South Leeds Life 33 Oct17 by South Leeds Life

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Issue 33 | October 2017

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

In this issue:

Engineering firm’s centenary

page 4

Workers and residents say:

KEEP HOLBECK OFFICE OPEN

The Great Beeston Bake Off

page 5

by Jeremy Morton

Royal Mail’s plans to close their Holbeck Delivery Office have been greeted with shock and anger by postal workers and local residents alike. Under the plans, the current office on New Princess Street would close and operations would move to the Leeds City Mail Processing Unit (MPU) on an industrial estate off Wellington Bridge near the Armley Gyratory, behind the Harley-Davidson dealership. Royal Mail, which was privatised in 2013, says the move “will improve facilities for our customers in the LS11 postcode area” and that there would be no impact on deliveries in the area. But postal workers point out the many people visit the office to collect parcels and other items. The Leeds City site is only accessible by car via the notoriously busy Armley Gyratory system; and almost impossible by bus or on foot. They also question Royal Mail’s assertion that there will be customer parking at the new site, pointing out that there will be twice as many vans as at present, plus staff parking. Speaking to postal workers, one told me: “How is this being part of the community? This will cause problems, especially

Green fingered Tabitha

page 6

Staff from Holbeck Delivery Office are joined by residents and Cllr Angela Gabriel for the elderly or infirm or anyone who doesn’t have their own transport.” Another said: “Since privatisation all Royal Mail care about is their shareholders. Selling off this site is just asset stripping. It doesn’t make commercial sense, they could easily lose big customers to competitors such as DHL who have a depot in Leeds 11.” Others had environmental concerns: “Whilst you wasting your time stuck in a traffic queue you will also be adding to the air pollution. Three delivery routes walk straight from the office, they will need a

van after the move.” Royal Mail point out they can now leave many mail items with a neighbour if customers are not at home when they attempt delivery. Customers can nominate a dedicated neighbour to take in their parcels by filling in a form at their delivery office. Customers can also arrange a redelivery free of charge on a day that is convenient for them (including Saturdays), or Royal Mail can deliver the item to a different address within the same postcode area. This service can be arranged by calling the number on the

“Something for You” card, or by visiting the website at www.royalmail.com/redeliver The Communications Workers Union (CWU), which represents postal workers, is planning a campaign to oppose the closure and is keen to work with the community. The branch was meeting as South Leeds Life went to press. Councillors and Hilary Benn MP, who have not been consulted about the changes, are backing the campaign. Cllr Angela Gabriel (Beeston & Holbeck) said: “I am very concerned about this move and the effect it will have on

residents living in Leeds 11. I have already had many people getting in touch to express their concerns. Royal Mail really need to think again.” Royal Mail have said there will be no job losses as a result of this move, but the CWU questioned this. They also raised concerns about Health & Safety at the MPO stating that the Holbeck operation will have only two thirds the space it currently occupies. Discussions will continue during the 12 week consultation period. See more readers’ comments on page 10.

Hunslet have eye on the treble

page 16

NEWS

2-7

SCHOOLS

8-9

FEEDBACK

PEOPLE

ARTS

WHAT’S ON SPORT

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About us South Leeds Life is written by and for local people. People who live, work and play in the LS10 and LS11 areas of South Leeds. The website and newspaper are produced by South Leeds Life CIC, a social enterprise registered with Companies House, No 9998695. South Leeds Life is a member of the Independent Community News Network. 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.

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MP’s notebook by Hilary Benn MP There has been a great deal of debate about the Holbeck managed prostitution area ever since it was introduced three years ago as a pilot scheme. The aim was to try and control the impact of prostitution on the lives of local residents as it’s been a problem for a long time. How’s it gone? Well, it seems that women working on the street are now more likely to report men who are violent or otherwise abusive to the police. But it is hard for the businesses inside the area to cope with the mess that’s left behind from the night before. I have always said that the scheme is only going to sustain its credibility with the public if everyone sticks to the rules, including women not working in residential areas and not doing so outside the night time permitted hours. Judging by the complaints I have had recently, this isn’t happening in far too many cases - some of the experiences I have had reported to me are pretty shocking – and that’s why I have expressed strongly my concern on behalf of my

constituents to both the police and Leeds City Council. I do hope they will listen and take action. Royal Mail has announced that it wants to close the Holbeck delivery office on New Princess Street and move operations to the mail processing unit on the Wellington Bridge industrial estate close to the Armley gyratory. As usual, it’s justified by improved “efficiency” - I sometimes wish organisations could just say that it’s about saving money – but the wording that really caught my eye was when Royal Mail claimed that the closure would “improve facilities for our customers in the LS11 postcode area”. I’m afraid that’s going to provoke a bit of a hollow laugh on the part of local people who can currently go to New Princess Street to pick up a parcel, but in future will have to travel much further away. Indeed, I would say that for most LS11 residents this will be anything but an improvement. We all know that the number of letters being posted is declining but the number of parcels being sent is increasing up 12% nationally last year reflecting

the increased popularity of online shopping. But unless you have a very large letterbox or a neighbour who is in a lot, it really does matter how easy it is to go and pick up your Hilary Benn MP item because you were out when it was delivered. That’s why having a delivery office closer to home is important. Come on Royal Mail – think again. Having written last month about the nurses, and others, who looked after me so wonderfully during my recent spell in hospital, early in September I attended a Lobby of Parliament by nurses from all over the country opposing the public sector pay cap. They certainly made their voice heard and I had the chance to talk to some of the nurses who had come down from Leeds and West Yorkshire. They described the impact the pay cap has had on their lives and their families, but what they really wanted

to talk about was the job they do, how proud they are to be nurses, their desire to do the best for their patients and the challenges they face in doing so because of staff shortages. Actually, these are all the reasons why the Government should give them, and other public sector workers, a decent pay rise. We put forward a motion in Parliament – in what is called an opposition day debate - calling for an end to the public sector pay cap and it was carried because the Government refused to vote against it! I think they were worried they were going to lose, even though they don’t have to act on it. I promise you, however, that we will keep up the pressure.

M621 faces 6 months South Leeds Life in numbers of roadworks Hot on the heals of last month’s announcement of a public consultation on M621 upgrades, Highways England have announced that six months of roadworks will commence this month in Hunslet. The agency will be installing a concrete central reserve barrier, improving safety barriers next to the verge and road drainage, between Junctions 3 and 6. A spokesperson for Highways England said: “We appreciate that the M621 is a vital and very busy route into and out of Leeds. We have planned our work to minimise disruption to motorists which is why we will be doing it mostly at nighttime. “There will however be some disruption to traffic – mainly between junctions 2 and 7 of the M621, including nighttime closures and daytime speed restrictions. “We have written to local residents and businesses to inform them of our work. We will also be publicising our work and

South Leeds Life CIC has published its Annual Report for 2016/17 with details of the activities and finances of the not-for-profit company that publishes South Leeds Life. The report was launched at our first Social Night on Friday 22 September. The report shows increased activity year on year and stronger finances. Our sponsorship scheme, both for organisations and individual readers has been very successful in giving South Leeds Life a stable income. The Board outlined their priorities for next year including encouraging more people to write for South Leeds Life. Watch out for new programme in 2018 to support new writers. If you are interested in getting involved, as a writer, or in any other capacity please get in touch. You can download a copy of the full report from our website at: www.southleedslife.com/about.

Night-time closures: the M621 in Hunslet diversion routes on our website and social media.” The work will involve night-time closures between Junctions 2 and 7, with traffic diverted to use the Ring Road, Dewsbury Road and Hunslet Road. A daytime speed limit of 30 mph will be imposed for the duration of the works. Highways England have warned residents that the work will be noisy and they

will be using extra lighting, but stress that noise will be kept to a minimum and extra lights will be directed away from residential properties. Additional work will be carried out to a railway bridge near Junction 1 between October and December this year. For more information go to: www.highwaysengland .co.uk; phone 0300 123 5000; or email: info @highwaysengland.co.uk

5,500 200 28,488 21,377 63.7% 52.6% 2,571 4,089 109

newspapers distributed per month pick up points in LS10 and LS11 average website Page Views per month views ‘Beeston Primary School Evacuated’ articles viewed via SmartPhone referrals to website from Facebook Page Likes on Facebook followers on Twitter people wrote articles for us

Finances 2016/17 Grants: £3,592 Sponsorship: £4,431 Advertising: £5,035 Total income: £13,058

Printing: £5,964 Editorial fees: £3,360 Other: £708 Expenditure: £10,032

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Beeston’s cross-cultural lunch a great success

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by Jeremy Morton Fifty Beeston residents came together on 13 September to share food and friendship at an event organised by Aspiring Communities and South Leeds Live At Home. A group of volunteers served a mouth-watering selection of Asian food provided by Aspiring Communities including bhaji, curries, rice, chapatti and a sweet rice pudding. The hall at St Andrew’s community centre buzzed as people tucked in. Here are some of the comments from around the tables: “It’s nice to mingle, we worked with ladies from Asha Neighbourhood Project to get ready for the Beeston Festival parade. We should get together more often.” “I tried the food, but I’m afraid I’m not a curry fan.” “It’s nice to mix and try their

Beeston residents enjoyed a curry lunch together food. It’s the first time I’ve had curry and I was a bit frightened, but I’ll definitely have it in the future!” “I’ve enjoyed the atmosphere and I’ve made new friends, we should have more events like this.” After the meal and the raffle, Shamraze Mohammed from Aspiring Communities gave a short talk about Islam. He briefly explained the Five Pillars of Islam: Submission,

Prayer, Ramadan, Charity and Pilgrimage, but stressed that observing these was not enough. It is important to be a good person and reflect the characteristics of the Prophet Mohammed – peaceful, loving and humble. Questions from the floor included what is the Qur’an? and why is Islam portrayed negatively in the media? Shamraze wound up the event thanking people for

coming and urging to keep in touch and keep asking questions. Aspiring Communities recently won a long running planning battle to convert the former Ice Pak factory on Barkly Road in Beeston into a community centre. South Leeds Live At Home run events and services for older people in Beeston, Cottingley and Hunslet.

