2009 winter

About

NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR

Leeds

British Association of Communicators in Business Northern Region awards 2007 and 2008

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Festive fun

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All the best events in Leeds in the run up to another exciting Christmas season: pages 6-7

Winter 2009 www.leeds.gov.uk/aboutleeds

‘Super theatre’on track for 2012 opening

FIRST LOOK: artist’s impression of Leeds Arena’s ‘super theatre’

LEEDS Arena will be open by 2012 – as planned.

The arena is Leeds’ priority development and boasts a ‘super theatre’ layout giving audiences the best viewing experience in the country.

The 12,500-seat arena is also expected to generate £25.5million per year for the local economy and will bring 450 jobs to the city.

With the Leeds Arena

hosting some 110 world class entertainment events per year, it will be a huge boost to the city’s national and international profile.

The scheme has overwhelming support, amid government delays with the provision of Yorkshire Forward funding for the project.

An online survey and public consultation found 90 per cent of people supported it.

In October, world class

operators SMG Europe signed a lease agreement – providing Leeds City Council with a guaranteed 25-year rental payment – on the two-tier venue, where the furthest seat will be just 68 metres from centre stage.

This compares to 95 metres away in typical arenas.

“I am excited by the innovative design and believe the new n Turn to page 2

NHS Leeds Understanding the NHS in Leeds and the health services available: special supplement

Your NHS An

Leeds

About

Leeds supplement •

Prepare yourself for the winter

Winter 2009/1 0

Leeds pha rmacies prov opening iding exte hours this nded Christmas Pharmacy and New Year

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Register with NHS dentists

Local news

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Five pages of district news and pictures from across Leeds: pages 11-15

EASY DOES IT: abseiling is just one volunteering opportunity

You told us Results are in for the About Leeds survey: page 16

Scaling the heights THE 2010 Leeds Year of Volunteering is a celebration of the amazing work done in our city – and a chance to promote the benefits of volunteering to more people.

Its aim is to involve every Leeds person in a volunteering opportunity during 2010.

Heralding year of volunteering A high-profile launch event, outside the city art gallery on 13 January, will mark the start of a year-long programme of events and celebrate the opening of a brand new volunteer centre in the

city. The new centre will speed up the process of matching people interested in volunteering to the organisations, charities and groups who need a helping hand.

A different volunteering theme

will be highlighted each month between February and November. There will be events around the city for people to get involved in to find out more about volunteering and what’s happening in their local areas.

In February the focus will be n Turn to page 2

NEWS • LEARNING • STREETS • LIVING IN LEEDS • WHAT’S ON • BUSINESS

2 About Leeds Winter 2009

NEWS

2010: a year of volunteering in Leeds

REWARDING: volunteering can add a new dimension to your life

Leeds Arena n From page 1 arena will really put Leeds back on the international entertainment stage,” said John Sutherland, managing director of SMG Europe.

Work is set to start on the site of Claypit Lane before the end of 2010. The venue is expected to be open in late 2012.

The £55million construction will protect more than 100 jobs in the local construction industry, create an extra 100 posts for local residents and provide potentially 90 apprenticeships.

Rob Wolfe of Construction Leeds said: “This approach in securing a building contractor for the arena will provide a real boost to the construction sector in Leeds and give confidence to local residents about future job and training opportunities.”

For more information, visit www.leeds.gov.uk and search for ‘Leeds Arena’.

This newspaper is published for the residents of Leeds.

It is available in Braille, large print or audio tape. To contact the newspaper, call 0113 224 3298, email newspaper@leeds.gov.uk or write to About Leeds, Corporate Communications, 4th Floor West, Leeds Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR.

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Like About Leeds? Then don’t miss www.twitter.com/ leedscc. Our Twitter news page features a wide variety of council news. The page is updated frequently and already has several hundred followers. It’s produced at no extra cost.

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n From page 1 on volunteering for health, so if you have ever considered volunteering in hospitals, hospices, for St John’s Ambulance Service or the Air Ambulance Service we can help you get started.

The theme in March will be volunteering in every neighbourhood. Would you like to know what volunteering opportunities there are where you live and find out how you can get involved?

Call the Volunteer Centre with your postcode and we’ll tell you what’s going on.

In April it will be volunteering across the generations. We all have valuable life skills and experiences and this is an opportunity for you to share yours with people of other generations who may benefit from your know-how.

Volunteering can be hugely beneficial to individuals, communities and organisations. Volunteers gain confidence, learn new skills and develop a real sense of belonging to their communities while helping to improve the quality of life for local people.

If you are interested in getting involved, please call the Volunteer Centre on 07984 338879 or email volunteering@val.org. uk. For more information on the Year of Volunteering visit www. do-it.org.uk The other themes of the 2010 Leeds Year of Volunteering are: May: Volunteering literacy and learning; June: Valuing volunteering in Leeds; July: Volunteering for leisure – sports, arts and culture; August: Volunteering and en-

vironment, parks and wildlife; September: Volunteering for a safer Leeds; October: Volunteering for all; November: Children and young people’s volunteering month.

Leeds City Council and Voluntary Action Leeds are jointly co-ordinating the year and it has been co-sponsored to date by First Direct, Yorkshire Forward, NHS Leeds, Safer Leeds Partnership and the Environment Agency.

Jobshops at work to match people to jobs OVER 3,800 people were helped by our jobshops in the first nine months of 2009.

Jobshops can be found across the city and offer essential advice on employment and training opportunities, among other things.

Take Tesco Express in Beeston as an example.

When it opened earlier this year, over 75 per cent of staff were recruited after an event at the jobshop in Tunstall Road Community Centre.

Phillip, from Belle Isle, was made redundant after 24 years working at the same company.

Unemployed for the first time, he got help producing his CV at the recruitment day. He’s now a customer services assistant.

BACK IN WORK: Phillip, from Belle Isle, had been made redundant after 24 years in the same job. He’s now found work with the help of his jobshop

The council’s employer engagement team worked closely with Tesco to ensure all the vacancies were filled by people from Beeston, Hunslet and Middleton.

The team work in partnership with employers across the city to match job vacancies to local people.

A new jobshop opened at the

Penny Hill Centre, Hunslet in July and is proving popular with local residents, while the jobshop at Tunstall Road Community Centre recently re-opened after refurbishment.

Jobshops offer a free, impartial, face-to-face service, where you can talk in confidence to a qualified advisor, who will explain the support available to help you to move back into work.

They also provide help in preparing and updating a curriculum vitae, completing application forms, interview skills and internet access on top of offering information, advice and guidance.

For details of your nearest jobshop, call us on 0113 247 5465.

Green bin collections to resume across Leeds THE collection of green bins in Leeds has started again.

Waste for recycling has not been collected since strike action began in the city at the beginning of September.

But, because of the overwhelming response to job adverts for temporary staff, the council now has the people in place to begin collections again.

From Monday 16 November, at least a monthly cycle of green bin

collections began. Letters have been sent to residents to explain how this will work and how it will affect them.

In addition to the green bins, a one-off collection of the contents of the city’s brown bins (garden waste) will take place as soon as possible.

Here is the council’s new advice to residents: n We are aiming to empty your black bin at least every two weeks

and your green bin every four weeks. n Please put your black and green bins out on their normal day of collection. n If either bin has not been emptied by 8pm on its normal day of collection, please leave it/them out for a further 24 hours. n If your bins have still not been emptied after this time, please take it/them back into your garden or yard and put it out on

its next scheduled collection day. n If your black bin is full, put your

rubbish into bags and put them out beside your bin on the next scheduled collection day.

Fresh talks, between the council and the trade unions, to bring the strike to an end have been going on since workers rejected a productivity-linked offer of £18,706 for refuse collectors and £21,616 for bin truck drivers.

NEWS

Winter 2009

Hundreds show that they mean business OVER 300 businesses have been given help to get started in some of the poorest parts of Leeds since Sharing the Success began in 2007.

Areas such as Chapeltown, Beeston and Bramley, which just three years ago had some of the lowest levels of business start-up anywhere in the UK, are among the brightest hotspots of commercial growth in the country.

A great range of trades is coming through including cleaners, gas fitters and decorators. The more unusual include a tattooist, vintage clothes store, fruit box supplier, and hoodie designer.

