South Leeds Life 122 September 2025

Your FREE community newspaper Issue 122 | September 2025

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

WE WANT OUR LEISURE CENTRE

Residents call for council rethink on leasing plan

Plans

by Jeremy Morton

to lease Middleton Leisure Centre to Cockburn Multi-academy Trust, which runs the neighbouring Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy, have come under fire with over 800 residents signing a petition to halt the plan.

The council has said it intends to keep running the gym, which was built in 2020, but it is less clear whether all of the other facilities which include a sports hall, studio, squash courts, soft play area and outdoor full size 3G pitch and multi-use games area would be under the control of the Trust.

The petition says the centre is a vital community hub and that: “This closure would have a significant and negative impact on the health, wellbeing, and social connections within our community, particularly for people who rely on its specialized programs and accessible facilities.”

The facility is also used by Aspire who support adults with additional needs.

South Leeds Life first reported that the Council was considering leasing out the centre in December 2024 as part of its budget review. That month’s executive board delegated the decision to

officers, although the identity of the third party taking over the centre wasn’t made public at that stage.

Since then there has been little information, but in answer to a question raised by Cllr Wayne Dixon (SDP, Middleton Park) at the full Council meeting in July, officers stated that “the lease activation date is targeting for the 1st of September.” Clearly that target has been missed and negotiations continue.

Cllr Dixon, on behalf of his ward colleagues, Cllr Emma Pogson-Golden and Cllr Rob Chesterfield, told South Leeds Life:

“We are disappointed that the Labour Council did not

engage with us regarding potential options for the leisure centre before approaching Cockburn MAT. Additionally, we were only notified seven days prior to the matter being presented to the Executive Board for approval late last year.

“Since becoming aware of the potential lease, our primary focus has been, and continues to be, ensuring that community access is preserved wherever possible, as we strongly believe this should be safeguarded.

“Furthermore, we urge the Council to consider providing financial support to the groups that may face financial challenges as a result of the relocation, particularly where

continued use of the facilities is no longer feasible.”

A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said:

“In common with local authorities across the country, the council is facing unprecedented budget challenges that are impacting all its service areas.

“As part of a series of wideranging proposals being explored across the authority, Leeds City Council is currently in discussions with Cockburn Multi Academy Trust about new arrangements for Middleton Leisure Centre. Laurence Calvert Academy (part of the Cockburn MAT) is already the main user of the sports facilities, through its physical

activity curriculum.

“This approach is being explored due to the high running costs of the centre and the need to improve its financial sustainability.

“Plans are in place to ensure that the gym would remain under council ownership and available for public use, and an announcement regarding the use of the other parts of the site will be made in due course."

Cockburn Multi-academy Trust was approached for comment, but had not replied when we went to press.

You can find the petition at: www.change.org/p/stop-theclosure-of-middleton-leisurecentre

Middleton Leisure Centre

About us

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

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

South Leeds Life is a member of the Independent Community News Network.

Our aims

To inform people of events, activities, issues and opportunities taking place in the South Leeds community;

To encourage the involvement of the wider community in communicating their experiences;

To foster community spirit and involvement; and

To provide a platform for local people to contribute and respond to community life more fully.

South Leeds Life is pleased to publish views from across the political spectrum, provided they comply with our editorial guidelines.

We remain a neutral publication with a diverse readership, as such we do not endorse any particular political party.

Contact us

South Leeds Life CIC

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Email: info@southleedslife.com

Facebook : @SouthLeedsLife

Phone: 07894 583966

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Latest phase of new South Leeds public park opens at Aire Park

AirePark, Leeds’ 24-acre mixed use development on the former Tetleys brewery site, has now opened the next phase of its muchanticipated park bringing 6200m2 of new green space to the Leeds South Bank.

Connecting the public realm in front of the Tetley building to Crown Point Road, this new park area marks the largest segment of the park to open so far, as the city prepares for what will be 8-acres of public space and the biggest new public park in the UK when it completes.

A strong landscape architectural vision has led the park’s creation, delivering a multi-purpose area for playing, exercising and relaxing, which has sustainability and ecological enhancement at its heart. Large open lawns across the park give way to intimate flowering gardens for a quieter retreat. Play mounds provide adventure for both young and old and a new woodland belt, with its dense tree planting, woodland understorey and bird boxes, will bring the new neighbourhood closer to nature.

A total of 73 new trees have been planted in this phase, which include many eye-catching legacy trees and a cherry tree avenue that will blossom in the spring.

In addition to the latest opening, progress also continues on the

second phase of the Aire Park masterplan which will see the park area extend to the south of Crown Point Road, adding the final hectare to the park and creating a picturesque linkway, currently entitled the Flowering Avenue.

On completion, the new development will bring over 700 new trees and 100 different types of plants to Aire Park. Including legacy trees which will grow to full maturity sooner and interventions such as bug hotels, bird boxes, and pollinating gardens to enable vital new biodiversity corridors for pollinating insects and wildlife to strengthen the city’s ecosystems.

In addition to the green space, the finished park will also feature attractions including a multi-functional yearround events space, used for outdoor markets, performances and pop-up cinema experiences, a children’s play area and a 1km exercise route.

On the opening of the new park area, Vastint UK’s Managing Director, Stephen Lindley commented:

“Bringing this beautiful new green space to the

South Bank for the public to enjoy is a real milestone in the creation of Aire Park. Having recently topped out our latest in a series of commercial buildings and having welcomed our first commercial tenants, Aire Park is truly taking shape and placing itself firmly on the map of Leeds.

“As the wider development and the park continues to grow, with the addition of its event space and play area, so too will its sense of community as Aire Park becomes a go-to destination within the city to work, meet and socialise, or simple relax and enjoy nature.”

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said:

“The opening of this new green space is a really important milestone for both the Aire Park project and the South Bank area as a whole.

“We want Leeds to be a city filled with places that are perfect for work, rest and play, and Aire Park’s lawns and gardens will give people plenty of opportunity for doing all of that and more.

“It’s also great to see the progress being made on the wider development, with a thriving, modern community now truly taking shape at Aire Park and ushering in a bright new era for one of our former industrial heartlands.”

Holbeck flats and office blocks plan gets approval

by Dom Mort

Office

blocks and hundreds of flats could be built on a former banking site after plans were approved by the council.

Permission was sought to redevelop part of Water Lane in Holbeck, previously occupied by Lloyds Banking Group.

Leeds City Council has given consent for two office blocks of 11 and nine storeys, both with ground floor retail space which could be used for bars and restaurants.

Developer South Side Leeds Ltd also proposed up to 600 apartments and a hotel under longer-term plans for the site.

Existing buildings would be demolished to make way for the scheme near Bridgewater Place. A design report said the scheme aimed to “stitch back together the urban fabric of the area to create a strong sense of place with a high quality public realm.”

The project is part of a larger site allocated for offices and housing under council planning policy. The council gave full planning permission for the two office blocks. Outline permission, which gives planning consent in principle, was

granted for the apartments and hotel. Further details on the outline part of the development will be considered by the authority.

The report by DLA Architecture said:

“The creation of a high quality, mixed-use development set within a vibrant new public realm is at the heart of these proposals, creating a new destination for the city centre with strong brand identity.”

A council planning officer’s report said objections were raised over the impact of the scheme on people living nearby.

Concerns included overcrowding

and possible traffic congestion.

The council report said:

“The development is intended to provide a mix of uses which may provide for both employment and also supporting uses which may include food and drink establishments.”

Dom Mort is the Local Democracy Reporter

Cutting the ribbon on new green space

Breakfast of Champions

Can you help redistribute surplus food locally?

AYorkshirecharity which is given surplus food from supermarkets has appealed to South Leeds organisations to help distribute it to those in need.

Fairshare Yorkshire, which has a warehouse in Holbeck, already sends food to five Community Food Members (CFMs) in South Leeds. but there is so much surplus food, they need to find more organisations to take it, says

South Leeds youngsters twirl for England

by Lauren Wilson

Four talented young majorettes from South Leeds took centre stage on the world baton twirling scene last month.

Rosie, Ava, Chloe and Abbie – all members of Leeds Baton Rouge Majorettes – proudly represented England at the IBTF World Championships in

Italy. After nearly a year of intense training with the England Majorettes Team, the girls performed among the world’s best.

Since being selected last October, they have been working tirelessly to perfect their routines, showcasing their dedication, discipline and passion for the sport –alongside school, training with

Leeds Baton Rouge, their other hobbies and having a social

For Rosie, Ava, Chloe and Abbie, this marks not only a personal milestone but also a proud moment for their local community in South Leeds. Their Leeds Baton Rouge coaches, family, friends and supporters are so proud of their achievements.

Community Outreach Manager Dave Pople.

The warehouse receives pallets of fresh vegetables, fruit, meat, bread and dairy, ready meals, canned and dried food from supermarkets including Marks and Spencer, Asda and Tesco,

“All the food is unspoiled and in-date, it’s just surplus to their requirements. And because it’s so fresh, we need to redistribute it reasonably quickly,” he said.

Volunteers help unpack and sort the food which is then boxed up for CFMs who pay £45 a week for about 125kg of food with a retail value of more than £400. Cottingley Pantry, Middleton Little Chef Pantry, Trinity Network Belle Isle, Holbeck

Together and Health For All Beeston Village use the food for their food banks and community cafes.

Dave said they were looking for organisations and local groups who could be CFMs, taking and redistribute the food, or preparing and serving it in community cafes and soup kitchens. He said they did not need to be a registered charity, but would need to show they could take and deal with the food.

If you are part of an organisation or local group who would be interested in becoming a CFM, or if you would like to volunteer either in the warehouse or driving the delivery van, you can register via the website: www.fareshareyorkshire.org, call 01226 593778 or email: enquiries@fareshareyorkshire. org

at £3, £4, £5 or £10 per

life too!

Rosie, Ava, Chloe and Abbie from Leeds Baton Rouge Majorettes

The volunteers at Hunslet RLFC’s Breakfast Club were recently welcomed by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Cohen, in recognition of their sterling work. The Friday morning Breakfast Club at the John Charles Centre for Sport is a welcoming group for fans and past players who love to chat all things rugby league. It takes place in the Pheonix Bar from 10am-12 every Friday. Chief buttie makers, Jack Richardson and Lewis Cardis, received their certificate from the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Dan Cohen, backed by washer-up, Pat Benatmane.

Decision taken over future of Little Owls nurseries in Hunslet and Holbeck

by Dom Mort

Nurseries

in Hunslet and Holbeck will remain under local authority control after Leeds City Council failed to find suitable new providers.

12 Little Owls nurseries were put under a cost-saving review by the council, including four which were considered for take-over by schools.

But three of the schools were unable to take control of nurseries at Hawksworth Wood, Parklands in Seacroft and Quarry Mount in Woodhouse, the council confirmed. Discussions were continuing with St Mary’s CE Primary School over its interest in Hunslet St Mary’s Little Owls. Hunslet Rylestone and City & Holbeck Little Owls nurseries, along with Bramley, Meanwood, Burley Park, and Osmondthorpe, will stay with the council.

Two council nurseries will be taken over by new providers following the cost-saving review of early years provision.The Council announced new management for its Little Owls sites in Rothwell and Shepherds Lane, Chapeltown. The council said the transfer would save £124,000 in 2025/26 and almost £500,000 the following year.

A spokesperson said: “The new providers will also enter into a 10-year lease with the council, bringing in a combined potential rental income for both sites of £72,000 per year.”

The council previously closed three Little Owls sites in Gipton, Seacroft and Chapel Allerton.

The spokesperson said: “The council’s default position throughout has remained that in the absence of satisfactory alternative providers being found, the authority would continue to manage delivery of these settings.”

The Little Owls review was designed to tackle overspends in the service totalling £1.9m in 2022/23 and £840,000 in 2023/24.

The council said “operating efficiencies and optimisation of staffing capacity” may still be needed.

A five per cent fees increase was also expected to raise £78,000 per year.

Iain Dalton, a spokesperson of the Save Little Owls Nurseries campaign said:

“After almost a year of uncertainty, parents and carers of children at the five nurseries confirmed to be staying with the council will be breathing a sigh of relief. We are glad that our campaigning over the last year has shined a spotlight on this situation and helped keep these nurseries in public hands. But other parents are still uncertain over the future of their children’s nursery provision, particularly the four nurseries which may still be privatised.”

“When the government was elected a year ago it promised improvements in nursery provision, but parents in Leeds have instead seen three well regarded Little Owls nurseries closed last August and seen the instability of the private sector with the sudden closure of Leafield House nursery in February this year. Instead of closing nurseries, Leeds City Council should be demanding the funding necessary from the government to continue the high quality provision at all Little Owls nursery settings.”