Views sought on new Park & Ride A consultation is underway as Leeds City Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority reveal details of the planned Park & Ride scheme to be built by Junction 7 of the M621 at Stourton. As previously reported in South Leeds Life, the Stourton Park & Ride is to be funded out of the £179m made available to Leeds City Council after the Trolleybus project was rejected by the Government. It will complement existing Park & Ride schemes at Elland Road and Temple Gate in East Leeds and

is part of the Council’s plans to ease congestion and improve air quality by reducing traffic in the city centre. The Elland Road Park & Ride has been successful in attracting users, although it remains controversial in Beeston where many people think it brings more traffic into the area. The Stourton facility, located on land between the motorway and Hunslet Cemetery, will accommodate 1,100 cars. It will have a bus pick up / drop-off point with departure lounge,

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New scheme will compliment the Elland Road Park & Ride

park security and welfare facilities. There will also be Dedicated disabled, parent and child, mobility scooter, motorcycle and bicycle parking spaces. The £23m scheme is expected to open in winter 2019. A fast and frequent bus service will link the Park & Ride to the city centre via Thwaite Gate, Hunslet Road and Meadow Lane. A consultation events is being held on Monday 2 October 2017 from 3– 7pm at Hunslet Nazarene Church,

Lupton Street, LS10 2QR Alternatively you can complete an online questionnaire at: www.iparkandride.com, or fill in the questionnaire in the brochure and return it by Freepost. The consultation runs until Friday 6 October 2017. For more information go to: www.wymetro.com/sto Email: urton; busconsultation @westyorks-ca.gov.uk; or Phone: (0113) 245 7676.

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Five things we learned at the Community Committee by Jeremy Morton 1. At least fifty breaches of managed approach in last two weeks In the Open Forum, where any resident can raise issues, Matthew Sullivan from the Save Our Eyes Facebook Group told the meeting of their work in helping Holbeck residents record and report incidents of prostitutes working outside the managed area. They have recorded 50 incidents in the last two weeks alone and are concerned that the approach is not being managed. Cllr Adam Ogilvie reported that he had met with Chief Superintendent Paul Money of West Yorkshire Police to raise the same concerns. The Police have been short staffed, but posts are now being filled. He also announced that senior officers from the Council and Police would be holding a public meeting for residents of Holbeck on Tuesday 3 October. 2. Children are in care because they have been abused or neglected There was a presentation to the meeting about Corporate Parenting – the role of Leeds City Council in bringing up children in its

care, or looked after children. A common perception is that these children have been taken into care because of their bad behaviour, but the truth is that these children have been neglected or abused in some way. There are currently 117 children in the care of the local authority living in Inner South Leeds. The vast majority are fostered with a relative or friend, or through the Council’s foster scheme. Three live at the Cherry Trees children’s home in Middleton, which has recently been graded as Outstanding by Ofsted. 3. ‘Halos’ on Zebra crossing lights cost £2,000 Flashing amber halo lights are to be fitted to two zebra crossings on Elland Road near the Leeds United ground, following a recent accident when a pedestrian was hit by a car whilst using one of the crossings. The Community Committee agreed to spend £4,000 on the measure from its wellbeing capital budget. 4. More flower beds will be provided by Instaplanta Instaplanta is a private company that provides flower planters paid for by advertising. There have been issues about the location of

previous planters, but now a protocol has been reached to agree new sites with the Area Support Team liaising with the Highways and Parks departments. The advantages of the scheme is that more flower planting can take place in the community at no cost to the Council or to In Bloom groups. A further 12 planters are expected to be installed up to March 2018. 5. There will be a young peoples’ summit at Elland Road Young people in South Leeds will be invited to an event at Elland Road’s Centenery Pavilion in January or February 2018 to debate the issues that matter to them with Councillors. The Leeds United Foundation will also be delivering young ambassador programmes in Beeston and Middleton with funding provided by Councillors from the Wellbeing Fund. The Inner South Community Committee is made up of our nine local Councillors and met on Wednesday 6 September at Middleton Community Centre. Their next meeting is on Wednesday 6 December at 5pm at Leeds Civic Hall.

Landlord’s dumping fine

A Bradford landlord who dumped his extenant’s belongings outside their new home has been hit with a hefty fine of £4500. Dwaine Martin of Tunnicliffe Way, Bradford, was fined £3200 and ordered to pay costs of £1139 and a victim surcharge of £170 at Leeds Magistrates Court last week. Following an investigation by Leeds City Council environmental enforcement officers, Mr Martin was found to have illegally tipped waste from a property he rented out in Beeston, outside an address in Belle Isle which was the new home of his previous tenant. Mr Martin was found to have dumped a significant amount of waste including wooden drawers, beds, mattresses, large items of furniture, plastic toys and black bags

of domestic waste on the pavement and road area. Cllr Lucinda Yeadon, executive member for environment and sustainability, said: “Flytipping is not only a blight on our neighbourhoods, but can also be dangerous to the public and the environment and we will not hesitate to investigate and prosecute anyone found to be responsible.”

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Hunslet engineering firm celebrates centenary Dan-Loc Spensall, which employs 48 people at their Kitson Street factory, has been manufacturing precision parts for 100 years. The company supplies the global oil and gas industry, making metal parts and components for well-heads. The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Jane Dowson visited the factory for their open day on 30 August. The oil industry has seen a massive slow down since the slump in the oil price two years ago. As South Leeds Life has reported, this has led to the closure of OneSubSea’s Stourton plant, which opened in 1944 as Camerons and weathered the three day week of the 1970s and several recessions. “Even though we have not received a single order from our former largest single client since mid-2016, Dan-Loc Spensall is on target for 2017 to be the best year, in terms of orders won, in its 100 year history” said Managing Director Tony Sitek. “We have achieved this by

Staff are joined by the Lord Mayor to mark the centenary consistently investing in our people, plant and process and by ensuring we are the best in our chosen field. Consequently, our exports have gone from 25% of our total sales three years ago to over 80% of sales today.” Managing Director Tony Sitek, used the centenary celebration to call for more support for manufacturing firms like his from the banks. Accusing the financial sector of becoming too risk averse since the 2008 crash and taking

a one size fits all approach to business. “If Brexit is going to be a success we must create real jobs, create real wealth through manufacturing tangible products, provide real training to help develop real skills and establish longevity and sustainability throughout the UK’s labour force. “Manufacturing companies in the UK are going to need far more support from the banks than they are currently receiving.”

Middleton retail park refused by planners

Artists impression of the proposed development in Middleton Developers are considering an Council Officers on grounds of a appeal after Leeds City Council “lack of onsite landscaping to refused planning permission for mitigate the loss of trees which a new retail park in Middleton are protected by Preservation eleven months after the Orders” and potential noise impacts of application was submitted. Located at the former Benyon a service yard to neighbouring Centre site, just off Middleton properties on Dolphin Road. A spokesperson for the joint Ring Road, the plans were put commented: forward by joint developers CDP developers Marshall and Rothstone Estates “Naturally we are extremely in October 2016. A new Lidl and a disappointed and frustrated with B&M Homestore would have the decision. We feel the Council anchored the development, have missed out on the alongside seven other shop, café opportunity of: 140 new jobs or restaurant units. £700,000+ Community The planning application had been with the Council for around Infrastructure Levy £450,000 Rates income per a year and in that time discussions had taken place that annum “We tried to work with the resulted in significant changes to the plans, at the request of the Council for over a year and made significant changes to the plans to Council. The plans were refused by mitigate the issues raised. More

weight should have been put on the investment and regeneration of this large brown field site and we feel the Council has missed a fantastic opportunity to attract investment to this part of the City. “All options for the next stages of the plans are currently being explored. Through our consultation, we felt that the local community recognised the need for this site to be regenerated after many years of being vacant and we are frustrated with the attitude of the Council as we submitted our planning application over a year ago.” Two public exhibition sessions took place before the application was submitted, one at St George’s One Stop Centre and another at St John and St Barnabus Church Hall in Belle Isle.

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News 5

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South Leeds strikes gold with Holbeck kitchen more Bloomin’ awards improvements It’s becoming an annual ritual for South Leeds’ gardening groups to win awards at the RHS Yorkshire In Bloom Awards, but this year two awards stand out: Holbeck In Bloom won Gold for the first time and Cross Flatts Park won Platinum. Other local winners were: Park Fisheries – Gold Beeston In Bloom – Silver Gilt Holy Spirit garden, Tempest Road – Outstanding Cottingley In Bloom – Improving Ian Pickup from Holbeck In Bloom said: “I’m absolutely over the moon. We’re only a small group, trying to make a difference and brighten up our part of South Leeds.”

by Bryony Redwood-Turner

Members of South Leeds In Bloom groups with Lord Mayor, Cllr Jane Dowson

The Beeston Bake Off by Tahena Ahmed and Joyce Horsbrough

At the last meeting of the Beeston St Mary’s Mothers’ Union before the summer break we were shown some authentic Asian cooking by some ladies from the Asha Neighbourhood Project. We watched as the ladies put the ingredients together for a chicken curry, not too hot, but very tasty. They also told us about the herbs and spices they were using and the flavours they would impart. All in all it was a very pleasant

session and was a good way to develop community relations. We asked if there was anything we could show them and the answer came immediately: “Baking”. So our first session in September became the Great Beeston Bake Off. Asha members were inspired by Nadiya Hussain a British baker, columnist, author and television presenter who rose to fame after winning the sixth series of BBC’s The Great British Bake Off in 2015. They asked the members who were experienced in baking to teach them.

Ladies from Asha & St Mary’s share their skills

Holbeck Elderly Aid (HEA) are delighted to announce that they have completed stage one of their ambitious project to develop the facilities at St. Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck. The state of the art gas-interlock ventilation system has already improved the atmosphere at the weekly lunches and community café. Sue Cawthray, a café regular, welcomed the upgraded facilities “it’s improved the ambience, you can really notice the difference”. The team at HEA are already making the most of the improved facilities having launched an extension of their current services. ‘Tea and Toast’ runs from 10am till 12pm on a Tuesday and Friday, providing a friendly place where people can read the paper, chat with friends and play the odd game over a morning cuppa and a healthy breakfast. The ventilation system provides the necessary first stage of the bigger project of upgrading the entire kitchen. HEA secured funding for the project from the Ideas that Change Lives grant through the Leeds Community Foundation, which is funded by Leeds City Council. The idea was to develop the kitchen for the whole community of Holbeck. By bringing it up to compliance with commercial kitchen standards, HEA have Volunteer Gloria Jackman in the kitchen

Middleton Park Show is a winner The rain held off, the crowds turned out and Friends of Middleton Park put on another spectacular show in Middleton Park on Sunday 10 September. There was ferret racing and birds of prey from SMJ Falconry, brass band music from the Yorkshire Imperial Band; cycle skills from The Works; Treeside Alpaccas; a whole range of stalls from local organisations such as Hunslet Carr Residents Association, Middleton Railway and Men in Sheds. Katherine Bennett won best vegetables in show for her onions and Jim Jackson won best fruit in show for his apples. There were also displays of flowers, cakes, jams, art and much more. Photos by Jeremy Morton.

enabled it to function in a number of ways for those who want to use it. Stage two, fitting the rest of the kitchen, will begin in October. The new kitchen is one part of HEA’s long-term plan to extend the development of the charity’s catering services for the community. This plan involves working towards providing a Meals on Wheels service for the older people of Holbeck and HEA have secured an additional £10,000 funding from Awards for All at the Big Lottery Fund to make this dream a reality. Watch this space for the new developments and join us at the community café on Thursday from 10am-12pm and Lunch on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 12:151:30pm. Call the office on (0113) 245 5553 for more details.

