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Issue 51 | May 2019
What’s happening in Beeston, Belle Isle, Cottingley, Holbeck, Hunslet, Middleton & Stourton
UNSETTLED CITIZENS
In this issue:
Renovations celebration
page 3
#techmums go digital
page 9
Uncertainty amongst local EU nationals as Settlement Scheme opens
T
by Imran Marashli
he twists and turns of Brexit have been welldocumented, but for now life continues as normal for local EU nationals from countries including Poland, Portugal, Romania, Greece, Latvia and Lithuania who call South Leeds home. The sight of European shops, restaurants, butchers and salons contributing to the daily hum of activity on Beeston’s Dewsbury Road testifies to the diversity of the area and the notable presence of Europeans living here. Yet EU residents intending to stay in the UK in the long term have to act to keep it that way. The government’s EU Settlement Scheme, which opened fully on Saturday 30 March, requires EU citizens to apply before 30 December 2020 to guarantee their right to continue living and working in the UK as they do now after 30 June 2021. Applicants will need to prove their identity and answer questions about their residence online before obtaining ‘pre-settled’ or ‘settled’ status, depending on
whether they have lived continuously in the UK for five years. However, despite the government’s promotion of the Scheme, unawareness and uncertainty are the challenges to be overcome before EU nationals can secure their postBrexit future. Paulina Grobniwska, 25, moved from Poland more than two years ago because “good money and jobs” were available in Leeds. She intends to stay in Leeds, where she has always felt welcome, but only for five to six years before returning to Poland. However, she had not heard about the EU Settlement Scheme and does not know how to apply, which she would have to do to stay for her desired length of time. Another local Pole named Paulina is the manager of a large local Polish supermarket, Syrenka, and has lived in Leeds for eight years. She has not applied for the EU Settlement Scheme and has seen little information apart from one advertisement on the internet and admits that her Polish staff – many of whom speak little English – need to apply but do not know about it at present.
Determined Dan’s fighting cancer
page 11
New inclusive football club
page 22
NEWS
2-10
ELECTIONS SCHOOLS Adverts have appeared to promote the government scheme - but only in English For those who are aware of the Scheme, the uncertainty surrounding the UK’s future relationship with the EU has prevented them from committing to a course of action.
Antanas, who hails from Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius, is one such example. He manages a shop on Dewsbury Road and has lived in Leeds since 2011. “It’s a nice community and I’ve never had
problems,” he says, with the 2016 referendum not making a difference. Nevertheless, Brexit’s unpredictability is posing personal and commercial problems. Continued on page 4
6 11-13
FEEDBACK
14
ARTS
15
LOCAL HISTORY
16
WHAT’S ON
17-21
SPORT
22-24
Get the latest news at www.southleedslife.com - new stories posted daily
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South Leeds Life | May 2019
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.
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MP’s notebook “
by Hilary Benn MP
I see a number of children who are desperate to eat.” “Lots of children on a normal school day have little or no breakfast.” “You can tell how much more the children eat on a Monday.” These are all quotes from staff working in primary schools in Leeds. They were answering a survey on the problem of children who go to school hungry. Last week the report of the Children’s Future Food Inquiry was published. It took evidence from all over the country, including from children. What it had to say about school hunger made pretty stark and uncomfortable reading. “Hunger is an extremely debilitating experience. It damages physical health. It is a cause of great personal distress… It affects children’s school attendance, achievement and attainment. Children who are hungry in class cannot concentrate….” This assessment was echoed in the words of one of the young people who gave evidence. She said this: “I have experienced food poverty from a young age. Most people don’t understand what it is about. It’s not right that young people go hungry, or
can’t access or afford the food they like or want.” The principal cause is that too many families are struggling to live on too little money. Low wages, changes in circumstances, waiting for benefits and the loss of a job can all have an impact. And children themselves are only too aware of what’s going on. They know that their parents try really hard to give them enough food to eat and sometimes go without in order to do so. They know how difficult it is for their Mums and Dads. And they really feel the stigma as families that are struggling to feed their children. We also know that hunger is not just a problem facing children. The Trussell Trust, which supports a nationwide network of food banks, has just reported that last year 1.6 million food parcels were given to people by their network - a rise of 19% on the previous year. It is shocking enough that so many people are having to go up to a stranger and ask them for help to feed their families, but the fact that this is happening in the sixth richest economy in the world is scarcely believable. And whatever the causes, it’s not right. It’s not right that some children go hungry. It’s
not right that because they are hungry they can’t concentrate at school. We need change. The Children’s Future Food Inquiry is calling for six things. The guarantee of a healthy school lunch. An expansion of the healthy start voucher scheme to increase the value of the voucher and the number of children who benefit. Introducing a financial holiday allowance for families on low incomes Hilary Benn MP to help them buy food organisations working to provide during the school holidays. Stopping practical help, including the food marketing aimed at promoting banks serving South Leeds and their unhealthy foods to children. teams of dedicated volunteers, Renaming free school meals as including the Leeds United school meal allowances to reduce Supporters’ Trust and all those fans stigma, increasing its value and who have donated so generously making sure that water is freely during their collections on match available at school lunchtimes. And days. calling for a Children’s Food If you want to help, or donate food Watchdog to check on what is or money then please contact: happening. Leeds South and East Foodbank, 7 I think most people will see these Lenton Drive, Parkside Industrial as sensible recommendations. I Estate, Leeds LS11 5JW (tel: 0113 certainly support them, and I hope 345 0850 or email them at: that Government will too. And in the info@leedssouthandeast.foodbank. meantime, we should thank the org.uk)
Beeston snooker hall told to close its doors A
by Jeremy Morton
snooker hall that sprung up in Beeston has been served with an enforcement notice by Leeds City Council. The Cuedos snooker hall is located on Dewsbury Road near the Tommy Wass junction, in the former Sugar Refinery building. The owners have not applied for planning permission to change the use of the building from offices to a snooker hall and café. In a letter to Cllr Andrew Scopes (Beeston & Holbeck) planning officers explained that the notice period runs until 11 May, during which time the owners can lodge an appeal, which would be dealt with by the independent Planning Inspectorate. If they do not appeal they will have to cease operations by 11 June. Should the owners not comply with the order the Council can take legal action which could result in a fine of up to £20,000. Commenting on the
Snookered? The Cuedos centre on Dewsbury Road situation, Cllr Scopes said: residents report in the early “For me the two main hours of the morning. issues were: “The idea of a snooker hall “1. They opened without is, in my view, a good thing planning consent and for the area, but like any without consulting local public venue, consideration residents (despite having for the neighbours and had guidance from Leeds planning regulation is City Council about the needed.” process they should go Separately the snooker through) hall has submitted a “2. The noise local planning application for its
signage on the building. The application has not yet been decided. You can read the full application via the Leeds City Council website or at local libraries. The building was previously the subject of a planning application from Farm Foods which was withdrawn. Subsequently the property
was raided police and a cannabis farm uncovered. A further search of the building was delayed by two months whilst asbestos was removed from the building. A full list of candidates standing in Beeston & Holbeck ward in the forthcoming Leeds City Council elections is published on page XXXXX
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News 3
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Awards success for Beeston café B
by Kushmina Begum
eeston café ‘Only Food and Sauces’ has been awarded 2nd place in the ‘Café of the Year’ awards hosted by the Yorkshire Evening Post, missing out on the top spot by just two votes. The local café is situated at 153 Dewsbury Road (opposite the Dewsbury Road Community Hub) and is run by mother and daughter duo, Julie and Hayley Hewitt. The idea to set up a vintage, “Eastenders” style café came about when Julie, 59 was made redundant from her full time job at the Co–op. Her daughter, Hayley, 32, was at the time a full time mother and seeking suitable employment. Julie’s husband, Garry had a brainwave and suggested setting up a café as Julie loved cooking, making people smile with food and both mother and daughter have great interpersonal skills. It wasn’t long until Garry found premises next to his favourite barber’s shop and within a couple months they
Only Food and Sauces on Dewsbury Road were ready to open. Sitting around watching their family favourite one evening (Only Fools and Horses) Garry quipped, “Why don’t we name the Café ‘Only Food and Sauces’?” and a business was born. Only Food and Sauces opened in May 2015 and was instantly successful with the local businessmen and women.
Many customers appreciated having a full English breakfast at 7am before heading into work. Julie says the café’s USP is the “fresh bread we have delivered every morning and the high quality meat”. Daughter Hayley states the range of speciality coffees (gingerbread, hazelnut, caramel, pumpkin and salted
caramel) are a big hit with the customers. The menu reflects both old school and modern tastes. The café sells everything from full English breakfasts to panini, traditional sandwiches, jacket potatoes, milkshakes, speciality coffees and hot chocolates to amazing flavoured ice-creams. They have tables outside where in
Refurbished hall dedicated to community stalwart Geoff M
by Jeremy Morton
anorfield Hall Community Centre held a grand opening ceremony to celebrate the refurbishment of the hall and kitchen on Thursday 11 April. The hall has been named in honour of community stalwart Geoff Byers, who died in January this year, in recognition of his dedication and unstinting work for the centre over many years. Speaking at the opening, Manager/Activities & Event Coordinator Emma Pogson-Golden said: “It has taken several years to raise the funds. We’ve been helped by BITMO and in October we started the work replacing windows and doors, laying a modern hard wearing floor, decorating internally and updating the kitchen. “It looks a lot more homely, a lot more inviting. There is still a long way to go, but wouldn’t got this far without the work of a guy who showed lots of support for this place – Mr Geoff Byers. Which why today we wanted to dedicate something to all his hard work as well as the rest of the committee.” Councillor Kim Groves
the warmer weather you can enjoy the weather and have a chat with passers-by. Lester, 32, enthused: “I love coming here every day because I know I will have a hot, tasty meal and the staff are very friendly. I know everybody by their names and sometimes I just pop in for a second time because it is so homely.” The prices are very reasonable ranging from £1.60 up to £6. The intimate café does an order service where you can ring up on the actual morning and order anything from the menu for collection. In March 2019, a loyal customer suggested to the owner that they should enter the YEP ‘Café of the Year’ awards. Shockingly, they only missed out on 1st place by two votes! Julie says a customer bought in an envelope full of six votes the next day but it was too late by then. They will be entering again next year and have got some secret strategies up their sleeve to ensure that they win the top place and don’t miss
Historic mill buildings brought back to life T
Geoff’s widow Ivy Byers cuts the cake with committee members: Ronnie Keebles, Rose Keebles, Carole Kindon and Emma Pogson-Golden commented: “I first met Geoff in 2010 and it was immediately clear to me how much he loved his community and this is his legacy.” Speaking of his battle to prove that the hall belonged to the community rather than the Council, she went on: “I remember the day that officers came and confirmed that the building indeed belonged to the community. That would never have
happened if he had not persevered and kept pushing us Councillors to investigate for him. Councillor Judith Blake added: “I will never forget the first meeting I had with Geoff here. He was just a master of coming over as someone who was really serious and really severe, but you could see that twinkle in his eye. He commanded such huge respect because everyone knew that he
was here on behalf of the community. “His memory will continue and it will inform all of us of the standard that we have to work to, to ensure that we provide the very best quality on behalf of everyone in the community.” Geoff’s widow Ivy Byers then cut the ribbon and everyone got the chance to explore the renovated space, enjoy a buffet lunch and of course have some celebratory cake.
out again by a vote or two! Winning the award has given the staff and business a massive confidence boost and they are now even thinking of an exciting vegan menu as it is 2019’s top food trend! Hayley says working at the business has strengthened her bond with her mother and she even met her husband at the café who only originally came in for a hot meal! Hayley states: “A lot of our customers suffer from loneliness and isolation so when they come into our café we might be the only people that they have a conversation with that day.” Over the next year, Hayley and Julie are hoping to expand their business, welcome new customers, build the reputation of the business and increase publicity of Only Food and Sauces. The café is open from 7am– 2pm Monday–Friday and 8am–12pm Saturdays. To make an order or enquire about the menu call 07467 244361 or check out their Facebook page.
he historic Hunslet and Victoria flax spinning mills on the bank of the River Aire at Goodman Street were close to demolition a few years ago, but conversion to residential apartments is now proceeding apace with the first phase having sold out. The mills, which date from the 1830s are Grade II and Grade II* Listed, but have stood empty since the early 1970s and had fallen into dereliction. JM Construction started work two years ago on a scheme that will eventually see 350 flats on the riverside site. John Mulleady, Managing Director of JM Construction, commented: “This is an exciting restoration project which will provide much
needed new housing as well as making a significant contribution to the wider regeneration of the Hunslet Riverside area. “The apartments have sold extremely well which reflects the quality of the build, the impressive specification and the convenience of the location.” The second phase at Victoria Riverside is scheduled to commence in the next few weeks and will comprise 74, one and two bedroom apartments with prices starting at just £120,000. On completion the full scheme will extend to approximately 350 units. The phased delivery plan is expected to take four years to complete.
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South Leeds Life | May 2019
4 News NEWS IN BRIEF Touchstone’s new FD Beeston-based mental health charity Touchstone have appointed a new Finance Director and Deputy CEO. Gordon Aickin, who worked at the University of Leeds before joining the charity sector, said: “I have worked closely with Touchstone in my past role. They are a fast-growing organisation with an excellent reputation both as a provider of mental health services and as a great employer. The work should be challenging but varied.”
Watch out there’s a speed gun about Police in Middleton and Belle Isle are clamping down on speeding drivers, thanks to support from local Councillors who have provided funding for their local Neighbourhood Police Team to undertake training on hand-held Pro Laser speed guns. In the initial weeks of deploying the Pro Laser officers have scanned 335 vehicles and issued 24 tickets for speeding offences. One vehicle has been seized and one person arrested.
Asda cafe bans plastic Asda’s Old Lane store in Beeston has become the first of the Leeds-based supermarkets to get rid of all single-use plastic in its café, including straws, disposable cups and cutlery. As part of a new trial, the café – one of Asda’s Express Diner formats – has introduced wooden cutlery, paper straws and food containers made from organic material which can be disposed of with food waste.
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Care Home for Middleton Omnibus site A
by Jeremy Morton
full planning application has been submitted to build a 64 bed care home on the site of the Omnibus pub on Throstle Road North in Middleton which closed in February 2016. As we reported in December, Parkhomes UK Ltd are planning to build and run the care home. The proposed building will fill most of the site with the accommodation provided over two stories. Vehicular access and parking will be via Dolphin Road. Parkhomes UK have promised to hold a consultation event for residents to view the plans, but no details are currently available. You can view the full
application online via the Leeds City Council website or at local libraries. Comments on the application, either in support or objecting, must be submitted by Monday 20 May 2019. The Omnibus pub closed in February 2016 and was bought by a developer who submitted plans to convert it into 15 bedsits for single working age men. The planning application was rejected by officers and a revised plan for 9 bedsits was rejected by Councillors at Plans Panel in July 2017. The developer, PCC (Yorkshire) Ltd, then submitted a new outline plan to demolish the pub and build 14 houses on the site. This was approved in October 2017, but not acted on.
