South Leeds Life 101 October 2023

Covering Beeston, Belle Isle, Cottingley, Holbeck, Hunslet, Middleton, Riverside & Stourton

STINGERS TO BE USED ON QUADS

Police unveil new tactics to tackle

by Jeremy Morton

Stingers

– a device that

Police can use to throw a mat of spikes across a road to puncture the tyres of vehicles that fail to stop – could be in use soon in South Leeds against anti-social quadbikes and motorbikes.

The news came at a meeting of the Inner South Community Committee on 6 September when Councillors were questioning Inspector Mark Lund of the Leeds South Neighbourhood Policing Team. Asked about the long running problem of anti-social quadbikes and motorbikes, particularly in Middleton, but across the whole area, he said:

“The legislation has slightly changed which means we are allowed to use them (stingers) against quads and motorbikes in certain circumstances. All NPT teams are being trained and we’re going to be doing proactive operations in Cross Flatts Park, Middleton Park wherever the quad bikes and bikes are and we can head them down paths and use a stinger. We’ve got to just think about the risk to the public however and the risk to the individuals. If you’re on a motorbike and you take the tyres out they’re only going one

way, but quadbikes don’t fall over when the tyres are gone.”

Councillors expressed their concerns that previous Inspectors hadn’t stayed in post very long. Cllr Paul Wray (Labour, Hunslet & Riverside) said:

“We would like some stability in leadership in South Leeds, you are our fourth inspector in less than two years.”

Insp Lund, who has previously served as a Sergeant in the team replied that he was here to stay, this was the job he most enjoyed in Policing and he had no plans to apply for promotion. He said he was keen to work in partnerships and recognised that meant him attending meetings and building relationships.

Cllr Mohammed Iqbal (Labour, Hunslet & Riverside) asked about the dedicated sex work phone which has often been unobtainable when residents have tried to ring it in recent months. He said people were frustrated and losing confidence in the Police.

Insp Lund detailed handover procedures to ensure all phone calls were followed up and an explanation of why the phone was switched off at any time before 11pm (when it goes to answerphone).

“Having been on the team, directly, I recognise and understand the importance of this phone and frustrations that the public have” he said.

He joined Councillors in encouraging residents to

report every incident they witness and are concerned about. Whilst officers may not be able attend, every report helps build up a picture so that resources can be deployed more effectively.

“Please report everything, anonymously if you wish. The more I know the more I can react. 101 online is the quickest and easiest and you don’t have to give your details if you don’t want to” he said.

Stolen bikes seized in Hunslet last month

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South Leeds Life is written by and for local people. People who live, work and play in the LS10 and LS11 areas of South Leeds.

The website and newspaper are produced by South Leeds Life CIC, a social enterprise registered with Companies House, No 9998695.

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Tower Works build to rent scheme completes in Holbeck

SirRobert McAlpine has achieved practical completion of 245 new homes at the historic Tower Works scheme on Globe Road in Holbeck.

been built by Sir Robert McAlpine on behalf of the joint venture partnership of Ask Real Estate and Richardson, in conjunction with Homes England.

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Established in the 1860s as a steel pin factory for carding and combing in the textile industry, Tower Works closed in 1981. The neighbourhood is today home to a thriving media and technology community in the heart of the South Bank regeneration area which has become a global destination for investment, sustainable living, culture and creativity. The Tower Works site features the three original Italianate towers: Verona; Giotto and Little Chimney, which form a distinctive focal point of the regenerated area.

Legal & General (L&G) acquired the development in 2021, investing £57m on behalf of its Build to Rent Fund (BTR Fund) and Access Development Partnership (a joint venture between Legal & General Capital and PGGM). L&G has funded three build to rent (BTR) schemes in Leeds to date, including Mustard Wharf – which is adjacent to the site. With the Tower Works development now complete, L&G will market both schemes as the neighbourhood of Mustard Wharf, delivering 500 homes and over 15,000 sq. ft. of commercial space.

The scheme, which sits alongside the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, has

Designed by Ryder Architects, Tower Works features two residential buildings with studio, 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments and duplexes, ground floor commercial spaces and areas of public realm. Located to the south of the railway station, it creates a new pedestrian route through from the city centre to the Holbeck Urban Village neighbourhood.

Leeds City Bikes rides into town

The new public e-bike hire service, Leeds City Bikes has hit the streets.

Leeds City Bikes is a fully electric public bike hire service, enabling more people to cycle short journeys.

The £2.86 million scheme sees ebikes for hire at docking stations in the centre, and along key routes to the south and north-west of the city, before expanding to other areas.

Locally docking stations will be located at:

Manor Road

• College of Building

• Leeds City College/ Leeds

Crown Point Road

• Waterloo Street

• Meadow Lane

• Future locations are understood to include Hunslet Community Hub & Library, Leeds Dock, Dewsbury Road/Trentham Street and Sunbeam Place.

Designed, developed, and delivered by British e-bike operator Beryl, in partnership with Leeds City Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the service has been made possible thanks to

Tower Works has achieved WiredScore Platinum certification, making it the first residential development in Leeds to attain the globally-recognised verification of infrastructure connectivity. The accreditation confirms that the properties are digitally futureproofed and have the best possible level of connectivity.

Commenting on achieving completion, Craig Allen, Sector Director, Sir Robert McAlpine, said:

“Reaching practical completion at Tower Works represents a momentous milestone in the

transformation of this historic site. It presents a wonderful opportunity to honour the remarkable efforts of the entire project team, while also celebrating the local, social and economic impact of the project.”

Commenting on behalf of Homes England, Ian Hall, Senior Development Manager, North East, Yorkshire and The Humber said:

“The completion of this latest phase of Tower Works represents the fulfilment of a long-held ambition to provide a new exciting and modern chapter in the life of this historic site. We are delighted to see the delivery of high-quality homes in a landmark location which will bring economic and social benefits into this part of Holbeck and contribute to the redevelopment of the wider South Bank area of the city.”

funding secured through the West Yorkshire Mayoral devolution deal.

Councillor Helen Hayden, Executive Member for Infrastructure and Climate, said:

“It’s fantastic to see this scheme launching. A public bike hire scheme has been a long ambition of Leeds and it’s a crucial part of offering quick and sustainable journeys across the city centre. We want Leeds to be a city where you don’t need to own a car and a key part of that is expanding and supporting our cycling network. This bike hire scheme is a great way use that network for short journeys, as well as long hopefully in the future.

“We know that compared to conventional push bikes, e-bikes are an easier access point for new users including older people, women, people with limited physical strength, people who have limited cycling confidence or experience and people who are looking to take up cycling. I hope that Leeds City Bikes will encourage more people to try cycling without the investment of buying their own bike.”

This work is part of the Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy to make Leeds a city where you don’t need a car.

Leeds City Council and the Combined Authority have been working closely with accessibility groups, communities, and other key stakeholders to ensure as many people as possible can access the service.

The service is being funded by the Combined Authority through its Transforming Cities Fund programme, which is aimed at making it easier for people to walk, cycle and use public transport.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West

Yorkshire, said:

“We want to create a stronger and better-connected region so everyone has the same opportunity to get on in life. And a reliable and inclusive transport network, which puts walking and cycling at the heart of our everyday journeys, is key to this.”

Phil Ellis, CEO of Beryl, said:

“We’re delighted to be working with another of the UK’s major transport authorities to make sustainable transport even more accessible to people across Leeds while helping to further decarbonise the city’s integrated transport system.

(L-R): David Miller from Leeds Cycling Campaign; Philip Ellis, CEO of Beryl; Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire; and Cllr Helen Hayden, Executive Member for Infrastructure and Climate at Leeds City Council.

245 new homes have been built at Tower Works

Bloomin’ ’eck it’s Gold for Beeston and Middleton Railway

Community nursery celebrates 20th birthday

by Jeremy Morton

Building Blocks nursery in Beeston Hill marked 20 years since opening its doors with a celebration event on 28 September.

Among the guests were past and present staff, trustees, friends as well as the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Al Garthwaite and project founders Neil and Helen Bishop.

of staff and developed the nursery provision, gradually expanding further into the multi-purpose building.

Faith Together in Leeds 11 has recently purchased the building from the consortium of churches that owned it. This was not a straightforward process, taking seven years from start to finish.

The results are in from this year’s Yorkshire in Bloom awards showing that both Middleton Railway and Beeston in Bloom have won Gold, with Beeston also winning joint best in category.

Beeston was competing in the Urban Community and won jointly with Starbeck (near Harrogate). In their comments

the Judges said:

“We were impressed by the use of plant containers, new seating which were complemented by the repainted floral telephone relay boxes at Sunny View Gardens in a very busy shopping and

dense housing area.”

Beeston in Bloom’s Chair, Hon Ald Angela Gabriel BEM said: “We are absolutely thrilled not only to have won Gold, but also to be joint winners in our category.

“It is a testament to the power of teamwork and I would like to thank the whole team, not only our Beeston in Bloomers, but also our partners in the Parks department, environmental services, Beeston Womblers and the teams of staff who have come and helped us over the year from companies including DePuy Synthes, Virgin

and O2.”

Middleton Railway were equally delighted with their Gold award in the Tourist attractions sections. Judges commented that:

“The station platform had numerous floral containers in full colour and complimented the hanging baskets from the Platform seating shelter. It was good to see water butts catching the water from the roof of the shelter to water the platform containers.

“Bird boxes and hedgehog shelters had been added to buildings and natural areas alongside the Track to

Asha’s Lake District trip

by

The Asha Neighbourhood Project took women and children from South Leeds to Windermere in the Lake District on Thursday 31 August.

The day trip was a healthy and revitalising break away

from their busy lives. People said they liked its lake, mountains, and boat rides they also said they enjoyed the peaceful walks with their family, friends, and neighbours. This trip gave an opportunity for families to learn and create memories with their children during the summer vacation.

Community trips can give families time to reassess their lives, contributing to their mental and physical wellbeing, and improve their social skills and contacts. Also reduces social isolation and improve community cohesion with families having the chance to interact with people from

encourage wildlife.”

The Railway’s Vice President Ian Smith said:

“Middleton Railway is delighted to have won a Gold award for the fourth year running. This is a great reward for the dedication of Gardener Mick Jackson and his team, who have worked so hard to produce the wonderful display we have this year. We look forward to entering the 2024 competition and hope to continue our Gold performance.”

In the large business section White Rose Shopping Centre won a Silver Gilt award.

In her speech the Lord Mayor said she was especially pleased to attend as she had been involved the project from the beginning and is still involved as Chair of Trustees.

The origins of the nursery lie 25 years back when a pot of

Since taking ownership of the building Sam has overseen the expansion into the former hall space and creation of a covered outdoor play area as well as the overhaul of the garden on Tempest Road which includes the war memorial.

2,500 children have been cared for at Building Blocks and some of those children

different faith and communities.

One of those who went on the trip, Robina, commented: “It was really nice to go somewhere with my family to a new place without the worry of the travel expenses, thanks to the grant from the Inner South Leeds Councillors.”

funding known as the Single Regeneration Budget Round 4 (SRB4) was targeted on the Beeston Hill area and a group of local organisations got together to look at what would be most useful for the local community. The group became Faith Together in Leeds 11 and the projects were Building Blocks and the Hamara Healthy Living Centre.

Neil Bishop and Hanif Malik recalled how they got together with no previous experience of creating such projects, but a determination to do something for the local community.

Building Blocks was conceived as a parenting centre, but when funding ran low was forced to look at a social enterprise model, becoming a childcare provider.

Nursery Manager Sam Withell was one of the first members

have now returned as parents bringing their children to the nursery.

Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Al Garthwaite, said:

“I am very, very proud to acknowledge all the work of everybody and of course the existing staff of the nursery who do so much to get very good Ofsted reports time after time.”

Hilary Benn MP, who had stepped in more than once to break a bureaucratic logjam that threatened to stop the project before it started and again during the purchase of the building said:

“The clue’s in the name. What you do here the raising of the next generation, the nurturing of them, the support, is an absolutely essential building block in any community.”

Waiting to board the lake steamer

Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Al Garthwaite cuts the cake with nursery founder Helen Bishop

John Tate and Peter Vickers from Beeston In Bloom; and Mick Jackson from Middleton Railway at the awards ceremony in Tadcaster

Tahena Ahmed

Brewery braves Three Peaks to support Holbeck Together Agencies prepare for this year’s firework season

The period around Halloween and bonfire night is always a significant challenge for the police and fire service. It is one of the busiest weeks of the year for the emergency services.

While some residents are fearful of the anti-social behaviour that it can bring, it’s also a time when families and communities can come together and it’s important that people are able to safely enjoy celebrating bonfire night and Halloween.

