South Leeds Life 97 May 2023

Beeston bedmakers Harrison Spinks have been awarded two inaugural King’s Awards for Enterprise, for Innovation and International Trade. Full story on page 4. Former Beeston & Holbeck Councillor Angela Gabriel was awarded the Creative Lives Community Champion Award, having been nominated by Slung Low’s Alan Lane. Full story on page 3.

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

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

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

Council to sell listed Holbeck Engine House

by Jeremy Morton

Senior Councillors have agreed to sell the Engine House, a Grade II listed building in the centre of the Tower Works complex in Holbeck, which is currently being redeveloped for private rented housing.

The decision was taken by the

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Executive Board at their meeting on 19 April.

Tower Works, named after its three distinctive Italianate chimneys, was built in the nineteenth century as an engineering factory supplying carding and combing pins for the textile industry. The Engine House was built in 1899. The site is at the

junction of Water Lane and Globe Road in Holbeck.

The report describes the Engine House building thus:

“The building itself is formed by three connected bays or sections; these were known as the Engine House, Boiler House and Economiser House. The ‘Engine House’ section has a decorative

finish to include mosaic tiles to part of the floor and glazed brick walls with round arch recesses decorated with moulded circular plaques depicting notable industrialists of the time. With the survival of some internal machinery and fittings, fine craftsmanship and rich detailing the building represents a fine example of its type and is of significance in illustrating the historic functions and processes at Tower Works.”

As we reported at the time, the current redevelopment, which started construction in February 2021, will see 245 flats built in two buildings.

The Council had planned to hold onto the Engine House and develop it as a post-production facility for the burgeoning media industry in the city. However, the report to the Executive Board says this option presents the highest risk, given the Council’s current financial situation.

The commercial development of the Engine House is not viable without subsidy, but the Council holds a heritage grant of £1.1m which is ringfenced to the Engine House project. This goes back to when the Council took ownership of the Engine House and the three towers from the Government’s Homes & Communities Agency (now called Homes England).

Councillors agreed to sell the building directly to the Legal & General fund which owns the rest of the site, at market value and giving them the heritage grant.

You can read the report to the meeting at bit.ly/LCCenginehouse

Crown Point Road and Black Bull Street downgraded to ‘B’ roads

Crown Point Road and Black Bull Street in Hunslet are to be downgraded from ‘A’ to ‘B’ roads.

Leeds City Council set out the decision in a report published on 18 April.

The move is part of wider plans to reduce through routes using the city centre and comes as work to reduce the size of the roads concludes.

A roads are described as ‘generally being amongst the widest and most direct roads in an area and will be of the greatest significance to through traffic’

Whilst B roads ‘will still be of significance to traffic, including through traffic, but to a lesser extent than for A roads’.

Crown Point Road has been reduced to a single lane with improved facilities for pedestrians and cyclists as it will soon bisect the newly created Aire Park greenspace.

Black Bull Street has been reduced from three to two lanes and is now home to the Ruth Gorse Academy secondary school.

The downgrading reflects these changes and aims to divert through traffic onto the A61 Inner Ring Road stages 6 and 7 which includes the John Smeaton viaduct. This section

links the M621 at Junction 4 to York Road via East Street on the north bank of the River Aire across the bridge at South Accommodation Road.

As part of these changes a review of major roads in the area was

undertaken and minor changes to the numbering of existing A roads will also be put in place.

Leeds City Council, as the Local Highway Authority has the power to reclassify roads without central government approval. Whilst Crown

Point Road and Black Bull Street will no longer be A roads, they were not part of the Primary Route Network and as B roads will attract the same funding from central government.

You can read the full report at: bit.ly/AtoBroads

The Engine House with the Giotto tower behind, photographed in 2016 Works to narrow Crown Point Road.

Photo: Google Streetview

Angela Gabriel wins Creative Lives’ Local Hero award Partnership is keeping people well and out of hospital

by Jeremy Morton

Creative Lives, the registered charity that champions community and volunteer-led arts activity, held its 2022 Creative Lives Awards ceremony in Leeds last month.

Each year, the Awards ceremony is held in a different location across the UK and Ireland. This year, it took place in Leeds on 7 March 2023 as part of LEEDS 2023 Year of Culture. The Awards were hosted by Nick Ahad of BBC Radio Leeds.

With the awards taking place in Leeds this year, the Local Hero Award was awarded to Angela Gabriel, a former Councillor for Beeston & Holbeck who has devoted a huge amount of her time to volunteer for groups Beeston in Bloom and Beeston Festival. Beeston in Bloom promotes community pride through gardening projects. The Beeston Festival, organised by and for local people, celebrates the life and diversity of the local community.

Angela was nominated for the award by Alan Lane, Artistic Director at Slung Low. He said:

“Angela has always been at the heart of culture in the community and we wanted her to be recognised for all that

work. With the film screenings she organised she showed the area the importance of coming together even to do something that we could all do alone in our own homes.

“With her In Bloom worked she showed us the hope necessary in planting seeds and believing beauty will arrive. And in the leading role she has had at Beeston Festival she has consistently shown us all the complexities and diversity of the brilliance of South Leeds. For these things and so much more we were honoured

to nominate Angela. Our local hero.”

Angela Gabriel commented:

“I’m honored and humbled by this award. I was privileged to be a Councillor for Beeston & Holbeck for 25 years. I was supported by some wonderful people.

“Beeston in Bloom was one of my first projects I became involved with, holding the position of Chair the entire time. We have entered Yorkshire in Bloom for over 20 years and have been lucky enough to win Gold many

times. We work with schools and businesses to improve the environment. Beeston in Bloom is truly a team effort and without everyone working together, none of our projects would be successful.”

The award follows Angela receiving the British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours List and being created an Honorary Alderwoman of Leeds last October.

Awards host Nick Ahad was so impressed by Angela that he invited her and Alan Lane onto his show on BBC Radio Leeds.

Opening date for new M&S store at White Rose revealed

Marks & Spencer has announced the official opening day for its brand-new Leeds White Rose store, offering local residents a sneak peek of how the new M&S Leeds White Rose store design will look when it opens on Thursday 25 May 2023.

The brand new 97,000 sq ft store opens next month at the White Rose Shopping Centre. Local shoppers are set to enjoy spacious and stylish new Clothing, Home & Beauty departments, a new-look, marketplace-feel M&S Foodhall and 164-seat M&S Café with an award-winning new design.

As well as creating 230 new jobs in the local area, the newlook M&S White Rose store represents a significant investment in Leeds’s local economy and follows the retailer’s recent announcement that it plans to invest c.£500 million in its

store rotation programme, creating over 3,400 new jobs nationwide. The new M&S Leeds White Rose store will be one of the first of twenty new M&S stores that are due to open across the country this

open on Thursday 25 May! To mark the occasion, we’re sharing some photos of our brand-new, store design and the team and I can’t wait to welcome the local community in to visit the store next month and see it all for themselves.

“Whether you’re looking for a big family food shop, the latest Spring/Summer styles from our Clothing, Home & Beauty departments, or a mid-shop pit stop in our amazing new M&S Café – we’ve got you covered.”

TheEnhance programme, which supports people to maintain health, wellbeing and independence, and avoid a hospital admission, will be funded for a second year up to April 2024.

It works by providing tailormade support for patients being discharged from hospital, referred to Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust (LCH) or identified by GPs and the Enhance third sector charities as needing support. It is a partnership between LCH, Leeds Older People’s Forum (LOPF), Leeds City Council, Forum Central and 14 third sector charities. By working together, the Enhance programme enables people to get the clinical support they need from the NHS, often through Community Neighbourhood Teams, and non-clinical social support, through the local charities (for example, help with shopping or organising daily tasks of living).

Balwinder Kaur, Enhance Project Co-ordinator at Health for All said:

“We are proud to be one of the delivery partners of Enhance service. Working closely with Beeston and Middleton neighbourhood teams we have been supporting frail and older people to maintain their health, wellbeing and independence to avoid hospital admissions. Its our pleasure to be able to continue this fantastic work through our second year of funding.”

Enhance has had a positive impact in Leeds so far having supported over 400 people, many of which were in vulnerable situations.

To watch a video and hear how Health For All helped Peter and Sandra go to youtu.be/uxk7mhpxsay

Sam Prince, Executive Director of Operations at LCH said:

“There are around 7,000 people on Neighbourhood Team caseloads at any one time and 2000 visits are carried out every day. Patients can remain on our caseload for longer than necessary, not because of a health need but because of a lack of the everyday support that might normally come from friends or family.

"To try and find a solution, different partners across Leeds have come together on this idea, which has already supported many people who may otherwise have remained on a nursing caseload. Looking to the future, we want to continue to work with charity partners to cover all areas of Leeds.”

Linda Glew, Enhance Programme Manager at LOPF said:

“We are so pleased to have continued funding for Enhance. The benefit of the NHS and charity sector working together is huge, as we can support a person’s health and social care needs together and at an early stage, so hospital stays are prevented.”

year.

Justine Brook, Store Manager at M&S Leeds White Rose, said:

“We are really excited to announce that the new M&S Leeds White Rose store will

With a generous car park on site, the new M&S Leeds White Rose store is the ideal location for doing the big family food shop or for those popping in on the commute home. The store is located at the White Rose Shopping Centre, Dewsbury Road, Leeds and will be open Monday–Friday 8am–9pm, Saturday 8am–8pm and on Sunday, 11am–5pm (browse from 10:30am).

An instore bakery will be part of the expanded foodhall

Angela Gabriel and Alan Lane celebrate the award

Notice served on ancient Beeston cobbled path

Leeds City Council has given formal notice that it intends to divert the old cobbled path that runs along the side of the current Cockburn School site.

The diversion of this path was included in the planning permission of the new 3G pitches being built on some of the former South Leeds Golf Club land.

However, the closure or diversion of footpaths is governed by separate legislation, which has resulted in the notice and the opportunity for the community to comment or object.

The school wants to divert the path so that the new school boundary including the new pitches can be secure to protect the children.

Objectors want to keep the path, which dates back to

Victorian times at least, open as a level access route into Middleton Woods. They say that children could cross the path safely through gates between each part of the Cockburn site.

On its website, Leeds City Council says:

“Leeds City Council has made the Diversion Order because planning permission has been granted for development of a new 3G pitch and tennis courts and associated fencing up to 4.5 metres high for Cockburn School, on the former South Leeds Golf Course, (Planning Ref 22/01376/FU) which require the diversion of part of Leeds Public Footpath No. 207.

“Leeds City Council is satisfied that the Order complies with the following legal grounds and tests laid

down in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, Section 257, namely that the paths require diversion to allow the development to be carried out in accordance with planning permission and that alternative highways should be provided as replacements for the paths to be stopped up or diverted or that existing highways should be improved.”

Copies of the Order and map were made available to view at Beeston Community Hub & Library, but the consultation has now closed.

If any objections made are not withdrawn, the Council will refer the Order to the Department of the Environment for a decision.

You can read the full Notice and Statement of Reasons on the Council’s website at bit.ly/CobbledPath

Beeston bedmaker achieves double King’s Award for Enterprise

No.9 bus service saved

Following the cancellation of Service 9 – Horsforth to White Rose Shopping Centre via Rodley, Farsley, Swinnow and Wortley, as we reported last month, much work has been done to find a solution to the potential lack of service.

By working together with multiple partners, Yorkshire Buses found a solution and announced that Line 9 would remain in operation after Firstbus finished on Saturday 1 April.

Running from Horsforth to

White Rose Shopping Centre buses will run Monday to Saturday every 60minutes including evenings.

There will be a new easy to remember timetable with some additional trips that were not available previously.

Single, daily, weekly & monthly tickets are all available from the driver and all Metro issued products and Elderly Citizens passes are accepted.

As a goodwill gesture Yorkshire Buses accepted Firstbus Monthly tickets until 30 April.

For more information, please call Yorkshire Buses customer services team on (0113) 246

Beeston-based fifth generation family-run bedmaker Harrison Spinks has achieved two prestigious King’s Awards for Innovation and International Trade, bringing the total number awarded to the company to seven.

The luxury bed brand, which is active in 13 European countries, plus the USA, Canada, Korea, and Australia, secured the King’s Award for Innovation thanks to significant work as an industry leader in innovation and design, including its design and manufacture of revolutionary glue-less fine-wire pocket springs used in its 100% recyclable mattresses.

Since its last successful Award win in 2019 – the Queen’s Award it holds for Sustainable Development –the business has made progressive leaps in innovation, developing and patenting new technology and design. To reach the goal of affordable, ecological luxury, it has focused on developing an innovative pocket-sprung

mattress design, leading the way in which it transforms raw materials into world-leading innovation.

Harrison Spinks also secured the King’s Award for International Trade thanks to its continued focus on manufacturing premium, sustainable handmade beds in international markets.

Simon Spinks, Chairman of Harrison Spinks, said:

“It is a huge honour to be recognised with two inaugural King’s Awards this year, which sit proudly alongside the Queen’s Award we hold for Sustainable Development. These awards are a reflection of the hard work the team has delivered, ensuring we are constantly championing innovation and high-quality, sustainable design.

“From an international trade perspective, we’re proud that our British values of sustainable innovation and quality have truly set us up for success in a global marketplace.

