South Leeds Life 91 November 2022

AIR

by Jeremy Morton

Average air pollution in parts of South Leeds are twice the level recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for at least one of two of the deadliest air pollutants, according to new analysis by Friends of the Earth.

Using the latest official government data, Friends of the Earth calculated the average annual air pollution levels for two of the most serious types of air pollutionNitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Particulates (PM2.5) - for every neighbourhood in England, each with an average population of 1,700.

The analysis showed that 20 neighbourhoods in Leeds suffer the worst pollution levels, with many of those in the Beeston and Holbeck areas. The areas suffering the worst pollution levels for Particulates being either side of Cross Flatts Park in Beeston.

The England-wide study also found:

People of colour are three• times more likely to live in these high air pollution neighbourhoods and half of these neighbourhoods are among the most deprived in England.

People living in these•

areas are also three times less likely to own a car than people living elsewhere, meaning they are contributing the least to poor air quality.

Air pollution is one of the UK’s biggest killers, causing up to 36,000 early deaths in the UK every year. Road traffic is the biggest threat to clean air, and the major source of the toxic gas nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the air we breathe.

Road vehicles also produce tiny particles, known as particulate matter (PMs) both from exhaust fumes and wear and tear from brakes and tyres. These can find their way deep into our lungs and even into our bloodstream and organs.

Air pollution hits the most vulnerable the hardest, particularly children who can grow up with reduced lung function if living in an area with poor air quality, but also the elderly who are more likely to have a pre-existing condition worsened by bad air.

Friends of the Earth’s Yorkshire and Humberside campaign organiser, Simon Bowens, said:

“It’s a scandal that people in parts of Leeds live in areas where average air pollution levels are twice World Health Organisation guidelines for either or both of two of the deadliest pollutants.

“Millions of people across the country are suffering the effects of living in the most polluted neighbourhoods –with the most deprived communities and people of colour the hardest hit.

“The new Prime Minister must get to grips with this public health emergency, which kills tens of thousands of people prematurely every year, and costs the economy billions of pounds annually, with a

package of measures to clean up our air, including cutting car use.”

Rosamund Adoo-KissiDebrah is Founder and Director of the Ella Roberta Foundation, which was set up following the tragic death of Rosamund’s nine-year-old daughter Ella in 2013 from a severe asthma attack contributed to by air pollution. She said:

“This latest data is shocking, but unsurprising. It re-

emphasises the urgency with which our country … needs action on air pollution.

“Everyone deserves a right to breathe clean air, particularly children, who are worst impacted because their lungs are still developing.”

Friends of the Earth is calling for tougher action on air pollution, including:

incentives to

encourage people to leave their

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

About us

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

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

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

Reaction as Cockburn sports pitches granted planning permission

by Jeremy Morton

Cockburn School’s controversial planning application to build a new full size 3G artificial football/rugby pitch and tennis courts was approved by Councillors on the South & West Plans Panel on 29 September 2022.

This was the third time the proposal had come to the Panel after Councillors had insisted that all the conditions, normally delegated to officers to draft, should come back for their approval.

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A last minute email from Cllr Jonathon Pryor, Executive Member for Economy, Culture and Education, urging support for the application caused concerns for a number of members, but the legal officer assured them that it should be treated as any other representation relating to the proposal.

The plans are controversial because they are to be built on land that was formerly part of South Leeds Golf Club and is in the Green Belt. However, Cockburn School is 35% short of outdoor space having expanded in order to accommodate additional students from South Leeds, including building over its tennis courts.

Amongst the approved conditions attached to the approval, Councillors insisted that the Community Use Agreement for the new facilities was limited to daylight hours only.

Reacting to the decision, David Gurney, Executive Headteacher of the Cockburn MAT said:

“I am very pleased that this has been passed by the plans panel and it will allow us now to deliver the sports provision at Cockburn School that we so desperately need. Having taken on more students over recent years to support the local community, our current sports facilities fall 35% short of government recommendations. Ofsted’s ‘Outstanding in all areas’ judgement in February 2022 recognised that ‘Cockburn School is at the heart of the community’ and year on year the school has been oversubscribed and in high demand for prospective parents and carers. These new facilities will not only benefit the children at the school but also other children and adults across south Leeds. We are most grateful to all of the councillors and members of the community who have supported this proposal during the planning application process.

“We believe sports is really beneficial for young people. It helps their mental health, their fitness and it tackles obesity. It’s really important.

“Because of the delay in reaching a decision, the building won’t be able to start until next year as we are heading into the winter months. But it will hopefully be ready for September 2023 in time for our new Year 7 intake.”

However, Alan Shaw, Chair of Trustees at Friends of Middleton Park, who had opposed the application commented:

“The Friends are obviously very disappointed in the decision of the

Plans Panel in allowing the Council and Cockburn Multi-Academy Trust to build a plastic pitch on Greenbelt land. This piece of Greenbelt will no longer be at all green and the park in our view has now lost much of a beautiful meadowland that is already (in the short space of time it has been available).

“We feel that this decision flies in the face of Leeds City Council’s sustainability and carbon neutral policies – in spite of what is claimed to be additional diversity added by the screening trees and bushes to be planted. How can putting in a plastic pitch add diversity to a piece of land?

“We feel that the school should make more use of the land that it already has before building another expensive white elephant that will be expensive to maintain in the long term – as there are different and potentially more expensive maintenance requirements for plastic pitches, and they also need

Slung Low announce second new Holbeck venue

Renowned theatre company, Slung Low, is opening a second new theatre and production space in the heart of the Temple District in Holbeck.

Property developer, CEG, has agreed a temporary two-year lease of 131 Water Lane, a warehouse with outdoor space on the corner of Water Lane and Bath Road. Slung Low will transform the space into production, rehearsal and workspace for independent artists and companies all dedicated to contributing to the artistic future of Leeds.

An outdoor stage will enable family friendly performances, all given on a pay what you decide basis. The new venue is a stone’s throw from their former home under two railway arches on Bath Road. Slung Low currently operate from The Holbeck club on Jenkinson Lawn, but are set to move out in

December.

With LEEDS 2023 around the corner, the city is set for a year-long celebration of culture with events and creative experiences and Slung Low at Temple will play a key role. As previously reported, the theatre company is also expanding to open a 200-seater cabaret space at Holbeck’s Jamyang Buddhist Centre.

Alan Lane, director of Slung Low, explains:

“Slung Low at Temple will provide a fantastic destination where we can connect old and new communities of Holbeck and Temple.

“The flexible space will allow us to support artists in the city and deliver outstanding outdoor performances for all to enjoy. It will also provide a new home for our double decker bus classroom so we can continue to encourage young people to

access their creative spirits, delivering the next generation of performance artists.”

Antonia Martin-Wright, head of investment at CEG, said:

“It is fantastic to welcome Slung

fully replacing every 7-10 years.

“We are also very concerned about the use of rubber crumb as part of the construction of the pitch. Rubber crumb comes in the form of small balls that cushion the playing surface. These rubber pellets are easily spread from the pitch and in our view can easily leach into local watercourses in the Local Nature Reserve.

“The pellets are made from crushed up tyres, which contain all sorts of dangerous chemicals –imagine those getting into the nature reserve. The developers say that there will be filters and barriers to stop this happening … but we don’t believe that these will stop all contamination.

“We are also objecting to the potential loss of use and access to the heritage asset of Public Right of Way 207 that currently runs alongside the current school boundary – part of a separate planning application.”

Low to Temple.

“They are such a huge part of the city’s cultural ecosystem and will make an exciting contribution to the area, especially with so many new developments breathing renewed life into this exciting destination.

“Close to the successful Chow Down at Temple Arches, which offers independent food, drink and entertainment, together they will deliver vibrant events as we continue to progress the ambitious Temple masterplan.”

The school says the pitches will be screened from the diverted footpath

Slung Low will host outdoor events at their new venue on Water Lane

South Leeds strikes gold at Yorkshire in Bloom awards

Three Gold Awards were handed to organisations in South Leeds at the recent Yorkshire in Bloom awards ceremony.

Beeston in Bloom won in the Urban Community category; Middleton Railway in the Tourist Attraction category; and White Rose Shopping Centre in the Large Business category where it was joint Category Winner.

Judges described Beeston in Bloom as a “friendly, welcoming bunch who work tirelessly to improve and uplift the area.” They went on to praise the groups inclusivity and diversity and their ability to work with so many other groups including schools, churches and businesses.

Commenting on the award, Beeston in Bloom’s Secretary, Linda Stanley said:

“We were delighted to be awarded a gold medal by the Yorkshire in Bloom judges. The result is a real achievement, but to maintain the gold standard requires hard work and commitment. During the pandemic and last year’s heat wave we have not only maintained our projects, but introduced many new features. The gold medal is the cherry on

the top of our 25th birthday celebrations.”

The volunteers that run Middleton Railway were praised by judges who said they “clearly cared for the railway and their pride shone … All planted areas were of a high standard with obvious thought and consideration gone into selection of plants.”

Middleton Railway Trust Vice President Ian Smith said:

“We are delighted to receive another Gold Award for our efforts with Yorkshire in Bloom. This reflects the hard work of our gardener, Mick Jackson, who has worked so hard to provide the floral displays which are always enjoyed by our visitors. The Trust intends to build upon our success by making recommended improvements over the winter period.”

The Yorkshire in Bloom judges were also impressed with White Rose Shopping Centre, commenting:

“Driving up to the shopping centre was a pleasure in itself with living walls bordering the site, and trees and flowers dotted wherever possible to break up the standard concrete and tarmac that is present in any car park. The flower beds

and hanging baskets outside the main entrance of the shopping centre made for a pleasant approach to the building.”

Steven Foster, Centre Director at White Rose Shopping Centre, responded:

“It’s an honour to be awarded Gold in this year’s Yorkshire in Bloom competition. We’re proud to work alongside Nurture Landscapes to create our green areas and woodland

trail, designed to be welcoming to both visitors and wildlife, and we’re pleased the judges made special mention of the centre’s environmental work. We aim to be as sustainable and ecofriendly as possible and with our solar panels, centre-roof beehives, waste recycling scheme which already sees 0% diverted to landfill, and rainwater harvesting scheme, we’re well on our way.”

Congratulations to all three winners.

Joining forces to maintain a local Hunslet landmark

Residents in Hunslet have been calling for the old stone horse trough on Low Road to be cared for and restored for some time.

The Council effectively inherited the horse tough with the creation of the modern

Leeds City Council, as it was located on land it now managed. Over the years, there has been some attempt to care for it but with so much of the areas industrial history lost, there has been increasing calls for a more permanent solution.

Hunslet Tenants and Residents Association (TARA) and The Crooked Clock pub, after discussing the issue with Cllr Paul Wray, have ‘adopted’ the horse trough, meaning they will now maintain it on behalf of the community, with the Council proving support and small grants as needed.

They recently replanted the horse trough with compost and bulbs donated by the Hunslet Morrison Community Champion, Kelly.

Chair of Hunslet TARA, Stewart Walton said:

“For the people who live in this area of Hunslet, remembering our history is important. Many people have fond stories of when they used to walk past this horse trough and the public toilets that were next to it. Such simple things hold really important history.”

Owner of The Crooked Clock, Sid Mahiuddin added:

“It was great for me and some of our staff to come and

help tidy up and replant this historic horse trough. The Crooked Clock is keen to be at the heart of the community of our part of Hunslet. Helping protect some of its history is something we’re really proud to be part of.”

Cllr Paul Wray also said: “Thank you to Sid and Stewart and their volunteers for helping on the day. They joined Kelly from Morrsions and me to clear the weeds and plant some bulbs ready for next year. Cleaning around the horse trough has revealed some names which we will have researched. The plan is to install some signs showing the area’s history for future generations. I’m also in the process of arranging for the stone to properly cleaned.”

Hunslet TARA never stop working for the community. There is always something to do. if you would like to join us, please feel free to drop us a line at hunslettara@yahoo.com

Funding appeal for South Leeds

We launched our funding appeal in September in the face of a huge rise in printing costs and we have been humbled by your response.

We have received generous donations from a number of individual readers as well as from Beeston in Bloom. St Luke’s Tenants & Residents Association held a free pizza evening and asked for donations for South Leeds Life, raising over £200.

We have also applied for a grant from the Inner South Community Committee.

However our projections still show us running out of cash to print the paper next autumn unless we increase our regular income.

We know the whole country is suffering from the cost of living crisis and we know many of our readers are facing stark choices about heating and food.

We won’t charge you to read the news, it’s very important to us that everyone in our community can access local community news.

But if you are able to spare a few pounds, we need your help.

We need to build up our supporting subscribers and would be delighted if you would become a regular subscriber at £3, £4, or £5 per month, but if you cannot make that commitment could you make a one off donation?

Please make your• donation by bank transfer to South Leeds Life Group; sort code 08-92-99; a/c 65591910.

Or send a cheque to us at• 224 Cross Flatts Grove, Beeston, LS11 7BW.

Or look for the donate• button on our website at southleedslife.com to pay via PayPal.

If you can afford to,• please take out a monthly subscription. Our regular subscription income helps us plan ahead. You’ll get the paper delivered to your door and free South Leeds Life mug. Simply sign up online at bit.ly/SLLsubscribe

Are you part of an• organisation that could become a sponsor? You will benefit from coverage and advertising. Call 07894 583966 for more details.

