49 minute read
NEWS
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South Leeds Life is written by and for local people. People who live, work and play in the LS10 and LS11 areas of South Leeds. The website and newspaper are produced by South Leeds Life CIC, a social enterprise registered with Companies House, No 9998695. South Leeds Life is a member of the Independent Community News Network.
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To inform people of events, activities, issues and opportunities taking place in the South Leeds community; To encourage the involvement of the wider community in communicating their experiences; To foster community spirit and involvement; and To provide a platform for local people to contribute and respond to community life more fully. South Leeds Life is pleased to publish views from across the political spectrum, provided they comply with our editorial guidelines. We remain a neutral publication with a diverse readership, as such we do not endorse any particular political party.
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The Connecting Leeds transport strategy has set out a vision for ‘Leeds to be a city where you don’t need a car’, where everyone has an affordable, low carbon, healthy and accessible choice in how they travel.
Leeds City Council has today (12 October 2021) set out ambitious plans to further transform transport and travel in the city over the next 10 years.
Following on from an unprecedented investment of £380 million of infrastructure improvements already completed or underway, the council has today unveiled its latest Connecting Leeds transport strategy for the city setting out detailed plans for further major improvements up to 2030.
Among the highlights of the plan are to: • Contribute a reduction of up to 43 per cent in CO2 emissions from transport by 2030. • Aim for a 30 per cent reduction in car mileage and a 130 per cent increase in bus usage. • To consider further measures to reduce air pollution and CO2 emissions from transport to achieve 2030 Net-Zero carbon target. • Complete the first phase of investment in the public transport improvement programme, which sees until 2024, completing 30 infrastructure projects: • Transforming Leeds city centre, City Square, and city centre cycle walking and cycling improvements. • Outer ring road and bus corridor improvements, masterplans for Leeds Station and new rail stations at White Rose and Thorpe Park. • Understand how travel patterns have changed over the Covid-19 pandemic and how it will affect our priorities. • Review policies on road space re-allocation, spatial planning, and safe and sustainable travel. • Work alongside the Mayor and West Yorkshire Combined Authority to secure more Government funding. • Continue with travel behaviour change initiatives across the Leeds district.
The majority of public consultation responses endorse the approach, from just over 1,700 responses, 70 per cent agreed with the levels of ambition and vision. The feedback also found that more needs to be done to reduce transport carbon emissions, but promisingly 58 per cent of replies said they are willing to change to a lower carbon mode.
Leeds City Council Leader Councillor James Lewis, said:
“We need to continue to get people to move away from their cars to reduce air pollution and deliver an affordable, reliable, safe and zero carbon public transport network for the city which supports streets for people and unlocks the power of transport for a fairer, greener and a more prosperous Leeds.”
The strategy aims to improve public transport
Holbeck brewery expansion will create jobs
An award-winning South Leeds brewery is expanding its production capacity and creating new jobs, after securing sevenfigure support from HSBC UK.
Northern Monk, based in Holbeck, has used the funding from HSBC UK to acquire a BrauKon 60HL Brew House, increasing the brewery’s production capacity by 280 per cent, amounting to an extra two million gallons of beer per year.
The expansion will provide Northern Monk with the capacity to create up to 14 new jobs, in roles operating the new brew kit, as well as within the expanding business operations. The brewery will use its increased brewing capacity to aim to grow its volume of exports by 50% per cent over the next 12 months.
The brewery’s growth will enable Northern Monk to service more pubs and bars across the UK, whilst maintaining a growing supply to major retail partners.
Russell Bisset, Founder and Managing Director of Northern Monk said:
“This expansion will help us service the increase in demand for our products that we have been experiencing solidly over the past few years. The new brew kit will give us the opportunity to create lots of new beer and service larger contracts, whilst maintaining our commitment to high quality brewing.”
Andrew Bennett, Area Director for South & West Yorkshire, Business Banking at HSBC UK, said:
“We are pleased to support Northern Monk and fund the latest development of an incredibly exciting business. As the hospitality trade opens again, we look forward to seeing the business continue to grow both domestically and internationally.”
Northern Monk is a Best Companies 2-star accredited independent brewery. Northern Monk recently came 60th in the UK’s 100 Best Small Companies to Work for 2021, 46th in Yorkshire & The Humber’s 75 Best Companies to work for 2021 and placed 6th in the Food and Drink top 10. Additionally, the business was recently named ‘Yorkshire’s Fasting Growing company’ in the Ward Hadaway Yorkshire Fastest 50 and placed 49th on the Sunday Times Top 100 Companies list.
The funding was allocated from HSBC UK’s national SME Fund, part of its commitment to help British businesses innovate and grow as the country looks to rebound from the Covid-19 health crisis. The new £15 billion SME Fund has been announced by HSBC UK, with £400 million committed to supporting SMEs in West Yorkshire.
Councillor fights to make busy road crossing safer
Cllr Scopes on the crossing at the busy Tommy Wass junction
Councillor Andrew Scopes (Beeston & Holbeck) is fighting to get railings reinstalled at a busy road crossing used by school children.
The central pedestrian refuge between the two carriageways of Dewsbury Road at the Tommy Wass junction has been left without railings following works relating to the new cycleway.
The crossing is used twice a day by hundreds of children walking to Cockburn School every day.
“I’m worried that there could be a tragic accident at this junction” he said. “Teenagers are not always as responsible as we would hope and I’m worried light hearted jostling could end up with a child falling into the road.