“These awards are especially important to us as a British

business – we are a company that champions homemade and homegrown materials; supports businesses that manufacture in the UK; and one which works with organisations such as British Wool on campaigns like the Traceable Wool Scheme.

“Our team has put in a lot of hard work this year and we’re proud this has been recognised with an award for International Trade.

“We’re also thrilled to have been awarded the title for Innovation as we continue to be industry leaders while maintaining the highest standards of production.”

The two King’s Awards follow a standout year for the company which saw it awarded Bed Manufacturer of the Year at the 2022/23 National Bed Federation Awards as well as becoming C2C accredited, a process which verifies products are safe, sustainable and ethically sourced, and consists of a rigorous, 18-month thirdparty product certification program.

The King’s Awards for Enterprise was previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, and the new name reflects His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II’s by recognising outstanding UK businesses. The Award programme, now in its 57th year, is the most prestigious business award in the country, with successful businesses able to use the esteemed King’s Awards Emblem for the next five years.

The path runs between Cockburn School and the site of its new sports pitches

Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Mr Ed Anderson, visited Harrison Spinks in September 2019 to present the company with a Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development

Harrison Spinks featured on BBC’s Inside The Factory White Rose Bus Station (Google Streetview)

Leeds Directory visits Middleton Elderly Aid

by Ken Ingram

Spohie Dawson visited Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre on 19 April to speak to their members about the Leeds Directory and how it can be used to access information and signposting advice for a variety of organisations and services that can support people in Leeds.

Sophie commented: “When speaking to people at the centre, they informed me of issues they’ve had in the past with tradespeople and how this had affected them when trying to find trustworthy businesses that will do a good job for them. I explained about the ‘Green Tick’ check we do on all services that are provided in the home, garden or one to one in the community and about

Thank

you

our customer ratings and reviews that can help people assess which tradespeople to trust and invite into their homes.

“It was great to speak to people at Middleton Elderly Aid and see the centre full of life! We have recently updated our activities calendar with Middleton Elderly Aid’s new timetable which includes regular groups and day trip opportunities (such as a trip to Bury Market which was popular with their members).”

Leeds Directory provides information on services that can support you to live well in Leeds.

You can find information on vetted and checked tradespeople for maintaining your home and garden; community care; support services and activities to help you stay active and well; facilities such as libraries and allotments; and events that are local to you.

Visit the website at www.leedsdirectory.org to find information or speak to the Leeds Directory team on (0113) 378 4610 weekdays 9am-5pm or email: leedsdirectory@leeds.gov.uk

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New Unity Homes appointment

Unity Homes and Enterprise, which manages rented homes in Holbeck, Beeston and Hunslet, has appointed Katherine Proctor as Director of Housing Operations. In her new role, she will provide strategic direction for the delivery of Unity’s housing services including tenancy management, responsive repairs, planned and cyclical maintenance, estates services, customer services and rental income.

Funeral directors’ Easter Egg donation

Yoga Hero celebrates 10 years in Leeds

Baby Bank welcomes housebuilder donation

Leeds Baby Bank which provides families with baby and child essentials has received a £1,000 donation from local housebuilder Persimmon. As well as providing families with baby supplies, the charity seeks to reuse items to create a more sustainable city by accepting pre-loved items like clothing and prams. The donation will help the charity purchase essential items such as nappies, milk, wipes and toiletries.

New appointments at White Rose and Trinity

White Rose and Trinity Leeds have both made appointments in the centre management teams including two new Assistant Centre Directors and a new, shared Centre Director role for the two sites.. Ashleigh Kellett has been appointed Assistant Centre Director at White Rose Shopping Centre. Steven Foster, previously Centre Director of White Rose, will now perform the role across its sister centre Trinity Leeds as well.

Yoga Hero, situated in the heart of Leeds Dock, on The Boulevard, is one of Yorkshire’s largest dedicated yoga spaces.

Recently celebrating it’s 10 year anniversary, founder Holly McFee continues to strive to make yoga inclusive for all with support of incredible staff and an amazing community. Yoga offers stress relief to many, an opportunity for time to yourself and helps develop strength of mind and body.

Sustaining and growing a small business is no easy task in the current climate. The last few years have been unprecedented and the implications of Covid-19 pandemic are still surfacing. If the pandemic were a teacher though, it has distilled the huge importance of taking care of our well-being.

Looking forward, Holly

intends to make yoga accessible to everybody, including those who need it the most. She highlights that it doesn’t matter if you can’t touch your toes or you are not at peak physical fitness, it is a space where you can leave your life behind at the door and just be present.

The years of pandemic had a huge impact on Yoga Hero, as it did the rest of society, but Holly’s resilience and the support from the Yoga Hero community has paid off. Holly, said:

“Yoga had a very grounding influence on me during the more challenging times and I felt I had a sense of duty to the community. There is a yoga philosophy about letting go of what you cannot control and putting your efforts into what you can - so that’s what I did. I want to keep sharing yoga with people and make it accessible for everybody, including those

who need it the most.”

Starting life as a pop up, Yoga Hero has seen many phases of Leeds Dock and been a part of the evolution of the community which grows busier, year by year. This is a

great spot to spend a morning or afternoon doing yoga, followed by brunch or dinner at a local restaurant or taking a book and relaxing by the water. In the future, keep your eye out for some potential yoga

retreats or teacher training abroad, alongside over 30 different classes which aim to challenge, de-stress and connect people to themselves. Find out more on the website at: yogahero.co.uk

The Children’s Book Project launches in Leeds

The Children’s Book Project launched their dedicated Leeds hub last month with a Book Drive at Richmond House School, who are collecting pre-loved books to donate to children and families across the city.

These most loved titles will be gifted to children with very few or no books of their own, the mission of the national literacy charity The Children’s Book Project which is setting up a regional hub in Leeds to expand on its successful work in London.

These Book Drives will support a year round deeper gifting programme targeting

schools in and around Leeds that support some of most disadvantaged communities across the county, helping each to foster a culture of empowered book choice and ownership. The Children’s Book Project gives children in primary schools the language of anticipation and creates ‘book rich’ communities where book swapping may become sustainable.

The charity’s founder Liberty Venn commented:

“Being read to, sharing a book with an adult or reading independently helps children to develop socially and emotionally, offers escapism

and a chance to become immersed in new worlds. It is this immersion in books that drives a child’s literacy development, their confidence in themselves as a reader and invites them to see the world differently.

“Many of the titles gifted represent amongst them so many compelling reads and we cannot wait to hear about the impact they are undoubtedly going to have amongst our recipient audiences.”

The Children’s Book Project have already received great support from longstanding successful local social enterprise, Seagulls. The

number one paint reuse charity’s volunteers have helped paint and refurbish book huts, courier books to local schools and provide a donation point for books to be dropped off.

If you think your school or community would like to get involved by holding a book drive and making a real difference,

take a look at how you can sign up online at: childrensbookproject.co.uk/ schools-community-groups

Ruksar from Seagulls with the Little Book Huts

Holly McFee in our of the yoga studios

Local funeral directors, W Kaye & Son held a collection for Easter Eggs on behalf of Middleton Food Club. Staff asked local businesses, community groups and residents to donate Easter Eggs to bring a smile to the faces of children at Easter. by Rebecca Cartwright

Your local election candidates

Elections for Leeds City Councillors will take place on Thursday 4 May when a third of Councillors will be up for election, one in each ward in the city.

Cllrs Andrew Scopes and Paul Wray will be contesting their seats in Beeston & Holbeck and Hunslet & Riverside wards respectively,

whilst a new Councillor will be elected in Middleton Park ward following the retirement of Paul Truswell.

Below you can find full details of the candidates standing in the three South Leeds wards.

We have written to all the candidates inviting them to tell you why they are standing and

Beeston and Holbeck ward

Includes Beeston from Cross Flatts Park to the Ring Road, Cottingley Hall estate, Holbeck including the Normantons / St Luke’s / Bartons and Holbeck Urban Village

Peter Richard ANDREWS

Liberal Democrats

Address in Leeds*

Muhammad AZEEM

The Conser vative Par ty Candidate

Address in Leeds*

Katherine Alice GWYTHER

Trade Union & Socialist Coalition

Address in Leeds*

what their policies are. You can find their responses on our website at: southleedslife.com /elections-2023 Candidates without a photo below had not responded at time of press.

We also held online hustings meetings for each ward allowing readers to put their questions to the candidates. The meetings were recorded

and you can view them at youtube.com/southleedslife

As we reported in March, if you wish to vote in person at a polling station, you will need to produce photo ID such as a passport or driving licence.

South Leeds Life does not support any political party, but we urge all our readers to use their vote on 4 May.

Hunslet and Riverside ward

Includes Hunslet up to the River Aire as far as Asda House, some parts of the city centre close to the river, Hunslet and Hunslet Carr up to the M621, Hunslet Moor and Beeston Hill, and Stourton

Oisín Conor DUNCAN

Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Flat H, 13-14 Moorland Road, Leeds, LS6 1AL

Thomas Peter FOSTER

Social Democratic Par ty 37 West Grange Gardens, Leeds, LS10 3AT

Mohammed Omar MUSHTAQ Green Par ty Address in Leeds*

Votes will be counted on Friday 5 May and we will bring you the results online as soon as they are announced and report them in next month’s newspaper.

There is more information on the Leeds City Council website about these elections here: www.leeds.gov.uk/yourcouncil/elections

Middleton Park ward

Includes Belle Isle from the M621, Middleton as far as Throstle Terrace, including New Forest Village and the Westwood estate

Samson Roberts ADEYEMI

The Conser vative Par ty Candidate

Address in Leeds*

Eunice Delali AGBEMAFLE

Green Par ty

Address in Leeds*

Nigel PERRY

Social Democratic Par ty 9 Ingram Crescent, Holbeck, Leeds, LS11 0BU

Owen Scott RUTHERFORD

The Conser vative Par ty Candidate

Jude Patrick ARBUCKLE

Liberal Democrats 209 Hall Lane, Horsforth, LS18 5EG

Joelle Darnelle DONALDSON

Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition 24 Woodland Drive, Middleton, Leeds, LS10 4GW

Mariana POLUCCIU

Green Par ty 89 Cross Flatts Avenue, Leeds, LS11 7BH

Andrew Timothy SCOPES

Labour Par ty 2 Redhall Close, Beeston, Leeds, LS11 8DX

Address in Leeds*

Benedict Luke TURNER-CHASTNEY

Liberal Democrats 20 Alnwick View, Leeds, LS16 5RP

Paul Ian WRAY

Labour Party 22 Throstle Avenue, Leeds, LS10 4JJ

Emma Louise POGSON-GOLDEN

Social Democratic Party 346 Belle Isle Rd, Leeds, LS10 3PE

Lauren Alice SUMMERS

Labour Party Address in Leeds*

* In England, if a candidate has requested not to make their home address public, the relevant electoral area in which their home address (or country if their address is outside the UK) will be provided.

Money matters with

Leeds Credit Union

Finances and your mental health

increase confidence. Achieving your financial goals, no matter how small, can provide a sense of accomplishment and boost your self-esteem, which helps improve mental well-being.

It reduces the financial strain on relationships

Financial pressures are a common cause of relationship problems. By saving money to make you more financially resilient, you can reduce any financial strains in your relationships and help reduce your anxiety and stress levels.

It provides a sense of control

Information about the importance of taking care of our mental health has never been more readily available. But with Mental Health Awareness Month taking place throughout May, did you know that looking after your finances can be good for your mental health too? Stephen Porter, Head of Member Experience at Leeds Credit Union, explains how.

Saving money each month, no matter how small or large an amount, can have a positive impact on your mental health in several ways. Here are a few of them:

It reduces stress and anxiety

Financial stress is a common

cause of anxiety and can have a detrimental impact on mental health. By saving money each month, even if it's only a small amount, you can reduce financial stress and anxiety by building a safety net and having some funds to help cover unexpected expenses.

It improves feelings of security

Having savings can help improve feelings of security and stability. Knowing that you have money set aside provides a sense of comfort and peace of mind, which can improve overall mental health.

It increases confidence and self-esteem

Saving money can also

Saving money can also provide a sense of control over your finances. This can help reduce feelings of helplessness and increase feelings of empowerment, which can have a positive impact on mental health.

Making saving a priority is a great way to improve your financial well-being and boost your mental health. If you need help accessing a savings account that enables you to make regular contributions and access your money instantly, or a money and budgeting advice service, your local credit union may be able to help.

Leeds Credit Union provides straightforward and affordable financial services to people in Leeds.

Leeds College of Building celebrates electrician training milestone

Onehundred electricans have benefitted from free Level 3 ‘18th Edition Wiring Regulations’ training at Leeds College of Building thanks to funding from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).

Delivered through the West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges, re[boot] and subsequent Skills Connect training is designed for adult learners looking to upskill, reskill, and gain sector-specific qualifications within regional skill shortage areas.

Since July 2020, one hundred employed and selfemployed electricians have completed the specialist training at Leeds College of Building. Re[boot] funding from July 2020 – March 2022 helped to upskill 70 electricians; a further 30 qualified through Skills Connect funding from January – March this year, with the latest cohort completing in Spring.

