On the 5 November 1975, around one hundred mostly Black male youngsters clashed with police on the streets of Chapeltown. Within the aftermath twelve children and young men were arrested and charged, many of whom faced decades in prison. They became known as the Bonfire Twelve, and their campaign for justice fostered solidarity as well as disunity within Chapeltown. 

Winsor & Newton and the palette of Turner with Stephanie Nebbia, Winsor & Newton

Organic and inorganic pigments have changed dramatically over time, replaced by many synthetic organic and inorganic equivalents. What do these changes look like and what does this mean to the palette?

This talk looks at how colours of the past inform the palettes of today. Through Winsor & Newton’s archives and the notebooks of 19th century, chemist George Field, this is an insight into how the palette has evolved over time and the impact on artists today

Jane Austen, Her Writing and Her Craft with Professor Jennie Batchelor, University of York

We all know that Jane Austen was an accomplished and uniquely talented and innovative author. She was also a highly skilled embroiderer, patchworker and stitcher.

An introduction to the artist in six paintings with Professor Richard Johns, University of York.

Discover the range and ambition of JMW Turner’s creativity through six extraordinary paintings: one for each decade of the artist’s working life. We will look closely at each carefully selected work – then closer still – to see why the world keeps coming back to Turner. The talk will begin and end with a key work from the current exhibition, Austen and Turner: A Country House Encounter, with a few surprises in between!

For Heritage Open Days 2025 take a journey through 90 years of innovation, architecture and bookshelves.

Come with us on a walk around the University of Leeds, visiting three of our academic libraries along the way. We’ll explore how they reflect the time in which they were built, and see how they’ve adapted to the changing needs of students.

*Please note the tour will last approximately 90 minutes. When booking you will be given a choice between two timeslots: Morning Tour 10:30 – 12:00 or Afternoon Tour 14:30 – 16:00.*

Join us for a mini Vintage Fair as part of Sunny Bank Mill's Heritage Weekend. 

We'll be showcasing and selling some of the wonderfully eclectic vintage items that have washed up at Scrap over the years. From buttons to furniture, via clothing and gadgets, goodness knows what you'll find at this small, but perfectly formed, Mini Vintage Sale.

There will be loads going on across the Mills, plus the rest of Scrap to explore and our micro cafe will be open serving hot and cold drinks, and gorgeous brownies. 

See you there!