Dtheproblems that come with them are not new to South Leeds, but it feels like it’s been getting worse over the last few months.
South Leeds Life is aware of several local neighbourhoods that have been significantly impacted so this month, we spoke with residents, and agencies including the Police, about this problem and what can be done about it.
We’ve heard about children not being able to play outside, people selling their home to move away from the situation, a rise in burglaries and car crime and used needles on the streets.
As one resident said in a recent meeting: "The worst thing is, drug dealing, and everything that goes with it, has become so normal recently in our communities - and that's not right."
Not surprisingly, the residents we’ve spoken to do
we’ve changed their names.
Geday (name changed) lives in Beeston, and says:
"It's been a really scary worrying time. We've not felt safe in our own home, with the gangs often gathered right outside our front door. I've often had to use the back door, to avoid them.
“On a couple of occasions, they were chasing each other with knives. Another time, one of them was threatening others with a hedge trimmer. They ride around like crazy on motorbikes. And they often light fires, which really impacted my daughter with asthma.
“It's been so stressful. I've not slept properly for months: You can hear them fighting and swearing and shouting all night. So I've not been able to concentrate at work, and have been told I might lose my job.
“There were some recent arrests, and things are a bit
in our community now. One family we know are selling their house, and moving out; they're very emotional, they don't want to move, but they feel they have to be somewhere safe."
Alice from Beeston Hill spelled out the problem very clearly:
“We have a small friendly street. It was safe before, it was nice. But this summer, everything’s been messed up. They started dealing drugs from a flat here in June. Every day now, there are dozens of people coming and going. Sex workers who are drunk, or drugged-up, or both, barely dressed. The drug users often talk with our kids, but that just feels really unsafe.”
Sandra and Charlie run a community project in Hunslet. They say:
“Drug dealing in this area is huge. First off, there’s a load of young lads in balaclavas, on scooters. They pull up, a crowd
money are exchanged, and the lads ride off.
“The users congregate on the benches all around us, taking drugs right where we are, in plain sight. There’s no shame, it’s so blatant. They sometimes leave needles lying about. It’s not uncommon for us to have to move what we’re doing, around them. It’s a safeguarding nightmare.”
You can read Alice, Sandra and Charlie’s full comments on page 2.
Inspector Mark Lund, who heads the Leeds South Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:
“We fully appreciate the concerns of residents and are keen to reassure them that we continue to take a robust and proactive approach to tackling drug dealing and associated crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.
“Recent work in the area includes ten drugs warrants
being executed at addresses, resulting in several arrests and the seizures of drugs, cash and weapons, with investigations ongoing. Targeted activity alongside our community safety partners at Leeds City Council has seen five full closure orders and nine partial closure orders on addresses linked to drug dealing.
“This work is being regularly supported by a series of days of action that bring an increased police presence to hotspot areas to reassure residents and deter offenders.
“Information from the community remains a vital element in our work to tackle drug dealing and we urge people to pass that on to us either directly to local officers at any of our regular contact points or anonymously through Crimestoppers.
“We remain very firmly committed to targeting those whose criminal activities blight
Continued on page 2
Photo: Shutterstock
About us
South Leeds Life is written by and for local people. People who live, work and play in the LS10 and LS11 areas of South Leeds.
The website and newspaper are produced by South Leeds Life CIC, a social enterprise registered with Companies House, No 9998695.
South Leeds Life is a member of the Independent Community News Network.
Our aims
To inform people of events, activities, issues and opportunities taking place in the South Leeds community;
To encourage the involvement of the wider community in communicating their experiences;
To foster community spirit and involvement; and
To provide a platform for local people to contribute and respond to community life more fully.
South Leeds Life is pleased to publish views from across the political spectrum, provided they comply with our editorial guidelines.
We remain a neutral publication with a diverse readership, as such we do not endorse any particular political party.
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Drugs on our doorstep
Continued from page 1 the lives of the local community, and we will keep doing everything we can alongside our partner agencies to bring them to justice and remove them from the area.”
And a spokesperson for Safer Leeds said:
“Working with West Yorkshire Police and all partners, targeted work is being carried out to address issues around drug dealing in this area. Tackling the concerns raised by the local community are our
priority, and we are determined to do everything we can to stop any area of Leeds being blighted by crime and associated anti-social behaviour.
“Local communities continue to have a key role in this by contacting the police or Crimestoppers with any information or concerns. And anyone who is struggling with the impact of drug or alcohol use is encouraged to seek help from Forward Leeds – they can visit the Forward Leeds website or call 0113 887 2477.”
The problem of illegal drug use is a lot bigger than South Leeds and is not going to be resolved soon, so what can we do?
Alice, Sandra and Charlie all talk about reporting incidents to the Police. This is really important. They may attend or they may not, depending on the report, but the incident will be logged and collated. The Police have limited resources so they prioritise the biggest problems. If they receive a lot of reports on a regular basis they will respond, perhaps not immediately, but if no
Alice from Beeston Hill spelled out the problem very clearly:
“
We have a small friendly street, with lots of families.
We share things, we help one another, we’re like a family. It was safe before, it was nice. Everyone was regularly out in the street, we used to leave bikes and toys out.
But this summer, everything’s been messed up. They started dealing drugs from a flat here in June. Every day now, there are dozens of people coming and going. Sex workers who are drunk, or drugged-up, or both, barely dressed. The drug users often talk with our kids, but that just feels really unsafe.
We – the neighbours – have tried to make a team, to watch out. Once,
Trap houses
we chased one of them off the street, but he came back, and was banging on my door, wanting to fi ght my partner. Another time, one drug dealer was trying to stab another – and we stepped in, and protected him: they are all people after all.
But it feels dangerous, ugly. You don’t know what’s going to happen. There’s a lot of fear.
It’s had a big impact on the kids. You don’t feel the freedom to let them play out, or cycle around, or play football like they used to. And some of the neighbours don’t now let their kids play out at all.
We know that reporting to the
Trap houses are properties that have been taken over for drug use. Trap houses shelter drug users and provide a place for drug dealers to supply them. Police and local authorities have powers to close premises which have been associated with disorder or serious nuisance. Once an order is made, the premises are boarded up, and no one may enter the premises, initially for a period of three months, but this can be extended to six months.
Police is important – but you put yourselves in danger, if they find out.
Some of the neighbours are afraid to speak up.
And when the Police do come, I’m not sure what they do. They are too soft, too kind. They recently broke into the flat, but didn’t arrest anyone, they didn't do anything. There were people right there, full of drugs, but they were relaxed, calm, not remotely scared of the Police.
The Police need more power – or maybe they have the power, but just need to be more straight-forward, and to give out some rough lessons. To change the power dynamics, and take
one reports anything they certainly won’t respond.
Living with drug problems on your street is hard. By getting together and speaking with your neighbours you can give each other strength. Take it turns to report issues to the police, spread the load.
If you are in Beeston Hill (roughly from Cross Flatts Park down to Hunslet Hall Road) there is a private landlord licensing scheme, so speak to the council and they can raise the problem with the landlord. Don’t put yourself in danger, but don’t retreat from public spaces either. Drug dealers like their privacy, so don’t make it easy for them.
away the power or sense of power that the dealers have.
Can anyone help? We heard that the landlord is now trying to evict the dealers – I think he had trusted an agency with the letting, and didn’t know what was happening. The drug dealers have destroyed the flat, so the landlord is also a victim.
This is not OK. This is not fair. Maybe if we – the community, all of us – come together to create security, on our doorsteps, they will have no choice but to move their drugs operations. This is our community. We must take action.”
Cuckooing Report it
Cuckooing is when the home of a vulnerable person is taken over by a criminal in order to use it to deal, store or take drugs, facilitate sex work, as a place for them to live, or to fi nancially abuse the tenant. The practice is associated with county lines drug trafficking. It is also known to occur as part of ‘mate crime’, the act of befriending a person with the intent of exploiting them.
Report suspected trap houses, or incidents of drug dealing to the police. Call 101 or report online at: www.westyorkshire.police.uk /livechat. In an emergency call 999 You can also call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
If you fi nd used needles, report them to Forward Leeds for safe disposal. Call (0113) 887 2477 or email info@forwardleeds.co.uk
“ Sandra and Charlie run a community project in Hunslet:
Drug dealing in this area is huge. First off, there’s a load of young lads in balaclavas, on scooters. They pull up, a crowd congregates, parcels and money are exchanged, and the lads ride off.
There’s also dealing from local houses – we think some of that is a cuckooing situation. At times, they are literally queuing up outside a house, in clear sight. You see the same people going back and forth all day, off to the shops to go begging or perhaps nicking stuff to sell on, then returning to stock up on drugs. Our building’s also been broken into, and
stuff stolen; the same with some of the local garages.
The users congregate on the benches all around us, taking drugs right where we are, in plain sight. There are so many places they could go, out of the way, and that would be better – but they don’t.
And you see them staggering around, perhaps collapsing or passedout. They sometimes leave needles lying about. It’s not uncommon for us to have to move what we’re doing, around them. It’s a safeguarding nightmare.
We challenge them when we can.
Mainly, they’re just embarrassed –we’ve not yet met with animosity. But it just doesn’t seem to compute for them that we're just metres away. There’s no shame, it’s so blatant. So, you’re just on high alert, supervigilant all the time, checking bags, or bikes, or other things aren’t being stolen. Everyone here is impacted. It’s frightening that local kids can’t do simple innocent things like hiding and climbing in the trees: they’ll inevitably stumble across drug users and needles.
And the young people who attend our project are sometimes
approached, and invited to join a gang, or whatever: terrible. All of us –especially older local residents – feel frightened and intimidated. It’s sickening.
However, reporting to the Police does seem to work. They do come down, and it’s amazing, it really drives the drug dealing away (at least for a time), and local people are lifted. Is it ever going to change? I wonder if dedicated shooting galleries are the solution – but will that ever happen? In the meantime, we have to just go at it relentlessly with reporting.
Have your say on mass transit plans for South Leeds
Amajor consultation on West Yorkshire’s plans to create a Mass Transit network is underway including options for a route through South Leeds.
The plans, which were revealed in July, show three possible routes through South Leeds to link the city centre with the White Rose Shopping Centre, office park and new rail station.
• Dewsbury Road
Option L5 follows
• Road and Ring Road Beeston
Option L6 follows Elland
events has been taking place and conclude with sessions at the Hamara Centre on Tempest Road, Beeston on Wednesday 4 September, 3-6pm and at Cottingley Community Centre on Monday 16 September, 36pm.
You can also have your say online at: bit.ly/4dEgXd9
Feedback from the public consultation, which runs until 30 September, will then be considered as part of ongoing development work, and help determine proposals for a preferred route for each line.
project by 2028.
Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said:
“I’m committed to growing our economy and putting more money into people’s pockets –but to do so we need a transport network that is fit for purpose.
Director Martin Hamilton said:
Option L7 follows Gelderd
• Road, Lowfields Road, Wesley Street, Old Lane and Dewsbury Road
A series of consultation
The statutory preferred route consultation will be held in 2025, and the Mayor has previously promised to have spades in the ground on the
“Pivotal to achieving that is a modern, Mass Transit system interconnected with a West Yorkshire bus network under local control. I’ve promised to have spades in the ground by 2028 on Mass Transit, but we need to understand the views of the people who will use it to help inform the route it will take.”
Commenting on the proposals Leeds Civic Trust
South Leeds reuse charity SLATE celebrates twenty years of success
by Jeremy Morton
SLATE,
the South Leeds charity that runs the Feel Good Furniture shops, marked its 20th anniversary with a party for staff, trainees, volunteers and friends on 25 July.
The social enterprise has gone from a small cash tin in a corner of the old Moor End adult training centre to seeing its offshoot Revive turning over £1.8m a year.
SLATE collects furniture, stopping it going to landfill, and offers it affordable prices to local families. It runs the Feel Good Furniture Shop on Low Road in Hunslet as well as another branch in Armley and a café in Gipton. It set up Revive in partnership with SVP (St
Vincent’s) which now has shops at two household waste sites and is about to open its fifth shop in Hunslet.
But perhaps more importantly, SLATE provides training, employment and social interaction for adults with learning disabilities.
Founder Frances Jones described the “desperate need that people with learning disabilities had to be able to make a contribution to society and to mix with different kinds of people” when she set up SLATE twenty years ago.
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Abigail Marshall Katung, attended and made a point of greeting everyone individually.
Opening the celebration, she said: “Two decades of providing the service that you
all do is just exceptional. On behalf of the council and the city we want to say thank you so much. I want to encourage each and every one of you to just keep on being you.”
Frances Jones, also spoke saying: “It’s absolutely extraordinary that SLATE is still here and flourishing, just think how many tons of furniture have we saved from landfill over the last twenty years.
“I’m very proud of SLATE and the SLATE family and I’m delighted that it is going from strength to strength. Please keep doing what you do, making a difference, here’s to the next twenty years of SLATE.”
