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South Leeds Life is written by and for local people. People who live, work and play in the LS10 and LS11 areas of South Leeds. The website and newspaper are produced by South Leeds Life CIC, a social enterprise registered with Companies House, No 9998695. South Leeds Life is a member of the Independent Community News Network.

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To inform people of events, activities, issues and opportunities taking place in the South Leeds community; To encourage the involvement of the wider community in communicating their experiences; To foster community spirit and involvement; and To provide a platform for local people to contribute and respond to community life more fully. South Leeds Life is pleased to publish views from across the political spectrum, provided they comply with our editorial guidelines. We remain a neutral publication with a diverse readership, as such we do not endorse any particular political party.

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Have your say on the future of Cottingley Rail Station

People are being invited to have their say on the future of Cottingley Rail Station as part of a consultation being held by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in partnership with Leeds City Council and Munroe K.

As previously reported, construction is due to start later this year on a new, more accessible £24.198 million rail station 800m along the track, near the White Rose Office Park.

The consultation will seek people’s views on the proposed closure of Cottingley Rail Station as it will not be possible to maintain the same level of service at both Cottingley and White Rose because they are too close together.

Alongside a new rail station, the White Rose scheme also includes better walking and cycling routes to Cottingley, Churwell and Millshaw, as well as the White Rose Shopping Centre and the bus interchange.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:

“Building the future we want with a transport system fit for the 21st century is absolutely vital. Schemes such as the new White Rose Rail Station will connect more people with job, training and education opportunities, while also helping us tackle the climate emergency on our way to becoming a net zero carbon economy by 2038.”

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Transport Portfolio Holder for the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leader of Bradford Council, said:

“A fully accessible rail station at White Rose will bring new opportunities for people in Cottingley, Churwell, Millshaw and Morley, improving transport links and acting as a catalyst for local regeneration, including housing and job growth.

“During the next 12-weeks, we will be doing everything we can to engage with local communities on the future of Cottingley Rail Station and I would encourage people to make sure their voices are heard by taking part in this consultation.”

According to The Office of Rail and Roads station usage data for 2018/19, Cottingley is the least used station in Leeds.

The options being considered as part of the consultation include: • Replacing the existing station at Cottingley with a new station at White Rose. This option is preferred because of the low numbers of people using the station and its lack of step-free access. • Constructing the new station at White Rose and keeping Cottingley open. This option would mean Cottingley Rail Station would have a very infrequent service and it could also weaken the funding case for new walking and cycling routes as part of the White Rose Rail Station development.

Leeds City Council executive board member for infrastructure and climate Cllr Helen Hayden said:

“Although the plans to build a new White Rose Rail station will undoubtedly bring benefits and opportunities for the surrounding communities and beyond, it will have an impact on the existing station at Cottingley.

“We know Cottingley station is underused, however people still use it, so it’s crucial that the new White Rose station is accessible for rail users. I would urge local communities to get involved in the consultation on the future of the rail station to make sure your voice is heard.”

David Aspin, Founder and CEO of Munroe K, said:

“The White Rose Railway Station will be a key ingredient in bringing about the regeneration and economic development of south Leeds; being a catalytic element in the future vision for not only White Rose Park, but the wider area also.

“It has been a testament to the powerful collaboration between public and private sector that this key piece of infrastructure development will be delivered to bring about fantastic benefit to our local communities and businesses.

“With improved active travel routes including pedestrian walkways, bicycle parking and access, the new station will undoubtedly be pivotal in helping us all build toward a more sustainable future that is less reliant on car travel.”

As well as proposals being on display at the White Rose Office Park Planning Cabin, there will also be a series of public webinars and dropin events, subject to Covid-19 restrictions.

For more information and to have your say visit www.yourvoice .westyorks-ca.gov.uk/Cottingley.

Hard copies of the materials can be provided free of charge by calling (0113) 245 7676 (MetroLine), via Freepost CONSULTATION TEAM (WYCA) or email yourvoice @westyorks-ca.gov.uk.

All representations should be returned using the website, email or postal details above by midnight on Monday 4 October 2021.

Cottingley is the least used station in Leeds Round Foundry tenants forced to move out

Business tenants at the Round Foundry Media Centre in Holbeck are being forced to moved according to a report published by Leeds City Council last month.

Leeds City Council has decided to let the headlease on the building lapse due to budget pressure as rents have never covered the cost of the lease.

The landlord has refused a request to take on the sitting tenants stating it required the building to be handed back with vacant possession. The Council are supporting remaining tenants to find alternative accommodation.

The Round Foundry Media Centre (RFMC) was one of the first buildings completed as part of the ‘Holbeck Urban Village” and opened in 2003.

