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THE AWARD-WINNING LIFES T YLE MAG AZINE FOR LEEDS 17 & THE LEEDS JEWISH COMMUNIT Y www.jlifemagazine.co.uk

Out in Ilkley & Otley Sunny Bank Mills Pet Month Pics Jeremy Dyson’s Ghost Stories Summer Essentials

ITZVAH

ALSO INSIDE: WHAT’S ON | ADVICE | HOME | FASHION | TECH | FINANCE | CITY BEAT | BUSINESS ARTS & CULTURE | TRAVEL | LEEDS 400 | HEALTH & BEAUTY AND MUCH MORE

UM E2

JL ISSU 20 20 IFE E8 TH 26 5 YE AR

Reborn Doll worth £80 from Peek A Boo Otley Sunday Lunch at Double Tree Hilton Dinner at Quinta Ilkley

VO L

World Cup Travel Pride Awards# 20 Community Events Father’s Day

BAR & BAT M

Available at White Rose Centre - Leeds Meadowhall - Sheffield

SKOPES.CO.UK

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NEWS IN BRIEF

PHOTOS

Mental Health Campaign

Leeds Jewish Welfare Board is aiming to raise £160,000 during its 2026 campaign, with all funds going towards vital mental health services for the community.

The campaign kicks off on 14th June with a special evening featuring former Leeds United Captain and brain tumour survivor Dominic Matteo who will appear alongside his wife Jess to share their story. Guests will enjoy a fish and chip supper, with an early bird ticket price available.

On 21st June, supporters are invited to take part in the Smash Your Step Count Challenge, walking eight miles or running 13 miles around the beautiful Harewood Estate.

LJWB Chief Executive Officer Liz Bradbury said: “As mental health needs surge across the UK, our community is facing a moment that demands compassion, solidarity, and action. Every pound donated strengthens the safety net that any one of us may one day rely on. By coming together as a community, we can ensure that support is there when it matters most.”

For details on the Dominic Matteo evening or the Harewood walk and run, email fundraising@ljwb.co.uk or call 0113 203 4919.

Emigration Highest for 40 Years

Emigration to Israel from the UK reached its highest level in more than 40 years last year.

According to a new report by the Institute for Jewish Policy Research titled ‘Time to Leave the UK? Patterns of Jewish Migration to Israel post-October 7’, 742 British Jews made aliyah in 2025, the highest count since the mid-1980s. The report notes, however, that British Jewry ‘is not on the brink of an exodus’ and contextualises the figures within broader patterns of migration and community sentiment.

While the 742 UK Jews who made their home in Israel in 2025 might stem from concern over rising antisemitism and fear of the community’s future here, the Institute of Jewish Policy Research urged caution over taking that view: “The overwhelming majority of Jews are staying and feel able to practise their Judaism in the UK”.

Praise for LJHA

Leeds Jewish Housing Association has been commended following a dramatic improvement in tenant satisfaction scores. An independent survey of 218 LJHA residents found overall satisfaction at 86.9% – an increase of 4% on 2025, and part of an improvement of approximately 20% across all 12 satisfaction metrics over the past two years.

The results were recognised at the highest level with LJHA staff invited to Leeds Civic Hall

by Lord Mayor Councillor Dan Cohen, who said: “I live in North Leeds and so I’ve witnessed the transformation firsthand in a meaningful way. I wanted to recognise, on behalf of the city, that movement, that change, that journey. This is not a normal level of improvement. This is dramatic, sustained, and impactive.”

The Great Leeds Walk

A fundraising hike takes place on 11th July starting from the Leodiensian Rugby Club in LS17, where there’s a choice of three distances to take on in The Great Leeds Walk.

The first is 10 miles – taking you on a stunning climb to an end point at Surprise View; 18 miles passes through scenic Yeadon and Horsforth to an end point at The Bridge Inn; or 25 miles – the ultimate city-to-nature loop back to the end point at The Leodiensian Club.

There will be a shuttle bus back, or walkers can make their own way back to the club. Detailed route information and a walk pack will be sent out in advance of the day.

Candlelighters.org.uk/challenge-event/the-great-leeds-walk-2026

Rabbi Alby Steps Down

The popular senior rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregation, Rabbi Albert Chait, announced he will leave later this year after 20 years’ service.

Rabbi Alby joined the synagogue at the age of 19, following in the footsteps of his father Henry, who had been chazan at Greenbank Road in Liverpool. 10 years later, he was inducted as UHC’s senior minister, becoming spiritual leader of an Orthodox congregation while its chazan.

He went on to gain his rabbinic title under London Beth Din head Rabbi Menachem Gelley.

Five years ago, he was made MBE for his morale-boosting online services during COVID, one of which, streamed from Elland Road for Chanukah, reached over 20,000 people. He also founded a charity, A Time to Say Thank You, which organises volunteers to deliver gifts on Christmas Day to homeless shelters, emergency services, and care centres.

Rabbi Alby said: “I’ve not yet decided where the next chapter in my life will take me but over the coming months, I’ll be taking time to reflect on how best I can continue to serve the entire Jewish community here in the UK and further afield in the years ahead.”

Operation Bernhard Banknotes at HCN Moortown Festival

Friends of Moortown Park and Moortown Community Group celebrate Leeds 400 with this year’s festival, taking place from 2pm to 7pm on 12th July, not 4th July as previously stated. A great chance to connect to the community through live music and performances from local Moortown talent, stalls, food and drink, and plenty of activities for children and young adults.

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Original counterfeit banknotes created for the infamous Operation Bernhard mission during the Second World War are now on display at Holocaust Centre North. Donated to the centre

by Graphic Designer Andy Taylor, these historic artefacts bring to life the renowned failed operation initiated by the German Government in 1942 as part of their attempt to bankrupt the British economy.

These counterfeit notes continued to turn up in circulation right up until 1964. At the end of the war, the notes were dumped into Lake Toplitz in Austria where they remained until 1959.

As more information about the operation has come to light, the notes have increased considerably in value. Rather than profit from this notoriety, Andy felt the notes needed to be preserved and shown to as wide an audience as possible to share their history.

The Operation Bernhard banknotes are on display alongside HCN’s permanent exhibition Through Our Eyes which is built from the testimony of Holocaust refugees and survivors. Both displays are free and the centre is open Monday to Thursday from 10am to 5pm.

Jlifemagazine.co.uk

CONTENTS: JUNE / JULY 2026

IN THISISSUE YOURREGULARFEATURES Summer Essentials

Get your garden ready for hosting this summer with some tips from industry experts and soak up the sun in one of our city’s amazing beer gardens. Starts page 16.

Out and About

Ilkley and Otley both offer an excellent day out for retail and hospitality set among some of the best views in Yorkshire.

Starts page 34.

Coming of Age

Reminisce with photos of the celebrations we’ve shared over the past year and find out the key to nailing a speech as well as some of the best gift options. Starts page 70.

! WIN WIN WIN !

DoubleTree by Hilton Leeds City Centre is giving away a table for four with a bottle of wine included at its Sky Lounge restaurant for a Sunday roast! Page 12.

JLife Meets…

Leeds-born Author and Screenwriter Jeremy Dyson talks Jewish influence, the power of friendship, and the supernatural. Page 14.

Find out about Foundation for Jewish Heritage and its exciting new initiative from Chief Executive, Michael Mail MBE. Page 22.

Upcoming UKIB breakfast guest speaker Joseph Gitler is on a mission to end food insecurity in Israel through the charity, Leket. Page 84.

We Are Leeds

Leeds celebrates its 400th birthday on 13th July and a city-wide year of celebration is already well underway. Page 31.

PUBLISHER Elliot Landy

GRAPHIC DESIGN Richard Shawcross

EDITOR

Ellie Tyson

WRITER

Brendan Campbell

DIGITAL MARKETING Tracey Cleminson

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Arts Photography Claire Bartfield Photography Darren Taylor David Cole Photography

Howard Barnett Photography simon@addictive.media Steve Bootle Photography Steve McNiven Photography

CONTRIBUTORS

Dan Cohen Emily Spencer Gary Don Helen Booth Jane Oakshott Jeremy Dyson Jordan Bransberg Joseph Gitler Juliet Shenderey Kieran Igwe Kostas Iliadis Laura Rich Libi Doerfler Louise Maciag Magdalena

Fatherly Fun

Do You See Me?

Viva Mexico!

World Music Day falls on 21st June, offering an opportunity to celebrate Leeds’ extraordinary musical heritage. Page 32.

Learning Disability Week runs from 15th to 21st June; we take a look at organisations helping to raise awareness across Leeds and in the community. Page 48.

Remote Control

With a report showing between 40% and 44% of us work hybrid or remote, it’s time to upgrade your home office setup!

Page 49.

Dream Weaving

Over in Farsley, a derelict Victorian textile mill has been transformed into one of the region’s most extraordinary cultural destinations. Page 52.

Ditch the gifted socks and give your dad an experience he won’t forget this Father’s Day. Page 62.

All eyes will be on North and South America this summer for the FIFA World Cup, so check out Mexico’s vibrant and eclectic host cities for a holiday destination.

Page 64.

Skin Deep

As you blow off the winter blues and embrace the (hopefully) better weather, it’s important you know how to look after your skin. Page 80.

! WIN WIN WIN !

Peek a Boo Baby Boutique in Otley is offering the chance to win a reborn baby doll worth £80! Page 43.

Win a £100 voucher to spend at Ilkley’s award-winning restaurant, Quinta.

Page 35.

about Jewish heritage. It’s Leeds PUBLISHER'S NOTE MBE 400, we check out Sunny Bank Mills, and As he steps down from mayoral duties, a big congrats to Cllr Dan on his success in the local elections, and thanks for his continued contribution to JLife showing his amazing commitment to this community. Another community stalwart stepping down is Alby and what an impact he’s had, both locally and with his amazing worldwide initiatives, he’ll be sorely missed.

This edition we chat with Jeremy Dyson about his new show and Michael Mail

Otley and Ilkley take the floor, plus a little further afield there’s some Mexican travel inspiration on the eve of the FIFA World Cup! It’s our annual Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebration, we have three great competitions, and the winning pics from National Pet Month! So much to tell you about…

Enjoy...

We’re always happy to hear from you with stories and contributions, it's your local magazine, so get in touch!

@JLifeMagazine /JLifeMagazine

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June / July 2026

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For up-to-date Jewish community activities visit Leedsjewishcommunity.com. All Community Diary details are correct at the time of going to press. For full event information, please contact the organisers directly. Printing: PMG Print Management.

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PHOTOS

ETZ CHAIM RECENTLY HELD A CHEESECAKE BAKE AND LEARN SESSION WITH RABBI GILBERT AND CLAIRE BROWN!

A PRE-LAG B’OMER BARBEQUE WAS ENJOYED BY LJOY’S BAR MITZVAH CLUB IN ATTENDANCE OF RABBI YEHUDA CANTER OF THE COMMUNITY KOLLEL.

AROUND 40 PEOPLE MADE THE TRIP DOWN TO LONDON IN MAY WITH LEEDS LEADS AGAINST ANTISEMITISM FOR A NATIONAL MARCH.

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See more photos on pages 24 ,50, 68, 74 and 83

THE SHUL ALSO CELEBRATED LAG B’OMER WITH A BONFIRE AND S’MORES.

THE CLUB ALSO HAD A MOCK SEDER LED BY RABBI GILBERT!

THOUSANDS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY GATHERED OUTSIDE DOWNING STREET FOR THE PEACEFUL PROTEST.

Jlifemagazine.co.uk

COMMUNITY

Reflection and Resilience

Recently, our Leeds community has come together in remarkable ways through reflection, celebration, conversation, and unwavering support for one another.

There was a deeply moving Yom Hazikaron commemoration, with over 200 guests hearing from injured IDF soldier Shalev Biton, whose testimony reminded us of the extraordinary courage, sacrifice, and resilience of those defending the State of Israel. We honoured those who have lost their lives while standing together in solidarity with the families still living through unimaginable uncertainty.

That reflection turned to celebration as we marked Yom Ha’atzmaut through a series of events. Our annual Business Breakfast welcomed outspoken Israel advocate and Broadcaster Erin Molan, whose honesty, courage, and passion left a profound impression on everyone in attendance, while also highlighting the innovative projects strengthening Israeli society through education, employment, and community development.

UJIA was also proud to sponsor the UK Israel Business Breakfast, featuring Leedsborn Entrepreneur James Bott, whose story of determination, innovation, and business success offered both inspiration and insight.

We also celebrated the power of the Jewish mother here in Leeds at UJIA’s and UK Israel Business’ annual event, ‘Mothers That Make It Happen’.

This year’s event featured an incredible panel of Leeds women alongside their sons and daughters, sharing honest reflections on family, ambition, and success.

Most recently, guests gathered for an intimate evening with former Mossad Chief Psychologist and Hostage Negotiator Glenn Cohen. Hearing directly from someone who has worked at the centre of Israel’s most sensitive and traumatic moments was both emotional and thought-provoking.

UJIA is working tirelessly on decisions surrounding Israel tours, summer internship programmes, and what the coming months may bring. We continue to support

With Alexa Harris, UJIA Head of Community Campaign and Si3 communities both here and in Israel through grants and investments, means-tested bursaries, educational programming, youth movement support, and vital partnerships with communal organisations.

At a time when so much feels uncertain, one thing remains clear: the strength of our community, our connection to Israel, and our commitment to one another has never been more important.

Ujia.org

SAFE HANDS

Ex-GB Athlete and community member Jordan Bransberg is channelling his expertise into helping others through his business, Reboot Sports Massage.

Jordan Bransberg was an elite 800-metre runner from the age of 13, representing Great Britain at both a junior and senior level throughout his career: “I was a full-time athlete training six days a week, I was sponsored by Adidas, and was the best 800-metre athlete in Europe for my age. It was my whole life until I got injured and everything fell apart.”

After years of being misdiagnosed, what was initially a small injury turned out to be what would ultimately cost Jordan his career and force him to retire early: “I had to have two big surgeries – one when I was 25 and the other at 28 – and my whole life changed.” Not only did this have a devastating impact on the athletic career, but the mental strain from the change in trajectory and lack of support received meant that Jordan’s life was in limbo for a few years after.

June / July 2026

“The only job I’d known my whole life was being an athlete,” explains Jordan reflecting on a period of hardship following his forced retirement. “I ended up doing any job I could to earn money. I did everything from being a carer for the elderly and delivery driving to working for a haulage company and being a gymnastics instructor.

“I eventually sat myself down and decided I need to find what I really want to do. Being a physiotherapist was the dream, but I know I’m not very academic and university wouldn’t be for me, so I became a sports massage therapist which is the next best thing.”

Over the last four years, Jordan has been building Reboot Sports Massage and is helping anyone that suffers with muscle issues: “A lot of people think that because I’m a sports massage therapist, they have to be involved with a sport to come and see me, which isn’t the case at all!

Most of my clients are just everyday people who sit down all day because of their work, are casual runners that have got tight calves, are slightly overweight so have knee pain, or even those with arthritis.

“Obviously, I can’t cure and help those with arthritis, but what I can help is the muscles to loosen up and reduce the stress and tension around the affected area.”

Having been misdiagnosed so much

throughout his career, Jordan believes that he can help with things that physios sometimes can’t: “I always say, if you’re thinking about seeing a physio, see a sports massage therapist first as they’re cheaper and your first line of defence are your muscles which is what we specialise in. A lot of these issues can be treated by a deep tissue massage and specific area work with a couple of stretches and exercises.”

It’s Jordan’s expertise from his athletic days that makes Reboot a great choice for anyone suffering with neck, shoulder, or back pain, knee and hip pain, headaches, poor posture, sporting injuries, sciatica, and arthritis: “One of my first ever clients had the exact same issue that I had so I told him to get it checked out and ultimately saved his running career – that wouldn’t have happened if I didn’t have the experience I do.”

“I treat my clients how I’d like to be treated,” says Jordan on the importance of building strong client relationships. “I’m open, straightforward, and always aim to sort issues out as quickly as possible without ripping people off.”

To find out more about sports massage therapy or how Jordan can help, WhatsApp 07581 264 678.

7

NATIONAL PET MONTH

To celebrate National Pet Month in April, we asked you to send us your best pet pics and we received so many, thank you! Here's a selection as well as our winner Tex who has won a £40 voucher to spend at Fetch pet shop in Alwoodley.

Winner

TEX - SPRINGER

as chosen by Fetch Pet Shop

JEWISH NEW YEAR

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ABBY

AURA AND DANNY

BLUE-BELL -BLUE RUSSIAN

CHEWIE - COCKAPOO

WISH FAMILY AND FRIENDS A HAPPY JEWISH NEW YEAR 11th September 2026 Place your free announcement in our August edition.

Email 20 words to admin@nutsforprint.co.uk or call 0845 052 2911

Jlifemagazine.co.uk

DAISY

EEVEE - POMERANIAN

FRANKIE - POMERANIAN

GIZMO

HAMISH

JUNIOR - CAVAPOO

LUKA

LUNA

LUNA

MARLEY

MONTY

MOSHE - MINATURE POODLE

OTIS

PAXTON

SHADOW

SKY AND MOLL

SNOOP

June / July 2026

9

HOUSING A Rewarding Experience LJHA is a not-for-profit landlord that for the past 70-plus years has provided housing and support services for over 10% of the Jewish community. On a weekly basis our staff deliver services such as: • Repair and maintain our homes and buildings to keep them warm, modern, and safe.

• Collect rent and service charge income.

• Engage with and listen to our residents on how we constantly improve our services.

• Make contact with those elderly residents who want it, to ensure everyone is fit and well.

• Support those who are struggling and bring in other agencies to help where needed.

• Build and buy more homes for the community.

• Manage the business in a professional manner.

We are led, overseen, and steered by a volunteer board of management consisting of 12 members to make sure

we are both delivering for residents today and preparing for the future. This is a rewarding opportunity to be involved in an organisation that makes a real impact and be part of a pillar organisation for the community, delivering life-changing services that make an impact for hundreds of residents and developing award winning new homes and communities.

Board membership roles are time limited so we are always looking for potential new members to join us – those with work or life experiences that could blend in with a caring, professional, and ambitious organisation like us. If you think this might be you or if you would like to know more about this opportunity, then please email us. The suggestion from our existing board members is that this could be one of the most rewarding things you could do… give us a try! info@ljha.co.uk

With Mark Grandfield, Chief Executive at Leeds Jewish Housing Association (LJHA)

COMMUNITY What a Year!

I must begin this month with the hugest of thanks to all the 4,633 people who voted for me at this year’s local elections, re-electing me as one of your Alwoodley ward councillors. I never take the support of Alwoodley residents for granted and it’s my privilege to represent you for four more years. We now have the tricky task of determining how the council will operate for the next year, as there is no majority control by any of the political parties – quite how this will play out remains to be seen.

It’s been a tremendous honour for Elayna and I to have held the office of Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Leeds for the past 12 months.

We’ve seen so many different parts of the city and witnessed first-hand the amazing energy and commitment of those who volunteer their time to make Leeds the best city in the UK. I’ve welcomed diplomats and ambassadors from around the world who have visited Leeds to learn how to develop a city that is world-leading in tech businesses and startups alongside a truly first-class legal and financial services sector. It’s been eye-opening.

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After such a busy year mayor-ing, I’m now able to focus on my work as an Alwoodley councillor (although I didn’t stop working for all my residents just because I was Lord Mayor – I’m not sure that would’ve been allowed by residents, in any event).

With my ward councillor hat on, I need to reiterate the issues around our local schools with illegal and inconsiderate parking. I’ve been visiting our local schools with both the council’s own parking enforcement officers and our local neighbourhood policing officers.

I’ve been assured that these visits won’t be one-offs and that officers are committed to ensuring that unlawful parking is tackled as robustly as possible.

My plea to the minority of parents and carers who apparently don’t believe that the law (or indeed common courtesy) applies to them, is to please park lawfully and considerately. It’s safer for your children, for other people’s children, and for all road users and pedestrians – and if that isn’t enough, know that the chances of a ticket are certainly increased.

Councillor Dan Cohen reflects on his year as Lord Mayor as he continues to serve the residents of Alwoodley ward.

Remember for any local issues, concerns or questions, Neil, Lyn, and I are always here to assist – please don’t hesitate to get in touch if there is anything we might be able to help you with.

07711 647 849 | dan.cohen@leeds.gov.uk

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June / July 2026

Your Community Motor Garage Used Vehicle Sales MOT’s • Bodyshop • Alarms Servicing and MOT

0113 268 9983 Esgarageleeds.co.uk Whinbrook Approach Leeds 17 and now at New Road Side Horsforth

Proud sponsors of The Masked Singer 11

COMPETITION

Sunday Stars DoubleTree by Hilton Leeds City Centre is giving away a table for four with a bottle of wine included at its Sky Lounge restaurant for a Sunday roast!

Overlooking the waterfront on Granary Wharf, DoubleTree by Hilton Leeds City Centre is just a short two-minute walk from the train station and is home to 333 modern rooms and the highest rooftop cocktail bar in Leeds! Sky Lounge sits 13 floors above the hustle and bustle of the city, providing the perfect backdrop to unwind and socialise with delicious food and drink.

By day, enjoy a decadent afternoon tea or hearty Sunday roast and catch up with friends over a boozy brunch all the while taking in the breathtaking views of the city. By night, it's time to try some of the best cocktails the city has to offer while looking out over the city skyline on the heated terrace.

A particular highlight of the restaurant’s menu is its new Sunday roast offering. From 12 to 4pm, enjoy the exclusive Sky Sunday Roast, crafted for lovers of seasonal flavours and indulgent weekend dining. Choose from perfectly roasted meats, pan-roasted fish of the day, or beautifully crafted vegetarian

COMPETITION and vegan options that are all prepared with exceptional care and premium ingredients. All roasts are served with maple-glazed carrots, buttered Savoy cabbage, leeks, peas, and Kirkstall's Best Yorkshire Bitter Ale gravy.

Alongside its excellent roasts, the menus throughout the week are equally amazing.

On Friday and Saturday between 6 and 9pm, get into the weekend spirit and indulge in small bites or sharing plates while you sip on carefully crafted cocktails. The afternoon tea also offers a selection of tempting treats paired with a cocktail gives the tradition a modern twist with a boozy finish.

Looking for a show-stopper venue for a special occasion? Covering everything from corporate events, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, weddings and private parties, Sky Lounge on the 13th floor can do it all, and with a fantastic city view!

Leedsskylounge.co.uk

To be in with a chance of winning a Sunday roast table for four with a bottle of wine at Sky Lounge, simply answer the following question...

What floor of the hotel is the Sky Lounge restaurant located on?

Enter online at Jlifemagazine.co.uk/ competitions-leeds or by post to JLife Ltd, Unit 7, Gemini Business Park, Sheepscar Way, Leeds, LS7 3JB. Please ensure your entry includes your full name, address, daytime telephone number, and email address. The winner will be randomly selected on the closing date: 26th June 2026.

Terms and conditions apply: One entry per person. By entering the competition online, you will automatically be entered in JLife Magazine and DoubleTree by Hilton’s databases to be contacted

Jlifemagazine.co.uk

EN

TS

PROMOTION

EV

That’s Entertainment!

Don’t miss out on these fantastic events happening in and around the city.

Barry Manilow | first direct bank arena | 11th June

Barry Manilow, whose timeless hits include Mandy, Copacabana (At the Copa), and Could It Be Magic, has captivated audiences for decades with his extraordinary voice, heartfelt ballads, and larger-than-life performances. Known for his ability to turn every show into an unforgettable spectacle, Barry continues to prove that he is one of the world’s most enduring entertainers.

Firstdirectbankarena.com

Sounds of the City | Millennium Square 30th June to 11th July

Millennium Square once again plays host to its summer series of outdoor concerts in the city centre. This year’s line-up includes thrilling performances from Dylan Gossett, Alabama Shakes, Tom Odell, Wet Leg and English Teacher, The Human League with ABC, and The Cribs.

Millenniumsquare.co.uk

Leeds Pride | City Centre | 18th and 19th July Rebecca Ferguson: 15 Years Stripped | City Varieties Music Hall | 3rd June

The renowned singer will perform stripped-back versions of her biggest hits, including Glitter and Gold, Nothing’s Real but Love, and Shoulder to Shoulder – plus interpretations of some of her favourite songs. Fans can experience Rebecca’s voice like never before, hearing it up close and personal, supported solely by piano.

Rebecca will be joined by Tom Seals, whose masterful piano playing complements her vocals perfectly. He has performed with the likes of Tom Grennan, Jools Holland, Russell Watson, and KT Tunstall. Regarded as one of the UK’s finest live vocalists, Rebecca’s stunning soulful voice has been widely praised by critics and earned nominations for MOBO and MTV Europe Music Awards.

Cityvarieties.co.uk

As Leeds Pride celebrates its 20th anniversary, this year’s celebration has expanded into a full two-day event for the first time. Get ready for a city-wide celebration championing local LGBTQ+ talent alongside world-class entertainment with the iconic Pride parade, street parties, and a packed programme of events planned across the weekend.

Performers include Strictly Come Dancing icon and RuPaul’s Drag Race star La Voix, who will take to the main stage as part of what promises to be the biggest Leeds Pride line-up to date.

Leedspride.com

Legally Blonde: The Musical | Leeds Grand Theatre 9th to 13th June

This feel-good romcom, based on the award-winning film starring Reese Witherspoon, follows Elle Woods on her transformation from fashionista to legal ace at Harvard Law School, all in the name of love.

Elle must prove she is more than blonde ambition, swap the changing rooms for the courtroom, and learn that being true to yourself never goes out of style. A must-see show from the creative team behind Director Nikolai Foster’s phenomenally successful Kinky Boots.

Leedsheritagetheatres.com

June / July 2026

Kirkstall Abbey Comedy Festival | 26th July

Head to the grounds of Kirkstall Abbey for a Sunday afternoon laughtacular of top-drawer comedy featuring some of the UK’s best-loved stand-ups. The bill includes Jason Manford, Dara Ó Briain, Lucy Beaumont, Babatunde Aleshe, Sara Pascoe, Alan Davies, Geoff Norcott, Hal Cruttenden, and Jarred Christmas.

