South Leeds Life 42 July Aug 2018

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Issue 42 | July-August 2018

What’s happening in Beeston, Belle Isle, Cottingley, Holbeck, Hunslet, Middleton & Stourton

CLEAN AIR FOR SOUTH LEEDS?

In this issue:

Revised Park & Ride plans

page 3

We have more in common

page 6

South Leeds outside Clean Air Zone, but Council promises better air quality

R

by Jeremy Morton

esidents have been shocked to see changes to Leeds City Council’s proposed Clean Air Zone (CAZ), which leaves South Leeds out of the zone.

With some of the highest levels of lung disease, asthma and COPD in the city, it seemed we were getting the short end of the stick once again. But Council leaders are keen to stress this is not the case and that South Leeds will benefit as much as other parts of the city from the scheme.

Cllr James Lewis, Executive Member responsible for the scheme told South Leeds Life: “The Clean Air Zone is not like the Smokeless Zones of the 1950s. The air will not be clean inside the zone and dirty outside the zone.

“We are targetting buses, taxis, private hire vehicles and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).

Our aim is the encourage owners of those vehicles to reduce their emmissions.”

Three major junctions along the Inner Ring Road, currently measure illegally high levels of emmissions.

The aim of the zone is to deflect traffic that doesn’t need to be there away from the area and make sure the vehicles that are there are producing

less pollutants.

Cllr Lewis is confident that all First and Arriva buses operating in Leeds will meet the new standards by 2020 when the CAZ is due to start.

Taxi and Private Hire operators are already moving towards electric, hybrid and other low emmision vehicles as they naturally update their fleet. Financial support will be made available to help them speed up this process.

“These are the most important vehicles for most residents in South Leeds. You don’t see many HGVs going up and down Belle Isle Road, but there are plenty of buses and taxis” explained Cllr Lewis.

“Because these vehicles also travel through the CAZ they will have to meet that standard - so they will be cleaner and that will benefit South Leeds residents” The Councillors for Beeston & Holbeck, Middleton Park and Hunslet & Riverside wards said: “The proposal for a Clean Air Zone will be discussed at Executive Board with a recommendation for consultation to start from Thursday 28 June. In addition to this work, our priority going forward is to work with communities across Inner South Leeds to prioritise measures to improve air quality across the whole area.”

Playhouse comes to Middleton

pages 13

Join Helen for parkrun

page 20

Rush hour traffic on Dewsbury Road

Photo: Jeremy Morton

Beeston stands united against racist arson attacks - p2

NEWS SCHOOLS

2-9 10-11

FEEDBACK

12

ARTS

13

LOCAL HISTORY 14

PEOPLE WHAT’S ON Beeston residents show solidarity at a vigil in Cross Flatts Park

Photo: Dave Goodfield

SPORT

Get the latest news at www.southleedslife.com - new stories posted daily

15 16-19 20

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South Leeds Life | July-August 2018

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

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

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

Our aims To inform people of events, activities, issues and opportunities taking place in the South Leeds community; To encourage the involvement of the wider community in communicating their experiences; To foster community spirit and involvement; and To provide a platform for local people to contribute and respond to community life more fully.

Contact us South Leeds Life CIC 224 Cross Flatts Grove, Leeds, LS11 7BW Email: info@southleedslife.com Facebook & Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife Phone: 07894 583966

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MP’s notebook R

by Hilary Benn MP

ecently someone tried to set fire to two local places of worship - the mosque in Hardy Street and the Sikh Gurdwara in Lady Pit Lane.

In both cases the doors suffered damage but thankfully the fires did not spread. I spoke to the Mosque and the Gurdwara to offer my sympathies and support but it is impossible to understand why anyone would want to do such a thing. The way in which we respond, however, to hate attacks of this sort is what really matters. The best thing to do is to stand shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with each other, as the people of Beeston have always done, against those who seek to create division and in support of respect for all faiths and neighbourliness towards one another.

Talking of which, a number of Great Get Together events were held around Leeds in June. The idea came about after the brutal murder of the MP Jo Cox two years ago as she was about to start a

constituency advice surgery. Jo often said that we have more in common than that which divides us and she was particularly concerned to bring people together, including those who are lonely. I was lucky enough to attend two of these events this year - in Middleton Park on a blazing hot day and at St Mary's Church in Beeston. The Park event was buzzing with activity and my main contribution, apart from being asked to say a few words about Jo, was to help put up some bunting. It's the advantage of being tall!

I think it is getting older that makes us reflect more on who our ancestors were. When the last relative from a generation, whether it's our parents, an uncle or aunt or a cousin passes away, we realise that what has also died with them is a host of memories and stories and the knowledge needed to explain who is who in those fading sepia family photographs. It's why we should capture their memories before it is too late.

Going further back in a family's story is also really rewarding. My wife has been writing a history of one

side of her Irish family and the research was a labour of love. For some years we spent our summer holidays in Ireland. Family record centres were visited, baptism registers pored over, gravestone inscriptions peered at, newspaper records on microfiches examined, and houses tracked down and photographed. And because one of her relatives had been a ship's captain, the National Maritime Museum was an invaluable source of evidence about where he had been and when and in which ship.

Using this she was able to work out that he probably met his future wife in Australia even though they were born only four miles apart in Ireland. She also discovered other things, including family secrets illegitimate children and severe depression - which were never spoken of at the time, as well as happy stories of new lives and how people came to meet.

There is something quite special about understanding where are from. On my mother's side - she was an American - it was a tale of migrants from Europe and Ireland who travelled across the land, built

Hilary Benn MP log cabins, farmed and eventually prospered. On my father's side it is a story that began in Leeds - south Leeds to be precise. My great great great grandfather William Benn was born in Hunslet in 1799. He was the son of Julius Benn - a clothier - who married Betty Lupton five years earlier at St Peter's Church (now Leeds Minster). William's family moved to Manchester and from there his descendants lived in Northamptonshire and eventually London. And here I am over two hundred years later writing this for South Leeds Life. Well, I never.

Beeston stands united against attacks B

by Jeremy Morton

eeston awoke on Tuesday 5 June to the news that two of its places of worship had been attacked overnight.

Fires were started at the Jamia Masjid Abu Huraira Mosque on Hardy Street; and at Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) on Lady Pit Lane.

Both buildings had people on site and both fires were put out quickly with the help of the West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service.

Detective Inspector Richard Holmes, of Leeds District CID, said: “We are treating both these incidents as linked given the closeness of the locations and the similar times that they have occurred.

“While our investigation is still at a relatively early stage, we do believe these premises have been specifically targeted as places of worship and we are treating both incidents as arsons and hate crimes.”

Leaders of the local Muslim and Sikh communities together with Councillors met with senior Police officers later that day.

After the meeting Cllr Mohammed Iqbal, whose Hunslet & Riverside Ward includes Beeston Hill where

deeply saddened shocked by recent attacks in Beeston. We stand in solidarity with our bothers and sisters of faith and none.” Tania Bintcliffe “In the end we are one community and an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. No matter your race, or your religion. You are the people of hate and we are the people of hope and love, our diversity is our strength.”

Cllr Paul Wray “If you want to see the community come together, I suggest you come to Beeston Festival on 14 July, and you will truly see what working together in a community is like. My advice to you all, when you walk in the streets of Beeston is to look everyone in the eye and give them a smile.” Cllr Angela Gabriel

Residents show their solidarity outside the Gudwara on Lady Pit Lane both these attacks occurred which two beloved religious leaders and trade unionists. told South Leeds Life: places of worship were Messages of support were “What has happened targeted in arson attacks. read out from Hilary Benn today is not good, two places “I desperately wanted to MP, Asa Britton, of worship attacked, but help and have set up a Headteacher of Lane End these incidents do bring the JustGiving page to raise Primiary School and Kevin community together. money for both buildings in Courtney the general “We have had a good order to contribute to the secretary of the National meeting with the police and recovery of both the Mosque Education Union. we are pleased that they are and Sikh temple.

These are just some of the committing significant “This will most importantly comments: resources to both solving the show that community spirit “I was one of the young crime and reassuring the is stronger than these hate people that planted the community. We are a strong crimes and that we will peace tree in 2006. I was community and we will not standby anyone no matter and continue to be proud to let anyone divide us.” their race, religion or be a true A 42 year old man from background.” representation of our Leeds was arrested later Then on Sunday 10 June multi-cultural that day (5 June), but has hundreds gathered by the Beeston.” Harkan not been charged. Enquiries Peace Tree in Cross Flatts “Now is the time to continue.

Park in a show of unity. stand shoulder to Community reaction was After speeches they shoulder in solidarity swift too. Seventeen year old moved off and marched with each other, as Khaleeqa Bostan, who peacefully to Hardy Street the people of learned to read the Qur’an Mosque where flowers were Beeston have always at Hardy Street Mosque was laid, then onto the Gudwara done, and against keen to do something on Lady Pit Lane to again lay those who seek to practical. She told South flowers. create division.”

Leeds Life: “Like many The vigil was addressed by Hilary Benn MP people, I have been shaken a wide range of speakers “As member of by the recent events in including Councillors, faith Jewish community Flowers outside Hardy Street Mosque

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Stourton Park & Ride proposals changed after residents raise objections S

by Jeremy Morton

ome objectors to the proposed Park & Ride scheme at Stourton have welcomed revised plans for the scheme. But Mary Spencer from the Stop Stourton Park & Ride campaign told South Leeds Life: “The fight goes on.”

As we have previously reported, the campaign against the scheme focussed on the disturbance to Hunslet Cemetery and the loss of green space.

Local Councillors took those concerns to officers and secured changes to the plans.

The original plan was for a phase 1 car park of 1200 spaces with potential to increase in a future second phase.

Expansion of the site has now been ruled out and it is hoped that the remaining land will be designated as protected green space so that it can’t be built on in the future.

Larger scale landcaping of mounds and additional tree planting are now proposed to shield visitors to the cemetery from the Park and Ride.

Landscaping will also be used to screen the site from houses in Belle Isle and Middleton.

A footpath through the cemetery is to be re-routed and CCTV installed to improve security.

Council officers said that alternative sites for the Park & Ride had been explored but none were found to be suitable.

The scheme hopes to attract funding to mount solar panels over the parking spaces. The energy generated would then be used to run the site and any surplus go to a local district heating scheme.

Cllr Kim Groves said: “All the Councillors for Middleton Park and Hunslet & Riverside have taken residents’ concerns very seriously and have worked with officers over the last few months to address those Artists impression of the revised plans for the Stourton Park & Ride scheme concerns.

“Our research shows that We want them to transfer the “We have secured changes to a community that meet the needs of the once built, Park & Ride land schemes will be expanded, look organisation to protect it in Friends of Hunslet Cemetery” Whilst some objectors are at Elland Road” said Mary perpetuity.”

“We have seen no evidence pleased with the compromise, Spencer the group’s chair.

“We don’t trust the Council that alternative sites have been the Stop Stourton Park & Ride campaign still has “major not to change their mind over properly assessed and we still the Green Space in the future. await sight of the concerns.”

Environmental Impact Assessment for the scheme, despite our Freedon of Information (FOI) request.”

“As for the trees, you must remember trees take many years to mature to a stage where they provide a real

St Luke’s are celebrates lottery win T

hanks to an award of over £500,000 from the National Lottery, St Luke’s, Holbeck is to set up a community project which aims to transform lives in Holbeck, Beeston and Hunslet Moor.

Along with funding for a community coordinator, the historic Grade II listed Victorian church building will be extended, enabling it to become a hub for youth activities, courses to help people towards employment, and events to bring communities together.

Six months of building work will start in January 2019, making space for community rooms, a catering kitchen, project offices and improved toilet facilities.

The Rev Alistair Kaye says: “This longterm project will make a huge difference in

the local area. The building improvements will benefit all the local communities.

“The new hall will be the perfect venue for youth activities, advice drop-ins and cross cultural events, the flexible meeting spaces can be used by local community organisations throughout the week, and the new kitchen will provide the community with facilities for cookery skills courses and event catering.

“The renovation plans mean the building will soon be fit for the future and much better equipped to serve the social needs of the whole community. St Luke’s, Holbeck is a thriving community church in South Leeds, serving Holbeck, Beeston and Hunslet Moor.

“Find out more at stlukesholbeck.org.uk and on Facebook”

screen.”

The next stage is for the proposals to be considered by the Council’s Executive Board, probably at their July meeting.

If approved a planning application will be submitted which will be considered by the City Plans Panel. Construction could start in 2019 with the site operational by 2020.

The electric buses serving the Park & Ride will stop at First Direct and the College of Building as well as the city centre. It is anticipated that buses travelling against the main commuter flow will be well used by staff and students accessing these sites from the city centre.

The Stourton Park & Ride links into planned improvements to Hunslet Road and Low Road to improve bus performancealong the A61 corridor - see report on page 4.

Cllr Kim Groves said: “We want to hear from local residents as their views are important. We hope that they will engage in the consultation on local buses and the planning application when it is submitted.”

