Your FREE community newspaper
Issue 74 | May 2021
Covering Beeston, Belle Isle, Cottingley, Holbeck, Hunslet, Middleton, Riverside & Stourton
FIRE IN THE ELDERLY FLATS Eyewitness account and questions for the landlord
by Ken Ingram
O
n the evening of Tuesday 20 April at about 7:20pm fire broke out in a flat at Acre Court, a block of 40 sheltered flats for older people in Middleton. I live next door to number 37 – the flat that was on fire. I was on my way to my kitchen, when I heard a faint alarm in the corridor, next to my flat. The corridor was filled with smoke. I knocked on every door on the second floor and shouted to evacuate the building. At least four flats did not hear the alarm. By now there was very thick smoke finding its way down the corridor. I helped two ladies down the stairs as we couldn’t use the lift. As I got to the ground floor a firefighter asked which flat was on fire, took him back up to second floor where the fire was. The smoke was really thick now. The firefighter could see I was coughing. He shouted at me get out get out now, well he did want to know which flat was on fire. I got down to reception, most of residents were down there now. I saw Christine, whose flat was on fire and asked if she was OK.
Fire investigators attended the scene at Acre Court in Middleton Christine had suffered smoke pulled red cord to report the fire inhalation and was taken to to staff through the emergency hospital for shock and given intercom system, but they got oxygen by paramedics. no response. My flat still smelled of smoke We need a new alarm which last night, so I slept in lounge everyone can hear, we all could which was not too bad with the hear the old one. window open. There should have been a Acre Court is complex of Welfare Check by staff on all sheltered housing flats owned residents today, but we have and managed by Housing 21. I heard nothing, no one seems to rang the Area Manager, but got be bothered. no answer so I put a message Even Samantha at Middleton on answer phone. Elderly Aid was asking about Someone said they had us, but nothing from Housing
21 management. The incident was attended by three fire engines, including two from the Hunslet station as well as a fire investigation officer. Firefighters used two hose reels, four sets of breathing apparatus and positive pressure ventilation. The fire started in the bathroom, the cause was still being investigated as we went to press. A smoke detector was installed in the flat and was
In this issue:
Scrap heap fire in Hunslet
page 3
Plant sale: perusing perennials
page 5
DAZL-ing new dance HQ
page 11
functioning. In a statement a spokesperson for Housing 21 said: “The fire which occurred on Tuesday 20 April at Acre Court was contained within one apartment and all residents are safe and well. There was no need to evacuate the scheme. “The safety and wellbeing of our residents is our priority and residents are being supported by the Court Manager. “The fire alarm system at Acre Court was replaced in October 2020 and the building is designed to effectively contain fires. Residents at Acre Court were provided with information on the new zoning evacuation procedure at this time. “The fully functioning fire alarm system worked as intended, and sounders within individual apartments provided early warning to enable those residents affected to evacuate safely. “Records show that all residents who called the Appello system on Tuesday 20 April spoke to operators. “Acre Court is a Retirement Living scheme where residents live independently in their own apartments and have access to a range of communal facilities.”
Gold awards for Guides trio
page 12
They’re off: Junior Parkrun is back
page 24
NEWS
2-11
SCHOOL LIFE
12-13
COMMENT
14-15
LIVES
16-17
ART LIFE WHAT’S ON
18-19
20-22
SPORTING LIFE 23-24
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South Leeds Life | May 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.
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Over 200 tonnes recycled by customers at Asda’s Middleton store G
enerous Asda customers have donated 221 tonnes – over 4,000 bags – of clothing, textiles and other bric–a–brac, equating to over a tonne a week in its biggest weeks. Through its partnership with The Salvation Army, Asda’s sustainability store in Middleton has provided customers with a drop-off point for their unwanted items, which in return is raising vital funds for The Salvation Army and Asda’s Tickled Pink charity beneficiaries. Salvation Army’s shops have been temporarily closed due to lockdown restrictions, but Asda customers have still been able to support the charity by donating their unwanted items to the new ‘drop and shop’ donation point. Coats, dresses, jeans, and baby clothes are amongst some of the clothing garments which are donated weekly in store. The charity has also received large amounts of other textiles including bed linen, shoes, CD’s and DVD’s, books and household bric-a-brac. Asda has provided a convenient space for The Salvation Army’s drop and shop donation point, which has encouraged customers to recycle
their unwanted items, which might otherwise have ended up in landfill. Karen Todd, Asda’s Senior Manager for Zero Waste said: “We’re really proud as a retailer to be able to support the great work of The Salvation Army in our communities and it’s been fantastic to see our customers and colleagues really support the drop off point in our Middleton store, which has been collecting huge amounts of donations each week. “Tackling the issue of waste is something that our customers and colleagues are passionate about us addressing, which is why schemes like this that support them to do the right thing for the planet are really important. “Not only are the unwanted clothes and other items given a second lease of life, but they’re also being diverted from potentially ending up in landfill.” Kirk Bradley, SATCoL’s Head of Corporate Partnerships said: “We are thrilled to be working with Asda’s sustainability team on the new drop & shop concept. This enables us to interact with Asda’s customers and donors; it also gives more people the opportunity to
reuse and recycle their pre-loved items which helps reduce waste and raise more money for vital charity work. “By donating to the Salvation Army drop and shop or our clothing banks, people are supporting the work being done across the country to help some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, providing essentials like hot meals for rough sleepers, food parcels for struggling families and doorstep friendship for isolated older people, particularly during the pandemic.”
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In Leeds, when the pandemic hit, many support services offering emergency food were forced to close but Salvation Army churches were able to step in or increase their existing services. The Salvation Army’s Leeds West Hunslet and Morley churches provided emergency food parcels, with volunteers delivering food to people who couldn’t get to them for help, while its Leeds Central church prepared daily hot meals. In addition, Asda continues to support the Salvation Army right across the country, as customers can drop off their unwanted textiles at the charity’s clothing banks in over 400 of the retailer’s carparks. In 2020, Asda collected over 8,100 tonnes of unwanted textiles from over 400 store recycling banks in its carparks which have raised valuable funds for charities including The Salvation Army, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Asda’s Tickled Pink campaign.
Customers were able to donate to the Salvation Army in the store
Hunslet firm invests to make packaging more sustainable L
VF Packaging, based on National Road in Hunslet, has invested £550,000 in a new thermoforming machine that increases its capacity and provides the forward-thinking Leeds manufacturer with the flexibility to introduce hybrid packaging
solutions at a time when many businesses are looking to reduce the amount of plastic they use. The Hunslet-based company, which manufactures thermoformed packaging for a host of blue-chip brands and leading supermarkets, has seen demand for its products
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.
LVF Packaging’s new machine arrives on site
soar over the last 12-months. Nigel Coates, managing director of LVF Packaging, said: “2020 was a busy year for us, especially in terms of the higher volume lines that we produce for many of the supermarkets, and it was apparent that production efficiency on our oldest Kiefel – a KMD 75 – was falling well behind our newer KMD 78s and that the time had come to replace it.” While new machine means increased production capacity and improved efficiency, it’s the scope for the business to expand into new market areas and packaging technologies that most excites business development director, Daniel Coates: “As with all the best innovations, the hybrid packaging concept is quite simple – plastic is used only where it is needed; whether as a barrier for food contact or to enable sealing, with cartonboard the chosen material to give the tray structural strength and carry the branding and decoration. And as you’d expect, after use the cartonboard and plastic elements
are easily separated for recycling. “Hybrid packaging is one of a number of potential new technologies that could reduce the plastic content of products, which we are looking into,” added Daniel. “Our intention is to gauge the direction the market is taking before making any additional investment – but having the capacity to simply add a hybrid station to our new machine means we are already one step ahead of the vast majority of our competitors.” LVF Packaging was one of the first packaging companies in the UK to manufacture and sell products made from the biodegradable and fully recyclable plastic material, Breakdown PET, which is designed to decompose in landfill quickly, naturally and safely. Meanwhile, in 2020 it achieved the landmark goal of recycling all plastic waste created during the manufacturing process at its National Road factory in Leeds. The £550,000 being spent on new Kiefel KLMD 78 takes LVF Packaging’s investment in business development to over £3million in the last five years.
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May 2021 | South Leeds Life
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News 3
Waking Watch relief for South Leeds leaseholders L
Hunslet scrap yard fire visible for miles around Ten fire appliances, an aerial and a specialist unit attended a fire at an industrial unit on Pepper Road in Hunslet om Friday 23 April. A plume of black smoke could be seen across the city from the fire which is believed to have started in a pile of debris, possibly including tyres at the Sims Metal scrap yard. The fire started around 7pm and two hours later West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service reported that the fire had been contained. Crews remained on site overnight damping down. Pepper Road was closed to traffic and residents were advised to keep their windows closed. Photo: Graeme Fryer
Covid: community testing and help for the vulnerable A
major new testing programme has been launched for residents in Leeds in a bid to stem the spread of Covid-19. Around one in three people with Covid-19 have no symptoms and will spread it without realising. Now, to stop this risk by finding new cases, Leeds City Council is offering a number of options across the city for residents to take part in community testing. These are as follows: • A home ordering service – www.gov.uk/order-coronavirusrapid-lateral-flow-tests. • Collection at a local test site during specific test collection time windows – www.gov.uk/find-covid-19lateral-flow-test-site. • Pharmacies offering
home test collection – maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk. • Community testing sites including: Dewsbury Road Community Hub & Library, 190 Dewsbury Road, LS11 6PF (10am-4pm Monday-Friday and 10am-1pm Saturday). Residents should have two tests during a week-long period. Please note this community testing is only for people with NO SYMPTOMS. Anyone with Covid-19 symptoms should self-isolate and book a test. Public health leaders in the city hope as many residents as possible will take part in the new initiative to protect both themselves and others. Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for public health, said: “We’ve launched this
initiative to help drive down transmission rates. “I’d encourage as many asymptomatic residents as possible to take advantage of this new service. By doing so, they’ll not only be protecting themselves, but also all those around them.” For full details of all Covid-19 testing options in Leeds visit www.leedsccg.nhs.uk/health/ coronavirus/coronaviruswhere-to-go-for-testing. Whilst government advice to shield at home was paused earlier this month, local support is still available for the 55,000 people in Leeds who are clinically extremely vulnerable to coronavirus to help them feel and stay safe. Over the past year, Leeds City Council has offered support to all those advised to shield to help with the range of difficulties that shielding has posed. This has included them helping over 7,000 people to access food safely, being on the end of the phone for over 37,000 support calls, as well as taking the time to listen to clinically extremely vulnerable people about how they are feeling. As transmission rates of the virus lower and more clinically extremely vulnerable people have taken up the opportunity for vaccination – it was decided nationally that the advice to shield at home could be safely
lifted. However, many people remain anxious about the ongoing pandemic, and many more are suffering the physical and mental consequences of spending much of the last year shielding. Leeds City Council, working with a wide range of local groups across the city are committed to ensuring that the right range of practical and emotional support remains in place for these people. This includes the offer of buddying up for those anxious about returning to shop in supermarkets or who are worried about getting out and about safely as more of the city opens up. Specific classes are being put on for those who’ve lost some of their physical confidence and want some expert assistance in regaining their strength. Peer support and counselling is being made available to those who feel that they need to talk through their experiences of the last year, and financial support and advice is being offered to people whose finances have been impacted by shielding, to support them to get back on track. A range of informal activities are also being developed by the city’s Community Care Hubs and Neighbourhood Networks. These include photography
eeds City Council has almost tripled the amount of funding it can distribute to pay for fire alarm systems in blocks affected by the cladding crisis according to a report published this week. Following the Grenfell disaster, many blocks of flats including some at Leeds Dock in Hunslet have had to employ Waking Watches to alert residents in case of a fire and help them evacuate. The cost has been borne by leaseholders and has proved crippling to many, as we have reported previously. At the end of January this
year the government set up the Waking Watch Relief Fund to pay for the installation of fire alarms and reduce the pressure on leaseholders. The fund is administered by local authorities and Leeds was originally allocated just £693,000 from the £30 million fund. However, the council received 9 applications for 11 blocks totalling £2 million. Following discussions, the government has agreed to increase the allocation to Leeds up to £2 million – almost three times the original allocation.
Local residents affected by the Cladding Crisis walks, allotment courses, arts and crafts sessions, digital skills development, tai chi, coffee mornings and much more, all with the aim of allowing clinically vulnerable people ‘covid-safe’ spaces. Additionally, all Leeds residents are being encouraged to help clinically extremely vulnerable people to feel safe by continuing to follow the rules and practice safe behaviours - Hands, Face, Space. Anyone concerned or anxious about the changes to shielding can call the Leeds coronavirus helpline at (0113) 376 0330 or talk to your GP. Cllr Salma Arif commented: “Over the past year, we have seen just how kind and compassionate a city Leeds is, with so many residents supporting shielding neighbours, friends and family members. Whether delivering essentials, organising Covidsafe activities to enjoy together or being on the other end of the phone, I hope that this kindness will continue now
shielding is paused to help those clinically extremely vulnerable to the virus return to more of community life safely. “Even with the benefits of vaccination, it is critically important for clinically extremely vulnerable people to avoid coming into contact with the virus, as many suffer from supressed immune systems or other conditions that mean they cannot rely on the vaccine alone. “The biggest difference we can all continue to make is by giving those we don’t live with as much space as possible, particularly in crowded places, as well as practicing safe behaviours like washing your hands regularly and wearing face coverings indoors. “We all have a part to play in supporting the clinically extremely vulnerable in our city to be able to move through these changes as best they can. By continuing to follow the rules, we can help everyone feel and stay safe, and continue showing that caring spirit.”