St Luke’s TARA raised over £200 for us at their pizza evening

Sheila Brogden and Linda Stanley from Beeston in Bloom

On the beat

with Sgt Lise Jones

Iam one of the Sergeants for the South Leeds Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Over the past few months, I have been involved in the planning of the partnership response to the bonfire period in South Leeds.

As the bonfire period is almost upon us, I would like to share some of this information with you.

The period around Halloween and bonfire night is always a significant challenge for ourselves as police. It is one of the busiest weeks of the year for the Force and other emergency services.

We also understand the concerns of residents who are fearful of the anti-social behaviour that it can bring. Conversely, we understand that it’s also a time when families and communities can come together and it’s important that people are able to safely enjoy celebrating bonfire night and Halloween.

During the bonfire period of 2021, we saw a significant reduction in calls for service relating to the anti-social use of fireworks and bonfire related ASB. We hope to replicate this this year in order that everybody can enjoy a safe and happy bonfire night.

I would like to take this opportunity to reassure the community that West Yorkshire Police is working closely with partner agencies, including West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue and Leeds City Council, to ensure that people are able to enjoy the period safely and that

those who misuse fireworks or are involved in anti-social behaviour and criminality are dealt with robustly West Yorkshire Police will have an increased police presence in the community to offer reassurance, particularly to vulnerable residents, and to ensure people taking part in the festivities have a fun time whilst respecting others.

Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) from Leeds South Neighbourhood Policing Team will be conducting high visibility patrols in key areas. They will be supported by specialist officers trained in dealing with public disorder. West Yorkshire Police will take firm action against those involved in antisocial behaviour.

I would encourage anybody who is experiencing anti-social behaviour of any type to report this to the Police. Not only does this enable officers to deal with any ongoing concerns, it also highlights hotspot areas for us to focus our attention in future with a view to being in the right place at the right time.

Please always call 999 in an emergency, where there is a risk to someone’s safety or you think a crime is in progress, but consider looking online before phoning the police for other matters. This helps the Police attend to those people who are in real need. Other options would be to Ask The Police website, Local Crime tracker, 101 Live Chat, Online Crime reporting. Find the details at: www.westyorkshire.police.uk

A head for heights

The worst air quality in the city

Continued from page 1 cars at home. This should include better and cheaper public transport, and safer cycling and walking infrastructure. Car mileage also needs to decrease to meet climate goals, and there should be a halt to all new major roadbuilding.

Faster roll-out of electric• vehicle infrastructure, such as charging points, and a scrappage scheme to encourage people to switch to cleaner cars and other ways to get around. Electric vehicles cut exhaust emissions but still contribute to PM2.5s.

More Clean Air Zones that• restrict the dirtiest vehicles in our cities

Action on all sources of• key pollutants to ensure current UK legal limits are met in the shortest time possible. The government target for cutting PM2.5 by 2040 must be improved. It is based on WHO guidelines that have subsequently been strengthened. Friends of the Earth is calling on the government to meet its current target 10 years earlier (by 2030) as a steppingstone for complying with new and tougher WHO guidelines as soon as possible.

We approached Councillors for the worst affected wards. In a statement, Cllrs Gohar Almass, Annie Maloney and Andrew Scopes (Labour, Beeston & Holbeck) and Cllrs

Mohammed Iqbal and Paul Wray (Labour, Hunslet & Riverside) said:

“We support the Friends of the Earth aspirations.

“Taking steps to improve air quality is a significant priority for our Labour administration and ourselves as local Labour Councillors for Beeston.

“The benefits of cleaner air on people's health and wellbeing cannot be understated, and we owe it to our children and grandchildren to deal with the issue of harmful air quality.

“As our city rapidly approaches 900,000 people, providing a wide variety of clean, cheap, efficient, and easy to access transport options to meet our people's needs will be not just critical to

improve air quality, but to prevent long term gridlock of our transport network and economy.

“But the Tory central government must take the lead and invest fairly in transport. It is shameful only £500 per head is spent on transport in Yorkshire compared to £1476 in London. They also must properly invest in the vital road and charging network needed to allow for the more rapid take up of cleaner vehicles.”

Cllr Ed Carlisle (Green, Hunslet & Riverside) commented:

“Shocking though it is, this report is welcome, shining a spotlight on a big hidden issue. I and others have been working away over the past years to build momentum around air

pollution, via our ‘South Leeds Alliance for Clean Air’: a ‘deputation’ speech before the full City Council, schools workshops, events, and more.

“Perhaps because it is such an invisible and pervasive problem, it is hard to get attention and action on it – but let’s now change that. There’s plenty we can do, both in the city community and in our own lives: let’s get to work.”

South Leeds Alliance for Clean Air will be holding a meeting on Saturday 19 November, 10am at Dolce Vita, 287 Beeston Road, for people who want to get involved in their campaign.

Friends of the Earth have produced an online interactive map of air pollution across England at bit.ly/3zpg5qw Zoom in and click on your neighbourhood to find out about air quality where you live.

Chalk mural created with pupils from Greenmount Primary School for Clean Air Day 2022

Steeplejacks inspected St Mary’s tower and spire in Hunslet on 13 October as part of the Church of England’s condition survey of the listed structure. Vegetation was removed and a survey of the graveyard was also carried out. It is still hoped that the spire, the tallest in Leeds and an iconic local landmark, can be incorporated into a new housing development. Photos: Andrew Price

Our Future Beeston: Harvest Festival and new Energy Saving Handbook

by James Latham

Our Future Beeston worked alongside members of St Luke’s Church in Beeston Hill to put on an excellent harvest festival event on Sunday 9 October.

It was a very different sort of service, focusing on our impact on the environment and thinking about the future of food security in a time of climate change.

Around 150 people joined in with the hands-on activities which included planting food scraps to regrow, making ecofriendly cleaning products, and writing climate pledges.

Over 25 individual climate pledges were made on the day which is amazing. They ranged from saving energy at home, to driving less, to picking up litter and recycling. Climate pledges are a brilliant way to start thinking about our personal impact on the environment and make a small change which can make a big difference in

the fight against climate change.

Eco-friendly cleaning products are easy to make and a fun activity on a rainy day.

Natural ingredients like lemon juice and vinegar are antibacterial, non-toxic and cheap. Adding fresh herbs like rosemary or a few drops of essential oils make them smell great, and the best part is that

you reduce plastic waste by reusing bottles. This also reduces carbon emissions because off the shelf products are mostly water which has to be transported to the shops.

Want to give it a try? We are always happy to run activity sessions for your local community organisation. Contact us at ourfuturebeeston@gmail.com

Our Future Beeston’s Energy Saving Handbook is available now!

With the cost of living crisis and the climate emergency affecting all of us, Our Future Beeston have been working hard so that everyone in Beeston and across South Leeds can reduce their energy usage at home, and know where to turn for help.

The Energy Saving Handbook has been put together to help residents and is for anyone who needs advice and support around energy. Inside, you'll find helpful tips on how to reduce your energy usage at home which will save you

money on your gas, electricity and water bills.

There is also information about financial support you may be entitled to depending on your circumstances. Plus, you can find out about grants, local and city wide climate action, and how to get involved.

The Energy Saving Handbook is available now either online or as a hard copy. If you would like a copy, or are involved in a community group who would

benefit from the handbook, please get in touchourfuturebeeston@gmail.com – or scan the code below.

James can also arrange to hold energy saving sessions in person with community groups, where he can answer your questions about home energy efficiency.

Rev Alistair Kaye pledged to buy a reuseable coffee cup and make his own sustainable cleaning products

Former Councillors made Honorary Alder(wo)men

by Jeremy Morton

Five former South Leeds Councillors were made Honorary Alderwomen or Aldermen of Leeds at a special meeting of Leeds City Council on 19 October.

The ceremonial position of Honorary Alderman is open to any person who, in the eyes of the council, has given eminent service to the area in a public position. It does not entitle the holders to any special privileges, but does enable them to attend civic functions, such as Remembrance parades, and actively support the Lord Mayor’s charity.

We caught up with our former representatives to ask them how they felt about the honour.

Judith Blake, Baroness Blake of Leeds, was a Councillor for Middleton Park ward and Leader of the Council. She was elevated to the House of Lords and stood down as a Councillor in 2021. She told South Leeds Life:

“I was delighted to be told that I had been recommended to become an Honorary Alderwoman of Leeds. I am very conscious that I will be joining a group of very esteemed former councillors who have given service tirelessly over generations, serving their communities. It was an enormous privilege for me to serve as a councillor in South Leeds for almost 20 years representing the communities of Hunslet, Belle Isle and Middleton. I was first elected in 2002 representing the former Hunslet Ward and then was elected to the newly formed Middleton Park Ward in 2004.

“I am proud of the many achievements we made over that time and the work we did with so many brilliant people in our communities to achieve transformational change. I am pleased to say that I still talk about that work regularly in my new role in the House Of Lords and use all the experience I gained in South Leeds to inform the decisions I make today.

“Can I say a sincere thank you to everyone I worked with. I miss you all and always enjoy the opportunities I have to meet up and catch up with progress.”

Angela Gabriel represented Beeston & Holbeck ward until she was deselected and stood down in May 2022. She commented:

“I feel so privileged to have been nominated as an Alderwomen of Leeds. I was born in Malta but moved to Leeds at the age of 3. I’ve seen Leeds change over the years and love the warm-hearted, diverse communities which I’ve been part of. I was elected as a councillor 25 years ago and have since taken Beeston to my heart, moving to Beeston soon after being elected.

“I love the community spirit and have always wanted to be a councillor who focussed on community and improving the area we live in. Within my time I have seen Beeston grow and flourish with projects including Beeston Festival and Beeston in Bloom.

“I will remain dedicated to Beeston and the fabulous work

Councillors sleep out to highlight homelessness

Cllr Paul Wray (Labour, Hunslet & Riverside) and Cllr Andrew Scopes (Labour, Beeston & Holbeck) joined other South Leeds residents to take part in Simon’s Big Sleepout to raise money for Simon on the Streets.

They helped to raise £1,500 between online and offline donations by sleeping on the floor of the Leeds Civic Hall carpark.

Cllr Paul Wray said:

“Homelessness, despite the best efforts of the Council and wonderful charities such as Simon on the Streets, is increasing, more so as the Cost

of Living crisis bites. Raising money and awareness for charities like these is one way we can help them. We had it easy and were safe while we were sleeping outside, but those who are really rough sleeping have a far more unpleasant time.”

Cllr Andrew Scopes added: “Simon on the Streets is an independent charity, so unlike many services who are commissioned by the Council, they can spend as much time with a rough sleeper as they need to, helping and supporting them to stop rough sleeping. But their work is

getting harder all the time.”

Peter Chambers, a Middleton resident who joined them on the night reflected on his time supporting rough sleepers:

“Through my volunteering, I’ve seen the support for those sleeping rough on the street reduce over time.

“The Council is having to make its money stretch further and charities like Simon on the Streets are having to do more as a result. It is heart breaking.”

Rough sleeping is on the rise across most major cities and towns, and what was once an issue for Leeds City Centre, has

that goes on within my community. I want to thank those who have supported me and hope I have equally supported you.”

Kim Groves was first elected as a Councillor for Middleton Park in 2010 and stood down last May. She is now Director of Inspiring Positive Futures and Evo Futures helping bridge the gap between Education and Business and told us:

“I am humbled to be nominated to receive the honour of Honorary Alderwoman of Leeds for my work in Belle Isle, Middleton, and the City of Leeds. I was born in Leeds and have lived in the South of the City all my life, so this is very special to my family and me.

“The communities across

now spread into the areas of Holbeck and Beeston which border it, stretching the support given by commissioned services like the Leeds Street Outreach Service and charities like Simon on the Streets.

Find out more about Simon on the Streets at simononthestreets .co.uk

If you are at risk of becoming homeless, contact Leeds City Council on (0113) 222 4412 (Open weekdays, 9am – 5pm, except Wednesdays when they are open from 10am). For emergency homelessness situations outside of office hours, please call (0113) 378 8366

Leeds are full of people who work and volunteer to help others daily. I feel lucky to have worked with many individuals, community organisations and businesses that continue to give to society and inspire others.

“It’s a great privilege be awarded a Civic Title, something that is part of history and ancient traditions in Leeds and something that I wasn’t expecting. I will accept the award knowing that many people, family, friends, work colleagues and members of the community I served have supported me through my twelve years of Civic Duties In Leeds.

“I will also think of many outstanding community activists from South Leeds who

have passed away but contributed so much to our communities, including my Mum. I want to thank everyone for their support.”

Elizabeth Nash served as a Councillor for fifty years through many ward boundary changes. She represented City & Holbeck ward from 1989; City & Hunslet ward from 2004; and Hunslet & Riverside ward from 2018, having previously represented Kirkstall ward. She lost her seat in the 2022 election. She said:

“I am very pleased to be made an Honorary Alderwoman. I have spent nearly all of my adult life serving as a councillor, firstly on the Leeds Corporation from 1972 and subsequently on the new metropolitan Leeds City Council from 1973 (there was an overlap year of the two councils).

“It is good to keep the Council connection and I hope that in that role I will be able to assist the Council in whatever way I can.”

Adam Ogilvie represented Beeston and then Beeston & Holbeck ward from 19992018. Since stepping down he has become Chief Executive of Meanwood Valley Urban Farm. He reflected:

“I was really lucky to have the chance to represent Beeston and Holbeck as a Labour councillor for 19 years and to work with some amazing people and groups over that time in south Leeds and beyond.