Invitation to Tender St Luke’s Church, Holbeck, are seeking suitably sized and qualified building contractors to tender for their forthcoming refurbishment and extension construction contract (value approx. £500,000 excluding VAT).

It is anticipated that the contract works will commence in January 2019.

If you wish to be considered, please email: algkaye@googlemail.com to request a pre-qualification questionnaire.

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Middleton Elderly Council support Hub opens Aid mark centre’s L first bithday I

by Ken Ingram

went song to Middleton Elderly Aid on 5 June to celebrate the first birthday of their Social Centre.

I had a wonderful morning and was entertained by Chiragi Solank doing some Bollywood Dancing.

Well done to Chiragi. The MEA Members joined in with chair exercises along with Chiragi. I’m sure we will see Chiragi again soon.

I also met up with a lady who came with Chiragi I will withhold her name (although I do know it) the lady tells me she has brain Cancer. Well done to the lady, continuing with her volunteer work, when many would throw in the towel.

Also thanks to staff and volunteers for baking the cup cakes, to eat later after lunch.

I remember when I first moved back to Middleton after leaving sheltered housing in Belle Isle last October. I went along to Middleton Elderly Aid and made myself know to Sam, the manager.

Sam made me a member and made arrangements for Michele (Outreach Worker) to call and see me to see if she could help me in any way, such as with my finances and got in touch with Green Doctor, who came to my flat, and advised on how I could save money on my electricity bills.

Anyway me and Sam got talking and she asked if I would like to volunteer for the centre. We agreed to set up a Memory Café which is held at the centre last Wednesday in the month.

Alex (my health support worker) comes along and gives advice along with volunteers and staff. Anybody with memory problems is welcome along with their carers. At the last meeting cake and drinks were welcomed by all.

Over 40 people inc members, staff and volunteers turned up at the last one. Tracey, Leanne and Sam get stuck in with everyone making scrap books together, at the memory café.

I also host a walking group every second Wednesday at MEA. New

members are always welcome. I have recently bought some Pedometers for the group, so they can see how many miles, km or steps they have walked.

So since moving to Middleton, MEA Staff and volunteers have made me most welcome.

Special thanks go to Sam, Leanne, Tracy, Adele,Elaine, Walter, Carol, Jean, Kay and Mavis.

Centre Manager Samantha Bickerdike added: It’s a year ago today we opened our very own Social Centre for Middleton Elderly Aid. We have gone from strength to strength.

Our membership as increased to over 1,000 Middleton residents. We are open 6 days a week , have 4 lunch clubs a week, a bacon butty morning and also a full cooked breakfast on Saturday morning.

We have a full timetable of activities which include crafts, line dancing, chair based exercise class, computer classes, walking group etc.

We have had over 30 guests from different agencies who have come and presented talks to our members.

We have taken 45 members each month on our organised trips and our annual holiday.

We have started a monthly entertainment afternoon, memory café and tea dance.

We have employed four of our volunteers into roles within our organisation. Our outreach worker as visited over 300 of our members at home and made over 500 referrals.

Here at Middleton Elderly aid we get a lot of positive feedback of how we have really made a positive difference in their lives and our aim is to carry on with Middleton Elderly Aid We had a great celebration for our one year birthday. We had a taster session of Bollywood Dancing from Chiragi Solank from India Tea and Dance Company who showed some of her moves to our members. What a great year it’s been and here’s to many more.

We couldn’t have done this without our invaluable team of volunteers.

Onwards and upwards.

Chiragi leads MEA members in Bollwood dance

eeds City Council has opened a new Support Hub at 5 Recreation View in the heart of the Holbeck community.

The centre will offer help and advice on issues such as employment, social care housing, debt, council tax and anti-social behaviour.

On top of Council services the Hub will be used by the Police, Touchstone Support, Blue Apple Training and Holbeck Elderly Aid. • Need help finding work or training?

• Have issues with your home or neighbours?

• Need to make a council enquiry?

• Want to know more about services and opportunities in your local area?

Councillors with staff from partner agencies at the opening of the Support Hub @ Holbeck The Hub is open Tuesday to Thursday council enquiries and support people 9:30am-4pm. into work.”

“The Dewsbury Road Community Contact the Hub on (0113) 378 Hub team are on hand to answer 5951 or email: lnt@leeds.gov.uk.

Buses in the fast lane on Hunslet Road?

Hunslet Road: plans to ease congestion onsultation is underway traffic signals and new on plans that would see junction layouts to help keep buses given priority on buses moving, especially Hunslet Road and Low during peak travel times.

Road.

The road will be narrowed The plans are part of to one lane in each direction Connecting Leeds, the for other road users.

Council led plan to improve Doubling bus usage in 10 transport throughout the years from the current city.

250,000 journeys per day is The end of June saw a the target. This will greatly series of drop in events and reduce the number of the consultation continues vehicles on the road and online until 27 July at ease congestion. www.leeds.gov.uk/ We spoke to Cllr Richard connectingleeds.

Lewis, executive member for The proposals seek to regeneration, transport and maximise the space and planning and asked him if efficiency of the road the emphasis on buses was network and offer enhanced about discouraging cars cycling and walking from using the city centre. provision as well as “I want to encourage improving air quality through people onto buses” he said reduced congestion.

“It’s carrot rather than stick.

The plans include longer We’ve all become far too and new bus lanes, smart dependant on the car. In

C

terms of how it impacts on the city it’s damaging it, it’s majing it a less pleasant place to be. The more we copncentrate on the car, the slower the city’s going to move - we really need to tackle that. I’d rather say look we can get you onto a fast bus that will take you into the city centre, with great facilities.”

Plans have also been published to increase the capacity of the Elland Road Park & Ride scheme from its current 800 cars to 1,350.

The expansion would use the land between the football stadium and the M621 motorway. Buses would also use a one way circulation making use of the football bus gate off the Junction 2 rounabout.

A consultation event will

be held at Hillside Enterprise Centre, Beeston Road on Tuesday 10 July from 5-8pm.

Plans will be on show and officers will be on hand to answer questions about the proposals.

The Connecting Leeds plan has been developed from the feedback received in the biggest-ever transport conversation held with residents, businesses, stakeholders and visitors in the city which included more than 8,000 people taking part in a survey in 2016.

Plans for a new rail station connecting the White Rose Office Park and Shopping Centre are expected to be published later this year.

Funding comes from the £173.5million pot given to Leeds after the Trolleybus project was blocked.

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United Legend helps South Leeds developer mark show home milestone L

by Jeremy Morton

eeds United legend Eddie Gray was on hand as Maple Homes marked the opening of their show home at Woodhouse Vale, off Pepper Road in Hunslet on Friday (1 June 2018).

Director Tom Robinson explained that this was Maple’s first development since and his colleagues took over the Hunslet-based building firm eighteen months ago.

“This is a massive milestone for us. We have other sites in the region and we would like to build more in South Leeds” he said.

“It is a really good area, close to the city centre. If we could get another couple sites like this in the area we’d jump at them, definitely.”

I spoke to Peter Sekhom and Naomi White who will be one of the first owners to move in later this month. I asked them why they had chosen to buy with

Maple.

“We like that it’s a small development” said Peter. “It’s a good location, handy for work and we are getting a lot of space for what we are paying, compared to other developers.

“We’ve also been able to influence the design, such as the garden, fencing and a breakfast bar, which was important too.”

Eddie Gray had called in en

Leeds United legend Eddie Gray

route to a charity golf match, sponsored by Maple Homes, to raise money for Wortley Football Club. As well as meeting the new homeowners and looking round the show house, he signed some shirts and footballs which Maple have been giving away via their Facebook page.

He told us about the importance of supporting grassroots sport: “I think it’s important for young kids, especially nowadays, to get involved in sport. The great thing about it is it’s healthy, and it gives them a purpose as well. We’ve seen how having the Tour de France in Leeds has boosted cycling, so anyone involved in sport should get behind encouraging kids to get involved.”

I also asked Eddie about the Save Grassroots Football campaign which is calling on the government to impose a 5% levy on the Premiership League.

Eddie Gray with Tom Robinson & Catherine Judge (Maple Homes) and new homeowners Darren, Peter and Naomi “I think the campaign’s great, doing their bit to support instead of just turning up I hope it happens” he said. grassroots sport. They sponsor building some houses and “Whether it happens is up to Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club going away like most the powers that be. The and they suffered a theft of developers” said Tom Premier League is successful turf, Maple donated £500 to Robinson. because of the communities meet the insurance excess and To book your appointment to that watch it, that’s how they offered to buy new turf. They visit the show home at make their money, through are also giving professional Woodhouse Vale email: television, so if they can do support to help the club build a catherine@homesbymaple.co m. For more information visit anything to help the grassroots, new clubhouse. all well and good.”

“It’s nice to put something homesbymaple.com or find Maple Homes have been back into the community them on Facebook.

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White Rose’s child friendly environment

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More in common at Get Togethers R

esidents across South Leeds came together for a seres of Great Get Together events.

The events are promoted by the Jo Cox Foundation in memory of the Labour MP who was murdered during the 2016 general election campaign. In her maiden speech to Parliament, Jo Cox MP said:

“We are far more united and have more in common than that which divides us.”

Events were organised at Dewsbury Road and St George’s community hubs; Middleton Park, Beeston’s Hamara Centre and St Matthew’s Community Centre in Holbeck.

Each event included a range of food, entertainment and activities to help people from different backgrounds mix and meet new friends.

Here are a selection of photos taken by Ed Carlisle, Cllr Gohar Almass and staff at Dewsbury Road Community Hub.

Children from Asquith Primary School celebrate the opening of the new play area

W

hite Rose Shopping Centre has completed its new outdoor play area and designated it a smoke and vape free area.

The area was officially opened last month, the ribbon was cut by White Rose General Manager Steven Foster, Cllr Lisa Mulherin, and children from Asquith Primary School.

The play area, which includes a canopy for rain-or-shine play, makes up the final component of The Village, White Rose’s new leisure extension. The Village is part of a £25m investment into White Rose by its owner, Landsec, and comprises five restaurants, an 11-screen Cineworld with IMAX, an outdoor events space, and now a children’s play area.

The outdoor space also forms part of a smoke free area as part of Leeds City Council’s Clean Air Leeds ambition, with White Rose working alongside Child Friendly Leeds to make this a reality.

In consideration of the increased number of children and young families to the area, all visitors are now asked to refrain from smoking and vaping within The Village and the surrounding area, marked by green bollards.

Steven Foster, General Manager of White Rose Shopping Centre, said: “We’re delighted to open our new play area, which will surely be the jewel in the crown of The Village in the eyes of our younger visitors.”

“The play area was developed following meetings with local residents and focus groups, and alongside our work with Clean Air Leeds to create a smoke free area, we’re sure it’s going to be a real crowd pleaser.”

The play area can be found in The Village at White Rose and is suitable for children up to the age of 11.

T

he Centre won another accolade last month: the SCEPTRE Award for Energy Management – thanks to its commitment to sustainability.

The South Leeds institution was named top in its category, beating competition from across the country. White Rose’s success is due a number of developments at the centre, including: • The installation of 2,900 solar PV rooftop panels – the largest system of its kind at a retail site in the UK, supplying enough power each year to supply 200 homes for 12 months • The addition of electric car charging points in its car parks • The use of an aerobic food digester, which turns retailers’ waste into water, saving almost 88 tonnes of carbon emissions each year – the equivalent of taking 57 cars off the road • The housing of more than one billion bees on the centre’s roof, which bolster the local bee population in pollinating flowers and crops • The re-use of rainwater in the centre’s toilets via a gravity-fed (non-electric) system, providing more than 40,000 ‘free’ flushes per year Steven Foster, General Manager of White Rose Shopping Centre, said: “We’re delighted that our work in sustainability has been recognised at the SCEPTRE Awards.

White Rose has been part of the Leeds community for more than 20 years, and we’re passionate about protecting the environmental future of our city.

“We look forward to further developing our eco-credentials in the coming years.”

For more information, visit www.whiterose.co.uk

Keep up to date with the latest news New stories posted every day online at:

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Family Business of the Year B

eeston-based luxury bed maker Harrison Spinks has been awarded two FBU Family Business Awards: Yorkshire Family Business of the Year and Manufacturing Family Business of the Year.

The awards recognise and celebrate family run businesses from all over the UK and the contributions they make to the communities in which they operate, and towards UK business as a whole.

The winners were decided by a panel of judges and revealed at an awards ceremony in London’s Mayfair Hotel last month.

“We are delighted to have been awarded these titles for 2018” said Simon Spinks, Managing Director at Harrison Spinks.

“Family is a huge part of who we are as a business and we are so pleased that this has been

Peter Spinks, Chairman, Simon Spinks, Managing Director and Daniel Spinks, buyer, at the Harrison Spinks factory recognised and celebrated.

In May this year, we reported “As a 5th generation family that Harrison Spinks had received business, we are incredibly proud two prestigious Queen’s Awards of our history which has driven the for Enterprise – one for Innovation business to grow into the industry and one for International Trade – leading innovative bed bringing the total number won by manufacturer that we are today.” the company to four.

