UNITED UNVEIL STADIUM PLANS
Have your say on Elland Road expansion in public consultation
by Jeremy Morton
Hundreds of supporters and local residents have been responding to Leeds United plans to expand its Elland Road stadium.
The plans which seek to expand the stadium’s capacity from 37,645 to 53,000 were revealed online, at a council Plans Panel meeting and have been shared to residents groups and public drop in sessions during May.
The club intends to submit a hybrid planning application later this summer seeking full permission to develop the West stand and outline permission for the North stand (the Kop end).
The proposals essentially build an extra tier on top of the existing stands with much expanded facilities for fans. The stated aim is to improve the match day experience of fans, enticing them to arrive at the ground earlier and leave later.
They hope to maintain the current ground capacity throughout the build. Subject to planning permission, the club hope to start enabling works this year with the main build period fror the West stand running from Spring 2026 to Autumn 2028. The construction of North stand would follow in 2028-29.
Councillors on the City PLans Panel asked a number of questions including the impact on local residents and sustainability.
Leeds United said they are appointing a Travel Plan Coordinator, whose job would be to reduce percentage of fans travelling by from 65% currently to 50%. On sustainability they promised limit the amount of demolition, thus saving embodied carbon and installing solar panels and heat pumps to produce 60% of energy required. Local councillor Andrew Scopes (Labour, Beeston & Holbeck) addressed the panel saying whilst he welcomed the development, the club had to understand that there is a cost Continued on page 3 Click the QR code to find out more and complete the Questionnaire online:
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South Leeds Life is written by and for local people. People who live, work and play in the LS10 and LS11 areas of South Leeds.
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Royal Armouries Museum to own its waterfront site
In a deal worth £11.69 million, the Royal Armouries has successfully purchased the freehold of the land the Leeds museum site operates on. Made possible by a governmentbacked loan via the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, this is the first time the museum has owned the land outright, which includes the waterfront buildings adjacent to the museum.
As we reported last November, the land was owned by the Canal & River Trust, but they decided to put it on the market.
Situated in Leeds Dock, the museum marks its 30th anniversary next year and has spearheaded development in the area over the last three decades. The purchase of the land marks the start of the next phase of development opportunities.
The Royal Armouries is well known as a cultural landmark and a successful conference and events venue in Leeds. Since 2022, it has hosted the large-scale UK Real Estate, Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF), which welcomes well over 16,000 people to the site and is expected to generate close to £30 million for the local economy in 2025.
This land purchase creates further possibilities for the Royal Armouries to leverage the waterfront location to further develop the site and stimulate major economic growth in the city and beyond.
Possibilities include new multi-use riverside arts, events and conferences spaces.
Speaking at UKREiiF about how cultural institutions can underpin regeneration, Nat Edwards, Director General and Master of the Armouries said:
“This £11.69 million government loan for the Royal Armouries to purchase the land outright is an investment in the future. It gives the
Royal Armouries full control over the museum site for the first time and puts the organisation in a better position to drive future development for the benefit of Leeds. The Royal Armouries’ track record of successfully hosting events like UKREiiF, which generate £30 million for the local economy, shows what cultural venues can achieve with the right ambition and the right partners. With ownership of the land
secured with a government-backed loan via the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, the next step is to secure investment to substantially increase the capacity to grow conference, event and hotel capacity at Leeds Dock. Leeds United are marching on, and so are we!”
Museums Minister Sir Chris Bryant said:
“I’m delighted that the Royal Armouries are moving ahead with this ambitious and exciting scheme. It will make much more long-term economic sense and enable one of our great museums which families love to visit to flourish long into the future.”
UK’s most inland port opens in Stourton
Casper
River and Canal Transport (Casper River), the Humber’s leading inland waterway freight transportation company, has unveiled the UK’s most inland shipping port in South Leeds.
The 1.5-acre site located in Stourton Wharf, owned and managed by commercial and industrial property specialist Towngate PLC, will see more than 5,893 heavy goods vehicles
removed from UK roads for each water-based vessel in operation –easing congestion, reducing the likelihood of road-based accidents, minimising traditional port costs, and eliminating approximately 1,434 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions per barge.
The news comes eight months after Casper River was first incorporated as a subsidiary of Casper Chartering, providing an in-
house logistical solution to keep freight on water for longer throughout Europe. While the company already has dedicated mooring facilities in Rotherham and Burton Upon Stather, Stourton Wharf marks its first self-operated inland waterway, streamlining commercial freight transportation capabilities for its customers.
Situated on the Aire and Calder navigation between Castleford and Leeds, the port is designed to handle a variety of bulk cargoes – including steel, aggregates, cement, grain, and scrap – from sea to canal to end user.
The opening of the site follows an extensive threemonth renovation, completed with the support of landlord Towngate PLC. Along the 45-metre-long wharf, Casper River has cleared overgrowth, levelled the ground with aggregate to access moored vessels, demolished fifty metres of a ten-foot-tall brick wall, relocated site gates, and commissioned informative signs.
“Waterborne freight transport is a significantly more efficient, costeffective, and sustainable option, but the misuse of our nation’s waterways means it’s not used as much as it should be,” said Sean Taylor, vessel operator at Casper River. “This is why we’re on a mission to revive the UK’s inland waterways and freight barges, and we’re already witnessing growth with partners who are just as committed to remedying the challenge as we are.”
“Each vessel will save the equivalent of the average annual carbon footprint of 174 homes. And if initial trials go well with our first cargo barge – an ex-Humber Princess oil tanker called the MV Off-Roader – we’re hoping to discharge four barges each week at Stourton Wharf.”
Casper River is already considering additional developments to the site. Soon, the company plans to use on-shore energy to power its vessels when they moor alongside the wharf. In addition to decreasing noise pollution for neighbouring homes and businesses, this will reduce the carbon emissions of its operations even further.
The Royal Armouries site, showing plans for a redeveloped Tiltyard
Website: www.southleedslife.com
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Women’s Whispers crisis charity celebrates lottery win
by Jeremy Morton
Sunjeeda
Hanif, founder of Women’s Whispers, was joined by friends and supporters including the Lord Mayor of Leeds on 30 April, as she unveiled expanded facilities at Hillside Enterprise Centre in Beeston.
The charity supports women from ethnic minorities who are in crisis, such as homelessness, fleeing
Continued from page 1 to the local community on match days.
He suggested four areas that he would to see action on: legacy funding for community projects; a local employment scheme; resolving parking issues; and reducing the environmental issues of air quality and litter.
On parking he pointed out that 50% of the enlarged capacity was a greater that 65% of the current crowd, so much more would need to be done.
A questionnaire to gather feedback was available at all the consultation events and is also available on the Leeds United website (QR code on page1). You can also email comments to EllandRoad Expansion@leedsunited.com Hundreds of comments have already been received. Comments should be sent by Friday 6 June, but the consultation will remain open after that date.
domestic violence, or lone parenting. Women’s Whispers provides practical help including food and clothing, but also emotional support. Having secured a Lottery Awards For All grant they were able to take on a second unit at Hillside to store more donated items.
Speaking at the official opening the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Abigail Marshall Katung:
“For those of you who know
Sunjeeda, you know how hard she works and I always say determination and hard work is the key to success. I know it’s been tough, but your resilience and hard work has brought you this far.
“For all that you do for the community, for all that you do for women whose voices are not heard, thank you from the bottom of our hearts from the council and the city. Our third sector and our volunteers play
What the fans think:
South Leeds Life spoke to fans about expanding the ground before United’s last home game:
John: It's needs expanding, it's got to be expanded because there's 20,000 people waiting on the season ticket list so they will fill it every week, so that's how it's got to be, it's got to be extended.
Jack:
I don't like the expansion. We don't need a bigger stadium, we just need a better one because we never had any issue with capacity when we weren't in the premier league before Bielsa was a thing.
Richard: I think it's a great idea, it's about time. It's a great traditional ground, a great atmosphere, but sometimes you have to move forward.
Hopefully if we stay in the premier league more people want to come, so you have a bigger stadium, better facilities I suppose as well, and try and incapsulate the great atmosphere and keep it like that.
Joe: We've been talking about it for a long time so I hope we get it done now, and just don't leave us waiting as long as we have.
Julie: Hope they get it done quickly, there's a lot of fans wanting to go and watch the game and unfortunately they're not able to. Get that waiting list down.
Paul:
I feel if it actually happens I am positive about it because they have been talking about it for so long and never got around to it and it would be
Share
your memories of World War Two
Aswe celebrate the 80th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day (Victory in Europe and Victory over Japan) Leeds City Council has started a project to gather citizens’ memories of the Second World War.
The Library and Museum and Gallery services are recording interviews of people who took part in the war, to produce a series of short videos and create an oral history archive.
As well soldiers, sailors and airmen, the team are keen to
hear from people who worked in support services such as coal miners, munition workers, merchant seamen, nurses, air raid wardens, the home guard or had one of the many other roles that were so important. Many children in Leeds were evacuated and the project is keen to gather these memories too.
If you would like to share your stories, please email info@southleedslife.com and we will pass your details on.
a huge role in our city’s development and how we fair as a city.”
Not one to rest on her laurels, Sunjeeda’s next project is to develop an allotment into a respite and sanctuary garden where women can spend time connect with nature and grow food.
For more information, or to refer someone for help, visit womenswhispers.org, or call 07883 388485
nice to get more fans into the ground and add more to the local community
Philip:
I think it's going to be fantastic for the club, for the city. It's going to bring lots of new jobs and businesses and obviously a big boost for the economy. The bigger the better for me!
Christine:
I think it's great. It will allow more fans to get seasons tickets. It will be fantastic if we can get more Leeds fans into Elland Road.
Amaraj:
I think it's great. We can see all the development that's going on in the city and for that to come out as far as this would be great. There'll be transport links, and somewhere to have a drink or food before the games will be great".
Sunjeeda Hanif with the Lord Mayor and other supporters
Joyce relates her time as a Land Girl
Councillors welcome Sweet Street West plans as Asda store on site confirmed
by Jeremy Morton
Councillors on the City Plans
Panel welcomed proposed changes to Phase 2 of PLATFORM_’s mixed use development, ‘Sweetfields’, at Sweet Street West in Holbeck at their meeting on 8 May.
The site is subject to a hybrid planning consent, with full approval for Phase 1 comprising three residential blocks facing Sweet Street West, one office block facing Marshall Street, a social ‘pavilion’ and the refurbishment of the Commercial pub.
There is outline approval for three further residential blocks including a 30-storey tower block at the western end of the site and a second office block to the south of the site next to the former Holbeck Library building (all outlined in white
commercial space all set around a new public square.
The developers are proposing to reroute the service road that runs through the site closer to the railway. This will increase the central pedestrianised public open space by 25%. Lowering the heights of the blocks immediately south of the central space from 14 to 8 storeys will improve natural light in the area.
The block to the west will be increased in height to 23 storeys and angled to align with the railway. The changes will also allow for 31 more trees to be planted across the site.
There is a move away from the red brick facades of phase 1 with paler bricks and green detailin. The corners of blocks chamfered to soften their impact and more dual aspect
Pre-application presentation, a full application for Phase 2 will come forward in due course.
Later in the month it was announced that Asda had signed an agreement for lease for a new Asda Express store at Sweetfields.
The new convenience store will occupy a prominent 4,000 sq ft unit within the site. The store is scheduled to open in early 2027, coinciding with completion of the first Build To Rent (BTR) building of 451 apartments which PLATFORM_ is delivering in a joint venture with Housing Growth Partnership.
It will provide a valuable local amenity for residents of Sweetfields and the wider neighbourhood.
John Mutton, Head of Acquisitions at Asda, said: “We are pleased to be
proximity to our head office in Leeds, and it reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering Asda’s unbeatable value to the communities we serve. We look forward to bringing our Express format to residents at Sweetfields and supporting the wider regeneration of the South Bank area.”
Kevin Watson, Operations and Commercial Director at PLATFORM_, commented:
“It’s fantastic to be welcoming Asda Express to Sweetfields. As with all our developments, we aim to deliver more than just homes — we’re creating communities where people have everything they need close to hand. Asda Express will bring real everyday value to our residents and the surrounding area, and it’s especially meaningful to be
on the image above).
When completed the whole development will comprise over 1,350 new homes and 160,000 sq ft of office and
The Panel were supportive of the realigned service road, the changes to the residential blocks and the overall changes to the development. This was a
PLATFORM_’s Sweetfields development, further expanding our presence.
This site is particularly significant for us given its
headquartered right here in Leeds.”
For more information about Sweetfields go to: sweetfields.co.uk
Sayner Lane housing application deferred by Plans Panel
Aplanning
application to build 164 flats on a site near Leeds Dock in Hunslet has been deferred because of the lack of ‘affordable housing’ and greenspace in the scheme.
The project to build an 18storey block on a small site on Sayner Lane, behind the University Technical College, was discussed by the City Plans Panel on Thursday 8 May.
Leeds planning policy says that market rented developments like this should include either 7%, 12 of the 164 flats in this case, let at social rents or intermediate rents; or 20% (33 flats) let at 80% or lower of the market rent level.
The Developer, Countrylarge, said the scheme project was unviable with these units and asked for an exemption. The District Valuer appraised the scheme on behalf of the council and came to the same conclusion.
The scheme has very limited public open space. In these circumstances a commuted sum is usually paid by the developer to support other
local greenspaces. In this case an offsite green space contribution was calculated at £206,937.51, but this too was deemed unaffordable and officers recommended accepting a reduced figure of £31,860, on the basis that greenspace was, or soon would be accessible nearby at Aire Park, Points Cross and the riverside.
The provision of only three parking spaces was discussed with concerns that residents would park on adjoining streets which are already very busy.
Officers defended the position as being in line with policies to reduce car usage in and around the city centre.
When it came to the vote, only two councillors backed the plan, with 8 voting against. A second proposal to defer the application was carried unanimously.
The developer was asked to work with officers to address the panel’s concerns about the lack of affordable housing and lack of greenspace and consider potential for structural changes to address those concerns.
CGI of Sweetfields showing buildings with full permission plus phase 2 in outline
CGI of the proposed tower
Viral video leads to Elland Road visit for care home residents Charity at the Heart of Holbeck
If you’re a Leeds United fan, you’ll probably still be celebrating their recent win over Stoke City and the welldeserved promotion to the Premier League.
