South leeds life 15 feb16

Your FREE community newspaper

Issue 15 | February 2016

Twenty’s Plenty!

What’s happening in Beeston, Belle Isle, Cottingley, Holbeck, Hunslet, Middleton & Stourton

On Thursday 28 January Cllrs Kim Groves and Paul Truswell officially opened the new 20 mph scheme at Middleton Primary School. This is one of three new schemes added to the existing 20 mph speed limits in the area.

This effectively extends a 20 mph speed limit to almost all residential streets in Middleton, Belle Isle and the New Forest Village. It means that 20 mph will become the default speed limit, rather than an exception, on the vast majority of the local streets. Only local distributor roads (Middleton Park Road/Ring Road, Middleton Park Avenue, St George's Road, Sharp Lane, Belle Isle Road, Town Street and Newhall Road) will retain their original speed limits.

During the National Road Safety Week, the pupils helped prepare publicity materials to raise awareness of the change in the default speed limit in the area, with an emphasis on the effects of high speeds on children. The opening ceremony saw Councillors present prizes to two pupils who won a drawing competition to support the 20 mph signs.

Children across the school received road safety training sessions, including Pedestrian Training and scooter training and took part in a Mini Speed Watch event with support from Middleton Park Neighbourhood Police Team (NPT). An HGV provided by DHL will also be used within the school grounds to offer the children an opportunity to sit in the lorry cab and get the ‘driver’s view’ to help promote road safety

In this issue:

Pavement taken in broad daylight

page 3

Tree planted for new school

page 4

Vicki’s a vintage belle

page 6

Hawks kick off their pre-season

page 12

Cllr Paul Truswell with Basil and Emily from Middleton Primary School

awareness around large vehicles.

Cllr Truswell said: “We have supported local people's requests for the Council to extend 20 mph limits in the area. Research shows that 20 mph schemes do reduce overall speeds for the overwhelming majority of decent and responsible drivers.

“Unfortunately, no one is under any illusion that 20 mph zones are an end

in themselves. There will still be that mindless minority of reckless and irresponsible drivers who will blatantly ignore the pleas of the community and our children to curb their speed.

Government funding cuts and the conditions they impose on where speed cameras can go mean they are regrettably not an option. Only forceful and effective enforcement by the police

can tackle the behaviour of this minority, or take them off the road altogether – but we know just how stretched our local police are following years of cuts.”

“We are, nevertheless, having useful discussions with police colleagues regarding the deployment of more enforcement resources in response to residents' concerns.”

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

The blog and newspaper are produced by the South Leeds Life Group, a constituted community group with elected officers.

Our aims are: 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 started as a blog in November 2010 and still posts news every day at: www.southleedslife.com

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Stay connected with South Leeds Life

A better-connected community is stronger, more creative and better able to navigate through change and difficulty.

South Leeds Life has - since 2010 supported communication and connections in this area (LS10 and LS11), and we're pleased to announce that in early 2016 we're due to become established as a Community Interest Company (CIC, a bit like a charity).

To mark this, we would like to invite you to join us and a wide range of other local people - to meet, talk, share stories and ideas, drink tea and eat cake, and make plans for changing our community.

Drop in anytime between 4-6pm, at the Watsonia Pavilion in the park. Free, and open to all. But please let us know you're coming, if possible - to help us plan. Just click above to say you're attending, or email us.

And also, we'd like your HELP. We're delighted that South Leeds Life has become such an established and well-loved community resource, with a growing pool of volunteers, and 10,000s of people reading us online or in the print editions each month.

We're really grateful to those who already support us, either as organisational or

donors (more info at individual www.southleedslife.com/friends-southleeds-life), those who advertise with us, or in other ways. And we work hard to keep costs down to a minimum. But to be blunt, WE NEED MORE FINANCIAL SUPPORT to become sustainable. If we don't, we'll have to scale back, and stop printing the monthly editions.

To FIND OUT MORE, please come to this event, or get in touch.

Email: info@southleedslife.com Phone: 07894 583966.

Many thanks to our existing Friends: Alan Shaw Beeston Community Forum

Beeston Festival Beeston & Holbeck Ward Councillors Beeston in Bloom Belle Isle TMO Ciaran Bingham Foundation Trust Friends of Holbeck Cemetery Friends of Middleton Park Friends of Stank Hall Barn Hamara Centre Health For All Hunslet Club Leeds Federated Housing Middleton Railway People Matters Robert Winfield SLATE St Luke’s Cares Sue Talbot Vera Media

JOIN US! Watsonia Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Wednesday 17 February 4-6pm

‘Managed area’ is not working for residents and businesses

by Hilary Benn MP There's been a lot of debate in Holbeck recently about the ‘managed area’ for prostitution.

The story goes as follows.

There's long been prostitution in the area and it has caused nuisance and distress to local residents.

The police have tried their normal approach although according to research by York University it has “made very little difference to local residents and to the numbers of complaints” and there are groups, like the Joanna project and the Basis Sex Work Project, that support the sex workers and, in some cases, help them to leave behind prostitution as a way of life.

In the light of all this, the Council and the police decided to try something different. They announced a trial in which the women could work in a specified area away from people's homes - the ‘managed area’ - but only between the hours of 7pm and 7am to try to limit the problems to

local residents and businesses.

The police and the Council say that this trial scheme has resulted in greater safety for the women concerned as it has enabled police officers to build up trust with the sex workers, which has had positive results, including two convictions of men for violent sex offences last year.They also say that there have been fewer complaints from members of the public.

However, businesses in the managed area have complained strongly to me that they have to step over used condoms and other public health hazards on their way to work in the morning, and both businesses and residents say that some of the women are not adhering either to the boundaries of the area or the 'working hours'.

There have also been complaints of men in cars trying to solicit sex from women who are walking home or to and from work both inside and outside the area and, of course, there was the recent tragic

murder of a sex worker in Holbeck.

The current flurry of publicity has been the result of the Council deciding to make the trial scheme permanent, which has come as a surprise to people locally.

I've made representations about this lack of consultation and there will shortly be a meeting with local businesses to discuss the scheme.

My view on all this is as follows. Not for nothing is prostitution described as the oldest profession in the world and it has always been present in the city, including in Holbeck.

Because of this and the evidence that a change of approach might be helpful, it was thought worth trying out the idea of a managed area. The safety of women must be taken seriously and for too long often quite vulnerable women have been the unseen and unheard victims of sexual crimes. But the area can only work if both the hours and the boundaries are properly enforced and judging by the complaints I

have been receiving from local residents and businesses alike, this is simply not happening well enough at the moment.That needs to change if the community is to have confidence in the scheme. In addition, proper arrangements need to be put into place by the Council to clean up every morning so that people working in local businesses don't have to confront the results of the previous night's activities.

It’s an issue that divides opinion and provokes strong reactions, but it’s also a social problem in which we need to balance the concerns of residents and businesses with the safety of the women working on the street. What do you think?

To change tack completely, in recent weeks there have been two lobbies in Parliament about the scrapping of grants for students from low income backgrounds and student nurses and midwives and replacing them with loans.

The fear is that this will force students from lowincome backgrounds to take

Hilary Benn MP

out additional loans which they will eventually need to repay.

I am opposed to both changes because we need to do all we can to encourage young people from South Leeds who want to go to university to be able to do so. Although the proportion of young people going into higher education from the Leeds Central constituency has risen quite a bit in the last 20 years, the difference nationally in participation rates between young people living in the most advantaged and most disadvantaged communities remains far too high. We need to change that and turning grants into loans is not going to help.

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Visions of Belle Isle to hang in leader’s office

by Ken Ingram

Cllr Judith Blake Leader of Leeds City Council, called into BITMOs GATE from her busy schedule to collect a painting from BITMOs GATE artist, (volunteer) John Shaw the painting was of the BITMO building.

A framed photograph of The City, view from Belle Isle Circus by myself, was also presented to Judith.

This was in recognition of Judith’s work whilst on the Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation (BITMO) board. Judith stepped down from the board at the BITMO AGM in September 2015.

Cllr Kim Groves and Cllr Paul

Trussell are the elected members, appointed to the board for 2015/16.

I did not expect to have an interview with Judith for South Leeds Life blog and newspaper as she is a very busy lady, so did not prepare any questions.

Anyway managed to go into the meeting room and ask a few questions.

Judith thanked me again for the picture presented to her by Chris Simpson (CEO of BITMO), John and me. Judith says the picture and painting will hang in her office at the Civic Hall.

Judith was elected as a councillor for Middleton ward in 2002, 14 years ago.

Judith says she has enjoyed working with people in the community and helped them in any way she could.

Judith is the first lady to take the post of Leader of Leeds City Council and

tells me the council budget has been cut by the government by £34m.

Despite this, she is determined to put more into repairing pot holes for which example, seem to be a problem in the area. To my mind Cllr Judith Blake with Chris Simpson and Ken Ingram Belle Isle Road and Middleton Town Street are very bad in you (Councilor Blake) for all the time this respect after speed bumps where you spent working with us whilst on altered and Virgin Media dug up roads our Board. These images of Belle Isle reflect the landscape here, but also and pavement.

Chris Simpson, Chief Executive of show the talent the volunteers program BITMO, said, “We wanted to say thank at BITMOs GATE has developed”.

It’s daylight robbery as pavements vanish A significant amount of Yorkshire stone pavement was stolen from Beeston in broad daylight over a period of 2 days last month.

Tunstall Road

Residents on Tunstall Road initially thought the disappearance of the

flagstones was connected to some work being undertaken by Yorkshire Water, but after a further large section of pavement was ripped out during the daytime on Friday 15 January.

Yorkshire Water confirmed that it was not them who had taken the blocks.

The gang returned on Monday 18 January and removed a further large amount of stone from Rawson Terrace, again in broad daylight.

The council has stated that this type of crime is occurring with increasing frequency due to the value of the flagstones, and that gangs sometimes wear high vis jackets to make it look as though they’re permitted to be removing the stones. There have also been several incidents across Leeds of manhole covers being stolen in similar incidents. The Council state they will be replacing the pavements as soon as possible but there may be some delay as they are still very busy with the aftermath of the boxing day floods.

Anyone who has information should

Rawson Terrace

call 101 or email innersouth@westyorkshire.pnn.pol ice.uk and quote crime reference number 13160022133.

Anyone who witnesses a crime occurring should call the police on 999.

