MICROSOFT MOVE INTO STOURTON
Tech giant to build ‘hyperscale’ data centre on power station site
Microsoft has bought 48 acres of land at the former Skelton Grange power station in Stourton and plan to build a ‘hyperscale’ data centre in a deal worth £106.6 million.
The land has been sold by Harworth Group who bought the site ten years ago and have remediated the contaminated land and developed a masterplan. In 2020 19.5 acres was sold to Enphinium to
build the commercial waste to power plant (incinerator) that is currently nearing completion.
The site is also home to a Battery Energy Storage System and Harworth has secured planning permission for further industrial and logistics space.
Lynda Shillaw, Chief Executive, Harworth Group said:
“Since re-listing in 2015 Harworth has successfully completed a number of
significant transactions that create value for our shareholders but this sale at Skelton Grange is the Group’s largest to date and is yet another exemplary case study that demonstrates the successful regeneration of brownfield land.”
Commenting on the development Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:
“Here in West Yorkshire, we’re building the transport
infrastructure, talent pipelines and thriving ecosystem we need to create jobs and growth.
“This new investment from Microsoft is a major vote of confidence in our plans, and I look forward to working with them and with Leeds City Council to build a stronger, brighter region.”
Skelton Grange power station comprised two coalfired plants built in the 1940s and 1960s. The power station
closed in 1994.
The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) developed the Skelton Grange Environment Centre in partnership with National Grid and Leeds City Council on land next to the electricity substation.
Plans considered for the site since 1994 have included a new stadium for Leeds United in 2001 and a depot for now cancelled HS2 high speed rail line.
The former Skelton Grange power station site. Photo: Harworth Group
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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.
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Plans panel gives green light for Holbeck Sports Hub
Aformer
school site in South Leeds is set to be transformed into a state-of-the-art community sports hub.
Proposals for the new development – on land in Holbeck once occupied by Matthew Murray High School – were approved on 6 June at a meeting of Leeds City Council’s south and west plans panel.
The plans had been to public, in person, consultations in Holbeck and received positive feedback from local residents and amendments made following the consultation, including a reduction of the number of pitches to make space for more natural environment.
The plans were due to be passed back in April so work could start as soon as possible, however Cllr Ed Carlisle (Green Hunslet & Riverside) from the neighbouring ward, following pressure from environmental activists from outside the area, forced it to plans panel.
Work is now expected to start next year on the council-led project, which will include three full-size artificial grass football pitches, two multi-use games areas and a twostorey building with facilities such as changing rooms, a gym and a café.
The building will also be home to a GP surgery and pharmacy, with these services contributing to the wide-ranging health and wellbeing benefits that the development as a whole will bring for local residents.
Other elements of the scheme will include the creation of a children’s play area and improvements to a portion of existing green space at the site, which covers 6.3 hectares and sits off Brown Lane East and Ingram Road.
Outdoor seating areas, footpaths and a segregated cycle route are
also planned, along with a 267space car park and dozens of bike storage bays.
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said:
“This is a key milestone for a scheme that underlines our commitment to the health and wellbeing of everyone living in Leeds.
“The new hub will be a significant asset, not just for residents in Holbeck but also those in surrounding areas and indeed the whole of south Leeds.
“Crucially, its facilities will be affordable and accessible for all, providing more opportunities for the kind of physical activity and exercise that has really important health benefits.
“It will also have a positive social impact by bringing people together, whether that’s through participating in sport or simply spending time in its attractive outdoor spaces.”
Cllr Annie Maloney (Labour, Beeston & Holbeck) added:
“I’m delighted this development has been approved by plans panel and I’m looking forward to local teams being able to train in Holbeck and the improvements of GP provision in the area. I’m hoping that the delays caused by this project being forced to plans panel does not impact on the timeline to completion.”
Funding for the scheme will be provided from a range of sources, with the bulk coming via external grant support.
Once built, the new hub will be leased on a long-term basis to a not-
for-profit trust and managed by an outside operator. Profits generated will be invested back into improving other community football facilities across Leeds, where there is currently a shortfall of full-size artificial pitches.
Over the last three years alone, around 5,000 football matches in the city have had to be postponed due to natural turf pitches being left waterlogged or otherwise unusable.
Local Green Party activist Matt Rogan commented:
“I’m really glad to see a proposal for a community hub … However, one aspect of the sports hub raises concern: three full-size 3G plastic pitches. Plastic pitches are known to be environmentally unfriendly, and seeing that there would be three –which would mean just shy of 20,000 square metres of artificial grass – raised alarm bells. For starters, artificial grass has a strong negative impact on biodiversity, but they also have impacts such as overheating in hot weather and potential micro plastic pollution.”
Bingo Hall set to reopen in Hunslet
Bingo is set to return to Hunslet as Club 3000 Bingo take over the former Mecca Bingo hall on Balm Road.
A Gambling Premises Licence has been applied for which states that the building will be open from 10am to midnight seven days a week.
Founder of Club 3000 Bingo Brian Fraser told the Yorkshire Evening Post:
“We are thrilled to expand our portfolio to 25 clubs and bring the Club 3000 Bingo brand to Leeds. “This is a fantastic community and venue, and we look forward to offering our customers an exceptional bingo experience in a firstclass, modern, and secure environment.
“We promise something special for both regular bingo lovers and new customers alike.”
Club 3000 Bingo was founded in 2004 and operates 24 bingo halls, mainly in the north of England and Scotland.
The company is set to invest £3 million in the building and create 50 jobs.
CGI of the new sports hub to be built on the site of Matthew Murray High School CGI of
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Trinity Network celebrates half a century of service
Hundredsof people attended a celebration event to mark the 50th anniversary of Trinity Network at the URC church on Nesfield Road in Belle Isle on Friday 14 June.
Trinity Network provides a range of day facilities for older people in South Leeds including hot lunches, a wide range of activities, trips and holidays. It provides opportunities for friendship, social interaction and making people safe, stay healthy and independent.
The centre and the church were decked out with balloons and bunting as well as hundreds of photos displaying the work, the members and the volunteers over the decades.
The chat was lively as old friends caught up and talked about old times and new developments.
Amongst many guests were the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Abigail Marshall Katung, Hilary Benn and Tom Riordan, Chief Executive of Leeds City Council.
Manager Trevor Heylings gave the audience a potted history explaining how Trinity Network started out as an ‘Over 55s Club’ based at Dewsbury Road URC church. It developed opening in Belle Isle in 1982 and it changed its name in 2011. Unfortunately, the Dewsbury Road site had to close in 2020 due to Covid and
has not reopened, but a minibus provides transport to allow members from Beeston to access the services.
Alex Walker the Chair of Trinity Network also spoke, thanking all the staff and volunteers who have served and also remembering those members have passed away over the years.
He recalled asking a member how they had got involved with Trinity Network. She explained that her mother had used the service twenty years previously and had told her it was “too good not to go.”
Tom Riordan, Chief Executive of Leeds City Council, told South Leeds Life:
“I think its an amazing
milestone and I came here today just to thank people personally for what they’ve done and continue to do for the community. You only have to be here to feel the energy in the room. Without something like this the elderly and vulnerable people would feel isolated, feel lonely, it’s that sense of community, that sense of being part of something bigger is just absolutely fantastic. It’s a wonderful asset for the people of South Leeds
“The council funds part of this work and the reason we do so is because we know that this is what people, in policy terms, would call prevention. If these people didn’t have somewhere to come and engage, even if it’s once a week, or once a month, then they’d be sat at home maybe more likely to have a fall in the home, or they would be more likely to be getting mental health problems. This work heads off so much that the state would otherwise have to fund, so it’s really money well spent from our point of view.
Lots of people here are volunteers, members of the community who want to do the right thing, so if we can enable that to happen that’s a brilliant thing for us to do.”
Hilary Benn said
“It’s been a privilege to be here to celebrate fifty years of
Trinity Network. Just listening to Alex Walker speaking, all of the effort, all of the care that has gone in and all of the generations of older people who have benefited from what happens here and used to happen at Dewsbury Road before it closed. You know when people say ‘what is community spirit?’ sit here and look around you – you can see it, you can feel it, you can touch it. It’s been a wonderful morning.”
The Lord Mayor added:
“The first word has to be ‘Wow!’ It’s absolutely inspiring to know where they’re coming from and where they are now. Half a century, it’s amazing. To see the joy in the eyes of the elderly, it’s priceless.”
Committee member
Elizabeth Myers has been involved since the start
“I used to come in the school holidays to help out and I did my work experience at Dewsbury Road. My Gran, as she got older was in a wheelchair and the only way she could go on holiday was if someone went on her day centre holidays to push her wheelchair. I thought that’s something I can do so I joined the Dewsbury Road day centre pushing wheelchairs.”
Reflecting on the 50th anniversary she said: “It’s just a wonderful thing.”
General Election 2024 Candidates standing in Leeds South
Muhammad AZEEM Workers Party
Hilary James BENN Labour Party
Janet BICKERDIKE
Christian Peoples Alliance
Ed CARLISLE Green Party
Karen COOKSLEY
The Conservative Party candidate
Niko OMILAMA
George SYKES
Liberal Democrats
Daniel Paul WHETSTONE
Social Democratic Party
You can find out more about the candidates at southleedslife.com/elections-2024/general-election-2024 where you can also watch the online hustings meeting that South Leeds Life hosted on 26 June.
Polling day is Thursday 4 July. Polling stations will be open from 7am-10pm, remember to take photo ID with you in order to vote.
Applause for the many staff and volunteers who have served over the years
All the fun of the festival
The sun shone and the crowds descended in their thousands to Cross Flatts Park to enjoy Beeston Festival on 22 June. Revellers commented on the fantastic atmosphere and the range of activities and entertainment on offer.The Festival was open by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Abigail Marshall Katung and the Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Yvonne Stocks. On the main stage Maz Bonafide stole the show with his bhangra raps, whilst these children joined the DJs and rappers on stage during the Hip Hop Takeover. There was much more to enjoy with sports, children’s activities, the fun fair and the scores of stalls in the bazaar. A diverse range of local groups performed dance routines in the Arena, along with displays of freestyle skateboarding. Musicians from around the world performed on the Emerge stage to entertain diners in the Food Court.
One festival goer commented: “What a lovely, fantastic day it was at Beeston Festival, thank you. Lots of families I know enjoyed the day. The day was full of fun and enjoyed by so so many.”
by Jeremy Morton
On the beat
with Sgt Mark Czternastek
Iamcurrently working in the role on Neighbourhood Support Sergeant.
Unlike my Sergeant colleagues across South Leeds, I do not have a specific ward area as such, instead I am responsible for having an oversight of all the main issues and areas of concern across all of the Inner South Leeds Locality.
I work very closely with our partnership agencies and despite only being a member of the Inner South Neighbourhood Team for 5 weeks, I have forged some very close working relationships with the likes of Leeds AntiSocial Behaviour Team (LASBT), Leeds Housing and the council Parks and Countryside teams.
My role is very much aimed at long term problem solving and working with our partners to identify and implement long term solutions to problems that have the greatest impact on our communities. As such, I focus a lot of my time on working to take positive action against those using properties in South Leeds to engage in criminal activity. We are working tirelessly to put an end to these properties, which cause a great deal of disruption and unease to the people of South Leeds.
I bring to the role a wealth of experience, having joined West Yorkshire Police nearly 20 years ago as a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO). Community policing has always been my passion and an area I continue to be drawn back to.
I spent just short of 2 years as a PCSO working in West Leeds as a member of the West Leeds Neighbourhood
Team, with my ‘beat’ being Wortley and Armley.
After ‘cutting my teeth’ in the policing world, I decided it was time for me to move on and in 2007 I was recruited as a Police Constable and was posted to Bradford District.
My time in Bradford was a real eye opener, as I moved between several areas and teams over a relatively short period of time, and it was here that I got my first taste of ‘response policing’ which I thoroughly enjoyed. I also spent a period on the Neighbourhood Team covering Great Horton and Little Horton and thrived on the challenges the area provided.
After approximately 5 years at Bradford, I transferred back to Leeds where I was posted back to where it all began, on Leeds West Neighbourhood Team. I spent several very happy years back in West Leeds and it was here that I was promoted to the rank of
Sergeant in 2012.
Following promotion, I fulfilled a variety of roles including a stint back on response, neighbourhoods, working on a proactive team targeting serious violence and drug crime and up until joining South Leeds NPT, 6 years as a custody sergeant at Elland Road.
My passion undoubtedly lies in Neighboutrhood Policing, I am one of the ‘older’ ones that still has memories of the local community bobby that made it their business to know the locals, both good and not so good. I believe strongly in making our communities, housing estates, local shops and green spaces, places that we all feel safe and happy to use.
Although it is still very early days for me in South Leeds, I am already feeling well settled and I very much look forward to the challenges that face me over the coming months.
Recycle and reuse social enterprise moves to Holbeck
Paintreprocessing specialist, Seagulls Reuse, has relocated to 129 Water Lane within the heart of the Temple district of Holbeck.
Seagulls will recycle, mix and sell paint as well as running a series of creative workshops close to the city centre in its new 31,150 sq ft warehouse.
Cat Hyde, co-founder of Seagulls, explains:
“We’d love to have the capacity to collect leftover trade paint but, at the moment, we have enough paint from Leeds households to meet our customers’ needs. But we are hopeful that this new city centre location in the fastgrowing Temple district will hopefully entice new painters through the door enabling further expansion.
“So this is a plea to people across the city to pop in and see significant savings on quality paint, varnish and timber care. Whether painting your home, office, community centre, shed or garden furniture – we have something for everyone no matter the colour.
“The new space will also enable us to expand the range of workshops we run, from beginners decorating courses, to mosaics, murals and terrazzo, we will also have decorating pods available for hire.”
Seagulls Reuse launched in 2005. It is the brainchild of Cat Hyde and her co- founder. Keen to find new pathways into employment, with a shared passion for environmental sustainability they wanted to create a social enterprise that would benefit their community. They engaged with Leeds City Council and agreed to collect and reuse paint disposed at the nine Household Waste Recycling Centres across the city.
They now divert almost 400 tonnes of reusable paint each year, checking and reprocessing it for resale.
theatre company Slung Low which CEG welcomed to Water Lane last year.
CEG continues to commit to social enterprises and, following the support from Historic England enabling crucial repairs to the roof and walls of the Counting House to make it watertight prior to its refurbishment has now opened this vital building at Temple Works as a second home for Forging Futures Campus.
Bespoke colours are mixed and matched by the team and its helpful volunteers before being resold from as little as £1 per tin.
The process is labour intensive and has provided an opportunity for employment, volunteering and training.
Ruksar Ajmal started as a volunteer with Seagulls Reuse when leaving prison in 2007. A colour-blind paint mixer, he now works full-time helping to train other volunteers and decorators, assisting customers and managing the bespoke paint-mixing service.
