South Leeds Life 130 May 2026

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

POSITIVE FUTURE FOR HUNSLET SPIRE

Plans for renovation and new housing

Council as usual.

by Jeremy Morton

Thefate of local a landmark, the tower and spire of St Mary’s church in Hunslet, is a little more secure following a public meeting held on 14 April by the Diocese of Leeds who own the structure.

They revealed that they have received an approach from a property developer with local connections who wants to buy and save the spire.

Full details are not available at this stage, but the plan would be to build apartments on the footprint of the former church building.

This new structure would provide support to the tower, a Grade II listed building.

The sale will include requirements to maintain access to St Mary’s CE Primary Academy and to the former vicarage, as well as the war memorial and interred ashes.

The meeting was part of the Church of England’s formal process to sell the land. The consultation closes on Friday 1 May, full details at bit.ly/SpireConsult. If the sale goes ahead, the developer will have to go through the planning process with Leeds City

It is understood that they will begin preapplication discussions with planning officers shortly.

The spire, the tallest in Leeds, is part of a church built in 1864 on the site of an older chapel. The body of the church was demolished with a new building erected in 1975.

Unfortunately, this building suffered structural problems and was itself demolished in 2019.

A draft plan was brought forward in 2020 by Leeds City Council, but this proved financially unviable.

Hunslet Carr Residents Association who attended the meeting commented:

“This is the first positive news in two years since the site was put up for sale. The scheme will safeguard the iconic tower and spire and bring the clock back into use along with providing additional accommodation.

“Although this is welcome news and we support the initial plans, we understand this is only the beginning of a long process of consultations and planning which may take some time.”

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

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Plans for Microsoft data centre in Stourton approved

by Don Mort

Technology firm Microsoft is set to build a data centre complex at a former power station site after plans were agreed with the council.

The former Skelton Grange power station site in Stourton will be redeveloped after planning permission was granted.

A data centre housing computer servers will be built, along with a warehouse with up to 15,000 square-metres of floor space.

Power connections, back-up generators and cooling chimneys will be installed as part of the project.

Councillors on the city’s North and East plans panel unanimously approved the scheme at a meeting on Thursday 23 April.

A report to the meeting said:

“Data centres host and support the digital infrastructure that underpins modern life, from patient records and e-mails to product data and financial systems.”

Data centres were officially designated as critical national infrastructure by the government in 2024, “putting data centres on an equal footing as water, energy and emergency services systems.”

Full planning permission was given for three data centre buildings at the site near an existing Amazon warehouse.

Outline permission, which gives consent in principle, was given for the Microsoft warehouse. Further details will be agreed as part of a reserved matters application.

Council planning officers recommended that the scheme, near Leeds City Centre and the M1 motorway, was approved.

Planning conditions include an employment and skills plan to provide jobs, apprenticeships and work experience opportunities.

Microsoft submitted early-stage

plans in September 2024 as talks began with the council.

Ward councillors and people living nearby were consulted as part of pre-application discussions.

A dedicated web page set up for the Leeds project said:

“Local businesses, government, hospitals and schools rely on data centres every day to deliver your goods and services.”

The panel’s decision means the application is delegated to the city’s chief planning officer for approval.

Don Mort is the Local Democracy Reporter.

£400k to kickstart school expansion plan

by Don Mort

The council hopes to press ahead with the expansion of a special needs school after allocating £400,000 for initial work on the project.

Broomfield Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre (SILC) in Belle Isle is set to get 100 extra places. The project is expected to cost up to £25m in total and provide extra support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The school would be replaced with a bigger building to deliver the extra places from next year, the council said.

The initial funding will pay for planning and design work on the project.

A council report said: “Approving authority to spend £400,000 on early works will allow the project to continue to progress on programme for delivery of the additional school places for September 2027.”

Planning permission for the scheme is yet to be approved after the Coal Authority raised concerns over its proximity to mine shafts.

The report said a ground survey was being carried out to resolve the objection and approval was expected at the end of May.

Places at the school would eventually increase from 190 to 280.

SILCs look after rising numbers children who have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).

The report said:

“Depending on their specific needs, pupils with EHCPs may attend mainstream or special schools.

“A need for additional SILC places has been identified in this area of Leeds both in terms of current and long-term future need.”

Don

Website: www.southleedslife.com

Email: info@southleedslife.com

Holbeck Together celebrates weekend of sporting partnership at Elland Road

Holbeck Together is proud to round up an extraordinary weekend of community fundraising and partnership, culminating in being the official matchday charity at Leeds United’s fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Elland Road last month.

The weekend began with a special visit from the Kvinesdal Whites and Agder Whites, two Norwegian Leeds United Supporters Groups, who travelled to the UK as part of their long-standing dedication to the club.

The group invited Holbeck Together’s Chief Officer to an evening dinner, to speak about the charity’s work supporting local residents living in the communities surrounding Elland Road.

The connection was sparked through a shared link with Northern Monk - the Leeds based brewery, whose Faith In Futures charitable partnership with Holbeck Together introduced the supporters to the local charity - an inspiring example of how local and international connections can come together to create meaningful impact.

A group of 140 passionate supporters attended the dinner, with fan Kurt Stian Mykstu reflecting:

“It is a privilege to host Elissa this evening to hear about the work of Holbeck Together. As supporters of Leeds United, we feel a strong connection not just to the club, but to the community around it."

The evening culminated in a generous donation of £2,500 from the Norwegian supporters, helping to kickstart Holbeck Together’s dedicated matchday fundraising efforts.

Elissa

Newman, Chief Officer

at Holbeck Together, said:

“I am often overwhelmed by the support we receive at Holbeck Together, and this weekend was one of those moments. To see international supporters connect with our work and give so generously to the community around Elland Road is incredibly moving. It shows the real power of partnerships and shared purpose.”

Leeds United Community Foundation, an ongoing

supporter of the charity, further enhanced the charity’s opportunity to raise funds and speak about its services and how it supports and works with the Holbeck community.

This matchday presence at Elland Road provided a powerful platform to celebrate Holbeck Together’s work and raise awareness among thousands of fans, reinforcing the strong connection between this local charity and its neighbouring sporting partner.

Young people experience behindthe-scenes visit to Channel 4 News

by Zoe Creasser

Nine young people from the

Senior Youth Club at The Hunslet Club enjoyed an unforgettable and inspiring visit to Channel 4 News this week, gaining a rare behindthe-scenes look at the world of live television broadcasting. During the visit, the group explored how a national news programme comes together, from digital production and editorial planning to the fastpaced studio environment. They also had the opportunity to see areas often hidden from viewers, including hair and make-up, while learning about the wide range of roles involved in bringing the news to air.

One of the most exciting moments of the evening saw the young people step into the presenter’s chair themselves, trying their hand at reading from a teleprompter, an experience that gave them a

real taste of life in front of the camera. The highlight of the trip was watching the news broadcast live across the country.

Senior Youth Club at The Hunslet Club, for young people in Year 8 and above, continues to provide opportunities like this for members of the local

community. Sessions run every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5-9pm.

For more information, please visit www.hunsletclub.org.uk

Leeds Baby Bank issues urgent pram appeal

It’sspring; the weather has warmed up and the blossom is out. But for too many young families across Leeds, leaving their home with a baby is almost impossible because they can’t afford a pram.

Sarah from Leeds Baby Bank says,

“We know that a pram is crucial to the wellbeing of young children – and also their parents. If you are stuck in the house, how can you get to medical appointments, meet with friends and family for support, or even get some fresh air?”

Leeds Baby Bank aims to ensure young children don’t go without because of poverty.

When a health or social care professional refers a family to the charity, a bundle of items is prepared just for them – which might include a moses basket, a pram or pushchair, a high chair, baby bath and some clothes. Many of these items are pre-loved.

Sarah adds:

“Today we have 32 families on our waiting list for prams or pushchairs which are suitable from birth. Eight of them are for babies that are already here!

“We are asking everyone to

raid their garages, sheds, hallways and spare rooms for prams they no longer need.”

One Dad who did exactly that is Richard. He donated to Leeds Baby Bank the pram used by his daughters, Hazel and Nina when they were babies.

Even the girls were happy to wave goodbye to their pram so it could go to another baby who needed it.

If you have a clean, fully working pram to donate, you can bring it to Leeds Baby Bank’s unit near Armley Gyratory. Just visit www.leedsbabybank.org/ donate-items to let us know when you are coming. If you can’t get it there, please email admin@leedsbabybank.org

If you haven’t got a pram to donate, but would like to help, you can buy the pushchair-from birth from our Amazon wish list for just £63 or make an online donation by visiting www.leedsbabybank.org and going to Ways to Help.

High chairs and moses baskets are also urgently needed. For a full list of items families need right now visit www.leedsbabybank.org/ donate-items

Testing the water in Leeds Dock Local dance school celebrates over 60 years of community involvement

Inspired, and worried, by the docu-drama ‘Dirty Business’ about the water companies’ sewage scandal, Hold Fast, the floating bookshop in Leeds Dock have started to test the water they are floating in.

“I’ve spent over half of my life on boats and have noticed changes - not all for the better” explains Chris “To be honest, I think there is less ‘stuff’ in the inland waterways these days - trolleys, old mattresses and furniture etc are thankfully much less common, smaller pieces of litter are about the same now but sewage? That was unheard of in the early days but now it’s not unusual.”

River Aire, so they are keen for others living near the river to join them in taking measurements.

Hold Fast’s results will be uploaded to the Planet Patrol app where you can see what’s happening around our waterways and the collected data will create a clearer picture of what needs to be done.

“To be honest the results don’t mean much to us - we don’t have a science background - but it’s a nice way to play our part – and the data will help others” says Victoria.

“Chris and his big net fish out an average of three bags of rubbish a week and we’ve done

Contacting the Canal and River Trust gets the response ‘it’s nothing to do with them’ and nothing happens when they contact the Environment Agency. But they were impressed by the ordinary people and how much they were able to discover and push for change in the programme.

So, like many other people around the country, they signed up to test the water - with no vested or financial interests in the results they hope and believe ‘citizen science’ will produce honest results and they are going to share them.

Chris and Victoria signed up to Planet Patrol planetpatrol.co and soon received their test kits. The first results appear to show quite good water quality, if a bit acidic. Being in the dock means that they get little throughput of water from the

by Abigail Ramsey

TheO’Donnell School of Dance was started by Margaret Cook and Sandra Lawson in 1960, and has been an asset to the community ever since.

Based in St Andrews’s Church Hall in Beeston, the grassroots dance organisation has welcomed hundreds of children in the 66 years it’s been running, many of whom have been inspired to join by their mums and grandmas who were members in their younger years.

Focusing on traditional dance styles such as tap, ballet, and theatre craft, the O’Donnell School of Dance welcomes children from ages 3 and up, with many staying on until their late teens or early twenties. The dance school has always been based in Beeston, and has a real community focus.

All profits from their Christmas shows are donated either to local charities, or charities close to the organisations hearts, such as St Gemma’s, Cancer Research, hospital charities, and even St Andrew’s Church where the club is based.

“It’s like having an extra family” - said Julie, whose daughter has been a member of the dance school for years. When speaking to Margaret about the reasons she and Sandra started the club, it was clear straight away that being part of the community is integral to the club’s ethos. In a time where the arts is being removed from the school

our best to create habitat for wildlife on our boat. We currently have two nests - Barry the moorhen on the tyres on the waterline and Audrey the duck in our flower barrel.

“We love the nature we get but we want so much more of it! The city is an inhospitable environment for animals - the waterways need to be a green corridor threading through it and that starts with clean rivers and canals.”

Water testing kits from Planet Patrol cost £25 and include everything you need. Follow simple instructions to test for phosphate, nitrate and nitrite, pH and temperature. Take measurements at the same spot every fortnight, record your results and upload them through the app. Full details at planetpatrol.co/ water-patrol

curriculum and technology can feel like it’s taking away personal interactions, the O’Donnell School of Dance fights against that. They offer young people the opportunity to learn a new skill or develop their dance techniques, make friends, build confidence and feel part of something special.

The dance school is more than just a safe space though, with annual competitions and International Dance Teachers Association exams in the summer meaning there’s always something to be working towards.

The O’Donnell School of Dance had success in this

years competition back in March where they competed against dance schools from across the region, with a range of wins on the day including Baby Cabaret, Juvenile Song & Dance, Senior Most Promising Performer, and the Bursary award, the most coveted prize of the day.

Those that have gone through the dance school have continued their passion later in life, with alumni now working as dance teachers, on cruise ships, performing in pantomimes and even running their own dance businesses.

The lead dance teacher, Jessica Myers, began her

O’Donnell’s journey when she joined as a child, and she now choreographs and teaches all the classes each week.

Most aspects of the club wouldn’t run as they are without the help of local volunteers who support events, make costumes and help with fundraising. The community spirit truly shines just as much as the talented dancing.

There’s always space for new members, with the Baby Classes now open for children aged 3 - 6. You can visit their Facebook page, www.facebook .com/odonnellschoolofdance for further information about class times and how to join.

Website: www.southleedslife.com

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Beeston Festival calls for volunteers to join the team

Beeston Festival is back on Saturday 27 June 2026 and they have put out their annual call for volunteers to help make the day happen.

The festival is a free, family friendly celebration in Cross Flatts Park, bringing together music, food, market stalls, sports, and activities for all ages. The live event runs from 12-5pm, costs over £30,000 to produce and relies on over 500 voluntary hours to assist with set-up, festival operations and pack-down.

This is where you come in.

Angela Gabriel, Chair of Beeston Festival said:

“Our voluntary organising committee have been in planning for several months already to bring this day to life.

If you can spare a few hours on the day, we’d love to have you on the team.

“Many hands make light work has never been more true – the more people who sign up, the shorter the shifts become. Bring a friend or colleague to half your workload and double the fun!”

Suggested Volunteer Shifts

Choose whichever suits you best or let us know your availability.

8:30am-2pm Set Up Crew

Build market stalls, lay flags & barriers, traffic steward, deliver tables & chairs, set up stages and help with event stewarding. You’re welcome to start as early as you can make it!

12-5pm Social media

We need volunteers to create content, like and share tagged posts and capture engagement.

