South leeds life 13 dec15 by South Leeds Life

Your FREE community newspaper

Issue 13 | December 2015

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

In this issue:

Burberry

Ice Pak decision delayed again

Temple Works

Hannah is new Lord Mayor

page 2

invests to rescue by Jeremy Morton British global luxury brand Burberry has announced plans to develop a new state-of-the-art manufacturing and weaving facility in Holbeck. The proposal represents an initial investment of over £50m in the heart of Yorkshire and is expected to provide permanent employment for more than a thousand people. Work on the new site is due to begin in 2016 with a current completion date of 2019. Councillor Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council said: “This is wonderful news for Leeds which has its own rich heritage of cloth making and weaving. Burberry is a truly global British brand and it is an honour that the trench coat, an icon that is sought after around the world, will be made in Leeds’ South Bank. We welcome this significant investment in Leeds and are proud that Yorkshire will continue to be the manufacturing home of this great British business, bringing jobs, training and regeneration to the area.” The new facility will replace the two existing manufacturing and weaving centres in

Castleford and Cross Hills, near Keighley. As part of the proposals, Burberry will be facilitating their regeneration for the local communities. The plan is for all current teams from Castleford and Cross Hills to relocate to the new site, bringing all employees together under one roof.

page 3

New mural for Cottingley

page 4

£50 million 1,000 jobs Grade 1 listed building Temple Works is the Grade 1 listed former flax mill on Marshall Street in Holbeck. It was built in the 1840s by John Marshall in the style of an Egyptian temple. As we have previously reported the building is in a fragile state and in need of full refurbishment. In the meantime it is being used as an arts base, run by Temple Works. Last year it was announced that a partnership led by local developer CITU had put forward plans to redevelop the building. South Leeds Life understands the group’s bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund, which was to form part of the finance, was unsuccessful. The new project brought forward by Burberry is not yet a done deal, but the company has made the plans – which

Temple Works in Holbeck. Photo: Jeremy Morton

include the closure of factories in Castleford and Cross Hills near Keighley – public, which indicates that they are close to completion. The project has been backed by Leeds City Council’s Executive Board. Support will include the use of compulsory purchase powers to help Burberry assemble the land and a grant of up to £750,000 for the restoration of Temple Works and the provision of new public space at the front of the building.

The site Burberry are planning to use is extensive. It includes the cleared Reality site to the south of Sweet Street stretching to the railway and Ninevah Road; Temple Works itself, plus land stretching to Bath Road and up to Water Lane; Leodis Court across Marshall Street from Temple Works and the buildings currently occupied by St Vincent’s furniture warehouse and the Leeds Youth Offending Service on Marshall Street.

Susan Williamson from Temple Works told South Leeds Life: “We can understand why the council has gone with Burberry. They are a big, iconic brand that will bring jobs to the area. Burberry will be good for Holbeck. “Our project goes from strength to strength, but we are limited with only one toilet and no heating in the building. I’m sure we can do something good with Burberry and I look forward to talking with them.”

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

The Hunslet Club 75th anniversary

page 6-7

NEWS

FEEDBACK

LOCAL!LIVES

p2-5 p8

WHAT’S!ON

p10

SPORT!

p12

ARTS

p11

www.southleedslife.com

South Leeds Life | December 2015

2 News

Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife

About us South Leeds Life is written by and for local people. People who live and work in the LS10 and LS11 areas of South Leeds. The blog and newspaper are produced by the South Leeds Life Group, a constituted community group with elected officers. Our aims are: To inform people of events, activities, issues and opportunities taking place in the South Leeds community; To encourage the involvement of the wider community in communicating their experiences; To foster community spirit and involvement; and To provide a platform for local people to contribute and respond to community life more fully. South Leeds Life started as a blog in November 2010 and still posts news every day at: www.southleedslife.com

Contact us Email: info@southleedslife.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ southleedslife Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife Phone: 07894 583966 We would love to hear from you! Tell us your news Tell us what you’d like us to report on Tell us about your local events

Keep up to date with the latest news everyday online at: www. southleedslife .com

Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife

South Leeds is still calling 5 years on South Leeds Life posted its first article online five years ago and we produced our first monthly newspaper one year ago. Here’s what we wrote on 30 November 2010: This is South Leeds Calling Two weeks ago eight people who live and work in South Leeds got together at South Leeds Community Radio for a discussion with The Guardian’s Beat Blogger in Leeds, John Baron. John explained the ABC of blogging and especially the power of a good local blog to connect and empower communities. Most of us had come along to see if we could launch, or improve our own blogs. As the discussion went on we realised that if we combined our efforts we would be stronger.

So this is a collaborative blog. But we don’t want to keep it to ourselves. If you’ve got something to say, comment on a post, or even better write your own post – get in touch. Our aims are to: 1. inform people in South Leeds about events and issues 2. provide a platform for discussion of local issues 3.Tell the rest of the world how great South Leeds is! There is going to be a lot going on in South Leeds over the next 12 months. Here are just some of the things we have thought of: - New housing in Holbeck & Beeston Hill through the Council’s PFI scheme - Community forums - The Council’s Inner South Area Committee

- Community festivals and galas next summer - Out of school activities - Crime statistics - Extension to the White Rose Centre - New Asda in Middleton, new Tesco in Beeston - The 2011 Census - Future of South Leeds Sports Centre

So what’s going on in your corner of Hunslet? or Cottingley? or …? Please let us know.

How have we done? We would love your feedback about what we’ve got right, what’s been not so good and what you would like to see us cover in the next five years.

Ice Pak planning decision taken out of Council’s hands by Jeremy Morton

The decision on the controversial plans for the former Ice Pak factory on Barkly Road in Beeston will now be decided by a Planning Inspector after Aspiring Communities lodged an appeal for ‘nondetermination’. The application was due to be heard at the South & West Plans Panel meeting on 19 November, but was withdrawn from the agenda in the light of the appeal. Planning Authorities, in this case Leeds City Council, have 13 weeks to determine (decide) an application, beyond that point the developer can apply for non determination which removes the decision from the Council to an Inspector appointed by central government. In a statement on their website Aspiring Communities say: “It is now 13 months since the application was submitted and that was after extensive discussions with officers that should in theory have led to a swift decision. “Instead after months of

fruitless negotiations where we felt we were going round in circles, the Planning Authority withdrew the application from the Panel agenda the day before it we due to be heard. For two months afterwards we had no communication with the Authority despite attempts to engage with them, and now, when they have contacted us they are asking the same questions and raising the same issues as they did in May. “As such we have been left with no alternative but to appeal on the grounds of non determination because we are no nearer a decision.” At a meeting of Beeston Community Forum last week, Cllr David Congreve clarified that the matter would be discussed by the

Plans Panel at their meeting on 10 December. They will not approve or reject the application, but decide whether they support or oppose it. He also said he doubted that the inspector would conduct a public enquiry, as these were only normally used for major schemes such as the Trolleybus. A letter from Leeds’ Chief Planning Officer Martin Sellens to Chris Weetman, Aspiring Communities’ consultant at the end of October raised a series of questions about the application, which the Council clearly feel have not been answered to their satisfaction. The letter has been made available to Beeston Community Forum and the Save Our Beeston campaign, but has

not been placed on the Planning Portal website. A statement on the Save Our Beeston Facebook group said: “Save our Beeston along with Beeston Community Forum are pleased that they will be given an opportunity to present their concerns behind this perfidious scheme and are as determined as ever to extirpate this megalomaniac obsession.” Public documents relating to the Aspiring Communities application, including plans, letters of support and objections and other correspondence can be viewed at: https://publicaccess.leeds .gov.uk/onlineapplications/ and entering the reference number 14/06007/FU.

Beeston

Remembers

11 November saw a short, simple but powerful Remembrance Day event outside the Holy Spirit church on Tempest Road in Beeston. It was attended by people from across the community: veterans, councillors, staff and members from the Hamara Centre, pupils from Park View Primary, and a range of local residents. Local vicar Rev Lindsey Pearson led a short ceremony, including prayers for ‘all victims of all wars’, and shared reflections on the responsibility and opportunities to build peace in our communities and in our world.

