Your FREE community newspaper
Issue 17 | May 2016
What’s happening in Beeston, Belle Isle, Cottingley, Holbeck, Hunslet, Middleton & Stourton
#1PieceOfRubbish
Pick it up! One Piece of Rubbish is an international grassroots campaign started by Leedsborn Ed Platt. It starts from the idea that rather than just complain about the amount of litter on our streets and the people dropping it, we can actually do something about it ourselves. Ed decided to pick up one of litter each day, and spread the message by posting a photo on social media using the hashtag ‘#1pieceofrubbish’. Soon hundreds of people were joining him and now South Leeds Life is encouraging you to join too.
Cottingley’s D-Day hero Bill
page 3
M&S Spark Something Good page 6-7
Local election candidates
page 9
£12 million Cost of litter in Leeds It is a slow burn campaign. One person picking up one piece of rubbish will make little difference on its own. But the more people join in - and talk about it - the more it will become the ‘normal thing to do’. Dropping litter is anti-social. It is dirty. It makes neighbourhoods look unloved. It stops people feeling proud of where they live. We need to make the litterbugs ashamed of their actions. We need to make
In this issue:
Hunslet Hawks winning again
page 12
Beeston residents show the way in Cross Flatts Park
them think twice before they drop their rubbish. We teach our children in school about the importance of putting rubbish in a bin, but too many people set them a bad example on the streets. If we set a positive example
it will reinforce what our children learn in school. Litter has a financial cost too. Leeds City Council spent £12 million picking up litter in 2014/15.That’s £12 million that could be spent on supporting elderly residents, or children,
or helping people back into work. Our local councillors have responded to residents’ complaints about litter, stepping up street sweeping and installing hundreds of new bins across our area.
Now it’s our turn to do our bit.We need to show our pride in our neighbourhoods by taking one small action action every day. So will you join us? Will you pick up #OnePieceOfRubbish and put it in one of those bins?
Get the latest news at www.southleedslife.com - new stories posted daily
NEWS
FEEDBACK
ELECTIONS
p2-5 p8
p9
WHAT’S!ON
p10
SPORT!
p12
ARTS
p11
www.southleedslife.com
South Leeds Life | May 2016
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 South Leeds Life CIC, a social enterprise registered with Companies House. Our aims are: To inform people of events, activities, issues and opportunities taking place in the South Leeds community;
Flytippers fined in South Leeds crackdown Two residents from south Leeds are the latest to feel the full force of the council’s legal powers to tackle flytipping. A woman from Beeston Hill and a man from Belle Isle both appeared before Leeds magistrates on Monday 18 April for offences under section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Florentina Daniela Ciurar,
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
Mrs Ciurar’s flytipping in Beeston
Rowland Terrace, pleaded guilty after flytipping waste from a home renovation project on Woodview Street. Environmental action officers received complaints that household rubbish was being put out on to the street. On investigation they found carpet, a high chair, broken furniture and other household waste had been thrown out the front door of the property. Due to the level of waste spilling across the pavement and onto the road, officers immediately prosecuted Ciurar. Ciurar was fined £250 and ordered to pay costs of £500 and a £25 victim surcharge. David Horsefield,
Middleton Road, pleaded guilty after community safety, said: waste picked up from a customer “With a little preparation you can was flytipped. carry out your DIY projects and Operating a ‘man and a van’ run your own business without business, Horsefield collected waste resorting to flytipping. in his van which was subsequently dumped behind a retail park in Hunslet. Despite claims someone else was using his van at the time of the offence, the driver was not identified so Horsefield was prosecuted. Horsefield was also Mr Horsefield’s flytipping in Hunslet fined £250 and must now pay £350 costs and a £25 “While we prefer to work with victim surcharge. residents and businesses to educate In both cases, Leeds City Council and encourage people on proper cleared the flytipped waste. ways to dispose of rubbish, there Councillor Mark Dobson, are times when we have to take executive member for immediate legal action and clean up environmental protection and to protect communities.”
New courses at Joseph Priestley
A range of new courses are due to start in April at Leeds City College’s Joseph Priestley Centre in Beeston. Do you want to find out about being care worker, or working retail? Do you need an introduction to computers, or perhaps you want to perfect your cake decoration skills. Skills for
Life courses are free to enrol on whilst other courses cost £6 per week. To book a place or find out more call: (0113) 284 6680, or email: courses@leedscitycollege.ac.uk The Joseph Priestley Centre is located on Burton Avenue, off Dewsbury Road, LS11 5ER.
Courses on offer: Cake decorating; Want to be a care worker? Introduction to computers; Want to work in retail? Skills for Life courses (free): Brush up your English; Brush up your Maths; Preparing for GCSE English; Preparing for GCSE Maths
Housing project wins global award Canopy, the Beeston-based self help housing charity has won a World Habitat Award. Canopy shared the prize with Giroscope, a similar charity working in Hull. They are the first UK based winners for over a decade. Both organisations are pioneers in a movement of UK housing providers called ‘Self Help Housing’. These housing charities train homeless and vulnerable people to renovate abandoned properties and bring them back into use. The completed houses provide low cost homes for homeless local people who are homeless or in housing need. Judge of the awards, Leilani Farha the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing endorsed the UK winners by explaining: “They are providing homes to people in housing need in particular homeless persons, refugees and migrants or women fleeing violence. The houses provided meet many of
the criteria of ‘adequate’ housing as defined in international human rights law. The engagement of local residents in their own housing solution has had positive results.” David Ireland, Director of BSHF, co-ordinators of the World Habitat Awards, said of the project: “For many people Canopy and Giroscope provide a lifeline that other organisations overlook or rule out. At the heart of this work are people. “Disadvantaged and isolated people get the chance to learn new skills and develop confidence on their way to being properly housed and employed. These two charities have also inspired over 100 organisations in the UK to follow their Self-Help Housing model.” Canopy was formed in Harehills in 1996 and now works across the city. Since 2000 Canopy has been working in Beeston Hill from its base on Lady Pit Lane.
Canopy trains homeless people in construction skills
The World Habitat Awards were established in 1985 by the Building and Social Housing Foundation as part of its contribution to the United Nations International Year of Shelter for the Homeless. Two
awards of £10,000 are given annually to projects that provide practical and innovative solutions to current housing needs and problems. www.canopyhousing.org
www.southleedslife.com
Website: www.southleedslife.com
News 3
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Cottingley celebrates D-Day hero Bill Cutler by Jeremy Morton The Cottingley community turned out in force on Saturday 9 April to celebrate the life of one of its longest living residents, 97 year old William (Bill) Cutler. The event, at Cottingley Community Centre, took the form of a 1940s style tea dance. The centre was decked out in union jack bunting and archive newspapers from the war were on show. Many people had dressed in 1940s style with tea being served by a squad of ‘Land Girls’. Bill said the party was “Marvellous. It’s unbelievable how they found old friends to
come, I never expected anything like this. All they said was wear your medals!” The celebration was triggered by Bill receiving France’s highest honour, the Legion d’Honneur, for his role on D-Day 1944 – the allied invasion of Europe via the Normandy beaches. Bill was a Royal Navy sailor on board HMS Largs. This was no ordinary ship, in fact it was a captured French Banana boat that had been converted to be used as the Combined Operations Headquarters. It served this function at all the major allied sea-borne invasions of the Second World War. Bill Cutler served on HMS Largs through the invasions of
Bill gets a kiss from the Cottingley community
the added incentive of an exciting bonus package for employees. CASA is an award-winning employee owned social enterprise which re-invests profit into its workforce and services, with all employees receiving free shares, a profit share scheme, and other employee benefits. At the same time, the profits ploughed back into the company are enabling it to invest more in staff development and training. CASA employees receive a range of benefits when they join the company which includes an exclusive online scheme offering money saving offers and discounts across a wide range of high street retailers, a tax free ‘cycle to work’ scheme with bikes provided by Halfords, preferential credit union membership, tax free child care vouchers and later this year
Join the pound-a-week supporters!