The 18th Edition Wiring Regulations programme is aimed at practicing electricians with relevant experience and allied professionals needing to update and enhance their understanding of current wiring regulations. This is an essential qualification for anyone looking to certify that their installation work meets current building and wiring regulation guidelines.

Colleges from the West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges, including Leeds

College of Building, have delivered training to over 700 people in the region so far, and provided a springboard for careers in priority areas such as Digital, Engineering, Manufacturing, Green Skills, and Construction sectors.

Yasmin Ali, Business Engagement Manager at Leeds College of Building, said:

“We’re delighted that 100 individuals have gained soughtafter qualifications through our partnership with the West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges and West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).

“Tutor Adrian Holland has been exceptional in delivering training on the latest electrical industry standards, helping students attain excellent pass marks. As a result, uptake for the training has been superb. This work is essential to help sustain in-demand professions such as these.”

Georgia Williams, Project Manager at West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges, said:

“It’s great to see that the work of our colleges, in partnership with WYCA, has made such an impact on the region. Leeds College of Building has worked hard to deliver the 18th Edition to electricians and through the Skills Connect and [re]boot projects, we’ve been able to allocate funding to make the course accessible and remove some of the barriers to learning for those wanting to progress within the sector.

“We are continuing to work with WYCA, local employers, and our colleges to offer more opportunities to people who want to progress in their careers through Skills Connect and Skills Bootcamps programmes whilst addressing skills gaps for employers in the region.”

To find out more about construction and built environment training for adults (18+), visit the Leeds College of Building website at: www.lcb.ac.uk

More eco-homes go on sale at Climate Innovation District

Leading sustainable developer Citu has released new houses at the acclaimed Climate Innovation District by the River Aire in Hunslet. The houses mark the introduction of the second Citu Home system, the company’s most energy and carbon efficient technology to date which reduces energy consumption to a fifth of that of an average home and are produced on-site. Details at www.citu.co.uk

Photo: Shutterstock

Free online event is fighting weekend loneliness

Easter Bonnets on parade in Belle Isle

Restored Sir Berkeley back in steam at Middleton Railway

by Jeremy Morton

TheHunslet-built steam engine ‘Sir Berkeley’ was back in service after a rededication ceremony at Middleton Railway on Saturday 15 April.

The engine, built in 1891 by Manning Wardle, is owned by the Vintage Carriages Trust and operated by Middleton Railway.

Ian Smith, Vice President of the Middleton Railway Trust explained:

“Over the past few years it’s had a lot of work done to it. We

got a lottery grant a few years ago which paid for a brand new boiler. One of the conditions was that we section the original boiler which you can see on display in the Engine House.”

Trevor England, Chair of the Vintage Carriages Trust, praised the partnership working and thanked Roger Crombleholme who bought and preserved the engine 60 years ago.

“If it wasn’t for Roger we wouldn’t be here today, it’s as simple as that” he said.

Anthony Coulls, Senior

Curator at the National Railway Museum in York, spoke about the importance of little steam engines like Sir Berkeley. It had been a contractors’ engine most of its working life – the equivalent of a dump truck in modern day construction.

“The contractors’ railways ran across the UK from dams, reservoirs, civil engineering, bridge building, canals and the railway system.

“There were hundreds of miles of railway doing a job of work away from the (mainline) Flying Scotsman and Mallard.

Engines like this were getting on, doing the business, driving British industry.

“They were pieces of plant, often discarded at the end of their jobs, it’s amazing that Sir Berkeley or ‘Logan & Hemmingway No 30’ as it was, when ordered in 1890, survived until Roger came and bought it in 1965.”

Sir Berkeley’s restoration has been completed with a beautiful paint job, restoring it to the livery of Logan & Hemmingway, civil engineering contactors.

Aweekly Instagram Live

hosted by 40 plus blogger and Leeds lass Claire Kenny is helping those in at weekends to socialise from home.

After being single for several years and overcoming her own struggle with loneliness, Claire decided to start hosting a weekly #SoloSaturday Instagram live to help people who were unable to get out and socialise to connect with others. Guests don’t appear on screen and can participate as much or as little as they choose, whether it’s to post comments or simply to listen in.

Says Claire:

“With the cost of living at an all-time high, my aim is to provide a friendly, welcoming space for anyone who wants to enjoy a bit of a social connection and a giggle on Saturday nights, but free and from home. Although lots of my guests are solo, I get whole families joining too, and some people listen in at work. I’m

keen to spread the word so that as many people as possible can benefit.”

The chat centres around everything from health and wellness, pets, food and drink and challenges and highlights from that week. Claire sometimes has guests too, including the founders of Leeds-based Recovery Runners, which welcomes those who use running as part of recovery from addiction or to maintain their mental health.

Claire concludes: “Many of us miss out on what life has to offer because there’s a stigma about doing things alone or feeling lonely, but there’s actually no shame in either. With #SoloSaturday, we’re fighting weekend loneliness together”.

Claire can be found on Facebook and Instagram as My40pluslife.me and you can join her #SoloSaturday Instagram live between 7 and 8pm every Saturday.

with South Leeds Life

L-R: Anthony Coulls, National Railway Museum; Roger Crombleholme; Ian Smith, Middleton Railway; and Trevor England, Vintage Carriages Trust

The Broom Nook Retirement Life Art Club in Belle Isle held an Easter bonnet competition last month. Everyone involved enjoyed spending time creating Easter masterpieces as well as sharing the event they enjoyed being together with lots of smiles and laughs along the way. The group is going from strength to strength while developing their art skills.

Businesses invited to join workplace wellbeing network

Hunslet’s new litter picking library opens

Do you get annoyed at the untidiness of South Leeds? Are you interested in joining like-minded people? Are you interested in litter picking within the South Leeds area?

Anetwork bringing local and regional employers together has issued an invitation to businesses in South Leeds to help them champion positive mental health at work.

Leeds Mindful Employer Network was established in 2013 and has been promoting wellbeing at work ever since. It is led by Leeds Mind (local mental health charity) alongside a Steering Group of network members. Members are regional employers, business owners and staff from a wide range of sectors and industries. The network seeks to be representative of every part of the local and regional business communities.

The network is particularly looking to attract employers from the South Leeds business community.

Leigh Staunton, co-ordinator for the Leeds Mindful Employer Network, said:

“We welcome all businesses – the full diversity of the city’s business community, including public, private and voluntary

sectors. But we particularly wanted to reach out and invite businesses based in South Leeds to come and join us.

“This is because we regularly monitor our membership and seek to increase engagement with local areas, industries and sectors that are underrepresented.

“Our priorities are to help reduce health inequalities by responding to the mental health impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Cost of Living crisis. We prioritise engagement with employers, industries and sectors that present the greatest need. These include industries that have a high proportion of low paid staff and are based in areas of high deprivation and recruit a local workforce.”

To find out more about joining the network go to the website: www.leedsmind.org.uk /helpfor-employers/mindful-employ er-leeds; Email: mindful employer@leedsmind.org.uk

Or find us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

New to Hunslet is a litter picking library established to help you create a group of your own, or perhaps you want to go out on your own, but don’t have the equipment to do so. We can help with that.

The aim is to help other organisers to establish their own groups within their own

area, primarily we would like to help the people of South Leeds, but I have found that the whole of Leeds could do with some assistance as well. We provide people with equipment such as litter picking sticks, hoops, gloves and supply purple bags where necessary. We even support the organisers to create the groups by lending advice and promoting the events. We have helped set up groups across Leeds, loaning quite a number of litter picking sticks and hoops. The most important

thing here is there is no charge. All we ask is that people help someone else a bit further down the line who needs help.

Peter Tiffany, Litter Heroes Ambassador – the Climate Innovation District – Leeds and Keep Britain Tidy advocate comments:

“The idea of a library where people can borrow litter picking equipment, pickers, bag hoops, gloves etc. is wonderful. It allows like minded people to come together to make a positive difference to the community they live and or

work in, protecting wildlife and improving the environment for everyone.”

Cllr Paul Wray (Labour, Hunslet & Riverside) said:

“Litter picking libraries are a great community asset. Providing the proper equipment free of charge, makes it much easier for residents to get involved in keeping our community clean.”

Although being a library is an important part of our venture, we have other litter picking sessions.

We go out every Friday morning at 11am meeting at our library.

We also out on Sunday afternoons from 12pm meeting at our library.

The library, which is situated at the garages on Hemingway Close (G29), LS10 2PF, is open to all every Wednesday afternoon 12-4pm.

We will be having an open day on Thursday 11 May at 12pm so come along and see what we’re all about. Everybody is welcome if we don’t see you before.

Although our library is a free library, we have to pay for the equipment we have, if you have a couple of pounds spare, can you donate to us at gofund.me/84e45ef2?

There’s no pressure to give.

Hunslet Community Litter Picks and Library Facebook group: www.facebook.com/ groups/FOHCGG

Contact me for more information: 07419 776356 or email smwalton16 @googlemail.com

Lacey’s twirling at the world championships

Lacey

Brownsword, 16, from Middleton is set to compete with the United Twirl England team at the World Championships in Liverpool in August this year.

Lacey started training with

the Winthorpe Whirlers Majorettes when she was just two years old, quickly moving on to performances and street parades aged three. When Winthorpe closed their doors, she moved to Leeds Baton Rouge Majorettes taking part in competitions. She quickly became one of the group leaders and solo performers where she flourished. She has independently trained some of her younger majorettes team members in solos who have also won awards with Lacey’s coaching.

At the age of 10 she was spotted by a judge and British Baton Twirling coaches and went on

to train and compete with them alongside her majorettes team. She hung up her majorettes shoes in 2022 to concentrate on her twirling.

She is the winner of 7 National titles with the British Majorettes Sports Association and she holds two Audrey O’Neal Foundation Cup sashes and Spring Cup Champion Sash with British Baton Twirling Sports Association.

As well as training and competing with Insync Baton Twirlers, Lacey is now fundraising to be able to take her place in the England team at the World Championships.

She has secured some sponsorship from Twisted Kitchen in Morley, but is seeking donations of raffle prizes. If you can help please email Lacey’s mum Claire at clairebrownsword01@gmail. com or donate at: gofund.me/20ca4b99

Lacey performing in competition

Lacey Brownsword

A litter picking group in Hunslet

Cockburn students make ‘Positive Choices’ with Leeds United

Year9 students at Cockburn School spent a day working with Leeds United Football Club on their Positive Choices Program.

The program is a 1-day experience that offers interactive, discussion-based workshops, that sees up to six guest speakers deliver 50minute sessions across the school day. The purpose of the program is to enable young people to make better choices about their lives and futures.

Working with key partners such as West Yorkshire Police, experienced guest speakers told their stories of how negative choices have impacted their lives and the consequences that this has brought to themselves, their families, and their communities. Through hard

hitting lived experience stories, the educational awareness raising sessions focused on key themes such as gangs, knife crime, county lines, violence, negative relationships, and child criminal exploitation, including hearing how a young person fell victim to violence and was murdered as a consequence.

The day was excellent, and students demonstrated positive behaviours and attitudes and responded well to the different workshops, which will inspire and engage them to make better choices during school and in their community. Students have a greater understanding of the consequences and impact of their choices on themselves, their families and their communities.

Lane End pupils aim to spread anti-litter message worldwide Gold IIP award for Five Rivers

At the request of pupils, Lane End Primary School in Beeston held a poster competition to raise awareness about litter, and what everyone can do to play their part to tackle it.

They are now looking to see if they can get their posters displayed in every country of the world, by the end of the school year – in late July.

The winning posters (as judged by the school council) are uploaded online: see below.

They are now appealing to people across their community, their city, and beyond – to help them spread the word, and see people in every one of the UN’s 195 countries of the world (plus dependencies and other nations like Taiwan and Greenland) print and display one of their posters, and send a photo back.

They hope participants across the globe will also undertake some litter picking wherever they are, and help spread the message of creating a litter-free world. The school aims to tick countries off the list over the course of this school term – and to finish by the end of term on 21 July.

Comments from some of the youngsters who participated included:

“We should not drop rubbish, we need to put it in the bin” (Ibrahim, Age 7),

“I don’t like seeing litter on the floor, it’s bad for our world” (Ayda, Age 6), and “We need to care and respect our planet” (Riya, Age 10).

Cllr Ed Carlisle (Green, Hunslet & Riverside) has been working with the school on the project, and commented:

“I love the way in which youngsters are just far bolder and imaginative than adults! When one of the kids said they wanted to go global, we didn’t initially take it seriously; but actually, this is a perfect

example of how we can use the digital world to connect with others worldwide, and make much more impact. Please help them reach their goal if you can – especially with the less well-known countries!”

Luke Tabiner, Deputy Headteacher at Lane End said:

“We are really proud of our pupils at Lane End and their attitude and determination to improve their local communities and beyond. One of our school values is to ‘aspire’ and what better way of

bringing this to life then aspiring others to make a positive change on a global scale!

“We want to show all our pupils that we can all make a positive difference in some way no matter how small it might appear, such as picking up litter and making our streets cleaner and greener.”

Full details and uploads for the Lane End World Litter Challenge are at: www.facebook.com/worldlitte rchallenge

Local Social Enterprise, Five Rivers, has secured a prestigious We Invest in People Gold accreditation, for the second time running.

