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SLIDESHOW: Leeds united in sun fun!

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Beeston Festival
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Published Date:
15 June 2009
Glorious weather made it a sun-soaked, fun-soaked weekend across West Yorkshire.
In south Leeds, the 13th annual Beeston Festival was a rainbow of multiculture, with Bhangra beats and rock riffs part of a packed agenda at Cross Flatts Park on Saturday.

Steve Lowton, from East Leeds, said: "It's great – just the whole mix of people and the incredible diversity, family feel and good vibe."

Twins Mary and Amy Taylor, seven, from Chapel Allerton, ran a lucky dip stall.

The huge mix of activities included live bands, music from Bhangra star Goldie Singh and flower arranging classes.

Hanif Malik, from the local Hamara centre, whose popular smoothie stall kept the crowds refreshed throughout the day, said: "It's the best Beeston festival to date.

"We have a stall every year but we have been by far the busiest this year.

"It's been good at bringing the community together and that's what it's about."

Pastor Ovie Okotete, from the Beeston-based Leeds Gospel Fellowship, said: "I have been to big festivals before but the atmosphere here has been wonderful."

Asghar Khan, who was part of the festival organising committee, said: "It has been a fantastic day.

"We want Beeston to lead the way for the rest of the city in building bridges, and this was a great example of that."

Meanwhile more than 5,000 brave ladies pulled on their trainers to take part in the annual Race for Life at Pontefract Racecourse on Sunday.

The women-only 5km fun run sees mums, daughters, grandmas, nieces and aunties run, walk and jog in memory of lost loved one and to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Trainee ironwoman Lisa Foreman crossed the line first in just 20 minutes.

She paused to speak to theYEPbefore running straight home, having already run to Pontefract from her home in Wakefield.

The superfit 38-year-old, who is preparing for a gruelling triathlon later this year, took part in memory of three much-loved ladies who died of cancer – her auntie, her grandma and her good friend, Denise Castle, who was an Olympic athlete.

"It's a wonderful event, " Lisa said.

"It's a great starting point for getting more active but also a lovely way of getting together to celebrate people's lives."

Anna Tyson, 10, was among the youngest early finishers.

The youngster from Snaith, near Goole, said: " It was the first time I have done it but it was really good."

Imogen Holmer-Row, curator of the National Coal Mining Museum, ran with a team of colleagues dressed as tea ladies, in memory of the museum's Living History Interpreter Maureen Parkinson, who died from pancreatic cancer earlier this year.

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  • Last Updated: 15 June 2009 3:38 PM
  • Source: EP Leeds First & County
  • Location: Leeds
 
 

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