The building includes a number of Grade II listed structures dating from Matthew Murray’s late 18th century revolutionary building. It was her that he produced textile machinery, steam engines and the first locomotives for the Middleton Railway including Salamanca.

It comprises flexible workspace specifically targeted at creative and digital businesses of which there was very little in Leeds at the time. Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency, took on the headlease and subsidised the building addressing this ‘market failure.’

When Yorkshire Forward was scrapped the lease passed to the Homes & Communities Agency and then to Leeds City Council. The Council were given funding to cover the losses on the lease, but this has now run out.

The building is acknowledged to have been a catalyst for the redevelopment of the area and has helped hundreds of start up businesses.

Since its opening occupancy levels have been high at 85-90%, but since the pandemic struck last year levels have fallen to around 30%.

Holbeck Viaduct project is back on track

“Can’t escape fire, can’t escape bankruptcy”

Over 100 leaseholders caught up in the Cladding Scandal joined a lively protest at Leeds Dock on 17 July. Leaseholders who bought flats now find they have flammable cladding and many other fire safety defects, which aren’t their fault and they cannot afford to pay for. The cannot even sell up as their flats are currently worthless. For more information see fb.com/leedscladdingscandal and Hilary Benn MP on page 17.

CGI showing a possible new entrance to Temple Works

Temple Works moves another step closer to being saved

The British Library’s ambitions for a major new public-facing centre for audiences and users in the north of England has taken a significant step forward as senior councillors in Leeds have backed plans to inject up to £5m into the project.

The funding will be used to protect and stabilise Temple Works, a Grade I listed building in Holbeck that the British Library is looking to develop in partnership with Leeds City Council and developer CEG.

The stabilisation work is urgently needed both to protect the iconic building, which is on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register, and to enable detailed investigatory work to assess the viability of transforming it into a new home for the British Library in Leeds.

The council’s executive board approved plans for the necessary funding to be drawn down from the £25m committed by the Government to support the British Library project as part of the West Yorkshire devolution deal.

A report from council officers to members recommending the step says the British Library centre represents a cultural and heritage-led proposal of international significance that would act as a catalyst for wider regeneration delivering new jobs and homes. The report also says the project would bolster the city’s inclusive growth ambitions by providing improved access to learning and research opportunities while at the same time boosting Leeds’s already thriving innovation ecosystem.

Developer CEG has managed an investment of almost £4m since the building’s acquisition in 2018 and as a result now has a greater depth of knowledge about the structure and its challenges than ever before.

Under the terms of the proposed funding draw-down, CEG would oversee the work to ensure that the structure of the 1840s building is ready to be fully restored for its long term use.

Having collaborated on the project for the past two years, CEG, the British Library and Leeds City Council would also enter into a formal three-way partnership to explore the costs and practicalities of the full development of the site, and of the Library operating from Temple Works on a permanent and sustainable basis.

The British Library’s ambitions for the north of England involve establishing a physical presence in Leeds city centre that enables it to open up its collections to audiences in the city and across the region as never before. Since 2019, the Library has worked with local partners and communities to develop a growing programme of cultural events and learning activities in Leeds, ranging from spectacular exhibits at Leeds Light Night, to digital events exploring the fight for women’s rights, to cookbook-themed workshops with young asylum seekers.

The range of services to be offered at Temple Works is expected to include exhibitions, cultural events, schools programming, business support services and access to research collections, attracting audiences ranging from community groups to tourists.

Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “These plans for Temple Works reflect both a sense of pride in Leeds’s past and a real determination to forge a future that benefits people in all our local communities. Temple Works is a jewel in Leeds’s heritage crown and the prospect of seeing it start a new chapter as the home of the British Library in the North is hugely exciting.”

Duncan Wilson, Historic England’s Chief Executive said:

“Temple Works is one of the great monuments of the Industrial Revolution. Built by John Marshall as a rare, singlestorey flax spinning mill, it soon gained a legendary reputation in Leeds thanks to its striking Egyptian design which refers back to Egypt’s important flax The Holbeck Viaduct Project – the community campaign to transform Holbeck’s iconic viaduct in South Leeds into a vibrant green space for the public to enjoy – has taken further steps forward this month.

It has formally incorporated as a Community Interest Company (CIC) and also released a document outlining its vision for the future. A number of partners have been involved including Edward Architecture and Urban Wilderness.

The project will transform the disused Victorian railway line into a picturesque walkway, similar to the highlines in New York and Camden, to link South Leeds with the city centre

The CIC is looking for additional directors to complement the existing team. They are looking for interested community members, partners, businesses – particularly those with skills to help move the project forward on the next phase of its journey.