Kirkstallabbeyfestival.co.uk

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ARTS INTERVIEW

Beyond Belief Leeds-born Author and Screenwriter Jeremy Dyson talks Jewish influence, the power of friendship, and the supernatural.

Jeremy Dyson has had a varied and highly successful career as an author and screenwriter. He is perhaps best known as a member of the League of Gentlemen, as well as for the cult-favourite stage show and film Ghost Stories. His latest project, The Psychic, created in collaboration with Andy Nyman, has recently completed a successful world premiere run at York Theatre Royal.

Born, raised, and educated in Leeds, both the city and Jeremy’s upbringing have profoundly impacted his work. His writing often explores themes of the supernatural and scepticism, reflecting on the Jewish tradition of inquiry that’s infused with a distinctive sense of wit: “Neither me or Andy are observant, but we were both raised in semi-Orthodox households where we kept Shabbos and all the high holidays which was incredibly formative. It was a very spiritual environment which touched us, shaped who we are, and ultimately finds its way into our work. We’re both steeped in the values we were raised in, so we have a conscious approach to questioning and commentary from both sides to explore all aspects of what we’re writing about.

“The Jewish voice is one of dark irony. Both my parents had a sense of humour, and we had Jewish comedy records around – How to be a Jewish Mother and You Don’t Have to be Jewish were played again and again when I was growing up. Then I discovered Mel Brooks, Woody Allen, and English writers like Jack Rosenthal which all fuelled my sense of humour.”

Although the show isn’t a Jewish play and focuses on the showman community – those who are born into travelling fairgrounds – Jeremy believes there are parallels of a small minority existing within a large minority, right down to having their own language.

Having formed a dear friendship over 40 years ago after meeting at Chai summer camp

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in 1981, Jeremy and Andy’s relationship is the rocket fuel that powers their collaborative efforts. Ghost Stories followed four male characters, something they consciously avoided when creating The Psychic: “Jewish families are often very matriarchal and mine and Andy’s certainly were, we spent all our lives observing powerful women, so we wanted to make the lead a strong woman.”

The play follows Sheila Gold, a popular TV psychic who loses a high-profile court case, which brands her a charlatan. When a wealthy couple ask Sheila to conduct a séance to attempt to make contact with their late child, Sheila senses an opportunity to bleed them for money. What follows makes her question everything she’s ever believed and leads her on a journey into the darkest corners of her life. This subject matter was something that greatly intrigued the creative duo: “Andy has done years of work with Derren Brown where he was often looking at the world of fake psychics or those that profess to have psychic powers.

There’s also a tradition of magicians exposing that world which goes all the way back to Houdini – we’re fascinated by how people will use fakery to simulate talking to the dead which obviously has a lot of dramatic possibilities.”

Manipulation and grief are two themes that are prevalent in The Psychic, so Jeremy felt it was important to keep the show emotionally grounded despite some of its thriller elements: “The thing that surprises the most is the emotional content, but it comes

with the territory when you’re looking at loss.

It’s inherently deeply emotional, especially when you’re exploring the distrust in psychics and their willingness to exploit grief.”

Looking ahead, Jeremy hopes to be involved in more theatre work: “I feel really lucky to have had so many opportunities to do different things, but I really love theatre and working with a live audience who don’t lie when it comes to their opinions! They have no agenda so it’s a very pure form of feedback which makes it very exciting.

“Of course, I love doing things for television when I get the opportunity but, in this industry, it’s a case of putting your stuff out there and seeing what happens next. One of my favourite proverbs is ‘man plans, God laughs’ which is an excellent summary of a career in the creative arts!”

MOTORING

ADVICE

New Car, Big Decisions!

Buying a new car is a big decision and one of the most important choices buyers face today is selecting the type of fuel or powertrain. Traditional petrol and diesel options now compete with hybrids and fully electric vehicles, so it’s essential to weigh the advantages and drawbacks of each based on your needs, budget, and driving habits.

Petrol cars are typically cheaper, offer a smooth, quiet driving experience, and are well-suited for short trips and city driving where stop-start traffic is common.

However, they’re generally less fuelefficient than diesel engines and tend to produce higher carbon emissions.

Diesel vehicles suit drivers who cover long distances regularly as they tend to deliver better mileage on highways and provide more torque, making them suitable for towing or carrying heavy loads.

On the downside, diesel cars are usually more expensive to purchase and maintain while environmental concerns and stricter emissions standards have led to declining popularity, with some cities imposing penalties or bans on older diesel models.

Combining a petrol engine with an electric motor, hybrid vehicles offer a middle ground – improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. They’re great for city driving, where the electric motor can handle low-speed travel, saving fuel.

However, hybrids are often more expensive than petrol or diesel cars. While they don’t require charging like electric vehicles, their complexity can sometimes lead to higher maintenance costs.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly attractive as governments and manufacturers push for greener alternatives. They produce zero tailpipe emissions, making them environmentally friendly and ideal for urban areas with strict pollution controls. Running costs are generally lower, as electricity is cheaper than fuel and EVs have fewer moving parts, reducing maintenance. The initial purchase price is typically higher, although incentives and grants may offset this. Range anxiety and the availability of charging infrastructure remain concerns for some buyers, especially those without easy access to home charging.

With Raffaele Saccoccio from ES Motors Moortown

Ultimately, taking the time to compare options and consider long-term costs will help ensure you make a well-informed decision.

Esgarageleeds.co.uk

ANTIQUES

Shaken, Not Stirred

The interest in James Bond books and films is higher than ever with record prices being set for the sale of first edition and signed copies of the Ian Fleming books.

Every year for the next decade, a different 007 novel will reach its 70th anniversary of being in continuous print. Ian Fleming wrote the series from 1953 to 1966 and sold around 30 million copies in his lifetime. The books and films they inspired remain the largest modern franchise to this day.

This was not the case in the beginning.

All the reports written about the books were ‘unambiguous rejections’. However, after Dr. No was released by Eon Studios in 1961, opinions changed. To date, the franchise has grossed more than $7 billion!

20 to 30 years ago, many thought the phenomenon had run its course, but the value of first edition and signed copies is still rising. In November 2020, Sotheby’s sold the signed copy of Casino Royale that Fleming gave to Leonard Russell, his editor at The Sunday Times for £55,000. In January 2022, another auction room took £50,000 for a signed copy given to a fellow writer Paul Gallico. First editions in good condition

June / July 2026

jackets sell between £3,000 and £7,000.

Ian Fleming founded the quarterly journal ‘The Book Collector’ and popularised the appreciation of modern book collecting.

He also ran the fine-binding publisher Queen Anne Press. The family name still runs strong in these ventures as his nephews run both sides. They have just published the first ever complete published books of Fleming which is made up of 18 volumes – 14 James Bond books, two works of non-fiction (The Diamond Smugglers and Thrilling Cities), one children’s book (Chitty-ChittyBang-Bang) and a volume of collected journalism containing two unpublished short stories entitled Talk of the Devil. All the sets have sold out!

Garydon.co.uk

With Gary Don, Auctioneer and your antiques expert

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SUMMER ESSENTIALS

Leeds is home to plenty of beer gardens perfect for soaking up the sun for Beer Day Britain.

Beer Day Britain is a grassroots celebration that takes place each year on 15th June, dedicated to appreciating all kinds of beer – traditional ales, mainstream lagers, limited edition craft beers, and everything in between. The date has significance as it was when the Magna Carta was sealed in 1215, which notably references ale in clause 35: ‘Let there be throughout our kingdom a single measure for wine and a single measure of ale and a single measure for corn, namely the London quarter.’

The initiative was set up in 2015 by Jane Peyton, an award-winning beer sommelier, drinks educator, broadcaster, and writer, who said: “We have so much to be proud of with Britain’s vibrant brewing heritage and current brewing scene and the fact that our pubs are a cornerstone of the social life of the nation… Please join us for a national party so we can make Beer Day Britain the best beer fiesta in the world!”

So, why not honour Britain’s favourite tipple by taking a trip to one of the many fantastic beer gardens the city has to offer?

The Mustard Pot | Chapel Allerton

The Mustard Pot’s beer garden is surrounded by trees and greenery with picnic benches and trellis-canopied seating. It sits far enough back from the road on Stainbeck Lane that there’s no traffic noise at all, and the garden’s sprawling size makes it perfect for children to play in.

There are seasonal menus that represent the best of locally sourced, fresh ingredients alongside an ever-changing range of cask ales to showcase the best of regional breweries such as Banks of West Midlands, Jennings of Cumbria, Wychwood of Oxfordshire, and Ringwood microbrewery, Hampshire.

Mustardpotleeds.co.uk

The Original Oak | Headingley

Locals flock to The Original Oak when the sun’s out and it’s clear to see why. Maybe one of the biggest beer gardens the city has to offer (it can hold up to 1,200 people!), it’s complete with outdoor pool tables and a huge screen with full access to Sky Sports and TNT Sports that will be showing games throughout an exciting upcoming summer of sport. It’s also home to many offers, including a happy hour from 5pm to 8pm where pints start at just £3.50!

Theoriginaloakleeds.co.uk

Duck & Drake | City Centre

One of the most legendary pubs in Leeds, the Duck & Drake is home to a great lineup of regular live music, a welcoming atmosphere, great drinks, and, most importantly, a real suntrap of a beer garden. The building itself is nothing short of impressive, with a Victorian façade and a number of original light fittings and floorboards that have survived over 200 years of trade. Once you’ve got a pint of one of the many cask ales on offer and appreciated the history of the space, make your way to the back for the colourful haven of a beer garden that’s filled with greenery and flowers.

Duckndrake.co.uk

Beck & Call | Meanwood

From the team behind Belgrave and Headrow House, Beck & Call is a family-friendly pub with a massive beer garden. Parasol-covered picnic tables stretch all the way round the pub, from its multi-level terrace at the front to the spacious lawns round the back. Craft beer is what it does best, with an array of local favourites on tap that’s constantly changing. The food offering is worth the visit in itself – tuck into a delicious menu of old-fashioned pub grub, from homemade pies to juicy burgers to lighter bites such as sandwiches, wraps, and salads for when you’re catching some rays.

Thebeckandcall.co.uk

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Jlifemagazine.co.uk

ADVICE

LAW

Lifetime Giving

Strategic gifts When you start to think about how your wealth is managed, the focus can be on a will and deciding who should benefit from your estate after you die. However, there are significant advantages to lifetime gifting, both in the delight of giving and in the knowledge that doing so may reduce your tax liability.

How does it work?

Gifts made during your lifetime may reduce the overall value of your estate and the amount of inheritance tax payable on death.

With careful planning, lifetime gifting can help ensure more of what you have built up passes directly to those you wish to benefit, rather than paying tax.

How much should you give?

There are several exemptions that allow gifts to be made without increasing the value of your estate. These include an annual allowance of £3,000, which can be given to one person or shared between several recipients.

Small gifts of up to £250 per person can be made, provided no other exemption is used for the same person, and birthday or Christmas gifts from regular income are exempt.

Fixed limits apply to wedding gifts, with allowances depending on your relationship to the recipient. Exemptions apply to gifts made from surplus income, for example for a grandchild’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah, provided your usual standard of living is not affected.

Your tax-efficient gifting can include supporting another person’s living costs and charity donations.

A larger gift will fall outside your estate for inheritance tax purposes if you live for another seven years. If that period is not reached, tax may still apply, although taper relief can reduce the amount payable over time.

With Monika Volsing and Emily Spencer, Private Client Solicitors at Winston Solicitors

Strategic gifting for maximum benefit Lifetime giving works best as part of a considered estate planning strategy. The Private Client team at Winston Solicitors advises individuals and families on lifetime giving, inheritance tax planning, and wills.

If you are thinking about making a lifetime gift, call 0113 320 5000 for clear guidance, helping you to plan with confidence.

Winstonsolicitors.co.uk

PROPERTY

ADVICE

Endurance Through Uncertainty

In recent years, global uncertainty has rarely been far from the headlines. From Brexit and political upheaval at home to conflict overseas and the aftershocks of the COVID pandemic, the backdrop has been anything but stable.

And yet, the property market has shown a quiet but remarkable resilience.

Since 2016, the UK housing market has faced repeated tests. Leadership changes, economic shocks, and international crises have all contributed to an unpredictable climate.

When the pandemic struck, the market briefly paused but what followed was an extraordinary rebound. Months spent at home prompted many to reconsider their living situations, with space, flexibility, and quality of life rising to the top of buyers’ priorities.

Government support, including the stamp duty holiday and historically low interest rates, helped reignite activity.

What this period revealed is something deeper: the housing market is not solely driven by headlines or sentiment. It’s

June / July 2026

shaped by life itself, growing families, new beginnings, relocations, and retirement. These enduring needs continue regardless of wider uncertainty.

Even in 2022, amid rising inflation, higher interest rates, and political instability, the market didn’t collapse – it adjusted. Activity slowed and buyers became more measured, but transactions continued. Crucially, lending remained available, allowing the market to function.

Today, despite fresh geopolitical tensions and economic concerns, the same pattern holds. Buyers may pause, but they don’t disappear. The fundamental need for a home endures.

In a world that often feels unpredictable, that consistency offers reassurance: the property market, much like the communities it serves, continues to adapt, endure, and move forward.

Manningstainton.co.uk

With Mark Manning, Managing Director of Manning Stainton

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ADVICE

HEALTH MATTERS Travel Ready

Our travel services play a crucial role in helping travellers prepare confidently for a wide range of holidays. Convenient and run by trained healthcare professionals, Pharmacy+Health can offer travellers a one‑stop destination for expert advice, vaccinations and tailored support before they set off on their trip.

Different types of trips carry different health risks but using a personalised approach, our pharmacists can tailor their advice to specific destinations and styles of travel.

European holidays require minimal medical preparation, but our pharmacies can still add value by advising on routine vaccinations and providing travel essentials like insect repellents or motion‑sickness remedies.

For travellers heading to tropical destinations, our role becomes more specialised. Vaccinations for Hepatitis A, typhoid, or yellow fever may be required, alongside sun‑safety guidance and advice on avoiding food and water‑borne illnesses.

Malaria prevention is another key component, and we can recommend the most appropriate anti-malarial medication and offer practical guidance on mosquito bite avoidance.

Long-haul travel and backpacking trips demand a more comprehensive assessment with risk factors, including jet lag and deep‑vein thrombosis. We can provide tailored plans that cover sleep management, hydration strategies, compression stockings, and advice on staying healthy in remote areas. For travellers’ diarrhoea, we can supply standby treatments and prevention tips and for anyone heading to high‑altitude destinations, we can provide support on recognising altitude sickness and, where appropriate, medication to reduce symptoms.

Our pharmacists can even assist with period delay treatment, offering a discreet and convenient option for travellers who want more control over their menstrual cycle.

Skiing holidays introduce a different set of risks. We can advise on injury prevention, joint support products, and managing conditions exacerbated by cold weather.

With Kostas Iliadis, Pharmacist and Branch Manager at Pharmacy+Health Alwoodley Pharmacy+Health can ensure that good preparation becomes part of the adventure, helping every traveller set off with peace of mind.

Book your consultation at Pharmacyplushealth.co.uk or call your local branch.

BETTER HEARING Ask the Audiologist

Am I too young to have hearing problems?

Not at all. Hearing loss is not just an older person’s issue. Many people now seek hearing assessments after noticing difficulty following conversations in noisy places, increased listening fatigue, or trouble understanding speech in meetings and video calls.

But I can still hear people talking. Does that mean my hearing is normal?

Not necessarily. Hearing is not only about volume – it is also about clarity. Many patients can detect sound but struggle to separate speech from background noise.

This reduced speech discrimination is often an early sign of hearing change.

What causes this?

Common factors include ageing, long-term noise exposure, headphone use, concerts, and workplace environments. Modern lifestyles often expose us to sustained sound levels without people realising the impact.

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What are the first signs people notice?

• People ‘mumbling’ • Difficulty in restaurants • Increased subtitle use • Fatigue after social situations • Frequent requests for repetition Should people have hearing tests routinely?

Yes. Hearing checks should be treated like eye tests or dental visits – preventative rather than reactive. Early assessment helps identify changes before they affect communication and quality of life.

To celebrate Father’s Day, we are offering free hearing checks for all fathers throughout June. Please quote ‘JLife’ when booking!

0113 267 0000 info@simply-hearing.com

Meharban Singh Riyat, Clinical Audiologist and Director of Simply Hearing

Jlifemagazine.co.uk

June / July 2026

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C

G 20 YEARS N I AT R B LE E

LEEDS JEWISH

PRIDE AWARDS 2026

THE AWARDS ARE: Female Award SPONSORED BY

Richard Goldberg Male Award

LJWB Champion SPONSORED BY

SPONSORED BY

Anonymous

Which amazing woman do you know who deserves recognition?

Is there a super man that you know that deserves an award? Tell us all about him.

20th Celebration Award SPONSORED BY

THE AMANDA MANNING CHARITABLE TRUST This person has dedicated their life to our community; who do you think it should be?

A group or person that has volunteered their time above and beyond.

Inspirational Award SPONSORED BY

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A selection of our Recen Recent Sold properties inspired you or thetly community in some way who you think should be acknowledged?

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Employee Of The Year SPONSORED BY

The Lloyd Rakusen Sporting Achievement Award SPONSORED BY

The Rakusen Family We’re looking for someone who has made a big impact on the Leeds community with their tireless work.

Community Achievement Award SPONSORED BY

We’re lucky to have some amazing Who do you know who works people involved in sport in Leeds within the community and has but is there anyone exceptional gone above and beyond in their who deserves this award? role and deserves Protect therecognition? home you buy together

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LJWBPRIDEAWARDS.CO.UK PANEL AND ANNOUNCED ON THE NIGHT

INTERVIEW

Preserving the Past, Shaping the Future

Foundation for Jewish Heritage has an exciting new initiative for the UK’s historic synagogues.

Find out more with Chief Executive, Michael Mail MBE.

Born and raised in the Glasgow Jewish community, Michael Mail began his career with a Law degree at Strathclyde University before focusing on Jewish communal studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Brandeis University.

After working as a volunteer leader at ICOMOS (the International Council on Monuments and Sites), Michael realised there was no international organisations focused on preserving Jewish-built heritage, which led him to creating Foundation for Jewish Heritage: “At the beginning of the 20th century, nine out of 10 Jewish people lived in Europe, today it’s one out of 10. The demographic shift that came from migration, expulsion, and the Holocaust has meant that there’s an incredible legacy left behind, including synagogues that are no longer being used and are in danger.”

The Foundation’s mission is to ensure that important Jewish architectural sites, monuments, and places of cultural significance in danger are preserved and re-imagined for a sustainable future. In the beginning, the team worked with the Centre for Jewish Art at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem to map the 3,347 historic synagogues in Europe: “We rated each one according to their significance and condition to identify the ones most in danger – just under a quarter were deemed to be at risk, being in either poor or very bad condition.”

Education is an important facet of the Foundation, and the team are passionate about teaching about Jewish people, history, traditions, culture, and faith. In a climate where antisemitism is rising, Michael believes their work is more important than ever: “In creating understanding and empathy, we’re combatting ignorance and prejudice and there’s a certain power to these buildings.”

There are currently three UK-based historic synagogue projects: Sandys Row in London, Middle Street in Brighton, and Merthyr Tydfil in Wales. After conducting

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a feasibility study at Sandys Row, the Foundation is testing the idea of creating a heritage centre on the legacy of the Jewish East End. The proposed Middle Street concept – which was the playground of the Anglo-Jewish aristocracy in the 19th century, with links to the Rothschilds, Sassoons, and Montefiores – is to transform the synagogue into a cultural and educational venue.

While mainly working with owners of the synagogues to restore them, the case of Merthyr Tydfil was different: “We bought the building in 2019 as nobody was working

locally on saving it. We want to turn the building into a Jewish heritage centre for Wales to tell a 260-year-old story.” For this, £1.7 million has been secured from the Welsh government, £350,000 from trusts and foundations, and £4 million has been applied for through the National Lottery – something Michael believes will be successful.

The Foundation’s latest initiative ‘Preserving Jewish Heritage, Promoting the Hidden Jewish Story’ will receive a potential

£1.4 million from the National Lottery over six years: “We want to ensure the long-term survival of historic synagogues across the UK. We’re going to work nationwide with those facing challenges by helping them with building preservation issues, educational and outreach work, governance, and sustainability. Those outside the biggest Jewish communities have witnessed their memberships shrink dramatically, reducing their capacities, so we want to help.

“We’ll also be creating a historic synagogues heritage route and help document and preserve artefacts and give out small grants to help with survey work or feasibility studies.”

“Our work is a race against time to preserve historic synagogues in danger. We want to ensure that they’re preserved and repurposed as necessary to ensure their longterm viability, being a place of education, and contributing to the strengthening of society,” expresses Michael on his hopes for the Foundation’s legacy. On the subject of a pretty impressive legacy, Michael received an MBE at the beginning of the year for services to heritage and charity: “Some people might see the work of the Foundation as niche, therefore gaining state recognition was really important – it was obviously also very nice for me personally!”

Foundationforjewishheritage.com

Jlifemagazine.co.uk

WATCH OUT!

MEDIA PREVIEW

An exciting round-up of upcoming films, TV, and books.

TV

Cape Fear | Apple TV | 5th June

TV

Summer of Sport | BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and TNT Starts 11th June

2026 is shaping up to be an excellent summer that’s jam-packed with sporting events! It kicks off with the World Cup from 11th June to 19th July which you can catch between the BBC and ITV, with both channels showing the final at the same time.

From 16th to 20th June, watch this year’s Royal Ascot on ITV (don’t worry, there are no major World Cup clashes predicted!).

BBC and iPlayer will be showing Wimbledon from 29th June to 12th July and there’s also the British Grand Prix on 5th July; Channel 4 will be showcasing the thrills and spills of the day. If you want to watch the Tour de France (4th to 26th July) or the Commonwealth Games (23rd July to 2nd August), you’ll have to get a TNT Sports subscription!

A new psychological horror thriller is coming to Apple TV. Inspired by the 1991 remake of the film of the same name directed by Martin Scorsese and produced by Steven Spielberg, a storm is coming for happily married attorneys Anna (Amy Adams) and Tom Bowden (Patrick Wilson) when Max Cady (Javier Bardem), the notorious killer they are responsible for putting behind bars, is let out of prison – and he wants vengeance.

FILM

Disclosure Day | In cinemas from 12th June

FILM

In Disney’s live-action reimagining of the beloved Oscarnominated animated adventure, Moana (Catherine Laga'aia) answers the ocean’s call and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with the infamous demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people. A great option for a day trip to the cinema to keep the kids entertained this summer holiday!

BOOK

If you found out we weren’t alone, if someone showed you and proved it to you, would that frighten you? This summer, the truth belongs to seven billion people. We are coming close to…

Disclosure Day. Steven Spielberg’s latest sci-fi film showcases the director’s fascination with the secrets of the sky and the cast is huge! Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, and Colman Domingo are some of the stars, to name just a few.

June / July 2026

Moana | In cinemas from 10th July

Shaken to the Core | Dara Levan 23rd June

Joy Stern, a free-spirited photographer, thought she had it all together. She built a traveller’s life with her husband Andre, an architect who designed their days like the buildings he created. When Joy’s mum dies suddenly, everything changes.

Being behind the lens and capturing photos of families doesn’t feel like enough anymore – until Joy discovers a hidden key to her mother’s diary. One entry inspires a choice that could transform the trajectory of her life. Then the unthinkable happens: Andre receives devastating news, which upends their carefully constructed world. As Joy struggles to pursue her own dreams while supporting the man she loves, Joy wonders… can she do it all?

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PHOTO

See more photos on pages 6, 50, 68, 74 and 83

PHOTO: CLAIRE BARTFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO: CLAIRE BARTFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY

JOAH KRISTALL-MONNICKENDAM WAS CALLED UP AT UHC IN MAY!

THE DAY WAS FILLED WITH SMILES FROM MUMS MICHELLE AND MELANIE AND SISTER ORLEA.

PHOTO: CLAIRE BARTFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO: CLAIRE BARTFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY

A PARTY WAS HELD AT NEW CRAVEN HALL.

JOAH WAS SURROUNDED BY LOVED ONES, INCLUDING FAMILY THAT CAME OVER FROM ISRAEL.

PHOTO: CLAIRE BARTFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY

IT WAS A PROUD DAY FOR ALL!

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(L-R) PHILLIPA BLOOM, ROS SHENDEREY, DANIELLE SHEIN, SUSAN DA COSTA, RICHARD DENTON, ADAM BLOOM, CLLR DAN AND ELAYNA COHEN, DEBRA AND IAN COUPLAND, AND RABBI GILBERT PICTURED AT A CELEBRATION TO CONGRATULATE DAN AND ELAYNA ON THEIR YEAR AS MAYOR AND MAYORESS.

Jlifemagazine.co.uk

How can women preserve their fertility potential CREATE Fertility Leeds.

Once you’re ready to start treatment, you will take daily ovarian stimulation injections for around two weeks. Once your follicles are mature, we will retrieve your eggs under sedation. The mature eggs are frozen using a process called vitrification (fast freezing), then stored in our embryology laboratory.

Why might you choose to freeze your eggs?

• Wanting to focus on career, educational, or personal goals • Not feeling ready to start a family • Medical reasons, such as treatment that may affect fertility.

• Wanting to reduce future pressure or uncertainty around fertility

What are the benefits?

• Your chance of success of having a baby using the frozen eggs are as of the age when frozen, so preserving your fertility for future use.

• Security of knowing you have options for future fertility.

• Reduced pressure in the future for when you are ready to use the eggs.

How does it work?

Egg freezing starts with an initial consultation with one of our fertility experts, a detailed pelvic scan and a blood test called an AMH, one of the best overall markers of egg reserve.

4.3Excellent

Dr Mark Sedler, Clinical Lead at CREATE Leeds Fertility explains:

‘We can make a detailed assessment aiming to give more clarity on your current fertility potential, as well as making a personalised plan to preserve your fertility for the future’.

What is the next step?

Book an appointment at CREATE Fertility Leeds for your Initial Consultation, scan and receive a free AMH blood test by using code CREATEJLIFE*. *Valid until 31st August 2026 Scan to start your fertility journey...