Hannah asks the Council to back Global Families of Leeds project

On Wednesday 13 January Hannah Begum, the Children’s Lord Mayor of Leeds, addressed the full Council meeting at Leeds Civic Hall.

Hannah was joined by Faisal and Tahera, fellow pupils at Hunslet Moor Primary School, and put forward her proposals for a Global Families of Leeds Project. Her idea is to link youth groups around the city by setting up a database and encouraging groups to visit each other. For example a youth group from north Leeds might choose to visit a dance group in south Leeds.

Hannah said this would be a fun way to make new friends, break down

stereotypes of neighbourhoods and improve community cohesion by helping children develop a sense of belonging to the city of Leeds.

“I love Leeds and feel proud to be a Yorkshire lass” said Hannah Children’s Mayor Hannah Begum addresses Councillors as she wound up Children’s Services and the Executive to applause from the Councillors.

The meeting agreed to refer Member with responsibility for Hannah’s plans to the Head of Children and Families.

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Valentines Fair returns to Elland Road It’s the UK’s largest Valentines Event, and it’s back in South Leeds for the Half Term holidays. The famous Valentines Fun Fair runs from Thursday 11 February until Sunday 21 February on the Elland Road Car Parks alongside Leeds United Football Club.

Each year the event seems to bring together bigger and better rides from across Europe and whether you’re looking for a family-friendly day of rides and amusements or a thrilling night out, there is always plenty to enjoy at what was Europe’s first and is still the largest Valentine Fair, now in its 25th year.

Amongst the array of Roller Coasters, thrill rides, family rides, Dodgems,Twists and Waltzer’s which have always been the staple diet of the Valentines Fair, there will be a fantastic new attractions this year in the form of the Top Buzz, Superstar and a 33 metre observation wheel.

Direct from a theme park will be the Crazy Mouse Roller Coaster which spins its cars along its winding and twisting track, one of three coasters which includes a the Little Thunder Mountain Coaster which is new for 2016. These rides are amongst the 100 attractions on offer will give thrill seekers and families an amazing experience.

Also there were plenty of rides for those who enjoy more traditional fairground rides, including the everpopular Carousel, Ghost Train and four Fun Houses.

The fair also offers visitors the chance to enjoy many other attractions, such as giant prize games, food and novelty stalls and the numerous side shows that are on offer, including an indoor seating area.

The fun gets underway at 5pm on Thursday 11 February and will then be open Friday 12 from 5pm until 10.30pm, then daily from 1pm until 10.30pm through until Sunday 21

February with the exception of Monday 15 when the fair will open 12 noon to 4pm with the early finish due to a football match.

This year’s chosen charity which the fair will be supporting is Martin House Hospice which cares for Children and Young People with

All the fun of the fair

progressive life limiting illnesses, and provides support to their families in a purpose built hospice in Boston Spa, Wetherby.

And if you want to experience all the fun of the fair from a different view, pay a visit to the free model show on Sunday 14th of February in Leeds United’s Billy’s Bar from 11am until 4.00pm and see all the rides in miniature as well as a number of trade stands and refreshments.

Organisers are promising that all children’s rides will be operating at just £1.50 at all times with the exception of Roller Coasters, the Pony Express and Bungee Trampolines and 26 of the large rides will be just £2 midweek until 6pm with visitors encouraged to log on to www.valentinesfair.co.uk for free fun fair vouchers which are valid anytime and will reduce the large rides even further during this time to a bargain busting £1.50 each.

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BITMO helps its Don’t chuck it, recycle your furniture!

by Niki Woods tenants get Back2Work

by James Major

Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation (BITMO) is trialling a scheme that aims to support tenants in Belle Isle back into employment.

The pilot scheme launched in January is thought to be the first of its kind in Leeds and is to support expected tenants into employment within the security, construction, warehousing and care sectors.

Applications to the scheme have to be from unemployed BITMO tenants who it is deemed have a strong chance of gaining employment as a result of the funding.

BITMO currently run two Job clubs – on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons – who will support successful applicants to gain employment.

Belle Isle is part of the Middleton Park Ward in South Leeds and the area has one of the highest unemployment rates in the city.The Back2Work Fund is targeted at people who are furthest from the jobs market and is expected to support tenants when paying for CSCS (Construction skills certification scheme) cards, SIA (Security Industry Authority) badges, DBS (Disclosure barring service) checks and refresher FLT (Fork lift truck) licenses.

Finance for the scheme has been provided by BITMO with match funding from Mears plc and Sayes Limited and results from the pilot scheme will be

evaluated by the BITMO Board over the coming weeks.

Councillor Kim Groves Member for Ward Middleton Park, Chair of the Inner South Employment and Skills Board and also a BITMO Board Member said, “I welcome the Back2Work project and hope it is a success. It’s important that Leeds City Council and its partners, like BITMO, continue to support people who want to get into work” BITMO Chief Executive, Chris Simpson said, “With the Back2Work scheme we are trying to take down barriers which prevent some of our local tenants getting into work.

We are also delighted that our contractors have supported this initiative” Belle Isle TMO (BITMO) is one of the largest Tenant Management Organisations in the country and since 2004 has managed homes and estate services in Belle Isle on behalf of Leeds City Council. BITMOs GATE resource centre provides a range of activities and services for the community including a Financial Inclusion Service, Job Clubs as well as health and wellbeing activities. The centre was opened in 2014 and is open Monday to Friday 9am until 5pm.

For more information or to apply to the Back2Work Fund please call in to BITMOs GATE resource centre at Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road, LS10 3QH; call (0113) 378 2190; or email: gate@belleisletmo.co.uk

Photo: Tony Alter via Creative Commons

As the arrival of the cold weather means people spend more time indoors, many across South Leeds may be assessing whether they need a new sofa, bed, mattress, TV or item of furniture or white goods, and whether they can afford to buy what they need.

And of course, there’s the question of what to do with the old item.

All too often the old items end up being abandoned in bin yards, land or skips when they could have been donated to good causes. Local charities St Lukes Cares and Slate are both in need of reasonable to good condition furniture and white goods to sell at affordable prices in their shops which support their local community work.

St Luke’s Cares runs many projects which support individuals and groups across South Leeds.The Activate youth work projects include several youth groups and projects which work to provide specialist support to young people in LS10

and 11, and HITBase at St Luke’s Church helps people in South Leeds improve their computing skills and provides a place for computer use.

The charity can provide house clearances and free collection for furniture, larger items or 5 bags of clothes within the Leeds area. Furniture is sold from their furniture warehouse on Dewsbury Road in Beeston, where there is also a workshop where furniture is up-cycled to be sold in the charity’s shops in Morley and Chapel Allerton.

Furniture bought from the warehouse can be delivered for a small fee.

St Luke’s Cares have 6 charity shops in total and sell second hand, vintage and up-cycled furniture and white goods plus a full range of ‘pre-loved’ clothing, accessories, toys etc. They are Dewsbury Road in Beeston, Beeston Road, just down the road from the Co-op, Albion Street in Morley next to Oxfam, Middleton at Throstle Lane, Chapel Allerton opposite the library and Hunslet next to William Hill at the Penny Hill Centre. All are open 9am – 5pm

St Luke’s Cares shop on Dewsbury Road Photo: Lucy Potter

Monday – Saturday for sales and donations of goods.

SLATE also provides house clearances and collections as well as accepting donations at their ‘Feel Good Furniture Shops’ on Low Road in Hunslet and Canal Road in Armley. Their shops and charity provide support and work opportunities for people with learning disabilities. They sell second hand furniture, soft furnishings and white goods as well as some clothing and bric-a-brac and can also deliver. Slate also runs The Feel Good Cafe at Hillside on Beeston Road Monday to Friday

8am-3:30pm, which provides work and social opportunities for adults with learning disabilities and a wide range of freshly cooked and affordable food for customers.

For more information or to arrange a collection contact: St Luke’s Cares 07800 512074 SLATE (0113) 270 4005

HEA’s winter warmers Church offers

HEA has been awarded two grants to help it with its work of combatting isolation for the most vulnerable isolated older people in Holbeck.

bottle; packets of hot drinks, sugar, soups and biscuits; and a thermometer for checking indoor temperatures.

For further information on Trips and Outings or for a Home Assessment

Hilary Benn MP ‘opens’ the new HEA minibus in October

The challenging winter months prevent older people from going out and HEA will supply extra door to door shopping trips to enable outings and independent shopping for food.

The monthly Sunday Lunches also become more popular during the winter months and we look forward to seeing new faces.

Alongside the transport, during the winter months HEA will be offering specific Home Assessments to address additional requirements during this challenging period.

They will also be distributing food parcels to those in need; plus Winter Warmth Packs, which include thermal gloves and hat; a blanket and hot water

please contact (0113) 245 5553.

HEA is the new name for Holbeck Elderly Aid. The extra funding was provided by Leeds City Council Inner South Community Committee Well-Being Fund - a grant of £1000; and a Winter Warmth Community Grant of £1250.

debt advice

PEOPLE stuck in the debt trap are set to get free help thanks to a local church opening a debt counselling centre.

City Evangelical Church, in Beeston has partnered with charity Christians Against Poverty to bring its award-winning service to the area.

The new branch will join three other busy centres in the locality helping people in Leeds.

Leeds South centre manager Julia Johnson said: “The Church has always been about offering hope and we're really pleased to be able to give a tried-and-tested route out of debt alongside other great free debt advice in the area like Citizens Advice.

“There is a lot in the Bible about looking after the poorest. In our society, a lot of poverty is debt-related so our congregation has been working hard to open a CAP centre to help get people back on track.”

CAP offers people a uniquely in-depth, caring

service to people with spiralling personal debt regardless of their age, gender, faith or background. Every client is visited in their own home, the charity does all the negotiating with creditors and local volunteers offer support to each person face-to-face until the day they are debt free.

Statistics show that one in three callers seeking debt help are feeling suicidal but find huge relief through the nonjudgemental service that treats every person as an individual.

Julia added: “Typically, debts can build up when a relationship breaks down, or someone loses their job, or through bereavement – so often when people are least able to cope with a financial headache. We’re just so pleased to be able to partner the care of our church with the financial expertise of CAP’s head office in Bradford.”

To find out more www.capuk.org or call 0800 328 0006.

