Special LEEDSCard offer to see fantastic Fantasia

Caption: Classical Fantasia at Kirkstall Abbey

All LEEDSCard holders are to be given a special offer to see one of the highlight events of the year in the city – Classical Fantasia at Kirkstall Abbey.

This year’s performance of open-air classical music set in the grounds of the 12th century abbey takes place on Saturday 3 September and will feature fantasy-inspired music performed by the Northern Ballet Sinfonia accompanied by the now-famous spectacular illumination of the ruins and electrifying fireworks.

As part of a drive to make Leeds residents more aware of what the LEEDSCard and LEEDSCard Extra discount cards have to offer, cardholders can take advantage of a special price of £7.50 for LEEDSCard and £6.50 for LEEDSCard Extra to attend Classical Fantasia. The full admission price without a LEEDSCard is £12, while the tickets for Breezecard holders (for anyone aged 18 and under) are priced at £7.50 (all prices inclusive of VAT).

Over 1700 tickets have already been sold for the event, and organisers Leeds City Council have made the offer to encourage people of all ages in the city to attend. Any LEEDSCard, LEEDSCard Extra or Breezecard holders who have already purchased tickets will be contacted shortly in order to arrange a partial refund. Any cardholder who bought tickets from Abbey House Museum (ticket numbered 5501 to 5539) or the Leeds Visitor Centre (ticket numbered between 6001 and 6500) is asked to return with their tickets and LEEDSCard, LEEDSCard Extra or Breezecard to receive the refund.

The LEEDSCard scheme is open to anyone aged 19-59 in Leeds on an annual membership and offers discounts and exclusive offers across the city all-year round at leisure facilities, events, shops, museums, theatres and restaurants. For more information on how to get a LEEDSCard visit www.leeds.gov.uk/leedscard or call 0113 224 3636.

Classical Fantasia is organised by Leeds City Council and is now in its 16th year. The gates at Kirkstall Abbey will be open from 6pm on 3 September with the main performance starting at approximately 8pm.

Deputy leader of Leeds City Council Councillor Peter Gruen said:

“The LEEDSCard scheme offers fantastic value for money for people in Leeds and we are looking at ways of developing and expanding it as well as making it easier for people to get a card and make use of it.

“In line with our ongoing evaluation of all our events and activities and to offer LEEDSCard and Breezecard holders the best discounts we can, we have decided to make tickets for Classical Fantasia, one of the great events of the year in Leeds, even more attractive.

“At £7.50 for LEEDSCard and Breezecard and £6.50 for LEEDSCard Extra holders this represents great value and with more than 1700 tickets already sold we look forward to seeing people enjoying a very special evening of entertainment at Kirkstall Abbey.”

Tickets can be purchased online at www.leeds.gov.uk/fantasia, or in person or by calling the City Centre Box Office at The Carriageworks off Millennium Square (0113 224 3801) or Leeds Visitor Centre at Leeds Rail Station (0113 242 5242). A limited number of tickets are also be available to purchase in person at Abbey House Museum.

For the latest information on the event including travel details visit www.leeds.gov.uk/fantasia. Anyone requiring further information can also contact Leeds City Council’s events team on 0113 396 0891 or by email at events@leeds.gov.uk.

Notes to editors:

A booking/transaction fee will apply to bookings made online or by telephone.

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:
Roger Boyde, leisure media relations officer,
Tel 0113 247 5472, email: roger.boyde@leeds.gov.uk

Duo fined for charity collection without a permit

Two charity collectors have been fined for not obtaining a permit for a charity collection in Leeds city centre.

Roseanne Rouse and David Murphy, from Beeston, appeared at Leeds Magistrates Court on Thursday 19 August and were fined £200 each and ordered to pay costs to Leeds City Council of £1025 each.

Rouse and Murphy undertook a charity collection on behalf of Homeless Rescue Action without a street collection certificate in February 2011.

On the 23 February 2011 Rouse and Murphy were spoken to by enforcement officers from the council’s Entertainment Licensing section regarding a street collection that they had undertaken. The pair admitted to collecting monies for charitable benefit and neither could produce a street collection certificate

Leeds City Council, as the Licensing Authority for the area, had not authorised a street collection to be undertaken by Roseanne Rouse or David Murphy, nor authorised a collection on behalf of Homeless Rescue Action nor Girlington Community Centre.

When interviewed under caution by council enforcement officers Murphy admitted to not giving any of the money he had collected that day to Homeless Rescue Action instead keeping the money for himself.

John Mulcahy, Leeds City Council head of licensing said:

“Anyone who wishes to take part in a charity collection anywhere across the city must first obtain the correct permit.

“This prosecution send s a clear message out to anyone who wants to organise a collection to contact the council first.”


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For media enquiries, please contact;
Cat Milburn, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 247 4450
Email: Catherine.milburn@leeds.gov.uk