“This is a busy stretch of road with a 40 mph speed limit. We’ve already seen the new railings on the pub corner demolished in a traffic accident.
“I’m in touch with officers in the Highways department and I’m hopeful railings will be reinstalled at this junction quickly.”
It’s not clear exactly why railings weren’t put back when the refuge was rebuilt, but other crossings at Barkly Parade, Middleton Grove and Hunslet Fire Station have also been left without railings.
A response from Highways officers seen by South Leeds Life stated:
“We have designed the island so that there are raised kerbs on both sides to guide pedestrians to the crossing and it allows us to create a more open environment.”
Cllr Scopes is also looking into issues at the junctions of Allenby Road, Allenby Drive and Westland Road with Dewsbury Road.
Residents have raised issues about visibility for drivers joining Dewsbury Road as they now have to cross the cycle path and concerns about the lack of signage warning them that it is a two way cycle path and to look both ways before crossing it.
Under siege
Continued from page 1
“The planning system’s outdated, and takes little consideration to what residents have to endure, living next to a holiday house, despite there being no planning permission. Nobody should have to live like this” they said.
Local councillors have also become involved, and Cllr Andrew Scopes (Beeston & Holbeck) added:
“My colleagues (Cllrs Angela Gabriel and Gohar Almass) and I are working alongside residents, the Leeds anti-social behaviour team, and the police to address concerns residents have raised with us. In addition we are objecting to the backdated planning applications that have been made, and encouraging those who we are working with to do the same.”
However, Aphrodite Suites have vigorously denied any wrongdoing. Property owner Ozman Hussein told us:
“These are super luxury properties, so we wouldn’t allow parties. I’m respectful of the neighbours, and would not allow or do any anti-social behaviour. We take the court order very seriously: we show it to all guests (who are vetted), we take their IDs, make them sign forms to ensure they respect house rules, and make several visits to the site.
“The neighbours claim there are sometimes up to 20 people, and lots of cars – but we have CCTV footage to prove that this is a fabrication; whoever wants to see the footage is free to do so. Despite all this, the neighbours have a hate campaign against us.”
Locally and globally, the homestay ‘gig economy’ –characterised by brands like Airbnb – is booming. Airbnb is worth £30bn and operates in over 200 countries, with 150 million users, and 4 million hosts – earning about £5,000 per year on average.
The company and others like it have been lauded for democratising the hospitality industry, but also face growing criticism for their unregulated approach.
Concerns focus around longterm residents being priced out and displaced in some places –and also allegations like these, that some properties cause anti-social behaviour.
Leeds has seen several legal battles, including a longrunning one on the Calls between 2016-2019 – which was ultimately resolved in the favour of the local residents. Some local authorities are now regulating properties advertised on Airbnb and similar websites.
Many homestay lets take place – as the word suggests –in the host’s own home (for instance, someone renting out their spare room), and these do not typically require planning permission; however, in cases where the host isn’t resident, they normally do. As well as reporting to the police and Council, local residents can also report concerns direct to the companies through whom properties are rented – for instance, at: airbnb.co.uk /neighbours.
Call for better autism awareness at Aldi
by Jeremy Morton
Ayoung man with autism was forcibly stopped by a security guard at the Aldi store on Tunstall Road in Beeston.
The incident happened on Thursday 14 October when Liam (not his real name) went to buy lunch. Liam, 22, is a student at the Leeds City College’s nearby Joseph Priestley Centre. Many of the students with special educational needs are encouraged to use local shops such as Aldi at lunchtime.
The Aldi store on Tunstall Road in Beeston
Not finding anything he wanted for lunch he tried to leave the store, but according to his mother the security guard grabbed Liam’s backpack and pulled him back into the store.
As the security guard wasn’t wearing an Aldi uniform, Liam was confused and thought he was being robbed. The incident left him extremely upset.
Liam’s mother went to the store and spoke to the manager who apologised after viewing CCTV of the incident.
She says Liam was wearing a lanyard to identify that he had autism and the security guard should have respected that, although Aldi says his lanyard was not visible.
In a statement an Aldi spokesperson said:
“We were sorry to hear of Liam’s experience in store and have apologised for this misunderstanding. We have spoken to the security team at our Holbeck* store to remind them of our procedures.”
We spoke to Pete Hughes CEO of the charity Leeds Autism Services, who commented:
“As a general rule, I think that physically apprehending
someone should always be the last resort, and I would expect a security guard to attempt to stop someone verbally first.
“Some autistic people have delayed sensory processing, so if they didn’t respond to a verbal prompt, it could be best to try and get their attention visually, possibly by getting ahead of the person and trying to gain their attention face on.
“I think the absence of a uniform is probably very relevant in this case. People often rely on uniforms to identify people’s job roles, and this is particularly important for many autistic people, who might miss other social cues.
“For autistic people in particular, a calm, clear explanation of what is happening, using straightforward language would be very useful, and it would probably help keep anxieties low enough to ensure the situation is dealt with calmly and effectively.
“My belief is that all public facing staff should be given awareness training about autism and other hidden disabilities.
“Although lanyards can be
very helpful for some people, many won’t feel happy to wear one, possibly because they don’t want to stand out from the crowd, or advertise the fact they have a disability.
“By getting things right for autistic people, we make life a bit better for everyone, including the staff who work in shops. A calm, clear and straightforward approach to situations such as this usually gets the best results, regardless of whether or not someone has a disability.” * Aldi refer to the branch on Tunstall Road as their Holbeck store
Join the SLL Board
Huge thanks to all those who support South Leeds Life, and who tell us they enjoy it! If you really like us, might you consider joining our board of directors, and help us run the organisation?
