Heritage Heroes: How one teacher’s passion sparked a movement to save a beloved Leeds museum
When Leeds City Council announced plans in early 2025 to close Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall, few could have predicted the scale of the public response that would follow.
At the centre of that campaign was Dianne Riding, whose passion for local heritage helped turn concern into action - and who is now being posthumously recognised as a Yorkshire Evening Post Heritage Hero.
The museum, housed in the historic gatehouse opposite Kirkstall Abbey and home to three recreated immersive Victorian streets, was facing closure as the council sought to make savings of around £160,000.
For many in the community, it was not just another attraction, but a place tied to childhood memories, education and Leeds’ social history.
Dianne brought a lifetime of experience to the campaign. She spent more than four decades as a school teacher in Leeds, regularly taking pupils to Abbey House Museum and using it as a way to bring history to life.
Her daughter, Laura Winterlich, says her mum believed learning should be hands-on and accessible.
“She loved taking children there. She wanted them to experience history properly, not just read about it, but walk through it and feel connected to it,” said Laura.
When the proposed closure was announced, Dianne quickly became a key figure in the public response.
She was at the forefront of a major public protest outside the museum, drawing attention not just through her words, but through her appearance.
On the day of the protest, she dressed in full Victorian costume as Miss Chokumchild, a Dickens-inspired character, embodying the era the museum brings to life.
Fellow campaigner Angela Harrison recalls the impact Dianne had.
She said: “She wrote a speech for the day and I’m so glad she did, because I had nothing prepared.
“She came in and saved the day. She brought it to life. She got everyone involved and she wasn’t scared to speak her mind or speak from her heart, even with the councillors right in front of her.”
Angela says Dianne’s background as a teacher shone through.
“She knew exactly what to do. She knew how to hold people’s attention and how to get a message across. I honestly don’t think it would have been as successful without her,” she said.
Beyond the protest itself, the campaign gathered momentum through consultation responses, a petition that attracted thousands of signatures and packed public meetings.
By February 2025, Leeds City Council withdrew its closure proposals and committed to keeping the museum open while exploring its long-term future.
Dianne was also an artist, and her creative contribution to Abbey House went beyond campaigning.
Laura said her mother painted a mural, reflecting her deep connection to the place and its history.
She said: “She wanted to give something back. It wasn’t about her. It was about making the museum welcoming and inspiring for everyone.”
From January 24, one of Dianne’s artworks will go on display at Abbey House as part of an exhibition featuring local artists.
Her stained glass work can also be seen at Golden Acre Park.
Crucially, Laura is keen to stress that her mum never saw the campaign as being about one person.
She said: “It wasn’t just about what she did. She wanted everyone to feel involved. She wanted families, schools and the wider community to keep visiting, to keep engaging with history and enjoying it together.”
That message, about participation rather than recognition, was central to Dianne’s values.
Angela echoes this sentiment.
She said: “She just wanted people to keep visiting and to keep coming back. She wanted better publicity, not just for the local community but for everyone. History is part of everybody’s past, and it shouldn’t be forgotten.”
Dianne died in 2025, but her impact is still felt at Abbey House Museum, where visitor numbers have since increased and community engagement remains strong.
As a Heritage Hero, she is remembered not only for helping to save a much-loved museum, but for the way she encouraged people of all ages to connect with their shared past.
The Yorkshire Evening Post teaming up with partners across the city -led by Leeds-based heritage consultancy Wafer Hadley - to help shape and develop a new heritage framework for Leeds.
As part of a special series of reports shining the spotlight on our city’s very own Heritage Heroes. We’re showcasing those people in the heart of our communities across the city who preserves, champions and inspires others to ensure each place’s story continues to be known, understood and cherished.
To nominate a group or individual to feature in this series email [email protected] to feature.