South Leeds’ must-read newspaper
Bill with his Legion d’Honneur. Photos: Jeremy Morton
North Africa in 1942; Sicily in 1943, and Burma in 1945. On D-day the ship, with generals and admirals on board, led the invasion force that landed at Sword Beach. Bill was a bridge lookout and helped to avert catastrophe when he spotted a torpedo launched at the ship. After the war Bill moved to a new prefab house at Cottingley Hall in 1947. The houses were
built quickly to tackle the post war housing shortage and were only designed to last ten years. Bill reluctantly left his in 1972 to move into a new house on the estate, where he’s been ever since. Christine Robinson-Perkins, one of the organisers, said: “We wanted to do this for Bill because he’s such a nice quiet guy and he did something extraordinary in the war.” Bill says the community on the estate is not what it used to be, but he has terrific neighbours who look after him and he is full of admiration for Christine and the work she is doing at the community centre.
Caring company creates 300 new jobs A Beeston-based care provider company that cares for its staff as well as its clients is recruiting new staff. The organisation is not only promising staff a guaranteed hours contract, but will also be offering them the Leeds Living Wage of £8.01p per hour. “This is significantly more than is usually paid in this sector,” said Dr Guy Turnbull, Managing Director and a founder of CASA. “And it represents CASA’s commitment is to ensuring that our staff as well as our clients are well looked after.” CASA Leeds – part of the Care and Share Associates Group – was recently chosen as one of only four main providers working with the city council to provide a range of social care services. The major contract win means that CASA is now looking to recruit around 300 people to fulfill the roles, with
May 2016 | South Leeds Life
the introduction of a life insurance scheme. CASA’s ethos has always been “people before profit” and its structure means that all employees have a vested interest in its success. The company is now offering a range of care services to people across Leeds which allows them to live independently and in their own homes. Jobs are available across a range of different areas including care managers,
co-ordinators, supervisors and home support workers. No previous experience is necessary for some of the posts, with full training given. Anyone wanting further information should call the CASA Recruitment Hotline at 0300 355 1155, send an email to recruitment@casaltd.com or visit the CASA website at www.casaltd.com and look at the vacancies section where full job descriptions and application forms are available.
South Leeds Life has recently become a Community Interest Company (CIC) and is moving on from being a community group to a sustainable social enterprise. Currently our finances are somewhat precarious with only enough cash in the bank for one or two more print editions. We get income from grants, from advertising and from groups and individuals who support us by becoming ‘Friends’. We are asking all our readers to consider taking out a supporters subscription. Everyone who takes out a £4 per month bank standing order will be credited on the website and have our newspaper delivered to their door. More importantly you will
be enabling us to keep bringing you the news that matters to you about your neighbourhood. We are trusting ourselves to you, the South Leeds community. Thanks to the following readers who have signed up in the last month: Amanda Binns Elaine Bower Asa Britton Andy Brown David Bushell Keith Hitchiner Julie Gill Ken Ingram Frances Jones Toby Lloyd Adam Ogilvie AR Price Linda Stanley Sue Talbot Andrew Wilson Join them!
Payment by Standing Order To: The Manager,
Your bank: ________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________ ____________________________ Postcode: ____________________ Please pay a monthly payment of £4 (four pounds) until further notice starting on 1st June 2016 to: Co-operative Bank plc PO Box 250 Delf House, Southway Skelmersdale WN8 6WT to credit: South Leeds Life Group Sort code 08 – 92 – 99
Account no. 65591910
Your bank account details: Account name: _____________________________________________ Sort Code: ____-____-____ Account no: ________________________ Signature: ___________________________ Date: ________________ Your address (for newspaper delivery): _________________________________________________________ _______________________________ Postcode: _________________
Social enterprise
Please return to: 224 Cross Flatts Grove, Leeds, LS11 7BW
www.southleedslife.com
South Leeds Life | May 2016
4 News
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
Rogue With a little help from my friends traders stopped
West Yorkshire Police joined with partners as part of national Operation Rogue Trader. As part of the operation police and partners including Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and West Yorkshire Trading Standards went to an address on Fox Way, Hunslet where they found a caravan that had been reported stolen from the Bristol area. A further three vehicles were given immediate prohibition notices due to their poor roadworthiness. A commercial premises in Beeston was also visited and a 25-year-old man reported for summons for being accused of being a disqualified driver. A van was also seized for not having any insurance and being over-weight. Five immediate prohibition notices for road worthiness were also issued. And to complement the enforcement action the Force also teamed up with Trading Standards to host a successful live webchat on doorstep crime on 20 April. The best advice is when answering calls at the door to people claiming to be traders who haven’t pre-booked: ‘Not Sure? Don’t Open the Door.’
Paul Clark has started a Friendship Group for people in Belle Isle. The group meets on Mondays from 10am till 12pm at the Belle Isle Family Centre. Paul said:“We want to be there for people who are socially isolated, new to the area or just have time on their hands. Talking to others and listening can help people stay in touch.” It’s a friendly, informal group and you can just call in for a cuppa and a chat. The group also work on individual interests like crafts or history.
Friendship Group at Belle Isle Family Centre
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
There is plenty of tea and coffee throughout the morning. If you want to stay for lunch at the centre’s café that’s optional - the centre offers cheap hot meals Monday - Thursday. Cllr Kim Groves said: “I dropped in on the group and thought it was fantastic, it’s welcoming if you are alone or want to join with friends. “The group is open to all ages and it’s free so I would urge people to call in and support the group.” Belle Isle Family Centre is located on Belle Isle Road, just above the Circus. For more information ring (0113) 277 4819.