“This honour is as much a thank you to everyone in Beeston and Holbeck as it is to me and is a formal end to that period which I will always cherish.”

Councillors and other supporters prepare to bed down outside the Civic Hall

L-R: Hon Alds Kim Groves, Adam Ogilvie, Judith Blake, Elizabeth Nash and Angela Gabriel with Lord Mayor Cllr Bob Gettings ©Mark Bickerdike

BAFF: supporting families with learning disabilities for 20 years

by Jeremy Morton

Imet with Lynn Bailey to find out more about Better Action For Families (BAFF) which has recently marked its 20th anniversary.

I started by asking how BAFF got started.

“It started with my daughter Leanne,” Lynn explained.

“She’s got learning disabilities and when she got to about 17 or 18 years old she realised that her cousins were doing things that she couldn’t do.”

Lynn told me Leanne got really down and depressed and she said to her mother “If I’ve got to have a learning disability, I’d rather be dead.”

With help from Health For All, Lynn applied for a small grant and started a weekly social group for people with learning disabilities and their carers.

The group started at the St John’s Ambulance hut on Barkly Road before moving to the old Beeston Library, next to

Hugh Gaitskell Primary School.

After the library moved BAFF, along with Beeston Forum and others fought to get the building transferred to Health For All to become Beeston Village Community Centre –which has now been rebuilt on the site.

Today BAFF is commissioned by Leeds City Council to run three projects

BAFF facilitates the Cares’ Reference Group which gives a voice to people looking after people with learning disabilities and feeds back to the service providers. Amongst other things they review forms the Council send out to carers.

“These always start by asking when did you become a carer?” explains Lynn “But some of us didn’t become a

They’ve also worked with St James’ Hospital to create an easy-read leaflet which is now carried in every ambulance.

BAFF also helped produce a leaflet for people with learning disabilities about contraception.

The Good Lives Leaders project, still on pause due to the pandemic, was set up in

the wake of the Winterbourne View scandal. It involved visiting people at home and checking that they were living a good life and getting all the services they needed; that their homes had the proper adaptions and giving information about local activities and services.

“It really made a difference to people and was recognised with a Kite Mark” said Lynn.

As part of their Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) work they have developed the monthly homemade food and crafts market, the knitting and crochet group that made the post box toppers, and the recent ‘Back In The Day’ booklet with residents of Cardinal Court.

On top of all of that BAFF still run seven groups a week: the original Monday• evening social group; they have an allotment at• Old Lane and have won prizes at the Middleton Park Show; Family Fun is attended by• 50 people and has a waiting list, there’s cooked meal and space for parents and carers to chat and support each other and share information while children have activities;

relaxation and movement• at the Watsonia cafe, everyone in the park can join in; and Dancercise.

•

All the work that BAFF and others have put in over the last 20 years mean that Leanne’s life has changed for the better.

“Now my daughter lives in her own flat and she’s married and she’s got a job, at Middleton Park café” says Lynn. “So from our Leanne, all those years ago not wanting to exist anymore, she’s actually flourished into this lovely young woman who’s quite independent. She has support, but she’s separated from me, I’m no longer her carer, I’m back to being her mother.”

And what next for BAFF? Well their next project is making a film with Lippy People about every carer’s greatest fear –what happens when they die, who will look after their child?

Explaining bereavement and helping people with learning disabilities grieve is an often overlooked area. Lynn was spurred to start this project after she spoke to a young man who had been told “He had to be brave” after his Dad died. She gave a hug and let him cry. That care and respect sums up Better Action For Families.

Lynn Bailey with Cllr Scopes at the launch of ‘Back In The Day’ and BAFF’s celebration cake

Money matters

Leeds Credit Union

Everything you need to know about pensions

With Pension Awareness Week having recently taken place, Jodie Lockwood, Branch Coordinator at Leeds Credit Union, is here to give you the facts about pensions and why they're so important.

Pension Awareness Week is a campaign designed to encourage everyone to engage with their pension and to understand the benefits of financial wellbeing, so we've compiled a short Q&A on how your pension can help you protect your money and your future.

What is a pension?

A pension is a financial product that lets you save money for your retirement.

Pensions have specific rules regarding what you can save and when you can access your cash. To encourage you to save into your pension, the government also adds money to them through pension tax relief.

There are three types of pension – defined contribution, defined benefit and the state pension.

Defined contribution pensions are occupational pension schemes where your own contributions and your employer's contributions are both invested and the proceeds

are essentially used to buy a pension at retirement.

Whatever you save attracts tax relief, which means the government boosts your contributions. If you have a workplace scheme, your employer usually has to contribute too.

A defined benefit pension is where the amount you're paid is based on how long you've been a member of your employer's pension scheme and the salary you've earned when you leave or retire. These pensions pay out a secure income for life which increases each year in line with inflation.

The state pension is a regular payment from the Government that most people can claim once they turn 66, as long as they have made National Insurance (NI) contributions for at least 10 years. The amount you get depends on your NI record.

You can also have a personal or private pension that you've set up for yourself, and you can save into more than one pension at the same time.

How do they work?

You and/or your employer (if it’s a workplace pension) pay into your pension, before the government applies tax relief to the pension contributions you

make. This enables your pension pot to grow over time so that you have money in the bank ready for when you retire and cease to receive a wage or salary from an employer.

In general, the sooner you start saving and the more you pay in, the more savings you could have in retirement.

How much can I pay in?

The government sets a limit on how much you can pay in each year. For the 2021/2022 tax year, the standard annual allowance across all your pensions combined is £40,000.

How do I open a pension?

If you want to open a personal pension, you simply need to find and contact a provider. In the UK, there are plenty to choose between but this article gives a rundown of the ten best private pension providers currently in operation.

You don't need to open a workplace pension as your employer will do this on your behalf.

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

Find out more at: www.leedscreditunion.co.uk

Middleton crime writer publishes new book

by Kushmina Begum

Local author Lee Brooks is releasing his new book ‘The Middleton Woods Stalker’ on 4 November with a first week sale especially dedicated to South Leeds Life readers.

Lee is a crime writer and grew up in Belle Isle and Middleton attending Middleton St Mary’s and Rodillian secondary school. He worked part-time at the former Gregg’s on Dewsbury Road before going to university to complete his teacher training.

After working in North Lincolnshire as a primary school teacher he moved back

to Middleton with his wife to start a family.

He finally pursued a bucket list dream of becoming an author after winning a short story writing competition at work. He went on to write his first novel in the lockdown to take his mind off the worries of the pandemic.

In 2021 he self published the first of his ‘George Beaumont' series based on fictional crimes and murders around places in South Leeds. Lee cites his grandmother as being a big inspiration to him with her love for storytelling!

His latest book is published on 4 November and can be

purchased via Kindle Unlimited or Amazon. Lee is holding a 99p sale for our readers on his e books for one week only. The series in order is Miss Murderer, The Bone Saw Ripper, The Blonde Delilah, The Cross Flatts Snatcher and The Middleton Woods Stalker (new release).

In December he is releasing the sixth book in the series just in time for the festive season aptly named ‘The Naughty List’. Lee plans to set up his own website next year to build his fan base where you will be able to order signed copies of the books and ask for personalised messages.

New residents group for Beeston Hill

This month sees the launch of a new resident-led forum for Beeston Hill – could YOU help change your community?

People living throughout Beeston Hill* are invited to join a meeting on Monday 21 November, from 6pm (until 7pm), at the Building Blocks nursery on Tempest Road – to find out more and perhaps get involved. Food and drinks will be served.

The association – potentially called Beeston Union, but the name will be decided at the meeting – will be led wholly by local residents, and will enable

the community to develop ideas for the area, hold regular forums, and have better ongoing dialogue with the Council, Police, and other institutions.

This month’s meeting will be led by Cllr Ed Carlisle, with local community campaigner Omar Mushtaq – and Cllrs Iqbal and Wray will hopefully attend too. But going forward, the association will be strictly nonpolitical, with no direct involvement from councillors or other key political members in the leadership of the group.

Cllr Carlisle commented: “We

have a great community here, dynamic and full of good people – but we also face no shortage of challenges too.

“Residents associations can make such an impact: developing and enabling action on big local issues. Please join us this month if you can, or get in touch anytime – let’s make things better, together.”

*For the sake of this association, ‘Beeston Hill’ is understood as the large redbrick neighbourhoods around Tempest Road, the Woodviews, the Stratfords, and down to the Rowlands and Lindens.

Demolition at historic Stank Hall Barn site

by Jeremy Morton

One of the historic listed buildings at Stank Hall was demolished last month by Leeds City Council, who own the site.

Stank Hall Barn is a 15th century tithe barn located off Dewsbury Road near the White Rose Shopping Centre. In 2013 South Leeds Life kickstarted a campaign to save the barn from vandalism and helped create a Friends group.

The Friends of Stank Hall Barn helped uncover some of the site’s history including the two adjacent buildings Stank Hall and New Hall. Stank Hall is even older than the barn and is probably the oldest secular building in Leeds, dating to the 13th century and originally being a Royal Hunting Lodge.

The ‘New’ Hall, although more recent (only 400 years old) was also Grade II listed, but has now been demolished by the Council which owns the entire site.

We asked Leeds City Council for a statement, a spokesperson said:

“Stank New Hall suffered a serious fire in October 2011, this left the building without a

roof and substantially weakened its structure.

“Structural Scaffolding was erected to support the East, West and South elevations, which has been monitored closely ever since and measures to secure the site to prevent unauthorised access have been in place, although due to its isolated location regular breaches have been found.

“In late 2021 the council’s property management team identified concerns about the building structure prompting a structural survey to be undertaken. This survey concluded that the west and adjoining corner of the south elevation of the building were at risk of inward collapse.

“Due to the continued number of incidents of unauthorised access and the potential hazard posed to anyone who should gain unauthorised access to the site and following consultation with the council’s conservation officer, emergency works have been undertaken to bring the structure into a safe state.

“Prior to works being undertaken, the building was recorded in line with a

specification agreed with West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service. In addition throughout the works an archaeologist was on site, recording elements of the structure that were uncovered and advised on the need to preserve any items, further to this parts of the chimney stack have been retained for preservation and moved away from the building for safe storage.

“The wider Stank Hall Barn site continues to be actively patrolled to minimise the risk of unauthorised access and the fencing is regularly inspected and repaired where necessary. There have been several attempts made to find solutions which would bring the buildings back into active use, however there has been little market interest.

“The solution to convert the buildings into a wedding venue have also fallen away due to decisions taken by the proposed operator. The council is actively exploring potential opportunities to improve the viability of bringing forward the re-use of the buildings in order to support the delivery of a sustainable solution.”

We also spoke to the Friends

of Stank Hall Barn who told us they were incredibly frustrated by the Council’s actions. Having been granted a lease to create a medieval vegetable garden on the site, providing free produce to local residents, the Council changed the locks in late 2019 and group have been unable to access the site, even to clear it. The licence expired last year and all attempts to renew it have been met by silence.

The group say their Business Plan, which involved workspace, community centre, heritage building skills training and grow space, was rejected

by the Council who said the group didn’t have the skills and experiencefor such a project.

This despite the group including architects, structural engineers, heritage builders, archaeologists and heritage business managers. The group’s idea to create a wedding venue was used by the Council to market the site, but that deal has now fallen through.

In their statement the Friends group conclude:

“During our time working with the site local people have repeatedly commented that this site would not have been

treated so badly if it had been in a richer part of Leeds, but rather celebrated and used for the benefit of the community.

We are unable to comment on the accuracy of this statement, but it is beginning to look rather likely, especially now given the support to community and heritage by Leeds 2023, when the oldest building in the city is being ignored.”

You can read the group’s full statement online at: southleedslife.com.stank-halldemolished. For now the site languishes as it has done for the last 20 years.

by Sally Thums

Last month members of the local community came together at St Luke’s CARES Charity Shop for an evening to explore the vast issues of the cost-of-living crisis and the climate emergency.

We felt like it is a critical moment to come together and plan for these hard times ahead. Can we help each other as individuals and organisations. Can we build on how well we worked together

over covid? can we double it?

We have so many local skills and resources, can we build a Zero Waste Community?

Over the evening we discussed many ideas, suggestions, and questions, concentrating on the main theme of REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE

These were;

A Green Bin Campaign,• familiarising ourselves with what we can and cannot put in them? How often are they collected? And how can we

recycle the items we cannot put in them?

A Waste Film Festival, a• series of films, documentaries showed at different locations around South Leeds

A Repair Café to be held• regularly in South Leeds

Continuing to run the• School Uniform Swap with Zero Waste Leeds and continue to be part of the Free Winter Coat Scheme.

Other themes came up at the evening around South Leeds Alliance for Clean Air, Our

Future Beeston, food growing initiatives, adapting homes to become more carbon saving. Cllr Ed Carlisle (Green, Hunslet & Riverside) commented:

“The cost-of-living crisis has been a wake-up for us all – but if we work together on projects like this, we can save money, and help the planet at the same time. Many thanks to all those getting involved: the Council and other big organisations have a key part to play, but this needs to be led by local people if it’s really going to have an impact.”

It was an uplifting and informative evening with great people, lovely food, and really interesting and exciting plans. We want more people to join us and help us shape this campaign, do any of these topics interest you? Are you thinking about other solutions? We would really love to hear from anyone who would like to get involved.

