South Leeds Life 78 September 2021

Your FREE community newspaper

Issue 78 | September 2021

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

SOUTH LEEDS CELEBRATES

In this issue:

Beeston Co-op set to close

page 3

Skydiving Vicar’s fundraising effort

page 7

United supporters hand out shirts

page 11

Community galas, shows and festivals are back this month

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he past 18 months of the Covid pandemic have been hard, and we're not out of the woods yet - but there is so much to celebrate in our local communities, it's more important than ever that we reconnect with our neighbours.

And this month there are three great community events where people can come together, enjoy entertainment, food and have fun.

Organisers of both Hunslet Community Gala and Beeston Festival chose to postpone their events from the summer due to the uncertainty around Covid. Meanwhile the Friends of Middleton Park were able go ahead with their usual slot in the calendar for The Great Middleton Park Show.

Since lockdown restrictions started to ease we have been gradually getting back to a more normal social life. Every event we have been to, whether it is a plant sale, a

market, a sporting event, or of course Holbeck Gala have had a spark to them. It’s good to see people, it’s good to see organisations and community groups coming together.

So please come and enjoy these events and feel the power of being together with your neighbours, family and friends.

All three events have recieved financial support from our local Councillors on the Inner South Community Committee, as have many of the activities organised over the summer holidays.

And that’s not all. Old Chapel Studios in Holbeck are holding a live music mini festival on 11 & 12 September and Skelton Grange Environment Centre are holding their annual fundraising Open day on Saturday 11 September.

You can find full details on all these events on our What’s On section starting on page 20.

Saturday 11 September

Councillor’s disabled experiences

page 19

Meet South Leeds Valkyries

page 24

NEWS Punjabi Roots Academy return this month to put the Bhangra into Beeston

Sunday 12 September

Saturday 18 September

Hunslet Community Gala

Great Middleton Park Show

Beeston Festival

11am-4pm Recreation Ground, Church Street

1-4pm Middleton Park

12-5pm Cross Flatts Park

2-9

SCHOOL LIFE

12-13

COMMENT

14-16

ART LIFE

17

SOUTH LEEDS LIVES 18 WHAT’S ON 20-22 SPORTING LIFE 23-24

Get the latest news at www.southleedslife.com - new stories posted daily

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2 News

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

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

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

Our aims To inform people of events, activities, issues and opportunities taking place in the South Leeds community; To encourage the involvement of the wider community in communicating their experiences; To foster community spirit and involvement; and To provide a platform for local people to contribute and respond to community life more fully.

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

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

Contact us South Leeds Life CIC 224 Cross Flatts Grove, Leeds, LS11 7BW Email: info@southleedslife.com Facebook & Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife Phone: 07894 583966

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

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

Have your say on the future of the Temple District L

eeds City Council is encouraging residents and businesses to have their say on a draft Planning Brief, that sets out a framework for future development proposals within the Temple District in Holbeck.

The Temple District Planning Brief seeks to facilitate, support and direct comprehensive development within the area as a focal point for Leeds South Bank, whilst supporting proposals to find a longterm sustainable future for Temple Works, in an enhanced setting.

A Planning Brief is a document that sets out relevant planning considerations for particular development sites to maximise the opportunities to provide wider benefits. In the Temple District Planning Brief, there is a focus on connectivity to surrounding communities, blue and green infrastructure, and design.

The planning brief establishes an ambition for Temple District, which is: The creation of a vibrant and distinctive new mixed-use neighbourhood which acts as an exemplar for sustainable development, enhances the setting and secures the future of an

internationally-significant Listed Building, and delivers on a longstanding ambition for large-scale regeneration of the area as a focal point for Leeds South Bank.

To achieve this, the document adopts a “climate ready and nature friendly approach to placemaking” which highlights important infrastructure considerations for new development, to be addressed in a comprehensive way.

The draft Planning Brief sets out development guidance on 15 different themes, including green space, green and blue infrastructure, sustainability, connectivity, and heritage. It provides high level principles for development, including site specific guidance as needed, including for potential public open spaces, such as a new public square proposed to open up the frontage of Temple Works.

In addition to providing guidance within the Temple Works Comprehensive Development Zone, the brief also provides guidance for sites on the periphery, including the site south of Sweet Street West. This part of the brief picks up on guidance and policy set out within the Holbeck Neighbourhood Plan,

prepared by the Holbeck Neighbourhood Forum, made (adopted) by the Council in 2018.

Once approved, the planning brief will become a “material consideration” in the determination of planning applications within the area. The brief will therefore provide clarity for developers and applicants in the area on the Council’s expectations for development, as well as supporting the Council’s consideration of planning applications in the area.

Public consultation is underway on the draft Temple District Planning Brief, with residents, businesses and other stakeholders invited to provide their comments. Comments can be made on any part of the document.

EG have now secured planning permission for their redevelopment of Draper’s Yard, the former Kays building on Marshall Street in Holbeck.

As we reported in April, the building is being developed for Labcorp, a global diagnostics and drug development company at the heart of life-science innovation in Leeds.

The building is next door to the iconic Grade 1 listed Temple Works, also owned by CEG and set to become the home of the British Library in the North. The work at Draper’s Yard could be completed within 12 months.

Antonia Martin-Wright, head of investment at CEG, said: “We have worked closely with Leeds City Council to create an exciting new future for Drapers Yard.

“LabCorp’s Leeds base is internationally recognised and delivering a UK Centre of Excellence within Drapers Yard will boost the local economy, supporting the city’s post-covid recovery plans.

The proposals complement British Library’s ambitions for a potential future home at the iconic Temple Works, and will create a cluster for knowledge, innovation and science.

“Now planning permission has been granted, work will start immediately with the aim of occupation by summer 2022. We will work closely with Labcorp on the refurbishment.

“Drapers Yard is at the heart of the Temple masterplan area, where we are working with Leeds City Council and other partners on the delivery of a thriving business

Full details of the draft Temple District Planning Brief is available on Leeds City Council’s website: www.leeds.gov.uk/TempleDistrict where you can also find details of how you comment. The deadline for comments is Monday 27 September at 5pm.

The planning brief will be presented at the next Holbeck Neighbourhood Forum meeting on Wednesday 22 September, at 6.30pm at The Holbeck Club, Jenkinson Lawn.

Councillor Angela Gabriel (Beeston and Holbeck) said: “I’m really pleased to see this consultation happening and I would urge everyone to get involved and make their views known.

I’m hopeful that this will bring more investment into the whole of the area and bring benefits for our existing communities, as well as the new development. Part of the vision being put forward will see new and improved links between Old Holbeck and the city Centre that will be a real boon for everyone.”

CGI of how Temple Works might look if redeveloped for The British Library

Holbeck life science centre moves forward C

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destination south of Leeds City Station, with Temple Works as its cultural centrepiece. The Centre of Excellence for Labcorp further builds the huge momentum for inward investment that we are experiencing within the Temple District.”

Paul Fox, Director at Fox Lloyd Jones added: “Working very closely with

CGI of how the former Kays Building will be transformed

Labcorp and their advisors on the detail over the last 12 months will enable us to deliver something that’s very bespoke and high quality, in a truly fantastic and unique building. We are very excited that matters are now contracted and we have commenced the delivery phase.

“This is what Temple is all about; we are curating a range of highquality spaces and buildings of differing sizes and price points, aimed at a wide cross section of end users and sectors. The unique blend of character buildings and the City’s rich heritage all point to Temple being a very special place, and a big part of Leeds’ future.”

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News 3

End of an era as Beeston Co-op closes

by Jeremy Morton

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here’s been Co-op store in Beeston since 1886, but that will come to an end this month with the sale of the store.

South Leeds Life understands it will reopen as a Nisa store on 21 September 2021.

In a statement a spokesperson for the Co-op confirmed the sale: “The Co-op is moving forward with a clear purpose and

momentum and while this often involves opening new stores, we also regularly review our existing sites. The decision to sell any store is not taken lightly and, only after careful consideration has our Beeston store been sold. Our priority has been to fully support colleagues, ensuring they all found alternative positions at Co-op or transferred (under TUPE regulations) to the new operator. We would like to thank the community for its support of this store over the

years.”

The spokesperson stressed that the decision to sell was in no way a reflection on the hard work and commitment of the Beeston staff.

A spokesperson for Nisa Retail Limited, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Cooperative Group Limited, said: “Nisa Retail is a delivered wholesaler and we do not own any stores, instead the stores are owned by independent retailers who may choose to use the Nisa Local fascia.”

The Co-op food store in Beeston is to become a Nisa store

Kelly makes a difference at Middleton care home A

Head Housekeeper from Middleton Park Lodge Care Home has received a Making a Difference Award in recognition of her commitment to supporting all staff and residents on a daily basis and going above and beyond.

Kelly Gater, 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.

Over the moon to receive her award, Kelly said: “After working with Orchard Care Homes for 21 years, it came as such a nice surprise to receive this award as recognition for my work, especially after the past 18 months.”

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

Report praises work of Beeston community project B

eeston & Holbeck Ward Councillors have praised local project Better Action for Families (BAFF) after a Leeds Beckett University study highlighted them as a shining example of Asset Based Community Development, which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people in Leeds and bring neighbourhoods together.

Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) is a community building approach which Leeds City Council has developed into a pioneering programme in the city. Third sector organisations, funded by Leeds City Council, employ

September 2021 | South Leeds Life

community builders who work with neighbourhoods to uncover and develop preexisting assets, strengths and connections between people.

The Leeds Beckett research has highlighted the social value this brings through supporting people having good friends, individuals and organisations becoming better connected, and communities identifying and working together to bring about the changes they want to see.

Councillors have supported the work of BAFF who were commissioned in Beeston, employing Lynn Bailey and Alia Nessa as Community Builders.

The monthly craft markets have been a great success

Through discussion with local people, they help people realise their skills and passions, connecting likeminded people together and giving them ownership of their projects.

A local craft market was developed this way, with interest from a BAFF stall at the 2019 Beeston Festival leading to a skills event at Beeston library where local people signed up to share their gardening, needle crafts and creative writing skills.

A crochet group now sees local people meeting each week for tea and biscuits, whilst socialising and producing their hand-crafted designs and ultimately leading to the creation of a craft market for members to sell their work.

With BAFF support, The Bridge Café in Beeston was secured for the venue, and Cllr Angela Gabriel came along to support the first market in February 2020. Although the pandemic has meant that the market was unable to run for the rest of the year, stallholders

were able to hold their second market in June 2021, with support from Lynn and new Community Builder, Gayle Graham.

Once again this was a great success and was supported by local councillors Angela Gabriel and Gohar Almass who visited the stalls. The market are held on the last Saturday of the month between 9:30am and 12:30pm at the Bridge Café in Cross Flatts Park, Beeston.

As one stall holder said: “We don’t do this for the money, we just love meeting people & being able to share what we do.”

Councillor Angela Gabriel said: “My colleagues and I are delighted to see the brilliant work of Better Action for Families recognised.

“Asset Based Community Development is a fantastic way for people to get involved locally whilst improving their health and wellbeing.

“This craft market is great as it enables local people to socialise, share their skills and sell their produce to others.”

Kelly Gater is making a difference at Middleton Park Lodge “Kelly is a valuable member of the team who is flexible and always willing to go the extra mile for everyone’s benefit.

Residents frequently ask for Kelly when they need support, even for little things such as retuning the tv or walking to the lounge for activities. Her passion to provide the best quality of care makes us all

proud. Well done Kelly!”

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.

Moor Road crossing refuge

The new pedestrian refuge on Moor Road in Hunslet

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new pedestrian refuge has been installed at the junction of Moor Road and Balm Road/Belle Isle Road in Hunslet.

Cllr Elizabeth Nash said: “Thank you to the local drivers who were inconvenienced during the roadworks to build this pedestrian refuge. But we are glad it has now been built to address the concerns of many residents who had contacted councillors to say they found crossing Moor Road at this point difficult and unsafe. The refuge will allow people to cross the road without rushing or waiting long periods for traffic to reduce to do so.”

Councillors have also confirmed a new traffic light will

be installed on the Hunslet Carr Wheel side of the junction to improve driver visibility of light changes as they turn off Moor Road on to Belle Isle Road or Balm Road.

They also confirmed that the damaged railings on the traffic island are to be repaired.

The pedestrian refuge project cost £10,000 to build. This covered the cost of all the staffing, materials and required legal process.

This pedestrian refuge follows on from other investments in the area to improve road safety including the installation of a nearby Speed Indicator Device, and the creation of a Zebra Crossing outside The Parnaby Tavern on Middleton Road.

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• Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team – 0113 222 4402 • Noise nuisance Team 0113 222 4402 (daytime) / 0113 376 0337 (pm until 3am) One question that I have been asked recently is about EScooters and the legislation around these. Whilst some see these as a fun way to travel others are concerned with dangerous riding and ASB associated with it. Please

remember that you cannot ride an E-Scooter on a road or pavement and may be committed offences for which you could be prosecuted or have the scooter seized (see poster).

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer, next month I will give an update on our latest burglary campaign and also our continued work on tackling the illegal supply of drugs in the area.

4 News

On the beat Last month was ASB Awareness week and as during this week we attended and locations across the Inner South area to speak to residents, identify and address concerns and also raise awareness about how to contact us. Some of these activities included: An excellent engagement

road bike team attended and engaged with residents and visitors.

Conducting leaflet drops and having a contact point at the Penny Hill Centre where we receive frequent complaints of ASB and begging.

Conducting operation Sparc which is an operation in Leeds to target the anti-social use of

Cold Water Shock

by Cllr Elizabeth Nash

by Insp Lucy Leadbeater

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D

uring the school holidays we often see an increase in calls for service to police and also a rise in anti-social behaviour (ASB).

This year has followed a similar pattern and we have seen an increase in ASB in particular in the Middleton ward. We are working hard to tackle this with key partners such as the Leeds anti-social behaviour and housing teams.

who can help and you can report this using a variety of ways: • In an emergency always ring 999 • In a non-emergency contact WYP by contacting 101, or report online using 101 online or at westyorkshire .police.uk/report-it • Should you wish to contact your local policing team please email innersouth @westyorkshire.police.uk

Officers visited Leeds Urban Bike Park event at Leeds Urban Bike Park in Middleton where officers from the NPT and also our off

vehicles across Leeds.

If you are suffering from ASB there are plenty of agencies

s I write this at the end of July, I was shocked and saddened to hear that six people in Yorkshire, within the five days of hot weather, had lost their lives by drowning.

Fortunately for us, none were from Leeds and, therefore, we do not have grieving families in our communities.

Tempting though it may be in hot weather to take a dip, deep water is very cold indeed. The sudden shock of the very cold water can paralyse the nervous system and muscles including the heart muscle.

