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Issue 79 | October 2021
Covering Beeston, Belle Isle, Cottingley, Holbeck, Hunslet, Middleton, Riverside & Stourton
TROUBLE AT MILL
In this issue:
United star opens new cycle route
page 2
Age Proud Festival in Cross Flatts Park
page 6
Cladding protesters go to Parliament
page 9
Residents cry foul over major redevelopment scheme by Ed Carlisle
H
unslet residents are calling out a local property developer and their building contractors, working on a major £50m redevelopment project – for "irresponsible and inconsiderate" working practices, and also separately for “deviously playing the planning system”, “duping locals, for a quick buck”. The developers – JM Construction – deny all the allegations. Hunslet Mill and Victoria Works are epic early Victorian mills facing onto the Aire and Calder Navigation, just along from Leeds Dock. They are Grade II and Grade II* listed buildings of regional significance, but lay empty and derelict from the 1970s onwards. Residents, historians and architectural bodies feared they would be lost – but were relieved when in 2017, owners JM Construction obtained planning permission to convert them into 350 flats, to be known as Victoria Riverside. However, local residents – especially on the next-door
H2010 housing estate – argue that the story has since turned sour. Since building work started in 2018, they have reported a litany of problems. These include: late night noise, with contractors occasionally working all night on heavy machinery tasks such as ‘power floating’ (smoothing new concrete floors); failure to suppress dust, leading to thick dust clouds frequently covering the estate; rubble and construction materials falling into the street and onto parked cars; and ongoing battles with contractors over littering and anti-social parking around the neighbourhood. Locals describe the situation as “dismal”; one told us “it’s become a nightmare living here”. Furthermore, some residents – themselves builders – also claim to have witnessed lax health and safety regulations on the site. Many residents have contacted the contractors with feedback and queries – but say they have had limited response, and even aggression. One told us: “The
Bertie Robinson, Holbeck resident
page 18
JM Construction are redeveloping Hunslet Mill into private apartments lack of communication is so disappointing: if they’d built up relationship with us, we could have easily avoided many of these issues”. The Council’s environmental health team, and West Yorkshire Police have also been involved on occasion – but have expressed satisfaction that the contractors haven’t breached their management plan nor regulations. The contractors also stressed that they have regular contact with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) government agency, and are fully compliant. Separately, residents are also incensed that JM Construction have applied to Leeds Planning Department to
scrap a proposed shop unit within the development, and replace it with further flats. Residents had originally welcomed this feature as an “incredibly important community asset” for an area which will soon have over 650 households, but which currently has no food shops within half a mile. In comments made to us, and others submitted to the Planning Department, residents expressed dismay that the proposed amenity was at risk, repeatedly alleging that the developer is doing so simply in pursuit of profit. They argue that a shop will help build a stronger local community, and reduce car use and air pollution – and also
help fulfil the city’s response to the Climate Emergency. One resident described events as a common “bait-andswitch” tactic, where people are enticed to buy or rent properties, with promises of amenities that are never fulfilled. Noting that Miller Homes did exactly the same when building H2010, another bemoaned that it was established practice amongst developers. Another commented: “Please don't allow them to walk all over us, profit from our neighbourhood, and ruin it instead of enhancing it.” And other stakeholders have thrown their weight behind the objections. Continues on page 3
Cricket World Cups come to Beeston
page 24
NEWS
2-9
SCHOOL LIFE
12-13
COMMENT
14-15
SOUTH LEEDS
LIVES WHAT’S ON
16-19
20-22
SPORTING LIFE 23-24
Get the latest news at www.southleedslife.com - new stories posted daily
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South Leeds Life | October 2021
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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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Stourton Park & Ride opens T
he controversial Stourton Park & Ride was officially opened by the Minister for future of transport and environment, Rachel Maclean MP on 16 September. The opening coincided with the 150th anniversary of public transport in West Yorkshire. On this date in 1871 a horse tram commenced between the city centre and Headingley. The horse soon gave way to electric trams, trolleybuses and later buses. Transport Yorkshire Preservation Group and the Aire Valley Transport Group brought two vintage buses to the Park & Ride site for pictures against their modern counterparts. Technology has accelerated this century and the UK’s first fully solarpowered Park & Ride site is served by a fleet of zero-emission electric buses that operate shuttle services to and from Leeds city every 10 minutes. Transport Minister Rachel Maclean MP, said: “We provided over £170 million to help Leeds City Council provide better, quicker and greener journeys for local people and it’s fantastic to see some of that money go towards
a green initiative like this one. “This brilliant new scheme will slash journey times and congestion while improving air quality and accessibility to greener modes of transport – giving local people the journeys they deserve.” Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “We’ve seen a fantastic response from people since the site opened earlier this month. Commuters are now using it regularly, reducing their carbon footprint and contributing to cleaner air in Leeds and the region. “Stourton Park & Ride plays an important role in our work to tackle the climate emergency and the wider aim of transforming the Leeds City Region into a net zero carbon economy by 2038. It’s benefiting the environment, the economy, and our public transport infrastructure.” Martin Bellamy, Managing Director of contractors BAM Nuttall, said: “We’re also delighted our Connecting Leeds projects have created opportunities for over 1,000 people seeking sustainable careers, from expert engineers and construction roles, to over 20
apprentices. Almost half of BAM’s team live in and around Leeds and Yorkshire. “Working together they’re building experience of being part of this collaborative team, while playing a part in achieving numerous benefits for their neighbours. The partnership also enjoy supporting local initiatives, such as Mencap’s Leeds internship programme, which has led to a permanent position for one young lady with BAM.”
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costs £3 for a return ticket. There are discounted fares for seniors, blind and disabled concessionary pass holders and up to three children travel free with every farepaying adult. There’s free WiFi on all the fully electric buses and the facility provides well-lit, secure parking with CCTV. On Leeds United match days shuttle buses run to and from Elland Road, easing congestion around the ground. For more tickets and information about the Stourton Park & Ride, please visit: bit.ly/Stourton ParkAndRide
Junior Transport Minister Rachel Maclean MP with West Yorkshire Mayor Tracey Brabin with one of the vintage buses at the ceremony
Leeds United star cuts the ribbon on Elland Road cycle route L
eeds United star Patrick Bamford joined the celebrations at the official opening of the new Elland Road cycle lane on Monday 20 September. The 1.5km route, which runs from Elland Road Park & Ride to the city centre, will help connect people in south Leeds with job, training, education and leisure opportunities. It is part of a £6.4 million package delivered by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in partnership with Leeds City Council, including the scheme to extend the existing segregated cycle lane on Dewsbury Road with a 1.5km section of new route between Garnet Road and Beeston Ring Road. Leeds United footballer Patrick Bamford said: “I’m really pleased to be able to come down and get involved in the launch of the Elland Road cycle lane. Not only is this a great way to connect people in this area with the city centre, it also helps people to stay fit and healthy and, importantly, it can help to reduce the carbon footprint in Leeds. Tackling climate change is vital and every step we take towards becoming carbon neutral is important.” Leeds City Council’s executive member for infrastructure and climate, Cllr Helen Hayden, said: “We’re delighted to open this new segregated cycling route at Elland Road, linking the Park and Ride to the city centre. It builds on the
expanding Leeds cycle network, providing a safe, segregated route which links directly into the south of the city. “Now more than ever, it’s crucial that we offer options for walking and cycling as an everyday, natural and pleasant choice. It also plays an
important role in improving connections for people in south Leeds to local jobs, education, and leisure opportunities. The scheme was delivered through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s CityConnect programme, which is aimed at
Leeds United star Patrick Bamford at the official opening of the new Elland Road cycle route with children from St Luke’s C of E Primary School, Beeston
enabling more people to travel by bike or on foot. From route information to free adult cycle training and support for businesses, find out how CityConnect can help you cycle and walk more at cyclecityconnect.co.uk.
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News 3
Middleton Park bonfire cancelled for a second year L
eeds City Council’s six annual bonfire and firework events, including Middleton Park, will unfortunately not be taking place this year. The announcement follows guidance issued by national government when restrictions were eased in July 2021 that particularly relate to large gatherings at outdoor events including firework displays. A key aspect of this guidance is ensuring that people who attend these events demonstrate that they are at a lower risk of carrying Covid-19 and transmitting it to others, and that a limit should be made on numbers attending. This would mean that everyone attending would need to provide evidence of their Covid status either through vaccination, testing or their natural immunity. To achieve this the council would have had to put in place ticketed arrangements for each individual event. To support crowd management, these tickets would have needed to
Crowds enjoy the bonfire in Middleton Park in 2016 be distributed to each attendee before each event took place, with no capacity to pick up on the night. In addition, a substantial amount of supplementary infrastructure would also be necessary to control access and check Covid status and tickets. There would also be significant additional costs of putting these measures in place, which added to uncertainty about any further
Trouble at mill Continued from page 1 Cllr Paul Wray (Hunslet & Riverside) told us: “We do not accept the developers argument of there being no demand for a general convenience retailer in the area. They seem to be placing making a quicker profit before the needs of the community, and we strongly feel they could do more to attract a retailer. We will make our case at plans panel if need be, and fight to support our community’s case”. And Martin Hamilton, Director of Leeds Civic Trust, commented: “We are keen to ensure that all developments
October 2021 | South Leeds Life
are sustainable, providing amenities within easy reach. It is important that each scheme plays its part in creating a range of community facilities for those who live and work nearby”. The application to alter the planning application was submitted in April 2020, but – following dozens of complaints – was repeatedly extended. Comments did eventually close last month, and the planning application will now go to the Council’s South and West Planning Panel later this autumn. A spokesperson for JM Construction told us: “We’re a
The empty retail unit at the junction of Atkinson Street and Goodman Street
Covid changes that may be made prior to the bonfire events, has meant that following an assessment, a decision has been taken to not to host the events in 2021. Leeds City Council’s Safer Strong Communities Team will be working closely with partners in areas across the city to mitigate any potential negative impact of fireworks and associated anti-social behaviour in the run up to and long-established local company, very communitybased in our thinking – but you simply can't do a development on this scale without disruption. We pride ourselves on running sites that are as clean and safe as possible, taking every possible precaution, and trying to cause minimal inconvenience and disruption to residents. And on the proposed change to planning, we’ve gone out and actively sought a retail partner over two years, and had absolutely no interest. What's the better option: leave it derelict?” Specifically, they also stressed that they had had permission for the late-night power floating – and that they
on Bonfire Night. This work will be focussed in those areas that are known to have experienced anti-social behaviour around bonfire night in previous years. Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for public health and active lifestyles said: “The health and wellbeing of every person in attendance at all proposed council managed events, including our community bonfires remains our absolute priority. “Having undertaken an assessment, we do not believe given the additional changes that would need to be implemented, that it is possible to host the six bonfire events this year without incurring significant additional expense and affecting the attendees’ overall enjoyment. “We certainly did not take this decision lightly, and we know that this news will come as a real disappointment to many people, and this is something that we too very much share.”