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Residents work together to improve Trentham Park T

by Nick Lavani

he Trentham Park Project is using artwork and gardening on Saturdays throughout the summer to transform the pocket park in Beeston Hill.

The project is funded by Leeds City Council and delivered by Touchstone Support to build new friendships around Trentham Park.

These are some photos from the 9 June session. The first two sessions have had over 40

people working with our gardeners and artists and on Saturday we put in the new planters and filled them with flowers. A big thank you to Big Brand Print of Kirkstall for the free banner material. Come along and join in next Saturday!

The aim is by the end of the summer to have a better looking, better looked-after and friendlier park. The staff leading the project are Kathy Beels, Irina de SaintOurs, Sue Kaye and Tania Carlisle.

The posters are from the poster competition to encourage the local residents to make the most of the park.

Here are the dates we will be there: Saturday 21 July Saturday 28 July Saturday 4 August Saturday 11 August All sessions run 11am-2pm For more info contact: nickl@touchstonesupport.org.uk

Care home to be sold a second time

Copper Hill Care Home in Hunslet, soo to be under new management, again. esidents and their families of the former Bupa homes; we have been concerned by the have taken the decision to sell rapid change of ownership of the Copper Hill Care Home to an Copper Hill Care Home in alternative care home operator.

Hunslet.

“Following a comprehensive The 180 bed care home was review of all of the care homes previously owned by BUPA, but we acquired, we identified a was sold as part of a portfolio of small number where we felt that 110 care homes to HC-One, now their long-term future would be the biggest care home provider in better supported by a smaller the UK, at the end of 2017. operator. In the meantime, these A Residents and Relatives homes will continue to receive meeting was held on 7 June investment and support to where representatives of HC-One enable them to deliver the explained why they had put the kindest possible care to home on the market just six Residents in the same way that months after buying it. any of our homes would, A spokesperson for the home including upcoming investment said: into Wi-Fi, ‘Touch’ learning and “After the complex acquisition development programmes.

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“Until we are satisfied that we have agreed the most appropriate model for each of these homes, they will fully remain part of our care home family and benefit from the very best care provision, and learning and development initiatives that we pride ourselves on.”

A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: "We have been assured by HCOne that they will continue to provide continuity of care to residents and that staff will be provided with extra support during the time of transition. We will continue liaise closely with HC-One until plans are agreed on the future of Copper Hill"

St George’s centre refit completed M

iddleton’s St George’s Centre has undergone a refurbishment to improve services for customers.

As well as the NHS Minor Injuries Unit, the public can access a range of Council services, including the library and job club with access to computers. Other partners include the Leeds Credit Union and regular Police surgeries.

The centre opens 8:30am-6pm Monday to Friday and 10am-2pm The library at St George’s Centre, Middleton on Saturdays.

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July-August 2018 | South Leeds Life

News 9

Email: info@southleedslife.com

Charles Stanley charity Nutrition and aging L football tournament A

n impressive ten teams took part in this year’s Charity 5-aside football tournament, raising funds for The Hunslet Club.

The event, which took place on Sunday 27 May 2018, was organised by the Leeds office of Charles Stanley Wealth Managers and featured teams from Leeds’s accountancy, legal, banking and marketing sectors.

A massive thanks goes to BHP Chartered Accountants, DWF, Eversheds Sutherland, Intermarketing Agency, Pinsent Masons, Schofield Sweeney, Shulmans and Yorkshire Bank, as well as teams from Charles Stanley and The Hunslet Club. The latter two both through to the final which ended with a 3-1 win to The Hunslet Club.

Over £800 was raised from teams’ entry donations and on behalf of The Hunslet Club and Charles Stanley we are very grateful for their support of the event.

Dennis Robbins, CEO of The Hunslet Club and on hand to present the trophy on the night said: “We are delighted that Adam and the team at Charles Stanley chose The Hunslet Club again this year as host venue and beneficiary of their annual football tournament. It was great to see our talented Under 21 squad who started playing football through the club’s junior football section not only take part in the day but scoop the trophy. We can’t wait for the re-match!”

Organiser Adam Martell, Investment Manager at Charles Stanley commented: “It was amazing to see 10 teams take part this year on three pitches across a superbly prepared playing surface. I was really pleased to see so many from the year before, as well as plenty of new teams, as the tournament goes from strength to strength. Even the sunshine joined us this year too! We’re very grateful to the support shown by the local business community, as well of

course the hard work of the staff and volunteers at the Club.”

Jonathan Baker, Branch Manager at Charles Stanley’s Leeds office said: “We are very pleased to support The Hunslet Club and help raise the profile further of the important work they do within Leeds. They are a fantastic club, with a hugely positive impact on the local community and in schools. We look forward to continuing to support them in the future.”

ife expectancy has increased.

Currently 18% of the UK population are over the age of 65.

More of us are living for longer than ever before. However, with this, there is a greater extent of disease and mental and/or physical disability that interferes with daily activities.

Cognitive function includes capacities such as learning and remembering. With age, cognitive function declines, and this is called age-related cognitive decline.

There are a number of things we can do to reduce the rate of this, including things like exercising, keeping the brain active and having a healthy diet.

Diet can support healthy cognitive function.

Polyunsaturated fats are healthier fats, for example, omega-3 fats.

These have antiinflammatory characteristics; therefore, they reduce inflammation.

These fats also support the function of cells that make up the brain. A lot of research has looked at whether there is a benefit of omega 3 fatty acids on cognitive function in adults, and whether taking omega 3 supplements supports healthy cognitive ageing. In general, the results of studies that have looked at this have been mixed, which might be because of study design limitations.

Similarly, phospholipids are another type of fat available from a wide range

Middleton Railway in the running for prestigious tourism award

Middleton Railway: a great day out for all the family he Middleton Railway Trust in Hunslet. As well as the train has been shortlisted for a services, Moor Road hosts a prestigious White Rose Award free to enter museum.

by Welcome To Yorkshire.

The Railway has been From their base at Moor shortlisted in the Small Road in Hunslet the world’s Attraction of the Year category oldest working railway runs and will be up against Spirit of weekend services up to Harrogate; Burton Constable Middleton Park using vintage Foundation, Hull; National steam and diesel engines built Centre for Birds of Prey,

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Helmsley; Workhouse Museum, Ripon; Grimm & Co, Rotherham; and The Georgian Theatre Experience, Richmond.

The winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the Harrogate Convention Centre in November.

Commenting on the nomination, Ian Smith, Vice

President of Middleton railway Trust said: “It’s a tribute to the hard work our volunteers put into the railway, and hopefully will benefit our community by drawing more people here!”

The Trust has recently held its AGM where Charles Milner took over as Chair from Malcolm Johnson and Hilary Benn MP was appointed President of the Trust. Hilary Benn commented: “I am honoured to have been invited to support the Middleton Railway Trust in this way.

“The Middleton railway is quite simply unique and a jewel in the crown of South Leeds.

The oldest working railway in the world, its dedicated and professional volunteer team bring our proud railway past to life and make a visit a memorable experience. If you’ve never been, come along and enjoy what you will find and learn there.”

of food items that are part of a usual diet e.g. sources include dairy, eggs and soybased products. Phospholipids are also anti-inflammatory, and they provide key nutrients that the brain uses when we learn new and remember information.

Giving phospholipids to individuals to have in addition to their usual diet has been linked to better memory.

The Human Appetite Research Unit in the School of Psychology at the University of Leeds is currently running a study to look at the benefits of phospholipids on cognitive function.

Volunteers on the study have a drinkbased supplement that has been produced by Arla Foods each day for 3 months.

All ingredients that make up the drinks are found in regular foods consumed as part of a usual diet.

Adults aged 50 years and over, who feel as though their memory is not as good as it was when they were younger are able to volunteer for the study, and study appointments are every 6 weeks.

Appointments can take place either at the University or in the homes of volunteers. Volunteers receive £10 per study appointment to compensate for time lost.

If you would like to find out more about this study, please feel free to contact Claire Champ by email memorystudy@leeds.ac.uk or by phone: 07480 518 960.

South Leeds Life | July-August 2018

www.southleedslife.com

10 Schools and families

A Big Deal for Cockburn

Winning Team Voltz: Jamie Myers, Amadou Dibba, Bradley Blackburn and Samit Miah

S

tudents from Cockburn School participated in the annual Big Deal Event.

The Event, which is run by York University, requires students to produce a business plan, prototype and ‘Dragon’s Den’ style pitch which is then presented to a team of senior business people from a range of national businesses.

Cockburn had three teams of students participating in the event with each team comprising of four students. Each team worked with an external mentor from Barclays Bank who provided support and guidance throughout the event.

Students were also invited to spend a day at Barclays Headquarters in Canary Wharf, London, to

perfect their business plans and pitches. They were also given a number of talks from senior Barclays executives who provided support and inspiration to the students.

The final of The Big Deal took place on June 21st at York University.

The Cockburn teams gave excellent pitches of their ideas to the dragons who were impressed with their enthusiasm and creativity.

Team Voltz from Cockburn were crowned overall winners of the event with their innovative phone case which can plug straight into the mains for charging.

The team consisted of Bradley Blackburn, Amadou Dibba, Samit Miah and Jamie Myers. Their prize for winning is a trip to New York!

Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife

Record Breakers

Health For welcomed

400 compete on Cockburn School sports day at South Leeds Stadium S N

early 400 students from Cockburn School had an fiercely competitive day at South Leeds Stadium for their annual sports day.

Students aged between 11 and 15 took part in a full range of athletics events. The sun shone and when not competing, the students cheered on their peers who showed great resilience, pride and professionalism in their sporting efforts.

They saw some fantastic competition between the house teams that they compete for. The final scores on the day were as follows: 1.

Tomlinson – 672 points 2.

Bird – 647 3.

Wright – 573 4.

Hermann - 572 Congratulations to the following students who broke or set new records at Sports Day this year: Girls 100m Tilly Davies (Year 8) – 13.87secs Shekinah Mampala (Year 9) – 14.81secs 800m Charlie Birley (Year 8) – 3.14mins Long Jump Erika Miranda (Year 7) – 3.70m 4x100m Relay Team Bird (Year 7) - 1.04mins

Team Wright (Year 9) - 1.02mins 80m Hurdles Abby Tate (Year 7) - 18.37secs Kiaya McArdle (Year 8) - 16.93secs Leanne Auty (Year 9) - 18.32secs Kaydee Mead (Year 10) - 16.12secs

Boys 100m Caiden Hargreaves-Lawton (Year 7) – 13.25secs 800m Caiden Hargreaves-Lawton (Year 7) - 2.57.04mins Dylan George (Year 10) – 2.26.06mins Shot Put Andy Twum (Year 8) – 10.25m High Jump Newton Conde (Year 10) – 1.70m 4x100m Relay Team Tomlinson (Year 9) – 57.06secs 80m Hurdles Nikos Piasta (Year 7) - 16.57secs Alfie Marshall (Year 8) - 13.25secs Cormac Hargreaves-Lawton (Year 9) - 12.50secs Eliel Zouogbo (Year 10) - 13.44secs

Girls 4x100m

Kids find no barriers to Shakespeare P

Pupils from Hunslet Moor Primary School show off their certificate

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upils from six Leeds schools attended a special event to celebrate their hard work and success after taking part in the ‘Leeds Meets Shakespeare’ project.

The aim of the project, was to raise the attainment of Year one pupils who have English as an Additional Language, by teaching Shakespeare through drama. Pupils from six Leeds ‘Arooj’ schools took part in the project, including Hunslet Moor Primary and New Bewerley Community schools.

The Arooj collaborative is a long-standing partnership between Leeds City Council and a group of 14 primary schools working to raise the attainment of Pakistani and Bangladeshi heritage pupils in Leeds.

The Leeds Meets Shakespeare project was delivered by the University of York in partnership with West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds Learning Improvement Team & Tribe

Arts and supported by Globe Education, To celebrate and share the pupils’ achievement with their parents, a special event was organised at the Carriageworks Theatre on Thursday 21 June. As well as being awarded with certificates, the pupils were also entertained by performances from Rosebank Primary School and Leeds-based professional theatre company, Tribe Arts.

The project had a marked impact on pupils’ confidence and engagement particularly for lower ability and less confident pupils. It was found that using drama as a teaching method gave the more vulnerable pupils the confidence to participate. One teacher commented: “Many of my less confident pupils (largely to do with their command of English or their more passive involvement in lessons) have found their voice and have been invigorated.”

t John & St Barnabus church in Belle Isle has hosted the Belle Isle Family Centre for many years, but now have their own plans for their undercroft.

The good news is that no services are being cut as Health For All have been able to move all their groups and activities to Middleton Parochial Hall and the Middleton Family Centre.

To celebrate the move Health For All organised a half term family fun day at the Parochial Hall on Thursday 31 May. Over a hundred children parents and carers came along and enjoyed

circus skil duck, boun lot of fun w Groups Parochial Road: Re Seniors ( Blossom K (Mon 4-5:3 Girls Grou Little Chefs also be deli Hall.