Please get in touch with sally@stlukescares.org.uk or pop in the St Luke’s CARES charity shop on Dewsbury Road and talk to one of the team.

A pile of rubble and stones is all that’s left of Stank New Hall (the Old Hall is in the foreground)

Fundraising event for Kurdish school and community centre

by Gulnaar Khan

Afundraising event by The Kurdish House Leeds was held at The Involve Centre in Hunslet on 28 October, to discuss a crucial need for community donations and loans to purchase a permanent home for the Nawroz School and to establish a multi-functional centre for the whole community.

The organisation has set its hearts at an old vacant school building, previously known as Bewerley Street Infants, on Hunslet Hall Road owing to its spaciousness, and they intend to utilize the large area to promote:

intercultural harmony• within Leeds’ diverse communities.

Teach people practical• skills for sustainable living and care for the environment.

Help migrants with• Kurdish heritage to settle into life in the UK.

To provide a community• library, community meeting spaces, and various activities on education, well-being, and signposting to services.

The hostess for the evening, Mrs Kashan Ali, dressed in a

vibrant traditional Kurdish ensemble, who also happens to be the Chair and Headteacher for the school, gave an eloquent speech in their native language Sorani for the many Kurdish attendees, also translating into commendable English for the non-Kurdish audience. They all had travelled from different parts of the city and beyond, to pledge their support and contribution to this important initiative.

Disability Families of Middleton

by Chrissy Thornton

Iset up a group called Disability Families of Middleton in February 2017.

I started with five families and now have around 70 children and their families. This group is for anyone with disabilities, mental or physical.

I run this from my home and DAZL headquarters in Middleton as my house is no longer adequate as there are way too many to fit in.

I do this as there was nothing in Middleton for our children to do or to socialise. It’s important for the parents too.

We support each other and help with ideas and strategies. We have to fundraise for everything we do so we can explore and enjoy our time. We hold tabletop sales, and we have a raffle page on Facebook: DFM Fundraising Raffles.

We do garden activities, Easter bonnet competitions, trips to the seaside, Halloween and Christmas parties which is

we try to raise as much as possible.

I started this group as I got custody of my grandchildren.

My grandson has many disabilities and there wasn’t anything local for us to access, so I started my group I didn’t think it would take off but am truly thankful it has, as it’s so rewarding to see the smiles and hear the laughter.

This group brings people together that can see and understand each other while letting them know they’re not alone.

As South Leeds Life reported, through Covid we went out with Santa, Grinch, Elf on a horse and cart as a lovely lady volunteered her two sons. It was such good fun after such a grim year.

We also ask companies as well as local people to donate anything they can. We have a lot of wonderful people in LS10.

You can contact Chrissy by emailing: chrissythorntonchris @outlook.com

attendees, an aspiring journalist from London, Mr Gova Ahmad, presented a stirring speech about the dire need for strategies to uplift and motivate an already conscientious and friendly community like the Kurds. He emphasised the fact that these people had to flee their homeland to safeguard their lives but found solace in the culturally diverse city of Leeds. a city they’ve embraced as their home and have actively been contributing to the betterment of the environment through cleanliness drives, planting fig trees in less cultivable land and through

their relentless entrepreneurial abilities.

Another attendee, a lady from a different minority ethnic group, Mrs Bahar M Khesrawi, is the chair and founder of the Bahar Women’s Association. She expressed her heartfelt support for this cause as she believes that all immigrants, irrespective of their countries, races, or beliefs must be made to feel empowered with spaces dedicated for the welfare of their people. Places they can feel included, accepted and heard as individuals who have embraced the UK as a safe haven for their families.

Echoing her beliefs for a culturally inclusive place for the

Kurdish community, the organiser and force behind this initiative Dr Nick Lalvani reiterated that the friendly and hardworking Kurdish community has been diligently contributing to communities across Leeds. Despite minimal support from government bodies, they have shown great energy in giving back that feeling of security, warmth, and generosity that the people of Leeds have shown them.

The event was extraordinarily reflective of the exuberant Kurdish heritage in terms of the traditional Middle Eastern delicacies served across a lavish banquet spread; women and children dressed in traditional dazzling fineries; poets waxing eloquent praise of Kurdish brotherhood; and beautiful renditions of Eastmeets-West fusion folk songs being performed live by accomplished artists.

As per the informal circular being given to all attendees, the building, to be purchased for an estimated price of £300,000 - £500,000, is due to be auctioned on 8 January 2023. So far, despite all efforts

only £6,000 has been raised from donations.

Trustee Nick Lalvani urged members of various other charity organisations and trusts present at the occasion to pledge their contribution to this cause and so did Cllr Paul Wray (Labour, Hunslet & Riverside) who engaged and motivated the diverse audience to join in the auctioning of paintings made by the young minds of the Nawroz School. Some of these were sold out at a startling price of up to £150 and although the intention behind the auction was to raise money for the necessary funds, the Kurdish House Community Funding proposal is still thousands of pounds away from reaching its goal.

Kurdish House Leeds are seeking donations and (interest free) loans from anyone who wishes to empower a peace-loving community. To find out more about donations and volunteering opportunities for Nawroz School, Leeds, please contact the trustee Dr Nicholas Lalvani at his email address: nicholaslalvani@hotmail.com

Leeds Dock bus service restored

Residents around Leeds Dock and the nearby area were saddened when First Bus abruptly axed their number 29 bus last month.

Now the service is being restarted, after a concerted effort by Councillor Ed Carlisle (Green, Hunslet & Riverside) and new independent operator Yorkshire Buses.

The popular service – up through the city centre, to the LGI hospital and universities –was cancelled at short notice at the start of October, with First Bus blaming low passenger numbers. But there was outcry amongst local residents, especially university students arriving in Leeds for the start of their academic year.

After considerable negotiations between a number of agencies over the past weeks, Yorkshire Buses have stepped in to take the route over. They will be running a

service, alternating between hourly and half-hourly, between

6.30am and 22.20pm, starting on Monday 7 November. They will also be at Leeds Dock on Thursday 3 and Friday 4 November, promoting the service.

Steve Carr, one of the directors for Yorkshire Buses, commented:

“We’re really looking forward to reintroducing the 29, and working with various partners to deliver a reliable service for the people of Leeds Dock. Come jump aboard, and help make this a success – our buses will be bright yellow, so you can’t miss us!”

Cllr Ed Carlisle added:

“This is good news for our community, and our planet. Massive thanks and credit to Yorkshire Buses, for pulling out all the stops to make it happen. Please spread the word, so as many people use the service as possible, and safeguard it for the future”.

The Involve Centre was packed for the event

Mrs Kashan Ali, hostess for the evening and ‘driving force’ Dr Nick Lalvani

Steve Carr of Yorkshire Buses and Cllr Ed Carlisle at Leeds Dock

South Leeds Remembers

Remembrance Sunday falls on 13 November this year and it will be marked by events across South Leeds.

The service at Holbeck Cemetery (Beeston Road) will again feature over 4,000 knitted and crocheted poppies made by a team of volunteers.

The service will be led by Rev Alistair Kaye from St Luke’s Church, but the people of all faiths and none are welcome to attend the event, which stars at

10:30am.

St John & St Barnabas Church in Belle Isle will celebrate a Requiem Mass for the Fallen, in Church, following the Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial at 10:55am.

Acts of Remembrance will also be held at Hunslet St Mary's Spire at 12:30pm; Hunslet Cemetery War Memorial at 1pm; and at the Stourton War Memorial at 1:30pm.

A right royal honour

Stourton Rolls of Honour find new home

Hunslet Community Hub and Library is to become the new home of two Rolls of Honour from former clubs in Stourton, following a request made by Hunslet Carr Residents Association (HCRA).

Margaret Harper (formally Harvey) from HCRA and a former Stourton resident said:

“It is only right we remember the names of those who have fallen to protect our nation. When the clubs closed, these Rolls of Honour were installed in Hunslet Peggy Tub Social Club but were put in storage while they decorated and were not put back up, so were not visible to the public.

“We contacted the club and the owner said they were happy for them to be moved to a new

home. We wanted to find a way to make sure they were on permanent show somewhere. We got in touch with Cllr Paul Wray and thanks to his support, Hunslet Community Hub and Library will be their new home. We can’t wait to honour them again.”

The Rolls of Honour will be unveiled at 11am on Saturday 12 November at Hunslet Community Hub and Library in an event open to the public with light refreshments. One plaque carries the names of members of the Stourton Working Men’s Liberal Club who died in both World War I and II, and the other, the men who died in World War II from the Bateson Working Men’s Club.

Cllr Paul Wray added: “It is wonderful that these men will have their names in a public space, so they can be remembered for generations to come.

“We owe so much to those who paid the ultimate price in our nations name – who laid down their life in the hope of defending the freedom of people they would never meet.

I’d like to thank Hunslet Carr Residents Association for their determination to ensure these are back on show.”

HCRA have produced some booklets charting the history of Stourton and Stourton resident’s reminiscences, which will be available to buy on the event day or by request to hcra90@gmail.com

Crocheted poppies in Beeston Cemetery

The Rolls of Honour will be displayed at Hunslet Community Hub & library

On 29 September Sergeant Yanks Sawo, from Beeston, received His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant Commendation for 26 years Exceptional Military Servicefor King and Country. Yanks serves in the RAF with 607 Squadron at RAF Leeming. The award was presented by HM Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Johanna Ropner.

Hamara increases funding drive to transform Old Cockburn Sports Hall

by Josie Binns

Hamara Healthy Living Centre has launched a buya-brick campaign as part of its plans to raise funds to redevelop the Old Cockburn Sports Hall in Hunslet Moor.

Hamara took over the hall in 2016 and have developed plans to recreate it as The Cockburn Centre, which will be an innovative, new, community led and transformational grassroots development. The centre will boast a range of state of the art, accessible facilities, including rental spaces. Planning permission for the new centre has already been granted.

The vision for The Cockburn Centre is to provide a holistic, engaging and inclusive environment for the community, allowing Hamara to offer employment opportunities, a leisure wellbeing and community

hub, support for youth development, with a strong focus on Digital health, mental health and community cohesion.

Hamara have secured £1m of

the £3m needed to realise their vision and are currently applying to the Community Ownership Fund from the Government’s Department for Levelling Up,

Housing and Communities to help start building. But with the rise in utilities and building costs, the Old Cockburn Sports Hall, as it stands, is at risk of

closure if funding is not secured.

Arnie Sajad, Project Lead for The Cockburn Centre said:

“The Cockburn Centre project continues to secure funding and gain support from Senior Leaders and stakeholders across the City of Leeds. I am really proud of what Hamara has achieved to date and the resilience we have shown as a Team in testing times. Hamara has applied to The Community Ownership Fund for £1m as part of The Levelling Up plan. I want to thank the Hamara Board of Trustees for their continued support and drive for this exciting new development.”

Hamara is now looking for support from local businesses, volunteers and stakeholders, as well as people to apply to join the Cockburn Community Committee. You can find more about the Bu A Brick campaign here: www.hamara.org.uk/buy-brick

Raheem Mohammad , the Interim Director at Hamara commented:

“The need for this project continues to grow and with the support of our entire team,

stakeholders and community, The Cockburn Centre project has started to gain some real traction. The facility will be inclusive and accessible to all and will be a central base for support and leisure for the citizens of the ward and the city as a whole.

“As a South Leeds resident, I am proud to see how much the area has developed over the last decade and a site of this specification will only enhance our locality even further. I can’t wait to see it built and being used.”

Councillor Mohammed Iqbal (Labour, Hunslet & Riverside), the new Chair of Trustees at Hamara, added:

“This is an exciting project and fantastic news for our South Leeds community to have a brand new state of the art community centre and sports hall built in the heart of Hunslet and Riverside ward.

“We have raised just over 1 million pounds so far and are confident that the remaining £2m will be raised soon to enable the completion of the building.”

The vision for the redeveloped Cockburn Centre

Cockburn School’s Year 8s learn CPR for Restart a Heart Day

All pupils in Year 8 at Cockburn School in Beeston received CPR training as part of Restart a Heart Day.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service marked Restart a Heart Day with events designed to improve cardiac arrest survival ratesincluding providing CPR

(Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training sessions to secondary schools. 33,000 students across 133 schools took part. Over the last 9 years 200,000 students have been taught CPR.

Since the Restart a Heart campaign was launched in 2014, bystander CPR rates in

Yorkshire have increased from 39.9% to 74.9% in 2021.

Hundreds of off-duty ambulance staff and volunteers visited secondary schools across the region to provide vital CPR training to tens of thousands of students. One of the ambulance staff at Cockburn spent his day

off leading the sessions and then left to do a full shift in his ambulance.

The ambulance staff are committed to making sure that pupils have the skills to save a life if they ever come across someone in cardiac arrest.

His Majesty King Charles III was represented by The Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Major Stan Hardy at Cockburn School.

cHe came to commend the Yorkshire Ambulance staff who spent the day teaching CPR to all students in Year 8 and to talk to the pupils about a girl from another school who had taken part in the training last year and who had saved the life of her grandfather on Christmas day when he went into cardiac arrest. The Deputy Lieutenant

praised the pupils saying how focused and respectful they were.