SLATE’s Director, Dave Firth, talked about how there was room for everybody in the
“These initial routes are a sensible first phase connecting key locations and will support different users including workers, students, shoppers and leisure travellers. The detail needs to be examined and we will be offering our comments as part of the consultation.”
SLATE family saying “never have I worked with such talented people.” He also thanked two “inspirational” women, founder and patron Frances Jones and his predecessor Louise Megson.
Cllr Ed Carlisle (Green, Hunslet & Riverside) a long time SLATE board member commented:
“Big thanks to every single person who’s played a part in the SLATE story these past 20 years. It’s a fantastic local success story for our community. It just shows what we can achieve when we innovate, and pursue good ideas, and work together to make them come alive. What new ideas for our community could we pursue now, to carry us through the next 20 years?”
“Mass Transit offers the opportunity for much wider benefits.
“We should use the opportunity to create new public spaces, plant trees, and soften our urban environment. This is not just about transport but improving the places where people live.”
Small Sparks brighten Cardinal Court
by Lynn Bailey
Partof the ABCD (Asset Based Community Development) work involves giving local people small sparks funding to help them with and idea they may have or skills they would like to share.
Beeston-based charity Better Action For Families (BAFF) have just given out the 26th Small Sparks grant to Glen at Cardinal Court.
Cllr Shaf Ali (Labour, Besston & Holbeck) was pleased to hand over the cheque for
£250, which will help to transform the entrance to Cardinal Court sheltered housing complex.
Glen has worked really hard on keeping the gardens looking beautiful using his own time and money. BAFF were approached to see if Glen would be eligible for a grant to help him purchase shrubs and plants to make the entrance more welcoming. Glen said making the entrance nicer would cheer up visitors and residents would be able to sit and enjoy the garden.
Staff, volunteers and trustees welcome the Lord Mayor to SLATE
Cllr Ali hands over a cheque to Glen
For illustrative purposes only
Grand opening for Middleton housing scheme with real community spirit
Amuch-praised
extra care housing scheme has marked a special milestone as it continues to make a positive difference to the lives of older people in Leeds.
Providing independent living opportunities with on-site support where required, Middleton’s Gascoigne House began welcoming residents in October last year.
And, with all 60 of its apartments now filled, an official opening event took place on 1 August to celebrate the success of this key project for Leeds’s Council Housing Growth Programme (CHGP).
Guests at the opening included Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, Councillor Jess Lennox, the council’s executive member for housing, and Tom Riordan, the council’s chief executive.
The undoubted star of the show, however, was Gascoigne House itself, with its cosy apartments – all made available for affordable rents –being complemented by a wide range of communal facilities and attractive outdoor spaces.
Husband and wife Steven and Rosemary Brown – the first people to move in last October – helped with the cutting of a celebratory cake.
Gascoigne House forms part of the council’s multi-million pound redevelopment and regeneration of a site formerly occupied by Throstle Recreation Ground and Middleton Skills Centre.
The wider scheme includes 100 family homes and 16 fully wheelchair-accessible bungalows, all also made available for affordable rents.
In a sign of the community spirit that has already been forged within the development, residents in the bungalows have been assisting with the running of activities at Gascoigne House.
Pupils from Middleton Primary School, meanwhile, regularly visit the extra care scheme to spend time chatting and playing games with the older people.
Links have also been established between Gascoigne House and groups from the local community, including Middleton Elderly Aid and Friends of Middleton Park.
Cllr James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said:
“The facilities (at Gascoigne House) are tremendous, and it was lovely to meet some of its residents and hear about the close bonds they are building with each other as well as the local community.
“The council’s investment in Gascoigne House aligns with our wider Age Friendly Leeds strategy, which is designed to ensure that all of our city’s older people feel valued, respected and supported.”
Cllr Jess Lennox, Leeds City Council’s executive member for housing, said:
“We want to ensure that everyone in Leeds, whatever their age and background, can enjoy the sense of wellbeing that comes with a warm and welcoming home.
“It’s really pleasing, therefore, that the Throstle Rec scheme as a whole is catering for a wide range of needs, with affordable family homes and accessible bungalows sitting side-by-side with Gascoigne House.”
Playing field renamed in honour of rugby stalwarts
by Jeremy Morton
Parkside playing field in
Belle Isle was officially renamed Coopers Field in honour of Colin and Una Cooper who were local rugby league stalwarts on 6 July.
Ex-players joined the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Abigail Marshall Katung, Cllr Mohammed Rafique, Executive Member for Climate, Energy, Environment and Green Spaces, Cllrs Wayne Dixon and Rob Chesterfield (SDP, Middleton Park) and Colin and Una Cooper’s children, Steve Cooper and Janet Beales to unveil a plaque outside the Parkside clubhouse.
The Lord Mayor said:
“Sport is so important to me, I’m an athlete myself, not rugby, but sprinting, so I do understand why we should make sure our children are into sport. Taking children from the streets and bringing them here. Making sure that today we recognise and we remember the Cooper family. I am delighted to rename this field on behalf of the council and
the city.”
Steve Cooper said:
“This is a very proud moment for the Cooper family and I’d like to thank everybody for coming. I hope they continue to use the field and maybe get back to playing rugby.”
Inside, the clubhouse the display of shirts and team photos was augmented by
many more photos, pennants, shirts and press cuttings. Many ex-players enjoyed looking through them and sharing memories.
Michael Nuttall who manages Hunslet Rugby Foundation said:
“I was involved in the club for years since I was about four years old. Colin was brilliant, he
put his heart and soul into this place. Colin, Una, his dog Rusty, great memories. This is what got me started in rugby and now it’s a job for me. It was Parkside where I learned everything. He changed people’s lives, people who have gone on to have a career in rugby like Gary Schofield and many more.”
Clearing up after Lilian
impacted by Storm Lilian, with hundreds of local trees down or damaged, roads and paths blocked,
the Council's forestry team unable to immediately tackle every situation, scores of volunteers leapt into action to pick up the slack, all across South Leeds. Pictured are members of the Friends of Hunslet Moor, with Coucillors Ed Carlisle and Paul Wray.
Ex-players join the Lord Mayor, the Cooper family and Cllrs Rafique and Dixon with the display board
Cllrs James Lewis and Jess Lennox help Rosemary and Steven Brown to cut the cake
Blue plaque to commemorate the ‘Battle of Holbeck Moor’
by Jeremy Morton
Leeds Civic Trust are to erect a blue plaque to mark the occasion in 1936 when local residents stopped Sir Oswald Mosley and his British Union of Fascists rallying on Holbeck Moor.
Beeston resident Sam Kirk from Leeds Stand Up To Racism has been the driving force in getting the blue plaque put up, but support for the
project has come from all corners of the community.
In July she addressed Leeds City Council where she recounted the events of 27 September 1936.
Sir Oswald Mosley had been stopped from marching through the Leylands area around North Street where much of the Leeds Jewish community lived and instead led his 1,000 black-shirted supporters through South
Leeds to Holbeck Moor.
They were confronted by a crowd of 30,000 who repeatedly sang The Red Flag to drown out the speeches. The fascists retreated under a hail of stones, one hitting Mosley himself.
Sam added that the response in Leeds had galvanised opposition in the East End of London, where Mosley tried to march a week later. She quoted the Jewish People’s Council who said: “What has been done in Leeds must be done in the East End.” Mosley was stopped again in the more famous Battle of Cable Street.
She finished by saying:
“We are proud to be commemorating the antifascists of the past, but we must campaign today as well against people like Tommy Robinson who are looking to follow the success of political parties in France.”
“There are currently two plaques around the country
Belle Isle tenants urged to use their vote
Council
housing is Belle Isle is a bit different to rest of the city.
Since the late 1980s it’s been managed by the tenants, first through the Belle Isle Estate Management Board and since 2004 by Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation (BITMO).
The decision to be managed by BITMO rather the Council rests with the tenants. This month tenants will be asked once again to vote in a ballot, whether they want BITMO to continue managing their
housing.
If tenants vote Yes, arrangements will carry on as at present. If tenants vote No, the housing will revert to Leeds City Council and be managed by Housing Leeds.
BITMO performs as high as any Leeds City Council team when it comes to repairs and rent collection, but it does that whilst putting the tenants first.
Being managed by BITMO means there is an office at the heart of the estate with staff you know; it means estate caretakers who carry out minor
repairs and look after the estate; it means Financial Inclusion Officers who put £347,000 into the pockets of tenants last year.
The impact of the tenant led board is a greater focus on providing community services to the people of Belle Isle. That means free family activities every holidays and free food three days a week at the GATE centre; it means free help for children with English and Maths; it means a Community Fund that can help tenants who are struggling to buy household essentials.
Every BITMO tenant has a vote.
Tenants have been sent voting papers and are urged to use their vote.
Votes can be returned by post, at BITMO’s office on Aberfield Gate, LS10 3QH.
Tenants can also use the security code on their ballot papers to vote by phone or online. The ballot closes at 5pm on Monday 23 September.
commemorating events like this: The Battle of Cable Street and The Battle of Stockton. Ours will be the third and there are four words that link all three plaques and I think it’s something we should hold in our hearts: They … shall … not … pass.”
The speech received a standing ovation from councillors in the chamber.
Cllr Annie Maloney (Labour Beeston & Holbeck) said “Sam spoke brilliantly today at Council. I’m so proud of our community’s anti-fascist history and that it could be shared in the chamber.
“I echo Sam’s sentiment, that as we remember the past, we look to the future and continue to fight for and celebrate the incredible diversity here in Holbeck, in Leeds and across the country.”
Cllr Ed Carlisle (Green, Hunslet & Riverside) added: “Many thanks to those leading this brilliant project. As they say, those who forget their
history are bound to repeat it.
So it’s great to see this important local story spotlit –and here’s hoping it stirs us into action going forward, resisting those who would divide our communities.”
As well as Councillors the project is supported by numerous trade union branches including RMT, NEU and Unison; community groups such as Holbeck Together, The Holbeck Club, Holbeck Moor FC, Beeston Forum, Beeston Festival and Beeston in Bloom.
Claire from Holbeck Moor FC explained their support:
“Holbeck Moor FC are proud to support the plaque. It’s important that as a community we remember and celebrate these historic moments of the past.
“Leeds showed a united front in standing up to fascism then and it’s vital that we untine in the face of current threats now. We celebrate our diversity and recognise that togther we are stronger. This reflects the values our club and is an important moment for the communites of Holbeck. The plaque will be unveiled on Holbeck Moor on Sunday 29 September at 2pm. Sam is still very keen to hear from anyone whose relatives were on Holbeck Moor that day and have family stories about these events.
Tenants in Belle Isle can vote for the Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation (BITMO) to keep managing council housing in the area for another 5 years. Vote YES in the ballot to keep tenants in
YES for children’s activities and free
Sam Kirk from Stand Up To Racism addressing the Council
Sir Oswald Mosley in Leeds from the Leeds Mercury
Dales cycle ride remembers local man Paul Bleasby
OnSaturday 20 July fifty people took part in the Yorkshire Challenge Bike Ride in memory of Paul Bleasby from South Leeds who sadly died suddenly in March 2023. His sister Carolyne Hays takes up the story:
My brother Paul Bleasby grew up in Hunslet and Belle Isle. He attended Low Road Primary School, Clapgate Middle School and Parkside High School.
He attended West Grange Church for many years and it was here that he met and married his wife Deb.
He was a very kind and
thoughtful man often helping and giving to others without wanting anything in return. Him and Deb went on to have two children James and Abigail. He was very family oriented and was a very loving father and husband.
He loved cycling and did many rides including Lands End to John O’Groats. Unfortunately Paul passed away suddenly on 3 March 2023 leaving his family and friends devasted. Nearly 300 people attended his funeral.
On Saturday 20 July 2024 50 people took part in the Yorkshire Challenge bike ride of
either 30 miles or 60 miles across the very hilly Yorkshire Dales, starting and finishing in Otley, in memory of Paul. People from all over the country took part including members of Paul’s family who were not originally cyclists but trained for months beforehand.
A great but tiring day was had by everyone. Everyone spoke highly of Paul and memories were shared of his generosity. Thousands of pounds were raised for charity. Paul was a local lad who was quite unassuming. He is gone but not forgotten.
Cycling the Leeds and Liverpool canal with my daughter
Iwantto go to the very end of the canal”, my five year old Alice said to me one day in spring.
I thought about it some and decided why not give it a try and see how we get on. In the lead up to the trip we talked about the distance we would be cycling, what we might see along the way, the bits we were looking forward to. The day before our adventure began we packed a bag, two spare sets of clothes each, some PJs, underwear and travel sized toiletries.
Finally the day of our trip had arrived, we had a big breakfast, popped snacks and bottled water into the backpack and off we went. It was a speedy start to the day with excitement running high.
Along the way we met so many wonderful people, Alice learnt about how the locks on the canal worked, we stopped to chat to people here and there for breaks. I was really
moved to see the support people showed, often clapping Alice on up the steep hills, offering us snacks and joining in with our excitement.