At Nesfield Lodge, they’re buzzing with even more excitement after visiting the famous football ground just one week before their winning game.
The dementia-friendly care home in Belle Isle is home to many Leeds fans, but none more than Dennis, who has been a lifelong fan of the club since he was a child. When Dennis was filmed singing ‘Marching on Together’ earlier this year, he was completely unaware that he was about to become an internet sensation – but that’s exactly what happened after his video went viral on TikTok.
Seen by almost 33k people, the video quickly took off and was welcomed by many LUFC supporters, including one user saying “that makes me proud to be a Leeds fan – brilliant” and
others showing their admiration for his dedication to the team.
Shortly after the video became a success, residents and staff at the care home were offered a private tour of Elland Road by the Leeds United Foundation, who are the official charity of Leeds United Football Club. They invited a
whopping fifteen residents, plus staff and family members to the stadium, where they had the chance to see the changing rooms, media suite and even walk alongside the pitch.
Joined by his family and friends, Dennis was able to enjoy the experience with his nearest and dearest, including his grandson, pictured below,
who is almost as big of a Leeds fan as he is.
Fellow Leeds United fan and Home Manager, Laura, admits she jumped for joy when they received the invitation:
“We were honoured to be invited to Elland Road. Not only are a lot of the residents Leeds fans, many of our team are, too – it was a fantastic day for all involved!”
Amongst the residents who took part in the visit was Jean; an avid Leeds fan and lifelong supporter of football:
“The trip brought back so many happy memories – I used to come to Elland Road as a little girl with my dad and uncle – it felt so nostalgic to return after all these years!”
Part of the Orchard Care Homes group, Nesfield Lodge Dementia Care Home has always created fun experiences for its residents, including an inclusive silent disco party and pride celebrations. Speaking to Laura, it became clear why her team always strive to organise special events for their much loved residents:
“With many of our residents living with dementia, it’s important that they remain connected to their passions and hobbies, and for Dennis, Jean and so many others, football played a big role in their lives. Experiences like these bring such happiness to our people – they haven’t stopped talking about the visit since!”
Now that Leeds United are going up to the Premier League, we wonder whether our visit to the stadium was a good luck charm? Who knows – either way, our residents had an incredible time at Elland Road! A special thank you to Laura, Paige and the Leeds United Foundation for organising such a fun experience for our residents.
AsHolbeck Together’s Chief Officer, I was part of a panel discussion at UKREiiF (UK Real Estate, Investment & Infrastructure Forum) last week. The panel was titled 'This is Leeds: From Terrace to Town' and I joined Angela Barnicle, Council Leader James Lewis, Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, Morrie Eisenberg, Peter Lowy, Jamie Andrews and Nat Edwards.
It was a privilege for our charity to be asked to contribute to this important discussion about regeneration in South Leeds.
As a key community anchor working in the area we were there to talk about the 'Heart of Holbeck' Levelling Up investment being rolled out across our community over the next few years.
Alongside this three other anchor projects also shared their exciting plans for South Leeds: Leeds United stadium expansion; The British Library North development and Royal Armouries Museum Leeds' major expansion and transformation of the Titlyard.
A key message shared with attendees at this session was about the power of partnership working.
The examples shared show
how local and national collaboration between community, transport, health, sport, culture is driving transformational impacts and vibrancy for communities across Leeds, West Yorkshire and beyond.
And it also gave us a platform to continue to highlight how pivotal our role, as a charity representing the people of Holbeck, is to this transformation.
Heart of Holbeck is about regeneration of the city - but more importantly it's about regeneration with a heart. It's not just about investment in structures and buildings but about people who need these upgrades, new spaces and the services being offered within them.
The synergy of our partnership with companies such as Leeds United and Leeds Building Society is powerful. We are seen as strategic partners, not just passive beneficiaries - and in turn projects like 'Heart of Holbeck' show how when businesses and communities come together they become powerful and equal changemakers in the communities where they are situated.
More information about the 'Heart of Holbeck' can be found here: bit.ly/4jkqhVt
Residents and staff from Nesfield Lodge at Elland Road
Dennis with his grandson
Elissa Newman (and the Championship trophy) at UKREiiF by Elissa Newman
Plan ahead for M62 closure
Motorists are being advised to plan ahead and expect heavier than normal traffic in South Leeds on the weekend of 4-7 July.
National Highways are implementing a full closure of the M62 motorway between Tingley (J28) and the Lofthouse interchange with the M1 (J29) to allow for bridge repairs.
A spokesperson said:
“The full weekend closure will take place from 9pm on Friday 4 July to 5am on Monday 7 July. This closure is so that we can carry out essential waterproofing work on Ardsley railway bridge.
“This particular section of the M62 carries on average 66,000 vehicles on a weekday
over the East Coast Mainline Railway line. It’s vital we carry out these essential works to the waterproofing system of the bridge now to prevent any future deterioration. Safety is our top priority.
“A full weekend closure will allow us to carry out the work as quickly as possible –reducing disruption to motorists. If we were to carry out the work under lane closures, the work would need to take place over a minimum of six weeks, including peak traffic periods, and we believe this would cause even more disruption in the Leeds area.
“This full weekend closure is the safest way of undertaking the work to minimise the risk to
both the workforce and drivers. We’ve chosen to do this work in July as traffic flows are lower during the summer months. We fully appreciate that the closure will still be a cause of frustration, but we hope that our reasons for this decision are understandable.
“We’ve planned the work, so it does not conflict with any major events in and around Leeds City Centre.”
The official diversion routes use both the M621 and the Ring Road / Dewsbury Road between J1 of the M621 and Tingley, but the impact may be felt on other parts of the South Leeds road network.
For more information visit: bit.ly/M62J28-29
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The bridge over the East Coast Mainline railway. Photo: Google
Credit Union
Tips for saving for your children's future Money matters with Leeds
WithNational Children's Day 2025 having recently taken place, we're looking to the future in this month’s article, as Greg Potter, Head of Member Experience at Leeds Credit Union, explains everything you need to know about the benefits of setting up savings accounts for your little ones.
The benefits of children's savings accounts
Saving for a child means that when they become an adult, they will have money of their own which they can use for whatever they want, giving them independence and reducing the financial pressure they will face tomorrow.
Obviously the amount you choose - and are able - to save is important but it's not the beall-and-end-all many people believe.
For example, one person saving just one pound a week from when a child is born until it turns 18 will earn £936. If both parents contribute to the account and each saves £2 per week, suddenly the total rises to a not-insignificant £3,744.
The easiest way to save larger sums for your child's future is with a junior ISA (individual savings account) which allows you to save up to a certain amount each year.
How do junior ISAs work?
Available from many credit unions, banks and building societies, Junior ISAs are longterm, tax-free savings accounts for children that are opened by their parents or guardians.
Although the parents or guardians manage the account, the money belongs to the child, who can take control of the account once they turn 16 but can't withdraw any money until they're 18.
Once an account has been set up in a child's name, anyone can pay money into it but the total amount paid in cannot exceed a certain limit.
If your aim is to save money for your child and then gift them the amount you've saved once they reach a certain age, a junior ISA is the way to go.
How do Young Savers accounts work?
Some people want to educate their children about
Awards given to Hunslet TARA stalwarts
by Ken Ingram
Stewart Walton and Adrian Burnett from Hunslet Tenants & Residents Association (TARA) have had their voluntary work recognised, recieving their certificates from local councillor Paul Wray (Labour,
the role money will play in their life as soon as possible. If that's the case, it could be worth opening a Young Saver account instead of - or as well as - an ISA.
The main difference between a Young Saver account and an ISA is that children can access their Young Saver account much earlier (usually once they turn seven), meaning they can pay money in and withdraw it.
This approach allows you to teach your kids about the value of money and the importance of saving from a young age in a hands-on fashion which is more effective than simply trying to explain to them what banks do.
It also encourages them to put what they learn into action and begin saving for their future at an early age. By helping them get into healthy financial habits now, you'll increase your child's chances of having a more financially stable future.
Leeds Credit Union provides affordable financial services to people in Leeds, Wakefield, Harrogate and Craven.
Hunslet & Riverside).
On Facebook, Cllr Wray commented:
“I had the pleasure of presenting these awards today on behalf of the Lord Mayor as sadly we couldn't get a date that fitted with everyone's availability within her last weeks of office.
“From restarting weekly area walks, litter picks, and with plans for gardening projects and big area clean ups, Stewart and Adrian are making a difference to their community already via Hunslet Tenants and Residents Association.
“Simple actions that make a big difference.”
Beeston shop owner loses alcohol licence
by Jeremy Morton
ABeestonshop owner has been removed as the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) after the police initiated a licence review because “these premises are associated with serious crime or serious disorder or both.”
Hiren Ashvin Patel was removed as DPS at both AP’s Local Newsagents at 434 Dewsbury Road in Beeston and
Waterloo Stores in Pudsey.
Mr Patel is currently not allowed to reside in Leeds and there is an ongoing criminal investigation being carried out by West Yorkshire Police.
The action was taken by the council’s Licensing Subcommittee at a meeting on 30 April. The press and public were excluded from most of the meeting , but the minutes have now been published.
In answer to questions from councillors the committee was
informed that: Currently AP’s Local • Newsagents was being minded by a family member.
Mr Patel was currently • only allowed to reside at a specific address outside of Leeds.
There was no initial • suggestion that this was linked to an organised gang – the investigation was ongoing.
West Yorkshire Police • were at this time requesting only the removal of the DPS, but this may change depending on the outcome of further investigation.
You can read the full minutes of the meeting at bit.ly/APLicence
AP’s Local on Dewsbury Road
L-R: Adrian Burnett, Cllr Paul Wray and Stewart Walton
Website: www.southleedslife.com
Email: info@southleedslife.com
interactive investor chooses Aire Park for its new Leeds base
Award-winning
investment platform interactive investor (ii) has chosen Leeds’ new 24-acre mixed-use district on the site of the former Tetleys brewery for its new office space in the city.
interactive investor, the UK’s number one flat-fee investment platform, will be taking the entire 4th floor of 3 South Brook Street, one of Aire Park’s first buildings. Spanning 23,261 sq ft, the floor will include meeting rooms, collaboration spaces and workspace for its 300-strong Leeds-based team.
Aire Park’s new commercial district of South Brook Street is being designed to high sustainability standards.
However, Vastint UK’s vision for the site goes beyond this and is focused on not just creating best in class space for occupiers but developing opportunities for them to become part of a blossoming mixed-use community, centred around the UK’s largest new city centre green park.
Michael Cronin, head of portfolio at Vastint UK, commented:
“We’re thrilled to bring
Interactive Investor to Aire Park to join our growing community of innovative and awardwinning tenants.
“We are delivering an ambitious and thriving commercial hub at South Brook Street, which will sit alongside and support the wider mixed-use offer in this once in a generation project.
“Once complete, Aire Park will feature over 800,000 sq ft of Grade-A offices, creating space for over 10,000 workers and it is fantastic to be able to welcome occupiers, such as interactive investor, who share
Reusable period products given out at Leeds leisure centres
Leeds City Council’s leisure centres are supporting visitors and staff to make the switch to reusable period products and removing the barrier of periods when being active.
Together with period poverty charity Freedom 4 Girls, Active Leeds are giving out free sustainable products at their leisure centres across Leeds over the next few months.
1 in 10 girls in the UK can’t afford period products, and a lack of access can mean missing school, work and physical activity.
Members of staff at Leeds leisure centres have shared their experiences of how periods have impacted them at work, whether it is the fear of leaking, getting caught short and not having products with them at work, navigating
perimenopause and irregular periods or struggling with feeling confident to do their job whilst on their period.
Over the next few months, Active Leeds and Freedom 4 Girls are providing the opportunity for staff and visitors to explore and take home sustainable period products, removing both financial and cultural barriers to physical activity. They are also asking for help to stock the leisure centres’ period stations through donations of disposable or sustainable menstrual products.
At the two pilot events that have already taken place, teams handed out 208 free sustainable products including 121 period pants, 57 period swimwear and 30 reusable pads. In exchange for the free products, they collected over
our vision for the opportunity being created at Aire Park.”
Christopher Crooks, Chief Technology Officer at interactive investor, added:
“We are delighted to be
moving our Leeds operations to Aire Park where we will be able to give our staff a superb working environment with the best-in-class facilities on offer. We are particularly pleased to be moving to a brownfield redevelopment site and one with such history as the Tetley’s brewery. The move will give us the additional space we need as our business grows and demonstrates ii’s long term commitment to the city of
Leeds.”
The Aire Park development as a whole will span 24 acres of the city’s South Bank, delivering an expansive eightacre public park, over 1 million sq ft of commercial space and over 1,350 high-quality homes with easy access to Leeds citycentre and convenient routes to the train station in only seven minutes.
To find out more about Aire Park visit: airepark.co.uk
100 packets and boxes of disposable products, to be able to offer free period products for all visitors at the Active Leeds sites.
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said:
“This initiative is about more than just access to reusable and sustainable period products, it's about normalising conversations, building confidence, and ensuring that no one is left behind because of their period.
“Following the success of the pilot events, we’re looking forward to rolling this out across more leisure centres over the next few months.”
An event will take place at Middleton Leisure Centre on Wednesday 25 June.
3 South Brook Street, Aire Park
Make the Switch event at Aireborough Leisure Centre
Call to come out and play for global day of family fun
Residents across Leeds are being invited to stop the traffic on Wednesday 11 June and host a play street in their neighbourhoods to help mark International Day of Play.
Hosting a play street is completely free and offers the chance for neighbours to come together in an open and safe space to allow all children and families to ‘play out’.
Leeds City Council has an award-winning play streets scheme which first began over a decade ago and last year alone saw 78 play streets across the city, totalling over 300 hours of play.
The scheme is co-ordinated by the Child Friendly Leeds team – which works towards the ambition of making Leeds the best UK city for children and young people to grow up in – in partnership with the highways department.
Leeds has been ahead of the curve when it comes to play –with the council becoming the first in England to complete a ‘play sufficiency assessment’ in 2023, creating an action plan optimising play opportunities for children and young people.
A list of priorities developed with children and young people led to the Child Friendly Leeds 12 Wishes’ – with ‘Wish Two’ to ensure that children ‘have safe spaces to play, hang out and have fun’.
