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Issue 41 | June 2018
WELFARE TRAP
What’s happening in Beeston, Belle Isle, Cottingley, Holbeck, Hunslet, Middleton & Stourton
South Leeds residents speak out about "nightmarish" and unfair disability rulings
H
by Ed Carlisle
undreds of south Leeds residents have been hit with recent changes to welfare systems for those unable or less able to work. And whilst the national government claims it’s fighting benefit fraud, growing numbers of people are rising up to tell their stories of struggle, daft bureaucracy, and plain injustice. South Leeds Life is sharing some of their stories - your stories - for the wider community to realise what's happening, to enable people to access support, and to help hold the government to account. Robert, 55, has lived in Hunslet all his life. Suffering from learning disabilities since birth, he missed out on mainstream education, and - by his own admission - can barely read or write. As as adult, he received Incapacity Benefit,
and lapsed into depression and solitude - until a lucky break in his 40s landed him a job at Pickford Removals, a job he loved for nearly 10 years. But he was laid off in early 2016 following multiple inoperable hernias and other health issues that left him unable to lift or carry. Not wanting to sign on for benefits, he initiallylived off his savings - but they ran out, and his battle for welfare began. In a story that a former senior Council officer described as "all too familiar", Robert and his family have since found themselves tied up in bureaucrat knots, pushed around, and ultimately discarded. Robert briefly received Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), but this was quickly revoked after an assessment interview (conducted as ever by a private corporation) - at which his responses were twisted against
In this issue:
Harrison Spinks grow their beds
page 2
Community awards celebrated
page 3
Girlz bake sale raises £600
pages 8
Disabled people protesting about benefit changes him. He said for instance that he had, as a young adult, cycled and walked regularly which the assessors took as proof he was fit to work now. They also penalised him for "looking smart". His family appealed, but never even got a response. Desperate, he tried to register for Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) - but was rejected, because they considered him unfit to work. Another ESA assessment followed, and another rejection. Increasingly unwell (Robert also suffers with gall stones, back problems, and limited mobility) and utterly frustrated, Robert is stuck in limbo, and left with nothing; without his family, he'd be destitute. Bodies including Citizens Advice have so far said they can't help him. Robert told us: "I'd love to work again, but it's not going to happen. There's nothing we can do, there's no point, so I'm left here with nothing."
Also from Hunslet, Gavin (38) has been ascribed by doctors a mental age of two - but that didn't stop the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) hounding him to attend assessment interviews, and threatening to remove his welfare payments. Gavin's mother Kath called it "stupid, hilarious, ridiculous - a total waste of everyone's time and energy". And Wendy (53) from Belle Isle received Disability Living Allowance (DLA) throughout her adult life - using it to enable herself to work. But DLA is be ing phased out, and replaced by the infamous Personal Independence Payments (PIP). Infamous because thousands of people nationally have been rejected for it, and lost invaluable lifelines to their previous lives. Wendy speaks of the "nightmare" of finding herself dependent on friends and family for the first time in
Photo: Alamy decades, unable to get to work, depressed - and battling in vain against an inflexible and uncaring bureaucracy. These are just a small sample of the stories emerging across our communities, and the country. Common themes are stress, hardship, depression, premature deaths, and even suicide. The Centre for Welfare Reform estimates that people with disabilities in low income communities (who make up 4% of the population) are shouldering at least 13% of government cuts to welfare, losing on average well over £4,000 per year each. For support with welfare claims and cuts, contact Leeds Welfare Rights Unit on (0113) 376 0452, or Citizens Advice on (0113) 223 4400. Campaigns include Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC): www.dpac.uk.net. And please share your story with us, via our website - or get in touch.
Hunslet’s new world champion
page 19
NEWS SCHOOLS
2-9 10-11
FEEDBACK
12
ARTS
14
PEOPLE
15
WHAT’S ON
16-18
SPORT
19-20
Get the latest news at www.southleedslife.com - new stories posted daily
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South Leeds Life | June 2018
2 News
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 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 W
by Hilary Benn MP
hy are they still using plastic like this when it isn't recycled?" My wife Sally was standing in the kitchen waving a black plastic tray at me that moments earlier had been home to some prawns. It wasn't the first time I had been on the receiving end of this particular complaint. Indeed, it took me back over a decade ago to my first meeting with the civil servants responsible for recycling and waste policy shortly after I had been appointed as the Environment Secretary. As they entered my office, they probably thought "Here we go again. Another new minister to whom we'll have to explain everything." They were clearly not expecting what followed. Having asked what their names were, I said "Just a moment" and went over to retrieve from behind my desk a large black plastic sack which I proceeded to put in the middle of the long polished wooden table. Their trepidation intensified as I then emptied the contents of the sack onto the table. Out came bits of
cardboard, wrapping, films, bottles and plastic containers of all shapes and sizes - the product of our weekly family shop. I had decided that this first meeting would start with the practicalities rather than the theory so I picked up each item and enquired whether it could be recycled. They then realised that perhaps the new boss was not that peculiar after all and I learned that recycling, for something apparently so simple, was frustratingly complicated. Since then, some things have moved on. We are recycling a lot more and and we are now certainly aware of the scourge of discarded plastic waste which spoils our towns and countryside - the author Bill Bryson once said that Britain is a beautiful country from the ankles up - and disfigures our seas. If all 7.4 billion of us on the planet used as much plastic as we do in the UK, it really would be unsustainable. So we need to reduce its use and make sure we can reuse or recycle all of what we still need, including those annoying black plastic trays. Apparently, they are hard to separate out in recycling centres - the
machines don't recognise them because of their colour - and so it's not really economic to recycle them, much to my wife's annoyance. There's a wider lesson here for all of us. When you think about it, it's quite astonishing what human beings have made of the gifts the earth has bequeathed to us, by which I mean the things that grow around us and the stuff we have dug up from the ground below. Using these materials we have made the iPad that I am Hilary Benn MP typing this article on, rockets that have taken men and women mining old landfill sites to retrieve into space, medicines that save valuable metals like aluminium, lives, the electric guitar and Elland realising that it wasn't a good idea to Road's huge cantilevered stand. I throw it away in the first place. What we need now is the same know, it's an odd list but you get the idea. What we have done with what human ingenuity to be applied to we have would astonish our living our lives in a way that the earth ancestors, but the earth's bounty is can sustain. After all, we don't have not endless. At some point the oil a spare planet stored in a cupboard will run out and supplies of lithium, somewhere to call upon when we've which powers the batteries in our exhausted this one. So we need to mobile phones, may be in very short use our earthly gifts in a way that supply and as a result very allows us to hand on the one earth expensive. Meanwhile, in some that we do have in good nick to the parts of the world they have started next generation.
Where innovation is a family tradition I
by Jeremy Morton
knew very little about Harrison Spinks, the bed manufacturer until this month. Their factory is at the bottom of my street. I knew they made beds for the Queen and that they kept expanding, taking over more and more of the industrial estate, but that was about it until they invited me to take a tour of their factory … and their farm! I was shown round by Dan Spinks the fifth generation of his family to work for the company that bears his name, founded in 1840. They moved to Beeston in 1979 and now employ some 900 staff, who mostly live locally. I must admit I had a image of family firms. Ancestor invents, steals, or his (it’s usually a he) way to a fortune and hands it on to every more delinquent
Peter Spinks, Chairman, Simon Spinks, Managing Director and Daniel Spinks, buyer, at the Harrison Spinks factory successors who swan basis even though he retired around whilst someone else some years ago. manages the business. I The impression I got don’t know if that’s actually reminded me of innovators true for any family of the industrial revolution, businesses, but it certainly always looking for the next isn’t for Harrison Spinks. technical advance. Springs Simon Spinks, Dan’s dad are at the heart of every and CEO, is very hands on, mattress, more springs always looking for ways to means greater comfort. That improve the products or the means making them ever manufacturing process. smaller and finding new When Dan asked him for a ways to combine them. job, he was sent to the Harrison Spinks does factory floor, not the Board almost everything Room. He’s currently themselves. They can’t buy working in the wire thin enough to make buying the small springs they want, department, so they pull their own wire. but I’m sure They even had to partner he will end up with British Steel to get them there one day. to make a quality of steel Dan’s that could be pulled into a grandfather is wire thin enough for them. also to be Nine years ago the seen around company bought a farm, the factory on Hornington Manor near regular Tadcaster, so that they could Farmers Gary & Liam with the sheep on the farm a
produce their own wool and grow their own hemp and flax. They also have forestry where they grow their own timber for bed frames. Again it’s a question of controlling the quality of the raw materials, but they also have a commitment to sustainable production and work closely with Natural England and the RSPB the whole ecosystem thrives. Hemp fibre is used as a mattress filler with wool and lavender, all from the farm. The parts of the hemp plant that can’t be used are turned into animal bedding and bio-fuel briquettes that power the farm’s heating system. Because of hemp’s connection with marijuana, it has to be grown under licence and the variety grown has only trace
amounts of THC (the psychoactive component of marijuana). The flax is woven into ticking at a new weaving shed at Beeston. Being businesspeople the Spinks family maximise the farm’s resource by using the 17th century house as a training venue. They also offer holiday lets and the house is very popular for weddings. Harrison Spinks beds are not cheap, with prices at the top end of £20,000, but you get what you pay for. The company strives for excellence, which doesn’t come cheap. Having seen the factory and met some of the staff it comes as no surprise that they won, not one, but two Queen’s Awards for Enterprise this year.
Mattresses are traditionally side stitched to hold the springs in place
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June 2018 | South Leeds Life
News 3
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Awards event celebrates South Leeds community successes S
by Jeremy Morton
t Luke’s CARES charity shop and warehouse was packed on the afternoon of 24 May, as their 2018 Community Award winners were unveiled. The whole community turned out to celebrate the breadth and diversity of organisations working across South Leeds, with food, music and ice cream. One of the shortlisted finalists, Reetwirlers Majorettes performed pom and baton routines to the crowd’s delight. Ian Rodley from DAZL, one of the independent panel who whittled 23 applicants down to the 5 introduced the award winners, as voted by shoppers at the Dewsbury Road and Middleton shops. And the winners were: In third place, winning £250: Beeston In Bloom In second place, winning £750: Reetwirlers Majorettes The Winners, with a cheque for £1,000: Streetwise – Love Leeds Mary Halsey from Streetwise
– Love Leeds thanked the organisers and the voters saying: “We’re quite a small group of volunteers who want to offer a space for homeless and vulnerable adults and help them be part of a community once a week. We offer food and warm clothes, but the community aspect is really important. “We’re really grateful for this money which will help us do more and support our guys and girls over the winter, which can be a really hard time.” The importance of community was a theme that ran throughout all 23 applications, whether the primary activity was gardening, rugby or mums and tots. Every group spoke the importance to their members of social interaction, friendship and sense of belonging. Every group that enters deserves a mention because they are all achieving so much: Together With Tots Hunslet Green Sports Club Charlies-Angel-Centre
Foundation Groundwork Youth Enterprise Project Kidz’n’Co Crossroads Cooking Club Beeston in Bloom Holbeck in Bloom Reetwirlers Majorettes Friends of Middleton Park South & East Foodbank Asha Playscheme Friends of Cottingley Community Centre Skippko Beeston Primary School PTA Friends of Stank Hall Leeds Dads Walk & Talk Group Hunslet Carr Residents Association Breeze Friday Night Project Baby Week Streetwise-Love Leeds Hamara Centre Middleton Mini Tots
As well as the awards, St Luke’s CARES took the opportunity to honour all the volunteers that help in their shops and made the awards possible.
Photos, clockwise from top left: Reetwirlers Pom routine; a Bangladeshi buffet; Reetwirlers Baton toutine; Third placed Beeston In Bloom win £250; Richard Stirland entertains; Second placed Reetwirlers Majorettes win £750; Ice Cream served by A Taste of Italy
... and the winner is: Streetwise - Love Leeds Neil, a volunteer at the the work the organisation does Dewsbury Road shop, talked with girls, with boys, youth about how he enjoys working projects and training. on the white goods, cleaning He went on to say how the and testing them and helping idea for the awards came on the van when they are busy. about: “Community is really He likes it so much that staff important to us. Given that is struggle to make him takes his local people from this area that days off. give their time, that donate St Luke’s CARES’ Manager, their goods, that buy items from Jackson Turner explained that the shops, we thought it was the shops are vital to help fund really important to make sure
that some of the money we make goes to other community projects.” South Leeds Life has been proud to partner with St Luke’s CARES for these awards and to ensure that every group that entered at least got some publicity and found out how they could advertise their events and tell their news in the future.
