South Leeds Life 90 October 2022

by Rebecca Townesend

As the temperatures start to drop and the days get shorter, plans are being made to support people in our community who are most likely to be acutely affected by the cost of living and energy price crisis.

Despite the Government’s recent announcement that domestic energy prices will be frozen, costs have already increased dramatically in the last year. Household budgets are straining, both from the increase in fuel prices and the knock on increases to goods in the shops.

For many households this winter, paying their energy bills, household bills and food will be impossible, with many households driven into debt to try and cope.

The health and wellbeing implications for many local

people are too terrible to consider. It will certainly result in significant stress and mental and physical health challenges for many. It may even cost lives.

Local councillors Paul Wray, Mohammed Iqbal (Labour, Hunslet & Riverside) and Andrew Scopes (Labour, Beeston & Holbeck) are working with council officers to identify venues to act as ‘warm spaces’ for people to attend this winter.

Cllr Paul Wray said: "Work has already begun at our request to identify council and third sector venues who can help but these may not be enough and so we're asking other venues in Hunslet,

Beeston and the city centre such as cafés, restaurants and religious buildings, to come forward and offer a safe warm space for people in need."

He stressed the significant role warm spaces could play. The cold can and does kill and

venues would be helping people in need to stay healthy and warm this winter and could save lives.

In the last week Beeston and Holbeck councillor Andrew Scopes has reported on an encouraging meeting he had

with 7 local organisations. As this work is undertaken there will be efforts at a citywide level to document what is available across Leeds. Details of warm spaces will be published by South Leeds Life when they are confirmed.

If you run a venue that would already be open and you can offer a space for people to stay warm in, at no extra cost, and you are able to help please get in touch.

If you are based in Hunslet and Riverside ward please email paul.wray@leeds.gov.uk and if you are based in Beeston and Holbeck ward please email andrew.scopes@leeds.gov.uk

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Cockburn’s new sports pitches set for approval by Councillors

The planning application to provide new sports pitches at Cockburn School in Beeston looks set to be approved, albeit with strict conditions, as it returns to the Council’s South & West Plans Panel for a third time as we go to press.

The controversial proposal to build a new full size 3G rugby / football pitch and tennis courts came about as part of the school’s expansion to cope with the growing need for secondary school places in South Leeds. The school currently has a 34% shortfall in outdoor sports space compared with Department for Education (DfE) guidelines.

the loss of 38 mature trees.

Alan Shaw from Friends of Middleton Park told the Panel:

“Our key objection is that this development will permanently change the land … Building a 3G pitch will require significant landscaping.

“The 3G pitch may look green but it will be devoid of life. The site is currently full of life with multiple species of butterflies, insects and birds identified. How can changing a thriving tree lined meadow to a plastic fenced off pitch be adding species biodiversity?”

To

South Leeds political neutral political

The pitches are to be built on part of the land previously occupied by South Leeds Golf Club (SLGC) which has now been incorporated into Middleton Park.

A position statement on the plans were first discussed by Councillors on the South & West Plans Panel on 7 July, this was followed by a full debate on the plans, lasting over three and a half hours, at their meeting on 1 September.

Objectors have raised a range of issues including the loss of amenity and level access route into the park from Beeston, the loss of a historic footpath, concerns about pollution to the nearby ancient woodland ecosystem from the 3G pitch and

Supporters of the scheme point out that children attending Cockburn School deserve proper sports facilities on site, that the pitches will take up less than 10% of the SLGC land, which was not publicly accessible until the club closed; and that trees will be replaced on a three-for-one basis in line with planning policies.

David Gurney, Executive Headteacher at Cockburn Multiacademy Trust told the Panel:

“Cockburn is described as a school working in challenging circumstances by the DfE with high levels of deprivation and the children who attend the school are part of the local community. They are the future of the local community. Cockburn is an

outstanding school, only achieved by 2.7% of schools nationally, and if we want to still deliver an outstanding education, we need good to outstanding facilities for the children. And we’re only asking for what the children deserve.”

Cllr Andrew Scopes (Labour Beeston & Holbeck) and Cllr Sharon Burke (Labour, Middleton Park) made a written comment to the Panel stating:

“This is a really difficult decision with really valid points on both sides. We appreciate the time and effort that the residents have put into the consultation process, which we have read and we understand

their concerns, which we sympathise with. However, on balance, our view is that the needs of the children of South Leeds must be provided for.”

On 1 September the Panel voted to defer their decision, in order to allow additional conditions to be drawn up around environmental management and biodiversity monitoring, construction environmental management, a community use agreement for the facilities and an end-of-life strategy for the 3G pitch. Officers are recommending approval of the planning application subject to these and other conditions.

Changes to taxi and private hire driver licensing standards approved

reaching seven or more points for minor motoring convictions will receive a warning and will only be required to attend appropriate training.

Complaints

South Leeds

A Leeds City

Existing licence holders• reaching nine points or more for minor motoring convictions and who have previously attended training under this policy may have their licence refused or revoked dependent on the individual circumstances of the driver concerned and offences committed. In considering such action, the intention of the policy will be to only refuse or revoke a licence where there are very clear concerns for public safety.

Further to this new set of standards, Leeds City Council’s Licensing Committee have determined that for a 12-month pilot, any decision to revoke a licence on the basis of minor motoring convictions will be determined by a Licensing Sub Committee.

The previous standard in Leeds was that taxi and private hire drivers could accrue 12 points on their driver’s licence before any action is taken. Leeds City Council initiated a review of its policy on minor motoring convictions in order to harmonize taxi and private hire policies across West Yorkshire and York.

During this review the Department of Transport issued statutory guidance, which the council has to regard or have a clear and compelling reason not to follow it. The guidance states that multiple motoring convictions may indicate that the applicant does not exhibit the behaviours of a safe road user or one that is suitable to drive professionally.

The approved set of standards,

recommended to executive board by Leeds City Council’s Licensing Committee, were developed as the result of the public consultation and were developed in order to achieve the right balance between public safety, while also proactively supporting the taxi and private hire trade in Leeds.

In approving the standards, the executive board considered the representations received from the public consultation, together with the statutory guidance and the Institute of Licensing framework.

Overall, the newly approved set of standards will affect less than 1.5% of all current licence holders in Leeds, with over 80 per cent of taxi and private hire drivers in the city currently having no points on their licence whatsoever.

Councillor Debra Coupar, deputy leader of Leeds City Council and executive member for resources, said: “I would like to thank everyone who has played a role in developing the new set of standards, which are the result of extensive consultation work, reflecting the voices of both the trade and travelling public.”

Photo: M Taylor via Creative Commons

Cockburn School in Beeston

Beeston memories booklet launched by BAFF Hunslet TARA celebrates 25th year with exciting projects

putting on.

This year Hunslet Tenants & Residents Association (Hunslet TARA) marks its 25th anniversary, we will be joining forces with many organisations within Hunslet.

We kickoff on Saturday 15 October 2022 with the Church of England. Leeds diocese will be answering questions and giving us an update on the redevelopment of St Mary’s Spire in Hunslet. The meeting takes place at 12pm in Hunslet Community Hub & Library.

Cllr Wray has commented, "I am pleased that two prominent local organisations have adopted this valuable local landmark. I have received a lot of input from the community who are eager to see it maintained. It is important to secure Hunslet’s history where possible."

Anew booklet full of memories of everyday life in Beeston has been launched by Better Action For Families (BAFF).

Originally to be called ‘What Nanna Used To Say’ the booklet is titled ‘Back In The Day’ because as older people at Cardinal Court recounted their memories, they invariable started their comments with “Back in the day …”

Lynn Bailey explained the booklet is designed to start conversations:

“I hope older people, perhaps grandparents, will

read the book with children. It’s important that young people understand how things used to be, not so very long ago.”

The project ran over three years, due to the interruption of the pandemic, with the group meeting weekly.

“I t was really great going through all these sayings, it took me back in time. I remember lots of people saying we didn’t have any money, but it were better times.”

Subjects covered by the booklet include Christmas, home and childhood, cinema and TV, health, food and drink, and money. Comments include:

“In 1948 it cost Mum £25 for hospital treatment for having me.”

“I chopped up wood and sold it for fire wood so I could go to the Saturday matinee at the local pictures.”

Cllr Andrew Scopes (Labour, Beeston Holbeck) thanked everyone involved in producing the booklet and commented:

“I love the idea of having a fire under the fire to wash clothes because I think now we just turn the tap on and take hot water for granted, although maybe we’ll stop taking it so much for granted with the challenges that are coming, but it’s nice to remember how

privileged we are now rather than being negative.

“I’m really pleased that this book has been published and I hope that they will be around the libraries and many people in Beeston will read them.”

The booklet, which is beautifully illustrated with photos from the Leodis archive, is an Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) project partnership between BAFF and members of the Cardinal Court coffee morning and was funded by Leeds City Council.

It is available through libraries, churches and schools or email baff2007@hotmail .co.uk

Meeting plans to build a more resilient community

Hunslet TARA Is working with organisations such as the Crooked Clock pub to clean up and maintain the horse trough on Low Road in Hunslet. Morrisons will be donating some plants as well as helping out. Cllr Paul Wray (Labour, Hunslet & Riverside) is commissioning a lecturn with a local historian. We will be welcoming children from Low Road Primary School of the Music Federation to help out.

As you would imagine we will be aiming to work with the school trying to include them in as many events and activities as possible that we will be

This project will take place on Wednesday 19 October at 10am. All help is very much welcomed. Hunslet TARA will also be working with Hunslet Festival (Gala) who will be marking their 20th anniversary and we will be partnering with them on at least two events.

We will be doing more with the Crooked Clock, we are also working with the Hub and Library and Morrisons to plan our annual Christmas festival featuring a Christmas market. Later on in the year we will be joining forces in a large project with Housing Leeds.

As always, Hunslet TARA are looking for help and welcome any volunteers. Look us up via our Facebook group to see all arrangements, you can also email us directly hunslettara@yahoo.com

St Luke’s CARES, which runs activity groups for young people as well as a charity shop on Dewsbury Road, is organising a meeting for local people to come together to share skills, ideas, and strategies as to how we confront these challenges as a community.

Sally Thumbs, one of the organisers said:

“Amid the political chaos, soaring living costs, climate crisis and global instability that we find ourselves in. It feels like a critical moment to come together and explore plans and strategies for the coming months.”

The Resilient Communities Meeting will taking place on Monday 3 October at 5pm At St Luke's CARES Charity Shop on Dewsbury Road LS11 6JQ.

You will be able to find information on existing community and environmental projects as well as put your own ideas and thoughts forward for campaigns or action you would like to see. If you know of any projects happening locally this is a chance to let everyone know about them.

“One tangible action we would like to see happen in our community is collection

of recycling bins increased to every two weeks (instead of monthly) could you be involved in this? We want to petition Leeds City Council for this as well as gathering momentum among residents. We will need help with this campaign so come along and find out more” added Sally.

There will be refreshments, a short film screening and speakers. If you can't attend, but would like to be involved, please get in touch with Sally or Tania: sally@stlukescares.org.uk tania@stlukescares .org.uk

Members of Cardinal Court coffee mornings with Cllr Scopes and staff from BAFF at the launch

by Stewart Walton

The horse trough on Low Road

by Jeremy Morton

Iwould firstly like to take a moment to mention the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

The death of Her Majesty was a significant and sombre moment in British Policing considering the length of her reign. When I joined the Police I took an oath to uphold the Queen’s Peace, as did every other officer. The Queen was embedded into so many parts of our lives, often in ways that we take for granted.

Some of my staff deployed to London to support the state funeral, and locally, marks of respect came from silences and flags at half-mast. Policing Operations were in place to support national coverage of the state funeral, and I am pleased to say that these were safe and inclusive events.

As we move away from the summer months, we are starting to experience the beginning of darker nights.

South Leeds is currently performing very well in terms of theft related offences in comparison to other parts of Leeds. My teams continue to proactively patrol areas suffering from these offences, and we target those offenders who cause the most harm.

Burglary and other theft offences are some of the most invasive crime types. There are however some relatively easy things that residents can do to

make your home safer:

• and doors are left secure

Ensure that your windows

Check that your external

• doors meet the minimum security rating: PAS24

Use internal and external• lights to give the impression that people are at home

Use bushes and shrubs to• create natural barriers that

prayer times. Please report anything suspicious to us, as no matter how insignificant it may seem, it could end up being crucial to investigations.

Your local teams run bicycle security events, which are regularly advertised on the WYP Leeds South NPT Twitter and Facebook pages. These sessions provide advice and

Bravery award for Police officers in Holbeck bus incident

make access harder

Keep valuables out of

• sight

My main advice is to be vigilant for you and your neighbours, particularly at times when it is expected that people will be away from home, such as office working hours or

assistance in identifying and marking, as well as recording details of your bike on BikeRegister. All of these actions can help to protect your bike, as well as recovery it in the event of a theft. Please check our social media sites for more information on these sessions.

If you have any queries around general crime prevention, my teams are available for help and support. Please get in touch with us and we will be happy to offer appropriate advice and guidance materials.

A final thought from me this month relates to the sad news of a school stabbing elsewhere in the force area. Please be assured that my teams and I are engaged with significant work around the scourge of knives and gang related culture. You will hopefully hear more on this within your communities in the near future. There are a number of ongoing initiatives to educate, divert and support young people in avoiding this lifestyle.

If you are concerned for a young person, or are a young person with concerns of your own, please make contact with us for support. Together we will continue to make South Leeds to vibrant, inclusive and safe pace that it deserves to be.

PC Tom Swift and Sergeant Mike Watkins from Leeds District Police were commended for their courage at the Police Federation Bravery Awards 2022 at a ceremony in London on 14 July.

They were acclaimed as the regional winners for West Yorkshire.

The award followed the pair winning the force’s own Police Bravery Award at the West Yorkshire Awards in June.

They were praised as having ‘courageously represented the finest policing traditions of West Yorkshire’ by the Leeds Senior Leadership Team, for their actions in an incident on Wednesday 21 December 2021.

The pair had been called to an emergency on the number

The officers immediately boarded the bus without backup and challenged the male to drop his weapon.

On being challenged the male advanced towards them, prompting the officers to deploy Taser which proved ineffective due to the suspect wearing a heavy coat.

Never leaving the passengers, the officers then physically engaged the armed suspect who had refused to drop his weapon and tried to attack them.

The incident which followed saw them use batons and open hand skills in a melee with the male which eventually spilled onto the street where they were able to restrain and disarm him.

The man was later assessed and detained under the Mental Health Act and received the

Chief Constable John Robins QPM DL said:

“Tom and Mike richly deserved their nomination for the National Police Bravery Award and we are really pleased for them to be recognised as regional winners.

“They were worthy recipients of the force’s own Bravery Award at the West Yorkshire Police Awards last month for their actions which were in the very best traditions of policing.

“Their first instinct was to protect the lives of the passengers on the bus. They showed no concern for their own safety as they attempted to disarm the man in what was a highly dangerous situation.

“The courage they displayed was admirable and resulted in them using their training to secure the suspect, who went on to receive the mental health support he needed.

“Tom and Mike both should be very proud of their actions.”

Award winning Leeds officers who disarmed a man threatening bus passengers in Holbeck with a knife have now been praised for their bravery at a national ceremony.

75 First Bus in Holbeck at 11:30am that day to reports a man was waving a large knife on the service, which had passengers on it.

treatment he required.

PC Tom Swift and Sergeant Mike Watkins

Security marking bikes in Cross Flatts Park beat

Recovering addicts volunteer to mend fences

years” and had concerns about injury to passing children, as well as home security.