This November we celebrated their achievements at Shine in Harehills, which included a presentation from ‘Secret Millionaire’ star and serial entrepreneur Carl Hopkins.

Shine is one of five enterprise centres created to support anyone who has an idea they can turn into a real business.

Sharing the Success has also supported 800 existing businesses in Leeds leading to the creation of 300 new jobs and hundreds more being saved. In addition, their work with young people is having a great impact as they strive to embed enterprise in schools and across the curriculum, helping to create our next generation of entrepreneurs.

What a week DIGITAL Week showcased what Yorkshire’s creative sector has to offer.

The week, which ran 9-14 November, culminated with the prestigious Drum Awards for Digital Industries for the second year running in Leeds.

The team behind Digital Week are looking ahead to 2010 with a collaboration with digital festival LSx in early planning.

Imran Ali, founder of LSx said: “Our ambition for LSx is to host the UK’s most vibrant interactive and music festival, bringing together professionals from the web, gaming and digital industries.”

For more information visit www.lsx2010.com.

Working well

Sharing the Success is the Leeds Enterprise Growth Initiative. It runs to March 2011.

For further details call 0113 220 6350 or 0800 048 0054 or visit www. sharingthesuccess.co.uk

A PROJECT in west Leeds has been so successful it is now being launched in the south of the city.

The Work Well project aims to help people with mental health issues to get, and stay, in work.

The jobshop at Tunstall Road Community Centre will help people access this service which focuses on individual needs.

Work Well is a partnership between the city council’s jobs and skills and adult social care services, plus Leeds Mind.

For more information call 0113 247 5465.

ON THE RISE: hundreds have benefited from Sharing the Success. Inset: the Shine enterprise centre in Harehills

Green business puts down roots CHRIS Tremlett recognised a green opportunity when he was made redundant earlier this year.

Conscious of the worsening situation in climate change and having worked in the heating and plumbing trade for several years, the former sales and marketing manager recognised the need for affordable renewable energy systems.

He retrained as a government accredited energy assessor and it was from this change his business idea grew.

After stumbling across an advert for Sharing the Success,

About Leeds 3

Job joy with the council

NEW START: Chris Tremlett is pictured with Jack Dye

he went to The Biz Centre on Chapeltown Road for help.

A variety of courses helped Chris receive the training and qualifications he needed to become a domestic energy assessor.

In August he launched TREE – The Renewable Energy Experts – a not-for-profit social enterprise.

He said: “I used to work from home where I would be tempted to do anything other than work, but at the centre the networking opportunities are excellent, and I get much more done.”

For more details on TREE visit www.treeonline.org.uk.

For Urban Biz call 0113 200 7970.

NINETY-FOUR apprentices are employed across the council.

The Work4Leeds Apprenticeship Programme helps young people and adults fill a variety of council vacancies, ranging from administrative to heating engineers.

Council employees, meanwhile, are given support in pursuing nationally recognised qualifications.

Michaela didn’t think she would be considered for an apprenticeship, thinking they were for school leavers.

She was surprised to find this was not the case and went along to a Work4Leeds recruitment day.

Michaela attended workshops that helped her to complete an application form and prepare for interview before applying for a job as a project administrator.

Michaela then got the job.

“I feel like I have won the

lottery, I love the job,” she said.

For more information on Work4Leeds visit the city’s jobshops, job centres, colleges, training providers and community organisations.

And look out for more recruitment days.

ACE APPRENTICE: Michaela is now a project administrator with Leeds City Council

4 About Leeds Winter 2009

NEWS

Help for homeowners in trouble THE Golden Triangle – HomeSave Plus scheme has to date helped prevent three eligible homeowners from losing their homes.

The scheme looks to help homeowners in financial difficulty.

Funding is still available from the £1million allocation.

In Leeds, the scheme covers Aberford, Adel, Alwoodley, Bardsey, East Keswick, Barwick, Boston Spa, Bramham,

Bramhope, Calverley, Clifford, Collingham, Linton, Cookridge, Garforth, Harewood, Horsforth, Otley, Pool in Wharfedale, Roundhay, Scarcroft, Scholes, Shadwell, Thorner, Thorp Arch, Walton, Weetwood and Wetherby.

Outside of Leeds, it also covers Harrogate and York.

For more information, or to check eligibility, contact 0113 247 5885 or golden.triangle@leeds. gov.uk.

Work starts on youth centre

HELP AVAILABLE: the Golden Triangle team hit the streets to tell the public about their work

Why you can bank on Leeds Credit Union LEEDS City Credit Union offers affordable loans and a home for savings to anyone who lives or works in the city.

Strong in other countries, credit unions are growing in popularity in the UK and Leeds has one of the largest.

Anyone who lives or works in Leeds can become a member.

The city’s credit union is a ‘mutual’ and ethical organisation, owned by its members. Unlike the banks, it has no shareholders to pay.

With the banks having fallen on hard times, the credit union’s principles are attractive.

As a result its savings have increased substantially in the last year.

Savings can be made in a number of ways, from a basic membership account to services for those with larger savings.

Leeds City Credit Union also offers current accounts, cash ISAs, child trust funds, and Christmas accounts to help save for that special treat.

Their lending ranges from small loans to help smooth living expenses, to larger loans for summer holidays or home improvements.

Leeds City Credit Union is able

Strum along

to meet its members’ requirements and treats them all as individuals, not just a number.

To enquire about member-

ship, contact 0113 214 5252 or www.leedscitycreditunion. co.uk. n The word ‘union’, in this in-

stance, describes the members’ common identity.

Credit unions are not trade unions.

Award nominations reveal Leeds is making a difference ELEVEN projects in Leeds have made the shortlist for the Local Government Yorkshire and Humber ‘Making a Difference’ awards 2009.

Judged by an independent panel, the awards celebrate local authorities who have gone the extra mile and ‘made a difference’.

Those shortlisted from Leeds

BUILDING work has begun on the multi-million pound nextgeneration youth centre for south Leeds.

The South Leeds Youth Hub, which is being built on the site of the old Merlyn Rees High School in Belle Isle, will provide a range of exciting activities and helpful services like motorbike and go-kart workshops; a hair and beauty zone; job and careers advice; a music and media studio; health clinics and an allotment garden.

Construction firm Wates moved onto the site in October.

The project involves some refurbishment of the existing building, with an additional two-storeys creating a state of the art youth facility built around a central communal area.

This will comprise 11 key zones including creative areas, a café, chill-out area and specialist work zones.

It will look to open 10am10pm, seven days per week, 52 weeks per year. Around 100-150 young people are expected to attend on any day.

The centre will be up and running by November 2010 and is being funded by ‘myplace’ – a government scheme run by the Big Lottery Fund.

include: Leeds Local Education Partnership; Children and Young People’s Participation Unit; Leeds Independent Living Project; Spirit Alive; Leeds City Museum; Building Community Partnerships; Across the Boards: Autism Support for Families; Visually Impaired Team; Breeze International Youth Festival; International School Partnership;

Building Capacity of Romanian Local Authorities as Strategic Community Leaders in the Context of EU Accession; Be Smart: Use a Condom; The Leeds Big Lunch Campaign. n Leeds’ Building Schools for the Future programme, meanwhile, will compete for three awards at the Excellence in BSF National

Awards. The nominations are: Pudsey Grangefield School (most versatile learning environment), Leeds LEP (local education partnership of the year) and Education Leeds/RM (most effective ICT partnering).

Leeds’ BSF project has seen £260million invested in education in the city.

THIS Christmas, why not consider the gift of music?

The Leeds Music Centres provide a warm, friendly environment for learners of all ages and levels.

Run by Education Leeds and the council, sessions take place on Saturday mornings and some evenings across the city.

Fees are reasonable, with concessions for families on low incomes, and you can hire instruments.

Families can also take classes, or if you enjoy singing you can increase your confidence and sing as part of a group.

And if you haven’t played for years but want to take it up again, you can become part of a band or an orchestra whatever your level.

For more information, call the artforms team on 0113 230 4074 or visit www. artformsleeds.co.uk.

NEWS GREAT DAY: Madge Tibbs goes shopping with her personal assistant

Shopping trips are Madge-ic MADGE Tibbs from Seacroft is adding a spot of ‘retail therapy’ to her care options at a Leeds City Council-run day centre in Leeds.