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South Leeds Life | May 2021
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
4 News
On the beat
by Insp Lucy Leadbeater
T
his month we have seen lockdown restrictions continue to ease and there has been increase in footfall across the many green spaces across South Leeds. The vast majority of people attending are enjoying these spaces with their friends and families however, a small number of people are attending and causing a nuisance or causing anti-social behaviour (ASB) which is having a negative impact on the community. We are working hard to target this with our partners from Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team, Youth Services and others. There are a number of
ways you can report ASB to us: If the ASB is in progress then please report to us via 999 / 101 / 101 online. For ASB that is not on-going you can report through this website - www.westyorkshire .police.uk/form/report-antisocial-behaviour With the weather getting warmer the risk of leaving your house insecure by leaving windows and doors open increase and as a result you are more at risk of being a victim of burglary. This is a very personal crime type and can have a significant impact on the victim and their family. However, taking simple measures such as locking your doors and windows, not leaving valuables on display and using your house alarm can significantly reduce your chances of being a victim. Crime prevention doesn't have to cost a lot of money here's a few simple steps that everyone can take to improve their home security: • Always lock your doors and windows even when you’re at home • Always take keys out of locks and keep them in a safe place
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Art for hearts’ sake
• Don't leave keys in reach of the letterbox or cat flap, or on view through a window • Make sure items such as car keys, laptops, tablets, phones and cash cannot be seen through a window • Don't leave power cables or charger units for laptops and tablets plugged in and on show • If you're out, try to make your home look occupied by using a timer switch to control lights • Make sure Euro cylinder locks have achieved - TS 007 (3 star rating) or Sold Secure Diamond Standard for lock cylinders (SS312) • If you have a burglar alarm always remember to switch it on when you leave the house or when you go to bed As part of our team we have a Crime Prevention Officer who is able to speak to you and offer you advice about securing your house. Should you wish to speak to her then please arrange by sending an email to InnerSouth@westyorkshire .police.uk As lockdown continues to ease, we are working hard as a Neighbourhood Policing Team with our colleagues and partners to keep you safe and feeling safe.
Nicolas Dixon with his artwork ‘4’s a crowd’ at Chow Down, Temple Arches in Holbeck
L
eeds’ national heart charity Heart Research UK has unveiled a brand new art installation produced with famed local artist Nicolas Dixon – creator of the iconic ‘Bielsa the Redeemer’ mural – to raise awareness of the charity’s work across Yorkshire. The artwork is on display at Chow Down, an outdoor food and drink venue off Water Lane in Holbeck, and was kindly supported by CEG and New Citizens. Titled ‘4s a crowd’, the piece, which is split over 4 large boards, features Nicolas’ distinctive style of swirling shapes and patterns, with elements of Heart Research UK’s logo blended in. The artwork was originally created to raise awareness of the charity’s anonymous heART project, an online charity auction which sees almost 500 pieces of unique postcard-sized pieces of art from huge names from the worlds of art and entertainment auctioned on eBay. First launched in 2018, the project has raised over £130,000 and sold almost 1500 pieces of artwork. However, due to coronavirus
restrictions, the grand unveiling was delayed. Now, Heart Research UK are proud to unveil the artwork, which will be in place at Chow Down for the coming months, to raise awareness of the life-saving work the charity does in Yorkshire and beyond. Nicolas Dixon said: “After taking part in the amazing anonymous heART auction alongside other international artists and celebrities last year, I was humbled to be asked to represent Heart Research UK and create this unique piece of art to celebrate and raise awareness of the charity. “I am excited and looking forward to seeing it installed in its new home which has kindly been provided at the Chow Down site at Temple Arches by CEG and New Citizens, which is the perfect space to enjoy great food, music and art in these difficult times.” Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive of Heart Research UK, said: “The piece that Nicolas has created really needs to be seen to be believed, and we are over the moon that we have been able to work with him to create such a stunning way to raise awareness of our work.
“Yorkshire and Humber has the highest death rate from coronary heart disease in England. Heart Research UK has been working for over 50 years to try and change this, by investing in pioneering research. “We’re very grateful for the support from CEG and New Citizens in making this happen, and want to say a special thank you to Nicolas for creating this wonderful piece.” Matt Long, Director of New Citizens, said: “I’m very proud that Chow Down is able to host this amazing piece of work from a good friend - especially since it will be raising awareness for an incredible charity. “We’re all very thankful that both Heart Research UK and Nicolas have chosen Chow Down as the artwork’s home for the summer.” The artwork can be viewed at Chow Down, Temple Arches in Leeds. Due to current restrictions, the venue is operating table service only, so booking is essential: chowdownevents.co.uk To find out more about how Heart Research UK is using art to save hearts across Yorkshire, please visit heartresearch .org.uk/leeds-art
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News 5
The Hunslet Club is going back to its roots by Jeremy Morton
T
he Hunslet Club is taking a turn back to its roots with a new youth provision at its Hillidge Road base. 80 years on from when the club was founded during the second world war when many fathers were away in the forces, we’re in another crisis and the club is responding. The club is probably best known for the scores of weekly classes it runs for toddlers up to teenagers, ranging from football, rugby and boxing through to gymnastics and dance. But it is now opening up as an open access youth provision. The building will be free to access for young people through until 9pm, whether they’ve attended an activity or not. Dennis Robbins, the club’s CEO explained: “During lockdown we’ve had time to think about what we are offering and what we should offer as restrictions are lifted. A lot of young people don’t want to go home after their activity and we don’t want them on the streets. You want to give them somewhere where they’re safe and they’re enjoying themselves.” It’s been a great success so far with up to 50 children using the club each evening. Even at 9pm there are still 10-15 young people here. “That tells me that those 15 children that were in this building at that time, need to be in this building, because where else would they be? Obviously they’re allowed to be
out, so if we say their session finishes at 7, where are they going to go from 7-9pm? That could be a dangerous place that they go to. For them, or possibly for others, I don’t know. That’s what youth clubs are about, providing that safe space.” The club provides food, entertainment, pool, games and in the longer term the club anticipates that the young people themselves will shape how it develops. It’s a big shift for the club. Adults will be allowed in the building for the under 8’s classes, but when they finish at 4:45pm, adults won’t be allowed in because the building will change from an activity centre to a youth centre. It’s a question of safeguarding, but Dennis recognises that they will have to find some provision for parents who are waiting to collect their children. Whilst Covid has curtailed many activities this last year, the club has never closed. It maintained its daytime vocational scheme, working with vulnerable young people. It supported the Involve community hub and Dennis drove the van collecting donated food from organisations like FairShare and The Real Junk Food Project to make up the hampers through the first lockdown. The Club also did its own hampers for vulnerable members. They also took the opportunity to carry out some refurbishments to the building creating new larger activity spaces, shifting the gym and doubling the space of the
boxing gym. In the second lockdown the club took its activities online. When staff noticed some young people were ‘not themselves’ due to anxiety, or other issues, they invited them into the club for one-to-one support sessions. “I think we’ve done our bit” says Dennis. “We’ve kept doing what we were allowed to do and we’ve supported the families that needed us.” He tells me able one incident that a football coach working online with under 11s brought to his attention. The children were copying and practicing various drills and the coach noticed two children, one had a large welllit garden with a goal set up to practice in, whilst another was working in the stairwell of a block of flats. “Again, that tells me the need for youth clubs. If that’s the best space that child can practice, probably the parents didn’t want to let him out as it was after dark, so that was the only safe space for him. It’s great for the kids that have got gardens, but we’ve got a hell of a lot of kids who live in those flats and we can provide that safe space.” Dennis is clearly enthusiastic about the changes. “We’re reclaiming the club” he tells me with a smile. Junior youth club (8-12 yrs) runs on Monday and Wednesday from 4:30-7pm and costs just Senior youth club (13+ yrs) runs from Tuesday to Friday (Monday to Friday from 17 May) from 5:30-9pm and is free.
Perusing the perennials Beeston In Bloom held a plant sale at the Watsonian Pavilion in Cross Flatts Park on Saturday 24 April. Secretary, Linda Stanley said: "Our plant sales are a great way to raise funds for our ongoing projects, but they are so much more. We aim to encourage local residents to take up gardening and hope that's possible by selling our plants at affordable prices. Our volunteers are also on hand to share their expertise and give customers useful tips. And what better way is there to spend a sunny Saturday? Thanks to everyone who donated and to our many customers. Hope to see you again soon." Another sale is being planned for June.
Small Sparks from BAFF by Lynn Bailey
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Reclaimg the club: Dennis Robbins in The Hunslet Club’s boxing gym
etter Action For Families (BAFF) said goodbye to Alia Nessa who moved from the ABCD project after 2 years to a new position and we wish her all the best for the future. We welcomed Gayle Graham who will be taking the shared post with Lynn Bailey as Community Builders in Beeston. ABCD stands for Asset Based Community Development, which means building on our strengths. At this time, we are offering some Small Sparks funding for anyone wishing to share their ideas or skills with other likeminded people. The grants start from £10 to £250 and will help pay for
equipment, zoom rental, refreshments etc. This is mainly offered to anyone in Beeston but we can be flexible to people in the South Leeds area. This funding is not available to organisations. Hopefully as things ease you
Lynn and Gayle from BAFF
will see us out and about so please ask about the project or funding, we will be happy to speak to you. To find out more please ring me on 07515 851631 email: baff2007@hotmail.co.uk or Gayle: baffgayle@hotmail.com
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6 News
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Last chance to Middleton Railway to receive complete your further Culture Recovery grant census return M by Scott Anthony Martin
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here has been a brilliant response to Census 2021, but the once-in-a-decade survey – which took place on 21 March – is not over. It is vital that people from all of our communities across England and Wales complete their census questionnaires and there is still time to do so to avoid a fine. The census benefits us all by underpinning the services we all rely on. Your anonymous answers provide information on living arrangements, health, education, and the jobs we do to help inform policy at a local and national level for years to come. On top of things like school places and GP surgeries, census data is even used in planning where to build new supermarkets, what food to put on the shelves and how many parent and toddler spaces should go in the car park. Anwaar Raja, a census community adviser for Pakistani community urged people to complete their forms: “As a strong expat community, the British Pakistani and Kashmiri diaspora contribute hugely towards the British society but to be fully recognised everyone need to be counted. To be recognised and to claim your share of economic, professional, and educational opportunities as a community, fill in your census and be visible. “It is easy and simple – you just need to have access to the internet or call the helpline. We have done so many amazing things in this country together so be recognised and complete the census today. It is important as it is all about us.” After your census responses are received, your personal information is kept under lock and key for 100 years. No-one can be identified in the statistics we publish, and your personal information cannot be seen by anyone who makes decisions about you. It can’t be used by government to influence benefit claims, a residency application, immigration status or taxes, or by landlords or other private organisations. Seun Ebenezer, a census community adviser for the Black African community, urged
people to complete their forms: “The UK government relies on data such as census data to plan, govern and care for her citizens. “Filling the census is laying claim to our share of the national cake. Let’s do it for our children. Their bright future is within today’s Census data. Truly census is about us.” Every household is required by law to complete the census and Office for National Statistics field staff have been out and about across England and Wales over recent weeks, following up with the remaining households where records show there is not yet a completed questionnaire. Extensive community engagement is continuing to make sure all groups of the population are represented in the census. Students, for example, should make sure they have completed a questionnaire for their termtime address to give the most accurate picture possible. It’s not too late and they should complete a form even if they were included on their family form at home. This will help make sure all students get the services they need in their university town now and in the future. This year marks the first digital-first census, and the online questionnaire remains open – it only takes around 10 minutes to respond per person. But for those who need support, help is at hand. You can also call our contact centre on 0800 141 2021 for help or to order a free paper questionnaire. A free language helpline offering support in over 50 languages is also available on 0800 587 2021. All households were sent a letter in the post in early March with instructions for taking part. If you have lost the letter or have a second address you have not visited, go to to request an online completion code for your address via SMS text message. If you know of a vacant property, let us know. We will continue to support people to respond to the census, but if a household refuses to fill out their questionnaire they will ultimately proceed to an interview under caution, which may be followed by a court summons, a fine of up to £1,000 and a criminal record.
iddleton Railway is set to receive £36,300 from the seciond round of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund. This award will help them to reopen following the lockdown and also to continue our work in preserving the World’s Oldest Railway. Nearly £400 million has been awarded to thousands of cultural organisations across the country including Middleton Railway in the latest round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund. Over £800 million in grants and loans has already been awarded to support almost 3,800 cinemas, performance venues, museums, heritage sites and other cultural organisations dealing with the immediate challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. This brings the Government's total investment across grants, capital and repayable finance from the Culture Recovery Fund
so far to more than £1.2 billion across over 5,000 individual cultural and heritage organisations and sites. The second round of awards will help organisations to look ahead to the spring and summer and plan for reopening and recovery. After months of closures and cancellations to contain the virus and save lives, this funding will be a much-needed helping hand for organisations transitioning back to normal in the months ahead. Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said: “Our record breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they've ever faced. “Now we’re staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors - helping our cultural gems plan for
reopening and thrive in the better times ahead." Charles Milner, Chairman of the Middleton Railway, said: “The Middleton Railway is very grateful to receive this Cultural Recovery Grant, which we are using to fully prepare ourselves to reopen to the public on Sunday 23 May. “Much vital work is required to ensure the railway is fully
operational, including preparation of our historic locomotives and passenger coaches alongside staff training. “We are also ensuring that the railway is fully Covid compliant and this grant will ensure that when the railway does reopen, we are able to welcome visitors once again, in a covid-safe manner”
Middleton Railway will reopen on Sunday 23 May
CEG secures sustainable development finance from Aviva C
EG, the developers working on various sites in Holbeck including the iconic Temple Works, have secured a £72.9 million loan facility from Aviva plc, linked to the sustainability of their buildings. The deal is structured with KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) that are linked to sustainability improvements on assets in the portfolio. CEG will benefit from a lower interest rate for delivering specific targets which will be assessed annually throughout the life of the loan facility. Whilst CEG will use the loan proceeds to refinance a portfolio of six regional office assets, a portion of it will partfund the development of Globe Point, a 37,842 sq ft Grade A office in the Temple area of Holbeck, which forms the first part of a £350 million project by CEG. The iconic seven-storey building, on the corner of Globe Road and Water Lane, will deliver office space with ground floor break-out space, a café, and will aim to achieve a BREEAM excellent and EPC A rating. Gregor Bamert, Head of Real Estate Debt at Aviva Investors, said: “We are pleased to have an opportunity to work with
Globe Point is being built on the corner of Globe Road and Water Lane in Holbeck CEG through the provision of this sustainability linked loan, following active discussions over a number of years. CEG have a stated commitment to sustainability and improving the green credentials of its portfolio, which both parties were keen to incorporate into the loan. It is also pleasing to be able to fund the development of a new high-
quality asset such as Globe Point. Despite short-term headwinds in the local office market, we are confident this portfolio will perform strongly given CEG’s active management capability and the quality of buildings it produces.” Gerard Versteegh, Chairman of CEG, commented: “We are delighted to be
working with Aviva Investors as a strategic partner. We expect this will lead to a long, fruitful collaboration on many more projects to come. Our approach to sustainability is ambitious and embedded into everything we do. We continue to push the innovation boundaries to ensure well-being, technology and sustainability are at the heart of Globe Point.”