International Day of Play began last year when the United Nations declared the awareness day would take place annually on 11 June, to showcase how central play is to every child’s development.
To mark this year’s event, Leeds City Council is hoping many streets across the city will join in the celebration.
Whilst it is now too short notice to set up a Play Street for 11 June, you can organise an event for later in the summer.
To apply, simply gather support from neighbours to ensure there are enough adults to supervise on the day, then email play.streets@leeds .gov.uk with the street name to check eligibility.
Successful applicants will receive advice from the authority about which part of the street is safe to close and will be supplied with a road closure notice and ‘road closed’ stickers to display on wheelie bins.
Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for children and families, said:
“As the Play Champion for Leeds, I’m really looking forward to seeing as many streets as possible come alive with play for this global awareness day.
“Play is vitally important to a child’s wellbeing and Leeds has been proudly leading the way on this for a number of years, helping to inspire playfulness in our neighbourhoods and ensure our city’s children get the best start in life.
“Let’s celebrate the power of play and take the opportunity for all – young and old – to get outside and have fun right on our doorsteps.”
For more information, view the play streets toolkit on the Child Friendly Leeds website at bit.ly/3HpQHaT
Any schools which would also like to support event can find suggestions on how to get involved on the Leeds for Learning website, including access to free Child Friendly Leeds resources to support a playful curriculum for the day.
Other ways to celebrate International Day of Play in Leeds could include visiting a local park or green space or one of the mini playboxes in the city’s libraries and community hubs.
Top celebration for VE 80 in Beeston
MHA Communities South Leeds’ ‘Connie Crafters’ group, who meet on the third Wednesday of the month, made some fantastic post box toppers which were put up around Beeston to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day on 8 May.
“We also had our monthly social group meeting on Wednesday (7 May) at South Leeds Conservative Club” explained Gemma Broughton. “We had corned beef hash, a brilliant singer and lots of laughs. Everyone did fantastic getting into the spirits with their outfits!
“Then we had our Thursday lunch club, followed by our VE Day celebrations at St Andrew’s community centre. We had volunteers from GTC with us all day to help out and they were fantastic! Lunch was a beef dinner followed by VE day singalong with our volunteer pianist. Everyone joined in with lots of singing and we had tea and cake. It was a very enjoyable afternoon.”
Domestic abuse survivors bring about update to Clare’s Law policy
West
Yorkshire Police will provide new confidentiality statement to help people explain to loved ones that they have received a Clare’s Law disclosure.
The new confidentiality statement will be provided to individuals when they receive a Clare’s Law disclosure, allowing them share with loved ones that they have used the domestic abuse disclosure scheme. The change has been brought about by the Leeds Domestic Violence Service (LDVS) Voices Project, which supports victim-survivors to engage with organisations to improve future outcomes.
Clare’s Law allows police officers to disclose a person’s history of abusive behaviour to those who may be at risk from such behaviour. It is named after Clare Wood, a woman murdered in England by a former domestic partner who police knew to be dangerous.
One participant of the Voices Project had highlighted how after she received a Clare’s
Law disclosure about her partner, the police told her she couldn’t tell anyone that she sought a disclosure, so she didn’t know what to say to her friends. She explained:
“The policewoman told me whatever we do disclose, you cannot share with anyone … which was the only bit that was a little uncomfortable because it’s quite scary being told if you tell anybody this, you could get in trouble, and I still struggle with that now.
“He (the ex-partner) spread some nasty things about me to mutual friends and I couldn’t tell them the truth, and I couldn’t explain ‘actually no it’s because of this’. I had to lose friends because of it, because they can’t understand. You’re left very much on your own in it and you’re expected to just ‘get on’, where actually they can go around and say whatever they want about you.”
Violence Against Women and Girls lead for West Yorkshire Police, Detective Superintendent Heather
Wilson, said:
“The new confidentiality statement is one of many examples of changes made to police processes based on first-hand accounts and feedback from victim-survivors.
“It cannot be underestimated how invaluable feedback from victim-survivors can be in helping us to shape and improve our processes already in place. It is also incredibly difficult to talk about previous offending and their own experiences, and I want to thank everyone who has been involved in the LDVS Voices Project, who have shown such dedication and bravery to help influence positive change.”
The LDVS Voices Project is commissioned by Leeds City Council and has four dedicated teams to engage with women, men, children and the LGBT+ communities.
Working with dedicated groups enables a clear understanding of the different challenges that people face in Leeds, and the insights gained are then used to improve and shape domestic abuse services.
To hear insights from victimsurvivors about their experience of Clare’s Law and other key projects, visit: www.ldvs.uk/the-ldvs-voicesproject
Detective Superintendent Heather Wilson
Website: www.southleedslife.com
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Ingram Road Primary welcomed into Cockburn Multi-academy Trust
Cockburn Multi-academy Trust (MAT) is committed to providing the highest standards of education and wellbeing for all pupils in our care. We can confirm that, following an Ofsted report and an academy order issued by
the Department for Education, Cockburn MAT will assume responsibility for Ingram Road Primary School from summer
in June 2024, the move to becoming an academy followed an Ofsted inspection that found the school to be ‘Inadequate’.
We are proud to support the next chapter in Ingram Road’s journey and look forward to working closely with staff, pupils, families, and the local community.
Our approach is rooted in high expectations, excellent teaching, and a strong emphasis on pastoral care. We are confident that, by embedding these values at Cockburn Ingram Road Academy, we can rapidly raise standards and create a safe, inspiring environment where every child can thrive.
The benefits of joining the MAT will include taking advantage of economies of scale and the collective local expertise and resources from the network of schools within the MAT.
We wish to reassure parents/carers that the new management structure will not bring big changes in the day to day lives of pupils and their families with things like the school’s name, uniform, and ethos.
We believe that the school can go from strength to strength, enhancing both its educational offer and its role within the community.
We will be engaging with staff, parents and carers over the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition and to listen to their views as we shape a shared vision for the future of the school.
David Gurney, CEO of Cockburn Multi-academy Trust, said:
2025. The school will become Cockburn Ingram Road Academy.
As South Leeds Life reported
Cockburn MAT has a strong track record of school improvement and pupil achievement across Leeds. We are excited to build on this success and ensure that Cockburn Ingram Road Academy becomes a school that the Holbeck community can be truly proud of.
“We are delighted to welcome Ingram Road Primary into the Cockburn family of schools. Our mission is to transform lives through education, and we believe every child deserves the opportunity to succeed.
“By working in partnership with the school community, we will ensure that Ingram Road becomes a place of aspiration, achievement, and opportunity for all. We look forward to this exciting journey ahead.”
Ingram Road Primary School. Photo: Google
Cockburn MAT drama showcase Beeston Hill St Lu
Students
at Cockburn
Laurence Calvert Academy and Cockburn School recently worked in collaboration to create a drama showcase using physical theatre techniques.
The students captivated audiences with their powerful stage adaptations performed across both school venues.
Bringing literature to life is no easy task but the Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy students wrote and performed their own version of A Monster Calls with not only creativity but a deeper understanding of the complex themes in the book.
This was handled with maturity and a bold, daring approach to physical theatre. Cockburn School students took on the challenge of their version of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time demonstrating excellent skill with their Frantic Assembly style physical theatre.
Audience members were visibly moved and praised the students for their professionalism and powerful energy. From intense ensemble movement sequences to nuanced character portrayals, the young performers have demonstrated levels of dedication and skill beyond their years.
During their final showcase, as ever, some performers shed a tear for the remarkable work they had created together; it was clear these shows meant a lot to the students. Their passion and professionalism within the performing arts makes them a true credit to their schools and the community.
Young basketball stars shine as Year 8/9 team reach Leeds league final
The Year 8/9 basketball team from Cockburn John Charles Academy capped off a remarkable season by reaching the final of the prestigious Leeds Basketball League.
Competing against schools from across the city, the team demonstrated resilience and talent throughout the tournament, eventually finishing as proud runners-up after a
closely contested final against Allerton High.
The road to the final was marked by a series of intense and well-fought matches, with standout performances from
David and Presley. Both players earned praise for their exceptional skill, unwavering determination, and outstanding teamwork, helping to drive the squad forward at every stage.
Head Coach Mr. Clark expressed his pride in the team’s achievements:
“This group of players has shown incredible growth and
by Laura Cuthbert
Children and staff at Beeston Hill St Luke’s Primary School stepped back in time this week to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day with a heartwarming day of remembrance, joy, and community spirit.
Dressed head to toe in authentic 1940s fashion — from flat caps and tea dresses to wartime uniforms — pupils and teachers alike embraced the spirit of the era.
The celebration began with the entire school gathering on the field, where, under the direction of their wonderful headteacher Mrs Booth, they sang a stirring rendition of the iconic wartime anthem ‘We’ll Meet Again’. The heartfelt performance captured the poignancy and hope that defined the end of the Second World War.
The day continued with a series of 1940s-themed playground games, from hide and seek to hopscotch, adding a fun and lively element to the commemorative atmosphere. In the afternoon, pupils explored a range of interactive stalls featuring genuine World War II memorabilia.
They listened to crackling wartime broadcasts, danced to 1940s music, and gathered around to hear the legendary Winston Churchill speech that marked the end of the war in Europe.
There was a buzz of excitement as children tried on vintage uniforms, sampled ration-era baking, and read touching letters sent from the front lines to families at home.
The event proved to be both educational and deeply enjoyable, giving pupils a vivid glimpse into life during wartime Britain.
A jolly good day was had by all — one filled with music, memory, and moments that won’t soon be forgotten.
Following the performance, the school came together for a traditional street party, complete with long tables, bunting, and classic ration-style treats. Laughter and chatter filled the air as children shared sandwiches, scones, and homemade cakes — many of which followed original wartime recipes.
dedication throughout the season.
“To make it to the final of such a competitive league is a testament to their hard work and spirit. I couldn’t be prouder of how they represented the school both on and off the court.”
The final, held at the state-ofthe-art facilities at Beckett
University, saw a valiant effort from the team despite the loss to a strong and well-organised Allerton High side. Spirits remain high, with the experience expected to be a springboard for future success.
A huge well done to the entire squad for a fantastic season and a truly inspiring achievement!
A Monster Calls at Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at Cockburn School
The successful Year 8/9 Cockburn John Charles Academy basketball team
Headteacher Louise Booth and Deputy Head James Lillywhite with pupils from
Website:
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Young explorers blaze a trail at forest school uke’s marks VE 80
Pupils from Years 5 and 6 at Middleton Primary School swapped their classrooms for the great outdoors last week during a special Forest School intervention designed to build confidence, teamwork, and a love for nature.
Held in the school’s woodland area, the sessions included a range of hands-on activities that
encouraged the children to work together, learn new skills, and reconnect with the natural environment.
One of the first tasks saw pupils rolling up their sleeves to help clear overgrown paths and remove fallen debris, making the woodland safer and more accessible for everyone.
“It was hard work, but it felt
good to help,” said Carson. “It’s like we made the forest our own.”
With the paths cleared, the children turned their attention to creative team challenges, including den building using natural materials.
The pupils demonstrated impressive problem-solving as they designed shelters sturdy
enough to withstand a strong breeze—and a few enthusiastic testers.
Later in the week, the group learned the basics of fire safety and built small campfires under close supervision.
The highlight for many came when they got to toast marshmallows and create gooey, delicious s’mores.
Beeston Primary School: The Best Start for Your Child’s Education
As parents, we all want the best for our children, especially when it comes to their education. Choosing the right primary school is a crucial decision which can shape their future.
Beeston Primary School has an Ofsted judgement of ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ in the Early Years and we would love for you to enrol your child and give them the highest quality of education. Our passionate and experienced staff create a nurturing and stimulating environment where children can thrive and develop a love of learning from an early age. Our curriculum is well-rounded and ensures that children receive a balanced education, fostering both academic excellence and personal growth.
At Beeston Primary School we pride ourselves on our inclusive and supportive school community. Every child is valued and encouraged to reach their full potential.
Enrolling your child at Beeston Primary School means giving them the best possible start in their education journey. We invite you to visit our school, meet our dedicated staff and see firsthand the wonderful opportunities which await your child.
We have places available for September 2025 – why not consider Beeston Primary School as your first choice?
Register your child today and join our thriving school community.
For more information or to arrange a visit, please contact our school office on 0113 271 6978 or email mainoffice@beestonprimary.org
Visit our website www.beestonprimaryschool.co.uk
Toasting marshmallows in Middleton Primary School’s woodland area
m Beeston Hill St Luke’s Primary School
In our view
Development, but in whose interest?
If you were anywhere near Leeds Dock or the city centre last week you couldn’t miss that UKREiiF - the developers conference - was in town. But it’s not just men (and a few women) in suits who need to shape how our city is redeveloped.
As Elissa Newman points out successful development engages with the host community. We cover many developments in this issue from Aire Park and Sweetfields to the new inland port at Stourton. But it’s the redevelopment of Elland Road stadium that stands out. Leeds United are to be congratulated on how they have engaged with the community. But of course, the proof of the pudding is in the eating and it will be interesting to see how the club responds to the issues raised by the communities that live around the ground and have to pay a price each match day.
Support your local gala
We have four big community festivals and galas coming up over the next few weeks. They are all organised by volunteers who have spent the last year putting them together.
Do get along and have a great time - that’s what they are there for. But also ask yourself - what could I do to help them be a success? Could you you perhaps give up an hour of your time to help set up or take down and clear up the event?
The July-August issue of South Leeds Life will be out on Wednesday 9 July
The deadline for submissions is Thursday 3 July.
Your letters and comments
Elland Road expansion
I can’t wait, it’s what the club needs and it benefits Leeds and Beeston as a whole. I’m sure they are planning on purchasing additional land for car parks too.
Stew Williamson
They are planning to buy land, but that's not confirmed and residents around the whole area have concerns.
It will being revenue in for sure for local companies/authority but the club need to engage with the community and come up with a better plan.
Shaz Akhtar
Yes it's what the club needs 100% but with a 65% car usage rate - the highest in the country - we can not take anymore cars. Oo how do we discourage care usage?
James Sandiman
When I didnt have a car on my drive a fan from Birmingham used to park there, I arranged it with him over the Leeds fan forum. He was lovely and always brought a box of chocolates for us. I’m sure there’s lots of unused driveways in Beeston. I found him alternative parking at a friend's as she works on weekends.