South Leeds Life is a Community Interest Company (CIC), owned and managed by a group of local residents. Working closely with our editor, Jeremy Morton, the Board meets once a month (currently online, although we hope to restart face-to-face meetings soon) to discuss and organise all aspects of the organisation, including finances, editorial direction and reader engagement.
There are extra meetings and responsibilities to take on, if you have capacity. And we would also hope that you would help form connections into your community and networks, and help build our local presence and profile.
To find out more, or to submit an application, get in touch: by email info@southleedslife.com or via social media.
We ask all applicants to send in 200 words, setting out what skills, knowledge and experience you would bring, and details of what you would change to improve South Leeds Life.
We are open to applications from anyone living in the LS10 or LS11 areas, and are especially keen to hear from those in LS10.
Applications are welcome anytime, but we are specifically looking to recruit one or two extra members this autumn; we would therefore encourage people to apply by the end of November.
You can find out more about the work of our Board and who our current members are at: southleedslife.com/about/ meet-the-board-members/
On the beat
by Insp Lucy Leadbeater
Ican’t believe that the bonfire period is back around again! I am really pleased that this year will look different to last year with certain events being able to be held and people can come together once again for bonfire and fireworks.
The important message from police and partners this year is to consider safety as the number one priority. Whilst we want people to enjoy themselves then this must be done in a safe manner having consideration for your neighbours and wider communities.
The police and other emergency services often see an increase in anti-social behaviour and nuisance type calls for service in the lead up to bonfire night. In order to try and reduce this we have had a series of partnership meetings with numerous agencies including police, Leeds AntiSocial Behaviour Team (LASBT), fire, youth services, housing, cleansing as well as your Councillors.
We have focused on the prevention of offences and diversions for young people. We are working with some excellent projects including Youth Services, The Hunslet Club and Hamara who are delivery a range of diversionary activities for young people across your area.
Despite all the efforts of the partnership, sadly a number of young people will still engage in anti-social behaviour. There are a number of ways that these issues can be reported so please report them to the relevant service so that we can take the appropriate action and prevent further offending or anti-social behaviour.
It’s best to go to an organised event
• Calling 999 in an emergency. You can also text using the emergency SMS facility by texting 999. You need to register first by texting 'register' to 999 • Call 101 for nonemergencies • Use our LiveChat facility at www.westyorkshire. police.uk/101LiveChat
Always follow the firework code
Stand well back
Keep pets indoors
Keep fireworks in a closed box
Only buy fireworks that are CE marked
Light at arm’s length, using a taper
Follow the instructions on each firework
Never give sparklers to a child under five
Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks
Always supervise children around fireworks
Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves
Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them • Never go near a firework that has been lit – even if it hasn’t gone off it could still explode
• Contact LASBT via bit.ly/ LASBTreport
The South Neighbourhood Policing Team hope that people enjoy this period in a safe manner, being mindful and respecting your neighbours and others (including our furry friends!).
Leeds City Council Anti-Social Behaviour Team adds:
“Tackling the anti-social use of fireworks is a priority for Safer Leeds. LASBT will continue to work with our partners to prevent and deter this behaviour, however where appropriate we will support West Yorkshire Police with the use of tools and powers available to tackle those individuals engaged in misuse of fireworks that are causing alarm and nuisance to the public.”
Cllr Mohammed Iqbal, Inner South Community Committee Safety Champion and also Chair of the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel said:
“Fireworks if mis-used can be dangerous and deadly. Every year we get complaints of their anti-social use and activities that lead to injuries sadly, when fireworks are used to target members of the public with the intent to harm.
“Please make sure the young people in your household know the danger to themselves and others by miss use of fireworks. They should be things that bring joy – not cause harm but that lesson starts at home, not just via the police or the city council.”
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging bonfire revellers to make the most of the celebrations while making safety a priority this bonfire night:
“If possible, it’s best to go to an organised event as the bonfires and firework shows are bigger and more spectacular, as well as of course being much safer. But if you do plan to have a bonfire in your own garden then please follow our guidance.
“That includes only adults buying fireworks, and only from a reputable retailer. Read and follow the Fireworks Code. Think carefully about where you place your bonfire, how you will keep it under control and how you’ll make sure both adults and youngsters are safe around the fireworks and the flames.
“Staying safe with sparklers is crucial. Sparklers should never be given to a child under five, must always be held at arm’s length and in a gloved hand. Once they have gone out put sparklers in bucket of water or sand.
“Look out for the hashtag #BanginBonfire”
Bonfire safety tips
Once a bonfire is lit, make sure you: • keep a bucket of water or a garden hose nearby in case of emergencies • don’t leave the bonfire unattended • keep children and pets away from the bonfire • don’t throw any fireworks into the fire • don’t burn aerosols, tyres, canisters or anything containing foam or paint –many produce toxic fumes and some containers may explode, causing injury
Dangerous driver jailed for death of pedestrian in Hunslet
Adangerous driver who knocked down and killed a man while speeding in Hunslet has been jailed.
Dawood Kasuji (28) of Park Close, Batley was jailed for six years at Leeds Crown Court on 7 October for causing the death by dangerous driving of Stephen James Linley (33) on Black Bull Street in Hunslet.
Officers from the Major Collision and Enquiry Team said the case was a tragic example of the appalling consequences of dangerous driving.
