Your FREE community newspaper
Issue 70 | January 2021
Covering Beeston, Belle Isle, Cottingley, Holbeck, Hunslet, Middleton, Riverside & Stourton
STRIPPED BARE Mature trees chopped down to make way for motorway sound barrier
by Jeremy Morton
H
ighways England have been trumpeting their work along the M621 in Hunslet and Belle Isle to erect noise barriers, but the residents the barriers are designed to help are less than impressed. In a press release issued before Christmas the agency described the barriers as an “innovative noise and safety solution” that are “standing proud.” It went on to describe Hunslet as: “An area identified as a national hotspot by Defra in relation to noise” and said “feedback from residents meant that it was one of the first areas Highways England wanted to tackle using money from a special environment fund.” The work on the barriers was due to be completed by October 2020, but is now projected to finish in March 2021. Last summer we reported on the bright green metal ‘wall’ that appeared along Parnaby Road and the sleepless nights residents suffered during the work. That section is now to be repainted in a more subtle shade after residents, supported by their Councillors and MP complained. Now mature trees which screen Blakeney Grove by the Junction 6 slip road have been chopped down to make way for the barriers. At the original consultation residents were told the trees would stay, then they received a letter saying the trees would be removed, but would be replaced. Now Highways England say only
Workmen removing mature trees cfromn the side of the M621 motorway at Junction 6 shrubs will be planted by the “The amount of trees there for years and wildlife barrier. removed that formed a green thrived. As well as health Blakeney Grove resident barrier to the motorway is concerns this will impact on Karen Lawton told us: absolutely disgraceful. house prices.” “We feel lied to, they said the Residents are now left with a “The removal of trees at a trees wouldn’t go, then they mound of soil and a green time when carbon emissions sent a letter saying some trees sound barrier that resembles from the motor vehicle is the would go, then when we looked those used to secure building biggest threat to us and future out all the trees had gone. sites. generations surely means this “My neighbour Susan and I “This is a well sought out is unacceptable behaviour from were crying when we saw what area to live and work in so I a government body.” they were doing to the trees.” expect the situation to enhance A spokesperson for Highways “What we’re going to have to the landscape and mitigate England said: “We appreciate look at now, instead of trees, is emissions to be resolved as the importance of retaining a green horrible fence.” soon as possible. vegetation where possible and Councillor Kim Groves “There are many questions I only carry out this kind of work (Middleton Park) commented: would have asked on behalf of following detailed surveys and “I am extremely disappointed residents had I been informed guidance from our with how Highways England or contacted before the trees environmental team. have acted in Belle Isle on the were cut down. Residents had “We wrote to Blakeney Grove removal of mature trees. a green barrier that had been residents on 20 October to
inform that, to safely install the barrier, we would need to stabilise the embankment, which requires the removal of trees and the boundary fence. “We can’t complete the stabilisation work without removing the trees. Not doing this work would increase the risk of the embankment failing, posing a safety risk to drivers and residents. “New trees will be planted in place of the old ones where permitted by the new embankment design, and we will also replace the boundary fence.” In other correspondence South Leeds Life has seen Highways England officers say: “The only pollutant listed as linked to stretches of road near our network that is above standard limits is NO2. Research published on behalf of Government by the Air Quality Expert Group, indicates that vegetation does not materially affect levels of NO2 concentrations.” In their press release Highways England project manager Sujad Hussain said: “I would like to personally thank all residents and drivers for their patience and cooperation while we carry out these much needed improvements. Hopefully, the full benefit of the noise and safety barriers will be realised once these improvements are complete by spring.” We will give the last word, for now, to Karen Lawton: “If it was their back garden would it be happening? I don’t think so. If it was in north Leeds would it be happening? I don’t think so.”
In this issue:
Stars of the Co-op Christmas advert
page 3
Leeds United Star teaches Spanish page 8
Photo special: A Christmas Like No Other
pages 11-14
HC Parkside u14s Scholarships page 24
NEWS CHRISTMAS
2-10 11-14
SCHOOL LIFE 16-19
HISTORICAL
20
WHAT’S ON
21-23
SPORTING LIFE 24
Get the latest news at www.southleedslife.com - new stories posted daily
www.southleedslife.com
South Leeds Life | January 2021
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
2 News
About us South Leeds Life is written by and for local people. People who live, work and play in the LS10 and LS11 areas of South Leeds. The website and newspaper are produced by South Leeds Life CIC, a social enterprise registered with Companies House, No 9998695. South Leeds Life is a member of the Independent Community News Network.
Our aims To inform people of events, activities, issues and opportunities taking place in the South Leeds community; To encourage the involvement of the wider community in communicating their experiences; To foster community spirit and involvement; and To provide a platform for local people to contribute and respond to community life more fully. South Leeds Life is pleased to publish views from across the political spectrum, provided they comply with our editorial guidelines. We remain a neutral publication with a diverse readership, as such we do not endorse any particular political party.
Contact us South Leeds Life CIC 224 Cross Flatts Grove, Leeds, LS11 7BW Email: info@southleedslife.com Facebook & Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife Phone: 07894 583966
Complaints South Leeds Life is regulated by IMPRESS and adheres to its standards code. However, if you feel we have breached the code in any way and wish to make a complaint, please submit your complaint, in writing to the editor. A copy of our complaints policy is available via our website at southleedslife.com/complaintsprocedure, or on request.
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
Planning applications submitted for council housing & new school by Jeremy Morton
T
wo significant planning applications were lodged last month for the Middleton area. As we reported in November Leeds City Council has been working with Waites Consruction Ltd on plans to build 116 houses and 60 extra care apartments for the elderly on part of the Throstle Rec site and the adjacent Middleton Skills Centre site. Consultation has led to some changes in finishes and materials, but the scheme in the planning application is substantially to same as we described in November. The land was previously occupied by flats, which were demolished some years ago because they were incapable of being brought up to a decent standard for tenants. 2.27 hectares of land is to be kept as public green space, to include natural areas for play and dog walking, landscaping and sustainable drainage features to promote biodiversity together with a senior sized football pitch for community use. The breakdown of new properties is as follows: • 60 x 1 and 2 bedroom apartments within an extra care facility building • 16 x 1 bedroom flexible bungalows for adults of a working age – fully wheelchair accessible • 100 x 2, 3 and 4 bedroom general needs homes. Surveys and enabling works at the site have been approved, including move an electricity sub station, and will take place whilst the planning application is being considered. You can read the full application on the Council’s planning portal. Comments in support of, or objecting to the application can be made online unitl Wednesday 13 March 2021. School A planning application has been submitted to build a temporary school building for the new Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy on land behind the St
A typical street scene with new family housing above and the layout of the communal grenspace below. Visualisations by Ares Landscape Architects
George’s Centre in Middleton. The site is currently greenspace, but has never been marked out as playing fields. It will be used for two years whilst the permanent new school is built nearby on the site of Middleton Park High School, recently used as offices by Highways
Leeds. The school will be built of a modular construction and after two years the site will be returned to greenspace. The temporary building will be built in two phases. The first phase will house 210 Year 7 students from September 2021. The building will
The Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy will open in this temporary building in September 2021
then be extended to accommodate 420 Year 7 and Year 8 students the following year. Access to the site will be via the St George’s centre car park, rather than directly off St George’s Road. The plans forecast that over half of pupils will walk to school and a further quarter will travel by public bus, with only a fifth arriving by car. A drop off zone within the school site will be provided as well as parking for staff. Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy has been created to accommodate the growing numbers of secondary school age children in South Leeds, it is part of the Cockburn Multi-Academy Trust. You can read the full application on the Council’s planning portal. Comments in support of, or objecting to the application can be made online unitl Monday 1 March 2021.
www.southleedslife.com
Website: www.southleedslife.com
January 2021 | South Leeds Life
Email: info@southleedslife.com
News 3
Middleton boys star in Councillor Blake to join the Co-op Christmas advert House of Lords by Alannah Marsden
T
he Leader of Leeds City Council, Councillor Judith Blake CBE, who represents Middleton Park Ward, has been selected to be a Labour Party Peer in the House of Lords. Councillor Blake was named among the new peers announced by the Government on 22 December. Councillor Blake has served as Leader of Leeds City Council since 2015 and before that was Deputy Leader since 2010, as well as been a ward councillor in Leeds for 24 years. Responding to the announcement, Councillor Judith Blake CBE said: “I am honoured to be selected to join the House of Lords at this hugely important time. As well as being Leader in
A
fter a rough year, the Coop’s 2020 Christmas advert truly brought a smile to our faces. And the two young stars of this heartwarming advert are brothers Austin and Rocco, residents of South Leeds. Rocco attends Sharp Lane Primary School whilst Austin attends Royds High School, and it’s safe to say they’ve done the whole community proud. The advert itself depicts the two brothers singing their adorable rendition of Round Are Way by Oasis outside a local shop, whilst Austin plays the melody on his guitar. We see members of the public stopping to watch the two boys, with big smiles on their faces. As the song goes on they gain more attention from passersby, all enjoying watching two brothers giving a lively and uplifting performance. At the end of the song, after receiving a round of applause from onlookers, a member of the audience that has gathered steps forward to offer the brothers some money. They politely refuse the cash, and Christmas wishes are exchanged before the boys head home with their arms around one another. The message of this advert is simple – that anyone and everyone can do something to help lift the spirits of their local community and offer some Christmas cheer. And after this
my home city of Leeds, it has also been a great privilege to have represented both Middleton Park and Belle Isle, and before that Hunslet, as a ward councillor on the Council since 2002. “Joining the House of Lords will allow me to continue to represent the interests of South Leeds and our city in Westminster. It has never been more important to have regional voices with experience of local government represented at a national level.” Councillor Blake will start discussions in the New Year to ensure a smooth transition for when she steps down as Leader of Leeds City Council, once it is clear when her new role will commence.
Austin and Rocco Haynes, stars of the Co-op Christmas advert year, that message is more important and powerful than ever. Austin, who is 12, and Rocco who is 7, both have a passion and great talent for acting. They are both represented by Articulate Drama School and Agency, who are Ilkley based. The two brothers have appeared in an array of productions since joining the agency. Rocco has filmed Gentleman Jack, Ava & Ali, and most recently All Creatures Great and Small Christmas Special, as well as lots of commercials. As for Austin, he most recently filmed The Duke
and has also appeared in The A Word, The Feed, Gentlemen Jack, Ava & Ali, All Creatures Great and Small, The Irregulars, Cbeebies The Tempest and Barnardo’s Children’s campaign. Both brothers really enjoyed being part of this Christmas Advert. When they were told they had got the part, Austin said: “I was so excited because I’m doing something that I love, I was buzzing” with Rocco adding that he was “Really excited.” They had a blast whilst filming the advert, Rocco said
his favourite part of the experience was “When we got to go to the recording studio.” Austin said: “The whole experience was fantastic, and it was so surreal. All the camera crew and everyone were so good to us and the whole cast and crew were all amazing. It was a very good time.” It’s clear that the boys had an incredible time, and the whole community is so proud of them. If you haven’t yet seen the advert, you can give it a watch at: vimeo.com/485421333 – it’s guaranteed to make you smile!
Cllr Judith Blake speaking at an event at the Hamara Centre in Beeston
New Year’s honour for Slung Low’s Alan Lane by Jeremy Morton
A
Alan Lane on board Slung Low's Cultural Community College double decker bus
lan Lane, the Artistic Director of Slung Low, Holbeck's own theatre company, has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the community in South Leeds during Covid-19 in the New Year's Honours List. As we have reported over the last year, Alan and the team at Slung Low refocused their arts organisation’s work to leading the community response in Holbeck, transforming the venue and organisation into the Covid19 community response hub for Holbeck. The theatre company was established in 2000 and is wellknown for large scale spectacular theatre productions including the epic Flood for Hull
2017 and the national commemoration of the centenary for the Battle of the Somme. In January 2019 Slung Low moved into the Holbeck Working Men's Club, one of the oldest such clubs in Britain. The Holbeck is now a welcoming creative hub for all the community. Alan's belief in creating a resource for the local community has always been at the centre of the work of Slung Low, whose motto is "Be kind, be useful" and this has driven the response during the Covid-19 pandemic. By mid-December, his team together with 100 volunteers had dealt with 8,000 referrals, delivering food parcels, picking up prescriptions and supporting those who are isolated and lonely. During the summer, each
week the team delivered 63 hot meals to children. The dedication that Alan and the team has shown in ensuring that people receive help quickly has been exceptional with 98% of referrals acted on within two hours. Slung Low has continued to provide creative opportunities by delivering an open air art gallery featuring the work of local people which was copied onto weather-proof boards and displayed on lamp-posts throughout the area. They have also staged several theatre shows for children and a series of interactive game shows, streamed over Facebook, culminating in You Can Bet It's Christmas staged in the car park of the club on 23 December 2020.