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News 7
Could Homeshare give you the support you need? by Emma Harris
A
t Leeds Homeshare we provide a service that makes a positive difference to people’s lives, enabling people to have help and company at home, and stay independent. Homeshare is a simple idea: we carefully match someone who has a spare room and who would like some support, with a helpful sharer who wants somewhere affordable to live. The person who wants help at home might be isolated, older, with a disability or health condition. Everyone is welcome to enquire! Sharers come from many backgrounds too and are often people in work or students. We are a Leeds City Council service. After a full application process, the carefully matched Sharer provides 10 hours of support a week and can help with tasks such as cleaning, shopping, gardening or shared meals.
May 2021 | South Leeds Life
Sometimes householders contact us because they live alone or after their partner has died because they want the reassurance of company in the house overnight. Other people are looking for someone to go with them on outings or for a walk. The pandemic has also led to people feeling more isolated and looking at new ways of living. We have several assessed and checked Sharers at the moment who are available to move into a home to provide regular help and support! We have a lovely Sharer called Daxa who is in her early 50s and is hoping to live in a Homeshare in in South Leeds. She will work mostly from home, is a good cook, easy to chat with and happy to help with cleaning, tidying and outings. Daxa speaks Guajarati as well as English and enjoys reading, walking and watching films. Also Nuria, a sharer age 47 who is looking for a quiet
Homeshare with access to green spaces. She speaks Spanish, is interested in healthy eating, has a warm sense of humour and is wishing to share with a woman who might need company, or help with cooking, cleaning, tidying or gardening. She is also interested in walking and animal welfare. When people apply to the scheme we take careful measures to find the right sharer for each person who would like help at home, and someone they feel comfortable with. Homeshare provides a safe and supportive service by carrying out background checks which includes police, credit and reference checks. Householders who have taken part have said: “Simple things like keeping the garden nice and the house tidy … makes a huge difference to people’s health and wellbeing.” And another participant said: “I couldn’t really be happier,
it’s really nice.” We can work to make the right match for you as you need it!
Homeshare brings two people together who have a lot to offer and benefits include shared experience and meeting new people. Sharers contribute an affordable monthly fee towards some of the running costs of the scheme, and Householders provide a comfortable room for them to stay in, and benefit from regular help at home. We
provide ongoing contact to everyone who takes part and have careful covid measures in place. Could you, or someone you know, benefit from having a sharer? If so please get in touch with Leeds Homeshare. Call (0113) 387 5410, email: Homeshare@leeds.gov.uk or visit: www.leeds.gov.uk /homeshare
Watsonia Pantry set to open at the Bridge Cafe in the park by Jeremy Morton
T
he Bridge Café, based in the Watsonian Pavilion in Beeston’s Cross Flatts Park is becoming quite a community hub. The café itself is open again serving hot and cold food and drinks, outside, Monday to Friday 9am-3pm. The café is an offshoot of Health For All’s Bridge Project which supports adults with learning disabilities. The latest additions to café’s offer are a Little Library and a table tennis table. Leeds Little Libraries donated the mobile library box, which can be accessed when the café is open. Anyone can borrow or donate books and it’s already proving popular. The outdoor table tennis table is also available during café opening hours. Bats and balls can be borrowed from the café for a deposit of £2. Once it is permanently fixed to the ground people will be able to use it, with their own equipment, at any time. But perhaps the most exciting development is the new Watsonia Food Pantry, which is set to open on
The Bridge Cafe in Cross Flatts Park Wednesday 5 May. The Pantry aims to support local people struggling to put food on the table. It’s not a foodbank, but for a small membership fee - £3.50 per week - local people will be able to access a weekly shop choosing their own items from a selection of dry goods and fresh fruit and vegetables. The pantry will be open each Wednesday and each member
will get a 15 minute slot to choose their items so that the pantry can comply with Covid restrictions. If you would like to use this new service please call Sid, the café manager, on 07944 461545. The Pantry project has been funded by The grant has been awarded through the Covid-19 Community-Led Organisations Recovery Scheme (CCLORS).
The scheme is led by independent trust Power to Change in partnership with Locality, The Ubele Initiative and Social Investment Business, and was part of The National Lottery Community Fund’s Coronavirus Community Support Fund, that launched in May last year. It is also supported by FairShare Yorkshire which redistributes food close to its sell by date.
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8 News NEWS IN BRIEF Crisp-flavoured beers from Northern Monk Holbeck-based Northern Monk brewery and Seabrook, have joined forces to brew the world’s first, crisp-flavoured beers. Taking their inspiration from Seabrook’s Cheese & Onion and Prawn Cocktail flavours, these beers blend beer and crisps to symbolise the coming together of people in beer gardens as lockdown relaxes. Both beers will retail at £3.50 per can on Northern Monk’s online shop at: www.northernmonkshop.com
Traffic light upgrades for Dewsbury Road Aging traffic signal equipment at junctions along Dewsbury Road are set for replacement over the coming year. The site include: Meadow Road; Jack Lane; Garnet Road; Middleton Grove; Westland Road; Barkly Road and Ring Road Beeston Park. The works will introduce low energy LED technology to reduce LCCcarbon footprint and energy costs.
Wade’s Charity offers Covid recovery grants to community groups W
ade’s Charity has been enhancing the quality of life for the residents of inner city Leeds for nearly 500 years providing grants to locally based charities and volunteerled community groups. Supported activities include youth groups, play schemes, elderly welfare and social groups, arts including participation and performance, social groups for those with disabilities, sports clubs, improvements to local public open space and many more worthy causes. With Covid-19 having had a dramatic effect on fund raising opportunities, many charities and small groups across Leeds are struggling to continue to provide the services and support the local community relies upon. To help small groups and charities kick start their services now that Covid-19 restrictions are starting to be lifted, Wade’s Charity are offering such organisations the
New high school plans go to Panel Initial plans for the permanent home for the new Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy will be discussed by Councillors at the South & West Plans Panel in what is called a Pre Application hearing. The new three storey building will be on the site of the former Middleton Park High School, next to Middleton Leisure Centre. The main building will be U shaped with a centralncourtyard. Councillors will be asked to approve the concept but planning permission will not be considered until full plans have been submitted.
ust One Day, the Lord Mayor of Leeds’ charity fundraising day, will be returning virtually this year on Friday 14 May. After being postponed last year due to coronavirus, the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Eileen Taylor, is once again encouraging local residents, businesses and organisations to come together virtually for ‘Just One Day’ to raise awareness and support fundraising for her official charity. To enable people to safely fundraise from home, a virtual fundraising pack has been created which includes ten exciting fundraising ideas, ranging from putting on an online gig to hosting a virtual bake off. It is appreciated that a set date for organising a virtual fundraising event may not always be convenient; therefore, ‘What’s Your Day’ means you can support the campaign at a time that suits you. All proceeds from the fundraising activities that take
BBC focuses on Leeds’ carbon neutral target BC Radio 5Live is coming to Leeds to focus on climate change and the mission for the city to become carbon neutral by 2030 - and they want you to be involved! Have you changed your job, lifestyle or the way you travel because of concerns about climate change? Is it something you and your family take into account? Or is the issue something you would like to know more about? Hannah Bewley from Radio 5 Live is looking to speak to residents and families across Leeds about they think about climate change and the big changes coming to the city. Hannah is also interested in interviewing people from families that have lived in Leeds for several generations, to discover how their lives and work has changed, so if you come from a family with its roots in and have a story to tell please get in touch. I have been doing a bit of digging into my own family’s past and discovered my Dad’s family came to Leeds in the 1750’s to work in the tanning
industry, then had a small woollen mill in Burley. By the 1870’s the rising popularity of cotton clothing drove them out of business, so they went into selling fabrics. My maternal great grandma ran a corner shop in Woodhouse, and my gran had a little haberdashery shop in Harehills in the days when there was a corner shop at the end of nearly every street. Many family members worked in the textile industry until manufacturing was outsourced to other countries, and today most of us work in service industries. Our city has changed beyond recognition in the last 50 years, but Leeds now has some of the most innovative ‘green’ manufacturing in the UK, setting us in good stead for our move toward a zero carbon future. Radio 5 Live will broadcast at least six live programmes from Leeds over the next six months, ending with a panel of people living and working in the city. If you would be interested in taking part or would just like to find out more email hannah.bewley@bbc.co.uk.
virtually. After successfully raising over £40,000 for the charity last year, the Lord Mayor hopes funds raised from ‘Just One Day’ will help to exceed a final total of £50,000 by the end of her second year in the role next month. For more information about Just One Day, please visit: www.leeds.gov.uk/JustOneDay If you’d like to get involved, the virtual fundraising pack can be downloaded at bit.ly/LMCAFundraisingPack Once you’ve finished your
fantastic fundraising, simply donate the money via the Lord Mayor’s charity appeal at www.justgiving.com/lmca. If you are unable to host or participate in a virtual fundraising activity but would like to make a donation to the charity, payments can be sent via the JustGiving page. Don’t forget to share your fundraising stories and activities on social media by tagging @LordMayorLeeds and @SARSVL on Twitter or using the hashtag #JustOneDayLeeds.
B As well as providing community grants, Wade’s Charity also owns huge swathes of parkland, open spaces and sports grounds across Leeds such as Middleton Park and Gotts Park, which are let to Leeds City Council. If you are a small group, voluntary organisation or charity and feel you would benefit from a grant of up to £500 to re-start your activities, visit the Grants section on the Wade’s Charity website at: www.wadescharity.org
Lord Mayor’s fundraiser returns virtually J
Climate Corner
by Beth Bingley
opportunity to apply for a grant of up to £500 towards costs associated with re-starting activities post lockdown. There are a few restrictions, for example Wade’s are unable to support CICs or organisations primarily focused on health or education. In addition, as these grants are targeted towards smaller organisations, applicants must have had income of less than £20,000 in the last year. All applicants must be working in the pre-1974 boundary of Leeds (roughly LS1-LS17).
place over ‘Just One Day’ and ‘What’s Your Day’ will be donated to the Lord Mayor’s chosen charity, SARSVL (Support After Rape and Sexual Violence Leeds). The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Eileen Taylor, said: “‘Just One Day’ is a fantastic opportunity for friends, families and colleagues to come together virtually and have some fun whilst also raising money for a great cause. “Every penny raised will enable my chosen charity SARSVL to continue the vital work they do day in, day out, helping survivors of sexual violence and abuse at the time they’re ready to seek support.
“Whether you decide to organise a virtual event, make a donation or simply help to spread the word about SARSVL, I can’t thank you enough for your support.” SARSVL is the dedicated Rape Crisis Centre for all women and girls in Leeds affected by rape and sexual violence. During Councillor Eileen Taylor’s first term as Lord Mayor, over a thousand women and girls accessed one of SARSVL’s specialist services for emotional and practical support. Throughout the pandemic, the charity has continued to offer vital support by operating
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May 2021 | South Leeds Life
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News 9
Your local election candidates L
ocal elections taking place on Thursday 6 May 2021. Leeds City Council is holding elections with one Councillor in each of the city’s 33 wards up for election. There will also be an election for the new West Yorkshire Mayor. The creation of a directly elected Mayor for West Yorkshire is part of the devolution deal between the government and the five local authorities in West Yorkshire. The new Mayor will chair the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and replace the Police & Crime Commissioner. Below you can find full details of the candidates standing in the three South Leeds wards, plus the West Yorkshire Mayoral candidates. We have written to all the candidates inviting them to tell you why they are standing and what their policies are. You can find their responses on our website at: southleedslife.com /elections-2021 The Leeds City Council
elections are normal ‘first past the post’ system where you cast one vote for your preferred candidate. However, the Mayoral election will use the ‘Supplementary Vote’ system where you cast votes for your first and second preference candidates. If no candidate gets an overall majority of first preference votes the two leading candidates go into the final round. To decide the winner, all votes for candidates which didn’t make it through to the final round are redistributed based on the second preference. If you are voting in person you are encouraged to check your polling card, as a large number of polling stations have changed for these elections on. Over 70 polling stations across the city have moved to ensure voting can happen with Covid-19 safe measures in place. Voters are being asked to
Beeston and Holbeck ward Includes Beeston from Cross Flatts Park to the Ring Road, Cottingley Hall estate, Holbeck including the Normantons / St Luke’s / Bartons and Holbeck Urban Village Gohar ALMASS Labour and Co-operative Party 3 Preston Parade, Beeston, Leeds, LS11 7ND
Robert Hugh JACQUES Liberal Democrats 34 Station Road, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 5NR
Becky KELLETT Green Party 90 Redhall Crescent, Beeston, Leeds, LS11 8DY
wear a mask, take their own pen or pencil and comply with other safety and social distancing measures. It is anticipated that only limited numbers will be permitted inside polling stations at any one time, which
Hunslet and Riverside ward Includes Hunslet up to the River Aire as far as Asda House, some parts of the city centre close to the river, Hunslet and Hunslet Carr up to the M621, Hunslet Moor and Beeston Hill, and Stourton Nina Charlotte BROWN Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (address in Leeds)
Ed CARLISLE
Andrew Stuart MARTIN
Green Party 20 Harlech Avenue, Leeds, LS11 7DT
The Conservative Party Candidate 102 Tinshill Road, Leeds, LS16 7DW
Mohammed IQBAL
Bill PALFREMAN Freedom Alliance. No Lockdowns. No Curfews. (address in Leeds)
Leann Francesca ROBINSON
may mean queues are likely. South Leeds Life does not support any political party, but we urge all our readers to use their vote on 6 May. Due to Covid safety measures, counting of votes will take place over several
Labour Party (address in Leeds)
Cordelia Frances LYNAN Social Democratic Party 62 St Luke’s Green, Leeds, LS11 8PF
Save Our Beeston and Holbeck Independents 108 Lingwell Nook Lane, Lofthouse, Wakefield, WF3 3JA
Paul Richard ROWDEN
Jay SLAYTON-JOSLIN
Benedict Luke TURNER-CHASTNEY
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (address in Leeds)
The Conservative Party Candidate (address in Leeds)
Liberal Democrats 20 Alnwick View, Leeds, LS16 5RP
days this year. Votes will be varified on Friday 7 May; the Leeds City Council votes will be counted on Saturday 8 May; and West Yorkshire Mayor votes will be counted on Sunday 9 May. We will bring you the results
Middleton Park ward Includes Belle Isle from the M621, Middleton as far as Throstle Terrace, including New Forest Village and the Westwood estate
online as soon as they are announced and report them in next month’s newspaper. There is more information on the Leeds City Council website about these elections here: www.leeds.gov.uk/yourcouncil/elections
West Yorkshire Mayor Waj ALI
Kay-Lee Anne ASQUITH
Reform UK (address in Wakefield)
Green Party (address in Leeds)
Tracy Lynn BRABIN
Samantha Jane BENNETT
Labour & Co-operative Party (address in Kirklees)
The Conservative Party Candidate (address in Leeds)
Bob BUXTON
Sharon BURKE Labour Party 93 Old Run Road, Leeds, LS10 3AZ
Wayne Alan DIXON Social Democratic Party 39 Shelldrake Drive, Leeds, LS10 3NB
Yorkshire Party (address in Leeds)
Andrew Varah COOPER Green Party (address in Kirklees)
Stewart GOLTEN
James Michael SPENCER
Liberal Democrats 5 Farrer Lane, Oulton, Leeds, LS26 8JP
Liberal Democrats (address in Leeds)
Thérèse HIRST
In England, if a candidate has requested not to make their home address public, the relevant electoral area in which their home address (or country if their address is outside the UK) will be provided.
