South Leeds Life 124 November 2025

Your FREE community newspaper Issue 124 | November 2025

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

NEW PITCH WILL DRIVE AMBITION

Hunslet Club gives youngsters the opportunity to reach their full potential

by Jeremy Morton

The Hunslet Club officially opened its brand-new £1.2 million 3G sports facility on 6 October, which also saw the renaming of Hunslet Oval as The Hunslet Club Sports Village.

The facility has been funded through the Football Foundation’s Lionesses Fund –a national investment programme designed to boost women’s and girls’ participation in sport. It is one of just 30 sites across the country selected to receive this funding, recognising the club’s commitment to providing inclusive, high-quality sporting opportunities for all young people.

The new 3G pitch will not only transform football opportunities for girls and women in South Leeds but will also enhance community access to year-round sport, training, and development session for all young people in the area.

Hunslet Club CEO, Dennis Robbins, said:

“Our aim at the club is to raise expectations and give young people the best facilities that we can give them, for them to thrive, for them to reach their full potential.”

The grand opening was

attended by The Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Ed Anderson, along with Hunslet legends Peter Swan and Jason Robinson, who joined club members, families, and supporters to celebrate the milestone.

Jason Robinson, who achieved in both codes of rugby and is the only Englishman to

score in a World Cup Final, spoke about walking to club from Leek Street Flats as a youngster:

“I was one of those kids who didn’t really have a lot of ambition. I never knew my father (we met when I was 36) my mum was a cleaner and I struggled. I didn’t have any confidence; I couldn’t look

anybody in the eye and didn’t know where I was going. But what this club is great at is accepting everybody with open arms.

I had a go at lots of different sports at the club: football, boxing, but I couldn’t fight, so I ran around on the rugby pitch. It became a safe space for me and it built my confidence over

the years.”

“The club is all about getting the best for the kids that don’t have the most. Why just give them stuff that’s just adequate? Give them the best because there’s so much talent on these streets.”

Leeds United Women’s Abi Lee joined Jason Robinson to cut the gold ribbon, marking the official opening of the state-of-the-art facility.

Following the ceremony, young members of The Hunslet Club flooded onto the pitch to showcase a range of activities, from football and rugby to multi-sport games, highlighting the wide variety of opportunities now available on site.

“This investment is a gamechanger for South Leeds,” said Ryan Grant, Director of Business & Education at The Hunslet Club. “It’s about giving every young person –especially girls – the chance to get involved, be active, and thrive in a safe, inclusive environment. We’re incredibly proud to be part of this national movement.”

The Football Foundation’s Lionesses Fund aims to level the playing field by improving access to grassroots facilities and increasing female participation in football across the UK.

Children swarm onto the pich after Jason Robinson and Abi Lee cut the ribbon

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

28 Back Burton Terrace, Leeds, LS11 5JH

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However, if you feel we have breached the code in any way and wish to make a complaint, please submit your complaint, in writing to the editor.

A copy of our complaints policy is available via our website at southleedslife.com/complaintsprocedure, or on request.

‘New Town’ for South Bank could bring 13,000 new homes

LeedsSouth Bank, the former industrial areas of Holbeck and Hunslet, could be designated a ‘New Town’ under plans announced by the government.

If the plans go ahead, it could see 13,000 homes built in the area, with a target of 20% being ‘affordable’ and a further 20% being social lets.

The area hasn’t been defined in detail, but is described as being “bookended by cultural anchors with the Royal Armouries Museum to the east and the historic Temple Works, potential future home of the British Library North on its western side.”

Leeds is one of 12 sites across England selected by the New Towns Taskforce and in its response to their report the government has said that South Bank is one of three that “look most promising.”

In Leeds’ favour is a strong economy, the forthcoming mass transit tram scheme and a shortage of housing in the city. One of the problems in the South Bank is that many sites are unviable commercially so some form of capital funding will be necessary.

There is much to be decided on yet, but the taskforce recommends that each New Town is led by a

Development Corporation that has powers to assemble land, ensure infrastructure is in place and direct developments.

It also says that the they must be backed by government across Whitehall and by the local authority.

Councillor James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council, said:

“We welcome the government’s announcement that the South Bank

will form part of the New Towns deal.

“This investment clearly recognises the major role Leeds has to play in addressing the economic and housing challenges faced across the country. We see this as a powerful vote of confidence in our city’s ambition and potential, and a perfect complement to the major public investments we have already secured through working closely

with partners in central government and with the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin.

“We look forward to seeing the proposals for South Bank develop further as we work closely with the government on the detail, whilst progressing our existing plans and allowing us to continue to drive forward the delivery of new homes and jobs, and to regenerate neighbourhoods right across the city.”

The decision of which New Towns to progress first is expected in Spring 2026.

You can read the full New Towns Taskforce report at bit.ly/NewTowns

Over 180 brand new shared ownership homes launch in Leeds this year

Points

Cross, is set to launch 183 new, shared ownership homes in Leeds city centre, available to reserve from this month.

Built on Hunslet Road, beside Leeds Dock and within walking distance of Leeds Station and Crown Point Shopping Centre, Points Cross is offering a mix of one, two- and three-bedroom apartments and duplexes that are strategically located near travel connections and a host of amenities, including, bars, restaurants and activities.

Brought to market by Guinness Homes, the development offers shared ownership, a government funded scheme which offers a more affordable way to get onto the property ladder than buying on the open market, often only requiring a 5% deposit of the share value.

Luke Wilkinson, Sales Manager for Guinness Homes’ Points Cross development, said: “Points Cross is a game changer, as shared ownership has never been offered on such a scale in the city before. It’s a well-established tenure in the South of England, which has helped thousands to buy a share in a home, so it’s a privilege for Guinness Homes to bring brand new, shared ownership homes to a city as busy as Leeds and with a saturated housing market.

“We believe no one should have to forgo their dream of getting on the property ladder, which is why Points Cross’ residents will be able to enjoy the convenience of city living without compromising on location, quality, space or affordability.”

With shared ownership properties, buyers can purchase a share of a home, typically between 25% and 75%, paying a mortgage on this portion, while subsidised rent is paid on the remaining share, along with a service charge. Many lenders offer products requiring just a 5% deposit, which helps to make the apartments financially accessible to more people.

Wilkinson, continued: “Points Cross presents an ideal opportunity to embrace a vibrant city lifestyle or continue enjoying the one you love, while taking that important first step onto the property ladder. We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone to explore Points Cross for themselves.”

Each apartment comes fully fitted with contemporary finishes, modern white goods, open plan living areas and a private terrace or balcony, perfect for entertaining or relaxing in a haven away from the bustling city at the end of

the day. Prices to be released upon launch, with homes from a 30% share of ownership.

Points Cross will be hosting a virtual, educational workshop on 14 October 2025 at 12pm discussing how prospective homeowners can

purchase their own home through shared ownership. The ‘Getting Leeds on the Ladder’ workshop will give all buyers all the tools they need with the Points Cross team on hand to answer any questions. To book a place on the webinar or a consultation, get in contact with the team via email at pointscross@guinness.org.uk or by phone on 01273 974 836. For more information, visit the Points Cross website at bit.ly/PointsCross

Building at scale: CITU’s Climate Innovation District is highlighted in the report

White Rose shines a spotlight on local heroes

White Rose Shopping Centre has celebrated some of Leeds’ most inspiring individuals and organisations at its annual Community Awards, which recognise grassroot leaders, dedicated volunteers, and life-saving specialists who make a real difference.

This year’s Community Awards, honouring the incredible local people working hard to benefit their community, were awarded last month.

Here are just a few of the 2025 winners including: Sunjeeda Hanif, Founder and Director of Women’s

Whispers, who has spent five years providing a vital lifeline for women in crisis, offering practical support, safe spaces, and compassion that has helped countless women rebuild their lives.

Mark Hodgkinson, a devoted volunteer of more than 20 years, who mentors young

people through groups such as Space and Kidz Klub, organises community events including the Lantern Festival, and fundraises tirelessly to create opportunities for local families.

Dennis Robbins, CEO of The Hunslet Club, who has grown the organisation to nearly

4,000 members, expanding access to sports, arts, and youth sessions – including free SEN and youth club activities, making the club a vital community hub.

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

“South Leeds is home to

many inspiring individuals and organisations, and it’s an honour to celebrate their passion, care, and commitment through our Community Awards. Each winner has made an incredible difference to the lives of others, and we’re proud to recognise their impact.”

A grand celebration of unity, diversity, and light

The Leeds Connect Community illuminated Leeds with a dazzling Diwali 2025 celebration on Sunday 12 October at Aria Suites, bringing together over 300 guests from across the region to celebrate the Festival of Lights in the true spirit of inclusivity, cultural pride, and togetherness.

Leeds Connect is a community-led initiative based in South Leeds City Centre, dedicated to fostering unity and connection through cultural events, networking opportunities, and community projects. With a mission to promote inclusivity and unity in diversity, Leeds Connect continues to bring people together, celebrating the rich multicultural fabric of Leeds and has plans to host some more programs in the near future.

Celebrated one week ahead of Diwali, the event beautifully set the festive tone across Leeds and West Yorkshire. With vibrant performances, heartfelt speeches, delicious food, and spectacular fireworks, Leeds Connect Diwali 2025 showcased the strength of community bonds and the beauty of unity in diversity.

This year’s celebration was

graced by Chief Guest Fatima Khan-Shah, West Yorkshire Inclusivity Champion, representing West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin, who was accompanying Prime Minister Keir Starmer on his official visit to India.

In her keynote address, Fatima Khan-Shah praised the Leeds Connect initiative, saying:

“Leeds Connect is a shining example of how inclusivity can be lived, not just spoken about. The joy, participation, and representation here tonight truly show how diversity strengthens the heart of our communities across West Yorkshire.”

Mayor Tracy Brabin and Councillor Helen Hayden conveyed their best wishes to the Leeds Connect team, commending their continued efforts in promoting harmony and multicultural unity across Leeds.

The event commenced with the traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, symbolising peace, hope, and the triumph of light over darkness. Hosted gracefully by Kosika Firke and Garima, the evening featured a lively mix of dance, music, and cultural performances by talented local artists, capturing

the spirit of Diwali through colour, rhythm, and community participation.

Guests enjoyed a Delicious Diwali Dinner, accompanied by snacks from Delhiwala, Akshar Supermarket, and Uyare, followed by traditional Indian paan by Indian Kirana to complete the festive feast. The night concluded with a

breathtaking fireworks display, lighting up the Leeds skyline as guests danced to the joyful beats of Diwali.

The Diwali Bumper Draw was another highlight, with the £500 first prize sponsored by Zeba Interiors, adding excitement and cheer to the evening’s festivities.

Abu Bakar, the Lead Sponsor

for the event, extended heartfelt congratulations to the Leeds Connect team, applauding their work in fostering community inclusivity and celebration year after year.

Behind the scenes, Secretary Manohar S and Treasurer Krupa S were instrumental in the meticulous preparation and smooth

execution of the event. Their combined efforts ensured every detail was in place — from logistics to coordination — making the large-scale celebration a seamless experience for all. The event received extensive media coverage from ITV, Rangoli Radio and Indian Press, each capturing the essence of Leeds Connect’s mission of “Bringing People Together.” Every memorable moment was beautifully documented by Adi Photos, who captured the warmth, joy, and colour of the evening.

Speaking at the close of the event, Suhas Pawar, Founder of Leeds Connect, said:

“Each year, Diwali reminds us that light triumphs over darkness — and what better way to celebrate that than by coming together as one community?

“Events of this scale are not without their challenges, especially in funding and coordination, but our dedicated volunteers and community sponsors always step up with generosity and spirit. Leeds Connect Diwali is not just a festival — it’s a celebration of belonging, friendship, and the shared values that unite us all.”

The Leeds Connect Community celebrate Diwali

Heroes all: the winners of this year’s awards

Landlord licensing scheme extended for Beeston Hill, Holbeck and Hunslet

Senior councillors have given the go-ahead to a scheme that aims to drive up the standard of private sector rented housing and deliver improved quality of life for thousands of people in South Leeds.

Proposals for the scheme –which will use a system known as selective licensing to more closely regulate landlords in a number of deprived local communities – were originally announced by Leeds City Council last year.

Following a major public consultation exercise and other detailed preparatory work, a business case for the East, South & West Leeds selective licensing scheme was presented to a meeting of the council’s executive board on 15 October.

Councillors at the meeting voted to endorse the business case and, as a result, new regulatory arrangements will come into effect in February next year.

All private landlords – with certain limited exceptions – will be required by law to obtain a licence for any residential property they are seeking to let in the area covered by the scheme.

Licence conditions will include ensuring the safe working of gas or electric

appliances, providing smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and keeping the property in a decent state of repair, both inside and out.

The scheme will cover parts of Beeston, Holbeck and Hunslet.