Rob Dixon, Head of School at Cockburn School said:

“We are always looking for ways to educate our young people in their responsibilities as part of the wider community. I am delighted that our outstanding PSHCE curriculum included this event. The pupils showed resilience and determination to learn to perform CPR and I am very proud of them all.”

by Jeremy Morton

Middleton St Mary’s

Primary School has taken possession of a defibrillator after months of fundraising activities.

Amongst other activities, the school held a nonuniform day where children wore red and learned about the heart and how to keep it healthy. The school also secured a grant from London Hearts, the UK’s leading defibrillator charity.

Cllr Sharon Burke (Labour, Middleton Park) who along with her colleague Cllr Paul Truswell also helped fund the defibrillator attended a special school Worship (assembly) where Assistant Headteacher, Andy Young, showed the children the new defibrillator and explained how it worked with the help of a video from the British Heart Foundation.

Andy Young, Assistant Head and EY Lead, said:

“It’s great to have the defibrillator on site and know it could save a life but we obviously hope it will never actually be needed. It’s a real testament to the school community that we were able

to raise the necessary funds. One child even gave their own pocket money towards the cost; a wonderful example of generosity.”

Cllr Sharon Burke and Cllr Paul Truswell (Labour, Middleton Park) said:

“As Councillors we have previously funded a number of potentially lifesaving defibrillators that are available 24 hours a day at key locations across Middleton and Belle Isle.

“So we were delighted when Middleton St Mary’s approached us for funding to complement other sources of support they had identified to secure their defibrillator.

“We commend their initiative and it would obviously be great if others were to follow their example.”

Defibrillators can be used to help save someone’s life if they are in cardiac arrest, that is their heart has stopped beating.

South Leeds Life has produced a map of publicly available defibrillators in South Leeds: bit.ly/SLdefibs

If you need to access one call 999 and they will give to the code to open the cabinet.

Students were trained by off duty Ambulance staff

Deputy Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire Major Stan Hardy addressed the students

Assistant Head Andy Young and Cllr Sharon Burke with George, Harriet, Precilla and Cameron with the school’s defibrillator

In our view

Clean Air

The report from Friends of the Earth about air quality across the country is shocking, especially for South Leeds. Beeston has some of the worst levels of particulatestiny particles from diesel exhausts and tyres that get into your lungs and can cause cancer - of any city in England outside London.

So what is to be done? We need to wean ourselves off our dependence on cars. We need a fast, reliable and cheap public transport network, rather than the cuts to bus services that we’ve seen in recent months.

And we need to look again at the Active Travel Neighbourhood plan for Cross Flatts which has the highest polution level of all.

Putting families first

It is so embedded it was in their name from the start - Better Action For Families. This was a group that started to support people with learning disabilities, but understood that that the way to do that was to look after the whole family: parents, carers and siblings as well as the person with the learning disability. That is their strength and that is why they have achieved so muchand changed so much - over the last 20 years. Here’s to another 20 years!

Heritage south of the river

We have two jewels hidden in South Leeds and we’ve just lost a third. Stank Hall and its barn are crucial parts of our history and the history of Leeds. The Hall is probably the oldest secular building in Leeds, the barn is beautiful example of a timber framed tithe barn as anyone who had the opportunity to see inside will testify. It’s not good enough for the Council to leave these buildings to be vandalised and then shrug its shoulders and say it was someone else’s fault we lost them. A use for the buildings must be found and groups with good ideas must be supported.

Your letters and comments

Cockburn sports pitches

Only in South Leeds would a small group of narrow minded people object to 5% of the former privately run golf course being allocated to the Outstanding school (Ofsted 2022) leaving 95% left for community to use. So short sighted. Let’s celebrate Child Friendly Leeds and invest in the children. The headteacher should be given a medal for what he has achieved for the school, and then going on to transform the former South Leeds Academy now Cockburn John Charles Academy, a school now no longer inadequate. We are lucky to have such school leaders in South Leeds. I bet other schools in Leeds would bite our hands off for such schools in their community. Come on let’s get fully behind the Headteacher and school to benefit many generations of children who evidently are the local community.

Paul North

Well you can’t say they haven’t got all the detailed information that should have prevented this from happening. As far as I am concerned this is adverse possession (Land Grab) it belongs to the local community. It’s sad and disgusting.

Colin Hendrick Ward

Did the private golf course belong to the local community? No just a small group of people who could afford to pay golf fees. Do the children of the school belong to the local community? Yes. Hardy a land grab!

Malcolm

Have you checked out the hazardous chemicals in rubber crumb? Children are more vulnerable to chemicals. The health risk increases depending on frequency of playing on these plastic pitches or time spent in direct contact with the pitch material. So for example a child goalkeeper who plays frequently would be at much greater risk. Europe is banning them, their draft regulations were published on 30 August. They state it’s for their significant environmental impact and the potential health risks. Why risk your kids health?

Demand real grass to play on!

Suzy

Anyone would think – listening to all these moaning minnies – that there aren’t already acres and acres of more open land

available right next door where people can walk freely, and enjoy nature, and woodland walks, and grassland, and amenity space. There’s an entire ancient wood and parkland and ex-golf course short strides away. And you’re busy moaning about local children being given sports amenities? You really are a sad and sour lot. Think it speaks of jealousy and a small-minded mentality, when you can’t even appreciate the benefits that this relatively small addition to the environment this will bring to local kids and their extended families. Grow up and get lives. There’s masses of open space all around us to enjoy.

Sam Stainton

This establishment did not hold the council to ransom to take more pupils. The school took in seventy extra pupils over the last 12 months at the request of the council – no other school in south Leeds was prepared to take them and so they would otherwise have had to be bussed to other parts of the city. The fact that the school agreed to take these children meant that the present school buildings were too small, and therefore the tennis courts had to be built on to provide extra accommodation. Obviously, there was then a knock-on effect.

Keeping young people in the community healthy is very important I agree. In west yorkshire there are lots of greens spaces, country side and fresh air so I’d forgive people who feel building a plastic pitch on park land is no big deal, however being so close to Leeds City centre Beeston has very few green spaces left. Don’t let it become like London where children are walking to school in concrete areas with few trees, high polution, and high asthma and cancer rates. We need to protect park land and green spaces for future generations. That’s why people are angry, it’s not because they dont want the best for the children, they just have a different point of view.

Jennifer Lines

6 replies (online) from local residents who have lost their sense of community as they pursue their addiction to online negativity. Why must you politicise this with talk of ‘land grab’ and trees? This is about our children! Our future. Keeping the young people in our community healthy and active is vital. Thankfully it is these young people that will be our future community long after your thumbs have stopped angrily typing.

TK Michaels

Middleton Park bonfire

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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:

@WestwardCare

At Pennington Court, our residents are doing a project with Greenmount Primary School.

The children wanted to know what our residents did when they were children - and we had a lovely morning chatting about childhoods.

@BITMO_LS10

It will be nice & warm in BITMOs GATE on Friday, where our lovely volunteers will be serving hot sandwiches, Full English breakfasts, cereal, porridge, toast & jam + hot drinks 9.30–11.30am. Donate if you can. If you can't, don’t stay away–you can eat for free & pay when you can.

@lucyajmmoore

Here we are again! Reinstalling & re-unveiling a #BluePlaque for David Oluwale! This is Leeds & this coming together is Leeds's future

@TracyBrabin

A great visit this morning to @LeedsUrbanBike

Your Leeds City Councillors

Beeston

councillors are:

Gohar Almass (Labour) 07445 878 333 gohar.almass@leeds.gov.uk

Annie Maloney (Labour) 07554 969236 annie.maloney@leeds.gov.uk

Andrew Scopes (Labour) 07860 400645 andrew.scopes@leeds.gov.uk

Hunslet & Riverside

the city centre, Beeston Hill and Hunslet. The three councillors are: Ed Carlisle (Green) 07738 921277 ed.carlisle@leeds.gov.uk

Mohammed Iqbal (Labour) 0113 226 8796 mohammed.iqbal@leeds.gov.uk

Paul Wray (Labour) 07528 512649 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

Incidentally, the car parking situation is not as simple as Ms Webster makes out –the school often has to use the cricket club car park as well as its own when hosting visitors. Where’s the logic she asks? Where is the logic in preventing new facilities for local children but giving priorities to bats and hedgehogs, which are hardly productive, cute though they may be. This school is amongst the top 3% of schools nationally and deserves support from the community in which it is a leading player, not ill-informed posts.

Paul Truswell (Labour) 0113 378 8811 paul.truswell@leeds.gov.uk

Henry Wood

I don’t see the point of bonfires and fireworks in this day and age they can cause a lot of distress to wildlife and pets etc, not to mention the awful smell of smoke in the air the following day.

Miken

Middleton Park Bonfire cancelled again? Good. Absolute nonsense in the current climate. Not to mention the impact on the environment.

Marie Griffiths

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.

@ExperienceCIC to chat about inclusive cycling and how we’re going to make our electric bike hire scheme accessible to all.

Cockburn School has been given planning permission for new sports pitches

@HealthforAllLds

Half term Holiday Activities at Middleton Family Centre

MP’s notebook

Hilary Benn MP

Ican't quite let this column pass without making some reference to the recent goingson at Westminster and 10 Downing Street.

I have been involved in politics for over 40 years and I have never known a time like it. We have had three different Prime Ministers in the space of just two months, and historians will record that the previous incumbent was in her job for as long as Brian Clough lasted as the manager of Leeds United in 1974.

This is not the place to dwell on the party politics of what has happened, but recent events have damaged the economy, put up people's mortgages and undermined our international reputation.

And as the economic problems facing us become more acute, we are now beginning to see the true economic costs of leaving the European Union.

We now have the lowest level of investment in the G7, and if you make it more difficult to

sell to your biggest trading partner – and that is exactly what has happened as businesses face new costs, bureaucracy and red tape in trying to export across the Channel – then it harms investment and growth.

I say that not to revisit the referendum arguments – that decision has been made – but because, as the new Prime Minister has said, we have to be honest with each other about what we are facing if we're going to take the right decisions to get us out of the mess we are in.

In response to rapidly rising energy bills and with winter beckoning, Leeds City Council has published a map of warm spaces across the city. These are places where residents can go to keep warm during the day. The list currently shows Leeds City Council community hubs and libraries – which will be offering free hot refreshments and things to do – but

additional warm spaces, like churches, will be added as they are confirmed. This is a really welcome and practical initiative.

I have written before about the vital job that food banks do locally to help families who are struggling, and I recently visited the Leeds South and the East Food Bank depot in Millshaw to find out how they are getting on. They told me that the pressure on them and other food banks in the city is increasing. Across Leeds as a whole there are now 99 food bank locations. Demand is going up and donations are down as the cost of living crisis bites on everyone, including those who make regular contributions. So far this year, the Leeds South and East Food Bank has helped to feed over 10,000 people, half of them children. When you reflect on those numbers, they are truly shocking. As one of the staff in South Leeds said to me “Our

aim never changes. We want to be out of a job,” Sadly, that hope is a long, long way off.

Also shocking are the pictures we have seen coming out of Iran where women and girls have shown enormous courage in standing up for what are universal human rights, following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody. She had been arrested simply for not wearing her head scarf properly. The protests have spread right across Iran and many people have been killed by the authorities for taking to the streets. In sending our solidarity to those calling for basic human freedoms, I know

this will mean a lot to those risking their lives, but also to refugees from Iran to whom we have given safe shelter in South Leeds. Like us, they long for the day when peaceful change for the better comes to their country.

On a much happier note, I greatly enjoyed my recent visit to Westwood Primary School in Middleton where I had been invited to talk to year 4 and 5 pupils about my job. As ever, their questions were excellent, and at one point I started to try and explain how votes take place in the House of Commons. The language that we still use isn't a great aid to

Hilary Benn is our Member of Parliament.

understanding; for example phrases such as “As many as are of that opinion say Aye”, “To the contrary Noe” and “Division” are not terribly userfriendly. So I enlisted the help of some of the pupils to play the part of the Speaker and the Tellers. They were magnificent. I decided for some reason that the motion under debate would be whether chips should always be on the school menu. They all seemed to enjoy it and so did I. Afterwards, I met members of the School Council who have taken the first step in getting elected to represent their fellow pupils. I reckon there could be one or two future MPs amongst the wonderful pupils I met.

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

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Here and There

with Peter Haughton

My bike was still there after I’d picked up my medal!

(For the Royal Parks Half Marathon Sunday 9 Octobersuch a beautiful sunny day, perfect for the occasion.)

I’d locked it to a steel post near to the start/finish line because it’d be close to a lot of eyes, including the race stewards’ and, tip, always use a good quality D lock and cable if leaving your bike in a public place.

It was safe, thankfully. Bikes don’t come cheap.

To be honest I wasn’t runready for this event and what with the near five-hour coach ride to London because my train ticket was voided due to the rail strike it had been a bit of a palaver the day before.

(There y’see, there’s always an excuse you can make if your performance is less than you’d predicted.)

I didn’t want to risk a serious leg muscle complaint after about four miles jogging so had to walk the remaining nine miles in order to finish which, I am pleased to say, I managed to do (because so many loved ones had sponsored my

chosen charity, and I felt I owed it to them).

The organisers have an app so loved ones can track your progress, which my son Ben and wife Janine did. Janine was horrified that I was slowing down a mile or so before the finish line: Ben, though, was not surprised. To be honest, neither was I.