2-8pm Event & Pack Down Crew Stewarding, helping on food stalls, stage support, and dismantling, lifting and carrying to close the site. Once we’re done, we’re done!

No experience needed — just enthusiasm and a willingness to help your community. If you can only help out for specific times or a few hours, just let us know your availability.

Sign up here:

forms.gle/APWwmvGNMChH Mx5D8 and don’t forget to tell your friends!

Together we can create another brilliant day in the park.

How Middleton Railway is helping repair canal lock gates

Yorkshire’s historic canals and railways – both dating back to the Industrial Revolution – are working in partnership to continue a centuries-old canal maintenance practice known as ‘ashing up’.

The Canal & River Trust (CRT) is collaborating with Keighley Worth Valley Railway, Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway, and most recently Middleton Railway to help maintain water levels across the canal network.

‘Ashing up’ is a traditional method used to seal gaps in lock gates and minimise water loss. The technique dates back to the 19th century, when heavy boat traffic meant water was often in short supply.

Lock keepers would apply coal ash overnight to maintain watertight locks, and with steam railways located alongside canals, ash was

plentiful and readily available.

Today, CRT continues to use this time-tested method sparingly while undertaking essential repairs, such as its annual winter restoration and maintenance programme and emergency lock works.

Over the years a range of modern and organic alternatives – including rubber and polymer sealants, soaked sawdust, wood chips, and natural clay – have been tested. None, however, match the effectiveness of railway ash in creating a reliable watertight seal.

Darren Trolley, CRT team leader in Yorkshire & North East, has decades of experience using this technique along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. He explains:

“Sometimes the old ways really are the best when it comes to working on the canals and it’s great to see Yorkshire’s

heritage railways and canals supporting each other.

“The process of ‘ashing-up’, is a simple, cost-effective solution that reuses a byproduct of the heritage railways.

“We pour a small amount of ash into the canal just above a lock, and the flow of water draws it into the gaps in the gates, forming a completely watertight seal.

“It’s amazing to see this technique in action and to think it’s still being used centuries later.”

Ian Smith, Vice President of Middleton Railway added:

“This really is a ‘Win, Win’ for ourselves and the Canal & River Trust. We have a responsible way of disposing of our ash, and the Trust can use it to repair locks and keep another heritage operation running for many people to enjoy.”

Football pitch plan for former Hunslet industrial site

by Don Mort

Footballwill be played in a new indoor facility in south Leeds after plans were agreed with the city council.

Plans were drawn up for the conversion of an industrial unit on Pepper Road in Hunslet into a five-a-side playing space.

Leeds City Council approved an application for the scheme, which would include changing facilities, spectator seating and a reception area.

A design report said the project at Chengate House

would bring an un-used warehouse building back into public use. It said:

“The site is a vacant industrial storage unit located within an established commercial area.

“The unit benefits from good transport links, accessibility, and proximity to residential communities, making it an ideal location for a recreational facility.”

A change-of-use planning application was formally approved by the council on Friday 27 March. The report

said: “The development will contribute positively to the local economy, improve health and well-being, and make effective use of an underutilised building.”

A council planning officer’s report said the artificial pitch would be open to the public from 9am-10pm daily. It said:

“The proposal would result in the reuse of an existing vacant unit and provides a valuable leisure offering to the general public.”

Dom Mort is the Local Democracy Reporter

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Your local election candidates NEWS IN BRIEF

Elections

for Leeds City Councillors will take place on Thursday 7 May.

A third of Councillors will be up for election, one in each ward in the city.

Cllrs Ed Carlisle and Wayne Dixon will be contesting their seats in Hunslet & Riverside and Middleton Park wards respectively, whilst a new Councillor will be elected in Beeston & Holbeck ward after Annie Maloney stood down.

You can find full details of the candidates standing in the three South Leeds wards below.

We have written to all the candidates inviting them to tell you why they are standing and what their policies are. You can find their responses on our website at: southleedslife.com/elections-2026

We also held online hustings meetings for each ward allowing readers to put their questions to the candidates. The meetings were recorded and you can view them at youtube.com/southleedslife

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

South Leeds Life does not support any political party, but we urge all our readers to use their

Polling stations will be open from 7am-10pm on Thursday 7 May.

Details of your polling station are printed on your poll card which will be

Beeston and Holbeck ward

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

Al GARTHWAITE

Labour Par ty

73 Cross Flatts Avenue, Beeston, Leeds, LS11 7BH

Christopher Thomas HOWDEN

Liberal Democrats

Flat 69, Uncle Leeds, 3 Whitehall Road, Leeds, LS12 1FA

Alex KETTLE

The Conser vative Par ty Candidate (address in Leeds)

Noreen Gulrez NIX

Reform UK

(Address in Leeds)

Matt ROGAN

Green Par ty

Apartment 1006 Calvert House, Ingram Row, Holbeck, Leeds, LS11 9EL

Nick THE DUCK GUY

The Official Monster Raving Loony Party (address in Leeds)

Sasha WATSON

Social Democratic Par ty

54 Cross Flatts Crescent, Beeston, Leeds, LS11 7JP

Sweet treats at White Rose White Rose Shopping Centre is set to welcome Rassam’s Creamery, the award-winning dessert brand known for its bold flavours, immersive experiences, and show-stopping creations. Opening this summer, the new White Rose location will be Rassam’s largest and most impressive site to date, bringing a whole new level of excitement to South Leeds.

With seating for up to 250 guests, the spacious open-plan layout has been designed to elevate the full customer journey, from the moment visitors walk in, to the moment their dessert masterpiece arrives at the table.

posted to you if you are registered to vote. Unfortunately it is now too late to register for this election.

Votes will be counted for the Council election on Friday 8 May.

We will bring you the results online as soon as they are announced and

Hunslet and Riverside ward

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

Taiwo Funmilayo ADEYEMI

The Conser vative Par ty Candidate (address in Leeds)

Ed CARLISLE

Green Par ty 153 Beeston Road, Leeds, LS11 6AW

Roderic PARKER

Liberal Democrats

Apartment 4, Balmoral Place, 2 Bowman Lane, Leeds, LS10 1HQ

Sarata SAWO

Labour and Co-operative Par ty 22 Greenmount Street, Leeds, LS11 6DE

Ayesha SHAMIM

Reform UK (address in Leeds)

Paul THOMAS

Social Democratic Par ty (address in Leeds)

report them in next month’s newspaper.

There is more information on the Leeds City Council website about these elections including postal voting and proxy voting here: www.leeds.gov.uk/elections

Middleton Park ward

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

Samson Roberts ADEYEMI

The Conser vative Par ty Candidate (address in Leeds)

Wayne Alan DIXON

Social Democratic Par ty 39 Shelldrake Drive, Middleton, Leeds, LS10 3NB

Ciaran Lee HEAD

Green Par ty (address in Leeds)

Innocent IGIEHON

Labour and Co-operative Par ty (address in Leeds)

James KENDALL

Reform UK (address in Leeds)

Kristof SZECSI

Liberal Democrats 2 Parkside Parade, Leeds, LS11 7LE

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

Dementia Champion

BME housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise – which manages homes in Beeston and Holbeck – has named Sean Kelly as its first Dementia Champion tasked with raising awareness and embedding dementiafriendly thinking across the organisation. Unity is a member of the West Yorkshire Dementia-ready Housing Taskforce, which focuses on creating ‘dementia-ready’ homes and communities to help people live independently for longer.

Beeston beds bound for China

Beeston-based bedmaker, Harrison Spinks, will expand into China through one of the country’s leading manufacturers and retailers, Sleep Comfortably (Shanghai) Technology Co., Ltd – bringing over 185 years of British bedmaking expertise and innovation to the market.

Harrison Spinks’ expansion into China forms part of the company’s ambitious international growth strategy, with its luxury mattresses now distributed across several countries worldwide, including most recently Indonesia.

Hongkongers deliver afternoon tea in Beeston

by Jeremy Morton

At the end of March about fifty members of the Hong Kong community in Leeds celebrated the successful completion of a work and health project at Beeston Village Community Centre.

The project, funded by the West Yorkshire Mayor, was a programme to support people to improve their health, confidence and wellbeing, while taking steps towards work, learning or volunteering.

Four years ago Health For All set up the Next Stop Café, providing social support and practical advice to Hongkongers newly arrived in Leeds. In fact it wasn’t an actual café, but a group of the Hongkongers planned and delivered their own pop-up cafe, as part of the Work and Health Project.

This involved setting up teams to work on catering, decoration, budgeting and marketing. They also completed their Level 2 Food Hygiene training and learned to sew their own aprons.

Because March includes both International Women’s Day and Mothers’ Day, the group decided to hold a charity afternoon tea at Beeston Village Community Centre.

Over 20 sessions the group learned new skills and planned

and delivered a successful event, boosting their confidence in speaking to new people and trying new things. They visited the University of Leeds Lifelong Learning Centre, the Business support centre at Leeds Central Library and got tips from the Bridge café in Cross Flatts Park.

The event was a great

success with over £400 raised for a women’s and children’s charity.

Natalie, one of the members of the group, reflected:

“I learned a lot: food hygiene and how to use a sewing machine and I made an apron for myself and I’m so proud of it. I learned to cook different styles of food, a how to set up

a new business - that’s very precious. What I treasure most is the running of the afternoon tea event. I could feel the Hong Kong spirit of solidarity and hard work. I have more confidence, I’m grateful to have taken part in the project and I’m proud of being one of the members of the group.”

Joseph, who took on the

26 beds for 26 miles: marathon sponsorship from Beeston bedmaker

Fifth-generation Yorkshire bedmaker, Harrison Spinks, is fundraising for Leeds-based charity, Zarach, transforming every mile of the London Marathon into a mattress for children living without a proper bed.

David Labuschagne, Head of Marketing at Beeston-based Harrison Spinks, ran the London Marathon on Sunday 26 April, with each mile completed matched by the donation of a bespoke mattress, helping to give children experiencing bed poverty a safe and comfortable place to sleep.

The company’s fundraising initiative builds on a longstanding partnership with the charity, through which more than 820 bespoke mattresses have already been donated to children experiencing bed poverty.

As part of its London Marathon fundraising, the company will donate a further 26 mattresses, in addition to

its ongoing commitment to provide 30 mattresses each month – each one supporting a child to enjoy a safe and comfortable night’s sleep.

The Hunslet-based charity is on a mission to end child bed poverty, ensuring every child has a safe, comfortable place to sleep and the chance to thrive at school. Partnering with schools to identify children

experiencing bed poverty, Zarach connects families with community support services, delivering bed bundles to children across West Yorkshire, the Tees Valley, Liverpool, and Stockport – making an immediate and lasting difference to their lives.

Each bespoke mattress donated by Harrison Spinks is carefully handcrafted with

natural fillings, where every bed carries a bespoke label stitched into the fabric carrying the heartwarming message: ‘Made with love in Leeds’.

David Labuschagne, Head of Marketing at Harrison Spinks, said:

“Running the London Marathon is a huge personal challenge, but it’s nothing compared to the challenges many children face every night without a safe place to sleep. Knowing the long-lasting difference a safe, comfortable bed can make to a child’s life, makes every mile worth it, and I am so proud to support the vital work Zarach is doing.”

Amy Green, Head of Communications at Zarach, said: “We’re so incredibly grateful to Harrison Spinks and their partnership. We’re delighted that David has chosen to take on such a huge challenge to raise awareness and funds for Zarach; children’s lives will be changed because of his efforts.”

we’d done it, we were nervous and didn’t want customers to be waiting too long. At the end we were exhausted. But in the afternoon everything ran smoothly because we had the experience.

“So this taught us that actually we can conquer the challenge. For us Hongkongers in the UK everything is new to us but we can adapt and overcome, so I want to say thank you to Huazhu and everyone at Health For All.”

Cllr Shaf Ali (Labour, Beeston & Holbeck) commented:

“What an amazing project, I think it’s brilliant work you’ve done for the community. You’ve built the confidence of your team. When people come to this country they need this kind of support. I want to thank you for this successful project, for making a positive contribution to the Beeston community.”

Pat McGeever, CEO of Health For All, said:

manager’s role said he was proud of the team as they tackled their ‘mission impossible’. He was pleased that:

“As a Hong Kong group we can dedicate ourselves and make a little bit of a difference to the community.

“We ran two sessions. In the morning it was the first time

‘Street

“I’m delighted to be here today and to hear what a wonderful project this has been. I want you to know that things worked so well over that 6 month period that we’ve secured funding for another year and that’s down to you. Ever since we started working with the Hongkongers, well I just feel privileged to offer support to you. You’re an amazing group of people.”

Charter’ approved by council

City leaders hope to make the streets safer for disabled and elderly people under plans formally agreed by the council.

The Street Charter sets out measures to make it easier for people to get around. Bins left on pavements, advertising boards, overgrown shrubbery and defective footpaths were among the issues looked at.

The charter was approved by the council’s executive board at a meeting on 22 April.

Deputy council leader Jonathan Pryor said: “The purpose of the charter is to provide a clear, shared understanding of the barriers affecting our city streets.”

The council worked with charities representing blind and disabled people to draw up the plan including The Deaf Blind Society, Guide Dogs, Older People’s Forum and the council’s social services department.

Cyclists would be encouraged to stay off the pavement and bike ‘by-passes’ would be introduced at bus stops. The charter said near misses with cyclists could lead to a loss of confidence in going out independently for disabled people.

This report was written by Don Mort, Local Democracy Reporter

A council report said: “The proposal to formally adopt the Leeds Street Charter will have a significant and positive impact on the accessibility, inclusiveness and usability of the city’s street environment.” Householders and refuse workers would be encouraged not to leave bins on pavements. The council would work with the police to keep pavements clear of parked vehicles. The Street Charter said drivers who parked on the pavement often thought they were doing the right thing by keeping the road clear. It said: “The result is that people with sight loss often cannot see the obstruction until it is too late and collide with the parked vehicle.”