A day that could change your life As part of his role as Business Connector for South Leeds, Malcolm Hall has put together a project which aims to demystify selfemployment, inspire confidence that anything is possible, and provide guidance and support to stimulate business start-ups in South Leeds. With the help of Leeds Beckett University, Hammerson Plc, cida, Lloyds Banking Group, Blacks Solicitors,WGN Accountants and other professional contacts, the project will deliver a oneday course that could change the life of those who attend. It will illustrate to attendees how they can take an idea or product, find customers and build a business. It will show how finance can be accessed if required and share important lessons from others to reduce the risk of failure. The course will take place between 9.30am and 4.30pm on Thursday 26 May, at Tenants Hall Enterprise Centre
(Health For All) in Middleton. Experts will be on hand to answer queries. Support after the course, is provided by experienced business mentors who in turn have access to professional advice. The one–day course and support is free of charge. Malcolm Hall, Business Connector for South Leeds, said: “In the foreword to her recent report on entrepreneurship, Baroness Mone said ‘The Government has recognised that it is crucial to support self-employment. This support must work for every community.’ “I believe that we cannot wait for that support to come and am determined that entrepreneurship is encouraged sooner rather than later. For that reason, I am proud to launch this initiative in South Leeds.” Malcolm, who is on a 12 month secondment to Business in the Community from Lloyds Banking Group as part of its plan to Helping
Practical advice and support to start your business
Britain Prosper, added: “Statistics show that where there are high levels of unemployment and low levels of educational attainment, numbers of start up businesses are also below average. Reasons may vary from a lack of confidence, lack of understanding of what is required, lack of finance, or simply that it is perceived
as too much of a risk. As a result, great ideas and entrepreneurs are stifled before they even start.” Places on the course on the 26 May are limited. Please get in contact as soon as possible to book your place. Malcolm can be contacted on 07740 699738 or e-mail malcolm.hall@bitcconnect.org.
HEA crafters stitch flag for Queen’s 90th birthday The Craft Group at HEA have produced a special flag to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday. The flag celebrates key dates in the monarch’s life including her wedding, coronation and diamond jubilee. HEA (formerly Holbeck
Members of HEA Craft group busy sewing the flag
Elderly Aid) will be holding a party for its members on the Queen’s official birthday – 10 June – at The Hunslet Club. The group had planned to unveil the flag then, but the crafters have been so busy they have finished in time for the Queen’s actual birthday.
The craft group meets every Thursday afternoon to share skills and make items to raise funds for HEA. In 2014 they crocheted a special yellow jersey for one of the statues in City Square to mark the start of the Tour de France. For more information about the group, or book your ticket for the party in June, please call (0113) 245 5553 or email: admin@hea-services.org.uk.
www.southleedslife.com
Website: www.southleedslife.com
May 2016 | South Leeds Life
News 5
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Dot DASH @ Holbeck offers help into
the world of computers and IT by Vic Berry
Hidden from view near the M621 Not many locals know or frequent the Holbeck Community Centre on Elland Road, unlike its grand neighbour Leeds United Football Club, the community centre sits on the edge of the motorway sandwiched between the old terraced housing. This modest community building provides a home for a range of groups Digital AccesS Holbeck, shortened to DASH is one such project. DASH is funded by the National Lottery to provide computer access every Tuesday for early birds starting at 9:30am and finishes 12:30. The sessions are staffed to help people get online provide advice and one-to-one tuition is available. DASH provides an opportunity to volunteer with
Get Technology Together (GTT.org.uk) who provide professional trainers and advisors. The sessions are drop-ins, although everyone
GTT provide equipment for learners to use in the session if they don’t have their own and there is no charge for this under the funding of this
DASH - Help to find your way in the world of computers
has to register has a learner at their first visit. There are good scanning and printing facilities available, learners can bring in their own equipment to access the internet via a WiFi connection.
scheme. Using technology is becoming the only way to find work or claim benefits 15th March was special day for the DASH project with the GTT team present in strength,
Douglas Villegas from GTT encouraged learners to try a Virtual Reality headset with 360 Degree HD videos. Content for this technology is only just starting to be created. All I can say is you have got to try it once, and the technology will get better. Everyone had a bit of fun, with the equipment, but this didn’t stop the daily function of the DASH facility. There were good chats about recent job interviews and job options with some more routine internet searching and applying for jobs online. Other people were needing information finding on the internet and copying, DASH has been providing some basic signposting support for some of the locals providing some information that could find at the library for help. Having access to the internet to find out the ever changing rules and regulations about benefits and rights is a really
useful part of the centres activities. It’s not all work and problem solving; participation leads to learning Taking time out of job searching to either do some online training courses or interests such explore processing and manipulating digital images, is all in a day’s work, but the important point of DASH is it provides a way for local people to extend their capabilities using technology. Technology is still advancing at an ever increasing rate,. Everyone, even if they think they don’t use technology will use some form of computer chip whether it is their central heating boiler, TV or phone in the UK. The Government has been implementing plans to save £1.7bn a year on transferring services online. Everyone has seen how the high street has changed with internet
shopping, mobile banking services and public transport, booking tickets, getting accommodation and dealing with utility companies are all using online platforms to minimise costs to keep competitive in the global market. Having basic internet skills can literally change your life. Definition of the sky: As far as you can see. Using the modest equipment at DASH learners have access to the knowledge of the entire World it their finger tips and have the stimulation of interacting with the trainers and other learners. There are interesting and diverse discussion between ad hoc groups of people. Participation is the first step to learning, Everyone is encouraged to get hands on with the kit. DASH is open PARTICIPATE. Change your life, look at the Sky.
South Leeds Life | May 2016
www.southleedslife.com
6 Out and about
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
The unveiling of the Hunslet Carr Wheel by Ken Ingram
These Hunslet Carr people are a hardy lot. About 30 or so people braved the wind and rain to see Cllr Elizabeth Nash unveil the Hunslet Carr Wheel on Thursday 7 April.
100 years old. The wheel spent its life on a wagon built by Roberts of Wakefield and made its way to Middleton Railway, where later it was renovated to what you see today. The Middleton Railway is the world’s oldest working railway. It
Cllr Elizabeth Nash unveils the new sign
The sign, which carries the text ‘Welcome to Hunslet Carr’, has been erected outside the Bay Horse pub by Hunslet Carr Residents Association. The wheel for the sign was donated by The Middleton Railway Trust Ltd. I believe the wheel is over
is run entirely by volunteers. See more about the railway at www.middletonrailway.org.uk Anyway back to the unveiling. Cllr Nash said a few words about the donation of the wheel; unfortunately her voice on occasion was drowned out
by the traffic noise on Balm Road. Then we made our way for HCRA’s monthly meeting at Woodhouse Hill Community Centre, just around the corner from the wheel. All the residents were greeted with tea/coffee and cake. Kenny Saunders, Chair of Hunslet Carr Residents Association, said: “We set out to give the area something people could identify with as belonging to Hunslet. I think this new sign has been done really well using our railway heritage and Hunslet colours. I would like to thank Malcolm Johnson at Middletion Railway Trust for donating the wheel and Jonathan Davis who has done a brilliant job designing and making the Welcome to Hunslet Carr sign.” Elizabeth Nash (Labour) is standing for re-election as Councillor for City & Hunslet ward in the local elections on 5 May. The other candidates standing are: Jahangir Aziz (Liberal Democrat), Ed Carlise (Green), Mary Finch (Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition), Amy Green (Conservative) and Brian Weatherill (UKIP).