June / July 2026

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ADVICE

HEALTH & FITNESS Is Walking Enough?

I hear this one a lot: ‘But I walk every day…’

After all, if you’re walking regularly, surely your legs should be strong? A walk round the block, walking the dog, popping to the shops, choosing to walk rather than taking the car; for many people in their 50s, 60s, and beyond, walking is their main form of exercise. And to be clear – walking is brilliant! It’s good for your heart, your head, and it keeps you active.

But many people don’t realise that walking regularly doesn’t necessarily mean your legs are staying strong. While walking keeps us moving, it often doesn’t place enough demand on our muscles to maintain strength as we get older.

And this is where you might start to notice things creeping in – the stairs feel harder than they used to, getting out of a low chair isn’t quite as straightforward, legs seem to tire more quickly than they once did, and hills get you feeling a bit more breathless than they used to.

It doesn’t seem to make sense. It’s not that walking isn’t worthwhile – far from it. It’s simply that movement and strength aren’t the same thing. One keeps you active; the other helps keep you capable.

One thing I see time and again is that when people combine the walking they already do with even just a little strength training, everyday life starts to feel easier.

They feel steadier, more confident, and more able.

So, keep walking – it’s a great habit. But if your goal is to stay strong, capable, and independent as the years go by, it’s worth asking: ‘Am I doing anything specific to keep my muscles strong?’

Because walking is excellent for your health, but strength is what helps keep you independent.

Fit20moortown.co.uk

With Kieran Igwe, Owner of fit20 Moortown

OPTICAL Clear-Sighted Your eyes are among the most remarkable and hardworking organs in the body, allowing you to experience the world through colour, light, movement, and detail. Yet many people take their vision for granted until problems begin to appear. As an optometrist, I often remind patients that regular eye examinations are about far more than simply updating glasses prescriptions.

Eye tests can detect early signs of conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and diabetic eye disease even before symptoms are noticed.

Our practice has state of the art equipment to help us to detect these conditions.

Modern lifestyles also place increasing strain on our eyes. Hours spent looking at phones, tablets, and computer screens can contribute to digital eye strain – causing headaches, blurred vision, and dry eyes.

Simple habits such as taking regular screen breaks, ensuring good lighting, and blinking more frequently can make a significant difference. We can recommend specialist lenses for use on

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digital devices, including anti-reflective coatings to reduce the effects of blue light.

Nutrition and general health also play an important role in maintaining healthy vision. A balanced diet rich in leafy greens, oily fish, and colourful vegetables supports eye health, while smoking cessation and UV protection help reduce long-term damage.

Looking after your eyes today is an investment in your future vision. Healthy sight supports independence, wellbeing, and quality of life at every age.

For more info and advice talk to the specialists at Jamesdalyopticians.co.uk

With James Daly, Founder of James Daly Opticians

Jlifemagazine.co.uk

Ankle

& Co Ltd

FOOT OR ANKLE PAIN? One of the most senior orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons in Leeds Expert and comprehensive treatment for all foot and ankle problems

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A painful ankle has many possible causes ranging from joint instability to arthritis. It is possible to treat almost every problem, relieve pain and restore function. Mr Monkhouse treats the entire range of foot and ankle problems, with a special interest in sports injuries, persistent pain after an ankle injury or just exercise, joint instability, mid-foot pain or pain in the ball of the foot when standing.

I’ve got more energy, I’m stronger, and I’m running 2–3 times a week again — knee pain had stopped me before.

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June / July 2026

27

new openings

Hot and Fresh Check out some of the latest food and drink offerings boiling up in the area.

Acai and the Tribe | City Centre | June 2026

Viral brunch café Acai and the Tribe is opening its first Leeds branch on Vicar Lane as part of the street’s regeneration scheme. Acai is a super berry grown and harvested in the Amazon rainforest that has a myriad of health benefits – it’s super high in fibre, heart-healthy fats, and antioxidants – as well as being delicious. A healthier fast-food option, there’ll be loaded acai bowls topped with a variety of toppings, superfood smoothies, coffees, matcha, and savoury options such as avocado toast and sandwiches.

Acaiandthetribe.co.uk

The Smithfield | North Street | Open now

What was once the location of the much-loved The Reliance, The Smithfield is breathing new life into the venue on North Street. The independent pub, a collaboration between Crooked Brewing and Chef James Donovan, is setting out to mix up relaxed hospitality with simple dining. Menus will change with the season but expect a wide range of small and sharing plates showcasing the best of high-quality Yorkshire produce. Accompanying the delicious food, there's a fantastic selection of natural wines from Wayward Wines, as well as plenty of great beers.

Thesmithfieldleeds.com

Burgerism | Meanwood | Coming soon

Manchester-based burger chain Burgerism is crossing the Pennines and making a home for itself on Meanwood Road.

The business used to have a dark kitchen where customers could order on food delivery apps but has since closed and left a Burgerism-shaped hole in the city. Expect a whole range of simple burgers done well – with beef, chicken, and vegan and veggie options all available – alongside delicious fries and chicken wings.

Burgerism.co.uk

The City Taproom | City Centre | Open now

Kirkstall Brewery has launched a new pub on Sovereign Street in partnership with street food kitchen Little Bao Boy which will provide the food. The venue has been given a fresh look that gives a nod to familiar Kirkstall vibes with a modern bar style and pub-like atmosphere. With a line-up of 16 taps, it offers Kirkstall Brewery classics such as Virtuous, Judicious, and Kirkstall Pilsner, alongside permanent pours of Veltins, Double Diamond, and Guinness. The pub will also feature two new cask lines: one serving Kirkstall staple Three Swords and the other rotating which will include breweries such as Five Points, Boundary, Vault City, and Harveys.

Bluebird Café | Chapel Allerton | Coming soon Hikari | Moortown | Open now

This Japanese restaurant is located on Harrogate Road and offers a culinary journey into authentic Japanese flavours.

The menu goes beyond sushi, featuring a delightful section of ramen dishes that are equally celebrated for their authenticity and taste as well as Asian-inspired small plates and rich, comforting dishes.

On Instagram @hikarisushi.uk

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After trading out of Kirkgate Market for almost 10 years, award-winning sourdough bakery Bluebird Bakery is set to open a café on Stainbeck Lane this summer. Sticking to the brand’s concept, the venue will sell Bluebird Bakery’s signature sourdough bread, made using local, organic flour and long fermentation times. Also being served up will be a tempting array of pastries, cakes, and other sweet treats to enjoy.

Bluebirdbakery.co.uk

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PRINT SQUARE

A family-run bespoke bridal boutique in town, specialising in providing high-end gowns with a first-class service.

Outfits for the bride, mums, bridesmaids and flower girls and accessories, including veils and tiaras. Specialist in Jewish bridal requirements.

New showroom on Lands Lane with hundreds of samples and ideas to start your journey!

10% off

accessories with any dress purchased from us

82 Google 5 star reviews By appt only MilanBridal@Outlook.com 07563 317 552 Milanbridalltd.co.uk

Cookridge

A Taste of Itlay NEW LUNCH MENU Monday-Friday 2 for 1 on Pasta or Pizza

We’re bringing proper Italian cooking to Cookridge. Hand-stretched pizza bases, pasta rolled fresh each day, and recipes passed down through generations.

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Whether you’re here for dinner with the family on Saturday or a weeknight meal, we want you to feel at home.

NEW OUTDOOR AREA COMING SOON!

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0113 548 7974 | saporiitalian.co.uk

Book your table today!

All Allergies Catered For Including Gluten Free Pizza and Pasta

June / July 2026

29

ARTS INTERVIEW

Close to Home

Rosa Silverman grew up in Leeds and built a career as a news journalist but always wanted to write fiction.

Her debut crime novel, The House on Otley Road, ties these three threads together.

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The Otley Road corridor, running out through Headingley, may not seem obvious territory for a crime novel. But then, as Rosa Silverman points out, it’s the unexpected darkness beneath a familiar surface that provides the hook for her first published fiction work: "I think Leeds really lends itself to great storytelling. And it kept coming to me – the idea of setting something there. It’s very much part of my past, and my present."

Rosa was three when her family moved to Leeds and she attended Roundhay School and then Allerton Grange before going on to read French at Oxford. Post-grad, she pursued a career in news journalism with a particular interest in stories about postindustrial Britain and its communities.

Now based in London, she’s a senior feature writer for The Telegraph reporting on social and political issues, but her parents remain in Leeds, and she maintains a strong attachment to the city. The House on Otley Road feels like a kind of homecoming. The novel follows Journalist Kate Marsden as she attempts to discover the truth of what happened to a group of students two decades earlier. The narrative splits between 1999 and 2019, alternating between the two timelines as the events and secrets of one era resurface in the other.

Rosa cites David Peace, the Yorkshireraised writer whose Red Riding Quartet delved into an underbelly of malice and menace in the county's recent past, among her influences: "I hadn't read much contemporary fiction set in Yorkshire and then I came across David Peace and I was completely blown away by the way he rooted his stories in that setting and the darkness he brought out of it. He was definitely an inspiration."

That inspiration can be felt in the period setting of the novel. The late 1990s are close enough to feel familiar but distant enough to represent a genuinely different world: "It was the last era when young people could experience life without the internet and smartphones. In the 2019 sections, the characters are on their phones constantly.

You don't get any of that in 1999. I wanted to draw on that contrast."

Rosa’s choice of protagonist lightly subverts crime fiction tropes while working in some autobiographical parallels. Kate Marsden isn't a detective, she's a journalist, and Rosa drew on her own experience as a news reporter. The similarities she describes between investigative journalism and fictional crime-solving feel intuitive: "The best reporters are the ones who keep chasing the story like a dog with a bone, exploring every avenue it leads them down.

That’s exactly what Kate does." Rosa feels journalists have a particular freedom that makes them useful protagonists: "You have the ability to go anywhere and speak to anyone. Knocking on doors, on the off chance that someone’s there, and that they'll tell you something. That’s how it works."

Rosa's description of her writing process makes it seem like an exploratory, improvisational endeavour, guided more by instinct than rigorous strategising: "I'm not very good at planning. I have a rough idea of where the story is going, and then I just start writing and it comes out." Working in a genre which often requires meticulous placement of puzzle pieces, planted clues, and managed revelations, this may seem like a bold approach. But the embrace of spontaneity has its own benefits: "Even writing scenes of high drama and tension can be really exciting because I'm waiting to see what's going to happen and what my characters will do." Rosa wants the mystery to lead readers forward while leaving enough clues that, looking back, they can see how it was all set up: "If I'm reading a crime novel and I work out who the killer is too early on, that's disappointing. I want that mystery to carry me along."

The House on Otley Road by Rosa Silverman will be published by HarperCollins on 18th June. Follow Rosa on Instagram @rosasilverman.

Jlifemagazine.co.uk

We Are Leeds

LEEDS 400

Leeds reaches its 400th birthday on 13th July and a city-wide year of celebration is already well underway.

On 13th July 1626, King Charles I granted Leeds its first Royal Charter, incorporating it as a ‘free borough’ and a ‘body corporate and politic’. It was the moment that changed the course of the city’s history – the foundation stone of self-governance, civic identity, and the beginning of Leeds’ long journey towards becoming the city it is today. This summer, that pivotal milestone turns 400 years old and Leeds is marking it with energy, inclusivity, and a great deal of community spirit.

Leeds 400 is a year-long programme of events, exhibitions, and community celebrations built around seven themes: sport, heritage, culture, learning, communities, innovation, and future. The programme is wide in scope, encompassing large-scale city events and grassroots local activity equally.

As Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Active Lifestyles, and Culture said: “This is a hugely significant and historic milestone for

Save the date!

June / July 2026

Leeds and an unprecedented opportunity for the city to reflect on our past, celebrate the best of what Leeds is today, and look ahead to what the future may hold. It’s important that these celebrations really capture the spirit of Leeds – from the fantastic individuals and organisations making a difference every day in our communities, to the world-class cultural and sporting events and institutions which make the city such a vibrant and exciting place to be.”

At the heart of Leeds 400 is an open invitation to every resident of the city to get involved in their own way. The What’s Your 400? campaign asks individuals, groups, and communities to come up with a personal challenge, activity, or event themed around the number 400 and then share it. The concept is simple and deliberately openended. Walk 400 steps, bake 400 biscuits, cycle 400 miles, paint 400 brushstrokes, volunteer for 400 minutes – no idea is too big or too small. Anyone completing a challenge can share their efforts using #WhatsYour400 on social media and download a certificate from the Leeds Culture Programmes website to mark the occasion.

The Manbassadors – a men’s health group based within Leeds City Council’s Active Leeds team – got in on the action early. The group of 12, who champion men’s health among colleagues, spent May walking 400 miles across the region, while raising money for Yorkshire Cancer Research. As group member Neil Jones said: “Leeds 400 is all about taking part, and we wanted to show that everyone

can get involved in their own way, get together, have some fun, and make this a year that really does bring out the best in Leeds.”

Whether you come to Leeds 400 as a participant, a supporter, or simply someone who wants to feel part of something, there is no shortage of ways to get involved. Largescale events will be announced throughout the year via Leeds Inspired, alongside a growing calendar of community celebrations.

Among them is the Kirkstall Festival on 11th July, which this year takes Leeds 400 as its theme, and a summer-long city centre trail inviting families to discover surprising stories from four centuries of the city’s history.

For a place that has always been defined by the people who live and work in it – the clothiers and mill workers, the musicians and merchants, the communities that have arrived and made Leeds their own across 400 years – the anniversary feels like a poignant opportunity to ask: what does Leeds mean to you?

Find out more and share your challenge at Leedscultureprogrammes.org.uk and on social media using #WhatsYour400 and #Leeds400.

LJWB and LJHA are teaming up to bring the community together for a lively Leeds 400 celebration on 17th August. Expect great food, live music, family friendly activities, and plenty of warm welcomes. It’s the perfect chance to celebrate our city’s past, present, and future, as well as Leeds’ strong connection with the Jewish community.

For more details, contact Dan on 0113 268 4211.

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WORLD MUSIC DAY

City Beat World Music Day falls on 21st June, offering an opportunity to celebrate Leeds’ extraordinary musical heritage.

Every year on the summer solstice people around the globe participate in World Music Day, the celebration of music which began as Fête de la Musique in Paris in 1982 and has since grown into an international phenomenon. Musicians of every level, amateur and professional, are encouraged to take their instruments outside and play, and free concerts fill public squares, parks, and streets. Today the celebration takes place in more than 700 cities across 120 countries. And where better to get into the spirit of the day than our own fair city, which has one of the richest musical traditions in the UK. To get a sense of just how rich, and to gain an appreciation of the incredible variety of sounds and subcultures that have sprung up here, it’s well worth checking out the exhibition ‘Music Leeds Us: Celebrating 60 Years of Music in Leeds’ at Leeds City Museum until 28th June. Marking six decades of Leeds Conservatoire, the show traces the people, places, and defining moments that have shaped the city’s musical identity – from

legendary gigs and grassroots movements to global sounds and local heroes. It’s a reminder that whatever you’re into musically, you’re likely to find it here be it goth, jazz, house, hiphop, blues, punk, classical, rock, or folk.

The city has produced globeconquering acts such as Kaiser Chiefs and Chumbawamba, while the University of Leeds boasts a substantial musical legacy. Like postpunk legends Gang of Four and The Mekons before them, the members of art-rock outfit Alt-J met while studying here. The Who’s Live at Leeds – widely regarded as one of rock’s best live albums – was recorded at the Student Union Refectory. Corinne Bailey Rae came up through the city’s long-thriving jazz, soul, and funk scene, while 90s mainstream pop is represented in the form of Leeds lass and Spice Girl, Mel B. More recently, indierock successes include Yard Act and English Teacher, and Leeds has long been an epicentre of dance music and electronica with Dave Beer and Ralph Lawson’s Back to Basics a clubbing stalwart and one of Europe’s longest-running club nights.

As a wellspring of fresh talent, Leeds has always been about nurturing and supporting emerging artists. Music:Leeds is a not-forprofit organisation established to develop music across the city and beyond and is a good starting point for anyone wanting to engage more deeply with what Leeds has to offer.

Its Launchpad programme supports artists, musicians, producers, and composers across

Yorkshire, and its wider network of events and workshops connects music makers with producers, promoters, and industry contacts.

While venues in the city have risen and fallen over the years, Leeds maintains a solid gig-circuit infrastructure. Brudenell Social Club, a local institution which has stood for over a century, has a reputation as one of the best venues in the country. It’s hosted everyone from Franz Ferdinand to Tom Jones and remains a nightly fixture for catching the best local and international acts. Elsewhere in the city, Howard Assembly Rooms, Left Bank, Hyde Park Book Club, The Attic, Seven Arts in Chapel Allerton, and Wharf Chambers all offer distinctive, eclectic, and inclusive live music settings.

Summertime ushers in festival season and there’s plenty round about to enjoy from Leeds Festival at Bramham Park to events at Harewood House and the newly relaunched Roundhay Park festival.

There’s always great live music to be found somewhere in Leeds any day of the week and some exciting local acts have caught our attention recently. For instance, The New Mysteries – an enigmatic concept project where alt-Americana and swamp blues merge with vintage pop stylings inspired by David Lynch’s Twin Peaks. Dark synth-pop meets goth new wave in the soaring and enveloping song structures of Lines of Flight.

And fans of Pavement, Big Thief, and The Velvet Underground should keep an ear out for up-and-comers, Nature Kids, whose gentle grooves underpin superbly crafted folk-rock arrangements with strong melodic hooks and inventive instrumentation.

So, for World Music Day, dust off that instrument you’ve neglected, gather some chums together for a singsong, get involved in a jam session, or just get out there to a gig.

With something for everyone, when it comes to music, Leeds is a city best played loud!

Linesofflightmusic.com Thenewmysteries.com | Musicleeds.co.uk

Jlifemagazine.co.uk

PROMOTION

Support That Matters

Former local Deputy Head Teacher Gill Dudley of SEND North Leeds offers expert, bespoke support for children and families navigating a complex education system.

Gill Dudley has over 22 years of experience in the world of education as a teacher, school leader, and as both a SENCo and designated safeguarding lead: “I’ve been within the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) field in Leeds for a long time and have worked across a range of very different primary schools with many families with varying levels of needs.

This experience brought me to realise the

systematic breakdowns in terms of the lack of support for parents in navigating the field.

“I have a deep passion for supporting children with special educational needs and making sure that not only do they get the best support in schools, but also the network around them and the parents feel empowered to do that as well.”

Through her new business, SEND North Leeds, Gill offers various levels of support for parents both in-person and remotely across a comprehensive range of services, including tuition for all primary subjects.

This focuses on identifying specific gaps in skills and knowledge to ensure your child receives the best possible help that’s tailored to their individual requirements.

Alongside tutoring, Gill’s experience means she can help families to navigate what is quite a complex and complicated system: “The SEND system is full of acronyms and referral routes into different systems, so I help those going through the SEND and EHCP (education, health, and care plan) application and review process.

All my services are entirely personalised, whether it’s advocacy work with parents who aren’t sure how to convey their child’s needs to schools or guiding those who feel completely lost and frustrated by the processes.”

For many children in Leeds, dyslexia assessments are done privately and can come with a hefty price tag. At SEND North Leeds, Gill is qualified to provide dyslexia and speech and language screenings where basic assessments – such as processing, auditory memory, and others that aren’t assessed in a typical primary school classroom – are carried out to see whether a child meets the threshold and criteria for a diagnosis.

For Gill, SEND North Leeds is ultimately about reassuring parents that they’re not alone: “I’m a parent myself, so I know that every child is unique, you should never feel ashamed. I approach everything with an empathetic point of view so just come and talk to me to see what I can do; I offer a free, 30-minute consultation where we can have a conversation to see if my services are appropriate.”

Sendnorthleeds.co.uk sendnorthleeds@gmail.com

SENDNorthLeeds.co.uk Expert support for children, families, and schools Support and advocacy for parents navigating the SEND and EHCP application and review process Dyslexia screening Speech and language screening Autism Level 3 Lead Practitioner

Experienced SENCo Experienced primary school teacher and leader Emotional Based School Avoidance trained tutor

ILKLEY & OTLEY

Out and About Ilkley and Otley both offer an excellent day out set among some of the best views the Yorkshire Dales have to offer. of Portuguese-style food cooked with only Ilkley the freshest, local ingredients, but there are Once a renowned spa town, the picturesque town of Ilkley in the Wharfe Valley remains celebrated for its fresh air and beautiful countryside scenery but today is also a firm favourite for those seeking a day out spent visiting its many excellent restaurants and independent shops.

Ilkley rose to fame in the 19th century when thousands visited for fresh air, good food, and the lively social scene… so not much has changed! It boomed in the Victorian era, and the legacy of the age is the wonderful collection of private and municipal architecture.

The town is home to many independent shops and boutiques offering a plethora of items to treat yourself or a loved one, with high-end jewellery, home furnishings, and so much more to browse.

Well-known brands have also made a name for themselves in Ilkley such as Seasalt Cornwall which opened in April, bringing the signature coastal-inspired collections and commitment to sustainable craftsmanship to Brook Street. There’s also a quirky market every Tuesday and Saturday which sees stalls selling crafts, local produce, and tasty treats.

You’ll find many independent bars, cafés, and restaurants thriving in Ilkley that are well worth a visit after a day of shopping and exploring. Take a trip to one of our favourites, Mediterranean restaurant Quinta, which serves a variety

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lots of options around. For something a little decadent, Bettys Café Tea Rooms is famous for its afternoon teas and tempting baked goodies.

If you’re looking for somewhere to relax and enjoy a local tipple, there are spectacular views at the Cow and Calf Inn, a cosy French bistro located in The Crescent Inn, the home of Wharfedale Brewery at The Flying Duck, and many more to pop in and wet your whistle.

If the weather isn’t on your side during your visit, don’t worry! The town is also home to an award-winning independent cinema and two theatres that show a range of performances for all the family – Ilkley Playhouse and King’s Hall and Winter Gardens.

In July, Ilkley’s community music festival is returning for its sixth year and promises to be bigger and better than ever! Ilkley Live is a two-day festival taking place on 10th and 11th July where there’ll be free live music across the town’s pubs, cafes, and gardens showcasing everything from jazz to folk and rock to acoustic so there’s something for everyone.

For bookworms, Ilkley Literature Festival is returning for another year on 2nd to 18th October and is once again bringing together the best writers of contemporary fiction, non-fiction, and poetry with book-loving audiences. Look out for the full programme announcement on 13th August.

Discoverilkley.co.uk

What’s On

Lexus Ilkley Open | 7th to 14th June

The Lexus is the largest tennis international tournament in the North of England that’s held annually on the Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club grass courts.

The Girl on the Train | 15th to 20th June

Adapted from the best-selling novel, this play is a gripping psychological thriller coming to Ilkley Playhouse that keeps audiences guessing until the final moments.

photoILKLEY | until 9th August

This grassroots photography festival celebrates photography’s power to connect, question, and see the world anew. Ilkley Manor House will host exhibitions in both the Western Gallery upstairs and the Housebody.

Jlifemagazine.co.uk

COMPETITION

Full of Flavour

Quinta in Ilkley is giving one reader the chance to win a £100 voucher to spend at the award-winning restaurant.

Since 2014, the award-winning Quinta on Wells Road in Ilkley has blossomed into a thriving restaurant popular with locals and visitors alike, winning the accolade of the Best Restaurant in England award at England’s Business Awards Show 2025.

It offers both indoor and outdoor seating so you can soak up the sun al fresco-style while taking in the town’s picturesque surroundings. Ideal for family get togethers, catching up with friends, date nights, and even private parties, Quinta provides a relaxed and friendly atmosphere that will make you feel right at home.

It was founded out of a deep love for real food created with the freshest, local, seasonal produce – the kitchen is stocked the same way you’d stock your home kitchen, with daily deliveries of fresh ingredients each morning. It’s this commitment to the highest quality that sets

Quinta apart from the rest, alongside the team’s expertise of combining Portuguese specialities with traditional favourites covering everything from lamb medallions and 10 oz ribeye steak to plenty of delicious seafood offerings and, of course, the famous Portuguese tart.

In addition to the menu items, Quinta also offers daily specials inspired by seasonal ingredients, the weather, and how the team are feeling. Welcoming this season is a brand-new summer menu inspired by the vibrant flavours and relaxed spirit of Portugal to celebrate long summer evenings and simple food done beautifully. From light, coastal influences to rich Mediterranean character, every dish is prepared to order with the same passion and care that has defined Quinta since the beginning.

Quintarestaurant.co.uk

COMPETITION To be in with a chance of winning a £100 voucher for Quinta, simply answer the following question…

What year was Quinta founded?

Enter online at Jlifemagazine.co.uk/ competitions-5, via JLife’s social media, or by post to JLife Ltd, Unit 7, Gemini Business Park, Sheepscar Way, Leeds, LS7 3JB. Please ensure your entry includes your name, address, daytime telephone number, and email address. The winner will be randomly selected on the closing date: 26th June 2026.

Voucher prize can only be redeemed Tuesday to Friday. When entering the competition online you have the option to not be entered in JLife Magazine and Quinta’s databases to be contacted about news, promotions, and special offers. Postal entry data will not be saved. Publisher’s decision is final.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS La Stazione

La Stazione is bringing the iconic Italian coffee experience to the heart of Ilkley. Situated next to the train station with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, there’s no better location to sit and watch the world go by.

The friendly and welcoming team – who operate with a simple, fast, and fresh mindset – are what makes it truly special and keeps customers coming back time and time again. Under the watchful eye of Max, Colin, and Andrew, the team has earned its renowned reputation and Tripadvisor status.

Whether you’re partial to an espresso, iced coffee, or anything in between, only the best beans are used and if coffee isn’t your bag, don’t worry! There are plenty of other drinks on offer, including a range of tempting wines, specialist beers from Italy, and locally brewed ales. You can also purchase coffee grounds and beans from the venue.

All dishes are made with the finest, freshest ingredients if you’re looking for a light bite or hearty plate of food – expect traditional paninis, fresh sandwiches and salads, home-baked brownies and fresh pastries, and more!