The court heard Kasuji had been driving passengers in a BMW 325 at speeds of 55mph or more when he hit Stephen on Black Bull Street near Armouries Way during the evening of Friday 12 October 2018.
Stephen, who had been crossing the road at the time, tragically died at the scene as a result of the injuries he suffered.
Kasuji was arrested and charged and later unanimously found guilty by a jury after denying the offences and opting for a trial.
DC Clare Barran of the Major Collision and Enquiry Team, said:
“This has been a dreadful case in which a much loved and respected man with his whole life ahead of him has been robbed of his future by another man who was effectively showing off.
“The tributes paid to Stephen speak volumes about his character and his loss continues to haunt his family to this day.
“Kasuji chose to increase their suffering by putting them through a trial and I am pleased he has been sentenced following a unanimous guilty verdict.
“I would also like to thank witnesses who came forwards and provided key information which supported the investigation and helped put Kasuji behind bars.
“This case stands as a tragic example of the dreadful consequences dangerous driving can have.”
In a statement after sentencing, Stephen’s family said:
“The family would like to recognise the efforts of all of the officers who have worked on the case, especially the family liaison officer who has kept us informed throughout.
“We are also deeply grateful to the people who responded at the time of the impact and offered what assistance they could in the face of a violent road traffic event.
“Stephen was a popular and much loved young man. He had his life exactly where he wanted it, a loving family, firm friends, supportive colleagues and a job that fulfilled him in a city he loved.
“Best of all, he had met the love of his life, his soul mate and had shared his plans with us to propose and get married.
“It is not just Stephen’s life that has viciously been taken from us, his little brother has lost his childhood through the mental trauma it has caused him, his sister has lost a supportive and loving brother, we have lost our future daughter in law and the prospect of grandchildren.
“Stephen’s death was sudden, violent and completely avoidable. The ripples of the damage that has been caused, the pain we have felt and will feel for the rest of our lives rolls on.
“The outcome of the case before the court will not change that, it will not bring Stephen back.“
Jailed: Dawood Kasuji
Landlord saviour after bungalow fire
by Khya Gott
In September a bungalow in Belle Isle caught fire, with two households affected, landlords BITMO helped to ensure both parties had somewhere to stay whilst carrying out structural surveys and electrical safety checks.
At the start of what was a difficult period, BITMO (Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation) helped one tenant into temporary hotel accommodation whilst providing a daily allowance for out of pocket expenses.
Additionally, the fire victim was moved into a freshly decorated, carpeted home with furniture and equipped with the essential items he needs.
The work that landlords do is often scrutinised and judged, however, this kind and necessary act is just one example of how they are there to help and will do everything they can to assist.
In a statement, BITMO CEO Deborah Kelly said:
“I feel hugely privileged that we are able to take such good care of our community, and so impressed at how well my colleagues worked to make sure vulnerable people were looked after, they all worked hard to do, not just the right thing, but the best thing.”
Going the extra mile in these situations helps to ensure the safety, well-being and health of their tenants is of a high standard.
Mr Child from Belle Isle was unfortunate to have the fire happen in his bungalow, but speaking about what happened, he said:
“It was the work that BITMO had ordered through the council that is how it happened and that is why they were obliged to help me with moving into this home otherwise I would have been homeless or living with my family.
“But I don’t think the incident happened deliberately, it was a pure accident, and I don’t hold them to blame for it, it could have happened to anybody.
“I was sat in the room, I came out and seen a pair of legs coming out of the loft shouting ‘get out, get out, I'm calling the fire brigade’ which was instant, and they were there within 10 minutes, they got here very quickly.
“I couldn't thank them enough. BITMO have been very helpful ever since, they have given me support from the start and they are still supporting me now at every twist and turn. The welfare of the tenants is upmost in their minds.”
Emergency housing and shelter is just one of the many things BITMO intend to do for their tenants in situations that require their help and in this situation their help and support managed to help guide their tenant through a difficult time.
In October, BITMO hosted a community consultation event to grasp an idea of some of their tenants' concerns. After the event, CEO Deborah Kelly spoke to South Leeds Life about the company and Mr Child.
“We are a tenant-led organisation and a customerdriven organisation, our board are majority tenants. This is important because they get to determine the standard and quality of the standard that we provide, which is quite different to the council and other housing associations.
“Mr Child is a specific example, and we do that because we can and because we care and want to be the best possible landlord and there is no other organisation that would have done that.
“Because we are small and local, we can think about what the customer needs in the circumstances rather than just ‘what’s our policy?’ It is nice to be able to help people.”
Spanish Climate campaigners stop off in South Leeds
Climate protesters marching from Zaragoza in Spain to Glasgow to lobby the COP26 climate conference passed through South Leeds on Friday 15 October. They were joined by local campaigners from Extinction Rebellion Leeds, Our Future Leeds and Climate Action Leeds. One marcher said: “I’m walking to be visible, to make my voice heard. To shout about the climate emergency, to engage others to shout out too, topressurise politicians to do more than make empty promises.”
Picnic marks World Mental Health Day
Cutting the cake on World Mental Health Day by Sarah Bradley-Adam
Last month almost 40 people joined workers from Better Together partners Asha and Health For All, at a World Mental Health Day picnic in Cross Flatts Park.
Enjoying a buffet provided by Sid and the café workers at The Bridge Café, attendees participated in a gentle ‘mental health quiz’ about the things we all can do to help maintain good mental health. A shared lunch was eaten together in the park and then a gentle walk around Cross Flatts Park proved the benefits of walking in green space for reducing anxiety and stress.