Five Rivers runs a specialist, independent, integrated school and home in South Leeds for children with social and emotional needs, using therapeutic, trauma informed, educational frameworks. As we reported last month the school and home was recently judged to be ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.

Pam McConnell, Chief Executive and Founder of Five

Rivers said

“I am so proud to see Five Rivers get a strong Gold,

awarded by Investors in People. I am particularly proud as despite the last three most challenging years, we have seen an improvement in our overall grading, with clear improvements across six important categories.

“Everyone knows how hard it is to recruit and retain the right people to work with children and this is one way of measuring what we can do to make a difference.”

Five Rivers has a strong focus on creating the right environment for staff to feel cared for, so they can do the important work with vulnerable children in care.

Pupils at Lane End Primary School are fed up of litter

Kate Bromfield and Pam McConnell with the Gold award

Cockburn School fundraising for the Kyle Asquith Foundation Young scientists fro Primary present at

Studentsat Cockburn School spent the week before the Easter holidays raising funds for their school charity, the Kyle Asquith Foundation.

They raised £1547! This included £300 from the Keldon School of Dance who performed at Cockburn School over the weekend before the fundraising week.

The charity was set up 10 years ago to commemorate the death of student Kyle Asquith, who passed away following a fatal brain haemorrhage. After the 15-year-old’s tragic death, students and staff at Cockburn School launched a series of special fund-raising events in his memory, with the aim of raising £5,000 to support the NHS Blood and Transplant Trust Fund and other local charities.

His organs were donated and they saved the lives of five people. The Kyle Asquith Foundation has continued to raise funds to support local charities and the children of South Leeds. Since then, the charity has raised well over £40,000 and the school continues to raise funds and the awareness of organ donation.

Earlier in the year, the school led assemblies for their current students so they knew all about Kyle, the work of the charity and the importance of organ donation. Since then, the School Council, the Head Girl and members of staff have worked hard to organise a week of fundraising events that brought the school community together which culminated in a nonuniform day where students were encouraged to wear cultural dress or clothing that said something about their

interests.

Here are some of the fundraising activities that took place before Easter: Yr10 vs Yr11 Football • match - participants contributed to play and spectators to watch.

Whole • school non-uniform daycharacter and culture theme.

Design a tote bag - • students entered competition to design a tote bag to be sold to raise money.

Boggle tournament led by • English team.

Maths game - guess the • length of the Maths corridor. Science - name the chick • raffle. RE/PSHE - film event.

• ICT – game/knockout • competition

Spanish fact-finding • competition.

Kyle's mum, Tracey Asquith, said "Please pass on my thanks to all of the students and staff for their support. It means so much."

Head of School, Rob Dixon, said: "Our current students weren’t here when Kyle was and as the years go on we want to make sure the Foundation is still going strong so that everyone can take ownership of it. We are very proud of the work that they do to raise funds and keep his memory alive."

There was a host of young scientists at DePuy Synthes in Beeston on Tuesday 28 March as pupils from neighbouring Hugh Gaitskell Primary School presented their scientific investigations.

each class to visit DePuy Synthes with their display to explain how they had approached their problem to a panel a judges.

Katie Moseley, Science Coordinator and Y4 teacher at Hugh Gaitskell said:

Bake sale - cakes were • made and sold in school at break and lunch, as well as at the charity football.

Variety performance • (lunchtimes) - KS3 and KS4 variety performances (led entirely by students).

If you wish to contribute to The Kyle Asquith Foundation, please contact the school at info@cockburnschool.org and title the email ‘Kyle Asquith’. They also have a JustGiving site and you can make donations online at www.justgiving.com

/kyle-asquith

Children in Years 3, 4 and 5 had been working in small groups over the previous week on questions such as ‘What makes the best bubble?’ and ‘Which drink is worst for you teeth?’

Headteacher Mrs McNulty had selected the best group from

“This is the culmination British Science Week and of a big project I’ve been running to boost science in school, working towards the PSQM Science Award.

“It’s been lovely because they’ve been so invested in it. To see children that sometimes struggle in school being really

Success for CJCA

Year 9 and Year 10

football teams from Cockburn John Charles Academy (CJCA) have been crowned the Leeds South and Central League Champions.

The boys embodied the Academy's values and expectations, being prepared and showing resilience in order to attain the titles. Their coach, Mr Burnell states, "The passion and determination that the lads have shown is unrivaled. They are independent, setting up drills to develop their technique and respectful, supporting each other to improve as a team."

Head of School Siobhan Roberts said,

"The boys are a credit to the academy. They are role models

with an incredible attitude and are proud to represent CJCA." Both teams will now compete

Kyle Asquith

The winning tote bag design

Future scientists from Hugh Gaitskell Primary School by Jeremy Morton

Cockburn John Charles Academy u14s Leeds So

om Hugh Gaitskell t DePuy Synthes

Greenmount Primary School’s Easter Egg Art Competition

Greenmount Primary

School

in Beeston held their annual Easter Egg Art Competition last term, where all children tried to design an Easter egg based on an artist.

From nursery to year 6, well known artists such as Jackson Pollock, Tadeusz Makowski and Frida Kahlo were the inspiration behind their artistic imagination, and the children’s creativity

certainly shone through.

Here were the winners from each year group: Nursery –Rebeca and Senadin, Reception – Haya and Jenson, Year 1 –Fahim and Salahuddin, Year 2 –

Aaryan and Aun, Year 3 –Sufyaan and Jaria, Year 4 –Hafsa and Sam, Year 5 – Nabila and Zaynab, Year 6 – Hafsah and Shanum. Below are some of their designs.

engaged. It is quite a high level way of thinking and they’ve been coming up with more questions rather than just finding the answers and then stopping.”

Jess Lloyd, who works for DePuy Synthes, was one of the judges. She said:

“We went over the week before they started this investigation project to do an assembly. We told them we are engineers, a mixture of science and maths, we solve problems, we test things, we have a method, and you’re going to be doing the same.

“They’ve come up with so

many different problems that they’ve tested and researched. They were all so excited telling us what they had done. They were so confident, giving practical examples of how they did it. They are amazing.”

Katie Moseley added:

“DePuy are really good, very supportive to the school. The children know about the company, they can see it from the school.

“It’s important to present science in a relatable way, you don’t have to be an Einstein, our children could have careers in science.”

A football teams

White Rose and Elliott Hudson College create eco-friendly hedgehog homes

White Rose Shopping Centre has worked with students from Elliott Hudson College to place 13 speciallydesigned hedgehog houses in its outdoor Woodland Walk, creating new safe havens for nature in the area.

The centre briefed A-Level Product Design students to create eco-friendly hedgehog houses using sustainable materials, designed to be in keeping with the surrounding environment and made to benefit the hedgehogs as a safe place away from predators when emerging from hibernation or during birthing.

Year 12 students presented prototypes to the White Rose environmental and biodiversity team, and used their feedback to create the final hedgehog houses to be placed along the Woodland Walk.

Steven Foster, Centre Director at White Rose, said:

“While our guests know our great stores and restaurants well, many may not be as familiar with the glorious grounds around White Rose.

“We’re exceptionally proud of our work to make the Woodland Walk and surrounding areas a safe, nurturing place for local wildlife, and are delighted with the hedgehog houses that Elliott Hudson students have created for us. We look forward to catching a glimpse of our resident hedgehogs and hoglets enjoying them for years to come.”

Miriam Olutayo, Teacher

of

Product Design at Elliott Hudson College, said “The opportunity that EHC Product design students have had has been enormously beneficial to their A-level qualification. Students are required to answer a brief for the non-exam assessed component of their course. In order to do this, they need to work with a ‘real client’ on a ‘real problem’. The White Rose team have worked with students as their ‘clients’ and provided students with the ‘problem’ of ‘threats to biodiversity’.

“For design students, even at degree level, to have the chance to work authentically with big corporate clients like this is a

rarity and will be the first ‘live brief’ my students can add to their CV’s. The time given by the White Rose team, on site visits, in-college presentations, and award ceremonies along with their thoughtful feedback and regular emails is hugely appreciated by myself and all the students. The students will undoubtedly access higher marks because of the highquality outcomes they have been motivated to produce.”

White Rose has introduced a number of schemes to nurture nature and the environment in South Leeds. The centre’s roof is home to 2,900 solar panels –one of the largest systems of its kind in the UK, generating

enough electricity to power 200 homes for a year – as well as White Rose’s own honeybee hives, a vital pollinator of local plants.

White Rose also uses recycled rainwater to take advantage of around 40,000 ‘free’ gravity-fed flushes each year, and diverts 100% of the centre’s waste from landfill through recycling as well as the centre’s own on-site anaerobic digesters.

The centre’s grounds have been awarded by both Leeds in Bloom and Yorkshire in Bloom as well as the British Association of Land Industries, and all grass cuttings and pruning waste from the site are turned into mulch and reused.

Winners (L-R): Rebeca (Nursery), Aun (Y2), Hafsa (Y4), Shanum (Y6)

Hedeghog Houses at White Rose Shopping Centre with Miriam Olutayo, Adam Bishop & Siobhan Noble

in the Champions of Leeds PlayOffs against the winners and runners-up of the North, East,

and West Leeds leagues. Good luck!

outh & Central League Champions

In our view

Celebrating success

South Leeds is an unfashionable corner of the city. We have a bad reputation with people who don’t know the area. And some of us talk the area down too. But there is much to celebrate and we shouldn’t hide our light under a bushell. We highlighted two big awards on the front page, but there are many other South Leeds success stories in these pages. Whether it’s sporting success on the football field, or baton twirling; the success of helping people get well socially as well as physically; or of building a new community of runners through parkrun. We should be proud of our achievements and shout them from the rooftops.

Please use your vote

There is a lot of cynicism around politicians these days. But Councillors perform an important role in our city, making important decisions that affect our lives. Just like holidays, safe working conditions and equal pay working people had to fight to get the vote, so the right to vote shouldn’t be taken lightly. And you can’t complain about the representatives we get if you didn’t use your vote. South Leeds Life does not support any political party, but we do encourage all our readers to use their vote on 4 May. And don’t forget to take your photoi ID with you to the polling station.

Print dates

We usually print on the last Monday of the month, but we have made some changes over the summer.

Our next three newspapers will be available from:

Wednesday 31 May

Wednesday 5 July

Wednesday 6 September

Your letters and comments

Cobbled path closure

The absurdity of this is quite evident from the photo. Local people should oppose the closure of this route on the grounds that the pupils can enter the new facility via a secure gate under the supervision of the PE teachers.

Whilst the stone setts on the footpath are likely 19th Century, he route itself is much older. It connects to Balkcliffe Lane or Monks Path that is on a 1700s map. It also connects to the right of way on the Links Housing Estate side that goes to the 15th Century Stank Hall site. In 2023 Leeds are celebrating a year of culture, celebrating all things ‘Leeds’ and getting people to enjoy local culture and history. It’s a shame the management of Cockburn School don’t understand the importance of local culture and wish to prevent people using this historic footpath into the Park.

Suzy

Well Suzy – It appears to me that all that is evident from the photograph is that there is a narrow, overgrown lane leading to nowhere in particular, used by very few people.

It is Leeds City Council, Suzy, not the school that is proposing to move the footpath, and as you can read in the article, the council is following the legal guidelines.

I’m pleased that Suzy is so very much in support of Leeds City of Culture, although she seems to be unaware of the excellent cultural achievements that are taking place under her nose. Rather than repeat them, I would direct Suzy to the article in this paper regarding Cockburn and its associated schools. South Leeds, Suzy, is fortunate indeed to have such excellent educational facilities, which can hold a candle to any in the city. It is a pity that some local residents (assuming that you are local, Suzy) don’t appreciate that fact.

Henry Wood

Back to School I’m afraid for Henry Wood to learn some basics about the Biodiversity Crisis, Climate Change and Geography. The lane is not ‘overgrown’ it’s a green corridor providing habitat for wildlife including the now red-listed hedgehog. It’s popular with walkers. If Henry gets his map and compass out he will find it leads to a local

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@Hunslet Rugby

Fantastic two weeks on our Easter Camps at the Leeds Corinthians and the Beeston Broncos. Plenty of healthy eating programmes learnt and new games played.

nature reserve and ancient woodland –irreplaceable habitat. On his way down the ‘overgrown’ lane Henry can look to his right and see damage to a protected hedgerow bordering the footpath and wonder who could have done such a thing. He will be relieved to know it’s currently being investigated by the enforcement team at Leeds City Council. So we will know soon.

Henry should sit down and grapple with the concept of ‘Climate Emergency’. Perhaps David Attenborough is suffering from hysteria too as well as those pesky environmentalist people at COP-27.

Schools are currently failing our children on Climate Education and in this sorry case the school is failing to lead by example. They are the driving force behind this plastic pitch development incorporating the footpath diversion.

Two thirds of UK Secondary School teachers feel climate change is not taught in any meaningful way within their subject.

I urge Henry to consider the phrase “Think Globally, Act Locally”

Don’t get left behind Henry, this is no time for complacency.