Email: info@southleedslife.com

Bloomers day out

If you look round Beeston, you can’t help but notice the work of Beeston in Bloom and what we have achieved to improve the area – roadside planters on Beeston Road, painted utility boxes, and the Millennium Garden in Cross Flatts Park to name but a few. We have also achieved a Gold medal in the RHS Yorkshire in Bloom competition for the last 3 years. It takes a lot of hard work by a small, dedicated team of volunteers. As we’re about to start another busy season of gardening we decided we deserved a treat and arranged a day trip to Filey. It would of course include a visit to a garden centre. While we were there we cast a critical eye over their floral displays, had a tasty lunch, and finished off at the garden centre, buying as many plants that we could cram on the minibus. Thanks to Ian Pickup who was our driver and Vivienne Bate who paid for the bus. It was a great day, and we have charged our batteries ready for another busy year. We hope to see you at Beeston Festival in June.

Free Makaton sessions at Hunslet Club boost inclusivity among young people

by Zoe Creasser

The Hunslet Club is proud to be offering free Makaton sessions as part of its Junior Youth Club, helping to promote inclusivity and communication among young people in a fun and supportive environment.

Held during Junior Youth Club sessions, which run on Mondays and Thursdays from 4:30-8pm, the sessions give 8–12-year-olds the opportunity to learn Makaton—a unique language programme that uses signs and symbols alongside

speech—encouraging new ways to communicate and connect with others.

The initiative is already having a positive impact, with young people building confidence, developing new skills, and gaining a greater understanding of others, all while enjoying time with their friends.

Junior Youth Club is free to attend, making it accessible for all young people in the community.

For more information, please visit www.hunsletclub.org.uk

LCB reaches regional Apprenticeship

Awards finals with 13

shortlistings

Leeds College of Building (LCB) is a finalist for 13 awards across ten categories at this year’s West Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards.

The annual awards event celebrates outstanding apprentices, employers, and training providers across fields such as engineering, law, and construction.

This year will mark the fourth edition of the awards, first set up in 2022 by the Yorkshire Evening Post.

LCB is shortlisted for the ‘Best Training Provider Award’, as well as the ‘Large Employer of the Year Award,’ in collaboration with longstanding partners, Bagnalls.

Bagnalls’ Andy Holt has been nominated for ‘Mentor of the Year’ for the work undertaken with LCB apprentices, including Faith Loynes, who is herself up for the ‘Intermediate Apprentice Award.’

LCB apprentices Gurman Dev (employed by WSP) and Tom Butler (CML Civil Engineering) are both shortlisted for the ‘Advanced Apprentice’ and ‘Degree Apprentice’ categories respectively.

LCB apprentice Martin Barlow, who works for South West Yorkshire Partnership Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, and Martyn Priestley, who works for Bradford Council, are both nominated for

the ‘Construction Apprentice Award.’

Nominees in the ‘Higher Apprenticeship’ category include Jack Peacock and William Sykes, recognised for their work with Wates Group and East Riding Council respectively.

LCB apprentice Caleb Graham, who works for Systra, is a finalist in the ‘Technology and Digital Apprentice Award’, while Farhan Miah (Arup) and Joe Rhodes (ITV) are both shortlisted for the ‘Engineering / Manufacturing Apprentice Award’ category.

Michael Martin, LCB Curriculum Manager of Construction Crafts, said:

“We are absolutely delighted to receive so many nominations across the various categories. It really is a testament to the range and quality of our apprenticeship education provision.

“On behalf of everyone at LCB, I’d like to say a massive congratulations to all our nominated apprentices. We can’t wait to celebrate all your success from across the year at the awards event.”

The West Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards 2026 will take place on Thursday 14 May at the Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford.

Visit the LCB website at www.lcb.ac.uk to find out how to secure an apprenticeship.

Amazing young writers at CIRA

Pupilsat Cockburn Ingram Road Academy (CIRA) are celebrating their latest success of becoming published authors.

Pupils at Cockburn Ingram Road Academy recently entered a competition held by Young Writers. They were posed with the challenge or writing a story, diary or recount as a mini saga. The pupils were given the inspiring title of ‘The Adventures of…’ 30 children from Cockburn Ingram Road had their work recognised and published in a book by Young Writers. Mrs Webber, the UKS2 phase leader at Cockburn Ingram Road Academy, is thrilled by the pupils’ achievements and has noted just how proud the pupils are of their achievements. ‘As Authors, they are hoping to inspire others to join the Young Writers' story and drawing competitions. Congratulations to our wonderful storytelling Year 5/6 children!’

Middleton Primary School opens brand-new nursery for 3–4 year olds

Middleton Primary School in south Leeds, part of the Cockburn Multi-Academy Trust, has announced the opening of a brand-new school nursery, offering high-quality early years education for children aged three and four in the LS10 area and surrounding communities.

The purpose-built nursery has been designed specifically to meet the needs of young children, providing a safe, welcoming and stimulating environment where pupils can learn through play and develop strong foundations for future learning.

Flexible funded places are available from September 2026, including 30-hour fulltime provision from Monday to Friday, as well as 15-hour parttime places offered across two patterns: Monday to Wednesday morning, or Wednesday afternoon through to Friday.

This flexible approach aims to support families with varying childcare and work commitments.

The nursery is staffed by experienced and fully qualified Early Years professionals who are passionate about nurturing each child’s development. Children benefit from a highquality Early Years Foundation

Stage curriculum, with activities tailored to encourage curiosity, confidence and independence.

As part of an established primary school, last rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted, the nursery offers a seamless transition into Reception.

Children will become familiar with the school environment, routines and staff, helping them to settle quickly and feel secure when they move into full-time education.

Mrs Tissiman, Headteacher at Middleton Primary School

said: “We are incredibly proud to be opening our own nursery within the school. At the heart of our provision is a commitment to providing a nurturing, inclusive environment where every child feels valued and supported to thrive. We work closely with families to ensure every child gets the best possible start to their education.”

Middleton Primary School celebrates the rich diversity of its inner-city community and is committed to supporting all

children, including those who may require additional support or challenge.

Applications are now open and families interested in applying for a nursery place are encouraged to contact the school directly for an application form or to arrange a visit.

Telephone: 0113 271 7969; Email: info@middletonprimary .org; or visit: www. middletonprimary.org

Middleton Primary School is located on Middleton Park Avenue, Leeds, LS10 4HU

Karen from St George’s Crypt came into school for the event and said:

Hunslet Carr Primary raises close to £300 for St George’s Crypt Clapgate resuscita

During the Spring Term, the Year 6 children at Hunslet Carr Primary School did topic work around the question, “How can we spread love, not hate?”

Throughout this topic, the children learned about various street artists (including having a visit from the amazing Burley Banksy who will be helping the children paint their artwork onto nearby electrical boxes!) and how the artists use art to spread messages. The children also learned about stereotypes and prejudice, as well as homeless

people and the impact this can have on them.

During the topic, the children had to come up with a design inspired by the street artists they had learned about, and then create a T-shirt with their design on it. These T-shirts were then

auctioned off at a hugely successful event in the school hall, where around £300 was raised through the hard work of the children and the generosity of parents and family members who bid on the children’s Tshirts.

“It was an absolute pleasure and a privilege to come along and see the amazing work that was undertaken by the staff, children and parents involved. Thank you for the opportunity to be involved with the amazing project. It was very moving and particularly poignant having a parent there and their son as a former friend who has experienced the Crypt.”

Cockburn MAT students sing at Wembley

InMarch, 43 students from the three Cockburn MAT secondary schools travelled by train to London to take part in the Voice in a Million Concert at Wembley Arena.

for 13,000 people

Voice in a Million is a massed choir concert of 6,000 students that takes place every year and gives students from all over the country the opportunity to sing a variety of songs together to

promote and raise money for Adoption UK.

This year, the students from Cockburn School, Cockburn John Charles Academy and Cockburn Laurence Calvert

Academy were invited to perform one of the songs, ‘A Sky Full of Stars’ by Coldplay, on the main stage in front of 13,000 people. The experience was incredible, and they represented both the

MAT and South Leeds with pride. The students had to learn a set of mirror image choreography. They demonstrated the MAT Values and Expectations throughout the trip and the students were elated at the opportunity that they had been given.

Following the concert, they had an overnight stay in London and spent the next day immersed in a vocal workshop in Pineapple Studios, shopping in Covent Garden and the trip was topped off by a matinee performance of ‘Hercules’ the musical.

Mrs Amos, MAT Director of Music said,

“It is wonderful that we are able to provide these opportunities for our students. To perform on Wembley Arena stage in front of a crowd that large is no small achievement and the students handled it brilliantly. We are so proud of them.

“This is certainly a moment that they will never forget. We would also like to thank West Yorkshire Music Hub and ArtForms, whose enrichment grant helped to fund the trip.”

Whenby Jeremy Morton

30 Year 6 pupils from Clapgate Primary School in Belle Isle, accompanied by four members of staff, headed to Eccup reservoir for a nature walk last June, no one was expecting a medical emergency or a visit from the Air Ambulance.

But towards the end of the walk Teaching Assistant Vicky Stevens started complaining of indigestion and soon collapsed. Her colleagues didn’t panic, whilst Adam Yeadon shepherded the children away and kept them calm, Nicola Holmes and Aston Queeley quickly established that Vicky was having a heart attack and started giving her CPR.

Contacting 999 they were disheartened to hear that there wasn’t a public defibrillator in

e Primary School’s ation heroes recognised

the area, but redoubled their efforts.

CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, involves giving regular chest compressions to keep the blood pumping around the body and taking oxygen to all parts including the brain.

Aston and Nicola were both trained in the technique, but it’s still hard physical work. Taking it in turns they kept going for 18 long minutes until help arrived.

Vicky was taken to Leeds General Infirmary. Doctors praised the teachers and said Vicky wouldn’t have made it to hospital without their efforts, but warned that whilst she was still alive, they wouldn’t know whether she had sustained any brain injury until she woke up.

In fact, Vicky woke up the next afternoon, confused about why she was in a hospital bed - she

couldn’t remember anything of heart attack - but otherwise in good health.

Headteacher, Heather Taylor and Vicky felt Aston and Nicola deserved an award for their efforts and contacted the Royal Humane Society, who agreed and awarded Resuscitation Certificates for the pair’s “humanity, promptitude and skill … for assisting in restoring a woman to life.”

The Certificates were presented in front of the staff by school governors Emma PogsonGolden and Charlie Preston.

Heather Taylor said the whole episode reflected the spirit of Clapgate and the school community.

The whole staff team had pulled together and were there for each other.

Asked for her reaction, Vicky

said:

“There aren’t any words really are there? I wouldn’t be here without them. 18 minutes they kept me alive, I’m just so grateful.

“I’m not surprised that they did what they did, they’re both active and know CPR, but to keep going that long is unbelievable.

“It’s a lot. I’m alive because of what they did and to recognise what was happening to me. It affected them too, it’s such a responsibility to take on, especially when its someone you know. They really deserve this award.”

Aston commented: “The certificate is a bonus, it’s a nice surprise.”

Nicola added: “It was extremely stressful at the time, so it’s nice to be acknowledged.”

Egg-cellent gifts for Cockburn Reach Academy pupils

The pupils, staff, and wider community of our school Cockburn Reach Academy would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Lineham Farm for their generous donation of Easter eggs this spring. Their kindness brought enormous joy to our children, making the end of term celebrations even more special.

Seeing the excitement on the pupils’ faces as they received their Easter treats was a wonderful reminder of how thoughtful gestures like this can brighten young lives.

Staff and pupils are incredibly grateful for Lineham Farm’s continued support and

community spirit. Contributions like theirs help create memorable experiences for pupils and strengthen the

In our view

CPR is for everyone

The actions of Aston Queeley and Nicola Holmes (page 12) are inspirational and we are right to describe them as heroes, but CPRcardiopulmonary resuscitationisn’t, or shouldn’t be just for heroes. Everyone should have the knowledge a skill to react and save a life. Slung Low’ Community College ran a CPR course a few years ago, not to give people a qualification, but because it was useful. We’re glad that Cockburn MAT hold Restart a Heart training for their students. We should all learn to skill.

Please use your vote

There is a lot of cynicism around politicians these days. But Councillors perform an important role in our city, making important decisions that affect our lives. Some of the debate this year has been quite toxic. Please debate the issues, but don’t insult the people who put themselves forward to take on an important role in the community.

Just like holidays, safe working conditions and equal pay working people had to fight to get the vote, so the right to vote shouldn’t be taken lightly. And you can’t complain about the representatives we get if you didn’t use your vote.

South Leeds Life does not support any political party, but we do encourage all our readers to use their vote on 7 May. And don’t forget to take your photo ID with you to the polling station.

The June issue of South Leeds Life will be out on Wednesday 3 June

The deadline for submissions is Thursday 28 May

Your letters and comments

Cottingley Community Centre

The community centre in Cottingley is so incredibly important (Fighting for their community centre, April 2026). The fact that the trustees have decided to sell the building is absolutely heart breaking to the entire community.

Everybody in and out of the area, at some point have used services at Cottingley community centre.

They offer youth groups, keeping young, vulnerable and impressionable children off the streets and away from potentially dangerous situations. They offer a safe space for them to find themselves, learn about themselves, navigate their emotions. I’m yet to meet a young person who hasn’t attended the community centres youth group. I only hear and witness the joy that the youth group at the centre brings them, seeing them gather around awaiting opening times for the youth group.

Taking away our community centre would without doubt, be detrimental to our young people in our community, pushing them out into the big bad world with not a safe space in sight.

They offer a food pantry of which I used to be part of. With many parents, elderly and everyone in between using this service, it’s again, a safe space. With volunteers around to offer help when asked and reach out when they notice someone’s distress, upset. Taking away our community centre would cause significant harm to those who use this service. People who rely on their weekly pantry, just to survive the week.

The offer church groups, men’s group, weekly meals for the elderly. Cottingley Community Centre is doing everything they can in order to best support every single person who they cross paths with.

Cottingley community centre offer welcome space/warm space. Allowing those who both need too and want too attend, again, I am one of those individuals. I wouldn’t have made it through the last 18 months without these groups and without the community centre and those who run it.

To take away such a beacon of light in such a dark time within the community,

would be detrimental to all those within the community and also those outside of the community who find peace and calm in visiting.

We have lost the post office, we will lose the train station, so much has been taken away from us.

Please don’t let this be the next as I feel this will end the community as we know it.

