East Side Story -

Support fearless local journalism!
East Side Story is fully independent. Your monthly support helps us report freely and focus on stories that matter in East Leeds.
Support us for just £5 a month

Harehills girls stitch together friendships through sewing club

May 18, 2026

Council outlines £30 million plan to improve access to Leeds hospital

May 1, 2026

Pride in Place Sparks Hope Across Seacroft

A wave of hope is sweeping through East Leeds following the announcement of an investment of up to £20 million for Seacroft and North Monks Wood. The government-backed programme could...

May 18, 2026 - By Janine Griffiths

Rob Burrow Marathon set to bring city together again

By Janine Griffiths

Support and Strategies for SEND Parents at Leeds Workshop

By Janine Griffiths

Bee Gees Tribute and Banana Jousting Announced for Temple Newsam Food Festival

By Janine Griffiths

Community invited to help build giant swifts for spring parade in Crossgates

By Janine Griffiths

Beer festival returns to Roundhay

By Janine Griffiths

Crossgates star turns grief into record breaking mission

An East Leeds athlete who rose to fame as the fastest person to run dressed as wrestler John Cena is now chasing another world record in 2026, after celebrating his 400th parkrun last

April 1, 2026

by Janine Griffiths

Gipton exhibition highlights hidden cost of NHS cuts

January 27, 2026

Emergency Department volunteers wanted as St James’s project expands

December 22, 2025

East Leeds schoolchildren learn life-saving skills at St James’s

by Janine Griffiths

Providence Pastures: A Garden Where Strangers Become Friends

by Janine Griffiths

Getting Clean: How a bar of soap became a lifeline for others

by Janine Griffiths

Reimagining breast health, one bra at a time

by Janine Griffiths

Rob Burrow’s Legacy Lives On in Seacroft Hospital

by Janine Griffiths

East Leeds·Gipton·Health·healthy living

Retired GP takes on East Leeds’ toughest health challenges

May 9, 2026

Residents in communities such as Gipton and across East Leeds face stark differences in how long they live and how soon they get help.

Community·East Leeds·Food·FoodCycle·Health

Community growing project set for expansion across Leeds after funding award

May 8, 2026

A community food growing network working across East Leeds is set to expand its activity after receiving new funding from The National Lottery Community

Health·healthy living·What's On

Rob Burrow Marathon set to bring city together again

May 8, 2026

Leeds is preparing to take on a supporting role once again as the countdown continues to this year’s Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, one of

Harehills·Health·Healthcare·Transport

Council outlines £30 million plan to improve access to Leeds hospital

May 1, 2026

Leeds City Council has set out a proposal for a £30 million transport upgrade designed to improve travel between the city centre and St

Latest News

Pride in Place·Seacroft

Pride in Place Sparks Hope Across Seacroft

May 18, 2026

A wave of hope is sweeping through East Leeds following the announcement of an investment of up to £20 million for Seacroft and North

Arts & Culture·Children & Young People·Community·Community Organisations·Harehills

Harehills girls stitch together friendships through sewing club

May 18, 2026

Young girls from different backgrounds and faiths came together at Shine in Harehills to celebrate the achievements of a girls-only sewing and interfaith project

Arts & Culture·Festival·Leeds 400·Leeds City Council·Literature·National holidays and festivals

Leeds Turns 400 With a Year of Celebrations

May 18, 2026

The streets of East Leeds are set to become a living history book as the city marks four centuries of transformation, from a small

Chapeltown·Community Spirit·East Leeds·General News·Sports

The Social Netball Boom Sweeping East Leeds

May 17, 2026

A growing netball movement is bringing women across East Leeds together, creating new friendships, confidence, and community through social sport. From Chapeltown to Harehills,

Housing Issues·Leeds City Council·News·Seacroft

Council Unveils Plans for Seacroft Housing Revamp

May 17, 2026

Fresh plans have been announced for a major affordable housing development on the site of the former Kingsdale Court flats in Seacroft. Leeds City

Election Results·Garforth·Local elections·Politics

East Leeds election results 2026

May 9, 2026

Voting across Leeds on Thursday 7 May 2026 brought several changes to the city council makeup, with a range of parties winning seats across

Local elections·MPs and Councillors·News·Politics

GARFORTH & SWILLINGTON INDEPENDENTS GALLOP TO VICTORY IN TWO-HORSE SHOOT-OUT

May 9, 2026

In a high-stake duel that narrowed into a classic two-horse race at the final turn, Councillor Mark Dobson has secured a historic victory for

East Leeds·Gipton·Health·healthy living

Retired GP takes on East Leeds’ toughest health challenges

May 9, 2026

Residents in communities such as Gipton and across East Leeds face stark differences in how long they live and how soon they get help.

