Leeds display brings childhood memories flooding back

NOSTALGIC memorIes of growing up in Leeds over the last 70 years are set to come flooding back at a new exhibition.
By The Newsroom
Published 30th Jul 2016, 06:00 GMT
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 17:07 GMT
The Decades of Youth exhibition at Kirkstall's Abbey House MuseumThe Decades of Youth exhibition at Kirkstall's Abbey House Museum
The Decades of Youth exhibition at Kirkstall's Abbey House Museum

The Decades of Youth exhibition – due to open today at Kirkstall’s Abbey House Museum – features vintage objects and images spanning seven decades.

Items on display include a pair of rollerskates from the 1970s, Sinclair video game consoles from the 1980s and a Spice Girls doll from the 1990s.

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Young people from the Vintage Youth Club at Abbey House helped put the exhibition together, gathering and researching items from Leeds residents who were asked what they felt best encapsulated life as a young person from the 1940s to the present day.

Youth engagement officer Angela Thompson with a pink feather hat bought at Leeds shop Marshall and Snelgrove in the 1950s to 1960sYouth engagement officer Angela Thompson with a pink feather hat bought at Leeds shop Marshall and Snelgrove in the 1950s to 1960s
Youth engagement officer Angela Thompson with a pink feather hat bought at Leeds shop Marshall and Snelgrove in the 1950s to 1960s

The exhibition also features a mix of film and digistories from individuals and organisations talking about being young in Leeds from the 1950s onwards

Coun Brian Selby, Leeds City Council’s lead member for museums and galleries, said: “It’s always wonderful to see an exhibition that has given people a chance to participate like this and say exactly what local history and the city that they live in means to them.

“As anyone who has grown up in Leeds knows, it’s an amazing place to be young and what’s clear from this exhibition is that some of the experiences people have had in the city as young people have lasted a lifetime.”

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From the end of next week The YEP will be printing weekly articles showcasing retro items based on the Decade of Youth exhibition.

The Decades of Youth exhibition launches at Abbey House Museum later this week and features a series of vintage objects and images spanning seven different decades. Memories of the Silver Blades Ice Rink on Kirkstall Road in Leeds and rollerskating. 29th July 2016. Picture : Jonathan GawthorpeThe Decades of Youth exhibition launches at Abbey House Museum later this week and features a series of vintage objects and images spanning seven different decades. Memories of the Silver Blades Ice Rink on Kirkstall Road in Leeds and rollerskating. 29th July 2016. Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe
The Decades of Youth exhibition launches at Abbey House Museum later this week and features a series of vintage objects and images spanning seven different decades. Memories of the Silver Blades Ice Rink on Kirkstall Road in Leeds and rollerskating. 29th July 2016. Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe

A Leeds pensioner’s 1960s teenage pop music memorabilia is featured in the exhibition.

Maureen Kershaw, 67, of Hyde Park, loaned items including an autograph book signed by Cilla Black and Paul McCartney of The Beatles, who she saw performing at the Leeds Odeon.

She said: “The 60s was a brilliant time to be a teenager, and in the early years I went to as many pop concerts as I could at the Odeon here in Leeds, plus Bradford Gaumont.

“My favourite memorabilia has to be my autograph book, so many memories leap off its pages.”

For more details, go to www.leeds.gov.uk/museumsandgalleries

Related topics:LeedsLeeds City Council