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Hyperlocal hero bids farewell to Health For All

John Baron

John Baron has moved on from his post as Heath for All’s Communications Officer and is expanding his lecturer post in Hull.

John has had a 20 year relationship with HFA and the communities in south Leeds and was the driver behind the former

community newspaper the South Leeds Independent.

Whilst working for The Guardian he gave his time and expert journalistic advice to South Leeds Life in our early stages.

Pat McGeever, Chief Executive of HFA, said:

“We want to take this opportunity to thank John for all his superb work over the years.

We will still have a close working relationship with him through his social media work.”

Hilary Benn MP thanked John in a letter: “Thanks to you and your great

journalistic skill we have all learned things that we didn’t know before. You have enabled wonderful people and a proud community to see themselves reflected in a way that had not happened before.”

We wish John well in his future career.

Tree marks Lane End’s opening

by Jeremy Morton The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Judith Chapman and local MP Hilary Benn were amongst the guests as the new Lane End Primary School was officially opened in Beeston on Friday 22 January.

The planting of a tree (a time capsule is to follow once its contents are complete) seemed very apt for a school that uses a tree motif on its badge and names its classes after tree species.

Back in the school hall the Lord Mayor asked the children how they like their new school, “it’s perfect” said one little boy.

She encouraged the pupils to “enjoy every last minute in this school”.

Hilary Benn MP echoed those sentiments saying: “The chance to go to school is the most important thing in life.”

Addressing parents and carers he added: “As parents we have just two jobs to do. One is to love our children with all our heart, the second is to encourage them at every turn.”

Headteacher Asa Britton then took us through some of the comments the children had made when they were asked about their dreams and aspirations for the future.

Future careers ranged from policeman, nurse and racing driver to zookeeper, rock star and Lego dinosaur!

The ceremony ended with the children singing You’ve Got A Friend In Me. Each child was given a balloon with their dream attached and a piggy bank to help them make it come true.

Lane End Primary School has been built on the site of the South Leeds Sports Centre. It is a two form entry school, currently comprising two Reception classes and two Year 1 classes plus a nursery.

Call for daffodil volunteers

Marie Curie is appealing for local people in South Leeds to ‘get behind the daffodil’, by volunteering to collect donations for the charity’s annual Great Daffodil Appeal this March and help turn the streets of Leeds yellow.

To volunteer to collect for Marie Curie and support the Great Daffodil Appeal please call 01274 386190 or visit: www.mariecurie.org.uk/daff odil.

New Menspace activities Lord Mayor Cllr Judith Chapman, Headteacher Asa Britton, Hilary Benn MP and Chair of Governors Jason Askham with Summer Cooper, Ousman Manjong, Jack Johnson and Muskaan Jain Photo: Jeremy Morton

Cockburn pupils’ 21st century exam revision Many teenagers would rather choose social networking sites, cinema, friends and even exercise above revision. Yet Year 11 students from Cockburn School in Beeston have engaged with a host of innovative approaches to prepare students for their recent GCSE English Literature exams.

It all started in the Autumn term with the Student and Parent Revision Achievement Evening where parents and carers were given a range of strategies to support their children with their English work. From asking the right questions about poetry (where they did not have to know the answers), to memory techniques to help students remember quotes from Romeo and Juliet, parents left with the confidence to play their part in the preparation.

Students were also given extra revision sessions during morning form time, one-to-one academic mentoring sessions and weekly after school sessions for the entire year group. Most nights of the week see over 200 Year 11 students staying back after school to do extra revision known as Session 7.

Cockburn School students are also able to log on to the school’s VLE

News in brief

(Virtual Learning Environment – known to most as Frog) where they can access a host of revision materials including video clips and links to websites.

English students also regularly participated in emailed revision to a special English department email facility in which any student that sent work to

Christmas holidays they received over 100 pieces of work via email, all of which were sent back with tips for improvement.

The weekend before the first exam the English department added a calorific reward to the whole year group who worked late on a Friday

Cockburn pupils hard at work

the revision email would be entered in a draw for a £50 high street voucher.

The teachers committed to sending back feedback within 24 hours of receiving the emails. Over the

afternoon and were rewarded with a huge pizza delivery. Over 100 students returned the next morning for more revision sessions and breakfast. That’s right – over 100 students volunteering

to come to school on a Saturday morning! They even came back the following Saturday morning for more preparation for the second exam paper.

Year 11 student Caitlin Holmes said “The preparation was extremely helpful.We are given an advantage over friends at other schools. Our teachers are very loyal to the school and to us”.

James Aspin in Year 11 added that “It has made me more confident. My work in English has improved massively.There is an excellent bond with the teachers and we feel confident to ask for help and support”.

While students wait until March for the results of this exam, they continue to prepare for the rest of their exams later in the Spring and Summer terms.

School children are facing an increase in examinations over the coming years due to the Department for Education’s drive to reform the exam system and increase the level of challenge. In the future, students will be preparing for up to 30 hours of exams. As tough as this sounds, rest assured that the staff at Cockburn School will be continue to work tirelessly to proudly prepare and support their students so they can achieve the very best grades at one of the best schools in Leeds.

The Health For All’s 'Menspace Group' is starting a Digital Photography Club.

The aim is to share photography skills, learn from others, get to know your camera or phone better.

Meetings are on Thursdays 13pm, at Tenant Hall, Acre Close, Middleton.

Meanwhile on Mondays 13pm join the gang at Belle Isle Working Men’s Club for traditional pub and board games or just pop in for a chat. Free refreshments, contact Andrew Flynn to book your place on 07951 731468.

Volunteers help flood clear up

A team of volunteers from Skelton Grange Environment Centre have been helping those across the river at Thwaite Mills museum to restore an area damaged by the floods during the festive season.

South Leeds Life | February 2016

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6 My Life in South Leeds

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The woman without a number

13 year old Willian Fakes from Middleton scoops £250 prize

At South Leeds Life we believe everyone has a story to tell.

Maybe you have an interesting hobby, an unusual life experience, or a claim to fame. Or perhaps you just want to reflect on old times, old places, or people from your past?

Some of us were born and bred in the area - that’s interesting. Some of us moved to the area, that’s interesting too. Our community is rich and diverse and held together by all our wonderful stories.

Get in touch with your story. Email us at info@southleedslife.com.

If you’re not confident we can help you write it.

Nicky Milsted (YAC), William Fakes and Cllr Kim Groves

very proud, and given his undoubted talent, I don’t think this will be the last time that we hear of his achievements in this fascinating field of work.”

William himself was thrilled and surprised by the award. He said: “When I found out I’d won I was speechless, literally. It was phenomenal just to be nominated and I really didn’t think I’d win. The best thing about archaeology is getting muddy, very very muddy, and I love military history. I’d like to do further study in archaeology.

One thing’s for sure: I’ll never have a job that involves chairs and desks!”

Margaret Baker, William’s key

support teacher from Royds School said: “We are so proud to have such an extraordinary young student. William is a pleasure to have as part of our school community.”

Leeds Young Archaeologists’ Club was set up following a successful school history project delivered as part of the Heritage Lottery Funded Parks for People regeneration of Middleton Park. Fiona Spiers, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund,Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “We are so pleased that William has received national recognition through the Young Archaeologist of the Year Award.

At HLF we are dedicated about funding projects that help people to learn about their local heritage and through the project at Middleton Park, William has been able to show his passion and enthusiasm for history and archaeology.”

The Young Archaeologist of the Year Award is one of three Marsh Awards for Community Archaeology. They are run in partnership between the Marsh Christian Trust and the Council for British Archaeology, and are given to recognise and promote high quality archaeological work being carried out across the community archaeology sector.

Leeds YAC meets on the third Saturday of each month.

Noor’s Palestine Marathon adventure

by Jeremy Morton

Beeston bus driver Noor Zaman will be running in the Palestine Marathon on 1 April.

Having climbed Snowden and Ben Nevis on community hikes he was looking for an overseas challenge and saw the opportunity to raise funds for good causes.

Noor will tackle the 26 mile course, which starts and finishes in Manger Square, Bethlehem to raise money to help feed Palestinian and Syrian refugees.

He will be amongst 3,000 runners from many nationalities and religious backgrounds battling the 30 degree heat.

The course passes the Al Aida and Ad Dheisheh regugee camps as well as running alongside the 8m high wall that divides Isreal and the occupied terrirtories.

The event highlights the restriction

of movement that Palestinian face in their own country.

Noor has already received sponsorship from FeverFM, his trade union Unite and Richard Burgon MP. He is also touring Leeds speaking and collecting at mosques. All this on top of his early morning training runs.

“It was a bit of a spur of the moment thing” he said “When I heard about it I knew I wanted to do it and do it now before I’m too old.

“I’m really excited, it’s going to be very interesting. Running is great for bringing people together and I will be running with Christians, Jews and Muslims.”

Noor will also take the opportunity visit holy sites in Bethlehem and Jerusalem having paid all the costs of the trip himself.

If you would like to sponsor him go to: www.justgiving.com/noorzaman Noor Zaman Photo: Jeremy Morton palestinemarathon

My Life in South Leeds 7

Email: info@southleedslife.com

Young Archaeologist of the Year William Fakes (13) from Middleton was presented with a cheque for £250 and the title of Young Archaeologist of the Year at an event in Middleton Park’s Visitor Centre on Saturday 16 January.

William is the founding member of the Leeds Young Archaeologists’ Club (YAC). He is a Year 8 pupil at Royds School and has overcome a number of personal difficulties. He was presented with his award by Nicky Milsted from YAC HQ. She said: “It was an honour to meet William. I was immediately drawn in by his enthusiastic attitude and love of archaeology.

He is an asset to Leeds YAC and is obviously respected by all his fellow members. I’m sure he will go far and that the archaeological community should watch out for his name.”

Councillor Kim Groves, who represents the Middleton Park ward, joined Leeds YAC members, leaders and parents for the presentation. She said: “The visitor centre is extremely popular with visitors of all ages to Middleton Park, and it is brilliant news that William, who is a member of the Leeds Young Archaeologists’ Club that meet regularly at the facility, has been awarded this tremendous accolade.To be told that Middleton Park is the perfect surroundings for William as he undertakes his archaeology research makes us

Vicki is a vintage belle from Belle Isle

While growing up in Czechoslovakia during the 1920s and 30s, Iby Knill was not aware that she and her fully-assimilated family were Jews, and did not even know what it meant to be Jewish.

