To coincide with our ‘Windows on a Modern World: Leeds in the 1970s’ city installation, Leeds Modernist teamed up with Leeds Civic Trust on host a special virtual event!
An informal discussion panel utilised David Hick's rare, reportage images to consider the societal, economic and architectural legacies which continue to impact on us today.
The panel included JOHN GRINDROD (‘Concretopia’ author and social historian), ELAIN HARWOOD (architectural historian and author of 'Space, Hope and Brutalism'), CLIFFORD STEAD (local artist and Leeds Civic Trust Committee member) and was hosted by David Ellis.
The event was an incredible success and over 100 people tuned in for the full hour and a half.
Comments from the 'chat' section included:
"I swam regularly in that pool when I came to Leeds a couple of decades ago. It was one of the best swimming pools I've experienced in terms of acoustics and beautiful to look at, light and bright but sadly had been allowed to deteriorate in terms of cleanliness. the diving boards were so sculptural I hoped they might be used as the Western gateway to the city."
"I remember a fascinating visit whilst on nurse training to the Quarry Hill waste centre - every flat had a shoot down to a collection area in the basement - innovative."
"When I came to Leeds first time round (1981) it had been demolished (1979) but folk used to refer to the site of Quarry Hill like a ghost that was haunting the city. I have almost convinced myself that I saw it!"