Your FREE community newspaper
Issue 44 | October 2018
What’s happening in Beeston, Belle Isle, Cottingley, Holbeck, Hunslet, Middleton & Stourton
Selective Licensing in Beeston Hill - raising standards or a tenant tax?
TIME TO LICENSE LANDLORDS? A
by Jeremy Morton
s we reported last month, Leeds City Council is considering introducing mandatory licensing for private sector landlords in the Beeston Hill area. The Council say the scheme will help improve the management of private rented homes and help ensure tenants benefit from living in safe, comfortable and secure homes. But South Leeds Life has also been contacted by landlords opposed to the plans who say licensing could push up rents and reduce the number of options for tenants. If implemented, the scheme will involve property inspections. It will be paid for by a one off fee of £825 per property, paid by the landlord. Maz Khan, who is campaigning against the scheme, told us: “The proposed scheme consists of an excessive fee per property and the exhaustive conditions outlined would place an onerous burden on owners and agents and drive up rents in what are already poor parts of Leeds, effectively becoming a tenant tax.” He said that landlords are being required to police antisocial behaviour and that he is aware of landlords that will sell
To Let: private rented housing in Beeston Hill their properties if the scheme is introduced, reducing the number of properties available to rent. We asked residents in the affected area what they thought of the proposals. Sarah said: “When I was looking for a house to rent in Beeston, I was shocked by the state of some houses. Many of them were disgusting. Would this scheme change any of that? If so, good.” Hazel told us: “I’m lucky enough to have a fantastic landlord, but I’m very aware that this isn’t the case for all. However, if it results in rent hikes, that’s deplorable.”
June said: “I think it's a really good idea as a couple of the houses in our street are riddled with damp and I don't feel our overseas friends like to complain for fear of losing the tenancy. We have had various neighbours moving in and out because all the agents do is paint over the black. “It will also hold landlords accountable for maintaining their property as we have had expenses created from damp next door. The agent just tells us the landlord is not interested. That’s not good enough in my book.” But Brenda said: “Maybe the council should concentrate on
the state of their own properties as well. Anything that puts extra costs onto landlords will fall back onto the tenants rent. As it stands, tenants can report landlords if houses are in disrepair, or are perfectly in the right to refuse payment until repairs are done.” Whilst Neil commented: “There are absentee landlords in this area who let their properties gradually become substandard, and every tenant in the area is entitled to a secure, safe, clean, and attractive place to make their home. In committing to pay the license, people are going to
send out the message that they’re a responsible, considerate landlord, doing their best for the people who choose to live here. It’ll boost the upkeep of some run down houses too, making Beeston feel like an even nicer place to live for all of us here. Surely that’s a good thing?” Cllr Paul Wray responded: “I’d like to stress no decision has been made as to whether this will go ahead and the consultation team are very eager to get as much feedback as possible, from as wide a group as possible. “Just to be clear on the costs. If after the consultation, the business case is made and the Council’s Executive Board accepts the proposals as currently set out. The 5-year licence for those who currently don’t have an HMO licence, will cost a landlord an extra £165 per year (£13.75 a month). This is hardly excessive and well within most landlord’s ability to absorb without passing on to the tenant. I’d suggest people read the full FAQs and if people do have a question, they can contact the consultation team who are happy to chat.” Find more information about the scheme at www.leeds.gov .uk/selectivelicensing or drop in at Vale Circles on Tunstall Road on Monday 1 October between 3-8pm.
In this issue:
New mosque open in Beeston
page 5
Results day at Cockburn
page 11
Last coals to Leeds
pages 15
Mother Courage in Hunslet
page 19
NEWS SCHOOLS
2-9 10-11
FEEDBACK
12
ARTS
14
LOCAL HISTORY 15 WHAT’S ON SPORT
Get the latest news at www.southleedslife.com - new stories posted daily
16-19 20
www.southleedslife.com
South Leeds Life | October 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.
Contact us South Leeds Life CIC 224 Cross Flatts Grove, Leeds, LS11 7BW Email: info@southleedslife.com Facebook & Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife Phone: 07894 583966
Complaints South Leeds Life is committed to working within and adhering strictly to the Editors Code of Practice. However, if you feel we have breached the code in any way and wish to make a complaint, please submit your complaint, in writing to the editor. A copy of our complaints procedure is available via our website or on request.
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
MP’s notebook L
by Hilary Benn MP
ast Saturday, I went to Leeds station to talk to the guards who are in dispute with Northern Rail over their future role. They are opposing driver-only operation and campaigning in support of keeping guards on the trains. I think they are right to be doing so for many reasons, including safety - what if there is an accident? - and disability access - what if someone in a wheelchair wants to get on a train at an unstaffed station and there is no guard? It's why disability campaign groups say that the expansion of driver-only operation impairs their ability to travel. Indeed, a spokesperson for the train company Southern in an extraordinary statement admitted that “…there is no cast-iron guarantee that passengers with accessibility requirements can spontaneously board a train in the assumption there would be a second member of staff on board every train.” This isn't good enough. Access to public transport should be a right not a privilege. I think it's common
sense to have a second person on a train in addition to the driver and I hope a negotiated solution to this dispute can be reached quickly. After all, Northern passengers have suffered quite enough from the disastrous introduction of the new timetable. I also think we should bring the railways back into public ownership, but that's another story for another day. South Leeds knows all about flooding. None of those affected can forget the impact on the 2015 Boxing Day floods on homes and businesses. Phase one of the flood defence scheme has now been completed including raising walls in the city centre and building the remarkable moveable weir by Crown Point bridge, but there is much more to be done to offer decent protection, especially to the west of the city centre. I am very disappointed therefore that the Government has announced that it will not provide full funding for the next phase of the Leeds flood prevention scheme. Leeds City Council had asked for £112 million, but instead the
Government has offered only half this amount for a scheme that will not give the city what it needs. This is completely unacceptable, and along with other MPs we have written to Michael Gove to demand a meeting. The Leeds Civic Trust blue plaques are one of the jewels in the crown of our city. The places and people they have commemorated include the founding of Marks and Hilary Benn MP Spencer, the Middleton Railway, and The Who Live at Leeds. made 172 appearances for the club One of my favourites is on the and scored 48 goals. He also southern end of Leeds Bridge in appeared in the 1965 FA Cup Final honour of Louis Le Prince who the first player of African heritage to filmed the world's first moving achieve this distinction. His career pictures from that spot. Now that was marred by the racism that was all too prevalent in that era but he really is living history. I was delighted to hear therefore left an indelible legacy in the that one of the next plaques will be memory of those who saw him play. And the next time you come to Albert Johanneson, the Leeds United footballer. He was an across one of these blue plaques, important member of the squad that why not stop and have a look gained promotion to the First because I am sure that, like me, you Division in the 1963-64 season and will walk away marvelling at another he graced Elland Road with his example of the wonderful heritage of speed and skill on the wing. He our great city.
Hunslet Road housing gets go ahead P
lans to build over 900 homes on the former Evans Halshaw car dealership site on Hunslet Road passed another hurdle in September when Councillors on the City Plans Panel unanimously approved the planning application. To be completed over five phases, X1 South Bank is intended to provide a brandnew neighbourhood in the heart of the regeneration area, complete with 928 residential apartments, cafes and restaurants, in addition to office and retail space. X1’s planning and design team – which includes DK Architects, Turley Associates, Planit-IE, Savills and Hydrock – has worked with the council to ensure that the development meets all requirements for publicly accessible green space and amenities and achieves its objective of creating a thriving new sustainable community hub. Leeds City Council is transforming South Bank (the former industrial area that includes parts of Holbeck and Hunslet) through a project that will double the size of Leeds city centre by delivering 8,000 homes and 35,000 new jobs, as well as world-class
Artist’s impression of the new X1 development in Hunslet green space. director at Knight Knox, said: Designed with Leeds’ “We’re delighted that residents in mind, X1 South planning has been approved Bank will contain a mixture for X1 South Bank. It’s a of apartment types, truly landmark development including one- to three- that’s set to transform this bedroom apartments and currently vacant area of the penthouses, as well as two- city and we can’t wait for it to and three-bedroom start taking shape. We’re townhouses. Amenities in committed to providing high the development will include quality residential and generous balconies, roof commercial property for terraces, on-site gyms, investors, tenants and local resident-only podium communities, and X1 South gardens, landscaped green Bank is no exception – it’ll space and secure basement play an important role in parking. Leeds’ future.” Andy Phillips, commercial Melissa Green, operations
director at X1, said: “Leeds is booming and we’re so proud to officially say we’re going to play a significant part in its growth with X1 South Bank. Our whole design team has made it their mission to create a development that not only offers first-rate accommodation, but that will genuinely enhance the area for the wider Leeds population by providing striking modern architecture, exciting commercial units and vibrant public space.”
Chair of Leeds City Council’s City Plans Panel Councillor Jim McKenna said: “The City Plans Panel was pleased to approve this significant development, which will provide a range of new housing options and public realm improvements to transform this area of the city centre in an attractive, modern and imaginative way. We look forward to watching it develop with interest.” Leeds City Council executive member for regeneration, transport and planning Councillor Richard Lewis said: “This large-scale and ambitious plan coming forward for this site provides further evidence of the growing confidence investors and developers have in our plans for the regeneration of the South Bank, providing new housing, leisure amenities and attractive public space in a sustainable way. It also reinforces our commitment to building on brownfield sites first wherever possible, revitalising large vacant sites such as this and adding to the reputation of the South Bank as a place for people and families to live, work, learn and visit.” For more information please visit: www.x1southbank.com
www.southleedslife.com
Website: www.southleedslife.com
News 3
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Police numbers cut as violent crime soars I
Please support your community newspaper
by Cllr Andrew Scopes
t is a well-documented fact that police funding has been slashed over the last eight years as part of the national Government austerity measures. Crime statistics from South Leeds show that this has been associated with a dramatic rise in violent crime. While the council are doing their best to reduce the impact by funding extra officers, our community isn’t the safe place that we would like it to be. Police cuts are determined by Government in the Westminster, but the real impact is here, in our communities, in South Leeds. Something that, unfortunately, many of us have witnessed over the past few years. The Shadow Home Secretary, Diane Abbott, recently said: “Cutting over 7,000 neighbourhood police officers means that vital intelligence is missed and relations between the police and the communities they serve become more removed. Over, 21,000 police officers have been lost since 2010 and cuts on this scale are obviously going to have an impact on policing and public
Another South Leeds crime scene Photo: Jeremy Morton safety.” Holbeck is an interesting Leeds City Council is case, which has been in the financially supporting some of spotlight in recent press the neighbourhood policing articles for violent and sexual teams and the police in South crime. It is interesting because, Leeds continue to do the best whilst it does have a high they can but “we cannot get number of violent and sexual security on the cheap”. crimes, it isn’t the epicentre What does this mean for us? that you might expect Put simply, more crime and less (according to the police’s community cohesion. In South numbers). Perhaps this is Leeds (including Morley, Tingley related to reporting levels and Rothwell) there were 780 which can affect resource violent and sexual offences allocation. That said, the reported during July 2018, figures across South Leeds are which is frighteningly high. This too high and do need to come compares to 603 in July 2017 down. and 512 in July 2016. Crime seems, sadly, to occur
most in our poorest areas for a myriad of different reasons and so, once again, our poorest areas are bearing the brunt of austerity. Locally, Leeds City Council is committed to working with the police, with the money available, to protect our neighbourhoods. You can explore these crime figures on the Government’s Police.UK website, here: www.police.uk/westyorkshire/LDT_S/crime/violen t-crime , where you can zoom in to individual offences and street locations.