Morrisons help Clapgate plant allotment seed
Pupils at Clapgate Primary School in Middleton are getting their new allotment off to a flying start with a helping hand from Morrisons’ Hunslet store. The children wrote letters to a number of businesses asking for help with seeds, tools and compost.
www.southleedslife.com
“I wrote to Morrisons” explains Lilly “and the store manager invited us to come and choose what we needed. They are the only company to reply.” “So far” added Harry. Each class has their own patch and are deciding what fruit and vegetables to grow. One class is growing its own pizza, planting
tomatoes, basil and peppers. Another class is taking a Sunday roast theme with potatoes, carrots and beans. Once the crops have grown the children will harvest and cook them. Store Manager Vicky Dempsey said: “This is a fantastic project and we are pleased to be able help out a local school.”
Daniel,Lilly,Bethany & Harry with Vicky Dempsey (Morrisons) and Miss Franklin
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
Website: www.southleedslife.com
“This is a win-win” explained Jennifer Jordan Cassidy, M&S’s Finance and Operations Managerfrom pudsey. “My team are scattered across the region and don’t meet up regularly. Today they are working together, building team spirit and relationships. And this is so much nicer than us all sitting in a dingy room!” In Cross Flatts Park volunteers helped Beeston in Bloom paint railings and build a ‘bug hotel’ out of old pallets stuffed with cut back foliage to encourage wildlife. Down at Skelton Grange
Out and about 7
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Sparking Something Good in South Leeds These were not just volunteers, these were Marks & Spencer’s volunteers! Four community groups in South Leeds welcomed volunteers from Marks & Spencer as part of the company’s Spark Something Good programme. A large group of backroom staff from across the region came to Lady Pit Lane allotments in Beeston on 20 April to support Groundwork’s Green For Go project. As well as digging over plots, they repainted a container and relocated the compost heap.
May 2016 | South Leeds Life
Environment Centre in Stourton they were working with The Conservation Volunteers to create a new play area. "It was great to see so many smiling faces! said Ralph Walker. “The volunteers including M&S staff, those that found out about the project on the Neighbourly.com website and TCV's regular Green Team volunteers made a huge difference to the site during the day.” Finally on 24 April, volunteers helped to build raised beds and lay out paving in the Friends of Stank Hall Barn’s community garden.
Eggs n’baking at Lane End by Asa Britton
Beeston showed off their baking skills at the first annual Great Easter Bake Off competition. The children were inspired to bake and create biscuits, buns or cakes that had an Easter or Spring theme. On the day of the competition, everyone was delighted to see over 50 egg shaped cakes, decorated with
The children and families of Lane End Primary School would like to say a HUGE thank you to the staff of Swinton Insurance who donated two giant chocolate Easter eggs that were raffled to help raise funds. Ayaan Shabbir’s family was one of the lucky winners that got to take home one of the enormous chocolate eggs home to share with their friends and family. The school are working hard to raise as much money as possible, as they hope to be able to buy a stage in time for the next Christmas productions. Ayaan Shabbir collects his egg The children would also like to thank easter bunnies, trays of SoftCat, whose employees had chocolate nests and chicks in a ‘dress down’ day to help raise baskets, plates full of mini £125 towards the stage appeal marshmallow spring lamb – thanks to Millie-Mae Pearce’s cupcakes and egg shaped cookies! It was amazing! mum for helping with this. A tricky judging then took A thank you also to Winder, place – with the winners being who have donated £300. There will be lots of fund announced in the weekly Assembly. raising events in the coming Achievement months – if you are a local Everyone was a winner company, and would be however, as the baking was then interested in supporting Lane sold to all the families – so that End in their fundraising stage all the school community appeal, no matter in how small enjoyed the yummy entries. All a way, please don’t hesitate to proceeds were collected to contact the school on (0113) support the Lane End Primary 831 3449, or email Stage Fundraising Appeal. The staff can’t wait to see laneendprimary@gmail.com. The children and families of what next year’s competition Lane End Primary School in brings!
Bake Off: children and families from Lane End Primary School in Beeston showed off their baking skills for a fundraising Easter Bake Off Competition
South Leeds Life | May 2016
www.southleedslife.com
6 Out and about
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
The unveiling of the Hunslet Carr Wheel by Ken Ingram
These Hunslet Carr people are a hardy lot. About 30 or so people braved the wind and rain to see Cllr Elizabeth Nash unveil the Hunslet Carr Wheel on Thursday 7 April.
100 years old. The wheel spent its life on a wagon built by Roberts of Wakefield and made its way to Middleton Railway, where later it was renovated to what you see today. The Middleton Railway is the world’s oldest working railway. It
Cllr Elizabeth Nash unveils the new sign
The sign, which carries the text ‘Welcome to Hunslet Carr’, has been erected outside the Bay Horse pub by Hunslet Carr Residents Association. The wheel for the sign was donated by The Middleton Railway Trust Ltd. I believe the wheel is over
is run entirely by volunteers. See more about the railway at www.middletonrailway.org.uk Anyway back to the unveiling. Cllr Nash said a few words about the donation of the wheel; unfortunately her voice on occasion was drowned out
by the traffic noise on Balm Road. Then we made our way for HCRA’s monthly meeting at Woodhouse Hill Community Centre, just around the corner from the wheel. All the residents were greeted with tea/coffee and cake. Kenny Saunders, Chair of Hunslet Carr Residents Association, said: “We set out to give the area something people could identify with as belonging to Hunslet. I think this new sign has been done really well using our railway heritage and Hunslet colours. I would like to thank Malcolm Johnson at Middletion Railway Trust for donating the wheel and Jonathan Davis who has done a brilliant job designing and making the Welcome to Hunslet Carr sign.” Elizabeth Nash (Labour) is standing for re-election as Councillor for City & Hunslet ward in the local elections on 5 May. The other candidates standing are: Jahangir Aziz (Liberal Democrat), Ed Carlise (Green), Mary Finch (Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition), Amy Green (Conservative) and Brian Weatherill (UKIP).
Morrisons help Clapgate plant allotment seed
Pupils at Clapgate Primary School in Middleton are getting their new allotment off to a flying start with a helping hand from Morrisons’ Hunslet store. The children wrote letters to a number of businesses asking for help with seeds, tools and compost.
www.southleedslife.com
“I wrote to Morrisons” explains Lilly “and the store manager invited us to come and choose what we needed. They are the only company to reply.” “So far” added Harry. Each class has their own patch and are deciding what fruit and vegetables to grow. One class is growing its own pizza, planting
tomatoes, basil and peppers. Another class is taking a Sunday roast theme with potatoes, carrots and beans. Once the crops have grown the children will harvest and cook them. Store Manager Vicky Dempsey said: “This is a fantastic project and we are pleased to be able help out a local school.”
