THE LEEDS BRIEF ⏰ Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Good morning Leeds - it's Tuesday 5 May, and we are two days from the polls. A lot is happening in the city today: Chloe Watson Dransfield is being laid to rest in Dewsbury this morning, police need your help finding a missing 14-year-old from South Leeds, and Emmerdale's Michael Parr has revealed he proposed to his partner on a South African safari - and the couple are right here in Leeds. There's community grief in Morley, a beloved city bar closing, a historic school going to market, and four tiny peregrine chicks blinking at the Leeds skyline from the top of the Parkinson Tower. Let's go. 👇

🗳️ ELECTIONS - 2 DAYS TO GO | THURSDAY 7 MAY

⏰ Polls open 7 am - 10 pm. Photo ID required. Results Friday 8 May at the John Charles Centre for Sport. - Leeds City Council's Returning Officer Ed Whiting is urging every registered voter to get out on Thursday. There are 36 seats across 33 wards up for election, with three wards, Adel & Wharfedale, Morley North and Temple Newsam, returning two councillors each due to existing vacancies. Bring accepted photo ID; expired ID is fine if you are still recognisable from the photo. Find your polling station at wheredoivote.co.uk. Lost or haven't received your postal vote? Contact the elections team urgently on 0113 222 4411 or electors@leeds.gov.uk — replacements can be issued up to 5pm on polling day. (Source: Leeds City Council)

📊 The bigger picture: Yorkshire politics is shifting - Analysis published over the weekend warns this set of local elections could represent the most significant reshaping of Yorkshire politics in a generation, with polling suggesting Labour could lose councillors across the region while Reform UK, the Greens and Liberal Democrats all make net gains. In Leeds specifically, Labour holds a sizeable lead but independent analysts suggest no overall control is a credible outcome. The Greens report their Leeds membership has grown fivefold in the past 12 months, and Reform UK held a city-wide rally at Leeds Arena in March. (Sources: Yorkshire Post · Centre for Cities)

🚨 CRIME & COURTS

💔 Chloe Watson Dransfield was laid to rest this morning in Dewsbury. The funeral of 16-year-old Chloe Watson Dransfield is taking place this morning. A horse-drawn carriage left Chloe's family home at 10 am, with the service at Dewsbury Crematorium beginning at 11.15am. Chloe, from Gomersal, was found with fatal stab wounds on Kennerleigh Avenue, Austhorpe, in the early hours of Saturday 28 March. Three teenagers appeared at Leeds Crown Court on 1 May and each pleaded not guilty to murder. A trial has been set for 10 November 2026. Chloe's family described her as "beautiful, full of joy" with a "wonderfully cheeky personality" — a girl who "had her whole future ahead of her." (Source: Leeds Live)

🔴 MISSING: Tillie, 14, missing from South Leeds since Sunday evening - West Yorkshire Police are urgently appealing for help to find 14-year-old Tillie, who has been missing from the South Leeds area since the evening of Sunday 3 May. Tillie is described as 5ft 4, average build, with shoulder-length black hair. She was last seen wearing a black skirt, grey puffer jacket and cream Crocs. If you have any information about where Tillie may be, please call 101 quoting log 1691 of 3/5/26. (Source: Leeds Live)

💔 COMMUNITY

⚽ Morley football coach Jason Liu - "the absolute rock" - has died - The community football family across Morley is in mourning following the death of Jason Liu, a coach and club secretary described as the "backbone" of Morley Futsal Club, as well as a coach at Morley Town AFC and Morley Glen Juniors. In a deeply moving tribute, Lee Haworth of Morley Futsal said: "The absolute rock in the background that our club has been built on — all these incredible memories we've had over the years would never have happened without your help, Jay. We love you so much, pal. Our community has lost one of the best." Morley Town AFC said Jason had "quickly become a much-loved character" since joining less than a year ago, remembered for his "infectious" love of the game and his "huge smile at seeing his boy play." Morley Glen Juniors extended their heartfelt condolences to his family. (Source: Leeds Live / HuddersfieldExaminer)

🏳️‍🌈 The Bridge - Leeds' beloved LGBTQ+ venue - is set to close - The Bridge, a hugely popular LGBTQ+ bar in Leeds city centre, has announced it will soon close. In a heartfelt statement to customers, the team at the Bridge End venue said: "Due to circumstances very much beyond our control, like others, we have seen rising costs cripple many independent businesses. There has been blood, sweat and tears put into the Bridge as you see it now." The statement closed: "Thank you for the memories and please feel free to share yours with us." Customers responded with an outpouring of love. One wrote: "God this is sad. What a venue, so many amazing times there." Another, a former staff member, said: "I had so many amazing and funny times which I will never forget and made so many lovely friends." No closing date has yet been confirmed. (Source: Leeds Live)

