South Leeds Life 99 July-August 2023

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

BEESTON NISA WOUND UP

by Jeremy Morton

Awinding up order was granted against Nagarjun Ltd, the company that held the franchise to run the Nisa Extra store in Beeston (formerly the Co-op), at the High Court in Leeds on 27 June.

The case was brought by Scottish Power and the order means that the company has ceased trading and will be liquidated.

The store has been closed since 12 June. Prior to that it was unable to take card payments, sell lottery tickets and customers reported bare shelves.

Whilst staff are entitled to receive any pay owing and a redundancy payment, they are not first in the queue to be paid. If there are insufficient funds to pay them, they will be able to claim payments from the National Insurance Fund, but these are capped.

The Co-op sold its Beeston store in September 2021 to Nagarjun Ltd. Staff were transferred to the new owners under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment) regulations, but given no option to take redundancy. Because the staff were transferred under TUPE

regulations, their service with the Co-op will count towards their redundancy payments.

The staff feel let down by Nagarjun Ltd, but also by the Co-op. One member of staff we spoke to said:

“We worked hard through Covid, we got assaulted when we tried to manage the queues, we got spat at, we got abused. We went through all that and then in August 2021 the Area Manager told us all that the shop had been sold and we’d been sold with it. I asked if we could transfer to another store, but he said ‘no you’ve all been sold, its signed sealed and delivered.’

Later they found out they could have been transferred but by then it was too late.

The closure of the store raises further questions including what happens to uncollected parcels that are still in the building and whether the two cash machines will be able to be refilled. The store was leased by Nagarjun Ltd, so these issues will have to be resolved by the administrator once they are appointed.

A spokesperson for Nisa said:

“All Nisa stores are owned and operated by independent retailers. Nisa Retail provides

goods and services to those retailers along with a broad range of support. Nisa notes the outcome of the recent winding up petition and the store in Beeston will remain on stop in regard to trading with Nisa currently. Every effort will be made to find an alternative independent retailer to take over the lease and operation of the store as soon as possible.”

Aidan McCarthy, Usdaw (the shopworkers’ trade union) Area

Organiser said:

“We are obviously appalled by the employer’s terrible treatment of our members at the Nisa store in Beeston. We have had no engagement from the employer and we are currently investigating legal redress for the staff impacted. Regrettably the tribunal process is not quick, for example our members who were unfairly made redundant by Debenhams are still waiting

for justice 3 years later. That is why we are campaigning for the Government to better protect workers and force bosses to meet their responsibilities to staff. The current regime means it is far too easy for employers to not follow the law.”

We have approached Nargajun Ltd and the Co-op Group (which owns Nisa) for comment, but they have not responded so far.

Franchisee company goes into administration, staff made redundant

Closed: The Nisa store in Beeston

About us

Consultation opens on new Holbeck Sports Hub

Residents in Holbeck are being consulted about the construction of a community sports hub and GP surgery on the former Matthew Murray High School site at the end of Brown Lane East.

Our aims

The proposal is to site three full size 3G plastic all weather football pitches, plus two multi use games areas (MUGAs) and building housing changing rooms, café, GP surgery, pharmacy and meeting rooms. The remainder of the site would be replanted with trees, shrubs and wildflower meadow and new footpath would be built linking the Tilburys with the footpath along the A643 Ingram Distributor.

These facilities had been planned to be provided at Fullerton Park on Elland Road next to the Leeds United ground and planning permission was granted in June 2020. However, the club changed its mind the siting of this facility and its training ground.

A spokesperson for Leeds City

Council said:

“The proposals form part of an aspiration to improve facilities in grassroots sports across the City of

us

Complaints

South

Leeds through investment in pitches, facilities and programmes that create benefits in terms of sports participation, community

Instaplanta wins latest round of competition dispute with council

Leeds City Council has been denied a ‘Security of Costs’ order in a case it is defending against allegations of unfair competion brought by local micro business Instaplanta (Yorkshire)

Limited in a ruling dated 5 June 2023.

As we reported in April, Instaplanta has taken Leeds City Council to the Competition Appeal Tribunal alleging that the Council has stifled its business model by unresonably denying it permission to site planters at roadside sites across the city.

If the Security of Costs order had been granted it would have meant that Instaplanta would have to pay the Council’s costs, potentially over £1 million, if the Council won the case.

The Council said they sought the order to protect public funds and services. However, the Tribunal Chair, Ben Tidswell, ruled that granting the order would have the effect of stifling the claim, as Instaplanta do not have the resources to fund such costs and would therefore have to withdraw their legal action.

The Chair implies that Leeds City Council (the Defendant) has a case to answer and in his ruling he states:

“The email and other documentary evidence which the Claimant relies on supports, on its face, a plausible theory of exclusionary conduct.

“ However, it is clear that this question will be hotly contested by the Defendant at trial and I express

no view on the likely outcome here.”

Commenting on the ruling, Malcolm Simpson told South Leeds Life:

“The best case scenario of Leeds City Council is that if they go to trial

and win it will cost them £1 million, if they lose it could be £3 million.

That’s Leeds Council Tax payers money.

“We, Leeds City Council and Instaplanta, are duty bound to try to

activity and health and well-being.”

If the project goes ahead they hope to get planning permission by the end of this year with the new facilities completed by the summer of 2025.

Leaflets have been sent to residents in the area and two dropin meetings have been held. Questions and comments can be sent to: darren.dobson@leeds .gov.uk

resolve this matter out of court. And we, Instaplanta, want to do that.”

A Leeds City Council spokesperson said:

“We are not in a position to comment on this matter as it is the subject of an ongoing legal process.”

You can read the full ruling at bit.ly/Instaplanta. The full hearing of the case is due to take place on 6 November 2023.

CGI of the proposed hub building with pitches behind

Malcolm Simpson of Instaplanta

Nomad Clan reveal new mural

‘Cosmic Rhapsody’ in Holbeck

Internationally acclaimed street art duo Nomad Clan have been commissioned by the children of Holbeck and theatre company Slung Low to paint a giant mural celebrating everyone’s creative potential.

Slung Low is resident in Ingram Road Primary School and works closely with a small group of children, the self-titled Imaginative Intelligence Warriors (IIW), who commission the company to create events

and initiatives for the people of Holbeck.

This has included a kindness festival, an opera and now this mural on the side of The Warehouse in Holbeck, part of the Jamyang Buddhist complex.

Artist AYLO Nomad said:

“This mural is a shout-out to the importance of nurturing creativity, not just in kids, but in everyone. Theatre isn’t just a place for plays and

performances; it’s a sanctuary where dreams are celebrated, and imaginations run wild. The intention with this mural is to inspire creativity, encourage young minds to dream big and beyond the mundane.”

The building is owned by the Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds so her artistic partner Cbloxx Nomad explained:

“When viewed through a lens of Buddhist philosophy we considered sentiments around

every individual carrying the seed of enlightenment within, mindfulness, compassion, selfdiscovery, the act of creativity as a meditative state of repetition and doing, creative flow state often only arrives when the mind is silent … being at one with the action.

“We included Leeds’ everpresent Owl, a sly nod to the giant Leeds Mural ‘Athena Rising’ as well as representing knowledge, and connectivity

with the natural world which continuously grounds us and gives us a sense of perspective on our significance.

“West Yorkshire’s white rose symbol is deeply rooted in the region’s proud history and identity, connecting all who reside in the best riding of the bunch!”

Sarah Millard, headteacher at Ingram Road explained:

“The Imaginative Intelligence Warriors meet monthly with Slung Low, as well visiting their events for inspiration of what is possible. When the children worked with Nomad Clan, creativity and expanding horizons, values deeply rooted in our school’s ethos, were high up on their asks. It’s wonderful

to stand in front of it and those same children point out specifics they asked for, understanding their voices are powerful and valued.”

Alan Lane, Artistic Director of Slung Low added:

“The children at Ingram Road Primary School are our most important creative partners. The IIW were the first people invited to The Warehouse in Holbeck when we started this great adventure with Jamyang Leeds.

“We all hope that the new art piece is loved by the people of Holbeck, inspiring everyone to look for their own creativity.”

Slung Low’s Community Director, Ruth Saxton continued:

“We always promise the best to the IIW and there are none better than Nomad Clan, sensational artists. When we approached them we all knew it was a great fit.

“And working with the brilliant children sealed it for the Nomads, they were blown away by their imagination and clarity.”

Jamyang Leeds said:

“It is so important to acknowledge and express the experiences and creativity of the children in Holbeck. As the creative, educational and spiritual hub of Holbeck, sharing, working together and developing our hearts and minds, we can achieve great things based on our common shared values such as love, compassion and creativity, to inspire, achieve our full potential and to benefit others. ‘Wow, wow, wow’ as our teacher Lama Zopa would have said.”

The mural will be officially unveiled in a ceremony at 5pm on Thursday 6 July 2023.

Twenty infected ash trees in Cross Flatts Park face the axe

Asurvey of trees in Cross Flatts Park has revealed that up to twenty mature ash trees will have to be cut down in the coming months. A further forty will have to be cut back.

The trees are suffering from a highly destructive fungal disease called ‘ash dieback‘, which is becoming prevelent in Britain. It is the most significant tree disease to affect the UK since Dutch elm disease took hold in the 1960s and 1970s. Dying and infected ash trees are more likely to shed limbs, lean and collapse.

A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said:

“We are proud of the work we do to care for the trees and woodland that help make our many local parks such wonderful places to visit and spend time.

“As part of this work, regular surveys are carried out to check on the health of our tree population and pinpoint any potential issues.

“One such survey in Cross Flatts Park has identified a number of trees that are in declining condition due to a fungal disease called ash dieback.

“At this stage, we believe that around 20 of

the affected ash trees will need to be felled, with a further 40 or so requiring remedial pruning work.

“A start date for the felling has yet to be confirmed, but we will keep local ward members and the Friends of Cross Flatts

Park fully informed regarding the progress of our plans.”

Alderwoman Angela Gabriel, Chair of Friends of Cross Flatts Park told South Leeds Life:

“I’m devastated that ash dieback has reached Leeds and we will lose so many mature trees from our park. This will change the face of the park, removing much of the shade. These are big trees, many of them planted when the park was created over a hundred years ago.

“It’s a real shame because I’m a tree hugger, but we’ll have to look at what we can plant in their place. On a positive note we are investigating turning one of the trunks into a sculpture.”

Two of the affected ash trees in Cross Flatts Park

‘Cosmic Rhapsody’ is located on Rydall Place in Holbeck

by Jeremy Morton

On the beat with

Insp Mark Gamlyn

Get on board as Mobile Hub visits Cottingley

I’d like to start my first column for South Leeds Life by introducing myself to you all. I’m Mark Gamlyn and I’m the new Neighbourhood Inspector for South Leeds.

Having originally started my career with Nottinghamshire Police, I moved up to West Yorkshire seven years ago and spent the first two years of my service based here at Elland Road as a Response Inspector. Since then, I have worked in a number of areas including West Leeds and Force Headquarters. So I’m really pleased to be back where I first started - leading a team of fantastic, hard working officers in the communities of South Leeds.

Joining us this month will be Sergeant Dan Ryder who has transferred to us from Thames Valley Police where he worked in a similar role and he will be responsible for the teams working in Middleton and Belle Isle.

I think it’s really important to mention that we are facing significant call demand at the moment. It is probably the busiest I have known it since I moved to the area and it whilst we all appreciate the nice warm weather, for us as Police Officers, it means even more calls for service! Rest assured we are working extremely hard to serve you as best we can, please bear with us as we try our best to balance proactivity and crime reduction with reassurance patrols and assisting with handling calls.

Due to the high call demand,

our contact centre staff are busy and prioritise emergency calls, so if the 101 number is busy, you can report incidents online via our website. This process is quick and easy, and it means you don’t need to wait in a queue. We will still review these reports quickly and respond just as we would if you spoke to someone on the phone. But please remember, if it is an emergency, call 999 immediately.

As we move into the summer months, reports of Anti-Social Behaviour inevitably increase. We appreciate just how much ASB impacts on our communities and we continually review our deployments as well as run proactive operations to target areas where we have significant issues. Sometimes you will see a visible presence, sometimes our officers work in plain clothes or under cover.

We work closely with our partners including Leeds City Council and our elected members to problem solve and disrupt criminal activity. In support of this, we will be running a number of operations and initiatives as part of National ASB Awareness Week, which runs from 3-9 July.

As I’m on the subject of operations, I thought I’d update you on the results of our Combined ‘Day of Action’ which we ran a few weeks ago. We run days like this throughout the year alongside our day to day work and they are an opportunity to utilise specialist

resources from across the force to target ongoing issues. This time we worked with colleagues from our Off-Road Bikes team, Roads Policing and Police Intercept Team, as well as partners from Leeds AntiSocial Behaviour Team, White Rose Shopping Centre and HMRC.

Our proactive traffic operation resulted in 2 arrests, 6 vehicle seizures, 12 traffic offence reports and we seized thousands of pounds of cash used in crime. We also executed warrants at a number of addresses involved in drug use and supply, which resulted in a number of arrests. Working with HMRC, we targeted two shops which were involved in the sale of counterfeit goods, and selling alcohol, cigarettes and vapes to under-age children. In total, over 8,000 counterfeit cigarettes, 2.5kg of tobacco, 200 illegal vapes and 90 litres of vodka were seized and enforcement action taken. Going forwards, my plan is to give you some updates on the work we’re doing as well as a focus on a different topic each month. But in the meantime, if you have ever considered a career in the Police, we are currently recruiting for a number of roles including Police Officers, PCSOs and Contact Staff. A career in policing is both challenging and rewarding in equal measure, but you can make a real difference. Please don’t hesitate to speak to one of the team if you want more information.