Notice is hereby given that I, Amandeep Kaur Gill, have made an application under section 17 of part 3 of the Licensing Act 2003 for the grant of a premises licence for the premises known as: JAKS CLEARANCE LEEDS, 49 CARDINAL ROAD, BEESTON, LEEDS, LS11 8EY I intend to conduct the following licensable activities on or from the premises: Sale of alcohol and late night refreshment Subject to the following terms: Monday to Saturday 08:00 - 00:00 Sunday 09:00 - 00:00 Responsible authorities or any other person may make written representations to Leeds City Council about this application until 19th October 2017 which should be sent to Entertainment Licensing, Leeds City Council, Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR For full details and to view a copy of the application please contact Entertainment Licensing on 0113 378 5029 or emailentertainment.licensing@leeds.gov.uk It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application and the maximum fine for which a person is liable on conviction for this offence is an unlimited fine

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South Leeds Life | October 2017

6 News

Mark’s using laughter to fight Parkinsons

On the face of it Beeston resident Mark Wilson hasn’t got a lot to laugh about. Still in his forties he suffers from Parkinson’s Disease and Charcot Marie Tooth disease. Finding that laughter took his mind of his conditions, Mark started organising comedy nights. “It’s not just about raising money” he said “I want people to come to the show and enjoy themselves. “I had my 6th charity comedy event on 17 September at the Marriott Hotel. There was over 200 people and I managed to raise £2,600 to go

A packed room at the Marriott to Parkinsons UK. “I've now raised over £20,000 in two and a half years of fundraising. My next event is on 4 March 2018, again at the Marriott.”

Aphasia support charity needs volunteers!

‘Speak with IT’ support people with Aphasia to regain their speech using computer therapy programmes. Currently supporting a number of people in South Leeds they are keen to hear from potential new Volunteer Speech Support Workers to meet growing demand from people with Aphasia. Aphasia often occurs when people have had a stroke or brain injury, damaging the communications centre of the brain and affecting speech and the ability to communicate with others. The charity aims to supplement the work of speech and language therapists and charities such as Stroke Association. They work closely with speech therapists at Leeds Teaching Hospitals. Charity Manager, James Major explains how Speak with IT works. “We receive referrals from speech and language therapists at the hospital and

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through Stroke Association and other groups. We aim to pair someone with Aphasia with a volunteer who lives locally to them within one month. The volunteer will meet with the client and their

carer on average once a month for one and a half hours in their own home. It’s a great opportunity to contribute to your community, develop new skills, and the time commitment required is relatively low.” The charity is currently witnessing a growth in demand for the service and has a waiting list of people requesting support in

South Leeds with one volunteer leaving the charity at the end of the month. “We are keen to hear from new Volunteer Speech Support Workers in South Leeds. We currently

have one volunteer working in this area but with one volunteer leaving it leaves us a bit short!” To apply to become a Volunteer Speech Support Worker visit www.speakwithit.org and complete an application form or call James on 01924 562228 for an informal chat.

Holbeck community meeting will discuss Managed Approach The quarterly Holbeck Community Meeting on Tuesday 3 October will discuss Safer Leeds’ ‘Managed Approach’ to prostitution in the area. The meeting, which starts at 7:30pm at St Matthew’s Community Centre, is organised by the Inner South Community Committee. With residents complaints rising over recent months, residents will have to opportunity to put their concerns to Chief Superintendent Paul Money from West Yorkshire Police and Cllr Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council Executive Board member for Communities. The ‘Managed Approach’ is an attempt to move street prostitution out of residential streets, by tolerating sex work in industrial areas during night time hours. Residents say it isn’t working citing up to 100 breaches a month reported via the Save Our Eyes Facebook Group. As well as witnessing sex acts they

Holbeck community meeting February 2016 complain of used condoms and other planned changes to the M621. As we litter, including used needles, littering reported last month, these include the their streets, as well as noise nuisance. closure of the off slip road at Junction West Yorkshire Police have suffered 2A (Cemetery Road) and the from reduced staffing over recent enlargement of Junction 2 at Elland months which is understood to have Road. impacted their management of the The meeting is open to all residents area. of Holbeck and light refreshments will The meeting will also discuss be available.

Middleton Community Camp

Last month saw the fourth annual Community Camp in Middleton Park, with 45 local residents camping overnight togetheron the weekend of 16 and 17 September in the park. Here's Olga Deumeni Torres' (aged 11) account:

I have been participating in this event for four years, and each year it gets better. With new people, new activities and more fun. We have so many resourses around us to keep us entertained including playing in the playground and activities in the woods. Adults and parents organise and provide games and activities to play at all times and you will never get bored. At night you have constant overview of adults on night

duty so you comfortably go to sleep without having to worry about danger. Later on in the evening, you get to go out with a sufficient amount of adults and torches to walk in the woods and come back to have some hot chocolate before going to bed. You will definitely leave knowing a new person and he or she may become close to you in the future, so please consider coming next year and invite anyone you know because the more the merrier. I will also like to give a big thank you to Ed Carlisle, Wayne Dixon and especially Middleton Park for providing space and organising this incredible event. The

organisers

also

wanted to thank the following organisations and people (amongst others) for their support, especially lending kit and facilities: Friends of Middleton Park, SLATE, Leeds City Council Parks and Countryside, Steve Thompson / Hunslet Gala, the Salvation Army,

Lucy Potter, Beeston Hill Boys Brigade, and Together for Peace. The event cost a princely £25, covered by donations from participants! To keep in touch for next year, check out www.facebook.com/Middle tonCamp, or watch out in South Leeds Life.

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October 2017 | South Leeds Life

News 7

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Middleton Railway unveils new loco

The Middleton Railway has announced the arrival of a new locomotive. Mersey Docks & Harbour Board No 45 [HCD1373/65] has been transferred to Middleton by the Sentinel Diesel Preservation Group, based on the East Somerset Railway, as they wish to see it preserved and operated in the city of its manufacture. As the locomotive is Vacuum fitted and in full working order, it will be able to enter service on Saturday passenger trains as soon as sufficient drivers have been trained in its use. MRT Chairman, Malcolm Johnson, said “We are delighted to have acquired this historic locomotive and it will now become part of our ‘Leeds Collection’ of locomotives manufactured in the city of Leeds, to be enjoyed by our visitors. It has been well maintained and is a great example of Leeds engineering.”

As MD&HB 45 arrives, the railway sees the departure of Cockerill 0-4-0VBT “LUCIE” [Cockerill 1625/1890] which has been sold to two private individuals who are transferring it to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for restoration. Malcolm Commented Johnson “This historic little locomotive has seen little use at Middleton and we are delighted to be able to see it go to a new home where it will be able to be restored and used occasionally.” Middleton Railway operates services every Saturday and Sunday through to 19 November from its station at Moor Road in Hunslet. It is taking bookings for its popular Santa Specials which run from Saturday 2 December through to Sunday 24 December. The Railway will be open on the Wednesday of Half Term, 25 October.

Coming home to Hunslet: MD&HB 45

Fuel Card Co is helping unemployed back to work

The Right Fuelcard Company’s reputation as a great employer which creates opportunities for the disadvantaged and long-term unemployed - has been further acknowledged. TRFC, a Hunslet-based independent distributor of Shell, Esso, Keyfuels and UK Fuels cards to UK businesses, is a finalist in the Outstanding Employer and Diversity categories of The Yorkshire Post’s Excellence in Business Awards 2017. The Outstanding Employer shortlisting recognises how the business is shaping its industry in the critical areas of recruitment and staff wellbeing through its transparent and coaching led culture which is resulting in continued success and growth. Listed 33 in the Sunday

Times Sunday Times Best Small Companies to Work For 2016 with a 3 star accreditation - the highest star that can be awarded - for exceptional levels of employee engagement, TRFC recently passed its three year IiP reaccreditation with flying colours. Yorkshire Post judges also shortlisted the business in the Diversity category for its unique recruitment and training programme which taps into the skills of people, including ex-offenders, that other employers reject - and has ensured a highly diverse workforce. The nominations follow TRFC’s recent ‘Highly Commended’ honour in the Employment Related Services Association (ERSA) Employability Awards. The

Shaping its industry: TRFC team members

accolade reflects the opportunities the company has created for the disadvantaged and long-term unemployed and its tireless dedication to inclusion. TRFC business director, Adam Walsh, said: “The latest nominations reinforce how we truly ‘look after the people who look after the business’ and we are immensely proud that employees refer to us as their ‘second home’. “Our pioneering approach to diversity in employment gives people from excluded groups including ex-offenders who often experience discrimination the confidence, self-esteem, training and skills to achieve what they thought was unachievable.”

South Leeds Life | October 2017

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8 School Life

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The Ruth Gorse Academy is ‘Outstanding’ - Ofsted The Ruth Gorse Academy in Hunslet has been graded as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in an inspection report released on 25 September. The school, which opened three years ago and moved to its new home on Black Bull Street near the Royal Armouries last September, was graded outstanding across all four key categories. The inspection was carried out on 12 and 13 July 2017, but the report was delayed by the summer break. Staff, pupils and school leaders were all praised for their approach teaching and learning: “Pupils are very confident and have highly positive attitudes to their learning. Pupils embrace challenges and work together constructively, supporting each other to do their best. Pupils really value, and are proud of, the Vice Principal Rebekah Taylor with the Student Ambassadors opportunities the school provides for them to take on responsibility, for example in becoming student ambassadors.” “Teachers are extremely knowledgeable, highly enthusiastic and very passionate about providing a firstclass education for all pupils. Teachers have high expectations of what pupils can achieve, and pupils strive to meet them.” “Leaders successfully create a culture of ambition and an ethos in which pupils ‘dare to achieve beyond what they are today’. Leaders are relentless in their determination that all pupils should reach their full potential and have a bright future ahead of them, no matter what their background.”

