Rachael Unsworth
@leedstours.bsky.social
Urban geographer & walking tour guide in Leeds 🌍 - local, in a global setting
https://www.leedscitywalkingtours.co.uk/
Researcher, writer ('Leeds: Cradle of Innovation'), presenter, Leeds Phil & Lit, musician 🎻 European
Professional chat posts only
https://www.leedscitywalkingtours.co.uk/
Researcher, writer ('Leeds: Cradle of Innovation'), presenter, Leeds Phil & Lit, musician 🎻 European
Professional chat posts only
Small, non-costly veggie pleasure on a drab day in a troubled world:
half a bargain tortilla (25p), a slice of squash, a mushroom, a helping of red cabbage* and a little tuft of rocket salad.
*Cooked slowly with apple (a gift), caraway seeds, red vinegar, brown sugar, ground clove, celery seeds.
half a bargain tortilla (25p), a slice of squash, a mushroom, a helping of red cabbage* and a little tuft of rocket salad.
*Cooked slowly with apple (a gift), caraway seeds, red vinegar, brown sugar, ground clove, celery seeds.
November 23, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Small, non-costly veggie pleasure on a drab day in a troubled world:
half a bargain tortilla (25p), a slice of squash, a mushroom, a helping of red cabbage* and a little tuft of rocket salad.
*Cooked slowly with apple (a gift), caraway seeds, red vinegar, brown sugar, ground clove, celery seeds.
half a bargain tortilla (25p), a slice of squash, a mushroom, a helping of red cabbage* and a little tuft of rocket salad.
*Cooked slowly with apple (a gift), caraway seeds, red vinegar, brown sugar, ground clove, celery seeds.
Parkinson Building, University of Leeds, in winter sun.
Designed in 1920s and eventually properly opened in 1951.
Funded by a gift from alumnus Frank Parkinson, successful electrical engineer. He liked the idea of the indoor courtyard for students of a northern university.
Designed in 1920s and eventually properly opened in 1951.
Funded by a gift from alumnus Frank Parkinson, successful electrical engineer. He liked the idea of the indoor courtyard for students of a northern university.
November 23, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Parkinson Building, University of Leeds, in winter sun.
Designed in 1920s and eventually properly opened in 1951.
Funded by a gift from alumnus Frank Parkinson, successful electrical engineer. He liked the idea of the indoor courtyard for students of a northern university.
Designed in 1920s and eventually properly opened in 1951.
Funded by a gift from alumnus Frank Parkinson, successful electrical engineer. He liked the idea of the indoor courtyard for students of a northern university.
Winter sun on Leeds bricks
L: Leeds Bridge House, former temperance hotel, completed 1881.
R: 'Tuscan' tower of the Hardings' Tower Works, developed from 1860s to make metal components for textile machinery.
L: Leeds Bridge House, former temperance hotel, completed 1881.
R: 'Tuscan' tower of the Hardings' Tower Works, developed from 1860s to make metal components for textile machinery.
November 23, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Winter sun on Leeds bricks
L: Leeds Bridge House, former temperance hotel, completed 1881.
R: 'Tuscan' tower of the Hardings' Tower Works, developed from 1860s to make metal components for textile machinery.
L: Leeds Bridge House, former temperance hotel, completed 1881.
R: 'Tuscan' tower of the Hardings' Tower Works, developed from 1860s to make metal components for textile machinery.
A favourite pic near midday 5 Nov 2022 when the new windows of Leeds Town Hall had just been revealed.
Such a clever, sleek design. I think architect Cuthbert Brodrick (1821-1905) would have approved.
Part of the extensive refurbishment overseen by Page\Park.
Such a clever, sleek design. I think architect Cuthbert Brodrick (1821-1905) would have approved.
Part of the extensive refurbishment overseen by Page\Park.
November 23, 2025 at 8:15 AM
A favourite pic near midday 5 Nov 2022 when the new windows of Leeds Town Hall had just been revealed.
Such a clever, sleek design. I think architect Cuthbert Brodrick (1821-1905) would have approved.
Part of the extensive refurbishment overseen by Page\Park.
Such a clever, sleek design. I think architect Cuthbert Brodrick (1821-1905) would have approved.
Part of the extensive refurbishment overseen by Page\Park.
Looking back at some sunnier winter days:
south-facing main steps of Leeds Town Hall with the globes of 'A World Reimagined' city centre open air exhibition. (Arranged here ahead of King's visit. And in the nick of time, wraps were removed to reveal stylish new windows).
5 Nov 2022
south-facing main steps of Leeds Town Hall with the globes of 'A World Reimagined' city centre open air exhibition. (Arranged here ahead of King's visit. And in the nick of time, wraps were removed to reveal stylish new windows).
