Step into the hidden world of the SAS with Damien Lewis - award-winning war reporter and best-selling author - as he brings to the stage the secret history of the world’s most legendary special forces unit.

From their daring birth in World War Two to high-stakes modern-day operations, this gripping live show reveals real-life stories of heroism, sacrifice, and strategy. Lewis shares untold tales of sabotage missions, undercover rescues, and extraordinary acts of courage, all drawn from years of frontline reporting and exclusive access to classified sources.

On 23 September 2025, a milestone of sculpture scholarship will be reached by the publication of a catalogue of 1,800 works of European Sculpture in the Royal Collection.

To mark the appearance of this major new work in four volumes, the author Jonathan Marsden (former Director of the Royal Collection) will speak about the Collection with John Chu, Senior Curator of Pictures and Sculpture for the National Trust.

Dr Patrick Eyres will talk about the work of Humphry Repton at Oulton Hall.

Dr Patrick Eyres is the author of 'On the Spot: The Yorkshire Red Books of Humphry Repton, Landscape Gardener'. Repton was renowned for creating the Red Book - his unique mode of presenting design proposals in the form of exquisite one-off artworks exclusively for his patron.

This splendid mosque, built in 2018, with one of the largest chandeliers in Leeds, invites you to discover the architecture and the faith, customs and culture of Islam. Timed to allow a follow on visit to the nearby GNNSJ Gurudwara (Sikh).

The tour will explain the history of this impressive mosque, the high quality of the building materials used, the symbolism on the bronze doors and throughout the building. There are five floors used for prayers which can accommodate 1000 people each Friday. The main floor has the aforementioned chandelier.

Michael Meadowcroft returns to the historic Lancasterian School Room with another talk for Heritage Open Days.

The original Headrow was one of the oldest Leeds thoroughfares and it developed with scores of dwellings and businesses. Eventually it was transformed into a broad modern city centre street. This lecture tells its story.

A warm welcome awaits you at this imposing Gurudwara, chairman Tarlokh Singh Dhajal, beautifully converted from a Ringtons Tea premises. Find out about the building and the Sikh faith, traditions and culture; includes a tour and refreshments.

Great Scott!!! We’re channelling 1.21 GigaWatts of electricity, going where we don’t need roads, and marking Back To The Future day!

A trio of talks linked to your top time-travelling trilogy, including:

Kristin Lohwasser: 1.21 Gigawatts of electricity?! Dispatches from the High-Energy Frontier

Ben Evans: We don’t need roads! Fast cars, planes, evolution and artificial intelligence.

Robbie McAllister: It Runs on Steam! Steampunk goes to the Movies

As has become tradition, we will be closing the exhibition with the Lunchtime Conversation. An opportunity for a home-cooked meal around the kitchen table here at BasementHQ and lively chat with the artist and other guests before a guided tour of the exhibition.

The world can be a mundane and underwhelming place, @Pheemakesthings stand out. The monotony of the working week and the things we see so often that we stop noticing them are undone in the hyper-realistic work of Phee Jeffries.

Peter Spedding is an historian with a special interest in 18th and 19th century characters. To celebrate this year's theme of architecture this opening talk will feature the life and work of George Corson.

George Corson had a major influence on architecture in Leeds. You will hear about some of his major works in Leeds and the people who commissioned him.