Unsettled citizens Continued from page 1 “I don’t know how it’s going to be with taxes and importing all the stuff that’s coming from Europe, so I’m a little bit worried about that. I hope we don’t get a hard Brexit or something like that,” he says. “I know we’ve still got a couple of years so I don’t need to make a decision now, I still have time. There’s no point because we do not know what’s going to happen in the next couple of months. There’s no point doing it now and wasting time for the moment,” adding that his staff and friends will “probably” stay in the long run despite the lack of certainty. One member of staff at an Eastern European off licence remarks that “no one knows about it [the scheme]”, with many EU citizens unaware of its importance for their future in the UK, and reckons that 80% of the local Romanians he serves speak little or no English. Given that public advertising on the streets and online is entirely in English, this poses a challenge to conveying the government’s message to local EU residents. Leeds City Council has committed to providing digital assistance and an ID-checking service at five community hubs and to offering training to staff, with Dewsbury Road Community Hub being the location for residents in LS10 and LS11. In a briefing document, the Council also states that community hubs with this “enhanced service” are equipped with self-serve desks
What now for St Mary’s Hunslet?
The body of St Mary’s church in Hunslet has been demolished as it is no longer structurally sound. The Grade II listed tower and spire will remain, although the bells have been removed. It remains unclear whether the site will be redeveloped. that have a direct link to the government website where people can apply for the scheme. Hunslet and Riverside Councillor Paul Wray said: “Leeds’ values of being a welcoming and compassionate city goes to the heart of everything we do. For those EU citizens who’ve made this their home, not just recently, but for decades, we want you to know your Council is here to support you as you apply for Settled Status. “The collective and individual contributions of our city’s EU
citizens is part of what makes this city great.” Leeds is home to tens of thousands of foreign-born residents, with a report by the Office for National Statistics estimating that approximately 50,000 EU citizens were living in the city in 2018. Poland and Romania were the most common EU nationalities living in Yorkshire and the Humber, in line with statistics for the UK as a whole. You can find out more about the EU Settlement Scheme here: gov.uk/eusettlementscheme
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May 2019 | South Leeds Life
News 5
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Dog poo: taking the lead on everyone’s pet hate R
by Jeremy Morton
esidents of Holbeck and Beeston have seen the appearance of plastic bottles on lampposts thanks to the work of Nigel Perry. The bottles contain plastic bags, giving dog owners no excuse not to clear up after animals. The story starts at the other end of the country where ten year old Ivy Meager, from Burnham-On-Sea in Somerset, came up with the idea of repurposing plastic bottles as dog poo bag dispensers. The story was picked up by the BBC and went viral on social media. Laura Walton spotted the story and suggested in the Save Our Beeston, Cottingley and Holbeck Facebook Group that they should follow Ivy’s lead. Fellow Holbeck resident Nigel responded and has now made 100 dispensers.
Nigel Perry with another dispenser ready to be put up
“I started by making ten” explained Nigel, “but requests just kept coming in and they’re still coming in. We know where each dispenser has been placed and we keep an eye on them. They are definitely being used and I’ve noticed improvements on the pavements around me.” Whilst the bottles are free, the bags, cable ties and labels all cost money. Nigel reckons he’s met three quarters of the cost, but has had a donation of £50 from Save Our Beeston, Cottingley and Holbeck as well as donations of materials from individuals. Another local resident Erika Urban was so impressed by the initiative that she bought some bags and went out on Holbeck Moor to pick up the poo that dog owners had left. “I hope that the people who saw me in the park literally cleaning after other people’s
Erika Urban dogs, may change their mind and start to take the responsibility.” She said. Nigel commented: “Thank you Erika, just go careful, it’s very much appreciated.” As we reported last December dog owners are required to carry the means to clear up their dog’s mess (eg a plastic bag) or risk being fined £100.
Yellow lines called for Digital Nature Trail at White Rose on Lady Pit Lane M
by Abbie Randall
any people trying to drive past St Francis of Assisi Primary School in Beeston during school drop off and pick up time will know how difficult it is. Not only do you have to contend with double parking by the parents, but also inconsiderate and angry drivers getting snarled up in the road between the parked cars. On top of that doors of parked cars are being opened
onto moving traffic and pedestrians are crossing between parked cars putting themselves in danger. A local resident who wishes to remain anonymous commented that she had an elderly passenger in the car when she became stuck between four cars. Her passenger was not only frightened by the angry behaviour of other drivers, but shocked that the Council let this happen and wasn’t taking steps to alleviate the congestion.
The School Run outside St Francis Primary
The obvious answer to this problem would be to put double yellow lines down one side of the road outside the school, being sensitive to where these parents would park and ensuring this doesn’t simply shift the problem further down the road. Something which Councillor for Hunslet and Riverside Ward, Paul Wray, has already been looking into and commented on: “Several residents have raised their concerns about the safety of car parking on the corner of Lady Pit Lane, in front of St Francis Primary School. “I held a site visit with Highways Leeds, who have agreed to add new double yellow lines to the far bend of the corner, and they will also consider extending the existing parking restrictions on the near bend, subject to a traffic survey. This work should happen later this year.” Hopefully this means there will be some improvements on the road outside St Francis School, but it also the responsibility of road users to be courteous and patient in the meantime.
W
hite Rose Shopping Centre has introduced a brand new digital Nature Trail for families to experience in its outdoor leisure area, The Village. The Nature Trail introduces visitors to the wildlife that can be found living around White Rose, from deer to kingfisher, each with their own interactive elements. To enjoy the free Nature Trail, visitors use their mobile phone to find ‘hotspots’ around The Village. Each animal sculpture acts as a hotspot, and can be found one-by-one via the onscreen map. There are ten in total to be discovered. Upon finding each animal, visitors can enjoy a variety of content including photos, videos, and short stories. There is also a selfie function to snap a picture at each spot, and special offers will be available as well.
Steven Foster, General Manager of White Rose Shopping Centre, said: “We’re so excited to launch our Nature Trail – and just as the weather is brightening up too. We know that our visitors love our all-weather, under-cover play area, and we expect that families will enjoy the fun and educational Nature Trail just as much. You might be surprised how many diverse species have made White Rose their home.” Tom Nield, Co-Founder of Landmrk – which created the trail for White Rose – added: “It’s undeniable that young people are captivated by on-screen experiences. The trail harnesses this enjoyment and use it to encourage kids to get even more active and to learn from these experiences.” The Nature Trail is free to use and is available now.
NEWS IN BRIEF Another Queen’s award for bed maker Beeston-based Harrison Spinks has received a prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development, bringing the total number won by the company to five. The company, which manufactures luxury beds at its factory off Dewsbury Road in Beeston, was granted the award in recognition of a number of ecologically friendly innovations which make the mattresses and beds it produces and the process by which they are created more sustainable. This includes reusing waste from the production process, replacing synthetic materials with natural, recyclable products and reducing CO2. Harrison Spinks employs 600 people in South Leeds and all of its products are made in Yorkshire.
New owner and new name for Copper Hill Copper Hill Care Home in Hunslet is under new ownership after it was bought by healthcare firm, Armighorn Capital Ltd. As part of this transfer in ownership, Copper Hill Care Home has also undergone a rebrand – changing its name to Aspen Hill Village. Specialising in providing nursing with dementia care, the newly named Aspen Hill Village is well established as one of the biggest care providers in Leeds – offering beds and services for up to 180 residents. Navjot Singh, Director at Armighorn Capital Ltd, said: “Armighorn has a strong track record of transforming care homes needing improvement. Residents are our most important priority and that this is why when acquiring a new site, we work hard to not only make physical upgrades, but also to raise service quality.
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South Leeds Life | May 2019
6 Elections
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Leeds City Council elections: 2 May T
he candidates for the 2019 Leeds City Council elections have been announced. After last year’s ‘all out’ election, we are back into the cycle of electing one councillor in each ward each year. We’re writing to all the candidates to ask them about why they are standing and what their policies are. We will publish their answers as they send them in so keep checking back to compare answers and make your choice. South Leeds Life does not support any political party, but we urge all our readers to use their vote on 2 May. Below we’ve published full lists of the candidates standing in our three wards: Beeston & Holbeck ward, Hunslet & Riverside ward and Middleton Park ward. We asked each candidate to tell us why they are standing and you can find their responses on our website at www.southleedslife.com. If you have never voted before or moved house recently you may not be on the electoral register. It is now too late to register for the Council election, although you can register for
the European election up until Tuesday 6 May. If you are registered you should have received a Poll Card telling you which Polling
Beeston & Holbeck
Hunslet & Riverside
Jarrod Antony GAINES
Ed CARLISLE
Alaric Timothy Peter HALL
Benedict Luke TURNERCHASTNEY
12 Cross Flatts Mount, Leeds, LS11 7BL Liberal Democrats
514 Greenhouse, Beeston Road, Leeds, LS11 6AP Green Party
Bill PALFREMAN
57 Recreation Terrace, Leeds, LS11 0AW UKIP
Andrew Timothy SCOPES 2 Redhall Close, Beeston, Leeds, LS11 8DX Labour Party
Laura Elizabeth WALTON
113 Ingram Road, Leeds, LS11 9RH Save Our Beeston & Holbeck Independents
Robert James William WINFIELD
7 Allenby Gardens, Beeston, Leeds, LS11 5RW The Conservative Party Candidate
European Parliamentary Election: 23 May
L
20 Harlech Avenue, Leeds, LS11 7DT Green Party
20 Alnwick View, Leeds, LS16 5RP Liberal Democratics
Paul Ian WRAY
Apartment 50 Crozier House, The Boulevard, Leeds, LS10 1LQ Labour Party
Jordan Luke YOUNG
(Address in Leeds*) The Conservative Party Candidate
*In England, if a candidate has requested not to make their home address public, the relevant electoral area in which their home address is situated (or country if their address is outside the UK) will be provided.
Station to vote at. You do not need to take the card with you to vote. Polling stations will be open from 7am-10pm on Thursday 2 May.
Middleton Park Eunice Delali AGBEMAFLE (Address in Leeds*) Green Party
Wayne DIXON
(Address in Leeds*) Social Democratic Party
Hugh William FINDLAY
Flat 6, 1 Alexander Street, Leeds, LS1 3AF The Conservative Party Candidate
Robert Hugh JACQUES
34 Station Road, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 5NR Liberal Democrats
Will LOCKWOOD
174 Throstle Road, Leeds, LS10 4HH UKIP
Paul Anthony TRUSWELL 24 Dalesway, Leeds, LS20 8JN Labour Party
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ists of candidates have been announced for the European Parliamentary elections which are set to go ahead on Thursday 23 May, unless a deal on Brexit is concluded before then. The European Parliamentary elections are run on a proportional representation system. We will be electing six MEPs to represent Yorkshire & The Humber. You will have one vote which you give to one of the parties standing. Each party lists up to six candidates in order, seats are allocated according to the percentage of the vote that each party gets. We currently have two Ukip, two Conservative and two Labour MEPs. South Leeds Life does not support any political party, but believe that it is important for people to vote. To vote you must be registered on the electoral roll, the deadline for registration for the European election is Tuesday 6 May 2019 (the deadline for registering for the Leeds City Council election on 2 May has already passed). To register, go to www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. If you are an EU national you can choose to vote here in the UK or in your “home” country. The full list of candidates is: Change UK – The Independent Group Diana Paulette Wallis Juliet Lodge Sophia Bow Joshua Paul Malkin Rosanne Clare McMullen Steven Wilson Conservative and Unionist Party John Michael Procter Amjad Bashir Michael James Naughton Andrew Lee
Matthew Freckleton Sue Pascoe English Democrats David Stewart Allen Tony Stewart Allen Joanne Allen Fiona Allen Green Party Magid Magid Alison Clare Teal Andrew Varah Cooper Louise Houghton Lars Martin Kramm Ann Christine Forsaith Labour Party Richard Graham Corbett Eloise Karen Todd Mohammed Jawad Khan Jayne Marie Allport Martin Trevor Mayer Alison Louise Hume Liberal Democrats Shaffaq Mohammed Rosina Jane Robson James Blanchard Sophie Jane Thornton James Douglas Baker Ruth Coleman-Taylor The Brexit Party John Longworth Lucy Elizabeth Harris Jake Pugh James Rupert Heartfield Andrew Allison Christopher Barker The Yorkshire Party Chris Whitwood Mike Jordan Jack Carrington Laura Marie Walker Bob Buxton Dan Cochran UK Independence Party (UKIP) Mike Hookem Gary Colin Shores John Robert Hancock David Alan Dews Graham Boyd Waddicar Clifford Parson
Polling stations are open from 7am-10pm on Thursday 2 May Thursday 23 May
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May 2019 | South Leeds Life
News 7
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Community trip to the Houses of Parliament I
by Anne Wilson
n the early part of the year an intriguing article appeared in South Leeds Life – it offered a trip to Parliament with transport paid. I contacted Yanks, whom I’d met from a theatre trip – to try and nab some tickets for the SLATE team. Yanks was wonderful and we grew our request to 6 tickets and Yanks was very nice about it. We then learnt that we were due to travel at 6:15am and by coach! A gift’s a gift, right?!! Yanks stayed in touch as we grew closer to our travel date and I confirmed with volunteers I felt would manage a 4:45am start. SLATE were very lucky and were given 3 free hotel rooms by Room to Reward and the Mercure Hotel in Leeds so we had a Sunday in Leeds – gorgeous hot chocolates at Hotel Chocolat and an early check in. Then a wander to watch Voluntary Action Leeds’ Volunteer Services Manager DJ at The Doghouse on Kirkgate – reggae tunes on a chilly spring evening. We headed back to bed for 9pm. A really great mobile Mercure breakfast in hand. Next morning, our SLATE group wandered across Leeds at 5:30am. We were surprised how alive the city was at that time. We met Yanks and the rest of the group at the Leeds bus station – what smart company we entered, in both meanings of the word – suits and gorgeous jackets and serious conversations about
South Leeds and world politics. It was wonderful and the SLATE team felt lucky. The coach journey was a long one – no stops! That was a lesson! We arrived in London and were generously treated to a taxi to the Houses of Parliament. As we arrived the climate change protesters were evident on Parliament Green. Gasping, we went through security to get to the cafe on the other side – a proper quest! Inside parliament the atmosphere was calm and filled with the stability of centuries of history, plus a gift shop! We rejoined Yanks and waited for our tour to begin in Westminster Hall – the scene of 850 years of history – coronations, state funerals, famous foreign political leaders and now our Leeds lot! Our tour guide was rather intimidating and seemed a little opposed to people absorbing the atmosphere of the building. We fought this and looked around freely, enjoying the grandeur of the building. I can’t say that our guide reacted to her audience and responded to them, but the Houses of Parliament is a strong enough personality to speak for itself. Our group stood on the floor of the House of Commons and the House of Lords … we saw the voting chambers and post office in the central lobby. The human highlight was Hillary (Benn) – so approachable and accessible for all. Our large group were
The Fantastic Fifteen from South Leeds outside the Houses of Parliament
treated to tea and cake in Portcullis House the large building next to the historic houses of Parliament that houses committee rooms and MP’s offices. Talking to our MP was genuinely the best and most cheering part of the day – we felt hosted and cared for. Really energising and a positive boost. Then we dashed back to the bus, it was 4pm. The protesters were still on the green and nearby. We learnt new symbols – the hour glass in a circle. We had fun trying to leave London, the roads were shut and we ended up reversing down the main road outside the Royal Academy and Fortnum and Mason – we had been mistakenly allowed on to closed streets. We did a large circle – up close to all the exclusive stores – many diamonds and the Ritz. After an unexpected hour long tour of exclusive London, we were on our way home. The journey home was reflective – looking at photos and sharing thoughts. We agreed to stay in touch as a group to swap photos and for our new friends to come shopping at SLATE soon. Yanks Sawo added: “I am extremely grateful to the Fantastic Fifteen for coming, and also hugely appreciative of Nick Lalvani and U Choose – Touchstone for sponsoring this very educational trip. Finally, I thank Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP for his hospitality and his wife, Sally Clark, for facilitating the visit.”
