Good morning, Leeds. Welcome to this week's edition of the Leeds Scoop. Roundhay Park has given up a 320-million-year-old secret, some Yorkshire Water contractors near Otley downed tools to rescue a stranded cow, and there's a giant game of Trivial Pursuit sitting in the city centre waiting for you.
Let's get to it.
News 🗞️
The biggest stories from the past week…
🐟 A 320-Million-Year-Old Fossil Has Been Found in Roundhay Park
A member of the Yorkshire Geological Society has made a rather extraordinary discovery during what started as a fairly ordinary geology walk in Roundhay Park. While cracking open a piece of shale, they uncovered a fossilised coelacanth skull, thought to be around 320 million years old, making it the oldest example of the species ever found in the region.
The coelacanth, for those who weren't paying attention in school, is an ancient fish species that scientists once thought had gone extinct along with the dinosaurs, until living specimens started turning up in the 20th century. Finding one this old, this intact, and this local is genuinely remarkable stuff.
The fossil has been donated to Leeds Museums and Galleries, so it'll be sticking around in Leeds for the long haul. Which feels right, given it's been under our feet this whole time. Keep your eyes on what's coming to the museums, as this one could well end up on display before long.
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🐮 Yorkshire Water Workers Downed Tools to Rescue a Cow Near Otley
Some Yorkshire Water contractors carrying out survey work near Otley had their day take an unexpected turn this week, when they came across a farmer's cow that had become well and truly wedged in a ditch.
Rather than just stand around looking sympathetic, the crew put their excavator to good use, carving out an escape route from the ditch so the cow could be freed. The operation was apparently a success, though all involved emerged considerably muddier than when they started.
It's the kind of story that doesn't need much dressing up. Five blokes on a surveying job near Otley rescued a stranded cow with an excavator, and everyone went home happy, including the cow. Job well done.
Honourable Mentions 📰
🎤 The Otley Run Complaints Choir — A group has launched a surprise choir performance on the Otley Run to highlight the impact of pub crawl culture on the local neighbourhood, and it's been going viral in all the right ways.
🎸 Leeds Festival Axes the BBC Introducing Stage — Leeds Festival has confirmed it's dropping the long-running BBC Introducing stage from its 2026 line-up, replacing it with a new format. Details on what's replacing it are still emerging, but it marks the end of an era for plenty of emerging artists who got their big break there.
🍺 Five Leeds Pubs Named Among the Best in the UK — The Highland Laddie, Whitelock's, The Cardigan Arms, The Victoria & Commercial, and The Grove Inn have all received national recognition as some of the finest pubs in the country. A well-earned round of applause for all involved, with Whitelock's in particular being described as an "undeniable treasure," which feels very fair.
Sports ⚽️
⚽ Leeds United Head to the USA for Pre-Season — Leeds United have departed for a three-game pre-season tour of the States, facing Wrexham, Sunderland, and Liverpool.
⚽ Leeds United Foundation Summer Soccer School — The Leeds United Foundation has launched its annual Summer Soccer School, running at various venues across the city through to the 27th of August. A great shout for keeping young people active through the holidays, with more details available through the foundation directly.
Arts & Culture 🎭
Events coming up this week…
🌿 Summer Holidays Flower Pressing Workshop — Thackray Museum of Medicine: Leeds-based artist Zoë Eady leads a free drop-in botanical art session where visitors of all ages can press locally gathered plants, extract natural colours and fill nature-inspired sketchbooks. Part of the museum's Hocus Crocus summer holiday programme, free entry. (Thursday, 30 July)
🦇 Bat Walk — Temple Newsam: A family-friendly evening bat walk around the Temple Newsam estate, starting with tea, biscuits and a natural history talk before a guided two-mile walk using bat detectors. Up to five species expected to make an appearance, which is great for kids and adults alike. Check the Temple Newsam website for more info. (Saturday, 1 August)
🎲 Giant Trivial Pursuit — Leeds City Centre: LeedsBID has turned the city into a free, walk-around game of Trivial Pursuit as part of Leeds 400. Six category stops across the city centre, wedges to collect, and no subscription fee required. Running now until the 30th of August, so check out the map from the official website if you’re interested. (Ongoing from Saturday, 25 July)
Food & Business Updates 🍽️
New restaurants and places to try…
☕ North Star Coffee — Great George Street: Beloved Leeds coffee roasters North Star are opening their latest city centre site on Great George Street (opposite the LGI) today, 27th of July.
🏛️ Moods — First White Cloth Hall, Kirkgate: The Grade II* listed First White Cloth Hall on Kirkgate is being transformed into Moods, a family-run all-day café, bar and events space led by a Michelin-trained chef. Opening for drinks on the 31st of July, with full food service from the 1st of August.
🥪 Alfonso's Deli — Coming to Horsforth: The popular Miami-inspired Cuban sandwich and coffee spot from Grand Arcade has announced a second site is on the way to Horsforth. No opening date confirmed yet, but great news for anyone in the north of the city who fancies a proper bodega experience closer to home.
🍮 Misu Tiramisu — Trinity Shopping Centre: Manchester Christmas Market favourite Misu Tiramisu, known for its viral miniature tiramisu drawers in flavours including pistachio, Biscoff and mango, has landed in Leeds for a two-month residency at Trinity.
☕ New Boutique Coffee Shop — Former Red's True Barbecue Site: Plans have been submitted to Leeds City Council for a new independent boutique coffee shop to take over the long-vacant former Red's True Barbecue site in the city centre. Nothing confirmed just yet, but a promising use of a spot that's been empty for too long.
Live Music 🕺🏻
Upcoming gigs this week…
GLU + Oslo Twins — Brudenell Social Club — Tue 28 July
Natural Born Shooter — Wharf Chambers — Tue 28 July
Fire In Her Eyes — The Wardrobe — Wed 29 July
Shez Raja + Guthrie Govan — City Varieties Music Hall — Thu 30 July
The Fluorescents + Stay Safe + Shark Bait — Hyde Park Book Club — Thur 30 July
The Maccabees + Maxïmo Park + Everything Everything + Mystery Jets + Fiona-Lee — Kirkstall Abbey — Fri 31 July
Loyle Carner + Jordan Rakei + KOKOROKO + Kofi Stone + Bricknasty — Kirkstall Abbey — Sat 1 August
On this day 📖
On the 27th of July 1953, the Korean War Armistice Agreement was signed, bringing three years of fighting on the Korean peninsula to a close. The agreement established the Korean Demilitarized Zone, which remains one of the most heavily guarded borders in the world to this day.
Thanks!
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