Anew mobile Community Hub and Library service will be making fortnightly visits to Cottingley and is ready to help residents with their housing, council tax and benefits and provide employment support as well as offering library and internet services and much more.

The new mobile service aims to bring council services closer to the communities they serve – making them more accessible to local people.

The mobile Community Hub and Library service is next visiting Cottingley on Wednesday 5 July and will be located opposite Cottingley Towers, next to the shops, from 10am to midday. They will be back at the same time, every other Wednesday, to help residents with a range of enquiries.

Councillor Gohar Almass, (Labour, Beeston & Holbeck) said:

“My ward colleagues,

Councillor Scopes, Councillor Maloney and I are delighted that this new way to get help and advice with Leeds City Council and Leeds Library services is being offered in Cottingley.

“This is an extension of the service after regular weekly sessions have proven successful in Holbeck.

“I’d encourage anyone who

wants to use the library or needs help with their housing, benefits, or finding work, to come along to use the service. I hope residents find it useful.”

The mobile Community Hub and Library service also visits Holbeck, outside St Matthew’s Community Centre every Tuesday 10am-3:30pm and every Thursday 9:30am3:30pm.

Lowell’s 24-Hour Relay raises money for new charity partners

Lowell, a UK-headquartered European leader in credit management, have completed a 24-hour relay to raise money for their charity partners, Beeston-based homelessness charity Turning Lives Around and MyBnk.

The relay started at Lowell’s office in Stourton, with over 90 colleagues from across the business completing 30minute slots to raise money for charity. Colleagues took to a variety of different challenges to complete the relay with everything from running, cycling, yoga and martial arts included.

Lowell colleagues faced challenging conditions with heavy rain and scorching sunshine thrown into the mix

across the 24 hours. There was great comradery, especially for those completing overnight slots, with a WhatsApp chat to encourage team members and share photos of their completed activities.

Kevin Peirson, Head of Customer Relations & Lowell Giving Involve Group member, said:

“Working with the Lowell Giving Involve Group to organise this event has been a real highlight for me. It’s fantastic to see teams coming together to raise awareness around such great causes. And I can’t wait to see the difference the money we’ve raised makes to our charity partners, hand-in-hand with the volunteering work we are

also undertaking.”

Steve Hoey, Turning Lives Around CEO, said:

“We are extremely grateful to the people at Lowell for choosing Turning Lives Around as one of their charity partners. The partnership and relationship we are developing through practical support at our schemes and fundraising events like the relay, mean a great deal to us and our clients. Like most charities, the current economic climate is proving tough for us and every penny we receive will be put to very good use enabling some of the most vulnerable people in our communities who are either homeless or at risk of homelessness to turn their lives around.”

Drug arrests

Lowell staff at the firm’s Stourton offices

Cllr Almass visits the Mobile Community Hub in Cottingley

Middleton Elderly Aid volunteer Megan graduates from University

by Ken Ingram

Ispoke to Megan Fletcher who volunteers at Middleton Elderly Aid (MEA):

“I started at Middleton Elderly Aid in March 2022, over a year ago, when I was going into my last year at University. Since then I have competed that year and am graduating in July.

“Although I’ve finished my education, I’m still volunteering at Middleton Elderly Aid, along with my Mum Stacey at the Bacon Butty Morning. Wednesday mornings are very busy, with Bacon Sandwiches for £1.00 including hot drinks and top ups.

“I also help out at the MEA Memory Café, on the last Wednesday of the month. Volunteering at the Memory Café, helped my studies, as I got to meet some lovely people who attend and local services such as PCSOs, the Fire service and Engage Leeds.

“Cllr Wayne Dixon (Social Democratic Party, Middleton Park Ward) comes once a month to give advice on local

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matters, plus we get Memory Support Workers attending.

“I enjoy Volunteering every Wednesday and look forward to meeting many more lovely people.

Megan is a fantastic young lady and is just at home in the kitchen or serving sandwiches

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and hot drinks as she is at mentoring me at the Memory Café, which is held at the centre on the last Wednesday in every month for people with memory issues, such as Dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Good luck on your future adventures Megan.

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Megan volunteers at Middleton Elderly Aid

Floating bookshop scoops national award

Ahistoric ship, Marjorie R, now home to a floating bookshop has been awarded Flagship of the Year 2023 by National Historic Ships UK.

The Hold Fast bookshop is run aboard Marjorie R, moored in Leeds Dock, by Victoria and Chris Bonner.

The award provides an opportunity to demonstrate and celebrate the value of historic vessels to the wider public.

Marjorie R was chosen in recognition of her unique offer as an independent bookshop and community base. Built in 1946 by Harkers of Knottingley she spent her working life carrying coal in West Yorkshire.

After many years of retirement and neglect she was relaunched as a bookshop in November 2022. Whilst the cargo has changed she has remained in the county she has always called home.

The boat has been restored to preserve the 76 year old structure, using only recycled materials as much as possible, to create a space for both Leeds locals and visitors to enjoy.

The name Hold Fast comes from the old nautical saying, often tattoo’d on sailor’s knuckles, meaning hold on in stormy seas. It was chosen to reflect how opening the bookshop is a way to save the ship – giving her a secure mooring place and income to help maintain her which is essential as they receive no grants or funding. It’s also a way to help us, and hopefully our customers – a little retreat to pop into as we all navigate life’s ups and downs. The bookshop stocks a wide range

of styles and genres, both new and second hand. The shop also sells online as part of bookshop.org – find them at uk.bookshop.org/shop/holdfas tbookshop

Victoria commented:

“We have always loved Marjorie R – she means the world to us and we love sharing the stories of her past and her working life with our customers. This award is a fantastic recognition of just how important it is that we keep those stories alive – and what better place to share stories than a bookshop? Receiving the award today is good timing too as we are just about to start our celebrations for Independent Bookshop Week, an initiative by The Booksellers Association to encourage people to seek out and support the local indy bookshops in their community.”

Chris added:

“I am passionate about sustainability – I have driven the water taxi in Leeds for several years and that short journey contains so many references to our city’s history – the docks, the industry, the inventiveness (pop and the movies!). I’m so proud to have Marjorie R moored in Leeds Dock as a reminder of the industrial past that helped build this city. By repurposing a cast off from the coal industry into a vibrant space filled with plants she is also part of an exciting future for this area.”

The Bookshop is open:

Thursday 11-8pm

Friday – 11-6pm

Saturday 10-5pm

Sunday 11-4pm

For more information visit the website at: holdfastleeds.co.uk

Festival fun in the sun

The sun shone and the crowds descended in their thousands to Cross Flatts Park to enjoy Beeston Festival on Saturday 24 June. Revellers commented on the fantastic atmosphere and the range of activities and entertainment on offer. On the main stage the Old Time Sailors (above) stole the show with their exuberant sea shanties. There was much more to enjoy with sports, children’s activities, the fun fair and the scores of stalls in the bazaar. Organisers had teamed up with My LEEDS Summer, part of the Year of Culture, to put on a diverse range of local groups and musicuans in the Arena, whilst rappers rubbed shoulders with singer songwriters on the Emerge stage to entertain diners in the Food Court.

It’s never too late to learn

by Olivia Garvey

TheLifelong Learning Centre

(LLC) at the University of Leeds offers flexible degrees for adult learners, many of whom have had long periods out of education.

Although there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ mature student, starting university later in life can be a different experience than that of an eighteen-year-old and the LLC provides a range of opportunities for people to ‘dip a toe in’ to see what it’s like to study as an adult before committing to a course. Free information sessions, tasters, short courses and an annual summer school allow people to try out learning in an informal and fun way.

The LLC also supports mature students to develop the skills to study and the confidence to fulfil their potential. South Leeds locals, Zahra Bibi and William Hunter, have both studied Child and Family Studies part-time and reflected on what they have gained from returning to study as adults. Zahra completed a Foundation Degree in 2018 and plans to return in September to complete her BA (Hons).

“Having a full degree will give me many different career

opportunities on top of the ones I have since gaining my foundation degree. When I started the degree, I was a teaching assistant; by the end of the foundation degree I was Director of Safeguarding in a secondary school and currently work as a lead Safeguarding and Family Support practitioner in Bradford council.”

Looking back, Zahra had not considered that university might be a viable option:

“I am the second generation of South Asian migrants, higher education was not supported or encouraged. Going to university was a dream of mine but I thought it was too late, I was too old, my time had passed, but then I discovered the LLC.”

William is currently in the last year of a Child and Families Studies degree at the Lifelong Learning Centre. Reflecting on his earlier experiences of learning, he shared:

“I grew up in South Leeds, education was never encouraged or promoted, I was always led to believe that university was only for ‘middle class’ folk, not for people like me. That was until I discovered the LLC and quickly learned that university is created and available to everyone, no matter your socio-economic

background or age.”

Thinking about the importance of support for busy mature students and the journey he has been on, William shared:

University has not only been an academic journey of professional growth, it has also been a personal journey of growth, it has helped shape how I view and interact with the world; it has helped me gain perspective, emotional maturity and self-awareness that has given me the confidence to walk into rooms I thought I’d never walk into. Throughout my university

journey, the LLC has provided me with the tools and support, making study achievable whilst juggling a full-time job.”

As William says:

“I would thoroughly encourage anyone who is pondering the thought of higher education to pop into the Lifelong Learning Centre for a friendly and informative chat with one of their course tutors – if I can do it, so can you.”

Contact the Lifelong Learning Centre to book a one-to-one appointment for advice and guidance, by calling (0113) 343 1770 or email lifelonglearning@leeds.ac.uk

Mature student William Hunter

Money matters with

Leeds Credit Union

Cheap Days Out This Summer

Rugby choir contributes to charity record

Anyone looking for a free day out can stop looking - Leeds Discovery Centre is hosting a series of guided tours around Leeds Museum & Galleries' collection store!

A purpose-built display storage facility that houses more than one million objects in climate-controlled conditions, the store is a treasure trove of toys, taxidermy animals, skeletons, furniture, clothing, textiles, and archaeology from Leeds, Yorkshire and around the world.

The first tour begins at 1pm on Tuesday 25 July, with plenty more taking place over the summer holidays. Entry is free but booking is essential.

Outdoor Theatre: The Secret Garden

by Pat Benatmane

NowSummer's officially here, Stephen Porter, Head of Member Experience at Leeds Credit Union, looks at some of the best and most inexpensive upcoming events for families to enjoy in Leeds and the surrounding area over the coming months.

Barely a day goes by without an exciting event taking place in Leeds. From arts and music, to food and live sport, ours is a city with plenty going on.

Now summer's here, the local events calendar looks even busier than usual. But with the cost of living continuing to rise and household budgets set to get squeezed further still over the school summer holidays, which are the events that your kids will love but won't cost the earth?

All Creatures Great And Small

If your kids love everything to do with animals, add Temple Newsam to your list of places to visit this summer.

With All Creatures Great And Small, visitors can celebrate the animals of Temple Newsam, from the rare breed animals at the site's Home Farm, to animal portraits inside the astonishing TudorJacobean house itself.

There are a huge range of trails and activities for visitors to enjoy too, as well as a legendary play area and mile after mile of gorgeous parkland, so pack a picnic and head on over from 22 July until 3 September (except Mondays).

Admission is free to under 5s, while tickets for children up to the age of 16 start from just £3.20!

Behind The Scenes Tour of Leeds Discovery Centre

Taking place at Lotherton Hall - one of West Yorkshire's most popular country houseson Saturday 5 August, the Outdoor Theatre series is presented by the renowned Chapterhouse Theatre Company and does exactly what it says on the tin: enables you to watch a play outdoors!

A fantastic trip out for families in particular, Lotherton Hall's beautiful gardens provide the perfect backdrop against which to watch this production of one of the most popular children's books of all timeFrances Burnett Hodgson's The Secret Garden. And if the sun's out, it'll be truly jaw-dropping!

The story centres around a young girl who is sent to live at her uncle’s house in the countryside, where mysteries, new friends and magical creatures lurk around every corner. Entry is free for children aged four and under.

Leeds Credit Union provides straightforward and affordable financial services.

Backin 2016, I was honoured to represent Hunslet RLFC in the Rugby League Choir at Wembley to sing Abide With Me. This was on the hallowed turf of Wembley just before the Challenge Cup final between Warrington and Hull FC. That was a marvellous experience, but the 32 members of the choir representing the clubs in the last rounds went their ways. Along came Covid and with many people suffering mental health problems in its aftermath, State of Mind got in touch. State of Mind helps and educates rugby league teams

and individual players, helping them to stay positive and showing pathways to get help. Two songs had been specially written for the charity – would we like to be a part of it?

Several of the original RL choir said ‘Yes,’ and so last winter we went to a recording studio in Manchester to meet up with a choir from London and our musical director, Steve.

When you see pop stars recording songs on television, you only see a few seconds of the task.

A full, long day in Manchester to record two songs left us very tired but happy. The first song, ‘We are United’ came out in time for the Rugby League

World Cup – raising funds for State of Mind.