Lastazione.co.uk

Jeremy Bloomfield

Jeremy Bloomfield has been in the jewellery business since 1993, opening his own contemporary fine jewellers in 2001 on The Grove.

Known for his extensive array of high-quality jewellery, he’s one of the largest stockists of Georg Jenson in the North of England. His carefully curated showroom features exquisite engagement and handmade wedding rings by Charles Green, an extensive selection of pearl jewellery by Matt Aminoff London, and vibrant gemstone pieces from his brother Sheldon Bloomfield sourced from around the globe.

Through trusted goldsmiths, the jewellers also offers a complete jewellery repair and aftercare service which includes ring resizing, remounts and resetting, and more.

At Jeremy Bloomfield, quality craftsmanship and unique design come together to create the perfect gift or a piece to cherish for life.

Jeremybloomfield.co.uk | 1094 360 1420

Walton’s

Established in 1988, Walton’s Fine Furnishings has become a renowned interiors retailer in Yorkshire, offering high quality products along with personal service and value for money.

Walton’s is a one-stop shop for everything you need to redecorate your home. From soft furnishings and upholstery to designer wallpaper and carpets, Walton’s offers a wide range of high-quality home furnishing products in all the latest styles.

Head down to the Ilkley-based showroom to check out the wide range of products or loan the soft furnishing pattern book to take home and see what matches well with your other furnishings.

It also features Little Greene and Farrow & Ball paints with colour samples mixed in-store while you wait!

Waltons.co.uk

June / July 2026

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CHECK OUT OUR NEW SUMMER MENU

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PROMOTION

Jewel in the Town From a 120-year heritage to one of Yorkshire’s finest collections of watches and jewellery, Lister Horsfall’s Ilkley showroom is an illustrious destination.

Founded in Halifax in 1902, Lister Horsfall has spent more than a century building a reputation as one of the North’s most renowned premium jewellers. With a beautifully refitted showroom on Ilkley’s The Grove, a roster of sought-after brands, and an exclusive new service, this family-owned enterprise is steeped in rich history while being distinctly forwardlooking.

Behind the business is a family story which spans four generations, two world wars, and over a century of Yorkshire life. It began in 1902, when Lister Horsfall opened The Little Diamond Shop in Halifax, bringing to bear a family tradition of craftsmanship and artistry that stretched back through architects, inventors, and horologists.

It was Lister’s grandson, Richard, who pushed the brand forward in the latter half of the 20th century. Becoming the world’s youngest qualified gemmologist at the age of 20, he introduced world-class names such as Rolex and Breitling and expanded the business to Ilkley. Fourth-generation Nick Horsfall now leads the group, and the showroom he has developed on The Grove continues his family’s proud legacy.

Having grown to more than four times its original size over the past two decades and now fully aligned with Lister Horsfall’s multi-million-pound Halifax flagship store,

June / July 2026

the Ilkley showroom offers a unique and luxurious retail experience. There is a dedicated Rolex boutique, beautifully designed brand display areas, a sumptuous customer lounge, a hospitality bar, and a dedicated event space. When you visit Lister Horsfall Ilkley, every detail is considered to ensure you feel genuinely welcome and at ease. You’ll be guided by true specialists, with the time and space to discover a piece that feels entirely right for you.

The watch collection alone makes the Ilkley showroom worth the visit. As an official Rolex retailer, the boutique presents a considered range of timepieces, supported by its own Rolex Authorised Service Centre in Halifax. The focus here is entirely on Rolex, allowing for a more in-depth look at the heritage and detail behind each piece. Whether you’re exploring your first significant watch or already have a collection, the experience at the showroom on The Grove feels relaxed, informative, and genuinely personal.

Beyond watches, the jewellery collections bring together some of the world’s most coveted names – including FOPE and Mikimoto – which sit alongside Lister Horsfall’s own carefully curated range, each piece selected to reflect enduring elegance and genuine craftsmanship. Whether you are searching for a meaningful gift, an engagement ring, wedding band, or simply something to treasure,

the choice on offer is dazzling. For something entirely one-of-a-kind, bespoke commissions and jewellery redesign services let you work with skilled craftspeople to bring a personal vision to life or give a cherished inherited piece a new beginning.

What sets Lister Horsfall apart, and what keeps loyal customers coming back, is the quality of the personal service. The Ilkley team, led by George alongside Assistant Manager Rosie, Rolex Manager Leslie, and Sales Advisers Sheree, Joel, and Nadine, combines outstanding expertise with genuine warmth.

The most exciting new development at the Ilkley showroom this year is the arrival of vaulted safety deposit boxes. For the first time, customers will be able to store their most valuable watches and jewellery securely on-site – an exclusive service that reflects the trust Lister Horsfall has built with its clients over more than a century. For anyone with a serious collection, it offers something of exceptional value – the peace of mind that comes from knowing your most precious pieces are in safe hands, looked after by the people who helped you choose them.

Listerhorsfall.co.uk

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5 Little Lane Ilkley LS29 8EA

PROMOTION

Quality German & Handmade Furniture

Let’s Get Personal

Design, Installation & Project Management

Arcade Kitchens and Bedrooms in Ilkley has been crafting timeless, www.arcadekitch enquiries@arcadekitchens.co.uk 01943 602147 bespoke spaces since 1982 and is a business built on the personal touch.

For more than 40 years, Arcade Kitchens has built its reputation on a simple philosophy that exceptional design should be matched by exceptional service. As an independent kitchen and bedroom specialist that’s design-focused and rooted in craftsmanship, the company has become synonymous with beautifully designed spaces.

At the heart of Arcade is a commitment to relationships. While many companies focus solely on the finished product, it believes the customer journey extends far beyond installation day. The team’s approach is deeply personal, shaped by long-standing values of trust and communication. Clients are not simply handed a completed kitchen and forgotten; instead, they remain available long after completion, ensuring every project continues to perform beautifully for years to come.

This ethos stems from the company’s heritage in bespoke joinery. Owner Leon’s background in traditional craftsmanship continues to influence every aspect of the business, from the precision of the furniture to the care shown throughout each stage of the project. Combined with a design team offering more than 50 years of collective industry experience, Arcade has cultivated a perfect balance between technical expertise and creative vision.

Operating from its Ilkley showroom – which is home to multiple impressive displays – Arcade has become a proud part of the local community, working alongside trusted Yorkshire suppliers, builders, tradespeople, and

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interior designers with whom relationships have been developed over many years, allowing the company to deliver seamless projects with minimal stress for clients.

What distinguishes the business from the rest is its collaborative approach in full project management. Each member of the team brings specialist knowledge spanning architectural interior design, product design, and bespoke joinery. This breadth of expertise enables the company to provide tailored solutions for a wide variety of homes and lifestyles. Every project is approached individually, ensuring no two kitchens are ever the same.

The design philosophy at Arcade centres on creating spaces that are as practical as they are beautiful. It specialises in both contemporary German kitchens and handmade British kitchens, offering customers an extensive range of options to suit differing tastes, budgets, and requirements. German kitchens, celebrated for precision engineering and efficient design, appeal to those seeking sleek aesthetics and exceptional durability. Meanwhile, the company’s British handmade kitchens showcase traditional craftsmanship, with every cabinet individually built to order by skilled makers rather than mass-produced in factories.

This bespoke approach offers significant advantages. A handmade kitchen can be tailored completely to the dimensions and character of a property, while also providing flexibility for the future. Cabinets can be repainted, doors replaced, and layouts adapted over time without the need for a full redesign.

The customer experience is carefully managed from concept to completion. It begins with a visit to the showroom, where clients are guided through collections and design possibilities by the expert team. Detailed plans, elevations, and photorealistic visuals are then developed to help bring ideas to life. Once the final design is agreed, bespoke furniture is crafted to specification before the experienced installation team oversees every detail on-site.

The team also works with a whole range

of premium appliance and accessory brands so you can be sure that every element of your kitchen is carefully selected to combine performance and reliability that’s tailored to both your lifestyle and budget.

Throughout the process, the emphasis remains on quality, transparency, and exceptional customer service. Every component is rigorously tested, every finish thoughtfully selected, and every installation managed with precision. With warranties of up to 10 years and dedicated aftersales support, Arcade ensures customers can invest with confidence.

As well as kitchens, the team at Arcade are experts in bespoke bedroom furniture that’s made to suit your style and space. They know that your bedroom should be your personal haven, and with everything from built-in wardrobes to complete bedroom layouts, they create a space that works entirely for you.

At a time when so much of the industry is focused on mass production and quick turnarounds, Arcade continues to do things differently. By combining exceptional artistry with thoughtful design and personal service, the team creates kitchens and bedrooms that are made to last – spaces that feel individual, work beautifully, and can be enjoyed for years to come.

Arcadekitchens.co.uk enquiries@arcadekitchens.co.uk

Jlifemagazine.co.uk

5 Little Lane Ilkley LS29 8EA

Quality German & Handmade Furniture

Design, Installation & Project Management 01943 602147

enquiries@arcadekitchens.co.uk

www.arcadekitchens.co.uk

The iconic Torun bangle, available in 18ct yellow gold with diamonds, sterling silver with diamonds, sterling silver with 18ct yellow gold trim & sterling silver. The perfect gift of love.

Available at Jeremy Bloomfield Fine Jewellers, online and at 42 The Grove, Ilkley, Yorkshire LS29 9EE.

The Grove, Ilkley

June / July 2026

www.jeremybloomfield.co.uk

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OTLEY

OTLEY Far from just another Yorkshire market

town, Otley is a bridge between the cosmopolitan city and breathtaking Yorkshire Dales.

History and heritage are front and centre in the town as it proudly claims one of the earliest market charters in the country, granted in 1227 – a year-long celebration of the 800-year anniversary kicks off next May! It was also home to the UK’s first interior designer, Thomas Chippendale, the Wharfedale press that revolutionised the printing industry, and you can even explore our country’s Second World War archives – arrange a visit to explore family military histories and browse through national records.

Otley has built a strong reputation as an outdoor destination, thanks in no small part to its proximity to the Chevin. The rugged landscape is ideal for walking, trail running, and mountain biking and the town earned the title of ‘Yorkshire Cycle Town’ following the Tour de France Grand Départ in 2014.

For those looking for a unique experience, there's even a chance to learn the age-old craft of dry-stone walling on the Chevin – a hands-on activity that’s both quirky and satisfying.

It wouldn’t be a visit to the town without mentioning the iconic market Otley is so well-known and loved for. The almost 800-year-old tradition continues with a thrice-weekly market and monthly farmers’ market where you can pick up fresh fruit, organic veg, home-reared eggs, and fresh fish delivered from the North Yorkshire coast. Here, you'll find local artisan producers, including Yorkshire Pecorino, crafted by Italian cheesemaker Mario, who began producing cheese in his garage and now boasts award-winning products sold at the farmers’ markets – make sure you check out the winner of the Best New Cheese at the British & Irish Cheese Awards 2026, Town Crier! The bustling market takes place around two of the town’s icons, the Jubilee Clock and the Buttercross, thought to be one of the oldest structures in town.

Independent shopping is a highlight, with Otley offering a refreshing alternative

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to high street sameness. The shops on the cobbled lanes and alleys around the town provide all manner of artisan shops: vintners, beer specialists, bakeries, and traditional sweet shops alongside fine jewellers, gift shops, home décor boutiques, and antiques. And if you’re into art, you’re in for a treat – Otley is home to many fine galleries displaying original works.

The food and drink scene is an equally impressive feat. Did you know that Otley is a renowned pub town, once holding the record for the most pubs per capita in the UK? The evening scene offers plenty to choose from whether you're after a quiet pint of real ale, a lively open mic night, or a relaxed drink overlooking the river. You’ll also find an impressive selection of dining options or for a daytime bite or something lighter, it’s packed with cafés and delis.

June is filled with exciting events returning for another year; Otley Music Festival (5th to 14th June) will celebrate the town’s extraordinary musical talent with around 60 acts taking part. Otley Carnival (20th June) kicks off with a parade through the town, ending at Otley Show Field at Bridge End, where entry is free and you can enjoy rides, stalls, food, entertainment, music, and more!

Visitotley.co.uk

What’s On

Otley Walking Festival 27th June to 5th July

Each day of the festival, there is a choice of walks for all abilities which take place from morning to nightfall.

Otley Cycle Races | 1st July

These races remain the most prestigious criteriums in the British racing calendar.

Now in its 43rd year, the 2026 race is set to carry on the long tradition of world-class racing in Otley.

Otley Folk Festival 18th to 20th September

Catch a wide range of well-known folk artists at various venues throughout the town – the Parish Church, Otley Common, the Black Horse, Labour Rooms, and more.

At LS Interiors & Design Ltd, we believe great design should feel personal, practical and achievable.

• Complete home interiors service including flooring, furniture, soft furnishings and accessories • Interiors tailored to your home, style and budget • Exclusive trade discounts passed directly onto you, often covering the cost of design fees • Full interior design service from concept to completion CALL L AURA FOR A FREE INTIAL DESIGN CONSULTATION WITH EXPERT PERSONALISED ADVICE. WWW.LSINTERIORS.CO.UK 07971 071244 • OTLEY MILLS EMAIL: HELLO@LSINTERIORS.CO.UK

INTERIORS

Spinney The

An idyllic romantic or wellness retreat for 2, shepherd’s hut is tucked away in a peaceful, private setting surrounded by open countryside, less than a mile from Otley.

Relax on the decking or in the enclosed garden with use of a sauna and plunge pool.

Traditional childrenswear and toys hand made with love in Otley Quality handmade dresses, babywear, Jumini wooden toys, Spanish and REBORN DOLLS Plus large selection of gifts and accessories

1 New Inn Court Otley | 07718 747661 nanniemichelle@hotmail.com Peekaboobabyboutique.co.uk June / July 2026

The cosy lounge area invites you to relax in front of the Smart TV, while the small dining table and well-equipped kitchen make it easy to enjoy leisurely meals together. A sumptuous double bed awaits, complete with plush robes and slippers for an added touch of indulgence. A stylish, contemporary shower room is thoughtfully finished for comfort and ease.

Enjoy riverside strolls along the Wharfe, meet the resident donkeys, explore Otley Chevin Country Park for panoramic views, or wander the town’s independent shops, cafes, and traditional pubs.

Website Coming Soon

BOOK YOUR STAYS NOW AT nanniemichelle@hotmail.com 07718 747661 41

OTLEY

Say Cheese!

Otley-based Yorkshire Pecorino has been crafting handmade cheese for 15 years, earning numerous awards and a reputation that reaches all the way to the king’s table.

ALL PHOTOS: DARREN TAYLOR

MARIO OLIANAS WITH HIS AWARD-WINNING COW’S MILK CHEESE, THE TOWN CRIER.

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Mario Olianas was born in Vienna, raised by the sea in Sardinia, and has called Yorkshire home for more than two decades. His journey from the Italian coast to a cheesemaking factory in Otley may seem unlikely, but the 300-plus awards Yorkshire Pecorino has accumulated suggest it’s been a fruitful journey.

The business began on a small scale at Mario’s home: “The idea was to produce a high-quality product with character that’s hard for anyone else to replicate.” As word of the fabulous fromage spread and demand increased, five years ago Mario and his small team moved to a purpose-built facility fittingly located at The Dairy Yard on Gay Lane in Otley. The relocation shortens the farm-to-dairy journey to just 12 miles, guaranteeing the freshness of the ewes’ milk fundamental to Mario’s specialities. Pecorino is the Italian word for ewes’ milk cheese, and Mario’s version combines traditional Italian methods with the best Yorkshire ingredients.

All of Yorkshire Pecorino's products are suitable for vegetarians and the initial range centred on four core sheep's milk cheeses.

The Fresco is the youngest of the family – soft, creamy, and yoghurty, with a fresh fruitiness. The Fiore is the classic pecorino – milder than a Romano, with a nutty, umami depth and a peppery finish ideal for grating.

Leeds Blue takes its cues from Gorgonzola, with a lightly smoked character that sets it apart on any cheeseboard and the Yorkshire Ricotta rounds out the range with gentle, fresh simplicity.

Recently, sheep’s milk shortages have prompted Mario to venture into cow’s milk territory, and the results have been remarkable. The Town Crier, pictured above, is one of three cow's milk cheeses Yorkshire Pecorino is now producing, alongside Chippendale and Otley Blue. The Town

Crier – a Taleggio-style washed-rind cheese has just been named Best New Cheese at the British and Irish Cheese Awards.

Every wheel is a genuine small-batch product – the cheese is moulded by hand, carefully aged, and monitored until it is ready. Rather than industrial scale production, Mario and his team prefer an artisan approach to ensure a high standard of quality control. Mario acknowledges that it’s a meticulous, painstaking endeavour: “My working day starts around 3am.

Cheesemaking is a slow process and I never rush it.”

Yorkshire Pecorino is stocked by good quality cheesemongers and delis around the country, and you’ll also find Mario at various farmers’ markets across Leeds every month: Horsforth on the first Saturday, Headingley on the second Saturday, Oakwood on the third Saturday, and in Otley Market Place on the last Sunday of the month.

You can always click and collect from the Otley dairy by visiting the website – just one aspect of Yorkshire Pecorino’s formidable online presence. The business has built quite the following on TikTok too, racking up over 200 million views of its mesmerising videos which demonstrate just how much loving craft goes into each wheel.

Among its prestigious accolades, two years ago Yorkshire Pecorino featured on the menu at an Italian Embassy event attended by the king. Mario laughs off the suggestion that he’s now cheesemaker by appointment to his majesty: “I’m not sure if I’m officially a royal supplier, but they did choose our cheese a few times.” With over 300 awards and a royal endorsement, Yorkshire’s favourite Italian cheesemaker continues to go from strength to strength.

Yorkshirepecorino.co.uk

Jlifemagazine.co.uk

COMPETITION

Baby Love Peek a Boo Baby Boutique in Otley is giving one reader the chance to win a reborn baby doll worth £80!

Peek a Boo Baby Boutique in Otley is home to a bespoke and unique collection of baby and children’s clothing, knitwear, accessories, toys, and gifts that have been sourced from around the world by Michelle, the shop’s owner.

Michelle’s lifelong passion for all things baby-inspired became the driving force behind the award-winning boutique which is renowned for its warmth and quality.

Customers travel from far and wide to discover the carefully curated collections, including exclusive, one-of-a-kind handmade designs lovingly created in Yorkshire in the bespoke Peek a Boo Collection.

Among the boutique’s most treasured attractions are its expertly hand-crafted reborn dolls, one of which you can win in this edition’s competition! Llorens and Arias Spanish dolls

are stocked at the shop – a perfect gift for both young and old.

The doll features a soft cloth body with delicately hand-painted vinyl limbs and hair to create a remarkably lifelike appearance.

‘Libby’ arrives dressed in a nappy, vest, and a pink two-piece summer set complete with a hand-knitted bonnet and matching bootees that add a lovingly traditional touch. She comes complete with a pink embossed fleece blanket, a magnetic dummy, and a feeding bottle to make a complete keepsake package for the winner. More than just a toy, the doll reflects the boutique’s commitment to quality and beautiful design.

Peekaboobabyboutique.co.uk nanniemichelle@hotmail.com

COMPETITION

To be in with a chance of winning a reborn baby doll worth £80, simply answer the following question…

What is the name of the reborn doll Peek a Boo is giving away?

Enter online at Jlifemagazine.co.uk/ competitions-leeds or by post to JLife Ltd, Unit 7, Gemini Business Park, Sheepscar Way, Leeds, LS7 3JB. Please ensure your entry includes your full name, address, daytime telephone number, and email address. The winner will be randomly selected on the closing date: 26th June 2026.

Terms and conditions apply: One entry per person. By entering the competition online, you will automatically be entered in JLife Magazine and Peek a Boo Baby Boutique’s databases to be contacted about news, promotions, and special offers. Postal entry data will also be added to the databases.

Publisher’s decision is final.

STRICTLY

THE

Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Our Town Crier has been crowned Best New Cheese at the recent British & Irish Cheese Awards. And it’s made here in Otley.

We are an award winning local cheesemaker, specialising in Italian style cheeses; we focus on quality over quantity. Every batch is handmade with care and available to buy at good cheesemongers, delis and local farmers markets.

Yorkshirepecorino.co.uk

The Dairy Yard, Gay Lane, Otley, LS21 1BR 0113 856 1870

June / July 2026

MASKED SINGER 2026

WHO WILL BE OUR NEXT WINNER! ANYONE INTERESTED TO BE INVOLVED AND BE A CONTESTANT

PLEASE CALL 07703 271238

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OTLEY

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

The Spinney

Set within the stunning Nidderdale landscape, The Spinney is a shepherd’s hut that offers the perfect balance of rural seclusion and easy access to the vibrant market town of Otley.

Guests can enjoy riverside strolls along the Wharfe, explore Otley Chevin Country Park for panoramic views, or wander the town’s independent boutiques, pubs, and eateries. The area is a haven for walkers and cyclists, with scenic trails straight from the door and rolling Yorkshire landscapes all around. Nearby highlights also include Bolton Abbey, Ilkley Moor, Brimham Rocks, and Harrogate, all within 15 miles.

Inside, floor-to-ceiling windows frame sweeping countryside views, while thoughtful touches – including plush robes and slippers and a stylish contemporary interior – create a luxurious retreat for two. Outside, a private garden, al fresco dining space, sauna, plunge pool, and even resident donkeys complete this unforgettable Yorkshire escape.

07718 747 661 | nanniemichelle@hotmail.com

Laurence Campbell

For over 20 years, Laurence Campbell Kitchens & Bedrooms has been designing, manufacturing, and fitting beautifully bespoke crafted interiors across Yorkshire.

As a family-run, Otley-based company, we combine expert craftsmanship with a personal approach, creating bespoke kitchens and bedrooms tailored to your home, lifestyle, and taste.

From timeless shaker kitchens to elegant fitted bedrooms, every space is designed with equal focus on beauty, functionality, and lasting quality.

With resident interior designers LS Interiors based within our showroom, we can also offer a complete interiors design service to help bring your home together beautifully.

Visit our showroom at Otley Mills to explore our latest kitchen and bedroom displays.

Laurencecampbell.co.uk

LS Interiors

LS Interiors & Design Ltd is the emporium of home interiors, styling, and design – helping you design your dream home with a hand-picked range of luxury accessories, soft furnishings, and furniture.

The business was born during the COVID lockdown by best friends Laura and Sadie, combining their shared expertise and eye for interiors to help people transform houses into homes.

By using trusted trade suppliers and passing exclusive discounts directly on to our clients, we can often offset the cost of design fees while delivering a seamless experience from concept to completion. Whether you’re refreshing one room or transforming your entire home, LS Interiors is here to make the process simple, inspiring, and stress-free.

Based alongside the team at Laurence Campbell at Otley Mills, we work closely together to deliver exceptional kitchen, bedroom, and bespoke furniture designs, creating beautifully functional spaces with a fully coordinated approach.

Lsinteriors.co.uk

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Jlifemagazine.co.uk

PROMOTION

Planning Ahead Life in North Leeds is busy, vibrant, and ever-changing. Between work, family life, and day-to-day commitments, it’s easy to put planning for the future to the bottom of the list. Many people assume that making legal arrangements is something to think about later, but in reality, planning ahead is one of the most practical and reassuring steps you can take at any stage of life.

Putting simple legal protections in place is not about expecting the worst; it’s about making sure your wishes are understood and your loved ones are supported whatever the future may hold.

Ison Harrison Solicitors explains how its Wills and Powers of Attorney services can protect you and your family.

When should you consider instructing a solicitor?

expect. Planning ahead allows you to stay in control, providing clarity and reassurance not just for you, but your family too.

The importance of having a Will

A Will is a straightforward way to ensure that your wishes are carried out after your death. It allows you to decide how your estate is distributed, who will deal with your affairs, and, where relevant, who will look after your children.

Many people are surprised to learn how much difference a properly drafted Will can make. Without one, strict legal rules apply, which may not reflect your personal circumstances or intentions. Having a clear and up to date Will helps to minimise the risk of disputes and makes the process far easier for those you leave behind.

Powers of Attorney: planning for the unexpected Why it matters

Wills and Powers of Attorney are often associated with major life events or later life, but they are relevant to far more people than is commonly assumed. Whether you’re raising a family, buying, moving home, running a business, or supporting ageing relatives, having clear plans in place can prevent uncertainty and reduce stress for those closest to you.

Without formal arrangements, decisions about finances, property, or personal care may not be handled in the way you would

June / July 2026

While a Will details what happens after death, a Power of Attorney is about protecting you during your lifetime. It allows you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you are ever unable to do so yourself.

This might include managing your finances, dealing with property matters, or making decisions about your health and welfare. A Power of Attorney ensures that the people closest to you can step in smoothly if needed, rather than facing delays or uncertainty at an already difficult time.

There is no single ‘right time’ to seek legal advice, but key life changes often prompt people to act. Marriage, divorce, moving home, growing families, and changes in health or finances are all points at which reviewing your arrangements can provide clarity and reassurance.

How we can help

At Ison Harrison, we understand that planning for the future can feel daunting.

Our aim is to make the process clear, accessible, and reassuring. With a strong presence in the area, with offices in Chapel Allerton and across Yorkshire, our team provides tailored advice that reflects your individual circumstances and priorities.

We currently look after over 80,000 Wills, giving us extensive experience in helping families plan with confidence. We take time to explain your options in plain English, ensuring you feel informed and supported when making important decisions about the future.

Taking the first step

Planning ahead doesn’t have to be complicated. A straightforward conversation can make a lasting difference, providing you and your family with peace of mind.

If you would like to discuss putting a Will or Power of Attorney in place, or simply review your current arrangements, our team are happy to help.

Contact Ison Harrison Solicitors on 0113 200 7444 or visit Isonharrison.co.uk to find out more.

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Jeremy on the Red Cub panel Jeremy at Buckingham Palace

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April / May 2026

LEARNING DISABILITY WEEK

Do You See Me?

Learning Disability Week runs from 15th to 21st June. We take a look at organisations helping to raise awareness across Leeds and in the community.

Learning Disability Week is an annual opportunity to highlight what life with a learning disability is really like – challenging misconceptions, raising awareness, and promoting inclusive practices that make a genuine difference.