Aspiring Communities scale back their plans for Ice Pak site by Jeremy Morton
A
spiring Communities (AC), the Muslim led charity that owns the Ice Pak site on Barkly Road in Beeston, has announced that it is scaling back its plans for the site. The charity won a long running planning battle for their controversial plans to develop a community centre on the former factory site. Planning permission was eventually granted by a Planning Inspector in June 2017 following a public enquiry, as we reported at the time. The project they have permission for involves 3,000 m² of development including an underground car park. AC has now announced that they will not use the large white building at the rear of the site, but instead demolish it to make
Residents have complained about all-night working have actually now changed their flooring process, at considerable expense, so that all-night work will not be repeated. They also stated that they always instruct staff and sub-contractors to park within the site, where there was sufficient capacity for everyone – and that they would reiterate that. For more details on the Victoria Riverside development, or to contact JM Construction, visit: jmconstruction.co.uk. The project is due for completion in 2023/24, but residents have already moved into some blocks. To report environmental hazards or concerns relating to building developments, visit leeds.gov.uk or call (0113) 222 4444. For all issues relating to Health and Safety on building developments, visit hse.gov.uk.
Aerial view of the Ice Pak factory site
room for surface car parking. They will instead refurbish the existing buildings to the front of the site. In a leaftlet issued to local residents, AC said they had reconsidered their plans “as a result of the Covid pandemic and constructive feedback over the years.” They went on: “We are now planning to significantly reduce the size and scale of the proposed development … We will still be able to fulfil the original community needs with minimal disruption and inconvenience to the local community.” South Leeds Life understands that AC’s new planning application has been submitted to Leeds City Council, but it had not yet appeared on the Council’s planning portal when we went to press.
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South Leeds Life | October 2021
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4 News
On the beat
Employment Hub and Jobshops: here to help A
re you unemployed and living in south Leeds? Then the Leeds Employment Hub can help. The service is delivered by a team of qualified Employment and Skills Advisors who can support you with every part of applying for jobs, finding training, accessing education, and planning next steps. Support could include help with CV writing, finding suitable vacancies, careers advice, application forms, interview preparation and practice, opportunities to learn new skills, access to local job and apprenticeship opportunities, information and guidance on self-employment, opportunities to hear from a range of local employers, and much more, with the service being tailored to your individual needs. Beeston resident Osa started working with the Leeds
by Insp Lucy Leadbeater
W
hat a great month we have had being out and about in your local communities engaging with residents and businesses. We attended a number of community events including the Hunslet Gala, Beeston Festival and the Cycling Festival. Following such a long period of not being able to participate in these sort of events it has been fantastic to meet people and speak to communities about the work that we do and any issues they may have. We are looking forward to continue our engagement and are increasing our number of Contact Points across the Inner South area. These are great opportunities to engage with your local Neighbourhood Policing Officer and more details can be found on our website or through our social media. Looking at these Gala and Festival pictures and sitting typing this on a lovely sunny day it seems strange to turn our minds and write about all things Autumn! As we see the change to darker nights we have historically seen an increase in burglaries. Over the past few years we have seen continuous reductions in the number of burglaries across the area which is excellent. However, burglary is such a personal crime that every victim is one victim too many. There are ways that you can help to prevent being a victim of burglary. One issue that we receive numerous complaints about and are trying hard to tackle is drug dealing in and around your communities. This has a devasting impact on communities and is one of our priorities. Your local Neighbourhood Teams are visible in your communities gathering information and intelligence in order that we can take action. We do this in a number of ways
Meeting residents at Hunslet Gala (top) and Beeston Festival including taking spontaneous action using powers that we have under S23 Misuse of Drugs Act where we can stop search an individual or a vehicle as well as gathering and developing intelligence to submit an application to the Magistrates Court to obtain a search warrant of a premises. Over the past month we have executed a number of warrants at premises and have recovered drugs, weapons and arrested individuals involved in the supply of drugs. The
weapon pictured was seized at a search warrant executed in Beeston. To assist us with tackling this type of criminality we need the communities help and information. We often hear that residents are fearful of speaking to police or want to remain anonymous, the charity Crimestoppers is an excellent way to report any concerns and they can be contacted on 0800 555 111 and more details can be found at www. crimestoppers-uk.org.
This knife was seized during a drugs raid
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Employment Hub in March 2021. She says of her experience “My Employment and Skills Advisor was a huge help to me, especially when I was going through a confused and tough time, but thanks to her encouragement and support, I am now excited to say that I am finally on my way to achieving my goals. Because we communicated frequently and she provided me with opportunities, such as a 6 week personal development course, I was able to develop numerous skills and attitudes that I will need in the future; such as confidence, how to be professional and many more.” Osa is now working in retail. The Leeds Employment Hub has supported over 5,000 people. So if you are unemployed and a Leeds resident and would like to learn more about the service and to
refer yourself for support you can email esleeds@leeds .gov.uk or call (0113) 378 4576 and you will receive a response from or speak to one of our friendly Advisors. You can also drop-in to the local Jobshops at Dewsbury Road, Hunslet, and St George’s Community Hubs & Libraries. They can give you free support to get a good quality CV ready to show potential employers, help you search and apply for job vacancies, apprenticeships, or training courses, and provide you with careers guidance. They will also help you to get prepared for those job interviews that come your way! A new bespoke service is also being offered for those eligible, to receive intensive one to one support for six months to find employment and a further 6 months in work support.
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October 2021 | South Leeds Life
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News 5
Litter Picking Libraries coming to Belle Isle and Middleton by Rebecca Townesend
O
Litter picking is a great activity for peopole of all ages
pening in Autumn 2021, local residents will be able to borrow litter picking kits from one of the five Litter Picking Libraries being hosted in community venues across Belle Isle and Middleton. In 2017 the Litter Free Leeds campaign was launched by a group of volunteers who wanted to bring communities, groups and individuals together to reduce litter across the city and change behaviour around littering. The Litter Free Leeds campaign works closely with Leeds City Council’s Cleaner Neighbourhoods Team who support volunteer litter picking efforts by providing equipment, litter picking bags and disposing of the picked rubbish. During the Covid-19 pandemic the Litter Free Leeds campaign has gone from strength to strength with over 3,000 Facebook followers and a highly popular ‘turn it purple’
Play fighting in the street Over 200 residents joined a magical sunny play street event on Lodge Lane in Beeston Hill on Sunday 5 September, featuring sports, cycling, food, dance, art, and an almighty water fight. Hosted by the South Leeds Alliance for Clean Air (facebook.com/southleedscleanair) in partnership with local residents. Thanks to supporting organisations including DAZL, Kidz Klub, the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, Slung Low, the Big Bike Fix, Beeston Parkside FC, Active Leeds, and the Real Junk Food Project.
event in July 2021. It’s hoped that a local campaign will both encourage and support those who wish to get involved in Belle Isle and Middleton. Having secured funding from Inner South Housing Advisory Panel and Councillor Groves’ MICE funds (Members Improvements in the Community and Environments), as well as donations of equipment from Litter Free Leeds, each Litter Picking Library will have kits to loan that include gloves, bags, a litter picker and a high-vis vest for people to borrow. Carla Yeomans, Community and Tenant Support Manager at BITMO - host to one of the Litter Picking Libraries - said: “As well as helping to keep our neighbourhoods tidy, litter picking is great for both mental and physical wellbeing. Being
outdoors more, moving more, connecting with your community, feeling like you’re making a difference, will all help boost feelings of wellness.” Carla said that she was inspired to support a local litter picking campaign after meeting a Katie Greenwood who was litter picking her neighbourhood. Katie spoke about how during the pandemic she had noticed more litter around so started to do something about it. Katie registered with Litter Free Leeds and is now a purple bag holder for them. Katie added "litter picking is a great activity for all. It’s good for mental health and clearing the mind. For all those people working from home now it could provide a good reason to get out and see people. It improves community spirit and doesn’t discriminate. “Even if people spent 30 mins a week doing it then they would see a difference. We get lots of encouragement from passers by and people notice where we have been. People can post photos on the
Facebook pages of their work to get encouragement from others. This also allows other lone litter pickers in the area to have the option of joining up and doing bad areas together to make it easier. It is highly addictive though as after the first time you just see litter everywhere and just feel like you need to pick it!” The five Litter Picking Libraries in Middleton and Belle Isle will be at: Belle Isle TMO – The GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle LS10 3QH South Leeds Youth Hub, Middleton Road, Belle Isle LS10 3JA St George’s Centre Community Hub, St George's Road, Middleton LS10 4UZ Manorfield Hall Community Centre, Newhall Road, Middleton LS10 3RR Dance Action Zone Leeds (DAZL), Middleton Community Centre, Acre Road, LS10 4LF For more information visit www.litterfreeleeds.co.uk or email gate@belleisletmo.co.uk for details of your nearest Litter Picking Library.