South Leeds Life reported last year on a campaign and march to keep Hunslet nurseries in local authority control.

Dom Mort is the Local Democracy Reporter, additional reporting by Jeremy Morton.

Leeds breaks glass ceiling with first year success of household collections

Yorkshire Day (1 August) this year was a double cause for celebration in Leeds due to the successful impact of the first year of household glass collections in the city.

The new service delivered by Leeds City Council, which began a year ago, has seen nearly 12,000 tonnes of glass recycled by residents across the city through their green bins. That equates to over two million wine bottles per month and has helped save 464 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2), the equivalent of taking more than 170 cars off the road. It has also helped increase glass recycling levels in Leeds from 48% to 75% in the first 12 months.

Empty glass bottles and jars are 100% recyclable, with the process able to be repeated endlessly with no loss in quality, delivering significant benefits to the environment.

The council works with Beeston-based contractor HW Martin to sort the glass at its Leeds plant, with over 85% of it being remelted at facilities in Yorkshire to produce new bottles and jars ready for reuse within a month.

The collection service is for any colour of glass bottle or

jars, including those for wine, spirits, beer, pop, jam, sauces, coffee jars and spreads. Caps, lids and labels can be left on ready for collection. As part of the Leeds approach to make recycling as simple and easy as possible from home, all glass bottle and jars can go in the green bin; along with paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays, foil and metal cans.

The council is keen to build on the success of the first 12 months by encouraging even more glass to be recycled in green bins. Currently 25% of glass bottles and jars are still needlessly being put in black bins and the council is asking

residents to encourage everyone to use their green bins to recycle more.

Another option aside from the green bin is to make use of the extensive network of more than 700 glass recycling banks around the city. Each of these banks is able to hold up to 3,000 bottles and jars. This option is particularly helpful after a party or large gathering to dispose of empty glass, or for those who still prefer to make regular trips to their nearest bottle bank.

While glass bottles and jars can be easily remelted and recycled, a few specialised types -such as oven-proof or Pyrex dishes, lightbulbs, and

Hunslet Club young designers shine at Burberry HQ

Agroup

by Zoe Creasser

of young people from The Hunslet Club’s Fashion Project swapped the classroom for the catwalk this week, as they showcased their work at the prestigious Burberry headquarters in Leeds.

Ten budding designers, all part of the club’s creative arts programme, were invited to give Burberry staff an exclusive preview of the outfits they have been preparing for the club’s upcoming Fashion Show. The visit formed part of the #BurberryInspires initiative, which aims to open doors for young people into the creative industries.

In front of more than 150 Burberry employees, the young people took to the runway to model their creations before delivering confident presentations about their inspiration, techniques, and design process. For many, it was their first experience of speaking in front of such a large audience, a challenge

they rose to with confidence and style.

The day also offered a behind-the-scenes look at one of the world’s most iconic fashion brands, inspiring the group to think about potential future careers in design, textiles, and creative media.

A spokesperson from The Hunslet Club said:

“This was a phenomenal opportunity for our young people. It’s not just about fashion, it’s about confidence, teamwork, and developing realworld skills that will stay with them for life. We are hugely

drinking glasses – require different handling due to their unique melting points. These items can still be given a second life by donating them to a local charity shop or responsibly disposing of them at a household waste recycling centre in Leeds.

Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, Councillor Mohammed Rafique said:

“The first year of household glass collections has been a big success so we’d like to say a big thank you to everyone in Leeds for their efforts, and we would call on people to continue to be glass acts and recycle even more if they can, as it does make a big and real difference.”

Declan Nortcliffe, Operations Director, HW Martin Waste said:

“It’s fantastic that Leeds is extracting over 75% of the city’s glass, within a year of taking jars and bottles in the green bin. We prioritise sending this material to local outlets across Yorkshire for remelting, keeping our carbon footprint low and ensuring new products are back on shelves quickly.”

grateful to Burberry for supporting our arts projects and for giving our members this unforgettable experience.” The fashion project has been running every Thursday since June as part of The Hunslet Club’s free youth club from 4.30-8pm.

The Hunslet Club’s Fashion Show will take place later this year, where the young designers will once again showcase their creations, this time in front of friends, family, and the local community.

Thank you Leeds!

Hun Fest brings the community together

Hunlset

Nelson Cricket Club is celebrating the outstanding success of this year’s Hun Fest, which once again brought the community together for a day of music, food, and fun.

The festival, which took place on Sunday 24 August, attracted one of the largest crowds to date, proving once again why it has become a highlight of the local calendar.

Festivalgoers enjoyed live performances from an exciting lineup of artists including Kiera Kelly featuring Liam Grobbler, Craig Dinnewell, Dec B, Just Paddy, Stephanie Faye, Buster, The Indecisives, and DJ Mango. The atmosphere was kept buzzing thanks to the professional work.

Safety was ensured by TD Security, while the crowd was well looked after by a fantastic range of food and drink vendors, including the awardwinning Dinnewell’s Gin, RW

Catering, Dinky Donuts, Indian Street Food, Kellets Food, who provided essential stock cooling, and Retrac Toilets.

A heartfelt thank you goes to the army of Hunlset Nelson volunteers, who gave up their Friday, Saturday and Sunday to help stage the event. Their tireless work, alongside the dedication of the Music Festival Committee, ensured the day ran smoothly from start to finish.

Most importantly, the club extends its thanks to the thousands of people who attended, many of whom return year after year.

As a cricket club at its core, Hunlset Nelson is proud to deliver this free community event, which plays a vital role in supporting the continuation of cricket in South Leeds.

The club is already looking ahead, with the next Hun Fest scheduled for 30 August 2026. Put the date in your diary!

ASHA’s Alia meets new council CEO

ASHA

Neighbourhood

Project’s CEO Alia Nessa was amongst third sector partners who met recently with Ed Whiting, new Chief Executive of Leeds City Council to discuss issues and concerns impacting South Leeds.

The meeting, hosted by Hamara, focused on difficulties that residents, local communities, women, and families are experiencing, including societal inequalities such as the cost of living, health disparities, mental health challenges, and a lack of employment opportunities and decent living conditions.

Tug

give a voice to their concerns— issues that many struggle to express due to language barriers and cultural differences,” she explained.

With ASHA celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, Alia introduced the wide range of work the centre does in hosting English language classes, IT training, friendship groups and providing advice and advocacy on health and wellbeing, housing, education, welfare benefits, training and employment.

“ASHA is about truly making a difference for women. We advocate for racial justice and

Beeston-based ASHA is a neighbourhood centre providing support and education to a diverse community of women with the aim of making life better for women and children.

“The emerging themes from discussions at our meeting were productive, as we aim to strengthen partnerships across the sector. We explored further collaboration and the potential support from larger organisations that can provide resources and skills to smaller organisations by sharing contacts and expertise.”

Alia added: “We appreciated Ed Whiting taking time out of his busy schedule to genuinely listen to the pressing challenges we face as leaders in the third sector. I hope to invite him to visit the ASHA Centre to speak directly with service users and to see firsthand the incredible work we deliver.”

boat Samson was out on the River Aire clearing rubbish recently. Reader Katrina Burnell sent us this striking photo saying they were doing a great job, lifting bikes, roadside barriers and lots of plastic out of the river.

Alia Nessa (8th from left) with Ed Whiting and fellow third sector leaders who met at Hamara recently

Dennis Robbins recognised with honorary doctorate

DennisRobbins, CEO at The Hunslet Club, received an honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University for his outstanding service to the city.

The award celebrates Dennis’ exceptional and inspiring leadership of The Hunslet Club, one of the UK’s largest and longest-standing youth organisations, along with his lifelong commitment to helping young people reach their potential.

Dennis first joined The Hunslet Club as a member in 1971 at the age of nine. Since then, he has moved up from

volunteer to Chief Executive Officer, a role he has held since 2003. Under his leadership, the club has transformed a small, volunteer-led charity into a vital community hub employing over 60 staff and supporting more than 3,500 young people annually. In 2024, it was named Community Club of the Year at the Leeds Sports Awards.

Dennis Robbins said:

“It is a real honour to receive this type of recognition from one of Leeds’s finest institutions. Working for 25 years in the charity sector has

been extremely fulfilling and rewarding and receiving an award such as this is a pleasant and unexpected surprise.”

Professor Peter Slee, Leeds Beckett University Vice Chancellor said:

“Dennis Robbins has made an extraordinary contribution to the city of Leeds. Through his tireless leadership of The Hunslet Club, he has improved countless lives, built sporting careers and helped to create a stronger, fairer community. We are proud to honour his work with this award.”

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Amazon volunteers decorate Jamyang Buddhist Centre

Homebuilder tees off fundraising for Hunslet-based charity of the year

Leeds-based developer Barratt and David Wilson Homes Yorkshire West has announced its charity of the year as Zarach.

The charity, which has its head office in Hunslet, has a mission to end child bed poverty across the UK, including for its beneficiaries in West Yorkshire.

Zarach’s story started in 2017 when a primary school teacher, Bex, rallied friends and family together to help provide beds for three pupils who were previously sleeping on a sofa cushion. Since then, the charity has provided over 13,000 beds to those in need, helping them to engage better

at school.

Staff members who work for the West Yorkshire housebuilder have committed to raising money for Zarach through a variety of events and activities; the first of which being a golf day which raised over £22,000 for the charity, including match funding from The Barratt Redrow Foundation. 21 teams made up of 84 golfers, including the developer’s employees and sub-contractors, took part in the tournament which was held at Garforth Golf Club in Leeds.

Rachael Winder, Business and Corporate Partnerships Manager at Zarach, said:

“It’s fantastic to have the

support of Barratt and David Wilson Homes on our mission to end child bed poverty. The golf day fundraiser alone will allow us to deliver close to 150 brand-new beds and bundles to children referred to us. Our partnership will make a lasting impact on vulnerable children who would otherwise spend another night sleeping on the floor, or in makeshift beds.”

Gavin Birch, Managing Director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes Yorkshire West, said:

“We are thrilled to announce Zarach as our charity of the year, and are proud to kickstart our support for its mission with a fantastic £22,000 fundraiser.

by Jeremy Morton

Jamyang Buddhist Centre in Holbeck has been spruced up thanks to the help of a group of Amazon employees.

The ground floor of the centre, which serves the whole community, has been redecorated over three days by teams of ten volunteers. Their leader KG explained:

“At Amazon we have an Asian Community and every month we try to do some voluntary work to help a charity organisation. We make contact and ask if they need any help. We are not professional painters but we are trying our best. We feel we are helping society and we are very happy (to do it).”

Centre Manager Sarah Metcalfe said:

“It’s just been phenomenal, to have that opportunity and to have Amazon approach us … that never happens. We would have been painting that room all year, so to have this, it’s a real blessing for us.”

The ground floor at Jamyang comprises a reception area, the Happy Yak café and charity shop, the main hall and a number of offices and therapy rooms that can be rented by the day, week or month. The café offers vegetarian and vegan food, Tuesday-Friday 10am-2pm.

In the shop, as well as Buddhist materials, you’ll find all sorts of second hand bargains and handicrafts. As well as activities and private bookings, the hall hosts their popular jumble sales, where everything sells for just £1. Another way Jamyang aims to serve the local community is by offering mindful activities to provide a bit of respite from the world around us. Starting this month they are running a weekly session on Sunday mornings called 16 Guidelines For Life. Sarah explains:

“Each week we will look at a topic such as patience, or anger. We invite you to sit down, have a little guided meditation, have a little chat about it. It’s for everyone. Everyone works hard, it’s a bit stressful at the moment and we thought how can we help? Take an hour out to recharge, refresh and start your week.”

The sessions are led by a facilitator and run for an hour from 10:30am, and you’re welcome to stay and chat over a cup of tea afterwards. The sessions are free but they ask for a donation if you can afford it. Sessions also run online on Wednesdays from 7-8pm. For more information about Jamyang Buddhist Centre go to: jamyangleeds.co.uk or follow them on Facebook.

Barratt and David Wilson Homes’ team ahead of the charity golf day for Zarach

Centre Manager Sarah Metcalfe with the volunteers from Amazon

UK Savings Week 2025 Money matters with Leeds Credit Union

Becauselife is unpredictable, it's important to have some savings put aside that you can fall back on if something unexpected happens, like losing your job, becoming unwell or suddenly receiving a bill for which you hadn't already budgeted. Greg Potter, Head of Member Experience at Leeds Credit Union, gives us his top-tips on how to become better at saving money.