But its significance became all too apparent when Nazi racial laws were imposed, leading to inconveniences, indignities, dispossession, deportation and finally a journey to Auschwitz.

Iby’s survival – after immense hardship and against many odds – led to further journeys, including marriage to a British army officer, a new life in England, adoption of Christianity and eventually, after 60 years, the decision to tell the story of her wartime experiences, which had been locked away in her mind.

by Lucy Potter Vicki Gawthorpe, a mum of three from Belle Isle, has recently embarked on the road of self discovery after being entered for the ‘New Face of Le Keux‘ competition in Leeds.

Vicki who is 33 years old and works as an Autistic Lead Practitioner at Windmill Primary School in Belle Isle, says her new image has helped to build her confidence, and open doors to opportunities. Now she aims to inspire others to follow their dream.

Vicki has secretly ‘dabbled’ in the 1950’s fashion style, but it wasn’t until August 2015 that she decided unleash her inner vintage goddess. She met the fantastic team at Le Keux salon in the city centre after a makeover for her cousin’s wedding.

Le Keux, which is based in central Leeds and Birmingham, specialise in everything from vintage parties, events, pin up photo shoots to burlesque. They noticed Vicki’s individual ‘look’ and suggested she should enter for their ‘New Face of Le Keux’ 2016.

She says their support and encouragement have helped build an image she always aspired to.

We arrange to meet at Brew Tea Rooms in Beeston. It’s the perfect back drop for a photo opportunity and a good latte. Vicki enters with her elegant green and white polka dot 1950’s dress, turquoise crinoline underskirt and pink/purple florescent curled hair and glitter flats, turning heads as she goes. Her colourful attire matches her bubbly personality and it was this and a short paragraph explaining why she wanted to be the next face of Le Keux that appealed to the team as a worthy entrant to the competition.

Vicki Gawthorpe Photo: Lucy Potter

Vicki says she feels liberated by embracing her new look. Not necessarily liberated in the sense of the domestic gender roles that came with the 50’s, more how the 50’s was an awakening of the post-war era that led towards women helping to change those stereotypes.

There is something romantic about the overall design of the 1950’s that evokes a sense of nostalgia. From movie icons to music, it has influenced a period revival over the years.The growing subculture of vintage tea and Lindy Hop dances are a great way to experience the lifestyle.The internet has also made the era more accessible, opening up to a virtual 1950’s community with fashion tips and hair tutorials. Vicki illustrates the fusion of vintage with the modern perfectly, as she cherry picks the best bits to fit into

February 2016 | South Leeds Life

being an independent woman today.

Vicki says how her new image has helped to define who she is: “I don’t have to fit into a box, I can just be me.”

She also wants to encourage others to do the same. After our interview Vicki emailed me her first blog post Vintage Belle Vicki.“My readers can join me in my journey into the world of the modern pin up look!” Could Vicki also be another community reporter?

For a recent ‘dress as your superhero day’ Vicki’s eldest daughter went to school in a 1950’s outfit. She shows me a photo on her phone of her ten year old in a rockabilly skirt and her mums trademark curled quiff, she went as her mum – her hero!

Well, I’m already inspired and off to find my curlers! https://vintagevixblog.wordpress.com

Now aged 91, Iby Knill – who lives in Leeds – is the author of a vivid Holocaust-survival memoir, ‘The Woman Without a Number’ that also deals with her pre- and post-war life.

She also gives public talks, and will be speaking in Beeston on Monday 15 February at 12pm at a meeting organised by Touchstone, the mental health charity.

If you would like any more info please have a look at her website: www.ibyknill.co.uk

“My Story: The Woman Without A Number” Hillside, Beeston Rd Monday 15 February 12-2pm Touchstone Leadership Masterclass RSVP: office@touchstonesupport.org.uk

Dealing with my child’s diabetes diagnosis

by Julie Holmes

On Saturday 27 September 2015, my son Aidan was admitted to the Jubilee Wing at LGI with Type 1 Diabetes.

This was a shock as he had shown no signs of anything, he was still his normal cheeky self, running round, eating and doing everything a typical 6 year old boy would do.

He had been drinking a bit more than usual for a few days but because he was doing all his normal things and showing no signs of anything I just assumed it was a phase he was going through.

Around 8pm that night Aidan was talking to me but he sounded drunk, he was slurring his words. I phoned the emergency Doctors and got an appointment. They said over the phone it sounded like a water infection, which did make sense.

They had nowhere local to go and I had to get to Meanwood Road, my Dad took me and Aidan up there.

I had taken a water sample of Aidan’s with us and the Doctor checked and said “it’s bad news, it’s Diabetes” I was completely shocked. He wrote a letter and we had to go straight to the hospital.

Saturday night at 11pm I was walking into Jubilee Wing with Aidan, completely in shock at what we had been told.

We made our way up to Ward 9 and Aidan had his assessments done, we were then shown into a room. Aidan lay on the bed, by this time he had become very dehydrated, his mouth was dry, his lips were dry and cracked. I could also see his face looking different. An hour earlier there was no sign of this.

Within a couple of hours, he had gone from a cheeky little boy, to a very poorly little boy.

His blood sugars were nearly 40, he had high Ketones, he also had Ketoacidosis.

Aidan laid on the hospital bed while nurses and a doctor inserted cannulas into each hand, he never flinched just laid there staring at me, while I talked to him and stroked his head. He was then hooked up to 5 drips, all running into one of his cannulas.

About 5am Sunday morning, Aidan was moved in to his own room. There was also a bed for me, not that I slept much, it was just somewhere to lay down.

Every couple of hours or so,

Aidan in hospital

there were doctors and nurses coming into the room and taking his blood for testing.This was on top of the normal finger prick test for his blood glucose. Again he just laid there and let them, not a peek out of him, not a flinch or a cry of pain.

The acidity in Aidan’s blood had caused stress on his little body, but after 3 days his blood returned to normal and thankfully no damage was done.

Within a couple of hours, he had gone from a cheeky little boy, to a very poorly little boy.

On Tuesday evening Aidan could eat for the first time, since his Super Noodles on Saturday night. He had sausage, beans and mash and he enjoyed it!

From Tuesday came all the visits from the Diabetic Team, such a lot to take in. Even Aidan was listening to what they were saying, and we knew this because if they asked a question about something they had just talked about, Aidan knew the answer.

Tuesday was also the first time that I had to give Aidan his insulin, I never let the nurses do it, I took it on straight away.

To suddenly start having to put needles in my little boy, it was heart-breaking, but now it has become the normal thing.

Aidan is so brave too, he has never complained about the injections, or the finger pricks – which he does them himself. He knows how to set it all up, how to change the lancets and he knows what numbers are good and what numbers are too low.

Late afternoon on Thursday was time to say goodbye to Jubilee Wing and I took Aidan home. He was glad to be home and was soon running round and been his normal cheeky self.

The next step was school, Aidan was back at school the following Tuesday after we had a meeting with Jane (Aidan’s Diabetic Nurse) and his teachers. A Care Plan was put in place and then it was my turn to be teacher. I had to go to school at dinner time and show Aidan’s teachers how to do his insulin, I did this for a week and then it was my turn to watch the teachers for a week. When myself and Aidan felt comfortable with the teachers doing the insulin and they also felt comfortable doing it, I signed them over to be allowed to do Aidan’s insulin injection on a dinner time.

Aidan has took to the Diabetes very quickly. He knows we have to check the labels and do the counting before meals; Aidan likes to be involved with this as well. He also knows that not everything he eats needs to be covered with insulin. He is getting quite good at knowing what needs insulin and what doesn’t.

We are so very proud of Aidan for everything he has been through and continues to go through. We are also proud of our other children, we know they found it hard to see Aidan in hospital, but it was good for him to have everyone there.

I would like to say thank you so very much to all the nurses and doctors on Ward 9 in the Children’s Assessment and Treatment Unit (CAT) and also thank you to Poppy from the Playroom.

I would also like to add that Aidan’s clinic appointments are going well. His HB1AC blood count has dropped right down and they are expecting on his next clinic date (which will be his third) that he will be with the green zone.

This is a good website for Junior Diabetes: https://jdrf.org.uk/

South Leeds Life | February 2016

www.southleedslife.com

6 My Life in South Leeds

www.southleedslife.com

Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife

Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife

Website: www.southleedslife.com

The woman without a number

13 year old Willian Fakes from Middleton scoops £250 prize

At South Leeds Life we believe everyone has a story to tell.

Maybe you have an interesting hobby, an unusual life experience, or a claim to fame. Or perhaps you just want to reflect on old times, old places, or people from your past?

Some of us were born and bred in the area - that’s interesting. Some of us moved to the area, that’s interesting too. Our community is rich and diverse and held together by all our wonderful stories.

Get in touch with your story. Email us at info@southleedslife.com.

If you’re not confident we can help you write it.

Nicky Milsted (YAC), William Fakes and Cllr Kim Groves

very proud, and given his undoubted talent, I don’t think this will be the last time that we hear of his achievements in this fascinating field of work.”

William himself was thrilled and surprised by the award. He said: “When I found out I’d won I was speechless, literally. It was phenomenal just to be nominated and I really didn’t think I’d win. The best thing about archaeology is getting muddy, very very muddy, and I love military history. I’d like to do further study in archaeology.

One thing’s for sure: I’ll never have a job that involves chairs and desks!”

Margaret Baker, William’s key

support teacher from Royds School said: “We are so proud to have such an extraordinary young student. William is a pleasure to have as part of our school community.”

Leeds Young Archaeologists’ Club was set up following a successful school history project delivered as part of the Heritage Lottery Funded Parks for People regeneration of Middleton Park. Fiona Spiers, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund,Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “We are so pleased that William has received national recognition through the Young Archaeologist of the Year Award.

At HLF we are dedicated about funding projects that help people to learn about their local heritage and through the project at Middleton Park, William has been able to show his passion and enthusiasm for history and archaeology.”

The Young Archaeologist of the Year Award is one of three Marsh Awards for Community Archaeology. They are run in partnership between the Marsh Christian Trust and the Council for British Archaeology, and are given to recognise and promote high quality archaeological work being carried out across the community archaeology sector.

Leeds YAC meets on the third Saturday of each month.

Noor’s Palestine Marathon adventure

by Jeremy Morton

Beeston bus driver Noor Zaman will be running in the Palestine Marathon on 1 April.

