They celebrate a year in the life of Leeds and its residents in 1979, a 12 months which featured a memorable dose of bad weather, summer fun thanks to the Lord Mayor’s Parade and busy shopping precincts in the city centre. Enjoy these photos, which also showcase life in city suburbs such as Rothwell, Pudsey, Scholes and Ilkley, charting a year in the life of your city. READ MORE: Leeds in the 1970s – What it was like growing up in the decade of strikes and flares LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook
7. Leeds in 1979
A brightly decorated float by Lewis's department store in association with Trebor. It was one of 70 floats which paraded through the streets of Leeds on the occasion of the 6th Annual Lord Mayor's Parade in June 1979. The procession was over one mile long and included eight marching bands and 400 drum majorettes. 50,000 people turned out to watch. The theme for the parade was 'Together with Children'. Lewis's chose to design this large dog and rocking horse which was cleverly decorated with over 30,000 pink, white and green ribbon bows. The Lewis's girls on the float are dressed in lime green dresses trimmed with shocking pink sashes and frills topped off by straw hats. They handed out lollipops along the route and when they arrived in front of the Civic Hall they saluted the Lord Mayor, Coun Christine Thomas, making sure that she received a lolly also. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
8. Leeds in 1979
A view of the Willis Ludlow department store on the Ludgate Hill side of Kirkgate Market in January 1979. Shoppers are looking in the windows which advertise 'Huge Savings'. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
9. Leeds in 1979
Couples waltz to the piano playing of Geoff Bell, at a tea dance at Ilkley's Winter Gardens in October 1979. Photo: YPN
10. Leeds in 1979
Looking east from Vicar Lane towards Ludgate Hill, with Kirkgate Market on the right. On the Ludgate Hill side of the market entrance is Willis Ludlow, department store, and on the Vicar Lane side is Barker's children's wear and baby linen. The National Westminster Bank can be seen on the right of the photograph. The photo was taken on a wet day in January 1979 and there are many people with umbrellas. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
11. Leeds in 1979
King Street looking towards East Parade in April 1979. The Hotel Metropole is in the foreground right. It stands on the site of the Fourth White Cloth Hall and opened on June 28, 1899. The Metropole was designed by architects Chorley and Connon in brick and terracotta. Quebec House on Quebec Street is the terracotta building in the background. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
12. Leeds in 1979
Offices to let in Park Place for chartered surveyors St. Quintin. British Relay Ltd had formerly occupied the building know as Relay House at number 5 and 6 Park Place. This was a conservation area. Pictured in July 1979. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net