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South Leeds Life | June 2018
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Asbestos firm wins rail award
Citu doubles building apprenticeships on site
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Removing asbestos safely in Penzance eeston-based Rhodar, a leading asbestos removal, demolition and remediation company, were services named as winners at the 2018 UK Rail Industry Awards (UKRIA) for their innovative, unique asbestos removal project for Great Western Railways (GWR) in Penzance. Rhodar won the award for ‘Outstanding Projects (under £3million)’ at the 2018 UK Rail Industry Awards on 23 March 2018, in London. The event, now in its fifth year, brought together leaders and decisionmakers who run the rail industry, for the sector’s largest and most prestigious celebration. The winning project was a collaboration between, Rhodar, Rhodar’s client (Spencer Group) and Great Western Railways (GWR), who had a requirement for the safe removal of asbestos containing materials from one of its vast 192m HST (High Speed Train) maintenance facilities based in Penzance. Rhodar developed a
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solution that allowed the safe removal of asbestos, without impacting on the critical train maintenance schedule. They developed a solution that utilised a unique multilevel scaffold enclosure system which was erected inside the maintenance facility and was operated on a bespoke set of purpose-built tracks. Jason Davy, Managing Director, Rhodar commented: “We are extremely proud to win this award. It goes without saying that is it down to the excellent team of professionals and their continuous improvement and operational competency. “The project was unique but worked successfully due to the shared vision that resulted in the creation of a best-practice partnering model, delivering significant benefits to all project stakeholders.” Rhodar employ over 400 staff at 12 facilities nationwide. Their headquarters are at Astra Park, Parkside Lane in Beeston.
Councillors approve plans
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wo South Leeds planning applications got the green light from Councillors when the South & West Plans Panel met at the Civic Hall on 17 May. The first item dealt with was land at 245 Elland Road, between the Old Peacock pub and Subway. The application was for change of use to create a car sales area at the back of the site. The front three quarters of the site would continue to be used for match day parking. The main concern was the proximity of the vehicle access to the site with a zebra crossing. A compromise was reached by adding a condition that vehicle access must be at the corner of the site furthest from the crossing. The application was approved,
Plans Panel at Leeds Civic Hall subject to conditions. The second item was an application from Leeds Federated Housing Association to build 18 affordable homes on a vacant site on Sissons Lane in Middleton, close to the former Tivoli cinema. There were some concerns about properties at the northern edge of the scheme overlooking the back of retail units which front onto Sissons Avenue. However these were not deemed sufficiently serious to stop the application.
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he number of Leeds College of Building students taken on as Apprentices by sustainable urban developers, Citu, is set to double as a result of a pioneering new environmental project. As previously reported in South Leeds Life, after nearly 12 months of groundworks, Citu is now on site constructing a £125m Climate Innovation District in Hunslet, part of Leeds’ South Bank, building environmentally-sustainable timber-framed homes at their purpose-built Clarence Road factory, Citu Works, before assembling them on site. The regeneration project has led to a significant recruitment drive by the sustainable urban developer. The employment boost will see the number of Leeds College of Building students double from 12 to 24 within the electrical, plumbing, and carpentry and joinery trades. Alongside the Apprentices, Citu has been undergoing a recruitment drive over the last six months, creating jobs
Apprentices on site with Citu across a range of sectors including manufacturing, construction, digital and sales. Ian Billyard, CEO and Principal at Leeds College of Building, said: “We are delighted with the project; it certainly demonstrates to students how buoyant the sector is right now. “Citu approached the College for help with their recruitment process, and a number of students were put forward. It’s testament to the training that takes place at the College that
12 of these will be rewarded with an apprenticeship.” Chris Thompson, Citu’s Managing Director, said: “Citu strives to be a pioneering organisation. As such, it’s vital that we lead the way in developing a skilled workforce of the future and are committed to creating roles that will benefit both the community and the wider construction sector. “We are really pleased to be working in partnership with Leeds College of Building.
These new roles will be part of creating the UK’s first zerocarbon neighbourhood. Every employee will benefit from training and ongoing development, working as part of our ‘Citu Squads’ made up of a team of skilled workers including plumbers, electricians, joiners and timberframe specialists who will be permanent employees of Citu. They’ll learn new skillsets in low-carbon construction, a sector which is set to grow massively over the coming years.” When fully geared up, the factory will be producing 200 houses a year rising to 750 houses per year. Citu has plans for 1,000 homes on various sites across the country and will sell the Citu Home to other developers. The Climate Innovation District will include 520 new one, two, three and four-bed low-carbon homes alongside leisure, offices and climate-resilient public realm in the heart of the city’s landmark South Bank Leeds regeneration project.
Leeds GATE Gypsy and Traveller charity wins national award A
Leeds charity that gives a voice to and improves the quality of life for the Gypsy and Traveller community has won a prestigious national award. Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Exchange (Leeds GATE) has beaten more than 350 organisations from all over the UK to be one of the eight winners of the 2018 GSK IMPACT Awards, a national award that recognises charities that are doing excellent work to improve people’s health and wellbeing. The charity will receive £30,000 in funding as part of its prize, as well as expert support and development from The King’s Fund. Leeds GATE offers support to the estimated 3,000 people from the Gypsy and Traveller community in Leeds and the surrounding area, helping to address high rates of long-term illness and improve understanding of the community. Many members of the community struggle with accessing healthcare due to issues of trust and lower
literacy levels and, for some done great work in supporting of work we are doing here. families, not having a a community that has some of Particularly given the negative permanent address. Leeds the worst health outcomes in stereotypes around this GATE supports people to the UK. It is doing really community, it is fantastic that access services and works with important work in helping the the award recognises the the NHS to help it better Gypsy and Traveller community quality of an organisation that understand the barriers access services, and in is the result of the hard work of community members face. supporting public services to Gypsy and Traveller people.” The charity’s work with local better engage with this Leeds GATE received its government has helped halve community.” award at a ceremony held at the number of unauthorised Helen Jones, Chief Executive the Science Museum in London encampments in Leeds, which Officer of Leeds GATE, said: on 17 May 2018, along with has meant that more members “We are delighted because seven other GSK IMPACT Award of the community have the this award shows the standard winners. opportunity to register with GP practices and schools, while it accompanied people to more than 1,500 appointments such as welfare tribunals and GP appointments last year. The charity also provides outreach health advocacy. Katie Pinnock, Director of UK and Ireland Charitable Partnerships at GSK, Lisa Weaks, The Kings Fund; Helen Jones, Elizabeth Spaven, said: “Leeds GATE has Leeds GATE; Katie Pinnock, GSK
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June 2018 | South Leeds Life
News 5
South Leeds slimmers set to spring clean for a new summer wardrobe S
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limmers in south Leeds are celebrating losing weight by donating their now too-big clothes to charity. As part of a national campaign, members of the south Leeds Slimming World groups are being invited to donate the clothes, shoes, bags and accessories they no longer
Paul our local Iceland delivery man moved all the bags to Cancer Research storage
needsince losing weight to local shops via a bag collection at their Slimming World groups. So confident in the fact they’ll never need their over-sizedclothes again, the kind-hearted slimmers, who meet every week at local slimming groups donated 196 bags and Each bag is worth around £25 to Cancer Research UK. Last year the campaign raised £3.3million. As well fundraising, Slimming World also aims to raise awareness of the links between obesity and cancer. Obesity is the biggest cause of cancer after smoking, but only 15% of people are aware of the link. Being overweight or obese increases your risks of developing 13 different types of cancer, including bowel, kidney and breast cancer. It’s such a liberating feeling having the confidence to bag up clothes you’ll never fit into again, all while raising money for an extremely important cause. My members can’t wait to make room for a new summer wardrobe by taking part – I know the
Local consultants - Jane Masefield, Tracy Petch, Maria Metcalf & Tace Catlin - with some of the donated bags atmosphere in group will be electric and swap inspiration, tips and recipes. feeling absolutely fantastic.” when we bring all the bags together! We really are one big family and I will Groups meet weekly every day of the When we meet each week we laugh be so proud to see them say goodbye week in south Leeds check below to together, share challenges and tips for to those larger sizes and set targets find your friendly local award winning overcoming them,celebrate success for enjoying a healthier holiday season group.
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South Leeds Life | June 2018
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Council elections: Labour keep
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by Jeremy Morton
ll nine Labour Party candidates in the three South Leeds wards of Beeston & Holbeck, Hunslet & Riverside and Middleton Park have been elected in the ‘all out’ Leeds City Council election. Results were declared in the
early hours of Friday 4 May after an overnight count at the first direct Arena. Turnout was low, ranging from 23.6% in Middleton Park Ward to 28.8% in Beeston and Holbeck Ward, similar to the last Council elections in 2016. Angela Gabriel, Gohar Almas and Andrew Scopes were elected in Beeston & Holbeck
Ward. The Save Our Beeston & Holbeck Independents, campaigning mainly around ending the ‘Managed Approach’ to prostitution in Holbeck, came second winning 29% of the vote but trailing Labour by around 1,000 votes each. Speaking to South Leeds Life, Cllr Angela Gabriel thanked residents across the ward for supporting the Labour team as well as retiring Councillors David Congreve and Adam Ogilvie. “We are a new Labour team and we want to work with everyone in the ward to improve our community” she said. Gohar Almas said: “I’m humbled and grateful to the voters who gave myself and my Labour party colleagues an overwhelming vote of confidence to continue serving our people. “I’ll try my level best to meet
the expectations of the residents of Beeston, Holbeck and Cottingley Hall and to continue the conversation and initiatives to make our neighbourhood a better place to live in.” In Hunslet & Riverside Ward Elizabeth Nash, Mohammed Iqbal and Paul Wray were elected. Ed Carlisle for the Green Party was fourth, coming within 400 votes of winning the third seat, although the the other Green candidates fared less well. Local activist Kenny Saunders, standing as an
independent polled 340 votes. Paul Wray commented on Twitter: “To the people of Hunslet and Riverside – thank you for the honour to serve you. Now the real work starts.” A similar story played out in Middleton Park Ward where Kim Groves, Judith Blake and Paul Truswell were elected for Labour. Wayne Dixon standing for the SDP came fourth, but was over 1,000 votes behind Labour. Commenting on the results, Cllr Judith Blake told South Leeds Life: “I’m delighted that
Kim, Paul and myself have retained our seats, we work well ads a team on behalf of the people of Belle Isle and Middleton.” She paid tribute to the Labour Party members in the ward “without whose support we would be able to do what we do year round.” She went on to say that she was delighted with results overall across the city as Labour will continue in control of Leeds City Council. Labour now hold 61 of the 99 seats on the Council, up 3 from 2016.
Election results in full
Beeston & Holbeck Ward
Electorate: 16927 Turnout: 28.8 % Spoilt papers : 12 Surname Forename Votes Description
Length of term
Gabriel
Angela
2593 Labour Party
ELECTED (4 Years)
Almas
Gohar
2471 Labour Party
ELECTED (2 Years) ELECTED (1 Year)
Scopes
Andrew Timothy
2257 Labour Party
Birch
Bill
1281 Save Our Beeston & Holbeck Indep
Walton
Laura Elizabeth
1269 Save Our Beeston & Holbeck Indep
Sturman
Sean Patrick
1250 Save Our Beeston & Holbeck Indep
Winfield
Robert James William
495
Conservative Party Candidate
Buckley
Lyn Jean
464
Conservative Party Candidate
Robertson
Ian
395
Conservative Party Candidate
Brear
Owen Arthur David
343
Green Party
Gaines
Jarrod Anthony
197
Liberal Democrats
Durdin
Robert William Fraser
159
Liberal Democrats
Hunslet & Riverside Ward: Electorate: 16702 Turnout: 27.4 % Spoilt papers: 13 Surname Forename Votes Description
Length of term
Nash
Elizabeth Anne
2399 Labour Party
ELECTED (4 Years)
Iqbal
Mohammed
2391 Labour Party
ELECTED (2 Years)
Wray
Paul Ian
2132 Labour Party
ELECTED (1 Year)
Carlisle
Ed
1740 Green Party lead candidate
Goncalves
Eunice Helena Dos Santos 1024 Green Party second choice candidate
Hall
Alaric Timothy Peter
931
Green Party third choice candidate
Salt
Richard Mark
409
Conservative Party Candidate
Smith
Scott David Ian
384
Conservative Party Candidate
Wheeler
Michael Edward John
342
Conservative Party Candidate
Saunders
Kenny
340
Independent
Spencer
James Michael
176
Liberal Democrats
Middleton Park Ward Electorate: 19465 Turnout: 23.6 % Spoilt papers: 14 Surname Forename Votes Description
Length of term
Groves
Kim Susan
3373 Labour Party
ELECTED (4 Years)
Blake
Judith
2747 Labour Party
ELECTED (2 Years)
Truswell
Paul Anthony
2366 Labour Party
ELECTED (1 Year)
Dixon
Wayne Alan
1232 Social Democratic Party
Herdson
David
621
Conservative Party Candidate
Jessop
Rita
613
Conservative Party Candidate
Lamb
Gareth Andrew
451
Conservative Party Candidate
Gagen
Kathryn Elizabeth
293
Liberal Democrats
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June 2018 | South Leeds Life
News 7
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independents out in South Leeds We asked our new Councillors about their experience I
by Cllr Paul Wray
'd like to thank everyone who voted in the election - regards of who for - as every vote keeps our democracy health. I'm here to serve all of our communities and I look forward to working with everyone who wants better for our bit of South Leeds. Here is my light-hearted take on my first week and a bit as a Councillor.