Young gardener Tabitha wins allotment prize

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South Leeds girls Shine in Zambia by Kate Alty

This summer we took a group of girls from The Shine Project and travelled to Zambia in southern Africa to volunteer at a local school. We had a fantastic time in Zambia, the girls did an amazing job at adjusting to a different culture, were (mostly!) up for trying new food and coped well with our pretty challenging accommodation (exploding taps, overflowing toilets, no hot water, often no water!) It was without a doubt a trip of a lifetime and something the girls will remember for many years. We spent every day at the school site of Vinjeru Trust School, delivering craft lessons, teaching girls how to use sustainable sanitary products, helping out with reading assessments and teaching a majorettes routine to the high school girls as well as just getting involved in community life and experiencing a whole new culture ourselves. We are doing a blog series on our website: theshineproject .org.uk where each of the girls has written a reflection of their time away, please do follow it for a full insight into the African adventure but here’s a few excerpts to give you a taste! Chloe Dennison said: “My favourite thing about Zambia was the atmosphere and being able to see life differently and to be able to help, everyone is so happy and even though they don’t have all the nice things

Teaching a majorettes routine thing I found the hardest were the floods and bugs! I didn’t like the early wake ups and late nights because it was always involving water exploding or flowing when it shouldn’t, or nests of ants on our sink. I also found the food hard due to it been totally different to what I eat in England. “This has impacted massively on how I eat at home and I realised that before I went to Zambia, I was being ungrateful and not thinking about where this food comes from and how special it actually is to open my fridge and not worry about what I’m getting out of it.” Casie Mawson said: “My favourite thing about Zambia, was working in the primary school, although I loved everything and it’s hard to pick one thing, this memory stands out the most, helping the grade 2’s and 3’s with their reading assessments, teaching them crafts, playing with them at lunch.

blind we are to how other people in our world are living. I don’t think we will never truly understand until you are there experiencing it yourselves. This trip definitely made me appreciate what I have, not just materialistic things but my family, friends and time I have with people.” To fund the trip, the group held a number of events including a sponsored walk over the Three Peaks of Yorkshire. They also received support from DePuy Synthes and from the Kyle Asquith Foundation at Cockburn School where Chloe, Ellie and Summer McCormack attend. The Shine Project continues to grow from strength to strength and we are now working regularly in all 3 high schools in inner South Leeds. We have recently launched RISE to work with boys in South Leeds, working to similar model, and hoping for the same results. The Shine Nail Bar continues

The Ruth Gorse Academy in Hunslet Commenting on the report, Rebekah Taylor who was Principal at the time of the inspection told South Leeds Life: “It was a pleasure to show the Inspectors what happens on a day to day basis in school and see that reflected in their report. Our students were fantastic, as they always are, and engaged positively with the Inspectors. “I’m most pleased for the community of South Leeds who deserve to have an Outstanding secondary school to serve them.” This term the school has expanded again as students moved up into Year 10 to start their GCSE studies in Key Stage 4. A new Principal, Liam Nolan was appointed to oversee the larger school and Rebekah Taylor continues as Vice Principal. The Ruth Gorse Academy is holding an Open Day, for families with children in Year 6 applying for secondary places, on Saturday 7 October between 10am1pm.

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Cockburn John Charles Academy opens its doors to prospective students

Executive Headteacher David Gurney with Head of School Siobhan Roberts Wednesday 4th October will Headteacher David Gurney who see the first ever Open Evening said: “My vision is for there to for Cockburn John Charles be two outstanding schools serving one community. All Academy. Previously The South Leeds learners within this community Academy, the school is now deserve the best start in life part of the Cockburn Multi and the Cockburn brand has Academy Trust, led by Executive become synonymous in the

Summer Grooves at Family Centre festival by Ken Ingram Thursday 31 August turned out sunny for the annual Summer Grooves Fest at the Belle Isle Family Centre. I met up with a lady from Swithens Farm, Rothwell and her miniature 6 year old horse called Star. Note to myself, must pay a visit to the farm, when I can. Not far on from that, the Fest seemed to gather pace and now up to 150 children and parents where enjoying the sunshine. One young lady, dressed up as Mary Poppins, was very popular with the children and they could not wait to have photos taken with her. I also spotted a Ninja Turtle. Moving on to to have a sit

Always popular - Mary Poppins down on bales of straw (very handy) and listen to the band Funk Soul Trio, the live festival band. Just after a little while, thought I would bob in side the centre to see any more

New friends: with staff and students at the Vinjeru Trust School

Tabitha Maghee with Cllr Angela Gabriel Tabitha Maghee came away from the Clarksfield Allotments show in Beeston on Sunday 3 September covered in rosettes and proud winner of the top award for children. Tabitha, who attends Beeston Primary School, received her award from Cllr Angela Gabriel. Andrea Perry won overall Best In Show.

they are all so happy and kind and encouraging towards each other and that’s what I liked the most. I learnt that you don’t always need the most expensive things in life to be happy; I just really enjoyed my Zambia experience and I’d do anything to go back even having cold showers and not being able to flush the toilet!” Ellie Gawthorpe said: “The

“Another favourite would be being around the families, and their kids helping out with bath time and just entertaining them, adored every single one of them. Also, my 16th birthday in Zambia! Loved everything second of it!” Kaytlin Thompson said: “I really learnt a lot about myself on this trip along with a whole new part of the world and how

to operate on Beeston Hill, providing volunteering & training opportunities for young people living in South Leeds. We welcome help and support. There are lots of ways to support the work of The Shine Project, and St Luke’s CARES including donating to our shops, booking in at the nail bar or contacting us about volunteering.

local area with high standards and providing a truly exceptional inclusive education for all.” Head of School, Siobhan Roberts, said: “I am immensely proud to be part of a school at the heart of our local community, a school which for too long has not provided students with the outcomes of which they are capable. “It would be wonderful if prospective parents, carers and children could join us for our Open Evening to meet our team of staff and current students to see the progress we have made first hand and to allow us to show why we feel that Cockburn John Charles Academy is on a journey of transformation to excellence.”

Enjoying healthy drinks from the Tiki Bar

attractions. A photo studio was set up to take children’s photos, quickly on to the kitchen for a slice of Pizza, why not. Back outside, children were lining up for face painting. Children on another part of the fest were told to grab a glo stick and visit Jumping Julie’s festival night club. A couple of inflatables, again very popular with the small children. One of the inflatables seemed to have a disco inside. On one of the many stands a cycle connected up to a blender, creating electric power to make a fruit drink for anybody having a go. I really enjoyed my two hours in the sunshine and it looked everyone else there did too.

South Leeds Life | October 2017

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8 School Life

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Young gardener Tabitha wins allotment prize

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South Leeds girls Shine in Zambia by Kate Alty

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Cockburn John Charles Academy opens its doors to prospective students

New friends: with staff and students at the Vinjeru Trust School

Enjoying healthy drinks from the Tiki Bar

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South Leeds Life | October 2017

10 Opinion

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In our view Community or shareholders Royal Mail’s plans to close Holbeck Delivery Office may make financial sense, although that is in doubt, but how can the planned move be good for the community - Royal Mail’s customers? Email may have replaced letters, but we receive more parcels thanks to internet shopping. We need somewhere local and accessible to collect from. Royal Mail please think again.

Breaking bread together

They say the way to a man’s heart is via his stomach. We’re not sure about that sentiment, but food certainly seems to be the way to bring a community together. Whether it’s curry or cake, it seems we all want to share our knowledge. And of course, eat the results!

Rugby’s looking strong in Hunslet It’s not the only game in town, but Rugby League is dominating our sports page this week. Hunslet RLFC have finished a poor season on a high, but risk being outshone by Hunslet Club Parkside. Two cups and and an almost certain First Division title is a fantastic achievement. Not forgetting two promotions in successive seasons. What is outstanding about these clubs and Hunslet Warriors is their family friendly approach and inclusivity.

Your letters and comments Holbeck Delivery Office

I do not think this office should be closed. I regularly have packages sent to this office which is convenient and handy. I would not want to travel further to get them. The redelivery service is not always suitable for me as I work full time and I’m out on a Saturday daytime. There will also be cost implications for people in the local area who don’t drive. Sam I will be very upset if the New Princess Street office closes. I had to go there a couple of weeks ago to collect a parcel and it cost me £7.80 for a taxi. The post office used to re-deliver the next day but they don’t seem to do that now. By the time they have delivered and you discover the fact, it’s too late to phone for a redlivery. If they move this office to Armley Gyratory area it’s going to cost even more to get there. Time to have a rethink Royal Mail and either stay where you are, which will still be awkward to get to, or start automatic redelivery again. Susan Whittaker 12 weeks consultation on a decision that has already been made, what a joke Royal Mail is. How can you improve a service for the people of LS11 by moving the sorting office further away? People like myself who have their mail held for collection and have no transport are being royally stuffed by this decision. If it was possible I would stop getting anything delivered by Royal Mail but unfortunately some things cannot come by email. Stuart For those living in the Garnets/Longroyds and using public transport to the new site, it’s probably quicker and safer going to the

Holbeck Delivery Office, New Princess Street Stourton sorting office. You’ve only got one direct bus every half hour at the most to the new site, and that still involves a walk from the nearest stop over the Gyratory and along Wellington Road, not really something you should be doing with valuables! Travelling via Leeds may mean you have more buses to choose from, but you’ve still got to either walk from Leeds to Wellington Bridge, which I’m guessing is a good half hour from where the Corn Exchange buses drop off at, or mess about changing buses in Leeds, and that’s not great if your bus doesn’t stop near the connecting bus. Walking to Low Road Hunslet from Garnets/Longroyds probably takes 12 to 20 minutes depending on where you live and you can catch frequent services (189/167/168/410) to Stourton sorting office about another 10 to 15 minutes away. Much quicker than travelling to Wellington Road. Patrick Lynch

Domestic Street

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

Reading through the September edition of South Leeds Life for the first time, I found it ver informative and interesting. The article by Steve Peacock caught my eye, as I too used to live in the Tilburys, very close to Steve in Tilbury Mount, he probably remembers me. Swimming in Holbeck Baths, having taken the same route down “Stink Bomb Alley”, was a favourite pastime, as was the cimemas, one at the top and bottom of Domestic Street. Was it the Gainsborough at the bottom? Or as we would call it the Gainy. Yes it was much quieter in the 50s and 60s and the volume of traffic has increased out of all proportion to the area. Allan Marshall, Morley

Middleton retail park Build some much needed housing on the site. We don’t need a retail park, we have plenty of shops and we’re not miles away

from Crown Point, Tulip retail park and the White Rose Shopping Centre. Michelle Donnigan It’s a shame that the new retail park has been stopped. This is much needed for locals without access to those own transport. Extra housing is being built within a mile and lots more being planned off Thorpe Lane. Extra housing not needed. I welcome a bit of healthy competition in the area, along with extra jobs. This area has been an eyesore for about twenty years. I say let’s have it built, please. Chris Myers What is the problem with the noise issue? There must have been a lot of noise generated when it was a Metro Bus garage and repair/maintenance site. Therefore noise should not be an issue. Build the Retail Park and create the jobs and income. Ray Sanderson

Memories of Hunslet I really enjoy reading about the area because I have memories of the area from childhood and both my parents lived there. My dad was an Irish man who followed his landlord and landlady,Tommy and Winnie Mc Loughlin to Hunslet in the 1950’s. He lodged at The Garden Gate until he and my mother got Married in 1955. They moved to Oulton when my dad became a coalminer but he mostly went to St Joseph’s to mass because he could then pop in to The Garden Gate for pint afterwards. Our mum took us to confession at St Joseph’s and we used to go to a shop that sold household goods but also little puzzles and other games. Great memories! Catherine Steel

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.