A trial access area for the Holbeck Viaduct Project aims to open to the public as part of the Leeds 2023 international culture festival. And our new vision document is packed with stories, images and plans for the future of the viaduct.

Built in 1882 for the London and North Western Railway, the viaduct is an acclaimed feat of Victorian engineering, forming part of a vital transport link into the city centre with panoramic views of the city.

At over 1.6km long and with 92 archways, the prospect of repurposing the Holbeck Viaduct has captured the imagination of city planners, designers, local residents and community groups alike. The project aims to re-open the viaduct as a thoroughfare linking Elland Road and Beeston to the city centre, with access points at Domestic Street and Temple South Bank.

What people are saying:

“This is an exciting vision that, most importantly, proposes to bring a disused asset back into the hands of the community. We look forward to the next steps which include securing access to enable ‘meanwhile’ use onto the viaduct by 2023.” - James Whitley, Holbeck Viaduct Project

“We are delighted to be appointed on this exciting project designed to bring back to life an iconic Victorian industrial heritage site for public use.” - Graham Edward, Managing Director, Edward Architecture

“It’s a great document and a great vision, which I strongly support.” - Hilary Benn MP

“This is a cracking opportunity to harness the inherent power of infrastructure to directly support communities for the long term. It will put right an unintended but often divisive consequence of these heroic structures, to engage those that have been disconnected. I’m moved by the inclusive ambitions at the heart of this vision – but frankly, who wouldn’t be?” - Hiro Aso, Urban Strategist and Leeds Station Masterplanner

On the beat

by Insp Lucy Leadbeater

we are slowly getting back into schools and having the opportunity to engage with young people, this ensures that we build their confidence with the police and inspires some budding new recruits for the future.

To continue our work and engagement with young people, we are re-opening a new recruitment period for our Volunteer Police Cadet Programme. This scheme is • develop key life skills

Cadet units meet once a week. If you would like more information about this scheme please go to - westyorkshire .police.uk/jobs-volunteer

As the restrictions are ending we have been really pleased to be able to do more engagement in the communities of South Leeds, not just with the young but also the older people in the community. Due to Covid we

As I write this we are experiencing a really hot period of weather, whilst it is great to see everyone out enjoying themselves there are also a number of dangers that this brings including the dangers of people getting into difficulty in the water whilst trying to cool down.

It is so sad to hear of a number of fatalities across the country over the weekend and it is so important that we work with partners to raise the awareness of the importance of water safety.

Be aware of: 1 Strong currents –reservoirs and lakes can have strong underwater currents and whilst they may look calm from the outside, under the surface can be a different story. 2 The coldness - even if it is hot outside the water can be incredibly cold and it could cause your body to quickly go into shock – this can be fatal. 3 Time- even if someone calls 999 as soon as someone gets into difficulties it will take time for emergency services to arrive and could be too late.

What to do in an emergency? • Resist the urge to jump in and save someone- ring 999 as soon as possible and shout for help. • Try to reach the person in the water by throwing a rope, life belt or branch rather than entering the water yourself.

It has been really great that Officers visited people who use the dementia cafe

open to 13-17 year olds who live in West Yorkshire and who will be in Year 9 or above at school or college in September.

As a Volunteer Police Cadet, you will have the opportunity to: • gain an insight into policing • make a difference to your local community through volunteering • achieve the DofE Award • take part in fun and exciting activities • make new friendships had to stop our well loved Dementia Café, I know that this has been missed by a number of people and so we were very pleased to be able to conduct some doorstep visits to some of our attendees with some parcels from our partners. We hope to get the Café back up and running as soon as it is safe to do so.

I would like to finish by wishing everyone a great summer, please stay safe and enjoy a well-deserved break.

Amenity improvements for Dewsbury Road

Dewsbury Road shops. Photo: Google Streetview

Hunslet and Riverside Councillors have confirmed how the first £19,000 of a dedicated £30,500 budget is to be spent on amenity improvements to the shopping district between Dewsbury Road Community Hub and Library and Hunslet Fire Station from a fund, known as the Town and District Two.

Originally funding amounted to over £60,000 but this was reduced to £30,500 (along with similar projects across Leeds) to help the Council balance its books in light of additional core government grant reductions and the impact of the pandemic on the Councils budget for 2021/2022. Councillors have approved: • the purchase of a pram shelter and bollards for Dewsbury Road Community Hub and Library • the commissioning of ten communication boxes to be turned into local artwork by Leeds Street Gallery – with a public consultation on what should be there to start soon • allocated funding for at least three new street benches to allow for resting stop • mature tree planning and fencing of the grassed area in front of Leeds Motor Sales

This follows the deployment of 20 new or replacement litter bins in late 2019 which came from the funding prior to it being reduced and new projects frozen during the initial pandemic. Councillors have also been able to secure a number of cycle parking hoops from the Connecting Leeds 3 budget, which will be allocated near to the shops to give cyclist the option of secure parking while they shop.