At that time I was seriously beginning to wonder whether there’d be anyone at the finish to hand out the medals, because at this tail-end many bands who’d been urging runners on had quit, park attendants were already clearing up the litter, and the general public were beginning to reclaim the designated running route.

But the medal givers had stayed, bless. Elvis had not left the building, and a truly beautiful moment as I approached the finishing line was that two runners behind me, who could so easily have overtaken me, elected to join hands with me so that we could cross the line together.

I’d used a Youth Hostel the night before near to Hyde Park

(Safestay, Holland Park, Kensington) where you can get overnight accommodation in the heart of London for less than twenty quid! And it’s ‘well appointed’. Electronic door cards. Quiet. Secure.

Even if, like me, you’re not a youth

You’re in a dormitory with seventeen others in 3-tier bunks, bottom bunks grabbed first I noticed, but the night I stayed everyone was respectfully aware that the accommodation was shared, with only an occasional snore to break the night’s silence. Also with that came the privilege of meeting an Aussie backpacker who’d just come from Budapest, and a couple from Barcelona, the connection being of course that they’d just recently come from places beginning with the letter ‘B’. But from abroad. Not Barnsley. Or Bath.

You don’t have to be participating in such events to appreciate just how special something like The Royal Parks Run really is. If you’ve never been to a marathon, or halfmarathon, or 10k, or whatever

Living With Machines

by Hon Ald Elizabeth Nash

There is a very interesting exhibition “Living with Machines” at the City Museum at the moment.

It traces the development and manufacture of machines from the mid 17th Century to the present day. A machine is defined as a device which is driven by forces other than by human ‘elbow grease’ such as wind, water, steam and electricity and, latterly, sun creating electricity.

Prior to the machine-age, people lived by the natural rhythms of the sun and season and earned their living by working from home by spinning and weaving, or making other objects to sell, or working in adjacent fields to produce food for themselves or sale in local markets.

Then later, working in mills meant that they were paid for their time at work rather than for the finished product. Although there were some industries making small items such as chain links, screws, pins and wooden bobbins were paid by the number of items produced - so-called ‘piece

work’.

On display is an early clocking-in clock which recorded the time of arrival of the worker and the time they “clocked off”. Many older residents in Hunslet will know them as “punch clocks” and I regret the change of name of the local public house The

Punch Clock which reminded one of Hunslet’s history.

Benjamin Gott and John Marshall of Leeds harnessed steam power in bigger mills employing hundreds of people. But even before then our Industrial Museum at Armley was powered by water turbines - the first in the country - which

before, I sincerely recommend that you check it out. Or better still, take the plunge and run. Or walk, as I did. A bit like watching your kid playing in their first football team.

So much encouragement amplified by the knowledge that we’ve suffered so much these past few years and still have so much suffering to face in these troubled times.

But here, there are some 16,000 , many of whom are trying to raise money for so many charities that, on the day, I found mind-boggling. It’s that Buddhist thought: if you want to be miserable, think of yourself; If you want to be happy, think of others.

And when there are runners who have completed the race hours before you making their way home but who are, nevertheless, encouraging you to keep going … Come on! You can DO this!

Come on! You can DO this! What price can you place on that?

Janine and I laugh at that scene in Hook where Bob Hoskins claims he has experienced an ‘apostrophe’ with Dustin Hoffman (as Hook) correcting him by telling him that it was, in fact, an epiphany. I think I had something of an apostrophe/epiphany on that run/walk.

The world is not, and never has been, how I see it. By that I mean that I am just one of an

were more efficient than waterwheels. It is interesting to note, however, that Thwaite Mills, which produced putty had no electricity and was powered entirely by its waterwheel until the weir which directed water to it was breached in the 1970s. The weir is now restored.

But the hours of work in the early 19th Century were appalling. Growing up in Kirkstall I was well aware of

estimated eight people billion on this planet, each with mindsets, values and worldviews which cannot possibly be identical to mine. Eight billion of ‘em!

So, riddle me this - who has actually got their finger on the pulse?

But just because the world is not and never has been as I see it isn’t necessarily too problematic. I realised during the run that I have this overexaggerated opinion of how so

important I am when … when all I am is just an eight-billionth member of the human race.

So I’m going to try be less conceited about my own selfimportance in the future. Going to have to, having experienced the gap between who I thought I was physically and, physically, who I actually am. These could just be the rantings of a 72year old. Tell you what though. Gonna ‘keep on running’. That’s the title of a Spencer Davis hit.

Richard Oastler 1789-1861, who is buried in his family’s vault at the rear of my local St Stephen’s Church. He campaigned for “The Ten Hour Act” restricting the hours of work for women and children –children who were as young as five years old. He organised rallies and demonstrations and, although not a member of Parliament himself, he supported other members regardless of party to get the Act through Parliament which it eventually did in 1847.

Undoubtedly, the higher wages of workers in mills and factories gave workers more money to spend on food, clothing and household items. But this came at a great cost to workers’ lives. Accidents and deaths were common, particularly with children and although the Ten Hour Act reduced their hours of work, it was not until 1901 that the working age was raised to 12 years.

Many machines had to be maintained and repaired while still working as it was too expensive for them to be switched off and many accidents resulted. Workers could pay into Friendly Society Insurance schemes and on display in the exhibition is a huge banner commemorating

100 years 1760-1860 of ‘The Armley Clothiers Loyal Friendly Society’.

Another huge banner made of silk and wool from the National Union of Railwaymen, now the RMT, states “We succour the orphans.” Local union members raised money to support the children of workers who had been killed. By 1917 the Union’s Orphan Fund was supporting almost 3,000 children. Today the RMT still has a benefit fund for union members who have died in service.

It is inconceivable today that we could live without machines. One has only to look round one’s home to see how many we own and use. But we should never forget the sacrifice that our predecessors made for our ease of living.

Adjacent to the Living with Machines exhibition is a gallery with another interesting display of the lives and influence of the Ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians with many artefacts found in Leeds and Yorkshire. But that is another story.

The City Museum is free admission and is open Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm and Saturdays and Sundays 11am5pm. Living with Machines Exhibition runs until Sunday 8 January 2023.

Approaching Parliament Square on the Royal Parks Half Marathon

Local history

Ken Burton

Leeds Steel Works

The Leeds Steel Works

became one of the largest iron and steel works in Yorkshire.

It occupied an area of around 25 acres (10 hectares) between Balm Road and Pepper Road in Hunslet and lying alongside the Midland Railway line. Its perimeter extended to just over one mile and at its peak it employed 1,400-1,500 people and its products were exported worldwide.

Hunslet’s industrial history can be traced back to the 18th century and its advantages for this was its location between two streams on flat land. It had good transport links with the opening of the Aire & Calder Navigation in 1700 up to Leeds Bridge leading to great trading opportunities, while in 1758 the Leeds & Wakefield Turnpike Trust improved the road.

The availability of local coal and clay was a bonus, there was a local colliery opened in 1739 followed by potteries and a brewery in 1763 with iron founding in 1770. Textile mills were opened in 1787 followed by chemical works in 1798; it can be seen from this that by

1800 Hunslet was ready to become one of the great 19th century workshops of the world.

Iron founding was begun by one Joseph Ledger on a site that would eventually become the site of the Leeds Steel Works in 1860s. The year 1871 saw the first blast furnace built here on what became known as the Airedale Iron Company in 1881 and the Airedale Hematite Iron Company in 1882-83 (Hematite is the principle ore of iron).

It started converting pig iron into steel by the Bessemer process in 1888 and became known as the Airedale Steel & Iron Company. It was in 1889 that Walter Scott Ltd of Newcastle-upon-Tyne acquired the works and its three blast furnaces, Sir Walter Scott (1826-1910) was renowned as a railway builder as well as a colliery and shipyard owner, the name was to change once again, now it was known as the Leeds Steel Works.

Re-construction and expansion to the works began under the new owners.

Originally standing in fields, the

expansion of the works is more than likely to have been a major factor in the building of back-toback houses in the 1890s and early 1900s in the Bower Road and Pepper Road areas of Hunslet.

Large iron ore mines were owned by the Company in Frodingham, North Lincolnshire which supplied the works with over 2,000 tons of ore each week. The beauty of this ore was it was strongly impregnated with lime, which reduced the need for limestone. Ore was also brought in from Northamptonshire, this ore and other supplies such as coke and limestone were brought in by rail, the works site included five miles of railway sidings which were also used to send out pig-iron and finished steel.

By 1912 there were four blast furnaces at the works, each of these was capable of making 100-130 tons per day of iron and all the iron produced went into the making of Bessemer steel in an adjoining plant. Here the steel was cast into ingots and transferred to heating furnaces in the rolling-mill department

where it was rolled to different sizes and sections where 1,800 to 2,000 tons of steel were produced each week.

In 1892 the Company was the first to produce a rail 60 feet long, a longer rail making for smoother running, while since 1894 a speciality for tram rails had come to the fore, the Company producing 50 different sections of rail for most Councils in Britain. By the 1920s the works had made over half the total tramway rails in use in England.

The Company also produced the first wide grooved tram rail that was suitable for mainline (railway) stock, this allowed railway wagons to run on tram rails and this seems to have been a great benefit to dockside systems. All this specialised rail trade that had been in the hands of foreign companies was taken over by the Company while permanent rails were rolled for several leading English railways as well as those in South America and Canada.

In an industry like this there were always accidents, serious and otherwise, and two of the most serious were widely reported. One was on 11 January 1900 when the material in No3 Blast Furnace had ‘dropped’ causing the gas that had formed to explode. This caused the "bell" or moveable roof, which weighed many tons, to be blown in the air followed by a tongue of flame and smoke as well as

debris comprising of limestone, coke, and iron ore killing four men. The next disaster was on 26 August 1913 when a terrific explosion was caused when a boiler end cap was blown out causing a rain of red hot bricks, scolding water and smoke. This resulted in the deaths of nine men and injured a further twenty. It is said that men wanting work used to wait outside the works for ambulances to arrive and take away the accident victims and then apply for their jobs.

Slag produced in the blast furnaces was broken up and used for road making, concreting, railway ballast, and artificial manure. Since 1908 a business had been developed to make tarmacadam of asphalt using a

lot of the slag; molten slag was run off from the furnaces into containers and allowed to cool, it was then put under giant crushers and ejected for mixture with tar to form a perfect road making material which was much used around Leeds.

After the First World War, in the 1920s, competition from abroad began to make steel production unprofitable. However, the works still had an efficient iron making plant and was now producing high grade iron for foundry and forge work for other steelworks throughout England, it being one of the leading firms in the country in this product. Although conversion of iron to steel had ceased the Company was fabricating other steel sections such as constructional steelwork for buildings, roofs, and bridges. All this while the asphalt plant was producing over 100,000 tons a year.

Britain’s iron and steel industry had grown to be a world leader in the 19th century, but from the latter part of the century foreign competition became more intense and in the 1930s a world-wide recession hit all the users of iron and steel and because there was over capacity in the industry firms started to close.

The Leeds Steel Works employed only a few hundred when a receiver was appointed in 1934 and in August 1935 an 18 month dismantling period began. There was 400,000 tons of slag on the site and this led to the slag plant being reopened to make rod making materials and concrete.

There may be people still alive who remember Hunslet as an hive of industry some may even remember when the sky was aglow at night with the light from the huge blast furnaces and seeing the smog while breathing in the sulphur.

Pouring molten metal at Leeds Steel Works

Pathways for positivity

with Shannon Humphrey

Happiness

Are you unhappy?” A friend asked. I’d been unwell over summer with a nasty bout of Covid-19 that was still lingering several weeks on. My natural bounce, and rhythm for life, fallen by the wayside.

I’m self-employed and things had been a little quieter with work than I wanted, leaving my mood and finances at a low point. I’d been in solitary confinement for almost two weeks, unless you count the cat who has limited conversational skills, other than to request additional snacks and continual fussing. I was bored of my own company which I usually quite enjoy, and I’d watched Netflix dry.

“No” I replied, I wasn’t unhappy, I was more frustrated at being held hostage by the lurgy, that had nibbled its way into other areas of my life.

Work, socialising, exercising all taking a back seat while I wallowed in germs and slept my days away.

But if I was being completely honest with my friend and myself, I would have admitted that I wasn’t entirely happy before Covid came skulking along.

And that got me thinking, if I hadn’t been happy and yet I wasn’t unhappy …

What was I? Was I sad, miserable, despondent, fedup?

Nope, I decided, I wasn’t any of the above. I was in a rut. Y’know, different day, same old thing. No light, shade, or contrast to separate one day from the next. I was bored. You’ve heard the expression, ‘lost the will to live’ well somewhere along the way I’d lost my ‘Thrill to live’.

So, what was I going to do

about it? I had a few options, the first one being to fester, and do nothing, just continue the monotony. I could do something drastic, like sign up for a 10K run or abseil down the local town hall for fun … hmm. None of my bright ideas appealed. Instead, I chose to think about what made me happy. I got a pen and a piece of paper and did an exercise I often work through with clients.

I drew a line down the middle of the paper, making two columns headed, Happy and Unhappy. In the first one, I wrote down all the things and emotions I related to my personal happiness, not the things social media or society says should make me happy.

My happiness is found spending time with loved ones, eating nice meals, being creative, working with interesting people, going for a nice walk, feeling more energetic, enthusiastic, and cheerful.

On the “Unhappy” side I wrote sleeping late, going to bed late, tiredness, lethargy, zero exercise, antisocial, poor diet, tearful, despondent, moody.