Natalie Marchant

Broomfield SILC plans

The school needs to have a better entrance and exit! It’s absolutely awful when they start/ finish on a school day. Ellis Robinson

I just dont think the school’s been

Your Leeds City Councillors

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

Shaf Ali (Labour) (0113) 378 8810 sharafat.ali@leeds.gov.uk

Annie Maloney (Labour) 07554 969236 annie.maloney@leeds.gov.uk

Andrew Scopes (Labour) 07860 400645 andrew.scopes@leeds.gov.uk

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

Ed Carlisle (Green) 07738 921277 ed.carlisle@leeds.gov.uk

Mohammed Iqbal (Labour) 0113 226 8796 mohammed.iqbal@leeds.gov.uk

Paul Wray (Labour) 07528 512649 paul.wray@leeds.gov.uk

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

Rob Chesterfield (SDP) (0113) 378 0900 rob.chesterfield@leeds.gov.uk

Wayne Dixon (SDP) 07852 311717 wayne.dixon@leeds.gov.uk

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

properly accessable. You’ve got a little gate at front and side for the older children, it’s not always safe for those waiting on the side of the path to wait to go in too. It definitely needs a better parking area for pick ups and drop offs.

Lucy Lyons

It needs proper parking, not just blocking residents in, then they have to wait to leave their homes because they can’t get out of their drives. I hope that’s been thought about.

Lisa Caley

Maybe you need to plan parking as it’s a joke. Buses are earlier and earlier everyday blocking out streets and homes. Also parents park anywhere and block driving past the shops daily.

Zoe Stalker

Barbara Cavell

A lovely tribute to a lovely lady who do so much for her community over so many years. (Obituary: Babara Cavell, April 2026) Rest in peace Barbara.

John Baron

South Leeds Wildlife

Many thanks to Mr Wells for this most interesting article about this time of

year. It’s lovely to see the trees beginning to blossom in Beeston and to read about the wildlife that might be about the area. I do put out birdseed in suitable feeders and have plants in my garden that I hope encourages bees and other insects.

Jan

Pathways for Positivity

Thank you for that, Shannon. Words of wisdom. I really enjoy your column because it makes me think.

Linda Meikle

Amazing content. I enjoyed reading this over my dinner. So nice to get these gentle reminders. Thanks.

Mo

Join the debate

Comment online; by email: info@southleedslife.com; or post to: 28 Back Burton Grove, Leeds, LS11 5JH.

Letters may be edited for publication.

Website: www.southleedslife.com

Email: info@southleedslife.com

MP’s notebook

with Hilary Benn MP

Oneof the things that is striking about stark newspaper headlines and the frenzy of social media posts is just what a disconnection there can be between what happens in the Westminster bubble and in the world outside.

As usual, I’ve been talking to a fair number of people out and about in the last month and hardly anyone has brought up the Peter Mandelson business. Many more people have, however, commented on the Prime Minister’s decision to keep us out of the war with Iran.

For students of history, Keir Starmer is the first British Prime Minister to turn down a request for military assistance from an American President since Harold Wilson told President Johnson in the mid1960s that Britain would not be sending troops to Vietnam. These are very big calls to make, and they are why the job

of being Prime Minister is so important and can have such far-reaching consequences.

We are undoubtedly now living in a different world; a world that is more uncertain and more dangerous. And I have always believed that serious times require a serious person in Downing Street, and thank goodness, we have such a person in the job currently.

The other thing that marks out a good leader is that when he or she makes a mistake –which Keir Starmer acknowledges he did over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States – they take responsibility, acknowledge it and apologise. Frankly, if more people did that in public life, then I think the public would be more impressed because the truth is that we all get things wrong from time to time.

One of the economic consequences of the war in the Gulf is, of course, that the signs

of improvement in the UK economy we had just begun to see at the beginning of this year have now been put in jeopardy. And that impact is being felt most acutely when it comes to fuel prices. Clearly, the sooner the conflict is brought to an end, the sooner the Strait of Hormuz can be reopened, so that ships can take supplies in and out.

That is why the UK has been focusing on trying to deescalate the crisis and talking to allies about how ships can be safely, escorted through the Strait once a formal cease-fire comes into effect.

In the meantime, we’re monitoring the impact of rising fuel prices very carefully because the cost of living continues to be the number one issue that families are facing. Help has been given for those on low incomes in rural areas who rely on heating oil and energy bills were brought down this month because of

the price cap.

I am continuing to get quite a lot of constituents contacting me about social media, and in particular the impact it is having on our children. All new technologies can be used for good or ill, and while we should seize the opportunities that this new technology brings, we must make sure that we protect our children online.

We have already made big strides in implementing the child safety duties in the Online Safety Act passed last July and last month we amended the Crime and Policing Bill to crack down on the use of AI to depict child abuse. As a result, 6,000 sites have taken action to stop children seeing harmful content.

But there is more to do because increasingly, we are hearing from parents and teachers about the effects of social media on young people.

That’s why we’ve launched a consultation on a range of different options and will include parents, tech companies and children and young people themselves. It will conclude at the end of May.

The question is not whether the Government will take further action - we will do so -

Holidaying on the Yorkshire coast

by Hon Ald Elizabeth Nash

We are now well and truly into Spring and Summer is not far ahead. Quite a number of us will be heading to our beautiful coast for a day trip or, for the lucky, a holiday.

Most of the area is in the North Yorks Moors National Park and deservedly so with the lovely coastline and beautiful countryside inland, and the National Trust owning most of the coast land between Filey and Saltburn.

But this was not always the case. Up until about 150 years ago it was known as the “chemical coast”!

I was fortunate to attend a talk given by Mr David Banks from the National Trust. He told us that until the reign of Henry VIII, almost everyone wore clothes which were either brown or green.

Henry wanted his clothes to be bright colours, but there was a snag.

Coloured cloth would not stay coloured and a fixative was needed.

Sir Thomas Chaloner II of Guisborough was aware that the Germans and Italians knew how to do it and he smuggled workers from these countries into Yorkshire.

The fixative had three ingredients – seaweed, which

there is an abundance of on the Yorkshire coast, human urine, and alum crystals, which can be obtained from shale which was in huge quantities on the Yorkshire Coast and the near hinterland.

Shale occurs elsewhere in the UK but not as good a quality as that found in Yorkshire and hence the best quality alum.

Quarrying began and as much as up to a quarter of a

mile of the coastline was hacked away not by the ravages of the sea but by quarrying.

This is particularly evident north of Ravenscar, and north from Whitby to Sandsend. David Banks informed us that the walls to the car park in Sandsend were the original cut down walls of the working house mixing the fixative.

To obtain the alum, shale had to be burnt for a year and

one may imagine the pollution! Coal for that purpose was obtained from the Northumberland pits. There was insufficient population in the Yorkshire villages to produce urine, so it was shipped in barrels from Newcastle, Hull and London. When ship owners were asked what they were carrying the response was “Taking the Piss” which is the origin of the expression.

but what are the most effective next steps that will protect the childhoods of our children.

And in the meantime, we’ve just acted on the subject of mobile phones in schools.

Guidance had already been issued to schools to ban mobile phones, so it was a question of enforcement. And last week that guidance was put on a statutory footing with all-party support in the House of Commons. It shows what can be achieved when we work together.

And finally, I’m looking forward to attending a gathering next week of businesses that give their support to the wonderful charity Holbeck Together, of

which I am the patron.

As I’ve written in this column previously, Holbeck Together is working on big plans for the refurbishment of the St Matthews Community Centre and taking over the old box office across the road, that was previously used by Leeds Building Society, to provide new facilities for the community.

These are really exciting developments, and this event will be a chance to thank all of those Leeds businesses who freely give of their time and expertise to support charities right across Leeds. It’s another example of why, if we work together, there is so much more that we can get done.

Hilary Benn is our Member of Parliament

He represents the Leeds South constituency

Email: hilary.benn.mp@parliament.uk Website: www.hilarybennmp.com

Constituency office:

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

Seaweed was in abundance on the coast, usually collected by women.

I do not know what the chemistry is involved, but in the 1870s it was found that alum could be extracted by using sulphuric acid and the extraction and burning of shale ceased.

Today, not only is alum used in the textile industry, but also it is used (as I know from my Waterworks Committee days) as a coagulant in drinking water making debris easy to extract.

It is used in medicine, as an

antibiotic, in toothpaste, deodorants, baking powder, cream of tartar, and a fixative for false teeth and numerous other commodities.

The walks along the coast have become lovely as most of the evidence of the shale quarrying has been overgrown with grass and wild flowers, even though evidence of the quarrying near Sandsend is still visible with grey shale chippings and mounds.

Seeing the evidence of this centuries’ old industry makes the lovely walk more interesting.

Pathways for positivity

with

Shannon Humphrey

Have we forgotten how to be patient?

If you’d told me years ago I could watch a full series of my favourite TV shows back-toback, or that a box office release would be available at home within weeks, I wouldn’t have believed you.

The thought occurred midbinge on Netflix. Within a couple of evenings, I’d almost finished a new series. And while I enjoyed the convenience of munching through four episodes at a time, it wasn’t nearly as satisfying as when I had to wait for weekly instalments of my favourite shows.

I’d think about them in between. Talk about it with friends. Did they see it? I’d use my imagination to wonder what might happen next.

The anticipation was part of the experience.

Now, waiting for anything feels like a hassle. It’s not just TV. It’s other places too.

There’s never been more ways to get what we want, on demand. A few taps on a screen and information, entertainment, updates, replies. It’s all there.

Immediate, accessible, constant.

I’ve just had a package delivered that I ordered less than 10 hours ago. I ordered something else at the same time and that’s arriving tomorrow. I hate to admit it, but I caught myself thinking, why is that taking so long?

Which is bonkers. Less than a day isn’t long at all. It made me realise that patience, or at least my relationship with it, has shifted. And I’m not sure I like it.

Somewhere between the sweet spot of speed and convenience, something feels like it’s changed. The way I watch things, the way I communicate with others, the pace life moves around me.

Messages that feel like they need an immediate reply. Moments of quiet where I instinctively reach for my phone.

To be clear, it’s not all bad. Being able to access information quickly, stay connected, and move efficiently through the day has real value.

But not everything in life is meant to move at lightning speed, me included.

Some things take time, whether we like it or not. Relationships, personal growth and understanding how we really feel about something.

A meaningful conversation doesn’t always get to the point straight away. Trust isn’t built in a single interaction. Clarity doesn’t arrive on demand. And forgiveness can’t be rushed just because someone is ready to say sorry.

When we try to speed these things up, it creates tension. That feeling of wanting everything squared away, resolved, decided, or understood now, even when it isn’t.

I’ve noticed it myself. The urge to move things along, to get to an answer quickly, to avoid sitting in that in-between thinking space for too long.

But more often than not, that’s where the real work is happening. Not visibly, not instantly, but steadily, internally.

And I wonder if that’s the

part we’re at risk of losing touch with.

Because if everything around us is designed to be fast, it becomes easy to expect the same from ourselves, and from the parts of life that simply aren’t built that way.

I was reminded of this recently while standing in a

long queue. One of those moments where you can feel the impatience building. The huffing, the checking of watches, the quiet frustration of eye rolls.

But instead of getting caught up in it, I ended up chatting with the woman next to me.

Nothing groundbreaking, just a simple, friendly conversation. And before I knew it, we were at the front.

It made me realise it’s not always the waiting that’s the problem. It’s how we do it.

Huffing and puffing doesn’t make it go any faster. If anything, it makes the whole experience tiresome.

So how can I learn more patience?

Maybe it’s about noticing

when I’m rushing for no real reason, and choosing not to. Perhaps it’s letting things unfold naturally in their own time. Giving conversations space to breathe instead of anticipating what’s next. Accepting that some things will take time, whether I like it or not. Because waiting isn’t always the problem. It’s how we meet it.

And when we stop pushing against the weight of the wait, things begin to feel a little lighter. Not because anything major has changed, but because we have.

Shannon Humphrey is a Youth and Adult Mental Health & Wellbeing Instructor for more information check out www. pathwaysforpositivity.com

May is my favourite month in the year. Plants of all varieties are coming into flower and releasing their scents, bright fresh green leaves are beginning to emerge on the trees, the days are warming up and the birds are singing.

To top it off, for those of us living in South Leeds, we have a treat on our doorstep at Middleton Park as the woods will be carpeted with bluebells for the next few weeks.

For me, I consider the blooming of the bluebells at Middleton Park as one of Leeds’ annual nature spectacles. There are so many sections of the park where this magical transformation takes place that whichever section you choose to visit, you are sure to come across them.

One of my favourite areas is down in the woods not far from Cockburn School playing fields as there are some paths that wind between the bluebells that are bordered by white wild garlic flowers that are also at their peak this time of year.

The early flowering of both bluebells and wild garlic allows them to make the most of the sunlight on the woodland floor

before the canopy becomes too dense once the trees have come into leaf. The scent of the bluebells and the garlic is a sensory treat.

If you do decide to visit this section of Middleton woods also keep an eye out for nuthatches scurrying around up above in the old oak trees. These birds are a just a little smaller than a woodpecker and are blue-grey on top and white below with chestnut on their sides and tail and have a distinct black eyeliner stripe on the side of their heads and long pointed bills. They tend to use tree holes for nesting which they seal with mud to fit their size and are the only bird in the UK that can climb down tree trunks headfirst! It can be a little easier to spot them in spring, before the leaves hide them from view during the summer months.

Another reason that May is my favourite month is that we get two bank holidays, May Day and the late May Spring Bank Holiday.

There are numerous symbolic plants that are associated with May Day celebrations, these include the hawthorn tree (otherwise

Email:

Ken Burton

A state of excitement at Hunslet Local history with

On the Sunday evening of 8 October 1848 the inhabitants of Hunslet were thrown into a state of great excitement and horror when the body of a 16 year old girl, Esther Inman was found horribly murdered.

The deceased lived with her step father, one Thomas Watson in Varley’s Yard, Hunslet. She had been murdered by her sweetheart, one Thomas Malkin who was aged 17 and an operative glass manufacturer, but who for the past twelve months had been employed as a wood turner at Holdsworth’s flax mill and living in Merry Fold, Hunslet Moor End, nearly opposite the Sun Inn.

