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Issue 39 | April 2018

In this issue:

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

Never too old to knit

HOUSES OR FOOTBALLERS?

page 4

Emerald dancers excel

page 7

Holbeck votes for housing, but Council looks set to sell former school site to Leeds United

n 1 March the residents of Holbeck voted overwhelmingly to adopt the Holbeck Neighbourhood Plan. Despite atrocious weather, hundreds turned out to vote with 79% voting yes to the plan drawn up over five years by local residents. On the back of that result,

Dennis Kitchen, chair of Holbeck Neighbourhood Forum wrote to Council chiefs about the former Matthew Murray High School site, which has lain derelict since the school was demolished in 2006. As we reported in November last year, Leeds City Council has entered into talks with Leeds United who are keen to move their training ground from Thorp Arch to the site in Holbeck. In his letter Dennis Kitchen said that Forum members “requsted that consideration and reference be made to the Holbeck Neighbourhood Plan in all conversations regarding the site. On page 28 of the plan, policy H3, is in direct Dennis Kitchen, Chair of response to the Holbeck Neighbourhood Forum desires of the

community, that the site should be used primarily for housing.” He concluded: “The site has been derelict over a long period of time and clearly a good use of this valuable land asset is needed. The discussion has to be, what development is good for Holbeck that brings the best benefits to the community?” The consensus at the last Forum meeting was that professional footballers driving to and from a gated training ground in expensive cars would do little for the Holbeck community. The response sent from Tom Riordan, Leeds City Council’s Chief Executive, gives little hope of an early discussion. It states: “Discussions with the Club are ongoing in line with Executive Board approval and we will seek to engage the community at the appropriate time when proposals are firmed up.”

The “Beast” wasn’t all bad

pages 11

Matthew Murray school site in the shadow of Elland Road However any proposals for development of the site will need planning permission and granting that must take account of Holbeck’s Neighbourhood Plan, which is part of the city’s planning policy now. Saturday 28 April 11:30am The issue will be debated at (refreshments from 11) the next meeting of the Forum, St Matthew’s which will also discuss how it Community Centre will approach commenting on all planning applications ALL WELCOME coming forward in the area.

Holbeck Neighbourhood Forum

Countdown to May’s Council elections Y

ou may have noticed that campaigning is well under way for the local elections. This year there is an ‘all out’ election, meaning that on Thursday 3 May will elect all 99 members of Leeds City Council. The three Councillors in each ward are up for election and we will have three votes to cast.

The full list of candidates will be announced on Friday 6 April and South Leeds Life will publish the details on our website. We will also invite each candidate to tell our readers why they are standing for election. As well as publishing online, we will publish a summary in next month’s newspaper, just ahead of voting day.

Remember in order to vote in the Council elections you must be registered to vote. If you are not registered yet you can do it very quickly online at: www.gov.uk/registerto-vote you will need your National Insurance number. If you’re not sure whether you are registered you can check by emailing electors

@leeds.gov.uk. To vote in the Council election you must register by Tuesday 17 April.

Laying foundations

page 16

NEWS

2-5

DANCE

SCHOOLS

COMM. AWARDS 8-9 FEEDBACK

PEOPLE

11-12

WHAT’S ON

13-15

SPORT

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

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South Leeds Life | April 2018

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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 A

by Hilary Benn MP

relative in the US recently emailed to tell me that “for reasons of security, privacy and ethics, I’ve dumped my Facebook account.” The revelations about Facebook and Cambridge Analytica have probably got us all thinking about who knows what about our lives. The internet is a wonderful thing, Facebook is a great means of keeping in touch and loyalty cards give us points or special deals, but as we are learning they also reveal a great deal of information about us and the lives we lead. We can share with the cyber-world our purchases, the telephone numbers of all our friends, our photos and our views on life and politics. All of this is harvested in order to target advertising at us. It's how companies like Facebook, Google and Amazon make their money. The most important questions here are about transparency and consent. Should it be possible for us not to give consent for our information to be shared and yet

remain a Facebook user, for example? And what should be done with the information we have consented to give, often without realising it? It's one thing to see adverts appear for sofas because we were recently browsing for one; it's quite another to think that our views expressed privately to friends and family - will be used to send us politically tailored adverts, I think regulation is going to have to catch up with all this and soon. I recently received an email from a constituent who said that he was unable to find an NHS dentist in South Leeds. It seems that of all the NHS dentists in our area, most of them have lists that are full and only about one in five are currently taking on new patients or referrals. 42% of children in England have not seen an NHS dentist in over a year and tooth decay is the single most common reason why children aged five to nine require admission to hospital. Yet the role of dental public health has been diminished in recent years. That’s why we need to invest in

children’s dental health so we can do something about the link between child ill-health and poverty. Passers-by must have wondered why a crowd of us were standing around outside the newsagents in Town Street opposite the Belle Isle Working Men's Club on a recent Friday lunchtime. We were there to honour a son of Middleton who was a pioneer in astronomy. The occasion was the unveiling of the latest Leeds CivicTrust blue plaque to William Gascoigne, the astronomer and instrument maker who contributed hugely to our ability to see what lies beyond the confines of the earth and who lived in a house in Town Street, which long ago disappeared. I told the story of how Gascoigne met the Lancashire astronomer William Crabtree, who was much taken with Gascoigne's inventions. When he got home, Crabtree told his friend Jeremiah Horrocks about them. He then wrote to Gascoigne on 28 December 1640 saying: “My friend Mr. Horrox professeth that little touch which I gave him hath ravished his mind quite from itself

Hilary Benn MP and left him in an Exstasie between Admiration and Amazement. I beseech you Sir, slack not your Intentions for the Perfection of your begun Wonders.” Well if that isn't an encouragement to inventors the world over to keep going, then I don't know what is. And how did I find that wonderful quote? By searching on Wikipedia as I sat in my car in the club carpark. But that's the other side of the story – one of the internet's usefulness, as opposed to its intrusion.

A low carbon revolution in Hunslet T

wo hundred years after the first industrial revolution, Hunslet is once again at the centre of a technological revolution. This time in housing construction. Environmentally sustainable homes that most of us have only seen as unique properties on TV’s Grand Designs will soon be rolling off a production line at Citu’s factory on Clarence Road. As previously reported in South Leeds Life, Citu are developing a site that spans the River Aire and are building the homes in sections at the factory before assembling them on site. The first homes started being assembled on site last month after nearly 12 months of groundworks. The site at Low Fold, close the A61 flyover was formerly used as an oil storage depot so a lot of remediation work was needed. That was followed by laying water, electricity and telecom services; digging foundations; raising ground levels to avoid flooding; and constructing the deck that will keep cars separate from residents under their homes. During that time the factory has been working on a prototype ‘Citu Home’

Jonathan wilson and Chris Thompson outside the Citu Works in Hunslet perfecting every element that will go into the new homes. Completed wall, floor and ceiling panels are now being moved to site for assembly and installation of services. CITU plan to expand the factory so that services can be built into the panels before they go to site. When fully geared up the factory will be producing 200 houses a year rising to 750 houses per year. The factory already employs 70 people including 12 apprentices (soon to double) recruited through

the nearby Leeds College of Building. CITU has plans for 1,000 homes on various sites across the country and will sell the Citu home to other developers. The CITU home is built to the highest environmental standards. It is air tight which means it needs only a minimal amount of heating. It is designed to maximise solar gain in winter, with south facing windows, without overheating in summer. It will use smart technology to help people further save energy.

Speaking to Chris Thompson, Citu’s Managing Director, it’s clear that this isn’t just a geeky exercise in energy saving. “Our cities are not sustainable as they are” he says. “People live on the edge and drive to work in the centre everyday. If we want to move to low carbon living we have redesign our cities so that we walk or cycle to work.” Design is clearly important in the Climate Innovation District. Citu has used Scandinavian architects to design not only the homes,

but also the public realm surrounding the houses and apartments. “If we want people to live in the city centre, not just young people, but families we have to make it attractive to them and help them build a community. None of our homes are available as buyto-let properties, we are trying to build a stable community.” Part of that process is building a new foot and cycle bridge across the river which will not only unite the two halves of the site, but create links for the wider community. “We’ve calculated that a child living in Cross Green and attending the Ruth Gorse Academy will shave 14 minutes off their walk to school. More importantly they will avoid having to cross seven roads.” The bridge is due to be installed in August when the first residents will move into their new homes. These will be the first family houses built in the area since the old terraces were demolished. Let’s hope the new residents build as strong a sense of community identity as existed in those streets. Find out more about Citu’s Climate innovation District at www.citu.co.uk.

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April 2018 | South Leeds Life

News 3

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Beeston bed maker Tragic death of grows its own timber busker Jonny Walker B

eeston-based luxury bed integrated bed manufacturers in “The first felling from our forest manufacturer, Harrison the world, drawing its own wire for is an important milestone in the Spinks has felled its first trees its unique spring technology and Harrison Spinks story and we’re from its wholly owned and growing natural fillings on its own delighted that the hard work from responsibly managed forest in farm in Yorkshire. our Forest Managers and Sand Hutton, Yorkshire. The Harrison Spinks team has Lumberjacks, or ‘Slumberjacks’ as The timber, felled from Corsican worked with forestry experts, we call them, is coming to fruition. Pine, Sycamore, Scots Pine and Scurrah Associates, to create a “Our aim is for Harrison Spinks Mixed Broadleaves trees, will be woodland management plan that to be a world leader in sustainable used in its luxury divans bed-manufacturing, so and headboards. by owning and The bed maker – managing our forest we which was founded in can ensure that more 1840 and is one of timber used in our Great Britain’s most luxury beds, divans and established and headboards is innovative bed and renewable, responsibly mattress managed and grown manufacturers – has considerately. been Forest “We’re delighted that Stewardship Council we’ve brought another (FSC) accredited for piece of our supply over seven years, chain into the Harrison meaning all the wood Felling the first trees from the Harrison Spinks forest Spinks family of used in its products comes from will work in the best interest of the companies and are excited to see responsibly managed forests. natural ecosystem and the local how the forest develops before The 56-acre forest in Sand community of Sand Hutton. This our next felling in 2019.” Hutton was acquired by the includes a schedule of clear The timber felled in the company to further its felling, replanting and thinning to woodland by Job Earnshaws Ltd commitment to vertical develop standing timber in the will now be kiln dried and ready for integration and responsible future. use in Harrison Spinks’ Leeds manufacturing. Harrison Spinks is Simon Spinks, Managing factory on Dewsbury Road, one of the most vertically Director at Harrison Spinks said: Beeston from the end April 2018.

e are very sad to report the tagic death of Jonny Walker. Jonny, from Beeston, will be known to many for his busking in Leeds city centre and in support of good causes such as St Luke’s CARES charity shops. The outpouring of love and sadness on Facebook led his sister, Sarah, to set up a Go Fund Me page for donations. She explains: “Jonny was a devoted father, street entertainer, campaginer, professional musician and activist. “He brought hope for the sick, the lost, the vulnerable and the lonely. Jonny touched the lives of thousands across the world with his music, compassion and kind spirit. “It is incredibly moving to see the way so many are reacting to the news of my brother’s death. My family and I never imagined having to face life without Jonny. “As a family we have set up this fundraiser as Jonny didn't have savings, and

Investment approved to tackle problem bin yards L

eeds City Council has approved funding to roll out improvements to bin yards across the city following a successful pilot in the Recreations area of Holbeck. Last month’s meeting of the Council’s Executive Board approved spending £247,500 on improving 45 yards across the city. If these are as successful as those in Holbeck the programme will continue to tackle the 696 problem bin yards which include 142 in south Leeds. Anyone who’s lived in Holbeck or Beeston Hill will be familiar with the problems of bin yards – the former toilet blocks for

An unimproved bin yard

A refurbished bin yard in the Recreations, Holbeck back-to-back houses. The been tried over the years space is shared between from periodic clearing to up to eight households to reducing the wall heights manage and is often a and installing railings and magnet for fly tipping. gates, but none of these Various solutions have have worked long term. As we reported in September 2016, a new initiative was trialled as part of the intensive ‘Neighbourhood Approach’ programme being pursued in the Recreations area of Holbeck. This has involved securing the yards, moving the walls back and

providing communal waste and recycling bins secured in frames. The report states that “The approach has delivered real improvements in the quality of the local environment.” The approach tackles two problems: removing space that can be used to illegally dump waste and solving the problem of wheelie bins having to be left in shared space, or more often left on the pavement.