Panto by Royal Appointment
Jane Ramsey receives the Duke of York’s Community Initiative Award on behalf of St Andrew’s Pantomime Group from Prince Andrew. This is the second time the group has won the award which recognises their valuable community service.
Fraud warning for Hajj travellers T
ravellers looking to book their Hajj pilgrimage this year are being warned against deals that seem too good to be true. The UK Civil Aviation Authority’s campaign is working to protect travellers after an increasing trend in the sale of illegal or fake package deals. In the worst cases, these illegal vendors have been prosecuted and imprisoned. With over 25,000 British Muslims Photo: Al Jazeera English via Creative Commons expected to make the Hajj pilgrimage this ATOL logo on your travel company’s website, August, the Civil Aviation Authority is launching a brochure or shop front. campaign to ensure that this often once in a 2 Research your trip: Some companies will lifetime trip is not scuppered by booking through incorrectly claim to have ATOL protection. Check a disreputable company, or those falsely posing the company’s name on the online database at: as reputable travel agents. packpeaceofmind.co.uk. By researching, using a trustworthy and 3 Check if your package includes a visa: reputable company that will provide you with Appoint a licensed travel agent and ensure that ATOL protection, consumers can travel with they are arranging a visa as part of your peace of mind. arrangements. Paul Smith, Director at the UK Civil Aviation 4 Watch out for hidden costs: Make sure Authority, said: “As we enter the busy booking you check the airport and accommodation fees, period for Hajj travel, we are reminding such as baggage allowance and accommodation consumers to research who they are planning to transfers, to avoid any surprises. book with to ensure their important trip is 5 Check financial protection if booking with protected. non-UK travel companies: There are some non“Using a recommended travel agent is helpful, UK travel companies which offer Hajj travel to UK but it is vital to check that your provider is ATOL consumers, but these will often not be ATOL protected despite any recommendation you may protected. Do your research and check what receive.” financial protection they provide. Always follow our top five Hajj travel tips: Visit www.packpeaceofmind.co.uk for more 1 Check for ATOL protection: Look for the information about ATOL protection.
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South Leeds Life | May 2019
8 News
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Going Green for Good and Wellbeing A
A head for heights
On Saturday 6 April members of the Reestablish team & young people did a sponsored 10 storey abseil in partnership with Leeds Beckett University to raise money to create opportunities for our local young people. You can support them via: www.gofundme.com/sierra-leone-expedition-2020
by Abbie Randall
green space buzzing with insects and birds, beneath filtering sunlight highlighting the green grass and radiant flowers. Not a sentence you’d necessarily associate with urban Leeds but certainly a scene I was met with when I visited the Green Gym at the Lady Pit Lane Allotments in Beeston. Zoe Parker showed me around the Green Gym and explained it is a fully inclusive and accessible scheme that runs across two sites, Skelton Grange and Hollybush. They provide services for adults, children and have a packed programme which is certainly worth looking at, especially if you want to get outdoors or even learn some less intensive table top skills. They offer regular activities and pop ups, one of which was recently completed at the Vale Circles site near Dewsbury Road. These activities are all designed to be physical activity with purpose, helping people understand the nature that surrounds their doorsteps and learn to harvest and use these natural resources in their daily lives. Zoe and her team aim to empower and encourage their participants to recognise their own skills and learn as much as they can to become self-sufficient and give them the ‘tools’ to take over running the sites themselves. Some of the future activities Zoe has planned are willow weaving,
planting and expanding their current plot to include not only the widely spaced raised beds, but to include a seating area for the participants to relax and socialise. Come rain or shine it will be a lovely oasis in the business of the city! Green Gym have had great outcomes and say a large number of their participants have reported increased mental and physical wellbeing. The allotments themselves seem to be coming alive again with many of the previously fallow plots now cultivated and lovingly nurtured surrounding the Green Gym. Ted, affectionately referred to as the ‘King of the allotments’ has
So why not come along and take a look, get your wellies on and grab a spade and when you’re finished enjoy a cuppa and chat in the beautiful surroundings of the allotments. Skelton Grange is looked after by Colin Green who has a packed schedule so please check out their Facebook page for more information at TCV Skelton Grange You can also find more information on their Facebook page TCVGreenGymLeeds. The regular Green Gym session with Zoe is every Thursday 1-4pm and is fully inclusive so please give it a go and become part of this wonderful project!
Watering the raised beds at Lady Pit Lane allotments been present at the site for over 30 years and said about the project: “It’s tremendous, bringing all different groups of people together.”
The project is supported by funding from Awards for All, The players of the Peoples Postcode Lottery and Leeds City Council Adults and Health.
Revamp on the way for Middleton Park playground M
iddleton Park playground is to get a £134,000 facelift and extension thanks to a partnership between the Friends of Middleton Park (FoMP), local Councillors and the Council’s Parks and Countryside Department. FoMP secretary, Rachel Darton and Chair, Alan Shaw have worked with Leeds City Council to secure the funding and realise the extension and improvements of the playground. Design assistance was commissioned from Groundwork Trust, who will also project manage the building work. Councillor Truswell supported by Middleton Park Ward colleagues, Judith Blake and Kim Groves, obtained half the funding from the Council, largely from funds that were being held in reserve for the Park. This funding has been used to lever in further grants
of £39,000 from The Veolia other features like stepping specific play, with a toddler and spinning dishes. There will Environment Trust, through the poles, water puddle play climbing frame and integral also be a see saw and Landfill Communities Fund and features and wildflower areas slide, junior swings, junior pendulum swing, and inclusive £25,000 from the Parks for encouraging imaginative play. multi-unit climbing frame, roundabout and inclusive People initiative. The playground will be much cradle and boat swings, double double springy, which will be Rachel Darton said: “An more accessible to children balance beams and also accessible to children of all online consultation about the with disabilities. encourage communal play with abilities, including wheelchair current playground prompted “It will encourage age a multi swing, group springies users.” over 200 responses, which have been used as the basis for the design. Children said overcrowding was a barrier to play. “The project will triple the size of the area for children to play and explore, with an increased and varied provision of fixed equipment, and Rachel Darton, Alan Shaw and Councillor Paul Truswell with artists’ impressions of the planned improvements
Speaking on behalf of Middleton Park Councillors, Councillor Truswell said: “The Park has seen massive improvements in recent years, with a £1 million National Lottery grant funding the Visitor Centre, stage, signage and paths, and the new Urban Bike Park mainly funded by British Cycling and Sport England. “But people have rightly said that these fantastic improvements have highlighted the inadequacy of the playground, which compares unfavourably with other major parks in the city. “This revamp and extension will go a long way towards giving the park a playground in keeping with its increasing status, but we will still be looking to raise even more funding in the future to make it even better.”
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May 2019 | South Leeds Life
News 9
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Tech Mums go digital Paul Holt entertains at at Dewsbury Road Hub Middleton A
new programme aiming to ensure that mums in the city have the opportunity to brush up on and learn new digital skills was launched by Leeds City Council in January. Undertaken as part of the Council’s 100% Digital Leeds initiative and led by Leeds Libraries and Adult Learning, Leeds was the first city outside of London to deliver the classes as part of the #techmumsClubs initiative. #techmums was a 10-week course delivered at Dewsbury Road Community Hub, it covered a range of subjects from online safety and social media to basic coding, and has been credited with opening doors to jobs and further education. Rachel Benn, Communities Librarian said: “We’re so thrilled that Leeds has been the first city outside of London to host the #techmums programme.
Graduating #techmums celebrate with founder Dr Sue Black OBE “Through our wide-ranging 100% Digital Leeds initiative, we want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn new digital skills to improve their everyday use of technology and support new work and career ambitions, this has done just that! “The mums have thoroughly
enjoyed learning new skills, making new friends and gaining new confidence in themselves and with tech! “Some have now even been accepted on to further courses and career opportunities. What a huge achievement for our local mums at Dewsbury Road Community Hub, it has been
life-changing in an incredibly positive way!” The #techmums clubs also took place at two other locations in Leeds: Strawberry Lane Community Centre in Armley and Deacon House in Seacroft. A large celebration event was held at Leeds Central Library in April hosted by Dr. Sue Black OBE (the founder of #techmums). All of the mums graduated and received their certificates in front of their friends and families. Congratulations to all of the new #techmums, confidently sharing their new digital skills with their families and children. Our 100% Digital Leeds initiative is working with community organisations to build a digital inclusion movement across the city, more information can be found here: www.digitalinclusionleeds.com
Elderly Aid A
by Ken Ingram
fter a record number of people (9 plus 2 dogs) came out on the Arm in Arm walking group on Wednesday 3 April, we came back to the Middleton Elderly Aid centre to enjoy some entertainment with Paul Holt. Paul’s a singer and comedian originally from Bradford, but now lives in Blackpool. That’s a good town for him to find work. The first half was made up of mainly jokes and second half songs from the 60s, Neil Diamond seem to be Paul’s favourite singer and songs from the Rat Pack.
wrong. We had a raffle of a hamper drawn at half time and won by Barbara. Lydia and Joyce and Mavis again continued to wind up Paul in the second half. The last joke before he packed up to go back to Blackpool (I can’t put joke on here), had the audience howling with laughter. It involved a sister, trying to find her uncle in Australia. Paul, did a bit longer stint than usual. Poor staff waiting to tidy up for Thursday at the centre, I’m sure they did not mind. Cant wait to see him back at
Calm crafting to overcome anxiety C
by Jeremy Morton
offee and Craft Middleton is crafting group with a difference. Set up just after Christmas it is open to people with physical and mental health conditions and their carers. The aim of the group is to provide a safe haven where people with both mental and physical impairments can bring along either their own craftwork or learn a new skill, here issues can be discussed openly and without prejudice. Sabrina Kitching, who set up
Me Time at Coffee & Craft Middleton
the group says that she wanted to create a non-judgemental space where people who might struggle to get out of the house would feel safe and welcome. Sabrina uses a wheelchair for her physical disability, but also suffers from mental health issues like many in the group. “Anxiety is terribly disabling, but it’s an invisible illness so you don’t always get understanding or sympathy. With anxiety the easiest thing to do is stay at home.” As one member explained: “This group gets me out of the house. I care for my
husband who has a brain injury and work all day. I enjoy the company here, this is me time.” Breaking down social isolation is an important aim of the group. Nicol suffers from anxiety, but says: “If I’m busy, I’m fine. If the social side gets too much I can just retreat into my crafting and I know no one will mind or try to make me join in.” Another member is Abbie who lives with Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism. She comes to the group with her mum, Shelley, who says the group has been really good for
Abbie socially. “When we first came, Abbie wouldn’t make eye contact with anyone, but after a few weeks she’s much more comfortable with the other members. Last week she ran her own stall at a craft fair.” Abbie started crafting when she was 8 years old, making and selling friendship bracelets. In the process raising over £200 towards Sharp Lane Primary School’s sensory room. She also has her own Facebook group ‘Ab’spergers where hopes to raise awareness of Aspergers as well raising funds. If all this sounds very serious and worthy, actually the group is very warm and welcoming and members have great fun. It’s two and a half hours in the week when they can catch up and put the world to rights over coffee and some great crafting. Father Andy Myers has made St Cross Church available at no charge while the group gets established, but funding bids are already being written to ensure that the group continues. Coffee and Craft Middleton meets every Tuesday 6:158:30pm at St Cross Church on Acre Road. It’s open to adults and children aged 13 and over accompanied by an adult.
Paul Holt entertains the members at Middleton Elderly Aid I had seen him before at our holiday hotel last year in Llandudno and more recently at Middleton Elderly Aid. Samantha, the Centre Manager, got the butt of the car jokes, but I can’t repeat them here. The first time I saw him at Middleton, he was very quiet, definitely the opposite on Wednesday. A bit of heckling from Lydia brought out the best from Paul. Giving as good as he got. The more the blue jokes, the more laughter came from the audience. I must admit, how he told the jokes without swearing I don’t know. Well, just 1 f-word. I counted 5 men and about 60 ladies in the centre. Where’s all the blokes? Even Lydia gave Paul a massage. At half time we had our buffet on a plate. Entertainment and a buffet for £3.00 – you cant go
Middleton Elderly Aid at Christmas time. Mavis says: “Paul James, comedian and singer at MEA was very entertaining. The songs were easy to listen to and Paul got us up dancing. The jokes were very good. Everybody had a great time. Also the food at half time was very good, crisps, sandwiches, quiche, Viennese whirls and hot drinks. All included in the price of £3.00.” Samantha says: “Thank you to Paul Holt for a great show at our social centre yesterday and travelling all the way from Blackpool for a couple of hours. “You are a star and looking forward to the big show at Xmas.” Paul Holt says: “It was my pleasure to come to Middleton Elderly Aid. Looking forward to seeing you all again.”
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South Leeds Life | May 2019
10 News
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
TV show shot in Holbeck
Staying healthy through Ramadan T
Smart shoppers: Kelly Eroglu, Jo Creed, Leisa Creed, and Andy Webb
T
elevision and media producer True North is
underway shooting for the popular straight-talking
Gypsies’ Easter generosity
A
by Claire Graham
group of Gypsy and Traveller women from community organision Leeds GATE, got together to raise funds for Easter Eggs to donate to the Children’s Ward at Leeds General Infirmary. The Thursday group who meet each week at GATE had heard about other similar donations that were going on and wanted to play their part. They arrived at LGI with over 30 eggs for some of the young
people who will be spending their Easter in hospital. “It’s just nice to send a little message to all the children at LGI that we are thinking of them this Easter” said Mags Price, who is a volunteer at GATE. Kirsty Rouke, who also works at GATE, said that she was surprised when they arrived at Clarendon Wing that so many people had donated presents “it’s a lovely thing to do” she said.
consumer series Shop Smart Save Money for Channel 5. The series provides tips on the best deals and offers to help consumers get the best value for money. True North, tenants of The Round Foundry and Marshalls Mill estate, chose to film in the area last week due to its architectural backdrop and accessibility. It also meant easy access for the True North team, who recently extended their space in Marshalls Mill to accommodate an expanded post-production office. The show, hosted by Gaby Roslin and Alexis Conran, will see the Shop Smart Saving Squad help a different ‘family of the week’ to reduce their outgoings. “Deal Detective” Andy Webb will review their bills, finding simple ways to help them boost savings up to £1000. The Smart Shoppers will also teach families to cook appetising meals on a budget. It will appear on Channel 5 every Thursday from 18 April 2019 at 8pm. Leeds has seen a spate of national shows filmed in the city recently, with this looking set to rise with the relocation of Channel 4 to the city centre. Lisa Riley, Events CoOrdinator at The Round Foundry and Marshalls Mill estate commented: “It is fantastic to see a national TV show being shot here on the South Bank, and especially on our estate which is steeped in heritage but with a real creative community at its heart. “I’m looking forward to catching the show when it is on and seeing if there are any familiar faces in the background!”