Then I made my Emotional Scale rating from 1-10. It included the things that contributed to my mood levels. 1= devastation, sadness, grief. 10 = over the moon, joyful, elated.

I worked through each number and assigned feelings, words, and phrases to each number. Some numbers were a mixture of the sides, because emotions aren’t black and white there’s grey areas too.

My happy place is somewhere around a 7- I’m generally optimistic, cheerful

and nothing much phases me.

I eat a reasonable diet, I communicate openly etc. But I can tell my mood is slipping towards a 4 or below if my diet is poor, I’m not returning phone calls, I’m avoiding social interactions, I don’t want to speak to people, and the house could benefit from a good clean. I have to say this rarely happens, but it has, because I’m human and a dip in mental health is normal. Going up or down a number is fine, but the trick is knowing how and when to bring myself back to my comfort zone of a 7. To do that I gradually reintroduce the things that I know make me feel happier, eating a better diet, taking exercise, arranging to spend time with loved ones, having precious me time.

I was explaining this exercise to a client, and they wanted to know why I wasn’t aiming to live life at a 10. “It would be too hard” I said. Living life as though every day was my 21st birthday would be challenging and unnatural just as it would be emotionally draining to live life at a 1.

And so, the next time someone asks me if I’m happy, I’ll say yes thanks, I’m a perfect 7.

Here’s a few happiness facts

Happiness is a• choice.

Being happy• reduces the stress hormone cortisol.

Eating chocolate• encourages the brain into releasing endorphins, chemicals that make us feel happy.

Being happy• reduces anxiety and happier people sleep

better.

Sudden, erratic and extreme changes in mood, behaviour and outlook that happen frequently, can be a sign that your mental health is being compromised. And advice from a medical professional, is recommended.

If you would like to get your emotional scale on a more even keel and regain control of your thoughts, feelings and actions, then sign visit shannonhumphrey.gumroad .com/l/Scale where you can explore the exercise, I did for yourself. There’s a short video and a downloadable PDF. Use the code SLL at the checkout for 100% discount.

Shannon Humphrey is a Youth and Adult First Aid for Mental Health Instructor and lives locally.

Chocolate releases endorphins. Photo: Shutterstock

Women-only swimming sessions at John Charles Centre for Sport

by Tahena Ahmed

South Leeds has a particularly large Asian (predominantly Pakistani and Bangladeshi) community along with a highly transient population new migrants.

The area also has high rates of the four largest health issues: smoking; obesity; diabetes; and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) as well as larger than average numbers of severe mental health related issues.

The women we work with typically have little disposable income for a gym, consultation with women showed that they would like more opportunities to try a range of physical activities, such as swimming, Aqua, kettle bell, yoga, Zumba and chair exercises for older women. The women have a desire to do things, but they are limited by lack of knowledge or have limited access due to costs of activities or cost of public transport.

Asha Neighbourhood Project aims to tackle barriers of progression for women, underachievement and effects of discrimination and poverty. We aim for the women’s voices to be heard, and to help them have a greater say in their own self-care.

Many have expressed a desire to be more active by trying new activities, but have little knowledge where they can access a friendly women-only session. And due to a lack of confidence, past sexual abuse,

The Hunslet Club is set to illuminate the South Leeds sky

by Lisa Benfield

South Leeds will be illuminated again this year, as The Hunslet Club is happy to announce they will host their FREE fireworks display!

On Friday 4 November the gates of The Hunslet Club will open at 6pm for the people of Leeds to start entering the site before the fireworks display begins later in the evening.

This year, we are incredibly

excited to encourage families and people of all ages to come together, enjoy the evening and bask in the illuminated fireworks display. We want the local South Leeds community and beyond to have a place to go for bonfire night, a place where they can celebrate the evening safely with family and friends.

We will have food and drink available throughout the night thanks to our cash-only tuck

shop, as well as face painting to keep everyone entertained.

After the successful fireworks display in 2021, we wanted to continue this tradition to give people of all ages in the South Leeds community a safe place to celebrate the night. The Hunslet Club focuses on the community, which is why events like our fireworks display are so important, as they bring the community together.

Don’t worry about the queue if you are a member, as we give priority entrance to membership card holders. If you are a member, head straight to the front of the queue to display your card.

We want to say a huge thank you to our wonderful volunteers, staff and local community for their continuous support. Without them, we couldn’t put displays like this on for free.

For more details, visit www.hunsletclub.org.uk and follow The Hunslet Club on social media.

body insecurities, or anxieties they will not join mixed sessions.

After the Covid-19 restrictions were lifted Asha spoke to local councillors, Public Health and leisure centres. After months of waiting we were happy to receive email from Cllr Ed Carlisle that Ambassador Naz from Leeds Girls Can were about to start swimming sessions.

We then started to promote the sessions, which run every Tuesday and Thursday 1-2pm, via social media, on Facebook, word of mouth and on WhatsApp groups.

Please note the sessions are open to all women - you can make your own way to the John Charles Centre for Sport, Middleton Grove, LS11 5DJ for the session starting at 1pm, or join the group going together from Asha Neighbourhood Project, 43 Stratford Street, Beeston, LS11 6JG, meeting at 12pm.

IN BRIEF

Beeston’s Big Christmas Fair

This year St Mary’s Christmas Fair will be even bigger than usual, because they’re inviting stalls from the Monthly Food and Craft Market to join us. The market has been hosted at Beeston Parish Centre this autumn, and the two events are coming together for Christmas. All the usual favourites: tombola, café, cakes, cards, jewellery, knit wear, Asian food to take away, lots of crafts – and not forgetting Santa’s grotto! Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street, LS11 8PN, Saturday 26 November, 10am2pm.

Warm Bingo at The Watsonia Cafe

Stay warm, meet new people, have a chat and play bingo at the Watsonia Cafe in Cross Flatts Park every Thursday, 12:302:30pm. All the prizes are things on your regular shopping list so this is a great way to save money during this cost-of-living crisis. Everybody is welcome to join in.

Holbeckfest beer festival

If you missed getting to Munich for Oktoberfest, don’t worry the Holbeck have you covered. They are staging Holbeckfest on Friday 19 November from 7:30pm. Tickets are £5 from the club or via Facebook and they’re selling fast. There will be authentic German food from the German sausage Stall to complement the German beers and live music will be provided by the Yorkshire Oompahs.

Leeds Dock Community Drop In

If you live or work at Leeds Dock there’s a new weekly drop-in at the Royal Armouries cafe starting on Thursday 3 November, 11am-2pm. Organised by Leeds Sanctuary and supported by the Royal armouries and the Canal & River Trust, this is a new opportunity to meet local people over a free drink, there’s even an activity corner for children.

20 What’s On

Full details

are available at www.southleedslife.com/events

Every Monday

Tea & Toast Drop In

9-10am 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

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

7pm Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston. 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 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 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 Inclusive dance

11am-12pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park

Walking Football

11am-12pm The Hunslet Club, Hillidge Road

Leeds Dock Community Drop In 11am-2pm Royal Armouries Museum Cafe, Leeds Dock Bingo and Hoy

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

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 Bingo

12:30-2:30pm 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

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 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 Family Lego Club

10-11am The Holbeck club, Jenkinson Lawn ParkPlay

10:30am Brickfield Park, Lady Pit Lane, Beeston Free Exercise Class

12-1pm Middleton Leisure Centre, Ring Road Middleton Bingo

12-3pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road

Family Rollerskating

1:30-2:30pm Old Cockburn Sports Hall, Primrose Lane, Beeston Book: ls-ten.org 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

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

Policing issues in LS11 public meeting

6pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston 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

Friday 4 November

Legal Advice Drop-In 10am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Firework Display

6pm The Hunslet Club, Hillidge Road (gates open 6pm)

Saturday 5 November

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 Bumper Jumble Sale

11am-1pm Salvation Army, Hunslet Hall Road, Beeston Family Fun Day

11am-4pm Rowland Road WMC, Beeston Hill Bonfire (7pm & Fireworks (7:30)

5-11pm The Crooked Clock pub, Sussex Avenue, Hunslet

Unnatural Cycles - a ghost story

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

Sunday 6 November

Great Yorkshire Vegan Festival

10:30am-4:30pm Indoor Bowls & Athletics Centre, John Charles Centre for Sport, Middleton Grove

Monday 7 November

Health and Care Jobs Fair

10am, 12pm, 2pm Hunslet Community Hub & Library, off Church Street

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

Tuesday 8 November

Hearing Aid Clinic

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

Wednesday 9 November

MHA Kurling

10-11am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston Holbeck Together Carers Group

1:30-3:30pm Ingram Gardens Community Centre Live Entertainment: Clare Brooke 1:30-3:pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Book: (0113) 272 1050

MHA Singing Sensations

1:30-3pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston Cottingley TRAC resident meeting 6:30pm Cottingley Community Centre

White Rose Speakers

7pm Jury’s Inn hotel, Brewery Wharf

Friday 11 November

Free Comics giveaway

10am Dewsbury Road Community Hub & Library Health and Care Jobs Fair 10am, 12pm, 2pm Dewsbury Road Hub & Library

Saturday 12 November

Saturday Family Film Club

Library, off Church Street

Celebrating Our Heroes

1-4pm Middleton Park Baptist Church, Middleton Park Avenue

Sunday 13 November

Acts of Remembrance

10:30am Holbeck Cemetery, Fairfax Road, Beeston

10:55am War Memorial, St John & St Barnabas Church, Belle Isle Rd

12:30 Hunslet St Mary’s Spire

13:00 Hunslet Cemetery

13:30 Stourton War Memorial

Monday 14 November

Greenmounts & Surrounding area

Tenants & Residents Assoc

6:30pm United Free Church, Malvern Road, Beeston Hill

Tuesday 15 November

Meet your PCSOs

10am-12pm Hunslet Community Hub and Library, off Church Street

Wednesday 16 November

Digital Skills drop-in 10am-2pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub & Library

Meet your PCSOs

10am-12pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub and Library

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

Pie & Peas

5-7pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Book: (0113) 272 1050

Thursday 17 November

Meet your PCSOs 10am-12pm Beeston Community Hub and Library, Town Street Leeds Baby Bank 10am-12pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub & Library St Luke’s Tenants & Residents

6:30pm St Luke’s Church, Malvern Road, Beeston Hill Friday 18 November

Christmas Lights switch on 6:30pm Church Street, Hunslet Holbeckfest Beer Festival

7:30pm The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn

Saturday 19 November

Jamyang 25th Birthday Open Day

9am-5pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck South Leeds Alliance for Clean Air 10am Dolce Vita, 289 Beeston Rd

Coffee morning

10am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Christmas Fair

10am Hunslet Methodist Church, Telford Terrace, Balm Road

Jamyang 25th Birthday Evening

6-10pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck gobscure presents heartfelt

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

Monday 21 November

Beeston Hill Tenants & Residents

6-7pm Building Blocks nursery, Maud Avenue, off Tempest Road Wednesday 23 November

MHA Kurling

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

What’s

Drink & Draw

6:30-8pm The Tetley, Hunslet Rd Book: thetetley.org/whats-on Thursday 24 November

Hunslet Remembered

10-11:30am Hunslet Community Hub & Library, off Church Street Christmas Lights switch on 6pm Nisa, Town Street, Beeston Friday 25 November

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 Saturday 26 November

Handmade & Homemade Food & Craft Market & St Mary’s Christmas Fair

10am-2pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Christmas Fair

10am-2pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Cllr Paul Wray Hunslet & Riverside Surgeries

10am Hunslet Hub & Library

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

10am-12:45pm Elliott Hudon College, White Rose Office Park Rock’n’Roll Madness

8pm-12am The Crooked Clock, Sussex Avenue, Hunslet

Sunday 27 November

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

Wednesday 30 November Pie & Peas

5-7pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Book: (0113) 272 1050

Thursday 1 December 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 3 December

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 Slung Low Christmas Fayre 12-4pm, The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn

Thursday 3 November Library Social

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

11am-1pm Hunslet Community Hub & Library, off Church Street Stourton Rolls of Honour

11am Hunslet Community Hub &

IN BRIEF

Celebrating Our Heroes

Middleton Park Baptist Church are having a Celebrating Our Heroes all-age fun event on Saturday 12 November from 1-4pm. Free light refreshments, all age craft, games and activities, a free teacup tombola and old time dance slot. Middleton Elderly Aid will also be exhibiting an art display at this event and there will be a remembrance display and prayer area. The event is free but any donations will be shared between Middleton Elderly Aid and Help the Heroes.

A traditional Comfort and remembrance service will take place on Sunday 13th at 10:30am followed by refreshments.

Digital Skills Drop-in

Learn about digital skills for life and work at this drop-in session (no need to book) at Dewsbury Road Community Hub & Library on Wednesday 16 November. Information on training , apprenticeships and digital skills; support to search for jobs; learn practical IT skills to help with budgeting, getting online and staying connected. This event is part of Leeds City College’s Festival of Learning.

Looking for a job in Health or Care?

