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Issue 29 | May 2017

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

Cockburn

takes the lead

In this issue:

Tenants fight to stop evictions

page 3

Hunslet heritage regeneration

page 4

Cockburn trust set to take over at South Leeds Academy and open new free school by Jeremy Morton Two announcements in the last month have seen Cockburn School become pivotal to secondary education in South Leeds. Firstly, proposals emerged that would see The South Leeds Academy, part of Delta Academies Trust, join the nearby Cockburn Multi-Academy Trust (MAT). The Coburn MAT has also been given the go ahead to open a new free school in the area. Delta (formerly the Schools Partnership Trust) has been the sponsor since South Leeds became an academy in 2009. As South Leeds Life reported, the school’s latest Ofsted report in January this year

recognised progress but still rate the school ‘inadequate’. Cockburn School’s headteacher David Gurney has recently been appointed a National Leader of Education. Paul Tarn, Chief Executive Officer of Delta Academies Trust, said: “Ofsted recently recognised the huge improvements at South Leeds, and we are confident that this summer’s results will reflect this. Staff and students at South Leeds are relentless in their determination to drive up standards and continue to transform the academy. “We are now working closely with The Cockburn Multi-Academy Trust to look at the possibility of transferring The South Leeds Academy to their sponsorship.” Continued on page 2

Continues on page 2

Club’s Messy Mile challenge

page 8

Cockburn MAT’s David Gurney (R) set to take over at South Leeds Academy

Duke of York at Hunslet’s UTC

Toxic tyre fire mystery - page 3

HRH The Duke of York visited the newly opened UTC Leeds last month to learn about the unique technical college. Student Simba Musonza commented: “The Duke was surprising approachable. He seemed really interested in the projects we were working on, and I showed him our designs for a Formula One car. It was a great opportunity to meet a member of the royal family, and not what you’d expect from a normal day at school!” - more on page 5

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

Bluebell walks spring highlight

page 13

NEWS

p2-7

YOUNG!PEOPLEp8-9 FEEDBACK

p10

ARTS

p13

SPORT!

p16

WHAT’S!ON p14-15

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South Leeds Life | May 2017

2 News

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About us South Leeds Life is written by and for local people. People who live and work in the LS10 and LS11 areas of South Leeds. The blog and newspaper are produced by 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; 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

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How we’ll cover general election

The Prime Minister has called a General Election for Thursday 8 June. Voters across the UK will elect Members of Parliament in 630 constituencies. LS10 and LS11 fall within the Leeds Central constituency and our MP since 1999 has been Hilary Benn. South Leeds Life will be publishing information online after official nominations close on 11 May about all the candidates in Leeds Central. We will also be inviting them to explain why they are standing and we would like your help. What is the burning issue for you? What question would you like to put to the candidates? Please send us your questions by email: info@southleedslife.com;

Polling stations wil be open 7am-10pm on 8 June or by post to: 224 Cross Flatts Grove, Leeds, LS11 7BW We will select the best questions and put them to each candidate. We will publish their answers online and in our June newspaper.

MAKE SURE YOU CAN VOTE If you are already registered to vote you do not need to reregister.You can check by emailing your full name and address to: electors@leeds.gov.uk. If you do need to register you

must now do this online at: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote You will need your National Insurance number and the process only takes a few minutes. You may register to vote if you are: * a British citizen * an EU citizen resident in the UK * a qualifying Commonwealth citizen resident in the UK The deadline for registering to vote is midnight on Monday 22 May 2017. The deadline for applying for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday 23 May 2017. Further information about voting can be found on the Leeds City Council website at: www.leeds.gov.uk.

New schools for South Leeds

Continued from page 1 “Cockburn Multi-Academy Trust, led by David Gurney, provides a high quality education for the children they serve.They enjoy the confidence of parents and the local community and are currently over- subscribed for the places they are able to offer.” David Gurney, Chief Executive Officer of the Cockburn Multi-Academy Trust, said: “It is a priority for both Cockburn and Delta to make sure that the young people across south Leeds achieve the highest levels of academic success. Everyone wants the very best education for their children. The Regional Schools Commissioner (RSC) for Lancashire and West Yorkshire, Vicky Beer, CBE, said: “Cockburn and Delta have a great working relationship which they are using to work collaboratively to support children. “Cockburn School serves an area of Leeds where they enjoy enormous parental support; currently there are two first choice applications for every place at Cockburn. “This solution could allow Cockburn to grow and Delta to support other schools in challenging circumstances.”

Tell us about your local events

Keep up to date with the latest news everyday online at: www. southleedslife .com The new Ruth Gorse Academy in Hunslet

South Leeds Life understands that there will be no action until both trusts have undertaken ‘due diligence.’ New Schools

The Government’s Department for Education (DfE) has given the go ahead for two new Free Schools in South Leeds. We reported back in October 2016 that the Cockburn Multi Academy Trust plan to open a new secondary school, to be called the Laurence Calvert Academy. Cockburn’s plans have now been approved. No site for the 900 place school has been announced and South Leeds Life understands that now the project has been approved, the DfE will identify a site in Inner South Leeds (ie LS10 or LS11). The new school is to be named after a former Cockburn pupil who was awarded the Victoria Cross during the First World War. The second new school will be a two-form entry primary school to be opened by the Gorse Academies Trust on land next to the Ruth Gorse Academy on Black Bull Street in Hunslet. The

Sgt Laurence Calvert VC Gorse Academies Trust also run Morley Academy and Elliott Hudson sixth form college. The addition of a primary school in the ‘South Bank’ further strengthens the plans to create family housing in this area of the city. Developers will be keener build larger properties knowing at appropriate infrastructure is in place nearby. The nearby Tetley brewery site alone is set to see 1,000 new homes built in the next few years. Steve Walker, director of children and families at Leeds City Council, told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “The Government is committed to free schools and we will now work with the Regional Schools Commissioner and the free school proposers to deliver these new schools for Leeds children. “Leeds City Council is committed to maintaining a strong family of schools across the city, which work collectively for the benefit of all children and young people in Leeds.” Local authorities such as Leeds City Council are no longer able to build new schools, although they retain the responsibility for ensuring there are enough school places for children in the area. The main way of creating new schools is through the Free School programme.

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A group of tenants in Beeston have said they want to stay in their homes and are prepared to fight any attempt to evict them. Last month we reported that tenants on Kirk Beston Close and Cross Heath Grove in Beeston had been threatened with massive rent increases and served with Notices To Quit. Following our report we have been talking to more tenants and to the new landlord PlaceFirst. Lenard and Pearl McCormick have lived on the estate for four and a half years. Of Traveller heritage, this is their first house. “We wanted to give our daughter the best possible start in life” explained Pearl. “She took a good few months to settle at Beeston Primary School, but she is happy there now. I don’t want to have to move her to a new school if we lose the house.” Lenard, who suffers from post traumatic stress disorder following an attack by a dog, commented: “It’s ironic, if I was living in a trailer on the street I’d have more rights. “Our old landlord may not have done repairs, but they never chucked us out” he added. The McCormicks complain

News 3

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Fighting for their homes by Jeremy Morton

May 2017 | South Leeds Life

group meeting with the current residents, however we have decided to liaise with residents individually as many face different issues that are specific to their own circumstances. We have tried to make contact with every resident and continue to do so.” Tenants we spoke to reacted angrily to Mr ellerby’s claims about anti-social behaviour. Whilst they Pearl and Lenard McCormick outside their home acknowledged some problem tenants, they that staff from PlaceFirst have Leeds Life that the the 73 flats been unnecessarily rude on the and houses would be “subject said the estate was quiet and phone and that a manager had to a comprehensive internal most residents look out for been overheard to say “I’m and external refurbishment one another. Meanwhile a new marketing getting rid of them” referring package” including double to the McCormicks. glazing, sound and heat banner has appeared on Cross Like the McCormicks, insulation, new boilers and Heath Grove re-branding the estate “Vicarage Meadows”. Deborah Craven is getting legal rewiring. In a sign that they might be advice about her situation. She “I would stress however, that commented: the estate suffers from a range softening their attitude, a “A lot of people on this of serious anti-social problems representative from the new estate are disabled or retired. including properties being used landlords had visited the It’s not our fault that the for prostitution, reported McCormicks and agreed that only necessary homes need improvements, incidents of suspected gun the but we are being asked to pay crime, and high prevalence of improvements were new exorbitant rents that we just drug use. Tackling these is a windows, front dooe and extractor fans, rather than the can’t afford.” matter of priority. Robert Yates added: “The “All existing residents have full package. But as South Leeds Life went properties do need been invited to apply for a new improvements. If they raised tenancy, and we are continuing to press tenants who have the rents £50-£75 per month to liaise with all of those applied to stay in their homes were still waiting to hear from that would be fair enough, but affected by our plans.“ this is ridiculous.” Tenants have asked for a PlaceFirst whether they will be Martin Ellerby, Head of New meeting with PlaceFirst, but Mr granted a new tenancy and how much rent they will have Business and Innovation at Ellerby said: PlaceFirst, explained to South “We have considered a to pay.