The unfortunate girl had for some cause or other declined Malkin’s company and on the night in question, and being instigated by motives of jealously or revenge, he went to

Continued from page 16 known as the May Tree) which starts to come into bloom with tiny white flowers, and the stalks of white cow parsley and yellow spring flowers which are traditionally woven into garlands and worn by Maypole dancers. You can find hawthorn, cow parsley and various yellow wildflowers all over South Leeds. Daffodils are sadly on their way out, but the humble dandelion is one of the significant, yet often overlooked, symbolic flowers associated with May Day and the surrounding spring season, with their sunshine flowerheads representing the sun and the tradition of blowing the seeds of a dandelion clock whilst making a wish. Typically considered a weedby most of us these days, dandelions are actually an important source of food to many insects and birds. Their nectar and pollen rich flowers are important for bees and butterflies and provide food at a time of the year when other sources are scarce.

Perhaps we need to rethink and change our perspective towards these bursts of yellow sunshine across our lawns and parks, welcoming and celebrating them as a gift to us and to wildlife, rather than seeing them as a nuisance.

Foxgloves are another native plant and valuable provider of

nectar for insects and you will notice their pink and purple bell-shaped petals begin to emerge in gardens, grass verges, or whenever there is a patch of spare available ground, across South Leeds throughout this month.

The origin of the name “foxglove” is unclear, but is believed by some to originate from “folk’s glove”, referring to the “little folk” or fairies. Old folklore stories told of fairies using the petals as gloves or caps. Others suggest the name is derived more directly from foxes, and originates from old English stories which tell of foxes wearing the bell-shaped flowers on their paws to silence their footsteps to sneak into chicken coops or, alternatively, where foxes used the petals as a warning bell to other foxes about the approach of hunters and hounds.

These old stories aside, one common connection is that you are likely to find foxgloves growing on banks and wooded areas where foxes make their dens.

Indeed, May is a very good time to see foxes as it is the most active time for fox cubs who start emerging above ground. They are growing rapidly and will start to explore, wrestle and play with their siblings and other objects, so if you hear some odd yelping, whimpering or squabbling

sounds at dusk or late at night on the street or in your back garden like I did the other night, don’t worry, you aren’t having a weird dream, it’s most likely some young newly emerged cubs enjoying their new found freedom.

To my knowledge, I’m not aware of Maypole dance events happening in South Leeds (the nearest one is in Rothwell) but in the same spirit as the fox cubs this month, I hope that the weather is kind to us and that everyone does get the opportunity to ‘play out’ in the outdoors, enjoying the added freedom of the two bank holidays.

the garden gate leading to the Watson house where he observed a girl named Mary Ann Smith coming out. Malkin asked her to return and asked Esther Inman to come out for a minute or two because he wanted to talk to her.

Unhappily for Esther the poor girl complied with his request and while conversing together he plunged a dagger twice in to her breast and causing instant death to her.

The dagger was made of a piece of cast steel, six inches in length and half an inch in breadth and fixed on a turned boxwood handle. The blade was of one thickness throughout but filed to a sharp edge on each side and at the point.

Malkin absconded but was soon apprehended and was committed to York on a charge of wilful murder. He was tried before Mr Baron Platt on 21 December 1848 and pleaded not guilty in a firm tone of voice. Mr Hall, Mr Hill, and Mr Wheelhouse appeared for the prosecution; Mr Overend and Mr Johnstone defended the prisoner.

After a patient trial Malkin was found guilty, but was recommended to mercy on account of his extreme youth. He was then asked if he had anything to say why sentence

of death should not be passed on him.

He replied:

“My Lord Judge, and gentlemen of the jury, I can truly say that I am perfectly innocent of this crime. It seems to be rather difficult for me to have nothing found on me – no blood or anything of this kind. I can’t really, I can’t talk for myself, but I am perfectly innocent of the crime. I never had thoughts of doing what I call ‘my lover, Esther Inman,’ any injury, never in my life, I always intended and strived to do the best I could for her, and I never thought any ill of her. I cannot say anything more, My Lord Judge”

The sentence of death was then passed upon the prisoner, without hope of mercy.

On the following day he made a confession of his guilt to the Rev Thomas Sutton, the Prison Chaplain, to the effect that he was the cause of the death of his lover, and that he had contemplated the murder sometime previously.

He declared he was actuated by a feeling which, had he seen any other man talking to her; it would have induced him to murder them both, and then take his own life.

On 6 January 1849 he was publicly hanged at York Castle for his awful crime.

Leeds Playhouse bring interactive craft-a-long retelling of Shakespeare’s Macbeth to South Leeds

There’s nothing quite like stepping out of your front door to find a family-friendly new Shakespeare production happening in your community.

But that’s exactly what will be happening across Leeds this month when Leeds Playhouse heads out on a Community Tour with Makebeth by award-winning playwright Hannah Khalil. This exciting new show is packed with live music, puppetry and hands-on creativity that transforms Shakespeare’s darkest tragedy into a joyful, laugh-out-loud, cardBARD adventure.

The production, in which the audience is ingeniously at the heart of the creation, will visit neighbourhood venues across the city as well as playing in the Playhouse’s Bramall Rock Void. Audiences will be right at the heart of the action as they make the props, costumes and set during the performance, offering a truly craft-a-long story.

This playful, interactive, craft-

a-long cardboard retelling of Shakespeare’s Macbeth is designed for families and young audiences aged 7–11.

Directed by Ian Nicholson and designed by multi award-

winning Sam Wilde, Makebeth invites audiences to use cardboard to make the witches, to become the moving trees of Birnam Wood, and to even help Lady Macbeth with that

damned spot! It’s a chance to journey through the twists and turns of the Scottish play, brought to life using Cardboard Adventures’ trademark sustainable cardboard design.

The company also includes actors Angus Tikka, Elizabeth Ellen and Harry Miller.

Don’t miss your chance to see this Shakespeare’s classic in this interactive production from Cardboard Adventures and Shakespeare’s Globe, in partnership with Leeds Playhouse and Chichester Festival Theatre.

The Playhouse has taken shows into neighbourhoods across the city since 2014, sharing professional theatrical productions in schools, church halls and unusual venues as part of its annual Community Tour. Previous productions have included world premieres of Asif Khan’s Sisters 360 and Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads.

Lily Craig, Interim Director of Playhouse Connect, said:

“Our Community Tour is a wonderful way of creating opportunities for people to come together, get creative and discover more about each other. It is one of the highlights of our year, giving us the chance to take a fantastically

Flying High: creating flags of awe and wonder

by Morven Macbeth

Holbeck’s

theatre company

Slung Low warmly invites you to join them for Flying High: Creating Flags of Awe & Wonder, a very special flagmaking project for our times, which visually and colourfully captures and celebrates all that is AWE-some and WONDER-full about our Holbeck and South Leeds communities!

We are part of something much bigger than ourselves. The aim of this project is to create a collection of handmade silk pennant flags which will represent and celebrate the very human experience of awe, which is by far the least scientifically researched emotion, capturing images of the wonder-full and the awe-some which we find all around us every day, right on our doorsteps.

The project will explore all the ways we connect to awe and wonder: including by being outdoors in nature (a garden, a park, a local green space), connecting with other people (finding awe in the moral beauty, kindness and courage of others), in spirituality or our own religious practice, or

through music. And these are just some examples!

With world leading outdoor arts organisation Kinetika, Slung Low will be inviting participants to bring their collective attention to everyday sources of awe and wonder, and to record the things they find awe-some and wonder-full around them, whether that’s by taking a photograph, writing some words, or a making a

drawing, collage or sketch.

Working alongside locallybased artists as well as with Ali Pretty, lead artist and founder of Kinetika, the images and words created by workshop participants will be handpainted onto silk pennant flags, using batik techniques. Don’t worry if you’ve never done anything like this before: no experience necessary!

By creating a series of

playful, family-friendly show on the road. This year we’re thrilled to bring Makebeth to communities across Leeds.” Cardboard Adventures Artistic Director and show designer Sam Wilde said:

“Making Makebeth has been an absolute joy – taking something as iconic as Shakespeare and reimagining it entirely through cardboard has pushed us to be more playful, more resourceful, and more imaginative than ever.

“The show is full of humour and puppetry and cardboard craft-a-long magic, it’s really the perfect first Shakespeare, none of that sit down complicated language, just boxes and play! What I’m most looking forward to though is the wonderful music the cast have come up with. It sounds even better than it looks!”

Children must be accompanied by an adult during all the Makebeth production.

Makebeth is at Middleton Parochial Hall on Saturday 23 May at 2:30pm and 6pm; and at Leeds Playhouse 27-30 May. For children aged 7+ and their adults, 60 minutes. Tickets: www.leedsplayhouse.org.uk/ whats-on/

vibrant and colourful flags in celebration of Holbeck and South Leeds, the project will make a community resource to be presented, displayed and enjoyed at outdoor events for years to come.

The creative workshop sessions are open to adults from across South Leeds, free to attend, and you can come along to as many of them as you would like. An introductory session will be held on Wednesday 13 May from 10:30am–3pm, with a free vegan lunch included!

Find out more about further workshops and creative sessions by visiting www.slunglow.org/flyinghigh

Friends unveil summer programme of events in Middleton Park

The Friends of Middleton Park have unveiled their summer programme of events for 2026 and as usual it includes live music, dance, history walks, some Shakespeare and the Great Middleton Park Show.

It starts with Bluebell Walks. FoMP volunteers will meet Middleton Railway passengers at Park Halt at 11:20am, 12:40pm and 2:20pm on Sunday 3 May and Bank

Holiday Monday 4 May and escort them through the woods to the Visitor Centre and back, enjoying the carpet of bluebells along the way.

Live music on the bandstand includes the South Leeds Community Band (Sunday 28 June, 2-4pm), Wakefield Big Band (19 July), Tingley Brass Band (9 August) and The Friendly Band once again close the season on Sunday 27 September.

Before all that there’s an afternoon of Song and Dance with the Leeds People’s Choir

The Tetley to host The Great Exhibition of Prize Ales 2026

Award-winning independent brewery Kirkstall Brewery have shared details of The Great Exhibition of Prize Ales 2026 as the beer festival moves to the city centre and its new home in the iconic Tetley Brewery site in Hunslet on the weekend of 29-31 May.

Now in its fourth year, the Great Exhibition celebrates the innovation, variety and flavour of Britain’s brewing heritage as breweries from across the UK are challenged to recreate beers that transport drinkers to a different age.

The Great Exhibition will kick off Kirkstall’s summer plans at The Tetley as they mark two

years at the site and announce that their stewardship of the legendary building will continue through Summer 2026 and beyond. Operating the Tetley Brewery building since May 2022, Kirkstall will make use of the whole historic building for this year’s Great Exhibition alongside the large outdoor space in the city’s Aire Park area with bars, food and live music to transform the city centre sun-trap.

Over 200 years since Tetley’s was first founded and 15 years since Tetley closed and Kirkstall Brewery was refounded, the Tetley building will

become the heart of Leeds’ brewing history once again.

As well as special pours from the brightest and best of the UK’s brewing community, The Great Exhibition will welcome some of Yorkshire’s finest independent food and drinks vendors including Niko’s Comfort Kitchen, Flavour Fleet, Once Upon A Vine, The Aire Fryer and The Pud Inn whilst there will be live music and entertainment from Elsie Franklin, The Old Time Rags, Alligator Gumbo and Louis Louis Louis.

Each ticket purchased gives unlimited entry to the festival for the designated session as well as a commemorative glass, festival programme and a complimentary beer token. The Great Exhibition will be dog friendly for the first time.

Tickets are now available at: bit.ly/TGEOfPA

Chris Hall, Brand Manager Kirkstall Brewery said:

“Bringing The Great Exhibition of Prize Ales to The Tetley feels very fitting indeed. The wonderful news that our lease of The Tetley has been extended offered an amazing opportunity to bring a celebration of historic beer to the home of brewing history in Leeds.”

and Hands Across Ceildh Band on Sunday 17 May.

May also sees the ever popular Fun Dog Show on Sunday 24th, 1-4pm.

Middleton’s Got Talent will celebrate local bands, singers and dancers on 14 June.

A highlight for many will be Oddsocks Theatre’s return on Wednesday 8 July. This year they present Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, but don’t worry about it being high brow. This is the Bard’s work retold as family-friendly pantomime. The free show starts at 7pm, and goes on whatever the weather. Bring a picnic, chair or rug and maybe an umbrella just in case.

Guided walks will reveal various aspects of the park through the summer.

Beeston Wood is the destination for the walk on Sunday 31 May. Meet at the Visitor Centre at 1:30pm, please wear suitable footwear and dress for the weather. That’s followed by a Waggonways and Railways walk (21 June), Trees, Butterflies and Nature walk (26 August); South Leeds Golf Course walk (23 August) and finishing with a Middleton Colliery walk (20 September).

This year’s Great Middleton Park Show will be on 13 September. The show includes a craft and produce competion where you can show the flowers, fruit and vegetables from your garden plus your arts, crafts and baking from home or school. There will be lots more with stalls, food, live music and dance and live animal displays.

The Friends are also continuing their monthly litter picks in the park. Meet at 1:30pm at the Visitor Centre on the first Sunday of each month. Equipment is provided but please wear stout shoes and bring gloves.

All of the events take a lot of organising which is all done by volunteers. If you enjoy the events and would like to see them continue why not give up a little of your time to help?

There are lots of different roles and you won’t be asked to do anything you are not comfortable with. To find out more about joining this friendly team contact Friends of Middleton Park by emailing info@fomp.co.uk or call Frances on 01924 824488

Full details of all the events can be found at: fomp.co.uk or on Facebook.