Groups m Family Cen Road: Wom (Mon 1-3p

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July-August 2018 | South Leeds Life

Schools and families 11

Email: info@southleedslife.com

r All family services School attendance matters G d in their new home

lls, skittles, hook a cy castle and crafts. A was had by all. moving to the Hall, North Lingwell ed Lychee Chinese (Mon 10am-12pm); inship Support group 30pm); and Teenspirit up (Thur 4-5:30pm). s cooking course will ivered at the Parochial

moving to Middleton ntre, 256-262 Sissons men’s Wellbeing Group m); Connected (Mon

4-5:30pm); Breast Feeding Support (Tues 10am-12pm); Teenspirit Boys (Tues 4-6pm); Minichefs (Wed 10-11:15am); Incredible Years Parenting Programme (Thur 10am-12pm); Be Yourself women’s group (Fri 10:30am-12:30pm); Men Behaving Dadly (Sat (11am12:30pm); Bangla Square Youth Project (Sat 4-6pm).

Vikrant Bhatia from Health For All thanked Father Andy Myers and the congregation at St Mary’s for the warm welcome they and the groups have received.

“It’s been overwhelming” he said “and already there are more local people joining the groups and drawing on the support they provide. We are looking forward to a long and fruitful partnership serving the local community together.

“All local families from Belle Isle and Middleton are welcome to join our activities at Middleton Family Centre and Parochial Hall.

To find out more about our activities and summer events please visit our new facebook www.facebook.com/ page: familyfunathealthforall.”

reenmount Primary School, Lodge Lane Beeston, recently had a poster competition and the children were asked to design a that promotes good poster attendance.

The winning posters are going to be used for displays around the school and will feature on the school’s new website.

The staff at Greenmount Primary are working hard to maintain an overall (pupils aged 5+) attendance of above 96%. Going to school every day is so important for a child’s educational, social and emotional development.

It has been proven that children with poor attendance have low selfesteem, find it harder to make and keep friends and are less likely to gain good qualifications when leaving high school.

Miss Healey, Attendance Officer quotes, “Each child is important to us and we hope that the time spent at Greenmount Primary will furnish them with happy memories. We

Emma Healey with the winning children at Greenmount Primary School celebrate good attendance with strategies to ensure all children prizes and certificates and are here attend school.

This poster to support our families by putting in competition has really enthused our place certain interventions so they pupils and we can see the impact it can overcome obstacles that may is having on our increasing affect their child’s attendance.” attendance figures”.

Miss Carr, Headteacher states, All we need to do now is get travel “Every day counts and we have been agents to reduce the cost of holidays working to develop more innovative in term time!

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South Leeds Life | July-August 2018

12 Opinion

Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife

In our view Standing together South Leeds Life condemns the arson attacks on two places of worship within our community.

These were appalling acts intended to intimidate and divide the Beeston community. We must all stand together and show this tiny minority that they will not be tolerated.

We are pleased to see a robust Police response and urge our readers to co-operate with their investigation by sharing information, so that the perpetrator(s) can be swiftly brought to justice.

We urge everyone to keep calm, keep vigilant, and carry on.

The air that we breathe This month we have published three articles that link to the quality of the air that we must all breathe.

Leeds City Council are planning a Clean Air Zone, another Park & Ride scheme in South Leeds and changes to Hunslet Road to give buses priority.

Leeds currently grinds to a halt whenever there is an incident during the rush hour. And the stationary cars pump out even more pollution. Trying to move around the city in individual cars just doesn’t make sense any more.

The way forward must include prioritising buses which can carry 70 people each, but people will only move to buses if they prove to be reliable and on time.

Your letters and comments Arson Attacks

These people will not devide us. They will unite us. Racist attacks of any kind are not acceptable to the people of Beeston. And we will help the police bring you to justice and the courts.

Wilson Tweed So sad to read this! We have had Sikh and Muslim places of worship in our community since the 1960s and 1970s. It is a sad indictment of the intolerance and hatred that is being stoked in society today.

I remain convinced that the majority of our community are decent, tolerant people who would defend their neighbours against such atrocities.

Jean Wood

Geoff Gunney MBE Geoff was my childhood hero when I saw him play at Parkside with my Dad, and later by myself. He gave me a tie, and many times signed my match day program.

When we left Parkside (a sad day for Hunslet) Geoff was last off the field at the last match.

It’s down to Geoff we found a new place to hold matches – the Greyhound track on Elland Road, when Geoff on this occasion was first on pitch.

We played at Elland Road for a while, but Leeds United moaned about the state of the pitch when we played there.

Eventually we had a home at South Leeds Stadium. Maybe we could name the stand after Geoff? RIP Geoff.

Ken Ingram

Searching For The Heart Of Leeds I went to see this on Wednesday with my friend and neighbour who is also involved

Flowers of solidarity left at the Lady Pit Lane Gudwara – she is an ambassador for West Yorkshire Playhouse. I was stunned by this marvellous production. I was so proud of Hossein – he made me cry with joy for his new life here. The show was funny, sad and beautiful. Well done to all involved – the diversity was impressive!

Liz Kitching This was a fantastically realistic representation of life in Leeds. I’ve been a Leeds’ lass since 1966 (Pakistani by birth) and would never even think about living anywhere else.

Well done to our local lad Hossein. I wish you best for future Naseem Akram

A Cream Cracker Under The Settee

Your Councillors and MP Beeston & Holbeck ward Includes Beeston from Cross Flatts Park up to the Co-op, Cottingley, old Holbeck.

The three councillors are:

Gohar Almass 07445 878 333 gohar.almass@leeds.gov.uk Angela Gabriel 07946 632 468 angela.gabriel@leeds.gov.uk Andrew Scopes 07860 400 645 andrew.scopes@leeds.gov.uk

Hunslet & Riverside ward Includes the city centre, Beeston Hill and Hunslet. The three councillors are:

Mohammed Iqbal 0113 226 8796 mohammed.iqbal@leeds.gov.uk Elizabeth Nash 0113 275 8594 elizabeth.nash@leeds.gov.uk Paul Wray 07528 512 649 paul.wray@leeds.gov.uk

Middleton Park ward Includes Belle Isle and Middleton. The three councillors are:

Judith Blake Kim Groves Paul Truswell

0113 378 9000 judith.blake@leeds.gov.uk 07891 741 832 kim.groves@leeds.gov.uk 0113 378 8811 paul.truswell@leeds.gov.uk

Leeds Central MP – Rt Hon Hilary Benn Hilary Benn is our MP. He represents the Leeds Central constituency which covers Hunslet, Middleton, Belle Isle, Beeston, Holbeck, Cottingley in south Leeds as well as the city centre, Hyde Park, Woodhouse, Little London, Lincoln Green, Burmantofts, Richmond Hill and Osmondthorpe.

Contact: hilary.benn.mp@parliament.uk, www.hilarybennmp.com Constituency office: Suite 7, Unity Business Centre, 26 Roundhay Road, Leeds LS7 1AB; phone: 0113 244 1097

What a privilege to host a play

by West Yorkshire Playhouse in our living room. Thank you for asking us. It was fantastic.

Pat Ainsworth We were lucky to see this too at Paul and Pat’s. Thanks for the invite, it was a brilliant evening.

Andrea Render

Broom Pit I worked at Middleton Broom Colliery until it closed, then I

moved to Pontefract, and worked at Kellingley (Big K). I took my grandchildren on the Santa Train when they were younger than now, they would have been 5 & 7 years old. Santa said “Come with me children” and showed them some coal. My grandaugter said to me “Why is he showing us coal when you have two bunkers full at home?” I still use solid fuel!

Billy Osborne

Overgrown hedges An overgrown hedge in Grovehalls prevents my son Tauseef from getting through in his wheelchair.

This is not the only place where hedges are not confined to within the boundaries of the residents property.

Overhangs create obstacles for the elderly, infirm, pram and wheelchair users and those with sensory impairments.

Could everyone please take extra care to ensure your garden hedges are not restricting the independence of the vulnerable in our communities.

Naseem

Join the debate Comment online; by email: info@southleedslife.com; or post to: 224 Cross Flatts Grove, Leeds, LS11 7BW. Letters may be edited for publication.

Corrections & clarifications Topping Out at the wrong school In our June edition (Envisioning a Public Artwork for South Leeds, p14) should have read The ‘Athena Rising’ mural by Nomad Clan commissioned by East Street Arts along with LeedsBID for the side of City House (now Platform), above the train station, is the biggest in Europe.

Keep up to date with planning issues in LS10 and LS11 We publish a weekly list of all new planning applications online at: www.southleedslife.com

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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: @edleeds The Holy Spirit community garden (outside the old church on Tempest Road in #Beeston Hill, just up from @HamaraCentre) was looking abundant this morning: strawbs, rosemary, mint, rhubarb, thyme + more. Go help yourselves (please pick, don't dig!), + get in touch to get involved. @LeedsSouthBank #SouthBankLeeds has received another boost with the addition of a vibrant art installation by acclaimed artist, Morag Myerscough. The colourful design has been installed within a pedestrian crossing, a first for Leeds and the North of England. bit.ly/2LKSwgM

@senseofpitch So proud of #musicfederation and @NewBewerleySch in @LeedsTownHall. So great to see 7 year olds genuinely loving the music of Elgar and Copland. Massive thanks to Whitaker Mills and to @davidlmusic for steering the ship. @Opera_North orchestra sounding wonderful as always! @Southleedsradio South Leeds Radio is almost ready to launch, come and chat to us at Hunslet Gala next Sat 30th Jun. We are looking for volunteers to help in this new exciting project @WYP_RPU Domestic Street Leeds van seized due to no tax since 2016, also No MOT

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July-August 2018 | South Leeds Life

Arts 13

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Theatre searches for heart of Leeds West Yorkshire Playhouse has now closed its doors for a major refurbishment and will re-open as the Leeds Playhouse. For its final performances it chose a much loved classic - Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads and a new piece of community theatre Searching For The Heart Of Leeds.

A Cream Cracker Under The Settee

Two Beeston boys S

earching for the Heart of Leeds was written by Mark Catley based on interviews with over 200 Loiners and is performed by a cast of community actors drawn from across the city.

Mark lived in Beeston for 27 years and wrote the play Sunbeam Terrace. These days he writes for Holby City, Eastenders and Casualty, for which he won a BAFTA this year.

Before the performances we spoke to Mark and to actor Hossein Ahmadi, a young Kurdish-Iranian refugee who now lives in Beeston.

“It is really different to my

normal way of working” explains Mark. “I’ve curated it in a way, it’s good to have the stories given to you, but difficult to make it all make sense. We’ve got a central character, Ben. It’s her story, her search for the heart of Leeds.”

“Some of the stories when I read them I thought ‘Yes that’s Leeds.’ I got 20 minutes of the play from just two sentences someone said, but I felt it really represented my experience of the city.

“There is a Leeds-ness, it’s a mixture of humour and despondency; but also caring hearts – we look out

for each other.”

Hossein came to the UK two years ago, he has always wanted to act and is studying Performing Arts at Leeds City College. He also attends the First Floor project on a Saturday and was asked to audition for the part of a refugee in the play by Director, Alexander Ferris.

He’s very excited about the play: “I love it, I can’t wait to get on stage! Learning the lines was difficult because English is my third language, but I worked really hard and got them memorised. Now I want more lines and a bigger part!”

Searching For The Heart Of Leeds T

Marlene Sidaway as Doris in A Cream Cracker Under The Settee get help, but also her reflections

by Jeremy Morton on her life. It was first performed was privileged to see a by Thora Hird on TV in 1988. performance of one of Alan The role of Doris was brilliantly Bennett’s ‘Talking Heads’ plays … brought to life by Marlene Sidaway in a living room in Middleton. and the intimacy of the setting West Yorkshire Playhouse have brought a new immediacy to the been touring Leeds bringing a performance. revival of Leeds’ own playwright As an audience we weren’t iconic monologues, to peoples’ looking down on a lit stage, or homes as part of their 50th peering at the TV screen, Doris anniversary celebrations. They was right in front of us and at have visited all 29 LS postcodes times it was a struggle not to get and I was welcomed into Paul & up and help her.

Pat’s home in Middleton to see “A Thirty years have gone by since Cream Cracker Under The Settee.” the monologue was written and Doris is an elderly widow who the world has changed. Bennett’s has suffered a fall at home. The writing, particularly his eye for play covers not only her struggle to detail and the way he explores big

I

Photo: Jeremy Morton truths through apparently mundane details, means that the play is both dated and not dated.

Doris starts off by ranting against the inability of her Home Help to dust her house properly.

Unfortunately older people no longer get such support, but only ‘personal care’ ... if they’re lucky.

Also there’s no phone in the house – common enough in 1988, but very unusual now.

But these are minor points, the big issues of living in your own home, or going into a care home “smelling of pee” is just as pertinent today. As is the issue of being isolated in your own community.

FREE theatre tickets with South Leeds Goes To The Playhouse

W

hilst the main theatres undergo transformation, Leeds Playhouse has created a pop-up space, so that the show can go on.

That means our FREE* ticket scheme can continue too. When we say ‘free’ there is, of course, a catch.