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South Leeds Life | October 2021
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6 News
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Shop locally at Creating communal greenspace Holbeck at Asha in Stratford Street Together’s new H charity shop by Tahena Ahmed
ubbub and Leeds City Council have designed campaigns to inspire ways of living which improve the environment. Rochyne Delaney McNulty knocked on doors in the streets surrounding Stratford Street in Beeston Hill looking for volunteers to help with creating communal spaces/gardens and approached me at Asha Neighbourhood Project to work with them using Asha’s back yards. Asha Neighbourhood Project was happy to offer their space to inspire neighbours to do the same. Councillor Paul Wray (Hunslet & Riverside) came to Asha on Wednesday 8 September 2021 with four workers from Hubbub and two workers from Leeds Recycling. They joined in door knocking, tidying, painting and making planting beds in tyres for vegetables and flowers. Three
Holbeck Together’s new shop
by Daisy Morgan
T
he charity shop at Holbeck Together is now open! Situated at the back of St Matthew’s Community Centre, the shop is full to the brim of men’s, women’s and children’s clothes. Some are brand new, designer items, while others are pre-loved but in excellent condition. Not only will you save some pennies by buying used items, but you are reducing your environmental impact by minimising waste and buying clothing that was made sustainably. You’re also bound to find some timeless classics that you won’t find on the high street. As well as clothes, there are lots of shoes, accessories, children’s toys, books, DVDs, games, Bric a Brac, homewares and much more to take home. The shop is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10:00am-2:00pm. Access is via the main entrance on St Matthew’s Street by ringing the buzzer. If you’re unable to visit in the week but would like to browse what’s on offer, there will be a pop-up clothes shop in the hall at St Matthew’s on Sunday 31 October from 10am-12pm.
If you have any clothes, shoes, accessories or Bric a Brac that you no longer need, we are extremely grateful for any donations. They need to be clean and in good condition. Please call the office on (0113) 245 5553 to arrange to drop off donations. There is also a brilliant opportunity to volunteer your time to support Holbeck Together with running the shop. Responsibilities will include sorting, pricing and displaying stock, and operating the till. Whether you have experience working in a retail environment or would like to learn a new skill, there could be just the role you are looking for. Contact Chris on chris@holbecktogether.org or call the office to find out more about the opportunities available or if you would like to have a chat about what volunteering involves. Look out for details of future pop-up sales around Holbeck, on our social media channels. If you know of someone who could benefit from support from Holbeck Together, please contact the organisation on (0113) 245 5553. You can find out more online at www.holbecktogether.org
Working together to build and plant containers at Asha Neighbourhood Project women who are part of the Asha peer group and four children that live on the same street as Asha, joined them. Councillor Wray believes quality-shared spaces would make communities successful
in caring for the environment. He wants local residents to help the council in planning and creating more community spaces, reclaim residential streets and ultimately to make our cities substantially nicer to
live in – improving the health, happiness and enjoyment of the community and the city. Services users and neighbours have reported the garden has brightened up the Asha centre and the street.
Asha celebrates Age Proud Festival with Beeston picnic by Tahena Ahmed
T
he Age Proud Festival 2021 took place between 6-17 September 2021 at a range of venues across the city, as well as lots of virtual events hosted by various organisations.
Leeds City Council invited organisations to deliver a wide range of activities and events for older people to experience and enjoy. The Asha Neighbourhood Project, based on Stratford Street in Beeston, organised
Cutting the cake at the Age Proud Festival picnic
two picnics both of which took place at Cross Flatts Park near the Pavilion Café. Ten women from the Asha Older Women’s Group and eight women from the Asha Peer Support Group brought picnic food that represented
their ethnic origin and wore traditional outfits to celebrate being Age Proud. The picnic in the park gave an opportunity for the older women to create memories with younger women. The aim was to use the picnics as a way of improving the women’s social skills and improve their relationships with family, friends and neighbours. Another aim was to reduce social isolation and improve community cohesion; a chance to interact with older people from different faiths and communities. It was also a chance to celebrate the diversity of older people. The younger women prompted the conversations – asking the older women to tell their life stories as they gathered around for picnic food. Women enjoyed the opportunity to relive and reflect on their memories. Coming up: Asha is continuing the celebrations by taking another group of older and younger people to the Pugney’s Country Park in Wakefield for a picnic and a walk on 4 October.
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October 2021 | South Leeds Life
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News 7
Creating a lawful and safe footpath by Cllr Elizabeth Nash
W
e councillors receive scores of queries and problems from our constituents and we always try to solve them immediately. But every so often we are presented with a problem which takes weeks, if not months, to sort out. I received one such problem from the Chief of Middleton Railway which has its main station and exhibition centre on Moor Road in Hunslet. The problem has taken well over a year to sort with numerous correspondence! The Railway was very concerned about people walking at the side of the rail line as they could be hit by a train. On investigation the former West Yorkshire County Council (1974-1985) made a mistake and designated the side of the rail line as a “definitive” footpath. Definitive footpaths are enshrined in law to protect them from being eradicated by unscrupulous landowners. There is no actual footpath at the side of the rail line worn by
generations of feet over it and pedestrians walk on the loose stone ballast at the side of the line which is uneven and could result in a fall. There is an alternative nearby footpath which surprisingly was not listed as definitive which leads through a tunnel for pedestrians under the motorway. The problem there was that it was pitch black in the middle – so much so that one could not even see where one was placing one’s feet! And, perhaps because of this, pedestrians favoured walking at the side of the rail line which they were legally entitled to do. Middleton Railway, understandably, wished to close the rail line footpath and had to make application to the Council to do so. A condition of footpath closures is that it has to be advertised in The London Gazette which is the official journal for footpath closures and deviations. This advertising alone cost a few thousand pounds and the councillors from both Hunslet & Riverside and Middleton Park agreed to pay this sum to
Solar powered lighting for the pedestrian tunnel under the M621 Middleton Railway as residents from both wards walk this route, and safety of pedestrians is a paramount consideration.
This closure order has now been granted and the so-called footpath extinguished. Whilst we were waiting for
the closure order to be granted I made enquiries for installing lights under the non-definitive footpath leading under the M621 but the nearest electricity supply was so far away that the cost would have been prohibitive. I suggested that the tunnel could be lit by solar power and I am pleased to say that this has been done at a much-reduced cost. Again this was funded by both Hunslet & Riverside councillors and Middleton Park councillors. Whilst solar power is good for the environment its supply is limited especially during the short days of winter. So, for the time being, the lights will stay on permanently between the hours of 7am and 7pm when the tunnel has its highest usage. We councillors are pleased to support our historic Middleton Railway – the first commercial railway in the country which now takes passengers from Hunslet to lovely Middleton Park. In doing so it is reassuring to know that trains can run safely without the danger of pedestrian accident.
Collect tree seeds for Leeds this autumn R
esidents are being encouraged to show their support for an ambitious citywide tree planting project this autumn. Leeds City Council set out the target of planting approximately 5.8m trees over 25 years in parks and green spaces across the city as part of its wideranging work through its woodland creation programme to tackle the immediate climate emergency and to meet its aim of making Leeds carbon neutral by 2030. People of all ages are now
being offered the chance to once again get involved and help Leeds reach this target through the ‘Collect Tree Seeds for Leeds’ programme which is held annually from September to November. Residents who want to get involved are being asked to collect four tree seed species, including acorns, beech nuts, chestnuts and conkers. More information on the program can be found on the Arium website at: www.theariumleeds.co.uk Once the seeds are collected, they can be deposited at one of
Councillor Salma Arif launches the seed collection campaign
12 seed collection points that are in place across the city, including Middleton Park Visitor Centre (by the lake). The tree seeds will then be taken to the council’s designated specialist plant nursery and garden centre the ‘Arium’, where they are sewn and grown to be planted back into Leeds parks and green spaces. In 2020, 37,000 tree seeds were gathered in the city for potential planting in the future. The Woodland Creation initiative, which is managed by the council’s parks service, will
see the planting of new woodlands to capture carbon, increase biodiversity by creating habitats for birds, animals and insects. The new woodlands will also enhance green spaces creating accessible woodlands for community use helping to improve health, wellbeing and understanding of climate change. For children a Woodland Creation Teaching Resource is also available on the Leeds for Learning platform, which contains activities, games and resources to help teach children about the greenhouse effect, climate change, the carbon cycle and how trees work. The Parks Ranger team are running autumn seed gathering workshops and winter/spring tree planting sessions with schools. To find out more, please contact: countrysiderangers@leeds.gov. uk Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for public health and active lifestyles, said: “In the parks service, we’ve put together a package of initiatives and projects through our Woodland Creation programme that we feel can help to make a real difference in the continued fight against
climate change. “As part of this work, we want to plant 5.8m trees over the next 25 years in our parks and greens spaces, and whilst this target is certainly a challenge, I’m delighted to say that we’ve made a fantastic start thanks to the support of Leeds residents across the city and their continued contribution to The Collect Tree Seeds for Leeds programme which has started again this month.” Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate and infrastructure, said: “In order to meet the existing climate emergency and our target to make Leeds carbon neutral by 2030, we have as a council set out an ambitious programme of works across all of our different services. “It is absolutely vital that if we are to make positive progress in tackling climate change, that everyone in in our city and communities works closely together to help us achieve our aims. “I am delighted to say that the response that we have had from residents to projects such as Collect Tree Seeds for Leeds project has been absolutely tremendous, and we are looking forward to seeing even more tree seeds collected this autumn.”
NEWS IN BRIEF Escape down the White Rose rabbit hole Experience the instant enchantment that is ‘Almost Alice’, a new wonderlandthemed escape room at White Rose Shopping Centre. The new room includes stunning visuals that tell the captivating story of Lewis Carroll’s Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and the Queen’s Stolen Hearts. The Escapologist’s Almost Alice room can be enjoyed by a maximum of 6 guests, is suitable for all ages, and has a difficulty ranking of medium.