This year’s theme, ‘Do You See Me?’, carries a clear message from people with learning disabilities themselves – that they want to be seen, heard, and understood.

It is also, says Louise Maciag of Leeds Mencap, a moment to celebrate: “Learning disabled children and adults are more than their disability. While there are challenges faced, there are also wonderful positives for individuals with a learning disability and their families.” That spirit of celebration sits alongside important ongoing conversations about SEND reform and the government’s approach to improving systems for those with learning disabilities: “People need to be able to access the right support at the right time. These conversations are so important.”

Leeds Mencap has supported the learning disability community in Leeds for over 70 years. The charity works closely with families to provide social opportunities for young people, bespoke information

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and guidance for parents and carers, and spaces for people to come together, share experiences, and build a genuine sense of community. Its vision is that young people with learning disabilities, autism, and other complex needs reach their full potential and they are valued, supported, and equipped to thrive.

The past 12 months have been particularly significant for the charity as it was chosen as Lord Mayor’s Charity of the Year by Councillor Dan Cohen and Elayna Cohen, raising its profile considerably and generating support from organisations and individuals across the city.

This Learning Disability Week, young people attending Leeds Mencap’s programmes are taking part in a series of sponsored fundraisers. Club attendees and the Chats and Tots stay-and-play group are holding sponsored danceathons, the Siblings Group is taking part in sportsbased games, and the nursery children are doing a sponsored pram push.

Leeds Jewish Welfare Board (LJWB) also provides vital support for adults with learning disabilities in our community. It operates three registered care homes for adults aged 20 to 80 – all fully kosher and recently upgraded with new kitchens and furniture. The focus is on helping residents to live full, independent lives, with an emphasis on social interaction alongside faith services and a wide range of inclusive

group and self-directed activities, including art projects, karaoke, and events as part of Jewish Culture Month.

Inclusion is central to the ethos of LJWB. Many of its volunteers themselves have additional needs, as do some of its full- and part-time staff. It also supports families with children who have additional needs, offering inclusive holiday sessions, direct therapeutic one-to-one support, and practical guidance to help with education, health, and care plans (EHCPs).

Alongside Leeds Mencap and LJWB, Forum Central coordinates a network of more than 100 third-sector organisations across Leeds working with and for people with learning disabilities – connecting services, amplifying voices, and ensuring the experiences of disabled people are heard at the highest levels of health and care planning. The People’s Parliament, a quarterly group of around 40 adults with learning disabilities, reports directly to the Leeds Learning Disability Partnership Board.

Events are taking place across Leeds throughout the week, including at the Civic Hall and in Millennium Square. It’s a moment for the whole community to get involved by sharing stories and challenging barriers.

Leedsmencap.org.uk | Ljwb.co.uk | Forumcentral.org.uk

Jlifemagazine.co.uk

TECH

Remote Control With MyPerfectCV’s UK Remote Work Report 2026 finding that between 40 and 44% of us work hybrid or remote, it’s time to upgrade your home office setup!

Krafted Connex | £29.99 | Kraftedtech.com

With most home workers now using several devices each day – laptops, smartphones, tablets, earbuds, cameras, and power banks – charging and connectivity have become increasingly fragmented. Krafted Connex is a compact cable adaptor hub designed to simplify daily connections. Instead of carrying multiple charging cables with different connectors, Connex brings them together into a single, portable solution. It supports a range of connection types while offering standard charging, PD charging, and data transfer. Connect USB-A, USB-C, micro-USB, and switch effortlessly between each on one handy device.

uErgoh ergonomic chair | £1,180 | Osim.co.uk

Choosing the best office chair for your work from home setup is more important than you might think; the right one is vital for your long-term health when it comes to posture and reducing strain on your back. OSIM’s uErgoh is pricier than other models but it might just be worth the splurge!

It comes equipped with battery-powered, cordless massage tech that mimics the precise grip of a professional masseuse to deliver targeted relief where tension builds most. It also uses wellness tech to measure, monitor, and manage your stress levels. It uses Photoplethysmography (PPG) technology combined with the OSIM wellbeing app to calculate a body tension score that reflects the stress level in the body and provides personalised programmes to help de-stress.

RED5 wireless charging desk lamp and tidy | £15.99 | Menkind.co.uk

Gadgets that have more than one purpose are ideal for home offices where size might not always be on your side. The lamp not only illuminates your desk with three brightness settings but also features a nifty wireless charging pad to keep your devices powered up. It also includes a handy built-in organiser that holds all your necessary essentials. It really is true what they say – tidy space, tidy mind!

Google Nest Hub | £89.99 | Store.google.com

Marrying Google’s ever-helpful voice assistant to a seven-inch touchscreen, the Nest Hub smart display is much more than a device to control your music playlist or play ambient white noise (though both can make working from home more pleasant). You can also get it to run fact-checks, get direct spellings of words that elude spellcheck, verify the dates of important events, set alarms and reminders for important tasks, and search Google hands-free, receiving both audio and video results on a separate, independent display.

Plaud Note | £149 | Uk.plaud.ai

No more missed moments in meetings or calls; with one press, Plaud Note instantly records in crystal-clear audio. It offers seamless AI transcription in 112 languages, complete with speaker labels and custom vocabulary to ensure your meeting notes are accurate. Whether you're recording a Zoom call via the desktop app or switching to phone call mode for mobile calls, the dual-mode recording captures everything with crystal clarity. It also has multidimensional summarising capability, with over 10,000 templates and mind-mapping tools to transform audio into rolespecific insights.

June / July 2026

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PHOTOS

See more photos on pages 6, 24 68, 74 and 83

PHOTO: CLAIRE BARTFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO: CLAIRE BARTFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY

DAVID JONISZ WAS CALLED UP AT UHC AT THE END OF APRIL!

HE CELEBRATED WITH HIS PARENTS NATALIE AND AARON.

PHOTO: CLAIRE BARTFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY

YOUNGER BROTHER DANIEL AND GRANDAD PHIL ALSO JOINED THE FESTIVITIES.

LJWB STAFF LIT UP THE COMMUNITY CENTRE ON WEAR IT GREEN DAY DURING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK IN MAY!

THE BOARD RECENTLY HELD A CARE FAIR AT THE MAZCC, WELCOMING PEOPLE TO EXPLORE THE MANY LOCAL CARE SERVICES AND SUPPORT NETWORKS AVAILABLE.

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40 PARTICIPANTS ENJOYED AN OUTING TO CHEVIN COUNTRY PARK HOTEL & SPA AS PART OF A LJWB OUTING WITH SOME LIVELY GAMES OF BINGO AND A STUNNING VIEW.

Jlifemagazine.co.uk

DREAM TEAM

Two Leeds-based businesses have joined as partners for St Gemma’s Winter Ball.

Local businesses Skopes and Astonish have joined as partners for the St Gemma’s Winter Ball this November. Their backing will help bring to life one of the hospice’s flagship fundraising events and raise vital funds for end-of-life care across the city.

Menswear brand Skopes is supporting the event for the fourth year. The circusthemed Winter Ball will take place on 28th November at the Royal Armouries, bringing together businesses and supporters from across the city for an evening of entertainment, dining, and fundraising.

“It’s wonderful to be supporting St Gemma’s Hospice for another year.

Seeing the support on the evening is always incredible, and with Astonish joining as a new sponsor, we look forward to raising even more this year,” said Simon Cope, Managing Director at Skopes.

Astonish, the well-known cleaning brand, is proudly joining the hospice fundraising event for the first time. “At Astonish, we’re incredibly proud to be part of this event and support the amazing work of St Gemma’s Hospice, a truly special part of the local community. The care and compassion they provide to patients and their families brings comfort when it matters most, and we’re honoured to support the vital work they do,” said Owner Howard Moss.

In 2025, the evening raised more than

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

SIMON COPE, SKOPES; HOWARD MOSS, ASTONISH; AND LAURA SQUIRE, ST GEMMA’S.

£98,000 for St Gemma’s care. This year, guests can expect all the magic of the big top, while funds raised on the night will help the hospice continue providing compassionate specialist care across the city.

Kate Goldring, Chief Enterprise and Communications Officer at St Gemma’s Hospice commented: “St Gemma’s is navigating a challenging time. Costs are rising and demand for our specialist care

continues to grow, making it increasingly difficult to fund our services. That’s why we’re so grateful for this support, which helps us deliver incredible events that enable our supporters to raise vital funds for patient care.”

Book tickets online at St-gemma.co.uk/winterball. Buy tables, donate an auction prize, or discuss corporate sponsorship opportunities by emailing corporate@st-gemma.co.uk

LJFS Year 10 student Libi Doerfler explores how everyday school rules and Jewish laws play a vital role in preserving identity and community.

it’s about preserving modesty and respect, which are core values in our culture. A lot of people in our school wish it were more of a Jewish environment, filled with more Jewish people, but if we stop following these rules, that reduces the opportunity for more religious people to join the school. When we follow these laws, we’re not only obeying rules but also showing respect for the traditions that have kept our community strong. Doesn’t that make you think about how much history and meaning lies behind what might seem like a simple rule?

Sometimes it’s hard to fully understand I understand why it can be frustrating, why certain rules exist, especially when they especially when some people don’t follow seem strict or limiting. But when I think about it, these rules aren’t just random; they the rules. One thing that really stands out is how, if even one person breaks the kashrut come from biblical laws that have guided laws, it can affect everyone. For example, if our community for generations. They set someone thinks it’s okay to secretly bring a boundaries to help us live in a way that non-kosher sandwich to school, they may respects our faith and culture. not realise that by eating it on the tables, For example, the rule about not singing they could make those tables non-kosher in front of boys isn’t just about control;

June / July 2026

IN THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY

for someone who keeps kashrut strictly.

It’s like the whole community feels the impact, and suddenly the trust and respect we’ve worked so hard to maintain is weakened.

On school trips, when it’s hot and I wish I could wear shorts, I understand why modesty is emphasised. It’s not about being uncomfortable for no reason; it’s about honouring the values that connect us to our faith and to each other.

So, next time a rule feels frustrating or unnecessary, pause and ask yourself: what does this protect and who does it connect me to? These biblical laws and cultural traditions are more than just restrictions – they carry the values, history, and identity of an entire community. When we choose to respect them, even when it’s difficult, we’re choosing to be part of something bigger than ourselves. And maybe the real question isn’t why the rules exist – but what kind of community we want to be if we choose to follow them.

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VENUE SPOTLIGHT

Dream Weaving

Over in Farsley, West Leeds, a derelict Victorian textile mill has been transformed into one of the region’s most extraordinary cultural destinations.

Back in 1829, a group of local clothiers pooled their resources to build a woollen scribbling and fulling mill on the edge of Farsley village. This became known as The Farsley Club Mill and over the following 180 years it passed through several hands – producing fine worsted cloth, weathering the Great Depression, and surviving two world wars.

In 2010, a multi-million-pound regeneration programme began with an ambitious goal: to resurrect the site as the biggest centre for employment in the area. Today, Sunny Bank Mills is home to 100 businesses and employs over 500 people.

Spread across a 10-acre estate in Farsley village – within easy reach of Leeds city centre – the converted mill buildings house an eclectic mix of independent businesses.

For food and drink, there’s something for every taste – The Farsley Cake Co specialises in artisan celebration cakes, Grumpy’s serves wood-fired pizza, The Mill Kitchen & Bakery has sumptuous brunch offerings, and Farsley Fire & Smoke slow-cooks the finest Yorkshire produce over fire for a minimum of 16 hours.

Fans of fine craft brewing will find pleasing tipples at Amity Brew Co taproom.

If you’re after something more refined, bottle shop and wine bar Cargo pairs beautifully with METZ Cheesemonger next door, while Twist & Test Cocktail Club offers

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a speakeasy-style bar in the same building, open every weekend. Saint Jude Bar & Kitchen provides a lively all-day option just along Town Street and The Gallery Tea Room in the Sandsgate Building rounds things off with pots of tea and homemade cakes.

The shopping options are equally varied.

The Gallery Shop carries a curated selection of handmade gifts, art, and design. Befitting the mill complex’s heritage, the stores here are a treasure trove for textile fans and crafty types. Hoop is a dedicated yarn shop, School of Sew offers sewing lessons with a fabric and haberdashery store, and Scrap Creative Reuse Arts Project repurposes business waste materials. For homestyle ideas, Arlington Interiors and Beckett & Beckett both operate showrooms on-site, alongside the CAHM Collective’s luxury fragrances and Emma White & The Jewellery Makers. You can also find stylish handmade accessories at Silly Loaf, vintage vinyl at Record Plant, and highperformance swimwear at Swimsport.

The Gallery hosts regular exhibitions and there is a packed summer workshop programme, with sessions running through June and July spanning life drawing, ceramics, printmaking, natural dyeing, embroidery, oil portrait painting, bookmaking, mosaic work, weaving on the original looms, and watercolour on location at the Mills itself. Outside, a new permanent sculpture installation – Komorebi by Amelia Bowles –

has recently been unveiled on the Weavers’ Colonnade which is an immersive work of light, colour, and movement inspired by the site’s industrial past.

One of the most impressive elements of the enterprise is the Sunny Bank Mills Museum and Archive – described as one of the most significant woven textile archives in Britain. The collection spans over 60,000 lengths of cloth, 8,000 fabric designs, 5,000 dye cards, and 300 guard books, preserved as a charitable resource for the community and future generations. Guided tours run every Saturday.

Whether to enjoy the culinary delights on offer, take in some culture in the galleries, participate in a workshop, peruse the wares of its independent traders, or to enjoy a show at The Old Woollen, Sunny Bank Mills is a thriving hive of activity on our doorstep well worth a visit.

Sunnybankmills.co.uk

The Old Woollen

Nestled within Sunny Bank Mills is a 500-capacity venue which channels the spirit of the legendary Batley Variety Club.

After being derelict for more than 50 years, the building was rescued by events company Trouble at Mill, which had been running community events at the Mills since 2014 before finally taking on the space in 2021, investing heavily in the restoration while preserving original features such as the shaft holes that once connected to the 1838 steam engine and the old pits where wool was washed.

Taking its cue from the variety club tradition, the venue offers a varied programme. Live music, comedy, theatre, and spoken word performances sit alongside regular nights including monthly drag night Glamour Pussy, Bingo for the People, and Time for Rodeo – the linedancing night that has become a firm fixture. The space is also available for private hire, including wedding ceremonies and receptions.

Oldwoollen.co.uk

FASHION

Getaway Glam Helen and Lisa share their summer holiday picks to pack from the Wanderlust Stories portfolio.

Lola linen gold chain dress Marulé & Love | £299

Marulé & Love has unveiled its newest collection where a touch of luxury meets 100% pure linen, and this dress is one of the standouts. Its lightweight composition means it can take you from day to night easily, paired with sandals for a morning walk on a sandy beach or dressed up with heels for a simple yet elegant evening dinner dress.

Fall under the spell of the delicate, airy Palomina dress with a decidedly bohemian chic style.

Its flowing cut, which is cinched at the waist, naturally flatters all figures. It evokes the warmth of a Mediterranean summer with its subtly nuanced pastel peach shade achieved through a handdyeing process carried out in the brand’s workshop in the South of France. The 100% rami fabric, Oeko-Tex certified, offers a light and breathable feel, perfect for sunny days.

Vinciane jeans | Orfeo Paris | £69

Santorini co-ord set Piti Cuti | £189

Broderie anglaise is a romantic and timeless style that you’ll have in your wardrobe for years to come and that combined with Piti Cuti’s unique, boho-style designs is a guaranteed winner!

This co-ord set features a top crafted with a breezy, feminine cut that’s perfectly balanced with the matching shorts for a comfortable yet flattering fit.

Monochrome contrast ivory bikini | Free Society | £58

Chic meets structure in this timeless monochrome ivory underwired bikini that’s designed to contour and support with a modern edge and both pieces are available to buy separately. The top is underwired, has adjustable straps, and is double lined at the front for ultimate comfort. Free Society uses recycled materials made in Italy so you can feel good about your purchase while looking good.

Leopard Sands swimwear | Guilty Beach from £62.50 The Leopard Sands swimwear range is made of a soft feel recycled polyester with elastane to give you a perfect comfortable fit whether you want the bikini or a bit more coverage with a full swimsuit. Featuring a gold foil overlay, the bikini top has removable padded cups for shaping and removable adjustable straps. The swimsuit features tummy control lining, soft fixed pads with inner bust shelf support, and adjustable straps to give you ultimate comfort.

Wanderluststories.co.uk

June / July 2026

Palomina dress | Les Neo Bourgeoises | £219

The slightly loose, straight cut of these jeans offers a relaxed look while structuring the silhouette, making them easy and flattering to wear every day. Made from 100% cotton, they stand out with iconic embroidered details on the back: a protective eye and an embroidered heart, poetic and handcrafted signatures dear to the brand. These graphic touches add character to this timeless piece, while affirming a free and sunny spirit. They can be worn with a printed blouse for a bold bohemian look or with a t-shirt for the perfect holiday wardrobe, at home or away.

Yellow jade protective hand pendant necklace Talis Chains | £150

A holiday wardrobe isn’t complete without accessories!

Designed in London, Talis Chains reimagines everyday jewellery with refined versatility and sophistication. This striking talisman features an intricately detailed hand motif, accented with an evil eye and subtle cubic zirconia sparkle symbolising protection. Suspended from a delicate gold chain adorned with varying beads, the gentle yellow jade tones add a fresh touch of colour. Finished with a secure lobster clasp and a signature freshwater pearl, this piece is designed to be worn alone as a statement or layered.

53

PROMOTION

Room Inside Meet our new home interiors columnist, Nommi Parker – Founder and Head of Design at The Parlour Room.

Nommi Parker always had a feel for interior design: “I was always the one friends and family turned to when a room wasn't working. Long before it became my profession, redesigning spaces for the people around me was just s econd nature.”

The route to making it her career took a few twists and turns. Growing up in LS17, after university she worked in creative events – helping to stage immersive, themed productions – before pivoting into strategic customer journey planning for leading supermarkets.

That work gave her a forensic understanding of how people move through, interact with, and feel within a space. But the role was no longer a good fit: “My entire life had become really data-driven and as someone who thrives in a creative environment, that just wasn't working for me anymore.”

When COVID hit, the time felt right to change direction. Nommi retrained as a kitchen designer, which reshaped how she thinks about the modern home: “Designing a kitchen is about understanding how a family lives – how they entertain, how they move through their home. Get the kitchen right and the function of everything around it follows.” She then moved into an interior design studio, before two babies arrived in quick succession.

Now, launching The Parlour Room in Harrogate, Nommi brings intention and a clarity of vision entirely her own: “I've always wanted my own brand to create something with a recognisable signature.

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When you walk into a home that feels like it’s been designed from the inside out and it truly belongs to the person who lives there, that's what I'm working towards.”

The Parlour Room’s ethos is built around what Nommi calls ‘quiet luxury’ – an organising principle that goes beyond the aesthetic: “Quiet luxury isn't just about finishes and chosen pieces. It's about lifestyle and personality. The first questions I ask any client are, ‘How do you want this space to feel? How do you actually live in it?’”

It's an approach rooted in the realities of home life and identifying friction points: “If every morning you're navigating chaos in the hallway, let's design a solution.

If you love your morning coffee but the coffee machine is hard to get to, let's make space for that ritual. If you're a book lover with nowhere to sit and read, you deserve a nook that's entirely yours. Quiet luxury looks different for everyone, and my job is to find what yours looks like and build your home around it.”

Nommi describes her design identity as ‘English modern’ – heritage warmth complemented by clean contemporary lines and architectural precision: "I'm a neutral lover, but neutrals aren't boring to me. I embrace things that look intentional now and will continue to in 20 years' time.”

The Parlour Room’s Concept Clinic is for those experiencing what Nommi calls ‘design paralysis’ – the overwhelm of not knowing where to begin: “Many people are cautious about working with a designer.

They worry about handing over control or committing to something they can't envisage.

We remove that barrier by using high-end rendering to produce walkthroughs that let clients really inhabit a space before a single decision is made or a penny is spent.” Other services include The Edit – for homes that have the bones but need that final layer of cohesion – and The Signature, a comprehensive end-to-end experience for major renovations and new builds.

With all services, Nommi’s approach is consistent: “I really take time to listen, read between the lines, and pick up on things people may not have noticed. "Every enquiry begins with a complimentary discovery call then proceeds at a pace that’s comfortable for the client: “People are handing over their home, their sanctuary. That trust is everything.”

Being part of the North Leeds Jewish community adds another dimension to that trust: "There's a shared set of values, warmth, and familiarity which is a great foundation on which to build a client relationship.”

In future issues, Nommi will explore everything from the art of the intentional home and how to bridge the gap between a transitional space and quiet luxury to the hierarchy of materials, how to mix architectural textures, and seasonal home styling. If you've ever looked at a room and thought something was missing but couldn't quite put your finger on what – this column is for you.

Theparlourroom.uk | On Instagram @parlourroominteriors

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Headrow Gallery Our new website is live!

Headrowgallery.co.uk

Bringing quiet luxury into your elevated every day.

The Parlour Room offers bespoke interior design for homeowners who are ready to stop scrolling and start living in a space that is entirely, unmistakably theirs.

Book your complimentary discovery call today.

WWW.THEPARLOURROOM.UK | @PARLOURROOMINTERIORS

As many of you know, our shop will be closing in the coming months, we have a new wider selection of art available on our new website.

The framing services will continue until then.

We’d like to thank the community for its support over the years and look forward to working together.

588 Harrogate Road, Alwoodley 0113 269 4244 info@headrowgallery.co.uk

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June / July 2026

55

PROMOTION

Bright Spark Dave Randall of Reach Electrical shares how the company provides the best possible service to clients across North Leeds.

At Reach Electrical, we’re proud to support homeowners and businesses across Leeds, Harrogate, and the surrounding areas with reliable, high-quality electrical work. We’re a local company and a lot of our work comes from repeat customers and word of mouth, which says everything about how we approach what we do.

Whether it’s a full rewire, a consumer unit upgrade, lighting design, or a smaller job, we treat every project with the same level of care and attention to detail. We know that having work done in your home or business can be disruptive, so we focus on being tidy, punctual, and easy to deal with from start to finish.

We cover both residential and commercial projects, working in homes, offices, retail spaces, and more. Our services include full installations, upgrades, fault-finding, maintenance, testing and inspections, as well as EV charger installations and data cabling.

Whatever the size of the job, our aim is always the same – to deliver a safe, compliant, and long-lasting result.

As a NICEIC-approved contractor, safety and standards are a big part of what we do. We keep up to date with current regulations and make sure every job is completed properly, not just quickly. We’ll always talk you through your options in plain language, so you can make informed decisions without any pressure.

We’re also committed to investing in the future of the trade by training apprentices,

56

helping develop the next generation of skilled electricians while maintaining the high standards our customers expect.

For us, it’s not just about getting the job done – it’s about doing it right and building long-term relationships with our customers.

We take pride in being approachable, honest, and straightforward, and we believe that’s what keeps people coming back and recommending us to others.

If you’re planning a project, need some advice, or just want a quote, feel free to get in touch. We’re always happy to help.

Reachelectrical.co.uk hello@reachelectrical.co.uk 07887 738 775

REACH OUT

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57

SUMMER ESSENTIALS

Host with the Most

LAURA RICH

Displays at Barker and Stonehouse, shares the tasks you should prioritise when looking to refresh your garden furniture ahead of al fresco dining season.

I would always suggest thinking about how your layout supports different moments throughout the day. A small bistro set can work beautifully for morning coffee, while a larger arrangement can be positioned for entertaining later. Getting that balance right early makes the space much easier to use.

There’s a growing appetite for statement pieces that feel almost sculptural in the garden. Twisted forms, generous proportions,

Action stations

Laura Rich, Creative Product Lead at Furniturebox, explains how simple garden preparation tasks can go a long way…

Decluttering your space is one of those arduous tasks we may be tempted to procrastinate doing, but it's crucial to improve the aesthetic and functionality. It doesn’t have to be totally void of contents; a garden can look lived-in, but removing fallen leaves, recycling unused or broken plant pots, trimming overgrown hedges, and clearing pathways is a great way to drastically improve your space.

Cleaning outdoor furniture is an underrated step, but you (thankfully) don’t need to break the bank to clean it effectively, you actually only need a few household items to get it looking spick and span. Start by sweeping them off then hoover any remaining bits of debris. Olive oil is a handy yet underestimated cleaning tool. Just a teaspoon and a soft cloth can be a cheap, quick, and easy way to protect your rattan garden furniture from the elements. And don’t forget the power of white vinegar!

Many of us don’t have the luxury of a large garden, so making your spaces multifunctional is a great way to utilise what’s available, especially in urban gardens. Opting for furniture that is multi-purpose, like modular sofas that can be moved around to suit you and your guests, allows for flexibility.

Furniturebox.co.uk

Set the scene

Magdalena Gierasinska, Head of Product and

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MAGDALENA GIERASINSKA

and more architectural details can really elevate an outdoor setting. At the same time, space-saving designs remain important.

Smaller bistro sets and compact furniture continue to perform well because they make balconies and smaller gardens feel usable without overwhelming them.

Comfort is absolutely essential when it’s your turn to host. Supportive seating, generous proportions, and well-made cushions are what turn a good-looking set into a space people will genuinely enjoy spending time in. I would also say it’s important not to overlook the smaller details. Thoughtful accessories, well-chosen table styling, and subtle layering can make a space feel finished without overwhelming it.

Barkerandstonehouse.co.uk

It’s time to start getting your garden ready for hosting this summer!

Find out how with some tips and tricks from industry experts. table settings, it’s worth doing a quick sweep of your garden for anything that might cause problems on the day. Check for wasp nests in sheds, fences, and roof overhangs in June before they grow large. A small nest treated early is straightforward to deal with but leave it until August and you could have several thousand wasps a few metres from your guests.

Outdoor dining is the biggest attractor of wasps, flies, and ants in summer. Keep food covered until ready to serve, use lids on drinks, and clear plates promptly. A small dish of diluted jam placed at the far end of the garden draws wasps away from the table.