Now the second song, Whatever is Today, There is Tomorrow’ is out. It’s an uplifting song, full of positive and sympathetic messages; again it’s raising funds for charity.

If you would like to listen, it’s on Spotify, as well as other platforms.

The video with it is pretty good too. Watch it on YouTube here: bit.ly/3PF7lWd. I just get in near the end on the left of the choir. It won’t bring us fame and fortune, but it’s for a good cause and it’s professionally produced – and it sounds brilliant.

Hunslet Moor group raise funds for Dementia UK

Friends of Hunslet Moor had a successful day on 3 June at their ‘Time for a Cuppa’ Dementia UK fundraising event.

They raised £216 at their community hub selling cakes and sweet treats to the community. On Tuesday they raised a further £66 at St Peter’s Court residents meeting, as well as £80 online making it a very successful event.

Brenda Barlow and Samantha Gilmore who arranged the fundraiser spent the day serving homemade cakes and drinks to the community. Delicious assorted cakes of every category.

The cakes were handmade by Friends of Hunslet Moor and some donated by local residents.

Brenda said:

“I would like to say a huge a thank you to everyone who came and donated to this event including donating cakes. This cruel illness affects so many families. Every penny raised helps specialist Admiral Nurses support more families. These nurses provide life

changing care for families affected by all forms of dementia including Alzheimers disease. Every penny counts and we are so happy to have contributed a little to such a deserving cause.

“We look forward to doing another again during the summer.”

Fundraisers: Brenda Barlow and Samantha Gilmore

Leeds Discovery Centre in Hunslet

Pat (front left) recording with the choir

Young people make their move for good mental health Campaigning for Stoma facilities

Skateboarding

is the key to good mental health, according to 18-year-old Liam Wheatley, who lives in South Leeds.

Liam is part of a team of young people behind the Make Your Move campaign, which launched this week in Leeds.

The campaign aims to inspire other young people to get active for better mental health.

Studies show that children who are active are less likely to develop depression in the first place. Exercise can also help to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in

children and young people who do develop mental health problems.

Being active is linked with better sleep, higher selfesteem, and increased connection with others.

Young people aged 11-21 made videos for the campaign, showcasing activities they love and sharing the benefits for their mental wellbeing.

For Liam, skateboarding is a way to express emotions, both positive and negative.

“I like to skate when I feel sad, angry, or any emotion” he says.

Liam skates at LS-TEN, in

Hunslet, which also offers free roller skating sessions in Cross Flatts Park every Saturday morning.

Dolly, 11, and Liliana, 12, became friends through roller skating with LS-TEN.

In their Make Your Move video, Dolly and Liliana share their love of roller skating, and say: “If we can do it, you can do it too!”

The Make Your Move campaign is supported by the charity Re:establish, based in Beeston. Some young people linked to Re:establish, like 16year-old Kyro, made videos about the activities they enjoy

there, from dance to boxing and lifting weights. Kyro says:

“When I’m in the gym, it’s the best feeling in the world. Exercise makes your body produce endorphins, which will make you feel happy and in a positive mindset.”

The young people have also helped to create a webpage on the MindMate website: Get moving – MindMate

The page features opportunities for young people to access free or low-cost ways to get active in mental-health friendly settings in Leeds, including lots of South Leedsbased activities.

by Lyn Morgan

During the first lockdown I had a change of bowel habit, which was unusual for me, constant loose motions for weeks.

I contacted my GP who sent me for a colonoscopy, I was not thinking it could be anything than a bit of something and nothing.

It showed a polyp in the rectum that could not be removed during the procedure.

I was referred to St James’s Hospital for further investigation. I saw the surgeon who arranged for me to go in and have the polyp removed in January 2021.

Still, I thought no more of it and went home after day surgery. I was then told the polyp was cancer and they had caught it early (T2).

Forward on to August 2021, after radiotherapy I had an operation and am left with a stoma.

Macmillan Cancer Support describe a stoma as an opening that is made through the tummy (abdominal) wall. It connects the bowel to the surface of the tummy. The stoma is round or oval-shaped, and it looks pink and moist. It has no nerve supply, so it does not hurt.

Young people worked with Re:establish to make videos for the Make Your Move campaign

Monthly Community Kitchen launches at St Luke’s Church

Anew community initiative aiming to provide cooked, nutritious food for individuals and families has launched in South Leeds.

South Leeds Community

Kitchen is supported by two local churches and runs on the second Sunday afternoon of every month at St Luke’s

Church on Malvern Road, the next event is on Sunday 9 July, 4-5:45pm.

The initiative has been launched with the intention to provide cooked, nutritious, tasty meals for those who attend, catering also for those who require vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free and halal options.

Each month, the meal is themed to reflect the community’s diverse backgrounds and tastes.

Jane Oginni, who coordinates the team every month has the following to say:

“You only have to walk around the supermarket on any given day to see the pains people are going to to try and stem the cost of rising inflation, buying less and often having to substitute out quality for quantity. It’s really important to me that any food we provide is fresh, tasty, wholesome and something I would be happy to serve my child, grandparent or loved one as a main meal.

“I want anyone struggling to feed themselves or their families to know there is no shame in it, we are all in this together. Please come and find a warm welcome, with no questions asked.”

Those who want to eat with others or who may struggle with isolation are also more than welcome to attend.

So far the team have rustled up Indian and Italian-inspired food, delicious and packed full of healthy ingredients – all guesses welcome for what might feature this month! The team who run the events ensure there are friendly faces for guests to chat with, optional activities, a family-friendly space with toys, as well as a quiet space.

No referral or advance booking is required, guests can simply turn up and enjoy. More information is available on the South Leeds Community Kitchen Facebook page.

St Luke’s Church also hosts the weekly Food Cycle free meal every Wednesday at 6:30pm, offering a free hot meal and good company.

wherever I went disabled toilets were not suitable to be able to do a change hygienically or confidently as there was nowhere to lay out my supplies. My confidence took a knock, and I broke down in tears.

To some people that might seem silly, but unless you are in that position it is hard to understand. So many facilities are not Stoma Friendly, we need to get these businesses etc understand the issues we face.

They can help by making sure their disabled facilities have a shelf, a long mirror, a hook or two and a suitable bin to dispose of soiled stoma bags (which are double wrapped in a disposal bag). Please see ColostomyUK.org/campaigns

I have approached White Rose and after a meeting they are now on board and are currently working to make a couple of their disabled toilets Stoma Friendly. I also have a meeting with management at Trinity Shopping Centre, hopefully we will get them on board too.

Having a stoma means poo (stools) will not pass out of the rectum and anus in the usual way. Instead, it will pass out of the stoma, into a disposable bag that is worn over the stoma.

It was hard to get my head around to start with, but finally I was able to venture out again, all prepared with Stoma supplies should the need arise.

But, what a revelation,

I am making a deputation to a full meeting of Leeds City Council later in July. Hopefully they will agree to make all their facilities Stoma Friendly. I will keep plodding on campaigning for Stoma Friendly facilities for all Ostomates.

1 in 335 people have a stoma for many reasons and we need the right facilities to be able to make life a bit easier when we are whether we are at work or a leisure.

As a footnote please if you notice any kind of change in your bowel habits, bleeding even if you think it is nothing, please see your GP and get it checked!

Middle-tones choir outing

Holbeck Together welcomes new team members

Members and friends of the Middle-tones Choir enjoyed an evening get together at The Scribbling Mill, at White Rose Shopping Centre, then afterwards went to see the Disney musical, The Little Mermaid.

The choir meet every Tuesday, 7-9pm at Laurel Bank day centre, Middleton Park Avenue, LS10 4HY. It's for all abilities and is a safe friendly

the film

space. New members are always made welcome and as well as singing we enjoy outings and Karaoke nights once fortnightly.

The group are thankful for funding from the National Lottery so it's free and the aim is to sing all your troubles away.

See our Facebook group for more information: www. facebook.com/groups/ themiddletones

Holbeck

Together is delighted to introduce South Leeds to their four new team members who are joining the charity this summer.

Claire Holmes, Operations and Services Officer at Holbeck Together, said: “The whole team is thrilled to welcome our new colleagues Leanne, Shan, Sue and Nicole to Holbeck Together.

“Over the past year, our community in Holbeck has faced unprecedented challenges with the cost-ofliving crisis and we have seen an increased demand for our services and support. With our new team members, we are able to respond to that increased demand so we can continue to be a community anchor of the whole of Holbeck.”

Working in partnership with Better Together and Being You Leeds, (Leeds based projects focused on promoting and improving positive mental health and well-being), Holbeck Together will welcome Leanne as Community Development Worker (Better Together) and

Shan as Community Development Worker (Being You Leeds).

Leanne will be working within the Better Together partnership Holbeck Together has with Health For All, St Luke’s Cares, and Asha Neighbourhood Project. She will be setting up new groups and offering support and engagement within the Holbeck Community.

As a Community Development Worker for the Being You project, Shan will

provide groups and activities across the city to encourage connection and community, and support positive mental health across Leeds.

Sue joins the team as the new full-time Community Engagement Worker. This community-based role will see Sue working proactively with the community, providing a holistic programme of social activities incorporating health and wellbeing, setting up of new groups and supporting the

development of existing ones.

And as part of Holbeck Together’s commitment to the diversity of the community, Holbeck Together is also welcoming Nicole to the team as Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Worker.

Nicole will lead Holbeck Together’s equality, diversity and inclusion action plan, ensuring that we are representative and engaging with everyone across our community in Holbeck.

Mosaic with a message

This month saw the installation of a new mosaic, on the outside of the St Luke’s Cares shop on Dewsbury Road. It reads ‘The climate’s changing – are we?’, and was created by members of the local community, in partnership with Seagulls Paint – a Leeds social enterprise specialising in community arts and sustainability. Other mosaics also went up on venues including Middleton Family Centre and

Holbeck Together’s offices near St Matthew’s Community Centre

Choir members enjoy refreshments before

Beeston Village Community Centre, in conjunction with Health for All. Cllr Ed Carlisle (Green, Hunslet & Riverside), who arranged the installation on Dewsbury Road, and St Luke’s Cares continue to work on a south Leeds ‘Save Money and Save the Planet’ campaign, in partnership with Our Future Beeston, Climate Action Leeds, and others. The campaign features: recycling awareness, a green-themed film festival this autumn, and supporting local projects like Repair Café and the School Uniform Swap. Get in touch to find out more, or to get involved: stlukescares.org.uk, or drop into the shop.

Asda Foundation supports community sports group with building grant

Morley WI’s donation to The Bridge Project

by Jeremy Morton

Members of Morley WI (Women’s Institute) visited the Bridge Project at Holbeck Community Centre on Elland Road on 20 June to hand over a donation of sports equipment.

The group came up with a novel way to raise funds, handing their members mini jam jars in which to put the coppers from their purse –killing two birds with one stone.

Between January and May this year members raised £70

and the group matched it from funds to make a donation to a local charity.

“For the big charities £140 is a drop in the ocean, so we wanted to find a small local charity where our donation would make a difference.

“We asked our members and one of our members’ son uses The Bridge. After visiting we asked for a wish-list of equipment and here we are” explained Sue.

The women were able to supply football goals, hockey sticks, balls and tag rugby belts

for The Bridge which works with people with learning disabilities.

Morley WI meets once a month, but it’s not ‘Jam and Jerusalem’, you’re as likely to find a burlesque dance session as a talk from local author. They also have a book club, a cinema club and organise trips. You might also find them at Leeds Pride.

“Part of what we do apart from being there to empower women and bring local women together is to support local charities.”

Asda’s

charity, The Asda Foundation has announced that substantial funding has been awarded to a group in South Leeds to enable them to transform their community space at Hunslet Moor.

Asda Community Champion Sharon Kingswood, went along to surprise Sam Gilmore the project manager at Champions Community Sport & Health CIC to let them know they had been successful and presented a cheque from the Asda Foundation for £21,225.

This will help to transform a former bowling pavilion into a revitalised space for their community activities. The funding is needed to carry out building repairs and development both internally and externally to create a new, usable community space for children and young people to be together, overcome adversity and thrive.

The group was set up in 2020 on a mission to make sport available to all children and young people, regardless of age, ability, or background. A large proportion of children were unable to access traditional sports clubs due to financial limitations and were becoming inactive, hungry, socially isolated, and in some cases, involved in anti-social

behaviour.

To address this, the group launched free turn up and play football sessions which includes breakfast and lunch.

Sessions run weekly and through the school holidays to provide access to sport and food during the school break. Through football and other activities, the group has been able to open the door to support families struggling with food provision and offers a youth development and coaching programme to give young people additional skills and qualifications.

Sam Gilmore, Project Manager at Champions Community Sport & Health CIC said:

“Thank you Asda Foundation for putting your faith in our little project and allowing us to flourish. Sport is so important to children and young people in our local community, helping to build community spirit, improving physical and mental health, creating connections and breaking down barriers. This funding will help take our support for the local community to the next level, the enhanced space will help us to provide a better-quality service and support more people from the local community, including older people.”

Sharon, Local Community Champion who supported the application said:

“The work this group does with young people through sport is inspiring and Asda Foundation funding will have a huge impact in our community. The group is helping to grow and teach the next generation that despite the obstacles they face, with hard work and perseverance, they can achieve whatever they set out to. Funding will help to transform the hut, making it safe, secure and accessible to more people long into the future.”