Local café users commented “I often feel so isolated sat at home, then when I come out to the café and see lots of people here from the local community, I don’t feel so lonely any more.” Winner of the mental health quiz, Nasima Begum, won by answering correctly that when you feel down, the best things you can do are to phone a friend, go for a walk in some green space, or try to learn a new skill or do something creative, to help lift your mood. Consultation has just closed on revised plans for an Active Travel Neighbourhood in the Cross Flatts area of Beeston.
Under the scheme roads will be blocked to reduce ‘rat running’ through the area by motorists and promote safe walking and cycling. The barriers will allow full access to pedestrians, cyclists and those in mobility scooters.
Motor vehicles will still be alble to access all properties in the area, but they need to approach from a particular direction.The barriers will be created using planters in the first instance, allowing them to be moved if necessary to help the scheme work better.
The trial period will last for six months. Consultation has been carried out with the emergency services and refuse collection who support the scheme.
Plans were originally brought forward in August 2020, but concerns were raised by residents and Councillors about some residents having to turn right onto Dewsbury Road to reach other parts of Beeston. The new plan allows this group (the blue streets on the map below) to access Old Lane as an alternative.
The plans were discussed by two focus groups before being shared with all residents in the area who were encouraged to comment on the plans via an online survey.
Over 250 residents have responded to the survey. Most want to see lower traffic volumes and fewer speeding cars, but opinion is divided about whether scheme should go ahead.
One respondent said:
“I'm very much in favour of the proposed scheme. It will reduce the amount of speeding and make the streets safer for everyone. Hopefully people will walk/cycle for short journeys and reduce air pollution.”
Whilst another responded:
“There would be only one entrance into the whole of the Allenby estate. Old Lane will become even more busy with traffic. These plans do not consider the residents who live on Old Lane and Dewsbury Road. Access will be restricted and while some roads will be quieter with traffic it’s only moving the traffic to the already congested main roads.”
New Chief Executive sets out vision for Unity
The Chief Executive of Leeds-based housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise has told its Annual General Meeting that he will be guided by the organisation’s BME status and social purpose during his time at the helm.
Cedric Boston, whose appointment was announced last month, said: “We’re not an ordinary housing association. Unity is much more than a housing association. Yes, we let houses, we provide housing services and we maintain those houses. But we are primarily concerned with the people who live in those houses. And what we are quintessentially about is improving the lives of those people.
“Our social purpose is to fight inequality, regenerate communities and provide opportunities for people. What motivates me and what Unity is about is giving those people within our communities, who suffer discrimination and disadvantage, an opportunity for their voices to be heard, an opportunity to showcase their talent and an opportunity to make the best of their lives.”
“We want to do a lot more to improve people’s lives, which requires the business to continue to grow through Unity’s great work.
“It also means looking at potential new income streams, ways in which we can attract additional resources to the business and partnering with other organisations, because we are a small organisation with big ambitions. We know we can do more if we collaborate with the right people who share our aspirations. We can produce more together than we can individually.”
Welcoming Mr Boston to his role, Unity Chair Shruti Bhargava said she was “absolutely confident in the abilities both of our new Chief Executive and our staff to drive through the ambitious challenges set out in our corporate plan.” Shruti Bhargava and Cedric Boston at Unity’s AGM
Revised plans for Active Travel Neighbourhood
by Jeremy Morton
Double celebration at Middleton Railway
by Jeremy Morton
Middleton Railway held a double celebration on 29 September as they unveiled the name plate for their new carriage shed and Vice President, Ian Smith was presented with a lifetime achievement award from Railway Magazine..
The carriage shed was made possible by a very generous bequest from the estate of the late Richard Holland. Richard was a long-standing volunteer at Middleton Railway and also a Trustee of the Steam Power Trust 65 which raised funds to save steam railway locomotives. Its first purchase was a North East Railway engine (1310) that has been based at MRT since the sixties and still runs today.
The building name plate was unveiled by Paul Bickerdike, Editor of Railway Magazine and Ian Smith’s award was presented by his predecessor, Chris Milner, who was Editor when the award was originally announced in December 2020.
Speaking to Ian after the presentation, he told me that his involvement started back in the 1960s when the area around Middleton Railway looked very different. Broom Colliery was still in production Ian Smith recieves his award from Chris Milner of Railway Magazine
and as well as Middleton railway line, there was the tramway which ran through Middleton woods and the Great Northern Railway line that ran from Beeston Junction to Hunslet
“We played on the slag heaps and I remember one day seeing a tram hanging from a bridge. It was a double decker tram from Swansea being delivered to Middleton Railway.
“I came along to the opening week. It was Leeds University Rag Week and it was free rides – they carried 7,000 people in a week.
“I got involved because I lived in Gasholder Street, where The Range is now, and one day I came across Fred Youell, the founder of Middleton Railway Trust, who was working on the Moor End branch of the railway and he got me to help him.
“In 1969 there was a steam gala at the railway and that’s when I joined up aged 15, and I’ve been here ever since.
“I did whatever needed doing, digging holes, sweeping up, anything. One day, I’d have been 17, a chap said “Have you ever fired a railway engine? No? Right, now’s your time to learn it.” That’s how it happened and how you learned new skills.
“I’ve done all sorts here, sales, I was Chairman for six years, I drove engines for years, but my health isn’t so good so I haven’t done that for a long time.”