With the cost of living crisis still ongoing, having the financial safety net that savings provide can be hugely reassuring, especially when you consider that, according to recent 2025 UK savings statistics:

● 34% of adults had either no savings - or less than £1,000 - in a savings account

● 65% of people believe they wouldn’t be able to last three months without borrowing money, and

● savings accounts are the most popular savings method among UK adults, with over half (57%) using these to save money.

Taking place between 22-28 September, UK Savings Week is designed to promote the benefits of saving and encourage people to focus on their saving habits, whether they are regular savers, infrequent savers or currently unable to save.

Originally launched in 2022, the UK Savings Week initiative

works by bringing together organisations that want to improve people's financial resilience by helping them save for the future by providing them with access to advice about saving money.

If you're interested in saving money and better managing your finances, here are some helpful hints and tips.

Making your savings work for you

1. Shop around for the best savings account. A significant proportion of UK savers hold most of their savings in a current account, where interest rates are usually low. Shopping around can make a big difference to your returns.

Specialist accounts that enable children and young people to start developing healthy savings habits from a young age are also available and are worth considering.

2. ‘No spend’ weekends. By committing to spending exactly £0.00 one weekend every other month, you could give your savings a real shot in the arm.

Go for walks, have a movie night, play board games, visit some free museums and use up any food leftover from earlier in the week.

3. Check your tax code. If it’s wrong, you could pay too much tax and leave yourself out of pocket while you wait for a refund; if you pay too little, you'll get an unpleasant bill later on.

First Bus helps tackle unemployment for parents of junior rugby players

4. If you're able to, overpay on your monthly mortgage payment. By paying more than you have to each month, you can reduce your mortgage term and save a significant amount in interest. Always check for early-repayment charges, though!

5. Before making a purchase when shopping online, check to see if cashback is available –lots of cashback sites are easy to find so do a little research before clicking 'buy now'. If you're lucky, you'll find a code for a discount on your chosen item.

6. Prioritise paying off your debts. While this won't be possible for everyone, using your savings to pay off any debts is a great idea as it means you won't accrue any more interest on what you already owe, ensuring you'll be better off in the long run. Where can I get help?

Contact a trustworthy financial institution, such as your local credit union, for help and advice on improving your financial circumstances.

Leeds Credit Union, for example, offers a Money And Budgeting Service (MABS) to help members create realistic budgets to ensure their bills are paid on time, stop them from falling into arrears and make the most of their income.

Leeds Credit Union provides affordable financial services to people in Leeds, Wakefield, Harrogate and Craven.

FirstBus has teamed up with Hunslet Rugby Foundation (HRF) to support the parents of children participating in junior rugby with an outreach programme to help end unemployment or get back into work after a break from raising a family.

The bus operator is providing workshops at HRF’s premises in the Belle Isle Welcome Centre to develop employability skills and build confidence, including interview technique and CV writing. The potential to offer work experience placements and apprenticeships at First Bus depots is also planned.

Michael Nuttall, Foundation Manager, said:

“This year, we are excited to announce a new partnership with First Bus, focusing on supporting unemployed parents of the children we work

with in schools to get back into work.

“We know that many parents face challenges in re-entering employment, including confidence, childcare pressures and transport limitations. By working together with First Bus, we aim to remove these barriers and open new pathways for parents to access opportunities that will improve the wellbeing of their families.”

The Foundation is chaired by Father Chris Buckley from the nearby St John’s and St Barnabas Church and works across south Leeds, providing youth clubs, breakfast clubs and a growing junior rugby programme, to encourage people to discover their potential and play an active role in their community.

First Bus will use its social media channels to grow

awareness of HRF services and support fundraising activities.

Mubs Mahmed, Community & Social Value Partner at First Bus in West Yorkshire, said:

“Our ambition is to complement the work of the Foundation and help create a holistic approach to supporting families in the community.

“One of our depots, Hunslet Park, is in the heart of the area. This enables us to draw on the expertise of our team to help adults locally to improve employment and training opportunities.”

Hunslet Rugby Foundation is among a group of social value projects involving young people, disadvantaged communities, women and girls and education that First Bus is partnering with to support objectives in life skills, careers and youth opportunities, crime prevention and safety.

Mubs Mahmed (right) and Michael Nuttall outside the Foundation’s base in Belle Isle Welcome Centre

Community Homes scheme marks 10th anniversary

by Zoe Creasser

The Hunslet Club is marking a milestone in its social housing project, Hunslet Club Community Homes, as its very first tenant celebrates ten years in her property.

Launched in 2013, the initiative was created to address the shortage of quality housing for families in South Leeds. The club purchases empty or neglected properties from private owners, landlords, or the local authority, then carries out extensive renovations.

Work is led by professional tradespeople, with support from young people enrolled on the club’s vocational construction courses, who gain valuable hands-on experience

as part of their training.

The refurbished homes are made energy-efficient and environmentally sound, before being offered to families connected to the club who need improved housing or are struggling.

Today, the scheme manages five properties, all of which are still occupied by their original tenants – something the club says “speaks volumes” about the quality of the homes and the relationships built with residents.

Sue, the first tenant, described her home as her “sanctuary” and expressed her gratitude to the club. Staff visited her this week to mark the anniversary and thank her for being a long-standing tenant.

Programme launched to tackle knife crime

Abold new initiative aimed at tackling knife-related violence among young people in Leeds has been launched, bringing together education, mentorship, and community support in a city-wide campaign for safer streets.

The community-led project offers a series of free in-person and virtual workshops, one-onone mentoring, awareness campaigns, and local engagement events — all tailored to reach and empower young people aged 11 to 25. At its core, the programme is designed to educate youth about the dangers and consequences of knife crime

New Bingo hall opens in Hunslet

Club 3000 Bingo launched their new bingo club in Hunslet last month as over 850 guests packed out the venue for an evening of entertainment, live music, bubbly on arrival, and of course – plenty of thrilling bingo games.

The venue has seen a £5.5 million investment creating a modern, stylish space designed to bring bingo into a whole new era. The club also has many unique features including the first ice cream van in a bingo club!

The celebrations were made extra special with a star appearance from popular actor Jack P Shepherd – winner of Celebrity Big Brother and best known for his role in Coronation Street – who officially cut the ribbon to welcome Leeds to its brand-new club.

“Being born and raised in Leeds, I felt truly honoured to open Club 3000 Bingo in my hometown on Saturday,” said Jack P. Shepherd. “The new venue is incredible and was filled to the brim—it was a fantastic evening with an electric atmosphere, and I was given the warmest welcome. Some of my family joined me as well, and they absolutely loved both the entertainment

and, of course, playing bingo!”

Brian Fraser, proud owner of Club 3000 Bingo, shared his excitement:

“We are absolutely delighted to open our newest club here in Leeds. This stunning venue shows our commitment to bringing bingo into the modern age, and the incredible turnout tonight made it all the more unforgettable.”

General Manager Sam Cliffe added:

“What an incredible night! The energy in the room was fantastic, and it was wonderful to see so many people celebrating with us. A huge thank you to everyone who came along and to my amazing team – we can’t wait to welcome even more guests in the coming weeks.”

Hunslet is the 25th venue for Club 3000 Bingo, the UK’s largest independent bingo operator. With a mix of tradition, fun, and modern design, the new Leeds club promises an unbeatable social experience for bingo lovers and first-timers alike.

For more information go to: www.club3000bingo.com /leeds

Sun shines on Hunslet Moor Family Fun Day

Whata lovely sunny day the Friends of Hunslet Moor had on Sunday 24 August for their first Family Fun Day funded by Love Leeds Parks.

The day began with the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Dan Cohen opening the day with a short speech. All sorts of activities were going on with donkey rides, children’s outdoor games area, assorted stalls, DJ, barbecue and refreshments. There was also a visit from Stitch the mascot which the children loved.

while providing positive pathways through mentoring, life skills, and open dialogue. It is trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and firmly rooted in local partnerships.

Supported by volunteers, health professionals, lived experience speakers, and community leaders, the project calls on the wider Leeds community to stand together to prevent youth violence and create safer, stronger neighbourhoods for everyone.

The programme is being run by Spring Aid International Development. For more information or to get involved, email: contact@springaid.co

One of the organisers, Brenda, said: “I want to thank the committee and all the volunteers who came to help on the day and of course our local community who came and enjoyed the day. We couldn’t do it without you. We look forward to our next event on Halloween.”

Friends of Hunslet Moor are presently setting up their own website which will be up and running soon. Donations, bookings and tickets for paid events will be able to be bought direct from the website at: www.friendsofhunsletmoor.com

All money that Friends of Hunslet Moor get goes into paying for the next community event or benches, bins and equipment needed for Hunslet Moor.

Donkey rides, Stitch and the Lord Mayor at the Hunslet Moor Family Fun Day

Jack P Shepherd cuts the ribbon at Club 3000 Bingo

Hunslet Club Community Homes’ first tenant Sue

Website: www.southleedslife.com

Email: info@southleedslife.com

Hunslet girl in running for Leeds Children’s Mayor

Holly Saunders from Hunslet Carr Primary School is amongst 12 candidates running for the position of Leeds Children’s Mayor.

Earlier this year children in Year 5 were encouraged to write a manifesto setting out a project that they would implement if elected by the young people of the city. Holly’s idea focusses on sport and physical activity.

Commenting online, The Hunslet Club said:

“We are so proud to be supporting our amazing young member Holly Saunders in her campaign to become Leeds Youth Mayor.

“Holly, you’re a true leader and role model!

“Let’s get behind her and support this incredible journey.

Holly is the only candidate from South Leeds, we must unite to make sure our young people

are represented on the main stage.”

Voting is now open for children and young people up to 18 years old.

Go to bit.ly/45I6VWI to read all 12 manifestos and cast your two votes.

Voting closes at 5pm on Monday 29 September.

The new Children’s Mayor will be announced at a civic reception event on Thursday 16 October.

Holly’s manifesto | Issue: Physical activity

Give one reason why this issue is important to children and young people in Leeds

I was lucky enough to be able to join a football team and push myself. I am now a member of the Leeds United Girls Academy. I would love to inspire more girls into football or any sport. Physical Activity is important every child in Leeds. We live in a society where children can stay inside too much playing games online.

There are a lot of children who love any kind of sport (like football) but haven’t had the same opportunities. Lots of children don’t have any local clubs or communities that they can go and play a sport that they love. Therefore, the small amount of clubs that are actually in Leeds are really expensive which makes it really hard for children who want to play.

Describe three things you and your school could do to tackle this issue

Advertisement - to gain interest, the

• schools can advertise the benefits of joining a team or club by handing out flyers with tips and instructions on how to join clubs. Plus, where they are – this could also be on social media too. Local sports clubs could go into schools too.

Fundraising - to raise awareness of sport – hold bake sales or other fundraisers to make money • to go towards the local sports clubs; specifically, the clubs that children from their school go to.

Clubs - finally, to help tackle this problem the schools can provide after school sports clubs for

• the children unable to find a club to join. The advantage of this is to encourage children into sports. There would be a whole school vote, every term, where the clubs could be decided. The money raised could help get specialist coaches in or the clubs themselves could start coming in to run the clubs using the money raised from fundraising. There would be a big push on more girls in sport as that is an issue close to my heart.

Describe three things Leeds as a city could do to tackle this issue

• teams to visit schools more to inspire the children into sport.

Fundraising events for more after school sports clubs with sports specialists. Encourage local

• sport. Local teams and companies could get involved to raise money and awareness.

School galas where there are opportunities for different schools to mix together in the name of

A focus on girls’ teams. Have more murals that celebrate female sport is one idea that I have.

• This would put the word out to girls that not only boys can play sport. This is close to my heart as I would love other girls to enjoy sport as much as I do and have the same opportunities that I have had.

Holly with family and supporters at The Hunslet Club, where she is a member, after a campaign meeting

Campaign slogan

Leading Leeds forward: fresh vision, strong voice, brighter future. Together.

by Caroline Harvison

Wednesday 9 July marked a special occasion for the Low Road and Windmill Music Federation, as the schools came together to host their very first art exhibition — a vibrant celebration of creativity and pupil achievement.

Held on the school grounds, the exhibition showcased a stunning array of artwork produced by every child from Reception to Year 6. From the expressive splatter paintings created by the youngest pupils to striking photography by the oldest, the range and quality of the work impressed visitors of all ages.

The exhibition was the result of weeks of planning, led by art lead Morag Watson. Every pupil was included in the event, which was designed as part of the federation’s end-of-year celebrations and to elevate the role of the arts within the curriculum.

Throughout the school day, all children were given time to view

Low Road and Windmill Music Federation hosts first-ever art exhibition College named one of first ‘Technical Excellence Colleges’ in Construction Skills Drive

Leeds College of Building (LCB) has been named one of the first ever ‘construction technical excellence colleges’ (CTEC) and will receive a share of £100 million in government funding to tackle construction skills shortages.