New CEO for Unity Homes & Enterprise Cedric Boston is the new Chief Executive of Leeds-based BME housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise, which manages homes in Holbeck, Beeston and Hunslet. He had served as Unity’s Interim Chief Executive since December 2020, replacing Ali Akbor OBE who was appointed to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Panel.
New Holbeck housing goes to Plans Panel Leeds City Council’s City Plans Panel will discuss a pre application proposal for a 360 flats on land off Water Lane next to the approved Midland Mills redevelopment. The design uses brick cladding to fit in with the heritage character of Holbeck Conservation Area. Councillors will be asked their views on the mix of 1, 2 and 3 bed flats; the emerging design; and the approach to car parking. The meeting is on Thursday 30 September.
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Support for the over 50s by Sarah Bradley-Adam
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ased at Beeston Village Community Centre, the Health For All SWIFt project helps any adult over 50 living with any health or wellbeing issues. Offering 1:1 home visits and support, the project helps people access the services they need to develop their own wellbeing and connect with their community. Recently, workers have
helped people reconnect their utilities, visit community centres and Food Pantries, and access health services like dental and opticians’ appointments. For those who need support in South Asian languages, Punjabi and Urdu are spoken. For anybody who is isolated or anxious about going out due to the pandemic, or whose health issues have increased due to reduced mobility during the pandemic, the service is here to help people reconnect with their communities and improve their wellbeing. Workers can provide individual 1:1 support that helps people get moving, improve their quality of life and gets people linked into the other services they need. To refer into the service, call Yasmin 07940 020647 yasmin.khan@healthforall.org .uk or Dawn 07958 474542 dawn.bromley@healthforall.or g.uk
Moondancing Lychee Red Chinese Seniors Project met at Beeston Village Community Centre this month to celebrate the Moon Festival. Taking place on the 8th month of the Lunar calendar, the Festival marks the story of impatient Mr Wu, who wanted to become immortal but didn’t have the patience to learn the lessons taught to him by his master. Becoming angry, the master banished Mr Wu to the Moon Palace, which he was forbidden to leave until he had chopped down an enormous tree. The magical tree restored itself with every blow, meaning Mr Wu is still there until this very day. The Lychee Red group, which is part of Health For All, celebrated their Autumn festival with dancing, singing, and traditional Moon Cakes. A delicious meal was cooked by Lian and Mr Chiu, and the cakes were baked by local Chinese volunteers who gave up their time to make hundreds of the cakes for the group. New members are always welcome at Lychee Red: contact Huazhu 07930 250508 hua.liu@healthforall.org.uk
Greening Beeston Hill’s bin yards
Feasibility study for new Nineveh footbridge
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eeds City Council in partnership with Our Future Beeston are offering residents on Beeston Hill the opportunity to take over the management of the gated bin yards under council responsibly - with the aim of transforming them into useful community spaces for the local area. Cllr Paul Wray said of the plans: “We've spent over £140,000 to either convert bin yards into shared bin spaces or gated others off to prevent flytipping. But with a lack of green spaces on Beeston Hill, we're really keen to work with residents to bring gated bin yards back into community use." Hunslet and Riverside Ward
Councillors Nash, Iqbal and Wray will be writing to residents on the streets with gated bin yards under council control and inviting expressions of interest from residents to take them over. Those residents interested will receive support from Our Future Beeston - who are part of the National Lottery funded Climate Action Leeds - to help them develop their ideas of how to use these spaces and create the support structure needed to maintain them, Beth Bingley from Our Future Beeston added "This is a really exciting opportunity for residents to work together to create additional green space on Beeston Hill, many thanks
This bin yard has been converted into a bike repair space
to Councillors Nash, Iqbal and Wray for their enthusiasm and support." Residents granted use of the council owned or managed gated bin yards would need to agree to a ‘good usage agreement' to ensure any community use had no impact on waste storage or caused other issues. Should this happen - the council would have the right to restrict access to the bin yard once again. Cllr Paul Wray added: “We hope never to need to use those powers as we want this to work, but we also need to ensure the bin yards don’t become an issue again – it is very much a fallback position as a last resort.” Interested parties should contact Beth Bingley via the Our Future Beeston Facebook group or by e-mail to beth@t4p.org.uk Future planned collaborations with Our Future Beeston in the ward will also include designing a tool kit for people wishing to install planting arrangement to the front of their homes on the terrace streets with no gardens.
he Council has approved funding to carry out a feasibility study into building a new pedestrian and cycle bridge over the railway line to link Nineveh Parade and Marshall Street in Holbeck. The new link is part of wider plans to improve connectivity between the established residential parts of Holbeck and the Holbeck Urban Village / Temple District / South Bank areas of Holbeck close to the
River Aire; and is backed by various planning documents, including the Holbeck Neighbourhood Plan. Whilst there is an existing footbridge over the railway, running from Creskell Road, there are public safety concerns about its right angle turns at either end. The new bridge’s landing points would be at the end of Nineveh Parade and the junction of Nineveh Road and
Marshall Street by the old Holbeck Library building. This would provide a more direct and safer route for pedestrians and cyclists to and from the city centre. The study will cost £30,000 which will come from the Holbeck Urban Village Connectivity Capital Budget, funded by S106 receipts ringfenced for connectivity and urban realm enhancement work in the Holbeck area.
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News 9
Cladding protesters take their case to Parliament by Rachael Loftus
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t was January 2020 when I first found out that my flat had been identified as not having the right fire safety measures in place. At first the worry about the risk of fire was overwhelming. Like many people, I had watched those heart-breaking images on the news of the fire in Grenfell Tower that took 72 lives and couldn’t imagine the terror of waking up with the building below me engulfed in flames. In the weeks immediately after the Grenfell disaster I received assurances from my freeholder – that my building didn’t have any of the same material that made the Grenfell fire spread so fast. Unfortunately, as the years have gone on since Grenfell attempts to try and ensure that a fire like that doesn’t happen again have uncovered all sorts of defects in tall buildings. This includes a range of unsafe materials used to clad the outside of buildings, flammable materials used to insulate buildings, and not following building safety codes to make sure the right fireretardant barriers are in place between apartments and floors. And as the extent of these defects have been uncovered, the focus of the issue has shifted from making the buildings safe, to who should pay to make that happen. Like many people who own flats on a leasehold arrangement – I was shocked to find out that legally the person who can be made to pay is me. Even though when I
bought my flat it was checked to meet regulations, even though I’ve paid all my service charges and insurance ever since, and even though I don’t actually own the building – I
still remains a fire risk and not a single bit of work has yet been done to make my home safe. My current estimated share of the bill to make it safe stands at £112,594, which is
made over and over again – that leaseholders like me “shouldn’t” have to pay to put right the combination of builders’ errors, developers who cut corners and the failure
those who caused the problems: “those who are responsible, those who have profited significantly, those who built with materials that were illegal at the time … they are the ones who should pay.” Liberal Democrat member of the House of Lords, Baroness Kath Pinnock reassured leaseholders that she would continue to use the power of the House of Lords to make building safety legislation fairer: “I will keep talking [about this issue], we will keep
of regulation to make sure safety standards were met. It was great to hear politicians from all parties voice their support for leaseholders like me, facing huge bills for problem we didn’t cause. Conservative MP Iain Duncan-Smith gave his backing for recouping the money from
voting on this issue … until there’s justice for leaseholders.” Labour MP, South Leeds’ own Hilary Benn also gave an impassioned speech about fixing this problem fairly, highlighting one of the failures of the current Government policy to only partly fund some saying “You can’t half fix a fire
Leaseholders Together: Hayley Tillotson and Abi Smith outside Parliament just own the lease for my flat inside the building. The most common reaction I get when I explain to people about how I’m caught up in this scandal is “that can’t be right” quickly followed by “surely the Government will step in.” Well, in my case, it’s been 20 months, so far it’s cost me the best part of £15,000, my flat
more than the value of my flat. So, it felt right that I added my voice to the many hundreds of leaseholders, many from Leeds, who attended the Leaseholders Together protest in Parliament Square on 16 September. The purpose of the rally was to try and hold the Government to the promises that it has
The empty chair ... by Rev Lindsey Pearson
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or many of us there is an empty chair in our living room, an unfilled place at our table. Over the last 20 months many people have died, and often we’ve not been able to mark their death in the usual way. You may not have been able to go to a funeral, and in some cases they may not have been able to have one at all. It has been hard. This time of year in the
October 2021 | South Leeds Life
churches we often have remembering services, where we invite the families and friends of those who have died to come together to remember them, and to share our grief. This year it seems more important than ever to do that. And there may be a lot of people this year who would like to remember someone. In Beeston, St Andrew’s and St. Mary’s have arranged two services, one in each church, which we’d like to invite you to. We will sing a couple of wellknown hymns, say some
prayers, use some familiar words from the funeral service, and we will light a candle for each person we’re remembering as we read out their name. If you’d like your loved one to be included please get in touch. If we have more people than we have space we’ll arrange more services. If you’re not from Beeston or you’re part of another faith community, ask them if they are doing something like this – we know many are thinking about it.
And if there are people who’d like a non-religious gathering, I’m sure that could be arranged too. The services are: Thursday 4 November, 1.30pm, St Andrew’s, Old Lane, Beeston; and Sunday 7 November, 2pm, St Mary’s, Town Street, Beeston. To book a space please contact: @ St. Andrew’s: Elizabeth Smith 07854 741100 esmith1953@hotmail .co.uk or @ St. Mary’s: Ian Waterhouse 07729 905682 ian.waterhouse@sky.com
risk … funding half of the problems is just wasteful nonsense”. He also paid tribute to the work of campaigning groups – in particular, to Abi Smith from Leeds Cladding Scandal who was the first person in Leeds to bring this issue to his attention. However, it was particularly hard to hear from fellow leaseholders who have been hit hard by this scandal. Nearly everyone talks about the mental health toll, but for some it has been acute physical and mental harm – some have been hospitalised, some have taken their own life. Most people are facing huge financial problems, some have sold their homes to cash buyers for a fraction of their worth just to be able to get out and move on. And one Leeds resident, Hayley, spoke of her heart breaking choice to accept bankruptcy. A year ago, she had a one bedroom apartment in the city centre, bought as an affordable home, but after being made redundant during the pandemic she couldn’t meet the mounting bills for interim fire safety measures. “Now I’m bankrupt and living in my dad’s spare room – he has health problems and needs to move to a smaller place, but he can’t move on because I’ve got nowhere else to go.” It’s hard to know if the protest will force Government to revisit how it is handling the building safety crisis. But, stories like Hayley’s, like mine, like thousands of people in Leeds and hundreds of thousands up and down the country are getting louder, and harder to ignore. Hope is in short supply just now, but we are crossing our fingers that a new Secretary of State might re-look at the issue and see what’s very clear to us: we shouldn’t be forced to pay because the builders cut corners, the developers took risks and the regulators turned a blind eye.