The green light for the plans follows the positive results achieved by two selective licensing schemes that ran in the Beeston and Harehills areas from 2020 until the start of this year.

More than 6,700 inspections and other visits were conducted by the council at privately-rented properties in those areas while the schemes were in operation.

Get protected with winter vaccinations

South Leeds residents are urged to protect themselves and their families this winter by taking up the offer of free NHS vaccinations against flu and Covid-19.

Vaccination remains the most effective way to reduce the risk of serious illness from seasonal viruses. Protection from previous vaccinations diminishes over time, and viruses can change each year – making annual vaccinations essential for those who are vulnerable.

People eligible for the free flu vaccination include those aged 65 and over, people who have a weakened immune system or long-term health conditions, and pregnant women.

This year, community pharmacies are now also able to offer flu vaccinations to children aged two to threeyears-old from 1 October, improving access and convenience for families across

the city. Parents are encouraged to take advantage of both GP and pharmacy options to ensure their children are protected.

The eligibility for the Covid-19 vaccination this autumn has changed and includes those aged 75 and over, people who have a weakened immune system, and residents in care homes for older adults.

Residents can check their eligibility and book a free flu or Covid-19 vaccination through their GP, local pharmacy, the NHS App, or the national booking service.

Vaccination helps ease demand on NHS and social care services during the busy winter period, with virus transmission expected to peak around Christmas and New Year.

For full details, to check eligibility and to book online, visit www.nhs.uk/winter vaccinations

Improvement work was carried out by landlords at around 1,430 homes where issues were identified, leading to better living conditions for an estimated 6,000 people.

Around 400 civil penalties were issued to landlords who failed to do what was asked of them.

The visits also gave council officers opportunities to identify situations where tenants were facing nonhousing related problems.

This in turn saw more than 1,900 referrals being made to partner agencies that could support people with health, financial and other challenges.

The police’s work to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour

was also regularly aided by intelligence and information gathered during the inspections.

Under the terms of the Housing Act 2004, however, selective licensing schemes in England can only run for a period of five years.

Income received from licensing fees will be ringfenced to cover the cost of running the scheme.

Councillor Jess Lennox, Leeds City Council’s executive member for housing, said:

“We are determined, as a council, to ensure that everyone in Leeds can enjoy the stability and sense of security that comes with having

a safe, warm and wellmanaged place to live.

“To do this, we need to focus on all types of housing –including private rentals, which account for a fifth of the city’s homes.

“Given the clear link that exists between poor housing and poor health, it’s our hope that this scheme will also have a really positive impact on the general wellbeing of residents in disadvantaged communities.”

More than 2,000 questionnaires were returned by landlords, residents and stakeholders, with a range of views – both supportive and critical – being expressed. As has been the case during consultation on selective licensing schemes approved in other parts of the country, landlords voiced opposition to the plans.

Commenting on the decision Cllr Paul Wray (Labour, Hunslet & Riverside) said:

“I welcome the return of the scheme and the benefits this will provide a significant number of my constituents across the ward.

“With such a significant number of the ward’s poorest residents living in poor quality rented properties, and the huge impact where this has on their health and life outcomes, this scheme is a powerful and important tool to transform the lives of many people.

“Although most landlords do the right thing, the last scheme found 80% of inspected properties were not legally

Wearing pink for breast cancer awareness

Nearly30 women from South Leeds gathered at Asha Neighbourhood Centre last week to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2025.

Asha’s Health Development Worker Tahena Ahmed provided information on breast care, the menopause, cholesterol and heart health to help raise awareness of women’s health and prevent potentially serious health conditions.

On a lighter note, participants also joined in some games and activities to raise money for Breast Cancer Now, the research and support charity which organises ‘Wear It Pink’ to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer.

Around 55,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK every year. It is more common in people over 50, but it can also

affect younger people.

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. A key part of its work is around health and wellbeing, helping to break

down barriers to healthcare and information.

Tahena said: “Events like these are important in bringing women together to raise awareness of health conditions that could impact them and their families. Potentially serious illnesses can be prevented, or their impact

compliant in some form or another. Some of these breaches were minor, but many put tenants at significant risk of harm.

“Many of the tenants in those properties were already extremely vulnerable and faced a significant power imbalance between them and their landlord when asking for repairs that were already required by law.

“The scheme also uncovered a shocking number of cases of modern-day slavery, abuse, and criminal conduct that would have otherwise not been found had the council not had the power to inspect the properties in question.”

Cllr Ed Carlisle (Green, Hunslet & Riverside) commented:

“Our communities are blighted by irresponsible landlordism, and landlord licensing is a reasonable step; there are many good local landlords, who actually agree. I’m glad that some of the local proposals were adopted into the final scheme.

“However, I still strongly believe that the Council could have designed a smarter and more affordable scheme; and I also think we should have made the case to national government for greater flexibility, to enable us not just to focus on individual homes, but to tackle systemic problems around waste (like flytipping) and crime.

“This would enable the project to be more truly transformative.”

reduced, if people know what to look out for and take advantage of screening programmes.”

Asha is part of Better Together, a collaborative project funded by Leeds City Council public health and involving St Luke CARES, Health for All and Holbeck Together. Through activities, events and individual support, the project aims to enable people from all ethnicities to receive the help which is right for them while trying to improve the overall health of communities across South Leeds.

Asha Development Worker Shazia Aslam added: “It was also a great opportunity for women to get together, share their own experiences in a relaxed atmosphere and learn from each other. Receiving encouragement from peers is often the nudge that’s needed and could lead to others carrying out selfchecks or attending screening which in turn could result in early potentially lifesaving diagnoses.”

Licensing scheme has improved properties and lives

Have your say on Beeston Neighbourhood Plan

by Sasha Watson

Beeston Community Forum has now launched a consultation on a Policy Intentions Document (PID) for the Beeston Neighbourhood Plan.

Following previous feedback from the community the consultation will help to shape the final proposed Neighbourhood Plan.

A Neighbourhood Plan is a legally binding document that determines how planning decisions will be made within a given community. It gives local residents the opportunity to have a greater say in the future of their area by prioritising what matters most to them when decisions are made by the Local Authority.

The Beeston Neighbourhood Plan titled ‘Let’s Make Beeston

Better’ sets out proposed policy on community, the environment, local business, Housing, Heritage, and transport. The objectives of the policy are as follows

– To protect and enhance existing greenspace and improve accessibility and safety.

– To ‘green’ and improve the look of the street scene, thereby encourage pride and a sense of place.

– To protect and improve the connectivity of footpaths and cycleways.

– To reduce the amount of through-traffic using the area as a route into the city centre.

– To protect, improve and encourage the use of existing community facilities, spaces and buildings.

– To support the provision of new community facilities where they are needed.

– To diversify the local shop, service and business offer.

– To secure high quality but affordable housing, which is appropriately designed, safe and accessible.

– To support the provision of housing which offers a choice of type, size, tenure and affordability.

– To encourage the sympathetic reuse of derelict sites and buildings.

– To encourage long term residency and social investment in the area by limiting new HMOs.

– To identify and protect important heritage assets in Beeston, particularly those at risk.

– To encourage new development to respect and contribute to local character.

The consultation on the PID is now open and will run until Friday 14 November 2025.

New path across former golf course opens

Anewfootpath across the former South Leeds Golf Club, now part of Middleton Park, has opened. The path was built following the decision to close the old cobbled path that ran between Cockburn School and its new 3G sports facility.

Designed with accessibility and year-round use in mind, the new footpath is more userfriendly than the old route, which had become isolated from public view. Unlike the old ancient path, which is still fully preserved for heritage purposes, the new route offers a safe, welcoming, and practical way for residents to enjoy the area in all weather conditions.

Some local people have praised the initiative, noting the positive impact it will have on community connectivity and outdoor activity opportunities.

“The new footpath is a

brilliant addition to our community,” said one local resident. “It’s safe, easy to use, and makes the area so much more accessible for everyone.”

A spokesperson for Cockburn School said:

“Cockburn School continues to be committed to enhancing facilities for the community. Their dedication has once again ensured that South Leeds residents benefit from modern, accessible, and thoughtfully designed spaces.

“The new layout also allows Cockburn School to secure its site from intruders, ensuring a safe environment for students while still maintaining public access through the new footpath.

“This project reflects a shared commitment to creating spaces that meet the needs of South Leeds residents while respecting the history and heritage of the area.”

Commenting on the new path, Alan Shaw from the Friends of Middleton Park said:

“The diverted Public Right Of Way (PROW) is welcomed in that it ensures that there continues to be a through route from Gypsy Lane west, that is easily accessible for all users and it opens up the land for use by all.

The view of the Friends was that there was no need for such an extensive and built path crossing that land but now that the work has been completed, we will seek to ensure that the path is used appropriately and accessible to all.

“We are also working with the local community and the council to ensure that the historic path (with its stone sets) that the diverted PROW replaces is maintained as per the planning permission agreed with the council.”

Following the consultation a final version of the Neighbourhood Plan will be created and sent to an independent inspector to ensure that it is legally sound before residents in the Beeston Neighbourhood area have an opportunity to vote in a referendum on whether or not it should be adopted.

You can find a map of the Beeston Neighbourhood area, the Policy Intentions Document, and the feedback questionnaire at beestoncommunityforum. wordpress.com

Alternatively, a paper copy of the PID and questionnaire can be obtained at Beeston Library and Community Hub, Town

For further information please contact beestoncommunityforum @outlook.com or visit us at our next meeting on Thursday 6 November at 7pm at Beeston Village Community Centre, Beeston

Street, LS11 8PN or Beeston Village Community Centre, Beeston Park Place, LS11 8DQ.

Park Place, LS11 8DQ.

St Mary’s church at the heart of the Beeston community

Photo: Cockburn School

Little Book Stop added to Beeston’s Play Patch

by Cllr Ed Carlisle

Octobersaw a new addition at the popular Rowland Road Play Patch: a ‘Little Book Stop’, a free mini library, for locals to pick up and swap books.

The mini library is one of 90 installed across the country, as part of a project by publishing giant Penguin Books to mark their 90th anniversary. The scheme saw thousands of applicants, but Rowland Road was one of the lucky winners.

Community volunteer Omar Mushtaq, who arranged it locally, said:

“Rowland Road Play Patch is such a brilliant project, bringing people together for play, adventure, creativity, food, events and more. This Little Book Stop will hopefully enhance the project: an opportunity for people to share stories, discover something new, and connect with others. Do come down, and get onboard.”

The volunteer-led Play Patch is open, at the back of Rowland Road Club in Beeston Hill (LS11 6ED), every Saturday

between 11am-2pm – and also available to schools and kids and youth groups. The space is open to all, for free. New

volunteers always welcome. For further info, find them on Facebook or Instagram, or drop into the club.

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Omar Mushtaq (left) and Cllr Ed Carlisle with the new Little Book Stop

Website: www.southleedslife.com

Email: info@southleedslife.com

2026 Hunslet Remembered calendars on sale now

Hunslet Carr Residents Association have once again produced their popular Hunslet Remembered calendar. As usual the calendar for 2026 features pictures of Hunslet in days gone by. The calendars are on sale now priced at £4 from Stephensons on Hunslet Road, The Gold Trader in the Penny Hill Centre, Hunslet Carr Vision Centre – Moor Road, Percy Wood Funeral directors along with The Engine and The Bay Horse pubs. These can be posted out for an extra charge by emailing hcra90@gmail.com

Diseased trees lining highways to be removed

Thousandsof diseased ash trees on private and public land have been identified as in need of removal due to safety concerns, particularly around highways.

The trees are infected with ash dieback disease or showing other defects, and if not removed they are at risk of collapsing on to roads, causing disruption and potential harm.

The council has used AI technology to locate ash trees along the highways, and their condition has then been assessed by staff on the ground.

Several hundred trees have already been safely removed and Leeds City Council plans to plant five trees for each one that is removed on council land.

The council has a duty to ensure that no trees under its control put people or property at unreasonable risk. The same applies to private landowners and trees on their land.

Details of identified ash trees near a highway, including their condition and any

recommended actions are now accessible to the public through an interactive map on the council website.

A dedicated web page also includes general information and guidance to help private landowners understand if they have affected trees on their land, even if they are not located near to a highway, what their legal responsibilities are and who they can contact for more support.

The fungal disease, which blocks water and nutrient transport, can rapidly weaken trees, leaving them brittle and susceptible to secondary infections, and will significantly alter the UK’s landscape and biodiversity.

Currently there are around 1,300 privately owned trees that require pruning or removal. Another 1,000 are on council-owned land and plans are in place to remove these.

The ash tree survey is ongoing and the map is being continuously updated.

Get information and to view the map at: bit.ly/diebackmap

Budgeting tips for Christmas Money matters with Leeds Credit Union

Christmas is on its way and it's clear that, for many families, finding extra money to pay for this year's festivities is going to be easier said than done.

