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Issue 4 | February 2015
What’s happening in Beeston, Belle Isle, Cottingley, Holbeck, Hunslet, Middleton & Stourton
Residents fight for green space Local residents are fighting for a green community space to be included in a new housing development in the heart of their neighbourhood. The Garnets – a terraced neighbourhood just off Dewsbury Road in Beeston Hill – saw 78 houses demolished in 2012, at the end of a controversial regeneration project stretching back to 2005. The land has stood empty since then. But now the Council is looking to build new council housing on the site. The current proposal is for 25 two- and three-bed family houses on the 0.4 hectare site. However, residents have been meeting over the past six months to form a campaign for green community space to be included in the plans. They are arguing that such a space would improve the environment for both current and incoming residents, provide a positive social and play environment for children and those of all ages, and a venue for neighbourhood events – such as the acclaimed bonfire party they held last November. Brian Smeaton, a Garnets resident and one of those involved in the campaign, commented: “We're not saying they shouldn't build houses, but we were promised a green patch. It would make a vast difference, and – because we're talking to the next door Vale Centre about looking after the space – it'd cost the Council nothing. They're breaking promises – we wish they'd have some consideration for us.” Furthermore, the group are talking with a wide range of people and organisations, local and beyond – and finding considerable support. South Leeds Life understands that Leeds Federated – who own and manage a number of properties in the neighbourhood –supports its tenants’ view that the plans should include some communal green space. Academics from both Leeds and Leeds Beckett universities are advising them – and helping them argue their case from a range of angles, including health and well-being, flooding, and the impact of building design upon community life. And they're looking to form partnerships with local charities and organisations including The Vale Circles, Leeds Citizens, and the Beeston Green Streets project. January saw a public consultation event on the proposed scheme, with 30+ locals turning out to see
In this issue:
Community rallies for Iraq
page 2
Valentine’s Fair returns to Elland Road
page 5
Arts and the ‘South Bank’
pages 6 & 7
the plans for the scheme, and give their feedback. Many were voicing their concerns and frustrations. Local resident and campaign member Ruth Granger said she likes the designs, but also insists that the Council promised them green space. “They asked us for our ideas for the space when they demolished the houses, many of us responded, but nothing happened. Now there's this housing scheme all of a sudden, and they don't seem to be interested in what we think. It's incredibly frustrating.” Earlier in January, City and Hunslet councillor Patrick Davey told South Leeds Life: “Whilst this ward needs more green space, it desperately needs new housing, particularly family housing with gardens. I do have concerns that 150 houses (sic) were demolished and the net result is that we have 125 fewer homes than previous, though admittedly better. “I would not therefore support the dilution of this number any further by the provision of community green space.”
However, following the recent consultation event, Cllr Peter Gruen – Leeds City Council’s executive member for neighbourhoods, planning and personnel – added: “The proposed development at The Garnets is part of our ambition to deliver quality council homes that helps regenerate neighbourhoods, bring growth to and benefit communities as a whole. We don’t underestimate the impact that open green space can have on people’s health and well-being, and the important role it plays in making a community a great place to live.We’ll assess people’s feedback on green space alongside a number of other considerations.” The proposed scheme is now likely to be scheduled for the planning panel in the coming months, with residents and others able to comment further before that.To stay updated, visit the planning section of the Council website, look out for planning posters in the neighbourhood, or keep an eye on South Leeds Life.
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South Leeds Life | February 2015
2 News
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About us South Leeds Life is written by and for local people. People who live and work in the LS10 and LS11 areas of South Leeds. The blog and newspaper are produced by the South Leeds Life Group, a constituted community group with elected officers. Our aims are: 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. South Leeds Life started as a blog in November 2010 and still posts news every day at: www.southleedslife.com
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Why you should vote in May elections by Hilary Benn MP Recently, I found myself talking to a group of teachers about what being an MP is all about. They had lots of questions, and one – which started a lively discussion – was about why some people vote and others don't. I think it’s a really important issue because it says something about the kind of society we are. Why do some people say that they aren't interested, or wonder what the point of it all is, or are just downright cynical about politics? There are lots of reasons why some people feel this way, including alienation, taking things for granted, feeling unhappy about what’s happening or wanting something different from politics. And yet, the chance to do something about the things that worry us or we’d like to change is a really important right. After all, it was only by struggle over many years that everyone finally won the vote. And what about all those countries where people don't have the chance to decide by whom and how they are governed? There’s also the argument about participation; the kind we read about all the time in South Leeds Life.The effort that people who live, work in and love south Leeds put in to making life better. I’m sure that there are things about society that they too don’t like or want to change, but their response is not to wonder whether it’s worth it; it is to get stuck in, help
others and make things happen. Just look around at our community. How was Hillside, when it ceased to be a primary school, turned into a wonderful centre for small and growing businesses and a community hub in Beeston ? How was the building across the road - which we used to know as Shaftsbury House and an eyesore at one time – transformed into the most environmentally friendly block of homes in Leeds ? In both cases, because someone had an idea and the ability to inspire others to get involved and see it through. Or think about what’s changed in our parks. The lovely new visitors’ centre in Middleton Park or the improvements in Cross Flatts Park; both the result of hard graft by Friends groups who saw it as their responsibility to make things better. The Middleton Railway - the world’s oldest working railway - run entirely by volunteers.The many organisations supporting the elderly in Beeston and Holbeck, Belle Isle, and Middleton. The vibrant hub that is Leeds Health for All.The determination of the new committee to keep the Holbeck Working Men's Club – the oldest surviving club in the country - going. And a club of a different type – The Hunslet Club - where every day of the week you will find a hive of activity involving children, mums and dads. My point is that in life we get out what we put in, and the things we are proudest of are those that we have put most of ourselves into. And if
Tell us your news Tell us what you’d like us to report on Photo: Claire Bentley-Smith
by Bruce Davies
Keep up date with the latest news everyday online at: www. southleedslife .com
that’s true about how we build a better community – and it is - then it’s also true about how we build a better country. So let’s encourage each other to take part in the democratic process. And if you know someone who’s not yet on the electoral register, then it’s easy to register at: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote Voting may only involve a pencil and a piece of paper, but put those together with ideas and you really can change things.
Community rallies to help Iraqis
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In the darkness of a British January the thoughts of many are beginning to turn towards spring; lengthening days, clement weather and the notions of hope and well being that accompany this. For Chris and Lydia Mitton reports of the deepening crisis of displaced Iraqis and Syrians fleeing the grip of Islamic State, sparked thoughts of a different kind. For the thousands of refugees at the mercy of winter in Iraqi Kurdistan the possibility of death is ever present and it was this
information that led the Mitton’s to start the Leeds2Iraq appeal. In collaboration with the Foundation for Relief & Reconciliation in the Middle East (FRRME, which is Canon Andrew White, 'The Vicar of Baghdad’s’ charity) space was obtained on board a container taking cargo to the region and an appeal for winter clothing initiated. Since the beginning of the appeal an overwhelming amount of clothes has been donated, in fact 72 cubic metres of clothing has been given largely by individuals beginning in the South Leeds area and spreading out to areas such as Horsforth, Rothwell, Harrogate,Woodside and Pontefract. Such has been the
generosity of spirit shown by the people of Leeds it has taken the best part of three days for large teams to sort the clothes into practical packages for children, adults, ladies, men etcetera; and peopled entirely by volunteers from the community. Seeing the activity occurring at St Luke’s over the course of the weekend as people from various different faiths, communities and backgrounds combined their efforts was an object lesson in humanity, a display of magnanimity that crushes the philosophies of tyranny. So many donations have been received that the original plan may now change with Leeds sending a
whole container. As South Leeds Life went to press decisions were still being taken, but the clothing will be sent either Erbil, Sinjar or Dohuk. Ed Carlisle, one of the volunteer co-ordinators said: "The response has been truly overwhelming - not just the donations, but the amazing volunteer team that came together over this past week to sort and pack it all up. People from all walks of life, most of them from south Leeds, grafting together for whole days to pull off a pretty massive challenge. It was hard work, but inspiring being amongst great people, and for a really good cause."
Photo: Claire Bentley-Smith
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News 3
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Unity tenants welcomed to Holbeck
Unity tenants find out about their new homes and meet their new neighbours
The tenants who will soon be moving into new housing on Brown Lane East in Holbeck were welcomed to Holbeck at an event at Holbeck Working Men’s Club on Saturday 10 January. Unity Housing Association which has built the new properties invited new tenants to a meet and greet session. It was a chance to find out more about their new home and meet their new neighbours. Wayne Noteman, Unity’s Regeneration
New homes nearing completion
Director, presented a slideshow picking out important features of the new housing including extra large windows, high noise and warmth insulation and larger room sizes than the private sector. The homes are due to be completed in three to four weeks time, at which point tenants will be handed their keys Also on hand were local Councillors Adam Ogilvie and Angela Gabriel. Adam welcomed the tenants to Holbeck saying: “We are here to help you if you have any issues with bins, schools, or anything else. We have been working with Unity and others to get this new housing and we are delighted that regeneration has started. “This is a strong community you are moving into. Welcome to Holbeck.” Dennis Kitchen and Ian Pickup introduced a number of local organisations including the club itself, Holbeck Gala and the Holbeck Neighbourhood Plan. Holbeck In Bloom have planted a mass of bulbs on the side of Holbeck Moor facing the new housing which they hope will spur tenants to work on their new gardens. I spoke to several of the new tenants. Some were moving from Beeston and Osmanthorpe, but others were already living in Holbeck. All were excited to be moving into new spacious and warm homes. They welcomed the opportunity to meet their new neighbours and as one man put it: “It’s a new year and a new home.”