What’s On

Your guide to events and activities across South Leeds in May

Please check that regular events are not affected by school holidays, 25-29 May

We publish a weekly What’s On guide every Friday at www.southleedslife.com

Every Monday

Money Buddies

9am-12pm Dewsbury Road

Community Hub & Library Tea and Toast

9am-12pm BITMO’s Gate, Aberfield Gate, LS10 3QH Holbeck Together cafe

9am-12:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Parents & Tots Group

9:30-11am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Let’s Play! (under 5s)

9:30am12:30pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, LS11 6RD Trinity Network Tea and Toast

9:30-3pm United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle

MEA Crafts Group

9:30-10:45am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Crochet & Knitting Group

10am-12pm Beeston Community Hub & Library, Town Street Sew 2gether

10am-12pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, LS10 3QH Mums and Tots

10:30am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston

Monday Breakfast Club

10:30am-12pm Involve Centre, Whitfield Ave, Hunslet, LS10 2QE Tea and Bacon Buttie

10am-12pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus, LS10 3DU MHA Dance On

10:30-11:30am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane Story & Rhyme (under 5s)

10:30-11:30am Dewsbury Road Community Hub & Library Lychee Red Chinese Seniors Lunch Club

10:30am-1:30pm Beeston Village Community Centre, off Town St Coffee Morning

11am-12pm Aspiring Communities, 49 Barkly Road, Beeston, LS11 7EN Coffee and Crafts

11am-1pm Cottingley Community Centre, LS11 0HJ MEA Bingo and Hoy

11am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid

Social Centre, Acre Road

Trinity Network Indoor Curling

11:30am United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle MHA Soup & Sandwich

11:30am-1pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane

Holbeck Together Lunch Club

12-1pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck

MEA Lunch Club

12-1:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid

Social Centre, Acre Road

Trinity Network Lunch Club, Bingo

12:30-2:15pm United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Lunchtime meditation

12:30-1pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck Walking Group

1-3:30pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus, LS10 3DU Green Gym

1-3:30pm Skelton Grange Environment Centre, LS10 1RS

50+ Women’s Friendship Group

1-3pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston, LS11 6JG

MHA Craft Club

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

1:30-2:30pm Dewsbury Road

Community Hub & Library Beeston Dancercise

1:30-2:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road

Children’s Gardening Group

3:30-4:30pm Dewsbury Road

Community Hub & Library

Free Football sessions (8-18 yrs)

4-6pm Blenkinsop Field, Acre Road, Middleton, LS10 4JQ

Ultimate Dance Academy

4:30-7pm Cranmore & Raylands

Community Centre, LS10 4AW

Youth Group Multisports

4:30-5:30pm Beeston Village

Community Centre, off Town St

Community Sports Session

4:30-5:30pm Clapgate Primary School, Cranmore Drive LS10 4AW

MHA Yoga

6-7pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane

BAFF Chair-based Exercise

6-7:30pm Beeston Village

Community Centre, off Town St

ANDYSMANCLUB

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

7-9pm Involve Centre, Whitfield Avenue, Hunslet, LS10 2QE

Every Tuesday

Tots Group

9-11am Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle

Digital Hub and Cafe

9am-12:30am St Matthew’s

Community Centre, Holbeck Stay and Play under 5s

9-10:30am Windmill Children’s Centre, Windmill Road LS10 3HQ MHA Breakfast Buddies

9-11am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane Advice & Advocacy

9:30am-2:30pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600 Trinity Network Indoor Exercise

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

10am-3:30pm near St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Grandparents Kinship Support Group

10am-12pm St George’s Centre, Middleton Breastfeeding Support Group

10am-12pm Tenants Hall, Acre Close, Middleton, LS10 4HX Woodwork

10am Cranmore & Raylands

Community Centre, Belle Isle

Story & Rhyme (under 5s)

10:30-11:30am Beeston

Community Hub & Library, Town St

Story & Rhyme (under 5s)

10:30-11:30am Hunslet

Community Hub & Library, off Church Street, LS10 2NS

Chair Based Exercise

10:45-11:30am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck

Bingo and Hoy

11am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid

Social Centre, Acre Road

Cuppa and Company

11am-1pm Middleton Family Centre, Sissons Road, LS10 4JG

MHA Lunch and Social

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

Hong Kongers Lunch Club

11:30am-1:30pm Beeston Village

Community Centre, off Town St MHA Walkie Talkies

11:30am-2:30pm Hunslet Nelson

Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston

Salvation Army Lunch Club

11:30am-1:30pm Salvation Army, Hunslet Hall Road, LS11 6QB

MEA Lunch Club

12-1:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid

Social Centre, Acre Road

Holbeck Together Lunch Club

12-1:15pm St Matthew’s

Community Centre, Holbeck

Lunch Club and Social

12-3pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus, LS10 3DU

Trinity Network Lunch Club

12:30-1:30pm United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle

MHA Line Dancing

12:30-3pm St Andrew’s

Community Centre, Old Lane

Women Only Swimming

1-2pm Asha Neighbourhood

Project, Beeston

MEA Walking Group

1:30-3:30pm Middleton Elderly

Aid Social Centre, Acre Road.

Healthy Hearts Advice

1:30-4pm BITMOs Gate, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road, LS10 3QH

MEA Line Dancing

2-3pm Middleton Elderly Aid

Social Centre, Acre Road.

Help with Computers

3-7pm BITMOs Gate, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road, LS10 3QH

Hot Meal (free to BITMO tenants)

4-5:30pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield

Gate, Belle Isle Road

Free Football 9-13 years

3:15-4:15pm Grove Road, Hunslet

Free Kids Sports

4:30-5:30pm West Grange Road

MUGA, Belle Isle, LS10 3AW

Cockburn Community Choir

5-6pm Cockburn School, Gipsy Lane, Beeston

Girls-only Football

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

The Hunslet Club, Hillidge Road, LS10 1BP

Dance Fitness (14+)

6-7pm Middleton Community Centre, Acre Road

Book: 07519 018675

Free Football sessions (8-18 yrs)

6:30-8:30pm Holbeck Community Centre, Old Elland Road

Yoga

6:40-7:40pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, LS10 4AW

Hunslet Nelson Women’s Rounders

7-8pm Middleton Leisure Centre, Ring road Middleton, LS10 4AX

NK9 Dog Obedience drop in 6:30pm Hunslet Methodist Church, Telford Terrace, LS10 2HR South Leeds Lakers Running Club

6:50pm Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston. Book: bit.ly/LakersRunning MINT Men’s Support Group

7-9pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road, LS10 3QH Middletones singing group (HFA)

7-9pm Laurel Bank Day Centre, Middleton Park Avenue, LS10 4HY NK9 Dog Training Workshop

7:45pm Hunslet Methodist Church, Telford Terrace, LS10 2HR

Every Wednesday

Seniors Breakfast Club

9am-12pm Belle Isle Welcome Centre, St John & St Barnabas Church, LS10 3DN Open doors

9:30-11:30am St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Old Lane, Beeston

Holbeck Together shopping trip

9:30am-12:30pm Bacon Butty morning

9:30-11:30am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road. Advice & Advocacy

9:30am-2:30pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600 Adult Maths Support 10am-1pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, LS10 3QH Mobile Council Hub & Library 10am-12pm outside shops, Cottingley Holbeck Together coffee morning 10am-12pm Ingram Court Community Room, Holbeck Trinity Network Keep Fit with Julie 10am United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Woodwork

10am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Remember Together Group Young Dementia Leeds Hub, Cottingley Book: 07983 215865 email mcst@ageukleeds.org.uk

Beeston In Bloom Gardening Gp 10am-12pm Millennium Garden, Cross Flatts Park Scrabble Club 10am-12pm St George’s Community Hub and Library, Middleton, LS10 4UZ

Rags To Riches Sewing Group

10am-12pm Tenants Hall, Acre Close, Middleton, LS10 4HX Little Lighthouse Playgroup

10:30am-12:30pm South Bank Sanctuary, 2 Hunslet Hall Road, LS11 6TT

Beeston Remembered

10:30-11:30am Beeston

Community Hub & Library,Town St Hunslet Litterpicking Group 11-12:30pm Involve Centre, Whitfield Avenue, LS10 2QE

The Lunch Club

11:30am-1:30pm Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road Belle Isle LS10 3RR

Holbeck Together Lunch Club 12-1:15pm Ingram Gardens Community Room, Holbeck

MHA Cottingley Lunch Club

12-2pm Cottingley Community Centre, 115 Cottingley Approach

Trinity Network Lunch Club

12:30-1:30pm United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle

Sew It Seams Sewing Group

1-3pm Tenants Hall, Acre Close, Middleton, LS10 4HX

Ladies Group

1:30-3pm Middleton Family Centre 256-262 Sissons Road LS10 4JG

Walking Group

1-2:30pm meet at Asha, 43 Stratford Street, LS11 6JG

Holbeck Together Craft Afternoon

1:15-2:45pm Ingram Gardens

Community Room, Holbeck

Parents & Tots Social

1:30-2:30pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston

Walk and Talk (HFA)

2-3pm meet at Middleton Park main gates on Town Street

Creating Community crafts

2-4pm Hunslet Community Hub & Library, LS10 2NS

Tai Chi

2-3pm Cranmore & Raylands

Community Centre, Belle Isle Children bike confidence

3:45-4:30pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park, LS11 7NA

Brave Words Drama Group (4-17)

4-7:30pm Beeston Village

Community Centre, off Town St Book: 07775 926166

Free Football sessions (8-18 yrs)

4:30-6:30pm South Leeds Youth Hub, Belle Isle.

DAZL Dance (5-11 yrs)

4:30-5:15pm South Leeds Youth Hub, Middleton Road, Belle Isle

Free Table Tennis

5-7pm Dewsbury Road

Community Hub & Library

Youth Group

5-6pm Tenants Hall, Acre Close, Middleton, LS10 4HX

DAZL Adult Dance Fit

5:15-6pm South Leeds Youth Hub, Middleton Road, Belle Isle

3rd Middleton Scouts

5:30-7:30pm Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road Belle Isle LS10 3RR

1st SLAM Beavers (6-8 yrs)

6-7:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston 51st Leeds (Hunslet) Rainbows, Brownies & Guides

6-7pm Rainbows; 6:15-7:30pm Brownies; 7:15-8:30pm Guides Involve Centre, Whitfield Avenue, Hunslet, LS10 2QE

Women & Girls Cricket

6pm Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston, LS11 5TT Karate

6-7pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle 3rd Middleton Rainbows, Brownies, Guides & Rangers

6:15-7:30pm Rainbows & Brownies; 7:45-9pm Guides & Rangers St Mary's Parochial Hall, North Lingwell Road, LS10 3SR

Food Cycle free hot meal

6:30pm St Luke’s Church, Malvern Road, Beeston LS11 8PD Holbeck Moor FC: Inclusive adult football training

6:30pm Holbeck Moor

Line Dancing

6:30-9pm Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road Belle Isle LS10 3RR Veterans In Need Together

7pm St John & St Barnabas Church, Belle Isle Rd, LS10 3DN Leeds Camera Club

8pm St George’s Community Hub and Library, Middleton, LS10 4UZ photoleeds.com

Every Thursday

Tots Group

9-11am Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle, LS10 3RR

Music & Movement

9am-1pm Little Angels Playzone, The Sugar Mill, Beeston Parents & Tots Group

9-11am Beeston Village Community Centre, off Town St Digital Hub and Cafe

9am-1pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Mobile Hub & Library

9:30am-3:30pm near St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck

Advice & Advocacy

9:30am-2:30pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600 Holbeck Community Shop

9:30am-2pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Ping Pong

9:30-10:30am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Trinity Network Craft 10am United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Kushy Nana (HFA Elder Bangladeshi Women’s Group) 10am-12pm Building Blocks Nursery, Maud Avenue, LS11 7DD Women’s Friendship Group 10am-12pm Hunslet Methodist Church, Telford Terrace, Balm Rd Craft and Gardening groups

10am-12pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus, LS10 3DU Mindful Makes / Woodwork 10-11:45am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre Craft Group / Digital Inclusion

10:30am-12pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus Story & Rhyme (under 5s)

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

11am-12pm The Hunslet Club, Hillidge Road Bingo and Hoy 11am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Holbeck Together Line Dancing 11:30am-12:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck MEA Lunch Club

12-1:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road MHA Lunch Club

12-1:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane Free Soup and a Roll

12-2pm Church of the Nazarene, Lupton Street, Hunslet Holbeck Women’s Group (HFA) 12-2pm Ingram Gardens Community Centre, LS11 9SA Trinity Network Lunch Club

12:30-1:30pm United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Women Only Swimming

1-2pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston, LS11 6JG Warm Space & Computer support

1-5pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road, LS10 3QH Kushy Dil (Bangladeshi Women’s Group)

1-3pm Building Blocks Nursery, Maud Avenue, LS11 7DD Online Computer class

1-2:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Walking Group

1:30-3:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Be Yourself Men’s Group

1-2:30pm Middleton Family Centre 256-262 Sissons Road LS10 4JG

Website: www.southleedslife.com

Social Group and Bingo

1:30-3:30pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus

After School Games Club

3-4:30pm Hunslet Community Hub & Library, off Church Street Youth Club

4:30-6:30pm Welcome Centre, St John & St Barnabas Church, Belle Isle Road, LS10 3DN

Community Basketball

5-6pm 14+ women & girls

Cockburn John Charles Academy, Old Run Road, Belle Isle Free Football sessions (8-18 yrs)

5-8pm Hunslet Moor.