The good news is that, with a little financial planning, you can make your money stretch further than you think. Here, Greg Potter, Head of Member Experience at Leeds Credit Union, presents his top Christmas budgeting tips!

1. Be realistic about what you can afford Christmas is only one day and it's not worth getting into debt for, so don't worry about throwing your family a dream Christmas with all the trimmings - stick to what you can afford.

2. Make sacrifices They don't have to be significant but, as the saying goes, every little helps. For example, if you stop buying a £2.50 coffee every morning before work over the coming weeks, you could save approximately £100 and add it to the Xmas fund instead.

3. Start shopping asap

Keep your 'people to buy for' list handy and if you see something suitable at a discounted price, buy it now.

4. Don't be a snob

Don't get the most expensive turkey, stuffing and gravy you can find, shop around for cheaper alternatives. Higher brand goods don't necessarily mean better quality and once they're on the table, nobody's likely to ask where they came from anyway.

The same goes for accessories like crackers and wrapping paper.

5. Only buy presents for immediate family

If money's tight, remember you're not obliged to buy anyone anything.

If you're determined to buy gifts for colleagues, friends and extended family members as well as your nearest and dearest, why not agree to a £5 or £10 cap on presents?

6. Get creative

Instead of buying presents this year, why not make them?

With some creative thinking, you can make yourself an abundance of great, affordable ideas anyone would be delighted to receive on December 25th.

7. Shop around

There are plenty of bargains to be had if you know where to look so keep an eye on ebay and Facebook Marketplace. If you're shopping in person, have a look in your local charity shop

Senior councillors approve changes to city’s children’s centres

and always remember to compare high street prices v online prices before making a purchase.

8. Sell to buy

Most of us have at least a few items we could live without so, if you've got anything you haven't used for a while, why not sell it and put the profits towards Christmas?

9. Keep an eye on Black Friday deals

Black Friday used to refer to the sales that took place on the Friday after Thanksgiving in America. Now Black Friday lasts for weeks and, thanks to online shopping, is available all over the world!

This year's event officially begins on Friday 28 November, but keep an eye on your favourite shops, their websites and Amazon in particular for information about pre-sale offers.

10. Plan your journeys now

If you're going to be using trains to get around over the festive period, book your tickets asap - discounted tickets usually go on sale around 10 weeks before the date of travel and sell out fast.

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

Senior councillors have approved plans for a major refresh of the city’s children’s centres to offer a modernised service maintaining Leeds’s position as having the largest network of any major city in England, outside of London.

Leeds City Council’s executive board met on 15 October to consider the outcome of a review into the city’s children’s centres to create a more accessible and efficient network which reaffirms the authority’s commitment that all families, regardless of where they live, continue to receive high-quality support and services.

Children’s centres deliver services including social and educational groups for pregnant women and parents and carers of children under five, breastfeeding support and baby hubs, guidance around training and employment as well as welfare and financial advice.

The changes are to these services and not to any Little Owls nusery provisin which might be located on the same site.

While Leeds City Council currently has 55 registered children’s centres, many are underused, single-purpose buildings and now exist among a range of other places where families can also access multiple services under one roof.

The review explored all sites to identify those which would be accessible, well-used, sustainable and cost-effective for the future and has been

subject to extensive consultation with families, staff and stakeholders.

Mirroring national trends, the city is also experiencing falling birth rates, with the numbers of people estimated to access children’s services anticipated to reduce in future years.

The review identified opportunities to offer support from alternative community spaces in convenient locations across Leeds – a proposal which received positive feedback during the consultation, with many respondents stating they were open to accessing services in sites such as libraries, community centres, schools and leisure centres.

The council will continue to operate 31 children’s centres in Leeds – more than any other core city in England. These will be divided into seven groups which align geographically with the seven ‘family hubs’, launched earlier this year, ensuring families receive more consistent, joined-up support on a range of issues.

In South Leeds New Bewerley (off Dewsbury Road), Two Willows in Beeston, and Middleton Children Centres will continue operating.

Following a detailed assessment based on local needs, building suitability –including whether nearby buildings could accommodate services – and consultation feedback, 18 children’s centres will close. These include Cottingley.

Six historic non-operational children’s centres – where

services are not currently provided – will be formally deregistered. These include City and Holbeck (Hunslet Hall Road), Hunslet (St Mary’s Primary School) and Windmill (Belle Isle).

A new funding formula has also been put forward, which ensures prioritised investment and targeted support in areas where families have greatest need.

The plans also include combining the continuing faceto-face support with a new and improved digital offer for suitable services – such as recorded workshops and online booking – to enhance accessibility for all.

The innovative service redesign provides the opportunity for the authority to achieve efficiencies and financial savings of up to £2.45m.

Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for children and families, said:

“Children’s centres in Leeds play a vital role in supporting families and with 31 proposed to remain, the city will continue to retain more centres than any other core city.

“These proposals will allow us to continue delivering core and targeted support, while modernising services and providing access through colocated provision in trusted community spaces.

“By aligning with our newlylaunched family hubs, we’re creating a more joined-up, citywide network that reflects how families live, work and seek support today.”

City & Holbeck Children’s Centre will be de-registered. Photo: Google

Email: info@southleedslife.com

Family packaging firm marks 40th anniversary with record sales

Afamily-owned packaging business has celebrated its 40th anniversary with a sales record – notching up over £1million turnover in a calendar month for the first time ever.

LVF Packaging, which today turns over £8million per annum and is based in 25,000 sq ft premises on the Hunslet Business Park in Leeds, was born in a garden shed back in 1985. Harry Coates and his son Nigel building a small vacuum forming machine as a project that was meant to keep Harry occupied following his retirement from Leeds-based games company, John Waddington’s – with the first business won being from Waddington’s itself.

40-years later, the business is run by Nigel’s son, Daniel and its products can be found on the shelves of virtually every leading supermarket chain in the UK, plus a plethora of High Street shops.

The company is also at the forefront of the sustainability

push by the packaging industry – with 100% of the plastic waste it generates during manufacturing being recycled; and 50% of its annual power being generated through its £700k solar installation, low carbon generation and 1.5Mw or battery storage. The business is also a strong advocate for plastic still being the best packaging material, championing for a joined-up approach to recycling to counter the scourge of plastic waste.

Daniel Coates, LVF Packaging’s owner and business development director, said:

“I wasn’t even born when my dad and grandad decided to build that first ever thermoforming machine in the garden shed. But I love that they decided it was a good idea, went ahead, did it and then somehow persuaded John Waddington’s to award them the production of its board game plastic trays. I definitely couldn’t see that happening

today.”

“To be at the helm of the business as we celebrate our 40th anniversary is a source of great pride for both me and my dad. Even more so when you consider that the business built by my grandad and him and still remains faithful to its initial aims of delivering exceptional thermoformed solutions with a real focus on the kind of excellent customer service we would always hope to receive from businesses we work with.”

LVF Packaging primarily supplies MAP (modified atmosphere packaging) and skin pack trays to protein suppliers for UK retailers, while also manufacturing packaging for confectionary, beverages and other retail gift packs. The company operates six high volume production lines, has 46 staff and does all its product development in-house and manufactures its own bespoke tooling. Its customer base includes a host of wellknown names from Morrisons to Lindt and Border Biscuits.

Leeds Credit Union launches £20 million campaign to keep Christmas affordable

LeedsCredit Union (LCU) has launched its largest-ever Christmas loan campaign, aiming to save local residents £20 million in interest charges this festive season.

The not-for-profit lender is encouraging people in Leeds to avoid costly doorstep lenders and unregulated loan sharks, which have recently been found to charge interest rates as high as 466% APR.

This year’s campaign builds on the success of previous Christmas initiatives and follows fresh feedback from members facing greater financial strain amid rising living costs.

To help families manage festive spending responsibly,

LCU is offering affordable and flexible loans ranging from £250 to £25,000, available between October and Christmas. Members can tailor repayment plans to suit their circumstances, ensuring access to fair credit when it’s most needed.

James Brown, CEO of Leeds Credit Union, said:

“Every year, our members tell us that Christmas brings added financial pressure, and this year those pressures are sharper than ever.

“By turning to Leeds Credit Union for support, our members collectively save around £20 million compared to what they might otherwise pay in high-interest loans. As a

not-for-profit organisation, every pound we save or earn goes back into supporting our members and the wider community.

“Affordable credit doesn’t just prevent debt, it provides dignity, stability, and peace of mind at a crucial time of year.” Applications for the Christmas Loan are open now via the Leeds Credit Union website leedscreditunion.co.uk or at local branches across the region.

Leeds Credit Union serves more than 37,000 members, offering savings accounts, personal loans, and financial education resources — all designed with the community’s best interests at heart.

Film premiere celebrates heritage and community in South Leeds

On Sunday 28 September community members, civic leaders, and cultural representatives gathered at Slung Low in Holbeck, for the premiere of ‘Bangladesh to Beeston – Our Story’, a documentary film produced by ISSE Ltd.

The film captures the powerful voices and memories of the firstgeneration Bangladeshi community who made Beeston their home, sharing stories of resilience, sacrifice, and the building of new lives in Leeds.

The premiere was attended by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Dan Cohen, the King’s Representative Deputy Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Major Stan Hardy, councillors from across the city, and respected community leaders, alongside the local families whose stories shaped the film.

Humayun Islam, Director of ISSE Ltd and producer of the film, said:

“It has been an honour to direct and

produce Bangladesh to Beeston – Our Story. This project ensures that the journeys, sacrifices, and contributions of our first-generation Bangladeshi community are remembered and celebrated. I am incredibly proud of my hometown Beeston and grateful to everyone who took part in this historic piece of work.”

An attendee, reflecting on the evening, shared:

“This film made me feel emotional and proud. It tells the story of our parents and grandparents who worked so hard to give us a future here in Leeds. It’s wonderful to finally see their voices recognised and celebrated.”

The event also featured cultural performances, plaque presentations to film participants, and a strong sense of community pride.

The film will soon be made available online for wider viewing.

The Lord Mayor cuts the ribbon on the new film

Photo: Shutterstock

Nigel and Harry Coates of LVF Packaging

Help researchers find better transport solutions

Researchers from the University of Leeds are looking for volunteers to trial new ways of using your car as they explore what kind of future transport systems can work better for people, business and places.

“People throughout Leeds have told us they’re worried about the number of cars on local streets but still need the flexibility a car provides” explains Dr Theresa Nelson.

“Our first experiment starting in November, Car When We Need It, is all about trying different ways of using cars for our communities. We’re looking for people in and around Leeds who are willing to have a go and tell us how it goes, and what else might make it better.”

There are two ways for you to take part:

We Share-Team up with • your friends, family, members of your community, teammates, community groups, or even work colleagues.

My Days-Take a break •

from your car and drive a shared community car dedicated to you 1-3 days a week

What’s involved?

Share or stop using your • car for up to 4 weeks

2 relaxed chats with our • friendly researchers

Use a simple app to help • us understand your journeys

What you’ll get out of it:

You will get rewarded for your time, up to £125 for sharing your experiences with us, and if you stop using your car for the duration of the experiment, up to £70 per week.

If you want to help us explore if sharing cars could be better for our lives and communities register your interest at: forms.office.com/e/ N3j39LrZmy or contact infuze @leeds.ac.uk

INFUZE is a community-led research project run by the University of Leeds, Lancaster University and the Royal College of Art, exploring how sharing cars could be better for our lives and communities.

Alreadya disabled youth voice representative and accessibility advocate, 15year-old Mikey J Marsden is standing for election to the UK Youth Parliament.

Mikey is a student at Cockburn School in Beeston and last year became ill with an incurable disability called Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS). PoTS is a dysfunction of the body's autonomic nervous system, which controls the things we don't think about, like food digestion, body temperature, and blood vessel dilation.

“When someone without PoTS stands up, their blood vessels dilate, meaning their blood stays in their brain, where it's needed, but when someone with PoTS stands up, their heart rate shoots up and their blood pools in their lower body, causing dizziness, fainting, and fatigue” explains Mikey.

“It also comes with a wide range of other symptoms like brain fog, digestive issues, temperature problems, and

chronic pain — making everyday life unpredictable and really challenging. Since my diagnosis of PoTS, I realised how inaccessible basic

necessities like education, transport, and healthcare are for people with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), so I joined the

Landsec,

owner of White Rose Shopping Centre, has announced a new partnership with leading mental health charity Mind to champion mental health awareness and support.

Mind is a national charity dedicated to supporting those experiencing mental health challenges by tackling stigma, improving access to services, and campaigning for positive change. With one in five people in the UK living with a mental health problem – and many struggling to access timely support – Mind works to ensure that no one faces these challenges alone.

Together, White Rose and

Plans

for celebrations to mark 400 years since Leeds was awarded its first Royal City Charter are set to be shared with senior councillors.

