Leeds GATE

01/06/2026

Great start to Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month! Leeds City Council lighting up buildings across the city this evening and flying a Gypsy Roma Traveller flag at Civic Hall to celebrate and mark the month and Gypsy Roma and Traveller culture and heritage.

We're pleased to have worked in partnership with LCC over the last few years that Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month is in their cultural calendar and marked in this way each June. We hope it continues as a small token of representation of these communities across the city 💚

The council and other organisations are lighting up buildings across the city this evening in yellow to celebrate the start of Gypsy Roma Traveller History month.
The Gypsy Roma Traveller flag will also be flying at Civic Hall.

The theme for 2026 is 'Onwards with Hope'

This year, GRTHM will be focusing on present and future Romany Gypsy, Roma, Irish Traveller, New Traveller, Showmen and Liveaboard Boater aspirations and dreams, and what kind of future we want to build together - FFT

Find out more via the link in our comments

01/06/2026

Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month is Here‼

Keep a look out for our upcoming events in your area🎉

For more info click here - https://leedsgate.co.uk/project/gypsy-roma-traveller-history-month/

28/05/2026

📣Jacky McShane, one of our Calderdale members, wins Volunteer of the Year at Community Foundation for Calderdale's Community Spirit Awards! Now Jacky really doesn't like pictures or to be centre of attention. But he deserves the celebration of winning this award - and we want to take this opportunity to give him his flowers, just as last night's wonderful ceremony did.

Jacky is a key volunteer and support to Gypsy and Traveller people across Calderdale and is often the friendly face that new people see when they get involved with us for the first time. After joining our weekly groups a couple of years ago, he quickly became someone our team could rely on.

He arrives early to help set up, stays late to clean up and always checks in on people especially those who are carrying a heavy load. His presence always makes people feel welcome. He especially helps with those who are isolated and organises transport so there are no barriers preventing people attending.

He was the first to spot Mixenden Activity Centre - MAC as a brilliant community base for Leeds GATE, which we now call our home in Calderdale. He attends meetings, shares lived experiences and talks openly about his mental health experiences so others feel understood.

Last night he was brilliant on stage. No rehearsed speech, no notes, just Jacky showing how much he cares, how much he wants to help people and share his culture with a wider audience.

Thank you so much to CFFC for the ceremony and well done to all nominees and award winners. We're looking forward to everything Jacky is going to carry on accomplishing - thank you Jacky for all you do.💚

27/05/2026

We are hiring two Community Development Workers 1x Wakefield 1x Calderdale📢

For more info and to apply - https://leedsgate.co.uk/about/work-with-us/

26/05/2026

The passing through of all Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people to Appleby has continued for centuries, most often with the support of local people and without issue. We staunchly stand by this tradition, no matter how people intend to travel. Appleby Fair is almost here again, starting the first week of June.

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act and increased police powers worries us as to the future of Appleby, with an increased unfair and skewed focus on police presence and action, focusing on criminality and potential for trouble, in the build up and during the fair.

Every year, just like with any large event or gathering, it passes in the main without large issues. This way of communicating and language used would not be seen about any other large event or festival.

We believe strongly that this tradition must be kept alive, not only facilitated but celebrated.

The event is so important to many in the Romany Gypsy and Traveller communities to celebrate history and culture together as a community. Groups are already travelling (some for multiple weeks) to reach the fair by the beginning of June.
Most take their time travelling up to the town of Appleby in Westmorland, Cumbria – a journey over a hundred miles from West Yorkshire but far longer for many coming from all over the country (or the world).

Due to lack of sites and stopping places, the vast majority of Gypsy and Traveller people live in bricks and mortar housing in the UK.

Appleby and other fairs (like our own Lee Gap on the Leeds/Wakefield border that goes back to the 1100’s) are one way that people can still carry out their culture and traditions for a couple of weeks of the year.

Of course many now travel in motorised vehicles and trailers, but being able to bring the the old bow top wagon, or vardo, and horses for the occasion is a much loved part of Appleby.

As more and more fairs close down, with traditional land that was used sold for development or closed, Appleby continues on, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year.

This is even more poignant to us as Lee Gap Fair’s future is still uncertain. We hope for another brilliant Appleby Fair for all attending. Beautiful photos by Cath Muldowney Photography

25/05/2026

We are closed for the Bank holiday‼

We will be re-open on Wednesday 27th as normal📢

22/05/2026

A fantastic day for our boys group at Elland Road ⚽

Our young people were invited down to Elland Road with Leeds United Foundation for a tour of the stadium and a positive meeting to discuss an exciting project that will provide football sessions for our young people at Holbeck football pitch and Cottingley Springs.

The boys had a brilliant time and also took part in their first football session, joining young people from other local communities. It was amazing to see everyone enjoying themselves.

A big thank you to everyone involved — we’re looking forward to future sessions💙

Leeds United Barca Leeds

20/05/2026

We were really honoured to be part of the FFT Awards this year and in the same room as so many amazing advocates, creatives and ambassadors all coming together as one strong community to celebrate each others achievements. Definitely a highlight for us so far this year.

And of course always proud of our Bradford Women's Group for winning the Inspirational Project Award (around 5 seconds in the video!). 💚🥳 A brilliant night to look back on.

20/05/2026

Our CEO, Ellie, enjoyed attending Buckingham Palace's Royal Garden Party last week, with some dear colleagues and friends in our sector working for Gypsies and Travellers.

We attended with a range of people from all walks of life. We were very proud to be asked to represent Leeds GATE's work and public service and to have our members and our positive impact recognised.

Irish Centre@Irish Community Careand British GAA through the Embassy Of Ireland. IIrish Embassy London