South Leeds Life | October 2021
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10 News
Historic Salamanca locomotive model returns to Leeds T
John McGoldrick, curator of industrial history, with the model of Salamanca
he world’s oldest model locomotive is back home in Leeds more than two centuries after it helped spark a global railway revolution. Made in 1811 by the famous engineer Matthew Murray, the precious model has arrived safely at Leeds Industrial Museum in Armley where it will now take pride of place in an exhibition celebrating some of the city’s greatest inventions. The historic miniature is a replica of the very first commercially viable steam locomotive, the twin cylinder Salamanca, which Murray built a year later at his Round Foundry in Holbeck for the Middleton Railway. With the locomotive industry still in its infancy, Murray would have used his detailed model to explain to investors and fellow designers how his engines would work. The full-sized version of Salamanca revolutionised the transport of coal, enabling a small and relatively lightweight locomotive to haul more than
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20 times its own weight, powered by steam from a cast iron boiler with a single flue. Salamanca proved to be a massive commercial hit, with each engine selling for £350, leading to further Murray models which in turn inspired George Stephenson’s later designs. Murray’s model became part of the Leeds collection in 1943 and was loaned to the Science Museum Group in 2019 for a special exhibition, who returned it this week. The model will now go on display in Leeds Industrial Museum’s Leeds to Innovation exhibition alongside another model of a flax ‘heckling’ machine, which won Murray the gold medal from the Royal Society in 1809. John McGoldrick, Leeds Museums and Galleries’ curator of industrial history, said: “Murray was a true pioneer, whose ideas revolutionised the freight industry and inspired a whole new generation of locomotives. “This model is the physical manifestation of his early vision for the future of locomotives and would have been an invaluable aid in explaining his brilliance to others who he needed to help him bring that vision to life.
“It’s an absolute honour to have Salamanca back at the museums and for this important piece of railway history to take its rightful place alongside the ingenious creations of other great Leeds minds.” Open now at Leeds Industrial Museum, Leeds to Innovation explores the stories behind some of the city’s brilliant inventions and the people who made them. They include pioneering stargazer Washington Teasdale, who took the world’s first selfie, Elizabeth Beecroft, who turned Kirkstall Forge into a successful business, and John Smeaton, the ‘Father of Civil Engineering’ and designer of the Eddystone Lighthouse. Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, culture and education, said: “The history of Leeds includes some truly remarkable minds who each played their own distinct part in establishing the city’s reputation as a centre of creativity and ingenuity. “It’s wonderful to see those pioneers celebrated in this exhibition and to think that their efforts might inspire the next generation of incredible Leeds inventors.”
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The world’s biggest coffee morning Coffee mornings were held across South Leeds on Friday 24 September as groups came together to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. This event took place at H2010 in Hunslet. For more information about their work and how you can help go to: www.macmillan.org.uk
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12 School Life
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Building College welcomes first Cockburn’s call f creative primary cohort of Degree Apprentices C
ockburn School (Specialist Status in Performing Arts) offers unique opportunities in the Performing Arts for 2022 admissions. Cockburn School are delivering a new specialist programme for pupils who display a talent within the Performing Arts. The training supports a vast and varied curriculum with over 7 hours of additional coaching in Drama, Dance and Music. Pupils who are in search of a secondary school for September 2022 are invited to audition for this exciting new programme,
essential for those eager to pursue a career in the Arts. Auditions take place on Thursday 4 November 2021. Subject Leader of Drama, Sarah Kilner, who leads on the programme explained how the audition process works: “The audition process depends on the young person’s area of specialism. For Drama they will take part in a creative workshop, learning new skills and devising a performance piece. “Within the Dance specialism audition they will learn a motif and perform a creative task. If
The first cohort of BAM Nuttall degree apprentices start their programme at Leeds College of Building. Back row (L to R): Joseph Holmes, Kieran Matthews, Lewis Clarke, Nathaneal Brown, and Jacob Peachey. Front row (L to R): Reann Lewis, Kayle Browne, Joshua Hickey, and Dan Macleod.
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eeds College of Building has welcomed its first degree apprenticeship cohort to South Bank Campus in Hunslet. In total, nine BAM Nuttall employees will start the new BSc Hons Civil Engineering – Site Management degree apprenticeship. Validated by Leeds Beckett University, this is the first time a Level 6 apprenticeship has been offered by the College. Working in partnership with
Leeds Beckett University and the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the College is now delivering a bespoke programme designed to meet the needs of the civil engineering industry. The first bespoke group to enrol on the degree apprenticeship are employees from BAM Nuttall who work at sites from York to Kent. All have already attained a Level 5 Higher National Diploma (HND) with the College.
The degree apprenticeship develops graduate skills, providing opportunities to work on major projects across England. As exemplified by the BAM-dedicated cohort, practical work includes long-term frameworks such as Network Rail projects in the South, the West, and Transpennine routes in the Midlands, as well as Environment Agency Flood Alleviation Schemes in Leeds, and major projects including the Tideway Tunnel Super Sewer under the River Thames. Utilising a blended learning approach, apprentices will study for six independent blocks throughout the year, two of which are taught online. This creative delivery model means employees from a variety of backgrounds and projects can participate and learn from anywhere in the UK. Nikki Davison, Degree Apprenticeship Development Curriculum Manager at Leeds College of Building, said: “This is an exciting development for Leeds College of Building. The programme is the first degree-level apprenticeship that we have offered, providing a natural extension and additional progression route for our students from Level 3 up to Level 6. “We’re extremely grateful for the support of our key partners and look forward to continuing our vital work together. This programme will help more engineers to enhance their careers while filling vital skills gaps in the industry.” Paul Skerry, BAM’s UK Early
Careers & Professional Development Manager, said: “As this is a dedicated BAM Nuttall cohort, the College has created bespoke modules relevant to our business and the work we deliver for our clients. This means the course better aligns to our operations and needs of our projects, making it an effective and efficient way for our people to develop their skills and build their careers. “We’re delighted we’ve attracted a higher-than-average proportion of female apprentices, compared to equivalent undergraduate opportunities, as we continue to aim for gender parity in the construction industry. The degree apprenticeship also helps us continue improving diversity as it offers an additional route into higher-level training not previously accessible to some employees, which suits their needs better.” Regional director for ICE Yorkshire and Humber, Steena Nasapen-Watson, said: “This new offer helps strengthen the apprenticeship model as an alternative pathway to an internationally recognised qualification which demonstrates high levels of capability and commitment.” The distinct civil engineering pathway combines academic study at degree level with practical on-the-job experience. The qualification is aimed at those wishing to progress careers in civil engineering site management, project management, or for government agencies, local authorities, and modelling specialists.
The Cockburn School production of Adams Family
Secondary schoo F
amilies with children in Year 6 need to apply for a place in a secondary school for next September, the deadline for applications is 31 October 2021. To help families choose the right school our local secondary schools are holding open day events over the coming weeks: Cockburn John Charles Academy (Belle Isle) –
Wednesday 29 September 57pm Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy (Middleton) – Tuesday 5 October 5-7pm Cockburn School (Beeston) – Thursday 7 October 6-8pm The Ruth Gorse Academy (Hunslet) – Saturday 16 October 10am-1:30pm With getting the right secondary school place being so
Students at Cockburn John Charles Academy
October 2021 | South Leeds Life
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for y pupils they have a talent in Music they will have the opportunity to prepare a performance on their chosen instrument or demonstrate vocal ability. “The audition day is a lot of fun and it is great to see how much talent and enthusiasm the kids in South Leeds have for the arts.” Cockburn School’s provision in the arts has been awarded Artsmark Platinum status in recognition of the school’s commitment to, and excellence in, arts education. Artsmark is Arts Council England’s award recognising
excellence in cultural education. It celebrates schools’ commitment to embracing arts across the curriculum and bringing creative learning to life for children and young people. They create stunning performances including their annual musical theatre productions in December which amaze audiences. These productions are followed by a host of performances in the state-of-theart Cockburn School theatre as well as a host of regional and national venues that have included the Leeds Arena and Manchester Velodrome. Cockburn School pupils have also performed as supporting artists in the most recent series of the BBC’s Last Tango in Halifax that was filmed in the school. Many of these events were featured in South Leeds
ol open days important, Leeds City Council are keen to bust a few myths about the application process. Myth: I live in a school’s catchment area so I’m guaranteed a place there. Fact: Your application will be prioritised over anyone living outside the catchment area, but there is no guarantee of a place. You still need to include this school as one of your
School Life 13
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preferences. Myth: If I only put one preference on my application then you’ll have to offer me that school. Fact: This does not increase your chance of being offer a place. By listing only one preference, you are asking to be considered for place at only one school. Your application will still be in the same position on that school’s list of applications whether you’ve applied to one or five schools. Myth: I have good reasons why my child should attend my first preference school, so you have to offer them a place. Fact: School admission policies set the rules about the order they offer their places in. If your reasons are included in the school admissions policy, then make sure you include that information in your application. By law, schools can’t take any other reasons into account. To apply for a secondary school place go to: leeds.gov.uk/apply Applications for primary school places starts in November.