When Alice was starting to hit her limit we would plan our final stop for the day and sleepover. It was a trip of adventure, connection,
endurance, and definitely fun and excitement. For anyone looking to do something connective with their child/ren I would definitely recommend hopping on a bike and seeing where you end up. This will be the start of a new tradition for us, a different cycling adventure each summer.
Friends and family took the cycling challenge
by Jade Belton
Website: www.southleedslife.com
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Holbeck Together: putting smiles on young faces
AtHolbeck Together we know how important it is to create positive childhood memories but, we also understand how expensive and inaccessible it can be for families.
Along with Yorkshire Children’s Charity we have been able to offer four fantastic free days out to local Holbeck families.
4 Yorkshire destinations –York Maze, Temple Newsam, Bridlington and Scarborough
195 attendees
6 volunteers
4 Blue Sky coaches 211 packed lunches
100% guaranteed FUN!
We are so thankful to Yorkshire Children’s Charity for supporting us as part of their organisational grants work which gives children the opportunity to enjoy, explore and engage in the world around them, and be what children should be; carefree. We have also been able to work with their volunteers who have been invaluable in helping our families on the day trips.
York Maze
16 families, which included
32 children, had the best day out at York Maze getting active on the popcorn pillow, laughing on the crowmania ride, getting lost in the mazes and so much more. Our families were amazed at just how much there is to see and do.
One parent told us what it meant to them; “My little boy is dino obsessed so York Maze was just amazing and something I’d never be able to afford, I appreciated it so much!”
Bridlington
Our Parents and Tots
Together group enjoyed a sun filled day trip to Bridlington enjoying free time followed by fun on the beach with Holbeck Together staff playing games, building sandcastles, parachute games and plenty of the usual Parents and Tots Together singing and dancing.
All 49 of us came back with sand between our toes and lots of lovely memories. The trip left us all feeling good, families shared the following:
“I am a single parent, and I don’t drive so it is very rare me and my son have days out together. These trips meant a
lot to us and we had such a fun time bonding. Thank you Holbeck Together and Yorkshire Children Charity.”
“It was the first time on the
Westward Care announced as care
provider
and café manager at new Extra Care Apartments
In Autumn 2024, Preferred Homes will be opening Hunslet Moor House, a new affordable Extra Care location for older people that’s based on Hunslet Hall Road in Beeston.
Westward Care which runs Pennington Court Care Home in Beeston will have a key role to play in the offer moving forward.
They will be recommended preferred provider of care and
support to new apartment residents at Hunslet Moor House, which is due to open its doors in the Autumn.
In addition to that, Westward Care will manage the new café that will be located on the site of Hunslet Moor House and open to the public as well as residents.
This means that they are actively recruiting for staff at the moment. They are looking for:
for my toddler. His hands and feet on the sand and in the
gave him a smile no parent can never ever forget”
Temple Newsam
Café supervisor • Café assistant
• Care and Support
• Manager
Support Workers
• Senior Support Workers
• If you are interested in applying for any of these roles you can email rebecca @westwardcare.co.uk or to find out more please visit uk.indeed.com/cmp/ Westwardcare/jobs
“My child has never seen real life farm animals before, it was so cool for her and an amazing experience, especially when she could stroke piglets :)”
Families who access our Healthy Holidays programme had the chance to enjoy a day out together at Temple Newsam estate. It was a fabulously full day out including the grounds, farm, play areas and included an interactive story walk around the house.
Scarborough
We enjoyed another beach day, this time in Scarborough, full of sun, ice cream and family fun. We received the following message from a little boy and his Mum who had so much fun on his first seaside trip:
“Thanks for a lovely day my tuna sandwich was yummy. The sea and sand were amazing, I could have stayed forever playing. I met some new friends too. I am now enjoying my cheese sandwich supper before bath and bed. My mummy hopes I have the best sleep tonight and says you all work so hard to make us all
happy! Love Z x”
The children enjoyed themselves so much, we asked them about their best bits and here’s what they had to say:
“Spending time with my mummy having lots fun!”
“Playing with my friends on the beach.”
“Going on a big coach, seeing farm animals and making new friends.”
“Playing games on the beach and fun.”
“The confusion house was so funny!”
A great day out surrounded by family and local people can benefit children and families in many ways including building social skills, learning and development through adventure and exploration and promote awareness of nature and their environment.
As we move into the autumn and winter, Holbeck Together are looking for sponsorship from local people and businesses to continue making life changing memories for local people. For further information please contact Holbeck Together on (0113) 245 5553
beach
sea
First experience of fun on the beach
Money matters with Leeds Credit Union
Preparing for the new school year
With the new school year
just around the corner, parents across the UK are beginning the annual task of ensuring their little ones are fully equipped.
However, the prospect of paying hundreds of pounds for school uniforms and new equipment is likely to be giving many parents sleepless nights, especially with the average cost of compulsory secondary school uniform in England in 2024 standing at £92.35 per pupil, according to the Schoolwear Association.
with no badges or branding can be picked up at massively reduced prices.
If your child does require clothing with a logo, it may be possible to buy a generic item of clothing and iron or sew a badge on yourself. Hit the sales
Retailers like Sainsburys and Marks & Spencer offer clothing discounts across their entire ranges a few times a year. Check out what offers are currently available online and, if you get your timing right, you could get as much as 25% off
council can help, or contact your children's school directly. When it comes to equipment, your little one's needs will vary depending on whether they attend primary or secondary school but the items of equipment most commonly required are:
Stationery
Although plenty of schoolwork is done on computers and laptops these days, schoolchildren are still expected to carry an extensive list of stationery items with them.
The good news is that stationery is both relatively inexpensive and long-lasting, with many retailers offering sales or multi-buy offers on back-to-school essentials at this time of year, so keep an eye on their websites and take advantage of any bargains to keep your costs down.
While new laws around schools helping parents clothe their kids for less should help cut some of the cost, there are other ways to keep the expense of buying uniforms manageable. These include: Shopping at supermarkets
Most supermarkets have good-sized clothing sections these days and many of them do an excellent line in school uniforms. So long as your child's school allows generic clothing, plain coloured items
the cost of a school uniform.
Buy second-hand uniforms from your child's school
If you're lucky, your child's school will host second-hand uniform sales a few times a year, enabling you to pick up everything they'll need for the next 12 months at a fraction of the first-hand price.
School or council support
Some councils and schools offer financial support, so use the Government's postcode checker tool to see if your local
It's also worth asking family and friends with kids who have left school if they have any kit left over that you could buy used or just take off their hands.
Electronics and accessories
If you need to buy your child a laptop, you'll want to get one that's light enough for them to carry around, small enough to be easily transportable and that holds enough charge to get them through a school day.
If the cost of buying a new laptop is prohibitive, don't worry - refurbished laptops are easily available in shops and online and offer an affordable way to purchase a high specification laptop at a reduced price.
Leeds Credit Union provides straightforward and affordable financial services to people in Leeds.
Litter-eating ‘shark’ launched on Leeds waterfront in UK first
Anewaquatic robot, inspired by a whale shark and using cutting-edge technology from the Netherlands, is set to clean up the waterways in Leeds City Centre. It is the first project of its kind in the UK.
Yorkshire Design Group and partners are delighted to announce the launch of a littereating shark on Leeds Waterfront.
The inaugural launch of the Wasteshark took place on 4 July. from Fearn’s Island, adjacent to the Royal Armouries Museum and Leeds Dock.
The drone, called a WasteShark and inspired by a whale shark which swims along with its wide mouth open to
feed, can scoop up to 500kg waste from the surface of the water per day as it swims along.
Powered by electric motors, it will be operated by remote control from the riverside, although it can also work autonomously on a set route, a little like a robot vacuum.
As well as using cutting-edge technology imported from Rotterdam, the project will be the first of its kind to systematically record the volume and types of waste collected, and the very first use of this technology to be approved by the Canal & Rivers Trust on its UK waterways. Partnering with social enterprise Canal Connections means this is the first use of
this device to bring both environmental and social benefits.
The idea was generated by the Leeds Waterfront Group, a sub-group of the West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce’s Property and Economic Forum.
The group’s chair, Paul Ellison said:
“We are very pleased to have put this innovative project together with support from local businesses as well as Leeds City Council and Leeds Civic Trust.
“We’re confident that it will generate real benefits to the city and also draw attention to the need to keep our waterways clean and attractive for all to enjoy.”
Join the community Yard Sale
On Sunday 15 September the first LS11 Yard Sale will be held in South Leeds. Yard sales are like car-boot or table-top sales, but spread around a community: anyone can hold a stall outside their home, during the event. It's an opportunity for local people to sell unwanted items, and get a bit of extra cash in your pocket - all from the comfort of your front door. Yard sales are popular in many parts of the world; we're excited to be bringing one to our part of Leeds!
One of the organisers, local resident Matt Rogan, says: "We think this is a fantastic idea and a great way for us to get out and about in our communities, in our neighbourhoods!"
Talking about the event and hopes for it to become a staple in South Leeds in the future,
Councillor Ed Carlisle (Green, Hunslet and Riverside) commented:
"This is an experiment - but if successful, let's make it regular. This is for LS11 only, but we could develop it in other communities, and we're separately working on plans for
car-boot sales in LS10. Sign up now, spread the word, and see you then!"
To find out more, to sign up to have a stall, or to view the map and find stalls near you, visit 'LS11 Yard Sale 2024' on Facebook, or email: ls11yardsale@gmail.com
Photo: Shutterstock
Photo: Shutterstock
Cleaning up the river: Waste Shark Leeds
Website: www.southleedslife.com
Email: info@southleedslife.com
From Belle Isle to the Home of the Gods
Belle Isle mountaineer Ellis
Robinson’s latest conquest, in this Olympic year, was Mount Olympus in Greece. The fabled home of the Gods has been on Ellis’s to do list since he climbed Kilimanjaro in July 2023. Having gathered sponsors and checking his kit, he headed for Greece to meet the team he was to climb with.
After a 1000m climb of steep sweaty woodland terrain he arrived at the first refuge at 2100m where he spent the night. After an early breakfast he was climbing again, emerging above the tree line at 2450m. There he was greeted with a beautiful view of Olympus national park and hit by the intense heat.
Traversing the mountain underneath Skala and Mytikas peaks, he tracked back slightly and looked up at the gully he was about to climb to reach the top of Mount Olympus (Mytikas 2918m). Ellis takes up the story:
“Once we had our harness, helmet and rope all on and attached we then headed up the very daunting route up. Once at the top I had a huge relief that not only had I summited the mountain of the gods, but that I have made my sponsors proud, my friends and family proud but most importantly I was proud of myself. This was one of my dream mountains, after all my whole arm is tattooed with Greek mythology!
“After taking a few pictures and soaking up the beautiful view I knew that it wasn’t over yet as I had to still get down. If you think it’s scary going up then it’s absolutely terrifying
New reuse superstore opens in Hunslet
August saw the successful opening of the new Revive charity superstore in Hunslet, with thousands of items sold in just the first week.
Revive - a social enterprise partnership between local charities SLATE and St Vincent de Paul - works closely with Leeds City Council to save hundreds of tons of reusable household goods each year from the city's household waste sites, and divert these into their stores for resale.
The Hunslet store is their
third in Leeds, following others at Seacroft and Kirkstall - and they are also branching out across West Yorkshire. Find them in the Hunslet Green Shopping Centre, opposite the Morrisons car park, at LS10 2AP. They're open 7 days a week, and always looking for donations and volunteers. In particular, they currently have a lot of camping kit salvaged from Leeds Festival. Full info at: revivereuse.org.uk
Cllr Ed Carlisle (Green, Hunslet & Riverside) is one of
the trustees at Hunslet-based charity SLATE, who co-lead Revive. He commented:
"Revive is such a good example of positive community innovation. The idea for it first came about many years ago from regular citizens - and thanks to the hard work of the Revive team, it's become a huge success. As well as helping the planet, and enabling shoppers to pick up great bargains, the stores' profits support the brilliant work of local charities."
coming down because all you can see is a terrifying drop right to the bottom of the mountain.
“After getting down from the steep gully you then unclip from your harness and take off your helmet and then head round to the next refuge where you pass in front of the “throne of Zeus”. This alone is incredibly beautiful and is something you have to experience in person to get a true understanding of it.”
With the climb over for the day it was time to tune in to watch England face Spain in the final of the Euros, before calling it a night.
The next day’s long decent to Litochoro was made harder by the exertions of reaching the summit and a late night. Reflecting on his adventure Ellis said:
“I feel truly blessed to have been given the chance to chase my dream by my sponsors. For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to climb Mount Olympus (mountain of the gods) 2918m and now I’ve done it! All of this wouldn’t have been possible without my
sponsors so a huge thank you to:
• Reid & Stone Roofing Limited
• Complex Access Solutions Ltd
• Care Fencing
• L.B Plumbing & Heating
• RGC Motorhome Hire
• Vermicure Pest Control
“I’m now on the hunt for my next mountain! If you would like to sponsor me and have your name or company logo at the top of the next mountain then feel free to drop a message to my email: ellisrobinson93@gmail.com.”