“The lads have done a really good job, I really appreciate what they’ve done”, said Laura.

getting caught on the nails sticking out of it”.

GCP installed new posts and reattached the gate, as well as doing a general safety-check.

Over the weekend of 17-18 September volunteers from the Getting Clean Project (GCP) came together to help with improvements to garden fences and the communal areas around 3 properties in Hunslet.

The work undertaken included; making fences safe and secure, fixing gates, cutting back vegetation and a litter pick of the wider area.

Over the two days, 14 GCP volunteers were on site, along with GCP founder Chris Sylvester, Cllr Ed Carlise (Green, Hunslet & Riverside) and Anthony Stanhope from

the Hunslet Housing association.

The Getting Clean Project works with recovering addicts, with an emphasis on giving back to the community.

Volunteers provided all tools and manpower and were able to share existing skills whilst learning new ones and benefiting from being involved in helping the community.

Posts, timber and concrete were donated by Richard Roberts from Nationwide Safety Management.

Resident Laura Tranmer (44), said her fence had been in a dilapidated state “for

Christina and Victor Sanderson’s fence was destroyed when storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin combined in February 2022. Christina (71), a retired home care worker and Victor (70), a retired truck driver, have their great-grandson living with them and two dogs who need a secure garden. Victor said;

“It means a lot to have this work done, we’d been worried about the little one and about the dogs – the main road is very close to us”.

Christina added; “We’re very pleased with the job done”.

Pharmacy worker and mum of two, Claire McNiven (29) said her father, who is in a wheelchair, had previously tried to repair her fence and gate but wasn’t able to complete the job.

“It was weather-beaten and kids have been climbing on it. I’ve been worried about kids

“I can let my four-year-old play in the garden with no worry now”, said Claire.

Volunteer Craig Hughes said:

“I was in active addiction for years but being able to volunteer in this way and provide a service for people helps me stay clean. I’m grateful to be able to learn new skills and for the opportunity to help others.”

Cllr Ed Carlisle, a keen advocate for the GCP, said:

“We face no shortage of challenges and needs in our communities –but equally, there are people with skills and resources everywhere, who want to make a difference. It’s a pleasure and an honour to be

working with the fantastic Getting Clean team, it’s inspiring to see them stepping up, playing their part, and helping others – and I look forward to making more good things happen with them in the coming years.”

GCP founder, Chris Sylvester has been in recovery for five years and set up the project in 2021.

“After many years of being trapped in addiction I saw an opportunity to help people who are struggling to overcome their addictions by helping

them access mutual aid and find purpose whilst rebuilding their lives. We aim to change the perception of addiction and to help communities by giving back.”

The Getting Clean Project organise regular volunteer days. If you feel that you would benefit from volunteering, need help with addiction or if you have an area in your local community which would benefit from an uplift, you can contact Chris Sylvester through Facebook, at facebook.com/ gettingcleanest2021

Cllr Ed Carlise, Victor Sanderson, Christina Sanderson, Chris Sylvester, Richard Roberts, Anthony Stanhope standing in front of the Sanderson’s newly-repaired fence

Chris Sylvester getting hands-on

Council and club dispute why £12m investment plans failed

Following our report last month that Leeds City Council had turned down Hunslet RLFC’s proposals to bring in £12 million of investment in return for a lease on South Leeds Stadium, the Council has issued a statement:

“John Charles Centre for Sport is a Leeds City Council owned sports facility, operated by the Council’s Active Leeds Service. The facilities include a main stadium with athletics track and field, main grass pitch, fitness suite, bars and catering. In addition, as part of the complex there is an indoor tennis facility, an indoor athletics and bowls centre, an aquatics centre, five-a-side pitches and a full sized all weather, that is currently closed pending refurbishment.

“The facilities are used by a range of sports clubs including Leeds Swimming Club, Leeds Athletics Club, and Hunslet Rugby League Football Club.

Hunslet’s use of the stadium is by way of a lease which originally dates back to 1995, when the Club moved, after a short break, to the Stadium from Elland Road as part of the arrangements to prepare for the Euro 96 football tournament.

“In addition to the above, the Stadium is also the main operational base and office accommodation for the Council’s Active Leeds Service.

“The Council received an unsolicited request for a

change of arrangements in relation to the operation of John Charles Centre for Sport by Hunslet RLFC and their commercial partners a company called Advantage 42.

Advantage 42 is a ‘Strategic solution and restructuring practice’. The proposition, which has been subject to some changes requested that the Council entered into differing arrangements than the current arrangements which sought to transfer elements of the centre to Advantage 42 for a long lease period on the basis of potential investment into the site and Hunslet RLFC.

“The Council has carefully considered the proposition but does not feel that the proposition as set out would provide sufficient value to the Council and the community and therefore has no plan to enter into any such arrangement. The specifics of the proposition are commercially sensitive but concerns centre on: a lack of clarity and detail• of the proposition the value of and• guarantees of potential investment the impact on existing• users of the facilities, including the potential level of charging should a change in arrangements take place the proposed length of• the proposition and the financial return to the Council the impact on LCC staff•

and their terms, conditions and pensions.

the ability of the Council• to continue to utilise the facility in the future for major events within the city the impact of the• fragmentation of management of facilities on the complex as a whole

“The Council remains committed to the longer-term future of the facility and will be considering how future investment into the facility can be facilitated. The Council will also be considering how improvements can be made in relation to increasing community use of the facilities. We would wish to continue to work with Hunslet RLFC in terms of its aspirations for growth and development.”

Hunslet RLFC responded, with Club DIrector Neil Hampshire saying: “It’s really disappointing that the Council are once again clouding this issue with their recent statement and frankly I’m absolutely bewildered by their statement that they saw no value for the community. It’s important that the people in South Leeds are given the full facts here.

“We have answered every single one of the points they raised, both verbally, at meetings, and in writing from day one. I would also point out that the proposal is from Hunslet RLFC, in partnership with Advantage42 and their investors; Community Einstein.

Our club has been involved in every discussion and meeting relating to this proposal and as such any agreement would still involve Hunslet RLFC.

“To be absolutely clear, Advantage42, on behalf of Community Einstein, initially approached the Council (in July 2021) to see if they could bring social investment into the city. Once Hunslet RLFC were made aware of that approach we engaged with them both directly.

“We wanted to pursue the option of linking together the provision of social investment into the South Leeds community with an opportunity to provide significant investment into South Leeds Stadium, and other elements

of the JCCS site, to provide much needed upgrade and improvement. In fact that requirement has been brought into stark reality recently with the 1g football pitch now condemned and two separate arson attacks on the 5-a-side courts.

“I’m pleased to say though that both Advantage42 and Community Einstein bought into our vision and saw it as a really exciting proposition. Hunslet’s consequent proposal to the Council asked for draft Heads of Terms to be established followed by a period of exclusivity that would allow the finer details of an agreement to be discussed, understood and agreed.

“This approach would have allowed both parties the time and space to sit down, identify and work together to address all concerns to the satisfaction of both parties and the local community.

“The Council have simply not been willing to properly

engage, choosing instead to focus more on our “unsolicited approach” rather than the opportunity to deliver real benefit to a community in need. That said, our position hasn’t changed, and we are still more than happy to get around the table and enter into negotiations to ensure that the South Leeds community does not miss this fantastic opportunity, especially in respect of the £2.7m social investment for our community that is ring fenced within the proposal.

“Given their decision, and years of inactivity and neglect, for the Council to now say that it “… remains committed to the longer-term future of the facility and will be considering how future investment into the facility can be facilitated.” is simply bizarre. They already have an offer on the table and we are ready to do a deal. For the sake of the local community let’s just get on with it!”

Young women urged to book their first cervical screening appointment

Women in Leeds who have received an invitation for their first cervical screening are being urged to book their appointment as soon as possible.

Women registered with a GP practice are invited to attend their first cervical screening, also known as a smear test, at the age of 25. Trans men or non-binary people who are registered as female with their GP practice are also invited.

Working with local communities in the city, Cancer Wise Leeds is helping to raise awareness of the importance of cervical screening among those aged under 25 and encourage young people to have the life-saving test when invited. Research has indicated that those aged 25 to 49 are less likely to attend their cervical screening

appointment than older women.

Funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research, led by Leeds City Council and delivered in partnership with the Leeds Cancer Programme, Cancer Wise Leeds has aimed over the past three years to significantly increase participation in the three national screening programmes for bowel, breast and cervical cancer.

Cervical screening helps to prevent cancer by detecting early changes in cells and allowing them to be treated before they become cancer.

Those invited for a screening should take part even if they have had the HPV vaccine or are not currently sexually active.

Clerical officer Emily, from Leeds, recently took up her first screening invitation. Speaking about her

experience, Emily said:

“When I received my invitation for a smear test, I was a little bit apprehensive. However, the support I received from my GP surgery to help book my appointment was fantastic and it made the process really easy.

“On the day of the screening, I really could not have received any more help or support from the nurse who carried out my screening. Nothing was too much trouble for her, and in describing the process and answering all my questions, she really set me at ease.

“While the smear test was a little uncomfortable, now I’ve done it once, I truly believe it will be so much easier next time. If I were to offer any advice to anyone taking the test, it would be move at your

own pace, ask all the questions you need, and it will be over in a flash.”

Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s Executive Member with responsibility for Public Health and Active Lifestyles, said:

“Through the Cancer Wise Leeds project, we are encouraging every single person in Leeds who has been invited for their first cervical screening to make their appointment as soon as they possibly can. The reason we want this to happen is very simple –cancer screening can save lives.

“We know the thought of attending a cervical screening can be worrying for some women. If you do have any issues or concerns, please don’t ignore your screening invite, but instead speak to your local GP practice.”

South Leeds Stadium could have been refurbished under the plans

Doris is a star!

Stacey’s Story: Volunteering for Middleton Elderly Aid

by Ken Ingram

Stacey, who has lived in Middleton all of her life, now volunteers for Middleton Elderly Aid (MEA), she explained:

“I have been volunteering at Middleton Elderly Aid on a Wednesday morning for the last 7 weeks now.

“My daughter, Megan started to work as a Volunteer at MEA, and is now a member of staff.

“Megan suggested I give volunteering a try at Middleton Elderly Aid. I really enjoy it. Wednesday morning is Bacon Butty Morning. You get this for £1.00 which includes a hot drink.

“I help out with taking orders for these and chatting to MEA members.

“All the staff, volunteers and MEA Members make me feel so welcome, and I’m looking forward to many more Bacon Butty Mornings.”

Thank you for your lovely story. Stacey says she will bring more stories for South Leeds Life when she’s been at Middleton Elderly Aid for a bit longer.

Local calendars now on sale

Two community groups have produced 2023 calendars featuring local photos.

Hunslet Carr Residents Association have published another of their popular Hunslet Remembered calendars featuring of pictures of Hunslet in days gone by.

The calendars are on sale now, priced just £3, from The Parnaby Tavern; Stevenson’s on Hunslet Road; The Gold Trader, Penny Hill Centre; Thos

Dawes; The Prospect; andHunslet Carr Vision Centre; or email hcra90@gmail.com

Friends of Middleton Park (FOMP) have published a calendar featuring photos taken by members of Leeds Cooperative Photographic Society around the park.

Priced £5, calendars can be purchased at FOMP events or be posted out for an extra charge. Email info@fomp.co.uk for details.

Autumn Covid boosters get underway in Leeds

NHS vaccination teams across Leeds are offering Covid-19 boosters to those at greatest risk from the virus.

The autumn booster rollout has started, with people aged 75 and over, frontline health and care workers and those with weakened immune systems the first to be invited for the vital jab. Next in line are people aged 65 and over, pregnant women and carers who are now able to book an appointment through the National Booking Service.

The NHS will contact eligible people when it’s their turn for the booster and invite them to make an appointment. You will either get a text or call from your local GP service or an invitation from the National Booking Service, which will allow you to choose a convenient centre for you to attend.

With a resurgence in both covid and flu expected this winter, experts are urging eligible people to get protected as soon as they are invited to keep them and those around them safe and help us continue to live with the virus without restrictions.

As with previous campaigns, the oldest and most vulnerable are being called forward first,

with people able to book online or by calling 119, as long as it has been three months since their last dose.

Sam Prince, Senior Responsible Officer for the Vaccination Programme in Leeds said:

“Although life has gone back to normal for most people, Covid hasn’t gone away and the boosters will help make sure those at greatest risk maintain high levels of protection against Covid-19 this winter.

“Please do come forward for your booster when you are invited to ensure you and your loved ones stay protected.”

The following people are eligible for a booster:

People who live or work in

• a care home for older adults

•

social care workers

•

People aged 50 and over

• are immunosuppressed

People aged 5-49 who

People aged 5-49 who

• have a health condition that puts them at greater risk from COVID

Frontline health and

• live with someone who is immunosuppressed

•

People aged 5-49 who

Pregnant women

• are carers

People aged 16-49 who

Flu vaccinations are also underway and are being offered by GP practices and community pharmacies.

It is safe to have the Covid-19 and flu vaccinations at the same time but this may not always be possible so the NHS is asking people to get each vaccination as soon as they invited.

The Co-op on Grove Road, Hunslet ©WYAS via leodis.net

Doris Ofori from Beeston has won won the award for creativity and innovation at the recent Leeds City College Star Awards. Doris, who is originally from Ghana, studied the VTCT Level 1 Diploma in Hairdressing and made it to the Concept Hair magazine finals. She excelled at the event, demonstrating creativity and flare to a panel which included celebrity stylists and sponsors. From 1,700 applications, Doris won Learner of the Year in her category. She has not stopped and is now working towards more national competitions.

Money matters with Leeds Credit Union

Don’t get caught by the Loan Sharks

With the cost of living crisis driving more households into the grasp of illegal money lenders, Jodie Lockwood, Branch Coordinator at Leeds Credit Union, takes a look at why Stop Loan Sharks Week couldn't have come at a better time.

Taking place from 26 September to 2 October, Stop Loan Sharks Week was set up by the England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) to raise awareness of the existence ofand risks posed by - illegal money lenders, also known as loan sharks.

It works by offering people advice on how to recognise the signs that someone might be involved with a loan shark, what to do about it and where to get help, as well as by raising awareness that help is indeed available to anyone who has been targeted by illegal money lenders.

Loan sharks work by lending money to people who are struggling to make ends meet and who may have been turned down for a loan from reputable sources like credit unions or banks. They promise to provide them with a quick and easy

loan, only to apply sky-high interest rates, trapping their financially vulnerable victim in a cycle of debt and resorting to intimidation and violence until the loan - plus interest - is repaid in full.

The IMLT works with local communities, educational facilities and the police to investigate and prosecute loan sharks, and offer support to those who owe them money. Although the IMLT is estimated to have written off more than £87 million worth of illegal debt since 2004, it is believed that approximately 310,000 people in the UK are currently in debt to loan sharks, highlighting just how serious and widespread the issue is.

While we might not be out on the streets actively tracking loan sharks down to throw them behind bars, there are plenty of things we as a credit union can do to stop them taking advantage of financially vulnerable individuals.

For example, in 2020, at a time when unscrupulous lenders were maliciously targeting some of Leeds' most financially vulnerable postcodes, we saved the local

community an estimated £3.13million in high interest payments by promoting our low interest loans and highlighting the perils of the sky-high APRs charged by loan sharks. As a result, a significant number of people turned their backs on illegal money lenders in favour of reputable organisations, saving themselves huge sums of money.

As the cost of living crisis continues, more people may be tempted to opt for a short-term cash injection to help pay their bills by borrowing from loan sharks. Needless to say, this is not a route anyone should go down as it invariably leads to even more financial difficulties further down the line.

