Local traders will set their stalls out in the beautiful surroundings of Kirkstall Abbey at the weekend.
The 12th century ruins will once again be hosting outdoor deli markets this year, with the first taking place on 26 and 27 March 2016.
More than 40 stalls will be selling handmade crafts and local produce in the grounds of the Abbey on the last weekend of each month between March and November this year, from 12pm until 3pm.
Traders will include award-winning cheesemongers Olianas and Cryer and Stott, Buffalo from Snowden Hill Farm, vegetables from Kirkstall allotments and draught beers and cider from the Hop Box.
Mark Kilvington, Events and Markets Organiser at Kirkstall Abbey, said:
“I’m so pleased that the markets are back again for their sixth year. It is a testament to all our loyal traders and customers that each year just goes from strength to strength and this year is already the biggest yet.
“Last year was absolutely fantastic for the Markets and it was great ot see them becoming busier and busier each month.”
In 2016 markets will take place on 26 and 27 March, 30 April and 1 May, 28 and 29 May, 25 and 25 June, 30 and 31 July, 27 and 28 August, 24 and 25 September, 29 and 30 October and finally 26 and 27 November.
Free parking will be available at the Abbey House Museum and free entry to the Abbey Visitor Centre, which has toilets and baby-changing facilities.
Traders interested in having a stall at the markets can contact 0113 3784079.
Meditative labyrinth
Visitors to Kirkstall Abbey are being invited to follow in the footsteps of Cistercian monks in a new meditative labyrinth.
To celebrate Holy Week, the 12th century abbey will be giving people the chance for some quiet reflection in the very same place where monks used to meditate hundreds of years ago.
The labyrinth, which is open from today (March 22) until March 27, is made from twigs blown down by winter storms and will weave around in a circular route, leading visitors into the centre and back out again.
Reverend Jude Smith, pioneer team vicar of the Abbeylands Team, said:
“For centuries, people of faith and people of none, have walked paths like this.
“We have used them as a tool to help us think, sometimes to focus on something, at other times to help us lose our focus on unhelpful things.
“We have used them as we contemplate the infinite, we have used them as we have sought to find joy in life’s detail. Labyrinths have been walked in joy and sorrow, hope and anger, with faith and with doubt.”
The labyrinth will be set out in the church part of Kirkstall Abbey and will be available to walk through between 10am and 4pm.
Anyone is welcome to come and walk along the path and those who visit are encouraged to add leaves and their own flowers.