Holbeck: what is the way forward? S
October 2018 | South Leeds Life
by Ed Carlisle
eptember saw the latest quarterly Holbeck Residents Forum, with discussion and presentations on a range of local projects – but the gathering was overshadowed by ongoing local anger about the ‘Managed Approach’, the sex
work tolerance zone that lies just outside the community. Residents were visibly frustrated that the Managed Approach was not explicitly featured on the agenda, and repeatedly brought it up during heated discussions – with comments including “I’m ashamed to live in Holbeck”, and “The Council should be
A sex worker in Holbeck Photo: Jeremy Morton
ashamed of what they’re doing to our community”. Following the meeting, local campaigner Laura Walton told South Leeds Life: “People are frustrated, because we ask the same questions at these meetings, and don’t get straight answers. But we want to find ways forward.
“One simple proposal is this: we need a full proper review of what’s happening – and not just the zone, but the impact on the whole community. “Could the different people on the Reference Group agree a consultation process and a survey, get it delivered around the community, then review the responses together? Who could argue with that?” And Claire Bentley-Smith, for Save Our Eyes – who are campaigning against the zone – praised the Council’s environmental team for their work, and commented: “We accept you can’t scrap the scheme overnight – but the Council need to come clean that, with all the new developments coming to Holbeck, the zone will inevitably have to move and change in the coming year or two. “They need to come up with a longer term plan. Then if the community can see an end in sight, it would change everything.”
We run South Leeds Life on a shoestring budget: about £10,000 per year. We raise that through advertising, grants and sponsorship. Could you gift us £4 per month (£1 a week) via a Standing Order? We will then deliver you a personal copy of the paper each month to your home. And you will know that you are helping to keep the local news independent and accessible to all. If you have internet banking you can up a standing order online. Our bank details are: South Leeds Life Group Sort code: 08-92-99 Account no: 65591910 Please let us know that you’ve set up the order and where you would like your paper delivered. If you don’t have internet banking please ring us for a form. If your organisation would like to become a sponsor please get in touch. We have a range of packages starting at £60 per year, through to our Platinum package at £3,600 per year. Call 07894 583966 or email info@southleedslife .com for full details. Thank you to all our
sponsors including our main sponsors: • Asha Neighbourhood Project • Basement Arts Project • Beeston & Holbeck Councillors • Beeston Festival • Beeston In Bloom • Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation • Building Blocks nursery • Ciaran Bingham Foundation Trust • Cockburn School • Cockburn John Charles Academy • Friends of Cross Flatts Park • Friends of Middleton Park • Greencore Group • Hamara Centre • Health For All • Hunslet Carr Residents Association • The Hunslet Club • The Kyle Asquith Foundation • Leeds Federated Housing • Middleton Park Councillors • Middleton Railway • Network Leeds • People Matters • SLATE • Slimming World • Slung Low Theatre • St Luke’s CARES • The Tetley • Touchstone • Vera Media
www.southleedslife.com
South Leeds Life | October 2018
4 News
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
St George’s community hub re-launches
Cllrs Debra Coupar, Paul Truswell & Judith Blake with members of Lychee Red he newly refurbished breaking at the time to bring community hub at the St Council and community facilities George’s Centre in Middleton was together with our health partners. officially re-launched on Friday 14 It’s fantastic for the residents who September by Cllr Debra Coupar, live in our area that they can come executive member for in and access state-of-the-art communities, with Middleton services. Park ward members Cllr Judith “I can’t tell you the difference it Blake and Cllr Paul Truswell. makes having the Police based The hub features redesigned here alongside colleagues from library area, an enlarged job club Children and Adults services area with extra public computers, sharing knowledge and plus interview rooms for partner experience.” agencies to speak to clients in Cllr Paul Truswell added: “I feel privacy. The building is shared I’ve come full circle as I was with the NHS minor injuries clinic. involved in the setting up of the Cllr Debra Coupar said: “This Credit Union back in the 1980s was one of our flagship hubs when and now it‘s here as an integral we first opened it and to see it so partner in this fantastic hub, well used, I’m delighted to come serving the people of Belle Isle back and re-launch it.” and Middleton so effectively.” Cllr Blake drew attention to the Guests were also serenaded by partnership work over many years the Lychee Red Chinese elders saying: “This centre opened in choir who sang two songs, one in 2003 and was absolutely ground- Cantonese and one in Mandarin.
T
Regular surgeries at Middleton St George’s Centre Monday Registrars (All day appointments) Welfare Rights (All day appointments) Tuesday Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (All day appointments) Money Buddies (AM drop-in) Leeds Housing Options (Same day appointments) Wednesday Women’s Lives Leeds (All day drop-in) Community Links (All day appointments) Registrars (All day appointments) Welfare Rights (All day appointments) Engage Leeds (AM drop-in) Housing - Benefit Adviser (All day appointments) Thursday Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (All day appointments) Welfare Rights (All day appointments) Remploy (PM drop-in) Friday Registrars (All day appointments) Saturday Councillor surgery first Saturday of the month (AM drop-in) A new Chess Club has started on Saturdays from 10:30am12:30pm. Watch out for more new events and activities.
St George’s Centre is open 8:30am-6pm Mon-Fri and 10am-2pm on Saturdays
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
Beeston’s double bed award winners I
t was a big night for Beeston at the NBF (National Bed Federation) Industry Awards last month with not one, but two South Leeds companies winning awards. OTTY Sleep, the mattress retailer based at The Greenhouse on Beeston Road, founded in 2016, picked up the Small Online Retailer of the Year, whilst at the other end of the business spectrum the fifth generation family firm Harrison Spinks won Bed Manufacturer of the Year (over £10 million turnover) at the ceremony held during The Bed Show in Telford. OTTY Sleep was credited for its growing standing in the mattress-in-abox marketplace, which has seen the company on course to increase its annual turnover by an estimated 400 per cent. The growth has also seen the L-R Host and ex-rugby player Martin Bayfield, CEO of OTTY Michal Szlas, NBF President Tony Lisanti company venture into Europe for the first time, giving OTTY the opportunity to more than double the number of staff at its Leeds-based headquarters to help accommodate the increasing demand. Luxury bed manufacturer Harrison Spinks which has made mattresses, headboards and divans from its base in Leeds since 1840 was recognised for its commitment to vertical integration. The award reflects a number of successes enjoyed by the company in the last 12 months, not least the opening of a new Innovation Centre at its Leeds headquarters, off Dewsbury Road, the first felling of timber from its own forest in North Yorkshire and the creation of a new wire-drawing line at the British Steel plant in Scunthorpe. Three generations of the Spinks family with staff from Harrison Spinks
Leeds Wood Recycling opens
Manager Charlotte Stanley (right) with volunteer Mark Seddon
L
by Jeremy Morton
eeds Wood Recycling (LWR), a new social enterprise, opened its doors in Holbeck last month. The not-for-profit company has been set up by a group of community organisations including St Luke’s CARES and have secured premises on the Croydon Street industrial estate. The business pretty much does what is says on the tin.
They collect waste wood from companies and building sites, sort it, and recycle it into a range of products. Wood that can’t be reused is passed to partner company Timberpak who chip it to produce Egger boarding so now wood is wasted. LWR charges a fee to collect wood waste comparable to skip hire, although they usually pack a lot more into per cubic yard in their van than fills a skip higgledypiggledy. Crucially they stop
the waste going to landfill and manager Charlotte Stanley tells me that ticks a lot of boxes in the construction industry and they are getting a positive reaction in the city. They also sell wood to the general public, for example dismantling pallets and sanding the wood so that it’s ready for your DIY project. They will be making their own products such as planters, shelves and garden furniture ready for the Christmas market. But Leeds Wood Recycling is not just about wood, it’s also about people. LWR offer volunteering opportunities for people who might be looking for work, or recovering from a mental health issue or have a learning disability. Training is provided and volunteering can be invaluable in building up work experience and self confidence.
Charlotte tells me of one young man who was really quiet when he first started. Over the weeks she taught him how to use crowbars, hammers and to saw wood. In eight weeks his confidence has just rocketed and it really showed when they went to a building site last week. “We are so grateful to all the volunteers and other people who have helped us” she says, “the support as we’ve been setting up the business over the last month or two has been amazing. It ranged from mentoring me as I set up the shop, to testing and maintaining electrical tools, and organisations like Scrap Creative Reuse donating a table saw.” Leeds Wood Recycling is based at Unit 6, Croydon Street, Holbeck, phone www. 07595 646501 leedswoodrecycling.co.uk
www.southleedslife.com
Website: www.southleedslife.com
October 2018 | South Leeds Life
News 5
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Cheap food box ‘Doors always open’ at scheme continues bright new Beeston mosque F H
by Ed Carlisle
undreds of local residents, from all walks of life, flocked to the new Abu Huraira mosque in Beeston Hill for their grand opening event last month. The Abu Huraira mosque has been running since 1986 from the former Cooperative building on Hardy Street (and is widely known as the Hardy Street mosque). But with that building regularly full to bursting, the mosque members have been working and fundraising together for well over 10 years, to create this purpose-built venue. Last month’s opening event featured a big shared meal, tours around the building, and speeches from imans Mohammad Sajaad Rumi (from Abu Huraira) and Qari Asim (from the Makkah Masjid in Hyde Park). In his speech, Qari Asim insisted that the event wasn’t just “PR” for the Islamic faith, but a demonstration that the Muslim community were committed to openness and inclusivity – and that religion
should never become a barrier to relationships between different people, but quite the opposite. He stressed that the mosque community were keen as ever to work with others to make a difference in the local area, and the wider world. Following the event, Mahbub Nazir – local resident, and one of the Abu Huraira committee members – told us: “It was definitely time for a new building, and – by the will of God, and after many years’ hard work – we’ve done it. We can’t thank enough all those, young and old, who’ve worked so hard on this project; and we’re also deeply grateful to all those in the wider community, such as our interfaith friends, who offer us such constant support. “We want to now build on those relationships, and help make a better community. Our doors are always open.” The new building cost £2.2m, funded wholly by donations. It has capacity for 1300 worshippers, and also features a library, offices, conference and event spaces.
ollowing the successful trial over the summer, the Real Junk Food Project are looking to run a permanent 'freegan' box scheme in Beeston. This will enable local people to get a big weekly crate of good quality 'junk' food (that would otherwise have been binned), featuring a mix of staple and luxury products, for just £12 per week. Collections will be on Monday afternoon and evening, from the Hillside Centre on Beeston Road. For further info, or to sign up, email: freegan_box_project _leeds@hotmail.com, or drop into Hillside. The Real Junk Food Project (TRJFP) was founded in Leeds, now works across the UK and beyond, and aims to end the
Photo: Abu Huraira For more info, including address and contact details, go to their website at: abuhurairamasjid.co.uk, or
their Facebook page; members stress that they welcome contact from the wider community anytime.
