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Issue 54 | September 2019
What’s happening in Beeston, Belle Isle, Cottingley, Holbeck, Hunslet, Middleton & Stourton
WHAT THE FRACK? Fracking waste water discharged into the River Aire
T
by Ed Carlisle
oxic waste fluid from the UK’s only functioning fracking site in Lancashire was - and quite possibly still is being brought to a local Leeds waste treatment plant, and the residue later discharged into the south Leeds water system with only limited safety tests, campaigners have discovered. FCC Environment run a water treatment site next to Yorkshire Water’s Knostrop sewage plant in Cross Green, immediately across the River Aire from Hunslet. They specialise in industrial, chemical and hazardous waste liquids, and are one of only a handful of sites nationwide accredited to handle waste fluid from fracking. Fracking (officially known as hydraulic fracturing) is a controversial and muchcontested new industry, in which high-pressure water is pumped underground to drive out gas reserves. It’s still in its infancy in the UK, with only one site – Preston New Road in Blackpool – conducting live tests. Over 200 licences (covering over 500 sites) have been granted for exploratory operations across the country, and – if the industry takes off – the UK would likely see over 1000 sites. Those pushing fracking argue it could provide the UK with several decades’ worth of natural gas. However, campaigners insist that – even if people still believe in fossil fuels – it’s a discredited and inefficient industry, which poses multiple proven health risks to local communities and wildlife. Just in the past week, further
Protesters at the Preston New Road fracking site in Blackpool significant earth tremors have the treatment process was seen the Preston New Road subject to relevant testing for site suspend operations, and toxicity and radioactivity, and also an academic report that these ensure that “people suggesting previous estimates and the environment are of the UK’s frack-friendly gas protected and are not adversely reserves were wildly affected as a result of the exaggerated. discharge”. Although there are only Meanwhile though, Yorkshire limited plans as yet for fracking Water surprisingly has a live in Leeds, local campaigners webpage stating that they “are have long argued that waste currently unaware of any firm fluid would be brought to proposals by FCC Environment Knostrop – and that there was to send waste water from the no proof that the residual fracking process to our waste (released into the Knostrop Waste Water Yorkshire Water sewage system, then later discharged into the River Aire) would be safely treated, nor adequately monitored. With no obligation upon FCC Environment to publicly disclose whether they were receiving fracking waste, the matter was shrouded in mystery – until the Environment Agency earlier this year disclosed in a letter to West Yorkshire MP Yvette Cooper that Cuadrilla (the company running the Preston New Road operation) was already sending waste fluid to Knostrop. The letter proceeded to state that liquid waste resulting from
Treatment Works in Leeds”. And furthermore, local antifracking campaigners have also discovered via a Freedom of Information request to the Environment Agency that neither they nor Yorkshire Water carry out radioactivity monitoring on waste liquids discharged into local water systems. Cllr Lisa Mulherin – Executive Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainable Development – told South Leeds Life: “Leeds City Council is opposed to fracking, and fundamentally disagrees with the Government’s approach of forcing it on unwilling local communities. I share the serious concerns about fracking’s devastating and long-lasting impact on our environment. To see its byproducts being transported to
Yorkshire, then released into the River Aire without any consultation, is an outrage. I have written to the Government asking that the process be halted, until we have more information – and I will continue to push for the Government to halt fracking completely”. Shelley Bath, for Frack Free Leeds, added: "We will not rest until we have the answers that we need to protect the communities and wildlife living around Knostrop and along the River Aire”. We also approached FCC, but did not receive a response. To find out more, visit backingfracking.org for profracking voices (although anti-fracking researchers claim this is ‘front’ group for the fracking companies), or sites includes drillordrop.com and frack-off.org.uk for antifracking voices. Frack Free Leeds and associated groups also hold regular local meetings.
Exam success: students at Cockburn John Charles Academy celebrate their GCSE results
In this issue:
Welcome to the new Hunslet Hub
page 4
Charity’s 150th birthday party
page 7
Leeds Dads’ new home in Holbeck
page 18
Blossom’s a world champion at 5
page 24
NEWS SCHOOLS
2-10 11-13
FEEDBACK
14
LOCAL HISTORY
15
ARTS
16-17
WHAT’S ON
18-21
SPORT
22-24
Get the latest news at www.southleedslife.com - new stories posted daily
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South Leeds Life | September 2019
2 News
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.
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MP’s notebook M
by Hilary Benn MP
otorways don’t generally run through the middle of residential areas, so doing repairs and maintenance work isn’t usually an issue when it comes to noise. But the M621 in South Leeds is completely different. It cuts right through the heart of our community and in recent weeks life has been intolerable for local residents in the Parnabys and elsewhere because Highways England has decided to do work throughout the night. One resident has described the roadworks as “banging and clanging with workers shouting and using loud machinery well into the early hours.” As a result people’s sleep has been badly disturbed. It’s wholly unreasonable. I first complained to Highways England back in July, but up until the time of writing this column they simply haven’t been taking everyone’s complaints seriously. We all recognise that motorways need repairs and things do have to be replaced, but in residential areas Highways England have a special responsibility to do everything they can to reduce the noise nuisance for long-suffering residents who already live every single day with the roar of
passing traffic. Highways England have said they are considering using smaller machinery and introducing acoustic barriers where possible, but when is this going to happen? What impact will they have on the level of noise? What about limiting the noisiest work to the evening rather than throughout the night? And why is the replacement of the permanent sound barriers - which are in a poor state of repair – not happening until next year? After everything that local residents have had to put up with these last few weeks this is not good enough. Over to you Highways England. And there’s one other thing. You really need to improve your communications with local residents. The news that both First Group and Arriva are looking to sell their bus operations, including in Leeds, has not had a great deal of publicity but this is very significant. We don’t know who might bid for them, but it would be great if the West Yorkshire Combined Authority could buy them on behalf of the community. It is a great frustration to all of us, me included, that representations about bus routes - where they run
and how often – are all too frequently met with the answer that ‘this is a commercial decision’. It’s why we need to get control of bus regulation in the city and the region so that we can run a more responsive, fullyintegrated transport system. If bus regulation is good enough for London, then it is definitely good enough for Leeds. I am delighted to see that the new Hunslet Community Hub and Library is now open, offering a wide range of Council and other services, including access to personal computers, a Hilary Benn MP Jobshop and, of course, lots of is running a public consultation on books. This shows what can be what to do with the space outside done, with imagination and effort, to the hub, including the paved area improve what is available for the from the bus layby up to the Garden public and create a true community Gate pub. Having run a number of hub. A big thank you to everyone street stalls there and felt that involved, including our local something needs to be done with councillors who worked very hard to this space, I think this is a great idea. There’s a survey that residents see this happen. can fill in at: www.surveymonkey I was also very interested to read .co.uk/r/RDRQG5V I hope lots of in South Leeds Life that the council people will take part.
Beeston residents complain they are plagued by rats by Assif Majid
R
esidents in parts of Beeston have complained of a rat issue where they live – with one person even saying they have seen rats crawling around Flowerpots Nursery, next to Dewsbury Road Community Hub. The woman, who did not want to be identified, said: “Rats are all over the place here especially down the underpass that goes to the Range, it's crawling on a night.” Another resident, Jenny Walker, said she has been forced to leave her home in the Woodview Road area as the problem was so bad. One resident on Allenby Drive, who also wished not to be named, told us: “I’ve had rats for five years. I tried everything from pest control to spraying peppermint tea on skirting boards but nothing helped until I bought a spray called The Big Cheese from Amazon and I’ve not seen any mice or rats since then.” According to a report in
the Yorkshire Post statistics sent to Datamill North, a total of 8,322 requests for services to deal with pests, including insects, flies, rodents and birds, were sent to Leeds City Council during 2017 and 2018. The largest individual issue was rats, with total requests relating to rat problems both in commercial and residential property reaching 3,600 during the two-year period. Sean Benn who works for local pest company Pest Force has seen a ‘massive rise’ in callouts in the South Leeds area. “There are a lot of old and terraced style properties in Beeston and this makes it easier for rats to travel between properties. “There is a big drainage issue in the area which is why there has been a massive increase.” However, it’s not just the old properties that are to blame. The wet weather and heatwave over the summer have also contributed to the problem, by encouraging rodent numbers to soar.
Photo: ahisgett via Creative Commons Kevin Higgins, British Pest and nobody wants to take Control Association responsibility for the Technical Advisor, says: “As epidemic.” the warmer weather takes Cllr Gohar Almass, of hold, the number of call-outs Beeston and Holbeck Ward, for rats and mice usually said: “I visited properties in drops. two streets off Dewsbury However, this year we are road where I found that part seeing no evidence of that. of the issue was overflowing Call-outs to deal with bins and bags full of food rodents are continuing in the waste. summer months.” “I along with an officer Carol Baxter said on distributed leaflets to these Facebook that Beeston is streets to raise awareness in infested with rats and using the right bins, avoiding nobody wants to take spillages and bags ownership. containing food waste and “We have had pest control so forth.” out but they are still getting A resident meeting is in. Got cats but closed the being held at the Hamara cat flap in case they were Centre on Monday 30, bringing them in. September at 6.30pm to “We are at our wit's end discuss the problem.
Cllr Paul Wray, of Hunslet and Riverside ward which includes parts of Beeston Hill), said: “A big issue is a lack of reporting by residents.” “Reporting missed bins and broken hard surfaces sooner than later means we can fix issues more quickly. With all the will in the word, Council staff can't find every issue, so we need the public to help us help them.” Leeds City Council urged anyone having issues can find information on common household pests and how to request pest treatment here: www.leeds.gov.uk/residents /environmentalhealth/pest-control
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City centre roadworks bring bus changes for September
Help us keep South Leeds Life independent F
W
by Jeremy Morton
ork on Leeds City Council’s Connecting Leeds programme in the city centre will see The Headrow closed eastbound from Sunday 1 September 2019. As a result, many bus routes will be affected and the number 1 service will be cut in two with a new 10 service running on the southern leg to Beeston. The new number 10 bus will use the existing 1 route from Beeston Town Street into the city centre, but terminate at Infirmary Street. Passengers wanting to travel on towards Headingley and Holt Park will have to walk across
September 2019 | South Leeds Life
the city centre to Albion Street to catch the 1 bus. When complete, in autumn 2020, the scheme will increase the reliability of buses by improving the routes they can take through the city centre. It will also mean substantial enhancements to the quality of the city centre by increasing public space, and better infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists. Other bus routes affected include the 28, 54, 55, 55C, 65 and 75: The 28, which runs from Leeds Dock to Headingley and Adel will change its route through the city centre avoiding Eastgate. For the 54, 55, 55C, 65 and
Helping out our neighbours
75 buses journeys into Leeds City Centre will run from Whitehall Road via Thirsk Row, Wellington Street, King Street, East Parade, South Parade to terminate at Park Row. Journeys out of the centre will start from Leeds Park Row and run via City Square, Aire Street to Whitehall Road and then as normal route. Changes to the daily timetable for routes 2, 3, 3A, 12, 13, 13A, 74 and 86 will also come into effect on Sunday 1 September. You can find full details of how each route is affected on the West Yorkshire Metro website: www.wymetro.com/buses
We are extremely happy and grateful to have won the first round of funding from South Leeds Community Project. With high demand on food wastage schemes and them being oversubscribed this funding was the only way we could have run summer lunches for children in our community. The application is simple and because the funders live in South Leeds it's a very neighbourly concept that we're helping each other out. Many thanks to the team and we highly recommend applying for this if you have an idea that will benefit South Leeds. Christine Robinson, Cottingley Community Centre
or nearly ten years online and five years in print we have been bringing you local news for free. We don’t charge you to pick up a newspaper or browse online, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have to spend money to keep the news flowing. We have a brilliant and growing team of volunteer writers who contribute their time for free. But we couldn’t keep their stories flowing without our full time Editor. He keeps track of reports, manages the email, incoming press releases and our social media accounts. He also compiles the monthly newspaper and lays out each page for the printers.
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South Leeds Life | September 2019
4 News
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On the beat
O
by Insp Lucy Leadbeater
ur Neighbourhood Policing Team has had a busy few weeks, in particular we have very much enjoyed attended and engaging with the communities at a range of events including the Beeston Festival, Holbeck, Belle Isle and Hunslet galas and other community events. This gives us an excellent opportunity to speak to the communities face to face and listen to any concerns or issues that you may be having as well as interacting with all ages and building up their trust and confidence in the police. Over the past few weeks we have increased patrols and visibility in the Lowfields Road area due to concerns from residents about the number of vehicles that were attending this location each weekend. For the past four weekends we have utilised the powers of a dispersal order to prevent these vehicles attending and committing anti-social driving and other acts at this location. This has proved very successful and we have had some really positive feedback from residents. We are continuing to work with partners to develop a longer term strategy to tackle this issue that has been affecting the quality of life for residents and businesses in the area. The summer months can bring an increase in anti-social behaviour reports to police and other services. One of the issues that we are continuing to tackle across South Leeds is the general anti-social use of motor vehicles and motor bikes. Our off road bike team and operational support colleagues have done a lot of excellent work in relation to this and have seized a number of bikes across the area for driving offences, anti-social riding offences as well as recovering stolen vehicles. We
Children dress up at Beeston Festival
very much rely on community intelligence to tackle this issue and would encourage anyone with any information on this issue to report this to police or Crimestoppers. Following on from this, when I attend numerous community meetings when of the questions that is often raised is what is the most effective way to contact the police. West Yorkshire Police are aware of some of the frustrations that have been raised in relation to the 101 nonemergency phone line, however I would like to reassure residents that this has recently had a significant investment in staffing and there is now a much improved system in place. You may not be aware that we also have an online reporting system which is an excellent method of contacting the police via computer, tablet or smart phone. Below are a number of different ways that you can get in touch with police and other relevant services: • Phone 999 - in an emergency to report incidents ongoing • Phone 101 - to report nonemergency incidents, report crime or intelligence. • 101 live chat - can be assessed from a computer, tablet or smart phone. This can be assessed at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101Live Chat • If you would like to report a crime online you can visit www.westyorkshire.police.uk/report-it • Leeds City Council – Leeds AntiSocial Behaviour Team – (0113) 222 4402 or email LASBT@leeds.gov.uk • Crimestoppers – 0800 555 111 or you can report online by going to www.crimestoppers-uk.org/giveinformation/give-information-online/ both the number and the online reporting enable you to remain anonymous. For residents who would like to receive regular updates about policing in their local area we now have a new messenger system ‘West Yorkshire Community Alert’. This is a free system and residents can choose to receive news and appeals, local crime information and crime prevention advice via e-mail, text or voice messages. It only takes seconds for you to sign up to this system and I would really encourage residents to do this. More details can be found at www. wypcommunityalert.co.uk
Hunslet Hub is open to help you
The new Hunslet Community Hub and library design brings together the wonderful heritage of the building with a modern twist, offering an integrated service with much improved hours of opening and a new Customer Service option to assist the local community with Council enquiries, a new computer suite with self- service PCs alongside our Jobshop offer. All this alongside our fantastic new Library design with many new books with lots of space to study, rest and meet friends. The Hub is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 9am–5pm; Tuesday: 10am–5pm & Saturday: 10am–1pm
Have your say on plans for new cycling routes in South Leeds P
eople are being asked for their views on plans for £6.5m of new cycling routes in Leeds, as part of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s CityConnect programme aimed at encouraging more people to travel by bike or on foot in partnership with Leeds City Council. In the south of the city, plans include a new 3km segregated cycle superhighway between Elland Road Park and Ride and the city centre, and extending the existing segregated cycle route on Dewsbury Road with a 1.5km section of new route between Garnet Road and Beeston Ring Road. Cllr Kim Groves, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee, said: “These important schemes will provide communities in Beeston, Holbeck and Hunslet with high quality cycling routes, making it easier for more people to access training, employment and leisure opportunities by bike. “The Dewsbury Road scheme will provide an important missing link in the existing cycle network to create a continuous 4.4km segregated route for south Leeds, extending to the popular Leeds Urban Bike Park in Middleton, which is a great day out for the whole family. “We know encouraging more of us to travel by bike or on foot not only boosts people’s health and saves individual’s money, it also brings wider environmental and economic
Segragated cycle lanes encourage more of us to cycle benefits for us all, which is why we want to make cycling and walking a natural choice for short, everyday journeys.” Cllr Peter Carlill, Cycling Champion at Leeds City Council, said: “It’s great to see these plans for new segregated cycle routes south of the city connecting Beeston, Holbeck and Hunslet. “These new routes play a major part in our long-term Leeds Cycling Starts Here ambition in providing safe routes across the city to allow more people to make the switch to cycling and get the many benefits it offers – and in turn reducing the number of cars in these congested areas.” The plans for all three schemes are available to view online at www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk /south-leeds-cycle-improvements
and people are invited to comment before Sunday 29 September 2019. Public drop-in sessions will be held for the Elland Road and Dewsbury Road schemes as follows: • Saturday 7 September, 3pm7pm, The Holbeck Working Men’s Club, Jenkinson Lawn, Leeds LS11 9QX; • Saturday 14 September, 10am– 2pm, Dewsbury Road Community Hub, 190 Dewsbury Road, Leeds LS11 6PF; • Wednesday 18 September, 10am-2pm, The Holbeck Working Men’s Club. Jenkinson Lawn, Leeds LS11 9QX; • Thursday 19 September, 12pm4pm, Dewsbury Road Community Hub, 190 Dewsbury Road, Leeds LS11 6PF.