Ellis underneath Stefani, the throne of Zeus
Ellis on the summit of Mount Olympus
L-R: Brad, Julie, and Andrew from the Revive team, with SLATE trustee Cllr Ed Carlisle
Fantasy Feast with the British Library
by Emily Carlisle and Jodie Russo-Red
On9 August, we - the British Library, with their local 'Get Creative' youth art club, and other partners (listed below) - held an amazing free 'Fantasy Feast' event at the Hillside Centre in Beeston..
Dozens of local families joined us, to explore a magical world of food inspired by children's books like Alice in Wonderland and Harry Potter.
Everyone got to try activities like making weird tea, sculpting out of mushed-up old books, and cake decoration - and some of us performed in a show, with funny walkabout characters including Artificial Intelligence food beings and crazy scientists (pictured).
Some of the young people
walked around with remote controls, which they used to control people in the audience. It was epic.
And there was free ice cream too!
We worked together on this over several months, and it was brilliant seeing so many people join us.
Event partners included: drama facilitator Pavla Beier; costume designer Emma Williamson; artist Laura Mabbutt; St Luke's Primary School; the SHINE youth group; artist Matilya Njau, and the SEVA Food Kitchen; and students from Elliott Hudson College.
To find out more about the British Library's local community programme, including their Get Creative art club, visit www.bl.uk, or email leedspresence@bl.uk
Play place makers
Gascoigne House residents raise money for MND Association
by Ken Ingram
Residents at Gascoigne House in Middleton are fundraising by walking 60 miles for Motor Neurone Disease Association.
On Thursday 1 August, Yorkshire Day, the residents of Gascoigne House extra care housing started their challenge of collectively walking 60 miles in August, for MND Association. We couldn’t believe it when we saw a First Bus parked along our walk and saw the name on the side of the bus, Steve Welsh, who was a former bus driver who had Motor Neurone Disease and sadly passed away.
The residents will be continuing with their walks throughout August, so if you see a sea of blue walking the streets of Middleton, please say hello and donate any loose change you can to their bucket.
If you prefer to donate online, you can do so at: www.justgiving.com/page/gas coigne-house-walk60mile
The MND Association focuses on improving access to care, research and campaigning for those people living with
Residents with Steve Welsh’s bus
The Fantasy Feast took place at Hillside in Beeston
A patch
awake with colour, squeals of delight, a quiet reading area, sand to dig, creative splashes and hammers banging away making gokarts to play on. The space was created as part of a traffic calming scheme in Holbeck, but had become an overgrown dog toilet. Kidz Klub worked with Mosaic Church and local residents supported by Beeston & Holbeck Councillors to tansform the space for three days in August.
Baroness Judith Blake joined the Lord Mayor of Leeds and the family of Laurence Calvert VC to officially open the new Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy (CLCA) in Middleton on Friday 5 July.
Opening the event David Gurney, CEO of Cockburn Multiacademy Trust said:
“Education is the foundation of progress. It is the key that unlocks the doors to a world of opportunity. This new academy is not just a building made of bricks and mortar, it’s a sanctuary of learning, a place where young minds will be nurtured.”
He went on to quote Nelson Mandela, who said: “Education is the most powerful weapon
which you can use to change the world.”
A student choir from the academy performed Coldplay’s ‘Viva La Vida’, read the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’, and and impressive solo rendition of ‘My Way’.
Laurence Calvert’s grandson said it was a great honour for the family. He went on:
“It’s 106 years ago that my
CLCA judged ‘Good’ by Ofsted
Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy (CLCA) in Middleton was inspected by Ofsted in June 2024.
During the inspection, inspectors judged ‘the quality of education’ along with ‘behaviour and attitudes’ and ‘leadership and management as Good.
grandfather’s brave action merited him being awarded the Victoria Cross. But the main thing was that his action inspired those around him and they won the objective and they won the day. I think it is now very fitting that this school is named after him and I hope it will inspire you to succeed in your chosen fields.”
CLCA’s Head Girl spoke on behalf of the students and said that the story of Laurence Calvert “inspires us to be aspirational and reach beyond the expected. Thank you to the Calvert family for sharing your name and inspiring generations of students to come.”
Baroness Judith Blake, who was previously a ward councillor for Middleton and Leader of Leeds City Council, joked that her biggest challenge in getting the new school built was persuading the Highways Department to move out of the former Middleton Park high school which was demolished to make way for the new academy. She went on to thank everyone involved in the building of the new school before officially opening the new school by unveiling a plaque with David Gurney.
The ceremony also included the unveiling of the commemorative stone recognising the former Cockburn Grammar School student’s Victoria Cross, awarded in 1918 during the First World War. The stone is part of an initiative marking the centenary of the
end of that war to place a stone on the street where those awarded the VC lived. Laurence Calvert’s street was demolished and so the stone now has pride of place at the entrance to the school that bears his name. The stone was unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Leeds and Laurence Calvert III.
Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy officially opened Congratula
Vicky Smith, Head of School at CLCA closed the ceremony, thanking everyone who had helped bring the school to fruition, saying:
“We have created something remarkable here. Staff, students, governors, parents and carers have now established a thriving new community that puts education at the heart of our work inside this wonderful building.”
Yvonne Stocks, Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire commented:
“It was inspiring to witness the opening of an academy in recognition of Laurence Calvert VC.
“It gave attendees the opportunity to reflect on his amazing achievement during World War 1 whilst serving his country.
“The new school building is fabulous! The trustees, headteacher, teachers and pupils have worked hard to make the school what it is today. This has clearly paved the way for a successful future.
“The pupils were all well behaved and the choir, including the soloist were outstanding. Many thanks to them all.”
‘Personal development’ was judged to be Outstanding, leading to an overall effectiveness judgement of Good.
During their visit, inspectors met with leaders, staff, trustees and governors. They talked to students about their work and visited lessons, observed extracurricular activities and form time sessions. They also spoke to curriculum leaders and teachers and looked in depth at areas of the curriculum,
including mathematics, science, physical education and geography.
The report begins by recognising the incredible achievement that has been made since the academy opened less than three years ago in September 2021.
“Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy is an inclusive and welcoming school. Pupils are happy and confident. The school is focused on a ‘transformation to excellence’ which is evident in the words and actions of all involved.”
The inspection team were impressed with the school’s curriculum and the quality of the teaching, saying:
“Pupils frequently reflect on their own learning. For example, ‘connect’ activities link back to previous lessons. There are regular opportunities for pupils to improve work. Staff use assessment well. This helps them to find out what pupils do, and do not, understand about the curriculum.”
The report also highlights how the academy provides outstanding opportunities for personal development
“The quality of pupil’s personal development is an exceptionally strong feature of the school. British values such as tolerance and respect are well taught and understood. Pupils’ differences are recognised and celebrated through an annual culture week and a pupil-led Afro-Fusion dance group. The school ensures all pupils access a wide range of experiences, including educational visits, foreign trips and talks from visiting speakers. These opportunities enable pupils to appreciate cultures, beliefs and traditions that are different from their own.”
Executive Headteacher, David Gurney, said
“I would like to thank all students, staff, parents/carers, trustees and governors for their ongoing hard work, support and dedication to provide an excellent education. Our vision of ‘Transformation to Excellence’ focuses on a relentless drive to continue to improve and excel in all areas. This report recognises this drive that focuses on excellent academic outcomes, while developing the student’s character as part of a supportive and caring community. Three years ago, we made a commitment to the community
in south Leeds and this report recognises an excellent achievement.”
Head of School, Victoria Smith, added
“The Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy community is extremely proud of the feedback provided by Ofsted. This result reflects a determined, whole team effort to provide an excellent education of each and every one of our students. All of our staff, families and young people have played a central role in ensuring that the academy prepares students for an ambitious future of learning and career, regardless of difference and challenge.”
Chair of the Board of Trustees, Peter Nuttall, said
“This inspection demonstrates that with the right mindset, and a willingness to build a new school for a community, remarkable results can be achieved. I congratulate the staff at Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy for their excellent work. The academy now joins our other two Cockburn MAT secondary schools, Cockburn School and Cockburn John Charles Academy, in providing the young people of south Leeds with the opportunity of a first-rate education.”
Year 11 students at Cockburn S Charles Academy celebrated t with glamorous Proms at the Villa In August there were further
Middleton was inspected
David Gurney (CEO, Cockburn MAT), Baroness Judith Blake and Vicky Smith (Head of School) with the first two pupils to be given places at the school by Jeremy Morton
Website: www.southleedslife.com
Email: info@southleedslife.com
ations to the class of 2024
School and Cockburn John he end of their school life age Hotel in Tingley. celebrations when they
collected their exam results. News of these results will follow in a future edition of the South Leeds Life. Good luck to all of these students as they move into the next chapter of their life as they enrol for Post-16 education and apprenticeships.
Warriors organise community meal
by Aleksa and Lucas of the IIW
The Imaginative Intelligence Warriors (IIW) are a group of pupils from Ingram Road Primary School who act as a steering committee for their local theatre company Slung Low.
Over the last few years we have organised family-friendly events, commissioned artists to work in Holbeck and collaborated on big projects such as the brilliant mural by Nomad Clan on Rydall Place and a Kindness Festival.
Our work together was recently recognised with a nomination for a Child Friendly Leeds Award.
On Friday 12 July 2024 we hosted a community dinner in Slung Low’s venue, The Warehouse in Holbeck. It brought together families and neighbours from all backgrounds and cultures.
Dermot Daly was a very down-toearth host. He took such care and pride in making us and our guests
smile. Over the last term we have been discussing how we wanted people to feel welcome and to share their cultural experiences at the event.
Local chefs Vegan Spice made a delicious meal with samosas, chickpea curry, rice, spinach and bhajis.
We invited a band to perform at the event who had previously played at our Kindness Festival. We enjoyed their performances and they put effort into honing and perfecting their craft.
The genre of the pieces of music played by the band at the dinner were selected by the IIW.
We were incredibly grateful for all those who turned up for the event.
Lucas said:
“It made me feel very proud to be part of the IIW. I was excited to join as I wanted to bring a little bit of joy to other people’s lives.”
Aleksa added: “I am very grateful for the opportunity to organise events with others.”
Getting together over food at Slung Low in Holbeck
In our view
Drugs abuse us all
Drug abuse is such an insideous problem with few winners and lots of losers. Users lose, dealers (except the big cats) lose, and the police are left playing whack-a-mole. But the biggest losers are the communities and their social life. Public spaces where people meet, mix and play become no-go areas. We cannot accept this, even if we only push the problem to another area we need to stand up and say “not here”.
Lessons from history
A Blue Plaque will be unveiled on 29 September on Holbeck Moor to commemorate an event 88 years ago. And rightly so, Leeds stood as one and said we don’t want fascists here. But the real value of this event will be to galvinise our resolve to not let it happen again. The far right are active again, terrorising asylum seekers and looting Greggs in the name of procting children. We must stand together again to oppose this divisive threat.
Vote Yes for tenant control
We have something rather unique in South Leeds. A large chunk of our council housing is managed byt an organisation led by tenants. Every five years the tenants are asked if that organisation should continue managing the housing. BITMO are asking for votes again this month, given all the extras they do in Belle Isle, why wouldn’t you vote ‘Yes’ to tenant control?
The September issue of South Leeds Life will be out on Wednesday 2 October.
The deadline for submissions is Thursday 26 September.
Your letters and comments
Mass Transit
Here we go again ... is ~£70 million spent over the last 20+ years (supertram, trolleybus etc) with nothing to show for it not enough wastage of our money? Millions more will be spent lining the pockets of various consultants etc over the next few years no doubt!
Then I predict IF it does get off the ground and does actually get built they will dig up the millions of pounds worth of cycle lanes that have just been built, bring Leeds to a standstill and probably ignore the public and the routes will not service the majority of the population!
Meanwhile the roads crumble (the only ones available as they dig the others up for this white elephant) and public services will be cut due to lack of funds! Call me a pessimist if you like but the history of LCC points me towards all the above coming to fruition!
Adam Cooper
Underground is way to go but the budget doesn’t stretch to that … but funnily enough it does in that London Town, take a look at new Elizabeth line that’s just opened.
Mark Wilks
I’ll be dead before this ever happens. I’m all for anything that helps our third world transport network become better, but we have all been here before. HS2 etc. We can’t even complete a station stop at one of the major shopping centres in the city that’s been there years (White Rose).
We all know how far behind the north is versus the south for transport investment - seeing is believing.
Clair Hufton
Why are they wasting money on public consultations? Tracy Brabin is committed to blowing hundreds of millions of pounds on this. Does it matter what ‘the public’ say or think about it? They never ever take note of public opinion. They’ve already made their mind up anyway.
It’s either…
1. £50-100million blown on committees, fake consultations, CPO’s, feasibility studies, and surveys, before
getting cancelled ... again!
Or…
2. 7-10 YEARS of Leeds being gridlocked and a nightmare for cars. You think it’s bad now? Imagine if this is approved and gets initial funding. It will be a major weapon in the arsenal for the war on motorists.