Cllr Mohammed Iqbal said:

“Cllr Paul Wray, Cllr Elizabeth Nash and I had big plans for the original fund – this including recommissioning street lampposts to allow for seasonal lights to be installed for Christmas etc. but the current fund simply won’t cover all of these costs and others. But we will continue to fund some smaller improvements from what is left. We are actively looking for other funding to make the bigger changes we know are needed.”

Other examples of improvements Councillors are hope can be funded will include more biodiversity improvement such as tree and rain garden planters to soften up the frontage of the shopping area and reduce flood risks, and signage improvements. Some of these and other may come from the remaining £11,000 budget.

They are also keen to work with residential property owners on Dewsbury Road to tidy up some of the gardens fronting the shopping area which are poorly kept. Finally, Councillors are also supporting Dewsbury Road Town Team –the lobby group for local businesses, to resume meeting to ensure businesses have a voice in the future of the area. The group stopped meetings during the pandemic.

NHS apprenticeships

Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust is recruiting Apprentice Clinical Support Workers and Facilities Technicians and Leeds City Council is offering support to candidates through its local Job Shops.

The Clinical Support Worker Apprenticeship is a fixed term contract for 15 months, the Facilities Technicians is 13 months. If you successfully complete either you will move to a substantive role within the NHS.

Individuals must have a good level of Maths and English to undertake the challenge of the Apprenticeship.

These opportunities are for motivated, caring and compassionate individuals who are keen to work with patients and who would like to progress in the healthcare sector.

If you wish to apply it is strongly recommended you attend one of the virtual information sessions.

For the Clinical Support Worker Apprenticeship this is on Monday 2 August at 5pm. To book a place email: leedsth-tr .orglearngetin@nhs.net

For the Facilities Technicians Apprenticeship there are sessions on Monday 9 August at 5pm; Wednesday 11 August at 10am; and Friday 13 August at 2pm. To book a place email: leedsth-tr.eafprofdevcomms @nhs.net

Additional support for individuals wishing to attend the information session and to apply for a role can be accessed through the Jobshops at Dewsbury Road Community Hub, 190 Dewsbury Road, Leeds LS11 6PF; Hunslet Community Hub, Waterloo Street, LS10 2NS; and St George’s Community Hub, Middletion, LS10 4UZ or by contacting esleeds@leeds .gov.uk, (0113) 378 4576.

Hugs for everyone

After a year without hugs, everyone can now get a hug thanks to Beeston-In-Bloomer Susan Davis who knitted these arms for the trees in Beeston Cemetery. Photo: Ewan Mitchell

Local author’s publishes children’s poems collection Louise makes a difference at Middleton Park Lodge

by Jeremy Morton

Local poet Yvonne Ugarte has published a book of children’s poems, beautifully illustrated by pupils from Beeston Primary School where she works.

Yvonne has been writing poetry for fifty years starting aged 5 when she was in foster care. She lost her son, Emil, to Meningitis when he was just 22 months old and the book is dedicated to him. Funds from the sale of the book will go to Martin House Children’s Hospice where, as Yvonne says “Emil was so lovingly looked after by the incredible people there.”

‘My Aunt Jean’s A Dinosaur’ isn’t Yvonne’s first published work. It was back in 1987 when her first book of poetry was published and she has appeared in podcasts and on radio as well as being published in over 30 anthologies since then. Yvonne also runs online writing classes for older people with Time To

“Mrs Tidey, the Deputy Head, agreed with me that it would be a good idea to run a competition throughout school where children could draw an animal or character from a list that I gave each class of those in my book.

“My editor, Kathleen, selected the 37 diverse, unique and colourful illustrations that are used in the book - the remainder are to be displayed within school as a positive record of their artwork” says Yvonne.

This beautiful book is available to purchase for £8 per signed copy or £10 with post and packing. Please contact yvonne.beeston @virgin.net for payment details. All profits from the sale of this book go to Martin House Children's Hospice.

“Thank you so much, Kathleen and David at Runcible Spoon, for putting this all together for me, to all the incredible little artists from my school and to my Angel son, Emil, for being my inspiration.” Due to her dedication to make every resident’s meal delicious and beautifully presented, a Cook from Middleton Park Lodge Care Home in South Leeds has received a Making a Difference Award.

Louise Dennell, who works at one of Orchard Care Homes’ residences, was recently declared a winner in the company’s Making a Difference Award scheme. This initiative recognises and rewards staff that go that extra mile in their workplace and inspire others to follow in their footsteps to improve the home experience and generate a relaxed and informal community for our residents.