Jonny performing for St Luke’s CARES volunteers there is much to cover following his death. Funds raised on this campaign will first be used to help cover expenses associated with Jonny's funeral service and after-death costs. “Once those expenses are covered, our family will be looking into setting up a fund for his children and ensuring his legacy lives on

through furthering the work of causes he so passionately supported such as homelessness, busking rights, and Keep Streets Live, the campaign for which he was both founder and director.” In its first week it raised over £8,000. To donate, go to: www.gofundme.com/ in-memory-of-jonny-walker

Charity goes platinum I

nvestors in People (IIP), the organisation benchmarking excellence in people management, has awarded its highest platinum accolade to Touchstone, a Beeston-based mental health and wellbeing charity. Touchstone is only the third employer in the region to be accredited as Investors in People Platinum, and one of just six third sector organisations nationally to gain the award. Platinum status is awarded to an elite one percent of employers accredited by IIP. The charity employs 160 employees across West and South Yorkshire. It provides mental health and wellbeing services to over 2,000 people annually – mainly to Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities and often in partnership with other organisations. Touchstone has grown its turnover from £3m to £4.7m in three years, and recruited 40 members of staff last year to help deliver new mental health contracts. Mark Lewis, assessor for Investors In People, said: “Touchstone exemplifies the principles of Investors In People at a high performing level.” He highlighted Touchstone as an organisation “which proactively encourages diversity in every sense of the word” and continued: “People throughout the organisation demonstrated high levels of commitment to both the organisation and the services it delivers, their energy and passion for which are evident in the way they talk about their work.” Alison Lowe, CEO of Touchstone, said:

“This is a tremendous accolade and testament to the hard work of all our staff and volunteers. Our first priority is always the results that we achieve with – and for – our service users, but to do that we need to support our diverse and talented staff to reach their potential.”

Touchstone CEO Alison Lowe Photo: Adrian Ray This latest accolade follows Touchstone’s recent success coming ninth in the Sunday Times 100 Best Notfor-Profit Organisations to Work For. In January Touchstone was named as 20th in Stonewall’s top 100 employers, recognising its commitment to supporting LGBT+ staff and service users. Last November the charity retained its position as number one in the Most Inclusive Top 50 Employers awards.

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South Leeds Life | April 2018

4 News

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Nourishing Asha’s 33 years Sunnyview knitters B at Taste of service y the time you are living in a care home you might think it’s time to rest, but Wendy Stephenson can’t stop knitting and has enlisted help from her friends Florence Hustler and Edna Varley. The three have just handed over a blanket to St Gemma’s hospice and are already working on a cushion cover. The blanket is made of seven inch squares that the three ladies knit in their rooms and Wendy then sews together. Wendy has knitted since she was nine years old, but Edna had to relearn the skill. Edna said: “I was right bored

ourishing People, a social enterprise established by People Matters Leeds, has secured a new customer for its range of healthy snacks. Nourishing People provides employmnent and skills support for people with learning disabilities in a company producing and distributing a range of four healthy, tasty snacks. Their latest customer is Taste Coffee shop at The Sugar Mill, close to the Tommy Wass in Beeston, which provides a service to the businesses based in the Mill and also to the local community. Fiona Sorensen, the owner of the business said: “I am always looking to offer my customers a variety of good quality food and drink and the snacks produced by Nourishing People not only fit the bill but also helps support opportunities for people with learning disabilities. I am sure my customers will appreciate this new addition to our offer.” David Green, Enterprise Lead for Nourishing People said: “We are delighted that Taste has decided to stock our snacks. We know that our product is popular and we hope that this will be the start of a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Taste.” If you would like to know more about Nourishing People, think you may want to sell our snacks in your business or offer employment opportunities to one of our trainees please contact us on (0113) 234 6896.

and bad tempered until Wendy got me knitting. I’m much better off knitting, it gives me something to focus on, it’s changed my life.” The multi-coloured blanket squares feature a range of different stitches including cable, moss, stocking and ribbing. Mel Lawrence, the manager of St Gemma’s Beeston shop received the blanket and thanked the ladies: “We are really grateful for donations like this. It’s fantastic to see older people keeping active and still thinking of others.”

Asha’s Playschemes take children aged 5-12

sha Neighbourhood Project is celebrating 33 years of service to the community on Sunday 1 April. Asha is a small yet prominent charity in the heart of Beeston. It is focused on raising women’s confidence and providing access to life improving opportunities to local women and their children. Having worked at the centre since 1995 Michele Lofthouse (Childcare Development

Worker) has seen hundreds of children come through the doors. She said: “It is a real privilege to work with families who put their trust in you to care for their children. I have watched so many children grow from being babies in the creche to pre-schoolers in the nursery, onto the play-scheme and into adulthood becoming parents themselves. It has been a joy to be part of so many lives for so long.”

Florence Hustler, Wendy Stephenson and Edna Varley with Mel Lawrence from St Gemma’s

Conquering Buckden Pike Club supports Air Ambulance T

he Holbeck (formerly Holbeck WMC) held a charity night on Saturday 10 March 2018 raising £1,320.30 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. The club has now raised a total of £2,415.02 for this charity. Ian Pickup from the club explained: “The Air Ambulance is very close to our heart as one of our young persons needed it. He sadly died three years ago so our thoughts are with the family, who I’m pleased to say

Intrepid hikers enjoy snowy views at the summit of Buckden Pike of intrepid (stupid?) by Peter Todd number adventurers turned up on the ou may not have heard of day to tackle the walk. Buckden Pike, although it Travelling on the Hunslet RLFC is actually one of the highest minibus, the band of brave mountains in Yorkshire, mountaineers arrived in standing at just over 2,300 Buckden Village and set off on feet, which makes it higher the walk. than the better known Pen-yWe began in sunshine, ghent. followed by thick cloud, Anyway, some time ago the followed by snow, followed by South Leeds Community Hiking sunshine … and so on, but Group planned a pleasant walk almost always with a cold wind. up this mountain for Saturday As one of the group 17 March, unaware that that commented, “We had all four the Beast from the East Mark 2 seasons in the space of a few would strike on that day. hours.” Despite the weather, a Despite the conditions, all

the walkers made it to the summit and enjoyed the experience – or so they said! Our next adventure is to the Lake District on Saturday 12 May, when we can guarantee no snow – except maybe on the top of the mountains. We cater for everyone from novices to experienced walkers – at least one of this group who got to the top of a mountain in the worst conditions had never done anything like this before – so if you want to get involved, then get in touch with Peter at southleedswalkers@gmail .com

came on the night.” Lots of members wore a tshirt with a picture of Rhys on the front and the Air Ambulance logo on the back. A member of the Baker family said: “It was a great tribute to Rhys, we all appreciate it. A big thank you to everyone who donated the prizes also thanks to all who helped to organise it.” There was a name the teddy competition which raised £360. The winner was a gentlemen called Nick (on left

Holbeck Club members join the Baker family in handing over a cheque to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance appeal for £1,320

of the picture). He gladly donated it back so it was auctioned off and it raised for a further £140, thanks to Tony Carver from AC Auto Locksmiths. The raffle raised over £400, there was bingo and entertainment. Tracy from the Yorkshire Air Ambulance gave a speech explaining what the charity does. The club will be holding this charity night every year, so if you have anything to donate please contact The Holbeck.

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April 2018 | South Leeds Life

News 5

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Belle Isle blue plaque Shop front upgrades Holbeck honours pioneering for S astronomer hop fronts in Holbeck are set to benefit from citywide programme of public realm improvements to ‘local centres’. A first round of 12 projects has been approved by Leeds City

substantial regeneration programme being undertaken in Holbeck by the council and partners. The project ties in with the recently approved Holbeck Neighbourhood Plan. Amongst its eight key

Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive member for regeneration, transport and planning, said: “Town and local centres are at the very heart of our local communities, and we believe it is absolutely vital that a package of

Shops on Domestic Street in Holbeck Council’s Executive Board. The Holbeck project will see £135,000 spent on improving up to 19 shop fronts on Domestic Street and Top Moor Side. These are aimed at further supporting the Writer David Sellers holds a replica of Gascoigne’s micrometer with Martin Hamilton and Jane Taylor from Leeds Civic Trust and Hilary Benn MP

eeds Civic Trust unveiled their latest blue plaque in the city on Friday 23 March honouring a pioneering 17th century astronomer, who invented the telescopic sight and micrometer. William Gascoigne lived at New Hall, Middleton. The hall is long gone and what were fields have been covered in housing during the twentieth century. The plaque has been placed on the row of shops at the Belle Isle end of Town Street, the site where New Hall once stood. His invention was in some ways a happy accident, but also speaks of his curiosity. A spider made a web in a telescope left uncovered one night. Rather than brush it way, Gascoigne looked through the telescope. Gascoigne saw the web bright and sharp within the field of view. He

The Blue Plaque on Town Street

realised that he could more accurately point the telescope using the line as a guide, and went on to invent the telescopic sight by placing crossed wires at the focal point to define the centre of the field of view. Gascoigne then realised that by introducing two points, whose separation could be adjusted using a screw, he could measure the size of the image enclosed by them. Using the known pitch of the screw, and knowing the focal length of the lens producing the image, he could work out the size of the object, such as the Moon or the planets, to a hitherto unattainable degree of accuracy. Through his inventions of the telescopic sight and micrometer, Gascoigne paved the way for historical figures such as Isaac Newton, who made accurate measurements of celestial objects to prove his theory of gravity. And even to this day, astronomers are able to work with precision thanks to his inventions. He was described in his day by the first Astronomer Royal John Flamsteed as an “ingenious a person as the world has bred or known.” Gascoigne was killed in 1644 at the Battle of Marston Moor during the

English Revolution, aged just 32. Unveiler, David Sellers, who has written a biography of Gascoigne said: “Although his name is known by astronomers, his role as a pioneer in precision astronomy deserves wider public recognition. I hope that this plaque will help to achieve this and will encourage young people to follow his lead and inspire an interest in the natural world.” Hilary Benn MP read out a message from the current Astronomer Royal, Professor Lord Martin Rees who said: “Astronomy was the first highprecision science, and owes its huge advances – from the 17th century until today – to successive improvements in instruments and techniques. William Gascoigne is one of the great pioneers. “He deserves to be acclaimed for his inventions – and it’s fitting that a plaque will honour his memory and commemorate his all-too-short life.” Martin Hamilton, Director of Leeds Civic Trust said: “We are grateful to David Sellers for bringing this important scientist to our attention, and were delighted to support his proposal for a blue plaque. The fact that a number of scientific organisations including the Institute of Physics have generously provided sponsorship, demonstrates what an important figure Gascoigne is.”

objectives is to encourage a thriving local centre and specifically: “Improve the appearance of the Holbeck Local Centre through … improvements to shop fronts.” Councillor Richard

meaningful support is provided to ensure that they can continue to thrive and be in the very best position to meet the many economic and social challenges that currently exist.”