Madge, who has dementia, is a regular attender at The Green Resource and Day Care Centre in Seacroft.

When centre manager Margaret Morrison talked to Madge, she found there was nothing Madge enjoyed more

than shopping and gardening.

Instead of another session at the day centre, Madge now has a weekly supported trip to the supermarket, the garden centre or the city centre.

“I’ve had more fun than I’ve had for a long time,” Madge said.

“The day centre is great, but it’s nice to get out and about too. My outings are the best bit of the week.”

Winter 2009

About Leeds 5

Helping people to have a home of their own

Responsible pet policy praised LEEDS City Council has gained an RSPCA bronze award for its policy on pets in council housing.

The ‘Community Animal Welfare – Housing Footprint’ award recognises good practice by local authorities

and registered social landlords each year.

In Leeds, permission to keep a pet in a council property is not generally refused, unless there is a good reason.

Our policy explains the council rules about pet ownership in its properties, including information about which animals are illegal.

It gives advice on responsible pet ownership and what to do if any problems are caused by other people’s animals.

The HandyVan can: making older people feel safe OLDER people in Leeds can feel safer in their homes thanks to the HandyVan service from Age Concern and Help the Aged.

HandyVan’s fully trained staff fit security and safety equipment in the homes of local, older people needing help, as well as small repairs.

Fitted equipment includes door chains, viewers, window locks and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

HandyVan’s free service is

available to those aged 60, or over, and whose disposable savings do not exceed £20,000.

It’s a popular scheme.

Help the Aged and Age Concern hope to raise £200,000 through the big-hearted efforts of runners taking part in the Leeds Abbey Dash race in November.

If you – or someone you know – could benefit from HandyVan, contact 0845 026 1055 or handyvan@helptheaged.org.uk.

WELCOME: pictured from left are Jennifer Deakin and Kate Gay of DLA Piper, with the council’s project officer Vicky Chapman as they help Tony Dowsett move into his new home

THIRTY-SEVEN people with learning disabilities in Leeds moved into innovative supported living flats and bungalows in Wetherby and Seacroft recently.

They were helped in their move by volunteers from an international legal practice.

As part of Leeds City Council’s city-wide Independent Living Project, 11 people formerly living at Templars Croft at Wetherby moved into new flats at Ceres Road and Audby Lane, Wetherby.

Twenty-six people, meanwhile, switched from Bailey’s House at Seacroft to flats and bungalows at Seacroft Crescent, Bailey’s Lane West, and

South Parkway, Seacroft.

The remaining residents of Templars Croft, Wetherby, are set to move into Baileys House, Seacroft, shortly, on a temporary basis.

Templars Croft will then be demolished and three bungalows will be built on site ready for them to move back to Wetherby next summer.

The people are being helped to move into their new homes by volunteers from DLA Piper – the legal practice used by Leeds City Council for the Independent Living Project.

Steve Johns from DLA Piper said: “It is great to have the opportunity to come down here, see the end product and meet the

people who are going to benefit from these new homes.

“The fact that we can lend a hand at the same time makes it all the better.”

The specially designed properties will provide supported living for people with learning disabilities.

For many of them, this is the first time that they have had a home all of their own.

Originally more than 340 people with learning disability or mental health needs lived in 13 hostels throughout the city.

Through the Independent Living Project, they are moving to 73 new purpose-built properties on 39 sites around Leeds.

Days of action to curb violence against women

SECURE: Handyvan helps older people in their homes

THE Leeds 16 Days of Action is part of an international campaign to end violence against women.

Events take place from 25 November to 10 December to raise awareness and encourage support for women and children experiencing violence.

The events include a city

centre march and rally with information stalls and speakers – it’s on 28 November, meeting at 6pm outside the Art Gallery.

For more on this event visit www. reclaimthenightleeds.org.uk For more on Leeds 16 Days of Action and other support call Safer Leeds on 0113 395 0821.

The Leeds City Council domestic violence strategy defines domestic violence as the physical, emotional, sexual and psychological abuse of one person in a personal or family relationship.

Domestic violence is rarely a one-off incident. It tends to

escalate as perpetrators look to control their partners.

You can get help: recognise you are in an abusive relationship, seek help, talk to someone you trust, call the 24-hour helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit www. womensaid.org.uk. In an emergency call the police on 999.

6 About Leeds Winter 2009

Take a look at wallpapers over the years

NEWS

Get your skates on, Leeds…

TEMPLE Newsam House has a collection of rare wallpapers – including ‘Brazil’, above – which will be on show in a new exhibition Wonderwall: 300 Years of Wallpaper.

Dating from 1650 to 1930, the exhibition explores the development of the making of wallpapers.

A visiting expert from the United States, Sue Nash, helped conserve these fragile pieces for display.

She says it was great to work on the collection as most American papers are ‘much inferior in quality and general condition’.

The exhibition opens 2 December at Temple Newsam House and runs until 9 May. For more information visit www.leeds.gov.uk/ templenewsamhouse.

Do it yourself VISITORS to Leeds Art Gallery can now create their own masterpieces following the launch of a dedicated new area.

Artspace offers visitors the chance to produce their own art after being inspired by the collections on show, leave feedback about the gallery and upload their own art from their own digital devices.

Apart from being open for visitors to explore and make use of, Artspace will also host a variety of family activities and events.

Entry to Leeds Art Gallery is free. For more information visit www.leeds.gov.uk/artgallery.

Festive treat for all ages: council hopes that…

YULE LOVE GET yourself down to the city centre to take part in a whole host of events over Christmas and new year – as part of our Festive Leeds celebrations.

Garforth’s boost AN EXCITING redeveloped library and one stop centre in Garforth is due to open in midFebruary.

The extended, striking new building will be more accessible and have improved IT facilities and a café area.

It also features green technology including a ‘living’ sedum roof and water heated by solar power.

This follows the Big Lottery Fund awarding Leeds Library and Information Service £1.4million.

Visit www.newgarforthlibrary. blogspot.com for details.

FESTIVE FUN: there’s so much to do in Leeds over the festive season

Festive Leeds kicked off with the switch-on of Leeds Lights, the UK’s largest winter illuminations festival.

Running until 7 January, Leeds Lights span over 15 miles of roads in and around the city centre.

This magnificent display has over 3,000 handcrafted motifs, miles of rope light and nearly 12,000 energy efficient light bulbs.

The switch-on, which took place on 12 November, at Victoria Gardens again featured fun for all the family, including chart topping acts, guest celebrities and children’s favourite TV characters, to mark the start of the festive season.

A little piece of Germany,

meanwhile, has returned to Millennium Square for the annual ‘Christkindelmarkt’.

As one of the largest and most established traditional German markets in the UK, there is a great range of unique gift ideas, specialist German delicacies, an authentic bier-keller experience and Christmas fairground rides for all the family.

Christkindelmarkt runs until 20 December.

You can also join in the New Year celebrations on the Headrow and Briggate from 2pm on 31 December.

The celebrations will feature a carnival style afternoon of street entertainment and activities in the retail quarter, followed by a spectacular early evening firework display at 5.30pm to illuminate the skies all across the city.

For more information on Festive Leeds visit www.festiveleeds. com.

NEWS

Winter 2009

About Leeds 7

Princess role is a dream come true

IT! LEADING LIGHTS: city comes to life

LEEDS’ coolest wintertime attraction, Ice Cube, above, celebrates its tenth anniversary when it returns to Millennium Square in January.

Ice Cube is the largest temporary skate rink in the UK with over 1,200 square metres of freezing cold, ready to skate-on ice. The attraction first came to Leeds in 2000. Since then thousands of people have taken to the ice in search of the thrills and excitement of ice skating.

It has grown and developed, with nursery rinks for beginners and a skaters’ café – there’s even a UK skate six-week tuition programme, for people wanting to learn how to skate better.

This year, there’s even an extreme winter scene photographic exhibition by award-winning wildlife photographer Andy Rouse, as the event continues to grow in popularity and significance in Leeds’ calendar.

Ice Cube opens on Saturday 16 January and runs until Sunday 7 March. Family tickets – for two adults and two children or one adult and three children – are also available.

It will be open from 10am to 9.30pm Mondays to Saturdays, and from 10am to 7.30pm on Sundays, depending on the weather. Advance tickets and registration for the Skate UK tuition programme are available online at www.leeds.gov.uk/ icecube or by calling the box office on 0113 224 3801.