Belle Isle’s blooming! The Belle Isle and Middleton In Bloom Group is Growing in Strength. At our last meeting, a representative from Sharp Lane Primary School came as well as representatives from the Beeston In Bloom group. Extra seating had to be brought in to the board room at BITMOs GATE to
South Leeds Life | February 2015
accommodate everyone. On Thursday 5 February the Belle Isle and Middleton In Bloom group will be planting small trees and hedging.Would you like to volunteer and help us? If so please meet at BITMO GATE (old Belle Isle library) just before 10am. We will then go down to Low Grange
Crescent to carry out the planting. Group member Kenneth Ingram said: "Recently the group planted trees and spring bulbs in the area. All this is done by volunteers and Leeds Parks Dept to make Belle Isle and Middleton a nicer place to live."
Show your love for Skye on Valentine’s Day Skye Sutcliffe is a little girl from Middleton battling a big health problem. Now 16 months old, Skye was just four months old when she was admitted to Leeds Children’s Hospital with suspected meningitis. It turned out to be acute lymphoblastic and myeloid leukaemia – two rare forms of cancer. Last July Skye’s three year old brother Harvey helped his sister, donating his bone marrow for a transplant, but Skye’s not out of the woods yet. Now her Grandma Amelia has organised a 5km fun run in Middleton Park. As well as showing Skye their support, runners (and walkers) will raise money for the Candlelighters and Delete Blood Cancer charities. The fun run will take place on Saturday 14 February 2015 in Middleton Park. People in South Leeds are asked to show their love on Valentine’s Day and help raise as much money as possible to tackle this dreadful disease. To sign up for the fun run, which starts at 11am from the visitor centre, please go to: www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Leeds/ Middleton-Park/Running-for-Skye/
12288719/. Find out more about Skye’s battle on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SkyesALL. Register on the Bone Marrow Register here: www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/bonemarrow.
The SLATE Charity Group
CARING FOR THE PEOPLE, THE COMMUNITY AND THE PLANET Quality Donations Always Wanted We collect: Furniture, white goods such as fridges, cookers and washers (no gas) and small electrical items (TVs, microwaves, videos etc.) in working order, bicycles, bric-a-brac, bedding, curtains. We call also help you clear houses - please call us for more information. Give your unwanted items a new home and support a South Leeds local charity working with people with learning disabilities and also helping to save the planet.
SLATE, 1 Low Road, Hunslet LS10 1QR Our shop is open Mon – Fri 9.00am – 5.00pm Sat 9.00am – 4.00pm Sun 11.00am – 4.00pm
and soon to be open! 44-46 Canal Road, Armley LS12 2PL
Call us on 0113 270 4005 or through our website on
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South Leeds Life | February 2015
4 News
News in brief Beeston plan forum gets the green light
Leeds City Council agreed to designate Beeston Neighbourhood Forum on 5 January 2015. This welcome news enables the Beeston community to come together to discuss and resolve the issues identified when the designated area was consulted in June 2014. The process will culminate in the writing of the Beeston Plan. If the Plan is supported by a referendum, it will be adopted as a planning document detailing the regeneration of the Beeston Neighbourhood Area for the next 10 to 15 years. Arrangements are now being made for the first meeting of the Beeston Neighbourhood Forum.
Free wi-fi for council building Leeds City Council is rolling out a programme of free wi-fi wireless internet access at its building throughout the city. In the coming months, free wi-fi will be available at: Beeston Library Cottingley Children’s Centre Dewsbury Road One Stop Centre Dewsbury Road Library Hunslet Children’s Centre Hunslet Library John Charles Centre for Sport Middleton Children’s Centre (Under 3s / Play & Learn) Middleton Leisure Centre Middleton Library / St George’s Centre Thwaite Mills Museum Two Willows Children’s Centre
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Matthew Murray site out of Neighbourhood Plan by Lucy Potter On Saturday (24 January 2015) St Matthew’s Community Centre in Holbeck hosted the latest Holbeck Neighbourhood Forum. The meeting was disappointed to hear that the old Matthew Murray site has been taken off the ‘Site Allocations Plan’ (a local council document). Originally the site allocations had penned the old secondary school grounds which had been left abandoned for seven years for mixed use (housing, recreation and business). This also included some imaginative suggestions by the public, such as an ‘urban farm’ or revitalising the running track and building sustainable housing. However, this has since been taken off and is ‘unavailable’. This means that it will not be included in the plan even though it is within the designated boundary. Dennis suggested the forum write to the head of planning at the council to raise our concerns over what the site might be used for. All that were present agreed and that any developments that were out of the neighbourhood plan’s hands, could have an effect on the overall vision of what the plan is striving to achieve. Dennis then suggested a trip to the Lilac self build housing in Bramley would be a useful visit for the forum to take one day in support of our letter. The sun had brought out regular members and some new faces too. Items on the agenda included the drawing up of the plan due to come into force in September 2016. The forum has been going over two
years with support of Planning Aid UK, businesses, residents and volunteers. The forum is slowly coming to the second stage of process by compiling all the evidence gathered into a ‘draft plan’. Dennis Kitchen (chair) welcomed everyone to the meeting and briefly gave a potted history of the last couple of years and how they’ve reached the stage they have. A questionnaire which was carried out by the volunteers over the summer (2014) at various venues in the community has helped prepare the ‘Draft Policy Intentions’ these are available to view at the www.holbeckneighbourhoodplan.org.uk website in the ‘meetings’ tab. These will then get made into ‘a policy type brochure’ which the forum will take back out to the public over a six week period covering June/July this year.Ward councilors,Angela Gabriel and Adam Ogilvie they arranged a last minute addition to the agenda. Mark Ireland from ‘Leeds Neighbourhood Approach’ through the council, works to support tenants and landlords by either helping improve poor quality housing or helping sell empty houses. Mark was happy to visit the forum and confidently tell of the success the program has seen in Armley and other parts of the city.They will be working within the ‘Recreations’ later this year. Mike Dando from Planning Aid UK who has been with the forum since the beginning explained that the planning aid funding was coming to an end, but that didn’t mean the support to the forum would.The plan, originally a government support funded program does have financial stability and additional specialist support can be applied for through various funding. Eve
Join the Belle Isle choir singing In Harmony
Residents Graciela & Emily discuss matters with Alan Lane of Slung Low. Photo: Lucy Potter
Tidswell (Friends of Holbeck Cemetery) and board member, announced the successful bid for funding to receive a ‘Bridging Grant’ through Locality. This will fund a planning consultant to translate the draft policy intentions into a brochure to be used in June/July. Mike was confident this would help firm up a timetable which will mark the key milestones. The meeting ended with promises of more exciting events to look forward to. Keep an eye out on the website www.holbeckneighbourhoodplan.org.uk Next forum meeting: Saturday April 25 2015.
Advertise here and reach 15,000 people! South Leeds Life is printed every month. With a print run of 5,000 and each copy read by an average of 3 people, advertising with us will be seen by 15,000 people in South Leeds.
The In Harmony community choir, which meets every Friday lunchtime at Windmill Primary School is looking for new members. The choir is an offshoot of the successful whole school In Harmony project that Opera North are running at the school. The choir is open to parents and any other adults who would like to join for the fun of singing.
There are no auditions, you don’t need to read music, or even hold a tune, just turn up and join in! The choir meets for a cuppa from 12:15, then sings from 12:30-1:15pm. Although led by Opera North staff, the choir doesn’t sing opera, but a mix of folk songs, show tunes, pop songs, hymns and spirituals - and whatever the children are singing.
This advert is a Quarter Page. It costs just £75 for a single insert, or £200 of three inserts. Prices range up to £300 for a full page.
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South Leeds Life | February 2015
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News 5
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Art therapy sessions for people with disabilities People with learning and other disabilities in Leeds are exploring art therapy thanks to new funding Local people in Holbeck are using funding from People’s Health Trust to explore art therapy and other activities together through local organisation People Matters. People Matters has received funding of nearly £50,000 from People’s Health Trust, using money raised by HealthAmaze through The Health Lottery, and from January 2015 will be providing sessions three times a week for adults and young people with disabilities who may be
Community Committee to discuss jobs for older men
The Inner South Community Committee, made of our nine councillors, will be meeting on Wednesday 11 February at 5:30pm in the Civic Hall. This will be the third Community Committee workshop with the aim of improving community involvement and engagement
in local decision making. The workshop topic for the next Community Committee is: reconnecting to the labour market at 50+. The session will discuss local work around specialist support for unemployed men who are over 50; the impact of unemployment on mental health; community learning initiatives; the benefits of volunteering; Leeds Let’s Get Active initiative aimed at me.n Local residents are encouraged to attend to get their voices heard. The Workshop will be followed by The Inner South Community Committee meeting at 7.00pm Sandwiches and hot drinks will be available from 5.00pm
particularly vulnerable and isolated across Leeds. Members of the group will work together to lead their own drop in sessions, exploring a range of activities
and subjects chosen by them, which include: dance, sport, crafts, art therapy, current affairs, fundraising, drama, personal safety and awareness. Chief Executive Tina Turnbull said:
“This investment will help us expand our work in the community with some of the most vulnerable people in Holbeck. Many people have never done art or performance so this project will give them a creative outlet that builds and confidence independence.” There are still spaces available at the project. People can refer themselves or alternatively referrals can come from friends, family health and social care professionals. For more information about the project contact Sally or Lucy on (0113) 234 6896 or email: info@peoplemattersleeds.co.uk.