Rebecca Kellett
We all definitely want this to go ahead. I know it's only a few hours every other week but we need more double yellow lines or double reds in some areas and it needs to be policed. Malvern Road onto Cemetery Road is very dangerous on match days. If you are turning left onto Malvern Road the cars are coming towards you on the wrong side of the road. I’m amazed no kids have been knocked down here. I learnt to drive nearly 40 years ago and it was in the highway code that it was against the law to park within 15 yards of a junction, but these travelling fans don't adhere to any road traffic acts.
Terry Robinson
I hate match days. I always forget they're happening because I have no
in football and it's a 'mare getting into my street from Cross Flatts Grove. Those streets just aren't suitable for the level of traffic due to the parked cars/ single file/ give way situation the whole way down.
Sarke Ailuros
One solution would be to make it permit parking on match days up to Dewsbury Road. Then to have several enforcement officers doing the rounds. The revenue would more than pay for them. Other clubs have a huge permit area. Folk don’t want to pay for parking, It needs to be a stipulation on the ticket, that if they park on a permit zone or inconsiderately they will be ticketed. Town Street is a nightmare when they all park on corners and along the cycle lane. I’m sure they think that is car parking.
Cheznie Johnson-Hartlebury
Hopefully they add some car parking to help and maybe shuttle busses to cut down on parked cars everywhere.
Sinead Egerton
Sweetfields Asda
Sounds about right, people in normal
Your Leeds City Councillors
Beeston & Holbeck ward Includes Beeston from Cross Flatts Park to the Ring Road, Cottingley and Holbeck. The three councillors are:
Shaf Ali (Labour) (0113) 378 8810 sharafat.ali@leeds.gov.uk
Annie Maloney (Labour) 07554 969236 annie.maloney@leeds.gov.uk
Andrew Scopes (Labour) 07860 400645 andrew.scopes@leeds.gov.uk
Hunslet & Riverside ward Includes the city centre, Beeston Hill and Hunslet. The three councillors are:
Ed Carlisle (Green) 07738 921277 ed.carlisle@leeds.gov.uk
Mohammed Iqbal (Labour) 0113 226 8796 mohammed.iqbal@leeds.gov.uk
Paul Wray (Labour) 07528 512649 paul.wray@leeds.gov.uk
Middleton Park ward Includes Belle Isle and Middleton. The three councillors are:
Rob Chesterfield (SDP) (0113) 378 0900 rob.chesterfield@leeds.gov.uk
Wayne Dixon (SDP) 07852 311717 wayne.dixon@leeds.gov.uk
Emma Pogson-Golden (SDP) 07794 577586 emma.pogson-golden@leeds.gov.uk
Holbeck have been crying out for a decent supermarket for years and years. They build all these new ‘posh’ developments and get one? Whilst we stuck with Venus or travelling to get to a supermarket. I like Venus but doesn't really have enough for a weekly shop. A shopping centre is required in actual Holbeck.
We’re not asking for anything out of ordinary are we? Just a supermarket we can actually get our essentials without having to pay £6 each way in taxi or petrol.
Kim Grinstead
Domestic abuse
It’s still ridiculous how little the CPS will prosecute if cases aren't a slam dunk.
Leanne Sykes
Stourton inland port
This is brilliant news. If the cargo can be handled successfully it will reduce road traffic and all that means and utilise a form of transport that should have been maintained rather than run down over the years.
John Boyd
Seen this this morning, one passed my boat at Lemmonroyd. Absolutely fantastic and gi-normous!
Andrew Child
I remember even in the 1980s coal being moved in huge barges on the Aire
and Calder. The lock infrastructure is still there as well.
Robin Fishwick
Brilliant news. Keep those waterways working and reduce pollution at the same time.
John Sheard
Ingram Road Primary
How does the name change of a school change a school?
Julie Simpson
Being part of a bigger trust of schools typically brings more investment in facilities and technology, sharing of resources, advice and guidance from other schools who may have achieved better grades and Ofsted results. It can also provide stronger leadership in some cases and more control over your spending.
Jonny Hemstock
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.
interest
CGI of the proposed expanded stadium
Email: info@southleedslife.com
MP’s notebook
with
Hilary Benn MP
It has been a quite a month for the United Kingdom when it comes to trade agreements with other countries.
First were the deals the Government reached with India and the USA which will open up new opportunities for our exporters. In the case of India, their tariffs on Scotch whisky and British-made electric cars will be slashed and farmers will be able to sell British lamb to the large Indian market.
In the case of the USA, farmers now have the chance to sell British beef, we upheld our food standards - as we promised to do - and a lot of jobs at Jaguar Land Rover, which otherwise would have been facing substantial tariffs on its cars being sold to the United States of America, were saved.
This was followed by the UK playing host to the first-ever UKEU summit in London as we set out to build a new partnership with the European Union.
In recent years our relationship with the EU has — at times — been strained, but in an era in which global instability is rising, it makes sense to build stronger ties with our European friends and neighbours. And the EU is, of course, by far and away our biggest trading market.
The way I see it, the world is changing and it’s time for us to move on from the debates and political fights of the past to find common sense, practical solutions which get the best for the British people. So, what this deal is all about?
It will make food, agriculture and plant trade with the EU cheaper and easier. It will do this by slashing red tape and bureaucracy, which will reduce costs. We will also be able to sell British burgers, shellfish and other products back into the EU.
A new Defence and Security Partnership will strengthen our
Who needs art?
by Cllr Ed Carlisle
For April Fools, we shared this (fake) image on social media. The motorway walls didn’t really feature this giant mural. We just wanted to make people smile – and also think.
Who are ‘we’ though? A bunch of us have formed to look at developing more public art across south Leeds. We’ve already scored some hits, over the past couple of years –including the murals featuring mice by the Dewsbury Road Council Hub and in Cross Flatts Park, those around the Dobsons and on the Premier shop on Dewsbury Road, those on Malvern Road, and most recently one near the Crooked Clock in Hunslet.
We’ve also been involved with the Tony Harrison stencil on the Marleys, with national artist Stewy; and also the forthcoming mural due for Hunslet Square, opposite the library. And this is a conversation stretching back over 10 years, which has stirred up glimmers of action locally through the years since. We were part of the original plans for a giant mural on the Garnets, overlooking Tunstall Road – and we’re glad to see this eventually resurfacing. There is growing energy, and
security in a dangerous new era and create jobs and opportunities for our defence industry by opening the door to working with the EU’s new defence fund.
British tourists travelling to Europe will in future be eligible to use e-Gates, so ending huge queues at passport control, and we are asking all EU member states to implement this as soon as possible.
There will be more cooperation on energy and emissions trading to drive down bills in the long term, thus saving UK businesses from having to pay £800 million in carbon taxes. The previous agreement damaged our energy security and forced the UK into a more expensive way of working with our neighbours – even though we are physically connected to the European grid by undersea cables. This deal will see us work to bring our systems together again, so benefitting bill payers and
colour to our lives.
it’s exciting to see. But why? We believe art doesn’t belong simply in galleries and museums. Street art comes in many forms – and like any art, it generates a great range of responses. Beauty is certainly in the eye of the beholder. I do personally believe that there’s some graffiti art which largely sends out a message of dilapidation and lack of care into the community – but that there is also street art which can lift and inspire people, brighten our communities, and add
Street art can help us tell stories. It can build civic pride. There is bags of academic and social research on the power of daily exposure to colour and art, on our wellbeing. It can also help boost local economies – and we’re grateful to the Dewsbury Road Town Team for their support (and would be keen to work with other local businesses and commercial groups). And more.
Public art isn’t new: it arguably started with ancient cave art. In the modern era, street art first emerged in France in the 1940s and 50s, before putting down deep roots
boosting renewables in the North Sea.
The deal on fish will provide more certainty, save industry £25m a year by protecting our steel exports from new EU tariffs and protect our access rights and fishing areas. And there will be no increase in the amount that EU vessels can catch in British waters. We’re also investing £360 million into our fishing industry to help them take advantage of this deal.
On policing and border security, the agreement will close the huge gap the previous deal left in our ability to work together to tackle illegal migration and smash criminal gangs. There will be more cooperation on law enforcement, with better sharing of intelligence – including facial recognition data for the first time - to help combat terrorism and serious organised crime.
Lastly, there will be cooperation to set up a youth experience scheme which will allow our young people to travel and work in Europe and give the same opportunities for European young people here in the UK, with appropriate timelimits, caps and visa requirements.
Given the turmoil in global
in North American cities including New York from the 1960s. It’s now spread worldwide, with special mention to the remarkable street art movement across south America, cities including Berlin and Melbourne, and the giant art of the separation wall in Palestine.
Here in Leeds, we’re catching on, and catching up. There are undoubtedly those with concerns about street art – like, does it not make our communities seem more messy, and/or does it perhaps conjure negative images of inner-city culture? I don’t believe there’s a single answer, and everyone’s beliefs are
trading relationships at the moment, it is quite remarkable that Britain has managed to secure these three deals in the space of just over three weeks.
For years, we were told that we were negotiating a deal with India and that we’d quickly get a deal with United States of America after we left the European Union, but nothing happened. And now suddenly both have been achieved, alongside a new agreement with the European Union, which will bring a lot of benefits to the UK. It is a tribute to steady, patient diplomacy, negotiating skill, and a determination to put the interests of the country first.
The changes to eligibility for winter fuel payment have caused a great deal of debate, and I was pleased to hear the Prime Minister in the House of Commons recenty expressing his wish to change the system so that more pensioners can become eligible for winter fuel payments, when fiscal conditions allow.
We inherited public finances that were in a terrible mess and had to take swift action to stabilise the economy. That included the difficult decision to means-test winter fuel
legitimate; the street art movement needs to prove itself, by creating good-quality art, which wins the hearts and minds of our diverse communities.
People do also ask about the law around street art – and the answer is, there is no single answer. Anything created without the permission of the landowner is officially illegal –but the bottom line is, many landowners seem happy when nice art appears on their property.
Planning permission is in principle needed whenever anyone substantially changes the appearance of their property – but as nothing structural is taking place, enforcement is unlikely if the art isn’t offensive or provocative.
People also ask about the money. With the exception of particular commissioned pieces, like the forthcoming Hunslet Square and Tunstall Road pieces, there aren’t piles of cash available for this. Noone’s getting rich quick. However, there seem to be plenty of artists keen to be let loose on big walls, to create beauty in the community – and lots of other community projects are powered by volunteers, so why not this? So we’re keen to play a back-seat role, matching artists with opportunities, giving them a good deal of free rein (whilst also ensuring the art is high-
payments so that they were targeted at those with the greatest need.
The economy is now showing signs of recovery because we took the right decisions to restore stability and fix the black hole in the public finances. The UK is currently the fastest growing economy in the G7, interest rates have been cut four times, and we have strengthened the economy by securing the new trade deals discussed above.
But many people are still struggling with the cost of living, including pensioners, so as the economy recovers, we want more people to feel the benefits of that in their lives.
That’s why we would like to expand the number of pensioners who are eligible for winter fuel payment when economic conditions allow and we can identify how to fund it.
quality, and a good fit with local people), covering their costs, and beautifying our community.
So far, we’re doing ok: a great range of local people have said how much they love the street art going up. New artists are always welcome; we’re also keen to hear from people with walls available for art; and if anyone wants to chip in with money for paint and tea, even better.
I return to the original question: who needs art? Art is not the whole answer. We also clearly need to work hard at the unglamorous things: housing, bins, potholes, policing, and all that.
But, to quote George Bernard Shaw (an Irish writer, thinker, and activist): “Without art, the crudeness of reality would make the world unbearable.” Art and culture are uniquely life-giving – and not just paintings, but all things creative, including sport, food, play, fashion, music and dance, gardening, writing, comedy, and so much more.
Can we re-imagine the landscape of our communities as a collective canvas for art? And also reboot our lives, and our collective community life, towards a more creative future? We can all be creative, in big and small ways, in public or private. Doing so will make our lives more beautiful and rich, and also that of others. What’s stopping us?
Pathways for positivity with Shannon Humphrey
It’s
all a bit Wabi Sabi
Have you heard about the Japanese philosophy of Wabi Sabi? It’s a way of thinking that encourages you to see the value in things that aren’t perfect, finished, or permanent, it explores the transient nature of life and how nothing stays the same.
Recently, I was given a bunch of flowers. At first, they were perfect, bright, fresh, and full of colour. They soon began to droop and fade. Normally I’d chuck them in the bin at that point, but this time I didn’t, something stopped me in my tracks. Even as they wilted, I appreciated how they still looked beautiful, but in a more delicate way, the petals were softer and turning a dusty shade of pink. It made me realise that beauty doesn’t
disappear, it just changes. And that change is worth noticing. There’s actually something calming in knowing that not everything, including you or me, has to be perky, polished, perfect and permanent to be valuable.
I have a little book about Wabi Sabi, it lives on my bedside table. I don’t read it often, I just dip into it, every now and then when I feel the need to pause and remind myself that whatever is going on in life isn’t going to be forever. Everything is temporary and good or bad it won’t last forever.
If you’re going through something tough, hang in there, one minute, hour, day at a time. And if things are going well, embrace that feeling and
milk it for all you’re worth. And if you’re somewhere in the middle right now and you’re not sure how you feel, just go with what feels right for you, right now. Things will naturally work
themselves out, they always do.
I haven’t finished the book yet, so unless there’s a massive plot twist, I reckon Wabi Sabi is actually about mindfulness and noticing what’s in front of you without judgement, even when it’s not perfect. And being okay with that.
Sky Fallers celebrate 10th anniversary
Mythbusting
Leeds rock and pop band Sky Fallers celebrate their 10th anniversary with a special concert on Tuesday 17 June at Headrow House, as part of Leeds Learning Disability Week.
Sky Fallers feature highly talented learning disabled singers and musicians. Playing classic songs, they achieve great performance standards, break stereotypes and give audiences a lively show.
Sky Fallers were founded in 2015 through Aspire CBS, Leeds biggest care provider for adults with learning disabilities. Aspire realised that amongst the learning disability community were numerous individuals with exceptional musical talent and that it would be ex-citing to showcase those abilities, creating a band they could push to excellence.