Corrections & clarifications

Commenting in a personal capacity In our September edition (New homes in South Leeds..., p7) we gave the impression Paul Waite was speaking on behalf of Hunslet Carr Residents Association, when the comments were his personal opinion.

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Top Tweets 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: @groves_kim Great AGM @leedsfederated Housing. Buliding quality housing in South Leeds & City. Delighted with new builds in Belle Isle @DewsburyRoadHub Very special little boy at stories & rhymes event.1st visit to a #library! Went home with his new library card, #bookstart pack and 3 books!

@WYP_LeedsInSth Officers are in the Holbeck area completing patrols and dealing with parking complaints. @BabyWeekLeeds Singing and storytelling time with @LeedsDads for the final event in @BabyWeekLeeds

@Clean_Leeds Thomas Nicholson (TN Tree Services) guilty of #flytipping on Wooler Street & St Anthonys School Fine & costs of £1630 @AdamPOgilvie #Crime @IngramRoad Some Foundation have been exploring Middleton Woods this morning - walking in the sunshine & looking at all the different leaves. #trees @HunsletClub Do you have some spare time? We are looking for volunteers for all our Activities @LeedsWasteDocs It costs Leeds £2.8m a year to dispose of paper and card in the black bin. It would bring £2m in income if we recycled it for other services

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October 2017 | South Leeds Life

People 11

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The world’s biggest coffee morning by Ken Ingram On the advice of Alison (Acre Court Manager) I went along to the Acre Court MacMillan Coffee Morning to raise funds for, of course, MacMillan Nurses. I have a lot of time for the Nurses who looked after me and my parents, when they were dying of cancer a few years ago. This would give me a chance to meet up with some of the residents of Acre Court, my new home from the 28 September. It was so lovely and they welcomed me. There were some stalls: Tombola and a White Elephant stall. Plus Guess the height of the cake. There was also Cake Bingo. I couldn’t stop for it, so I don’t know the rules for that! I saw Alison there and and met up with some of the residents. I later learned that over £600 had been raised on the morning. What a fantastic achievement! They did relieve me of around £20 for things for my new flat,

MacMillan coffee morning at Acre Court, Middleton coffee and cake. Having been well fed, I had to cut short my time at the coffee morning, to go and do the BITMO GATE Walk and Talk. I’m sure everyone had a lovely time. Macmillan Coffee Mornings have been taking place throughout September with the main day being Friday 29 September. Events will take place on Friday at: Marshall’s Mill in Holbeck,

including a cake competition from 10am Leeds Housing Concern, Parkside Lane, beeston from 10am Holbeck Elderly Aid at St Matthew’s Community Centre 10am-12pm BITMO’s GATE in Belle Isle 11am-12pm On Saturday Hunslet Baptist Church, Low Road 10:30am-12pm

Sporting memories group Love talking sports? These free weekly Sporting Memories groups is just the place for you. Each week older sports fans gather at The Tiled Hall Café in Leeds Central Library to listen and share memories of watching and playing sports. The Sporting Memories Network support older people across the UK living with dementia, depression and loneliness by engaging them in social activities and helping them to recall memories of watching or playing sport. By sharing memories of sporting moments and tapping into a passion for sport we help people to connect with others and with their past, reawakening positive thoughts and feelings that otherwise remain hidden away. For more information please call Megan on 07769 178998 or email megan.hale@ sportingmemoriesnetwork .com for more information.

Advertise here and reach 15,000 people across LS10 and LS11 This space costs just £50 Full page adverts from £300 or £275 for 3 inserts Call 07894 583966 to place your advert today

The Great North Run – a family affair by Helen I did it! I completed the Great North Run! It is the best thing I have ever done. Even more so because I reconnected with family. It’s a strange thing is social media. But thanks to Facebook, over 17 years ago when I reconnected with one cousin via a friend and then more family connected over the years, I have finally been able to see family who we had lost contact with due to my Dad. The weekend was incredible. I have a job, but have been doing evening work and long shifts, so motivation to get out to train has been very low. The one thing I have been grateful for is parkrun and being lucky having the odd Saturday morning free. Yes it may only be 3.1 miles but it was something and it got me going. I just found this year I was working long shifts and then finding I wasn’t getting the right amount of sleep or too much therefore the motivation to get up or to go out just didn’t appear and I never made it past 6 miles in training. The one thing I did manage to keep on track was my diet and I’ve seen a massive change and I’ve managed to lose at least a stone and a half since Christmas. I’m so proud. Sunday came around quite quickly. I stayed at my cousins on Saturday night and slept quite well. On the morning my cousins, Andy and Steven and I travelled to Newcastle via the train and a breakfast stop of bacon sandwich and walked to the start. I was in pink, my cousins were orange and white. My two cousins went in the line up together as I walked to the back. I probably could have joined them, but felt knowing my luck I’d get noticed and end up at the very back and goodness knows what would happen. Anyway I felt I could not keep up with either of them as one had done a lot of training and the other, apparently not as much, but is a lot taller and I’d have had to run twice as fast to keep up so I walked to my pen, and found I had an extra mile to walk back to the start. Oh dear. I have never experienced anything like it. I thought it would be the same as the 10k’s just on a bigger scale, but it was so much more. I spotted a couple of people also in Cystic Fibrosis tops like me and I was amazed at how much support we were giving each other. Not only that just everyone in general. We were all nervous standing around and jokes were made and everyone shouting good luck as we finally set off. I decided I just had to do it and enjoy it. It’s the first time I’ve ever fully just absorbed everything. Being aware I didn’t know the course fully, even with going through the walk through online, I was still quite surprised about the hills, the long inclines. Yet at one point I just thought, ‘Thank goodness for Cross Flatts Park and those hills!!!!” They actually did me the world of good training in that park. Yes I walked some bits of the route but I mainly ran and managed to keep going on the last mile to complete my first half-marathon and one that I grew up watching.

The support by the crowds was amazing. Running thought the tunnels and everyone shouting ‘Oggy, oggy, oggy’ and the response everyone gave made me feel I was never alone. All I kept thinking was, that I had to keep going, I couldn’t leave my cousins waiting too long, but on the other hand I just wanted to enjoy the run. At around mil 8 or 9 there were sprinklers which you could run through which really helped. At mile 10 my legs started to hurt, but then more water and ice pops were handed out and I think the sugar helped. When I realised I was on the last stretch I had an urge to push forward but knew if I did I wouldn’t finish without having to walk. My body was reacting and I knew I had to slow it down. And then I was on the seafront, the last stretch. I kept telling myself ‘you’re nearly finished, you can do this!’. I finished, I made it! I threw my hands in the air and I celebrated. I collected my water, followed by my goody bag and then onto the medal. I bloody did it! After that I tried contacting my cousin, found I had difficulty with signal, but finally got the instructions where to meet. I went over thinking I was going to see both cousins, but no just Andy who had finished first with an amazing time of 2 hours and 5 minutes (I think) to tell me I had beaten Steven. I was in utter shock. Turns out he had stopped at Tesco’s for food and had a couple of pit stops. I was in shock, I didn’t think that I would catch either of them or beat one. When I got the message through about my time, I just couldn’t believe it. It was far better than expected. I had worked out what time I could possibly get and I thought it was more near the 3 hour mark and not what I got. It still hasn’t quite sunk in…2 hours 34 minutes 53 seconds. I have to say a big thank you not only to my cousins, but also to my Mum and Sister. I stayed with them Sunday night, I travelled via bus to theirs and when I got there still in gear, my Mum insisted I get a bath first then have some food. While my Mum sorted the bath my Sister ended up helping me get my tutu and leggings off as I just couldn’t seem to do it. I just want to say thank you to them for their support it made a good end to a fantastic day! It’s amazing the difference doing the half has done to my running. I felt stronger and taller. Yes there will be more races, hopefully the Great North again, that’s a least one birthday present sorted. Along with some 10k’s, I’m hoping Norwich, Darlington and Durham. And of course not forgetting some parkruns. I have now got up to 14. Lets see if I can at least double that in the next year.

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South Leeds Life | October 2017

12 Arts

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Raw, gripping ‘Shed Crew’ show wows in Hunslet Acclaimed national theatre company Red Ladder brought their latest hard-hitting show to south Leeds last month. ‘Shed Crew’ – based on the autobiographical ‘Urban Grimshaw and the Shed Crew’ book – takes you on a trip back to 1990s Leeds, into a teenage underworld of raves, drugs and glue-sniffing, joyriding, laughs, belonging, and survival. The play is being performed at Albion Electric in Hunslet, a working warehouse that’s been specially converted for the show. Members of the Beeston Space youth project attended the preview performance, and here’s their collective review. The play grips you right from the beginning, as you’re led into the venue, with shutters banging open and closed. Once you’re in, you’re sat all around a small main stage – then the action also switches around between other smaller stages, all around you. The use of space and lighting is

The Shed Crew Jamie Smelt (Chop) and Tanya Vital (Greta&Pinky) Photo: Anthony Robling great, and the characters weave in and out of the audience – which makes it feel really interactive and intimate. The cast were amazing: really engaging, real, and believable. It was very dynamic and physical. The story itself centres around the

unlikely friendship that ‘Chop’ – a middle-aged, disillusioned social worker – strikes up with young tearaway teen ‘Urban’ and his gang of mates; he shares what he knows with the youngsters, but learns as much from them as they do from him.