NEW leading lady Victoria Holtom plays the title role of Snow White in this year’s Christmas pantomime at The Carriageworks.

The 26-year-old successfully saw off the challenge of over 50 other hopefuls to clinch the prized role of the fairytale princess in the festive production at the Millennium Square theatre.

“It’s lots of fun and when you see everyone in the audience having a good time it’s the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit,” Victoria said.

Paul Holman from producers Paul Holman Associates added: “Victoria looks Snow White, sings Snow White and acts Snow White – she is the classic Snow White!”

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs runs from 4 December to 9 January 2010.

Tickets are on sale from The Carriageworks box office or via 0113 224 3801 or www. carriageworkstheatre.org.

The West Yorkshire Playhouse, meanwhile, offers two festive treats. The Playhouse hosts children’s classic The Secret Garden from 28 November to 23 January. It will also stage Cinderella, which can be seen from 11 December to 23 January. Contact 0113 213

Abbey backdrop to festive music JOIN US for a free afternoon of festive favourites at Kirkstall Abbey.

The magnificent 12th century abbey ruins provide the perfect atmospheric setting for carol singing.

The carol singing show – on Saturday 19 December, 2-3pm – features The Heritage Singers, a 24-voice chamber choir from Leeds.

Afterwards, there will be spiced mulled wine in the abbey’s visitor centre.

Kirkstall Abbey is an important historical building and one of Britain’s best preserved abbeys.

Built between 1152 and 1182, on the northern bank of the River Aire, it was home to a community of Cistercian monks.

For more information visit www.leeds.gov.uk/kirkstallabbey.

MUSIC MAESTROS: Heritage Singers

PANTO PRINCESS: Vicky Holtom plays Snow White

7700 or www.wyp.org.uk.

Elsewhere, The Grand stages A Christmas Carol, Peter Pan and The Chinese State Circus at differing times during December and January. For more visit www.leedsgrandtheatre.com, or call the box office on 0844 848 2706.

The City Varieties

has temporarily closed its doors to accommodate a well deserved £9.2m refurbishment.

As part of the refurbishment, the City Varieties is aiming to raise £1.3m from donations.

If you wish to donate to the City Varieties fund, visit www. cityvarieties.co.uk.

New exhibitions at City Museum JANUARY sees the arrival of two new exhibitions at Leeds City Museum.

A Greener City, a series of films, will be shown on the interactive podiums in the museum’s Leeds Arena.

The films explore environmental issues, climate change, healthy living and green spaces in the city.

A new exhibition on the top floor of the museum, Dr Rock’s Lost Gallery, will take you on a real journey of discovery.

Did you know that right now

in your body you have a small amount of gold, silver, uranium and even arsenic?

It’s astonishing how many different types of minerals we use and how we manipulate them for our own everyday use.

This exhibition offers a totally different experience to the rest of the museum.

A Game of Two Halves, an exhibition charting the history of the FA Cup and Leeds United, continues to run until 10 January.

For more information, visit www.leeds.gov.uk/citymuseum.

Powerful drama with a message A DRAMA featuring budding young actors forms part of the city’s commemorative events for National Holocaust Memorial Day. The actors, from The Carriageworks Theatre Academy, will perform a piece inspired by the story of young people in the Terezin Concentration Camp in Prague.

The drama was developed by theatre company Blah Blah Blah and examines how today’s children are inspired and moved by such atrocities.

Music, discussions, tributes and contributions from recent

genocide survivors will also take place. The event on Sunday 24 January begins at 2pm at Leeds Town Hall. Entry is free and open to all. It’s organised

by Leeds City Council’s arts and regeneration unit. For more information visit www.leeds.gov. uk/arts or call 0113 247 8234.

8 About Leeds Winter 2009

NEWS

LEEDS Youth Council puts across the views of young people on the city and its facilities. Here, members Olivia, aged 15, and 16-year-old Sally tell us, in their own words, what the Youth Council strives to do

It’s our city too THE Leeds Youth Council believes it has a part to play in making sure that all the young people in Leeds get the right services in the right way.

We feel that it is very important that the decision makers are held accountable for the decisions they make.

This year, the youth council has launched their action plan outlining their aims and objectives for the year and how they are going to achieve them. This includes: ‘Be a positive example, take a lead and be inspirational’; launching the ‘Speak Out’ pack, our inclusive guide to running a school council; and improving transport in Leeds through working with Scrutiny and Metro.

One working group is promoting and delivering the Breeze Youth Promise, which wants all young people to have something

to do, somewhere to go, someone to talk to and something to say.

They have produced a DVD and are working on a document

Christmas past…

HO HO: don’t miss Father Christmas at Abbey House

ENJOY the wonder and delight of an 1870s Christmas fairyland grotto – complete with Victorian streets – thanks to Abbey House Museum.

For three Sundays during December, children are invited to Abbey House Museum to tell Santa what they would like for Christmas.

They can also leave a letter for Father Christmas and make a Victorian-style decoration or card.

Father Christmas will be at Abbey House Museum on 6, 13

and 20 December – from 10amnoon and 1-3pm.

All children must be accompanied. Normal admission applies. The grotto costs £3.50, which includes a present.

Younger visitors, aged underfive, are invited to Abbey House Museum for Christmas party fun and craft activities on 23 December, 10.15am-noon and 2-4pm.

For more information visit www. leeds.gov.uk/abbeyhouse.

to be used in schools. n Leeds Youth Council is organised by The Youth Association on behalf of the city council.

Learning together THE ANNUAL Family Learning Festival took place in October, with families celebrating their achievements through a range of fun-filled activities.

Thousands of families have taken part in the family learning programmes, which see families working together to support their children’s learning while improving their own literacy, language and numeracy skills.

The Hussains became the 5000th family to sign up when they joined the ‘Let’s Start Learning Together’ course. To celebrate, they received a voucher for a family day out.

Sabrina Hussain said: “All parents should attend these family learning courses.

Watching my children learn through reading, listening and playing with them has helped me understand and encourage their learning, which is valuable in any family.”

For more information on the programmes call 0113 247 5465.

GET IT RIGHT: members of the youth council, pictured above, work hard to boost services geared to children

Time to celebrate BLACK History Month is a time to highlight and celebrate the achievements of the Black community.

During October, the achievements of 48 schools were celebrated in the annual Stephen Lawrence Education Standard awards ceremony.

Developed in partnership between Education Leeds, Leeds City Council and Black and minority community representatives in response to the tragic murder of Stephen Lawrence, the standard provides a way to target areas facing particular community tensions.

Two-thirds of the schools in Leeds are already taking part in the initiative.

Another highlight was the peace poetry competition, which this year had the theme of peace heroes and heroines.

Out of hundreds of entries the winners were selected by a judging panel led by Rommi Smith, local poet and playwright and Parliamentary writer in residence.

They will be announced on 26 November. Full details are available on the Yorkshire Evening Post website.

Children Leeds explain why it’s good to talk CHRISTMAS should be a happy time, so help your young people to stay safe and enjoy themselves.

Celebrations can often involve alcohol, which lowers inhibitions and increases the chances of engaging in risky behaviour, such as having unprotected sex. This can lead to unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Some STIs cannot be cured and will stay with young people for the rest of their lives. Others can damage fertility and the ability to have a family later in life.

Some have few or no symptoms, and are impossible to detect without tests.

More than half of the world’s population will have an STI at some point in their life.

Christmas is the time of year when the number of teenage pregnancies and STIs peak, so it is important to know the risks and how to keep safe.

This year, Children Leeds is launching a campaign aimed at parents and carers encouraging them to talk to their young people about sex and relationships.

Studies show that, on average, young people whose parents and

IT’S GOOD TO TALK: the consequences can be daunting – parents and carers are encouraged to talk to their young people

carers talk to them about sex and relationships wait longer before having sex than young people whose parents and carers do not.

For more information on the campaign, and to access resources, visit www. leedssexualhealth.com.

NEWS

Winter 2009

About Leeds 9

Leeds’ students’ union best in the country

Beating the bullies in cyberspace MANY young people today enjoy using technology positively to communicate with their friends, through text messaging, social networking sites and email.

But a small proportion use new technology negatively for cyberbullying – the use of ICT to deliberately upset someone.