Louise was over the moon to receive her award and be commended for her hard work.

“I enjoy working at Middleton Park and it’s a long time since I have enjoyed coming to work. I feel really appreciated by everyone at the home especially when I see empty plates coming back to the kitchen. What more can you ask for!”

Richard Williams, Deputy Home Manager, reflected on Louise’s achievements saying:

“Since starting with Middleton Park as Cook, Louise has proven herself to be a valuable addition to the team going the extra mile every day. Louise has revisited the menus and the choice and quality of food is amazing, nutritious, tasty and her presentation is superb … we eat with our eyes first.”

The dedicated and passionate employees at Orchard help to achieve the positive people-focused approach to care and the Making a Difference initiative aims to retain these existing staff members and attract new recruits into the sector. Offering specialist nursing, residential and short term respite care, Middleton Lodge is part of Orchard Care Homes’ network of residences situated across the North of England and the Midlands.

Quality of care and invigorating best practice is at the forefront of Orchard Care Homes’ strategy. The group’s impressive record demonstrates the highest quality of care it provides its residents, with 88.5% of its homes now rated ‘Good’ and a 5* Food and Hygiene rating across all of Orchard Care Homes services.

Celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival

Lychee Red, the community group for older Chinese people celebrated the Dragon Boat Festival at Beeston Village Community Centre last month.

The Lychee Red group, run by Health For All, marked the festival with dinner and Chinese Lantern decorations. The ancient festival originated in China, and celebrates the life & death of poet and statesman Qu Yuan, who many believe died in 278 BC.

Lychee Red members had not been able to meet up for over a year due to the pandemic, but have been making up for it since with socially distanced meals together in the centre, Tai Chi classes, and ‘Laughing Yoga’ led by staff. After many months of being supported with phone calls and phone deliveries throughout the pandemic, one member said: “Thank you –you’ve been like a family to us.”

To refer somebody to Lychee Red Chinese elders group, or to any of Healthy Communities’ support projects for older or frail people aged 50+, call Beeston Community Centre on( 0113) 271 7231.

Lychee Red members celebrated at Beeston Village Communityt Centre

Voice of Holbeck call for exit strategy from Managed Approach

by Jeremy Morton

About 40 residents attended a meeting to discuss the end of the Managed Approach to street sex work in Holbeck on 21 July.

The 'zone' element of the Managed Approach was suspended in March 2020 due to the Covid pandemic and as we have reported, a decision has been taken by Leeds City Council and Safer Leeds not to reinstate it. Support to the community from the Council’s cleansing team, dedicated policing team and to sex workers from Basis Yorkshire and the Joanna Project all remain in place.

The meeting was organised by The Voice of Holbeck group and much of the meeting was taken up with rehearsing the group’s criticisms of the Independent Review commissioned by Leeds City Council, which published its report a year ago.

The group called for a number of measures to be introduced now the Managed Approach has ended including:

A PSPO (Public Spaces Protection Order) to give Police greater powers to stop and fine kerb crawlers

This to be backed by signs on lampposts and a national communications campaign to dissuade men from coming to Holbeck to buy sex

Police to require kerb crawlers to attend Elland Road police station the following day with car documents

Use of ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras to identify kerb crawlers remotely

Training and information to men who work in the area including on building sites to discourage them from buying sex

Inspector Lucy Leadbeater, who heads up the South Leeds Community Policing Team explained to the meeting that Holbeck has the largest Policing resource in the country dedicated to street sex work.

She said the four police officers do not get redeployed to other duties such as public order events, but when you take account of shift patterns, holidays, etc they cannot provide 24/7 cover.

Gaps are filled by PCSOs who are occasionally redeployed. This means that when you call the dedicated phone number to report incidents (07534 309568), known locally as the “bat phone”, you may not get an instant response. Officers maybe interviewing a woman who has suffered a crime, or processing a kerb crawler for example.

She also defended her officers who have been seen eating or drinking in the community, explaining that all officers are encouraged to take their meal breaks in the community rather than back at the police station. This enables them to pick up informal intelligence and provide reassurance.

Speaking to Councillor Angela Gabriel after the meeting she explained that much of what The Voice of Holbeck was calling for was already being developed or delivered.

“Leeds City Council and the police are working on an PSPO for Holbeck, but this is not a quick fix, there’s an enormous amount of work needed to prepare an application. But we understand why residents feel it is taking too long. However, the PSPO would focus on onstreet drinking in a bid to improve the sense of safety for residents.