If you have borrowed from an illegal money lender or are worried about someone else who may have, you can contact the IMLT team 24/7 on 0300 555 2222 or fill out a secure online form at www.stop loansharks.co.uk to report a loan shark.

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

Riverside bus service to be axed

Cllr

Paul Wray and Cllr Mohammed Iqbal (Labour, Hunslet & Riverside) have responded with disbelief and anger that First West Yorkshire have axed the 29 bus service which connects H2010, Victoria Riverside, Leeds Dock and Leeds Dock Village to Leeds City Centre and areas of North Leeds from October.

Cllr Paul Wray said “We’re deeply disappointed in the loss of the 29 bus service. This was an important link for the communities it served and will impact students who live at Leeds Dock Village in particular. This could have been reduced to a termly service at the very least.

“With the development of Citu’s Climate Innovation District and other sites,

demand for a bus service here will only increase in the long term. There are bus services from Hunslet Road but for those with mobility restrictions or young families, that is a significant distance to travel.”

Councillors vowed to fight to get the route back but accepted that under the current system of privatised bus companies, this plea in the short term would likely fall on deaf ears as it was clear profit would come before the public good.

Beeston Forum is back in business

Established over twenty years ago, the Beeston Community Forum is back in business after the Covid-19 pandemic.

The group’s aim is to make Beeston a better place to live and takes an interest in any issues that are affecting local people’s lives in the area bounded by Cross Flatts Park, Elland Road, the Ring Road and Middleton Park.

Meetings take place once a month on the first Thursday at Beeston Village Community Centre, off Town Street at 7:30pm. There is usually a guest speaker, in the past these have included the Police & Crime Commissioner, the Chief Executive of Leeds United and senior managers from First Bus.

At their meeting on Thursday 6 October the forum will be addressed by Sgt Lund (deputising for Insp Perry) from the Neighbourhood Policing Team, who will speak about

Policing in the ward.

The Forum is well supported by the three Beeston & Holbeck Councillors, Gohar Almass, Annie Maloney and Andrew Scopes.

Chair Christine Thornton said:

“The Committee is keen to

encourage more residents to attend and have their say in the issues that affect Beeston Village. Please come along and join us, everyone is welcome to attend.”

The Forum will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday 1 December.

Leeds Dock Village is set to lose its bus service

Beeston Village Community Centre

St Luke’s trainees visit Veolia incinerator in East Leeds

by Lucy Potter

Trainees from St Luke’s CARES Retail and Warehouse course visited the Recycling and Energy Recovery Facility (RERF) on Friday 26 August 2022.

Veolia’s RERF, situated in East Leeds, is a large wooden dome structure standing 42 metres high and 150 meters long and can be seen from various points in across Leeds.

This is a waste to energy facility which is turning household waste into low carbon electricity that is fed into the national grid powering up 22,000 homes. It also hosts tours to visitors from the city to look at the site for educational purposes.

As part of our ongoing awareness around Reduce, Reuse and Recycle at St Luke’s CARES charity shop the site is an important place

to visit for answers to ‘where does all our household waste go?’ and ‘how much does it recycle?’

Veolia’s state of the art facility separates and sorts recyclable materials including ferrous metals such as baked beans tins, and non-ferrous metals for example aluminium drinks and cans.

We all went to see the viewing platform where the crane grab that can carry up to six tonnes of rubbish lifts and manipulates rubbish together in a deep pit before going into the furnace. This is a powerful sight – just seeing the amount of rubbish that comes in every day. The incinerator burns 24 hours a day every day.

Business Support Coordinator Helen welcomes us and takes us through some green bin activities. We had fun working in two groups separating the of right type of

plastic to recycle.

I asked Helen how the site worked over lockdown – she said:

“We got a lot more rubbish because people were staying at home and generating more rubbish.

“However, we have noticed people are recycling a lot more now too.”

Helen informed us about the direct heating system (Leeds PIPES) which is generated by the heat of the furnace which provides low carbon heat and hot water from a network of underground pipes to homes and businesses.

We also visited the largest single living wall in Europe which runs down one side of the building.

This holds over 111,000 plants shrubs and grasses including marsh daisy, wall bellflower, hart’s tongue fern and Japanese barberry. The wall is also home to two

Kestrels!

We left learning more about recycling and rubbish than we had before we came.

Here’s some of our volunteers feedback …

“Thank you for yesterday’s visit to Veolia it was both educative and informative.”

“I’m better informed about the green bin and my attitude has changed drastically since yesterday.”

“Intrigued to see how much we actually use.”

“Will definitely be applying my learning to how much I use.”

We walked away with new knowledge and the Leeds Bin App which is really handy as it tells you when your next bin collection day is! Thank you, Veolia.

If you know any community, school groups or individuals who would be interest in a tour please email leeds.enquiries @veolia.co.uk

The group at the foot of the living wall

New residents' forum launches for Greenmounts area of Beeston Hill White Rose announces festive grotto and first-ever Ice Rink

Following the request of several residents for the creation of their own Tenants and Residents Association (TARA) for the Greenmounts area of Beeston Hill, Cllr Paul Wray and Mohammed Iqbal (Labour, Hunslet & Riverside) have been working with a small group to launch one for this area.

The founding Annual General Meeting for this new Association will be on Monday 17 October 2022, 6:307:30pm at Beeston Hill United Free Church, Malvern Road, Beeston Hill, LS11 8PD

The initial name “Greenmounts” is subject to change and was simply chosen as a holding name. The following streets will be covered by the new TARA due to them being in a Housing Leeds managed estate or mainly social housing:

• and Terrace

Sunbeam Avenue, Grove

This initial meeting will also agree how often and when public meetings are held, where public meetings are held and agree the TARA's Constitution.

Adrian Burnett one of the residents keen to setup the TARA said:

“I’m pleased to be able to say that after many months of work behind the scenes, we are now able to announce that the TARA is finally coming to fruition and now we will be able to help our community in replicating some of the great work done by similar resident led associations such as those in Hunslet, Hunslet Carr and St. Luke’s.

It’s set to be an extra-special festive season at White Rose Shopping Centre, as its muchloved Christmas grotto returns this November, and for the first time will be joined by a magical ice rink outside in The Village.

Families are invited to meet the man in red at White Rose’s enchanting grotto, where they’ll enjoy a meeting with Santa and his elves as well as receiving a special gift to take away.

The ice rink will be situated in The Village, near Cineworld and the centre’s all-weather play area, and will be open to visitors of all ages. Ice skates will be available to hire, and skating aids are available for children – or those wanting an extra hand with their balance.

Ingleton Close and Street

• Street and Court

• Greenmount Terrace,

Flaxton Close, Gardens

• and Street

• and Street

Fulham Place, Square

“Thanks, must go to Cllr Paul Wray, who has been assisting and arranging all of this in the background. Our first meeting was going to be on 19 September, but due to the passing of the Queen, we have postponed this to 17 October out of respect for her and our new King.”

Cllr Paul Wray added:

The rink will open from 4pm on Thursday 10 November 2022, with sessions available daily until Monday 2 January 2023 (except Christmas Day). White Rose restaurants will be open to enjoy pre- or après ski refreshments, including those outside in The Village: Starbucks (inside Cineworld), Wagamama, Five Guys, Fridays, and the new Wetherspoon, The Scribbling Mill.

open daily from Friday 11 November right up to 4pm on Christmas Eve, to ensure that little ones of Leeds can make all of their last-minute requests.

Pre-booking is advised for both the grotto and ice rink, and details of times, special sessions, and prices can be found at www.whiterose.co.uk, where bookings are already open.

year here at White Rose, we always enjoy celebrating with our community. We’re excited to introduce our brand new ice rink this year, and we expect little ones and adults alike will enjoy the magic with hot drinks, red noses, and big smiles.”

10pm from the 19–23 December, and 8am–5pm on Christmas Eve – great news for last-minute shoppers.

The centre will also be open from 9am–9pm on Black Friday, 25 November, for anyone looking to snap up some early festive offers, and 8am–8pm on 26 December to allow shoppers to browse Boxing Day bargains.

White Rose’s grotto will be

Sycamore Croft and Fold

• Beverley Avenue, Terrace

• and Square

• Hill Street

•

Rington Road

The meeting will elect resident officers to run the TARA. These officers will be the Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Secretary. These officers will run the TARA and work with Leeds City Council and other partners to hold regular public meetings to help address issues in the local area and to support community enhancing projects.

“Resident led community forums are always better. When residents set and own the agenda – they make things happen and can access funding and support the Council cannot.

“I’m glad that despite some delays, we are finally getting this residents association off the ground.

“Similar work is now underway to support the Friends of Hunslet Moor take over resident meetings in that area of the ward from the Council and some initial work is happening to replicate the same for residents on Beeston Hill to take over from the council run forums.”

Staff from DePuy Synthes in Beeston held a fundraising activity day with sponsored walks and cycle rides at the Chatsworth estate.

Called ‘Power Up The Peaks’ the day was the first chance many had to meet up socially since the pandemic.

An amazing 79 walkers signed up for a 12 mile hike over hard terrain, with a further 16 opting for an easier 10 mile walk. 24 cyclists took on the 66 mile challenge and 12 more rode a 24 mile course.

Their efforts raised a massive £5,849 which was handed over to Holbeck Food Bank and the Salvation Army, providing 212 families with an emergency food parcel. This is on top of the support staff provided to the two organisations throughout the pandemic.

The day was part of parent company Johnson & Johnson’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) summer staff challenge.

Steven Foster, Centre Director at White Rose, said: “Christmas truly is one of the most wonderful times of the

White Rose is launching its Christmas hours from Monday 5 December. The centre will be open from 9am–9pm Monday to Friday, 9am–8pm Saturdays, and 11am–5pm Sundays until Sunday 18 December, with even longer hours in the final run-up to Christmas: 9am–

For more information, opening hours, and to book grotto tickets and ice rink tickets, visit www.whiterose.co.uk Synthes raise for

The ice rink will be situated in the Village area at White Rose Shopping Centre

Staff from DePuy

Synthes walked and cycled to raise over for local food banks

Aspiring to build

Collect seeds for treemendous planting project

Leeds City Council is once again encouraging residents to get involved in an annual seed collection to help with the ambitious target of planting 5.8m trees over 25 years across the city.

In a bid to tackle the climate emergency, people of all ages are being asked to get involved with the ‘Seed Collection 2022’ programme which is running throughout autumn for the third year.

There will be 13 collection points across the city, including Middleton Park Visitor Centre. Residents who want to get involved will be asked to collect four tree seed species, which are acorns, beech nuts, chestnuts and conkers. The tree seeds will then be taken to

the council’s designated specialist plant nursery and garden centre the ‘Arium’, where they are sown and grown to be planted back into Leeds parks and green spaces.

The Woodland Creation initiative, which is managed by the council’s parks service, will manage the planting of new woodlands in a bid to capture carbon, increasing biodiversity by creating habitats for birds, animals and insects.

The new woodlands will also enhance green spaces creating accessible woodlands for community use by helping to improve health, wellbeing and understanding of climate change.

More information on the program can be found on the

Arium website at: www.theariumleeds.co.uk

Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for public health and active lifestyles, said:

“The last three years of the seed collection programme have been a huge success with residents of all ages getting involved.

“This work has made a great contribution towards our ambition of planting 5.8million trees over the next 25 years in our parks and green spaces and while we still have a long way to go, we are thankful to people for getting involved.

“By collecting seeds you are helping create new habitats for birds and plants and creating more green spaces which will ultimately improve the health and wellbeing of residents across Leeds.

“The annual seed collection is a great initiative for families and residents to get involved with that’s having a real positive contribution towards our carbon neutral status which we aim to achieve by 2030. These new green spaces are so important in capturing carbon, improving air quality and increasing biodiversity.”

New Hunslet Post Office

Hunslet has a Post Office again, six months after the former postmaster resigned.

The new office has opened at Print A Pixel print shop in the Penny Hill (Morrisons) Centre, just around the corner from the

former location on Church Street.

The wheelchair accessible Post Office will be open 9am5:30pm Monday to Friday and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.

Work has started at the former Ice Pak site on Barkly Road in Beeston. Aspiring Communities held a community meeting where they outlined their revised plans, which have now been signed off by Leeds City Council. The first step is to fully secure the site with a new fence, as part of this work they have given up a strip of land to make the ginnel between Wooler Avenue and Barkly Road wider and safer. The tall white building at the back of the site will be demolished to form a surface car park and the existing building on Barkly Road will be refurbished to create rooms which will be available for the community to use for meetings and activities.

The Post office is located within the Print A Pixel shop

Music Federation and Hu TARA join forces against Building College student achievements celebrated at awards

Outstanding student achievements was celebrated with the return of the annual Leeds College of Building ‘BIG (Building Industry Greats) Awards’ night.

Taking place for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, the poignant award ceremony recognised the successes of students and apprentices over the 2021/2022 academic year.

Winners were selected not only for their academic achievements but also for going the “extra mile,” overcoming adversity, and excelling in studies or national competitions.

Following a drinks reception and dinner at Leeds United Football Club’s Centenary Pavilion at Elland Road, guests were welcomed by Mark Roper, Vice Chair of the Leeds College of Building Corporation, and new College CEO & Principal Nikki Davis.

Given the nature of the occasion - celebrating young people's success – the event went ahead, but with a twominute silence for guest reflection and as a tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Awards host and TV and radio broadcaster Rich Williams then announced the 50 awards, including the top prize - the Governors’ Award - chosen out of all the winners.

In total, 17 organisations

supported the evening, including headline sponsor Marlborough Brickwork Ltd. Awards included Outstanding Improvement Award, BTEC Student of the Year, Sustainable Building Services Student of the Year, Faculty Awards for Special Achievement, and other trade-specific awards.

The overall Governors’ Award, sponsored by Marlborough Brickwork Ltd., went to student Zara Dupont (18) who won the ‘Plastering/Interior Systems Student of the Year’ award sponsored by Sparta Systems Ltd earlier in the evening.

Zara, from Bramley, has an exceptional track record of success. She completed a Level 2 Technical Certificate in Plastering at the College and is now starting an Interior Systems/Dry Lining Apprenticeship with Sparta Systems Ltd. Zara reached the WorldSkills UK final in 2021 and was shortlisted again in 2022. She will compete in the Plastering & Drywall category at the finals taking place in Edinburgh in November.

Zara said:

“Winning the Governors’ Award was a complete surprise. I didn’t even know there was an overall winner, so hearing my name at the end was a really nice surprise! I just don’t have the words. It’s been two years of hard work so far and I’m excited

about my new apprenticeship.

“I’ve had a great experience at Leeds College of Building and am thankful for the training I’ve received. My tutor, Mark, has always been my go-to personhe’s always helpful and supportive. I’m excited about competing in WorldSkills again. Last year was like a practice run, so this time it’s the real thing and I’m in it to win!”

Nikki Davis, CEO & Principal of Leeds College of Building, said:

“Congratulations to all our students receiving awards. It’s wonderful to see the return of The BIG Awards and to celebrate the incredible achievements of our students, often under challenging circumstances. Their resilience over the last few years has been commendable, and I wish them every success going forwards. Thanks also to our amazing staff who go above and beyond in supporting all our learners daily.

“I would also like to thank our awards sponsors and emphasise how grateful we are for this unwavering support. These excellent links with the construction and built environment industry are vital for our students who benefit from bespoke training materials, specialist tools, and critical hands-on work experience opportunities provided by our partner employers.”

Music Federation staff and families have joined forces with Hunslet TARA (Tenants and Residents Association) to help clean up the local environment.

Low Road and Windmill Music Federation School council identified the need for keeping the school and local community environments clean and tidy.