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September 2019 | South Leeds Life
News 5
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Free school uniform scheme takes off by Ed Carlisle
S
outh Leeds parents are forging ahead with a school uniform scheme – that enables local families to donate, exchange or simply pick up uniforms for their children, all for free. The project – which currently aims to cover all the schools in Beeston, Holbeck and Cottingley – launched last summer, and is now picking up momentum, and becoming well-loved and much talked-about. Following several busy events in the past weeks, the next date is Saturday 7 September, 11am-2pm at Little Angels Playzone (formerly known as Adventure Kids) at Sugar Mill in Beeston. Further dates are planned for October half term across LS11, including stalls outside local
schools. Maureen Sawyer, one of the coordinators, commented: “Lots of people are struggling to feed themselves, let alone buy
expensive school uniforms – especially when the schools change colours
and so on. But we’ve had a really good response, with loads of donations coming in. (Many of them said they normally just chuck the clothes away!) But people don’t have to donate or swap to join in: just come and take what you need. It’s just about all of us helping one another.” For more info, watch out on the Save our Beeston, Holbeck and Cottingley Facebook group. The organisers are keen to work with others across LS11, especially to build links with all the schools – and they are happy to advise people in other communities, to set up their own schemes where they are.
‘Waste’ food scheme restarts in south Leeds L
ike good food? Hate collecting their boxes each waste? Want to save week from Rowland Road money? Social Club – although talks South Leeds residents are are afoot to set up a second being invited to sign up for scheme in Hunslet. But both large weekly boxes of so-called schemes are dependent upon ‘freegan’ food (good quality enough local households food that would otherwise signing up – so residents are have been binned), delivering encouraged to sign up ASAP, locally, for just £12. before the opportunity passes! The family-sized crates will Local resident and have different contents each community campaigner Ed week, but will include a mix of Carlisle, who is helping to bring staple and luxury products, the scheme to south Leeds, and fresh and packeted food. They are sourced and delivered by Leeds charity Food Revival – a spin-off from the national Real Junk Food Project. Food Revival is one of a growing number of organisations working to end the needless waste of surplus food. They intercept food that’s heading unnecessarily for landfill, and distribute it through a network of cafes, ‘sharehouses’, schools, and popular community box schemes A box of food for just £12 such as this one. commented: South Leeds Life reported on “Loads of people locally a successful pilot box scheme struggle to afford good quality which ran in Beeston last year, food – and in the meantime, but the organisation didn’t at countless tons of good food is that time have the capacity to being chucked away across the make it full-time: they do now. country: it’s madness. This scheme will initially run “But this scheme breaks the in Beeston, with participants mould, and gives us great food
on the cheap – whilst reducing waste, and helping to save the planet. Please sign up, and spread the word too – this could make a massive difference in our communities.” For more info, go to: www.foodrevival.co.uk/freega n-box-project. To sign up, email boxes@foodrevival.co.uk and state that you want to sign up for the south Leeds scheme. Once enough participants have signed up, you will be asked to set up a £12 weekly direct debit – to cover the cost of collection, storage and assembly of the food. (You can also donate more, on a zero obligation ‘Pay As You Feel’ basis, if you’re able.) The boxes will be available to collect during a 6pm-11pm window one evening per week from Rowland Road; details of any future Hunslet scheme are yet to be agreed. The Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP) – a UK charity and campaign body – estimates that 1.9m tons of food is wasted by the UK food industry every year, with about a fifth of that (400,000 tonnes) suitable for redistribution.
Gold at the end of her Rainbow career
Isabelle Daykin, from Belle Isle, has been a member of 51st Leeds Rainbows for two years and in that time she has not only achieved her very prestigious Gold Award, but also gained all 12 of the new Rainbow Interest badges. Leader Hayley Logan said:“She has had to cover a range of topics and interests in order to get them all and we are all really proud of her.”
South Leeds Life | September 2019
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Environmental protest stirs things up E
by Ed Carlisle
nvironmental campaigners coordinated by the Extinction Rebellion movement, blocked Victoria Bridge between Bridgewater Place and the railway station between 15-19 July – and stirred up plenty of local debate. The static protest centred around a boat emblazoned with the words ‘ACT NOW’ and ‘PLANET BEFORE PROFIT’, and featured 100+ protesters at any one time throughout the week. It was one of five events like it across the country, and was coordinated by local members of the Extinction Rebellion movement. West Yorkshire Police attended throughout, and directed traffic up Water Lane and Meadow Lane into town. Extinction Rebellion – formed just last year in the UK, but now a growing international body – is a ‘non-violent’ but openly ‘civilly-disobedient’ movement, resisting the threat of climate breakdown and associated problems. They are calling upon governments everywhere to declare a climate emergency, to commit to reducing carbon emissions to net zero by 2025, and for citizens to be given maximum oversight for the necessary changes. Beeston resident Sam Kirk visited the protest and reported
back: “I was interested by what I’d seen on local news about the event, so took a trip down to see for myself what was going on. I was greeted by mainly young people, who were friendly and keen to share why they were there. There was live music, dancing, speakers, a free communal kitchen for anyone, and a really good vibe.” “It undoubtedly Protesters block Victoria Bridge in Leeds. Photo: Andy Walker inconvenienced including: the disruption and say, and their little bit of fame those of us travelling into and extra congestion they were – now get it moved”. Sageer out of the city a bit that week, causing, especially for people asked: “Why don’t the police but that’s a small price to pay getting to the LGI; the alleged just arrest them or move compared to people losing their mess and damage (eg graffiti) them?” Javeer suggested: homes due to flooding, or all of they were causing; the bill for “They need to use water us breathing in the heavily- the Police and Council clean- cannons”. And Daniel polluted air of south Leeds. up; the apparent hypocrisy of commented: “No-one is going There’s limited time to stop the protesters (eg using a to listen, because all it’s doing rising global temperatures and diesel vehicle to tow the boat to is just piss everybody off” extreme weather, before the and from the site); and the (Daniel). changes get out of control. So sense that the protesters were Local supporters fought back I’m glad they did it: our mainly jobless layabouts. – some with mixed feelings politicians need to make a Gareth stressed “Leeds City (like Sarah: “I believe in the much greater commitment to Council and the police are a cause but not the way they are reducing carbon emissions, disgrace for allowing this to going about it”), but others with and tackling climate change.” continue: they have had their whole-hearted admiration. They The protest generated a considerable amount of debate online, online and off. A majority on local social media groups were against the protests, with concerns
Beeston photographer wins nature award
insisted upon the democratic right to protest; they observed that the city is regularly inconvenienced by sports events or regular traffic jams; that the protesters were largely workers or students “giving their time to make a change – well done, I say” (Liz); that the protesters cleaned up their own graffiti and rubbish (and as Kevin said: “A bit of graffiti is small fry compared to the bigger issues we face”). Others commented that the disruption was fairly minimal (“My bus normally goes over
the bridge, but it just goes round another way now: no problem” – Ian). Rebecca asked: “Why the hell are people so offended that others give a sh*t about what's happening to the planet?” Vikki argued that “This protest was for a better life: if we carry on the way we are, it won’t matter about anything, as we will all be extinct”. And John suggested that “Society may condemn these people now but in the future they will be classed as heroes”. Local Extinction Rebellion protesters are planning further events in the coming months, although none likely to be as disruptive as this one for now. One such event is the next Schools Strike (inspired by Greta Thunberg) on Friday 20 September, featuring a protest on the Town Hall steps – followed by an environmentalthemed ‘street party’ on Briggate on Saturday 21 September. And all readers are encouraged to join the Councilled ‘Big Climate Conversation’, running until October: look online at leeds.gov.uk /climateconversation, or drop into your local Community Hub.
Stuart Petch, who contributes photographs to Sourth Leeds Life, won an award last month in this year’s international Bird Photographer of the Year competition. Stuart told us: “Basically I found a dead sparrowhawk in the city centre, ‘rescued’ it from the roadside, brought it home, and was so taken by its beauty decided to make some close up arty studies of it’s plumage. I hired a lens locally and had fun making some images … eight months later and one of them wins an award from judges including Chris Packham!” The photo is now in a touring exhibition and a book of the winning images.
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News 7
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Child bereavement charity opens new centre T
by Abbie Randall
here was great celebration last month as CharliesAngel-Centre Foundation opened the doors to its new premises in Beeston, with some help from the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Eileen Taylor. The loss of a child is a very sad event which touches entire families and communities, the Foundation helps families through such times and positively help support and nurture them. The service has humble beginnings in the Middleton living room of one of the founding members. Clive explained that when he and his wife experienced their own sad loss there was little in the way of follow up care for them and they wanted to change this. Gradually they saw more and more families coming through and using their service until eventually they had to expand and through some generous fundraising they secured their current building and have plans to expand further and reach even more families should the opportunity arise. I was grateful to meet Rachel who sadly lost her daughter Lillia, Rachel explained that she has done a lot of fundraising for Charlie’s Angels after they supported her, so far she has organised a catwalk show, auction and evening meal to name a few. Shown pictured with Clive outside Lillia’s room she spoke highly of Charlie’s
Tracy and Alex Asquith presented Sam Key with a cheque for £1,000
September 2019 | South Leeds Life
Dance-a-thon raises over £1,000 O n the 9 August South Leeds Live At Home hosted a Dance-a-thon. A team of 6 members of staff started our day at 8am dancing the jive and quick step. We were welcomed by our 150 members, Depuy staff and members of the community throughout the day doing line dancing, Zumba, ball room and disco. We understand the importance of exercise and how beneficial it is to the older people’s wellbeing. There was over whelming support for us and we raised over £1128.10 with outstanding sponsorship to come. We are already talking about make next year’s Dance a Thon big and better getting more of the community involved. Line dancers join the Dance-a-thon
Lord Mayor Cllr Eileen Taylor prepares to cut the ribbon Angel’s and intends to do more fundraising in the future to help the cause. Each of the rooms is named after a child who has sadly passed away and the rooms are private spaces for counselling sessions to take place or for families to come in and find support. They have all been beautifully decorated and the love the members feels for their children and for the people coming through their doors Is palpable throughout. Charlies-Angel-Centre has had a wider impact on local services through lobbying decision makers, a bereavement midwife was appointed for the area and now they receive referrals from as far as Hull and Barnsley. These positive changes are helping families through a time where people might not know what to say to them or what advice to give, they help keep the line of support open and help prevent the families becoming isolated. The centre has a dedicated area for children to play and be creative in while their parents take some
time out for counselling or other reasons at the centre. The play space is a beautifully thought out den for children of all ages to relax and play without their parents worrying about them. Angus Smith from Cockburn School along with Tracy Asquith and Alex Asquith explained that the Kyle Asquith Foundation had made a generous donation of £1,000 towards the new centre, they also showed me into Kyle’s room which is a lovely space and will serve bereaved families well. Charlie’s Angels have established a men’s group, recognising that men grieve in a different way to women. Men’s Corner holds a monthly meet up and offers support and companionship for men from a peer group of other men in similar circumstances. The Foundation also has a number of male counsellors for these men who are highly trained and volunteer for the service. If you have been touched or affected by any of the issues here or you would simply like to make a donation to this centre please get in touch with them via their Facebook page here. This page also provides more information on the services provided by Charlies-AngelCentre and upcoming fundraising events you could get involved with.
Charity’s 150th birthday party
On 1 August forty parents, children and friends joined Families Together Leeds, which is run by the charity Family Action, at their Family Monster Picnic at St Mary’s Parochial Hall in Middleton. The free event was held to celebrate the charity’s 150th anniversary. Local families, including those they support, were invited to bring a picnic and have fun spending quality time together.