Only 10 colleges across England have been given the status for the 2025 to 2026 academic year, with LCB selected to represent Yorkshire

each other’s work, sparking admiration, discussion, and inspiration. After school, the doors

opened to parents, governors, and members of the local community, who were equally wowed by the

variety and talent on display.

A highlight of the event was the attendance of local photographer

Elaine Goddard, who had previously visited the school to introduce a photography competition for Year 6 pupils. She returned for the exhibition to announce the winners and commend the high standard of entries, praising the creativity and technical skill demonstrated by the students.

Also featured in the exhibition was a painting by local artist Paul Fretwell whose work attracted much attention. Fretwell will return next academic year to work with pupils during their painting unit, promising further artistic enrichment for the children.

“It’s been a joyful day of creativity and community,” said Morag Watson. “Every child had a chance to shine, and it’s been wonderful to see how proud they are of their work.”

With support from staff, families, local artists, and school governors, the event was hailed as a resounding success — and one that many hope will become an annual tradition.

& the Humber region. Ministers say the CTECs will train 40,000 people by 2029 in high-demand trades such as bricklaying, carpentry, roofing and electrical work.

Technical excellence colleges are a new government designation for FE colleges that will receive extra funding to deliver training in sectors where there are shortages. Each will receive a share of £80 million

in capital and £20 million in revenue over the next four years.

This first wave covers construction and comes on top of £625 million announced for the sector in March to cover 60,000 training places through foundation apprenticeships, skills bootcamps and other funded construction courses.

The government hopes these

initiatives will plug skills shortages in the construction industry and “backs the British working class” by reducing the sector’s reliance on overseas workers. The announcement confirms a CTEC in each region of England.

Leeds College of Building will now act as a “hub” in its region and partner with “spoke” local training providers and employers to expand courses to more learners and improve training standards.

LCB is the UK’s only specialist Further Education college dedicated to the Construction and Built Environment sector. The college works with over 800 employer partners, including NG Bailey, BAM Nuttall, Morgan Sindall, and JN Bentley.

Leeds College of Building CEO and Principal, Nikki Davis, currently represents the further education sector on the Construction Skills Mission Board, recently launched by the Construction Leadership Council. Nikki said:

“We are thrilled to be appointed as one of the first ever CTECs in the country, reflecting our reputation as one of the nation’s leading construction training providers.

“We look forward to collaborating with other colleges and independent training providers to benefit even more learners and meet the skills needs across our region through cutting-edge

specialist curricula and high-quality teaching practices.

“Our established relationships have been crucial in achieving this status, and our thanks go to the many employers, organisations, and individuals who endorsed LCB. These exceptional partnerships will be vital in expanding opportunities to address sector skills shortages –including green skills, digitisation, and Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).”

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, added:

“This recognition is a huge vote of confidence in our region’s strengths, talent and ambition.

“By training the skilled workers we need for transformational projects like constructing tramlines and building new affordable homes, the Leeds College of Building puts our region at the epicentre of the nation’s rebuilding effort, creating good jobs and putting more money in people’s pockets.

“It’s fantastic to see the college being recognised by the government for the key role it will play in delivering the national growth mission and building a stronger, brighter Britain.”

Colleges had to bid for the status earlier this year.

The Department for Education (DfE) said it received 51 applications in total.

Display of art works by pupils in Year 2

Stepping out in

Students from Cockbur Hotel in Tingley, the ev

Email: info@southleedslife.com

style

n John Charles Academy (top) and Cockburn School (bottom) recently enjoyed spectacular Proms, marking the culmination of their hard work and achievements throughout their 5 school years. Hosted at Leeds United and at the Village venings were a chance for the Class of 2025 Year 11s to celebrate their successes in style, surrounded by friends and teachers who have supported them along the way.

In our view

A need for transparency

Many people in Middleton are very concerned that they are about to lose an important community resource with their leisure centre being leased to Cockburn MAT. The decision might might be a wise one given that the school next door already uses many of the facilities. But it was taken without local input or involvement. Since then as the negotiations have gone on, there’s been little indication of whether any or all the facilities will remain accessible to the community. With no information some people have come to their own conclusions and rumours are rife. All this could have been avoided by being more transparent and sharing information more widely.

Companies giving back

We have several stories this month of companies and their staff putting something back into the community. Whether that’s painting a community centre, or sharing HR skills to support people back into work, or raising money. It may seem that this would cut into their profit margin, but the benefits of team-building and motivation far outweigh the costs and literally pay dividends when staff return to the workplace. So it’s good for the company, but it’s invaluable to the charities and community organisations struggling to provide services. Corporate Social Responsibility, in the jargon, is a win-win.

The October issue of South Leeds Life will be out on Wednesday 1 October

The deadline for submissions is Thursday 25 Sept

Your letters and comments

No right turn at Tempest Road junction

Green bin collections of rubbish in Tempest Road just never happen. I hope this road change does not affect the ability of waste collectors to do black bin collections.

It’s a long, long road and a week rarely goes by without police or ambulance stopped somewhere in the road. Can’t imagine this change will make their jobs any easier.

The road was always hard to get across but that was also due to all the parking both sides blocking the line of sight, not just volume of traffic. During the pandemic I saw considerably less local parking. I think many cars parked during day are people living elsewhere and using Beeston as a car park, then busing into Leeds. I can’t blame them. However if those living here had a permit for their car window and others parking for longer than time to visit briefly had to use a pay and display machine it might generate income to enable some local improvements.

Frances

Bin collections have an issue related to a crew change and repeated obstructive cars in the back street. None of the blue light services have concerns and the raised reservation is designed for them to be able to mount if needed. The parking has not been highlighted as the reason behind the crashes, it’s the traffic conflict with the right turns.

Cllr Paul Wray

Honorary degree for

Dennis Robbins

train any UK young people, and now things have changed there's a lack of workers.

John Proton

New Bingo Club

I am over the moon to know the opening of a new club in Hunslet. Hunslet deserves more as it has been a hub of industry in Leeds in early 1900s.

This honour is richly deserved. Dennis is a man of huge integrity and driven by the desire for young people to maximise their potential irrespective of their background. He is truly inspirational and truly a MC and of the people. Bravo!

Stephen Ledger

Building College investment

Whilst construction businesses were pulling workers from the EU they didn't

I worked for the Crescent picture house at Dewsbury Road as a doorman/fireman in 1962 and found people of Hunslet very nice. I am 94 years old and live in Moortown area of Leeds . At present I am in India and am looking forward to visit the club on my return before Xmas.

Long live Hunslet.

Hari Singh Thandi

Eric Smith RIP

He was a teacher at our school. He

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

taught Latin and French. I bumped into him at a walk around Holbeck Cemetery, led by the Friends of Holbeck Cemetery. He still remembered me and my elder brother from the 1960s. A lovely man.

John Leckenby

Eric, or Mr Smith as I knew him taught me at Lawnswood High School. A true gentleman.

Susan Murray

I'm sorry to hear of Eric's passing. He was a member of Friends of Cross Flatts Park many years ago. He was the membership secretary back when we charged a subscription.

Vivienne Bate

Remembering EJ Arnold

The firm EJ, as it was popularly known by it’s staff, played a huge part in my family’s life and many like us. We had my dad 37 years, mum, brother, myself, uncle and cousin all working for the firm. My dad joined just after national service on a temporary 6 month contract. He later asked at his 25th anniversary award when he would be made permanent? Had it stayed open my dad

would have seen his retirement there and my brother would still have been there.

Philip Hartley

Hun Fest 2025

The full day was absolutely brilliant! I loved every minute.

Sarah Wainwright

I could hear it from my garden. Really enjoyed the music til the last 10 minutes which sounded like when I'm drunk at a party, skipping songs on the playlist every 30 seconds.

Sarke Ailuros

Join the debate

Comment online; by email: info@southleedslife.com; or post to: 28 Back Burton Grove, Leeds, LS11 5JH.

Letters may be edited for publication.

Photo: Google

Website: www.southleedslife.com

Email: info@southleedslife.com

MP’s notebook

with Hilary Benn MP

I’vebeen getting a few emails recently from constituents expressing opposition to the Online Safety Act.

This is a new piece of legislation, which I support, designed to protect children in particular from harmful online content, and the requirement to prove your age to get access to certain sites has just come into effect

Those against the legislation make a range of arguments. They don’t like having to provide personal information to prove their age, although these days all of us hand over personal information and bank details for a wide variety purposes from shopping online to joining organisations.

They’re afraid it’s going to inhibit lively political discussion and exchange of views, which is not the intent of the Act. Free speech and free expression are the lifeblood of our democracy

More worryingly, some argue that the state should have no

role in protecting children and that it should be entirely a matter for parents. And then there are those who say they would scrap the Act altogether. I fundamentally disagree, not least because it would leave our children unprotected. I think we have an obligation to make sure that we look after our children, especially when we know about online grooming, access to pornography and sites which encourage self-harm or suicide. All technologies can be used for good and ill, and that is certainly true of the Internet. After all, the same goes for the printing press which on the one hand produced the works of Shakespeare but on the other enabled Adolf Hitler to publish Mein Kampf. What really matters is how we as human beings behave and how we treat others.

On that subject I have been shocked to see some of the abuse directed at people in our

country because of the colour of their skin. I thought we had left those days behind us (and by the way I do think that we need to do all we can to stop the small boat crossings across the Channel). And sadly there is also a lot of abuse and threats directed at all sorts of people for all sorts of reasons on the Internet and on social media.

Recent court cases have made it clear that threatening people or inciting hatred online can have serious consequences. And rightly so. We are better than that as a country.

The connection between our Armed Forces and wider society is a really important part of the defence of the UK. The Armed Forces recruit from, and operate with the consent of, the society they serve and protect, and defence is at the heart of many local communities, often formed around military and industrial bases. It also plays a

significant role in advancing social mobility by offering a range of careers and educational opportunities to individuals from all backgrounds.

There are currently over 138,000 young people and more than 27,000 adult volunteers in cadet units across the country, and 5,950 Community Cadets (Air Cadets, Sea Cadets, Army Cadets) in Yorkshire and the Humber alone. And the evidence is that being in the cadets is good for school attendance and that helps attainment.

A new scheme is being launched to boost the number of cadets by 30% by 2030 which I am backing. £70 million of new funding will help the ‘30 by 30’ campaign, which was launched recently. It would see over 50,000 more cadets across the UK, and offer valuable STEM skills for young people.

And talking of qualifications, many congratulations to all the students at schools in South Leeds who received their Alevel and GCSE results over the last few weeks. We all know how much hard work goes into these exams from the students and their teachers, and the

Refugees are welcome here

by Jeremy Morton

Thesubject of asylum seekers and refugees has been dominating the headlines recently with demonstrations outside asylum hotels, including in Leeds.

Many people have expressed their concerns about the situation, but there’s a lot of misinformation out there, so what are the facts?

Let’s start with the terminology. In the UK, an asylum seeker is someone who is the process of claiming asylum and waiting for a decision. A refugee is someone who has been granted asylum and has the right to remain in the country.

Worldwide there were 79.5 million refugees last year, most of who are taken in by neighbouring countries. The UK took 20,339, or just 0.026% of that total. Britain is said to be a “soft touch”, but we take in fewer than most European countries – Germany, France and Sweden take two or three times as many. People mainly come here because they have family here or they speak English.

The people crossing the channel in small boats are often said to be illegal, but it’s not illegal to cross the channel

and legally you have the right to claim asylum in any country you wish, that is signed up to the 1951 Refugee Convention. That convention, by the way,

was passed into UK law by Winston Churchill and came out of the upheaval and displacement of the Second World War.

People cross the channel in small boats because there isn’t an alternative route to claim asylum in the UK. The government could stop the

huge amount of energy that parents spend worrying about how their children have done. It’s a big moment not only because of the results themselves but because students are then moving on to the next phase in their lives, whether it’s leaving school to go to work, getting an apprenticeship, going on to higher education or moving into the sixth form or an FE college.

One good thing about this year is that I can’t remember anyone complaining about improvements in exam results. For many years, there were some people who would come out like clockwork and say that because more students had got higher grades the quality of learning and achievement must have fallen. It was then, and is now, complete nonsense, and it was so insulting to those who had worked their socks off.

And one other point, as it’s now back to school time. Overall, about 18% of pupils were persistently absent in the 2024-25 school year. That was down from the Covid peak but still much higher than the preCovid levels. We also know that pupils who missed school during the first week back last September were more likely to miss large parts during the rest

dangerous crossings and put the gangs out of business by creating safe routes and issuing visas.