And attendees laid wreaths, crosses and other tributes on the war memorial – built after the First World War to remember local people killed in that war. Although the church has closed, the garden is maintained by Beeston In Bloom.

www.southleedslife.com

Website: www.southleedslife.com

News 3

Email: info@southleedslife.com

Harvest boost

Three primary schools in South Leeds – Middleton, Westwood and Windmill – were amongst schools across the city which supported the appeal to collect food at Harvest Festival for Leeds Children’s Charity, . The charity, which helps brighten the lives of young people who are from backgrounds of challenge and disadvantaged living in the Leeds area, received thousands

December 2015 | South Leeds Life

of tins and jars of food following the response to the charity’s Harvest Festival Appeal.The Leeds Rotary Club kindly collected boxes of donations and transported them to the Leeds office. For 2016, the 111-year old charity is gearing up to provide more than 500 youngsters aged between 7 and 11 with happy memories and the health and well-being benefits that a week away provides at its Silverdale centre.

Here comes the bun

Lane End Primary School in Beeston celebrated its first Children in Need day with a bun sale. The children baked buns all week to contribute and even the teachers got involved with a ‘Lane End Bake Off.’ Altogether they made an outstanding £300. Head teacher Asa Britton said: “I am so proud of all our children and families. We are a new school of only 130 children and to raise £300 shows great community spirit and caring for others.”

Skate Light in Middleton

Amy Barlow enjoys her bun

All rise for Children’s Lord Mayor Hannah Begum! by Lucy Potter

It was Thursday 12 November 2015 on a winters evening. Twelve children and their families gathered together at the Civic Hall in the centre of Leeds to find out who was going to be the new Children’s Lord Mayor of Leeds. Hannah Begum from Hunslet Moor Primary school south Leeds said, ‘she wasn’t nervous’. Her Mum, aunt and teacher Miss Hicks who were with her, were. Together all candidates were awaiting their destiny, but first, to shake the nerves and get warmed up, they played an ice-breaking game of human bingo in the banqueting suite. They were then summoned into the council chamber room to meet the actual Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Judith Chapman. Master of Ceremonies, Hannah Lamplugh (Lead Participation Officer Leeds City Council) addressed the room and said ‘All stand for the Lord Mayor of Leeds’. Once Judith had entered, one by one each shortlisted candidate stood up and read out their own manifesto to the Lord Mayor. Standing in the backdrop of the grand wooden paneled room Hannah could have said hers without a piece of paper, as she knew it off by heart from her recent campaigning. Then she saw that Hannah Lamplugh was holding the gold envelope which she handed to Judith Chapman, at which point Hannah did begin to get nervous. Silence fell upon the room (Mum said it was more exciting than the ‘X Factor!’) Then the moment came and Hannah’s name was pulled out of the gold envelope. The next part of the evening was a flurry of texts, tears, hugs and people making phone calls. Hannah doesn’t remember how long she was stood there before the family were whisked away into a side room and was dressed into her ceremonial robes,

gloves and black tricorne hat. Hannah said the fur was very itchy and the weight of the necklace lay over the top of the collar. Next she was introduced to Mark and John, Hannah’s escorts for her public engagements. Her first official civic duty began seconds later with her proclamation to the city. She was led to another smaller room, and added a single piece of blue lego to the growing copy of the city crest made entirely out of lego; a fundraising challenge set by Judith. Then Hannah was announced back into the chamber room to meet everyone again in full regalia as ‘The New Children’s Lord Mayor’. I asked her what it feels like to come back down to earth, and she said ‘I haven’t yet, I’m still so happy’ Next Hannah’s second official public duty that evening was the Light’s Switch-On in Victoria Gardens. She didn’t actually get to switch on the lights, however, her introduction to the public was given unfazed and off the script. I think Hannah is going to get very used to her new role. Hannah didn’t get to sleep that night until 11pm! The next day was Children in Need breakfast Hannah was greeted by a large banner reading ‘Congratulation’s Hannah’. Her friends are saying ‘remember I’m your best friend when you’re famous’ I asked Hannah Darley the Headteacher of Hunlset Moor her reaction she said this: “As a community, we are so very

News in brief Want to play out, but worried about the dark nights? Leeds Breeze has organised Skate Light - a two hour skate session at the new skatepark by Middleton Community Centre. The sessions are floodlit and Youth Workers are on hand to provide hot drinks, arts and crafts and a chill out zone. Sessions take place every Tuesday from 6-8pm.

Windmill Thriller

Hannah Begum, new Children's Lord Mayor of Leeds Photo: Leeds City Council

proud of Hannah’s achievement. For me, as Headteacher of Hunslet Moor, it is so inspiring to see the position of Children’s Lord Mayor, being taken up by a child who saw an opportunity and took a risk in putting herself forward to achieve her ambition. Hannah’s success sends out sends such an important message to other pupils ‘If you think ‘big’, aim high- anything really is possible!’ As a school, we are looking forward to seeing how Hannah’s journey and vision unfold. Hannah’s class teacher, Miss Hicks has been a real support for Hannah throughout her campaign, a passionate advocate of Hannah’s abilities, she is the first to recognise Hannah’s potential “Hannah recognises others’ views extremely well, she can listen to others and represent different voices across the city. She is a very driven and dedicated pupil. She is a real role model in school; it’s fantastic that she has been given the

opportunity to extended her influence across the city!” Hannah’s mother Thahmina also wants to thank the school and the community for their continued support. Especially South Leeds Academy, Hunslet Carr Primary and Cockburn High school, they went above and beyond showing their support for Hannah’s campaigning in the run up to the elections. Hannah’s first formal engagement in the new year will be ‘deputation to full council’. She will read out her manifesto again to 99 councilors who are going to help bring children from different parts of Leeds together, a reality. You can read Hannah’s manifesto here: http://www.breezeleeds.org/Have YourSay/Pages/Hannah-Begum.aspx Congratulations Hannah, enjoy everything your new role has to offer, from all of us at South Leeds Life.

Well done to Years 5 and 6 from Windmill Primary School for their Annual Thriller dance at BITMO GATE on the 2 November. Around about 100 school children, parents and teachers and BITMO Staff came to see the dance with around 40 to 50 Thriller dancers. It was a very foggy and cold day, which the children did not seem to mind at all. In fact the mist also gave the event an eerie feeling. The Dance was led by Frankie McKnight from the cheerleaders at Hunslet Hawks.

Health trainers win award Middleton-based charity Health for All has been recognised as part of the Royal Society for Public Health’s (RSPH) annual Health and Wellbeing Awards for their work to promote health and wellbeing. HFA’s Health Trainers provide practical help, advice and motivation to people wanting to improve their physical and mental health – and all the evidence shows this personal approach really works. Ring (0113) 270 6903 for more information about this free service.