Alexandra Preston, Senior Manager for Asda Foundation, says:

“Every community needs a safe inclusive space for people to be together and be themselves. Community spaces can be a lifeline, but we know many are in desperate need of funding to maintain, develop and repair these spaces to enable community groups to continue delivering their vital services and activities.

“That’s where Asda Foundation can help with funding. We want to continue playing our part in uniting communities and reducing loneliness by improving community spaces for people to be together.”

Top marks for plumbing at LCB

Arecent examination report for Level 2 and 3 ‘technical’ plumbing qualifications at Leeds College of Building reveals exceptional results for 2023.

Overall pass rates for the exam element of the City & Guilds Level 2 Technical Certificate in Plumbing Studies at the College were 100% compared to a national average of 87%, with 40% of students achieving a Distinction grade.

The Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Plumbing Studies at Leeds College of Building also achieved an impressive 94% pass rate compared to the national average of just 58%.

In total, 80 students study the Level 2 and Level 3 qualification at the College. The practical assessment of these qualifications will be released in the summer by the City & Guilds awarding body.

Alistair Mitchell, Curriculum

Manager for Plumbing Studies at Leeds College of Building, said:

“We have a great team delivering these courses which, together with hard-working and dedicated students, achieved these outstanding results. I am extremely proud of all my staff and students, and thank them on behalf of other managers and senior leaders for their pursuit of excellence and for making Leeds College of Building one of the best education providers for plumbing studies in the

region.”

Students who have completed both technical and practical assessments are now finalising the employerinvolvement element of their qualifications. The work is in preparation for progression in further education, moving into the workplace, apprenticeships, and other positive destinations.

To find out more about Plumbing training or for further information about enrolling on courses starting soon, visit www.lcb.ac.uk

Hands on training

Joanne, Sue, Wendy and Michele from Morley WI with member of The Bridge Project

Sam Gilmore receives the cheque from Asda Community Champion Sharon Kingswood

Hunslet Moor Primary marks 150 years with history day

by Maria Read

On16 June 1873

St

Peter’s School opened on the Dewsbury Road in Hunslet. This school has changed its name and been located on three different sites but now exists in the form of Hunslet Moor Primary School.

On Friday 16 June 2023, Hunslet Moor School celebrated the 150th anniversary with a history day.

The day started with an assembly during which I shared some of the research I have been doing into the school history and the changes we have gone through in the last 150 years.

We looked at photos of the three different sites of our school; Dewsbury Road, Burton Avenue and our modern site on Fairford Avenue and also old photos of Cockburn High School,

when it was on Fairford Avenue.

The children then went to class and spent the morning looking at old maps and photos, and reading some memories I have collected

from ex pupils and teachers and extracts from the Head Teacher log books that I was lucky enough to get to look through at the Leeds Archives.

During the afternoon each

year group were given an event in history connected with the school to learn about. For example, Year 1 looked at the City of Leeds adopting the Ark Royal in 1941 and then raising

Hunslet Carr Primary School’s allotment undergoes renovation

money to build a new ship when she was sunk; Year 2 looked at the Spanish Flu Epidemic of 1918 which was mentioned in the log book due to the effect on attendance and the fact that a teacher died; and Year 6 looked at the evacuation of children in World War 2 when children from Hunslet Moor were evacuated to Caistor in Lincolnshire. At 2:30pm we went out into the grounds and buried a time capsule. This was something the children have been working on since the Coronation and we are leaving instructions for it to be opened in 70 years on 16 June 2093.

It contains a selection of work that the children have done, including letters to future pupils telling them about life and school in 2023, reports about King Charles’ Coronation, aspirational letters – By the time you read this I will have lived my life as… and more. As well as this we put in planning and curriculum documents, photos, our last Ofsted report and information from our website, all chosen by the children.

The allotment will also serve as a platform for workshops, guest lectures, and community events focused on environmental awareness.

Summer activ

South Leeds Life has pulled together details of as many activities as we could find going on locally during the school summer holidays.

Many are free; some charge a fee, although this is often subsidised; some have age limits; some need parents to

Free play in Middleton Park

The Friends of Middleton Park have organised free play sessions every Tuesday and Wednesday, 1-3pm throughout the holidays.

Nature: Art & Exploration with the Park ranger will run on Tues 26 July, Tues 1, Wed 9 and Wed 16 August.

DAZL Dance on Wed 27 July, Tues 15 and Tues 29 August.

Health for All’s ACE team will be running multisports and games on Wed 2, Wed 23 and Wed 30 August.

Den Building, 12-3pm runs on Tues 8 and Tues 22 August

All activities take place in or around the Visitor Centre by the lake.

Wild Play days at Skelton Grange

Excitement

buzzed through the air as Hunslet Carr Primary School recently unveiled its transformed school allotment, a delightful space where students can now connect with nature and learn about the environment.

This remarkable renovation project was made possible by the collective efforts of the school community, with students taking the lead in organising school fetes to raise funds for the much-anticipated

transformation.

Located in the heart of our community, Hunslet Carr Primary’s allotment has always been a beloved spot for students to engage with gardening and gain handson experience in cultivating plants.

However, recognising the need for a revitalised space that would inspire a greater understanding and appreciation for the environment, the school embarked on a journey to transform the allotment into an educational oasis.

With the goal of creating an immersive outdoor learning hub, the school decided to involve the students in fundraising activities. Over the past year, the children organised a series of vibrant and lively school fetes, showcasing their talent, creativity, and dedication to the cause. These festive events featured exciting games, delicious treats, and engaging activities, with all proceeds going directly toward the renovation project.

The fundraising efforts paid off, allowing the school to implement a comprehensive renovation plan that included the installation of raised beds, a greenhouse, a composting system, and a water-saving irrigation system. The allotment now boasts designated areas for growing various vegetables, fruits, and herbs, as well as spaces dedicated to native plants and pollinators. Additionally, educational signage and interactive displays have been strategically placed to enhance the learning experience and inspire curiosity. Even the school mascot, Panku, showed up to plant some carrots! The school’s commitment to environmental education is at the core of this transformation. Teachers and staff are enthusiastic about integrating the outdoor learning space into the curriculum, offering students the opportunity to delve into topics such as plant life cycles, sustainable agriculture, and the importance of biodiversity.

Headteacher Martin Lumb expressed his delight at the successful renovation, stating:

“This project exemplifies the power of community involvement and studentdriven initiatives. The renovated allotment will be a source of inspiration, fostering a deep connection with nature and cultivating a generation of environmentally conscious citizens.”

The transformation of Hunslet Carr’s allotment demonstrates the school’s dedication to creating an engaging and interactive learning environment that extends beyond the classroom walls. By embracing the principles of environmental education, the school aims to empower its students with knowledge, skills, and a sense of responsibility towards the planet.

As the renovated allotment becomes a thriving space for learning, the entire community eagerly awaits the exciting projects and initiatives that will undoubtedly blossom from this newfound source of inspiration.

Skelton Grange Environmemntal Centre is running two days of Wild Play in the woods for 812 year olds on Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 July, 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.

The centre is also hosting a week-long playscheme from 21-25 August, 9am-5pm costing £175 + VAT and booking fee. Book for both events at www.tcv.org.uk/

skeltongrange/courses-events

Hunslet Foundation Rugby Camps

The Hunslet Foundation and the Luke Gale Academy are running two free rugby camps this summer. The first is with Beeston Broncos at their base behind Lane End Primary School at the bottom of Beeston Road (LS11 8BB). The second is with Leeds Corinthians next to Middleton Leisure Centre, LS10 4AX. Both camps run from Monday-Thursday, 9am-2pm, from 24 July-17 August. Lunch is provided and chiuldren will play a range of games as well as learning about healthy eating. Book: mickey.nuttall@gmail.com

Staff and pupils busy on the school allotment

A display on the history of Hunslet Moor Primary School

vities roundup

stay; some have limits on numbers; many require you to book in advance; some may be fully booked up already; all will be great fun.

Take a look through the details on this page, follow up the contacts if you have more questions.

Hunslet Initiative & Involve Centre

The Hunslet Initiative will be running their regular free kids multisport sessions on Tuesday 25 July: 3-4pm Grove Road Rec, Hunslet; 4:305:30pm Belle Isle multi use games area (West Grange Road / Jenkinson Place). On Tuesday 1 August the sessions will run 10:30am-12pm at Grove Road and 12:30-2pm at Belle Isle with a free snack bag provided.

On Monday 24 July there is free family craft, gardening and pizza making at the Involve Centre, Whitfield Avenue from 10am-3pm. Book 07419 366 058

Thursday 26 July is ‘Japan Day’ at the Involve Centre, 10am-3pm, with free crafts, games & food for children and young people. Book 07419 366 058

Free Ping Pong coaching and games session at the Involve Centre, 11:30am-1:30pm, on Thursday 26 July, including free lunch. Book 07419 366 058

Watch out for more events on Facebook at fb.com/thehunsletinitiative

ParkPlay at Brickfield Park

ParkPlay is a chance to get active and play some family freindly games and is for children and adults. ParkPlay is free and there’s no need to book. It takes place every Saturday morning throughout the year from 10:30am-12pm at Brickfield Park on Lady Pit Lane in Beeston Hill.

Explore Mega Mini Beasts and Dinosaurs in our parks

A new “planet discovery” game has come to Cross Flatts Park via the Love Exploring App. The app utilises augmented reality via your smart phone to discover sights via a game, and quiz to provide some family fun whilst out on a walk. Its available via the Love Exploring App which is free to download. Click on games, and scroll to search the parks.

Currently you can hunt for Mega Mini Beasts on Holbeck Moor and at Brickfield Park; do a dinosaur safari or do a space walk at Cross Flatts Park; or complete the winter fairy trail at Middleton Park.

The Not So Big Bad Wolf by Wrongsemble

Little Red Riding Hood is on a mission to debunk the myths around her so called nemesis, with the help of a few storybook favourites, her red invisibility cloak, and a basket full of music, mayhem and magic tricks! But the truth is no fairytale… Behold as your favourite tales are respun and woven together in an epic new adventure from Wrongsemble on their travelling Imaginarium stage.

Suitable for ages 4+

This is a Pay What You Decide performance meaning you pay after the performance in person with cash/card or online.

Performed on the outdoor stage Slung Low at Temple, 131 Water Lane, LS11 9UD so dress for the weather. Saturday 29 July, 1pm.

Book: www.slunglow.org/shows

Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club

Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club have teamed up with The Yorkshire Cricket Foundation to bring Yorkshire Enjoy Cricket week, aimed at providing boys and girls, aged 6-15, with differing abilities, the opportunity to participate in playing cricket and numerous themed games.

Monday 14-Wednesday 16 August, 9:45am3pm. £10 per day including refreshments and food. Book at bit.ly/HunsletNelson

Location: Gipsy Lane, Beeston, LS11 5TT

Re:establish

Re:establish will be running a range of activities in Beeston, Holbeck and Hunslet 4 day activity camps for 7-19 year olds each TuesdayFriday from 1-25 August. Find out more at fb.com/restablishleeds. Book: 07984 588955

Holbeck Moor Junior Football Club

Holbeck Moor JFC will have football training sessions throughout the school holidays as we prepare for the new upcoming season we have teams from Under 7 through to Under 16.

Under 7s and U8s: Saturday 9-10am

Under 10s and Under 11s: Tuesday 6-7pm and Saturday 9am-10:30am

Under 12s: Tuesday and Friday 6:30-8pm

Under 14s: Wednesday 6-7pm and Saturday 11am-12:30pm

Under 15s: Wednesday and Friday 6:30-8pm

Under 16s: Thursday 6-7:30pm.

Middleton Railway

Middleton Railway is open on weekends, and bank holidays, 10am-4pm. The museum is free, trains are £8 adult, £3 child, £20 family. The railway is also open on Wednesdays in school holidays with kids for a quid. The railway hosts a Children’s Day on Saturday 5 August with activities, face-painting and more. Full details at middletonrailway.org.uk

The Hunslet Club

The Hunslet Club Summer Gala takes place on Saturday 22 July, from 12-5pm. Entry is free. Attractions include inflatables, hook-a-duck, BBQ, Rides, Stalls, Live Performances, Music, Farm Animals, Games and more. Everyone is welcome.

The Hunslet Club Summer Activity Camp runs Monday to Friday from 26 July to 30 August for children in Year one and above. The activity camps give young people the chance to try something new, have fun, make friends, and participate in various sports and activities, such as baking, football, dodgeball, arts, and crafts and more. Tickets are £8 for a half day – either 9am-12pm or 12-3pm. Full-day tickets are £15. Book: www.hunsletclub.org.uk

The Summer Football Activity Camp runs on Mondays and Tuesdays from 31 July – 22 August. It is a great way for young people to learn new football skills, develop their confidence, make friends, and above all, have fun. Full-day tickets are £15 per day – 9am-3pm. Children aged 6–12, all skill levels welcome.

The Summer Rugby Activity Camp runs on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2-24 August. The camp promotes making friends, learning new skills, and having fun. We welcome all young people of different abilities and backgrounds to join. Full-day tickets are £15 per day – 9am-3pm. Children aged 6–12, all skill levels welcome.

Breeze In The Park

Expect the famous Breeze inflatables, sports, art zones, food, music and entertainment when Breeze comes to a park near you.

