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# THE LEEDS BRIEF - WEEKEND WRAP UP ⏰ 31 October - 1 November 2026
- URL: https://the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io/the-leeds-brief-weekend-wrap-up-31-october-1-november-2026/
- Published: 2026-10-31T07:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-31T06:59:59.000Z
- Description: Yorkshire Water's boss quits a day after its one-star rating, a Headingley care home makes way for flats, an airport station edges forward, and a Leeds jousting pro's verdict on Lime bike jousting.
- Author: Will
- Tags: Leeds Brief

Morning, Leeds, and happy Halloween! 🎃 A day after Yorkshire Water got the worst possible environmental rating, its boss has announced she's quitting. Also in your Weekend Wrap Up: a Headingley care home making way for flats, a step forward for a Leeds Bradford Airport station, and a Royal Armouries jouster's verdict on Lime bike jousting.

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💡

**☁️ Leeds Weather – Saturday 31 October –** Grey and still, about 8°C first thing. Today's high: **12°C, with a 0% chance of rain**, so trick-or-treaters should stay dry. Sunday is 11°C with a little drizzle possible (4%), then Monday 11°C (6%) and Tuesday 11°C (8%). Spooky? No. Sensible coat weather? Yes. [Met Office Leeds forecast](https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/gcwfhf1w0?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

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## 🌳 Yorkshire Water boss quits a day after one-star rating

![The River Aire flowing through Leeds city centre](https://storage.ghost.io/c/13/20/13209d8e-c5a1-439d-8878-db8a0ddfb87b/content/images/2026/10/leedsbrief-2026-10-31-aire.jpg)

The River Aire in Leeds city centre, pictured in 2012\. Photo: Ian S, CC BY-SA 2.0, [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AThe%5FRiver%5FAire%2C%5FLeeds%5FCity%5FCentre%5F-%5Fgeograph.org.uk%5F-%5F3228120.jpg?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

Yorkshire Water's chief executive Nicola Shaw is stepping down, just 24 hours after the Environment Agency gave the company one star out of four, its lowest possible rating (we covered that in yesterday's issue). Shaw, who has run the firm since 2022, leaves on 1 January. She'll be replaced by Nicola Medalova, a chartered environmental health officer who used to work for National Grid and is a former non-executive director on Yorkshire Water's board. She joins on Monday for a handover. Shaw said it had been a "privilege" to lead the company and that it was the "right time" to go. She has faced criticism for taking £1.9m in previously undisclosed payments from parent company Kelda Holdings between 2023 and 2026, and the company was responsible for 260 pollution incidents in 2025, its highest total since 2011\. Ofwat fined it £47m for historic sewage leaks in 2024\. Judith Cummins, Labour MP for Bradford South, said the firm needs "more than a change of leadership" and a "complete change of direction".  
**👉 Read the full story at** [**BBC News**](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckzd623pldqgo?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

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## 🏛️ POLITICS & COUNCIL

### 🏚️ Headingley care home with RAAC to make way for 37 flats

![Mount St Joseph, the former care home on Shire Oak Road in Headingley](https://storage.ghost.io/c/13/20/13209d8e-c5a1-439d-8878-db8a0ddfb87b/content/images/2026/10/leedsbrief-2026-10-31-mount-st-joseph.jpg)

Mount St Joseph on Shire Oak Road, Headingley, in 2023\. Photo: Mel Towler, CC BY-SA 2.0, [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AMount%5FSt%5FJoseph%2C%5FHome%5Ffor%5Fthe%5FElderly%2C%5FHeadingley%5F-%5Fgeograph.org.uk%5F-%5F7512989.jpg?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