Park & Ride gets green light

A new Park and Ride scheme to be built in Stourton has been given the go ahead after the government confirmed that funding of £173.5m would not be held up by the election. As South Leeds Life reported in January, the Department of Transport has agreed to give the funding that it would have contributed to the failed NGT Trolleybus scheme to Leeds City Council for public transport improvements. The Park & Ride scheme will be built on land just off junction 7 of the M621 in Stourton. It is designed to reduce the numbers of cars coming into Leeds city centre from the motorway. A fast, lowemission, bus service will take commuters into the city centre. The Park & Ride scheme at Elland Road has been a success in terms of numbers, although many local residents feel it brings extra traffic to Beeston. Further Park & Ride schemes are planned around the city. One currently under construction at Temple Green, off junction 45 of the M1 to the east of Leeds

is due to open later this year. Plans to develop a new rail station for the White Rose Shopping Centre and White Rose Office Park will also be developed as part of a range of transport improvements. There will be work to ease congestion and improve bus journey times on the A61/A639 through Elland Road Park & Ride Hunslet and Stourton. Additionally, First Bus will also improvements we can deliver in the be investing £71m in a fleet of 284 new coming years in keeping with what the people of Leeds told us they want to see. low-emission buses. “That is making it quicker and easier for Leader of Leeds City Council, Middleton everyone to be able to move around the Park Councillor Judith Blake said: “We are delighted that the Department city as well as connecting people and for Transport has given its support for our businesses to places and jobs, increasing plans which have the potential to productivity and supporting major transform public transport in Leeds, with economic growth areas.”

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News Engineering giant confirms job losses in brief Get gardening

If you live in Belle Isle why not enter this year’s BITMO Garden Competition? It’s open to anyone in Belle Isle. Call into BITMOs GATE on Aberfield Gate, to pick up an application form. Closing date for entries is Wednesday 26 July and the overall winner will receive a £50 voucher.

Unity’s new Hunslet homes Unity Homes & Enterprise has completed a £1.2 million affordable housing scheme in Hunslet. The Rocheford Court development in includes nine houses – a mix of two and three-bedroomed properties – and two disabled-access bungalows. It was officially opened by the Council’s executive member for regeneration, transport and planning, Cllr Richard Lewis.

Marie Curie volunteer call

Marie Curie supports people living with terminal illnesses, and their families, by providing care in their homes and in our hospices. We have some amazing people running in the Leeds Half Marathon to raise money so we can continue with the work we do, and we want to show them as much support as we can! We’d like you to join us on Sunday 14 May either to help marshal the route or cheer on our runners!

Local engineering firm OneSubsea – based in Stourton and previously known as Camerons – have confirmed the loss of 620 jobs, from a workforce of 900. Following several months of consultation, and negotiations with unions (the job losses were first mooted last October), the redundant staff finally left their posts in the last month. South Leeds Life that the understands manufacturing side of the plant is being ‘mothballed’ although assembly work will continue. OneSubsea is a subsiduary of the multinational

Schlumberger corporation, a leading global company for oil and gas exploration and extraction.The plant on Queen Street in Stourton was first established in 1954 when American company Cameron Iron Works bought out the British Oil Field Equipment Company. Cameron International (as it became known) formed OneSubsea as a joint venture with multinational corporation Schlumberger in 2013, with Schlumberger then proceeding to buy out Cameron in 2015. But companies in the gas and oil sector are notoriously subject to the volatility of the market (particularly

Sunset for jobs at OneSubSea fluctuations in price) – and this isn’t the first time the Leeds plant has suffered job losses. 220 jobs (half the workforce) were lost in 1999, then 100 were lost (out of 600) in 2004. The workforce had though

mushroomed in the past decade, and the award-winning firm has been a good news manufacturing story for Leeds; plant recently the manufactured the largest pump in the world.

Heritage at heart of Hunslet scheme

A plan to help deliver continued major regeneration of the Hunslet Riverside, a key part of the ‘South Bank’, has been approved by Leeds City Council’s executive board One of the largest regeneration programmes of its type in Europe, the South Bank scheme aims to double the size of Leeds city centre creating over 35,000 new jobs and more than 4,000 new homes. Feedback from recent consultation, including 70 public events, has redoubled the council’s focus on the need to improve connectivity, have better pedestrian/cycle provision, more public transport serving the area and a desire for heritage buildings to be brought back into use. Ongoing discussions have included identifying a potential solution which would bring the key historic landmark buildings of Hunslet Mill and Victoria Mill back into use. The former flaxspinning mills which were built in the 1830s and 1840s are Grade II and Grade II* listed. Discussions with the owners and Historic England have led to a possible solution which would see the buildings refurbished. In addition, a new bridge is proposed across the River Aire for pedestrians and cyclists, which would improve links with neighbouring communities such as Cross Green and Richmond Hill. Leeds City Council executive

Hunslet Mill. Photo: Jeremy Morton member for regeneration, transport and planning Councillor Richard Lewis said: “The South Bank is not a blank canvas and we have a duty and an honour to work with what is already in the area- including some important and historic buildings that the people of Leeds want to see returned to use. “This plan places that at the forefront in terms of importance, along with conserving and re-using buildings like Hunslet and Victoria Mills to celebrate the industrial heritage of the area and maintaining a strong link with the past as the city moves into a bold future. “Regenerating the area through new

jobs, homes and businesses is important, but it is vital that there are also the supporting elements needed to make it a well connected and attractive place where people and families want to live and visit. “The benefits of revitalising Hunslet Riverside and the South Bank need to be felt by the local communities. We want it to be part of our city rather than an island unconnected with the communities around it.” To see the report on the Hunslet Riverside regeneration delivery plan to be considered by the executive board, visit http://bit.ly/2nAXHbj (agenda item 17).

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But in what has been described as the most severe downturn in 30 years for the industry, Schlumberger has axed thousands of jobs worldwide. The news hit Leeds in October, with an announcement that 600 jobs were under threat – and those redundancies have now been implemented. Manufacturing will cease for the forseeable future, with a much-reduced staff team remaining on site to carry out non-manufacturing roles. Schlumberger / OneSubsea declined to comment on the job losses and the future prospect for the plant.

Moveable weir for Knostrop

The first phase of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme has reached a major milestone as all three moveable weir gates have now been successfully put in place at Knostrop Weir on the River Aire. The final stages of the work at Knostrop include the removal of the remaining cofferdam ahead of it becoming a fully operational flood defence later in May. The three gates have been constructed as part of an innovative approach using moveable weirs, which can be lowered in flood conditions to reduce river levels and the threat of flooding.This is the first time that moveable weirs are being used in the UK for a flood defence. New fish and eel passes are also being constructed at Knostrop. The structures consist of a number of shallow trays which the fish and eels can swim and jump up, allowing them to migrate upstream. The previous stone weir was

Cllr Judith Blake onsite at Knostrop approximately three metres high and a barrier to fish and eels moving up the River Aire. Work on flood defence walls in the Holbeck area are also still underway. Temporary traffic management remains in place and will do so until September 2017. The traffic management has been coordinated with the Bridgewater Place wind baffle scheme in an effort to minimise disruption.

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May 2017 | South Leeds Life

News 5

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Royal visitor at Hunslet’s UTC Students demonstrate the virtual welding equipment to The Duke

HRH The Duke of York visited the newly opened UTC Leeds on Wednesday 29 March to learn about the unique technical college. During his visit, he met students from the school who are benefiting from the employer-led curriculum. The students balance core GCSE and A-Level subjects with technical qualifications and projects identified by employers from the local area. One of those projects shown to the Duke

was a challenge set by AGFA to recycle wasted heat for use in the cooling towers. Amongst many different discussion topics, he had animated conversations with the students about the importance of apprenticeships and encouraging women in science and engineering. The Duke of York also met with some of the key teaching staff at the school, as well as other local

employers that work with UTC Leeds, including Siemens, AGFA, Unilever and Sound Leisure. He addressed students, teachers and key stakeholders to the school, and talked of the head start that studying at UTC Leeds will provide to students. Nick Henderson, a student from the college, commented: “The Duke was very impressed with what he’d seen at UTC Leeds. He commented on how much fun we seemed to have because of the types of projects that get to work on. He addressed the whole school in an assembly, telling us to have fun and work hard, and what an amazing opportunity we’d be given to study here. He seemed genuinely impressed with the entire college.” Simba Musonza, a fellow student, also commented: “The Duke was surprising approachable, and it was just like talking to an ordinary person. He seemed really interested in the projects we were working on, and I showed him our designs for a Formula One car. It was a great

opportunity to meet a member of the royal family, and not what you’d expect from a normal day at school!” Mark Kennedy, Principal at UTC Leeds, commented: “We were delighted to welcome His Royal Highness to UTC Leeds. The college marks an exciting new chapter for the diverse education offering in Leeds, and it was fantastic to see and hear of

The Duke hears about the green powered car project the students are working on

Toxic tyre fire creates traffic chaos

Monday 3 April saw a major open-air fire in South Leeds, which caused disruption for thousands of people – and a plume of toxic smoke visible from as far as away as Wakefield and Bradford. A large pile of 80 agricultural tyres caught ablaze in the open, immediately next to the M621 – on the Climax Works industrial estate, just off Garnet Road in Beeston. The tyres were on the land of the estate property managers Mcdonald King, but belonged to one of the leaseholders – a waste management company called Tyres 2 Bales. The fire was first reported by the AA at around 4pm, and West Yorkshire Fire Service were called just before 5pm. Three fire crews from Hunslet and Leeds attended, successfully containing then extinguishing the fire by about 6.30pm. There were no injuries, nor damage to buildings – but the fire wreaked havoc with the rushhour traffic, with the M621 shrouded in thick smoke, and the westbound lanes closed for about 30 minutes. South Leeds Life contacted Tyres 2 Bales for comment, but haven't heard back; and within 24 hours of the incident, their Facebook page (facebook.com/T2Bltd) had

been deleted. We have also been in contact with a related company called IWM Tyre Recycling (iwmtyrerecycling.co.uk), which Tyres 2 Bales seems to have come out of last year but the relationship between the two remains unclear. We did though speak with one of the Mcdonald King

there “a good month”.) He said they had “no clues” as how the fire had started. Waste vehicle tyres are highly polluting when burnt or otherwise disposed of, and are therefore notoriously costly and difficult to process. A large industry has grown up to manage them – which is in principle firmly regulated by

our research suggests that both the volume of tyres (very likely to have been over 15 tons) and the insecurity of the location (there is easy 24 hour access to the site) would have put the company outside of accepted legal limits and guidelines; we're awaiting a further response from the EA. Local resident Toby Lloyd,