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Kidacre Park residents raise funds and awareness
Participants outside Temple Newsam House
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embers of the charity Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Exchange (GATE), and residents of Leeds’ newest Gypsy and Traveller site Kidacre Park in Hunslet took part in a sponsored run around Temple Newsam on 1 August. Men and women of all ages and all abilities turned up to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, selecting either a 1k or 5k route. Members raised over £300 for the charity, but that wasn’t the only reason why people attended. Mags Price a community member who also works at Leeds GATE said: “Cancer is still the ‘C word’ for a lot of members of the Gypsy and Traveller
communities, we have lost people very dear to us too young and one of the reasons why we are doing this today is to encourage people to go for screening and report any signs and symptoms early.” Jo Jo Lowther a volunteer on the day said: “Its good to get men involved, we need to spread the message across the whole of the community.” Residents of Kidacre Park also held a fun day on site, with activities for young people alongside more awareness raising and fundraising activities. Residents hope that they can add to the total already raised for Macmillan Cancer care.
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Summer fun for families in the woods M
iddleton Woods in south Leeds was ringing with children’s voices and laughter when they joined a Health for All Family Fun day last month. Sixty local parents and children built their own magical Fairy Kingdom among the trees, making fairy doors, creating tree decorations from shells, painting stones and gathering leaves from the surrounding woodland. Starting the day with a healthy breakfast, an outdoor picnic and games rounded off the event which was part of a summer-long programme of free Family Days organised by the south Leeds charity. A variety of venues will host activities including singing, arts and crafts, bush craft and nature trails in Middleton Woods followed by a trip to Ponderosa. Local park rangers agreed that the beautiful magical Fairy Kingdom among the trees could stay in Middleton Woods for a time, for other local children and families to explore and enjoy. Six year old Mia said: “This was the best day of my life! I think fairies will visit our special place now we’ve made a home for them.” Local mum Terri said: “I was thrilled to spend quality time together with my daughter Ella in the fresh air,
The children built a Fairy Kingdom in Middleton Woods using our imaginations and bringing a little bit of magic to the summer holidays. We have been attending Health for All family events for many years now. The staff always think of something new and exciting – they’re so supportive and the free breakfast is the icing on the cake. We can’t afford expensive playschemes so these events are a life saver.” Vikrant Bhatia, Health for All’s Young People and Families Manager said: “We are delighted that so many children and parents from local community groups have attended our free Summer holiday programme, we always aim to make our
holiday activities special and memorable for children. “A big thank you to Leeds Community Foundation for Healthy Holidays funding which is making such a difference to our families”. The event was part of a full Summer Healthy Holidays programme designed to support families, young people and children through the school break. Leeds Community Foundation’s Healthy Holidays grant is designed to ensure children are not adversely affected by ‘holiday hunger’ (children missing free school meals). The programme receives funding from Leeds City Council, the Asda
Foundation and the Department of Education. Local charity Health for All is providing healthy meals, breakfasts, picnics for a wide range of parents, including grandparents, kinship carers and dads, in the charity’s local groups and centres. Food is provided by Fare Share and Food Revival. More than 70 parents, children and young people have benefitted from Health for All’s holiday activities so far. For more information regarding Health for All’s groups and activities telephone: (0113) 270 6903; or email info@healthforall.org.uk
Belle Isle Senior Action by Jeremy Morton
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A white-tailed bumblebee collecting pollen from flowers around Cross Flatts Park
Photo by Stuart Petch Photography - a local creative freelance photographer living in South Leeds. You can explore more of Stuart’s nature, event and creative art photography and get in touch with him on his website www.stuart-petch-photography.co.uk
elle Isle Elderly Winter Aid is changing its name to make sure it can reach more people in the community. “People who have just retired don’t think of themselves as elderly” explained manager Sonny Garewal “60 is the new 40!” The name change, which will be ratified at the organisation’s annual meeting on 18 September, was launched at intergenerational family fun day at Belle Isle Club on 21 August. I spoke to Rosalyn, Eileen, David and Terry, they told me they approved of the name change. “Very good, I think its better, but we need to advertise ourselves better too.” said they really enjoy the trips and have been on several holidays. They go to see shows at the theatre
and are particularly proud of the Friday gardening club. Do they value BIEWA? “Oh yes. We go mad when it’s shut!” Board member Cllr Kim Groves said: “Today is very much about where we’re going as an organisation. Today is about bringing the community together and it’s great to see so many young people here. We want to reach out to the whole community. There are still people and families out stere struggling and we’ve got the services to help them”
People shared their memories on the photo board
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Safeguarding workshops at Asha
by Tahena Ahmed
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sha Neighbourhood Project, in partnership with the West Yorkshire Police, delivered a series of Safeguarding Awareness workshops for local women, service users and volunteers. The workshops empowered them with the knowledge of their rights and local issues in order for them integrate, improve their English, improve confidence to access universal services and support other women by signposting them to relevant services. Asha encourages participation by empowering service users through
confidence building sessions, awareness and information sharing workshops to widen an individual’s knowledge base. We also provide opportunities for women to become more involved in their community through activities such as volunteering to gain skills and experience. This year we have successfully recruited 23 volunteers from the community who have been in the UK for less than 10 years to help them gain knowledge and experience in volunteering and to become community champions. In delivering a series of safeguarding workshops, we expect women to become more skilled, confident, less isolated and more engaged
with their neighbourhood. We are hoping the workshops will address issues including lack of confidence, fear of difference, social isolation, prejudice, and racism and community cohesion. We want to help women become more confident in dealing with difficult situations in the everyday lives and to have more motivation to cope and succeed. The women discussed topics such as drugs, domestic violence, child sexual exploitation, grooming etc. In September 2019, we will be looking to arrange safeguarding workshops in relation to knives and crimes, hate crime, cyber-crime, fraud etc. If you want further information, free, confidential support or you are interested in volunteering for Asha Neighbourhood Project please email tahena@ashaleeds .org.uk; call (0113) 270 4600.
St Gemma’s look for volunteer drivers S
t Gemma’s Hospice is a Leeds-based charity providing expert care and support for local people with life-limiting illnesses. The Hospice in Moortown has a fantastic opportunity for Day Services Driver Volunteers on Wednesdays or Thursdays. If you want to directly make a difference to patients living with a terminal illness, then this could be the role for you. If a patient chooses to remain at home during their illness they can attend the St Gemma’s Hospice Day
Services to access creative therapy activities, massages, emotional support and appointments with specialist doctors and therapists. This volunteer role involves using your own vehicle to transport more independently mobile patients between their homes and the Hospice so that they can access these vital services. Jack, a Day Services Patient, shared his thoughts on the Hospice’s Day Services: “My heartfelt thanks to all the staff and volunteers at St
Jack enjoying a creative arts session at St Gemma’s
Gemma’s who have provided help and support to me during my day visits over the past few months. Your kindness and friendly conversation have genuinely given me a more positive outlook on life”. St Gemma’s is particularly looking for people who live locally to south Leeds as that is currently an area with quite a few patients, but not many volunteer drivers who are able to travel there. No clinical experience is needed, but you must have a current driving licence with access to a vehicle, as well as good communication skills and a passion for the work St Gemma’s does. You will not be required to transport patients who need significant mobility assistance. The Hospice offers travel expenses, full training, the development of a portfolio of skills and a named supervisor. To find out more about this role and the other volunteer opportunities available at St Gemma’s, such as helping in charity shops, at fundraising events and more, please visit www.st-gemma.co.uk/ volunteering or call (0113) 218 5193 .
Bee Friends Afternoon’s first birthday party
Stephen Farrell helped Anna-Marie Garbutt cut the birthday cake as the learning disability social event celebrated at The Bridge Café in Cross Flatts Park on 25 July. Between 1-2:30pm every Thursday people can come and play board games, enjoy some music and of course refreshments. Anna-Marie is always looking for volunteers for the café, people to come along and chat and help create conversations.
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South Leeds Life | September 2019
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Sisters takeover St Luke’s CARES shop for a day
Friendship and fun at HEA’s community cafe I
Volunteers for the day, behind the till at St Luke’s CARES shop
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by Jeremy Morton
t Luke’s CARES is an organisation loves to share its success. Having handed out two rounds of community grants, it has now decided to give groups the chance to take over its charity shop for a day and go home with that day’s takings. Monday 8 July saw a group of women from the Womanhood Culture Art project take the reins at the Dewsbury Road shop. Culture Art brings women from different communities of Beeston to share their culture (including food). The group meet each Thursday at the KMWA Centre on Hardy Street and new members are always welcome. The aim of the project is to break down barriers and help people mix, by educating each other. The group won initial funding from Touchstone’s U Choose programme, but found that
room hire soon ate up that grant so were looking for further funds to keep the project going. “It’s been good because people coming into the shop have been asking and learning. It’s raised our profile just from us being here.” “We are going to continue to help in here after today as volunteers.” Sister Tracey Shop manager Sally Thums said: “It’s fantastic having the ladies here, they’re all really lovely and kind. It’s really interesting to learn about different communities and what they do in their group.” With the shop selling a huge range of goods including furniture, electrical items, clothing and household goods, Womanhood left with over £1,000. If your group would like to takeover the shop for a day please contact sally@stlukescares.org.uk
Help wanted
Girl Guides need your help
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t. Andrew's Methodist Church Girl Guide Unit are looking for a Leader. We have about 12 girls who would dearly love to continue but unfortunately come September we will be without a Leader. There would be
support from some helpers and training could be arranged if needed. They meet on a Monday evening 7-8:30pm, in term time, if you think you can help we would be most grateful. Contact: (0113) 271 7982.
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by Imran Marashli
t is not yet 10 o’clock in the morning and Leeds is already sweltering in the midst of an intense summer heatwave, so the alluring smell of freshlycooked food wafting from the St Matthew’s Community Centre in Holbeck gives it the feel of an oasis in the middle of a scorching desert. Inside, Holbeck Elderly Aid’s weekly community cafe provides a sanctuary for local residents to socialise and get active. People play ping pong, hot and cold food is served and participants sit around tables to catch up on the latest news. It might not seem like the biggest event in South Leeds but it has a huge impact on the lives of local elderly residents. “It’s good for meeting people, making new friends, socialising and getting you out,” says Peter Wood, who attends every week. “There’s a lot of lonely people out there and it changes a lot of people’s lives. “Table tennis gets me moving, it improves your balance. It gives you a purpose in life, to get up and get out. It makes a positive difference.” Another regular attendee is Mary West, who has been coming to Holbeck Elderly Aid’s events for over 19 years. “Holbeck Elderly Aid do a lot
Plenty to smile about at Holbeck Elderly Aid’s community cafe for us, we wouldn’t get out otherwise. They can’t do enough for us – they’re lovely!” she enthuses, adding that one of her friends hadn’t left her house for 12 years before coming to the community cafe. The event is just one of Holbeck Elderly Aid’s programme of activities organised five days a week, including Sunday dinners, lunches at Ingram Court and trips to Bridlington and Scarborough. Visits to the Carriageworks Theatre to see pantomimes particularly excite visitor Brenda Fish. “I never used to do much
before coming to Holbeck, then I started coming here. I have a husband who works a lot so I’ve got nothing to do otherwise, it gets me out,” she says. “I’d never been to a panto before coming here, but I’ve been twice since.” The community cafe’s impact is big, but there are noticeably more women than men at the venue. “Men are a lot more reluctant to accept help and support. If we do home visits or we tell them about the things we provide, they don’t usually engage with us,” explains Claire Holmes, who is responsible for the organisation’s outreach
efforts. “I think sometimes men find it more difficult to socialise than women. We’re trying to set up a men’s group to see if we can encourage more men to come along.” And the work doesn’t stop there. Holbeck Elderly Aid will be re-branded as Holbeck Together in October as it aims to provide more activities for people of all ages. “We’re going to be more community-focused for all age groups, it won’t just be for over60s. In seasonal times of the year we get children to come in and do crafts and activities and they’re always really interested in the ping pong when it’s the school holidays!” “We want to do intergenerational stuff so that they’ll be together, but also do separate activities so we can do things for younger people as well. That will come with the rebranding,” Ms Holmes adds. “We don’t want to move away from what we’re already doing. Some of our users are worried about whether it will affect them in terms of what will be available to them. Everything will run as normal – it will just be an extension of what we already do.” To find out more about the work of Holbeck Elderly Aid, visit holbeckelderlyaid.org.uk.
Green fingered tenants brighten estate A
successful gardening competition has added the icing to the cake after work by Leeds City Council to make tenants’ gardens more manageable on the Millshaw Road estate in Beeston. As well as the winners: Gypsy Morton (first), Laura Holmes (second) and Karina Ishaq (third) everyone who took part received a voucher. There was also a special community prize for school children Elizabeth Rocas and Ayanna Sousa who have been helping their elderly neighbour Edward Billcliffe with his garden. Neighbours White Rose Shopping Centre and Capita, based on the White Rose Office Park, provided prizes and helped with the judging. Matt Tune from White Rose Shopping centre said:
“It’s been an absolute pleasure walking round seeing some of these gardens today everyone’s worked so hard. “The WRSC team have been involved throughout the project. It’s really nice to be involved with everyone in the local community so whatever else we can do we’ll look at helping them in the future.” The competition followed on from work to remove overgrown hedges and remodel steep back gardens. Addressing the tenants, Thuja Phillips from LCC’s Housing Investments Projects Team said: “Thank you all for taking part it’s really appreciated. I think what you’ve done here is made the estate look a lot better. A few years ago people looked and said I don’t want to live
Winners: Gypsy Morton, Laura Holmes and Karina Ishaq there, but now people are coming and they want to live
here and that’s down to you and what you’ve done.”
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Cockburn’s call for creative primary pupils C
ockburn School (Specialist Status in Performing Arts) offers unique opportunities in the Performing Arts for 2020 admissions. Cockburn School are delivering a new specialist programme for pupils who display a talent within the Performing Arts. The training supports a vast and varied curriculum with over 7 hours of additional coaching in Drama, Dance and Music. Pupils who are in search of a secondary school for September 2020 are invited to audition for this exciting new programme, essential for those eager to pursue a career in the Arts. Auditions take place on Saturday 9 November 2019, 9am-12pm. Subject Leader of Drama, Sarah Kilner, who leads on the programme explained how the audition process works: “The audition process depends on the young person’s area of specialism. For Drama they will take part in a creative workshop learning new skills and devising a performance piece. Within the Dance specialism audition they will learn a motif and perform a creative task. “If they have a talent in Music they will have the opportunity to prepare a performance on their chosen instrument or demonstrate vocal ability. The audition day is a lot of fun and it is great to see how much talent and enthusiasm the kids in South Leeds have for the arts”. Cockburn School has been a leader in the Performing Arts for many years with stunning
performances of late including Fame, their annual production in December 2018 which amazed audiences. This was followed by a host of performances in the state of the art Cockburn School theatre as well as a host of regional and national venues
including the Leeds Arena and Manchester Velodrome. Many of these events have featured in South Leeds Life. One new member of staff at Cockburn School stated that she has “never seen such a close, friendly and dedicated group of staff and students. They work for many hours in rehearsal to make performances happen and are a credit to the school. I can't wait to get started!”. Cockburn School is celebrating outstanding exam results in their Arts qualifications this year with Dance, Music and Drama results way above national averages. The school continues to be recognised by the Department for Education
Cockburn pupils in a performance of Fame – The Musical
as one of the most successful schools nationally for pupil progress from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 4 across all subjects including English and Maths. The additional performance opportunities and events have grown year on year. There are over 8 specialist performing arts companies who perform at local, regional and national events on a regular basis. These are supported by the performing arts staff and a large creative team responsible for costume and set design which includes parents/carers and members of the local community. The Performing Arts team develop well rounded, confident and skilled performers in all areas of the arts. Past pupils have gone on to success in full time education at Post 16 and university and are now in professional companies including the world renowned Rambert Contemporary Dance Company. Last year former student John-William Watson reached the grand final of the BBC Young Dancer of the Year award. One ex-pupil said “The facilities in the Performing Arts at Cockburn are amazing! We were taught to work as professionals”. If you would like to be part of this specialist secondary education then please visit the Cockburn School website www.cockburnschool.org for more information. Any further questions or completed application forms can be sent to info@cockburnschool.org or delivered to Cockburn School, Gipsy Lane, Leeds LS11 5TT.