Life. One new member of staff at Cockburn School stated that she has “never seen such a close, friendly and dedicated group of staff and students. They work for many hours in rehearsal to make performances happen and are a credit to the school. I can't wait to get started!” Cockburn School continues to celebrate outstanding exam results in their Arts qualifications with Dance, Music and Drama results way above national
averages. The additional performance opportunities and events have grown year on year. There are over 8 specialist performing arts companies who perform at local, regional and national events on a regular basis. These are supported by the performing arts staff and a large creative team responsible for costume and set design which includes parents/carers and members of the local community. The Performing Arts team
develop well rounded, confident and skilled performers in all areas of the arts. Past pupils have gone on to success in full time education at Post 16 and university and are now in professional companies including the world renowned Rambert Contemporary Dance Company. Former student John-William Watson reached the grand final of the BBC Young Dancer of the Year award. One ex-pupil said: “The facilities in the
Performing Arts at Cockburn are amazing! We were taught to work as professionals”. If you would like to be part of this specialist secondary education then please visit the Cockburn School website www.cockburnschool.org for more information. Any further questions or completed application forms can be sent to PA10@ cockburnschool.org or delivered to Cockburn School, Gipsy Lane, Leeds LS11 5TT.
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South Leeds Life | October 2021
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14 Comment
In our view Considerate Contractors Walk past any building site and you will see a sign telling you that the builders are signed up to Considerate Contractors scheme. Clearly this is to be welcomed as any building site is noisy and messy - you can’t make an omelette without cracking eggs. But the issues at Hunslet Mill point to a problem. Sticking to the rules, as JM Construction appear to have done, doesn’t necessarily make you a good neighbour. A proper dialogue so residents know what, when and why various jobs will get done on site can go a very long way to reducing the friction. With a big pipeline of construction projects coming forward in the South Bank area of Hunslet and Holbeck, let’s hope developers can learn positive lessons from Victoria Riversides’s problems.
Black History Month October is Black History Month and whilst many of us know the story of post-war immigration to Leeds with the Windrush generation settling in Chapeltown and the South Asian communities settling both north and south of the river; much less is written about the black presence in Leeds before that. Joe Williams’ fascinating article (page 18) gives us a glimpse of servants and circus owners living as part of our richly diverse city.
And so we shall again Hunslet RLFC have suffered a topsy turvy season, but it’s amazing they had a season at all. With no rugby at all for nine months the squad had to train not knowing if games would be able to go ahead. Perhaps that what led to the mistakes and lock of focus. A new Coach, Alan Kilshaw, has come in and steadied the ship. His push for promotion starts over again next year with the club song ringing in his ears.
Your letters and comments Beeston Festival It was great to see the families out and everyone supporting the Festival. Cross Flatts Park is kept so nice by the people who care about keeping the neighbourhood nice. Joy Clarke Beeston Festival you was absolutely fantastic, the best yet. The organisers did a fab job gave something to everyone. Ann-Marie Warner Loved it. Especially after the past year. Great to see it back. A big thank you to all the organisers and performers. Karen Strong The best festival ever. Huazhu Liu Well done to all the organisers, great stalls, very entertaining performances, and amazing weather. Lovely to see so many people enjoying themselves. Sue Backhouse One of our highlights of the year, love being part of such a diverse community. Helen Birch
New M&S at White Rose Great, I can’t wait. I always said it would be a good place for a super M&S. I go to Owlcoates at the moment and still will sometimes, but this is great. The other is far too little and cannot show all their goods. Well done somebody with scope at last. We love our M&S and are looking forward already. Patricia Kennedy
Nineveh bridge £30,000 to look into the feasibility of a footbridge when if you walk about 100m there is a path that leads over the existing railway bridge. Surely this money could be better spent elsewhere. Nigel Johnson-Hartlebury
Light Night Why are the Council spending all this money on Light Night (as I assume the artists are getting paid) when the council is crying poverty, closing this and selling that to make money; yet they are paying people
Natural Rhythm entertain the crowds at Beeston Festival to do this, I personally think it’s a disgrace. Olive Mangan I think Olive Mangan has probably never attended Light Night. It is a most magical experience, and nearly everyone who attends will spend some money somewhere in the city, thus benefitting the local economy. Many of the installations are sponsored by businesses. It would be a miserable life indeed if there were never any cultural activities. Vivienne Bate
Rugby reports Many thanks Ian for your comprehensive report. I, like some others I guess, were not able to go to Workington after testing positive for Covid and so it’s good to be able to read your report – so much better than the commentators on Radio Cumbria this afternoon! Peter Todd
Scouting The neckerchief in the photo of cubs last month is the same colour as we had in the 1940s at Beeston Hill Baptists. The Group Leader was Mr Milner. Terence Nichols
Memories of the Queen’s Theatre
I have a vague recollection of going to the Queen’s when it was a cinema. but I remember a story my mother told me. She her sister had Beeston & Holbeck ward Includes Beeston from Cross Flatts Park to the Ring and bunked off work one Road, Cottingley and Holbeck. The three councillors are: afternoon to go to a Gohar Almass 07445 878 333 gohar.almass@leeds.gov.uk matinee there ; they paid 6d (2½ pence in Angela Gabriel 07946 632 468 angela.gabriel@leeds.gov.uk today’s money). This Andrew Scopes 07860 400 645 andrew.scopes@leeds.gov.uk would be before 1914 I think. They Hunslet & Riverside ward Includes the city centre, Beeston Hill and Hunslet. wore their hair tied The three councillors are:
Your Leeds City Councillors
Mohammed Iqbal 0113 226 8796 mohammed.iqbal@leeds.gov.uk Elizabeth Nash 0113 275 8594 elizabeth.nash@leeds.gov.uk Paul Wray 07528 512 649 paul.wray@leeds.gov.uk
Middleton Park ward Includes Belle Isle and Middleton. The three councillors are: Sharon Burke Kim Groves Paul Truswell
0113 378 8814 sharon.burke@leeds.gov.uk 07891 741 832 kim.groves@leeds.gov.uk 0113 378 8811 paul.truswell@leeds.gov.uk
back with a very large bow, and of course hats were worn. Well, behind them sat two likely lads who kept pulling their bows off and tossing them into the girls’ laps. My mother haughtily told them if they didn’t stop she would call the attendant. Howls of derision from the lads – “What, you’ve paid a tanner for your seat and you expect an attendant”. So then she saw red – drew a large hatpin from her hat and stabbed one lad in the leg. No more bother after that. You didn’t mess with my mother! Vivienne Bate Does anyone remember what occupied the building on the north side of Jack Lane? I lived in the area from 1954 to 1962, but don’t recall a building opposite the Queen’s. Mike Peacock
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Top Tweets Keep up to date, up to the minute, by following South Leeds Life’s Twitter feed: @SouthLeedsLife. Twitter is the 140 character ‘micro blogging’ site. It’s free and you can sign up at twitter.com. It’s a great place to find the very latest news. Here are some of our favourite recent tweets: @CEO_HunsletClub I joined the @HunsletClub 50 years ago today on the 9/9/1971 as a 9 year old. I’ve loved being a member, volunteer and employee. The club is 81 yrs old & continues to get better every year delivering quality activities & youth clubs for 1000s of young people in our City 💚💛 @cockburnschool Brooke W in Year 11 has recently been accepted into Team England's Hip Hop Cheerleading team and will be competing at the Cheerleading Worlds at Disney, Orlando Florida in April next year. A fantastic achievement that began when Brooke attending cheerleading club at Cockburn.
New Ice Pak plans I suppose this is one good thing to come from Covid - a scaling down of these grand plans. Interested to know what community needs Aspiring Communities are still planning to fulfil as it seems the vast majority of the community didn't want this in the first place. Kelly Newton It’s still going to attract a large number of cars on occasions, which goes against the whole idea of the council’s program to reduce the amount of traffic around here with the road blocking scheme. Juan Kossov
@WestwardCare 🎲 Our residents at Pennington Court have been keeping their minds sharp and active today. Here are Doris and Margaret playing Call to Mind with their morning coffee.
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.
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@NHSOrganDonor Did you know? There is an urgent need for more donors from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. People from these backgrounds are more likely to need a transplant, and the best chance of finding a match may come from a donor of the same ethnicity.
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Comment 15
MP’s notebook by Hilary Benn MP
L
ast month, a blue plaque was unveiled in memory of the Rev Don Robins. He was appointed vicar of St George's Church in the heart of Leeds in 1930 at the time of the Great Depression. Looking around his new parish, he saw the homeless, the hungry and the destitute and decided that he must do something. With an old crypt below the church, he resolved that it should become a place for the living rather than the dead. So, he turned it into a soup kitchen and a night shelter, and every single day since St George’s Crypt has been serving all those for whom life has been hard. I just wonder, if Don Robins was still with us today, what he would have to say about what’s happening at the moment because although our great city
October 2021 | South Leeds Life
of Leeds has seen much prosperity and development in the years since, poverty, inequality and hunger have not gone away. They continue to weigh down on some families in South Leeds and it's going to be a tough autumn in lots of different ways. People will be dealing not only with the continuing effects of Covid but also with the looming cost of living crisis as gas prices rocket and inflation rises, and for the thousands of families on Universal Credit they will find themselves without the £20 a week extra they have been getting at the very moment when bills start shooting up. We debated this in the House of Commons recently and I drew attention to the fact that three in ten children in Leeds Central are now growing up in absolute poverty, that some children come to school too
hungry to learn and that the use of food banks continues to rise. And, of course, from next April there will be the National Insurance increase to pay for health and social care. As Don Robins might have said “something must be done.” And talking of what needs doing, we've seen how companies like British Airways and British Gas have tried to make staff redundant, including in Leeds, and then offer to re-hire them on worse terms and conditions. This is unfair, unjust and should not be allowed under any circumstances. I will therefore be in Parliament on the 22nd October to back Barry Gardiner MP’s private member’s bill which is seeking to make this practice illegal. I wouldn't normally write about my glasses but disaster struck recently - not once, but twice - when I sat on one pair
and broke the arm off another. To be strictly accurate, I broke the arm again that I had attempted to glue back in place some months ago. I was dismayed to learn that the firm I've used for many years to repair my spectacles - you've guessed it, this isn't the first time I've caused them damage - had ceased trading. So with some trepidation, I sent them off to a new company and was delighted to get both pairs back swiftly in full working order. In an age in which far too many things get thrown away because apparently they can't be repaired, a big thank you to those who show what can be done. And that includes the Leeds Repair Cafe who were doing a sterling job fixing things at the recent Beeston Festival. As it happens, we now have a right to repair law which means that manufacturers will for the first time have to make spare parts available for washing machines, washer-dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators and TVs. Repairs also need to be possible using everyday tools.