Julie Leathley
Public consultation is a statutory requirement and also a good thing to do. It seems that the planners can never do right, criticised if they don't consult and criticised if they do! By the way if the scheme goes ahead - and there's quite a bit more water to go under the bridge before it does - my understanding is that most of the funding would come from national government.
Phil Goodfield
Paul Bleasby
Paul is so sadly missed by all. A loved husband, dad, gan gan, uncle. He will never be forgotten. His family and friends did the ride and I’m so proud of all of them. Love to all.
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
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
Paul you were a true gent, kind, caring and forever missed.
Jean Bateman
Recycling glass in green bins
At last I am able to recycle bottles and jars. Since the demolition of the old Middleton Arms public house I have not been able to recycle these items. As an elderly person who does not drive it was difficult to transport those items on public transport to recycling points.
When Aldi was built on the site of the Middleton Arms local residents were asked for their opinions. At this point I did make a request for the bottle bank to be retained but this wasn’t even worthy of a response. Now I will be able to continue to recycle. Thank you.
M Hollingworth
Tributes to Middleton Primary Headteacher
Sam Williams (July 2023) was the best teacher I ever had in the school. She always helped me with a lot of struggles and things. I hope she has an amazing retirement.
Gladys Crosby
I worked at Middleton Primary School, I was there when Miss Williams turned up on her first day on her bike. She really helped with stressful times at work and in my private life, thank you,
enjoy your retirement doing what you love doing.
Lynne Brewer
What an incredible lady. A teacher who always put the interest of her students first. She always showed great leadership and dedication and provided support when needed.
She made students and parents feel at ease. I’m very grateful that my daughter was taught by such a wonderful teacher. She will certainly be hard to replace.I wish her nothing but the best in her new chapter.
Carley Jenkins
Cockburn student cast in Playhouse production
I had the pleasure of watching Jayden perform in Manchester on Saturday with my daughter. He's very talented and incredibly hard working, well done, Jayden.
Sasha Watson
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.
CGI for illustrative purposes only
MP’s notebook
with Hilary Benn MP
First of all, my thanks to everyone who supported me in the recent general election.
It is a great honour and a privilege to have been reelected as your MP - on this occasion for the new constituency of Leeds Southbut whether you voted for me, voted for another candidate and or did not vote at all, I am here to represent all of you. And if you need my help, then please get in touch by emailing me at: hilary.benn.mp @parliament.uk or by phoning (0113) 244 1097 . It is really helpful if you can give us your residential address and postcode so we can be sure that you are a constituent.
Well, it’s been quite a busy time what with the general election campaign and the formation of a new government. And in my case, new responsibilities following my appointment to the Cabinet as the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Like any new job, there are lots of things to learn and people to meet, and it helps a great deal that I am fortunate to be working with such wonderfully committed and knowledgeable civil servants. When I was growing up, the news from Northern Ireland was almost entirely about explosions and killings. I remember the night I heard an IRA bomb go off in London. I was convinced it was in the local high street, so I got dressed and went down there only to discover it was some two miles away.
If someone had tapped me on the shoulder at that moment and told me that one day the Reverend Ian Paisleyof ‘No Surrender’ fame - and Martin McGuinness - a former member of the Provisional IRA - would one day sit side by side in a power sharing government as First and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, I would probably have replied “I would love to see that happen,
but I fear I won't live long enough”.
Well, I did. We did. And for the last 26 years a peace has come to Northern Ireland that would have been unimaginable in the generation before. The 1998 Good Friday Agreement was proof of the power of courageous political leadership and a willingness to compromise.
That said, Northern Ireland remains traumatised by its past, and dealing with the legacy of the Troubles continues. Many families who lost loved ones still do not know to this day exactly what happened. One of my responsibilities is to find a means of answering their questions in a way that can command support from all communities.
On the positive side, there is a dynamism to Northern Ireland’s economy, with particular strengths in aerospace, life sciences, manufacturing and film and
Westminster, we have a problem
by Cllr Ed Carlisle
Thedust is settling from the General Election. For the vast majority of people, elections are a sideshow.
But for many of those involved, it’s a pressure-cooker experience: non-stop and intense. It’s a relief to get through it, and get back to ‘normal’ life.
Was it worth it? Did it work? Here in Leeds South, you might conclude: ‘no’. Many thanks to all who voted – but we need to recognise that most people did not. Turn-out here was 42.4%, the second lowest in the UK. Only fractionally ahead of our lowest-ever figure: 41.7% in 2001. A clear win for the non-
voters.
We’re not unusual. These tally with national figures: national turn-out was just 60% – which translates into 52% once you include people not registered to vote. And voter turn-out has been generally trending downwards for decades – not just in the UK, but across Europe.
Why is this the case? Is it a big deal? Is democracy worth fighting for? And how do we go about that?
There are many reasons for the low turn-out. An assumption that the result (nationally and locally) was a foregone conclusion. Voters needing photo ID. The short notice of this election. But
surely above all else: a lack of enthusiasm for politics. An assumption that it makes no difference, that “you’re all the same.”
Yet politics can make a difference. Labour swept to power in 1945, and created the NHS, the welfare state, and much more. In a different vein, Reagan and Thatcher fundamentally took the US and UK on a new path through the 1980s, towards deregulation, privatisation, and (I’d argue) inequality.
And I sincerely hope that this Labour government acts boldly to undo the damage of the past decade or more.
But whatever you believe, don’t wait politicians to act.
television production (Game of Thrones, Blue Lights, Line of Duty and Derry Girls to name just a few).
When it comes to politics, since devolved government began nearly a quarter of a century ago, Northern Ireland has been without a functioning government for about a third of that time. This has been a product of the power sharing arrangements which mean that unionists and nationalists have to be in government together, and if one side or the other walks out then the Executive collapses.
When this happens, decisions don’t get taken. So, now that power-sharing has thankfully been restored once again, what Northern Ireland needs now more than anything else is continued political stability - government that lasts and takes responsibility for the people it represents.
The brutal and shocking murder of three young girls in Southport and the rioting that followed has indelibly marked this summer and should bring shame on those involved.
What those rioters did had nothing to do with the young lives that had been lost, and everything to do with directing hatred and violence at one part
Democracy isn’t just about voting: it’s about year-round action, pushing those in power to act for the best (however you see that). It’s about campaigns, dialogue in communities and with elected representatives, and accountability via the media and social media. Through these means, we can all shape politics.
But there’s a problem. When push comes to shove, our representatives don’t need to listen, or act, if they know they’ll get safely re-elected in future. And for the time being, our constituency remains a ‘safe seat’, monopolised by one party.
A decade ago, the local Council election results were a foregone conclusion in this corner of Leeds. But that’s no longer the case. Our
of our community. A few days after the worst of the violence in Belfast, I met three owners of businesses that has been targeted simply because of their race. They had been terrified by what happened, and they couldn’t understand why anyone would want to destroy the businesses that they had worked so hard to establish.
A couple of weeks later, I visited their premises which had been attacked to see how they were getting on. It’s been hard – one man’s café had been burnt out – but they are determined to carry on with support from many local people.
The responsibility on all of us is to call this out for what it was - racist violence. Everyone is entitled to their views, and everyone is entitled to protest
peacefully. But rioting can never be part of a democratic society.
And finally, the other day I was going through the post, and I came across an envelope that had a note attached to it, which said that the package had been subject to additional security screening because of its contents. Sadly, we cannot be too careful these days and as elected representatives, we really appreciate the efforts those who work so hard to keep us safe.
Opening the envelope, I discovered that the two items that had raised suspicions were in fact a biscuit and a Yorkshire Tea teabag sent to me with a nice letter by a Leeds campaigning organisation. I had a pleasant cup of tea to mark the occasion.
Hilary Benn is our Member of Parliament He represents the Leeds South constituency. Contact: Email: hilary.benn.mp@parliament.uk, Website: www.hilarybennmp.com
Constituency office: Unity Business Centre, 26 Roundhay Road, Leeds, LS7 1AB Tel: 0113 244 1097
communities win when politicians and contenders are battling for votes: we get better service, and more exciting and engaging elections.
One way or another, I trust our constituency might go the same way in Parliamentary elections – but we’re not there yet.
The recent General Election here in Leeds South felt muted and low-key. Labour were (rightly) confident they were going to win – so, by their own admission, barely campaigned here.
We and a couple of the other smaller parties did some campaigning, and picked up vote share accordingly. But I can see why the election failed to register with or spark the interest of many local people.
Changing our outdated
voting system would help move things along: our unusual First Past The Post (FPTP) system delivers warped results, time after time. Changing this would make elections less predictable and more engaging. But that’s a conversation for another day. And there’s this wider issue: loss of faith in politics. Democratic politics is often slow and unglamorous. But it does shape absolutely every element of society. And as Churchill said: “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.” The choice before us is this: either we step up and shape politics, to serve our communities. Or we step back, and let politics shape our communities – without us. What’s it going to be?
Pathways for positivity
with Shannon Humphrey
Birthday Wishes
There’s nothing to get old for” was a phrase I became familiar with as a child.
My loving grandparents would each, in turn, halfjokingly, half-absolutelydeadly-seriously, warn me about the perils of ageing. Aches and pains, brain and body not cooperating on command as it once had, the horror of still feeling mid 40’s but staring back at the reflection of an elderly person, instead of the firm, once unlined, smooth skin, and inquisitive sparkly confidence of youth. They urged me to cherish my youth and live life to the fullest.
Unfortunately such brilliant advice can really only be appreciated when you’re actually beyond the tenderness of youth and heading at lightning speed yourself to being “more mature” ...
Because let’s face it, when you’re a sprightly teen or young adult, the last thing you’re going to worry about is a dodgy hip, the cruelty of gravity, or walking into a room and wondering what on earth you’d gone in there to find.
By the time you read this, assuming all goes well, I will have celebrated another birthday. Although it’s not a milestone ending in “0”, I believe every birthday deserves acknowledgement, even if you’re not into big celebrations or making a fuss, you’ve made it over the line. Use it as an excuse, if you need one, to spend time with the people who mean the most to you.
Birthdays can be a bit like New Years Eve, some people love to celebrate and use the date to burst full throttle into the year ahead, while others absolutely hate what it
represents, as it can stir up feelings of sadness, loss, worry and apprehension for what’s ahead.
When my friend died in her early 30s, I was shocked and saddened. Our birthdays are 23 days apart and we were the same age. It puts a lot of things into perspective. It was the first time I fully understood my grandparent's advice about living life to the fullest and enjoying my youth. It was a stark reminder that life can change or end in the next heartbeat.
We think we'll remember all the pivotal moments, good and bad, but memories fade. So, each birthday, I create a list of everything I've been grateful for over the past 12 months. This practice serves as a reminder of the positive experiences I've had. It's not about erasing or suppressing the negative moments, and I've certainly had my fair share this year. Instead, it's a way to reset and prepare for the year ahead with
a positive tailwind.
During future turbulent times, and there will inevitably be more because that's life, I can look back at my birthday list and remember good times with people I adore, the experiences I had, songs I played on repeat this past year, whatever it might be that made me happy and stands out in my mind. And even though it’s been many years since my wonderful grandparents passed on, they feature every year on my list, for their wit, wisdom, kindness, zest for life and resilience. Grandma Vi was still baking bread and making jam for the ‘elderly’ neighbours well into her 90’s.
My sister messaged to ask what I wanted for my birthday, (the element of surprise isn’t something we’re big on, we are the former little girls who once unwrapped all our gifts before Christmas day and later tried to hide the evidence…) and I replied with a laughing emoji, “that nothing sprung to mind,
The father of civil engineering
by Hon Ald Elizabeth Nash
This year is the 300th anniversary of the birth of a Leeds civil engineer and arguably its greatest – John Smeaton.
He was born in Austhorpe in East Leeds but his many designs of bridges, viaducts, harbours, canals and navigations not only impacted on most of the UK, but also an important structure in South Leeds was invaluable to Leeds trade. More on this later.
His father was a Leeds lawyer who sent John to be educated at the Leeds Grammar School. When he left at the age of 16, he was
required to work in his father’s office.
But after two years he left and joined a firm in Holborn London to concentrate on what interested him most which was the designing and manufacturing of mathematical instruments. Amongst other things he designed a pyrometre which studies material expansion.
For his work in designing instruments, he was awarded the Copley Medal by the Royal Society. The medal was instigated by Godfrey Copley 2nd Baronet 1653-1709 who bequested £100 to be used to fund experiments that would
scientific knowledge.
Smeaton is probably most famed for building the Eddystone Lighthouse situated on rocks off the south-western shore of Cornwall on the sea route into Plymouth. The Eddystone rocks are submerged at high tide and were responsible for many shipwrecks. His lighthouse was the third to be built on these rocks, the first was washed away in a storm and the second caught fire. It was his reputation and recognition as a mathematical instrument maker which drew the Royal Society to recommend that he be employed for the job.