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South Leeds Life | September 2019
12 School Life
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South Leeds’ first climate change teacher W
children to take home. The project has been set up through Endorphins CIC, a notfor-profit company Chris set up to help run after school activities. It is supported financially by the Council’s Inner South Community Committee, eco developer CITU and Intelligent Facilities Solutions. It has also roped in partner organisations including the LS-TEN skatepark, City Block Climbing and The Hunslet Club who will provide rewards for the children. Of course one teacher cannot change the world, so another part of Matt’s new role is to help other teachers embed climate change topics into the curriculum. For example a maths lesson could examine data about rising temperatures, or children
by Jeremy Morton
hat do you do when a knee operation keeps you off work? If you’re teacher Matt Keddie you find an online training course and get accredited as South Leeds’ first United Nations Climate Change teacher. Rising global temperatures are leading to more extreme weather events – heat waves and droughts, but also storms and flooding. Like many local authorities and the UK parliament, Leeds City Council has declared a ‘climate emergency’ and is encouraging us all to make small changes to reduce our carbon footprints. “Children need to learn about how they can make changes in their lifestyles and the habits of their families. Children, as we know, can be very persuasive so I feel they can have a positive effect on their families” explains Matt. Matt’s first big project this year is to make Ecobricks from waste plastic. Ecobricks are made by collecting non-recyclable
could write about storms in an English class. As well as developing teaching resources himself, Matt can draw on the growing number of climate change teachers in Britain and around the world through a Yahki online platform. I asked Matt about his views on the recent Extinction Rebellion protests in Leeds and the Schools Strikes. “I don’t think children at primary school are politically mature enough to make decisions about joining a protest” he says. “But I would like to think that some schools might organise an activity around climate change in school on the same day, or even take a small group to the protest.”
Matt Keddie with his United Nations backed qualification
Six small steps to reduce your carbon footprint
plastics, cutting them up and filling a container. If the container is filled to the right density, the resulting bricks can be used structurally. Matt hopes to build planters and benches with the children’s bricks. He will be working with
• • • • • •
children at his own school, Hunslet St Mary’s and neighbouring Hunslet Carr Primary School. Matt will lead one session each half term through the year, taking assemblies and creating items such as draft excluders for
Walk or take the bus rather than driving Use a refillable water bottle Turn the heating down 1° C (and save £400 a year!) Take shorter showers Collect rainwater for watering the garden Eat less beef and lamb
Carry Franklin celebrated Carnival time in inaugural arts show at Reach P
by Imran Marashli
here and see the children and parents valuing all the work that’s on the walls and the ongoing work the school’s doing. It’s a real joy to be here. “Carry would be really moved by the fact that you can see right the way from nursery to Year 6 the development of their art.”
arents and students paid tribute to “amazing” former teacher Carry Franklin as Clapgate Primary School held its first end-ofyear arts show in her memory. Ms Franklin, who taught art and drama at the Middleton school for over ten years and founded the Leeds Little Free Libraries, passed away on 4 June 2019. The event showcased the best artwork from across the year and all year groups from nursery to Year 6, with paintings, drawings, textiles and sculptures inspired by Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore on display. Parents and children thronged the school’s hall as they took part in hands-on activities including the The Year 1 display at Clapgate Primary’s Art Show Art teacher Kirsty Webster added: chance to draw a Zentangle and create pictures using leaves, “She [Ms Franklin] was the life and soul of Clapgate. She was an branches and pinecones. Well-wishers were able to leave amazing, vibrant soul, really bubbly, messages in a book next to a full of energy and just wanted the slideshow of pictures of the late best for the children and worked really hard to get that. She would teacher. Ms Franklin’s partner Dave Bache light up a corridor when she walked said: “It’s a testament to Carry and down it. “There’s a nice combination of colleague Kirsty [Webster] and the work they’ve done to ensure that drawing, painting, textiles, sculpture the arts are at the centre of the – it’s all come together really well. It’s the first time we’ve done it and school. “It’s been a real privilege to come I think she would be absolutely
blown away.” Clapgate Primary School is aiming to achieve Arts Council England’s Artsmark award, an endeavour set up by the late Ms Franklin, which assists participating schools with developing their arts programme. She also helped to establish the school’s eight-strong arts council. “We have a creative process at this school; it’s a big part of our school ethos and life,” Ms Webster added. “We nurture it and encourage children to be as creative as they can through art, drama, music, dance: everything. “We’re very lucky in that we have an art room in a primary school – there are probably four or five primary schools in Leeds that have art rooms. “The kids loving coming to the art room, getting their hands dirty, getting messy, trying new things. It’s just a great facility to have. “Not all children are academic. There are a lot of children who are very creative and need to have that space to channel that creativity, and we’ve got it here fortunately.” Parent Zoe Hardwick, who has two children at Clapgate, added she was “very impressed” by the event. “It got me more excited than them!” she said.
Getting into the carnival spirit at Reach Primary Learning Centre
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tudents, teachers and parents at Reach Primary Learning Centre signed off the academic year in style with an entertaining end-of-year dance performance. A packed assembly hall was treated to a triple helping of well-organised choreography featuring star jumps, flips and jumping to the tune of fastpaced carnival music. It was a fitting way to bid farewell to outgoing members of staff and students after their development at the school, which caters for children with particular emotional, social and mental health needs at
risk of exclusion from mainstream primary schools. After spending weeks since half-term rehearsing the dance and memorising their parts, the children performed the routine twice before parents and teachers joined in. Teacher Nzinya Anderson, who led the performance, said: “When they first did it, they didn’t understand the genre of the music, some of them had never heard it before – it was all very new to them. They’ve come on massively. For some of the children it’s unbelievable where they’ve come from to where they are now.”
MADD
September 2019 | South Leeds Life
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School Life 13
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Fest shows off students’ talents A
s the school year came to a close, Cockburn John Charles Academy and Cockburn School put on a sparkling evening of art, music and dance on Thursday 4 July. The annual MADD Fest (Music, Art, Dance and Design) is a showcase for the artistic talent that exists amongst students at
both schools. Exhibited throughout the concouse were students’ GCSE art, photography and design projects. These ranged from ceramics to photography experientation with lighting effects and graphic design which examined advertising cliches. Moving into the hall we were
entertained by a range musical performances: rock, reggae and folk; dance ensembles, very acrobatic cheerleading by the Cockburn Cobras and extracts from musical theatre works, including Hamilton. Copies of South Leeds Life even appeared as a prop in a crowd scene from a play devised
to mark Leeds United FC’s centenary. Head of School Siobhan Roberts commented: “Well done to the students and staff involved in making MADDfest 2019 a huge success! “Also, a massive thank you to everyone who attended this fantastic event.
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South Leeds Life | September 2019
14 Opinion
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In our view Let’s hear it for our youngsters
Young people generally get a bad press these days. Whilst a few may deserve it, the vast majority are busy getting on with their lives and helping out in their communities. We met a group of young women who had not only been helping out at the Breeze outdoor play events, but helped at Belle Isle Senior Action’s family day too. And three cheers for all those who have just got their exam results and good luck on the next stage of your journeys.
Environmental concerns
There is overwhelming evidence that our planet is warming up as a result of man made industry. We are in danger of rising sea levels, severe storms and food shortages. Facing such a crisis and with no action from the government we applaud the protesters who blocked Victoria Bridge in July. Yes they caused some disruption and congestion, but they got everyone talking about the issue. Congratulations also to teacher Matt Keddie who is so passionate about getting the message, and practical actions, out to the community via our schoolchildren. But what are the fracking companies doing? We need to stop burning carbon, so getting more out of the ground is pointless. It also causes earth tremours and its waste water threatens our rivers. It is time to stop.
Your letters and comments Words cannot express how sad I am on hearing that Dr Lestner has passed away. He was my Doctor for many years and also looked after my mum (who was secretly in love with him) until she too passed away. He was gentle, kind, compassionate, a good listener and above all a very professional and well respected GP. I send my condolences to his family, friends and work colleagues. He will be remembered by me always Sad passing: Lingwell Croft Surgery in Middleton announced that as a gentle soul, the good Dr Lestner passed away on 8 August die young they say and in his case, it is true. RIP. RIP Dr Lestner Diane Dobson He was an amazing doctor! He was the only one at Lingwell Croft that listened to This man got my mum through the me and took me seriously. Very sad news darkest time in her life and I know 100% I and you will be sadly missed. Fly high. wouldn’t have my mum with me today if it Nicolla wasn’t for how dedicated and amazing he was at his profession. Rest in peace Dr He wasn’t my doctor unfortunately, but Lestner, I can’t thank you enough for met him on quite a number of occasions in making my mum believe in herself. my job as a carer. He always had time for Beth the elderly in the community and he was my mum’s doctor and I’ve had the pleasure The only doctor I have ever trusted and of meeting him regarding her care. Just one he helped me through the death of my son. top bloke, he will be missed. Went above and beyond to help me and Yvonne listen. A fantastic doctor and a true gent. Truly irreplaceable and will be deeply He was a truly remarkable doctor, he missed. saved my son’s life many years ago. Julie Spence Without him going above and beyond I dread to think what would of happened. My RIP Dr Lestner, without your help and heart goes out to his family and colleagues. support I would not been able to conceive RIP Dr Lestner you will be missed by many. my children – fly high you will be greatly Lisa Wright missed. Sharon
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
He was a fantastic doctor and looked after me and listen to me and knew something was wrong. I was very poorly two years ago and Dr Lestner did not send me away, he sent me to hospital. Gone too soon RIP. Toni Coyne Such sad news. A wonderful caring doctor, he was so understanding with my husband who has severe arthritis. Our sympathy to his family at this sad time, may he rest in peace. Theresa Glynn We want to join with everyone who knew Dr Lestner he truly was a very special person, kind, caring and very very human. We have known him since he started at the Ring Road surgery run at the time by Dr Pinkerton, and Dr Sorkins and he never changed he was always smiling as if even though you were a patient he was glad to see you. Our heart felt sympathy to all his family, may he rest in peace we will never forget you. Marlene and Peter Dale Great man, great doctor. He took care of my wife illnesses for 22 years. Our thoughts and
prayers are for the family. He will never be forgotten. Rafael Serrano
Dewsbury Road cycleway As a large part of the southbound footpath is wide, a section could be marked off as a cycle path which would not only be safer for cyclists, but retain the width of the road for vehicular traffic. What is needed though is a review of the traffic lights at the Tommy Wass. Since the last “upgrade”, the queue for northbound traffic to turn right towards Middleton has multiplied. Like the queue on Sussex Ave to the lights at the Crooked Clock in the morning, it’s a disgrace to the city and must make visitors to the city wonder what they are coming to. DF Spencer
Still snookered by planning Why oh why are they still there? They the operators of the “snooker hall” on Dewsbury Road. Why? because despite being denied planning permission and having an exclusion order issued on them, they are using every stage of planning rules to appeal against the refusals. For some who has not been in business before (quote in South Leeds Life) the operators certainly know to use the appeal process! They flout the planning rules using protectionof citizens rights. What about residents rights? The law is an ass as they are able to operate seemingly indefinitely, despite putting in a retrospective planning application which was subsequently refused. They have now re-applied for a smaller number of tables. Another prolonged process. The suggestion being that preparatory work has not been started. No, they are already operating! For a year now residents have been working to get this proposal closed. This project in a residential area seven days a week until the early hours. Every step being met with the involvement of another department and wily moves. As residents we only knew of this new application via Facebook. We have seen no public notice. Name and address withheld
Waste food scheme This is such a good idea, and a great scheme. It’s surprising when you see the amount of perfectly good food being crammed into one of these food boxes: fresh fruit and veg, cartons of fruit juice, soups, boxes of cereal, pastries… I signed up for them last summer and you never quite knew what would be in that week’s box, but there was masses of good food and drink for your money. I even had a whole birthday cake in one one week! Well worth signing up. Stuart Petch
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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: @DAZL_Leeds Checkout our sassy crew who meet at #OldCockburnSportsHall @HamaraCentre supported @_YourCommunity #HunsletAndRiversideWard @Child_Leeds great job @StephFayeMusic from our @DAZL_Dance #Dance
@BeestonsMrs Naglaa’s grandparents taught her how to cook the traditional Egyptian ‘Mahshi’ dish now served in her Beeston family home. Learn the recipe handed down through #mrsbeestonscookbook @Clean_Leeds SSE Team met with local residents From Marley Street Beeston, and with there help decided to clear two historic fly tipped bin yards and use them as drying areas. A Great team effort from both parties @SlungLow Today at the club: Offploygetting ex-offenders into work is on the bus. Holiday Hungry Scheme is in the bar feeding kids. Manic Chord is in the snooker room rehearsing. And People Matter’s are running a workshop are upstairs in the concert room. FULL HOUSE! @JonathanBliss @LeedsCC_Help Since the roads were resurfaced in Leeds you haven’t repainted the lines and parking is madness for local residents
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.
@gorse_ruth Today we celebrated the fantastic successes of our Year 11 students on our first ever GCSE results day! Well done to everyone, we are extremely proud!