Ruksar said:
“Seagulls Reuse is a vibrant and vital environmental social enterprise. It has been life changing for me, and many others. In the last 17 years, I’ve learnt many skills and am now expert at creating bespoke paint colours by and using a spatula and paddle drill along with a splash of intuition and creativity!
“I love training our new volunteers from all walks of life. Many have been through struggles similar to mine and I’m keen to pass the support I’ve been given onto others who need it. We offer a fantastic community service and look forward to welcoming many more happy customers through our doors as we make the exciting move to Temple.”
Seagulls Reuse will be the neighbour of the famous Leeds
CEG launched Forging Futures Campus at Kirkstall Forge and delivers construction skills, employability, heritage, sustainability and innovation education and training. This, together with partners The Skill Mill and Icon Group has delivered £11million in social value, creating pathways for local people into employment, further education and apprenticeships.
Antonia Martin-Wright, Director of Commercial Development at CEG, said:
“It is fantastic to welcome Seagulls to Water Lane. They join Slung Low and our new Forging Futures training and skills campus at Temple and share many of our values, both in terms of environmental sustainability and the importance of social enterprise. We wish them every success in their new city centre home. “
Property Agent Fox Lloyd Jones introduced Seagulls Reuse to its new home. Zac Parker at FLJ Ltd said:
“We’re delighted to have negotiated the deal to bring Seagulls Reuse to the Temple District, supporting their immediate and future growth plans, while adding significant value to the wider Temple Community. It has been a pleasure to work with the Seagulls Team on the transaction and we wish them all success for the future.” Find out more about Seagulls Reuse at: seagullsreuse.org.uk
Find affordable paint at Seagulls in Holbeck
The Seagulls team outside their new home
Website: www.southleedslife.com
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Belle Isle Gala returns this month
Belle Isle Gala is returning this month after a five year break and the free event takes place on Saturday 6 July, from 12-3pm at Windmill Primary School.
Attractions and activities on the day include Breeze inflatables, a climbing wall, performances by local dance and majorette groups, stalls, Police and Fire Engine, and Hunslet Rugby Foundation will be running sports taster sessions.
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Abigail Marshall Katung, will attend and at 1:30pm will officially rename Parkside Field as ‘Coopers Field’ in honour of Colin and Una Cooper who ran Hunslet Parkside junior rugby league club for so many years.
With the cost-of-living crisis in mind, organisers have made sure that there will be many free things to do on the day and all the stall holders and food providers will be limiting their charges. Food will never cost more than £4 a plate, with plenty of snacks at £1 or £1.50.
Peter Sutton, BITMO Community Development Manager, said:
“BITMO is delighted to be bringing back the Belle Isle Gala for the first time since 2019.
“It’s an event to bring the Belle Isle community together, to celebrate its strengths and contribute to building a safer, stronger, greener Belle Isle. It also marks 20 years that Belle Isle tenants have been managing the estate as BITMO – Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation.”
“The Gala will be a success because of a wide group of people who have organised it –not just BITMO but also a number of local residents, the Belle Isle & Middleton councillors, Windmill Primary School, the Youth Hub along with the support of Leeds Federated and Places for People housing associations.”
Cllr Emma Pogson-Golden (SDP, Middleton Park)
commented:
“I
all ages. Not only will this event help to bring the communities together, but we are also looking back at the
Parkside Field, being renamed as Coopers Field on the gala day, and also the Parkside Hub (old changing rooms), where we will be opening the doors for everyone to see what amazing memorabilia, photos, newspaper articles, kits and much more this building holds.
“We have invited the Cooper family and some of the old Parkside players as well as anyone who used of the building, so hopefully they can share stories of Colin and Una Cooper and the Parkside history.”
Organisers ask you to arrive on foot or by bus if you can, and if you do drive please do not park on the school side of Windmill Road.
am so excited about the Belle Isle Gala. There will be so much on offer for everyone of
history of
Belle Isle Gala 2017. Photos: Ken Ingram
Youngsters from DAZL performing at the 2017 Gala
Father and daughter reunited at Belle Isle dementia care home
Afatherand daughter who lost touch with each other for many years had the surprise of their lives … when they found they were living at the same care home!
Tthe pair are now making up for lost time and building up the wonderful connection they now have.
Leslie Brooke, 96, and Jean Pickergill, 71, both from Middleton, are now living at Nesfield Lodge Dementia Care Home in Belle Isle. Leslie became a resident in 2022, while Jean moved in July of 2023. She was totally unaware that her father was already living one floor below her!
The incredible reunion happened when Jean, passing through the dining room, recognised her father. She told the carers: “The man in the corner is my dad,” and when Leslie saw her, he immediately knew she was his daughter. It was an emotional moment for everyone involved.
Sarah Golden-Hill, Manager at Nesfield Lodge, said:
“It was a shock to us all. Jean walked into the living room, pointed at Leslie and said: “‘That’s my dad!’. When Leslie looked up and realised who was standing in front of him, he had the biggest smile on his face.”
After many years apart, Leslie and Jean are now cherishing their time together.
Leslie said:
“I love living with Jean; I get to see her every day and watch her grow. She’s an amazing
Jean was equally thrilled.
She said:
“I couldn’t believe it when I saw him sitting in the lounge. It feels like we’ve been given a second chance at our relationship. I love spending time with him.”
With their dementia diagnoses, Jean and Leslie’s relationship is a central part of their individual care plans at the home. Sarah explained:
“As a dementia-friendly care home, we support residents in building or retaining relationships with loved ones.
For Jean and Leslie, their care plans focus particularly on quality family time.”
At 97 years young, Leslie told us how he enjoyed Father’s Day last month.
“I feel so lucky that I can
Father’s Day card and wrote a lovely note in it, which I’ll cherish forever.”
Jean mentioned one of her favourite memories of her father from the past. She said:
“As a child, my dad used to build a makeshift wheelbarrow from orange boxes, and take me blackberry picking in the nearby fields. We’d eat most of the blackberries before we got home!”
Now reunited Leslie and Jean are making the most of their time together, thanks to the dedicated team at Nesfield Lodge. Paige Foster, Activity Coordinator, shared,
“We always ensure they spend quality time together. Jean often visits her dad to catch up over a cup of coffee in Leslie’s room.”
Jean and Leslie at Nesfield Lodge
New manager joins Pennington Court care home
Kim Turton has been appointed as the new Registered Manager at Pennington Court Care Home on Hunslet Hall Road.
The care home offers residential care as well as short-term respite care for older people and has been undergoing significant investment since Covid to re-build the service back to its Outstanding CQC rating.
Kim is a Registered Nurse with a Masters in Health Care Management and brings over 19 years’ care experience to Pennington Court.
“I came into care to make a difference. I have worked in care across the whole spectrum of ages from babies through to older adults. I absolutely love caring for older people and find it a real privilege to come into work every day and make a difference to their lives.”
“Covid was a really difficult time for everyone
working in care, but I am so proud of how the staff at Pennington Court have clearly continued to show commitment to their roles and making sure our residents are happy.”
“I have worked in a number of care homes, and I can categorically say that Pennington Court has such a lovely atmosphere. The staff work as a family and care for residents as they would like their own loved ones to be cared for. In fact, some of the staff’s family members live at Pennington Court which is testament to the trust they place in their colleagues to look after their relatives.”
“The key to outstanding care is making sure that we adapt to the resident’s lifestyle – if they don’t get up until 10am that is fine by us. If they like particular food – we aim to get it on the menu for them. Residents enjoy three homes cooked meals a day and a wide range of
activities from coffee morning’s and craft activities to trips to Scarborough and visiting entertainers. It’s all about tailoring our care and support to their lifestyle –not about them fitting into a routine that does not suit them.”
Westward Care owns Pennington Court alongside three other care locations in Leeds (Headingley Hall, The Cedars in Methley and Southlands Retirement Apartments in Roundhay).
The company has invested significantly in the ongoing training and development of staff.
Alongside mandatory training the company have also employed ‘Clinical Educators’ to work directly with carers to develop their skills, offer solutions to any issues that arise and ultimately deliver the best package of care and support possible for the residents.
Peter Hodkinson,
Managing Director, Westward Care notes, “Our care and support is only ever as good as the people who deliver it which is why we have spent significant time and money supporting staff to rebuild after Covid. Where staff express an interest in studying for additional care qualifications, we support financially to make that happen – whether it’s an NVQ in Care or enhancing catering skills. Every member of the team contributes to making the home an outstanding place to live and has the opportunity to grow and develop their career with our company.”
If you are interested in visiting the care home to have a look around or finding out more about job opportunities available, please contact Pennington Court by Email: pennington@westwardcare. co.uk, or phone: 0113 228 4040.
Kim Turton, Residential Manager, Pennington Court
Money matters
with Leeds Credit Union
Unlock financial freedom: The power of debt consolidation
Asthe cost of living crisis continues to increase the financial pressure facing many households in the UK, news that a lack of investment is likely to stop the UK economy from growing any time soon couldn't have come at a worse moment.
The timing is especially unwelcome when you consider the amount of debt people in the UK face.
According to financial planner Money Advisor, the average amount of unsecured debt per UK adult in June 2023 was £4,087, while the average total per UK household was £65,529.
With financial problems mounting, it's never been more important to keep a close eye on your debts and make sure they're properly managed.
One of the most effective ways of doing so is with a debt consolidation loan. But what exactly is a debt consolidation loan and what are its benefits?
Greg Potter, Head of Member Experience at Leeds Credit Union, takes a look.
What is a debt consolidation loan?
A debt consolidation loan is a type of loan that an individual takes out to pay off their existing debts. The individual uses the money from the debt consolidation loan to pay off the people or companies to whom they are in debt, then repays the loan in monthly instalments.
Debt consolidation loans can be used to pay off different types of debt, such as credit cards, overdrafts, store cards or personal loans.
What are the benefits of debt consolidation loans?
Taking out a debt consolidation loan is an effective way of taking back control of your finances as it allows you to immediately pay off all your debts and leaves you responsible for just one repayment each month.
When you have several lenders to repay each month, it can be easy to forget to make a payment, especially if the repayments are for different amounts and due on different dates. Needless to say, this makes budgeting and general money management much more difficult.
Because bigger loans often come with lower interest rates, debt consolidation loans can also lower your monthly repayment amount, reducing your outgoings. The repayments can also be spread over a period of time that is
more suitable for you, which could potentially lower your monthly repayments too.
Take control of your debt
A cursory glance at almost any British news outlet will give you an indication of the financial difficulties people in the UK currently face. While this is naturally a cause for concern, it's important to remember that financial help from reputable lenders is available to anyone who needs it.
Your local credit union won't charge any set-up fees for their debt consolidation loans, nor should they charge any penalties for early loan repayments, making it easy to take the first steps to getting your finances back under control.
Leeds Credit Union provides straightforward and affordable financial services to people in Leeds.
Trot down memory lane to celebrate 100th birthday
Aresidentliving at a Leeds retirement living complex celebrated his 100th birthday in style by going back in time via a horse ride.
Patrick Harrison lives at MHA Assisi Place in Hunslet, and as part of his birthday celebration was treated to a horse and trap ride. Patrick rode horses in his earlier days and continued to do so until he was 70.
He celebrated his big day with five generations of his family with the youngest being 3 and the eldest 80.
The kitchen staff prepared a feast for everyone to enjoy and a special birthday cake was brought in for Patrick.
MHA Assisi Place has 45 modern apartments for rent, creating a diverse and vibrant community of residents aged 60 and over.
Julie Ratcliffe, housing assistant said:
“Partick was overwhelmed with the party we had arranged for him and he had a huge smile on his face all day.
“We arranged a horse trip for him which took him back to his earlier years and reconnected him with his traveller roots.
“There was also some live entertainment which kept all the guests and other residents entertained.
“When I asked him what was his secret to a long life he said he has used the bible as guidance and lived by this, any problems he has read the bible for answers.
“He said he has always lived a simple life and kept active, he does the weekly chair exercises here and walks to Morrisons everyday.
“He really is amazing, he got a telegram from the king to go with the other 37 cards he got and I am so happy we got to spend his big day just the way he wanted it.
“He said to me at the end he didn’t know where to start and kept thanking us.”
Pet Ambulance service helping pets across our region
Yorkshire Pet Ambulance, who’s base is in Middleton, was launched in January this year by veterinary responder Daniel Jordan.
The service operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year providing vet transport for pets across West Yorkshire.
“I’ve worked with animals all my working life and enjoy helping others, people find it
reassuring to know someone is on the end of the phone day or night if there pets need help.
We work with all vets across the region who do a fantastic job” said Daniel.
The service, while relatively new, has already helped over one hundred animals and there are plans to expand later this year.
A full range of equipment is carried onboard the pet
ambulance, including a pet stretcher; fully stocked First Aid Kit; oxygen; onboard CCTV; and vet bedding to deal with a range of medical situations. If you need to use the pet ambulance call: (0113) 460 1615
Details of all their services can be found on their website: www.westyorkshirepet ambulance.com
Photo: Shutterstock
The pet ambulance is based in Middleton
Patrick Harrison with his card from the King
Website: www.southleedslife.com
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Hunslet fashion show goes ahead after garments stolen in break in
by Zoe Creasser
For 12 weeks Youth Club members at The Hunslet Club had been working towards the success of its sustainable fashion project.
A sustainable, youth led fashion initiative aimed at promoting eco-friendly fashion practices among young people.
The project was split into three sections: re-cycle, re-use and re-purpose. The project consisted of 12 weeks of fun and creativity, design work and empowering each other to use youth voices and challenge ourselves to change the world. The project culminated in a vibrant fashion show, where youth participants showcased their creations made from recycled and upcycled clothing and materials.
The fashion show, that went ahead on 10 June was almost cancelled due to a break in at
The Hunslet Club. The culprit took numerous items from the art room, the base for the fashion project. A laptop was taken and garments that the young people have spent months designing, recycling and upcycling.
Regardless of this set back the show went ahead with the young people sharing out their designs ensuring no member
Northern Monk forms long term partnership with Holbeck charities
Northern Monk brewery have announced three long-term charity partnerships as part of their Faith in Future Foundation.
Faith in Futures is now a long-term supporter of Holbeck Together, a community support group based in the same neighbourhood of Leeds as Northern Monk; Pyramid, who help people with learning disability, autism, or both, through the discovery, development and disruption of the arts in West Yorkshire, which is also based in Holbeck; and Restoring Hardknott Forest, a project to restore one of the largest conifer plantations in the Lake District National Park back to native woodland.
The three causes were selected following a vote by members of staff of Northern Monk.
Ciaran Shier, Positive Impact Director at Northern Monk,
said:
“We’re delighted to be able to support Holbeck Together, Pyramid and Restoring Hardknott Forest. Previously, we would donate grants to causes and then move onto the next donation.
“By becoming long-term supporters of these three groups, it means we can make multiple donations to them over the coming months and years, supporting specific projects or goals, fundraise for specific causes, and tell people exactly which charities will benefit from their donations or when they buy our beer.”