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by Kushmina Begum
he Islamic month of Ramadan will begin on Monday 6 May (depending on the sighting of the moon) and end on Tuesday 5 June (again depending on the sighting of the moon). Fasting (Sawm) is one of the five pillars of Islam and was the month in which the Holy Qur’an was revealed over 1400 years ago. Its purpose is to provide an opportunity for Muslims to increase their spirituality, selfdiscipline and compassion towards others. Fasting at face value means not consuming food or drink during daylight hours (for each day of the month of Ramadan) though its spiritual side carries much more importance. Muslims are expected to fast between dawn (about an hour and a half before sunrise) and sunset. Healthy eating tips during Ramadan Avoid: • Fried and fatty foods. These can upset your stomach and give you indigestion and heartburn • Foods containing too much sugar, especially just before you close your fast. These can cause your blood sugar levels to drop too quickly and can cause headaches, dizziness and tiredness • Over eating at suhoor (pre dawn meal). This can lead to indigestion, heartburn and constipation • Drinking too much tea at pre dawn meal: Tea makes you pass more urine taking with it valuable mineral salts that your body will need during the day Do eat: • Slow digesting foods at
the pre dawn meal. These last longer in the body thus making you feel less hungry • Dates are an excellent source of sugar, fibre, carbohydrates, potassium and magnesium • Almonds are rich in protein and fibre with less fat • Bananas are a good source of potassium, magnesium and carbohydrates • Watermelons are excellent for instantly hydrating the body Drink: • As much water or healthy juices as possible between Iftar (breaking of the fast) and Suhoor (pre dawn meal) so that your body can adjust fluid levels in time • Try carrying a water bottle around with you or have one in your bedroom so that you can continually sip and keep hydrated between the hours from dusk until dawn Look out for many local venues that will be hosting free Iftar dinners / meals throughout the month of Ramadan. Dates and times to be confirmed. A Leeds GP has put together a short video offering advice to people with Type 2 diabetes who are gearing up for Ramadan. Dr Mohammed (Mo) Sattar, a GP at Woodhouse Medical Practice, has been working with Leeds GP Confederation to run a series of events helping members of the city’s Muslim community understand how they can fast safely while living with Type 2 diabetes. Now the GP has put together a short information film to help people through period of fasting during the Islamic holy
Dr Mohammed Sattar with Zobi Barok from Feel Good Factor
month of Ramadan which can be found on YouTube. Type 2 diabetes occurs when a person’s blood sugar is too high because their body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or their cells don’t react to insulin. It is a leading cause of preventable sight loss and amputation and a major contributor to kidney failure, heart attack, and stroke. 90% of adults with diabetes have this type but it can often be prevented. Dr Mohammed Sattar said: “Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith. While people who have an illness or an existing medical condition aren’t expected to fast, there are many who choose to do so. So it’s important that if you have Type 2 diabetes you know the risks and how you can manage them. Some of the things people can do to protect their health includes eating the right foods – such as fruit and vegetables and avoid only eating sweet or fatty foods – and checking your blood sugar levels more regularly than you would normally.” Leisa Batkin, Locality Development facilitator (Cardiovascular Disease) for Leeds GP Confederation, commented: “We’re committed to helping support all those who will be observing their fasts during Ramadan. It’s important that not only do we support those with Type 2 diabetes but also anyone who may have a longterm condition. We’re encouraging people to speak to a healthcare professional ahead of keeping your fasts.”
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May 2019 | South Leeds Life
School Life 11
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Dan is determined to beat cancer I
by Jeremy Morton
f you are looking for a definition of resilience you could do a lot worse that take a look at Cockburn student Daniel Morton. Having gone through brain surgery four times in the last five years, he has more than earned his nickname ‘Determined Dan’. “I’m determined to fight cancer and I’m determined to help other people going through similar situations” he said. Daniel’s mother Toni Pearce talks me through the “emotional rollercoaster” of the onset of the disease, dismissed as a virus until a CT scan showed a golf ball size tumour on Daniel’s brain. Then the different diagnoses as doctors disagreed about how aggressive the cancer was. Is it grade 1 or grade 4 – terminal? Just two months ago, having analysed the four tumours, they now agree that it is mostly low grade, but has high grade features. The treatment has not been without side effects and Daniel has lost some motor function on his right side. Although right
Daniel Morton, with his mother Toni Pearce, meeting the Countess of Wessex at the opening of the Children’s Cardiac Hybrid Theatre an 3TMRI facility at Leeds Children’s Hospital in March this year handed, Daniel’s reaction was to teach himself to write and draw with his left hand. “Of course the cancer has been tough on Dan, but it also affects the whole family.” Toni explained. That’s why the family decided to fundraise, not just for equipment at LGI’s Ward 52 where Daniel has been treated, but for wider support for
patients’ families. As big Rugby League fans, their first fundraising challenge was a trek across the north of England visiting ten Super League grounds from Wigan to Hull Kingston Rovers. The walk took place at the beginning of April starting the night before with a bucket collection at Leeds Rhinos home game and finishing with another as the
Rhinos faced Hull KR. “We received fantastic support from all the clubs” said Toni “making sure there were players and officials to greet us as we arrived.” A core group of seven family and friends completed the walk. Daniel himself completed over 50 miles despite having had his most recent operation just five months ago.
Having set a target of £12,500, they have raised over £15,000 so far. “We want to give back. We were supported as a family when this started. The community raised money to send us on a ‘holiday of a lifetime’ to Florida. We want to support other families and the fantastic NHS who have cared for Daniel so brilliantly. Keeping busy also stops me thinking about what might have been.” Apart from missing time in school, Daniel struggles with some lessons, as his concentration and short term memory have been affected by the treatment, but he’s learning ways to improve that. “The school’s been absolutely fantastic where support’s concerned. Literally anything we’ve needed they’ve been on board with it. They’ve shown such great support to Daniel.” Cockburn School is also supporting the fundraising effort. The Kyle Asquith Foundation has agreed to donate, Tracy Asquith commenting: “I could not think of a better cause. Daniel is such a brave young man to help others whilst
dealing with his own illness. I congratulate Daniel for his good work and bravery.” David Gurney, Executive Headteacher of Cockburn MAT said “The trustees of the Kyle Asquith Foundation have agreed to donate £1251 which would be £1 for every child in school and £1 from Kyle. Thereafter, in school we will run a campaign to match the same amount at least. We are extremely proud of Daniel who is so resilient and aspirational a true model of the school values.” “I just want to say a great big thank you to everyone who has supported us.” What’s next? Plans are already in train for a fundraising dinner at Headingley stadium on 1 November. This will be followed by a 500 mile cycle challenge around the west coast of Scotland next year. They are also talking to Leeds Corinthians about running a festival. Determination is clearly a quality that runs right through the family. If you would like to donate please go to www.justgiving.com and search for Determined Dan.
Hunslet primary school Clean Air campaigners’ labelled “Inadequate” plants for classrooms A
South Leeds primary school has been shocked by a damning report from Ofsted, which gave the school the lowest rating of “Inadequate”. Hunslet St Mary’s Primary School was inspected over three days in December and January but the report was only published yesterday (24 April 2019). Inspectors found the leadership, teaching and pupils progress to be “Inadequate”, pupils’ behaviour “Requiring Improvement”, however, Early Years provision (Reception) was rated as “Good”. The Headteacher Mark Ford has hit back in a statement on the school’s website saying: “Our entire staff team and governing body are bitterly disappointed by the outcome and we continue to pursue a complaint with Ofsted regarding the conduct and process of both inspection visits.” Amongst their findings, the
Ofsted Inspectors wrote that: “Standards are exceptionally low because of the slow progress made by too many pupils, especially in learning to
read. Too few pupils leave Year 6 sufficiently well prepared for secondary school each year.” On a more positive note the Inspectors also commented that: “Children get off to a good start in early years. Effective teaching helps them to make good progress.” And “The majority of pupils behave well and exhibit good manners.” Against this the school said: “There are … many elements in the report that we feel do not
fairly describe our school community.” “We are extremely proud of our children and are all determined and committed to getting back on track. We have already taken steps, with the support of the local authority and Diocese of Leeds, to improve the quality of teaching and learning in school and will continue to work hard to ensure that all our pupils receive the best possible education and are supported to achieve their full potential.” At Hunslet St Mary’s previous Ofsted inspection in November 2013 the school was rated “Good”. A Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) Report in 2017 also rated the school as “Good.” A meeting has been organised for Thursday 2 May 2019 at 6pm, where parents will be able to put their questions to representatives from the governing body, the local authority and diocese.
M
embers of the South Leeds Alliance for Clean Air got their ‘Plants For The People’ campaign off the ground at Lane End Primary School last month. The campaigners are looking for ways to improve air quality in the area in the light of the Council’s decision to exclude South Leeds from the city’s Clean Air Zone. One initiative is to distribute plants that are particularly effective in Katrine Bay Madsen & Ed Carlisle deliver plants to Lane End Primary taking in carbon dioxide and big project for our communities fantastic way to promote this pollutants, whilst emitting here in south Leeds. If people message in our classrooms." As well as the plants project, oxygen. They aim to get air- want to get involved, please get the group are also looking at cleansing plants into every in touch." Liz Miles, Science Lead other activities including classroom, in every school, Teacher at Lane End said: conducting independent across south Leeds. "The children and staff are citizen-led air monitoring; Ed Carlisle commented: "It was great to be in Lane thrilled to be part of the project pushing for green walls on the End today - the youngsters were bringing clean air plants in to sides of the M621; planting trees; and carrying out so engaged with this and the classroom. “We are committed to community outreach. similar issues. There's much “There are a wide range of us more to do, with both this developing responsible ecoscheme and other elements of citizens of the future, educating working on this project,” added our clean air campaign - but children in ways to look after Katrine Bay Masden “but more this is hopefully the start of a our planet. This project is a help is always welcome.”
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South Leeds Life | May 2019
12 School Life
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
Cottingley Primary Academy celebrates first ever “Good” Ofsted
C
ottingley Primary Academy is celebrating its first ever “Good” Ofsted rating in the history of the school. Part of AET, the largest academy trust in the country, Cottingley was previously rated as “requires improvement” by Ofsted inspectors when they last visited in 2016, and in their whole history, the school has never been rated as “Good”. Under the “tenacious” leadership of Mrs Kelly Bentley, Cottingley has seen radical improvement across a range of areas. In their report, Ofsted highlight: • Pupil performance is good and improving, with standards in reading, writing and maths all having increased. In 2018, pupils’ performance in the key stage 2 statutory tests was above national averages in reading, writing and mathematics at the expected standard. • The teaching of reading is good, and pupils read with enjoyment, expression and fluency. Pupils have engaged positively with the ‘Resilient
Reader’ programme and this is helping to develop and hone their comprehension skills. • Older pupils read regularly and review what they have read. • There have also been improvements in the teaching of writing. Pupils enjoy writing, which is evident from their use of language in their written work. • The whole school approach to maths, together with good quality teaching, have ensured that pupils are able to use and apply basic mathematical skills. • Behaviour is good, with pupils behaving well around school and in class. Pupils are proud of their school – they are polite, well-mannered and confident to engage in conversation. • Inspectors also commend the support and professional development provided by AET, and praise Cottingley’s partnership working with other AET schools, which has helped improve the quality of teaching and learning. Julian Drinkall, Chief Executive of AET said: “We are all incredibly
proud of the fantastic work that Kelly and her team have led at Cottingley, and today’s report shows just how far the academy has come in a short space of time. Cottingley is now becoming the school of choice for local families. “At AET we are committed to ensuring all of our schools provide an education that equips children to go on to lead remarkable lives – today’s report shows that vision is becoming a reality at Cottingley. Huge congratulations to the whole team!” Mrs Kelly Bentley said: “The outcome of the inspection is testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff team, pupils and community of Cottingley. I am delighted that their efforts have been acknowledged and am excited by the journey of further improvement that lies ahead of us. “We are so proud and will continue, as part of AET, to inspire every child to seek the remarkable life that they deserve.”
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Hugh Gaitskell sh its artistic Egg-ce
Hugh Gaitskell Primary School held a school wide arts and crafts competition for Easter. Partners and neighbours D prizes. The judging had be completed over three sessions due to the number of entries and there was even an ext spirit with a wonderful Easter Bonnet. Entries ranged the traditional to Freggie Mercury & Queen and political sat
May 2019 | South Leeds Life
hows ellence
School Life 13
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Cockburn John Charles students are on the right tracks
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Winners: L-R Dylan Childs, George Davies and Rhys Nunns
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DePuy Synthes donated 80 Easter Egg ra prize for a teacher who joined in the tire in the form of Br’egg’xit.
ear 7 students from Cockburn John Charles Academy were invited to participate in a STEM opportunity provided by LNER. The project involved designing a station of the future, taking into account information they have learnt about the future developments of the rail industry. The students were competing against representatives from other schools and academies with a group from CJCA emerging as the overall winners. The winning group each received certificates and First Class rail travel for their family on the LNER
New Little Library at Greenmount Primary
network. Head of school, Siobhan Roberts said: “This is a fantastic achievement for our students demonstrating their resilience, innovation and confidence to present their project to industry representatives. “We are always keen to nurture the next generation of engineers, scientists and technological entrepreneurs and this achievement bears testament to the increasing opportunities we are able to offer to our students and their families.”
by Emma Healey
upils at Greenmount Primary School, Beeston were excited to receive their new ‘Free Little Library’ this spring. The pupils at Greenmount had a few activities including a Bake Sale to raise money to commission ‘Leeds Free Little Library’ to build a beautiful mountain themed box which was installed on school grounds. Children and parents alike can borrow and share books on a take one, leave one basis. We have recently received a donated box of Roald Dahl books from Pat Benatmane at Hunslet RLFC which our children absolutely love. If anyone in the community would like to donate any spare books to it please feel free to drop them in to the school.
Cockburn School wins national award for performance
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School Governor Role
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ockburn School has been recognised nationally for its excellent results in 2018. Data from the Department for Education and Ofsted was analysed by SSAT, the Schools, Students and Teachers network. Cockburn School was found to be among the best performing secondary schools in the country, receiving an award for being in the top 20% of schools nationally for progress. The SSAT Educational Outcomes database compares all state-funded schools in England and the highest performing schools for a range of key measures are awarded SSAT Educational Outcomes Awards. Cockburn School will be presented with their award during the summer term at a ceremony attended by winners from across the region. Sue Williamson, Chief Executive of SSAT said: “I am delighted that Cockburn School has won an
Beeston Primary School is looking for a coopted Governor to complete the school’s full governing body. Educational Outcomes Awards. “This recognises one important aspect of the school’s work, but at SSAT we believe an outstanding school has deep social justice at the heart of its plan; it subjects that plan to constant challenge and innovation; and it liberates teachers to perform brilliantly in the classroom. “SSAT is pleased to recognise the
quality of leadership and the hard work of all staff to ensure the success of every child. A big thank you and well done to students, parents, staff and governors.” David Gurney, Executive Headteacher of Cockburn Multiacademy Trust said: “It is a great honour to receive national recognition for the progress our students make.”