According to government statistics about half of asylum seekers’ claims are granted at the first decision, and so become refugees with the right to remain in the UK and the right to work. Many more are granted asylum on appeal. So most people arriving are coming here with a strong case to be here, are grateful and contribute back to society through work (and therefore tax) and voluntary work.

Asylum seekers do not receive mobile phones and are not living the life of riley in hotels as some would have you believe. Some asylum seekers are given phones by charities, but not by the government.

‘Asylum hotels’ have been stripped of the finery you or I would expect, food is basic not fine dining, cleaning services are reduced to a minimum and rooms are stacked with bunk beds.

Asylum seekers are not allowed to work while their claim is determined, which can take years. They receive £49.18 per week or £9.95 if their accommodation provides meals. They are not allowed to apply for social housing and even if they are given refugee status this doesn’t give them any priority on the waiting list.

So if there isn’t a problem with asylum seekers, why are

of the year. The single most important thing we can do as parents and grandparents - as well as protect, love and encourage our children and grandchildren - is to make sure that they go to school.

It’s hard work being a teacher, but it is so rewarding. There will have been hundreds of teachers across our city joining in the celebration of their students as they opened their results. And it’s an opportunity for us, as we should always do, to express our heartfelt thanks to our teachers and other school staff for helping to give the next generation the skills, the knowledge and the enthusiasm they will need to go out and make their way in the world. Whatever you are going on to do now, the very best of luck.

people taking to the streets? Many of us face huge problems in the UK. There’s a housing crisis, NHS waiting lists, the police, courts and prisons are underfunded and on the point of collapse, the list goes on. But the question is whose fault is all this?

Asylum seekers have not stopped council houses being built, or shut hospital wards. The truth is that successive governments have pursued austerity policies, cutting public spending to the bone. An unfair tax system means that the richest are getting richer and the rest of us are getting poorer and the safety net of public services is so full of holes that we all suffer.

The organisation Hope Not Hate have identified many of the individuals who are organising the protests. They have a long association with extreme far right groups, violence and domestic abuse. It suits these people to blame asylum seekers and to spread the myths, spread discord.

South Leeds has a long and proud history of welcoming migrant communities whether they are Irish, South Asian, or Europeans. We stand together in the face of prejudice. We sent Oswald Mosely’s Blackshirts packing in the 1930s and we saw off the National Front in the 1970s. Now is a time to stand united and say “refugees are welcome here.”

Pathways for positivity

with Shannon Humphrey

Same old, same old… Or something new?

Icouldn’t believe my eyes when I spotted Christmas cards on sale a whole week before the last summer Bank Holiday.

It seems to happen earlier every year. As if we’re in such a rush to move on that we forget to enjoy where we are. Why aren’t we savouring the final drops of summer instead of fast-forwarding to darker mornings and shorter days?

Summer always slips away soon enough on its own.

What follows can feel predictable: Bonfire Night, Halloween, Mariah Carey and the countdown to Christmas. Same old, same old. And if we’re honest the shorter days can leave many of us feeling a little flat.

The long summer days, time off work, and extended moments with family can make the season feel extra special, so it’s no wonder the shift into autumn can seem like a bit of a comedown. But it doesn’t have to feel like a loss. The change of season is really an opportunity to notice what’s different, lean into it, and

by Al Garthwaite

My friend Eric Smith, who has died aged 88, lived all his life in Leeds 11.

A former teacher of French, member of Beeston Labour Party and the Leeds Gay Community Group, his major passion was transport, especially trams, trolleybuses and buses. Readers may remember his articles in South Leeds Life, where he gave detailed and knowledgeable descriptions of the old routes. The tramway through Middleton Woods was a particular favourite.

Eric was born into a railway family. His parents spent their early married life living on Beeston Hill at an approved distance from Leeds Railway Station. This was so that the Knocker Upper could call at the house on his rounds to wake the

discover new ways to keep yourself feeling well and connected to the people, places and things you love.

For me, it’s an early morning start. I head to the gym before the sun is up, there are some days when I'm just not feeling it. But I always feel better afterwards. Part of the reward is catching the sunrise. It never fails to make me smile, sometimes I even have a little tear because it’s so beautiful and peaceful! In summer it’s fierce and golden, a day full of promise and in autumn it’s a comforting rich redy orange.

On a practical level, moving our bodies and catching the morning light aren’t just nice ideas. They help our brain release dopamine and serotonin, the chemicals that boost mood, motivation, and balance. As the days get shorter, keeping those levels topped up is even more important. They’re the body’s natural defence against the dip many of us feel at this time of year.

Acceptance of the new season can help too, embrace

railway staff in time for work. Once cheap alarm clocks became widely available, the rule lapsed and the Smiths moved to Dalton Avenue, where Eric lived for much of his life. He recalled how during World War II, his father built an Anderson Shelter in the back garden so the family could take refuge from bombs. Fortunately, none ever fell in that area.

After leaving school, Eric studied in Sheffield. He spent his university holidays working for Leeds City Transport as a conductor. As he wrote in SLL, he remembered “..roaring up Belle Isle Road on a ‘London Car’. Fish and chips are being kept warm on the cupboard hiding the electrical resistances and, on the big front platform, behind the driver’s cab, someone is playing the accordion. Ten or so minutes

it for what it is. Autumn brings its own comforts, hearty foods,

spiced candles, blankets, old familiar films, or lining up a box set you’ve been meaning to watch. These things create a sense of warmth and safety when the outside world feels colder. But, as tempting as it is, it’s important not to slip into full hibernation mode. There’s still plenty to enjoy outdoors,

crisp evenings under the stars, local bonfires, markets brimming with seasonal food, or even just taking a walk and noticing how the colours have changed.

It doesn’t have to be big gestures. Small shifts can change the way the season feels. Try cooking something new with autumn ingredients, start a simple project you can look forward to, or make a plan with a friend that gets you both out of the house. Even something as small as stepping outside for ten minutes of fresh air can change your mood more than you expect.

Seasonal changes are unavoidable, but how we respond to them is up to us. We can treat them as something to endure, or we can look for ways to let them work for us. Movement, light, connection, and a balance between cosy comfort and gentle adventure can all help carry us through the darker months feeling a little brighter.

Same old, same old? Not if you choose to see it differently. Shannon Humphrey is a First Aid for Mental Health Instructor. Find out more about her work at www. pathwaysforpositivity.com

later we’re dashing down through the woods and past the spoil heaps (you can smell them!) en route for Swinegate depot. It was supposed to take 22 minutes from Lingwell Road, but I remember one motorman (driver, to you!) who did it in twelve.”

Eric returned to Leeds to teach French. He loved to take holidays in France and Belgium, where he had many friends, and would bring back delicious chocolates to share with us all.

Following in his Labour Councillor father’s footsteps, Eric joined the Labour Party and was active in its Beeston & Holbeck branch for many years. Only in the last 18 months did he stop coming to meetings, when he could no longer properly hear what was said. He was enthusiastic and reliable, participated eagerly in

discussions and always considered deeply before making up his mind.

Leeds Gay Community Group formed in the early 1970s, for mutual support, discussion and socialising. Eric was an early member. The Sexual Offences Act, which made male homosexuality legal between consenting adults aged over 21, only passed in 1967, and for teachers like Eric, it would be many years before they dared to speak of being gay, or even to bring up the subject. The Group was a lifeline for its members and still exists. In many ways, the Group became Eric’s family. Eric’s friends included members of the Group, the Labour Party, the MHA which supported Eric to live at home, and neighbours from his street. He was a good, kind man, and will be much missed.

Photo: Shutterstock

Eric Smith, aged 19, in his Tram Conductor’s uniform standing in his back garden

Local history

with Ken Burton

Hunslet Mills and Victoria Works

Hunslet

Mills are of considerable architectural and landscape value, the seven-storey twenty-five bay mill building which dominates the skyline of South Leeds and forms the major block of an eight acre flax spinning mill.

It is a structure that is very important not only in landscape terms, but also for its methods of fireproof construction. Inside three longitudinal rows of cast-iron columns carry early examples of ‘T’ section cast-iron beams which in turn support masonry floors.

This arrangement was probably designed by William Fairbairn of Manchester who in the 19th Century was a leading engineer and designer of mill buildings and was responsible for Armley Mill and Saltaire Mill. Who better then than him to design and build Hunslet Mill for John Wilkinson on land purchased from Sir George Goodman and built between 1838 and 1842.

John Wilkinson (1799-1856) was a flax spinner who came from an humble beginning to found the business of Wilkinson & Company. He built up a reputation for honesty and integrity and was remarkable for being a warm-hearted and

open-handed benevolent man who took the moral and intellectual welfare of his workers in his mills seriously. For the benefit of the workers he erected excellent schools, which he sustained in a state of great efficiency and at considerable expense to himself and his mills were generally considered models of order, cleanliness and arrangement.

In the early years the mill was beset by troubles of every description. A strike in 1847, at this time he employed 1,500 women flax reelers. There was severe gale damage in 1850; this was followed by a serious cholera outbreak in 1854 and then the death of John Wilkinson in 1855.

Liberalism were John Wilkinson’s politics he was a Borough Magistrate and was twice married. On his death on 12 March 1856 aged 57 years at his home in Gledhow Mount, near Leeds, he left behind a widow and two sons and two daughters, one of whom was married in May 1846 by Mr. Joshua Burton son of John Burton Esq of Roundhay. His remains were interred in the Woodhouse Cemetery near Leeds.

There were two major fires

one in 1865 and another in 1866 this was then followed by bankruptcy of the firm in 1867. Despite all these setbacks the company made considerable achievements as its 1,000 workers processed some 2,000 tons of flax and 1,040 tons of tow each year.

In 1868 the mill was occupied by a firm of linen manufacturers called Richard Buckton & Son. The next owners of Hunslet Mills were Oldroyd, Blakey & Latta (later to be called Oldroyd & Son) who used it to manufacture blankets and who, about 1900 were producing up to 1,000 pairs each day. OE Dodgson as Dodgson & Hargreaves also began to manufacture blankets in part of the Mills from the mid-1920s, continuing to weave blankets here until 1966 when it closed. Of the remainder of the Hunslet Mills it was let out in units to companies like Chadwick Brothers, woollen manufacturers in the years 1930-37, Mellish, Richardson & Company, woollen manufacturers also covering the period 1930-37, Cohen & Company (later Northern Machine Screws Limited) screw makers, 1906-1913, Goodby’s Limited, engineers, 1910-13,

William Gott, builders, 19051940, The Eureka Boiler Composition Company (later to be called Chadwick Brothers Eureka Oil Works) covered the time 1914-24, our next businesses are Broadhead & Conyers, leather merchants, 191013, William Jackson, leather merchant and boot maker, 1905-18. In the late 1970s and early 1980s a Company called Exhaust & Brakes that sold vehicle parts had a store at the mill. All the above is a good example of how such a huge building could be used to house so many different trades after their original owners had gone out of business.

Victoria Works fronting on to Goodman Street was constructed for WB Holdsworth between the years 1835-38. Holdsworth already had a mill in Lands Court before moving to the open fields, probably owned by George Goodman and by 1840 there was a building on this site. The Works were occupied by tailoring company called Botterill & Senior from the early 1930s and later owned by a firm of ironmongers called RH Bruce before they moved out in the early 1970s.

Part of the mill was demolished in 1986 but the remaining part became a Grade II listed building which was planned to be converted into 700 apartments but was left derelict. The complex was purchased by the developers Evans Property Group and Caddick Developments; however their development plans ultimately failed to commence leaving the complex derelict until the current developers JM Construction bought the site in the mid-2010s. In 2017 construction started to redevelop the mill complex, now called Victoria Riverside, into 356 apartments and completed in 2023.

Rationing after the war

by Hon Ald Elizabeth Nash

We all commemorated both VE Day and VJ day.

Older family members told me that for them the most significant was VE as they could go about their daily lives without the fear of being killed by enemy bombing.

Black-out curtains came down and streetlights came on. Trams and buses were lit.

Those families who had sons serving in the forces in Europe were relieved that there would be no further fighting.

But for those who had family members and loved ones serving in the forces in the Middle and Far East, although they had relief on VJ Day that the fighting had stopped, most did not see their loved ones for a further two years not only because of further ‘military engagements’ but also the lack of transport to bring them home.

Life at home in the UK continued to be a struggle. In 1946/47 the UK suffered the coldest winter with the most snow on record lasting until June! Almost everyone relied on coal fires for heating and some even for cooking and there was an extreme shortage of coal caused by the snow stopping deliveries.

Shortage of food supplies meant that wartime rationing had to be continued until 1953.