Saturday 29 July: Parkside Field, Belle Isle

Tuesday 1 August: Cross Flatts Park, Beeston

Tuesday 29 August: Middleton Park

All events run 12-2:30pm and 3-5:30pm. There is a relaxed session for children with additional needs at Cross Flatts Park from 11am-12pm. Tickets are 50p per child per 2 hour session. Book at: www.breezeleeds.org

More ideas

Leeds Youth Services run trips and activities watch out for details on their Facebook page: fb.com/youthservice123

LS-TEN skate park in Hunslet run regular sessions and special activities. They also run Park Roll every Saturday morning in Cross Flatts Park - fb.com/LSTENCharity

Don’t miss Oddsock Theatre’s free family friendly show in Middleton Park on Tuesday 11 July - see page 19 for details.

Leeds Museums, including Leeds Discovery Centre in Hunslet and Thwaite Mills at Stourton run a range of free activities. Go to museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk for details.

In our view

The not so co-operative Co-op

Our headline when we broke the news that Nisa was closed because of a winding up order was ‘What’s going on a Beeston Nisa?’ Perhaps it should have been ‘What’s going on at the Co-op?’

Beeston had had a Co-op store for over a century before they pulled out in 2021. Leeds Industrial Cooperative Society (LICS) was founded in Holbeck opposite Temple Works - there’s a blue plaque. It was formed to provide affordable, good quality, food for working people. It was owned by its members.

The Co-op Group today still claims to be ‘member-led’ and an ethical alternative to private business, but it increasingley acts like the private companies it was set up to be an alternative to.

A host of stores have been closed and turned into Nisa stores (Nisa is, of course, owned by the Co-op). The stores that close seem to be predominantly in working class neighbourhoods like Beeston, whilst stores in the leafy suburbs remain Co-ops.

Co-op members in Beeston were not consulted about the closure of ‘their’ store. And at a recent AGM a motion passed on animal welfare standards was promptly ignored by management on ‘commercial’ grounds.

The Co-op has let Beeston down and we have to ask: what is the point of the Co-op in its current form?

Print dates

We usually print on the last Monday of the month, but we have made some changes over the summer. Our next newspapers will be available from: Wednesday 6 September

Your letters and comments

Beeston Co-op / Nisa

When they took over it chanced from being a well run shop to a shambles with poor stock management and mentality of a small shop. Disgraceful way for workers to be treated.

Bob Andrews

My guess is that since the 2010 banking scandal that rocked the Co-Op, it has sought to control it’s finances by offloading a number of it’s under-performing local supermarkets onto franchisees via it’s Nisa brand – then if the branch continues to under-perform, it’s someone else’s problem if/when it fails and Co-op avoids the reputational damage that simply closing a branch and robbing a community of one of it’s much needed shopping facilities would inflict.

Napoleonblownaparte

I contacted the Co-op when they originally ‘allowed’ Nisa to ‘take-over’ and again when the current situation came to light. Their initial response was business waffle – and more of this the second time. I wonder if any ‘due diligence’ occurred, especially regarding the Staff. Co-op – not interested at all – that’s ‘business!’ Sad for the Community.

Jen Lovelock

Holbeck Sports Hub

After reading Matt’s post on the meeting for the proposed facilities at the old Matthew Murray High School’s land site, I decided to do a little information research on the G rating of artificial turf and the possible alternatives.

I found two pieces that explain the contents of the turf, the issues with G3 and its rubber content (No matter how popular), hybrid turf and alternative fill options:

4G turf is in it’s early development stages.

3G turf is widely used, but linked to unpleasant health and environmental issues.

Hybrid turf is 95% natural grass turf mixed with 5% synthetic and is used in world football cup stadiums. Alternatives to the rubber fill are cork and even coconut.

Paul Hindmarch

Top Tweets

Keep up to date, up to the minute, by following South Leeds

Life’s Twitter feed: @SouthLeedsLife

Twitter is the 140 character ‘micro blogging’ site. It’s free and you can sign up at twitter.com. It’s a great place to find the very latest news. Here are some of our favourite recent tweets:

@ClapgateArt

In promoting 3G pitches the Council is disregarding many of its policies which are designed to protect the environment. However when challenged on issues relating to biodiversity, carbon zero and the waste generated by these pitches they claim they meet all requirements- even stating they are carbon zero- an impossibility given the plastic and microplastic involved.

The Council has also ignored the work of Andrew Watterson a Professor of Public Health who has stated that the pitches should be banned due to health concernsparticularly for children.

Chris

Oates

You would be crazy to use rubber crumb infill. Rubber crumb is known to leak from artificial pitches into the environment and has been shown to be a significant source of microplastic pollution. Microplastic pollution has been shown to damage wildlife, and environment, and possibly humans.

FA-approved alternatives to rubber crumb are available.

In the EU, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has recommended a total ban on all intentionally-introduced microplastics, including rubber crumb. The EU Commission has endorsed the recommendation and it is anticipated that a total ban within EU countries will soon be adopted. A total ban is supported by many environmental and scientific NGOs.

Huw Roberts

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

Emma Pogson-Golden (SDP) 07794 577586 emma.pogson-golden@leeds.gov.uk

Bus cuts

A city the size of Leeds and you cant get a bus on a Saturday to/from Leeds to/from Morley before 6:30am and on a Sunday after 10pm? It would be laughable if it wasn’t so pathetic, once they’ve got away with this just watch it happen in increasing

numbers on other routes.

The West Yorkshire Mayor? She’s not interested unless it’s headline news (see her jumping up and down at how wonderful the White Rose rail station’s going to be –at a cost of £26.5+ million) or (trying to) copy something Andy Burnham in Manchester has done.

Mac Hawk

The evening £1.40 fare is being scrapped. That’s an inflation busting 30% rise for those using their services.

I dare say bus travel in Leeds wouldn’t still be 15% down on pre-pandemic levels if the service provided by First was anywhere near the standards that a 21st metropolitan centre needs!

When is the WY Mayor sorting this out? She promised, and it’s all gone quiet.

Mike

Instaplanta dispute

Typical council squandering money when it could be used more effectively. I am totally disgusted with the council on this. I have seen the planters and think they are a great idea. Call a halt to it now Leeds City Council

John White

Absolute fools! Surely there has got to be someone smarter up the chain to realise that potentially Leeds City Council are wasting money that they do not have! Surely when the councils are already making cuts on so many aspects how can they justify spending more money!

Madness.

Sheli

Join the debate

for publication.

Yr 5 made their own textured, print blocks using a variety of materials after looking at the work of local artist @davidhockneyart and his landscapes of the Yorkshire countryside.

@LeedsAutism

Matty made the most of the warm sunny weather with lots of fun active activities, starting with adaptive cycling at @JCCS_Leeds - when he got back to Grape Street, he still had enough energy for a few bounces on the trampoline

@HunsletClub

Our free girl's football sessions on Tuesdays are still going strong! It is amazing to see how their confidence is growing, along with their skills!

@slunglowalan

Rehearsals with some of the cast from @IngramRoad of Noah’s flood and the brilliant singing teacher Charlie this morning. Opera in Holbeck. Great times.

Beeston Co-op in happier times

MP’s notebook

with Hilary Benn MP

Ifyou'd told me at the start of the week that I would be speaking in a debate on concrete mixers, I might have thought it unlikely.

But that's exactly what I did recently to stand up for a local company called Mixamate that operates in South Leeds and beyond, which is facing real difficulties because of government plans to reduce the weight at which their vehicles can operate.

We're all familiar with drum concrete mixers. They fill up and go and deliver their batch of concrete - usually within two hours before it starts to set. Someone in the industry then decided that they could do better and invented the volumetric concrete mixer which is, in effect, a small concrete producing factory on wheels. Its great advantages are that it can make up batches on site, it can adjust the strength and type of concrete needed and it can deliver to a number of sites on its journey. But as a consequence of doing

all these things in one vehicle, it is heavier than ordinary drum concrete mixers.

This specialist industry has been under threat because the Government was proposing to reduce the weight at which they could operate and that would have rendered these businesses unviable. I'm glad to report, however, that after a great speech by the MP for Orkney and Shetland and my own humble contribution, the minister announced that he will have a review to look at whether they need to change the rules. It was an object lesson in how to campaign effectively. The industry got together. They marshalled the arguments and the facts. They lobbied MPs and collectively we got the minister to listen. That’s democracy working.

It is the season of summer festivals and I recently attended the Hunslet Gala. It was a special occasion because it was the 20th and last year that Steve Thompson

has been in charge of organising the event. He has done an absolutely magnificent job over the years and for anyone who thinks that organising a gala is a relatively straightforward business, think again. The rules surrounding it, the paperwork that has to be filled in, the health and safety considerations and everything else are a lot of work, but he has done it cheerfully so that all of us can turn up on the day and enjoy ourselves. And apart from that, you never see Steve without his camera. He has promised that although he is stepping back from organisation, he will be there in the years to come taking photos. Thank you, Steve, on behalf of all of us for everything you've done.

I'm sometimes asked by school pupils what an MP does? It's not an easy question to answer, because there are so many different aspects to the job. The work in Westminster scrutinising

legislation, speaking in debates and asking questions, holding the government to account and, of course, voting. And then everything we do in our constituencies to look after the people we have the privilege to represent.

To take a recent example, a Friday or two ago, I started off at the Health for All AGM at Tenants Hall in Middleton, where I spoke about the tough times that so many people are facing and contrasted it with the work that Health for All’s partners do to help and support those in need. I always feel uplifted every time I am there. Thanks Pat and the team.

Then it was off to the Crooked Clock in Hunslet to talk to a group of young people with learning disabilities as part of Learning Disabilities Week. They ask me a lot of very pertinent questions.

After that, it was into the office to talk about a number of individual cases with my wonderful team, before taking part, with other MPs from the region, in a Zoom call with West Yorkshire health and care leaders. I asked about dentistry given that so many people have contacted me because they cannot find an NHS dentist who is willing to take them on. They said they are trying to use some

money they have been given to change the dental contract to encourage more dentists to take on NHS patients. I only hope it works. I also asked them about care locally for people with Huntington's Disease, an issue on which I am doing a lot of campaigning.

Then I jumped in my car to drive to Leeds Beckett University to give some closing remarks to a conference on home insulation and how we can get to a net zero future. The team there have done a great job on what can be done to reduce for the need for energy in existing homes, and I talked about the challenge we have with different types of housing and the cost of different types of zero carbon heating systems. I also confessed that I had been so keen to speak at this event that I'd managed to turn

up in the right place a week previously. Don’t ask!

Finally I went to see an art exhibition at the Tetley. It's one of many creative activities taking place across Leeds as part of the Leeds 2023 celebrations.

And then on the Saturday I spent a wonderful afternoon at the Beeston Festival, which I am pretty certain was bigger and better than ever. I toured the stalls, bought some rhubarb (now made into rhubarb fool) and lobelia plants (now safely bedded in and watered). I also played two ends of bowls at the Cross Flatts Park Bowling Club. The contrast between my playing companion’s impressively smooth bowling and my pretty ineffective efforts was, thankfully, largely unnoticed by the large crowds in the park.

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

Environmental concerns over plastic pitches at planned Holbeck Sports Hub

by Matt Rogan

As many will have seen from the last couple of weeks, there is a new proposed Holbeck Sports Hub. As reported on page 2, this will be a community sports hub and GP surgery on the former Matthew Murray High School site at the end of Brown Lane East.

I’m really glad to see a proposal for a community hub!

I firmly believe that these centres are very often the hearts of our communities, providing so many opportunities for both young and old people in our area. A café and games area stand out as something I think will be fantastic – these will be great spots for members of our community to socialise; I would welcome them wholeheartedly!

However, one aspect of the sports hub raises concern: three full-size 3G plastic pitches. Plastic pitches are known to be environmentally unfriendly, and seeing that there would be three – which would mean just shy of 20,000 square metres of artificial

grass – raised alarm bells. For starters, artificial grass has a strong negative impact on biodiversity, but they also have impacts such as overheating in hot weather and potential micro plastic pollution. With this in mind, I decided to attend one of the two inperson consultations provided, at St Matthew’s Community

Centre. When I raised my concerns about the temperature and micro plastics, the response I received was simply that they were “dubious”. Of the reading materials provided about the plastic grass, one of them was all about trekboards (incidentally, produced by the manufacturers themselves!)

and the other was a FAQs document: it did not discuss any potential environmental factors. Additionally, I found it unsettling that the argument “natural grass is just as bad as plastic grass” was used; natural grass does not overheat in hot temperatures nor does it damage the biodiversity of the area.

All the while, I was being reassured that the grass that would be used for these pitches is not the same as typical domestic artificial grass. However, I am yet to find any public information about the specific differences, other than a note in the FAQs document provided stating that 3G grass is a certain number of millimetres longer. My question is: if I cannot find articles explaining the difference between these two types of grass, let alone find confirmation that two types indeed exist, how are we as residents being consulted to be assured that this new sports hub – with potential to contribute great things to our community – will not be covered in 20,000 square

metres of environmentally unfriendly plastic?

It seems the main benefit of using artificial grass for the hub is its durability. According to those at the consultation, the plastic grass provides around 44 hours more durability than natural grass, which makes it ideal for winter weather when matches have to be cancelled due to poor conditions. I certainly see the benefits myself of ensuring games can be played in the winter, however one could argue that – if our summers will continue to be like last year’s, with 40 degree heat – this merely transfers match cancellations to the summer, since it will invariably be unsafe to play on plastic which can reach very high temperatures.