Education Leeds have launched their ‘Get the Message’ campaign to empower children and young people to recognise cyberbullying.

The campaign includes a DVD, produced with young actors from Cockburn College of Arts, which informs young people that if they laugh at it, they are part of it, and encourages those who are being cyberbullied to stop, block, and tell.

During anti-bullying week, 16-20 November, anti-bullying ambassadors from across the city attended an information day where they learned more about homophobic bullying, disability bullying, positive breaktime activities, and cyberbullying.

The event was supported by partners, including ChildLine, Yorkshire MESMAC, Leeds Rugby Foundation, West Yorkshire Youth Association and Kidz Aware.

The message is clear: cyberbullying is bullying.

For more information visit www.antibullyingalliance.org. uk and search for anti-bullying week.

GET THE MESSAGE: children are being empowered against cyberbullies

BEST IN UK: Leeds University Union celebrate their best union award

LEEDS University Union has enjoyed a highly successful 2009.

LUU was named the number one students’ union in Britain in June – beating 60 rivals from across the UK. The ‘union of the year’ award, from the National Union of Students, is a first for Leeds and recognises the students’ union’s outstanding work.

“Leeds University Union is an organisation that constantly aspires to improve itself by campaigning harder, reaching more students and providing the best possible service to every student who comes through the door,” said Jak Codd, communications and

internal affairs officer.

This success follows their groundbreaking work – and three further awards – in promoting the environment, equality and diversity.

LUU’s two Green Gown environmental awards involved banning the sale of bottled water, the Green Streets Project – which collects and reuses waste left by students moving home – and the university’s Transport Plan 20042008 that cuts car use through vehicle sharing, discounted travel cards and cycling.

The students’ union is also the first higher education organisation to gain an Investors in Diversity award.

£1m for new or revamped play spaces across Leeds AS PART of the new Children and Young People’s Plan, Children Leeds wants to give young people more places to go and things to do.

Two play schemes are currently being developed and introduced throughout the city.

BARCA’s mobile play scheme has been piloted in Swinnow Moor and Gamble Hill. Teams of trained playworkers run free play sessions on green spaces in the areas allowing children to play out safely in their communities, with the support of parents.

The Playbuilder project aims to provide safe, adventurous and exciting play spaces for children aged eight to 13.

Leeds City Council is spending £1.1 million over the next two

years building and revamping 22 play spaces in the city.

In the last few months, the following areas have been proposed – Cross Flatts Park, Seacroft Gardens, Horsforth Hall Park, Naburn Close Park, Tinshill Garth, Butcher Hill and Rodley For the projects to go ahead the council needs the support of the communities involved.

The new play spaces will be created through consultation with families and will be shaped to meet the needs of the area.

For more information on the mobile play sessions visit www. barca-leeds.org or call the Play and Family Support team on 0113 255 9582. For updates on the Playbuilder scheme visit: www.thefamilyhubleeds.co.uk.

LAUNCHED: the Children and Young People’s plan looks to improve outcomes. Inset: the version of the plan being sent to schools

Children’s plan looks to a brighter future for young people THE new Children and Young People’s Plan has now been launched at a motivational event led by children and young people at the Civic Hall.

The plan sets out how services, working with children and families in Leeds, want to improve outcomes for our children and young people over the next five years.

Some of the more

REVAMPING: 22 play spaces will be improved

immediate priorities include improving attendance in schools and reducing child poverty.

Children and young people have now completed their version of the plan and it has been sent out to schools.

You can see the new plan on the Children Leeds website www.leedsinitiative.org/ children.

10 About Leeds Winter 2009 Can you help?

LEEDS Local Access Forum is looking for new members to advise the city council on improvements to public access to land for the purpose of open-air recreation and enjoyment.

The forum seeks to attract people from a wide range of backgrounds, including owners and occupiers of land.

If you are interested in becoming a member or would like further information contact Laura Pilgrim on 0113 2474359 or laura. pilgrim@leeds.gov.uk.

You can also visit the city council’s website www.leeds.gov. uk under the countryside section.

SAFE HANDS: licensed taxi and private hire drivers are subject to a Criminal Records Bureau check

Unlicensed taxis: it’s not worth the risk DON’T use a taxi or private hire vehicle that is unlicensed.

Unlicensed cars cruising the streets for customers are illegal, uninsured and potentially dangerous. It’s also hard to trace the driver.

Legitimate vehicles involve the driver having an ID badge – the vehicle needs a Leeds City Council licence plate fitted to the back.

If you use a rank or hail a Hackney carriage taxi in the street, they have an illuminated roof sign while many have a predominantly white body and black boot and bonnet.

Otherwise pre-book a trusted, licensed private hire vehicle. Carry the phone number with you on the night.

Confirm the driver’s identity on arrival.

Sharing a vehicle with a friend and sitting in the back is advisable. Do not give personal details to the driver.

Carry a mobile phone. If you feel threatened in any way ask the driver to stop in a busy area. If the driver refuses, call the police. Alert others by waving or calling out of the window.

For more information on taxi or private hire vehicle safety, contact www.leeds.gov.uk/ taxis or 0113 214 3366.

NEWS

Memory Lane

Royds Fisheries, Wortley, by Sylvia Brayshaw

Bus times cut WORK looks set to start in February on a scheme cutting bus journey times on the A65.

The A65 Quality Bus Initiative will put dedicated bus lanes on the section of Kirkstall Road and Commercial Road, between the inner ring road and Kirkstall Lane.

The £20million scheme is seeking approval and funding from the Department for Transport. This follows the compulsory purchase of land.

It’s expected the scheme will be complete by spring 2012.

MY GRANDPARENTS Tom and Sylvia Horrobin ran this fish and chip shop for nearly 40 years from 1926.

In the early days, local people did not like their fish and chips in paper as they turned soggy.

They would go with a dish and a

plate on top.

Grandad and grandma served companies such as Taylor Rustless, Bantam Coffee, Job Days, Wimpeys, Imperial Laundry and Golburges cabinet makers.

My mum can still make the

best fish and chips that I have tasted. I know the secret of the batter mix, which I will pass on to my granddaughter. n Comment and photograph from Leodis. View thousands of photographs of Leeds at www. leodis.net.

Gateway to the city to be refurbished THE drive to make the city centre more attractive is seeing improvements to Bond Street and the pedestrianised part of Kirkgate.

It’s a timely boost to the city centre’s retail environment.

Both Bond Street and Kirkgate are important to the city centre, acting as key gateways from the city’s business and market districts.

By next spring both streets will be fully refurbished.

They will be repaved in high quality Yorkstone and granite. New trees and seating will be installed in both streets.

The work continues the council’s refurbishment of the city centre’s pedestrianised area, which has already seen improvements to Albion Place, Albion Street and Briggate.

The work also meets with the objectives of the recently published ‘Leeds City Centre 2020’ prospectus, which shows how the city will move forward over the next 11 years.

VITAL: the refurbishment of both Bond Street and Kirkgate are important parts to maximising the city centre

Neville Street, meanwhile, has officially re-opened, completing an important step in the regeneration of the city.

Jan Anderson, executive director for environment at Yorkshire Forward, said: “The ‘Light’ Neville Street team has created a unique and inviting scheme that links the city centre of Leeds with the flourishing Holbeck Urban Village and the south of the city.

“I am truly delighted that the ‘Light’ Neville Street project has come to fruition creating a fitting gateway to a 21st century city.” n The Wonderwood green space arts attraction will stay in Holbeck Urban Village throughout the winter.

Paul Simmons from Igloo Regeneration – who own Round Foundry and Marshall’s Mill – said: “We knew that ‘Wonderwood’ was a fantastic concept

from the start.

“But to be honest we didn’t quite anticipate that it would become so popular so quickly among residents and workers in the area alike.”

Plans for the next six months include a calendar of community events.

To keep up to date with events follow @villagepost and @weloveholbeck on twitter.

NORTH EAST LEEDS

Ready to play WORK is being completed on a new play area in the Bumps park in Roundhay.

The project has been delivered by Groundwork and supported by Leeds City Council’s North East Inner Area Committee, who awarded £15,000 towards the project.

The park will have unique play equipment installed such as a dry river bed and talk tubes, as well as refurbished slides and swings.

The park will also have improved pathways and bulb planting in wooded areas.