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South Leeds Life | April 2018

6 Dance

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Hunslet Club Cockburn’s March dance success T turn Cheer-City Emerald green O

n Sunday 23 February Cheer-City once again became Emerald-City as The Hunslet Club Emeralds clinched eight first place trophies and one second place trophy at the 2018 Cheer-city Spring Open dance competition in Leicester. Our Youth Pom team also took the “Grand Champion” award achieving the highest score of the day out of 195 individual routines. Over 70 of the Club’s dancers took part in the event that saw over 1000 dancers from London, Bedfordshire, Leicestershire, Kent, the West Midlands and Yorkshire compete overall. Competing teams were Tiny Pom, Tiny HipHop, Mini Pom, Youth Pom, Youth HipHop, Junior Hip-Hop, Senior Pom, Senior Contemporary and Senior HipHop.

The Hunslet Club Emeralds (the brand adopted by our competition teams) were formed in early 2017 when the Club entered its first national competition in Blackpool. They are coached by Cherry Crosby who has worked in community dance for over 15 years and Kayley Davidson a former protégé of Cherry. This was only their third national competition and the best set of results so far. Cherry commented “The girls (and boys) just get better and better. All of the hard work they have put in and determination to be the best has paid off. Kayley and I couldn’t be more proud of them.” The Hunslet Club delivers weekly sessions in cheer-pom, hip-hop, contemporary, ballet and tap dance styles together with a gymnastics full programme for children 18

Tiny HipHop

Junior HipHop

Hunslet Club Emeralds

he last month has been jam-packed for the dancers at Cockburn School. On Saturday 10 March nearly 100 students took part in Rock Challenge at Magna in Rotherham. This is a huge national competition and Cockburn already has an excellent reputation of success from previous years. This year’s theme is ‘The

Magic Within’ and involves an old man telling his story of when he was in the Magic Circle. Cockburn won the regional heat in Rotherham and now have the chance to compete in the Northern Open Final at Grimsby Auditorium on Friday 29 June. Full of pride from this, on Monday 19 March, Cockburn’s elite ‘Atmosphere’ company

Cockburn’s Year 9 GCSE Dancers months upwards in gymnastics and ballet and 3 years upwards in all other dance styles. Visit www.hunsletclub.org.uk for full details.

Some members of Cockburn’s winning Rock Challenge team competed in the ‘Great Big Dance Off’ at the Victoria Theatre in Halifax. Their piece entitled ‘Exhaustion’ faced some stiff competition, however they achieved 6th place. Finally, on Thursday 22 nd March the Year 9 GCSE Dance class competed in the Leeds School Sport Dance Festival at Temple Moor High School. There were over 200 students from secondary schools all

across Leeds who were at the event. Cockburn’s entry ‘The Eye of the Storm’ placed 2 nd in the Key Stage 3 category, which was out of 14 schools. Another wonderful achievement! The Performing Arts staff at Cockburn are incredibly proud of the students who were involved and are already busy planning for future competitions and events. Watch this space!

Prepare to be DAZLed!

Celebration!

Tiny Pom

Ian Rodley of DAZL, Caroline Smalley & Gavin Rees of Rees Dance & Wayne Sables

oung aspiring dancers of South Leeds are set to dazzle audiences, in a number of performances across the Yorkshire region. These performances will be the product of an exciting new project, Yorkshire Connection: a collaboration between Dance Action Zone Leeds (DAZL), Rees Dance and Wayne Sables Project funded by Arts Council England’s “Grants for The Arts” The aim of the project is to provide the level of dance training only available at some of the country’s finest schools, to disadvantaged areas of Leeds. Award winning Children’s Charity DAZL was founded in 2000 and funded by Leeds Public Health, with the goal of “improving the health and wellbeing of young people aged

3 – 19 years, through dance as physical activity in disadvantaged communities across Leeds.” DAZL’s sessions range from street, cheer, hiphop to creative and contemporary dance. Commenting at the beginning of the project, DAZL Director Ian Rodley stated: “It’s amazing to start such a huge project that will benefit so many of Leeds young people. Physical health has so many positive, knock-on effects in a child’s development, from mental health to developing strong work ethic. Yorkshire Connection is breaking down the barriers for these young people and they now have some of the best dance education available to them on their doorstep.” West Yorkshire based dance

artistes Gavin Rees and Caroline Smalley of Rees Dance, trained at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Leeds and have since performed with some of the UK’s leading contemporary, ballet and physical theatre companies. They have drawn upon this experience, to provide the young dancers at DAZL with weekly technique classes and have worked collaboratively to create to two new performance pieces. Gavin Rees, Artistic Director of Rees Dance, commented: “We’re already seeing amazing results and can’t wait to continue and put on some great performances.” The project will culminate in performances throughout Yorkshire, over the coming months.

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April 2018 | South Leeds Life

Schools 7

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Beeston Bake-Off for Cockburn MAT: Two new school playground schools, one community B

by Tania Carlisle

eeston families got baking this last month to raise funds for a new school playground. Over 50 entries of cakes, buns, biscuits and snacks entered into a 'Bake Off' competition at Beeston Primary School on Monday 26 March. The judging panel - which featured Sharon Swift from the Whistlestop Pub, Malcolm Morrison from Beeston Co-op, and me for South Leeds Life were very impressed by all the entries. Lots of time and effort had clearly been put into the baking - and at times intricate decoration of cakes, buns and biscuits. We also took into account taste, originality, and interesting ideas (which ranged from Easter bunnies to Star Wars). Three prizes were awarded in each category after much deliberation and debate - then the cakes were sold to the children and teachers of the school, and promptly disappeared! The event was organised by the Friends of Beeston Primary School PTA (Parent Teacher Assocation) to raise funds for a project they are calling 'Operation Playground'. This scheme aims to refurbish the school's worn-out outdoor play

Judges (L-R): Malcolm Morrison, Sharon Swift & Tania Carlisle with Lucy Holloway & Sarah Coates from the PTA

areas - to help the 700 children at the school to stay active, and enjoy imaginative outdoor play. Further events are set to follow

later this year - and the PTA are especially looking for local businesses who can offer support.

he former South Leeds academy in Belle Isle will o cially close and re open as Cockburn John Charles Academy on the 1 April, under the leadership of Cockburn Multiacademy Trust (MAT) following a period of transition since the first announcement in the spring of 2017. Cockburn MAT is also responsible for Cockburn School in Beeston, which is consistently one of Leeds’ highest performing schools and is recognised nationally as one of the top 8% of schools for the progress of its students. Cockburn School is a National Support school led by National Leader of Education and Executive Headteacher David Gurney who said, “The official opening of Cockburn John Charles Academy allows us to establish our vision of two schools serving one community. “The relentless pursuit of outstanding outcomes for all students will be consistent across both schools, by following the same systems and procedures that have a proven track record of success after being tried and tested at

Fixing bones with Year 5: it’s Science Week at Hugh Gaitskell Y

by Jeremy Morton

oung engineers at Hugh Gaitskell Primary School showed off their inventions in the school hall on Friday 16 March. On Monday Year 5 had been set a challenge by new graduates from DePuy Synthes next door, to make device help doctors mend broken bones. They worked all week (British Science Week) in small teams to perfect their solution, test it, and develop a marketing plan. I tagged along with the DePuy Synthes staff as they toured the stands talking to each team. Judging wasn’t just based on testing the strength of the fixed bone, but also how they presented their product with drawings and promotional material. The standard was very high, but eventually the judges decided on three winning teams.

Team ‘Flex Fighters’ won the bone fixing challenge ‘Ultra Engineers’ were in third place, ‘Brilliant Bone Menders’ second and ‘Flex Fighters’ were declared the winners. Kerry Seymour from De Puy Synthes said: “This is the seventh year we’ve been involved with Science Week at Hugh Gaitskell. It’s great to see every child involved and so enthusiastic about the project. We hope it gives them an insight into the opportunities

that STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects can offer them.” Chantelle Hudson, Deputy Headteacher at Hugh Gaitskell Primary School, added: “The partnership with DePuy Synthes offers pupils the opportunity to learn from real professionals working within the medical/engineering field. This year the children were

‘engineers’ with an important assignment: To design a new and innovative medical device that will have the ability to effectively repair a broken bone. “Pupils worked hard to create a cost-effective business plan and had to use their problemsolving skills to overcome barriers along the way. Public speaking skills were also developed during formal presentations for the judges! “The week was a resounding success which culminated in the grand finale showcase. The school would like to thank Kerry and the team at DePuy Synthes for organising and resourcing such an inspiring and exciting project for the children.” One child said: “I am really pleased I learnt something new and useful because I can use these skills in the future…one day I’ll probably be the one who fixes bones!”

Cockburn School.” Cockburn MAT began leading the Cockburn John Charles Academy on a journey of “Transformation to Excellence” in June 2017 under a service level agreement and have replicated their successful systems and processes in the Academy. Head of School, Siobhan Roberts said, “The leadership team and I are immensely proud of the academy and all that has been achieved since June 2017. The staff and students have embraced the positive changes for the benefit of each other and our wider community and we encourage everyone to have ambitious aspirations for the future. “The consistent application of our new policies is resulting in high quality teaching and learning, positive behaviour and an engaging curriculum which will lead to positive outcomes for all students at

the academy.” The number of students joining the academy in year 7 in September 2018 has been increased to 230 students, which bears testament to the popularity and confidence of the local community in the Cockburn MAT ethos and its proven record of outstanding outcomes for all students. Year 8 student said, ‘There are really high expectations of behaviour and lessons are really exciting. Students are expected to work hard.’ The academy welcomes the parents/carers of our new and prospective students to visit the academy during the school day to witness first-hand many of the developments that have taken place over this academic year. Please contact the academy reception or via email on info@cockburnjohncharlesacad emy.org to arrange an appointment.