Valentine’s Fair returns to Elland Road
It’s the UK’s largest Valentines Event, and it’s back in Leeds for the Half Term holidays. The famous Valentines Fun Fair runs from Thursday 12 until Sunday 22 February on the Elland Road car parks alongside Leeds United Football Club. Each year the event seems to bring together bigger and better rides from across Europe and whether you’re looking for a family-friendly day of rides and amusements or a thrilling night out, there is always plenty to enjoy at the fair. Amongst the array of Roller Coasters, thrill rides, family rides, Dodgems, Twists and Waltzer’s which have always been the staple diet of the Valentines Fair, there will be a fantastic new attraction this year in the form of the Top Spin, Wave Swinger and Extreme while returning is Sky Flyer which spins its riders 30 metres into the air in a suspended seat at high speed. Direct from a theme park will be the Wild Mouse Roller Coaster which spins its cars along its winding and twisting track, one of four coasters which includes the giant family Big Apple Coaster which is always a huge hit with the kids. These rides amongst the 150 attractions on offer will give thrill seekers and families an amazing experience. Also there were plenty of rides for those who enjoy more traditional fairground rides, including the ever-popular Gallopers, Ghost Train and four Fun Houses. The fair also offers visitors the chance to enjoy many other attractions, such as giant prize games, food and novelty stalls and the numerous side shows that are on offer, including an indoor seating area. The fun gets underway at 5pm on Thursday 12 February and will then be open Friday 13 from 5-10.30pm, Saturday 14 from 5.45-10.30pm and then daily from 1-10.30pm through until Sunday 22 February. This year will also see the snow princesses in attendance who will no doubt be a hit with the kids during the afternoons from Sunday 15 to Friday 20 February.
This year’s chosen charity which the fair will be supporting is Martin House Hospice which cares for Children and Young People with progressive life limiting illnesses, and provides support to their families in a purpose built hospice in Boston Spa, Wetherby. And if you really want to experience all the fun of the fair, pay a visit to the free model show on Sunday 15 February in the Leeds United Banqueting Suite from 11am-4.00pm and see all the rides in miniature as well as a number of trade stands and refreshments. Speaking for International Fun Fairs, Roger Tuby and Stewart Robinson commented: “We are proud to once again present the biggest selection of theme park and fun fair rides to be seen at any Valentines event in the UK and one of the largest fairs in the whole of Europe. This year the fair is better than ever and we will be once again having a fantastic firework display too. Together with spectacular new attractions we have again for the seventh year kept prices at fantastic rates for our guests and we are looking forward to welcoming families from across the City and beyond for what is a truly spectacular half term experience.” The Valentines Fair was the first such fair in the World right here in Leeds twenty four years ago and has steadily grown into a huge spectacle with as many individual attractions as any theme park in the country.
So much to do at Belle Isle Family Centre
Where can you find a fabulous community cafe serving wholesome meals, an autism support group and have fun at a family tea group? Belle Isle Family Centre – recently nominated for a Child Friendly Leeds Award – is nestled underneath St John and St Barnabas Church off Belle Isle Road and offers a wide range of activities and friendly groups for all the family. A warm welcome awaits at our community cafe, serving good value hot and cold breakfasts, lunches, snacks and drinks. It’s open 7.30am1.30pm, Monday to Thursday.
On Mondays, you can meet up for a chat and a cuppa at the Women’s Well Being Group, which runs 1pm3pm. Contact Linda Baker on (0113) 271 6277. Jjoin us on Tuesdays for a healthy home-cooked meal plus activities including games, arts and crafts at Fun @ Family Tea. It runs 3.30-5pm. Children £1, parents £2.50. On Wednesdays the Jigsaw Autism Support Group meets. It runs during term time 9am-10.30am for mums and dads with autistic children to have a coffee and a chat. Search for ‘Jigsaw Autism Support Group’ on Facebook or just come along! Contact Audrey on 0113 277 5772. And in the evenings, 6-7pm, get fit and have fun with our zumba class! On Thursdays the G12 Girls Group: is aimed at teenage girls featuring variety of activities. Contact Jocelyn on 07944 461545. Meet for a cuppa and learn how to cook a healthy breakfast, 10am12pm, for our Happy Fridays Breakfast Group. Contact Stephanie on 07940 020847. Looking to find work? Our Work Club runs alternate Fridays, from 10am-12pm.The informal club offers support to help you find a job. Contact Leanne on 0113 277 4819 for more information and dates. And on Saturday you can cook with your children, learn new recipes and have fun with the Little Chefs group. Contact Leanne Elliott on 0113 277 4819 for more. Dads get to spend quality time with their kids at the Saturday afternoon dad’s group. It runs 12.30pm. Contact Chris on 07969 266059 for more information.
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6 News
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Army helping in West Hunslet at the double Monday to Thursday. We would like to double that number and help more people.” At £3 per head, the offer meals affordable nutrition as well as social interaction and friendship. The Corps Andrew & Jackie Jarrold (church) raises funds to subsidise the meals and they the centre, the focus is on also have links to Costco to take food relationships. She is proud of the items that are approacing their Use By customer feedback that the shop is the friendliest, cheapest charity shop date. in Beeston. As a church the Salvation holds two “Not everyone comes in to buy services every Sunday plus a monthly family service. “Messy Church” is an things, sometimes it’s just for a chat informal event for parents, carers and and that’s fine.Although the money we young children that includes songs, raise in the shop is important, sometimes people have nothing and craft activities and a meal. Through in the ‘community care and we give them what they need. That’s share’ shop I important to met manager us.” “Everything Vanessa and in the shop is volunteer Kay.The shop donated,” is full of continues clothes and Vanessa. “I call it Bagpussbric-a-brac and Vanessa land. People is full of come in and for energy, she ask describes her something role as “my unusual and dream job”. within days it As in turns up in a Christine, Rachel and June everything at donation - it’s
There’s a lot more to the Salvation Army than brass bands – although you will still hear the West Hunslet band out on the streets on Sunday afternoon. At a national level the organisation runs safe houses to help victims escape human traffickers. In South Leeds they offer hot lunches and run a busy charity shop on Hunslet Hall Road in Beeston (or is it West Hunslet?). The services are run by Andrew and Jackie Jarrold together with a team of twenty dedicated volunteers. The volunteers, who range in age from 9 to 90 are critical to providing the friendly services. The Jarrolds moved from Harwich in Essex a year ago. Beeston has different issues and is much more multicultural, but they are enjoying getting to know the community. The community work stems from an old Salvation Army adage ‘faith in action’. “We try to live out the gospel and build relationships,” says Andrew. “We currently serve 20-25 meals each day,
like magic!” The Salvation Army does give out emergency help in the form of food parcels, but usually to people referred from Social Services. They are also involved in the community in other ways. The South Leeds Youth Project funds two workers, Ed and Mark, to run youth activities in the area. They are also active members of Churches Together in LS11and volunteered their services at last year’s Beeston Festival. The band played carols at December’s Lantern Festival in Cross Flatt’s Park. Recently the church has got involved with the Leeds2Iraq project (see p2) and when I visted a van was parked outside, stuffed to the gunwales with warm clothes to take to St Luke’s for sorting. Vanessa sums up the ethos of the work the Salvation Army are doing when she says it feels good to be able to do something to help: “Giving love’s a right good payback!”
Kay & Jessica in the shop
Local charity on a mission to make ends meet
This week saw south Leeds charity St Luke’s Cares open their fifth charity store, in the heart of Beeston Hill on the busy Dewsbury Road – as part of a major push to become financially secure, and to safeguard their much-valued work in the local community. The new store is set in the sizable ‘Pavilion’ building (known by many as the former Surestart HQ) at 246-252 Dewsbury Road, facing onto the major Tunstall Road junction.They’ve a wide range of stock, including furniture, men’s and women’s clothes, accessories, bedding, gifts, and more – all of course at low prices. St Luke’s Cares is a well-loved charity working across the south Leeds communities – especially supporting vulnerable young people through mentoring, educational programmes, youth clubs, and more. Key work includes the Hitbase community IT base at St Luke’s Church, and the Shine Project – an empowerment programme for local young women and girls.The past two years has seen them open an expanding chain of charity shops around Leeds – the aim being to become financially independent and therefore able to guarantee their work, and also in time to generate money to distribute to other local groups and projects. Jackson Turner, Beeston resident and manager at St Luke’s Cares, says: “It’s a tough climate for charities and for youthwork in general, yet we’re passionate about the work we’re doing in the community and don’t want to see it jeopardised by funding cuts or the like. So we’ve embarked on this challenge to raise all our funding through charity shops – and I think we’re really getting somewhere. Loads of different people have got onboard to support us, we’re learning the trade, and we’re starting to make some money. Everything we make goes back into work in the local area, so massive thanks to all those helping to make it happen.” The stores are always looking for donations of good quality clothes and other
Photo: Lucy Potter goods to sell, can provide a free pick-up service for bulky donations and furniture, and even do whole house clearances. They’re also always looking for volunteers to help staff the stores or to help out in other ways – a great way to meet new people and learn new skills. And crucially, they’re always looking for customers! They also have stores on Beeston Road, and in Middleton, Morley and Chapel Allerton. For more info or to support them, click here; or for house clearances, call them on 07800 512074.