Railway’s blooming gold award They were also impressed that the railway continued with the competition despite a disastrous fire in adjacent premises, which did damage to their Moor Road site
Ian Pickup and Cllr Angela Gabriel (Holbeck In Bloom) with John Casey and Andy Rowell (Leeds Parks) and Lord Mayor Cllr Graham Latty iddleton Railway was Attraction” category. The judge amongst the groups from said the floral displays on the in Hunslet. MRT Chairman, Charles South Leeds receiving awards Moor Road station platform at the RHS Yorkshire In Bloom “Gave a WOW! Factor” with the Milner, said: “The award is a ceremony at York Racecourse whole site looking clean and great credit to volunteer Mick on 11 September. tidy and also having a strong Jackson, who did much of the The railway was awarded a environmental strategy about work. It also reflects the determination of the Middleton Gold Award in the “Tourist it.
M
Railway to be both environmentally friendly and provide a pleasant environment for our passengers whilst waiting for their trains.” In the Open Spaces category both Holbeck Moor and Cross Flatts Park won Silver Gilt awards. In the Urban Community category Cottingley in Bloom won a Silver Award and Beeston in Bloom and Holbeck in Bloom both won Silver Gilt Awards for their efforts in brightening our communities. Judging took place on two occasions, in spring and summer.
needless waste of surplus food. They intercept food that’s heading unnecessarily for landfill, and distribute it through a network of cafes, ‘sharehouses’, schools, and community box schemes such as this one.
www.southleedslife.com
South Leeds Life | October 2018
6 News
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
Planting a fruitful Eight things we learned at idea in Middleton the Community Committee T
Emma Tabor with her daughter Katherine mma Tabor is a woman on a mission – to see more fruit trees in Middleton. “We have quite a lot of trees planted on the estate, but they are not fruit trees. “Wouldn’t it be good if we could enjoy the trees and pick and eat the fruit?” she asks. “A project like this could help bring the community together and the big beneficiaries will be our children who will grow up as the trees mature. In the longer term I’d like to put QR codes on the trees so people can scan them, find out what type of fruit it is and maybe even share recipes.” Once grown and producing fruit, residents would be able to pick and eat
E
fruit from the trees for free. Other community orchards have been planted at Cottingley Hall and Cross Flatts Park in Beeston. Emma has got permission to plant her first community orchard on a piece of green space owned by the Council close to her home off Towcester Avenue near to Thorpe Lane. With a small team of volunteers, Emma is now fundraising the £1,000 she needs to buy her first fruit trees. If you can help or would like to get involved, please contact Emma via her Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/ Heritagevillageorchard You donate directly on Emma’s Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/HeritageVillageOrchard
he Inner South Community Committee met on 5 September at the Leeds Urban Bike Park in Middleton. The committee is made up of our nine local ward Councillors and oversees a range of work in the area as well as managing a wellbeing grants budget. Here are eight things that we learned at the meeting: 1. Leeds doesn’t know how big a CSE problem it has The Shine Project, part of St Luke’s CARES, were awarded a grant of £10,000 to provide targeted work with girls facing Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) issues. In the discussion Councillors asked how big the problem was in Leeds. Jackson Turner from St Luke’s CARES told them that when he had asked the Council they said they didn’t have the information and he is still awaiting a reply from West Yorkshire Police. 2. There’s a “quiet revolution” going on in adult social care The committee received a presentation about how access to social care services has been transformed in the city. Leeds has adopted a ‘Strength-Based Social Care’ approach which moves away from asking “what’s wrong”, to “what’s strong” and what the individual wants. Home assessment visits have been replaced with conversations at community Talking Points – neutral community venues; whilst a 28 page tick box form has been replaced by a 2 page conversation record. The committee was told that this approach was leading to shorter waiting times and more bespoke care packages. 3. A new under 8s rugby league team is being formed in Middleton Hunslet Rugby Foundation (part of Hunslet RLFC) were awarded a grant of £9,459.20 to establish a new rugby league team to be called Middleton Rangers ARLFC. The Foundation will be working with Middleton St Mary’s, Middleton St Phillip’s, Sharp Lane and Westwood primary schools. There will be after school sessions at the four schools plus midweek and at weekend training sessions on Blenkinsop Field (behind Middleton Primary School).
4. The LGBT+ Sport Fringe Festival will be even bigger in 2019 In the run up to Leeds Pride, the LGBT+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual, Plus) Sport Fringe Festival ran inclusive sporting events across the city with partners including South Leeds Lakers, DAZL and Marching Out Together. The festival aims to breakdown homophobia amongst sports organisations and sport-phobia amongst the LBGT+ community. In 2019 the festival will be holding 40 events within the inner south area. The festival was awarded £2,000 by the committee. 5. Holbeck may get a street drinking ban The Council has started a consultation process about plans to introduce a Public Sector Protection Order (PSPO) in Holbeck to ban street drinking as part of the work around the ‘Managed Approach’ to street sex work. In other work related to the Managed Approach, a dirt road leading to Beggars Hill will be blocked off to vehicles; a new CCTV camera linked to Leeds Watch will be installed near St Matthew’s Community Centre; and three needle bins have been installed in the area for the safe discarding of drugs paraphernalia. 6. A grocery shop in Beeston has applied for a 24 hour off licence The owners of a shop at 223 Dewsbury Road (near the junction with Tunstall Road) have applied for a licence to sell alcohol 24 hours a day. The application was subsequently turned down by the Council’s Licensing Sub Committee.
Laughing all the way to the bank B
eeston’s Mark Wilson has broken the £25,000 barrier in his fundraising effort for Parkinsons UK. Mark who has the disease himself discovered the best way to ease the pain was to laugh. So he has been organising comedy evenings for the past three years. At his latest night, hosted by the Marriott Hotel, 200 people helped to raise £2,330, taking his total to £25,200. You can buy Mark’s book of poems: Parkinsons At 40 from markwilsonpoetry.co.uk.
This was not an agenda item, but came up in discussion of the Holbeck PSPO. 7. You can report messy dog owners anonymously If you are worried about confrontation with a dog owner who does not clear up their pooches poo, you can report the incident anonymously via the the Council’s website. The dog owner will be contacted and warned, although legal action can only be taken if a witness statement is given. Dog owners can now be fined if they don’t have bags with them to clear up dog mess. 8. Leeds United giving away fewer free match tickets It appears Leeds United are being less generous with giving away match tickets to schools and charities. This may or may not be related to their current success on the pitch and increased match attendance. The next meeting of the Inner South Community Committee will be held at 2pm on Wednesday 28 November 2018 at the Dewsbury Road Community Hub. The meeting will include an Open Forum where any local resident can ask a question of the Councillors or raise an issue. Wellbeing Grants can be applied for by any community group. Small grants are up to £500, or £1,000 if the project covers more than one ward. Large grants are also available. For more information on how to apply for a grant please contact the South East Area Support Team on southeast.ast@leeds.gov.uk.
www.southleedslife.com
Website: www.southleedslife.com
News 7
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Trentham Park - transformed by local people this summer T
by Kathy Beels
his summer saw Trentham Park in Beeston Hill transformed from a dull, unsafe, uncared-for space into a vibrant family-friendly play area, through a communitybased project called ‘Green up Your Life - For Art's Sake’. The project - coordinated by Nick Lalvani from Touchstone, and funded by Leeds City Council - brought together dozens of diverse, all-age local people for workshops on twelve Saturdays through the summer. The project's success was largely due to the initial local consultation - which got people engaged, and generated ideas that shaped the summer activities. The sessions themselves then saw participants working with local artists and horticulturists, learning and sharing building and gardening skills, and flexing their creative minds through design and painting.
October 2018 | South Leeds Life
Who should get a Child Friendly award? N
Celebrating transformation in Trentham Park Raised beds were built, fouling. Posters designed by stained, decorated and planted locals are due to be printed and up - including a lot of edible put up around the park. plants, which were harvested Residents gathered again for and shared at the end of the a big celebration event on summer. Saturday 22 September All three beds have matured (pictured), and there are more and are spectacular. sessions due on Saturdays 3 Participants planted seeds to November and 1 December. take home, and joined in with Residents are now forming a painting and other art projects; 'Friends Of' group to take care these particularly focused on of the park, and to continue to tackling littering and dog get more local people involved;
contact Tania on 07917 157 830 to find out more. It's been a really successful and worthwhile project to work on, so many thanks to; the Council for their support, councillor Paul Wray (who was actively involved in many of the sessions), local horticulturalist Sue Kaye, local artists Tania Carlisle and Irina de Saint-Ours, and once again to Nick and all those at Touchstone.
ominations are now open for the 2019 Child Friendly Leeds Awards. The sixth annual Child Friendly Leeds Awards will take place in February 2019, and are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the achievements of people and organisations in Leeds who go the extra mile to make our city child friendly. Do you know a great place in Leeds for children and young people? Someone who’s making a big difference to young people’s lives? Someone who has inspired you to make a difference too? Then please put them forward! Without nominations, those people cannot be rewarded for the amazing work that they do. The categories this year are: Child of the Year (under 11); Young Person of the Year (11 – 21); Youth Group of the Year (up to 25); Adult Making a
Difference for Young People (adult 21 years and above); Communities and Schools Working Together; Inspiring Creativity Through Arts and Culture; Best Place in Leeds for Children and Young People; Overall Contribution to Making Leeds a Child Friendly City. For more details and to nominate an individual or group, go to: www.leeds. gov.uk/childfriendlyleeds/cflawards
www.southleedslife.com
South Leeds Life | October 2018
8 News
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
Touchstone honoured at UK’s largest diversity awards T
ouchstone - the Beeston based mental health and wellbeing charity is winning the celebrating National Diversity Awards in the Diverse Company category at a star-studded night at the breathtaking Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. The awards were held on 14 September and saw individuals and organisations from across the UK crowned the best in British diversity. A record 24,584 people nominated this year alone with an astonishing 124 nominees being recognised for their various achievements nationwide. NDA Founder and Chief
Executive Paul Sesay thanked attendees for their passion and commitment to inclusion: “Thank You. Thank You for striving to make the world a better place to live, and thank you for your outstanding contributions to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion. You should all feel extremely proud, and we have no doubt in our minds that you will continue to make waves for a long time to come.” Touchstone’s Chief Executive, Alison Lowe said on receiving the award: “Touchstone is committed to inclusion and our effort is focused on achieving this for
everyone. The National Diversity Awards were a brilliant way of telling the world about our passion for justice and fairness and winning the Diverse Company category was a vindication of the energy and resources we invest in delivering this vision. Thank you Paul and the team for letting our staff shine.” Touchstone CBT Therapist, Simone Stephenson-Bellwood attended the awards with fellow colleagues. “I’m incredibly proud working at and for Touchstone” she said. “Alison Lowe is the most inspirational leader. She leads by example and has created an
Alison Lowe recieving the award with members of Touchstone’s staff environment across a large organisation where it is safe to bring your whole self to work (if you choose) and people will still
support, respect and value who we are. “We all do our best for Touchstone because our
Photo:Sara Porter organisation genuinely cares for us and we can give that same care to our service users.”