West Yorkshire Police is once again working closely with partner agencies, including West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue and Leeds City Council, to ensure that people are able to enjoy the period safely and that those who misuse fireworks or are involved in anti-social behaviour and criminality are dealt with robustly.

West Yorkshire Police will have an increased police presence in the community to offer reassurance, particularly to vulnerable residents, and to ensure people taking part in the festivities have a fun time whilst respecting others.

Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) from Leeds South Neighbourhood Policing Team will be conducting high visibility patrols in key areas.

They will be supported by specialist officers trained in dealing with public disorder. West Yorkshire Police will take firm action against those involved in anti-social behaviour.

Anybody who is experiencing anti-social behaviour of any type is encouraged to report

this to the Police. Not only does this enable officers to deal with any ongoing concerns, it also highlights hotspot areas for them to focus their attention in future with a view to being in the right place at the right time.

Please always call 999 in an emergency, where there is a risk to someone’s safety or you think a crime is in progress, but consider looking online before phoning the police for other matters. This helps the Police attend to those people who are in most need. Other options would be to Ask The Police website, Local Crime tracker, 101 Live Chat, Online Crime reporting. Find the details at: www.westyorkshire.police.uk

Unfortuately continuing Government cuts to funding means that Leeds City Council will not be able stage community bonfiresand firework displays in parks such as Middleton Park as they have in past years.

A spokesperson for Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service gave this advice to people planning a bonfire at home:

“Adults should buy fireworks from a reputable retailer. Think carefully about where you place your bonfire and consider how to keep it under control and make sure that everyone is safe around the flames.

“Also, don’t drink alcohol when having a bonfire or using fireworks. It’s also important to be mindful of sparklers, they should never be given to a child under five years of age and must always be held at arm’s length and in a gloved hand. Once they have gone out put sparklers in a bucket of water or sand.”

Northern Monk Brewery based in South Leeds has raised £5,000 to support Holbeck Together’s community supermarket.

Donning their very best walking gear the team successfully conquered the towering heights of the Yorkshire Three Peaks and showed their commitment to supporting community initiatives in the area where they have put down roots.

What began as a lifeline for families in Holbeck, offering people a source of affordable sustenance during the Pandemic has now evolved into a steadfast pillar of support, as families continue to grapple with the financial repercussions of rising food prices and mounting bills.

The numbers benefiting from this affordable supermarket speak for themselves and show the continued need for such provision:

• Over 3,000 attendances since opening with an average of 60 community members using the shop each week.

• 36,000 food items placed onto the plates of families across LS11.

• Where needed most, food

parcels including fresh fruit and vegetables have been distributed free of charge.

Russell Bisset, representing Northern Monk Brewery highlighted why the team chose to support Holbeck Together’s Community Supermarket, “Community is one of our core values and Holbeck Together are at the heart of our

local community. It’s been great to combine two of our biggest passions, the great outdoors and Holbeck by walking the Three Peaks to raise funds for the community and charity. Thanks to the Holbeck Together team for the half time refreshments!”

Elissa Newman, Chief Officer, Holbeck Together added:

World Cleanup Day at New Forest Plantation

“Northern Monk demonstrate how local businesses can make a massive difference –we can now sustain our social supermarket over the winter months.”

Well done to the members of the Holbeck Together team who joined Northern Monk showing collective support on climbing the last Peak!

picking equipment as well as other things like flower bulbs to improve the local area. If anyone would be interested in volunteering or donating further details can be found on their Facebook group ‘Friends of New Forest Plantation’

Saturday 16 September 2023 was World Cleanup Day. To mark the occasion, Friends of New Forest Plantation arranged an event for local residents.

he event was a great success. Despite a recent litter pick there was a further 19 bags of rubbish collected by local residents.

There was a wide range of volunteers out early to lend a hand including a local

Middleton resident HarperJean.

The local youngster has recently won a title in a national pageant to be crowned Junior United Kingdom Endeavor 2023/2024. Harper-Jean’s pledge as Queen is to make a difference in her community and litter picking was top of her list and she’s made a great start.

Friends of New Forest Plantation are currently crowd funding to raise funds for litter

The team in front of the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct

Another 19 bags of litter picked on the Plantation

Police will seize fireworks being used anti-socially

by Sarah Hedley-Booth

Harper-Jean lent a hand to the litter pick

Nisa reopens under new ownership

TheNisa store at Beeston (formerly the Co-op) has reopened under new ownership on 28 September.

Signs on the door read: ‘Welcome back, yes we are open.’

The refurbished shop is about half its former size, but still selling a similar range of products.

It is understood that the reduction in size is in part to

allow the new owner to apply for longer Sunday opening hours.

The store closed in June after the previous owners went into liquidation and the staff were made redundant, as we reported here.

Nisa is a franchise company, wholly owned by the Co-op Group. Each store is independently owned by a franchisee who buys stock

from Nisa and the Co-op.

A spokesperson for Nisa said:

“We can confirm that the convenience store in Beeston has re-opened and is currently trading with Nisa.

“Now under new ownership, Nisa hopes this can be a new beginning for an important community asset and will work with the new owner to achieve this.”

Thank you to our subscribers and

The Beeston store has reopened

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Councillors welcome funding for high-rise improvements

Beeston bedmaker supports families in need with mattress donations

Family-owned,

Beestonbased bedmaker Harrison Spinks has partnered with Leeds-based charity, Zarach, to supply 20 custom-made mattresses each month to support children and families in poverty in local and surrounding areas.

The luxury bedmaker is continuing its work with the charity after donating a number of responsibly made mattresses in 2022, to give more children in Yorkshire and the surrounding areas a place to sleep during winter.

The local charity aims to “give every head a bed”, delivering beds and basics to children via its central Leeds hub and in towns and cities across the country, with additional hubs in Dewsbury, Huddersfield, Calderdale, Liverpool, Stockport and Romford.

Local Ward Councillors

Andrew Scopes, Gohar

Almass and Annie Maloney have welcomed funding for the replacement of the heat interface units, which draw on the local district heating network for heating and hot water in Cottingley Heights and Towers high-rise flats.

The existing units in these blocks are approaching the end of their lifecycle, and funding has been secured through the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme to carry out the replacement of these units prior to failure to ensure the

residents of these blocks continue to have access to hot water and warm homes.

Councillor Andrew Scopes, (Labour, Beeston and Holbeck) said:

“My ward colleagues, Cllrs Gohar Almass and Annie Maloney, and I are pleased to hear that this funding has been secured for the replacement of these units.

“This will ensure the residents of these blocks have a reliable source of low cost and low carbon heating and hot water, thanks to the Leeds district heating network.”

Partnering with local schools, it is able to identify children living through poverty crisis, where parents are continually making the choice between spending money on food, using the cooker or the washing machine. For many families, beds are an expense which seem like a mountain climb.

Each custom-made mattress supplied to Zarach by Harrison Spinks features a bespoke label displaying both brands in

partnership and a heartfelt message that each mattress has been “Made with love in Leeds.”

Amy Green, Funding and Communications Manager at Zarach, said:

“Our mission at Zarach is to end child bed poverty in England and give children the opportunity to engage in their education. Too many children are sleeping on cold, hard floors, sharing with multiple siblings and even in the bath. Sadly, we have heard it all. However, we believe that

through our work, and together with Harrison Spinks and their generous donation of mattresses, we can continue to make a difference.

“Ensuring children have a warm, safe place to rest each night begins to level the playing field amongst their classmates, creating a place for their growing bodies to develop, a place for privacy, and a space to call their own.”

Nick Booth, Managing Director at Harrison Spinks, said:

“Zarach plays a significant

West Yorkshire Mayor meets Belle Isle residents

by Jeremy Morton

West Yorkshire Mayor

Tracy Brabin attended a public meeting in Belle Isle on 25 September answering residents’ questions about crime, anti-social behaviour and transport issues.

About 25 people attended the meeting, organised by Cllr Sharon Burke (Labour, Middleton Park) at St John & St Barnabas church’s Welcome Centre in Belle Isle.

In answer to questions about quadbikes and off-road motorbikes, Mayor Brabin told the meeting West Yorkshire had been given £1m for a pilot scheme to ensure that perpetrators of anti-social behaviour “have community payback” she continued:

“It feels like they can do it with any repercussions. So, we are working with the Police to try and make sure when they are caught, they’re not going to

do it again.”

She also reported that £500,000 had been funded again for the Police’s off-road bike team.

Inspector Mark Lund told the meeting he was passionate about resolving anti-social behaviour in the area, having previously served as the local Sergeant, but there was no simple fix.

“The off-road bike team has grown and we have new tactics” he said.

“I need to know where (the bikes) are. Residents know, but they’re not telling us for whatever reason. The more we know, the more we can do. If you report it, I’ll be able to dedicate more resources to it. We have seized seven quads and bikes in the last month.”

The issue of Kasa’s 24hour alcohol licence was also raised. Cllr Sharon Burke said that the

Council’s Licensing Committee had granted the extension despite all three Ward Councillors raising objections.

Inspector Lund confirmed that the Police were looking into having the licence reviewed, he added that the recent stabbing incident that took place outside the shop occurred when the

role in supporting children and families’ lives in our local area, and we are delighted to be partnering with them again on this project to deliver 20 customised hand-made beds each month to those desperately in need. We hope that our partnership will deliver lasting and positive change to the lives of children and families throughout Leeds and the wider areas.”

For more information on Zarach, please visit zarach.org or make a donation at zarach.org/donate

shop was shut.

A number of issues around transport, including poor access to the city centre for people with disabilities and unreliable bus services were raised. Mayor Brabin said that as a bus user herself, she shared residents’ frustrations, but she was making progress towards gaining control over bus services through franchising, like Manchester.

“It is a tortuous Governmental process (but) by March 2024 I will decide whether we go to franchising” she said.

Tenants in Cottingley Towers and Heights will benefit

Mayor Tracy Brabin (white jacket) with residents in Belle Isle

Delivering mattresses to the Zarach warehouse

White Rose introduces stoma-friendly facilities

Ambassador, to work alongside the centre team to improve the centre experience for all visitors.

Steven Foster, Centre Director at both Trinity Leeds and White Rose Shopping Centre, said:

White

Rose Shopping Centre has introduced stoma-friendly upgrades to their toilets, providing a safe, clean, and helpful space for bags to be changed and making the centre more accessible to those with additional needs.

The improvements were made following feedback from White Rose regular Lyn Morgan, who campaigns to improve the stoma-friendly facilities across Leeds and beyond, and recently received cross-party support at a Leeds City Council meeting.

After meeting with Lyn to understand the requirements and ensure any changes were fit for purpose, White Rose introduced the facilities in one of each of its disabled toilet locations. After receiving positive feedback from Lyn and other visitors, White Rose’s sister site Trinity Leeds has followed suit.

The upgraded facilities at both centres follow the Colostomy UK guidelines and include new wall hooks, lipped shelves, wall mirrors, and the correct disposal facilities, increasing comfort for visitors living with a stoma. The stomafriendly sites also feature ‘Not all disabilities are visible’

stickers on each door, as some users face discrimination when using accessible toilets due to the ‘hidden’ nature of the condition.

The additions come as part of White Rose’s commitment to continuously improving inclusivity and accessibility for all visitors. Using insight from guest focus groups and visitor feedback forms, the centres have implemented a number of features including:

Quiet Mornings every • Tuesday from 10am-12pm. Between these times, the centre and its retailers keep the noise down for those who prefer a calmer shopping environment without music, product demonstrations or mall activity.

Changing Places toilet • facilities for people with profound and multiple disabilities, each fitted with specialist equipment such as a hoist and changing bench with enough space for up to two carers to assist those with a disability.

Complimentary • wheelchair and mobility scooter hire to ensure guests with mobility issues can enjoy their visit.

Free sensory toys and • hidden disability lanyards which can be collected from White Rose’s Customer Service Centre.

White Rose Shopping Centre has also appointed Paralympian Hannah Cockroft MBE as its Accessibility

“We understand that a trip to the shops can be a potential source of anxiety for people with additional needs, and it’s our job to make sure we reduce these barriers wherever possible. Our new stomafriendly facilities are another positive step forward.

“We’re continuously looking to make our shopping centres more inclusive and accessible, and we welcome feedback so we can create a positive experience for all visitors.”

Lyn Morgan added:

“I’m delighted that White Rose and Trinity have met our challenge. What we want to do now is set up a Stoma Support group within Leeds and West Yorkshire. The idea of a Support group is to bring peope with stomas etc together in an informal place, socially, to get to know other people whether it be a parent, carer, partner, people new to having a Stoma, even people due to undergo surgery to form a stoma etc. The meetings could have a Stoma nurse, Stoma supply company reps, samples, etc.

“If you are interested or know people who have a stoma and would be interested coming along, please email: lds.wy.stomsupptgrp23@gmail .com.”

