370 years after Guy Fawkes, Leeds had its own uprising

Dear readers — if you asked Chapeltown locals about what happened in their neighbourhood on Bonfire Night, 1975, most would have no idea. Yet for those who were there, it was a dramatic turning point in the history of black Leeds — and indeed, black Britain. Following the disorder, twelve individuals faced charges, in what became a landmark trial for the city. For today's story, we spoke to two of "the twelve" who were charged, to understand what happened.

Our paying members get the full story, as well as our top tips for the best Bonfire Night from places that still have tickets after the story. So if you haven't upgraded yet, what better time?

First, though, it's your round up.

The round up

🪦RIP to the Leeds First Party, which, at just 16 days, has become the shortest-lived party in the council’s history (according to several councillors). It sprang into existence a few weeks back when two councillors, David Dresser and Paula-Jane Thackray were suspended by Reform, only to walk out and launch their own outfit (we broke the story here). But last week, Thackray resigned, citing “considerable online abuse”. That just leaves Dresser, and since you need at least two people to form a party on the council, Leeds First is officially no more.

As for Dresser, he’s now released a statement about his departure from Reform, saying he disagreed with “the level of direction being imposed on local campaigning” by newly appointed campaign manager Wenzdae Robbins and her line manager, Steven Turner. This included, in his words, “emphasis on data collection” and “the use of generic campaign literature that, in my view, did not adequately reflect individual candidates or their communities”. Correspondence has taken place over recent weeks to resolve the matter “but to no avail”. He adds that he remains committed to serving the residents of Killingbeck and Seacroft.

🚶Movement in Morley as works get going as part of the town’s £1.1m regeneration scheme. The council says the plans include “upgrading the public spaces with additional seating and planting, improving accessibility and creating a more attractive town centre environment that supports future investment and increased footfall.” That means disruption for now, but hopefully a long-term improvement — work is meant to end in “early 2027”.

🖖 Following the death of Sir Patrick Stewart, one of Mirfield’s finest sons, Yorkshire Star Trek fans want a blue plaque on his childhood home. Stewart played Captain Jean-Luc Picard in The Next Generation — the revival that fostered the contemporary rebirth of the whole franchise — and brought Shakespearian gravitas to the role. In later life, Stewart started to open up about his abusive father, which informed his vocal activism against domestic violence. “Erecting a blue plaque in honour of Sir Patrick on his childhood home would serve as a permanent tribute to his formidable career and philanthropic efforts,” the petitioner, Star Trek fan Stuart Gledhill, writes. 

370 years after Guy Fawkes, Leeds had its own uprising

By Brad Deas

Bonfire night, 1975. A police officer runs towards a crowd of black youths, truncheon raised. Among the crowd is Max Farrar, a white journalist and photographer for the Chapeltown Press, a community paper he set up. He suddenly realises he’s looking at his big shot: the photo that will perfectly capture police brutality towards black youth in Leeds. He lifts the camera.

He never takes it: instead, he’s punched in the face, hard, by the oncoming officer. Later, he tries to complain “in my posh middle class voice” to another sergeant, only to be grabbed by the neck, slammed against the police car door, then arrested and taken down to the station.

That evening, and the ensuing trial of the “Bonfire Night Fire twelve”, became a defining moment in the history of black Leeds, Claude Hendrickson — who was fifteen at the time — tells me. He was one of the twelve, five of whom served jail time for the events of that evening, including him. It was a moment when, he says, it was “time to stand up for our rights”, and the tensions that had been building between the black community and the police erupted.

The plain Ford Escort

Hi - Brad here. To keep reading you'll need to upgrade and join The Exchange. That gets you extra editions and no pesky paywalls. Hit that button and get on board.

Upgrade to paid