U Choose project funding H
to brighten up the street, £250 for a fun day or £100 to start a walking group. People will be invited to a voting event in November to choose which projects they want to see realised. For more information, a (very simple) application form, or for help with your idea ring (0113) 248 4880, or email: carment @touchstonesupport.org.uk or nickl@touchstonesupport .org.uk for a friendly chat.
ave you got a great idea for your local area? Touchstone, the mental health and wellbeing charity, are launching a new community project initiative across Beeston Hill, Holbeck, New Wortley and Armley. Individuals and groups are invited to submit applications for up to £500 for small community events or projects. Any idea could get funding. For example, £75 to buy plants
Striving for workplace mental health first aid M
iddleton resident and employment solicitor, Jodie Hill, is leading a campaign to put mental health on a par with physical health in the workplace. Since 1981 every workplace has had to have a designated first aider in case of accidents or illness at work. Jodie thinks it’s time there was also a mental health first aider. “Training a member of staff in mental health first aid can help ensure that there is someone in the office who can recognise the signs of mental ill health as soon as an employee develops them” explains Jodie. “Having someone in the office trained in mental health first aid also helps to remove the stigma surrounding the subject and create an open environment for those who are suffering to open up.” An online petition is running at change.org and Jodie is
shortly to meet Dewsbury MP, Paula Sherriff, the Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Social Care, to get the issue debated in parliament. And to mark World Mental Health Day on Wednesday 10 October Jodie has organised a Thriving Minds Conference for businesses to come together and discuss their mental health strategies including first aid, wellbeing and resilience. Originally a Barrister, Jodie retrained as a Solicitor and five years later started her own law firm Thrive Law. The company specialise in employment law, dealing with all aspects from contracts to wrongful dismissal. “My whole ethos is around raising awareness, I really want people to talk about mental health especially in the workplace. The more we talk about it the less stigma there is and hopefully that means businesses can thrive. Mental
Jodie Hill of Thrive Law health can be a daunting subject, I’m trying to help break that stigma and make it a bit more normal to talk about mental health.” To find out more, or book for the conference go to: thrivelaw.co.uk
www.southleedslife.com
Website: www.southleedslife.com
News 9
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Stourton’s new flood defences completed B
usinesses in Stourton are benefitting from increased flood protection following the completion of a new 730-metre flood defence wall and property level protection, such as flood gates and demountable barriers. The project, led by Leeds City Council in partnership with the Environment Agency, has reduced the risk of flooding to 88 businesses in Stourton and is one of the first areas of work for the second phase of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme. The £1.4m project, funded by Leeds City Council and the European Regional Development Fund, is part of a package of measures to protect the city. As well as the new flood defence
Work in progress on Stourton’s flood wall
wall along the boundary of the Haigh Park Road Industrial estate with the Aire and Calder Canal, property level protection has been installed at four businesses and one Northern Power Grid site. This has involved supplying 17 aluminium demountable barriers that can be installed by the businesses across door openings in the event of a flood, where surface water flooding could occur due to the water being prevented from discharging into the canal or river as normal. The works will provide a 1 in 200 year standard of protection to 88 existing businesses in the Stourton Industrial Estate, safeguard over 4,000 existing jobs in the area and help to protect access to the M1.
October 2018 | South Leeds Life
Get the low down on apprenticeship opportunities
Gain qualifications whilst earning a salary he Leeds Apprenticeship Hub is holding a series of seminars through October and November where you can find out what you need to know about opportunities directly from local employers. The seminars enable parents and young people to hear directly from local employers about apprenticeships within their organisation or sector – covering how to apply, skills requirements and the opportunity for progression. The programme covers 9 seminars each focusing on a different sector of the local economy each week.
T
The Government is committed to university to be able to achieve creating 3 million apprenticeships by qualifications ranging from teaching to 2020, so more and more big manufacturing. businesses are offering apprenticeship “Attendees will have the opportunity programmes at all levels including to learn about how the apprenticeships degree level. work from staff of the companies Different sectors of the local economy involved, as well as hear from current will be covered at nine evening events apprentices about their personal starting on Monday 8 October with experiences. It is a really great chance manufacturing and running through via for parents and young adults to explore construction, retail and law to the more how they can achieve their best uniformed services on 27 November. future. Employers speaking at the events will include Asda, All apprenticeship seminars run at Leeds Eversheds, Waites and BT. You Beckett University from 6:30-8pm. will also hear from apprentices Monday 8 October Manufacturing who will talk about their journey and experience of gaining Tuesday 9 October Engineering qualifications whilst earning a Tuesday 16 October Construction salary. Tuesday 23 October Finance and Accountancy The seminars are open to Tuesday 30 October Retail, Hospitality and parents carers and young people Customer Services who want to learn more about Tuesday 6 November IT, Digital and Media apprenticeship opportunities. Tuesday 13 November Law Cllr Jonathan Pryor, executive Tuesday 20 November Public Sector: Health, member for Learning, Skills and Local and Central Government Employment said: “This event, unique of its kind in Leeds, Tuesday 27 November Uniformed Services allows parents and young people to consider more options than To book your place go to: tinyurl.com/y9lcqvx8 following the traditional route of
South Leeds Life | October 2018
www.southleedslife.com
10 School Life
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
Inspirational start to the autumn term at CJCA T
he new term at Cockburn John Charles Academy has got off to an inspirational start as Year 11 were treated to a highly motivational guest speaker Action Jackson. He inspired the group’s attention with his thoughtprovoking presentation, encouraging each individual to reflect on their own ability and potential as they embark on the most important year of their education so far. Action
Jackson has worked with a vast range of people including students across the UK, as well as companies such Morgan Stanley Multinational investment bank, the NHS and a number of top universities. Siobhan Roberts Head of School said “We are really pleased with the start to the new academic year and are delighted with the high attendance, high standards
of uniform and high levels of engagement in the classrooms and thank parents and carers for the role they play in this.” Cockburn John Charles Academy has undergone rapid transformation since joining Cockburn Multiacademy Trust. For the first time, the school now has a full compliment of teaching staff who are specialists in their subjects. Teachers have
been planning inspiring learning for students to get the new term off to a flying start. David Gurney Executive Headteacher said “We are delighted that parents and carers have full confidence in our ability to provide an excellent education for students on this site and for the first time since opening an academy on Old Run Road, Year 7 is now full.”
Action Jackson addresses a rapt audience at Cockburn John Charles Academy
First day of school at Elements Primary I
by Jeremy Morton
t was the first day of school in more ways than one as South Leeds newest primary school opened its doors on Monday 10 September. Elements Primary School in Middleton welcomed 22 children to its Reception Class and two of the three teachers waiting to greet them were also starting their school careers. As South Leeds Life has previously reported, Elements is taking fresh approach to primary education. Amongst other innovations it will employ extra teachers rather than support staff. Someone else on their first day was Mollie the school dog. Mollie, an eight year old chocolate Labrador, seemed to be making herself at home and making lots of
new friends. The school is currently housed in two (very high quality) temporary buildings on Acre Mount, but within 12 months a new two form entry primary school will be built on another part of the large site. The school aims to make the most of information technology and parents have been kept informed by email, which has been received positively. Having worked hard to get the building ready for the children, the staff turned their attention to the parents and made welcome packs including a card, tea bags and biscuits, but perhaps most importantly on such an emotional day, tissues. The school still has places available this term. Contact the school on (0113) 532 7089.
The staff team at Elements Primary School in Middleton
Photo: Steve Thompson
Website: www.southleedslife.com
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Middleton Primary joins Cockburn Trust M
iddleton Primary School became the first primary school to join Cockburn Multiacademy Trust this September. The trust is also responsible for Cockburn School in Beeston, which is consistently one of Leeds’ highest performing schools and also Cockburn John Charles Academy, currently undergoing a remarkable transformation reducing exclusions by 80% and persistent absence by 12%. While Middleton primary school teachers work hard to still provide the same high-quality education as they always have, joining the Multiacademy trust will allow Middleton go from strength to strength and be part of their journey of ‘Transformation to Excellence’. Each school that joins Cockburn will seek to be MAT transformational and strive for excellence in terms of outcomes for children. Staff will receive regular opportunities to share expertise, high-performing
Middleton Primary School educational values, knowledge and skills and inspire a culture of collaboration across all phases of education. Williams, Samantha Headteacher said: “We are delighted to have joined Cockburn MAT. We have much to offer each other working in the spirit of partnership and can provide a seem-less education for local children from reception right up to Year 11.” David Gurney, Chief Executive of Cockburn MAT was delighted to
welcome Middleton Primary school to the MAT, he said: “We hope that this is the first of many local primary schools to join the MAT. Whilst it will be business as usual for the school, behind the scenes, we are busily developing ways to share resources, enhance teaching and learning and develop new ways of working together. We share a common goal of ensuring all our schools provide an excellent education for children in south Leeds.”
Cockburn celebrates excellent exam results S
Cockburn School students on GSCSE results day, 23 August
tudents from Cockburn School achieved excellent results again this summer despite taking the new more demanding GCSEs that are now graded from 9 to 1. The students had to sit more exam papers this year than ever before as coursework and controlled assessments had been removed from the assessment criteria. Many students in Year 11 achieved the highest grades of 7 - 9 in at least 8 subjects this year. Special congratulations go to one student in particular, Caitlin Deacon who achieved grade 9 in 7 of the new specification GCSEs. Caitlin is one of only 732 students in the country to achieve this. Rob Dixon, Head of School at Cockburn School commented: “We are very proud of all our students’ achievements this year. “Students and staff worked exceptionally hard yet again and went the extra mile in their preparations to ensure they achieved these brilliant results.”
www.southleedslife.com
South Leeds Life | October 2018
12 Opinion
In our view Calling time on landlords Private landlords in Beeston Hill are facing the prospect of paying out for a licence and having their properties inspected. They don’t like the idea and claim it will hurt tenants. It seems to us that they don’t have to pass the cost onto tenants, but could find it from within their profits. As to the cost of repairs - shouldn’t they have been doing these already? Or are they admitting that their properties are sub-standard?