Photo: Adil Mohammad team – who confirmed that the tyres shouldn’t even have been outside at the site, but that Tyres 2 Bales had asked Mcdonald King to allow them to store them there for a short period of time. (At the time of fire, the tyres had though been

the Environment Agency (EA), but also sometimes subject to illicit and rogue activity. And the EA did visit the site afterwards - but have initially stated that they are content that Tyres 2 Bales were acting in line with the law. However,

The Duke’s interest and support for the UTC movement. It’s a truly revolutionary style of education for students, and enables them to become more work-ready than conventional schooling: offering them exposure to local employers, focusing their learning on the skills needed in the local job market, and training them on industry-grade equipment.”

who lives across the road on the Garnets, commented: "At last autumn’s anti-fracking event in Hunslet, one of the speakers suggested that south Leeds was being treated as a ‘sacrifice zone’, where bad things were essentially allowed

to happen for the benefit of the wider society; this feels like another example of that. “The media coverage was all about the traffic disruption – but more than that, the people of south Leeds are suffering once again, this time with a bout of toxic air pollution. We need to make sure that we speak up, that people and companies are held to account – and in the long term, try and ensure that this kind of thing doesn’t keep happening here." Rachel Hartshorne, the founder of the Healthy Air Leeds campaign, added: "Leeds is already one of the worst places in the country for air pollution, with congested roads and poor public transport options. “Research shows that emissions from the burning of tyres are a serious threat to human health. The people of south Leeds should not have to suffer from even worse air quality caused by these toxic emissions." Since the incident, there was another smaller toxic fire also at Climax Works, which the Fire Service and police attended to on the evening of Sunday 16th April; it remains unclear if that was also a tyre fire, and if there's any link. South Leeds Life will continue to research and report on these incidents.

New fence for Holbeck Moor

Local residents enjoying the use of Holbeck Moor will now have extra security against disruption from traveller encampments after a new fence was put up around the park. Local Councillors Angela Gabriel, Adam Ogilvie and David Congreve supported the funding of the fence following a request by local residents. The fence was paid for through a combination of the Inner South Community Committee, the Housing Area Panel and the Housing Environment Budget. Councillor Angela Gabriel (Labour, Beeston and Holbeck) said: “We were having some real issues with encampments on this site.When travellers set up on this land they cause huge disruption to what is a very important public space in Holbeck. “I’m therefore really pleased that we have been able to support getting this fence put up and I look forward to seeing residents savouring Holbeck Moor on the long summer days ahead.”

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Three day inquiry hears case for and against Ice Pak plans

The Aspiring Communities Planning Inquiry took place at Leeds Civic Hall

by Jeremy Morton The planning inquiry into the proposed development by Aspiring Communities of the Ice Pak site on Barkly Road, Beeston took place over three days 28-30 March at Leeds Civic Hall. During the first day the government appointed Planning Inspector, Chris Preston, heard from local residents and organisations and witnesses for Leeds City Council. Looking at the large piles of papers, he explained that he had read everything that had been submitted and would take it all into account, whether or not the person was present to speak in person. In their opening statements the barristers acting for Aspiring Communities and Leeds City Council set out the key points of their cases. Ian Ponter acting for Aspiring Communities stated that the scheme “comprises a community and sports facility that will be available to the community for its use.” He said this would be guaranteed through a community use agreement. He said Aspiring Communities wished to address the issues of numbers using the building and parking by accepting conditions on the planning permission, but Leeds City Council were being unreasonable in refusing to set such conditions. Luke Wilcox acted for Leeds City Council and summed up the dispute thus: “The dispute … turns, in essence, on the

number of people who might use the site.” He said the Council believes that the site has the potential to be used by far more people than the 250 claimed by Aspiring Communities. Speaking as headteacher of St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School, Lisa Leonard spoke in opposition to the application. She particularly cited traffic concerns, stating that Barkly Road was already recognised as an accident hotspot by Leeds City Council. She was concerned that the centre’s peak traffic (Friday prayers) would coincide with the school’s peak, as they held a celebration event every Friday afternoon from 1:45pm. She said the event was regularly attended by up to 350 parents. Ray Stone, a resident of Wooler Avenue spoke about his concerns about noise and the problems he had had with Ice Pak’s operations. He was also worried that the site lay over a quarry and excavation for the car park could disturb its unknown contents. Christine Thornton, speaking on behalf of Beeston Community Forum, stated that their objections were on the basis of noise, atmospheric pollution, traffic and road safety. The Forum also wanted a condition putting on the development that all necessary finances were in place before building work could start. Colin Ward spoke in a personal capacity saying there was a lack of trust. Aspiring Communities’ assertion that

they wanted to improve community cohesion was taken as an insult by local residents “and the shutters went up.” Mr Liaqat Hussain spoke in favour of the centre, saying that he had seen the effect that similar projects had achieved in Chapeltown and that we needed something similar in Beeston because “there are too many boys and young men hanging around on street corners.” Bill Birch, representing Save Our Beeston,talked about the massive overdevelopment of Beeston in recent years, how the area already suffered from poor air quality. He said the

noise survey showed that there would an unacceptable increase in noise on Barkly Road at times of peak usage. He finished by saying that Save Our Beeston believed there was “overwhelming circumstantial evidence that the centre would actually be an international Islamic convention centre.” LCC’s first witness was Christopher Dows a senior Highways Engineer with the council. He said he was concerned about large numbers of cars arriving and

leaving the centre over a short space of time on Friday afternoons. This would lead to poor parking, potentially obscuring junctions and blocking pavements. He said a maximum number of 450 people (equating to 194 cars) could be catered for and he would not object if this were the level of usage. In his evidence Principal Planning Officer Ian Cyhanko said: “The LPA (the Council) has been seeking to establish if there is a local need for a proposal of this size, following the advice of Policy P9 of the Core Strategy, and how the scheme could improve cohesion with the locality.

intentions had always been to make the facilities of the centre available to the whole community. They had repeatedly invited residents to get involved and help to shape the activities offered. He said the centre was for local people and the only national event the group holds, a faith event marking the birth of the prophet Mohammed, takes place at the John Charles Centre for Sport. Whilst they had hoped to hold this event at Barkly Road, they had given up on this idea when they withdrew their first application and reduced the scale of the development. The event, he said “will not happen at Ice Pak.” The next witness was Jeffrey Webb, a traffic engineer with Amey. He described the scheme in terms of parking and said that the projected peak numbers using the building (310 on Sundays) would require 131 parking spaces. This was based on an agreed figure of 43% of people The site on Barkly Road in Beeston travelling by car. This “Concerns have been raised would be well within the 160 by many local residents that total number of spaces the building may not be made provided. available for the use of the He described a parking wider community and in survey which had shown that particular those residents living even on Friday afternoons and in the immediate surroundings days when Leeds United were of the site, and that the playing at Elland Road, there development may lead to was capacity for further on tensions within the community street parking, should this be as a result.” needed. He said that neither Day two of the inquiry was the construction traffic, nor taken up with evidence from the traffic generated once the Aspiring Communities. centre opened would cause Ash Mahmood was the first problems to the local road witness. He stated that network. Aspiring Communities The final witness was

Christopher Weetman, a planning consultant and former Head of Planning at St Helens Council. He explained how the scheme fitted well within a number of planning policies. In relation to Policy P9 of the Leeds Core Strategy, he said the policy recognised the importance of community facilities such as this centre. The policy goes on to say that the scale of the facility should be considered in conjunction with needs of the area, but he said, failure to do so would not necessarily mean the scheme failed the planning test. On the thid day of the inquiry there was a discussion of appropriate conditions to place on planning permission, followed by closing statements from each side and a site visit. The Inspector stressed that the discussion about conditions did not mean that a decision had already been reached. There was much agreement between the parties on issues such as the community use agreement, landscaping, no amplified music or call to prayers on site, phasing of work and hours of operation and hours of construction, but Bill Birch for Save Our Beeston asked the Inspector to consider later opening times and a later start time for construction work. The Inspector’s decision, which will be binding on both sides, will take into account all the written evidence as well as the three days of hearing. The decision is expected to be announced in mid May 2017. More detailed reports of the hearings can be found on the South Leeds Life website.

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News 7

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Another food store for Beeston? Farm Foods have submitted a planning application to build a new store near the Tommy Wass pub on Dewsbury Road in Beeston. The application is to demolish the existing Sugar Mill building and build a new single storey building with car parking to the front.Vehicular access to the site would be from Oakhurst Avenue and the plans show how an articulated delivery lorry could turn within the site to avoid backing out. The application has already drawn objections on the grounds of traffic, given how congested Dewsbury Road already is and the fact that Oakhurst Avenue is a residential street. In her objection, local resident Suzanne Grace, draws attention to the quality and history of the building being demolished. The art deco office building was built in the

Demolition? The site for planned Farm Foods store 1920s for the Forgrove Machinery company – a Leeds firm that invented wrapping machines for items such as soap and chocolate. She suggests the building should be saved as part of Beeston’s heritage and could be used for small start up businesses. Other residents point out the

numerous other food stores in the area and concerns about traffic pollution. You can view the application and comment on it via the Planning Portal on the Leeds City Council website using reference: 17/01987/FU. Comments must be made by 12 May.