South Leeds Life | February 2015
February 2015 | South Leeds Life
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Focus on South Bank 7
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“South Bank” - what’s in a name?
The redevelopment of the ‘South Bank’ – the area between the River Aire and the residential parts of Hunslet, Holbeck and Beeston – is set to be one of the biggest issues for South Leeds Life in the coming years. “What on earth is the South Bank?” Some of you will be asking. Others will say “Hey that was Hunslet and Holbeck when it was unfashionable!” Whatever we may want to call it, we need to get
used to a new name. South Bank is massive, one of the UK’s biggest redevelopment sites. Developers are already lining up to get a piece of the action. Leeds City College and Leeds College of Building are already on site. The Ruth Gorse Academy high school will start being built shortly. We published plans from One Leeds plc for the Tetley brewery site if they can secure the deal in March. The
biggest impact will be the station for HS2, the new high speed rail link to London – assuming it goes ahead. In the coming months we will be looking at how this massive redevelopment is taking shape. This month we look at some of the current occupants – arts organisations, which like buddleia butterfly bushes are so often the first to colonise exindustrial areas.
Art replaces industry south of the river
Fact file
The Tetley is open seven days a week and its exhibitions are free. It also runs free family practical workshops every Saturday, regular talks and operates a bar and restaurant. Location: Hunslet Road, Leeds, LS10 1JQ. Full details: www.thetetley.org
Photo: David Lindsay
Slung Low Theatre create their own theatre events as well as hosting touring productions. They operate a ‘Pay What You Decide’ policy which means you pay after the show depending on how good you thought it was and what you can afford. Watch out for How To workshops where you can learn a skill and see a show. Location: 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck, LS11 9UA. Full details: www.slunglow.org
by Jeremy Morton Over the last few years the South Bank area has been slowly colonised by theatre groups, visual artists, film makers, bands, graffiti and other artists. South Leeds Life met up with some of them to find out what’s going on. My first question was why did you move here? “Because it was cheap!” says Mark Hubbard from the Old Chapel rehearsal rooms in Holbeck. Alan Lane from Slung Low theatre agrees “Affordable and like Mark we need to be able to make a lot of noise without disturbing the neighbours.”
Old Chapel Studios offer a range of services for musicians and bands. As well as rehearsal rooms, they have classrooms, instrument repairs and a recording studio on site. Location: Czar Street Holbeck, LS11 9PR. Full details: www.oldchapelleeds.com
“Artists can drive this space” Kerry Harker, artistic director at The Tetley moved from an un-let office development on Whitehall Road. “We were offered the opportunity and fell in love with the place as soon as we stepped through the door.We didn’t move to part of an ‘artistic cluster’, in fact we felt pretty isolated at first. Then we started looking around and realised we weren’t on our own.” Temple Works has a different story, Susan Williamson’s company were helping the owners find a new use for the building and identified an arts use. But then the recession hit and there was no movement on redevelopment. Susan was invited to use the building and has run shows and hired it out as film location to cover costs. Slung Low is located at the Holbeck Underground Ballroom (HUB), a couple of railway arches on Bath Road, between Sweet Street and Water Lane. “There’s no local competition for the sort of rough and ready theatre that we do here, whereas in Headingley we wouldn’t get a look in.”
Image provided by Leeds Sustainable Development Group
They agree that the city needs a spread of organisations ranging from Opera North to Slung Low. The Tetley is rather smart, unlike the ‘shabby chic’ of others around the table. “We don’t charge, so we need the bar and restaurant to work to offset some of our costs,” explains Kerry. “We do more edgy, extreme work” says Susan “because it doesn’t have another home in Leeds. The building inspires an outrageous invention in its tenants and users.” I ask how they feel about the redevelopment of the area. They agree that art could play a major role in shaping the future development of the area. “Artists can drive this space” says Kerry. “We are meeting next month to get our act together and see if we can
speak with one voice to make sure art isn’t left behind as an afterthought.” As an active member of the Holbeck Neighbourhood Plan forum, Alan looks forward to the day when Slung Low are asked to move. “One day we will be thrown out of the HUB by the rebirth of Holbeck.That will be a success, so long as it led buy the people of Holbeck and not the developers.” We had all been at a recent consultation on the new HS2 station. “I would be happier if architects were leading rather than engineers,” says Alan. “The process for the South Bank should start at the grassroots,” says Kerry. “It should be about people.And artists are well placed to help that sort of process.” “The new station could be a very good thing,” says Susan. “I’m very excited by
plans for residential and retail and good connectivity by public transport and cycling. But it will only really be successful if it brings prosperity to Beeston and Holbeck and Hunslet.” Looking to the future, Old Chapel are investigating adding a gig venue, targeted at young bands who can’t perform in the city’s bars. The plans, which are at a very early stage, would see the first floor of the old building converted and new access created. Temple Works, as previously reported, will soon be moving on to restoration redevelopment with the help of local developer CITU (the people behind the Greenhouse development in Beeston). A transitional programme is currently being planned for the period of the works.
Temple Works provides affordable space for a range of artists. It also organises ‘pop up’ events ranging from gigs to fine dining, open days and tours of the buildings. Location: Marshall Street, Holbeck, LS11 9YJ. Full details: www.templeworksleeds.com
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6 News
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
Army helping in West Hunslet at the double Monday to Thursday. We would like to double that number and help more people.” At £3 per head, the offer meals affordable nutrition as well as social interaction and friendship. The Corps Andrew & Jackie Jarrold (church) raises funds to subsidise the meals and they the centre, the focus is on also have links to Costco to take food relationships. She is proud of the items that are approacing their Use By customer feedback that the shop is the friendliest, cheapest charity shop date. in Beeston. As a church the Salvation holds two “Not everyone comes in to buy services every Sunday plus a monthly family service. “Messy Church” is an things, sometimes it’s just for a chat informal event for parents, carers and and that’s fine.Although the money we young children that includes songs, raise in the shop is important, sometimes people have nothing and craft activities and a meal. Through in the ‘community care and we give them what they need. That’s share’ shop I important to met manager us.” “Everything Vanessa and in the shop is volunteer Kay.The shop donated,” is full of continues clothes and Vanessa. “I call it Bagpussbric-a-brac and Vanessa land. People is full of come in and for energy, she ask describes her something role as “my unusual and dream job”. within days it As in turns up in a Christine, Rachel and June everything at donation - it’s
There’s a lot more to the Salvation Army than brass bands – although you will still hear the West Hunslet band out on the streets on Sunday afternoon. At a national level the organisation runs safe houses to help victims escape human traffickers. In South Leeds they offer hot lunches and run a busy charity shop on Hunslet Hall Road in Beeston (or is it West Hunslet?). The services are run by Andrew and Jackie Jarrold together with a team of twenty dedicated volunteers. The volunteers, who range in age from 9 to 90 are critical to providing the friendly services. The Jarrolds moved from Harwich in Essex a year ago. Beeston has different issues and is much more multicultural, but they are enjoying getting to know the community. The community work stems from an old Salvation Army adage ‘faith in action’. “We try to live out the gospel and build relationships,” says Andrew. “We currently serve 20-25 meals each day,
like magic!” The Salvation Army does give out emergency help in the form of food parcels, but usually to people referred from Social Services. They are also involved in the community in other ways. The South Leeds Youth Project funds two workers, Ed and Mark, to run youth activities in the area. They are also active members of Churches Together in LS11and volunteered their services at last year’s Beeston Festival. The band played carols at December’s Lantern Festival in Cross Flatt’s Park. Recently the church has got involved with the Leeds2Iraq project (see p2) and when I visted a van was parked outside, stuffed to the gunwales with warm clothes to take to St Luke’s for sorting. Vanessa sums up the ethos of the work the Salvation Army are doing when she says it feels good to be able to do something to help: “Giving love’s a right good payback!”
Kay & Jessica in the shop
Local charity on a mission to make ends meet
This week saw south Leeds charity St Luke’s Cares open their fifth charity store, in the heart of Beeston Hill on the busy Dewsbury Road – as part of a major push to become financially secure, and to safeguard their much-valued work in the local community. The new store is set in the sizable ‘Pavilion’ building (known by many as the former Surestart HQ) at 246-252 Dewsbury Road, facing onto the major Tunstall Road junction.They’ve a wide range of stock, including furniture, men’s and women’s clothes, accessories, bedding, gifts, and more – all of course at low prices. St Luke’s Cares is a well-loved charity working across the south Leeds communities – especially supporting vulnerable young people through mentoring, educational programmes, youth clubs, and more. Key work includes the Hitbase community IT base at St Luke’s Church, and the Shine Project – an empowerment programme for local young women and girls.The past two years has seen them open an expanding chain of charity shops around Leeds – the aim being to become financially independent and therefore able to guarantee their work, and also in time to generate money to distribute to other local groups and projects. Jackson Turner, Beeston resident and manager at St Luke’s Cares, says: “It’s a tough climate for charities and for youthwork in general, yet we’re passionate about the work we’re doing in the community and don’t want to see it jeopardised by funding cuts or the like. So we’ve embarked on this challenge to raise all our funding through charity shops – and I think we’re really getting somewhere. Loads of different people have got onboard to support us, we’re learning the trade, and we’re starting to make some money. Everything we make goes back into work in the local area, so massive thanks to all those helping to make it happen.” The stores are always looking for donations of good quality clothes and other
Photo: Lucy Potter goods to sell, can provide a free pick-up service for bulky donations and furniture, and even do whole house clearances. They’re also always looking for volunteers to help staff the stores or to help out in other ways – a great way to meet new people and learn new skills. And crucially, they’re always looking for customers! They also have stores on Beeston Road, and in Middleton, Morley and Chapel Allerton. For more info or to support them, click here; or for house clearances, call them on 07800 512074.