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September 2019 | South Leeds Life
Local History 15
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Let’s shout about Matthew Murray M
by Rachael Unsworth
atthew Murray High School is now no more than some ghostly marks on a field, and Murray’s name is in danger of disappearing too. Did you know why the school was named after him? Here’s a reminder about the man and a call to support an idea to give him the recognition he deserves. Murray, born in north-east England in 1765, trained as an engineer. In 1789, he walked to Leeds in search of opportunities. At the time, local man John Marshall was trying to improve
capital of the country. By 1795, Murray was confident enough to set up his own engineering works next door on a site still known as the Round Foundry. His greatest claim to fame is that he was the engineer who created the very first locomotive in 1812 – a dozen years ahead of the Stockton to Darlington railway. Murray’s engine ‘Salamanca’ enabled coal from Middleton to be brought into town much more efficiently than when horses had pulled carts on the old wagon way. Cheaper coal was an important boost to the early
Holbeck In Bloom’s commemorative bench next to Matthew Murray’s monument in St Matthew’s churchyard, Holbeck the efficiency of flax spinning and Murray was just the man he needed. Soon, Marshall was able to establish a new business in Holbeck and invest in a Boulton and Watt steam engine. With Murray as his right-hand man, the engine ran even more smoothly than when it left the Birmingham factory where it was made. The pace of production speeded up. Leeds became the flax spinning
industries of Leeds. Matt Edgar did good work in publishing the story of Murray’s sparring with rival firm, Boulton and Watt. Edgar is not alone in wondering why it is, though, that instead of having a statue of Murray in City Square we have the admittedly great Scot, James Watt. Salamanca was only a little engine for a colliery railway running just 4 miles. Murray went
on to build many more steam engines as well as loads of metal components for a wide range of industries. Mechanics who trained with him went off to work in other firms or created their own engineering businesses, especially in Hunslet, where thousands of locomotives were made over 160 years. His title as ‘the father of Leeds engineering’ was richly deserved. Murray himself died in 1826 and his only memorials are a plaque in near the Midnight Bell on Water Lane and a monument in Holbeck churchyard. What if we had a work of art installed in a prominent Leeds location to celebrate Murray’s role in engineering? Rather than a typical statue of a tubby little nineteenth century man, surely it would be more fitting for artists and engineers of 21st century Leeds to come together to design a novel and dramatic moving art work? I’m not suggesting melting down James Watt to make such a spectacle, but by 2026, Murray could be honoured by an unusual creation that’s especially appealing to children and fires their imaginations. Maybe someone who sees it will become a great designer of the future? Matthew Murray is featured in ‘Leeds: Cradle of Innovation’ (2018). I take walking tours of the cradle of innovation in Holbeck and Hunslet during which I touch on the contributions of a couple of dozen Leeds innovators and sing Murray’s praises. You can come on one of my scheduled tours or request a special tour for family and friends. Contact me at Leeds City Walking Tours. Email: leedscity walkingtours@gmail.com
Leeds Pubs and Cinemas by Tram
A new publication from the Leeds Transport Historical Society documents many of the 142 pubs and 34 cinemas that were on tram routes in the 1950s. As many of these have long since disappeared it makes an interesting trip (or ride) down memory lane. For more details please email enquiries@lths.co.uk or call (0113) 266 2968. Photo: Royal George, Hunslet Road (Leeds Transport Historical Society)
Virtual rugby museum H
by Pat Benatmane
unslet RLFC’s virtual museum was launched at an event in the Phoenix Bar at the South Leeds Stadium on Friday 26 July. Three years in the making, the museum is on the internet so that fans around the world can access it. So what is it? Well, it contains an archive of about 4,000 images of
Hunslet Rugby League Club going right back to the 1880s when the game was Union. There are team photos, individual player pictures, action shots and more. Amongst the fans and guests who came were past players such as Lewis Cardiss and Bob Pickles, as well as past coach Peter Jarvis. Judi Alston from One To One Development Trust who built the website stressed
Pat demonstrates the museum on a tablet.
Photo: Paul Johnson
that: “The website has gone live tonight, but it’s not a finished product, I think it’s really important to stress that. “We’ve put up information, but stage two will be where volunteers and the public look at items and say well that’s wrong, or I can add a story about that, or I can name that player in the photograph.” Surprisingly it’s often the more recent content that is lacking detailed information, so if you followed Hunslet in the 1970s and 1980s, take a look and see what you can add. We will be adding to the site as the seasons pass and any information can be passed to the club and would add to the database. To visit the museum, which was funded through the Heritage Lottery Fund, go to: hunslet-heroes.co.uk
Edward Woffenden – a Leeds Pal from Beeston B
by Peter Taylor
eeston and Holbeck provided many volunteers for the Leeds Pals battalion in the First World War. One of those volunteers was Edward Woffenden. His younger brother Tom volunteered at the same time but ended up in the 10th Battalion, while Harold, the eldest, joined the Pals halfway through the war, and was the only one of the three to survive. By 1911 the family were living at 4 Linden Grove, off
the Dewsbury Road and were still there at the end of the war. Harold had followed his father and become a lithographic artist, Tom was a bank clerk and Edward an insurance clerk. Basic training was at Colsterdale, then Ripon and finally Fovant, before being shipped off to Egypt to guard the Suez Canal. Sailing from there to France in March 1916 they prepared for the Battle of the Somme. Edward was lucky and survived this battle, but not the Battle of Arras the following year. On 3 May 1917 the Battle
of Arras began, with Pals being tasked with capture of Gavrelle. But the Germans were ready for them, and they suffered heavy casualties, one of whom was Edward. His brother Tom had been killed just under a month before, on 13 April. Neither body was found, and both men are remembered on the Arras Memorial. They are also named on the Cockburn School Memorial. Edward kept a diary, officially an illegal act. The worry was that the enemy might find a diary if the men were killed, wounded or
captured, and learn useful information from it, but large numbers of men managed to keep one, and keep it hidden. Edward’s diary provides a lot of day to day records of the Pals’ activities, and casualties, and is much quoted in Laurie Milner’s book, ‘Leeds Pals’. One such entry records the defection of a German soldier. “German crawled in from No Mans Land and gave himself up. Told us about 3 missing men being prisoners. Sleep. Fetched water. All the dead brought to Basin Wood. 9 of ours and 3 Germans.
Making temporary stretchers to carry them to Cemetery near Sugar Refinery. Carried rations from Euston Dump to ‘D’ Coy HQ down trenches. Sgt Kirton and Pte Harrison ‘D’ Coy brought in dead. Also 2 Germ dead. Sgt Newborne died of wounds in hospital making 12 dead. Letter from Bert.” 23 May 1916 This was a period of relative inactivity, and these deaths were just ‘normal wastage’. After the war Edward was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Edward Woffenden Victory Medal.
South Leeds Life | September 2019
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16 Arts
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The Parting Glass R
Beeston-born poet Tony Harrison honoured
Distinguished Leeds-born poet and playwright Tony Harrison, has received one of the city’s highest civic honours, the Leeds Award, from Lord Mayor Cllr Eileen Taylor. Born in Beeston, in 1937, Tony has enjoyed a stellar career over seven decades following his study of the Classics and Linguistics from 1955-1960 at the University of Leeds. His wide-ranging volumes of poetry include The Loiners, Continuous, V, The Gaze of the Gorgon and Laureate’s Block, amongst many others. One of Tony’s best-known works is the long poem ‘V’ published in 1985, which described a trip to see his parents’ grave in Holbeck Cemetery.
ed Ladder’s new play The Parting Glass, exploring men’s mental health and the culture of silence that can prevent men from opening up about their experiences, is coming to South Leeds as part of a Yorkshire tour. Jim’s always been a bit of a character – cracking jokes, telling funny stories, the life and soul of the party. You’ll most likely find him down the pub with his mates, or at the footie. A lad through and through, just like his Dad. And what’s more, he’s met his perfect match: Sara. She’s a Leeds lass with a sense of adventure and a cutting wit, always up for a laugh. At Jim’s 30th birthday party, they should be having the time of their lives. The world is at their feet, right? But Jim is hiding a lingering feeling that he’s not quite built for this world. Like there has always been something wrong. Tonight, he wants to talk, to tell you his story – one he’s never told before. Exploring mental health, masculinity and human connection in a social mediaobsessed world, The Parting Glass is a new play by Leedsbased playwright Chris O’Connor for Red Ladder Theatre Company. During an intimate and witty performance, audiences are invited to join spirited Leeds lass Sara at a special gathering she has organised; and Jim, a funny and charming lad who tells us his story down the pub over a pint. They seem like the perfect match, but is all as it appears? Red Ladder’s new production examines mental health and
the culture of silence that can prevent men from opening up about their experiences. It will tour Yorkshire from September as part of Red Ladder Local, which takes exceptional new writing into the heart of communities in non-theatre spaces including pubs, social and sports clubs and community centres. The Parting Glass is a development of The Life and Soul, a short one-man play which Red Ladder has been touring since 2016, and was written by Chris O’Connor
men’s mental health and the stigma that prevents men from talking openly about their emotions. The play explores this from the view of someone who is experiencing depression and adds in another perspective – that of a loved one – in considering how these issues can have a ripple effect. There’s a responsibility to treat the issues around men’s mental health honestly and accurately and The Parting Glass aims to raise awareness and reflect these experiences authentically.”
Tom Swift as Jim and Alyce Liburd as Sara in The Parting Glass Photo: Anthony Robling following a period of ill mental health. It has been developed with funding from Leeds City Council, through Leeds Community Foundation and performances will be accompanied by a post-show Q&A, facilitated by a mental health specialist. Leeds actor Tom Swift makes his professional debut as Jim and Huddersfield’s Alyce Liburd plays Sara. Playwright Chris O’Connor says: “There is an issue with
• Wednesday 18 September 7.30pm, £3. BITMOs GATE Community Centre, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle, Leeds LS10 3QH • Friday 18 October 7.30pm, £5. Hunslet RLFC, South Leeds Stadium, Middleton Grove, Leeds, LS11 5DJ Tickets for The Parting Glass can be booked through Leeds Playhouse or directly through the venues. For more information and to book tickets visit www.redladder.co.uk
Club gets a makeover I
by Imran Marashli
t has been a centre for socialising since 1911. Rowland Road Working Men’s Club in Beeston has withstood the test of time and continues to play a role in the local community over a century after its foundation. But times have changed and the club is changing with them. Thanks to Artist House 45 residents Kerri Jefferis and Sophie Chapman and other local residents, it now bears a refreshingly colourful exterior to welcome visitors as it acquires a new identity. After delving into the club’s archives, they describe their work as “an outline of all the committee members from the clubs [sic] 100y.o. history
pictured as a group of many. The large text is a simple ‘welcome’ akin to that which sits on your common doormat that invites those across the threshold and the font derived from the clubs [sic] original signage”. A final event on August 28 – Idle Acts An Exhibition of Artwork in Process – will serve as a culmination and celebration of the artists’ work
during their summer residency and of the creativity that has developed at Rowland Road during its transformation. The free event will showcase the mural, a preview of a film featuring local actors, a modular dining table, sound works and animation. It may mark the end of one project, but it is also beginning of the latest chapter in the long history of Rowland Road WMC
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September 2019 | South Leeds Life
Arts 17
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September highlights with Slung Low at The Holbeck A
by Sally Proctor
s we head towards the beautiful Autumn months we’re busy getting prepared for what promises to be a brilliant season of shows, courses and events here at Slung Low’s HQ: The Holbeck. First up we’ve got one for all the family with 15 Minutes Live on Saturday 7 September from 2- 5pm. Come and join us for a
series of new radio plays, performed and recorded live with a full band and foley sound effects. We have done a series of 15 minutes live with two previously being performed here at The Holbeck but this is our first one created especially for young audiences. Come along and you never know you may even get a starring role and if not you’ll certainly be offered a
sarnie or two! We are super excited to tell you that The Holbeck, the oldest existing working men’s club has been awarded a Blue Plaque to celebrate the extraordinary history of the club and the achievement of all those who have sustained and grown this club which has stood at the heart of the Holbeck community for over a hundred years.
We’d love you to come to the unveiling ceremony from 6pm on Thursday 12 September. We’ve commissioned the brilliant poet Ian McMillan to write a new poem in celebration of the club’s astounding history and we’ll also be joined by the wonderful Commoners’ Choir before we invite everyone for a bite to eat in the club. If you can make it do let us know so we can make sure we’ve plenty of food: RSVP to theholbeck@slunglow.org. We'd also like to invite you to become a member of The Holbeck and enjoy a reduction in drinks’ prices, get early notice of events, voting rights at members’ meeting and the knowledge that you are a supporter and member of the oldest club in the country. If you’d like to become a member either visit The Holbeck/membership section of our website (www.slunglow.org) or pop down and let us know. In the second half of September we have three wonderful plays coming to The Holbeck. On Sunday 15
September at 5pm we have Honey’s Happening; a heartwarming, funny and delightfully interactive show about one woman’s mission to save the world. Following that the mighty Chris Thorpe brings us his sellout Edinburgh show Status, a new play in monologue and song about giving up your national identity. Developed and directed by Rachel Chavkin Status is a globe spanning journey of attempted escape, here on Sunday 22 September
from 5- 6.20pm. Our last show of the month sees juggler, water-bender, and part-time deep thinker Robin Boon Dale presenting his award-winning show What Does Stuff Do? Join Robin on Sunday 29 September from 5 - 6pm as he guides you through his mind with a curious combination of circus and philosophy. As with all of our events please visit our website www.slunglow.org to book your space. All events are You Pay What You Decide.
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South Leeds Life | September 2019
18 What’s On
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IN BRIEF Bingo nights at St Matthew’s The weekly social bingo nights at St Matthew’s Community Centre in Holbeck will resume on Thursday 19 September. The evenings are mainly social events and new members are always welcome. The funds that are raised go to the day-to-day upkeep of the community centre.
Aspen Hall Village summer fair Aspen Hall Village (formerly Copper Hill) is holding its summer fair on Saturday 14 September from 1pm. Paw patrol, LOL dolls, minions and superheroes will all be attending for the children. There will be food and beer tent, stalls and live music. The results of a super raffle will be announced at 4pm, prizes include a trip to Dublin and family ticket for Disney On Ice.
South Leeds Mumbler’s family friendly September events roundup by Helen Robinson
H
ere’s a roundup of family friendly activities for September. I’m Helen Robinson and I run local parents’ website and community, South Leeds Mumbler: southleeds.mumbler.co.uk; or @SouthLeedsMumbler on Facebook.
Murder mystery evening Beeston Parish Centre is hosting another murder mystery evening on Saturday 21 September from 7pm. Can you put the clues together to identify the guilty party? Entry is £5 which includes supper and the bar will be open.
Clean Air Group The South Leeds Alliance for Clean Air team are looking to push their work forward into the autumn - and are very keen to hear from new people who want to get involved. They are already working on a 'Plants for People' project in local schools, awareness-raising campaigns, locally-led air monitoring, media work and lobbying the Council, but are also open to new ideas. They are holding an open meeting at 8pm on Sunday 8 September at Rowland Road Club in Beeston Hill, for anyone willing to get involved. Or contact them anytime via facebook.com/ southleedscleanair, or call Ed: 07738 921277
Road closed for Car Free Day Part of Tempest Road will be closed to traffic on Sunday 22 September 11am-5pm. A community fair will take place on the road.
