We are proud to invite John Potter to deliver a talk on his new book Christmas Carols
Music Library Thursday 3rd December 2026 2pm-3pm
Join us for the afternoon as John Potter guides us through the development of this unique tradition. Carols, originating as secular delights of the medieval and Tudor court and chapel, were brought by the Victorians to a new urban audience. Priests, poets, and composers have rearranged ancient songs and created new ones ever since, incorporating European carols into the evolving English tradition.
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries Leeds was treated to hot-air balloon ascents by some of the most celebrated aeronauts of the period. The story of these extraordinarily intrepid, inventive, and courageous individuals is little told but sure to intrigue, inspire, and inform.
The talk uses two historic Leeds city-centre fires as case studies: the destructive fire beneath Leeds Station in 1892 and the Wellington Street warehouse and hotel fire of 1906. Through these examples, it demonstrates how the Goad plans can be used to reconstruct the built environment, identify fire hazards, and understand the challenges faced by firefighters and insurers alike.
Join artist Jon Eland to take a deep dive into what survives of the Templars of Nuesum and journey back twice as far as the charter Leeds is currently celebrating.