Understanding that it’s not just the look, it’s the missed recycling opportunities alongside the health and safety benefits that arise from having a clean and tidy community.

“We spend the day in school which our eco team help to keep clean and tidy, then go to play out and we’re playing amongst litter. It’s not nice.” – school council member

Consequently, Hunslet TARA chair, Stewart Walton, has been working closely with Low Road Primary School. He’s been giving up his Thursday mornings to attend assemblies and has been encouraging staff, pupils and families to join forces and help to make hunslet a place to be proud of.

Stewart Walton told the staff:

“It’s about educating the children and families. Setting good examples and hopefully some of the residents who are contributing to this litter problem will think again.”

On Sunday 3 July approximately 15 additional pairs of Music Federation hands volunteered to take part in the TARA’s weekly litter pick.

Meeting at 12pm, Hunslet TARA provided all the equipment needed including litter pickers, high visibility jackets (very much needed when working with children) and of course, the purple bags!

The welcome from everyone was warm and friendly. Cllr Paul Wray, a regular volunteer at the litter pick stated:

“It was great to stop by the weekly Hunslet Tenants and Residents Association litter pick and see loads of pupils from Low Road Primary School out helping keep their local community clean.

“Initiatives like this not only help the community today but also build those all important citizenship and good neighbour skills in the next generation.”

One young attendee’s mum said,

“He’s been looking forward to this! Not only is he picking litter and helping out, he can use this towards achieving his Community Impact badge with Cubs!”

The TARA was joined by nursery to year 6 children alongside parents and teachers. With young feet getting tired, the perfectly timed break after an hour saw refreshments for all supplied by Morrisons

Community Champion: Kelly Cheetham. Those who could, continued to help after the break until 1:30pm: by then a total of 10 purple bags of rubbish had been picked up by some amazing, little helpers.

It wasn’t only Morrisons who recognised the volunteer’s effort, one resident was quick to run out and provide children with some chocolate treats for when they had finished.

He was eager to thank everyone for the efforts and for giving up their own time to help clear the community. Passers by were also taking note; many asking how they could get involved and what they needed to do.

Pupils and staff from Low Road and Windmill Music Federation joined Hunslet TATA volunteers on their first joint litter

Student Zara Dupont collecting the Governors’ Award from sponsor Paul Donnelly, Managing Director of Marlborough Brickwork Ltd. (photo credit: Phil Jackson) by Caroline Harvison

nslet litter Cockburn MAT is looking for committed people to join as Governors and Trustees

Cockburn Multi-academy

Trust is made up of three secondary schools, one primary school and one infant school in our community.

At present there are Cockburn School, Cockburn John Charles Academy, Middleton Primary School, Cockburn Haigh Road Academy and the new free school Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy which opened in September 2021.

The Trust was formed in 2016 and has continually grown since. They have an excellent reputation in Leeds and beyond and are in a privileged position to be able to give considerable support to an increasing number of schools within the city of Leeds and across the region.

The Vision of Cockburn MAT is every child deserves an exceptional education. Their vision is to create a group of exceptional schools that radically improve students’ life chances.

They seek to widen their students’ aspirations; to reach destinations that are attainable and fulfilling. They work to raise attainment and provide

exceptional teaching and learning for all of their students through high expectations of academic success and behaviour.

The Cockburn MAT Board Trustees have overall responsibility and ultimate decision-making authority for all work of Cockburn MAT including the establishing and running of the schools.

The Local Governing Body operates at a strategic level and are not involved in the day-to-day running of a school. They are responsible for both the conduct of the school and for the promotion of high standards.

Governors must ensure that the school works efficiently and effectively towards achieving the Vision, and that the school provides a high-quality education for its pupils. Governors have to build a thorough knowledge of the school and its community. They must support and constructively challenge the school.

Governors already in place at the schools say that the benefits of being a governor are immense. Being a governor

develops professional skills and experience such as strategic planning, chairing, financial planning, and team working, all of which are valued by employers and can assist their own career development. ‘Soft skills’ are also important – the ability to be able to build relationships with a range of people, to be able to work as part of a team, to be able to question, and to make connections between different types of information.

Being a governor helps to build relationships and networks in the local area while most importantly supporting children and young people in the community.

If our readers would like to become Governors and Trustees they do not need to be experts in the field of education. What they do need is an interest in the schools and in the welfare of the pupils, together with the time and willingness to get involved.

For further information please contact Sharon Burns, Chief Operating Officer, on info@cockburnmat.org in the first instance.

This is not the end for this collaboration: The Music Federation have vouched to help maintain the community working alongside both Hunslet TARA and BITMO who are also aiming to enhance the look of Windmill Road in Belle Isle.

Look out for Music Federation staff, pupils and families as they continue to give back to the local communities in every way they can.

Stewart said:

“It was very impressive and slightly emotional to see so many of our children joining us for the litter pick this weekend. I value the initiative the Music Federation has put behind keeping the local environment and surrounding community, clean and tidy which is why I find the work the music Federation does and for as long as I am able I will cherish the partnership between Low Road and Windmill Music Federation and Hunslet Tenants and Residents Association.”

Hunslet TARA meet every Sunday at 12pm, outside the Hunslet Church of the Nazarene, Lupton Street. Everyone is welcome (family friendly).

In our view

A hard winter lies ahead

The cost of living crisis is already hitting South Leeds hard with sky high fuel bills and food prices going through the roof ... and it’s going to get worse as autumn turns to winter and the cold weather starts to bite.

As a community we need to make two responses. We’ve covered some of these issues in this paper.

The first is the mutual aid that we are so good at here in South Leeds. We need to look after one another whether that’s opening buildings as ‘warm spaces’ (page 1), checking on vulnerable neighbours or supporting local food banks (page 10).

The second response we need is an organised resistance. The Government’s recent ‘mini-budget’ makes it clear that they don’t care about people like us. We need to make sure they can’t ignore us, whether that’s fighting for decent pay at work, or joining wider campaigns such as Enough Is Enough or St Luke’s CARES efforts to make our communities more resilient (page 3).

The important thing is that we act together. The danger for everyone if that doesn’t happen is that we will see rioting on the streets, just we did in 1812 when food was unaffordable because of the Corn Laws, as Ken Burton describes in his Local History column (page 17).

It’s interesting to look back at the old days as residents of Cardinal Court have done (page 3), but we don’t want to go back the days when children had to put cardboard in their shoes because of the holes in the soles, or of paying to have your baby in hospital.

Progress isn’t inevitable, we could go back to those days if we don’t get together and say we won’t stand for it.

Let’s pull together and we can get through this crisis and come out it the stronger.

Your letters and comments

I Drove the Middleton Woods Tram

My father, Wesley (Jack) Hollingworth drove the tram on the Middleton Woods route in the late 1940s and the early 1950s.

Sometimes on Sunday afternoons, if my father was working, my mother would take me and my brother Philip on an outing to Middleton, walking from our home in Beeston to meet dad’s tram. We’d ride to the terminus, where there was a children’s playground, have a swing, then ride back through the woods. I can vividly recall sitting on dad’s knee and being allowed to hold the controller handle, driving the tram back down the hill for some way.

I attach a photograph of dad and his conductor Jeff Mackay.

Avril Meakin

Investment in South Leeds Stadium

An excellent, controlled letter to the council. Adding to the list of problems to be addressed would be how frequently the lift is out of order, impacting those who have difficulty accessing stairs.

With Leeds hosting several RL World Cup squads, it would be a chance to announce the partnership to the world, gaining kudos for the council. The chance for hosting warm-up matches could have shown South Leeds in its best light. I fear these will now go north of the river.

Pat Benatmane

Ask the council for more cycle tracks or a velodrome and it would be no problem. They forget that other folk enjoy different sports and all should be fully catered for! Right now they are not and we are losing sports facilities daily!

EA Lundy

Leeds City Council don’t care about South Leeds at all. The John Charles Stadium means nothing to them, to say it looks run down is an under statement. The council are only interested in Leeds Rugby and Leeds United.

Janet Foster

Aspiring Communities

I went to the Aspiring Communities ‘Open

Day’ on 12 August, to view the revised plans for the local ‘Community Centre’ that has been passed, and believe it or not, there were NO revised plans on show, just a lot of talk from the people who are supposed to be in charge of it all. Despite several of the Aspiring Communities people being there, plus two police officers and maybe a handful of locals, no one is any the wiser what the plans are. We need to see the plans before demolition starts, are dust sheets to be erected to save the local residents from the dust and debris that will be scattered over the area. We were told of a 10 metre high wall around the area, a 3 metre ginnel between the area and that of Barkly Road garage for residents to use between Wooler Avenue and Barkly Road, which would be good for locals, but is it all true. Until we see the revised plans, no one really knows, but I’m sure everything will be revealed shortly. Won’t they?

John Adamson

Safe healthy playing fields

Leeds City Council are currently proposing a number of plastic rubber crumb 3G football pitches on public green spaces in Leeds including on the former golf course land in Middleton Park.

The council believe they are the best playing pitches available. Unfortunately their judgement is clouded by this multimillion pound industry. In terms of the environment, public health and sustainability the pitches are a disaster.

16,000 tonnes are released per year and this figure will only increase if the number of pitches increase.

Rubber crumb easily escapes into the environment through boots, kit, heavy rain and wind. The microplastics pollute air, soil and water and the chemicals that leach from the rubber crumb are particularly harmful to soil fauna such as earthworms and aquatic life. Rubber crumb contains hundreds of harmful chemicals including carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, reproductive and development hazards. Scientists continue to assess human exposure risks from various hazardous chemicals in rubber crumb and because research is on-going they are urging caution.

Children are particularly vulnerable to chemicals and must be protected from toxic pollutants.

There are safer alternative infills available such as cork and coconut husk. That said, plastic grass blades are also microplastics that break off and research has shown that they can also contain harmful chemicals. In very hot weather the pitches release chemicals and this offgassing process contributes to air pollution. Air quality is also affected by the urban heat island effect that these pitches create.

In light of all the evidence currently available we think the council need to be prudent and provide children with the safest and healthiest playing surface of natural grass. Improvements to drainage and maintenance can increase hours of use throughout the year.

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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:

@my40pluslife

A steady 5k today with @recoveryrunner7. I love the route out towards South Leeds from the Dock along the canal - this part of Leeds is hugely underrated.

Open to anyone who wants a friendly and safe space to run and chat. Meet at Lockkeepers Cottage, Leeds Dock 10am every Sun.

Hunslet Ed Mohammed Iqbal (Labour) 0113 mohammed.iqbal@leeds.gov.uk Paul Wray (Labour) 07528 paul.wray@leeds.gov.uk

Middleton Park ward Includes Belle Isle and Middleton. The three councillors are: Sharon Burke (Labour) 0113 378 8814 sharon.burke@leeds.gov.uk Wayne Dixon (SDP) 07852 311717 wayne.dixon@leeds.gov.uk Paul Truswell (Labour) 0113 378 8811 paul.truswell@leeds.gov.uk

Many communities all over the world have banned or are in the process of banning artificial pitches in a drive to create safe, healthy landscapes, free from toxic chemicals.

The European Chemical Agency states that rubber and plastic granules from sports pitches are the largest single source of microplastic pollution in the environment. They estimate up to

Natural grass pitches also help our wildlife and keep our city cooler in a climate emergency. We ask the council to have a total rethink and abandon this ill-conceived plan to cover Leeds’ precious green spaces in plastic.

Save South Leeds Former Golf Course Community Group

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.

@BITMO_LS10

School's back but free meals & activities go on at BITMOs GATE. Hot meals for Belle Isle families on Tuesdays 3.304pm. Quality 2nd hand uniform to give away. Tutors for primary school children or a warm space to do their homework. Priority to BITMO tenants

@HunsletYouth

We are just beginning to learn about what it takes to raise animals and grow and gather organic foods. We know that looking after our natural environment is so important and we can't wait to start regular 'Youth Community Project' sessions.

Middleton Woods Tram: Wesley (Jack) Hollingworth & Jeff Mackay Gohar Annie Andrew

@BAFFLeeds

Topper back on Old Lane RIP your Majesty x

MP’s notebook

with Hilary Benn MP

The death of Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch in British history, put national life on hold as we remembered her seven decades of constancy, service and devotion to duty.

It was a privilege to attend the church service at Leeds Minister to mark her life and her passing. And from talking to some of those who came to London to pay their respects, it was very clear how much they wanted to do it. “I just felt I had to” as someone said to me.

I also had the opportunity to pay tribute to her in the House of Commons. Her life ran like an “unbroken thread through the decades as well as through each of our lives. Like the passing of time and the changing of the seasons, she was always here ... And now the day has come, as we long feared but knew it would, when she is no longer here, and as the people of Leeds, of Yorkshire and of the country come to terms with their deep sense of loss at this moment in the history of our nation - our United Kingdom - let us give thanks for her uniquely long and well-lived life.”

May she rest in peace.

Further proposed cuts and changes to bus routes in the city have been announced, including taking away the number 29 bus which serves Clarence Dock and creating uncertainty about the future service in Cottingley. This is on top of other route changes in recent years and the problem of services simply not running as advertised.

All this strengthens the case for Leeds to take control of its bus services altogether, as happens in London. We've seen what the benefits can be of local control with the introduction of the £2 maximum single fare brought in by the West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin.

There have been two houses – known as ‘trap houses’from which drugs have been dealt that have been causing considerable alarm and distress to residents in Hunslet. The police have now closed both of these houses down, and I've been in touch with the neighbourhood police Inspector about this and other local crimes, including the very serious firearms and stabbing incidents there have been in Beeston which are causing

great concern to people locally.

There is also a continuing problem with quad bikes and motorcycles racing at high speed across the constituency, and in particular in Middleton. The police are well aware of this and only too keen to gather the evidence necessary to deal with this dangerous public nuisance. We can all help them to do this by reporting incidents to 101

I have also raised with the Home Office the menace of machetes being used on the streets of Leeds by gangs. The shop by Leeds Market where these weapons used to be sold has now been stopped from doing so, thanks to the Police and the Council, but as I said to the Home Office minister in the Commons recently “why on earth is it still legal for anyone over the age of 18 to go into a shop and buy a machete?” It's time for their general sale to be banned and only those who have a proven need should be able to purchase one, subject to a licencing system rather like for shotguns.

I was talking the other day to someone from America who told me, to my surprise, that trade unions there are more

Disability not inability

popular now than they have been at any time in the last 30 years. It set me thinking about the position in our country.

I should declare an interest here because I spent almost all of my adult life prior to coming into Parliament working for a trade union. And, for me, the case for being a member of a trade union is just as strong today as it has ever been, because as well as being a friend and a helping hand when there are problems at work, people in union-organised workplaces get better pay then those who aren’t.

The problem in the last 3040 years has been that while union membership has remained strong in the public sector and big, longestablished private sector companies, people in the new world of work, like smaller businesses and organisations where people work remotely, have not been so keen to join.

Recently this has begun to

change with, for example, the agreement between Uber and the GMB union over drivers’ terms and conditions and the cases brought by some of the newer trade unions to show that people working in the gig economy are actually workers even if their employers try and claim that they are simply selfemployed subcontractors who are not entitled to holiday and sick pay.

This is just what happened in the late 19th century when the emerging trade union movement in Leeds first organised women tailors, machinists and pressers and tramway workers.

As we're all aware, there has been a recent wave of industrial action amongst train and bus staff, postal workers because real wages are falling rapidly. This is not surprising because union members are trying to protect their standard of living, and I support their right to do so.

Hilary Benn is our Member of Parliament.

This is a contest between those who have done well out of economic growth, and those who haven't, about how its benefits are going to be distributed. This is, and always has been, at the heart of the relationship between employers and employees.