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 The aim is to do something about the 1.5 million tonnes of electrical waste generated each year. It is certainly a step forward but it doesn’t yet cover cookers, hobs, tumble dryers, microwaves or tech devices such as laptops or smartphones. It should. And finally, it was a great pleasure to join lots of other people at the Great Middleton Park Show last month. The sun came out, the park looked at its
best and there was lots to see and do, including in my case having the chance to view the prize vegetables and crafts before presenting the cups together with the Lord Mayor. I met one of the winners earlier in the afternoon but by the time the presentations came round he had already left for the Leeds United match and his proud mum was delighted to collect his prize. It was a lovely cake!
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16 South Leeds Lives
The Hunslet Workhouse by Ken Burton
I
t was not until 1760 that Hunslet decided to build a Workhouse, before that date the Overseers had hired Carr Hall a house built about 1620 by the Fenton family, this stood on Hunslet Moor Side and served as a Workhouse for the able-bodied poor. However, this was all to change, on 17 March 1760 several owners of land in Hunslet had a meeting in the Organ Inn, later to be called the Wellington on Low Road, now a hairdressers. There were thirteen gentlemen present at the meeting and it was unanimously agreed that a Workhouse should be built "For the benefit and more convenient relief and employment of the poor." The old Guardian Minute Books show that several plans were produced for the new building, one of these was approved by Charles Brandling (of Middleton Park) and Joseph Bilton who donated the land and made a free gift of all the bricks needed for the new building. This new building in Hillidge Road was under the care of Richard Markham and Thomas Bradley and does not appear to have cost too much. The bricklayers Robert Fenteman and Allan Longley seem to have been paid £62, the joiner Thomas Proctor £78, and Wrigglesworth the stone cutter
£42. However, it would seem that the bricklayers were called back within the year of building to examine and repair the house. At a meeting held on 28 April 1761 one of the provision orders was for ten 12-gallon casks of beer from the Arthington Brewery for the opening of the new Workhouse on May Day 1761. William Matthews was appointed Master of the House at a salary of £12 a year and this would be increased by £2 if he proved satisfactory. He was allowed to bring in his wife on 'Bed and Board' if she would act as Mistress of the House and oversee the brewing, washing, and keeping the kitchen clean and tidy. An order had been placed for an iron pot so that brewing as well as washing could take place on the premises. 26 people came into the Workhouse, five men, twelve women, and nine children, and in addition to these were eleven outpensioners who appear to have received from two to five shillings (10p to 25p) a month on relief. To Govern the Hunslet Workhouse a Committee of eight Trustees, a Provider who was appointed for six months, a Treasurer whose appointment lasted for twelve months, and two Overseers. A Mr Peacop was the first Provider and a Mr Stoney held the first Treasurers post.
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Committee meetings took place at 3pm. The education of the children also seems to have been important at an early date because they appointed Susannah Walker, an infirm inmate to teach the children to read. The Trustees seem to have devoted their time at the meetings to the giving out of orders for
Protestant Worship on a Sunday or they wouldn't get any dinner. In those days the poor were required to reside in their Parish and the change of residence was repressed as much as possible, poor people moving between Parishes were sent back home within 40 days if they had no "Certificate" signed by the Overseer and two Magistrates to save any inconvenience and annoyance before moving.
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where an unfortunate ratepayer had to take an apprentice, even “imbeciles” were apprenticed but were normally returned. If a tradesman did refuse to take an apprentice he was obliged to pay a fee of £10. Occasionally we can find an instance of a girl being exchanged for a boy and vice versa. In one case three guineas (£3.3s, £3.15p) was given with the apprentice besides their usual clothes
March 1869, this was accompanied by hymns and prayers led by the Vicar of Rothwell. The initial scheme of three homes, designed by Leeds architect EJ Dodgshun, was officially opened in July 1897 and cost £8,500. Each home contained a sitting room for the foster parents, a day room, kitchen, and scullery on the ground floor with four bedrooms above. Each home also had an isolation room. Subsequently two further homes were added. The five houses, each housing twenty children were given the names Oak House, Beech House, Maple House, Hawthorn House, and Chestnut House. The location for these premises are shown on the 1908 map of the area. In 1930 the running of these houses was taken over by Leeds City Council's Public Assistance Committee. Following the 1948 Children's Act the site became the responsibility of the Council's Care of Children Committee. In 1949 Oak, Beech, and Maple houses were being used for boys, and Hawthorn and Chestnut for girls. Beech House housed only Roman Catholic boys, while Roman Catholic girls occupied part of Chestnut House. By this date, conditions in the houses was far from satisfactory, the number of children living in each house was sometimes as many as thirty. Playrooms were being used as dormitories, and dining rooms were also serving as playrooms. At the same time a large recreation hut was underused due to staff shortages. In three of the homes the single bathroom contained two baths and four washbasins, these served both the children and staff. But more seriously mining subsidence was beginning to cause cracks in the floors of the property. By 1956, all the cottage homes had been closed apart from one which continued in temporary use as a hostel for working boys until February 1957. The site was then disposed of and the buildings demolished. By the beginning of the 20th century Hillidge Road Workhouse had become outdated and too small for purpose, so a new Workhouse was planned and built at Rothwell Haigh, opening on 1 October 1903, this became St. George's Hospital in later years. The Hillidge Road Workhouse was demolished and became the site of the Chesney Streets, the Hillidge Engineering Works and later the Richmond Machine Tool Company before this too became the site of a car auctions and van rentals.
Looking over the Workhouse and Chesney site from the motorway admissions to the Workhouse, sending people out, granting cloth and linen for clothes, giving out pensions, and ordering assessments to be made. The first Medical Officer to the Poor House was one Dr Bullough who took up his appointment on 29 July 1762 at a rate of £5 per year. He was re-appointed each year by a Special Resolution, and he held this office for many years. Nine years after his appointment his salary was raised to eight guineas (£8.40p), but four years later it was reduced to five guineas (£5.25p) and in 1769 he acted as a Trustee, but sad to say his attendance at meetings was very poor. In the same year the Overseers gave him £3.10s (£3.50p) in order for him to hire a substitute because he was drawn from the Militia. The work provided for the inmates about this time appears to have been spinning and carding wool, weaving Woolsey, cropping cloth, and grinding corn. In September 1763 an advert was placed in the Intelligencer newspaper for a fresh Master, but there is no record of who was appointed, probably he was not married for shortly after Ann Stokes came in as Mistress of the House for £3 per year. Gentle compulsion was necessary to get the inmates to Church, all people who could walk had to go to someplace of
On 28 January 1768 James Scale and his wife were appointed Master and Mistress on trial for a few weeks at £8 per annum. But in the August of 1771 James Scales and his wife were given a month’s notice to leave and a sum of money for two bedsteads and on the same day it was agreed that Aaron Copley and his wife would serve as master and Mistress. They were to be paid £8 per annum and three years later this had risen to £10. In 1773 the assessment for the Land Tax for the Township of Hunslet paid to the Crown amounted to £82.5s.6d (£82.27½p), the amount raised in the Township was £85.7s.3d (£85.36p), therefore the amount due to the Town was £3.1s.9d (£3.09p). Apparently times were very bad for the poor people for we can find the same people receiving relief for many years, many widows came into the Workhouse, very often bringing large families with them. The children didn't stay very long, they were put out as apprentices to various people in the district. Six and seven year olds was a common age for apprentices, and their was an instance of a two year old child going out, obviously what we would call boarding out or fostering. Town's people were compelled to take Town Apprentices and there are many recorded instances
because he had a tumour under his chin. The Committee agreeing to take the boy back if the tumour proved as they put it "out of bad consequence." The administration of the Poor Law seems to have gone on in much the same way until the Poor Law Reform Act of 1834 and this carried on in one form or another until the start of the Welfare State in 1948. Originally the Workhouse was built to serve the Township of Hunslet but in 1869 the Hunslet Union was formed by the addition of the Townships of Thorpe Stapleton (formerly maintaining its own poor), Oulton-with-Woodlesford (formerly in the Wakefield Union), Middleton (formerly in the dissolved Great Preston Incorporation), and Rothwell and Temple Newsam (formerly in the dissolved Carlton Incorporation), and Osmondthorpe was also included in this. The Workhouse at Hunslet was gradually enlarged until 1867 when a separate Infirmary was added. This was followed in 1872 by the addition of school buildings, these were later used as a Hospital with the erection of a Children's Home in Rothwell. In 1896-97 the Hunslet Union erected a group of Children's Cottage Homes on a four acre site at the north side of Wood Lane, Rothwell. An official laying of the foundation stones taking place on 16
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18 South Leeds Lives
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Laughter is the The black heritage of Holbeck best medicine F by Joe Williams
by Christine Smart
L
aughter is the best medicine and living proof of that is Mark Wilson. Mark is a South Leeds resident whose life changed completely firstly at 21 and then at 40. “I was diagnosed with Charcot Marie Tooth at 21 and then Parkinson’s just after my 40th birthday” he explains. Symptoms of CMT include – muscle weakness, especially in the feet, ankles and legs, a lack of sensation in the arms and feet, poor circulation and extreme fatigue. Parkinson’s is the more heard of – involuntary shaking, muscle stiffness and slow movement are among the symptoms experienced. Looking through the list of body bashing effects it is understandable that Mark struggled with these diseases. “My walking got worse, my eyes got worse, my movement got worse and then my speech became bad.” Deep brain surgery was done to try and improve some of Mark’s Parkinson’s symptoms. After all this he fell into a severe depression and wanted an end to his struggles.