Councillors have backed plans to demolish part of the former Mount St Joseph's care home on Shire Oak Road and build 37 flats, in a building of up to four storeys. The Little Sisters of the Poor, the order of nuns behind it, say the building is unsafe because of RAAC (a lightweight concrete) in the roof, and that selling the plot with planning permission is the only way to pay for 25 sheltered homes for over-65s, a convent and a chapel next door. That second scheme is still being considered separately. The council had 57 letters of support, including from Alex Sobel MP, and 19 objections, mostly about a lack of affordable and family homes. Anna Douglas of the Shire Oak Road Residents Association told the plans panel: "We are not opposed to housing. We are opposed to a missed opportunity." Final sign-off now goes to the chief planning officer.  
**👉 Read the full story at** [**the YEP / LDRS**](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/politics/council/former-leeds-care-home-to-be-demolished-and-turned-into-flats-9320815?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

### 💉 Flu season may be coming early

Leeds public health officials are urging everyone eligible to get their free flu and Covid jabs as soon as possible, after the UK Health Security Agency said there are signs the flu season is starting earlier this year. You can book through your GP, a pharmacy, the NHS app or the national booking service, and often have both at once. From 1 December, pharmacy clinics will also be open for children from Reception to Year 11 who missed their school session.  
**👉 Read the full story at** [**Leeds City Council**](https://news.leeds.gov.uk/news/public-health-officials-urge-all-eligible-to-protect-themselves-with-winter-vaccinations?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

### 🧹 Moortown is next for the Love Leeds clean-up

![Shops on Moortown Corner in Leeds](https://storage.ghost.io/c/13/20/13209d8e-c5a1-439d-8878-db8a0ddfb87b/content/images/2026/10/leedsbrief-2026-10-31-moortown.jpg)

The shopping parade at Moortown Corner, where Street Lane meets Harrogate Road, in 2018\. Photo: Chemical Engineer, CC BY-SA 4.0, [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AMoortown%5FCorner%5F7%5FJan%5F2018%5F1a.jpg?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

Moortown has been picked as the fourth ward in the council's Love Leeds scheme, which aims to improve all 33 wards with things like clean-ups, graffiti removal, fly-tipping work and pop-up health checks, starting by asking locals what matters most. Shoppers on Moortown Corner told Leeds Live there's plenty to fix: no banks or post office, too many empty units and what one charity shop manager called "diabolical" parking.  
**👉 Read the full story at** [**Leeds Live**](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/news/leeds-news/no-banks-post-office-full-34828593?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

---

## ⚽ SPORT

### Bournemouth away, and Calvert-Lewin set to stay

Leeds United are at in-form Bournemouth this afternoon (3pm). The Cherries have won their last five without conceding, but Leeds kept a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw at Sunderland last time out and Nico Elvedi is back from illness, though Anton Stach is a doubt with a foot injury. Off the pitch, BBC Sport reports Dominic Calvert-Lewin is set to sign a new contract. He has 20 goals in 49 games since arriving on a free from Everton, and his current deal already runs to 2028.  
**👉 Read more:** [YEP: predicted XI](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-predicted-xi-bournemouth-anton-stach-injury-9318092?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io) · [BBC Sport: Calvert-Lewin](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c6x2w1epxx8yo?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

### 🏉 England's World Cup hopes all but over

England's men beat Papua New Guinea 34-12 yesterday morning, but a scrappy second half (21 errors) left them needing Tonga to beat Samoa by more than 46 points to reach the semi-finals. England's women are out after a 24-6 defeat by Samoa.  
**👉 Read more:** [BBC Sport: men](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/articles/cx30e28vn5r4o?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io) · [BBC Sport: women](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/articles/c8ly0p5ngwx6o?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

### 🛏️ Big Sleep at Headingley

Hundreds of people, including Leeds Rhinos players, swapped their beds for sleeping bags on the terraces at AMT Headingley Stadium for the Leeds Big Sleep. Now in its tenth year, the event has raised more than £330,000 in total for the Leeds Rhinos Foundation and St George's Crypt.  
**👉 Read the full story at** [**the YEP**](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/people/pictures-from-leeds-big-sleep-as-people-ditch-beds-for-sleeping-bags-9320075?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