Alan told South Leeds Life: "A genuinely gleaming silver lining to the seemingly endless clouds that were 2020 was how brilliantly all the organisations of Holbeck and Beeston were in working together to alleviate difficulties for our communities. "It was a proud pleasure for Slung Low to stand alongside Holbeck Foodbank, Kidz Klub, Ingram Road Primary, ReEstablish, the local churches, Holbeck Together, and all our volunteers in trying our hardest to make this past year bearable for as many people as we could. "That all that work has been recognised with this honour is something I hope brings pride to everyone who we worked alongside this year. I look forward to showing the medal to my little boy David a great deal."
www.southleedslife.com
South Leeds Life | January 2021
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
4 News
Councillors address road safety concerns on Moor Road
On the beat
by Insp Lucy Leadbeater
I
hope you have all had a good festive period and whilst it was not the Christmas that most of us would have wished for, I do hope that you managed to spend some quality time with your family. As previously mentioned 2020 has been a very difficult year for all of us, as we bring 2020 to a close I have been reflecting on those who have lost loved ones this year and who have experienced other difficulties. Despite all the challenges what has impressed me more than ever is the community spirit of South Leeds. This year has brought communities together more than ever and there have been some exceptional acts of kindness across South Leeds as people have pulled together to help each other out. One such act of kindness was from a young girl and her father who brought a little gift to an officer who was scene guarding at an address in Beeston. The little girl wanted to say thank you and Merry Christmas and I know the gift was very much appreciated so thank you! This month we have continued our focus on tackling criminality associated with the illegal supply of drugs. Leeds South Neighbourhood Policing
Team work very closely with our police colleagues in the Neighbourhood Impact Team. This team is a pro-active team who target crimes and criminality that most affects communities. The Neighbourhood Impact Team have executed four warrants across Middleton resulting in five people being arrested and cannabis seized to the value of around £300,000. As well as Middleton, other warrants and seizures of drugs have taken place including at a large premises in Beeston where a large quantity of both cannabis and Class A drugs were seized. As I wrote last month, the Middleton and Belle Isle ward area has seen an increase in
Thank you for this act of kindness anti-social behaviour, particularly with young people involved. Through partnership working a number of those involved or present when this behaviour has been taking place have been identified and officers from the police and Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team have conducted a number of visits to their homes to engage with the youth people and their parents. One individual who has been identified as being involved has been given an injunction with a number of conditions that they
£300,000 worth of cannabis was seized in raids on houses in Middleton
H must adhere to. We would encourage residents to continue to report any issues or incidents to us so that we can gather the evidence and take the relevant action. As I drove to work this morning through a heavy snow downfall I thought it is a timely reminder to everyone to ensure that your vehicles are in a road worthy and safe condition. Please take the time to conduct the relevant checks and ensure that you always drive with consideration of the road conditions. We are already receiving a high number of calls about accidents due to the snow. Please take extra care and ensure that you add time onto your journey so that you arrive safely. • Ensure your car is winter ready are your tyres, brakes, windscreens, wiper blades and windows
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
free from defects and clean? • Drive to the road conditions. Be aware road conditions can change without warning and remember stopping distances will be affected by the weather. • Make sure your windows are clean, properly demisted and clear of snow and ice before you drive. • When the roads are icy, drive at a slow speed in as high a gear as possible, and accelerate and brake very gently. • Driving can be challenging in winter conditions. Driving distracted (by using mobile phones or devices) can cause additional stress and endangers yourself, passengers and other road users. Finally I would like to end by saying a big thank you to my police colleagues, other emergency services and key workers who have worked tirelessly over this period to keep us all safe. I wish you all a very Happy New Year and send best wishes for 2021.
unslet & Riverside Councillors Mohammed Iqbal, Elizabeth Nash and Paul Wray have moved to address concerns raised by residents about a number of road safety issues on Moor Road in Hunslet. Concerns have been raised about: • Moor Road roundabout • Crossing points • Parking at the junction with Royal Drive • Speeding motorists
carried out at Middleton Railway in the new year. Residents on the Royals estate have complained about dangerous double parking at the junction of Royal Drive and Moor Road. This is making it difficult to see around the corner of the junction and causing an issue for bin wagons and other large vehicles. Highways Leeds were due to attend a site visit with Councillors to look at these issues but this was cancelled
The mini roundabout on Moor Road Photo: Google Streetview Poor road markings on the mini roundabout at the junction with Old Run View have led to a number of near misses. The paint work was so worn that some drivers didn’t see the markings at all. These road markings have now been repainted. Pedestrians have complained of the difficulty of crossing Moor Road at its junction with Balm Road and at the other end near Middleton Railway. Highways Leeds conducted a survey at the Balm Road and have recommended the installation of a pedestrian refuge in the middle of the road junction. The ward Councillors have agreed to fund this out of devolved funds, if it is approved. A survey will be
due to the national lockdown. A visit is being rearranged for the New Year. Councillors have also requested that West Yorkshire Police carry out speed checks on Moor Road after numerous complaints about speeding motorists. Cllr Paul Wray told South Leeds Life: “Cllr Mohammed Iqbal, Cllr Elizabeth Nash and I take road safety very seriously and we have started to look at how we address these concerns on the behalf of our constituents. “We have every intention of making Moor Road in Hunslet safer to use for both local pedestrians and drivers, and we hope these updates show progress is being made to do just that.”
The junction of Moor Road and Balm Road. Photo: Google Streetview
www.southleedslife.com
Website: www.southleedslife.com
January 2021 | South Leeds Life
Email: info@southleedslife.com
News 5
Wesley Street to be closed Asda staff go through January and February the extra mile T
wo members of staff from Asda stores in Middleton and Beeston have been singled out for praise for their selfless actions. When Rachel Cunningham saw a homeless man sitting outside in the cold by the store in Middleton she just knew she had to do something to help him.
by Jeremy Morton
T
he bottom of Wesley Street has beeen closed to traffic for two months as work to create a new cycle lane is rescheduled to avoid congestion when Leeds’s mass Covid-19 vaccination programme starts. In a letter to Councillors seen by South Leeds Life, Nick Boras, Principal Engineer (Delivery & Localities) at Leeds City Council, explained that work at the junction of Wesley Street and Elland Road was programmed to run for 16 weeks from 5 February, but he had learned that the main community Covid-19 vaccination centre for Leeds will be located in the Elland Road area with vaccinations starting in mid-January. Following discussion with the contactors it has been decided to bring forward and accelerate the works at the junction, however this will involve a complete road closure. Work at the junction is expected to last 8 weeks from 4 January. It is hoped that this section of the works will be
The junction of Wesley Street and Elland will be closed to motor vehicles. Photo: Google Streetview finished before the vaccination centre is running at full flow and fans potentially return to Leeds United matches. Vehicular access to the Wesley Street area will still be available via the designated diversion routes of: • Via Elland Road, A6110 Ring Road, Town Street and Wesley Street from the south; and • Via Elland Road, Cemetery Road, Beeston Road,
Town Street and Wesley Street from the north. All pedestrian access through the Elland Road/Wesley Street junction will be maintained throughout the working period. Commenting on the plans, Cllr Gohar Almass (Beeston & Holbeck) said: “My Councillor colleagues Angela Gabriel, Andrew Scopes and I all live in Beeston so we understand, recognise and empathise with the fact that
The Census is bringing jobs to South Leeds C
ommunities in South Leeds will get extra support as the 2021 Census approaches. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has appointed a census engagement manager to support South Leeds residents and help make Census 2021 a success. Scott Anthony Martin, the area’s census engagement manager, will help organisations, charities, faith groups and community leaders within the city raise awareness of the census and the value to residents in taking part. Scott is a former teacher and education consultant with a passion for helping people to overcome inequalities. “I’m excited to be able to work with such vibrant communities, in the city that I’ve spent most of my life in. My job is to help as many people as possible understand what the Census is, what it’s used for, and to answer any questions people might have. “I’m also keen to make a network of people who might
be able to support us and spread the word that the Census is coming by distributing leaflets or posting support online for example. We also have a lot of different temporary jobs coming up: check out www.censusjobs .co.uk if you’re interested!
snapshot of households in England and Wales, helping to plan and fund public services. Everyone across England and Wales will be asked to take part and the information people give will decide how services are planned and funded. Ultimately, it ensures funds are
“We need local people to fill these roles, and the Census is really important to everyone to ensure that our city gets what it needs – from school places to doctors’ surgeries, from public transport to affordable housing.” The census is a once-in-adecade survey that provides a
invested in emergency services, health care, school places and other vital services. Pete Benton, Director of Census and Survey Operations, said: “The census engagement managers and community advisers we have appointed have a critical role in making
this work is going to cause a major disruption not only to the residents living in the Wesleys, Sunnyviews etc, but beyond. “Therefore, it must be ensured that this work is completed within the proposed timescale to assist the access and full flow to the Vaccination Centre when it’s running at its maximum capacity for our local community and also to the visitors and spectators back to Elland Road Stadium.” sure everyone understands why the census is important and making sure all households across England and Wales know why it is important to take part and how to get the help they need.” For the first time, the census will be run primarily online, making it easy for most people to complete the questionnaire on any device – whether that be a computer, a mobile phone or a tablet. Local Census support centres will be offering help, while paper questionnaires will be available for those who need them. All census staff will operate in line with the Government’s latest Covid-19 guidance. The 2021 Census will include a new question on veterans of the UK Armed Forces, as well as voluntary questions, for those aged 16 and over, on sexual orientation and gender identity. The census will be held on 21 March 2021. While results will be available the following year, all personal records will be locked away for 100 years and kept safe for future generations. For more information, visit census.gov.uk We welcome all offers of help or support. To reach your local census engagement manager, contact: scott.martin64 @field.census.gov.uk
Rachel Cunningham After getting him a hot chocolate and a slice of pizza from the store cafe, as well as buying and filling up a hot water bottle for him, she contacted a local homelessness group and got him shelter for the night – and he’s now getting assessed for housing. Rachel, who’s the store’s community champion, said: “I’d just popped outside to get another trolley for our food bank donations when I saw him sitting on the ground. I knelt down and had chat with him and learned that he was living in a tent and he was hungry. “It was very cold so I got him some hot food and a drink and filled up a hot water bottle for him and then, using my community contacts, got hold of the homeless outreach team who managed to get him a bed in a hotel on the other side of Leeds. I couldn’t just walk by – no way. I don’t think anyone should be homeless, not in this day and age.” Store manager Hugh Clarke says he and his colleagues at the store are “mega proud” of her actions: “She bought hot food for the man out of her own pocket and then took the trouble to phone around the homeless shelters in Leeds for him. I don’t think a lot of people would do that, but that’s just the sort of person Rachel is. It was an amazing act of kindness.” Meanwhile over at the Beeston Old Lane store kindhearted Shaun Brett is always happy to help customers however he can – even personally delivering shopping after finishing work and calling round to help a partially deaf
and blind customer set up a new TV she’d bought. On one occasion recently an elderly shopper on a mobility scooter came into store wanting to buy tubs of chocolates but, having no immediate family nearby, had no way of getting them home, so deputy manager Shaun delivered them to her home after he finished his shift. And another time a partially blind and deaf elderly customer phoned up to say she’d bought a TV from one of our stores and she couldn’t get it to work so Shaun called round on his way home and fixed it in no time! Shaun, who’s 32, said: “I’m just down to earth. When customers need assistance, I like to help. I’m a big believer in giving back to the local community. It’s the right thing to do. Sometimes these people have nobody else around to help them. “The lady with the chocolates could not thank me enough. She really appreciated it but I’d do it for any customer, especially in these unprecedented times, but that’s just me. I like to see myself as a good humanitarian.” Store manager Steven Navey said: “The customers in store love him and he does everything with a smile on his face. He sees this as part of our responsibility in the community. “He’s a really, really kind and caring person who puts everyone else before himself all the time. He sacrifices his time for colleagues and customers. He has a massive heart and we are all proud of him. “When the elderly customer couldn’t get her shopping back Shaun just said to her ‘I’ll get it to you.’ He’s not from Beeston so he used his Sat Nav to find her house on his way home – which is 28 miles away – and that’s all after a 10-hour shift.” Both Rachel and Shaun have been nominated for an Asda award.