To give credit where it is due: it seems there is awareness from the proposers of ensuring the rubber crumb is within EU regulations, and there is assurance that the pitch surface water will not drain into a river or a beck. I am assured of these aspects, however it is the others which give rise to my anxiety over this proposal.

In conclusion, it seems there is a lack of transparency here. I am yet to be convinced, and I therefore recommend to my fellow Holbeck residents that we oppose the use of artificial grass for the proposed Holbeck Sports Hub.

CGI of the Sports Hub building with 3G pitches behind

Local history with

Ken Burton

The Hunslet Engine Company

brother Will retained the role of Secretary and Traveller with a seat on the Board. Following a family disagreement both Will and the youngest brother Gordon left the Company while a serious works accident left Robert disabled and unable to continue as Works Manager.

In 1912 the post of Works Manager was advertised and Edgar Alcock, who at the time was Assistant Works Manager at the Gorton works of Bayer, Peacock & Company, was the successful applicant.

Company (Boyne Works) went into voluntary liquidation, the goodwill of the Company was bought by Kitson & Company while Hunslet bought a portion of Manning Wardle’s works of about five acres which enabled them to extend their workshops at a time when space was badly needed.

In the same year Edgar Adcock’s son John joined the Company and as a result of his father’s insistence he made a special study of the internal combustion engine being applied to railway construction.

1930 witnessed the closure of the Kerr Stuart works in Stoke-on-Trent the goodwill of this Company passing to the Hunslet Engine Company. It was during the 1930s that Hunslet built their largest locomotives, two 0-8-0T engines for a special train ferry loading job in China which they fulfilled for many years. A year or two later the same design formed the basis for an 0-8-0 tender engine for India. The years between the wars was the time many ‘large engine’ orders were received.

a design based on an Hunslet 0-6-0ST which had first appeared in 1937 and a total of 484 of these were built from 1943-1964, 217 of these by Hunslet. In total Hunslet built 2,236 steam locomotives.

During the war the Company built both steam and diesel locomotives for the war effort an this work carried on postwar with increased vigour particularly with the Hunslet flame-proof diesel engines for the mining industry and diesel shunting engines for both home and overseas use.

The Scootacar was a coupe produced by the Company from 1958 to 1965 with about 1,000 being built. In 1972 they purchased Andrew Barclay, Sons & Company and the name of the Company changed to Hunslet-Barclay and in 1979 they bought from the receiver Fairburn & Lawson Group of Leeds bringing textile equipment, machine tools and electric locomotives into the range of products.

TheHunslet Engine Company was founded in 1864 and the workshops were built on a plot of land on which had been the locomotive works of EB Wilson & Co and named the Railway Foundry.

The buildings had been pulled down and not withstanding the fact that there were already three locomotive builders established around this site (Manning Wardle, Hudswell Clarke, and Kitson) the founder thought there was enough work for another.

John Towlerton Leather, a railway contractor and civil engineer was the founder of the Company which he built for his son, Arthur Leather, hoping that orders could be obtained for contractors and industrial locomotives. John Leather appointed James Campbell as Manager, James was the son of Alexander Campbell who was the Manager of Manning Wardle. Although building the same type of product there was a close relationship between the two firms and Hunslet were assisted in the building of their first locomotives by Manning Wardle supplying materials, the designs of each show a great similarity of main features.

The first locomotive built by Hunslet was a 0-6-0ST (saddle tank) with inside cylinders and the tank over the boiler barrel only, a combined dome and safety valves over the firebox while the cab was a weatherboard bent over a small amount towards the rear. This was completed on 18 July 1865 and supplied to Brassy & Ballard railway and civil engineering contractors

working at Ampthill in Bedfordshire and given the name ‘Linden.’

In 1870 Hunslet constructed their first narrow gauge engine “Dinorwic” a 1 foot 10¾ inch gauge 0-4-0 ST for the Dinorwic Slate Quarry at Llamberis. This engine was later renamed “Charlie” was the first of 20 similar engines built for this quarry and did much to establish Hunslet as a major builder of quarry engines. The quarry was linked to Port Dinorwic by a 4-foot gauge line for which Hunslet built three 06-0T (tank) engines.

In 1887 three of the most novel locomotives built by Hunslet appeared. They were for the Listowel & Balybunnion Railway for Lartigue’s Patent Monorail. The locomotives had twin boilers of the locomotive type and were suspended on a rail fastened on to trestles. There were three coupled wheels of 2 foot diameter and two cylinders and the tender was also powered by two cylinders driving two wheels of 2 foot diameter through a clutch and shaft. This was an early type of booster but it was not required as the locomotive was capable of all duties required.

By 1902 Hunslet had supplied over thirty countries world-wide, often opening up new markets. The Company offered their expertise to customers by sending engineers to carry out repairs on their premises, a service that Hunslet was still offering in 2006; they also offered quick build, an order for a new 0-6-0, 3 foot 6 inch gauge locomotive

was received on the Saturday 15 April 1901, it required the production of 40 new drawings. The steel frames and boiler were received on 20th, cylinder castings on 22nd. The completed boiler was tested on 30th and the locomotive was completed on 5 May just 20 days after the order was placed. It was stripped down and packed for export on the 8 and 9 May and on the dockside at Liverpool on 10 May.

Arthur Leather was not interested in locomotive matters so in 1871 James Campbell and his brother George Campbell bought the Company for £25,000, payable in five instalments over two years and the firm remained in Campbell ownership for many years. By 1901 James Campbell as the proprietor was still in charge and his four sons were all working for the Company including the eldest son Alexander III who had taken over as Works Manager on the death of his Uncle George in 1890.

In 1902 the company reorganised as a Private Limited Company with the name Hunslet Engine Company Limited but still a family business. From 1903 to 1906 a car the ‘Attila’ was produced by the Company, this was a three cylinder vehicle and in 1905 they also built a four ton truck.

Following the death of James Campbell in 1905 the Chairmanship passed to Alexander III and his brother Robert became Works Manager, while

Alcock came to Hunslet at a time of change when the industry was being asked for far larger and more powerful locomotives than had been required in the past. This was true at Hunslet where its overseas customers were asking for very large engines.

However by 1914, Britain was at war and overseas orders had dried up. Hunslet like many other companies started to employ women on the shop floor manufacturing munitions.

After the war trading conditions were very difficult but Hunslet were once more able to attract overseas orders and at the same time they also received a series of repeat orders from the LMS Railway for 90 LMS Fowler Class 3F ‘Jinty’ 0-6-0T shunting engines.

In 1927 Manning Wardle &

A further voluntary liquidation occurred in 1934 when the Avonside Engine Company, Bristol, closed. A year later Hunslet bought the goodwill of the firm together with the drawings and patterns, etc, but they didn’t acquire the premises.

The arrival of World War Two saw orders completed where possible, while a great amount of work was done for the Ministry of Supply such as antitank guns, shell cradles, aircraft parts, etc. In the later years of the war two types of locomotive were required by the Ministry for moving vast quantities of goods before and after D-Day. One was a mainline freight and the other a powerful shunting tank engine. The LMS3F was put forward for the latter but eventually it was decided to use

In 1982 Hunslet Holdings of Leeds employed almost 1,000 staff and was described as a locomotive and mining equipment manufacturer. The Jack Lane, Hunslet works were closed down in 1995 after the last order for a batch of narrow gauge diesel locomotives for tunnelling on the Jubilee Line Extension on the London Underground had been completed.

The Hunslet Engine Company became part of the LH Group of Companies and continues to trade from a Leeds 10 address and also claims ownership of “the intellectual property and design rights to nine British locomotive names, including the ability to service, repair, and supply genuine replacement components.” The Group later became part of the Wabtech Corporation of Pittsburgh, USA and in 2019 they too merged with GE Transportation also of America.

The Company’s first locomotive, built in 1865

An advert for the Hunslet Engine Company dating from 1953

The dreaded Gymslip

by Hon Ald Elizabeth Nash

July is the time of the year when parents are starting to think about next school year’s uniforms for their children. And they can be expensive items to buy – more of this later.

I am reminded of the time when I attended my local primary school in Kirkstall where I grew up.

In those days, although the wearing of uniforms was not compulsory, my primary school encouraged those parents who could afford it (and maybe some who could not) to purchase uniforms which for the girls was the wearing of gymslips, an article of clothing I detested. The gymslip was ‘invented’, probably at the beginning of the twentieth century, or perhaps earlier, to protect the modesty of girls and young women at boarding

Pathways for positivity with

Shannon Humphrey

Instead of gym or PT, when the weather was fine, we had walks in the nearby Hawksworth Wood. Everyone loved this. It was a marvellous way of children expending surplus energy, playing games of ‘Hide and Seek’, ‘Robin Hood’ and exercising our imagination. We were brought up on Enid Blyton’s ‘Far Faraway Tree’ and this tree or that was imagined to be it. At the time, most of the trees were oak but we learnt to distinguish them from the invasive sycamore, discovered oak apples made by insects and, later in the year, had acorn battles.

Overthinking

million angry wasps buzzing in your stomach. Overthinking steals the simple pleasures in life and hinders deep, meaningful, connections with loved ones, you simply can't quiet your mind enough to focus on what's going on around you!

much as you can, and edit afterwards. Dolly Parton wrote two of her best selling singles "Jolene" and "I will Always Love You" in the same evening. Overthinking hinders creativity

schools ‘doing gym’ and was the most unflattering garment ever devised. For some reason it became the universal uniform in state schools. My school’s colour was maroon and the gymslip was gathered in by a gaudy bright yellow sash tied at the side in a slip knot. The irony was that when we did ‘gym’ (we called it PT short for physical training) we took our gymslips off! And there was not much in the way of gym equipment.

Flowing through the wood is Oil Mill Beck. Branching off the Beck there is a small old goit which took water into Kirkstall Forge, originally to turn the waterwheels and latterly supplying water during the manufacturing process. One day the goit was empty of water and all the children from my class had the novel experience of running along the dry concrete bottom. It was dry apart from a slimy green slick in the middle and I slipped in it soaking my gymslip. When we got back to the classroom I had to take off the wet garment and the teacher put it on a radiator to dry. Before long a most appalling stink pervaded the classroom and my classmates were full of “Urghs!” and “Aahs!” I then learnt the meaning of the word ‘embarrassment’.

When I got home my mother went barmy. But despite her best endeavours, she could not remove either the stain or the

Do you ever find yourself overthinking? Y'know, that feeling of being a hamster endlessly running on a wheel, constantly revisiting the same thoughts.

The unrelenting, draining process, of a never-ending cycle that offers no progress or relief, no matter how many times it's repeated. A problem with more questions than answers. A bottomless well of worry...

This exhaustive process involves dwelling on the past or persistant, problematic worry about the future. A study conducted by Mentalhealth.org

stink. That, as far as I was concerned, was the end of the gymslip and saved my younger sister from inheriting it. No doubt my mother was concerned about the cost of replacement. Uniforms were not cheap even then. Nowadays school uniforms for girls are far more sensible but they can still be expensive. It has been estimated that a full uniform including school sports

in May 2023 revealed that 73% of the UK population experienced anxious thoughts in the preceding two weeks, and one in three individuals reported that anxiety was interfering with their daily lives. Anxious overthinking seizes the present moment, hindering the ability to experience and appreciate what truly matters. The mind becomes overwhelmed with unhelpful memories from the past or persistent worries about the future, preventing focus on the present. The constant mental chatter of a dog gnawing a bone, the physical unease of a

wear can cost up to £350 per child. Leeds City Council has given grants to the organisation Leeds School Uniform Exchange and 80% of schools in Leeds participate in this scheme.

Second-hand, but in good condition uniforms are given free to anyone needing them. All but three schools in South Leeds participate in the scheme. Full details at on

Overthinking amplifies problems, leading to unnecessary mental tension and physical distress. Without meaning to, overthinkers often catastrophise situations, envisioning the most out there, unlikely worst-case scenarios. This burden eventually takes a toll on physical wellbeing and depletes mental and emotional reserves, especially when overthinking persists into late hours, hindering much needed restorative, restful, sleep.

This perpetual mental turmoil prevents overthinkers from attaining clarity and making rational decisions. It can result in analysis paralysis, where it's almost impossible to take action or make decisions due to being consumed by thoughts and fears of getting something wrong or the outcome.

So what can you do if you're struggling with overthinking?

If it's a written task that 1 you've been procrastinating about, because you're worried about it going wrong, just go for it and make a start. Do as

Facebook ‘Leeds School Uniform Exchange’ or email: info@leedsuniformexchange.or g.uk.

In addition, school uniforms in good repair can be obtained from Cottingley Children`s Centre, Cottingley Drive, LS11 0JP every Wednesday and Thursday 9am-3pm; St Luke’s Cares, 250 Dewsbury Road, LS11 6JQ every Wednesday from 2:30-4:30pm; BITMO’s

Don't tell yourself NOT to 2 think about what's worrying you. Nothing surer than it'll make you think about it more, not less. Instead, do something that focuses your mind elsewhere. Jigsaws, colouring in, gardening, painting, something that doesn't involve the problem.

A tired mind has a 3 problem for every solution. Find a sleep routine that works for you. Visit NHS/Sleep for practical advice.

If the problem is 4 persistent, pervasive and problematic, seek professional advice.

Set yourself a challenge, 5 every time you find yourself thinking of the worst possible outcome, think of the best possible outcome. Imagine them on either side of a child's see-saw. Try and focus your mind into tipping the see-saw with the best outcome on top.