They have performed on big stages at prestigious events, weekend festivals, open air concerts, clubs, pubs and community centres.
Photo: Shutterstock
They average around 25 engagements a year. The learning disabled community find such inspiration in seeing people like themselves excel in Sky Fallers.
Sky Fallers also provide audience interaction for members of the community, making each performance a special experience and truly one of a kind.
The current band lineup features: Des Thompson (vocals, drums and percussion) Jenni Robinson (vocals and ukulele) Megan Nunns (vocals, bass and keyboard) Steven Joynson (MC, vocals and keyboard). Two Aspire staff, bring more instrumentation and musical direction.
Auditions were held and a core band of six members came together who set to work in rehearsal to play a repertoire of popular music on drums, keyboards, guitar, accordion, bass and vocalists. Over the years some of the most talented learning disabled performers in Leeds have become members of the band.
with Ken Burton
Robert Barr & Wallace Arnold Local history
Robert Barr was born on the 12th December 1889 on a farmstead near Edinburgh, Scotland, and while he was still young his parents moved to Woolley Moor Farm located between Wakefield and Barnsley and his education was carried out at Woolley School.
When he was aged 14 he persuaded his father to allow him to move to Leeds where he obtained work as a 5/- (25p) a week apprentice motor engineer with the Bridge Garage Company based under the Dark Arches at Neville Street.
Robert spent his next ten years in Leeds living at Beeston Hill, an industrial environment of back-to-back houses. He frequently sought escape from here by walking or cycling in the countryside and it was here that he formed the ambition to enable people to get away from the town and into the great outdoors. To further his plans he spent three years as a manager of a coach firm and in his spare time he carried out repairs to bicycles and cars. By 1913 he had managed to save £400 and set himself up in business as R Parr and bought his first motor coach which he used Monday to Friday to transport goods but at the weekend he began to put
his dream into practice by transforming the vehicle into a char-a-banc to carry customers to the coast and country. That same year, 1913, Robert then aged 25, married Edith Midgeley, who he would have seven children with.
Despite the disruption caused by the First World War, by 1921 he was carrying passengers as far as Scotland, Devon, and the South Coast; and by 1925 he was running regular trips to Blackpool, Morecambe, and Scarborough. In 1926 on the eve of the General Strike Robert bought out a company for £800. The business had been founded in 1912 by two partners Wallace Cunningham and Arnold Crowe and called Wallace Arnold which became a very successful touring Company. Wallace Cunningham stayed on until his death in 1950 while Robert developed his road haulage business under the name of Robert Barr (Leeds) Limited. From 1930 Wallace Arnold ran daily coach services to Blackpool and even started European Tours to Germany, but such coach travel was very expensive and somewhat exclusive until it opened up after the Second World War.
The Company had in turn purchased various other coaching interests and had
depots mainly in Yorkshire, London, and Torquay. By 1937 the combined companies had 120 vehicles and in this year they also founded the Barr and Wallace Arnold Trust Limited, this was formed to acquire the group’s interests and had Robert Barr as its President. During World War Two the group played a vital role while Robert was appointed the Chief of the Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) in Leeds. 1945 saw the end of the war and the Group purchased two hotels on the South Coast.
Wallace Arnold Tours were strategically placed throughout the Yorkshire catchment area with vehicles engaged on extended tours at both home and on the continent and while Scarborough was a busy excursion centre the main criteria for the Royston depot lay in the maintenance of a mill service carrying workers to the mills of South and West Yorkshire. The Company transferred perhaps a score of vehicles to their London Park Lane, Croydon, office to work on excursions and extended tours including the continent just as the Yorkshire office did.
New premises on Chadwick Street, Hunslet were opened and the maintenance of the fleet was carried out by another subsidiary company Wallace Arnold (Sales & Service) Limited with Stuart Barr as the Director and assisted by the Chief Engineer Mr C Hesketh. These new premises were designed primarily as show rooms for Morris, Wolseley, MG, and Morris-Commercial vehicles. Above the showrooms were offices where vehicle sales accounts were kept and also the maintenance records of the coaches. Behind the frontage of the Sales & Service was the maintenance area of three large workshops one containing 12 well-lit pits one which can accommodate 90 coaches with washing and fuelling capabilities and finally there was a body shop operated by Wilkes & Meade a coach building business acquired in 1942. Fleet work on the coaches was fitted in around work done on cars and commercial vehicles brought in by customers of the Sales & Service Limited.
At this point we have more to
say about Robert Barr. In 1926 and 1927 he was nominated as the Conservative candidate and stood for the North-East Ward but he failed to get elected and in 1936 he stood unsuccessfully for the Woodhouse Ward. He was finally elected to the Council in 1944 to fill a vacancy in the Harehills Ward, which he served for only one year.
Robert Barr’s recreations were walking, golf, fishing, gardening, and farming. It was his passion for gardening that saw him appointed Chairman of the Leeds Paxton Society and Chairman of the Leeds Flowers Competition. His love of music saw him become
President of the Leeds Girls Choir as well as supporting the Leeds Amateur Operatic Society.
In addition to all this he was Chairman of the Yorkshire Section of the Institute of Transport, a Director of the Leeds Cricket, Football and Athletic Company and a very keen supporter of both the Leeds Triennial Music Festival and the Leeds Children’s Holiday Camp Association. His private residence was Shadwell House and by the time of his death on 18 July 1961 in St James Hospital his company had become one of the most respected in the city.
Post war, although the Trust was primarily engaged in tour and excursion traffic three small companies within the group were stage carriage operators. These were Hardwick’s Services, acquired in 1951, Farsley Omnibus Company Limited, who joined the fold about the same time and Kippax & District Motor Company Limited, purchased in 1956. The Trust purchased Evan Evans tour business in the 1970s. By the time that
coach services were deregulated in the Transport Act 1980 Wallace Arnold were operating 290 coaches from its headquarters in Gelderd Road, Wortley. Following deregulation Wallace Arnold was a founding member of the British Coachways consortium that competed with the state-owned National Express, it left after a year and briefly ran its own London to Torbay service.
In 1997 Wallace Arnold sold out to a multi-national private equity and venture capital Company 3i. This was followed in 2005 with Wallace Arnold merging with Shearings in a £2 million deal to become WAShearings which claimed 14% of the UK holiday coach market. In 2007 the Wallace Arnold name was dropped and the Company name being simplified to Shearings Holidays. The merger included eight travel shops in Yorkshire. The drop in trade can be said to have started in the 1970s when flying overseas for holidays became more of the norm but the final nail in the coffin was the Covid Outbreak which stopped much travel.
An early brochure for Wallace Arnold
Pride in Place heads to Leeds City Museum
by
After two wonderful years, we are preparing for our final exhibition. We would like to invite everyone to visit Leeds City Museum, where some outstanding pieces of work created by South Leeds communities will be publicly displayed over the Summer. This project, made possible by lottery funding, has aimed to bring creativity and joy to adults living in Holbeck, Beeston, Belle Isle, Middleton, and Hunslet.
Over 250 participants have explored everything from painting and drawing to textile crafts and photography in more than 140 hands-on workshops and two exciting artist residencies.
It’s been brilliant to see the quality of the artwork produced. While we can't fit every single artwork in the
exhibition, you'll see stunning examples from all areas, celebrating the talent in these communities.
Ready to Visit? Here are the Details:
● What: Pride In Place: Voices and Stories of South
Leeds Exhibition
● When: 9 June – 1
September
● Where: Leeds City Museum, Millennium Square, Leeds, LS2 8BH
● Opening Hours: Mondays: Closed* (*But open on bank holidays from 11am–5pm!)
Tuesday–Friday: 10am–5pm
Saturday & Sunday: 11am–5pm
In extra news, the Belle Isle Tapestry, the embroidery project facilitated by Artist ELnaz Yazdani, will be on loan from its home at BITMO’s Gate for the whole exhibition.
Would you like a sneak peek of the Tapestry? Everyone is welcome to the unveiling event on Thursday 29 May, from 5pm to 6pm at BITMO’s Gate.
The ‘Pride In Place’ exhibition at Leeds City Museum is a chance to see the incredible stories and talent that make South Leeds so special.
Oddsocks presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Middleton Park
Friends of Middleton Park
welcome back Oddsocks Theatre Company for a night of Shakespeare in the park on Tuesday 8 July.
If you think that sounds a bit heavy for a Tuesday night, you clearly haven’t seen Oddsocks before.
The company perform Shakespeare with a twist of pantomime and it’s always a gloriously funny, family-friendly show.
Shakespeare’s most magical, fast paced, hilarious comedy ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ will be performed in Oddsocks’ inimitable irreverent and knockabout style with live music, comedy action and even some outrageous hunting dogs!
Four lovers run off to the Athenian forest where mysterious woodland creatures play tricks on them with hilarious results and when a troupe of amateur actors decide to rehearse in a glade, the fairies intervention leads to bizarre and outrageous comedy.
The Stage gave a 4 star review saying:
“Oddsocks excels in an entertaining show which succeeds as both farce and a perfect introduction to Shakespeare.”
Others said:
“A thoroughly enjoyable night out. Once again, they’ve succeeded in making Shakespeare accessible.”
“Many times the beauty and
cadence of the bard’s lines ring out even amidst the comedic clamour.”
“a magical combination of farce, physical theatre, silly sight gags, puppetry and, yes, the bard’s immortal prose.”
The show is on Tuesday 8 July at the Bandstand next to the Visitor Centre in Middleton Park. The performance, which is suitable for all ages from 7107, starts at 7pm.
The performance lasts two hours including an interval.
The show is free, however a collection will be taken to support the Friends of Middleton Park’s programme of events.
Please bring your own chair or blanket to sit out on. An umbrella might be useful as
Red Ladder brings one woman show to BITMO
Apoignant
one-woman play set against the backdrop of the Troubles in Northern Ireland is brought to South Leeds next month by Red Ladder Local.
In Troubled, a 60-minute one woman show about love, death and division told with tea and biscuits, writer and performer Suzy Crothers reveals the impact of a childhood shaped by conflict.
Using song, movement and a host of characters, Crothers addresses the challenges of growing up in Belfast during the Troubles to create a moving, funny and powerful stage show.
Troubled is being staged at BITMO’s Gate in Belle Isle (LS10 3QH) on Thursday 19 June at 7pm. Age guidance: 16+.
The production is part of this
year’s Red Ladder Local programme, run by Red Ladder Theatre Company, bringing touring shows to alternative theatre venues in local communities across Yorkshire. Alice Barber, Red Ladder Theatre Company’s creative producer and programmer, said:
“Red Ladder Local is all about bringing theatre, particularly shows by new writers, to people where they live.
“Tickets are never more than £5, which makes them more affordable than most mainstream theatres, and that can be the difference between somebody going to see a piece of theatre and not.”
For more information and to book tickets visit: www. redladder.co.uk
the show will go ahead rain or shine. Refreshments will be served in the visitor centre.
Later in July you can enjoy a programme of popular music from stage and screen as Featherstone-based SoundTrack Brass, one of Yorkshire’s newest bands. They take to the bandstand on Sunday 13 July, 2-4pm.
On Sunday 27 July there will be a guided Summer Walk. Part of Love Parks Week, the walk will look at various woodland activities and the wider flora and fauna of the park. With decent weather this might include butterflies.
For more information about the Friends of Middleton Park go to www.fomp.co.uk or follow them on Facebook.
Coming to Middleton Park: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Suzy Crothers’ one woman show ‘Troubled’
A detail from the Belle Isle Tapestry
Penny Lewis
Website: www.southleedslife.com
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Community Festivals and Galas
It’s community festival season with free events taking place in Hunslet, Beeston, Holbeck and Belle Isle in the coming weeks.
Hunslet Festival kicks off the season on Saturday 14 June on the Church Street/Grove Road field.
It is a fantastic celebration of the community and features an array of attractions including dance and musical performances in our arena, a range of attractions and a diverse range of stalls from local community groups and businesses.
2024 was the start of new chapter for the refreshed Hunslet Festival and feedback from the event was hugely positive. The organising committee continue to build on the strong foundations laid here from an established event whilst freshening up the event with some new ideas.
New for 2025 are the Birds of Prey from SMJ Falconry who will be on display throughout the day whilst also providing a flying demonstration in the
Performance Arena at 1:30pm.
Also new for 2025 is a Sports Arena giving children a chance to try a range of new or different sports, including skateboarding, roller skating, cricket and rugby.
The food offering has been expanded this year with burgers/barbecue provided by The Hunslet Club, pizzas served by the Salvation Army and also local caterer Shazia Akhtar will be providing a range of Asian cuisine. And of course ice cream will be available!
It all runs from 11:30am4pm.
Keep up to date with what’s on at fb.com/hunsletfestival
Beeston Festival is next up on Saturday 28 June in Cross Flatts Park.
The festival will have live music and dance across three stages.
On the Main Stage you’ll find Congolese HipHop rapper RDC Soldier plus Roma music artists Emil Band.
The Emerge Stage, in the Food Court, features singers, rappers and spoken word;
whilst you’ll find dance, majorettes and even skateboard skills in the Arena.
There will be a chance to take part in cricket, football, basketball, roller skating and skateboarding activities and there’s plenty more for young people with giant inflatables, a climbing wall and lots of arts and crafts activities.
With over 100 stalls in the Bazaar, there’s plenty to browse including a range of international foods in the Food Court. The Festival cafe and barbecue will keeping their prices low and there’s unlimited free water so bring your bottle or cup.
Donkeys, birds of prey and farmyard animals provide more interest around the site. And of course the fun fair will offer a large selection of rides.
And as if that wasn’t enough, Yorkshire Circus will be providing roving entertainers mingling with the crowds.
It all takes place in Cross Flatts Park between 12-5pm. Full details at beestonfestival.org.uk
There’s not one, but two galas on Saturday 5 July.
Holbeck Gala takes place on Holbeck Moor, 12-4pm and promises music from Old Chapel studios, food, stalls, sports and other children’s activities. Full details at www.holbeckgala.co.uk
Belle Isle Gala returns to Windmill Primary School and Coopers Field, 12-3pm.
The Gala will have inflatables, a climbing wall, birds of prey, live performances anf low cost food stalls.
There will also be performances from the In Harmony Opera North Choirs from Windmill, Clapgate and Sharp Lane primary schools.