Flats for Springwell Road

The site today

Artist’s impression of the flats

May 2017 | South Leeds Life

The South & West Plans Panel were due to decide on a planning application to build new flats on Whitehall Road in Holbeck as South Leeds Life went to press. The scheme, on the corner of Springwell Road would see a curved, stepped complex, rising to 16 storeys close to the railway line. The building would accommodate 224 1, 2 and 3 bedroom flats which would be let by a single private landlord. The ground floor would contain commercial units for shops and restaurants, etc. Councillors had raised concerns about space

standards at a pre-application hearing.These have now been addressed. The developers have argued that it is not appropriate within the landlord model to accommodate affordable housing (managed by a housing association) onsite and so it is proposed a sum of £634,474 be contributed to the Council for the provision of affordable housing. Measures have been planned to avoid the sort of wind problems that nearby Bridgewater Place has caused. Officers are recomming that the plan be approved with a number of conditions including financial contributions to a travel plan.

Redevelopment of Traveller site

The Travellers site at Kidacre Street near Crown Point retail park in Hunslet is currently closed for redevelopment work. Once reopened, in 6-9 months time, it will contain 8 pitches (up from the current 5), each with modular utility blocks. The Council will now be able to charge rents and Council Tax from the residents, as at Cottingley Springs. The site remains temporary, with a 10 year licence in place - because it's directly on the proposed route of the

High Speed Rail (HS2) line, which is due to open in Leeds in 2033. An alternative site nearby has already been earmarked if HS2 goes ahead as proposed, and the current redevelopment work has factored in the likely move: all the new utility blocks are modular, so will be moved to the alternative site if need be. The Council have also stated that they are confident that all current costs will be recouped from the HS2 fund at that time.

Help SLATE!win reuse award SLATE, the Hunsletbased reuse charity is in the running to be recognised as the Reuse Organisation of the Year - but they need your votes. SLATE runs the Feel Good Furniture Shop on Low Road in Hunslet and The Feel Good Cafe at Hillside in Beeston. SLATE was set up to provide supported volunteering and employment opportunities to people with learning disabilities, but they do a lot more than that. With the slogan caring for the people, planet and community, the offer affordable second hand

furniture to people in need and divert perfectly usable furniture and white goods going to landfill. In the last year alone 6 SLATE volunteers have moved into employment and the charity has diverted 113 tonnes of goods away from landfill. The charity has developed over the years and have recently developed partnerships with John Lewis and

Dunelm Mill to help find unwanted goods a new home. SLATE now need your help to be properly recognised by the Furniture Reuse Network nationally as the Organisation of the Year. Voting takes place online go to: www.frn.org.uk/news and follow the links. But please hurry voting closes on 5 May.

Shine Nail Bar up for a Scratch Star award

The Shine Nail Bar are celebrating as they have been named as a finalist for The Shooting Star Award at the Scratch Stars Awards 2017. The annual awards, presented by leading industry publication Scratch Magazine, are now in their 6th year and recognise and reward outstanding talent and achievement within the professional nail industry. The Shine Nail Bar fought off strong competition to be

named as one of only 5 finalists who were all nominated by others within the industry. Scratch Magazine will now assess all the finalists and decide upon the winner of the Shooting Star Award for 2017. “We are looking for that special individual or company who is making waves in the industry maybe through setting up an amazing new initiative or launching a revolutionary new product or something that is going to positively impact the wider industry” says Helena

Biggs, Editor of Scratch All finalists will be invited to attend the Scratch Summer Party at Tropicana Beach Club, Covent Garden on Sunday 23 July 2017. After getting in the party mood, the Scratch Stars

Awards winners of 18 categories will be revealed by a celebrity host. It is set to be a fantastic evening filled with music, entertainment, cocktails and canapés. “We are thrilled to be one of

the finalists in the Shooting Star award, it’s fantastic that our social enterprise nail bar is being recognised as something innovative and important. It’s fab to put Beeston on the map for something positive and exciting for the girls who are involved with The Shine Nail Bar” said Kate Alty (Manager, The Shine Project/The Shine Nail Bar). The Shine Nail Bar is a quality social enterprise beauty bar based in Beeston. All profits from the nail bar go

back into supporting girls in the local area through the work of The Shine Project.The nail bar also provide opportunities for young girls in training and work experience as well as a weekly drop in. Follow all the competition action via @scratchmagazine #scratchstars17 across facebook, twitter & Instagram. The Shine Nail Bar is located at 7 Hillside Buildings, Beeston Road, LS11 6AY. For more information call: (0113) 270 5337.

South Leeds Life | May 2017

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8 Young people

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by Andrea Edwards

Youth Ambassadors from The Hunslet Club are joining forces with Middleton Park Ward councillor, Kim Groves to tackle the issue of dog fouling on the playing field at Hunslet Parkside in Belle Isle. The Youth Ambassador Scheme at the Club was launched in February and is designed to develop the leadership skills of members aged 13 – 16 years old. The aim is to inspire them to achieve their full potential and to become role models for younger members. Members of the scheme are identified by coaches or members of the Hunslet Club

staff/volunteering team because they embrace “The Hunslet Way” of doing things and have stepped up to demonstrate the Club’s values. The scheme also recognises

outstanding sporting/arts performers in their chosen fields who volunteer their time to help others. Youth Ambassadors, Eliel Zouogbo, Lukas Tottie and

Youth ambassadors debate with Cllr Kim Groves

Kamil Wojcik who regularly play football on the playing field raised dog fouling as a issue at the first meeting. Fellow ambassador Keeley Haigh suggested a petition engaging local residents was needed to tackle the issue head-on. Cllr Groves attended a meeting with the ambassadors in April to speak about what steps have been taken so far to address the issue and was fully supportive of the petition. The petition will officially launch at Hunslet Club’s annual football gala on Sunday 21 May 2017 which takes place on the Hunslet Parkside playing fields. The petition was also be available to sign at The Hunslet Club thereafter.

Bunnies ease Easter shopping stress at White Rose Centre Can’t find the Easter Egg you want? Calm down by stroking a giant bunny, laid on by the good folks at the White Rose Shopping Centre.

Before: getting ready to start the Hunslet Club’s Messy Mile

Club runs a Messy Mile It was a messy Sunday down at the Hunslet Club - but all in a good cause. The challenge was to run a mile around the sports field whilst ‘helpers’ threw powder paint at you. Over sixty young and not so young people took part in the family fun. Sponsorship was raised to help take groups to dance competitionssuch as last month’s JAMfest. Tanya Jarvis was taking part with her three children Kite, Aura and River, whilst Grandma Michele Gray was helping out too. “We enjoyed it last year, so we’re back for more!” she said. Kayley Davidson, one of the dance tutors said “It’s a brilliant way for everyone to come together from the different groups.” Merran, one of the organisers commented “It’s about who can get the messiest, the most colourful. It’s great fun!”

Building Blocks for a brighter future at community nursery The Building Blocks nursery in Beeston Hill is celebrating after their recent Ofsted inspection which rated them as ‘Good’ - the second highest rating you can get. Inspectors noted that “children form good relationships with caring staff in this friendly nursery.” All children regardless of special needs or having English as a second language made good progress, learning social skills and preparing for primary school. “Children have a sense of belonging and feel self-assured. Their own work and photographs are displayed around the nursery, which helps them to feel emotionally secure” the report continues. “Children form good relationships with staff and their peers. They enjoy choosing their own resources and leading their own play. Children are motivated to learn and are acquiring the dispositions and skills they need for school.” One parent commented: “From the first visit I had with my son I knew this was going to be the perfect nusery. I feel happy

Outdoor play with Nursery Manager Sam Withill and comfy to leave on a morning as I know he loves coming. The girls are amazing at their job and always make me feel welcome when I pick him up. He has learned so much.” Building Blocks has been serving families

The children enjoy a healthy snack

in Beeston Hill since 2003. It is run by Faith Together in Leeds 11, the partnership of Methodist and Anglican churches, Asha Neighbourhood Project, Vera Media and Hamara that oversaw the creation of both Building Blocks and the Hamara Centre in an imaginative deal involving land swaps and a mosaic of funding grants. Since then Building Blocks has grown to become a successful social enterprise, ploughing back surpluses into the nursery whilst keeping fees competitive. The 44 place nursery offers flexible packages of half and full day care including the government funded Nursery Education Entitlement for 2 and 3 year old children. It is open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday. For more information ring (0113) 270 8088 or call in to Building Blocks on Maud Avenue, Beeston.

Young people 9

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Club’s Youth Ambassadors to show dog fouling the red card

May 2017 | South Leeds Life

... and after

Eggcellent fun in the sun

Old and young came down to the Sandon Mount community allotment for a children’s egg hunt on Sunday 9 April. The event was organised by Hunslet Carr Residents Association and held at the allotment which they run with Hunslet Carr Primary School. A sunny afternoon ensured a good turnout for the event which was supported by City & Hunslet Councillors Elizabeth Nash and Patrick Davey. Bunny ears were optional.

Cllrs Elizabeth Nash and Patrick Davey join residents to watch the egg hunt

South Leeds Life | May 2017

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8 Young people

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by Andrea Edwards

staff/volunteering team because they embrace “The Hunslet Way” of doing things and have stepped up to demonstrate the Club’s values. The scheme also recognises

outstanding sporting/arts performers in their chosen fields who volunteer their time to help others. Youth Ambassadors, Eliel Zouogbo, Lukas Tottie and

Youth ambassadors debate with Cllr Kim Groves

Bunnies ease Easter shopping stress at White Rose Centre Can’t find the Easter Egg you want? Calm down by stroking a giant bunny, laid on by the good folks at the White Rose Shopping Centre.