www.southleedslife.com

South Leeds Life | December 2015

4 News

Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife

Cottingley celebrated in new mural

Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife

Community turn up the heat on accident hotspot

brought this up with the Council – their own stories and stats to and although staff from the share. Rod Rawson is one of those Highways team did come out to worst affected: his garden wall has An infamous speeding and look at it just over a year ago, been knocked down or damaged 3 accident hotspot in Hunslet we’ve heard almost nothing since. times in the past year alone. Barry Carr is the focus of a growing In the meantime, there’ve been 12 Dutton is – with his wife local campaign, with residents serious accidents (and smaller Catherine – another: “We’ve had our garden wall furious about the apparent ones too) – not to mention all inaction from the Council – those people, especially older demolished nine times with these whilst the number of accidents members of the community, having accidents. And it’s getting worse: it to dodge the speeding traffic every used to happen every 2-3 years, pile up month on month. day. It’s a now it’s yearly. Sometimes we’ve nightmare.” been lucky with insurance claims, The Council’s but sometimes not: we’ve ended Highways up paying out about £3,000-4,000 department have ourselves on repairs. We could apologised for the pursue compensation from the delays, and Council, or even move house – but promised to chase why should we? Why can’t the up the contractors Council do something?” due to do the At a photo shoot organised to work. But even highlight the issue Cllr Mohammed then, their Iqbal commented: Another day, another crash proposals – for “It’s disappointing. It’s 14 months The s-bend on Pepper Road speed bumps and a 20mph speed since this was raised with the (just north of the motorway from limit – are, according to the locals Highways department, we’ve been promised that it’s in process, but Hunslet Cemetery and Belle Isle) residents, far too modest. Kenny continues: “With the still these delays. Why do we need has seen dozens of serious accidents in the past few years, problem such as it is, these to wait for something like a fatal with many drivers apparently measures are totally inadequate. accident before something is taking the corner at 40-50mph, We need crash barriers on the done?” The Hunslet Carr Residents residents finding their garden walls bends, a pedestrian crossing, or demolished on an almost monthly perhaps even speed cameras. And Association are an active local basis, and earlier this year one we really need it as soon as group, who meet the first Thursday driver having to be cut free from possible – or else it’s only a matter of each month at Woodhouse Hill her crashed car by the Fire of time before someone is killed.” Community Centre at 6.30pm – all Other local residents each have welcome. Service. Locals have been trying to highlight the issue for over ten years, but the situation has worsened considerably since the installation of speed bumps and other restrictions on Belle Isle Road in 2013 – leading to Pepper Road becoming a cut-through. Last year, the Hunslet Carr Residents Association took up the cause and petitioned the Council for changes – and at first seemed to make progress. However, Kenny Saunders, chair of the Association, Residents and Councillors survey another broken wall commented: Photo: Sam Casey / YEP “It’s 18 months since we first

by Ed Carlisle

Carol Taylor (Mears), Cllr Adam Ogilvie, Nickie Ramsden (Groundwork), Andy Wilson (Mears), Charlotte, Lauren, Brendan Mannion (LCC), Sharon D’Ambrosio (Space), Ronnie The Rhino

A new community mural adorning a wall of the shopping centre in Cottingley was unveiled by Cllr Adam Ogilvie on 29 October. Adam commended everyone involved and thanked Nickie Ramsden from Groundwork, Sharon D’Ambrosio from Space and Mears, the Council’s housing repairs contractor, for their generosity. He said: “This one of many great projects on Cottingley. We hope to have a multi use games area soon; we have the award winning

Cottingley In Bloom group and Christine Robinson and her team are turning the Community Centre into a real hub for the estate.” Nicola Ramsden from Groundwork explained how a group of young people including Lauren had Sharon had wanted to produce a piece of art that represented Cottingley in a positive light. They asked how big they could make it and with some help from Mears produced the mural in sections on wooden board. The boards are now fixed to the wall.

Sharon D’Ambrosio said: “This project has given young people a voice in the community.” The mural is was part the Urban Oasis project Groundwork have been running on the estate in partnership with Mears, over the last few years. It depicts various features of the estate including the towers, the church, the 55 bus and the proximity to Elland Road football ground. The tree is decorated with hand prints made by residents at a community day earlier in the summer.

Money Buddies: here to help with your bills by Saleem Shafi

A lot of people struggle with debt or find it hard to make ends meet. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and the Money Buddies might be just the people you need. Money Buddies are friendly and nonjudgemental, we’re here to help. We’re volunteers who can help negotiate payments with companies on your behalf, check your entitlements or get you some specialist advice. We’re good at finding money too, one client went away over £1,000 richer from savings we found and benefits he wasn’t claiming! There are many more stories like that too. Since the drop-in service opened at various venues across South Leeds in April 2015 over £72,000 worth of financial gains have been made for our clients. You might be in arrears with gas, electricity or water bills. Did you know you could qualify for a grant that could reduce or wipe-out those arrears? Come in a see us for a quick check to see if you could apply. Money Buddies help clients apply for those grants. Money Buddies have helped hundreds of clients this year.

You don’t need to be in debt to see a money buddy. Many clients ask for help to get cheaper energy bills, especially with winter just around the corner. Money Buddies quickly show you which are the best deals, If you like those deals, which typically save up to £200 a year, Money Buddies will be there by your side helping you make that switch even if you’re on pre-payment. Other services include; helping clients open credit union accounts, complete budget planners for creditors, provide a safe and confidential place to anonymously report loan sharks. The Money Buddies drop-in service is available at: Beeston Library: Mondays; 10am12.30pm Dewsbury Road One Stop Centre: Mondays; 9am-12.30pm St Georges Centre: Tuesdays; 9am12.30pm. For more information call (0113) 235 0276, or go to: www.leedsmoneybuddies.weebly.com. Do you like helping others or looking to develop your skills to increase your job prospects? If that sounds good to you, we’d love to hear from you, just call us on (0113) 235 0276.

Advertise here and reach 15,000 people! South Leeds Life is printed every month. With a print run of 5,000 and each copy read by an average of 3 people, advertising with us will be seen by 15,000 people in South Leeds. This space is 1/16 page and costs just £50, or £125 for 3 inserts.

For more information ring 07894 583966 or email: info@southleedslife.com

www.southleedslife.com

Website: www.southleedslife.com

December 2015 | South Leeds Life

News 5

Email: info@southleedslife.com

Love Beeston / Clean Beeston beautify planter by Linda Stanley

Every year as part of our action planning, Beeston in Bloom identifies an area that is overgrown and in need of some TLC. In 2014 we agreed that the traffic calming planter at the junction of Rowland Road and Dewsbury Road was well overdue our attention. Groundwork and the South Leeds Community Alliance had also been working in Beeston Hill and we agreed to combine our efforts. So with help from the Groundwork ‘Green for Go’ team, Leeds Federated Housing, Leeds City Council, local residents and Beeston in Bloom the site was cleared of rubbish and overgrown shrubbery was completely removed. Funding for plants was secured by

Leeds Federated Housing and a planting party was arranged. Further money was available in the last round of Community First Funding and Groundwork commissioned the Specialist Autism Services, who are based on Dewsbury Road, to build a mosaic depicting the ‘Love Beeston / Clean Beeston’ campaign. Since the site was cleared the Green for Go team have made regular trips back from their site at Lady Pit Lane allotments for routine maintenance and the planter is now a credit to everyone who has worked on the project. To celebrate the end of the project with the installation of the mosaic, the Green for Go and Specialist Autism Services team gathered again to show off the result of their hard work.

Members from Specialist Autism Services, Groundwork Green For Go and Beeston in Bloom show off the mural

Aliens sighted at New Bewerley by Jeremy Morton Staff in protection suits patrolled the playground after a mysterious object was discovered at New Bewerley Community School in Beeston on Monday 23 November. Children were keen to take a look, but were kept back whilst the object was investigated. Headteacher Gary German told children in assembly that he wasn’t sure what had happened but he had asked to see the school’s CCTV footage. Children and staff then sat in awe as they watched an alien creature with Day-Glo yellow head and hands and blue space suit explore first outside and then inside the school. Mr German said he had informed the Police, but asked

Staff in protective suits examine the crash site

the children for advice about what to do if they found the alien was still in the school. One pupil suggested they ask where it was from and about its journey to Earth; another said it might want to join in and be part of school. Mr German suggested that the alien might be worried, scared and nervous and everyone should

New Bewerley Community School in Beeston

be as welcoming as they are to new children at school. He also encouraged them to think about what is special about the school, about Beeston and about Leeds to share with the alien if they met it. Deputy Headteacher Tracey Cunningham explained to South Leeds Life that the alien crash had been staged to create a wow factor and would be followed up throughout the week right across the school. “West Yorkshire Playhouse are coming in to run workshops for children in Years 1 and 2” she explained. “All classes will be using the subject in writing and maths and we are linking it to understanding and describing our local area.” The week will end with an alien parade of costumes created in class and a special party.

Keep up to date with the latest news at:

www.southleedslife.com New stories posted daily!