Middleton Scout Group

5:30-7:30pm Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle Book: scoutsmiddleton@gmail.com

Sanctuary Youth (Year 7+)

6-8pm South Bank Sanctuary, 2 Hunslet Hall Road, LS11 6TT Boys and Girls Rugby

6:30-8pm Leeds Corinthians, Nutty Slack, Middleton, LS10 4AX Yoga

6:30pm St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Cardinal Road, Beeston Book: 07512 393228

Hunslet Nelson Women’s Rounders

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

Every Friday

Charity Shop and Warm Space

8:30-11:30am United Free Church, Malvern Road, Beeston Stay & Play

9-11am St Anthony’s Church Hall, Old Lane, Beeston MHA Nellie’s Cafe

9:30-11:30am Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston Digital Hub and Cafe

9am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, LS11 9NR Affordable Breakfast

9am Cranmore & Raylands

Community Centre, Belle Isle Breakfast Club

9:15-11:15am BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road Breakfast Club and Food Bank

9:30-11:30am Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road Belle Isle LS10 3RR IT & Computer Skills

9:30am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Toast & Games, Knit & Natter

9:30-11am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road. Hunslet RLFC Breakfast Club

10am-12pm Phoenix Suite, South Leeds Stadium, LS11 5DJ Breakfast / Coffee Morining

10am-12pm Cottingley

Community Centre, LS11 0HJ Holbeck Together Dance On 10-11am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Hobbies Together (HFA)

10am-12pm Tenants Hall, Acre Close, Middleton, LS10 4HX Bacon Butty Drop-in

10am-12pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus

Julie’s Ancestry Group

10am-12pm and 1-3pm 26 Belle Isle Circus, LS10 3AE

MHA Stretch & Tone

10-11am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston Green Team Volunteers

10am-3pm Skelton Grange Environment Centre, Stourton Beety Din Older Women’s Group

Email: info@southleedslife.com

11:30am-1pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck

MHA St Mary’s Lunch Club

12-1:30pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street, LS11 8PN MEA Lunch Club

12-1:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road

Trinity Network Lunch Club

12:30pm United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Insight Mental Health Peer Support Group

12:45-3pm Involve Community Centre, Hunslet, LS10 2QE Ballroom & Sequence Dancing

1-3pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston 50+ Gup Shup Group

1-3pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Prize Bingo Afternoon

1:15-2:15pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck

Friday Social Group and Bingo

1:30-3:30pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus, LS10 3DU Chair-based Exercise

1:45-2:45pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road. Councillor surgery

2:30-3:30pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston LS11 6RD Free Football sessions (8-18 yrs)

3:30-5:30pm Holbeck Community Centre, Elland Road

Active Communities

4-6pm Welcome Centre, St John & St Barnabas Church, Belle Isle Road, LS10 3DN Middleton Skaters 4pm (under 8s); 5pm (under 13s) Parkside Hub, Coopers Field, Belle Isle, LS10 3HF Table Tennis

4:45-5:25pm (7-11yrs) 5:306:15pm (12-15yrs) St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck DAZL Youth Club

5-7pm Middleton Community Centre, Acre Road Open Doors Men’s Group

5-6:30pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Girls Softball Cricket (8-11 yrs)

6-7pm Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, LS11 5TT South Leeds Lakers Juniors (Athletics)

6-7pm South Leeds Stadium Book: fb.com/juniorlakersleeds Youth Club

6-8pm The Gambia Welfare Society, Oak House, Balm Walk, Holbeck, LS11 9PG Suzaku Martial Arts Children’s gp

6-9pm Beeston Village Community Centre, off Town Street

1st SLAM Cubs (8-10½ yrs)

6:15-7:45pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston

5th Middleton Guides & Rangers

7:30-9pm South Leeds URC Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle

1st SLAM Scouts (10½-14 yrs)

8-9:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston

Every Saturday

Debbie Heart Theatre School

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

Cross Flatts parkrun

9am Top of Cross Flatts Park, Beeston, LS11 7NA

Middleton Woods parkrun

Beeston, LS11 5TT

Holbeck Moor FC Juniors (4-6yrs)

9am Ingram Road Primary School, Holbeck

Saturday Breakfast

9:30-11am Middleton Elderly Aid

Social Centre, Acre Road

Middleton Railway

10am-4:30pm Moor Road, Hunslet, LS10 2JG

Coffee Morning

10am-12pm Aspiring Communities, 49 Barkly Road, Beeston, LS11 7EN

Park Roll skating with LS-TEN

10-11am Cross Flatts Park, Beeston (near Maud Avenue)

Adult Cycle Training

10am Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park, Beeston Book: bit.ly/CycleNorth

Police Contact Point

10:30am-1:30pm St George’s Centre, Middleton, LS10 4UZ

Rowland Road Play Patch

11am-2pm Rowland Road WMC, Beeston, LS11 6ED

Ultimate Dance Academy

10am-12:20pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre ParkPlay

10:30am-12:30pm Brickfield Park, Lady Pit Lane, Beeston Champions Soccer Saturday

10:30-11:30am Hunslet Moor 3rd Middleton Scouts

12:45-2:15pm Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road Belle Isle LS10 3RR

Youth Club

6-8pm The Gambia Welfare Society, Oak House, Balm Walk, Holbeck, LS11 9PG

Every Sunday

Junior parkrun (4-14 yrs)

9am Top of Cross Flatts Park

Middleton Railway

10am-4:30pm Moor Road, Hunslet, LS10 2JG

Healthy Minds Cycling Skills

10-11am Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park

16 Guidelines To Life

10:30-11:30am Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck, LS11 9RQ Play For All (7-13 yrs)

11am-1pm Cross Flatts Park

Big Bike Fix drop in workshop

12-4pm Harlech Avenue, Beeston Toning & Stretching with Julie

6:30-7:30pm DAZL HQ, Middleton Community Centre, Acre Road. Book: 07783 786776

Monday 4 May

Middleton Railway

10am-4:30pm Moor Road, Hunslet, LS10 2JG

Middleton Park Bluebell Walks

11:20am; 12:40pm & 2:20pm Park Halt, Middleton Railway

Tuesday 5 May

Buy, Sell, Swap

10-11:30am Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road Belle Isle LS10 3RR

Tech Tuesday

10am-2pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, LS11 9RN

Stronger Together (parents and carers of disabled children) 11am-1pm BITMO’s GATE, Aberfield Gate, LS10 3QH

Wednesday 6 May

Digital 121 support drop in 10-11am Beeston Community Hub & Library, LS11 8PN

1:30-2:30pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub & Library Civic Trust Leeds and Holbeck Photography Walk 10am-12pm Meet City Square, under the Black Prince statue

Thursday 7 May

Councillor surgery 9-10am Gascoigne House, Middleton, LS10 4YA

MEA Hearing Aid Clinic

10am-12:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid, Acre Road, LS10 4JQ

Hunslet Carr Residents Assoc 6:30pm Woodhouse Hill

Community Centre, LS10 2EF

Friday 8 May

Police Contact Point 10am-12pm Cottingley Community Centre, LS11 0HJ

Saturday 9 May

Leeds Dads Free Soft Play 10am-12pm Little Angels, Sugar Mill, Oakhurst Avenue, LS11 7HL

Middleton Pop Up Market 10am-2pm Middleton Park Circus Community/Reflections Cafe 10am-12pm United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Hunslet Nelson CC v Hartshead Moor CC

12pm Gipsy Lane, LS11 5TT Hunslet ARLFC v Wigan St Jude’s 2:30pm Hunslet Club Sports Village, LS10 2AT

Nine Sixteenths

7:30pm Slung Low’s Warehouse in Holbeck, Crosby Street, LS11 9RQ

Sunday 10 May

Still Sunday Yoga Session 10-11am St Matthew’s Community Centre, LS11 9NR

Better Beeston Litter Pick 1pm meet Lady Pit Lane

South Leeds Community Kitchen

4-5:45pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street, LS11 8PN

Monday 11 May

May

Friday 1 May

MEA Legal advice drop-in

9:30-11:30am Middleton Elderly Aid, Acre Road, LS10 4JQ

Leeds United v Burnley 8pm Elland Road, LS11 0ES

Saturday 2 May

Coffee morning

10am-12pm Church of the Nazarene, Grove Road, Hunslet Beeston Repair Café

1-4pm St Luke’s CARES shop, 246 Dewsbury Road, LS11 6JQ

Sunday 3 May

Middleton Park Bluebell Walks

Welbeing Breakfast Morning 10-11am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck

Beeston Community Forum

7pm Beeston Village Community Centre, LS11 8DQ

Saturday 16 May

Self Defence Course

10am-4pm Cranmore & Raylands

Community Centre, LS10 4AW

Belle Isle Repair Café

1-4pm BITMO’s Gate, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle, LS10 3QH

Councillor surgery

1:30pm BITMO’s Gate, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle, LS10 3QH

Romeo . Juliet

7:30pm Slung Low’s Warehouse in Holbeck, Crosby Street, LS11 9RQ

Sunday 17 May

Song and Dance

2-4pm Middleton Park Bandstand, off Town Street, LS10 3SH

Better Beeston Litter Pick

3pm meet Maud Avenue

Leeds United v Brighton & Hove

Albion

3pm Elland Road, LS11 0ES

Tuesday 19 May

Police Contact Point

10am-12pm Hunslet Community Hub and Library, off Church Street

Survivor-led Sisterhood

12-2pm St George’s Centre, Middleton, LS10 4UZ

Wednesday 20 May

Police & Anti-social Behaviour

Contact Point

10am-12pm Dewsbury Road

Community Hub & Library

MEA Film Club:

1:30-3pm Middleton Elderly Aid, Acre Road, LS10 4JQ

MHA Connie Crafters

3-5pm South Leeds Conservative Club, Wooler Street, LS11 7JH

Thursday 21 May

Police Contact Point

10am-12pm Beeston Community Hub and Library, Town Street

SEN-tastic drop-in

12:30-2:30m St Luke’s Church, Malvern Road, LS11 8PD

St Luke’s Tenants & Residents

6:30pm St Luke’s Church, Malvern Road, LS11 8PD

Saturday 23 May

Holbeck Jumble Sale

10am-12:30pm Jamyang

Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck, LS11 9RQ

Hunslet Nelson CC v Buttershaw

St Paul’s CC 12pm Gipsy Lane, LS11 5TT

Makebeth

2:30pm & 6pm Parochial Hall, North Lingwell Road, Middleton, LS10 3SR

I’m Muslamic don’t Panik!

Middleton Railway 10am-4:30pm Moor Road, Hunslet, LS10 2JG

Legal Advice drop-in

12-1pm Beeston Community Hub and Library, Town Street

Thursday 28 May

Hunslet Remembered

10-11:30am Hunslet Community Hub & Library, off Church Street, LS10 2NS

Salvation Army Friendship Lunch 11am-1pm Salvation Army, Hunslet Hall Road, LS11 6QB Friday 29 May

Police Contact Point

10am-12pm Cottingley Community Centre, LS11 0HJ Councillors’ Surgeries 4pm Beeston Community Hub & Library, Town Street, Beeston 5pm Slung Low’s Warehouse in Holbeck, Crosby Street, LS11 9RQ 6pm Cottingley Community Centre

Saturday 30 May

Hunslet Nelson CC v Bowling Old Lane CC 12pm Gipsy Lane, LS11 5TT Resonance Within Afternoon Retreat

1:30-5:30pm DAZL HQ, Acre Road, Middleton, LS10 4JQ Book: 07783 786776

Sunday 31 May

Guided Walk: Beeston Wood

1:30pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street, LS10 3SH Hunslet RLFC v London Broncos 3pm South Leeds Stadium, Middleton Grove, LS11 5DJ

June

Monday 1 June

Middleton Community Group 6pm Middleton Elderly Aid, Acre Road, LS10 4LF

Garnet and Oakley TARA

6:30pm St Luke’s CARES Shop, 246 Dewsbury Road, LS11 6JQ

Tuesday 2 June

Buy, Sell, Swap 10-11:30am Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road Belle Isle LS10 3RR

Tech Tuesday

10am-2pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, LS11 9RN Stronger Together (parents and carers of disabled children) 11am-1pm BITMO’s GATE, Aberfield Gate, LS10 3QH Wednesday 3 June

Greenmounts Tenants & Residents Association

6:30pm Rowland Road Working Men’s Club, LS11 6ED Thursday 4 June

Hunslet Carr Residents Assoc

Holbeck and the Industrial Revolution Guided Walk 2pm Meet Pret A Manger, Leeds Train Station foyer

Wednesday 13 May

SEN-tastic drop-in

9:15-11:15am St Luke’s Church, Malvern Road, LS11 8PD

MHA Kurling

10-11am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston Flying High Flag Workshop

10:30am-3pm Slung Low’s Warehouse in Holbeck, LS11 9RQ

MHA Singing Sensations

7:30pm Slung Low’s Warehouse in Holbeck, Crosby Street, LS11 9RQ

Sunday 24 May

Still Sunday Yoga Session 10-11am St Matthew’s Community Centre, LS11 9NR

Fun Dog Show

1-4pm Middleton Park Bandstand, off Town Street, LS10 3SH Monday 25 May

Middleton Railway 10am-4:30pm Moor Road, Hunslet, LS10 2JG

Tuesday 26 May

Wild Play (8-12 yrs)

6:30pm Woodhouse Hill Community Centre, LS10 2EF

Beeston Community Forum

7pm Beeston Village Community Centre, LS11 8DQ Friday 5 June

MEA Legal advice drop-in

9:30-11:30am Middleton Elderly Aid, Acre Road, LS10 4JQ

Saturday 6 June

Leeds Dads Free Soft Play 10am-12pm Little Angels, Sugar Mill, Oakhurst Avenue, LS11 7HL

The Big Wild Play Out

10:30am-1pm Beeston Village Community Centre, off Town St Bingo and Hoy

11am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Fish & Chip Lunch

9am Leeds Urban Bike Park Ring Road, Middleton, LS10 3TN

Community Basketball

9-10:30am 8-12 years, mixed

10:30am-12pm Yr6-9 Girls

3:30-5pm U16/U14 Boys Cockburn School, Gipsy Lane,

11:20am; 12:40pm & 2:20pm Park Halt, Middleton Railway Hunslet Nelson CC v Spen Victoria 1pm Gipsy Lane, LS11 5TT

Middleton Park Litter Pick

1:30pm Middleton Park Visitor

Centre, off Town Street, LS10 3SH

Hunslet RLFC v Workington Town 3pm South Leeds Stadium, Middleton Grove, LS11 5DJ

1:30-3:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane

Hunslet Tenants & Residents Ass

4-6pm Hunslet Community Hub & Library, off Church St, LS10 2NS

Thursday 14 May

Police Contact Point

10am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck

10am-4pm Skelton grange Environment Centre, LS10 1RS

Survivor-led Sisterhood 11am-1:20pm St George’s Centre, Middleton, LS10 4UZ

Wednesday 27 May

Councillor surgery

9:30am Middleton Elderly Aid, Acre Road, LS10 4JQ

MHA Kurling

10-11am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston

12-4pm Skelton grange Environment Centre, LS10 1RS Hunslet ARLFC v Waterhead Warriors

2:30pm Hunslet Club Sports Village, LS10 2AT Pickled Republic

7:30pm Slung Low’s Warehouse in Holbeck, Crosby Street, LS11 9RQ Sunday 7 June

Litter Pick

1:30pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre

Email: info@southleedslife.com Call: 07894 583966

Licensing Act 2003

Notice is hereby given that I/we Belle Isle Working Men’s Club have made an application under Section 34 of the Licensing Act 2003 to vary the premises licence held in respect of the premises known as:

Belle Isle Working Men’s Club Belle Isle Road, Belle Isle, Leeds, LS10 3PE

I intend to conduct on or from the premises the following licensable activities:

Sale by retail of alcohol Monday to Saturday 10:00 - 23:30

Sunday 10:00 - 23:00

Interested parties or responsible authorities (within the meaning of the Act) may make written representations to Leeds City Council about this application until Tuesday 18th May 26 which should be sent to the following address: Entertainment Licensing, Leeds City Council, Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR

For full details and to view a copy of the application please contact the Entertainment Licensing Section 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.