Suzy

Tetley’s brewery

According to Wikipedia: “The brewery’s [Tetley’s] closure was announced in 2008. A Carlsberg spokesman said, “It is an old brewery and the one in Northampton is bigger and modern.”

Your Leeds City Councillors

Beeston & Holbeck ward Includes Beeston from Cross Flatts Park to the Ring Road, Cottingley and Holbeck. The three 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 ward Includes 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

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

on 22 February 2011. Lager production was transferred to Northampton. Despite protests that Tetley Cask brewed in Wolverhampton would taste different, the new beer has been greeted with a warm reception.”

It was Carlsberg who owned Tetley’s and shut it down. The original cask bitter is now made in Wolverhampton but lacks that old distinctive flavour provided by Leeds water!

Stephen Peacock

Bus service saved

This is great news. I’m sure a lot of passengers must be very relieved. I hope Yorkshire Buses will be prepared to take over the 9a route, that runs from the White Rose to Seacroft, as little by little First Buses are chipping away at this service. Squarepeg Buses run a good service throughout the day, although buses are only every 90 minutes they are reliable, but the First Bus service on evenings and weekends is dire. Well done Yorkshire Buses for stepping in and offering a great timetable for fellow passengers from Horsforth. Shame on you First Bus Leeds for abandoning them.

M

Hollingworth

Copper Works

In December 2010, production of Tetley’s cask products was transferred to Banks’s brewery in Wolverhampton.

Tetley Smoothflow will be brewed by Coors in Tadcaster and Tetley keg Dark Mild, Mild and Imperial will be brewed by Cameron’s of Hartlepool. The final brew took place

I too did my apprenticeship at the Yorkshire Copper Works starting in 1988. I was there for about 12 years before travelling to Australia. I have some fond memories of my time there. It was a shame to see that it had closed down, never thought I’d see the day.

Stephen Nixon

Corrections & clarifications

That’s Siegen, not Seigen

In our April edition (How Seigen (sic) gave Leeds outdoor chess, page 17) we mis-spelled the name Siegen, the German twin town of Morley in the headline. The author of the article, Hon Ald Elizabeth Nash, had, of course spelt it correctly in the text.

@BeestonFestival

The banners are up and the countdown has begun - are you excited?

Beeston Festival is just 10 weeks away

@mhasouthleeds

Today we held our CommuniTea Party in place of Soup and Sandwich. China cups and saucers came out, lots of nibbles and light bites and cake! Plus our Guess the weight of the cake. What a fab morning.

@SlungLow

Adam from @manc_collective leads the very first workshop of singing with half of our cast of 180 @IngramRoad pupils. We perform Noah’s Flood in July. But you can get involved with workshops in the coming weeks. Get involved pals.

@manorfield_hall

Thank you to @Morrisons #Hunslet for your generous donation to our #Foodbank your making such a difference to the lives of people in LS10 #ThankYou @BITMO_LS10

A local cultural treasure or an overgrown lane leading nowhere?

MP’s notebook with Hilary

It was a great pleasure recently to visit Slung Low in their new home in Holbeck.

Slung Low is a really imaginative and energetic theatre company that brings performing to the heart of our community and builds links all over the place.

I first met Alan Lane and his team a few years ago when they were based in a couple of railway arches in Holbeck, and I have watched their development ever since, including delivering food parcels during the pandemic (when performing wasn’t, of course, possible).

Their next big project will be hosting performances of Benjamin Britten’s Noah’s Flood with a full orchestra and pupils from Ingram Road Primary School - dressed in suitable animal costumes –two by two, of course.

Slung Low have a wonderful motto which is: be good, be kind. And they certainly live up to it.

I visited Leeds Baby Bank a couple of weeks ago to help hand over a cheque which Persimmon Homes had kindly given to support their work.

Like our local food banks, there is huge demand for the practical help they give to new mums and their babies, and their stockroom was piled high with baby clothes, nappies, mattresses, buggies, and other essentials.

Leeds Baby Bank was set up in January 2017 by the cofounders who had a shared interest in supporting families in and around Leeds. Since then, the charity has grown at great speed. It works on a referral only basis from professionals working directly with families like social workers, midwives and GPs. They are currently dealing with about 200 referrals a month.

The Baby Bank estimates that there are at least 33,000 children living in poverty in Leeds – that’s around 20 per

cent in comparison to 17 per cent nationally. Children experiencing poverty are more likely to face a wide range of difficulties, both in day-to-day life and in the future, and Leeds Baby Bank is all about helping children to thrive and to grow. It’s such an important and a worthy cause and if you want to donate to them then here is the link: leedsbabybank.org/ donations

The Government has finally decided that there will be no new smart motorways. I welcome this decision because I think they are inherently dangerous. If you use what was previously the hard shoulder as a live running lane on a motorway and you break down, unless you happen to be close to one of the yellow refuges then you have to stop where you are with vehicles coming up behind you at high speed.

Tragically, official figures show that there were 38 recorded deaths on smart

motorways between 2015 and 2019, and as AA president Edmund King said, 'We have had enough coroners passing down their deadly and heartbreaking judgments where the lack of a hard shoulder has contributed to deaths.”

But what about existing smart motorway lanes and those that are in construction?

I've just called on the Transport Secretary to abandon the plan to convert the hard shoulder into a live lane between junction 2 and 3 of the M621 in Leeds, and I also think that ministers should go further and reinstate the hard shoulder on all existing smart motorway stretches.

It's taken quite a long time to get to a point where common sense has prevailed, but it does show that campaigning works.

Talking of which, we have just celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement that has brought peace to Northern Ireland.

Like so many people, I grew up watching the Troubles on the television. I will never forget the only time that I heard an IRA bomb go off. It wasn’t a bang, but as I heard it, a kind of deep thump. It was two and a half miles away, but the sound had travelled through the night

air.

If someone had said to me at that precise moment, “I know you may be despairing, Hilary, but one day Ian Paisley and Martin McGuiness will sit side by side with each other as the First Minister and Deputy First Minister in a power-sharing Government”, I would probably have said “I would love to live to see that, but I do not suppose I will.” Well, I did. We did. And that tells us how extraordinary that moment was.

And what did we learn ? First, that peace is built step by step.

The second lesson is persistence. All of those who did their bit over the years did not give up.

And the third lesson is about courage. In conflicts when people feel a wrong has been done to them, it is actually

much easier to sit there and say, “I am a victim”. We should therefore reflect on the courage that was required on the Unionist side to say, “You know what, they’re nearly half of the population, and we’re going to have to share power with them,” and on the part of the Provisional IRA leaders to say, “You know what, we can’t bomb Northern Ireland out of the United Kingdom.”

Those were two very courageous steps to take - at great personal risk - but without them the Agreement would not have happened. In the end, the parties to the conflict recognised that they had to compromise in the interests of peace.

That, I think, is the true legacy of that miraculous Good Friday 25 years ago.

Hilary Benn is our Member of Parliament

He represents the Leeds Central constituency which covers South Leeds as well as other parts of the city

Contact: hilary.benn.mp@parliament.uk, www.hilarybennmp.com

Constituency office: Unity Business Centre, 26 Roundhay Road, Leeds, LS7 1AB; Tel: 0113 244 1097

Benn MP

Local history with

Ken Burton

John Blenkinsop 1783-1831

with the working parts of the engine serving primarily to carry the engine on the rails the progress of the engine along the rails was by a cogwheel working on a toothed rack cast on the side of one of the rails. While the locomotive was made at the Round Foundry, Holbeck, the rails were cast at the Hunslet Forge.

Blenkinsop managed to persuade the colliery owners to invest in this new system and an engine was made and set to work on 24 June 1812. It weighed five tons and could haul 90 tons at 4 mph on a level track. A second engine named Salamanca after a recent British victory in Spain was introduced at the official opening on 12 August 1812 from the Middleton Colliery to Casson Close, Hunslet Lane a distance of about 3½ miles. This was some two years before George Stephenson started his earliest locomotive and was undoubtedly the first commercially successful steam locomotive employed on any railway.

In 1816 the Grand Duke Nicholas (afterwards Emperor of Russia) observed and was impressed by the workings of the locomotive as it dragged behind it as many as 30 coal waggons at a speed of about 3¼ mph. Three other locomotives were built later and remained in service for another 20 years.

On 28 February 1817

time when the engine was not in motion.

Similar locomotives were built for collieries at Orrell near Wigan by Robert Dalglish under licence from Blenkinsop, and at least one other was built at the Round Foundry for the Kenton and Coxlodge collieries at Newcastle-on-Tyne.

What should have been Blenkinsop’s third locomotive had already been sent to the Kenton and Coxlodge Waggonway at his request and here it seems to have acquired the name Willington. Two locomotives of this pattern were made by the Royal Iron Foundry, Berlin and though they worked well at the foundry when tested neither could be made to work properly at their intended workplaces and ended their days as stationary engines.

In 1825 Blenkinsop was one of the first rescuers to enter Middleton’s Gosforth Pit after an explosion of firedamp, this is possibly an contributary factor to his death at the age of 47. He died on 22 January 1831 in Leeds after a “tedious illness” and was buried at Rothwell Parish Church.

John Blenkinsop was a Mining Engineer and Steam Locomotive designer who was born at Felling, near Gateshead, County Durham.

When he was old enough he was apprenticed to his cousin, John Straker, the Coal Viewer for Charles John Brandling’s Felling Colliery. Brandling lived at Tilling, County Durham; and he married Henrietta Armitage an heiress of Middleton near Rothwell who was the granddaughter of Sir Ferdinand Leigh of Middleton.

On 1 October 1808

Blenkinsop was appointed Agent for Brandling’s Middleton Pits at a salary of £400, five times what other experienced colliery workers earned. At the time of his appointment the Middleton Pits were ‘capable of great improvement’ and this was Blenkinsop’s main task.

From then until his death in 1831 he lived at Middleton Hall on Town Street, Middleton. In addition to managing the Middleton collieries Blenkinsop was also the Consulting Engineer for Sir John Lister Kaye of Denby Grange, owner of Caphouse Colliery. In the 1820s he was hired by other Colliery owners, also as a Viewer, to examine their

collieries and report on such vital matters as to expected future production and to make suggestions how the operation and production could be improved.

In 1758 the Middleton Tramway was built to carry coal to Leeds and the River Aire for shipment. This was the first railway to be authorised by an Act of Parliament in 1758 and had a gauge (width) of 4 feet 1 inch. Not all the land that the railway crossed was owned by Brandling but the Act gave him power to obtain way-leave. The operation was privately financed and operated using a tramway with wooden rails and horse-drawn wagons. In about 1807 the wooden track began to be replaced by metal edgerails.

During the Peninsular War of 1808 to 1814 the Duke of Wellington’s Army in Spain and Portugal required a huge amount of fodder and this caused a dramatic rise in the cost which in turn led to an increase in the cost of horse transport in Britain. Blenkinsop thought of other ways to move the coal, a canal was not an option due to the hilly nature of the pits’ location, other steam locomotives were far too heavy

and breaking the iron rails. He came up with the idea of making the locomotive as light as possible although he worried there would be problems on a gradient.

His solution was to use a rack and pinion system (his Patent GB 3431 of 1811) using a cog or pinion on the engine and a rack attached to the rails. He placed the execution of his design in the hands of Fenton, Murray & Wood at their Round Foundry, in Holbeck who at that time were an eminent firm of Mechanical Engineers in Leeds (Matthew Murray is said to be the Father of Leeds Engineering).

This was the first locomotive in which two cylinders were employed, a great improvement on earlier attempts by Trevithick and others. The cylinders were placed vertically and were immersed for more than half their length in the steam space of the boiler, using this system also did away with the need for an external flywheel.

The boiler was made of castiron and was of the plain cylindrical type with one flue –the fire being at one end and the chimney at the other. This assembly was supported on a

carrier without springs, directly on two pairs of wheels and axles which were unconnected

Salamanca blew up killing the driver and scalding several children, the driver having tampered with safety valve to prevent it from working at a

In 1881 the railway was converted to the standard gauge of 4 feet 8½ inches. The locomotives went out of date when malleable iron rails replaced cast iron rails, this meant that heavier engines could be supported on lighter rails and although the rack and pinion system fell out of general use variations of it are still used today on mountain railways.

Blenkinsop’s Railway

Blenkinsop’s rack locomotive

Pathways for positivity with Shannon Humphrey Summer SAD

Thethought of long hot sunny days when it doesn’t get dark until late evening lifts my mood. Spending more time outside enjoying the garden, going for walks, eating BBQ food, and feeling the sun on my skin. What bliss.

This is, until I’m reminded last year, 2022 was the hottest weather in the UK since records began. The truth is I was uncomfortably hot, sticky, itchy with a sun rash, unable to sleep because of the stifling heat and wishing I’d invested in an air conditioning unit as I sat in my attic office, longing for a cool breeze. Being hot and having to work, isn’t quite the same as the heat you feel on holiday, where you can dip in and out of the swimming pool is it?

All of that said, I’m still looking forward to summer this year, it hasn’t put me off, I don’t dread it and I’m not anxious about it. I’ve cool proofed my office as best as I can, I’ve invested in a good sun cream, bought a very wide brimmed hat to shade under and a cooling mat that can be placed beneath the sheets to keep me cool on those airless, humid nights.