English Democrats - “Putting England First!” (address in Bradford)
Matt ROBINSON The Conservative Party Candidate (address in Leeds)
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10 News
10,000th meal served and still counting by Betty Virago
T
he Salvation Army is well known for providing food for those in need, but with lockdown restrictions closing both churches and restaurants you could be forgiven for thinking the help offered has been slowed down. In fact, the Salvation Army church in the centre of Leeds has just served it’s 10,000th meal during lockdown and have no plans of slowing down in serving those in food poverty. The local church, led by Majors Cliff and Joy Allchin, hit their milestone around the same time as the Salvation Army hit a milestone of serving 2 million meals nationally since May 2020. Major Cliff Allchin said: “So many people have found this last year particularly tough and we’ve heard some sad stories from those who are really struggling to make ends meet. Recently, we supported a family
of four with hot takeaway food after they were down to a tin of beans to feed them all. It’s heart-breaking.” But the support given doesn’t stop at giving food, one woman, Eleanor, had hoped to find work and provide a better future for her family but struggled to find employment. Leeds Central Salvation Army provided food parcels to help keep her family fed, in addition to support given by Migrant Action and Learning Partnerships. Without the emergency food The Salvation Army provided, Eleanor would not have been able to feed her children over the past three months. The immense task of feeding so many people during these difficult times could not have happened without the support and hard work of church members, volunteers and local businesses. How you can help: • Donate food while you
shop – Many supermarkets have a food bank drop off box, so you can add a couple extra items to your food basket and drop them off as you leave the store. • Ask food banks and charities what they need – Quite often food banks will have a surplus of one kind of food (tins of beans for example) but are in need of other items and not necessarily food items. Many food bank websites include an updated list of items they are in need of, before you go shopping, check the website to find out what is in need. • Can you spare a couple hours a week to donate time to helping prepare food parcels, make meals or deliver/pick up food? Contact your local food bank, charity or church to see whether they need volunteers. • Give financially for those times when food banks need to buy items not being donated or to help keep centres open and available to people in need.
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Meet the new Chair at Trinity Network
Open door: Alex Walker, new Chair at Trinity Network
by Jeremy Morton
A
lex Walker has recently become the new Chair of Trustees at Trinity Network, the charity that runs services for older people from their bases in Beeston Hill and Belle Isle. I spoke to Alex about the organisation’s work through the pandemic and their excitement about reopening face to face services from 17 May. Alex, who is a teacher and plays in a punk rock covers band in his spare time, was recently invested as church leader for the United Reform Church (URC). The church runs a charity called South Leeds Team Ministry, one of whose projects is Trinity Network. Like CEO Lynda Williamson, Alex sees the reopening as an opportunity to refresh how they serve and engage with older people in the area. His ‘barometers’ are his mother who is retired and missing the many activities she was part of before Covid, and his grandfather who is in his nineties, lives alone and just wants to meet people. Alex believes Trinity Network can meet both these needs. The service runs from two very different church sites. The Victorian URC church on Dewsbury Road site has had to be closed during Covid due to financial pressures and will not reopen immediately due to the difficulty of running Covidsecure activities in an old church building. For now, Trinity Network will focus on its modern Nesfield Road site in Belle Isle. But their minibus will be available to
bring people from all over South Leeds “We’ve used the minibus throughout lockdown to collect shopping for people, to take people to the supermarket and to their vaccinations, which we’re very pleased about” explains Alex. “We’ve also delivered food parcels, we sent out a Christmas lunch hamper to members and we did an afternoon tea for Easter, which was very gratefully received.” The centre is already running outdoor keep fit classes and from Monday 17 May you will be able to come inside, sit and have a cup of tea and use the centre’s facilities. There will be some pressure on numbers so to make sure you get a space in the main room you are advised to book in advance and bagsy a table. “First and foremost, we just want to get back in touch, properly, with our members. As good as the volunteer team have been, and I cannot stress my thanks to the volunteers enough, who have been ringing people to check they are OK, that they have food in the house and to chat, but it’s not quite the same as having them back in the centre and talking through the issues of modernday life. Many find themselves out of the loop when so much has been going on over facetime and zoom this last year. We’re really looking forward to welcoming them in.” There are plans to make much more use the garden this summer. The south facing space, a bit of a sun trap, will help cater to larger numbers
safely. The current memory room is to be renovated and converted into a pamper room, where members can have your hair, make up, nails, etc done. Alex stresses that Nesfield Road is a safe space. Everything is cleaned regularly; the staff are tested and vaccinated; visitors sign in for track and trace purposes. “We don’t want people to feel anxious, they can relax sit and have a cup of tea and a chat. And everyone is welcome, whether you’re a member who has used our services before or not.” Looking ahead they plan to offer light, healthy, nutritious lunches over the summer. They will be restarting trips out and have already booked a holiday in Blackpool in September. “The members who we’ve contacted so far are very excited, which is very encouraging.” Alex pays tribute to the staff for their “onging and sustained support for the people around them even times have been tough.” “This is not an evangelical project, it never has been. The church wants to provide a space where people can go and feel warm and safe and welcome and loved. “The Trinity Network team want to run a space where people get something out of it – baking, new skills, gardening and meet new people.” With Alex at the helm, I’m sure they’ll achieve it. To contact Trinity Network ring (0113) 270 3935 or email: info@trinitynetwork.org.uk
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May 2021 | South Leeds Life
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News 11
Dance charity’s DAZL-ing new HQ and studio in Middleton
Hubbub and Holbeck Together support digital inclusion H
Making their moves: young people enjoying the new dance studio
by Jeremy Morton
D
AZL (Dance Action Zone Leeds) the Middletonbased charity that has got so many children moving and grooving over the last 21 years, have moved into a permanent home in Middleton Community Centre on Acre Road. With help and support from the ward Councillors, they have taken over and refurbished the community space in the building which they share with Middleton Elderly Aid. The space has been fully refurbished to create a dance studio plus offices and kitchen. The walls have been decorated, new ceilings and lighting put in and of course mirrors added.
“We didn’t get any grants to pay for the work” explains Ian Rodley, DAZL’s Director. “This has come from Ian not having a really nice holiday this year and lots of support and volunteered time from staff and supporters.” The dance studio is already in use as children’s activities have restarted. “The children love it, they’re so chuffed. Everyone loves it, the children, the staff, the parents. Everyone’s really shocked that we’ve got it done so quickly, but staff and supporters have given up their weekends and evenings to make it happen. “Councillors have paid for kitchen equipment and Asda at
Middleton have given us kitchen supplies. So many people rallied round when they heard what we were doing and asked ‘how can I help?’ I can’t thank everybody enough.” Ian is keen that the space is not just a performing arts dance studio, but wants it to be a community space. Any group will be able the use the space for a flat £10 fee (to cover costs). “We want the community to feel that there’s something here for them” he says. He has plans for a monthly buy, sell and swap shop, and is looking at boxercise, soccer kids, and line dancing for older people. Longer term he has ambitions to build an extension
onto the building and make it a cultural space for sport, dance and art for all generations. He’s already lined up Leeds Playhouse to bring their production of Fairy Poppins to the centre in June. Whilst this is now DAZL’s home base, they will still be running groups in venues across the city. Ian is keen to see the gaps that leaves in the studio’s timetable filled by others: “If people have got an idea for a group, come and see us, we’re really open to helping you make it happen” he says. You can contact DAZL on 07519 018675; email: info@dazl.org.uk; or via Facebook.
olbeck Together recently received a number of refurbished smartphones provided by environmental charity Hubbub via 100% Digital Leeds. The phones have been redistributed amongst members of the Holbeck community with the aim of helping people to become better connected and to develop their digital skills. By increasing social connections, the project also aims to reduce social isolation and loneliness, whilst also improving signposting and referrals between Holbeck Together and other organisations and services. Phones were given to members of the community along with guides on how to use them produced by Hubbub. The phones were delivered in
person on a one-to-one basis with support from Holbeck Together staff and volunteers. A client of Holbeck Together who received one of the smartphones said: “My new phone is really useful when I’m out and about. I’ve bought myself a new case and it fits perfectly into my handbag. I can’t wait to go out more, use the phone more often and learn new skills.” There are still smartphones available if you are interested in learning more. The phones are available free of charge and have unlimited calls, unlimited texts and a monthly data allowance. If you are interested in finding out more about the scheme or the work of Holbeck Together, please call the office on (0113) 245 5553, or email: info@holbecktogether.org
Stepping into the digital world with a free smartphone
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Waiting to welcome you L-R: Chrisie Emmonds - DAZL Community Officer; Cameron Boyd - DAZL Aprentice; and Mason Jubb - DAZL Dance Development Officer
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12 School Life
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Cockburn MAT roundup Golden Guides jump for j T
he Cockburn Mulri-Academy Trust (MAT) runs a group of schools in South Leeds including three secondary schools: Cockburn school, Cockburn John Charles Academy and the new Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy. Transition to secondary school Parents and carers of Year 6 pupils have been confirming places at the soon to be three Cockburn MAT secondary schools including the new Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy. The next stage of their transition into high school has begun and parents and carers are being asked to fill in the various forms required and give their contact details, etc. Staff from the Cockburn MAT schools are in touch with the local primary schools and are gathering information which will help them prepare for the next academic year. The final stage of the process, working alongside government guidelines, will be to finalise transition plans which will hopefully include visits to the meet staff and buy uniform, etc. All of the Cockburn MAT transition team are delighted that so many parents and carers have accepted their places - the new combined Year 7 will be bigger than ever! Extracurricular activities are back! As government restrictions ease, students from Cockburn School and Cockburn John
New dining facilities at Cockburn John Charles Academy Charles Academy will again be invited to take part in a wide range of extracurricular activities. A great deal of planning has gone into this which will ensure that the year group bubbles remain in place and that the activities can take place safely. From English and Maths to Drama and PE, students across all year groups will be able to take part. New Dining Room at Cockburn John Charles Academy nearly completed The dining room is planned to
Wings: anti bullying artwork with detail below
be completed by 7 May, with new toilets, 900 capacity seating and a remodelled outdoor seating area. This will be a wonderful addition to the academy. Amazing new art work created by hundreds of students During Anti-Bullying week last year at Cockburn School, students from across a range of year groups contributed to a whole school artwork inspired by street artist Kelsey Montague & the 'What lifts you?' campaign. The Cockburn School wings are now on display.
