I found out about about the July 7th bombings through the media.

A young woman evacuated from the Hyde Park area returns (July 2005)

The first I knew, there was a connection with Leeds, was when elderly people at the Hyde Park Methodist Church, opposite the Woodsley Rd Multicultural Community Centre, where I work, were evacuated.

The whole area was then cordoned off. We didn't know what was happening.

I remember thinking to myself - why would anyone want to carry out a bomb scare on a day care centre where there are elderly people?

The police presence grew and grew and we knew this was much more than a bomb scare.

It was much later that we found out the police thought there was a bomb making factory in the area which had links with the July 7th bombings in London.

Hyde Park residents created banners and marched, July, 2005

Bomb making factory

I'd been born in Leeds on the same street that the police were searching - I couldn't believe it.

It was a complete shock for us. I remember feeling quite scared. I was also upset that this area had so much negative media attention because some of the bombers were from Leeds.

A lot of people were feeling really scared with the police presence in the area.

The Peace March, July, 2005

A number of us got together and we organised a peace march. This was to help ease peoples' fears.

Unity in our community

After that we organised a 'Unity in our Community' day at the Woodsley Road Community Centre.

This event was for people from all different backgrounds.

Woodsley Rd Centre offers various services for the local community

It gave people the opportunity to mix together and socialise and to share their fears.

I know something bad had happened in the area but it wasn't anything to do with the local community.

I think the Hyde Park area has got back to normal now. I think people just want to get on with their lives.