Crime and punishment Cllr Andrew Scopes has pointed out the worrying level of violent crimes being reported in our area. It may seem a long way from the Treasury, but the cuts to Police are another aspect of the Government’s austerity policies. Like benefit cuts, the Windrush scandal, and the shortage of social housing, Police cuts hit the worst off communitities the hardest.
Raise a glass to Holbeck Holbeck is getting a lot of bad press at the moment, so it’s heartening to see a local business join forces with a local charity and local residents to show a more positive side of the neighbourhood. We are certainly looking forward to seeing the results of the photographic project and the Holbeck Calendar unveiled at Northern Monk Brewery and hope it is successful in raising funds for Holbeck Elderly Aid.
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
Your letters and comments Landlord Licensing
Selective Licensing is a massive tenant tax, NO funds to improve the area (unlike Cross Green), trying to force tenants to live under social control by Leeds City Council. There will be higher rents, more evictions and areas being labelled slums. All whilst the council picks up a cool ÂŁ5million+. Dan Shiraz When you read the council’s reasons for Selective Licensing it’s easy to see that none of them apply to the property. This failed in Cross Green and was scrapped after two years. The council injected funds which it will not do here. The tax is to be used to fund its officers and other schemes. Ultimately each landlord will have to pay over ÂŁ1,000. This money can only come from increased rents. So the council, in its infinite wisdom, of using a sledgehammer to crack a nut will hurt the poorest tenants with increased rents and very little effect on where they live. Briiliant idea. Saeed I’d be interested to know if the people posting to oppose this scheme are landlords or tenants? I share the worries that the licensing might wind up being a ‘tenant tax’ or leading to a black market. But there’s no question that lots of the housing in our area is absolutely appalling, so I think something has to be done. In reply to Dan Shiraz, when you say ‘the Council picks up a cool ÂŁ5million+’, we might also say ‘taxpayers pick up a cool ÂŁ5million+’, which doesn’t sound like such a bad deal to me as a taxpayer. And if it leads to improved properties in the area, then it will also improve the area as a whole, surely? Aleric Hall
The new Abu Huraira mosque in Beeston
New Mosque A stunning maajid a central community hub, this will serve as a focus point bringing people together, strengthening community cohesion, dispel misunderstanding about Islam and desiminate education and uplift people spiritually. Abu Idris Hasan
Crime Statistics I’ve just spent about 15 minutes looking at the interactive map, in particular the violent and sexual crimes for our area. I didn’t find a single instance that resulted in a prosecution. Based on my 15 minutes, prima facie evidence suggests there no deterrent anymore. The numbers suggest that if you commit a crime, by far the most likely outcome is that you will get away with it. Rich Bell
‘Managed Approach’
I attended the residents meeting on 11 September.It was supposed to be opened by Councillor Angela Gabriel and ended by her, but she and the other Councillors literally never opened their mouths, from beginning to end. Disgusting. I asked the Councillors directly Beeston & Holbeck ward why Holbeck and why not where Includes Beeston from Cross Flatts Park up to the Co-op, Cottingley, old Holbeck. they live? The four of them sat The three councillors are: silent like dummies. At different Gohar Almass 07445 878 333 gohar.almass@leeds.gov.uk times I asked them would they Angela Gabriel 07946 632 468 angela.gabriel@leeds.gov.uk like to live in Holbeck and see Andrew Scopes 07860 400 645 andrew.scopes@leeds.gov.uk used condoms, needles, dirty underwear and sex activity on their doorstep, again no response Hunslet & Riverside ward from the Councillors. Includes the city centre, Beeston Hill and Hunslet. The three councillors are: I told them I’m ashamed to tell Mohammed Iqbal 0113 226 8796 mohammed.iqbal@leeds.gov.uk anyone I live in Holbeck, I tell Elizabeth Nash 0113 275 8594 elizabeth.nash@leeds.gov.uk people I live not far from the Paul Wray 07528 512 649 paul.wray@leeds.gov.uk football ground. If anyone knows you live in Holbeck we are all tarred with the same brush. Not Middleton Park ward everyone is a drug dealer, drug Includes Belle Isle and Middleton. The three councillors are: addict, alcoholic or prostitute. Judith Blake 0113 378 9000 judith.blake@leeds.gov.uk There are plenty of Decent hard Kim Groves 07891 741 832 kim.groves@leeds.gov.uk working people who pay their Paul Truswell 0113 378 8811 paul.truswell@leeds.gov.uk taxes, unlike the prositutes. I always thought it was illegal to
Your Councillors and MP
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
Photo: Cllr Gohar Almass earn as much money as you want and claim benefits how come. Do the Labour Councillors not see that they are fuelling the prostitutes’ drug habits by letting them earn this money. I think one of the reasons prostitutes work all the hours God sends is drugs. It’s disgraceful that children are subjected to seeing all what is happening on the streets in our area and being approached by men. There is a school amongst all this. Shame on the Councillors. I have lived in Holbeck for over forty years and worked hard all my life and I own my house. Anyone reading this please don’t vote for Labour in local elections, from what I saw at the meeting they are in denial of the red light area. I think they should have a taste of their own medicine and move to Holbeck, what do you think? We will be out again with our banners protesting on Tuesday 18th come and support us as we are doing it for everyone. Joyce Adamson
Hunslet Remebered Nice to see that memories of old Hunslet are being kept alive. It was also good to see Les McIver looking so good. I myself was schooled at Hunslet Moor, but had lots of connections with East Hunslet as I worked at Dennisons on Moor Road where I met Les. I also worked for Leeds City Council Housing working at a few offices in south Leeds and especially at Hunslet for approx six years. More to the point I also married a girl from Hunslet Carr, Sylvia Parker, who lived in the Sandons and I played football in local leagues with Dennisons and East Hunslet Labour Club. Pass my regards on to Les and I will try to get to one of the get togethers. Keith Lawrence
Join the debate Comment online; by email: info@southleedslife.com; or post to: 224 Cross Flatts Grove, Leeds, LS11 7BW. Letters may be edited for publication.
Keep up to date with planning issues in LS10 and LS11 We publish a weekly list of all new planning applications online at: www.southleedslife.com
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: @nhsleeds 1 adult in 6 are experiencing a common #MentalHealth problem in any given week . Help us shape how primary care #MentalHealth services will be delivered in the future –smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ MHprimarycareservices/ @Opera_North_Ed We’re delighted to have launched #InHarmonyON at our first ever secondary school, @gorse_ruth with the Orchestra of @Opera_North, @pickard_martin and @senseofpitch. What an inspiring start! Can’t wait for activity to begin! @BBCLeeds The @RichardStead Breakfast Show is live from @LeedsUrbanBike Park in South Leeds this morning! Joined by: @BeestonJeremy from @SouthLeedsLife @zoegillings as we visit South Korea on #ATW80; đ&#x;—Ł @iamjodiehill MD of @Thrive_law for The Professionals
@HEALeeds Yesterday our afternoon social group enjoyed taking part in #NationalCupcakeWeek whilst playing some games! Thank you to @LeedsGATEYouth for your support! #Community #Cake #Holbeck @ElementsSchool All our children appointed to their school houses today. All wearing their house lanyards so they are ready to collect and wear all their rewards! #celebrationfriday #brandling #gascoigne #osburn #adams
www.southleedslife.com
Website: www.southleedslife.com
October 2018 | South Leeds Life
News 13
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Future of Beeston church hangs in the balance T
he future of a heritage building in Beeston Hill will be decided in the coming months, with the former Holy Spirit church now up for sale - for a modest ÂŁ125,000. Built in 1903, the listed building is a not-insignificant 900 square metres - but is also understood to be in a poor state of repair, with no sewage, and would require large investment to become usable. It closed its doors as a church congregation in 2012 due to dwindling numbers, but has since hosted several events including the Samara's Aid appeal, and a Christmas Wonderland experience. And its garden - which features an orchard and edibles has been renovated by local residents, and won a regional 'In Bloom' award. Local people have previously expressed interest in leasing the building from the Church of England, and turning it into as a multi-use community venue - but have ruled out making a bid for it at this stage. Ed Carlisle, speaking for the group, commented: "This building has great potential, and loads of people are
Holy Spirit Church on Tempest Road with its revamped signage keen to be involved - but we're something happen. We are with simply not in a position to buy it. any luck the Back Up Plan! Get in We totally understand why the C of touch anytime - to find out more, E are trying to sell it, and it'll be or to get involved." interesting to see if it does sell, For more info on the church, and and who to - perhaps we could its sale, contact Savills estate work with them. agents in York: savills.co.uk. For “Or we'll keep in touch with the more on the proposed local church leaders, and - if it doesn't scheme, contact Ed on 07738 sell - we'll see if we can make 921 277.
Middleton Community Camp
This last month (15-16 September) saw the annual South Leeds Community Camp event in Middleton Park, featuring bats, food, games and sport, and much less rain that forecast. To find out more for future years, visit facebook.com/MiddletonCamp.
www.southleedslife.com
South Leeds Life | October 2018
14 Arts
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
Dance inspired sculpture L
eeds based artist Simeon Barclay's first institutional solo exhibition in the North of England, Bus2move presents a new body of work informed by research into dance at The Tetley art gallery in Hunslet. From the visual spectacle of contemporary dance theatre to the communal experience of the night club dance floor, the exhibition will manifest as a series of sculptural installations combining costume, film and video, photography, lighting and sound. Barclay’s interest in dance and its many facets centres on the construction of masculinity, with particular focus on the way popular perceptions and stereotypes become defined, contested and encoded upon the dancing male body. Barclay is currently undertaking a research residency at the internationally renowned Phoenix Dance Theatre based in Leeds. This research will inform a series of new installations which will continue Barclay’s ongoing interest with the complexity of subjectivity and how these states of consciousness are refracted through race, class and received notions of identity. Join us for the exhibition launch on Friday 26 October at 6pm for the first official viewing!