Progress for Middleton Railway has been gradual over the last 61 years, but there have been some significant steps that have moved things forward. In the early 1980s they were given an inner city grant by Leeds City Council which enabled them to build their first engine shed and shop at Moor Road. Prior to that everything had been in the open and their base was Dartmouth Yard, off Garnet Road. A Big Lottery Grant in 2006 paid for the building of the Moor Road station and museum that we see today.
Ian would love to see more volunteers come forward to get involved in running the railway:
“It’s very rewarding. You don’t have to be quite as extreme as me. I mean, let’s be right, this place has been my life. As a single bloke I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t had this.”
The Railway is very keen to hear from people with practical skills to work, or supervise work in the workshop, but there are many other jobs to do as the railway is run entirely by volunteers. To find out more go to middletonrailway.org.uk or call in at Moor Road.
Wikimedian award for Lucy Asha’s trip to Pugneys Park
by Rebecca Townesend
For those of you who use Wikipedia to get information online you have a Wikimedian to thank.
They are the editors of Wikipedia, or are active in other associated pages. Wikimedia is a catch all term for a number of different projects that aim to make the sum total of human knowledge accessible for all.
Beeston resident Lucy Moore is a curator with the Leeds Museums and Galleries and a PhD student at the University of York. She spoke to South Leeds Life about the work she has taken part in to improve the diversity of information on Wikimedia which has led to her being awarded “Up and Coming Wikimedian of the Year 2021”, and specifically for "organising events and encouraging others in galleries, libraries, museums and archaeology to get involved with Wikimedia."
Lucy explained why it is so important for lots of different people to become editors.
“The beauty of Wikipedia and all the other Wikimedia projects is that anyone can contribute! However, the majority of contributors are white Englishspeaking men from the northern hemisphere. Understandably when people edit, they edit and create coverage in things they are interested in - which can create what we call content bias. A notable example is biographies of women - on English-language Wikipedia less than 1 in 5 biographies are about women. “Many men are just less likely write about women. If you work to expand the pool of editors - not just in terms of gender, but to have people from all historically marginalised communities editing, then that doesn’t just broaden the content bit it also broadens how subjects are discussed.” If you are inspired by Lucy to get involved, she explained how easily you can get started; simply visit Wikipedia and click edit next to a Wikipedia article! There are lots of YouTube videos that you can watch to get going too.
Lucy learnt to edit at an event run by West Yorkshire Queer Stories in 2019 and she would recommend events as “a really nice way to start out and there's quite a few happening on zoom now as well. Leeds Libraries has one coming up as part of the Thought Bubble festival.”
The Comics Wikithon takes place at Leeds Central Library on Thursday 11 November, 1:30-4:30pm.
Once you are an editor you could take part in a Wikithon which Lucy would highly recommend:
“They are a great way to encourage new editors and can cover any subject. I've mostly been involved with ones that focus on adding content about women but there's tonnes of possibilities! Usually organisers will have identified some content that’s not on Wikipedia and will then show people how to make edits and then we all just crack on. The idea is to make the environment as supportive as possible for people AND to improve the internet!
“Wikipedia has a policy for only using reliable sources, and in a world of fake news, Wikipedia can be a great way of accessing neutral information on a topic.”
Lucy Moore with her award
by Tahena Ahmed
Asha Neighbourhood Project took a group of older and younger women to Pugneys Country Park in Wakefield to mark the International Day of Older People (IDOP).
This year’s theme was Linking Lives and the walk and picnic in the park gave an opportunity for the older women to chat with younger women. The younger women prompted the conversations asking the older women to tell their life stories as they gathered around for picnic food. They talked about their past and present lives. The language barriers between them and their grandchildren. The benefits and challenges of children and grandchildren growing up in the west.
They discussed the impact of Covid 19 on families, their concerns surrounding vaccines and losing family members to the pandamic.
Women reported feeling relieved talking about their fears concerning the conspiracy theories around the pandamic and the vaccines.
One woman commented: “This is the first time I have felt safe to come out of house to meet up with other women. I am looking forward to coming to the older women’s group. In future I hope we can go away somewhere in the countryside and stay overnight – have a chance to relax and explore.”
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Resumed barge traffic to Leeds is “very opportune” says CBOA
A 500 tonnes barge en route to Leeds. Photo: Andy Horn
The Commercial Boat Operators Association (CBOA) is delighted that barge traffic carrying marine dredged aggregates has restarted from Hull to Leeds.
The 500 tonnes capacity barges are now regularly arriving at Knostrop Wharf, east Leeds.
“This shows the value of using barges”, said CBOA Chairman David Lowe. He continued: “With all the news about HGV driver shortages, it is salutary to remember that the crew of a 500 tonnes capacity barge can move that cargo more quickly than if they each drove an HGV between Hull and Leeds”
“Barge use also fits in with the de-carbonisation agenda”, went on Mr Lowe.
Research has shown that barges have for years created less emissions than heavy lorries – only 25% of that produced by lorries. Not satisfied with that, the barge industry is moving to use biofuels with hydrogen treated vegetable oil (HVO) being favoured. Barge companies have reported 90% reductions in net carbon dioxide emissions.
Even if all lorries were electrically powered, they would still create damaging dust particulates from brake pads, from tyre wear and from road surface wear. None of these arise with barges.
“Using barges improves the environment and people’s sense of well-being,
“So I call upon the Government to increase infrastructure investment in improving the nation’s waterways”, said Mr Lowe.