Having climbed Snowden and Ben Nevis on community hikes he was looking for an overseas challenge and saw the opportunity to raise funds for good causes.

Noor will tackle the 26 mile course, which starts and finishes in Manger Square, Bethlehem to raise money to help feed Palestinian and Syrian refugees.

He will be amongst 3,000 runners from many nationalities and religious backgrounds battling the 30 degree heat.

The course passes the Al Aida and Ad Dheisheh regugee camps as well as running alongside the 8m high wall that divides Isreal and the occupied terrirtories.

The event highlights the restriction

of movement that Palestinian face in their own country.

Noor has already received sponsorship from FeverFM, his trade union Unite and Richard Burgon MP. He is also touring Leeds speaking and collecting at mosques. All this on top of his early morning training runs.

“It was a bit of a spur of the moment thing” he said “When I heard about it I knew I wanted to do it and do it now before I’m too old.

“I’m really excited, it’s going to be very interesting. Running is great for bringing people together and I will be running with Christians, Jews and Muslims.”

Noor will also take the opportunity visit holy sites in Bethlehem and Jerusalem having paid all the costs of the trip himself.

If you would like to sponsor him go to: www.justgiving.com/noorzaman Noor Zaman Photo: Jeremy Morton palestinemarathon

My Life in South Leeds 7

Email: info@southleedslife.com

Young Archaeologist of the Year William Fakes (13) from Middleton was presented with a cheque for £250 and the title of Young Archaeologist of the Year at an event in Middleton Park’s Visitor Centre on Saturday 16 January.

William is the founding member of the Leeds Young Archaeologists’ Club (YAC). He is a Year 8 pupil at Royds School and has overcome a number of personal difficulties. He was presented with his award by Nicky Milsted from YAC HQ. She said: “It was an honour to meet William. I was immediately drawn in by his enthusiastic attitude and love of archaeology.

He is an asset to Leeds YAC and is obviously respected by all his fellow members. I’m sure he will go far and that the archaeological community should watch out for his name.”

Councillor Kim Groves, who represents the Middleton Park ward, joined Leeds YAC members, leaders and parents for the presentation. She said: “The visitor centre is extremely popular with visitors of all ages to Middleton Park, and it is brilliant news that William, who is a member of the Leeds Young Archaeologists’ Club that meet regularly at the facility, has been awarded this tremendous accolade.To be told that Middleton Park is the perfect surroundings for William as he undertakes his archaeology research makes us

Vicki is a vintage belle from Belle Isle

While growing up in Czechoslovakia during the 1920s and 30s, Iby Knill was not aware that she and her fully-assimilated family were Jews, and did not even know what it meant to be Jewish.

But its significance became all too apparent when Nazi racial laws were imposed, leading to inconveniences, indignities, dispossession, deportation and finally a journey to Auschwitz.

Iby’s survival – after immense hardship and against many odds – led to further journeys, including marriage to a British army officer, a new life in England, adoption of Christianity and eventually, after 60 years, the decision to tell the story of her wartime experiences, which had been locked away in her mind.

by Lucy Potter Vicki Gawthorpe, a mum of three from Belle Isle, has recently embarked on the road of self discovery after being entered for the ‘New Face of Le Keux‘ competition in Leeds.

Vicki who is 33 years old and works as an Autistic Lead Practitioner at Windmill Primary School in Belle Isle, says her new image has helped to build her confidence, and open doors to opportunities. Now she aims to inspire others to follow their dream.

Vicki has secretly ‘dabbled’ in the 1950’s fashion style, but it wasn’t until August 2015 that she decided unleash her inner vintage goddess. She met the fantastic team at Le Keux salon in the city centre after a makeover for her cousin’s wedding.

Le Keux, which is based in central Leeds and Birmingham, specialise in everything from vintage parties, events, pin up photo shoots to burlesque. They noticed Vicki’s individual ‘look’ and suggested she should enter for their ‘New Face of Le Keux’ 2016.

She says their support and encouragement have helped build an image she always aspired to.

We arrange to meet at Brew Tea Rooms in Beeston. It’s the perfect back drop for a photo opportunity and a good latte. Vicki enters with her elegant green and white polka dot 1950’s dress, turquoise crinoline underskirt and pink/purple florescent curled hair and glitter flats, turning heads as she goes. Her colourful attire matches her bubbly personality and it was this and a short paragraph explaining why she wanted to be the next face of Le Keux that appealed to the team as a worthy entrant to the competition.

Vicki Gawthorpe Photo: Lucy Potter

Vicki says she feels liberated by embracing her new look. Not necessarily liberated in the sense of the domestic gender roles that came with the 50’s, more how the 50’s was an awakening of the post-war era that led towards women helping to change those stereotypes.

There is something romantic about the overall design of the 1950’s that evokes a sense of nostalgia. From movie icons to music, it has influenced a period revival over the years.The growing subculture of vintage tea and Lindy Hop dances are a great way to experience the lifestyle.The internet has also made the era more accessible, opening up to a virtual 1950’s community with fashion tips and hair tutorials. Vicki illustrates the fusion of vintage with the modern perfectly, as she cherry picks the best bits to fit into

February 2016 | South Leeds Life

being an independent woman today.

Vicki says how her new image has helped to define who she is: “I don’t have to fit into a box, I can just be me.”

She also wants to encourage others to do the same. After our interview Vicki emailed me her first blog post Vintage Belle Vicki.“My readers can join me in my journey into the world of the modern pin up look!” Could Vicki also be another community reporter?

For a recent ‘dress as your superhero day’ Vicki’s eldest daughter went to school in a 1950’s outfit. She shows me a photo on her phone of her ten year old in a rockabilly skirt and her mums trademark curled quiff, she went as her mum – her hero!

Well, I’m already inspired and off to find my curlers! https://vintagevixblog.wordpress.com

Now aged 91, Iby Knill – who lives in Leeds – is the author of a vivid Holocaust-survival memoir, ‘The Woman Without a Number’ that also deals with her pre- and post-war life.

She also gives public talks, and will be speaking in Beeston on Monday 15 February at 12pm at a meeting organised by Touchstone, the mental health charity.

If you would like any more info please have a look at her website: www.ibyknill.co.uk

“My Story: The Woman Without A Number” Hillside, Beeston Rd Monday 15 February 12-2pm Touchstone Leadership Masterclass RSVP: office@touchstonesupport.org.uk

Dealing with my child’s diabetes diagnosis

by Julie Holmes

On Saturday 27 September 2015, my son Aidan was admitted to the Jubilee Wing at LGI with Type 1 Diabetes.

This was a shock as he had shown no signs of anything, he was still his normal cheeky self, running round, eating and doing everything a typical 6 year old boy would do.

He had been drinking a bit more than usual for a few days but because he was doing all his normal things and showing no signs of anything I just assumed it was a phase he was going through.

Around 8pm that night Aidan was talking to me but he sounded drunk, he was slurring his words. I phoned the emergency Doctors and got an appointment. They said over the phone it sounded like a water infection, which did make sense.

They had nowhere local to go and I had to get to Meanwood Road, my Dad took me and Aidan up there.

I had taken a water sample of Aidan’s with us and the Doctor checked and said “it’s bad news, it’s Diabetes” I was completely shocked. He wrote a letter and we had to go straight to the hospital.

Saturday night at 11pm I was walking into Jubilee Wing with Aidan, completely in shock at what we had been told.

We made our way up to Ward 9 and Aidan had his assessments done, we were then shown into a room. Aidan lay on the bed, by this time he had become very dehydrated, his mouth was dry, his lips were dry and cracked. I could also see his face looking different. An hour earlier there was no sign of this.

Within a couple of hours, he had gone from a cheeky little boy, to a very poorly little boy.

His blood sugars were nearly 40, he had high Ketones, he also had Ketoacidosis.

Aidan laid on the hospital bed while nurses and a doctor inserted cannulas into each hand, he never flinched just laid there staring at me, while I talked to him and stroked his head. He was then hooked up to 5 drips, all running into one of his cannulas.

About 5am Sunday morning, Aidan was moved in to his own room. There was also a bed for me, not that I slept much, it was just somewhere to lay down.

Every couple of hours or so,

Aidan in hospital

there were doctors and nurses coming into the room and taking his blood for testing.This was on top of the normal finger prick test for his blood glucose. Again he just laid there and let them, not a peek out of him, not a flinch or a cry of pain.

The acidity in Aidan’s blood had caused stress on his little body, but after 3 days his blood returned to normal and thankfully no damage was done.

Within a couple of hours, he had gone from a cheeky little boy, to a very poorly little boy.

On Tuesday evening Aidan could eat for the first time, since his Super Noodles on Saturday night. He had sausage, beans and mash and he enjoyed it!

From Tuesday came all the visits from the Diabetic Team, such a lot to take in. Even Aidan was listening to what they were saying, and we knew this because if they asked a question about something they had just talked about, Aidan knew the answer.

Tuesday was also the first time that I had to give Aidan his insulin, I never let the nurses do it, I took it on straight away.

To suddenly start having to put needles in my little boy, it was heart-breaking, but now it has become the normal thing.

Aidan is so brave too, he has never complained about the injections, or the finger pricks – which he does them himself. He knows how to set it all up, how to change the lancets and he knows what numbers are good and what numbers are too low.

Late afternoon on Thursday was time to say goodbye to Jubilee Wing and I took Aidan home. He was glad to be home and was soon running round and been his normal cheeky self.

The next step was school, Aidan was back at school the following Tuesday after we had a meeting with Jane (Aidan’s Diabetic Nurse) and his teachers. A Care Plan was put in place and then it was my turn to be teacher. I had to go to school at dinner time and show Aidan’s teachers how to do his insulin, I did this for a week and then it was my turn to watch the teachers for a week. When myself and Aidan felt comfortable with the teachers doing the insulin and they also felt comfortable doing it, I signed them over to be allowed to do Aidan’s insulin injection on a dinner time.

Aidan has took to the Diabetes very quickly. He knows we have to check the labels and do the counting before meals; Aidan likes to be involved with this as well. He also knows that not everything he eats needs to be covered with insulin. He is getting quite good at knowing what needs insulin and what doesn’t.

We are so very proud of Aidan for everything he has been through and continues to go through. We are also proud of our other children, we know they found it hard to see Aidan in hospital, but it was good for him to have everyone there.