South Leeds Life | December 2015

www.southleedslife.com

6 The Hunslet Club at 75

www.southleedslife.com

Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife

Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife

Website: www.southleedslife.com

The Hunslet Club at 75 7

Email: info@southleedslife.com

Serving the Hunslet community for 75 years Love in spades for club at the heart of its community on its diamond anniversary since 2000 it has been running vocational training programmes for young people from across the city whose needs are best met outside the classroom. Although sport is at the heart of the club, there’s The Hunslet Club has been serving the community for 75 years and marked the always been a lot more going on. Camping trips, anniversary with a get together for past amateur dramatics, cookery and crafts were all on the agenda. members. The club started life in an old school The club’s origins lie in the early building on Jack Lane. Later it purchased years of the Second World War. and converted an old Methodist Chapel Teenage boys and young men on Waterloo Road next to the Garden acted as firewatchers and Gate pub and then at the beginning of the messengers during the blitz, 1970s moved to its current, purpose built running between Air Raid Wardens facility on Hillidge Road. and First Aid stations. It was at one The name has changed over the of these that Dr John Wyllie first decades too. The Hunslet Boys Club was got to know the streetwise accepting female members by the 1980s. teenagers from this industrial part In the 1990s it changed its name to the of the city. Hunslet Club for Boys and Girls, before Wanting to give these young shortening it to simply The Hunslet Club. people more opportunities to The club is thriving. On any evening or develop and with the support of Club founder Dr John Wyllie weekend you will find it buzzing with the local community he formed activity. 500 young people come to club every week, The Hunslet Boys Club in 1940. Dennis Robbins, the current Chief Executive Officer they are enthusiastically greeted by 30 staff members adds “There was a concern that with fathers away in as many volunteers. Once inside they head for the the forces, their youngsters would get into trouble. dance studio, the sports hall, the gym, the stage, the The club was set up to give them positive activities.” workshops, or straight back outside again to the allThat theme runs through the clubs history and weather artificial training pitches.

by Jeremy Morton

Club Captains remember Club members got together on 28 November at a special event to mark the diamond milestone. The decades fell away as old members caught up and remembered times gone by. They were helped by old photos and scrap books collected specially over the last few weeks. South Leeds Life talked to several Club Captains from years gone by including two men who were there when the club started in 1940. Arthur Hudson is 88 and was captain in 1945. “It was great, there was allsorts going on. I remember winning a singing competition. In Club Week Mr Goodyear set a target of raising £200, which was a lot of money in those days. I felt

such responsibility and was relieved when we hit the target.” Like many, club membership ran in the family and Mr Hudson’s grandson, Danny Wood was Club Captain in 1990. Alan Horbury, captain in 1947, remembers Mr Goodyear coming to his school, St Silus, to recruit

lads my age on our street, but I was the only one to join the club. I never understood why the others didn’t join, they missed out on so much.” Gordon Linley was captain in 1956 and visited St James’ Palace to represent all Yorkshire Boys Clubs as a 16 year old. He received a buffalo horn trophy from the Duke of Gloucester. Current Club Chair Colin Whitaker summed up the spirit of the club: “The strength of the club is the people that’s what we’re here to celebrate.” Members showed their pride when he CEO Dennis Robbins with Arthur Hudson said the club has boys for the club. “We lived on become one of the best in the Goodman terrace behind the country. “Always was!” came the shops. There were half a dozen heckle from the old guard.

Next step: a Beer Festival by Megan Furness

Muddy but happy Another winning rugby team (1990)

Members browse the memorabilia

Four generations of Thorpe family Paul Thorpe is one of four generations of his family to have been part of the Hunslet Club story. His father Brian started coming to the club in 1951. Twenty years later Paul came to play football and has been back nearly every day since.

weekend trips to Whitely Bay Boys Club too for rugby matches. Paul thinks the secret to the club’s success is that it has evolved over the years. “It’s not stood still, we’re always looking to improve things, and we listen to the kids.”

“The Hunslet Club has always been a safe place with the right values. It’s like a big family, there are no cliques. Whatever sport or activity you do, you mix with people who are doing other things – boxing, gymnastics, rugby, whatever. And you’re encouraged to try other activities.” With many children no longer allowed to play out on their own the club is even more important and is often the only place the children socialise outside school. And what of the future? “We used to just provide activities for children, but now there are classes for adults and open age sports teams. It’s really a family club for the whole family.”

The Hunslet Club Beer Festival is a first for the Club and is another event to commemorate our 75th Anniversary. The event, which is for over 18’s and is a ticket only event, takes place on Sunday 12 December. Doors open at 4pm and finishes late, or when the beer runs out! There will be a range of 16 Real Ales and ciders on offer as well as pulled pork sandwiches and German sausage hotdogs to munch on. Entertainment comes in the form of an

authentic Oompah Band who will be performing two lives set during the evening!

“It is a new event for the Club and we are so excited to it happen!” said have Operations Manager Andrea Edwards. “With such an array of drinks it is sure to be an amazing, festive, funfilled night!” The festival is sponsored by AJB Roofing, Cougar Signs and brewers Molson Coors. Tickets cost £5, whilst drinks will cost around £3 a pint For more information like the Hunslet Club Beer Festival Facebook page.

Christmas Activity Camp Monday 21 - Wednesday 23 December 8:45am-3pm from £4 per half day Movies, dance, football, arts and crafts, beauty, dodgeball, baking, games room Summer Camp, Flamborough 1954

Hunslet Club Chair, Colin Whitaker

Paul Thorpe (R) with his father Brian and brother Dave (L)

Paul’s sons Sam and Ben both coach rugby teams and his 6 year old grandson Alfie has just started playing rugby too. “The Hunslet Club is a big part of my life” explains Paul. “I got such a lot out of it as a kid that I just wanted to put something back.” At 18 Paul took on running the Youth Club, a role he only relinquished 18 months ago due to ill health. But he’s still involved at the club, co-ordinating the junior rugby programme. “As a kid growing up in Belle Isle there wasn’t a lot to do, but there was always something new to try at the club.We used to go away for a two week camp at Flamborough – it was the only holiday a lot of the children got.” There were

December 2015 | South Leeds Life

Members past and present mark 75 years

Another winning football squad

Gordon Linley, Captain 1956

The Duchess of Kent visits the club in 1972

Billy Bremner presents boxing trophies

1994: Daryl Cardiss & Tom Sampson, England Schools

Alan Horbury (R) deep in conversation

South Leeds Life | December 2015

www.southleedslife.com

6 The Hunslet Club at 75

www.southleedslife.com

Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife

Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife

Website: www.southleedslife.com

The Hunslet Club at 75 7

Email: info@southleedslife.com

by Jeremy Morton

Next step: a Beer Festival by Megan Furness

Muddy but happy Another winning rugby team (1990)

Members browse the memorabilia

authentic Oompah Band who will be performing two lives set during the evening!

Hunslet Club Chair, Colin Whitaker

Paul Thorpe (R) with his father Brian and brother Dave (L)

December 2015 | South Leeds Life

Members past and present mark 75 years

Another winning football squad

Gordon Linley, Captain 1956

The Duchess of Kent visits the club in 1972

Billy Bremner presents boxing trophies

1994: Daryl Cardiss & Tom Sampson, England Schools

Alan Horbury (R) deep in conversation

South Leeds Life | December 2015

www.southleedslife.com

8 Opinion

In our view

Burberry Check

Burberry’s £50 million investment in Holbeck is to be welcomed. It promises jobs into the future and renovation for the historic Temple Works. Unfortunately developers have a history of reneging on the less profitable conditions of their planning permission. We will be keeping a check on how this ‘later phase’ of their work develops. Temple Works is too precious a part of our history to lose through neglect.

A diamond club

The Hunslet Club do something special and they’ve been doing it for 75 years. Always more than a sports club, they provide a safe space for children to explore their potential with wide, but clear boundaries. Good parenting from a family friendly club.

Hannah wins!

Everyone at South Leeds Towers was very excited to hear that Hannah Begum had won the vote and become the new Children’s lord Mayor of Leeds. Hannah fought a terrific campaign with a very clear manifesto to welcome and integrate children new to the city and the country. All of South Leeds should be very proud of this from Beeston. We predict a bright future for Hannah if she chooses to continue in politics. Perhaps Hilary Benn should watch his back!

Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife

Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife

Your letters and comments

Top Tweets

Back to backs

I refer to Development Plans letter from Bondi Arron (November 2015). I disagree. Back to back houses were built in Leeds until the beginning of the Second World War, so there is a wide variey of standards. Mine was built in the Edwardian age. It has solid walls, so noise nuisance is cut to a minimum. It has good sized windows, so it is light and airy. The rooms are spacious. There is only one outside wall, so it is easier to heat than a through terrace. It has gardens in front of both lounge and kitchen. I have friendly neighbours. I prefer it to living in a modern apartment. It has been modernised. walking along the streets in this area it would be impossible to tell which block is back to back or through terrace. I agree that they are not ideal for families, though families occupy some of them, but they suit first time buyers because they are suitable for single people or couples. Back in the 1980s the Council wanted to demolish some back to backs, but there was strong opposition, so they changed their policy. They became popoular with young professionals. I would be angry if the Council decided to demolish my house and then expect me to pay rent to them for the rest of my life and live in a modern apartment. Pauline Johnson

Road safety

I have read in South Leeds Life that the Leeds City Council is going to put some 20mph zones in Hunslet Church Street and East Grange Drive in Belle Isle. Well, I live in the West Granges in Belle Isle

@HunsletRugby Some scary folk in Beeston for this mornings Parkrun #HappyHalloween Do we need cameras to enforce 20mph zones?

and we have had these so-called 20mph zones for two years now and they have not slowed drivers down. They still go at fifty and sixty miles per hour. It’s cameras we need, they could save lives. Many cars have crashed and turned over on West Grange Road over the last five years. Mr Taylor I hope the Council / Highways have taken this problem of crashes on Peeper Road into consideration in giving planning permission for 13 new dwellings at the old Clayton Works on Pepper Road. B Fynn

Ice Pak development

“Perfidious scheme”? “extirpate this megalomaniac obsession”? This is extraordinarily intemperate language on the Save Our Beeston website. I sincerely hope that Beeston Community Forum will dissociate itself from that particular Beeston & Holbeck ward statement because this is Includes Beeston from Cross Flatts Park up to the Co-op, Cottingley, old certainly not a sentiment that I Holbeck. The three councillors are: share as a resident of Beeston. David Congreve 0113 277 7389 david.congreve@leeds.gov.uk Susan Talbot

Your Councillors and MP Angela Gabriel Adam Ogilvie

07946 632 468 angela.gabriel@leeds.gov.uk 0113 247 4578 adam.ogilvie@leeds.gov.uk

City & Hunslet ward Includes the city centre, Holbeck Urban Village, Beeston Hill and Hunslet. The three councillors are:

Patrick Davey 0113 261 0465 patrick.davey@leeds.gov.uk Mohammed Iqbal 0113 294 1049 mohammed.iqbal@leeds.gov.uk Elizabeth Nash 0113 275 8594 elizabeth.nash@leeds.gov.uk

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

Judith Blake Kim Groves Paul Truswell

Keep up to date, up to the minute, by following South Leeds Life’s Twitter feed: @SouthLeedsLife. Twitter is the 140 character ‘micro blogging’ site. It’s free and you can sign up at twitter.com. It’s a great place to find the very latest news. Here are some of our favourite recent tweets:

0113 395 1735 judith.blake@leeds.gov.uk 07891 741 832 kim.groves@leeds.gov.uk 0113 247 4472 paul.truswell@leeds.gov.uk

Leeds Central MP – Rt Hon Hilary Benn Hilary Benn is our MP. He represents the Leeds Central constituency which covers Hunslet, Belle Isle, Beeston, Holbeck, Cottingley in south Leeds as well as the city centre, Woodhouse, Little London, Lincoln Green, Richmond Hill, Osmondthorpe, Halton Moor and New Wortley. Contact: hilary.benn.mp@parliament.uk, www.hilarybennmp.com Constituency office: Suite 7, Unity Business Centre, 26 Roundhay Road, Leeds LS7 1AB; phone: 0113 244 1097

The Beeston Community Forum has discussed the Barkly Road development numerous times over the last couple of years. It has consistently been the democratically demonstrated will of the forum to oppose the proposal based upon the

information presented. This opposition has taken the form of official objection letters, all of which have been made available on the Council planning website for public scrutiny. Irrespective of the shared opposition to the Barkly Road development, The Beeston Community Forum and the Save Our Beeston group are, and always have been, separate entities. Each group is wholly responsible for their own statements and communications. The Beeston Community Forum generally meets on the first Thursday of the month at the Beeston Village Community Centre. All residents of Beeston are encouraged to attend and participate. Rich B

South Bank or Holbeck?

I would like to know why do the Council keep calling it the ‘South Bank’ when it is Holbeck. It has always been Holbeck it has an LS11 postcode, Holbeck goes all the way to the canal or am I wrong? Ian Pickup Join the debate. Comment online, email your letter to info@southleedslife.com, or post to: 224 Cross Flatts Grove, Leeds, LS11 7BW. Letters may be edited for publication.

@Middletoncentre Children aged 8-16 can use our 3G Astro Turf Football pitch Monday to Friday 4pm5pm for just £1.50 @hunsletwarrior1 Graham 'Grabsie' Wilson Memorial Trophy Winner: Dyson Nicholson @PamCrosby1 Well deserved @DysonNicholson and good luck at @leedsrhinos #Warriors @MusicFedDep it's great to hear about achievements of past pupilswell done @dickinson_dicko Burberrys rain coats were made at Garnet Road Leeds 10 in 1980s @Colin00007 1000 jobs taken from Castleford and Keighley @MartinWalker666 Could this be the start of a new textiles surge in #Leeds. Finally something other than bars/cafes! @cllrjudithblake Fab St Cross Middleton Xmas fair. Cllr Paul Truswell and Superman Father Andy!

Like what you read in South Leeds Life? Please help us with a financial contribution. Sign up to our new Subscriber Membership scheme - Get South Leeds Life delivered to your home - Become a voting member of the South Leeds Life Group - Support local, independent community news All for just £3 per month - the price of a pint, or a coffee Email info@southleedslife.com for full details

@NHSLeedsSE #LeedsChanges aims to protect and improve health and care services now and for future generations. How? http://inspiringchangeleeds.org #MyNHSLeeds

www.southleedslife.com

Website: www.southleedslife.com

South Leeds Lives 9

Email: info@southleedslife.com

Khaleel turns his life around

Data inputter celebrates prestigious Prince’s Trust accolade for overcoming adversity. Khaleel Ahmed, a data inputter employed by Hunslet based The Right Fuelcard Company, is fired up with success after clinching a Rising Star Award at The Prince’s Trust and Samsung Celebrate Success Awards. The accolade acknowledges the achievements of young people who have faced and overcome substantial personal obstacles and are now in sustainable employment. After leaving school with no qualifications, Khaleel got into trouble with the police. During his 14 month spell in prison however, he studied hard and gained a range of qualifications. Following his release he secured a place on the Prince’s Trust’s ‘Get into Customer Service course’ which led to an opportunity to join The Right Fuelcard Company. Khaleel said: “I’m both excited and very proud to receive this award by The Prince’s Trust – a fantastic organisation which has helped me to turn my life around.” Khaleel’s manager Nick Elletson, commented: “It’s tremendous that the work we undertake alongside the Prince’s Trust has resulted in this welldeserved achievement. We value

Khaleel Ahmed with his award

our long-standing partnership with the Trust which helps to develop key skills, confidence and motivation – enabling young people to move into work, education or training.” Caroline Raines, Senior Manager at financial services company BGL, which supported the awards, said: “Everyone at BGL Group would like to congratulate Khaleel for winning the BGL Group Rising Star Award. Khaleel has conquered many of life’s challenges to turn his life around and he should be very proud of his achievements.” The Right Fuelcard Company, an independent distributor of Shell, Esso, Keyfuels and UK Fuels fuel cards to UK businesses – is marking a formative period in its development since launching in 2011.