Iona Clayton, Lily Scott & Eleasha Griffiths celebrate the Gold Awards
Leeds Degree Apprentice achieve Incorporated Eng L
eeds College of Building is celebrating the success of its ground-breaking Engineering students. Charlie Wortley and Shane Finn, former apprentices at Leeds College of Building, are among the first in England to complete the Civil Engineer Degree Apprenticeship programme at Leeds Beckett University and achieve Incorporated Engineer status with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). The trailblazing pair are now professionally qualified civil engineers after passing their End Point Assessment (EPA) and gaining ‘IEng MICE’ status, the internationally recognised mark of excellence. The Civil Engineer Degree Apprenticeship programme is five years long and involves workbased learning alongside an accredited degree qualification. Shane, 26, who works at Sweco in Leeds, said: “Completing my apprenticeship has been a long process but now I have passed the EPA and achieved IEng recognition with the ICE, it is the biggest achievement of my career so far.” Twenty-six-year-old Charlie, from Wakefield, who works as an
Charlie Wortley receiving a QUEST Technician Plus Scholarship for 2019/2020 engineer in the infrastructure design team at SCP in Leeds, added: “Being one of the first to pass the end point assessment is an utter privilege. The past five years have been difficult, though they have been worth it to reach
this point.” Charlie and Shane achieved Incorporated Engineer status alongside fellow Leeds Beckett University student Joe Allison, who works for Eastwood and Partners in Sheffield. Richard Davis, apprenticeship
May 2021 | South Leeds Life
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joy
School Life 13
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T
hree Middleton Guides are celebrating have achieved the highest, Gold Award, despite lockdown. Iona Clayton, Lily Scott and Eleasha Griffiths had to complete a minimum of 8 individual badges, 8 patrol badges and over 2,000 minutes of unit challenge time. This included challenges across the 6 new themes which are Know myself, Express myself, be well, have adventures, take action and skills for my future. Specific recent challenges included first aid, DIY and lots of outdoor challenges. Eleasha said “Guides has helped me overcome my anxiety to meet new people. And I am proud of my achievement although it means I'm growing up and I don't like that very much.” Iona commented: “On my Guides journey I’ve made many friends and done many challenges with them. On camps we’ve challenged ourselves and by doing so I have become more confident. I’ve done things I couldn’t have done without my friends and leaders. “My achievements in Guides have given me life long skills and I hope to carry on my girl guiding
journey in Rangers.” Lily said “I was always worried about what people think about me, Guides let’s me be who I want to be without having to worry about being perfect. I can be myself, learn new skills and have lots of fun with amazing people.” Having spent the lockdown holding meetings online, the group are currently meeting outside at the bandstand in Middleton Park each Friday. Leader Helen Woods said: “I’m really proud that under the difficult circumstances they have achieved this Gold Award. Well done girls.” If you want to join ours (5th Middleton Guides) or any other unit please log your details on www.girlguiding.org.uk/joinus.
manager at ICE, said: “Success at EPA and the IEng MICE award is testament to their hard work and dedication, and it is even more special as they are the very first Civil Engineer degree apprentices to have completed this apprenticeship at
this level.” An apprenticeship is an excellent way for individuals to enter the civil engineering profession and earn while they learn. Apprentices develop both the academic knowledge and
Ballet lessons with Northern Ballet
by Jeremy Morton
N
es first in England to gineer status
0 from Paul Sheffield, former ICE President
Platinum Artsmark for New Bewerley
practical skills to be successful in their careers. In this way, apprentices gain valuable experience to complete their ICE initial professional development while studying for their degree, putting them on the path to a professional qualification when they complete their apprenticeship In February, Leeds College of Building apprentices Kayla Browne and Luke Hawkins also gained recognition after becoming two of 37 ICE members awarded ICE QUEST Technician Scholarships. QUEST Technician Scholarships worth up to £1,000 are given to outstanding candidates who show leadership, ambition, determination, and ability to work well in teams or independently. All ICE scholars are working towards professional qualification as either Engineering Technician (EngTech MICE) or Incorporated Engineer (IEng MICE). The QUEST scholarships support members and students to learn at all stages of their career, including the Undergraduate scholarship for those applying to university this year.
ew Bewerley Community School in Beeston has just been awarded the Platinum Artsmark rating for their provision of cultural education. And they are the only primary school in West Yorkshire to receive the highest award. The Artsmark Award is a creative quality standard for schools, accredited by Arts Council England. It supports schools to develop and celebrate their commitment to arts and cultural education. The assessors commented that: “There is outstanding, purposeful and reflective leadership of the Arts at The New Bewerley Community Primary School, and that there is a firm commitment to promoting the Arts both within and beyond your setting. Arts and culture are clearly embedded in your curriculum, and fundamental to your school’s values and ethos to ‘Include, Create and Perform’.” The school works with In Harmony Opera North to provide all children with the opportunity to play a musical instrument and sing regularly. And there has been an increasing number of
Music lessons with Opera North
children successfully auditioning for a position on the Yorkshire Young Musician's advanced extra-curricular programme. They also work with other professional companies such as Northern Ballet and Wrongsemble. The children’s theatre company Wrongsemble worked in school to improve reading skills and increase pupils’ understanding and use of high level vocabulary through drama and art, with measurable effects on achievement. The Nutcracker project in particular shows how arts and culture are embedded in the school. The pupil-led school Arts Council reviewed arts-based practice and fedback that children enjoyed dance. Together with the arts lead teacher, they pitched to the governors for funding, which they successfully gained and a 6-week project was developed consisting of weekly 2-hour ballet sessions with a pianist and dance artist from Northern Ballet. In addition, pupils also interviewed a professional ballet dancer and watched 'The Nutcracker' production at Leeds Grand Theatre. This project was based on the story of 'The
Nutcracker', which linked to the children's writing, guided reading, music, French and geography back in the classroom. Parents commented that their child's confidence had grown through the project, that they enjoyed the learning experience and that they now aspired to become a professional dancer. The combination of children's experiences, arts practice and core curricular learning had a positive impact on children's success because of their interest, enjoyment, and everygrowing confidence in their learning. In addition, 10% of children were spotted by Northern Ballet and received funded extra-curricular ballet lessons. Commenting on the award, Headteacher Gary German said: “I am delighted that the school has been recognised for providing exemplary arts provision. This is something the school has worked hard to achieve. Achieving the platinum level shows that arts are embedded into the school's ethos and the children's learning. The school's motto is Include, Create, Perform.”
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14 Comment
In our view Leaving Lockdown The mainstream media are focussing on pubs, shops and foreign holidays as the lockdown restrictions are being eased. What’s so often overlooked are the many community groups providing real grassroots services. So it’s very pleasing to report on a number of organisations that seem to be opening up with renewed vigour. Some organisations like the Hunslet Club and Trinity Network have taken the opportunity of lockdown to rethink the services they provide, whilst others like DAZL and The Bridge Cafe are enjoying new facilities. We are lucky that most seem to have come through the Covid crisis relatively unscathed are are excited to get going again.
Local elections We go to the polls on Thursday 6 May to elect local councillors and a new West Yorkshire Mayor. The Mayor will unlock considerable funds from central government and have big impact on transport. South Leeds Life does not support any political party, but we strongly believe that voting is an important part of being an active citizen. So whoever your decide to support, please use your vote.
South Leeds
Laughs The first rule of passive aggressive club is ... You know what, nevermind. It’s fine. If you've got a great joke you want to share (max 200 words), email it to us at info@southleedslife.com by the 15th of each month, with your name and address, and the best one each month will win a £5 prize.
Your letters and comments Cycle lanes Absolutely brilliant. I can just see the Lycra clad peleton of eager riders arrayed in a Le Mans type start in Mirfield. Like coiled springs they crouch on their trusty machines ready for the flag to fall then go hell for leather on the new Mirfield to Leeds super cycle way. I just can’t wait to cheer them both on as they come down Dewsbury road. Mind whilst the riders are few, there will be plenty of spectators. The spectators will be in the cars in one long traffic jam all the way from Cross Flatts Park to the Tommy Wass pub. Bill Birch The current cycle lanes are under used as they are in poor condition and illthought-out. Many end in shared pavements, many simply end on main dangerous roads and many are littered with pot-holes bollards and signs. Take London for example, the original cycle superhighways where just a blue strip of paint on the road, often ending at roundabouts forcing cyclist to share lanes with cars. These where underused and incredibly dangerous (hence why they were underused). The new superhighways have separated lanes and separate signaling systems (like the ones being built in Leeds) and are incredibly popular, since people can ride without fear of being hit by cars You don’t make an activity safer by discouraging people from doing it (which the current, unfit-for-use cycle lanes do), you make an activity safer by providing better PROPER infrastructure. Sam Barnes
New waste incinerator Everything gets dumped on south leeds (Plans for new waste incinerator at Stourton move forward, February 2021). Any decisions, be it housing or the above, are made by councillors who live in west Leeds making sure their area keeps its identity and green space, whilst south Leeds looses its. Helen Fletcher I hope that opportunities will be given to local skilled construction workers on this project. We are finding that overseas companies are awarded contracts who choose to bring in workers from overseas
Waste recycling There’s only one Waste Recycling Site for the whole of South Leeds at the far side of Middleton, about as far from Beeston, Holbeck and most of Hunslet as it could possibly be, 3 miles alone from Beeston! If you’ve no transport you can’t even go there! This is totally inadequate for getting rid of all manner of worn out electrical items. Leeds City Council needs to wake up to the fact this is 2021 and we need enough 21st century disposal sites far better located. Surely it’s not rocket science? John P
Ciaran Bingham Foundation Trust
I would like to repeat my thanks to Margaret and all the team. I live at the other side of Leeds (Pudsey) and am unable to get to see Beeston & Holbeck ward Includes Beeston from Cross Flatts Park to the Ring my dad, who is one of the people the team Road, Cottingley and Holbeck. The three councillors are: support, due to Gohar Almass 07445 878 333 gohar.almass@leeds.gov.uk current situation and Angela Gabriel 07946 632 468 angela.gabriel@leeds.gov.uk not being a driver. Andrew Scopes 07860 400 645 andrew.scopes@leeds.gov.uk Along with helping dad, it also helps me, Hunslet & Riverside ward Includes the city centre, Beeston Hill and Hunslet. knowing he is getting a hot meal etc. The three councillors are: Thank you again so Mohammed Iqbal 0113 226 8796 mohammed.iqbal@leeds.gov.uk much. Elizabeth Nash 0113 275 8594 elizabeth.nash@leeds.gov.uk Joanne Ward
Your Leeds City Councillors
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
Temple Works It would just be amazing if this building is brought back into use- it is a national treasure and
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: @IngramRoad Thank you so much @SlungLow and @LUFeduc for inviting us to be part of an amazing event! 📚 We are so proud of all our children who attended and especially proud those who read poems & stories.📚 We had a fabulous day ! 📚 #WorldBookDay2021
The new segregated cycle lane in Holbeck then ring fence the job where there would be no access to local and UK workers. The trade union will be hoping to meet with Wheelabrator and use a collective agreement (NAECI) as this was used on Ferrybridge Multi Fuels 1 & 2 where fair rates of pay and terms & conditions were open and transparent. Tony Duckitt
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deserves preservation! And it’s just down the road! Paul Bullivant
Majors John & Irene Pocock What a beautiful obituary. How lucky you were to have such lovely parents. Thank you for sharing how loving and caring they were to everyone they met. A credit to the human race. Margaret Scott
Diabetes competition Diabetes UK would like to invite children and young people from across the north of England affected by diabetes to enter their family competition- Diabetes and My Family. The competition, which has now opened and runs until 31st May, encourages young people with diabetes and their families to express what the condition means to them. Whether it’s through a picture, poem, song or sculpture- we want to hear from you. Diabetes is relentless and we want to encourage children and young people to use their voice and share how diabetes affects you and your family. There are several categories that you can submit an entry to with the chance to win one of four luxury family hampers. These include: • Children with diabetes aged 0-5 years • Children with diabetes aged 6-12 yrs • Children with diabetes aged 13+ • Siblings aged 18 and under So, if you’re feeling creative and want to help us raise awareness of type 1 diabetes then get involved- we’d love to hear from you! For more information and to submit your entry contact n.west@diabetesorg.uk Clare Howarth, Diabetes UK
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.
@HousingLeeds Council tenants claiming Universal Credit should advise the DWP of their April rent increase after the 5th April 2021. Any submitted before then will not be registered. The DWP will send a 'To do' (confirm housing Costs) to your On Line Account (journal) at the right time. @LeedsCyclists An amazing 2,932 people have signed our Skelton Grange steps petition. Comments left: “It’s a daily hazard I have to deal with on my cycle to work” “Exhausted carrying my bike up those steps and this on a dedicated cycle route” Please sign at chng.it/nkHsYvXq
@RunMayor_Leeds Hi! I'm Gemma, the Running Mayor for Leeds! The Running Mayors Network is an initiative to champion the role of running in our cities & places. It's part of #RunSome - a campaign to inspire us to run some everyday journeys, errands & commutes
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Comment 15
MP’s notebook by Hilary Benn MP
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ell that didn’t last long, did it? Announced one evening with a surprising lack of advocates, the proposed European Super League dominated the news but collapsed within 48 hours in the face of a universally hostile reaction. It was a great victory for the voice of football fans and for the traditions of the game which are, after all, about playing matches and progressing in a cup competition or getting promoted according to how your team does. Leeds United fans need no reminding in recent years of what this can mean, but it made it all the sweeter when the club regained its place in the Premier League. It was great to see the banner outside Elland Road on the night of the
May 2021 | South Leeds Life
Liverpool game which said it all - “Fans before Finance”. There is no doubt that the prime motivation behind this totally misguided plan was money and I am profoundly relieved it’s been defeated, but we need to be honest about the position that the beautiful game has now got itself into. To be a successful top flight club these days you need a lot of money to buy players and pay them huge salaries. Long gone are the days when England’s only World Cup winning captain Bobby Moore started his professional football career earning just £12 a week. Merchandising, stadium naming rights and television income have all made a huge difference, but there are those who fear that football finances are in danger of becoming a bubble which could at some point burst. So, here’s to
sensible moderation in place of the greed that the ill-fated European Super League plan represented. I attended a briefing recently about e-scooters organised by the Guide Dogs Association. They are concerned about the trials that are taking place in parts of the country at the moment where scooters can be rented. The problems that blind and partially sighted people have encountered include bikes being inconsiderately parked and e-scooters using pavements which is just plain dangerous. It is very disconcerting when one of these shoots past you as you walk along having had no idea there was one coming up behind you. I was astonished to discover that 300,000 of these scooters are estimated to be in private ownership even though it is currently illegal, apart from
those that are part of the trials, to drive any e-scooter on the public highway. It seems likely that the Government is going to change the law to allow them to be used, but there ought to be some very clear conditions including a complete ban on driving on pavements, a limit to the speed they can go and ensuring that they make a warning noise to alert other road users and that those who drive one are competent to do so. Blind and partially sighted people, as well as the frail and elderly, have enough obstacles to navigate as they make their way around without inconsiderately-driven escooters adding to them. As well as containing the remains of the dearly departed of many centuries, Leeds' cemeteries also tell stories about their lives and deaths. During a recent afternoon stroll, we walked around both Holbeck and Beeston cemeteries, admiring the monuments and the beautiful inscriptions, the plants and the
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
Hilary Benn MP wildlife and the wonderful views over the city. I remember one gravestone in Holbeck cemetery on which was recorded the names of several babies and infants who had died long before their time; a painful reminder of the conditions in which people lived and the lack of healthcare and vaccinations. Beeston Cemetery has a memorial to the terrible accident at Park Pit which claimed three lives in 1902; another reminder that at one time Beeston had a number of coal mines. Congratulations to the Holbeck
and Beeston Cemeteries Friends Group that does so much to help look after these two special places that preserve this important part of our heritage. At long last Highways England have finally repainted the new noise barrier alongside Parnaby Road. I took them to task in a previous column over the bright green colour they had chosen that was so unpopular with residents. It’s now been replaced with olive green and I hope that before long real vegetation starts to grow there.