Eventually, even bread was put on the ration in 1946 and lasted for two years. I grew up during postwar rationing and I remember ‘National’ bread which had been introduced at the beginning of the war. The sale of white bread was forbidden.

National bread was made from whole wheat with only 15% strong white flour. It was very nutritious but post-war it was not the lovely golden brown colour of today’s wholewheat and granary breads. I recall it being rather grey in colour and unappealing. With the postwar shortage of wheat, oats and potato flour were added to it.

I remember the excitement when, for the first time since the war, it was reported that our local baker was going to sell Hot Cross

Buns to be made with white flour on a forthcoming Good Friday. I can remember the disappointment I felt when my mother came home with some. One could count on one hand the number of currants in them and nor were they sweet! In 1949, sweets and chocolate came off the ration and I have a very early memory of toddling along with my mother to our local sweet shop. The shop had been stripped bare by customers buying up the sweets. All that was available was a huge job lot of black and white sweets which tasted like a soft liquorice toffee and we were grateful to be able to buy a bag. The Government quickly put sweets back on the ration, where they remained until 1953. We usually had boring porridge for breakfast, which was sometimes enlivened by a small dollop of golden syrup. Although this was now off the ration after 1953, it had disappeared from the shops. It was possible that it had suffered the same fate of sweets, whereby every available tin had been snapped up.

I grew up in the Kirkstall area of Leeds, not in the populous village of Kirkstall but rather a mile away from it to the west of the magnificent Abbey in an estate aptly named ‘Vesper Gate’ at the side of the Abbey’s so-called west gate. I was determined to walk to Kirkstall to find a tin of syrup to buy. I visited every shop in Kirkstall of which, presupermarket days, there were then at least a dozen, including a Co-op. None had any syrup until I reached the last one, commonly called a ‘house shop’ - a small terraced house where a limited number of goods were sold from the living room. There, on a shelf, was a single tin of Lyons golden syrup. I joyfully bought it and almost skipped that mile through the Abbey park to home.

The Hunslet Mills complex next to the River Aire

Photo: Shutterstock

New exhibition at BasementArtsProject

by Bruce Davies

Justopened, or Darshan in English, is the penultimate show of 2025 at BasementArts Project, Beeston’s own art gallery.

In an era that is becoming consumed by the politics of identity ‘Darshan’ is about slowing down to reconnect with the essence of what it means

to be human. This is not about who we think we are but about who we actually are. In ‘Darshan’ the visual encounter with the artefact becomes a transformative experience for the beholder.

The work is by Jay Gadhia and the show runs until 6 October. Full details including opening hours are at: basementartsproject.com

The Great Middleton Park Show 2025 supports Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

by Victoria Ward

TheGreat Middleton Park Show returns for 2025 with an environmental theme of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, on Sunday 14 September from 1pm to 4pm.

The Show includes the traditional Produce Show, where anyone can enter a produce in a variety of categories including: Vegetables, Fruit, Flowers, Home Produce and Arts & Craft.

Get your creative side going with ideas from our website at show.fomp.co.uk where you will also find the entry form. Bring along your own plant pots and join our cress planting.

DJ Danny will be on stage where we have a great line up of music, dancers and games. For animal lovers, we have Donkey Rides, Birds of Prey displays and Ferret racing. Alongside those will be a huge variety of stalls and food vendors. Our park café will also be open.

The event is free to attend and all are welcome to attend. Our area has good access for those with mobility issues and

there will be parking for our disabled visitors. There is also parking available in our local area, but please park responsibly.

Volunteers are vital to the running of our shows and we are always grateful for their help. It’s a great way to build confidence and meet local people.

If you would like to volunteer to help with this show or any other events at Middleton Park, please see our website below for details. Any help, big or

small, is welcome.

We have a volunteers meeting on Monday 8 September at the Park Café from 6pm. You can enter your interest before then via our contacts page or show up on the night.

Get involved by either: Entering the Produce Show; Register as a volunteer (ranging from stewards, stall helpers, marquee attendants and many more); Attend with family and friends.

Here are just a few quotes

from last year’s show:

“Thank you for inviting us to this year’s Great Middleton Park Show. We had a great day and it was a fabulous afternoon with so much to do and see and get involved in.”

“Great variety of stalls and lovely different foods on offer.”

“It was so busy, lots of people stopping and speaking to us about groups and activities we offer in South Leeds. A lovely day and it was great to see everyone enjoying themselves.”

Take a virtual journey into a dance revolution

The new multiplayer version of In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats, from East City Films, is in Leeds, the only northern venue on the national tour concluding its 34-day run this month.

The highly anticipated new version of the internationally acclaimed, award-winning interactive VR adventure, which takes audiences back in time to the beginning of the Acid House movement and the creation of UK rave culture is presented as a shared communal experience for groups of up to four people.

The new iteration will take place at Leeds Testbed in Hunslet from 15 August to 17 September 2025, following a hugely successful 74-day run at the Barbican Centre, London. In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats is produced by East City Films and created by immersive VR artist Darren Emerson, with the original version funded by the BFI

awarding National Lottery funding and Coventry City of Culture Trust. The tour is jointlysupported by Arts Council England and BFI National Lottery Audience Projects Fund. East City Films also received funding from Innovate UK, which is all about helping innovative ideas to flourish.

The experience was created with extensive involvement of some of the leading figures of the Midlands rave scene at the time, including Coventry’s

legendary promoters Amnesia House.

Since its initial premiere in 2022, In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats has delighted and unified audiences globally with its nostalgic immersive adventure of finding an Acid House rave in 1989. With this new version at Leeds Testbed, presented in the first real warehouse space for this tour, East City Films pushes the technology even further to allow people to experience the

story together in the same virtual space. They can interact together, pass objects to each other, discover the rave together and dance together on a euphoric journey into the heart of a music revolution. Previously this was a singular immersive journey for one audience member to have on their own in a room with other people having that solo experience. Now audiences can share that journey in groups of four.

Following the Leeds Testbed run, the national tour will continue to Warwick Arts Centre in September and Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff in October.

The creative team behind ‘Beats spent time making the experience fully accessible to wheelchair users with a seated version and d/Deaf audiences with subtitles, Haptics (vibration), Access Packs, VR Explainer and scene descriptions and Touch Tour.

To further enhance the experience, East City Films has partnered with Woojer. Woojer’s innovative haptic vests will add to the multi-sensory journey, immersing users in a vibrant auditory landscape and enhancing accessibility for the deaf and hard of hearing community.

This collaboration aims to deliver an inclusive experience that resonates deeply with all audiences.

Tickets for In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats at

Leeds Testbed are now on sale here: www.testbedleeds.com/ repetitivebeats

Director Darren Emerson, East City Films said:

“East City Films is creating the ‘experiences of the future’. Experiences that take audiences on incredible journeys into the past to reconnect with our shared history and humanity.

“These experiences are leading the convergence of theatre, film, music, gaming and visual art to create epic adventures that audiences will never forget.”

James Abbott-Donnelly, Co Owner, TESTBED Leeds said:

“We’re proud to host In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats at TESTBED – not just because it’s a brilliant piece of immersive storytelling, but because it captures the spirit of a movement that shaped so much of what venues like ours stand for. Bringing this new multiplayer version to life in a real warehouse space, in a city with such deep rave heritage, feels like the perfect match.”

Leeds Testbed, Butterley Street, Leeds, LS10 1ES www.testbedleeds.com until 17 September.

Website: www.southleedslife.com

Email: info@southleedslife.com

Discover South Leeds history at Heritage Open Days 2025

This year the Heritage Open Days Festival, England’s largest festival of history and culture, has chosen the theme of Architecture, and events in South Leeds offer insights into religion, industry, sport and entertainment.

Leeds Civic Trust has worked with organisations across the city to put on over 100 events for the festival which runs from Friday 12 – Sunday 20 September 2025.

We’ve picked out some local highlights, but you can find the full programme and booking details at www.heritage opendays.org.uk

Middleton Railway – site of the first steam trains, an illustrated talk Moor Road, Hunslet, LS10 2JQ

Middleton Railway was where the world’s very first proper steam engines ran. Starting in 1812, the Leeds locos hauled 90-100 tonnes of coal into the city, we even have a bit of track from 1812 to show you. Staff will give an illustrated talk 10am, 12pm, 1pm and 3pm on each weekend of the festival. Although entry to the museum and the talk are free, you will need to buy a ticket if you want a ride on this, the world’s oldest continuously-operating railway.

Aire and Calder Navigation Heritage Walk

From The Corn Exchange, Call Lane, LS1 7BR

A walk along the river and Navigation to the Thwaite Mills area. It will include: a brief history of the Aire & Calder Navigation; the use of the Navigation and the river for transport through the ages; the regeneration of the dock area; the flood defences; Leeds Dock; local industries; and the former railway line. On Monday 15 September at 2pm and Thursday 18 September at 10:30am. Booking essential.

Visits to DePuy Synthes

St Anthony’s Road, Beeston, LS11 8DT

An opportunity to visit a historical manufacturing site in Beeston. The site has been here since the 1950s as a Medical Devices Manufacturing Facility, supporting the pioneering manufacturing of Charnley Hip Stem which has led the way for standards in Orthopaedics Hip Implants that are used today worldwide. On Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 September 10am-12pm, booking essential.

Heritage Pub Walk

The Adelphi, 1-3 Hunslet Road, LS10 1JQ

Join heritage pub enthusiast Jim Brettell for a guided walk round some of the city centre’s most popular examples.

Thursday 18 September, 2pm, booking essential.

Hunslet’s Rugby History

South Leeds Stadium, Middleton Grove, LS11 5DJ

From Union to the 1895 Northern Union breakaway to Rugby League, explore the 142 year history of Hunslet RLFC. In the Phoenix bar at South Leeds Stadium, you will find old Minute books, artefacts and lots of pictures and information. Learn about the triumphs of the first team to win All Four Cups, first team to have an American player, first team to have joint Lance Todd trophy winners, first to have tuning fork goal posts. See the Hall of fame, Heritage Certificates and Timeline. Browse the extensive programme collection. Friday 19 September, 7:30-9pm

Architecture and Faith Connections in Beeston –

Catherine Grove, LS11 6LU

Visit this splendid Mosque, built in 2018, and discover more about the faith, customs and culture of Islam. The tour will explain the symbolism on the bronze doors and the five floors used for prayers which have sufficient space to accommodate 1,000 people each Friday. There will be an explanation of the five pillars of Islam, the importance of the Qur’an and how it was revealed to The Prophet and memorised and written down.

Visitors are asked to dress modestly, head covering preferred but not compulsory and shoes to be left on entry.

Saturday 13 September 10am12pm with tour at 10:30am. Timed to allow link with GNNSJ Gurudwara; both sites can be explored in the same morning.

Architecture and Faith Connections in Beeston – the GNNSJ Gurudwara

78 Lady Pit Lane, LS11 6DP

A warm welcome awaits at this imposing Gurudwara (Sikh Temple), beautifully converted from the former Ringtons Tea

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF

Opera North in the community Opera North will be doing lots of creative work in partnership with communities in Hunslet & Riverside and Middleton Park wards over the next few years.

On Tuesday 9 September, 2:45-4pm you can sit in on a rehearsal by the string players of the Orchestra of Opera North at St John & St Barnabas Church, Belle Isle Road, LS10 3DN. This a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes of a professional rehearsal and hear some beautiful music.

This month they also start a series of monthly live music events at the Penny Hill Centre in Hunslet (Church Street entrance) LS10 2AR on Thursday 18 September at 12:30pm. Contact Jo.Bedford@operanorth.co.uk; 07960 856691

Roman Gladiators

The Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum exhibition continues at the Royal Armouries Museum at Leeds Dock. Film fans can strip back the celluloid to see how the real gladiators lived with exclusive access to the exhibition ahead of a special screening of the Oscar winning modern classic Gladiator on Wednesday 17 September (Gladiator II follows on 8 October) in the on-site theatre. Tickets £12 from royalarmouries.org/leeds/whatson/gladiators

Skelton Grange Open Day

premises. You can find out about the Sikh faith, its traditions, customs and culture, including a tour and refreshments.

There will be a tour of the building and an opportunity to ask questions. Sharing and equality are important aspects of the faith and this extends to food. You will be invited into the kitchen/dining area to sample the hospitality.

Removal of shoes and a simple head covering will be required. This event is timed to allow an earlier visit to the nearby Jamia Masjid Abu Huraira (mosque) and so give the opportunity to explore two sites and two faiths in one morning. Saturday 13 September 11am-1pm with a tour at 11:30am.

Bridges of Leeds

If you’ve followed Ken Burton’s local history articles you might be interested in this self led trail.