Andy Collins of AC Marine Aggregates, the company whose aggregates have been brought to Leeds, said
“The re-opening of the canal, thanks in large to the work completed by the Canal & River Trust, has enabled us to kick start the marine aggregates business back up in Leeds, which is a win-win for both our customers and the environment. A prime example of how delivery by barge is beneficial for everyone is our existing project supplying Amazon’s new distribution centre being built in Leeds; by using Knostrop wharf we can massively reduce both CO2 emissions and vehicle movements.”
The use of marine dredged aggregates (from the North Sea) is a sustainable activity as nature replenished the deposits at sea. Not so with land based supplies.
The use of 500 tonne capacity barges and thus avoiding using heavy vehicles from inland quarries will also be beneficial for the environment. Each barge will take off the crowded M62 18 articulated lorries carrying 28 tonnes. Barges can help Leeds City Council in its efforts to improve air pollution and improve the well-being of its citizens.
The area being used at Knostrop is about one-tenth of an acre and is seen as a temporary phase. The Canal & River Trust’s wider ambitions are to see the development of a 10 acre site at Stourton on the outskirts of east Leeds as a wharf to handle at least 200,000 tonnes pa. of cargo. Planning permission for the wharf has been obtained and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority have offered £3.17m towards the costs. The full business case is now being developed which, if approved, would enable construction in 2022.
Ambassador accolade award for Harrison Spinks Group Chairman
Simon Spinks, Group Chairman of Beestonbased luxury bedmaker Harrison Spinks, was awarded the prestigious Ambassador accolade at The Business Desk’s Yorkshire Business Masters Awards on 14 October.
The award recognised his work to continually promote innovation and lead the iconic Yorkshire manufacturer for over 35 years.
The awards ceremony, which saw sustainability take centre stage, is a key event in the business calendar, recognising the achievements of Yorkshire companies.
Spinks’ commitment to promote sustainability and innovation within the manufacturing industry, while maintaining the brand’s heritage and being the fifth generation to lead the business, was noted by the judges.
Commenting on the award win, Spinks said: Simon Spinks. Photo: Richard Walker/ImageNorth
“I’m surprised but very proud. This is for what our team has achieved.
“We’re developing mattresses which are fully recyclable at the end of their life because we aren’t using glue, thanks to our sustainable Cortec glue-free spring system. Right now 120,000 mattresses go to landfill every week just because there’s no way of having them taken apart or they’re made using unsustainable materials.
“We’re developing a recycling plant where we can have mattresses taken apart. And we’ve bought a farm where we can grow our own materials to put into mattresses. It’s both a good story and it’s a reality.”
Simon Spinks has spearheaded the development of a series of new spring solutions – from Revolution, a patented spring within spring, which gives more support and a superior feel, to Micro Springs, which can be used as comfort layers and are more sustainable than foam and gel, to Cortec, a ground-breaking glue-free spring system. With Cortec, the springs have a unique heat-sealed design, meaning they are 100% recyclable and zero to landfill because they don’t contain any glue.
To read Harrison Spinks’ newly launched Sustainability Report please visit harrison spinks.co.uk/sustainabilityreport-2021.
Mayor invests £1million in construction skills at college
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire has visited Leeds College of Building to celebrate the college receiving over £1 million of grant funding from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Adult Education Budget (AEB).
The money has been allocated to support adults in learning skills needed by West Yorkshire’s construction industry.
The Mayor also took a tour of the new South Bank campuses, one of which was part funded by the Combined Authority.
The funding allocated to Leeds College of Building is part of the wider AEB funding to ensure skills provision in West Yorkshire supports adults to develop the skills needed to enter and stay in work, or enroll in an apprenticeship, or other learning and meets the needs of the region’s businesses.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:
“We’re now seeing the fantastic benefits of devolution and how we can strategically use funding to benefit our local economy and the people who live here.
“As the economy re-opens, the construction industry is recovering strongly, with more than 70,000 people in West Yorkshire alone, already working in construction. However, many employers are still struggling to recruit people with the right skills.
“Therefore, I’m pleased to see we are providing people with excellent education and training facilities and courses whereby they can gain the skills needed by industry.”
Leeds College of Building is the only further education college in the UK which specialises in the construction industry. It has two campuses, the North Street campus, and the South Bank campus in Hunslet. Find out more at: www.lcb.ac.uk
School uniform exchange
by Tania Carlisle
School Uniform Swap LS11’ is a Facebook group where you can offer and collect items of school uniform.
Please join the group for a chance to exchange school uniform with other parents in our area.
Also by popular demand the school uniform stall is running every Saturday between 11am and 1pm in the Café in Cross Flatts Park.
We can take donations of school uniform from any local school and you can search for items you may need for your children.
It’s all free of charge – and you don’t need to donate to pick up, just come along. This initiative partners with Zero Waste Leeds who are passionate about saving the planet, whilst also saving money!
We aim to have a contact in each local school to be able to get the message out to parents. Is your child’s school aware of this project and could you be a link person in the school, helping to spread the word?
If so please get in touch. We especially want to have contacts in secondary schools as we are always getting requests for high school uniform.
We also need volunteers to help staff the stall on a Saturday, so again get in touch either on Facebook ‘School Uniform Swap LS11’ or phone me on 07917 157830.
Volunteers Suchi, Fern and Mariana at the stall in Cross Flatts Park
Leeds Dads are back at The Holbeck club
After 19 months Leeds Dads Meetups are back at The Holbeck Club. The events for dads and kids were suspended due to Covid, but have now recommenced.
The award-winning Dad meetups are a great opportunity to meet new Dad friends or bring along another Dad you know with pre-school kids for a playdate. We play games, create arts and crafts, or just jump around!