Before: getting ready to start the Hunslet Club’s Messy Mile

The children enjoy a healthy snack

Young people 9

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Club’s Youth Ambassadors to show dog fouling the red card

May 2017 | South Leeds Life

... and after

Eggcellent fun in the sun

Cllrs Elizabeth Nash and Patrick Davey join residents to watch the egg hunt

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South Leeds Life | May 2017

10 Opinion

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Kicking up a stink

Your letters and comments

Top Tweets

Heritage worth saving

Thanks for this article Ed. I think Toby Lloyd’s comment is particularly apposite. It will be interesting to hear whether IWM ever do respond with a comment (!), also interesting to know what steps firms like MacDonald King take to ensure that tenants are not effectively storing/dumping damaging or illegal waste products in private “post-industrial” locations – of which South Leeds has a surfeit. And what investigative/enforcement powers do the various statutory agencies have? Lilybright

In our view

The fire at Climax Works may have caused chaos for rush hour commuters, but the effects on our lungs here in South Leeds may be more long lasting. There’s a long history of poor air quality dating back to the coal fired factory chimneys of Hunslet and Holbeck. Nowadays it’s car exhausts and burning rubbish. It’s time for the authorities to act.

South Leeds has some fantastic historical buildings, but too many of them are under threat. Burberry’s plans for Temple Works are yet to materialise, Hunslet Mill has been a deteriorating shell for decades and Stank Hall and its barn are in a parlous state. You can’t help thinking that if these were in a more affluent area, they would have been saved years ago.

Looking forward

South Leeds isn’t a stranger to technological innovation. We’ve seen Matthew Murray’s first integrated factory, the first lift (for sheep) at Temple Works or the wrapping machines of Forgroves. So its good to see the tradition continued with moveable weirs and virtual welding at UTC Leeds. Mass manufacturing may have moved from the UK, but technical innovation is still our forte.

Tyre fire

The tyre recycling industry is ilghtly regulated in the UK, through a purely voluntary scheme. However, the Environment Agency is often reactive to situations rather than pro-active. There is ongoing research by the Fire Services to establish what causes tyres to ignite. So far, they have been unable to get tyres to self combust, despite applying generous amounts of radiant heat at them. The reason for these fires is usually known, but without proof they cannot actually state it. Ewan Scott

Place First

Disgusting how companies like this have been allowed to do this, the council should compulsory purchase these properties off ‘Place First’ and teach them a lesson !! honestly £550 for a one bedroom flat in Leeds is disgusting !! Not far off the price of a one bedroom down in Cardiff which is around £600 pcm !! This is the north not the south !!!!! Alika Innocent

University Technical College

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, Middleton, Belle Isle, Beeston, Holbeck, Cottingley in south Leeds as well as the city centre, Hyde Park, Woodhouse, Little London, Lincoln Green, Burmantofts, Richmond Hill and Osmondthorpe.

Contact: hilary.benn.mp@parliament.uk, www.hilarybennmp.com Constituency office: Suite 7, Unity Business Centre, 26 Roundhay Road, Leeds LS7 1AB; phone: 0113 244 1097

@DrRebeccaWade #ThwaiteMills — go for the industrial heritage, stay for the littlest tour guide: Millie the mouser, my @LeedsMuseums colleague

Hunslet Mill. Photo: Jeremy Morton Beeston is getting gentrified, who would have thought that was coming?! It’s beginning to look a lot like London where whole estates of tenants are being evicted for “improvement” of housing stock, and those tenants will not be able to return. Children taken away from their schools and communities and friends. This is criminal in my view as is the state of NHS and Social care. Meanwhile developers get filthy rich and ordinary working families are priced out of decent homes.These tenants have been paying their rents all this time yet they have no rights at all. Council housing is the only fair answer.The Tory rulers are getting away with the crime of austerity delivered upon all of us. Shame on them. Liz Kitching

Thank you for publishing this story. It was a great to be able to promote the fantastic learning opportunities available to young people within South Leeds. The city is crying out for engineers and technicians and UTC Leeds can pretty much guarantee access to a huge variety of well paid jobs to those who attend. We also work closely with Leeds City College, Leeds College of Building and the University of Leeds so excellent linkages to apprenticeships and degree courses also available. We are now recruiting for September 2017, into Y10 and Y12. Mark Goldstone

Hunslet Mill

The overall plan has been in place for some time however the council can formulate a masterplan and make as many statements as they like but virtually all the land and property in the designated area is privately

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:

owned, including Hunslet Mill, which is owned by notorious land bankers (so called developers who buy land and buildings and leave them undeveloped in the hope that some one will come along and buy it from them for more than what they have paid) Caddick (they also own a large chunk of the Quarry Hill site, and a large chunk of Holbeck behind Halfords) and as you can see that nothing has happened with these sites and I can't see anything happening with Hunslet Mills as long as Caddick own it. Mike Oxlong "Colditz" as we called it 35 years ago as kids. It was a near on a shell then as we mucked about in it catching feral pigeons. Why didn't this building get investment years ago? Jack Fulton It's looked an eyesore for years. It annoys me when they knock perfectly good houses down, and buildings like the one in the picture stay like that for decades. Wayne Dawson This is long overdue. It’s a fantastic building with its brick arches. Richard Walton

@BeestonJrsFC Looking forward to taking 50+ excited kids and 30+ even more excited adults to @LUFC v Wolves on Easter Monday, courtesy of @LUFCgrassroots @JulieHolmes_15 Had a lovely couple of hours out with kids today at @MiddletonRailwa Lovely place to visit and right at our back door @DAZL_Leeds 2016-17 #DAZL engaged 4402 young people from deprived Leeds, 2903 were inactive doing less than 2hr of structured physical activity per wk @jetsetjase Nice reminder of Leeds all the way in Sri Lanka

OneSubSea job losses

When Cameron sacrifice product quality for financial gain all the skilled workforce will be gone forever Colin Voellner

Join the debate Comment online; by email: info@southleedslife.com; or post to: 224 Cross Flatts Grove, Leeds, LS11 7BW. Letters may be edited for publication.

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

@HunsletNelsonCC We are still looking for new players to join our growing family here at Hunslet Nelson CC... interested?? Get in touch #cricket #leeds @T_S_L_A CONGRATULATIONS to one of our talented students, Jamie-Leigh, on an amazing performance prior to @leedsrhinos Easter game! @LeedsHacks The highest rated hyperlocal blog in our #StateOfBloggingLeeds? That would be @SouthLeedsLife

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News 11

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On The Buses: I’m a member of Society by Frank Regan What have the motormanufacturing pioneer Henry Ford, politician Margaret Thatcher and the White Rose Centre got to do with my being inconvenienced? I came home on Friday to find a letter from Leeds Building Society telling me that my local branch was closing in a couple of months. This is the branch that I go into a couple of times a week and have a friendly chat with the staff while I’m sorting out my money. Last year the Chief Executive of the Leeds Building Society, Peter Hill, received a 12 per cent pay rise up to £728,000. The society’s profits had risen to £116m and it had reached a new all-time membership high of 756,000.This is not a company in trouble, rather it is a company that is thriving and paying its bosses accordingly. About 6 weeks ago Mr Hill told the Yorkshire Post “Branches are very important to us and feature heavily in our plans for the future…For us, branches are there to provide help, support and advice…Right now our branches are really busy.” Fast forward to Friday and we find out that they are closing their branches in Armley, Beeston, Chapel Allerton, Harehills Road and Street Lane, as well as a few outside of Leeds. The rationale given for the closures is that members are using multiple branches, telephone and the internet to operate their accounts and that these changes in member needs and the low use of some branches has rendered them unsustainable. This just doesn’t ring true. Which is where Henry Ford comes in. Ford knew that he could make economies of scale when manufacturing cars. This would not be a handmade, bespoke business but one which used division of labour and mass industrialisation to churn out his product. It was capitalist moneymaking of the most impersonal kind. But Ford made no pretence

May 2017 | South Leeds Life

that it was anything other than this and his cars were incredibly popular with the public. The economies that Leeds Building Society are making seem to come at a cost to its members and are extremely unlikely to be popular and the reason given for the closures is disingenuous. My branch always seems busy. But that’s not all. We’re “members” not “customers”. This shouldn’t just be about cut-throat capitalism. Building societies are not the same as banks and don’t have the same duty of “profits above all else” to shareholders that banks have.They should care about their members. Which is where Mrs Thatcher comes in. She famously said there was no such thing as society. But when I stand in the queue at Leeds Buildings Society’s Beeston branch I see evidence to the contrary. I see staff chatting to elderly customers, possibly

providing them with one of the only points of human contact they will have that day. I see the staff using customers’ names because they see the same customers all the time and know what’s going on in their lives – holidays, grandkids, operations and recoveries and all the other little things that occupy us. I often see motability scooters parked outside the branch while their owners are inside doing their transactions. The staff are real people who some of the more vulnerable people can chat to and confide in. And these staff would notice if suddenly one of these people stopped coming in. The clue is in the name of the Building Society – Thatcher was wrong. And finally the White Rose Centre is an example of how things have moved away from localism. If we think of the areas

where we live as little villages then in my lifetime it has been especially hard on village life. As a child I can remember a row of shops within 70 yards of my house that had not just a Post Office but also a butchers, a greengrocers, a minimarket, a fishmongers and a sewing shop! We grew up accustomed to local pubs, which have been killed off in their thousands, and local shopkeepers who knew our names. Little local shops are much harder to find now If you’ve got a car then it’s cheaper and easy to drive to the White Rose to get your shopping. It just isn’t as friendly. How many of the staff at the White Rose know your name or would notice if you didn’t call in for a tin of salmon? Close branches to increase profits but don’t insult our intelligence by telling us that it’s because the elderly are banking by internet these days. Have the good grace to admit that you’re making economies of scale, that you’re not concerned with providing a pastoral service to people who really rely on you, and that your interests are not in local communities but are in money. If it takes a village to raise a child then what does it take to maintain that village? I’d suggest you could start by not forcing the elderly to go into the centre of the city every time they need to draw some money out. And when they do go into the town centre branch – if they can even get there – it’s unlikely that the staff will have the same rapport with them that those in the local branches had. Mr Hill, don’t kill communities – because that is what you’re doing – in the name of profit while telling us that it’s because we’re all online these days. We’re not stupid and you have no real need to do it. You already earn plenty – you don’t need whatever bonus this will earn you. You can read Frank’s column, On The Buses, every Monday at www.southleedslife.com (Frank Regan is a pseudonym)