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
Review: ‘Road’ at Leeds Playhouse
Sue Twist as Molly in Road at Leeds Playhouse Photo: Kirsten McTernan and gloom, northern angst. by Pat Benatmane There are many joyful, funny irst you have to find your parts to the play, contrasting own road in to the with thought-provoking scenes Playhouse. Most of the car of pathos. park at the back has The ensemble cast, there for disappeared, swallowed up by the next four productions, is the builders who are fabulously versatile – don’t transforming our wonderful assume they’re playing the Playhouse to make it even same character when you next more wonderful. see them in successive scenes. We seemed to be going in an There are only nine of them but ever-decreasing spiral to find they create characters from the main entrance to the kids to OAPs, grouches to seizetheatre. Even Harry Gration, the-moment people. Dan Parr coming out of the TV studios, when playing Eddie particularly didn’t know where we should stood out for me, but all the go. So here’s a tip: find Aagrah cast make their characters restaurant then keep going a believable. little and tucked behind is a Eddie’s line “Who do I small entrance. It was a bit like blame?” sums up the theme of ‘Three Men in a Boat’ where the play. they go around a maze, picking Scullery (that’s a word you up others searching as they go don’t hear much nowadays) is along. By the time we found the the seafaring character, played entrance, there was a gaggle of by Joe Alessi, who returns to us lost souls. Once in though, it the Road for one night and was worth it. There’s a small guides us through the area, with bar and coloured happiness and trauma of the lighting, crammed with theatre characters. Who is to blame for goers who were buzzing with the despair felt by this excitement to see the new Pop- shattered community? For my Up Theatre, created out of a generation (older) I can couple of workshops and remember the feeling: for the seating about 350. younger audience, I had the To the play: Road. Let’s take feeling they saw it as an you back to the 1980s: historical play which Thatcher years. The pits have exaggerated feelings. been closed down, leaving The grubby characters are mining communities with no pushed to one side for the purpose. We are about to see opening of the second half – be one street in a desolate town prepared to join in with a disco on one night. The stage is set – hope you can remember the with Formica-topped table, a TV actions to the song Superman! on castors, a grubby mattress, In fact, the play is very an ancient coach-built interactive with cast charging pushchair – a northern street. through the audience – when But this play is not all doom Elexi Walker as Dor brushed
F
past me carrying chips, my request for one was met with ‘Piss off!’ – completely in character. Now that leads me to the language. Listen carefully because much of it is very poetic, but if you can’t stand swearing, especially the f-word, then cover your ears. The play is a Northern version of Under Milk Wood and captures the era. The cast is excellent. the pace is fast. The atmosphere is good. Give it a go, but just a note of caution – the portaloos are outside so will be freezing in winter! Every performance has Audio Description by the cast. So if they’re not in a scene, they go into the telephone box in the corner of the stage and describe the setting, etc. It’s the first time there’s audio description at every performance for those with impaired vision. Road runs at Leeds Playhouse until Saturday 29 September. Tickets cost £13.50-£31 from (0113) 213 7700 or via the website at: leedsplayhouse.org.uk. This review was written as part of our South Leeds Goes To The Playhouse partnership. If you would like FREE* TICKETS to see a play please email info@southleedslife.com telling us which one and why. You can check out the season at leedsplayhouse .org.uk/whats-on. *In return for your free tickets we ask you to review the show, or talk to one of our reporters about the show.
www.southleedslife.com
Website: www.southleedslife.com
October 2018 | South Leeds Life
Local History 15
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Last Coals To Leeds
Blue Plaque Pupils launch railway’s new book honours Holbeck’s John Marshall A
Pupils and staff from Hunslet Carr and Windmill Primary Schools at Middleton Railway with Cllrs Truswell and Blake
P
upils from Hunslet Carr and Windmill Primary Schools helped Middleton railway launch its new booklet about Middleton Broom Pit on 14 September. The children heard from the railway’s Vice President Ian Smith and received their copies of the booklet from Cllr Judith Blake and Cllr Paul Truswell. They then took a ride on the railway up to Park Halt in Middleton, waved off the Councillors. This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the
closure of South Leeds last coal mine – Middleton Broom Pit. It brought to an end a centuries long connection between the area and coal, a connection that helped create the world’s first railways. Middleton Railway is marking the anniversary with a Last Coals To Leeds event over the weekend of 29 & 30 September 2018. They are also keen to reach out to the next generation, so the booklet ‘Middleton Broom Pit: Canaries & Ponies’ is being given free
to primary school children across Middleton Park ward and parts of Hunslet & Riverside ward. The booklet tells the story of coal and people of South Leeds who worked in the mines. These include five year old Tom, who tells the tale of the building of the new pit in 1879. Walter talks about the First World War and afterwards, whilst John recalls life as a ‘Bevin Boy’ drafted down the mine instead of the forces during the Second World War. Dorothy completes the story
Photo: Jeremy Morton
remembering her childhood growing up in Middleton in the 1950s. Richard Stead’s drawings and the personal stories really help bring the history to life in this delightful booklet. The booklet comes with a bookmark which entitles them to a free child ticket on the Middleton Railway. Last Coals To Leeds has been financially supported by the Inner South Community Committee as part of the Love Where You Live initiative.
Group’s Hunslet Memory Walk
T
he Hunslet Remembered group (facilitated by Leeds Libraries and in partnership with South Leeds Live at Home) took a trip down memory lane last month and visited areas of Hunslet that brought back memories of their childhood. Using augmented reality on iPads
Using an iPad help remember years gone by
they could see images from www.leodis.net of what each street and building looked like almost 70 years ago, some of these photographs were of Hunslet Lake, Woodhouse Hill Road and Moor Road. There were plenty of memories shared about the number of pubs in Hunslet, and how the streets and houses have changed so much. They remembered the back to back houses and corner shops which now no longer exist. Les and Pat remembered owning a sweet shop on the corner of Moor Road called Candy Corner! Many of the group attended Hunslet Carr Primary School which still stands as it did in their days and they really enjoyed returning and remembered the school dinners and frightening teachers. The group finished the walk at Hunslet Library looking at photographs from Leodis of the library in 1931 when it opened, they all remember using it and sitting at the
tables and reading books. The walk was a fantastic way to reminisce, it was also great for their health and wellbeing and there were plenty of laughs. Rachel Benn, Communities Librarian said: “It was a fantastic day out for the group, it was brilliant to hear their many memories of Hunslet. Some of the group didn’t recognise the streets because they have changed so much. Using augmented reality was really effective to visualise the areas from 70 years ago and compare them with what they look like now. The group shared so many stories from their childhood, it was incredible to almost picture their life growing up in Hunslet.” The group meets on the last Thursday of the month at Hunslet Library from 10am-12pm, anyone is welcome to join. The next meetings will be on Thursday 27 September and Thursday 25 October.
blue plaque honouring the work of pioneering mill owner John Marshall was unveiled on Monday 10 September at the site of his achievements, Marshall’s Mill in Holbeck. The Civic Trust plaque, marking Marshall’s contributions to the city’s textile industry, was officially unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Graham Latty, along with Martin Hamilton from the Civic Trust and Steve Hunter of Marshall’s Mill estate management team, Workman LLP. Steve, who has managed the Marshall’s Mill and Round Foundry estate for 13 years, has been part of the Grade II listed building’s transformation into one of the most cutting-edge work spaces in the city. Instrumental in gathering the information needed by the Civic Trust to consider the Mill for one of its prestigious plaques, he said he was delighted that the Mill had been honoured. “It is such a magnificent building which has been the home of invention for centuries and deserves its place in history. “But this isn’t a building stuck in the past, which is what makes it even more special. Like the rest of the Mill and Round Foundry Estate it carries its legacy forward and is now a home for 21st century innovators. Creative and digital entrepreneurs who will leave their mark on the future the way John Marshall did during his time.” While the plaque is on the Mill building itself, the Round Foundry Estate is all linked with John Marshall’s work. “His success was also down in part to the invention of his employee, Matthew Murray,” Steve explained. “It was Murray’s own design for a flax spinning machine which helped Marshall’s business grow. In 1790 his linen manufacturing business moved from its small premises in Adel, North Leeds to this purpose built mill.” The Round Foundry was set up by Marshall as a new assembly workshop for his hugely successful steam engine, the Boulton and Watt
and thanks to the quirky design of Murray’s work the area is full of character with the seven listed buildings now housing businesses including Arts Council England, Robot Food brand design agency, True North TV and Welcome to Yorkshire. The mill space was extensively refurbished in 2001 with further refurbishment in 2011 and 2012 to create a clean, contemporary workspace. But as with the whole site, great care has been taken to preserve the architectural integrity of the site and a footprint of its former life. And it is a fitting tribute to its founding father that the site is still at the forefront of new enterprise. A man who broke barriers, during the industrial revolution Marshall forbade corporal punishment by overseers and introduced free education for the children of his mill workers, unheard of at the time. In his latter days, the industrialist swapped mills for the House of Commons representing Yorkshire from 1826-1830 before giving up the seat for health reasons. “Leeds is a city built on industry and the talent and skill of its workforce. Marshall’s Mill perfectly encapsulates all that rich history, with John Marshall as the inventive and entrepreneurial driving force and the skilled flax mill workers coming together to enhance the reputation of Leeds as a place of innovation and quality. And this fantastic building is continuing that legacy today with skilled entrepreneurs in the growing creative and digital sectors strengthening that reputation.”
