Group Events

Group Outing to Leeds Armouries

On Thursday 22nd June, the Rotary Club of Sunderland, kindly sponsored the amputee group to the Royal Armouries in Leeds.

The Armouries stands on the river Aire just on the outskirts of Leeds City Centre, and is very easy to find and there is ample parking.
On arrival at the armouries we were presented with a brochure and a list of the events which were due to take place.

There was a daily schedule provided on entry, which details the events that will take place on the day of the visit, (weather permitting) unfortunately the British weather was at its usual best.
The building itself is quite a daunting site, a huge grey building with an enormous glass staircase on the side (The Hall Of Steel). This houses a spectacular display of armour, mainly consisting of 17th century armour and 19th century military equipment. There are 3,000 items and is a magnificent site.
Access to the upper floors is easy to locate as lifts and stairs are well sign posted and have good access for wheelchair users and disabled visitors.

I would recommend that anyone visiting the Armouries takes advantage of using the brochure, as this includes layouts of all floors and lists where the different displays are located.
These range from not just British arms and armour but armour from China and Japan, Asia and the Orient. Amust is the Oriental Display, which is located on the 5th floor, where the magnificent Mughal Indian Elephant armour dated back to 1600. The beautifully designed armour and weapons are quite magnificent and it is hard to believe that they were once used in combat.

For anyone visiting I would suggest that they set a whole day, as there is so much to see and do. Theatres and cinemas are situated around the Armouries and outside of the building is the Tiltyard and Menagerie Court and displays of Falconry, Hunting skills and horse displays.
In the Craft Hall you can see the gunsmith and the leather craftspeople working at their trades.
To sum up our visit to the Armouries I would say we had a great day that provided us with entertainment and education.
Once again, thanks to the Sunderland Rotary Club for a great day out.

Peter Doidge
On behalf of The Amputee Group Sunderland