There's also an important principle here and that is the right to organise at work. In those countries where human rights are denied, this oppression often extends to the restriction of trade union rights. Freedom for trade unions and their members is a fundamental right and those who suggest that it should be unreasonably limited, in my experience, are often the very same people who argue that human rights are some sort of ‘problem’. They aren't. They are a protection for every single one of us against those who would deny us our liberties, and we should defend them with every fibre of our being.

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

about issues freely without editing or changing my writings it may be wise for other news outlets to take this example of

the disabled community being allowed to speak for itself so to not cause harm to already misjudged community.

As a disabled woman I see and hear all kinds of ableist rhetoric and it isn’t right, but it is something we live with.

It ranges from a passing comment, a joke at our expense, to comments on our bodies work and questions on “how disabled are you exactly if you can do x, y, or z?”

These daily occurrences are why many of us have separate social media accounts where we can put all our disabled issues from the day to day, to our fears and worries and by it being exclusive disability content, other disabled people join, and you create a space where you have common ground and a safety to say whatever you like and rarely be

judged for it.

As a twenty something year old with Rheumatoid Arthritis I was the only one in my friends and family circle who had this and I had no one to really ask question or find out how it is to be pregnant with arthritis, so I was left with the opinions and narratives healthy and ablebodied people gave me.

Now in my early 40’s almost 20 years later we have real life experiences to access, and it is invaluable. When my daughter was diagnosed autistic at 2 years old and again, 13 years ago there was not many reallife references to go on. I created my own Facebook page for family and friends to see how she progressed and what she did and didn’t like etc

to make sure she was understood, and the page naturally drew in other parents that recognised what I was talking about.

When the disabled community then clocked an online article from the Daily Mail whose headline grabbed the attention with a very provocative, ‘Addicted to Sadness’ the disabled community was shook.

A hit piece that said disabled teens girls post themselves in medical situations earning hundreds of likes on social media. That they enjoy the attention so much they begin to compete and insinuated there it has become a competition on who is the sickest and they also get sponsorships too of products and they even have the nerve to be paid for that.

Interestingly the images they used were of women older than their teens in moments of

distress as to prove their point.

The journalist in question had reached out to some disabled Instagram accounts I follow and asked them to interview without informing them why which threw up red flags instantly.

To invade a space that is supposed to be safe and the only socialising some disabled people get, to create a narrative that attacks not just disabled women, but only women, implying men don’t post (which I can verify they do) is an absolute disgrace and opens up eyes for many disabled women who now will be cautious about having media outlets tell their stories, which in turn reduces any awareness and we already battle to have our voices heard above the presumptions and rumours about us.

On a personal note, as South Leeds Life allows me to speak

with Shannon Humphrey

A time for quiet reflection Pathways for positivity

We were mid-way through our starters when we heard the news.

I’d cooked a birthday meal for a friend, we were happily catching up and chatting about our day. We’d briefly covered the Queen being ill and both agreed that ‘she’d be fine’. Yes, the family had gone to see her, but surely it was just a precaution, better safe than sorry. I recalled the time the nursing home had called our family and suggested we rally to be by my grandmother’s bedside for her final moments, only to dash there and find her sat up in bed eating chocolate, thoroughly bemused at our panicked, late-night arrival.

Either way, my friend said, ‘I don’t like it’, the idea of her being ill and what that could mean, so many implications. I

got up to check the oven, the radio gently playing in the background when it suddenly fell silent mid-song, we looked at each other. We knew. Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II had died peacefully aged 96.

Stunned, I rang my mum. My friend rang her husband. I imagine there were a lot of phone calls that night, as a collective wave of emotion swept the nation. Everything from shock, sadness, grief, worry, disbelief, to confusion, and even fear. And there was also anger, indifference, and bemusement, what was all the fuss about anyway? old ladies die every day.

Royalist or not, whether you 'care' or not, there’s no denying that it made millions of us stop in our tracks and look inward.

Many people used the national period of mourning to look at their own lives, reflecting on the evolving world we share and just how quickly and radically things can change.

Just two days after officially appointing the new Prime Minister Liz Truss at Balmoral Castle the Queen was dead, having dedicated 70 years of service. How many of us could have envisaged that.

Not only were tears shed for the nations Queen, but they were also for loved ones closer to home, who had passed, and memories of times gone by. Grief can creep up on us anytime and anywhere, often at the least expected moment. I heard a lot of people say that they felt “weird” or “out of sorts” after they heard the

Here and There with Peter Haughton

Before I ask what you actually see in this illustration of a near-metre square watercolour painting, it might be a good idea to give more details.

This high street isn’t like the high street you find in towns and cities. There isn’t a single shop in sight. No cars, just gently sloping, rolling hills leading to high ground and fantastic views before its steeper descent back to civilization. It’s the name of a walking route in The Lake District, which starts near Penrith and ends over twenty miles away in Ambleside. It’s said that the Romans used to use it to lessen the risk of ambush.

Red Crag Tarn’s about halfway along the walk and the painting is one I did from a pic I took on my smartphone when out with rucksack and boots. And I regret not having pitched my tent there to appreciate the location that little bit more. Never mind - apart from my lovely wife Janine and beloved dog Arnie greeting me in the morning, it’s hanging on our bedroom wall, to see each and every day.

And yes, it does have very

special meaning for me. You see, I’m a fan of Alfred Wainwright’s writings and drawings of the Lakes. In one of his books you’ll find all the peaks shown in the painting named, and illustrated, all of which have been copied accurately. Another reason it’s so special to me is that it confirms getting to a place on your own steam and creating a picture of that place, because it’s so special. This is why I’m such a fan of someone who I think is the greatest landscape painter this country’s ever produced - JMW Turner. He got to so many places here, and abroad - by carriage, horse, and on foot. Through all weathers.

And I ought to confessTurner had a habit of painting the sun where it would help the composition of the picture, not where it should be. I’ve tried to do the same in my painting, and it’s probably impossible for it ever to actually be where it’s been put. Appearances can be deceptive.

Car alarms in Aldi car park can often be heard going off from where we live in the Longroyds. But we’d never heard one as loud as the alarm going off, in our neighbour’s

house opposite some time ago. It was so loud and penetrating it was like it was actually in our house, never mind the one across the street. With my next door neighbour, we went over to see if we could help.

She was almost out of her mind it was that loud, clearly distressed. I thought of turning the electric off but that didn’t make any difference, so we switched it back on again. The thing was that, being so loud it was really hard to pinpoint exactly where it was coming from. Eventually we thought it was coming from the cellar. The problem with that, though, was that the cellar was almost empty. We came away from the house feeling obliged to give up, only to find that living with the loudness was too much not to have another look.

What had happened was that a carbon monoxide detector had fallen behind a metal chest, snuck in a corner of the cellar. The alarm was due to the batteries in it running low, we thought - anyway, it stopped as soon as they were removed. Phew!

And I remember thinking just how ungrateful the lady of the house was because she didn’t

news, it had stoked long forgotten feelings and brought

them crashing, unexpectedly to the surface.

If you're feeling out of sorts or a bit bewildered, that's understandable, and probably a little bit inevitable. It’s difficult not to be melancholy, particularly with the shorter days and darker night’s drawing in which can contribute to low mood, and the road to Christmas in sight, which in of itself can stir-up a depth of emotion.

Take a little comfort for

yourself, that might be in a religious setting, going for a walk, meeting friends for a cuppa and a chat, simply lighting a candle, and holding the ones you love in your minds eye. Do whatever it takes to get through this time with lots of self-care. And if you’re fortunate enough not to be affected by grief or the recent events, remember that lots of people are, and your compassion and kindness can help lift them up.

even say thank you for all our efforts. That was a Wednesday. Before I ask what you make from all of this it might be a good idea to provide more details. The Friday after, there was a knock on our door. It was the lady’s husband. He thanked me so much for my help. He explained that he was a lorry

driver who works away, so wasn’t able to deal with it himself, that they’d just arrived from Sierra Leone and that his wife doesn’t yet speak any English. She does now, and we are good friends.

What I got from this was realising how so off the mark I was in thinking that she was

ungrateful. I was going by what I thought I could make from her facial expressions, to decide what was actually going on inside her head.

I could not have been more wrong. I wonder how many times I (or we) misread people in this way?Appearances can be deceptive.

Daylight saving

At the end of this month we will be putting our clocks and watches back an hour and darker evenings will be upon us.

Most people regret this as they would prefer lighter evenings to go about their daily tasks and to be able to go out in the evening while it is still daylight. And we certainly seem to have more time in the long light days of summer to follow hobbies and pursuits.

People ask why we do “mess about” with our time and why we could we not have British Summer Time all year-round leaving clocks one hour forward.

The UK did this in the Autumn of 1968 and continued doing this until 1971.

I recall my time as a young woman going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark and it was pretty miserable! At the time, children had to go to school in the dark and most were kitted out with hi-viz vests.

The original idea for moving our time back and forward was that of a builder William Willett who noticed that people still had their curtains drawn when it was daylight at 3am and he campaigned for clocks to be put forward during summer months.

Eventually his campaign resulted in an Act of Parliament introducing British Summer Time (originally called Daylight Saving Time) in 1916.

Unfortunately, poor William Willett had died by then.

During the last World War we had Double Summer Time to not only cut down on the hours of blackout but also to conserve energy. So clocks went back twice and forward twice in the year. However, in 1947 when the country was short of coal, its main energy source, it was reintroduced for that year.

With the current shortage and high cost of energy,

perhaps it is time to again reintroduce British Double Summer Time?

In the Spring clocks could go forward an hour at the end of February and again in at the end of March, and in the Autumn go back an hour at the end of September and again at the end of October.

However, whether or not we do have Double Summer Time, I do think that there is a case for at least a slight amendment in that instead of clocks going forward the last weekend in March it should be during the last weekend of February. Indeed in 1916 it was the last weekend in February.

We all know that the shortest day is the 21st December that is the day when we have the least daylight hours. But during the run-up to the 21st and afterwards, daylight is not evenly distributed between evening and morning.

Evenings are darker sooner at least ten or eleven days before the 21st and the sun rises later for a further ten or eleven days afterwards.

Our darkest evenings are at the end of November and beginning of December and our darkest mornings are the end of December and beginning of January.

That is why Christmas and the Festive Season mornings are dark.

But I hear the cries of those who follow my argument that the shortest day would not be equidistant between the two daylight zones but nor is it at the moment.

Clocks going forward earlier at the end of February would enable most of those who go out to work to get up in the daylight and travel in daylight. And it would save on a month’s worth of energy costs.

An earlier date for clock going forward would give all of us more evening daylight hours to see the Spring snowdrops, crocus and early daffodils and Winter may not seem to be so long.

Local history with Ken Burton

Leeds Corn Riots

Over the years Leeds has had its fair share of riotous acts like many of the other major cities.

These were mainly seen as a way to change poor conditions of one kind or another while others were against industrial progress where mills and factories were attacked because new machinery had been installed causing high unemployment amongst the skilled workforce. This latter object was carried out mainly by Luddites under Ned Ludd.

During the 18th and early 19th centuries Leeds saw a significant amount of rioting relating to corn prices and later Corn Laws. In actual fact this was more correctly a Grain Tax for grain of all kinds.

When we were at war with France under Napoleon, Britain blockaded European ports and one result of this was that goods within Britain were protected from competition from outside sources. This meant that farming became extremely lucrative and farming land traded at profitable rates. The only people to benefit from the Corn Laws were the Nobility and the large landowners with good growing land.

The major sufferers in this were of course the urban working class who had to spend the bulk of their income on corn (grain) just to survive and having no other income left over they could not afford manufactured goods so the Manufacturers suffered and had to lay off workers.

These workers had difficulty in finding other employment so the economic spiral became worse for everyone involved.

In 1735 a corn riot took place

at the corner of Briggate and King Edward Street, the cause of this was the huge amount of corn being produced in the country and then being exported cheaply while the people of Leeds were being met with rising unaffordable prices.

This led to the 1735 Corn Price riot where the rioting crowd became so violent and aggressive that the order was given to the soldiers who were standing by to open fire, the result of this led to eight or nine people being killed whether there were any wounded is not known.

In August 1812 the best corn being sold in Leeds was £9 a quarter and as a consequence of this a riot took place at the market then being held in Briggate on 18 August.

This riot of women and boys was led by a woman with the dignified title of ‘Lady Ludd’ who appeared out of the blue on this day leading a crowd of people in Briggate where they heckled and badgered corn sellers, bakers, meal sellers, and farmers.

There were confrontations and assaults and with great certainty food such as potatoes and wheat were taken by the hungry people. Two days later she was back and more demanding, and with the weight of the ordinary people behind her she ordered shopkeepers to lower all their prices.

The mob then proceeded to the Mill Green Corn Mill called Holbeck Water Mill, then in possession of one Joseph Shackleton, a corn miller. Here they broke many of the mill windows as well as windows in the house adjoining the mill; they also ripped out the wooden railing fence round this house.

The crowd then moved on and in Water Lane they threw stones through the chamber windows of a house and shop then owned by Jonathon Shackleton, this was later to be occupied by a Mrs Middleton. From here the crowd made its noisy way to hold a large demonstration outside the

Kings Mill in Swinegate.

The identity of ‘Lady Ludd’ was not known but some reports state that it was a man dressed in woman’s clothing as a disguise while others say it was one Alice Mann who may have played the role.

These types of actions were taking place over the whole of the north of England and the desperate times were driving people to the brink. Both of the items show that at this time people were literally starving to death, the soup kitchens were packed out, and even dried fish at 3d (1p) didn’t provide any help for people who had no money.

The Corn Laws brought into being in 1815 after the defeat of Napoleon were modified on several occasions but it was not until 1846 that the Government, under Sir Robert Peel, was finally persuaded to repeal the Corn Laws that had caused so much hatred and hardship to the poor people.

A cartoon of Lady Ludd

by Elizabeth Nash

From Sussex in the south of England and the Solomon Islands in the Pacific, to Cottingley!

Sally Ben’s recently published book, “The Thrill of the Ride”, tells the true story of how she and Gibs met and have shared life together for 22 years, the last 15 years in Cottingley.

Sally and Gibs will still be known to some from their involvement in the Sure Start Beeston Hill Project, where the young children of the families

they supported then, now have children of their own!

More recently they will be known for their voluntary involvement on the Cottingley estate.

Across the years they have negotiated the challenges of ill health, childlessness, and raising adopted sons with special needs, and speak through it all of the faithfulness of God.

The book is available online, or directly from Sally through Facebook Messenger.

Have You Left Yet?

by Bruce Davies

With the nights starting to draw in after what has been a scorcher of a summer, BasementArtsProject prepares to see in the autumn nights with a new exhibition.

Whilst September may be the season of mellow fruitfulness, signaling the dying embers of a year, it is also the beginning of the academic

year.

And with this in mind, we bring you an exhibition by Slit Collective, a group of this year’s graduates from Leeds Arts University.

Have You Left Yet? is a project that signals for this group of students, the end of three years of education, the majority of which was spent under lockdown conditions. The ability to collaborate and

work together is often an essential part of contemporary art practice, and yet the opportunities to do this face-toface are only just beginning as they graduate.

The exhibition explores the need for control and the desire for autonomy within groups, and how this affects our interpersonal relationships.

Creating a cramped yet homely exhibition space, Slit invites

you to be a part of their conversation. ‘Have You Left Yet’ is a collaborative exhibition of new works by Daniel Adkins, Julia Dudycz, Georgie Holt, Clarke Lear, Jonny Winter and you, the audience. Using a mixture of poetry, music, painting, photography and film you are invited to attend this exhibition and contribute to their offering.