Bridges of Leeds tells the stories of our city’s waterways. Discover passwords and codes to unlock the history buried beneath our streets. A selfguided trail inspired by 'urban orienteering' running throughout Heritage Open Days.

There are also three online events this year:

‘From VE Day to DDA and beyond: Heritage and Accessible Leeds in 2025’; The Changing face of Cinema - a virtual walk’; and ‘Time Travel Through Place Names’. All three will be available to watch between 12-21 September.

For event details and bookings visit: www.heritage opendays.org.uk

Skelton Grange Environment Centre in Stourton is throwing its doors open for its annual Open Day on Saturday 6 September, 11am-4pm. It's a free event, with craft activities for adults and children, nature walks, willow weaving with Gemma, Circus Leeds and more! The café will be open for snacks, drinks and cake, and the wood-fired dragon will be ready to go with pizza. It's an exciting opportunity for the whole family to have fun together and explore the natural environment .

Skelton Grange Environment Centre is on Skelton Grange Road (over the bridge) LS10 1RS. Find full information and tickets at: www.tcv.org.uk/skeltongrange/courses-events

Slung Low presents ...

Slung Low has two shows coming up plus their annual end-ofsummer Ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee).

Treadlight Theatre presents a bold new interpretation of Beowulf, a wry and lively dissection of heroes, storytelling, and mythmaking. Not a direct staging of the epic. Instead, it offers a ‘battle of ideas’ through the perspectives of four storytellers in 800 AD. Over an hour, these four recount Beowulf’s exploits; from battling Grendel to defeating witches and confronting dragons. Wednesday 10 September at 7:30pm.

At Sea is a fantastical puppet adventure! An uplifting tale of a sailor’s triumph over darkness; Non-verbal, with stunning projections and music. A life-affirming family show for anyone aged 6+. Our Sailor is lost without their Heart Compass. Their quest takes them through Coral Reef, a Siren’s Lair, right to the bottom of the ocean. Will they ever make it out of the belly of the beast and find the way home? Saturday 27 September at 7:30pm.

But first, let’s dance! Join in and learn lots of traditional dances with live music from a Ceilidh band, as well as food and drink to keep you going! This is an outdoor event at Slung Low at Temple, 131 Water Lane, Leeds, LS11 9UD on Saturday 13 September at 6:30pm.

Pay-what-you-decide. Book at www.slunglow.org /shows. The Warehouse In Holbeck is on Crosby Street, LS11 9RQ.

Friends of Middleton Park

The Friends host a guided walk of Beeston Wood on Sunday 21 September. There’s lot's to see - a medieval boundary ditch; the route of the best tram ride in Leeds; a lost ice house; one of the largest historical mines in the woods. The walk starts from the visitor centre at 1:30pm, wear stout shoes and dress for the weather.

As is now a firm tradition, The Friendly Band, founded in 1868, finish off the Summer season of events. On the bandstand from 2-4pm on Sunday 28 September. The Friendly Band

Jamia Masjid Abu Huraira

Minute books and memorabilia at Hunslet RLFC

What’s On

Your guide to events and activities across South Leeds in September

Full contact details can be found in our online What’s On guide at www.southleedslife.com/events

Every Monday

Money Buddies

9am-12pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub & Library Tea and Toast

9am-12pm BITMO’s Gate, Aberfield Gate, LS10 3QH Parents & Tots Group

9:30-11am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Let’s Play! (under 5s)

9:30am12:30pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, LS11 6RD Women’s only Exercise

9:30-10:15am Beeston Village Community Centre, off Town St 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

1-3pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston, LS11 6JG

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)

10:30-11:30am Beeston

Community Hub & Library, Town St Story & Rhyme (under 5s)

10:30-11:30am Hunslet

Community Hub & Library, off Church Street

Bingo and Hoy

11am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid

Social Centre, Acre Road

MHA Lunch and Social

11am-2pm Arthington Court, Balm Road, Hunslet

Next Stop Cafe (for Hong Kongers)

11:30am-1:30pm Beeston Village

Community Centre, off Town St

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 Hunslet Nelson Women’s Rounders

6:30-7:30pm Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston NK9 Dog Obedience drop in 6:30pm Hunslet Methodist Church, Telford Terrace, LS10 2HR NK9 Dog Training Workshop

7:45pm Hunslet Methodist Church, Telford Terrace, LS10 2HR 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

Community Hub & Library,Town St 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

Every Thursday

Tots Group

9-11am Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle, LS10 3RR 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

Website: www.southleedslife.com

Kushy Dil (Bangladeshi Women’s Group)

1-3pm Building Blocks Nursery, Maud Avenue, LS11 7DD

Online Computer class

1-2:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road

Be Yourself Men’s Group

1-2:30pm Middleton Family Centre 256-262 Sissons Road LS10 4JG

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, LS11 9

Email: info@southleedslife.com

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

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, Coopers Field, 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)

8-9:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston

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

16 Guidelines To Life

10:30-11:30am Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck, LS11 9RQ

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

Hunslet Carr Residents Assoc

6:30pm Woodhouse Hill

Community Centre, LS10 2EF

Beeston Community Forum

7:30-9pm Beeston Village

Community Centre

Friday 5 September

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 6 September

Hunslet Cemetery Volunteers

10am-1pm Middleton Road

Coffee morning

10am-12pm Church of the Nazarene, Grove Road, Hunslet Autumn Gala

10:30am-4pm Middleton Railway, Moor Road, Hunslet, LS10 2JG

Skelton Grange Open Day

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

Sunday 7 September

Autumn Gala

10:30am-4pm Middleton Railway, Moor Road, Hunslet, LS10 2JG

Tower Works Street Fest

12-9pm Wharf Approach, Holbeck

Hunslet RLFC v Sheffield Eagles

3pm South Leeds Stadium, Middleton Grove, LS11 5DJ

Tuesday 9 September

Police Contact Point

10am-12pm Hunslet Community Hub and Library, off Church Street

Open Orchestral Rehearsal

2:45-4pm St John & St Barnabas

Church, Belle Isle Road, LS10 3DN

Wednesday 10 September

Police Contact Point

10am-12pm Dewsbury Road

Community Hub & Library

Police Contact Point

10am-12pm Ingram Gardens Community Centre, Holbeck

MHA Kurling

10-11am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston

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

Beowulf

7:30pm Slung Low’s Warehouse in Holbeck, Crosby Street, LS11 9RQ

Thursday 11 September

Councillor surgery

9-10am Gascoigne House, Middleton, LS10 4YA

Police Contact Point

10am-12pm Beeston Community Hub and Library, Town Street Forest Garden Action Day

12:30-4pm Belle Isle Parade

Friday 12 September

Hunslet Tenants & Residents Ass

6pm Involve Centre, Whitfield Avenue, LS10 2QE

Saturday 13 September

Middleton Makers Market

10am-2pm Middleton Park Circus Community/Reflections Cafe

10-12pm United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle

Hunslet RLFC v Toulouse Olympique

6pm South Leeds Stadium, Middleton Grove, LS11 5DJ

A Summer Ceilidh

South Leeds Community Kitchen

4-5:45pm Beeston Parish Centre (St Mary’s), Town Street, LS11 8PN

Wednesday 17 September

MHA Connie Crafters

3-4:30pm South Leeds

Conservative Club, Wooler Street, Beeston, LS11 7JH

Thursday 18 September

SEN-tastic

9:15-10:30am St Luke’s Church, Malvern Road, LS11 8PD

Leeds Baby Bank

10am-12pm Dewsbury Road

Community Hub & Library

Live Music Concert

12:30pm Penny Hill Shopping Centre (Church Street entrance) LS10 2AR

St Luke’s Tenants & Residents

6:30pm St Luke’s Church, Malvern Road, LS11 8PD

Friday 19 September

Police Contact Point

10am-12pm Beeston Community Hub and Library, Town Street

Saturday 20 September

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

Councillor surgery

2:30pm BITMO’s Gate, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle, LS10 3QH

Sunday 21 September

Guided Walk: Beeston Wood

1:30-3pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street

Wednesday 24 September

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

10am-12pm Cardinal Court, Beeston, LS11 8HP

Thursday 25 September

Hunslet Remembered

10-11:30am Hunslet Community Hub & Library, off Church Street, LS10 2NS

Friday 26 September

Beeston & Holbeck Councillors’ Surgeries

4pm Beeston Community Hub & Library, Town Street, Beeston

5pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck

6pm Cottingley Community Centre

Saturday 27 September

Holbeck Jumble Sale

10am-1pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, LS11 9RQ

Insight Table Top Sale

1-3pm Involve Centre, Whitfield Avenue, Hunslet, LS10 2QE

At Sea

7:30pm Slung Low’s Warehouse in Holbeck, Crosby Street, LS11 9RQ

Sunday 28 September

Star Rails

10:30am-4pm Middleton Railway, Moor Road, Hunslet, LS10 2JG Holbeck Together Sunday Lunch

12-2pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, LS11 9NR Book (0113) 245 5553

The Friendly Brass Band

2-4pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street

Monday 29 September

Outer South Community Committee

4pm Leeds Civic Hall, LS1 1UR

Beeston Hill Community Assoc

6:30pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, LS11 6RD

Tuesday 30 September

Police Contact Point

10am-12pm Hunslet Community Hub and Library, off Church Street

October

Wednesday 1 October

Police Contact Point

10am-12pm Dewsbury Road

Community Hub & Library

Police Contact Point

10am-12pm Ingram Gardens

Community Centre, Holbeck Greenmounts Tenants & Residents Association

6:30pm Rowland Road WMC, Beeston, LS11 6ED

Thursday 2 October

MEA Hearing Aid Clinic

10am-12:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid, Acre Road, LS10 4JQ

Police Contact Point

10am-12pm Beeston Community Hub and Library, Town Street Hunslet Carr Residents Assoc 6:30pm Woodhouse Hill Community Centre, LS10 2EF

Beeston Community Forum

7:30-9pm Beeston Village Community Centre

Friday 3 October

MEA Legal advice drop-in

9:30-11:30am Middleton Elderly Aid, Acre Road, LS10 4JQ

Saturday 4 October

Hunslet Cemetery Volunteers 10am-1pm Middleton Road

Coffee morning

10am-12pm Church of the Nazarene, Grove Road, Hunslet Beeston Repair Café

1-4pm St Luke’s CARES Shop, 246 Dewsbury Road, LS11 6JQ Jumble Sale

1-3pm St Peter’s Church, Belle Isle, LS10 3QN

September

Thursday 4 September

MEA Hearing Aid Clinic

10am-12:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid, Acre Road, LS10 4JQ

6:30pm Slung Low’s Warehouse in Holbeck, Crosby Street, LS11 9RQ

Sunday 14 September

The Great Middleton Park Show

1-4pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street

Middleton’s new pro boxer keen to represent all of South Leeds Theo Kenward wins again

Theo Kenward from Middleton has won the Brazilian Jujitsu 2025 world championship.

This isn’t the first win for the youngster who attends Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy and trains at the AVT gym, having won the title in 2022.

Theo’s dad Wayne commented:

“He’s had a lot going on this year. He’s had some health issues and lost one of his childhood friends to suicide. So to even compete he’s a winner let alone winning all bouts and being crowned the 2025 BJJ world champion!”

Middleton boxer Kai Gale is delighted at winning his first professional bout and wants to be seen as ‘first and foremost representing South Leeds.’

Gale won all four rounds of his super middleweight contest against Londoner Robbie Chapman on an open-air show at Wakefield’s DIY Kitchens Stadium organised by Manchester-based promoter Steve Wood’s VIP Promotions.

“I felt great walking out into the heat to Hate It or Love It sung by rapper 50 cent. I was proud to have been selected for this card alongside other cracking bouts. This was my longest match yet. Good to meet a tricky, slippery and experienced opponent who did more than just defend himself. I proved I’ve mastered boxing fundamentals.

“It was an extremely hot afternoon for fighting. I’ll give myself say 7 out of 10. Kept leading with the jab and controlled the fight from the centre. I enjoy training and keeping fit. I’m excited to have another bout later this year and a central area title’s a reasonable ambition within a couple of years.”

Former Rodillian School pupil Gale recently completed four years in the Royal Engineers where he was selected for the Army boxing team allowing him to concentrate almost exclusively on the sport. ”I did some training as a teenager,” said Gale, “had a few bouts but really got into it as a soldier. I’ve matured. I’m disciplined in training. This is the perfect time to have joined the professional ranks.”

Gale is the son of 1990s light heavyweight Michael Gale who

won 21 of 26 professional bouts. “I was in and out of the sport as a child but didn’t have a bout until I was in my midteens. In total I have won twelve matches and lost just one. My story’s the same as for many lads. I could’ve gone down the wrong path. Boxing saved me.