South Leeds Life | February 2015
February 2015 | South Leeds Life
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Website: www.southleedslife.com
www.southleedslife.com
Focus on South Bank 7
Email: info@southleedslife.com
“South Bank” - what’s in a name?
The redevelopment of the ‘South Bank’ – the area between the River Aire and the residential parts of Hunslet, Holbeck and Beeston – is set to be one of the biggest issues for South Leeds Life in the coming years. “What on earth is the South Bank?” Some of you will be asking. Others will say “Hey that was Hunslet and Holbeck when it was unfashionable!” Whatever we may want to call it, we need to get
used to a new name. South Bank is massive, one of the UK’s biggest redevelopment sites. Developers are already lining up to get a piece of the action. Leeds City College and Leeds College of Building are already on site. The Ruth Gorse Academy high school will start being built shortly. We published plans from One Leeds plc for the Tetley brewery site if they can secure the deal in March. The
biggest impact will be the station for HS2, the new high speed rail link to London – assuming it goes ahead. In the coming months we will be looking at how this massive redevelopment is taking shape. This month we look at some of the current occupants – arts organisations, which like buddleia butterfly bushes are so often the first to colonise exindustrial areas.
Art replaces industry south of the river
Fact file
The Tetley is open seven days a week and its exhibitions are free. It also runs free family practical workshops every Saturday, regular talks and operates a bar and restaurant. Location: Hunslet Road, Leeds, LS10 1JQ. Full details: www.thetetley.org
Photo: David Lindsay
Slung Low Theatre create their own theatre events as well as hosting touring productions. They operate a ‘Pay What You Decide’ policy which means you pay after the show depending on how good you thought it was and what you can afford. Watch out for How To workshops where you can learn a skill and see a show. Location: 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck, LS11 9UA. Full details: www.slunglow.org
by Jeremy Morton Over the last few years the South Bank area has been slowly colonised by theatre groups, visual artists, film makers, bands, graffiti and other artists. South Leeds Life met up with some of them to find out what’s going on. My first question was why did you move here? “Because it was cheap!” says Mark Hubbard from the Old Chapel rehearsal rooms in Holbeck. Alan Lane from Slung Low theatre agrees “Affordable and like Mark we need to be able to make a lot of noise without disturbing the neighbours.”
Old Chapel Studios offer a range of services for musicians and bands. As well as rehearsal rooms, they have classrooms, instrument repairs and a recording studio on site. Location: Czar Street Holbeck, LS11 9PR. Full details: www.oldchapelleeds.com
“Artists can drive this space” Kerry Harker, artistic director at The Tetley moved from an un-let office development on Whitehall Road. “We were offered the opportunity and fell in love with the place as soon as we stepped through the door.We didn’t move to part of an ‘artistic cluster’, in fact we felt pretty isolated at first. Then we started looking around and realised we weren’t on our own.” Temple Works has a different story, Susan Williamson’s company were helping the owners find a new use for the building and identified an arts use. But then the recession hit and there was no movement on redevelopment. Susan was invited to use the building and has run shows and hired it out as film location to cover costs. Slung Low is located at the Holbeck Underground Ballroom (HUB), a couple of railway arches on Bath Road, between Sweet Street and Water Lane. “There’s no local competition for the sort of rough and ready theatre that we do here, whereas in Headingley we wouldn’t get a look in.”
Image provided by Leeds Sustainable Development Group
They agree that the city needs a spread of organisations ranging from Opera North to Slung Low. The Tetley is rather smart, unlike the ‘shabby chic’ of others around the table. “We don’t charge, so we need the bar and restaurant to work to offset some of our costs,” explains Kerry. “We do more edgy, extreme work” says Susan “because it doesn’t have another home in Leeds. The building inspires an outrageous invention in its tenants and users.” I ask how they feel about the redevelopment of the area. They agree that art could play a major role in shaping the future development of the area. “Artists can drive this space” says Kerry. “We are meeting next month to get our act together and see if we can
speak with one voice to make sure art isn’t left behind as an afterthought.” As an active member of the Holbeck Neighbourhood Plan forum, Alan looks forward to the day when Slung Low are asked to move. “One day we will be thrown out of the HUB by the rebirth of Holbeck.That will be a success, so long as it led buy the people of Holbeck and not the developers.” We had all been at a recent consultation on the new HS2 station. “I would be happier if architects were leading rather than engineers,” says Alan. “The process for the South Bank should start at the grassroots,” says Kerry. “It should be about people.And artists are well placed to help that sort of process.” “The new station could be a very good thing,” says Susan. “I’m very excited by
plans for residential and retail and good connectivity by public transport and cycling. But it will only really be successful if it brings prosperity to Beeston and Holbeck and Hunslet.” Looking to the future, Old Chapel are investigating adding a gig venue, targeted at young bands who can’t perform in the city’s bars. The plans, which are at a very early stage, would see the first floor of the old building converted and new access created. Temple Works, as previously reported, will soon be moving on to restoration redevelopment with the help of local developer CITU (the people behind the Greenhouse development in Beeston). A transitional programme is currently being planned for the period of the works.
Temple Works provides affordable space for a range of artists. It also organises ‘pop up’ events ranging from gigs to fine dining, open days and tours of the buildings. Location: Marshall Street, Holbeck, LS11 9YJ. Full details: www.templeworksleeds.com
South Leeds Life | February 2015
www.southleedslife.com
8 Opinion
In our view
Community Building
Building new houses is easy compared to building a new community. Well done to Unity Housing who brought their new tenants together to meet local community groups and councillors. Let’s hope Housing Leeds will listen to the existing community in the Garnets and not shut them out of their plans for new housing.
Generosity begins at home
It was heartwarming to see the fantastic response to the appeal for warm clothing for refugees in Iraq. All sections of the community and all faiths pulled together to collect, sort, box up and transport this much needed aid. It really shows South Leeds folk at their best
Don’t forget to vote
It’s less than 100 days to a general election that commentators agree will be the most important in a generation. Our MP, Hilary Benn, has given us a timely reminder to ensure you are on the electoral register. If your names not on the list, you can’t vote. South Leeds Life does not support any political party, but we do encourage participation and we urge you to register and to use your vote.
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Your letters and comments
Top Tweets
7/7 anniversary
In the wake of the 7/7 terrorists attacks, the community of Beeston and Holbeck genuinely responded in a way that was in part spontaneous, but also in part relied on those critical characters in the community who really are the fabric of local society. No one person was pivotal but numerous local people organised or at least shaped what went on, be that the trip to London, the event outside Hamara or the involvement in the Leeds to London walk. There were numerous other events that reflected only positively on the local community. But the London attrocities were not the responsibility of Beeston, and the local community has nothing to be reproached about. Should the community mark the anniversary? I’m not sure, expressing one’s sympathy for the victims is understandable but Beeston should not have to feel it has to show the world anything. It is a fantastic community with brilliant residents and spirit, maybe it’s time to just move on.The association with those terrible events of 2005 was unfortunate but residents of the residents immunity should be proud of their community and residents of Leeds should be proud that Beeston is a part of our wider community. Dave Richmond I thought Hanif’s point about the need for a formal ‘Leeds response’ to “mark the tenth anniversary and show our empathy with the victims”, not just an insular Beeston discussion, was good. I guess residents would be looking to our councillors as ambassadors for Beeston at
LCC to progress that one. It would be interesting to hear Adam’s view on this. Are there plans for Leeds/Beeston to do something formal on the anniversary? John
South Bank Plans
Fantastic news and an urban water park would connect well with the River Aire corridor. What about an urban swimming facility aka New Yorks, Hudson River swimming pool? A micro brewery would also be brilliant how about naming it ‘Old Joshua’ or ‘Old Josh’ in memory of the great man! And what if it could take its water source from the once heavily polluted River Aire …. Now along with the return of salmon to the Aire …. Turning river water into Ale would be quite iconic ( and technically not difficult). I would love to raise a glass to the AA …. Aire Ale! Mark Penny
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:
David Congreve 0113 277 7389 david.congreve@leeds.gov.uk Angela Gabriel 07946 632 468 angela.gabriel@leeds.gov.uk Adam Ogilvie 0113 247 4578 adam.ogilvie@leeds.gov.uk
City & Hunslet ward Includes the city centre, Holbeck Urban Village, Beeston Hill and Hunslet. The three councillors are:
Patrick Davey 0113 261 0465 patrick.davey@leeds.gov.uk Mohammed Iqbal 0113 294 1049 mohammed.iqbal@leeds.gov.uk Elizabeth Nash 0113 275 8594 elizabeth.nash@leeds.gov.uk
Middleton Park ward Includes Belle Isle and Middleton. The three councillors are:
Judith Blake Kim Groves Paul Truswell
0113 395 1735 judith.blake@leeds.gov.uk 07891 741 832 kim.groves@leeds.gov.uk 0113 247 4472 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, Belle Isle, Beeston, Holbeck, Cottingley in south Leeds as well as the city centre, Woodhouse, Little London, Lincoln Green, Richmond Hill, Osmondthorpe, Halton Moor and New Wortley. 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
Spotted Cow’s head
The Spotted Cow’s head could be fixed on to the railway bridge at the bottom of Domestic Street. It could be facing north so that people coming into Holbeck up Domestic Street would see it as they enter the area. Alongside could be a notice saying ‘Welcome to Holbeck’ or perhaps something like ‘Holbeck, Mooving Forward’. This would also link in to the development of the viaduct as a walkway. It needs to be somewhere prominent – alternatively perhaps, a place could be found on St Matthews church building or on the carpet warehouse building. Stephen Peacock I’m researching the inn and would love to hear any details you have about the inn or hear any experiences from anyone if you could email me please that would be great.
hollymb1@hotmail.co.uk Holly Beattie
Hunslet Hawks coverage
Nice to see the Hawks report on here.