His success with the lighthouse was due to his inventing marine concrete which set under water and also the design of the stones used in building the lighthouse interlocked with each other. The success of the lighthouse gave him instant fame and launched him on his career. He called himself by his own creation the term ‘Civil Engineer’ to distinguish his work on structures built to serve the public
although I could probably do with some new tea towels” going on to grumble “so this is what being old must look like” and she replied to say “ life is good, if all you need are tea towels”...
So how old am I? Well, as my grandma would’ve said, “I’m as old as my tongue and a little bit older than my teeth”.
I originally began this column as a one off, I emailed the editor to ask if he’d be interested in a wellbeing piece, it was during covid, I thought an article on keeping body and mind together might be helpful for readers.
I’ve contributed to every issue since. I have no idea where my words land or who reads them.
If you’re a regular reader, you may know that I’m selfemployed in the mental health and wellbeing space, working predominantly with schools, businesses and community groups to promote inclusive discussion around topics including, stress, worry, anxiety and more.
I’d love to hear from you, if you have any feedback, or suggestions for future articles or would like to talk to me about the work I do pathwaysforpositivity.com
rather than a ‘Military Engineer’ and the term civil engineering is still in use today.
After being in service for 120 years a replacement Eddystone lighthouse was built in 1879 on other rocks nearby because it was thought that the rocks on which Smeaton’s lighthouse stood were unstable and about to collapse. The irony is that the very same original lighthouse rocks with the remaining stub of Smeaton`s lighthouse base are still there facing all that the Atlantic has thrown at them.
Most of the top of Smeaton’s lighthouse was moved to Plymouth Hoe where it is there still.
Smeaton was a keen mathematician and physicist. He worked out that waterwheels were more efficient and powerful if water from a dam behind the wheel was dropped on it rather than the big river wheels which turned with the flow of the current underneath them.
He also worked on windmills to find which combination of sails were the most effective. Most windmills had four sails but there were some which had six and even eight. He discovered that the most efficient were mills with five sails because although the
wind turns an individual sail its speed is retarded by the sail behind it acting as a buffer. However, five sails were not popular because if a sail was broken or damaged and was removed, it created an imbalance. Four sails became the norm and, according to Smeaton, were more efficient than six or eight sails. There are historical references to a five sail windmill in the Water Lane area of Holbeck but, of course, any remains of that mill have long since gone.
Water and wind power were very important before the discovery of the steam engine although Smeaton in later life did design a steam engine to pump water out from a mine in Northumberland, a mine in Cornwall and even a mine at Kronshtadt in Russia.
Almost all of his designs of very many bridges are still in use today, but perhaps the two most important are firstly, the Forth and Clyde Canal which not only links the Scottish cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, but also provides a navigable route from the North Sea to the Atlantic, and secondly, the viaduct on the A616 (the old Great North Road) which crosses the River Trent between Newark and Muskham.
But the design which had the most impact on Leeds and South Leeds in particular was
his construction of the Aire & Calder Navigation. The River Aire was navigable from where it left the Humber near Goole as far as Knottingley. But its many twists and turns made it difficult and slow for commercial traffic.
Smeaton’s navigation starts at Leeds Dock in Hunslet and is joined by another leg of the navigation from the River Calder near to Castleford which connects Wakefield. Unlike canals, there is no construction on a navigation of a hardsurface bottom but sides only which channel the flow in a straight line making it easier for boats to be towed on an adjacent constructed towpath. This was particularly important for Leeds whose prosperity relied on being able to export its manufactured items particularly woollen cloth and later its heavy metal products.
Smeaton died from a stroke at the age of 68 in 1792 and is buried in St Mary’s Parish Churchyard, Whitkirk. Inside the church there is a memorial to him financed by his daughters, which is topped with a sculpture of the Eddystone Lighthouse.
Smeaton has not been forgotten and when a new viaduct was built to carry the A61 over the River Aire and Hunslet Road in 2008, it was named in his honour, the John Smeaton Viaduct.
Shannon’s 10th birthday party
Local history with
Ken Burton
Victoria Bridge
Havingcompleted Wellington Bridge (June) and Monk Bridge (July) our next bridge is a short walk down the Leeds & Liverpool Canal towpath to the Canal Basin where we will find Victoria Bridge situated.
The planning and construction of this bridge was a very long and drawn out affair that continued for almost 20 years, before it was decided it was an important connection that needed to be made to connect South Leeds with the populous North side of the river.
It was intended to connect School Close (Neville Street) and Water Lane. At this point there was a ford, latterly known
as Waterloo Ford; there were also stepping stones across the river and a ferry. The river at this location was a very popular place for washing horses, stage coaches, chaise, and carriages. It was normally quite safe but in winter when the river was swollen by heavy rain it was dangerous and there are several accounts of people and horses being swept away and drowned. There was a very short lived footbridge at this point erected by a Mr Hill in June 1819 but after objections from the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Company it was pulled down on 18 October 1819. This bridge was followed by a temporary “Union Bridge” which created more pomp and
ceremony than any other bridge over the River Aire in Leeds. This was the forerunner of the School Close Bridge and was an elliptical shape of 72 foot span and 7 feet 6 inches wide of timber construction. The construction of this bridge commenced on 6 July 1829 and it opened on 18 September with a brass band and a procession from the Court House in Park Row down Bishopgate Street and Neville Street to the New Bridge and, it is said, attended by several thousand people.
There was a suggestion for a permanent bridge and there were many meetings but the scheme seemed to suffer from insurmountable problems, both
financial and other matters, and on 7 February 1824 it was abandoned.
During 1835 and 1836 meetings were held to revive the proposed bridge and in February 1836 an Application was made to Parliament and on 19 May the Act received Royal Assent and gave authority for the formation of a Company to build the bridge.
In December 1836 it was decided to call it the Victoria Bridge and the Company was to be the Victoria Bridge Company. An interesting point to comment on here is that Queen Victoria had not acceded to the throne until 20 June 1837 and was not crowned until 28 June 1838. It may be the Company had gifted foresight.
The Civil Engineer for the bridge was George Leather & Son of Leeds and contracts were let on 13 January 1837
for a bridge costing £8,000 with one arch of 80 foot span and a width of 45 feet between the battlements and a toll house at the side, the successful contractor for this was Mark Flavell & Sons.
The bridge is a neat structure of the Doric order with an elliptical masonry arch with what could perhaps be called ‘Sunrise’ voussoirs. That is to say that it’s facing stonework is arranged in a radial pattern making it look an attractive bridge. Construction began in the February and on 10 May 1837 the Foundation Stone was laid be George Goodman who was also responsible for laying the Keystone for the arch on 27 March the following year.
On 21 December 1837 disaster struck after two or three days of extremely heavy rain produced one of the highest and most sudden floods in Yorkshire. In Leeds, Water Lane, School Close, Meadow Lane, and Ladybridge, Lady Lane suffered the most.
The streets were rendered impassable with water in some areas four or five feet deep while the water level in Marshall’s Mill was some thirteen inches above the level
in Water Lane and much damage was done to property in the vicinity of the flood. The temporary footbridge (Union Bridge) was forced down by an immense iron boiler that floated against it and both were driven against the framework on which the arch was built but fortunately unlike the bridge it withstood the pressure.
In May 1838 a Special General meeting was held to raise a further £8,000 towards the completion of the bridge; the bridge being completed at the end of 1839. The beginning of January 1840 saw the bridge and its approach roads open and tolls being taken. The approach roads were Victoria Road from the bridge to Dewsbury Road and Wilson Street from the bridge to Hunslet Lane and the diversion and raising of the approach from Water Lane, these road works were designed by Charles Fowler an engineer of Leeds. The history of the bridge as a turnpike was uneventful and on 1 February 1867 all tolls were removed.
The bridge is still in full use today in spite of the massive increase in traffic of all types and sizes.
Onceagain we are offering free* tickets to shows at Leeds Playhouse this autumn.
What’s the catch? Well in return for two free tickets to the press night, we ask you to provide us with a review of the show. Don’t worry if you’ve never written a review before, we’ll give you some hints and tips.
Highlights this season at the Playhouse include: A Raisin In The Sun; Birdsong; Run, Rebel; and The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
A Raisin In The Sun
In a rented apartment on Chicago’s South Side, the Younger family is full of hope, dreams, grief, and big plans. Their beloved father has died, and the money from his life insurance policy could change their lives.
Groundbreaking, pioneering and challenging, Lorraine Hansberry‘s A Raisin in the Sun broke barriers as the first play by a Black woman on Broadway. Directed by Tinuke Craig, this classic family drama full of humour and heart, remains relevant and powerful in a world still divided by inequality. Press performance: Wednesday 18 September, 7.45pm.
Birdsong Sebastian Faulks’s epic story of love and loss returns to the stage in a brand-new production, marking the 30th anniversary of the international best-selling novel.
A mesmerising story of one man’s journey through an all consuming love affair into the horror of the First World War. Once seen never forgotten.
Tuesday 17 September at 7:30pm Run, Rebel
Pilot Theatre brings you an
electrifying adaptation of Manjeet Mann’s acclaimed novel.
Amber is trapped – by her family’s rules, by their expectations, by her own fears. But on the running track she is completely free.
As her body speeds up, the world slows down. And the tangled, mixed up lines in her head get s t r a i g h t e r . . .
This landmark production made especially for audiences of 11+ combines physical theatre, mesmerising visuals and a talented ensemble cast, setting the stage for a transformative story of revolution, empowerment and courage.
Tuesday 22 October, 7pm
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Join Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter as they wave goodbye to wartime Britain and say hello to Mr. Tumnus, the talking Faun, Aslan, the unforgettable Lion and the coldest, cruelest White Witch!
This breathtaking stage show of C.S. Lewis’ classic novel returns to Leeds Playhouse following a successful West End and UK tour. With magical storytelling, bewitching stagecraft and incredible puppets, it is guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages.
Press night is likely to be Friday 22 November, to be confirmed.
You can find out more about all the shows at leeds playhouse.org.uk/whats-on
If you live, work or play in LS10 or LS11 and would like free* tickets to any of these shows please email info@southleedslife.com and tell us which show you’d like to see and why you would like to see it.
by Bruce Davies
Thisyear BasementArts Project has received funding from Arts Council England towards the first stages of a project that will culminate in an exhibition and public sculpture for South Leeds.
Annabelle Richmond-Wright is an artist based in Middleton; and 2021 graduate of Leeds Arts University. In 2022 she was one of five artists to win the ‘Manchester Open Award’ for her sculpture ‘Alexa’: a very different take on the virtual assistant. Since then she has been busy with various projects appearing as part of the ‘One’s To Watch’ exhibition at Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley; Leeds. Work began in June to start engaging the communities of South Leeds in workshops that will eventually determine, in a very practical way, what the final sculpture will look like. Over the course of three term-
Power to the people Cockburn student cast again for Leeds Playhouse production
Three
Leeds students, including Jayden Dias from Cockburn School in Beeston, have been cast in a fresh new staging of A Raisin in the Sun by acclaimed director Tinuke Craig, which premieres at Leeds Playhouse next month before going on a national tour.
The role of Travis will be performed in Leeds and at Oxford Playhouse by Jayden Dias, Josh Ndlovu and Adiel Magaji – all members of the Youth Theatre at Leeds Playhouse.
Eleanor Manners, Youth Theatre Director at the Playhouse, said:
time workshops with Beeston Hill St Luke’s Primary, New Bewerley Community School and Cockburn John Charles Academy, the children have produced various elements in clay; portraits and helping hands - dedicated to local organisations that are part of the fabric of the South Leeds Community.
During the summer holidays we have run similar workshops with Hamara Healthy Living Centre and St Luke’s CARES Charity. At these we have been producing flowers in clay and casting hands in plaster. Eventually all of these elements will find their way into Annabelle’s final design for the sculpture. The sculpture
entitled ‘I’ve Got You, You’ve Got Me’ is to be sited at the junction of Dewsbury Road and Tunstall Road, next to St Luke’s CARES shop.
Before that, there will be an exhibition of new work by Annabelle at BasementArts Project called ‘Gatekeepers of The Body’. This exhibition will run from Thursday 31 October – 31 December. We will be running tours of the exhibition with myself. Details of these will be published nearer the time.
BasementArtsProject is a completely open invite to everyone, just turn up during our opening hours listed on our website. If you cannot make it during our opening hours you can arrange out-of-hours appointments: just text on 0750 672 1504 or email me at bruce.davies@basementarts project.com
Until then we have our next exhibition opening on Thursday 26 September: 5:30–8:30pm by Bulgarian Artist and resident of South Leeds Kristina Nenova. There will, as always, be free food and drink.
“I’m so excited for these three young actors – they are all super performers! I’m also excited to see the incredible progress they will make through this process. Working with director Tinuke Craig and this wonderful creative team will be really special for them.
“It’s rare that young people get the priceless opportunity to work on their skills in such a concentrated way. I’m sure they will come back to Youth Theatre after being in a professional show with new energy, confidence and skills that will inspire other members and further enrich the whole
group.”