Shaun Brett
www.southleedslife.com
South Leeds Life | January 2021
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
6 News
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
Have your say on new low carbon Improving Brickfield Park: Transport Strategy for Leeds have your say by Light Addaquay
L
ocal residents are being encouraged to have their say over improvements to an important piece of green space. Brickfield Park is located on Lady Pit Lane next to Beeston Hill and close to Lady Pit Lane Allotments. Whether you currently use the park or not, the Council would like to hear your views on how this green space could be improved. Funding for improvements at Brickfield Park has been secured as part of continued efforts to improve local green spaces. Hunslet & Riverside ward members and Leeds City Council’s Parks and Countryside Team are looking to make improvements to Brickfield Park to ensure this space remains well used and loved. Councillor Mohammed Iqbal (Hunslet & Riverside ward) explains: “The pandemic has rekindled the love of our local green spaces for many residents. Following the successful
Brickfield Park in Beeston Hill
investments made at both Trentham and Rowland RoadCllr Elizabeth Nash, Cllr Paul Wray and I are now keen to add more community value to the largest of the three Beeston Hill pocket parks, Brickfields. “The view of residents in this process is vital to make any improves a success and we look forward to seeing what they think.” To find out more and share your thoughts, please follow this link: surveys.leeds.gov.uk /s/RXUPN7. The deadline for completing this survey is Monday 25 January 2021. Once evaluated, the results of the survey and next steps will be shared via an online community meeting, details of which can be found at the end of the survey. For those unable to join the meeting, information will be shared on community notice boards and on the Inner South Community Committee Facebook page. If you have any questions or difficulty accessing the survey please contact: parks@leeds.gov.uk
Making cycling safer
U
niversal access to accessible, affordable and sustainable travel choices is the promise of a new transport plan for the city. Leeds City Council’s draft ‘Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy’ aims to tackle the climate emergency, deliver inclusive growth, and improve the health and well-being of Leeds residents. The six ‘big moves’ outlined in the strategy act as an action plan to create a people-first, affordable and integrated transport network across the city that isn’t reliant upon the private car. The integration of more walking and cycling into our daily travel habits alongside the enhancement of public transport will help to reduce congestion, continue to improve air quality and lessen the impact on the environment when accessing education, employment, leisure opportunities and local services. Creating healthier streets and communities is key to the improvement of the physical health and mental wellbeing of people living in, working in and visiting the city. It aligns with the ambition to achieve a netzero carbon target by 2030 as well as deliver a low carbon mass transit network in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
To enable everyone to participate and help shape the Connecting Leeds transport strategy, a city-wide consultationis underway. The background and ambitious targets for the transport strategy means working towards our Climate Emergency carbon targets by 2030 and Vision Zero for no one to be killed or seriously
injured on our roads by 2040. Also by 2030, travel mode choices need to change to meet these targets – as shown by the diagram. Councillor Lisa Mulherin, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate change, transport and sustainable development, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about fundamental changes to how we live, work and enjoy our city. “The draft Connecting Leeds Transport strategy sets out ways in which we can improve the health and wellbeing of our communities with cleaner air and healthier streets. “Moving our transport system towards a more accessible, active travel and public transport focused network, will allow us to achieve the Connecting Leeds vision of a city where a car is
not required to meet mobility needs. “We know that people are willing to make a switch to electric vehicles, use public transport more, reduce trips by car and walk, wheel or cycle for shorter journeys. But achieving net zero carbon by 2030 will require even bigger changes. “As we begin the recovery from the Covid pandemic and focus on our aims to tackle the climate emergency and improve our health and wellbeing, every one of us needs to play our part in making the shift from overreliance on the private car to public transport, walking, cycling and shared use of vehicles.” You can have your say on the issues at leedstransport strategy.commonplace.is the consultation closes on Friday 5 March 2021.
www.southleedslife.com
Website: www.southleedslife.com
January 2021 | South Leeds Life
Email: info@southleedslife.com
News 7
Council secures Grafitti art brightens Beggars Hill £560,000 to support street homeless F
unding of over £560,000 has been secured by Leeds City Council to support a range of on-going proactive work in the city to help rough sleepers tackle drug and alcohol issues. Following the successful bid to Public Health England (PHE), plans are now being progressed with Forward Leeds, which is the city’s designated alcohol and drug service, regarding the creation of a new designated outreach team to work closely with those in need.
executive member for health, wellbeing and adults, said: “I am really pleased that our bid to Public Health England for over £560,000 of funding to support the proactive work that is being undertaken in the city to help rough sleepers tackle drug and alcohol issues has been approved. “Being able to offer immediate and specialist help on the ground to those in need both in the day and night, is absolutely critical to our work. The creation therefore of a new
Cllr Gohar Almass admires one of the new artworks on Beggars Hill
C
ouncillors in Beeston & Holbeck ward are working to improve an area of greenspace at Beggar’s Hill in Beeston which has been blighted by litter and flytipping. The area slopes down from Holbeck Cemetery and the Nosters and Marleys, to Elland Road and the M621 motorway. Conscious of the benefits of having greenspace on the doorstep, the Councillors are working with Leeds City Council to plant 2,800 trees on Beggars Hill.
They are also working with a group of graffiti artists to improve the look of the wall at the top of the hill adjoining the houses, which they are hopeful will improve how the area looks. The graffiti artists still have a lot to do, but are making progress. Anyone spotting flytipping is encouraged to report it. You can report it online by clicking here, or email: SSEAction @leeds.gov.uk. If you get anything like a number plate if a van is doing it, please include
that information. If you want to remain anonymous, feel free to email one of the Councillors: gohar.almass@leeds.gov.uk, angela.gabriel@leeds.gov.uk or andrew.scopes@leeds.gov.uk. Councillor Gohar Almass commented: “Jeffrey Deitch an American Art Gallery owner and dealer once said that after Pop Art, Graffiti is probably the biggest art movement in recent history to have such an impact on culture. I agree, in most Western cities Graffiti has
become very popular especially amongst the young people and has certainly brightened up my mood on a cloudy day today with its vibrant colours. “It looks great from a distance also on Beggars Hill especially from as far as the motorway and from Elland Road football stadium. I was impressed by the colour schemes and contrast and various shapes and designs, I spent some time looking at them.”
Big Bike Fix Forward Leeds’ existing STOT Workers Marlisse Elliott and Matt Hanson Linking in with the city’s wider Leeds Street Support Team, which through a partnership approach provides a variety of support to rough sleepers, the new team will be available to work flexibly in the day and at night time to engage and provide individuals with immediate and expert specialist assistance to meet their specific mental health and physical needs to tackle drug and alcohol dependency. Currently, the Forward Leeds team working with rough sleepers comprises of a streetbased complex needs worker and street support team worker. The arrival of the outreach team next spring will support existing Forward Leeds work and also play an important role in informing and improving how through a joined up approach, key partner agencies which form part of the city’s Street Support Team can reach and engage individuals into treatment. Councillor Rebecca Charlwood, Leeds City Council’s
designated Forward Leeds outreach team is very much welcome, and a very positive addition to the city-wide partnership approach we are undertaking regarding rough sleeping here in Leeds.” Lee Wilson, Regional Director of Humankind who are the lead partner in the Forward Leeds service, said: “It’s fantastic that PHE and Leeds City Council have recognised the need to increase in the level of support Forward Leeds offer those living on the streets of our city. This allows us to expand significantly the work we do with a group of people who usually face multiple disadvantages in life, often including past traumatic experiences and mental health issues. “Supporting this community is not a quick fix and it’s never a 9-5 job. It involves working closely with the individual over a long period of time and supporting him or her into treatment at their own pace.”
The local Big Bike Fix team are gearing up for another busy year - fresh from refurbishing 475 donated bikes, and gifting them back into the community, since last June. In particular, they're coordinating a big event on 10 and 11 January, for people to
drop off unwanted bikes at locations around the city. For full info, look on Facebook, or call 07738 921 277. As well as unwanted bikes, volunteers (especially but not only those able to help fix up bikes) are very welcome anytime.
Big Bike Fixers
Planning a pocket park Spring O
ne of our local pocket parks will have a colourful boost this Spring, with thousands of flower bulbs freshly planted. Community volunteers Stuart Petch and Raj Rall have put in
the flowering bulbs - kindly provided by Leeds Parks and Countryside Team at the City Council - to freshen up the little play park in the Garnets and give locals a pick-me-up. “Bright Spring flowers are
lovely to see coming up in the grass after the winter months, and I hope people will enjoy seeing them in the Garnets area as they go by or come and play here with their children,” Stuart tells us.
“And local wildlife will benefit with them being here them too.” We look forward to seeing them begin to show and adding some fresh welcome colour in a few months time.
www.southleedslife.com
South Leeds Life | January 2021
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
8 News
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
Santa visits Lane End’s new language Elements teacher is Leeds United star pupils on I their doorstep by Asa Britton
n December the Year 5 children at Lane End Primary School had their first Modern Foreign Language lesson with their new teacher—Rodrigo from Leeds United FC! Leeds Utd TV turned up also, to film the special event. Rodrigo, who also plays for the Spanish national team, helped the children to learn lots of sporting vocabulary and also to say our school motto in Spanish. The children also had opportunity to quiz Rodrigo about his sporting achievements and ambitions, and to find out more about playing for our very own Leeds United. Thank you Leeds United and Rodrigo for both teaching and inspiring us—and thank you for being our MFL teacher, even it was only for one very special lesson.
Santa visits children on their doorstep
C
hildren from Elements Primary School in Middleton have been receiving a special treat this week, with visits to their homes from Santa. The school has had to cancel its Christmas Fair, including Santa’s Grotto, this year due to the pandemic, but was keen that their pupils didn’t miss out on the experience. 120 children were signed up by their parents and carers and staff working with the PTA have been out every night this week. The project has been a massive success judging from the children’s reaction: “I told you Santa was real, I knew it, I knew it!” Another child asked: “But where are your reindeer?” And another asked in wonder “How did you know this was my house?”
Headteacher Sarah Horsbrough commented: “It’s been magical, so much better than we could have imagined. The PTA have done an amazing job of organising everything, it’s been a great team effort. “We wanted our children to see Santa, we knew for some of them it’s the only Santa they will see this year. I think it’s had such an impact because Santa has turned up at their home, on their driveway with a present with their name on it.” “This year has been so difficult. We have still put on Nativity plays, but without a live audience. Parents will be able to watch at home. “This has given the children experiences and memories, it’s really been a beautiful thing.” Santa and his elves followed Covid-safe procedures throughout the operation.
Santa with School Secretary Katie Grainger
Leeds United star Rodrigo joined Year 5 at Lane End Primary School last month
Search is on for Tech Angels to bridge the Covid digital divide A
n appeal has been launched for businesses and other employers in Leeds to donate unused laptops and tech to young people across the city not able to access technology at home. The campaign to find Leeds Tech Angels is being led by a recently established group, Digital Access West Yorkshire, with funding from Leeds Community Foundation and support from Ahead Partnership, Leeds City Council and Zero Waste Leeds. The digital divide has been exacerbated by coronavirus with many school children lacking the means to join online lessons. With Leeds now under Tier 3 restrictions and thousands of pupils likely to be self-isolating in the months ahead, there is an urgent need for those from more challenging social backgrounds to be properly equipped to learn remotely. Ben McKenna, Chief Executive of social enterprise Solidaritech and a founder of Digital Access West Yorkshire, has issued a plea for local businesses to invest in the future of young people by signing up as Leeds Tech Angels. “There are far too many
digitally-excluded children and young people in Leeds, and we want to work with businesses and other organisations to help them” he said. “Laptops are at the top of our wanted list, but tablets and smart phones would also be useful. “Unused machines can be deposited at several secure locations around the city or we can collect them. Each item will be fully wiped and reset to its original factory settings by an IT specialist. No personal data will remain on any devices distributed to recipients. “2020 been difficult for all young people but particularly those without access to technology in their homes. Sadly, the likelihood of future periods out of school is high. “I urge businesses with unused or wanted hardware to answer the call to become proud Leeds Tech Angels. Donations of personal equipment are also welcome.” Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Executive Member for Learning, Skills and Employment at Leeds City Council, said: “We have been working hard for many months to distribute digital devices to children and families in Leeds. This has included close cooperation with
Leeds Tech Angels IT specialists preparing laptops ready for distribution headteachers to maximise effective targeting of need. “Leeds Tech Angels provides an ideal vehicle to help to achieve this and I urge employers and individuals to come forward with their donation of IT equipment. Leeds City Council is pleased to offer our support.” Megan Lipp from Leedsbased social enterprise Ahead Partnership, said: “Our mission is to help partners from the corporate sector to bring positive change to their local communities and give young people a more confident start to their careers. We are delighted to be working
with Digital Access West Yorkshire to help Leeds employers do this in the simplest of ways by donating their unused tech. “Young people are spending more time learning from home because of the pandemic but, according to the Children’s Commissioner’s Office, up to 1.78 million children in the UK do not have access to a suitable device. It is more important than ever that we all take action to close this digital divide.” More information about Leeds Tech Angels including how to donate tech kit can be found at tech-angels.net
Website: www.southleedslife.com
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Festive cheer for Holbeck families by Matthew Springthorpe
H
olbeck Together is working with local families over the school holidays with support from Leeds Community Foundation’s Healthy Holidays Fund. We kicked off the holidays on Saturday 19 December with our Christmas Grotto. Families and bubbles were invited to book a slot to come down to St Matthew’s community centre to visit our version of a winter wonderland within the safety guidelines. We wanted to create something that would bring some festive cheer and give people the opportunity to engage in a community activity from a safe distance. Over 40 children were able to come along with their families throughout the day, to safely meet Santa, enjoy the Christmas decorations and have a cup of hot chocolate and soup.