Ken, Carla and the Tpas awards by Ken Ingram

asked us would we like an birds eye view of Manchester, and told us to get the lift to the 54th floor of the Hotel. Wow what a view, see for miles. I seemed to get dizzy so close to the window of the hotel. No not the drink. Lol. We made our way back to

The Tpas Awards is an event held every year to award excellence in housing, tenant and tenant management. The Northern region is held in Manchester. This year was at the Hilton Hotel. I went along with Carla (of BITMO’s GATE centre) to the event. My category which I was shortlisted for, was Tenant of the Year. Carla and Chris Simpson (CEO at BITMO) nominated me for this award for my volunteer work and fund-raising for charities, primarily at BITMOs Gate. The day started with me and Carla being picked by taxi to take Ken Ingram, champagne in hand us to Leeds City Railway station. We had the reception before going awhile until the train was to our conference room. due, so Carla and me had a Champagne was flowing and we took advantage of this. chat about the day. In all 35 tables where set We got on the train to a number of men shouting and out for lunch, 10 to a table, drinking beer. Trust us to get so 350 guests for the day. I the train which would, after believe the cost per table leaving Manchester, go to was £2,000, so £200.00 Liverpool to the races at ahead – wow! More wine and Aintree. Bit early for me, champagne. Our host for the beer at 10am. We arrived at Manchester day, Mike Shaft gave a about an hour after leaving running order for the day. While we had lunch and Leeds, very quick. The last time in a train I was about 10 before the awards we were years old, and on a trip to entertained by a lovely Otley on a steam train, to singer, Kirsty Tarttler. Kirsty is a classically where we as a family had a trained singer from an early caravan on Otley Chevin. Anyway we got a taxi to age, and songs sung mostly in the hotel. Arriving a bit early a jazz style. Kirsty was joined a member of hotel staff by a guitarist.

Then we had a juggler to keep us entertained. Spanish guy who the ladies seem to like, with a very Spanish name. Probably in real life, his name was John Smith. We where joined at the table by Bev and Ally who came down with us on the train. Down to lunch, starter was smoked haddock balls. Main course: fillet steak with baby vegetables, and the sweet a chocolate bomb. To finish chocolates and coffee, oh and more wine and champagne. The food was beautiful. Took awhile for the various awards to get to Tenant of the Year, me, Carla and the two other ladies had our fingers crossed. Sorry was not to be. Tracey who Carla knew, did get a place in the top three and was a Leeds City Council tenant. I cannot say I was not disappointed in not getting in the top three. I think Carla was upset as well as the two other ladies who came to Manchester with us. I thought I did incredibly well to get in last 12. Without Carla and Chris Simpson, would not have got so far. So Thank you Chris and Carla. So after a fantastic day out made our way to get a taxi to the railway station to take us back to Leeds. The journey back was certainly quieter than coming. It was quicker too. We arrived at Leeds and me and Carla got taxis home. I think we were both very tired and time to put our feet up.

Volunteers from Better Action For Families recieve the Duke of York’s Community Initiative certificate from the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Ingrid Roscoe.

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South Leeds Life | May 2017

12 News

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New services at Asha for women and girls

Asha Neighbourhood Project in Beeston is offering new drop in services to women and girls. Monday is drop in day at Asha. Between 9:30am and 12pm you can call in to the centre on Stratford Street for advice on housing or benefits, health matters, find out about services at Asha and elsewhere, or simply have a cup of tea and a chat. The Heart to Heart breakfast club runs every Tuesday, also from 9:30am. You are invited to drop the kids at school and call in to meet other women in a comfortable space. The events are being organised through the Womens Lives Leeds project which is a collaboration between 12 organisations working with women and girls across the city. Sabina Hussain who works at Asha on the project explained: “My role is to improve accessibility for women and girls across the South East of Leeds into these services, through workshops, awareness raising sessions and regular drop-in sessions.

“Our aim is to work alongside schools, health centres, community centres, community groups etc. to provide signposting/referral services to those who require specialist support and information.” For more information contact Sabina on (0113) 270 4600 or 07760 666833.

Older but not infirm Celebrating their 25th birthday this year, HEA used to be known as Holbeck Elderly Aid. They’ve made a conscious effort change their name in order to better serve their community.

age group who, through no fault of their own, are longer able to work and yet cannot get their pension. Other may face isolation through bereavement or relationship breakdown.

Front and centre: HEA’s new office in Holbeck “The problem is that many older people don’t see themselves as ‘elderly’. The word conjures up an image of a frail person with a walking stick, but we are here to help anyone over 55.” explains Elissa Newman, Chief Executive at HEA. “Of course we do help frailer members of the community - there’s no upper age limit, but we think more active older people are missing out on our services.” The community is changing rapidly with state retirement ages going up and people expected to work longer. There are many people in this

“We are building resilience in our community” says Elissa. “The NHS recognise the work we do can reduce pressure on doctors and hospitals. Helping someone with benefits can stop a visit to their GP for stress. Organising visits and shopping can help people coming out of hospital.” Accessing services can be fun. Popping in to the weekly Heart cafe is great for the food and the company, but you can also keep a check on your health and pick up healthy eating tips.That might stop you developing diabetes later on. HEA has seen a big change since they moved their offices.

“Lots of people have called in to find out what’s on offer, or to volunteer their time.We are out front and centre in the Holbeck community and we love it.” Claire Holmes organises visits to new members. “It’s great to see people start get involved in activities and find purpose, something to get up for. “I visited an old lady recently who was 83. She and her husband had been in good health and were not in touch with social services.” When a benefits form arrived she was flumoxed and got in touch with HEA. “I helped her with the form which she had been worrying about. She had I had lifted a massive weight off her shoulders. “So often it’s the small things that make a big difference.” “You can look on us as a trusted ally, a friend, an advocate for you” adds Elissa. HEA’s latest service is a monthly Dementia Cafe aimed at people with dementia and their carers, but open to everyone. The cafe will launch on Monday 15 May at Ingram Gardens Community Centre and be officially opened by Christine Yorath. If you would like to meet new people and try new activities call 0113 245 5553 or just call in to the office on the corner of Domestic Street.

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The oldest house in Leeds

Many people in South when the Court visited nearby Leeds will have walked past Rothwell Castle. Documents Stank Hall Barn, but might point to the lodge being rebuilt not know the history of this with a grant of money from the magnificent medieval king in 1280 – making it now structure, or the two the oldest house in Leeds. Unfortunately the halls are buildings next to it. The site is located off both in a very bad state of Dewsbury Road, across from repair, despite having been lived the White Rose Centre. in until the 1990s. Both are The barn itself is fifteenth now derelict and the recent century, think the Wars of the survey work had to be Roses and last year’s White undertaken by a drone. Queen TV drama, and is potentially the newest of the three buildings. The legend that it was built with wood from Christopher Columbus’ ships is a little far fetched, but certainly the dates tally. The Old Hall, closest to the barn, has a magnificent chimney which incorporates a Friends in medieval dress inside the barn ‘garderobe’. This feature points to the Historic England is working importance of the site’s with Leeds City Council to find occupants. In a time before a long-term solution to mothballs, the garderobe was a preserving these important wardrobe that used the fumes buildings. from the toilet below to In the meantime the Friends preserve precious furs and of Stank Hall continue to silks. promote the importance of Recent survey work on the the site.Their community grow New Hall has uncovered a scheme has seen fruit and medieval timber frame, which vegetables growing again points to the Elizabethan outside the barn. The raised house having been built around beds have been laid out on the an earlier building. same design that a 15th Stank Hall was a very century garden would have important site, almost certainly used. All the produce is given a hunting lodge for the King, away to local people and is

going some way to reduce food poverty in the area. The group has recently been bolstered by a number of younger members. Calling themselves The Marauders they got involved after seeing work going on at the site and are equally interested in the archaeology as the vegetables. New volunteers are always welcome to help with the gardening , the archaeology, or the historical research.The group are particularly looking for anyone with woodwork skills to help make raised beds for this summer’s planting. Visitors to the garden are welcome whenever volunteers are on site, but the barn can only opened with agreement from Leeds City Council. The Friends of Stank Hall group was formed following a public meeting held by South Leeds Life in 2013. Contact them by email info@ friendsofstankhall.org.uk or find them on Facebook.

Barn open days 2017: Sunday 7 May Saturday 24 June Saturday 22 July Sunday 13 August Saturday 9 September 12-4pm

Everyone for cricket The latest addition to Cross Flatts Park is a new artificial wicket, located below the tennis courts.

The Beeston park is a popular location for games of cricket, but until now there hasn’t been room for a full

sized game. Perhaps this is where we’ll find the next Waqar Younis or Joe Root.

