Woodbine Lizzie’s Leeds
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Calverley Street, Leeds, LS1 3AB

01133785005

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Leeds Inspired

Woodbine Lizzie’s Leeds

11th November 2026
Leeds Central Library

This workshop will take a look at the life and experiences of ‘Woodbine Lizzie’, the nickname of Alice Porter, a woman who lived an unconventional life, much of it on the streets of city centre Leeds in the 1920s and 1930s. She died in 1947, in Stanley Royd Hospital in Wakefield. She was much remembered by Leeds locals, who recall her angry shouts if a passer by wouldn’t spare a cigarette. Postcards were printed to commemorate her death.

In this workshop, led by historian Professor Laura King, participants will be ask to share any knowledge of Woodbine Lizzie, and to explore documents which tell us bits about her life in Stanningley, Leeds city centre and Wakefield. We’ll map out Woodbine Lizzie’s Leeds, and explore how more could be learnt about her.Whether you’ve never heard of Woodbine Lizzie, or know something interesting about her, please come along and take part in this interactive workshop and think about who gets to be part of the history of the city.

Part of the Leeds Libraries’ Leeds400 programme

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