Shannon Humphrey is a First Aid for Mental Health Instructor working within the education sector, businesses and private clients. Visit www. pathwaysforpositivity.com for more information or to enquire about a booking.

Gate, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle, LS10 3QH every weekday, hours vary.

Apart from giving out uniforms, all these outlets welcome donations of school uniforms in good repair. So please do not hesitate to donate a uniform even if no replacement is required. You will not only help those in need of uniforms but also help the environment by recycling them.

Photo: Shutterstock

Photo: David via Creative Commons

From Middleton to Middleham: 60s’ school summer camps

by Julian Stevens

Inthe 1960’s Mr. Holmes, one of the teachers at Middleton Church of England Junior School (St Mary’s, Town Street) organised a school summer camp week at Middleham in North Yorkshire.

The children went on a Friday and the parents came on a Sunday to join in games and football.

All the tents and marquees were pitched on a flat piece of ground down by the river. It was in a valley with the stream on

one side and the campsite on the other.

There was also an area where you could swim a short distance away, I think it was called Black Dub or Cove.

We were all were given a tablet to gargle every morning because there were some sore throats going around.

One of the main events was a hike from the camp, up onto the moors to Flamstone Pin (413m) then back down to the main road and walk into Middleham village. That hike would qualify you as a Life Member of ‘The League of Mountain Kings’ and each person would get a certificate to prove it !

As well as the ruined castle to explore there was a blacksmiths shop at the end of the street where you could go and watch horseshoes being made.

No one was allowed to throw stones except when a game was set up by the teacher called Tip the Bucket / Sink the

Bismarck where a half barrel was floated down the river and the idea was to throw stones into it and try and sink it. It provided great entertainment for all.

There were also walks and visits to the local Wensleydale cheese factory (nobody wanted to go because it smelt so horrible) and to Jervaulx Abbey.

When the parents came (on the Sunday) there would be a football match and the claim to

fame was that John Charles actually played in one of these football matches (because his son Terry was one of the pupils).

Sometimes parents had to take their children home because they were homesick –for some it was their first time away from home

It was all good fun and most really enjoyed it and many have fond memories of school camp.

Everyone mucked in: there was a pile of margarine and sliced white bread, everybody helped themselves; sitting

round the camp fire singing songs; drinking soup from a tin cup; scrambled eggs and stirring the baked beans; fetching the milk from the farm that was still warm; getting washed in the freezing cold water from the river; a metal bucket in the tent if you needed a wee and climbing Flamstone Pin.

Happy memories.

This article first appeared on the Middleton Life website at middletonlife.wordpress.com

Reproduced by kind permission.

Charity takeover day at BasementArtsProject

by Bruce Davies

Lastyear I had the pleasure of meeting James. A young man with a love of art, nature and animals.

Diagnosed with Autism and ADHD James has taken to using his love of art as a way of raising money for charity.

On Saturday 8 July James will be staging a one day takeover of BasementArtsProject in order to raise money for his chosen charities.

The first is West Yorkshire ADHD Support Group; a charity that has provided invaluable support for James and his family through challenging times.

We hope that by raising money for them they can continue to support children, adults, and families in their ADHD journey.

The second is Oscar The Brave; Oscar was diagnosed at ten days old with SMA type 1, a degenerative muscle wasting condition that means he will need lots of treatments and aids not available on the NHS.

Come along to BasementArtsProject, 28 Back Burton Terrace, Beeston, LS11 5JH on Saturday 8 July, 125pm.

You can buy James’s art

work on a pay as you feel basis, as every single penny we make will be going to charity (James has never made any money

from his art, he wouldn’t even sell to his grandparents!). There will also be a selection of cards for sale.

James

Tents pitched at Middleham for summer camp

Parents and children wheelbarrow race

Oddsocks presents ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ in the park

Friends of Middleton Park are delighted to welcome back Oddsocks Theatre Company for a night of Shakespeare in the park.

If you think that sounds a bit heavy for a Tuesday night, you clearly haven’t seen Oddsocks before. The company perform Shakespeare with a twist of pantomime and it’s always a gloriously funny, family-friendly show.

Much Ado About Nothing is a romantic romp as drama and deception mix with sun, songs and silliness to create a theatre event you won’t forget as this “Hugely funny” (The Stage) company hit the road with their “energetic, downright silly, utterly professional and totally inventive theatre” (East Midlands Theatre Review).

The Stage gave a 4 star review saying: “Oddsocks excels in an entertaining show which succeeds as both farce and a perfect introduction to Shakespeare."

The show is on Tuesday 11 July at the Bandstand next to the Visitor Centre in Middleton Park. The performance, which

is suitable for all ages from 7107, starts at 7pm.

Please bring your own chair or blanket to sit out on. An

Bands in the Park

The Friends of Cross Flatts Park have announced this year’s programme for ‘Bands in the Park’ free Sunday afternoon concerts, including the annual dog show.

Chow Down returns for a sizzling summer in Holbeck

Chow Down, Leeds’ biggest outdoor food and drink venue, has announced a huge programme of live music, DJs, food festivals, brunches and summer cocktails ready for the height of summer.

This summer, Chow Down introduces new exciting additions to its offering, located at Temple Arches, Globe Road in Holbeck.

Chow Down are pleased to see the return of the super popular crazy golf, Palm Swings.

And even better than previously, keen golfers can now play for free during their visit. With a couple of challenging holes on the course, can you complete the 2023 version?

Food lovers will be delighted to hear that Bastard’s Bistro and Braizin’ Squad are continuing as resident kitchens.

Fear not, they are both launching brand new menus this month to celebrate. Indulge in a culinary journey from Bastard’s Bistro with exciting creations prepared such as Beeria Tacos with beerbraised beef shin, Ona Colada Fried Chicken Burger with coconut sriracha and charred pineapple ring.

Brazin’ Squad will launch their take on steak and chips (with smoked chipotle hollandaise) and a new range of flatbreads including crispy shredded beef with gochujang mayo or Halloumi Flatbread

with Harissa honey and tzatziki, to their new smoked mac and cheese with pulled pork or pulled jerk mushroom. Welcome the Battle of the Burger in July. A thrilling showcase of street food culture, BBQ atmosphere, quality music, brewery-crafted beer, and, of course, a wide range of mouthwatering sliders.

Sample the finest burgers from various traders and be the judge of the weekend’s champion.

Music has always been a strong point to a day or evening at Temple Arches. Over the summer you can look forward to a mix of live music and supporting local DJs. Backstage Brass will be back plus expect a full programme of talented local resident DJs every single weekend. With the return of brass, the atmosphere will be electric and the perfect hangout this summer.

Chow Down runs every weekend, from Friday to Sunday,

For table bookings, visit www.chowdownevents.co.uk/ book-a-table

Discover the full lineup of events at www.chowdown events.co.uk/whats-on

umbrella might be useful as the show will go ahead rain or shine. Refreshments will be served in the visitor centre.

Sunday 9 July: The Salvation Army brass band playing tunes both religious and secular.

Sunday 16 July: ‘Swing O’Things’ playing old time classic swing tunes. Plus the 18th Annual Beeston Dog Show. There are Pedigree and Fun categories, but who will be Best in Show? Entries on the day from 1:30pm, judging starts at 2:30pm.

Sunday 23 July: ‘Duo Nostalagia’ Songs accompanied by accordian promising tangos and more.

These free concerts run 2:30-4:30pm at the Watsonian Pavilion, near the top of Cross Flatts Park. The cafe will be serving drinks and homemade cakes and there will be free children’s craft activities each week.

Slung Low presents ...

The Promise is a new opera for families and tells the story of a young girl who lives in a hard and ugly city. Performed outdoors so dress for the weather, but meet at Slung Low’s Warehouse in Holbeck, Crosby Street, Holbeck, Leeds LS11 9RQ on Tuesday 11 July at 6pm.

The Loveley Boys present a Family Friendly Comedy Spectacular, featuring two fring shows. Kids Know Best is an Interactive comedy chat show where kids give advice to the adults in the crowd. Whils Mules is packed with silly games, madcap fantasy and distorted guitars.

Performed on the outdoor stage Slung Low at Temple, 131 Water Lane, LS11 9UD (so dress for the weather) on Saturday 22 July at 1pm.

Book pay what you decide tickets for both shows from www.slunglow.org/shows

Crowds enjoy a previous Oddsocks production in Middleton Park

South Leeds gets moving

by Karen Peck

On15 June 2023 we joined many others for the Great Get Together which took place in Cross Flatts Park.

Get Set Leeds Local came along with some mini tennis, which was popular with toddlers, children and a few adults who were picking up a tennis racket for the first time since school. Not everyone realised there are free to use tennis courts within Cross Flatts Park, and free tennis rackets and balls available to hire from the Watsonian Pavilion café within the park. Rounders and cricket kit is also available from the café. If there’s other kit you’d like to see, which could be part of the loans list let them or us know.

As Wimbledon takes place once again, we’ve been asked about tennis sessions in local parks, and we’d love to see regular local facilitated free “come and join in” style tennis sessions, supported by a coach to facilitate the session. If you know of someone who has an enjoyment for tennis which they’d like to share with others, or who may be interested in developing this type of idea with us further (and potentially even training up as a tennis coach to support the sessions) then get in touch.

Brickfield Park in Beeston Hill (Lady Pitt Lane, next to St Francis of Assisi primary school) was enhanced in 2022 through Council funding to add play equipment. A small group of residents and school children are now keen to support and develop activities that enrich what the

greenspace has to offer. Local children had asked for regular weekly activity. With support with funding from the Inner South Community Committee, Brickfield ParkPlay continues every Saturday at 10.30am led by Aidan who grew up around the corner, and now works with Hunslet Rugby Foundation. ParkPlay is a free family friendly play session, which welcomes all ages along any week to try a range of different fun games and activities. Pop along and meet Aidan and find out more about ParkPlay and join in.

Get Set Leeds Local and St Luke’s Cares ABCD workers have had great fun with children from the School Council at St Francis of Assisi

School Councillors have made me so proud today, with their fantastic, polite attitude towards improving our local spaces. They collected a lot of litter and they really made a difference today!"

Litter pickers have been purchased through Get Set Leeds Local for residents to continue to keep the park tidy through regular litter picks. Get in touch if you’d like to join them, or would like to develop your own litter picking group.

Beeston Hill residents have also received a Community Chest pot from Get Set Leeds Local to put on free Brickfield Bootcamp tasters throughout July and part of August for any local resident (adults) of any ability to come along and join

continue weekly at Cross Flatts Park for summer. If you’ve not ridden for years, or never had the opportunity to learn then these sessions will help get you going. Bikes are provided. Sessions take place 10am12noon and 12:30–2:30pm every Saturday. Book your place via www.cyclenorth .co.uk/adults

Get Set Leeds Local supports community good ideas for things that will support people to move more. One thing we love is supporting the next generation of community leaders. Some boys from Beeston approached us (via their parents) in response to a South Leeds Life article. They asked if we could help them put on a basketball tournament.

They’d been inspired by going to watch an adult basketball tournament, and

Brickfield Bootcamp

Primary School. They explored ideas on how their school could link with their local greenspace, before taking part in a session in the park enjoying some orienteering via Xplorer, along with doing some litter picking of the park. A teacher commented: "The

in. Come and join them Monday evenings 7–8pm at Brickfield Park, whether you’re new to fitness, or wanting to add a session to your weekly programme. If you’ve ideas of what you’d like to see in this greenspace (or others) then let us know.

One group also keen to attract new people to try their sport are Cross Flatts Bowling Club. Through Inner South Community Committee funding and Get Set Leeds Local the club have new equipment and balls to enable new users of all ages to have a fun experience of the game. Through event pop ups, and weekly tasters (every Monday, Tuesday and Friday 1-4pm) they’re keen to welcome new people to come along and have a try, with a free first taster session!

We’re looking at what cycle sessions to develop for South Leeds. If you’d like to see activities for children, adult led rides or some family rides then please get in touch to help us shape the offer.

Adult Learn to Ride activities

thought it would be something they’d love to see to inspire other young people to enjoy basketball together. Together with Let’s Do More, the very first Leeds Swish Basketball Tournament (for under 12s and under 14s), which has been co-produced with the boys, will take place on Saturday 8 July for all abilities. Eventbrite booking required.

If you’ve got ideas for things that would support yourself and others to move more and be active in some way then get in touch. Via Sport England funding, we have a Community Chest Pot (up to £300) which anyone can apply to, which supports community ideas for Beeston & Holbeck or Hunslet & Riverside wards. Get Set Leeds Local is an Active Leeds (part of Leeds City Council) led project, working in collaboration with residents and partners enabling more people to move more.

Follow us on social media, or get in touch via karen.peck@leeds.gov.uk / 07891 274130

Brickfield Bootcamp in Brickfield Park is a free activity open to all adults who want to boost their fitness level.

It is funded through Get Set Local and St Luke’s Cares and is run by a qualified Fitness instructor, Rob Docherty. Rob caters for all levels of fitness and is used to running bootcamps through his experience at Be Military Fit (previously known as British Military Fitness). It runs on a Monday evening from 7-8pm until the beginning of August and you can sign up at bit.ly/BrickfieldBootcamp

This initiative is part of an

ongoing campaign by local residents to ensure that Brickfield Park is well used and well loved by people living next to it. The facelift (of a year ago) bringing play equipment to the green space has been a huge success and so residents are keen to ensure the good vibes continue with activities in the park.

