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Slave to the rhythm
City plans celebrations to mark 200th anniversary of end of slavery
Leeds is planning to be dancing in the streets to mark 200 years since the end of slavery.
But the city and its former grand citizens will also be put under the microscope in an examination of what part Leeds played in the slave trade.
Thanks to more than half a million pounds, a line up of carnival-style events will be held in the city, overseen by the Leeds West Indian Centre and the men and women who are the brains behind the city's annual Caribbean street party.
The trans-Atlantic slave trade spanned 300 years and the lottery funding will also be used to explore its wide reaching impact on Leeds and the rest of the UK.
Ten million pounds is being given nationally across the UK in 2007 for bi-centenary projects, marking the end of slavery in 1807.
A grant of 408,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, (HLF) was awarded to the Leeds West Indian Centre Charitable Trust who will run an extensive year-long programme of activities across the city to commemorate the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act.
Activities include the Leeds West Indian Carnival, celebrating its 40th year in 2007.
There will be numerous carnival-style events, displays, performances as well as the chance for people of all ages and cultures to get together.
Harewood House also gets a 100,000 bi-centenary grant from the Arts Council to host performances of Carnival Messiah in September.
The project will provide opportunities for young people to get involvedin concerts, shows and other activities.
Government minister for Culture David Lammy, MP for Tottenham, received a warm welcome yesterday at the West Indian Centre in Chapeltown. He was met by cow horn player Herbert Wuver, of the Pan African Arts and Cultural Group.
Mr Lammy said: "The range of events taking place in this region is both imaginative and inspirational and demonstrates how much people are thinking about 1807 and how it relates to their own lives today.
"We must not forget that people living here in Yorkshire boycotted slavery. We gather and celebrate different cultures, we realise how far we have come."
Community leader Ian Charles, co-ordinator of the Leeds Carnival and secretary of the West Indian Centre, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, said: "There are lots of events being planned. This grant is great news for Leeds and its people.
"We are already working on the carnival and this year it will be better and bigger than ever."
The 100,000 Arts Council grant will enable Harewood House, among other things, to host performances of Carnival Messiah in September.
Dr Fiona Spiers, Heritage Lottery Fund manager for the Yorkshire region, said: "This year is a poignant time to reflect on our history and the roots of present day society. Above all, it is a chance to gain a fuller understanding about how the various strands of our population developed as a result of what was happening during the period."
Harewood House also gets 484,000 HLF grant to encourage greater community involvement at the tourist attraction, situated just outside Leeds.
The Irish community in Leeds is to stage an 'Irish History Month'.
Home to a thriving community with Irish origins Leeds will launch a nationwide event.
A programme of activities is planned for March, which covers St Patrick's Day on March 17.
It includes an Experience Ireland Day on Sunday March 4 at the Carriageworks Theatre on Millennium Square in the heart of Leeds – a family-friendly day with music and dance workshops, Irish food, Celtic arts and crafts and a performance from the County Mayo traditional band Ceide.
A lecture programme will take place at the University of Leeds and Leeds Metropolitan featuring British-based lecturers as well as a number of lecturers traveling from Ireland.
There will be displays including the National Museum of Ireland's Streets of London photographic depiction of the Irish in Britain in the latter half of the 20th Century, also featuring many photos from Leeds, and the Roisin Bn exhibition about the Irish in Leeds, plus photographic displays from local groups and photographers.
Concerts and recitals will feature local and national musicians and performers as well as schools workshops, literary events and parades.
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Weather for Leeds
Wednesday 23 May 2012
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Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
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