meetings with local community leaders. Tuesday This was the first day at Civic Hall as someone who works there. You’re given a tour of the building – and you realise how much of it there is. You meet the staff who’ll help you carry out your role as a Cllr, and you try absorbing all the information being given to you. You’re shown your pigeonhole. I already found I had letters
Cllr Paul Wray, Hunslet & Riverside The Result That’s it. All the pressure and the stress is gone. The result is announced. The speech is over. The next words uttered to you are “Congratulations Cllr, please come this way” and you are asked to sign the declaration of acceptance of office. It is an odd experience. Everyone then insists on calling you Cllr for no reason what so ever for a few hours to help it sink in. Friday - Monday The first day is a bit mad. People congratulate you (just before they give you some casework to do), others lament you won and someone else didn’t (and then give you more work) and you somehow find time to sleep (and dream about all the work you’ve just been given). By midday Friday you get your first “Van Delivery” and now have a mound of council paperwork to read. It’s been seven hours since the result. The first big choice is how to spend the weekend - do you relax and recharge or go back to work? I went back to work – attending some public events, picking up more casework (this is a theme) and started to clear the work I’d collected over the election, restarted my area walks, and began to arrange
after four days - three of them weren’t even working days! Wednesday - Friday Meetings, and more meetings. My phone keeps pinging with emails, social media posts (most likely more casework). My once half-empty diary is full of appointments. It is very much sleep, eat, meetings, repeat. Saturday and Sunday You’re back in the community attending events and going to people’s homes to collect more casework. Sunday night comes, the emails, calls and social media posts stop. There is a little respite for a few hours and then “ping”, it might be 10 pm but someone needs your advice. Light-heartedness aside, the sheer range of responsibilities and duties is vast. From dealing with complex anti-social behaviour complaints, land disputes, dog fouling, planning questions and more. There is no gentle start. As one constituent put it best “there is no rest for the elected!” It is an honour to serve, but not one for the faint-hearted. If you need my help, you can contact me via: Twitter: @paulwrayuk Facebook: @paulwrayu Email: paul.wray @leeds.gov.uk Mobile: 07528 512649
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by Gohar Almas
agree with Martin Luther King Jr when he said “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” I decided to seek election when I heard about the problems people were having in Holbeck as a result of the “managed approach” to prostitution. During the subsequent election campaign I spent many hours, walking miles each day, touring the neighbourhoods of LS11, talking to residents, and hearing their concerns. It became overwhelmingly apparent that residents of Beeston & Holbeck Ward, including Cottingley Hall, had many varied concerns about life within our community and these extended far beyond that of the Managed Zone. Residents of the Ward have an average life expectancy of 9 years less than their counterparts living in the north of the city, and this is a result of variety of factors including high rates of suicide, high unemployment, poor housing, and rising levels of drugs and alcohol abuse to name but a few. Additionally, the area is blighted by significant levels of burglary, car crime, littering and fly-tipping, as well as antisocial behaviour from neighbours and gangs, all of which are, in part, a by-product of the transient communities created by irresponsible and unaccountable private landlords. But it seemed a valid and loud social media campaign regarding the Managed Zone had overshadowed these difficulties. What residents told me was that they felt
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their concerns about with wider issues were falling by the wayside, lost in the tsunami of anger and resentment created by that campaign. During my election campaign, myself and my family were on the receiving end of much personal abuse, racial abuse, social media trolling and unfair judgement. People who had never met me judged me without fair trial; I was a new candidate and yet many seemed to perceive that I should be judged on the history, decisions and actions of others. campaigning Opposition frequently singled me out in a combative and negative manner, the political argument was as a “negative presented campaign”, highlighting many negatives within our area but without offering positive solutions. At times it seemed focus on Cllr Gohar Almas, Beeston & Holbeck personal slurs against me and my and solid pillars of our community, who character, rather than having a focus on continue playing their positive role without making a lot of noise, expecting nothing in change and real engagement with voters. However, I am not someone who is easily return, who love our neighbourhood and cowed by such tactics, so many people in hope for a better tomorrow. I learned from our community are vulnerable and are them that, as the saying goes, “courage is denied a voice, so this just encouraged me what it takes to stand up and speak, but to stand up and be counted all the more, also it is a great courage to sit down and as Mahatma Gandhi said "First they ignore listen” to the collective wisdom of our you, then they laugh at you, then they fight community. Finally, this is my message to our you, then you win." It would be unjust not to mention the real community in the words of my hero, the heroes, the hardworking extraordinarily late Mother Teresa RIP, who said “ I can do generous, genuine, kind and caring people, things you can not, you can do things I can the silent majority, who are the real asset not ... together we can do great things.”
by Cllr Andrew Scopes
s a new Councillor, I want to say thank you so much to those who voted for me, and to those who voted, but not for me, for engaging in the political process which is essential to our democracy! In any case, whether or not you voted and whoever you voted for, you will find that I am keen to work with people across our community, regardless of political stripes, so please feel free to get in touch! During the election campaign, it felt like I was as busy as it was possible to be… how wrong I was! Since starting as a councillor I’ve met with the council officers responsible for highways and housing, the inner south area manager, police inspectors and sergeants from our area and the newly appointed Leeds United engagement officer. All this on top of attending your regular residents’ association meetings and the hard working Beeston Festival Committee.
Cllr Andrew Scopes, Beeston & Holbeck Not to mention my day job short space of time! which I don’t finish until 25th I’ve been blown away by the June. quality of staff employed by There are any number of Leeds City Council, both their issues that I want to take up professionalism and their and problems I want to fix, but helpfulness to us newbies. I’ve the reality is that I need to know found that there is a strong the systems, structures and desire to serve people in our people to do this. Fortunately, community and a willingness to there is a training program for be held accountable by me as new councillors which is a councillor. proving very valuable and I There are a few areas in hope to be up-to-speed in a which I hope to have an
immediate impact, and I feel like this is happening. Following changes to the policing team in Inner South Leeds (thanks to budgetary support from the Council), the police have been very happy to engage with us and I am hopeful there will be improvements in enforcement, particular in residential Holbeck. As already mentioned, I am very keen to meet people and hear from people. I want to hear about the things that you’d like me to do to improve our ward but also the things that you love and would like to see more of. You’re likely to see me at many of the great events that happen in our area (and I’d love to receive an invitation to any events that you’re holding) as well as the regular favourites like ParkRun and Beeston Community Forum. Please do get in touch with me on: Facebook: Cllr Andrew Scopes Twitter: @andrew_scopes Email: andrew.scopes @leeds.gov.uk
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South Leeds Life | June 2018
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Children’s cancer charity bake sale raises £600
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ix girls from Middleton are setting a great example in their community after organising a charity bake sale on Saturday 28 April. Friends Rosie, Lily, Hallie, Evie, Evie and Cerys style themselves as the Willowdale Girlz Club and for their first activity they decided to run the charity event. Parents and friends roped in and were businesses also donated. The sale raised a massive £601.64 which will be split between the Cancer Research and Candlelighters charities. Hundreds of residents called in to buy cakes and
the event was also visited by local Councillors Judith Blake, Kim Groves and Paul Truswell, as well as the Fire Service. The children, four of whom attend Sharp Lane Primary School, explained that they had helped with the baking and especially enjoyed licking the bowls and spoons! Cerys’ mum Caryl commented: “We are all really, really proud of them. They came up with this idea on their own and we decided to help them. Also we had massive support from Sharp Lane Primary School.” Asda Community
Champion Rachel Cunningham said: “It’s a beautiful thing that they’ve done. We are always looking for local groups and events that we can support from the store.” Cllr Kim Groves said: “It’s fantastic to see children at age supporting this charities for other children suffering with cancer. It’s brilliant that this is happening in the heart of our community and that the community have come out to support it. Asda Middleton, B&M, Costa, McDonald’s, Morrisons, Cakes at Kayes, South Leeds Bakes all contributed. Willowdale Girlz: Rosie, Lily, Hallie, Evie, Evie and Cerys
Join the Volunteers
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olunteering your time and skills to an organisation clearly helps that project and its users, but it can also be very beneficial to you, the volunteer. This applies especially if you are looking for work, have health problems, or are just isolated, perhaps new to the area. Volunteering is a great way of meeting new people, boosting your self-esteem and learning new skills. If you haven’t volunteered before, or are new to South Leeds, help is at hand in the form of Chris Bulmer. Chris works for Voluntary Action Leeds managing their volunteer centre, but you will also find him every Thursday at Dewsbury Road Community Hub between 10am-1pm. There’s no need to make an appointment, just call in. “Volunteering is a great way to gain skills, improve health, employability and contribute to improving the lives of others” explains Chris. “We have a huge variety of different volunteering opportunities available, many in South Leeds including environmental, educational, health, advice, sport and social well-being.”
Wagamama’s new menu W
Chris Bulmer at Dewsbury Road Community Hub Organisations provide opportunities for everyone and training and out of pocket I can help you find the right one expenses and will meet the for you.” cost of DBS check if you are The Volunteer Centre has a working with children or large database of organisations vulnerable people. The number who take volunteers, but they of hours you have to commit to are always keen to add to it. If starts from as little as two your organisation would like to hours per week. join Chris’s list, you can contact “I want to bring down all the him on (0113) 378 8987; or barriers to volunteering” says email: chris.bulmer@val.org.uk Voluntary Action Leeds also Chris. “It’s actually very easy volunteer and accessible and there’s so provides support to much to gain from it. It doesn’t management matter how old you are, what organisations including training your background is or what and a quarterly Volunteer skills you have there are Managers’ Network Meeting.
by Tania Carlisle
starter. The mains vary from a selection of ‘ramen’ (hot broth with noodles, meat and vegetables) to teppanyaki (stir fried noodle dishes) to curries and other rice based dishes as well as the chef’s special dishes, of which I chose the new vegan option.
agamama is a Japanese inspired, Pan-Asian restaurant chain, currently boasting a varied and new menu. We went along to sample its delights and were pleasantly rewarded. Greeted in turn by three dashing young waiters, which may have seemed like overkill, but as they were all so eager to please and brought our food to us very speedily, we let that go! The vibe of the restaurant is simple, modern yet tasteful and there is an air of the theatrical as you watch the chefs cooking the food, Vegan option at Wagamama all in the same room. Being a novice to Japanese We started with the Tama food I didn’t really know what to squid, a new addition to the expect from a ‘katsu’ curry, or menu. Crispy fried little balls of seitan coated in panko tasty melt-in-the-mouth squid, breadcrumbs, but the whole drizzled with various tasty dish was very palatable and sauces, there weren’t enough filling, even if it wasn’t the most in the bowl, but I guess it was a interesting dish I’ve ever tasted.
My friend went for a ‘firecracker’ prawn curry, again served with rice. It lived up to its name and was very hot, but full of juicy prawns and crunchy vegetables that she enjoyed. The dessert menu is interesting and varied including dishes like lemon tart, raspberry compote with mint as well as white chocolate ginger cheesecake topped with chilli toffee. It was a fairly standard cheesecake, but the chilli toffee was intriguing. Price-wise Wagamamas is on the expensive end of the fast food restaurants, (e.g £13 for a main) although I’m not sure they class themselves as that, but more a restaurant that happens to serve good food fast! The restaurant moved from town (Greek St) to South Leeds about a year ago and can be found next to Cineworld at the White Rose Shopping Centre.
