Monday, February 10, 2025
HomeNewsProtest held over Abbey House Museum closure plans - report and photos

Protest held over Abbey House Museum closure plans – report and photos

By Wenzdae Robbins & Kelvin Wakefield

Protesters turned out in force in a bid to halt Kirkstall’s Abbey House Museum’s proposed closure.

There were many families present among the dozens of protesters, with children holding signs saying “don’t close Abbey House, it’s amazing”.

The council has launched a public consultation, which closes on Thursday January 23, into the proposals which would save the cash-strapped authority around £160,000.

The Higgott family “loved coming here with our children and now grandchildren. It’s educational fun. Seeing Santa at the museum is a big highlight of the year, the best Santa you can see.” Photo: Kelvin Wakefield

Event organiser Angela Harrison said: “We’re here to show people how much we care about our local heritage and area.

“I was born in Kirkstall, and this is the place you can always come back to that never changes. I used to come here as a kid, and it’s important to all of us that the museum is supported and kept open for us, and future generations.

“We need to preserve our history, this museum is a wonderful place for all and has to be protected. It’s important to be able to visit our local and personal history.”

Protest organiser Angela Harrison was dressed in a blue Victorian outfit. She called for better marketing of the facility, and added: “I can’t believe that the third most popular attraction in Leeds could close when far less popular museums will stay open. Once it’s gone, it’s gone, so it must be preserved.” Photo: Kelvin Wakefield

Ms Harrison added the mood of the protest and the people was of “anger and sadness, but people are full of hope”. 

Many passersby volunteered to hold up signs, and some stopped their early afternoon commute to join in. Drivers also beeped their car horns in support and solidarity.

Burley resident Stuart Long, the creator of a petition which has gathered more than 5,300 signatures, said: “The museum is an amazing resource and a centre for our social history, it captures the minds of the young and reminds us of our past. The museum must stay to continue to “teach future generations what life was like in Leeds and Kirkstall.”

He said there was “a deep concern” for the museum’s loss, but there was a spirit of “fight and positivity” for it to remain open.

Protesters at the museum yesterday (Saturday, 18 January). Photo: Wenzdae Robbins

“The council should look further into the budget and find something of a much larger value that would help balance the finances,” Mr Long added. He suggested they “might also look to returning a cafe onsite and advertise it more”.

Many passersby volunteered to hold up signs, and some stopped their Saturday afternoon journey to join in. The ones who didn’t stop beeped their car horns in support and solidarity.

Museum volunteer Liz Samways said that although the Victorian street scenes are great, there’s much more going on at the museum that’s contemporary. Abbey House regularly hosts exhibitions that tell the more recent and valuable oral history of the area.

The Gower family live nearby and love Abbey House Museum. Their kids love the interesting artefacts and welcoming staff. Photo: Kelvin Wakefield

Kirkstall councillors Hannah Bithell and Andy Rontree (both Labour) were also present.

Cllr Bithell said she was very grateful for the support and the lobbying that has been taking place. She said she was impressed by the grass roots nature of the protest and associated community-driven events that support the museum staying open and added that she had great times at Abbey House Museum working with her girl guides there.

A deputation from Friends of Leeds City Museums spoke against the proposed closure at Wednesday’s full Leeds City Council meeting at the Civic Hall.

Gallery of photos

Protesters marched from Kirkstall Abbey to the museum. Photo: Kelvin Wakefield
Jill Holloway organises educational experiences at Abbey House – they’ve had 24 schools visiting since September last year. She says it ‘won’t be the same if it closes’. Photo: Kelvin Wakefield
Chris Walsh loves bringing her grandchildren to Abbey House. She enjoys the old Victorian streets and the penny arcade machines. Photo: Kelvin Wakefield
The rally outside Abbey House. Photo: Wenzdae Robbins
Artist Dianne Riding, a retired teacher for 43 years, labelled the closure plans an ‘injustice’ and added: “It’s vital to have places like this where children engage in experiences away from screens.” She performed as Miss Chokumchild, a Dickens character. Photo: Kelvin Wakefield

Background

The local authority is proposing to close Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall as it faces an unprecedented strain on its finances.

Job losses, service cuts, building closures and a council tax rise of almost five per cent are also being considered by the authority.

Figures show the council needs to save around £106m during 2025/26 to avoid having it declare itself bankrupt. The Abbey House Museum closure could save £160,000.

The council faces rising costs in services including adult social care, while central Government has underfunded local authorities across the country over the past 15 years.

WLD cutswatch

Follow WLD‘s ongoing coverage of Abbey House Museum here

WLD is following ongoing council cuts, closures, building sales and reaction in our Cutswatch series of articles.

Sponsored content

www.sunnybankmills.co.uk

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recent Posts

Stay Connected

3,172FansLike
518FollowersFollow
3,859FollowersFollow