On the Wednesday before Christmas families collected a festive themed recipe kit, with Chef Julie’s instructions and tips as well as the full list of ingredients included, free of charge. The kits are designed to support families to cook and eat healthily together, whilst learning skills and having fun. Each family also received a Christmas Eve Box, tailor-made with each child in mind. The boxes included an activity pack with colouring pencils, glue and scissors; festive stationary; a Christmas Eve tray for Santa; chocolate and sweet treats; sensory toys for small children 1-3, make your own toys for 3-6 age group, and fluffy bed socks for older children 7 plus; knitted toys donated by a Holbeck Together client; Christmas mugs with hot choc and marshmallows; and a family reindeer game. There was an additional pick-up on 30 December, when families collected an additional holiday food hamper and
Holbeck Together ran a Santa’s Grotto To bring some extra festive cheer, we were delighted to arrange a surprise Christmas present with the help of Lloyds Banking Group. The fantastic team at Lloyds have been fundraising and gifting over the last 6 weeks, to ensure everyone who came along had something to open on Christmas Day. We were delighted to be joined by Oliva from Lloyds on the day, who helped Santa spread some extra Christmas magic.
holiday activity packs, with a range of at-home creative activities and resources to keep everyone entertained and well fed. If you would like your family, or a family you know, to be included in our Healthy Holidays project in the future, please give us a call on (0113) 245 5553. We wanted to reach out to as many people as possible at what can be a difficult time of the year. Last month, we sent out
Season’s Greetings cards to everyone in Holbeck, all 5,300 addresses. It was a gesture of friendship during the festive season, but also includes practical information about how people can access support should they need it. Our hope was to connect with people we haven’t met before and reach out to those who aren't digitally connected. It’s been wonderful to hear from people, so please give us a call and say hi if you’d like. You’ll hopefully also see our banners dotted about Holbeck – we want as many people as possible to know there’s support, advice and activities available in their community. So please spread the word. We couldn’t do what we do without our amazing team of volunteers. Their contributions this year have been above and beyond and we want to personally thank everyone who help us keep the wheels turning, despite the many obstacles, to ensure those who needed support received it. From pitching in with whatever was needed on the day, to trying their hand at new tasks and roles, and always going the extra mile; our volunteers’ hard work and compassion has been a shining light and an inspiration to the whole staff team at Holbeck Together. Without their help this year we wouldn’t have been able to deliver the 11,000+ meals delivered directly to our older clients’ homes; we wouldn’t have been able to provide 1,500+ meals to families locally; we wouldn’t have been able to shop on behalf of someone who couldn’t get out 182 times; to provide food relief through our 1,800+ food parcels; to provide wellbeing support to those who are isolated at home more than 2,700 times; or to provide almost 2,000 at home activity packs for our older community and young families. None of it would have been possible without their help. Words don’t seem to be enough to convey our gratitude for these contributions this year. At a time when everyone was challenged by the crisis, it is a remarkable thing to look outwards at helping others, rather than pulling back and looking inwards. Here’s to friendship and community spirit in 2021 – we can’t wait to continue our great project next year.
www.southleedslife.com
South Leeds Life | January 2021
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
10 News
Improved access and disabled parking at Arthington Court
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
Middleton Railway embarks on major improvement works D
espite not being able to operate trains at present, Middleton Railway is pressing on with three major projects which have been funded via the two Lottery Grants received earlier this year. The major project is the construction of a new Mezzanine Floor in their ‘Engine House’, led by volunteer and Civil Engineer, Mark Calvert. Costing around £50,000 this entails constructing the floor itself, along with steps and an access lift, together with new lighting under the new floor.
Already, the steelwork has been cut to size and over 400 holes drilled to fit the whole thing together. This exciting new project will, when fitted out, tell the story of Matthew Murray and John Blenkinsop plus the Leeds Locomotive building industry – more locomotives were built in Leeds than any ex main line railway works. The only British city to build more locomotives than Leeds was Glasgow, due to the North British Locomotive Company’s output. In the early years of the 19th
century, Leeds was very much a centre of innovation – the ‘Silicon Valley’ of its day and which the Middleton Railway wants to highlight. Mark Calvert commented: "The mezzanine floor is an exciting development in the story of the Middleton Railway. With the help of the National Lottery and our corporate partners, we have been able to further invest in our site, enabling the Middleton Railway to diversify its income stream and improve our resilience while expanding our offering. “To have the ability in-house
to complete the works is a rare treat, and shows the value of our volunteers.” The second project, closely associated with the mezzanine, is a £20,000 revamp of the conference room, which will bring it up to a very high standard including new soundproofing and IT facilities. The railway’s third major project is the rebuild of PMV 2223 as their fourth passenger coach. The intention is to have three working vehicles in service at any one time, with the fourth on standby or under repair.
Arthington Court in Hunslet. Photo: Google Streetview
F
ollowing concerns raised by residents and their families about the uneven access from the car park of Arthington Court to the main access door, and the lack of dedicated disabled parking bays on site. Councillors put forward a request to the Housing Advisory Panel to fund the creation of an improved level access and new dedicated disabled parking bays. The Councillors were delighted when the funding was approved and the improvements were completed a few weeks ago. Councillor Mohammed Iqbal
said: “Several people contacted Cllr Elizabeth Nash, Cllr Paul Wray and I separately about concerns these improvements address. Though these may seem small matters, they make a huge difference to the quality of life for residents. We welcome the fact the Housing Advisory Panel agreed to fund these improvements and they are now in place – we know that they will be well received. “We always welcome ideas to improve the community, so just like this one, if you do have any, please let us know and we will see what can be done.”
Steelwork ready for assembly
Middleton Railway Vice President wins major award
Changing your T furniture? Donate it to support people with Learning Disabilities
Call us to arrange a free pickup
0113 270 4005 South Leeds AlternativeTrading Enterprises Ltd Registed Company no 6394383 | Registered Charity 1149293
The mezzanine will tell the story of innovation in Hunslet
he Middleton Railway’s Vice President, Ian Smith, has been awarded the Railway Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award for services to preservation. The award was given for “Outstanding work and personal dedication to the Middleton Railway for 50 years” The citation reads: “For more than 50 years dedicated service as a volunteer at the Middleton Railway, helping to shape the railway for future generations, creating a community asset in a city environment and for recognising the importance of preserving industrial locomotives built in Leeds.” Ian Smith said: “I am both delighted and honoured to receive this award, which reflects on the Middleton Railway and its members dedication towards keeping this historic line open for future generations to enjoy.” Middleton Railway Chairman, Charles Milner, said: “I am delighted that Ian has been awarded the 2021
Railway Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award. This richly deserved award reflects a lifetime devoted to the service of the Heritage Railway movement. Ian has been at the heart of many of the major developments on the Middleton Railway during its first 60 years as a Heritage Railway. “He served for six years as the Railway’s Chairman and continues to serve the railway
as Vice – President and Publicity Officer. He has also been a director of the Heritage Railway Association, is a trustee of the Vintage Carriages Trust and is an active member of the Tramway Museum Society. His enthusiasm and support for the Heritage Railway movement is an inspiration to us all and he has always generously given of his vast knowledge of railway preservation and his beloved
Ian Smith on the tannoy at Moor Road station
industrial locomotives. “Congratulations Ian, well done” The Middleton Railway was built in 1758 and is the first railway authorised by an Act of Parliament, the first to have commercially successful steam locomotives, in June 1812 and also the first standard gauge preserved railway, opening in June 1960. It has operated trains every year since opening in 1758.
www.southleedslife.com
Website: www.southleedslife.com
Email: info@southleedslife.com
January 2021 | South Leeds Life
A Christmas like no other 11
A Christmas like no other T
he people of South Leeds took a typically robust approach to Christmas 2020. If they couldn’t have the usual celebrations then they invented new ways to come together, spread joy and stay safe.
After nine months of social distancing and lockdowns the usual Santa’s Grottos, carol singing, parties and festivals. Over the next four pages we will try and show you how South Leeds responded, going mobile around the
streets, taking presents to children and hot meals to the elderly. A massive ‘Thank you’ needs to be said to the army of volunteers that put on so many fantastic activities and made sure Christmas was still Christmas.
Run, Run, Dobbin Santa swapped his sleigh for a horse and cart when two teenagers offered to help. Together they delivered presents to the families supported by the Disability Families of Middleton charity.
Fayre enough Slung Low made sure their annual Christmas Fayre could go ahead by taking out of the Holbeck Club and into the car park. There were gazebos for all the stalls, a one way system and of course, a hog roast.
You, Me and DePuy Staff from DePuy Synthes in Beeston rounded off an amazing year of fundraising and volunteering by delivering 217 Christmas dinners to elderly members of MHA Communities South Leeds (formerly the South Leeds Live At Home Scheme) on 10 & 11 December. Kerry Seymour, who co-ordinates DePuy’s community involvement commented: “It’s been inspirational … we have managed to donate over 10,000 volunteering hours and over £50,000 to local charities during lockdown as well as supporting many national charities. I am blown away my our employees’ spirit and commitment to helping our local Beeston community.”
www.southleedslife.com
South Leeds Life | January 2021
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
12 A Christmas like no other
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
Out on the wild and windy moor Volunteer elves in Hunslet Moor braved heaving rain on Sunday 13 December to help Father Christmas deliver gift hampers to 124 children around the Longroyds and Garnets neighbourhoods. Brenda Barlow (chair of the Friends group) said: “Today was so special. Four and a half hours in the pouring rain, but worth every minute.” Badger Nimahson added: “Seeing all the excited children was magical, and all the wonderful feedback is humbling: it’s been an amazing day.”
Saturday Night Fever A Saturday night Christmas treat came to residents of Acre Court and Middleton Park Court on 12 December. Samantha Ely organised staff and volunteers from Middleton Elderly Aid and DAZL to perform for them and give them a Christmas pressie and a mince pie to cheer them up on a cold night. There was also Christmas music played so the residents could all have a little dance, which they have been missing greatly.
Drive-In Sunday Sunday 20 December saw two Drive-in Carol Services in the car park of Dunelm in Holbeck. The event was hosted by St Luke’s, Holbeck and St John’s, Wortley churches and addressed by the Bishop of Leeds, Rt Rev Nick Baines.
Dinner to your door Volunteers from the Ciaran Bingham Foundation Trust delivered over 70 Christmas dinners to isolated older people on Christmas Day
Ch
Lau “We we for foo out
Lanterns take to the streets On Saturday 12 December, families across Beeston and Holbeck came out of their houses to enjoy the spectacle of Christmas carols and festive cheer blasting out from an illuminated open-top bus and bicycle procession – as a Covid-safe alternative to the popular annual Lantern Festival in Cross Flatts Park. The bus, complete with a Salvation Army band on the top deck, wove through the streets whilst volunteers dished out sweets and Hope In The Darkness posters. The event was supported by White Rose Office Park and Munroe K.
January 2021 | South Leeds Life
www.southleedslife.com
Website: www.southleedslife.com
A Christmas like no other 13
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Express delivery Sense of Occasion and LHA Car & Commercial teamed up bring festive cheer in the shape of the Christmas Express to the streets of Beeston and Middleton. The decorated van took Santa and his helpers to deliver presents to young and old alike, there was even time to stop for a selfie. It was all in a good cause raing funds for Middleton Elderly Aid and MHA Communities South Leeds.
Care Homes cared for Rachel Cunningham, Asda’s Community Champion at Middleton said: “We were delighted to deliver three gifts for every resident at Victoria House, Nesfield Lodge, Middleton Park Lodge and gifts for the staff on behalf of Asda Middleton’s colleagues and customers. A huge thank you to everybody that has donated. A special mention to Jane Lee who donated over 100 gifts in memory of her father.”
hildren didn’t miss the bus
ura Hodgkinson from Kidz Klub explained: We had a joyous evening when 7 Buses of Blessing, pimped for festivities, went out across the streets of Leeds. As we went, handed out 100s of selection boxes and gave out sacks full to the brim of presents to children who had been nominated r one this Christmas by others. We’ve also been able to give out over 250 Christmas gift Hampers full of treats, toys and od. Toy collections and distribution by our friends and partners have meant that 100s and 100s of toys have been given t - we’re so thankful for people’s generosity.”