5 Nov 2022
November 23, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Looking back at some sunnier winter days:
south-facing main steps of Leeds Town Hall with the globes of 'A World Reimagined' city centre open air exhibition. (Arranged here ahead of King's visit. And in the nick of time, wraps were removed to reveal stylish new windows).
5 Nov 2022
south-facing main steps of Leeds Town Hall with the globes of 'A World Reimagined' city centre open air exhibition. (Arranged here ahead of King's visit. And in the nick of time, wraps were removed to reveal stylish new windows).
5 Nov 2022
View from our Big Wheel in winter afternoon light 2 years ago - over the roof of 1880s Leeds Central Library and Art Gallery towards St Anne's Catholic Cathedral (early C20) and beyond to residential towers, Council offices and more.
November 23, 2025 at 7:08 AM
View from our Big Wheel in winter afternoon light 2 years ago - over the roof of 1880s Leeds Central Library and Art Gallery towards St Anne's Catholic Cathedral (early C20) and beyond to residential towers, Council offices and more.
Leeds Civic Trust 60th birthday party at Left Bank Leeds - a church designed by Temple Moore on Cardigan Rd, repurposed as a community and cultural venue.
Vegetarian meal +🍷
And it’s remarkably *warm*.
Vegetarian meal +🍷
And it’s remarkably *warm*.
November 20, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Leeds Civic Trust 60th birthday party at Left Bank Leeds - a church designed by Temple Moore on Cardigan Rd, repurposed as a community and cultural venue.
Vegetarian meal +🍷
And it’s remarkably *warm*.
Vegetarian meal +🍷
And it’s remarkably *warm*.
These goons have probably read next to no history.
Great Guardian 'long read' (5.5K words) about how the 'seasteading' experiment during Covid revealed all the wishful thinking about how huge riches could buy you care-free autonomy.
www.theguardian.com/news/2021/se...
Great Guardian 'long read' (5.5K words) about how the 'seasteading' experiment during Covid revealed all the wishful thinking about how huge riches could buy you care-free autonomy.
www.theguardian.com/news/2021/se...
November 15, 2025 at 8:35 PM
These goons have probably read next to no history.
Great Guardian 'long read' (5.5K words) about how the 'seasteading' experiment during Covid revealed all the wishful thinking about how huge riches could buy you care-free autonomy.
www.theguardian.com/news/2021/se...
Great Guardian 'long read' (5.5K words) about how the 'seasteading' experiment during Covid revealed all the wishful thinking about how huge riches could buy you care-free autonomy.
www.theguardian.com/news/2021/se...
We're all human beings.
Boundaries are wicked things.
research.birmingham.ac.uk/en/publicati...
But those who manage to escape from intolerable conditions demonstrate determination & so often go on to make valuable contributions as inhabitants of wherever they find a safe haven.
Boundaries are wicked things.
research.birmingham.ac.uk/en/publicati...
But those who manage to escape from intolerable conditions demonstrate determination & so often go on to make valuable contributions as inhabitants of wherever they find a safe haven.
November 15, 2025 at 7:58 PM
We're all human beings.
Boundaries are wicked things.
research.birmingham.ac.uk/en/publicati...
But those who manage to escape from intolerable conditions demonstrate determination & so often go on to make valuable contributions as inhabitants of wherever they find a safe haven.
Boundaries are wicked things.
research.birmingham.ac.uk/en/publicati...
But those who manage to escape from intolerable conditions demonstrate determination & so often go on to make valuable contributions as inhabitants of wherever they find a safe haven.
V good content in December @prospectmagazine.co.uk, inc the explanation of ‘bullshit’ in this moment of major dumping thereof.
Just one minor beef: my Dad, an expert on cattle, would have expected me to point out that this bovine is not a bull. I do realise that there’s no bull emoticon, but ironic.
Just one minor beef: my Dad, an expert on cattle, would have expected me to point out that this bovine is not a bull. I do realise that there’s no bull emoticon, but ironic.
November 15, 2025 at 7:25 PM
V good content in December @prospectmagazine.co.uk, inc the explanation of ‘bullshit’ in this moment of major dumping thereof.
Just one minor beef: my Dad, an expert on cattle, would have expected me to point out that this bovine is not a bull. I do realise that there’s no bull emoticon, but ironic.
Just one minor beef: my Dad, an expert on cattle, would have expected me to point out that this bovine is not a bull. I do realise that there’s no bull emoticon, but ironic.
Before I went to capture the real (almost) full moon in Gledhow Wood Road in October, I tried asking Copilot to create such a scene.
It wouldn't take an art expert to declare that this is NOT a long-lost and priceless Atkinson Grimshaw canvas, huh?
It wouldn't take an art expert to declare that this is NOT a long-lost and priceless Atkinson Grimshaw canvas, huh?