It’s raw, emotional, and ‘relatable’ – showing the inside of life of people with problems, at the edge of society. It was really unusual – and amazing and awesome! We’d all recommend it, completely. It’s especially likely to engage older teens and young people. The show is on at 8pm every night until Sunday 1 October, at Albion Electric warehouse, South Accommodation Road, Hunslet LS10 1PR – but tickets (£15-20) are selling out fast. They can be booked via the West Yorkshire Playhouse, on (0113) 213 7700 or www.wyp.org.uk. The show has an age guidance of 16+. Beeston Space is a youth project running in Beeston Hill for 12+ years, by the Church Together in LS11, with special support by the Salvation Army. The ‘Shed Crew’ reviewers were: Lewis Bilcliffe, Chloe Manders, Devin Nichols, Angel Thompson, Becky Walker, Lauren Wardle, and Kiesha Wright.

See ‘The Tin Drum’ for free

On Oskar’s third birthday, he rails against the adult world and decides to remain a child forever. Armed with a heart full of rage, a singing voice that shatters glass, and a seemingly indestructible tin drum, Oskar sets about to reveal the world for what it truly is. However, the world has other plans for our hero… The tide is turning. People are taking sides. And the shadow of the Black Witch draws ever closer. Hailed as one of the greatest novels ever written, Günter Grass’ surreal post-war masterpiece has never been more prescient.

Partition: an important history lesson by Hazel Millichamp

Watching this collaboration between the West Yorkshire Playhouse and BBC Radio Leeds held extra significance for me as we are due to visit India for the first time in November. I have followed the BBC season on the 70th anniversary of Partition with great interest as it’s a subject I knew very little about. Thanks to my TV viewing (and copious reading in preparation for our travels) I had a little knowledge before seeing the play. Using the marriage of a Sikh and a Muslim and presenting us with the guilt and family splits that the impending event inspires, the audience is shown how the events of the past still reverberate into modern life.

We see how on both sides, the families of the couple struggle to let go of the past and how this can all be directly attributed to Partition. Darren Kuppan played Ranjit (the groom to be), Salim (his brother-in-law to be) and Rajpal (Ranjit’s Grandfather) and managed all three roles with great aplomb. When in the guise of the Grandfather, Darren used his voice and demeanour to become the old man and in this guise related the horrific events in which all of the women from his village (including his mother) submitted to be killed by their husbands and male relatives rather than succumb to the horror that

was heading for their homes. The playing of multi-roles by Balvinder Sopal, Dominic Gately and Darren Kuppan leads to some welcome comic relief in the last leg of the play.

The play was staged and performed as it would be for a radio performance and as such lent a fascinating insight into the clever use of props to invoke a soundscape. Particularly interesting was the use of a pair of marigolds to mimic the sound of a flapping pigeon – it was such

an accurate sound. Actors read from scripts and it was impressive to see them in the middle of an impassioned speech whilst simultaneously remembering to hold their script away from the microphone as they turned a page. I found it added another dimension being able to see how the stage manager had to follow the script so closely in order to be able to insert the right noises at the right time. A question and answers session was held after the performance and the director, Nick Ahad, explained how he had mined documentaries on Partition in order to make sure the stories he used were real. Hearing this after some of

the harrowing tales related in the play was a stark reminder that these atrocities were part of life for millions during that terrible episode in our histories. During the Q&A it was commented upon that so few children are taught about Partition as part of a history syllabus and even suggestions of rolling out this production to schools – an excellent idea in my opinion. I found the performance extremely moving and the small moments of light relief and humour perfectly balanced. Partition is an event that we should not forget; understanding our history helps us understand where we are in the present and work out where we should all be headed together in the future.

Light Night at Leeds Dock A magnificent recreation of a beautiful full moon will hover over the water at Leeds Dock in Hunslet during this October’s spectacular Light Night Leeds. Made using detailed images captured during a NASA space mission, artist Luke Jerram’s incredible installation will bathe the area in a lunar glow when the city’s brightest cultural occasion returns on October 5 and 6. The stunning installation, entitled Museum of the Moon, will also be

accompanied by a dramatic musical composition by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award winning composer Dan Jones. Luke said: “The installation is a fusion of lunar imagery, moonlight and a surround sound composition. “Throughout history the moon has inspired artists, poets, scientists, writers and musicians the world over.” Find out more about the 60+ events taking place across the city on Light Night Museum of the Moon, Luke Jerram's incredible installation for at: whatson.leeds.gov.uk/lightnight Light Night Leeds 2017. Photo: Robert Sils.

South Leeds Life has free tickets for the Press Night on Tuesday 17 October 2017 at 7:30pm. If you would one or two tickets in return for writing, or helping to write a review, please email: info@southleedslife .com or phone 07894 583966 telling us why you would like the tickets. Age: 14+ Kneehigh will retell this extraordinary story of love, war and fizz powder as startling musical satire: part Baroque opera, part psychedelic white-out, part epic poem. A burlesque, a blitzkreig, a tidal wave about to break. From the team that brought you the internationally acclaimed Dead Dog in a Suitcase (and other love songs), The Tin Drum is a folktale for troubled times: one political, profane and profound. Prepare to dance to the beat of a different drum! The Tin Drum runs at the West Yorkshire Playhouse from Tuesday 17 to Saturday 28 October. Sarah and Duck’s Big Top Birthday The enchanting world of Sarah and Duck is brought to life in a brand-new stage show, featuring the wonderful characters from the BAFTA award-winning CBeebies show. Join Sarah and Duck and a host of your favourite friends, including The Ribbon Sisters, The Shallots, Flamingo & John and Umbrella, as they plan a birthday party for Scarf Lady in their garden. Told through a fantastic blend of puppetry, storytelling and music, Sarah and Duck’s Big Top Birthday will take you and your children on a magical adventure. Runs Tuesday 24 - Saturday 30 October.

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International Day of Older People to New skills courses at be celebrated across South Leeds book your place on (0113) 271 6201.

This year the International Day of Older Persons takes place on 1st October and the theme is: ‘Diversity of Older People’. All sorts of exciting events will take place across South Leeds between 1 and 10 October.

TRINITY NETWORK On Tuesday 3 October we will be serving an ‘around the world’ buffet at Nesfield Centre in Belle Isle and there will be a display of work which has been produced by the people who attend the Reminiscence Session which takes place on Friday morning. On Thursday 5 October we will be at Dewsbury Road URC where a lady from the Hamara Centre will be speaking about different religions and she will be demonstrating how to wear a sari. People are invited to attend both

Sampling international food with South Leeds Live At Home sessions if they wish to do so. Party from 1:30-3:30pm on Monday Why not come in fancy dress i.e. a 2 October at St Andrew’s Community traditional outfit from another Centre on Cardinal Road in Beeston. You will have a chance to sample country or wear the colours of a foods from around the world and be country i.e. red, white and blue. entained by local school children SOUTH LEEDS LIVE AT HOME singing songs from around the world. There will be an International Tea The event is for over 55s, please

HOLBECK ELDERLY AID HEA is hosting a Community Cinema Evening on Thursday 5th October from 5-8pm, screening a light-hearted comedic film called 'The Intern' that explores the topic of diversity for older people in a modern world. They will be serving traditional ‘cinema themed’ food at the event free of charge and return transport is available for those who would like this service. The event is for the whole community. Venue: Ingram Gardens Community Centre, 17 Ingram Gardens, LS11 9SA. Contact: Matthew Springthorpe m.springthorpe@hea-services.org.uk (0113) 245 5553

Dewsbury Road Hub

Health For All have launched two new free courses at the Dewsbury Road Community Hub in Beeston. Both courses are for adults over 19 years of age. The courses are funded by Leeds City Council Adult Learning and it will be free for people on benefits. For more information please contact Raquel Greenwood on (0113) 272 5162. Dewsbury Road Community Hub is located at 190 Dewsbury Road, Leeds, LS11 5PF.

Lucy samples Limeyard by Lucy Potter For the first time in my life I have been asked to do a food review. I am reaping the perks of being a board member of South Leeds Life after three years. An invitation to have a complimentary meal at the newly opened ‘Limeyard’ (All Day California Kitchen) restaurant at the White Rose shopping centre’s new food complex beckons. Limeyard is a newly established restaurant chain, and up until 4 July 2017 only had two other branches in the country; in Staines and Ealing. They chose Leeds, or should I say south Leeds, as their third home. It’s west coast theme reflects a fusion of Californian dishes. The décor is industrial seaside chic, a cleverly warm converted warehouse style with a modern freshness. It’s Friday night and the place is busy with a variety of clientele; and is also clearly family friendly. We are introduced to a team of friendly staff and are led to our seat, a soft turquoise leather upholstered booth. We feel slightly spoilt as we are offered a choice from a list of 12 cocktails as an aperitif, and go for a traditional margarita and a Mai Tai, both of which were exactly what you would hope for. I haven’t even started on

the food yet but first spend time soaking in the atmosphere – surfboards, high ceiling fans, and prints and photos of surfers in summer-drenched holiday sun. The furniture and decor is a fine balance of smart

using my hands to explore the amazing textures and tastes. The menu offers a wide range of food capturing the spirit of Californian cuisine; and my eye is instantly drawn to the grilled swordfish,