Arts & Culture·Festival·Roundhay

Roundhay Park event marks ten years with biggest line-up yet

May 8, 2026

Roundhay Park will host a major weekend of food, music and family entertainment as the event returns to mark its tenth anniversary, with organisers

Community·East Leeds·Food·FoodCycle·Health

Community growing project set for expansion across Leeds after funding award

May 8, 2026

A community food growing network working across East Leeds is set to expand its activity after receiving new funding from The National Lottery Community

Health·healthy living·What's On

Rob Burrow Marathon set to bring city together again

May 8, 2026

Leeds is preparing to take on a supporting role once again as the countdown continues to this year’s Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, one of

Community·Micklefield

Micklefield Market Returns This Summer

May 8, 2026

A community market in East Leeds is inviting families, food lovers and local traders to come together for a series of events running throughout

History & Heritage

History & Heritage·Micklefield·Remembrance

130-Year-Old Anniversary: A Village Remembers the Peckfield Mining Disaster

May 1, 2026

I was absolutely delighted to participate along with friends, residents and fellow descendants to join in for a poignant remembrance walk in Micklefield, Leeds 25. This walk served

Business·Community·History & Heritage

Granite Anniversary: W Uttley Ltd Celebrates 90 years of Unshakeable Strength in Crossgates

April 17, 2026

While many associate long anniversaries with precious gems, one Crossgates institution is marking a milestone that feels much more permanent. W Uttley Ltd, the family-run jewellery

Crossgates·History & Heritage

Crossgates Library Put Up for Auction

April 1, 2026

The saga of the old Crossgates Library building on Farm Road has had a significant update. On 25th March, the site was put up

Garforth·History & Heritage·Micklefield

130 YEARS ON: THE DAY THE LIGHTS WENT OUT IN MICKLEFIELD

March 19, 2026

The 30th of April is usually a day for spring blossoms and the first real warmth of the sun. But in Micklefield and surrounding village communities, it’s a

Crossgates·Culture·History & Heritage

A Fitting Farewell to Bob and Jacki Lawrence After Nearly 30 Years with ELHAS

November 17, 2025

After almost three decades of dedicated service to the East Leeds History and Archaeology Society (ELHAS), Crossgates residents Bob (83) and Jacki (78) Lawrence

Crossgates·East Leeds·History & Heritage·Remembrance

Remembering the Barnbow Lasses

November 10, 2025

Councillor Pauline Grahame has laid a poppy wreath at the Barnbow Lasses memorial in Manston Park, Crossgates, to honour the women who lost their

Community Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture·Children & Young People·Community·Community Organisations·Harehills

Harehills girls stitch together friendships through sewing club

May 18, 2026

Young girls from different backgrounds and faiths came together at Shine in Harehills to celebrate the achievements of a girls-only sewing and interfaith project

Arts & Culture·Festival·Leeds 400·Leeds City Council·Literature·National holidays and festivals

Leeds Turns 400 With a Year of Celebrations

May 18, 2026

The streets of East Leeds are set to become a living history book as the city marks four centuries of transformation, from a small

Arts & Culture·Festival·Roundhay

Roundhay Park event marks ten years with biggest line-up yet

May 8, 2026

Roundhay Park will host a major weekend of food, music and family entertainment as the event returns to mark its tenth anniversary, with organisers

Aberford·Arts & Culture·Festival·Literature

CBeebies Star George Webster Set to Bring “Kids Mayhem” to Aberford Literature Festival

May 2, 2026

The Aberford Literature Festival is set for a major highlight this summer as BAFTA- winning presenter and author George Webster prepares to headline a

Local Elections

Election Results·Garforth·Local elections·Politics

East Leeds election results 2026

May 9, 2026

Voting across Leeds on Thursday 7 May 2026 brought several changes to the city council makeup, with a range of parties winning seats across

Local elections·MPs and Councillors·News·Politics

GARFORTH & SWILLINGTON INDEPENDENTS GALLOP TO VICTORY IN TWO-HORSE SHOOT-OUT

May 9, 2026

In a high-stake duel that narrowed into a classic two-horse race at the final turn, Councillor Mark Dobson has secured a historic victory for

Garforth·Local elections·MPs and Councillors·Politics

A ‘Two-Horse Race’ Missing a Rider

April 24, 2026

The absence of David Butterfield, the Reform UK candidate for Garforth & Swillington, was a key talking point at both hustings events recently held in

Leeds City Council·Local elections·Politics

Postal Vote Packs Arrive as Leeds Prepares for 7 May Local Election

April 24, 2026

Postal voters across Leeds are now receiving their voting packs ahead of the local election on Thursday 7 May. Residents already registered for postal

Burmantofts·East Leeds·Local elections·MPs and Councillors·Politics

Cllr Luke Farley on the daily decisions shaping democracy in Leeds

April 17, 2026

He has spent two years chairing one of Leeds’ most diverse community committees, and six months as chief whip keeping the city’s Labour group

Burmantofts·East Leeds·Leeds City Council·Local elections·Politics

Ever wondered what your local councillor does?