Unless there is no alternative one should not attempt to save a life by entering the water as this could end up with two casualties. If the person in the water is near to the bank one can extend one`s reach by an item of clothing such as a jacket, coat or belt when this may be grabbed by him or her and then be pulled to the bank.

Leeds City Council has been concerned for some while about the number of people falling in or entering the River Aire in the City Centre where the water is particularly deep and very cold. There is quite a strong current and, in addition, the river is also very tidal as far as Knowstrop. It has been

known for drowned people to be swept all the way down the Aire as far as the Humber near Goole!

There are various reasons why people end up in the river – falling in, trying to have a swim, high jinks, and under the influence of alcohol and not knowing what they were doing, The Council set up the Leeds Water Safety Group of which I am a member. Other members are representatives from West Yorkshire Fire Service (which do most of the rescues), West Yorkshire Police, Leeds Planning Department, Council`s Waterfront Project Officer, Council`s City centre Community Safety Co-ordinator, Council Health Improvement, BACIL/Pubwatch and Angels of Freedom.

Three years` ago the Leeds Water Safety Group installed fourteen throw lines alongside the River in the City Centre which were funded by West Yorkshire Fire Service. The lines are contained in cabinets which will open automatically after dialling 999 and asking for the Fire Service.

Each line location is numbered so that people will not perhaps have to struggle to describe where they are. The lines are lightweight with a floatable bag at the end and

An Emergency Throwline could save someone’s life

are easy to throw to the person in the water. If the person is able to hold on to the line they can be pulled to the side when it is easy for the Fire Service to get him or her out of the water.

In the last three years the lines have been deployed five times saving lives – twice thrown by members of the public and three times by Police Community Support Officers. I have asked for more of these lines to be installed beyond the City Centre and this is being investigated. But if anyone can suggest any other suitable site I should be pleased to hear of them.

In the meantime, the Water Safety Group appeals to people having a good night out in town to look out for their friends and to see them safely on their way home especially if the jollification is near to the River.

Post Script: Since writing the above, sadly there have been two further drownings in Yorkshire, one of which was just below Leeds Bridge. Local residents tried to rescue the young man but paramedics attending could not revive him.

Unfortunately, the nearest throw line was at the other side of the river and I have requested an additional one on the south side of Leeds Bridge.

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Civil Enforcement Officer role to continue H

unslet & Riverside and Beeston & Holbeck Ward Councillors have approved funding to continue to employ a dedicated Civic Enforcement Officer (CEO) to cover both wards.

This will be the third time the post has been renewed due to its success at reducing illegal parking, and litter and dog fouling issues.

Cllr Angela Gabriel said: “Having a local Civil Enforcement Officer has been of huge benefit to both wards.

It has allowed Councillors to target problematic areas plagued with illegal parking or reduce litter and dog fouling problems effectively. The officer themselves are well regarded in the wider community and they have been making a real impact.”

In 2020/21 the CEO issued 650 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) and Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) which generated an income of £18,109. The money raised from these fines has been used to offset the

beeston festival lots to do, lots to see:

On patrol outside Beeston Primary School £28,000 per annum cost to fund the role.

Cllr Elizabeth Nash added: “The CEO position we have approved funding for again this year is great value for money. If it had not been for the impact of the pandemic, based on the number of FPNs and PCNs issued – the CEO was on track to be cost neutral for the Council this year. Therefore, Cllr Angela Gabriel, Andrew Scopes, Gohar Almass, Mohammed

Iqbal, Paul Wray and I were more than happy to approve funding to cover the remainder of the £28,000 per annum cost of employment for the role.”

Councillors have said they are hopeful a full year of uninterrupted work will mean the CEO is fully paid for by the fines they have collected next year. Even if this is not the case – the positive impact the officer has on their wards is something they are all keen not to lose.

South Leeds United to tackle MND for Rob

• • • • • • • • • • •

Live music live dance inflatables farm animals birds of prey stalls barbecue food court sport fun fair arts & crafts

YOUR PLANET FRIENDLY FESTIVAL • • • • • • • • •

school uniform exchange: donate or take free uniform repair cafe: bring your broken items to be repaired Bike fixing: the bike college will fix your bike while you wait South Leeds C.R.A.P.: swap unwanted items donate unwanted clothing & bikes beeston climate hub: information & ideas for a greener future free cups of water & 20p off drinks with your reusable cup at cafe compostable catering materials used on all Beeston Festival food stalls be part of a green future in our new mural created at the festival

Supported by:

Phil, Richard and Martin. Photo: Archie Harrison

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hree sports fans from South Leeds have trekking the 110 mile Cleveland Way to raise funds for MNDA in honour of Rob Burrow.

Richard Harrison, Martin Lee and Phil Hodgson are all run leaders with the South Leeds Lakers running club and all support different professional sports club: Richard is a big Leeds United fan; Martin supports Leeds Rhinos; whilst Phil is a Board member at Hunslet RLFC.

The three put their rivalries to one side and joined forces as South Leeds United to raise funds to help tackle Motor Neurone Disease (MND) which has struck down Rhinos’ hero Rob Burrow. Inspired by his determination not to be beaten by the disease; and by Kevin Sinfield’s ‘7 marathons in 7 days’; they set themselves the challenge of walking the Cleveland Way in five days. The route winds from Helmsley to Filey through the North York

Moors national park.

Before setting off Martin Lee said: “Rob has done a fantastic job in raising the profile of this terrible disease. With your backing we can play our small part in beating it” The three have passed their initial target of £2,000, but are keen to see this grow and are calling on supporters of all three clubs to support them via their Just Giving page at: bit.ly/SouthLeedsUnited

saturday 18 september 12-5 pm cross flatts park

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Support to get Network launches ‘This Is you back into Middleton Park’ booklet employment O

by Jeremy Morton

Leeds Employment Hub offers one to one support

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eveloping You – a preemployment support course is starting in Holbeck in the last week of September.

Developing You is a free, tenweek course which aims to help people become happier, healthier and move closer towards employment.

• It gives customers the opportunity to learn about themselves and the next steps that are right for them.

• Developing You will provide customers with an introduction to lots of ways to manage day-to-day life, customers will improve selfawareness, set goals and take part in activities which manage stress.

• Along with sessions on looking for and finding a job, there are sessions with local employment and health support providers, access to volunteering opportunities and job opportunities which include jobs in the care sector.

• To participate, a customer must be unemployed and of working age (19-64). The course does not affect benefits and the jobcentre encourages attendance.

Mike is from Beeston and completed Developing You in May 2021. He has been living with mental health issues for a long time and recognised the importance of keeping himself busy. The course introduced him to new people, provided him with ways of coping with stress and enabled him to continue his search for employment, all at the same time.

“I know how important it is to look after myself, when lockdown started I was very worried because I knew I needed to keep busy. The course seemed to cover everything I needed with both health and wellbeing, and

employability, so I filled in the form.” Mike found the “5 Ways to Wellness” particularly helpful and reassuring. The sessions helped with building connections, supported him to become more active and he learnt skills.

After completing Developing You in May, Mike was referred to Leeds Employment Hub, a free job-support service from Leeds City Council, where he is now working with his own advisor to find a job. He’s also now involved in volunteering work whilst he continues his job search.

“I have learnt a lot of new things from both these services - Developing You made me determined not to stop my search for employment after finishing the course, I want to keep it up”.

“The course was more than just lessons; I was able to get extra support from my tutor to finish and the enrolment staff were really helpful when I signed up. This has helped keep me going in my search for a job.”

A face to face course will be starting in the last week of September at St Matthew’s Community Centre in Holbeck Need more information? Visit this link: bit.ly/DYoverview For help enrolling - Ring (0113) 378 4576 or Email esleeds@leeds.gov.uk Leeds Employment Hub offers job-searching support if you are unemployed and need help. Call us on (0113) 378 4576, email us at esleeds@leeds.gov.uk or message us on Facebook or Twitter at @eandsleeds You can also visit our website employmentskillsleeds.co.uk or join our weekly emails to have vacancies sent straight to your inbox at bit.ly/eandsleedsemail.

n Middleton Park’s 101st anniversary the network of organisations that work in and around the park have produced a booklet to help residents get the most out the green jewel at the heart of south Leeds.

A look at the list of contributors shows you just how much goes on in the park: • Middleton Park Bowls Club • Friends of Middleton Park • Leeds Urban Bike Park • Middleton Railway • South Leeds Aero Modellers Society • Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club • Middleton Park Equestrian Centre • John Charles Centre for Sport • Leeds City Council Parks & Countryside Service • Middleton Woods parkrun Speaking at the launch, Frances Jones from the Friends of Middleton Park, said all the organisations contributed to making the park an attractive place to visit and all relied heavily or totally on volunteers.

She pointed out that usage of the park had increased significantly and it could rightly claim to be part of Leeds Natural Health Service.

The organisation with the oldest links to the park must be Middleton Railway as Ian Smith explained: “The railway is inextricably linked to the park. It was

Groups working in and around Middleton Park came together to launch the new booklet orginally built to move coal mined in the park to Leeds and several of the main paths were originally built as waggon ways.”

He said that whilst they always encourage passengers to take a walk in the park and return on a later train, they do still hope to extend the line beyond Park Halt right into the centre of the park.

The Bowling Club has been around since at least the 1930s and is always looking for new members. It’s open four days a week and it’s currently free to play until the end of the season in September.

The Friends of Middleton Park was started in 2003 “to make the park a better place.”

It was the driving force behind the 2012 lottery grant which saw the visitor centre and

bandstand built as well as new signage and path renovations.

They also oversaw the new children’s playground which opened in 2019 and run an extensive programme of activities including the Great Middleton Park Show.

Leeds Urban Bike Park is one of the newest organisations in the park, opening four years ago. The bike tracks have proved hugely popular, especially in the last year.

Jeremy Hayes said that they had been the victim of their own success and struggled to find room for all the activities they would like to run. They have recently taken the lease on the former golf clubhouse and plan to move their community and youth work there.

Cllr Kim Groves (Middleton

Park) commented: “Thank you to all the groups, we are so grateful for everthing you do, it makes such a difference.

“We couldn’t do it without you and I think the Friends are the park – you’ve made a tremendous difference over the years, all the bands on a Sunday, the show adds such value to the park.

“This booklet will be really welcomed in the community.”

Cllr Angela Gabriel (Beeston & Holbeck) is chair of the Inner South Community Committee which paid for the production of the booklet. She encouraged any groups in the community to apply to them for small grants up to £500, or larger grants saying they are keen to help groups like these to do even more in the community.

Celebrating the 74th anninversary of Pakistan’s independence South Leeds Community Alliance held a celebratory meal attended by members of South Leeds Community and also Pakistan’s Consul General in West Yorkshire H.E Ibrar Ahmed Khan, West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin, Deputy Lieutenant Dr Manoj Joshi MBE and Sgt Major Mark Hill MBE.

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News 7

Asda increases refill product range at Middleton store A

sda has added more than 50 new product lines to its popular refill zone at its flagship sustainability store in Middleton, South Leeds.

The supermarket has partnered with some of the UK’s most popular consumer brands including Coca Cola, Yorkshire Tea, Napolina, Tilda, Mars and Kellogg’s to bring the new product lines to store in refillable format, as it steps up its efforts to help customers reduce, reuse or recycle plastic packaging.

The refill zone has already proved to be extremely popular with customers since opening in October 2020, with several products outstripping packaged sales and many shoppers travelling from outside the local area to shop sustainably. Following the addition of the 50 new lines, customers will now have a choice of 76 different products in refillable format at the store.

Susan Thomas, Director of Commercial Sustainability at Asda said:

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a Vicar!

Rev Alaistair Kaye, the Vicar of St Luke’s Holbeck, joined staff, supporters and young people from the Re:establish project to take part in a sponsored tandem Sky Dive to raise funds for the groups work. To donate go to Just Giving at bit.ly/ReSkyDive. Photo: Sky-High Sky Diving, Durham

Lord Mayor unveils Beeston In Bloom’s new bench T

his time last year sunflowers were popping up all over Beeston as community gardening group Beeston In Bloom contributed seeds, pots and composts to a children’s lockdown activity pack. Last month the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Asghar Khan, was on hand to unveil a sunflower themed bench to commemorate that work.

Linda Stanley, Beeston in Bloom’s Secretary, takes up the story: “In October 2020 the Leeds Civic Trust launched a new initiative ‘Take a seat’. They were offering a traditional park bench and funds to decorate it with a design to show how Leeds came together to help one another during the Covid crisis.

“We made our bid and based our design on sunflowers.

Beeston in Bloom had contributed to a community scheme to provide activities for families who were locked down at home. We provided a pack with compost, small pots and sunflower seeds. The result was a flurry of bright displays from gardens, window boxes and door step containers. This was in stark contrast to the

suffering especially at Sunnyview House, where a number of residents died due to the virus. We also suggested that Sunnyview Gardens / Beeston Road would be an appropriate location if we were successful.

“We were delighted when we

found out that a bench was coming to Beeston. An article in South Leeds Life asking for artists resulted in contact from Jaydon Rowbottom and we met to discuss the design.

“There were delays due to delivery difficulties but work began in June 2021. Using

funds we had raised at one of our plant sales, we also arranged for Jaydon to decorate a utility box that was close to where the bench would be sited.

“Thank you to Leeds Civic Trust for providing the bench and Jaydon for his design.”

The Lord Mayor, Cllr Asghar Khan and Lady Mayoress unveil the sunflower themed bench. Photo: Kren Cooper

Bring your own container to the Refill Zone at Asda in Middleton The new products available in store this week include: • Prefilled 1 Litre glass bottles of Coca-Cola Original Taste and Zero Sugar, which can be returned to the store when empty and deposited into a reverse vending machine.

Customers get 20p off their shopping for each deposit, while Coca Cola clean and reuse each bottle • An increased range of cereals including Kellogg’s Special K, Bran Flakes and Crunchie Nut Corn Flakes Nestle’s Shredded Wheat Bitesize as well as Asda Own Brand Cornflakes and Rice Snaps • A range of Yorkshire Tea products such as Original, Decaf and Gold tea bags as well as loose tea • More dried products such as Napolina Rigatoni, fusilli, penne pasta and Tilda basmati and jasmine rice • Mars petfood such as Whiskas, Chappie and Pedigree, as well as Dreamies cat treats • Silver Spoon sugar and own brand home baking and snacking including a selection of treats, seeds and nuts

“We have always said that working in partnership with other likeminded businesses will be vital if we are to persuade people to shop more sustainably. We are very pleased to secure the backing of some of the UK’s most recognisable consumer brands which means we can offer customers even more of their favourite products in refillable format.”

The changes in store are part of the supermarket’s test and learn approach, working with customers to understand what works for them and taking steps to help make sustainable shopping as accessible as possible.