Preparing those very simple measures has put my mind at ease meaning my concerns as I remember last year’s heat wave are fleeting, and don’t cause me any distress when I think about them.

You may have heard of the term Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) it’s often associated with the winter season affecting about 10% of the UK population. The NHS defines it as "winter depression," as symptoms tend to be more noticeable and

intense during this time. It’s believed that the cold, often bleak weather, reduced daylight hours, inadequate Vitamin D intake, and financial worries related to heating, fuel costs, and festive occasions such as Christmas and New Year's contribute to the intense feeling of low mood and lethargy. People who struggle with winter SAD, which is not to be confused with clinical depression, often start to feel happier and less troubled as spring/ summer arrives.

You may not be as familiar with Summer SAD which occurs in about 1% of the population. The symptoms are different from the winter condition. Summer SAD is linked more with irritability because of the heat, high pollen counts which cause severe hay fever and discomfort, insomnia, diminished appetite, social anxiety as there’s increased pressure to attend outdoor events, parties, BBQ’s etc. There might be other concerns too, about body image, weight, appearance, and overall health.

Seven simple ways to help treat Summer SAD

If you have hay fever, pop 1 into your local chemist and ask to have a word with the pharmacist about getting the best antihistamines for you. There are lots of different varieties available over the counter, some have a slight sedative effect that could help you sleep if you’re struggling. If

they aren’t working, book an appointment with your GP who can prescribe an alternative.

Cool proof your house, 2 keeping windows and curtains closed on a hot day will keep the heat out. As temperatures drop later in the day, opening windows will help fresh air circulate. Keep doors closed to rooms that aren’t being used, that way the fresher air will only reach where it’s needed. A quick Google search will give you lots of other tips to keep your home cool this summer. Use cotton bedding if you 3

face with it, will help to freshen you up. Dip your toes in the kids paddling pool.

Don’t feel obliged to go to 5 outdoor events if you know it’s not your thing, protect your mental health and wellbeing by saying “no thanks”.

Take advantage of the 6 coolest parts of the day, to go for a walk take some exercise and meet friends.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! 7 Being thirsty is a sign that you’re already mildly dehydrated, which can cause you to feel dizzy, light headed,

Join community performance of Noah’s Flood

Aspart of Leeds 2023 Year of Culture, Leeds People’s Theatre and Slung Low have teamed up with the acclaimed Manchester Collective to stage a community performance of Noah’s Flood.

In this vibrant staging of Benjamin Britten’s community opera, director Alan Lane tells a story of hope and survival, featuring Lemn Sissay as the voice of God and 180 schoolchildren from Ingram Road Primary School as every bird and beast under the sun.

There are opportunities for local people to get involved in creating costumes and props and forming an adult choir.

When Britten wrote this show, he was determined to create parts for as many performers as possible – no matter their musical experience. True to this vision, a cast of world-class musicians will join forces with an army of performers from communities in Holbeck and Manchester to bring this ancient story to life.

Alongside the orchestra of Manchester Collective, the score features a motley crew of

recorders, wind machines, mugs that you hit with sticks, bugles, an organ, and a trio of belting hymns for everyone to join in with.

Slung Low’s Creative Director Alan Lane commented:

“Manchester Collective is an amazing, innovative orchestra that has already had three great and popular shows in Holbeck.

“We’ve always promised to bring the best artists in the country to Holbeck and Manchester Collective is one of the ways we keep that promise. With friends as talented as them you can make magic happen so when they approached us and said they wanted to make an opera – full of children! – we bit their hands off. This will be such an experience, for our audience and for the children of Ingram Road Primary School.”

Ahead of the production in July, Slung Low are hosting a series of workshops including mask making, tie dying, make up and a choir; and it’s not to late to sign up. Go to: www. slunglow/noahs-flood

can, to keep your bed cool and invest in a gel filled cool pack that you can sleep on or use under your pillow, I bought mine from B&M last year and it’s fantastic!

Embrace cool showers to 4 reduce your core temperature before bed. This is also a great method to use if you feel yourself getting stressed, angry, or frustrated with the heat. If a shower isn’t an option, running cold water over your wrists and splashing your

anxious or unwell. Dehydration can also contribute to life threatening illnesses like heatstroke.

I hope these tips are useful, I mean we are in England, so there might not be a whiff of sunshine this year, who knows?

Shannon Humphrey is a Youth and Adult First Aid for Mental Health Instructor working with educational, corporate and private clients. www.pathwaysforpositivity .com

Photo: Shutterstock

If you go down to the woods... IN BRIEF

Rock Against Racism benefit concert

The Grove Inn, tucked away on Back Row beneath Bridgewater Place (LS11 5PL) has organised a Rock Against Racism all dayer on Sunday 30 April featuring a host of local bands including The Critones, Charaters Actors, Xlerators, The Spooks, System Of Hate, Kingcrows, The Swindells, Boss Caine and many more. It kicks off at 2pm and goes on till late, but don’t worry it’s a bank holiday the next day.

Holbeck presents: Warehouse Rock

There are more local bands playing at Slung Low’s Warehouse on Crosby Street (LS11 9RQ) on Saturday 20 May. 8 bands, five hours, one gig. The Warehouse in Holbeck will be rocked by local talent in this mammoth gig. Come and sing, dance, shoe gaze; there's sure to be something for everyone. Air guitars welcome! Doors at 1830, bands begin at 1930.

Craft Markets

Beeston’s Handmade and Homemade Craft and Food Market returns on Saturday 27 May, 11:30am-2:30pm, at Beeston Parish Centre on Town Street, opposite Nisa. Meanwhile the Middleton Makers Market continues on the second Saturday of the month at Middleton Park Circus. The next market is on Saturday 13 May, 10am-2pm.

Wild Play at Skelton Grange

Skelton Grange Environment Centre in Stourton, LS10 1RS, is running another day of Wild Play in the woods for 8-12 year olds during the spring half term on Tuesday 30 May, 10am-4pm. Sessions vary but may include bushcraft skills, open fire cooking, wide games, shelter building wild food walks and more. Each day costs £30, book at www.tcv.org.uk/skeltongrange/ courses-events

Nature is gearing up to put on a spectacular display in Middleton Park - the bluebells are flowering.

The leaves started appearing in January and have been growing stronger and denser. Over the last few weeks the first flowers have emerged providing a faint blue wash in the undergrowth that has grown stronger day by day. By the time you read this there will be a beautiful blue carpet in the woods, just as the trees come into leaf. It’s well worth a visit.

If you are not familiar with the park, why not let the Friends of Middleton Park be your guide. They have teamed up with Middleton Railway once again for the annual Bluebell Walks on Sunday 30 April and Monday 1 May.

Meet at the Middleton Railway Park Halt platform at 11:20am, 12:40pm and 2:20pm. Either walk down to Park Halt or come on the Train!

Enjoy a guided stroll to the Park Visitor Centre and Cafe, through the splendour that is the carpet of Bluebells in Middleton woods. The walk will

take aproximately 40 mins, and is up and down hill and could be on unsurfaced paths.

It is also a Teddy Bear special weekend at Middleton Railway. Children with a teddy bear travel for free, with the opportunity for all to go for a picnic in Middleton Park.

If your Child doesn’t have a bear with them, they will be charged for a ticket, but will receive a bear for their own.

The railway’s cafe is selling a children’s picnic box consisting of a sandwich, a piece of fruit, a packet of crisps, a cake bar, and a drink. They also include

an activity sheet and some crayons.

Day rover tickets: Adults £8, Children £3 (including a bear), Children free if accompanied by a bear.

Find full information on the website at www.middleton railway.org.uk/special-events

Something for everyone at Holbeck Together

Holbeck

Together have another fantastic line up of events for all generations across May and June happening at St Matthew’s. Their regular weekly schedule includes activities including Parent and Tots groups, Line Dancing, ChairBased exercise and a new Body Combat Exercise class. Everyone is welcome and they would love to see some new faces joining the classes and groups – many of which are free.

In addition, they host a number of one-off events every month.

In May they will be holding a King Charles III Coronation Afternoon Tea Party (5th May 12pm – 3pm) and also running group day trips to places such as Barnsley Market. You can even join them to ride the legendary

Flying Scotsman at Keighley and Worth Valley Railway!

Into June there are supper evenings and lunches planned alongside day trips such as the Stockton on Tees River Cruise – 3-hour River Cruise inc. 2course lunch.

And don’t forget the Café at St Matthew’s has had a bit of a make-over so the perfect spot to meet a friends for a coffee, then have a browse in the wonderful ‘reloved’ charity shop or in their affordable

supermarket (open on Mondays 9.30am-2pm and Thursdays 1pm -4pm).

If you want to keep up with upcoming activities you can follow them on social media –they are on Facebook (@HolbeckTogether), twitter (@HolbeckTogether), and Instagram (@Holbeck_Together) – or just pop by and pick up a newsletter which will give you a full run down of activities and upcoming events.

Bluebells in Middleton woods

King Charles III is being crowned in Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6 May. To mark the occassion many community groups in South Leeds will be holding events over the weekend which includes an extra bank holiday on Monday 8 May.

Middleton Elderly Aid are getting the party started early on Wednesday 3 May, 1:30-3pm. Book on (0113)

272 1050

On Friday 5 May, 12-3pm, Holbeck Together are organising a Coronation Afternoon Tea Party at St Matthew’s Community Centre. The event is free, but please book on (0113)

245 5553

There will be a community celebration on Coronation Day, Saturday 6 May, at the St Andrew’s Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston, LS11 8AQ.

The day will begin at 10am, running through until approximately 3pm,

featuring stalls and games, and then there will be a live streaming of the coronation itself on a big screen, indoors.

A very reasonably priced barbecue lunch with scones, jam and cream for dessert will be available added to which

Coronation events round up The Repair Café arrives in South Leeds

there will be a raffle, tombola, cakes and a decorate the crown competition. The Friends of Hunslet Moor will be holding a celebration barbecue at the their community hub behind Crescent Towers (the purple flats).Join them on Sunday 7 May, 12-4pm.

The James Farrell Concert Band will be performing live at The Holbeck’s Coronation party on Sunday 7 May from 2:30pm. Jenkinson Lawn, LS11 9QX.

You are invited to join the celebration of the King’s Coronation at Cottingley Community Centre with food, music, games and fun on Moday 8 May, 11am2pm. This is a ticketed event costing £1 adults, 50p children.

Middleton Railway will be closed on Coronation day to allow its volunteers to join the celebrations, but it will be open on Sunday 7 and Monday 8 May.

IN BRIEF

Free after school sports activities relaunched

The Hunslet Initiative is relaunching two free weekly sports sessions for local children and teenagers in Hunslet and Belle Isle. The free activities will take place every Tuesday evening across two locations: 3:30-4:30pm Grove Road Field, Hunslet(opposite the Penny Hill Centre on the field where Hunslet Gala is held); and 4:45-5:45pm West Grange ‘Sporty Space’, Belle Isle (between the corner of West Grange RoadWinrose Crescent and Jenkinson Place).

Girls only football at The Hunslet Club

The Hunslet Club is providing free coaching each week until 1 September. These girls-only football sessions run on Tuesdays: 5:30-6:30pm: Girls Year 2–4; 6:30-7:30pm: Girls Year 5–7.

St Peter’s Jumble Sale

St Peter’s Church, Petersfield Avenue, Belle Isle, LS10 3PF is holding a Jumble Sale on Saturday 13 May from 1pm. Admission is 20p.

RIDICULUSMUS presents SO…

two long-lost brothers overcome their polarized perception and come together to get something done while sorting through their late mother’s estate. Business, personal matters and the right connection for some vintage technology pepper a joyfully chaotic exchange that somehow embraces everything difficult and wrong in the world. At Slung Low’s Warehouse in Holbeck, Crosby Street, LS11 9RQ on Saturday 13 May at 7:30. Pay what you decide tickets from www.slunglow.org/shows

Two regular monthly Repair

Cafés are opening their doors this month in South Leeds.

The idea behind Repair Cafés, which started in Holland in 2009, is simply to bring together people with things that need fixing with volunteers who have the skills to fix them.

There are now over 2,500 Repair Café groups operating around the world. Here in Leeds a group has held over 70 city-wide events since 2016. Now they want to make them more local and aim to have a Repair Café in every Leeds postcode by 2025.

Holbeck and Belle Isle are the latest areas to get a café, with The Holbeck club and BITMO’s GATE hosting.

The Belle Isle Repair Café will

run on the third Saturday of the month, 1-4pm at Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation (BITOMO)’s GATE centre on Aberfield Gate, just off Belle Isle Road, LS10 3QH.

The Holbeck Repair Cafe will run on the last Saturday of every month, 1-4pm at The Holbeck club, Jenkinson Lawn, LS11 9QX, starting on Saturday 27 May.

What sort of thing can you bring to get fixed? Cafe’s focus on electricals and • mechanicals, textiles and clothing,

• computers and IT,

• household items like

• kitchenware and toys; no cars or bicycles please

• Remember, there’s no guarantee they can fix

everything, either because the item is beyond repair, or there isn’t a volunteer present with the necessary skills.

