Hundreds came from across Leeds and beyond to celebrate 4/20 on Woodhouse Moor on a gloriously sunny day Thursday afternoon.
April 20 marks the day people across the world celebrate cannabis and counterculture - usually by gathering and smoking. In Leeds, Woodhouse Moor in Hyde Park is the meeting place of choice - with scores of people, many of them students, flocking to the park every year.
April 20, 2023 also happened to be sunny and pleasantly warm, so the park drew a big audience on Thursday. Not everyone was there to smoke - many were enjoying the music from speakers brought along as they sunbathed or enjoyed a couple of cans.
Friends Johnny, Millie and Dan had come all the way from Manchester to enjoy the sun on Woodhouse Moor. They told LeedsLive: "This is our first time. People were talking about and it sounds fun so we decided to come over since it’s sunny. We’ve come all the way from Manchester because we heard there was a nice atmosphere. Normally I’d be sat in my camper van.”
Some people had set up small marquees and tents, while others were making do with sitting on blankets or their jackets. A few police officers were patrolling the park, though generally not interrupting.
Mums Kayleigh and Emma, 34 and 36, were making the most of a day off by enjoying soft drinks in the sun before they had to pick the kids up from school. They said: "It’s been really nice - we’ve got our little spot that’s been great apart from the wind.
"It’s the first time we’ve been and we’re enjoying it - we’re normally working. We’d just heard it was going to be chill and a nice atmosphere - everyone is really nice and shares lighters. We’re doing the school run after this. We’ve brought our own speaker but it keeps not working.”
Last year saw Woodhouse Moor left in a mess after gatherers left the park, with cans and rubbish left not cleaned up. Many locals weren't happy about the state it was left in, and were hoping this year people would tidy up after themselves.
Jadie Faulkner said she was worried the park would be left "a dump again". "The year before they removed tons of trash the morning after," she added.
Many who had been before said they found the main problem was cans being left. "As long as they don't make a mess and cause trouble, leave them to it I say," said Jamie Chambers.
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