You can find out the latest on at www.belleisletmo.co.uk or on Facebook.
All these free events are run by volunteers from the local community, so please get along to show them support, have fun and, if you spare an hour or two, give them a helping hand.
Help is especially required in the morning during set up and after each event to clear up and pack away.
IN BRIEF
The Big Wild Play Out
Head to Skelton Grange Environment Centre in Stourton for their annual celebration of playing outside. Explore the meadows, woodland and ponds, and meet some of the creatures that live on their beautiful site. The green oasis beside the River Aire, just 2 miles from Leeds City Centre, is a former industrial site that has been transformed into a haven for wildlife and people. The cafe will be open for home-made cakes and a cuppa - or bring your own picnic! The event is free but donations are much appreciated.
Skelton Grange Environment Centre is on Skelton Grange Road (over the bridge) LS10 1RS.
Slung Low presents ...
Slung Low have two shows coming up: Everything was perfect in the midnight garden. The flowers grew, the fairies flew, the grobbity grobbits danced a merry dance in the twinkly moonlight. Then one day, without warning, the deranged gardener from next door threw the shed door wide, and let loose the massive-evilpitchfork-of-doom!
Featuring sqwonky puppets, odd-automata and a slew of charity-shop rejects, Pixiematosis is not unlike watching a lost episode of Bagpuss, filmed by the Tales of the Unexpected crew... or witnessing Fingermouse being folded up and used to stop a pub table wobbling. Saturday 7 June at 7:30pm.
Grandpa Poseidon is a story about being somewhere that feels new, about being scared of change, about talking, listening and helping someone find their feet in a new landscape. Storytelling, with songs, and post-it notes.
It’s a story about feeling a bit lost, and about finding your way again. It’s a story about a seaside town, a retired god, and a kid. A show for everyone aged 8 and up. Saturday 6 July at 2pm. Pay-what-you-decide. Book at www.slunglow.org /shows. The Warehouse In Holbeck is on Crosby Street, LS11 9RQ.
Performing in the Arena at Hunslet Festival
What’s On
Your guide to events and activities across South Leeds in June
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 Let’s Play! (under 5s)
9:30am12:30pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, LS11 6RD Trinity Network Tea and Toast
9:30-3pm United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle 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 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 Tea and Bacon Buttie
10am-12pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus, LS10 3DU Story & Rhyme (under 5s)
10:30-11:30am Dewsbury Road
Community Hub & Library
Lychee Red Chinese Seniors Lunch Club
10:30am-1pm Beeston Village Community Centre, off Town St Digital 121 support drop in 11am-12pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub & Library Coffee Morning
11am-12pm Aspiring Communities, 49 Barkly Road, Beeston, LS11 7EN 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 Holbeck Together Lunch Club
12-1pm 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
Walking Group
1-3:30pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus, LS10 3DU Green Gym
1-3:30pm Skelton Grange
Environment Centre, Sourton, LS10 1RS
50+ Women’s Friendship Group
MHA Meditation & Movement
1:15-2:15pm St Andrew’s
Community Centre, Old Lane
Beeston Bookwormers Book Club
1:30-2:30pm Dewsbury Road
Community Hub & Library Beeston
Dancercise
1:30-2:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road
Children’s Gardening Group
3:30-4:30pm Dewsbury Road
Community Hub & Library
Free Football sessions (8-18 yrs)
4-6pm Blenkinsop Field, Acre Road, Middleton, LS10 4JQ
Ultimate Dance Academy
4:30-7pm Cranmore & Raylands
Community Centre, LS10 4AW
Youth Group Multisports
4:30-5:30pm Beeston Village
Community Centre, off Town St
Community Sports Session
4:30-5:30pm Clapgate Primary School, Cranmore Drive LS10 4AW Boxercise
7-8pm Cranmore & Raylands
Community Centre, LS10 4AW
ANDYSMANCLUB
7-9pm Leeds College of Building, Cudbear Street, Hunslet LS10 1EF ANDYSMANCLUB
7-9pm Vale Circles, Tunstall Road, Dewsbury Rd, Beeston LS11 5JF
Every Tuesday
Tots Group
9-11am Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle
Stay and Play under 5s
9-10:30am Windmill Children’s Centre, Windmill Road LS10 3HQ
MHA Breakfast Buddies
9:30-11:30am St Andrew’s
Community Centre, Old Lane Advice & Advocacy
9:30am-2:30pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600
Trinity Network Indoor Exercise
9:45am United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Mobile Hub & Library
10am-3:30pm near St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Chair Based Exercise
10-11am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Coffee and Connect
10-11:30am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Grandparents Kinship Support Group
10am-12pm St George’s Centre, Middleton
Breastfeeding Support Group
10am-12pm Tenants Hall, Acre Close, Middleton, LS10 4HX Woodwork
10am Cranmore & Raylands
Community Centre, Belle Isle
MHA Exercise Class
10-11am South Leeds Conservative Club, Wooler Street, Beeston, LS11 7JH
Aasra Unpaid Carers Group
10:30am-12:30pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, LS11 6RD
Story & Rhyme (under 5s)
Story & Rhyme (under 5s)
10:30-11:30am Hunslet
Community Hub & Library, off Church Street
Bingo and Hoy
11am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid
Social Centre, Acre Road
MHA Lunch and Social
11am-2pm Arthington Court, Balm Road, Hunslet
MHA Walkie Talkies
11:30am-3:30pm Hunslet Nelson
Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston
MEA Lunch Club
12-1:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid
Social Centre, Acre Road
Holbeck Together Lunch Club
12-1:15pm St Matthew’s
Community Centre, Holbeck
Lunch Club and Social
12-3pm BISA 59 Club,
59 Belle Isle Circus, LS10 3DU
Trinity Network Lunch Club
12:30-1:30pm United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle
Lunchtime meditation
12:30-1pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road Holbeck
Women Only Swimming
1-2pm Asha Neighbourhood
Project, Beeston
MHA Line Dancing
1-3pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston
MEA Walking Group
1:30-3:30pm Middleton Elderly
Aid Social Centre, Acre Road.
Healthy Hearts Advice
1:30-4pm BITMOs Gate, Aberfield
Gate, Belle Isle Road, LS10 3QH
MEA Line Dancing
2-3pm Middleton Elderly Aid
Social Centre, Acre Road.
Help with Computers
3-7pm BITMOs Gate, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road, LS10 3QH
Hot Meal (free to BITMO tenants)
4-5:30pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road
Free Kids Sports
3:30pm Low Grange View, Belle Isle, LS10 3DT
Insight Mental Health Peer
Support Group
3:45-6pm Involve Community Centre, Hunslet, LS10 2QE
Women’s Make & Do Group
4:30-6pm Dewsbury Road
Community Hub & Library
Book: 07848 515528
Free Kids Sports
4:45pm West Grange Road MUGA, Belle Isle, LS10 3AW
Cockburn Community Choir
5-6pm Cockburn School, Gipsy Lane, Beeston
DAZL Dance
5:30-6:30pm Cottingley
Community Centre, LS11 0HJ
Girls-only Football
5:30pm Yrs 2-4; 6:30pm Yrs 5-7
The Hunslet Club, Hillidge Road, LS10 1BP
Dance Fitness (14+)
6-7pm Middleton Community Centre, Acre Road
Book: 07519 018675
Free Football sessions (8-18 yrs)
6:30-8:30pm Holbeck Community Centre, Old Elland Road
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
Open doors
9:30-11:30am St Andrew’s
Methodist Church, Old Lane, Beeston Holbeck Together shopping trip
9:30am-12:30pm 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
Connected Hearts those with family caring responsibilities
10:30am-12pm Middleton Family Centre 256-262 Sissons Road LS10 4JG
Adult Maths Support
10am-1pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, LS10 3QH Mobile Council Hub & Library 10am-12pm outside shops, Cottingley
Holbeck Together coffee morning 10am-12pm Ingram Court Community Room, Holbeck Trinity Network Keep Fit with Julie 10am United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Anti-social Behaviour surgery 10am-12pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub & Library Woodwork
10am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Remember Together Group Young Dementia Leeds Hub, Cottingley Book: 07983 215865 email mcst@ageukleeds.org.uk
Beeston In Bloom Gardening Gp 10am-12pm Millennium Garden, Cross Flatts Park Scrabble Club
10am-12pm St George’s Community Hub and Library, Middleton Rags To Riches Sewing Group
10am-12pm Tenants Hall, Acre Close, Middleton, LS10 4HX Little Lighthouse Playgroup
10:30am-12:30pm South Bank Sanctuary, 2 Hunslet Hall Road, LS11 6TT
Beeston Remembered 10:30-11:30am Beeston
Hunslet Litterpicking Group
11-12:30pm Involve Centre, Whitfield Avenue, LS10 2QE
The Lunch Club
11:30am-1:30pm Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road Belle Isle LS10 3RR
Holbeck Together Lunch Club
12-1:30pm Ingram Court
Community Room, Holbeck
MHA Cottingley Lunch Club
12-2pm Cottingley Community Centre, 115 Cottingley Approach
Trinity Network Lunch Club
12:30-1:30pm United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Sew It Seams Sewing Group
1-3pm Tenants Hall, Acre Close, Middleton, LS10 4HX
Ladies Group
1:30-3pm Middleton Family Centre 256-262 Sissons Road LS10 4JG
Walking Group
1-2:30pm meet at Asha, 43 Stratford Street, LS11 6JG
Holbeck Together Craft Afternoon
1:15-3:15pm Ingram Court
Community Room, Holbeck
Parents & Tots Social
1:30-2:30pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston
Walk and Talk (HFA)
2-3pm meet at Middleton Park main gates on Town Street
Tai Chi
2pm Cranmore & Raylands
Community Centre, Belle Isle
Children bike confidence
3:45-4:30pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park, LS11 7NA
Brave Words Drama Group (4-17)
4-7:30pm Beeston Village
Community Centre, off Town St Book: 07775 926166
Free Football sessions (8-18 yrs)
4:30-6:30pm South Leeds Youth Hub, Belle Isle.