Limeyard - smart casual casual, inviting informal diners or those celebrating a more special occasion. Groups of well designed benches, booths and wicker chairs offered well-defined personal space, but without being too busy. The music is comfortably audible; American classics circulate the room. For the starters I order the Portland Beach Crab Cakes, which come presented on a bed of fresh coriander and spicy salsa and lime. The temperature is a perfect hot, and the portion is a healthy size. My partner has BBQ ribs which look a bit of a feast for a starter, covered with a crusty glaze sauce. The buttermilk red onion rings are just right to compliment both starters, and I soon forget about my knife and fork and start

although also tempted by more predictable choices – burgers with a twist, fries, and tacos all compete for attention. Our second main choice seems a safe bet to test the extremes of the menu, buttermilk fried chicken that is even better than it sounds – crispy crunchy golden batter giving way to succulent chicken underneath, accompanied by spicy slaw and more buttermilk sauce. The fish was full of flavour, sat on top of a bed of quinoa and balanced by a heritage tomato dressing which hardly touched the sides. We didn’t wait to ask for recommended drink parings, but instead trusted our instincts and went for a California wine – a Sauvignon Blanc reserva vina leyda. It didn’t let us

down. The Goldilocks portions are, well, just right – not too big and not too small, leaving room to happily revisit the menu. Having chosen our deserts, our friendly waitress Megan offered a third option – a medley selection from the desert menu which would have been rude to refuse. Pavlova meringue, hot fudge brownie topped with raspberries and hazelnuts, slow-baked lemon and vanilla cheesecake with a blueberry compote, toasted coconut and fresh blueberries, together with frozen yogurt. We arrived at a unanimous but unexpected verdict, with the meringue winning hands down – crisp on the outside and chewy within, a sweet shell topped

friendly and attentive. Megan arrives just as we take our last bite, and suggests Espresso martinis to finish – a clever twist that not only rounds off the meal with coffee, but also offers a springboard to more drinks and the rest of the night. We rose to the challenge and cleared our plates, and look forward to returning soon. Future options to explore include set menus, which Limeyard promotes lunch and early evenings Monday to Friday, 12 noon to 7pm. They’ve also just introduced a new all inclusive children’s menu for £6.50, including an activity programme. Vegetarian and allergy-friendly options are also provided for with the same California-style. When we first arrived at

Buttermilk Fried Chicken with melt in the mouth whipped cream and strawberries. Just writing this adds more calories, but it was worth it. A lot of thought has clearly been given to presentation and the mix of flavours and accompaniments, and the service was informed,

8pm there was clearly a buzz about the place, but still spaces as well, a situation set to change once the new cinema opens later this year, so now was the perfect time for a first visit. The walk home was safe and well-lit through the White Rose Centre.

As paying customers we’ll soon be back to sample the Baja California tacos – soft corn tortillas, with a choice of delicious fillings, served by the (Lime) yard…. Limeyard, at the White Rose Shopping Centre, is open 9am-10pm seven days a week. Starters range from £5.50-£6.95; Main courses £9.50-£15.95; Desserts £4.50£5.95. Limeyard also does Breakfast, Weekend Brunch and Kids menus. You can browse them all online at limeyardrestaurants.com.

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14 What’s On

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What’s On

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Full details of every event including map and contact details are available at www.southleedslife.com /events

Your guide to events and activities across South Leeds in October 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 Julie’s Ancestry Group 10am & 1pm BITMO’s GATE Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road Crafts 10am-12pm Middleton Community Centre Salsa-cise 11:30am-12:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston. Lunch Club 12-1:30pm Cottingley Community Centre Lunch Club 12:30-1:30pm Middleton Community Centre Men’s games group 1-3pm Belle Isle WMC Dance 2-3pm Middleton Community Centre Kickboxing 6-9pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street South Leeds Sisters running 6.15pm South Leeds Stadium 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 Coffee Morning 9:30am-12pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Breastfeeding Support 10am-12pm Middleton Family Centre, 252-262 Sissons Road General fitness over 55's 10-11am St Anthony's church hall, Beeston 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 Bumps & Buggy Fit

11:30am-12:30pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town St Gentle Exercise 11.30am-12:30pm Cottingley Community Centre Lunch Club 12pm Woodhouse Hill Community Centre, Hunslet Lunch Club 12:15-1:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Lunch Club 12:30-1:30pm Middleton Community Centre Social Afternoon 1:30-3pm Woodhouse Hill Community Centre, Hunslet Line Dancing 2-3:30pm Middleton Community Centre Rainbows, Brownies, Guides 4:30-9:15pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Craft & Social Evening 6:30pm Woodhouse Hill Community Centre, Hunslet Carr South Leeds Lakers running 7pm from Beeston Co-op Every Wednesday Parents and Toddlers 9:15am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Get Fit Where You Sit 9:15-10:15 Lane End Primary School, Beeston Road City Tots 9:30-11am City Evangelical Church, Cemetery Road Pop Up Council Services 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 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 Middleton Mavericks running 7pm South Leeds Stadium Martial Arts 7-9pm Beeston Juniors, Cardinal Square 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 Ping Pong / Model Making 10-11:30am Middleton Community Centre 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 12pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Lunch Club 12:30-1:30pm Middleton Community Centre Line Dancing 1pm Trinity Network, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle New Lives Group 1-2:30pm Two Willows Children’s Centre, Cardinal Square Digital Photography Club 1:15-3:15pm Cockburn Skills Hub, Gipsy Lane Social Afternoon 1:30-3pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston 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’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 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, 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 Lunch Club 12:30-1:30pm Middleton Community Centre Krok Po Kroku (Polish Group) 12:30-2:30pm Beeston Village Community Centre Ballroom Dancing 1-2:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston 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 Girls Football 6-7pm Beeston Juniors, Cardinal Square 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 Sunday 1 October 20B 5pm Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck Monday 2 October Stourton Park & Ride consultation 3-7pm Church of the Nazarene, Grove Road, Hunslet Lego Club 3:30-4:30pm Dewsbury Road Library

Tuesday 3 October Mostly Men! 10am-12pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Pop Up Council HUB 10am-3pm Crosby Road, Holbeck Wednesday 4 October Hunslet Memories 12-2pm The Prospect pub, Moor Road, Hunslet Pot-a-Tea Dementia Café 1:30-3:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Lego Club 3:30-4:30pm Beeston Library Thursday 5 October Hunslet Carr Residents Assoc 6:30pm Community Centre, Woodhouse Hill Avenue Beeston Community Forum 7:30pm Old White Hart, Town St Saturday 7 October Coffee Morning 10am-12pm St Andrew’s Meth Church, Old Lane, Beeston Sunday 8 October Sunday Lunch 1-3pm Ingram Gardens Community Centre, Holbeck We Are Bronte 5pm Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck Monday 9 October Club DRAMA 3:30-4:30pm Dewsbury Road Library Beeston Local History Society 8pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Thursday 12 October Quarter Life Crisis 7:30pm Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck Friday 13 October Autumn Festival 10am-3:30pm Skelton Grange Environment Centre, Stourton Saturday 14 October Teens Club 1-5pm Vale Circles centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Sunday 15 October Leeds Dads 2-4pm The Tetley, Hunslet Road Manpower 5pm Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck Tuesday 17 October Pop Up Council HUB 10am-3pm Crosby Road, Holbeck The Writers Club 1-2:30pm, Beeston Library Wednesday 18 October Writers & Readers Group 3:30-4:30pm Dewsbury Road

Library Thursday 19 October Jobs Day 9:30am-4pm BITMO’s GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road Bereavement Support Group 7-8:30pm St George’s Centre, Middleton Saturday 21 October Holbeck Feast Cafe 9-11am Ingram Gardens Community Centre, Holbeck Ramblers group Meet 9am St Mary’s Church, Town Street, Beeston Young Archaeologists Club 10am-12pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre Apple Day 12-3pm Cottingley Community Centre Apple Day 1-4pm Thwaite Mills, Stourton Sunday 22 October 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 Apple Day 1-3pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Swansong 7:30pm Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck Tuesday 24 October Free Children’s Play Activities 1-3pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Wednesday 25 October Cop Shop Memory Cafe 1-3pm Elland Road Police HQ Free Children’s Play Activities 1-3pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Thursday 26 October Hunslet Remembered 10am-12pm Hunslet Library Friday 27 October Sing-along-a-Wicker-Man 7:30pm Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck Saturday 28 October Teens Club 1-5pm Vale Circles centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Sunday 29 October Kwaidan Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck Tuesday 31 October The Creatives 3:30-4:30pm Dewsbury Road Library

Publicise your event with South Leeds Life Send full details of your event to: info@southleedslife.com or post to: 224 Cross Flatts Grove, Leeds, LS11 7BW Ring/text: 07894 583966

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What’s On 15

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1st Beeston Scouts are waiting to hear from you

Are you looking for activities for your children? The 1st Beeston Scout Group has places available for boys and girls aged 6-14. We do all sorts of activities from camping, crafts, games. All the activities we do are fun and go towards earning badges. All the leaders are qualified and CRB (DBS) checked. We help out with church

activities which include summer fairs, St George’s day, Rememberance Parade. We meet at St Andrew's Church Hall, Cardinal Road. Beaver Scouts (age 6-8) are the youngest members. They meet weekly on Wednesdays 67:30pm to take part in a wide range of activities including games, crafts, singing, visits and good turns, along with plenty of outdoor activities.

Our Cub Scout (age 8-10½)

Pack meets every Friday 6:15-

The Fun Palace is coming to Dewsbury Road Community Hub Have you got a skill you can share with your community? Dewsbury Road Community Hub is part of Fun Palaces 2017, a free, international celebration of community, bringing people together with arts, science, crafts and tech, taking place on Saturday 7 October 10am-1pm. From sign language to nail art, from crafts to dancing, it can be absolutely anything!

Based on a never-built idea from theatre director Joan Littlewood and architect Cedric Price, the first Fun Palaces took place in the UK and worldwide in October 2014, when 138 venues, locations, communities and groups created their own local events. Approximately 40,000 people participated in person, while tens of thousands more engaged with them online.

Fun Palaces create events that bring together arts and sciences – but above all PEOPLE – to work together, create together, have FUN together, and in doing so, build our own communities, from the grassroots up. Get in touch if you would

7:45pm. It is split into smaller groups called Sixes. Cubs take part in a wide range of activities designed to be interesting and challenging. A Cub Scout meeting consists of games and activities with plenty of time spent outdoors. 1st Beeston Scout Troop (age 10½–14) meets on Fridays, 89:30pm. It consists of small units of six to eight Scouts called a Patrol, usually led by a

Patrol Leader. Outdoor activities feature prominently, with the highlight being camping. Throughout the year, Scouts learn various skills, such as map reading, camp cooking and first aid in preparation for camp. Rock climbing, potholing, gliding, photography and international experiences are just some of the things they get up to.

Find your course on new Adult learning website

like to be part of our Fun Palace at funpalaces.co.uk/ discover/dewsbury-roadcommunity-hub/ We would love for lots of people in the community to come together to share, have fun and meet each other!