November 13, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Before I went to capture the real (almost) full moon in Gledhow Wood Road in October, I tried asking Copilot to create such a scene.
It wouldn't take an art expert to declare that this is NOT a long-lost and priceless Atkinson Grimshaw canvas, huh?
It wouldn't take an art expert to declare that this is NOT a long-lost and priceless Atkinson Grimshaw canvas, huh?
Exciting to open package of page proofs of forthcoming book.
(Just successfully snatched out of the way of a coffee spill … )
(Just successfully snatched out of the way of a coffee spill … )
November 13, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Exciting to open package of page proofs of forthcoming book.
(Just successfully snatched out of the way of a coffee spill … )
(Just successfully snatched out of the way of a coffee spill … )
Digging around trying to clear space on computer I happened across this saved quotation from the deeply wise & inspiring @popovaprof.bsky.social
November 11, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Digging around trying to clear space on computer I happened across this saved quotation from the deeply wise & inspiring @popovaprof.bsky.social
I asked GROK for:
Main solutions to the deleterious effects of extremely high concentrations of wealth.
ie. how to solve problems caused/exacerbated by … Musk & others in the stratosphere of wealth of power.
Headings:
Fiscal
Regulatory & Market
Structural & Social
Global Coordination
Let's go:
Main solutions to the deleterious effects of extremely high concentrations of wealth.
ie. how to solve problems caused/exacerbated by … Musk & others in the stratosphere of wealth of power.
Headings:
Fiscal
Regulatory & Market
Structural & Social
Global Coordination
Let's go:
November 7, 2025 at 3:35 PM
I asked GROK for:
Main solutions to the deleterious effects of extremely high concentrations of wealth.
ie. how to solve problems caused/exacerbated by … Musk & others in the stratosphere of wealth of power.
Headings:
Fiscal
Regulatory & Market
Structural & Social
Global Coordination
Let's go:
Main solutions to the deleterious effects of extremely high concentrations of wealth.
ie. how to solve problems caused/exacerbated by … Musk & others in the stratosphere of wealth of power.
Headings:
Fiscal
Regulatory & Market
Structural & Social
Global Coordination
Let's go:
Some major categories of action that the state needs to take to address gross inequalities deliberately engineered by a minority of powerful men - who actively seek to emasculate the state in all but its role in defending & furthering their own agenda.
November 7, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Some major categories of action that the state needs to take to address gross inequalities deliberately engineered by a minority of powerful men - who actively seek to emasculate the state in all but its role in defending & furthering their own agenda.
OXFAM America takes on the American oligarchy
I’d love to hear any one of the billionaires supporting Project 2025 being challenged about the underlying insidious agenda of accumulation of wealth & power, removal of rights for all but a minority of white males & their cynical use of ‘Christianity’.
I’d love to hear any one of the billionaires supporting Project 2025 being challenged about the underlying insidious agenda of accumulation of wealth & power, removal of rights for all but a minority of white males & their cynical use of ‘Christianity’.
November 7, 2025 at 12:35 PM
OXFAM America takes on the American oligarchy
I’d love to hear any one of the billionaires supporting Project 2025 being challenged about the underlying insidious agenda of accumulation of wealth & power, removal of rights for all but a minority of white males & their cynical use of ‘Christianity’.
I’d love to hear any one of the billionaires supporting Project 2025 being challenged about the underlying insidious agenda of accumulation of wealth & power, removal of rights for all but a minority of white males & their cynical use of ‘Christianity’.
Seen yesterday.
A pity not to catch the horses as they clopped past the Victorian office at the previous corner. Hard to believe that so recently, the sound of horses' hooves would have been everywhere in the streets. A place the size of Leeds maybe had ~17K horse in the 1870s.
ALT text for ref
A pity not to catch the horses as they clopped past the Victorian office at the previous corner. Hard to believe that so recently, the sound of horses' hooves would have been everywhere in the streets. A place the size of Leeds maybe had ~17K horse in the 1870s.
ALT text for ref
November 5, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Seen yesterday.
A pity not to catch the horses as they clopped past the Victorian office at the previous corner. Hard to believe that so recently, the sound of horses' hooves would have been everywhere in the streets. A place the size of Leeds maybe had ~17K horse in the 1870s.
ALT text for ref
A pity not to catch the horses as they clopped past the Victorian office at the previous corner. Hard to believe that so recently, the sound of horses' hooves would have been everywhere in the streets. A place the size of Leeds maybe had ~17K horse in the 1870s.
ALT text for ref
After a slog since late June to edit* this book by my local historian friend Steve Burt, the files were sent to the printer yesterday. 🎆
Due out before Christmas.
Includes a wealth of historic images - many never published before.
*Included writing a chapter & supplying >100 contemporary pics.
Due out before Christmas.
Includes a wealth of historic images - many never published before.
