Latest news with #LeedsCityMuseum
BBC News
27-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Torture device used to punish gossip put on show in Leeds Museum
An historical contraption used as a brutal punishment for gossip has gone on display as part of a local history scold's bridle – a solid iron device worn over the head - is being exhibited in Ross, the city's museums and galleries' curator of social history, said the items gave visitors a chance to find out more about the city's hidden said: "It's difficult to imagine a device as brutal and cruel as the scold's bridle being used in towns and cities around the country. "It's very clearly a relic from a time when the concepts of both human rights and equality were very different to what they are today."Displaying these types of objects is an important, tangible reminder of how far society has come as well as an opportunity to reflect on the challenges faced by people who lived during an age when such an inhumane contraption was seen as an acceptable form of punishment."Used in English towns and cities as early as 1574, scold's bridles were employed to discourage individuals, usually women, who were judged to have spoken rebelliously, inappropriately or out of at Leeds City Museum, where the object is on show, believe their bridle was made in the 17th Century. They were also known as a branks, or witch's bridles. The iron frame would encase the victim's head, with a roughened iron plate located near the plate would be placed in the mouth so the victim could not move their tongue and the wearer would then be led through the streets on a chain held by one of the town's some towns, wearers would even be chained to a pillory, whipping post or market Leeds example was collected by Georgian historian Norrison Scatcherd, who lived in is on display in the museum's Leeds Story gallery, which is a changing display of finds from the city. The recent update to the exhibit also includes a silver cup made by Leeds goldsmith turned counterfeiter Arthur Mangey, which goes alongside a set of his coin-clipping Mangey was commissioned to make a silver gilt mace by Leeds City Council in 1626, but in later years he was accused of forgery and hanged in York in exhibits include a Pudsey peace jug, made by local potter John Sugden in 1801 to mark Napoleon's signing of the Concordat of 1801 with Pope Pius VII, and a bell that once hung in Leeds's Coloured Cloth Hall in 1758. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Miami Herald
15-05-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
1,200-year-old gilded cross found by metal detectorist in UK field. ‘Remarkable'
Experts are learning more about a 'remarkable' ancient pendant unearthed in England in 2024, calling it a 'fascinating glimpse' into life in the region roughly 1,200 years ago. The Saxon pendant — a gilded pectoral cross — was discovered by a metal detectorist in a field in Leeds and is believed to date back to the eighth century, according to a May 12 news release from the Leeds City Council. Despite the cross missing its top arm and central stone, experts said it's a 'stunning example of metalwork.' The cross, made from solid silver, covered with gold leaf and decorated with an intricate pattern, was likely 'worn by someone of high status and was an outward display of religious identity,' officials said in the release. One theory is that it may have been a badge for a church leader or official, according to the release. The cross was the latest in a string of 'significant' archaeological discoveries in the region dating back to ancient Saxon and Roman cultures, according to experts. Other recent finds were a lead coffin buried for more than 1,600 years containing the remains of a wealthy woman, and the West Yorkshire Hoard — a collection of objects that included high-quality gold jewelry worn by people of 'exceptional wealth' dating from the seventh to 11th centuries, officials said. 'All of these finds are part of a puzzle which together show that Leeds was home to high-status, important individuals during the Saxon period,' said Kat Baxter, Leeds Museums and Galleries' curator of archaeology. Baxter said there are likely more objects to be discovered, adding that responsible metal detectorists play 'a really important role in increasing our understanding of local history.' The cross is ready to be displayed at Leeds City Museum later this year, according to officials.