Council boosts funding for housing project

by Jeremy Morton

Leeds City Council has had to top up the budget for its house building project at Throstle Recreation Ground in Middleton according to a report published on 21 September.

The report cites exceptional circumstances including ground conditions, utilities requirements and poor weather conditions. The amount of the uplift in the budget to pay Waites to

care apartment block is due to be completed in October, with the whole project completed by the end of the year.

The report details the following pressures on the budget:

“a) Ground conditions – the extent of ground conditions was in excess than forecast, in addition the scope of works changed to part of the site as a result of flood alleviation/ attenuation requirements.

complete the scheme is not disclosed for ‘commercial reasons’ but is over £500,000.

The scheme, which also uses land formerly occupied by the Middleton Skills Centre, will deliver 100 general needs houses, 16 bungalows designed for adults with Physical and Sensory impairments and 60 Extra Care apartments and associated communal facilities for older people needing care and support. The total budget for the scheme, set in July 2021 was just over £39.5m.

So far 40 general needs houses have been handed over and let through Housing Leeds. Gascoigne House, the extra

b) Utility providers change to design requirements/ policy has had a significant impact on the delivery programme and required a re-design to elements of the scheme post planning approval.

c) Weather events- during the construction period, there have been a number of months where the weather conditions have exceeded the 10yr average for that month, especially in relation to rainfall.”

Leeds City Council’s independent Technical Consultants have scrutinised the additional funding requests and judged them to be fair and reasonable.

You can read the full report at: bit.ly/3tftMZ7

global

can all

with thousands still missing, and countless children orphaned. All proceeds went to the World Care Foundation, who guarantee that 100% of donations go into frontline work

our part supporting each other in times of need.” Over 10,000 people have died in the Libyan fl

CGI of the extra care flats’ courtyard

Flood victims fundraiser

The Ocean Fisheries team in Beeston Hill held a fundraiser day on Saturday 23 Septemberfor the Libyan Flood Appeal, and raised £2,300. Omar Mushtaq, who co-runs the shop, commented: “The south Leeds community came out once again in numbers to support a worthy cause: big thanks to everyone for their generosity. We’re also

pleased

to offer free dinners to the homeless each week. Whether it’s local or

issues, we

play

oods,

Accessible toilets at White Rose Shopping Centre

Money matters with

Leeds Credit Union

How to find a bargain on a used car in Leeds

New car number plates

were released in the UK in September, meaning now is the perfect time to pick up a used car at a good price. Greg Potter, Head of Member Experience at Leeds Credit Union, explains how.

In Great Britain, approximately 78% of households have one or more cars, with people changing their car every six years on average.

This adds up to a significant number of cars being bought and sold every year and, with the cost of living continuing to rise, more and more people are opting to buy a used car instead of a new one.

As new number plates were only recently released, now is the ideal time to pick up a quality used car for less. Here's some advice on getting maximum value for money.

Timing is everything

The period immediately after the release of new number plates is the best times to buy a used car because:

1) people are rushing to partexchange their old cars for a new one, leaving dealers with a surplus of used cars to sell on, and

2) once new plates are released, dealers start clearing out their old cars to make room for them, meaning they're more likely to accept a lower price in order to free up room on their forecourts.

Know your trim levels

Trim levels are essentially different variants of the same car - for example, if you decide to buy a Mini Cooper, you will then have to choose between the Classic, Signature or Iconic versions.

This basically means how many optional extras do you

Rangers rewarded

want/need your car to have?

The more you want, the higher the cost.

If you just want to jump in and drive off, go for the cheapest version.

MOT, tax and service history

When buying a used car, the only way to know for sure that it's reliable is to get your hands on its service book and go through the stamps that are in it - these will tell you the dates when the car was serviced and how many miles it had done between each service.

To be extra sure the car's as good as it seems, use the DVLA's free Online Enquiry Service to check its current tax and MOT status by entering the registration number and vehicle make.

Every car more than three years old must have its MOT renewed every year so you ideally want a car that has recently passed its MOT as this means you won't have to pay to have it tested again for several months.

If the MOT isn't current and/or the tax expired a long time ago, there's a chance the car has been off the road for a significant period of time and, if so, it's important to find out why. If the dealer can't give you a good reason, avoid at all costs!

Leeds Credit Union provides straightforward and affordable financial services to people in Leeds.

The Tetley art gallery to close this month

Project Space Leeds (PSL), the arts charity that runs

The Tetley art gallery, has announced they are leaving the iconic former brewery headquarters building in the heart of Aire Park development as their lease comes to an end.

The current exhibitions and the bar and restaurant will close on Sunday 22 October. Some activities will continue until the end of the year with

the space being used for Leeds Baby Week and the Big Up Festival.

PSL hint that they already have plans for a future gallery. A statement on their website says:

“In 2024, our artistic programme will move off site, including Inside Out, a new participatory art project designed to facilitate children’s play in collaboration with communities in Beeston and

Beeston Hill and partner organisations.

“We will announce exciting plans for a new home soon –so watch this space for news about our future.”

Since it opened in 2013 The Tetley has seen nearly a million people visit 56 free exhibitions. It has also worked with communities in South Leeds, including schools, festivals and galas as well as park-based summer holiday art projects.

Photo: Shutterstock

The former brewery headquarters has been an art gallery for 10 years

Amelia Wood and Emily Butterworth were presented with their Commonwealth awards at 5th Middleton Rangers on Friday 22 September. Both girls have learnt about the history of guiding, about the commonwealth and its development, volunteered in the community and improved two skills. We are really proud of them as it’s a really rare achievement with only one ranger achieving it in the last five years and the last Commonwealth award at the unit being 30 years ago. Well done girls.

Councillors row over City of Sanctuary

Adeputation

from Leeds

City of sanctuary received a standing ovation after their speech to a meeting of full Council on 13 September.

But not everyone in the chamber was so supportive which has led to a row between local South Leeds Councillors. It is usual for deputations, issues brought to Council’s attention by members of the public, to receive unanimous agreement for the issue to be looked into and reported back on.

Councillors across the political spectrum were astounded when the SDP Councillors refused to support the request that gained support from all other Councillors in the Chamber, instead choosing to abstain on the vote.

Even the Conservatives, who used their speech seconding the motion to defend the Government’s immigration record, voted in favour of the referral.

The deputation had praised the work Leeds already does to

welcome refugees and those seeking asylum, in a national climate that they see as becoming more and more difficult. They requested that as a further show of support, the Council seeks accreditation, something that neighbouring authorities such as Bradford, Sheffield and Calderdale have already done.

Councillor Andrew Scopes (Labour, Beeston & Holbeck) said:

“Living in the diverse wards of the Inner South, we’re saddened by the SDP’s actions and hope they will reflect and support those on the margins in our community here in South Leeds and work with the Labour administration to welcome refugees and asylum seekers.”

Councillor Annie Maloney (Labour, Beeston & Holbeck) said:

“It’s difficult to put into words how disappointed I am. It is common practice that we listen to and refer all deputations heard in full council to the relevant council department.

University of Leeds researchers are carrying out a study to explore whether volunteer peer mentors can help other people living with hip or knee osteoarthrits (OA) by providing weekly remote (online or telephone) support sessions.

It’s shocking that colleagues from the Inner South area didn’t find such an important matter deserving of that. So, I’ll say it loud and clear – refugees are welcome here.”

But Cllr Wayne Dixon (SDP, Middleton Park) defended his party’s actions:

“We aren’t sure why this is controversial at all.

“The SDP’s policy on immigration offers a solid commitment to resettlement of 20,000 refugees annually, with a net migration figure of 50,000 annually, so there is no suggestion we don’t want to offer sanctuary to those who need it.

“We thank the refugee charities who came to present their case for our City to offer more refugees sanctuary in Leeds.

“We could never bring ourselves to oppose offering sanctuary to those in need. Equally we cannot encourage more refugees or migrants to be resettled here when we have over 26,000 applications for council housing in Leeds and people already here are waiting years, often sleeping on sofas, in cars or even on the streets during their wait. Our housing system is broken.

“We feel this deputation as well meaning as it was, is simply used by the other parties as a virtue signalling exercise with no thought to the actual practicalities and the impact on local services such as more people will create. We would have been hypocrites to vote for it.”

We’d love to hear from you if you want to become a peer mentor and if you are living with osteoarthrits of the hip or knee

• you feel that you are disadvantaged because of your finances,

• educaton or social circumstances you can spare 1­2 hours a week for 6 weeks to support others.

• If you volunteer you will receive: training in OA self­management

• training in mentoring skills

• £20 thank you payment for each support session you deliver

•

• additonal support with Wi­Fi and other enabling costs

This 2­day training and your lived experience will help you deliver 6 remote support sessions to other people who need help to manage their OA.

Contact: Liz Lavender (Study­Coordinator) or Amrit Daffu­O’Reilly by 30th November 2023 to be involved.

Email: mskprism@leeds.ac.uk or Phone: 07745 210126

Members of the Hunslet Rogues theatre group point the way to fun at The Hunslet Club’s Summer Gala on 2 September. Over 1,500 visitors saw displays from sports teams, tried new activities and enjoyed the fun fair.

Many people living with hip or knee osteoarthritis have problems with pain, mobility or loneliness.

If you too are living with hip or knee osteoarthritis, you could support others to manage their condition better by becoming a peer mentor.

Celebration of newly resurfaced pathways

Hunslet Remembered calendars go on sale

Hunslet Carr Residents

Association have published another of their popular Hunslet Remembered calendars featuring of pictures of Hunslet in days gone by.

The calendars are on sale now, priced just £4, from Stevenson’s on Hunslet Road; The Gold Trader, Penny Hill Centre; and The Prospect pub on Moor Road. Alternatively they can be mailed out for an extra charge, email hcra90 @gmail.com for details.

SES renews training contract with College

A renewed partnership with SES Engineering Services (SES) is bringing 20 new apprentices to Leeds College of Building this month. SES selected the College to deliver a Level 3 Electrical apprenticeship to 11 employees and a Level 3 Building Services apprenticeship to another nine.

Part of Wates Group, SES is recognised as one of the UK’s leading M&E (mechanical and electrical) partners.

by Elizabeth Smith

Tuesday 26 September saw Team Beeston, part of Leeds Citizens, celebrating the resurfacing of the pathway that crosses Beeston, linking the Cardinals with Asda. With balloons, cake, and drinks we set up on the

Santa Specials booking now

Bookings are open, and selling fast, for the ever popular Santa Specials at Middleton Railway. The Santa Special Trains start running on Saturday 2 December. Each child aged up to 12 years inclusive for whom a fare has been paid will be given a present by Santa whilst travelling on the train. Trains run from 10am-3:45pm. Full details at: www.middletonrailway.org.uk /santa-2023

pathway to meet the people who use the paths.

It was great to share our celebration with the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Al Garthwaite, our councillors Andrew Scopes and Gohar Almas (Labour, Beeston & Holbeck) along with the resurfacing work team and staff from Asda.

It was wonderful to hear so many people tell us how the resurfaced path has made such a difference to them.

One young man from Cockburn School thanked us, saying it has helped him get to school without muddy shoes.

Another lady said it’s great for pushing the pram and the

older children can use their scooters and bikes much more easily.

As South Leeds Life has previously reported, Team Beeston has campaigned over the last two years to get the footpaths adopted and resurfaced by the Council, living up to their motto: ‘Team

Hamara sports hall project boosted by Government grant

Hamara Healthy Living Centre has secured a grant of £300,000 from the Department of Levelling up, Housing and Communities –Community Ownership Fund.

The grant will allow Hamara to move the development of the Old Cockburn Sports Hall forward towards Construction of The Cockburn Centre early 2024.

Hamara’s vision is to renovate the Old Cockburn Sports Hall in Hunslet Moor, Leeds, into a new sustainable, vibrant community hub to become The Cockburn Centre. This will be a local community business which operates for the benefit of local neighbourhoods which will be led and run by adults with learning disabilities and supported by local volunteers.

More than £2 million has now been raised from ten different funders, with £1.2 million still to go. Hamara is in talks with the Football Foundation, Edward Gostling Foundation and Leeds City Council to fill the gap. “These projects can be challenging, like climbing a mini-Everest,” says Arnie. “A lot of people in

our sector struggle with them because of lack of investment or lack of knowledge, but we have shown that, with perseverance and commitment, we can succeed”

Armghan Sajid, Project Lead at Hamara, said: “This grant means the world to us! To have the support of the government department is true recognition for us, we are confident we can now go on and secure the remaining capital from Football Foundation and realise our ambitions.”

