Legends The Project

Legends The Project Legends of Morley is a community photography project celebrating the individuals who make a real and lasting impact on our town.

Funded by Morley Town Council, we honour their service, achievements, and spirit through hand-printed film portraits.

The Legends of Morley at BBC Radio Leeds!Today was a very special day: Mandy Izquierdo (), project lead of Legends of Mo...
10/09/2025

The Legends of Morley at BBC Radio Leeds!

Today was a very special day: Mandy Izquierdo (), project lead of Legends of Morley, was invited to BBC Radio Leeds to talk about the project and all the wonderful legends who make our town such a special place.

What an honour to share our project on BBC Radio! A big thank you to Darren Williams for the invitation and to Gayle Lofthouse for such a brilliant and fun interview.

We had an amazing day today celebrating all the Legends of Morley! Thank you so much to everyone who attended, it was fa...
23/08/2025

We had an amazing day today celebrating all the Legends of Morley! Thank you so much to everyone who attended, it was fabulous to see so many people in one room championing our town and the people who make it what it is.

Thank you to everyone who nominated, to our Legends for allowing us to photograph you and learn more about what you do, and to everyone who came to celebrate with us today.

Today’s the day! We are very excited to celebrate our Legends with you all.We hope to see as many of you there as possib...
23/08/2025

Today’s the day! We are very excited to celebrate our Legends with you all.

We hope to see as many of you there as possible. The photos will be on display all afternoon, so even if you can’t make it for 1pm, you can still come and see the photos of our Legends and learn their stories.

Parry, the woman behind Pizza Bello, has been feeding Morley for nearly 40 years, not just with food, but with kindness,...
22/08/2025

Parry, the woman behind Pizza Bello, has been feeding Morley for nearly 40 years, not just with food, but with kindness, resilience, and joy.

Unfortunately the early days were hard. She faced hostility from some who were unsure of foreign food, and rowdy behaviour was common. But Parry found a simple but brilliant solution: “If people are busy eating they are not fighting.” She began handing out free garlic bread, and it worked!

Her generosity became legend. Over the years, customers have brought her flowers and magnets from their holidays, which now cover the Pizza Bello counter like tiny reminders of all the lives she has touched. If you visit, she will likely greet you with a smile, a story, and maybe a piece of garlic bread too.

She is proud of what she has built with her team and proud of her role in the town. “This is what I like doing. I love my job. I can’t stop. I love talking to the customers. This is my life.”

For Pizza Bello’s 25th anniversary, Parry organised a fundraising event that raised £1,500 for LOFFTY (Leeds Offers Fund for the Young), a charity supported by the Lord Mayor of Leeds. Over 150 people attended, including many of her long-standing customers.

Now, almost 40 years on, she is already thinking about how to celebrate the next big milestone, and we are sure it will be full of food, music, and her unbeatable spirit.

Photographer: Abi Ramsey
Assistant: Mandy Izquierdo

21/08/2025

Our final shoot for Legends of Morley took us to Pizza Bello, a beloved local restaurant that has been feeding the town for nearly 40 years.

We were there to photograph Parry, the heart and driving force behind this special place. When we delivered her nomination letter, she was overjoyed that the people of Morley had thought of her. The recognition is more than deserved.

Parry has served this community through good times and hard times, with food made from scratch and a warmth that fills the room. She has seen Morley grow and change over the years. When she first arrived, things weren’t easy. But over time, everything changed, and now Pizza Bello is a cherished part of the town. It’s not just a place to eat. It’s a place full of memories, generosity, and affection.

One of the loveliest traditions? When customers go on holiday, they bring her a magnet - the counter is now covered in them. She also regularly receives bouquets of flowers, which she displays proudly around the waiting area.

We were joined by two of the people who work alongside her in the kitchen: Ed, and her nephew, Mohsen Taheri. The three of them posed with big smiles, clearly proud of what they have built together.

The afternoon ended in celebration. We sat down for a chat, shared a bottle of champagne and a box of chocolates, and finished the session singing along to Gipsy Kings and Julio Iglesias. It was the perfect way to end this round of portraits. Food, music, joy, and community, all in one place.

Film portraits coming soon!