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June 2018 | South Leeds Life
News 9
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Ongoing social problems Litterpick and fun in the sun at the Middleton Railway T
by Malcolm Johnson
he Middleton Railway is all that remains to remind us of centuries of coal mining around Middleton and Hunslet. Over the years dedicated volunteers have preserved the track and secured and restored items of historical interest. Many of these are examples of the engineering skills once found in Hunslet and Leeds. A decade or so ago a modern visitor centre was erected with space to store and display historically interesting material. The Middleton Railway has been a valuable part of our community since 1960 and provides enjoyment for many local residents and their families who use it for travel to Middleton Park, birthday parties and also for school projects. Unfortunately the Moor Road site has witnessed a number of attacks from thieves and vandals. In one instance an historic vehicle was set alight which resulted in extensive damage. Over the last two years the CCTV system has
Diesel loco “HARRY” had all its windows smashed, along with all the cab control dials on the desk recorded many instances of unwelcome visitors have youths breaking into the yard. attempted to set fire to other On one occasion they were items of rolling stock. The recorded running along the buildings have also been roofs of the parked coaches. vandalised including cutting One person stole a computer the steel walls to try to gain and display screen from the access, climbing drain pipes Engine House before escaping and breaking windows. by bicycle. Towards the end of Out on the tracks our trains last year a number of youths, have been the target of stone including a girl, entered the site throwing. In one instance a and extensively damaged one driver was hit by a stone. of the coaches which meant Youths who are not travelling that it was not available for the have also caused disruption at popular Santa Special trains. the stations. Reports have A number of windows were been made to the police who also broken on a parked are investigating these attacks. locomotive and the platform Over the last years more shelter. At other times these CCTV cameras have been
installed, a new gate erected at the Moor Road crossing and the lower limbs of the lovely oak tree by Moor Road platform have had to be removed to deter people from climbing into or out of the adjacent builder’s yard. The perimeter fence on the west side of the site now requires replacement. We estimate the cost of making good all the damage we’ve suffered at £246,350. The Middleton Railway Trust Ltd is, at present, running a youth training scheme whereby young teenagers may start to acquire the skills necessary to eventually run and operate the preserved line. We aim to extend the train service to a site adjacent to the Middleton Park Visitor Centre. Obviously the cost of the vandalism is delaying this aim. Local residents are to be thanked for reporting suspicious people in the past. These have resulted in arrests and recovery of some goods. We would be grateful for continued vigilance which may help reduce the anti-social behaviour.
Setting out clear up the park eeston residents descended on Cross Flatts Park on Sunday 13 May to give it a bit of TLC with a community litter pick, followed by some relaxing fun in the sun. The event was organised by Aspiring Communities in partnership with Into University and Beeston In Bloom, it was funded by local councillors on the Inner South Community
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Committee. Shaz Akhtar, one of the organisers said: “What a fantastic event today! The litter pick and activities went down a storm. Aspiring communities would like to give a massive thank you to all that attended and bigger thanks to all our supporting organsations and thier volunteers: Into University, Beeston In Bloom and Leeds City Council.”
Middleton’s projects for young people and horse riders A
by Wayne Dixon
s a candidate in the recent local election I had the opportunity to meet some fantastic groups and organisations over the campaign period, so I thought I would do a couple of articles on a few that stood out. Youth work has always had a massive place in my heart, it’s something i feel makes a whole difference to a community and to the kids in our community, so
I went to visit Breeze at Middleton Leisure Centre, somewhere I coached multi sports many years ago. It was always a bit wild when I worked there and word has that it was still the same; but I was amazed to find that things had changed. I was welcomed by staff who then introduced me to a young boy who happily showed me around and answered my questions, he loved showing me the different activities, art,
Come and join the gang at the Friday Night Project
computer gaming, sports (football, soft ball and more). The sessions were well supported by staff and volunteers and it was great to see young people volunteering as peer mentors. This project is something for the kids to do on a Friday evening, get your kids to try it out and make your own opinion. Junior session is 8-12yr olds and runs 6-7:30pm. Seniors session is for 1218yrs and runs 7:30-9pm Sessions cost £1.50 or £1 with a breeze card. So where next? I was introduced to the Middleton Park Equestrian Centre by Jack Dunn who is a trustee there. I was so impressed when visiting the Centre, a real jewel of Middleton Park itself, although hard to find if you don’t know the area as it’s hidden behind the John Charles Centre and nestled into the trees of the park, it’s a fantastic facility. The Middleton Equestrian Centre offers a range of activities including; Horse Riding, Carriage Riding,
Hacking, Pony Days, Dressage, Jumping and opportunities for volunteering. Non-disabled riding is available from 2 years old which shocked me a little, I was lucky enough to see some people with disabilities riding on the carriages and the delight in their faces will stay with me for ever, these people clearly get so much out of the experience and the staff were clearly very well trained to deal with a wide range of people of varying disabilities. I was allowed to look around and see the facility for myself,
Plant stall, bouncy castle, henna and face painting plus refreshments lots of stables (for 23 horses and ponies) and three arenas, two indoor and one outdoor as well as paddocks for the horses. The Manager told me the organisation has recently lost over £80,000 of funding, which has had a massive effect on the services provided there. I was told that despite the cuts the organisation has managed
Riding For The Disabled in Middleton Park
to keep staffed with 6 Full time and 9 part time staff, not to mention the 3 hard working apprentices. The main reason the Centre is still going is partly down to donations and sponsors of the horses which are a massive help; horses can be sponsored for £500 a year and event sponsors are also welcomed. Hire of the classroom and kitchen facilities is also available, contact info@mpecrda.co.uk if you can help or want to hire facilities. A donation can also be made at mpec-rda.co.uk/wordpress For more information call: (0113) 277 1962. Middleton Park Equestrian Centre is located at Middleton Grove, Leeds, LS11 5TZ. Opening Times: Monday to Thursday, 8am-8pm and Friday to Sunday, 8am-5pm.
South Leeds Life | June 2018
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10 School Life
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New Bewerley judged to be a ‘Good’ school
Headteacher Gary German with pupils at New Bewerley Community School
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ew Bewerley Community School in Beeston is celebrating after having been found to be ‘Good’ across the board in their latest Ofsted inspection. Amongst their findings, Inspectors reported that: “From their low starting points in Reception, most pupils make strong progress by the time they reach the end of Year 6. “Pupils are given a wide range of opportunities to use and apply their English and mathematical skills and knowledge effectively across the curriculum. “Leaders use additional funding well to make a positive difference to pupils from disadvantaged
backgrounds and to those who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities. “The school provides a very broad curriculum. Pupils enjoy a wide range of exciting activities, which motivate them to learn. Consequently, their attitudes to learning are good.” Headteacher Gary German said: “I am delighted with the report. I feel it captures New Bewerley perfectly. New Bewerley has a really committed team of teachers and staff and we are extremely lucky to work with incredible children and supportive families. “In September 2017 we created the motto ‘Include,
Create, Perform’ to celebrate school’s rich diversity, enhanced curriculum, links with Opera North & the West Yorkshire Playhouse and school’s consistently good performance compared to national data. This is acknowledged throughout the report and we are thrilled.” Ofsted inspectors grade a range of issues in school including outcomes for pupils; quality of teaching, learning and assessment; leadership and management, governors; and welfare and behaviour. The four grades are Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement and Inadequate. New Bewerley was rated Good in all areas.
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Elements: new scho
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met Sarah Horsbrough and her team to find out how preparations are going for the opening of the new Elements Primary Academy in Middleton in September. The short answer is very well indeed. As well as the basic logistics of having a building ready – the temporary modular classrooms will arrive, fully fitted out, on site in July – starting a new school is a chance to set the culture and approach things differently. Staffing will focus on qualified teachers with no teaching assistants or lunchtime supervisors. The high ratio of teachers will allow them to support all the children in class and cover lunchtimes. “We will all do that ourselves” explains Sarah. “We want our children to be with people they’ve got relationships with, it’s hard if someone’s only there for an hour a day. “This is a tested model used in other Wellspring schools and we’re confident it will work for Elements.” Elements’ logo is a rainbow and the school’s uniform will form a rainbow too, with each year having a different colour top. Parents are being supported with a starter pack of uniform items and PE kit and new sweatshirt each year. “Children will know exactly which year group they are in and will experience a positive transition at the start of each
Principal Sarah Horsbrough, Assistant Principal Sam Mollett and Office Manager Ka school year” says Sarah. their children’s schoolwo The school is embracing technology. keep up to date with what “We’re going Google” says Sarah, “we’ll be the classroom. using cloud storage and Google’s suite of Each child will be given educational tools. We hope to become a computer, chosen in pa Google Reference School eventually.” keyboard is marked in low As well as making team working easier, easier for Reception child the cloud storage provides excellent a screen that can be used security using both fragmentation and The wellbeing of ch encryption. Parents will be able to access important to the team, g
Low Road support homeless
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ow Road Primary School in South Leeds recently became involved with “Real Change Street Kitchen,” an outreach team of people who organise a weekly food kitchen in Leeds City Centre in order to feed some of the homeless community in Leeds. Natalie Shann who is a parent at Low Road and one of the founder members of the charity began providing food parcels for some families at Low Road school and in order to give something back to the homeless Cath Storey a Support Manager at the school held a raffle to raise funds for the charity. Natalie provided the food and toiletries and the school made up five very big hampers which went down a storm, with the children, especially as one of them was made up of all chocolate
goodies. The parents and children were brilliant as usual and Low Road managed to raise £200, which was given back to the charity. Cath Storey said, “Here at Low Road we support lots of different charities,
our main one at the moment Radio Aire’s Cash for Kids, howe never take without giving something. Our children and fa are very supportive and give generously to these won causes.”
Raffle prizes at Low Road Primary
Celebrating the various student achievements at
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ockburn John Charles Academy (formerly South Leeds Academy) has been in touch with news of recent student achievements. Young Interpreters Students within the Academy’s English as an Additional Language department have been working towards qualification as part of the Young Interpreters scheme. Young Interpreters undergo specific training to prepare for this role and are selected on the basis of different personal qualities they may have. The support they can offer to a newly-arrived pupil can be very
reassuring from a parent or carer’s point of view at a time when their child may be adapting to substantial changes. It also supports school
Young Interpreters at CJCA
staff in a variety of ways at different points during the school day. The Young Interpreters scheme was devised by Hampshire LA. It involves
training children to act as mentors for their peers who are learning English as an additional language. Cockburn John Charles Academy is happy to announce that 10 year 8 students have successfully finished the training and will become school interpreters.
Leeds Got Talent On March 8th students from Cockburn John Charles Academy enjoyed an evening of huge success with two acts entered into the grand final of Leeds Got Talent 2018. The event was held in the impressive surroundings of the New Dock Arena
in the centre of Leeds. The first success came when the dance group, choreographed by Miss Clarke won the audience vote with their incredible routine based around nightmares. The performance featured students from all year groups who displayed an impressive focus and professionalism during their time on stage. The academy’s other entry was a musical duet featuring Tia Musonza (Year 7) on vocals and Jack Marsden (Year 10) accompanying on piano. Their performance of ‘Lost Boy’ was enthralling and connected perfectly with the audience, who
were in silence th beaten to the fir and Jack were medal on the ev
Bugsy Malone On Thursday 2 John Charles p whole productio Students from worked exceptio last 4 months a talent in style to a When asked experience on th John Charles, J who played Bugs
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School Life 11
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June 2018 | South Leeds Life
firm base on which to learn. The ‘Elements of Elements’ set those foundations for the school: Positivity and Happiness > Creativity and Innovation > Aspiration and Pride > Personal Leadership and Resilience > Community and Family. Speaking to the team it is clear these are just jargon buzzwords but reflect their educational philosophy.
With reports of a huge increase in mental health issues amongst primary school children nationally, it is perhaps timely that Elements are building this in from the start. And as part of the Wellspring Trust, which runs the new school in Belle Isle for children with emotional and behavioural issues, they have a lot of expertise they can draw on. “We want our children to have that personal resilience, the abilty to keep going despite setbacks. “And we’re going to have a School dog – Mollie, a six year old, very calm, chocolate Labrador. There is lots of research about animals in education reducing stress and helping reluctant learners.” The staff team includes a specialist in Early Years teaching, a music and singing specialist and a Forest Schools leader. “The creative side is very important to us, as well as academic achievement. I believe education is about the whole child.” The team met with parents and children and were delighted that they were as positive about this fresh approach as the staff. “We are very excited about what our children can achieve at Elements, we can’t wait for September!”
Cockburn pupils face new tougher GCSEs
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t Cockburn School and Cockburn John Charles Academy, this year's GCSE candidates are the second year group to sit 'tough' new exams under a reformed curriculum. The dramatic reforms came as part of a government drive to improve schools’, pupils’ and employers’ confidence in the qualifications, ensuring that young people have the knowledge and skills needed to go on to work and further study. The new GCSEs are “more challenging”, covering more content than in previous years. They are to be graded from 9 to 1, with 9 being the highest grade, rather than A*-G. The new GCSEs are linear in structure rather than modular, with all exams at the end of a two-year course. The new grading scale has more grades at the higher end to recognise the very highest achievers.