*Included writing a chapter & supplying >100 contemporary pics.
November 5, 2025 at 8:33 AM
After a slog since late June to edit* this book by my local historian friend Steve Burt, the files were sent to the printer yesterday. 🎆
Due out before Christmas.
Includes a wealth of historic images - many never published before.
*Included writing a chapter & supplying >100 contemporary pics.
Due out before Christmas.
Includes a wealth of historic images - many never published before.
*Included writing a chapter & supplying >100 contemporary pics.
Public Service Announcement (unofficial)
When doing a recce for a tour the other day, I spotted that the Whitehall Waterfront footbridge will be closed from today until ... (no info).
So not possible to cross between the left bank of the river and the canal towpath at the moment.
Photo from 2021.
When doing a recce for a tour the other day, I spotted that the Whitehall Waterfront footbridge will be closed from today until ... (no info).
So not possible to cross between the left bank of the river and the canal towpath at the moment.
Photo from 2021.
November 3, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Public Service Announcement (unofficial)
When doing a recce for a tour the other day, I spotted that the Whitehall Waterfront footbridge will be closed from today until ... (no info).
So not possible to cross between the left bank of the river and the canal towpath at the moment.
Photo from 2021.
When doing a recce for a tour the other day, I spotted that the Whitehall Waterfront footbridge will be closed from today until ... (no info).
So not possible to cross between the left bank of the river and the canal towpath at the moment.
Photo from 2021.
Last evening, our talented designer sent this much-revised file of 'The Illustrated History of Chapel Allerton' and now it's off to the printer. No more amendments.
Receiving the physical book will be a joy more than tinged with nervousness about spotting mistakes that will by then be indelible.
Receiving the physical book will be a joy more than tinged with nervousness about spotting mistakes that will by then be indelible.
November 3, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Last evening, our talented designer sent this much-revised file of 'The Illustrated History of Chapel Allerton' and now it's off to the printer. No more amendments.
Receiving the physical book will be a joy more than tinged with nervousness about spotting mistakes that will by then be indelible.
Receiving the physical book will be a joy more than tinged with nervousness about spotting mistakes that will by then be indelible.
Left: Sept 2025 official report recommending new towns
Right: Our* 2014 entry for Wolfson Prize in Economics.
We didn’t win but we did the thinking from 2010-14 for ‘a city within a city’.
Good to be vindicated; shame about the delay.
*Leeds Sustainable Development Group - a CIC, now wound up
Right: Our* 2014 entry for Wolfson Prize in Economics.
We didn’t win but we did the thinking from 2010-14 for ‘a city within a city’.
Good to be vindicated; shame about the delay.
*Leeds Sustainable Development Group - a CIC, now wound up
November 2, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Left: Sept 2025 official report recommending new towns
Right: Our* 2014 entry for Wolfson Prize in Economics.
We didn’t win but we did the thinking from 2010-14 for ‘a city within a city’.
Good to be vindicated; shame about the delay.
*Leeds Sustainable Development Group - a CIC, now wound up
Right: Our* 2014 entry for Wolfson Prize in Economics.
We didn’t win but we did the thinking from 2010-14 for ‘a city within a city’.
Good to be vindicated; shame about the delay.
*Leeds Sustainable Development Group - a CIC, now wound up
The (former) home of Tetley’s brewery. The 1931 office building is the only remaining part of the 24 acre complex of buildings that used to cover the site. Under way: offices + 1400 apartments and more.
November 1, 2025 at 6:13 PM
The (former) home of Tetley’s brewery. The 1931 office building is the only remaining part of the 24 acre complex of buildings that used to cover the site. Under way: offices + 1400 apartments and more.
We're so lucky that a resident of Chapel Allerton who took up photography in retirement has provided some images specially for our book: 'The illustrated history of Chapel Allerton'.
leedscivictrust.org.uk/chapel-aller... - to reserve.
View to SW over St Matthew's Church towards Meanwood & beyond:
leedscivictrust.org.uk/chapel-aller... - to reserve.
View to SW over St Matthew's Church towards Meanwood & beyond:
October 31, 2025 at 7:47 AM
We're so lucky that a resident of Chapel Allerton who took up photography in retirement has provided some images specially for our book: 'The illustrated history of Chapel Allerton'.
leedscivictrust.org.uk/chapel-aller... - to reserve.
View to SW over St Matthew's Church towards Meanwood & beyond:
leedscivictrust.org.uk/chapel-aller... - to reserve.
View to SW over St Matthew's Church towards Meanwood & beyond:
@jonathan-hooper.bsky.social would no doubt make a fine painting of this scene at Wellington Place.
October 29, 2025 at 11:57 AM
@jonathan-hooper.bsky.social would no doubt make a fine painting of this scene at Wellington Place.