The exhibition is open on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays throughout October. For details go to: www. basementartsproject.com

Exhibition of Susan Carr works

Along time member of the Jamyang Leeds community, being one of the members of its first committee, Susan Carr was an artist, designer, quiltmaker and also a psychotherapist and life coach.

She was also a dedicated spiritual practitioner, actively engaged in four separate spiritual traditions (Buddhism, Christianity, Hindu Tantra and Sufism).

Susan suffered throughout her life from depression and anxiety and fought a protracted battle against these, especially in the last two years of her life when she was prescribed high doses of medication to overcome these.

Tragically, this went wrong and in August 2018 after a severe depressive episode, she

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Alaric

life and work of an artist who had so much to give to the world, but sadly succumbed to the blight of mental illness.

Kerry Prest, Director of Jamyang Leeds said:

“Susan was a much loved and missed member of our community. She brought creativity and care to her work and offered much of her time to the beginnings of the Buddhist Centre in Leeds. I’m delighted these works are going to be on show for the first time and it's fitting they will be displayed here, an organisation which she helped create many years ago.

The exhibition features 15 of Susan’s works of art and runs until 15 October at Jamyang Buddist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck. Tuesdays-Saturdays 10am-2pm.

Stefan

Alys

Hazel

Malcolm

Adam

Mark Parry

Lindsey Pearson

Mark Poniatowski

Terry

Andrew

Derek Ramsey

Neil

Ruth Saxton

Andrew Scopes

Alan

Linda

Steve

Eve

Townesend

Richard

Stewart

Lauran

Georgie Adamson

took her own life. Due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, this

exhibition is the first time much of this work has been on view and is a belated tribute to the

Epic programme announced with 100 days to go to LEEDS 2023

Marking 100 days to go until the start of LEEDS 2023 Year of Culture, elements of the programme have been announced on 23 September.

Work from the city’s internationally acclaimed artists and cultural organisations, alongside the diverse creativity brimming in all 33 Leeds wards, will feature in a three-part epic programme designed to ‘let culture loose’ across the whole city.

Holbeck’s own Alan Lane, Artistic Director at Slung Low, will co-direct the opening spectacular event ‘The Awakening’ at Headingley Stadium on 7 January.

The year-long cultural event is a first for Leeds. Punctuated by 12 major signature projects – original works produced by LEEDS 2023 – the programme will include hundreds of events and activities, many of them developed in partnership with local, national and international partners. Collaborations have played an important part in the development of the programme showcasing the rich, cultural life of the city, its people and its global connections.

A flavour of what is to come was revealed at an event, hosted by broadcaster and Chair of LEEDS 2023, Gabby Logan MBE alongside Creative Director and CEO Kully Thiarai.

Hundreds of people from Leeds’ communities, cultural organisations, artists, business, educational and public sector organisations gathered at LEEDS 2023’s new Brewery Wharf headquarters in Leeds, as elements of the programme were announced.

Gabby Logan said:

“LEEDS 2023 promises to be an extraordinary year when we will celebrate the very best of what Leeds has to offer when it comes to culture, art, sport and the brilliant creativity of our communities. 2023 will be the year we Let Culture Loose and show to the world just what an incredible, talented and diverse city we are. As a proud Leeds lass myself I, for one, cannot wait!”

Kully Thiarai said:

“With one hundred days to go to the start of our year of culture, we remain defiant and more determined than ever to spotlight the amazing talent of our city’s people. In challenging times, the story of our creativity in Leeds can provide much needed comfort, joy and

inspiration to ourselves and to the nation. Together we will awaken the sleeping giant of our city’s promise and conjure an extraordinary year into being, creating memories that will stand the test of time. It will be a year when we all get to tell our stories, old and new, known and forgotten, in an act of determined collective defiance. And we invite everyone to be a part of it.”

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Deputy Leader and executive member for economy, culture and education at Leeds City Council said:

“LEEDS 2023 is a significant milestone and further confirmation of how strongly we place the benefits of culture and creativity in the city.

“Nationally people are going through hard times, with the cost of living crisis hitting more and more people, and celebrations such as LEEDS 2023 give us the chance to come together to celebrate

together in creative and imaginative ways. We are lucky that culture is alive and well right across Leeds, from local groups right through to our larger arts and cultural organisations and sites. LEEDS 2023 will bring together and work to create a year that explores a sense of fun, wonder and that brings to life culture in some way, shape or form to ensure there is something for everyone to enjoy.”

Three seasons will shape the year, with ‘awakening’ influencing Part One (January to April), ‘playing’ the focus of Part Two (May to August), and ‘dreaming’ a forward-looking end to the year (September to December). The programme will include:-

Signature Projects: major new commissions, original works.

‘The Awakening’, 7• January 2023: A spectacular opening event at Headingley

Stadium, co-directed by Kully Thiarai and Alan Lane, will celebrate Leeds’ past, present and future in a collision of Leeds’ best and brightest talent including Corinne BaileyRae, Simon Armitage and Graft. Tickets will be free in exchange for people creating a piece of art and submitting it to a ticket ballot. The ballot is now open and closes on 25th Smeaton300: A• creative events programme developed by Foxglove, inspired by John Smeaton, the Leeds-born, world-changing Civil Engineer who produced work for the public good. Smeaton300 will include an awe-inspiring mobile observatory, designed by Heather Peak and Ivan Morison. An East Leeds Project and LEEDS2023 coproduction, the observatory will tour the city from June to December 2023.

My LEEDS 2023: A• major community-led project, taking place in all 33 wards of the city, co-created by hundreds of people and a new commission from artist Keith Khan. Two years in development, My LEEDS 2023 will culminate in August 2023.

‘Hibiscus Rising’, a new• sculpture by artist Yinka Shonibare CBE RA, commissioned by LEEDS 2023 in partnership with the David Oluwale Memorial Association, will be installed next to the new Oluwale footbridge on Meadow Lane in October 2023

All That Lives: Leeds• artist Ellie Harrison, in collaboration with Mexican artists Zion Art Studio, will lead a nine-day creative celebration of life and death that reimagines Day of the Dead with the people of Yorkshire. November 2023.

Invitation to tell your story

The Performance Ensemble (TPE) are working with Slung Low and they want to hear stories from the people of Holbeck and Beeston.

There are over 161,000 people over the age of 60 years old living in Leeds today; they have important, sometimes extraordinary experiences and gifts to share.

Do you have a story to tell?

Are you aged 60 or over and have a connection to Leeds?

Your story doesn't have to be a long one; if it's true and means something to you then they want to hear it!

TPE are starting a series of conversations, discussions and creative activities at The Holbeck, the oldest social club

in Britain, starting this October to gather stories and share them with local people at the club.

They will hold weekly meetings every Tuesday 6pm8pm from 4 October until 29 November. The sessions will be led by theatre director Alan Lyddiard assisted by Performance Ensemble member Pete Clarke.

No experience is needed. Have a chat and a drink and a get to know each other, then start telling stories. From that you'll build a way to share these stories with others.

Come and join in. It is completely free!

Call TPE on 07864 575377 and leave a message.

Volunteering opportunities with Year of Culture

LEEDS

2023 has launched a major volunteer recruitment drive across the city, with more than 1,000 opportunities available for people of all ages and background to help bring what is set to be a transformational year of culture to life next year.

There are a whole range of roles available including stewarding events, supporting artists and working in the LEEDS 2023 HQ or at satellite locations in communities across Leeds. Volunteers can offer as much or as little time as they have available and full training will be provided by the LEEDS 2023 team.

Commented Katie Atkins, Volunteering Lead at LEEDS 2023:

“There’ll be loads of amazing opportunities to get closer to the events during 2023, whether you’re interested in dance, art, theatre or sport and food and drink festivals.

“You’ll be able to choose the kinds of projects you’re interested in and give as much time throughout the year as you like.

“Whether you’re up for sharing your passion for the city with the public, getting stuck in to shaping our events behind the scenes, or

supporting and managing amazing teams of volunteers, we want to hear from people from all across the city, of all ages and background.”

It’s very simple to get involved; applicants set up a volunteering account through the LEEDS 2023 website and after submitting their application each person will go through a selection process including meeting the team and attending an induction. Those successful will then be able to choose from a range of volunteering opportunities across the programme.

Adds Katie:

“We want to create a community of volunteers for the future, not just for 2023. We hope that by getting involved, and inspired, by LEEDS 2023 we’ll be creating a hub of proud and dedicated people ready to get involved in all sorts of events and showcase the city as a powerhouse of culture.”

Anyone over the age of 18 is welcome to become a volunteer at LEEDS 2023.

No experience required and full training will be given.

Register your interest in becoming a LEEDS 2023 volunteer at: leeds2023.co.uk

/volunteer-with-leeds-2023

Maquette of the Hibiscus Rising sculpture

Kully Thiarai and Alan Lane at Headingley Stadium. Photo: Jemma Mickleburgh

What’s

Every Monday

Mums & Tots, Tea & Toast

9-10:30am Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street

Community Play Group

9-11:30am Little Angels Playzone, The Sugar Mill, Beeston

ESOL Beginners class

9:30am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600

Crafts Group

9:30-10:45am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road

Over 65s Group @ Hunslet RLFC

9:45-11:45am Phoenix Bar, South Leeds Stadium

Holbeck Together coffee morning

10am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre

Walking Group

10am BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road

Crochet & Knitting Group

10am-12pm Beeston Community Hub & Library, Town Street Mindfulmess (online)

10:30am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Book: 07305 167629

Chair Based Exercise

10:30am-12pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus Story & Rhyme (under 5s)

10:30-11:30am Dewsbury Road Community Hub & Library Bingo and Hoy

11am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road

MHA Soup & a Sandwich and Digital Health Hub

11:30am-1pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston

Dinner Jackets (baked potato)

12-1pm St Matthew’s Community Centre

Lunch Club

12-1:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road

MHA Lunch Club

12-1:30pm Cottingley Community Centre Dance class

12:30-1:30pm Tenants Hall, Acre Close, Middleton

Gentle Exercise

12:30pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle

Lunchtime meditation

12:30-1pm Over Zoom. Book: jamyangleeds.co.uk/wellbeing

Drop In Technology Support

1-3pm St Luke’s Church, Malvern Road, Beeston Hill

One You Stop Smoking Support

1pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road

50+ Women’s Group

1-2:30pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Baking Together (online)

1:30-2:30pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre Holbeck Together Parents & Tots Coffee Afternoon

1:30-2:30pm Ingram Gardens Community Centre Beeston Hillers’ Book Club

1:30-2:30pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub & Library Beeston

Digital Inclusion Classes

1:30-3:30pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus Reiki

1:45pm &3:30pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Book: 07305 167629 Dance On

2-3pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road. Multi Sports for kids 5pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre Gateway 2 Sport 5-7pm Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle Yoga with Amelia 6-7pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck Illuminate Dance 6 & 7pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre Kickboxing 6:30-8:30pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Youth Community Cafe 6:30-8pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston Be Creative 7-8:30pm over Zoom. Book: fb.com/YourSpaceLeeds Mediatation for Beginners 7-8pm Over Zoom. Book: jamyangleeds.co.uk/wellbeing

Every Tuesday

Tots Group

9-11am Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle Book: 07794 577586

Community Play Group 9-11:30am Little Angels Playzone, The Sugar Mill, Beeston MHA Breakfast Buddies 9-11am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston Advice & Advocacy 9:30am-2:30pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Active Tots 9:30am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle ESOL Entry 1 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 REACH support for 16-24s

10am BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road Grandparents Kinship Support Group 10am-12pm St George’s Centre, Middleton Bosom Buddies breastfeeding support

10am-12pm Tenants Hall Enterprise Centre, Acre Close, Middleton Book: (0113) 270 6903 Woodwork

10am Cranmore & Raylands

Community Centre, Belle Isle MHA Exercise Class

10-11am Beeston Village Community Centre, off Town St Hunslet TARA Litterpicking

10am meet Church of the Nazarene, Grove Road Gardening Group 10:30am-12:30pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600

Story & Rhyme (under 5s) 10:30-11:30am Beeston Community Hub & Library, Town St Affordable Breakfast

10:30am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Zumba / Pilates 11am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston via Zoom Book: 0113 270 4600

Job Search Club

11am-12pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston Bingo and Hoy 11am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Quiz Time (online)

11am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Book: 07305 167629

MEA Lunch Club 12-1:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Holbeck Together Lunch Club 12-1:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck MHA Lunch and Social 12-2:30pm Arthington Court, Balm Road, Hunslet Lunch Club and Social 12-3pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus Bingo

12pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Lunchtime meditation 12:30-1pm Over Zoom. Book: jamyangleeds.co.uk/wellbeing Craft & Chat 12:30-2pm St George’s Community Hub and Library, Middleton ESOL class

12:30-3pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600

Digital Support 1pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road Line Dancing

1-3pm St Anthony’s Church Hall, Old Lane, Beeston Line Dancing 1:30-3pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston Walking Group 1:30-3:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road. Women’s Peer Support Group 1:30pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre Line Dancing 2-3:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road.

Yoga

2-3pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston via Zoom Book: 0113 270 4600

Free Kids Sports 3:30-4:30pm Grove Field, off

Church Street, Hunslet Digital Skills Workshop 4-5pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub & Library Book: 07435 914350

Illuminate Dance

4:30pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre Rainbows and Brownies 4:30-7:15pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Cockburn Community Choir 5-6pm Cockburn School, Gipsy Lane, Beeston

Free Kids Sports

5-6pm West Grange Courts, between the corner of West Grange Road-Winrose Crescent and Jenkinson Place, Belle Isle DAZL Dance 5:30-6:30pm Cottingley Community Centre Dance Fitness (14+) 6-7pm Middleton Community Centre, Acre Road Book: 07519 018675

Outdoor Yoga 6pm Top of Cross Flatts Park Book: 07576 113269

Inside Out exercise class 6-7pm Tenants Hall, Acre Close, Middleton 51st Leeds (Hunslet) Guides 6:15-7:15pm Rainbows; 6:157:30pm Brownies; 7:15-8:30pm Guides St Mary’s CofE Primary Academy, Church Street, Hunslet Free Football sessions (8-18 yrs) 6:30-8:30pm Holbeck Community Centre, Old Elland Road. Book: richard.foye@leedsunited.com NK9 Dog Training

6:30pm Hunslet Methodist Church, Telford Terrace Book: 07856 229909

South Leeds Lakers Running Club 6:55pm Beeston Village Community Centre. Book: bit.ly/LakersRunning Yoga

7pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Hunslet Nelson Women’s Rounders 7-8pm Middleton Leisure Centre

Every Wednesday

One You Weight Management 8:30am-12:30pm Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle

Everyday Life coffee morning 9-11am Beeston Village Community Centre, Beeston Park Place, off Town Street Advice & Advocacy 9:30am-2:30pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600

Open doors 9:30-10:30am St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Old Lane, Beeston

ESOL Enty 1 class 9:30am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600

Mums & Tots

9:30am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Bacon Butty morning / News Cafe

/ Pop Up Shop / Textile & Painting / Bereavement Group 9:30-11:30am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road. Holbeck Together coffee morning 10am-12pm Ingram Court Community Room, Holbeck Woodwork

10am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Remember Together Group Young Dementia Leeds Hub, Cottingley Book: 07983 215865 email mcst@ageukleeds.org.uk

Beeston In Bloom Gardening Group

10am-12pm Millennium Garden, Cross Flatts Park Scrabble Club

10am-12pm St George’s Community Hub and Library, Middleton Beeston Remembered 10:30-11:30am Beeston