Applica"ons are welcome from people within the local community, ideally with an interest in Law, Business or Health and Safety. If you would like to apply or find out more, call 0113 271 6978 or email mainoffice@beestonprimary.org
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South Leeds Life | May 2019
14 Opinion
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In our view Brexit affects us all
The uncertainty around what shape the Brexit deal will take, or if it will be done at all affects all of us. But for EU nationals it begs a question about whether to stay in the place they’ve called home for ten, twenty or thirty years. Uprooting your family, especially if it involves school age children or older relatives in care homes is no easy matter. The Government’s Settlement Scheme, now that it has been made free, it to be welcomed. But there is a risk that we sow the seeds of another Windrush scandal unless it is properly advertised to all those who are eligible.
Why bother voting?
This month we have the opportunity to vote as many as three times. We can elect Councillors on 2 May, probably elect MEPs on 23 May and who knows there could even be a General election before the month is out. Some people are saying they’ll never vote again because of the way Brexit has been handled. But our forefathers and foremothers fought long and hard to win the vote and we should think carefully before throwing it away. We urge all our readers, whoever they support, to use their votes in the upcoming elections. After all, if you don’t vote, you can have no complaint about who is elected.
Your letters and comments Middleton Bike Park
It's great that more people are using the park and woods. The conflict between cyclists and other users of the woods is just a few people misbehaving giving everyone a bad name. As a dog walker I'm very aware of where the cycle tracks are and either keep my dogs close to me or put them on a lead especially when crossing tracks as unfortunately some people dont slow or look when the track crosses a path and to be honest the old team track is a no go area on weekends as people cycle down their between sections of track and no everyone keeps a steady pace. Theres also an issue again with a few people using other parts of the woods as a race track, it's fine cycling round these but you really need to watch out for other park users and keep your speed down so we have time to move or call our dogs back or move them to a safe space. The majority of people using the bike track follow the rules but all it takes are one or two causing problems and it will cause bad feelings between the different groups using the area and that applies to everyone, cyclists, dog walkers and horse riders. Elliot Davies Miggy park bike rides. I remember back in the 60s doing this. Ride up Westland road to the entrance by the field at the bottom of Parkside school on the cobbled track. By the 18th tee of the SLgc. Before there put up the barriers it was a simple stream crossing. The short trip was a ride to the “Bomb Holes� and back behind the huge black metal building by the rail tracks. We would climb up the signal post. If we had all day, summer time, we would make a day of it and go to the clearings and ride down to the tram tracks and on down to the bomb
Your Councillors and MP Beeston & Holbeck ward
On the bike trail through Middleton Woods holes. We could usually watch the trains go by as they puffed up the incline at a walking pace. Some days we would pack a lunch and start by the 18th green and go all the way to the bomb holes and Farmer Wards and on to the viaduct. Other days the slag heaps and the lake that used to be where the sports centre is. Although Belle Isle had a bit of a reputation so we were a bit careful on the slag heaps there. I liked the small slag heap that was in Westland Square by the old Pagetts. It overlooked the building and we skied down it on single bits of boards, sort of a primative snowboarding only on a slag heap. It was sort of greasy and you could build up quite some speed before having to jump off at the bottom. There used to be a single beech tree that grew on top in a little depression and one could shelter from the wind in it. This was all done on single speed bikes from the 50s and 60s. No multi speeds or fat tires. But what innocent times they were, post war decency, never a weird moment. Steve Thompson. Ex Westland Road, now California.
Includes Beeston from Cross Flatts Park up to the Co-op, Cottingley, old Holbeck. The three councillors are:
Gohar Almass 07445 878 333 gohar.almass@leeds.gov.uk Angela Gabriel 07946 632 468 angela.gabriel@leeds.gov.uk Andrew Scopes 07860 400 645 andrew.scopes@leeds.gov.uk
Hunslet & Riverside ward Includes the city centre, Beeston Hill and Hunslet. The three councillors are:
Mohammed Iqbal 0113 226 8796 mohammed.iqbal@leeds.gov.uk Elizabeth Nash 0113 275 8594 elizabeth.nash@leeds.gov.uk Paul Wray 07528 512 649 paul.wray@leeds.gov.uk
Middleton Park ward Includes Belle Isle and Middleton. The three councillors are:
Judith Blake Kim Groves Paul Truswell
0113 378 9000 judith.blake@leeds.gov.uk 07891 741 832 kim.groves@leeds.gov.uk 0113 378 8811 paul.truswell@leeds.gov.uk
Leeds Central MP – Rt Hon Hilary Benn Hilary Benn is our MP. He represents the Leeds Central constituency which covers Hunslet, Middleton, Belle Isle, Beeston, Holbeck, Cottingley in south Leeds as well as the city centre, Hyde Park, Woodhouse, Little London, Lincoln Green, Burmantofts, Richmond Hill and Osmondthorpe.
Contact: hilary.benn.mp@parliament.uk, www.hilarybennmp.com Constituency office: Suite 7, Unity Business Centre, 26 Roundhay Road, Leeds LS7 1AB; phone: 0113 244 1097
Beeston Snooker Hall Thank god, what the council don’t know is they have been getting their water from the local shop and asking for buckets of water in the pub so what is the sanitary situation in there? And they have a cafe, my god. On top of that how long were the police guarding the place while it was being altered and the council didn’t notice. These people think they can do what they want and if challenged pull the race card every time. Close the place for good. Andy Summerscales Here we go again ‌ same ignorance that just doesn’t want any change. It’s hilarious that people forget that this was a mill! Rather than have it used for a decent recreational facility, let’s just keep it as a derelict eye sore! To be honest, I’m sure race does play a part in it ‌ but more than that, it’s just resistance to change. Susan Briggs
Hunslet church I was born within 75 yards of the old church, was christened and married there. I also attended Hunslet nash (national) school next to the church both now demolished, such a pity. Tony Britton
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Top Tweets Keep up to date, up to the minute, by following South Leeds Life’s Twitter feed: @SouthLeedsLife. Twitter is the 140 character ‘micro blogging’ site. It’s free and you can sign up at twitter.com. It’s a great place to find the very latest news. Here are some of our favourite recent tweets: @SouthLeedsSpart Now the good weather is bringing more dog walkers out let's get the word out for all sports using pitches. Credit to which ever club made this banner it's a belter! Nobody wants players getting nasty skin infections #pickitup .
Middleton Park playground Absolutely fantastic news, I can’t wait to take my kids to the new park! Jolie Loveley It’s lovely idea, but then in the long run it will get vandalized so spending all that money to see people destroy it and be left is not a good idea. Maybe a small soft play area would be better and safer and at least be locked on a night. Julie What about the pond? Loads of us fish it, even the kids during school holidays. You lot can find money for everything else but not the pond. Colleen Light Geez! Some people are so negative and ungrateful. Well done to FOMP for their tireless work to improve the park and for all the events you put on for the community. You can’t please all of the people all of the time, but it’s a massive leap in the right direction. I do hope the idiot few won’t spoil it for the many. Maybe a lockable surround fence isn’t a bad idea. Claire L
@LeedsDock Come and earn your #CanoeClub badge this Thursday on #LeedsDock đ&#x;›ś Totally free and no sign up required - running at 11am, 12pm and 1pm from the Water Taxi pick up point! @WYP_RPU Ring Road Beeston, Leeds yesterday. If you already have 6 points then don't pick up your phone while driving. Driver now awaits court and potential disqualification. @KidzKlubLeeds @SlungLow well you guys are just fabulous-heroes! @slunglowalan thank you so much for the time you gave us this afternoon. Genuinely can’t wait to start our Hub Klub in Holbeck
WW1 Plaque It is likely this came from the Beeston Hill Free Church (Malvern Road) which was demolished to be replaced by new building some years ago. The reference in the article to it coming from a church which has been closed for some time, but I believe that refers to Wesley Street up the hill in Beeston. Ian Waterhouse
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.
@rachalate Great day at #HunsletRemembered with our session themed around the 100th Anniversary of @LUFC Exploring our archive collections, sharing stories of those “rowdyâ€? matches and the Revie years! The group also battled in a penalty shoot out! @DAZL_Leeds The DAZL after school club from @HunsMoorPrimary performed in this weeks assembly for the whole of ks2, welldone to everyone from years 2 to 6 who performed, were very proud of you!! đ&#x;’ƒđ&#x;’ƒ
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May 2019 | South Leeds Life
Arts 15
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On The Corner with BasementArtsProject
The Corner: Dewsbury Road
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by Bruce Davies
uite often it takes a long time before artworks are recognised for what they are, especially in the realm of public sculpture. In 1962 Henry Moore donated his monumental bronze sculpture ‘Draped Seated Woman’ (1957), affectionately known as ‘Old Flo’, to the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. In 2015 there was an outcry from the community at the attempts of the town council to sell the sculpture. Back in 1982 the opinion of Moore’s ‘Reclining Woman (Elbow)’ (1981) were less than complimentary when installed
outside Leeds Art Gallery; yet a family home, a small through sculpture project for Beestonas when it was sent to the terrace, in South Leeds. well as two associated Rijksmuseum for a year in Over the years exhibitions for the summer 2013 there was a much BasementArtsProject has months. The focus of this different response as many become the cornerstone and project we hope will be the were desperate to find out if foundation of an expanding corner of Dewsbury and and when it was coming back. artistic practice that thrives Tunstall Road. Two sites, two Taken alongside the tale of through its interactions with large scale permanent stone Anthony Gormley’s unrealised artists and the public alike. sculptures and betwixt these Brick Man sculpture for In the summer of 2019 points two visual art exhibitions Holbeck, which never got BasementArtsProject intends at BasementArtsProject. beyond the maquette stage to take its desire to create So far, support for On The and can still be Corner has been viewed at Leeds The corner was our Rock of Gibraltar, our Stonehenge given by the Our Taj Mahal, our monument Art Gallery, the Henry Moore relationship Foundation, Our testimonial to freedom, to peace, and to love between Leeds Art Fund Down on the corner communities and Index (The and public art is Yorkshire Common & The Last Poets (Oyewole/ West/Moore/Lynn/Hassan) an interesting Sculpture one which often cannot be interest in the subject of art, International 2019 predicted. and the often mysterious collaborative bid). The For eight years now means of its production, out Yorkshire Sculpture BasementArtsProject of into the open. Anyone looking International is a project Beeston, have provided a busy for the subject of art in South involving Leeds’ Henry Moore programme of exhibitions and Leeds on social media recently Institute and Leeds Art Gallery, events that have looked at may have come across the and Wakefield’s Yorkshire many facets of artistic hashtag #onthecornerbeeston Sculpture Park and The expression and practice. accompanied by the names of Hepworth. It will take place One of the most unusual Keith Ackerman, Phill Hopkins, between 21 June and 29 aspects of Dominic Hopkinson, Jadene September 2019. BasementArtsProject is the fact Imbusch and Thanks also go to Beeston in that it is a completely public BasementArtsProject. Bloom and Cllr Paul Wray who arts organisation, yet run out of On The Corner is a public has helped us acquire the
Sizing up stone with Keith Ackerman planter next to St Lukes Cares, subject to planning permission, and is currently working on the other piece of land that we intend to beautify as part of ‘On The Corner’. This Beeston junction is the
M621’s gateway to the city of Leeds from Wakefield and the South, and it is our intention to create our own monument with some of the international talent that resides and works within the Leeds community.
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South Leeds Life | May 2019
16 Local history
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Ex Hunslet player Dennis Tate dies
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Archaeologists uncover the crucible of the Industrial Revolution I
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by Albert Jones
e are sad to announce that Dennis Tate passed away, aged 85, on Tuesday 2 April in his sleep at Wheatfield Hospice. Dennis was born in Hunslet and played for Hunslet Juniors before getting into the first team where he played over 100 matches before being transferred to Bradford Northern. Dennis’s career at spanned between the 1950s and 1960s. He was a quality half back and was very much under rated. At the age of 18 he relinquished his amateur
status signing for Hunslet RLFC in May 1953 for a fee of £250. He made his 1st team debut on the 29th August 1954 at Parkside against Widnes. In total Dennis played 119 first team games before been transferred to Bradford Northern in January 1962 for a fee of £1,750. Dennis was on the front cover of the Parksider Programme for a number of seasons going over for a try. Dennis was married to Gladys for over 60 years and leaves a daughter Julie, a son Mathew and five grandchildren. Dennis will be missed by all that knew him.
Beeston Roll of Honour in Somme museum task of finding out what our players did in the war and it had he weather was cold, wet, caught my imagination. Some driving wind: how did the of the records I couldn’t find – young men survive the for example Fred Smith is not trenches, let alone the bullets an easy name to pinpoint exactly in hundreds of war and artillery? I was on a WW1 Battlefields records, nor is anyone from Tour and I could get back on a Wales called Jones. Some of warm, dry coach after half an the records were lost in the Second World War when the hour: the soldiers could not. I was making a mini- building was bombed. Still I had pilgrimage to find Hunslet found enough to make the trip Rugby League players’ names compelling. Of course not all the Hunslet on memorials. I’d been set the
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by Pat Benatmane
f you’ve been along Water Lane in Holbeck recently you will have seen the earth movers and other machines preparing sites for new building. But did you know that they are also uncovering Holbeck’s industrial heritage? Whilst much of the history of this area was known before the diggers arrived, archaeologists have taken the opportunity to examine the site. They have uncovered artefacts including pottery, metal, animal bones, items of dress, leather from women’s shoes and personal items such as a teaspoon and a toothbrush. Writer Jon Howe is chronicling the transformation of this part of Holbeck in a fascinating blog called A Leeds Revolution. John Marshall is a central figure in the development of Holbeck and the Industrial Revolution more widely. A street is named after him and two of his mill buildings still stand on it. But did you know that the building we know as Marshall’s Mill he knew as Mills C, D and E. Which begs the question – what happened to Mills A and B? Marshall’s first mill, Mill A, was built in 1791 on land between the Hol Beck and the newly completed Leeds & Liverpool canal. This mill was highly productive and started Marshall’s fortune, but the
speed of industrial development was so fast that he soon outgrew it. Just 26 years later he had left behind both Mill A and Mill B to build Marshall’s Mill and would go on to build the famous Temple Works a further 24 years later.
Mills A and B were demolished soon after and have been covered by a hotchpotch of evolving industrial buildings ever since. There’s much more detail in Jon article, and if you’re interested in this period of
history, I urge you to read the full article on his blog here: www.aleedsrevolution.co.uk Jon’s also written about the people of Holbeck, past and present and the issues facing the regeneration of the whole area.
players had served in Europe. Billy Eagers had joined the Legion of Frontiersmen and gone off to Africa. Others connected with the club had important war work in the UK – making uniforms, mining coal, working on the railways. Our trip took us to all the big memorials. We saw the Last Post, played by the local Fire Brigade at the Menin Gate. It was there that I found the commemoration of two Hunslet players, Mark Kay, who’d died at Ypres with the Cameron Highlanders, and William Dobson, killed in action also at Ypres, with the West Yorkshires. At the Thiepval memorial, I found Thomas Henry Tillotson, killed on the Somme with the Coldstream Guards. There’s a new museum at Thiepval, full of poignant artefacts from soldiers’ kit
including their tins of Oxo cubes, weaponry and stark photographs. In one room, there’s a surprising exhibit which I hope readers can tell me more
about. It’s the war memorial wooden board from inside Beeston Hill Wesleyan church. Why it is there, I don’t know. When was it gifted to the museum? Why isn’t it in Leeds
Museum? Are any relatives of the soldiers left in Leeds? I know the Church has been empty for some time, but to give up its Roll of Honour seems strange.