On Sunday 1 September families can safely cycle around traffic-free roads in the city centre as part of the HSBC Let’s Ride Leeds cycling festival. As well as cycling, there will be fun activities and challenges for the whole family, plus music, local street food and live stunt shows. There’s also still chance to catch the free Jurassic Trail and Leeds City Beach in central Leeds before they finish this weekend. Visit leedsinspired.co.uk for full details. On Sunday 8 September, 1-4pm, families can enjoy craft stalls, home-grown produce, arts and crafts, educational displays, food and drink, games and live music and DJ entertainment, as part of the annual Great Middleton Park
Show. Visit show.fomp.co.uk for the full line-up. Leeds Library Code Club gives children aged 7-13 years a chance to learn a variety of coding languages by making games, robots, animations and websites in a supportive environment. The fortnightly group is free and meets 11am-12pm at Leeds Central Library on 7 and 21 September. Another event will run at Morley Library on Tuesday 17 September. The popular Middleton Community Camp event returns in 2019 for its sixth year. On Saturday 14th September, around 50 people will come together to enjoy games, sports, shared meals, crafts, guided night walks and nature, before camping overnight in Middleton Park. To enquire about booking, visit the Middleton Community Camp 2019 event page on Facebook. On the same weekend, the first SNAPS Superhero Zoom event takes place at John Charles Sports Centre. Designed to be fully safe and accessible to wheelchair and walker users, the event gives all children an opportunity to wheel, walk, run and zoom their way around the athletics track. All participants will become superheroes for the day, receiving a superhero cape and medal with their registration pack. 15 September, 10.30am-12.30pm. SNAPS is a Leeds charity that provides high quality physiotherapy for children with additional needs
Vote Ruby for Mayor R
uby Wilde from Belle Isle is standing for election to become the next Children’s Lord Mayor of Leeds. In her manifesto she says “my main priority would be to tackle the homophobia problem in our schools.” Speaking to South Leeds Life she explained: “I picked it (homophobia) because I think it goes a bit unnoticed in school when children say things like 'that's so gay' when they don't like something and have no clue that this may be offensive. “This could be really upsetting for others who hear it who might be gay or have family or friends that are gay and hearing it said that way sounds like it's a bad thing which I don't agree with. I don't think people should be upset because of who they love and some people don't understand that gay people have as much right to be themselves and love who they want to love just like any other people do. We are all the same and it's not OK to
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make fun of or judge anyone because of their sexuality. “The big reason for me is finding out that it used to be illegal to be gay and people still have these views and teach their children that it is not normal and I think this is completely wrong. I just don't like people being treated like they have some sort of disease because others don't understand it. It's just not fair.” We asked Ruby what it’s like to be a candidate, she told us: “It felt amazing when I found out I had been picked from the whole school year and felt completely unreal when I find out I was shortlisted in the final 12. “I was really shocked and nervous and then super excited to go to the 'what to expect' meeting at Leeds Civic Hall where I met the other finalists and picked up my ballot box and rosette and then I was really excited again to go out and try to get the children of Leeds to vote for me.
“I am proud to have been able to get this far and I wish the other finalists good luck too!" Anyone who lives or goes to school in Leeds and is aged 18 or under is eligible to vote. Voting is open until 5pm on Wednesday 25 September 2019. The winner will be announced on 1 October. To cast your vote go to the breezeleeds.org website, click on Have Your Say, then Children’s Lord Mayor.
Ruby on the campaign trail
The revamped Trentham Park in Beeston has just been re-opened and support for their families. All proceeds from the event will support SNAPS Yorkshire. Tickets are £5 per child, parents and carers go free. Contact jenny@snapsyorkshire.org for information. Dewsbury Road Community Hub (LS11 6PF) hosts its free monthly family film screening on Wednesday 18 September at 4.30pm. Then on 20 September at 10am, Leeds City Museum will host its free Pop-up Sensory Room. This multi sensory morning for under 5s and their carers features bubble tube, dark dens and multi-sensory equipment. Following the successful launch of Trentham pocket park last month, Friends of Trentham Park will be running regular events and
meetups at the newly refurbished and landscaped park. Visit fb.com/friendsoftrenthampark for updates. Daily sports and performing arts classes are available at The Hunslet Club for children aged 18 months and upwards from as little as £1.50 per session. Visit hunsletclub.org.uk for the full programme. South Leeds dance troupe DAZL runs popular free or cheap (from £2) dance sessions for young people and children to get fit, healthy, and connected. Visit dazl.org.uk for full times, venues, and info. LS-TEN (formerly known as The Works, on Kitson Road near Costco, Hunslet LS10 1NT) is also open daily to scoot, skate, or bike round.
New home for Leeds Dads T
his September sees the first monthly Leeds Dads meet-up event in the group’s new home, The Holbeck. Leeds Dads creates opportunities for dads of preschool children in Leeds to spend time with their kids. The group has been running a popular monthly meet-up for dads and their children at The Tetley for the past few years. Around 30 dads and grandads meet to enjoy arts craft, games, a singalong and storytime. = The group will move into their new headquarters at The Holbeck from September. Leeds Dads founder Errol Murray says: “We’re very excited about moving to The Holbeck. It will give us access to a much larger event space so we can continue to grow and welcome new members. We are looking forward to our current dads joining us at The Holbeck, as well as meeting other dads who live locally too.” Errol started Leeds dads in
2011 as a way of spending more time with his daughter. “Dads are still a bit of a rarity at playgroups, so I felt slightly awkward and out of place there. So I started Leeds Dads with a handful of friends and their kids in Leeds City Museum Cafe.” Leeds Dads has recently been shortlisted for the Community Organisation Award for Gender at the National Diversity Awards. The awards highlighted Leeds Dads for
bringing together a diverse community of fathers for social interaction and support. Earlier this year, their flagship event Dadstastic Day attracted over 2000 dads, mums, carers and kids, making it the biggest free Father’s Day party in England. Leeds Dads meet on the third Sunday of the month. The next event will take place on Sunday 15 September, from 2pm-4pm at The Holbeck on Jenkinson Lawn, LS11 9QX.
The Leeds Dads monthly meet up will be at The Holbeck
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What’s On 19
Email: info@southleedslife.com
It’s showtime at Middleton Park Y
September 2019 | South Leeds Life
by Heather Wagtaff
ou’ll be happy to know that once again we are getting ready for the great annual Middleton Park Produce Show. Family fun for everyone. Get your glad rags and your gardening gloves out of storage and prepare for an even better show this year. Note the date: Sunday 8 September, 1-4pm. This year with our theme of Healthy Lifestyles and we have an afternoon of stalls, music, food, entertainment and of course the produce and the arts and crafts shows. If you can grow a prize vegetable or fruit, or you can make something, or you are artistic, enter your creation and see if you can claim a prize certificate and trophy. Everyone is welcome to join in (entries to be submitted by 11am for judging). Join in with the Zumba or our dancers whilst your children can make something with our fun crafts with organisations
Dancers from the Hunslet Club entertaining the crowds in 2016 such as Wild Apple Play. Always popular. And finally, enjoy walking an Alpaca, watch some ferret racing or hold a magnificent bird of prey and learn more about these fascinating creatures. The whole event is funded by the charity organisation Friends of Middleton Park for the users of the park and the surrounding
communities, and schools. Best of all the whole event is FREE to visitors on the day. Take part in something worthwhile so join in and if you can offer your time by volunteering on the day please contact the Friends of Middleton Park, email: info@fomp.co.uk; or leave a message on our mobile: 07914 729051
Get ready to explore Heritage Open Days E
by Mel Roberts
ach September up and down the country, some 40,000 volunteers organise over 5,000 events to celebrate England’s fantastic history and culture. It's your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are FREE. Here in Leeds, Heritage Open Days is a unique opportunity to discover, explore, and visit all sorts of exciting and diverse events that tell the great story of our city and its people. Head over to Holbeck for a host of events. It all kicks-off at this year’s launch event on Thursday 12 September, where a special blue plaque will be unveiled to commemorate the Holbeck Working Men’s Club. We’ll have a shindig with the Commoners Choir, and the bar will be open from 6pm to raise a glass to HODs 25th Anniversary. Saturday 14 sees ‘The Great Leeds Pub Quiz’! Think you know everything there is to
know about this great city? Well, this could be your chance to shine – join as a team, or come down by yourself, and we’ll find a team for you. From general knowledge to trivia, and picture rounds, there’ll be plenty to keep your brain busy!
Join the debate on Blue Plaques Sunday 15 sees you invited to Jury Duty at The Holbeck as we put our Blue Plaques in the dock. With over 170 blue plaques in the city, we challenge the audience to look at our plaques from a different perspective. Find out which ‘terrorist’ has a plaque, and decide on the fate of a new plaque proposal. The courtroom opens at 5pm.
Other South Leeds events include a chance to see inside the 15th century Stank Hall Barn; explore the history of Beeston Wood in Middleton Park; guided museum tours at Middleton Railway; open day at Skelton Grange Environment Centre; a guided tour of the Tetley’s brewery site; or delve into the archives of the Royal Armouries. There will also be a talk about the 1890 gas workers strike, much of the action of which took place in Holbeck and Hunslet. And then it’s back to Holbeck, as we wrap up this year’s Heritage Open Days on Sunday 22 September at The Northern Monk at Marshall’s Mill. Sooth your soul after a busy week of events as the hauntingly beautiful Meanwood Ensemble performs in this stunning industrial setting. We can’t think of a better way to round off this year’s HODs. Tickets are required for some of these events. Booking details as well as more information can be found on www.heritageopendays.org.uk.
Ready Steady Readers Monthly coffee at Leeds Libraries mornings in Middleton G
by Rachel Benn
ive your baby a head start by sharing books and stories from the beginning. There are lots of books to borrow for free at Leeds Libraries. It’s free to join the library – they can get a
Getting to grips with a free Bookstart pack
library card from birth so what are you waiting for? You can sign your children up for Ready Steady Readers where they will receive a diary, on each visit to the library they will collect stickers, and on their 6th visit they receive a certificate! When you sign them up, you can also collect their free Bookstart pack: Baby Packs for 7-12 months and Treasure Packs for 3648months. There are also Bookstart Star for children with a condition or disability which impacts on or delays their fine motor skills, Bookshine especially created for deaf children and Booktouch especially created for visually impaired children; each pack contains two books and information to help families share and enjoy books together. Come along to your local library with your children now and find out about the Ready Steady Readers offer and other events for babies and toddlers. They have regular weekly free Storytimes and Rhymetimes for under 5’s too! Nearby Storytimes and Rhymetimes: • Beeston Library Storytime – Every Tuesday 10.45am-11:15am • Beeston Library Rhymetime – Every Friday 2pm-2:30pm • Dewsbury Road Community Hub Storytime – Every Thursday 11-11.30am All these are free to attend, and no need to book, just drop in!
S
by Alannah Marsden
t Mary’s Parochial Hall in Middleton held their monthly coffee morning on Thursday 25 July. These coffee mornings are usually held on the third Thursday of the month, and it’s safe to say this was the hottest one yet! Regardless of the heat there was a fantastic turnout of both church goers and nonchurch goers, who came to enjoy the selection of cakes, bacon and sausage sandwiches, hot drinks and a turn on the raffle. The purpose of these coffee mornings is clear – to bring the community together. It allows people to go somewhere and socialise with others for a couple of hours, which can make a huge difference in people’s lives. The friendly, welcoming atmosphere is clear as soon as you walk through the doors, and as said by a member of the Church Committee, Sandra Askin “We’ve always got a friendly smile for everybody”. The sessions are run completely by volunteers. The
local Vicar, Andy Myers, stated: “All the volunteers work really hard; we really couldn’t function without our volunteers.” These volunteers do indeed work tirelessly to bake treats to be sold, find raffle prizes to be won, and of course they ensure the morning runs smoothly when it comes around. There is a clear sense of togetherness which is wonderful to see. The St Mary’s Parochial Hall, at the top of North Lingwell Road, was built in 1935 and it
belongs to the St Mary’s Church, also in Middleton. It is the Church’s social club, and it is a key part of the community. The coffee mornings are just one of the many things that the committee members and volunteers at the hall do to bring members of the community together. So why not go along to their next coffee morning on 19 September? It is certain to be another great morning which will be enjoyed by members of the community.