South Leeds Life | April 2018

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8 St Luke’s CARES Community Awards

Leeds Dads L

eeds Dads’ founder Errol Murray explains how a group of dads in Leeds is changing the way we see fatherhood: There’s a group of dads in a room. About six of them. Each has a baby and some of them are crying. A couple of dads are asking the others what to do, but no one has a clear answer. Then again, no one really should, as the most important thing is to be there. Welcome to Leeds Dads. We are a voluntary organisation based at The Tetley Art Gallery in Hunslet Road bringing dads together for social interaction and support. For six years we’ve hosted playgroups for dads and kids, organised social events for dads and families, and provided information and signposting to expert parenting support.

Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife

Leeds Dads meet up every month at The Tetley I was working away when our “You’ll need more than tissues daughter Rayya was born, so I mate…” wanted to get more quality time And we were scared. with her, but didn’t know what to Jerry (not his real name) said do. So in 2011 with just a his working week included a fivehandful of mates and their kids I hour round trip to work, which started the Leeds Dads Group at already left him feeling guilty: Leeds City Museum Cafe. “When well-wishers asked, It was such a laugh in the early how mother and baby were days, but we were so naïve: doing, along with my own “You got any wipes?” rollercoaster of emotions, “No, I’ve got tissues.” stresses of work and general

Walk & Talk K

en Ingram could be forgiven for sitting back and resting. He lives with dementia, hearing loss, he’s had cancer scares and suffers from depression. But he is one of life’s do-ers so he gets on with whatever needs doing and whatever he can help with. A regular volunteer at BITMO’s GATE community resouce centre in Belle Isle, he set up a walking group there 18 months ago. He attended training to become a certified walk leader and has since topped that up with a further first aid course and dementia awareness. “The aim of the group is to get people out walking” Ken explains. “People who would normally stay at home. Get people healthy and walk locally around Middleton Park and the local area.” The other side of the group is the’talk’ socialising. Geri joined the group “to get to know people.” The group go at a steady pace, the pace of the slowest walker. They also stop for a hot drink from the park cafe, so there’s plenty of time to chat.

Studies have shown that natural light, exercise and being in touch with nature all contribute to good mental health. So by getting people outdoors, walking and visiting Middleton Park, Ken’s walks tick all three boxes. Having moved up the road to Middleton, Ken naturally got involved with Middleton Elderly Aid and has now set up a second walking group there. They had their first outing in March. He’s also organised special Sport Relief walks to raise money for charity and encourage people to join his regular walks. The groups are limited to an hour to be accessible to as many people as possible, but this limits the routes they can take. The groups are relatively small, especially during the winter months, but Ken is keen to build the numbers. Walk & Talk would spend their Community Award on promotional materials such as pedometers, t-shirts and leaflets to encourage more people to join them. They would also like to offer transport to other parks in Leeds in order to vary the routes.

Ken (right) with the Walk & Talk Group in Middleton Park

exhaustion, I was left feeling… isolated and fragile.” But for Tony (not his real name), there is nothing better than discovering we’re all in the same boat: “Whether it’s outgrossing each other with a poo-centric horror story, sharing a moment when our child has been a delight, or just knowing someone else is going through a similar tough time (or has come out the other side), it’s pure tonic.” Dads can have an incredible impact on their childrens lives. The Father Involvement Research Alliance say that babies with more involved fathers are more likely to be emotionally secure, confident in new situations, and eager to explore their surroundings. If we are nominated, Leeds Dads will use the community fund to continue our free and voluntary work in the local community.

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Beeston in Bloom

The shortlist From the 23 groups that applied for an award we asked an independent panel to come up with a shortlist of five, which we have profiled on these pages. The panel members were: Ian Rodley, Director of Dance Action Zone Leeds (DAZL) Rachel Jenkins, volunteer at St Luke’s CARES charity shop in Middleton

Kaytlin Thompson, nail and beauty artist at The Shine Nail Bar and Cllr Adam Ogilvie (Beeston & Holbeck ward) who commented: “We had our work cut out as a panel as all the applicants were worthy of selection. What it demonstrates is that there are many community groups in South Leeds making a real difference. After much deliberation we

course. The regular practice sessions give them exercise and builds friendships. As Beth from the Senior section said: “It’s my comfort zone and a place to escape the stresses of college. Everyone’s friendly and easy to talk too.” And Faith, a parent added: “Reetwirlers made my daughter feel welcome, it’s a big

family, my daughter loves training. Sarah, Rachel, Lauren and the girls put lots of hours of their own time into running the troupe. As a mum I think they are fabulous.” The focus of all the practice is to take part in competitions. Here judges are not just looking for agility and co-ordination, but also appearance. Dancers must have uniforms and there are strict rules for each category. Reetwirlers already compete in Pom and Baton but are keen to extend into a new category – military. But that means new uniforms, which cost anything up to £100 each. Many families just don’t have the spare cash for these, especially if more than one child attends. The group always tries to fund these and re-use them in future years as the children grow. Families pay a subscription to fund the cost of adjusting and maintaining the troupe’s stock of uniforms. Fundraising is getting harder for all

Streetwise - Love Leeds

treetwise have been providing hot meals and more for people in need for eight years. They are based at Life Church at the city end of Dewsbury Road. The centre is attended by 40-50 people. They are a mix of people living on the streets, “sofa surfing” - staying at friends homes, people on zero hours contracts and people living on benefits who have been “sanctioned” – had their benefits withheld. No one is judged, everyone is welcomed and that warm welcome is as important to many as the warm building or hot food on offer. I visited on a Thursday evening

St Luke’s CARES Community Awards 9

Email: info@southleedslife.com

his group of volunteers has been brightening the streets and open spaces of Beeston for 21 years. From small beginnings they were encouraged to enter the Yorkshire In Bloom competition

Reetwirlers Majorettes

The Senior Baton team eetwirlers is a majorettes group based at St Luke’s Church in Beeston Hill. They currently have about 30 members whose ages range from 3-32. The young people clearly get a lot out of the group. Through working the routines they learn many skills including teamwork and resilience as well as baton twirling of

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Streetwise volunteers dish up a Christmas dinner for those in need

managed to narrow it down to our top five. We will watch with interest as the public choose their favourite three. Well done to St Luke’s Cares and South Leeds Life for making this possible.” Now it’s over to you, the public. Voting takes place throughout April at St Luke’s CARES charity shops: 246 Dewsbury Road, Beeston and 97 Throstle Lane, Middleton.

Caring for the environment community groups in the current economic climate, for example Reetwirlers haven’t been able to secure a supermarket bag pack for eighteen months. They fear that the girls training now may not be able to

compete this year. Reetwirlers would spend their Community Award on a set of new uniforms to compete this year in the military category.

Younger members tackle Pom

and found a dedicated group of volunteers preparing for that night’s meal. The hot food, it was beef stew with Yorkshire pudding, is prepared by one of four chefs – all professionals with their own business. This is supplemented by food nearing its use by date donated by firms like Costco and Pret a Manger. Other volunteers will help people find donated sleeping bags, warm cloths or toiletries. A paramedic and a physiotherapist are on hand to help out with any medical problems, again professionals volunteering their time and skills. Some volunteers come from the church, but others arrive from

different places, even Leeds Rhinos. Like the people they help the volunteers seem to find Street Wise by word of mouth and they too like the sense of community. If there enough volunteers a group will be sent out onto the streets with a trolley of hot food and drinks for people sleeping on the streets who haven’t come into the centre for whatever reason. I spoke to people as they ate their tea. Michaela and her partner work as casual kitchen porters, but work is slow and money is tight. She told me: “It’s so friendly here, the volunteers take time to talk to you, I’m even Facebook friends with some of them.”

April 2018 | South Leeds Life

Eddie and Chris have sleeping in a tent, but it’s been stolen and their possessions scattered, they are at a loss to understand why anyone would do that. “This place is a lifesaver” Eddie tells me. “You can come inside and sit down for a while, it’s civilised. You feel people want you to be here, it’s a safe place. If you’ve got any problems you can talk to someone and they’ll help you out.” Streetwise would use their Community Award to put towards their Winter Warmth project for next winter. They would also love to be able to buy pool and table tennis tables, to increase the social aspect of the drop-in.

which helped them raise their game. There are two rounds of judging in spring and summer and groups are not only judged on their horticultural achievements, but on the environment and community engagement. You are as likely to In Bloom-ers on a community litter pick as planting bulbs with school children. In 2016 Beeston In Bloom won a Gold medal in the Urban Community category of Yorkshire In Bloom and went on to represent Yorkshire in the Britain In Bloom competition. The volunteers work hard through the year, for example planting up the troughs on the railings at the Tommy Wass junction, but they also have to fundraise to pay for the troughs to be regularly watered by the Parks department. They raise funds from community plant sales and sponsorship of their

A colourful display at the Tommy Wass junction hanging baskets, but they also have horticultural skills although have to apply for grants. that is a bonus, more Whilst quite successful at experienced members can guide applying for grants, they find that you. Working parties take place funders usually want the money throughout the year, but bodies to be spent on a new project. are particularly needed in the This leaves the problem of run up to judging to make sure maintaining their older projects. everything looks spic and span. One of these is the Millennium You can contact Beeston In Garden in Cross Flatts Park. The Bloom via Facebook. four raised beds are planted up Beeston In Bloom would spend in different colours to represent their Community Award on the four seasons. replacing the overgrown planting Beeston In Bloom are always in these beds and the planters keen to welcome new along Beeston Road. volunteers. You don’t need to

South Leeds Life | April 2018

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8 St Luke’s CARES Community Awards

Leeds Dads L

Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife

Walk & Talk K

Ken (right) with the Walk & Talk Group in Middleton Park

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Beeston in Bloom

Streetwise - Love Leeds

St Luke’s CARES Community Awards 9

Email: info@southleedslife.com

his group of volunteers has been brightening the streets and open spaces of Beeston for 21 years. From small beginnings they were encouraged to enter the Yorkshire In Bloom competition

Reetwirlers Majorettes

Website: www.southleedslife.com

Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife

Streetwise volunteers dish up a Christmas dinner for those in need

compete this year. Reetwirlers would spend their Community Award on a set of new uniforms to compete this year in the military category.

Younger members tackle Pom

April 2018 | South Leeds Life

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South Leeds Life | April 2018

10 Opinion

Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife

In our view Innovation Invention and engineering have always been great strengths of South Leeds. Whether you go back as far as William Gascoigne, or to the industrial revolution and the birth of the railways. It is good to see that tradition continue with Citu’s low carbon housing and DePuy Synthes’ medical implants. It’s also important that the skills and traditions are passed down the generations through apprenticeships or science week projects.