Carla’s making things happen by Kenneth Ingram

Interview with Carla Yeomans, Community and Tenant Support Manager of Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation Ltd (BITMO). BITMO changed what was the old library into what must be the busiest and best resource centre in Leeds. So I would like to ask about the last 27 months of your time at The GATE. Q: Carla, could you please tell us about School and College, how have your qualifications helped you in your Career? In terms of qualifications I did my GCSE and A levels at School. I was quite academic and did really well in both. Then I took a bit of a break from study and I went straight into the workplace. I got a full

time job when I was 18, I just enjoyed the buzz of being in an office environment. I choose the path of studying while in the workplace rather than going to university. So since then I’ve done courses, things like life coaching, business management and most recently became a project manager, which led me to start working at Belle Isle TMO. Q: What made you stay past your original two year contract? I started at Belle Isle TMO in July 2013 and I was tasked with turning what was the old library in Belle Isle, into a resource centre – what you see today, with other staff, volunteers and board members. But after the first two years I think it became part of what I wanted to do. I didn’t want to

December 2015 | South Leeds Life

Laughing in the face of adversity On the face of it Beeston resident Mark Wilson hasn’t got a lot to laugh about. Still in his forties he suffers from Parkinson’s and Motor Disease Neurone Disease. “I was a taxi driver and one day I just couldn’t focus. I went to doctor and found out I had Parkinson’s.” “I can be hard to live with and I sometimes get depressed” he says. “I’ve always enjoyed comedy and one night at a show in Huddersfield Jonathan Meyer made me laugh so much I forgot about my symptoms.” Mark went thank Jonathan after the show and struck up a friendship, Jonathan’s husband suffers from Parkinson’s too.

Mark took things a stage further by organising his own comedy nights. In March he put on a show at the Marriott Hotel in Leeds featuring Rob Delaney, who you might have seen on Mock The Week. Together with a second show at Armley Liberal Club, it raised over £2,500 for Parkinson’s Research. Mark has raised a further £4,000 in street collections – you might have seen him at B&M or Asda in Middleton. “It’s not just about raising money, I want people to come to the show and enjoy themselves.” Mark’s next show will be on Sunday 13 March 2016 and the £10 tickets are selling fast. On the bill are Allyson June Smith, Alex Boardman,

Mark Wilson at home in Beeston

Angela Barnes and compere Monty Burns. To get your ticket go to:

www.leedslaughterspect acular.eventbrite.co.uk

Harvest collection for Food Bank

Linda Jackson and Wendy Doyle take delivery from Dobromila Synak and Jack Webster

When Miss McEvilly suggested to her Year 8 class at The South Leeds Academy that they bring in food for Leeds South Food Bank to mark Harvest Festival, the children responded enthusiastically. leave the project, I didn’t feel it was a project anymore; The GATE became part of the housing, part of the management side of the organisation. I got asked to stay on as Community & Tenant Support Manager. I love the people I work with and people I get to help. I like Belle Isle and I really enjoy working here. Q: Tell us about your best moments working at BITMO GATE. Belle Isle TMO has meant a

Dobromila Synak, part of the school’s Interact Club, said “I really like to help other people and the whole form supported the collection.” The class got quite competitive as pupils brought in more and more. In the

great deal to me over the last couple of years. There have been some many great moments, because as a project a lot of the things are a first. So the first time we had a Christmas Market for example, and we had children from the Windmill Primary School singing and people came along and enjoyed that event. That was a real highlight. Taking people on the Scarborough and Bridlington day trips that was a first for Belle Isle TMO, and definitely a

end they handed over more than 25kg of tinned and dried food. Linda Jackson, Project Manager at Leeds South & East Food Bank said: “I want to say a big thank you to the school and the young people. It’s great that they want to help people other than themselves.” The food bank has fed 8,000 people in the last year and half of those were under 16. It is part of a growing partnership involving Asda, Morrisons and Tesco to tackle food issues in the local population. As well as emergency food parcels, the food bank is involved in other projects to tackle hunger including giving cerial and jam to school breakfast clubs. Watch out for a longer feature about the work of the food bank in January. If you would like to donate food or volunteer, please ring: (0113) 271 5866. If you need help from the food bank you must be referred to them by your doctor, social worker, health visitor, advice worker or other professional.

highlight. The best moments are when people suggest things and we’re able to make those things happen. So things like yourself for example, you wanted to do the Walk Leader training and I supported you in doing that. People suggest things like events, fairs or activity sessions. I can show people your ideas do count. One of the toughest parts of this job is when we don’t see people anymore. So a lot of the

time people come and want help in getting people back into work, and we help them get into work, we don’t see them which is tough really as I get close to people as we spend a lot of time working and supporting them. One of the highlights is when people do keep in touch, and come back and visit or drop us an e-mail to say their still going on all right. You can read, or listen to the full interview at www.southleedslife.com

South Leeds Life | December 2015

www.southleedslife.com

10 What’s On

Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife

What’s On

Your guide to events and activities across South Leeds in December Every Monday Swimming 9:45am Holbeck Elderly Aid Happy Chinese Families Group 9:30am-12pm Beeston Village Community Centre General fitness for the over 55's 11:30am-12:30pm St Andrews Community Centre, Beeston. Walk and Talk 1:30-2:30pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre Keep Fit 4:15-5pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Women only running with South Leeds Sisters 5.45pm Beginners Phoenix Bar, John Charles Centre Zumba 7pm Middleton Parochial Hall Every Tuesday Keep Fit 9:30am Trinity Network, Belle Isle Over 55's Nesfield church hall community room Knit & Natter 10:30am-12pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre General fitness over 55's 10-11am St Anthony's church hall, Beeston Chair based mobility session 11.30am-1pm Cottingley Community Centre Lunch Club 12:15-1:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Skate Light 6-8pm Middleton Community Centre

South Leeds Lakers running group 7pm from Beeston Co-op Every Wednesday Chair mobility 10-10:45am Trinity Network, Belle Isle Over 55's Nesfield church hall community room Breaklfast Club & Foodbank 10am-12pm Hunslet Methodist Church, Telford Terrace, Balm Rd Computer Club 10am-12pm Holbeck Elderly Aid, Balm Walk Shopping Trip 10am-1pm Holbeck Elderly Aid, Balm Walk Pop Up Council Hub 10am-3pm The Recreations, Holbeck CAP Job Club 10am-12pm Two Willows Children’s Centre, Cardinal Square, Beeston Community Craft Cafe 10am-12pm Church of the Nazarene, Hunslet Hall Road Walk and Talk 12-1pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Line Dancing 1:45pm Trinity Network, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Knit and Crochet Group 3-5pm Costa Coffee, Crown Point Retail Park Aerobics and Dance 3:30-4:30pm Cottingley Primary Academy General fitness (suitable for beginners) 6-7pm Belle Isle Family Cntre Zumba

For up to date event information make sure you go online to

www.southleedslife.com and check the What’s On Calendar

6:30pm Middleton Parochial Hall, Town Street Women only running with South Leeds Sisters 7.15pm Improvers Phoenix Bar, John Charles Centre Every Thursday Tea & Toast 8:30-9:30am Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Heart Cafe 10-11:30am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Middleton Park Estate Volunteers 10am-3pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre South Leeds Life News Cafe 10am-12pm Brew Coffee Shop, Beeston Road Chair based mobility group and games group 11:15am-12:30pm Beeston Village Community Centre Line Dancing 1pm Trinity Network, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Craft Group 1:30-3:30pm Cleveleys Court, Holbeck Mashed up fitness session aerobic dance 1:45-2:45pm Beeston Village Community Centre Game Time 4:30-6pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Women only running with South Leeds Sisters 5.45pm Intermediates Phoenix Bar, John Charles Centre for Sport General fitness (suitable for beginners) 6-7pm Beeston Parish Centre Indoor Bowls 7-10pm The Holbeck (WMC), Jenkinson Lawn Clubbercise 7:15pm-8pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Zumba 7:15pm Middleton Parochial Hall Every Friday Charity Shop, Tea & Toast 9am-12pm Beeston Hill United Free Church, Malvern Road South Leeds Life News Cafe 10am-12pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Under 5s Storytime 10-11am Dewsbury Road Library Ladies Singing Group 10:30am-12:30pm Tenant Hall, Acre Close, Middleton In Harmony Community Choir 12:15-1pm Windmill Primary School, Belle Isle Fish & Chip Lunch Club 12:30-1:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Krok Po Kroku (Polish Group) 12:30-2:30pm Beeston Village

Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife

Publicise your event with South Leeds Life Send full details of your event to: info@southleedslife.com, or post to: 224 Cross Flatts Grove, Leeds, LS11 7BW

Community Centre Games Afternoon 1:30-3pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Friday Night Project 6-9pm Middleton Leisure Centre Friday Night Drop In 6:30-8:30pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Every Saturday Breakfast Club 8:30-11am Vale Circles Centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Cross Flatts Parkrun 9am Run or walk 5km Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Police Contact Point 9:30-11:30am St George’s Centre, Middleton Zumba 10am Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Middleton Railway 11am-4pm Moor Road, Hunslet Every Sunday Middleton Railway 11am-4pm Moor Road, Hunslet Boxercise 4:15-5pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Clubbercise 5-5:45pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street

Woodhouse Hill Avenue Beeston Community Forum 7:30pm Beeston Village Community Centre Saturday 5 December Holbeck Christmas Market 10am-2pm St Matthew’s Community Centre Craft Fair 1-4pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Sunday 6 December Christmas Fayre 12-4pm Slung Low Theatre 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck Holbeck Christmas Lights 5:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre Tuesday 8 December Middleton Christmas Lights 4pm Middleton Circus Wednesday 9 December Inner South Community Committee 5:30pm Leeds Civic Hall Friday 11 December Christmas Tree Festival 4-7pm St Andrew’s Church, Old Lane, Beeston Lantern Festival 6:30pm Cross Flatts Park

4:15-7:15pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Wednesday 16 December Schools’ Carol Concert 6pm St Mary’s Church, Town Street, Middleton Thursday 17 December Comics Club! 3:15-4:45pm Dewsbury Road Library Saturday 19 December Leeds Young Archaeologists Club 10am-12pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre Parkrun Christmas Party 7:30pm Phoenix Suite, South Leeds Stadium Sunday 20 December Christmas Fair 2-4pm St Anthony’s Church Hall, Old Lane, Beeston Wednesday 23 December Middleton Railway Santa Specials 10:30am-4pm Moor Road, Hunslet Hunslet Moor Residents Meeting 6:30pm St Peter’s Court, Dewsbury Road

Tuesday 1 December Mostly Men 10am-12pm Northcotes Community Centre Friends of Stank Hall Barn 7:30pm The Broadway pub, Dewsbury Road Wednesday 2 December Hunslet Memories 12-2pm Garden Gate pub, Whitfield Place, Hunslet Hunslet Tenants & Residents 6:30-8pm Church of the Nazarene, Grove Road Thursday 3 December Belle Isle Christmas Lights 4pm Belle Isle Circus Beeston Christmas Lights 5:30pm Outside Co-op, Town Street Hunslet Carr Residents Ass 6:30pm Woodhouse Hill Community Centre,

Saturday 12 December Middleton Community Group 10am Tenants Hall, Acre Close Christmas Tree Festival 10am-12pm, 3-6pm St Andrew’s Church, Old Lane, Beeston Santa’s Grotto 12-4pm The Holbeck Club, Jenkinson Lawn Hunslet Club Beer Festival 4-11pm Hillidge Road Christmas Sparkle (O’Donnell School of Dance) 7pm St Andrews Church Hall, Old Lane Beeston Sunday 13 December Sunday Lunch 1-3pm Holbeck Community Centre, Elland Road Christmas Tree Festival 2-5pm St Andrew’s Church, Old Lane, Beeston Boxerthon

Thursday 24 December Christmas Eve Party 7pm The Holbeck Club, Jenkinson Lawn Saturday 26 December Holbeck Feast Cafe 9-11am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Sunday 27 December BITMO Lunch Club 1-3pm BITMO’s GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Maltings Lunch Club 1-3pm Maltings Court, Maltings Road, Beeston Community Meal 5-6:30pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Thursday 31 December New Year’s Eve Party 7pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street New Year’s Eve Party 7pm The Holbeck Club

www.southleedslife.com

Website: www.southleedslife.com

December 2015 | South Leeds Life

History / Art 11

Email: info@southleedslife.com

The origins of Middleton Community Centre by Christine Jenkinson and Val Higgins

Our story starts in 1975, when three United Reformed Church ministers decided that an advice centre was needed for residents on the Middleton estate, who couldn’t cope with spiralling gas and electric bills, debt and housing problems. The ministers were Reverends Graham Cook, Geoff Rodham and Simon Swailes.Their offices were in St Cross church hall on Acre Road in Middleton. They hired several several workers including a man called John McMullen who was to oversee the project. John was very good at his job and solved many problems for the tenants around the estate. He spoke to the council about repairs to the houses that hadn’t been sorted out for several years. On one occasion I visited John about some damp patches that I found on my walls.The council told me I had very bad condensation on them on, but when a

consultant from Harehills Housing Aid came to confirm this for me, his meter went from dry to damp to water! John took the problem to the council for me and after some consultation with them, he told me that I was to have my walls re-plastered as the wavy line on my walls was rising damp coming from under the staircase cupboard, under the concrete. One day when I was picking up my 18 month old son from my mother’s house in Middleton Park Square when I noticed some children playing in two empty houses. On the ground in the garden was a mattress and the children were jumping out of the bedroom window onto the mattress. I immediately went to see what was going on. I asked them “What are you doing jumping from the bedroom window?” One of the boys replied “We are only playing Christine, it’s great!” I asked them how they got into the house, the reply was through a window. I was worried someone would get badly injured, so I went straight to John to tell

The centre today

him what I had seen and what could be done about the houses. The next day John started an investigation and asked the council to look into the problem. After he had told them the situation, metal was placed over the windows and doors so that the children couldn’t get into them again. John called at Mum’s to talk about the houses in the square as some of the tenants had asked him about their repairs, which had been outstanding for some time. He asked my mother and I if we would do a survey of all the houses in the square who needed needed their repairs done by the council. The tenants were very friendly towards us and we got most of the repairs done. John organised a group of residents with my mother and I to

oversee the project called Middleton Park Square Action Group. The manager of the council Rent Office was called Mr Peverell. He helped us a great deal throughout our campaign and we were very grateful for all his hard work. He did for everyone in the community, he had a great personality. Our small group of residents formed a committee to keep up the good work that had been done. We even got recognised by Yorkshire Television making a small contribution to a series of self help groups with the title With A Little Help From My Friends, presented by Geoff Druet from their news programme. The committee decided there was nothing for the children to do in the evenings. So we got some information

and formed a Youth Club with football, dancing, radio hams, snooker and table tennis for them. On Thursday nights we had a disco for 100 teenagers, Mum made pots of coffee for the few teenagers who had been drinking alcohol before coming into the hall. We never allowed drinking in the hall so we frisked them. We had quite a few volunteers by this time.We had nativity plays at Christmas with real sheep, courtesy of Maureen and Henry Priestley’s farm; Santa Claus for the little ones. In summer we had a Gala with a Queen on a cart pulled by a horse, which paraded round Middleton’s streets. The residents enjoyed It’s a Knockout with all sorts of games such as wet sponge, hook a duck, darts, pony riding, etc. Everyone enjoyed these days. Middleton Residents Association took most of the residents on a day trip to the seaside each year. Up to 20 coaches were parked around Middleton Primary School at 8:30 on the morning of the trip. After a few more wonderful

years at St Cross Church Hall, we were told it was to be demolished. Senior citizens flats are now in its place. This was devastating news to the people who used the facilities. So the committee wrote to the council through John McMullen to ask if we could have a new building built near the old one to carry on doing the good work. A delegation of seven people and myself went to the Civic Hall to see Cllr George Mudie, who was Leader at the time, to ask if we could have a new building. After some consultation we put a plan together for him for our new hall. But Mr Mudie said that the hall would be smaller than our plans and we would also have to share the building with Social Services offices. We did not mind sharing the building, but asked if we could have an extension built in the future. Mr Mudie said he couldn’t promise but we were ask in the future.We were so pleased with the outcome and in March 1982 our new building was built in a corner of Middleton Primary School at a cost of £100,000.