Faith in Futures raises money through various channels including fundraising events, merchandise sales and sales of their Faith in Futures range of beers, which are available in supermarkets, the Northern Monk website, and Northern Monk’s venues in Leeds and Manchester.
was left without something to showcase.
The show was a huge success. This project not only highlighted the creativity and talent of the club’s members but also raised awareness about the importance of sustainability in fashion. True resilience was shown after the young people wanted to go ahead with the Fashion Show despite items been missing.
“We’re thrilled with the outcome of this project,” said club CEO, Dennis Robbins.
“Our young members have proven that fashion can be both stylish and sustainable. This project has empowered them to think creatively and act responsibly towards the environment.”
The Hunslet Club thanks all volunteers, sponsors including Burberry, The Style Attic, and community members who contributed to this initiative. Plans are already underway for future art projects that provide a safe space for young people in our community to thrive.
Pyramid work with people with disabilities
Undaunted: Young people show their sustainable fashion designs at The Hunslet Club
Ofsted: Students ‘flourish’ at ‘outstanding’ Elliott Hudson College
Students flourish at this outstanding college,’ say Ofsted inspectors, after a recent visit to Elliott Hudson College.
milestone of the college, who have been determined to maintain a high quality of education and pastoral care for its students, while tackling challenges in social inequality.
This was reflected in the report that commended the focus on social mobility: ‘Leaders and staff share the ethos that every student can succeed, regardless of their background or the difficulties that they may encounter.’
College leaders were praised for the shared ethos of success and inclusion within the college. The report found that ‘Students value the sense of community where they can be their authentic selves, celebrate their differences and rejoice in what makes them unique.’ which demonstrates the college’s dedication to building an inclusive, diverse and supportive community within Elliott Hudson College.
The college was praised for its exceptional commitment to the careers and destinations of students, with students benefitting from “high-quality careers advice and guidance and are prepared exceptionally well for their next steps.”
the college has approximately 1,200 students in Year 12 and 13, and is expanding next September with an additional 200 places.
It currently offers a wide range of A level and Vocational courses demonstrating the college’s commitment to providing options that prepare students for their chosen future destinations.
This result comes at an exciting time for the sixth form college as it has announced new expansion plans in 2024.
It is investing £4.8 million into expanding its current footprint by approximately 11,300 sq ft, with the addition of state-of-the-art classrooms, study areas, offices, and a seminar and lecture hall.
“Our staff and students work incredibly hard to create a community in which all can thrive and therefore we all take immense pride from what is written in this Ofsted report. Whilst brief, the report encapsulates the essence of our college, what we believe in, and the quality of the provision.
The South Leeds based sixth form college, has received its second consecutive ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted judgement.
Elliott Hudson College was awarded the top rating by Ofsted following an inspection in May 2024, which reported the College as continuing to be an Outstanding provider.
The high quality of teaching in the college was also recognised: ‘Teachers are experts, both in their subjects and the craft of teaching.’
This is a significant
The inspectors were impressed by the progress of students in all areas of their development and praised the attitudes and behaviours of young people: ‘Students are highly motivated to learn and develop their individual skills and ambitions. Attendance is very high.’
Elliott Hudson College is proud of its wide range of industry, university and employability partners, which include Suzler, Credera, Career Ready, the Linikear Institute, Ahead Partnerships, Leeds Trinity University and the University of Bradford.
At the time of the inspection
“I wanted to express my gratitude to our incredible staff team, our wonderful students and all our other partners. Great things can only be achieved through a team approach, and we hope that the wider community and our partners share in our sense of pride over this exceptional report” said Lee Styles, Principal. Read the full Ofsted report at: bit.ly/OfstedEHC
ndings
Triumph at West Yorkshire School Games
The sporting community at Cockburn John Charles Academy is buzzing with pride following the exceptional performance of one of its standout athletes.
Darlene, a dedicated and talented student, has clinched the gold medal in the 80m hurdles at the prestigious West Yorkshire School Games. Not only did she secure first place, but she also achieved a personal best time, marking a significant milestone in her athletic career.
The competition saw athletes from across the region competing in various events.
Darlene's victory in the 80m hurdles was a highlight of the day, showcasing her speed, agility, and determination. Her success is a testament to the rigorous training and unwavering commitment she has shown over the past months.
With this remarkable achievement, Darlene has now set her sights on the upcoming
school community is rallying behind her, offering their support and encouragement as she prepares for this next challenge.
Mrs Roberts, Head of School
at Cockburn John Charles Academy, expressed her delight at Darlene's accomplishment.
"We are incredibly proud of Darlene's outstanding achievement in the West Yorkshire School Games. Her dedication, hard work, and passion for athletics are truly inspiring.
She has set a shining example for her peers, and we are confident she will continue to excel as she moves forward to the Yorkshire competition and beyond."
Darlene's journey from a promising young athlete to a regional champion has been an inspiring one.
Her success serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance and the impact of a supportive school environment.
As she continues to train and compete, the Cockburn John Charles community remains hopeful and excited about her future prospects.
Sports Day for CJCA students
The Cockburn John Charles Academy (CJCA) was alive with energy and excitement as students from years 7 to 9 took part in the highly anticipated annual Sports Day. The event, which fosters both competitive spirit and teamwork, saw students participating in a range of athletic events within their form groups.
The Sports Day was designed to encourage participation from all students, regardless of their athletic abilities. Form groups cheered each other on, creating an atmosphere of mutual support and encouragement.
Mrs Roberts, Head of School, expressed her pride and joy in the students' participation and the successful organisation of the event.
"Sports Day at Cockburn John Charles Academy is more than just a day of competition," she said. "It is a celebration of our students' hard work, determination, and the importance of teamwork. Seeing every student from years 7 to 9 engage with such enthusiasm and support each other is truly heartwarming. This event highlights the strong community spirit we foster here at the academy."
The highlight of the day was the relay race, which brought out the competitive edge in every participant. The race was met with loud cheers and applause from the spectators,
with many students achieving personal bests. The winning form group celebrated their victory with exuberance, but it was clear that the day was a win for everyone involved, with countless moments of sportsmanship and friendship on display.
The Sports Day concluded with awards, where students were recognised not only for their athletic achievements but also for their participation and teamwork. As the day drew to a
close, it was evident that the Cockburn John Charles Academy Sports Day was a resounding success. It brought together the school community, highlighted the students' talents, and most importantly, provided a platform for everyone to shine.
Mrs Roberts summed up the spirit of the day perfectly:
"Our Sports Day is a reminder that every student has unique strengths to contribute. Today, we
not just the fastest runners or the strongest throwers, but the collective effort and spirit of our school. It's a day that we will all remember fondly."
With such a positive outcome, students and staff alike are already looking forward to next year's Sports Day, eager to build on this year's success and continue fostering a sense of unity and pride within the Cockburn John Charles Academy community.
Ofsted: Hunslet Moor continues to be a Good school
Arecent‘ungraded’ Ofsted inspection has reported today (14 June 2024) that Hunslet Moor Primary School remains a Good school.
Inspectors report that:
“Pupils are proud to attend Hunslet Moor Primary School. They say that adults are kind and keep them safe. Pupils enjoy their lessons and the wider opportunities the school creates, such as clubs, trips to the farm and special events like pyjama day. They appreciate the opportunity to have a free breakfast every day.
“Staff have created a caring and nurturing environment for all pupils. They provide effective support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).”
They go on to say that:
“The school is ambitious to provide a high-quality education, but this is not fully realised across the wider curriculum. The school knows what needs to improve and this work has begun.
“Published assessment data indicates that the proportion of pupils leaving school meeting age-related expectations is low.
The school has faced significant challenges since the last inspection. These include assessing and addressing the needs of a large influx of pupils with complex needs. There have also been significant changes in staffing and school
leadership. Leaders have worked tirelessly to overcome these challenges. The school’s focused work on the core curriculum is having a positive impact. Pupils’ work in their books and lessons shows that pupils are making good progress and achieving well.”
Responding to the report, Headteacher Hannah Darley commented:
“This year, the development of the wider curriculum has been of significant focus. Our intention and ambition is to continue to develop the teaching and learning across all foundation subjects to ensure it is as impactful of our teaching of early reading, English and Maths. (I’m pleased that) the Inspector took confidence in leaders’ understanding of this and actions that have already been taken.
“On behalf of our Governors and myself, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Hunslet Moor staff and volunteers who often go above and beyond to enable the achievements of our pupils, and the efforts from many members of the school community in supporting and contributing to the work of the School. It is only through such partnership working, that we can achieve the best outcomes for our pupils!”
You can view the full report at: bit.ly/OfstedHMPS
celebrated
Yorkshire competition. Her recent performance has bolstered her confidence, and she is determined to excel further and secure a place in the Nationals. The entire
Pupils enjoy their lessons
Events included Tug of War
Hurdler: Darlene
New Bewerley staff to scale 3 Peaks
Agroup of staff from New Bewerley Community School in Beeston are set to climb the 3 Peaks of Yorkshire to raise vitaly needed funding. The school houses a Resource Provision unit for 20 children with complex learning and physical needs. Many of ther children have profound communication, medical and physical needs. In order for them to participate in enriching and fulfilling experiences and overcome their personal challenges, they require highly specialist play equipment which
Friends of St Joseph
Parents at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Hunslet have taken the initiative and set up the Friends of St Joseph’s, a PTFA (Parents, Teachers and Friends Association).
Lisa Derret, one of the parents leading the group explained that they wanted to give something back to the school.
They launched in March after a few months of preparation. Their first project is to raise funds for a minibus as the school doesn’t currently have one.
The group have run after school tuck shops, disco, ice cream sale, coffee morning as well having a stall at Hunslet Festival. They are organising a Leavers Party for the Year 6 moving to secondary school this summer.
Now they have been nominated for the Tesco Stronger Starts fund and need support from shoppers to vote for them with their blue tokens. You can vote at Tesco Metro stores across the city centre as well as Leeds Dock and Dewsbury Road and the big store at Seacroft.
Lisa explained why shoppers should support them:
“We live our virtues and when you give so much it’s nice to receive a little bit of help as well. We want to lead by example, so if we give and we support hopefully they will support us. The minibus will make such a difference to the school.
“We’ve got a big percentage of
Cockburn School celebrate their a
is expensive.
The staff have set a challenge to raise £3,000 by completing the Yorkshire 3 Peaks. The route is 24 miles (38.6km) long and involves 5,000 ft (1,600 metres) of vertical ascent.
Explaining why they are doing it Jacqui Driscoll said:
“We are passionate about providing the best possible life experiences for every child in our unit.”
You can support their efforts by donating online at www.justgiving.com/crowdfundi ng/Rainbow-Room
Special Award winners at Cockburn School’s graduation
The
last few years have brought many challenges for the Year 11 students at Cockburn School.
They have worked tremendously hard, and this was recognised as they played their part in the school securing the Ofsted ‘Outstanding in all areas’ judgement in February 2022. This year has seen exams
going back to normal. The Year 11 exam period ran from 8 May through to 18 June – 5 weeks including six science exams, three maths exams and four English exams. Students attended many afterschool and holiday revision sessions put on by the staff at Cockburn School and now look forward to their results day on
The Friends of St Joseph’s and the virt
want your votes
they aspire to
SEND (Special educational Needs and Disabled) children that are missing out on events because we can’t get them there.”
Teacher Mrs Elwen added:
“It will save the parents money as well. To fund a trip is so expensive the school often subsidises costs, but moving into next year the budgets are
Tributes paid to Headteacher leaving Middleton Primary School
Middleton
Primary School bids farewell to Headteacher, Miss Sam Williams, this summer and the school and members of the local community would like to thank her for so many years of service and to wish her well for her retirement.
Miss Williams has contributed to education for her entire working life. Before coming to Middleton as a Deputy Headteacher in 2006, she worked in Manchester across various schools and had always shown a flair for leadership. She then became the Headteacher at Middleton Primary School in 2007.
cut even further we can’t afford it, so by doing this we can support the parents to make sure that the children still have an enriching education.”
The Friends of St Joseph’s are an independent organisation and decide themselves where the funds they raise go, but they work very much in partnership with the school.
l’s Class of 2024 achievements
22 August 2024. Aspirations are high – their results should see them moving on to study ALevels/Post 16 qualifications at a range of providers such as Elliott Hudson College, Notre Dame or Leeds City College. For some, their results will lead them into a wide range of apprenticeships and employment.
The last day of their journey of ‘Transformation to Excellence’ at Cockburn School included the annual Graduation Ceremony during which awards were presented for a range of honours in front of students, parents/carers and staff. Awards were made to students in recognition of their qualities and success focused on the
She has always been clear and committed in her values and vision within education and has worked incredibly hard over 17 years to give the children of Middleton the best educational offer she could. She has always been a passionate advocate of providing experiences for children including a wide range of residentials. She is a role model for educators showing people that kindness, compassion and understanding enhances the education for the young people in her care.
In November 2022, Ofsted rated the school as Good and highlighted that leaders in the school “built strong relationships with families”, “invested in highquality care and support for children with SEND” and “organise a wide range of educational visits.”
We asked people who know Miss Williams to write about her and her many qualities.
“I am privileged to have worked closely with Miss Williams for many years in south Leeds. Her dedication to the young people, each and every one of them, is incredible. She is driven, determined and dedicated.
“Her positivity and warmth are there for all to see and her ability to see the good in all of the children she works with leads to
Values and Expectations of the school such as resilience, respect, responsibility, independence and aspiration. Staff at the school were asked to nominate students who were worthy of these awards. Winners of awards were Janet Baafi, Daniel Rejdych, Jakub Stefaniak, Beth Coates, Hafsah Kauser, Aleisha Kelly, Isabel Abbott, Harley Hart, Joel Cosham and Kyle Sarikaya.
Maariya Rahmani was awarded the Head of School award for her positivity,
improvement and success. She is an excellent leader and her experience and knowledge will be missed across the Cockburn Multi-academy Trust and we all wish her well for a well-deserved retirement!”
David Gurney, Executive Headteacher, Cockburn MAT.
“I feel lucky to have been able to work alongside her for 12 years and have learnt so much from her; a mentor and also a friend. I hope that you have the most wonderful retirement Miss Williams, you have definitely earned it!“
Miss Tissiman, Deputy Headteacher (and Headteacher from September 2024).
"I've worked for Miss Williams since she started at MPS in 2006 and, over time, she's turned our school into a place I'm very proud to work at. She's not just a colleague, she's a friend and the fact that she is loved and respected by staff, pupils and parents alike is testament to the kind of person
resilience and emotional maturity. Mr Dixon, Head of School, spoke of how proud he was of her and all of the students and wished them all well for their future.
The school's most prestigious award is named in honour of Kyle Asquith, and it was presented to Marni Ahmed who has shown great resilience, strength and pride throughout Year 11. Presented by the Kyle Asquith Foundation, in memory of former student Kyle who sadly lost his life in 2013, but whose
she is. The school will not be the same without her but I wish her all the very best for her wellearned retirement."
