On Sunday, 13th April I was honoured to be a photographer at a moving and memorable Palm Sunday in the heart of Richmond Hill, Leeds.

Under overcast skies softened by occasional bursts of spring sunlight, the community came together in a spirited and deeply reverent observance of the beginning of Holy Week. The focal point of the day was a solemn and joyful procession of the faithful, travelling from St Hilda's Church to St Saviour's Church.

As the procession began, I moved ahead to document the faithful in motion. It started at St Hilda’s Church, a familiar cornerstone of the neighbourhood. Parishioners gathered early, clutching palm crosses and singing hymns as the clergy led the service outside. There was a quiet anticipation in the air — the kind that only arises when tradition and faith intersect. The crosses, blessed in a simple but powerful rite, were distributed among the congregation, young and old alike.

With banners lifted high and voices in harmony, we began our walk. The route through Richmond Hill was not long in distance, but its significance ran deep. Families walked side by side. There was a sense of pilgrimage as we made our way to St Saviour’s Church — not merely a walk, but a spiritual re-enactment of Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Passersby paused to watch. A few joined in. The community, if only for a moment, felt palpably united. At St Saviour’s, the interior glowed warmly as we entered, crosses still in hand. The final part of the liturgy was held with a strong sense of collective presence. The scripture readings echoed through the arches of the historic church, reminding us of the solemn road that lies ahead this week, culminating in Good Friday and Easter. I aimed to document both the individual experience and the collective story — the narrative told in a thousand small moments stitched together by faith, tradition, and community. As the procession ended, many lingered outside, exchanging greetings and sharing tea in the parish hall. It was more than a ritual — it was a declaration of faith in motion, a living tradition passed forward.

As a photographer and a participant, it was a reminder of how powerful images can be in preserving the sacred. The Palm Sunday procession wasn’t just something to witness — it was something to record, reflect on, and share. The visual story captured today is more than just a record of an event; it’s a testament to a living, breathing faith carried forward through generations.

Thank you for letting me be a part of it.