Death of a legend

You find us today in a bit of a flat pack frenzy. We’ve managed to cobble together a couple of desks and chairs, though a particularly fiendish filing cabinet has us stumped. We’ll keep trying.

Now, we need to get some art up on the walls, and it’s obvious where we should start: a Hockney. Not an original, obviously, but we’d love to get a good print up. Which of his works would best inspire us? Let us know in the comments.

On with today’s Monday briefing, which includes a boost for local creatives, reports from a weekend protest and a spot of urban birdwatching.

The round-up:

🖼️ Tributes to Bradford born legend David Hockney, who died on Friday aged 88, have been pouring in. “A truly generous soul whom we loved,” wrote the team at Salts Mill. “David Hockney loved life, and he wanted to spread joy. Which he did, to millions of people around the world.”

Speaking to the Bradford T&A, former feature writer Mike Priestley said Hockney left “an impression everywhere he went”, through his huge artistic legacy but also on those who came across him. He continued: “As a teenager growing up in Bradford in the 1950s I couldn’t fail to be aware of him, striding down Great Horton Road with his owl-like glasses and his paints and brushes in a string bag, or sitting in the Olympus coffee bar surrounded by friends.” (T&A) We will be publishing a piece on Hockney later this week, keep an eye out for it.

⚖️ Dylan Phelan, 21, from Leeds was sentenced to six years in prison on Friday, after goading Travis Dyer, a man in America, into taking his own life over video call. Phelan’s parents took him into the station at Elland Road after discovering that he might have had a role in Dyer’s death. The judge also gave Phelan a 10-year sexual harm prevention order. (Guardian)

📹 Some good news for the creative industry: Production Park in Wakefield, where global smash hit Adolescence was produced, is now getting degree awarding powers. Local students who attend the facility will have the opportunity to learn with some of the best, in one of the biggest facilities in the country. (BBC News)

👮 There was a heavy police presence yesterday at a small protest in Leeds’ Dortmund Square, which was promoted by Facebook group “Stand Up Leeds — No to Illegal Migrants”. The Exchange caught the tail end of the protest, by which time both police (we counted about 25) — and counter-protesters outnumbered them. One protester who said he had changed his name by deed poll to “English Made” told The Exchange that he while he had no problem with regular migration, he was there to protest people “coming over on illegal boats,” who, he claimed, are “killing everyone.” One of the counter-protesters, a member of the Revolutionary Communist Party who gave his name as Max Bonus, told The Exchange that migrants are being scapegoated by “the most powerful people in society” — such as Elon Musk, Nigel Farage, and Rupert Lowe.

🇳🇴 Norway will be kicking off their world cup campaign tomorrow. Considered a dark horse, some are backing them to go deep into the competition thanks to Erling Haaland, super striker and the best player in the country’s history. But let us never forget where this goal-scoring machine was born, and spent the first three years of his life: Leeds.

Home of the week

If you only need one bedroom, then why not snap up this gorgeous little cottage in Huddersfield? It’s got a small office, period features, and you’ll wake up to a nice shade of orange on the bedroom ceiling, bound to put you in a good mood for the day. It’s on for £160k.

Catching up and coming up: 

Our mid-week piece looked at the three hyperscale data centres being built at Skelton Grange next year. Concerns have been raised over the amount of power and water they will need, but over on X, Tom Forth was showing his support for the plans:

At the weekend we had Mia’s first piece for us, about the luxury student tower boom that suddenly seems to be lurching into reverse, as rooms lie empty and one provider attempts to convert them into a hotel. “A very interesting article. I’ve watched the ever growing number of luxury student tower blocks with a certain “it’s changed since my day” puzzlement. Makes a lot more sense now,” said Simon Huddlestone in the comments. “You would hope that PBSA [Purpose Built Student Accommodation] doesn't expand any more, particularly after reading this. What dismays me is that the push for profits from all sides, universities included, disregards the well being of long term residents,” said Elizabeth Lancaster. But RobertC pushed back: “Better they are in the city centre than in what should be quiet suburbs. More the merrier, shame they are not building more!” As ever, paying members can comment — let’s make the comments section the best spot for local debate on the internet.

Coming up this week, we’re looking at how West Yorkshire shaped David Hockney’s work, and investigating how much impact the relocation of Channel 4’s headquarters has had on Leeds. If you know about either of those, or have some other news to share, drop us an e-mail.

Things to do:

🎭 Today’s the last chance to see National Theatre Live’s performance of The Playboy Of The Western World, which you can catch at Bingley Arts Centre. Starring Nicola Coughlan (Derry Girls, Bridgerton) the story begins when a man walks into a pub and claims to have killed Pegeen Flaherty’s father. Tickets £13, available here.

📖 The Silent...But Social Book Club returns to Chapel Allerton on Wednesday at 7pm. Hosted in the North Bar, the idea is you bring your own book, read quietly for 45 minutes, then have a chat with the others there. A low pressure chance to meet people and create some focus time just to enjoy reading. Tickets £5.

⚽England’s opening game against Croatia is at 9pm on Wednesday. Head to the Leeds Fan Zone if you want to get covered in beer if/when England score. But we’d suggest the Canary at Leeds Dock or, given it’s set to be pretty warm, outside on the big screen at the Brudenell Social Club.

🐦There are a few tickets left for a morning bird walk around Leeds dock. Run by the Leeds Lapwings birdwatching group, they’ll be meeting at North Star Coffee Roasters at 7.15am on Thursday then going for a stroll. No binos or birdwatching experience needed, and you’ll start the day feeling fresh. Tickets £5.