Miss Lynn, Office Manager
“From the bottom of our hearts- thank you! For your care.
For supporting our children and us, parents! For knowing everyone’s name and for cheering us when we needed it. For every minute spent with my son building Lego and every single shoelace tied up for the other one.
“For teaching children how important is to stay open minded and for keeping promises for them. For leading school with such a passion and positive spirit. We will all miss your smile by the school gates so very very much!”
Natalia Marciniak, Parent
“Miss Williams, we have known you for a lot of years, since the very first day you came through the primary gates. Five of our children and numerous grandchildren have previously
organs saved the lives of five other people.
Kyle’s parents were not able to attend but sent the following message to the winner and to all of the Year 11 students at Cockburn School:
“Congratulations! We hope the future is very kind to you. Don’t take anything for granted because we have to work for what we have. Life will throw obstacles, but you just need to keep your head up and face them head on. Life is for living –enjoy it. Never give up.”
attended or still attend MPS. You have brought this school forward in so many positive ways. We have always found you to be trustworthy, approachable, honest and fair. You have always treated us with fairness and respect. Miss Williams in our honest opinion you are the best Headteacher this primary has ever had.
“You should and hopefully do feel very proud of yourself and everything you have done for the children of Middleton. We wish you a very happy retirement. Now go and do all the things you love doing and enjoy them stress free. Take care and all the best for the future!”
Sharon and Allan Wright and all the Wright children and grandchildren.
“I love Miss Williams’s calming energy and the way she remembers every child’s name at the gates each morning. Miss W is cut from a different cloth and will be missed.”
Sara Larnyoh, Parent
The Head Girl and Head Boy, along with their deputies, made a triumphant speech that paid tribute to their fellow students and the staff at Cockburn School for their hard work and industry throughout their time at the school.
The final celebration, the Year 11 Prom, at the Village Hotel in Tingley took place later that day and it was wonderful to see so many young people from south Leeds celebrating their success and dressing up in sharp suits and beautiful dresses!
Cut from a different cloth: Miss Williams
In our view
Democracy is precious
We are in the run up to a general election that is widely predicted to bring significant change to the country. As a newspaper we try to play our part in the democratic process by giving you information about the candidates to help you decide how to cast your vote. This year we held an online hustings meeting. We discussed topics raised by you, the readers. Whilst the candidates held very different positions, the debate was conducted very respectfully. That’s very important. In this day and age many people are retreating into their own echo chamber where they only hear people who agree with them. Social media may not be the cause of this, but it doesn’t help. We need more public spaces where we can debate and realise we share more in common than we sometimes think. If we remain fearful of the ‘other’ we risk going down a very dangerous path.
Young and old
Looking through this issue the stories seem to be dominated by the two ends of the age sprectrum. We have two heart-warming stories from our local care homes, and many stories of success in our schools. If the success of a society is judged by how it looks after its young and older people, then South Leeds doesn’t seem to be doing too badly. Long may it continue.
The September issue of South Leeds Life will be out on Wednesday 4 September.
The deadline for submissions is Thursday 29 August.
Your letters and comments
Holbeck Sports Hub
If similar to other sports hubs local kids can’t just play on these pitches, they have to be booked. What will the price be? Strangely if you look at any of the other sports centres with football pitches they give prices for everything apart from the cost to hire a pitch.
People did raise the issue of using artificial pitches at the consultation but Leeds City Council seem to ignore any concerns people have (remember they managed red light zone fiasco).
This facility will be used by mainly people from outside the area which will increase traffic on Brown Lane substantially, which makes a mockery of the Councils pledge to reduce traffic in the area with road narrowing and blocked off streets.
The Council trying to justify the use of artificial pitches because of waterlogged natural pitches is pure hypocrisy by the same Council going to great lengths to tell everybody how green they are.
If a natural grass football pitch has the right drainage put in place waterlogging is not a problem.
Anyway time will tell, but like past Council schemes they will carry on regardless and ignore any concerns raised.
Henry
It’s fantastic to hear it has been delayed because in March next year Sport England are aiming to start the transition away from rubber crumb. They are urgently testing alternatives now because the rubber crumb pitches cause plastic pollution and waste. All this information is available in Sport England’s new Sustainability Strategy.
The Chair of Sport England recently stated that the pitches are “very bad for the environment”.
Suzy
Microsoft data centre
Data centres use huge amounts of energy and the Stourton site has direct access to the national grid.
Rich Bell
They have quite literally turned the site off and back on again. Good one Bill
areas surrounding. The elderly will be able to enjoy their days and evenings out, brilliant news for the community
Grief at UKREiiF
If only we had large ready made spaces for events, like an arena with an outdoor area, or a square that holds regular events in the City Centre … The waterfront is a nice area and I can see why it would be attractive to hold events like this there, but I can totally see why this is a problem for the residents and putting people’s safety at risk by pausing the cladding work and blocking emergency exits is not OK. I love the other side of Hunslet and whilst walking down the canal on the Monday of final set up, I was met with large groups of security just blocking the pavement. Not helped by the security fencing that was forcing people to single file when there was loads of space on the other side of the fence. There’s lots more suitable places to host this important money generator, I say move it.
Mike
Bingo in Hunslet
I think this will be great for the people that live in Hunslet and all the other
Your Leeds City Councillors
Beeston & Holbeck ward Includes Beeston from Cross Flatts Park to the Ring Road, Cottingley and Holbeck. The three councillors are:
Shaf Ali (Labour) (0113) 378 8810 sharafat.ali@leeds.gov.uk
Annie Maloney (Labour) 07554 969236 annie.maloney@leeds.gov.uk
Andrew Scopes (Labour) 07860 400645 andrew.scopes@leeds.gov.uk
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:
Rob Chesterfield (SDP) (0113) 378 0900 rob.chesterfield@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
Shirley
It’s great that it’s been brought back into use.
Cllr Rob Chesterfield
Leslie and Jean reunited
Oh wow, how lovley is this story? Amazing, I hope you have a good few years together. Happy Father’s Day Leslie.
Malcolm Mollett
Beeston Festival
It was amazing as always, I'm proud to live in Beeston. Thanks to everyone who makes it happen, it gets bigger and better every year. The big bike fix team worked non-stop all afternoon.
Sarah Thornton
It was an amazing day. We did a tombola stall to raise money for our group Grandparents Kinship Support Group Middleton. We raised £252. A big thank you to all who helped us.
Paula Galfsky
Well done to all the organisers. It was a brilliant family/community event as ever. Should be more than once a year.
Sue Elizabeth
Theft at Hunslet Club
How awful that some callous person or persons stole from the Hunslet Club.
Such a shame this happened, but lovely to know the fashion show was able to go ahead. Some people will know who is responsible for this theft, I wonder if they’ll do the right thing and report them to the police?
Jan
Barrie and Sandra
Congratulations on your special anniversary. What a lovely love story. Trudy Carter
It’s our 65th anniversary this July and some kind person said at the time “I give it six months” ha ha!
Sheila Dixon
Congratulations to you both. I'm from Middleton and went to the church you got married in. My grandma Jayne and Norman Wilkinson were from Middleton, I went to William Gascoinge school.
Janice Moran
Asha
Learning Award
Congratulations Afia Khattun and the team. So proud of you.
Nashima Choudhury
Join the debate
Comment online; by email: info@southleedslife.com; or post to: 224 Cross Flatts Grove, Leeds, LS11 7BW.
Letters may be edited for publication.
Gates.
John Peters
CGI of the new Holbeck Sports Hub
Website: www.southleedslife.com
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Barrie and Sandra celebrate their 65th Wedding Anniversary
Barrie and Sandra Cooke
from Gascoigne House in Middleton recently celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary and took the opportunity to renew their marriage vows.
Barrie and Sandra’s story is told by Lynda, the girlfriend of Barrie and Sandra’s son Julian.
Barrie and Sandra first met when they were 12 years old, and ended up as boyfriend and girlfriend at the age of sweet 16.
Barrie first caught Sandra’s eye when he used to sit in the bin holes with his mates. Every time Sandra walked past, Barrie would wolf whistle and shout.
As a group of lads and lasses, they started to hang around Middleton. The lads knocking about the streets and the girls went to Tivoli Picturehouse in Middleton. In fact the girls used to visit every picture house they could,
From the age of 17, they started going to the Middleton Arms. They loved the sprung floor and it was there that they found their passion for Rock’n’Roll dancing.
At age 18 Barrie worked, serving at the Fforde Green and Shaftsbury pubs. On his way home, Barrie would stop at Sandra’s gate and serenade her until she turned on her bedroom light.
The Mecca dancehall became the lunchtime place for Sandra on her dinner break from WH Smiths, she would go with two of her friends, Hilda and Mavis.
Barrie would turn up in his filthy overalls, take them off and leave them on the floor. They would then bop their lunch hour away. Barrie would then put his filthy overalls back on and return to work.
Barrie was a bit of a professional and he could easy bop away with a girl on each
watching the likes of Doris Day, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly and Vera Lynne – in fact anything to do with dancing.
Out of their group of friends
Barrie actually dated Hilda first, but as fate would have it, she dumped Barrie and said Sandra could have him!
From that moment on every morning on his way to school Barrie would stand over the road, in the same place, a few doors down, and whistle until Sandra came to her bedroom window and waved at him.
At the age of 16 they started going to the Nutty Slack in Middleton.
Barrie frequented the stage, singing to woo Sandra with the songs 16 Tonnes and Unchained Melody.
One time Barrie was due on stage to sing, but desperately needed the toilet. He went to the loo, and came back covered in snow, but you know what … the prize was Sandra, so Barrie got up to sing anyway.
ended up in the social club. Sandra’s Mum and Dad even invited them all back to their house for supper.
A few days later, realising how many feelings Sandra had for Barrie and overcome with jealousy, Sandra arranged to meet Barrie on the hilly field at the bottom of Middleton Park Avenue.
Sandra said to Barrie “Will you marry me?” and the rest is history. Barrie was 19, Sandra was 18.
Barrie and Sandra were married on 18 May 1959, at St Cross Church, Middleton, and honeymooned in Weymouth and Romsey.
Barrie and Sandra then moved in with Sandra’s parents, May and Bill. Barrie went into the Army in the early 1960s, and when he came out they moved into their first house together on Mariners Avenue, Hunslet.
Sandra started her career in the tailoring business and worked at Buckleys, a company on Greek Street that made school blazers.
Holidays for Barrie and Sandra before the children where full of fun and frolics, they went to Weymouth, Romsey and Seaton Carew.
In December 1961 they were blessed with their first child, Jayne and nearly five years later in June 1966, Julian arrived completing their family.
Family holidays were to Butlins, Blackpool, Torquay, Spain and Malta.
arm. But he knew his true love was Sandra and their was nothing the pair loved more than dancing together. Their commitment together was strong. On one particular occasion, Barrie was down in Romsey in Hampshire and Sandra was on holiday in Hartlepool. Barrie got the train all the way up to see Sandra, a total of 300 miles.
Barrie would have walked 500 miles and 500 hundred more just to be the man at her door.
This was soon to change though. Barrie and Sandra booked a holiday at Butlins together, but they fell out. To avoid missing out on on the holiday, Sandra went with the lassies and Barrie with the lads.
While there, Barrie ended up meeting a girl from Sheffield and Sandra a boy from Grimsby. They both ended up coming over to Leeds on the same weekend and the all
has now arrived and is brother to Freddie.
Julian finally left the family home in his early 20s and added to the clan, first with Georgia followed by Ellie. Adding to the the great grandchildren came Tallulah and Winnie from Georgie and George.
Barrie and Sandra renewed their own special vows to each other as follows:
“Sandra, after years of you having to put up with my terrible jokes and endless snoring. I promise not to change one bit. I might not be the perfect husband, but I am the one you chose and proposed to, and I’m glad you did. Here’s to another round of ‘I do’s, with a continued side of love and my humour, and lets look forward to many years and of course our Platinum Anniversary.”
“Barrie, you have forgotten to mention a few other things I have to put up with, pretending to be deaf and annoying la la la you constantly do. Why cant you just sing to me again, like you used to? Yes it was me who proposed and in glad that I did. Thank you for looking after me, I never thought you would end up being my Carer and since my stroke it really has been for better and for worse. You are always there for me and I’m glad that I did chose you.”
Then Barrie and Sandra agreed to continue abiding by the vows you took together on Monday 18 May 1959 with a resounding “we do.”
What a wonderful love story and they got to have their Wedding Anniversary at Gascoigne House, which they recently moved into. They can be seen enjoying the various activities at Gascoigne House Extra Care, and enjoying a meal in the Bistro.
In the early days at Butlins the glamorous Sandra and Julian entered the Mother and Baby competition. They won it quite a few times. Julian would like to think it was down to him being a cute baby, but we all know the truth. Barrie says Sandra won the competition because she’s beautiful.
The family first visited Malta in 1978 and it became a special place where they spent many holidays over the years with friends creating happy memories. As you can imagine they made so many lifetime friends from that first visit in 1978 to the present day.
Jayne met her husband Vince, in 1979, they married in 1982 and have five children together: Jordan, Joshua, Joseph, Jonathan and Emily.
In addition to their growing family they have given Barrie and Sandra three wonderful great grandchildren, Emmie, Freddie and Sienna and we understand another is on the way. Update: baby son Frankie
Barrie and Sandra enjoying the roof garden at Gascoigne House
Barrie and Sandra on their wedding day
Pathways for positivity
with Shannon Humphrey
The House Whisperer
Meet Rachel Smith, The House Whisperer Transforming Lives.
Rachel Smith, known as the House Whisperer, is helping people transform their lives by creating happier, clutter-free living spaces. After a career pivot during the COVID-19 pandemic, she now empowers individuals to reclaim their homes and wellbeing.
Can you explain what you do?
Basically, I’m a house whisperer, which means that I help people feel happier in their spaces. They might be surrounded by too much stuff [including clutter or mess] and feel stuck or overwhelmed by having to make life/home changes to improve their quality of life. They just need a
non-judgemental helping hand, someone to bolster their confidence to say, “yes you’re right, you should do that” It’s not just about transforming living spaces, it’s about transforming the human beings who live there, by making them happier in their homes and creating that sanctuary that everybody wants and deserves.
What made you choose this career?
I was made redundant during covid and it was one of those now or never moments. My husband encouraged me to go for it, and I’ve never looked back, it’s all the things I love doing. Helping people reconnect with their homes, decluttering, empathic interior design and of course, meeting amazing people along the way. How does mess and clutter impact wellbeing?
Clutter has a massive impact on your wellbeing, whether you’re aware of it or not. It’s one of those things that you may be conscious of and every day it makes you wince, cross and disappointed in yourself, because you haven’t done anything about it.
Or it might affect you subconsciously, so even if
you’re not aware you’re thinking about it, or because you’ve stopped seeing it, things that are under the bed, things above the wardrobe, the things that are hiding in cupboards, they are constantly in your subconscious. So by decluttering you’re not only removing things from your physical surroundings, you’re also removing things from your head, so you’re creating more head space.