Fresh herbs are one of the best dualpurpose additions to an outdoor table. Potted basil, mint, and lavender look beautiful as centrepieces and the scent actively deters insects. It’s a completely natural solution that costs very little and looks intentional rather than defensive.

As the sun goes down, mosquitoes and midges become the main issue, particularly in gardens near water or long grass. Citronella candles help and look great as part of the decor. A fan pointing gently across the seating area is one of the most underrated tricks as insects struggle to fly in a light breeze. Keep the lawn mown short and clear any standing water from pots and saucers beforehand.

Ants tend to appear around patio areas and food prep zones in summer. Sprinkle ground cinnamon or chalk powder along the edges of patio slabs and around table legs before guests arrive. It creates an invisible barrier that ants will not cross and leaves no trace for your guests to notice.

Ecocare-management.com

Pesky pests

Once you’ve got the aesthetics sorted, Mosh Latifi, Co-Owner of EcoCare Pest Management, is here to help you keep pests at bay!

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59

SUSTAINABILITY

Clean Air Day asks us to consider the state of the air we breathe so take a look at what’s being done in our area and how we can all make changes to improve air quality.

Run by Global Action Plan, Clean Air Day (18th June) is the UK’s largest campaign which brings together schools, businesses, health organisations, and communities to raise awareness of air pollution and its effects and advise how we can take action.

The World Health Organisation and the UK government both recognise air pollution as the greatest environmental threat to human health, with it being linked to as many as 43,000 premature deaths in the UK each year. Cars and vans are the biggest source of nitrogen oxides (NOx) – gases that irritate and damage the airways, worsen asthma, and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. They’re also a major source of fine particulate matter – tiny particles that pass through the lungs and into the bloodstream, affecting every organ in the body and contributing to a range of conditions including dementia.

The effects aren’t felt equally. Poorer communities tend to live closest to the most polluted roads and children, older people, and those with existing health conditions are most at risk. It may seem counterintuitive, but research shows that car occupants are typically exposed to higher levels of air pollution than people who walk, cycle, or travel by bus.

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Breathe Easy

Leeds actually has a pretty good track record when it comes to air quality. Back in 2020 the city abandoned plans to introduce a Clean Air Zone when a joint review by Leeds City Council and central government concluded that it was no longer needed.

Businesses had switched to cleaner vehicles faster than expected; more than 90% of buses and 80% of heavy goods vehicles operating in the city already used cleaner Euro VI engines, and nearly half of all taxis and private hire cars were hybrid or electric.

Air pollution on key routes had fallen below legal limits.

Leeds’ Air Quality Strategy aims to eliminate the city’s remaining Air Quality Management Areas and meet World Health Organisation targets by 2030 – going further than national legal standards. The strategy includes switching the council’s vehicle fleet to electric (including bin lorries), installing new bus lanes and park and ride facilities as part of the Connecting Leeds programme, rolling out a public bike share scheme, and upgrading homes through the Better Homes Leeds scheme.

Our city has shown that real progress is possible and Clean Air Day is a chance to build on it.

While highlighting the health and environmental impacts of air pollution, Clean Air Day offers suggestions as to how we can all make a difference. The central ask is a simple one – swap at least one driving journey on the day for walking, cycling, or public transport. A quarter of all car trips made in England are under one mile, walkable in around 15 minutes. If everyone switched just one car journey a month for a bus trip, there would be a billion fewer car journeys a year across the UK.

Here are some everyday changes that add up: • Walk or cycle short trips. Any journey under a mile is almost always walkable – and you’ll likely be breathing cleaner air than you would inside a car.

• Use Connecting Leeds. The city’s expanding network of bus lanes, improved services, and park and ride facilities is designed to make public transport a genuine first choice.

• Avoid idling. While driving, switching off your engine when stationary – outside schools, in car parks, and waiting for passengers – has a direct impact on local air quality.

• Try the bike share. Leeds’ public bike share scheme offers an easy, emissionfree option for short journeys across the city centre.

• Consolidate deliveries. Combining online orders or opting for click-andcollect reduces van traffic on residential streets.

• Write to your MP. This year, Clean Air Day is asking people to call on their MP to champion clean air. You can do this at Cleanairhub.org.uk Actionforcleanair.org.uk Leeds.gov.uk/clean-air

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PROMOTION

Your Home, Your Way A home should feel effortless, personal, and considered – that’s the essence behind every space that’s designed at Studio Nest.

Thoughtful design, tailored to you

Studio Nest is an independent design studio specialising in bespoke kitchens and built-in furniture across Harrogate, North Leeds, and the wider Yorkshire area. From individual kitchens to full multi-room schemes, every project is shaped entirely around the way that you live.

We’re known for being refreshingly modern and forever classic and we don’t follow trends; our spaces are designed to feel relevant for years to come.

In October 2025, we marked 10 years of our Harrogate studio. Our small studio team is all-female, and we pride ourselves on offering a highly personal, design-led service where every project receives the time, care, and attention it deserves.

Timeless by design

Timeless design is not about playing it safe, it is about choosing materials that age beautifully and creating spaces that feel calm and welcoming for years to come.

The result is interiors that sit comfortably within a home and continue to feel just right, long after completion.

A truly bespoke approach

At Studio Nest, you won't find any standard ranges. Instead, we design bespoke kitchens and furniture that can fit any size or layout.

This extends beyond the kitchen to boot rooms, wardrobes, home offices, and other small spaces in the home to make everyday life easier. The aim is always the same: to create a home that genuinely works for you – a place to cook, relax, entertain, and enjoy daily life with ease.

June / July 2026 final pages.indd 13

A considered process

Designed around the way you live

Designing a kitchen should feel exciting, not overwhelming! Our team will guide you through the entire process from early ideas through to final installation to make it clear, considered, and enjoyable at every stage.

We take time to understand how you use your space day-to-day, how you cook, how you gather, and how you live. From this, we shape a design that feels natural and intuitive. Every detail is carefully considered, from layout and storage to appliances and finishing touches, creating kitchens that are both highly functional and beautifully composed. We also design adjoining spaces such as pantries and utilities to ensure a seamless flow throughout the home.

While many clients come to us for a kitchen, we often look at the home as a whole. By designing these connected spaces, we create interiors that feel cohesive and effortless to live in.

We keep things simple, structured, and personal and take on a limited number of projects each year, so we remain closely involved and highly attentive from start to finish. You can expect…

• Your own dedicated designer • Full design and installation service • Complimentary interior design • Trusted installation team • Lifetime aftercare support

A better way to live

At the heart of Studio Nest is a simple belief: your home should support the way you live, not complicate it. Through thoughtful design, careful detailing, and a highly personal approach, we create spaces that feel as good to use as they do to look at.

If you are considering a kitchen or bespoke furniture project, we would love to help you explore what is possible!

Our Harrogate design studio is open by appointment, offering a relaxed and personal setting to begin your exciting journey. studionest.co.uk | 01423 501 177 hello@studionest.co.uk

13 21/05/2026 13:45:50

FATHER'S DAY

Making Memories

It’s time to ditch the gifted socks and give your dad an experience he won’t forget this Father’s Day (21st June).

Born to be wild

For the dad who already has everything, join an outdoor adventure with Elliot Nicholls and Yorkshire Mushroom Emporium (YME) for a day of discovery into the world of edible fungi and flora on one of its foraging workshops in and around Leeds.

The duration of the course is typically 3.5 hours, starting with an introduction to foraging and a run-through of the day’s itinerary. The main activity will be a three- to four-mile walk through the area searching for and collecting edible species. This will involve walking on well-established paths to slightly less trodden routes with regular breaks to discuss any species found on the walk. You’ll then wrap the session up with a good cup of tea made either from herbs that you have foraged or some YME lion’s mane extract. Each person will be able to take home some freshly cultivated YME mushrooms as well as anything they find!

Yorkshiremushroomemporium.co.uk/products/leeds-foraging-workshops

Game time

Father's Day At Gameshow Allstars in Central Arcade in the city centre, you don’t just watch the game – you ARE the game! Step into the venue’s immersive environment where you and your dad can become the contestants in a series of thrilling, TV-style gameshows. From pulse-pounding challenges to laugh-out-loud moments, every experience is a chance to shine.

Take a trip down memory lane with games inspired by classic shows such as Wheel of Fortune, Play Your Cards Right, and Supermarket Sweep, or challenge each other at the contemporary Tipping Point and Catchphrase-themed experiences. There are battles of skill, luck, and strategy, so there’ll be something for everyone to excel at. Each game is a chance to showcase your talents and most importantly, have fun!

Gameshowallstars.co.uk/leeds

Drink it in

Rather than buying your dad some of his favourite beer, get booked in for The Leeds Heritage Pub Tour. Enjoy an exploration of over 300 years of pub and brewing history in the city, led by local expert and passionate independent tour guide Mike. This 3.5-hour tour brings to life stories of the people, places, and events that shaped the city's incredible pub heritage, with drinks included to keep everyone refreshed along the way.

You’ll stop off at iconic boozers such as The Tetley, Lamb and Flag, White Swan, Whitelocks, and more as Mike tells you stories from old local newspapers and books and uses old maps and images to bring the history to life. Mike is the Secretary of the British Guild of Beer Writers and has a background that has seen him operate a micro-brewery, run a pub, organise beer festivals, and serve as Chair for the Leeds branch of the Campaign for Real Ale – there’s no one better for the job!

Leedsinspired.co.uk/events/leeds-heritage-pub-tour

Cocoa loco

On Father’s Day weekend, Chocolate Collective is hosting a workshop perfect for any dad that loves chocolate. Ideal for those who have yet to try their hand at the art of chocolate making, the beginner-friendly workshop will take you through everything from the history of chocolate to the production process from bean to bar, all before teaching you step-by-step how to make your own handcrafted truffles.

Using raw ingredients, you’ll get hands-on as you learn from an expert chocolatier how to mix, pipe, cut, shape, coat, and sprinkle some magic onto your Belgian truffles. At the end of the class, you’ll be taught how to package up your handmade goodies, so they look like they’ve come straight out of a high-end chocolate shop! Head home with 15 to 20 truffles in tow alongside the skills to make more.

Chocolatecollective.co.uk/events

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Stability starts with her The damage since October 7, has reached far beyond the physical. It is emotional, psychological, ongoing and intergenerational.

WIZO is strengthening women and protecting children as they rebuild safety, stability and hope.

When she is supported, families stabilise and society begins to recover.

Please support WIZOuk's Emergency Appeal.

Donate now at wizouk.org or call 020 7319 9169 Registered charity number: 1125012.

Registered company number: 6634748.

Clothing | Accessories | Lifestyle At Wanderlust Stories we source seasonal pieces inspired by our love of travel and all things beautiful.

Situated on the gorgeous Harewood Estate, we are not your average shop. We offer a more personal experience, and you’ll never feel rushed. Come to one of our monthly shopping days or maybe arrange a private shopping evening for you and friends where you can browse and shop in a relaxed environment with a couple of glasses fizz!

Spotted something you like on our website or socials? Come and try before you buy!

Available by appointment at our store at Harewood House, or see us online at Wanderluststories.co.uk Open Fridays 9-3. Find us at LS17 9LS – use the Weardley Village Entrance

Why not send a gift card, the perfect gift idea!!

June / July 2026

10% OFF

first order for JLIFE READERS Use discount code JLIFE 10 63

Viva Mexico!

North and South America welcome the FIFA World Cup this summer, so we check out Mexico’s vibrant and eclectic host cities for a holiday destination.

This year’s FIFA World Cup takes place from 11th June to 19th July, and matches will be held in 16 host cities across Canada, the US, and Mexico – where games will take place in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.

Mexico is the connecting puzzle piece between the USA and Central America – it borders four different American states in the north, and snakes all the way down to Belize and Guatemala in the south. It’s a popular holiday spot for winter sun-seekers in December and January, and party animals flock here for the spring break peak in March, but with the sun beaming down throughout the year, there’s never a bad time to visit.

From the buzz of Mexico City to Guadalajara’s rich cultural heritage and Monterrey’s modern skyline set among dramatic mountains, each destination offers far more than just football. Expect vibrant street food scenes and colourful neighbourhoods that spill out from the stadiums into every corner of these cities.

Mexico City

Formerly the ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlan, Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico – CDMX) was founded in 1325 and constructed in the Valley of Mexico over ancient Lake Texcoco. Today, it’s an important political, cultural, educational, and financial centre that’s the most populous city in North America.

Zócalo, the square with a giant Mexican flag flying at its centre and lined with various sites such as the Palacio Nacional, is the city’s beating heart. Stroll in Bosque de Chapultepec, the city’s largest park with terraces, lakes, food stalls, and its unique ahuehuete cypress trees which were once planted by the Aztecs – some of these trees are over 600 years old!

The Nidje Israel Synagogue is the first Ashkenazi synagogue and community centre (for Eastern European Jews) in Mexico. It belongs to the Ashkenazi Kehilá, which was founded in 1922. It was inaugurated in 1941 and became the centre of community life for Yiddish speakers for more than 20 years, hosting numerous weddings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, dances, and both Jewish and family celebrations until the Jewish community relocated to other neighbourhoods

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such as Hipódromo, Condesa, and Álamos, marking a new phase in community life.

After a period of neglect and solitude, the synagogue was rescued through a respectful and loving restoration, reviving it from 2010 as the Historic Synagogue – a space open to the general public that offers a variety of cultural events for the education and enjoyment of its visitors.

Just north of the CDMX’s city centre lies Teotihuacán, an awe-inspiring ancient city filled with towering stone pyramids that’s well worth the day trip. In its prime, the ancient city was dominated by soaring pyramids and palaces and adorned with colourful frescoes, home to a highly developed society with complex religious and funerary rituals. Yet little is known about the people who founded Teotihuacán in the 1st century BC.

TRAVEL

Guadalajara

For a more authentic Mexican experience than what you might receive on the coasts and a slightly less intense holiday, head to Guadalajara. The capital and largest city in Jalisco is known for its mariachi bands, nearby tequila distilleries, jaw-dropping architecture, and colourful nightlife.

Mariachi music celebrates the struggles, sadness, joys, and love of the Mexican people. Generally considered to have originated in the state of Jalisco around Guadalajara, this music has become the soundtrack of important events and celebrations for Mexicans everywhere.

UNESCO recognised this traditional musical form as part of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2011, but it dates back several centuries. Mariachi is the sound of the fiesta, and listening to it evokes the joy of spending time with friends, eating, drinking, and celebrating. There’s no better place to experience this than where it all began!

Jump onboard the Tequila Express, the most iconic tourist train in Jalisco, and enjoy a scenic ride from Guadalajara to the agave landscape which was recognised by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site.

More than just a train ride, this experience immerses you in Mexican culture, music, folklore, and of course, tequila.

Monterrey

The third largest city in Mexico, Monterrey is home to a unique blend of modern architecture and skyscrapers set against a backdrop of a mountain range. It’s a commercial and industrial powerhouse, with many of the country’s most important companies being headquartered here.

The city’s main square, Plaza Makro, is one of the largest in the world, but it was created in the 1980s with efficiency in mind; people here don’t stroll around admiring

June / July 2026

the buildings – they are probably late for their next business appointment!

Barrio Antiguo means ‘old neighbourhood’, and east of the plaza, you’ll find an area of town where you can wander around and look at the old world of the city.

This area is trendy and fashionable which is represented in its plethora of chic cafes, art galleries, and antique shops. It’s also becoming a major night spot, especially at the weekends.

There are several museums in the city, including the famous Museum of Contemporary Art and a glass museum which includes a glassware art gallery and a shop that sells beautiful fine glass creations.

The cathedral and buildings centred around the main plaza are an excellent example of modern colonial architecture blending in with the old world.

Within an hour of the city, you’ll find some stunning ecological attractions too, including caves, waterfalls and, of course, the majestic and famous Sierra Madre mountain range where the climate is ideal for taking part in a variety of outdoor sports and activities. These surrounding areas have a lot to offer visitors wanting to see some of Mexico’s stunning northern deserts and mountains. Attractions include the Garcia Caves, Horse Tail waterfalls, Rodrigo Gómez dam, and gorgeous views from Chipinque on the Sierra Madre mountains.

PROMOTION

Your Pharmacy Get the treatment you need, when you need it at Pharmacy+Health in Alwoodley – a one-stop shop for all your healthcare needs.

Private vaccinations

At Pharmacy+Health, we bring healthcare closer to you. Whether it’s minor illnesses and vaccinations or blood tests and private consultations, we’ve got you covered with NHS and private care in one place, sameday access for many conditions, expert pharmacists and healthcare professionals, and walk-in appointments or easy booking on our website.

NHS healthcare

We know that taking care of your health might be a struggle, especially when it can be difficult to get through to your GP and there is a lot of demand for GP appointments. At Pharmacy+Health, we offer many NHS services: • For minor ailments, the NHS Pharmacy First Service can help with sore throats, earache, sinusitis, impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, and UTIs (urinary tract infections).

• We also offer the NHS contraception service, for initiation, continuation, or emergency contraception.

• If you are over 40 or have a history of hypertension, we can check your blood pressure and fit an ABPM to monitor your blood pressure for 24 hours if necessary.

• Seasonally, you can also drop by our pharmacy or book in advance to get the NHS flu and NHS COVID vaccinations. If you’re not eligible for the free NHS vaccines, you can also get these vaccinations privately at our branches, where we always do our best to make sure they’re affordable and accessible to the community.

• You can also speak to our pharmacist about smoking cessation support if you need help quitting smoking.

All these services are funded by the NHS to allow us to support you with your health needs without you having to wait for a GP appointment.

Private consultation services

Our private consultation services are available so that you can get the advice and treatment you need to help alleviate your symptoms and any worries or concerns for several conditions. These include:

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• Chest infection consultations • Skin consultations • Ear infection consultations • Ear wax removal service and hearing checks with advanced Tympa microsuction technology • Weight management service, which includes our Weight Management Plus programme that offers blood testing support alongside your weight loss treatment and full body composition analysis at some branches which can monitor your progress with specialised scales and give you a holistic view of how your body is responding and changing during your weight loss journey.

• Travel health service providing vaccinations, tablets, and advice, including jet lag, altitude sickness, period delay, and traveller’s diarrhoea services.

Some of our pharmacists are also trained independent prescribers with expertise to carry out a thorough clinical assessment and diagnose a wide range of health conditions and when necessary and prescribe treatments to aid your recovery.

Vaccines help protect you and others against diseases. We offer a wide range of private vaccinations through convenient, bookable appointments.

Many vaccinations we offer are available for free on the NHS but have a very limited eligibility criteria. If you’re not eligible, we can arrange to provide the vaccination privately and help you invest in your health and wellbeing and boost your immunity.

Some of the vaccinations we offer include: • HPV • Chickenpox • Shingles • RSV • Pneumococcal • Travel vaccines as part of our travel health service (including Hepatitis A/B, typhoid, rabies, and yellow fever) • Flu and COVID

Blood testing services

Our fast-track blood testing service with both finger prick and venous blood draw options provides results back to you in only 15 minutes. We can test a wide range of biomarkers to make sure you’re always keeping track of your health including vitamin D, ferritin iron levels, and many more. These tests are fast, easy, and budget friendly with discounts available for a limited time.

We also offer a number of more comprehensive blood tests with results back in about 48 hours. These can give an indepth insight into your health and include our Well-woman and Well-man blood tests and male and female hormone healthchecks. If you are feeling fatigued and tired all the time, we also offer energy level blood tests and advanced multivitamin testing.

Visit your local Pharmacy+Health branch in Alwoodley or any of our other 30 branches across Yorkshire. We always prefer that you book online via the website or phone in advance to make sure that you are seen promptly. However, if you find yourself just around the corner and want to pop in for a chat with our healthcare team, we will always try and make time to see you.

Pharmacyplushealth.co.uk 0113 268 5602

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Leeds Hip & Knee Clinic

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K

Mr Sam Jain is a specialist orthopaedic hip and knee surgeon.

He offers modern treatment solutions with a truly personalised approach.

He has excellent surgical outcomes and is highly recommended by patients.

Specialist in: • Hip and knee replacement surgery • Robotic-assisted hip and knee surgery • Rapid recovery techniques • Non-surgical treatments

www.leedshipandkneeclinic.co.uk Insured and self-funding patients. No GP referral required.

Book directly at www.nuffieldhealth.com/consultants/mr-sam-jain#book Or call 0113 322 7251 to make an appointment Clinics on Wednesday / Thursday

Leeds Foot & Ankle Clinic Mr Adam Lomax is a specialist orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon. His elective practice is entirely dedicated to treating conditions of the foot and ankle.

With extensive training and education Adam is one of the best specialists in his field.

Specialist in: • Diagnosing / treating foot and ankle pain • Ankle ligament surgery using • Bunion correction surgery keyhole techniques • Big toe arthritis “hallux rigidus” • Achilles tendon problems • Toe deformity correction • Ankle and foot injuries • Ankle and foot arthritis

www.leedsfootandankleclinic.co.uk Insured and self-funding patients. No GP referral required.

Book online directly via our website or call / email Maria on 0113 2185924 Maria.Pickersgill@spirehealthcare.com Clinics on Monday / Wednesday / Friday

See more photos on pages 6, 24 50, 74 and 83

PHOTOS

LJOY’S GIRLS PREPARED AND ENJOYED AN ISRAELI LUNCH TOGETHER FOR YOM HA’ATZMAUT.

BAT CHAYIL WENT ON A TRIP TO THE BETH SHALOM NATIONAL HOLOCAUST MUSEUM.

BRODETSKY’S EARLY YEARS PUPILS HAD A VISIT FROM WEST YORKSHIRE POLICE.

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THEY ALSO MARKED LAG B’OMER WITH A BARBEQUE.

LJOY TEENS ALL HAD A GREAT TIME PLAYING THE TRAITORS!

THE SCHOOL’S FOOTBALL TEAM IN THEIR NEW KIT, SPONSORED BY ASTONISH!

PUPILS ALSO MARKED YOM HA’ATZMAUT.

Jlifemagazine.co.uk

BUILDING CONNECTIONS

IN THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY

Over the past three months, the Leeds Jewish Representative Council (LJRC) has continued to play a central role in strengthening Jewish life across the city.

At a time when Jewish communities across the UK have faced growing challenges and concerns around antisemitism, the LJRC has focused not only on representing the community publicly, but also on creating opportunities for dialogue, understanding, and solidarity. The organisation’s work increasingly combines advocacy, education, community support, and relationshipbuilding, ensuring that the voice of Leeds Jewry is both heard and respected across the region.

One of the most significant themes of recent months has been interfaith and civic engagement. Faith leaders from across Leeds have stood alongside the Jewish community following incidents of antisemitism nationally, with the LJRC helping to coordinate messages of support and opportunities for shared action. Relationships with the Leeds Faith Forum, local churches, mosques, and civic institutions have continued to deepen, reinforcing the importance of visible solidarity between communities.

The LJRC has also played a significant role in the city’s first Antisemitism Awareness Week, led by Leeds City Council. The initiative aimed to highlight the continuing challenges posed by antisemitism and to increase understanding across public services and partner organisations. Activities during the week focused largely on outreach and education for council employees, councillors, and partner organisations including the

June / July 2026

NHS and universities, with a programme developed alongside CST, the LJRC, and the Leeds Learning Alliance Against Antisemitism (LLAAA).

Alongside the programme, a community surgery held at the MAZCC brought together representatives from West Yorkshire Police, Leeds City Council, CST, LLAAA, LJWB, and the LJRC, giving members of the Jewish community an opportunity to raise concerns directly and discuss issues. CST training sessions, supported by the LJRC, also explored the history of antisemitism in Britain and how centuries-old prejudices continue to manifest in modern society.

Susie Gordon, CEO of the LJRC, said: “The importance of this work cannot be overstated. Antisemitism does not exist in isolation and education is essential if we are to challenge misunderstanding and prejudice effectively. We have been encouraged by the willingness of civic partners across Leeds to engage seriously with these issues, but this must be the beginning of a longer-term commitment. The LJRC will continue working with organisations across the city to ensure the Jewish community feels safe, heard, and supported.”

International connections have also featured prominently. The recent visit of Lithuanian Ambassador Her Excellency Asta Radikaite to Leeds provided an opportunity for discussions around shared history, remembrance, and contemporary Jewish life.

Community representatives welcomed the delegation alongside civic and communal guests, reflecting an ongoing role as a bridge between Leeds Jewry and wider public life.

Holocaust remembrance and education have remained central priorities throughout the spring period. The community came together for Yom HaShoah commemorations, honouring survivors and remembering those murdered in the Holocaust while ensuring younger generations continue to engage with these stories. Educational work linked to survivor testimony and remembrance continues to play an important role in combating prejudice and preserving memory.

Alongside this, preparations for Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut events brought together different parts of the community in acts of remembrance, reflection, and celebration. The LJRC has worked closely with communal organisations to support these important moments in the Jewish calendar and encourage broad participation.

It has also continued practical work supporting community wellbeing. Its Antisemitism Support Surgery initiative offers a welcoming space for people affected by antisemitism to seek advice, support, and guidance. The initiative reflects a wider commitment not only to advocacy, but to ensuring individuals feel heard, supported, and empowered.

Leadership development and representation have also remained important themes. Representatives have continued to engage with regional organisations, educational bodies, and civic institutions to ensure Jewish perspectives are included in wider conversations affecting public life across Yorkshire.

Across all this work, collaboration has been key and the LJRC continues to focus on ensuring that Jewish life in Leeds remains visible, connected and confident. In a challenging period, the past few months have demonstrated the resilience of the Leeds Jewish community and the importance of strong relationships built on mutual respect, understanding, and shared civic responsibility.

If you wish to contact LJRC, call 0113 218 5869 or email info@ljrc.org

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BAR

H A V Z T I M T & BA

PERFECT PRESENTS

Stuck for what to gift at an upcoming Bar or Bat Mitzvah?

We’ve got you covered!

GIRLS Under £50 Medicube pink collagen gel mask | £26 | Lookfantastic.com

Any teenage girl who spends even a little bit of time scrolling through TikTok will appreciate a gift tied to the latest viral craze in the beauty world. Right now, few products are generating as much buzz as the Medicube collagen face mask which has quickly risen to cult status and is praised for delivering spa-like results from the comfort of your own home. The gel-infused sheet is saturated with PDRN, a powerful component celebrated for its ability to support skin regeneration, helping the complexion appear plumper and smoother. Complementing this is low-molecular collagen, which penetrates more effectively to enhance the skin’s elasticity and suppleness, creating that coveted ‘bouncy’ look.