“In the present climate with increasing knife crime young people should be encouraged to sort out issues in the controlled atmosphere of the boxing ring and better still concentrate on a sport which stops trouble starting in the first place. I’d be happy to be a role model demonstrating the benefits of boxing.

Cross Flatts FC represents Beeston on the international stage

Cross Flatts FC, a grassroots football club based in Beeston recently returned from a proud and memorable trip to Paris where the team competed in an international exhibition match.

The tour was more than just football — it was a celebration of community spirit, unity, and the positive impact sport can bring to deprived and diverse communities.

The team, which is part of Hamara Healthy Living Centre, was joined in Paris by

delegates from the North of England who travelled to support the players and represent the broader community network that Cross Flatts FC proudly belongs to.

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to our official sponsor, 360 Fit Performance, and its owner Divesh Patel, whose support was instrumental in helping us turn this dream into a reality.

Club Chairman Jonir Ali shared the following message: “This trip was a milestone for

Cross Flatts FC. It’s not just about football — it’s about giving people purpose, building character, and creating opportunities for young people in Beeston.

“We are proud to have represented our city and community on an international platform, and this is just the beginning. Thank you to all the players, management, guests, and supporters who made this happen. We’re already looking ahead to the next one.”

The Paris tour brought

together people of all ages and backgrounds, creating lifelong memories, strengthening team bonds, and giving our players a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It demonstrated what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared goal. This success reflects the growing influence of community football in shaping positive futures. It has also sparked new ambitions, and Cross Flatts FC is already in the early stages of planning another international fixture.

“I’m managed by Michael Marsden who also coaches me his gym in Rothwell, Bodymania. It’s about a 10k run there and back most days so that deals with the running, roadwork as boxers call it. Michael commended me for a ‘great learning fight.’ My eventual ambition is a twelve round championship fight, the ultimate test of skill, endurance and bravery. I’m not particularly a religious person but I am a believer and have a verse from the Bible book of Joshua on my shorts reminding me constantly to be strong and courageous which is excellent advice for a boxer.”

Gale is now preparing for his

second professional fight to take place on Leeds promoter Mark Bateson’s Doomsday show at Elland Road on 10 October. All elite athletes need to develop a fanbase. “I sold about eighty tickets to my first fight and I’m grateful for all the support. As far as I’m aware I’m the only active professional boxer in South Leeds. I’m grateful to Tony Exley of Tex Services in Leeds for his company’s sponsorship which has been invaluable in my preparation camp. I’d be grateful for more sponsors and if interested please message me on Facebook Kai Gale or Instagram @kai.gale123 or email kaigale1234@gmail.com

Brazilian Jujitsu world champion Theo Kenward

Photo: VIP Boxing Promotions

Festival of rugby a great success

by Jeremy Morton

Over 1,100 youngsters from right across the north of England converged on Middleton over the weekend of 2-3 August for a rugby league youth tournament.

The event was organised by Hunslet Rugby Foundation (HRF) and held at Nutty Slack, the home of Leeds Corinthians RUFC. As well as the rugby, there were games, stalls, inflatables and a barbecue.

The pitches were surrounded by club gazebos and the children urged on by supportive parents.

John Moran from Liverpool Lions rugby league club said:

“We’ve not been to this tournament before, but we were invited at the start of the year and decided to come and try something new. It’s good, we’re enjoying it. We’ve brought over about 25 kids today from our under 9s and

under 11s teams, we’ve four teams at the club with over 100 kids playing regularly.

“Tournaments like this are

great. They bring all the kids together and give them a chance to play. We brought these boys and girls together to

Leeds Thai boxers showcase skills at festival

by James Bovington

Fightersfrom the MSA gym in Beeston showed their skills at the two-day Magic of Thailand Festival in Manchester.

The event was one of a number held in various locations this summer promoting the culture, food and sport in the south-east Asian nation of over seventy million people.

“We put on what was hopefully an exhilarating display of Thai Boxing, or Muay Thai,” said chief coach Rafal Wrzeszcz known as Kru Rafal, “and Muay Boran meaning ‘ancient boxing.’

Whereas Muay Thai is essentially a sport, Muay

Boran is a more traditional martial art with a focus on self-defence and includes fighting techniques and practices used by Thai warriors in combat.”

“Our coach Kru Rafał demonstrated Krabi Krabong,” stated Gracjan Krupski, 18. “These terms refer to the principle weapons the cutlass and the staff. My part was doing the wai kru which is a traditional Thai dance done before a fight starts.

Kamil Fornalski and I then acted out a Muay Boran fight showcasing traditional fight skills and techniques. This event has given our gym extensive publicity and strengthened our connection

with worldwide Muay Thai organisations such as the IMTF.”

Well-known on the northern Thai boxing circuit and as a gloved boxer, Krupski has trained at MSA for six years which Rafal has led for over a decade. Muay Thai senior grandmaster Sken founded the MSA academies having introduced the sport to western countries over forty years ago. Krupski himself aims “to continue developing as a fighter following three weeks in Thailand in March as I start my science of sports performance course at Leeds Trinity.”

Krupski’s next bout against Bradford’s Kieran King takes place on Beeston promoter

One of the girls who plays for the Lions said she enjoyed playing, when pressed, she said the best thing was the tackling.

Chris Brown from Stanley Rangers commented:

“This is our third year at Hunslet Tournament, we love it, it’s well organised, a great day our for all the parents and all the kids, it’s very, very good.

“We’ve brought two teams today, 17 players. Each team has won one and lost one so far, we’re 50-50, we’re doing good, but hoping to win more.

“We play many of these clubs in the league, but it’s nice to play teams from far and wide –Warrington, Hull – if we can get better teams to play against, give us a test, we’re more than happy, we enjoy doiung that”

Logan, the captain of Stanley Rangers under 11s said:

play rugby and meet new teams that we don’t play every week, it’s a good learning experience for them.”

“It’s good, a bit tough, but we’re playing well together. I enjoy rugby, it’s physical, energetic and everyone’s nice to reach other.”

Michael Nuttall, HRF’s

Manager said:

“This is now our fourth community clubs festival and our biggest to date. We welcomed 103 teams from U8s up to the U13s. With the 8s, 9s, 10s & 11s playing on the Saturday and the 12s & 13s playing on the Sunday. The teams travelled from all over Yorkshire and Lancashire to enjoy the weekend and come in great numbers – it really was a special weekend with so many people in attendance.

“A massive thank you to all of the volunteers, sponsors, everyone at the Leeds Corinthians for hosting us and the special team we have here, I could not be any more proud of our team and what we have built with these festival weekends and long may it continue!

“The Sunday was more so special as it was the exact date that I celebrated working for the Hunslet Rugby Foundation for 10 years, having started here on the 3rd August 2015 as a 17 year old!”

The stars of tomorrow at Hunslet Rugby Foundation’s festival

Hunslet struggle through the summer

by Ian Pickles

Eight losses in eight games through July and August doesn’t tell the whole story of Hunslet RLFC’s summer of Chamionship rugby.

July started with a show of grit and determination against Bradford Bulls at Odsal. Holding the Bulls to 6-0 at half time, The Parksiders discipline slipped in the second period and it finished 34-0.

Hunslet had come close to beating Featherstone Rovers at their ground in June, but lost the home fixture. Trailing 0-22 at the break, they conceded another 12 points before Billy Jowitt dummied over for their only try of the game on the hour. But they collapsed in the final ten minutes conceding five tries. Final score 4-70.

Early scores for Oldham made Hunslet’s job harder the following week, but with Lee Gaskell back in the team, they pulled the score back to a respectable 18-10 at half time.

Two tries for the Roughyeds at the start of the second half moved the momentum back and although Jowitt scored on 72 minutes, Oldham won comfortably 48-16.

After a disastrous first 16 minutes at the Eco-power Stadium, Doncaster. Hunslet showed they have enough fight in them to chalk up a couple more victories this season.

The Parksiders trailed 22-0 and it looked like we were in for a cricket score, but some defiance and plenty of skill meant with 5 minutes to go Hunslet trailed by only 28-24

and could have won the match.

Tries came from Lloyd McEwan-Peters (2), Jack Rampton, Mackenzie Turner and Billy Jowitt. But Doncaster had the final say, scoring again to win 34-24.

Hunslet slumped to another large home defeat to table topping York Knights yesterday at the South Leeds Stadium on 10 August. The Parksiders had a raft of injuries and have had to take on loan players, and

although early on they made a game of it the quality and experience of York showed through in the end. 0-22 at the break slipped to 0-56 at full time. It was always going to be a tough ask today for Hunslet, but again the hosts fell off tackles in the latter stages of a home game.

Four second half tries in 9 minutes made the full-time score flattering for Halifax Panthers as Hunslet put in a

Hunslet Nelson win back to back cups

by A Finn

Hunslet

Nelson Cricket Club

have retained the Jack Hampshire Cup. After lifting the trophy in 2024, they went back to back at Lightcliffe CC against Heckmondwike and Carlinghow on Sunday 10 August.

A 7 wicket win resulted in captain Jack Scanlon lifting the cup for the second year running. Chairman Anthony Ryder was delighted and had this to say:

"The 2025 final was a lot more plain sailing than the previous year at Liversedge. Nelson lost the toss and Heckmondwike and Carlinghow elected to bat on what looked a good batting

surface. Skipper Scanlon wasn't too disappointed in bowling, after chasing in many key matches in recent years."

'Hecky' started well scoring at 6 an over and reaching 70-0 until Alastair Finn made the breakthrough. They then moved to 90, before the introduction of Sam Thewlis changed the game. His spell of 5 for 28, resulting in him picking up the man of the match, led to Heckmondwike crumbling to 168 all out. He was brilliantly supported by his spin partner Matthew Varley, who returned after his opening spell to pick up three key wickets. Josh Morris picked up the final wicket of the innings. It was a brilliant team effort in the field with some key catches

made at crucial points in the innings.

Many spectators at halfway believed Nelson would cruise to victory. They were correct thanks to some very good contributions from Jack Scanlon at the top of the innings with 35. Andrew McIntosh was at his fluent best with a well made 40. Then Sam Thewlis, 39 not out, and Omar Aziz, 34 not out, put on a brilliant 70 run partnership to lead 'Nelly' to a 7 wicket victory. This led to celebrations from the Nelson following on the boundary and players on the balcony. Many hours of hard work had paid off!

The achievement highlights the progress made by the club, who also reached two other

spirited performance at Odsal, Bradford on 17 August.

There had been nothing in it in the first half. As a Hunslet team with loanees and players out of position gave an out of sorts Halifax a good game. It was always going to be an uphill task against Halifax, but at times Hunslet were the better side and certainly in the first half Halifax were there for the taking. Final score 48-10, Rampton and Jowitt scoring for

The Parksiders. Hunslet suffered another frustrating home defeat, this time to Batley Bulldogs at the South Leeds Stadium on 24 August.

The Parksiders were victorious back in April at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium, but Batley held firm to early Hunslet pressure and hit back to run out easy winners.

It was a game Hunslet Head Coach Kyle Trout would have

senior finals this year. It is a club heading in the right direction with many more trophies hopefully in future seasons.

marked down as a possible win, but Hunslet’s home form this season has been poor, and after conceding just after the break Hunslet’s confidence went and the visitors piled on more misery for the home faithful.

Liam Carr scored on the hour, but it was too little, too late. Full time: 6-40.

By the time Hunslet travelled to Widnes on 31 August it had been announced that major changes were being made to the structure of the Championship and League 1. With Super League expanding to 14 clubs, the Championship and League 1 are to be merged next season, meaning there will be no promotion and relegation between the two divisions.

Sitting bottom of the Championship with just two wins and 4 points and no super 8 playoffs, Hunslet have little to play for except pride.

They certainly showed that pride at the DCBL Stadium holding Widnes Vikings to 10-6 at half time with a try from Finley Balback. Widnes scored twice soon after the break to take a commanding lead, stretching to 34-6 on the hour.

But The Parksiders kept fighting and Zach McSwiney went over from dummy half in the 68th minute. The game ended 40-12.

Hunslet finish their season with two home games, against Sheffield Eagles, who they beat in May, on Sunday 7 September; and Toulouse under the lights on Saturday 13 September at 6pm.

You can read full match reports of every Hunslet match at southleedslife.com

For more information about Hunlset Nelson Cricket Club, including regular Saturday openings and upcoming cricket fixtures, please visit www.hunsletnelson.playcricket.com

Jack Rampton breaks through the York defence. Photo: Craig Irvine

Cup winners Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club. Photo: Ray Spencer