The next meetup is on Sunday 28 November (and every fourth Sunday of the month) from 2-4pm at The Holbeck Club, Jenkinson Lawn, LS11 9QX.
Leeds Dads aims to inspire Dads to take an active parenting role, so that they can have a positive impact in strengthening their family unit. Our vision is a city of confident and caring Dads who are actively involved as parents to build successful relationships with their children.
Research shows that dads are an important part of the family unit. Yet fathers are often overlooked by services supporting parents and children. Leeds Das is creating a thriving community of Dads in Leeds, offering parenting advice, friendship, and wellbeing support.
They ensure Dads-to-be and new Dads are provided with knowledge and encouragement to have the greatest impact in their children’s early years. And they promote positive physical and mental health for Dads across the city, through engaging activities for them and their children.
If your kids love scary monsters and soft play, get along to their free Halloween themed soft play session for dads and preschool kids to play, chat, grab some breakfast and a free coffee. It’s from 10am-12pm on Saturday 30 October at Little Angel Playzone, Sugar Mill, Oakhurst Avenue, Beeston, LS11 7HL.
You can contact Leeds Dads via fb.com/LeedsDads.
Putting the squeeze on
Youngsters at the Space youth groups in Beeston got busy making freshly-pressed apple juice, with zero carbon local fruit last month. Space is a free weekly youth programme, for those aged 11-18, run by the local churches since 2004. For full information, including how to join, go to: facebook.com/leedsspacenetwork.
BISA bounces back to action
The Gardening Group at Belle Isle Senior Action’s 59 Club by Sonny Garewal
Belle Isle Senior Action (BISA) is now fully operatinal after the Covid 19 Pandemic.
I would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to a staff and volunteers who helped me maintain a service to older people during the lockdown. Of particular note are our Gardening Group Volunteers: Lynne Lock; Colin Robinson; Ross Whitfield and Dave Geldard, who continued to maintain the 59 Club garden during the lockdown, and Kerry Andrews, Lesley Thornton and Karren Marriott who volunteered to do anything that was asked of them.
We also need to thank Tony Andrews our Handyman who continued to keep older people safe in their own homes by fitting smoke alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors. Thanks to all volunteers who helped distribute the Newsletter, and to those volunteers who provided telephone support calls to all our older people, reassuring them in very difficult and challenging times.
Activities have now resumed at the 59 Club on Belle Isle Circus. These include chairbased exercise, digital inclusion classes, lunch club, craft, gardening and social groups. Transport is available to help people who are unable to use public transport.
BISA also organise weekly trips out every Wednesday to places such as Bury Market, Bowling & pub lunch and Tong Garden Centre. The trips book up fast so don’t delay.
For full information about BISA services and upcoming activities go to belleisle.org.uk or call (0113) 270 9426.
by Sarah Bradley-Adam
There’s plenty going on at Health For All Beeston Village Community Centre, and the building is busy with community groups seven days a week.
The purpose built Community Centre, which was funded by the National Lottery, has two large upstairs and downstairs halls, and both are in use by community groups, exercise classes, and community projects.
After struggling during the pandemic, the building reopened to the public in July 2021 and is now in constant use.
As well as exercise classes (‘Exercise 55+ with Julie Gill’ on Mondays & Fridays at 9:30,
Moon Dancing in the hall
phone Julie 07783 786776, and Kushal Zindagi women only exercise on a Wednesday – phone Bally for more info on 07590 182627) – the centre has Elders groups, social groups for parents (Happy Global Families on Mondays and Happy Families for Chinese Mums on Fridays) and a wellbeing coffee morning for adults on a Wednesday (Everyday Life, 9-11am Wednesdays – phone Claire 07498 958550)
Volunteers have been essential in getting the centre open safely and bringing groups back. As well as working on reception and running groups, volunteers also support the centre’s Food Pantry, which reduces food waste by distributing food to local families at affordable prices. The Food Pantry works on a membership basis and is open on a Thursday. Centre Manager Toshal Bhatia says, “We did not ever think the centre would become a food outlet, but we have responded to local need to help people access food and stay connected.” In November, the centre will open a ‘chatty café’ on a Thursday morning which will give centre users the chance to get out and have a friendly
The Food Pantry helps members stretch their budget chat, and practise their English. For more information about the ‘chatty café’, or about volunteering at the centre or joining the Food Pantry, phone Sarah on 07498 734603. Meanwhile for children, the centre also hosts a youth club, a karate club, and Brave Words Youth Theatre, all of which are open to new members. For information on any of the activities at the centre, phone the centre on (0113) 271 7231 or pop in to pick up a ‘What’s On’ Guide.
Local Heroes
Children at Greenmount Primary School and Ingram Road Primary School were delighted and inspired to meet local heroes as part of ‘Heroes Local and Global’ project run by education charity Leeds DEC. The children were really impacted by getting to meet people who were creating change. “ I found Mr Nazir inspiring because he is helping different faiths to be friends” “I found Kidz Kub inspiring because they are helping families who are poor do trips to the seaside” “ I think Leeds DEC is inspiring because they are helping the whole planet” said children after they had met the Heroes. “Children identified climate change, racism, single use plastic and litter as some of the issues they cared about” said Hannah Langdana from Leeds DEC “and we hope that by meeting local people who are improving lives for others and the planet, it will encourage them to make a difference.” Photo shows Mahbub Nazir talking to children at Greenmount Primary School.
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