Daniel,Lilly,Bethany & Harry with Vicky Dempsey (Morrisons) and Miss Franklin
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
Website: www.southleedslife.com
“This is a win-win” explained Jennifer Jordan Cassidy, M&S’s Finance and Operations Managerfrom pudsey. “My team are scattered across the region and don’t meet up regularly. Today they are working together, building team spirit and relationships. And this is so much nicer than us all sitting in a dingy room!” In Cross Flatts Park volunteers helped Beeston in Bloom paint railings and build a ‘bug hotel’ out of old pallets stuffed with cut back foliage to encourage wildlife. Down at Skelton Grange
Out and about 7
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Sparking Something Good in South Leeds These were not just volunteers, these were Marks & Spencer’s volunteers! Four community groups in South Leeds welcomed volunteers from Marks & Spencer as part of the company’s Spark Something Good programme. A large group of backroom staff from across the region came to Lady Pit Lane allotments in Beeston on 20 April to support Groundwork’s Green For Go project. As well as digging over plots, they repainted a container and relocated the compost heap.
May 2016 | South Leeds Life
Environment Centre in Stourton they were working with The Conservation Volunteers to create a new play area. "It was great to see so many smiling faces! said Ralph Walker. “The volunteers including M&S staff, those that found out about the project on the Neighbourly.com website and TCV's regular Green Team volunteers made a huge difference to the site during the day.” Finally on 24 April, volunteers helped to build raised beds and lay out paving in the Friends of Stank Hall Barn’s community garden.
Eggs n’baking at Lane End by Asa Britton
Beeston showed off their baking skills at the first annual Great Easter Bake Off competition. The children were inspired to bake and create biscuits, buns or cakes that had an Easter or Spring theme. On the day of the competition, everyone was delighted to see over 50 egg shaped cakes, decorated with
The children and families of Lane End Primary School would like to say a HUGE thank you to the staff of Swinton Insurance who donated two giant chocolate Easter eggs that were raffled to help raise funds. Ayaan Shabbir’s family was one of the lucky winners that got to take home one of the enormous chocolate eggs home to share with their friends and family. The school are working hard to raise as much money as possible, as they hope to be able to buy a stage in time for the next Christmas productions. Ayaan Shabbir collects his egg The children would also like to thank easter bunnies, trays of SoftCat, whose employees had chocolate nests and chicks in a ‘dress down’ day to help raise baskets, plates full of mini £125 towards the stage appeal marshmallow spring lamb – thanks to Millie-Mae Pearce’s cupcakes and egg shaped cookies! It was amazing! mum for helping with this. A tricky judging then took A thank you also to Winder, place – with the winners being who have donated £300. There will be lots of fund announced in the weekly Assembly. raising events in the coming Achievement months – if you are a local Everyone was a winner company, and would be however, as the baking was then interested in supporting Lane sold to all the families – so that End in their fundraising stage all the school community appeal, no matter in how small enjoyed the yummy entries. All a way, please don’t hesitate to proceeds were collected to contact the school on (0113) support the Lane End Primary 831 3449, or email Stage Fundraising Appeal. The staff can’t wait to see laneendprimary@gmail.com. The children and families of what next year’s competition Lane End Primary School in brings!
Bake Off: children and families from Lane End Primary School in Beeston showed off their baking skills for a fundraising Easter Bake Off Competition
South Leeds Life | May 2016
www.southleedslife.com
8 Opinion
In our view
#1PieceOfRubbish
This is a litter campaign with a difference. It’s bottom up, citizens action that we can all be part of. Enforcement from the Council is important too and we’ve seen some local examples this month, but the carrot is as important as the stick. Modelling good behaviour is a powerful way to change people’s habits. So we urge all our readers to pick up one piece of rubbish a day - and tell people about what you’ve done and why.
Spark Something Good
A big thank you to all the volunteers, staff and customers, that Marks & Spencer brought to South Leeds in April. Several projects commented that it was so helpful to have a big team on site for one day to get the big jobs done. Now local volunteers can get on with the activities that will bring such benefits to the area.
Bill, we salute you
Bill Cutler is quiet hero, but a hero nonetheless. Like many of the men and women who fought in the Second World War he is humble about his role. He came home from the war and got on with his life, living on the Cottingley Hall estate. Now the French government has quite rightly recognised his role in the liberation of their country.
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
Your letters and comments
Top Tweets
April Fool
You had me fooled over your spoof front page on Metric School terms, however, a similar idea has been put forward for real. It is to have 4 equal terms of 10 weeks with 1 week each half term and a couple or more weeks for the end of term holidays. As a former teacher, the long school holidays meant that you had to recap a great deal at the beginning of September. Also summer holiday prices suddenly shot up. With the terms spread out more evenly, children would probably concentrate better and then have a break, giving parents bigger choice of when to go on holiday. It would be worth a try. What do other readers think?. Pat Benatmane Excellent! Had a laugh over this. Granted, after the initial shock. Well done for keeping the smiles alive. Jess Weakest point was “Justina Flapp” but given some of the announcements about changes to schools etc it was within the realm of the possible. Marc R I don’t have children and I’m not a teacher, so maybe I’m just showing my ignorance, but I’m not clear why this is such a bad thing: frequent, short rests rather than grinding kids down over long terms and then letting them forget everything over the summer. I had some involvement with David Young Community Academy in Seacroft a few years ago at a time when to my eyes it seemed an innovative and well managed place, and I
Did you fall for our April Fool?
think they had this ‘short but frequent’ system. It might be interesting to hear about their experience. Aleric Hall
Doom and gloom
This paper is a doom and gloom factory and is in need of an overhaul. This paper constantly tarnishes south Leeds is tainted with constant crime and ‘clean up’ stories. Please get some new blood in – we are approaching summer for God’s sake! Jane Buchanan I agree with Jane. This rag needs some new juice pumping into it. It tarnishes South Leeds with crime, poverty and utter misery.Take a look at North Leeds Life for some inspiration ... Peter Blake
Your Councillors and MP Beeston & Holbeck ward
Includes Beeston from Cross Flatts Park up to the Co-op, Cottingley, old Holbeck. The three councillors are:
David Congreve 0113 257 1679 david.congreve@leeds.gov.uk Angela Gabriel 07946 632 468 angela.gabriel@leeds.gov.uk Adam Ogilvie 07969 680 024 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 267 1282 patrick.davey@leeds.gov.uk Mohammed Iqbal 0113 226 8796 mohammed.iqbal@leeds.gov.uk Elizabeth Nash 0113 275 8594 elizabeth.nash@leeds.gov.uk
Middleton Park ward Includes Belle Isle and Middleton. The three councillors are:
Judith Blake Kim Groves Paul Truswell
0113 247 7761 judith.blake@leeds.gov.uk 07891 741 832 kim.groves@leeds.gov.uk 0113 247 6922 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
Thank you for your comments Jane and Peter. We have been criticised in the past for painting too rosy a picture of South Leeds by only publishing ‘good news’ stories.We try to strike a balance - there is so much good stuff happening in the area, but we can’t deny there are problems too. We are always looking for new writers, so perhaps you would like come on board and shout the good news from where you are? One thing I would take issue with is classifying community clean ups as ‘bad news’. We see these events as positive community action and will continue to publicise them. Jeremy Morton, Editor
Friendship Group
As a Belle Isle lad born in Hunslet, but came to civilisation in Belle Isle at age 2. Moved into Low Grange Crescent same street as my maternal grandmother and my aunty. Schooled at infants and secondary modern in Belle Isle, I think this friendship group should be a great success either just as a
casual drop in for a cuppa and a chat or as a more structured centre for individuals interests, particularly Belle Isle history such as the alms houses or the old Belle Isle police station or Ebor House. Anyway this is a group I think I for one will be supporting. SEE YOU ALL SOON guys, oh and gals. David Day This is a wonderful service that will help build greater community connections and values. In fact, it would be nice to see these types of services expanded throughout the City. Rebecca Airey
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: @CanopyHousing New tenant at Canopy yesterday in tears because the house was so nicely decorated and furnished! @Clean_Leeds We're seeing regular flytipping on Tulip Rd #hunslet. Anyone know whos behind it? We can act on this @gwilce Giving the car to @HunsletClub today so #Leeds young people can use it to train. Best legacy for loyal family car! @JonathanBliss Morning, saw a peregrine on Old Lane so my day is complete. @CottingleyPA Two Y3 superstars playing chart hits! What a treat.