I would like to say thank you so very much to all the nurses and doctors on Ward 9 in the Children’s Assessment and Treatment Unit (CAT) and also thank you to Poppy from the Playroom.

I would also like to add that Aidan’s clinic appointments are going well. His HB1AC blood count has dropped right down and they are expecting on his next clinic date (which will be his third) that he will be with the green zone.

This is a good website for Junior Diabetes: https://jdrf.org.uk/

South Leeds Life | January 2016

www.southleedslife.com

8 Opinion

In our view

Road safety

‘We have all heard the cynics that say these 20mph zones are rubbish because some drivers don’t observe the limit. But this is the start of a culture shift, like wearing seat belts in the 80s. It will soon be the norm for all residential streets to have a 20mph limit. The stark fact is that a child hit by a car travelling at 20mph will probably live, a child hit by a car at 30mph will probably die. It’s up to all of us who do want safe streets for our children to drive to the new limit the tide will turn.

Managing the area

As Hilary Benn writes on page 2, prostitution is the oldest profession in the world and no other city has found a solution.

The Managed Area in Holbeck has brought some improvements, but it must be enforced more rigorously. We need more resources to do that. Residents can play their part by reporting incidents to the Police.

New school, new hopes

The opening of a new school should always be a positive experience and it certainly was as Lane End Primary marked the start of its journey. The children’s dreams and aspirations were inspiring, the challenge for all of us is to to help those children achieve their dreams.

Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife

Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife

Your letters and comments

Top Tweets

Stolen pavements

Oh my God! Nothing is safe.

Julie Gill This happened on Belvedere Avenue in Beeston back in 1996. No one saw a thing ... apparently.

Chris Baillie The path of Yorkshire stone was stolen from St Marys church a while ago. Now it has been replaced with Tarmac! It’s not as nice.

Sandra Askin We had a snowman we made stolen, you can see the lads rolling it away on our CCTV. Nothing is sacred anymore.

Marie Pearson

Floods

Interesting piece, thoughts must first be with those who lost possessions or businesses and we must hope that normality is restored for those affected asap.

However, rather than simply being lazy and blaming climate change, we must take prudent steps to mitigate damage caused by flooding, rather than believing that a few turbines and/or solar panels will solve the problem.

Start off by dredging the rivers on a regular basis – I know this will upset our unelected, unaccountable friends in Brussels, but so be it.

Next – stop cutting down trees in areas prone to flooding or on hills. Dead easy – plenty of natural drainage there.

Lastly – tighten planning laws in respect of construction in areas vulnerable to

River Aire at the Royal Armouries on Boxing Day. Photo: Jeremy Morton

flooding – either reject applications or insist on adequate water attenuation to reduce the flow of water into our antiquated sewer systems.

The failure to maintain suitable infrastructure as our towns and cities become larger and more heavily populated is the primary cause, and the failure of successive governments to tackle this results in disasters such as this.

All the while we waste vast amounts of money on things that benefit nobody – non jobs in the public sector, EU membership, HS2, aid to countries with space programmes, stuff like that.

Luke Senior

Public art on Dewsbury Rd

Leeds City Council are complaining about a shortfall in their budget.

Can't these sorts of things wait until finances pick up?

Jean Adams

Your Councillors and MP Beeston & Holbeck ward

Includes Beeston from Cross Flatts Park up to the Co-op, Cottingley, old Holbeck. The three councillors are:

David Congreve 0113 277 7389 david.congreve@leeds.gov.uk Angela Gabriel 07946 632 468 angela.gabriel@leeds.gov.uk Adam Ogilvie 0113 247 4578 adam.ogilvie@leeds.gov.uk

City & Hunslet ward Includes the city centre, Holbeck Urban Village, Beeston Hill and Hunslet. The three councillors are:

Patrick Davey 0113 261 0465 patrick.davey@leeds.gov.uk Mohammed Iqbal 0113 294 1049 mohammed.iqbal@leeds.gov.uk Elizabeth Nash 0113 275 8594 elizabeth.nash@leeds.gov.uk

Middleton Park ward Includes Belle Isle and Middleton. The three councillors are:

Judith Blake Kim Groves Paul Truswell

0113 395 1735 judith.blake@leeds.gov.uk 07891 741 832 kim.groves@leeds.gov.uk 0113 247 4472 paul.truswell@leeds.gov.uk

Leeds Central MP – Rt Hon Hilary Benn Hilary Benn is our MP. He represents the Leeds Central constituency which covers Hunslet, Belle Isle, Beeston, Holbeck, Cottingley in south Leeds as well as the city centre, Woodhouse, Little London, Lincoln Green, Richmond Hill, Osmondthorpe, Halton Moor and New Wortley.

Contact: hilary.benn.mp@parliament.uk, www.hilarybennmp.com Constituency office: Suite 7, Unity Business Centre, 26 Roundhay Road, Leeds LS7 1AB; phone: 0113 244 1097

I think it will enrich all who will see it.

Steve Davison There is a role for public art and if it’s good enough for the city centre, it’s good enough for Dewsbury Road. £10,000 is a lot of money to you or me, but to create and complete a piece that will mean something and stand the test of time is a tall order. I suspect whoever wins will spend the

budget on materials - it’s no way to make a living.

I’m afraid it looks as if it’s been tagged onto the wider project as a bit of an afterthought. This is a shame because art can go a long way to set the tone for an environment and encourage pride and make people think about the place where they live and work.

Ron Bagshaw

Beeston murder

Thank you Ken, that's a very interesting read. Are the houses still up in Beeston or does anyone know where they were built?

Caroline Allen

@CEO_HunsletClub Got the keys to our 2nd property, it's going to be a great family home once complete #hunsletclub @HealthforAllLds Our cafe at Belle Isle Family Centre serves yummy healthy food - our new tortilla salad bowls are super healthy because we bake tortillas @KidzKlubLeeds Busy day of assemblies today! Great to be in @HunsMoorPrimary + @HughGaitskellPS #achievement @keithhitchiner Alfie Wray, his Great Great Grandfather was one of the terrible six. How proud he must feel

Farewell John

Best wishes to John Baron in his new role. He has done some great work in Leeds Martin Dean Mr John Baron - a legend in his own lunchtime, which on Fridays is fish & chips!

My time at Health For All was brief but all the better for having you around. You’ve done great work for South Leeds, good luck further afield.

Jason Slack

Join the debate. Comment online; by email: info@southleedslife.com; or post to: 224 Cross Flatts Grove, Leeds, LS11 7BW. Letters may be edited for publication.

Corrections and clarifications Young Dads Project

Keep up to date, up to the minute, by following South Leeds Life’s Twitter feed: @SouthLeedsLife.

Twitter is the 140 character ‘micro blogging’ site. It’s free and you can sign up at twitter.com. It’s a great place to find the very latest news.

Here are some of our favourite recent tweets:

In our January edition we reported on the Inner South Community Committee meeting in which a group from Health for All’s Young Dads Project were invited. We stated that the group was from the 'Caring Dads Project' when in fact the men were from the 'Young Dads' project.

'Caring Dads' is a programme that aims to helps fathers improve their relationship with their children and end controlling or abusive behaviours.

The Young Dads Project advises and supports Young Dads by running activities, courses and groups to assist the dads with their positive progression through life and parenthood. For more information about the project, contact Tom Senior on (0113) 270 6903 or email tom.senior@healthforall.org.uk.

@HelenLcc Day 22 @1PieceOfRubbish less at #Cottingley now. Join me. Every day; every one; 1 piece of rubbish. @SouthLeeds_PE Thanks to @hunsletcars for sponsoring our new rugby kit! #community @Child_Leeds Supporting Schools.

Shortlisted: Hamara Supplementary School support young people to achieve good grades in school #ChildFriendlyLeedsAwards @slunglowalan Think @BBCWomansHour should host proper discussion about Holbeck'sManagedArea with people who know scheme/area & don't use phrase RapeGhetto

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February 2016 | South Leeds Life

News 9

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Social Prescribing “treats people like people” Connect for Health, a local NHSfunded service to improve health and wellbeing for people living in South and East Leeds, has found that social isolation is proving to be the biggest factor affecting health and wellbeing – affecting over one third (37%) of the people the service has worked with in the two months since it was set up.

The findings were revealed on Monday (25 January 2016) at a Connect for Health community event in Beeston, attended by more than 80 health and social care professionals and third sector organisations working in the South and East of the city.

Funded by NHS Leeds South and East Clinical Commissioning Group, Connect for Health aims to help and support patients maintain a healthy lifestyle, prevent illness or manage existing health problems and long term conditions in a way that cannot always be solved through traditional

medical routes alone. Services of this type are sometimes called ‘social prescribing’ and are an emerging field in healthcare. Similar schemes in West Leeds, Rotherham and Bradford have shown considerable benefits for patients.

Since it launched at the end November, the Connect for Health service has so far helped around sixty people in South and East Leeds, of all ages, with a diverse range of needs affecting both their mental and physical health, from loneliness, to debt and housing problems, alcohol dependency. This is done by helping people to access the wide range of community groups and activity in the area, from walking groups and befriending services, to healthy cooking or creative classes, to debt advice.

Attendees at the event heard from Councillor Paul Truswell, Councillor for the Middleton Ward and chair of the Chair of the Leeds South and East

Health and Wellbeing Group, who gave his support to the scheme and said it was: “A way of meeting people’s often varied and complex needs, and treating them as individuals – not simply pigeonholing them as patients, service Cllr Paul Truswell addresses the meeting users, tenants, become interlinked, with one clients, customers, or victims.”

The Councillor’s support was influencing the other negatively. He echoed by consultant psychiatrist Dr suggested that sometimes a fresh and non-medical David Yeomans, from Leeds & York perspective can have a bigger positive approach Partnerships NHS Trust, who used impact for patients than medication case studies to explain how a combination of health problems and alone.

Lucy Hancock, Connect for Health personal circumstances can often

Manager said: “We are really keen to spread the word about how we can help people in South and East Leeds.

There are so many great community groups and organisations in our local area, and our job is to make it really easy for people to find support that’s right for them. Most cases so far have come via a referral from their GP, but any professional can refer someone they are working with, and people can refer themselves or a loved one to us.

I would urge anyone who feels they are struggling a bit, either with something that’s causing them to feel worried or low, is living with a longterm condition, or simply wants to lead a healthier life, to get in touch and see if we can help.”