Next year will see Leeds reach the remarkable milestone, four centuries after King Charles 1 officially recognised the city as a selfgoverning borough, a decision which changed the course of the city’s history and laid the foundations for modern-day Leeds.

Leeds SEND Youth Council, Yorkshire and Humber SEND Youth Alliance, the NHS Leeds Youth Board, and even the ABRSM Youth Advisory Board, where I lead the accessibility focus group.”

Mikey now wants to advocate for young people with SEND as a Member of the Youth Parliament (MYP) and has won through to a six strong shortlist to represent Leeds.

An MYP is a young person aged 11-18, elected to represent their peers in UK Youth Parliament. MYPs advocate for the views of their peers by participating in debates, engaging with decision-makers, and campaigning for social change. They represent young people nationally, regionally, and sometimes even internationally, and meet at annual conferences and other regional and local meetings, including annual House of Commons sittings.

Voting opens on Friday 31 October at 9am and closes on Friday 21 November at 5:00pm and open to anyone who is aged 11-18 and lives or studies in Leeds.

The link to vote will be posted on Mikey’s campaign website at mikeyjmarsden.carrd.co where you can read his manifesto in full.

White Rose launches mental health initiative

Mind are encouraging guests to take moments to pause, reflect, and reset as part of a new mental health awareness campaign in the centre.

Throughout the mall, visitors will find thoughtfully placed artwork, including mirror stickers and selfie stands, featuring uplifting prompts that inspire positivity and mindfulness. The installations also direct guests to practical resources and information, both on and offline, about where to access further mental health support locally.

Andrew Berrie, Head of Corporate Partnerships for Mind, said:

“Our partnership with the

Call for city celebrations to mark

Leeds City Council’s executive board approved a report which detailed how key partners across the city are now working together to kickstart a programme of exciting events and activities aimed at capturing the spirit, creativity and culture of Leeds and its unique story.

Launching this November, the campaign will see residents, groups and organisations across the city invited to mark the prestigious

historic Leeds 400 milestone Disability advocate stands for Youth Parliament

occasion in their own way and showcase the best of Leeds and its vibrant and diverse communities.

Officially awarded to the city on 13 July 1626, the Royal Charter incorporated Leeds as a “free borough” and a “body corporate and politic”, the first step towards self-government in the town.

A glittering corporate mace, which is still displayed at Leeds Civic Hall and which is carried into each full council meeting,

was created by a local goldsmith and a seal was made which combined a fleece, to represent the wool trade, and an owl, which was taken from the coat of arms of the city’s first Alderman Sir John Savile.

Four hundred years on, organisations including the council, Leeds Civic Trust, Culture Consortium Leeds, Leeds BID and the Chamber of Commerce are now busy drawing up plans for what is set

Yorkshire destinations allows us to reach people in an everyday setting — reminding them that mental health affects us all, and that support is always available. The installations will help us potentially connect with tens of millions of shoppers at the centres over the next year, encouraging small moments of reflection and letting people know that Mind is here whenever they need us.”

Steven Foster, Centre Director of White Rose and Trinity Leeds, said:

“We’re proud to partner with Mind to help promote positive mental health among our guests. Shopping centres can

often be busy, fast-paced environments, so we wanted to create moments within the mall that encourage people to pause and take a breath.

to be a year-long celebration.

Currently in its early stages, the programme is expected to include exhibitions, commissions, events, cocuration with communities and social media campaigns.

Large scale events throughout the year will also be part of the celebrations as well as smaller grass roots cultural and community organisations, who will be empowered to get involved in the programme through toolkits currently in development.

Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said:

“This is a hugely significant and historic milestone for Leeds and an unprecedented opportunity for the city to reflect on our past, celebrate the best of what Leeds is today and look ahead to what the future may hold.”

Mikey J Marsden wants your vote

Traffic on the streets of Beeston

Email: info@southleedslife.com Website:

Middleton

Primary partners with Yorkshire Children’s Charity to support families

This term, Middleton Primary School has proudly partnered with Yorkshire Children’s Charity to provide extra support to families in our school community.

Together, they are helping to make sure that every child has access to the essentials they need to feel warm, safe and cared for.

Through this partnership,

families have been able to receive practical items such as coats, shoes, bedding and pyjamas. These everyday necessities can make a huge difference, especially as the

colder months approach.

“We know that times are challenging for many families,” said Mrs Tissiman Headteacher at Middleton Primary. “Working with Yorkshire Children’s Charity allows us to offer real, practical help to those who need it most. It’s about making sure every child can come to school warm, comfortable and ready to learn.”

Platinum standards for Cockburn Ingram Road Academy

Cockburn Ingram Road Academy (CIRA) are proud to have received recognition for their dedication to sport and physical activity.

Yorkshire Children’s Charity works across the region to remove barriers for children and young people living in challenging circumstances. Their support has already made a big impact at our school, and everyone at MPS are incredibly grateful for their generosity and care.

CIRA recently received the School Games Mark Platinum award. The School Games Mark celebrates a school’s commitment to competitive sport within their school

Practical help for families

Outdoor learning at Reach

Cockburn Reach Academy is proud to provide exciting, hands-on learning that nurtures curiosity, confidence, and practical skills in every pupil through their very own Forest Schools programme.

Learning in the natural environment helps children develop problem-solving skills and deepens their connection

with the outdoors. Pupils are taking safe risks, from climbing trees to constructing dens, while enhancing teamwork through a variety of collaborative activities. The programme also sparks creativity, with children designing beautiful leaf artwork celebrating the colours of Autumn, planting bulbs and

flowers to care for their environment, and creating maps to uncover hidden, “buried” treasure.

Cooking on open fires teaches practical skills and independence, giving pupils a real sense of achievement as they prepare and taste treats such as s’mores, pasta, fruit, omelettes, and more.

By coming together as a community, they hope to ease some of the pressures on families and make sure no child goes without the essentials.

This is something that the headteacher, Jade Millington, acknowledges as a strength of the school. “I am extremely proud that the school was recognised with the platinum school games mark award. Competitive sport and physical education help to

instill resilience and respect, which are two of the values of Cockburn Ingram Road. Our children certainly take pride in representing the school at an array of different sporting competitions and events” she said.

Elements Assemble – a new community hub in Middleton

On Friday 10 October

Elements Primary School in Middleton proudly celebrated the official opening of our brand-new Community Hub ‘Elements Assemble’ — and what a fantastic day it was!

The morning began with an amazing turnout from local community groups and businesses.

They came together to share information, resources, and opportunities available in our local area. It was wonderful to

see so many organisations connecting and collaborating to support our families and wider community.

In the afternoon, we welcomed our parents and carers to visit the hub.

They had the chance to explore all the information shared earlier in the day, as well as spend time with Mrs Waring our Learning Manager.

Everyone enjoyed a friendly chat over a cup of tea and a slice of cake while getting to enjoy our

wonderful new space.

The launch marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Elements Primary School, as the Community Hub aims to become a welcoming space for support, connection, and collaboration between our school, families, and the wider community.

This is more than just a room — it’s a pillar of our community, built to unite, inspire, and uplift. We want the Hub to be a space where everyone belongs, and

where help, hope, and new friendships can grow.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to making the day such a success — especially our local partners, parents, and supporters who continue to help us strengthen our community.

For more information or to get involved, please contact Mrs. Waring at the school Office 0113 532 7089 or email elementsassemble@elements primaryschool.co.uk – we’d love to hear from you!

Come and be part of something special – the heart of our community starts here. Everyone is welcome.

Assemblies to educate and motivate at CLCA

Year 7 students at Cockburn

Laurence Calvert Academy (CLCA) took part in an extended assembly delivered by Collingwood Learning.

The session featured a powerful and emotive performance titled Split Second, designed to raise awareness about road safety and the dangers of distraction near or on the road.

Through a blend of drama and storytelling, Split Second encouraged students to reflect on the real-life consequences of

unsafe choices and the importance of staying alert as pedestrians, cyclists, and passengers.

The performance was both engaging and thought-provoking, prompting meaningful discussions among students about responsibility and awareness in everyday situations.

Staff praised the session as a valuable addition to the school’s personal development programme, which aims to equip students with the knowledge

and confidence to make safe, informed decisions both inside and outside the classroom. Road safety is an essential life skill, and this performance brought that message to life in a way that really resonated with students at CLCA.

Year 10 students took part in an inspirational assembly led by George Fouche, a former international rugby player who has gone on to become a worldclass high-performance mindset coach.

As students have embarked

Year 8 Students acro CPR training as part

Laurence Calvert Academy, Cockburn School and Cockburn John Charles Academy took part in Restart a Heart week, engaging all Year 8 students in essential life-saving training.

The initiative is aimed at equipping young people with vital skills in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and saw students actively participating in hands-on workshops throughout the day.

on their GCSE journey, the session aimed to support them in developing the resilience, motivation, and self-belief needed to achieve their goals.

Drawing on his personal experiences and professional expertise, George shared powerful messages about overcoming adversity, maintaining focus, and striving for excellence.

Following the assembly, a selected group of students participated in an interactive workshop, where they explored practical strategies to apply these lessons to their studies and personal development.

The event formed part of the school’s wider commitment to nurturing students’ personal growth and wellbeing alongside their academic success. Staff described the session as an invaluable opportunity to equip students with the mindset and tools to thrive both in school and beyond.

Experiences like this are an important part of the personal development programme at Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy, helping students to build confidence, resilience and ambition.

The Restart a Heart campaign, supported by the British Heart Foundation and various health organisations, emphasises the importance of immediate action during cardiac emergencies.

Students learned how to perform CPR and the significance of calling emergency services, which can greatly increase the chances of

survival for someone experiencing cardiac arrest.

Hundreds of off-duty ambulance and fire staff and volunteers visited secondary schools across the region to provide vital CPR training to tens of thousands of students.

The ambulance staff are committed to making sure that pupils have the skills to save a life if they ever come across someone in cardiac arrest.

The event included interactive demonstrations and scenarios that allowed students to practice their newly acquired skills under the guidance of trained professionals. Many students reported feeling more prepared to help others in times of need.

The King was represented by The Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Major Stan Hardy. He came to commend the Yorkshire

Cockburn

The Lord Lieutenant addresses students at Cockburn School

Split Second: road safety awareness at Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy

Hands on CPR training at Cockburn John Charles Academy

Local organisations, businesses, parents and carers came together for the launch

Website:

Email: info@southleedslife.com

oss the Cockburn MAT received of Restart a Heart Day

Ambulance staff who spent the day teaching CPR to all students in Year 8 and to talk to the pupils about a boy from another school who saved the life of a veteran on Remembrance Day when he went into cardiac arrest. The Deputy Lieutenant praised the pupils saying how focused and respectful they were.

“It is important to learn how to restart a heart as at any time, any person could drop and you could then save their life” said Nicole, Year 8 student at Cockburn School.

“Learning CPR is a really important skill to learn as you can save someone’s life by doing it” said Oakley, Year 8 student at Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy.

Students at Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy

raised £100 on the day for the Yorkshire Ambulance Service. Sarah Ashton, Charity Officer for the Yorkshire Ambulance Service Trust said:

“It is wonderful to hear what an incredible experience your students had, and we are delighted they were inspired and learned so much on the day. We are delighted to learn you have raised over £100 for YAS charity, and on behalf of Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust Charity,

“I would like to thank everyone for their amazing support. Your kind donation will go towards helping us to continue to support our life saving projects across Yorkshire and The Humber including Restart A Heart Day in schools.”

CJCA’s U16s make their mark in basketball leagues

TheCockburn John Charles Academy Under16 basketball team has kicked off their National Basketball League campaign in impressive fashion, securing convincing wins in their opening matches.

After narrowly missing out on the championship title last year, the team has been training relentlessly, determined to go one better this season. Their hard work and resilience are already paying off, as they display skill, teamwork, and determination on the court.

Headteacher, Mrs Roberts, praised the team’s efforts, saying, “We’re incredibly proud of our U16 squad. Their dedication and team spirit embody the values of our school, and we can’t wait to see how far they’ll go this season.”

With momentum on their side, the U16s are setting their sights firmly on championship glory.

What a start to the season

Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Major Stan Hardy with ambulance staff and pupils at Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy

In our view

Community investment

The new 3G pitch at The Hunslet Club is going to be a massive asset for Hunslet and South Leeds. It’s not the only pitch that’s been built or is planned locally, but what marks it out is the organisation running it. Already it’s seen 400 young people using it on a single night. And the club has partnered with Leeds City College so that not only will it be utilised during the day, but youngsters will be inspired with a post 16 progression path. The Hunslet Club has an unrivalled ability to engage with young people and families, with staff and volunteers that ensure the longevity of those relationships. Wherever you stand on the question of the environmental impact of 3G pitches, this pitch is going to benefit the community..