Everyone’s a winner We wish we had one of those “magic money trees” to reward all of the 23 groups that applied for a Community Award. As others have said the number and quality of projects really shows the strength of South Leeds. We couldn’t good give everyone money, but we we’ve done what we can and given them some publicity (all the stories are still available to read on our website).

Your letters and comments Bin Yards

Not before time the bin yards of Leeds are finally been dealt with, but not quick enough. Is there a breakdown of which streets will be done in what order because I bet this side of Beeston namely the Barklys won’t be top of the list. They have been a disgrace for years and I’m sick of complaining. I’m currently waiting for mine to be cleared after fly tipping which was reported last November. We can’t even get into ours. Tracy Carr A great idea that I have been advocating for some time. Fewer individual bins to go walkies or get set on fire (when I lived on the Aviaries in Armley briefly, we had our bins burned twice). Now, if the council wanted to be really radical and pro-active about tackling flytipping, how about providing regularly emptied 'community skips' in densely populated / deprived communities so that people have somewhere to dump their larger unwanted goods that don't involve waiting 6 weeks for bulky waste collection or taking them to a disposal site (impossible if you don't drive or are disabled). Richard Edwards

Bus services in South Leeds - not good enough world. Get it right or don’t say anything! David J Scown

Thanks for getting in touch and putting us right David. I can see that the headline might be confusing but I wasn’t suggesting that the plant was called the “Stourton Copperworks”, merely that it located in Simplicity Stourton. The other ‘facts’ in the article were taken Governments spend huge sums Yorkshire Copperworks trying to work out how to fight Yorkshire Copper Works, cunningly from the developer’s publicity material and obesity and social isolation. One of renamed by someone as Stourton Copper taken on trust as I struggled to find other Works, a name that not one of its former sources on the internet. Your figure of the smaller investments made by 9,000 working for the company across employees would recognise. our Community Committee was to I was still working there in 1983. The various sites in 1966 pretty much marries help Cross Flatts parkrun set up. place actually closed just two years ago. At up with my figure of 5,000 at the site in And look what a difference such a its peak, during the war, it is said that over Stourton. I would be interested in your simple idea has made. Thousands 90,000 worked there. When I started in source for the 90,000 workers during the getting more active and making 1966, there were over 9000 working on war. That’s a huge number, given all the new friendships. Sometimes simple site and at various depots, works and other war work being undertaken by is best, especially when it’s fun. subsidiaries in the UK and all around the engineers in Leeds. As for your final statement, I’m afraid I can’t agree. Our readers will be interested to know that the works buildings have been refurbished and that employment Beeston & Holbeck ward is set to return to the site. I do try Includes Beeston from Cross Flatts Park up to the Co-op, Cottingley, old Holbeck. to get my facts right first time, but The three councillors are: I trust our readership, including David Congreve 0113 257 1679 david.congreve@leeds.gov.uk your good self, to correct me when Angela Gabriel 07946 632 468 angela.gabriel@leeds.gov.uk I get it wrong. Between us we can Adam Ogilvie 07969 680 024 adam.ogilvie@leeds.gov.uk bring the full story to our readers. Jeremy Morton (Editor)

Your Councillors and MP

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

Bus services The bus service to south Leeds is a total joke especially the 74 service, in particular services in the early morning that either don’t turn up or two arrive at the same time. Then when you are stood in town and you see the countdown of your next bus go down from 20 mins to 10 mins, 5 mins, 1 min ... and then just disappear and no bus shows. You log a complaint with their app and never hear anything. Ask for a complaint form and get told that there isn’t one - it’s all a farce and there’s no accountability. All the other areas in Leeds have had open meetings with First Bus except South Leeds and this can only be because they know the level of frustration and

unhappiness with the standard of service that First Bus provide. I personally have to catch a bus at 7.10 in the morning now to ensure I can get to work on time for 9 … I only work at Armley. Surely this can’t be right? Andrew Harris The number 12 bus service from the bottom of Middleton Park Avenue at 5.31am is an absolute joke. It’s either late or doesn’t bother to turn up at all. At least I have the option of the number 2 unlike the people waiting on Belle Isle Road, many of whom like myself have another bus to catch in town to get to work. It would seem the only time the number 12 turns up on time is when it’s a woman driver! Helen Kelly I send complaints to First Group on a near-daily basis about the shockingly poor services they operate and we are both fed up of me doing so. I also have to catch a bus at 7:30am from BEESTON to start work at 9am in LEEDS CITY CENTRE. Now that the weather is improving I’m considering walking or cycling to work instead. Steven Blanchard

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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: @leedslibraries Did you know you can now borrow #Micro:bits from us for free, so you can play rock, paper, scissors at home! @LeedsCivicTrust Victoria Mills. Renovations moving along at speed. This important listed mill complex finally getting the treatment it has needed for years.

@crleeds Had a fall? ☹ Our support workers can visit & assess your home for rails & equipment 0113 240 6009 to find out more about our LCC funded service @PeopleMatterLds Our summer prospectus is out now. Find out about what you can do with us from our Job Club to Art, Digital know how to travel, something for everyone peoplemattersleeds .co.uk/adult-learning/ @slpsleeds Our lunchtime ladies joined in on #WorldBookDay2018 @slpsleeds #Scoobydoo

Stourton Park & Ride I recognise local people have concerns and that they should be listened too but I cannot agree on some of the concerns. The scheme would be at the side of the M621 so I don’t agree it will cause more pollution, noise or light as they are already there. I’m not sure about traffic congestion as removing cars from the road should surely reduce it and I don’t believe there will be roads leading to the nearby houses. As for the other park and rides how would someone get from the M1 to Elland Road without adding to the congestion ? We need park and rides where they are needed and that’s at this junction. Steve Topp

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.

@CEO_HunsletClub Rain, sleet and snow doesn’t stop the Hunslet Club boys & girls from training #hunsletclub @loudribs This is lovely: A 30 min video of a drive around #Leeds in 1989, complete with affable commentary from the driver and his mate. A real little gem. https://www.youtube.com/wat ch?v=r-306BOrX5s @gorse_ruth Many thanks to Malisa from the Google Digital Garage project who took the time this afternoon to work with a group of our Year 10 students on how to develop and maintain an effective CV for the future!

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April 2018 | South Leeds Life

People 11

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Parkinson’s poetry P

arkinson’s Disease is a debilitating condition that attacks the central nervous system, currently there is no cure. So it seems a curious topic for poetry. But Mark Wilson, from Beeston, is used to fighting his condition by unorthodox means. Parkinson’s is usually a disease of old age, but Mark was struck down aged just 40. He became depressed and even considered taking his own life, but was saved by his daughter’s phone call and a comedy night out. Finding that laughter took his mind off his own problems he set about organising comedy nights, both to cheer people up and to raise funds for Parkinson’s UK. His seventh event took place last month and raised £2,100 and the he’s

Mark hands over a cheque for £2,100 to Parkinson’s UK Leeds branch already selling tickets for his eighth poems so I should write a book.” night in September. You can buy the book (also He has also just published a book available as an ebook) from Mark’s of poems called “Parkinson’s at website: www.markwilsonpoetry .co.uk 40.” “I started writing poetry about 18 Parkinsons is the toughest enemy months ago” explained Mark. “I It has all sorts of weapons it uses found it hard to tell people how I felt, on me but I could write it down. I put the But what it doesn’t realise is I’m a poems on Parkinson's pages on worthy foe Facebook. “People liked them and thanked It continues to try and cause me because I said exactly how they me woe were feeling and carers were Whatever it throws I’ll try to thanking for saying they finally defend understood the illness. Someone I’m here to fight to the very end just said they would like to keep the

Beeston Hill shop - can you help solve the mystery?

eader Frances Mannion has been in touch to ask other readers for their help in solving a mystery: I would appreciate it if you could ask readers please if anyone knows any history of the old shop at 55 Woodview Mount, Beeston? The shop has lettering that suggests it was a footwear shop at one time. Does anyone know its history or have a photo of the shop in its hay day please? I think there must be a reason it was seemingly abandoned? I would be grateful to know as I walk past it most days. The internet offers no clues; its mystery sort of taunts for an answer. Thank you.

Hunslet rugby star Jimmy Brogden dies

What do you know about this shop on the corner of Woodview Mount and Trentham Street?

Keep up to date with the latest news New stories posted every day online at:

www.southleedslife.com

by Albert Jones

e are sad to report that former Hunslet RLFC player Jimmy Brogden passed away in the early hours of Monday 12 March) at Middleton Park Lodge nursing home, aged 95 after a short illness. Jimmy was born in the Dartmouths streets of Hunslet and lived in Hunslet all his life. Jimmy was well known for his memory. And if England had a team for talking Jimmy would have been the captain! Jimmy used to like going to the breakfast club at South Leeds Stadium on Friday mornings to meet other former players. Then he would go on to Dewsbury Road Social Club to play dominoes with the Tetleys Pensoners (where a lots people tried to talk to him but could not get a word in). Jimmy played for Hunslet in the 40’s and is pictured here with the Yorkshire Senior Cup. During the war Jimmy was in the Royal Navy serving on the

Jimmy Brogden with the Yorkshire Senior Cup minesweepers. Jimmy leaves Edna his wife and two sons. Jimmy lived in sheltered homes at Crescent Grange.

Middleton memories - a dog’s dinner W

by Hazel Mulroy

hoever it was who said “there’s no such thing as a free lunch” was definitely wrong one afternoon in Middleton way back in the early 1950s. I was only small and mum pushed me in my posh Silver Cross pram (British racing green colour with a silver crest on the sides) to the shops at Middleton Circus at the top of Middleton Park Avenue. Our dog Prince, a German Shepherd,came too. Mum went into the shop (Maypole or Meadows?) which was a butchers on one side and a grocers on the other and joined the butchers queue keeping a close eye on me outside. Prince was my guard dog hitched to the pram by his choker chain. Unfortunately, the sight of all the meat in the shop window became too tempting and Prince slipped his chain and bounded into the shop, thrust his head into the window and pinching a joint of meat was off like a bullet in the direction of the park. Mum immediately dashed out after him

Hazel in her Silver Cross pram grabbing my pram handle rinse in the sink the meat and gave chase running was soon sizzling away in across Middleton Park the oven and dad came Road, bumping over the home from work to an tram tracks (good job the unexpected mid-week pram was coach built and roast. had good suspension) to Prince had his fair share the grass near the too but of course mum had Middleton Arms. to find somewhere else to Prince was proudly sat shop! with his prize between his front paws and his tail thumping vigorously on the ground. Without hesitating mum scooped the joint of beef (dad’s favourite) into her shopping bag and walked briskly home towards Town Street. Prince playing cowboys After a good with Hazel’s brother Garry

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South Leeds Life | April 2018

12 People

Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife

Review: George’s Marvelous Medicine

Poverty Truth an exercise in Social Communication T

Catherine Morris, Preston Nyman and Justin Wilman. Photo: Manuel Harlan

by Sunjeeda Hanif

his was a first time experience for my children to see a high quality performance live at The West Yorkshire Playhouse. Kindly selected and nominated to attend on behalf of Caroline Carr – Headteacher at Greenmount Primary School. We were seated in our very prestigiously reserved front seated area. The play initially started with the hard working family characters who live and work on the farm. Mum, Dad and George, on hearing the news of the sudden arrival of Grandma are shocked, nervous, worried and bounce into action to try and prepare. The body language displayed by all within significant moments showed their impact and effectiveness. George demonstrates his frustration and sadness at Grandma’s domineering attitude. Frequently belittling him for never doing enough or not being good enough. Grandma’s character was emphasised with the contribution of her upmarket status defined by her costumes. All the characters used voice projection effectively, pitch pace, projection and intonation was powerful and memorable.