Photographer: Abi Ramsey
Assistant: Mandy Mandy Izquierdo

Francesca Speight, founder of Zen Babies, is a calm and grounding presence, the kind of person who makes you feel instan...
20/08/2025

Francesca Speight, founder of Zen Babies, is a calm and grounding presence, the kind of person who makes you feel instantly at ease. That same warmth and care she brings to her baby massage and yoga sessions was fully present during our photoshoot at Dartmouth Park.

Francesca wanted to demonstrate some of the gentle yoga poses she teaches in her classes, bringing that spirit of movement and mindfulness into the shoot.

Zen Babies is more than a class: it’s a support system. Through yoga, massage, reflexology, and weekly pram walks, Francesca offers new mums a space to feel supported, connected, and human again. She collaborates with local businesses to bring even more value to the community: from a warm cup of coffee to a pottery session or coaching conversation, everything she offers helps mums feel like they’re not alone.

Francesca also co-hosts a podcast with Alice Butler called Grab A Coffee, where they talk about motherhood, mindset, and making space for yourself. Just like her in-person work, the podcast is a gentle reminder that no mum should go through it all in silence.

The shoot was peaceful and full of gentle joy. Francesca’s kindness and calmness are simply part of who she is. We hope these portraits capture her beautiful spirit and the quiet strength behind the work she does for so many families in Morley.

All the photos were shot on black-and-white film and hand developed in the darkroom.

Photographer: Mandy Izquierdo
Assistant: Abi Ramsey

We are looking forward to hosting our first ever exhibition on Saturday 23rd August to celebrate all of the Legends of M...
20/08/2025

We are looking forward to hosting our first ever exhibition on Saturday 23rd August to celebrate all of the Legends of Morley that we have had the pleasure of photographing over the last few months.

If you can, we'd love for you to join us at 1pm for a presentation about the Legends. If not, the photos will be up all afternoon at Crank Studious for you to see at your leisure.

We are excited to celebrate the people in Morley who support others and make this town what it is.

19/08/2025

The shoot with Francesca Speight took place on a warm early evening at Dartmouth Park, a place that holds real meaning for her and the community she’s built.

Francesca is the founder of Zen Babies, a beautiful initiative that supports new mums through the rollercoaster of early motherhood. Dartmouth Park is more than just a backdrop; it’s one of the locations where she hosts regular outdoor meet-ups, making support accessible, informal, and welcoming.

So, what is Zen Babies? It’s a space for mums to ease into motherhood with care and confidence. Through baby massage, yoga, toddler reflexology, and postpartum wellness, Francesca offers more than just classes, she’s built a village. Her sessions are designed to nurture not just the babies, but the mums too.

But her work goes far beyond classes. Francesca also organises free weekly pram walks, open meet-ups in the park, and events in collaboration with other local businesses. Whether it’s a cup of tea, a calm chat, or a space to paint while your baby sleeps, Francesca makes sure every mother feels welcomed and seen.

The shoot was joyful! Francesca brought her family along, who were lovely and made the atmosphere even more relaxed and warm. Her presence is exactly what you'd expect: grounded, kind, and full of heart.

We can’t wait to share the film portraits soon. Francesca’s work is all about community, and that’s what this project is all about too.

Photographer: Mandy Izquierdo
Assistant: Abi Ramsey

James Tortice is the youngest person ever nominated for Legends of Morley, and it’s easy to see why. At just 13 years ol...
19/08/2025

James Tortice is the youngest person ever nominated for Legends of Morley, and it’s easy to see why. At just 13 years old, James is a dedicated artist who uses his creativity to make a difference. Living with autism and ADHD, he’s found in drawing not only a passion but also a way to connect with others and contribute to the community.

Over the last few years, James has been designing and selling greeting cards to raise money for charity. His cards, often featuring animals or hand-drawn characters, have supported organisations like Macmillan Cancer Support and other local causes. Whether he’s selling at school fairs or community events, he always shows up with a smile, alongside his grandmother (who helps run the stall) and his mum Karen, who supports him every step of the way.

James shares his work under the name on Instagram, where you can see his creative process and the causes he supports. His art isn’t just technically impressive, it’s filled with warmth, humour, and heart.

All the photos from this shoot were taken on black-and-white film using a 1950s Rolleicord camera and developed by hand in the darkroom. We hope these portraits reflect not only James’s artistic spirit but also the generosity and joy he brings to Morley.

Photographer: Abi Ramsey
Assistant: Mandy Izquierdo

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2 St Peter's Square
Leeds
LS9 8AH

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