A welcoming smile from volunteers at the Parochial Hall
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South Leeds Life | September 2019
20 What’s On
What’s On Your guide to events and activities across South Leeds in 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 Women & Girls’ Drop In 9:30am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project 43 Stratford Street, Beeston Hobbies2gether craft group 9:30-11:30am St George’s Centre Middleton 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 Breastfeeding Support 10:30am-12pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston SLLAH Drop In Coffee morning 10:30am-12pm Assissi Place, Belinda Street, Hunslet Walk and Talk 11am-12pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle SLLAH Mixed Exercise 11:30am-12:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Bumps & Buggy Fit 11:30am-12:30pm Skate Park, Holbeck Moor MEA Lunch Club 11:30am-1pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave SLLAH Lunch Club 11:45am-1pm Cottingley Community Centre Luncheon Club 12:30pm Trinity Network, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Bowling 12:30-4pm Cross Flatts Park Women’s Wellbeing Group 1-3pm Middleton Family Centre, 256-262 Sissons Road Learning Disability Advice 1-3pm Connect In The North, Office 42, Sugar Mill Business Park, Oakhurst Road, Beeston Dance 2-3pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Avenue Men’s Boxercise 2:15-3:15pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston Triathlon Training 4:15-5:45pm Middleton Cycle Hub Blossom Kinship Group 4-5:30pm Middleton Parochial Hall, North Lingwell Road Connected 4-5:30pm Middleton Family Centre, 256-262 Sissons Road 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 Middleton Community Centre, Acre Road South Leeds Sisters running
6.15pm South Leeds Stadium Coffee & Craft Middleton 6.15-8:30pm St Cross Church, Acre Road, Middleton St Matthew’s Youth Club 6:30-8:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Beginners Meditation Class 6:30pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck Girls Group 7-9pm South Leeds Youth Hub, Middleton Road, Belle Isle 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 Yoga 6:30-7:30pm; 7:30-8:30pm St Anthony’s Church Hall, Old Lane, Beeston
Every Tuesday Mums & Tots 9-11am Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle 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 SLLAH Breakfast Buddies 9:30-11:30am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Gentle Exercise 9:45am Trinity Network, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle HEA’s Tea & Toast breakfast 10am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Muslim Pensioners Group 10am-12pm Vale Circles Centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Baking 10-11am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Breastfeeding Support 10am-12pm Middleton Family Centre, 252-262 Sissons Road Women’s Friendship Group 10am-12pm Hunslet Methodist Church, Telford Terrace, Balm Rd SLLAH Mixed Exercise 10-11am St Anthony's church hall, Old Lane, Beeston Community Coffee Morning 10-11:30am Beeston Library Knit & Natter 10:30am-12pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre SLLAH Chair Based Exercise 11.30am-12:30pm Cottingley Community Centre MEA Lunch Club 11:30am-1pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave SLLAH Lunch Club 12pm Arthington Court, Hunslet HEA’s Community Lunch 12-1:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Lunch Club 12:30pm Salvation Army, Hunslet Hall Road, Beeston
Luncheon Club 12:30pm Trinity Network, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Bowling 12:30-4pm Cross Flatts Park Beginners Meditation Class 12:30-1pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck Bumps & Buggy Fit 1:30-2:30pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Stay & Play 1:30-3pm Building Blocks Nursery, Maud Avenue, Beeston Craft Group 1:30pm Trinity Network, Oakley View, Beeston SLLAH Line Dancing 1:30-2:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston SLLAH Social Afternoon 1:30-3pm Arthington Ct, Hunslet HEA Afternoon Social 1:45-3pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Line Dancing 2-3:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Teen Spirit Boys Group 4-6pm Middleton Family Centre, 256-262 Sissons Road Kidz Klub Beeston 4-7:30pm Beeston Hill United Free Church, Malvern Road Rainbows, Brownies, Guides 4:30-9:15pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Girls Group 4:30-6:30pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston Your Space Journaling Group 5-7pm The Happy Yak Café at Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck Inside Out wellbeing group 6-8pm Middleton Parochial Hall, North Lingwell Road Women’s Fitness Boot Camp 6-7pm Leeds Urban Bike Park, Ring Road, Middleton, LS10 3TN Hunslet Rainbows, Brownies and Guides 6:15-8:45pm Hunslet St Mary’s Primary School, Church Street Coffee and Craft Middleton 6:15-8:30pm St Cross Church, Acre Road, Middleton Hunslet Nelson Rounders Team 6:30pm Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston DAZL DanceFit (women 16+) 6:30-7:30pm Middleton Community Centre, Acre Road 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 Fitness Boot Camp 6:45-7:45 Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street 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
Welfare Rights Advice Surgery 9am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck 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 City Tots 9:30-11am City Evangelical Church, Cemetery Road Pop Up Council Services 9:30am-12:30pm Cottingley Towers HEA Tea & Toast Morning 10am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck 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 to Morrisons 10am-1pm Holbeck Elderly Aid, Domestic Street HEA Coffee Morning 10am-12pm Ingram Court, Holbeck Money Advice 10:15am-3pm St George’s Centre, Middleton Dancing In Time 10:30am-12pm St John & St Barnabas Church, Belle Isle Road Walk &Talk Walking Group 11am-1pm MEA Social Centre, Middleton Park Avenue Free Zumba 12-12:45pm Middleton Leisure Centre HEA’s 2 course Community Lunch 12:15-3pm Ingram Court, Holbeck Grandparents’ Support Group 12:30-2:30pm Tenants Hall Ent. Centre, Acre Close, Middleton Luncheon Club 12:30pm Trinity Network, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Ladies Group 1-3pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck At Home In Holbeck 2-3pm Ingram Road Primary School Parnaby Pals Memory Cafe 2-4pm Parnaby Tavern, Middleton Road, Hunslet Carr 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
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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 Free Walking Football 7-8pm Middleton Leisure Centre Youth Group 7-9pm South Leeds Youth Hub, Middleton Road, Belle Isle 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
12:30-1pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck Bumps & Buggy Fit 1-2pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park, Beeston New Lives Group 1-2:30pm Two Willows Children’s Centre, Cardinal Square Muslim Ladies Group 1-3pm Vale Circles Centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Green Gym 1-4pm Lady Pit Lane Allotments, Linden Avenue, Beeston Digital Image Online Photography 1:15-3:15pm Beeston Skills Hub, Gipsy Lane Breathe Easy gentle exercise 1:30pm Hunslet Methodist Church Telford Terrace, off Balm Road BAFF Dancercize 1:30-2:30pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street SLLAH 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 HEA Craft Group 1:30-3:30pm Cleveleys Court, Holbeck Vale Circles Autism Hub 2-7pm Vale Circles Centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Men’s Circuit Training 2:15-3:15pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston Kidz Klub Middleton 4-7:30pm Middleton Primary School, Middleton Park Avenue Kidz Klub Holbeck 4-7:30pm The Holbeck club, Jenkinson Lawn Footbal sessions 5-8pm Old Cockburn Sports Hall, Primrose Lane, Beeston Community Choir 5pm Cockburn School, Gipsy Lane Mini & Junior Rugby 6-7pm Leeds Corinthians, Ring Road, Middleton South Leeds Lakers Juniors running club (8-14) 6-7pm Cockburn School, Gipsy Lane, Beeston General Fitness 6-7pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Hunslet Nelson Rounders Team 6:30pm Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston Ballet Burn 7-8pm South Leeds Conservative Club, Wooler Street, Beeston Indoor Bowls 7-10pm The Holbeck (WMC), Jenkinson Lawn Youth Group 7-8:30pm Middleton Community Centre, Acre Road Yoga class 7:30-8:30pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street
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 Table Tennis 9:45-11:15am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck 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 Little Explorers Baby Group 10-11:30am Middleton Play & Learning Centre, Throstle Lane Community Craft Cafe 10am-12pm Church of the Nazarene, Hunslet Hall Road Middleton Park Estate Volunteers 10am-3pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre New Lives Group 10-11:30am Cottingley Children’s Centre Storytime (under 5s) 10:15-10:45am St George’s Community Hub, Middleton SLLAH Yoga 10:15-11:15am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Craft Group 10:30am Trinity Network, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Storytime (under 5s) 11-11:30am Dewsbury Road Community Hub, Beeston HEA Line Dancing 11:30am-12:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck MEA Lunch Club 11:30am-1pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave SLLAH Lunch Club 12-1:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Luncheon Club 12:30pm Trinity Network, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Beginners Meditation Class
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Email: info@southleedslife.com
Every Friday
1st Beeston Scouts 8-9:30pm St Andrews Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston
Tea & Toast 9am Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Charity Shop, Tea & Toast 9am-12pm Beeston Hill United Free Church, Malvern Road Welfare Rights Advice Surgery 9am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Breastfeeding Support Group 9:45-11:15am Mothercare cafe, Crown Point Retail Park SLLAH 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 HEA’s Shopping Trip to Morrisons 10am-1pm Holbeck Elderly Aid, Domestic StreetCuppa, 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 Breathe Easy gentle exercise 11:30 Parochial Hall, North Lingwell Road, Middleton MEA Lunch Club 11:30am-1pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave SLLAH Luncheon Club 12-1:30pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street HEA’s 2 course Community unch 12-1:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Luncheon Club 12:30pm Trinity Network, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Bowling 12:30-4pm Cross Flatts Park Krok Po Kroku (Polish Group) 12:30-2:30pm Tenants Hall Enterprise Centre, Acre Close, Middleton SLLAH Ballroom Dancing 1-2:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston The GATE Men’s Group 1-3pm BITMO’s GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road HEA’s Walking Football 1:30-3pm Holbeck Elderly Aid, Domestic Street HEA’s Afternoon Social 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 5th Middleton Brownies 6-7:30pm United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle 1st Beeston Cub Scouts 6:15-7:45pm St Andrews Community Centre, Cardinal Road Youth Group 7-9pm South Leeds Youth Hub, Middleton Road, Belle Isle 5th Middleton Guides 7:30-9pm United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle
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 Zumba 10-11am Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Hunslet Nelson Rounders Team 10am Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston Kidz ‘n’ Co 10:30am-12:30pm Cottingley Community Centre Yoga 11:30am-12:30pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town street Middleton Railway 11am-4pm 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 Street Cricket 10am-1pm Cross Flatts Park Middleton Railway 11am-4pm Moor Road, Hunslet Sunday 1 September South Leeds Hikers - Appleby 7am-8pm Transport provided Note-ability Concert Band 2:30-4:30pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Hunslet RLFC v Workington Town 3pm South Leeds Stadium, Middleton Grove Monday 2 September Mostly Men 10am-12pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Nature visits for Families and Childminders 10am-1pm Skelton Grange Environment Centre, Stourton HEA Carers Group 12:30-2:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Your Space LGBTQ+ Social 5-6:30pm The Support Hub, 5 Recreation View, Holbeck Tuesday 3 September Friends of Stank Hall 7:30pm The Broadway pub, Dewsbury Road, Beeston Wednesday 4 September 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 Drink and Draw 6-8pm The Tetley, Hunslet Road Thursday 5 September Hunslet Carr Residents Assoc 6:30pm Community Centre, Woodhouse Hill Avenue Bat Walk 7:30pm The Chapel, Hunslet Cemetery Beeston Community Forum 7:30pm Old White Hart, Town Street, Beeston
September 2019 | South Leeds Life
What’s On 21 Saturday 7 September Yoga 10-11:30am The Tetley, Hunslet Road South Leeds Community Orchestra 10am-12pm St Cross Church, Acre Road, Middleton Volunteer Rangers 10am-12pm Holbeck Cemetery, Beeston Road Coffee Morning 10am-12pm St Andrew’s Comm Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston Coffee Morning 10am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Family Art Workshop 11am-3pm The Tetley, Hunslet Rd Teens Club 1-5pm Vale Circles centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston 15 Minutes Live 2-5pm Slung Low at The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn, Holbeck New Cycle Lane Consultation 3-7pm The Holbeck WMC, Jenkinson Lawn, Holbeck Sunday 8 September The Great Middleton Park Show 1-4pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Hunslet RLFC v Oldham RLFC 3pm South Leeds Stadium, Middleton Grove Monday 9 September Tea, Cake and Conversation 12:30-2:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Tuesday 10 September Leeds Aphasia Cafe 1-3pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Camera Club 3-4:30pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub, Beeston Beeston Local History Group 8pm Beeston Parish Centre (small hall), Town Street Wednesday 11 September SLLAH Kurling 10:30-11:30am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston SLLAH Generation 55 12-2:30pm The Broadway pub, Dewsbury Road, Beeston Bereavement Support Group 1-2pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Lego Club 3:30-4:30pm Beeston Library, Town Street Code Club 3:30-4:30pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub, Beeston Bat Walk 7:30pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Thursday 12 September HEA Food & Film Night 3-6pm Ingram Gardens Community Centre, Holbeck Blue Plaque unveiling 6pm The Holbeck WMC, Jenkinson Lawn, Holbeck Saturday 14 September New Cycle Lane Consultation 10am-2pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub, Beeston Summer Fair 1-4pm Aspen Hill Village, Church Street, Hunslet The Great Leeds Pub Quiz 7-10pm The Holbeck WMC, Jenkinson Lawn, Holbeck Sunday 15 September Sunday Lunch Club 1-3pm Vale Circles Centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Beeston Wood History Walk 1:30pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Leeds Dads meetup 2-4pm The Holbeck WMC, Jenkinson Lawn, Holbeck
Honey’s Happening 5pm Slung Low at The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn, Holbeck Blue Plaques In The Dock 5-8pm Slung Low at The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn, Holbeck Monday 16 September HEA Morley Shop or Swim 9am-12pm Transport frm Holbeck SLLAH Generation 55 12:30-2:30pm Whistlestop pub, Town Street, Beeston Your Space LGBTQ+ Social 5-6:30pm The Support Hub, 5 Recreation View, Holbeck Tuesday 17 September Aire and Calder Navigation Heritage Walk 10:30am meet Corn Exchange The Writers Club 1-2:30pm Beeston Library, Town Street Wednesday 18 September New Cycle Lane Consultation 10am-2pm The Holbeck WMC, Jenkinson Lawn, Holbeck Open Day 3:30-7pm Cottingley Primary Academy, Dulverton Grove The Parting Glass 7:30pm BITMO’s GATE centre, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road Thursday 19 September Coffee Morning 10am-12pm Parochial Hall, North Lingwell Road, Middleton New Cycle Lane Consultation 12-4pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub, Beeston Heritage Pub Walk 2pm from The Tetley, Hunslet Rd St Luke’s Tenants & Residents 6pm St Luke’s Primary School, Beeston Road Leeds Film Club 6pm Cineworld, White Rose Shopping Centre Saturday 21 September Young Archaeologists Club 10am-12pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Coffee Morning 10am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street South Leeds Community Orchestra 10am-12pm St Cross Church, Acre Road, Middleton Voices of Tetley’s Brewey 11am & 2pm The Tetley, Hunslet Road Big Green Weekend Open Day 11am-4pm Skelton Grange Environment Centre, Stourton Stank Hall Barn Open Day 12-4pm Dewsbury Road (near the White Rose Shopping Centre) Teens Club 1-5pm Vale Circles centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Leeds Kindness Revolution 6:30-10:30pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram road, Holbeck Murder Mystery Evening 7pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Sunday 22 September Car Free Day Street Fair 11am-5pm Tempest Rd, Beeston Voices of Tetley’s Brewey 11am & 2pm The Tetley, Hunslet Road Sunday Lunch 12-2pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Sunday Lunch Club 1-3pm Vale Circles Centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Aire and Calder Navigation Heritage Walk 1:30pm meet Corn Exchange Status 6:20pm Slung Low at The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn, Holbeck Meanwood Ensemble
7pm Northern Monk Refectory, Marshall’s Mill, Holbeck Monday 23 September Wellness Space Afternoon 1-3pm Ingram Gardens Community Centre, Holbeck Tuesday 24 September Middleton Community Group 7pm St Cross Church, Acre Road Wednesday 25 September Volunteer Rangers 10am-12pm Hunslet Cemetery Middleton Road Hunslet Remembered 10am-12pm Community Centre, Woodhouse Hill Avenue SLLAH Kurling 10:30-11:30am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Tiny Tetley 10:30am & 11:45am 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 Code Club 3:30-4:30pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub, Beeston Open Evening 6-8pm Cockurn School, Gipsy Lane, Beeston Friday 27 September Free Legal Advice 2:30-4:30pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub, Beeston Saturday 28 September South Leeds Hikers Lake District 6:30am Transport provided Sunday 29 September SLLAH Big Sunday Lunch 12:30-2:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston
Sunday Lunch Club 1-3pm Vale Circles Centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Friendly Band 2-4pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street What Does Stuff Do? 5pm Slung Low at The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn, Holbeck Monday 30 September Your Space LGBTQ+ Social 5-6:30pm The Support Hub, 5 Recreation View, Holbeck Tuesday 1 October Friends of Stank Hall 7:30pm The Broadway pub, Dewsbury Road, Beeston Wednesday 2 October 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 Open Evening 5-7:30pm Cockburn John Charles Academy, Old Run Road Thursday 3 October Hunslet Carr Residents Assoc 6:30pm Community Centre, Woodhouse Hill Avenue Beeston Community Forum 7:30pm St Anthony’s church hall, Old Lane, Beeston Saturday 5 October Volunteer Rangers 10am-12pm Holbeck Cemetery, Beeston Road Coffee Morning 10am-12pm St Andrew’s Comm Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston Coffee Morning 10am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street
Licensing Act 2003 Notice is hereby given that We, LS-TEN, have made an application under section 17 of part 3 of the Licensing Act 2003 for the grant of a premises licence for the premises known as: LS-TEN Ltd, Unit 1-4 Kitson Road, Airedale Industrial Estate, Leeds, LS10 1NT We intend to conduct the following licensable activities on or from the premises: Sale of alcohol and Regulated Entertainment including Indoor Sporting Events; Monday to Friday 1800 - 2300 Saturday + Sunday 10:00 - 23:00 Subject to the following terms: CCTV, Challenge 25, incident register, site security Responsible authorities or any other person may make written representations to Leeds City Council about this application until 6th September 2019 which should be sent to Entertainment Licensing, Leeds City Council, Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR For full details and to view a copy of the application please contact Entertainment Licensing on 0113 378 5029 or email entertainment.licensing@leeds.gov.uk It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application and the maximum fine for which a person is liable on conviction for this offence is an unlimited fine.