For those of us who can’t attend all matches, any chance you could add teams & scorers? I’m on hols so really appreciated the tweets. Niamh did it last year & yours was pretty similar. For me just need score updates & scorers. Martin S
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: @EmmaMBearman @SouthLeedsLife was speaking to some people in the Dewsbury Road One Stop centre who reckon your paper is really useful @clarkyboy72 Loved my first afternoon on the job for @SouthLeedsLife and @HunsletHawksRL despite the cold and the defeat! @HunsletRugby A cheeky Parkrun and glass of bubbly for Ian before he ties the knot with Kirsty this afternoon. @SouthLeedsLife
Local democracy
What I would like to see would be the introduction of local referenda, where the local people get to vote on contentious issues – such as the Asda petrol station, and so on. The area of Beeston belongs to the people of Beeston, as Middleton does to them, and Morley does to them. Unfortunately there’s a democratic deficit at the moment, where public opinion doesn’t matter, and those who make the decisions aren’t really accountable to those who have to abide by them. This isn’t just true in Beeston, it’s happening right across the country. Councils need to be made up of local representatives – ideally living in that ward – making decisions on behalf of their residents. All parties in Leeds City Council have a whip – making sure that the Cllrs vote how they are told.With Labour having the vast majority of members, if they propose something, more often than not it goes through. Luke Senior
@TheSocBiz @SouthLeedsLife It was the Garnets that first got us interested in empty homes! Good to see things happening - hope it's good progress. @EwanMitchell Back in the dentists. I hope this time the repair of the repair lasts more than 4 hours. At least there's a copy of @SouthLeedsLife to read. @mocwoods Knock it down... "@SouthLeedsLife: Roads around Bridgewater Place now closed. Traffic congestion to follow.”
Join the debate. Comment online, email your letter to info@southleedslife.com, or post to: 224 Cross Flatts Grove, Leeds, LS11 7BW. Letters may be edited for publication.
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@MartinDDean So my 8000th tweet was a RT of @SouthLeedsLife @HunsletHawksRL Weve been shortlisted for the Leeds Sports awards professional team of the year along with partners @leedsrhinos & @Yorkshireccc
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South Leeds Life | February 2015
My Life in South Leeds 9
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Dealing with dementia by Kenneth Ingram
Although this article is about me being diagnosed with dementia, there is a crossover with me being also at an earlier stage been diagnosed with depression. I will explain later. I was first diagnosed with depression in the year 2000, millennium year. I still have it today 15 years on. Major depression in the UK at any one time is about 5%. As many as one person in three may experience an episode of depression in their lifetime. The presence of other illnesses may complicate or worsen depression, such as diabetes. It is well documented in a bout of depression that I tried to take my own life with an overdose of prescription drugs (pain killers & antidepressants) in December 2012. Also in 2014 did an interview about this and dementia on the Liz Green morning show, Radio Leeds and the Drive Time, Andrew Edwards show also on Radio Leeds. You can listen to Andrew Edwards talking to me and Peter Smith as part of his programme about memory at www.southleedslife.com/cro ss-depression-dementia.
bad I thought again bad thoughts. Early morning, I rang the mental health ward in St James Hospital for advice. They told me to get a taxi to the unit, or would send an ambulance to pick me up and try and sort me out. They also told me of a mental health unit in Middleton (near me) who could help me, but only in normal hours. I decided after speaking to Adult Social Services, I would wait till later that morning and ring the unit up in Middleton. I rang the unit in Middleton, and within one hour, they sent a psychiatrist to evaluate me. This is where the crossover between depression and dementia I mentioned earlier began. The psychiatrist asked me about my general wellbeing, and what health problems I had, along with what medication I was on. Then the lady psychiatrist said I’m going to ask you some questions and to start with ask you to remember three objects I will point these out to you, and in 30 minutes time, will ask you what those three objects were. The psychiatrist then asked me, what I now know as a set 30 questions to see if I have dementia, or not and how bad it was. The questions started quite easy such as what day of the week it was, month and season.Then
Kenneth with Andrew Edwards from Radio Leeds OK, back to the year 2014. In the middle of the year, I again had a very bad case of depression, a melt down (my words). Three things in my life seem to all go wrong at the same time. To mention one of those things I was in a lot of pain one evening and early morning, my friends on Social Media (Facebook) were worried about me. After getting advice from friends, things were so
they got more difficult, asked to spell a seven letter word backwards. Count down from 30 backwards, and more. Then asked me at the end of this what the three objects were told to remember. I got two out of three of these correct. After 90 minutes, the psychiatrist told me that I was in the early stages of dementia. I thought was coming to see me about my depression. Anyway she suggested at this
What’s your story? stage I take no medication for dementia but told me my GP would be advised what antidepressants to put me on. The psychiatrist said would send a report to my GP and if I needed to speak to her in the meantime gave me her number. A few weeks later I visited my GP and asked for a copy of the report this was printed out for me. The report told me how many questions I got right out of the 30. The psychiatrist also reported that I was able to look after myself, like making my own meals and I was a well turned out gentleman with a clean and tidy flat, love you lady. The Editor of South Leeds Life has asked me how I felt when I was diagnosed with dementia.Well I felt a bit numb. When my friend Amanda Binns (Nurse) found out she put me in touch with Peter Smith a specialist Dementia Nurse. Peter is now retired and runs many Memory Cafes in the area. I go to three of those when I can. People are there to help you, and to do away with myths such as I would be in a home within 5 years. One final thing is that I would like to thank some friends who have helped me get through things since I was diagnosed. Most of these come from volunteer groups I have joined. Thank you Peter Smith, Amanda & Simon Binns, Julie & Chris Holmes. Carla and Jess at Bitmo Gate. June Barrow, for putting me in touch with Adult Social Services. Mark Greenwood at the Parnaby Tavern. Lucy and Jeremy, of South Leeds Life. Finally Christine Robinson Twinkle. There are many more, but you know who you are and would run to another page or so to include everyone.
At South Leeds Life we believe everyone has a story to tell. Maybe you have an interesting hobby, an unusual life experience, or a claim to fame. Or perhaps you just want to reflect on old times, old places, or people from your past? Some of us were born and bred in the area - that’s interesting. Some of us moved to the area, that’s interesting too. Our community is rich and diverse and held together by all our wonderful stories. Get in touch with your story. Email us at info@southleedslife.com. If you’re not confident we can help you write it.
Volunteering at Skelton Grange by Sam Llewellyn
Skelton’s personality and the effort put in to make it a natural retreat by those that work there was evident upon arrival – this is probably made all the more prominent by the busy industrial site that surrounds it.
When I first arrived I didn’t know what to expect as it was all completely new to me, but the staff were very welcoming and friendly so I was made to feel part of the team really quickly. For the first month or so I spent most of my time shadowing the existing volunteers and learning the various education days that are available; these days varied from Minibeasts to Electricity. By the end of my time at Skelton I had taught most of these. Also on Fridays there was ‘Green Team’ where volunteers would come to the site and take part in conservation activities. As I progressed through my time I became more confident and was able to start teaching the education days myself, along with some of the conservation activities for Green Team. The first day I taught was Minibeasts and this was a day that was pivotal for most of the education days taught, so was a great way to start. I can’t stress enough how rewarding it is to pass on knowledge of the natural environment to the next generation and to see the children engaged and enjoying themselves outside. The whole experience was a great personal achievement for me. To help with my progression, lots of different training opportunities were available, including Tool training, First Aid and Safeguarding. These all helped me with the day to day activities that I was doing and they were something I could apply to everyday life. As the school term ended and the summer
holidays started there was the opportunity for us to take on some of our own activities around the site. I got the opportunity to survey the trees, pond life and birdlife that are found on the site. Alongside this, groups that wouldn’t normally come to the site during term time had the opportunity to come as the site was available. This gave me the chance to work with MENCAP groups and young carer groups which was very satisfying. One of the highlights of the summer holidays was the bushcraft camp.This was a 2 day trip to woodland with children coming to stay overnight. They had to build their own shelters and cook their own food.We also played lots of wide games, did craft work and performed campfire songs and skits around the campfire. In October there were two memorable events, the first of these being the Skelton Grange Open Day. This is the biggest event of the year on the Skelton calendar and attracted almost 500 people. The other activity was the zombie apocalypse Halloween event, that happened for three consecutive evenings. I got to be one of the zombies and attack unsuspecting people as they wandered around the site searching for clues.