Tubthumping The Peggy Tub social club in Hunslet Carr hosted over 240 local children and their families for an acclaimed Santa’s Grotto. Families (who attended within strict Covid-safe guidelines and time slots) were treated to a magical Christmas wonderland, including a specially made lifesize sleigh and reindeer, time with Father Christmas, and gifts. Julie Adams, who manages the club, commented: “The kids have had a rubbish year – but with the club closed, we did at least have the space to do something big and special. So many people helped out to make this possible, and it was all worth it: everyone enjoyed it, and we’ve had amazing feedback. Next year, it’ll be twice as big!”
Merry Men Santa took special presents to members of Middleton Elderly Aid on 23 December. The parcels had been made up by children at Robin Hood Primary School and donated to the charity.
www.southleedslife.com
South Leeds Life | January 2021
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
14 A Christmas like no other
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
Game for a laugh Not content with running a foodbank, creating an outdoor citizens’ art gallery, publishing a children’s book and giving a copy to every child in Holbeck ... Slung Low brought back their interactive gameshow You Can Bet It’s Christmas on 23 December. Music was provided by The Holbeck Tier 3 Tinsel Swingers and ‘throwing grade’ Christmas puddings were hurled at the stage by the audience. Photos: Simon K Allen.
Winter Wonderland Belle Isle’s Manorfield Hall was turned into a winter wonderland for children as Santa arrived, assisted by Belle Isle TMO. Organiser Emma Pogson-Golden said: “There’s no better feeling than a seeing any child visiting Santa and the magic in their eyes. I couldn’t have children without a Christmas, without a photo with Santa.” Darren Brown of BITMO Gate added: “To see the smiles on the kids faces, the parents and grandparents brought tears to my eyes. What better feeling than to restore a smile. I have loved every second … it was definitely worth it.”
Elf Service The Elves from MHA Communities South Leeds were still busy on Christmas Day, delivering Christmas dinners to older people in the community
Happy Together Holbeck Together has been supporting both older people and families all year and Christmas was no different. 50 Festive Activity Packs made up by young people on the Leeds United Foundation NCS scheme were just one of the deliveries. Then St Matthew’s was turned into Santa’s Grotto for over 40 children, who enjoyed the decorations and cup of warm soup or hot chocolate after safely meeting Santa.
www.southleedslife.com
South Leeds Life | January 2021
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
16 Comment
In our view Tenth anniversary Highways England have form when it comes to consulting with tenants. Before they cut the trees down at the back of Blakeney Grove, they put up a bright green fence along Parnaby Road in the Spring. No doubt it’s easier to carry out works on rural sections of the motorway network. But the M621 snakes through inner city Leeds, often just yards from people’s houses. You need to do more than produce a leaflet and hold a drop-in event. That may tick the box for community consultation, but it doesn’t actually communicate with theaffected residents. Proper communication is a two way process - you have to listen and you have to be prepared to accept that the solution you are putting forward may not be the best. It seems Highways England have a lot to learn. It is to be hoped that these barriers do actually reduce noise for residents once they’re finally finished.
Christmas adverts We’ve had our biggest ever response to our report on the Coop’s Christmas advert. It’s not just that it stars two Middleton lads, many correspondents commented on that it touched their hearts. After such a difficult year as 2020, people warmed to the theme of giving something back to the community, in this case a song. It’s fitting that the Co-op chose Austin and Rocco from South Leeds, because they portrayed what so many local people have done this year. When the call has gone out, people have stepped up and said “Yes, I can do that.� It’s that good old South Leeds Solidarity. It was especially true around Christmas and we hope we’ve captured that with our photo supplement.
New Year’s Honours Not everyone is a fan of the honours system. All that talk of Empire seem very outdated and is offensive to many British citizens with family roots in other parts of the globe. But it’s still good to see local heroes recognised. Alan Lane, BEM from Slung Low was at pains to point to the rest of his team and the partner organisations they have been working with this year, but their is no doubting his passion and leadership has made things happen in Holbeck. We know from our comments section that Cllr Judith Blake is not everyone’s cup of tea, but we salute her work locally and for the city as she is made a Life Peer in the House of Lords. This appointment recognises how she has run Leeds City Council, preserving services despite the cuts in funding.
Your letters and comments Tree felling on the M621 Professor Alan Simson, professor of landscape architecture and urban forestry at Leeds Beckett University has advised that 36 trees must be planted to compensate for each mature tree felled. Three is not enough. Mature trees are better equipped to deal with aerial pollution than smaller younger trees as they have more leaf area. All the mature trees being felled by Highways England to install these metal barriers will I imagine more that eat up the number of saplings that the council are so proud of planting. So realistically the carbon footprint of Leeds is going to increase because of this attempt at soundproofing. Since I watched motorways appearing as I grew up, trees were planted up the sides of them. 1 They stabilised the soil 2 They protected houses in built up areas from pollution and noise 3 They protected crops from pollution in urban area’s. (nobody bothered about global warming in those days) So now Highways England have decided they know better. It increases sound in area’s where it has been put up like on the Parnabys because it amplifies sound from the estate side of the metal wall. It does nothing to neutralise the pollution and has increased it by felling trees and after a few years of British rain the embankments could start to erode because there are no longer the underground root system to stabilise it. It has also taken away the habitat of the birds and animals that lived in the trees. It looks terrible. They know this and have been made to repaint it on the stretch near the park and ride and it looks like to get revenge on the area they are putting up even more of the same. Highways England is not alone in this because the plans are signed off by the council’s planning department. I feel really sorry for our Councillors at times like this because they try and improve the area and help the people, then the civil servants decide to do things like this. Linda Meikle
Moor Road safety I’m sorry I don’t think an island is good enough, it needs a proper zebra crossing to make it safe. I for one still wouldn’t feel safe with an island. You can’t even see properly to cross sometimes with all the parked cars, especially those parked on yellow lines. Mrs J Brazier It is not the lack of safety issues in the area, it is a lack of law enforcement personnel, the police are noticeable through their absence in the area. Boy racers use Moor Road as a drag strip, the Royal Estate is a race track and Belle Isle Road and Balm Road are used by motorists doing in excess of 50mph in what is supposed to be 30mph zone. Until the police start patrolling the area nothing will change. Jay Owen
Co-op Christmas advert Absolutely superb advert! Best Christmas ad for years! Love these young guys and
The view from Blakeney Grove after the trees were felled everything about them and the ad as it gives me a lovely warm glow and shows the Co-op’s positioning within the local community. The ad reveals how it’s not necessary to spend money to enjoy each other’s company. No doubt we’ll be seeing even more of these guys. Paula Duncan Two amazing boys from Leeds 10, they are a credit to themselves and their parents. The Co-op has certainly done a good job, this is my favourite Christmas advert. Anne Sharp Well done boys! What a lovely thing for them and their parents to remember and be able to show their own children when they grow up. And well done Co-op this is just what people need after this year, I think this may just be my favourite Christmas ad this year. Kerry Binns It’s so good to see two young lads who are doing something positive from the south of Leeds instead of hanging around causing trouble at shopping centres. I know - I work in one! Well done lads and well done the parents for encouraging them! Kevin Appleton Absolutely beautiful, loving it as a Co-op employee who has worked through the pandemic with a fantastic team. I got a lump in my throat. Thanks boys. Dorothy Hammond
Deconstructing a culture With the very depressing news that another Leeds pub, The Drysalters, is to be turned into a characterless coffee bar. It is yet another example of the way our very culture and way of life has been eradicated. Leeds had its fare share of great pubs and hostelries where communities met and socialised and our lives then, were much the richer for it. Whatever your views are on this virus in the space of less than a year all societal freedoms and liberties have been eradicated through the medium of fear. Don't mix, don't talk, don't laugh a totalitarian society, and woe betide the person who challenges it!
Not only have they taken our pubs & clubs but no opportunity is lost to maintain this joyless society. Little wonder the suicide rates and mental health casualties are through the roof. Tony Callaghan
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
Top Tweets Keep up to date, up to the minute, by following South Leeds Life’s Twitter feed: @SouthLeedsLife. Twitter is the 140 character ‘micro blogging’ site. It’s free and you can sign up at twitter.com. It’s a great place to find the very latest news. Here are some of our favourite recent tweets: @Wayne_Dixon One of our family traditions is a trip to @MiddletonRailwa, to see Santa with my kids. Unfortunately we can’t this year. The railway’s still made Christmas special for my boys though, what a great touch sending them a card from Santa - they loved it.
Bowling greens I am shocked and saddened that the Council are considering closing many of our bowling greens. I am 93 years old and have been bowling for 33 years. I have played in competitive matches on most of the greens across the city. Bowls is a wonderful social activitity and closing the greens will be detrimental to people’s physical and mental health. There couldn’t be a lovelier place to be than on Middleton Park bowling green on a sunny day. Mary Wood
Looking for Brixton Street I was recently working in this part of Leeds and wondered if any of your more senior readers remember the whereabouts of two streets named; Brixton Street and Brixton Place? These houses were one up and one down and were demolished in the early 1960s I believe. My parents first moved here when they got married and I’d love to know the approximate location. J Docherty
Thank you Thank you so much for the mug that you left for me. It was such a nice surprise and I’m using it now. I want to thank you for all the support you have given the Friends of Middleton Park and for the newspaper that you deliver to me each month. I like to read the hard copy of the paper. I wish you all a merry Christmas and let’s hope for a better 2021. Rachel Darton
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.
@LeedsCC_News Primary school place applications are open. Did you know, if you live in a school’s catchment area you are not guaranteed a place there. Find out more at orlo.uk/9x00z @Clean_Leeds Once again The #holbeck team had to bring out the Big Guns to remove a large #Flytip This time on Kenneth Street #LS11 #LoveWhereYouLive #YourWasteYourResponsibility #CrimeNotToCare #oneLeeds #OneLove #ALAW
@HunsletClub Well our activity camp has finished for the final time this year, the children have had so much fun and won prizes playing our dance games đ&#x;’šđ&#x;’›
@clothcatleeds Did you get a guitar for #Christmas? Learn how to play it for FREE with our guitar course for 11-18 year olds starting in January. Spaces are limited, so make sure to secure your spot: clothcatleeds.org.uk
www.southleedslife.com
Website: www.southleedslife.com
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Comment 17
MP’s notebook by Hilary Benn MP
A
s some of us try and make up for Christmas indulgence by increasing the number of steps we take each day, you notice just how much more of your surroundings you can take in when walking as opposed to travelling the same route by car. I really enjoy looking at front gardens, but South Leeds is, of course, also full of history and the Leeds Civic Trust blue plaques provide a wonderful means of navigation. For example, if you start on Leeds Bridge there’s a plaque there commemorating Louis Le Prince who took the world’s first moving pictures. Onwards to Holbeck you will find the plaque on the oldest Working Men’s Club in the country, before heading for the East Stand at Elland Road where Albert Johansson's achievements for Leeds United are recalled.
If you’re feeling really energetic you could head on to Morley where the great Leeds cyclist Beryl Burton is remembered, before returning via 59 Cemetery Road in Beeston. That’s where Ivy Benson saxophonist, clarinettist and bandleader lived as a child. If you want to make it a circular walk then return via Temple Works sheep used to graze on the roof there - before ending up at the Corn Exchange where Alice Bacon, the city’s first woman MP, held her advice surgeries. We all owe a debt of gratitude to the Civic Trust for reminding us of our extraordinary history, and if you would like to find out more there is a great book Blue Plaques of Leeds: The Next Collection which has just been published. You can order a copy at: leedscivictrust.org.uk Now, talking of walking, cycling and driving almost nothing gets people exercised
quite so much as changes to our roads. This has come to the fore recently with a series of lively debates about what are known as active travel neighbourhoods. The Council is trying out road closures in an attempt to reduce rat-running and make our streets safer. The catalyst has been reduced traffic in the wake of the Covid crisis. Plans for a scheme in Beeston on the north side of Dewsbury Road are in preparation, while the scheme in Hyde Park has led to quite a large number of complaints, although in fairness the Council has amended it a bit in response. The merit of using planters, as opposed to making expensive changes to the carriageway and putting up no entry signs, is that you can close and reopen a road fairly quickly. Ironically, the reason why there has been less consultation than normal has
been the way in which the Government made it clear to local councils that they had to spend the money ministers had earmarked for these schemes really quickly or lose it altogether. I don't think this is a very sensible way to proceed. Some people love the changes because they are better for cyclists and reduce the number of cars coming down residential streets. Others hate them because they make for longer and more congested journeys and cut off quick routes to and from work, school or friends. To make a proper judgement on whether a scheme is working or not, I think we need to take a longer term view. Does it actually meet the objectives that were set? Has it reduced CO2 emissions rather than increase them because of longer detours? Does it reduce road accidents? The ability to get around and do the things that matter to us and having a car gives us flexibility to travel when and where we want without being dependent on bus or train timetables.