Installing the artificial wicket in Cross Flatts Park

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May 2017 | South Leeds Life

Arts 13

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Play tells of survival at sea by Jeremy Morton West Yorkshire The Playhouse is bringing the Catherine Wheels theatre production of ‘Lifeboat’ to the community of South Leeds this month. Lifeboat is the story of two girls evacuated from Britain in 1940 during the blitz. Their ship, The City of Benares, was sunk en route to Canada and the two girls survive 19 hours on their own in the Atlantic Ocean before being rescued. I spoke to Director Gill Robertson about the show. “I was amazed by this story and began to think about what a great show it would make for young people. It had all the right ingredients … an important friendship, the wartime background and the unbelievable story of the survival and courage of the two girls. “The show was written in 2002 and I was nervous as it was our first show based on a true story. The two women in the story were still alive then (they’ve both since died) and

they approved. “We’ve toured this play around the UK and around the world, and met many evacuees on the way. They were promised safety and a better life, but it didn’t always work out that way.” Gill’s company, Catherine Wheels, specialises in youth theatre, but Lifeboat has been a hit with all ages from 8 to 80. “It’s been well received by all generations, so bring all the family!” she adds. With the current refugee crisis, I asked if the show draws parallels with events in the Mediterranean. “Audience members may draw connections, but the show is very much about its time - the 1940s. We haven’t tinkered with it since it was written.” The show will be performed at The South Leeds Academy on Monday 15 May and at Middleton Parochial Hall on Saturday 20 May. “I love performing in community venues.” Gill says. “I’m conscious that many people think theatres are elitist. We have redesigned the

Lois Mackie as Bess Walder in Lifeboat Photo: Jassy Earl Photography

Sculpture show at the Tetley

A new show opens at The Tetley art gallery in Hunslet this month. ‘Refinding’ features work made by Jessie Flood-Paddock inspired by the great Leeds sculptor Kenneth Armitage.

show especially for small venues, the audience is very close to the action.” West Yorkshire Playhouse Creative Engagement Director Alex Ferris said: "We are thrilled to be able to bring this moving and inspiring production to the Playhouse and to our Community Partner Areas in the city. Alongside our participatory work happening in those areas throughout the year, the tour represents another way that

people can enjoy and be inspired by having a leading producing theatre based in the heart of the city."

Lifeboat runs at West Yorkshire Playhouse from 2-13 May before touring venues around Leeds.

Lifeboat The South Leeds Academy: Monday 15 May at 1pm and 6pm Middleton Parochial Hall, North Lingwell Road: Saturday 20 May at 7pm Tickets: £3 from West Yorkshire Playhouse or on the door

In 2013, Flood-Paddock was awarded the Kenneth Armitage Fellowship, which enabled her to live and work in Armitage’s studio for two years. During her residency, she was struck by Armitage’s work on oak trees produced between 1975 and 1986. The exhibition will be launched at a free event on Friday 5 May from 6-8pm and runs to 30 July. The gallery is housed in the former head office of the Tetley Brewery on Hunslet Road.

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South Leeds Life | May 2017

14 What’s On

What’s On

Your guide to events and activities across South Leeds in May

Please check that regular events are not affected by school holidays or bank holidays. Full contact details can be found in our online What’s On guide at www.southleedslife.com/events Every Monday Women & Girls’ Drop In 9:30am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project 43 Stratford Street, Beeston Swimming 9:45am Holbeck Elderly Aid Happy Chinese Families Gp 9:30am-12pm Beeston Village Community Centre Friendship Group 10am-12pm Belle Isle Family 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 Triathlon Training 4:15-5:45pm Middleton Park Bike Hub Kickboxing 6-9pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street This Girl Can Run 6.15pm Middleton Bike Hub, Ring Road, Middleton 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 Middle Tones Singing Group 7-9pm Tenants Hall Enterprise Centre, Acre Close, Middleton Adult Jazz & Tap Dance 7-8pm Cottingley Community Centre Zumba 7-8pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston Every Tuesday Keep Fit for over 55’s 9:30am Trinity Network, Belle Isle, Nesfield church hall

Tots, Tea and Toast 9:30-11:15am St Luke’s Church, Malvern Road, Beeston Heart to Heart Breakfast 9:30am Asha Neighbourhood Project, 43 Stratford Street Breastfeeding Support 10am-12pm Middleton Family Centre, 252-262 Sissons Road General fitness over 55's 10-11am St Anthony's church hall, Beeston South Leeds Life News Cafe 10am-12pm Brew Coffee Shop, 287 Beeston Road Community Coffee Morning 10-11:30am Beeston Library 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 Active mums, bumps & babes 11:45am-12:45pm Tenants Hall, Acre Close, Middleton Lunch Club 12:15-1:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Lunch Club 12:30pm Salvation Army, Hunslet Hall Road, Beeston Rainbows, Brownies, Guides 4:30-9:15pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Skate Light 6-8pm Middleton Community Centre South Leeds Lakers running 7pm from Beeston Co-op Every Wednesday Parents and Toddlers 9:15am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street City Tots 9:30-11am City Evangelical Church, Cemetery Road Pop Up Council Services

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

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

9:30am-2:30pm Cottingley Community Centre Chair mobility 10-10:45am Trinity Network, Belle Isle, Nesfield church hall Breaklfast Club & Foodbank 10am-12pm Hunslet Methodist Church, Telford Terrace 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 Sq Community Craft Cafe 10am-12pm Church of the Nazarene, Hunslet Hall Road Walk and Talk 12-1pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Free Zumba 12-12:45pm Middleton Leisure Centre 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 Aerobics and Dance 3:30-4:30pm Cottingley Primary Academy DAZL Dance class (6-12yrs) 4:45-5:45pm Watsonian Pavilion Cross Flatts Park, Beeston DAZL Dance class 5-6pm Cottingley Community Centre City Kids (R-Y6) 6-7:15pm City Evangelical Church, Cemetery Road Basic Bike Maintenance Class 6-8pm Middleton Bike Hub, Ring Road, Middleton 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 Zumba 7-8pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston Martial Arts 7-9pm Beeston Juniors, Cardinal Square South Leeds Sisters running 7.15pm Improvers Middleton Park Bike Hub, Ring Road Clubbercise 7:30-8:30pm St John & St Barnabus Church Hall, Belle Isle Camera Club 8pm upstairs at St George’s Centre, Middleton Every Thursday

Charity Shop 9:30am-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 New Lives Group 10-11:30am Cottingley Children’s Centre 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 New Lives Group 1-2:30pm Two Willows Children’s Centre, Cardinal Sq Digital Photography Club 1:15-3:15pm Cockburn Skills Hub, Gipsy Lane Craft Group 1:30-3:30pm Cleveleys Court, Holbeck Mashed up fitness session aerobic dance 1:45-2:45pm Beeston Village Community Centre Vale Circles Autism Hub 2-7pm Vale Circles Centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Women only running with South Leeds Sisters 5.45pm Intermediates Middleton Park Bike Hub Women’s Rounders 7pm Middleton Leisure 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 9am Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Charity Shop, Tea & Toast 9am-12pm Beeston Hill United Free Church, Malvern Road South Leeds Life News Cafe 9-11am BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Breastfeeding Support Group 9:45-11:15am Mothercare cafe, Crown Point Retail Park Under 5s Storytime 10-11am Dewsbury Road Library Ladies Singing Group 10:30am-12:30pm Tenant Hall,

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Acre Close, Middleton Luncheon Club 12-1:30pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street 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 Rhymetime 2pm Beeston Library, Town St Urban Dance 4pm Cockburn School 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 Middleton Railway 10am-5pm Moor Road, Hunslet Kidz ‘n’ Co 10:30am-12:30pm Beeston Village Community Centre Every Sunday Cross Flatts junior parkrun 9am, top of Cross Flatts Park Middleton Railway 10am-5pm Moor Road, Hunslet

How To... Festival 11am-9pm Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck Monday 8 May Leeds United Recruitment 3-8pm Centenary Pavilion, Lowfields Road Tuesday 9 May Food For Thought 2-3:30pm City Evangelical Church, Cemetery Road, Holbeck Wednesday 10 May Bird Survey 7-9am Middleton Park Visitors Centre, off Town Street Saturday 13 May Ramblers group Meet 9am St Mary’s Church, Town Street, Beeston Teens Club 1-5pm Vale Circles centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Sunday 14 May West Yorkshire Brass Band 2-4pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre Best of Both Worlds 5pm Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck Tuesday 16 May Pop Up Council HUB 10am-3pm Crosby Road, Holbeck The Writers Club 1-2:30pm, Beeston Library Thursday 18 May Jobs Day 10am-2pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road Comics Club! 3:15-4:45pm Dewsbury Road Library St Luke’s Tenants & Residents 6pm St Luke’s Church, Malvern Road, Beeston Bereavement Support Group 7-8:30pm St George’s Centre, Middleton Saturday 20 May Young Archaeologists Club 10am-12pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre Kite Festival 11am-4pm The Clearings, Middleton Park Sunday 21 May Kite Festival 11am-4pm The Clearings, Middleton Park Leeds Dads 2-4pm The Tetley, Hunslet Road Saturday 27 May Holbeck Feast Cafe 9-11am Ingram Gardens Teens Club 1-5pm Vale Circles centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Sunday 28 May BITMO Lunch Club 1-3pm BITMO’s GATE Centre, Aberfield Gate, off Belle Isle Rd Maltings Lunch Club 1-3pm Maltings Court, Maltings Road, Beeston Beeston Wood Walk 1:30-4pm from Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town St A Place Called Happiness 5pm Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck Wednesday 31 May Cop Shop Memory Cafe 1-3pm Elland Road Police HQ