Lisa Riley & Steve Hunter (Round Foundry), Lord Mayor Cllr Graham Latty, Jane Taylor & Martin Hamilton (Leeds Civic Trust) Photo: David Lindsay
www.southleedslife.com
South Leeds Life | October 2018
16 What’s On
What’s On Your guide to events and activities across South Leeds in October Full contact details can be found in our online What’s On guide at www.southleedslife.com/events Every Monday 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 Parocial Hall, North Lingwell Road, Middleton 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 Middleton Family Centre, 256-262 Sissons Road Dance 2-3pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Avenue Triathlon Training 4:15-5:45pm Middleton Cycle Hub Blossom Kinship Group 4-5:30pm Middleton Parochial Hall, North Lingwell Road Connected 4-5:30pm Middleton Family Centre, 256-262 Sissons Road 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 Women’s 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 Knit & Natter 10:30am-12pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre HEA’s Singing Group 11am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck 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 Lunch Club 12:30pm Salvation Army, Hunslet Hall Road, Beeston 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 Teen Spirit Boys Group 4-6pm Middleton Family Centre, 256-262 Sissons Road Rainbows, Brownies, Guides 4:30-9:15pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Inside Out wellbeing group 6-8pm Middleton Parochial Hall, North Lingwell Road Women’s Fitness Boot Camp 6-7pm Leeds Urban Bike Park, Ring Road, Middleton, LS10 3TN Middleton Park All-Rounders
6:30pm Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston 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 Fitness Boot Camp 6:45-7:45 Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street 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 Money Advice 10:15am-3pm St George’s Centre, Middleton Dancing In Time 10:30am-12pm St John & St Barnabas Church, Belle Isle Road Walk &Talk Walking Group 11am-1pm MEA Social Centre, Middleton Park Avenue Free Zumba 12-12:45pm Middleton Leisure Centre HEA’s Lunch & Film Afternoon 12-3pm Ingram Gardens Community Centre, Holbeck 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 Community Craft Cafe 10am-12pm Church of the Nazarene, Hunslet Hall RoadMiddleton 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
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
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 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 Ballet Burn 7-8pm South Leeds Conservative Club, Wooler Street, 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
Middleton Minstrels Women’s Choir 10:30am-12:30pm Tenant Hall, Acre Close, Middleton Dancing In Time 10:30am-12pm St John & St Barnabas Church, Belle Isle Road 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 The GATE Men’s Group 1-3pm BITMO’s GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road 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 1.45-2.45pm 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
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-5
www.southleedslife.com
Website: www.southleedslife.com
What’s On 17
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Full details of every event including map and contact details are available at www.southleedslife.com/events
Saturday 29 September No Stress Yoga 10-11:30am The Tetley, Hunslet Road Teens Club 1-5pm Vale Circles centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Junior Golf Camps 2-3pm South Leeds Golf Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston Sunday 30 September The Friendly Band 2-4pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Monday 1 October Landlord Licensing Consultation 3-8pm Vale Circles centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Tuesday 2 October Mostly Men! 10am-12pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston International Day of Older People 11am-2pm Asha Neighbourhood Centre, 43 Stratford St, Beeston HUB Choir 6:30-8:30pm Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck Wednesday 3 October Hunslet Rugby 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 4 October Garnets Celebration Event 3-6pm Vale Circles centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Light Night at The Tetley 6-11pm The Tetley, Hunslet Road Hunslet Carr Residents Assoc 6:30pm Community Centre, Woodhouse Hill Avenue Beeston Community Forum 7:30pm Old White Hart, Town St Friday 5 October Light Night at The Tetley 6-11pm The Tetley, Hunslet Road Saturday 6 October Coffee Morning 10am-12pm St Andrew’s Comm Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston Fun Palaces 11am-3pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub, Beeston Found Fiction storytelling
1-6pm The Hunslet Club, Hillidge Road Junior Golf Camps 2-3pm South Leeds Golf Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston Celebration Gospel Choir 7-9pm Baptist Church, Middleton Park Avenue Sunday 7 October Charity Bike Ride Meet 10am Hunslet Library How To ... Party! 11am-8pm Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck International Meal 12pm St Luke’s Church, Malvern Road, Beeston/Holbeck We Are Ian 7-8pm Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck Tuesday 9 October Senior Strollers 10-11:30am Cross Flatts Park, Parkfield Avenue entrance Leeds Aphasia Cafe 1-3pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Camera Club 3-4:30pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub, Beeston HUB Choir 6:30-8:30pm Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck Friends of Stank Hall 7:30pm The Broadway pub, Dewsbury Road, Beeston Friday 12 October Humans of Holbeck exhibition 7pm Northern Monk, Old Flax Store, Marshall’s Mill, Holbeck Saturday 13 October Teens Club 1-5pm Vale Circles centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Junior Golf Camps
2-3pm South Leeds Golf Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston Sunday 14 October Wedding Open Day 12-3pm The Tetley, Hunslet Road Traditional Irish Music 2-6pm The Grove Inn, Back Row, Holbeck Katie and Pip 5pm Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck Tuesday 16 October HUB Choir 6:30-8:30pm Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck Thursday 18 October 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 Saturday 20 October Ramblers 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 Junior Golf Camps 2-3pm South Leeds Golf Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston Sunday 21 October 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 Leeds Dads
Photographing the true heart of Holbeck H
October 2018 | South Leeds Life
by Jeremy Morton
olbeck Elderly Aid have teamed up with the Northern Monk Brewery to produce a calendar that captures the true heart of Holbeck. The photographic project, inspired by the photoblog and book by Brandon Stanton, Humans Of New York, saw twenty members given disposable cameras and invited to take a series of photographs in Holbeck and note down the story behind each shot. The list of suggestions included a portrait shot, the ‘heart of Holbeck’,
industry, life and a Holbeck hero. Residents were invited to a launch session in August where they got snapping tips from a professional photographer. A selection of the best pictures are to be displayed in an exhibition in the Chapter Hall at Northern Monk’s base in the Old Flax Store at Marshall’s Mill in Holbeck. Thirteen shots are also being
HEA members toured the Northern Monk Brewery in the summer
2-4pm The Tetley, Hunslet Road Lands 5pm Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck Tuesday 23 October HUB Choir 6:30-8:30pm Slung Low Theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck Thursday 25 October Hunslet Remembered 10am-12pm Hunslet Library Friday 26 October Halloween Party 6-10pm The Hunslet Club, Hillidge Road Simeon Barclay Exhibition Launch 6-8pm The Tetley, Hunslet Road Saturday 27 October Teens Club 1-5pm Vale Circles centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Monday 29 October Activity Camp 8:45am-3pm The Hunslet Club, Hillidge Road Tuesday 30 October Activity Camp 8:45am-3pm The Hunslet Club, Hillidge Road A Monster Mix 12-1pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub, Beeston Free Children’s Play Session
Publicise your event with South Leeds Life Send full details of your event to: info@southleedslife.com 224 Cross Flatts Grove, Leeds, LS11 7BW Ring/text: 07894 583966
Light Night
Ultiverse at The Tetley ow its 14th year, Leeds Light Night returns on Thursday 4 and Friday 6 October. Over 60 free family friendly events will take place across the city centre from 6-11pm on each night and will spill across the river to The Tetley art gallery and Leeds Dock in Hunslet. At The Tetley Ultiverse will immerse you in waves of light and sound. You are invited to step into an abstract world where meaning is derived from the many. Ultiverse is an immersive installation, created by artist Akeelah Bertram, that responds to bodies and movement with a collective experience. There will also be scheduled performances on the hour from 6–10pm. Alternatively you can create and save your own silhouette
N
turned into a calendar celebrating the diversity of life in Holbeck. All proceeds from the sale of the calendars will go to Holbeck Elderly Aid to support their work in the local community. The calendar, and a special collaboration beer to celebrate the project, will be launched on Friday 12 October at Northern Monk Brewery, from 7pm. Although only established five years ago, Northern Monk Brewery is gaining an international reputation for its craft ales. However, it is very proud of its roots in Holbeck and keen to play its part in the community. It has funded all
costs associated with the project. A spokeperson for the brewery said: “We are committed to working with charitable organisations, local businesses and anyone who shares our passion for detail, respect for humanity and its natural resources. We regularly collaborate with breweries and businesses from near and far to help strengthen the North for positive change and to continually diversify our own offering.” Find out more about Holbeck Elderly Aid’s services at holbeckelderlyaid.org.uk
1-3pm Visitor Centre, Middleton Park, off Town Street Wednesday 31 October Activity Camp 8:45am-3pm The Hunslet Club, Hillidge Road A Monster Mix 11am-12pm Beeston Library, Town Street, Beeston Cop Shop Memory Cafe 1-3pm Elland Road Police Station Free Children’s Play Session 1-3pm Visitor Centre, Middleton Park, off Town Street Arm in Arm Memory Cafe 1:30-3pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave A Monster Mix 2:30-3:30pm Hunslet Library, Waterloo Road, off Church Street Thursday 1 November Hunslet Carr Residents Assoc 6:30pm Community Centre, Woodhouse Hill Avenue Beeston Community Forum 7:30pm Old White Hart, Town St Saturday 3 November Coffee Morning 10am-12pm St Andrew’s Comm Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston Fireworks Display 7:30pm The Hunslet Club, Hillidge Road
scenes and portraits, with photographer Simon Warner. Cut out your own shapes, or use our props to pose, laugh, or tell your own story on the screen. We will take photos of your creations to upload for a memento of your Light Night experience. Evaporation at Leeds Dock takes diverse influences from social media to the daily commute. You will be left with a sense of awe, deeper understanding and appreciation of the surroundings and technological progression. Other displays include fire, the circus, a silent disco, a light field and a virtual reality playground. There really is something for everyone. For more information go to lightnightleeds.co.uk.
www.southleedslife.com
South Leeds Life | October 2018
18 What’s On
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
Learn how to party in Holbeck Environment events
S
lung Low’s How To Festival returns on Sunday 7 October 2018 with a distinctly 80s/90s party vibe. How to…Party will be a celebration of the way people get together to have a good time – eat, drinks, rave, tell stories, share a magic moment or two. Included in the events you can get involved in on the day are – How to cook south Indian vegetarian food, learn a party dance routine, up-close magic, an interactive hula-hooping show, and an evening theatre show about Manchester’s Acid House music scene in the 80s and 90s. There is very limited capacity for some of the events so make sure you book your place on the individual shows and workshops www. via our website slunglow.org/how-to-party The festival is appropriate for people of all ages, no previous
T
experience is required to take part in any of the workshops and as always at Slung Low, you can pay what you decide. How to ... Party runs from 11am–
8pm at Slung Low’s HUB, Holbeck’s very own theatre, 67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck, Leeds, LS11 9UA. Supported by the Inner South Community Committee.
he Conservation Volunteers at Skelton Grange Environment Centre in Stourton have a busy month planned. Skelton Grange will be open to families and childminders on Monday 8 October between 10am and 1pm for a monthly nature activity day. You are welcome to come and explore the lovely nature area independently, and see how things change throughout the year. Please note that these sessions are self guided, although we can provide simple materials such as bugs jars or pond nets if needed. The centre is available for toilet stops and a covered space if you need to come inside for a bit due to rain etc. Pumpkin stew and witch's brew are on the menu on Sunday 28 October. Join in on the ever popular interactive autumn trail around the site featuring seasonal favourites such as apple bobbing, a craft activity, mini games and challenges seasoned with a hint of halloween spookiness, ending up at the fire to sample our pumpkin stew and witch's brew. Booking essential, tickets £7.48.
If you’re looking for a different half term activity, why not book a Bushcraft Day at Skelton Grange? Set up camp and spend your day in the woods. The activities vary as much as possible on each session, so the kids can try out new things with each visit. Past Bushcraft events have included: shelter building, fire lighting, campfire cooking, field games, hammock making, wild food walks, wood work crafts, string making, bows and arrows, stalking and tracking, pyro-carving, and charcoal making. For 813 year olds.
www.southleedslife.com
Website: www.southleedslife.com
October 2018 | South Leeds Life
News 19
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Mother Courage comes to Hunslet T
his month Leeds’ Red Ladder Theatre Company brings Bertold Brecht’s classic play Mother Courage And Her Children to the Albion Electric Warehouse in Hunslet for what promises to be a memorable production. Pauline McLynn, best known for playing Mrs Doyle in Father Ted, takes the lead role in a dark and witty translation of the timeless anti-war play. Audiences will follow in the footsteps of Brecht’s fearless matriarch as she hauls her wagon through battlefields and bombed out villages. A live musical score been composed by has Chumbawamba founder member Boff Whalley. Echoing the contemporary refugees’ universal displacement, Mother Courage And Her Children asks urgent questions surrounding the stigma and fear of immigration and the effects of war. It integrates a professional cast and community chorus, with Red
Leeds Asylum Seeker Network. The performances will be accessible to d/Deaf audiences via creative sign language and live captioning using app technology. Pauline McLynn says “Mother Courage is one of the great, iconic roles and to have this opportunity to play her is a particular thrill for me. I am excited to introduce whole new audiences to Brecht, Pauline McLynn as Mother Courage Photo: David Lindsay a challenging and brilliant playwright Ladder supported by Leeds Playhouse as a Theatre of who provokes and enriches us with Sanctuary for refugee and asylum his work. I am an actor who has seekers in Leeds, and working with always had a leaning for the Left local organisations MAPS – the and therefore Red Ladder and Leeds City Council migrant support myself are a very natural match. I service – Open Source Arts, and can’t wait to get started on this
sprawling delight.” Red Ladder artistic director Rod Dixon says “This is the first time in 50 years that Red Ladder will have staged a classic, and to me, it is the perfect play for our troubled times. Brecht is one of the most radical and experimental of playwrights from the last century and my ambition is to use this brilliant piece of theatre to counter the narrative of the right-wing media that refugees from ‘there’ do not need to be ‘here’. “Mother Courage is a gigantic role and I am particularly excited that Pauline is to play her. Pauline brings a rich experience of many characters on stage and screen to this production, and audiences will be thrilled by her performance.” Mother Courage And Her Children tuns from 28 September to 20 October. Tickets (£15, £20 Saturday shows) are on sale through Leeds Playhouse. Book via www.redladder.co.uk or call Leeds Playhouse on (0113) 213 7700.