Mohammed Iqbal, Chair of Hamara, said: “The Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has given us the opportunity to address key issues relating to disability employment and participation in sport. It also ensures that through The Cockburn Centre, we will empower and enable our communities as well as our learning disabled members.”

The team at Hamara has been instrumental in growing the organisation to be the largest ethnic minority organisation in the voluntary and community business sector in Leeds, inspiring many

others to emulate their achievements, which is critical in a city as diverse as Leeds. We are now working on finalising our tender costs with our preferred contractor for the building with a view to starting construction early 2024. Furthermore, we will continue to apply for further capital

funding and drive our community fundraising with charity Snowden event coming soon, and bagging and bucket collections at local supermarkets to name a few.

Please visit our website www.hamara.org.uk for further information and how you can get involved whether you want

Beeston working together to bring a better Beeston for all’. Our next listening event takes place at St Andrew’s Methodist Church on Old Lane on Tuesday 14 November at 7pm.

Come along, discuss what needs improving and make a difference.

to volunteer your precious time or help fundraise for this amazing development.

Raheem Mohammed, Director “We can proudly say that from our flagship building alone, more than 10,000 people from our community access this centre in some way and since the pandemic, Hamara has supported more than 176,000 individuals through the work they do city wide’’.

“Sport is such a universal language,” says Raheem. “It has the power to bring people from all backgrounds together.”

Hamara plan to transform the Old Cockburn Sports Hall

Members of Team Beeston are joined by the Lord Mayor and local Councillors on the improved paths

Cockburn John Charles gets Gold sports award

Cockburn

John Charles Academy is celebrating a remarkable achievement as it proudly announces that it has been awarded the prestigious School Games Gold Mark for its outstanding commitment to school sports and physical education.

This recognition not only reflects the dedication of the school’s staff and students but also reaffirms the academy’s commitment to promoting a healthy and active lifestyle among its students.

The School Games Gold Mark Award is a nationally recognized accolade that highlights schools’ efforts to ensure that young people experience the benefits of physical activity, competition, and teamwork.

It acknowledges schools that consistently prioritize sports and physical education while fostering a positive and inclusive sports culture. Receiving the Gold Mark Award is a testament to the hard work and passion displayed by both the students and staff at the academy.

It recognizes the numerous initiatives taken by Cockburn John Charles Academy to ensure that physical education is an integral part of the curriculum, as well as promoting healthy lifestyles among the students.

Headteacher Siobhan Roberts expressed her delight at achieving the School Games Gold Mark Award, saying, “We are thrilled to have been awarded the Gold Mark. It is a

testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of our staff and students.

“We believe that a strong focus on physical education and sports is essential for the holistic development of our students, and this award validates our efforts in this regard.”

As Cockburn John Charles Academy continues its journey to excellence in education and sports, the Gold Mark Award serves as a symbol of its dedication to producing wellrounded, active, and healthy citizens of the future.

Congratulations to Cockburn John Charles Academy on this remarkable achievement, and here’s to many more years of inspiring young minds through sports and physical education!

Join Cockburn School’s performing arts programme

Cockburn School (Specialist

Status in Performing Arts) offers unique opportunities in the Performing Arts for 2023 admissions.

Cockburn School offers a specialist programme for students who display a talent within the Performing Arts. The training supports a vast and

varied curriculum with over 7 hours of additional coaching in Drama, Dance and Music. Students who are in search of a secondary school for September 2024 are invited to audition for this exciting new programme, essential for those eager to pursue a career in the Arts. Auditions take place on

Thursday 9 November 2023 and the application deadline is Tuesday 31 October 2023.

Subject Leader of Drama, Sarah Kilner, who leads on the programme explained how the audition process works:

“The audition process depends on the young person’s area of specialism. For Drama

they will take part in a creative workshop, learning new skills and devising a performance piece.

“Within the Dance specialism audition they will learn a motif and perform a creative task. If they have a talent in Music they will have the opportunity to prepare a

performance on their chosen instrument or demonstrate vocal ability.

“The audition day is a lot of fun and it is great to see how much talent and enthusiasm the kids in South Leeds have for the arts.”

Cockburn School’s provision in the arts has been awarded Artsmark Platinum status in recognition of the school’s commitment to, and excellence in, arts education.

Artsmark is Arts Council England’s award recognising excellence in cultural education. It celebrates schools’ commitment to embracing arts across the curriculum and bringing creative learning to life for children and young people.

They create stunning performances including their annual musical theatre productions in December which amaze audiences.

These productions are followed by a host of performances in the state-ofthe-art Cockburn School theatre as well as a host of regional and national venues that have included the Leeds Arena and York Theatre Royal and the National Cycling centre.

Cockburn School students have also performed as supporting artists in BBC shows and they have close links with many local agencies.

One new member of staff at Cockburn School stated that she has “never seen such a close, friendly and dedicated group of staff and students. They work for many hours in

rehearsal to make performances happen and are a credit to the school. I can’t wait to get started!”

Cockburn School continues to celebrate outstanding exam results in their Arts qualifications with Dance, Music and Drama results way above national averages. The additional performance opportunities and events have grown year on year.

There are over 8 specialist performing arts companies who perform at local, regional and national events on a regular basis. These are supported by the performing arts staff and a large creative team responsible for costume and set design which includes parents/carers and members of the local community.

The Performing Arts team develop well rounded, confident and skilled performers in all areas of the arts. Past students have gone on to success in full time education at Post 16 and university and are now in professional companies including the world renowned Rambert Contemporary Dance Company, Urdang, Cruise ships and Addict Dance Company.

If you would like to be part of this specialist secondary education, then please visit the Cockburn School website www.cockburnschool.org for more information. Any further questions or completed application forms can be sent to PA10@cockburnschool.org or delivered to Cockburn School, Gipsy Lane, Leeds, LS11 5TT.

Another top show at Cockburn School

New Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy building opens

TheMiddleton secondary school’s new multi-millionpound building features state-of-the-art teaching facilities and sports facilities.

As well as their modern classrooms, there are specialist subject specific rooms across a range of subjects including drama and dance studios, science labs, ICT suites, Design and Technology workshops and a large hall/theatre.

Students are excited to have moved into their brand-new building. Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy, named after former Cockburn student, awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery in WW1, opened in September 2021 and was housed in temporary accommodation opposite the St George’s Medical Centre in Middleton.

The new building has been built on the site of the former LCC Highways offices. The main access to the academy for visitors and deliveries is from Middleton Ring Road. A staff car park is accessed from Acre Road.

Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy has an admission number of 210 per year group and the full capacity of the academy will be 1050 students across Years 7-11 by September 2025. The first cohorts of students, now in Year 8 and Year 9 were the founding members of the academy, creating a real family feel and now they have welcomed a new cohort of Year 7 students.

Building company Algeco, based in East Yorkshire, used its steel frame modular solution. A total of 192 modules were

Reaching out to learning spaces

supplied along with a hybrid build for the sports hall areas. The works involved construction of the whole school block and associated external works.

Executive Headteacher, David Gurney, said:

“Building an academy from scratch is a rare opportunity and Cockburn Multi-academy trust has already brought its tried and tested track record of excellence to Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy. There continues to be a high demand for places across all three secondary academies within Cockburn Multi-academy trust which are all now oversubscribed.

“I am extremely proud that all of the families in south Leeds

will be able to access an excellent secondary education for their children. The new Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy building is at the heart of the community for both current and future generations and a superb environment in which to learn as well as providing the community with facilities outside of the school day.”

Head of School, Victoria Smith, said: “Our students and staff are so excited to be in their new building. We have three full year groups accessing high quality education in a fabulous building. Excellent teaching and excellent facilities are crucial to ensuring excellent outcomes for every

Kyle Asquith Foundation

Big Summer Raffle

child. I feel privileged as we continue on our amazing journey of ‘Transformation to Excellence’.”

One of the Year 9 students said: “I cannot believe how amazing our new building is! We have lockers, a massive dining hall, brand new classrooms, and the room we need to grow and succeed.”

A Year 8 student said: “We are all so excited. Walking into our new school on the first day of term felt like a dream come true. We are very proud of what we achieved in our temporary building and can now look forward to the next stage of our education in this brilliant school.”

Aswe reported back in May, Cockburn School and their charity The Kyle Asquith Foundation asked for donations towards their Big Summer Raffle.

The response from the south Leeds community was magnificent and prizes came rushing in, ranging from a ride on Audi, to holiday gift vouchers, pamper and edible hampers to a signed Roma football shirt.

The trustees of the charity wish to thank everyone who donated these wonderful prizes and also everyone who bought tickets!

The draw took place and prize winners ranged from students and staff at the school to members of the community.

£1500 was raised in total which will now have an impact on the lives of young people from South Leeds.

The pupils made thank you cards for the volunteers from St James’s Place

The academy’s striking new building is now open

help build outdoor

Reach Primary Learning Centre in Beeston have enhanced their outdoor play and learning space thanks to support from finance firm St James’s Place (SJP).

Reach work with children who have social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs and are at risk of exclusion from mainstream primary schools. The design ideas came from the children themselves.

Amongst other things they asked for somewhere they could do their learning outside even when it is raining as at times it is too tricky for them to be in their classroom; they wanted a chicken run for the chicks they will be hatching next spring; and they wanted to improve the ‘boring’ scooter and bike track and add somewhere they could fix bikes.

Staff wanted hanging bars and a traverse wall for the pupils as research shows these types of equipment help SEMH pupils to regulate and ground themselves when times are slightly more difficult for them.

The project was supported by Hands On who act as a broker for schools and community groups who need outdoor facilities and companies looking for projects to support with funding and manpower.

Hands On also project manage the process, working out the detailed designs and preparing materials so that staff teams can work safely.

Toby Rix from Hands On and his team worked all this into a manageable project and delivered it with the help of SJP.

Toby commented:

“It’s gone really well, we’ve had a busy week with three days of volunteers from SJP ranging from the executive team to support staff. They’ve all worked really hard.”

Head of Centre, Ali Elvidge, said: “Pupils, parents, carers and staff are all thrilled with the final results of the project. Toby Rix from Hands On has included and engaged all pupils, supporting them in formulating their vision into creative designs. To see them brought to life by the Hands On team and St James’s Place is amazing.

“We owe a big thank you to them for their fundraising, hard work and volunteering. Our Woodlands Area is now a special place to be celebrated enabling pupils, staff and families to support their own mental health whilst learning, playing and meeting together.”

You can watch a video of the build at bit.ly/HandsOnReach

Somewhere to mend bikes

In our view

The Common Good

We achieve so much more when we work together. Few would argue with that statement and there are a number of good examples contained in the pages of this edition of South Leeds Life.

From reporting incidents to the Police, even if they can’t respond immeadiately, because it builds their intelligence base so that can be in the right place more often in the future.

Building Blocks has reached its 20 anniversary because people from different faiths and none came together to create what was needed in Beeston Hill. And how well that partnership served the community when it was rocked by the London bombings of 7/7. And the government dares to say multiculturalism doesn’t work?

Beeston in Bloom won Gold because they engage with a range of local organisations and employers.

Zarach are supported by Harrison Spinks, Holbeck Together by Northern Monk Brewery and Reach Primary Learning Centre by St James’s Place. The list goes on and on.

But what happens when we put ourselves first and opt out?

As Hilary Benn MP points out, when it comes to vaccines deciding not to be vaccinated not only risks your own health, but damages the immunity of the whole community. It allows dangerous diseases like measles, which were almost iradicated in the UK, to break out again threatening our children with blindness or even death.

With all the challenges facing us in South Leeds today, from the cost of living crisis to climate breakdown, the first part of the solution is always to stand together.

We have a proud history of social solidarity, so let us once more pledge ourselves to work for the common good.

Your letters and comments

Fireworks

When are they going to have a blanket ban on the sale of fireworks?

Another several months are in store for us to be subjected to cretinous morons who clearly neither work nor attend school setting off fireworks at all hours late into the evenings.

They should be banned from private sale and sold only to registered operators and organised displays. Or increased in price to £1,000 a box!

The amount of households with nervous pets or vulnerable family members suffer every year just so these oxygen thieves can get a thrill into their empty lives.

Ban the private sales now and get the morons something more constructive to do like pick litter.

Tony Callaghan

New Nisa store

It would have been much more beneficial to the community to have a Lidl or an Aldi and the site was big enough, but no such luck.

Dave Bingham

I went in today. It was really clean and bright. There are new fridges and freezers, plenty of stock and really nice staff.

Steve Harrison

The new owners’ Alcohol licensing application is in for :

Mon-sat 07:00-23:00

Sun 10:00-22:30

I suspect the focus of the business will be just alcohol off sales.

Rich Bell

They should of just kept it as a Co-op. I miss that store.

Elizabeth Copsey

City of Sanctuary row

It is shameful to call support of this deputation virtue signalling - ie indicating virtue by demonstrating favour for a political or cultural event.