“Kerb crawlers are already required to visit the police station if caught. We don’t need ANPR cameras because the CCTV cameras the Council installed last year can easily pick out number plates. We are also rolling out training to men who work in the area."

Cllr Gabriel went on to explain that the women still working in the area are known to Safer Leeds and their partner agencies. Each woman has a key worker and a care plan, with the aim of helping then exit sex work. "There is a weekly tasking meeting between various partners, including the police, Forward Leeds (drug rehabilitation) Basis, Joanna and others who ‘case manage’ each woman to help them exit prostitution. This high support for women is essential if we are to have any success reducing the number of on-street sex workers in the area" she added.

The meeting also heard from Natasha Wyer a local resident and ex-addict who has set up a charity to help women exit prostitution by providing a 12 month residential rehabilitation programme, out of the area.

Soliciting will no longer be tolerated

Becky stars in new PureGym campaign

Alocal South Leeds resident has been picked to star in PureGym’s latest ‘Member Stories’ campaign.

Becky Partridge, a member of PureGym Leeds Hunslet, will feature on PureGym’s social channels and website over the coming weeks as part of the campaign.

When Becky first stepped into the gym she was nervous at first, sticking to mostly cardio equipment as she was too scared to use weights. However, the friendly gym instructors soon put Becky at ease. Having realised that trying various fad diets was not really promoting a healthy relationship with food and exercise, Becky’s journey focussed on improving her fitness and attitudes towards food and as a result, Becky has gone on to lose 32kg’s. However, the biggest changes have come from within.

Despite having low selfconfidence at the beginning of her fitness journey, since enlisting the help of a PureGym PT (personal trainer), Becky feels much better in herself and is now able to to use the weights, kettlebells and dumbbells correctly and without wondering what others are thinking. Not only does she credit her PT in teaching her the correct technique and helping to boost her confidence, but Becky has been able to confide in her PT too. Having always struggled and felt embarrassed about her relationship with food, Becky is able to open up to her PT, knowing that doing so is only going to help her on her journey and allow her PT to better understand her issues and support her. Becky comments:

“If you’re new to the gym and feeling nervous, just know that most people will have felt the same nervous feeling when starting out. You’re not alone. The personal trainers at the gym are friendly and always happy to help members navigate the gym and lend advice, so don’t be afraid to ask for help. PureGym has a warm, friendly environment and there are all types of people that use PureGym, so no one anyone has to worry about feeling out of place.” ‘Member Stories’ will follow other gym-goers in the UK over the next few weeks, highlighting how being in the gym is positively impacting their lives through a number of different ways. To read more about Becky’s story visit: www.puregym.com /blog/becky-leedshunslet-member-story

Becky working with her personal trainer at PureGym in Hunslet

Hunslet Road bus improvements set for early autumn completion

Works on Hunslet Road are almost complete

Work will complete in late summer / early autumn on the A61 south bus corridor from Leeds to Wakefield, via Stourton and Hunslet.

The A61 south improvement scheme forms one of Connecting Leeds plans for priority corridors and consists of a series of improvements to bus prioritisation, walking and cycling.

The route caters for people travelling into Leeds from the south of the city and will connect with the UK’s first fully solar powered park and ride at Stourton, due to open in September 2021.

The corridor improvements will benefit bus users the most, as journey times are expected to reduce by 7-8 minutes. The public transport benefits will offer a quicker and more consistent journey time and help reduce congestion through the creation of dedicated bus lanes and improvements at key junctions.

A bus lane has been introduced from the Thwaite Gate area in both directions to the city centre. Reconfiguration of the Thwaite Gate junction also introduces safer, dedicated walking and cycling facilities along the corridor.

Previously cyclists were required to mix with traffic, which can deter cycle use. New cycle provision, including a segregated cycle track from the Thwaite Gate area to the city centre has been created to provide a safe, high-quality route along Low Road and Hunslet Road. This has been coupled with improvements to the urban realm and green infrastructure that provides a better environment for pedestrians.

Pedestrians will also benefit from new walking routes and safer crossings. All of which is a bid to make sustainable travel more appealing by improving public transport, walking and cycling connections and in turn contributing towards tackling the climate emergency.

Planting in the area ranges from amenity grass, wildflower mixes to tree planting and shrubs which will encourage pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

After consulting on travel improvement plans along this route in 2018, Leeds City Council appointed BAM Nuttall to undertake construction which started October 2019.

Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for infrastructure and climate, said:

“I am so impressed with the speed Leeds is moving to become a cycle friendly city. We have an ambition for a city wide cycle network and every project like this moves us closer to our goal.

“The South Bank is creating sustainable and liveable streets and getting it right for cycling from the start is really important. This is even more critical when we see the recent investment that’s led to the creation of a new education quarter on the edge of Hunslet, and future plans that include proposals for a new park, homes and offices here as well.