Asda recently announced that it was rolling out its refill proposition to four more stores by the end of the year – Rugby, Milton Keynes, York and its first refill offer in Scotland at the Glasgow Toryglen store.

The refill proposition is part of the supermarket’s commitment to remove 3bn pieces of plastic from ownbrand products by 2025 and introduce over 40 refillable products by 2025.

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NEWS IN BRIEF Cross Flatts Active Travel Zone Leeds City Council will be publishing their revised proposals for an Active Travel Zone in the Cross Flatts area of Beeston on Monday 6 September. This follows a focus group where residents discussed the plans. Under the scheme roads will be blocked off to through traffic to prevent ‘rat running’, make walking and cycling more arttractive and reduce pollution.

Pavilion people M&S to take anchor site at White Rose Marks and Spencer (M&S) have announced that they will be expanding their offer at the White Rose Shopping Centre and taking over the space vacated by Debenhams.

The new M&S store is expected to open in 2023.

In the meantime the existing M&S store at White Rose will remain open. M&S expect to create new jobs in the larger store.

Big Bike Fix The Big Bike Fix continues in Beeston Hill, with teaching sessions most Saturdays, 15pm and drop-in sessions for people to get their bikes fixed every Sunday, 12-4pm.

Donations of unwanted bikes and volunteers are always welcome and applications for bikes are still open, but there is a considerable waiting list.

All services are free. For full details, look for 'The Big Bike Fix Leeds' on Facebook, or call Ed on 07738 921277.

A community picnic marked a summer of activities organised by The Friends of Hunslet Moor out of the old bowling green pavilion. The Friends hope to take on the lease of the building and are working on a business plan to convince the Council. They thanks Dewsbury Road Tesco, Hunslet Morrisons and The Real Junk Food Project for food donations which were topped up with £100 from Cllr Paul Wray. Brenda Barlow from the Friends said: “This would be great for the community as this building has not been used in over a decade. We cleaned it from top to bottom ready for us to use during the summer. Fingers crossed we get accepted for the lease in a few weeks time.”

Call for volunteers at Holbeck Together

Help sought in Belle Isle

I

P

'm Chris Bulmer, the new Volunteer Coordinator at Holbeck Together.

I'm responsible for recruiting and managing our amazing team of volunteers. With our services growing I'll be developing our volunteer recruitment and roles to meet our needs and enhance volunteers' skills.

St Matthew’s Community Centre is the focal point for many of the volunteering activities including lunch clubs, coffee mornings and social groups alongside other community based roles such as food deliveries, shopping trips, group outings and befriending.

I enjoy meeting and speaking to volunteers from many different backgrounds and ages who want to give their time to help others and in return gain a lot from what they do.

Holbeck Together could not exist and do what we do without volunteers, so reaching new people and organisations that can offer help is a key part of my role.

We are extremely grateful to our current and previous volunteers for all their support over more than two decades.

Volunteering brings a wealth of benefits to communities and individuals and we aim to enhance the skills of all our

Holbeck Together’s Volunteer Coordinator, Chris Bulmer volunteers whilst giving them a positive, enjoyable experience.

We require volunteers across a range of services including catering/food provision, transport, befriending, social activities, retail and more. A full list of our volunteer roles and requirements can be accessed on our website at www.holbecktogether.org /volunteering where you can apply by completing the application form or contacting us directly.

Time commitment is flexible - it can be as little as two hours per week. We aim to match applicants with the right volunteer roles based on their availability, skills and experience and you do not need any formal qualifications.

We are looking for people who want to help the older

people and families that we support and training is provided for all volunteers. We cover out of pocket expenses and the cost of DBS checks.

We encourage interest from applicants of all backgrounds, people who may or may not have volunteered before, would like to gain or develop their skills/experience, and want to use their time to help others in the local community. We also welcome help from businesses and employees who may want to offer their time and skills to support our services.

If you have any questions or would like an informal chat about volunteering opportunities, please contact Chris Bulmer by calling the Holbeck Together office on (0113) 245 5553 or emailing chris@holbecktogether.org.

eople Matters, a local disability charity with nearly 50 staff, and about 400 members is planning to relocate within South Leeds, can you help?

Having been based in Holbeck for over 14 years it is time for the charity to move on to a building that better suits everyone’s needs.

A proposed new site has been found within Belle Isle and the charity wants to make changes to the new base in a way that will work for its members, volunteers and staff but also be open to local residents too.

The building they have found

is bigger than they need so offers local residents and groups the potential option to make use of the space too. Do you want to find out more and have a say?

A local volunteer resident and someone from an existing local community group in the Belle Isle area are being sought to attend a meeting approximately every 6 weeks for the next few months to help design and influence building changes alongside the People Matters team.

For more information please email info@peoplematters leeds.co.uk or call the current office on (0113) 234 6896.

Could you help People Matters move to Belle Isle?

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News 9

Lord Lieutenant presents Positive action on DAZL with Queen’s Award Skelton Grange bridge C for Voluntary Service

Hol

Edmund Anderson Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire and Ian Rodley, DAZL’s Director

by Ken Ingram

D

AZL (Dance Action Zone Leeds) has been running for about 20 years and been in their new office and dance studio in Middleton Community Centre for about 4 months.

They run many dance groups, from what I have been told and seen for young girls and boys across Leeds. DAZL also work with many organisations across Leeds including Sports Groups, Youth Clubs, Parents and Tots, Community , Well being Groups, Elderly Groups, Children Activates, Fitness and Volunteering.

Ian Rodley with volunteers who runs the organisation was Nominated for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service by

West Yorkshire Police a few months ago.

The Award was presented by the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, the Queen’s representative in the county, on Wednesday 4 August. The Leader of Leeds City Council, Cllr James Lewis, was also in attendance.

While we where waiting for the Lord Lieutenant to arrive I had time to speak to some Board Members and Volunteers. Susan (Chair) for 21 Years, wow. Kevin Snape was there. I spoke to another lovely lady, Melissa Peacock who has been with the DAZL group for many years.

The Lord Lieutenant arrived and was entertained by three young dancers: two boys and a girl. They were brilliant

especially the girl who was really good.

The Lord Lieutenant gave a speech thanking all the volunteers, board Members and Ian for all the time spent teaching all the children the dance routines. He said many people get nominated in Yorkshire, but not everyone gets through to getting an Award.

After the speeches I had an opportunity to take photographs and enjoy the lovely buffet.

Ian Rodley (Director) says: “I am so honoured to have DAZL and all the wonderful volunteers who enable DAZL to reach into communities and support so many families. This is so special to all in DAZL on this what is our 21st birthday”

llr Peter Carlill (Lead Member for Active Travel) has welcomed news that Sustrans have successful secured funding to achieve a solution to the Skelton Grange Road Bridge issue.

The location, which has been a problem in creating an accessible cycle route along the Aire and Calder canal, is being prioritised as one of the projects to be funded from new government grants to improve the National Cycle Network.

The funding will allow an updated feasibility study to be completed on possible options to create a permeant accessible route, the selection of a preferred option, and then taking that through the planning process to an approved planning consent. It is a requirement of the funding that the planning consent is obtained by March 2022. The scheme will then need further funding for implementation.

This work comes on the back of positive meetings between all parties to find a solution that will allow everyone to enjoy what is otherwise a welcoming and accessible walking and cycle route forming part of the Trans-Pennine Trail and National Cycle Network route 67 in South Leeds. Currently the preferred option by all remains seeking a route through the Thwaite Mills site that can be safely developed, with the alternative solution of a new pedestrian and cycling bridge. These positive meetings will continue as work is undertaken to ensure everyone has an opportunity to be involved.

The route forms part of Leeds City Council’s ambition to see 800km of cycle routes across the city, which is currently seeing continued implementation across the city.

All stakeholders remain committed to finding a solution and another meeting will be held in the coming months to continue these positive discussions.

Queuing to use the steps at Skelton Grange Road bridge Councillor Peter Carlill (Calverley and Farsley) said: “This is really fantastic news and a real demonstration of everyone coming together to fix a problem that none could solve alone. It’s been a problem for so many reasons and the commitment by everybody involved is a testament to the support we have here for active travel.

“This has been a real team effort and I would like to thank everyone involved as well as everyone who has raised this concern with us and continue to do so.

“Understandably given its surroundings this is a popular route, even more so during the pandemic, and we want it to be as easy to travel for anyone that chooses to use it. This funding and the work being undertaken

by Sustrans is such a positive step to getting this route to the state we all want it to be.

“I look forward to seeing the outcome of this work and then working together on the next steps to deliver something the people of Leeds can be proud of.”

Mike Babbitt from Sustrans said: “Our 2018 Paths for Everyone report review of the National Cycle Network highlighted Skelton Grange Road bridge as a significant barrier for people using route 67 and the Trans Pennine Trail to and from Leeds. We will work

to develop a solution for an accessible route over the bridge which will allow people of all abilities, including wheelchairs, mobility scooters, adapted bicycle and double buggies, to use the path for leisure and commuting to work and study. We are grateful for the ongoing efforts of partners and stakeholders in this project and we are very much look forward to working with them now on developing a solution.”

Martin Stanley from Leeds Cycling Campaign said: “We are delighted that our campaign to highlight the difficulties faced by large numbers of people in accessing this fantastic cycling and walking route is taking a major step forward towards delivering real change.

“We will continue to actively work alongside all partners to ensure that we deliver a safe, accessible and sustainable route that will encourage more people to cycle and walk for pleasure, to improve their health, engage in daily activities and for commuting.

“We would like to thank Cllr Peter Carlill, other local ward members, Mike Babbitt from Sustrans, local residents and campaigners, the 3,000 plus people who have signed our online petition and the many members of Leeds Cycling Campaign who have all helped us to achieve this major milestone.”

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10 News NEWS IN BRIEF Weekday booking eased at tip sites Residents can now visit Council Household Waste Recycling Centres, including Holme Well Road in Middleton, without booking an appointment on weekdays. If you visit on a Saturday or Sunday you will still need to book a slot via leeds.gov.uk

Beeston beds head for North America Beeston-based luxury artisan bedmaker Harrison Spinks is launching its products in North America. The fifth-generation family bedmaker offers handmade mattresses that are 100% recyclable and 100% foam and FR chemical treatment free, which are both better for sleep experience and the planet.

All their products start life on their 300-acre farm in North Yorkshire, where sheep are reared on rich, untreated pastures and hemp and flax crops are grown on fertile fields without the need for pesticides. The mattresses and beds are then manufactured at Harrison Spinks factory off Dewsbury Road in Beeston.

Community Committee Our nine Councillors will meet as the Inner South Community Committee on Wednesday 1 September. The committee is responsible some Council functions in the area such as street cleaning and youth services; and it manages a well-being budget that funds large and small projects.

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Beeston mosque adopts streets for litter picks H

unslet and Riverside Ward Councillors have thanked volunteers from Masjid Ibraheem on Woodview Road, Beeston Hill for their volunteering efforts to litter pick the Woodviews neighbourhood around their mosque.

Cllr Paul Wray said: “Thank you to the mosque community for ‘adopting’ these local streets. It is a great example to others, and I hope other local institutions follow suit. Though some people

passing through these streets will still drop litter, you can really notice the difference compared to beforehand.”

Faisal Butt from Masjid Ibraheem said: “We at Masjid Ibraheem would like to thank our local Councillors for letting us engage in helping our local community by cleaning up the streets and creating a safe and clean environment for them and their children. It has helped us bridge that relationship with the locals as

they have also been keen to get involved.”

To support the mosque, the Hunslet and Riverside Ward Councillors provided them with a full community litter picking kit, so they didn’t need to depend on booking the council’s kits weekly.

Masjid Ibraheem hold their weekly litter pick at 2pm on a Saturday meeting at the mosque on Woorview Road.

Other organisations are encourage to adopt their own local streets.

Councillors Nash and Iqbal with volunteers from Masjid Ibraheem

Have your say on Middleton Park golf course land A

consultation on how to use the land that was formally South Leeds Golf Club and has now been incorporated into Middleton Park began last month and there’s still time to have your say on the plans.

A draft plan has been drawn up based on discussions between ward Councillors in Middleton Park and Beeston & Holbeck wards; the Friends of Middleton Park, Cycle Pathways CIC who run the Leeds Urban Bike Park and the

Leeds Hospital Charity.

The plans fall into three main areas: Plans for the Covid Memorial Woodland would use an area of 4.4 hectares (about one tenth of the SLGC land) close to the Park Woods estate.

Cycle Pathways CIC are taking over the former clubhouse and have plans for it to be at the centre of an education and activity zone.

The zone would be a similar size to the Covid Memorial Woodland and lie between

Gipsy Lane and the Ring Road above The Links estate. The zone would offer activities such as climbing, cycling, ropeways, Forest school for under 5s, nature trails and natural play areas The remaining land would see refurbished paths, new tree planting and rewilding schemes. Five small, 15-20 space car parks will be built, subject to planning permission, off the Ring Road to accommodate visitors.

Five in-person events have been held, which were well attended. Anyone who was unable to attend can find full details of the plans and make their views known via an online survey at: surveys.leeds.gov.uk /s/SLGC21/. The online survey is open until Friday 10 September.

Middleton Park Ward Councillors Kim Groves, Sharon Burke and Paul Truswell said: “We urge everyone to get involved in shaping the area for

this and future generations by completing the online survey. It is important that local people put forward their ideas for future uses of this extended area of the park.

“We would also welcome their views on proposals that have already been suggested by the Leeds Urban Bike Park and the Friends of Middleton Park. The online survey has visual materials showing the site and the possibilities.

“We are also keen to hear local people’s views on the proposal from the Leeds Hospital Charity for a fitting memorial to those people who sadly lost their lives during the pandemic, and to the heroic ongoing effort of frontline workers.”

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News 11

Tracy explains why it’s never too late to learn N

urse Tracy Hyde, tells us why she returned to education at the age of 35 and is now a qualified mental health nurse, doing the job she always dreamed of.

Tracy lives in south Leeds and is a community mental health nurse. She qualified from the University of Leeds during the pandemic last year and has shared her learning journey with us.

Tracy grew up Harehills and left school at 15 when she became pregnant. She had a range of jobs which, as a single parent, had to fit around her children. Over time, she realised that these jobs were not making her happy. After one job in particular which was having a negative effect on her mental health, she went back into education at Leeds City College. At the age of 35 she did her Maths and English GCSEs. During a class Julie met a member of the Lifelong Learning Centre at the University of Leeds (LLC) who invited the class to a study day for mature students at the university. At this event, Tracy heard a mature student Learning Champion who was studying to be a mental health nurse talk about his learning journey. She describes how meeting someone who came

Tracy Hyde left school at 15 and now has a degree from a similar background as her, gave her the inspiration to go to university: “I don’t come from a really wealthy family, I don’t come from a really wealthy area. I was born and bred in Harehills.