You do get two free tickets, plus a free programme, but in return you have to write a review of the show. Or if you prefer you can talk to one of our reporters who will write up your review.

Interested? Have a look at the shows coming up and choose one (or more) that interests you, then

email us at info@ southleedslife.com telling us why you would like to see the show.

Road - Friday 7 September On an unnamed Northern street, our drunken tour guide Scullery stumbles through living rooms, over cobbles and past lives. Through one raucous night, we meet the many bold, browbeaten and brave residents of this forgotten road.

Europe - Tuesday 16 October David Greig’s 1994 exploration of changing identities in a contemporary society . Set in and around a small-town railway

station, Europe follows the plight of two economic refugees as they arrive in an unnamed town near an unnamed European border.

Partition - Wed 7 November Nick Ahad’s play premiered last year and examines the shadow still cast today by the partition of India and Pakistan 70 years ago.

A Christmas Carol - Fri 23 Nov Charles Dickens’ classic follows the adventure of cold-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge on Christmas Eve in Victorian Leeds.

There is much more including community performances. Find out more on the new website: leedsplayhouse.org.uk

by Cath Adamson

his play, which is more of an experience than a play, takes us on an allsinging, all-dancing journey through a series of short stories based on tales from local residents, past and present.

They are interwoven into the beautiful, over-arching tale of Ben; a young adult who doesn’t like “other people”. Ben’s quest is to find the “Heart of Leeds”, by talking to the people, with just three chances to find the correct answer.

Ben is helped along the way by a wise, but curmudgeonly, gentleman who provides pointers and clues. He holds the key to answering the question, but does not reveal his own story and identity until the

correct answer is found… in the final act.

The cast and band are a superb mix of talented performers from the local community; a wonderfully diverse and inclusive representation of the people of Leeds, each with their own unique identity, and tale to tell. Some of the performers portray their own stories, giving the production a real sense of integrity and reality.

Searching for the Heart of Leeds is an emotional, and sensitively produced, journey through Leeds, the suburbs, the diversity of our communities, and the problems the city is faced with. It is a “warts and all” view of the city, but still manages to portray an image of “a city that cares”, as Ben describes it. It takes

The cast of Searchoing For The Heart Of Leeds

the viewer from laughter to tears and back again in the blink of an eye, as it jumps between tales of humour, sorrow, joy, and loss.

This production is a fantastic achievement for the community and city of Leeds, refreshing and rejuvenating my attitude towards the city. It inspired me to see Leeds from a kinder and more sympathetic perspective, and left me feeling somewhat guilty that I opted for a taxi to the venue rather than starting a conversation at the bus stop.

A thoroughly enjoyable evening, showcasing an array of local talent, including singing, songwriting, dancing, acting, and musical performance. All great, all real, all Leeds!

Photo: David Lindsay

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South Leeds Life | July-August 2018

14 Local history

Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife

Hunslet rugby players at war

Retracing the tramway G

by Eric Smith

rowing up in a city with a tramway network means that impressionable youngsters can be bitten by the tram bug!

O

by Pat Benatmane

ne hundred years ago, a mighty war was drawing to its bloody close and local people would have been involved, so I have been asked to research what players and associates of Hunslet RLFC did during the war.

Many of the players, being part-time, would have been miners as coal runs under our area like a black river. Some miners were called up to tunnel under the trenches, but generally it was a reserved occupation. Making uniforms for the soldiers was also a vital job and would have occupied some of the players. Barnbow made ammunition – another job which our players may have done, but finding out which each player did is a difficult task as I haven’t found any lists of names for reserved occupations.

However, I have made progress on some and I’m asking for readers of South Leeds Life to help out on others.

There must be plenty of you still in the area who know that your greatgrandfather played for Hunslet and will have unique information on their war service.

Looking at the old photo taken outside the Pavilion at Hunslet with the 1907-08 team proudly showing off their

trophy, we see Smales (top row, left).

This was John Willie Smales who made his debut v. York in the 1905-06 season. In total he played 255 games for Hunslet as well as going on tour to Australia in 1914, so he was an accomplished player. He signed from Outwood Church club and was a forward, but what he did during 1915 to 1918, I can’t find out. Was he a miner?

Is he your relative?

Next to him is Fred Farrar, known as The Farsley Flyer. He played between 1906 and 1913 for Hunslet. In the 1911 census he’s down as 28yr and Professional Footballer. When he signed on he was 5 feet 8½ inches tall and had signed from Bramley. You might think he was too old to be called up but by 1918, the conscription age had risen to 52 years. What did he do during the war? Do you know?

In front of those two are Eagers and Randall. Jack Randall was one of the Terrible Six – the famous pack of forwards who dominated play. He signed for Hunslet from Featherstone in 1905 when he was 21 years old. I believe he joined the West Yorkshire Regiment and rose to Sergeant before being wounded in action. He died in 1940 aged 56yrs as the landlord of the Shakespeare Hotel on Meanwood

Road. But where was he when wounded?

William Joseph Eagers was also wounded and Hunslet put on a benefit game for him in 1921. I’ve found out quite a bit about him and it makes interesting reading. He’d signed from Bradford in 1905 but was originally from Millom in Cumberland and died there in 1959. Rather than wait to be called up, he went off to join the Legion of Frontiersmen. These were rather like guerrilla fighters at first – a law unto themselves – before the Army took them in, in order to control them. At the age of 38 Billy was off with his gun to Mombasa in East Africa, via a bit of action in Belgium. Rising up the ranks to Sergeant, he ended up in the Royal Fusiliers. Meanwhile, in 1917, his wife died, leaving a daughter, Louie.

Between 1918 and 1920, he’s still in Africa, this time in the Gold Coast, now called Ghana. So he had an adventurous life, but do you know more details of it?

If you have any details, however small they may seem, about Hunslet players and what they did in the Great War, please contact me via the Hunslet RLFC office. I have about 100 to find and for some we don’t even have photographs or addresses or first names.

Belle Isle hotel reunion 2018

B

efore it closed in 1988 the old Belle Isle Hotel was a hub for the community boasting its own rugby team.

The building on Low Grange Crescent is now the Victoria House Residential Home, but former player Mick Hyde has organised a second reunion night on Saturday 4 August at St Joseph’s Catholic Club on Whitfield Avenue in Hunslet, follwing last year’s successful event.

Mick commented: “The event is to bring together past players, supporters and friends who frequented the pub. Many

relationships were formed in the pub and I’m glad to say still exist with grown up children. The pub was definitely the hub of the Belle Isle community and surrounding areas.”

The concert room opens at 4pm with a disco by Dawn Silverwood to start at 6pm. A buffet will be provided.

This year’s re-union is sponsored

by Brian Cheetham, Founder of the Belle Isle ARLC and secretary from 1971 to 1991; and Sean Naughton, landlord of the Belle The Belle Isle Hotel in 1956 or 1957 Photo: Leodis.net © D McGough Isle pub from 1976 to 1992.

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Eric Smith in 1957 I was hooked before I was three, in 1940. It’s not uncommon. The French film maker Bernard Tavernier, of a similar age to me, in a newspaper interview told how much he’d loved the trams in Lyon.

Very early they taught him how to count and read, as he learned all their routes.

earlier at a tram enthusiasts day at Kirkstall gararge. It has such exotic destinations as ‘Middleton’, ‘Dewsbury Road’ ‘Briggate’ and ‘Chapeltown’.

I rode on the last 12 Circular (28 March 1959) as well as the last Moortown & Roundhay car as it came down Briggate the same evening. I rode on the last tram from Beeston (19 November 1955) and from Dewsbury Road (28 September 1957).

Three years ago I organised a walk for the Leeds Transport Historical Society and it proved so popular that we are doing it again on Monday 9 July at 7:15pm.

It’s an evening stroll down part of the trackbed of the Middleton tramway which carried passengers from 12 November 1925 to 28 March 1959.

The distance is about 11⁄2miles, but there is the option to continue short stretch between the open-cast mine site and the M621, near to the site of the Cuckoo Steps and the polars by the site of Parkside rugby ground.

The group will meet on the Ring Road Beeston Park at the junction with Bodmin Road at 7:15pm. Look for the start of a footpath signposted ‘Balkcliffe Lane’.

What remains to be seen? About

© Travel Lens Photographic A tram approaches Bulkcliffe Lane at the top of Middleton Woods It was like that for me c1941, waiting with my parents for for the No 5 to Beeston in New Market Street. “Dad, where does the No 21 go?” I could read the number, but the destination ‘Gipton Estate’ had proved to be too hard!

In the 1950s Leeds City Transport was always short of staff. ‘Wanted, Conductors and Conductresses’ was a notice to be found in all vehicles.

During the summer they took on students on vacation.

For me this was an unmissable opportunity to be near my beloved trams. Dad took photos of me in my uniform in our back garden with my prized, partly unrolled destination screen, purchased some years

a third of it. The trackbed through the woods, being inside the park itself, remains unchanged.

From there to the Cuckoo Steps the contours of the area were greatly changed by open cast coal mining in the early 1980s.

You can still walk on a section starting from the former Cuckoo Steps bridge (dual levels) over the two railway tracks and behind the former Parkside Cricket and Rugby Ground.

A few yards of Moor Road and Hunslet Moor can be seen further down, but the Coal Staithe site is burried beneath junction 4 of the M621, which also covers the trackbed to a point beyond Parkside.

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July-August 2018 | South Leeds Life

People 15

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Mixed Martial Arts Obituary: Pro vs Childminder Geoff Gunney MBE F

by Gareth Evans

ew players in any sport can rival the remarkable commitment Geoff Gunney showed to one club – Hunslet Rugby League Club.

Geoff made his debut for Hunslet in 1951. He would go on to spend his entire playing career with Hunslet spanning 23 seasons and saw him play 579 games.

Like numerous other future Hunslet players Geoff grew up close to the Parkside ground and was regular supporter of the club during his childhood. He attended Dewsbury Road school and graduated through the renowned local Schools system to Hunslet Juniors before he was signed as for the professional club by Jack Walkington. He made his debut against Cardiff on Saturday 15 September 1951 and remained at the Hunslet for the next 23 years playing 579 games in which he scored 126 tries and landed 73 goals.

The undoubted high points of this period in the club’s history were appearances in the 1959 Championship final and the 1965 Challenge Cup decider. Geoff was a key player in both of the sides that played in these matches, scoring a try in the 44-22 defeat by St Helens in 1959 and taking his customary second-row birth at Wembley in 1965 classic, which ended in a 20-16 defeat to runaway favourites Wigan.

In all Geoff played in 4 of the 5 finals the club appeared in during

his career, but sadly injury caused him to miss out on the only victory, which came in the 1962 Yorkshire Cup Final against Hull Kingston Rovers.

Geoff’s stature as a player during the 1950s and 1960s was also reflected in his representative career. In an era of rich talent and much international success for Great Britain, he represented his

Geoff Gunney in full flight for Hunslet country in 11 test matches and made 2 trips to Australisia, the first with the 1954 Lions and the second with the World Cup squad in 1957. He also played 11 times for Yorkshire, and, as well as representing ‘The Rest’ against tournament winners Australia whilst on the 1957 World Cup tour, he also played for the Northern

Hemisphere side against New Zealand.

For the 1970 Birthday Honours Geoff was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to rugby league football.

He played in the last game at Parkside in 1973 Geoff’s greatest contributions to the game came in much more poignant circumstances. Just eight years after appearing for Hunslet at Wembley in 1965, he played in the last ever match at Parkside, as the famous old ground was sold to a development company when the club fell into financial difficulties.

Geoff was the last player to leave the field that day as professional Rugby League in Hunslet seemed to have ended. But after securing the local Greyhound stadium, the club was reformed as New Hunslet and successfully applied to take the place of the old club at the start of the 1973-74 season.

Alongside the supporters club, Geoff played a key role in these developments, working tirelessly to bring the new ground up to standard, enlisting help from the local business community, coaching the side, and he even designed a set of new style ‘tuning fork’ posts for the ground. The resurrected club had a new badge depicting a rising phoenix to symbolise their rebirth.

It’s fair to say that without Geoff Gunney, the club as we know it today would not be in existence.

Thank you Geoff - Rest in Peace “Mr Hunslet”

T

by Lucy Potter

alented Tom Crosby is a professional Mixed Martial Artist based in Middleton, who is fast becoming a well known figure of the local community for representing the sport nationally.

Not only is this man winning gold away from home, but by day he is a childminder at Crosby’s Little Angels.

Tom, nicknamed ‘The Viking’ is from Middleton and is a professional Mixed Martial Artist (MMA is also known as Cage Fighting).

Alongside this he competes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ); both being full-contact high combat sports.

Originally a rugby league player, Tom decided to practice MMA and BJJ for extra fitness. However, the hobby soon required more time, turning his focus from potential professional rugby player to MMA intstead.

Before turning professional Tom represented the UK as an amateur and had a total of 21 fights with 14 wins, 6 losses, and 1 no contest.