Jayden, Josh and Adiel will be working with top-flight professional actors in Lorraine Hansberry’s groundbreaking and challenging play – the first play by a Black woman on Broadway. It’s not the first time that Jayden and Josh have performed at the Playhouse. As we reported, they shared the role of Fleance in director Amy Leach’s brutal, bold and beautiful production of Macbeth earlier this year.
Jayden Dias, 14, a student at Cockburn School, said:
“I am grateful for this role and feel like it will be another
big challenge, opportunity and responsibility; one I need to grab with both hands. Macbeth was an unforgettable experience. It taught me so much about stage performance and that successful performances require actors to work as a team. The play was a big success and the fact that the cast felt like a big family helped me get into the spirit and contribute positively.”
A Raisin in the Sun is a Headlong, Leeds Playhouse, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and Nottingham Playhouse coproduction of this classic family
drama full of humour and heart that remains relevant and powerful in a world still divided by inequality.
In a rented apartment on Chicago’s South Side, the Younger family is full of hope, dreams, grief, and big plans. Their beloved father has died, and the money from his life insurance policy could change their lives. Mama wants to put down roots in a home of her own. Her daughter Beneatha has her heart set on becoming a doctor. But her son Walter Lee thinks the money is his to spend — and he’s willing to sacrifice his values and his family to get what he wants. Each must face what it means to escape the confines of a segregated society. How do you create a meaningful life in a world designed to keep you down?
Leeds Playhouse offers lots of opportunities for young people, including Youth Theatre at the Playhouse and its satellite centres at DAZL in Middleton and RJC in Chapeltown, holiday courses, and drop-in sessions for young refugees and asylum seekers.
A Raisin In The Sun runs at Leeds Playhouse from 13-28 September 2024.
A hand cast created at a community workshop
Jayden Dias playing Fleance in Macbeth. Credit: Kirsten McTernan
Website: www.southleedslife.com
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Discover South Leeds history at Heritage Open Days 2024
For its 30th anniversary the Heritage Open Days Festival, England’s largest festival of history and culture, has chosen the theme of Routes, Networks and Connections, and events in South Leeds offer insights into religion, industry, sport and entertainment.
Leeds Civic Trust has worked with organisations across the city to put on over 120 events for the festival which runs from Friday 6 – Sunday 15 September 2024.
We’ve picked out some local highlights, but you can find the full programme and booking details at www.heritage opendays.org.uk
Middleton Railway – site of the first steam trains, an illustrated talk Moor Road, Hunslet, LS10 2JQ
Middleton Railway was where the world’s very first proper steam engines ran.
Starting in 1812, the Leeds locos hauled 90-100 tonnes of coal into the city, we even have a bit of track from 1812 to show you. Staff will give an illustrated talk on the hour between 10am-3pm on each weekend of the festival. Although entry to the museum and the talk are free, you will need to buy a ticket if you want a ride on this, the world’s oldest continuously-operating railway.
Skelton Grange Environment Centre Open Day
Skelton Grange Road, LS10 1RS
Saturday 7 September, 11am-4pm. Enjoy nature walks, activities and refreshments at our awardwinning eco-building and nature area.
1970s Slide Show
The Cross Keys Pub, 107 Water Lane, LS11 5WD
“Come on a journey to a time when life was much simpler, when people dressed up to go into town and drove pastel coloured cars!” A slide projection and talk featuring fascinating scenes of Leeds in the 1970’s by Clifford Stead. Monday 9 September 7pm. Organised by Marshall’s Mill, booking essential.
Aire and Calder Navigation Heritage Walk
From The Corn Exchange, Call Lane, LS1 7BR
A walk along the river and Navigation to the Thwaite Mills area. It will include: a brief history of the Aire & Calder Navigation; the use of the Navigation and the river for
transport through the ages; the regeneration of the dock area; the flood defences; Leeds Dock; local industries; and the former railway line. On Tuesday 10 September at 2pm and Thursday 12 September at 10:30am. Booking essential.
Visits to DePuy Synthes
St Anthony’s Road, Beeston, LS11 8DT
An opportunity to visit a historical manufacturing site in Beeston. The site has been here since the 1950s as a Medical Devices Manufacturing Facility, supporting the pioneering manufacturing of Charnley Hip Stem which has led the way for standards in Orthopaedics Hip Implants that are used today worldwide. On Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 September 10am-12pm, booking essential.
Beeston Hill Community Cinema
St Luke’s CARES shop, 246 Dewsbury Road, LS11 6JQ
Enjoy a slice of South Leeds cinema history. Designed and built in 1911 by Thomas Thompson, and called The Pavilion Picture Palace, one of the first purpose-built cinemas in Leeds is now home to Beeston Hill Community Cinema. The exhibition includes pictures, photographs and artefacts relating to our former cinema. The exhibition will open with an introductory talk. Thursday 12 September 2-4pm, booking preferred.
Heritage Pub Walk
The Adelphi, 1-3 Hunslet Road, LS10 1JQ
Join heritage pub enthusiast
Jim Brettell for a guided walk round some of the city centre’s most popular examples. Thursday 12 September, 2pm,
booking essential.
Waddingtons at the Discovery Centre
Carlisle Road, LS10 1LB
An illustrated talk on Leeds famous boardgame makers Waddingtons, who produced the UK version of Monopoly from the 1930s and was responsible for the now famous London properties in the game.
Thursday 12 September, 24pm, booking essential.
Hunslet’s Rugby History
South Leeds Stadium, Middleton Grove, LS11 5DJ
From Union to the 1895 Northern Union breakaway to Rugby League, explore the 141 yearr history of Hunslet RLFC.
In the Phoenix bar at South Leeds Stadium, you will find old Minute books, artefacts and lots of pictures and information. Learn about the triumphs of the first team to win All Four Cups, first team to have an American player, first team to have joint Lance Todd trophy winners, first to have tuning fork goal posts. See the Hall of fame, Heritage Certificates and Timeline. Browse the extensive programme collection. Friday 13 September, 7:30-9pm
Cross Flatts Park –connecting the past with the present
Cross Flatts Park, LS11 7NA
Discover the 100+ year history of Beeston’s park with tours starting at at 10:30am, 12pm and 1:30pm from the Watsonian Pavilion near the top of the park. Tea, coffee and light refreshments are available from the café and there will be a display of events and activities that are currently available in the park all year round. Beeston in Bloom will be holding a plant sale between
and culture of Islam. The tour will explain the symbolism on the bronze doors and the five floors used for prayers which have sufficient space to accommodate 1,000 people each Friday. There will be an explanation of the five pillars of Islam, the importance of the Qur’an and how it was revealed to The Prophet and memorised and written down. Visitors are asked to dress modestly, head covering preferred but not compulsory and shoes to be left on entry. Saturday 14 September 10am-12pm with tour at 10:30am. Timed to allow link with GNNSJ Gurudwara; both sites can be explored in the same morning.
Faith Connections in Beeston – the GNNSJ Gurudwara
78 Lady Pit Lane, LS11 6DP
food. You will be invited into the kitchen/dining area to sample the hospitality.
Removal of shoes and a simple head covering will be required. This event is timed to allow an earlier visit to the nearby Jamia Masjid Abu Huraira (mosque) and so give the opportunity to explore two sites and two faiths in one morning. Saturday 14 September 11am-1pm with a tour at 11:30am.
10am-12pm. Saturday 14 September, 10am-3pm.
Faith Connections in Beeston – Jamia Masjid Abu Catherine Grove, LS11 6LU
Visit this splendid Mosque, built in 2018, and discover more about the faith, customs
A warm welcome awaits at this imposing Gurudwara (Sikh Temple), beautifully converted from the former Ringtons Tea premises. You can find out about the Sikh faith, its traditions, customs and culture, including a tour and refreshments.
There will be a tour of the building and an opportunity to ask questions. Sharing and equality are important aspects of the faith and this extends to
Religion in Middleton’s Past Middleton Park Visitor Centre, Town Street, LS10 3SH Join Friends of Middleton Park for a walk and talk about recusancy in Middleton. From the Reformation until Catholic emancipation the ‘old faith’ survived by those members of the Catholic gentry who could allow their houses to be used as chapels and were able to maintain a chaplain. In the early 1700s Middleton and the Brandling family were to gain notoriety for having such a chapel in Middleton. In response to a growing population, St Mary the Virgin Church was consecrated in 1846. There will be a short history and tour of the Church and a viewing of the Brandling family graves. Sunday 15 September, 1:30-3:30pm.
Discover diesel and steam at Middleton Railway
What’s On
Full
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 Beeston Village
Community Centre, off Town Street, LS11 8DQ
from 23 September
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
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
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
Creative Communities Workshop 10am-2pm Hunslet Community Hub & Library, LS10 2NS from 25 September Book: 07483 666342
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
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
Website: www.southleedslife.com
LGBTQ+ Peer Support Group
12-2pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle 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
4pm Beeston Community Hub & Library, Town Street, Beeston 5pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck 6pm Cottingley Community Centre Film: Resistance Climbing
7:30pm City Bloc Climbing Wall, Kitson Road, Hunslet, LS10 1NT
12-2pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, LS11 9NR Book (0113) 245 5553
Battle of Holbeck Moor Blue Plaque unveiling 2pm Holbeck Moor The Friendly Band 2-4pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street The Care Leavers Christmas FUNdraiser
3pm Slung Low’s Warehouse in Holbeck, Crosby Street, LS11 9RQ Book: www.slunglow.org/shows Monday 30 September
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 4 October Legal Advice drop in 9:30-11am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road
9:30-10:15am Beeston Village
IN BRIEF
Leeds Rum Festival
On Saturday 14 September Fearns is set to host this year’s annual Leeds Rum Festival which promises to be a premier allround experience for rum lovers, experts and enthusiasts alike. From 1-9pm, the Leeds Dock kitchen, bar and event space located at 4 The Boulevard, will be home to infectious music and immersive masterclasses hosted by rum ambassadors, with plenty of opportunities to taste great food and sip on the finest rums. General Admission tickets are £38.02 and unlock over 50 rums from all over the world for rum fanatics to sample, an etched Rum Fest tasting glass and expert masterclasses and interesting talks to engage in, not to mention great food and drink. Details and tickets at: bit.ly/leedsrumfest
Slung Low presents ...
Slung Low are hosting four events this month: The Lodger is a new work about home and belonging. Friday 6 Sept at 7:30pm. Saturday 14 Sept is the date for A Summer Ceilidh, a wonderful end of summer evening of music, food, dance and laughter. Occupational Hazard fuses comedy, clowning and choreography as it follows the day in the life of two air hostesses. Saturday 28 Sept at 7:30pm. If you can’t wait until Christmas get along to the Care Leavers Christmas FUNdraiser on Sunday 29 Sept at 3pm with decorations, giant cheese board, quiz and even a visit from Mr Claus himself. All shows are Pay-what-you-decide. Book at www.slunglow.org /shows. Slung Low’s Warehouse In Holbeck is on Crosby Street, LS11 9RQ.
Healthy and creative cooking
A four week cookery course starts at the Hamara Centre on Tempest Road, Beeston, LS11 6RD on 11 September. Running on Wednesdays from 2-4pm, the course will let you practise healthy and tasty recipes and learn some new skills. All ingredients are provided. For age 17+. Limited places, book via admin@hamara.org.uk or ring (0113) 277 3330
Get Your Act Together with free music courses
Cloth Cat are again running free courses in Drums, Rap, Singing, Keyboard and Guitar for young people aged 11-18. The 10 week courses start on 16 September at Eiger Studios and Hillside Enterprise Centre in Beeston. Details and booking at clothcatleeds.org.uk/projects/get-your-act-together
Leeds Palestinian Film Festival
The main festival runs in November and December, but the group will be showing Resistance Climbing, a film about rock climbers in the West Bank on Friday 27 September, at City Bloc Climbing Wall, 1-4 Kitson Road, Hunslet LS10 1NT.
Notice of Application for a Premises Licence made under the Licensing Act 2003
Please take notice that we, JJ Food Service Ltd have made application to the Leeds City Council to apply for a Premises Licence in respect of:
JJ FOOD SERVICE LTD, PARKSIDE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, MIDDLETON GROVE, BEESTON, LEEDS, LS11 5BX
The application is as follows: Supply/Sale by retail of alcohol.
A register of all applications made with the Leeds City Council is maintained by: ELECTIONS & REGULATORY SERVICE, ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING, CIVIC HALL LEEDS LS1 1UR.
A record of this application may be inspected by appointment at Entertainment Licensing, Civic Hall. Please email entertainment .licensing@leeds.gov.uk or telephone 0113 378 5029.
It is open to any interested party to make representations about the likely effect of the application on the promotion of the licensing objectives. Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Section at the office or email address above and be received by the Leeds City Council’s Entertainment Licensing Section within a period of 28 days starting the day after the date shown below.
Note: It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of such offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine.
Date application given to the Council: 21 August 2024.
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.