“Hunslet Road and Low Road are dominated by traffic and inhospitable for people walking to local businesses, schools and residential properties in the area. This scheme will change that, planning new new trees and landscaping to make the area better for everyone.”

Future improvements in the area include facilitating the setting of the new city park to make the area even more cycle and pedestrian friendly. As Covid-19 restrictions have eased over the past couple of months, Holbeck Together has enjoyed welcoming its clients safely back to the community for outdoor coffee mornings, shopping trips and dance lessons.

But for the first time in almost 18 months, as the country moves to the next stage of the Government’s road map, clients will soon be able to return to St Matthew’s Community Centre for their much-loved two course lunch clubs. From September, the team will be serving up a delicious, sit down lunch twice a week from 12-1.30pm.

The first will take place on Tuesdays and to round off the week, there will be a lunch club every Friday serving a two course fish and chip lunch. A door-to-door collection service is available from 11am onwards for £3.50 for those who need assistance with transport.

In the meantime and over the coming months, those who prefer to stay at home can continue to enjoy the door-todoor meals service that will continue five days a week. This includes ‘Dinner Jackets’ on a Monday, a new service of hot jacket potatoes with a choice of hot or cold fillings, and fish and chips delivered on a Friday.

Elissa Newman, Chief Officer at Holbeck Together said:

“We are delighted that we will soon be able to reinstate our lunch clubs at St Matthew’s which have been missed by all since the pandemic began.

“It will be a chance for friends to reunite, for our volunteers to have a chat with the people they have been cooking or delivering meals for throughout the pandemic, and to celebrate enjoying a meal together again. We’re greatly looking forward to being able to serve lunch for our clients after being apart for so long.”

Julie Marshall, Chef at Holbeck Together added:

“It has been such a long time since we have heard the chattering of old friends enjoying their lunch, a game of bingo and a good catch up with the volunteers and staff. I am very much looking forward to seeing everyone in September.”

Please note, activities and events are subject to the continued success of the UK’s Covid-19 road map out of lockdown. For the latest information about any of Holbeck Together’s activities and services, or to enquire about booking, please call the office on (0113) 245 5553. You can find out more online at www.holbecktogether.org.

Getting Together at St Matthew’s

Holbeck Together’s lunch clubs will return in September

New Community Hub for Beeston

Young people creatre art from local rubbish

Would you sit at home in your lounge surrounded by rubbish...? If not, why is there so much rubbish on our streets? We live in the midst of a real contrast between beauty and deprivation: we want to see less drug paraphernalia, dumped sofa's and rubbish on our doorstep, we want to increase community pride, belonging and togetherness. This project enabled young people from the Re:establish project in Beeston Hill learn new skills: photography, DIY, communication and teamwork, patience, whilst asking much bigger questions around local safety and local community pride. Comments from some of our young people involved: "I enjoyed building it from the ground up, especially the crisp packet blanket." “I found it very therapeutic gluing the bottle lids to the lamp.” “I like the fact that we made something good out of rubbish.” The finished artwork was exhibited at Holbeck Gala Rev Andy Myers

Rev Andy Myers retires

The Rev Andy Myers will be retiring as Vicar of Middleton in early September.

We caught up with him to find out about his 13 years in Middleton.

What were your first impressions of Middleton?

“As a Leeds lad, from East Leeds I thought it was very much like the area I was brought up in: Seacroft, Swarcliffe and Stanks. People are very similar to the people there. Although at the time when I came it was very white working class and that’s changing now. And it’s got a much broader mix of ethnicities. All of this is to the good. I am proud to be working class and have always felt very comfortable here in this respect. I have known Middleton for many years, and had friends at school who lived here.”

What have been the highlights of your time here?

“Some of the highlights include the work I’ve been privileged to do in our schools. Not just our church school St Mary’s, but all the schools have been generous in allowing me to come in and do assemblies.

“But I have to say it might be quite surprising to people but I have been very privileged to conduct many funerals and have been privileged to serve people in their most difficult of times and get to know them a bit.

“During the Covid period a highlight has been working alongside our church Foodbank, and being able to serve our people’s great needs at this difficult time. Another highlight of my ministry here has been when we were able to provide a refuge for homeless refugees.

“I’ve been amazed at generosity of our local community and businesses have helped us to provide the services. In recent times I’ve been really proud of our church volunteers who helped to make our parochial Hall Centre for Covid-19 vaccinations.

“I’ve also been proud to have served as a trustee of Health For All and to see its projects utilising our Parochial Hall. Proud of being part of Middleton Elderly Aid. We’ve also been very proud to have facilitated the use of st cross as a Foodbank and youthclubs. Although all of the hard work has been done by local women.”