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by Abbie Randall
here were plenty of tired feet following the South Leeds Hiking Group trip to Malham in the Yorkshire Dales on 13 April, hiking via the Janet’s Foss Waterfall and Gordale Scar. The group included a number of local youngsters who bravely tackled the climb up the Gordale Scar waterfall! The group had a magical time descending via the limestone paving at Malham Cove which was used in one of the Harry Potter movies – we will leave it up to you to spot which one. Ian Swithenbank and John McKee organised and led the hike and will post information about any future hikes on the Facebook Group ‘Leeds South Hiking Group’. The next planned trip is to the Lake District on Saturday 18 May to tackle the ‘Fairfield Horseshoe’. There are two further trips to the Lake District planned for Sunday 23 June and Sunday 7 July plus one to Snowdonia in wales on Sunday 20 July. Everyone is encouraged to come along just make sure you have a good solid pair of hiking boots!
Time to enjoy the view from the top
What’s On 17
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Making strides in Malham T
May 2019 | South Leeds Life
Free exercise for new and expecting mothers B
umps and Buggy Fit, the outdoor fitness class for pregnant women and new mothers with their babies returns to three parks in South Leeds thanks to support from Leeds Let’s Get Active. The free classes incorporate a walk in the park with basic fitness exercises. They will take place on Holbeck Moor on Mondays, in Middleton Park on a Tuesday in Cross Flatts Park on a Thursday and – the latter two sessions incorporate a visit to the park café. The classes are run by Sharon Wilkinson and Shelly Madden, specialist midwives and fitness instructors who developed antenatal exercise classes for Leeds Hospital Trust, before setting up their own not-for-profit company, Bumps and Babes. Alongside the exercise they are able to offer health tips around pregnancy and new borns, but perhaps most
Exercise and meet other mums in the park importantly the sessions bring women together who can then form their own friendships and support networks. Holbeck Moor Every Monday from 15 April 11:30am-12:30pm meet at the Skate Park. Middleton Park Every Tuesday from 16 April 1:30-2:30pm. Meet at the
Leeds Urban Bike Park. Cross Flatts Park Every Thursday from 18 April 1-2pm. Meet at the Bridge Café in the Watsonian Pavilion in Cross Flatts Park. To book your place ring Sharon on 07905 143835; or Shelley on 07950 401713; or email: bumpsandbabes @hotmail.co.uk
Want to start a brand new career? T The group tackle Gordale Scar
hink Employment have six fully funded training courses for you to chose from in May. The training provider have helped more than 4,000 people upskill and enhance their job prospects in the last 12 months. Every month, they run various training programmes that provide people with an introduction to what working in specific sectors would be like. On top of this, the courses also equip people with practical skills and nationally-recognised qualifications that boost people’s CVs. What’s more, the government cover the cost of the training for jobseekers and
people who earn less than £15,736 a year! Beginning on Tuesday 7 May is a course called Employment Pathways that gives people budgeting and money management skills as well the chance to choose from the likes of a CSCS Card, Sage Bookkeeping, Digital Tachograph and many more to assist with their job search. The same week, they are also running a Hospitality course for those who want to find work as a Waiter, Bartender or Event staff. On Monday 13 May, the Business Administration course teaches people about general administrative duties such as
how to use electronic filing systems and dealing with confidential data. Also happening that week is a Warehousing and Storage course. Then on Monday 20 May, Customer Service Plus training will give people important communication and sales skills. While in another training room is a Retail course that’s been specifically designed to give people knowledge of the sector. Think Employment is based at St David’s Court, Holbeck. For more information visit thinkemployment.com, call (0113) 880 0626 or find them on Facebook.
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South Leeds Life | May 2019
18 What’s On IN BRIEF Car Boot Sales at Sharp Lane Sharp Lane Primary School has restarted its monthly car boot sale now we have moved into Spring. The first events, have been great successes and will be repeated on the last Saturday of the month through to July. The sales run from 8am-12pm and pitches cost just £5. All proceeds go to school funds.To book for the next car boot sale on Saturday 25 May please ring Jane Friend on 07818 615871.
The first rule of Code Club ... Start your coding adventure here! Discover easy to follow projects which will help you learn a variety of coding languages by making games, robots, animations and websites in a supportive environment. Code Club is a global network for families. Leeds Libraries Code Clubs are suitable for children aged 7-13. Code Club runs on alternate Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30pm at Dewsbury Road Community Hub in Beeston. Sessions on Wednesday 8 and 22 May.
Family Art Workshops & Tiny Tetley The Tetley, Hunslet’s own art gallery, runs regular Family Art Workshops. Sessions have a different theme, tying in with current exhibitions taking place in the gallery. At the next workshop, on Saturday 4 May, you can creating a personalised poster or postcard that tells people all about your Leeds. Open to all but perfect for ages 5-11. Drop-in anytime between 11am– 3pm. Bring the little ones along to join in creative and messy play. Tiny Tetley workshops take place on the fourth Wednesday of each month and are led by artists with great skills for children aged one to five.
Activity Camp at The Hunslet Club As usual, The Hunslet Club witll be running their popular Activity Camp through the half term holiday. Activities for boys and girls in Key Stage 1 and above include football, crafts, baking, movies and dance. The Camp runs Tuesday to Friday 28-31 May from 8:45am-3pm. Sessions cost £4 per half day if booked in advance. Email: dhall@hunsletclub.org.uk or call the club on (0113) 271 6489.
Free play activities Once again the Friends of Middleton Park have organised free play activities in the park during the school holiday. The sessions take place on Tuesday and Wednesday 28 & 29 May, 1-3pm at the Visitor Centre by the lake. No need to book, just turn up.
Battle of the Bands Slung Low have organised a Battle Of The Bands night to celebrate local musical talent in South Leeds. You are invited to experience the talent that lies within this community with a variety of music styles, share some food and enjoy a drink with family and friends whilst enjoying music from 5 local artists. Friday 17 May, 7-10pm.
Free Legal Advice Norton Connor Solicitors are providing free family law advice at a monthly legal surgery at Dewsbury Road Community Hub in Beeston. They can help with issues such as divorce, children, pre-nuptial agreements, probate and wills, co-habitation, financial settlements, domestic violence or debt. Sessions run on the last Friday of the month from 2:30-4:30pm, you can book an appointment at the Hub, or call Akwal at Norton Connor on (0113) 239 0088.
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Adventures in Holbeck S
lung Low’s annual How To ... Festival is an established event on the calendar and this year’s looks set to be bigger and better at their new base - The Holbeck. Sunday 12 May promises to be a day of family-friendly workshop activities and performances to suit all ages. This year’s theme is ‘How To ... Adventure’ From superheroes and storytelling to skateboarding and den building, there’s something for everybody. And it wouldn’t be a How To ... Festival without Manjit’s Kitchen leading an Indian cookery workshop and then providing tea for everyone. As with all Slung Low events it’s pay-what-you-decide, but make sure you book in advance. Join The Den Experiment for a playful and adventurous session of creating your own dens entirely out of re-usable and recyclable materials. Fun for all the family and a lovely activity to do together, den building allows children to learn a broad range of creative, mathematical and teamwork skills through play and exploration. It’s a drop-in session so come along whenever you like between 12 and 4pm. All skateboarders, BMXers, Rollerbladers, Scooterers from beginner to expert are invited to celebrate the skateparks. The skate session takes place on Holbeck Moor. Starting with an inter-sport meet, including p-rail session attempting to play a game of skate between all the sports; lessons in how to nail your first
trick, film viewing inside Slung Low's double-decker bus, where we get to appreciate the skills of all the skatepark users; and then an enmasse ride over to Holbeck Moor to skate, roll and ride together. This activity is for 12 year olds upwards. What makes a superhero? Superheroes normally live in comic books and films but what if they were amongst us every day? What if they already are? Our paramedics, parents and pub
landlords … In this introductory storytelling workshop, we’ll chat about the superheroes in our lives and explore how we tell stories. Then we’ll start the clock and you’ll create a story based on a comic book structure. You can make these scenes by any means possible – drawing, taking photos, or even through Instagram posts – and at the end you’ll have the chance to unleash your stories on the world. At 4pm there is the first of two performances upstairs in the club: Journey To The Impossible is presented by Little Soldier Productions. Jules Verne meets The Goonies via Stranger Things – an 80s sci-fi adventure story for all the family. Did you ever own a Walkman or play Donkey Kong? We made this show for you. We made it for people, like you, who recognise the ‘Pshhhkkkk kkrrrrkakingkakingkakingtshchchc hchchchchcch*ding*ding*ding’ sound of a modem, who were scared watching the Goonies and who, like us, couldn’t tell you the mobile numbers of their nearest
and dearest but would still be able to call their best school-friend’s home number. Ah! And for your children, of course. This show is suitable for 7 year olds and older. Then in the evening at 7pm it’s time for Can You See A Black Hole? by Tom Ryalls (12+). Tom once dreamed of being the first astronaut from Doncaster, he wanted it so much the thought of it burned like a hot star in his head. But, when he was 8 on a campsite near Scarborough that star went supernova and formed a black hole that the astronaut he dreamed of fell in to. Tom doesn’t remember his epileptic seizures so now, over 15 years after his first one, he’s going to try and reconstruct the story of what happened. With the help of his parents he’s going to defy science, reach into a black hole and reclaims the aspirations his epilepsy took from him. With a score created from documentary interviews, music and the only surviving film of one of his seizures, “Can You See into a Black Hole?” is a show about how to achieve the impossible.
Would you like to write for South Leeds Life? We have a growing band of writers, but we’re always looking for new members. We believe everyone has an interesting story to tell and that with a little coaching everyone can write. So if you have something to tell to other people in South Leeds, or you would like to become a volunteer community journalist - please get in touch. We will be starting meetings for writers, to offer guidance, share tips and solve problems - watch out for details. Contact the Editor, Jeremy Morton, on 07894 583966 or email: info@southleedslife.com
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What’s On 19
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Bluebell Walks launch summer park events F
riends of Middleton Park launch their summer season of events with escorted walks through the bluebell woods on Sunday 5 and Bank Holiday Monday 6 May. The Friends have teamed up with Middleton Railway and will greet passengers arriving at Park Halt on the 11am, 1pm and 2:40pm trains. You can then enjoy a guided stroll to the Visitor Centre through the splendour that is the carpet of Bluebells in Middleton woods. The walk will take aproximately 30 to 40 minutes, and is up hill and could be on unsurfaced paths. Refreshments will be available at the Visitor Centre and on Sunday you can enjoy the music of the Chris White Jazz Trio between 2-4pm. For those that want to explore further, there are many alterative walks round the woods that can be taken back to the Park Halt station. Or you can return via a direct road that takes about 10 to 15 minutes. You don’t have to travel by train to join the walk, you can make your own way to Park Halt station, which is close to the John Charles Centre for Sport. The walks will set off at approximately 11:10am, 1:10pm and 2:50pm.
Events will continue on most Sundays throughout the summer right up to the end of September. May continues with a guided walk around the park on
place on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 May 11am-4pm. On Tuesday 28 May there will be a ‘request walk’ in the evening, 6:30-8pm. Come along to the Visitor Centre and
Take a guided walk through the Bluebell woods in Middleton Park Sunday 19 May. The walk will set off from the Visitor Centre at 1:30pm and last about two hours, visiting the outskirts of the park. It’s a chance to take in views over Leeds, and learn some of the park’s history. Then on the Bank Holiday weekend the Northern Kite Group return to The Clearings to stage the Kite Festival. It’s always a spectacular display of some of the biggest kites in the world and takes
request a walk about an aspect of the history of the park, or a walk to look at something specific. Or just come along for a pleasant evening walk. A local guide will lead a walk that attempts to meet requests. It could be muddy under foot, so wear boots or walking shoes and suitable clothing. June highlights include Children’s Magic and Mayhem on Sunday 16 June 12-4pm; and the People’s Picnic on
Sunday 30 June 1-4:30pm. Bring a picnic and enjoy the music of Grange Moor Brass Band. July kicks off with the return of Oddsocks Theatre on the evening of Tuesday 2 July. This year they bring their pantomime twist to Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The free event is guaranteed family fun and goes ahead come rain or shine, so come prepared! 7-9:30pm. The Rock and Folk Music Festival takes place on Sunday 22 July from 12-4pm. It showcases local talent and is run in partnership with Leeds Music Trust. August sees the Middleton Park Dog Show on Sunday 25 August It’s billed as “A fun day for local dogs and their humans.” The season rounds off with the Great Middleton Park Show on Sunday 8 September and brass band music from The Friendly Band on Sunday 29 September Check our listings page for details of every event. All these events are put on by volunteers. If you would you like to help on a Sunday afternoon, join a working party or become a member of the Friends, please call 07914 729051 or connect online.
Remembering Hunslet H
unslet Remembered is a great reminiscence group run in partnership with Leeds Libraries and South Leeds Live at Home. With a different theme or speaker each month there’s lots of memory sharing, learning and laughing. The group told us what they had been doing over the last year. This year the group have tried lots of new things whilst exploring themes of old Hunslet… We’ve had a visit from Mick Ward sharing memories of his grandfather, V.C of Hunslet We’ve used digital technology and Augmented Reality to bring old maps of Hunslet to life. The group have learnt new digital skills and really enjoyed exploring our Leodis collections for photos of where they grew up, went to school and their childhood days. We decided earlier last year whilst chatting to Leeds
May 2019 | South Leeds Life
Museums that it would be great to put together an exhibition with all of the group’s memories and photographs. We put this together and launched it at Hunslet library in June 2018. The exhibition will return on the opening of the new hub this year. In July 2018 we planned a Digital Memory Walk around Hunslet for the group. Using Augmented Reality the group could use iPads to see images from our collections whilst around Hunslet. Looking at what the areas used to look like compared to present day. The group thoroughly enjoyed the walk, it was good for their health, a lovely sunny day and sparked so many memories. Les and Pat remembered a Sweet Shop they used to own on Moor Road, and Dennis remembered going to the dentist on Balm Road. Their confidence has grown in using the iPads and developing their
digital skills, and some regularly use Leodis now which is great, adding their own comments. We have an annual visit from Leeds Museums. To commemorate 100 years since the First World War the group created leaves to add to a big wreath which was displayed at City Museum in October. We enjoy a crafting activity over a cup of tea, and it gives great opportunity for informal chat and storytelling. We finished the year with a special Christmas party and invited children from Hunslet Carr school. The children brought questions for the group: What was it like going to school at Hunslet Carr 70 years ago? and what did you get from Father Christmas when you were 9? They shared buffet food and cheese strings which the group thought were great. The group still gains new
Discussing a Hunslet hero members, and the regulars really look forward to meeting each month, we always have local history books in the sessions. This year will bring another AR Digital Memory walk and more exciting themes and activities with the group. The group meet on the last Thursday of the month from 10am-12pm. They are currently meeting at Woodhouse Hill Community Centre whilst Hunslet Library transforms into a Community Hub.