The deputation was asking Leeds to sign the charter to celebrate the work it already does!

The rhetoric of using the housing list as a blunt weapon is morally and statistically

Top Tweets

Keep up to date, up to the minute, by following South Leeds

Life’s Twitter feed: @SouthLeedsLife

Twitter, now known as X isn’t as good as it used to be, but it’s still a good place to find the very latest news. It’s free and you can sign up at twitter.com. Here are some of our favourite recent tweets:

@MayorOfWY

We’re asking men and boys across West Yorkshire to help us put an end to everyday harassment and inappropriate behaviour towards women and girls.

Will you play your part?

Tell your friends:

❌It’s not banter.

wrong at best. If one took the time or the skill to examine the reasons for the size of the waiting list. Migration is NOT one of them. It is a measured comment used to inflame hatred.

Cllr Sharon Burke (Labour, Middleton Park)

No it isn’t shameful. it makes perfect logical sense. Whatever the reasons are for the housing backlog of 26,000 adding more to that list is clearly not a practical idea. The SDP are simply following their own policies on which they were voted in for.

Colin

I’m lad we have one intelligent and articulate Councillor still left to represent Middleton Park. The approach of the SDP is disgraceful.

Adele

Tower Works flats

I’m wondering when people move into these flats will they be getting any local shops/post office/ bank, doctors surgeries and dentists? Or will they have to go out of the area for these services?

Jan

Middleton Council housing

Your Leeds City Councillors

Beeston & Holbeck ward Includes Beeston from Cross Flatts Park to the Ring Road, Cottingley and Holbeck. The three councillors are:

Gohar Almass (Labour) 07445 878 333 gohar.almass@leeds.gov.uk

Annie Maloney (Labour) 07554 969236 annie.maloney@leeds.gov.uk

Andrew Scopes (Labour) 07860 400645 andrew.scopes@leeds.gov.uk

Who’s going to pay for this ‘shortfall’? Is the Council Tax going up again to pay for it? This development was pushed through quickly under the guise of Covid with no public meetings etc. Someone should have done their maths homework.

Hunslet & Riverside ward Includes the city centre, Beeston Hill and Hunslet. The three councillors are:

Ed Carlisle (Green) 07738 921277 ed.carlisle@leeds.gov.uk

Mohammed Iqbal (Labour) 0113 226 8796 mohammed.iqbal@leeds.gov.uk

Paul Wray (Labour) 07528 512649 paul.wray@leeds.gov.uk

Middleton Park ward Includes Belle Isle and Middleton. The three councillors are:

Sharon Burke (Labour) 0113 378 8814 sharon.burke@leeds.gov.uk

Wayne Dixon (SDP) 07852 311717 wayne.dixon@leeds.gov.uk

Emma Pogson-Golden (SDP) 07794 577586 emma.pogson-golden@leeds.gov.uk

Light Night Leeds

How can it take inspiration from LEEDS 2023 when that’s been one of the biggest duds this city has seen? As always, Light Night will be great I’m sure, but LEEDS 2023 has been an embarrassing waste of time and cash in my opinion. But, it will no doubt point to this separate event as an example of its ‘success’.

Mike

As usual, it is a complete waste of time, space, effort and money.

John

Sutcliffe

Leeds City Bikes

Let’s hope A&E is ready for the increase in injuries arising from the use of e-bikes. I’d far rather see the money spent on more buses that actually run: these can be used by almost everyone and provide a safe means of transport.

Hilary

Clarke

It may be worth mentioning that if you download the app you are able to request (pin on the map) a location you think a bike bay should be.

It would be good for people who need to commute into the city. Joe

❌It’s not harmless.

❌It’s not okay.

So, #JustDont

@HunsletRugby

Our development officer Aidan out in one of our schools last week working on passing and catching skills with this Y6 class.

This class will participate in several competitions this academic year against other schools we are working with to put their training into practice

@WestwardCare

We did arts and crafts all last week at Pennington Court! Here are some highlights including a beautiful picture frame and an amazing model aircraft!

Judith Tempest

@leedslibraries

Our tablet lending scheme is up and running again! If you or someone you know is struggling to get online then we can help. iPads with 5GB of data are available to borrow for up to 8 weeks from our community hubs and libraries in Armley, Holt Park, Hunslet and Seacroft!

Fireworks - should sales to the public be banned?

MP’s notebook

with Hilary Benn MP

First things first. 100 not out. What an achievement by South Leeds Life.

It was a great pleasure to attend the celebration of the 100th edition of the South Leeds Life newspaper at the Rowland Road Working Men’s Club recently. There was a great turnout of supporters and citizen journalists who write for the paper, and Jeremy Morton – who has made the whole thing possible – had put up around the room the front cover of all 100 editions. It was like watching your life flash before your eyes.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. If you want to know what’s happening in South Leeds, you need look no further than this wonderful publication. Here’s to a double century!

The other joyous event I attended in September was at the Building Blocks Nursery in Beeston to celebrate its 20th anniversary. This great

community nursery has cared for some 2,500 children over the years as it has nurtured future generations. It was also a chance to say thank you to the people who formed Faith Together in Leeds 11 all those years ago because they believed in change for the better in our community. They didn’t give up and Building Blocks was the result. It’s a living and breathing example of what we can achieve when we work together.

I was looking at vaccination statistics the other day – as one does in this job - and I read that in 2022/23, 12 out of the 14 main vaccinations saw a lower uptake than the year before, including the MMR jab that protects us against measles, mumps, and rubella. England is still continuing to miss key targets on the vaccination of children, and this has real consequences. There was an outbreak of measles in Leeds over the

summer and it’s an infection that spreads very easily and can cause serious illness in some people, including children.

Having the MMR vaccine is the best way to prevent it but we know that the take-up of MMR was damaged by false research published by a doctor in the late 1990s who claimed to have discovered a link between the MMR jab, bowel disease and autism. This research, published in the Lancet, caused a large drop in the number of children given the triple jab. As a result, coverage fell to 80%, well below the recommended 95%. The ‘research’ was eventually discredited, and the doctor was struck off for acting in a dishonest, misleading and irresponsible way. But the damage had been done.

The truth about vaccinations is that serious, long-lasting side effects are extremely rare, and the benefits far outweigh any risk in terms of the number of

people who are saved from serious illness or death. What’s more, low vaccination rates do not just threaten individuals. They also jeopardise the herd immunity which keeps vulnerable people, who are not able to be vaccinated, safe.

Vaccination is the most important thing we can do to protect ourselves and our children against ill health. They prevent millions of deaths worldwide every year, and since vaccines were first used in the UK, diseases like smallpox, polio and tetanus that used to kill or disable millions of people are either gone or are now very rarely seen.

And that’s why those who spread misinformation on social media about vaccinesincluding about Covid vaccines - are putting the health of all of us at risk. And, by the way, the story that the Covid vaccination was being used to inject us all with microchips - yes, I actually got emails claiming this during the pandemic - was a load of utter rubbish.

I’ve just been appointed as the Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and, as I write this, I’m about to go on my first trip in this new role.

I originally went to Northern Ireland about 23 years ago as

a newly elected backbench MP. It was shortly after the signing of the historic Belfast Good Friday agreement. We went to Belfast and visited first unionist and then nationalist communities. The conversations we had about jobs, housing and the importance of community organisations were very familiar, but I realised it was also a very different place when I found myself standing in the middle of a suburban park that could have been in Leeds, apart from the fact that there was an 8 foot green steel fence running right through the middle of it. Why? To keep the two communities apart.

The next day we went to Portadown where there used to be serious clashes during the annual march organised by the

Orange Order. When it paraded down the Garvaghy Road, it mightily angered the local nationalist community who lived there.

We ended up in a hall to meet representatives from across the community, and I remember being struck how some of them had clearly never met each other before in a town of just 30,000 people.

Things have certainly changed for the better since then, although at the moment there is no power-sharing government at Stormont. It is a reminder that in a place which has been experienced so much dispute, division and violence over 800 years, it is even more important than ever that people put their differences aside and work together for the common good.

Hilary Benn is our Member of Parliament

He represents the Leeds Central constituency which covers South Leeds as well as other parts of the city

Contact: hilary.benn.mp@parliament.uk, www.hilarybennmp.com

Constituency office: Unity Business Centre, 26 Roundhay Road, Leeds, LS7 1AB; Tel: 0113 244 1097

Local history

with Ken Burton

John Fowler’s steam plough

John Fowler was born on 11 July 1826 at Melksham, Wiltshire, his father also called John Fowler was a wealthy Quaker merchant who married Rebecca Hull and together they had three daughters and five sons of whom John was the third son.

John Fowler Junior appeared to be a normal but not a clever boy who loved country life and indulged in the usual schoolboy pranks. We are told that he rushed home from school in Corsham to help in the fields at harvest time and an old family friend told how he used to delight in throwing frogs at her during haymaking. When aged ten he became fascinated with the nearby work being carried out by Brunel for the Great Western Railway that connected Bristol and London, the eastern end of Box Tunnel being less than two miles across the fields and which he passed everyday going to and from school.

At the age of 16 he was apprenticed to a corn merchant in Melksham, but he found it dull and monotonous. This situation was probably further aggravated by public opinion against Quaker corn merchants after the Napoleonic Wars ended because people needed someone to blame for the high corn prices. Young John was not very happy and managed to persuade his father to let him go into engineering becoming an apprentice at Gilkes, Wilson

& Company in Middlesborough in 1847.

This Company was founded in 1844 by Edgar Gilkes a native of Nailsworth, Gloucestershire and a member of the Society of Friends (Quakers) in partnership with Isaac Wilson of the Kerndal Quaker family. The Company were involved in building steam locomotives and colliery winding engines and they built a number of locomotives for the Stockton & Darlington Railway.

In 1845 Ireland was smitten by a dreaded potato disease which destroyed the staple diet of most of the people and is estimated that over the next four years 1½ million people fled the country or starved to death. The Society of Friends sent a delegation led by Samuel Gurney to Ireland in 1849, John Fowler being one of them and this seems to have set his mind to thinking how his engineering skills could help. Much of the land seemed to have been uncultivated due to poor drainage; this affected Fowler who was convinced there must be a way to bring more of it into production.

The normal way to drain agricultural land was to use a Mole Plough which has a vertical blade with a cylinder or “mole” that is pointed at the front end and as it moves through the soil it leaves an horizontal drainage channel into which porous drainage pipes could be laid, this

operation required considerable tractive power and was limited by the strength of the horses that pulled it.

On Fowler’s return to England he worked on the design of a new Mole Plough Engine. His first engine dragged itself across the field on rollers pulling a mole plough as it went; this was driven by a team of horses that walked round a capstan winding in a rope which passed though a pulley that was securely anchored at the far end of the field. The mole would have a string of drainage pipes attached at its rear end and dragged through the channel created by the mole. On completing each length of drains the engine would be turned and the rope let out and the pulley repositioned for the next length.

However, Fowler had trouble with the capstan gears and with the rope slipping on the capstan but he was able to demonstrate his Engine at a meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) at Exeter in 1850 where he laid a drain at a depth of 2 feet 6 inches in heavy clay, for this he was awarded a Silver Medal. The Judges who awarded the medal in their report ascribed the mole plough to Ransome & May, the windlass to a Melksham blacksmith, William Eyres, and the assembly of the unit to Stratton & Company.

John Fowler took a London address and undertook a round of consultations with leading agricultural personalities. One of his first journeys was to Ipswich to the Orwell works of Ransome & May who were well established in the world as the world’s best chilled, cast iron ploughshares. Friendship and co-operation developed between John Fowler and the Ransome Family and especially with William Worby their Works Manager, this was to be a vital factor in the development of the steam plough.

In the early 1850s Fowler formed a partnership with Albert Fry, a member of the Bristol chocolate family and they had both served their apprenticeships together. They acquired the premises and a number of skilled craftsmen from the coach building firm of Stratton Hughes & Company of Templegate, Bristol who had gone into liquidation and they traded as Fowler & Fry until Fowler left in 1856 when it became A & T Fry.

Fowler entered his first steam powered draining plough at Gloucester but it was too heavy to appear. Undeterred he entered it at the RASE Lincoln meeting in 1854 powered by an 8hp portable steam engine supplied by Clayton & Shuttleworth of Lincoln. The cost of the equipment including the engine was £500 and the cost of draining was 35 shillings (£1.75p) per acre. Once again he was awarded a Silver Star.

On 30 July 1857 Fowler married his third cousin (once removed), Elizabeth Lucy the fifth child of Joseph Pease, MP for South Durham. Joseph Pease was a wealthy Quaker from Darlington who had supported his father Edward Pease’s proposal for the Stockton & Darlington Railway. Fowler had become closely acquainted with the Pease family while working in Middlesborough. Fowler and his wife settled at Havering in Essex and they had five children, four daughters and a son, John Ernest Fowler.