Discover community and comfort at Cafe Mondays with Holbeck Together

Looking for a warm

welcome, a friendly chat, and a delicious bite to eat?

Join Cafe Mondays, hosted by Holbeck Together at St Matthews Community Centre. Every Monday, they're opening their doors to the community, bringing people together, and creating a space where everyone can feel supported and connected.

At Cafe Mondays, it’s more than just food - it’s about community. By visiting the cafe, you’re helping Holbeck Together continue our vital work in Holbeck, supporting local initiatives, building connections, and making sure everyone in our community has a place to belong. Every cup of coffee and every

meal shared contributes to this effort, making you part of something meaningful.

And now, their cafe experience is even more tempting! We’ve expanded our menu to include:

Freshly toasted paninis • with a variety of fillings

Hearty baked potatoes • perfect for lunch or a light dinner

Hot drinks, from rich • coffees and teas to warming cocoa

Whether you’re popping in for a quick snack or settling down for a relaxing chat, there’s something for everyone. Bring a friend, meet a neighbour, or simply enjoy some time for yourself - every Monday is an opportunity to

connect and recharge.

Come along and see how Holbeck Together is making a difference, one cup, one meal, and one conversation at a time.

Wild Play at Skelton Grange

Set up camp for a day of wildness in the woods at TCV Skelton Grange. Activities vary from session

Changingfurniture?your

to session - but past Wild Play days have included: Wide games, shelter building, fire lighting, campfire cooking, field games, hammock making, wild food walks, woodwork crafts, string making, bows and arrows, stalking and tracking, pyro-carving and charcoal making!

Wild Play for 8-12 year olds is on Tuesday 26 May, during half term. Tickets are available on Eventbrite at www.eventbrite .co.uk/e/wild-play-day-for-812-yrs-tickets-820348844477

Then on Saturday 6 June it’s our Big Wild Play Out. Join us for our annual celebration of playing outside!

A day of outdoor play for all the family! Playing out is good for you, so we're inviting families to join us for a day of outdoor play. There will be free play in the woods, games, and

the chance to try pond dipping and bug hunting.

Discover what's living in our ponds, woodlands and meadows and have lots of fun!

Our green oasis beside the River Aire, just 2 miles from Leeds City Centre, is a former industrial site that has been transformed into a haven for wildlife and people. Our cafe will be open for home-made cakes and a cuppa - or bring your own picnic! The event is free but donations are much appreciated.

Civic Trust guided walks in South Leeds

Leeds Civic Trust’s programme of Spring guided walks has started including some south of the river.

A Leeds and Holbeck Photography Walk takes place on Wednesday 6 May, 10am-12pm. A walk to explore some of the many photographic opportunities in an area of Leeds where there have recently been huge changes, but where heritage sits side by side with modern development. We will be exploring the western outskirts of Leeds City Centre and Holbeck and making stops to

photograph some heritage sites.

Holbeck and the Industrial Revolution is on Monday 11 May, 23:30pm. This guided walk gives a brief history of railways in Leeds, the start of the Leeds-Liverpool canal, Holbeck as a centre of early days engineering and the history of Tower Works, including the remarkable story of Matthew Murray.

Tickets for walks are £6 for Leeds Civic Trust members and £9 for non members. Book at leedscivictrust.org.uk/guid ed-walks-season-2026/

Website: www.southleedslife.com

Email: info@southleedslife.com

Let’s Move: South Leeds returns this month

South Leeds — get your trainers ready, your water bottles topped up, and your energy levels high, because

Let’s Move is back for 2026!

And this year, we’re gearing up for the biggest, brightest and most community powered event yet.

Last year’s celebration at Cross Flatts Park was a sun soaked, fun packed triumph. More than 800 children and young people filled the park with movement, creativity and laughter, while 37 brilliant partner organisations delivered everything from sports tasters to arts activities and wellbeing support. The atmosphere was electric — a real snapshot of South Leeds at its best.

Let’s Move: South Leeds is all about fun, family, activity and community pride. The 2025 event brought the park to life with:

Dance, roller skating, • cycling, cricket, football and yoga tasters

A buzzing 1km family fun • run (where, yes, the children definitely outran the adults!)

Delicious free food, • community stalls and local services

Bike repair and • registration stations

Creative arts and play • activities from Yorkshire Contemporary’s Inside Out project

A hugely popular kit • donation station helping make sport accessible for all None of this would have been possible without the passionate local organisations who came together, with support from the Inner South

Community Committee and the generous help of Morrisons Hunslet’s Community Champion.

This year there are a host organisations getting ready to inspire you and make it a brilliant day.

Check out the map below (subject to change on the day) to find your new favourite sport or activity.

Try tennis, rugby, athletics, football, martial arts, cycling, basketball. Get arty with Yorkshire Contemporary, or theatrical with Brave Words, or find your groove with DAZL dance.

Let’s Move is more than an event — it’s a celebration of everything that makes South Leeds strong, vibrant and connected. And in 2026, we’re going even bigger.

Mark your calendar: Saturday 9 May, 12-3pm. We can’t wait to see you there.

Hunslet Club’s growing junior Rugby League section

by Zoe Creasser

TheHunslet Club’s rugby section, Hunslet ARLFC, continues to go from strength to strength with the support of Hunslet RLFC, as participation numbers rise and new opportunities are created for young players.

A key part of this growth is the success of Hunslet Minis and the introduction of a new Year 1/2 team, helping even more children take their first steps into rugby league. The sessions are designed to encourage a love for the sport from an early age, while recognising Hunslet’s rich and proud rugby heritage.

Training takes place on the club’s 3G pitch, providing a high-quality environment for young players to learn, develop, and enjoy the game.

The Hunslet Club is proud of its deep-rooted connection to rugby league and remains committed to developing the sport within the community.

Director of Rugby at Hunslet

ARLFC, Jamie Fields, is focused on strengthening the pathway from grassroots to open-age rugby, with the aim of reigniting the traditional passion and spirit of the game.

With continued growth and a clear vision for the future, Hunslet ARLFC is building a strong foundation for the next generation of rugby league players.

Contact cboyce@hunsletclub .org.uk or visit our website for training times and more information.

Hunslet find their winning ways

by Ian Pickles

Hunslet RLFC got back to winning ways in April despite a depleted squad.

The month started with a trip to Cougar Park with The Parksiders scoring 7 tries in a high scoring encounter with Keighley Cougars.

Defences were definitely not on top in the first half for either team, but Hunslet were more controlled in the second period and deserved the win with Lee Gaskell leading the charge.

Keighley took an early lead but Hunslet hit back with tries from Jimmy Watson, Billy Jowitt and Ethan O’Hanlon. Keighley levelled at 18-18, but then Myles Harrop scored twice in five minutes, supplied by Gaskell. By half time it was 2426.

The Cougars struck first in after the break, but this seemed to jolt Hunslet and on 52 minutes they took a lead they’d never lose. Final score 30-42 with Liam Carr, Charlie Graham and Harrison Gilmore all scoring. This was a good hard-fought victory and what Hunslet needed.

Hunslet won their first game at home in over 600 days a week later as Billy Jowitt converted a last minute penalty at the South Leeds Stadium.

With the scores locked up at 32-32 Hunslet were awarded a penalty for offside and the Parksiders’ captain hit it low and hard to clear the posts after the hooter had sounded cueing mass celebration in the home stands.

Hunslet had nearly thrown it away leading 32-18 on the hour in what was an exciting end to end game.

Newcastle took a two score lead, but Hunslet pulled it back with tries from Harvey Hallas, Myles Harrop from a Gaskell kick and Billy Jowitt who also kicked a penalty. They were 2012 ahead as the half was coming to an end when an ambitious Lee Gaskell kick was charged down and Thunder scored.

In the second period Hunslet extended their lead to 32-18 first Ned McCormack picked up a Billy Jowitt kick, then six minutes later Lee Gaskell took on the Newcastle line, and as the ball was ripped Ben Littlewood swept up to score.

The Parksiders seemed in control, but Newcastle fought back and with five minutes to go they equalised.

At the end the momentum was back with Hunslet who set

up a drop goal that was sliced under pressure.

Then the Referee awarded a penalty for offside giving Billy Jowitt the match winning opportunity.

Jowitt’s kick went low and straight and at last Hunslet had got that monkey off their back and a home win, 34-32.

There was relief around the South Leeds Stadium at fulltime, Hunslet had been in control of the game, but had had to win it a second time.

With this and the win at Keighley, Hunslet now look a team who can dig in for the win.

Billy Jowitt won the ‘Tricks of the trade’ Sponsors Player of the Match for his cool nerves, whilst Eddie Battye won the Phoenix Bar Supporters Player of the Match for his 100% effort over 80 minutes, but everyone played their part in what was a good team effort.

Hunslet could only name 16 fit players for their trip to Oldham in the 1895 Cup on 19 April and subsequently exited the competition on the wrong end of a big score, but at halftime the Parksiders were well in the game, the contrast between the two halves could not have been more stark.

With none of the recent loanees from Leeds, Hull or Doncaster available and injuries to Keelan Foster, Kevin Larroyer, Cam Berry, Mo Agoro and Mackenzie Turner, Hunslet had taken Brandon Pickersgill (Keighley) and Ant Walker (North Wales Crusaders) on loan.

The game was tied at 18-18 at half time with Billy Jowitt, Joe Butterfield and Ethan O’Hanlon scoring for The Parksiders.

Oldham came out fired up in the second half and suddenly Oldham led 30-18 on 47 minutes.

Hunslet replied straight away when Ant Walker crashed over, but the was to be Hunslet’s last score of the match. Now though the Hunslet forwards tired. Oldham were bringing on big experienced players and rotating the hookers, and looked dangerous down the middle. The hosts ended the

day well on top 72-24.

The fact that all Oldham’s bench scored tries shows they used the man advantage effectively and Hunslet definitely tired on around 50 minutes, but the first half performance was something to take into the next important League fixture at Whitehaven. Myles Harrop was excellent and Dan Abram put in a real shift at hooker, also Jack Ward showed some quality touches in what was a tough afternoon.

Coach Kyle Trout was able to name a full squad, just for the trip to Cumbria on 26 April.

Hunslet got onto the scoreboard in the first minute as Myles Harrop found a gap. They double the lead when Harrop broke and fed Jimmy Watson to score under the posts 8 minutes later.

Isaac Misky was too quick for the defence scoring on 23 minutes. Just before half time Lee Gaskell released Charlie Graham who fed Jack Ward, Billy Jowitt converted, 0-24 at half time.

Whitehaven pulled two tries back in the third quarter before Isaac Misky crossed for his second try of the game to close out the game ahead of the hooter. Final score 10-30 and a valuable win on the road. Hunslet have now moved up to 12th in the Championship table.

Hunslet keep a Cumbrian theme, hosting Workington Town on 3 May, then travelling to Barrow Raiders on 10 May, before hosting London Broncos on 31 May.

You can read full match reports of all Hunslet RLFC’s games at southleedslife.com

Beeston boxers in five-fold triumph on local show

by James Bovington

Five South Leeds boxers

were proud and delighted to win their bouts on the recent Haynes Promotions show held at The Angler’s Club in Burmantofts with Leighton Campbell taking the promotion’s 90kg title belt following a stunning first round knockout of his opponent, Nottingham’s Andy Goy. All five are trained by Tristan Haynes and Anthony Miller at Beeston’s MSA gym.

“I was confident Leighton would get the win,” said Tristan Haynes. “He was our ‘most improved’ boxer in 2025 and is totally committed to his training and improving his performance, nevertheless this was dramatic and shows just how powerful a puncher Leighton has become. No opponent is safe and although those attending like to see a fight last, they’re always

impressed when a fighter proves immediately just how tough he is.”

“This was my fourth win and third stoppage on Tristan’s show and I’m proud of my belt,” said bank worker and Hunslet resident Leighton, 26.

“I came to boxing from rugby. We’re coached twice a week by Tristan and Anthony for a couple of hours with on average fifteen training each session. I’ve won three bouts including two by stoppage.

“I’m next out on another promotion in May and am keen to have the busiest 2026 possible. I love being in the ring, showing how physically and mentally tough I can be and making my supporters proud as I achieve.”

Also winning by stoppage was Middleton’s Danny Weston, 36. “I dominated the bout from the centre throughout and gave my opponent Toby Race some

punishment. I’m particularly proud that I’ve learnt to stay

calm and deliver some powerful shots to an

opponent’s body and head and which hurt. That’s the sport. It’s not personal. “Like all boxers I want to win. This was my fourth win. The best part is how very proud my children are that their dad is a successful semi-professional boxer.”

Kieran MacMillan, 18, and Harry Brown, 17, were delighted to achieve stoppage wins as they respectively defeated ‘Stumpy’ Taylor and Liam Crawley with teammate Tomas Tokar, 21, beating Lewis Low by unanimous decision. “Kieran, Harry and Tomas are disciplined and dedicated in training,” stated Tristan Haynes. “That’s why they achieve.”

If interested in training with Haynes and Miller or attending the next show on Saturday 11 July contact Tristan Haynes on Facebook or e-mail thpaintersanddecorators@ gmail.com. Their gym is in Sugar Mills Business Park LS11 7HL.