Community Hub & Library,Town St Confidence Building course 10:30am-12pm Tenants Hall, Acre Close, Middleton Singing

11am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Holbeck Together Lunch Club 12-1:30pm Ingram Court Community Room, Holbeck Community Cafe 12:30-2pm 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

Holbeck Together Craft Afternoon 1:30-3:30pm Ingram Court Community Room, Holbeck Parents & Tots Social 1:30-2:30pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston Walk and Talk

2-3pm meet at Middleton Park main gates on Town Street Tai Chi

2pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Slimming World 2-9pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street. Book: 07841 488658

Family Cooking 4pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Women’s Wellbeing Group 4:30-6pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub & Library Free Football sessions (8-18 yrs) 5-7pm South Leeds Youth Hub, Belle Isle. Book: richard.foye@leedsunited.com

Bat & Chat Table Tennis 5-7pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub & Library Yoga

5-6pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston via Zoom Book: 0113 270 4600

Climate Hub and Energy Saving drop in 5:30-7pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub & Library 1st SLAM Beavers (6-8 yrs) 6-7:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston Illuminate Dance

6 & 8pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Holbeck Chat & Chill

6-7:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Touch & Pass Rugby for over 40s 6:30-7:30pm Hunslet Warriors Holbeck Moor FC: Inclusive adult football training 6:30pm Holbeck Moor Line Dancing 6:45-9pm Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle Yoga

7-8pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Book: 07576 113269 SO! Choir

7:30-9:30pm The Tetley art gallery, Hunslet Road

Every Thursday

Tots Group

9-11am Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle Book: 07794 577586

Music & Movement 9am-1pm Little Angels Playzone, The Sugar Mill, Beeston Advice & Advocacy

9:30am-2:30pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Computer class / ESOL 2/3 class 9:30am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600

Affordable Breakfast 9:30am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Holbeck Together shopping trip 9:30am-12:30pm Book: 0113 245 5553

Ping Pong

9:30-10:30am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Library Story Bus 10-11:30am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Walk in Cross Flatts Park Meet 10am Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston Woodwork / Knit & Natter / Beauty Treatments

10am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle

Holbeck Together Community Cafe / Community Supermarket

10:30am-2pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Craft Group / Digital Inclusion

10:30am-12pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus

Library Story Bus

10-11:30am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Walk in Cross Flatts Park

Meet 10am Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston Woodwork / Knit & Natter / Beauty Treatments

10am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Meet your PCSOs

10am-12pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub and LibraryHolbeck Together Community Cafe / Community Supermarket

10:30am-2pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Craft Group / Digital Inclusion 10:30am-12pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus

Inclusive dance

11am-12pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park

Walking Football

11am-12pm The Hunslet Club, Hillidge Road

Bingo and Hoy

11am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road

Hunslet TARA Estate Walkabout 11am meet Best One shop, Rocheford Walk CV Writing

11am-12pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston Line Dancing

11:30am-12:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Lunch Club

12-1:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road

MHA Lunch Club & Social 12-2:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston

Lunchtime meditation

12:30-1pm Over Zoom. Book: jamyangleeds.co.uk/wellbeing Tea Dance

1pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Draw with Celia

1-3pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck

Be Friends Group

1-2:30pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park

Online help class

1:30-3pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Conversation Club for asylum seekers and refugees

1:30-3:30pm The Holbeck club, Jenkinson Lawn Table Tennis

1-2:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Walking Group

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

Digital Inclusion / Social Group

1:30-3pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus Camera Club

1:30pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Employment and Training drop in 4pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road

Illuminate Dance

4pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle

Elevate Women’s Wellbeing Group 4-5:30pm over Zoom. Book: fb.com/YourSpaceLeeds Women’s Chat & Chill Evening 4:30-6pm BITMO’s GATE,

Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle 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

Yoga

6:30pm St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Cardinal Road, Beeston Book: 07512 393228

Every Friday

Charity Shop

8:30-11:30am United Free Church, Malvern Road, Beeston Happy Global Families 9-10:30am Beeston Village Community Centre, Beeston Park Place, off Town Street

Stay & Play

9-11am St Anthony’s Church Hall, Old Lane, Beeston Stay & Play

9am-6pm Little Angels Playzone, The Sugar Mill, Beeston Food Bank

9-11am Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle Affordable Breakfast 9:30am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle ESOL 2/3 class

9:30am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600 Toast & Games, Knit & Natter 9:30-11am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road. 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 Breakfast Club 10-11:30am BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road Gardening Group 10am-12pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus Julie’s Ancestry Group 10am-12pm and 1-2:45pm 26 Belle Isle Circus MHA Stretch & Tone

10-11am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston Hunslet TARA Gardening 10am meet Church of the Nazarene, Grove Road Green Team Volunteers 10am-3pm Skelton Grange Environment Centre, Stourton Digital Hub IT Support 10-12pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Arts & Crafts

11am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Bingo and Hoy 11am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road MHA Lunch Club 12-1:30pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Lunch Club 12-1:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Fish & Chip Lunch Club 12-1:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Lunchtime meditation 12:30-1pm Over Zoom. Book: jamyangleeds.co.uk/wellbeing Ballroom & Sequence Dancing 1-3pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston Little Legs Rugby 1-3pm Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle

Line Dancing 1:30pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Bingo Afternoon

1:30-3pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Friday Social Club 1:30-3:30pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus Chair-based Exercise 1:45-2:45pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road. Knit and Natter

2-3pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road Poetry (online) 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 Table Tennis

4:45-5:25pm (7-11yrs) 5:306:15pm (12-15yrs) St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck DAZL Youth Club

5-7pm Middleton Community Centre, Acre Road Illuminate Dance 5pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle South Leeds Lakers Juniors (Athletics)

6-7pm South Leeds Stadium Book: fb.com/juniorlakersleeds 1st SLAM Cubs (8-10½ yrs) 6:15-7:45pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston

5th Middleton Guides & Rangers 7:30-9pm South Leeds URC Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle 1st SLAM Scouts (10½-14 yrs) 8-9:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston

Every Saturday

Cross Flatts parkrun 9am Top of Cross Flatts Park Middleton Woods parkrun 9am Leeds Urban Bike Park Community Basketball 9-10:30am 8-12 years, mixed 10:30am-12pm Yr6-9 Girls 3:30-5pm U16/U14 Boys Cockburn School, Gipsy Lane, Beeston

Debbie Heart Theatre School 9am-1pm Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle Holbeck Moor FC Juniors (4-6yrs) 9am Ingram Road Primary School, Holbeck

Saturday Breakfast 9:30-11am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Park Roll rollerskating 10am-12pm Sports Courts, Cross Flatts Park, Beeston Book: ls-ten.org

Family Lego Club 10-11am The Holbeck club, Jenkinson Lawn Middleton Railway 10am-4pm Moor Road, Hunslet ParkPlay 10:30am Brickfield Park, Lady Pit Lane, Beeston Yoga 12-1pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Book: 07576 113269

Bingo 12-3pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Youth Club 7-9pm LS-TEN Skatepark, Kitson Road, Hunslet

Every Sunday

Junior parkrun (4-14 yrs) 9am Top of Cross Flatts Park Recovery Runners

10am Lock House, Leeds Dock Indoor Children’s Exercise 10am-12pm Hillside, Beeston Rd Healthy Minds Cycling Skills 10-11am Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park

Middleton Railway 10am-4pm Moor Road, Hunslet Hunslet TARA Litterpick 12pm meet Church of the Nazarene, Grove Road Big Bike Fix drop in workshop 12-4pm Harlech Avenue, Beeston Toning & Stretching with Julie 6:30-7:30pm DAZL HQ, Middleton Community Centre, Acre Road. Book: 07783 786776

Saturday 1 October Holbeck Happy Day 10am-12:30pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road Book: 07867 268 934

Holbeck & Beeston Cemetery Volunteers 10am-1pm Meet centre of Holbeck Cemetery, Beeston Road Coffee morning 10am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Coffee morning 10am-12pm Church of the Nazarene, Grove Road, Hunslet Yorkshire Pudding Festival 10am-9pm Floor 6, Citi Park, Leeds Dock, LS10 1LE Hunslet TARA Information Desk 11am Church Street Sunday 2 October Yorkshire Pudding Festival 10am-9pm Floor 6, Citi Park, Leeds Dock, LS10 1LE Family Fun Day 11am-4pm Rowland Road WMC, Beeston Hill Monday 3 October Resilient Communities Meeting 5pm St Luke’s CARES Charity Shop, Dewsbury Road, LS11 6JQ Middleton Community Group 6-7pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Tuesday 4 October Digital 121 Drop In Support 11am-12pm St George’s Community Hub and Library, Middleton Wednesday 5 October MHA Walking Group Book: (0113) 271 6201 Leeds Irish Health Group 10am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Miscarriage Support Group 7-8:30pm Charlies-Angel-Centre, 6B Ashbrooke Park, LS11 5SF Thursday 6 October Meet your PCSOs 10am-12pm Beeston Community Hub and Library, Town Street Library Social 12:30-2pm Hunslet Community Hub & Library, off Church Street 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 Beeston Community Forum 7:30-9pm Beeston Village Community Centre, Beeston Park Place, off Town Street Saturday 8 October Saturday Family Film Club 11am-1pm Hunslet Community Hub & Library, off Church Street How To Meditate Retreat Day 1:30-4pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road White Rose Male Voice Praise 6pm Church of the Nazarene, Lupton Street, Hunslet Tuesday 11 October

Hearing Aid Clinic

10am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Book: (0113) 272 1050

Wednesday 12 October

MHA Kurling

10-11am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston Holbeck Together Carers Group 1:30-3:30pm Ingram Gardens Community Centre Entertainment 1:30-3:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road MHA Singing Sensations

1:30-3pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston MEA Pie & Peas evening

5-7pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road

Hunslet Tenants & Residents Ass 6:30-8pm Church of the Nazarene, Lupton Street, Hunslet White Rose Speakers

7pm Jury’s Inn hotel, Brewery Wharf

Thursday 13 October

Wellbeing Day 10am-5pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road Friday 14 October Gong Sound Bath 7-8pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road Saturday 15 October

Let’s Do More Black History Month Basketball event 9am-4pm Cockburn School, Gipsy Lane, Beeston Coffee morning 10am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street

Coffee Morning

10am Hunslet Methodist Church, Telford Terrace, Balm Road Board Games Evening 7-11pm The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn

The Long Way Home

7:30pm The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn Book: slunglow.org

Monday 17 October

Greenmount Tenants & Residents 6:30pm United Free Church, Malvern Road, Beeston Hill Tuesday 18 October

Drumming Circle

7-8:30pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck Wednesday 19 October

Leeds Irish Health Group 10am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street

Film Club:

12:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Book: (0113) 272 1050

Thursday 20 October

Leeds Baby Bank 10am-12pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub & Library Saturday 22 October Destiny

7:30pm The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn Book: slunglow.org

Sunday 23 October

Good On You clothes swap

12-4pm Sheaf Street Cafe, Hunslet, LS10 1HD Tuesday 25 October Free Children’s Play

1-3pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Wednesday 26 October

MHA Kurling

10-11am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston Middleton Railway

10am-4pm Moor Road, Hunslet Free Children’s Play

1-3pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street

MEA Pie & Peas evening

5-7pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Drink & Draw

6:30-8pm The Tetley, Hunslet Rd Book: thetetley.org/whats-on Thursday 27 October

Hunslet Remembered

10-11:30am Hunslet Community Hub & Library, off Church Street Meet your PCSOs

10am-12pm Beeston Community Hub and Library, Town Street Friday 28 October

Coffee Morning

10-11:30am Hunslet Community Hub & Library, off Church Street Beeston & Holbeck Councillors’ Surgeries

4pm Beeston Community Hub & Library, Town Street, Beeston

5pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck

6pm Cottingley Community Centre HOT IN HERE (An energygenerating dance party)

7:30pm The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn Book: slunglow.org Saturday 29 October

Handmade & Homemade Food & Craft Market

10am-2pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street

Cllr Paul Wray Hunslet & Riverside Surgeries 10am Hunslet Hub & Library

11:30am Dewsbury Road Hub & Library; 1-1:30pm Facebook Live: fb.com/PaulWrayUK Sunday 30 October

Holbeck Together Sunday Lunch 12-2pm St Matthew’s Community Centre Book: 0113 245 5553

MHA Sunday Lunch

12-2pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston Book: 0113 271 6201

Mindfulness Mini Retreat 2-5pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road Via Zoom, book: jamyangleeds.co.uk/wellbeing Thursday 3 November Library Social

12:30-2pm Hunslet Community Hub & Library, off Church Street 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

Beeston Community Forum 7:30-9pm Beeston Village Community Centre, Beeston Park Place, off Town Street Monday 7 November

Middleton Community Group 6-7pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road

IN BRIEF

Yorkshire Pudding Festival

Yorkshire Pudding Festival is back for 2022. Expect food stalls with cuisines from all over the world (inside Yorkshire Puddings of course), multiple bars, craft & charity stalls, cooking demos & bake offs, live music throughout the entire weekend on the Gravy Stage, and a kids activity area. It all takes place at Floor 6, Citi Park, Leeds Dock, LS10 1LE on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 October from 10am-9pm. Full details and tickets at yorkshire puddingfestival.co.uk

Hunslet Tenants & Residents Association

Hunslet TARA has decided to move to bi-monthly meetings, now on the second Wednesday of every other month. The speaker at their meeting on Wednesday 12 October will be David Tooley, Housing Manager with the Council. The meeting will be held at the Church of the Nazarene on Lupton Street, starting at 6:30pm.

Support with you laptop, phone or tablet

‘Turn Me On-Line’ is a National Lottery funded project which provides free IT / Computer and Tech Device help and support. Sessions run every Thursday 1-3pm at Cranmore Community Centre, LS10 4AW. Laptops, phones, tablets, if you are stuck, the team can help you. Just drop in, or call 07754 391490. They also have an online session on Wednesday evenings at 7pm, call to book in.

Choir concert

You are invited to a special evening at the Church of the Nazarene, Lupton Street, Hunslet where the White Rose Male Voice Praise will be performing. The evening starts at 6pm with a Pie & Pea Supper. Book: hunsletnazarenechurch@gmail.com

Basketball Festival

Play your cards light as arts fest stacks the deck for Leeds

Leeds city centre will be decked out with a giant display of illuminated playing cards when Light Night returns next month.

The spectacular structure entitled House of Cards will be in place at Victoria Leeds, one of an incredible array of illuminated artworks coming to the city for the two-night arts extravaganza on Thursday 13 and Friday 14 October 2022.

Created by Israeli artists OGE Group, House of Cards will be made up of 128 beautiful light boxes, each taking the form of a playing card which will light up in sequence.

House of Cards will be sponsored by Victoria Leeds and has been commissioned to fit this year’s Light Night theme of Playful City.

Over two nights, famous locations and spaces all across the city centre will host 50 jawdropping artworks which will encourage thousands of visitors to engage and interact with the city in new, fun and innovative ways.

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, culture and education, said:

“Year after year, Light Night

sets the standard for culture in Leeds, showcasing in truly spectacular fashion the very best of our city’s artistic ambition and ingenuity. Light Night is also one of the best examples of the integral role that culture plays in raising the profile of Leeds and acting as a huge catalyst for the local economy.

“This year, we’re especially excited to be encouraging

families and people of all ages to come together, play and interact in some of the city’s most well-known locations and spaces. The value of collective experiences and simply being together has become more apparent than ever over these past few years, and we can’t wait to see the city animated and brought to life by both these stunning installations and the people who make

Leeds such a special place.”