In December I was involved in the construction of a rustic fence along with other volunteers. There was a lovely winter festival to finish the year which involved lots of Christmas crafts. Afterwards, the staff and volunteers had a Christmas feast, followed by a secret Santa and party games. It was a great end to my time there and topped off an already brilliant year. To find out more visit: www.tcv.org.uk/skeltongrange or www.facebook.com/SkeltonGrangeEnviron mentCentre
South Leeds Life | February 2015
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10 What’s On
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What’s On
Fitness Classes
Your guide to events and activities across South Leeds in February Monday 2 February Friends of Stank Hall Barn 7:30pm Tommy Wass pub Dewsbury Road Tuesday 3 February Employment Skills 10am-12pm Holbeck Community Centre, Elland Road Fun at Family Tea 3:30-5pm Belle Isle Family Centre, Belle Isle Road Music At The Hub 4-6pm South Leeds Youth Hub, Middleton Road, Belle Isle Wednesday 4 February CAP Job Club 10am-12pm Two Willows Children’s Centre, Cardinal Square, Beeston Hunslet Memories 12-2pm Garden Gate pub Rags to Riches Soft Furnishing and Sewing Class 1-3pm Tenants Hall Enterprise Centre, Acre Close, Middleton Hunslet Tenants & Residents Association 6:30-8pm Church of Nazarene, Grove Road Thursday 5 February Beeston Community Forum with Valentine’s Fair rep 7:30pm Beeston Village Community Centre Friday 6 February South Leeds Life News Cafe 10am-12pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle In Harmony Community Choir 12:30-1:15pm Windmill Primary School, Belle Isle Friday Night Project
The Valentine’s Fair takes place at Elland Road from Thursday 12 - Sunday 22 February
6-9pm Middleton Leisure Centre Sunday 8 February Inside – Strawberry Blonde Curls 5-6pm Slung Low Theatre, Bath Road, Holbeck Monday 9 February Beeston Local History Society 8pm Beeston Parish Centre Tuesday 10 February Employment Skills 10am-12pm Holbeck Community Centre, Elland Road Fun at Family Tea 3:30-5pm Belle Isle Family Centre, Belle Isle Road Music At The Hub 4-6pm South Leeds Youth Hub,
For up to date event information make sure you go online to
www.southleedslife.com and check the What’s On Calendar
Middleton Road, Belle Isle Wednesday 11 February CAP Job Club 10am-12pm Two Willows Children’s Centre, Cardinal Square, Beeston Rags to Riches Soft Furnishing and Sewing Class 1-3pm Tenants Hall Enterprise Centre, Acre Close, Middleton Inner South Community Committee 5:30pm Leeds Civic Hall Cottingley Hall TRAC 6:30-8pm Cottingley Primary Academy Friday 13 February South Leeds Life News Cafe 10am-12pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle In Harmony Community Choir 12:30-1:15pm Windmill Primary School, Belle Isle Friday Night Project 6-9pm Middleton Leisure Centre Sunday 15 February Winter Wildlife Walk 10am-12pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre Monday 16 February Tracks and Trails 11am-3pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre Tuesday 17 February Employment Skills 10am-12pm Holbeck Community Centre, Elland Road Nest Box Making 1-3pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre Bushcraft Day 10am-4pm Skelton Grange Environment Centre Fun at Family Tea 3:30-5pm Belle Isle Family Centre, Belle Isle Road
Music At The Hub 4-6pm South Leeds Youth Hub, Middleton Road, Belle Isle Wednesday 18 February CAP Job Club 10am-12pm Two Willows Children’s Centre, Cardinal Square, Beeston Rags to Riches Soft Furnishing and Sewing Class 1-3pm Tenants Hall Enterprise Centre, Acre Close, Middleton Felt Making 1-3pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre What’s It All About? Q&A about Holbeck housing regeneration works 2-3pm Ingram Gardens Community Centre Friday 20 February South Leeds Life News Cafe 10am-12pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle In Harmony Community Choir 12:30-1:15pm Windmill Primary School, Belle Isle Friday Night Project 6-9pm Middleton Leisure Centre Saturday 21 February Leeds Young Archaeologists Club 10am-12pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre Tuesday 24 February Employment Skills 10am-12pm Holbeck Community Centre, Elland Road Fun at Family Tea 3:30-5pm Belle Isle Family Centre, Belle Isle Road Music At The Hub 4-6pm South Leeds Youth Hub, Middleton Road, Belle Isle Wednesday 25 February CAP Job Club 10am-12pm Two Willows Children’s Centre, Cardinal Square, Beeston Rags to Riches Soft Furnishing and Sewing Class 1-3pm Tenants Hall Enterprise Centre, Acre Close, Middleton Thursday 26 February South Leeds Community Network 6:30-8pm Tenants Hall Enterprise Centre, Acre Close, Middleton Friday 27 February South Leeds Life News Cafe 10am-12pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle In Harmony Community Choir 12:30-1:15pm Windmill Primary School, Belle Isle Friday Night Project 6-9pm Middleton Leisure Centre
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Mondays: General fitness for the over 55's 11:30am-12:30pm St. Andrews Community Centre, Beeston. Keep Fit 4:15-5pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Tuesdays: General fitness over 55's 10-11am St Anthony's church hall, Beeston Chair based mobility session 11.30am - 1.00pm tea and chat after session Cottingley Community Centre Wednesdays: Chair mobility 10-10:45am Trinity network, Belle Isle Over 55's Nesfield church hall community room. Male only Sports Sessions 4-5pm Old Cockburn Sports Hall General fitness 6-7pm Belle Isle Family Centre Clubbercise 7:15-8pm Dance and get fit in the dark with disco lights and glow sticks Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre Thursdays: Chair based mobility group and games group 11:15am-12:30pm Beeston Village Community Centre Mashed up fitness session aerobic dance 1:45-2:45pm Beeston Village Community Centre Cheer Fit 5:30-6:30pm South Leeds Youth Hub General fitness 6-7pm Beeston Parish Centre Clubbercise 7:15pm-8pm Beeston Parish Centre Saturdays: Cross Flatts Parkrun 9am Run or walk 5km Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Sundays: Circuit Training 4:30-5:15pm Beeston Parish Centre Clubbercise 5:15-6pm Beeston Parish Centre
Publicise your event with South Leeds Life Send full details of your event to: info@southleedslife.com, or post to: 224 Cross Flatts Grove, Leeds, LS11 7BW
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South Leeds Life | February 2015
Local history 11
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A journey through Hunslet Engines Middleton’s history by Martin Bartholomew
Middleton is special in several ways. Middleton took its name from being in between (or in the middle of) Morley and Rothwell. Middleton was not part of Leeds, which ended at Hunslet. Rather, it was a village and described in the 19th century as a chapelry in the parish of Rothwell. A very important feature of Middleton was that it stood on high ground four miles south of central Leeds, the water tower being the highest point. This made Middleton a healthy place to live away from the smoke of industrial Hunslet and Leeds. In 1870-72 it comprised of 1,797 acres, and real property £9,261. £4,400 of that was in mines and £30 in quarries according to John Marius in his Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales. St Mary’s church was built in 1846/7 in Early English style. Above the tower was a steeple.The steeple or spire was removed from above the tower in 1939 due to mining subsidence. Coal Mining was important and there were extensive collieries in the area. Originally the coal was transported to the river at Thwaite Gate and then transported up the river to Leeds. This was not very cost effective though. The Middleton estate mines were owned by Charles Brandling, who also owned the land up to Thwaite Gate. This meant he could build wagon ways
to the river. Charles Brandling needed to get the coal to Leeds more efficiently to be able to tender a good price and gain the contract. He came up with a plan to build a wagon way to Leeds (at Tetley Brewery site). This required an Act of Parliament so that the land owners could not change their minds. This then happened in 1758 and Middleton had the first railway in the world by Act of Parliament. At this time the coal wagons were moved by horses hauling the wagons on rails. Charles Brandling won the contract and the rest is history. Middleton Railway is the world’s oldest continuously working railway. In 1811 the track was relaid with a toothed rail on one
side which was the first rack railway. In 1812 Middleton Railway became the first commercial railway to successfully use a steam locomotive, the Salamanca. There were a variety of different mines with about 274 just in the park area. These included ‘bell pits’ which were less than 20m deep and varied in width at the base from 3m to 12m in diameter. There were deeper mines using horse and steam winding gear. Most of the shafts were likely to have been pillar and stall working. There are also over 2km of wagon ways in the park. This article first appeared on the Middleton Life blog at: middletonlife.wordpress.com.
Many local people worked for the Hunslet Engine Company in Jack Lane, which finally closed its doors in 1995, writes John Linkins from the Middleton Railway Trust. The Middleton Railway and Schneider Electric are pleased to announce a weekend of celebration over July 18 and 19 to commemorate the achievements of this company and its employees.The railway will host a gala event with several Hunslet locomotives returning to the city for the first time since they were built. We are particularly interested in hearing from ex-employees of Hunslet who we’d like to invite to a special opening event. If any of the blog readers worked at, or know somebody who worked at, Hunslet Engine Company then please contact us at hunslet150@gmail.com or at the Middleton Railway on 0845 680 1758.