✨ PEOPLE & EMMERDALE

💍 Emmerdale's Michael Parr gets engaged - after his fiancée nearly blocked her own proposal - Emmerdale star Michael Parr, who plays Ross Barton and lives in Leeds with his partner, has revealed he is engaged to Isabelle Du Plessis, after an elephant-side proposal on safari in South Africa that almost didn't happen. Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Michael revealed he had planned to propose when elephants appeared at a watering hole during a bushwalk, but Issi kept turning down the walk. "You were literally stopping your own proposal," he laughed. When a bull elephant and its partner wrapped trunks together at the waterhole, Michael seized the moment and produced a two-and-a-half carat diamond ring sourced from Birmingham's jewellery quarter - which he had hidden in a basket on top of the bathroom cabinet at their Leeds home for five weeks. The couple, who have a seven-month-old daughter Suzie, met through Hinge in 2023 while Issi was in London on a business trip. Michael returned to Emmerdale in late 2024 after five years that included a stint in Los Angeles he found lonely and isolating. "It makes so much sense now — I get to come home every day and that's everything," he said of life back in Leeds. (Source: Mirror)

🌿 WILDLIFE

🦅 Four peregrine falcon chicks hatch atop the University of Leeds Parkinson Tower - Four peregrine falcon chicks have successfully hatched at the nest on top of the University of Leeds' iconic Parkinson Tower, with the first egg hatching on Wednesday 29 April and all four completing their hatching within hours of each other. So many people tuned into the university's live stream that it crashed several times. This year's female, known as '7.H' — ringed and hatched in Stoke-on-Trent six years ago — has returned to the tower alongside an unringed male. Peregrines first nested at the university in 2018 and 14 chicks have now hatched successfully at the site. (Source: ITV News Calendar)

🏛️ HERITAGE & ARTS

🏫 Historic Fulneck School - alumni include Diana Rigg and a Prime Minister - goes on sale - The Grade I listed buildings and grounds of Fulneck School in Pudsey have been placed on the market, offering what agents are calling a "rare opportunity to acquire and reposition a substantial former school estate." The independent day and boarding school, founded in 1753 by the Moravian Church, closed last July after 272 years due to falling pupil numbers and rising costs. The property — part of the historic Moravian settlement of Fulneck — is being marketed via Hilco Global either as a whole or in separate lots. Suggested future uses include residential conversion, later living or care accommodation, educational or community use, subject to planning. Famous former pupils include actress Dame Diana Rigg and Prime Minister HH Asquith. The Moravian Church will retain the Robinson building. Full details at hilcovs.co.uk. (Source: West Leeds Dispatch)

🖼️ Situation Leeds art festival returns after nearly 20 years — 11–24 May, mostly free One of Leeds' most celebrated grassroots artist-led festivals is back this month. Situation Leeds returns with a core programme running 11–24 May across venues citywide, with activity continuing through June. Over 40 artists are taking part, showcasing exhibitions, performances, temporary installations, film and sound works — with most events free. The original festival launched in 2005 with over 100 artists across 60 events but went dormant after 2007 when funding collapsed in the financial crisis. Steering group member Dr Helen Clarke said the team received 70 proposals within a month of putting out a call in January. Full programme at situationleeds.org/festival. (Sources: Yorkshire Post · YVAN)

🎭 The Fab 50s and Swingin' 60s comes to City Varieties - Sunday 17 May - A feel-good afternoon of music and nostalgia heads to the City Varieties Music Hall on Sunday 17 May at 2.30pm. The Dreamers - keeping alive the sound of Freddie & The Dreamers, fronted by Alan Mosca who worked alongside the original Freddie Garrity — perform hits including I'm Telling You Now, You Were Made For Me and If You Wanna Make A Fool Of Somebody, alongside Beatles classics and early rock 'n' roll. The show is presented by musical entertainer Andy Eastwood, with comedy from Steve Barclay and vocals from Helen Farrell paying tribute to Connie Francis, Cilla Black and Dusty Springfield. Tickets from £21 at leedsheritagetheatres.com or call 0113 243 0808. (Source: Yorkshire Evening Post)

🧵 Threads Textile Festival returns to Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley - 16–17 May - The Threads Textile Festival returns to the historic mill buildings at Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May. Visitors can browse a market of 50 independent makers, take part in exhibitions — including the acclaimed 62 Group of Textile Artists presenting Touchlines: The Delicate Boundaries of Care and Cloth — and attend talks from textile artists whose work has featured in productions including Game of Thrones, The Crown and Peaky Blinders. The Me-Made-May sewing competition invites visitors to have their handmade outfits photographed and voted on, with prizes including workshop vouchers and pattern credits. A full workshops programme runs across both days. Festival Director Dr Sarah Gaunt said: "There's something here for everyone whether you're an experienced maker or simply curious to explore." (Source: West Leeds Dispatch)