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
Creative Communities project ‘Pride and Place’ continues into second year
by Penny Lewis
AtSwarthmore Education Centre we are busy preparing to deliver the second year of our Lottery-funded Creative Communities Project.
We have some exciting events and activities in store this month and over the coming year and look forward to seeing the amazing artwork that is created.
Celebration events
On Friday 13 September, we invite everyone to come to Middleton Park Baptist Church, on Middleton Park Avenue, to see the beautiful work the creative people of Middleton have produced in our workshops last year.
On Friday 27 September please come to our Arts Trail showcasing work made by the talented community of Hunslet. Work will be displayed at Hunslet Community Hub & Library and Involve Leeds. Both events will be open from 12.30-3pm and you are welcome to drop in any time during the afternoon. There will be refreshments and you will also have the opportunity to try a new creative activity. Everyone is welcome, whether you have been involved in the workshops, or just want to see what it is all about.
Creative Community Artist
Residency
In an exciting new development this year, we will be funding two individual artists to spend time in South Leeds, facilitating the creation of lasting pieces of artwork by residents of Hunslet and Belle Isle, focusing on the theme of Pride and Place using the ideas, stories and contributions of all interested members of the community.
We are delighted to announce that Rozi Fuller will be working in Hunslet from 16 September for a period of 12 weeks. Rozi will be based at Involve, but will also be out and about visiting groups and centres. More information will be shared as this project gets underway.
The residency in Belle Isle will start in January and will be facilitated by Elnaz Yazdani.
Creative Communities Art Workshops
Responding to feedback from the community we have changed the structure of our workshops for the Autumn. We will be delivering 3 blocks of 10 workshops, starting on 23 September. In each block, talented artists will demonstrate and introduce participants to their practice, allowing participants to experiment with different techniques, from clay to photography, mosaic to rag rugging, there is something for everyone.
The workshops are open to people aged 18 and over who
live in LS10 and LS11. Everyone is welcome to apply to attend a block of workshops, regardless of artistic talents or experience. All materials and a free lunch are provided.
Beeston Village Community Centre, Beeston Park PIace, LS11 8DQ Creche provided Mondays 10am-2pm 23 September - 2 December Manorfield Hall, Newhall Rd, Middleton, LS10 3RR Creche provided Tuesdays 10am-2pm 24 September - 3 December Hunslet Community Hub & Library, Waterloo Road, LS10 2NS No Creche.
Wednesdays 10am - 2pm
25 September - 4 December
At the time of writing there are still places available. Come along, make friends, get creative, have fun!
If you would like to take part in the workshops, or have ideas for the artist residency project, please email: creative. communities@swarthmore.org .uk or you can call me, Penny on 07438 666342
The project is also continuously recruiting and supporting volunteers to support the sessions, and we welcome applications from anyone interested in offering their time and energy.
Contact: honor.jeavons @swarthmore.org.uk
Get your entries ready for the Produce Show
Website: www.southleedslife.com
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Could you coach for Beeston Juniors FC? Leeds Pickleball players bag medal haul
Cardinal Square was buzzing on Saturday 13 July as Beeston Juniors Football Club celebrated the achievements of their teams last season.
The club runs 12 junior teams as well as an open age (adult) side and regularly sees 150 children enjoying their football whilst getting some fresh air, exercise and burning off some energy.
As well as a celebration the event was an important fundraiser for the club. As Secretary Lee Horseman explained:
“We are very aware that families round here don’t have a lot of spare cash and we don’t want money to get in the way of any children playing football with us, so we keep the subs as low as we can. That means we have to raise funds for kits, pitch hire and keeping the clubhouse running. We also run a free boots swap.”
The club has recently received sponsorship for their girls team from Preferred Homes who are building the extra care flats on Hunslet Hall Road and are always looking for support from local companies.
The clubhouse has seen its electrics and heating upgraded with financial help from Councillors on the Inner South Community Committee and the club are keen to see other community groups using the facility through the week.
Club chair Rob Hawkins commented: “We’ve been going since 1986 and we’re want to keep it going. We could take more children and run more teams, but we struggle to find coaches. If anyone would like to become a coach please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.”
You can contact via the website beestonjuniorsfc.com, Facebook or Instagram.
GameSet Match took 30 players to the recent Pickleball Sketchers English Open in Telford and brought back 22 medals!
Pickleball, for those who haven’t come across it, is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK. A mix of tennis and table tennis, players use a smooth-faced paddle to hit a perforated, hollow plastic ball over a net. Pickleball is an incredibly inclusive sport with the Leeds competitors aged from 11-75, including people with disabilities.
Competions are graded 3.0 for beginners up to 4.5+ for the pro levels.
Michal Cicvak, who runs Game Set Match, led from the front securing a Gold medal in in the 4.5 over 35s and a Silver with Nathan Hill in the 4.5 over 35s age category.
There were also Gold medals in the Men's Doubles 3.0 for ages 55+; the wheelchair
event; Doubles for ages 35+ with a 3.5+ rating; Doubles for ages 35+ with a 3.0 rating; and the Mixed Doubles 3.0 for ages 55+. Plus Silver and Bronze medals in a further seven categories.
Michal Cicvak said: “My Pickleball program will resume in September, and I'm eager to invite new players of any age and skill level to try it out!
“Pickleball is relatively new to the UK; I've been running the program for nearly three years and cherish the club's camaraderie. I'm keen to see our community expand.
“Pickleball is for anyone regardless of age, gender, disability (I have wheelchair and deaf players on the programme) no previous racket sports background needed, it’s a massively enjoyable all age, no barriers sport.”
You can play Pickleball at the John Charles Centre for Sport Tennis Centre, Middleton
and booking details at bit.ly/JCCSPickle or email gamesetmatch.mc@outlook .com
Thousands enjoy community rugby festival
Three thousand people and 106 junior rugby league teams gathered at Leeds Corinthian’s Nutty Slack ground in Middleton over the weekend of 3 & 4 August to take part a festival of rugby.
The weekend’s event was the third annual festival put together by the Hunslet Rugby Foundation working in partnership with the Kicking for Grassroots.
With a year-on-year increase in teams wanting to get involved the festival had to split over two days this year.
Community clubs came from across the north of England, from Hull in the east to St Helen’s in the west.
Michael Nuttall, Hunslet Rugby Foundation’s Manager said:
“The festival was a huge success and something we as a team are extremely proud to have put together.
“However, this could not have been made possible without the support from our sponsors and the incredible help from our fantastic volunteer team, a huge mention though to our own team who have put so much
time and effort into the organisation of this festival.
The festival is a true testament to the ever-growing success of our Foundation and we can’t wait welcome all of the teams back next year with some exciting things to come.
“Huge thank you to the Leeds Corinthians for hosting, South Leeds Welcome Centre for providing yet again a
wonderful service with the barbeque and a huge thank you to all of the teams that come along to make this weekend possible. Until next time!”
Luke Thompson from the Lambwath Lions, one of three clubs from Hull who attended, commented:
“We came last year and got the chance to play against
teams we don’t normally play against, so we’ve come again this year with our under 7s, under 8s and under 9s. We’ve all had a great time and we’ll be coming again next year.”
Cllr Emma Pogson-Golden (SDP, Middleton Park) was there with her son who plays for Hunslet ARLFC, she said:
“It’s just been a really good event. We were here last year, everybody enjoys themselves, it’s fun and it brings the community together.”
Pickleball is an inclusive sport
Michal Cicvak and Nathan Hill won a Silver medal
Family fun at Beeston Juniors fundraising day
Parksiders progress to promotion play-offs
by Ian Pickles
Hunslet RLFC go into the promotion play-offs having finished fourth in Betfred League 1.
The Parksiders won five of their seven games in July and August, but all to teams below them in the league.
July started with a straightforward 16-42 win away to Newcastle who have struggled all season. Hunslet have been successful on the road and beat North Wales Crusaders 16-46 in Colwyn Bay. But they dropped points at home losing 24-32 to Workington Town.
August saw a long trip to Cornwall where Hunslet had to call on their mental reserves to take the 2 points down in Penryn after Cornwall drew level late in the second half.
With the clock ticking down, up stepped Matty Beharrell with a one pointer to edge Hunslet out at 26-27. The Parksiders pressuring Cornwall to the last when on 80 minutes Michael Knowles followed a kick to score. 26-33 on the hooter.
Hunslet ended their home league season on a high with a 28-20 victory over North Wales Crusaders in what can best be described as a ‘game of two halves’.
The Parksiders were 6-18
down at the half, but tries from Ferreira, Syme, Watson and Turner and a penalty from Matty Beharrell, whose kicking game has been excellent all season, led to 28-20 victory.
Hunslet fell short at Cougar Park on 25 August despite their rivals having a man sent off just before half time. The Parksiders were well in the game before the dismissal, but couldn’t press home their man advantage.
Hunslet started well and were 4-10 up after 15 minutes thanks to tries from Turner and Render. But the Cougars fought back and went in 22-10 up.
With the man advantage Hunslet were guilty of overplaying. Keighley’s defence held out and Hunslet started to lose discipline and tried plays that weren’t on.
The game seemed to be over on 66 minutes when Keighley pulled further ahead, but tries from Flanagan and Ferreira brought the score to 28-22 with 7 minutes to go.
Hunslet pressed, but knocked onand from the scrum Oscar Thomas raced 80 yards to wrap up the match. 34-22. A try on the hooter made it 40-22 at full time.
Hunslet completed their third victory over Midlands Hurricanes this season, on (31 August to end the regular season on a high with another victory coming on the road. In another game where Hunslet blew hot and cold it was Josh Jordan-Roberts who scored a 77th minute try at the Alexander Stadium, Birmingham to snatch victory for the Parksiders.
Ross Whitmore scored two close range tries in the first half and Jordan-Roberts added a third. But for all their dominance Hunslet only led 618 at half time.
The Hurricanes equalised at 22-22 on 61 minutes. With time getting tight a Mackenzie Turner break put Hunslet on the front foot. An attack to the left saw Jack Render go close before Josh Jordan-Roberts hit a good ball to score the winning try. Beharrell’s conversion bouncing over off the woodwork. Full time: 22-28 Hunslet will now play Rochdale Hornets away in the first round of the play-offs on Sunday 15 September after Hornets beat Keighley Cougars to pip Hunslet for tghird place in League 1.
Holbeck Moor JFC vs Prostate Cancer charity match Hunslet Nelson win Gordon Rigg Bradford Jack Hampshire Cup
by Russ Mellor
Saturday 20 July saw Holbeck Moor JFC’s first ever charity football match. It was the coaches of the kids within the club versus the parents.
We wanted to raise money and awareness for Prostate Cancer UK while raising money for the children at the club at the same time.
Put together in under four weeks, the weather was glorious and the atmosphere even better with approximately 200 people in attendance all
supporting the cause and the community coming out to support those involved.
It was a very close game with some great goals and lots of fun in a fair contest in which the parents ran out 8-7 winners of the game. But most importantly we were able to get the message out to all the coaches, parents the dads about prostate cancer and how to be aware and get checked out.
We raised a whopping £956 in a short period of time, our 2025 Charity Football Match will be even bigger and better.
Hunslet
by Alastair Finn
Nelson Cricket Club
are the Gordon Rigg Jack Hampshire Cup winners for the first time after a four-wicket win against Scholes at a scorching Liversedge on Sunday 11 August.
Captain Jack Scanlon had the honour of lifting the trophy. He said after the win:
“It is a great competition and we are delighted to win it, but it is not always easy backing up on a Sunday after a Saturday league game.
“It is a big commitment for families and the players, with moving the T20s to a Sunday, we have played nine Sundays out of ten so it’s great we have something to show for it.”
Hunslet made the perfect start when Matthew Varley struck in the first over and they went on to pick up wickets at key times during the Scholes innings, restricting them to 206 all out.
Varley was the pick of the bowlers, with figures of 5-50, which led to him picking up the Man of The Match award. Sam Thewlis and Tyler Woodhouse’ contributions were also crucial through the mid overs, conceding just 22 and 27 runs, respectively.
The fielding performance from Nelly was superb, holding onto chances and causing three run outs on what is a very high scoring ground.
In reply Nelson had a superb opening partnership of 90 thanks to the destructive hitting of former skipper Will Stiff, who made 56, and Tyler Woodhouse, who scored 25.
A valuable contribution of 26 from the skipper
moved Hunslet closer to the target before he was dismissed with the score at 140-4. That brought Alastair Finn to the crease who, alongside partners Andy McIntosh, Sam Thewlis and Josh Morris saw Hunslet reach the target with 14 balls to spare. Finn finished 50 not out off 36 balls.
It was a brilliant day for the club and one that numerous
people on and off the field have worked extremely hard to achieve. Chairman Anthony Ryder had this to say:
“It’s a great success for the club, we have been working hard for years slowly moving the club forward. This victory is for all the members, players and volunteers that give up their time to keep cricket going in South Leeds.”
Coaches versus parents
Jude Ferreira scores against Workington Town. Photo: PBW Media