In theory, a pupil who would have achieved a C or above in the previous system would gain the equivalent of a 4 or above if taking the exams this year. Only the very top students will achieve a grade 9 - set at an even higher level than the previous A* grades. Schools will continue to be measured by the government based on the exam grades and figures will be published detailing the proportion of pupils achieving both grade 4 and above and grade 5 and above. Progress 8 – a scheme devised to judge schools across all grades and subject areas - will remain the government's primary accountability measure. In 2017, Cockburn School’s Progress 8 score was 0.65 which is in the top 10% of schools nationally. School Standards Minister Nick Gibb said of the changes:
subjects. Cockburn School: 42 examinations in 14 different subjects. Siobhan Roberts, Head of School at Cockburn John Charles Academy, says “We are incredibly proud of our focused and resilient Year 11 students and the way they have all grown academically this year. They have taken their studies seriously and have engaged in all the fantastic opportunities the staff have offered, which have included attending the Academy during the holidays and on Saturdays to ensure they are prepared. I am sure that a great future is awaiting them.” “I am extremely proud of how hard our students have worked to prepare for these exams.” says Rob Dixon, Head of School at Cockburn School, “They have shown great resilience and determination to succeed. They have attended extra revision
“The new GCSEs are more rigorous so that young people can gain the knowledge and understanding they need to succeed in the future and compete in an increasingly global workplace." The exams across the Cockburn Multi-academy Trust are running over 21 days (spread out across 5 weeks): Cockburn John Charles Academy: 33 examinations in 13 different
sessions both after school and in the holidays, run by our dedicated team of excellent staff. I wish them the very best of luck as they head towards the final stages of their exams and look forward to our Graduation Ceremony and Prom towards the end of June.” Exam results will be available for pupils to collect on Thursday 23 August 2018.
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being ver we back amilies e very nderful Cockburn School’s exam hall last month
Jumping for joy - new outdoor play equipment at Middleton St Mary’s Primary School, including a waterfall and pool to explore, was officially opened by Cllr Paul Truswell last month
The old and new GCSE grading scales do not directly compare but there are three points where they align: • The bottom of grade 7 is aligned with the bottom of grade A • The bottom of grade 4 is aligned with the bottom of grade C • The bottom of grade 1 is aligned with the bottom of grade G.
the Cockburn John Charles Academy
hroughout. Narrowly rst place trophy, Tia awarded the silver ening.
e 26th April Cockburn presented its first n of Bugsy Malone. across KS3 have onally hard over the nd showcased their a sold out audience. about his first e stage at Cockburn Jamie Stodart (Y8) sy said “It was really
exciting, I’ve never been the main role in anything. It was a great experience because it’s boosted my confidence and if I didn’t do Drama I would never have auditioned, I would have been too shy.” The Performing Arts Department are incredibly proud of all the cast and crew for the time and effort they put into pulling the performance together and are looking forward to making next year even bigger and better. Watch this space for details of next year’s production.
On stage: Bugsy Malone
Jessica hoping for success at European championships
Year 8 student Jessica Mountain (pictured) will compete in the BBTSA (British Baton Twirling Sports Association) European cup finals, to be held in Dublin on the 4th-8th July 2018. Jessica has been selected by the BBTSA to be part of team GB, which recognises the huge amount of resilience and hard work she has demonstrated to reach this point. The staff and students at Cockburn John Charles Academy are rooting for her to emerge victorious and have great pride in the fact that a member of our community is competing in a sporting activity on Twirling: Jessica Mountain the continental stage.
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South Leeds Life | June 2018
12 Opinion
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In our view It’s just not British Government policies are making this country a harsh and vicious place to live. There’s no room for understanding or compassion when there are targets and quotas to be met. The Windrush scandal took many by surprise, but its not just the Windrush generation or even just immigration. We have highlighted some local cases where disabled people are being denied benefit for no good reason. This comes on top of the Bedroom Tax and the random ‘sanctioning’ of unemployed people, not to mention the destruction of the NHS and Legal Aid. We need a change of direction to get back to the British values of the welfare state our parents fought for.
Indu
You don’t stay in busisess for 180 years without a head for economics. So it’s interesting to see Harrison Spinks embracing an environmentally sustainable approach to sourcing their raw materials. Bringing it inhouse to control quality is one thing, but replanting hedgerows, leaving field margins for invertibrates and ensuring species diversity used to be the sole preserve of hippies and ecologists. Some of us have known for a while that it makes good business sense, reducing inputs and producing a product of greater value. It’s good to see a Beeston firm leading the way on this.
Your letters and comments Public Art
Do we want public art in South Leeds? Yuss! Want. And need. Show we're proud of our community with some TLC. It deserves celebrating. Ruth Saxton Art is critical to not just the wellbeing of people in our city, but it's economy. In tough times with budget cuts - it's about working together to find funding solutions outside of the box to try and make things happen. All communities needs art to prosper. Cllr Paul Wray Two public sculptues are on the cards for Dewsbury Road. The two sites are outside the Community Hub and at the bottom of Trentham Street. They both have planning permission and I believe they are due to be installed once the road works are completed. I believe the sculptures build on work done in the community with children and older people a couple of years ago. These designs will them be mounted on spindles which will rotate with the wind, a bit like pavement shop signs, but bigger and more secure. Jeremy Morton
Lets talk health
about
mental
How brave of Ken Ingram write about his experiences with depression and in doing so trying to reach out to other people. So glad you have found a place of kindness and belonging in BITMO Gate. If such places were on every street corner I bet we would eradicate mental health issues, loneliness and feelings of exclusion overnight. Come on councils and government support these schemes to the
Your Councillors and MP
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
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: @therroneill Another fab afternoon at Middleton Primary. Reception and year 1 you were brilliant. Loved working on the new Grandad stories. @dukeofbeeston Unbelievable Jeff! Never thought this would happen. Big love. #casualty #BAFTATV
Reclining Figure (Elbow) by Henry Moore, outside Leeds City Art Gallery hilt, they bloody deserve it and in doing so you could save billions. Margaret Scott I too felt that low in early December 2017. I'd written goodbye notes and then started taking codeine. However, my hubby caught me and kept a close eye on me for a number of months. Looking back, I know I was stupid, I have two daughters that I'm proud of and two grandchildren that I love with all my heart (with one more on the way). It took me 6 months but I'm almost there and found that if you talk, it helps. It's true, a problem shared is a problem halved. Heather Phillips Sometimes we cannot think straight and it is good we have good people around us to care for us. And now it is our chance to care for others. Wilson Tweed
Beeston & Holbeck ward Includes Beeston from Cross Flatts Park up to the Co-op, Cottingley, old Holbeck. The three councillors are:
Gohar Almas 07445 878 333 gohar.almas@leeds.gov.uk Angela Gabriel 07946 632 468 angela.gabriel@leeds.gov.uk Andrew Scopes 07860 400 645 andrew.scopes@leeds.gov.uk
Hunslet & Riverside ward Includes the city centre, Beeston Hill and Hunslet. The three councillors are:
Community I wish all areas in Leeds could be as active organised as South Leeds Life. My niece recently moved back to Hunslet and she is
very happy to be surrounded by old friends. You are an example of what a great community looks like. Catherine Steel
Equestrian Centre My daughter goes to Middleton Park Equestrian Centre with school every Wednesday. She loves it! Kirsty Pease
Local elections Well done to those elected. Condolences to those that didn’t but thanks for putting yourselves out there and giving people a choice. Phil Hodgson
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.
@HEALeeds Thank you to @sainsburys at the @whiteroseleeds for today’s food partnership collection! With plenty of fresh fruit & vegetables we have also been able to plant a fresh Basil plant in St Matthew’s C.C community garden! đ&#x;Œż @leedsfederated Our Chief Exec Matthew, jumped on the bus recently with some of our board members, to look around our Newhall Gate affordable rent development in Belle Isle, Leeds, ahead of our new tenants moving in.
Keep up to date with planning issues in LS10 and LS11
Mohammed Iqbal 0113 226 8796 mohammed.iqbal@leeds.gov.uk Elizabeth Nash 0113 275 8594 elizabeth.nash@leeds.gov.uk Paul Wray 07528 512 649 paul.wray@leeds.gov.uk
Middleton Park ward Includes Belle Isle and Middleton. The three councillors are:
Judith Blake Kim Groves Paul Truswell
0113 378 9000 judith.blake@leeds.gov.uk 07891 741 832 kim.groves@leeds.gov.uk 0113 378 8811 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
We publish a weekly list of all new planning applications online at: www.southleedslife.com
@WYFRS Proud to see Hunslet Red Watch on @ThisisDavina #A&ELive on @ITV last night showing crews rescue a driver from a vehicle that had been in a nasty crash. Great to see the good work of staff at #LeedsGeneralInfirmary @nhsleeds @CEO_HunsletClub Out in Bulgaria for Hunslet boxer Abby’s Briggs semi Final in the Europeans tomorrow, it makes a nice change from boxing in Barnsley or Doncaster .
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South Leeds Life | June 2018
14 Arts
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
The Girl On The Train Envisioning a public artwork for South Leeds W
Photo: Richard Davenport
H
by Hannah Lewis
aving read the book last summer, and being slightly disappointed at the film’s representation of a brilliant novel, I was interested to see what the play would offer. And I’m happy to say, it did not disappoint. From start to finish I was captivated, and every role was played in a way that created real depth and prompted sincere empathy from the audience. Moving on to the set, again it was clear a lot of creative thought had gone on behind the scenes. The play begins with the sound of a train as you’re thrown into Rachel’s world. For every scene change the lighting flashes and it’s as if a train is passing while you can see shadows of new characters emerging for the next scene. For those who don’t know the story, the plot is written around the disappearance of a young artist named Megan. And right from the start Megan is right at the centre of the play, visually represented in a piece of her artwork; a swirl of blues and greys around a black “hole” right in the centre of the stage. The play is haunted by empty spaces, from Rachel’s emptiness of not having a child, and Megan’s disappearance. The premise of the story is alcoholic, Rachel’s involvement in finding Megan through an obsession with creating a story of a girl (Megan) she’s watched from a train. But her drinking leaves her with “black spots” in her memory, again represented in Megan’s art, so their lives are visually
intertwined. Despite the dark plotline, the script somehow contains some moments of comedy, managing to make a serious plot line also humerous. The play leaves you with a powerful and emotive monologue from Jill Halfpenny, who plays Rachel. My favourite line of the play is a line from character Kamal Abdich; “Monsters don’t exist”, which beautifully captures the heart of the play, which at its core is a play about humanity. About what we do and why. Underneath the sinister plotline, there is a softness and understanding of the complexity of people’s lives which is summarised in Rachel’s final monologue which is in essence a tribute to commuters not dissimilar to that you’d find on any number of trains leaving Leeds station every weekday morning. For anyone who is already a fan of either book or film, the play subtly honours both, bringing all three mediums together in one of the final scenes; I won’t say too much but it involves a corkscrew, the film score, and a new ending. There were many moments when the audience were silently watching and clearly captivated by both the acting and set. To anyone who has and hasn’t heard of “The Girl on The Train”, if you have a free evening between now and 9 June book yourself tickets and I promise you won’t be disappointed. The Girl On The Train is at West Yorkshire Playhouse until Saturday 9 June 2018. Tickets cost £13.50 – £38.00, Box Office: (0113) 213 7700.