What has been most challenging?

“It won’t be surprising to anyone to know that I found the most challenging times have been during this Covid pandemic. Making decisions about how to serve our community open our church buildings safely for worship and prayer have been exceptionally difficult.

“Our communities needs have become so much more intense through the Covid pandemic through losing jobs, loss of income, and increasing levels of mental health issues. I’ve also seen many more examples of domestic violence.

“All very challenging for our little church, as we are often the last ditch stand for people who are in crisis.

“Trying to fund and manage both our churches of St Mary‘s and Saint Cross in difficult times has been exceptionally challenging. But there is no reason why our churches should not suffer alongside our people, whose personal challenges have been much higher than those of the clergy!”

What do you feel has been your greatest achievements in Middleton?

“Being able to provide a base for our Foodbank and youth projects run by our church warden Sarah and her fabulous team of dedicated women. They know who they are!

“In the past being able to have provided in church a bed and a meal for homeless refugees with the support of our churchwardens Kevin and Mark.

“In Recent times with all its issues providing a resource for Covid-19 vaccinations supported by our churchwardens Allan and Andrea and their team.

What are your plans for retirement?

“God always looks at our Plans and laughs! But as I’m in the catholic tradition of the Church of England my belief is that you are a priest forever. You just don’t get paid forever!

“AI will be returning to Garforth where I hope to worship locally and offer my services in any way that’s appropriate. Especially I want to spend much more time reading, studying and praying.

“I also want to become more politically involved to try and put some flesh on so many sermons I preached. Along with many other faiths, Christianity has a bias towards those who are financially challenged, and oppressed because of race or sexuality and I want to become, at the very least, a partial answer to the prayers that we offer. In the famous words: becoming the change that we want to see happen.

“I also hope to have more time for practising my guitar and I certainly need it!”

And a final word:

“I would like to say thank you to the people of Middleton for having me. Trying to avoid pious platitudes, but with all these challenges I’ve stayed here so long out of love for the people of Miggy - well most of them!

“I’ve always been very conscious of the many areas I would’ve liked to have done better in - our church is going through some challenging times and needs to change. We need to become less part of the establishment. More radical more relevant - more engaged. I pray for my parishioners and know they will rise to the challenges ahead.

Flu vaccine to be rolled out at schools

by Becky Townesend

From September 2021 all school aged children in Leeds will be invited to get a flu vaccination.

I spoke to Jan Elsworth, Immunisation Locality Lead Nurse (Leeds) from IntraHealth to get all the details.

Flu vaccination has been offered to children since 2013 in a phased rollout starting with the early year groups. This year, due to the uncertainties around the impact of Covid-19 this winter, Public Health England recently agreed that the schools’ flu vaccination programme will be offered to all school aged children from reception to Year 11.

The vaccination programme will run from September 2021 to January 2022. At the start of term parents and carers will receive a flu consent form from school. The consent will be provided on paper or electronically and schools will let you know which they are using.

If your child/ren is bringing home a paper consent please make sure you check with them during September so that it doesn’t get missed.

For any children who miss the vaccine due to school absence there will be further school sessions and there will also be weekend, after school and holiday clinics so every child can benefit from getting this important vaccine. Almost all children will be able to have the vaccine as a nasal spray (up the nose), which is quick and painless. The nasal spray is offered to children as it is generally more effective than the injected vaccines. It is also easier to administer and considered better at reducing the spread of flu to others.

There are some children who cannot have the nasal spray because of pre-existing medical conditions or treatments and children whose parents or carers object to the nasal spray on the ground of its porcine gelatine content. For those children an injection will be available. Serious side effects are uncommon but many children can develop a runny or blocked nose, headache, some tiredness or loss of appetite that last for a short period.

The key message from Locality Lead Nurse Jan Elsworth is that “Flu is an unpredictable but recurring pressure that the NHS faces every winter. Vaccination offers the best protection. The flu vaccine is the best defence we have against the virus. The main purpose of the childhood vaccination programme is to provide protection to the children and reduce transmission of flu to the wider population. Children play a key role in the transmission of flu including to those who may be at higher risk from the complications from flu, such as the elderly.

“As vaccination provides individual protection to the children who receive the vaccine, it is especially important that any child with an underlying health condition, that puts them more at risk from the flu, has the vaccine. It also helps protect teachers who are less likely to catch flu from their pupils and reduces school absenteeism”.

IntraHealth, who will be working with Leeds schools to administer the vaccines have 20 years’ experience of providing high quality NHS Primary Care Services and are one of the UK’s largest providers of school’s immunisation and vaccination services.

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