To be successful the cafés need a group of volunteers with a good range of skills. If you think you can help please contact the Community Development Team at BITMO: Peter, Tracey and Jo on (0113) 378 2190

As well as fixers the cafés need people to help organise the events and ensure they run smoothly.

Commenting on the new cafés Cllr Ed Carlisle (Green, Hunslet & Riverside), who has been involved with Leeds Repair Café for many years, said:

“It’s been amazing seeing Repair Café grow Leeds-wide over the past years: a simple and effective way for us all to save money and save the planet. Huge thanks to all who’ve helped make it happen, and particularly to BITMO for stepping up now to bring it properly into south Leeds. We and they would especially love to hear from people willing to get involved, as fixers or organisers – come and join the magic!”

What’s On

Your guide to events and activities across South Leeds in May

Please check that regular events are not affected by school holidays, 27 May - 4 June, or bank holidays on 1,8 & 29

Full contact details can be found in our online What’s On guide 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

Money Buddies

9am-12pm Dewsbury Road

Community Hub & Library

Parents & Tots Group

9:15-11:15am St Matthew’s

Community Centre, Holbeck

Mini Mondays (Under 5s)

9:30-10:30am BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road

Women Only Exercise

9:30-10:15am Beeston Village

Community Centre, off Town St

MEA 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

Crochet & Knitting Group

10am-12pm Beeston Community

Hub & Library, Town Street

MHA Warm Space

10am-1pm Cottingley Community

Centre

Mums and Tots

10:30am-12pm Asha

Neighbourhood Project, Beeston

Chair Based Exercise

10:30am-12pm BISA 59 Club,

59 Belle Isle Circus

MHA Craft Club

10:30-11:30am St Andrew’s

Community Centre, Old Lane

Story & Rhyme (under 5s)

10:30-11:30am Dewsbury Road

Community Hub & Library

Lychee Red Chinese Seniors

Lunch Club

11am-1pm Beeston Village

Community Centre, off Town St

MEA Bingo and Hoy

11am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid

Social Centre, Acre Road

Trinity Network Indoor Curling

11:30am United Reformed

Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle

MHA Soup & Sandwich

11:30am-1pm St Andrew’s

Community Centre, Old Lane

Dinner Jackets (baked potato)

12-1pm St Matthew’s Community

Centre

MEA Lunch Club

12-1:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid

Social Centre, Acre Road

MHA Lunch Club

12-1:30pm Crooked Clock pub, Sussex Avenue, Hunslet

Dance class

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

Close, Middleton

Drop In Technology Support

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

Women’s Wellbeing

1-3pm Middleton Family Centre, Sissons Road, LS10 4JG

One You Stop Smoking Support

1-5pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield

Gate, Belle Isle Road

50+ Women’s Friendship Group

1-3pm Asha Neighbourhood

Project, Beeston

Coffee Afternoon

1:30-2:30pm Ingram Gardens

Community Centre

Beeston Bookwormers 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

Dancercise

1:30-2:30pm Middleton Elderly

Aid Social Centre, Acre Road

MHA Meditation & Movement

1:45-2:45pm St Andrew’s

Community Centre, Old Lane

Children’s Gardening Group

3:30-4:30pm Dewsbury Road

Community Hub & Library Gateway 2 Sport

5-7pm Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle

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

ANDYSMANCLUB

7-9pm Leeds College of Building, Cudbear Street, Hunslet LS10 1EF

ANDYSMANCLUB

7-9pm Vale Circles, Tunstall Road, Dewsbury Rd, Beeston LS11 5JF

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

9:30-11:30am St Andrew’s

Community Centre, Old Lane

Advice & Advocacy

9:30am-2:30pm Asha

Neighbourhood Project, Beeston

Active Tots

9:30am Cranmore & Raylands

Community Centre, Belle Isle

Advice & Advocacy

9:30am-2:30pm Asha

Neighbourhood Project, Beeston

Book: 0113 270 4600

Computer class

9:30am-12pm Asha

Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Holbeck Together shopping trip

9:30am-12:30pm

Book: 0113 245 5553

Trinity Network Indoor Exercise

9:45am United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Mobile Hub & Library

10am-3:30pm near St Matthew’s

Community Centre, Holbeck Health Advice drop-in

10-11am Asha Neighbourhood

Project, Beeston

Joints In Motion (Nuffield Health)

10-11am St Matthew’s

Community Centre, Holbeck

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

Craft & Chat

10:30am-12:30pm St George’s

Community Hub and Library, Middleton

Story & Rhyme (under 5s)

10:30-11:30am Beeston

Community Hub & Library, Town St

Story & Rhyme (under 5s)

10:30-11:30am Hunslet

Community Hub & Library, off Church Street

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

MHA Lunch and Social

11am-2pm Arthington Court, Balm Road, Hunslet

Bollywood Dance

11:30am-12:30pm Hunslet

Community Hub & Library, off Church Street

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

Lunch Club and Social

12-3pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus

Lunchtime meditation

12:30-1pm Jamyang Buddhist

Centre, Ingram Road Holbeck

Women Only Swimming

1-2pm Asha Neighbourhood

Project, Beeston

Digital Support

1-6pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield

Gate, Belle Isle Road

MHA Line Dancing

1-3pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston

MEA Walking Group

1:30-3:30pm Middleton Elderly

Aid Social Centre, Acre Road.

Women’s Peer Support Group

1:30pm Cranmore & Raylands

Community Centre

MEA Line Dancing

2-3pm Middleton Elderly Aid

Social Centre, Acre Road.

Mental Health Peer Support

Group

2:30-4pm Salvation Army, Hunslet Hall Road, Beeston, LS11 6QB

Free Kids Sports

3:30-4:30pm Grove Field, off Church Street, Hunslet

Hot Meal (free to BITMO tenants)

3:30-5:30pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road

Tutoring for Y3 & Y4 pupils

4:15-6pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road

Toastie Tuesdays

4:30-6:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck

Book: 07867 268934

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

Girls-only Football

5:30pm Yrs 2-4; 6:30pm Yrs 5-7

The Hunslet Club, Hillidge Road, LS10 1BP

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

ACE Beeston Youth Club

6-7pm Beeston Village Community Centre, off Town Street

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

Hunslet Nelson Women’s

Rounders

6:30-7:30pm Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston

Yoga

6:40pm Cranmore & Raylands

Community Centre, Belle Isle

South Leeds Lakers Running Club

6:50pm Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston.

Book: bit.ly/LakersRunning

MINT Men’s Support Group

7-9pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road

Every Wednesday

One You Weight Management

8:30am-12:30pm Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle

Everyday Lives coffee morning

9-11am Beeston Village

Community Centre, off Town St

Happy Global Families

9:15-10:45am Beeston Parish

Centre, Town St

Open doors

9:30-10:30am St Andrew’s

Methodist Church, Old Lane, Beeston

Cranmore Tots

9:30am Cranmore & Raylands

Community Centre, Belle Isle

Bacon Butty morning

9:30-11:30am Middleton Elderly

Aid Social Centre, Acre Road.

Holbeck Together coffee morning

10am-12pm Ingram Court

Community Room, Holbeck

Trinity Network Keep Fit with Julie

10am United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle

Rags To Riches Sewing Group

10am-12pm Tenants Hall, Acre

Close, Middleton

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 Gp

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

Holbeck Together Lunch Club

12-1:30pm Ingram Court

Community Room, Holbeck

Hunslet Litterpicking Library

12-4pm Garages on Hemmingway

Close

Peer Support Group

1-2:30pm Asha Neighbourhood

Project, Beeston

Sew It Seams Sewing Group

10am-12pm Tenants Hall, Acre

Close, Middleton 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

Hamara Healthy Living Stall

3:30-4:30pm Dewsbury Road

Community Hub & Library

Brave Words Drama Group (4-17)

4-7:30pm Beeston Village

Community Centre, off Town St

Book: 07775 926166

Women’s Craft & Chat

4:30pm Cranmore & Raylands

Community Centre, Belle Isle

Inspiring Futures youth club

4:30-6:30pm Middleton Family

Centre, Sissons Road

Free Football sessions (8-18 yrs)

4:30-6:30pm South Leeds Youth Hub, Belle Isle. Book: richard.foye@leedsunited.com

Bat & Chat Table Tennis

5-7pm Dewsbury Road

Community Hub & Library

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

Yin Yoga with Amy

6-7pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck

Illuminate Dance

6pm Cranmore & Raylands

Community Centre, Belle Isle 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 Leeds Co-operative Photographic Society

8pm St George’s Community Hub and Library, Middleton

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

Parents & Tots Group

9-11am Beeston Village Community Centre, off Town St Mobile Hub & Library

9:30am-3:30pm near St

Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck

Advice & Advocacy

9:30am-2:30pm Asha

Neighbourhood Project, Beeston

Book: 0113 270 4600

Menspace drop in

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 Trinity Network Craft

10am United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Walk in Cross Flatts Park

Meet 10am Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston Kushy Nana (Elder Bangladeshi

Women’s Group)

10am-12pm Building Blocks

Nursery, Maud Avenue, LS11 7DD

Women’s Friendship Group

10am-12pm Hunslet Methodist Church, Telford Terrace, Balm Rd 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 Story & Rhyme (under 5s)

10:30-11:30am St George’s Community Hub and Library, Middleton Hongkongers group

10:30am-12:30pm Beeston Village Community Centre Inclusive dance

11am-12pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park

Middleton FC reach Elland Road final

by Alan Jenkins

Middleton

FC have reached the Leeds & District Senior Challenge Cup Final after beating local rivals Carlton Athletic 2-1 on Wednesday 5 April at Yorkshire Amateur Football Club.

The current holders, Middleton set up a final against neighbours Beeston St Anthony’s at Elland Road on Tuesday 30 May 2023.

A rearranged fixture due to the previous meeting falling victim to the snow saw West Yorkshire League giants Carlton Athletic take on the ever dangerous Yorkshire

Hunslet Club under 9s dual team triumph Holbeck Moor in two cup finals

by Russ Mellor

In our first year the club has managed to have two teams reach league cup finals.

Our Under 9s dual team have reached the League Cup Final to be played on Sunday 30 April; and our under 14s are in the League Cup Final, with the final being played under the lights on Tuesday 9 May at the Millennium Stadium in Featherstone with a 7:30pm kick off.

Club secretary Chris Gamble had this to say:

“As a club we are immensely proud of what our Under 9s and Under 14s have achieved

in our very first season as a club. We never envisaged that we would be attending one cup final let alone two this season. I just want to say a massive congratulations to all the players and coaches for their success and want them to know how proud we are no matter the outcome.”

The club keeps on growing with new teams to be launched next season as we aim to build on the success of our first year.

If you’re looking for a club to join please contact us through our Facebook Page www.facebook.com/Holbeck MoorJFC or email us on holbeckmoorjfc@outlook.com

TheHunslet Club U9s dual football team have had a fantastic season ending with a bang as they won the Champions League Cup.

Hunslet U9s started as U7s with around 7 players; they have since developed and grown into a Dual Team, allowing us to have 18 children to play the game they love.

The children missed out on a lot of football at the start of their journey due to Covid and have only been placed in Division 1 this year. Since then they have gone unbeaten through sheer determination,

commitment, and teamworkwinning the Champions League Cup was the icing on the cake for them.

"They have worked their socks off to get where they are, and they deserve all the credit; without the children having the

Amateur League’s Middleton FC. A minute’s silence for Leeds United fans Kevin Speight and Chris Loftus on the anniversary of their death set the tone for a mouth watering semi final for two of Yorkshire’s best amateur sides.

Carlton took the lead early on before Tyler Bussue equalised for 1-1 before half time. Middleton came out in the second half the better side and Jordan Walker got in behind the Carlton defence before putting away a superb strike for 2-1. The rest of the half saw a battle between the two sides with each team having a couple of chances with some good goalkeeping on show but it was Middleton who held on to set up a great day out at Elland Road as they make the final for the second year running.

only of a momentous day but that through hard work, sportsmanship, progress, and teamwork, you can accomplish more than you thought.

Every player has come so far in such a short time, and they worked phenomenally as a team. We do want to give a special shout-out to Leonel Otobor, who scored a hat trick in the Cup Final.

right attitude and determination, none of this would be possible." said coach Kyle Swithenbank.

The trophy, the first trophy they have won as a team, now sits proudly in The Hunslet Club trophy cabinet - a reminder, not

We also want to highlight the contribution of Rhodri Cook, Kyle Swithenbank and Rob Moore, who have worked hard behind the scenes, coaching 4 times per week to help support these children and encourage them to reach their full potential.

A massive thank you to the parents and carers of the team, as without them and their commitment to travel to training or matches 4 times per week, this would not be possible.

New junior football club opens in South Leeds

South Leeds Juniors FC, aka

the ‘Sharks’, are a newly formed grassroots football club in the heart of LS10 and surrounding areas.

The club is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to develop the skills, abilities and fitness of budding young footballers within the local area.

The vision for South Leeds Juniors is more than just a football team that the kids train and play for a couple of times a week. The newly formed committee seek to create a culture where the kids spend more time together outside of football, building life-long friendships, in a safe environment.

The club was formed by a circle of friends that bonded

through watching and coaching their children during football every week.