Why is it important to have a clean and tidy space?
It’s really important to have a clean and tidy living space. What happens in your home spills over into all areas of your life, by having a home that is in some kind of order will give you head space and it enables you to be more efficient, more productive and more positive. That will impact your wellbeing, mental health, personal relationships, friendships and work relationships.
A clean and tidy space is a fundamental thing everyone should have, and I understand, that’s difficult because it’s not a job everyone likes doing, or feels they can do because they’re struggling with their mental health. Which is why I’m here to help motivate people, to help them make a start. And encourage them to introduce new, more intentional behaviours that can
From Belle Isle to Roundhay Park
by Hon Ald Elizabeth Nash
At the end of this month of July, school holidays will begin. A question many parents will be asking themselves is where could they take the children for a good day out which will not break the bank!
I remember as a young girl
waiting with my mother and sister at the bottom of Briggate for a tram to take us up to Roundhay Park. I recall many trams had Belle Isle on the front of them and I wanted to know where the beautiful island was. When our tram arrived, we were delighted when the conductor asked us if we wanted a “Penny Park
Ticket” which we did not know about. As money was tight for us we happily said, “Yes”. The Leeds Corporation introduced these tickets for children in Leeds during school holidays to travel at little cost to the famous Park which the Corporation had bought for its ratepayers.
The former Leeds Corporation, the predecessor of Leeds City Council, had a fine record of building houses and providing leisure facilities not only for the tenants of its corporation houses in Belle Isle but also for all Leeds children and adult ratepayers. Belle Isle, along with other pre-war housing estates, were laid out with twelve houses to the acre so that there was plenty of health-giving green spaces which was very important in a densely populated and heavily polluted industrial town with thousands of coal fires. Belle
stop them slipping back into the mess they were in. By starting afresh, it helps people see that you can live with very little, no I don’t mean minimalism, I mean, choosing to look after the things you truly love and are important to you and letting the other stuff go. What top 3 tips would you give someone who is struggling to maintain a tidy home?
Ask for support, from a professional like me, or a trusted non-judgmental friend or acquaintance. They need to be somebody who will hold you accountable, they don’t have to be in the room with you when you clean/tidy, but someone who will check in on you to make sure you’re doing what
you said you would. Send yourself a diary appointment. Commit to a minimum of 2 hours, in 2 hours you can make a difference. Then hold yourself accountable by telling your trusted friend. Keep on booking time in your diary, for some people 15-30 minutes a day works for others it’s hours at a time. The key thing is to form a proactive cleaning, tidying habit that you can maintain. If you find yourself slipping, go back to tip number one, and ask for help. For more information about Rachel Smith and her professional services including decluttering and home staging, contact her at clutteristheenemy@gmail.com 07936 598916
Isle was, therefore, aptly named.
However, Roundhay Park was bought in 1872 because of the drive and enthusiasm of one Corporation councillor John Barron, a wealthy cloth and clothing manufacturer who at the time was the Mayor of Leeds.
At the time corporations were legally entitled to spend only £40,000 on one project and John Barron personally advanced most of the rest of the purchase price. The following year the restriction on corporation spending was relaxed and the Corporation reimbursed him.
John Barron was lampooned in the newspapers as having bought a White Elephant with cartoons of him with an elephant`s trunk because Roundhay was on the Leeds outskirts and public transport in the form of horse-drawn
trams went only as far as Spencer Place in Harehills. But he was proved to be right as today over one million visit and re-visit Roundhay Park each year. Later, Leeds was the first town in the UK (it did not become a city until 1899) to run an electrically driven tram to Roundhay with electricity generated from the Corporation’s own powerstation.
At 700 acres Roundhay Park is reputed to be the biggest park in Europe (although Temple Newsam, another park bought by the Leeds Corporation in 1922, is bigger!) Roundhay Park had had a succession of owners living in its Mansion, the last being Thomas Nicolson who created the two park lakes in disused quarries.
The Upper Lake is shallow and is a haven for wildlife. The Lower Lake required a dam to hold back water from Wike Beck and, as it was built by discharged soldiers from the Napoleonic Wars, it was named
Waterloo Lake. There is much to see at Roundhay Park. There are vast beautifully landscaped areas in which to stroll. There is the arena where world-class sporting events are held and the famous pop concerts which I introduced in 1982 with The Rolling Stones. Hill Sixty, where most of the audience sit and which is naturally terraced, is named after the first World War battle near Ypres in Belgium. At the other side of the road from the Park, there are glorious Canal Gardens bedecked with flowers.
At the side of the Gardens is Tropical World with its collection of tropical plants, free-flying butterflies and a colony of Meercats. Small entry fee, especially for Leeds Card holders, to Tropical World but it is well worth it.
We may not have Penny Park Tickets anymore, but we now have something like its equivalent in bus fares costing no more than £2 regardless of distance travelled.
Rachel Smith
After Before
Local history
with Ken Burton
The Monk Bridge
Continuingour series looking at the bridges that cross the River Aire and canals in Leeds, our next bridge down river from Wellington Bridge is Monk Bridge on the Whitehall Road.
This bridge derived its name from an area called Monk Pits, an area of meadowland to the north of the River Aire. A lock known as the Monk Pit Lock along with a small section of canal, the Monk Pit Branch, was built to provide access between the canal basin and wharves above the Bondman Dam.
This dam was built on the River Aire near Mill Hill in the Middle Ages. It controlled the waters to the King’s Mills and was constructed by driving wooden piles into the river bed. A timber frame was then erected with the infill made up of stones, sand, clay and faggots. Maintenance of this dam was essential in view of the economic importance of
the mills.
Later the Monk Pit Branch also became very important as a means of providing coal to the power station in Whitehall Road opposite Thirsk Row. This later led the bridge on Whitehall Road taking the name Monk Bridge. It is known that letters appeared in the ‘Leeds Mercury’ putting forward the case for building a bridge by the Monk Pits as early as 1817 and it later became a necessity with the building of the Whitehall Road, the road linking Leeds and Halifax.
On 22 December 1823 the first public meeting was held at Adwalton to discuss the proposed road and Mr Dinsley of Huddersfield in association with Charles Fowler of Leeds were appointed as engineers. Each engineer prepared a separate scheme and these were discussed at a meeting held on 2 February 1824. This led to an application to Parliament and on 25 May
1825 the Act received the Royal Assent.
Contracts were let on 16 November 1825 for the first section from Drighlington to Cleckheaton and on 14 December of the same year two more sections were let from Wyke to White Hall, Halifax. During 1826 the money from subscribers began to run out and a loan of £4,000 was obtained from the Exchequer Loans Committee to enable a start to be made on the major engineering project, the bridge over the River Aire and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Monk Pits, Leeds.
On 29 December 1826
contracts were let for a stone bridge with a 30 foot span over the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and for the masonry for an iron suspension bridge with a 112 foot span over the River Aire. The carriageway was to be of 26 feet width with two five foot pavements on either side.
The Civil engineer for Monk
Bridge was George Leather of Bradford and was done in the style referred to as a bow string suspension bridge and the cast iron work was by the engineer of Sturges & Company of the Bowling Ironworks, Bradford where the iron components were made.
The original bridge consisted of a through arch bridge with a suspended deck spanning the River Aire, an elliptical arch over the canal and two land arches over the footpath. The arches were assembled from iron castings with ball and socket bearings at the springing. The cost of the ironwork for the bridge was £320.6s.0d (£320.30p).
Construction of the bridge took place with no major problems and on 7 November 1827 George Leather carried out a load test and confirmed that the bridge would take a load of 150 tons. Although the
bridge was completed it could not be opened because the road links from Wellington Street and Gelderd Road had not been built because the bridge had taken up all the money and it was to remain like this for the next four years.
On Monday 23 April 1832 the barricades were removed from the ends of the approach roads at Wellington Street and Gelderd Road, Monk Bridge and the two roads, Aire Street and Whitehall Road, were opened and the tolls were taken at the same rate as Wellington Bridge.
In 1866 the bridge was purchased by Leeds Corporation from the Trust and in 1883 the bridge was advertised for sale by Leeds Borough and it was obvious that the old bridge was unable to cope with the weight of the increased volume of traffic and that a new bridge would have to be built by Leeds Corporation.
The new bridge was designed by Thomas Hewson the Borough Engineer, and the river span was of iron lattice girder construction, with a span of 109 feet. Rows of cast iron owls lined the parapet and the Leeds Coat of Arms was carved
in the stone pillars either side of the bridge. The bridge over the canal was also replaced with a cast iron structure with the Leeds Coat of Arms cast into the ironwork.
The contract amounted to £9,439 and the actual expenditure was £9,557 with a repayment period for the money borrowed was 30 years with an annual charge for principal and interest of £450. The contractors for the masonry were Whitaker Brothers, Horsforth, and for the ironworks, Butler & Sons, Stanningley.
Originally an attempt was made to make the bridge less utilitarian by using owl themed appendages on the top chord and by disguising the lattice structure by overlaying decorative castings having circle/star/rope motifs. The bridge remains basically as built in Thomas Hewson’s time but the owls have long disappeared from the top chord and the Leeds Coat of Arms have now disappeared from the cast iron plates on the canal bridge. The carved Coat of Arms on the stone pillars are rapidly being weatherworn away.
The Monk Bridge over the canal today
Foundation now running six days a week
TheHunslet Rugby Foundation’s community sessions are now running six days a week with free activities being delivered in Belle Isle, Middleton and Beeston.
A new free community sports session for children aged 5-11 years has started a Clapgate Primary School, LS10 4AW each Monday from 4:305:30pm.
Tuesdays sees the team at Low Granges LS10 3DN from 3:30-4:30pm, then moving up to the MUGA at West Granges LS10 3AW from 4:45-5:45pm.
A new free seniors breakfast club has started at the Belle Isle Welcome Centre at St John & St Barnabas Church LS10 3DN on Wednesday mornings from 9am-12pm. You can enjoy bingo, table tennis, quizzes, coffee or tea and also the cafe
will be open serving breakfasts.
The café has recently received a 5 star hygiene rating and is now also open on Tuesdays from 11am-2pm serving affordable meals. The café is also open during the free youth club sessions, which are going from strength to strength. These run at the Welcome Centre on Thursdays 4:30-6:30pm and on Fridays 4-
6pm. The sessions are open to all families and you can join in games and activities or just sit and chill.
Boys and girls rugby sessions run every Thursday at Leeds Corinthians LS10 4AX from 6:30-8pm. These free sessions are for children in Years 6-9 at school.
The Foundation also runs ParkPlay on Saturday mornings in Beeston. The sessions run at
Brickfield Park on Lady Pit Lane, LS11 6BR from 10:30am-12:30pm and are open to children and adults playing a range of games and activities.
As if that wasn’t enough the team will be running sports activities at Belle Isle Gala on Saturday 6 July at Windmill School, sponsored by Leeds Federated Housing Association.
Then in August they host a festival of junior rugby league with teams coming to Leeds Corinthians from across the north of England on the weekend of 3-4 August. This is a huge event and if you can help them by volunteering some time on either day please contact michael.nuttall@ hunsletrugbyfoundation.co.uk
And finally, during the school holidays they are running a free Summer Camp for children who receive free school meals. This will run from 22 July to 15 August, 8:30am-1:30pm at Leeds Corinthians and feature a range of games, activities, arts and crafts.
Breeze in the Park
Breeze in the Park will be visiting three South Leeds parks during the holidays.
Enjoy the fun, chills and thrills of our interactive play system, arts zone, fun fair, food and, of course, our classic inflatables.
All three events will have two sessions: 12-2:30pm and 35:30pm. There will also be a relaxed session for children with additional needs who require a quieter session at Beeston from 11am.
Booking is essential and
sessions cost 50p per child. Your Breeze Pass is not required for entry.
Belle Isle • Coopers Fiels, LS10 3HF
Wednesday 24 July
Beeston • Cross Flatts Park, LS11 7BQ
Wednesday 31 July
MIiddleton • Middleton Park, LS10 3SH Friday 16 August
For full information and to book your tickets go to: breezeleeds.org/breeze-in-thepark
Get involved in at The Great Middleton Park Show 2024
by Victoria Ward
TheGreat Middleton Park Show returns for 2024 with a theme to celebrate Nature's Beauty on Sunday 8 September from 1pm to 4pm.
The Show, as tradition, promises to feature its famous Produce Show, where anyone can enter in a variety of categories including: Vegetables, Fruit, Flowers, Home Produce and Arts & Craft.
Get your creative side going with ideas from our website, where you will also find the entry form.
DJ Danny will be on stage where we have a great line up of music, dancers and games. For animal lovers, we have Donkey Rides, Birds of Prey
displays and Ferret racing. Alongside those will be a huge variety of stalls and food vendors. Our Park café will also be open.
The event is free to attend and all are welcome to attend. Our area has good access for those with mobility issues and there will be parking for our disabled visitors.
But please leave the car at home if you possibly can, to reduce pressure on the local streets! Another environmentfriendly tip – remember to bring your reusable mug to help reduce waste.
Our event cannot happen without the dedicated help of our volunteers to whom we are very grateful.
It’s a great way to build confidence and meet local
people. If you would like to volunteer to help with this show or any other events at Middleton Park please see our website below for details. Any help, big or small, is welcome. We have a volunteers meeting on Monday 2nd September at the Park Café from 6pm. You can enter your interest before then via our contacts page or just show up on the night. Get involved by either: Entering the Produce • Show; Register as a volunteer • (ranging from stewards, stall helpers, marquee attendees and many more); Attend with friends and • family and have a great day. Show website: show.fomp .co.uk Email: info@fomp.co.uk
Classic inflatables at Breeze in the Park
Youth club at the Belle Isle Welcome Centre
Website: www.southleedslife.com
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Oddsocks presents ‘Julius Caesar’ in the park
Friends of Middleton Park
welcome back Oddsocks Theatre Company for a night of Shakespeare in the park on Tuesday 16 July.
heatwave). His liberal Senators are a stabbing pain in the backside. They’ve had enough! Rome is in chaos, trust in the government is weak and the emperor’s fate is written in the stars (or the ‘entrails of a goat’).
“Oddsocks excels in an entertaining show which succeeds as both farce and a perfect introduction to Shakespeare.”
IN BRIEF
Bring IT Back Home
Get Technology Together are running free sessions to help you master the use of phones, tablets, computers, operating systems, and applications. Every Thursday and Friday, 10am12pm at Involve Centre, Whitfield AVenue, Hunslet, LS10 2QE
Slung Low presents ...
If you think that sounds a bit heavy for a Tuesday night, you clearly haven’t seen Oddsocks before. The company perform Shakespeare with a twist of pantomime and it’s always a gloriously funny, family-friendly show.