Five years on and ‘The Viking’ now competes professionally in MMA as a welterweight (77kg and 5’10”) and has won two bouts so far, one by TKO (Technical Knockout), and

Tom ‘The Viking’ Crosby (centre) on the winner’s podium the other 2-0. sports at the local gym, and I can’t help but wonder if this is blended with the there’s any transferable childminding business by skills between MMA and bringing the older boys they Child Minding? Perhaps the look after for Martial Arts sharp attention to detail, training too. There’s also no the energy it takes helping shortage of support that keep the kids active or Tom receives from his balancing the demands of family, and his pre-fight toddlers which helps? ritual includes writing his Tom said, “There’s so wife and kids names on his much to learn from both hand wraps. children and the sport.”

Tom recently competed Tom got into childminding and won the British Open in whilst helping his mum out BJJ (13 May) at blue belt looking after his little level. Tom explains it can brother, something which take up to ten years to naturally led to them become a black belt in BJJ opening their own as it’s all about ability and successful childminding when your instructor says business. I asked him what you’re ready. the parents think, he said He says the BJJ is one “They love it!” aspect of MMA which is a With training starting at submission sport including 6am, and then again grappling and knee locks, straight after work, he and ‘tapping out’ your demonstrates the value of opponent to win. He says discipline for a younger it’s a fun thing to do in generation. between MMA contests and Tom also teaches both keeps him busy!

Local heroes recognised at Tenfold Awards 2018 S

Adam Ogilvie recieves his Special Recognition Award from Leeds Rhino Nathaniel Peteru

outh Leeds was well represented at the recent Tenfold Awards, both amongst nominees and winners.

Adam Ogilvie, who stood down as a Councilloor for Beeston & Holbeck in May, won a Special Recognition Award. Adam was the long standing co-chair of the Leeds Learning Disability (LD) Partnership Board.

Kath Lindley Tenfold’s Director said: “He has been an amazing champion for us, and has helped us to deliver lots of interventions that have made massive improvements to the lives of people with LD in Leeds – he will be sadly missed, but remains a trustee on the Tenfold Board.”

Lynn Bailey who runs Better Action For Families (BAFF) won Employee of the Year.

Kath Lindley described Lynn as “A powerhouse. She is an amazing woman and BAFF were entered in nearly all the categories this year, because they deliver so much.”

Lynn was inspired to form BAFF by her daughter Leanne.

Together with her brilliant team, they also work on the Good Lives Leaders Scheme, a sort of ‘Trip Advisor’ which ensures that services and activities for people with LD are delivered in a person centred, meaningful and appropriate way, and meet quality standards set by people with LD themselves.

Commenting on her award, Lynn Bailey told South Leeds Life: “I am so pleased to have been chosen for the Employee of the Year 2018 at the Tenfold Awards.

“Everyone works very hard

at Better Action for Families and we were nominated in 5 catergories. It was such a suprise and I'm over the moon that I have been recognised for all the hard work I have done over the past 15years.

“My daughter Leanne won the night by giving a speech saying I was the best mum in the world and I was fantastic.

Everyone had a tear in their eye especially me. A massive thank you to all the judges.”

The Tenfold Awards recognise and celebrate achievement in the learning disability sector. This includes the amazing work that Tenfold member organisations do, the contribution of service users and work in the statutory sector supporting and delivering learning disability services.

Lynn Bailey: Employee of the Year

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South Leeds Life | July-August 2018

16 What’s On

What’s On Your guide to events and activities across South Leeds in July and August Please check that regular events are not affected by school holidays, 26 July - 4 September Full contact details can be found in our online What’s On guide at www.southleedslife.com/events Every Monday

GTT: Digital Access Holbeck 9am-12pm St Luke’s Church, Malvern Road, Beeston Hill Bridge Cafe 9:30am-2:30pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Women & Girls’ Drop In 9:30am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project 43 Stratford Street, Beeston Computers with Digital Angels 10-11:30am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Lychee Red – Chinese Elders Gp 10am-12pm Parocial Hall, North Lingwell Road, Middleton Julie’s Ancestry Group 10am & 1pm BITMO’s GATE Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road Crafts 10-11:30am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Avenue Walk and Talk 11am-12pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Breathe Easy 11:30am-12:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston.

Lunch Club 11:30am-1pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Lunch Club 12-1:30pm Cottingley Community Centre Bowling 12:30-4pm Cross Flatts Park Women’s Wellbeing Group 1-3pm Belle Isle Family Centre, Belle Isle Road Dance 2-3pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Avenue Triathlon Training 4:15-5:45pm Middleton Cycle Hub Kickboxing 6-8:30pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Hunslet Warriors Juniors 6-7pm Warrior Park, The Oval South Leeds Spartans Girls Rugby 6-7pm Corinthians RUFC, Ring Road Middleton, by Leisure Centre DAZL DanceFit (women 16+) 6-7pm Tenants Hall Enterprise Centre, Acre Close, Middleton South Leeds Sisters running 6.15pm South Leeds Stadium St Matthew’s Youth Club 6:30-8:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck DanceFit 7pm Middleton Parochial Hall Middle Tones Singing Group 7-9pm Tenants Hall Enterprise Centre, Acre Close, Middleton Adult Jazz & Tap Dance 7-8pm Cottingley Community Centre Zumba 7-8pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston

Every Tuesday

Mums & Tots 9-11am Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle Bridge Cafe 9:30am-2:30pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Keep Fit for over 55’s 9:30am Trinity Network, Belle Isle,

Nesfield church hall Tots, Tea and Toast 9:30-11:15am St Luke’s Church, Malvern Road, Beeston Heart to Heart Breakfast 9:30am Asha Neighbourhood Project, 43 Stratford Street Coffee Morning 9:30am-12pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston HEA’s Tea & Toast breakfast 10am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Baking 10-11am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Breastfeeding Support 10am-12pm Middleton Family Centre, 252-262 Sissons Road Friendship Group 10am-12pm Hunslet Methodist Church, Telford Terrace, Balm Rd General fitness over 55's 10-11am St Anthony's church hall, Beeston Community Coffee Morning 10-11:30am Beeston Library Yoga class 10:30-11:30am Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street HEA’s Singing Group 11am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Knit & Natter 10:30am-12pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre Gentle Exercise 11.30am-12:30pm Cottingley Community Centre Lunch Club 11:30am-1pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Lunch Club 12pm Arthington Court, Hunslet HEA’s Lunch Club 12:15-1:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Lunch Club 12:30pm Salvation Army, Hunslet Hall Road, Beeston Bowling 12:30-4pm Cross Flatts Park Dancing In Time 1:30-3pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Stay & Play 1:30-3pm Building Blocks Nursery, Maud Avenue, Beeston Line Dancing 1:30-2:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Social Afternoon 1:30-3pm Arthington Ct, Hunslet Line Dancing 2-3:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Summer Sports Tuesdays 4:30-6pm West Grange Courts, Belle Isle Rainbows, Brownies, Guides 4:30-9:15pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Inside Out wellbeing group 6-8pm Conservative Club, Ring Road Middleton Middleton Park All-Rounders 6:30pm Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston Hub Choir 6:30pm Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck Craft & Social Evening

6:30pm Woodhouse Hill Community Centre, Hunslet Carr Free Football Sessions 6:30-7:30pm 8-12 year olds 7:30-8:30pm 13-16 year olds Holbeck Community Centre, Elland Road, LS11 0AB Women’s Boot Camp 6:45-7:45 Middleton Park Bike Hub, LS10 3TN South Leeds Lakers running 7pm from Beeston Co-op

Every Wednesday

Bacon Butty Breakfast and Wednesday Weigh In 9-11am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Messy Time 9:15-11am Middleton Play & Learning Centre, Throstle Lane Parents and Toddlers 9:15-11:15am Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Get Fit Where You Sit 9:15-10:15 Lane End Primary School, Beeston Road Bridge Cafe 9:30am-2:30pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park City Tots 9:30-11am City Evangelical Church, Cemetery Road Pop Up Council Services 9:30am-2:30pm Cottingley Community Centre Chair mobility 10-10:45am Trinity Network, Belle Isle, Nesfield church hall Breaklfast Club & Foodbank 10am-12pm Hunslet Methodist Church, Telford Terrace Rags to Riches Sewing Group 10am-12pm Tenants Hall Ent. Centre, Acre Close, Middleton Women’s Walking Group 10-11am BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle HEA’s Shopping Trip 10am-1pm Holbeck Elderly Aid, Domestic Street CAP Job Club 10am-12pm Two Willows Children’s Centre, Cardinal Sq Community Craft Cafe 10am-12pm Church of the Nazarene, Hunslet Hall Road Money Advice 10:15am-3pm St George’s Centre, Middleton Dancing In Time 10:30am-12pm St John & St Barnabas Church, Belle Isle Road Free Zumba 12-12:45pm Middleton Leisure Centre HEA’s Lunch & Film Afternoon 12-3pm Ingram Gardens Community Centre, Holbeck Grandparents’ Group 12:30-2:30pm Tenants Hall Ent. Centre, Acre Close, Middleton Bumps & Buggy Fit 1-2pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Line Dancing 1:45pm Trinity Network, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle At Home In Holbeck 2-3pm Ingram Road Primary School Walk and Talk

2-3pm meet outside Greggs, Middleton Park Circus Knit and Crochet Group 3-5pm Costa Coffee, Crown Point Retail Park Aerobics and Dance 3:30-4:30pm Cottingley Primary Academy DAZL Dance class (6-12yrs) 4:45-5:45pm Watsonian Pavilion Cross Flatts Park, Beeston DAZL Dance class 5-6pm Cottingley Community Centre 1st Beeston Beaver Scouts 6-7:30pm St Andrews Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston Hunslet Warriors Juniors 6-7pm Warrior Park, The Oval South Leeds Spartans Girls Rugby 6-7pm Corinthians RUFC, Ring Road Middleton, by Leisure Centre City Kids (R-Y6) 6-7:15pm City Evangelical Church, Cemetery Road HITT Training Class 6-7pm Belle Isle Family Centre Cottingley Youth Club 6:30-8:30pm Cottingley Community Centre DanceFit 6:30pm Middleton Parochial Hall, Town Street Zumba 7-8pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston Middleton Mavericks running 7pm South Leeds Stadium Martial Arts 7-9pm Beeston Juniors, Cardinal Square Clubbercise 7:30-8:30pm St John & St Barnabas Church Hall, Belle Isle Camera Club 8pm upstairs at St George’s Centre, Middleton

Every Thursday

Mums & Tots 9-11am Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle Stay & Play 9-11am St Anthony’s Church Hall, Old Lane, Beeston Charity Shop 9:30am-3pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Bridge Cafe 9:30am-2:30pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park HEA’s Community Cafe 10-11:30am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Ping Pong / Model Making 10-11:30am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Middleton Park Estate Volunteers 10am-3pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre New Lives Group 10-11:30am Cottingley Children’s Centre Storytime (under 5s) 11-11:30am Dewsbury Road Community Hub, Beeston Bumps & Buggy Fit 11:15am-12:15pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre Chair based mobility group 11:15am-12:30pm Beeston Village Community Ctr

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Lunch Club 11:30am-1pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Lunch Club 12-1:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Line Dancing 1pm Trinity Network, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Little Explorers Baby Group 1-2:30pm Middleton Play & Learning Centre, Throstle Lane New Lives Group 1-2:30pm Two Willows Children’s Centre, Cardinal Square Digital Image Online Photography 1:15-3:15pm Cockburn Skills Hub, Gipsy Lane Breathe Easy gentle exercise 1:30pm Hunslet Methodist Church Telford Terrace, off Balm Road Social Afternoon 1:30-3pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Activites with Rocky 1:30-2:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Craft Group 1:30-3:30pm Cleveleys Court, Holbeck Vale Circles Autism Hub 2-7pm Vale Circles Centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Children’s Summer Sports 4:30-6pm West Grange Courts, Belle Isle Community Choir 5pm Cockburn School, Gipsy Lane Kidz Klub Middleton 5:05-6:15pm Middleton Primary School, Middleton Park Avenue Mini & Junior Rugby 6-7pm Leeds Corinthians, Ring Road, Middleton General Fitness 6-7pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Middleton Park All-Rounders 6:30pm Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston Indoor Bowls 7-10pm The Holbeck (WMC), Jenkinson Lawn Youth Drop In 7-9pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Yoga class 7:30-8:30pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street

10:45-11:35am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Breathe Easy gentle exercise 11:30 Parochial Hall, North Lingwell Road, Middleton Lunch Club 11:30am-1pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Luncheon Club 12-1:30pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street HEA’s Fish & Chip Lunch Club 12:30-1:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Bowling 12:30-4pm Cross Flatts Park Krok Po Kroku (Polish Group) 12:30-2:30pm Tenants Hall Enterprise Centre, Acre Close, Middleton Ballroom Dancing 1-2:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Dancing In Time 1:30-3pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck HEA’s Games Afternoon 1:30-3pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Gentle Chair Exercise Class 1.45-2.45pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Rhymetime 2pm Beeston Library, Town St Girls Football 6-7pm Beeston Juniors, Cardinal Square Church Lads’ & Girls Brigade 6-8pm St John & St Barnabas Church, Belle Isle Road Friday Night Project 6-9pm Middleton Leisure Centre 1st Beeston Cub Scouts 6:15-7:45pm St Andrews Community Centre, Cardinal Road 1st Beeston Scouts 8-9:30pm St Andrews Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston

Every Friday

Tea & Toast 9am Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Charity Shop, Tea & Toast 9am-12pm Beeston Hill United Free Church, Malvern Road Bridge Cafe 9:30am-2:30pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Breastfeeding Support Group 9:45-11:15am Mothercare cafe, Crown Point Retail Park Stretch and Tone 9:45-10:30 St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Under 5s Storytime 10-11am Dewsbury Road Library HEA’s Tea & Toast Breakfast 10am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Cuppa, Toast and Games 10am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Computers with Digital Angels 10-11:30am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Middleton Minstrels Women’s Choir 10:30am-12:30pm Tenant Hall, Acre Close, Middleton Dancing In Time 10:30am-12pm St John & St Barnabas Church, Belle Isle Road Yoga

Every Saturday

Breakfast Club 8:30-11am Vale Circles Centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Cross Flatts parkrun 9am Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park, Beeston Middleton Woods parkrun 9am Leeds Urban Bike Park, Ring Road, Middleton Breakfast Club 9-11am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Police Contact Point 9:30-11:30am St George’s Centre, Middleton Middleton Park All-Rounders 10am Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston Kidz ‘n’ Co 10:30am-12:30pm Cottingley Community Centre Middleton Railway 11am-5pm Moor Road, Hunslet Bingo Afternoon 12:30-3:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Tennis For Free 2-3:30pm Cross Flatts Park

Every Sunday

Cross Flatts junior parkrun 9am, top of Cross Flatts Park Middleton Railway 11am-5pm Moor Road, Hunslet

Full details of every event including map and contact details are available at www.southleedslife.com/ events

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Saturday 30 June Family Art Workshop 11am-3pm The Tetley, Hunslet Rd Hunslet Gala 11:30am-4pm Recreation Ground, off Church Street Festival of Brewers 12-8pm New Craven Hall, New Craven Gate, off Dewsbury Road Teens Club 1-5pm Vale Circles centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Sunday 1 July Holbeck Clean Up 12pm The Holbeck (WMC) Jenkinson Lawn Bring & Share Picnic 1:30-3pm Holbeck Moor Grangemoor Brass Band 2:30-4:30pm from Middleton Park Yorkshire Rams v Northumberland Vikings 2:30pm South Leeds Stadium Monday 2 July MEA Coffee Morning 10-11:30am Manorfield Hall, Newall Road, Belle Isle Lego Club 3:30-4:30pm Dewbury Road Community Hub, Beeston HEA Supper Club 5-7pm Ingram Court, Domestic Street, Holbeck Tuesday 3 July Mostly Men! 10am-12pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Oddsocks present The Tempest 7-9:30pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Wednesday 4 July Walk &Talk Walking Group 11am-1pm MEA Social Centre, Middleton Park Avenue Hunslet Rugby Memories 12-2pm The Prospect pub, Moor Road, Hunslet Pot-a-Tea Dementia Café 1:30-3:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Live Entertainment Elvis Tribute 2-3:30pm MEA Social Centre, Middleton Park Avenue Lego Club 3:30-4:30pm Beeston Library, Town Street Reading The Realness 6-7pm The Tetley, Hunslet Road Thursday 5 July Music, Arts, Dance and Drama 6:30pm Cockburn John Charles Academy, Old Run Road Hunslet Carr Residents Assoc

6:30pm Community Centre, Woodhouse Hill Avenue Beeston Community Forum 7:30pm Old White Hart, Town St Saturday 7 July Coffee Morning 10am-12pm St Andrew’s Comm Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston Charity Coffee Morning 10am-12pm Hunslet Methodist Church, Telford Terrace, Balm Rd Belle Isle Community Gala 11am-2pm Windmill Primary School, Windmill Road Holbeck Gala 12-4pm Holbeck Moor Teens Club 1-5pm Vale Circles centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Sunday 8 July Sunday Lunch 1-3pm Ingram Gardens Community Centre, Holbeck West Yorkshire Brass Band 2-4pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Sunday Bands and Dog Show 2:30-4:30pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park, Beeston Monday 9 July HEA Memory Cafe 12:30-2:30pm Ingram Gardens Community Centre, Holbeck Tramway Walk 7:15pm Junction of Ring Road Middleton and Bodmin Road Tuesday 10 July Senior Strollers 10-11:30am Cross Flatts Park, Parkfield Avenue entrance Hearing Aid Clinic 10am-12pm MEA Social Centre, Middleton Park Avenue Leeds Aphasia Cafe 1-3pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Camera Club 3-4:30pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub, Beeston Elland Road Park & Ride expansion consultation 5-8pm Hillside Enterprise Centre, Beeston Road Friends of Stank Hall 7:30pm The Broadway pub, Dewsbury Road, Beeston Wednesday 11 July Afternoon Matinee (The Greatest Showman) 12:30-3pm St Andrew’s Comm Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston Tea Dance 1:30-3pm MEA Social Centre,

What’s On 17 Middleton Park Avenue Thursday 12 July HEA Supper Club 5-7pm Ingram Gardens Community Centre, Holbeck Saturday 14 July No Stress Yoga 10-11:30am The Tetley, Hunslet Road Summer Fair 10am-2pm MEA Social Centre, Middleton Park Avenue Beeston Festival 12-5pm Cross Flatts Park Sunday 15 July Walk Around The Park 1.30-4pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Leeds Dads 2-4pm The Tetley, Hunslet Road Hunslet RLFC v Bradford Bulls 3pm South Leeds Stadium Monday 16 July HEA Morley Shop/Swim trip 9am-12pm from St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck HEA Supper Club 5-7pm Ingram Court, Domestic Street, Holbeck Wednesday 18 July Walk &Talk Walking Group 11am-1pm MEA Social Centre, Middleton Park Avenue Thanksgiving Remembrance Service 1-2pm St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Old Lane, Beeston Thursday 19 July Jobs Day 9:30am-4pm BITMO’s GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road St Luke’s Tenants & Residents 6pm St Luke’s Church, Malvern Road, Beeston Saturday 21 July South Leeds Walkers - Snowdon Meet 8am United Free Church, Malvern Road, Beeston Ramblers group Meet 9am St Mary’s Church, Town Street, Beeston Young Archaeologists Club 10am-12pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Trentham Park Work Group 11am-2pm Trentham Park, Trentham Street, Beeston Teens Club 1-5pm Vale Circles centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Hunslet Club Summer Gala 12-4pm-late The Hunslet Club, Hillidge Road

Sunday 22 July HEA Sunday Lunch 12-1:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck BITMO Lunch Club 1-3pm BITMO’s GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road Maltings Court Lunch Club 1-3pm Maltings Court, Maltings Road, Beeston Rock & Folk Festival 12-4pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Hunslet RLFC v Doncaster 3pm South Leeds Stadium Monday 23 July HEA Showcase Cinema trip 11am-3pm from St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Tuesday 24 July The Creatives 3:30-4:30pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub, Beeston Wednesday 25 July Tiny Tetley 10:30-11:30am; 11:45-12:45 The Tetley, Hunslet Road Cop Shop Memory Cafe 1-3pm Elland Road Police Station Arm in Arm Memory Cafe 1:30-3pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Thursday 26 July Hunslet Remembered 10am-12pm Hunslet Library HEA Supper Club 5-7pm Ingram Gardens Community Centre, Holbeck Saturday 28 July Trentham Park Work Group 11am-2pm Trentham Park, Trentham Street, Beeston Summer Fair 2-4pm Hunslet Methodist Church, Telford Terrace, Balm Rd Sunday 29 July Garforth Jubilee Brass Band 2:30-4:30pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Yorkshire Rams v Glsgow Tigers 2:30pm South Leeds Stadium Wednesday 1 August Middleton Railway 11am-5pm Moor Road, Hunslet Hunslet Rugby Memories 12-2pm The Prospect pub, Moor Road, Hunslet Lego Club 3:30-4:30pm Beeston Library, Town Street Thursday 2 August Hunslet Carr Residents Assoc 6:30pm Community Centre,

Beer for the grown ups, cricket for the kids H

unslet Nelson Cricket Club invite you to their inaugural Beer Festival (if you’re old enough).

You’ll be able to sample six fine ales supplied by Partners Brewery and it’s free entry. The festival takes place on the Saturday and Sunday of the bank holiday weekend, 25 & 26 August from 11am-11pm each day.

On the Saturday you can watch Hunslet Nelson’s league match against Gomersal whilst you sup.

The club will also be running a cricket camp from Monday 13 Friday 17 August at their Gipsy Lane, Beeston ground (opposite Cockburn School).

The camp will run each day

July-August 2018 | South Leeds Life

from 10am - 3pm and costs £8 per day. It will be run by fully qualified and DBS checked

coaches.

Ring Brian Farrell for more information on 07749 612353

Woodhouse Hill Avenue Beeston Community Forum 7:30pm Old White Hart, Town St Saturday 4 August South Leeds Live at Home Summer Fayre 10am-12pm St Andrew’s Comm Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston No Stress Yoga 10-11:30am The Tetley, Hunslet Road Trentham Park Work Group 11am-2pm Trentham Park, Trentham Street, Beeston Teens Club 1-5pm Vale Circles centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Sunday 5 August Nature Walk 1.30-4pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Tuesday 7 August Mostly Men! 10am-12pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Wednesday 8 August Middleton Railway 11am-5pm Moor Road, Hunslet Thursday 9 August Mini Breeze on Tour 1-5pm Cross Flatts Park, Beeston Saturday 11 August Trentham Park Work Group 11am-2pm Trentham Park, Trentham Street, Beeston Sunday 12 August Family Art Workshop 11am-3pm The Tetley, Hunslet Rd Keep Fit Fun Day 2-4pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Hunslet RLFC v Hemel Stags 3pm South Leeds Stadium Tuesday 14 August Senior Strollers 10-11:30am Cross Flatts Park, Parkfield Avenue entrance Leeds Aphasia Cafe 1-3pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Camera Club 3-4:30pm Dewsbury Road

Community Hub, Beeston Friends of Stank Hall 7:30pm The Broadway pub, Dewsbury Road, Beeston Wednesday 15 August Middleton Railway 11am-5pm Moor Road, Hunslet Thursday 16 August Jobs Day 9:30am-4pm BITMO’s GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road St Luke’s Tenants & Residents 6pm St Luke’s Church, Malvern Road, Beeston Sunday 19 August 5th Middleton Park Dog Show 1-4pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Monday 20 August Mini Breeze on Tour 1-5pm Middleton Park, Town St Wednesday 22 August Middleton Railway 11am-5pm Moor Road, Hunslet Saturday 26 August Beer Festival 11am-11pm Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston Sunday 27 August Beer Festival 11am-11pm Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston Birds of Prey Experience 2-4pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Monday 28 August Middleton Railway 11am-5pm Moor Road, Hunslet Family Art Workshop 11am-3pm The Tetley, Hunslet Rd Wednesday 29 August Middleton Railway 11am-5pm Moor Road, Hunslet Walk & Talk 11am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Cop Shop Memory Cafe 1-3pm Elland Road Police Station Arm in Arm Memory Cafe 1:30-3pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave

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Holbeck clean up & bring and share picnic S

unday 1 July is the date for a community clean up followed by a bring and share picnic on the Moor.

Organiser Kate Alty said: “It’s a chance to come together as a community, do a bit of litter picking, chat to each other, meet the police and cleansing teams and work together to make Holbeck a better place!”

All residents are invited to meet outside The Holbeck (Working Men's Club) at 12pm and finish off with a bring and share picnic on the moor (in front of the park) at 1:30-3pm.

The event has been organised by The Reference

Group (a group of community organisations that meet with council and police to discuss

and create positive change around the managed approach).

South Leeds Life | July-August 2018

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18 What’s On

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Review: Material Environments at The Tetley M

by Bruce Davies

aterial Environments, the current exhibition at The Tetley, is an experimental exhibition with five artists whose work addresses physical and psychological change.

Utilising a wide range of methods and materials the artworks address subjects such as botany, chemical science, architecture, music and social media with a healthy sprinkling of pop culture references.

“I’m so happy because today I’ve found my friends They’re in my head I’m so ugly, but that’s okay, ’cause so are you” As I head up the staircase into the exhibition space the sound of Nirvana playing in the cafe / restaurant space recedes into the background, along with the smell of food emanating from the kitchens.

The change in environment here is a slow and subtle one.