The play showed the harsh realities of hard work, family roles and real problems experienced. Followed by George dutifully caring and then capturing the magic of his medicinal invention. From start to finish the intergenerational audience was captivated. Families displaying joy from watching and listening with astonishment in their eyes. No screen time for anyone, just watching people live in action created an engagement from the packed out audience. Any conversation the characters had seemed to generate a roar from the ever so engaged audience who loved every minute. Children with additional needs laughed the whole way through and could not stop talking about the fun they had. To conclude the issue of caring was the main highlight and the joys and stresses of dutifully caring for a loved one however with a comedy angle throughout. Superbly designed set, lighting, sound and costumes too. Daniyaal (10) said: “I liked the actors, they acted really nice and the sound effects were cool …” Abdullah (9) added: “It was entertaining, joyful, crazy, clever, non stop, spectacular … I did not want to blink so I would not miss anything.”

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by Nick Carter

hat’s a good posh title, but accurate. Poverty Truth is not an organisation but a social movement, it is dedicated to bringing the truth of what poverty is to those who can do something about it. There are many people in positions of power and authority who want to help the poor, they have access to all sorts of academic and professional resources, but there is one resource that is rarely accessed: people in poverty themselves. Poverty Truth has a maxim “Nothing about us, without us, is for us.” It is an attempt to put people with direct experience of poverty in contact with the decision makers of this country. Leeds Poverty Truth consists of three groups. First are the enablers, people and organisations who have located those able and willing to talk and listen. Together For Peace are our main enablers, they have done the administrative work of finding Commissioners, meeting places, food, drink (primarily tea and coffee),

emotional support and inspiration. Second is the first group of Commissioners, or Testifiers if you wish, those who have first hand experience of poverty, real people with mundane problems, not ones who make good television and press stories. The final group is the second

group of Commissioners, people in positions of power and authority who can make things change, and more importantly want to hear the truth of poverty, not the rabble rousing rhetoric that appears in the press.

Has it worked? Most definitely. Over the last two years I and about 15 others have been given encouragement to tell our “Stories”, what has put us in poverty, what poverty truly is, and I’ve news for you it’s not about money. It’s much more about fear, fear of hunger, fear of homelessness, fear of isolation. Money is a tool that helps cure poverty but not a panacea. We have been able to speak to people about what we need, people who want to help, want to listen and want to talk. That in itself is a gift, but having listened they are actually changing things for us. We don’t want to sit on our arses all day swigging White Lightening and watching Jeremy Kyle, although this is a popular belief. We want a little respect, a little support and a little belief that we have worth. Holidays in the Maldives, new cars, 4 bedroom houses in up market areas are not an option, but a little respect that we are not lazy, sponging vermin is nice. I want to help people in our society, Poverty Truth has helped me to do that.

South Leeds Life’s Poverty Pledge

Poverty dehumanises us all. We pledge to make Leeds a more human city by helping people experiencing poverty to tell their stories, so that we can all understand. We will continue to report on projects and groups that help break down isolation and offer opportunities for people to contribute, no matter their financial position and we will continue to make the news available for free. Find out more about Leeds Poverty Truth and their report - or ‘HuManifesto’ at: www.leedspovertytruth.org.uk What can your club, group, or company do to help make Leeds a more human city? Take the Poverty Pledge this month!

The lighter side of the ‘Beast from the East’

he Beast from the East brought snow, ice and freezing temperatures to South Leeds last month. As well as the misery, cold and travel disruption, it brought snow days, fun and laughter. It gave one man (our own Ed Carlisle) the opportunity to fulfill a lifetime ambition and build an igloo! We put a call out for your snow photos and here are a selection. Thanks to: Richard & Jules Harrison, Vikki Blake, Sophie McHale-Webster and Ed Carlisle.

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April 2018 | South Leeds Life

What’s On 13

Email: info@southleedslife.com

Events at the Libraries Spring clean for Malverns T this Easter holidays

ots of fun to be had in the Libraries this Easter Holidays, all events are free and can be booked at: www. ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibrary events Places are limited so book your ticket now!

Micro:bit Battle Tuesday 3 April 11am-12pm Dewsbury Rd Community Hub Using BBC Micro:bits, code and create your own Rock Paper Scissors project and battle it out to become the champion! You then have the option to borrow a Micro:bit for free to take home and continue your coding! For 6-12 year olds Booking essential as places are limited. Book your place at: www.ticketsource.co.uk/ leedslibraryevents Girl Code Thursday 5 April 11am-12pm Beeston Library Design and code your own

Thursday 12 April 11am-12pm Beeston Library

designer dress that turns heads and lights up the fashion world! Complete the Hour of Code and discover your superpowers on an adventure with Wonder Woman! For 7-12 year olds Booking essential as places are limited. Book your place at: www.ticketsource.co.uk/ leedslibraryevents

Minecraft Hour of Code Thursday 5 April 2pm-3pm Hunslet Library

Can you code your own Minecraft game in an hour? Come and take on the challenge and help Steve complete the mission! For 6-12 year olds Booking essential as places are limited. Book your place at: www.ticketsource.co.uk/ leedslibraryevents

he St Luke’s Tenants and Residents Group will be marking The Great British Spring Clean with a litter pick around Malvern Road in Beeston. The event, which had to be rearranged due to the snow, takes place on Saturday 21 April. Meet at St Luke’s Church from 2pm, where you will be provided with safety equipment and refreshments. Organiser Aleric Hall said: “It a great opportunity to do something positive in our community and meet some of Councillors and residents picking litter on Beeston Road your neighbours.”

Could YOU sell this space to advertisers? South Leeds Life is looking for a part time Advertising Sales Executive to help boost our income from advertising and keep the newspaper sustainable. Coding with Swift Playgrounds Thursday 12 April 2pm-3pm Dewsbury Rd Community Hub Learn to Code with Swift Playgrounds, meet new characters, solve puzzles and complete the challenges before the timer goes off! For 6-12 year olds Booking essential as places are limited. Book your place at: www.ticketsource.co.uk/ leedslibraryevents

We need someone with proven sales skills who can use their initiative to generate leads, negotiate deals and close sales. In return we can offer a generous commission on sales and, if performance is satisfactory, a basic salary component. INTERESTED? Ring 07894 583966 or email your CV to: info@southleedslife.com

Spring has arrived in Stourton

taff and volunteers at TCV’s Skelton Grange Environment Centre in Stourton are celebrating the arrival of spring with a packed events schedule including Easter Trails, Bushcraft, week-long playschemes, craft workshops and volunteering opportunities! Well over 200,000 people have accessed and enjoyed the wildlife haven that is Skelton Grange Environment Centre in south Leeds, helping

to improve health and wellbeing in the community. This is all part of the Access2Nature project which has received funding from Big Lottery and National Grid. The staff and volunteers at the centre plan to celebrate this Good Friday with an Easter Egg Trail, plus there’ll be a chance to have a go at some crafts and make a miniature Easter garden. Skelton Grange is offering loads of opportunities for kids

in the holidays too with Bushcraft events (4 & 5 April), the popular Skelton Rangers Easter Playscheme (9-13 April) and the Into the Wilderness camping event (29 August) is available to book too. It’s not all about the kids; there are loads of courses and events going on for adults at the centre too with all proceeds going to support the great charitable work of the centre!

There’s block printing and mobile making with Laney Birkhead (22 April), plus Chris Moss returns with her popular wire bird workshops (16 June). The centre is also celebrating the arrival of warmer weather with the spring conservation volunteering and outdoor crafts festival (Friday 20 April) which is free to join and is a way to say thank you to everyone who has been involved with the centre over the years. To find out more about any of the events mentioned above please visit tcv.org.uk/skeltongrange Ralph Walker, Administrator at Skelton Grange said: “We’ve got so much going on over the Easter holidays. The week-long playscheme is all about getting outside in the spring sunshine and the kids will be out in the fresh air for most of the day, every day. We also have the spring volunteer festival which is a lovely way to say thanks to our current volunteers and to hopefully welcome some new faces.”

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South Leeds Life | April 2018

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 April

Please check that regular events are not affected by school holidays, 3-13 April Full contact details can be found in our online What’s On guide at www.southleedslife.com/events Every Monday

GTT: Digital Access Holbeck 9am-12pm St Luke’s Church, Malvern Road, Beeston Hill Bridge Cafe 9:30am-2:30pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Women & Girls’ Drop In 9:30am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project 43 Stratford Street, Beeston Computers with Digital Angels 10-11:30am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Lychee Red – Chinese Elders Gp 10am-12pm Belle Isle Family Centre, Belle Isle Road Friendship Group 10am-12pm Belle Isle Family Centre Julie’s Ancestry Group 10am & 1pm BITMO’s GATE Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road Crafts 10-11:30am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Avenue Walk and Talk 11am-12pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle British Lung Foundation Circuit 11:30am-12:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston. Lunch Club 11:30am-1pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Lunch Club 12-1:30pm Cottingley Community Centre Bowling 12:30-4pm Cross Flatts Park Christmas arts and crafts 1-3pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road Women’s Wellbeing Group 1-3pm Belle Isle Family Centre, Belle Isle Road Dance 2-3pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Avenue Triathlon Training 4:15-5:45pm Middleton Cycle Hub Kickboxing 6-8:30pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Hunslet Warriors Juniors 6-7pm Warrior Park, The Oval South Leeds Sisters running 6.15pm South Leeds Stadium St Matthew’s Youth Club 6:30-8:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Women’s Couch to 5K running 6:30-7:30pm Middleton Park Bike Hub, LS10 3TN Zumba 7pm Middleton Parochial Hall 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

Mums & Tots 9-11am Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle Bridge Cafe 9:30am-2:30pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park

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 HEA’s Tea & Toast breakfast 10am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Baking 10-11am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Breastfeeding Support 10am-12pm Middleton Family Centre, 252-262 Sissons Road Friendship Group 10am-12pm Hunslet Methodist Church, Telford Terrace, Balm Rd General fitness over 55's 10-11am St Anthony's church hall, Beeston Community Coffee Morning 10-11:30am Beeston Library Yoga class 10:30-11:30am Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street HEA’s Singing Group 11am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Knit & Natter 10:30am-12pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre Gentle Exercise 11.30am-12:30pm Cottingley Community Centre Lunch Club 11:30am-1pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Lunch Club 12pm Woodhouse Hill Community Centre, Hunslet HEA’s Lunch Club 12:15-1:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Bowling 12:30-4pm Cross Flatts Park Dancing In Time 1:30-3pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck 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 Inside Out wellbeing group 6-8pm Conservative Club, Ring Road Middleton Women’s Boot Camp 6:45-7:45 Middleton Park Bike Hub, LS10 3TN Craft & Social Evening 6:30pm Woodhouse Hill Community Centre, Hunslet Carr Free Football Sessions 6:30-7:30pm 8-12 year olds 7:30-8:30pm 13-16 year olds Holbeck Community Centre, Elland Road, LS11 0AB Holbeck HUB Choir 7-8:30pm (food from 6:30pm) Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck South Leeds Lakers running