It was redesigned through consultation with local residents.

Footy fun FOOTBALL sessions are being offered for young people, aged eight to 14, in Harewood and Wetherby wards.

The sessions at Wetherby Sports Association have been funded by the Outer North East Area Committee to encourage more young people to take part in healthy activities.

Wetherby Sports Association is situated at the Ings, next to Wetherby Leisure Centre, and is home to a range of sports clubs.

Anyone interested in getting involved should contact Claire Stubbs on 0799 988 7235 or John at the clubhouse on 01937 585699 (evenings).

Diary dates

About Leeds 11

Decision is made on welcome sign A PUBLIC vote was recently held to decide which artist should create a new welcome sign for Chapeltown.

Artists were invited to apply to create the design with the local community.

Three shortlisted artists then gave presentations at a public meeting and displayed their ideas in Leeds Media Centre for two weeks to allow voting.

Over 100 people in the community voted and the winner was local artist Alan Pergusey, who will be working with Space2, an arts organisation based in Chapeltown.

The work will be created with the local community and will be situated on a plinth in between the Mandela Centre and the row of shops at 101 Chapeltown Road.

The council has been successful in getting grants to cover the

Getting serious about planning

SITE: local artist Alan Pergusey’s work will be displayed here

full cost of the project and hope it will lead to further community art on Chapeltown Road.

If you live or work in Chapel-

town and would like to get involved in creating the waymarker contact Helen Taylor on 0113 214 5857.

Community group scheme gets £13,000 LOCAL organisation Moortown Community Group has been awarded just over £13,000 to create a neighbourhood design statement for the Moortown area.

The money will also help them to organise ‘in bloom’ activities

across the ward, such as bulb planting.

Once completed, the neighbourhood design statement will be used to guide developers and planners so that the outstanding features of the area

are protected and enhanced where possible.

Moortown Community Group is made up of local people who care about the area. Funding was awarded by the North East Inner Area Committee.

PLANNING matters have long been a concern of many local communities in the outer north east area.

Covering a large rural area with a number of conservation areas, local ward councillors work hard with local town and parish councils to conserve the character of the many villages.

To help town and parish councils and local residents comment on planning applications in their area, the Outer North East Area Committee have funded its own Community Planner.

Sarah Hellewell, an experienced planner who has worked for Leeds City Council for seven years, will be on hand to offer advice and guidance on planning matters.

What do you want for your neighbourhood: Alwoodley speaks out

Area Committee – Inner Chapel Allerton, Moortown and Roundhay: n 7 December, 4pm, Marjorie and Arnold Ziff Centre n 1 February, 4pm, venue tbc n 15 March, 4pm, Saville Room, Leeds Media Centre

Area Committee – Outer Alwoodley, Harewood and Wetherby: n 7 December, 5.30pm, Leeds Civic Hall n 8 February, 5.30pm, Leeds Civic Hall n 22 March, 6pm, Treetops Community Centre, Alwoodley n For more information contact East North East Area Management on 0113 214 5866.

Winter 2009

HAVING THEIR SAY: Alwoodley residents gave their views at the October event

ALWOODLEY ward residents had their say on what they would like to see in their local community.

Held at Open House Community Centre, the event on 19 October was supported by a number of organisations including Leeds City Council, East North East Homes Leeds, the police, and Alwoodley Extended Services.

This event was one of a series being held throughout the north east area to find out what local people want for their neighbourhood.

12 About Leeds Winter 2009

NORTH WEST LEEDS

Arts festival success

Police get on their motorbikes to show they mean business NEW police initiatives will continue to boost public safety and confidence.

Car traps, off-licence test purchases, speed checks and motorbike patrols in green spaces are some of the new measures introduced in November throughout outer north west Leeds.

In other areas of Leeds, car traps have led to more arrests and a drop in related crime.

Off licence test purchases will tackle the problem of young people under the influence of alcohol. Aside from the offlicence visits, there will also be

an education programme for young people.

A speed indicator device will be deployed weekly in every outer ward to tackle speeding – a growing concern of local residents.

While these three initiatives started in November, the motorbike patrols have been under way since April and will continue for three years. They will bring peace of mind for visitors and residents to enjoy the green spaces.

The initiatives are funded

by Outer North West Area Committee.

SAFER: new police measures include more bike patrols in green spaces

Community gets closer in north west Leeds THERE’S a host of new facilities for residents to enjoy in north west Leeds.

New to the area is a community garden, more Christmas lights and improvements to five playgrounds.

From November, residents in Yeadon, Guiseley and Rawdon will be able to join with pupils, carers and staff from Yeadon Westfield Infant School to grow produce.

The school’s newly-built community garden has been helped by funding from the Outer North West Area Committee.

This project aims to bring about multiple benefits. It will raise people’s awareness of healthy organic food. It also offers more opportunities for developing relations across the generations, as well as developing skills and team building.

Residents of Far Headingley

and Kirkstall, meanwhile, will be pleased to see an extension of the festive lights.

These will include the stretch of Otley Road – that runs past Salvo’s to the Three Horse Shoes pub – and further lights at the Kirkstall centre, near the leisure centre and Morrisons.

Both sets of lights will help to provide a festive touch to local shopping areas and district centres, lighting up the dark nights.

And finally, children across inner north west Leeds will be delighted to learn that five local playgrounds are set for improvements this coming year.

Craggside Rec, Butcher Hill, Sandford Road, Alexandra Park and Becketts Park will all be upgraded with new play equipment. n This story is covered in more detail on page 9.

Prehistoric stone goes back to Horsforth

RETURN: this gritstone pillar is heading back to Horsforth

Help keep safe THE Otley and District Road Safety Committee is seeking new members urgently.

The group, set up over 50 years ago, is the only one of its kind in Leeds and aims to champion the cause of road safety locally.

They also host the hotlycontested annual primary schools’ road safety quiz, now in its ninth year, in the three local ward areas.

Volunteers would attend approximately five meetings per year.

The committee is supported

by Leeds City Council.

For more information, or to offer your services, contact Becky Prosser on 0113 247 5198.

Diary dates PLAY DAYS: there’s a host of improvements at local playgrounds

A BRONZE Age pillar carved with prehistoric markings is being moved back to Horsforth.

The gritstone pillar – estimated to date back to before Christ, circa 500-2,000BC – is being moved from Kirkstall Abbey to where it was originally found.

NINE young people from Horsforth enjoyed great success at an arts festival in France.

The youngsters, aged 1316, were invited to the annual International Artistic Residency in Lille during July.

A two-week series of arts workshops culminated in a mass showcase performance, to the delight of a packed theatre audience.

Workshop activities included street dancing, drama, DJing, vee jaying and graffiti arts.

By the time of the show, the Horsforth group excelled on stage with some inspirational, and often thought provoking, performances.

The festival, which also involved Lille and Turin, was a wonderful experience which promoted social and cultural understanding.

The young people – Luke, Amelia, Izzy, Josh, Will, Chris, Joe, Alex and Aaron – are now firm friends.

Each is grateful to Leeds Youth Service for the opportunity. Youth workers Parvez Aziz and Joy Gilleard accompanied the young people.

The meaning of the ancient cup-and-ring symbols is uncertain but similar carvings have been found across the north of England and are often found near burial monuments.

The stone will be displayed with an interpretation panel

next to the Millennium Stone at the bottom of Horsforth Peace Garden. It will be accessible to the public from spring.

The move has been supported

by Outer North West Area Committee funding.

Area Committee – Outer n 14 December, 2pm, St Margaret’s Church, Horsforth n 8 February, 2pm, venue tbc n 29 March, 2pm, venue tbc

Area Committee – Inner n 10 December, 7pm, Woodhouse Community Centre n 25 February, 7pm, venue tbc n 22 April, 7pm, venue tbc

SOUTH LEEDS

Something to celebrate

MORLEY Day was a great illustration of the wide range of goods and services on offer from the 293 businesses operating in the town centre.

Held at the White Rose Centre on 3-4 October, 38 businesses took part.

Examples of exciting monthly offers were given by Morley Heritage and Events team. These included the literature and lantern festivals, the Christmas lights switchon, street markets, Santa’s grotto and the charity race.

Morley Chamber president Keith Robinson said: “I know Town Centre Management will join me in thanking Land Securities for such an opportunity.”