Vote Mikey

Young people often get a bad rep, but what an inspiration young Mikey J Marsden is. Faced with a difficult, and incurable, health diagnosis many of us would cut down on work and pastimes. Not Mikey, he has thrown himself into campaigning for all young people with Special Education Needs and Disabilities to remove barriers and make sure everyone can reach their full potential. Now he’s standing for the Youth Parliament. He deserves our support, so if you know anyone aged 11-18 please encourage them to vote for him in the forthcoming election.

The December issue of South Leeds Life will be out on Wednesday 26 November

The deadline for submissions is Thursday 20 November

Your letters and comments

The Hunslet Club

It was a fantastic event yesterday opening our new 3G facility, amazing positivity about the project and the young people benefitting from it.

We invited all news outlets to the event but they all declined or ignored the invite with exception South Leeds Life. The story the YEP ran yesterday was about the damage to Glenn Juniors pitch, which was a dreadful act of vandalism which we deplore and feel upset for another great club.

What’s interesting about this is how the media look for negative stories rather than positive things happening in our community.

99% of young people are amazing, polite and kind. It’s a shame that the media is mainly interested in the 1%.

Let’s all celebrate the great things young people do and not focus on the bad.

Dennis Robbins, CEO The Hunslet Club

Cockburn path

The old path was beautiful and used everyday by photographers, dog walkers, people taking a short cut, Joggers going to the sports centre not to mention people enjoying the animal and insect life living in the. ancient hedgerows. Now woop de woo. a clinical path with no interesting features except the fencing separating the people of the area from the toxic fake grass football pitch that replaced the rewarded meadowland that once thrived there. How the school can say that the path now is better than what the people had before is beyond me.

Wendy

The new path was insisted on by the council and not by the school, and is important for the security of the school’s pupils as well as part of the planning permission for the new sports facilities at Cockburn – needed because, at the request of the council, the school took on an extra number of pupils thus saving many of them from having to make long journeys to other schools in other parts of the city.

As to the school not being an asset to the community. Cockburn is now one of

move on elsewhere.

Jan

Anon

New Town on South Bank

The South Bank project has been underway for some time now so how can this possibly described as new? Given that it is just outside the city centre how can it be a town, surely at best it can only be a suburb and even that is stretching things. If the council wants to do something about housing it should stop giving planning permission for yet more and more student accommodation and cater for people who are here 12 months of the year rather than just a few months. Whilst we are at it can we have a definition of ‘affordable housing’?

Stephen Taylor

It’s not really a ‘new town’ just a suburban area. I’d like to know what the affordable rents will be, will services like GP surgeries, supermarket and bank/post office be available for the

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

The New Towns Taskforce was set up to look at building homes at scale. In their report they say they have “considered not only locations for standalone new towns but also the expansion of existing towns and cities where a new, well-planned and wellconnected, community of scale could meet housing need and contribute to the drive for economic growth.”

Leeds South Bank has not been so much a project, but an identified large scale opportunity, which has seen a range of separate project come forward on different sites. The housing currently being built at Sweet Street West and Midland Mills is not student accommodation, but private rented housing. In fact the only student accommodation I can think of in the area is at Clarence Dock which I think predates the South Bank concept.

‘Affordable housing’ is a technical/legal term used by planners and developers. Homes England (the government agency) define an ‘affordable’ rent as 20% below the market rent. Given that market rents are so high, that hardly makes them affordable. That’s why I always put the term in quotes.

Jeremy Morton Atkinson Grimshaw

You need to correct this piece, Knostrop Hall wasn’t in Hunslet. It was actually over the other side of the river in Cross Green, it’s exact location was on Knowsthorpe Lane on the edge of

Keep up to

of the walls for the gardens can be seen on Knowsthorpe Lane close to the junction with Cross Green Approach. I grew up in the area in the 80s and it had a bit of a rural feel, the old riding stables between Knowsthorpe Lane and Long Causeway, the former farm house on Cross Green Lane by Easy Road, the remains of Knowsthorpe Hall and so on, even though it’s all in East Leeds, maybe you should do a piece on the area, after all you have done articles about city centre locations which clearly aren’t in South Leeds.

Michael Gaffney

I love Atkinson Grimshaw paintings –thank you so much Alderwoman Elizabeth Nash and others for ensuring some of his paintings are owned by the city.

Pamela Audsley

EJ Arnold

The original E J Arnold (Local History, July 2025) was my great great grandfather. I had no idea when I was at school that our exercise books were all linked to my family!

Penny Little

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.

the top 2% of best performing schools in the country, not just in Yorkshire, and the community should count itself fortunate to have a school which is so beneficial to the local children of south Leeds.

potential tenants? Hope long term residents are getting first opportunity to move in and not people who will live there short term and then

Cross Green Industrial Estate as if you’re heading towards the road to the sewage works. What is left of one

Knostrop Hall, Early Morning by John Atkinson Grimshaw

MP’s notebook

with Hilary Benn MP

Wehave all cheered on our Olympic Gold Medal rowers like Sir Steve Redgrave and Katherine Grainger - it’s a sport we are really quite good at - but did you know that there’s a rowing club in South Leeds that is both encouraging beginners to try out and aiming to train the next generation of champions?

It’s a wonderful story so let’s hear it in their own words.

“For many years Leeds was the largest city in the UK without an open rowing club. With a population of nearly a million people, the demand for a facility in the city was overwhelming. The club opened its doors to members in 2006 and has never looked back. Leeds Rowing Club provides a friendly atmosphere which can cater for people at all levels, from recreational to elite standard.

We are more than just a rowing club: we are a community. We have created a safe place where local youngsters can visit regularly; improve their physical health through rowing; improve their mental health by meeting new people; forging new positive relationships and being active with others; and learn new life skills such as leadership and teamwork that will help them throughout their lives.

Our Boathouse is in inner-city Leeds [in Stourton] and some of the council wards where our juniors live are amongst the most deprived in the country. We have been engaging with young people from low-income backgrounds for five years now by going into local schools and running indoor rowing sessions.

We want to break down the stereotypes of people who take part in the sport and unlock the hidden junior talent that would never normally go near a river, let alone get in a boat and row. We believe that with the right

support, anyone can start rowing and, by removing the barriers which stop participation, anyone can thrive in this environment and become a champion. We have succeeded in these aims and now have around 90 children in our junior programme, training hard as a team and competing and winning at local and national events. We won the Victor Ludorum trophy for the most successful club at a recent Peterborough Regatta.

Our main source of income is membership fees but to ensure all those athletes who want to participate can do so, we subsidise membership fees and kit costs for those families who are unable to pay. “

What a great story. To get in touch you can email the club at: rowingatleeds@gmail.com

I recently visited Leeds Irish Health and Homes at their new offices just off the York Road. They do a wonderful job working with the Irish community across South Leeds and across the city and it was great to catch up with their news. They do so many things, from encouraging gardening to organising dances, luncheon clubs, outings and a wide variety of friendship groups. We all owe a big debt of gratitude to their wonderful staff and their big team of volunteers who makes such a difference.

And on that subject, many congratulations to South Leeds resident Rachael Loftus - the Chair of the Trustees – who was recently named the Irish in Britain’s outstanding trustee volunteer for 2025. It’s a richly deserved award, and thank you Rachael and the team for everything you do

The period known as the Troubles, in which over 3,500 people were killed, still hangs heavily over the lives of so

Email: hilary.benn.mp@parliament.uk Website: www.hilarybennmp.com

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

many people in Northern Ireland and across the United Kingdom.

The Good Friday Agreementthat extraordinary act of political courage - brought peace but it was not able to deal with the legacy of the Troubles. And that is why so many victims and survivors are still looking for answers about what exactly happened to those whom they loved so much. I have met many families in this position in my role of Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

The previous Government’s attempt to find a way forward failed to win support in Northern Ireland, didn’t comply with our international human rights obligations and was undeliverable. That is why after months of discussions, including with the Irish Government, I have introduced new legislation to fulfil our commitment to repeal and replace the previous Legacy Act.

The Bill will abolish immunity from prosecution, including for terrorists (which was very unpopular), restore some inquests and the ability to bring civil cases and significantly reform what will now become the Legacy Commission to give families greater confidence to go to it to find the answers they are looking for.

We also owe a huge debt of gratitude to the 250,000 Northern Ireland veterans who served with honour and distinction to keep people safe during the Troubles, and who worked with the police and other emergency services in the most difficult circumstances imaginable. Their service and their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

That is why we are also introducing strong safeguards for veterans that respond directly to the concerns that have been expressed to us. These will also apply to other people, such as former police officers, and they will mean that no witnesses will need to travel to Northern Ireland to engage with legacy mechanisms. They will have a right to do so remotely, and the Commission will be under a duty not to duplicate aspects of any previous investigations unless there are compelling reasons that make it essential. The welfare of veterans will also be given proper consideration as part of any assessment of whether they are required to give evidence, and this will

include the right of veterans to seek anonymity when doing so.

I have had many discussions with political parties, victims and survivors organisations, human rights groups, veterans and others affected by the Troubles. Given the views held by so many people - often diametrically opposed - it was always going to be impossible to set out a plan that gives everyone everything they want.

I also recognise that, because

of what has gone before, there is a great lack of trust. That is, unfortunately, the reality; but it is not, and it never has been, an argument for not trying to find a way forward.

I hope that those who want to see a fair and effective approach to legacy that can command greater support in Northern Ireland will recognise that these new measures represent fundamental reform, and that they will therefore be

given a chance to succeed. Time waits for no one, least of all for the many families who lost loved ones, and they, ultimately, will be the judge of whether these new arrangements can give them the answers that they have sought for so long. I hope that we will together be able to grasp this opportunity, and so help the people of Northern Ireland to look to a future freer of the burden of the past.

The Troubles are not forgotten in Northern Ireland

Pathways for positivity

with Shannon Humphrey

What can I bring to the day?

Ihavethe same thought most mornings, “Well, let’s see what today brings.” Like most people, I have some kind of expectation about what the day ahead holds for me. I run through the day in my mind's eye.

I base my thoughts partly on what’s going on in my life, commitments I’ve made, who I’m going to see, what work needs doing, and even the weather plays a part in how I imagine my day turning out. Will it be a bath, bed and the electric blanket by 8pm? Or do I see myself sitting in a patch of evening sunshine with a good book and an ice lolly?

Weather aside, I usually picture my day through a lens of optimism. I hope for the best. But, like everyone else, there are parts of my day that don’t exactly fill me with joy. Motivating myself for work, making calls, answering emails. Cooking I enjoy ,tidying up afterwards not so much, and then there’s emptying the cat litter... It all falls under the

heading of “life admin”, those necessary chores that, for most of us, aren’t optional. If we don’t do them, nobody will. So while the structure of my day is fairly set, the tone of it is still mine to choose. I was driving to the gym the other morning when, out of habit, I caught myself saying, “Well, let’s see what today brings.” And as clearly as anything, another thought came straight back: “Let’s see what you bring to the day.”

In last month’s article, I spoke about making small decisions and how they add up. This feels very similar. There’s so much more within our control than we actually give ourselves credit for.

A diet isn’t just about what we eat; it’s also about what we feed our minds. We consume information all day long, through our phones, conversations, TV, and social media. The question is, is what we’re taking in nourishing us or draining us?

I refuse to believe half an

Leeds City Market

by Hon Ald Elizabeth Nash

Our Leeds market is the largest covered market in Europe and has over 100,000 visitors each week. It is a tourist destination with coach tours regularly calling.

As Leeds people know, Marks and Spencers began trading in the covered market as ‘Marks Penny Bazaar’. A clock to commemorate their centenary was unveiled in 1984 by M&S marking the spot where their stall was originally situated.

Incidentally, the former market clock designed by the same architects who designed the Vicar Lane covered market, was moved up to Roundhay in 1915. At the time, it was regarded as unsuitable for a new stall layout. It is now known as the Oakwood Clock.

There was an open-air market in Leeds in 1822 which was held in Briggate. But it was moved to more or less its current location in Kirkgate between 1850 and 1875.

Later, the Leeds Corporation, mindful of the newly-built and prestigious Corn Exchange,

invited architects Joseph and John Leeming of London to design a new market building which we have today on Vicar Lane. It is a Grade I listed building and quite rightly so. It is a beautiful stone building with shops on the Vicar Lane, Kirkgate and George Street frontages. Between each shop there are sculptures. Inside, the cast-iron work supporting the roof and that around the balconies is magnificent. The roof is further supported by metal pillars with Corinthian capitals.

The market was provided by the former Leeds Corporation, so-called before Local Government Reorganisation in 1974 when Leeds then became known as Leeds City Council. It was aptly called a corporation because it provided many facilities and services to make life better for its citizens, most of which current councils are now unable to do, mainly because of subsequent Government legislations taking away those services and, of course lately, reductions in funding.