🏥 HEALTH

⏳ New not-for-profit ADHD service launches as Leeds NHS waiting list reaches 10 years - A new not-for-profit ADHD assessment service called Sort Health is opening for bookings this month, directly addressing what its founders describe as a crisis. The Leeds and York Partnership NHS Trust adult ADHD waiting list currently stands at 4,500 people, has been closed to new referrals since October 2024, and those already on it face an estimated wait of over ten years. Sort Health is run by experienced NHS clinicians Becky Wellington and Claire Moynehan, offering face-to-face appointments in Bradford and online sessions across the UK. The service also provides a dedicated care navigator to support clients from first enquiry through to post-assessment follow-up — directly addressing a common criticism of private providers. Register at subscribepage.io/adhd-assessments. (Sources: National World · Leeds and York PFT)

🌍 NATIONAL

✡️ PM warns antisemitism is "a crisis for all of us" as £1m fund announced - Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted senior figures from across public life at Downing Street today for talks on a whole-of-society response to rising antisemitism, describing attacks on British Jews as "a test of our values." A new £1m government package will support community safety measures and projects challenging antisemitic narratives, alongside a further £500,000 specifically for Barnet following a series of incidents there. The meeting follows the Golders Green stabbing last week. This matters directly in Leeds, which has a significant Jewish community — the attack prompted West Yorkshire Police to increase patrols at Leeds synagogues, as we reported last Thursday. (Source: InYourArea)

💼 BUSINESS & PLANNING

🍟 McDonald's resubmits revised Stanningley drive-thru plans - ~85 jobs - McDonald's has lodged revised planning documents for a drive-thru restaurant on Town Street, Stanningley, following planning permission granted last October. Changes include an expanded boundary to the north and adjustments to the 34-space car park layout. The development is projected to create around 85 full and part-time jobs, opening daily 6am–11pm. Leeds City Council is considering the updated application. (Sources: Insider Media · Yorkshire Post)

🚆 TRANSPORT

⚠️ TPU rail disruption continues - check before you travel all week - The first phase of Transpennine Route Upgrade works continues until Monday 25 May. On weekdays, Huddersfield–Leeds services are diverted via Wakefield adding considerable journey time. At weekends no trains call at Huddersfield — Brighouse is the key rail-bus interchange. A second phase from 30 May to 27 June targets Batley and Dewsbury. Check journeys at nationalrail.co.uk. (Source: Yorkshire Evening Post · Network Rail)

🏃 Rob Burrow Marathon - plan ahead for Sunday 10 May - The fourth Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon takes place this Sunday 10 May from Headingley Stadium, with 13,000+ runners on the 26.2-mile route through Lawnswood, Bramhope, Pool-in-Wharfedale and Otley. Road closures begin from 4am and the A660 corridor closes between 8am and 8.30am. Roads reopen on a rolling basis by 4.45pm. Park & Ride from Elland Road and Stourton - book in advance at runforall.com. No parking in Headingley. (Sources: Leeds City Council · Leeds Live)

🥊 SPORT

🥊 Kyren wins his first bout with Armley's Ministry of Boxing - Kyren Foster, from Belle Isle, claimed a unanimous decision victory on his return to competitive boxing at the Ministry of Boxing's home show at White Rose Banqueting Suite on Tong Road - his first win since shoulder surgery that sidelined him for years. Kyren, who trains at the England Boxing-affiliated club on Moorfield Road LS12, said boxing gave him purpose: "I was lacking genuine purpose and passion in life and getting into trouble. Boxing changed my life for the better." He is seeking sponsorship to reach elite level. Contact via Instagram @kyren2fastfoster or email fozzo52@gmail.com. (Source: West Leeds Dispatch)

🌱 COMMUNITY

🚲 Greenside Greenway AGM - Tuesday 12 May, Pudsey - The Greenside Greenway campaign group is holding its AGM on Tuesday 12 May from 7.30pm at The Royal Hotel, Station Street, Pudsey, with a talk on the history of the old railway line through Pudsey from Graeme Bromley. The group is working to create a traffic-free route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders along the former railway line linking Pudsey to Tyersal, using Greenside Tunnel and Tyersal Embankment. A model railway stall will also feature at Pudsey Carnival on Saturday 16 May. (Source: West Leeds Dispatch)