St Chad’s Parish Centre, Headingley, is where the Leeds and District Association of the National Trust meets each month from October through to April. Talks by excellent Yorkshire-based speakers are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 10.30. Doors open at 10 a.m. when refreshments (for a donation) are served. Guests are welcomed and the entry fee is £7.00. During the summer months our members support the day trips organised by the Friends of Leeds City Museums.
The talks programme is varied – but with a strong Yorkshire (sometimes Leeds) emphasis. There are exceptions, e.g. “The world of Bede”, “Travels In Tibet”, “Preserve your memories” (of the 1960’s). Talks with a Yorkshire theme have included the life-story of a leading Victorian women’s rights activist with Yorkshire connections, Elizabeth Wolstenholme Elmy, “WW1 Yorkshire Deserters on the home front”, “Litton & beyond” and a very humorous tale of life at Tan Hill pub. “Model Villages” and “Secret Wartime Britain” both included Yorkshire examples. Talks on Leeds include “Medieval Leeds”, “What a lot of terracotta” and “Friar’s Tuck – food in a Cistercian Monastery” (with a nod to Kirkstall Abbey). In March the talk is always given by a National Trust manager or curator on an aspect of their work in Yorkshire or the estate they manage, prior to our AGM.
Care is taken when constructing the programme so that it appeals to a wide range of our membership – over 150 in number. We are currently attracting audiences of around 80. Details of the current programme may be obtained via an email to us via the National trust website (www.nationaltrust.org.uk go to the support/volunteer tab, leading to the listing of support groups divided into regions). St Chad’s Parish Centre is in Far Headingley alongside the Otley Road, has a car park and is serviced by the Nos 1,6, 8, 27, X84 (inbound only) & X85 buses.
East Riddlesden Hall © National Trust
Any income generated by us is donated to our local National Trust properties – East Riddlesden Hall and Nostell in Wakefield, plus one other –Wentworth Castle Gardens in 2023, Studley Royal in 2024. Treat yourself to a friendly welcome, a good talk and the knowledge that you are helping to contribute to a part of Yorkshire’s wonderful heritage.
Ann Lightman, Secretary
Leeds & District Association of the National Trust
Meeting at St Chad’s Parish Centre
Otley Road, Leeds LS16 5JT
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/yorkshire/supporter-groups-in-yorkshire