The Corporation built

hour of doom scrolling through the Internet before getting out of bed does anyone any good. The same goes for what we choose to read, watch, and engage with, the comments we make, and the people we spend time with, both online and in real life.

I'm at my best on days when I’ve achieved something, helped someone out, or had a proper laugh. That rarely happens by chance, I have to be active in making it so. Life feels a lot better when I’m part of it, not just watching it go by. We can also choose to be kinder to ourselves by making life a little easier. Prepping meals, making sure clothes are clean and ready the night before, I know I use this example a lot, but honestly, it’s my number one tip for a stressfree start to any day.

These are simple things we have control over, but they have the power to completely change how we feel about the life we're living.

It’s the difference between

houses, schools and swimming pools, it bought Roundhay and Temple Newsam Parks, it employed district nurses, it distributed medical equipment, it supplied home-helps free to all elderly people in need of them, built health centres for

saying, “Ugh, Monday again,” and thinking, “Right, what can I bring to this Monday to make it better?” Who said Mondays have to be miserable anyway? Why not view it as a fresh day, and a new start to the week.

If you’re not sure where to start, choose a feeling you’d like to have that day, something that makes you feel good, like calm, energy, fun, kindness, or focus. Then try to carry that feeling with you through the day. You might think, “Today, I want to have a peaceful day,” or “Today, I want to have a fun day.” Of course, not every moment will match that feeling, but setting the tone helps guide how you approach things. Instead of being swept along by the day, you’re choosing how you want it to feel.

And that’s really what it’s about, focusing on what we can influence. The mood or

feeling we choose to have, how we handle challenges, and how we approach the everyday stuff.

When we bring a bit more hope or curiosity to our day instead of getting caught up in what we can’t change, life starts to feel like it’s happening with us, not to us.

So maybe tomorrow morning, instead of wondering what the day will bring, try asking yourself: what can I bring to the day? You might be surprised at the difference it makes.

Shannon Humphrey is a First Aid for Mental Health Instructor. Find out more about her work at www. pathwaysforpositivity.com

local doctors, it ran the ambulance and fire services, it generated electricity, it built reservoirs supplying water to our citizens and it built the many local police stations and regulated and directed local police with a ‘Watch Committee’.

Regarding the last Leeds Corporation Watch Committee, prior to WWII, it prevented Oswald Mosely and his Black Shirts from marching through North Lane and the Leylands which were predominantly occupied by Jewish citizens. It directed the Police to move the march to Holbeck Moor where local people “dealt with them!”

The Black Shirts had to make a hasty retreat to Leeds Rail Station, but that is another story.

Councillors who served on Corporations were not paid as they are today. All of them had to have jobs. My former Council (or Corporation) colleague was Cllr Chris Myers. Chris and I represented the former, smaller Holbeck Ward which, at the time, covered the city centre which then had very few residents but included the Market.

Chris worked in a shoe shop situated in Leeds Market. In those days there were always characters hanging around the Market, including well-known ones like ‘Woodbine Lizzy’. Another well-known one was ‘Barnsley Bob’ – an obvious vagrant. His hair was long and straggly, he never shaved, his

beard was a tangled mess, and his clothes were in tatters and hardly enough to keep him warm. Now and again, Bob used to call at the shop where Christ worked. Chris who was a kind woman, always gave him a cup of tea and what little food she had to spare.

One day Bob called at her shop and he was obviously unwell. Chris was concerned and asked him if he was alright. Bob replied, “Oh I don’t know Missus. I don’t feel right”. When Bob had left, Chris who was a member of the Watch Committee, telephoned the then adjacent Market Street Police Station.

Chris, “I want you to pick up Bob”.

Response, “Oh B***** H***!”

Chris, “Never mind B***** H***! He is dirty, his clothes are filthy and in rags, but on top of that, he is poorly.”

A few weeks later, Bob appeared again in her shop. His hair had been cut, he was clean- shaven and he had on a decent suit of clothes.

Chris said to him, “Oh Bob you look absolutely wonderful. And you look so well.”

“Aye”, said Bob. “Some b****** had me run in!”

Photo: Shutterstock

Leeds City Markets. Photo: Shutterstock

with Ken Burton

Private Vera Mann Local history

WhenI started researching this article I had no idea that the Women’s Royal Army Corps (WRAC) Association had campaigned for proper recognition of the role played by women in the armed forces in the Second World War.

In May 2023 a press release was put out by the Association and South Leeds Life printed a copy but having done my research I thought I might as well submit the article for print.

Of the many War Graves in Holbeck Cemetery there is only one to a servicewoman who was killed in the Second World War; this is to an ATS girl, Vera Mann.

Vera was born in 1920 and

was the daughter of William Mann (1896-1947) who was described as a chimney sweep

and Minnie Reynolds Mann (1890-1968), housewife. The family lived off Beeston Hill at 6 Fulham Terrace, Hunslet and the 1939 Census shows Vera working as a shop assistant at a fancy goods store.

In 1942 she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) as a private with the service number of W/154541 she is buried in Holbeck Cemetery with the Grave number of 8526.

In 1943 Vera was in Great Yarmouth when it was subject to an air raid. On the morning of the attack 27 young women had been exercising and were just marching back to their billet at Whitfield House which was a large hostel at 8 North Drive.

A low-level daylight attack by 18 Focke-Wolf Fw190 aircraft of II/SKG10 took place at 8:45am on the 11 May 1943. This was a frontal attack out of the sun and early morning mist the raiders crossing the coast just north of Britannia Pier and attacking the northern part of the town and exiting over the Winterton area.

The raid was only detected about a minute before the attack and fourteen 500kg high explosive bombs fell in various scattered residential areas in the north of the town.

Whitfield House received a direct hit from an HE bomb as the ATS girls were taking shelter there. The building was totally destroyed, one girl was taken out alive, but 25 of the ATS girls were killed on the 11th and one is recorded as dying on the 13th to make the total up to 26.

The youngest to die was Lillian Grimmer who was only 18. This raid was the worst of the war on Great Yarmouth with a total of 49 killed and 41 injured. It is reported that one of the raiders was shot down by anti-aircraft fire while a Mustang shot down one when it intercepted them.

The site of the destroyed building is now occupied by a swimming pool for the Burlington Palm Hotel and in 1994 a Memorial Plaque recording this tragic event and listing all the names of those who lost their lives was unveiled at the Hotel by Lady Soames, youngest daughter of the wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

My thoughts on World Mental Health Day

by Ken Ingram

10October was World Mental Health Day and was marked at Gasgoigne House extra care scheme in Middleton where I live, with a coffee afternoon, with Laura doing a themed quiz.

There is a lot on the news today, with one particular lady talking about her baby dying and five days later her husband committing suicide. Something I attempted in 2012.

Laura presented the first Memory Cafe at Gascoigne House last Wednesday with many of the residents taking part and with mentors helping us.

This cafe is for people with dementia, Alzheimer’s and memory loss. You did fantastic Laura and got help from resident Lisa giving out drinks.

We sang to songs on the big screen and asked questions about memories, on a ball thrown to us.

My first question on the ball was about my married life. Quickly moving on. The next question on the ball passed to me was what song reminds me of my childhood. Because of my dementia, I could not recall one.

The Memory Cafe at Gascoigne House is going to be

held once a month. I also go to one at Middleton Elderly Aid, on the last Wednesday of the month. It starts at 1.30pm if you want to go along.

I also go to one at the Black Bull pub in Rothwell every Monday afternoon, although taking a break myself from this at the moment. This one is run by Paula, and when I do go, I take along a picture quiz and prizes.

At one time I used to go to four a week/month including one I started up at the Parnaby Tavern pub in Hunslet. We had one at the police station at Elland Road, that was fantastic fun with the police handing out sandwiches and drinks in the cafe area.

I remember asking a policewoman, why do they have ultra violet light in the toilets. She said it was “to stop you shooting up, you can’t find a vein in our toilets.” Not that I want to.

You can read about my suicide attempt at bit.ly/KenSuicide

When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.

Vera Mann

Memorial plaque

New exhibition at Basement Arts

by Bruce Davies

Anewexhibition has opened at BasementArtsProject, Beeston’s own art gallery.

(Darshan: the Hindu concept of seeing and being seen) was the first non-english title for an exhibition at BasementArtsProject. And, like buses two come along at once, the next being in the Welsh language: Tirweddau Dychmugol-Faesiol (Imaginary Landscape-Field).

Tirweddau DychmugolFaesiol is an exhibition about the imaginary realm and the

personal kingdom of dreams.

Drawing inspiration from the Welsh Chwedlau and Mabinogi -rich veins of Welsh myth, legend, and folklore passed down over generations- Seren’s work is filled with symbolism drawn from the threshold between dreams and reality.

Our exhibitions are always free and open to everyone, so come and join us for this, the penultimate show of the year.

The exhibition is open until 30 November at 28 Back Burton Terrace, LS11 5JH. Full details including opening times at basementartsproject.com

St Andrew’s Pantomime Group present Pinocchio Review: V. A Homecoming

StAndrew’s Pantomime

Group in Beeston have announced that this year’s show will be Pinocchio.

The show will run from Saturday 6 February through to Saturday 21 February 2026 at St Andrew’s Community Centre on Cardinal Road, LS11 8AG. This is always a seasonal highlight in Beeston and bookings are now being taken witrh some performances close to selling out already.

Show dates and times:

Friday 6 February 7pm

Saturday 7 February 1:30pm and 5:30pm

Wednesday 11 February 7pm

Friday 13 February 7pm

Saturday 14 February

1:30pm and 5:30pm

Tuesday 17 February 7pm

Thursday 19 February 7pm

Friday 20 February 7pm

Saturday 21 February

1:30pm and 5:30pm

Ticket prices have been held at £6 adult, £4 children once again and are available from the box office on 07988 349985 or email: standrews pantogroup@hotmail.com

by Rebecca Townesend and Sue Talbot

OnSunday 12 October

South Leeds paid unique tribute to one of Leeds’s most beloved and admired poets, Tony Harrison, who died at the end of September.

Harrison was a Beeston-born poet and dramatist of national significance whose most famous (some might say notorious) work, V, is about Beeston and encapsulates many of the themes that recur throughout his life’s work.

Harrison’s work took in an extraordinary range from Aikin Mata, a reworking for Nigerian drama students of Aristophanes’ Lysistrata (a bawdy Greek play in which women declare a sex strike to end the war between Athens and Sparta), via an adaptation of a work by the 16th century French poet Racine, to a film Prometheus, described by Professor Edith Hall as “comparable with Shelley in its revolutionary power.”

London Review of Books and Slung Low brought three readings of ‘V’, first to Holbeck Cemetery, where it is, set and then to Slung Low, where it was followed by a panel discussion. The readings were organised with Tony’s input and after his unexpected death, they expanded beyond a marking of the 40th anniversary of the poem to become a wider celebration of his life and work and his connections to Leeds.

Sam Kinchin-Smith, head of special projects at the London Review of Books, said of ‘V’:

“Tony Harrison’s poem is a late 20th-century literary (and political) masterpiece, and described the readings as “a unique literary occasion, and a very special one: above all, a day of gratitude.”

The poem ‘V’ was written during the 1984–85 miners’ strike and became (in)famous in 1987 when it was broadcast on Channel 4, provoking an Early Day Motion in Parliament on Television Obscenity, with its frequent use of profanity leading it to be dubbed “a torrent of four-letter filth” –although very few viewers complained!

It is a many-layered poem, written in the aftermath of a visit Tony Harrison took to his parent’s grave in Holbeck Cemetery where he found racist and Leeds United graffiti, along with empty cans of Harp lager littering the grave. He imagines an angry exchange with the football fan who did the graffiti whilst drinking on his way home from a game at

Road. In

language the poem broadens out to explore “industrial decline, class war, rampant xenophobia, inadequate political solutions, football and family, with Harrison savagely confronting his own social mobility in the process” acknowledging that, had it not been for his good fortune in winning a scholarship to a grammar school, he might have become a similarly frustrated, alienated and angry man.

After two summers of racist protests and attacks and with an increasingly hostile environment, hearing the poem out loud didn’t feel like listening to a poetic artefact from another time, but spoke to and reflected the same tensions and political failures today.

The readings were performed by a multi-racial cast of five, led by Kirkleesbased actor-director, Barrie Rutter, with the audiences in the cemetery wearing headphones, seated and standing just metres from the grave of Tony’s parents.

The director of V. A Homecoming, Kully Thiarai said:

“As a working-class teenager growing up in the 80s much of what Harrison captures in ‘V.’ is a potent reminder of the world I had to navigate. Yet it seems as I read the poem now it demands our attention even more powerfully today, in a world where there is so much division and fear. I feel very privileged to be able to work on this presentation as part of the 40th anniversary and bring the poem back to where it started, enabling us all to look at how we might come together for a more hopeful future.”