The first Outer South Area Committee Community Heroes Awards recognised those volunteers who work tirelessly to improve their neighbourhoods.

It was also a big ‘thank you’ as those recognised make a difference to their community.

The award-winning heroes are Jim McCourt, Glynis Holmes, Ted and Lilly Robinson, Steve Pearson, Angela King and Angela Kellet.

They are long-serving ‘community voices’ who serve on committees, promoting local events with dedication and enthusiasm alongside volunteering and charity work and neighbourhood watch.

Each residents’ association had nominated one person.

The event was supported by Lofthouse Brass Band, The Mother’s Pride Teatime Club from Rothwell, Health For All, Groundwork, West Yorkshire Fire Service, Leeds Tenants’ Federation, Aire Valley Homes and Outer South Area Management.

Diary dates Area Committee – Inner

n 7 January, 6.30pm, Leeds Civic Hall n 10 February, 6.30pm, St Matthews Centre n 25 March, 6.30pm, Tenants Hall

Area Committee – Outer

n 30 November, 4pm, Drighlington library meeting hall n 1 February, 4pm, Morley Town Hall n 15 March, 4pm, Rothwell One Stop Centre

Forum n Beeston Community, first Thursday of each month, (except November, 12th), 7.30pm, Beeston Village Community Centre.

There will be another celebration in 2010, which will include the wider voluntary and community sector as part of the Year of Volunteering in Leeds.

To find out how to get involved in your local tenants’ and residents’ association call priority neighbourhood worker Nicky Greening on 0113 395 1658.

Opportunities RESIDENTS in Middleton have the chance to find out about employment, enterprise and training at a Middleton Opportunities event.

The event – at Middleton Primary School on 9 December from 2.45-5pm – forms part of the Middleton Enterprise, Employment and Economic Development Strategy.

This is led by South East Area Management Team and links directly to the ten year regeneration strategy for Middleton.

Health boost HEALTH activities in Belle Isle and Holbeck have been boosted after Inner South Area Committee provided funding to NHS Leeds.

A winter wellbeing event took place in Belle Isle in October. A similar event is at St Matthews Community Centre, Holbeck in January.

About Leeds 13

Awards ceremony pays tribute to local heroes THE ‘heroes’ of outer south Leeds have been honoured at an awards ceremony.

SUCCESS: Chamber member Dinah Jones

Winter 2009

GREAT NIGHT: Mike Tomlinson and Santa himself were among those taking part in last year’s festive fun

In the swing of Christmas MORLEY and Rothwell are switching on their stylish Christmas 2009 celebrations in November.

Entertainers, fairground rides and late night opening led by the indoor market greeted revellers in Morley for the 26 November event, which began at 5.30pm with the lights switch-on taking place at 6.45pm.

TV celebrities and a host of fun and fireworks provided more good cheer.

Rothwell’s lights switch-on was scheduled for 27 November from around 4pm, while a Christmas Fair in Blackburn Hall takes place on 28 November – complete with a ’12 Days of Christmas’ picture hunt by the recently formed Rothwell Carnivals Committee.

Town centre shops will compete in a ‘decorated shop windows’ contest throughout the festive period. n The distribution of About Leeds began on 23 November and continues through December. As such, while some residents will receive their copy beforehand, others will get it after the launch nights.

Reaching out SOUTH Leeds Community Radio has received £12,000 from the inner area committee.

The funding will allow the sounds of south Leeds to be broadcast over the airwaves 24 hours a day – rather than just through the internet, as the station is currently broadcast.

Fifty volunteers will be recruited to make the radio programmes, along with youth group St Luke’s Cares and South Leeds Academy.

It’s broadcast on 87.9FM.

Event gives a chance for residents to air their views RESIDENTS had an opportunity to have their say on a wide range of council services as part of Inner South Area Committee’s programme of autumn community engagement events.

From parking and litter, to activities for young people and crime, people could feed in their views on these and the hundreds of other services which the council and its partners provide.

The Planning for Real events

took place in Belle Isle, Cottingley and Beeston Hill One resident said; “I hope we have more of these events around here, it’s good to be able to come and talk to people from the council about what’s needed where I live.”

The results of the consultation will be fed into the 2010/11 Inner South Area Delivery Plan. Another round of events will be taking place near you this spring.

MORE TO COME: residents give their views on council services

14 About Leeds Winter 2009

EAST LEEDS

Action days cut crime and boost confidence THERE have been 14 major action days throughout the summer and autumn in inner east Leeds – to improve the local environment and reduce crime levels and fears.

Most recently, the Seacroft team concentrated on public reassurance. The police and wardens made themselves available to talk to members of the public about their concerns.

In Harehills, 133 vehicles were stopped and four arrests were made for drug offences.

Efforts in Gipton concentrated on offenders, to prevent repeat crimes.

Burmantofts and Richmond Hill’s team looked after the environment, with clean-ups and tenancy visits to people letting the side down.

The action days also addressed

Services on the doorstep HALTON Moor Community House was officially opened this summer.

The community house, in Kendal Drive, provides residents with the opportunity to access local services right on their doorstep.

Residents are able to use a range of services on a weekly basis.

East North East Homes gives housing advice and provides valuable information from a benefit advisor.

The 4 Families Project are able to provide residents with support and guidance with training and getting back into work.

Residents are also able to discuss community safety concerns with police community safety officers and their local neighbourhood warden during regular weekly surgeries.

The Youth Offending Service is currently working with Groundwork and a group of young people to create a community garden.

Halton Moor Residents’ Association will also be actively involved in the community house.

For more information call South East Area Management on 0113 395 0275.

high burglary levels in inner east Leeds. Efforts focused on enforcement and greater public awareness to prevent burglaries.

Many different groups took part in the action days, including the DVLA, police, housing organisations and council departments working with young people or the environment.

Action days are a major undertaking involving a large team of people working together to improve the quality of life for local residents. n PECKFIELD Business Park sits on what used to be Peckfield Colliery in Micklefield.

The success of the business park is an example of how Micklefield has been regenerated after the closure of the pit in the mid-1980s.

As a symbol of that regeneration the Micklefield Regeneration

ACTION: officers at the action day in Harehills

Partnership – made up of parish councillors, ward members and council officers – commissioned an artist to provide artwork to the entrance to the centre.

The artwork, a Phoenix symbolising how the village has risen from the ashes, was unveiled on 6 November. The funding for this

project came from Yorkshire Forward and is one of the final parts of a six year regeneration programme that has seen a community centre refurbished, various environmental projects across the village, a new skate park and youth shelter, and the rebuilding of the sports stand.

Trainees’ valuable lesson in building up the community YOUNG construction trainees from Leeds have taken a step up the career ladder by successfully redeveloping 13 bin yards in the East End Park Clarks neighbourhood.

The work has improved the area, with the yards being cleared out and walls and gates renewed.

Leeds City Council’s East North East Area Management team worked with Construction Leeds to manage the scheme.

The 12 trainees were given valuable experience by Taurus, a Leeds-based groundwork company.

The scheme shows the construction trade can be kept buoyant by training young people to redevelop existing buildings and maintain a skilled workforce for when the industry picks up again.

New apprentice Joe Thornton, aged 18, is working towards his NVQ II in bricklaying at Leeds College of Building.

He said: “I’ve really enjoyed getting stuck into a real project and seeing what I’m capable of instead of just shadowing someone else.”

Local residents are delighted, saying that the yards are too nice for bins.

Families get involved HAREHILLS families came together in September to discuss what they wanted to see in the area and find out what is available locally.

Participants were each given £1,000 monopoly money to spend on things they considered most important.

Areas of crime and grime were identified and the partner organisations will now work on putting them right. The suggestions will be included in next year’s Area Delivery Plan and residents will be given a report on progress during a follow-up event in March.

A large number of services were present, including area management, housing organisations, police, fire services, health professionals, recycling and environmental education, youth services, as well as a number of local voluntary groups.

The event took place at Harehills Primary School on 30 September.

GETTING IT RIGHT: residents gave their views on local services

On the road LEEDS Learning Market came to Strawberry Fields Primary School in Garforth in September to provide jobs, skills and training advice to local residents and parents.

Approximately 100 residents benefited from advice provided by local services including encouraging residents to volunteer in their local community.