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16 South Leeds Lives
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A stretcher A gravestone bearer injured older than the at the Somme cemetery by David J Owen
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alter Wrigglesworth, from Beeston, served as a stretcher bearer in the Leeds Pals regiment and was wounded on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916. This is his story: Walter was born in Leeds on 20 February 1895 to parents Henry (Harry) John Wigglesworth, a fish merchant, and Beatrice Gertrude Wigglesworth (née Baker). He lived at 18 & 20 Porto Street, close to where Crescent Grange and Crescent Towers now stand, off Dewsbury Road, with siblings Amy, Henry John, Doris Mary, Alfred Vernon and Benjamin Adolph. By 1917 his home address had changed to 24 Fulham Place, Beeston Hill. Walter was educated at Cockburn Secondary (High) School and the Leeds Institute. In 1911 he was training in electrical engineering although was listed as a clerk when he joined the Army in 1914. Walter was reported in a local Leeds paper as ‘the old Rugby International three quarter back who played with the Thornes Club when they won the Yorkshire Challenge Cup’. He attested in the 15th Battalion as 15/1130 Private Wigglesworth at Colsterdale on 11 January 1915 at the age of 19 years and 10 months. His religion was described as Primitive Methodist which was a major offshoot of the principal stream of Methodism – the Wesleyan Methodists – in 19th century Britain. Walter was 5’ 8” tall and 10st 3lbs in weight. He trained at Colsterdale, Ripon and Fovant before deploying to Egypt in December 1915 where he remained until moving to France in March 1916. The Battalion was sent to France to prepare for the ‘Big Push’ that was due to start at the end of June 1916 although it was delayed until the beginning of July. Walter had trained as a stretcher bearer and was kept busy when the attack on the village of Serre took place at 7.30am on 1 July 1916. His most daunting task was to go to the aid of his close friend 15/1385 George Abbott, a Battalion machine gunner, who was wounded by a German shell that killed the man next to him. Walter dressed George’s
wounds but also became a casualty, receiving multiple shrapnel wounds to his right arm, face and the right side of his neck (a small piece of metal remained 1½” deep in his neck). Unable to continue helping his friend he left him on a stretcher and it was some 12 hours before George was rescued. He later died of his wounds at the age of 17 and was buried at Le Treport Military Cemetery, although his parents were able to visit him in hospital before he died. Walter was attended at the 95th Field Ambulance, then moved to the 41st Casualty Clearing Station and finally, on 3 July, repatriated to England on the hospital ship H.S. Egypt after he had received further treatment at No.2 General Hospital at Havre. On arrival back in the UK he was sent to the Lord Derby War Hospital at Warrington to recover from his wounds. He was commissioned into the Machine Gun Corps on 28 May 1917 and later into the newly formed Tank Corps. He also served with the 24th Tank Battalion based at Worgret Camp, Wareham and appears to have remained in the UK until the end of the war. Walter retired from the Army on 5 June 1919, receiving the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal for his war service. He relinquished his commission on 1 September 1921 although he retained the rank of Lieutenant. Walter married Eleanor M Hooper in 1922 at Holbeck. Walter died at the Leeds General Infirmary on 10 March 1931, aged 36 years. His passing was reported in the Yorkshire Evening Post in which it stated that he was the ‘beloved husband of Nellie Wigglesworth of 38 Grovehall Drive and beloved son of Gertrude and the late Harry Wigglesworth’. Three days later he was buried at Holbeck cemetery. Walter’s story was researched by David J Owen as part of Leeds Pals Volunteer Research project run by Leeds Museums and Galleries and Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’s (NAONB) and was originally published on their website: leedspalsvolunteerresearchers .wordpress.com
by Ken Burton
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n Wednesday 1 July 1857 and with the consent of the Home Secretary and the licence from the Bishop of Ripon, Holbeck Cemetery opened for interments. But here in this Cemetery can be found a gravestone that is older than the Cemetery, how did this come about? For the answer we need to go to St Paul’s Church which stood in Park Square, in the city centre.
subterranean mausoleum. There were several vaults of such dimensions and form that were deemed as suitable under the church and also under the area within the walls or fence surrounding the church. There were about 90 catacombs and each one was capable of holding 14 to 20 coffins. These were formed out of the vaulted arches that supported the church. The coffins were enclosed in stonework and, in 1848 were said to be in a good state of
St Paul’s church stood in Park Square subscription. Services on a Sunday were held at 10:30am and 6:30pm and on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm. The patrons in 1842 were the executors of the Rev William Atkinson and there was no glebe house. The register of Burials was commenced in 1796, and the chapel was
William Gott’s gravestone in Holbeck Cemetery This church was built by Rev Miles Atkinson, lecturer at Leeds Parish Church and Vicar of Kippax, on land purchased from Dr Christopher Wilson, Bishop of Bristol. The church was founded and built between 1791 and 1794 at a cost of £10,000. The Rev Miles Atkinson was also the first minister here and the architect for the project was Mr W Johnson. Dr Wilson laid the first stone for the church on the 26 September 1791 and it was consecrated by Archbishop Markham on 11 September 1793, opening in 1794. At this time the Wilson family was hoping to develop its extensive Park Estate into an exclusive residential area. Restrictions were placed on Atkinson as a condition of purchase of the land, one of which was that there was to be no burial ground around the church, burials were to be in a
preservation, though Robert Baker had not thought so in 1842. Interments began in 1796 and ceased in 1854, though there was one interment permitted in 1865. St Paul's was built to provide a place of worship for the residents of the Wilson Park Estate. It had a seating capacity of 1,175 (but estimated at 1,500 in 1818) people and all the pews were reserved and for this a rent of 16 shillings (80p) had to be paid. The style or architecture was Grecian, the east and west ends displayed four pilasters of the Iconic order supporting their respective entablature and pediment; a light square tower rose at the west end, this was decorated by vases and Ionic windows. The whole was surmounted by a dome, and finishing in a ball and cross. In 1801 a good tone organ was erected by
augmented in 1814 with £300 from the Parliamentary Grant, to meet a donation of £200 from W Hey, Esquire. In 1905 St. Paul's was served by the Rev John Remington
Statten MA, and with the Rev Walter Francis James MA, as curate, with the Vicar of Leeds as Patron. Its clerics received a living of £263 per annum. The church was demolished in 1905 when the residents had moved from an increasingly busy city centre to quieter suburbs leaving the buildings for commercial use. The hole where the church had been was around for a long time, but eventually River House was built there for the Water Board and completed in 1938. The mausoleum was converted into a partial underground car park which can be seen from the outside. The building is now known as the Park Square Residencies having been turned into apartments. When the church was demolished in 1905 the deceased were removed to cemeteries chosen by relatives or to Upper and Lower Worley Cemetery, and the monuments were taken to Holy Trinity Church, Boar Lane. However, Holbeck Cemetery has one person re-interred here from St Paul's Church: William Gott, the brother of Benjamin Gott the Leeds Industrialist. William Gott of Burley was born on 3 December 1745 and died on 31 May 1810. He was originally interred at St Paul’s then reinterred at Holbeck Cemetery in 1905 - hence a gravestone older than the Cemetery.
River House was built on the site of St Paul’s church in 1938
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South Leeds Lives 17
Why a good declutter is good for mental health by Shannon Humphrey
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ast night I finally bit the bullet and tackled my wardrobe. It was heaving with loads of clothes that I haven’t worn for years and am unlikely to ever wear again, too big, too small, falling to bits, new with tags on, unworn random items bought that I now ask myself what on earth was I thinking? All just sitting there taking up room. When I want to find something, I can’t face rummaging around trying to find it, so I basically end up wearing mostly the same things day in day out. Apparently, the average person wears 20% of their clothing 80% of the timeI identify with that completely. Do you wear the same outfit most days too? Anytime I treated myself to something new, I crammed it in the wardrobe and quickly closed the door in hopes that nothing fell out on me, yes it really was that bad! The drawers aren’t much better either, but that’s a job for another day. I’d had enough of not being able to find anything in the wardrobe and taking out clothing that had been squashed and needed another good ironing! I took all the clothes out of my wardrobe, it looked like an explosion in a clothes factory, laid them on the bed and sorted through the items one at a time. I placed them into piles, keepable, ‘binable’, charity shop and storage for next season. It took ages and I’m nowhere near finished. But to say I didn’t
relish the thought of having a clear out, once I began, I really enjoyed it. There’s something very relaxing about doing a mundane, even slightly boring task. You must focus on it, but not so much it makes your brain hurt, but enough to distract you from whatever else you have going on. This is a perfect example of everyday mindfulness, a lot of people think that mindfulness is sitting in silence meditating, and yes it can be that. But mindfulness can also be at its most effective when used to focus fully on one job at one time. Completing it without interruption or distraction. Going through my clothes from years ago, I was surprised by the number of memories I have associated with my clothes. When I bought them, where I wore them, special occasions- how much has changed since I thought a bright pink neon skirt would look good on me! I know when all the decluttering is finished how much easier it will be to go to the wardrobe, take out an item that doesn’t need re-ironing because it became so squashed, find what I’m looking for easily and not have the worry that I’ll be flattened under a pile of clothes. Making the whole process quicker, easier, and less stressful. If you don’t have a full afternoon (or 3 weeks in my case) aim for 20-minute intervals of decluttering to
make it feel less challenging and time consuming. Start with a section of your wardrobe or drawers and work it out from there. My guess is once you get going you won’t want to stop. It’s very satisfying when you’ve decided to do something and you’re getting on with it. If unlike me, you are the proud owner of a neat and tidy wardrobe you might have a cupboard or a kitchen drawer
that might benefit from a declutter- again just working through the process of keeping, binning, storing, or taking to the charity shop will give you something to focus your mind and you might even find something you thought you’d lost! There’s a ton of research that says decluttering is good for us physically and mentally. We feel less stressed, anxious, and freer when we aren’t surrounded by mess and clutter. Also living in a neat and
Holbeck goes green for Wellbeing by Anne Mansfield
L
ocal charity wellbeing project Your Space are working with people in Holbeck to Grow Our Own fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers. The free Sunday gardening group started mid-April and has been utilising under-loved spaces in the area to re-green the urban environment. Not only does this help the planet and make our shared spaces more enjoyable, gardening is an activity that helps ease body and mind through gentle exercise in the outdoors.
After a year of uncertainty, loss and loneliness, coming together to grow something feels healing. In the words of one participant, it’s “just what I needed”. This couldn’t be more appropriate as we approach Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs 10-16 May this year, with the theme ‘Connect With Nature’. The Mental Health Foundation’s research over the pandemic showed going for walks outside was one of our top coping strategies for lockdown, and 45% of people
May 2021 | South Leeds Life
reported that being in green spaces had been vital for their mental health. Our gardens, parks and verges have never been more needed. The Grow Our Own group aims to share gardening knowledge and skills within the local community, and increase access to green spaces which can help to improve and maintain wellbeing in the community. The Holbeck Grow Our Own group runs Sundays 2:30-4pm from Holbeck Youth and Community Centre on Elland Road. If you’d like to sign up,
tidy environment is healthier because there are less dust particles in the air that cause irritation, allergies, and dirt. It’s normal to become attached to physical items that remind us of someone or a special time in our lives and letting go of them can feel painful. Especially photographs and sentimental items. Could they be enjoyed in another way rather than having them stashed in a drawer or cupboard? Don’t place any pressure on yourself to discard items that you want to keep, this isn’t about getting rid of items that are precious to you, it’s about clearing space mentally and
physically to enjoy cherished items fully and completely. Sometimes we store things so well that we forget we even had them. Here are a few ideas of ways to repurpose your surplus items 1 I know most people have their photographs on their phones. But for those of you who have a sack-full, of physical photographs spend an afternoon taking a trip down memory lane. There is likely to be a lot of laughter, and maybe get more information or support the group in any way, please contact Anne on 07920 461253 or email annem @touchstonesupport.org.uk. Not able to commit to the weekly group? You can try growing your own with the Your Space team at Holbeck Together’s outdoor coffee mornings on Monday 10 and Wednesday 12 May as part of their activities for Mental Health Awareness Week, or join them at the Jamyang Jumble sale on 22 May for more free gardening activities. Interested in joining or setting up a community group in South Leeds? Your Space can help! Contact Your Space on
a few tears as you remember years gone by. Let go of the pictures that don’t mean anything to you. Then either put the photographs that you are saving in an album to keep them clean and tidy or display a couple of your favourites where you can appreciate them 2 If you have clothing that you have kept for sentimental reasons there are businesses who make teddies, cuddle cushions and other items using your clothes so you can still feel your loved ones near 3 If you have a lot of old newspapers- save any special editions or memorable articlesand recycle the rest. Paper recycling reduces greenhouse gas emissions and the recycled fiber is a sustainable, cost-saving resource for making new paper products. Your old newspaper could become anything from a cup to a shopping bag! 4 If you’re like me and have far too many clothes, I encourage you to go through them like I did and section them into piles, keepable, binable, storage and charity shop. The charity shops welcome clean, tidy items to sell and any surplus items are placed in ‘rags’ and recycled which saves them going into landfill 5 If you have children who have grown out of their toys, but the house is still filled with them, perhaps you could pass them onto a friend, make some money by selling them online or take them to the local charity shop so another child can have some fun with something your child has outgrown 6 If you’ve got lots of books that you know you’ll never read again, can you pass them onto a friend, charity shop or even leave them in one of the community pop up libraries
that encourage people to swap books 7 Clearing out and decluttering doesn’t just apply to physical items it also applies to friendships and relationships that no longer serve you. If you have friends or acquaintances on social media that in real life, you’d cross the road to avoid, hit the unfriend button. It’s OK to move on and accept that you’ve outgrown the friendship as life takes you on different paths 8 If you work from home, or even have a hobby that requires desk space, make sure to give it a quick tidy once week it will increase your productivity. You’ll spend less time searching for things, meaning that you can spend your time focused on your work without the stress of a paperwork, mugs and other clutter piling up around you 9 Have you got a pile of old CD’s, DVD’s, albums gathering dust that you know you’ll never play again? Dig them out, dust them off and make some quick cash. There are collectors, particularly of vinyl, who will pay good money for limited edition or clean and tidy records 10 Finally, if you’d like to declutter your mind you are welcome to join and Reverend Lindsey Pearson and I, as we collaborate on a series of free community wellbeing events starting in June. We’ll cover everything from anxiety to mindfulness in a safe peaceful way For more information about the sessions please contact Rev Lindsey Pearson at 07961 016052 or email revlcp @btinternet.com
0113 426 1141 or email yourspace @touchstonesupport.org.uk. You can find Your Space across social media by searching for “Your Space Leeds”. Your Space is a community wellbeing project run in partnership by the charities
Touchstone, Holbeck Together and Womens Health Matters, with funding from Leeds City Council. You can find out more about Mental Health Awareness Week at www.mentalhealth .org.uk/campaigns/mentalhealth-awareness-week.