Richard Burgon MP for Leeds East was in attendance and

told us of his deep connection to V.

“V was brought to life by the performance we saw today. I did my university dissertation on Tony Harrison’s V…and the performance was so poignant and so moving. The poem V has so much social and political and economic and human relevance for now and I thought the performance today really brought that out. Tony passed recently and Leeds should celebrate his work more. He is a world renowned poet and dramatist and the huge attendance we saw today reflects that.”

Elaine, a former Beeston resident, told us what the performance meant to her:

“It was moving and thoughtprovoking to hear Harrison’s powerful poem V read in the setting of the graveyard which inspired it. Slung Low and London Review of Books brought the work home literally and emotionally today”.

Tony, director of Chapel FM community radio in Seacroft in Leeds told us:

“I moved to Leeds 7 years ago from Chicago and I remember in the months before coming here watching the film of V in the cemetery; Tony Harrison was for me the entry point for understanding so much about Leeds. Chapel FM have done screenings of his films and with this performance I can’t imagine a better way of thinking about him and paying tribute to him.”

Kully Thiarai and Alan Lane, the co-chairs of Slung Low wrote in

the programme:

“For Slung Low, it is a privilege to be bringing this poem back home to the place that inspired it. And to honour a writer whose work demands us to think again, to seek the places where hope may reside, to better understand the world we live in and the hearts of those we live alongside”.

Beeston has had a difficult relationship with V over the years. It’s fair to say that some of us struggled initially with the image it presented of our oftenscorned neighbourhood. We reconciled with it in a reading at Beeston Festival in 2013, and Harrison reconciled with us during his visit to the festival in 2014.

For those who heard it read on Sunday, on “Beeston Hill, your back to Leeds” it was an extraordinary, immensely moving, afternoon in LS11. It seemed that V had come full circle. And henceforth 12 October will be celebrated as ‘V day’. Here, and by everyone around the world who admires the work of the Bard from Beeston. V has come home.

A recording of the performance is due to be made available at www.slunglow.org from 1 November.

Elland

often blunt

Dominic Gately and Riana Duce

Barrie Rutter, one of the cast performing V at Holbeck Cemetery

Christmas Lights switch ons

At the end of the month

Christmas Lights will be switched on across South Leeds and we get ready for the festive season.

The first communitiy to illuminate will be Belle Isle. Middleton Park councillors have got together with Breeze to hold an event at Belle Isle Parade on Monday 17 November. A similar event will be held Middleton Park Circus on Monday 24 November. Both events run from 7-8pm with family fun activities and market stalls. The lights will be switched on at 8pm.

Hunslet Carr Residents Association have organised their swich on for Thursday 20 November with children from Hunslet Carr Primary School singing carols at the Welcome to Hunslet Carr Wheel, outside the Bay Horse pub at 5:15pm followed by the switch on at 5:30pm.

Hunslet Tenants and Residents Association have organised to switch on the lights at Church Street on Saturday 15 November at 4pm.

The Salvation Army Band will be present outside Nisa on Town Street in Beeston to lead

South Leeds Remembers

Remembrance Sunday falls on 9 November this year and it will be marked by events to remember those that died in the World Wars and in conflicts since across South Leeds.

The service at Holbeck Cemetery (Beeston Road) will again feature over 4,000 knitted and crocheted poppies made by a team of volunteers Crocheted poppies will also be displayed outside Sunny View House care home on

the carol singing from 6pm on Thursday 27 November. Once the lights are lit, free hot food will be served over the road in the Beeston Parish Centre. The event is co-hosted by St Mary’s Church, Beeston Festival and Beeston in Bloom.

Holbeck Together are leading the organisers to start the festivities with a chance to buy gifts and decorations at the Holbeck Christmas Market in St Matthew’s Community Centre on Saturday 30 November from 12-4:30pm. Then it’s outside onto the Moor for the lights switch on at 5pm.

Move on the Moor

by Morven Macbeth

Comeand join us on Holbeck Moor on Saturday 8 November for a day jampacked full of ways to get moving and enjoy being outdoors with members of your community right here in the green heart of Holbeck!

Funded by the Inner South

Community Committee, and with thanks to the Community Committee’s Wellbeing Fund, Holbeck’s very own theatre company Slung Low is delighted to welcome you to More On The Moor: Move. Never tried street dance moves before? Now is your chance!

Always wondered if some

gentle tai-chi might be good for your physical and mental health? Come and find out!

Have you heard of AfroBrazilian martial art capoeira but not sure what it involves? Give it a try!

Speaking to people of all ages, from 5 to 85, from the Holbeck community over recent months, Slung Low has been asking the question: what would you like to see MORE of happening on Holbeck Moor? There are lots of brilliant ideas coming from these conversations, but one which came out top was dance, movement and fun things for people of all ages to do.

More On The Moor: Move is a FREE day-long event for everyone, no matter your age, to come along to Holbeck Moor to have fun, enjoy being outdoors with members of your community, trying out lots of different ways to move your body, and finding new ways to bring joy into your life, right on your doorstep.

Taster sessions, short workshops and drop in events will be happening between 11am and 3pm, so dress for the weather, and come on down to Holbeck Moor ready to move, ready to try out something new, and who knows? maybe to find your inner disco queen/king!

Beeston Road and at the bus turning circle on Town Street..

The service will be led by Rev Alistair Kaye from St Luke’s Church, but the people of all faiths and none are welcome to attend the event, which stars at 10:45am. a two minutes silence will be observed at 11am.

Acts of Remembrance will also be held at St John & St Barnabas Church in Belle Isle at 10:55am; Hunslet St Mary's

Spire at 12:30pm; Stourton War Memorial at 1pm; Hunslet Cemetery War Memorial at 1:30pm; and the Hunslet Carr Welcome Wheel at 2pm. Food and refreshments will be served at Woodhouse Hill Community Centre from 2:30pm. The events in Hunslet have been organised by The Hunslet Gathering and the Church of the Nazarene in conjunction with Leeds City Council.

Crocheted poppies in Holbeck Cemetery

The Salvation Army Band will lead carols at Beeston’s Christmas lights switch on

What’s On

Every Monday Money Buddies

9am-12pm Dewsbury Road

Community Hub & Library Tea and Toast

9am-12pm BITMO’s Gate, Aberfield Gate, LS10 3QH Holbeck Together cafe

9am-12:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck 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

Crochet & Knitting Group

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

MHA Craft Club

10-11:30am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane Sew 2gether

10am-12pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, LS10 3QH 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-1:30pm 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

Lunchtime meditation

12:30-1pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck

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 Involve Centre, Whitfield Avenue, Hunslet, LS10 2QE

Every Tuesday

Tots Group

9-11am Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle Digital Hub and Cafe

9am-12:30am St Matthew’s

Community Centre, Holbeck 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 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

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, LS10 2NS

Chair Based Exercise

10:45-11:30am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck

Bingo and Hoy

11am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid

Social Centre, Acre Road

MHA Lunch and Social

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

Hong Kongers Lunch Club

11:30am-1:30pm Beeston Village

Community Centre, off Town St

MHA Walkie Talkies

11:30am-2:30pm Hunslet Nelson

Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston

Salvation Army Lunch Club

11:30am-1:30pm Salvation Army, Hunslet Hall Road, LS11 6QB

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

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 Football 9-13 years

3:15-4:15pm Grove Road, Hunslet

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

4:30-5:30pm 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

12-1:15pm Ingram Gardens

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

1:15-2:45pm Ingram Gardens

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

2-3pm 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

Board Games Night

5-6:30pm 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 3rd Middleton Rainbows, Brownies, Guides & Rangers

6:15-7:30pm Rainbows & Brownies; 7:45-9pm Guides & Rangers St Mary's Parochial Hall, North Lingwell Road, LS10 3SR 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 Digital Hub and Cafe

9am-1pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck 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 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 Trinity Network Lunch Club

12:30-1:30pm United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Women Only Swimming 1-2pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston, LS11 6JG 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 MHA Breakfast

9-11:30am Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston Digital Hub and Cafe

9am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, LS11 9NR Menspace drop in

9-10:30am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle 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 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.

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 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)

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

Rowland Road Play Patch

11am-2pm Rowland Road WMC, Beeston, LS11 6ED

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

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

Sunday 2 November

Litter Pick

1pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre

Monday 3 November

Middleton Community Group

6pm Middleton Elderly Aid, Acre Road, LS10 4LF

Tuesday 4 November

Buy, Sell, Swap

10-11:30am Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road Belle Isle LS10 3RR

Stronger Together (parents and carers of disabled children)

11am-1pm BITMO’s GATE, Aberfield Gate, LS10 3QH

Wednesday 5 November

Bonfire Night Pie & Peas (55+)

12-1:30pm Ingram Gardens Community Centre, LS11 9SA

Thursday 6 November

MEA Hearing Aid Clinic

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

Hunslet Carr Residents Assoc

6:30pm Woodhouse Hill

Community Centre, LS10 2EF

Beeston Community Forum

7pm Beeston Village Community Centre

Friday 7 November

MEA Legal advice drop-in

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

Saturday 8 November

Middleton Makers Market

10am-2pm Middleton Park Circus

Community/Reflections Cafe

10-12pm United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Move On The Moor

11am-3pm Holbeck Moor

Sunday 9 November

Acts of Remembrance

10:45am Holbeck Cemetery

12:30pm Hunslet St Mary’s Spire

1pm Stourton War Memorial

1:30pm Hunslet Cemetery

2pm Hunslet Carr Welcome Wheel

South Leeds Community Kitchen

4-5:45pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street, LS11 8PN

Leeds Knights v Basingstoke

5:15pm Planet Ice, Elland Road

Tuesday 11 November

Police Contact Point

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

Wednesday 12 November

MHA Kurling

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

10-11am St Matthew’s

Community Centre, Holbeck

Police Contact Point

10am-12pm Dewsbury Road

Community Hub & Library

Police Contact Point

10am-12pm Ingram Gardens

Community Centre, Holbeck

MHA Singing Sensations

1:30-3pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston

Open Afternoon

4-5pm Hunslet Moor Primary School, Fairford Avenue, LS11 5EL

Thursday 13 November

Councillor surgery

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

Police Contact Point

Saturday 15 November

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

Hunslet Christmas Lights

3:45pm Church Street

Leeds Knights v Peterborough

6:30pm Planet Ice, Elland Road

The Last Machine Breaker

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

Monday 17 November

Belle Isle Christmas Lights

7-8pm Belle Isle Parade, LS10 3AH

Wednesday 19 November

MEA Film Club: Belfast

1:30-3pm Middleton Elderly Aid, Acre Road, LS10 4JQ

MHA Connie Crafters

3-4:30pm South Leeds Conservative Club, Wooler Street, Beeston, LS11 7JH

Thursday 20 November

SEN-tastic

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

Leeds Baby Bank

10am-12pm Dewsbury Road

Community Hub & Library

Hunslet Carr Christmas Lights

5:15pm Welcome Wheel, outside

New Bay Horse pub, LS10 2DN Film: Celebrating Palestinian

Street Art

7:30pm St Luke’s CARES Shop, 246 Dewsbury Road, LS11 6JQ

Friday 21 November

Police Contact Point

10am-12pm Cottingley

Community Centre, LS11 0HJ

Saturday 22 November

Middleton Elderly Aid Christmas Fayre

10am-12pm Acre Road, LS10 4JQ

Sunday 23 November

Leeds Dock Artisan Market

11am-4pm Fearns, The Boulevard, Leeds Dock, LS10 1LE

Holbeck Together Sunday Lunch

12-2pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, LS11 9NR

Book (0113) 245 5553

Leeds United v Aston Villa 2pm Elland Road, LS11 0ES

Leeds Knights v Milton Keynes

6pm Planet Ice, Elland Road

Monday 24 November

Beeston Hill Community Assoc

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

Middleton Christmas Lights

7-8pm Middleton Park Circus

Wednesday 26 November

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 27 November

Police Contact Point

10am-12pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston Hunslet Remembered

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

Salvation Army Friendship Lunch

11am-1pm Salvation Army, Hunslet Hall Road, LS11 6QB Live Music Concert

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

Beeston Christmas Lights

6pm outside St Mary’s Church, Town Street, LS11 8PN Friday 28 November

Councillors’ Surgeries 4pm Beeston Community Hub & Library, Town Street, Beeston 5pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck 6pm Cottingley Community Centre

A Proper Merry Christmess 7pm Slung Low’s Warehouse in Holbeck, Crosby Street, LS11 9RQ

Saturday 29 November

Holbeck Christmas Market

12-4pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck

Christmas Fayre

1-3pm St Peter’s Church, Petersfield Avenue, Belle Isle

A Town Called Christmas 2pm Slung Low’s Warehouse in Holbeck, Crosby Street, LS11 9RQ Leeds Knights v Romford Raiders 6:30pm Planet Ice, Elland Road A Proper Merry Christmess 7pm Slung Low’s Warehouse in Holbeck, Crosby Street, LS11 9RQ

November

Saturday 1 November

Hunslet Cemetery Volunteers

10am-1pm Middleton Road

Coffee morning

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

Christmas Fair

11am-1pm Salvation Army, Hunslet Hall Road, LS11 6QB

Beeston Repair Café

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

Police Contact Point

10am-12pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston

Friday 14 November

Gascoigne House Christmas Fayre

11am-3pm Middleton Park Avenue, LS10 4YA

Hunslet Tenants & Residents Ass

Hunslet RLFC Breakfast Club

10am-12pm Phoenix Suite, South Leeds Stadium, LS11 5DJ

6:15-7:45pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston

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

Leeds Knights v Telford Tigers

6:30pm Planet Ice, Elland Road

6pm Involve Centre, Whitfield Avenue, LS10 2QE

Skate into Christmas as White Rose ice rink returns

White Rose Shopping Centre’s magical Christmas ice rink is returning due to popular demand this festive season and will be open from Thursday 20 November until Sunday 4 January 2026.