Ultimate Dance Academy
4:30-7pm Cranmore & Raylands
Community Centre, LS10 4AW
DAZL Dance (5-11 yrs)
4:30-5:15pm South Leeds Youth Hub, Middleton Road, Belle Isle Bat & Chat Table Tennis
5-7pm Dewsbury Road
Community Hub & Library
Youth Group
5-6pm Tenants Hall, Acre Close, Middleton, LS10 4HX
DAZL Adult Dance Fit
5:15-6pm South Leeds Youth Hub, Middleton Road, Belle Isle 3rd Middleton Scouts
5:30-7:30pm Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road Belle Isle LS10 3RR 1st SLAM Beavers (6-8 yrs)
6-7:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston 51st Leeds (Hunslet) Rainbows, Brownies & Guides
6-7pm Rainbows; 6:15-7:30pm Brownies; 7:15-8:30pm Guides
Involve Centre, Whitfield Avenue, Hunslet, LS10 2QE Women & Girls Cricket
6pm Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston, LS11 5TT
Food Cycle free hot meal
630pm St Luke’s Church, Malvern Road, Beeston LS11 8PD
Holbeck Moor FC: Inclusive adult football training
6:30pm Holbeck Moor Line Dancing
6:30-9pm Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road Belle Isle LS10 3RR Leeds Camera Club
8pm St George’s Community Hub and Library, Middleton, LS10 4UZ photoleeds.com
Music & Movement
9am-1pm Little Angels Playzone, The Sugar Mill, Beeston Parents & Tots Group
9-11am Beeston Village Community Centre, off Town St Mobile Hub & Library
9:30am-3:30pm near St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck
Advice & Advocacy
9:30am-2:30pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600
Holbeck Community Shop
9:30am-2pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Ping Pong
9:30-10:30am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Holbeck Together Coffee Shop
9:45-11:30am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck
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 Gardening groups
10am-12pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus, LS10 3DU Mindful Makes / Woodwork
10-11:45am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre 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 Holbeck Together 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 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
1-5pm 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
1-3pm Asha Neighbourhood
Project, Beeston, LS11 6JG
10:30-11:30am Beeston
Community Hub & Library, Town St
Hunslet Nelson Women’s Rounders
6:30-7:30pm Hunslet Nelson
Community Hub & Library,Town St Raising Vibes
11am-2pm Holbeck Moor Skatepark
Every Thursday
Tots Group
9-11am Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle, LS10 3RR
1-2:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road
Be Yourself Men’s Group
1-2:30pm Middleton Family Centre 256-262 Sissons Road LS10 4JG
Website: www.southleedslife.com
Conversation Club for asylum seekers and refugees
1:30-3:30pm The Holbeck club, Jenkinson Lawn
Walking Group
1:30-3:30pm Middleton Elderly
Aid Social Centre, Acre Road
Social Group and Bingo
1:30-3:30pm 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
Sanctuary Youth (Year 7+)
6-8pm South Bank Sanctuary, 2 Hunslet Hall Road, LS11 6TT Boys and Girls Rugby
6:30-8pm Leeds Corinthians, Nutty Slack, Middleton, LS10 4AX Yoga
6:30pm St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Cardinal Road, Beeston Book: 07512 393228
Hunslet Nelson Women’s Rounders
6:30-7:30pm Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston Fat Burn and HIIT
7-8pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle
Every Friday
Charity Shop and Warm Space
8:30-11:30am United Free Church, Malvern Road, Beeston Stay & Play
9-11am St Anthony’s Church Hall, Old Lane, Beeston Breakfast Club
9:15-11:15am BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road Breakfast Club and Food Bank
9:30-11:30am Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road Belle Isle LS10 3RR Affordable Breakfast
9:30am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Menspace drop in
9:30am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Women only Exercise (HFA)
9:30-10:15am Beeston Village Community Centre, off Town St IT & Computer Skills
9:30am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Toast & Games, Knit & Natter
9:30-11am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road. MHA Breakfast
9:30-11:30am Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston Hunslet RLFC Breakfast Club
10am-12pm Phoenix Suite, South Leeds Stadium
Holbeck Together Coffee Shop
10am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre
Holbeck Together Dance On
10-11am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Hobbies Together (HFA)
10am-12pm Tenants Hall, Acre
Close, Middleton, LS10 4HX
A Choir’d Taste (Women’s Choir)
10am-12pm Tenants Hall, Acre
Close, Middleton, LS10 4HX Bacon Butty Drop-in
10am-12pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Julie’s Ancestry Group
10am-12pm and 1-3pm
26 Belle Isle Circus, LS10 3AE
MHA Stretch & Tone
10-11am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston Green Team Volunteers
10am-3pm Skelton Grange
Environment Centre, Stourton
Beety Din Older Women’s Group
10:30am-1pm Beeston Village Community Centre, off Town St Knit & Natter
11am-12:30pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Cranmore Drive, LS10 4AW Bingo and Hoy
11am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid
Social Centre, Acre Road Fish & Chip Lunch
11:30am-1pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck
MHA St Mary’s Lunch Club
12-1:30pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street, LS11 8PN MEA Lunch Club
12-1:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road
Trinity Network Lunch Club
12:30pm United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle
Lunchtime meditation
12:30-1pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road Holbeck
Ballroom & Sequence Dancing
1-3pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston
50+ Gup Shup Group
1-3pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Prize Bingo Afternoon
1:15-2:15pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck
Friday Social Group and Bingo
1:30-3:30pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus, LS10 3DU
Chair-based Exercise
1:45-2:45pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road. Councillor surgery
2:30-3:30pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston LS11 6RD Free Football sessions (8-18 yrs)
3:30-5:30pm Holbeck Community Centre, Elland Road Active Communities
4-6pm Welcome Centre, St John & St Barnabas Church, Belle Isle Road, LS10 3DN Middleton Skaters
4pm (under 8s); 5pm (under 13s) Parkside Hub, Colin Cooper Fields, Belle Isle, LS10 3HF Table Tennis
4:45-5:25pm (7-11yrs) 5:306:15pm (12-15yrs) St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck DAZL Youth Club
5-7pm Middleton Community Centre, Acre Road South Leeds Lakers Juniors (Athletics)
6-7pm South Leeds Stadium Book: fb.com/juniorlakersleeds Youth Club
6-8pm The Gambia Welfare Society, Oak House, Balm Walk, Holbeck, LS11 9PG Suzaku Martial Arts Children’s gp
6-9pm Beeston Village Community Centre, off Town Street 1st SLAM Cubs (8-10½ yrs)
6:15-7:45pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston
5th Middleton Guides & Rangers
7:30-9pm South Leeds URC Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle 1st SLAM Scouts (10½-14 yrs)
Every Saturday
Debbie Heart Theatre School
8am-12:30pm Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle
Cross Flatts parkrun
9am Top of Cross Flatts Park, Beeston, LS11 7NA
Middleton Woods parkrun
9am Leeds Urban Bike Park
Ring Road, Middleton, LS10 3TN
Community Basketball
9-10:30am 8-12 years, mixed
10:30am-12pm Yr6-9 Girls
3:30-5pm U16/U14 Boys
Cockburn School, Gipsy Lane, Beeston
Holbeck Moor FC Juniors (4-6yrs)
9am Ingram Road Primary School, Holbeck
Saturday Breakfast
9:30-11am Middleton Elderly Aid
Social Centre, Acre Road
Coffee Morning
10am-12pm Aspiring
Communities, 49 Barkly Road, Beeston, LS11 7EN
Adult Cycle Training
10am Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park, Beeston
Book: bit.ly/CycleNorth
Middleton Railway
10am-4pm Moor Road, LS10 2JG
Ultimate Dance Academy
10am-12:20pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre
ParkPlay
10:30am-12:30pm Brickfield Park, Lady Pit Lane, Beeston
Champions Soccer Saturday
10:30-11:30am Hunslet Moor
3rd Middleton Scouts
12:45-2:15pm Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road Belle Isle LS10 3RR
Youth Club
6-8pm The Gambia Welfare Society, Oak House, Balm Walk, Holbeck, LS11 9PG
Every Sunday
Junior parkrun (4-14 yrs)
9am Top of Cross Flatts Park
Healthy Minds Cycling Skills
10-11am Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park
Middleton Railway
10am-4pm Moor Road, LS10 2JG
Play For All (7-13 yrs)
11am-1pm Cross Flatts Park
Big Bike Fix drop in workshop
12-4pm Harlech Avenue, Beeston
Toning & Stretching with Julie
6:30-7:30pm DAZL HQ, Middleton Community Centre, Acre Road. Book: 07783 786776
Zumba
6-7pm Cranmore & Raylands
Community Centre, Belle Isle Legs, Bums & Tums
7-8pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Cranmore Drive, LS10 4AW
May
Friday 30 May
Beeston & Holbeck Councillors’ Surgeries
4pm Beeston Community Hub & Library, Town Street, Beeston
5pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck
6pm Cottingley Community Centre
Saturday 31 May
Insight Table Top Sale
1-3pm Involve Centre, Whitfield Avenue, Hunslet, LS10 2QE
Picnic in the Park
June
Sunday 1 June
Classic Car Rally
10:30am-4pm Middleton Railway, Moor Road, Hunslet, LS10 2JG Leeds Dads & Kids Walk
10:45am-12pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, LS10 3SH
Hunslet RLFC v Oldham RLFC
3pm South Leeds Stadium, Middleton Grove, LS11 5DJ
Monday 2 June
Middleton Community Group
6pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road, LS10 4LF
Tuesday 3 June
MEA Hearing Aid Clinic
10am-12:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid, Acre Road, LS10 4JQ
A Song For Hunslet
1:30-3:30pm Involve Centre, Whitfield Avenue, LS10 2QE
Menopause Support Group
7pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston, LS11 6RD
Wednesday 4 June
Middleton Life History Group
10am United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle
Greenmounts Tenants & Residents Association
6:30pm Rowland Road WMC, Beeston, LS11 6ED
Thursday 5 June
Hunslet Carr Residents Assoc
6:30pm Woodhouse Hill
Community Centre, LS10 2EF
Beeston Community Forum
7:30-9pm Beeston Village Community Centre, Beeston Park Place, off Town Street
Friday 6 June
MEA Legal advice drop-in
9:30-11:30am Middleton Elderly Aid, Acre Road, LS10 4JQ
Police Contact Point
10am-12pm Cottingley
Community Centre, LS11 0HJ
Tower Works Street Fest
4-9pm Wharf Approach, Holbeck
Saturday 7 June
Hunslet Cemetery Volunteers
10am-1pm Middleton Road
Leeds Dads Soft Play
10am-12pm Little Angels, Beeston, LS11 7HL
Jumble Sale / Yard Sale
10am-1pm Salvation Army Shop, Hunslet Hall Road, LS11 6QB
Coffee morning
10am-12pm Church of the Nazarene, Lupton Street, Hunslet Windmill Litterpick
10:30am-12:30pm Windmill Shops, Middleton Road, LS10 3HU The Big Wild Play Out
11am-4pm Skelton Grange Environment Centre, LS10 1RS Tower Works Street Fest
12-9pm Wharf Approach, Holbeck Beeston Repair Café
1-4pm St Luke’s CARES Shop, 246 Dewsbury Road, LS11 6JQ Pixiematosis
7:30pm Slung Low’s Warehouse in Holbeck, Crosby Street, LS11 9RQ
Sunday 8 June
Sunday Breakfast
9am St Luke’s Church, Malvern Road, LS11 8PD
Tower Works Street Fest
12-9pm Wharf Approach, Holbeck
South Leeds Community Kitchen
4-5:45pm Beeston Parish Centre (St Mary’s), Town Street, LS11 8PN
Tuesday 10 June
A Song For Hunslet
MHA Singing Sensations
1:30-3pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston
MEA Film Club:
1:30-3pm Middleton Elderly Aid, Acre Road, LS10 4JQ
Thursday 12 June
Holbeck Wellbeing Breakfast
10-11am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Forest Garden Action Day
12:30-4pm Belle Isle Parade
Friday 13 June
Hunslet Tenants & Residents Ass 6pm Involve Centre, Whitfield Avenue, LS10 2QE
Saturday 14 June
Middleton Makers Market
10am-2pm Middleton Park Circus
Holbeck Jumble Sale
10am-1pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, LS11 9RQ
Community/Reflections Cafe
10-12pm United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Hunslet Festival
11:30am-4pm Field by Grove Road and Church Street
Finese Dance Summer Fair
12-3pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street, LS11 8PN
Hunslet ARLFC v Rochdale
Mayfield
2:30pm The Oval, LS10 2AT
Sunday 15 June
Guided Walk: More than 200 Years of Railways in Middleton
1:30pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street
Tuesday 17 June
Police Contact Point
10am-12pm Hunslet Community Hub and Library, off Church Street
A Song For Hunslet
1:30-3:30pm Involve Centre, Whitfield Avenue, LS10 2QE
Wednesday 18 June
Police Contact Point
10am-12pm Dewsbury Road
Community Hub & Library
Police Contact Point
10am-12pm Ingram Gardens
Community Centre, Holbeck
MHA Connie Crafters
3-4:30pm South Leeds Conservative Club, Wooler Street, Beeston, LS11 7JH
Thursday 19 June
SEN-tastic
9:15-10:30am St Luke’s Church, Malvern Road, LS11 8PD
Leeds Baby Bank
10am-12pm Dewsbury Road
Community Hub & Library
Police Contact Point
10am-12pm Beeston Community Hub and Library, Town Street
Saturday 21 June
Leeds Dock Market
10am-4pm Armouries Square, Leeds Dock, LS10 1LT Belle Isle Repair Café
1-4pm BITMO’s Gate, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle, LS10 3QH
Sunday 22 June
Hunslet RLFC v Barrow Raiders
3pm South Leeds Stadium, Middleton Grove, LS11 5DJ
Wednesday 25 June
Councillor surgery
9:30-10:30am Middleton Elderly Aid, Acre Road, LS10 4JQ Holbeck Cemetery Volunteers
10am-1pm Fairfax Road, Beeston, LS11 8SY
MHA Kurling
10-11am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston
Coffee Morning and Bingo
LS10 2NS
Friday 27 June
Police Contact Point
10am-12pm Cottingley
Community Centre, LS11 0HJ
Beeston & Holbeck Councillors’ Surgeries 4pm Beeston Community Hub & Library, Town Street, Beeston 5pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck 6pm Cottingley Community Centre
Saturday 28 June
Beeston Festival
12-5pm Cross Flatts Park
Hunslet ARLFC v Leigh Miners
Rangers
2:30pm The Oval, LS10 2AT
Sunday 29 June
Holbeck Together Sunday Lunch
12-2pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, LS11 9NR
Book (0113) 245 5553
Phoenix Brass Band
2-4pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street
Hunslet RLFC v London Broncos 3pm South Leeds Stadium, Middleton Grove, LS11 5DJ
July
Tuesday 1 July
Menopause Support Group
7pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston, LS11 6RD
Wednesday 2 July
Middleton Life History Group
10am United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle
Thursday 3 July
Hunslet Carr Residents Assoc
6:30pm Woodhouse Hill
Community Centre, LS10 2EF
Beeston Community Forum
7:30-9pm Beeston Village
Community Centre, Beeston Park Place, off Town Street
Friday 4 July
MEA Legal advice drop-in
9:30-11:30am Middleton Elderly Aid, Acre Road, LS10 4JQ
Tower Works Street Fest
4-9pm Wharf Approach, Holbeck
Saturday 5 July
Hunslet Cemetery Volunteers
10am-1pm Middleton Road
Coffee morning
10am-12pm Church of the Nazarene, Grove Road, Hunslet Leeds Waterfront Festival 10am-5pm various locations
Belle Isle Gala
12-3pm Windmill Primary School and Coopers Field Holbeck Gala
12-4pm Holbeck Moor Tower Works Street Fest
12-9pm Wharf Approach, Holbeck
Beeston Repair Café
1-4pm St Luke’s CARES Shop, 246 Dewsbury Road, LS11 6JQ Sunday 6 July
Leeds Waterfront Festival
10am-5pm various locations
Tower Works Street Fest
12-9pm Wharf Approach, Holbeck Grandpa Poseidon
2pm Slung Low’s Warehouse in Holbeck, Crosby Street, LS11 9RQ
Monday 7 July
Middleton Community Group
6pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road, LS10 4LF
Tuesday 8 July
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
7pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street
Thursday 5 June
8-9:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston
2pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park, Beeston, LS11 7NA
1:30-3:30pm Involve Centre, Whitfield Avenue, LS10 2QE Wednesday 11 June
MHA Kurling
10-11am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston
10am-12pm Cardinal Court, Beeston, LS11 8HP
Thursday 26 June
Hunslet Remembered
10-11:30am Hunslet Community Hub & Library, off Church Street,
Hunslet Carr Residents Assoc
6:30pm Woodhouse Hill Community Centre, LS10 2EF
Beeston Community Forum
7:30-9pm Beeston Village Community Centre
Do you need to advertise a licence application for your business?
We can help if the business is in LS10 or LS11
We charge £200 for legal notices
Contact us to make sure you time your application close to our publication dates
Email: info@southleedslife.com Call: 07894 583966
Licensing Act 2003
Notice is hereby given that we Fraser Capital Management Ltd have made an application under Section 17 of part 3 of the Licensing Act 2003 for the grant of a premises licence for the premises known as: Club 3000 Bingo, Balm Road, Hunslet Leeds, LS10 2HU
We intend to conduct on or from the premises the following licensable activities:
Films, Live Music, Recorded music, Performance of dance, Anything of a similar description to live music, recorded music or performance of dance, Late night refreshment and the sale of alcohol.
Hours of licensable activity:
10am to 23.30hrs Sunday to Thursday and 10am to 00.30hrs Friday and Saturday. Hours open to the public will be 10am to midnight Sunday to Thursday and 10am to 1am Friday and Saturday
Interested parties or responsible authorities (within the meaning of the Act) may make written representations to Leeds City Council about this application until midnight on the 16th of June which should be sent to the following address: Entertainment Licensing, Leeds City Council, Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR
For full details and to view a copy of the application please contact Entertainment Licensing on 0113 378 5029 or email entertainment.licensing@leeds.gov.uk
It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application and the maximum fine for which a person is liable on conviction for this offence is an unlimited fine
South Leeds boxers excel on Beeston promoter’s show
by James Bovington
CharlieKirk started boxing only recently “to learn how to handle myself and toughen up frankly,” and is grateful to Beeston promoter Tristan Haynes for the chance “to showcase the skills I’ve learnt in what is the best sport I’ve ever done.”