hat do we mean when we talk about public art? And in a time of rampant austerity is there a need, or even a desire, for money being spent on such cultural furniture for the public domain? As an artist and a curator of exhibitions and projects I would of course argue in favour of such things, you would probably think me odd if I didn’t. But this article is not about the worthiness of art in times of austerity, it is in fact about the kind of public art that is being produced, where it is being placed and what people’s understanding of it actually is. If you were to walk around Leeds City Centre looking for examples of art in the public realm, one would almost certainly be able to cite a number of high profile contenders such as Henry Moore, for his Reclining Figure (Elbow) outside Leeds Art Gallery, The Black Prince and his phalanx of torch bearing nymphs surrounding City Square and the Drayman with his barrel on Dortmund Square. More recently we have seen the installation of a 2001 Piece entitled ‘Legs Walking’ by Kenneth Armitage at the bottom of Park Row; Armitage being one of the region’s foremost sculptors of the last century already has a sculpture ‘Both Arms’ (2000) on Mandela Gardens. As the tools, materials, concepts and strategies behind art production in the studio have
Run, run, run away to the circus! F
by Helen Bailey
act. Hard Times is a theatre production based on a Charles Dickens’ 1854 novel of the same name. Deborah McAndrew’s quirky and witty adaptation of Hard Times is a joy to watch. This was my first introduction to Hard Times so not knowing the story it made it more of an enjoyable ride! Fact. In the grim, utilitarian, industrial town of Coketown, where every brick building looks the same, lies a circus. The vibrancy and delight of which is a welcome contrast for sure, but needless to say, the officials and wealthy of the town don’t look too kindly upon
the fun-loving and bright circus preferring logic, efficiency and facts! Fact. The play centres on the young characters of Lousia Gradgrind and Tom Gradgrind. Growing up in this drab environment under their old fashioned conformist father, a school teacher only interested in ‘facts’, they feel that something is missing in their lives. When fate leads to their family taking in the young circus girl of Sissy Jupe, their world begins to turn upside down, providing plenty of snippets of comedy to break up the seriousness. Fact. The ten strong cast (and many supporting staff) of
by Bruce Davies
award-winning Northern Broadsides are clearly a very talented company, multitasking the roles of 25 characters between them while also playing an assortment of musical instruments! The musical interludes were my favourite part, helping to give lightness and fun to an otherwise sombre tale. Fact. Vanessa Schofield in particular stood out in her portrayal of the poor, manipulated Louisa Gradgrind. Vanessa captivated the audience’s attention and made you feel empathy for this character easily getting swept up in her story through its highs and lows.
changed in the last half-century, so too has public sculpture. At the same time as technology and ‘new media’ have become central to the practice of the contemporary artist, these things have also taken over visual culture in the public realm, creating the feeling of the continual advertisement of products and services that we are
The Hare of Harehills by Ian Kirkpatrick
so used to. In amongst this arrives the contemporary artist with an ever shrinking budget and, more often than not, accompanied by a remit that revolves around educational, civic or heritage agendas. Whilst the first point is always an undesirable one the second is understandable, and worthy too. The monetisation of public space and shrinking finances ensure that the monumental works like Moore and Armitage are, generally Fact. The simple props and speaking, out of the reach of dim lighting along with the most and are instead townsfolk’s plain and sensible supplanted by more costumes help complete the financially achievable grey feel of Coketown. However, techniques. the complete opposite is worn With this in mind we return inside the circus; bright and fun to our Art Crawl around with lighting to match, they Leeds looking for public really liven up the stage and works of art. Bearing in mind highlight the contrast between the aforementioned changes the two worlds. to art production values we If, like myself, you had not instead have to look with heard about the story of Hard different eyes at the things Times before now, I would that surround us, are we implore you to go and see it! being advertised at or is this The story told was exciting, and art? although I had no clear Not always is the answer a knowledge of what was in clear one. Very occasionally store, the journey was so the monumental does still enjoyable that it was worth the rear its head but in a very rollercoaster of emotions!
different form. The mural by Invisible Flock commissioned by East Street Arts for the side of City House (now Platform), above the train station, is the biggest in Europe. The Neville Street tunnel that brings you in and out of the city towards South Leeds has since 2009 been home to a sound art work by German artist Hans Peter Kuhn. The only visual
Photo: East Street Arts aspect of this audio work that has played continuously since its installation nine years ago, is the light sequence on the left hand side of the tunnel as you are leaving the city. Elsewhere, existing street furniture such as the junction boxes that control the traffic lights around the city have been treated as blank canvases for commissioned artworks. Different artists were asked to provide images that could be transferred on to the surface of these dull grey boxes around the City Centre. Over in Harehills a new commission by Ian Kirkpatrick has been installed in front of the Compton Centre, a bright shiny, multi-coloured robotic looking rabbit. And what of South Leeds? What would a public artwork for South Leeds look like, what would it symbolize? Does South Leeds need public art? Regardless of need, does the area want public art works? I am going to leave these questions hanging here and offer you the reader, an opportunity to have your say. One final thought . . . you may want to talk about public artworks that you have seen elsewhere the good, the bad or just plain ugly.
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Website: www.southleedslife.com
People 15
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Turning old buses into mobile homes
Callum Mounteney allum Mounteney, from Middleton, is a young man with a vision – he wants to see redundant buses repurposed to house the homeless. Callum has been fascinated by buses since he was little. “They are the mighty kings of the road” he says “they keep on going through any weather, strong, safe, secure.” Upset by seeing homeless people on the streets of the city centre, he started researching what could be done. He came across a project in Portsmouth called Rucksack. They have converted an old bus, installing bunks, a kitchen and lounge area, to use as a temporary shelter of homeless people. The idea brings two issues together that are close to Callum’s heart. He feels that the bus companies are too quick to scrap buses that could have a useful life either through upgrading or
C
refurbishment and he’s keen to play a part in tackling Leeds’ homelessness problem. “Instead of rotting on the scrapheap, these buses could be helping homeless people.” He points how economic his plan
is. He believes First or Arriva could be persuaded to donate a vehicle headed for the scrap heap and if not you can buy an old bus for around £5,000 on eBay. Fitting out could be undertaken by volunteers or as an apprentice project. Running costs compared to a conventional building are much lower with no utilities or Council Tax and they could be fitted with solar panels to generate their own electricity. Callum envisages the bus touring the city centre and offering a warm bed for the night to people on the street. The bus could then park up on a vacant site (with permission) until morning. Callum has already spoken to local Councillors about his idea and a post on LeedsFace attracted 400 comments in support of the plan. He is hopeful that his plan will be taken up by the city.
Bunks on the Rucksack Project’s bus
Pensioner performers seek new piano player A
June 2018 | South Leeds Life
group of talented amateurs who have been performing for 22 years are desperate to find a new piano player so that the show can go on. One of the group, John Hodgson
from Belle Isle, has been in touch with South Leeds Life to explain their predicament. Memory Lane Entertainers perform songs from the shows at community events and care homes
Putting on a show: the Memory Lane Entertainers
around Leeds. The group of 12 artistes are all pensioners, but their piano player has decided to retire at the end of the year. “We really enjoy what we do and we don’t want to stop” explains John, “but we won’t be able to carry on without a piano player.” The group perform a full show lasting over an hour with up to six costume changes and dance routines choreographed by a retired professional dancer. They are all volunteers and any money they do make goes to charity. The group, who rehearse weekly in Stanningley, hope to recruit a new pianist as soon as possible so that their existing player can pass on their knowledge. If you would like to join Memory Lane Entertainers, please contact John Hodgson on (0113) 271 1908 or 07504 635963.
Looking back at my suicide attempt L
by Ken Ingram
ike many of you I watched Coronation Street last month and Aidan in the programme committed suicide. It brought back memories of when, in December 2012, I myself attempted suicide. The following is an edited version of a blog I wrote in 2013. One Sunday morning I read out the full version of the editorial on air at South Leeds Community Radio. I managed to keep myself together but was in tears as others were, when I came out of the studio. So back to 2012: It was my first time out of my sheltered housing flat since I had an operation, at St James’ Hospital two weeks before. I went down to my local pub with a lady friend as they were having a party. On that day I had hit an all-time low, I got home about 1am in the morning. My mental health (depression) had been bad for some time. My parents were both diagnosed with cancer in 2000. Both died four years later. Can you believe I was still grieving after eight years? Also I had money problems, although I had moved into sheltered accommodation. I had yet to sell my house. A relationship had gone wrong, and I was in then the most pain after the operation that I’ve ever known. I decided I would take a huge dose of some medication, Amitriptyline, I was given by my GP two weeks before; and end my life. Amitriptyline is a mild antidepressant and also helps you to sleep. I also took an overdose of Co-codimol plus Tramadol, which I had been taking for the pain. I woke up about 24 hours later unable to move from my bed. For the next day or two, all I did was crawl to the toilet. I could not walk, and also drank sips of water. I could not keep food down. I did not dial 999 as I thought they would section me. On the third day after I had taken the overdose, my intercom button to my flat door was being pressed. It was my lady friend; I did not answer the intercom, or
Ken Ingram open my flat door. After not seeing me for three days, I think she knew something was wrong and shouted up at my bedroom window; she was going to get someone to break my door down. Thinking I don’t want my door breaking down, I crawled to my door pressed the intercom, and let her in. Now in the year 2018, these thoughts are now miles away from my head. I have had two cancer scares in the last two years, but everything turned out OK. I still have memory issues with Dementia and I’m Diabetic, but anything is better than all those years ago. I have met many friends at BITMO GATE: Carla, Donna, Jennifer, Julie and Chris Holmes and all friends with the walking group. This year at Middleton Elderly Aid (MEA) I met new friends, Sam (Manager) Leanne, Mavis, Walter and Sarah, to name a few. We have set up a new Memory café at MEA on the last Wednesday in the month and a new walking group on the second and last Wednesday in the month. Also thanks go to Alex (my mental health social worker), and Dr Lance Middleton (Psychologist) at Aire court in Middleton. Everyone has now kept me on the straight and narrow. Thank you all for your help, you don’t know how much you mean to me, and last big thanks to Jeremy (editor South Leeds Life) who must be pulling his hair out the blogs I write and go in the South Leeds Life newspaper. Please, please if you’re upset by anything you read of this blog, get help from the Samaritans or your Doctor, anything is better than trying to do what I did. Take care, bless you all.