Friends of Brickfield Park also try to do litter picks in the park also on a Monday evening - so if you wanted to join them for this please do come along to Brickfield Park and get involved. For more information contact Tania Carlisle on 07917 157830

South Leeds Valkyries AGM

TheSouth Leeds Valkyries

women’s basketball club held their first AGM last month and it was a celebratory event - with an international flavour.

Members brought food they wanted to share and the diversity of flavours reflects the diversity of the group - it was a mouth watering experience!

Chair Clara De Sousa Diane talked about the history of the club and walked us through the (nearly) 2 year journey so far. Special thanks were given to Karen Peck from Get Set Leeds Local and Loran and Shaq from

Let's Do More - who coach the team.

South Leeds Valkyries currently play at Lane End school at 6pm on a Thursday. It is open to all women regardless of whether you have played basketball before.

In the winter months we meet at Cockburn John Charles Academy sports hall at the same time. It’s lots of fun and a really supportive group to be part of. We ask people to make a donation if they can, but no obligation as we want it to be as accessible as possible.

Working out at the Brickield Bootcamp

St Francis of Assisi School Council litterpicked Brickfield Park

Spotlight on: Cricket

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. This month Get Set Leeds Local takes a deeper dive into cricket, and the ways that someone could get involved.

Cricket is a team sport played between two teams. It is a bat and ball game, with a batsman going in front of a bowler and the team of fielders to try to score runs. Different shortened versions of the game now exist such as T20. Spectators can enjoy watching Test Cricket such as the current Ashes between England and Australia, along with the sport being popular in countries such as India, South Africa and Pakistan. Many of us may know cricket from playing kwik cricket at school or even maybe a bit of beach cricket!

Cricket in South Leeds Cricket had a rich history in South Leeds, and although chances are fewer than in the past, there are still opportunities for adults and children to enjoy the game in South Leeds. Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club is a family based cricket club based in Beeston, with its ground on Gipsy Lane. Over the summer they’ll be hosting All Stars Cricket which provides cricket for boys and girls aged 5–8 years old with 8 weeks of activities. Hunslet Nelson also runs junior teams at Under 9, 11, 13 and 15 with

weekly training and matches. They also hold an annual Enjoy Cricket Week, the emphasis is on games and fun, which is being held this year on 14-16 August for boys and girls aged 6 to 15 years. They also have three adult teams playing league cricket. Contact hunsletnelsoncc@gmail.com for more information.

Chance to Shine Street Cricket

We caught up with Sohail from Yorkshire Cricket Foundation to find out more about their Street Cricket programme which currently takes place weekly at Old Coburn Sports Hall. Sohail shares how children aged 8–15 in South Leeds can get involved:

What is Chance to Shine Street cricket?

Chance to Shine brings cricket to young people who traditionally face barriers to getting active. It uses the sport to increase aspiration, promote social cohesion and create opportunities in diverse communities. There are 200 Chance to Shine Street projects across the country.

It’s a fast-paced version of the game played with a tapeball - a tennis ball wrapped in electrical tape - in small enclosed spaces. With six players per team and 20 balls per innings, it’s cricket’s answer to five-a-side football.

What are the benefits of Street Cricket?

It’s getting children out the house. Street cricket is helping

Hunslet push for promotion

Continued from page 24

Second played fourth when Doncaster visited South Leeds on 2 July. Unsurprisaing then that the match started with a 10 minute arm wrestle with each side completing their sets.

Harvey Hallas broke the log jam, forcing his way over under the posts. Myles Lawford and Jack Render extended the lead to 16-0 after 25 minutes.

Hunslet’s Josh JordanRoberts and Doncaster’s Smeaton were sin-binned, which seemed to unsettle the Parksiders more than the Dons who scored twice before half time. 16-8.

Hunslet have played impressive second halves all season conceding few points. It was no different this time as the Parksiders dominated Doncaster in the second period, hardly letting them out of their half.

Jack Render plucked a well judged Lawford kick out off the

to break down social barriers and integrate people into their local area. In a survey of 658 Street participants, 78% said “I have met people from different backgrounds” and 80% agreed “I have made new friends”.

What do you think is the power of street cricket?

We feel that every child, no matter where they live, should have the opportunity to play cricket. Chance to Shine Street is focussed in areas with a lack of accessible clubs and green spaces; it aims to make cricket accessible to young people throughout the country.

Street cricket offers a different way into the sport, with 74% of players not part of a traditional cricket club when they joined the sessions. Some - around 1 in 10 - do go on to play at a traditional cricket club or enter park-based T20 leagues but for most the Street project becomes their club. How much are sessions and what do children wear?

Sessions are completely free, players don’t need to bring any equipment and can wear whatever they like. Are there opportunities to compete?

If children want to. All participants involved in Chance to Shine Street projects have the opportunity to take part in local competitions against other nearby projects in the school holidays, with the possibility of progressing to regional and then national competitions each year. We hold Under-15 and Under-12

age-group mixed competitions as well as a girls only competition.

The chance to compete against others from across the country is something which they relish, and equally as important as testing themselves against the best in the country is the opportunity to make new friends and to visit new places.

How are you developing new leaders?

We’re incredibly proud of the fact that 34% of coaches that lead established Chance to Shine Street projects were previously participants or volunteers. Having coaches that come from similar backgrounds is incredibly inspiring for the young cricketers and 92% of participants said “I look up to my coach”, whilst 91% said “My coach inspires me to do my best”.

Who are the coaches for the

Inner South?

“Hello everyone, I’m Khizar Hussain and I’m the lead coach at the Street Cricket sessions. I live locally and support the work of getting youngsters engaged into physical activity and sport through sessions and build positive habits so that they can be successful in whatever life path they choose to go on. The sessions are full of exciting cricket drills and games where we play shortsided games to test our skills in pressure situations. We have competitions which we work towards where we play, travel and compete against other local and national teams. The sessions are great fun so come down and give them a go!”

“My name is Hassan Hussain and I live in South Leeds. I loved playing cricket, football and rugby when I was younger and still play a bit now too. The Street Cricket sessions have been a big part of me growing

up as I attended these when I was younger. As a coach, I have been running these sessions for 4 years now and I’m giving back to my community, coaching kids to become the best individuals they can be. In Beeston, a lot of the kids have many distractions and challenges, and these free cricket sessions give the children the right skills and confidence to combat the challenges they face in everyday life. They look forward to the sessions every week and have improved massively over the weeks.”

How can children get involved?

Our Street sessions are free, just turn up and play!

Venue: Old Cockburn Sports Hall, Primrose Lane (near Joseph Priestly College)

Days: Every Saturday Time and Ages:

Ages 8-11: 10am-11.30am

Ages 12-15: 11.30am-1pm

Allstars set for the new season

air to score his second try and Beharrell kicked a penalty to make it a three score lead, before Lawford picked up a loose ball and raced 60 yards to score and wrap up the win.

The match finished with a try saving tackle from Jimmy Watson after some chaos on the last tackle as both teams tried to score a final try. Full time score 28-8.

This was a complete performance from Hunslet with every player giving 100% for 80 minutes. Hunslet’s losses have been to teams above them in the league and all have been away. Now Oldham and Dewsbury have to come to South Leeds Stadium and on the strength of this performance neither are safe.

Hunslet entertain Oldham (16 July) and League leaders Dewsbury (30 July) and don’t forget kids under 16 go free.

You can read full match reports of every Hunslet match online at southleedslife.com

by Callum Macdonald

TheSouth Leeds Allstars held our first presentation/kit release day on Saturday 1 July at the John Charles Centre For Sport.

Last season was hugely successful for this group of players, they finished top of the Garforth League only losing one game in the league all season. They also came runners up in the league cup where they beat higher opposition in every round leading up to the final, before sadly losing out to a fantastic team in Leeds Navy.

Saturday was all about celebrating their success, looking forward to the new season and introducing all of the players and parents to each other to foster a fantastic culture within the club.

We had a special guest return to present the awards to each player in Nathan Tufour

who has done the LS10 community proud whilst representing Bradford City for the past two seasons and has just signed another contract for the new season.

Award winners were: Clubman of the year –

• Alfie Laycock

• Jose

Top Goal scorer – Joy

Players’ player – Dylan

job next season.

• Baira Manager’s player – Oliver

• Best Parents’ player –

• Nathanael Brown

• Silva

Most improved – Kaiser

As long as all of the players and parents have a smile on their faces we will of done our

A huge thank you to all of our sponsors, The Country Kitchen, Bluebird Care, Windsor Mechanical and Electrical, Fluffs & Scruffs and AK Electrical for making all of this possible.

Keep a eye on our Facebook page for details of our next free community session.

South Leeds Allstars in their new kit

Children enjoying a tournament organised by Yorkshire Cricket Foundation in Cross Flatts Park in 2019

Beeston St Anthony’s victorious in South Leeds derby cup final

Myers retains his belt at Hunslet Carr boxing night

by James Bovington

Thecourageous performances of tough and talented teenage boxers impressed those attending the second 'Friday Fight Evening' of 2023 organised by Mark Holmes and Joe Ford at Hunslet Carr Sports and Social Club on 30 June.

Devin Myers and Wakefield’s Jack Shaw, both seventeen, put on an explosive and exhilarating joint performance contesting the promotion's 61kg belt over four two-minute rounds.

Myers retained the belt by split decision win. Myers, a roofer, said:

"I loved it. I’m delighted at my win. My best performance yet. I’m so proud of my level of fitness and how aggressively I

by John Adamson

Elland Road hosted the Leeds and District Senior Cup Final on 30 May 2023, between Beeston St Anthony’s and Middleton FC. A hard fought game was expected between the near neighbours and so it turned out to be.

Middleton, from the Yorkshire Amateur Premier league and holders of the trophy, were underdogs, playing

against the West Yorkshire Premier league side, but the way they played you would not have thought it!

Middleton created several chances but could not find the net, before a breakaway by Man of the Match Sam Akeroyd from midfield found left winger Joe Thornton with a superb pass who curled the ball into the top right hand corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance and Beeston a 1-0 half

time lead.

Words must have been said in the Middleton dressing room at half time as they started the second half like a house on fire.

Running ‘off the ball’ and wonderful passing movement created a bundle of chances, but firing over the bar and wide of the posts, they could not find the target against a resolute Beeston defence.

Then another breakaway out

of the Beeston half saw the prolific scorer Jake Topp bursting down the right hand side beating the full back with a perfect cross to the far post found Lee Turner who thundered a great header into the Middleton net with the ‘keeper well beaten.

Middleton worked until the end, but the trophy was destined for Beeston.

It was a wonderful match and credit to both teams.

Hunslet push for promotion

by Ian Pickles

Hunslet moved up to third place in League 1 after three wins in June, the last an impressive performance against second placed Doncaster.

The month started away at Oldham where Hunslet’s four match unbeaten run came to an end at the Vestacare/Whitebank Stadium as the Roughyeds were too good in the latter stages for an out of sorts Parksiders.

Jack Render scored in the corner to opening the scoring, a see-saw game then saw two penalties kicked by Matty Beharrell, but Oldham went in 18-8 at the half.

Jonny Campbell put the Parksiders ahead at the start of the second half, but three more tries gave the Roughyeds at 40-20 win.

Hunslet dispatched Cornwall 36-6 in a scrappy match at South Leeds Stadium on 18

June with tries from Adam Ryder, Joe Burton, Myles Lawford (2), Josh JordanRoberts and Jimmy Watson on his 200th appearance.

A trip to Chester to take on an improving North Wales Crusaders followed. Hunslet

had to overcome a 16-6 first half deficit. Sam Hallas scored early in the second period adding to Jack Render’s early try. A skilful Matthew Beharrell ball sent Josh Jordan-Roberts over beside the posts to overhaul the Crusaders on 53

minutes. Hallas got a second and Jimmy Watson completed the Parksiders’ scoring after he found a gap after Beharrell and Knowles combined. North Wales scored a consolation try at the end. Final score 20-30.

Continued on page 23

semi-professional ranks" explained Holmes, "and wellknown Leeds fighters Scott McHugh and Dean 'Smudger' Smith started out here."

Holmes has a distinguished record as a boxer including bareknuckle and at cruiserweight winning most of over a hundred boxing and Thai boxing matches.

A former professional singer, Ford comes from performing arts and has refereed at Leeds boxing events for ten years.

Ford explained that

"Working with TJ Evolve gym in Morley, our promotion stages three or four good quality events annually with younger and older fighters competing in fair, well-matched bouts.

“There’s a strong community focus, with recent shows raising funds for local families

boxed. My next opponent will definitely face a stoppage."

Leeds law student and aspiring professional boxer George Middleton,19, trained by Rick Manners, also put on a gutsy performance showing genuine potential talent in his defeat of John Bristol.

"Our shows allow young boxers to prove what they're made of allowing them to gain valuable experience in the

affected by cancer and tonight for the family of local lad Gaz Duce."

Friday’s show also included a collection for Leeds men’s charity MINT.

"We are grateful that yet again the boxing community has shown such generosity and solidarity" said MINT’s Josh Sturgeon.

Holmes Promotions plans its next event for October.

Harvey Hallas forces his way over the Doncaster line. Photo: Paul Whitehurst

A victoriuos Devin Myers. Photo: Julian Hudson