All patients registered with a GP practice in Leeds South and East are eligible to access the free service.

More details can be found at www.connectforhealthleeds.org.uk or calling (0113) 387 6380. Or speak to your GP.

History: A Beeston murder Local groups get funds to help improve health

by Ken Burton

The last time Cornish born tinner Charles Oliver Blewitt (1867 – 1900) and his wife 33 year old Mary Ann were seen together was in their house in Star Fold, Beeston, Leeds about 9pm on 8 June 1900, shortly afterwards the blinds were pulled down and the house closed up.

The neighbours thinking it strange that they had not seen either of the Blewitts for quite some time informed the police who on the 17 June broke down the front door and walked right into a murder scene.

Mrs. Blewitt was found sitting in a chair with her throat cut, there were wounds to her wrists and hands where she had fought to protect her throat; a shawl had been thrown over her head and shoulders.There was a large pool of blood on the hearthrug and a pair of bloodstained boots were found where the murderer had stepped into the pool of blood then changed his boots before leaving. The crime appeared to have taken place during a meal.

Although Charles Blewitt was nowhere to be found, he had been seen early on 9 June walking along the road between Dewsbury and Heckmondwike, a witness stated that he had shaved off his moustache. Blewitt managed to find employment at Cornelius Redman & Sons Limited in Halifax under the assumed name of Oliver Jackson (Jackson being his wife’s maiden name), he remained here until a fellow worker saw his picture in

the paper and informed the police. They arrested him on the 3 July taking him to the police station at Halifax Town Hall where he was held before being collected by Leeds City Police

hearing a most able defence by your Counsel, have found you guilty of the crime with which you have been charged. I have only to say that I agree with that verdict. You will have every

Star Fold, Beeston

who returned with him to Leeds to face trial.

Blewitt was to be tried twice for the murder at the Leeds Assizes, the first trial before Mr Justice Ridley, resulted in the jury disagreeing and so a new trial was started in front of Mr. Justice Bruce, he was prosecuted by Mr Banks and Mr Grotrian and defended by Mr WJ Waugh and Mr CF Palmer.

Although the defence in the second trial stated: “There was no direct evidence, there was an utter absence of motive and there was nothing in the prisoner’s conduct consistent with guilt”, the jury returned a verdict of guilty after only threequarters of an hour’s deliberation.

The judge assumed the black cap and said: “Charles Oliver Blewitt, the jury after a careful trial, and after

opportunity, which you denied your victim, of making preparation for your great change. It only remains for me to pass the sentence of death.”

The sentence was then passed in the usual way and Blewitt was taken calmly to his death cell. His appeal having failed, Charles Oliver Blewitt, who was 33 years old, was hanged on the 28 August 1900 at Armley Prison by James Billington.

Although his family members remembered a kind and caring man who had never been in trouble,The Times reported that: ‘The condemned man was callous and indifferent to the last and made no confession.’

Whatever he was, he paid for his crime with his life and his deed in no way reflects on his surviving family, it is part of criminal history and should be remembered as only that.

NHS Leeds South and East Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has announced that 14 local projects will benefit from its Third Sector Grant Scheme, to help improve health and wellbeing in the South and East of the city.

Leeds South and East CCG is responsible for funding and managing health services for around 250,000 people living in South and East Leeds, and the grants will help the organisation deliver ambitious plans to improve health and wellbeing, prevent ill health and ultimately enable its local population to lead healthier lives.

The diverse range of projects funded included: · Hamara Healthy Living Centre to support people from BME communities with Cardio Vascular Disease to access services using ‘5 ways to wellbeing’ approach based in South Leeds Wellbeing Hub. · Home-Start Leeds to support parents with learning difficulties and disabilities who are expecting a baby. · Dial (Leeds) Ltd, who are working with foodbanks to offer an information service targeting people with disabilities and long term conditions. · Middleton Elderly Aid, who will offer befriending for socially isolated older people in Middleton.

The grants have been awarded in a second round of the £1million programme, which is being managed by independent grant-makers Leeds Community Foundation. It follows the first round of the programme, which closed in June 2015 and resulted in 24 organisations receiving almost £600,000.

46 applications were received. A panel including patients, GPs, and representatives from the CCG, Public Health and the third sector approved ten schemes costing up to £50,000 each and four schemes costing

around £5,000 each, with just over £400,000 allocated in total. There were many great applications and the panel had to make some difficult decisions but ultimately, successful applicants demonstrated that they met the needs of the CCG population and could address key population health issues as well as national NHS challenges.

Middleton Elderly Aid coach trip

Andy Harris, Clinical Chief Officer of NHS Leeds South and East CCG and a GP in East Leeds, said: “We are delighted to be extending our support for such a diverse range of important local projects. Community and voluntary organisations play a crucial role in helping us understand the health and wellbeing needs of our local people and the grants will enable this understanding to be used to tackle some really key health challenges in our area.”

Sally-Anne Greenfield, Chief Executive of Leeds Community Foundation, who are managing the distribution of grants, said: “We are proud to have partnered with the NHS Leeds South & East CCG in distributing these grants to enable community projects to build capacity and evidence of health benefits in communities.

We are excited to see the positive impact that these projects will have on the lives of local people and the part they will play in supporting the needs of the South and East of Leeds.”

South Leeds Life | February 2016

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10 What’s On

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What’s On

Your guide to events and activities across South Leeds in February Every Monday Swimming 9:45am Holbeck Elderly Aid Happy Chinese Families Group 9:30am-12pm Beeston Village Community Centre General fitness for the over 55's 11:30am-12:30pm St Andrews Community Centre, Beeston.

Lunch Club 12:30pm Salvation Army, Hunslet Hall Road, Beeston Men’s games group 1-3pm Belle Isle WMC Walk and Talk 1:30-2:30pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre Keep Fit 4:15-5pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Women only running with South Leeds Sisters 5.45pm Beginners Phoenix Bar, John Charles Centre Zumba 7pm Middleton Parochial Hall Every Tuesday Keep Fit 9:30am Trinity Network, Belle Isle Over 55's Nesfield church hall community room Knit & Natter 10:30am-12pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre General fitness over 55's 10-11am St Anthony's church hall, Beeston Chair based mobility session 11.30am-1pm Cottingley Community Centre Lunch Club

12:15-1:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Lunch Club 12:30pm Salvation Army, Hunslet Hall Road, Beeston Family Cafe 3:30-5:30pm Cottingley Community Centre Skate Light 6-8pm Middleton Community Centre South Leeds Lakers running group 7pm from Beeston Co-op Every Wednesday Chair mobility 10-10:45am Trinity Network, Belle Isle Over 55's Nesfield church hall community room Breaklfast Club & Foodbank 10am-12pm Hunslet Methodist Church, Telford Terrace, Balm Rd Computer Club 10am-12pm Holbeck Elderly Aid, Balm Walk Shopping Trip 10am-1pm Holbeck Elderly Aid, Balm Walk CAP Job Club 10am-12pm Two Willows Children’s Centre, Cardinal Square, Beeston Community Craft Cafe 10am-12pm Church of the Nazarene, Hunslet Hall Road Walk and Talk 12-1pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Lunch Club 12:30pm Salvation Army, Hunslet Hall Road, Beeston Line Dancing 1:45pm Trinity Network,

For up to date event information make sure you go online to

www.southleedslife.com and check the What’s On Calendar

Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Knit and Crochet Group 3-5pm Costa Coffee, Crown Point Retail Park Aerobics and Dance 3:30-4:30pm Cottingley Primary Academy General fitness (suitable for beginners) 6:15-7:15pm Belle Isle Family Centre Zumba 6:30pm Middleton Parochial Hall, Town Street Women only running with South Leeds Sisters 7.15pm Improvers Phoenix Bar, John Charles Centre Clubbercise 7:30-8:30pm St John & St Barnabus Church Hall, Belle Isle Every Thursday Tea & Toast 8:30-9:30am Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Heart Cafe 10-11:30am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Middleton Park Estate Volunteers 10am-3pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre South Leeds Life News Cafe 10am-12pm Brew Coffee Shop, Beeston Road Chair based mobility group and games group 11:15am-12:30pm Beeston Village Community Centre Lunch Club 12:30pm Salvation Army, Hunslet Hall Road, Beeston Line Dancing 1pm Trinity Network, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Digital Photography Club 1-3pm Tenants Hall, Acre Close, Middleton Craft Group 1:30-3:30pm Cleveleys Court, Holbeck Mashed up fitness session aerobic dance 1:45-2:45pm Beeston Village Community Centre Women only running with South Leeds Sisters 5.45pm Intermediates Phoenix Bar, John Charles Centre for Sport General fitness (suitable for beginners) 6-7pm Beeston Parish Centre Indoor Bowls 7-10pm The Holbeck (WMC), Jenkinson Lawn Clubbercise 7:30-8:30pm Cottingley Community Centre Zumba 7:15pm Middleton Parochial Hall Every Friday Charity Shop, Tea & Toast 9am-12pm Beeston Hill United Free Church, Malvern Road South Leeds Life News Cafe

10am-12pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Under 5s Storytime 10-11am Dewsbury Road Library Ladies Singing Group 10:30am-12:30pm Tenant Hall, Acre Close, Middleton In Harmony Community Choir 12:15-1pm Windmill Primary School, Belle Isle Fish & Chip Lunch Club 12:30-1:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Krok Po Kroku (Polish Group) 12:30-2:30pm Beeston Village Community Centre Games Afternoon 1:30-3pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Friday Night Project 6-9pm Middleton Leisure Centre Friday Night Drop In 6:30-8:30pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Every Saturday Breakfast Club 8:30-11am Vale Circles Centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Cross Flatts Parkrun 9am Run or walk 5km Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Police Contact Point 9:30-11:30am St George’s Centre, Middleton Zumba 10am Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Every Sunday Boxercise 4:15-5pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Clubbercise 5-5:45pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Tuesday 2 February Mostly Men 10am-12pm Northcotes Community Centre Holbeck Gala AGM 7:15pm Ingram Gardens Community Centre Friends of Stank Hall Barn 7:30pm The Broadway pub, Dewsbury Road Wednesday 3 February Hunslet Memories 12-2pm Garden Gate pub, Whitfield Place, Hunslet Hunslet Tenants & Residents 6:30-8pm Church of the Nazarene, Grove Road Thursday 4 February Holbeck In Bloom 4pm Ingram Gardens Community Centre Hunslet Carr Residents Ass 6:30pm Woodhouse Hill Community Centre, Woodhouse Hill Avenue Beeston Community Forum 7:30pm Beeston Village Community Centre

Sunday 7 February Play: Everything I bought and how it made me feel 5pm Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck Tuesday 9 February Beeston Local History Soc 8pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Saturday 13 February Coffee Morning & Table Sale 10am-12pm St Andrew’s Church, Old Lane, Beeston Sunday 14 February 5k Run for Skye 11am Middleton Park Visitor Centre Sunday Lunch 1-3pm Holbeck Community Centre, Elland Road Monday 15 Febuary St Luke’s Tenants & Residents 6pm St Luke’s Church, Malvern Road, Beeston Tuesday 16 February White Rose Residents Assoc 6pm Two Willows Children’s Centre, Cardinal Square, Beeston Wednesday 17 February Super Fun Superheroes 11am-1pm Beeston Library, Town Street South Leeds Life 4-6pm Watsonia Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park, Beeston Thursday 18 February

Comics Club!

