Hundreds of people queued down Boar Lane waiting for trams to take them to Roundhay Park. The occasion was a Whit Monday Bank Holiday during the Second World War which for many must have been a rare opportunity to get away and forget about the trauma of conflict. This was 1944 and the photo is one of 17 charting the year in the life of the city centre. Landmarks, shops, pubs and well travelled streets are all featured in this wonderful collection of memories. The images are published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. They also run heritage blog The Secret Library Leeds, which provides a behind the scenes look at the Central Library and highlights from its special collections, including rare books hidden away in the stacks. READ MORE: The Leeds Blitz - Nine air raids which brought death and devastation LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia

7. Leeds city centre
Looking east at the rear of Lewis's department store on Mark Lane in August 1944. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

8. Leeds city centre
Crown Point Bridge pictured in October 1944. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

9. Leeds in 1944
The Headrow and Lewis's from Briggate in October 1944. This is a wartime photo complete emergency static water tanks and blast barriers. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

10. Leeds city centre
Duke Street in October 1944. This photo shows Quarry Hill Flats to the right while traffic is visible along St Peters Street. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

11. Leeds city centre
Looking east along The Headrow towards Lewis's department store. The Guildford pub is on the right. The junction with Woodhouse Lane is visible. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

12. Leeds city centre
Eastgate with traffic going past Quarry Hill Flats. The roundabout leads to New York Road. Pictured in October 1944. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net