Tyrone Clarke murder
On the twelfth anniversary of Tyrone Clarke’s murder the Police have appealled again for witnesses to come forward. If anyone has any information they should unburden their guilt. I still could cry when I think of this. It was so cruel and tragic and may it never be forgotten until justice is done. Cllr Kim Groves
Flytipping fines
Good I am glad these parasites have been caught. It’s a shame the fines were not more and also they should be made to clean the streets for 12 months. Craig Chadwick
Join the debate Comment online; by email: info@southleedslife.com; or post to: 224 Cross Flatts Grove, Leeds, LS11 7BW.
@Clean_Leeds Our dog Wardens microchipped 120 dogs in Belle Isle this week. Is your pooch done yet? @RunLeeds bit.ly/1WHohJ6 the @LeedsGirlsCan South Leeds posse have a new home and keep on running further @SouthLeedsLaH South Leeds Live at Home Scheme is starting a new lunch club at St Mary's Parish Centre on a Friday from 6th May @AdamPOgilvie Thanks to @WestYorksPolice for organising our community clean up in Holbeck today
Letters may be edited for publication.
Keep up to date with planning issues in LS10 and LS11. We publish a weekly list of all new planning applications online at:
www.southleedslife.com
@shine_leeds So impressed that some of the Shine girls gave up their Saturday morning to come and help! #Holbeck
www.southleedslife.com
Website: www.southleedslife.com
May 2016 | South Leeds Life
Elections 9
Email: info@southleedslife.com
May 5 Elections There are two important elections taking place on Thursday 5 May. In the local Leeds City Council elections we will choose a third of our Councillors, one in each ward. LS10 and LS11 fall between three wards: Beeston & Holbeck, City & Hunslet and Middleton Park. We will also vote to elect the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Yorkshire. Details of your ward and polling station are printed on your Poll Card. If you haven’t recieved a Poll Card you can still vote so long as you are on the register. You can find more details on the Leeds City Council website: www.leeds.gov.uk We invited every candidate standing in the two elections to tell us about themselves and their policies. You can read the candidates answers in full on the South Leeds Life website: www.southleedslife.com/elections2016. Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 5 May.
City Council Candidates Beeston & Holbeck
City & Hunslet
Middleton Park
Adam DENT
Jahangir AZIZ
Wayne DIXON
Angela GABRIEL
Ed CARLISLE
Hugh FINDLAY
Kathryn GAGEN
Mary FINCH
Sadie FISHER
Green Party
Liberal Democrats
Labour Party
Liberal Democrat
South Leeds Life will be at the Leeds City Council count to bring you the results first. The Council count starts at 10am on Friday 6 May. South Leeds Life doesn’t support any political party, but we believe it is important that everyone uses their vote. The EU referendum takes place on Thursday 23 June. South Leeds Life has organised two debates: on Wednesday 1 June at The Hunslet Club and on Friday 10 June at Holy Trinity Church on Boar Lane. Hilary Benn MP will debate with Luke Senior of UKIP and take questions from the audience.
Kevin PATTISON
Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition
Luke SENIOR
Green Party
Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition
Amy GREEN
Police and Crime Commissioner candidates
Liberal Democrat
Fiona LOVE Green Party
Elizabeth NASH
Craig SWEATON
Brian WEATHERILL
Paul TRUSWELL
UK Independence Party (UKIP)
The Conservative Party
The Conservative Party
The Conservative Party
Labour Party
Robert WINFIELD
Independent
UK Independence Party (UKIP)
UK Independence Party (UKIP)
Labour Party
Hustings / Election Debate Middleton Park Ward Tuesday 3 May Parochial Hall North Lingwell Road
Mark BURNSWILLIAMSON Labour Party
People meet to agree questions at 7pm Peter CORKINDALE UK Independence (UKIP)
Party
Allan DOHERTY Conservative Party
Barry GOLTON Liberal Democrats
Therese HIRST
Debate starts at 8pm
English Democrats - “More Police - catching criminals!”