3:15-4:45pm Dewsbury Road Library Saturday 20 February Leeds Young Archaeologists Club 10am-12pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre Sunday 21 February History Walk 1-3pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre Macbeth 5pm Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck Tuesday 23 February Children’s Play Session 1-3pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre Wednesday 24 February Children’s Play Session 1-3pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre Saturday 27 February Holbeck Feast Cafe 9-11am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Sunday 28 February BITMO Lunch Club 1-3pm BITMO’s GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Maltings Lunch Club 1-3pm Maltings Court, Maltings Road, Beeston Community Meal 5-6:30pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park

Publicise your event with South Leeds Life Send full details of your event to: info@southleedslife.com or post to: 224 Cross Flatts Grove, Leeds, LS11 7BW

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Arts 11

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Home art gallery marks fifth anniversary

If I asked you to picture an art gallery you might say a grand Victorian building, or even a converted power station, but I doubt you would suggest a terraced house in Beeston.

But that’s exactly the location of the Basement Arts Project which celebrates its fifth anniversary this year. Bruce and Debs Davies gave over their cellar to create a space for art in the community.

BAP’s manifesto proclaims their intention to “provide an arterial connection between the inhabitants of the South Leeds environ and the larger Leeds art scene; and vice versa.”

To this end they recently took a group local residents to exhibitions around Leeds and helped them produce a newspaper, ‘#7SecondTour’, with students from Leeds Beckett University in response to what they had seen.

BAP is working with South Leeds life to develop this idea into a larger project.

To celebrate their anniversary and look forward to some of the plans that they have for the future Basement Arts Project is holding a special viewing of ‘MantlePiece’, the last exhibition of our 2015 programme, on Thursday 11 February at 1pm. There will be an introduction by the artists.

‘MantlePiece’ is a sculptural installation by Leeds based duo Lens&Chisel; sculptor Keith Ackerman and light artist / photographer Adam Glatherine.

For this exhibition Lens&Chisel step outside of the more conventional aspects of their practice to create an installation that highlights the place of marble in contemporary sculpture.

‘MantlePiece’ focuses not only on the finished object but also on the journey of

February 2016 | South Leeds Life

MantlePiece by Lens&Chisel

both material and artists in the process of creating their artworks.

Forged by intense heat and pressure over millions of years beneath the surface of the earth, Carrara marble is a material revered by sculptors and historians; this new site-specific installation takes us on a subterranean

journey from marble to light, using each along the way to reveal often unseen qualities of the other.

To attend this special event, please contact basementartsproject@gm ail.com; www.facebook. com/basementartsproject; or @BasementArtsPro on Twitter.

New artworks for Dewsbury Road

Two pieces of public art have residents.

The improvements follow a been commissioned as part of a £200,000 sprucing up of consultation process in 2014 and 2015 that identified problems and Dewsbury Road in Beeston.

Sites have been identified outside solutions in the area. The project the One Stop Centre and at the has also worked with children from bottom of Trentham Street and a three local primary schools budget of £10,000 per artwork Hunslet Moor, New Bewerley and allocated.The plan is to give a focus St Francis of Assisi who worked and clearer identity to this stretch with The Tetley to design banners of Dewsbury Road as a shopping for lampposts for the area.The first area. banners were put up in May and a The artworks will form part of a second set of banners went up wider scheme that includes street before Christmas. improvements and tree planting, Interested artists have until 15 described as “A programme of February to apply for the proposed enhancement to the commission, full details are on The streetscape will aim to create a Tetley’s website: more attractive, user friendly, safe thetetley.org/jobs-opportunities and secure environment for shoppers, visitors and residents.”

The project is being run by a partnership involving Leeds City Council, The Tetley art gallery and the Dewsbury Road Town Team, which involves One of the art sites on Dewsbury Road businesses and

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South Leeds Life | February 2016

12 Sport

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Hunslet Hawks’ unsteady pre-season start

by James Major & Jeremy Morton Since Christmas the Hunslet Hawks have lost their two pre-season matches and their Head Coach, but it’s not all doom and gloom at South Leeds Stadium.

The Hawks kicked off 2016 on Friday 8 January with their annual Lazenby Cup clash with Leeds Rhinos and were unlucky not draw against the treble winning neighbours.

Despite the defeat the performance bodes well for this seasons League One campaign, which does not kick off until March. The Hawks were arguably the strongest side in a second half which for the most part saw the sides locked at 18-18.

12-18 down at half time, the Hawks came out in the second half in positive fashion and on

47 minutes drew level with Mufaro Mvududu crossing after a great chip kick from loose forward Liam Mackay. The strong showing from the home side continued with hooker George Flanagan being held up over the line 6 minutes from time. But as the game drew to a close Rhinos half back Jordan Lilley – a stand out performer on the night – neatly kicked to the corner with winger Charlie Brown just managing to catch the ball and touchdown before crashing into the corner flag.

There were good individual performances from the Hawks players, most notably the creative triumvirate of Simon Brown, Danny Ansell and George Flanagan, whose fitness and combinations will surely be vital to Hunslet’s success in 2016.

Before their next match at Featherstone, the club announced that Head Coach Barry Eaton was leaving the

Hawks.

Chairman Neil Hampshire said, “Barry has been an excellent servant to the Club and has worked hard to make us competitive against a perpetual backdrop of limited funding.

“He will always be remembered for masterminding the Grand Final victory in 2015 which was one of the best days in the Club’s recent history. He also remained a consummate professional during difficult times last season and that reflects much credit on his character.”

Barry commented: “I have really enjoyed my time at Hunslet these last 4 years and I am looking forward to a new chapter in my coaching career.

Although I am no longer officially working at the club, I will be on hand to assist in any way possible, both on and off the field, as the Club

White Rose Cheerleaders find new home in Beeston

Kelly and Allie (front) with White Rose Cheer

White Rose Cheer was started by Kelly and Allie last year in Tingley, but has found a new home at the new Level Up Academy on Lockwood Court in Beeston.

White Rose specialise in acrobatic cheerleading routines and run classes for under 8s, under 11s and over 11s; as well as a Tumbling class open to everyone. They hope to start an adult class later in the year.

Kelly and Allie both represented England at the World Championships but gave up cheerleading due to

pressure of time. Their loss is South Leeds’ gain as they share their experience and expertise through teaching.

Struggling to find a venue for classes they have teamed up with Level Up Academy who are creating an indoor Parcour or ‘free running’ facility. It includes a large sprung floor which is perfect for acrobatics.

Although they are planning for their first competion in March, they are still recruiting: “Anyone and everyone is welcome. All you need is enthusiasm, we can teach the rest!”

The forthcoming Half Term Cheer Camps are a perfect opportunity to try the sport.

Open to 5-16 year olds the camps take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 1618 February.

Regular classes run on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursday between 6-8pm.

Prices are kept as low as possible through regular fundraising activities.

To contact White Rose ring Kelly on 07891 445058 or go to their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/whitero secheer.

endeavours to continue its progression in what is now a very well respected Club throughout Rugby League.” promoted The Club assistant coach and ex-player Matt Bramald who took charge for trip to Featherstone on Sunday 24 January.

In another spirited performance Hunslet went

into the break 6-10 up after tries from Lee Mapals and George Flanagan. But in the second half Featherstone scoring 18 dominated, unanswered points win the match, and the Gareth Swift Memorial Trophy, 28-10.

Hunslet will start their season proper in the Kingstone Press League 1with

a visit to Spotland to face the Rochdale Hornets on Sunday 6 March.

Before that they have three friendlies scheduled. As we go to press they face Batley Bulldogs, then on Sunday 14 February they play at Keighley Cougars and on Sunday 21 February they are at home against the York City Knights.

Photo: Steve Gaunt Touchlinepics.com

Batting above their average

The Cricket season may not start until April, but it’s a year round sport at Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club.

The club play in the Bradford Premier League (Championship A) and the secret of their success lies in their coaching. Working with youngsters from 5 upwards they run u9, u11, u13, u15 and u17 teams as well as three senior teams - they have produced over 30 cricketers that have played for Yorkshire over the last ten years.

The club can trace its roots back to 1810 when it was known as The Albion. As Hunslet Nelson it played for many years on Low Road, Hunslet - there’s a McDonalds on the site now. In those days there were 32 cricket clubs in South Leeds, but Hunslet Nelson is last one remaining.

They have been based at their current home on Gipsy Lane in Beeston since 2000 and have been gradually improving the ground and its facilities. In the autumn they will be levelling the outfield and the next project is to build a new clubhouse to replace the ‘temporary’ buildings they currently use.

Although cricket can be an expensive sport, the club has plenty of kit to lend to new players, so you can find out if you like it before having to spend too much!

Indoor training takes place

across the road from their ground at Cockburn School.

Sessions run on Mondays and Fridays between 6-8pm.

For more information call Brian on 07795 061182 or email: secretary@hunsletnelsoncc. co.uk Like all community sport clubs, Hunslet Nelson rely on volunteers and fundraising to keep going from one season to the next. The committee are

very keen welcome new volunteers, but most of all they want to welcome new young players, both boys and girls.

South Leeds Life will be following Hunslet Nelson through the 2016 season and are looking for someone to write match reports. If you are interested please get in touch via info@southleedslife.com.

Training can be provided.