BBC News
27-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Leeds City Council approves more than £100m of budget savings
Councillors in Leeds have approved budget savings of £103.8m for the next financial means council tax in the city will rise by almost 5% for 2025/26, with a proportion ring-fenced for adult social services for children and families will be placed under review along with the future of 56 children's will be a reduction of more than 230 full-time equivalent staff jobs, and council leader James Lewis said the authority could not rule out compulsory redundancies. Earlier this month, Leeds City Council confirmed it had received £67m in extra funding for the next noted it was the first budget set under the new Labour government, saying: "We've started to see more money come into the council."The government is allocating money to councils based on deprivation now which is a big change from the last Conservative government, so a city like Leeds is beginning to see more money coming in."But the council will still need to save £103.8m overall to deliver its legally required balanced said: "We've agreed to have a look at community buildings in the city."We have about 180 buildings used for community services, some of those are really well used and we'll keep them open and invest."Some of them aren't well used and we'll look at whether we can put those services close by." Council tax to rise 4.99% He said some of the reduction in spending was "good news".He highlighted the fact there were "more children's homes in the city so we can look after our children and we've really invested in kinship carers and foster carers in our adoption services".Meanwhile, councillors approved a maximum 4.99% council tax figure comprises a 2.99% rise in council tax, plus a 2% increase in the adult social care a Band D property this means an increase of £86.29 for the year (£1.66 per week). The £67m funding boost means the proposed 10% funding cut for neighbourhood networks in Leeds will not be required, and there will be no reduction made to wellbeing and youth activity funding.A a "pay as you feel" admission charge will be introduced at some council-run museums including at Leeds City Museum, Leeds Art Gallery and Leeds Discovery authority is also considering charging for entrance to Kirkstall will hand over the running of Middleton Leisure Centre to a third council said possible changes to bowling green provision in the city are to be further consulted on, with the aim of looking at ways to raise income and reduce the number of proposed closures. Opposition parties were critical of the council's group Leader Alan Lamb said people living in the city would feel the impact of the multimillion-pound said residents would notice the difference when they "have to pay for parking when before they didn't, when fees and charges for older people are going up, when support for social care is being cut - they're not funding social care properly - and of course council tax is going up by 5% so they are asking people to pay more and deliver less".Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Museum to stay open as council budget finalised
A Leeds museum which was threatened with closure under council budget proposals will now stay open after a "passionate" response from the public. Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall opened in 1927 and is known for its replica Victorian streets and vintage penny slot machines. Leeds City Council ran a consultation on the future of the museum as it tried to address "unprecedented financial pressures" - but said plans to close the attraction had now been withdrawn. Final budget plans for the coming year include £67m in extra funding but the council said the impact of rising costs, pressures and demand for services means it needs to save £103.8m overall. The budget will be presented to the council's executive board next week and to the full council on 26 February. It includes an increase in council tax of 4.99% and a review of children's centres and transport services for children and families. The council said it would introduce a "pay as you feel" admission charge at Leeds City Museum, Leeds Art Gallery and Leeds Discovery Centre, and is considering charging for entrance to Kirkstall Abbey. It will also hand over the running of Middleton Leisure Centre to a third party. The extra £67m of funding means the proposed 10% funding cut for neighbourhood networks in Leeds will not be required, and there will be no reduction made to wellbeing and youth activity funding. The council said as well as keeping the museum open, possible changes to bowling green provision in the city are to be further consulted on, with the aim of looking at ways to raise income and reduce the number of proposed closures. The council received nearly 10,000 responses to its consultation about the museum. Councillor Salma Arif said the feedback had been "incredibly passionate". "The overriding sentiment has been that people across Leeds clearly recognise the unique social value of our museums and galleries to their communities and local heritage." She added: "What we need now is for people channel the passion and enthusiasm they have demonstrated during the consultation into visiting and engaging with the site as much as possible over the coming months so we can all work to support its future." The museum will remain open as usual. The current exhibition is called Story Time and includes a huge variety of historic books and games, each exploring the magical world of children's stories. However, a council spokesperson said: "Savings still need to be made, and alternative options to secure to the savings required are currently being reviewed." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here. Campaigners slam plans to shut 100-year-old museum Consultation starts on 'much-loved' museum future Museum visitors react to pay-as-you-feel idea Friends of Leeds City Museums Leeds City Council
BBC News
04-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Leeds Abbey House Museum saved from closure
A Leeds museum which was threatened with closure under council budget proposals will now stay open after a "passionate" response from the public. Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall opened in 1927 and is known for its replica Victorian streets and vintage penny slot City Council ran a consultation on the future of the museum as it tried to address "unprecedented financial pressures" - but said plans to close the attraction had now been withdrawn. Final budget plans for the coming year include £67m in extra funding but the council said the impact of rising costs, pressures and demand for services means it needs to save £103.8m overall. The budget will be presented to the council's executive board next week and to the full council on 26 includes an increase in council tax of 4.99% and a review of children's centres and transport services for children and families. The council said it would introduce a "pay as you feel" admission charge at Leeds City Museum, Leeds Art Gallery and Leeds Discovery Centre, and is considering charging for entrance to Kirkstall Abbey. It will also hand over the running of Middleton Leisure Centre to a third extra £67m of funding means the proposed 10% funding cut for neighbourhood networks in Leeds will not be required, and there will be no reduction made to wellbeing and youth activity council said as well as keeping the museum open, possible changes to bowling green provision in the city are to be further consulted on, with the aim of looking at ways to raise income and reduce the number of proposed closures. The council received nearly 10,000 responses to its consultation about the museum. Councillor Salma Arif said the feedback had been "incredibly passionate"."The overriding sentiment has been that people across Leeds clearly recognise the unique social value of our museums and galleries to their communities and local heritage."She added: "What we need now is for people channel the passion and enthusiasm they have demonstrated during the consultation into visiting and engaging with the site as much as possible over the coming months so we can all work to support its future."The museum will remain open as current exhibition is called Story Time and includes a huge variety of historic books and games, each exploring the magical world of children's a council spokesperson said: "Savings still need to be made, and alternative options to secure to the savings required are currently being reviewed."Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
