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# THE LEEDS BRIEF ⏰ Thursday, 5 November 2026
- URL: https://the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io/the-leeds-brief-thursday-5-november-2026/
- Published: 2026-11-05T07:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-05T07:00:00.000Z
- Description: Morley's £1.1m town centre makeover starts Monday, the Hunslet bus depot bought for the Weaver Network, a PlayZone for New Wortley, and where to see the fireworks tonight.
- Author: Will
- Tags: Leeds Brief

Morning, Leeds! 🎆 Happy Bonfire Night. The big one today: Morley's £1.1m town centre makeover gets going on Monday. Also in this issue: the combined authority buys the Hunslet bus depot for the new Weaver Network, 30 tonnes of fireworks seized, a new PlayZone for New Wortley, and where to watch the fireworks tonight.

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**☁️ Leeds Weather – Thursday 5 November –** Grey and mild, around 9°C first thing, with a bit of drizzle possible. Today's high: **11°C, with a 22% chance of rain**, so it should stay mostly dry for the fireworks tonight. Friday 12°C (11%), Saturday 9°C (19%) and Sunday a chillier 8°C (20%). Wrap up for the bonfire: it's November, after all. [Met Office Leeds forecast](https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/gcwfhf1w0?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

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## 🏗️ Morley town centre's £1.1m makeover starts Monday

![Queen Street by Morley Town Hall](https://storage.ghost.io/c/13/20/13209d8e-c5a1-439d-8878-db8a0ddfb87b/content/images/2026/11/leedsbrief-2026-11-05-morley.jpg)

Queen Street, Morley, by the Town Hall, pictured in 2023\. Photo: habiloid, CC BY-SA 2.0, [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AQueen%5FStreet%2C%5FMorley%5F-%5Fgeograph.org.uk%5F-%5F7613399.jpg?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

Work on a £1.1 million public realm scheme in Morley is due to start on Monday 9 November, with completion targeted for March 2027\. The money comes through the Morley Town Deal, funded by the government's Local Regeneration Funding programme and backed by Leeds City Council, and it covers the Queen Street pedestrianised area and Commercial Street. Expect more seating and planting, better accessibility and, the council hopes, more footfall. CR Reynolds Ltd has been appointed to do the work, which has been phased to keep disruption down, and the town centre stays open for business throughout. Council leader James Lewis said the work "marks the culmination of years of planning and public consultation", and said three further schemes, on Station Road, Queen Street North and Town Square, are due over the next six months. Town Deal chair Gerald Jennings asked people to keep using the town centre as normal and support Morley's businesses while the work goes on.  
**👉** [**Read the full story at Leeds City Council**](https://news.leeds.gov.uk/news/morley-town-centre-set-for-gbp-1-1m-transformation?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

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## 📰 NEWS

### 🎆 Bonfire Night plea as 30 tonnes of fireworks seized

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to go to organised displays tonight rather than set off fireworks in their gardens. Last 5 November it had 394 bonfire-related 999 calls and was called out to 155 incidents. The plea follows the seizure of more than 30 tonnes of fireworks in Bradford and Halifax in October, and the service says only buy from reputable retailers, never go back to a lit firework, and keep any bonfire well away from buildings and fences.  
**👉** [**Read the full story at BBC News**](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq9vz3rrvrl0o?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

### ⚽ PlayZone approved for New Wortley

The council has planning permission and grant funding to redevelop the multi-use games area at Oak Road Recreation Ground in New Wortley, known locally as Jailey Field because it sits in the shadow of HMP Leeds. Working with the Football Foundation, it will replace the old pitch with a football, basketball and netball PlayZone with new fencing, low-level LED lighting and seating. It'll be bookable online from 8am to 10pm, Monday to Saturday.  
**👉** [**Read the full story at West Leeds Dispatch (LDRS)**](https://westleedsdispatch.com/green-light-for-playzone-sports-facilities-in-new-wortley/?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

### 💊 Deputy mayor on ketamine and knife crime

West Yorkshire's deputy mayor for policing and crime, Baroness Alison Lowe, told BBC Radio Leeds that tackling ketamine is one of her priorities, calling its effects on the body "catastrophic". She also said knife crime is down 14.5% across West Yorkshire on her figures, and that the rise in West Yorkshire officers barred from policing, 29 compared with 3 in 2020, is "not worrying".  
**👉** [**Read the full story at BBC News**](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c977pgmgzlkjo?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