7pm from Beeston Co-op

Every Wednesday

Bacon Butty Breakfast 9-11am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Messy Time 9:15-11am Middleton Play & Learning Centre, Throstle Lane Parents and Toddlers 9:15-11:15am 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 Rags to Riches Sewing Group 10am-12pm Tenants Hall Ent. Centre, Acre Close, Middleton HEA’s Shopping Trip 10am-1pm Holbeck Elderly Aid, Domestic Street CAP Job Club 10am-12pm Two Willows Children’s Centre, Cardinal Sq Community Craft Cafe 10am-12pm Church of the Nazarene, Hunslet Hall Road Money Advice 10:15am-3pm St George’s Centre, Middleton Dancing In Time 10:30am-12pm St John & St Barnabas Church, Belle Isle Road Free Zumba 12-12:45pm Middleton Leisure Centre HEA’s Lunch & Film Afternoon 12-3pm Ingram Gardens Community Centre, Holbeck Lunch Club 12:30pm Salvation Army, Hunslet Hall Road, Beeston Grandparents’ Group 12:30-2:30pm Tenants Hall Ent. Centre, Acre Close, Middleton Bumps & Buggy Fit 1-2pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park (from 18 April) Line Dancing 1:45pm Trinity Network, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle At Home In Holbeck 2-3pm Ingram Road Primary School Walk and Talk 2-3pm meet outside Greggs, Middleton Park Circus 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 Ladies Fitness Class 6-7pm Beeston Parish Centre,

Town Street 1st Beeston Beaver Scouts 6-7:30pm St Andrews Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston Hunslet Warriors Juniors 6-7pm Warrior Park, The Oval City Kids (R-Y6) 6-7:15pm City Evangelical Church, Cemetery Road HITT Training Class 6-7pm Belle Isle Family Centre Cottingley Youth Club 6:30-8:30pm Cottingley Community Centre Zumba 6:30pm Middleton Parochial Hall, Town Street Women’s Couch to 5K running 6:30-7:30pm Middleton Park Bike Hub, LS10 3TN 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 Barnabas Church Hall, Belle Isle Camera Club 8pm upstairs at St George’s Centre, Middleton

Every Thursday

Mums & Tots 9-11am Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle Stay & Play 9-11am St Anthony’s Church Hall, Old Lane, Beeston Charity Shop 9:30am-3pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Bridge Cafe 9:30am-2:30pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park HEA’s Community 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 Storytime (under 5s) 11-11:30am Dewsbury Road Community Hub, Beeston Bumps & Buggy Fit 11:15am-12:15pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre (from 19 April) Chair based mobility group 11:15am-12:30pm Beeston Village Community Ctr Lunch Club 11:30am-1pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Lunch Club 12pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Line Dancing 1pm Trinity Network, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Little Explorers Baby Group 1-2:30pm Middleton Play & Learning Centre, Throstle Lane New Lives Group 1-2:30pm Two Willows Children’s

Centre, Cardinal Square Digital Image Online Photography 1:15-3:15pm Cockburn Skills Hub, Gipsy Lane Breathe Easy gentle exercise 1:30pm Hunslet Methodist Church Telford Terrace, off Balm Road Social Afternoon 1:30-3pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Activites with Rocky 1:30-2:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Craft Group 1:30-3:30pm Cleveleys Court, Holbeck Vale Circles Autism Hub 2-7pm Vale Circles Centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Kidz Klub Middleton 5:05-6:15pm Middleton Primary School, Middleton Park Avenue Mini & Junior Rugby 6-7pm Leeds Corinthians, Ring Road, Middleton General Fitness 6-7pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street 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 Yoga class 7:30-8:30pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street 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 HEA’s Tea & Toast Breakfast 10am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Cuppa, Toast and Games 10am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Middleton Minstrels Women’s Choir 10:30am-12:30pm Tenant Hall, Acre Close, Middleton Dancing In Time 10:30am-12pm St John & St Barnabas Church, Belle Isle Road Breathe Easy gentle exercise 11:30 Parochial Hall, North

Lingwell Road, Middleton Lunch Club 11:30am-1pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Luncheon Club 12-1:30pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street HEA’s Fish & Chip Lunch Club 12:30-1:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Bowling 12:30-4pm Cross Flatts Park Krok Po Kroku (Polish Group) 12:30-2:30pm Tenants Hall Enterprise Centre, Acre Close, Middleton Ballroom Dancing 1-2:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Dancing In Time 1:30-3pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck HEA’s Games Afternoon 1:30-3pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Gentle Chair Exercise Class 1.30-2.30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave 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 Church Lads’ & Girls Brigade 6-8pm St John & St Barnabas Church, Belle Isle Road Friday Night Project 6-9pm Middleton Leisure Centre 1st Beeston Cub Scouts 6:15-7:45pm St Andrews Community Centre, Cardinal Road 1st Beeston Scouts 8-9:30pm St Andrews Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston

Every Saturday

Breakfast Club 8:30-11am Vale Circles Centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Cross Flatts parkrun 9am Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park, Beeston Police Contact Point 9:30-11:30am St George’s Centre, Middleton Kidz ‘n’ Co 10:30am-12:30pm Cottingley Community Centre Middleton Railway 11am-5pm Moor Road, Hunslet

Every Sunday

Cross Flatts junior parkrun 9am, top of Cross Flatts Park Middleton Railway 11am-5pm Moor Road, Hunslet

Publicise your event with South Leeds Life Send full details of your event to: info@southleedslife.com Ring/text: 07894 583966

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Email: info@southleedslife.com

Friday 30 March Easter Egg Hunt 11am-1pm Cross Flatts Park Easter Egg Trail 11am Skelton Grange Environment Centre, Stourton Easter Egg Hunt 2-4pm St Luke’s Vicarage, Malvern View, Beeston Hill Hunslet RLFC v Keighley Cougars 2pm South Leeds Stadium, Middleton Grove, Beeston Saturday 31 March Breakfast Club 8:30-11am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Teens Club 1-5pm Vale Circles centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Easter Party & Film Show 3-7pm The Holbeck Club, Jenkinson Lawn Sunday 1 April Children’s Easter Party 2-8pm St Joseph’s Catholic Club, Whitfield Avenue, Hunslet Monday 2 April Middleton Railway 11am-5pm Moor Road, Hunslet Children’s Party 1-4pm Belle Isle Working Men’s Club, Town Street Tuesday 3 April Mostly Men! 10am-12pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Micro:Bit Battle 11am-12pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub, Beeston Free play: Magical Middleton 1-3pm Middleton Park Visitors Centre, off Town Street Wednesday 4 April Bushcraft Day 10am-4pm Skelton Grange Environment Centre, Stourton Junior Triathlon Camp 10:30am-1:30pm John Charles Centre for Sport, Middleton Grove Middleton Railway 11am-5pm Moor Road, Hunslet Junior Golf Camp 12-2pm South Leeds Golf Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston Hunslet Memories 12-2pm The Prospect pub, Moor Road, Hunslet Free play: Spring Into Play 1-3pm Middleton Park Visitors Centre, off Town Street Pot-a-Tea Dementia Café 1:30-3:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Lego Club 3:30-4:30pm Beeston Library, Town Street Thursday 5 April Bushcraft Day 10am-4pm Skelton Grange Environment Centre, Stourton Girl Code 11am-12pm Beeston Library, Town Street Junior Golf Camp 12-2pm South Leeds Golf Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston Balance Pedal Go 1-3 Middleton Park Tennis Courts Minecraft Hour of Code 2-3pm Hunslet Library, Church St Hunslet Carr Residents Assoc 6:30pm Community Centre, Woodhouse Hill Avenue Beeston Community Forum 7:30pm Old White Hart, Town St Saturday 7 April No Stress Yoga 10-11:30am The Tetley, Hunslet Road Coffee Morning 10am-12pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston Coffee morning 10am-12pm Beeston Parish

Centre, Town Street Family Art Workshop 11am-3pm The Tetley, Hunslet Road Teens Club 1-5pm Vale Circles centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Monday 9 April HEA Memory Cafe 12:30-2:30pm Ingram Gardens Community Centre, Holbeck Lego Club 3:30-4:30pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub, Beeston HEA Supper Club 5-7pm Ingram Gardens, Holbeck Tuesday 10 April Leeds Rhinos Rugby Camp 9am-3pm Hunslet Club Parkside Rugby Club, Belle Isle Road Senior Strollers 10-11:30am Cross Flatts Park, Parkfield Avenue entrance Junior Golf Camp 12-2pm South Leeds Golf Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston Free play: Wild Art 1-3pm Middleton Park Visitors Centre, off Town Street Camera Club 3-4:30pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub, Beeston Beeston Local History Society 8pm Beeston Parish Centre (small hall), Town Street Wednesday 11 April Junior Triathlon Camp 10:30am-1:30pm John Charles Centre for Sport, Middleton Grove Middleton Railway 11am-5pm Moor Road, Hunslet Walk & Talk 11am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Free play: Spring Into Play 1-3pm Middleton Park Visitors Centre, off Town Street Thursday 12 April Minecraft Hour of Code 11am-12pm Beeston Library, Town Street Junior Golf Camp 12-2pm South Leeds Golf Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston Balance Pedal Go 1-3 Middleton Park Tennis Courts Coding with Swift Playgrounds 2-3pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub, beeston Friday 13 April Sunflower planting 10:45-12pm Beeston Library, Town Street Saturday 14 April Building Services Recruitment Day 9:30am-2pm Leeds College of Building, Cudbear Street, Hunslet Teens Club 1-5pm Vale Circles centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Leeds Salon: Can Culture Save The City? 3-4:30pm The Tetley, Hunslet Rd Sunday 15 April Sunday Lunch 1-3pm Ingram Gardens Community Centre, Holbeck Leeds Dads 2-4pm The Tetley, Hunslet Road Hunslet RLFC v Workington Town 3pm South Leeds Stadium, Middleton Grove, Beeston The Last Resort 3pm and 5pm Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck Monday 16 April Together With Tots 9:30-11:30am Two Willows Children’s Centre, Cardinal Square Tuesday 17 April TSL Goes Local 10am-12:30pm Tenants Hall, Acre Close, Middleton Thursday 19 April