In early 1859 he contacted Leeds locomotive builders Kitson, Thompson & Hewitson at their Airedale Foundry and the outcome was that from 1860 Kitson, Thompson &

Hewitson would build a new generation of self-moving ploughing engines for Fowler, based on Clayton & Shuttleworth engines with Stephenson’s ploughing gear, but of much sturdier construction and incorporating the best of current railway locomotive practice.

It was also agreed that Jeremiah Head would be transferred to the Airedale Foundry to supervise manufacture. Robert Stephenson & Company continued to supply Fowler’s windlass and anchor carriage until 1861 and the balance plough and other cultivating equipment continued to be manufactured by Ransomes.

Fowler obtained land at the side of Kitson’s Airedale Foundry and took on a partner, Robert William Eddison in 1860 and the land he acquired was that previously occupied by Wilson, Walker & Company in Leathley Lane, Hunslet, where he built The Steam Plough Works. A Blue Plaque marks the site, now occupied by Costco.

This land was the Spanish leather Works and he leased 727 square yards from Mr Taylor the owner of the works.

In 1861 at a Leeds trial of steam ploughing Fowler’s steam cultivator of 12hp ploughed and scarified four acres in four hours, this was made by Kitson & Hewitson while Fowler’s apparatus was manufactured in his own factory in Leeds in connection with Kitson & Hewitson.

In 1862 Fowler formed a partnership with William Watson Hewitson of the above firm and this founded Hewitson & Fowler based at Hunslet. Unfortunately Hewitson died a year later and this led in 1863 to the firm

becoming John Fowler & Company. Fowler’s ploughing sets were sold all over the world and were responsible for bringing land into production that previously was uncultivated.

To secure his financial position Fowler formed the Steam Plough Loyalty Company in 1859 in which both friends and relatives subscribed making it one of the earliest Joint Stock Companies; these could be formed under the Companies Act of 1856.

Fowler had worked so hard in developing his ideas that he undermined his health and was advised to take more rest and he retired to Ackworth in Yorkshire to recuperate. Here he was persuaded to take up hunting as a way of getting exercise, while out with the hunt he had a fall and sustained a compound fracture of his arm. While recovering from this mishap he developed tetanus and died at Ackworth on 4 December 1864. His brothers Robert, William, and Barnard had joined him in the business he had founded and they continued to run the Company after his death.

Fowler’s method of ploughing continued to used well into the 20th century when the internal combustion engine allowed the development of light but powerful tractors that could draw a plough behind them.

John Fowler and his wife Elizabeth

Fowler’s gravestone

Pathways for positivity with

Shannon Humphrey

Sunny D

Are you more tired than usual? Perhaps you’ve noticed a creeping feeling of discontent, are constantly picking up colds or bugs without a clear explanation why, maybe your muscles feel achy and sore? Something's off and you can’t quite put your finger on it… If so, this may be a good time to check your vitamin D levels.

Vitamin D, often thought of as ‘Sunny D’ because of its natural presence in sunlight, is a nutrient obtained through diet and sunlight. It plays an important role in our wellbeing.

However factors such as diet, geographical location, skin type and sunscreen usage can influence its production.

Vitamin D serves various crucial functions in our body, including fortifying our bones and teeth and boosting our immune system to shield against infections and potential illness. There have been reports about vitamin D reducing the risk of coronavirus (Covid-19). But there's not enough evidence to fully support this theory yet.

It's worth noting that vitamin D isn't just vital for physical

Clocks in time

by Hon Ald Elizabeth Nash

At the end of this October we will once again be putting our clocks back and the dark nights will be upon us until we put them forward again at the end of next March.

I have already written an article for South Leeds Life arguing that it should be end of February not March to put them forward again for us to have lighter evenings and saving energy so will not go into those arguments for that again. But it has set me thinking about the importance of public clocks such as St Mary’s Spire in Hunslet.

Until the railways came along in 1840, time was different in different parts of the country. It was impossible to fix a railway timetable especially for journeys east to west. The Great Western Railway running from London to Cornwall was the first to introduce “Railway time” and other rail companies followed. By 1847 most but not all of the UK operated on Railway Time.

But Railway Time was not declared to be legal until 1880 when following a notorious court case which depended on the accuracy of time given by witnesses, the judge declared that the times given were not legal and the trial could not proceed. The Government then passed an Act of Parliament requiring the whole of the UK to adopt Greenwich Mean Time. (British Summer Time was not introduced by Parliament until

health; it also has a significant impact on mental wellbeing. Substantial research suggests that insufficient levels of this vitamin can manifest as symptoms resembling depression and anxiety. Individuals struggling with low mood, anxiety and depression are more likely to have a deficiency in vitamin D.

So, how would you know if you are deficient in vitamin D, and what can you do about it?

The easiest way is to get a blood test. You can ask your doctor for one or use a home testing kit from a pharmacy. Once you do the test, send it back, and they'll tell you what to do next.

If your body is running low on

vitamin D, you'll be recommended to take a vitamin D supplement. This is especially important during the autumn and winter months in the UK because there's less sunlight, and your body needs sunlight to make vitamin D naturally.

The UK Government suggests that everyone should consider taking a vitamin D supplement to make sure they have enough of this important vitamin especially during those darker months.

Another way to increase your vitamin D levels is to eat vitamin D-rich foods, which include egg yolks, mushrooms, and some oily fish. However, you still might not be

consuming the recommended 15- 20 micrograms of vitamin D needed daily . The average vitamin D intake in the UK from food alone is thought to be less than three micrograms.

But there’s good news, people treated for very low vitamin D levels could start to feel better within days, those who only need to top up a little, should notice beneficial effects in a few weeks. Better mood, regulated sleep patterns, more

energy, increased immune system.

According to the World Health Organisation over a billion people are Vitamin D deficient, are you one of them?

Shannon Humphrey is a First Aid for Mental Health Instructor working within the education sector, businesses and private clients. Visit www. pathwaysforpositivity.com for more information or to enquire about a booking.

much later in 1916.)

Churches were, perhaps the forerunner of providing public clocks as it was essential that people knew the time of service as parishioners could not roll up at any time. The clock on the listed St Mary’s

Church Spire in Hunslet dated 1864 most probably operated originally on the widespread acceptance of Railway Time. But public buildings such as the Moot Hall in Lower Briggate also had clocks on them. Mills and factories also spawned clocks not just to inform their employee workers of the time but also as status symbols and as advertising aids.

Public clocks remained very

important for people to know the time for well up to just after the Second World War as mechanical household clocks and watches were a very expensive item and were not always reliable. My childhood memory was of having one clock in the house which served as a mantel clock during the day and was taken upstairs at night by Dad to function as a wake-up alarm. Very occasionally, the alarm did not go off and the family slept in! This caused great consternation as being late for work was very serious. One not only lost money but also if it were a regular occurrence then the worker could be dismissed.

Many workers who lived in terrace streets paid for a “knocker-up” which was cheaper and more reliable. Knocker-ups were usually men but there were a few women who tapped on bedroom windows with a long thin cane. This method was used up until about the early 1950s when the last knocker-up in the UK retired.

And wearing one’s own watch, because of the expense, was not frequently done. When I was eleven years old I was, like most children, asked what I was getting for Christmas. I remember saying with pride, “A watch”. That watch lasted me through secondary school and into adulthood when I wore it for work. But it was not totally accurate and going to work on the bus I passed five public clocks on various mills and factories and I was always checking the time.

Bigger pocket watches worn mainly by men were more

accurate, but it seemed to me even then that they were worn by men as status symbols especially if they were suspended on a gold chain with fobs of gold sovereigns or semi-precious stones. Pocket watches began to fall out of favour mainly with the onset of the First World War when they could not be worn with uniform and certainly the Second World War when men who were on active service, needed to know the time and needed to quickly glance at a wristwatch and not have to fiddle about in pockets.

Watches and clocks these days are mostly run by battery and do not have to be wound up and are very accurate. Some are radio controlled like the very cheap clock I have in my bedroom which automatically puts the clock back or forward dependent on the time of year. Just about everyone now can afford as many clocks or watches as they wish. But some people do not bother with them at all and totally rely on their mobile phones to let them know the time of day and use them for wake-up alarms.

So what is the future of our public clocks? Many of our big public clocks have disappeared as the buildings on which they were on have been demolished. Those that remain are on buildings which are listed such as the one on Hunslet St Mary’s Spire and, of course, our famous Town Hall and adjacent Civic Hall, the Corn Exchange and the Art Deco clock on the Queens Hotel.

Perhaps the most famous clock in Leeds is the listed one outside former Dyson’s

jewellers in Lower Briggate. On the hour a ball dropped down. For some reason it became a favourite place for courting couples to meet up “under the ball”.

We have the entertaining clock in the Grand Arcade (1897) looking like the front of a castle with a knight in armour each side of it striking the quarters. Then, on the hour, five figures emerge out of a door at one side of the castle and either salute or bow and then disappear through a castle door at the other side of the clock.

And there is Thornton’s Arcade with the beautiful clock (1877) where characters from Sir Walter Scott’s novel “Ivanhoe” – Robin Hood, Friar Tuck, Richard the Lionheart and Gurth the Swineherd, strike bells on the quarter and strike a bigger bell on the hour. Both clocks were built by the famous Leeds clockmakers, Potts and Sons.

But big public clocks do not have to be entertaining to be enjoyed or appreciated by all whether or not wearing a watch or carrying a phone. They give us a sense of place and ownership. Our UK Government thought so by spending many millions on “Big Ben” at their place of work in Parliament. It saddens and grieves me that our much-loved clock at Hunslet St Mary’s has been silent for seven years awaiting stonework restoration to the spire, and despite Hunslet & Riverside councillors (which included myself) setting money aside for its restoration. Let us hope that we will be able to hear the chimes of St Mary the Virgin again soon.

Photo: Shutterstock The clock at St Mary’s Hunslet. Photo: Scott Moss

Slung Low and Leeds People’s Theatre release new film The Magician online

Set in a near-future Britain, where violence and civil war threaten to overturn a revolutionary government, The Magician follows a young man on a quest to find the only person who might have the knowledge to stop the burning and the hate.

A cast of over 200 Leeds citizens were involved in filming at some of the region’s most impressive locations, including the Yorkshire Dales and the Peak District, alongside a team of professional film and theatre makers.

Amongst the cast were 90 children from Ingram Road Primary School in Holbeck who staged a battle re-enactment in the grounds of Temple Newsam stately home, complete with war paint, smoke grenades and replica weapons.

Written and directed by James Phillips, The Magician

stands alone as an original film and also takes place in the world created by the sell-out show “Camelot: The Shining City”, which premiered at the Crucible, Sheffield in 2015. In 2020 Slung Low transferred the saga from stage to screen with a new story, The Good Book. The Magician is the second installment in a planned screen trilogy.

The Magician was Written and Directed by James Phillips. Director of Photography Quason Matthews. Designer David Farley. Music by Heather Fenoughty.

The Magician was created by Slung Low and Leeds People’s Theatre. The film was commissioned by LEEDS 2023 and supported by Arts Council England and Leeds City Council.

The film is available to watch at www.slunglow.org/tm

Anew film telling the story of a forgotten local band, Sentence, is due for release this November.

The Minute Men (The Tragic History Of Sentence) is a documentary narrated by Beeston born and now Armley local music legend Mik Artistik. Sentence were a niche band who’s success and stardom was bright but short-lived. They were one of Mik’s favourite bands when he was a child and he was surprised as he grew how few people had heard of Sentence and of their influence on pop and rock today. Mik explains:

“I grew up on bands like Faust, Tangerine Dream and Cannon, really niche and

unheard of, and yet, they make their mark and then are forgotten”

But Mik doesn’t want Sentence to be forgotten and so he embarked on this musical journey, with the help of some local film producers, to make this rockumentary about his favourite niche band.

The film is due to be

premiered at Leeds Industrial Museum cinema on Tuesday 14 November 2023, just prior to the YouTube release on the 21 November.

The commercial rights to the music of Sentence are still owned at Sludge Records and as Mik explains:

“They have been very helpful with making this … I couldn’t

Forgotten local band re-discovered Learning disabled artists go digital

have had the access to their old videos and the like…”

Sentence were the unlikely pairing of Brian Templeman and Loz Thompson a duo with an age gap of 25 long years between them. Brian had been in a band with Loz’s father until Thompson Snr passed away, and at that point the melding of two generations began.

Loz was seeking answers, and Brian needed a guitarist in his old band mate’s guise.

The band were signed to Southport label Sludge Records and began to build a following throughout the mid 1980s.