Referendum Debate
Should the UK!leave the European Union? Wednesday 1 June at The Hunslet Club
With Hilary Benn MP & Luke Senior (UKIP)
South Leeds Life | May 2016
www.southleedslife.com
10 What’s On
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
What’s On
Your guide to events and activities across South Leeds in May Every Monday Swimming 9:45am Holbeck Elderly Aid Happy Chinese Families Gp 9:30am-12pm Beeston Village Community Centre General fitness for over 55's 11:30am-12:30pm St Andrews Community Centre, Beeston. Lunch Club 12:30pm Salvation Army, Hunslet Hall Road, Beeston Men’s games group 1-3pm Belle Isle WMC Learning Disability Advice 1-3pm Connect In the North, Bridge House, Balm Rd, Hunslet 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 Middleton Park Club House, Ring Road Kickboxing 6-9pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street St Matthew’s Youth Club 6:30-8:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Zumba 7pm Middleton Parochial Hall Prize Bingo 7-9:30pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Every Tuesday Keep Fit 9:30am Trinity Network, Belle Isle Over 55's Nesfield church hall community room General fitness over 55's 10-11am St Anthony's church hall, Beeston Singing Group 10:30-11:30am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Knit & Natter 10:30am-12pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre Chair based mobility session 11.30am-1pm Cottingley
Community Centre Lunch Club 12:15-1:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Lunch Club 12:30pm Salvation Army, Hunslet Hall Road, Beeston Family Cafe 3:30-5:30pm Cottingley Community Centre Rainbows, Brownies, Guides 4:30-9:15pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Skate Light 6-8pm Middleton Community Centre South Leeds Lakers 7pm from Beeston Co-op Every Wednesday Mums and Tots 9:15am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Chair mobility 10-10:45am Trinity Network, Belle Isle Over 55's Nesfield church hall 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 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 Lunch Club 12:30pm Salvation Army, Hunslet Hall Road, Beeston Line Dancing 1:45pm Trinity Network, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Knit and Crochet Group 3-5pm Costa Coffee, Crown Point Retail Park
For up to date event information make sure you go online to
www.southleedslife.com and check the What’s On Calendar
Aerobics and Dance 3:30-4:30pm Cottingley Primary Academy Basic Bike Maintenance Class 6-8pm Middleton Park Club House, Ring Road Knitting Communities Together 6-9pm Dock 29, The Boulevard, Leeds Dock, Hunslet General fitness 6:15-7:15pm Belle Isle Family Centre Cottingley Youth Club 6:30-8:30pm Cottingley Community Centre Zumba 6:30pm Middleton Parochial Hall, Town Street South Leeds Sisters 7.15pm Improvers Middleton Park Club House, Ring Road Clubbercise 7:30-8:30pm St John & St Barnabus Church Hall, Belle Isle Every Thursday Charity Shop 9am-3pm 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 11:15am-12:30pm Beeston Village Community Ctr Lunch Club 12:30pm Salvation Army, Hunslet Hall Road, Beeston Line Dancing 1pm Trinity Network, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Digital Photography Club 1-3pm Tenants Hall, Acre Close, Middleton Craft Group 1:30-3:30pm Cleveleys Court, Holbeck Mashed up fitness session aerobic dance 1:45-2:45pm Beeston Village Community Centre Women only running with South Leeds Sisters 5.45pm Intermediates Middleton Park Club House, Ring Road General fitness 6-7pm Beeston Parish Centre Indoor Bowls 7-10pm The Holbeck (WMC), Jenkinson Lawn Youth Drop In 7-9pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Clubbercise 7:30-8:30pm Cottingley Community Centre Zumba 7:15pm Middleton Parochial Hall Every Friday Tea & Toast
8:30-9:30am Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street 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 Luncheon Club 12-1:30pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street 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 Gp) 12:30-2:30pm Beeston Village Community Centre Games Afternoon 1:30-3pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Holbeck Skate Park 5-6:30pm Holbeck Moor Friday Night Project 6-9pm Middleton Leisure Centre Every Saturday Breakfast Club 8:30-11am Vale Circles Centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Cross Flatts Parkrun 9am Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Coffee morning 9am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Police Contact Point 9:30-11:30am St George’s Centre, Middleton Zumba 10am Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Middleton Railway 11am-4:30pm, Moor Road, Hunslet Every Sunday Middleton Railway 11am-4:30pm, Moor Road, Hunslet Boxercise 4:15-5pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Clubbercise 5-5:45pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Sunday 1 May Indoor Car Boot Sale 9am-1pm Middleton Leisure Centre, Ring Road Middleton Bluebell Walks 11am, 1pm, 2:40pm Park Halt, Middleton Park Medieval May Day (barn open) 12-4pm Stank Hall Barn, off Dewsbury Road Hunslet Club Family Day 4-11pm Hillidge Road
Bluebells in Middleton Park. Photo: Jeremy Morton Monday 2 May Middleton Railway 11am-4:30pm, Moor Road, Hunslet Bluebell Walks 11am, 1pm, 2:40pm Park Halt, Middleton Park Tuesday 3 May Mostly Men 10am-12pm Northcotes Community Centre Friends of Stank Hall Barn 7:30pm The Broadway pub, Dewsbury Road Wednesday 4 May Hunslet Memories 12-2pm Garden Gate pub, Whitfield Place, Hunslet Women’s Cycling 6-7pm Middleton Park Club House, Ring Road Hunslet Tenants & Residents 6:30-8pm Church of the Nazarene, Grove Road Thursday 5 May Hunslet Carr Residents Ass 6:30pm Woodhouse Hill Community Centre, Woodhouse Hill Avenue Beeston Community Forum 7:30pm Beeston Village Community Centre Saturday 7 May Elvis Tribute Show 8:30pm Gipsy Rose Cafe, South Leeds Golf Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston Sunday 8 May Sunday Lunch 1-3pm Ingram Gardens Community Centre, Holbeck Tingley Band 2-4:pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre 1972: The Future of Sex 5pm Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck Tuesday 10 May Beeston Local History Soc 8pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Wednesday 11 May Cottingley Hall TRAC 7pm Cottingley Community Centre Thursday 12 May Stop The Housing Bill 7pm St Cross Church Hall, Middleton Park Avenue Friday 13 May Amateur Boxing evening 7pm The Hunslet Club, Hillidge Road
Saturday 14 May Ceilidh at the HUB 7-11pm Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck Sunday 15 May A Walk in Middleton Park 2pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre Monday 16 May St Luke’s Tenants & Residents 6pm St Luke’s Church, Malvern Road, Beeston Thursday 19 May Comics Club! 3:15-4:45pm Dewsbury Road Library Saturday 21 May Holbeck Feast Cafe 9-11am Ingram Gardens Community Centre, Holbeck Leeds Young Archaeologists Club 10am-12pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre Kite Festival 11am-4pm The Clearings, Middleton Park Sunday 22 May Kite Festival 11am-4pm The Clearings, Middleton Park BITMO Lunch Club 1-3pm BITMO’s GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Maltings Lunch Club 1-3pm Maltings Court, Maltings Road, Beeston CELL 5-6pm Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck Tuesday 24 May White Rose Residents Assoc 6pm Two Willows Children’s Centre, Cardinal Sq, Beeston Sunday 29 May Middleton Railway History Walks 11am, 1pm, 2:40pm Park Halt, Middleton Park Magical Story Walk 2-4pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre Community Meal 5-6:30pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Monday 30 May Middleton Railway 11am-4:30pm, Moor Road, Hunslet Tuesday 31 May Play Activities 1-3pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre
Publicise your event with South Leeds Life Send full details of your event to: info@southleedslife.com or post to: 224 Cross Flatts Grove, Leeds, LS11 7BW
www.southleedslife.com
Website: www.southleedslife.com
May 2016 | South Leeds Life
Arts & Culture 11
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Campaign opposes After school centre homes sell-off helps children aim high
The Hands Off Our Homes campaign is to hold a public meeting in Middleton this month about plans in the Housing Bill currently going through Parliament. Amongst other measures, the Bill will force councils to sell off homes in order to fund the Right To Buy for housing association tenants. Leeds is set to lose nearly 3,500 homes according to housing charity Shelter. Rents will rise for ‘better off’ tenants under a new ‘Pay to Stay’ provision. But campaigners say these measures, on top of the Bedroom Tax, will damage community cohesion as people are forced to move to less secure private sector housing. Ellen Robottom from Hands Off Our Homes commented: “Today's young people are starting their lives in a world where independence and security are an impossible dream for many - yet a massive programme of council house building could provide decent homes for everyone, genuinely useful jobs, stability for children and thriving communities. It would more than pay for itself over time, without the need to force councils into debt through rip-off private investment schemes. “Campaigns around the country are
already making a difference, but we need far more people to come together to make their voices heard. It’s up to us please come along to the meeting to see what we can do here in Leeds.” For more information you can contact Hands Off Our Homes at handsoffourhomes@gmail.com, or phone 07930 966205.