Rome 44BC. Egotistical Emperor Julius Caesar is sweating (and it’s not just the
Happy and healthy groups at Hamara
Hamara and Leeds Community Foundation have come together to launch a series of new groups for individuals who have recently
undergone treatment for poor mental health.
The groups offer opportunities for adults aged 17+ to experience a myriad of
The peasants are revolting as the most famous political coup in literature is given the Oddsocks treatment. Expect the tearing of togas, the swishing of roman swords, some preposterous puppetry and the biggest battle scene five actors have ever created. On your marcus, getus setus, let the games begin!
The Stage gave a 4 star review saying:
activities that encourage interaction and combat social isolation; to learn new skills and experience a sense of achievement; to aid recovery by enabling individuals to develop tools to help in the management of their conditions. All of this and much more is offered in a friendly, safe and supportive environment.
Activities include: Gardening and Woodwork
• Artful Minds
• Reviving Body and Mind
• Dancing Days September
• Singing for Health and
• Happiness
• Cooking
Healthy and Creative
• Conversation
Coffee, Cake and
• Creative Writing
Furniture Upcycling
• Speaking with
• Confidence
Individuals are able to selfrefer onto a group. They may also be referred to the groups by a health care professional, friend or family member.
Please call Hamara on (0113) 277 3330 and a referral form can be sent out to you. If you require any assistance with the referral process please contact us by emailing sarah.dransfield @hamara.co.uk or call Sarah on 07470 977878
The show is on Tuesday 16 July at the Bandstand next to the Visitor Centre in Middleton Park. The performance, which is suitable for all ages from 7107, starts at 7pm.
Please bring your own chair or blanket to sit out on. An umbrella might be useful as the show will go ahead rain or shine. Refreshments will be served in the visitor centre.
Slung Low are hosting one show this month: Me For You by Rachel E. Thorn on Saturday 20 July at 7:30pm.A play about love. In the face of overwhelming evidence that we’re a despicable race of selfish parasites. Longlisted for the Kenneth Branagh Award. Contains strong language and distressing themes. Pay-what-you-decide. Book at www.slunglow.org /shows. Slung Low’s Warehouse In Holbeck is on Crosby Street, LS11 9RQ.
Family-friendly Shakespeare
What’s On
Your guide to events and activities across South Leeds in July and August
Please check that regular events are not affected by school holidays, 24 July - 30 August
Full contact details can be found in our online What’s On guide at www.southleedslife.com/events
Every Monday
Money Buddies
9am-12pm Dewsbury Road
Community Hub & Library Tea and Toast
9am-12pm BITMO’s Gate, Aberfield Gate, LS10 3QH
Parents & Tots Group
9:30-11am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck
Trinity Network Tea, Coffee, Toast
9:30-11am United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Women Only Exercise (HFA)
9:30-10:15am Beeston Village
Community Centre, off Town St
MEA Crafts Group
9:30-10:45am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Holbeck Together coffee shop
10am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck
Creative Communities Workshop
10am-2pm Middleton Park Baptist Church, LS10 4HT.
Book: 07483 666342
Crochet & Knitting Group
10am-12pm Beeston Community Hub & Library, Town Street
MHA Craft Club
10-11:30am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane Mums and Tots
10:30am-12pm Asha
Neighbourhood Project, Beeston
Monday Breakfast Club
10:30am-12pm Involve Centre, Whitfield Ave, Hunslet, LS10 2QE Chair Based Exercise
10:30am-12pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus Story & Rhyme (under 5s)
10:30-11:30am Dewsbury Road
Community Hub & Library
Lychee Red Chinese Seniors Lunch Club
11am-1pm Beeston Village Community Centre, off Town St
Digital 121 support drop in 11am-12pm Dewsbury Road
Community Hub & Library
MEA Bingo and Hoy
11am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid
Social Centre, Acre Road
Trinity Network Indoor Curling
11:30am United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle
MHA Soup & Sandwich
11:30am-1pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane
Cottingley Warm Space
11:30am-2:30pm Cottingley
Community Centre, LS11 0HJ
Dinner Jackets (baked potato)
12-1:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck
MEA Lunch Club
12-1:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid
Social Centre, Acre Road
Trinity Network Lunch Club, Bingo
12:30-2:15pm United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle
Women’s Wellbeing (HFA)
1-3pm Middleton Family Centre, Sissons Road, LS10 4JG Green Gym
1-3:30pm Skelton Grange
Environment Centre, Sourton, LS10 1RS
50+ Women’s Friendship Group
1-3pm Asha Neighbourhood
Project, Beeston, LS11 6JG
Beeston Bookwormers Book Club
1:30-2:30pm Dewsbury Road
Community Hub & Library Beeston
Digital Inclusion Classes
1:30-3:30pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus
Dancercise
1:30-2:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road
MHA Meditation & Movement
1:45-2:45pm St Andrew’s
Community Centre, Old Lane
Children’s Gardening Group
3:30-4:30pm Dewsbury Road
Community Hub & Library
Free Football sessions (8-18 yrs)
4-6pm Blenkinsop Field, Acre Road, Middleton, LS10 4JQ
Ultimate Dance Academy
4:30-7pm Cranmore & Raylands
Community Centre, LS10 4AW
Community Sports Session
4:30-5:30pm Clapgate Primary School, Cranmore Drive LS10 4AW Kickboxing
6:30-8:30pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Legs, Bums & Tums
7pm Cranmore & Raylands
Community Centre, LS10 4AW ANDYSMANCLUB
7-9pm Leeds College of Building, Cudbear Street, Hunslet LS10 1EF ANDYSMANCLUB
7-9pm Vale Circles, Tunstall Road, Dewsbury Rd, Beeston LS11 5JF
Every Tuesday
Tots Group
9-11am Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle Stay and Play under 5s
9-10:30am BITMO’s Gate, Aberfield Gate, LS10 3QH Holbeck Together Boxercise
9-9:45am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck MHA Breakfast Buddies
9:30-11:30am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane Advice & Advocacy
9:30am-2:30pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600
Trinity Network Indoor Exercise
9:45am United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Mobile Hub & Library
10am-3:30pm near St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Chair Based Exercise
10-11am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Coffee and Connect
10-11:30am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Grandparents Kinship Support Group
10am-12pm St George’s Centre, Middleton Free Netball
10-11am Cross Flatts Park Woodwork
10am Cranmore & Raylands
Community Centre, Belle Isle
MHA Exercise Class
10-11am South Leeds
Conservative Club, Wooler Street, Beeston, LS11 7JH
Craft & Chat
10:30am-12:30pm St George’s
Community Hub and Library, Middleton
Aasra Unpaid Carers Group
10:30am-12:30pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, LS11 6RD Story & Rhyme (under 5s)
10:30-11:30am Beeston
Community Hub & Library, Town St Story & Rhyme (under 5s)
10:30-11:30am Hunslet
Community Hub & Library, off
Church Street
Stronger Together (SEND parents)
11am-1pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, LS10 3QH
Bingo and Hoy
11am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid
Social Centre, Acre Road
MHA Lunch and Social
11am-2pm Arthington Court, Balm Road, Hunslet
MEA Lunch Club
12-1:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid
Social Centre, Acre Road
Holbeck Together Lunch Club
12-1:30pm St Matthew’s
Community Centre, Holbeck
Lunch Club and Social
12-3pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus
Trinity Network Lunch Club
12:30-1:30pm United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle
Lunchtime meditation
12:30-1pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road Holbeck
Women Only Swimming
1-2pm Asha Neighbourhood
Project, Beeston
MHA Line Dancing
1-3pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston
MEA Walking Group
1:30-3:30pm Middleton Elderly
Aid Social Centre, Acre Road.
Digital Beginners
1:30-3pm BITMOs Gate, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road, LS10 3QH
Book: (0113) 378 2190
Healthy Hearts Advice
1:30-4pm BITMOs Gate, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road, LS10 3QH
Movie Afternoon
1:30-3:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck
MEA Line Dancing
2-3pm Middleton Elderly Aid
Social Centre, Acre Road.
Hot Meal (free to BITMO tenants)
3:30-5:30pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road
Free Kids Sports
3:30pm Low Grange View, Belle Isle, LS10 3DT
Mental Health Peer Support
Group
3:45-6pm Involve Community Centre, Hunslet, LS10 2QE
Women’s Make & Do Group
4:30-6pm Dewsbury Road
Community Hub & Library
Book: 07848 515528
Free Kids Sports
4:45pm West Grange Road MUGA, Belle Isle, LS10 3AW
Cockburn Community Choir
5-6pm Cockburn School, Gipsy Lane, Beeston
DAZL Dance
5:30-6:30pm Cottingley
Community Centre Girls-only Football
5:30pm Yrs 2-4; 6:30pm Yrs 5-7
The Hunslet Club, Hillidge Road, LS10 1BP
Dance Fitness (14+)
6-7pm Middleton Community Centre, Acre Road Book: 07519 018675
Inside Out exercise class (HFA)
6-7pm Tenants Hall, Acre Close, Middleton, LS10 4HX 51st Leeds (Hunslet) Guides
6:15-7:15pm Rainbows; 6:157:30pm Brownies; 7:15-8:30pm Guides St Mary’s CofE Primary Academy, Church Street, Hunslet Free Football sessions (8-18 yrs)
6:30-8:30pm Holbeck Community Centre, Old Elland Road Hunslet Nelson Women’s Rounders
6:30-7:30pm Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston Yoga (HFA)
6:40pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle South Leeds Lakers Running Club
6:50pm Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston. Book: bit.ly/LakersRunning MINT Men’s Support Group
7-9pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road, LS10 3QH Middletones singing group (HFA) 7-9pm Laurel Bank Day Centre, Middleton Park Avenue, LS10 4HY
Every Wednesday
One You Weight Management
8:30am-12:30pm Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle
Seniors Breakfast Club
9am-12pm Belle Isle Welcome Centre, St John & St Barnabas Church, LS10 3DN Everyday Lives coffee morning 9-11am Beeston Village Community Centre, off Town St Open doors
9:30-11:30am St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Old Lane, Beeston Bacon Butty morning
9:30-11:30am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road. Advice & Advocacy
9:30am-2:30pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600
Brave Hearts peer support group for women whose children no longer live with them
10am-12pm Middleton Family Centre 256-262 Sissons Road LS10 4JG
Adult Maths Support
10am-1pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, LS10 3QH Mobile Hub & Library
10am-12pm outside shops, Cottingley Holbeck Together coffee morning 10am-12pm Ingram Court Community Room, Holbeck
Trinity Network Keep Fit with Julie 10am United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle
Anti-social Behaviour surgery 10am-12pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub & Library
Creative Communities Workshop
10am-2pm Involve Leeds, Whitfield Avenue, Hunslet, LS10 2QE Book: 07483 666342
Woodwork
10am Cranmore & Raylands
Community Centre, Belle Isle
Remember Together Group
Young Dementia Leeds Hub, Cottingley Book: 07983 215865 email mcst@ageukleeds.org.uk
Beeston In Bloom Gardening Gp 10am-12pm Millennium Garden, Cross Flatts Park
Scrabble Club
10am-12pm St George’s Community Hub and Library, Middleton Rags To Riches Sewing Group 10am-12pm Tenants Hall, Acre Close, Middleton, LS10 4HX
Beeston Remembered
10:30-11:30am Beeston
Community Hub & Library,Town St Middleton Railway 10:30am-4pm Moor Road, Hunslet, LS10 2JQ
Raising Vibes
11am-2pm Holbeck Moor Skatepark
Hunslet Litterpicking Group 11-12:30pm Involve Centre, Whitfield Avenue, LS10 2QE
Holbeck Together Lunch Club 12-1:30pm Ingram Court
Community Room, Holbeck MHA Cottingley Lunch Club
12-2pm Cottingley Community Centre, 115 Cottingley Approach
Trinity Network Lunch Club
12:30-1:30pm United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle
Sew It Seams Sewing Group
1-3pm Tenants Hall, Acre Close, Middleton, LS10 4HX
Warm Space
1-3pm St Luke’s CARES 246 Dewsbury Road, LS11 6JQ Online Self Care Group
1-2pm Cranmore & Raylands
Community Centre Book: amy.hallam@healthforall.org.uk
Holbeck Together Craft Afternoon
1:30-3:30pm Ingram Court
Community Room, Holbeck Parents & Tots Social
1:30-2:30pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston Walk and Talk (HFA)
2-3pm meet at Middleton Park main gates on Town Street Tai Chi
2pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Children bike confidence
3:45-4:30pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park, LS11 7NA
Brave Words Drama Group (4-17)
4-7:30pm Beeston Village
Community Centre, off Town St Book: 07775 926166
Free Football sessions (8-18 yrs)
4:30-6:30pm South Leeds Youth Hub, Belle Isle.