Shannon Humphrey is a First Aid for Mental Health Instructor and EFT/CBT Practitioner For more information about her work visit www. pathwaysforpositivity.com
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South Leeds Life | May 2021
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18 Art Life
10 Years of Beeston’s BasementArtsProject: Celebrate by taking part by Bruce Davies
O
n Friday 2 April 2021 BasementArtsProject, Beeston’s own art gallery, turned 10 years old. Our first ever project was ‘This Is Our House‘ by artist Kimbal Bumstead. As we threw open our kitchen door on that warm April evening 10 years ago, little did we know that we would be creating a project in experimental art and living that would endure for the next decade. This decade has seen us regularly present new work by artists from Leeds and far beyond here at our family home in South Leeds. It has also seen us stage exhibitions in gallery spaces in Liverpool, Huddersfield, Manchester, London, Sweden and the USA. For this, our tenth anniversary project, we have invited Kimbal back to work with us on a covid-safe celebration of our decade of activity. It is also an opportunity to revisit this artist’s work and see where the intervening
years have taken him. After moving from Leeds to London Kimbal has become established as a painter yet as an artist his work takes him in many different directions. He has been a regular presence in many group shows with Basement across the years and always takes the opportunity to do something new based around performance or audio/visual installations. For this project, we have moved online and recreated the Basement in 3d as a virtual environment. This is where you come in ... ‘We Are Still Here‘ is a project that will allow you the opportunity to get involved and exhibit at BasementArtsProject as part of our 10 year celebration. You do not have to be an artist, this project is open to everyone to take part. To do so, here are your instructions; Go For A Walk, take some materials to draw with Choose a place to sit and close your eyes
Focus on the sounds around you and make a drawing in response to what you hear Set your phone to record sound whilst you make your drawing, keep your eyes closed! When you are done, upload a photograph of your drawing and your sound file at: bit.ly/3xokFCQ Your work will then be taken by Kimbal and placed into the virtual environment and the drawings used as a graphic score to create a sonic landscape from the sounds that you send. You can log in at any time over the next month and watch as new works are added and manipulated by the artist to create a whole new exhibition containing your contributions. You can access the Virtual BasementArtsProject at any time from: bit.ly/3gCVwhD We hope that you will join us in this online celebration by taking part, and if you do not want to then please feel free to drop in on the Virtual Gallery any time and see how the work is progressing.
Kimbal Bumstead in his London studio with work
Rapper Wilko Wilkes releases charity track L
eeds rapper Wilko Wilkes has unveiled a new chapter of his musical legacy with a charity single raising funds and awareness for the national housing and homelessness charity Shelter and Andy’s Man Club, who run talking groups for men. ‘Poverty in the UK’ is a frustrated rant about the desperate poverty that unfortunately still exists in many parts of the UK. The track is in Wilkes’ typical
Wilko Wilkes
fast and hard-hitting style and it certainly packs a punch! Wilko Wilkes says: “Many countries around the world, and even some people in our own country, regard the United Kingdom as a prosperous, wealthy nation of tailored suits, country manor houses and afternoon tea – this track is about the other side of the coin. The side that a lot of us see in our poorest communities where people are struggling
without two pennies to rub together and numerous barriers to improving their situations.” “Shelter and Andy’s Man Club are two great charities that offer hope, support and breathing space to people when they need it most, so I wanted to do something positive to support them.” “The overarching theme of the track is quite grim but there’s an underlying message of hope in there, together with an urging for people to look out for each other – something we’re usually pretty good at in Leeds, but we can’t rest on our laurels.” The video for Poverty in the UK was filmed at Allen Brickworks near Halifax and includes some photography from parts of Holbeck, Seacroft and other areas around Leeds and Bradford. Watch the video at: www. youtube.com/watch?v=jtJd_sx xE8s and see if there’s anywhere you recognise! You can also visit his Justgiving page at www.justgiving.com/crowdfun ding/wilkowilkespoverty
Draw in response to the sounds around you
Visit the Virtual BasementArtsProject
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May 2021 | South Leeds Life
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Photo Competition 19
Signs of Spring Thank you to all our readers who submitted photos showing Signs of Spring. Judging was extremely difficult, but eventuially we came up with a winner: Jaco and a runner up: Santa Gaile Sadly we didn’t get any entries in the Under 18 category.
Caroline Thorley
Winner: Jaco’s cherry blossom in Middleton
Gohar Almass
Gohar Almass
Sue Talbot
Runner Up: Santa Gaile’s cherry blossom on Beeston Hill
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South Leeds Life | May 2021
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
20 News
What’s On
IN BRIEF
Your guide to events and activities across South Leeds in May All events listed here have been planned around current Covid-19 restrictions and booking is often required, please contact the organisers to make sure the events are going ahead as the situation changes
Every Monday
Every Saturday
Women’s Cycling & Social Group 4-5:30pm Book: 07435 914350 Be Creative 7-8:30pm over Zoom. Book: fb.com/YourSpaceLeeds Kickboxing 7-8:30pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street
DAZL Tinys (Age 3-5) DAZL Xplode (Age 6-9; 10+) DAZL HQ, Middleton Community Centre, Acre Road. Book: fb.com/danceactionzoneleeds Women’s Walking Group 11am-12:30pm Book: 07435 914350
Every Tuesday
Every Sunday
Walking Groups 11am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road. Book: 0113 272 1050
Junior parkrun (4-10 yrs) 9am Top of Cross Flatts Park Grow Your Own gardening Group 2:30-4pm Holbeck Book: fb.com/YourSpaceLeeds
Every Wednesday Slimming World Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street. Book: 07841 488658 Gardening Group Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road. Book: 0113 272 1050 Skate Mates 3:30-5pm LS-TEN, Kitson Road Book: ls-ten.org/skatemates
Every Thursday Slimming World Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street. Book: 07841 488658 Walking Groups 11am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road. Book: 0113 272 1050 Camera Club 1:30-3pm over Zoom. Book: 07754 391490 Elevate Women’s Wellbeing Group 4-5:30pm over Zoom. Book: fb.com/YourSpaceLeeds South Leeds Lakers Juniors (Athletics) 6-7pm Cockburn School Book: fb.com/juniorlakersleeds
Every Friday Chair-based Exercise (outdoor) 1:45-2:45pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road. Book: 0113 272 1050 Women’s Cycling & Social Group 4-5:30pm Book: 07435 914350
Sunday 2 May MHA Treasure Hunt From 9:30am Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Bluebell Walks 11am; 12:30pm; 2:30pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre Monday 3 May Bluebell Walks 11am; 12:30pm; 2:30pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre Sunday 9 May Foxwood Panyard - Caribbean Rhythms 2-4pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre Saturday 22 May Jumble Sale 10am-2pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck Sunday 23 May Middleton Railway 10:30am3:30pm Moor Road, Hunslet Litter Pick 2-4pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre Sunday 30 May Middleton Railway 10:30am3:30pm Moor Road, Hunslet Tuesday 1 June Free Play Sessions 1-3pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre Wednesday 2 June Middleton Railway 10:30am3:30pm Moor Road, Hunslet
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Free Play Sessions 1-3pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre
Publicise your event with South Leeds Life’s free listings Send details of your event to: info@southleedslife.com Post to: 224 Cross Flatts Grove, Leeds, LS11 7BW Ring/text: 07894 583966
Publicise your event with South Leeds Life’s FREE listings Call 07894 583966 Email: info@southleedslife.com Post: 224 Cross Flatts Grove, Leeds, LS11 7BW
Full details of every event including map and contact details are available at www.southleedslife.com/events
Treasure Hunt in Cross Flatts Park MHA Communities South Leeds invite you to join their Treasure Hunt! Come and solve the mystery of the missing gold and find the buried treasure! It all takes place on Sunday 2 May and costs £4.00 per adult, children are free. Meet at The Watsonian Pavilion in Cross Flatts Park between 9.30am and 10.00am. Everyone will get a prize and you will be entered into the prize draw. If you intend to come along can you let the office know on (0113) 271 6201 or email southleeds@mha.org.uk
Camera Club Meets every Thursday 1.30pm to 3pm at Cranmore Community Centre (once restrictions are lifted)- otherwise online using zoom. This is a social camera club open to anyone at any skill or previous knowledge level. You do not need a camera, as we have some to loan. This year we are going to try some experimental and innovation in addition to traditional photography. We cater for those with a dedicated digital camera or the use of a phone camera. To join the club please contact 07754 391490 (ring or text) or check out the new web site for more details: www.digitalimageonline.org.uk
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What’s On 21
Loving Leeds Libraries during lockdown by Hazel Millichamp
T
he Public Libraries Act 1850 first gave local boroughs the power to establish free public libraries. The idea was that this was a first step in creating a national institution to provide universal and free access to literature and information. According to Wikipedia, the 4,145 public libraries existing in 21st century UK can all trace their origins back to this Act. I absolutely love books and I adore libraries but have often found myself stuck in the Infinity Library Loop of borrowing books, forgetting to return them in time, getting fined, avoiding the library for a while, going back to pay my fine and borrow books – and repeat! In October 2019, Leeds Libraries went fine-free, including forgiving old fines. Thank goodness, as using the library has been a huge help to me during the lockdowns. It has also helped me in my efforts to stop using that huge online shop as much as I was (difficult when all essential
May 2021 | South Leeds Life
shops were closed). Now, when I hear, see, read, am told about a great book instead of clicking the “Buy It Now” button, I search for the book on the Leeds Libraries app, reserve it from the library and await a message telling me it’s ready to collect. You can reserve audio books and e-books and you can even download magazines for free – BBC Good Food, Chat, Cosmopolitan, Empire, Auto Express, Radio Times, Vogue and lots more. Leeds Libraries put on a wide range of online activities including Daily Storytime, Drop in and Draw, Code Club, #LeedsReadsBookClub, Games Group, Lego@LeedsLibraries and so much more. There really is something for everyone. Upcoming online events include: • Friday, 7 May 1-2pm “19th Century Leeds: Political Cartoons in the Central Library Collection” • Tuesday, 11 May 1-2pm “Leeds Tapestry Showcase” • Thursday, 13 May 1-2pm “Simple Stitches for Spring”
• Friday, 21 May 1-2pm “Mapping the Past: Local History Maps at the Central Library” • Thursday, 27 May 5.307pm “Art Lovers Book Club” • Friday, 4 June 1-2pm “Leeds Modernist in the Archive”
• Wednesday, 9 June 23.30pm “Family History for Beginner’s Workshop” • Friday, 8 June 1-2pm “A Brief History of Leeds Cemeteries” • Wednesday, 30 June 23.30pm “Tracing Your Caribbean Ancestry” You can book onto any of these online events by going to: www.ticketsource.co.uk/leeds libraryevents If you are not yet a member of Leeds Libraries you can visit this website: leeds.ent. sirsidynix.net.uk/client/en_GB
/libraryonline, and follow the links to register. You will be given a temporary membership number which will allow you to access all of the following sections of online services immediately: • Books & Reading • Developing Your Digital Skills • Learn From Home • Children & Young People • Creativity & Hobbies • Information and Research • Health & Wellbeing • Business Support • Heritage
I think it’s time everyone rediscovered Leeds Libraries – it’s so much more than books these days and offers lots of ways to connect, communicate, create and educate yourself. Facebook: www.facebook.com/leeds libraries Twitter: twitter.com/leedslibraries Website: www.leeds.gov.uk/leisure/ libraries leeds.ent.sirsidynix.net.uk/ client/en_GB/libraryonline
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South Leeds Life | May 2021
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22 What’s On
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Friends of Middleton Park announce Summer Programme
Changing your furniture? H 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
Goods Vehicle Operator’s Licence Shaun Farrar trading as Farrar Transport of 59 Meadowside Road, East Ardsley, Wakefield, WF3 2LZ is applying to change an existing licence as follows: To add an operating centre to keep 1 goods vehicle and 0 trailer at Thorpe Lane Self Storage, trading as P Simpson & Sons Ltd 83 Thorpe Lane, Middleton, Leeds, LS10 4EP Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operating centre(s) who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Hillcrest House, 386 Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS9 6NF, stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice. Representors must at the same time send a copy to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available from the Traffic Commissioner’s office.