Mik Artistik counts himself very lucky indeed to have stumbled across them and will be sharing the story over the next year, in a seemingly poetic period to the upcoming 40th Anniversary of the band’s demise in 1984.

You can see more on the band and the film on Sludge Records Facebook page watch the trailer on YouTube at: bit.ly/SentenceTrailer

Learning-disabled

artists are developing their creative talents, combining technology with traditional art methods in a project that aims to change public perceptions of what the learning-disabled community can create in this innovative space.

The Innovate & Create project supports 16 learningdisabled artists to have a voice in Web3, have greater access to the world of art online whilst learning digital knowledge and skills.

This project will give more learning-disabled adults a voice, opportunities to shine, be visible as creatives and change public perception of

their abilities.

They are working with a local Leeds artist Kerri Butterworth who specialises in running art

LEEDS 2023 Finale: The Gifting

Following a year of exceptional cultural experiences including The Awakening, Making A Stand, The WOW Barn, Moon Palace, events in all 33 wards of Leeds and many more, Leeds will end its Year of Culture on a high with an original new show this Christmas.

From the imaginations of codirectors Kully Thiarai and Alan Lane, the team whose opening show got LEEDS 2023 off to a dazzling start, ‘The Gifting’ will be the unmissable final chapter of LEEDS 2023.

The year of culture has been a 3-act storytelling epic: ‘Awakening’, ‘Playing’ and now the ‘Dreaming’ season will close with a joyful celebration

of stories. With new music from RashDash and designs by artist Keith Khan, this hourlong live performance combines stage illusion, song and story and will take place at the cavernous Versa Studios, in Holbeck - a rare opportunity for audiences to enter Leeds’s newest movie studios.

‘The Gifting’ is co-produced by LEEDS 2023, Slung Low and the British Library and is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England.

Kully Thiarai, co-director of The Gifting and Creative Director of LEEDS 2023 said:

“In January the Poet Laureate started our year of culture by reminding all of us in

workshops for the learningdisabled community.

Amanda Haigh and Jan Wells from Inspired-Nation CIC, who

Leeds that we had gold in our veins and diamonds for brains. It was the start LEEDS 2023 needed.

“As we head towards the year’s end, we let our dreams grow and celebrate the power of the stories we make, the myths we harness and the imagination we unleash. Together, powerfully making and concluding a year like no other.”

Alan Lane, co-director of The Gifting and Artistic Director of Slung Low said:

“It’s such a privilege to work on a new show to mark the end of this year of culture. A magical ceremony that celebrates the power that we all have to tell stories to shape the world we want to live in.

We’ve been lucky enough to assemble the best team of artists and performers to sing

are leading the project commented:

“Internet access is an essential, not a luxury. It isn’t OK that millions of learningdisabled people are still digitally excluded. Currently there are no learning-disabled adults in the Web3 space, and our fear is that the gap will become greater if change isn’t made to include them.”

The Arts Council funded project is working alongside LEEDS 2023, Aspire CBS and Harry Crabtree from Dyslexia DAO, and will hold a prestigious launch event showcasing digital art in the form of NFTs on Thursday 23 November at Left Bank Leeds.

farewell to the old year and welcome in a new one, full of promise and hope. A piece of magic in the dark days of winter.”

Wearing headphones, ‘The Gifting’ audiences will be taken on a magical journey through 12 individual but connected tales. Stories from a new book from LEEDS 2023 and the British Library, entitled Northern Dreaming, that will be gifted to all babies born in Leeds in 2023 will also be brought to life.

This memorable celebration of new myths will feature dance, music, song, performance, and a touch of magic offering audiences a unique experience at Christmas-time.

‘The Gifting’ tickets are now on sale at: leeds2023.co.uk/ whats-on/the-gifting

The Gifting. Photo: JMA Photography

Pupils from Ingram Road Primary School in The Magician

Photo: Antony Jones

Combining traditional and digital techniques

Mik Artistik narrates the documentary

by Tony Lambert

Dream a little dream of Leeds as Light Night returns

Thestreets of Leeds will transform into a dazzling dream world next month when the exciting spectacle of Light Night Leeds returns.

The two-night cultural event will be back on 12 and 13 October 2023, illuminating some of the city’s most recognisable buildings, streets and spaces with a compelling programme of more than 50 arts installations.

Now in its 19th year, the theme for this year’s event will be “Future Dreaming”, inspired by LEEDS 2023 and with a series of pieces from around the globe which will imagine how Leeds and the rest of the world might look in the future.

Highlights for this year will include the impressive Evanescent, hosted by Leeds Dock and The Royal Armouries, which has been created by Australian design studio Atelier

New festive grotto announced for White Rose and ice rink returns

White Rose Shopping

Centre is heading full steam ahead for the 2023 festive season with the announcement of its brand new enchanting steam trainthemed grotto and decorations, and the return of its popular family-friendly ice rink.

The wonderous new grotto, where visitors can meet Santa in his vintage train carriage en route to the North Pole, will open daily from 10am from Friday 10 November 2023, with little ones able to share their Christmas wishes right up until Christmas Eve, Sunday 24 December. Guests can check they’re on track to remain on the Nice list, and each child will

receive a special gift from Santa to take away.

The grotto will also host sensory-friendly sessions from 10–10:30am every Tuesday throughout December, during White Rose’s weekly Quiet Hours from 10am–12pm.

Steven Foster, Centre Director at White Rose Shopping Centre, said:

“Christmas is truly one of the most magical times of the year here at White Rose, and we’re so excited to unveil our brand new Christmas decorations to our guests.

“Our grotto is sure to get visitors in the Christmas spirit and, alongside hundreds of shops and restaurants, plus free thousands of free parking

spaces, White Rose is the perfect festive family day out.

“Guests will also be pleased to see the return of our outdoor ice rink this year. Thankfully skate aids are on-hand for those of us that need them, and our restaurants in The Village will be serving refreshments to warm up chilly skaters.”

White Rose’s ice rink, returning due to popular demand after its introduction in 2022, will open from Tuesday 21 November until Sunday 7 January, with special events and bundles yet to be announced.

Booking is required to visit Santa at White Rose’s grotto, with tickets priced at £6 per person including a gift for each child and the option to purchase photography of the magical moment.

Grotto tickets went on sale exclusively via the White Rose newsletter on Wednesday 13 September, with a general sale to follow. Ice rink tickets go on sale from Thursday 5 October.

Visit www.whiterose.co.uk to sign up and for more information.

Sisu.

Standing more than eight metres tall, the remarkable artwork will give visitors the chance to walk amongst a series of large, illuminated and colourful bubbles accompanied by a spellbinding soundscape.

And at The Tetley, artists

Harriet Lumby and Alan Hayes will present Emergence, a new large-scale sculpture incorporating moving light and an original soundscape by the NYX: electronic drone choir. The installation is sponsored by Aire Park.

Regularly attracting more than 100,000 people to the city centre over its two nights, Light Night’s installations take place in a series of zones across the city centre, with a number generously sponsored by a local business or organisation.

The Light Night team has also been working to make sure this year’s event is as energy efficient as possible as well as working with artists to encourage them to use energy efficient equipment in their installations.

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, culture and education, said:

“The stunning spectacle of Light Night is always one of the most anticipated occasions in our city’s events calendar, bringing tens of thousands of people together to enjoy a unique and unforgettable experience.

“It also exemplifies the very best of culture in Leeds, celebrating the power of the arts to engage and inspire while reinventing some of the city’s most celebrated and best-loved locations.

“Light Night also plays a huge part in supporting our local businesses and economy, generating important footfall and inward investment. As we continue to celebrate our landmark LEEDS 2023 Year of Culture, I’m sure this year’s event will be one to remember.”

For more details about Light Night Leeds, visit: www.lightnightleeds.co.uk and follow Light Night Leeds on social media.

Christmas is coming to the White Rose Shopping Centre

Evanescent will be shown at Leeds Dock in Hunslet

Support group marks World Mental Health Day

The mental health group based in Hunslet happens every Tuesday at 3:45 till 6, within the Salvation Army, on Hunslet Hall Road. Hunslet.

We will be marking mental health day on the 10th of October. Generally we have a topic of the day. The participants of the group have chosen the topic for this event, and it will be mental health services in Leeds and how they have been massively underfunded within the last couple of decades.

We welcome as many people to join us as possible. We do not intend to stray too much from our usual format. The group facilitators, Stewart and Brian, will start the conversation off. They will then invite other people to join in with the conversation. Refreshments will be provided. We do not generally charge for our groups but we do have a donation tub.

New Participants Welcome, just speak to the facilitators for more information.

We do hope you can join us on 10 October, 3:45pm within the Salvation Army, Hunslet Hall Road, LS11 6QB. Contact, 07419 776356

Pride in Place

Creative Communities, Swarthmore’s lottery funded arts project is holding two more launch events this month in Middleton and Hunslet.

Middleton - Saturday 21 October, 10am-1pm at Middleton Family Centre, 256-262 Sissons Road, LS10 4JG

Hunslet - Saturday 28 October, 10am-1pm at Hunslet

Community Hub & Library, Waterloo Street, LS10 2NS

Both events feature information, exhibition, art activities, coffee and cake – families welcome - come and see what we will be up to. For more information please email: penny.lewis @swarthmore.org.uk, or call her on 07438 666342 or visit the website www.swarthmore.org.uk

Hunslet’s half term holiday activity camp

The Hunslet Club’s October Half-Term Activity Camp will run from Monday 30 October until Friday 3 November. There will be plenty of activities to keep young people entertained and safe, including indoor and outdoor sports, games, disco sessions, arts and crafts projects, baking and more. Tickets available at hunsletclub.org.uk £15 Per day or £8 per half day

Transform Festival 23

Transform23 is an international performance festival unfolding across Leeds from 11-22 October. Two shows are taking place at Slung Low’s Warehouse in Holbeck, Crosby Street, LS11 9RQ

Secrets: created by Icelandic artist Ásrún Magnúsdóttir, amusing, confusing and occasionally dark, this riotous new gigtheatre show is based on hundreds of real-life secrets submitted by young people in Leeds and Reykjavík.

On Wednesday 11 October, 7:30pm; and Thursday 12 October, 2pm.

Pumpitopera Transatlantica: Brazilian artist collective MEXA present a vivid reimagining of Homer’s Odyssey, combining operatic vocals, 90s pop music and personal stories to create an everyday epic which is both dazzling and entertaining.

On Thursday 19, Friday 20 and Saturday 21 October at 9pm.

All tickets at Transform23 are Pay What You Can. Book at transformfestival.org

Upcycling competition

The ‘Save Money, Save The Planet’ campaign being run by St Luke’s CARES is holding an ‘Upcycling’ competition and there are cash prizes up for grabs.

Upcycling repurposes unwanted materials and turns them into something great. The competition is for people to craft something from items that would otherwise go to waste.

Organisers suggest such things as: making a sculpture out of junk; weaving a basket from plastic bags; or even make a lampshade from old cassettes, but you can make

anything, from anything!

The judges also want to hear your story – what have you made and why did you make it

– suggesting you take photos as you go along. And they want to you to be imaginative and creative.

Leeds Comic-ConStar Wars Unleashed

OnSunday 15 October, in a galaxy not so far away fans of Star Wars will be descending on New Dock Hall as Unleashed Events launch their latest comic-con with a Star Wars twist.

Whether you are an originalist who thinks Star Wars begins and ends with the original trilogy or prefer the latest exploits of characters such as Grogu or Ashoka, then there will be something for you!

If the fandom is strong with you then you won’t want to miss meeting the legendary actors who will be available to chat about their time on set, sign autographs and pose for photos. Actors include Garrick Hagon who portrayed Biggs Darklighter opposite Mark Hamill and Paul Blake who played Greedo from Star Wars: A New Hope. From Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back you can meet Paul Jerricho who was an AT-AT driver. As a creature actor Mike Quinn, the man behind Star Wars character Nien Nunb will talk about playing such an iconic character as well as the other

creatures he has portrayed. Although, all the actors are well known for their Star Wars appearances they have also appeared in other TV and film favourites such as Doctor Who, Space 1999, James Bond and Batman.

Jedis will jump at the chance to have their photo taken on the speeder bike or posing next to the Jedi Master Yoda! Fully indulge in your love of all things Star Wars with the local costuming group, the Mos Eisley Misfits who will have loads of interactive displays,

There are four categories: primary school age children; secondary school age children, individual adults and groups. The winners in the first three categories will receive £25, the group winners will get £50.

Drop off your entry at St Luke’s CARES charity shop on Dewsbury Road or at The Watsonian Pavilion in Cross Flatts Park on Thursday 2 November.