Leeds City Council has launched an innovative new website which makes it easy for adults to find enjoyable courses in and around their local area. The Leeds Adult Learning website (www.leedsadultlearning.co.uk) provides an easy way to discover information on hundreds of courses across the city that are open to all adults over the age of 19. Whether you’re interested in basic computer and smartphone skills, confidence building, cooking, gardening, sewing, child care, creative crafts, art, English, job search skills, maths or English as a Second Language (ESOL) there are a wide range of courses to choose from. To help learners find their way to course venues, the Leeds Adult Learning website even has an

integrated journey planner with bus routes and maps to identify the best and easiest way to travel. 6,500 adults took part in more than 1,200 adult learning courses at community venues across the city last year. The new website marks the first time that information from dozens of different course providers can be found in a single place. Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for employment, enterprise and opportunity said: “Adult Learning courses are a great way for people of all backgrounds and life experiences to acquire new skills, meet new people and have fun whilst learning. “We are always trying to find new and innovative ways in which more people can benefit.”

Solitaires are new Children’s half term activities twirlers in town

The Hunslet Club Solitaires is the name of the new majorettes squad rising from the ashes of the long running Lynbar Majorettes club. After 20 years Charlotte Roberts isn’t ready to give up twirling, but Lynbar had run its course. “I’m really positive about working as part of The Hunslet Club” she said. “It’s a very supportive organisation and its good to be part of something bigger.” The Solitaires are now looking for dancers of all ages to join them. “We are starting from scratch and everyone is welcome. You don’t need any experience, anyone can learn the moves.” The younger teams will train at Hunslet Club Parkside’s club house in Belle Isle, whilst the older squads

Hunslet Club Solitaires will make use of the higher ceiling at The Hunslet Club to practice their routines. The new regime starts on Thursday 12 October. For more information contact the club on 271 6489.

Schools in South Leeds will break up for the autumn half term on Friday 20 October, returning on Monday 30 October. As usual a number of local organisations have organised children’s activities for the week. THE HUNSLET CLUB The Hunslet Club will be running an Activity Camp each weekday from 2327 October for children in Key Stage 1 and above. Each day runs from 8:45am-3pm and costs £8 per day if pre-booked. Activities on offer include: football, movies, arts & crafts, dance, games room and hair & beauty. And there’s bound to be some Halloween themed fun too. To book your place email: dhall@hunsletclub.org.uk. MIDDLETON PARK The Friends of Middleton Park have organised free children’s play activities on Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25

Activity Camp at The Hunslet Club October from 1-3pm. Just turn up at the Middleton Park Visitor Centre, no need to book. SKELTON GRANGE Bushcraft Days are taking place on Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 October for children aged 8-13 at Skelton Grange Environment Centre. Sessions run from 10am-4pm and include such things as shelter building, fire lighting, campfire cooking, field

games, hammock making, wild food walks, wood work crafts, string making, bows and arrows. The cost is £30. LEEDS DISCOVERY CENTRE Spooky Tour and Beastly Beasts is the name of the free family workshops at the Discovery Centre on Carlisle Road in Hunslet, near the Royal Armouries. Sessions take place at 10am and 12pm on Wednesday 25 October.

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South Leeds Life | October 2017

16 Sport

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Hunslet Club Parkside eye treble by Phil Goodfield Newly promoted Hunslet Club Parkside lifted the National Conference League Challenge Trophy with a brilliant 22-0 victory against Premier Division opponents Wigan St Patrick’s on Saturday 23 September in Batley. The all-conquering south Leeds side playing down the infamous Mount Pleasant slope in the first half of the game built up a 10 – 0 lead before defending well and progressing the score to 22-0 in a near faultless second half performance to go one better than last season when they lost out at the final hurdle. The Old Boys opened the scoring when wing Danny Harrison caught an inch perfect kick from stand off, and man of the match, Andy Hullock on 9 minutes. This after having a try disallowed in the opening exchanges when skipper Jamie Fields went over under the posts only to be brought back for an obstruction. Fields’ conversion attempt was wide of the target. The rest of the first half was

a nervy affair with both sides making errors and the eventual clear winners unable to get into top gear on attack. Full back McShane looked like he could break the defense when he had the chance to run with the ball and it was he that eventually scored Hunslet’s second try just before half time when he was first to another excellent kick to touch down under the posts. Just before McShane’s effort wing Omar Alrawi was unlucky to have a try disallowed when a forward pass was ruled by the officials. The opening points in the second half went to Andy Hullock with a penalty goal to increase the lead to 12-0. Playing up the slope now Hunslet Club Parkside’s keenness in defense needed to be as good if not better than it had been in the first half and it was just that – not allowing Wigan St Pats to get into their stride. Hooker Jamie Bradley eased the nerves of Hunslet faithful when he scooted over from dummy half on 66 minutes which, with Hullock’s conversion, took the lead to 16-

0. The late sin binning of Danny Harrison on 75 minutes didn’t prevent centre Jack Kirmond from scoring after good handling and an excellent conversion from out wide by Hullock completed the scoring. Victorious skipper Jamie Fields provided South Leeds Life with his thoughts after the game: “Going into the game we fancied ourselves and that’s not being big-headed. We have worked hard for what we have accomplished this year and the coaches –all three – Macca (Paul McShane), Sam (Thorpe) and Martin (Rowse) have bought into the same thing all year. “First half running at 50% completion we knew we had more. The score before half time lifted us too and killed them a little I thought. Second half we came out firing and Jamie Bradley and Andy Hullock lead from the front. The introduction of Danny Rowse at half time changed the game I thought! “We spoke about making a name for ourselves and about letting the Premier Division

Hunslet Club Parkside celebrate another victory know what’s coming next year and I think we achieved that today! “We’re ready for next year and we’re ready to win the League next week away at Milford who will want to ruin our party but hey ho, one week at a time! “Two matches to go and the Treble – BARLA Cup, National Conference Trophy and First Division title – is on. I’m extremely proud of the boys and our club. We’re a family not just a team” As Jamie says victory away at

Hunslet end season on a high by Ian Pickles

Hunslet RLFC rounded off a poor season with some sunshine as they won the League 1 Shield, a competition designed for the bottom 8 teams in League 1. The spectre of a fruitless season spurred Hunslet on as they came out of the blocks strong and looked never in doubt of winning this match despite a valiant effort from the travelling London Skolars. The deadlock was broken on 15 minutes after a deft kick by scrum half Joel Gibson was scooped up by Liam Mackey to score, and a moment later it looked as if Hunslet would stretch their lead when Mackay set Webb free only for the ball to end up being kicked dead. Bryan did manage to barge over with six defenders around him for the Skolars, but after Lewis Reed made some hard yards George Flanagan dummied and went 20 yards to score a great try to put Hunslet back in command 12-6. Probably the try of the game came on 35 minutes when London passed to the left drawing in the defence only for the ball to be passed overhead inside to a flying Michael Brown who scored beneath the posts. Just when it looked like all square at half time Hunslet

Hunslet RLFC win the League 1 Shield struck. Quick hands to the right on the last tackle meant Muffy Mvududu could squeeze James Duckworth in at the corner. The consistent golden eye and boot of Joe Sanderson converting to give Hunslet an 18-12 lead at the break. The outcome never looked in doubt when on 45 minutes Mufaro Mvududu broke down the right hand side, before Hunslet then shipped quickly to the left where Danny Ansell fed a lovely ball to Liam Mackay who celebrated as scoring. London Skolars briefly threatened, especially when a try was disallowed for a knockon when it looked a sure four points. Having unusually missed the last conversion Joe Sanderson made it 24-12 with a penalty

under the posts, and when the kick off did not travel 10 yards Sanderson converted brilliantly from the centre spot, making it 26-12. Hunslet now feeling it was in the bag and away from the jaws of defeat started to play some flowing rugby, and when Sanderson stole the ball one on one and James Duckworth went 30 yards to score it sealed the deal. 32-12 then at full time may slightly flatter Hunslet, but they were the best side. Sanderson deservedly winning man of the match, but with stand out performances from Liam Mackay and Jack Walton also. Next season promises much with hopefully new investors, and with luck this Shield victory may spur Hunslet on to better

things. Hunslet RLFC: Jimmy Watson, James Duckworth, Mufaro Mvududu, Cameron Leeming, Marcus Webb, Joel Gibson, Joe Sanderson, Michael Haley, George Flanagan, Lewis Reed, Liam Mackay, Danny Williams, Jack Walton. Subs: Dean Roberts, Danny Ansell, Josa Kenga, Jack Coventry. London Skolars: Michael Bishay, Smokie Junor, Joshua Allison, Lameck Juma, Michael Brown, Jermaine Colemean, Jymel Coleman, Michael Sykes, Charlie Lawrence, Lamont Bryan, David Williams, Edward Mbaraga, Robert Butler. Subs: Philip Lyon, Michael Greenhalgh, Ryan Chester, Lewis Robinson.

Milford on Saturday 30 September (at Leeds Rhinos Academy, Bridge Road, Kirkstall LS5 3BW, kick off 2.30pm) will bring the club the First Division title to go with their two cup victories… why not get along to cheer the boys, who are surely south Leeds’ most successful sports team at the moment, to victory! Hunslet Club Parkside: Craig McShane, Omar Alrawi, Dale Harris, Jack Kirmond, Danny Harrison, Andy Hullock, Ryan Gaunt, Lule Pettman, Jamie Bradley, Jamie Fields (captain),

Ben Shulver, Mark Stubley, George Clarke. Subs: Danny Rowse, Carl Briggs, Ryan Campbell, Adam Biscomb. Coaches: Paul Mc Shane, Martin Rowse, Sam Thorpe Wigan St Patricks: Tyler Spence, James Ratcliffe, Mike Scrivens, Lance Wright, Jack Winnard, Ryan Baxter, Joe Higham, Jamie Bristoe (captain), Andrew Cunningham, Kieron Harrison, Charlie Mitchell, Danny Ryding, Ryan Braddock. Subs: Declan Gregory, Matthew Humpage, Danny Grogan, Liam Gannon.

Warriors win funding for new goal posts Hunslet Green, home of the Hunslet Warriors, is home to a new set of rugby posts thanks to sponsorship from Carling after their old ones rusted at the base and fell down. Nominated by volunteer club secretary Pat Benatmane, the new posts will help support its growing playing membership. As well as the men’s and boys’ teams, the club also boasts a growing women’s section, thanks in part to its open and inclusive ethos, welcoming anyone and everyone to join. Run largely by volunteers, the Hunslet club believes in local

improvement through the values that sport brings; teamwork, healthy living and sociability. The funding came from Carling and Wetherspoons’ Your Pint Can Help The Community, with drinkers urged to nominate projects that would improve local communities and make a difference. The panel commented: “Carling and Wetherspoon were especially impressed by the community focus of the club, providing positive support to the local population, in a safe and inclusive environment.”

Hunslet Warriors first team pose under the new posts