leah pattem

canada

Cañada Real: Madrid's shantytown where residents are living without electricity

On October 2nd, a power outage left around 1,000 houses in a Madrid neighbourhood without electricity, writes Leah Pattem of Madrid No Frills.

airline

Madrid residents campaign for direct flight to Newcastle

A new petition is calling for signatures to pressure budget airline Ryanair to reinstate the popular direct route between Madrid and Newcastle.

o

OPINION: Spain's struggle with gentrification, tourism and McDonalds

Leah Pattem, the woman behind the Madrid No Frills blog, looks into how gentrification and overtourism are changing the capital, and argues that it is not for the better.

benidorm

IN PICS: 18 photos that prove Benidorm is beautiful

Let's face it, Benidorm isn't everyone's cup of tea. But a photographer is revealing that true beauty can be found in the most unlikely of resorts.

leah pattem

Meet the woman sharing her passion for Madrid's forgotten corners

When Leah Pattem began her blog Madrid No Frills with just ten, short articles, she had no idea that in three years, it would capture so many people’s hearts.

History

IN PICS: Map of bombed Madrid reveals a city secretly scarred

Two historians have researched archives, old photos and oral accounts to piece together the forgotten stories of Madrid during the Civil War. Leah Pattem found out more.

Immigration

The Lavapiés riots: One year on, has anything really changed?

One year ago a Senegalese migrant street hawker died after being chased by police. Riots ensued and the streets of Lavapiés were filled with the acrid stench of burning rubber. On the first anniversary of Mame Mbaye's death, Leah Pattem, a resident of the Madrid barrio, asks has anything really changed?

art

Ghosts of War: Artist superimposes Spanish Civil War scenes on to modern life

Hell’s bitter winds have suddenly reversed and the darkest visions of the Spanish Civil War have drifted back onto the streets of Madrid.

Property

Meet Madrid's anti-eviction warriors

Leah Pattem shares what it's like to be on the front line of an eviction.

Madrid

IN PICS: How one British woman revived Spain's love for its own no-frills bars

Two years ago, Leah Pattem, 33, from Newcastle Upon Tyne, embarked on a mission to photograph every fading, no-frills bar she ever visited in Madrid.

homeless

My Spanish Story: 'I was homeless for two years but it felt like a lifetime'

What's it like to live homeless on the streets? Andrew Craig has been there and is now inspiring others to get back on their feet.

homeless

IN PICS: Madrid's hostile anti-homeless architecture that you see everyday but don't even notice

Anti-homeless architecture is often disguised as useful features for pedestrians, but it secretly doubles up as defence against rough sleepers. Leah Pattem of Madrid No Frills investigates.