If you are looking to start a new career, or are already working in Health and Care, you can find out about the many job opportunities currently available including Business Admin, Customer Service and Clinical Support Worker roles at two drop in sessions. Call in to Hunslet Community Hub & Library, off Church Street on Monday 7 November, or Dewbury Road Community Hub & Library on Friday 11 November. There are three sessions each day at 10am, 12pm and 2pm, please allow 90 minutes for each session. If you can’t attend register at leedshccareer.eventbrite.co.uk

Bumper Jumble Sale

You’ll find new items, Christmas gifts, vintage and bric-a-brac, plus refreshments at the Salvation Army’s Bumper Jumble Sale on Saturday 5 November. Hunslet Hall Road, Beeston, LS11 6QB

Next Steps in Digital course

This is a free 3 week course for people who have basic digital skills and want to learn more and gain confidence. Covering email, social media, online public services, managing money and other online tasks. It starts on Thursday 10 November, 12:30pm at St George’s Community Hub & Library in Middleton. To book your place please contact Library Enquiries on (0113) 378 5005

Celebrate Beeston’s heritage at St. Mary’s

Were you married or christened at St Mary’s? Have you an interest in local history? Or would you simply like to see inside one of the few heritage buildings in Beeston?

Heritage reaches back in time to tell the stories of our

near and distant pasts. Come and visit St Marys in Beeston and learn all about the history of the church.

The Tale of the Mouse: Come and see the work of Robert Thompson known as the mouse man of Kilburn and join the mouse trail around the

church. With 17 mice to capture along the way you will be surprised by the many hidden treasures you will find.

Or find out about our Beeston Anchorites – people who committed themselves to being locked in a room attached to the church in the

middle-ages - visit our Anchorite Cell.

We’re holding a special heritage week when we’re inviting everybody in to celebrate our community by visiting the space and learning and sharing the great history it holds in Beeston.

From Monday 7 November until Sunday 13 November. For more details please email Sinead at sineadstmarysbeeston@outlook.com or call Lindsey at the vicarage (0113) 272 3337

Crooked Clock bonfire night

The Crooked Clock pub in Hunslet, newly-refurbished, and now run by local residents including Sid Mahiuddin, and a team of people with learning disabilities, are hosting a community bonfire on Saturday 5 November.

Following the announcement that Leeds City Council weren’t able to hold their bonfires this autumn, the pub stepped forward to fill the gap for their corner of south Leeds. The

family-friendly event will feature food and entertainment from 5pm, with the fire lit at 7pm, and a fireworks display at 7.30pm. Landlord Sid, who previously ran the Bridge café in Cross Flatts Park, commented: “With the City Council cancelling their events this year, we wanted to try and achieve something for and with the community here. We’re all about bringing the community together, and this

event will offer one more opportunity to do so.”

Cllr Ed Carlisle (Green, Hunslet & Riverside), who is helping with the event, added:

“Many of us were upset that the Council bonfires got cancelled – but I actually think community-led events like this are much friendlier and frankly better. Big thanks to the Crooked Clock team for pulling out all the stops to make it happen, at such short notice.

And I appreciate 100% the issues around air and noise pollution, but actually think communal events like this are an effective way to concentrate and reduce these locally. Let’s gather, connect, and enjoy the night together.”

The Crooked Clock (formerly the Punch Clock) is on Sussex Avenue LS10 2LF, just off Thwaite Gate (the A639).

Full information at: fb.com/thecrookedclock

Booking now: Santa Specials at Middleton Railway

Bookings are open, and tickets are selling fast, for the ever popular Santa Specials at Middleton

The Santa Special Trains start running on Saturday 3 December 2022. Each child aged up to 12 years inclusive for whom a

has been paid will be given a present by Santa whilst travelling on the train. Once the train has arrived back at Moor Road adults (including children 13 or over) will receive a hot drink and a mince pie. For children there will be juice and biscuits.

Trains run from 10am-

3:45pm and tickets

£11.75

in

(children 3-12), £9 (children under 3). Babes in arms, with no seat and no

free.

As well as the weekend services there will be trains on Friday 23 December. Advance booking is strongly recommended as trains fully sold out last year and both Christmas Eve and Sunday 18 December this year have already sold out. The 10am train on 3, 4, 10 & 11 December will be Quiet Trains with more space on the coaches for people with disabilities, or who wish to be spaced out so as to enjoy a quiet atmosphere.

Full details at

Continued from page 24 been relegated (defeated teams used to be awarded one point if they finished within twelve points of their opponents in an effort to try and drive a more competitive league).

Who’s been the best coach you’ve worked with over that ten-year period?

Barry Eaton was the first coach I worked with. He brought a lot of experience and professionalism. The fact he was assistant coach at Leeds Rhinos was perceived as a conflict of interest in certain quarters. However, I thought he was very much underrated and underappreciated and his commitment to the club was never in question.

Who’s been the best player over that ten-year period?

I can’t look past Jimmy Watson. He’s been a model of consistency and, as the saying goes, you certainly miss him when he’s not there! He’s been at the club almost as long as I have.

Who are the unsung heroes?

Frankly every board member, employee, volunteer, sponsor, investor, player, coach, backroom staff and fan that’s been with us on our journey. But I would give special mentions to:

Grahame Liles – For having confidence in us and setting the ball rolling.

Ian Johnson and Daz Williams – Who were excellent in helping to make the takeover transition as smooth as possible and invaluable in their knowledge and experience of running the club in the early days.

Peter Todd – He won’t want me to say why, but frankly without Peter there would be no club.

How has the Board evolved?

Dramatically! In the early days we would sit around the table and debate which outstanding invoices we could afford to pay that month and generally just debate the hot topics.

Now it’s far more structured. We meet via Microsoft teams (to save travel) with formal

agendas, board papers, financial forecasts, coach’s reports and go through action plans, strategic plans, deadlines, risk registers etc.

It’s a world apart from where we were but it does help to underpin my mantra “fans can run the club, but you can’t run the club as a fan”.

We are now run as an effective business, and it’s pleasing that we have been recognised and complimented on our set up and governance by the RFL. To put it into context, the average fan wants to come to enjoy the game, buy a pint – or several – and a burger and, hopefully, go home happy. But I don’t think there is always an understanding of the tremendous amount of hard work that has to be done behind the scenes, largely by volunteers, to enable us to provide that experience for them.

What are your hopes for next year?

On the field, head coach Alan Kilshaw is building a really exciting squad and I’m

expecting us to be pushing strongly for promotion. It will be hard, Betfred League 1 is without doubt the most competitive, and enjoyable, division in Rugby League, but fingers crossed we remain largely injury free and get the rub of the green on key decisions this time around.

Off the field, it will be a year of celebration. It’s our 140th anniversary as a club, the 50th anniversary of Geoff Gunney saving the club when we almost went out of existence and, of course, it’s Jimmy Watson’s well-deserved tenyear testimonial.

We will be holding events and dinners so look out for announcements and I’d encourage everyone to support them, and Jimmy, and join in the celebrations.

What are the plans for the longer-term future?

IMG have laid out their recommendations which I think are a little underwhelming. They are basically looking to bring licensing back in, to all intents and purposes. I don’t think it will be long before we see new franchises under this system either. But promotion

and relegation remains between League 1 and Championship and our short term aim is still to gain promotion and be a competitive mid- to top-end Championship club.

We will also initially look to see just how we can meet the

relevant criteria to gain a grade B award once they are announced and of course we’ll also push on with trying to persuade the council to accept the investment proposal for the stadium. Beyond that, we’ll see! Here’s to the next ten years!

You will need to book onto or be signposted to the next available session.

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If you haven’t exercised in a while, don’t worry. Our classes focus on gentle exercise to help you to regain your fitness at your own pace. If you’re used to regular physical activity, exercises can be tailored to be more strenuous.

Staying active and motivated can sometimes present a challenge. But there are plenty of ways to keep your body and mind healthy. There’s something to suit everyone with our wide range of indoor and outdoor exercise classes that includes; Football, Afro-dance, Yoga, tennis, bowling etc.

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Email: contact@springaid.co Web: www.springaid.co

Club Director Neil Hampshire

Beeston Juniors: a thriving club supported by local businesses

Hunslet’s Hallas cleans up at club awards

Harvey Hallas scooped all three player awards at Hunslet Rugby League Club’s 2022 Presentation Night.

The 24-year-old prop led from the front throughout the Parksiders’ Betfred League 1 campaign and, at the Hunslet’s end-of-season bash at the South Leeds Stadium, collected both the Players’ Player and Supporters’ Player accolades; in addition, Alan Kilshaw handed him the Coaches’ Player trophy.

‘Killer’ said:

“Harvey had an unreal year; he came back fighting after a couple of rejections and was inspirational throughout the campaign. Players’ Player of the Year awards are very special, you’re being recognised by the men who are alongside you match-by-match, and Harvey richly deserves the trophy.”

Hallas, who recently agreed a two-year deal with the Parksiders said:

by Jeremy Morton

Beeston Juniors FC Under 14s squad have a new kit thanks to local businessman Paul Mead.

The U14s are just one of twenty teams based out of the club’s Cardinal Square base. The community football club has grown over recent years and has squads at all age groups from Soccer School for 5 and 6 year olds up to two open age teams and three girls teams.

Paul Mead, who grew up in Beeston playing for Hugh Gaitskell school and lives locally, told the boys:

“I feel extremely honoured to have this privileged opportunity to sponsor the community I

community I grew up is deep and embedded in my heart and soul.

“Looking around me, I can see you share the same love, passion and care – I have for this community, our community, the community of our childhood.

“To have my brand name ‘Paul Mead Landscapes’ on your kids’ kits is honourable.

“I know, today living in 2022, this community, you children have opportunities – that I would have loved and cherished to have. This is my way of saying: 'thank you...’ to the community I hold so dear to me.”

Rob Hawkins coaches the U14s, he explained he’s been

up the age groups as his son has got older.

“First you’re a parent stood on the side, then you help train them and before you know it you’re knee deep in mud at the other end of Yorkshire” he said.

The club trains on the 4G pitch at Cockburn School during the winter to preserve the grass pitches at Cardinal Square, but that adds a cost.

“We try to keep the subs low to keep the club accessable to families and then fundraise to pay for winter training” he explained.

Will, who also coaches the squad and is Vice Chair of the club, told me that when his sons first said they wanted to

play football they visited various clubs. Beeston Juniors stood out because they were told that every child gets equal playing time regardless of ability.

Archie, the team captain told me: “Football’s a game that unites lots of people, I’ve made loads of different friends here, it’s almost like a family.”

Will also spoke about the club’s link with Leeds United, who have been very supportive over recent years. During Covid United supplied food so that the club could offer packed lunches to local children during lockdown. They also refurbished the clubhouse, which was celebrated by a visit from star striker Patrick Bamford.

Ten Years of Hunslet HISTory

October saw Hunslet RLFC celebrate ten years of supporter ownership by the Hunslet Independent Supporters Trust.

Current Director, Neil Hampshire, who also served as Chairman from 2012 to 2019, is the one constant throughout those ten years and is happy to be the subject of a Q&A to reflect on a decade of, in his own words, “Blood, sweat and tears”.

How are you?

Still around, still busy, still frustrated and ten years older!

Ten years is a long time, how did the supporter ownership come about?

It’s a long story but I’ll try and be brief.

We had set up HIST in 2010 and then-chairman Grahame Liles asked to meet with us in August 2011. He advised that he had been trying to find new owners for the club but had not managed to do so and he wondered how we felt about taking over the reins?

After a number of discussions, we agreed to take control for the 2012 season, and I was made chairman in February 2012. For that first season of our involvement, Grahame was still the owner and remained on the board.

Once he was comfortable that

we would be able to manage the club he stepped down and he, along with the sadly missed Sean Cluderay, gifted their shares to the club to give us majority ownership.

That was on 12 October 2012. It was a magnificent gesture and reflects on their genuine care for the club. Following discussions with other shareholders, many of whom also agreed to gift their shares, we now actually hold 93 per cent of the voting shares in the club. It was a baptism of fire though, and there was a lot of “blood, sweat and tears” in those first few years as we found our feet.

What’s been the highlight?

Taking over in the first instance, but obviously winning the Grand Final in 2014, and the fantastic reception the team received in the Phoenix Bar when we got back from Headingley was awesome. The fact that we are still here after ten years, and in a stable position from which to take the club forward, is also a major achievement.

What was the lowlight? Relegation the following year! Unfortunately, in their wisdom, the RFL removed the bonus point that year and if it had remained, we wouldn’t have

“It’s been a difficult year for quite a few reasons but in the last ten years, during which I’ve been involved with a number of teams, most of them successful, I haven’t come across a group as great to work with as this one; from the players, their partners and families, to the support staff and the board, to the fans.

“Harvey epitomised that with his attitude on and off the field from start to finish. He is a pleasure to coach and I struggled to understand why he wasn’t among the awards at the Rugby Football League’s Presentation Night earlier in the week.”

Captain Duane Straugheir, who is moving on to pastures new in 2023 after breaking his arm towards the end of last season, said:

“This has been the best season of my career, I was set certain targets pre-season by ‘Killer’, and I did my best to meet them. I also learned a lot from Straff and I had to step up when injury ended his season.”

The prestigious Geoff Gunney MBE award went to former Operations Director and, previously, chairman Ian Johnson, who gave the club tremendous service over a long period before stepping down earlier this year because of growing commitments in running his successful restaurant.

And Steve Calline, who has been a Hunslet fan for some seven decades and who donated £500 from his recently published, book ‘Parkside – a History of the Hunslet RLFC 1895-1973’ was honoured with the Supporter of the Year silverware.

Harvey Hallas: Players, Supporters and Coach’s Player of the Year