Hilary Benn is our Member of Parliament. 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: Unity Business Centre, 26 Roundhay Road, Leeds LS7 1AB; Tel: 0113 244 1097
The politics of place by Ed Carlisle
P
eople get very passionate about where they live. Which is great, because it often inspires us into community action – and we should celebrate that there’s plenty of that here in south Leeds. But scratch below the surface, or simply get debating on social media (!) and there’s a load of confusion and ambiguity about the names we give our neighbourhoods. And people get very roused about it ... I live just off Tempest Road. Almost everyone agrees that this is Beeston – most famously and tragically, in 2005, our neighbourhood got labelled as the home of the socalled ‘Beeston Bombers’. But historically, that’s not been the case: this area was once very much part of Hunslet. There’s the Hunslet Fire Station on Dewsbury Road; we used to have ‘West Hunslet’ Conservative and Liberal clubs; and maybe it’s why Google Maps bizarrely brands this area as ‘Hunslet Carr’ - I’ve tried to
January 2021 | South Leeds Life
set them right, but had no joy. So, to this day, there are some in the Council who insist that we’re still very much Hunslet. After all, we’re in the ‘Hunslet and Riverside’ council ward (and before that, ‘City and Hunslet’); every year at election time, there’s confusion that we’re not in the ‘Beeston and Holbeck’ ward. Indeed, there’s always a tension between the different ways in which officials and locals define places. Another example here is the old socalled ‘Holbeck’ police station, previously on Burton Road – because that’s what the Police used to call their south Leeds division. The issue was compounded when Aldi bought the site, and built what they to this day call their ‘Holbeck’ store: can someone put them out of their misery? And there are also undoubtedly situations where people don’t want to be associated with particular places. I know of Beeston residents (nice folk) who after the 2005 bombings starting telling people they lived in ‘Cross Flatts’.
Our 2017 April Fools story – about an independence movement arising in overlooked Millshaw – playfully touched on this theme. And apparently proud residents of the historic Beeston neighbourhood (the southern side of Cross Flatts Park)
petitioned the national Electoral Commission to ensure our side of the park was lumped into the Hunslet council ward (it worked). Maybe that’s partly why the name ‘Beeston Hill’ has emerged – to distinguish our neighbourhood from other neighbourhoods within Beeston. As I wrote in my article ‘Is Beeston so Bad?’ in 2019, this area is now a sprawling
Is it Beeston or Hunslet? Maps reflect the changing landscape
Hilary Benn MP On the other hand, there are many people who can't afford to run a car and others who have chosen to give one up because they prefer to cycle or walk or use public transport which can, in some circumstances, be quicker than driving. And we all know that we've got to reduce dangerous air pollution and move away, in pretty short order, from petrol and diesel vehicles to zero emission ones. There's one really big thing we need and that’s a rapid transit system in Leeds. Look around other comparable cities in Britain and Europe and you will find that almost all of them have a tram system. Leeds
does not. This simply isn't good enough and investing in one would make a really good start to 2021. Meanwhile, we can see the electric vehicle revolution beginning as more models are produced although people worry about their range and how they would charge a vehicle. And they are currently more expensive than other cars. But in 25 years’ time, the internal combustion engine will largely be seen as an historic relic as we all begin to feel the benefits of cleaner air and quieter roads in our towns and cities. Happy New Year to one and all.
community with 30,000 residents. How times have changed: Beeston was once a hamlet at the top of Wesley Street, a minnow in the shadow of Holbeck and Hunslet. But there are those who argue vigorously (yes, really) that ‘Beeston Hill’ is essentially just one street (Beeston Road), not a neighbourhood; that the notion of a place called ‘Beeston Hill’ is a new and divisive idea we should knock
on the head. The 1908 map is certainly against them: the area at the top of Tempest Road, around Cad Beeston (where the ancient manor house is), is boldly named ‘Beeston Hill’ on there. But more generally, who gets to decide what we call any given neighbourhood? Surely anyone can call any place anything they like. If you’re alone in doing so, that’s pretty meaningless; but if a fair number of people do so (and I’d be interested to know how many Beeston Hill residents recognise that name), it becomes a public reality – right? A parallel perhaps is the emergence of the name ‘Beeston Village’ - the name some people are starting (just in the past few years, it seems) to give to ‘old’ Beeston, south of Cross Flatts Park. Does this name have history? Does it make sense to people? Do they like or use it? Branching out, it certainly gets blurry at the edge of neighbourhoods. Where does Beeston end and Holbeck begin? You’d certainly get a very different answer today, compared to 1940 (the motorway, built in the 1970s, was a game-changer). Contined on page 18
www.southleedslife.com
South Leeds Life | January 2021
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
18 Comment
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
Councillors’ briefing A
s 2020 draws to a close, as Councillors, we can reflect on the challenges the year has brought to individuals, businesses, and the public sector many rely on and most of use daily without thinking about. As a nation, and as city, it has been reaffirmed how important key workers are how we live our lives- from shop assistants to posties, nurses to bus drivers, teachers to care worker, Waste collectors and much more. With the vaccine starting to be rolled out, we all hope 2021 is more promising and positive. But pandemic has created a long shadow. For Leeds, the annual budget it spends on day-to-day things will fall by around 20%. This which means over £100m. This will have an impact on all aspects of the Council’s services. As a Labour Council we have prioritised, and will continue to prioritise, spending for the most vulnerable in our city, in particular social care and children’s services. This is the right thing to do. But this does have an impact on other services which now face a disproportionally larger hit if the Council is to balance the budget. We will work with the incredibly dedicated staff at the Council (who have worked tirelessly over 2020) to minimise how much it affects you as residents.
As we reflect on this situation we are deeply frustrated the Government has not supported Local Government in the way it should have, particularly after year-on-year reducing budgets for over a decade in the name of ‘austerity’. It had the opportunity in the Autumn Spending Review to support the vital work local authorities across the country do. They chose not to. Despite this, we all remain resolutely positive and believe the fantastic communities in South Leeds will continue to thrive thanks to the many organisations and individuals who do so much for the area. We cannot even begin to list everyone, but you know who you are. A Happy New Year to all. Beeston and Holbeck Ward Councillors: Here as some recent activities and developments locally: • The Meynell Approach new Council housing scheme has been approved and work will start in 2021. • The Christmas Market at The Holbeck WMC, 0rganised by Slung Low, was a great success and attended by many local people - over 1000 people attended. • We nominated the following for the Lord Mayor’s Third Sector award: Holbeck Together, South Leeds Live at Home MHA Scheme and Slung
New play equipment at Church Street, Hunslet
Low • The Councils Woodland Creation programme has started to plant 2800 tree saplings on Beggars Hill as part of 40,000 being planted across Leeds this financial year. • We gave approval for a legal Street Art Zone facing Beggars Hill. There is still funding in our ward’s small grants budget for voluntary and charitable organisations for small projects. These grants are up to £500. Please email lynda.bambury@leeds.gov.uk
St Mary’s Spire future. • We delivered road safety improvements, such as the Zebra crossing on Pepper Road. These are just a taster of a year of work. As we move in to 2021 we will keep working for you locally, and look forward to when our communities can truly reopen. Middleton Park Ward Councillors: Here is some of this years work: • New housing delivered on Acre and Bodmin Road, and a proposal for 116 Council and 60 Extra Care houses
The legal street art zome in Beeston for more information. Hunslet and Riverside Ward Councillors: Thank you to the Council’s staff, third sector, and heath and emergency services who kept our city going. Thank you also to local residents who kept to the rules. Despite the pandemic, we continued to deliver on your priorities: • On the climate and biodiversity crisis, we delivered more tree planting and enhancements such as bulb planting. • On health, we invested in our local parks and playgrounds such as Church Street, and are expanding access to cycling and walking. • We continued to protect your history, whether this is the renewed Bile Bean sign or progressing plans for Hunslet
readers about the places they call home. Back in the day, Holbeck extended all the way to the railway station – but does that resonate with residents of so-called ‘Holbeck Urban Village’ (is that even still recognised as a place)? And others in Hunslet argue that their area truly encompasses everything like Leeds Dock all the way to Leeds Bridge. Do others agree? Is it a problem if they don’t? Or does anyone think they live in ‘Hunslet Lake’? Or how about Stourton? Please let us know!
elsewhere with retained greenspace and football pitch. • Elements Primary School opened and plans to deliver a new High School agreed with Cockburn. • Middleton Park to be extended and upgrades to the tennis and basketball courts agreed. • New trees planted across the ward. • Securing the Golf House to be offered for community ownership. • New Gym provided at Middleton Sports Centre. • Bus stop upgrades across the ward. • New Community Centre
for Cranmore and Raylands. • New Community Space for DAZL Dance. • Supporting Foodbanks St Cross Church and Manorfield Hall • Progressing Green Corridors for the Westwoods and New Forest Village. • Working with Middleton Urban Bike Park to create green corridors for cycling. • Working with BITMO on the Digital Divide via the Neighbourhood Improvements Board. • New public fencing installed across ward. • New Benches and trees agreed for Old Run Road.
Your Leeds City Councillors Beeston & Holbeck ward Includes Beeston from Cross Flatts Park to the Ring Road, Cottingley and 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
The politics of place Continued from page 17 And what about the Longroyds neighbourhood at the northern end of Dewsbury Road? It’s increasingly become known as ‘Hunslet Moor’ – and some residents there I know deliberately adopted that name, to create a distinctive local identity (and it’s coincided with a growth in community action there). But is it also Beeston, or also Hunslet, or neither? Ten local residents would give you ten different answers. We’d love to hear more from
The new Elements Primary School in Middleton
It could be worse. The south Leeds community features great folk from far-flung places including Kurdistan, Balochistan, and the Balkan nations – regions racked by conflict and oppression relating to the politics of place and identity. Let’s keep building neighbourhood identities – which can be such a driver for positive community action. But let’s not get too roused by our places and our identities, or things might get messy...
Our April Fools story from 2017
www.southleedslife.com
Website: www.southleedslife.com
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Comment 19
A serial blood donor by Rev Andrew Pearson
M
any of our readers will have come across Rev Lindsey Pearson, the Vicar of St Mary’s, Beeston, and a regular blood donor. But have you met her husband, Andrew, who is also a vicar (at the Church of the Venerable Bede, Wyther, between Armley and Bramley), who has given 565 blood donations? Here, he tells us more. I wonder how many of you have a ‘bucket list,’ perhaps along the lines of a ‘hundred things to do before you die’? When I was coming up to my 50th birthday in 2009, I had an ambition to achieve 500 blood donations before reaching sixty years – which I managed in April 2019, six months before my 60th birthday. So, how, you might wonder, is it is possible to give as much as this? You can give blood from the age of 17 and onwards and keep going until you’re 70. If you have had certain diseases or have simply had flu’ you may not be able to give blood (or, at least, not for a while). Every time I go to donate (at the Donor Suite on The Headrow in the centre of Leeds), I have to answer a questionnaire and I tick a lot of boxes about my health and whether I have been abroad. As a consequence of visiting Sri Lanka on a work trip last year I couldn’t give blood for two months, and the vaccinations I needed ahead of going there (for cholera, typhoid, etc) also stopped me from giving blood for three months before that trip. I started giving blood when I was still at school and for many years, I gave whole blood (the red stuff). It takes about half an hour and the worst of it is having a finger pricked to give a tiny drop in order to test your iron (haemoglobin) levels and, shortly afterwards, having a bigger needle in your arm for the donation to take place. Back in the 1990s, I was asked if I’d be willing to be a platelet donor. This is the component of blood which helps blood to clot (useful in major operations or with victims of serious accidents) and, confusingly, it comes out yellow! Donating platelets takes over an hour and for this reason I get credited with two donations per session. Then about four years ago, I was asked if I would consider giving plasma as well (also yellow) which helps burns victims and people suffering from various forms of cancer.
Giving platelets and plasma means I get credited with three donations on each visit. Whole blood donors can donate 3 or 4 times a year because it takes around three months for the body to make new blood. However, platelet (and plasma) donors can give as often as fortnightly, because these components are replaced by the body within a week.