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## ⚖️ CRIME & COURTS

### Arrest in New Wortley murder inquiry

A 26-year-old man has been arrested in London on suspicion of murdering Rahiem Jackson, 38, who was attacked by a group outside a property on Hedley Chase, New Wortley, last Saturday. His family said he had a "beautiful heart and soul". Police still want to hear from anyone who saw people arriving at or leaving Hedley Chase that night.  
**👉 Read more:** [BBC News](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmgqwpn8gx25o?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io) · [YEP](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/crime/leeds-murder-police-significant-development-arrest-9320625?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

### Arrest after Beckett Street crash

A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after a 36-year-old woman was hit and killed by a car being chased by police on Beckett Street on Thursday. The case has been referred to the police watchdog, the IOPC.  
**👉 Read the full story at** [**BBC News**](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6z982k3gyvno?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

### Cocaine-in-cheese gang jailed

Fifteen men have been jailed at Leeds Crown Court over a gang that smuggled cocaine into the UK hidden in gouda, chocolate spread and cod mince. The investigation started when a driver was stopped in East End Park in January 2023 with £2m of drugs. The CPS estimates the gang moved between £400m and £1.4bn worth.  
**👉 Read the full story at** [**BBC News**](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr15jd1kdvp1o?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

### 🎆 Halloween and Bonfire Night: extra police out

West Yorkshire Police will have extra officers on duty tonight and on Bonfire Night (Thursday 5 November). A 48-hour dispersal order is in place in Belle Isle until 8.30pm tonight after youths caused trouble with fireworks on Thursday, and six were dispersed that night. Nearby, plain-clothes officers riding a First bus on Monday caught youths throwing stones at it, and three have been banned from the retail park for six months. Ch Supt Sareth Humpage asked parents to make sure trick-or-treaters only visit friends and neighbours, and the fire service suggests LED candles in your pumpkins.  
**👉 Read more:** [BBC News](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq8ezjp4r2yjo?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io) · [YEP: Belle Isle](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/crime/48-hour-dispersal-south-leeds-fireworks-9319739?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io) · [YEP: bus](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/crime/leeds-police-youth-anti-social-behaviour-crack-down-bus-9320051?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

---

## 🚦 TRAVEL

### ✈️ Airport station plan moves (slowly) forward

West Yorkshire leaders have backed pressing ahead with a parkway station for Leeds Bradford Airport, costing about £65m. It would sit on the Harrogate line between Horsforth and the Bramhope Tunnel, with a shuttle bus to the terminal. Mayor Tracy Brabin called it "a game changer", but councillors were warned a full business case could take up to two years to approve. The idea was first floated more than a decade ago.  
**👉 Read the full story at** [**Leeds Live**](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/news/leeds-news/leeds-bradford-airport-station-plans-34839654?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

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## 🎭 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

### 🎶 November's big shows

![Leeds Grand Theatre on New Briggate](https://storage.ghost.io/c/13/20/13209d8e-c5a1-439d-8878-db8a0ddfb87b/content/images/2026/10/leedsbrief-2026-10-27-grand-theatre.jpg)

Leeds Grand Theatre on New Briggate. Photo: Rcsprinter123, CC BY 3.0, [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AGrand%5FTheatre%2C%5FLeeds%2C%5FMarch%5F2020.jpg?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

November is busy. Six is at the Grand from Tuesday to Saturday (3 to 7 November), then Mrs Doubtfire takes over from 10 to 29 November. At the arena: The Courteeners (6 November), Myles Smith (8th), The Script (10th), Jungle (21st) and Fontaines DC (24th). Yard Act play the O2 Academy on 6 and 7 November (the Friday is sold out), Royal Blood are at Leeds Beckett on 18 November, and The Grinch opens at the Playhouse on 19 November.  
**👉 Read the full story at** [**Leeds Live**](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/best-in-leeds/whats-on-news/17-massive-leeds-gigs-theatre-34810467?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