Barn garden gets go ahead Photo: Artemis / Leeds City Council
The mystery of Holbeck Moor’s drinking fountain
Holbeck Moor used to boast an ornate drinking fountain. Do you remember it? Some of our readers do. The discussion started when George Peacock posted this comment on our website: “Anyone remember the Fountain on Holbeck Moor? With the iron drinking cups, and chains securing them, strong enough to anchor the Queen Mary!! When was it moved? Where is it now?” Phill Davison sent us this photo which he found on the Secret Leeds Facebook Group. The photo was posted with this comment: “I’ve come across this photo of an ornate clock with drinking fountain, no date, description or place name. I can’t find it on leodis, it’s with a bunch of photo’s from Beeston, Hunslet and Holbeck so that possibly narrows it down. Any Ideas?” Phill thought it might be Holbeck’s missing fountain, but John P Bolton responded:
Photo: Middleton Railway Trust
“Nice pic. Almost certainly of the 1880 Drinking Fountain on Hunslet Moor (Leodis http://www.leodis.net has a pic of this). It was supplied by George Smith & Co of the Sun Foundry, Glasgow and survived until c1955. Other examples of this pattern were erected in Glasgow and on Woodhouse Moor, Leeds (also on leodis). The only known survivor is in Bassetiere in St Kitts in the West Indies – Google it to see pics. The drinking fountain at Holbeck is recorded to have been a No 8 Drinking Fountain with Canopy, as was that at Cross Flatts, supplied by Walter Macfarlane & Co of the Saracen Foundry, Glasgow. They did produce a larger version, but this was not one of them.” So we’re not much further forward. Can you help. Do you have a photo of the Holbeck Moor fountain? Do you remember when it was moved or know what happened to it? Let us know, you can email info@southleedslife.com
Photo: Jeremy Morton
The Friends of Stank Hall Barn have finally agreed their license with Leeds City Council and are pushing ahead with their community garden project. The group plan to create a medieval vegetable garden in front of the 15th century barn.Heritage varieties of beans, roots and alliums will be planted in raised beds to avoid disturbing the site’s archaeology. The produce will be shared with those who help in the garden and distributed to local people in need. The group hope that the garedn will help protect and raise the profile of the site which includes some of the oldest buildings in Leeds. Stank Hall was built on the site of King John’s royal hunting lodge.The site is even older as Roman artefacts have been found there too. The Friends group are looking for help to bring the garden to fruition. In particular they need donations in cash or in kind for paving slabs, top soil and ground covering membrane. You can contact the Friends by email: friendsofstankhallbarn@gmail.com or via their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/friendsofstankhallbarn. The group’s Annual General Meeting takes place on Monday 2 February, 7:30pm at the Tommy Wass pub. Stank Hall Barn is just off Dewsbury Road, opposite the White Rose Shopping Centre.
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South Leeds Life | February 2015
12 Sport
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Promising pre-season for Hawks by Stephen Clark Newly promoted Hunslet Hawks’ preparation for the 2015 season in Championship 1 may not have been perfect, but they they have shown real promise. Pitting themselves against Super League opposition in the form of Leeds Rhinos and Salford Red Devils was always going to tough, but lessons have been learned and good win over Doncaster bodes well for the season proper.
Hunslet 14-28 Leeds Rhinos 28 unanswered points in the second half ensured that the Lazenby Cup would head north of the river as Leeds Rhinos showed their Super League class to come from behind and beat the Hunslet Hawks 28-14 on
of the posts, but Danny Ansell opted to put the ball into touch rather than take the two points on offer. His decision was rewarded when a couple of plays later, Brad Brennan crashed over under the posts for the opening try. The match became a mud wrestle as the first half wore on, with both sides finding it difficult to play any flowing rugby in the icy conditions and on such a heavy pitch. However it was the home side who deservedly increased the lead just before the break through a Liam Mckay try.Then, right on the half time hooter, Ansell slotted over a penalty from 20 metres to give the Hawks a commanding 140 lead. The second half saw conditions worsen as sleet was added to the already bitingly cold temepratures, making the ball as difficult to handle
Brennan scores for Hunslet. Photo: Stephen Gaunt / Touchlinepics.com
Sunday 18 January. Hunslet looked up for the challenge from the kick off and started the match on the front foot. Helped by some early handling errors and indiscipline from the Rhinos, the Hawks took the lead in the 4th minute. Hunslet were awarded a penalty 20 metres out, bang in front
as an icicle. Both sides were guilty of coughing up the ball on a regular basis, but Leeds did manage to hold on long enough for George Milton to go over under the posts on 54 minutes. Four minutes later the Rhino’s were right back in the match as Handley went over in the corner and when Brad Singleton regathered his own
kick to score a try on 64 minutes, which Jordan Lilley converted, the Rhinos were in front for the first time. In the closing stages the Hawks pressed the self destruct button, failing to make any impression on the Leeds line and gifting their visitors a couple of tries to hand the Rhinos the win. Handley grabbed his second try by pouncing on a spilled pass inside the Hawks own in goal area and then Jimmy Keinhorst pounced on a mistake by Brandon Conway to seal victory and ensure the Leeds Brewery Lazenby Cup returned to Headingley.
Hunslet 0-46 Salford Reds Hunslet Hawks were given a chasing by Super League Salford at the South Leeds Stadium on Saturday 24 January as England international Rangi Chase pulled all the strings for the Red Devils in a 46-0 win. Hunslet were always going to be up against it, splitting their squad over two games for the weekend’s double header, whilst Salford brought the strongest squad available to them. Right from the off it was clear that the Hawks were going to find it difficult to break down the Red Devils and that the afternoon was going to be an an exercise in the art of defence. It took the visitors seven minutes to break the Hunslet line and it was two of the big money signings in the Salford line up that made the difference. Rangi Chase and Gareth Hock worked a little bit of magic in the midfield to make a half break that was rewarded as Scott Taylor crashed over from close range. First half trys from Caton-Brown, Chase and Johnson led to a half time score of 0-24.The second half opened with another Salford try (Fages) and then descended into an attritional game.
Let’s Get Active in South Leeds
Leeds Let’s Get Active – the free access to council sports facilities scheme – has a new timetable out for 2015. If you’re still working out to fulfil that New Year’s resolution to be more active, help is at
hand. The Leeds Let’s Get Active scheme is designed to help people get started with fitness activities. A range of activities are available from walking to swimming to gym sessions and dance. They are based in council sports centres and
Broughton and Brennan take on Salford. Photo: Stephen Gaunt / Touchlinepics.com
However three tries in the closing moments added some sparkle to Salford’s second half display. Tired Hunslet tackling allowed Chase to dart over from the base of a scrum before Caton-Brown and Niall Evalds added long range efforts. Chase completed a successful afternoon with seven goals from eight attempts to complete a 46-0 drubbing.
Doncaster 12-42 Hunslet On a perfect surface, the Hawks produced a scintillating display of running rugby at the Keepmoat Stadium to put Doncaster to the sword in their second match of the weekend on Sunday 25 January. After a severe work out against Leeds and Salford, the Hunslet defence has been well drilled and apart from a couple of strong efforts from Brett Waller, Doncaster were finding it difficult to make any impression. On the other hand Hunslet were gaining impressive yards on every set and doubled the lead on 13 minutes with Haley crashing over again under the posts. Jimmy Watson scored just before
community venues. All Let’s Get Active activities are free, but you need to register by going to their website: www.leedsletsgetactive.co.uk. A new class this month is called ‘Cheer Fit’. Led by DAZL, it uses fun cheerleading routines to provide a great workout. The classes run at Tenants Hall Enterprise Centre in Middleton and South Leeds Youth Hub in Belle Isle. Another new session is the male-only indoor multi sports sessions running at Old Cockburn Sport Hall in Beeston.You can sample a different sport each week including football, cricket, basketball, box-fit and table tennis. The sessions run every Wednesday from 4-5pm and like all Let’s Get Active programmes are FREE. There have been some changes to the programmes at John Charles Centre for Sport and Middleton Leisure Centre. Please check the new timetables below: Follow all the latest news on Facebook: www.facebook.com/LeedsLetsGetActive and on Twitter: @LeedsGetActive.
half time and Hunslet went in 0-18 ahead. The second half saw Hunslet continue to dominate their South Yorkshire opponents and they were gifted a fourth try in the 45th minute, Scott spilling a high kick by the impressive Andy Kain, gifting Richie Barnett the simple task of gathering the ball and strolling under the posts. Jimmy Watson scored his second and Hunslet’s fifth on 55 minutes backing up Danny Grimshaw’s excellent break to cap a superb 60 yard break, Ansell’s conversion off the post handing the Hawks a convincing 30 point lead. Doncaster’s man of the match Scott went over for a late consolation, but right on the hooter the impressive Mvududu streaked away to score under the posts and with Ansell completing a perfect day with the boot, sealed an comprehensive victory for Hunslet. If Hunslet continue to perform as they did on Sunday, the season ahead should be an exciting one. Find full reports at www.southleedslife.com.