There will be an exhibition of the entries in the Watsonian Pavilion on Friday 3 November as part of a Craft and Upcycling Activity Day, running from 9:30am-1:30pm with the competition winners being announced at 2pm.

For more information contact sally@stlukescares.org.uk

lots of people do! Sammie explained: “Coming to the event in costume adds to the fun, however, although this is a Star Wars themed event we are more than happy for you to come along dressed as a character from other genres, such as fantasy, anime and superheroes. There is also a costume masquerade with some fantastic prizes to be won.”

photo opportunities and characters for you to meet … are you really a true Star Wars fan if you have never had Chewie ruffle your hair up!

Sammie Gibben, General Manager of Unleashed Events:

“It is fair to say this is going to be an out of this world event! It is a great opportunity for fans of the Star Wars franchise to come along, step into an intergalactic world and meet their favourite characters”.

You can go along to the event dressed as your favourite Star Wars character aka cosplay…

Other highlights of the event include comic book and animation artists and authors and plenty of vendor tables of comic books, Funko Pops, toys, collectibles, original art and much, much more! Amongst those attending is Sasha Ray, a digital artist and mixed media painter whose uber cool style is mashing up and remixing multiple layers of imagery into works of art with one of her main influences being Star Wars.

Sammie concluded: “New Dock Hall will be brimming with toys, collectables, posters and comics and you can easily spend your time reminiscing at items you grew up with or the latest toys for your young padawan!”

Leeds Comic-Con is at New Dock Hall, Armouries Drive, Leeds, LS10 1LT. On Sunday 15 October, 11am-5pm. Tickets available from: www.unleashedevents.co.uk

Indulge your fandom

Upcycled plastic bottles (Shutterstock)

Dante and Ziah are basketballing Move More Heroes

SinceGet Set Leeds Local (GSLL) began, we have loved meeting the huge number of people across the South Leeds communities taking part, volunteering and leading a huge variety of activities each week which get themselves or others moving in some way. We feel these people are all ‘heroes’ and an inspiration to us and others.

With the help from some GSLL friends, every month we are meeting and sharing a little about some of these ‘Move More Heroes’.

This month we caught up with The Swish Kings aka Dante and Ziah, 11 year old boys who wanted to encourage and inspire young people to get active through basketball.

We first met Dante and Ziah back in March when they got in touch with Get Set Leeds Local with their great idea to organise a 3 v 3 basketball tournament for children their age.

We love working with young leaders, so of course we said yes.

Can you tell us a little about yourselves?

We’re Dante and Ziah and are both 11 years old. We have both always participated in many sports from a young age but started playing basketball at the age of 8. We both currently play for the U12 Lets Do More basketball team and have both been at the Aspire camps run by Basketball England, to participate in training to hopefully play for the North of England.

Have you participated in other sports?

Dante: “I've done Karate, Catalan football and swimming. More recently I've done Go Karting and qualified for the regional British Indoor Go Karting Championships, and I roller skate. My favourite though is Basketball.”

How did you come up with

Disappointing finale but Hunslet are on the up

the idea of a tournament?

“The idea came from a conversation we had” said Ziah. “We wanted to do more for the children that are our age in Leeds for Basketball, we liked this idea and thought let’s go! We asked for help from Get Set Leeds Local who gave us funding and support, and we spoke to our team Coach Mo and Director Loran from Let’s Do More. After a month of working on designs and ideas together the ‘Swish Tournament’ was developed.”

Dante explained the aim of the tournament is “to encourage U14s across Leeds to get involved with some physical activity and improve their mental health. We wanted to put on a tournament for our age and make it fun.

“We wanted a tournament which is aspirational and encouraging for new and existing players. Although you sign up as an individual, you are placed in a team of 3 to keep the game competitive and balanced based on experience. The tournament was open to anyone who is U12 or U14 and wants to play Basketball.”

What’s your favourite parts of the game?

Dante: “Shaking hands and having good sportsmanship with the other team.”

Ziah: “My favourite part is feeling free when I play. I also like working out how to get the ball to my teammates to score.”

What do you most enjoy about basketball?

Dante: “Having fun with the team and winning.”

Ziah: “I love watching live games. The atmosphere is fun and I like studying what the best players do and see if I can do those moves.”

Where did the term Swish come from in your tournament name?

Swish refers to the sweet noise the ball makes as it goes

Holbeck Moor JFC launches free football

through the basketball hoop cleanly, without hitting the ring.

You had lots of ideas you wanted to make sure were included in the tournament, can you tell us a little about a couple of them?

We wanted it to be inclusive for boys and girls to come and join in. We wanted there to be music, along with t-shirts for everyone, vouchers as prizes and there to be food. We produced our own flyers, Instagram posts and TikTok's. We were on TV and radio it was amazing!

The first Swish Basketball Tournament took place in July. What did you most enjoy about the day?

Dante: “I enjoyed everyone's good reviews and all sorts. Everyone was happy and it was

Holbeck Moor JFC has now launched free football sessions for Ages 4 and 5 for both boys and girls within our huskies group which takes place at 9am on a Saturday morning down on the playing fields of Ingram Road Primary School.

If you might be interested or know someone else who might be, then please pass on our details.

Please get in contact with the manager on 07939 836310, or email infoholbeckmoorjfc@gmail.com or message our Facebook Page.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HolbeckMoorJFC Website: holbeckmoorjfc.co.uk

great to see everyone having fun. The day was so good. It was a big success.

“Thanks to everyone who helped us, Let’s Do More, Get Set Leeds Local. Emerald Isle Seasoning and Rae of Sunshine candyfloss for the food.”

Have you had any sporting moments which feel the most rewarding?

Ziah: “I think the tournament was rewarding because so many people came to join in and I felt proud. I also like it when people watching my games or watching me train give me feedback and say nice things to me about how I play.”

Dante: “Playing against the Harlem Globe Trotters at First Direct Arena and playing on the new basketball court in Beeston off Dewsbury Road.”

What’s next?

We’d love to host another tournament next year and make it bigger and better.

Many thanks to Dante and Ziah for coming to GSLL with their ‘good idea’, and for sharing their journeys with us. At a young age, they’re already champions, wanting to support and encourage others to enjoy and participate in something they feel so passionate about. They really are Move More Heroes!

Continued from page 24 Midlands Hurricanes and Drighlington (in the Jimmy Watson testimonial match) regained some confidence, and a 10-54 win in Cornwall overcame a potential bananaskin after nearly a month without league rugby.

Now a run of tough games came. Workington proved a difficult task, but leading 22-18 Hunslet looked home until Town broke and Sabutey looked good for the corner. The winger uncharacteristically knocked-on with the line undefended and Hunslet took the points and thanked their stars luck was on their side.

A week later a devastating first half gave Hunslet a 22-0 lead against Rochdale, who although improving in the second half went down to a 3818 defeat.

A hot day in Oldham was a chance to really post a message, but leading 18-20 early in the second half Hunslet fell fowl of Patrick Ah-Van whose tries led Oldham to a 40-20 victory.

Hunslet could afford no more losses, and with the re-signing of Half back Matty Beharrell and the on-loan Myles Lawford from Bradford Bulls the Parksiders were starting to look the part.

A 36-6 win at home to Cornwall followed by a 20-30 away win at North Wales Crusaders (coming from 16-6 down at half time) got them started, but a superb 28-8 home win over Doncaster with tries from Harvey Hallas, Jack Render and Myles Lawford really made people sit up and notice.

Going 12-0 down at Midlands was nothing as the Parksiders scored tries for fun to win 22-54. Oldham were tackled off the park as Lawford, Render and Joe Burton scored in a 21-8 victory. Then in the game of the season Hunslet toppled unbeaten Dewsbury 16-14 in an absolute classic with tries from Johnny Campbell, Myles Lawford, Josh Jordan-Roberts and Matty Beharrell.

If Hunslet could maintain this form they would surely be promoted?

A good start at Rochdale was eroded away as the hosts came from 4-20 down to 22-20 up, but Hunslet just stepped up a gear and tries from Joe Burton, Render and Campbell saw them home 22-35.

A 56-14 romp against bottom team London Skolars was expected, but the weeks off and a few injuries unsettled the squad for their last league trip away to Workington. An out of

sorts Hunslet lost the game 186 but had secured that second spot and had gone unbeaten at home in the league for the full season.

Again, weeks off didn’t help and an in form Doncaster took advantage of a second half slump to book a place in the play-off final winning 14-26 at the South Leeds Stadium, meaning Hunslet had to beat an in form North Wales Crusaders. The game went down to the wire but mistakes cost the Parksiders who slid out of the play-offs losing 1825.

Jack Render’s tries had been a highlight of the season and along with Matty Beharrell received the Supporters player of the season. Josh JordanRoberts and Harvey Hallas had been leaders in a dominant pack and on-loan Myles Lawford had been the icing on the cake.

It was a disappointing end to outgoing Coach Alan Kilshaw’s tenure, but he would feel he left the club in a better position than he found it. He commented: ““I’m delighted that Hunslet are in a better place, on and off the field, than when I arrived, and despite the disappointment of us not reaching the promotion play-off Grand Final. That’s sport, though, things don’t always go they way you want, and happy endings aren’t guaranteed.”

With assistant Coaches Danny Burton and Ryan Jackson remaining there is some continuation.

New Coach Dean Muir takes charge this week and we will wait and see which players are retained or brought in.

Behind the scenes things are looking up, as match day hospitality has doubled over the course of the season and sponsorship is on the up. The club is engaging with the community and with Woodlesford based Tuff Sportswear coming on board Hunslet hope to attract more local businesses.

The rugby played this season has certainly been entertaining and it’s hoped more supporters will come back next season, although with the loss of London Skolars League 1 is now down to 9 teams. So the question is will the RFL continue or merge League 1 and the Championship?

Finally, one Hunslet player has enjoyed a bumper year. Full-back Jimmy Watson celebrated his testimonial this season. Ten years as a Hunslet player, with many evenings and events raising money for a great club man who is still an integral part of the team.

Move More Heroes: Dante and Ziah

Disappointing finale but Hunslet are on the up

by Ian Pickles

There’sno way of sugar coating it, Hunslet’s failure in the League 1 Play-off’s was disappointing as the South Leeds club had their best finish in ten years in the regular season.

Finishing second in the league meant the Parksiders were favourites for promotion, but it was third placed Doncaster that came strong in the end and snatched promotion for themselves.

Coach Alan Kilshaw’s second full season in charge saw a few changes in personnel, including some Championship experience in Steve Crossley, Adam Ryder, Michael Knowles and Sam Hallas. Fans became confident of a higher finish than in 2022 when the club just missed out on the Playoff’s.

A pre-season defeat to Batley looked encouraging and big wins over Salford and Leeds (who both fielded younger teams) gave chance to give all the squad a try out, but the

league was thrown into chaos early on when West Wales pulled out leaving huge gaps in the fixtures.

It wasn’t an easy start for Hunslet travelling to much fancied Doncaster, but other than a 15 minute spell the Parksiders were on top and in the end at least deserved a draw as Jake Sweeting’s late conversion hit the post and the Dons took it 18-16.

A big cup win over amateurs Heworth and a 22-8 home win over North Wales Crusaders set up a cup rematch against last year’s champions Keighley Cougars. Although the Cougars led 4-16, two late tries from Brad Wheeler and Joe Burton took Hunslet to another agonising 2 point defeat 14-16.

A 22-66 victory over London Skolars in the capital set up a Good Friday derby away to Dewsbury. The Rams lead 120 at the break, but the 2nd half was all Hunslet, and in the end the visitors were disappointed to lose 12-6.

Big home wins against Continued on page 23

Kickboxers head Stateside

October is set to be an exciting month for a talented group of kickboxers from the South Leeds Area.

Eight members of the Kenshin Martial Arts squad will be heading out to Orlando to compete at the prestigious WKC World Championships.

The team secured their spots in the England squad after competing at the National Championships in March which

were held in Manchester. Since qualifying the group have work hard dedicating any spare time to extra training sessions, including at Rowland road Club in Beeston Hill with lots of late nights and early mornings.

As well as the dedication they have shown to training, the group have been working hard behind the scenes fundraising to cover the costs of the trip as

unfortunately kickboxing is a fully self funded sport. There are still sponsorship opportunities available if any local businesses would like to support the group in achieving their goals.

Kenshin Martial Arts run classes daily in South Leeds for all ages (3+) and ability.

For further information please contact kenshin.leeds@gmail.com

Kenshin Martial Arts (L-R) Lennon Ingham (20), Alyssa Imbusch (19), Head Coach Dean Imbusch, Savanna Doran (15), Alex Roddison (14), Millie Turner (13), Junior Imbusch (10) and Isaac Calvert (15)

Sam Hallas on the charge against Doncaster.

Photo: Paul Whitehurst