April 2018 | South Leeds Life

What’s On 15 Jobs Day 9:30am-4pm BITMO’s GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road St Luke’s Tenants & Residents 6pm St Luke’s Church, Malvern Road, Beeston Friday 20 April Spring conservation volunteering and outdoor crafts festival 10am-3:30pm Skelton Grange Environment Centre, Stourton Saturday 21 April Ramblers group Meet 9am St Mary’s Church, Town Street, Beeston Coffee morning 10am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Young Archaeologists Club 10am-12pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Community Day at Middleton Railway 11am-5pm Moor Road, Hunslet Family Art Workshop 11am-3pm The Tetley, Hunslet Road Great Beeston Spring Clean 2-4pm Meet St Luke’s Church, Malvern Road, Beeston More Than A Mouthful 2pm Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck Sunday 22 April Block Printing & Mobile Making 10am-5pm Skelton Grange Environment Centre, Stourton The North! The North! 5-6pm Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck Monday 23 April HEA Morley Shop / Swim 9am-12pm meet The old Box Office, 99 Domestic St, Holbeck HEA Supper Club 5-7pm Ingram Gardens, Holbeck Tuesday 24 April HEA St George’s Day Lunch 12-2pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck The Creatives 3:30-4:30pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub, Beeston Wednesday 25 April Tiny Tetley 10:30-11:30am; 11:45-12:45 The Tetley, Hunslet Road Walk & Talk 11am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Cop Shop Memory Cafe 1-3pm Elland Road Police Station Arm in Arm Memory Cafe 1:30-3pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Thursday 26 April Hunslet Remembered 10am-12pm Hunslet Library Wellbeing Drop In 10am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Saturday 28 April Breakfast Club 8:30-11am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Teens Club 1-5pm Vale Circles centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Leeds Salon: Can Art Survive the Culture Wars? 3-4:30pm The Tetley, Hunslet Rd Concert: Boundless Choir 7pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Sunday 29 April HEA Sunday Lunch 12-1:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck BITMO Lunch Club 1-3pm BITMO’s GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road Maltings Court Lunch Club 1-3pm Maltings Court, Maltings Road, Beeston

in brief Easter Egg Hunts

City Evangelical Church has organised a morning of family fun in Cross Flatts Park on Good Friday 30 March. Register in the Watsonian Pavilion from 11am. There are four hunts: preschool children in the Millenium Garden 11am-1pm; Years 1-2 from 11:30; Years 3-4 12pm; Years 5-6 12:30pm. Plus crafts, quiz, refreshments and live music. St Luke’s Church will host an Easter Egg Hunt on Good Friday 30 March, 2-4pm in the vicarage garden, Malvern View, or in church if it’s raining. Skelton Grange Environment Centre host an Easter Egg Trail in their woodland by the river at Stourton, plus crafts and mini-garden making.

Children’s Parties The Holbeck club is holding its Children’s party on Saturday 31 March. There will be bouncy castles and buffet from 3pm and a free film show from 5pm. St Jospeh’s Catholic Club in Hunslet is holding its Children’s party on Sunday 1 April from 28pm. There will be Easter Bonnet and decorated (boiled) egg competitions plus games and prizes. Belle Isle Working Men’s Club is hosting its Children’s party on Monday 2 April 1-4pm.

Middleton Railway

The oldest working railway in the world starts its 2018 programme on 31 March with steam trains running on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. There will also be a service on Wednesday 4 and Wednesday 11 April. Entry to the museum at Moor Road, Hunslet is free. A family ticket to ride a train up to Middleton Park and back is £16. Full details at: www.middletonrailway.org.uk

Bumps & Babes

Free play sessions in Middleton Park The Friends of Middleton Park have once more organised free play sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons in the school holidays. Sessions including den building, potion making and woodland art take place from 1-3pm in or near the Visitor Centre. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Then on Thursdays 1-3pm get cycling on the tennis courts with Balance, Pedal, Go!

Two regular, free Bumps & Buggy Fitness classes for pregnant women and new mums with babies start this month. The outdoor sessions are led by experienced community midwives. Cross Flatts Park: starts Wednesday 18 April at 1pm, meet at the cafe in the Watsonian Pavilion. Middleton Park: starts Thursday 19 April at 11:15am, meet at the Visitor Centre. For more information ring Sharon 07905 143835 or Shelley 07950 401713.

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South Leeds Life | April 2018

16 Sport

Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife

Hunslet’s streak ends H

by Jeremy Morton & Ian Pickles

unslet RLFC have been on an eight game winning streak in competitive matches, but that came to an end at Odsall when they faced Bradford Bulls on 25 March. The month saw two games called off due to the atrocious weather: the League tie against Whitehaven and the Challenge Cup tie against the Bulls. In between, Hunslet put in a good home performance beating North Wales Crusaders 26-10 on 11 March. The Parksiders took the lead in under two minutes when Hooker Jack Lee dummied to go over. Joe Sanderson having converted the try, the game then went into a war of attrition as North Wales found their feet, but it was a brilliant try on 25 minutes that stretched Hunslet’s lead. The ball went from right to left in a flowing move before Gibson passed inside to Watson, who drew the full back to send Sanderson over, who then converted his

own try. 12-0. Watson was again provider, this time putting Joel Gibson over in the corner for a classic winger’s try. 16-0 at half time. North Wales scored soon after the break , but poor discipline from North Wales meant Jack Lee could strike from close range, Sanderson tagging on the extras. Hunslet battling at Bradford. Photo: Paul Johnson At 22-6 it felt like the of tries from Hallas striking “We haven’t got anything to game was won and Hunslet from dummy half gave Bradford fear when we play them on started to give the ball some the lead. Dalton Grant also Easter Monday” referring to the air, keeping it alive Hunslet scored before the break re-arranged Challenge Cup tie. passed out to the right where leading to a half time score of However he stressed that the Tom Ashton bulldozed his way 16-6 to the Bulls. League was Hunslet’s main through defenders to score in Bradford scored twice before focus. the corner. A late Dale Hunslet got their second try, a Bloomfield try was scant well worked move finished by Upcoming home fixtures: consolation for North Wales as Dean Roberts. Grant Hunslet deserved to take the completed a hat-trick for the v Keighley Cougars points. Bulls who also kicked a penalty Fri 30 March 2pm The trip to Bradford on 25 to finish winners by 32-12. March was a sterner test v Bradford Bulls Speaking to BBC Radio against the promotion favourite Leeds after the game Hunslet Mon 2 April 2pm Bulls. Coach Gary Thornton said he Hunslet started brightly and was disappointed that his side v Workington Town scored down the left hand side hadn’t been able to play as he Sun 15 April 3pm through Joel Gibson, but a pair knew they could. But he said:

Hold, Pass, Catch Hunslet Rugby Foundation’s work in schools

n the last two years over 4,000 boys and girls at local schools have come into contact with Rugby League thanks to Michael Nuttall and the Hunslet Rugby Foundation, part of Hunslet RLFC. Michael spends most of his time in primary schools teaching multi skill sports, children play a range of games from which they learn core rugby skills of holding, passing and catching. He also promotes our local community clubs: Hunslet Club Parkside, Hunslet Warriors and Beeston Broncos. Many primary schools don’t have a sports specialist amongst their staff and find Michael input invaluable. He also tries to pass on his skills to

Five years 3,688 runners C

ross Flatts parkrun will be celebrating its fifth birthday on Saturday 31 March in its customary friendly style. The weekly, free, timed, 5km run or walk has much to celebrate having seen 3,688 people tackle the two-and-ahalf laps of the park and spawned two running clubs South Leeds Lakers and South Leeds Sisters. It has also supported groups through the Couch-2-5K programme. This is a ten week programme that takes you from someone doing no exercise at all to running a full 5K.

Runners and walkers are encouraged to come in fancy dress for the birthday run which will be followed by tea and cake at St Luke’s Church. Organiser Mark Hodgkinson explained: “parkrun is not a race and there are no prizes for the winner – except the satisfaction, shared by all those taking part, in doing something great with their Saturday morning each week.” Sign up and get your barcode online at www.parkrun.org.uk, then get down to Cross Flatts Park for a 9am start. Everyone’s welcome.

Parkrunners in fancy dress

Yorkshire Cricket supports Beeston disability group T

Year 8 after school rugby at Cockburn School the class teachers, community rugby club. encouraging them to take the Michael is a product of the lead for part of the session. Hunslet Club where he started Michael also takes after playing rugby aged 5. He’s school sessions at secondary wanted to play professionally schools. At this age the pupils for as long as he can can play contact rugby and the remember, but has been sessions are more focused hampered by injuries. Coaching rugby training. He cites the with the Foundation is a way of example of staying involved in the game one lad at and he’s thoroughly enjoying it. Cockburn who His one frustration is that had only ever although his sessions are very played popular with schools, he can’t football, but deliver any more unless the Michael Foundation is able to secure spotted that more funding. his skills were Another side of his role sees more suited to Michael working directly with rugby. After a the community clubs. He year of organises curtain raiser games training ahead of Hunslet RLFC’s home sessions he games. These give a great gave up boost to the young players. He football and also runs summer rugby joined a camps.

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he Yorkshire Cricket Community Cricket Officer, Foundation (YCF) have said: “Chris will benefit on a come together with the personal level, increasing his Yorkshire Cricket Board (YCB) key skills and allowing him to and Yorkshire County Cricket take a lead in the organisation Club (YCCC) to support HALO, a through the delivery of cricket. learning disability service Cricket is a passion of his and provided in Beeston at the through the work YCF have Hamara Centre. HALO has been running at Hamara since 2010, with cricket training taking place every Monday. The sessions, which cater for anyone over the age of 18 with a registered learning difficulty, promote a relaxed environment allowing participants to socialise and take part in a range of cricket-related activities. Chris, from Beeston, who has learning difficulties, has been attending the HALO project every Yorkshire’s James Wainman with Chris Monday morning for 4 yeas and absolutely loves cricket. As part of the YCF’s Diverse Communities work, the foundation has provided cricket equipment for the HALO group to use and YCB have funded Chris to go on a level 1 coaching course in February so he can become a qualified coach. Charlie Roebuck, Disability

done, we identified him as a potential coach. “Disability cricket needs coaches who sympathise with the disabilities on show. The understanding is something in which a non-disabled person will never know. “Chris shows outstanding knowledge and understanding of the game of cricket as well as the participants needs.

Enhancing his game-based learning and key cricket skills can only push him forward into further employable opportunities. Chris would have no problem working in the cricketing coaching world and I would be happy to have him in my team.” Chris, HALO Member said: “I love cricket and I am very grateful to Yorkshire Cricket for selecting me for this course. I am really looking forward to completing my course and teaching others.” And Chris’s Carer commented: “Having been selected to take part in coaching is a great personal development opportunity for Chris. I think it will help to build his confidence and selfesteem.” Yorkshire fast bowler, James Wainman, headed down to Beeston last month, to meet the HALO team and take part in their cricket session. After introductions, the group took it in turns to bat against him and delighted in chatting about their love of cricket and even asked him for a few tips and hints.