Samartans can help L
eeds Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal. We can help you explore your options, understand your problems better, or just be there to listen. If something's troubling you, get in touch: Telephone our branch: 0113 245 6789 (local call charges apply) National telephone: 116 123 (this number is free to call) Email Samaritans: jo@samaritans.org Visit our branch: Samaritans Leeds, 93 Clarendon Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 9LY, 9am-9pm Photo: Joe Houghton, via Creative Commons
www.southleedslife.com
South Leeds Life | June 2018
16 What’s On
What’s On Your guide to events and activities across South Leeds in June 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 Breathe Easy 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 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 Spartans Girls Rugby 6-7pm Corinthians RUFC, Ring Road Middleton, by Leisure Centre DAZL DanceFit (women 16+) 6-7pm Tenants Hall Enterprise Centre, Acre Close, Middleton South Leeds Sisters running 6.15pm South Leeds Stadium St Matthew’s Youth Club 6:30-8:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck DanceFit 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 Arthington Court, 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 Stay & Play 1:30-3pm Building Blocks Nursery, Maud Avenue, Beeston Line Dancing 1:30-2:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Social Afternoon 1:30-3pm Arthington Ct, Hunslet Line Dancing 2-3:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Summer Sports Tuesdays 4:30-6pm West Grange Courts, Belle Isle Rainbows, Brownies, Guides 4:30-9:15pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Inside Out wellbeing group 6-8pm Conservative Club, Ring Road Middleton Middleton Park All-Rounders 6:30pm Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston Hub Choir 6:30pm Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck 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 Women’s Boot Camp 6:45-7:45 Middleton Park Bike Hub, LS10 3TN South Leeds Lakers running 7pm from Beeston Co-op
Every Wednesday
Bacon Butty Breakfast and Wednesday Weigh In 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 Bridge Cafe 9:30am-2:30pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park 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 Women’s Walking Group 10-11am BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle 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 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 1st Beeston Beaver Scouts 6-7:30pm St Andrews Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston Hunslet Warriors Juniors 6-7pm Warrior Park, The Oval South Leeds Spartans Girls Rugby 6-7pm Corinthians RUFC, Ring Road Middleton, by Leisure Centre 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 DanceFit 6:30pm Middleton Parochial Hall, Town Street Zumba 7-8pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston Middleton Mavericks running 7pm South Leeds Stadium Martial Arts 7-9pm Beeston Juniors, Cardinal Square Clubbercise 7:30-8:30pm St John & St 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 Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave 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 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
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12-1:30pm 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 Children’s Summer Sports 4:30-6pm West Grange Courts, Belle Isle Community Choir 5pm Cockburn School, Gipsy Lane 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 Middleton Park All-Rounders 6:30pm Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston 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
10:30am-12pm St John & St Barnabas Church, Belle Isle Road Yoga 10:45-11:35am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston 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 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 Friday
Tea & Toast 9am Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Charity Shop, Tea & Toast 9am-12pm Beeston Hill United Free Church, Malvern Road Bridge Cafe 9:30am-2:30pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Breastfeeding Support Group 9:45-11:15am Mothercare cafe, Crown Point Retail Park Stretch and Tone 9:45-10:30 St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston 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 Computers with Digital Angels 10-11:30am 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
Every Saturday
Breakfast Club 8:30-11am Vale Circles Centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Cross Flatts parkrun 9am Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park, Beeston Middleton Woods parkrun 9am Leeds Urban Bike Park, Ring Road, Middleton Breakfast Club 9-11am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Police Contact Point 9:30-11:30am St George’s Centre, Middleton Middleton Park All-Rounders 10am Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston Kidz ‘n’ Co 10:30am-12:30pm Cottingley Community Centre Middleton Railway 11am-5pm Moor Road, Hunslet Bingo Afternoon 12:30-3:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Tennis For Free 2-3:30pm Cross Flatts Park
Every Sunday
Cross Flatts junior parkrun 9am, top of Cross Flatts Park Middleton Railway 11am-5pm Moor Road, Hunslet
Full details of every event including map and contact details are available at www.southleedslife.com/events
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Saturday 2 June Plant Sale and St Gemma’s Coffee Morning 10am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Coffee Morning 10am-12pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston Family Art Workshop 11am-3pm The Tetley, Hunslet Rd Hunslet RLFC v Whitehaven 3pm South Leeds Stadium Sunday 3 June Yorkshire Rams v York Senators 2:30pm South Leeds Stadium Alligator Gumbo 2-4pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Monday 4 June Lego Club 3:30-4:30pm Dewbury Road Community Hub, Beeston HEA Cream Tea Party 1-3pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck HEA Supper Club 5-7pm Ingram Court, Domestic Street, Holbeck Tuesday 5 June Mostly Men! 10am-12pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Wednesday 6 June Hunslet Memories 12-2pm The Prospect pub, Moor Road, Hunslet Pot-a-Tea Dementia Café 1:30-3:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Lego Club 3:30-4:30pm Beeston Library, Town Street Thursday 7 June Waterfront East Supper Walk 6pm Leeds Civic Trust, Wharfe St Hunslet Carr Residents Assoc 6:30pm Community Centre, Woodhouse Hill Avenue Saturday 9 June No Stress Yoga 10-11:30am The Tetley, Hunslet Road Teens Club 1-5pm Vale Circles centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Free Exhibition Tour 2pm The Tetley, Hunslet Road Sunday 10 June Sunday Lunch 1-3pm Ingram Gardens Community Centre, Holbeck People’s Picnic 2-4pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Yorkshire Rams v Lancashire Wolverines 2:30pm South Leeds Stadium Monday 11 June HEA Memory Cafe 12:30-2:30pm Ingram Gardens Community Centre, Holbeck Tuesday 12 June Senior Strollers 10-11:30am Cross Flatts Park, Parkfield Avenue entrance HEA Queen’s Birthday Banquet 12-3pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Leeds Aphasia Cafe 1-3pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Camera Club 3-4:30pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub, Beeston
Waterfront West Supper Walk 6pm Leeds Civic Trust, Wharfe St Friends of Stank Hall 7:30pm The Broadway pub, Dewsbury Road, Beeston Thursday 14 June HEA Supper Club 5-7pm Ingram Gardens Community Centre, Holbeck Beeston Community Forum 7:30pm Old White Hart, Town St Saturday 16 June Ramblers group Meet 9am St Mary’s Church, Town Street, Beeston Young Archaeologists Club 10am-12pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Family Art Workshop 11am-3pm The Tetley, Hunslet Rd Sunday 17 June Children’s Magic & Mayhem 12-4pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Leeds Dads 2-4pm The Tetley, Hunslet Road Hunslet RLFC v Coventry Bears 3pm South Leeds Stadium Anyones Guess How We Got Here 5-6pm Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck Monday 18 June HEA Morley Shop/Swim trip 9am-12pm from St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck HEA Supper Club 5-7pm Ingram Court, Domestic Street, Holbeck Wednesday 20 June Pocket Protest Banner 6-8:30pm The Tetley, Hunslet Rd Thursday 21 June 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 22 June Great Get Together 11am-3pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Great Get Together 3-5pm St George’s Centre, Middleton Saturday 23 June Strawberry Fair & Open Day 11am-3pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Great Get Together 1-4pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub, Beeston Teens Club 1-5pm Vale Circles centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Free Exhibition Tour 2pm The Tetley, Hunslet Road Family Fun Day 2:30pm-late The Hunslet Club, Hillidge Road Sunday 24 June 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 Viewpoints photography walk 1:30pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Hunslet RLFC v Rochdale 3pm South Leeds Stadium
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June 2018 | South Leeds Life
What’s On 17 Monday 25 June HEA Showcase Cinema trip 11am-3pm from St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Tuesday 26 June The Creatives 3:30-4:30pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub, Beeston Wednesday 27 June 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 28 June Hunslet Remembered 10am-12pm Hunslet Library HEA Supper Club 5-7pm Ingram Gardens Community Centre, Holbeck Friday 29 June Festival of Brewers 4-10pm New Craven Hall, New Craven Gate, off Dewsbury Road Saturday 30 June Family Art Workshop 11am-3pm The Tetley, Hunslet Rd Hunslet Gala 11:30am-4pm Recreation Ground, off Church Street Festival of Brewers 12-8pm New Craven Hall, New Craven Gate, off Dewsbury Road Teens Club 1-5pm Vale Circles centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Sunday 1 July Grangemoor Brass Band 2:30-4:30pm from Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Yorkshire Rams v Northumberland Vikings 2:30pm South Leeds Stadium
It’s Shakespeare Jim, but not as we know it S
hakespeare’s tale of illusion and revenge is brought vividly to life in Oddsocks’ musical, Sci-fi adaptation. From the company who brought you “bonkers and brilliant” Romeo and Juliet and “downright funny” Macbeth. Experience The Tempest that’s out of this world. Space explorer Prospero is marooned in a galaxy far, far away with his fearless daughter Miranda and a host of madcap aliens. Years later when his enemies’ ship crash lands in a meteor storm it is just the beginning for the crew as they are teased and tormented to submission. Prospero’s enemies do their malevolent best to get away but he’s one tough Space Oddity to beat. Perenial favourites, Oddsocks bring their anarchic pantomime mix back to the Middleton Park Bandstand on Tuesday 3 July at 7-9:30pm. Fun for all the family. Bring a picnic and seats or blankets for sitting on ... and a brollie if it looks like rain - the show will go on whatever the weather!
Cockburn choir
T
he Cockburn Community Choir is looking for new members to join them on a Thursday night. The choir sings a range of material including pop past and present, musical theatre and more traditional choral pieces. They have performed at events both at Cockburn School and in the local community. The choir was formed as part of a range of school activities that engage with the local community. It has now been running for six years and is run by the Cockburn School Music Department and their singing teacher, Sophie Thiruchelvam. There has always been a lovely mix of school staff, staff from other schools and local residents. The choir is now looking for new recruits and hopes there are people reading this article who will take the plunge and
come a give it a go. One of the current singers did this years ago when she saw an advert in South Leeds Life and came to try it out “I felt at ease, made to feel very welcome straight away and really enjoyed it.” The choir leader, Sophie aims to provide a relaxed and fun atmosphere in which everyone can take part. “There is a complete mix of experience within the group from people who can read music and those who can’t, those who’ve sung in a choir previously and those who haven’t.” Her main aim is that people come and enjoy the session and grow in confidence with their own singing. The choir meets on a Thursday night from 5:006:00pm in the music rooms at Cockburn School. Snacks are provided to keep the energy levels up. Interested? Contact: info@cockburnschool.org
Hunslet Gala T
he fifteenth annual Hunslet Gala takes place on Saturday 30 June on the playing field by Church Street and Grove Road. The fun starts at 11:30am and includes giant inflatables and fairground rides, stalls, plenty of local acts in the arena, Punch and Judy and refreshments. www.hunsletfestival.org.uk
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South Leeds Life | June 2018
18 What’s On
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Get together for Jo M
Hunslet Remembered at Hunslet Library
An exhibition sharing the memories of people who grew up in the area of Hunslet and Stourton. These memories are people’s everyday stories including collecting wood for Bonfire Night, scrumping apples from the Thwaite Mill orchard and even working at Waddington’s! The exhibition will be up in the library from May 2018 – December 2018. Image: Horse drawn omnibus outside the Bay Horse Hotel, June 1901. © Leeds Libraries and Information Service via leodis.net
Walks explore the past and future of the riverside L
eeds Civic Trust is holding two supper walks in June looking at the history of the riverside in Leeds and what the future holds. These walks offer the opportunity to see Leeds City Centre in a new light. The walks are 1½-hour in length, and are preceded by supper in the Trust’s Headquarters located in the Calls. Supper is served from 6pm, followed by one and a half hour walk led by experienced and knowledgeable guides. The price of the walks is £15.00 including supper with wine or beer. Booking information can be found at the Leeds Civic Trust website: www.leedscivictrust.org.uk/events Trust Director Martin Hamilton said: “We are rounding off our series of Supper Walks with two waterfront walks that reflect both past role played by our waterways in the development of Leeds, but also an exciting future with the arrival of HS2 and the new city centre park on the South Bank.” 6pm Thursday 7 June 2018 Waterfront East Beginning at the Calls, and taking as its spine the Aire and Aire & Calder Navigation, and going beyond Crown Point Bridge and the Armouries and Leeds Dock, this walk tells the story of this important shipping intersection and the historical importance of Hunslet and its surroundings as a focus for trade and
New footbridge over the Aire & Calder Navigation
business. Today the area is the home of five educational establishments, a growing residential area, proposed location of a new city centre park, and a focus for the digital economy – the largest outside of London. A fascinating area that has continued to innovate over the centuries. 6pm Tuesday 12 June 2018 Waterfront West Staying close to the river and canal basin and finishing in Holbeck, this walk shows how this area has had a vital role in shaping the city over the last 200 years, and how future developments will radically alter this part of Leeds once again. It is the location of the first moving image and the cradle of the industrial revolution. , bur also home of an Egyptian Temple and Italian towers. In the future new skyscrapers are planned as are large scale demolitions to make way for HS2. The walk will cover all of this and more. Supper Walks cost £15 and need to be booked in advance. For easy online booking via our website go to www.leedscivictrust.org.uk/events and follow the link; make sure you have your payment card ready. If you do not have access to the internet or do need help with the booking process, please call the office on (0113) 243 9594 (Mon-Fri 10am – 3pm).
arking the second anniversary of the murder of Jo Cox MP, communities will be coming together across South Leeds to share food and fun and show that Jo was right when she said “We have far more in common than that which divides us.” One of the biggest events will be at Dewsbury Road Community Hub on Saturday 23 June 1-4pm. The family friendly outdoor event will feature performances from Polska Szkola Bradford, Fabienne, Hombre, The Sole Majors and Jungle Warriors Sound System. The Playbox toy container will be there with giant outdoor games, media make up, photobooth, games jab, mini Police and plant a pot. There will also be a craft market featuring local makers. There are two Great Get Together events taking place in Middleton on Friday 22 June. St George’s Centre will have outdoor games, sports and refreshments, whilst the Council’s Adults and Health service are inviting
everyone to join them in Middleton Park for a picnic from 11am-3pm. Some of the local resources and fun activities that will be taking place during the event include: taster of groups across all our service such as, such as fishing for wellbeing, art, salsa, chair based dancing, football and much more. There will be face painting and bouncy castles for all ages; live music and entertainment throughout the event, which will range from Steel drum band, D.J live Drama production from the Physical Impairment Service to a
performance from the service’s choir. There will also be refreshments and fast food stalls at the event to suit all. Then on Monday 25 June what promises to be the greatest international food fuddle takes place as Holbeck Gets Together at St Matthew’s Community Centre, 12:30pm. This event has been organised by Touchstone’s MAP+ (Migrant Access Project Plus) and Holbeck Elderly Aid in partnership. Come and meet your neighbours and bring a plate of something to share.