April 17, 2026

Most of us deal with the same everyday frustrations in our neighbourhoods: bins that don’t get collected on time, litter being dropped on the

Garforth·Local elections·Politics

A Crossroads for Garforth and Swillington?

April 11, 2026

The local election to be held on the 7th of May 2026, Leeds could be the most fascinating contest in 16 years, when potentially, Leeds City Council could go into

Local elections

Key dates announced ahead of elections on 7 May

March 19, 2026

Residents across Leeds are being urged to check they are ready to vote ahead of the local election on 7 May, with important deadlines

Health & Wellbeing

East Leeds·Gipton·Health·healthy living

Retired GP takes on East Leeds’ toughest health challenges

May 9, 2026

Residents in communities such as Gipton and across East Leeds face stark differences in how long they live and how soon they get help.

Health·healthy living·What's On

Rob Burrow Marathon set to bring city together again

May 8, 2026

Leeds is preparing to take on a supporting role once again as the countdown continues to this year’s Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, one of

healthy living·Seacroft

Kentmere cooking club becomes lifeline for local families

April 11, 2026

In Seacroft, something special is simmering. It is not just the smell of chocolate chip cookies or melting burgers. It is the quiet transformation

Areas in Focus: Seacroft

Pride in Place·Seacroft

Pride in Place Sparks Hope Across Seacroft

May 18, 2026

A wave of hope is sweeping through East Leeds following the announcement of an investment of up to £20 million for Seacroft and North

Housing Issues·Leeds City Council·News·Seacroft

Council Unveils Plans for Seacroft Housing Revamp

May 17, 2026

Fresh plans have been announced for a major affordable housing development on the site of the former Kingsdale Court flats in Seacroft. Leeds City

Local champions·Seacroft

East Leeds Community Pays Respects as Geoff Burrow Laid to Rest

May 1, 2026

More than 100 people gathered last week to say a final farewell to Geoff Burrow, father of rugby league legend and motor neurone disease

Climate + Environment

Climate·East Leeds·Harehills

Rain Can’t Stop Harehills Going Green

October 2, 2025

Harehills turned out in force for the Our Planet Our Neighbourhood community day at the Compton Centre, proving that not even a grey and

Climate·General News·Harehills

Harehills Unites For a Greener Future

September 11, 2025

In the heart of Harehills, a powerful sense of community is blossoming, and it’s all coming together for a very special day. Mark your

Climate·Community·East Leeds·Harehills

Eco-catwalk challenges stereotypes in Harehills

July 10, 2025

Upcycled fashion, storytelling and community spirit will come together in a unique runway show at this year’s Gledhow Valley Green Fair. Textiles & Tales

Climate·General News·Temple Newsham

Temple Newsam engraving celebrated as Leeds celebrates climate and nature

October 10, 2024

Libraries in Leeds are displaying books celebrating nature and climate action this week in a bid to inspire a new chapter in the city’s

Editors Picks

Editor's Picks·Health·Healthcare·Literature

The Woman Turning a Lifetime of Pain Into Strength

April 17, 2026

A woman who has spent nearly her entire life in the grip of sickle cell disease has opened up about the relentless pain that

Crossgates·East Leeds·Editor's Picks·Fitness·Health·Mental Health and Well Being·Sports

Crossgates star turns grief into record breaking mission

April 1, 2026

An East Leeds athlete who rose to fame as the fastest person to run dressed as wrestler John Cena is now chasing another world

Art·Arts & Culture·Culture·East Leeds·Editor's Picks·Harehills

Young women challenge health inequality in powerful new Leeds exhibition

April 1, 2026

A new exhibition at the Thackray Museum of Medicine is handing the microphone to young people who say healthcare has too often ignored voices

Art·Arts & Culture·Burmantofts·Culture·Editor's Picks

How East Street Arts Changed the Face of Leeds

March 19, 2026

Sometimes the biggest cultural shifts start quietly. Long before East Street Arts became a home for hundreds of creatives, its founders Jon Wakeman and