January 2021 | South Leeds Life
end up asking if you’d like to give, say £3 a month, to help their work. Well, this young woman’s opening line, seeing the tell-tale bandage on my arm, was, “Have you just given blood?” When I said, “Yes,” she replied, “You saved my life!” She went on to tell me that, even though she was still in her ‘twenties, she had had leukaemia and had received
Proposal to remove the Foundation that is The Learning Trust (South Leeds) from Hugh Gaitskell Primary School. School Details: Hugh Gaitskell Primary School, St Anthony’s Drive, Leeds, LS11 8AB School Category: Foundation School Implementation date: Monday 1st March 2021 The governing body of Hugh Gaitskell Primary School are publishing proposals to remove the school’s foundation, The Learning Trust (South Leeds). Consultation This follows a consultation carried out for a period of [6] weeks from 1st June 2020 outlining the intention to remove the foundation. (A summary of responses to the initial consultation are outlined below). List of those previously consulted • The families of pupils at the school; • Teachers and other staff at the school; • The trustees of the Learning Trust (South Leeds); • The Local Authority, Leeds City Council; • The governing bodies of other foundation schools, maintained by Leeds City Council and for which the Learning Trust (South Leeds) acts as a foundation; and • Any trade unions that represent staff. Following the initial proposal in the consultation, the governing body received 8 responses from parents and other interested parties: Strongly Agree: 6 Agree: 1 Oppose: 1 A full Governing Body meeting was held on 14th July 2020 where the governing body initially resolved to publish proposals to remove the foundation trust and a further meeting was held on 11th December 2020 which confirmed this decision. The form of the Statutory proposal document was agreed on 11th December 2020. A unanimous decision to move forward with this proposal was taken at all meetings. Proposals Following the statutory process for removing a foundation under the Schools Organisation (Removal of Foundation, Reduction in Number of Foundation Governors and Ability of Foundation to Pay Debts) (England Regulations 2007), the school is required under regulation 4 to publish proposals. Any person has the opportunity to comment on or object to the proposals. If this is the case, they should do so by post to The Chair of Governors, Mrs Aftar Waris c/o Hugh Gaitskell Primary School, St Anthony’s Drive, Leeds, LS11 8AB, or via email info@hg-ps.org The closing date for responses is Monday 15th February 2021. As outlined in the consultation document, the governing body of Hugh Gaitskell Primary School proposes to remove the school’s foundation for the following reasons: • More effective use of time for the governors, the Headteacher and the leadership team. • Greater financial control for the school allowing resources to be targeted to directly improve outcomes for the children at the school. • Greater control over the school’s assets. • To focus on wider collaboration with a range of schools across the city to ensure the best provision and practice is always available for our children Copies of this proposal document will go to:
Photo: Shutterstock Blood donors get various credits, badges and certificates, that sort of thing. I also get a text about a week after I have given blood, which tells me where my donation has gone. Only once has it gone to St. James’ Hospital in Leeds (and just once to LGI) but it’s also gone to Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Leicester, Norwich, and so on. I’ve been told that every donation (all 565) can help as many as four people. You do the maths! For me, this is what makes it so worthwhile: giving to help others, and I personally value that the gift is indiscriminate, anyone can benefit from it. Having donated platelets and plasma a few years ago, on a sunny day in Leeds (we do have those to look forward to), I was hailed in Albion Street by a ‘chugger’! This is a ‘charity mugger,’ one of those people who stop you in the street and ask you about a charity, and
many units of plasma during her treatment. I asked her what blood-group she was and she said, “A-positive.” I said, “Perhaps I did help save your live then as I’m A-positive as well!” After that, she gave me a big hug and I felt ten feet tall. I left our encounter thinking: ‘she didn’t mug me but she did hug me’! Which brings me back to my bucket list. As my next decade will take me to being 70 years old (after which I may not be able to give blood) I have decided that I will do my best to try to make it to a thousand donations! For enquiries about giving blood contact NHS Blood & Transplant on 0300 123 2323 or text 07860 034 343; or go to www.blood.co.uk Donations are still welcomed despite the pandemic and the Blood Donor Centre is operating in a fully Covid-safe way.
• • • • •
The Trustees of the Learning Trust (South Leeds); Leeds City Council; The Secretary of State for Education; A local newspaper; and All noticeboards at all entrances to the school.
Transfer of Land Hugh Gaitskell Primary School became a foundation school on 1 July 2011. By virtue of the School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2007, on that date all land used for the purposes of the school vested in the Learning Trust (South Leeds) as the foundation body for the school. However, this land has not been formally transferred to the Learning Trust (South Leeds) from Leeds City Council at the Land Registry and therefore the current position is that whilst Leeds City Council retains the legal title to the land, they hold it on trust for the Learning Trust (South Leeds) for the purposes of the school. Should this proposal be approved by the governing body, the land used by the school will be transferred directly from Leeds City Council to the Governing Body of Hugh Gaitskell Primary School and this has been agreed in principle by the Council in order to avoid having to refer the matter to the Office of the Schools Adjudicator. The requirements of the School Premises Regulations 1999 will continue to be satisfied. No payment to any party will be made in relation to the land. The proposed constitution of the governing body after the foundation is removed will be as follows: Proposed constitution of Governing Body 1 Headteacher 1 LA Governor 1 Staff Governor 2 Partnership Governors 2 Parent Governors 5 Co-opted Governors Total 12 Governors (This will be set out in a revised draft instrument of government for Hugh Gaitskell Primary School.)
www.southleedslife.com
South Leeds Life | January 2021
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
20 Historic Life
Councillors debate historic buildings at risk
Temple Works: stabilisation works needed
L
eeds City Council’s Joint Plans Panel discussed a report on historic listed buildings in the city at risk of neglect and decay at its meeting on 17 December. There are 112 buildings deemed to be at risk out of a total of 2,478 listed buildings in the city. Of those 112 buildings at risk, 13 are in south Leeds (Beeston & Holbeck and Hunslet & Riverside wards). Two of what the Council call the ‘Big Three’, Temple Works in Holbeck and Hunslet Mill are in South Leeds. As we have reported, Hunslet Mill is part of a major restoration which will see it converted into apartments. Temple Works’ fate is less secure as its new owner CEG continues to explore how to save the building. Refurbishment works were described as some years off and will have to follow substantial stabilisation works. It is still hoped to house The British Library of The North when the works are complete. Another major group of
buildings Stank Hall Barn, Stank Hall and New Hall were not discussed at the meeting. South Leeds Life understands that a private developer in in discussions with the Council about plans to turn the barn into a wedding venue. Three more builds, 37,39 and 41 Hunslet Road, are terraced ‘workmen’s houses’ which fall with the Tetley Brewery site currently being redeveloped by Vastint. The developers were hoping to get the properties de-listed as their research shows they have been wrongly described and do not have historic merit. 16 and 18 Crown Point Road is the former Crown Hotel and an adjacent building. Planning permission has been sought to renovate and extend the building, reopening a pub on the ground floor with offices above. The remaining properties are the bridge over the Hol Beck on Water Lane, the gatehouse at Temple Works and the Engine House at Tower Works on Globe Road, Holbeck.
A house on Leeds Bridge by Ken Burton
I
f you walk south from Lower Briggate to cross Leeds Bridge the first building to be seen on your left has two plaques on the north facing wall. One of these, a Blue one to Louis le Prince who took the world's first successful moving picture of traffic on Leeds Bridge from a second floor window in the Hicks building in October 1888. The other is to Jabez Tunnicliff and the Band of Hope. Jabez Tunnicliff, was Minister of Call Lane Chapel, and it is to celebrate a meeting in this building which led to the formation of the Band of Hope. More next month about Jabez Tunnicliff. I well remember this building as Hicks Ironmongers store with a kettle hung outside. Le Prince was born on 28 August 1842 in Metz, Northern France. He was the son of a French Army officer who was a friend of the pioneer photographer Daguerre. He studied art in Paris and chemistry at Leipzig University, both provided academic knowledge that he was able to use in later times. It was while at Leipzig he met and befriended John Whitley the eldest son of a Hunslet iron and bronze foundry owner, Joseph Whitley, who was enthusiastic about technical innovation.
A house with history Chapeltown Road. However, he and Lizzie had a dream and In 1874 the couple started a school of applied art, the Leeds Technical School of Art at 33 Park Square, this became renowned for its work in fixing colour photography onto metal and pottery. In 1875 two of their miniature portraits were chosen for presentation to the Duke of Edinburgh on the opening of the large Yorkshire Exhibition in Leeds, a royal commission followed. The Paris Exhibition in 1878 saw several of their works purchased for the National French Collection, and when Cleopatra's needle was
One building, two plaques
Stank Hall Barn could become a wedding venue
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
Le Prince visited Leeds in 1866 where he took a great interest in the foundry and agreed to be their agent in Paris. In Paris he also took a great interest in John's sister Lizzie when her father sent her there to study art. In July 1869 he married Lizzie Whitley, who had become a talented artist. 1870 was a difficult year for Prince, he felt obliged to volunteer to take part in the defence of Paris against the Prussians. On his return to Leeds he started work as a draughtsman at the Whitley Foundry. After their marriage they first lived in Hunslet before moving to Brandon Villas,
erected in London in the same year one of their Royal Portraits was among the selected objects buried beneath it in a bronze capsule casted at Whitley's Foundry. As far as it is known this is still there. Le Prince continued to experiment with new materials and techniques on photography and its commercial possibilities but money became tight and there were six children to support. In 1882 John Whitley persuaded the family to move to New York to join him in a new interior design business, when this failed Lizzie began teaching again while Louis worked at designing and
building huge panoramic displays which were all the rage at this time. He was convinced of the feasibility of taking and projecting moving images and worked with passion on his experiments. However, he was not alone, other inventors were at work on this potentially lucrative market and rivalry intensified. Friese-Greene and Wordswoth Donisthorpe were his nearest rivals and years in advance of the Lumière Brothers and W. Kennedy Dickson who did the moving image work for Edison. In 1887 Louis decided to return to Leeds to work full-time on his project and with Joseph Whitley's support set up a workshop at 160 Woodhouse Lane where with a devoted team, including his son Adolphe, he succeeded in developing a single-lens camera which he tried out in the Oakwood Grange garden on 14 October 1888 and filming traffic on Leeds Bridge. He also managed to obtain patents for projection methods and new forms of film. The workshop was demolished about 1972 and the site later became the home of the BBC in Leeds and is now owned by the University of Leeds. Le Prince was, in 1890, to go to New York for a longplanned Exhibition to show off his work but, before this he went to France on business and to visit his brother in Dijon.
From here he boarded the 2:42pm train to Paris, his brother Albert waving him goodbye, but neither he or his luggage arrived there. Several weeks were to pass and his family waited in vain in New York for his return; no body or luggage was ever found and the police were baffled. Was it suicide? Was it murder by rivals? Or just a disappearance? The mystery remains unsolved to this day, speculation is fed by the later death of his son, Adolphe in a mysterious shooting accident. Maybe the readers will have thoughts. Seven years after his disappearance Edison with a team of ruthless lawyers dragged Le Prince's name through the courts in a patent war that lasted a decade. Eventually the American courts acknowledged Edison as the inventor of motion pictures dismissing the validity of all Le Prince's work!