Now in its 18th year, Light Night Leeds attracts more than 100,000 people to the city centre over its two nights. Installations are hosted in a series of zones, each generously sponsored by a local business or organisation. For more details, visit: www.lightnightleeds.co.uk and follow Light Night Leeds on social media.

Inner Child Art Party

by Farrah Deen

Let’s Do More (LDM) present a day of basketball to mark Black History Month on Saturday 15 October. The day will feature mini games for U10s, U12s and U14/U16, plus two matches as the Leeds LDM U16s take on Deighton at 12pm and then Doncaster Eagles at 1:30pm. It all takes place at Cockburn School, Gipsy Lane, Beeston. super excited to announce my next Inner Child Meditation/ Mindfulness Art Therapy Party on 10 October at Leeds Urban Bike Park in Middleton.

Join us for an evening of meditation, mindfulness, party food and creative play. Why should kids be the only ones who get to have all the fun?

In this unique one-of-a-kind workshop “party” all you “big kids” will get to let your hair down and enjoy a night of mindful party games and inner child expression. Activities include:

Pass The Present Moment. A Mindfulness Exercise but with a fun twist on Pass the Parcel where you will receive a lucky bag of surprises, sweets, meditation candles, and affirmation cards.

Rainbow Retro Party Food. Rainbow Ice Cream Cone Factory with pick and mix sweet sprinkles, Rainbow Fruit Kebabs, other Tasty Party snacks.

Arts and Crafts. Well, where

to start? The table is packed full of Mindfulness Art Therapy such as Rock Painting, every person receives a mini canvas, Mini Wooden Log, Mini Hanging Heart to decorate with Gems, feathers, Glitter, Animal and Fairy Stencils and so much more.

A beautiful Guided Meditation to help nurture your Inner Child.

Happy Unbirthday To You! You get a blank Birthday Card with an envelope to decorate and write a message inside to the “mini you” and we give you your own individual Birthday Cake with a candle to all blow out together and make a wish.

And of course, a soundtrack of nostalgic 80s/90s party

music.

I believe so strongly that we all have an inner child within us that needs to feel loved, seen and heard. Inner child play helps you to express your free spirit and experience present moment joy.

The workshop takes place on Monday 10 October at 6:30-

9:30pm and is only £45pp including all activities, food, drink and take-home crafts!

So, if you want a little magic waving over your life, remember … you’re never too old to have fun and play. All you need is a little Faith, Trust and Glittery Pixie Dust!

“Those Who Don’t Believe In Magic Will Never Find It!” ~ Walt Disney.

Book via www.facebook.com /farrah.deen

Hunslet Nelson’s summer of cricket

Get Set for activity

It was a successful season overall for the senior sides at Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club with the highlight being promotion for the second team to Division 2.

The first team had a positive campaign under captain Jack Scanlon picking up 10 league victories and reaching the T20 Final in July, only to be beaten by Altofts. It was a muchimproved season for the side and one that will be hoping to build on in 2023.

The club also narrowly missed out on silverware in the third team where we were pipped by Baildon in the last match of the season.

It was another fantastic

season for the side and numerous junior players made their senior debut. The club prides itself on is giving juniors a chance to excel at senior level and that has been apparent across all three sides in 2022.

Australian overseas player Kurt Chalker scored 984 runs across all competitions for the club including 3 centuries.

Andy McIntosh scored 645 runs including a superb hundred against Champions Sandal in a game that will be remembered for a long time by the club.

The pick of bowlers in the first team were 18-year-old off spinner Sam Thewlis who picked up 56 wickets (47 in the league) and former captain Will

Stiff who took 53 wickets (42 in the league).

It was a season of more highs than lows for the first team and one that nearly resulted in silverware coming to Gipsy Lane.

The star men for the second team that helped with their promotion were Joshua Morris taking 45 wickets at an average of 15.67 and scoring 518 runs with bat; Tom Hendry with 775 runs at an incredible average of 110.71 and Chris Allen also had a brilliant summer scoring 493 runs at 49.3, including two magnificent centuries.

The success of the second team was a team effort and hopefully it can be repeated in the league above.

Summer gave the Get Set Leeds Local team a chance to get out to some of the many community events to have some fun, but also listening.

We’re always keen to understand what are the real things getting in the way of people being active, and what your solutions are to help local people move more. We’re then always keen to work together with residents, local groups and people from across Leeds City Council to see which ones we

Over summer Get Set Leeds Local have worked with the Watsonian Café managed by Health for All in Cross Flatts Park to help make it an active hub of the park by funding some equipment for free loans. With a deposit you can now borrow tennis rackets, table tennis bats, rounders kit, kwik cricket or boccia. Just pop in and ask them how to borrow during their opening hours. Is there anything else you’d like to see there? Let us know.

Before summer we linked with Leeds Girls Can to hold a “Pop Up Road Show” at Hamara as well as other sites, to help recruit local women for a free female only swim teacher course. In October John Charles Centre for Sport will be launching 2 new Female

getting them stamped by Bike Register.

Each week learn to ride, and cycle confidence sessions continue for adults at Cross Flatts. These free City Connect funded sessions delivered by Cycle North can be booked year round online. Bikes are available for those that don’t have their own.

In October we are linking with Cycling UK to run a ride leader course. If you’ve an interest in leading regular local short social led rides and would like a free funded space then get in touch. Once qualified you’d be able to access bikes at Cross Flatts Park for your riders, helping break down the barrier for those that don’t have access to a bike.

Our next Get Set Leeds Local Community Panel meeting will be taking place online on Tuesday 11 October 4:305:30pm. At our Community Panels we invite local leaders, volunteers and residents to join us and help shape future elements of Get Set Leeds Local development by creating a bridge between the community and the Sport England funded project. Contact us for the invite details.

We understandably heard lots about the cost of living and that increasingly for many accessing kit and equipment for sport and fitness can feel out of reach. Last year Get Set Leeds Local joined forces Yorkshire Sport Foundation with Zero Waste Leeds. Together for Sport was launched, to help create more sustainable environmental living, whilst also supporting more people access equipment.

Together For Sport are aiming to make it easy for people to share sports kitwhether that’s football boots, running shoes or cricket bats.

Friends of Get Set Leeds Local, The Recovery Runners, took in donations of running shoes, and not only distributed to people accessing their sessions have also supported individuals from a number of other Get Set Leeds Local projects.

Junior Park Run at Cross Flatts Park will be joining others for a one-off donation at a date TBC in October, specifically asking at these events for donations of good quality trainers and non-event specific running tops, shorts and leggings. Check our socials for latest details. If you’d like to get more involved as an exchange partner get in touch.

Only Swim sessions, with a Leeds Girls Can ambassador at hand to support anyone accessing the session with warm welcomes and providing assistance.

Our summer Cross Flatts Cycle Festival was lots of fun, and great to see so many children (and a few grown ups) getting on a bike, building confidence and having a go at some of the activities. The Big Bike Fix proved busy as people wanted to get their bikes back out and road ready, as well as

Get Set Leeds Local is a Sport England funded project across 4 communities in Leeds which includes Beeston Hill and Holbeck. It aims to support community ideas which help more people move more. Community Chest Pot of up to £300 available to support community good ideas, along with training to help build community capacity for keeping people moving in South Leeds. Get in touch for further information. For all updates follow Get Set Leeds Local on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or get in touch via getsetleedslocal@leeds.gov.uk

More highs than lows for Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club

by Karen Peck

Learning new cycling skills at the Cross Flatts Cycle Festival

A pop-up Leeds Girls Can activity

by Alastair Finn

Season review: A year to build for Hunslet

by Ian Pickles

came into this season with a squad younger and less experienced than over the last few seasons.

Hunslet

The team had reached the Play-offs in the Betfred League 1 (3rd tier) but had flunked out early on over the last few years, and with the RFL still undecided at the beginning of play how many or even if there would be relegation/promotion things were uncertain at the South Leeds Stadium.

Hunslet were keeping their powder dry and were way down the list of spenders in the division. It was felt building a young squad, balanced with some experience, was the way to go, with money in the bank if a late push was needed, otherwise build for coming seasons.

The league’s big spenders were Keighley Cougars who under a consortium led by Mick O’Neill funded a strong side. But they were not at full strength when Hunslet knocked them out of the Challenge Cup at the South Leeds Stadium 22-6 with Hunslet’s defence doing the job and Keighley having two players red carded in a fiery encounter.

The Parksiders won the annual local derby against Leeds in the Harry Jepson Trophy. A young Rhinos side scored early but Hunslet ran out easy winners 34-6.

A tough test followed in the Cup as top amateur side Siddal visited. Jordan Paga was the hero covering on the wing and scoring 4 tries in a 30-4 victory that set him on the road to be a crowd favourite.

These early season games were played on a stop/start basis and it was hard to find a rhythm. So when Hunslet had to travel to the Wirral to play North Wales Crusaders in the

cup they found their opponents hard to break down. Trailing 18-8 at the break the Parksiders knocked on the door but it was the Welshmen who ran out 30-8 victors. Now a month until the League season kicked in.

Along with the new players some old heads were in there for experience and it was hoped Jimmy Watson, Duane Straugheir, Jason Mossop and Wayne Reittie would all have injury free seasons.

The first league game at London Skolars started badly as London took a 10-4 lead into the break, but the second half was all the Parksiders who ran out 10-28 winners, with Mossop on the scoresheet.

At home to Oldham the following week Hunslet were off the pace and found themselves 4-22 down early in the second half, but with 4 tries in ten minutes they were all square and likely to win. They couldn’t finish the job though and the game ended 22-22. Would that cost them later in the season?

A tough 44-20 defeat at Rochdale, where Hunslet had a man sent off and two sinbinned didn’t do much for confidence for the Good Friday visit of high flying Keighley. But with Harvey Hallas a revelation in the front row the Parksiders led 16-14 in the dying seconds, before a heart breaking Mo Agoro try from a blatant forward pass gave the win to Keighley and inspired them to go unbeaten all season as Champions.

May started with a tricky win negotiated at Midlands Hurricanes 16-22, where on loan centre Jacob Doyle had a good game. With Half-back Jack Mallinson falling from favour old boy Joe Sanderson made a welcome return and Batley hooker Olly Burton came into the fold.

A good 52-16 win over new boys Cornwall added some confidence, but freshly relegated Swinton were a different proposition, the Lions always a try ahead to run out 16-28 victors.

Although Hunslet had lost a few matches they were always in games, and new signings Jack Render, Josh JordanRoberts and Jordan Syme had been outstanding and a 12-50 win at West Wales built confidence.

All this went out of the window though in a toothless performance at Doncaster. Although missing a few players it was a 36-6 defeat to quickly forget.

Coach Alan ‘Killer’ Kilshaw must have been frustrated, as his team could match anyone on their day but were inconsistent at the best of times.

The Doncaster defeat was followed up by a brilliant victory at home to North Wales Crusaders. On it from the start the Parksiders ran out 30-22 victors with a Jacob Doyle hattrick. Not so a week later at home to Rochdale though, 016 down after 15 minutes and

Schofield joins Hunslet

Hunslet have appointed Jon Schofield as a development manager.

Former professional Rugby League player Schofield has been recruited by Hunslet Foundation’s general manager Mikey Nuttall following the recent departure of Tyler Finister, who has resigned to focus entirely on his studies at Leeds Beckett University.

Nuttall said: “We’re sorry to see Tyler go. He has done an excellent job and will always be welcome at the South Leeds Stadium, but the pressures of combining his studies with our

ever-expanding development work in the area would have been insurmountable in the forthcoming academic year and beyond.

“We’ve been very lucky, however, that a man with the experience and qualities of Jon Schofield was available and keen to commit. He is well known in the area, of course, having played for Oulton Raiders at amateur level and, in the professional arena, for Hunslet Hawks, York City Knights and Dewsbury Rams, before coaching with Dewsbury andbefore the pandemic - Hunslet

Warriors in the National Conference League.

“He is now head coach at Middleton-based rugby union club Leeds Corinthians and, in addition, brings a welter of added experience as general manager at Wakefield Trinity (then known as the Wildcats) to the cause. He is a fantastic acquisition and the Foundation can look to the future with continuing confidence.”

Schofield said: “I’m delighted to be joining the development team. I thoroughly enjoyed my time as general manager at Wakefield but my first love is

6-28 down on the hour a late show nearly snatched the points, Rochdale holding out 24-32. That inconsistency again.

The long trip to Cornwall was always going to be tough and new centre Macauley Hallett shined as Hunslet ran out 2436 winners. Hunslet now had home games against London and West Wales, it was a chance to build a winning run. Hallett again shone in a 54-6 win over West Wales and on loan Scrum half Matty Beharrell did the same in a 4316 win over the Skolars.

Surely now Hunslet were favourites to make the playoffs, Oldham trailing well behind. A chance to make it 4 wins on the bounce came at North Wales Crusaders, two Mackenzie Turner long range efforts gave Hunslet a 12-20 lead at the break, but a late try by ex-Hunslet man Brad Brennan gave the Crusaders a 36-26 victory.

Scrum half David Gibbons had left the club by mutual consent and big game players Jimmy Watson and Duane Straugheir were out injured. It was a blow with a tough run in

coming up. Still a victory over Midlands Hurricanes would more or less settle Hunslet’s play-off worries.

Unfortunately an inspired Midlands team turned up on a dusky Friday at South Leeds and tackled Hunslet out of the game winning 0-24. It was a gloomy atmosphere afterwards made worse a week later when Keighley issued a stinging 6018 victory over the Parksiders.

Hunslet got up again for a visit to Swinton, but although Hunslet battered the Swinton line late tries sealed a 38-12 victory for the Lions.

Hunslet were on a losing streak, but Oldham a winning one. If Hunslet could not beat Doncaster it would be a last game shoot out at Oldham for the remaining play-off spot.

Josh Jordan-Roberts led an inspired first half as Hunslet led Doncaster 20-12 at the break. But again an early second half try changed the momentum and Doncaster ran out 20-32 winners, that Oldham draw earlier in the season coming back to haunt the Parksiders.

So to Oldham for the last match and a chance to make

coaching and, having got know Mikey Nuttall through working together on Luke Gale’s ‘Kicking for Grassroots’ initiative, I can’t wait to get into local schools and help further develop local children’s Rugby League skills.

“South Leeds is a Rugby League hotbed – everyone knows that – and, as a local lad, I know the area and the people very well. I’m confident that I can make a really positive impact, not least on behalf of Hunslet RLFC in raising awareness of the Parksiders and helping direct some of the many talented players in the area to the club. And I’ve no doubt that my role as coach of Leeds Corinthians rugby union will also be beneficial as a valuable link.”

the play-offs. Hunslet flew out of the blocks and scored early tries but were disappointed to only lead 6-10 at the break.

Oldham came out fired up in the second half but at 24-18 in the dying a moments a draw would suit Hunslet. Beharrell’s kick aimed at Jack Render was intercepted and encapsulating Hunslet’s season, Restall ran the field length to score and win the game for Oldham 3018.

It wasn’t to be. Hunslet fell out of the Play-off places on the last day of the season.

Inconsistency was the problem. Hunslet matched most teams but were rarely at their best for a full 80 minutes.

With IMG reviewing the whole Rugby League structure these are uncertain times, but Hunslet are well placed to go again next season. With the basis of the squad staying and money to add a bit more experience Hunslet should be contenders.

The signings of Harvey Hallas, Josh Jordan-Roberts, Jordan Syme, Harvey Whiteley and Jack Render are key as coach Alan Kilshaw looks to push this squad forwards.

Jon Schofield

Jack Render reaches out to score against Rochdale Hornets. Photo: Paul Butterfield