Goods Vehicle Operator’s Licence Julian Bridges trading as J Bridges Haulage Limited of 4 Brackenwood Court, Outwood, Wakefield, WF1 3TJ is applying to change an existing licence as follows: To add an operating centre to keep 1 goods vehicle and 1 trailer at IPMS Self Storage, 40 Burton Row, Beeston, Leeds, LS11 5HH Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operating centre(s) who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Hillcrest House, 386 Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS9 6NF, stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice. Representors must at the same time send a copy to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available from the Traffic Commissioner’s office.
aving had to cancel all their events in what have been the park’s centenery year, the Friends of Middleton Park (FOMP) are back with a packed programme of events and activities for summer 2021. Summer in the park kicks off with the fantastic display of bluebells in Middleton Woods. The Friends ususally team up with Middleton Railway to organise walks from the top station, Park Halt, over the May Day bank holiday weekend. Unfortunately that is not possible this year as the railway is unable to open until 23 May. The guided walks will go ahead on Sunday 2 and Monday 3, but from the Visitor Centre, by the lake. Walks start at 11am; 12:30pm; and 2:30pm each day. The first bandstand concert of the summer takes place the following week on Sunday 9 May, 24pm when you can enjoy the lilting Caribbean rhythms of Foxwood Panyard. On Sunday 23 May the Friends are organising a litter pick from 24pm. Please support this effort to keep the park looking its best and to proect the wildlife. June will see the unveiling of the bench that FOMP were awards by Leeds Civic Trust; an organised park walk taking in the various viewpoints that reveal vistas of Leeds; concerts by Grange Moor Brass Band and the Hands Across Ceilidh Band. Free children’s play sessions take place in half term on Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 2 June. Two sessions run each day at 1pm and 2pm. Just turn up, but note that spaces are limited. June also sees what is the highlight for many residents Shakespeare in the park. Oddsocks Theatre bring a free performance of
Crowds enjoy a previous Oddsocks Theatre show in Middleton Park A Comedy Of Errors on Tuesday 29 June from 7pm. Oddsocks are a regular feature of the summer programme, delivering the Bard’s great works in
a pantomime style, while staying true to the play. Walks, concerts and other activities continue through the summer culminating in the Great
Middleton Park Show on Sunday 12 September from 12-4pm. There will be music, food, animals, stall and of course the flower and produce competition.
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Sporting Life 23
World Cup funding will improve Hunslet Green by Pat Benatmane
H
unslet Green, Home of the Hunslet Warriors, is proud to announce that they have secured funding from CreatedBy RLWC2021 Capital Grants Programme, in partnership with Sport England, the Rugby Football League, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and VIY (Volunteer It Yourself). The grant will be used for three projects in the Clubhouse at The Oval in Hunslet. The exciting projects are designed to encourage more youngsters
to join our friendly club and ensure a sustainable future. Hunslet Green is run entirely by volunteers who want to encourage team work, community pride and confidence through healthy activity. The first project will be to change a disused gents’ urinal area into a girls’ changing room, which can also be used on match days for female officials. The Green is conscious that girls who play in the younger teams may not wish to share changing rooms with their male team mates. By having a
The gym will become a new physio area
Hunslet RLFC are back Continued from page 24 The Crusaders will take heart at their performance though and will test a few teams this year. Hunslet’s next visitors were League 1 favourites Barrow Raiders on 25 April. This would be Hunslet’s sternest test yet and Coach Gary Thornton put out a strong side. The first quarter of the game was marked by good defence, both Barrow and Hunslet were held up over the line and had try scoring chances scuppered by last ditch defending. Hunslet’s best move came when Tommy Ashton broke to feed Jimmy Watson, but both teams could not wear down the opposition tacklers. It would take something special to score and it came on 35 minutes when Brambani
May 2021 | South Leeds Life
and Brown linked to give an inside ball to Jimmy Watson who wriggled over to score. Brown converted and Hunslet led 6-0. Barrow ended the half strongly though, and it took handing errors and some great cover tackling to keep Hunslet ahead at the break. 6-0 and all to play for. The second half again saw the war of attrition between both defences continue as either side struggled to find the gaps, but on 55 minutes Hunslet’s Alex Rowe was sinbinned for an off the ball tackle and the momentum swung towards the visitors. Now it was just Barrow handing out the pressure and Hunslet’s line was wobbling, decisions went the Cumbrians’ way and after being held up
separate changing room we hope more girls will feel happy to join our club and participate in healthy activities, building towards a revival of our girls’ team. The second project will be to create a new Physio area in a little-used, small gym area. By moving our Physio Room to a purpose-made area, this will allow us to move on to our third project. The third project is one which we hope will help the club to generate a new income stream, which would be re-invested in Hunslet Green. The vacated Physio area would become a new, state-of the -art kitchen on the ground floor. We are planning to have a serving hatch to the pitch side. This would give level access for people with disabilities. We envisage the kitchen would serve hot drinks and snacks on matchdays and also on training nights. Our Project Partners, VIY, involve young people aged 1424 years in projects within communities. The youngsters will have supervised, hands-on training in practical skills, such as carpentry and plumbing, leading to City and Guilds qualifications. Using local youngsters again fits perfectly with our ethos here at Hunslet Green. Contact us if you would like to be involved. Although a large and daunting project, we are looking forward to learning from other organisations, as well as linking even more with our local community. We wish
to thank all our partners in the work and hope to see lots of new recruits to the Hunslet Green family. For more information on our teams or to show interest in joining the project, visit our website hunsletwarriorsrugby .club, or email pabenatmane @yahoo.com Jon Dutton, Chief Executive, RLWC2021, said: “The CreatedBy RLWC2021 Capital Grants Programme is focused on ensuring the next generation of rugby league players have the best possible experience and barriers to participate are removed. “We are delighted to award this grant to Hunslet Green, Home of the Hunslet Warriors, and look forward to seeing the results of this investment that aims to deliver real change in their community.” Ralph Rimmer, Chief Executive of the Rugby Football League, said: “Hosting the Rugby League World Cup in 2021 offers so many opportunities for everyone involved in the game in this country and beyond, and the facilities that will be delivered by the CreatedBy RLWC2021 Capital Grants Programme will be a big part of that transformation.” Charles Johnston, Property Director, Sport England, said: “By focusing our efforts on increasing participation in the game, we’re ensuring that the Rugby League World Cup’s legacy lasts long after the last ball has been kicked and the crowds have gone home.” The Rugby League World Cup 2021 will kick off on 23 October 2021, with the men’s, women’s and wheelchair competitions taking place simultaneously, under one tournament banner for the first time.
again, fast passing to the left wing saw Ritson find a gap to score 6-6. Barrow could now smell the win and after some more great Hunslet defence Ryan Duffy powered over and with conversion Barrow led 6-12 with 10 minutes to go. Hunslet had been short of the ball in the second period, but had a good go at pulling level. It was not to be in the end
for the Parksiders, but against a formidable opponent they didn’t shrink away. Dominic Brambani on the pitch makes a huge difference, and the impressive Harry Kidd and Jordan Andrade carry the ball well. Ashton and Copland again looked good, so let’s hope they can bounce into the season with an opening win behind closed doors when the season proper starts on 9 May.
Vila Halifihi takes on the Barrow defence.
Photo: Paul Butterfield
Active Leeds leisure centres have re-opened with a bang
The new gym at Middleton Leisure Centre
C
losed since 5 January, leisure centre doors reopened on 12 April for gym and pool sessions and customers have been flocking back in to get their physical activity fix. Steve Baker, Business Manager for Active Leeds says: “It’s been fantastic to open back up and see so many people ‘Make Their Comeback’, and it’s great to have that positive energy back in our buildings. We would like to thank all of our staff for the hard work over the past few months, to get us to where we are now. We’re also very grateful for our customers who have stayed loyal to us during recent closures and lockdown restrictions. “It’s been tough for everyone since we closed back in January, but we’ve been blown away by the amount of people who have visited in these past weeks and chosen us as their preferred option to keep active. We all know how important moving more is for people’s mental and physical health and we are glad we can support this more intensively now” Customers can now book gym and swim sessions, with indoor fitness classes being available from the 17 May if the government’s roadmap allows. However, Active Leeds are offering outdoor classes at
some centres now, including John Charles Centre for Sport, providing popular classes such as Zumba and BodyPump. Customers are encouraged to download the Active Leeds App to keep up to date with information or simply follow Active Leeds on social media. But if you can’t wait that long or you’re missing your favourite indoor classes, the service is live streaming classes via the Active Leeds App and from the 26 April all their live streams and the brand new on demand platform will be completely free of charge to members. If you’re not currently an Active Leeds member don’t worry you can still take part in the digital classes. You can take out the new virtual membership, providing unlimited access to all live and on demand content for just £7.49 per month. School and junior swim lessons are also now back up and running, with hundreds of children learning to swim and be safe in the water each week. If you would like to get back into activity and “Make your Comeback” with Active Leeds, why not visit active.leeds.gov.uk. Active Leeds is a real community and staff and instructors are on hand to help customers through every step of their journey.
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South Leeds Life | May 2021
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24 Sporting Life
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Opportunities to get active by Karen Peck
I
t is great to see activities restarting and new things developing as we slowly emerge out of Covid-19. Whether you’re ready to rejoin a group, try something new, or want to think about ways you can be active on your own at home or outdoors then please keep feeding back to us ways you’re finding to move more, or what would help. Get Set Leeds Local (GSLL) is keen to work with residents of Beeston Hill and Holbeck to help make being active an easier choice for people. Get in touch to find out different ways you could be involved. There is a small community chest pot available, with funding up to £300 to support community good ideas which will help others in Beeston Hill and Holbeck move more. Over the last few months it has helped fund a community gardening project, some walking activities, recovery runners, a youth photography idea and a community bootcamp. If you have a good idea then get in touch, and we can see whether we can help make it a reality. In April, local residents, groups and organisations came together for the second GSLL virtual workshop to hear and think about ways that together we could develop more walking, running, cycling and dance activities, or ways in which people could link to good stuff already taking place. There were lots of really great conversations on ways we can develop these activities more in Holbeck and Beeston Hill, but
we’d still love to hear your ideas. Shared within the workshop was an exciting range of things planned for cycling within Cross Flatts Park this summer, whatever your ability, along with some bike maintenance within Holbeck. Look out for more information in South Leeds Life next month, but get in touch if you’d like support gaining confidence getting on a bike for work, health or fun. DAZL attended the workshop sharing information about all their fab programmes including Garden Groovers, which some local residents enjoyed over Easter, with plans to return in future school holidays. It is a fun way of getting out your front door, get to to know some of your neighbours, with some fun and inclusive dance on your doorstep in a Covid-19 secure way. Email community @dazl.org.uk to find out how you could get DAZL to attend your street. Coming in June to Beeston and Holbeck are free photography and art workshops. Get Set Leeds Local and The Highrise Project will be working with local residents to teach skills in photography and art to develop ideas for community projects which could help more people move more, using local green spaces and local places. To register your interest or find out more please email: thehighriseprojectleeds@gmail .com or contact Victoria via 07856 695969. Follow Get Set Leeds Local on Facebook @GSLHolbeck &BeestonHill. We’d love to hear your ideas for what an Active Holbeck and Beeston Hill could look like, along with sharing stories which may inspire others to try something new. Email: karen.peck@leeds.gov .uk; text or Whatsapp 07891 274130 or contact via messenger on Facebook @GSLHolbeck&BeestonHill
Women’s cycling group in Cross Flatts Park
They’re off! Over 50 children took part in the first Cross Flatts Junior Parkrun, back after lockdown, on Sunday 25 April. Junior Parkrun is a free, timed 2km run, jog or walk around the top end of Cross Flatts Park for 4-10 year olds. It takes place every Sunday morning at 9am and the volunteers who run ensure it is safe. Senior Parkruns (free, timed, 5km run, jog or walk) are set to restat at Cross Flatts Park (Watsonian Pavilion) and Middleton Woods (Leeds Urban Bike Park) on Saturday 5 June at 9am.
Hunslet are back in the game by Ian Pickles
A
fter a year away from playing competitive rugby league, Hunslet are back, completing two preseason friendlies behind closed doors last month. First up were North Wales Crusaders on 18 April and Coach Gary Thornton took the opportunity to put out a big squad and give everyone a run out. Hunslet’s staff put on the game with a strict RFL (Rugby Football League) Covid rule set. Different changing areas, temperature tests and Red, Amber and Green zones ensured everyone’s safety. The game was streamed live and supporters were to be commended for staying away and watching the match virtually. Hunslet got off to a strong start, but on too many occasions the ball went to ground and the visiting Welsh team (whose half-backs were impressive) opened the scoring on 10 minutes with Alex Eckley benefitting from a missed tackle. 0-6. Hunslet began knocking on the visitors’ door and went close firstly from a chip kick and then when Alex Rowe lost the ball close to the line. North Wales had been unlucky to not
stretch their lead when they had a try disallowed for a forward pass. Towards the end of the half though Hunslet began to get on top with half-backs Brown and Coleman running the show, and eventually after good pressure Jimmy Watson went over in the left corner. Almost immediately afterwards Keidan Hartley found a slight gap and put on the after burners to score a great try. Brown converted one of the tries to give Hunslet a 106 lead at the break. North Wales would have felt aggrieved at conceding two late tries and started off the second
period well, but it was a Coleman fumble that allowed the visitors to score. Giant winger Patrick Ah-Van rampaging to the corner. 1012. On 65 minutes Hunslet nicked back the lead when Louis McConnell literally wrested his way over the line, Hunslet lead 16-12. But the lead was to change again 5 minutes later as Jack Cottington did the same for the visitors 16-18. The game changed though with 10 minutes to go when Hunslet’s Jamaican international Jordan Andrade
firstly barged his way over, before minutes later knocking the full-back into the ground on a rampage to the line. Andrade’s brace now converted by Liam Copland took the game away from North Wales, and when in the dying moments Harvey Hallas fed Jack Norfolk to score under the posts the scoreboard read Hunslet 34 North Wales 18. It was telling that Hunslet scored 28 points over the last 10 minutes of each half, perhaps they have spent the off season well on the training paddock. Contined on page 23
Jordan Andrade in full flight against North Wales Crusaders Photo: Paul Butterfield