IN BRIEF Garnets celebration Residents of the Garnets are invited to join a celebration event to mark the opening of the new homes and playground, on Thursday 4 October. Meet at 3pm at the playground on Garnet Place, or enjoy free activities and refreshments at the nearby Vale Circles centre on Tunstall Road until 6pm. Hosted by the Council's Inner South Community Committee.
Bike ride postponed The local 'Cycle for Wellbeing' charity bike ride has been postponed to Sunday 7 October, due to poor weather last month - and it's not too late to join in! This all-age event will see participants cycling 11 miles from Hunslet to Castleford along the canal and river towpaths, and back again raising funds for mental health charity Leeds Mind. Anyone's welcome, and it's free to join, but preregistration is essential. For more info, look for 'Cycle for Wellbeing charity bike ride' on Facebook, or contact event coordinators Julie Smith on 07593 581 886, or Ed Carlisle on 07738 921 277.
Leeds Gathering Finding fiction C
A
celebration of Irish music and arts kicks off in Leeds from the 12th to the 20th of October 2018. Organised by the Irish Arts Foundation, based in Leeds, events are designed to appeal to both those of an Irish background and people from the wider community with an interest in music and the arts. As usual, the festival features a number of concerts, traditional Irish music sessions, literary and educational events as well as a film screening. The fourteenth Leeds Gathering features some of the most experienced and emerging performers and artistes
in the world of Irish music and arts. Events in South Leeds include on Sunday 14 October at The Grove Inn, Back Row, Holbeck, an afternoon of traditional Irish Music with special guests flute player Dee Tasker (née Havlin) from Ballymoney in County Antrim, fiddle player Niamh Gallagher originally from County Armagh now living in Cambridge and The Leeds CCE Junior Ceili Band. For further information and a full programme of events contact the Irish Arts Foundation on info@irisharts.org.uk or visit the website www.irisharts.org.uk
alling all young writers! You’re invited to the #foundfiction workshop – an action-packed storytelling event for writing enthusiasts aged 11-16 in South Leeds. The #foundfiction workshop is hosted by three of the best writers in Leeds and Bradford: • Phil Pearce, poet and spoken word performer • Kirsty Taylor, teacher and spoken word artist • Daniel Ingram-Brown, playwright and children’s book author Phil, Kirsty and Daniel will be sharing their writing and performing tips – so if you want to be a writer one day, now’s your chance to learn from the very best. You’ll also get the opportunity to take part in a writing experiment called #foundfiction, which publishes anonymous short stories and leaves them around public spaces in envelopes marked ‘READ ME’. Put your creative skills to the test by helping design these #foundfiction
envelopes and leave them where you think they might be found. You could even get your own story published by #foundfiction if you write the best story of the day. This free event takes place on Saturday 6 October from 1-6pm at The Hunslet Club. It’s funded by the Inner South Community Committee. To sign up, email fictionfound@gmail.com or get in touch on the Facebook event page.
Advertise with South Leeds Life This spot will cost you just £75 and will be seen by 15,000 people in South Leeds across LS10 and LS11 For more information ring 07894 583966 or email info@southleedslife.com
International meal at St Luke’s St Luke's Church in Holbeck/Beeston are hosting their latest International Meal on Sunday 7 October. This event will see a wide range of local people sharing food from around the world together - and anyone's welcome, from 12pm at the church on Malvern Road. If possible, please bring a dish or drink to share. More info at stlukesholbeck.org.uk.
Join the Fun Palace Are you an artist, crafter, scientist, love sport, or know a lot about local heritage? Would you like to share your skill or interest with others? Dewsbury Road Community Hub will be hosting another Fun Palace on Saturday 6 October from 11am-1:30pm. To take part contact Lynn Towler on 07891 276433.
Ska Night at Rowland Road Club Fans of ska music are encouraged to moonstomp down to Rowland Road Club in Beeston on Saturday 6 October for live music from Big Mouth. Tickets are £1, bar opens at 7pm, first set 8.30 -9. second set 10.30- 11.15.
Third Sector Leeds Goes Local Voluntary Action Leeds has organised one its twice yearly networking and information sessions for community organisations in the south and east of the city. The meeting takes place on Thursday 18 October from 1:45-4:45pm at Tenants Hall Enterprise Centre, Acre Close, Middleton. For more information email: ann.crossland@val.org.uk
Beeston rocks Sarah Thornton is running a rock painting workshop at the Bridge Cafe in Cross Flatts Park, Beeston on Sunday 21 October from 1011:30am. More info search for Beeston Rocks on Facebook.
www.southleedslife.com
South Leeds Life | October 2018
20 Sport
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
Injury hit Hunslet fall short by Jeremy Morton and Ian Pickles
H
unslet RLFC’s promotion hopes fizzled out in September as they lost their last three matches of the season to Whithaven, Newcastle Thunder and Coventry Bears. The month started well with an emphatic win over the London Skolars in a hard fought contest at South Leeds Stadium. Three tries in the first half included what was possibly the club’s try of the season. Jimmy Watson collected a kick in his own in goal area and started a flowing move that went the length of the pitch and was finished by Ryan Wright. Hunslet scored twice in two minutes after half time take their lead to 30-6. Hunslet showed their dominance in the final fifteen minutes as first Matt Nicholson scored, followed by Brad Foster scoring in the corner and then two minutes from time Ryan Wright scored from dummy half after good work from Jack Lee. Final score 48-12. Centre Cain Southernwood was named
Ryan Wright scores for Hunslet against London Skolars Photo: Paul Johnson Phoenix Photography man of the match for good Hunslet’s defence opened all passes, knock ons and balls work including two tries. too easily for Scott McAvoy to lost in the tackle all contributed The Parksiders travelled to score Haven’s first try. to Hunslet’s downfall with the Cumbria a week later with a Despite Whitehaven’s 12-0 match ending 46-10. realistic chance of making the lead the game was still finely For their last home match of top five provided they won their balanced until they scored the season Hunslet welcomed remaining matches, but again just before half time. Newcastle Thunder to South Whitehaven had other ideas. Could Hunslet rally as they Leeds Stadium. A reunion of Things were ominous from had done in their previous Hunslet players from the years the start when influential full- match against the Cumbrians? the club played at the back Jimmy Watson was taken A try from Mvududu just after Greyhound Stadium in the off with a season ending leg half time suggested they might, 1970s were present to watch injury. Still re-organising, but it was not to be. Dropped the match. But missing key
players including Tom Ashton, Jimmy Watson, Lewis Reed, Matt Nicholson and Mufaro Mvududu Hunslet were second best all afternoon. A 10-46 defeat to a team with no play off aspirations was certainly disappointing, but this season is a learning curve. The players receiving their trophies in the bar afterwards at the annual Player of Season Awards were confident of a better year next year. Captain and Player of the Season Duane Straugheir led the way saying the atmosphere at the club was fantastic. Hunslet finished the season at Coventry Bears on Saturday 22 September with a disappointing 14-4 loss. Hunslet have blown hot and cold this season, putting in some fine performances but never showing the consistency needed to secure the top five finish they were aiming for. Coach Gary Thornton has always maintained that the team was a work in progress and with a number of key players already signed up for next season the fans will continue to hope that next year will be a great year for Hunslet.
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
Clubbing together for race T
hree running clubs: South Leeds Lakers, South Leeds Sisters and Morley Running Club have teamed up with the Hunslet Rugby Foundation to stage a festive 10K race. The South Leeds Bah Humbug 10K will take place on Sunday 9 December starting and finishing on the track at South Leeds Stadium. The offroad all-terrain race will use tracks and paths within Middleton Park. Entries are open now at www.racebest .com/races/humbug10k. All funds raised will go into sports development projects in South Leeds.
Free physical activities Hunslet Club Parkside for older people keep marching on
Walking football olbeck Elderly Aid (HEA) have partnered with social enterprise Sportworks to bring free physical activities to older people in South Leeds. Physical activity has proven
H
health benefits including fighting the effects of depression and dementia. It’s also a great way to get out of the house and meet some new friends. These activities are
carefully designed for older people and will be led by trained coaches. The year long programme has been funded by Sport England. Three sessions will run each week with Table Tennis and Line dancing taking place on Thursday mornings at St Matthew’s Community Centre and Walking Football on Friday afternoons at Armley Leisure Centre. The HEA minibus will be in action to pick up people from their homes, if they can’t get to the venues under their own steam. And HEA have opened up the project to older people across South Leeds, not just Holbeck. Call HEA on (0113) 245 5553 to book you place.
H
by Phil Goodfield
unslet Club Parkside defeated West Hull in a hard fought battle televised on Freesports on Saturday 22 September. The 9 - 2 score line reflects the closeness of the contest and means they will now contest the Kingstone Press National Conference League Grand Final on Saturday 6 October at Featherstone Rovers' LD Nutrition Stadium. Their opponents in the Grand Final will be the winners of
Active Leeds app
A
new mobile phone app, which will provide users of Leeds City Council leisure centres with a wealth of timetable and booking information right at their fingertips, has been officially launched this month. The ‘Active Leeds’ app
developed is free to download for iPhone and Android from the App store or Google Play store and offers users the ability to choose and book their place at over 400 fitness classes held weekly or book a court at one of the authority’s leisure centres.
Photo: via RFL
West Hull who now get a second bite of the cherry on Saturday when they face Cumbrian side Egremont Rangers who defeated Underbank Rangers in the second Qualifying Semi Final. South Leeds’ most successful sports team are now just one game away from a near faultless season. The top team in their first season in the NCL Premier Division - winning all 22 league games and finishing 14 points ahead of the second and third placed teams West Hull and
Thatto Heath Crusaders, Hunslet Club Parkside only once experienced defeat in a close Challenge Cup tie away to professional opposition at Workington Town. The only try scorer on Saturday was second row forward Ben Shulver who drove over the try line just after half time to give the home side a lead which they then successfully defended to earn their Grand Final berth. Scrum half Danny Rowse scored the other five points with two goals and a drop goal.