Family fun in the sun at last year’s Great Get Together
Beeston hosts beer festival A
new beer festival, ‘Festival of Brewers’ will take place on 29-30 June 2018 at New Craven Hall, just off Dewsbury Road in Beeston. The festival concept is to host an event shining a spotlight on smaller, independent craft breweries that are often overlooked at other festivals in favour of the
more well-known craft breweries. These small breweries are brewing on small kit, and producing great tasting, quality beers. The festival has been organised by Mike Hampshire, who describes himeslf as “Founder and Beer Evangelist at Mike’s Tap Room Ltd, member of the British Guild of Beer
Festival organiser Mike Hampshire
Writers, Beer Sommelier and Cicerone in training, and seriously passionate about all things beer!” The final brewery lineup has been confirmed. All nine breweries are Yorkshirebased and will be hosting their own bars, selling cask and keg on draft. They will be bringing bottles and cans for drinking at the event, or to takeaway. The brewers themselves will also be on-hand, so a great opportunity to meet the people behind the beers. Here’s the line-up: • Nomadic Beers • Meanwood Brewery • EYES Brewing • Quirky Ales • Wilde Child Brewing • Wishbone Brewery • Sunbeam Ales • Crooked Brewing • Horsforth Brewery This event is ticket only, and tickets are on sale now. General admission starts at £6 plus £1 booking fee, and there’s
also a limited number of exclusive tickets for a tutored tasting of beers, on each day, hosted by Mike. All ticket information can be found at: festivalofbrewers.event cube.io/. Sessions run as follows: Friday 29 June 2018 410pm and Saturday 30 June 2018 12-8pm. New Craven Hall, Unit 2 Fairfield House, New Craven Gate, Leeds, LS11 5NF. The venue is fully accessible and dog friendly. There’s also an outdoor seating area, and street food traders will be serving delicious food throughout both days. More information at: www.festivalofbrewers.co. uk.
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June 2018 | South Leeds Life
Sport 19
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Running in the beautiful south If you are looking for inspiration now the warm weather is here, we have got two more routes around South Leeds for you, courtesy of the South Leeds Lakers Running Club. Of course you don’t have to run, you can walk or cycle them. If you are sick of pounding the tarmac, these routes will get you onto trails through the
beautiful countryside around South Leeds.
The Rothwell Greenway O
by Jason Firth
n the right hand side of Long Thorpe Lane, opposite Rodillian Academy school fields, a green iron archway adorned with ‘ROTHWELL GREENWAY’ marks the start of this route.
RSPB St Aidan’s S
by Robert Shand
t Aidan’s is a hidden gem around south Leeds; now owned by the RSPB the landscape is wide open grassy land with beautiful lakes and thriving wildlife - you’ll see every form of sport going on from running and cycling, to those swimming in Bowers Lake (even in winter!) It’s often hard to believe this area of land and water is close to the city.
A heron at St Aidan’s
Photo: Paul Johnson Phoenix Photography
The most popular routes tend to be those that follow the water - choosing to run around Bowers Lake being the shortest option, you also have the ability to run the entire perimeter of the park taking in the other bodies of water and fields which is approx. 6mi / 10km. The final option is an out and back along the canal taking in part of the Trans Pennine Trail and giving the most flexibility in terms of the distance you do. Almost every route possible around the lakes is flat and
Sunset at St Aidan’s
fast, making it perfect for speed training or a leisurely recovery run - the paths, while uneven in places, are more than suitable for road shoes. If you’re craving some up-anddown, adding in the hill towards the mining equipment offers some elevation change to shake things up a bit. If you choose to run along the canal, the route is more undulating, and again mostly on good path (although if you do run it in the less kind
months can be quite muddy in places). Access to the park is easy with it being a short drive from the motorways. Parking is available for a small charge in the RSPB car park (LS26 8AL), or free on the layby on the edge of the park. There are hot and cold drinks as well as sandwiches and snacks available onsite for the post-run munchies, with plenty of seating around the park to take in the views and relax afterwards.
Photo: Paul Johnson Phoenix Photography
The start of the Rothwell Greenway It follows a section of the old East & West Yorkshire Union Railway line that criss-crossed this part of Yorkshire in the late 19th and early 20th century. This particular branch line opened in 1891, with a shortlived passenger service eventually closing in 1904. Measuring 2 miles, I use this path as part of a longer run although it starts in Lofthouse (not technically South Leeds) the end of the line is Rothwell, very much part of Leeds and therefore eligible for inclusion in this series of articles. Starting at the aforementioned archway, you set off down a trail path between houses and more school playing fields. After a short distance the route opens up to a wider grassed area.
Narrowing again as you pass between the old embankments with The Gardener’s Arms on your right, (I shouldn’t imagine anyone would want (need) a drink after only running a relatively short distance) the path dips down as you venture under the old bridge with the traffic on the A61 thundering above you. On the other side the path bears left then straightens out and through one of the many stiles you will encounter on this route, which I guess have been strategically placed to prevent motorbikes etc. This section is mainly covered by overhanging trees on either side, although occasional gaps in the tree line on your right reveal stunning views across the farmers’ fields to the village of Carlton. Further along are huge spoil heaps on the edge of the fields, a quite imposing sight when the early morning sun rises beyond them. This path eventually drops down to the A654 Leadwell Lane where you will see the remains of the railway bridge that took the track over the main road. Cross the road and head between the houses, keeping the brown fence on your right. As you cross the next road (Hopefield Drive) and go through (or round) another green stile, you are off the tarmac and back on the trail. Old maps show Robin Hood Station located somewhere here. It amazes me that
architecture such as railway stations can disappear without trace; if you didn’t know about its existence you would be none the wiser. From this point you will notice several offshoots to your route which were the other branch lines going off towards Stourton. Follow the path that bears right taking you at the back of the houses. The path will split again, stay right and follow on. Although it was difficult to envisage where Robin Hood Station had been, it's now hard not to imagine this being a railway cutting 100+ years ago with the steep bankings in place on either side. You will pass the remains of Thompson’s Bridge as you progress; this bridge, amazingly, has only very recently been demolished as it had finally been deemed unsafe. The steep embankments eventually disappear to reveal Manor Park fields to the left with houses beyond. Up to this point the path has been predominantly trail but here it briefly becomes tarmac. You don’t realise you’re as high up as you are until you take in the views across the pastures
below on your right with Rothwell in the near distance. This was the approximate location of Rothwell Station ‘back in the day’ but again, you wouldn’t know. The path narrows at this point and weaves through the trees before opening up onto a gravel road which will leads onto Wood Lane opposite the top side of Holy Trinity Church and the end of the route. The more adventurous of you may wish to turn left up the long gradual incline that is Wood Lane to eventually re-join the A61 at the jawbones. Turning right and going down the hill will bring you into the centre of Rothwell. You will be exposed to the full range of the British weather on this route as there is not much shelter from the elements. My last two runs down here saw me first splashing through puddles and thick mud in torrential rain, the second time was in blazing sunshine. If conditions have been dry then normal running shoes will suffice, prolonged wet weather will probably require trail shoes but as us runners say, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing.”
Puddles after rain on the Greenway
Callum’s a world champion! C
World Champion: Callum Rushworth
allum Rushworth may only be ten years old, but he is already a black belt in light contact kickboxing, and has become world champion, five years after taking up the sport. Callum tried football, but didn’t really like it. “It’s something not a lot of people do, and I enjoy winning” he says. He trains four days a week at a local martial arts club and has recently taken up extra boxing training at The Hunslet Club to boost his skills. Last summer he travelled to Italy for the World Kickboxing Association championships where he won the world title. “It is expensive with the kit and
the travel” explains Mum Tasha, “but it’s worth every penny. We are so proud of Callum and what he has achieved.” Callum was supported with a grant from the Hunslet Club Trust, and his school, Hunslet Carr Primary, raised over £200 to help him get to Italy. The family are looking for a local company to sponsor Callum’s next steps in his kickboxing career. This year sees tournaments around Britain, before he returns to Italy in October to defend his title. And then there’s his little sister, who at aged five has just started training too!
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South Leeds Life | June 2018
20 Sport
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Hunslet RLFC are building momentum H
by Ian Pickles & Jeremy Morton
unslet RLFC results in last month may look inconsistant, but their performances show signs that the team has stamina and some flair. May started badly with a loss away to Newcastle Thunder and fans could be forgiven for having some trepidation at the prospect of a visit by high flying York City Knights. York, who operate a dual registration scheme with Super League’s Hull KR came to South Leeds Stadium on 6 May off the back of a world record 144-0 victory over West Wales Raiders. Things didn’t start well with
managed to wrestle 3 men to score for Hunslet. The conversion successful, at 18-24 it was game on. It was a soft penalty though that gave York the game, a high tackle being judged under Hunslet’s posts. At 18-26 a Home win seemed beyond reach. But quick passing after a penalty decision sent Nathan Chappell over for his second try, and Sanderson’s conversion left us at 24-26. It was time to throw caution to the wind, and Cain Southernwoods chip kick nearly came off, the luck of the bounce though was York’s, and probably after that first 20 minutes the visitors deserved the win. On 20 May Hunslet travelled down the A1 to the Keepmoat Stadium
Gary Thornton said: “We have to remain professional today and it will be a test of our mental toughness as much as anything to stick to the game plan and play to our structures.” Overall Hunslet did that and put in a solid performance over 80 minutes, although at times they seemed to drift and lose focus, which could be dangerous against tougher opposition. Hunslet went ahead within two minutes when captain Duane Straugheir scored in the corner. Joe Sanderson was unable to convert, one of only two kicks he missed all afternoon. Two more tries followed in quick succession from Jimmy Watson and
Tennis For Free: free coached family sessions every Saturday in Cross Flatts Park, Beeston 2-3:30pm, all equipment provided, just turn up and play!
HCP: A perfect 11 H
Duane Straugheir scores for Hunslet against Doncaster. Hunslet allowing York to take a 24 point lead, but on 35 minutes Joe Sanderson’s flat pass sent Josh Jordan-Roberts into a gap and he rounded the full-back to score. Hunslet now had the momentum and it was York wishing for the hooter. A miraculous tackle held Joe Sanderson from scoring off a smart Jack Walton ball. Then right on half time in more hope than anything Sanderson’s inch perfect kick was fielded by Nathan Chappell who scored in the corner. The next score came out of the blue on 60 minutes. Jack Walton driving the ball in looked to be tackled and held, but he somehow
and scored an important win beating high flying Doncaster 16-35. A close first half saw the lead change hands four times as the teams swapped scores, but Hunslet pulled away in the second half scoring 21 unanswered points. Cain Southernwood, Jack Walton, Nathan Chappell, Joe Sanderson and captain Duane Straugheir all scored tries; Sanderson kicked 7 goals and Southernwood kicked a drop goal. The Parksiders racked up a club record 86 points against the hapless West Wales Raiders in the a onesided match in the sunshine at South Leeds Stadium on 27 May. In his programme notes coach
Photo: Paul Johnson Phoenix Photography Jack Lee, both were converted by Sanderson, taking the score to 16-0 after just 7 minutes. West Wales tried to apply the breaks, but were unable to score themselves although they went close. By half time Hunslet led 38-0. After the break West Wales clearly tired, but Hunslet kept up the pressure running in a further 8 tries. Final score: Hunslet RLFC 86-0 West Wales Raiders. June kicks off with the rearranged game against Whitehaven on Saturday 2 June at 3pm. Then Hunslet visit London Skolars on 9 June followed by home games against Coventry Bears on 17 and Oldham on 24 June.
by Phil Goodfield
alf way through their first season in the National Conference League Premiership Division, the top flight of community rugby, Hunslet Club Parkside have a perfect record – 11 matches, eleven wins. Their latest victory, beating Myton Warriors 40-6 on 26 May, took them 8 points clear at the top of the table. On top of that, their points difference is 100 points higher than second placed Egremont Rangers. I spoke to skipper Jamie Fields a few weeks ago after they had beaten League founder members Wigan St Patrick’s (St Pat’s) 26-0. South Leeds Life: Jamie how are things going in your first season in the NCL Premier Division? Jamie: Well we’re 7 out of 7 which is a good start but it’s going to be a long season and as I keep saying we need to continue working hard and everyone at the club is prepared to do that to get success. We know there are no easy games and we know we’ve got to put the work in every week. South Leeds Life: Did you expect to have such a good start? Jamie: You can’t get promoted and expect to win your first seven games, that
would be insulting to the other teams in the League. I maybe expected to win 5 out of 7 but we haven’t set targets. Nobody is talking past the next game, so now we’ll start working hard for next week’s home game against Normanton Knights which will be a very tough game (Hunslet won 14-12). South Leeds Life: There seems to be a good atmosphere in the club – on the pitch and off it. What do you put that down to? Jamie: Everyone at the club puts in the effort week by week to achieve the success we are having. It’s not just the 17 who play every week. There’s a big squad of players who all contribute and as well as the coaching team, there’s all the other people who contribute in the background including physio Bianca who does a great job keeping the players fit when we all work full time, Glen, Frankie, Paul to name just a few. We’re a family as well as a rugby club. South Leeds Life: Thanks Jamie and good luck for the rest of the season. This is a team well worth watching – and at just £3 (including programme) entry fee – great value too! Hunslet Club Parkside’s next home match is on Saturday 16 June, when they take on Rochdale Mayfield. KO 2.30pm, Beza Street opposite the Gardeners Arms.
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Hunslet Club Parkside on their way to victory against Wigan St Pat’s