Under £100 Amazon Kindle | £90 | Johnlewis.com

For the Bat Mitzvah girl who always has her nose in a book, a Kindle makes for a thoughtful and practical gift that she’ll reach for every day. This version of the e-reader is its lightest and most compact model yet and is designed with both convenience and comfort in mind. One of the standout features is its glare-free display which mimics the look of real paper and allows for reading in any light. With an impressive battery life of up to six weeks on a single charge, she won’t have to worry about constantly plugging it in, and the generous 16 GB of storage means it can hold thousands of books, magazines, and comics. This matcha green shade is one of the hottest colours on trend at the moment.

Thoughtful, useful, and effortlessly cool – we can’t think of a better gift!

Over £100 Three-piece crystal jewellery set | £150 | Jewellerywithlove.com

A thoughtful keepsake like jewellery makes for a meaningful Bat Mitzvah gift that can be treasured not just now, but for many years to come. It’s the kind of present that carries both sentiment and style, marking an important milestone in a way that feels truly special. Jewellery With Love offers a three-piece set that adds an extra layer of individuality as each piece can be embossed with a birthstone of your choice. The set includes a pair of earrings and a matching necklace and bracelet, all crafted from rhodium-plated sterling silver. Each set arrives in an LED gift box that creates a magical unboxing experience where the moment she opens it and it lights up, so will she!

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BOYS Under £50 JBL Go 4 Bluetooth speaker | £39.99 | Uk.jbl.com

Celebrate this milestone with a gift that brings the energy wherever the day leads. The JBL Go 4 ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker is small enough to slip into a pocket, but powerful enough to fill any space with clear, bold JBL Pro Sound and punchy bass. Its vibrant colours let you pick a style that fits his personality, while the durable, waterproof, and dustproof design means it’s ready for any adventures ahead. With up to seven hours of playtime, the music keeps going long after the candles are blown out. For even bigger moments, pair two speakers for stereo sound or connect with other JBL Auracast-enabled speakers to turn any gathering into a full-on celebration.

Under £100 Nike Air Max 95 x LEGO set | £89.99 | Lego.com

For the Bar Mitzvah boy who has a passion for fashion, especially when it comes to standout trainers, this gift is bound to impress! Combining creativity with iconic design, this LEGO set pays homage to the legendary Nike trainer, staying true to its signature aesthetic. The model features a sleek blend of muted black and light graphite tones, perfectly contrasted by striking pops of neon yellow. Beyond its stylish appearance, this set offers an engaging and interactive build. It includes a sturdy display stand, a bold bubble logo detail, and a fully customisable minifigure, complete with its own miniature pair of Air Max 95-inspired trainers. Thoughtful design elements make this more than just a display piece; a cleverly concealed drawer is tucked into the base, providing a handy spot to store trinkets.

Over £100 Custom wristwatch | £113 | Zazzle.co.uk

Mark this once-in-a-lifetime milestone with a gift that blends tradition with everyday style. This watch is inspired by classic diver and military designs, giving it a timeless look that can grow with him for years to come. Built from durable stainless steel with an adjustable bezel and water resistance up to 91.4 metres, it’s made for both special occasions and everyday adventures. What makes it especially meaningful is the personal touch. The watch face can be customised with a name, Bar Mitzvah date, and a symbolic design – like the Star of David – turning it into more than just an accessory. It becomes a lasting reminder of his special day and the exciting journey ahead.

June / July 2026

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H A V Z T I M T A BAR & B

STAND UP, SPEAK UP Voice Coach Jane Oakshott explains how those prepping for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah speech can conquer their nerves and find their voice.

Jane Oakshott is a Leeds-based voice coach whose clients range from hospital CEOs to newly appointed civil servants. She arrived at voice coaching through a colourful route which included a degree in French and Drama, a career running festivals, and directing large-scale mystery plays.

"I've always been interested in words and in voice," she says. "Even as a child, I used to listen to Shakespeare because the words were so beautiful. I firmly believe that if you speak as though you really mean it, then success is there because the words take over."

PHOTO: CLAIRE BARTFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY

A Bar and Bat Mitzvah speech presents its own challenges: "I think it must be one of the most difficult things ever." As Jane explains, most speeches allow the speaker a degree of detachment – discussing sales figures, a new product, or a subject they've mastered – whereas the Bar or Bat Mitzvah speech is an intensely personal experience: "The subject is yours to choose. It's not as if you're talking about something outside

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yourself. And at 13 or so, a sense of your own importance is very often the last thing you feel." For many young people the main issue is confidence, which Jane views not as a prerequisite for speaking well but rather as an outcome.

The foundation of Jane's approach is practical: "Voice isn't just about your throat!" Breathing, posture, and pace are inseparable from psychological hang-ups about public speaking and teenagers can start from a disadvantage: "Very often their posture is appalling because they spend so much of their time crouched over their phones. The first thing to do is help them realise how good they feel when they get rid of the round shoulders and craned neck, and how much extra oxygen that gives them."

Jane has a simple stretch exercise she calls ‘the eagle’ which gives a balanced and effective speaking position – head level, arms free, and lungs with room to work: "If you stand up straight, your hands aren’t in the way – and if you're still worried about what to do with them, hold your script.

There is nothing wrong with reading a speech, only if you read it badly."

For the nervous speaker, pace can be particularly tricky to master. Jane’s preferred instruction isn’t ‘slow down’, but the more positive ‘take your time’. It’s a subtle but important distinction – the energy of speed can be redirected into clear pronunciation instead of being wasted in rushed and often inaudible sentences.

Jane emphasises the importance of tone, citing the adage: "People may forget what you said, but they always remember how

you made them feel." If you get the tone of voice right, that's where persuasion comes.

So, what’s the key to nailing the right tone? "If you tell yourself a Bar Mitzvah is a solemn occasion, you could end up sounding really pompous. The thing is to be yourself. Say how you feel about it. Mean it!"

This is especially true where the audience is made up of people who know and love the speaker, it’s not a performance for strangers.

It needs to be an expression of the person giving it.

Asked how she might work with a nervous 13-year-old with a speech to prepare, Jane is clear that: "the process mustn't be one-size-fits-all because everyone's different." One useful early step might be asking the young person to stand and talk on a random subject for two minutes: "How someone reacts when they're put on the spot is very likely what they'll do when they're in front of an audience. From that two-minute talk, you can identify what's working well and what's most likely to trip them up. From there on it's a bit like organic gardening – encourage what's already flourishing, prune gently, and add the guiding support of technique.

In building capability, you build lasting confidence."

Janeoakshott.co.uk

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27 Bury New Road, Prestwich

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BAR

H A V Z T I M T A B &

MAZEL TOV!

Take a look back at the Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations we’ve featured over the last year as part of our special feature!

PHOTO: HOWARD BARNETT PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO: STEVE BOOTLE PHOTOGRAPHY

RUBY LEVEY HAD HER BAT MITZVAH AT UHC SYNAGOGUE AND A PARTY AT ETZ CHAIM’S REUBEN VINCENT HALL.

SONNY KATZ HAD HIS BAR MITZVAH AT BHH SYNAGOGUE.

PHOTO: CLAIRE BARTFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO: CLAIRE BARTFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY

‘SAMFEST’ WAS HELD AT ETZ CHAIM SYNAGOGUE WITH HEADLINE ACT SAM GORDON.

WILLIAM GRANT WAS CALLED UP AT SINAI SYNAGOGUE.

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PHOTO: STEVE MCNIVEN PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO: CLAIRE BARTFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY

HEADINGLEY STADIUM WAS THE LOCATION FOR ARTHUR HARVEY’S CELEBRATIONS!

ASHER ABRAHAMS WAS CALLED UP IN JANUARY AT UHC…

PHOTO: ARTS PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO: CLAIRE BARTFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY

… AS WELL AS SAM GREGORY!

ALEX NICHOLLS ALSO HAD HIS BAR MITZVAH AT UHC BEFORE CELEBRATING WITH A PARTY AT THE ZONE.

PHOTO: CLAIRE BARTFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO: CLAIRE BARTFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY

RABBI ELI AND DABRUSHY PINK’S DAUGHTER SHAINA WAS CALLED UP IN FEBRUARY.

ARCHIE LYONS HAD HIS BAR MITZVAH IN MARCH AT UHC FOLLOWED BY A GLITZY PARTY AT WHARFEDALE GRANGE WITH HIS FAMILY (INCLUDING SISTER SOPHIE, APOLOGIES FOR THE MISTAKE IN APRIL'S EDITION).

PHOTO: CLAIRE BARTFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO: CLAIRE BARTFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY

HUGO MASON WAS ALSO CALLED UP AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR!

UHC HOSTED TEDDY BARRON’S BAR MITZVAH.

June / July 2026

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H A V Z T I M T A BAR & B

Taking Responsibility LJOY’s Moshe Merel explores the true meaning of a Bar and Bat Mitzvah: not just a celebration, but a transformation.

There is an issue with injuring someone on Shabbos (obviously, this is not allowed on any day for many reasons). So, I struggle to understand why people making a Bar Mitzvah choose the hardest sweets to pelt at the poor, unprotected Bar Mitzvah boy. I think every shul should invest in an iron dome… maybe ULS Constitution will consider it. So, what are Bar and Bat Mitzvahs all about?

At age 13 for a boy and 12 for a girl, a Jewish child becomes an adult responsible for their actions and obligated in Mitzvot.

Girls mature earlier, hence the younger age.

This is not just a birthday; it’s a complete change of status. And yet, somehow, the focus can become the few hours in shul or the party that follows.

Back in the day, whether in Czechoslovakia, Chapeltown, Bamberg, or Bradford, a Bar Mitzvah was simple: some herring, a bit of schnapps (96% alcohol), a short speech, a pat on the back, and life moved on. But something real had happened. A child had become an adult, now responsible for their actions.

Today, mention Bar or Bat Mitzvah and

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people start calculating budgets. The hall, the food, the entertainment, the photos… take out a mortgage, celebrate in style, and spend the next few years paying it off. The pictures go up on Zeidy’s wall and the next day it’s back to normal. Maybe a missed opportunity?

Because a Bar or Bat Mitzvah is not something you ‘have’, it’s something you become. From the exact moment of the Hebrew birthday – not when it’s convenient for a party or even a shul date – everything changes. You now carry responsibility and your choices matter. The shul moment?

A few hours. The party? One night. The change? For life. Here are some customs which are there to express this change: • An aliyah (call up) shows a boy’s new relationship to the Torah and its Mitzvot (commandments).

• Putting on tefillin is one of the three main aspects of Jewish identity.

• Sweets remind us that the Torah is sweet (soft ones preferred).

• A Seudat Mitzvah (celebration meal) for a life of Mitzvot and good deeds.

For a girl, the change is just as real. A Bat Mitzvah means she is now obligated in Mitzvot and stepping into her role with dignity and responsibility. It’s not about being on display, but about who she is becoming.

In perspective, boys and girls have equal value but different expressions. A boy’s role often shows in public mitzvot like Minyan and Aliyah. A girl’s strength is more ‫ימינפ‬ – inner, powerful, and foundational. That’s why many Bat Mitzvahs are more personal, often including meaningful speeches or even Chesed (kindness) projects. And sometimes, that actually keeps the focus clearer. Luckily, here in Leeds, being part of the shul means every Bar and Bat Mitzvah joins the wildly popular LJOY Bar Mitzvah Club and Bat Chayil.

Give your child a beautiful celebration.

Let them enjoy it. Make it special. But ask one question: What are they taking with them the next day? Teach him to put on tefillin. Help her connect to her Mitzvot. Learn with them. Guide them.

Because if it’s not real – if it doesn’t come from the parents – it won’t be passed on.

Not a performance, not just a party. A transformation. I’m more than happy to help with a Bar or Bat Mitzvah speech for the shul or party on the house!

ADVICE

That’s Entertainment!

With Juliet Shenderey, Event Planner and Founder of Shenderey Events

Your Bar or Bat Mitzvah is a significant moment in your life, so you want to honour it in style with a party your family will remember.

Booking the right entertainment helps make the event memorable and meaningful. But with so many genres, styles of performer, and different budgets to consider, where do you start?

Understand your audience The guests are going to range widely in age.

So, it’s key to find entertainment that suits both your elderly relatives and the younger generation. Consider what works for both age groups, perhaps mixing up entertainment styles to ensure there’s something for everyone. Think traditional musicians and singers, followed by a magician and circus performer! If you’re not sure, ask family and friends what they would enjoy.

Think about your theme A beautifully branded Bar or Bat Mitzvah needs entertainment to match. Think carefully about whether your choice of performer matches the mood you want to create. For an elegant Oscar-style luxe celebration, a classical musician would set the right tone. On the other hand, a fun, sports-themed event can accommodate louder, more lively entertainment.

Manage your budgets You may have found your dream band, but blowing the budget paying for them will only cause worry and stress. Instead, think carefully about what you can afford.

Perhaps there’s another singer you can book who’ll get the party started in the same way? Or, if your heart’s set on a particular entertainer, look at where else you can make savings.

Ask for advice The choice of so many entertainment options can be overwhelming. Here’s where the help of an expert really pays.

Professional event planners know just what works for every theme and style of event. With great connections and contacts, they can suggest options you may not have considered before.

Expert entertainment advice is just one of the many reasons hiring an event planner perfectly shapes your celebration without stress.

If you’re planning a Bar or Bat Mitzvah party, get in touch with Juliet at Shenderey Events! Shenderey-events.com

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June / July 2026

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SUMMER HOLIDAY EVENTS

Summer Fun Our pick of the best family-friendly events in and around Yorkshire to keep everyone entertained throughout the summer holidays.

Kirkstall Festival | Kirkstall Abbey | 11th July

The annual volunteer-run community celebration returns to the grounds of local institution Kirkstall Abbey – free to attend, as always. This year’s festival celebrates the city’s 400th anniversary, alongside the usual programme of live music, market stalls, food, and family activities. The day begins with a parade from Hesketh Road at 11am, arriving at the Abbey around 11:45am.

Kirkstall.org.uk/festival

G-Fest | Glebelands Playing Fields, Garforth | 18th July

St Gemma’s Hospice’s flagship fundraising festival returns for a full day of music, food, and family fun. Every penny raised supports local patients and their families. A feel-good day out with a fantastic cause behind it.

St-gemma.co.uk/events/g-fest-2026

Wild Play | TCV Skelton Grange | 21st and 22nd July

A full day of outdoor adventure in the woods for children aged eight to 12, run by The Conservation Volunteers at the award-winning eco-centre. Activities vary but have included shelter building, fire lighting, campfire cooking, bow-making, wild food walks, hammock hanging, stalking and tracking, and woodwork crafts – all led by experienced staff.

Tcv.org.uk/skeltongrange

Plant Power! | Temple Newsam House | 22nd July to 26th August

A vibrant, family-friendly summer celebrating the wonderful world of plants. From towering trees to tiny seeds, discover how plants shape our lives, our history, and our future.

Enjoy an interactive plant trail, explore the house with a fun, educational trail designed for curious minds of all ages. Get stuck in with plant-themed crafting activities – perfect for little green thumbs!

Museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk

The Great Yorkshire Circus | Oulton and Woodlesford Sports and Social Club | 23rd to 26th July

A traditional circus rediscovered and restored after a remarkable barn find in North Yorkshire – original wagons, costumes, props, and equipment, all left untouched for decades, now carefully brought back to life. Thrilling acrobatics, clowning, live music, and dazzling costumes under the big top, led by ringmaster Jacob Phillips. Deliberately intimate, the show is designed so that audiences feel part of the magic rather than spectators of it.

Greatyorkshirecircus.com

Deer Shed Festival | Baldersby Park, Thirsk | 24th to 26th July

Highly rated family-friendly festival with a fantastic lineup of music, comedy, theatre, and more, with loads of fun activities for little ones. This year’s lineup includes Everything Everything, Lime Garden, Sleaford Mods, Say She She, Adam Buxton Band, Stuart Lee, and many, many others.

Deershedfestival.com

West Riding Small Locomotive Society Gala Weekend Tingley | 25th to 26th July

One of the area’s best-kept secrets – a miniature railway society that has been running scale replica steam and diesel locomotives in Tingley since 1945. The annual gala weekend opens the tracks to the public, with rides throughout both days alongside a marquee, café, and displays. A genuinely special, off-the-beaten-track family day out.

Wrsls.co.uk

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Danny Cohen’s Summer Clubs

‘Pupils feel accepted for who they are and appreciate the supportive environment created by their peers and staff’.... OFSTED 2024

G’Day UK - the Aussies are back!

• For children aged 4 - 15 years • DBS Checks • Kosher snacks provided • Alwoodley 10th - 14th August

www.illustrating-man.com.au

Click the Cartoon Workshop Button Select: Leeds Short Day: £30 per day (9.30am - 3.30pm) Long Day: £32 per day (8am - 6pm)

bookings@cartoonkingdom.com.au

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June / July 2026

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Leeds Jewish Free School, The Henry Cohen Campus LS17 7TN

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BEAUTY

Skin Deep

As you blow off the winter blues and embrace the (hopefully) better weather, it’s important you know how to look after your skin.

As we're starting to have sunnier days, we turn to the guidance of the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) and the British Skin Foundation – two organisations supporting a summerlong campaign to provide people with information so they can enjoy the sun safely.

By teaching prevention, the organisations seek to raise awareness of the dangers of burning and excessive tanning, and to discourage people from using sunbeds. They also help with how to spot the signs of skin cancer – the most common form of cancer in the UK – to increase the number of people who get diagnosed early. So, how can you ensure complete protection without avoiding the sun entirely?

Understanding UV

The intensity of the sun’s UV rays changes throughout the day and the year, tending to peak between 11am and 3pm during the summer months and 10am and 2pm during winter. Most weather apps and forecasts include a UV index, and you can also check it on the Met Office website.

A UV rating of three (medium on some weather forecast apps) or more is the point at which the BAD recommends sun protection for people with white skin, this is usually between April and September in the UK. The sun emits UV rays year-round so applying daily sunscreen is essential.

Even on cloudy days, up to 80% of the sun's rays can penetrate skin.

SPF: know the facts

We all know we should be wearing sunscreen, but do you really know how it works? To get the most out of it, it’s helpful to understand. Most sunscreens contain a mix of organic and inorganic chemicals;

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organic chemicals work by absorbing UV radiation, turning it into harmless warmth.

Inorganic chemicals both absorb and scatter UV rays away from the skin.

Sunscreens are labelled with an SPF (sun protection factor), and the BAD recommends one of 30 or above to protect from UVB rays. It should also have a UVA logo; most products in the UK use a star rating system to indicate the product’s UVA protection rating – try and reach for products with four- or five-star protection.

SPF moisturisers might feel like you’re getting the best of both worlds, but when it comes to sun protection, they’re not as effective as you might think. Most sunscreens are formulated to be rubresistant, water-resistant, and bind well to the skin – moisturisers aren’t. An SPF moisturiser will help protect against small amounts of UV exposure, such as when you walk to the car or pop outside to hang out the washing, but sunscreen is better for longer and more deliberate UV exposure.

We recommend

La Roche-Posay Anthelios range from £17 | Laroche-posay.co.uk La Roche-Posay’s dermatologist-tested sunscreens come in multiple different forms and are recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation. Anthelios’ efficacy has been demonstrated via clinical studies carried out on patients suffering from sun intolerances, particularly those caused by UVA rays, so you’ll be in safe hands.

Time to apply

Unfortunately, slathering yourself in sunscreen once in the morning and not reapplying throughout the day will not give all day protection. Apply it liberally to the parts of your skin that will be exposed about 15 to 30 minutes before you go into the sun – this will give your skin time to absorb the product before sun exposure begins. Reapply it every two hours or if you take part in any activity that could cause it to come off, for example swimming, sweating, towel drying, or playing sports.

Ultimately, sun safety isn’t about hiding indoors; it’s about equipping yourself with the right tools to enjoy the outdoors responsibly.

Altruist dermatologist sunscreen | from £8 Altruistsun.com

Altruist was created by Consultant Dermatologist and Skin Cancer Surgeon Dr Andrew Birnie to provide optimum protection against the sun, exceeding EU standards. This range contains highquality, broad-spectrum SPF50 protection with a five-star ultra-UVA rating. It includes everything from full body sunscreen to a makeup primer so the whole family will be covered.

Jlifemagazine.co.uk

BIKE WEEK

Pedal Power

There’s never been a better time to discover what Leeds has to offer on two wheels than the upcoming Bike Week on 9th to 15th June.

Every June, Bike Week invites the nation to rediscover the simple pleasure of cycling.

Now in its second century – the first event was held in London’s Hyde Park in 1923 – it remains the UK’s biggest annual awareness event for cycling. Organised by Cycling UK, the week encourages people to swap a short car journey for a bike ride, even just once. The health benefits, the environmental impact, and the sheer enjoyment of it tend to do the rest. Sustainable travel, such as cycling, helps to reduce road congestion and carbon emissions, improving air quality while also having positive impacts on aerobic and cardiovascular fitness. Being pedal-powered is generally healthier for you and those around you.

For keen enthusiasts in the area, the Yorkshire Cycle Festival falls within Bike Week, running from 12th to 14th June at Driffield Showground. This much-loved Yorkshire Cycle Rally brings together cyclists of every stripe for a weekend of rides, a retro bike show, cycle jumble, trade expo, talks, and live music.

Leeds cemented its cycling credentials in 2014 when over 230,000 people packed into the city centre to cheer the riders on their way during the Tour de France’s Grand Départ.

Next year’s event will make Leeds the first place outside mainland Europe to host the start of stage one of a Grand Départ for both the men’s Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.

Leeds has invested significantly in cycling in recent years, with a growing network of routes, a Cycle to Work scheme, and the Beryl e-bike hire service operating across the city. Leeds City Council also runs free bike registration events to protect against theft and offers cycling training for both children and adults.

June / July 2026

For those who want company on the road, the Leeds Cycling Campaign runs its Roundhay Easy Rides every Saturday from Roundhay Park – one of the most welcoming introductions to group cycling in the city.

Rides leave at 10:30am from the meeting point between the tennis courts and the bus lay-by on Princess Avenue, covering gentle routes of under 15 miles at the pace of the slowest rider.

Regular destinations include Adel, Temple Newsam, Golden Acre, and Harewood. There is always a café stop, and you don’t need to be fit, fast, or experienced – just willing to get involved.

Two community organisations based in central Leeds make cycling accessible in a different way. The Pedallers’ Arms on Mabgate Green is a volunteer-run co-operative where anyone can come and learn to fix their own bike, with tools, books, and knowledgeable mechanics on hand. The emphasis is on empowerment – they won’t fix the bike for you, but they will make sure you can. Sessions run by appointment; a small donation is requested, and no one is turned away for lack of funds. Leeds Bike Mill, based in the same building, is a workers’ co-op that refurbishes donated and discarded bikes, selling them on at affordable prices and running maintenance courses for all levels. Founded in 2014, it is a model of sustainable, community-minded cycling. The organisation is currently in the process of moving to a new home – check the website for the latest before visiting.

Whether you are a committed daily commuter or someone who hasn’t been on a bike since childhood, Bike Week is a great opportunity to get out and get pedalling.

Cyclinguk.org/bikeweek Leedscyclingcampaign.co.uk Leeds.gov.uk/cycling

TWO FOOTED Two local ex-Leeds Maccabi lads recently earned the chance to represent their country.

When Oscar Popplewell and Jacob Silberstein first had a kickabout at Deborah Taylor Nursery, no one would’ve thought that a decade later the two friends would be pulling on England shirts together. But that’s just what happened recently when the two 14-yearolds faced Welsh Schoolboys in a full ISFA international fixture, complete with caps.

The lads had already been on a long journey together, from playing together at nursery, through Brodetsky Primary School then Leeds Maccabi under-sevens. Oscar's father, Mark, who coached that early Maccabi side, remembers an unbeaten run through two seasons: "It was just a really good year group.

They didn't lose a game."

Now pupils at the Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL), Oscar and Jacob were selected for their school's team in the Independent

JEWISH NEW YEAR

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Schools FA (ISFA) National Cup. From there, scouts picked them for the Yorkshire and North East regional side, and then – following a counties tournament – they were named in a 40-strong ISFA England development squad. A series of warm-up fixtures against top academies followed, including Arsenal, Southampton, and Leeds United. This last one had a bit of an edge as both boys are lifelong Leeds fans and season-ticket holders. Leeds' own academy had not selected them, so when the sides met in the ISFA competition, Oscar and Jacob both took particular satisfaction in scoring!

The bond shared by the boys goes beyond sport. They both celebrated their Bar Mitzvahs last year and, being inseparable, each gave the other's speech – inevitably, with plenty of football content.

IN THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY

Mark’s pride is evident when he speaks about Oscar and Jacob and he has high hopes for them: “It’s just a really nice story. Aside from Manor Solomon, there aren’t that many well-known Jewish footballers. And here we’ve got these two best friends who've gone all this way together. It's just chance that they are both at this level and they've known each other since before they could even kick a ball."

Oscar has his eye on a football scholarship to an American university, a path that other boys from the ISFA programme have taken before him, while Jacob, who is equally talented at rugby, is still weighing his options.

For now though, the two mates from North Leeds are focused on what’s right in front of them, to continue playing side by side.

WISH FAMILY AND FRIENDS A HAPPY JEWISH NEW YEAR 11th September 2026 Place your free announcement in our August edition.

Email 20 words to admin@nutsforprint.co.uk or call 0845 052 2911

Jlifemagazine.co.uk

See more photos on pages 6, 24, 50 and 74

CAPTAIN OF MOOR ALLERTON GOLF CLUB’S RABBITS TEAM, MARK HOPE OF MOOR, PICTURED WITH ELAINE SIMON, HOWARD SOMERS, AND GEORGE CARROLL AT A RECENT NINE-HOLE COMPETITION AND LUNCH!