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South Leeds Life | September 2019
22 Sport
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Silver medal for Abby Briggs in European Schools Championships H
Boxing for England - Abby Briggs
by Helen Robinson
unslet boxer Abby Briggs claimed silver medal at the European Schools Boxing Championship in Georgia, narrowly missing out on gold following a controversial judges’ decision. Representing England Boxing, 13-year old Abby secured her place in the final after beating opponents from Turkey in the quarter finals and Ireland in the semi finals. In the battle for gold, Abby was up against Italian Valentina Marra at 60kg. The
first round was close, but in the 2nd and 3rd rounds Abby dominated her opponent. At the end of the match, the judges surprised many of Abby’s supporters by awarding the match to Marra. This is Abby’s 2nd silver at a major international competition. She will move up to junior next season and will be looking to add more titles and silverware to her collection. Dennis Robbins, chief executive of The Hunslet Club where Abby trains, told South Leeds Life: "We are all so proud of
Abby, both her dedication to the sport and her performance in the European Schools Championships. It was a controversial final judges decision, but ultimately she boxed incredibly well and we couldn't have asked for more from her. “It spoke volumes about how she was received by everyone there, that she was the only competitor to get a standing ovation at the end." The Hunslet Club provides boxing classes for young people aged five and over. Contact the club for more details on (0113) 271 6489 .
Get on target with South Leeds Archers
South Leeds Archers marked their 20th anniversary year with a free open day at Cockburn School in July. Adults and children beginners were invited to practice at short-distance targets with beginners’ bows while club members displayed their ability with shots from up to 100 yards. The event aimed to increase exposure for the sport of archery and the club, which has around 70 members at present. More information at www.southleedsarchers.org.uk
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September 2019 | South Leeds Life
News 23
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Kalvin Phillips drops in to RoundersFest a Beeston Juniors football camp great success S
unday 28 July saw the return of the annual Hunslet Nelson RoundersFest. The RoundersFest is a family fun day hosted by the Hunslet Nelson Ladies Rounders team, and it takes place at the Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club in Beeston. Advertised as a fun packed day for all the family, it certainly didn’t disappoint, with a great turnout despite the rain. From 12pm until 4pm the cricket club was filled with people enjoying a day out with friends and loved ones. The day got off to a fab start as the rounders tournament
Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips at the Beeston Juniors clubhouse
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eeds United star Kalvin Phillips made a surprise visit to the Beeston Juniors Skills camp on 6 August. The two day camp, which attracted over 40 youngsters, was run by Leeds United’s Foundation who linked up with a number of different
grassroots clubs to provide educational football sessions across the Leeds area to help keep children active and healthy over the summer break. Janine Findlay from Beeston Juniors told South Leeds Life: “The children were all excited
to meet Kalvin Phillips (some of them for the second time after he met with our players for presentation day), he was fantastic with them, signing shirts, balls and boots for everyone, posing for photographs and chatting. “He also had a question and
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he Old Cockburn Sports Hall in Beeston is where you will find the Beeston Ballers training every Monday, led by volunteer coaches for just £1 a session. Together with the Mandela Jrs of Chapeltown, these youngsters will form part of a new basketball team, Leeds LDM, which will compete in the third tier of the Junior National Basketball League this season. Loran Lewis set up LDM (Let’s Do More) while working as a sports officer at Leeds City College, where he met youngsters who lacked the coaches who shared their experiences and backgrounds, much like when he was growing up. Struck by the lack of basketball opportunities in his local area, Beeston, he decided something had to be done. “In Beeston, you have a large population from Eastern European and African backgrounds who love basketball. It was a shame that there wasn’t any basketball for them. “You can see in the space of a few months how many kids have turned up, because
there’s a demand for it – and that’s with minimal backing and exposure.” With the help of the Yorkshire Sport Foundation, Sport England, the Leeds Community Foundation and the Leeds City College academy, sessions started in May to tap into the potential and talent of South Leeds basketballers. It’s a way to develop the skills and confidence of local youngsters and help them overcome the barriers they face in life, channelling their energy to positive ends. Costing just £1, the sessions are designed to be as accessible as possible to overcome the financial and travel barriers that budding players from the area encounter. Leeds LDM played their first match in South Leeds, cruising to a 69-36 win against Barnsley Leaders on Saturday 17 August. The U16s led from start to finish in their game at Cockburn School against a team that they will face again in the league later this year. After an even start to proceedings, Leeds raced into a 38-13 lead by half-time thanks in large part to centre
Not only was there the rounders tournament to entertain everyone, there were stalls selling sweet treats, a tombola, and even a play tent where children could play games such as mini football. There really was something for all the family, which made it a perfect day for all. And even when it began to rain as the day drew to a close, it didn’t stop people staying out to have a good time. The final matches were played, and after an extremely close few games the Beeston St Anthony’s team emerged victorious! But of course, the overall winners of the day were everyone who attended this
answer session with the children who asked a range of questions from ‘who is your funniest teammate?’ to ‘are you staying at Leeds?’ “Every child left with a certificate and some were presented with special awards.”
Basketball’s a slam dunk for Beeston Ballers by Imran Marashli
by Alannah Marsden
Women’s Rounders at Hunslet Nelson CC in Beeston kicked off with its first two matches. There were 6 teams competing in the tournament, which ran throughout the day. These included fellow rounders teams from the Rounders in Leeds League, groups of family and friends and even a football club! With the crowds of spectators increasing as the day went on, it became clear that the appreciation for rounders didn’t just come from the team members – it was shared by all. And that’s what RoundersFest is all about; sharing the love for this sport with everyone. This was summed up perfectly by Danielle, Captain of the blue team at Hunslet Nelson Rounders, who said: “It’s nice to be able to see your family and friends enjoying a sport as much as you do.”
amazing event and had a fun day out with family and friends. A member of the public who attended, named Molly Smith, said: “I had a great day out with my friends, we loved watching the rounders games and it was nice just to spend time outside rather than staying in!” Overall it was a great celebration of rounders enjoyed by all. If you are interested in joining the Hunslet Nelson Ladies Rounders Team, either to play for fun or be part of a league team, they offer three training sessions a week, on Tuesday and Thursday nights at 6:30pm, and Sunday mornings at 10am, all at Hunslet Nelson Rounders Club on Gipsy Lane, Beeston, LS11 5TT. It’s open to ladies of any ability and aged 16+, and it’s only £1 per session!
Winning in South Leeds: Leeds LDM Frederick Amponsah, who racked up 31 points, 22 rebounds and nine steals as well as leading in steals and blocks in a dominant performance at both ends of the court. A collective defensive effort from Leeds forced Barnsley into conceding possession and turnovers too frequently as their attack lacked cohesion. Sam Nixon was among the main beneficiaries, with his aggressive dribbling and lay-
ups earning him 22 points by the game’s end, and he put the icing on the cake with the game’s only three-pointer right on the buzzer. Coach Will Hopper commended the performance: “Today, we played throughout the whole game, everybody knew what they were doing. We played with intensity and that’s a testament to the players, the fact that they listened and took that advice on board and put it into practice.”
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Hunslet’s push for the playoffs crusaders and Charlie Martin could have put the game to bed but knocked on with the line begging. In true form Hunslet took their foot off the gas and let North Wales come back into the game. Captain Duane Straugheir on the charge against Keighley, supported by Joe Firstly Sanderson and Jimmy Watson. Photo: Paul Johnson Phoenix Photography Joseph Ryan torrential rain before kick off wrong footed Jimmy Watson to by Ian Pickles left the playing surface slippery score a clever try, before and Jeremy Morton and points were at a premium. impressive centre Robert At half time Hunslet had a Massam was too strong for unslet RLFC have all but slender lead at 4-2. Hunslet crashing over in the The game changed on the right hand corner. Tries secured a playoff spot in League 1 after mixed results hour when Whitehaven scored converted, the game was now over the last couple of months. a bizzare try. Kelly driving in tighter at 18-12. Two disappointing losses at towards the posts lost the ball, It could have been all square home to Whitehaven and but it hit a series of players had Jimmy Watson not Newcastle were balanced by before coming back into his executed a brilliant try saving good wins against Coventry, hands to score. tackle, but it was Joe Hunslet’s discipline now went Sanderson, back from loan and North Wales, Keighley and awry and Whitehaven took full playing well, who fed Charlie London. July started with the visit of advantage. Influential half-back Martin through on the stroke of Newcastle Thunder, bolstered Simon Brown was sin-binned half time giving Hunslet a 24by big signings since Hunslet and the Cumbrians levelled it 12 lead, a hammer blow to the beat them earlier in the up from the resulting penalty Crusaders. season. But a very poor second 12-12. Hunslet were dominant in the The winning try came when second half, finishing 42-18. half performance saw the Parksiders give up a 12-4 half Forster, always a thorn in The Parksiders won a hard time lead to lose the match 12- Hunslet’s side, got the ball out fought victory for the second of a three man tackle and season running at a wet and 26. Hunslet played Coventry Whitehaven shipped it quickly windy Cougar Park on 10 Bears the following week at to the right for Thompson to August, 10-32. Rugby. The Bears made a squeeze in the corner. Final The game was an angry affair match of it, but Hunslet pulled score 12-19. with tempers frequently boiling A week later Hunslet once over as former Keighley and away in the second half to win again bounced back from a Hunslet players lined up comfortably 20-48. Whitehaven visited on 27 loss. The parksiders went 18-0 against their former clubs. July. After a scorching week, up against North Wales The game descended into
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melee after melee in the last five minutes, as niggles in the tackle turned into full on fist fights. Duane Straugheir was sinbinned for Hunslet for punching, before a full on brawl on the hooter ended with 3 players (Tonks and Bloomfield for Hunslet) being sent off. The resulting suspensions may yet prove costly at the business end of the season. Hunslet’s match at London Skolars on Challenge Cup Final weekend was live streamed by the RFL and the dramatic finish justified this. A tight affair with plenty of mistakes, the game was tied at 18-18 at half time and again at 30 all with 10 minurtes to play. The pressure came from London who seemed to be camped in the Hunslet half as they desperately tried to work a drop goal. As the game moved into injury time another attempt, by Wilkinson, was charged down and ball came to Callum Lancaster who ran the length of the pitch and was only tackled one metre from the line. This time it was the Parksiders’ turn to find a drop goal, but instead of kicking Lewis Heckford dummied and moved the ball right for Gareth Potts to score in the corner. Hunslet’s place in the playoffs is all but guaranteed, but to have a realistic chance of promotion they need to keep winning against Workington Town (1 September) and second placed Oldham a week later. Both games are at South Leeds Stadium and as usual under 16s are free.
Junior Lakers are flying S
ince South Leeds Lakers started their junior section in May they have seen numbers rise to 40+. The sessions always start with a welcome and a celebration of ‘well dones’, sometime with special wristbands for anyone achieving a PB on one of our recording/measuring weeks. Prizes are also handed out for good attendance and then the children do a Group Warm-up (Bulldogs being a particular favourite). The children are then split
into groups of similar abilities and rotate around four preprepared (Run, Jump, Throw) activities, spending ten minutes at a time with each of our coaches. Every few weeks the children are timed or measured in each of the disciplines and are encouraged to try and improve on their previous efforts. Some weeks we break things up, one week all the children enjoyed trail running in Middleton Woods (the younger ones searching for bears!). Mum of Isaac and Jacob,
Andrea said: “Juniors is a hit in our house, the boys love it!” Noah and Riley’s mum said: “Just wanted to say thanks for making Noah and Riley so welcome last night, they really enjoyed it.” Mum of Peyton said: “Thank you for a great night, my children loved it, we will come again.” Ruby’s Dad said: “Ruby is buzzing, she loves these Thursdays!” Ellie Harrison even won the
club motto competition suggesting ‘TLC – This Laker Can’, which has now been printed onto T-Shirts to raise money for Wheatfield’s Hospice. South Leeds Lakers Juniors meet every Thursday between 6-7pm at Cockburn High School. The sessions are free and for children aged between 8-14 years, who must be accompanied by a Parent or Carer.
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Blossom is a triple world champion at 5
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by Helen Robinson
ive-year old Blossom Crosby from Middleton has won three Gold medals at the 2019 Elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Junior World Championships. Blossom stormed to victory, winning all her matches without dropping a single point. The Junior World Champ secured a decisive win in each of her medal-winning matches through arm bar submission, a technical move which forces opponents to signal their surrender. “I was very nervous before the competition because it is such a big event,” Blossom told South Leeds Life. “But after my first match I was excited about winning. I love doing BJJ, mixed martial arts and kickboxing because I have fun.” The young athlete trains three times a week at AVT Youth Academy in Morley and
at a gym in Pontefract on weekends. Her main coach is her father, professional MMA fighter Tom “The Viking” Crosby; along with Britain’s first female BJJ black belt, Helen Currie, and Thai boxer Louis Lee Scott. “I’m so proud of Blossom,” says Dad Tom. “The World Championships is a huge and prestigious event, with over 1400 kids competing over the weekend. She even stepped up into a heavier weight category to win one of her events. “She really enjoys training and competing, and it’s great to see her following in daddy’s footsteps.” In recognition of her brilliant performances at the World Championships, Blossom was promoted to grey and white belt on 26 July. The annual BJJ Junior World Championships took place in Wolverhampton on 20-21 July 2019.
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