Public Meeting
Stop the Housing Bill Stop the Sell-Off of Social Housing Stop Unfair Housing Benefit Cuts Thursday 12 May 7:30pm St Cross Church Hall Middleton Park Avenue
Children from the age of seven are being encouraged to aim for a place at University, by attending after-school classes at a new centre in Beeston. The centre, run by national education charity IntoUniversity, has been opened in partnership with the University of Leeds with the support of a £345,000 grant from the Asda Foundation and funding from The Queen’s Trust. The centre is working with children from primary school upwards to raise both their attainment and aspirations. Based at Hillside on Beeston Road, the centre has seen dozens of families sign their children up to receive this valuable extra support. Sessions for around 30 children at a time are run after school, while centre staff visit schools during the day. “The community has been really welcoming,” said centre leader Ellie Rowley. “We have been fully subscribed from the start. All the organisations which work with young people in this area have been really supportive of what we are doing.”
Schools which are taking part include Hunslet Moor, Hugh Gaitskell, New Bewerley and Greenmount primaries, Cockburn School, the South Leeds Academy and Elliott Hudson College. “We are so proud that this partnership is benefiting the community and the city of Leeds,” she added. Around 12 per cent of children from Leeds who are entitled to receive free school meals go on to university, compared to a national figure of 32 per cent of pupils on free school meals. But when
children from similar backgrounds have been through IntoUniversity programmes across the UK, the figure rises to a staggering 71 per cent. Leeds University Vice-Chancellor Sir Alan Langlands said: “We want to raise aspiration and ambition and support young people, no matter their circumstances or their background. The IntoUniversity centre is raising children’s aspirations and giving them the confidence to think that university could be a real option for them.”
IntoUniversity classes raise aspirations
www.southleedslife.com
South Leeds Life | May 2016
12 Sport
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
Hunslet get on the winning track by Jeremy Morton has seen an April improvement from Hunslet Hawks after a shaky start to the season. Even their defeat in the Challenge Cup showed great fighting spirit. Hunslet won their two Kingstone Press League 1 matches, away to Newcastle Thunder and Oxford. The matches were played either side of a home defeat to Super League’s Salford Red Devills in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup. Sunday 10 April saw a trip to Kingston Park Stadium the north east to take on Newcastle Thunder. The game swung back and forth with the lead changing hands seven times. Eleven tries were scored but it was not a day for the kickers with only four conversions. Hunslet went out to a quick lead which they extended half way through the first half, but Newcastle took the lead 12-10 on 37 minutes. The Thunder tried to capitalise on their momentum by attacking straight from the kick off, but they dropped the ball. Richie Barnett was able to recover the ball and with the defence absent was able to
score easily. Ansell missed the kick, but Hunslet went in at half time 12-14 up. The lead swung back and forth in the second half but Danny Ansell sealed the win with a try two minutes from the hooter. Hunslet won 24-28 and had their first League points of the season. The Hawks welcomed the Salford Red Devils to South Leeds Stadium on 17 April for the fifth round Challenge Cup tie. As a full time, Super League team Salford were always expected to win, but Hunslet put up a battling display and won something of a moral victory, putting 14 points past their supieor opposition. Salford raced out to an early lead and were 16 points up after just nine minutes. By half time Hunslet were in the game trading setsand scored twice to go in 8-32 down at half time. Salford scored two more tries early in the second half, but then took their foot off the gas and only finally hit the 50 mark at the end of the game. The final score was 14-50. A week later it was another away game on an artificial surface as the Hawks went to Oxford’s Tilsley Park ground.
Photo: Phoenix Photography
Hunslet led from the tweflth to the eightieth minute, but at half time Oxford were still in touch, two scores behind. The game was settled at the beginning of the second half when the Hawks ran in three tries in the space of four minutes to squash any hopes Oxford had of catching them. A hat trick from Mvududu, plus tries from Flanagan, Agoro,
Davis Cup inspires tennis stars of the future
Year 8 students from The South Leeds Academy
Pupils from Sharp Lane Primary School and The South Leeds Academy visited the Tennis Centre at the John Charles Centre for Sport on 19 April to see the Davis Cup Trophy and get a taste for tennis. Pupils got a half an hour tennis session with staff from the Tennis Centre.
The trophy was won by the Great Britain team led by Andy Murray back in November and is being used by the Lawn Tennis Association to boost the grassroots game. The Free Tennis For Kids programme will see 10,000 58 year old children across the UK taking part in a six week course and leaving with a free
racket to keep. Three coaches at John Charles have been selected to deliver the courses which start on Tuesday 3 May. To book a place on the course go to: clubspark.lta.org.uk/tennis forkids or call (0113) 395 0010 followTennis JCCS Leeds on Facebook.
Reed, Barnett and Crane; and four goals from the boot of Simon Brown saw Hunslet’s point tally hit forty. Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds after the game, Hunslet Coach Matt Bramald said: “I’m happy to have two points, but less happy with the performance.We made far too many basic errors, especially in the first half, that invited
Oxford back into the game, but we got the job done in the end.” The win takes Hunslet Hawks up to 9th in League 1, whilst Oxford remain rooted to the bottom. May will see the Hawks take on Doncaster, Hemel and Toulouse at South Leeds Stadium before a trip to Gloucestershire All Golds.
Full match reports from all Hawks matches on: www.southleedslife.com We are looking for sports writers. We offer access to matches and training if needed. Email: info@southleedslife.com for more information.
South Leeds Lakers on tour by Amanda Binns
On Saturday 19 March 2016 Dalby Forest held their first ever parkrun and we were there! I dragged myself out of bed at and collected my partners in crime to make the 1hr 15min drive along the A64 to Dalby. It has been suggested that driving for almost 3 hours to run for just over 30 minutes is one of the craziest things that I have ever done. So, we arrived ridiculously early due to my fear of getting lost and had to hang around for 50 minutes. There were very few people around and we did start to get a little worried. Our worries were totally unfounded, there were 276 runners in total. Whilst standing around the start line we chatted to a good variety of people and yes, they were as nice as the people at Cross Flatts Park. One was so nice that he returned my neck buffs to Cross Flatts for me, I didn’t even realise that I had
lost them. We had the usual welcome speeches and soon we were off. Ian and Sheree very kindly ran at my pace and Paul whizzed off not to be seen again for around half an hour. The course was quite flat with just a couple of slight hills, nothing really, compared to Cross Flatts. The paths were mostly gravel with the odd bit of forest track.The course was a single lap course which none of us had done before. Dalby Forest itself is a beautiful area and the scenery was very distracting, I even liked the little wooden bridges.
Sheree was particularly pleased to see the Gruffalo’s child and had to stop for a selfie with it, shortly after I had stopped to take a picture of the cabin I spent a few nights in. We headed over to the visitor’s centre for a coffee and after much debate due to the length of the queue, decided to refuel with Full Breakfasts.They were pretty good breakfast at a reasonable price.The service was good too. It was a great morning and I am going to continue to be a parkrun tourist when I can, but my heart will always be in Cross Flatts.
Runners line up forDalby Forest’s first Parkrun