“Everyone should learn to box to feel more confident about self-defence,” said Kirk, 16. “I feel better about myself each session I attend, and I’ve now proved my skills in two exhibition bouts. I’m hoping I’ll have a decision about soon and if successful maybe I could eventually become a professional boxer.”
At 27 and father to a boy of six, Leeds 10 roofer Sam Grayshon won his first ever bout by split decision after three hard fought rounds. “I’d done some boxing years ago,’ said Grayshon, ‘but now I’m taking it seriously as I want to be a role model for my young son, someone with a purpose that he can look up to.”
Kirk and Grayshon boxed on ‘Haynes 12’ held at The Anglers Club in Burmantofts.
“A skills bout without the pressure of a declared win/lose result is ideal for
children like Charlie just starting out,” said Haynes, “and most are then enthusiastic to progress to fights with a result. Sam has shown that you can start competing successfully as an adult.
“I particularly want to commend Owen Ineson who won our promotion’s title belt. He’ll admit to fighting where maybe he shouldn’t have before starting boxing training. Owen’s now dedicated to the sport with the result that he boxes confidently, competently and courageously. He put on a masterclass defeating Matty Piper.”
“Tristan and I worked out a game plan,” said Middleton
Haynes, 31, has organised several annual shows since 2021 “to provide local boxers with the chance to demonstrate how good they can be and particularly give younger fighters possibly aiming to box professionally the challenging bouts needed. Attendees are always vocal in support and enjoy watching a quite aggressive punch-up. But it’s always good-natured with boxers chatting as friends after their bouts.”
Women and girls encouraged to join soft ball cricket team
by Anthony Ryder
Hunslet
Nelson Cricket Club is calling on local women and girls to pick up a bat and ball and get involved in the fast-growing world of soft ball cricket.
The club, based on Gipsy Lane Beeston, is keen to expand its women and girls’ section and is welcoming new players of all abilities – from complete beginners to those with previous experience. Whether you’re looking to get active, meet new people, or try something new, soft ball cricket offers a fun and inclusive way to enjoy the sport.
Training sessions are held every Wednesday evening from 6-7:30pm at the club’s grounds and are led by
qualified and friendly coaches who ensure a supportive and relaxed environment for all ages and skill levels.
“Soft ball cricket is a brilliant way for women and girls to enjoy the game in a fun and pressure-free setting,” said coach Brian Calverley. “It’s a great way to get moving, learn something new, and be part of a welcoming team.”
No equipment or previous experience is necessary –just turn up in comfortable sportswear and bring your enthusiasm!
For more information, visit the www.hunsletnelson.playcricket.com or head down to a Wednesday training session to see what it’s all about.
Dad Adam commented that Charlie “has always enjoyed a physical challenge and this is the ultimate one. We will support him.”
resident Ineson, 19, “I used my jab repeatedly and concentrated on footwork agility. I won the belt. Now it’s back to roofing but I’m looking forward to the September show.”
Hunslet Nelson Women’s Team
Left: Owen Ineson and Tristan Haynes; Right: Sam Grayshon with his son. Photo: Julian Hudson
They came, they saw, they moved at Let’s Move: South Leeds 2025
by Karen Peck
The sun shone bright once again at Cross Flatts Park for this year’s Let’s Move: South Leeds event. Coordinated by Get Set Leeds Local (part of Active Leeds, Leeds City Council) with great support from community partners.
The South Leeds community came together in their masses to move, explore, and connect on Saturday 10 May. The park was buzzing, with both young and old taking part in a huge range of taster activities. It really felt like a community celebration showcasing the breadth of what’s on offer across South Leeds and beyond for local communities, and introduced people to activities they may never have seen or tried previously. Thanks to all the partners who contributed time to make it happen. It truly couldn’t happen without everyone’s involvement. This year’s event was supported by over 35 organisations and groups
coming together to put on tasters, demonstrations, have stalls and hand out free refreshments and foods.
Many thanks is given to the support from the Inner South Community Committee. A big thank you also to Kelly Cheetham, Community Champion from Morrisons Hunslet for your donations to support the event, and to all our volunteers.
Children raced from activity to activity, earning a ‘stamp’ on their sheets. Collecting five stamps earned them entry to a prize drawer and a lucky dip prize. Well done to all our winners who claimed either a fun sports hamper or attraction vouchers.
It was fantastic to see children enjoying athletics, cycling, cricket, football, multisport, tennis, table tennis, rollerskating, dance, rugby and many more activities. There weren’t just activities for children though, it was great to see grown-ups also joining in with things such as Tae Kwon Do, Yoga and group walks.
Yorkshire Contemporary came along as part of their Inside Out project, which is their community based arts play projects in South Leeds for children and families in
Beeston and Beeston Hill. The event culminated with a mini fun run, with families doing a 1km loop – children racing their parents (or parents keeping up with the kids). Well done to all who took part.
Free food and snacks ensured people had a full tummy to run around with. Get Set Leeds Local shared donated kit (thanks to partners) for families to select sports clothing and trainers to enable them to be active.
Police and fire service invited children to have photos and explore the (noisy) vehicles. The Influencing Travel Behaviour team supported many cyclists through the Bike Register scheme which helps return recovered bikes; Big Bike Fix volunteers worked hard throughout the afternoon doing repairs of people’s bikes. Everybody Cycling were busy with not just their smoothy maker bike (although they did look refreshing), but created an opportunity for all ages to try a huge range of adapted bikes. We’re already looking ahead to next years event. We’re keen that this is a community led event, so if you’ve got feedback, ideas, or would like to get involved with planning or putting on an activity then get
in touch with karen.peck @leeds.gov.uk
Activity Partners
Thanks to all the stall and activity holders (some of which aren’t listed below). If you joined in an activity at the event, and would like to find out more or pop along to one of their sessions then some details are below:
South Leeds Lakers Juniors
Offer run, jump and throw activities free of charge to children aged 8-14 years. This takes place at the John Charles Centre with an emphasis on children having fun whilst also learning new skills.
www.southleedslakers.co.uk
Adult social runs of various distances take place on Tuesday mornings and evenings.
British Cycling
Andy is a British Cycling Activator working alongside Active Leeds. He supports us activating our bike hubs, and working with local groups to support and mentor new activity. If your group is interested in trying some cycle activities then get in touch.
Cycle North
Cycle North are commissioned by WYCA to support adults to learn to ride or develop cycle confidence.
They offer weekly group sessions at Cross Flatts Park, along with offering 1:1 support.
Bespoke sessions can be developed for groups. Bikes available through our hub. New women’s only sessions also now available. www.cyclenorth .co.uk/adult. Watch this space for family sessions coming soon.
Yoga4Leeds
Monika runs weekly outdoor classes at Cross Flatts Park every Saturday. Small contribution needed.
www.yoga4leeds .com
Leeds Dock
Paddleboarding
Weekly sessions at Leeds Dock, including beginner sessions, youth sessions and progression paddles. Find them on Facebook.
Yorkshire Cricket Foundation
Children’s Chance to Shine Cricket sessions take place weekly. 8-12 years 10-11:30am / 13-15 years of age. www.chancetoshine .org or contact Sohail Raz 07783 987376
South Leeds Valkyries (women’s basketball)
A friendly session for women, set up by South Leeds residents as a way for women to connect and have fun. They play and train weekly every Thursday evening, with coaching support from LDM. They can be found on Instagram @south leedsvalkyries or
email southleedsvalkyries @gmail.com
Leeds All Stars TaeKwonDo
Family friendly weekly sessions take place weekly at Greenmount Primary School (you don’t need to attend the school). All ages train together. www.leedsallstarstaekwondo .co.uk
Parkroll with LS-TEN and Skate Scholarship
These family friendly roller skating sessions at Cross Flatts Park have returned for summer, every Saturday at 10am. Email hello@ls-ten.org or call 0113 532 5357 for more information.
Tennis
New tennis courts at Cross Flatts Park are coming soon. You’ll be able to book a court for free at clubspark.lta .org.uk/LeedsCityCouncil/Boo kacourt. Free tennis equipment is available to borrow from the Watsonia café (within their opening times) with a deposit. Adult and junior sessions are available at nearby John Charles Centre for Sport with Active Leeds. West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) WYCA joined us at the event as part of their Walk It Ride It campaign to listen and build understanding for what would support local people. www.cyclecityconnect.co.uk
Dance Action Zone Leeds (DAZL)
DAZL delivered some fab dance workshops at the event. Across South Leeds they deliver a mix of streetdance, Cheerdance, Hip-Hop, Breakdance, Creative, Jazz, Contemporary classes for children aged 3 – 19 (25 with a disability) along with sessions for mums on a Thursday. Find their timetable and further information at www.dazl.org.uk
Paddleboarding was just one of the activities being showcased
Hunslet show their potential with second win
Hunslet Nelson clinch Gordon S Cooper U15 Championship Shield
by Anthony Ryder
In a thrilling conclusion to the Heavy Woollen Junior Cricket League season, Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club‘s Under-15 team secured the Gordon S Cooper Championship Shield, delivering a dominant performance against Bristall CC.
The final, held on Sunday (11 May 2025) at a sun-drenched venue, showcased the depth
and talent of Hunslet Nelson’s youth setup.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Hunslet Nelson’s top order laid a solid foundation. Max Carrington made 42 and Alex Heald 23. With contributions from Ryan Burdon (18) and TJ Dube (15), they ensured the scoreboard kept ticking over, reaching 138/4 in the allotted 20 overs.
In response, Birstall CC managed 118 runs, falling
short of the target. Despite the efforts of Daniel Chapman (40) and Lucas Orman (40), Birstall’s batting lineup struggled against Hunslet Nelson’s disciplined bowling attack.
The standout performer of the final was undoubtedly Max Carrington. His all-round contribution was instrumental in Hunslet Nelson’s triumph , which earning him the welldeserved Man of the Match
accolade.
Hunslet Nelson CC’s victory in the Gordon S Cooper U15 Championship Shield final underscores the club’s dedication to nurturing young talent. The team’s cohesive performance, highlighted by individual brilliance, sets a promising precedent for future campaigns. Hunslet Nelson’s Under-15s can celebrate a wellearned championship and look forward to continued success.
by Ian Pickles
Stepping
up to the Championship was always going to be difficult, but Hunslet are showing signs that they have the potential to stay up come the end of the season.
Following a disappointing loss to Widnes Vikings, 14-28 at home on 4 May and a heavy defeat away at York Knights, 58-8 in the heat on 11 May; the Parksiders headed south to Sheffield for a Friday night encounter on 23 May.
Hunslet chalked up their second win of the Championship season at the Steel City Stadium despite a late Sheffield Eagles fight back.
Head Coach Dean Muir asked for a ‘big performance’ after last time out’s 58-8 defeat at York and his team repaid him with a deserved win.
From the off the Parksiders took control with Billy Jowitt and Lachy Hanneghan at the helm forcing Sheffield back with their kicking.
6 minutes in after Hunslet pressure and Cam Berry found a tiny gap at the ruck to reach over and score, Jowitt converting. 6-0 and a good start.
Sheffield got on the attack after Hunslet had ran the ball into touch, but their handling was poor and as the game stopped for an injury Hunslet were on top.
Revitalised after the break Sheffield got a penalty and on 23 minutes shipped the ball wide for former Hunslet man Jack Mallinson to score. Cory Aston converting. 6-6
After another lengthy halt in play Hunslet found themselves on the front foot.
Greg Eden was dangerous attacking from full-back and Liam Welham was making good yards, but the kicking of Kobe Rugless and Billy Jowitt was really making the difference.
On 32 minutes Brad Clavering for the umpteenth time released the ball for Rugless to ship it out to Billy Jowitt who stepped his way over to score. The conversion hitting the post. 6-10
Cam Berry and Brad Clavering, both coming back from injury, were having good games, but as half time approached Hunslet found themselves down to 12 men after Harrison Gilmore instinctively picked up a ball in an offside position.
With Sheffield taking advantage of the numbers they tried one too many passes as Lachy Hanneghan swooped in
to intercept and go the full length to score with Jowitt converting 6-16.
We were now in added time, and although Sheffield were pulled back for an obstruction in the act of scoring Hunslet deservedly led at the break 616.
As the second half began the next try was vital. Hanneghan was unlucky with a neat kick through, but on 44 minutes Sheffield put the ball to ground and Coby Nichol picked up and showed a clean pair of heels to score. Jowitt converting 6-22.
Another try would see Sheffield off and both Greg Eden and Keelan Foster went close, but Sheffield held firm. The play was all in Sheffield’s half and with Rugless and Jowitt pegging the Eagles back with their kicking you felt a try would come soon.
However, the tide turned and after Hunslet forced a pass Sheffield got on the front foot. A set repeat and quick passing sent Jack Billington through on 62 minutes and with Aston’s conversion it was 12-22.
The re-start went straight out gifting Sheffield good field position. Hunslet held firm for 12 tackles (Liam Welham putting in a try saving hit). But a penalty for a late hit after a kick meant Sheffield could get the lively Jack Billington on the ball again, who on 71 minutes waltzed over for his second try. 18-22
It was going to be a tense finish. Sheffield attacked, but Hunslet held firm. The hosts did spill the ball a few times, but with Greg Eden clearing the lines, Lachy Hanneghan attempting an intercept, and Liam Welham being held up Hunslet held on for a well fought victory.
In the end this was a good team performance. For 70 minutes Hunslet were in control and although missing Lee Gaskell and Matty Fletcher late on they had enough to get over the line.
Man of the Match could have gone to anyone. Eden and Jowitt were outstanding, Berry and Rugless lively at the ruck, Hanneghan and Welham ran hard and Clavering off-loaded at almost every tackle.
There was also a good debut for 19 year old Lloyd McEwanPeters.
Hunslet entertain Oldham on Sunday 1 June; Barrow Raiders on 22 June; and London Broncos on 29 June with renewed confidence. All three games kick off at 3pm at South Leeds Stadium.
You can read full match reports of every Hunslet match at southleedslife.com
Lachy Hanneghan in action against York. Photo: Craig Irvine
Winners are grinners. Photo: Richard Harrison