Diary dates Area Committee – Inner Gipton and Harehills, Burmantofts and Richmond Hill and Killingbeck and Seacroft: n 3 December, 6pm, St Philip’s Church Hall n 4 February, 6pm, Seacroft Methodist Church n 25 March, 6pm, Harehills Primary School

Area Committee – Outer

IMPROVED: apprentices have done a great job at the Clarks binyards

n 8 December, 4pm, Leeds Civic Hall n 9 February, 4pm, Leeds Civic Hall n 23 March, 4pm, Leeds Civic Hall

WEST LEEDS

Safety Central THE old Bramley Fire Station is to get a facelift.

It is set to be a centre of excellence named Safety Central. It will provide safety awareness and education to schools and local communities.

Safety Central aims to reduce the number of firerelated incidents and educate as many people as possible across West Yorkshire.

The centre is to be run

by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, working in partnership with local agencies, organisations and communities.

Get stuck in A FUN-PACKED day at Farnley Reservoir saw local people roll up their sleeves.

Those taking part helped make bird boxes and wind chimes, clean up the reservoir and take part in a nature walk spotting local birds and wildlife.

The Main Line Social Club provided a hearty barbecue while a healthy salad was dished up by the Healthy Living Network.

British Trust for Conservation Volunteers did a great job tidying up and helping families make bird boxes.

The event on 13 September was supported by the Outer West Area Committee.

Financial help DO YOU need help claiming benefits or free confidential and impartial advice about debt or energy bills?

If so, help is at hand at Armley One Stop Centre.

A helpful customer service team can advise on who can assist locally.

A number of partner groups are working together to make sure you can get all the benefits you are entitled to, offering free debt advice and assisting with energy efficiency.

For free information visit Armley One Stop Centre at 2 Stocks Hill.

About Leeds 15

Cracking down on bad behaviour in Farsley FARSLEY residents look set to benefit from less antisocial behaviour this Christmas.

The police now have greater powers to tackle street drinking in and around Farsley Town Street.

A new Designated Public Places Order gives the police the power to stop people consuming alcohol, and to confiscate the drink.

Those who do not comply will be committing a criminal offence.

They face arrest and a fixed

penalty notice of £80 or a £500 fine should the matter be taken to court.

Leeds City Council’s West North West Management Team has been working with West Yorkshire Police to develop the final proposals and boundaries. n A KEEP Armley Tidy campaign is being launched to attract more people and investment into the town.

Regular action days will tackle issues such as littering in and around Town Street, drinking in public places and environmental

concerns across Armley.

It’s a constant struggle trying to educate offenders.

But Armley’s town centre manager, Nigel Conder says the action days aim to stop such behaviour and confront individuals with on the spot fines.

The new town and district initiative has already made a big difference in the way Town Street looks.

Our action days will look to put more pride back into Armley, attracting new businesses and investment.

SHOW PRIDE: town centre manager Nigel Conder aims to attract more businesses to Armley

Pudsey is blooming PUDSEY In Bloom is delighted the town once again won a silver award for this year’s displays.

Judges were particularly impressed with the small group’s improvements in the town centre, commenting on the newly sponsored hanging baskets and barrier baskets having such a positive impact.

The In Bloom campaign is not just about flowers – it’s about communities working together to improve their local environment.

Pudsey In Bloom would welcome new members. To offer your support contact admin@ pudseyinbloom.co.uk.

SUPPORT: wellbeing days had practical help along with offering guidance

Independence days for older people

Diary dates Area Committee – Inner n 9 December, 5pm, Stanningley Amateur Rugby Football Club n 17 February, 5pm, venue tbc n 14 April, 5pm, venue tbc

Area Committee – Outer n 18 December, 2pm, Pudsey Leisure Centre n 29 January, 2pm, venue tbc n 26 March, 2pm, venue tbc

Winter 2009

WELL DONE: the chairman of Pudsey In Bloom collects their silver award certificate

SUPPORTING older people to keep well and live independently at home this winter has been the aim of two community events in inner west Leeds.

NHS Leeds held winter wellbeing events at Strawberry Lane and Fairfield community centres in October.

The events gave information, support and advice on a range of city-wide and local services from

the likes of Leeds City Council’s Fuelsavers team, Care and Repair, and Eye Care.

There was also a ‘sloppy slipper exchange’ where older people get new, properly fitted slippers for free in exchange for their old pair.

This exchange, funded by Inner West Area Committee, reduces the risks of injuries from falls in the home.

16 About Leeds Winter 2009

GET INVOLVED

Thumbs up for About Leeds: the paper you can trust

TAKE ACTION: we want more members of the public to get involved in forums

Your big chance to get involved REGULAR readers will know About Leeds lists the times and dates of our area committee meetings and forums.

These are great ways to have your say and find out what the council is doing in your local area. But what other ways are there to get involved?

Council meetings are usually open to the public.

These include scrutiny meetings, which act as the council’s ‘watchdog’ – examining decisions and policies, and how well our services work, to make sure the people of Leeds get the best public services available.

As well as viewing proceedings, you can ask for an issue to be investigated by a scrutiny meeting.

To find out how, follow the links from the ‘Get involved’ area of the website or contact general enquiries on 0113 222 4444 and ask for ‘scrutiny support’.

THANK you to the readers of About Leeds. Nearly 700 of you sent back the survey from the summer edition when we asked for your views on About Leeds itself.

GOOD VALUE: most readers were happy with the cost of producing About Leeds

Take part online – and on paper THE council is committed to involving residents in the development of the services they use and the places they live.

The ‘Get Involved’ area of the council website helps you find out how to have your say, how the council makes decisions and what to do to take part in volunteering.

We know some people may not want to use the website, so we’ll be giving ‘Get Involved’ highlights in About Leeds.

Don’t forget that you can go online for free at all of our 53 libraries, and explore ‘Get Involved’ in full.

So, what did we learn?

Four out of five of you use About Leeds to find out about what the council does, more than for any other source.

You also chose About Leeds as your single favourite source, with 47 per cent picking it as the top choice for council information.

A third of you chose other local media as your top choice, and an increasing number of you want to use the main council website www.leeds.gov.uk.

It’s very important that About Leeds is good value for money, so we were pleased that 78 per cent of you feel the current copy price

of around 13.5p is good value.

Nearly half of you felt the newspaper could have a bit more advertising if that would help it stay good value too.

Over 80 per cent of you told us you usually read all or most of the newspaper.

But we also wanted to know if we had the right balance of different articles in the newspaper.

Most of you felt it was ‘about right’ but some of you wanted to see more ‘what’s on’ articles.

We’ll be doing just that in the next few editions, and we’ll also see if we can give you more ‘streets of Leeds’ articles too.

We’ll be making the changes you’d like and we’re very grateful that the newspaper is so well thought of.

So, thank you for letting us know what you think.

Contacting Leeds City Council Detailed information on all our services can be found at our website, www.leeds.gov.uk.

Alternatively, you can contact us by phone or internet as detailed here.

If the service you require is not listed, please call our general enquiries number on 0113 222 4444.

Adult Social Care Antisocial Behaviour Children and Young People’s Social Care Council Housing (for registration and bids) Council Tax and Benefits Customer Relations Electoral Services Environmental Services Highways Housing Options (for homelessness advice) Planning Registrars (for births, deaths, marriages) Minicom (for all services)

0113 222 4401 0113 222 4402 0113 222 4403 0113 222 4413 0113 222 4404 0113 222 4405 0113 222 4411 0113 222 4406 0113 222 4407 0113 222 4412 0113 222 4409 0113 222 4408 0113 222 4410

Housing repairs and tenant enquiries: Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation (repairs) 0800 389 5503 (office hours) 0113 376 0499 (out of hours) bitmo-enquiries@belleisletmo.co.uk Belle Isle TMO (general) 0113 214 1833 East North East Homes Leeds 0800 915 1600 enehl.enquiries@enehl.org.uk Aire Valley Homes Leeds 0800 915 6660 avhleeds.enquiries@avhleeds.org.uk West North West Homes Leeds 0800 915 1113 wnwhl.enquiries@wnwhl.org.uk Emergencies outside of opening hours: Highways, street lights, signage and building repairs 0113 376 0499 Noise problems 0113 242 5841 Adult Social Care and Emergency Accommodation 0113 240 9536

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