My dad was a postman and my mam worked in a factory and it wasn’t my lifelong ambition to go into education, it’s just not what people did. So seeing people that sort of resonated with me, meant that I could see a connection between me and university. That was when I

thought, you know what, I could do this and I applied.”

Tracy then spoke to one of the guidance officers at the at Lifelong Learning Centre’s who advised her of all the possible options and helped her make a decision. She stressed how the application process felt supportive and not overwhelming and helped her make her decision. She was accepted on the LLC’s foundation year Preparation for Higher Education. This is a course for adult students and

can provide a pathway onto degrees at Leeds University.

The following year, she was accepted onto the Mental Health Nursing degree course at the School of Healthcare at Leeds University. She told us, “When I got accepted, I felt a bit like it was make believe, but there were such a diverse group of people going to university. By the time I finished I was 45 and there were lots in their 30s, so it wasn’t all younger students. There were also students in their 60 and 70s and for me I felt I was the young one.”

She sums up her journey: “So in 7, 8 years, I went from having no qualifications to being a Band 5 qualified mental health nurse with a degree from Leeds University. I’m not going to say it was easy, but now that I’m not at uni, I miss studying.”

Tracy is clear about the benefits of studying: “It gave me more confidence in myself … I hated education, I found it really difficult and felt that I never gelled with it when I was younger.

“At university I wasn’t told how to do something, I had to investigate it myself and prove why I found that information out and that’s what I loved about uni. I loved looking at the different sides of the argument.”

All Leeds Aren’t We The Leeds United Supporters’ Trust fundraised to buy replica shirts for over forty youngsters who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford a shirt. The children attend sessions with Kidz Klub Leeds at The Holbeck club. “I’ve never seen so many excitable kids - you could see what it meant to them!”

She also mentions the range of support available to students at university: “I found out that I had dyspraxia and slight dyslexia as well at uni. Once I found that out and provisions were put in place and I got the support I needed, I found things a little easier. There was also support through the library, you’re never on your own.” Before accepting her place, she was given lots of information about the financial support at university. “At first I thought I can’t give up my job but it worked out and I chose not to work, you’re not on your own.”

It’s not always widely known that most people are eligible for a government student loan which covers their tuition fees and some living costs. This doesn’t have to be paid off until someone is earning £27,295 a year, the loan is also written off after 30 years.

What would Tracy would tell her younger self? “Just because you haven’t been successful at a young age, doesn’t mean that you can’t be successful at any stage in your life. I think with mature students, you have got factors that might prevent you, but if you’ve got a passion, your time will come. I’d say that it’s never too late, ever.”

Tracy is clear that her

strengths, gathered from her life experience, have got her through university: “I was a young mum, I was pregnant at 15 and people were saying, “Your life’s over, what are going to do with your life?” and maybe I wanted to say to them, “Look what I’ve done, I’ve just got a degree.” For me it was sheer and utter resilience, determination and I wanted to prove it to myself, I felt that inside I had more to give as well, and just to say to everybody, well my life wasn’t over was it, look at what I’m doing now!”

If you want to explore your options in further and higher education please contact LLC on 07592 328670.

Thinking about studying this year? We are still accepting applications onto our part-time degrees for September 2021 entry. These flexible options are ideal for adults wanting to study alongside work or other commitments. Our part time programmes are specifically designed for mature students working in education, family support and other settings. You do not necessarily need formal qualifications as we take life experience into account.

For more information email lifelonglearning@leeds.ac.uk or visit: www.leeds.ac.uk/lifelonglearning

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12 School Life

Beeston youngster in running for Leeds Children’s Mayor P

oppy Frost from St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School in Beeston is amongst 12 candidates standing for the position of Leeds Children’s Mayor.

Earlier this year children in Year 5 were encouraged to write a manifesto setting out a project that they would implement if elected by the young people of the city. Poppy’s idea is help children link up across different schools through a pen pal scheme called ‘Link Through Ink.’ Here is her manifesto: “If I was Children’s Mayor of Leeds, I would introduce a project to help children of all ages to build friendships and relationships with children from other schools across the city of Leeds. The name of this project would be ‘Link through Ink’ representing the friendships (links) that will be built through writing. This idea would provide children with the opportunity to have a pen pal of a similar age they can talk to about anything they desire. It would allow children to build bonds and learn more about other schools in their community. As a child myself, I know that lockdown has meant that children have not been able to socialise as often as they would like, so having pen pals would help children build connections in a safe and controlled manner.

“To ensure the idea is accessible to everyone, I have carefully considered cost implications. The only resources required are paper, pens,

Poppy Frost from St Anthony’s Primary School envelopes and some extra classroom time – a passionate teacher could help too! These are resources which are already available in schools. By keeping the cost low, all children can have a pen pal and together we can build a passion for writing across the city!

“The idea would benefit children of all ages across primary schools because as many people know, lockdown has potentially caused a loss of

learning, impacting children across all age groups. Writing skills were particularly effected due to increased use of technology in this time. Having a pen pal would help children catch up with and develop writing skills they may have lost.

As my teacher said before, having a pen pal would give an audience and true purpose for writing which is the secret to becoming a great author.

Children will love building

friendships with a child of a similar age in their community whilst developing writing skills for the future. Furthermore, children can learn about other schools in their city, whether it’s different beliefs, educational settings or race.

“This project could be particularly beneficial to Year 6 children who are preparing for high school; children could be partnered with someone who is attending the same high school which would ease anxieties of starting Year 7. Children would already know a name and a friend!

“Children across the city can help by promoting the project in their schools to encourage children to take part. They could design posters to display promoting the positive effects of pen pals. Children could also suggest themes/topics to be discussed or projects to share between pen pals. Classes could link up with others who are studying similar topics across the curriculum to share their knowledge. Children could also develop short lessons about writing informal letters and top tips to be shared across schools, saving teachers’ time. Schools would have a nominated pupil and teacher ambassador.”

Voting is now open for children and young people up to 18 years old. Go to bit.ly/LCMayor21 to read all 12 manifestos and cast your two votes. Voting closes at 5pm on Tuesday 12 October, with the new Children’s Mayor announced on 1 November.

Call for volunteers to support children with reading this term C

hildren’s literacy charity, Bookmark, is bringing its one-to-one reading programmes to primary schools in Leeds, and it’s calling for volunteers to support children online as we start this crucial new school year.

Helping a child to make progress with their reading is hugely rewarding and there’s never been a better time to get involved. Taking an hour out of your week to read, play games and chat with a child about anything from dinosaurs to distant planets might just be the perfect way to brighten up your day and give back to the community.

The programmes are currently taking place online so can all be

done from a home computer or laptop. Each reading programme involves two 30-minute sessions a week, for six weeks, with a child aged five to nine.

Volunteers receive full training and support and can select their session times to fit their schedule, using the Bookmark app.

Most importantly, this support could make a lasting difference to a child.

When eight-year-old Josh joined the Bookmark programme, he was reading at the level of a five-year-old, and struggling with other aspects of his schoolwork.

“Josh wasn’t able to answer very basic questions because he really couldn’t read,” teaching

Support a child’s reading by volunteering with Bookmark

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Start your Scouti with 1st SLAM (B

by Heather Forster

D

o you want to hang out with your friends every weekhaving fun, playing games, working in a team and taking on new challenges?

Girls and boys aged 6-14 are welcome at 1st SLAM (Beeston) Scout Group, meeting at St Andrew’s Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Leeds LS11 8AG. Joining Beavers (6-8 years) is just the beginning of your big adventure. Cubs (8-10½ years) allows you to develop new skills and soar to great heights. The Scout section (10½-14 years) will let you take on new challenges and new adventures.

We help young people to step up, speak up and gain the skills they need to succeed in life.

Beavers meet Wednesday 6-7.30pm Cubs meet Friday 6.15- 7.45pm Scouts meet Friday 8- 9.30pm.

For further information about our group please email: info@1stbeestonscouts.com or checkout our website: 1stbeestonscouts.com For information about other groups in the district email: enquiries@slamscouts.org.uk

Cubs and Beavers work as a team on a assistant Gabby explained. “It would make him very stressed because he didn’t understand.

He would get very frustrated and give up on his work easily.”

Since working with a Bookmark volunteer, Josh’s reading has improved

dramatically and his teachers have noticed his confidence growing.

“There was a really positive shift towards him starting his work by himself,” Gabby said.

“His confidence to speak up in class has improved as well. He never used to want to respond to questions, but now even if he’s wrong, he tries.”

Josh’s volunteer Tia has also found it a really positive experience.

She started volunteering when she was furloughed during the first lockdown.

“Josh was very bright, and we would have long conversations about deep sea creatures and dinosaurs. He also loved medals, so in one session I showed him an old medal that I have, belonging to a relative. He absolutely loved it!”

“Really the best thing about the programme is getting a laugh from your reader, really making a connection with them and hearing them make progress

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School Life 13

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ing adventure Beeston) Scouts Outdoor activities are part of Scouting

a challenge with their reading, from one session to the next. I just felt satisfied that I had done something worthwhile.”

Bookmark is recruiting volunteers now to read with children this September. To find out more, visit bookmarkreading.org/volunteer Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on children’s education. One in four children had no schooling or tutoring at all during lockdown, and school closures are estimated to have undone 10 years of progress in narrowing the attainment gap for disadvantaged children.

As a Bookmark volunteer, you’ll help to stop that trend.

You’ll help children who struggle with their reading gain essential skills at a crucial age.

This will prepare them to move up the school, ready to tackle new challenges without falling further behind. Three quarters of our volunteers noticed their reader become more confident with their reading.

You’ll hake learning to read fun by bringing your own personality into the sessions and getting to know your reader’s interests. It’s amazing when you introduce a book, comic or poem for the first time that they love! 90% of teachers said that pupils enjoy reading more after our programme.

You’ll give a child one-to-one attention and be a role model.

Teachers have told us that children really benefit from this dedicated time and found it boosted their self-esteem and confidence as well as their reading.

Taking time out of your day to read with a child can help to support your own wellbeing by adding a new experience to your week. Discussing books with a child can change your perspective and it is also a great excuse to revisit your favourite childhood reads.

To find out more, visit bookmarkreading.org/volunteer today.

September 2021 | South Leeds Life

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14 Comment

In our view Community We are Stronger Together as the mural in Cross Flatts Park says. And nothing demonstrates that better than our big community events.

Since Covid restrictions started lifting we have been gradually breaking down the isolation of the last 16 months. Families have got together for birthdays and weddings again, we’ve been able to visit relatives in care homes. But we’ve had little chance to come together as a community. But this month we have that opportunity again with Hunslet Community Gala, Middleton Park Show and Beeston Festival. Do go along to support the events, but also to enjoy seeing everyone together again. We’ll be there and we’d love to see there too.

Not very Co-operative The news that the Co-op were closing their food store in Beeston came out of the blue for staff, members and customers alike. The Co-op was founded during the Industrial Revolution to provide good quality food at affordable prices to working people. In recent decades it has been buffeted by ‘market forces’, its bank bought out by a Hedge Fund. The decision to sell the store, albeit to a new owner who will stock some Co-op own brand lines, is a commercial decision. But were does that leave the Beeston community that the Coop served for 135 years?

Heritage Open Days We know our readers love the local history articles we publish so we’re sure you’ll also appreciate the annual Heritage Open Days festival.

It’s a great chance to explore some hidden history, often right on your doorstep. Whether it’s a walk or a talk, online or in person do get along to some of these events and find out how things used to be.

South Leeds

Laughs Who’s the coolest dudes at the hospital?

The ultrasound guy and the hip replacement guy.

If you've got a great joke you want to share (max 200 words), email it to us at info@southleedslife.com by the 15th of each month, with your name and address, and the best one each month will win a £5 prize.

Your letters and comments Beeston Co-op closure I’m a Coop member, as are many people in Beeston I’m sure. We weren’t consulted about this. This is the Coop, founded to provide good quality produce to working class people, pulling out of a working class area, and pulling out of selling good quality, ethically sourced food in the area. Nisa isn’t nicer at all, just cheap and nasty.

Sue Talbot That is … incredibly disappointing. The food desert of this side of Beeston gets worse.

Bob J I hear what people are saying, yes very overpriced but the Co-op is a cooperative owned by its members/customers and gave huge amounts of money to local clubs and groups that many from Beeston and south Leeds will have used. I’m not sure Nisa will do that, even though it’s part of the Co-op group Richard Harrison Oh no, not another franchise corner shop selling cheap goods that are overpriced. At least the Co-op sells quality goods.

Steve Telford Massive shame! It’s been there forever.

I just hope all the staff are looked after, they have worked so hard during this pandemic. And some have been there for years!

Amy Brown Great news, the Co-op is overpriced.

Tracey Marie

Middleton Park and golf course land consultation Do we really need any more cycle paths?

Middleton woods has already been spoiled by the runs and jumps! Not to mention the increase in litter around those areas.

Another point is why does Cockburn require more land. As a local resident I feel the school and facilities are big enough.

Helen Bray Whilst it mentions a lot of tree planting and returning the area to the wild it sadly neglects to mention the destruction of mature trees and landscaping on the site to make way for an artifical pitch for the school next to the old golf course.

Elliott Davies Any proposals that improve the lives of our children are more than welcome.

Especially for activities around nature and the environment. I’m very proud that our fantastic greenspace has attracted so much interest and support from so called “outsiders.” But countryside is for everyone to share and enjoy. I have spoken to lots of neighbours in the area who feel the same way. We’re proud that our patch of green is getting the attention it deserves after all the neglect of 10 years ago. Special thanks to Friends of Middleton Park, I don’t know any of you personally but you do a grand job!

Southleighs Resident The Council are available for consultations for this yet when it came to Throstle Road recreation ground there were no consultations because of Covid, no

Beeston Co-op supported local community groups meeting of residents due to Covid, no written objections due to Covid. Of the 8 Councillors on the planning board only 1 of the members lives in south Leeds and he objected. How can people who live in Adel, Whinmoor, or Chapel Allerton know what’s best for Middleton?

The field should have been redeveloped for the residents who live in this area and not become another dumping ground for everything Councillors wouldn’t want on their doorstep. The first 6 weeks of this build was suppose to be the car park and compound, but the whole field is dug up ready to build. No one informs us of what’s going on and the Council won’t, or don’t reply to emails and are invisible up here.

But never mind as long as the local councillor gets an extension to her back garden, ie Miggy Park thats all that counts.

Helen Kelly

Crimean Railway Excellent information it matchs perfectly in order to throw some light about some myths in the history of the beginning of the Argentine Railways, because the first two 2-2-0 ST locomotives puchased were built

by EB Wilson and here is a false story about that engines were coming from the Balaclava Railway. This article confirms that it’s not true. Thanks Jorge Oscar Cabrera The trains for the Bideford, Westward Ho! & Appledore Railway were built at the Hunslet Engine Company. They have a Facebook group for anybody interested, They are a bit like our Middleton Railway but much, much smaller.