### 🚒 Garden fire spreads to Belle Isle house

Firefighters were called to Winrose Avenue in Belle Isle at about 5.57pm yesterday after a garden fire spread to a house. Four firefighters in breathing apparatus used two hose reels to put it out. About half the kitchen was damaged, along with windows and the underside of the roof. No injuries were reported.  
**👉** [**Read the full story at the YEP**](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/emergency-incident/firefighters-rush-to-leeds-home-9331172?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

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## 🏙️ AROUND THE CITY

### 🎇 Where to see fireworks tonight

West Leeds Dispatch has rounded up the community displays. Tonight (Thursday 5 November) there's West Leeds ARLFC on Redshaw Road in Armley (gates 5pm, fireworks from 7pm), Woodhall Hills Golf Club in Pudsey (bonfire 6.30pm, fireworks 7.15pm), and West End House in Kirkstall (4.30pm to 8pm). Fancy it quieter? Swinnow Community Centre has a silent bonfire with no fireworks, 4.30pm to 6.30pm. FC Farsley's display at Throstle Nest is tomorrow (Friday 6 November), tickets only, £4 adults and £3 children.  
**👉** [**Read the full list at West Leeds Dispatch**](https://westleedsdispatch.com/listed-west-leeds-bonfires-and-firework-displays-2026/?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

### 🎖️ Remembrance Sunday in the city centre

![Wreaths at Leeds War Memorial, Victoria Gardens](https://storage.ghost.io/c/13/20/13209d8e-c5a1-439d-8878-db8a0ddfb87b/content/images/2026/11/leedsbrief-2026-11-05-war-memorial.jpg)

Wreaths at Leeds War Memorial in Victoria Gardens in November 2018\. Photo: Mtaylor848, CC BY-SA 4.0, [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AWreaths%2C%5FLeeds%5FWar%5FMemorial%5F%2814th%5FNovember%5F2018%29%5F001.jpg?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

The Lord Mayor, Councillor Stephen Holroyd, will lead the city's Remembrance service at the war memorial in Victoria Gardens on Sunday 8 November. The civic procession leaves the Civic Hall at 10.50am, behind a parade marching from Rossington Street, and the two-minute silence is at 11am after the Last Post. The multi-faith service will be shown on two big screens in Victoria Gardens, followed by a salute and march past in Millennium Square.  
**👉** [**Read the full story at Leeds City Council**](https://news.leeds.gov.uk/news/lord-mayor-to-lead-remembrance-sunday-tributes?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

### 🎄 Sunny Bank Mills Christmas Market

![The 1912 Mill at Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley](https://storage.ghost.io/c/13/20/13209d8e-c5a1-439d-8878-db8a0ddfb87b/content/images/2026/11/leedsbrief-2026-11-05-sunny-bank.jpg)

The 1912 Mill at Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley, where the Christmas Market is held. Photo: David Goodall, CC BY-SA 2.0, [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AThe%5F1912%5FMill%2C%5FSunny%5FBank%5FMills%5FFarsley%5F-%5Fgeograph.org.uk%5F-%5F6987428.jpg?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

More than 120 independent artists, makers and producers from across Yorkshire are coming to the Christmas Market in the 1912 Mill at Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley, Friday 27 November (2pm to 8pm) and Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November (10am to 5pm), with a new line-up on the Sunday. Entry is £3.50, with under-12s and carers free.  
**👉** [**Read the full story at West Leeds Dispatch**](https://westleedsdispatch.com/independent-makers-take-centre-stage-at-sunny-bank-mills-this-christmas/?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

### 🍟 Beeston furniture shop to become a takeaway

Council planners have approved turning a former furniture shop at Hillside Buildings, at the junction of Beeston Road and Hill Street, into a hot food takeaway. It's set to open 11am to 11pm daily, with around four full-time and six part-time staff.  
**👉** [**Read the full story at South Leeds Life (LDRS)**](https://southleedslife.com/beeston-furniture-store-takeaway-conversion-approved/?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

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## 🚦 GETTING ABOUT

### 🚌 Hunslet bus depot bought for the Weaver Network

![Buses at Hunslet Park bus depot, Leeds](https://storage.ghost.io/c/13/20/13209d8e-c5a1-439d-8878-db8a0ddfb87b/content/images/2026/11/leedsbrief-2026-11-05-hunslet-depot.jpg)

Hunslet Park bus depot on its first day of operation in 2008\. Photo: Steve Partridge, CC BY-SA 2.0, [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AHunslet%5FPark%5FBus%5FDepot%5F-%5Fgeograph.org.uk%5F-%5F807152.jpg?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