www.southleedslife.com

South Leeds Life | December 2015

12 Sport

Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife

Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife

Boxing to beat Hawks unveil shirt ovarian cancer & pre season matches

The Hunslet Hawks have revealed their home kit design for the 2016 season. Year 10 classes at The South Leeds Academy were invited to submit a design for the Hunslet Hawks 2016 kit. Over 30 students entered and a short list of six designs were chosen to be displayed on the Hawks website with the general public then invited to vote for their favourite shirt. After counting and verifying the votes the club announced that the winning design, voted by the public, was designed by Lukas Vasiliauskas. The new home shirt which will be in the famous myrtle, flame and white colours will once again be manufactured by Stag and will feature Lukas' name on every shirt. The club have also decided to use the design drawn by student Alisha Bell for our alternate kit in 2016 which will be in chocolate and white. The home shirt will be in stock in time for the official kit launch, and it will be available to purchase on the night, with the price held again at £42.The away shirt will be shown for the first time also, with Alisha's name featured. All supporters are invited to the kit launch event, which takes place in the Phoenix Lounge at South Leeds Stadium on Thursday 17 December at 7:30pm with no admission charge. Light refreshments will be served. Hawks to take on treble winners in the Leeds Brewery Lazenby Cup Hunslet Hawks will welcome Leeds Rhinos to the South Leeds Stadium on Friday 8 January to compete for the annual

Leeds Brewery Lazenby Cup. The game will kick off at 8pm and will be the first time the Lazenby Cup has been played on an evening since the competition was reintroduced back in 2003. The Hawks will be looking for revenge, The Hawks 2016 shirt, designed by Lukas Vasiliauskas after the current Supporters buying season tickets or I treble winners came out victorious back in January, when they took the spoils with Am Hunslet memberships will get their QR code either on their ‘Hawks Card’ a 28 points to 14 victory. Darren Williams commented “It will be (the new version of the season ticket ) or great to welcome the Rhinos once again from a printed paper copy, or even directly to South Leeds. Our lads will be really from their smart phone! Existing ‘I Am Hunslet’ members and looking forward to challenging themselves Season Ticket holders will receive their against the current treble winners.” “It’s going to be a great challenge for our new ‘Hawks Card’ in the post, with new look squad and it will again provide instructions on what to do to make it us with another tough pre season fixture active and there will be a demonstration as we complete our preparation looking of how the system will work in the Phoenix Bar on Thursday 17 December as ahead to our league campaign.” Tickets for the match will be priced £10 part of the Shirt Launch event. Commercial Director Ian Johnson Adults, £5 Concessions, with Under 16s commented “The new Smartcard system FREE. Entry to the South Leeds Stadium will will really take us forward as a club. Not change dramatically in 2016, with only will this enable the club to have an ‘Smartcards’ being introduced which will accurate count of the attendance at games be scanned at the turnstiles by electronic but in the future it will be possible for the readers. This new system will be ‘Hawks Card’ to be used as a loyalty card, implemented for the visit of Leeds Rhinos. similar to many shops, and even as a debit Both Leeds Rhinos and Hawks card for payment in the Hawks shop and supporters can pay cash on the day at the bar.” Season tickets for 2016 are now on sale. ticket office, where they will receive a ticket complete with QR code to be read Prices are £120 for adults, £80 concessions and just £30 for juniors. at the turnstile.

Julie Gill is organising a charity fundraising event in aid of Ovarian Cancer Action on Sunday 13 December 4.15pm till 7.15pm. The event will be held at Beeston Parish Church Hall just opposite the Beeston Coop. “All our fundraising team will be performing a three hour non stop boxathon workout” said Julie. “We are looking for volunteers to join us to raise some vital funds. So please, if you could perform a three hour work out for charity please do get in touch.” Julie is also looking for people in the community and local businesses to donate raffle prizes, buy raffle tickets and to sponsor the boxers.You could also help by baking a cake or buns to sell at the event. &ou are invited to pop along to the event on Sunday the 13th December between 5-7pm, to show your support. The reason why we are running this event is because in the UK a woman dies every two hours in from ovarian cancer and sadly many of these deaths could be prevented if the condition were identified earlier. These women are our mothers, sisters, wife's, aunties, and friends. Over a third of women are diagnosed in A&E when the condition is already in an advanced stage. Ovarian Cancer Action receives no

government support and therefore relies entirely on donations and grants. Every penny contributed makes a huge difference to the work that the scientists undertake.

If you would like to get involved please email keepfitjulie@yahoo.co.uk or telephone Julie on (0113) 270 4947. If you would like a taste of Boxercise before committing to the Boxerthon, Julie runs regular Boxercise classes on Sundays at Beeston Parish Centre at 4:15pm and beginners are welcome. By knowing the symptoms you could save a woman's life. The symptoms are: Persistent bloating Persistent pelvic pain Difficulty eating and feeling full quickly Needing to wee more frequently For more information, please visit: www.ovarian.org.uk or call 0207 380 1730.

Parkside vs Warriors to decide ‘State of Hunslet’

A ceremony at the Hunslet Club saw honours even between the three Hunslet community rugby clubs, with each picking up one trophy apiece. Chev Walker was there to present the awards with Hunslet Warriors Under 16s Dyson Nicholson winning the Graham ‘Grabsie’ Wilson Memorial Award. Other awards went to Andrew Hullock of Hunslet Club Parkside, voted open age player of the year, with Beeston Broncos Melanie Tottie picking up the club person of the year award. A full house including many Hunslet Ex Parksiders were entertained by compere Malcolm Lord and gifts were auctioned, which raised £800 for the three clubs plus the SITraN Institute for Tranlational Neuroscience. Ex Parksider Ken Sykes, recent winner of RFL award for services to Community Rugby League, won the raffle and kindly donated half of winnings back into the pot. On Sunday 3 January the career of Chev Walker will be celebrated in the inaugural State of Hunslet Testimonial celebration event which will be played at South Leeds Stadium.

Dyson Nicholson with the Grabsie Wilson Award

Walker retired at the end of the 2015 season having enjoyed a fantastic playing career playing 300 games for Leeds, Hull KR and Bradford, winning the 2004 Grand Final and 2005 World Club Challenge with the Rhinos. It all began for Chev at Hunslet as a junior and this day will be a celebration of his career and will also provide the Hunslet area with a lasting legacy and an annual celebration of what people raised in Hunslet can achieve. With doors opening at 11.30am, the first match kicks off at 1pm as Hunslet Hawks Legends take on the Rugby AM Legends. Steve Pryce, Jamaine Wray, Mick Coyle, Latham Tawhai, David Plange and Richard Pachnuik have been confirmed for the Hunslet legends, while the likes of Robbie Paul, Keith Senior and Paul Sculthorpe will play for Rugby AM. At 2.15pm the crowd will see potential stars of the future take to the field as Hunslet Parkside under 7’s take on Hunslet Warriors under 7’s, while the under 8’s also go head-tohead. This all leads up to the main event at 3pm as the two great rivals, Hunslet Parkside and Hunslet Warriors, face off in a full-blooded, no

holds barred match with the winners being crowned the inaugural State of Hunslet Champions. There is a unique feel to the game too with both teams granted four marquee players, with Chev playing for the Warriors, the team he represented before he turned professional. The other big names will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for the day are priced at just £10 for adults and £5 for concessions, they can be purchased from the ticket office at South Leeds Stadium oronline at: www.hunslethawks.co.uk/store/tickets