Spring activities at Skelton Grange
Make your own hare from willow
B
udding sculptors can join two workshops down at Skelton Grange Environment Centre in Stourton this month. On Friday 17 May Master Willow Weaver Phil Bradley will lead a Willow Hare sculpture workshop from 10am-4pm. During the day you will learn to create a willow sculpture of your own and all materials and tools will be provided. Then on Saturday 18 May you can make your own small wire bird. This workshop is led by Chris Moss. If you have a love of words, don’t miss Lost Words on Monday 20 May. Jon Cree will be looking at the words that describe the natural world and that are sadly disappearing from the language. This will be
a day of sketching, creative writing and oral word-smithing. For the youngsters, there are two Bushcraft Days on Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 May during half term week. The days, for 8-13 year olds feature such activities as shelter building, fire lighting, campfire cooking and field games. Finally, the centre holds a Nature Activity Day for families and childminders each month. This is a chance to come and explore the lovely nature area independently, and see how things change throughout the year. The next session is on Monday 13 May For more information and to book for events go to www.tcv.org.uk/skeltongrange
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South Leeds Life | May 2019
20 What’s On
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What’s On Your guide to events and activities across South Leeds in May Please check that regular events are not affected by school holidays, 27-31 May 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 Women & Girls’ Drop In 9:30am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project 43 Stratford Street, Beeston Hobbies2gether craft group 9:30-11:30am St George’s Centre Middleton 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 SLLAH Drop In Coffee morning 10-11am Assissi Place, Belinda Street, Hunslet 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 Breastfeeding Support 10:30am-12pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston Walk and Talk 11am-12pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle SLLAH Mixed Exercise 11:30am-12:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Bumps & Buggy Fit 11:30am-12:30pm Skate Park, Holbeck Moor MEA Lunch Club 11:30am-1pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave SLLAH 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 Learning Disability Advice 1-3pm Connect In The North, Office 42, Sugar Mill Business Park, Oakhurst Road, Beeston Dance 2-3pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Avenue Men’s Boxercise (from 13 May) 2:15-3:15pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston 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 Middleton Community Centre, Acre Road South Leeds Sisters running 6.15pm South Leeds Stadium Coffee & Craft Middleton 6.15-8:30pm St Cross Church,
Acre Road, Middleton St Matthew’s Youth Club 6:30-8:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Girls Group 7-9pm South Leeds Youth Hub, Middleton Road, Belle Isle 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 Yoga 6:30-7:30pm; 7:30-8:30pm St Anthony’s Church Hall, Old Lane, Beeston
Every Tuesday Mums & Tots 9-11am Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle 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 SLLAH Breakfast Buddies 9:30-11:30am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston HEA’s Tea & Toast breakfast 10am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Muslim Pensioners Group 10am-12pm Vale Circles Centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston 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 SLLAH Mixed Exercise 10-11am St Anthony's church hall, Old Lane, Beeston Community Coffee Morning 10-11:30am Beeston Library Knit & Natter 10:30am-12pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre SLLAH Chair Based Exercise 11.30am-12:30pm Cottingley Community Centre MEA Lunch Club 11:30am-1pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave SLLAH Lunch Club 12pm Arthington Court, Hunslet HEA’s Community Lunch 12-1:30pm Afternoon Social 1:45-3pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Lunch Club 12:30pm Salvation Army, Hunslet Hall Road, Beeston Bowling 12:30-4pm Cross Flatts Park Bumps & Buggy Fit 1:30-2:30pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street
Stay & Play 1:30-3pm Building Blocks Nursery, Maud Avenue, Beeston SLLAH Line Dancing 1:30-2:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston SLLAH Social Afternoon 1:30-3pm Arthington Ct, Hunslet HEA Afternoon Social 1:45-3pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck 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 Girls Group 4:30-6:30pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston 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 Hunslet Nelson Rounders Team 6:30pm Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston DAZL DanceFit (women 16+) 6:30-7:30pm Middleton Community Centre, Acre Road 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 Welfare Rights Advice Surgery 9am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Messy Time 9:15-11am Middleton Play & Learning Centre, Throstle Lane Parents and Toddlers 9:15-11:15am Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Get Fit Where You Sit 9:15-10:15 Lane End Primary School, Beeston Road City Tots 9:30-11am City Evangelical Church, Cemetery Road Pop Up Council Services 9:30am-12:30pm Cottingley Towers HEA Tea & Toast Morning 10am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck 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 to Morrisons 10am-1pm Holbeck Elderly Aid, Domestic Street HEA Coffee Morning 10am-12pm Ingram Court, Holbeck 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 2 course Community Lunch 12:15-3pm Ingram Court, Holbeck Grandparents’ Support Group 12:30-2:30pm Tenants Hall Ent. Centre, Acre Close, Middleton Ladies Group 1-3pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Line Dancing 1:45pm Trinity Network, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle At Home In Holbeck 2-3pm Ingram Road Primary School Parnaby Pals Memory Cafe 2-4pm Parnaby Tavern, Middleton Road, Hunslet Carr 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 Free Food for the Homeless 5-8pm Christine’s Cafe, 71 Domestic Street, Holbeck 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 Youth Group 7-9pm South Leeds Youth Hub, Middleton Road, Belle Isle 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 Table Tennis 9:45-11:15am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck 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 Little Explorers Baby Group 10-11:30am Middleton Play & Learning Centre, Throstle Lane Community Craft Cafe 10am-12pm Church of the Nazarene, Hunslet Hall Road Middleton Park Estate Volunteers 10am-3pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre New Lives Group 10-11:30am Cottingley Children’s Centre Storytime (under 5s) 10:15-10:45am St George’s Community Hub, Middleton SLLAH Yoga 10:15-11:15am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Storytime (under 5s) 11-11:30am Dewsbury Road Community Hub, Beeston HEA Line Dancing 11:30am-12:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck MEA Lunch Club 11:30am-1pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave SLLAH Lunch Club 12-1:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Line Dancing 1pm Trinity Network, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle Bumps & Buggy Fit 1-2pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park New Lives Group 1-2:30pm Two Willows Children’s Centre, Cardinal Square Muslim Ladies Group 1-3pm Vale Circles Centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Green Gym 1-4pm Lady Pit Lane Allotments, Linden Avenue, Beeston
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife 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 BAFF Dancercize 1:30-2:30pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street SLLAH 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 HEA Craft Group 1:30-3:30pm Cleveleys Court, Holbeck Vale Circles Autism Hub 2-7pm Vale Circles Centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Footbal sessions 5-8pm Old Cockburn Sports Hall, Primrose Lane, Beeston 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 South Leeds Lakers Juniors running club (8-14) 6-7pm Cockburn School, Gipsy Lane, Beeston General Fitness 6-7pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Hunslet Nelson Rounders Team 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 Group 7-8:30pm Middleton Community Centre, Acre Road Yoga class 7:30-8:30pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street
Every Friday Tea & Toast 9am Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Charity Shop, Tea & Toast 9am-12pm Beeston Hill United Free Church, Malvern Road Welfare Rights Advice Surgery 9am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Breastfeeding Support Group 9:45-11:15am Mothercare cafe, Crown Point Retail Park SLLAH 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 HEA’s Shopping Trip to Morrisons 10am-1pm Holbeck Elderly Aid, Domestic Street
Full details of every event including map and contact details are available at www.southleedslife.com/events
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Email: info@southleedslife.com
Every Friday (cont)
Club, Gipsy Lane, Beeston Kidz ‘n’ Co 10:30am-12:30pm Cottingley Community Centre Yoga 11am-12pm Hillside Enterprise Centre, Beeston Road Middleton Railway 11am-4pm 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
Cuppa, Toast and Games 10am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Computers with Digital Angels 10-11:30am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Middleton Minstrels Women’s Choir 10:30am-12:30pm Tenant Hall, Acre Close, Middleton Dancing In Time 10:30am-12pm St John & St Barnabas Church, Belle Isle Road Breathe Easy gentle exercise 11:30 Parochial Hall, North Lingwell Road, Middleton MEA Lunch Club 11:30am-1pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave SLLAH Luncheon Club 12-1:30pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street HEA’s 2 course Community unch 12-1:30pm 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 SLLAH 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 HEA’s Walking Football 1:30-3pm Holbeck Elderly Aid, Domestic Street HEA’s Afternoon Social 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 5th Middleton Brownies 6-7:30pm United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle 1st Beeston Cub Scouts 6:15-7:45pm St Andrews Community Centre, Cardinal Road Youth Group 7-9pm South Leeds Youth Hub, Middleton Road, Belle Isle 5th Middleton Guides 7:30-9pm United Reformed Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle 1st Beeston Scouts 8-9:30pm St Andrews Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston
Every Saturday Breakfast Club 8:30-11am Vale Circles Centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Cross Flatts parkrun 9am Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park, Beeston 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 Zumba 10-11am Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Hunslet Nelson Rounders Team 10am Hunslet Nelson Cricket
Every Sunday Cross Flatts junior parkrun 9am, top of Cross Flatts Park Middleton Railway 11am-4pm Moor Road, Hunslet Wednesday 1 May 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 Free Guided Exhibition Tour 5:30pm The Tetley, Hunslet Road Thursday 2 May Hunslet Carr Residents Assoc 6:30pm Community Centre, Woodhouse Hill Avenue Saturday 4 May Coffee Morning 10am-12pm St Andrew’s Comm Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston Coffee Morning 10am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Family Art Workshop 11am-3pm The Tetley, Hunslet Rd Friends of Trentham Park 1:30pm Rowland Road WMC Hunslet RLFC v Workington Town 3pm South Leeds Stadium, Middleton Grove Sunday 5 May Bluebell Walks 11am-4pm from Park Halt station, Middleton Park Men’s Corner 12-2pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Yorks Rams v Gatehead Senators 2pm South Leeds Stadium, Middleton Grove The Chris White Jazz Trio 2-4pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Illegalised 5pm Slung Low at The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn Monday 6 May Middleton Railway 11am-4pm Moor Road, Hunslet Bluebell Walks 11am-4pm from Park Halt station, Middleton Park Tuesday 7 May Planting session 4pm Trentham Park, Beeston Friends of Stank Hall 7:30pm The Broadway pub, Dewsbury Road, Beeston Wednesday 8 May Kurling 10:30-11:30am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Generation 55 12-2:30pm The Broadway pub, Dewsbury Road, Beeston Code Club 3:30-4:30pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub, Beeston Thursday 9 May HEA Food & Film Night 3-6pm Ingram Gardens Community Centre, Holbeck Beeston Community Forum 7:30pm St Anthony’s church hall,
May 2019 | South Leeds Life
What’s On 21 Old Lane, Beeston Saturday 11 May South Leeds Community Orchestra 10am-12pm St Cross Church, Acre Road, Middleton Yoga 10-11:30am The Tetley, Hunslet Road Free Guided Exhibition Tour 11am The Tetley, Hunslet Road Hunslet Moor Litter Pick 12-1pm meet bottom of Moor Rd Teens Club 1-5pm Vale Circles centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Charity Wrestling 1-7pm Belle Isle Working Men’s Club, Belle Isle Road Sunday 12 May South Leeds Hikers Peak District 8am-6pm Transport provided How to ... Adventure festival 12-8pm The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn Sunday Lunch Club 1-3pm Vale Circles Centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Monday 13 May Nature visits for Families and Childminders 10am-1pm Skelton Grange Environment Centre, Stourton Mostly Men 10am-12pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Beeston Tea, Cake and Conversation 12:30-2:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Carers Group 12:30-2:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Tuesday 14 May Leeds Aphasia Cafe 1-3pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Camera Club 3-4:30pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub, Beeston Beeston Local History Group 8pm Beeston Parish Centre (small hall), Town Street Thursday 16 May 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 Hill Leeds Film Club 6pm Cineworld, White Rose Shopping Centre Friday 17 May Willow Hare sculpture workshop 10am-4pm Skelton Grange Environment Centre, Stourton Battle of the Bands 7-10pm The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn Saturday 18 May South Leeds Hikers Lake District 7am-8pm Transport provided Ramblers Meet 9am Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Coffee Morning 10am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre Small Wire Birds sculpture workshop 10am-4pm Skelton Grange Environment Centre, Stourton Young Archaeologists Club 10am-12pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Family Art Workshop 11am-3pm The Tetley, Hunslet Rd Sunday 19 May Sunday Lunch 12-2pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Sunday Lunch Club 1-3pm Vale Circles Centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Guided Walk - Middleton Park
1:30pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Leeds Dads 2-4pm The Tetley, Hunslet Road Monday 20 May HEA Morley Shop or Swim 9am-12pm Transport frm Holbeck Lost Words with Jon Cree 9:30am-4pm Skelton Grange Environment Centre, Stourton SLLAH Generation 55 12:30-2:30pm Whistlestop pub, Town Street, Beeston Wellness Space Afternoon 1-3pm Ingram Gardens Community Centre, Holbeck Tuesday 21 May Mrs Beeston’s Cookbook launch 11:15am-12:15pm Beeston Library, Town Street The Writers Club 1-2:30pm Beeston Library, Town Street Wednesday 22 May Tiny Tetley 10:30–11:30am, 11:45am12:45pm The Tetley, Hunslet Rd Dementia Awareness event 1-3pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston Code Club 3:30-4:30pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub, Beeston Saturday 25 May Car Boot Sale 8am-12pm Sharp Lane Primary School, Middleton South Leeds Community Orchestra 10am-12pm St Cross Church, Acre
Road, Middleton Kite Festival 11am-4pm The Clearings, Middleton Park Teens Club 1-5pm Vale Circles centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Sunday 26 May Kite Festival 11am-4pm The Clearings, Middleton Park Sunday Lunch Club 1-3pm Vale Circles Centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston Yorkshire Rams v Northumberland Vikings 2pm South Leeds Stadium, Orpheus 5pm Slung Low at The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn Monday 27 May Leeds African Party In The Park 10am-7pm Cross Flatts Park Middleton Railway 11am-4pm Moor Road, Hunslet Tuesday 28 May Free play activities 1-3pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Request Walk 6:30-8pm from Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Middleton Community Group 7pm St Cross Church, Acre Road Wednesday 29 May Bushcraft Day (for 8-13 yrs) 10am-4pm Skelton Grange Environment Centre, Stourton Kurling 10:30-11:30am St Andrew’s
Community Centre, Beeston Middleton Railway 11am-4pm Moor Road, Hunslet Free play activities 1-3pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Cop Shop Memory Cafe 1-3pm Elland Road Police Station Arm-in-Arm Memory Cafe 1:30-3pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Midd. Park Ave Drink and Draw 6-8pm The Tetley, Hunslet Road Thursday 30 May HEA Free Healthy Breakfast 10am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Bushcraft Day (for 8-13 yrs) 10am-4pm Skelton Grange Environment Centre, Stourton Hunslet Remembered 10am-12pm Community Centre, Woodhouse Hill Avenue Rugby Skills Camp 10am-3pm Warrior Park, The Oval, Hunslet Friday 31 May Rugby Skills Camp 10am-3pm Warrior Park, The Oval, Hunslet Free Legal Clinic 2:30-3:30pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub, Beeston Saturday 1 June Coffee Morning 10am-12pm St Andrew’s Comm Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston Coffee Morning 10am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street
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South Leeds Life | May 2019
22 Sport
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
Women’s Couch to 5K course S
outh Leeds Sisters the all women running club are launching a new ‘Couch to 5K’ course to help people get more active. Couch To 5K was developed by the NHS and is a proven nine week programme which will take you from doing little or no exercise to running 5 kilometres. Week one starts with mostly walking and short intervals of jogging. You build up your running ability in a very controlled way each week. There are three sessions each week, starting on Monday
13 May, led by a trained run leader: Monday 6:15pm Phoenix Bar, John Charles Centre Wednesday 6:15pm Overflow car park at John Charles Centre Saturday 9am Middleton Woods parkrun, Leeds Urban Bike Park. The sessions are pay-as-youfeel and there’s a free gift to everyone who completes the programme. For more information or to book your place contact Holly Button holjwbutton@gmail. com or 07828 506023.