West Yorkshire Combined Authority has agreed to buy five depots from FirstGroup, including Hunslet and Bramley, to house the buses for its publicly controlled Weaver Network. Round one, covering Kirklees and parts of Leeds, starts in spring 2027, and round two, mainly covering parts of Leeds and Wakefield, in early 2028\. Mayor Tracy Brabin said the depots will help "house, refuel and maintain hundreds of vehicles". You may spot Weaver-branded buses before the official launch.  
**👉** [**Read the full story at South Leeds Life**](https://southleedslife.com/hunslet-among-bus-depots-bought-by-west-yorkshire-combined-authority/?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

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## ⚽ SPORT

### Rodon could be back for Spurs

![Elland Road stadium, Leeds](https://storage.ghost.io/c/13/20/13209d8e-c5a1-439d-8878-db8a0ddfb87b/content/images/2026/11/leedsbrief-2026-11-02-elland-road.jpg)

Elland Road, pictured in 2023\. Photo: Mtaylor848, CC BY-SA 4.0, [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AElland%5FRoad%5F%2811th%5FAugust%5F2023%29%5F004.jpg?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

Joe Rodon could return for Leeds United against his old club Tottenham at Elland Road on Saturday lunchtime. He hasn't played since pulling his hamstring against Brentford on 30 August, and Wales boss Craig Bellamy has named him in his squad, saying "He feels good at this present moment. Hopefully he's involved this weekend." Ethan Ampadu, Harry Wilson, Daniel James and Jayden Lienou are in the Wales squad too.  
**👉** [**Read the full story at the YEP**](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-joe-rodon-injury-update-latest-wales-craig-bellamy-9329799?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

### Justin and Okafor hear schoolgirls' anti-racism poem

James Justin and Noah Okafor met Year 9 and 10 students from Bishop Young C of E Academy in Seacroft at Thorp Arch, where Rita, Maimuna and Praise performed their poem "We Carry More". The visit was part of the club's Black History Month and No Room For Racism work, and the students also gave a presentation on Gerry Francis, Leeds United's first black player.  
**👉** [**Read the full story at the YEP**](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/people/leeds-united-stars-moved-by-powerful-poems-from-schoolgirls-9329230?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

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## 🎭 CULTURE

### 🎸 Gigs this weekend

Yard Act play O2 Academy Leeds on Friday (sold out) and Saturday (£28). Ferocious Dog bring their farewell tour to the Brudenell on Friday (£28.50), The Lancashire Hotpots are there on Saturday (£21) and Kiwi Jr. play Hyde Park Book Club the same night (£15). Sunday has Matthew And The Atlas (£18), and Monday's Colin Miller show at the Brudenell is free entry.  
**👉** [**See the listings at Brudenell Social Club**](https://www.brudenellsocialclub.co.uk/whats-on/?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

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## 📅 THIS WEEK IN LEEDS

**🎆 Tonight, Thursday 5 November:** Bonfire Night displays across west Leeds.  
**🎇 Friday 6 November, 5pm to 11pm:** FC Farsley fireworks at Throstle Nest (tickets only).  
**🎤 Friday 6 and Saturday 7 November:** Yard Act at O2 Academy Leeds.  
**⚽ Saturday 7 November, lunchtime:** Leeds United v Tottenham at Elland Road.  
**🎖️ Sunday 8 November, 10.50am:** Remembrance procession from the Civic Hall, silence at 11am in Victoria Gardens.  
**🏗️ Monday 9 November:** Morley town centre works begin.  
*Sources:* [*West Leeds Dispatch*](https://westleedsdispatch.com/listed-west-leeds-bonfires-and-firework-displays-2026/?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io) *·* [*Brudenell Social Club*](https://www.brudenellsocialclub.co.uk/whats-on/?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io) *·* [*YEP*](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-joe-rodon-injury-update-latest-wales-craig-bellamy-9329799?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io) *·* [*Leeds City Council*](https://news.leeds.gov.uk/news/lord-mayor-to-lead-remembrance-sunday-tributes?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io) *·* [*Leeds City Council*](https://news.leeds.gov.uk/news/morley-town-centre-set-for-gbp-1-1m-transformation?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

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## ⚽ AND FINALLY...

Lifelong Richmond Hill man and Leeds United superfan Alan Pickering, 80, is the very first resident at Elland Court, a new £8m care home in Osmondthorpe. He got to pick his room and chose one overlooking a Sunday League pitch named after Don Revie, and staff greeted him with a Leeds shirt bearing the number 47, his room number, plus a scarf. "You can't take the football out of me!" said Alan, who used to run Alan's Cabs and still enjoys a pint at the Leeds Irish Centre.  
**👉** [**Read the full story at the YEP**](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/people/leeds-united-superfan-becomes-first-resident-at-new-leeds-care-home-9329041?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

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