PHOTOS

LJFS STUDENTS WITH ITS UJIA AND JEWISH AGENCY SHINSHINIT WHO LED A VERY MEANINGFUL YOM HAZIKARON CEREMONY WHERE STUDENTS TOLD STORIES OF THOSE AFFECTED AND READ POETRY.

PHOTO: SIMON@ADDICTIVE.MEDIA

PHOTO: SIMON@ADDICTIVE.MEDIA

OVER 100 PEOPLE GATHERED TO MARK YOM HA'ATZMAUT AT SINAI SYNAGOGUE’S GARDEN PARTY.

GUESTS ENJOYED A SELECTION OF DELICIOUS FOOD, INCLUDING FALAFEL, HUMMUS, TAHINI, SALADS, AND OTHER DISHES PROVIDED BY GEFEN BY DANA IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LEEDS BETH DIN.

UJIA AND UK ISRAEL BUSINESS HOSTED AN EVENING CELEBRATING INSPIRING INDIVIDUALS AND JEWISH MOTHERS AT THEIR ‘MOTHERS WHO MAKE IT HAPPEN’ EVENT.

Too young for cancer.

Not too you ng for

Chai.

OVER 180 PEOPLE JOINED TO HEAR A PANEL OF EXCEPTIONAL GUESTS SHARE THEIR STORIES, INSIGHTS, AND EXPERIENCES, HOSTED BY LINDA PLANT.

You never imagine being diagnosed with ovarian cancer at 27.

I didn’t chose to have cancer, but I could choose to seek the support I needed. And I chose Chai.

Zoe

In the last ten years, the number of young people supported

by Chai has risen by more than 200%. For more information about Chai’s specialised services across the UK, please call our Freephone helpline on 0808 808 4567 or visit www.chaicancercare.org Chai Lifeline Cancer Care Registered Charity No. 1078956

June / July 2026

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BUSINESS INTERVIEW

Waste Not, Want Not

Upcoming UK Israel breakfast guest speaker Joseph Gitler is on a mission to end food insecurity in Israel through the charity, Leket.

According to a report published by Leket in 2024, approximately 1.5 million people (485,000 households) in Israel suffer from food insecurity – limited or uncertain access to adequate and nutritious food. The charity’s sole focus is rescuing healthy, surplus food and delivering it to those in need through partner nonprofit organisations to put an end to food insecurity.

Growing up in Manhattan, Joseph Gitler had been exposed to poverty his whole life, which continued when he made aliyah with his family: “In New York, people knock on your door asking for charity. When I moved to Israel and at the height of the intifada, the same thing was happening, but it was the middle class who were out of jobs because their industry had suddenly dried up. Unfortunately, we’ve seen this multiple times since throughout COVID and multiple wars and it’s the hospitality and tourism industry that’s been hit the hardest where its workers often fall into a place that’s hard to get out of.

“Israel can feel like the land of plenty but with that comes a lot of waste. As a country, we import a very small amount of produce so you’re never too far away from where it grows and once you start paying attention to how much food waste there is, you can’t ignore it.”

In 2003, Joseph created Table to Table (now Leket) where he began rescuing meals from catering halls and corporate cafeterias out of his car: “I quickly realised I was onto something and recruited some volunteers. One thing led to another, and we had our first refrigerated van with our first employees, started to raise money, and it just grew from there.

“The key from the beginning was that we were going to work directly with agencies that take care of the poor rather than feeding them directly, except for in emergency situations.

We’ve had quite a few of those over the last

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few years, so we shifted focus to making sure those such as the elderly and housebound were looked after.”

Leket is a non-denominational charity which works with all communities equally: “We’re Israel’s secular food bank and we have 350-plus partners across the country ranging from after-school clubs to homeless shelters and serve over 400,000 Israelis every week – I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished but there’s lots more to do.”

The charity focuses on rescuing surplus food which is slightly different to the traditional food bank model, something which Joseph

It’s not just about filling bellies; as a country, we have enough highquality food to feed people properly.

cancellations, and overproduction, so it’s often as good as what you buy in the store.”

The charity also emphasises nutrition: “In the food bank world, there’s a feeling that they were guilty of being the dumping grounds for big food companies. Israel already had an established food distribution system when we started but I wanted to fill the gaps where nobody was dealing with cooked meals, produce, and chilled goods. It’s not just about filling bellies; as a country, we have enough high-quality food to feed people properly.

Solving poverty as a whole is bigger than anyone, but in the West, Israel included, food insecurity can be solved by food rescue.”

Joseph reflects on what keeps him motivated in an industry that can be quite challenging: “What really keeps me going is new projects and initiatives. I really wish that so many of them weren’t based on emergency situations – we’ve probably had 20 special initiatives since October 7th – but I love these projects we’ve done that are making an impact.”

You can catch Joseph at the UK Israel Business breakfast on 3rd June! Contact jane.clynes@ukisraelbusiness.co.uk to register your interest. | Leket.org

expected to be a topic of conversation when he first started: “There’s been very little pushback as the world has definitely changed; people are more aware of food waste and its impact on the environment. Me and many others are firm believers that if you make too much food on Shabbat, you eat leftovers – it doesn’t matter who you are or how much money you have!

“Some of the concerns I’ve heard are more about quality, but we get a lot more grade A and B produce than people might think. A lot of what goes to waste isn’t just ugly fruits and vegetables, it’s because of price, order

Jlifemagazine.co.uk

in conjunction with

Entrepreneurial Spirit April’s UKIB breakfast meeting saw James Bott, Co-Founder of Boxbar Tech, in conversation with Marshall Frieze.

ALL PHOTOS: DAVID COLE

April’s UK Israel Business (UKIB) breakfast was held at first direct bank arena and began with a welcome from its Head of Marketing and Comms, Lindsi Blakeman.

Marshall Frieze then informed the meeting that the upcoming mission has had to be postponed due to the conflict. He then reflected on a period of remembrance for Israel’s fallen soldiers on the day of Yom Hazikaron, before Alexa Harris, UJIA’s Head of Community Campaign and Si3, addressed the audience as the breakfast’s sponsor.

Alexa discussed the significance of Yom Hazikaron being followed by Yom Ha’atzmaut the next day: “Israel’s Memorial Day is a time to remember those who have lost their lives in service to the country and civilians who have been victims of conflict. It’s a day of reflection, remembrance, and national force.

Immediately after comes Israel’s Independence Day, a celebration of the country’s founding, its achievements, and its future. What makes this moment so powerful is that these two days are directly connected; the shift from remembrance to celebration is intentional.

It reminds us of the resilience of Israeli society but also the values that underpin it – innovation, determination, and an ability to move forward even in the face of adversity.”

The main speaker was James Bott, who sat down with Marshall for a conversation around James’ life and career. Growing up in Leeds, James reflected on his school days: “I went to many schools and apart from the friendships I made, I never really enjoyed it. I was quite rebellious and knew that higher education wasn’t for me. I think it comes down to me not liking being told what to do!”

June / July 2026

James’ career started at jewellery wholesaler Abbeycrest after being given a job by Michael Lever in sales, making the most of his skillset.

After being made redundant, James took the opportunity to go travelling and returned with more direction, influenced by his previous role and his family connections: “I was very fortunate because in my family, there was a huge jewellery connection – my late uncle Andrew had Beaverbrooks, my aunty and uncle had a jewellery shop in Halifax, and my cousin married into Berry’s!”

Originally, James had plans to open a jewellery shop but quickly realised that wouldn’t be possible due to the eye-watering costs: “This is where online kicked in and JewelleryBoxx was born which was my first business. It was 2004 so the internet and e-commerce were basically a hack, I was able to open a shop with virtually no stock and operate as a retailer with pretty much none of the costs.

“Jewellery can be quite an emotional purchase where people want to try pieces on before purchasing but with JewelleryBoxx, my niche was men’s jewellery and men are a lot less bothered about trying things on, so it worked quite well!”

After his JewelleryBoxx exit, came Compare Download – a price comparison website for legal music downloads – which James originally thought was going to be his “Mark Zuckerberg Facebook moment”.

But generating revenue from digital music downloads, an affiliate-marketing based idea, became too challenging: “It got to a point where we sat down and asked, ‘Is this ever actually going to work?’ And the answer was no; it was

gut-wrenching. I don’t mind saying this, but I had no idea what I was doing in my first two businesses!”

James then spent a year in recruitment which helped him to understand the economics of business. One of his clients was advertising agency Saatchi, run by James Hilton. After meeting with him, he spent 4.5 years going from business development to global director before leaving to start his own agency, The ASO Co, which specialised in mobile marketing: “Without learning the technical experience of how to run a business at Saatchi, setting up The ASO Co would have been impossible.” In 2018, The ASO Co was acquired by Jellyfish Group and in 2020, James exited the business.

Today, James’ newest venture is Boxbar – automated self-service bar solutions – which is being used at the arena. It was introduced to him by a friend prior to investment and he quickly became more involved: “Boxbar can pour two spirit and mixers in six seconds, two pints in eight seconds, and we’re the only provider that’s officially approved by Guinness – it can pour a pint in 16 seconds! We’re about to launch in the US and we’re currently active in about eight different markets.”

Rounding off the conversation, Marshall asked James about the best piece of advice he’s ever been given: “One of, if not the, most important parts of business is just to be good to people. If you have good people, they’ll run the business for you – once you find that, you don’t need to worry!”

Boxbar.live/solutions

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in conjunction with

Better Together

UK Israel Business highlights a few of its 2026 partners.

Berry’s Jewellers

An independent fifth generation family-owned jewellers established in 1897, Berry’s is known for superior quality and attention to detail and with 13 stores across the UK, Berry’s has worldwide reputation in the jewellery and watch industry.

The business runs multi-brand watch and jewellery stores in Leeds, Newcastle, Nottingham, and York and also runs Breitling, Omega, and Vacheron stand-alone watch boutiques. Berry’s was also chosen to run the only Patek Philippe boutique in Leeds which opened in June 2025 and has proven to be a destination to visit for all watch collectors in the North of England.

Berrysjewellers.co.uk

World Mobile

Introduced by Ian Barnett, World Mobile creates a world where everyone, everywhere is connected. World Mobile is the first mobile network built on blockchain and the sharing economy. Together let’s connect the world!

Worldmobile.io

Headrow Gallery

Established in 1900, Headrow Gallery is a North Leeds based art gallery and picture framing business.

Present owner Maxwell Roberts has been serving up the best of contemporary British and European art plus top end creative picture framing services for the last 38 years to a large private and corporate customer base from his current gallery next to Gourmet.

The new website is now live, where you can see the latest original and print collections.

Headrowgallery.co.uk

Andel

Founded in 1992, Andel has steadily grown to become one of the global market leaders in the design, development, and application of specialist leak detection, water sustainability, flood defence, and environmental protection systems. Andel has an impressive customer base which includes the Houses of Parliament, The Pentagon, Hong Kong International Airport, and Google. The business is headquartered in the UK with offices in the Netherlands and Romania. It has a developed strong ESG agenda and is committed to a sustainable future and an ethical business approach.

Andel.co.uk

YABA

The Yorkshire Asian Business Association (YABA) is a leading organisation representing and empowering ethnic minority business communities across Yorkshire. It provides a strong and influential voice at regional, national, and international levels.

YABA is dedicated to strengthening existing relationships and building new connections between wider business communities. With a growing network of around 4,500 members and over 100 corporate partners, YABA plays a vital role in fostering collaboration, creating opportunities, and supporting inclusive economic growth.

Founded by Sharon Jandu OBE, YABA is guided by a distinguished advisory board with extensive experience across the private and third sectors.

Yabauk.com

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Jlifemagazine.co.uk

FINANCE

ADVICE

A New Chapter for Payroll

If you’ve ever found summer creeping up and thought: ‘Right, time to deal with P11Ds again’, you’re not alone. For decades, the annual P11D has been part of the UK employer routine – pulling together details of company cars, private medical insurance, and other perks, often long after employees have already enjoyed them. It’s familiar, it’s time consuming, and now it’s on its way out.

The government has confirmed a significant change in how benefits in kind are taxed and reported. While P11Ds still exist for now, they’re being gradually replaced by real-time payroll reporting. This marks one of the biggest shifts payroll professionals and employers have faced in a generation and it’s worth understanding what it means in practice.

Where things stand today For the 2025/26 tax year, it’s business as usual.

If you provide taxable benefits that aren’t processed through payroll, you’ll still need to submit P11Ds, along with a P11D(b) declaring Class 1A National Insurance. The key dates remain: • 6th July 2026 to file P11Ds and P11D(b) • 22nd July 2026 to pay Class 1A NIC electronically

Se

You may already be voluntarily payrolling benefits, and that option remains. When benefits are payrolled, employees pay income tax through PAYE and no P11D is required for those benefits. You’ll still need a P11D(b), but much of the year-end admin disappears.

However, there are limits. Employer -provided accommodation and beneficial loans can’t currently be payrolled and must still be reported at year end.

So, what changes in 2027?

From 6th April 2027, payrolling benefits becomes mandatory for most employers.

Benefits including company cars, fuel, private medical insurance, and gym memberships will need to be reported and taxed through payroll in real time. Reporting will happen via RTI, using the same Full Payment Submission you already use for salaries. For most benefits, the annual P11D disappears. Instead of tax code adjustments months later, employees will see benefit tax on their payslip as the benefit is provided.

Planning ahead P11Ds will not disappear entirely.

Employment-related loans, employer-provided accommodation, and PAYE Settlement

g up a business for the

With Tax Specialist Helen Booth from Leon & Company Chartered Accountants Agreements will remain outside mandatory payrolling for the time being. However, for most benefits, forward planning will be important.

Many employers may wish to treat 2026/27 as a transition year. Voluntarily payrolling simpler benefits can provide an opportunity to test payroll systems, refine internal processes, and support employees through changes to how benefits are taxed and reflected in net pay.

If you have questions about P11Ds and the shift to payrolling, get in touch at Leonandcompany.co.uk

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BUSINESS NEWS 11th Charity Quiz Raises £2,700

Winston Solicitors’ 11th annual quiz has raised more than £2,700 in support of Leeds Mencap, following another wellattended evening of friendly competition and community spirit.

18 teams took part in the event, which combined general knowledge rounds with light-hearted challenges, alongside a charity raffle that helped boost the final total. The quiz continues to be a popular fixture in the local calendar, bringing together clients, colleagues, and members of the community in support of a shared cause.

The evening was also attended by the Lord Mayor Dan and Lady Mayoress Elayna Cohen who supported Leeds Mencap as the Lord Mayor’s chosen charity for the year, helping to promote independence, inclusion, and wellbeing across the region.

Israel’s Luxury Kosher Hotel

Fattal Hotels has transformed Tel Aviv venue THE JAFFA, one of Israel’s most prominent luxury hotels, into a completely kosher venue, marking a notable shift in the country’s high-end hospitality sector.

The switch happened at the beginning of May and the hotel, part of the Fattal Limited Edition collection, is offering a full luxury hospitality experience under kosher certification. The transition included food and beverage and operations and events while maintaining the design standards, service level, and culinary approach that’s associated with the property.

Nadav and Assaf Fattal, joint CEOs of Fattal Hotels Israel, said: “The hotel will continue to lead by international luxury standards, now also under kosher certification. Since the hotel joined the Fattal network, we received enquiries from audiences who wished to stay but were unable to do so; this move now allows them to enjoy one of the most unique luxury hotels in Israel. As part of this process, the chef restaurant Giardino will also operate under kashrut and continue to offer highlevel haute cuisine – a combination that is uncommon in the world of luxury hotels.”

Hospital's Record Donation

Teva Acquires Emalex Biosciences

The Israeli pharmaceutical company Teva has announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Emalex Biosciences.

Teva will pay $700 million in cash and up to $200 million in milestone payments, as well as net sales-based royalties. The acquisition will be completed in the third quarter of 2026 and Teva will finance it from its cash reserves.

Emalex Biosciences’ key development asset is Ecopipam, a treatment for paediatric Tourette syndrome, which is classified by the FDA as an orphan drug with fast-track approval.

Teva CEO, Richard Francis, said: “This is a prime example of our Pivot to Growth strategy in action, advancing focused, capital-efficient agreements that expand our late-stage innovative pipeline and commercial portfolio, while delivering on our unrelenting commitment to patients.

There is a real unmet need in Tourette syndrome, and families deserve additional options that can help manage symptoms while minimising side effects. With our deep neuroscience expertise, we are wellpositioned to advance this first-in-class investigational compound.”

Dr Henry and Dr Susan Samueli are adding a donation of $50 million to the Samueli Integrative Cancer Pioneering Institute in the Davidoff Center at Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva.

The institute was founded in 2022 with an initial donation of $25 million from the Samueli family, and with additional funding from the Clalit health fund. The current donation again breaks the record for a donation to research in a hospital in Israel.

“We believe that Israeli scientific excellence, supported by research funding, can deliver the next major breakthrough in cancer care. Israel has some of the brightest minds and the determination to transform the way cancer is studied and treated,” the couple said.

The couple run the Samueli Foundation, which supports various causes principally in Orange County in California, and Jewish cultural life in California and Israel. Since it was founded, the Samueli Institute has engaged in research and development of innovative treatments for cancer.

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in conjunction with

Wellbeing Week Returns

Leeds Wellbeing Week will return from 1st to 7th June, marking its seventh year and the first time the week has been run by HelloHope.

The city-wide celebration of wellbeing will feature dozens of events across the city, bringing together businesses, residents, students, and communities for a diverse programme of activities, workshops, and talks.

HelloHope, a Leeds-based mental health and suicide prevention Community Interest Company, is now taking the initiative and building on its strong foundations to help it reach even more people.

This year’s week is supported by headline sponsor EGYM Hussle, an inclusive fitness benefit providing employees with discounted, multi-brand access to thousands of gyms, pools, and spas across the UK. EGYM Hussle and partners will run a series of events throughout the week with its flagship event focused on HR and people leaders on 2nd June at Department at Leeds Dock.

Data Centre Approved

Leeds City Council’s planning committee has approved a hyperscale Microsoft data centre Leeds campus at Skelton Grange, in what Harworth Group describes as a scheme that will deliver around £4 billion inward investment when fully complete.

The approval covers full planning permission for approximately 500,000 sq. feet of data centre space across three halls and auxiliary buildings, plus outline permission for 160,000 sq. feet of industrial and logistics space with EV charging on Harworth’s adjoining 16-acre plot. The site sits on the south-east edge of the city between the Aire and Calder Navigation and the M1.

The planning application, submitted by MSFT MCIO Limited (Microsoft’s data centre infrastructure arm), received a resolution to grant from Leeds City Council’s Plans Panel at the end of April. The scheme is split across two plots. Harworth completed the sale of the first plot to Microsoft in June 2024 – 27 acres for a gross consideration of £51.2 million.

Plot two comprises a further 21 acres where Harworth is delivering enabling works, with a sale to Microsoft on completion worth an additional £53.2 million. Harworth is also carrying out site remediation and enabling works across both plots on Microsoft’s behalf.

PHOTOS

NEWS IN BRIEF Bridge to Israel Awards

Magen David Adom UK (MDA) held its inaugural Bridge to Israel Awards at the end of April. Mirroring the humanitarian work of MDA in Israel and around the world, the awards recognise those within the UK whose work and effort brings us closer to Israel, and likewise, those in Israel whose work towards the diaspora is particularly noteworthy.

13 awards were presented at the ceremony with categories including for corporate impact, community organising, culture and the arts, and philanthropy.

Recognising MDA’s role in the Red Cross movement, there was also a Red Sheild Award to recognise humanitarian services.

Mazel tov to Leeds’ Libi Fileman who was awarded the Jake Marlowe z”l Award for Young Impact for her work with UJIA, TaglitBirthright Israel, and The Jewish Stand.

Grandma’s Homecoming

Leeds Jewish Welfare Board (LJWB) is delighted to be showing an entertaining comedic play reading, written by Howard Brower on 16th July.

Based on a true story, ‘Grandma’s Homecoming’ tells of Howard’s own experience of trying to transport his mother’s body from Watford to Manchester in the back of an estate car on a Friday afternoon before Shabbat starts. From there, a series of events and challenges ensued… mix ups with the death certificate, Friday rush-hour traffic, a Shabbat deadline, and a bad back – to name just a few! Grandma’s Homecoming is ultimately a story of determination, frustration, macabre humour, and ultimately family love.

Contact Dan on 0113 268 4211 to book.

Comedy and Music Night

On 1st July, an event is being held at The Zone to raise funds for it and Leeds Jewish Welfare Board.

Expect side-splitting comedy from Howard Lee alongside 50s, 60s, and 70s rock hits performed by David Gloan and friends, West End musical classics showcased by Susan Wilcock, an American song book by Nicki Allan, and much more!

Tickets are available at Eventcreate. com/e/comedyandmusicnight

June / July 2026

Homeless Street Angels’ Events

On 20th June, Homeless Street Angels is hosting a fundraising event at Harewood House where teams or individuals can complete a 2.5k, 5k, 10k, or even 15k challenge across one of the world’s largest inflatable obstacle courses!

Angel Fest is once again returning on 12th July, bigger and better than ever. Sponsored by Manning Stainton, the day festival is taking over Fibre on Lower Briggate for over 12 hours of music over three floors and promises to be a fun-filled day out. Each of these events is taking place to raise much-needed funds for the charity which receives no government funding.

For more information about the events or to sign up, visit Homelessstreetangels.co.uk

Board Game Summer

This summer, the city is turning into one big board game as Trivial Pursuit takes over Leeds city centre for a brand-new interactive experience celebrating 400 years of Leeds’ Royal Charter and its history, achievements, icons, and hidden gems.

Running from 25th July to 30th August, the free city-wide activation invites people to get out and explore Leeds in a whole new way – by putting their knowledge of the city to the test.

Following the success of the Monopoly takeover in 2024, LeedsBID has once again teamed up with Hasbro to bring another iconic game off the table and onto the streets.

Just like the original game, players will answer questions across six categories (entertainment, geography, sports and leisure, science and nature, history, and art and literature) and collect wedges as they go. Once players have collected all six wedges, they’ll face one final question to complete the challenge.

Short Film Fund Winners

UK Jewish Film has announced the 2026 winners of the Pears Short Film Fund – The Goyfriend and King of the Jews. This year, both films are comedies that focus on family relationships and reflect the diversity of the British-Jewish community. Both will premiere in November at 2026’s UK Jewish Film Festival!

The Goyfriend (written by Jennifer Hulman, directed by Ashley Margolis, and produced by Adam Lavis) is about a young Jewish woman from Nottingham who dares to take her non-Jewish boyfriend to a Seder dinner, but what on earth will he make of it, and more to the point, how on earth will her frum granny react?

King of the Jews (written by Flora Gill, directed by Katie Lambert, and produced by Martha McGurik) follows young Ezra, the only Jewish boy in his rural Scottish school, as he excitedly announces that he’s been cast as King Herod in the school nativity play, but is that not a little bit… inappropriate?

Where Every Child Matters

For families in Leeds seeking something special for their little ones, Flower Tots Nursery stands out as a hidden gem – and the only Jewish nursery in the city catering exclusively to children aged nine months to two years.

Located on Street Lane, Flower Tots offers an intimacy that larger settings simply cannot match, with an average of just six children at a time. The warmth here is real, the ratios are high, and every child's developmental milestones are nurtured with genuine care and attention.

Operating on the Jewish calendar, the nursery stays open through most half terms and school holidays, closing only for Jewish festivals to give families consistent, reliable care year-round.

Ofsted registered and accepting childcare codes, Flower Tots welcomes you to get in touch, look around, and ask any questions.

Contact Sheva to arrange your visit today! 07746 876 528 | flowertotsleeds@gmail.com

Winston’s Strengthens Team

Winston Solicitors has further expanded its specialist legal offering with the appointment of Hannah Morris as a Continuing Healthcare (CHC) Lawyer.

Hannah joins the firm with over 15 years of experience supporting individuals and their families in securing NHS continuing healthcare funding. She advises on eligibility, challenges decisions where funding has been refused or withdrawn, assists families to apply for CHC, and provides effective advocacy for clients. She has a long-standing focus on helping families access the care they are legally entitled to during often difficult and stressful times.

Hannah said: “I’m pleased to be joining Winston Solicitors and to continue supporting families through what can often be a very challenging process. While many people feel frustrated having to fight for funding, the real issue is when individuals are left paying for care that should have been covered by the NHS. Being able to help clients secure the support they’re entitled to and provide reassurance along the way is incredibly important to me.”

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T

Last he WORD

VALUES SHARED Rabbi Eli Pink of Chabad Lubavitch on sharing the values of Judaism beyond the synagogue.

Some of my best discussions as a rabbi have happened in unexpected places.

Conversations struck up while sitting next to someone on a plane, ideas shared while waiting in a queue in a shop. A number of years ago I decided to carry ‘good cards’, small business cards that detail the Seven Noahide Laws that I can share with people I meet who are interested in hearing about the values Judaism has for the world.

The recent spike in antisemitism has Judaism to the fore in positive ways too.

We all have acquaintances, colleagues, neighbours, or family members who are curious about Judaism. We call them ‘friends’

or ‘allies’. Sometimes they ask questions directly. Sometimes the questions sit beneath the surface. Either way, it helps to be able to explain our values clearly, confidently, and positively.

This summer, we are launching a new course from the Jewish Learning Institute called For All Humankind. It is a thoughtful and practical look at what Judaism actually believes about morality, society, education, and the future of the world. We will be using classic Jewish sources and real-life discussion to explore what Judaism has to offer the world.

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ourselves. Over four Tuesday evenings, beginning on 9th June, we’ll explore big questions to understand the message Judaism has always carried for the whole of humanity: that every person matters, that morality is real, that education shapes the future, and that the world can become better through the choices we make. The course is open to anyone, Jewish or not, and will run in person in North Leeds as well as on Zoom.

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WINNERS!

Congratulations to Lisa Hart whose furry friend bagged a £40 voucher for Fetch pet shop, Joy Winn who won a meal for two at Sapori, and Jill Douglas who was the recipient of a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses courtesy of James Daly Opticians!

Jlifemagazine.co.uk

Celebrate Father’s Day in Style

Father’s Day

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