Linda

Moor Road crossing The whole of Moor Road is a nightmare, The amount of speeding cars is horrendous and you take your life in you’re hands crossing the road.

Craig Chadwick

This is all down to the M621 slip road closure. Have we got a new date for that yet? I'm confident that it's not going to open until 2022.

Tom Paterson The pedestrian refuge has actually made it more dangerous! I nearly got run over the other day by a car, the driver left it too late to indicate and I was already crossing. You have to cross at the widest point and check behind you for traffic turning onto Moor Road. I’ve also asked if anything can be done at the bottom of the Playfair Road, Balm Road junction as it’s hard to cross there. I’ve been told it’s been ‘assessed’ and there’s nothing can be done at that particular point.

Julie Murphy What about something nearer Middleton Railway? Moor Road is an absolute nightmare, it takes ages to cross with the idiot drivers speeding down, something needs doing down this end too.

Alison Fraser

Piaf at Leeds Playhouse Dreadful, waited so long with eager anticipation for what I can only describe as a FARCE. Cockney accents and overuse of unnecessary swear words. Edith Piaf was a legend and the writer should be ashamed of themselves for destroying what should have been a poignant beautiful story.

Absolutely gutted.

Ruby Davis

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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: @HolbeckTogether Yesterday, the different generations in Holbeck took a trip to @TempleNewsam.

Families and our older clients had a wonderful day out in the sunshine - and met some new friends on the farm too!

Thank you to Time to Shine and #healthyholidaysleeds who made the trip possible. @lufctrust We’re saying a massive welcome back on Saturday to @LUFCFoodbank - who will be collecting in their usual spot outside East Stand! If you can bring an item the shortages include juice, custard, rice pudding, biscuits and long life milk! #leedsgivemore

@leedslibraries We’re asking families who have children starting school for the first time in September to read six books. This week we’re suggesting you choose something with gorgeous pictures – like Super Duper You by Sophy Henn @LordMayorLeeds Received a very warm welcome yesterday when I visited MHA communities South Leeds to recognise & thank them for all their hard work during the pandemic.

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.

Keep up to date with planning issues in LS10 and LS11 We publish a weekly list of all new planning applications online at: www.southleedslife.com

@LetsdomoreLDM Delivering our final food parcels of the summer holidays today...keeping kids fit and fed for the last 5 weeks 🍲🏀 #haf2021

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Comment 15

MP’s notebook

by Hilary Benn MP

T

he speed of the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan took many people by surprise, and there must come a time when we look back and reflect on what happened so we can learn the lessons. But for now we have to deal with the sadness and fear these events have created.

In particular, I am thinking of the sadness of our armed forces and their families, as the memories come flooding back, and the fear on the part of the people of Afghanistan that all the gains that have been made in the past 20 years will disappear.

Perhaps the best answer to those who ask, “was it worth it?” is to be found in the desperation of those who are trying to flee the country. They know better than any of us what was achieved, what it

September 2021 | South Leeds Life

meant, and why they fear it will now be lost. For each of them, it was not for nothing.

I have seen that fear in the past two weeks, as have lots of other MPs, in the urgent messages and emails I have received from Afghans living in Leeds who are desperately worried about their family and loved ones back home.

They remember only too well what the Taliban did the last time it controlled the country, and none of them believe the assurances from the Taliban that there will be no revenge or recrimination.

So, together with my wonderful team we have been working hard to try and help people who have told us horrendous tales of family members being killed or threatened, having to hide in neighbours’ houses, and burning their documents and uniforms. One particularly

distressing story was that the Taliban had been to the house to demand the names of all the girls over the age of 14. It is said that this is because the Taliban wish to ‘marry them off’ to their fighters, but we all know that the Taliban‘s attitude to women is about subjugation. It is no wonder that so many people are fleeing for their lives. Only time will tell what kind of future the women of Afghanistan will face.

I want to pay tribute to the brave men and women of our armed forces who went to Kabul to try and get as many people out as possible. And we have all been shocked by the brutal and cowardly bomb attack by ISIS on those waiting to leave.

Leeds has already said that it stands ready to take people from Afghanistan, and we will need practical help and funding from government to help us do

this. Ours has always been a big-hearted city that extends a welcome to those fleeing violence and persecution.

And to the very small number of people have been in touch with me to say that they don’t think we should help, I would say this. Difficult as it may be to imagine, if you were hiding in your neighbours’ basement, terrified for your life, what sort of help would you like to receive from other countries to enable you to get out and be safe? As the old expression goes “Do as you would be done by.”

On a happier note, in a week or so’s time I will be attending the unveiling of a new Leeds Civic Trust plaque.

I’ve written before about this wonderful scheme that commemorates people and events that have contributed so much to make us the community that we are, and this one will remember a man called Don Robins who came to Leeds in the 1930s as the rector of St George’s church in the city centre.

It was the time of the great

Hilary Benn is our Member of Parliament. He represents the Leeds Central constituency which covers Hunslet, Middleton, Belle Isle, Beeston, Holbeck, Cottingley in south Leeds as well as the city centre, Hyde Park, Woodhouse, Little London, Lincoln Green, Burmantofts, Richmond Hill and Osmondthorpe Contact: hilary.benn.mp@parliament.uk, www.hilarybennmp.com Constituency office: Unity Business Centre, 26 Roundhay Road, Leeds LS7 1AB; Tel: 0113 244 1097

Hilary Benn MP depression. Many people were out of work and had fallen on hard times. Don Robins looked around him, saw this and concluded that he must do something to help. So he did something very practical.

He had a beautiful church but below was the crypt full of the bodies of those who had died over the centuries. And inspired by the words of St Matthew’s Gospel “I was a stranger, and you took me in” he decided that the crypt should become a place for the living rather than the dead. So

he set up a soup kitchen there for the hungry, and ever since then St George’s Crypt been offering a welcome, shelter, support and solace to those on whom life has not looked kindly. It has helped countless people who have hit rock bottom to turn their lives around.

So when we unveil the plaque, we will not only be remembering Don Robins the man. We will also be celebrating what can be achieved if we put the human spirit at the services of others.

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South Leeds Life | September 2021

16 The Big Picture

Reader Rachael Loftus MBE took this photo of a beautiful sunset along the River Aire in Hunslet

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Art Life 17

Drama on the Leeds Liverpool Canal T

his September the Leeds Liverpool Canal will become a moving stage as a traditional canal boat tours Yorkshire’s Aire Valley hosting a play that looks at the heritage of the Canal and River Aire and looks at how they have shaped local communities.

Set aboard an original 1930s canal boat called The Ribble, ‘This Island’s Mine’ is part play and part friendly chat around the kitchen table; audiences are invited to join two characters in conversation and discover the incredible history

and heritage of West Yorkshire’s waterways.

“This Island’s Mine is a story for everyone because we are all shaped by the places that we live,” says Director Simon Brewis. “Whether you have a vested interest in the waterways, industry, and heritage, want to learn more about it, or are simply looking for something to do of a weekend – we’re here for you!”

Using simple props and much humour to tell the story of Barbara and Danny, two friends who grew up in

Dockfield, Shipley, audience members can help the characters build a map detailing the history of the waterways and shared stories – the map will ultimately be displayed at Leeds Industrial Museum in Armley.

“Dockfield, is a strip of land sandwiched between the River Aire and the Leeds Liverpool Canal – hence the title,” Simon Brewis continues. “As we discover more of the characters’ island home with its happy memories there is a definite nostalgic air, but as

Steve Scott Bottoms and Claire Marie Seddon: the cast of This Island’s Mine Photo: Barnaby Aldrick

they reminisce about its heavy industry we see that things actually weren’t always better back then and their tale starts to map out a hopeful future for our waterways as Atlantic salmon return to the River Aire.”

The play has been commissioned by the Aire Rivers Trust’s ‘Developing the Natural Aire’ (DNAire) project in collaboration with Canal Connections and Multi-Storey Water – each one a grass roots organisation working to improve rivers and waterways and safeguard their future.

“We are delighted to bring this play to the water and explore how Airedale has shaped, and continues to shape, our communities as river, canal, and railway weave around each other,” says Simon Watts, the Aire Rivers Trust’s Community Engagement Manager. “We want to encourage people to explore their local waterways, to be inspired, to discover new gems along the way, and to help us protect them and give them a future – I’m sure This Island’s Mine will help us do just that.”

There are 11 locations along the canal at which people can see the show. It starts at Crown Point in Leeds on Thursday 9 September taking in Armley, Kirkstall, and Rodley before heading to Bradford and concluding in Skipton on 25 and 26 September.

If you don’t want to write a review, tickets cost £3. For more information and to book visit www.aireriverstrust.org.uk /this-islands-mine/

iNSIGHT: a photography exhibition by the community

by Lucy Potter

S

t Luke’s CARES showed its first community photographic exhibition last month.

The collection was the result of a series of photos taken from disposable cameras handed to the community over the last two months and developed to show an insight into people’s lives since Covid. The cameras were given out by St Luke’s CARES outreach team, Jo and Tan who work in our local community.

There were over 160 pictures developed with around 60 enlarged and displayed in the shop on Dewsbury Road. Some of the stories behind the photos were written up alongside, stories of hope, inspiration and community.

Helen, one of our

September 2021 | South Leeds Life

photographers said: “The pictures are the journey of my daily exercise and living

through Covid.

“The picture I chose as my number one shows we were

alone, yet pictures show a story in how Covid has brought people in the community

Review: Piaf

Photo: Marc Brenner e approached the Playhouse with bated breath. This was the first postlockdown outing I had attended.

The near-darkness and intimacy of the theatre, almost candle-lit atmosphere, was just the beginning of what was a truly spectacular portrayal of the Little Sparrow.

As Edith was introduced onto stage by a man we later discover as the owner of a cabaret club, the resemblance was striking. The same black dress, the same walk, stance, and the same deep breath before the first note was sung.

After the song, she spoke. A thick Cockney accent that immediately allowed you to follow the dialogue without the added requirement of listening carefully to various French accents.

The set was reminiscent of war-time Paris and integrated

well into the scenes as the story unfolded.

Each prop was discretely removed or added as the lights went down and the pianist in the corner added a certain pizzazz to the entire play.

The costumes added to the authenticity of the story; from the hair and make-up down to the hats and shoes.

The characters were all stars in their own right and the humour used throughout really did tickle the diaphragm.

But it was the performance

by Jenna Russell as Piaf that really stole the show as she portrayed every single emotion of the singer’s life from her love of Marcel to her battle with alcoholism.

Russell’s French accent when singing was the highlight and her rendition of classics such as “La Vie En Rose” and “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien,” were guttural from the woman who came from the gutter.

Mon Verdict: manifique!

together.

“It’s brought my Leeds family together.”

Taking photos with a disposable camera rather than a phone gave a unique quality to the images. Not knowing how they were going to turn out, or where to look in the viewfinder gave an element of surprise to the development process. The end result was a stunning assortment of vibrant images – complete with the ubiquitous thumb shot.

Together they formed an an array of plants, flowers, bicycle workshops, pets, cityscapes and an insight into our amazing community!

The exhibition was held within the shop so customers combined browsing and buying shop items with viewing the exhibition at the same time.

St Luke’s CARES Shop is located at 242-256 Dewsbury Road (by Tunstall Road lights), Beeston, LS11 6JQ and is open from 9:30-4:30 Monday-Friday.

by Amar Chana

W

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18 South Leeds Lives

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Appreciation: Holbeck’s Queens Theatre John Fairbank T

by Ken Burton

John Fairbank with his rugby playing brothers

by Marc Doyle

I

consider myself very lucky to have been associated with South Leeds.

My first experience of the area was in January 2013 when I started my role as Associate Head at the South Leeds Academy (TSLA, now Cockburn John Charles Academy) until I left in the summer of 2016 to take up a promotion.

I met so many brilliant people in my time in Belle Isle, but one person that I will never forget is John Fairbank, who has sadly passed away.

John was a true gentleman.

He was already a Behaviour Manager at TSLA when I arrived and welcomed me with open arms. He was one of the first members of staff I met in the car park on my first day and he was one of the last to say goodbye on my last day. His presence was immense and students and staff loved and respected him.

I only found out about three months after I started that he was quite famous. A veteran of Leeds Rhinos, Oldham and Swinton, John was one of the famous rugby league Fairbank Brothers following their dad Jack into the game. He never talked about his fame, he was always more interested in making sure that you were supported. Many of my memories of John involve sport.

I remember the day after the Tour De France had passed his local pub in Halifax and how thrilled he had been to see the peleton pass by, the times

when we swapped notes on 3am alarm calls to watch the Ashes in Australia and his stories of pigeon racing, which was something he had an interest in.

There was never a dull moment working with John – he lifted your day. It was John’s relationships with students that will be missed. He has such a way with them. No one had a bad word to say about him and his respect for the children in his care made him a very popular and endearing member of staff. I could always rely on him to defuse a difficult situation or to add laughs to a tense meeting with a parent.

People knew that John cared and that calmed them down.

I hadn’t seen John for almost five years when I bumped into him recently on a trip to Knaresborough with my wife.

He was in great spirits, him and Fiona taking the dogs for a Sunday morning walk before breakfast. We reminisced. I asked him what he remembered the best from our time together.

“The good laughs, staff camaraderie and the sport” he said.

That’s what I will remember too – an absolute legend who will never be forgotten John’s son Jorge has set up a GoFundMe page (search ‘In Honoour of John Fairbak’) to raise funds in his father’s memory for the new changing rooms and function room at Elland RLFC – the team that John started his career at and which has always been close to his heart.

he Queens Theatre was built at the junction of Meadow Road and Jack Lane on the west side of a well-built up area of Holbeck.

The Shand Streets were round the back and Cross Shand Street between the railway and the Theatre. The Theatre was designed by Mr W Hope and Mr JC Maxwell of Newcastle-on-Tyne and built by the Contractor Mr SF Davidson also of Newcastle-on-Tyne for Dottridge and Longden. It covered an area of nearly 1,000 square yards.

The new Theatre (later to be named the Queens) was on a corner position with a semicircular frontage and was built in red brick with stone dressings the whole being crowned with a dome.

A good part of the seating accommodation is provided for more than 3,500 people, the Pit and the gallery were planned to accommodate rather more than two-thirds of the entire audience.

Ornate fittings were provided along with heating appliances, fireproof floors and staircases, electric light (the wires for supplying this had already been laid), and refreshment rooms. The stage dimensions were 60 feet by 45 feet, the Proscenium arch was 32 feet across while down one side sixteen dressing rooms were placed. Direct exits from the Theatre were also arranged from each of the three floors of the house.