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## 💼 BUSINESS & RETAIL

### 🎤 Dirty Martini could become a live music venue

![Atlas House, a Grade II-listed building on King Street, Leeds](https://storage.ghost.io/c/13/20/13209d8e-c5a1-439d-8878-db8a0ddfb87b/content/images/2026/10/leedsbrief-2026-10-31-atlas-house.jpg)

Atlas House on King Street, Leeds, home of Dirty Martini, in 2015\. Photo: Stephen Craven, CC BY-SA 2.0, [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AAtlas%5FHouse%2C%5FKing%5FStreet%2C%5FLeeds%5F-%5Fgeograph.org.uk%5F-%5F4735364.jpg?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

Nightcap PLC wants to turn the Dirty Martini bar in Atlas House, a Grade II-listed 1910 building at 31 King Street, into a live music venue called The Room Where It Happens. The plans are a "light-touch" refurbishment with a small stage and new bar equipment, and no big changes to the outside. The listed building consultation runs until 18 November.  
**👉 Read the full story at** [**the YEP / LDRS**](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/politics/council/plans-unveiled-to-transform-leeds-city-centre-bar-dirty-martini-9320027?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

### 🐟 The Merrion Centre chippy with the fan club

Hook and Line, at 15 Merrion Way across from the arena, has a stack of five-star Google reviews praising its portions and friendly service. One fan said it took them "four years in Leeds to find fabulous fish and chips". Handy before a gig.  
**👉 Read the full story at** [**Leeds Live**](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/best-in-leeds/restaurants-bars/gallery/little-gem-leeds-chippy-huge-34829756?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

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## 🗓️ WHAT'S ON IN LEEDS THIS WEEKEND

**🎃 Today:** Halloween. Trick-or-treat with friends and neighbours, and use LED candles.  
**⚽ Today, 3pm:** Bournemouth v Leeds United.  
**🎸 Tonight:** Republica (£30) and The Bar Stool Preachers (£19) at the Brudenell, doors 7.30pm.  
**🎶 Sunday 1 November:** Ferris & Sylvester at the Brudenell (£15), doors 7.30pm.  
**👑 Tuesday 3 November:** Six opens at the Grand.  
**🎆 Thursday 5 November:** Bonfire Night.  
*Sources:* [*Leeds United*](https://www.leedsunited.com/en/matches/mens/fixtures?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io) *·* [*Brudenell Social Club*](https://www.brudenellsocialclub.co.uk/whats-on/?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io) *·* [*Leeds Live*](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/best-in-leeds/whats-on-news/17-massive-leeds-gigs-theatre-34810467?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

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## 🛡️ AND FINALLY...

![The Royal Armouries Museum at Leeds Dock](https://storage.ghost.io/c/13/20/13209d8e-c5a1-439d-8878-db8a0ddfb87b/content/images/2026/10/leedsbrief-2026-10-31-royal-armouries.jpg)

The Royal Armouries Museum at Leeds Dock, in December 2023\. Photo: Mtaylor848, CC BY-SA 4.0, [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ARoyal%5FArmouries%2C%5FLeeds%5FDock%5F%2816th%5FDecember%5F2023%29%5F001.jpg?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

Two men in armour jousting on Lime bikes in a London park drew hundreds of spectators this month, and they've got a rematch planned for today. Lime says its bikes are "not for jousting", but Leeds has an expert view. Andy Deane, captain of the Royal Armouries jousting team, who's been jousting for 33 years, told the YEP: "This is absolutely a legitimate form of jousting." Bikes, he says, are "absolutely the way to go. Certainly if you can't afford a horse."  
**👉 Read the full story at** [**the YEP**](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/people/lime-bike-jousting-a-legitimate-form-of-the-sport-leeds-pro-says-9321303?ref=the-leeds-brief-1.ghost.io)

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