Louis Le Prince in 1885
www.southleedslife.com
Website: www.southleedslife.com
January 2021 | South Leeds Life
Email: info@southleedslife.com
What’s On 21
South Leeds Slimming World groups are open 52 weeks a year, no matter what! Sponsored Content
R
eal Life? Tier 1, 2, 3 or 4? Lockdown? It doesn’t matter what’s going on in the country we promised our members we would be open 52 weeks a year and we’ve kept that promise. We know how hard it is changing habits of a lifetime, especially in a year like 2020, but we also know after over 50 years of experience that we can help you achieve your dream weight. If you would like to start 2021 on the right foot we’re here waiting for you, there will never, ever be any judgement and there will always be a warm welcome in any of our groups, so please take that first step to a new you. To help you start the year with a bang we are giving every member the “That Fresh Start Feeling” book when you attend a group. It has 28 days of meals and so much more, you
collect them up until Saturday 16 January. Please contact any of the consultants below for more details of offers or to book yourself in. So, let’s introduce the team:
including my groups, I’m always happy to help whether it’s new recipes, how to tackle eating out or just being there when you need it most. I have groups Monday morning & evening and Friday in Hunslet. And Wednesday evening in Churwell, you can contact me on 07963 283990, I hope to hear from you soon x
foods are banned. Support and Motivation in group each week is also the key to your success. I am looking after the Tuesday evening group in Middleton, you can contact me on 07727 137854 x
Tace
Jane
Hello, my name is Tace. I’ve been a consultant for over 5 years, my passion is cooking and experimenting in the kitchen (obviously food optimised). I love the flexibility Slimming World gives me to do this and still lose weight. Everything starts on a Monday
Real life ? Tier 1/2/3/4/ lockdown ?? We are still here to guide and support you all the way to your dream weight. I’ve been a slimming world consultant 23 years in 2021! I can tell you changing habits of a lifetime are not easy but our food
Yvonne Hi, I'm Yvonne a member, consultant and manager for Slimming World. Losing weight without going hungry appealed to me as no
optimising plan is. When you are ready I’m here with our free 28 day fresh start booklet all the planning has been done for you! I have groups, Wednesday evening and Thursday morning in Beeston. And Thursday evening and Friday morning in MIddleton. Save my number, 07841 488658. Love Jane x
Barbara Hello, my name is Barbara. Slimming World has a special place in my heart and actually it has changed my life. Only two years ago I was 5 stones
heavier, not happy about myself, struggling with my confidence and my health. With Slimming World I could still eat all that fantastic meals, no portion, no pills, no starvation - just absolutely tasty everyday food. It's never too late to make a difference to your health and life and Slimming World and me are here for all of you no matter what you want achieve. I have groups Thursday evening and Saturday morning at Hunslet, I'd love to hear from you, Barbara 07521 082768 x We have followed very strict Covid guidelines, so no matter how we’re running our groups they are completely safe. To comply with the guidelines we are running a booking in system only, so please contact us to book yourself in or to get further information. You can also get more information on local groups on the website www.slimmingworld.co.uk
www.southleedslife.com
South Leeds Life | January 2021
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
22 What’s On
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
Don’t be a mug, support community news! S
outh Leeds Life is able to keep bringing you the news because we are supported by a fantastic group of ‘pound-aweek’ subscribers and sponsoring organisations. To celebrate our tenth anniversary online, and our sixth anniversary in print, we are giving a little back in the shape of a limited edition mug. It’s the perfect mug to drink your tea or coffee from as you read the best community news in South Leeds. Be the envy of housemates or work colleagues. Simply sign up online at bit.ly/SLLsubscribe or ring 07894 583966 and get your free mug as well as our newspaper delivered to your door. We are keen to stay as independent as possible. We do receive grants from time to time and we take advertising, (see our accounts on page 13) but we don’t want in a position where one organisation can pull the plug on our work, so the more subscribers we have better. A massive ‘thank you’ to all our existing subscribers listed here – why not join them?
Support community journalism
Gold sponsors:
Take out a subscription and get a free, limited edition mug! Georgie Adamson Peter Barber Vivienne Bate Howard Bayliss Pat Benatmane Hilary Benn Amanda Binns Elaine Bower Asa Britton Andy Brown AD Brown David Bushell Ed Carlisle SJ Carlisle Claire Carter Rebecca Chambers Alex Coleman Rachel Darton Bruce & Debs Davies
Mark Day Clara de Diane Audrey Dickinson C Fletcher Angela Gabriel Al Garthwaite Phil Goodfield Julie Harrison Keith Hitchiner Linda Holliday David Howard Becky Howcroft Ken Ingram Pat Jackson Frances Jones Sally Kincaid Katrine Madsen Alys Marsh Dee Marshall
Hazel Millichamp Adam Ogilvie Mark Parry Lindsey & Alan Pearson Andrew Price Derek Ramsey Abbie Randall Ruth Saxton Andrew Scopes Alan Shaw Bob Shaw Linda Stanley Sue Talbot Steve Thompson Eve Tidswell Rebecca Townesend Lauran Warren Andrew Wilson Paul Wray
Silver sponsors:
Bronze sponsors:
www.southleedslife.com
Website: www.southleedslife.com
January 2021 | South Leeds Life
Email: info@southleedslife.com
What’s On 23
Free training for groups to help tackle mental health issues by Sue Hoey
W
e all know that looking after our wellbeing and mental health is even more critical than ever during these times of lockdown and social distancing. Humans Being is offering six week online wellbeing courses during 2021, and is looking for organisations in South Leeds who would be interested in partnering with them. We're running women's wellbeing groups, male suicide prevention training for volunteers, a weekly men's social group and 'Wellmen Activists' - training for men who want to improve the health of other blokes in the community. The courses are informal and encourage participants to find their strengths, make changes and connect with people to get their stress levels down and confidence and wellbeing up. Areas covered are open to group suggestions and usually include: • Putting yourself first • Focusing on the positives in our lives • Assertiveness and setting boundaries • The role of gender stereotypes, how to be aware of this and challenge it in lockdown • Dealing with stress and relaxation techniques One participant said:
“The way I think about things has changed. Before the course I didn’t think about myself first. I didn’t used to think about my health before the course but now I do both mental and physical health.” Humans Being works in partnership with local Third Sector organisations for free or with other organisations for a fee. We would love to hear from any organisations who would like to partner with us to run a course in
2021. The opportunity is open to all groups working in the community with older people; people dealing with mild or moderate anxiety or depression; domestic violence survivors; refugees and asylum seekers; mothers; isolated women or men. This includes charities, informal grassroots groups and other organisations, such as care homes or probation hostels, where the
course can be adapted and run separately for staff and beneficiaries. Humans Being is Leeds-based not-for-profit organisation. We’re a group of people who have experienced the impact of gender stereotypes and discrimination in our own lives and those of our families - from mental ill health and sexual abuse to addiction and domestic violence. As professionals working in the voluntary, community and education sectors, we have seen the impact of negative gender stereotypes on our communities but we’ve also seen the power that people can find when they support each other to change the way they see themselves and the world and start doing things differently. “It can feel hard getting motivated to do anything in lockdown, but I’m really glad I came on this course. It’s made me think more about putting myself first and the little things you can do to feel good week by week. It’s really been helping and I’ve been challenging myself to get out of the house more as a result.” If you're part of a charity or voluntary group and think our training could benefit your community, get in touch with Duncan or Heather on (0113) 873 0028 or email duncan@humansbeing.org.uk.
IN BRIEF New Youth Club at the Hunslet Club On Tuesday 5 January The Hunslet Club will be launching two new Youth Club nights. They will take place on a Tuesday and Friday from 5pm until late. It is targeted at young people aged 13+, it is FREE to enter and food will be provided. It will include sports and recreational activities, music, PS5 games and one off external events each month. Commenting on the new activities Dennis Robbins said they harked back to the founding of the club in 1940 - providing activities for boys whilst their fathers were away at war, to stop them getting into trouble. “We have noticed more young people staying for longer at the club so we know there is a need and we are responding to that need.”
Hunslet Tenants & Residents Assoc The first meeting of Hunslet TARA in 2021 will take place online on Wednesday 6 January at 6:30pm. Full details of how to login to the meeting are on the group’s Facebook page.
Community Hubs are open Dewsbury Road and Hunslet Community Hubs are open despite the Teir 3 restrictions. Public Access computers are available for general and Jobshop use. Pre-booking is essential, in person at the Hub, or by calling (0113) 378 5005. There will be light-touch support only for thiose using Jobshop computers. You can browse the library for up to 30 minutes, return and issue bokks using seld service and pick up reserved books. The Jobshop is available face to face, or by phone. Email your name and phone number to jobshops@leeds.gov.uk Customer Services Officers are available for the following enquiries: • Booking telephone appointments • Booking PC slots using Netloan for self service PCs • collecting LWSS vouchers • requesting Trussell Trust e-vouchers • Raising emergency repairs for Housing Leeds tenants • Arranging temporary parking permits • Receiving drop off documents • Hand in keys for tenancy terminations All other enquiries are dealt with via a booked appointment or over the phone. Dewsbury Road and Hunslet Community Hubs are currently open 10am-4pm Monday to Friday. Dewsbury Road is also open on Saturdays 10am1pm
Do you know an unsung hero? We know there are lots of people in our communities quietly doing extraordinary things. We would like to tell there stories in South Leeds Life. We will respect their privacy and won’t print details they don’t want to make public. If you know someone who deserves some recognition please get in touch:
07894 583966 info@southleedslife.com
www.southleedslife.com
South Leeds Life | January 2021
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
24 Sporting Life
Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
Hunslet Nelson eager for the new season by Ian Pickles
C
ovid and the ensuing lockdown has hit leisure time pretty hard this year and although elite sport can ride the storm things are much more difficult for community clubs. Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club had a summer of events wiped out, but have plans to more than make up for it next season. Although from midsummer the club could hold Covid-safe matches, it took some organising and wasn’t what we know and love about cricket. The ball had to be sanitised every 6 overs, the changing rooms were out of bounds and worst of all no tea could be taken!
Although the club received £100 from the ECB (England Cricket Board) it required fund raising to purchase some gazebos (much needed for outdoor entertainment). Along with the help of the Hunslet Nelson Rounders Team the club crowdfunded money, along with the ever popular Football cards and even an online race evening. The club took the decision to charge no subs and set about raising money for key workers. A Charity Shirt appeal raised £200 for the NHS and £200 for Charlie’s Angel Centre Foundation, supporting bereaved parents and families. The biggest loss of the summer though was the Annual Beer and Music festival on August Bank Holiday. This
could have resulted in a loss of over £2,000. But never fear, plans are underway for a bigger and better event next year. The club would like it to become a focal point for the local community and are hoping for a bigger crowd enjoying the beer, music and hopefully sunshine. They also plan to involve the police as there was unfortunately a complaint from a resident (we’ll buy them a pint next time!). With next season to plan for it’s been unfortunate that winter nets could not go ahead. Training would normally start in November but is now planned for early January. New players are always welcomed and indeed the club wants to attract aspiring cricketers. With the experience of Derrick Hammill in the seniors and Pete Arundel taking over the U11s there is a bedrock of knowledge there for anyone wishing to learn. With Brian Farrell stepping down as chairman and Antony Ryder taking up the reins plans are afoot to upgrade the facilities. The main goal is for a new club house and planning Hunslet Nelson’s opening batsman Jack Scanlon scoring runs last season. Photo: Paul Butterfield permission is already in and also a grant has been awarded to level the grounds. Again though as part of the wider community the club has been involved on the run up to Christmas with a Foodbank Appeal. The fund raising has been for the St Cross Church at Middleton and has raised much who is being closely • Isaac Hirsch – Warrington by Paul Thorpe player needed expensive goods such monitored by a top super Wolves as nappies, meat and longlife • Harvey Purdey – ith all the gloom and league club but nothing official milk. doom of the last 9 has been signed at this Castleford Tigers So next summer if all is back months I would just like to moment in time. • Caiden Lawton – to some sort of normal and you share some good news which The 11 players and clubs are Castleford Tigers happen to be walking past the may be of interest to you. listed below: • Billy Stead – Huddersfield Gipsy Lane Ground and you • Kai Taylor-Smith – Leeds Giants Despite only playing a hear the sound of leather on handfull of games in 2020 due Rhinos • Jak Lyons – Huddersfield willow, why not pop in for a beer to the pandemic Hunslet Club • Ben Findlay – Leeds Giants and watch a bit of cricket. • Xanda Rycroft – Bradford Parkside U14s have had 11 Rhinos • Casey Cunningham – Bulls players offered Scholarships • George Rayner – Bradford with professional clubs Leeds Rhinos • Tom Daley – Warrington Bulls commencing early December Congratulations to all. 2020. There is also another Wolves
Hunslet Club Parkside U14s – Scholarships
W
L-R: Anthony Ryder (Cricket Chair), Lindsey Brearly (Rounders Chair), Freddie Hallas (Volunteer), Corrine Farrell (Cricket Fundraiser) and Sarah Markillie (Food Bank Organiser).
Hunslet RLFC’s return T
he RFL has announced that competitive matches for clubs in League 1 will restart in March 2021. The first two rounds of the Challenge Cup will be played on the first two weekends of March. Betfred League 1 will be an 18-round competition, with each of the 10 clubs playing the other nine home and away. Details of the Betfred League 1 Play-Offs, and of promotion and relegation between the two competitions, will be confirmed in the New Year. The four teams from the
Championship and League 1 that make it into the Challenge Cup fourth round with the Super League clubs will also contest the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup, with a chance to play at Wembley on Challenge Cup Final day, scheduled for 17 July. Although no rugby has been played since March, a great deal of work has been going on. Head Coach Gary Thornton has strengthened his squad, resigning key players and adding experienced players including George Flannagan, back from Bradford Bulls. Training started in December.
In the Board Room, American Kasy Mackreth, a lecturer at Leeds Becket Unioversity, is bringing her experience of marketing Americam sports teams to South Leeds Stadium. New home and away kits have been designed by the fans and replica shirts are now available to buy from the club shop. The club’s monthly magazine, South Of The River, which covers the local community game as well as club news is available to read free online. Full details can be found at hunsletrlfc.com
Hunslet Club Parkside U14s in action against West Bowling in the Yorkshire Cup 8 December 2019 ©Ric Francis Photography