celebration of humans connection to nature.

ENJOY!

25/07/2023

Let us celebrate another artist(s) that worked with our community for My LEEDS Summer: Walk of Art.

Clare Wigzell and Oz Hardwick - Leeds Trinity University

In our session, we wanted to enable people to centre down into quietness, to connect to their inner selves, to experience the beautiful woodland which we have just over the road from Leeds Trinity University, and then to write in response to these experiences. We also wanted them to enjoy being part of a group doing a shared activity.

The people who came along had little in common on the surface, but all enjoyed writing – or just felt like giving it a go – and were willing to walk in nature and write about it. There was quite a range of ages, personalities, backgrounds, and levels of confidence.

As facilitators, we were reminded about the joy of working with people in reality and not digitally, and of the pleasure in sharing. It was a very ego-free session, full of thoughtful spontaneity and generous creative community.

At a time at which the news is full of debate about AI-generated text, this was a great reminder that the value of art is only in part connected with the finished product, and resides much more in the feeling and doing of the creative process itself. Each poem speaks with its own voice. It is a celebration of humans connection to nature.

ENJOY!

19/07/2023

Here is the first of our lovely artists who worked within our community for My LEEDS Summer: Horsforth Walk of Art.

Una is an Artist and Author who worked with elderly residents doing life story work.

Dedicated to All the Others: The Perfect Gentleman

The recording is a conversation between Carol and Una (on behalf of not-for-profit arts organisation Red Dress Collective, for Leeds 2023).
This is a real life story of enduring love through a marriage that lasted 35 years. Carol would love for people to hear her story.

Warning - The recording is recommended for ages 16 and above due to content that may be distressing.

Themes: Nursing, knitting, carpentry, early onset dementia, men’s mental health, self-harm, bereavement, life after loss. Carol and John’s little dog, Bailey can be heard pattering around in the background.

LISTEN

You can play the podcast without a Spotify account by visiting
https://thingsbyuna.com/portfolio/red-dress/

Or listen here on Spotify

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/F8bwL7sNlBb

16/07/2023

Nicola Neighbourhood Host absolutely smashed it today with RTS!

Looking forward to next weekend!

Are you getting out and about to meet your neighbouring wards?

www.leeds2023.co.uk

13/07/2023

Did you know?

Leeds 2023 in partnership with Horsforth Walk of Art created opportunities for local artists to work with our community.
This work was then shared at Calverlands across the Walk of Art weekend.

This opportunity not only helped to produce beautiful art and performances but also lovely connections, newly formed friendships and stories.

Over the next couple of weeks I will be sharing the work of these artists wider and I cannot wait to show you!

Thankyou and

09/07/2023

Absolutely lovely day in Alwoodley and then Thorner.
I HIGHLY recommend grabbing a bus and getting out to a ward event you wouldn't ordinarily visit.

Fabulous xx

05/07/2023

Soooo very proud to have been a small part of this.
The kids (and reboot of course, big kids) were amazing. What an experience for them.
LS18 Rocks have created something really special. Xx

04/07/2023

It's July 4th so it can only mean one thing... yes...that's right...

I have the absolute please of comparing for these beauties tonight at Leeds Playhouse.
I am so chuffed to have been asked.
So come along and heckle me!

🎶 Marching on together 🎶
LS18 Rocks - and so will the Quarry theatre tonight when bands aged 7 to 17+ take to the stage to knock out some banging tunes. 🎸🥁🎤
Part of - our annual celebration of community performance. 👏
📅 7pm
🎟️ https://bit.ly/3XC6fwo