Chairman Ben Wykman says;

“I’m very excited about what South Leeds Juniors can offer these children, which includes my 6 year old son Teddy. We want to be more than just a football team. We want to create a community based club, where the culture and environment encourage player retention and growth. A club which not only creates fantastic football teams, but also fantastic experiences for the children outside of football, via day trips, stadium tours and galas.

“Being a small club, the hope is that all monies raised along the way can be reinvested 100% into the teams. We hope the South Leeds community can get behind us and that the

next season is just the opening paragraph in the sensational story of South Leeds Juniors FC.”

We currently have two dual under 7s teams and will be

looking to expand in the near future.

We have big plans for the club and lots of exciting ideas, we have set up a GoFundMe page to help cover some of the

costs associated with this: gofund.me/5125768d

The club train at Hunslet Carr Pruimary School’s pitch on Leasowe Recreation Ground. Children can come and watch

us train on Thursday evenings, and play on Sundays during the season and can keep an eye on our Facebook page for further teams opening up so they can join.

Cup winners: The Hunslet Club U9s Dual Team

Ready for kick off: young Sharks are eager to play for South Leeds Juniors FC

Middleton FC celebrate reaching consecutive cup finals

by Yvonne Hayes

by Lisa Benfield

Beeston’s festival of activity Spotlight on Rollerskating

by Karen Peck

Tocelebrate the many ways people can move more, and to see what’s on offer across South Leeds, Get Set Leeds Local have been working alongside local partners to develop a new community event.

Let’s Move: South Leeds will come to Cross Flatts Park on Saturday 13 May.

Activities will be on offer from local providers to inspire and showcase ways that all ages can be active, in and around South Leeds.

A range of activities will be on offer 9am–1pm.

Residents of South Leeds are invited to come along with all the family to enjoy fun, free activities.

Free snack bags available for the first 150 to register on the day, plus prizes up for grabs. All activities part of the event will be free.

We’ll be joined by third sector organisations, sports groups and local partners to put on a range of fun activities including: walk/jog/run at parkrun, cycling, rollerskating, yoga, crown green bowling, table tennis, mini Olympics, treasure hunt, bike tagging and much more.

More new activities are getting added all the time.

If you’re part of a sports group or organisation who’d like to showcase what you do, or can provide a free taster get in touch via getsetleedslocal @leeds.gov.uk to be part of the event. We’d love to see the widest range of sports and activities represented.

If you can donate to the goodie bags or a prize draw let us know.

Monthly round up:

Aidan is all set to welcome people to Brickfield ParkPlay, whether you’ve been part of the ParkPlay community in the past or want to come and try for the first time. ParkPlay at

Brickfield Park (Lady Pit Lane) will take place all year, every Saturday 10.30am. Its free and for all ages. Register in advance or turn up and give it a try Brickfield – ParkPlay (park-play.com)

We’re excited to see Holbeck Together starting a new Body Combat Class, which will take place every Tuesday 9–9.45am at St Matthew’s Community Centre. This new class utilises equipment purchased through a Get Set Leeds Local Community Chest Pot, and

found that when she joined her sixth form college, opportunities to be active were limited. Tian was motivated to develop her own dance group, bringing together young people from a range of backgrounds during lunch breaks, selfteaching themselves dance routines.

In April Get Set Leeds Local were able to give the dance group an opportunity to dance together in a dance studio and be mentored by dance tutor Lauren. Next steps for this

be easily set up and taken down in these local green spaces. It involves a blend of walking and decision making, which gives children and their family a sense of adventure and an added reason to access their local park.

If you’d like to put on an Xplorer event get in touch. We can provide the equipment, training and support to enable it to happen.

Lastly for this month is a heads up to watch this space for a summer youth basketball tournament.

Another group of inspiring young people from South Leeds came forward last month after our last South Leeds Life article to say they want to organise a basketball tournament for young people. We think it sounds a great idea and look forward to this idea developing over the next few months.

If you have ideas for anything that may help others move more get in touch.

Get Set Leeds Local is a Sport England funded project, covering Holbeck and Beeston and Hunslet and Riverside, which is led by Active Leeds (part of Leeds City Council). Collectively we work with residents, community partners and council colleagues to explore how we can create active communities. Funding and support is available. Follow us on social media, or get in touch via karen.peck @leeds.gov.uk / 07891 274130

Being active takes so many forms and means assorted things to different people. South Leeds is full of ways that all ages can move, have fun and find something that feels good for them. Every month

Get Set Leeds Local is taking a deeper dive into a different activity, and we’ll explore the ways that you can get involved.

What is Rollerskating?

Rollerskating is an activity done for fun or sport, wearing special shoes fitted with wheels to move around paved surfaces. Like many sports there’s different versions and ways children and adults can get involved. Roller hockey, speed skating, dance skating, roller derby, street style are some.

Rollerskating works best where there are flat, smooth tarmacked spaces, and avoid wet days (to keep your rollerskates in good condition).

Rollerskating in South Leeds Park Roll Spotlight

Coming out of the pandemic, South Leeds resident Catherine got in touch with Get Set Leeds Local in response to a South Leeds Life article. Her daughter had the idea of bringing people together to enjoy rollerskating. GSLL connected with LS-TEN, Len and Machteld (rollerskating specialists). Working collectively with Catherine, Saturday Park Roll developed.

Every Saturday morning through the summer months a community of local people come together to enjoy rollerskating at Cross Flatts Park.

For some its an activity enjoying a childhood hobby, for others its children and adults learning how to rollerskate for the first time. It’s a vibrant session, which is full of South Leeds residents sharing a space, doing something they all

enjoy.

Rollerskates and pads are available to book and borrow for free via www.ls-ten.org

The Skate Scholarship

Believing cost of skates should never be a barrier to enjoying this activity, rollerskaters through LS-Ten set up a programme to raise money to help members of the community get involved in rollerskating. Money raised goes towards giving people the opportunity to be a given a brand new pair of skates, paid sessions into LS-TEN, free coaching and more.

In addition, a skate donation scheme has been set up, enabling people to drop off old skates, pads or parts at LSTEN. Machteld and the team will fix them up, make them safe and then hand them over to budding skaters within their community sessions within Leeds.

For more information about this scheme contact LS-Ten via hello@ls-ten.org, or message the skate scholarship at info@theskatescholarship.com

Upcoming events

Whether you’re just getting started on your own skates, or looking to get your skates on at a Roller Disco, enjoy being part of the Middleton Skaters, like to bash about on skates with Leeds Roller Derby or join in the Park Roll sessions one event they’re all talking about is Northern Roll 2023, which will take place 19-21 May in Leeds.

It brings skating communities together through a festival rollerskating vibe. It includes workshops, demos, skate partys, street skate, roller discos and loads more. There are family friendly and beginner friendly events. Details and tickets available through www.ls-ten.org/northern-rollshop

sounds a fun way to get fit.

Shout out to Holbeck Moor

FC Women’s Team who last month became the first women’s football team in the country to become a Football Club of Sanctuary, an award run by the City of Sanctuary Movement, a charity supporting groups that encourage inclusivity and compassion for refugees and people seeking sanctuary.

It’s an inspiring achievement. They’re now keen to share their journey and learning with others wishing to do the same.

Get Set Leeds Local were connected to a young resident from Beeston. 17 year old Tian

fantastic group of young people is finding some performance opportunities, to give them somewhere to showcase their hard work to.

We’re once again working in partnership with British Orienteering, so that community volunteers and partners can utilise Xplorer within local greenspaces. Local parks such as Cross Flatts Park, Holbeck Moor, Brickfield Park and Hunslet Moor have been mapped out to enable community events to take place.

Xplorer aims to engage the whole family through fun navigation challenges that can

Park Roll takes place every Saturday morning in Cross Flatts Park

Cross Flatts parkrun’s tenth anniversary

by Jeremy Morton

It’sten years since parkrun first appeared in Beeston. Whilst runners and walkers celebrated on 1 April, we spoke to some of those most involved in its success.

Mark Hodgkinson, the driving force behind Cross Flatts parkrun, dates its origins to a football injury that led him to take up running. Mates took him to Woodhouse Moor parkrun, the first event outside London, and he saw the potential for an event in Beeston.

parkrun is now a global phenomenon. It’s a free, weekly, measured, timed, 5km run, jog or walk staffed by volunteers. The simplicity of the model has got people in their millions to give it ago with many taking up running as a result.

In its ten years Cross Flatts parkrun has seen 440 eventsit only stops for icy weather, Beeston Festival and the Covid lockdown. 7,403 people have completed the course and 584 people have volunteered to help make it happen.

Mark says it was stretch to get started, finding enough people to make up the core team and raise the funds to get started.

“Our first event was set for Saturday 23 March 2013, but it snowed heavily the night before and we had to cancel which was gutting” he says.

It did start the following week and soon settled down to 3040 runners a week. It’s since grown to 100-150.

“One week we were really short of volunteers so I asked Sue (Richardson), who was a good friend of ours and lived really close to the park, if she would come and help us” Mark explained.

“She said she would but that she would never ever run itshe's been there nearly every week since and has run 320 parkruns at Cross Flatts - she is amazing and remains one of my highlights of the whole thing. She has since taken on sorting out all the volunteers and doing the results each week and basically makes everything work.”

Sue’s not the only long

standing volunteer. Cross Flatts parkrun seems to attract people who then want to contribute to its ongoing success. Mark picks out Phil Hodgson and Jeni SwordWilliams, Jane Ramsey, Alan and Viv Swithenbank, Brian Hilton, Ian Pickles and Hannah Marshall.

Hannah commented:

“For me it is the community spirit of the Cross Flatts parkrun that kept me coming back and then becoming involved as the report writer each week. Seeing so many people come together each week and the smiles from everyone each time are fantastic.

“We have a reputation for putting on a good party, whether for our birthdays, Christmas or parkrunner milestone celebrations. Fancy dress is very much encouraged with people feeling comfortable to join in. It is the turning up and taking part that is celebrated.”

Mark agrees: “In the first couple of years someone said to me, ‘I've lived in Beeston for

40 years but I've made more friends since coming to parkrun in just a few months.’

“It's all about the relationships and the community for me (and the running and fitness and physical health benefits are a massive bonus). It's genuinely one of the best community initiatives I have been involved in and it feels like it is developing a real legacy in our community.”

Part of that legacy has been the running boom in South Leeds which went to a further

level in 2015 when a few Cross Flatts regulars got together to form the South Leeds Lakers. The Lakers have gone from strength to strength in the last year 8 years becoming affiliated to England Athletics, hosting races and forming a highly successful junior section. A number of Lakers then went on to form the equally successful Morley Running Club, the butterfly effect. It was great to see members from both clubs at the birthday celebration.

Phil Hodgson, one the

founders of the Lakers said:

“Before parkrun it was a novelty to see anyone running round the streets of Beeston. Now it’s the norm. People who didn’t consider themselves “sporty” have taken to running and achieved personal goals they never thought attainable. Long may it continue.”

Cross Flatts parkrun takes place every Saturday morning starting at 9am near the bowling greens. Register for your barcode before your come at www.parkrun.org.uk Everyone is welcome.

Dewsbury defeat, but Hunslet tame Hurricanes

by Ian Pickles

Ina

stop-start

season Hunslet RLFC only had two matches in April, but acquitted themselves well in both.

Hunslet’s Good Friday fixture on 7 April at Dewsbury Rams ended in a 12-6 defeat, but the Parksiders will be happy with their performance and will think they probably should have won.

The Rams were hanging on in the end, but ultimately got the victory and now top the League 1 table with six victories from six.

It was a proper game of Rugby League with two equally matched sides and we had to wait until the 23rd minute for the first try. A superb 40/20 gave Dewsbury field position and eventually Calum Turner forced his way over with Paul Sykes converting. 6-0 he killer play came on 40 minutes when a Callum Turner kick wasn’t dealt with and quick passing sent Lewis Carr over in the corner. Paul Sykes conversion hit the top of the post and bounced over and the Rams had a 12-0 half time lead.

Dewsbury had had the decisions in the first half, now

the penalties went to Hunslet. On the back of three penalties Hunslet won a scrum and whipped the ball out quickly for Jack Render to score. Josh Jordan-Roberts converting. The Parksiders got back to winning ways on 16 April and gained revenge for last season’s embarrassing home defeat to Midlands Hurricanes with an emphatic 48-6 victory at the South Leeds Stadium.

From the off the Parksiders harried the Hurricanes’ defence, and although the hosts were missing Jimmy Watson, Jake Sweeting and Nathan Newbound it only took 3 minutes for Jack Render to score a fantastic diving try in the corner after good work by Matty Beharrell 4-0.

First half tries followed with Harvey Hallas, Jordan Syme, Nathan Conroy and Brad Wheeler all crossing the whitewash to give Hunslet a 28-0 half time lead.

Jordan Syme scored again two minutes into the seconf half. Jack Render, Adam Ryder and Harvey Hallas took the final score to 48-6.

Matty Beharrell who converted 6 from 9 attempts on his return following a loan spell last season.

Jack Render scores Hunslet’s first try against Midlands Hurricanes. Photo: Paul Whitehurst

Mark Hodgkinson briefs the runners and walkers before the tenth anniversary Cross Flatts parkrun