The Queens Theatre opened

on 24 December 1898 with a performance of “Dick Whittington” starring Clara Clifton as the Principle Boy. The Queens was home to many different productions over the years including pantomimes, variety, and plays.

The year 1902 saw the Acting-manager Charles Bush take a Benefit, the house assembly testifying to his popularity and overflowing in every part of the theatre; even in the back circle they stood seven to eight deep. A large programme of entertainment was offered including the Dottridge and Longden pantomime “Aladdin” in full along with other artistes who were appearing in other shows in the city.

In 1905 Constance Bromley took part in a UK tour with Herbert Beerbohm Tree’s Company followed a year later Miss Bromley is said to have written the play the “Ranchman’s Romance” which was a successful production with herself in the cast on 20 June 1907.

On 20 January 1913 Freddie Hackin took part in the pantomime ‘Sleeping Beauty’ or ‘The Prince With The Golden Key’. Gracie Fields first appeared in Leeds in 1918 in a touring production of ‘Mr Towers of London’. The Theatre closed after its last variety show appropriately entitled ‘The Last Week’ on 17 July 1924.

The Architect Frederick Rhodes was then employed by Holbeck Theatre Ltd to convert the Theatre for use as a

cinema. This closed off the gallery seating area and removed the pit seating to reseat the orchestra stalls. The Queens opened as a cinema on 1 December 1924 showing ‘The Covered Wagon’ starring Ernest Torrance. Although its main use was as a cinema the occasional cine-variety show was still put on.

In 1937 the auditorium was altered when the former gallery and boxes were removed while the former dress circle area was turned into a waiting area,

Support community journalism Sign up to a South Leeds Life subscription from just £4 per month Go to bit.ly/SLLsubscribe or ring 07894 583966 The Queens Theatre at the junction of Meadow Road and Jack Lane ©The Thoresby Society via leodis.net

this reduced seating capacity to 916 in the former orchestrastalls level.

In 1956 the cinema was equipped with CinemaScope; the last film to be shown was ‘Attila the Hun’ starring Anthony Quinn on 19 October 1957.

The Queens Theatre stood empty for more than a decade before it was demolished in 1968 for a road re-alignment scheme; Jack Lane light industrial units then occupied the site.

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South Leeds Lives 19

Navigating South Leeds Pathways to Posisitivity with mobility aids Nature & mental health with Shannon Humphrey

H

Cllr Andrew Scopes experiences Beeston pavements on a mobility scooter

by Christine Smart

I

f you are an active social media user and are members of any South Leeds groups, you will have seen discussions about how irritating road works can be and the inconvenience is infuriating.

Browsing down my timeline I then spotted a post about how a path was resurfaced in another area and how much easier it was for the poster, who is blind, to navigate and highlighted how important a smooth path was for them. This then re-triggered something I used to complain about on my own estate, as a user of crutches uneven paths are difficult to navigate.

I asked the question on the same social media sites and there were many responses from people with a variety of disabilities who found, not just roadworks blocking paths difficult, but other obstacles you might not necessarily notice if you don’t need to use a walking aid.

Issues with drop kerbs, unrepaired paths, cars parked causing obstructions, crossing timings at traffic lights and bins been left on paths on collection days were among the list of what is making it difficult for disabled people to manoeuvre around South Leeds. In some cases these obstacles damaged their aids putting them at risk of not being able to go out at all.

Alison a Beeston resident commented: “I have mobility issues, most of the drop kerbs don’t line up opposite each other meaning you have to go out of your way on the road on a scooter!”

The roadworks, although

temporary, caused issues for a long period of time described as “horrendous” and not been thought out with disability and mobility issues in mind.

Gail another resident commented: “I take my husband out in Beeston in his electric chair. The paths and drop curbs are appalling, we can’t get through the metal barrier at the park as it’s too small and bins and cars on pavements, it must be like it everywhere, you don’t realise until you have a disability” Another resident who has poor sight told me: “Navigating the paths can be hazardous. I have very little downward peripheral vision and if I’m looking out for potholes and uneven surfaces, I’m unable to look where I am going!”

This rang true for me and other disabled residents so myself and Cllr Andrew Scopes went on a disability focused walkabout, but Cllr Scopes had to use a mobility scooter and could not get up from it.

This may seem slightly tokenistic, but with local resident Mark Wilson who himself is also a disability campaigner, we had three different mobility aids trying to navigate the same route.

Myself on crutches, Cllr Scopes on the scooter and Mark in his electric wheelchair.

What we all learned together is that different aids, create different challenges and some were common among all three.

Noticeably our walk matched the comments on the Facebook post accurately as I knew they would, and Cllr Scopes fully experienced the issues firsthand.

It is very different telling someone that an overgrown bush is going hit you in the eye

to them being hit in the eye by it.

Cllr Scopes posted: “I had one frightening experience where the mobility scooter didn’t get up a kerb onto the central island and I had to back up and try again, it really highlighted the need to get this stuff right” As there is such an importance to make sure these issues continue to be heard, I plan on making sure of that by replicating this walk with Cllr Wray on his patch and look to leave an impression as we did on Cllr Scopes who now has a new view of how it is to move around South Leeds when you need to rely on mobility aids “Ensuring residents can move around the South Leeds, with mobility challenges, is really important for our community” he said. “Having spent a couple of hours on a mobility scooter (thanks to Cottingley’s Janette), I have a new appreciation of how much more needs to be done to ensure this is the case for everyone. The Council needs to do more to ensure drop kerbs drop all the way to the road, road users need to be considerate when parking to ensure pavements are not blocked and residents need to ensure their hedges do not grow out and block pavements.

Hopefully we can work together to bring improvements here in South Leeds” South Leeds Life has committed to amplify disabled voices in our communities and encourages residents to send in their stories and letters about the good, the bad and the indifferent of how it is from our side. Please contact Christine by email at: christine@actuallyyoucan.uk

ave you been feeling sluggish lately, run down, tired, a bit off your game?

Experienced a dip in your mood or wellbeing?

If you have, you’re not alone, it’s common to have ups and downs a bit like the weather, sometimes we can experience all the four seasons in one day.

Everything, from sunshine to painful wintery showers.

I don’t know about you, but I always feel brighter when the weather’s warm, and the days are longer. I’m more likely to sit outside, go for a walk, meet friends and soak in wonderful vitamin D that is necessary for many vital functions and has been linked to improved mood, stronger bones, lower risk of cancer, heart disease, and depression.

On the flip side of the pandemic, there were some unexpected health benefits, of the first 2020 lockdown, being encouraged to take daily fresh air and exercise resulted in over three quarters of Brits (76%) taking up at least one new type of exercise.

Even though I’ve promised myself for years, that I’d eventually get back round to joining a gym I knew I probably never would, I just couldn’t be bothered with it. Yet when the pandemic hit, I was suddenly desperate to get out of the house for some physical exercise.

I started going for daily walks and it quickly became a routine that I didn’t want to break, which was true for a lot of people.

Having a routine and some structure to our days provided a sense of being in control in an otherwise uncontrollable situation.

Yet, I admit that once I was ‘allowed’ to go out freely again, after the worst of the pandemic had passed, the shine had worn off a bit. Other areas of my life and work took over.

Going for a daily walk that had been so precious to me, suddenly didn’t feel quite so important. I don’t have a dog or anyone who relied on me to leave the house daily, so I let things slide.

I easily slipped back into old habits…driving everywhere, rarely walking anywhere, sitting at my desk for hours on end, eating lunch at my desk and not going outside for regular fresh air and exercise.

I decided that I needed

someone to keep me accountable, I knew that if I arranged to meet a friend each morning that I wouldn’t want to let her down. So now we meet Monday–Friday for a 30-minute walk, neither of us use our phones, we use the time to talk, listen, notice the change in the season, stop and chat to other people we’ve met while walking over the past few months Physical exercise elevates our mood by boosting endorphins and reducing the hormones cortisol and adrenaline that are produced when we feel stressed, anxious, or worried.

Being in nature, or even viewing scenes of nature online, reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings. Just think how relaxed a David Attenborough documentary make you feel!

tips for getting your groove back!

1 Try going somewhere different for a walk or a day out.

Pack some sandwiches and make a day of it if you can.

When you’re there, try not to be distracted by technology. Use your time to mindfully enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the environment around you 2 Perhaps you could enrol in some type of Community Ecotherapy, which basically involves getting out in nature and participating in some form of structured activity. You can work alongside other people or do it on your own. Community initiatives might include, gardening, hiking, walking groups, litter picking, tidying community areas and places of natural beauty. It will give you a sense of purpose and you’ll meet lots of new people in the process

Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones The impact of nature on general wellbeing is staggering.

In one study from Mind, they found 95% of those interviewed said their mood improved after spending time outside, changing from depressed, stressed, and anxious to calmer and more balanced.

I wonder how many of the people (81%) who said they would try to continue with their new exercise regime once life returned to a ‘new normal’, have stuck with it?

Have you? Or have you lost your exercise and fresh air mojo a bit like I did?

If you have here are 5 top

3 Start a routine now, as the days start to become gradually shorter and the nights become darker it will be harder to put a regime in place.

4 Do something that you enjoy. Going outside into nature should feel like a pleasure, not a punishment.

Don’t push yourself too hard, even sitting in your garden or local park and noticing the changes in season is good for mental health and wellbeing 5 If you can’t get out in nature, bring it inside. House plants, lettuce, cress, anything that you can grow on a windowsill will connect you to the outdoors and lift your spirits.

Shannon Humphrey is a Youth and Adult First Aid for Mental Health Instructor. Find out more about her and the work she does at www. pathwaysforpositivity.com

www.southleedslife.com

South Leeds Life | September 2021

Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife

20 What’s On

What’s On Your guide to events and activities across South Leeds in September All events listed here have been planned around current Covid-19 restrictions and booking is often required, please contact the organisers to make sure the events are going ahead as the situation changes Please check that regular events are not affected by school holidays, 28 July - 6 September Full contact details can be found in our online What’s On guide at www.southleedslife.com/events

Every Monday ESOL class 9:30am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600 Holbeck Together coffee morning 10am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre Crafts Group 10-11am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Mindfulmess with Kate 10:30am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Book: 07305 167629 Dinner Jackets (baked potato) 12-1pm St Matthew’s Community Centre Lunch Club 12-1pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Lunchtime meditation 12:30-1pm Over Zoom. Book: jamyangleeds.co.uk/wellbeing Baking Together 1:30-2:30pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre over Zoom Book: 07305 167629 Dance On 2-3pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road.

Women’s Cycling & Social Group 5-6:45pm Book: 07435 914350 Yoga For Beginners 6-7pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck Be Creative 7-8:30pm over Zoom.

Book: fb.com/YourSpaceLeeds Kickboxing 7-8:30pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street

Every Tuesday Tots Group 9-11am Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle Book: 07794 577586 ESOL class 9:30am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600 Computer class 9:30am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600 Holbeck Together shopping trip 9:30am-12:30pm Book: 0113 245 5553 Coffee and Connect 10-11:30am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Hunslet TARA Litterpicking 10am meet Church of the Nazarene, Grove Road Zumba / Pilates 11am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston via Zoom Book: 0113 270 4600 Quiz Time with Martin 11am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Book: 07305 167629 Lunch Club 12-1pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Lunchtime meditation

12:30-1pm Over Zoom. Book: jamyangleeds.co.uk/wellbeing ESOL class 12:30-3pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600 Line Dancing 1-3pm St Anthony’s Church Hall, Old Lane, Beeston Walking Groups 1:30-3:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road.

Line Dancing 1:30-3:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road.

Yoga 2-3pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston via Zoom Book: 0113 270 4600 Women’s Cycling & Social Group (beginners) 4:30-5:30pm Cross Flatts Park Book: 07435 914350 Outdoor Yoga 6pm Top of Cross Flatts Park Book: 07576 113269 Inside Out exercise class 6-7pm Tenants Hall, Acre Close, Middleton Free Football sessions (8-18 yrs) 6:30-8:30pm Holbeck Community Centre, Old Elland Road. Book: richard.foye@leedsunited.com Discovering Buddhism 6:30-1pm Over Zoom. Book: jamyangleeds.co.uk/buddhism

Every Wednesday Everyday Life coffee morning 9-11am Beeston Village Community Centre, Beeston Park Place, off Town Street ESOL class 9:30am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600 Bacon Butty morning / News Cafe 9:30-11:30am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road.

Holbeck Together coffee morning 10am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre Beeston In Bloom Gardening Group 10am-12pm Millennium Garden, Cross Flatts Park Singing with Fuzzy 10:30am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Book: 07305 167629 Dance 11am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston via Zoom Book: 0113 270 4600 Hunslet TARA Estate Walkabout 11am meet Best One shop, Rocheford Walk Community Cafe 12-2pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Lunchtime meditation 12:30-1pm Over Zoom. Book: jamyangleeds.co.uk/wellbeing Peer Support Group 1-2:30pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston via Zoom Book: 0113 270 4600

Walk and Talk 2-3pm meet at Middleton Park main gates on Town Street Skate Mates 3:30-5pm LS-TEN, Kitson Road Book: ls-ten.org/skatemates Free Football sessions (8-18 yrs) 5-7pm South Leeds Youth Hub, Belle Isle. Book: richard.foye@leedsunited.com Yoga 5-6pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston via Zoom Book: 0113 270 4600 1st SLAM Beavers (6-8 yrs) 6-7:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston Holbeck Moor FC: Inclusive adult football training 6:30pm Holbeck Moor Dru Yoga 7-8:15pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck

Every Thursday Slimming World Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street. Book: 07841 488658 Tots Group 9-11am Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle Book: 07794 577586 Computer class 9:30am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600 Holbeck Together shopping trip 9:30am-12:30pm Book: 0113 245 5553 Holbeck Community Shop 10am-2pm St Matthew’s Community Centre Book: 0113 245 5553 Walk in Cross Flatts Park Meet 10am Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston Inclusive dance 11am-12pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Lunch Club 12-1pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Lunchtime meditation 12:30-1pm Over Zoom. Book: jamyangleeds.co.uk/wellbeing Be Friends Group 1-2:30pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Walking Group 1:30-3:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road.

Camera Club 1:30-3pm over Zoom. Book: 07754 391490 Elevate Women’s Wellbeing Group 4-5:30pm over Zoom.

Book: fb.com/YourSpaceLeeds Middleton Scout Group 5:30-7:30pm Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle Book: scoutsmiddleton@gmail.com Zumba / Pilates 6-7pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston via Zoom Book: 0113 270 4600 South Leeds Lakers Juniors (Athletics)

6-7pm Cockburn School Book: fb.com/juniorlakersleeds Chat and Chill (Your Space) 6-7pm The Holbeck club, Jenkinson Lawn Yoga 7-8pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street.