Ultimate Dance Academy
4:20-6pm Cranmore & Raylands
Community Centre, LS10 4AW
Bat & Chat Table Tennis
5-7pm Dewsbury Road
Community Hub & Library
1st SLAM Beavers (6-8 yrs)
6-7:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston
Women & Girls Cricket
6pm Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston, LS11 5TT
Yin Yoga with Amy
6-7pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck Illuminate Dance
6pm Cranmore & Raylands
Community Centre, Belle Isle
Holbeck Moor FC: Inclusive adult football training
6:30pm Holbeck Moor
Line Dancing
6:45-9pm Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle
Leeds Co-operative Photographic Society
8pm St George’s Community Hub and Library, Middleton
Every Thursday
Tots Group
9-11am Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle Book: 07794 577586
Music & Movement
9am-1pm Little Angels Playzone, The Sugar Mill, Beeston Parents & Tots Group
9-11am Beeston Village Community Centre, off Town St Mobile Hub & Library
9:30am-3:30pm near St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck
Advice & Advocacy
9:30am-2:30pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600 Holbeck Together shopping trip
9:30am-12:30pm Book: 0113 245 5553 Holbeck Community Shop
9:30am-2pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Ping Pong
9:30-10:30am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Holbeck Together Coffee Shop
9:45-11:30am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Library Story Bus 10-11:30am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Splat Mat play for under 5s 10-11am Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, LS11 6RD Trinity Network Craft
10am United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Kushy Nana (HFA Elder Bangladeshi Women’s Group) 10am-12pm Building Blocks Nursery, Maud Avenue, LS11 7DD Women’s Friendship Group 10am-12pm Hunslet Methodist Church, Telford Terrace, Balm Rd Craft and Chat 10-11:45am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre Woodwork
10am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Craft Group / Digital Inclusion
10:30am-12pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus Story & Rhyme (under 5s) 10:30-11:30am St George’s Community Hub and Library, Middleton Walking Football
11am-12pm The Hunslet Club, Hillidge Road Bingo and Hoy 11am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Warm Space
11:30am-2pm Cottingley Community Centre Line Dancing
11:30am-12:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck MEA Lunch Club
12-1:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Crooked Clock Lunch Club
12pm Sussex Avenue, Hunslet Book: 07470 167243 Free Soup and a Roll
12-2pm Church of the Nazarene, Lupton Street, Hunslet Holbeck Women’s Group (HFA) 12-2pm Ingram Gardens Community Centre, LS11 9SA LGBTQ+ Peer Support Group 12-2pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle
Website: www.southleedslife.com
MHA Lunch Club & Social
12-2:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane
Trinity Network Lunch Club
12:30-1:30pm United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Bingo
12:30-2:30pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Women Only Swimming
1-2pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston
Warm Space & Computer support
1-7pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road, LS10 3QH Kushy Dil (Bangladeshi Women’s Group)
1-3pm Building Blocks Nursery, Maud Avenue, LS11 7DD Online Computer class
1-2:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road
Conversation Club for asylum seekers and refugees
1:30-3:30pm The Holbeck club, Jenkinson Lawn Table Tennis
1-2:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Walking Group
1:30-3:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road
Digital Inclusion / Social Group
1:30-3pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus After School Games Club
3-4:30pm Hunslet Community Hub & Library, off Church Street Youth Club
4:30-6:30pm Welcome Centre, St John & St Barnabas Church, Belle Isle Road, LS10 3DN
Community Basketball
5-6pm 14+ women & girls Cockburn John Charles Academy, Old Run Road, Belle Isle Free Football sessions (8-18 yrs)
5-8pm Hunslet Moor. Middleton Scout Group
5:30-7:30pm Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle Book: scoutsmiddleton@gmail.com Boys and Girls Rugby
6:30-8pm Leeds Corinthians, Nutty Slack, Middleton, LS10 4AX Yoga
6:30pm St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Cardinal Road, Beeston Book: 07512 393228
Hunslet Nelson Women’s Rounders
6:30-7:30pm Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston Boxercise
7-8pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle
Every Friday
Charity Shop
8:30-11:30am United Free Church, Malvern Road, Beeston Stay & Play
9-11am St Anthony’s Church Hall, Old Lane, Beeston Stay & Play
9am-6pm Little Angels Playzone, The Sugar Mill, Beeston Food Bank
9-11am Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle Affordable Breakfast
9-10:30am Cranmore & Raylands
Community Centre, Belle Isle Warm Space
9am-1pm Belle Isle Welcome Centre, St John & St Barnabas Church, LS10 3DN Menspace drop in
9:30am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Women only Exercise (HFA)
9:30-10:15am Beeston Village Community Centre, off Town St IT & Computer Skills
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Neighbourhood Project, Beeston
Toast & Games, Knit & Natter
9:30-11am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road.
Breakfast Club
9:30-11:30am BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road
Hunslet RLFC Breakfast Club
10am-12pm Phoenix Suite, South Leeds Stadium
Holbeck Together Coffee Shop
10am-12pm St Matthew’s
Community Centre
Holbeck Together Dance On
10-11am St Matthew’s
Community Centre, Holbeck
Hobbies Together (HFA)
10am-12pm Tenants Hall, Acre Close, Middleton, LS10 4HX A Choir’d Taste (Women’s Choir)
10am-12pm Tenants Hall, Acre
Close, Middleton, LS10 4HX
Gardening Group
10am-12pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus
Julie’s Ancestry Group
10am-12pm and 1-3pm 26 Belle Isle Circus, LS10 3AE
MHA Stretch & Tone
10-11am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston Green Team Volunteers
10am-3pm Skelton Grange
Environment Centre, Stourton
Beety Din Older Women’s Group
10:30am-1pm Beeston Village
Community Centre, off Town St Bingo and Hoy
11am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid
Social Centre, Acre Road
Fish & Chip Lunch
11:30am-1pm St Matthew’s
Community Centre, Holbeck
MHA St Mary’s Lunch Club
12-1:30pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street, LS11 8PN
MEA Lunch Club
12-1:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid
Social Centre, Acre Road
Lunchtime meditation
12:30-1pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road Holbeck
Ballroom & Sequence Dancing
1-3pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston 50+ Gup Shup Group
1-3pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Prize Bingo Afternoon
1-2pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Friday Social Club
1:30-3:30pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus Trinity Network Bingo
1:30pm United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Chair-based Exercise
1:45-2:45pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road. Free Football sessions (8-18 yrs)
3:30-5:30pm Holbeck Community Centre, Elland Road Active Communities
4-6pm Welcome Centre, St John & St Barnabas Church, Belle Isle Road, LS10 3DN
Middleton Skaters
4pm (under 8s); 5pm (under 13s) Parkside Hub, Colin Cooper Fields, Belle Isle, LS10 3HF Table Tennis
4:45-5:25pm (7-11yrs) 5:306:15pm (12-15yrs) St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck
DAZL Youth Club
5-7pm Middleton Community Centre, Acre Road
Illuminate Dance
5-7pm Cranmore & Raylands
Community Centre, Belle Isle South Leeds Lakers Juniors
(Athletics)
6-7pm South Leeds Stadium Book: fb.com/juniorlakersleeds
Youth Club
6-8pm The Gambia Welfare Society, Oak House, Balm Walk, Holbeck, LS11 9PG
Suzaku Martial Arts Children’s gp
6-9pm Beeston Village Community Centre, off Town Street
1st SLAM Cubs (8-10½ yrs)
6:15-7:45pm St Andrew’s
Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston
Ultimate Dance Academy
7-8m Cranmore & Raylands
Community Centre, Belle Isle
5th Middleton Guides & Rangers
7:30-9pm South Leeds URC
Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle
1st SLAM Scouts (10½-14 yrs)
8-9:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston
Every Saturday
Cross Flatts parkrun
9am Top of Cross Flatts Park, Beeston, LS11 7NA
Middleton Woods parkrun
9am Leeds Urban Bike Park
Ring Road, Middleton, LS10 3TN
Community Basketball
9-10:30am 8-12 years, mixed
10:30am-12pm Yr6-9 Girls
3:30-5pm U16/U14 Boys
Cockburn School, Gipsy Lane, Beeston
Debbie Heart Theatre School
9am-1pm Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle
Holbeck Moor FC Juniors (4-6yrs)
9am Ingram Road Primary School, Holbeck
Saturday Breakfast
9:30-11am Middleton Elderly Aid
Social Centre, Acre Road
Adult Cycle Training
10am Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park, Beeston
Book: bit.ly/CycleNorth
Ultimate Dance Academy
10:15am-1:40pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre
Middleton Railway
10:30am-4pm Moor Road, Hunslet, LS10 2JQ
ParkPlay
10:30am-12:30pm Brickfield Park, Lady Pit Lane, Beeston
Champions Soccer Saturday
10:30-11:30am Hunslet Moor
Arts & Crafts Lunch
11am-12:45pm Hunslet
Community Hub & Library, off Church Street
Bingo
12-3pm Middleton Elderly Aid
Social Centre, Acre Road
Youth Club
6-8pm The Gambia Welfare Society, Oak House, Balm Walk, Holbeck, LS11 9PG
Youth Club
7-9pm LS-TEN Skatepark, Kitson Road, Hunslet
Every Sunday
Junior parkrun (4-14 yrs)
9am Top of Cross Flatts Park
Indoor Children’s Exercise
10am-12pm Hillside, Beeston Rd
Healthy Minds Cycling Skills
10-11am Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park
Middleton Railway
10:30am-4pm Moor Road, Hunslet, LS10 2JQ
Hunslet Community Litterpick
11am-12:30pm Involve Centre, Whitfield Avenue, LS10 2QE
Big Bike Fix drop in workshop
12-4pm Harlech Avenue, Beeston
Toning & Stretching with Julie
6:30-7:30pm DAZL HQ, Middleton Community Centre, Acre Road. Book: 07783 786776
Zumba
7pm Cranmore & Raylands
Community Centre, Belle Isle
July
Thursday 4 July
Hunslet Carr Residents Assoc
6:30pm Woodhouse Hill
Community Centre, LS10 2EF
Beeston Community Forum
7:30-9pm Beeston Village Community Centre, Beeston Park Place, off Town Street
Friday 5 July
Legal Advice drop in 9:30-11am Middleton Elderly Aid
Social Centre, Acre Road
Police Contact Point
10am-12pm Cottingley
Community Centre, LS11 0HJ
Saturday 6 July
Holbeck Gala
12-4pm Holbeck Moor Belle Isle Gala
12-3pm Windmill Primary School LS10 3HQ
Hunslet Cemetery Volunteers
10am-1pm Middleton Road
Coffee morning
10am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street
Coffee morning
10am-12pm Church of the Nazarene, Grove Road, Hunslet Bangla Square Youth Group
1:15-6pm Beeston Village
Community Centre, off Town St
Read With Dad
2-3pm Hunslet Hunslet
Community Hub & Library, off Church Street, LS10 2NS
Sunday 7 July
King & I Band
2:30-4:30pm Middleton Park
Visitor Centre, off Town Street
Bands in the Park: Atalanta
2:30-4:30pm Cross Flatts Park, Beeston, LS11 7BQ
Saturday 13 July
Middleton Makers Market
10am-2pm Middleton Park Circus
Hunslet Club Summer Gala
12-5pm Hillidge Road, LS10 1BP
Sunday 14 July
Sunday Breakfast
9am St Luke’s Church, Malvern Road, LS11 8PD Farmers’ Market
10am-4pm Armouries Square, Leeds Dock, LS10 1LT
Hands Across Ceilidh Band
2-4pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street
Bands in the Park & Dog Show
2:30-4:30pm Cross Flatts Park, Beeston, LS11 7BQ
Tuesday 16 July
Police Contact Point
10am-12pm Hunslet Community Hub and Library, off Church Street
Police Contact Point
10am-12pm White Rose Shopping Centre, LS11 8LU
Oddsocks present Julius Caesar
7-9:30pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street
Wednesday 17 July
Police Contact Point
10am-12pm Dewsbury Road
Community Hub & Library
Police Contact Point
10:30am-12pm Holbeck Moor Road, ouside St Matthew’s
Thursday 18 July
Police Contact Point
10am-12pm Beeston Community Hub and Library, Town Street
SEN-tastic
9:15-10:30am St Luke’s Church, Malvern Road, LS11 8PD
Leeds Baby Bank
10am-12pm Dewsbury Road
Community Hub & Library
Friday 19 July
Creative Communities exhibition
12:30-3pm St Luke’s Church, Malvern Road, Beeston, LS11 8PD
Saturday 20 July
Coffee morning
10am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street
Repair Cafe
1-4pm BITMO’s Gate, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle, LS10 3QH
Me For You by Rachel E. Thorn
7:30pm Slung Low’s Warehouse in Holbeck, Crosby Street, LS11 9RQ Book: www.slunglow.org/shows
Sunday 21 July
Bands in the Park: Amici
2:30-4:30pm Cross Flatts Park, Beeston, LS11 7BQ
Wednesday 24 July
Breeze in the Park
12-2:30pm & 3-5:30pm Coopers’ Fields, Belle Isle, LS10 3HF
Thursday 25 July
Hunslet Remembered
10-11:30am Hunslet Community Hub & Library, off Church Street
Friday 26 July
Police Contact Point
10am-12pm Cottingley
Community Centre, LS11 0HJ
Table Top Sale
2-4pm Involve Leeds, Whitfield Avenue, Hunslet, LS10 2QE
Beeston & Holbeck Councillors’
Surgeries
4pm Beeston Community Hub & Library, Town Street, Beeston 5pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck 6pm Cottingley Community Centre
Saturday 27 July
Holbeck Jumble Sale
10am-1pm Jamyang Buddhidst Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck
Trinity Network Summer Fair
11am-3pm Nesfield Road, Belle Isle LS10 3LG
Sunday 28 July
Holbeck Together Sunday Lunch 12-2pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, LS11 9NR
Book (0113) 245 5553
Woodland & Nature Walk
1:30pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street
Hunslet RLFC v Workington Town 3pm South Leeds Stadium, Middleton Grove, LS11 5DJ
Wednesday 31 July
MHA Coffee Morming
10am-12pm Cardinal Court, Beeston, LS11 8HP
Holbeck Cemetery Volunteers
10am-1pm Fairfax Avenue Breeze in the Park
12-2:30pm & 3-5:30pm Cross Flatts Par, Beeston, LS11 7BQ
Memory Cafe
1:30-3pm Middleton Elderly Aid
Social Centre, Acre Rd, LS10 4JQ
August
Thursday 1 August
MHA Coffee Morming
10am-12pm Whincup Gardens, Hunslet Carr, LS10 2HL
Beeston Community Forum
7:30-9pm Beeston Village Community Centre, Beeston Park Place, off Town Street
Saturday 3 August
Hunslet Cemetery Volunteers
10am-1pm Middleton Road
Coffee morning
10am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street
Coffee morning 10am-12pm Church of the Nazarene, Grove Road, Hunslet Read With Dad
2-3pm Hunslet Hunslet
Community Hub & Library, off Church Street, LS10 2NS
Sunday 4 August
Middleton’s Got Talent
12-4pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street
Tuesday 6 August
Police Contact Point
10am-12pm Hunslet Community Hub and Library, off Church Street
Police Contact Point
10am-12pm White Rose Shopping Centre, LS11 8LU
Wednesday 7 August
Trinity Network Local History
10am United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle
Police Contact Point
10am-12pm Dewsbury Road
Community Hub & Library
Police Contact Point
10:30am-12pm Holbeck Moor Road, ouside St Matthew’s
Thursday 8 August
Police Contact Point
10am-12pm Beeston Community Hub and Library, Town Street
Saturday 10 August
Middleton Makers Market
10am-2pm Middleton Park Circus
Sunday 11 August
Sunday Breakfast
9am St Luke’s Church, Malvern Road, LS11 8PD Farmers’ Market
10am-4pm Armouries Square, Leeds Dock, LS10 1LT
South Leeds Golf Course Walk
1:30pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street
Thursday 15 August
SEN-tastic
9:15-10:30am St Luke’s Church, Malvern Road, LS11 8PD
Leeds Baby Bank
10am-12pm Dewsbury Road
Community Hub & Library
Friday 16 August
Police Contact Point
10am-12pm Cottingley
Community Centre, LS11 0HJ Breeze in the Park
12-2:30pm & 3-5:30pm Middleton Park, LS10 3SH
Saturday 17 August
Coffee morning
10am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street
Sunday 18 August
Hunslet RLFC v North Wales Crusaders
3pm South Leeds Stadium, Middleton Grove, LS11 5DJ
Tuesday 27 August
Police Contact Point
10am-12pm Hunslet Community Hub and Library, off Church Street
Police Contact Point
10am-12pm White Rose Shopping Centre, LS11 8LU
Wednesday 28 August
MHA Coffee Morming
10am-12pm Cardinal Court, Beeston, LS11 8HP
Holbeck Cemetery Volunteers
10am-1pm Fairfax Avenue
Police Contact Point
10am-12pm Dewsbury Road
Community Hub & Library
Police Contact Point
10:30am-12pm Holbeck Moor Road, ouside St Matthew’s Thursday 29 August
Police Contact Point
10am-12pm Beeston Community Hub and Library, Town Street Friday 30 August
Table Top Sale
2-4pm Involve Leeds, Whitfield Avenue, Hunslet, LS10 2QE
Saturday 31 August
MHA Summer Fair
10am-12pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston, LS11 8AG
Sunday 1 September
North Leeds Jazz Orchestra
2:30-4:30pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street
9:30am-12pm Asha
Summer at The Hunslet Club
by Zoe Creasser
The Summer Holidays are fast approaching and The Hunslet Club, the heart of Hunslet, is ready with a programme of activities, clubs and camps.