Instead of what can often be an unnerving shift from noisy street level into sombre white wall gallery space, here we shift from the convivial cafe

Phoebe Cummings. A Ripening Surveillance (2018) Detail. atmosphere into a network of recreating an eighties album rooms with wood panelled walls cover by soul star Teddy that at one time served as Pendergrass. The selection offices. Pop culture pervades in draws attention to the frequent this environment too in the references to classical reclining form of Harold Offeh’s poses struck, in particular, by photographic prints of people Black male singers including

the likes of Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie and others, in popular music. Offeh’s work also questions notions of authenticity through his collection of records all entitled ‘The Real Thing’, a strangely eighties phenomenon judging by the amount of releases, the covers of which are on display, from that decade. Alongside the record sleeves is a room collectively titled The Real Thing: Towards an Authentic Live Archive filled with films by the artist documenting various projects as a performer.

The normally open vertical space of the atrium for this exhibition has been enclosed in the manner of a temporary hot house, timber frame covered in thick plastic sheeting, strangely reminiscent of the work in progress that was Leo Johnson’s house in the TV series Twin Peaks. Within the hot house the environment is equally disquieting containing, as it does, a number of massive rather alien looking plants made by Phoebe Cummings from unfired clay. These works are absolutely monumental in their scale yet somehow manage to look fragile and

menacing in equal measures, particularly as the clay dries and cracks appear. The material will be eventually returned to the earth mirroring the cycle of birth, life and death of all organic matter. Across the corridor a room contains research material for the work including a number of sci-fi books that would be familiar to most such as John Wyndham’s ‘The Day of The Triffids’.

Cummings’ alien environment is picked up in the next two rooms by Serena Korda. Here a selection from an extensive collection of UFO magazines sits alongside a surround sound audio work that incorporates live noise from the local area and mixes it into field recordings from Todmorden, an alleged UFO hotspot. Running the length of the corridor between rooms is a series of photographs by Joanna Piotrowska portraying a number of temporary shelter structures. Built by adults in their homes, but in the manner that children would build dens with whatever materials can be found, this work feels sadly relevant to the situation beyond the confines of our own homes

as people are forced to do this in the unforgiving environment of the street.

Elsewhere in this exhibition Keith Harrison’s production of barrels full of CO2 gas are a reference to the previous history of the building and its production of beer. For the first couple of weeks of the exhibition the barrels were actively brewing in one room and inflating a massive red ballon that almost filled the next room. Now as the active process declines we literally witness the changing state and the once expanding balloon is starting to crumple in on itself, echoing Cummings clay flora in the atrium.

This exhibition draws upon the Freudian notion of the uncanny. It is not just that these artworks are mysterious, but their power is drawn from our familiarity with much of what we are witnessing. Pop culture consumed, digested and fed back to us in a format that we find strange; materially changed yet somehow still the same.

Material Environments is on at The Tetley, Hunslet Road until Sunday 8 July.

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What’s On 19

Email: info@southleedslife.com

Festivals and Galas time I

t’s that time of year when communitities across South Leeds show their best - and most colourful - sides as they stage Galas and Festivals.

The season kicks off in Hunslet just after we go to press. Hunslet Community Gala takes place on Saturday 30 June on the recreation ground at Church Street and Grove Road, opposite the Penny Hill centre.

The fun starts at 11:30am and organisers promise dance and majorettes groups in the arena, along with Dogs For Good and a rugby display from Hunslet Warriors.

Elsewhere on the field you will find, Punch & Judy, giant inflatables, clowns, a classic fire engine and bungy trampolenes.

Plus of course stalls and refreshments.

Saturday 7 July sees two events.

Belle Isle Gala starts at 11am at

Snowdon expedition The South Leeds Walkers trip to Wales takes place on Saturday 21st July. We will climb Snowdon by the Ranger Path, which is a total distance of only about 8 miles, but there is a climb of 3,000 feet (930 metres), and so it is quite a strenuous walk.

You will need sturdy shoes or boots, warm and waterproof clothing, a packed lunch and a rucksack to carry it in.

Minibuses will leave Leeds at 8am, returning at 10pm. The trip is free, but donations are welcome and helpful for future trips. Call 07827 southleedswalkers 325926 or email: @gmail.com to book a place.

Live music at Beeston Festival last year

Children from The Hunslet Club perform at Hunslet Gala

Photo: Paul Bullivant Windmill Primary School. There will be a petting farm, face painting, live performances, stalls, arts and crafts and much more.

Then at 12pm it’s Holbeck’s turn.

The Gala takes place on Holbeck Moor. There will be live music, stalls, children’s activities and a beer tent.

Beeston Festival, the biggest event in South Leeds, takes place on Saturday 14 July in Cross Flatts Park, from 12pm.

Three performance areas will feature live music, dance and spoken word. A bazaar of a hundred stalls will have an international food court at its

MADD Festival @ CJCA A

fter last year’s successful photographic exhibition, Cockburn John Charles Academy (formerly South Leeds Academy) is hosting a wider arts festival.

Featuring Music, Arts, Dance and Drama, MADD Fest takes place on Tuesday 5 July from 6:30-8pm.

Organiser Miss Jessica Rape said: “Cockburn MAT is proud to announce it's latest MADD Fest at the Cockburn John Charles Academy. The night promises the chance to view lots of creative Art and Photography work from our Year 11 students in addition to some fantastic Dance and Drama performances by a wider range of our students.

“Come along to see what Cockburn John Charles has to offer, we want to use MADD Fest as an opportunity to open our doors to the community, everyone is welcome!”

Cockburn John Charles Academy is located on Old Run Road in Belle Isle.

in brief

centre.

Children’s activities include arts and crafts, inflatables, zorbing, a climbing wall and a fun fair. Leeds United Foundation will be helping with the football, whilst Yorkshire Cricket organise a softball cricket tournament for women - just turn up and play.

New this year, organisers have arranged farmyard animals and exotic animals as well as the birds of prey and donkey rides.

All these events are put on by volunteers to give up a lot of time to organise. Please get along and support your local gala.

Hunslet Methodist Church The church is holding a coffee morning on Saturday 7 July 10am-12pm in aid of Action For Children. Then their Summer Fair, with raffles, stalls, games, BBQ & refreshments (Including home baked cakes) takes place on Saturday 28 July from 2-4pm. The Church is on Telford Terrace, off Balm Road.

Middleton Community Camp The annual family-friendly Middleton Community Camp is back again, overnight on Saturday 15 September. Sign up now via Facebook (look for 'Middleton Community Camp'), or look out for posters at the park pavilion.

Saturday 30 June

Hunslet Community Gala 11:30am-4pm Field at Grove Road / Church Street Saturday 7 July

Belle Isle Community Gala 11am-2pm Windmill Primary School

Holbeck Gala 12-4pm Holbeck Moor

Saturday 14 July

Beeston Festival 12-5pm Cross Flatts Park

All events supported by Councillors on the Inner South Community Committee Natalia Nowinska with her work at last year’s exhibition

Charity canal-side bike ride Local residents are holding a family-friendly charity bike ride from Hunslet to Castleford and back again, along the River Aire, on Sunday 23 September - to raise funds for local mental health charity Leeds Mind. Sign up now - via Facebook (look for 'Cycle for Wellbeing charity bike ride'), or Low Road Primary School.

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20 Sport

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Middleton Woods parkrun needs your support

T

Mufaro Mvududu on the charge against Oldham

by Ian Pickles and Jeremy Morton

H

unslet RLFC have had a blazing June, winning all four League 1 matches, taking their winning streak to six and finishing the month in a solid fourth place in the table.

However they have had a tendency to let the opposition take a lead before clawing it back at the end of the match. It makes for great entertainment, but can’t be doing Coach Gary Thornton’s heart any good.

They started the month facing Whitehaven at South Leeds Stadium. Having been 22-14 up at the break, they allowed Whitehaven to score three tries in the second halfand were facing defeat on 70 minutes, trailing Whitehaven by 22-32.

After a succession of penalties Hunslet found themselves in Haven territory, and from a loose pass Josh Jordan Roberts had the foresight to kick giving the pacey Foggin-Johnston a race to the ball which he inevitably won: 26-32.

Jimmy Watson had spent ten minutes in the sin-bin for an earlier tussle, but was now having an effect on the game, and on 75 minutes sidestepped over to give Joe Sanderson an easy conversion to level up.

Shades of the Workington Town game earlier in the season, Hunslet were calm and drove the ball up the field. A fantastic slipped pass from Lewis Reed sent Jimmy Watson on a 30 yard run, before in time the ball went back to Cain Southernwood who slotted over a drop goal to regain the lead 33-32.

Whitehaven were now spent and it was Hunslet that finished the stronger of the two. An inside ball to Muffy Mvududu

Photo: Paul Johnson Phoenix Photography

coming on at pace, saw him swerve round two Haven defenders to put the icing on the cake.

Joe Sanderson’s conversion went over as the hooter sounded and the crowd delighted in a home 39-32 victory.

The following week saw the long trip to London to face the Skolars. Once again Hunslet gave up 18 points before getting into gear. Jack Lee and Michael Haley pulled two tries back before half time and then Hunslet went on a 16 minute scoring blitz after the break.

Will Cooke, Danny Halmshaw and Cain Southernwood (2) scored the tries, Sanderson converted them all. Hunslet were now 18-36 up.

Hunslet never seem to like to do things the easy way, and nearly let the Skolars back into the game in the final ten minutes. First Ryan Burroughs ran 80m to score a breakaway try and he was followed four minutes later by Neil Thorman, to narrow the lead to 6 points.

Hunslet switched back on and showed good game management skills as they moved the ball to Cain Southernwood for a drop goal.

That sealed the win for Hunslet, final score 30-37.

Sunday 17 June saw Hunslet entertain the Coventry Bears, who proved to be no push over.

Hunslet held the lead from the fourth minute when Jack Lee went over from 20 metres out, but at half time the score was 18-10 and on 60 minutes it was 24-16.

Spirited as Coventry were, Hunslet are a fit side these days and finish games strongly, and now the tide started to turn.

Quick handling sent Jimmy Watson over to the left on 70 minutes ( A rare sight – Sanderson missed the conversion ), before 5 minutes

later and controversially Chappell dived over after it had been ruled Foggin-Johnston knocked the ball had backwards from a Cain Southernwood bomb 34-16.

Nathan Chappell then intercepted close to his own line and showed a clean pair of heels to score in the right corner, Foggin-Johnston backing him all the way.

Chappell’s hat-trick and a brace for Foggin-Johnston showed how dominant Hunslet were on the right hand side, and with the final conversion the victory was sealed at 4016.

Sunday 24 June was dedicated as a Celebration Day for “Mr Hunslet” Geoff Gunney MBE (see page 15). The opponents were high flying Oldham, who like Hunslet were enjoying a winning streak.

An even if at times tempestuous first half finished with Oldham scoring on the hooter to take a 6-12 lead, cue a rousing half time team talk in the Hunslet dressing room.

On 65 minutes Hunslet made a breakthrough. the ball was shipped to the left quickly where Mufaro Mvadudu used his strength to score, Joe Sanderson converting to tie the scores.

Then Man of the Match Zack Braham broke through and when his legs gave up on him fed Cain Southernwood who romped over for a try. Unusually Sanderson missed the conversion, so a nail biting last few minutes were in store for the Hunslet supporters. But the Parksiders held on an important for 16-12 win.

The season just gets better with each game and with under 16s getting in free, there’s no reason not to get down and support the club. The job ahead is to secure a top five finish and a chance to battle for promotion.

he newest member of the Leeds parkrun family takes place, like all parkruns, at 9am every Saturday morning and enjoys a scenic route through the trees of Middleton Park.

The event has been successful at drawing runners and walkers, but is struggling for volunteers to make sure each run goes smoothly.

There are lots of different roles for volunteers, from marshalling (giving directions and shouting encouragement), to tail walker (making sure everyone makes it back safely), to timekeeper, barcode scanner, results processor and overall run director. parkruns are very friendly and supportive events. No one gets dropped in the deep end and there’s always someone to ask for help.

Regular volunteer Helen said: “If you want to try something new I recommend parkrun.

Everyone is supportive and every weekend is different. And there’s nearly always cake and coffee/tea afterwards.”

If you can help please email: middletonwoodshelpers @parkrun.com or come along one Saturday at 8:45 to the

Join Helen at Middleton Woods parkrun Urban Bike Park where the run all times and dogs must be starts. kept on a lead. parkrun is a free, weekly, Register online and print off timed, 5km run or walk and your barcode before your first everyone is welcome to take event, then just turn up! part. Children under 11 must It’s a great way to start your be accompanied by an adult at weekend.

Beeston St Anthony’s win West Yorkshire cup

Beeston St Anthony’s FC celebrate winning the West Yorkshire League Cup Photo: John Adamson Beeston St Anthonys took on Leeds City of the seasons.

West Yorkshire Premiership at Fleet Lane in the The team is managed by Mark Halmshaw and West Yorkshire AFC League Cup Final on the Man of the Match was Beeston’s Matthew Wednesday 30 May, and brought the trophy Waller. back to South Leeds after a 3-1 victory.

Congratulations go out to the players, staff and Stephen Crawford, Gareth Groves and Joe supporters of the Club.

Wood scored for Beeston. This is the second time Contact the club, which plays its home in three years Beeston have won this prestigious matches at The King Field, St Anthony’s Road, cup and it’s their 6th trophy in the last three Beeston on 07774 709167.