Thousands flock to Meanwood Family Fun day in Leeds

The annual Meanwood Family Fun day took place at the Parkside Road cricket pitch today, marking the end of the 10-day long Meanwood Festival.

More than 4,000 people are thought to have attended, to enjoy over 55 different community and craft stalls as well as entertainment, displays, food from across the globe and children’s activities including a climbing wall, play areas, circus skills and donkey rides.

Chris Swales, one of the organisers from the Meanwood Valley Partnership (MVP), said: “It’s gone remarkably well in view of the weather forecast. I think we’ve had as many as we had last year, which was 4,000, if not more. But we were quite lucky with the weather - it drizzled a little bit but nothing like it was forecast. Everyone still came out and they were determined to enjoy themselves.”

As well as enjoying the wide variety of food, adult festival-goers also enjoyed tipples from stalls including the Meanwood Brewery, as they listened to some of the bands on show.

After the daytime fun, this year has seen a change to usual running order with the addition of a ‘mini music festival’ from 4.30pm to 7.30pm, when bands Bassa Bassa and The Bluesharks take to the stage.

Chris added: “It’s great that the people of Meanwood have decided to come out and not be put off by the weather forecast. They were just determined - with us having spent a number of months organising it - to come out and support it.

“At the end of the day the profit we make, if we make any, goes back into the community any way.

“It’s a great thing for the Meanwood community.

“It’s probably the biggest event that Meanwood has ever seen.”