Book: 07512 393228

Flatts Park, Beeston Book: ls-ten.org Middleton Railway 10:30am3:30pm Moor Road, Hunslet Outdoor Yoga 10:30am Top of Cross Flatts Park Book: 07576 113269 Women’s Walking Group 11am-1pm Book: 07435 914350

Every Sunday Junior parkrun (4-14 yrs) 9am Top of Cross Flatts Park Knitting Group 10am-12pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Dynamo Cricket (8-11 yrs) 10-11:30am Cross Flatts Park Healthy Minds Cycling Skills 10-11am Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Middleton Railway 10:30am3:30pm Moor Road, Hunslet Toning & Stretching with Julie 6:30-7:30pm DAZL HQ, Middleton Community Centre, Acre Road.

Book: 07783 786776

Every Friday Happy Global Families 9-10:30am Beeston Village Community Centre, Beeston Park Place, off Town Street ESOL class 9:30am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600 Hunslet RLFC Breakfast Club 10am-12pm Phoenix Suite, South Leeds Stadium Holbeck Together coffee morning 10am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre Holbeck Together Dance On 10-11am Holbeck Moor Hunslet TARA Gardening 10am meet Church of the Nazarene, Grove Road Mindfulness with Kate 10:30am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Book: 07305 167629 Lunch Club (MHA Communities) 12-2pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Lunch Club 12-1pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Lunchtime meditation 12:30-1pm Over Zoom. Book: jamyangleeds.co.uk/wellbeing Computer Class 1:30-3:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Chair-based Exercise 1:45-2:45pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road.

Book: 0113 272 1050 Poetry with Yvonne 3pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Book: 07305 167629 Free Football sessions (8-18 yrs) 4-5:30pm Holbeck Moor. Book: richard.foye@leedsunited.com 1st SLAM Cubs (8-10½ yrs) 6:15-7:45pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston 1st SLAM Scouts (10½-14 yrs) 8-9:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston

Every Saturday Cross Flatts parkrun 9am Top of Cross Flatts Park Middleton Woods parkrun 9am Leeds Urban Bike Park DAZL Tinys (Age 3-5) DAZL Xplode (Age 6-9; 10+) DAZL HQ, Middleton Community Centre, Acre Road. Book: fb.com/danceactionzoneleeds Park Roll rollerskating 10am-12pm Sports Courts, Cross

Wednesday 1 September Middleton Railway 10:30am3:30pm Moor Road, Hunslet Mini Olympics 12:30-2:30pm Watsonia Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park, Beeston Inner South Community Committee 2pm Leeds Civic Hall Hunslet Tenants & Residents 6:30-8pm Church of the Nazarene, Grove Road Miscarriage Support Group 7-8:30pm Charlies-Angel-Centre, 6B Ashbrooke Park, LS11 5SF Thursday 2 September Hunslet Carr Residents Assoc 6:30-8pm Woodhouse Hill Community Centre Community Support Group 7-8:30pm Charlies-Angel-Centre, 6B Ashbrooke Park, LS11 5SF Saturday 4 September Holbeck & Beeston Cemetery Volunteers 10am-1pm Meet centre of Holbeck Cemetery, Beeston Road Coffee morning 10am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Board Games Night 7:30pm The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn Book: slunglow.org Sunday 5 September Chris White and his JAZZ Trio 2:30-4:30pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Hunslet RLFC v West Wales 3-5pm South Leeds Stadium, Middleton Grove.

Book: hunslet.mysportstickets .co.uk/events/home Monday 6 September Men’s Corner 7-8:30pm Charlies-Angel-Centre, 6B Ashbrooke Park, LS11 5SF Tuesday 7 September Big Bike Fix 10am-12pm Holbeck Moor, near Jenkinson Lawn

Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife Grandparents Social Circle 7-8:30pm Charlies-Angel-Centre, 6B Ashbrooke Park, LS11 5SF Wednesday 8 September Textiles Class 9:30-11am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Friday 10 September New Age Fundraiser 6pm The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn Book: slunglow.org Saturday 11 September Your Space Craft & Cafe 10am-12pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck Hunslet Community Gala 11am-4pm Recreation Ground, off Church Street Skelton Grange Environment Centre Open Day 11am-4pm Skelton Grange Road Holbeck Blast (live music) 12-6pm Old Chapel Studios, Czar Street, Holbeck Sunday 12 September Holbeck Blast (live music) 12-6pm Old Chapel Studios, Czar Street, Holbeck The Great Middleton Park Show 1-4pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Friday 17 September It’s About Time 7:30pm The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn Book: slunglow.org Saturday 18 September Coffee morning 10am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Beeston Festival 12-5pm Cross Flatts Park Sunday 19 September Walk - The Brandling Family in Middleton 2-4pm Meet: Middleton Park Visitor Centre An evening with Paul Jones 6:30pm Middleton Park Baptist Church, Middleton Park Avenue Tuesday 21 September Hunslet TARA Coffee & PCSOs 10am Hunslet Community Hub and Library, Church Street Wednesday 22 September Textiles Class 9:30-11am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Holbeck Neighbourhood Forum 6:30pm The Holbeck club, Jenkinson Lawn Saturday 25 September Craft & Homemade Food Market 9:30am-12:30pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Sunday 26 September The Friendly Band 2-4pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Service of Comfort and Remembrance 6:30pm Middleton Park Baptist Church, Middleton Park Avenue Wednesday 29 September Hunslet Cemetery Volunteers 10am-1pm Meet by the chapel Middleton Road, Hunslet Arm in Arm Memory Cafe 1:30-3:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road

Publicise your event with South Leeds Life’s FREE listings Call/text: 07894 583966 Email: info@southleedslife.com Post: 224 Cross Flatts Grove, Leeds, LS11 7BW

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Website: www.southleedslife.com

September 2021 | South Leeds Life

Email: info@southleedslife.com

What’s On 21

Hunslet Community Gala H

unslet Community Gala, organised by the Hunslet Festival Committee, will take place on Saturday 11 September on the recreation ground of Church Street.

The fun starts after the opening ceremony at 11.30am and the gala closes at 4pm.

The arena, with its mix of dance, music and sports will be the focal point of the day, There will also be plenty of stalls.

Around the field you will find Tomas the Viking, Circus Skills, Children's Assault Course, Diddy Dennis the Fire Engine, also his larger cousin the Classic Fire Engine and Ian's Mobile Farm.

The Funfair will include Inflatables and Kiddy Rides and there will be refreshments including food, sweets and Ice Cream. For full details go to: www.hunsletfestival.org.uk

Old Chapel hosts a musical blast Old Chapel Studios in Holbeck are celebrating their reopening with two days of free outdoor live music. The weekend of 11 & 12 September will see bands rocking between 12-6pm. There will also be a barbecue and bar plus a sale of vinyl and CDs. Old Chapel is a music hub with a strong community ethos, whether it’s providing young people with free lessons, or using music to promote emotional wellbeing. The event is free, but expect to see buckets being rattled for donations to help them continue their work.

The arena is the focal point of Hunslet Gala

The Great Middleton Park Show C

elebrating Community is the theme of this year’s Great Middleton Park Show, which takes place on Sunday 12 September.

Organised by the Friends of Middleton Park, the show started life in 2009 and whilst it has grown considerably, it remains true to its original aims: To encourage all local residents to enjoy and take pride in their community, their gardens and their park, By encouraging all people including children - to garden, grow their own food and visit the park and its woodlands, Whilst raising environmental awareness and encouraging

Proud producers in the Produce Show marquee local or homegrown consumption.

The Produce Show is the heart of the event. In the

marquee you will find entries in over 40 classes of fruit, veg, flowers, baking, art and craft.

All entries must be brought to

Beeston Festival A

fter a year off due to the pandemic, Beeston Festival returns to Cross Flatts Park for the 26th time on Saturday 18 September, 125pm.

bottled water, you can get a free cup of water at the cafe.

Entertainment has been arranged on three stages. The Main Stage is headlined by Scumbag Lion who describe

Back Home - a musical showcase from Holbeck’s Old Chapel Studios.

In the Arena you’ll find Reetwirlers Majorettes, , DAZL and demonstrations from the Royal Armouries. Look out too for Plucky The Giant Chicken and Malteser the clown who will be mingling with the crowds all afternoon.

The Bazaar hosts over 50 stalls including clothing, jewellery, crafts and food from around the world.

There’s plenty for the kids to do with inflatables, a climbing tower and arts & crafts tent; plus of course, the Fun Fair

the Show marquee on the day of the event between 8:30am and 11am.

Beyond the produce tent you will find stalls, refreshment and entertainment spread out around the lake, visitor centre and bandstand.

Attractions this year include South Steel and Yorkshire Imperial Bands, Bhangra and Line Dancing, Ferret racing and trampolining.

The show runs from 1-4pm and you are encouraged to bring your own reusable beaker or water bottle for drinks - you’ll get get a discount at the cafe.

For full details including how to enter the produce show go to: show.fomp.co.uk further down the park. There will also be a sensory tent for children who need some quiet space during the day.

Bowland Farm will be bringing live animals to give you a taste of the country and there will also be birds of prey, ferret racing and donkey rides.

Although Covid is still circulating, organisers are going ahead because the Festival is wholly outdoors, which is safer than enclosed spaces, but they advise festival goers to be careful in crowded areas, respect other people’s space and consider wearing a mask. Hand sanitiser will be available across the site and QR codes will allow you to check in to the Test & Trace app.

Tug of War In the wake of the climate crisis, this year’s theme is sustainability. Your planet friendly festival will be hosting: School uniform exchange; Repair Cafe; bike fixing; swap shop; Beeston Climate Hub will be on hand with ideas to ways to get involved in making Beeston greener.

Like Middleton Park Show there will be 20p off drinks from the cafe if you bring a reusable beaker; and forget

themselves as ‘Slacker MathIndie Rock.’ In contrast Punjabi Roots Academy will be returning with a dazzling mix of Bhangra drumming and dancing; and From East To East will bring the music of Eastern Europe and the Balkans to Beeston.

The Emerge Stage, located in the Food Court, features acoustic artists including 1940s harmonies from the Honeybirds and Bringing It All

IN BRIEF

Environment Centre Open Day Skelton Grange Environment Centre’s Fundraising Open Day is on Saturday 11 September, 11am-4pm. The popular open day is an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful reclaimed woodland, ponds and meadows on the site.

The day will feature: Dragon-fired pizza oven, Bushcraft skills for adults and kids, Keith the Bee Keeper, a Fire Circle and lots of other fun filled nature based activities. Our pizza oven will be hard at work, and the fantastic Skelton Grange Open Day café will be open for tea, cake and more.

All the funds raised will support the charitable work of The Conservation Volunteers at Skelton Grange Environment Centre.

Suggested donation is just a pound for adults and kids run free.

Free bike check and security marking at Holbeck Moor Fancy heading out for a cycle, but worried your bike is not quite up to the job? Leeds Big Bike Fix will be offering free bike checks and minor repairs at Holbeck Moor on Tuesday 7 September, 10am – 12pm, with West Yorkshire Police on hand to provide security marking, which helps identify and verify the owner of a stolen bike. The sessions will take place on the section of the park opposite the crossroads of Holbeck Moor Road and Jenkinson Lawn, and are open to all. They are being held to mark the official opening of Leeds’s new Elland Road cycle route delivered in partnership by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds City Council.

Play Street Join residents for a Play Street event on Lodge Lane in Beeston Hill (by Raja Bros), on Sunday 5 September, between 14pm. With the road closed to traffic, this micro festival will feature: food, music and dance, games and sports, community info, and more. Supported by the South Leeds Alliance for Clean Air.

An Evening with Paul Jones & Fiona Hendley Middleton Park Baptist Church are hosting the singer from Manfred Mann and The Blues Band and his actress wife on Sunday 19 September at 6:30pm. They will be talking about how God has changed their lives. This is a free event, but please contact the church to book a place: ring 07464 848150; email: info@middletonparkbaptistchurch.org.uk

Get Active for free in Middleton Active Leeds is hosting an Open Weekend at Middleton Leisure Centre. This newly refurbished site is welcoming the public in for three days of free activities and classes between the 3-5 September. With lots of different sessions on offer from Football to gymnastics, there will be something for everybody.

Try out the state of the art gym for free. Already a member?

Why not bring a friend along to work out with you. We are offering free health assessments with our instructors too, using Tanita, our body composition analysis machine. Find out how our fitness team can help you. Feeling competitive? There will be a gym challenge to get involved with too.

Woodwork Evening Class

Food from around the world on sale in the Bazaar

Leeds Wood Recycling, a social enterprise based in Holbeck, is running a four week evening class called Pallet To Project.

Over four weeks you’ll turn old pallets into your own firewood log store. You’ll be learning woodwork in a safe friendly environment, with a small number of participants. All tools and materials are included in the £120 course fee. No experience necessary - the class is designed for absolute begginners.

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South Leeds Life | September 2021

Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife

22 What’s On

Health For All highlights H

ealth For All have a host of activities running across their various projects and centres in South Leeds. Here are a details of a few of them.

Coffee & Connect runs on Tuesdays 10-11.30am at Holbeck Together, St Matthew’s Community Centre.

It’s a coffee morning which gives the chance for parents with young children to connect with one another. Coffee & Connect is free and is part of Starting Points, a project offering training, education, volunteering, and the support to help you get back to the activities you love and open up opportunities for better health & wellbeing. To book, phone Angelika on 07399 078968 or Chris on (0113) 245 5553.

Everyday Life runs on Wednesdays 9-11am at Beeston Village Community Centre, Health For All, Beeston Park Place.

Everyday Life is a coffee morning for anybody feeling isolated as we come out of lockdown. Everyday Life is a friendship and wellbeing group run by locals. We talk about

Mariana and her children are part of the Happy Global Families group bereavement, worries, anxiety, we build friendships and practical things like gardening projects, too. To find out more, phone Claire on 07498

958550.

Walk and Talk, Wednesdays 2-3pm, Middleton Park (meet at main gates).

Walk and Talk is a sociable

walking group open to anyone who wants a chance to meet new people, get out of the house, and enjoy exercise and a friendly chat. Free with no booking required. If you want to find out more, ring Gayle on 07852 945286.

Inside Out, Tuesdays 6-7pm, Tenant’s Hall, Health For All, Acre Close, Middleton Inside Out is a sociable exercise class that is free and open to anyone. We try different types of exercise and often stay afterwards for a chat. Interested? Phone Gayle to find out more 07852 945286.

Happy Global Families meets on Fridays, 9-10.30am at Beeston Village Community Centre, Health For All, Beeston Park Place.

Happy Global Families is a social group and exercise group for parents with young children.

Many languages are spoken at Happy Global Families and anybody is welcome to join the group. To find out more & join the group, phone Raquel on (0113) 271 7231 or 07961 966147.

Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife

Discount for 90s dance night

I

f you are a south Leeds resident who has missed getting dressed up and hitting the dance floor then Saturday 25 September is an essential date for your diary.

Haus of Eventz (find them on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat) are hosting DJ Dman for ‘Project 9TS & 0TS’ – a neon themed night of 90s and 00s dance, house and R’n’B. Between 10pm and 5am you will be able to show off your best moves and hit the UV paint station at Eiger Studios,

Fairfield House, New Craven Gate, LS11 5NF. Special Offer The organisers would like to offer residents and readers of South Leeds Life a discount of nearly 20% off the ticket price (£9 instead of £10.75). This special offer can be redeemed following this exclusive link tinyurl.com/Southleedsevent Tickets will be sold on a first come first served basis and attendees will get a free shot on the night (limited availability) when you buy an online ticket.

Heritage Open Days shed light on local history H

eritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture. Every September thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. It's your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are free to explore.

We’ve picked out the top events happening in South Leeds from 11-19 September: Aire and Calder Navigation Heritage Walk - Monday 13 September 2pm & Thursday 16 September 10.15am A walk from the City Centre to Thwaite Mills discovering the rich history and heritage of the area, returning by public transport.

The walk will be led by Roderic Parker, Leeds Civic Trust guide, and will include the history of the Navigation and the river and their use for transport through the ages, the flood defences, Leeds Dock, local industries and the former railway line.

Book: roderic.parker@btinternet.com Heritage Pub Walk Join heritage pub enthusiast Jim Brettell for a guided walk round some of the city centre's most popular examples.

The walk will cover a wide range of city centre heritage pubs, including the Adelphi and Whitelocks and will conclude at

the Templar with an guided and informative tour of as well as steam) having been opportunity to buy a drink and our museum and Display Hall. built locally in Hunslet. Hunsletdiscuss issues raised during They will get an account of how built locos were exported the walk. A room has been the horse-drawn colliery around the world - including the reserved for this. Book: addressed the crisis of horse Picton, which was brought back jimbrettell@ntlworld.com traction of 1812 by using from Trinidad and is now on Holbeck Heritage Walk - Thursday 16 September 10am There is lots to discover about Holbeck so take a leisurely tour with local historians Ian and Dennis.

The walk will start at The Holbeck, reputedly the oldest social club in Britain with a blue plaque to prove it - and will include the Conservation Area and Urban Village developments. You will hear about the buildings and personalities that shaped the history and development of this fascinating part of Leeds. Book: The Matthew Murray obelisk, part of Holbeck’s heritage ian.pickup@yahoo.co.uk revolutionary technology and show with us. As visitors will Middleton Railway - see (pinion) track from 1812. also hear, Middleton was the weekends 10am-3pm They will also hear about the first standard-gauge railway to Come to see where the railway's brush with the be taken into preservation in world's very first successful, machine-breakers who were of this country. Finally, visitors will load-hauling steam engines course in action in the area. be able to see the trains ran!

Plus, they will see how a working -though if they wish to ... This was at Middleton in locomotive boiler works and ride, they will need to buy a Leeds in 1812! Heritage Open explore the cabs of some locos ticket!

Day visitors will be given a - many in our collection (diesel Northern Monk Brewery Tour

- Sunday 19 September: 5pm and 7pm To celebrate 'Edible England' Northern Monk are offering two tours of the original brewery.

Listen to a detailed talk about our brewing methods and then pop up to the bar above to enjoy some beer and food.

Northern Monk is located in the Grade 2 listed Marshall's Mill complex, a former flax spinning mill, once the beating heart of industrial Leeds, which has been restored to celebrate its working heritage. The brewery continues to expand every year as a pioneer for independent businesses in Leeds and keeps the spirit of Marshall's Mills alive.

Book: bit.ly/NMBTour The Brandling Family in Middleton - Sunday 19 September 2pm A Guided walk round Middleton Park highlighting aspects of the Brandling Family's influence as Coal Mining magnates and owners of the Middleton Estate.

In the 18th century, under the Brandlings, the Middleton

Estate became the major coal provider for Leeds. In 1758 the first Railway Act of Parliament enabled the building of the Middleton Railway to take coals to Leeds. In 1812 the railway became the first in the world to make successfull commercial use of steam locomotion using four engines and a rack rail system designed by John Blenkinsop and built by Matthew Murray. The Brandling family had a major influence on Middleton.

The walk starts at 2pm from the Visitor Centre at Middleton Park and last aproximately 90 minutes.

The Spice Man: George Ratcliffe, Confectioner and Lord Mayor - Thursday 16 September 2pm Michael Meadowcroft's talk takes place in The Holbeck, reputedly the oldest social club in Britain and a building that his subject George Ratcliffe will have known well. Enjoy a drink before the talk.

Having the means to cope financially in politics could be very difficult until relatively recently. George Ratcliffe, a long serving Liberal leader, built up a flourishing confectionery business which enabled him to compete with the self made worthies and the professional men who flourished in the politics of the early twentieth century.

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Sporting Life 23

Recovery Runners launch a club and a community F

ormer Leeds United star Dom Matteo and boxer Jack Bateson were on hand for the official launch of Recovery Runners at their Leeds Dock base on Sunday 1 August.

Recovery Runners Running Club is the brainchild of Dean Smith, until recently the chairperson of South Leeds Lakers, and Jamie Heselden who runs with Rothwell Harriers.

The club grew out of their shared experiences of the benefits of running in maintaining their recovery from alcohol addiction.

The inspirational pair have already been recognised winning the Community Champions category at Leeds Sport Awards in May. Speaking at the launch Dominic Matteo said: “I’m really excited for the guys and this new venture, and happy to be here supporting.

After playing for Leeds United it’s so exciting to see things like

September 2021 | South Leeds Life

this being set up here in Leeds as I feel like I have an association with the city.

“The idea of what they are trying to do is so motivating, and to see people taking a leap and talking to one another by joining a club like this is just so important. The guys have been so brave to set up the club.”

A group of runners from local clubs joined Recovery Runners members and supporters for a gentle 10k run, or 5k walk along the River Aire.

Recovery Runners welcomes anyone who is curious about, or uses, the benefits of running to recover from and manage life changing events or addictive behaviours.

With the motto ‘Healing Souls With Soles’, the group meets every Sunday at 10am by the Glass Box at Leeds Dock. The postcode is LS10 1EG. If you are interested in joining the group, email recoveryrunners21@gmail .com.

Former Leeds United star Dom Matteo and boxer Jack Batesion are Ambassadors for Recovery Runners

Hunslet RLFC get back to winning ways Continued from page 24 With the score at 32-32 it now looked as if the momentum was Rochdale’s, and with plenty of added time they looked favourites to win, it was disappointing however when the referee pulled Hunslet up for offside as Marsh converted and it looked to be a poor way to lose a game. 34-32 However, we weren’t done, and Hunslet still had time to score. Duane Straugheir looked to have done the job but was held short and as the hooter sounded the referee awarded a penalty to Hunslet.

Rather than tap and go Hunslet decided to go for the draw and Jy-mel Coleman showed a cool head to slot the conversion over, 34-34.

Hunslet ended the month against Coventry Bears who made an unlikely comeback to beat the Parksiders in July.

The first half went smoothly enough. Tries from Harry Kidd, Reece Chapman-Smith, Lewis Young and Duane Straugheir meant Hunslet led 26-6 at the

break.

The Bears scored twice, but the Parksiders seemed to have steadied the ship when after a good set of six Vila Halafihi found a gap in the Bears’ defence to score under the posts, 32-18 after 60 minutes and Hunslet looked to be on for a jitter free last quarter. But Coventry scored twice more to narrow the score to 32-30.

On the hooter Hunslet were attacking, and had looked solid for the last 10 minutes. They held on for the win, but they will know they need to put games to bed earlier if they really want to progress in the play-offs.

Hunslet play West Wales Raiders on 5 September at South Leeds Stadium. The Hunslet family will be remembering those we have lost over the last 18 months.

It’s free entry before 1pm and prices are reduced to £5 after 1pm with kids going free.

Hunslet then finish the regular season away at high flying Workington on 12 September.

The new club was supported by the wider running community in Leeds

Foundation’s summer camp T

he Hunslet Rugby Foundation, part of Hunslet RLFC, continued their ongoing partnership with the Luke Gale Academy by running a week’s summer camp in August.

The camp was a great success, with so many local young people attending and participating in fun games throughout each day has been fantastic. Despite some very achy legs from day two, nothing was stopping these young people turning out each day.

The kids were absolutely made up to see Luke Gale on the final day of their camp, to receive t shirts and a medal plus photos and signed autographs just topped up a fantastic week for all.

The camp was run by Michael Nuttal, the Foundation’s Development Officer with student Tyler Finister. Thanks to Hunslet Warriors for the use of their facilities at their Hunslet Green ground throughout the week.

Captain Duane Straugheir on the charge for Hunslet Photo: Stephen Gaunt / Touchlinepics.com

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24 Sporting Life

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A summer of sports in the parks Hunslet RLFC get back to winning ways

by Karen Peck

G

et Set Leeds Local has loved bringing together partners this summer to deliver three fantastic community events at Cross Flatts Park and Holbeck Moor.

It was great seeing the parks buzzing with activities. At Holbeck Moor, over 20 local and city organisations came together to provide fun taster activities. Both days included a fun filled programme, with something for all ages to get involved with.

After what everyone has gone through over the last 18 months, it was great seeing the community out enjoying such a huge range of sports and activities.

This year Get Set Leeds Local has been able to help get more people cycling, providing bikes and helmets via the new hub at Cross Flatts Park for organised activities. This has enabled a wide range of new cycling activities to take place in the park including adult learn to ride activities with Cycle North (www.cyclenorth.co.uk/adults) women’s led rides with Your Space (contact arlie@ womenshealthmatters.org.uk for info); development of a new Cycle Club for South Leeds Lakers (find them on Facebook); Tri for Healthy Minds sessions with British Cycling (contact fionahoare @britishtriathlon.org to find out more about the upcoming run sessions part of the programme); and this

ES

by Ian Pickles and Jeremy Morton

R ES September there will be a 12 week course of Cycle for Health delivered by Cycling UK for adults living with long term health conditions or adults wishing to exercise to support their mental health.

On Tuesday 17 August we bought everyone together for the first exciting Cross Flatts Park Cycle Festival. LS11 residents attended in high numbers, digging out old bikes to be repaired by Big Bike Fix or stamped by the police and LCC Influencing Travel Behaviour Team for Bike Register, helping recover your bike if stolen.

Alongside information stalls was a fun balance bike zone, a junior skills ride area, cycle games, and a traffic free route around Cross Flatts Park.

Over the summer we worked with British Cycling to deliver some Parent and Tot balance bike sessions. The sessions proved popular, and we’d love to work with residents to explore the possibility of developing a new volunteer and parent led regular balance

bike session in Cross Flatts.

Get in touch if you’d be interested in supporting.

Watch out for details coming up about the Let’s Ride Pop Up in Cross Flatts Park coming this September (date TBC). Let’s Ride Pop Ups are a traffic free event, proving a safe and friendly space to enjoy cycling, within Cross Flatts Park alongside others to create a fun cycling atmosphere.

We always love receiving your local ideas, on things that would help create a more active Beeston Hill and Holbeck, and seeing which ones we can work with you to make a reality. This may be through our Community Chest Pot, which can fund up to £300 for community good ideas.

The latest addition to the neighbourhood is a friendly weekly women’s only basketball session, taking place at Cross Flatts Park.

Sessions are being supported by Get Set Leeds Local funding to provide a coach from Let’s Do More to

help facilitate the session for a number of weeks, whilst this newest South Leeds team develops.

The team call themselves South Leeds Valkyries and stress they are open to women of all ages and abilities. The main purpose of the session is to meet new people, keep fit and boost confidence.

If you would like to find out more, email southleeds valkyries@gmail.com or visit their Instagram page @SouthLeedsValkyries Get Set Leeds Local is an LCC Active Leeds led project funded by Sport England, working with communities and partners to support residents of Beeston Hill, Holbeck, New Wortley and Seacroft to be able to move more.

For more information, or to share an idea of what would help you or your neighbours be more active contact karen.peck@leeds.gov.uk / 07891 274130. Follow us on Facebook: @GSLHolbeckandBeestonHill

esults in August might just help Hunslet RLFC salvage something from a disappointing season with an appearance in the play-offs.

New coach Alan Kilshaw must be happy be happy that performances have improved after a chaotic July at the club.

conditions a knock-on from the kick off handed momentum straight back to Barrow, and very soon the ball found its way to Ritson to complete another try. Barrow didn’t look back coming out 40-10 winners.

It was back to South Leeds Stadium for a visit from the London Skolars on 15 August.

Captain Duanne Straugheir had a hand in the first three tries setting up Wayne Rettie

Wayne Reittie scores against London Skolars. Photo: Paul Butterfield The month started with an emphatic win away at Doncaster. They say that defence wins matches, and that was certainly the case for Hunslet at the Keepmoat Stadium as they secured the first win for new coach Alan Kilshaw with a tremendous 2446 win.

Tries came from Mikey Wood, Matty Chrimes (2), Will Cooke, Dave Gibbons, Vila Halafihi, Wayne Rettie and Jordan Andrade. But it was a day when no Hunslet player gave less than 100%.

The following week, 8 August, saw a trip to top of the table Barrow Raiders at a very blustery Matt Johnson Prestige Stadium.

From the off, Barrow used their knowledge of their home conditions retrieving the ball from a high kick into the wind.

Hunslet were defending straight away and only last ditch tackling in the corner kept the Cumbrians at bay. Barrow managed to breach the Parksiders defence three times in the first half but conversions were difficult in the wind so the half time score was 14-0.

Tries from Keidan Hartley and Lewis Young brought the score to 20-10 in the second period, but In blustery

and Matty Chrimes before scoring himself. With a penalty, Jy-Mel Coleman kicked 7/7, Hunslet led 20-0 at the half.

The Skolars came out fighting and put 10 points on the board before running out of steam. Coleman, Lewis Young and Jordan Andrade scored for Hunslet who won 38-10.

With every game now a cup final, Hunslet headed over the Pennines to Alan Kilshaw’s old club Rochdale Hornets on 22 August.

The Parksiders almost snatched defeat from the jaws of victory before Jy-Mel Coleman converted a difficult penalty on the hooter to end the game all square.

It felt like a loss for both clubs, but the winners were the fans who witnessed an exciting spectacle played at a breakneck pace.

The game see-sawed through the first half ending 16-18, but Hunslet stretched their lead to 16-32 on 70 minutes.

Rochdale retrieved the ball from the kick off and scored almost straight away, Lewis Young received a yellow card and with Hunslet down to 12 men, Rochdale took advantage scoring twice in quick succession.

Continued on page 23