Monday 1 May Middleton Railway 10am-5pm Moor Road, Hunslet Bluebell Walks 11am ,1pm, 2:50pm Park Halt, Middleton Park Tuesday 2 May Mostly Men! 10am-12pm Northcote Community Centre, Beeston Pop Up Council HUB 10am-3pm Crosby Road, Holbeck Wednesday 3 May Hunslet Memories 12-2pm Garden Gate pub, Whitfield Place, Hunslet Lego Club 3:30-4:30pm Beeston Library Thursday 4 May Hunslet Carr Residents Ass 6:30pm Community Centre, Woodhouse Hill Avenue Beeston Community Forum 7:30pm Beeston Village Community Centre Saturday 6 May Coffee Morning 10am-12pm St Andrew’s Meth Church, Old Lane, Beeston Wire Bird Sculptures 10am-4pm Skelton Grange Annie’s Fundraising Day 12-5pm Hillside, Beeston Road Sunday 7 May Bluebell Walks 11am ,1pm, 2:50pm Park Halt, Middleton Park

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May 2017 | South Leeds Life

What’s On 15

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Bluebell walks kick off summer season

The Friends of Middleton Park’s summer programme of activities starts on Bank Holiday Monday 1 May, with escorted walks through the bluebell woods. Volunteers will greet passengers from the 11am, 1pm and 2:40pm trains on Middleton Railway at the top station, Park Halt. The guided stroll to the Visitor Centre through the splendour that is the carpet of Bluebells in Middleton woods. The walk will take aproximately 30 to 40 mins, and is up hill and could be on unsurfaced paths. Refreshments are available at the Visitor Centre There’s a second chance to enjoy the experience on Sunday 7 May at the same times. Events then run every Sunday through to the end of September. Amongst the brass bands;

Bluebells carpet Middleton woods in May history walks and children’s entertainers there are some notable highlights. On the weekend of 20 & 21 May, the Northern Kite Group will set up on The Clearings to put on a spectacular and colourful display (with

commentary) of some of the biggest kites in the world – watch and be amazed. Tuesday 4 July sees the return of Oddsocks theatre company and their knockabout retelling of Shakespeare classics. This year they tackle

Romeo & Juliet. There’s bound to be songs, audience participation and much hilarity at this free evening event. The annual rock and folk music festival takes place on 23 July, showcasing up and coming local talent. And then in September the Friends stage the Great Middleton Park Show on Sunday 23 featuring crafts, flower and produces plus music, stalls and entertainment. You may be wondering how all these events are put on.The Friends have a team of volunteers but they are always looking for new members. It’s a great way to learn new skills, make new friends and enjoy the green gem of South Leeds that is Middleton Park. You can keep up to date with the latest event information on Facebook, just search for Friends of Middleton Park or go to: www.fomp.co.uk

Snapping open in Belle Isle by Malcolm Hall

SNAPS (Special Needs and Parent Support) is a wonderful Leeds charity that works with children with disabilities and their families. We offer affordable Hydrotherapy and Rebound therapy sessions on Saturdays and access to group activities such as Boccia, music therapy, dance, story telling and free play in a safe environment. The children, parents and siblings also benefit from the chance to meet and build relationships with other individuals and families in the same situation as themselves. SNAPS is there for the whole family when they most need help and friendship. It provides a safe place that is welcoming, where families don't need to explain their child's disability, but simply enjoy being

with other families and benefit from each opening. other's support. A timetable for the day is as follows: One mum said, "I can't really put into 9.30am Doors Open words how much we value and appreciate 11.00am Tour of the Project what SNAPS has done for our son and our 11.30am Official Opening family - they have been a massive part of 12.00pm Buffet Lunch our journey so far.” We really hope you will be able to share Since starting as a informal group of 6 this special occasion with us. parents in 2004 we have grown into a vital local charity supporting 33 families every Saturday at Penny Field SILC in North Leeds, but we know the demand is there to support more families. Therefore we are delighted to be opening a second site at Broomfield SILC in South Leeds on Saturday 13th May and we would be delighted if you could join us for a tour of the project and the official Lizzie and her family having fun at SNAPS

A feel good fundraising day

Helen Wright

Helen Wright, who run’s the Feel Good Cafe at Hillside in Beeston, has organised a special fundraising day help a little girl called Annie. Annie has been fighting cancer for the last 13 months. Unfortunately she has had to have a leg amputated and as well as

the leg has lost some of her independence. Family and friends have rallied round to make Annie’s garden accessible to her, but they need your help. The Feel Good Ladies Day will feature beauty, waxing, threading, tombola, spray tan, Indian massage and a karaoke DJ. There will also be some

very special raffle prizes. It’s a great excuse to pamper yourself and it’s such a good cause. It all takes place at Hillside, at the bottom of Beeston Road, on Saturday 6 May from 125pm. Tickets are just £5. Please note this is an adult event, so no children please.

Beeston Festival reveals sponsors

Beeston Festival has announced its first batch of sponsors for the 2017 event, which takes place in Cross Flatts Park on Saturday 15 July. The main sponsor will be the White Rose Office Park, a 27acre business park which is firmly established as one of Leeds’ foremost office locations, and home to some of the most well-known and global names. David Aspin, CEO of Munroe K & owner of White Rose Office Park, said: “Supporting the local community is very important to us. We know that Beeston Festival has always been a brilliant success in bringing people together and it is with great pleasure that we as a business can support such a close knit community. “In the past we have supported many local causes in Beeston through the Arise charity and hope that we can support Beeston Festival for many years to come.”

Other sponsors named so far are DePuy Synthes, the medical orthopaedic products and biomaterials firm; Unity Homes & Enterprise and Leeds Federated – both social landlords. The festival, which regularly attracts 5,000 residents to enjoy music, food, stalls, games, sports and a fun fair, has a budget of almost £20,000 has also received a number of grants. Councillors on the Inner South Community Committee are set to award a grant of £5,000 in addition to Councillors from both Beeston & Hunslet and City & Holbeck giving ‘MICE money’. The festival has received just over £3,000 from Leeds Inspired to run Bollywood dance classes in the run up to a performance on the day. There will also be a carnival parade featuring local school children which will kick off the day. The parade has been supported by a Big Lottery Fund Awards For All grant.

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South Leeds Life | May 2017

16 Sports

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Hunslet show potential, but drop points to promo rivals by Ian Pickles & Jeremy Morton Hunslet RLFC showed promise during April, but fell short against two of their promotion rivals in the Kingstone Press League 1. The Parksiders travelled to Doncaster on 2 April. They fell behind in the first half and left themselves too much to do despite an improved performance in the second half. Despite scoring first, Hunslet went in 16-6 down at half time. They regained the lead in the second half, but Doncaster clawed their way back and led by a point for the last ten minutes before sealing the win with a try in the last minute. Hunslet bounced back a

George Flanagan scores against South Wales Photo: Paul Johnson / Phoenix Photography week later when they took an expected two points in

emphatic style in the South Leeds sunshine with a 58-6

victory over the South Wales Ironmen.

22-6 up at half time, Hunslet turned the screwafter the break with fansâ€™ favourite George Flanagan scoring a hattrick of tries in less than 20 minutes, the pick of which came from a lovely bit of passing from Nyle Flynn and Joe Sanderson sending Flanagan 30 metres to the line. Five days later Hunslet travelled to a chilly Cougar Park on Good Friday to take on Keighley. Hunslet led 6-12 at the end of a stop-start first half during which they lost Jimmy Watson and Aston Wilson to injury. Keighley came back much stronger in the second half and took the lead. Hunslet had chances to get it back, camping on the Cougars line for 18 tackles and a brilliant break by Joel Gibson

deputising at full back for Jimmy Watson. But it was Keighley who had the last laugh when in the dying moments Nicholson scored again much to the home crowdâ€™s delight. The final score was 20-12. South Leeds Life went to print before final game of the month against Whitehaven, but you can find full match reports of all Hunslet RLFC games on our website at southleedslife.com. Looking forward to May, Hunslet face North Wales Crusaders and Workington Town at South Leeds Stadium and a trip to Oxford. South Leeds Life is on the lookout for match reporters. Please get in touch if you are interested in this voluntary position.

Boxers battle it out

The Hunslet Club played host to another packed-out amateur boxing night on Friday 21 April, featuring 17 bouts of both junior and senior competitors. Highlights of the evening included: Jacob Staten from Beeston battling through to win a tough technical bout in the seniors; new member Mohammed Faizaan - another senior, who has emerged through the club's partnership with the Hamara Centre recording a second win from two fights; rising star Ellie Lambert (13) putting in another unbeatable performance in the juniors; and local youngsters Reg Ward and Levienio Ahmed chalking up their first public bouts. Of the 13 competitive bouts (the youngest competitors

aren't scored), the Hunslet Club won 9: no mean feat, if not quite reaching the dizzy heights of their last big event in November, when they incredibly swept the board with 9 wins out of 9. In other news, the following day (Saturday 22 April), Ismail Khan from Beeston - the English flyweight (52kg) and National University champion, and another one of the club's boxers - narrowly lost out in the semi-finals of the England Boxing Elite Championships in Rotherham. Dennis Robbins, the Hunslet Club CEO and one of the boxing coaches, commented: "We did well again, it was a great event with a big crowd and special thanks to all our sponsors for their generosity. In the Elite Championships, Ismail

did the club proud with his performance and attitude, but it wasn't to be; he'll bounce back stronger." Local sponsors included: Kasa, Sigma builders, Bennetts Butchers, Star Bounce, M + R Autotech, AJB Roofing, FSG Roofing, Moreish cafe, Aspect Contracts, and the Hunslet Trust. The Hunslet Club has a long history of boxing, stretching back to its formation as Hunslet Boys Club in 1940. Nowadays, it holds boxing sessions and classes for all ages throughout the week - as well as football, rugby, gymnastics, ballet, community events, and more. For more info, visit hunsletclub.org.uk, or drop in anytime. Dennis Robbins (centre) with Team Hunslet