We are kicking off the summer holidays with the biggest event of the year at The Hunslet Club, the annual Summer Gala. It will take place on Saturday 13th July from 125pm at The Hunslet Club, Hillidge Road, LS10 1BP.
Join us for an afternoon of family fun with rides, inflatables, donkeys, showcases, DJ, food, drink and more.
This FREE event is for the whole community to come and enjoy so bring along all the family. Our bar and tuck shop will be open to purchase food and drink.
Volunteers are the backbone of our organisation and every event we run is solely run by volunteers and staff volunteering in their own time. We are looking for more
community members to join our volunteering team to enable us to give as much back to the community as possible. Please get in touch with us if you would like to volunteer at
Summer bands in Cross Flatts Park
The Friends of Cross Flatts Park have announced this year’s programme for ‘Bands in the Park’ free Sunday afternoon concerts, including the annual dog show.
Sunday 7 July
Atalanta playing a mix of country, Americana and rock.
Sunday 14 July
Swing O’Things playing swinging jazz. Plus the Beeston
Dog Show
Sunday 21 July
Amici playing pop favourites from the 1960s onwards These free concerts run 2:30-4:30pm at the Watsonian Pavilion, near the top of Cross Flatts Park. The cafe will be serving drinks and homemade cakes and there will be free children’s craft activities each week.
Legal notice
I have changed my name legally from Kamaljit Kaur to Razmeen Akhtar for all future purposes
Finding affordable and entertaining activities for young people during the school
holidays can be challenging but luckily, we have a wide choice of events and activities at affordable and accessible rates to keep young people entertained and engaged
throughout the Summer Holidays.
We are running three camps this Summer, you can choose one camp to attend or mix and match.
The Summer Holidays Activity Camp runs every week day from 22 July to 29 August for 6-12 year olds.
Our activity camps provide a safe space for young people to stay active and engaged in activities such as football, dance, games, cooking, baking, arts and crafts and more.
The day is split into different activity sessions and young people can choose what they would like to do each session. This gives them a chance to challenge themselves to try new things throughout the day, step out of their comfort zone, make new friends but most importantly have lots of fun.
We are running a Rugby Camp with Hunslet ARLFC on Wednesday 7 to Friday 9 August, including a trip to visit Wigan Warriors.
Our Football Camp runs from Monday 19 to Wednesday 21 August and includes a trip to Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium.
Our activity camps are led by
experienced sports coaches and youth workers with years of experience. A day at one of our camps starts at £15 but there is the option for early drop offs should you need it. There are numerous ticket options to choose from. Please check out our website for more information and to purchase tickets and book your child a spot this Summer.
Evening Activity Programme and Youth Club
At The Hunslet Club we run over 100 evening activity sessions per week serving young people aged 18 months to 18 years old. We run sessions in football, rugby, dance, ballet, tap, boxing, gymnastics, theatre production and majorettes.
Our activity session timetable will run as normal during the school holidays. We also run a free youth club 5 nights per week. These sessions run throughout the school holidays ensuring your kids stay active outside of school.
You find full details and booking instructions for all these activities at www. hunsletclub.org.uk or ring (0113) 271 6489
The Hunslet Club. Summer Holidays Activity Camps
Stay active this summer with The Hunslet Club
Website: www.southleedslife.com
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Holbeck Moor JFC supports Leeds Youth Justice Service
by Russ Mellor
AtHolbeck Moor JFC we do many things to support the community from making football affordable for all to donating gifts to the local primary school. On this occasion, we supported a request from the Leeds Youth Justice Service.
They wanted to help a family with a donation of two footballs and a football goal for the garden. This would then mean that the children could be more active in a safe environment of
Hamara’s Inclusive Sports Day celebrates unity and sportsmanship
The vibrant community of
Beeston witnessed a heart warming and exhilarating event as the Hamara inaugural Inclusive Sports Day, the first of its kind which took place under clear skies and brilliant sunshine.
Organised by Aliya, the Disability and Inclusivity Sports Activator, the event aimed to foster inclusivity and promote sports among people of all abilities. With the support of Being You Leeds and Karen Peck from Active Leeds, the day turned out to be a resounding success, brimming with enthusiasm, camaraderie, and a sense of community.
Cross Flatts Park provided the perfect backdrop for the event. Attendees were treated to refreshing ice lollies and free fresh lemonade, adding to the festive atmosphere and ensuring everyone stayed cool and hydrated.
One of the highlights of the day was the diverse array of activities that catered to all interests and abilities. Andy from British Cycling was a notable presence, bringing with him a selection of bicycles to introduce participants to the joys of cycling. His expertise and infectious enthusiasm
made the cycling sessions both fun and educational, inspiring many to consider taking up the sport.
In another corner of the park, a tennis coach led spirited sessions, engaging participants in thrilling rallies and imparting valuable tips to improve their game. The inclusive nature of the coaching ensured that everyone, regardless of skill level or experience, could participate and enjoy the sport.
The Leeds United Foundation, renowned for its community outreach programs, hosted football sessions that were met with great enthusiasm by participants of all ages. The friendly matches and drills not only showcased the universal appeal of football but also highlighted the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship.
Aliya expressed her delight at the turnout and the positive energy that permeated the day. "Our goal was to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and can enjoy the benefits of sports," she said. "Seeing so many smiles and witnessing the genuine connections being made is incredibly rewarding.
their own back garden playing the beautiful game. We were more than happy to oblige.
Leeds Youth Justice Service had this to say:
”I would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude for your recent donation of a football net and two footballs for children we are currently working with. We delivered and built these and they were greatly appreciated by the family.
“This has meant the children can now spend more time together in the safety of their own garden, and will greatly encourage them to use their time positively outdoors. This has such a huge impact on the future of these children, and has now given them a positive activity to focus their time on.
“Football is not just about the sport that is played on the pitch, it gives children a sense of belonging, goals (in both senses of the word!), improves their mental health and wellbeing, positive and constructive use of spare time and building positive peer relationships. All of this has such a huge impact on the work we do with children, and thanks to the donation from Holbeck Moor FC, they’re making that happen.”
Holbeck charity brings snacks to parkrun
People Matters, a Holbeckbased social care organisation and charity headed on down to Cross Flatts parkrun on Saturday 8 June to raise money and awareness for the organisation.
“It was the first time we had done an event of this kind and we had lots of our members, volunteers and staff take part in the event to smash a 5K run – all before breakfast!”
The organisation has provided support and services to adults and young people
with a learning disability and/or who are autistic in and around Leeds since 2002. People Matters also have a micro social enterprise, called Nourishing People, within the organsation developing and selling healthy snacks to local people and business, all run by our members. Some of the tasty snacks were on sale at the event too. If you would like to support the charity or find out more about them please contact info@peoplematters leeds.co.uk or call (0113) 234 6896
This is just the beginning, and we look forward to organising more such events in the future."
The collaboration with Being You Leeds was instrumental in the day’s success. Their support and shared vision of inclusivity and community engagement helped bring together a diverse group of participants, reflecting the rich tapestry of Leeds' population.
As the sun beamed down on Cross Flatts Park, the echoes of laughter and the spirit of togetherness lingered, marking the day as a memorable celebration of inclusivity and sports.
The Hamara Inclusive Sports Day not only provided a platform for physical activity but also reinforced the belief that sports can bridge gaps and bring people together, regardless of their abilities.
In the end, it was a day where barriers were broken, friendships were forged, and the joy of participation took centre stage. With the promise of more such events in the future, the community of Leeds can look forward to a continued celebration of inclusivity, unity, and the transformative power of sports.
The club donated two footballs and a goal
Inclusive Sports Day in Cross Flatts Park
Hunslet battle in the league
Hunslet’s inconsistency, winning two but losing two in June, is down to the team not sticking to the game plan according to Coach Dean Muir.
“When we executed the game plan we were on top” he said after the defeat to Rochdale, “no excuses, we have to look to ourselves.”
The month started well with a hard fought win away at Workington Town. This fourth win on the road was a close run thing with Hunslet defending superbly for the last 20
Parksiders hit back with tries from Josh Jordan-Roberts and Matty Fletcher. The try of the match came on 29 minutes when Matty Fletcher got a ball out to Jordan Syme who split the Town defence, drew the full-back and sent a perfect pass to Jimmy Watson who celebrated scoring under the posts.
Town scored on the hooter to make it 10-24 at half time. The Cumbrians then pulled the score back to 22-24 with 20 minutes to go, but Hunslet held
Challenge Cup final, Midlands Hurricanes visited South Leeds Stadium on 16 June. After a first quarter stalemate Midlands scored twice while Jimmy Watson was in the sin bin for a late tackle.
Cam Berry got one back before, almost on the hooter, came the try of the match.
Refusing an easy 2 points after Midlands conceded a penalty Hunslet played a superb move involving Beharrell and Ferreira to send Jack Render diving over for one of his trademark
led 1210 at the break.
Tries from Jimmy Watson and George Flanagan and a smart drop goal from Matty Beharrell took to lead to 25-12 and although Matty Welham got a late consolation for Midlands it was Hunslet’s day, 25-18.
Hunslet’s discipline cost them the third versus fourth contest at the South Leeds Stadium on 23 June as they took on Rochdale Hornets.
Having won earlier in the season at Spotland the bounce of the ball went for the visitors
on a hot sunny day rather than Hunslet and after conceding three tries whilst fullback Jimmy Watson was in the sinbin, the Parksiders could never wrestle the game back.
Rochdale are a free scoring side and took the lead on only 11 minutes when on the last tackle Martyn Ridyard put a kick up for the leaping Dan Nixon who clung on to score.
Hunslet replied straight away when on-loan halfback George Flanagan hoisted a kick. The Rochdale defence fumbled the bomb, but unaware the tackles had been wiped Flanagan hacked on to score a fine try.
Beharrell converting 6-6
Rochdale were finding gaps in the Hunslet defence, and an attack down the left saw Lewis Else come infield and find former Hunslet captain Duane Straugheir charging onto a ball. No one could stop Straugheir as he powered over.
Things got worse for Hunslet as Gregg McNally put in an early kick after Hornets failed to make many yards, the bounce was cruel and McNally swept up to score.
It still felt as though Hunslet were in the game, and on the half hour mark a searching Cam Berry run was rewarded when Matty Beharrell scored brilliantly when it looked unlikely.
With not long to the break Hunslet would have taken 1218, but another piece of luck went against them. A Hornets kick through took a cruel bounce and Jimmy Watson miss-fielded, then Mackenzie Scurr slipped and Lewis Else rounded him to score. 12-24 at the break.
Hunslet reduced the arrears when after O’Hanlon had again caused havoc Cam Berry
switched a ball to Michael Knowles who powered over. Passing to the right set up Joe Law with a chance, but the ball came loose at a crucial moment and Rochdale pounced to attack. With defenders scrambling back Jimmy Watson held on too long and the Referee sent him to the sinbin for a professional foul.
Two tries from Jordan Andrade and one from Jonathan Openshaw streched Hornets’ lead to 18-42. McNally adding a final try at the end. Ridyard kicked 8/8 and Rochdale won 18- 48. Hunslet travelled over the Pennines on 30 June to face top of the table Oldham at Boundary Park.
The Roughyeds made a flying start and were 10-0 up after just 7 minutes with tries from Laulu-Togaga’e and Tyrer. But the Parksiders dug in and defended well stopping Oldham from scoring again in the first half.
Hunslet were first to strike in the second half. Joe Law scored after Alfie Goddard flipped a pass from a Michael Knowles kick, Matty Beharrell converted.
But three tries for Oldham in 6 minutes around the hour mark, from Andrade, Astley and Tyrer, sealed Oldham’s victory. Tyrer completed his hattrick on 76 minutes to leave the final score 30-6.
In July Hunslet have trips to Newcastle and North Wales before hosting Workington Town on 28 July. Their final home game of the regular season is against North Wales on 18 August.
You can read full match reports of all Hunslet’s games online at southleedslife.com
Success for Leeds Rowing Club at National Schools Regatta
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Leeds Rowing Club made a remarkable showing at the National Schools Regatta at Dorney Lake in Berkshire. The National Schools Regatta is the premier schools/junior rowing event in the UK with thousands of children taking part.
The Leeds Junior Rowing Academy programme had its most successful national performance to date with crews from the club making their presence known and showing fantastic progress with three A Finals, including a Bronze medal, two B Finals a C Final and a D Final. This performance has put Leeds firmly on the map as one of the top junior rowing programmes in Yorkshire.
J14 Boys Quad Scull: The J14 boys’ coxed quad clinched first
place in the B final, a testament to their dedication and hard work.
J14 Girls Oct Scull: The J14 girls’ octuple scull narrowly missed out on a podium finish, securing fourth place in the A final by just 0.5 seconds. Their performance was a highlight of day 1 of the regatta.
J15 Boys coxed Four: The J15 boys’ coxed four delivered an exhilarating race, leading for 1800 meters before finishing fourth in the A final. Their effort was commendable, showing they were a force to be reckoned with.
J16 Boys Coxed Four: Competing in the D final, the
J16 boys’ coxed four achieved fourth place, bringing skill and focus to the race.
2nd J16 Girls Coxless Quad Scull: The J16 girls’ coxless quad had a stellar performance, securing third place in the A final and proudly taking home bronze medals.
J16 Girls Coxless Quad Scull:
Also performed admirably, finishing third in the B final,holding their own for the full 2000m. Giving their competitors little chance to overtake.
Championship Coxless Quad Scull: The championship boys’ coxless quad placed eighth in the C final, showing great effort
in a highly competitive field. The Leeds Rowing Club’s achievements at the National Schools Regatta are a testament to the hard work of the athletes and the expert guidance of head coach Rob Mackenzie.
The results reflect the club’s commitment to excellence and the bright future ahead for these young rowers. Their performances not only bring pride to the club but also inspire upcoming rowers to strive for greatness. Congratulations to all the athletes and the coaching staff for their outstanding efforts and achievements at Dorney Lake.
Leeds Rowing Club is based at Thwaite Gate in Stourton, to find out more visit the website at leedsrowing.org.uk or Facebook page at fb.com/ leedsrowingclub
tries. Beharrell converting precisely and Hunslet
Jack Render scores a trademark try in the corner against Midlands Hurricanes. Photo: KC Photography
Celebrating a bronze medal: J16 Girls Coxless Quad Scull
Hannah Dent
by Ian Pickles