Best foot forward: South Leeds Sisters
Yorkshire Rams v Aberdeen Roughnecks Continued from page 24 I had the pleasure of speaking with Lil-J-Bush who explained that playing the sport alongside her comrades has helped develop and improve her game particularly in the women’s league. As there are
different positions to play, for example quarterback, receiver and running backs, people of all different shapes and sizes can play. “The team is amazing and respect me as an equal member of the Rams.” she said.
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SNAPS launches inclusive football club L
ocal charity SNAPS has launched a new football club on Sunday mornings for children with additional needs and their siblings. Use of pitches for the new club has been kindly donated by the Hunslet Club and interest from families has been overwhelming. 22 children have registered to come to the new club as there is a severe lack of sports teams that children with disabilities can access. Leanne Zanetti, mum of Luca who will be joining the new team said: “We are very excited about the SNAPS football club starting. “My son has a passion for football but has been unable to access it in terms of playing with friends as part of a team or club. “And although there will still be challenges a lot of barriers are broken down by the fact that it is a SNAPS session where he can feel safer surrounded by familiar faces and without judgement. “We know these sessions will not be about forcing him to try to conform to a format that doesn’t work, but instead this SNAPS football club is all about building on our children’s strengths and letting them guide it to work for them so Bush is dedicated to the sport and while currently playing for the Yorkshire Rams and Leeds Chargers, Bush is setting her sights high for a spot with the GB Lions. Good luck Lil! The opening game of the season was a disappointing loss for the Rams with the Roughnecks leading from the first quarter and sprinting to full time with a score of 0-43 to the Roughnecks. But a good game was played all round and the Rams have the rest of the season to pull it back! If you would like to become involved with the Yorkshire Rams they are always recruiting new players, could you be their new quarterback? Get in touch with them via their social media and find out more.
Kicking off a new club for children with additional needs and their siblings they can enjoy a sport with their friends, with the ultimate aim of building on personal skills such as team work, communication and confidence. We are very excited and grateful for this opportunity so a big thank you to SNAPS.” SNAPS is determined to offer this opportunity to children with additional needs and their siblings as there is a severe lack of provision in this area. Lucy Owen, SNAPS Chief
Executive said: “Joining a local sports team is part of growing up and something every child should be able to experience. Unfortunately, however, there are often hurdles that stop the children we work with enjoying the benefits that come with being part of a sports team. “This new football club is a fantastic way for children to be able to be involved in a team, learn new skills, make new
friends and take part in a wonderful sport. “We were thrilled when the Hunslet Club kindly offered use of their pitches so that we could start this exciting project as we knew it was something that the families we work with desperately wanted. “It is fantastic to be here today and see so many happy children running about with a football and enjoying one of life’s great pleasures.”
Young cricketers get a chance to shine
Batting on: Cricket is moving outside for the summer
Juniors set the pace
South Leeds Lakers Junior section has got off to a flying start. The weekly sessions run on Thursday evenings at Cockburn School 6-7pm for 8-14 year olds (accompanied by an adult). Activities include jumping and throwing as well as running.
A
successful cricket programme is moving outdoors as the warmer weather arrives. The Chance To Shine street cricket sessions, run by the
Yorkshire Cricket Board, have been running at Old Cockburn Sports Hall, but are now set to move to Cross Flatts Park from Sunday 5 May. There are two sessions: 10-
11:30am for under 11s; 11:30am-1pm for 11-14 year olds. For more information contact organiser Sohail Raz on 07783 987376.
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Sport 23
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Easter tour to France for young rugby players H
by Phil Goodfield
unslet Club Parkside under 15s spent Easter weekend on tour in Perpignan, South of France. Two games of rugby were fitted into a packed itinerary which included a training session on the beach at Argeles sur Mer, Go Karting, hours spent in the Taxo-les-Pins Resort pool, and guided tours of the Stade Gilbert Brutus – the home of Catalan Dragons and, on the last day before the flight home (Tuesday), Camp Nou, the majestic home of Barcelona Football Club. A highlight was the return to the Stade Gilbert Brutus on Easter Monday to see Catalan Dragons v Castleford Tigers in a Superleague game. Despite being on the wrong end of a big loss Hunslet Club Parkside Open Age coach and Tigers star Paul McShane came straight after the match to talk to the lads and for photos with the team. The first game of the tour took place on Saturday afternoon at the Stade Municipal in St Esteve located just outside Perpignan against
Training on the beach
150 not out Continued from page 24 Meanwhile, the club’s volunteer coaches only have October off, coaching indoors from November to March and outdoors during the playing season - April to September. As Hunslet Nelson embarks on a new season in the Bradford Cricket League’s third tier, recruitment will be vital, says Calverley.
May 2019 | South Leeds Life
The boys outside the home of Catalan Dragons a Catalan Select side who for unforeseen reasons only turned up with 10 players so the game was played 10 a side. The French opposition were much older than our boys who showed bags of spirit and determination in an 18-4 defeat. Try scorer for Parkside was skipper and loose forward Tommy Lee Corke. The second game saw the boys pit their wits against Dewsbury Celtic under 16s. Celtic were also on tour and when their second game was cancelled at short notice both coaches agreed to the innovative solution to play each other 1000 miles from home! This game took place at the Stade Daniel Albert in the picturesque town of Pia to the north of Perpignan, the home of French
Second Division side Pia Rugby XIII. Two on-field referees officiated in a game which Celtic won 28-8. The boys won genuine praise from their opponents players and coaches in putting in a fully committed and skilful performance against bigger and older opposition. Tommy added a second touch down to his try in the first game with live wire scrum half Cameron Phillis adding the second. Second Row Bradley Wheeler was a popular choice as the Coaches Player of the Tour, an accolade which reflected the way he carried himself on and, equally as importantly, off the pitch during the five day trip. A Cas Tigers signed ball provided by Paul McShane was his prize. When asked for his highlight of the tour Wheeler replied: “Our trip to France was one of the best moments I have had with my rugby team. I mostly enjoyed bonding with my team while on and off the pitch.” Words which I’m sure all his team mates would share. Joint captains Tommy Lee Corke and Harry Duffy both
pointed to the Dewsbury Celtic game as one of their highlights and the way the two teams came together with new friendships being formed between the players on both teams. Coaches Carl Briggs and Tom Saunders were full of praise for the boys Carl saying: “The way they conducted themselves during the games and generally throughout the tour was beyond my expectations. Every one of them represented the Hunslet Club brilliantly and their families should be very proud of them. We certainly are.” Hunslet Club Parkside under 15s would like to thank all of our Tour Sponsors – without their support the tour would not have been nearly as successful. Thank you to: The Hunslet Club, The Hunslet Trust, Beadnall Copley, David Howson – Ricette Properties, Octagon Solutions, Kesteven Roofing and Cougar Signs. The boys now return to the bread and butter of Yorkshire Junior League under 15s Division 2.
The club needs more people to volunteer “even just a couple of hours a week” to coach as well as senior and junior players, with the emphasis on recruiting budding local cricketers. Given that they frequently lose players as a semi-professional set-up, they “need more juniors to keep us [the club] going,” with the hope that they go on to play for the senior teams. The All Stars programme, which introduces five-to-eight-
year-olds to cricket, will be important to achieving this target. For a £40 fee, children take part in eight coaching sessions, although the club only pockets £5, with the rest going to the Yorkshire Cricket Board and the ECB, underlining again its lack of financial resources. Hunslet Nelson has also submitted an application for a new clubhouse that will cost an estimated £300,000 to be used for different functions –
not just for cricket – by local people. This is about putting down new roots and reestablishing its identity after moving to Beeston from its Hunslet home in the 1990s. And with Hunslet Nelson’s 150th anniversary year coinciding with Leeds hosting four games during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, the opportunity has never been greater for the club to engage more people and achieve its ambitions.
Middleton Woods parkrun’s first milestone
O
by Jeremy Morton
ver two thousand runners have run over 20,000 miles around Middleton Park in the last year. If this means nothing to you, you haven’t caught up with the global phenomenon that is parkrun. It’s success lies in its simplicity: it is free, weekly, timed 5km walk, jog or run in your local park. Towards the end of 2017 a group of volunteers got together to set up a parkrun in Middleton. They launched in April and celebrated their first birthday on Saturday 20 April. 174 participants, including your author and his dog, turned out to help the team celebrate and enjoy some exercise … and enjoy the cakes at the end! I spoke to Event Director Josh Dixon who said: “After taking a while to get Middleton Woods parkrun started, I can’t believe that we
Middleton Park through the spring and summer is lovely and looks great. The park is so much bigger then where parkrun goes too, so why not come try the parkrun, and spend the day in the park one day this summer. “Thank you to everyone who has been involved in setting up and making Middleton Woods a great parkrun to be involved with and here's to year two!” Volunteer Helen Car added: “I was at the start of Middleton Woods parkrun last year and started volunteering with the team. Not only have I met some fantastic people, I
And they’re off: Middleton Woods parkrun have now been running for a whole year. It really has flown by in no time at all. I am sure I have mentioned it before to people, but I have to give a shout out to some people that without them, this parkrun wouldn't exist. “Firstly there’s Neil Jones and Leeds City Council for providing the funding and pushing for this run, Jeremy Hayes and all the team at the bike hub, if you haven't visited it already I highly recommend it, and the bacon sandwiches after? Amazing! Of course I have to put a massive thank you out to my core team, I won’t blame you all, but you know who you are and without you guys each week we wouldn't go ahead. From setting up, to timing, tail walking and everything else your support has been fantastic. Volunteering is fantastic and I strongly suggest everyone tries it. “On the event itself I recommend to anyone who hasn't been to Middleton Woods, or haven't been for a while to come and give it a go. It doesn't matter what pace you go, you will have a fantastic time in fantastic surroundings.
have learned some new skills and seen it grow into a fantastic little parkrun. If you've not tried it yet do. You can walk, jog or run and after you can explore the fantastic area in which the route is set.” If you would like to volunteer, please contact middletonwoodshelpers @parkrun.com. You don’t need any experience, just enthusiasm. If you would like to take part, register online at parkrun.com, print off your barcode and turn up ready to start at 9am – you’ll be assured of a warm, supportive welcome. There are six other parkruns in Leeds including Cross Flatts in Beeston.
Local running clubs fly the flag
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South Leeds Life | May 2019
24 Sport
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Hunslet stumble H
150 not out: Hunslet Nelson’s historic season
by Ian Pickles
unslet RLFC started April on top of League 1, but have slipped to second after defeats to new leaders Whitehaven and third place London Skolars. On 7 April the Parksiders travelled to Cumbria to take on Whitehaven. In a hard fought game, Haven took a 10-6 lead in at half time and scored again in the second half whilst Zach Braham was in the sin bin. Hunslet hit back with a try from Jimmy Watson and then Dale Bloomfield had a try ruled out controversially. Whitehaven took the two points and went joint top with Hunslet, below the South Leeds club on points difference only. Good Friday saw another trip across the Pennines, this time to Oldham. Hunslet left it ‘til late to win an important clash in a topsy-turvy encounter on a blisteringly sunny Lancashire day. Things looked bad in the second half with Hunslet trailing by 10 points and down to eleven men, but they now started to play some of their best rugby. Adam Robinson and Ben
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Hunslet Nelson in action during the 2017 season Photo: Jeremy Morton Josh Tonks scores Hunslet’s first try against London Skolars Heaton scored for the Parksiders to regain the lead with 8 minutes to play.Oldham had some half chances in the dying minutes, but a similar Reece Dean mid-field break and combination passing sent the impressive Ben Heaton over again, much to the delight of the travelling faithful. On Sunday 28 April London Skolars visited South Leeds Stadium. The teams were evenly matched in the first half going in at the break with the
Photo: Paul Johnson Phoenix Photography
Skolars just ahead 16-18. The second half could not be any more different though. London came out chomping at the bit and Hunslet were sluggish and mistake ridden. London scored four unanswered tries, each one coming from Hunslet mistakes, interceptions, or losing the ball. Hunslet rallied late on with tries from Marcus Webb and Adam Robinson, but it was too little, too late. Final score: 2642 to a slick and skillful London
Rams butt heads with the Roughnecks
Skolars team who are much improved on previous seasons. Hunslet are now second in League 1 with 10 points from 7 games. Hunslet’s only home match in May is against Workington Town in the 1895 Cup competition. That’s followed by testing trips to Workington and Newcastle in the league. You can read full match reports every week online at www.southleedslife.com.
Home fixtures Saturday 4 May 3pm Hunslet RLFC v Workington Town (1895 Cup) Tickets: £15 / £10 Under 16s FREE
H
by Imran Marashli
unslet Nelson Cricket Club is the only surviving cricket club in South Leeds where more than 70 once existed, with some former players representing Yorkshire. But the path to its 150th anniversary year hasn’t been without its trials and tribulations. The club’s grounds have suffered arson attacks and multiple attempts at theft, while the pumphouse windows were smashed by schoolkids and have since been boarded up. Yet the club has withstood whatever the opposition has thrown at them to maintain its vigil at the crease. Fencing foils thieves, once-torched nets have been repaired and a smart clubhouse and changing rooms welcome spectators and players. The 120-year-old pumphouse has been rejuvenated with a new bar and French-polished surfaces.
Based on Gipsy Lane in Beeston, the club was the first to have an U9 side and counts nine teams alongside two rounders teams for women and girls and teams catering for disabled players. This leads Secretary Brian Calverley, who’s been with Hunslet Nelson since 1975, to proudly describe it as “a community club”. A stalwart member of a dedicated team of volunteers, he’s a groundsman, coach and secretary all at once. However, this method isn’t without its challenges. The new changing rooms were funded by donations, raffles and a grant from Leeds City Council, whereas the tearoom benefited from a grant bestowed by Wakefield Council, a business model that he admits is “hard.” Keeping the six-and-a-halfacre outfield lush is a daunting challenge, especially after the scorching summer of 2018. It’s had to be reseeded for one simple reason: “no water.” Continued on page 23
Middleton Woods parkrun’s first milestone The Yorkshire Rams offence making yards
I
by Abbie Randall
t’s an exciting start of the season for the Yorkshire Rams, the American Football team based at South Leeds Stadium. On Sunday 20 April they faced the Aberdeen Roughnecks. The Rams have a large number of new players on their roster which will really put them to the test. They will have to really ‘try’ this season to bring everything
together and make the playoffs. As well as the many fresh faces there are a few long-term players returning. Spencer Whybrow is returning for his impressive 31st season, Chris Lawton, the team’s Quarterback and Safety is gearing up for his 11th season. With this amount of experience and strong leadership from coach Dale the Rams are sure to make good headway this season.
Photo: Gail Davis Speaking with Stewart Hegarty it’s clear the team is relaxed about the upcoming season and ultimately are aiming for the playoffs later this year, but are going to take each game as it comes and watch the team evolve and develop. While predominantly a sport associated with male players, the Rams has a unisex team and has men and women playing side by side. Continued on page 22
Middleton Woods parkrun celebrated its first birthday on Saturday 20 April with the help of 173 runners, joggers and walkers (and dogs). Full story on page 23.