The family-friendly attraction returns this year with more events and offers than ever before: fun themed events will take place throughout the season, as well as regular Friday Disco Nights plus special Parent & Toddler and Quiet Sessions.

The rink, made of real ice, will be open in The Village at White Rose throughout the Christmas period including Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day

until Sunday 4 January, offering pre-bookable 45minute sessions with skate hire included.

Guests can take advantage of an early bird discount of 20% off all tickets* by booking before midnight on Wednesday 19 November. Details of other ticketing offers including online saver prices, group bookings, and 2 for 1 sessions plus even more special events can be found at www.white-rose.co.uk

Off-peak tickets for skating sessions are priced from £12.50 for children aged 12 and under, £14.50 for adults, and from £48 for a family ticket.

Brought to life using special rapid-freeze technology, the fully-covered

Licensing Act 2003

Notice is hereby given that we HUNSLET RLFC have made an application under Section 17 of part 3 of the Licensing Act 2003 for the grant of a premises licence for the premises known as: SOUTH LEEDS STADIUM, Phoenix, Dugout, Parkside, Grandstand Suites and Goldthorpe bar. Middleton Grove, Leeds, LS11 5DJ

I intend to conduct on or from the premises the following licensable activities:

Sale of alcohol for consumption in the bars and on the stand areas and late night refreshment, music, plays, Monday to Sunday 10:00- 01:00

Subject to the following terms: CCTV, Check 25, incident register, litter clearance

Responsible authorities or any other person may make written representations to Leeds City Council about this application until 30th November 2025 which should be sent to Entertainment Licensing, Leeds City Council, Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR

For full details and to view a copy of the application please contact Entertainment Licensing on 0113 378 5029 or email entertainment.licensing@leeds.gov.uk

It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application and the maximum fine for which a person is liable on conviction for this offence is an unlimited fine

Goods Vehicle Operator’s Licence

Stephen Paul Crowther trading as Steve Crowther Transport of 71 Rycroft Towers, Bramley, Leeds, LS13 4NH is applying for a licence to use Linkways Distribution Services Ltd, 1343 Skelton Grange Road, Leeds, LS10 1RZ as an operating centre for 1 goods vehicles and 1 trailers

Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operating centre(s) who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Office of The Traffic Commissioner, Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7UE, stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice. Representors must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available at www.gov.uk/object-hgv-operator-licence.

ice rink is suitable for all weather and all ages to ensure nothing gets in the way of festive fun, with skating aids available for younger skaters – or those wanting an extra hand with their balance.

Santa’s wonderous White Rose Express grotto will also be returning to the centre this year, inviting families to share their Christmas wish lists with the man himself inside his glorious vintage train carriage. Tickets are now on sale, with little ones able to meet with Santa from Saturday 8 November right up until Christmas Eve (24 December).

For updates on all things festive at White Rose, join PLUS+ for free at www.white-rose.co.uk

Palestinian Film Festival returns

The Leeds Palestinian Film Festival is proud to announce its return for 2025, taking place from November 12 to December 6 at iconic venues across Leeds.

Now in its 11th edition, the festival continues to celebrate the richness, diversity, and resilience of Palestinian culture through the lens of cinema.

This year, we're bringing you

Bookings are open, and selling fast, for the ever popular Santa Specials at Middleton Railway.

The railway is currently closed during November as it prepares for Santa’s arrival.

The Santa Special Trains start running on Sunday 6 December. Each child aged up to 10 years inclusive for whom a fare has been paid will be given a present by Santa whilst travelling on the train. Once the train has arrived back at Moor Road adults (including children 11 or over) will receive a hot drink and a mince pie. For children there will be juice and biscuits and a chance to visit Santa in his grotto.

over three transformative weeks of cinema that refuse to be silenced. Across 10 venues throughout Leeds – including St Luke’s CARES in Beestonwe'll showcase stories of resistance, resilience, and unbreakable spirit.

The festival, a staple in the Leeds cultural scene, aims to provide a platform for Palestinian voices and stories. This year's programming promises to be as inspiring and thought-provoking as ever, with a focus on powerful narratives, a compelling mix of feature films, documentaries, shorts, and panel discussions, showcasing both emerging and established Palestinian voices.

Frances Bernstein, festival co-director, said: “While Palestine is regularly in the

news, cinema offers us something deeper—the chance to truly understand the stories and connections behind the headlines. Our main highlight, the powerful new drama Palestine 36, provides compelling insights into historical events that continue to resonate today. The festival is much more than a series of film screenings; it's a vital space for community, discussion, and cultural exchange. We invite the people of Leeds to come and explore, discuss, and be inspired by this year's incredible lineup."

On Thursday 20 November at 7:30pm there will be a screening Celebrating Palestinian Street Art, upstairs at St Luke’s CARES shop, 246 Dewsbury Road, LS11 6JQ.

Trains run from 9:45am3:30pm on weekends up to Sunday 21 December, plus Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 December – Christmas Eve. Tickets booked in advance cost £14 (adults and children 16+), £8.50 (young people 1115), £17.50 (children 3-10), £12 (children under 3). Babes in arms, with no seat and no present, travel free. Tickets are £1 dearer if not booked in advance and on Christmas Eve. Advance booking is strongly recommended and mandatory for Christmas Eve. Trains have fully sold out in recent years.

The 9:30am train on 6 & 7 December will have a Quiet Coach with more space for people with disabilities, or who wish to be spaced out so as to enjoy a quiet atmosphere.

Full details at www. middletonrailway.org.uk/santa -2025

Nearly 2,000 sport kits donated to make a change in communities

The 1,890 pieces of kit were donated at a pilot event held at John Charles Centre for Sport last month, to tackle inequality in sports.

Hunslet’s rugby heritage explored at open evening

Hunslet’s

Rugby Heritage, part of Heritage Open Days this year, was a chance to see how the club was built by local enthusiasts way back in 1883 up until its modern history.

The Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Barry Anderson, and his wife, Caroline, came along to the Phoenix Bar in South Leeds Stadium to see for themselves how the club has kept going for over 140 years through the support of the local community.

On display were important artefacts, including the school medals won by Spinks, a pupil of Hunslet Carr back in the late 1920s. His portrait with the large shield which the school won was placed next to the actual shield, brought along by Steve Boothroyd of Leeds and Hunslet Schools Rugby. Others on hand to answer queries were organiser, Pat Benatmane, and stats men, Martin Stewart and Adie Jinks.

New on display this year were several scrapbooks from the 1940s, donated to the club archives, including that of George Phillpott, a referee, and Frank ‘Shanks’ Watson, local hero.

The sashes of Jill Robinson, Miss Hunslet for 3 years running in the 1960s, were also able to be handled and admired.

The club’s President, CEO and Chairman also joined the fans who came along to the successful evening.

Organised by the Kit Equipment Exchange Partnership (KEEP), funded by Leeds City Council’s Active Leeds service, the event saw over 30 organisations attend to collect items.

The partnership distributes unwanted sports kit and equipment to people across the city who may not have access to or be able to afford it. Through removing the barrier, this ensures more people will have the opportunity to play sports and be physically active.

At last month’s event pieces were donated to primary and secondary schools, specialist inclusive learning centres, community organisations and parents who were attending a sports day at the centre.

The kit included sports tops and bottoms, jackets, trainers, sports bras and period pants and swimwear.

They will now support a wide range of people in Leeds, such as children and young people, looked after children, women and girls, LGBTQ+ groups, people attending substance misuse groups and people living in the most deprived areas.

It is also estimated that the event saved 831kg of equipment from going to waste

and saved the council over £32,000.

KEEP is made up of several organisations including Active Leeds, Yorkshire Sport Foundation, Zero Waste Leeds, Leeds United Foundation, Action for Sport, Freedom4Girls and Run For All.

The partnership was recently nominated for a Compassionate City Award, which celebrate the positive and compassionate work individuals and organisations do to make a difference to their communities in Leeds. The awards will be held on November 6.

Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said:

“This pilot event was a real success, delivering huge impact to people across our city.

“No one should be put off from playing sports or being active because they can’t afford to buy the right equipment.

“KEEP is doing a great job in removing that barrier for people, whilst also making sure no kit or equipment is going to waste.

“As part of our Leeds Ambitions, we are committed to tackling inequalities, and we look forward to this partnership continuing to create change where it’s needed.”

Pat Benatmane shows the Deputy Lord Mayor and and his wife some of the historical artefacts on a busy night at Hunslet RLFC. Photos: Peter Blower

Kit change: donated sports kit was given to groups who can’t afford it

South Leeds has a new bare knuckle boxing champion in Jonathan Graham

ISSE Ltd delivers match day experience for Beeston residents

ISSE

Ltd (Inspire Support Sports Empower) is proud to announce that, thanks to the generous support of Barclays Premier League, local residents from Beeston were given the opportunity to experience their very first Premier League match day at Elland Road as Leeds United faced Bournemouth on Saturday 27 September.

This initiative forms part of ISSE Ltd’s commitment to breaking down barriers and creating inclusive opportunities for communities that often face social and economic

challenges.

By providing access to match day tickets, ISSE Ltd ensured that participants — many of whom had never attended a live football game before — could share in the excitement, pride, and unity that comes with supporting their local team.

Humayun Islam, Director of ISSE Ltd, said:

“Football has a unique power to unite people and build a sense of belonging.

“For many in Beeston, this was their very first time experiencing the atmosphere

of Elland Road, and it was truly special.

“We are extremely grateful to Barclays Premier League for helping us open the doors to such a memorable experience.

At ISSE, we believe in creating opportunities where communities feel seen, valued, and connected—and this was a perfect example of that in action.”

The day was a celebration not just of football, but of community pride and the importance of ensuring everyone can take part in shared cultural experiences.

Leeds

by James Bovington

bare knuckle fighter

Jonathan Graham’s dramatic second round knockout of Navid Mansouri stunned the audience at Manchester’s AO Arena on 27 September and saw the Yorkshire fighter secure the BKFC’s inaugural UK lightweight championship title.

“The fight was easier than I expected,” said Graham. “I’d prepared myself for hell, but I put on what’s been described as a masterclass and came out relatively unscathed.

“It was all unreal, an amazing night. The atmosphere, the crowd, the venue everything was top class. I wasn’t hurt at any point. From the first bell I was landing heavy shots, and I first dropped him 90 seconds into the bout. I knew it wouldn’t go the scheduled five rounds distance. I knocked him out cold just before round two ended. Despite the violence I get on well with Navid. He’s a good guy.”

Describing himself as a ‘South Leeds lad through and through,’ thirty-seven-year-old father of two Graham lives in Oulton but grew up in Hunslet. “I won my first two bare knuckle

bouts including my debut in Leeds in 2023. Last year I boxed for the BKFC welterweight title but lost to Connor Tierney. I might defend the lightweight title or press on soon for world honours.

“I want to thank my family, my team, my sponsors, and all the fans who supported me through buying tickets. This belt’s for all of us. I also want to thank BKFC UK for the platform provided to showcase my skills.”

Graham was an amateur boxer in his youth and won most of his 33 bouts. In his early twenties he’d enjoyed a twoyear professional career as a gloved fighter winning five professional bouts. “For various reasons I didn’t carry on, but I’m determined to make a success of my return to fighting. This win is the first of many.”

“My children are over the moon with me winning the belt. My younger son is tipped to be a champion boxer himself. That’s for the future. For now, I’m striving every day to be a quality role model for them. I’m working with my coach Joe McLaughlin preparing to open A Side our gym in Normanton later this month. It’ll be one of Britain’s first purpose-built bareknuckle gyms.”

Jonathan Graham (left) on his way to victory. Photo: Lee Hamilton Cooper