Fundraider Mark Wilson
A chance meeting with a comedian who had a close relative with Parkinson’s gave Mark a person who understood exactly what he was going through, because sometimes we just need someone to get it. He then went to his show, and it helped Mark more than he anticipated. “He made me laugh for the first time in years and then asked if I’d like to organise a comedy show in aid of Parkinson’s UK, he arranged for another 3 comedians, and we raised £1.200.” Mark highly credits this chance meeting with the single most important act “That man saved my life.” Up to date Mark’s comedy nights have raised £38,000. He runs two shows per year in March and September. To get details on these shows search Leeds Laughter Lounge on Facebook. Mark writes a couple of jokes himself and yes, they are related to his disability, this is a sign of acceptance and peace. From a place of not wanting to deal with life, to using it to make people laugh we’ll finish how we started – Laughter is the best medicine!
or Black History Month, we asked Joe Williams from Heritage Corner to share what he had discovered about Black history in Holbeck. Delivering hidden history is a privilege and never static. Heritage Corner engages the public in Yorkshire’s local histories whilst sharing enthusiasm toward wider connections. The narratives of Leeds’ economic development are as diverse as our society has become today and there are amazing narratives left behind for us to explore and boldly embrace. This year we have delivered a walk for the David Oluwale Memorial Association in the city centre and presented sold-out Black History walks at Harewood House, the first venture of its kind at the popular stately home. Also, recently, as part of our Unseen Histories festival in Armley with Assembly House, we delivered our first walk in Gotts Park, followed by a creative workshop. However, our invite by Slung Low to deliver educational walks in Holbeck proved surprisingly more educational for us than expected. The highlight of positive local representation in Leeds, for people of African heritage, is John Marshall’s Temple Works. With a rich history of its own the famous factory edifice, modelled on an ancient Egyptian temple, provides a gateway into the rich cultures of the peoples of the Nile Valley. This history has fascinated the world, yet the established framework miss opportunities to discuss the real people and their influential faith. Western representations of mummified remains, for example, conjures images of Hollywood fiction and comic book horror, where no attempts are made to represent local humanity. Nesyamun was a priest in the Nile Valley 3,000
years ago, the sophisticated faith system that he practiced is little known about. Interweaving such narratives into local history provides a kaleidoscopic landscape of reflection. Nesyamun, the Leeds Mummy, arrived in Leeds in the 1820s alongside other philanthropic acts from industrialists as contributions toward the social growth of their booming town. John Marshall, Benjamin Gott and
of Africans that plagued all western media. Leeds’ rich local history is full of many other inspirational figures and heroes like Charles Jenkinson. Streets in his name in Holbeck remind us of acts of humanity that can help us to rectify the consequences of a rapidly aggressive economic system. Jenkinson himself was born in a slum in London and as a minister he chose to be posted in the most deprived area of the country, Holbeck.
Bertie Robinson worked at Harewood House and lived in Holbeck © Harewood House Trust others enriched Leeds in economic and civic ways that have left us rich social legacies. Western economies, however, were inextricably linked to transatlantic trade. Leeds Quaker and abolitionist Wilson Armistead, whose mustard factory was in Holbeck, campaigned tirelessly against enslavement of Africans in America. His 1848 ‘A Tribute to the Negro’ attempted to counteract degrading misrepresentations
As far back as 1701 we learn from Leeds historian Ralph Thoresby that his cousin’s ‘Black’ was baptised, the first he’d heard of, which means there were other Africans who weren’t baptised by their ‘masters’. Abraham Johnson was not enslaved by Christians, he found his way to Victorian Leeds from his birthplace in Zanzibar, via India and China where he escaped enslavement. He worked at Marshall’s Mill and was also
known to sell tracts on streetcorners as extra income. By the time Bertie Robinson arrived from the West Indies, as a boy, to work at Harewood House, slavery had been abolished. The Footman’s son would live in Holbeck and serve in World War II for Britain. There is an informative exhibition on Bertie at Harewood House that runs until the end of October. Boxer Len Johnson was of mixed heritage and recalls being racially abused in early 20th century South Leeds schools. Musical artists from South Leeds enjoyed successful careers in music halls following decades of minstrel shows influencing popular culture across Britain. The degradation of Africans was a major factor of the British empire and we are still dealing with the cultural legacies. However, in both the 18th and 19th centuries the Baines family and their Leeds Mercury newspaper helped to provide platforms for Olaudah Equiano, Frederick Douglass, Sarah Parker Remond and others of African origin to visit Leeds and speak for themselves in packed venues. As goods of empire flowed up and down the waterways, contributing to the local economy, degradation of workers at home and abroad became a by-product of profit. Holbeck Moor holds significant history in the fight for social justice in Britain. The learning is endless and combined with creativity can offer programs of engagement toward understanding our city. Whether you’re a part of the legacy of the aristocracy, the working classes or a displaced subject of the empire - we have a shared heritage and humanity that can be richly woven into a fascinating narrative of economic inclusion today. Heritage Corner looks forward to working with other historians and artists to celebrate our city’s rich heritage.
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South Leeds Lives 19
Quiz corner
Pathways for Positivity with Shannon Humphrey
What to do when you feel SAD
I
t’s hard not to notice that the days are becoming shorter and the nights longer. The last barbecue of the summer has been eaten, the summer fairs are all but over and the Halloween, bonfire night and Christmas decorations are in the shops. For many, autumn is a magical time of year, as the leaves turn golden brown, russets and reds as they fall gently from the trees to create a crunchy leafy blanket underfoot. It’s a time for collecting conkers, drinking pumpkin spiced hot chocolate, and looking forward to cold nights snuggled-up with a good book or film. And yet for some people, the darker nights and shorter days signal the start of the most depressing time of the year. Seasonal Affective Disorder otherwise known as SAD or
Winter Depression affects millions of people each year, in varying degrees. SAD is often triggered by a reduced level of sunlight in autumn and winter. The decrease in sunlight may disrupt the body's internal clock and cause a drop in serotonin, a brain chemical that affects mood. It is also believed that the body’s melatonin levels are compromised in darker months which can lead to disrupted sleep patterns and altered mood. People who suffer with SAD may joke that they feel like hibernating for the winter and re-emerging in the spring, a bit like a hedgehog or a dormouse. The truth is though, that SAD is more than just the winter blues; or feeling a bit fed-up, it can be a serious form of depression that leads to anxiety, worry, overthinking, raw emotions, persistent negative thoughts, lethargy, and mood
swings. If you or someone you know is struggling with these symptoms the first port of call should be to the GP who can advise the best treatment. There are a few things that you can try yourself to lift the first signs of SAD • Take daily fresh air and exercise, mid-morning if possible, or when the sun is at it’s most powerful - this will help increase Vitamin D production • 1 in 5 people in the UK are Vitamin D deficient. Supplements are available over the counter to increase vitamin D which is proven to be essential for good physical and mental health. Eating a diet rich in leafy greens and lean protein will also help • Invest in a light box, this product replicates daylight and can be plugged in at home, sitting in front of it for 30
minutes per day will boost the body’s production of melatonin which should help regulate sleep pattern and make you feel happier • Talk to friends and family about how you are feeling, they will be able to support you when you don’t feel like going out or being sociable • Try and keep yourself busy, especially if you feel like napping. A cheeky afternoon nap could jeopardise a deep sleep in the evening, which will leave you frustrated, tired and out of sorts The good news is that SAD is treatable, and you don’t have to put up with it. See your GP early and look for the brightness in every day. Shannon Humphrey is a Youth and Adult First Aid for Mental Health Instructor, find out more about her work at www.pathwaysforpositivity .com
T
his month we have prepared a television themed quiz for you. We are looking for the names of television programmes, brand products based on advertising slogans plus a few straight questions. The number of letters in each answer is given in brackets.
You can play it as just a bit of fun, but we have prizes for anyone that gets all 25 answers right. Email your answers to info@southleedslife.com to win a limited edition South Leeds Life mug (please put Quiz in the subject line). Good luck!
1 Composer of Neighbours theme tune (4, 5) 2 The best a man can get (8, 5) 3 Epic auction (4, 2, 3, 7) 4 Who was Dr Kildare’s mentor (2, 9) 5 Hyacinth Buckets three sisters (5, 4, 6) 6 Exceedingly good cakes (2, 7) 7 Unknown medic (2, 3) 8 Rabbit in The Magic Roundabout (5) 9 Name the central spouse (4, 3, 7) 10 Taste the rainbow (8) 11 Who wrote and starred in The Man From Auntie (3, 5) 12 All because the lady loves (4, 4) 13 English Salud (6) 14 Who owned Bagpuss (5) 15 Question Time’s first chairman (5, 3) 16 Soft strong and very long (6) 17 Once you pop you can't stop (8) 18 Let your fingers do the walking (6, 5) 19 Star Dad (3, 2, 3, 4) 20 Living in Spain (1, 5, 2, 3, 3) 21 Earth Pressure (6, 5) 22 Cop based in Ystad (4, 9) 23 Mad Men is centred round this profession (11) 24 Vorsprund Durch Tenhnik (4) 25 Full of eastern promise (7, 7)
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South Leeds Life | October 2021
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20 What’s On
What’s On
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Full details of every event including map and contact details are available at www.southleedslife.com/events
Your guide to events and activities across South Leeds in October 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 Please check that regular events are not affected by school half term holidays, 23-31 October Full contact details can be found in our online What’s On guide at www.southleedslife.com/events
Every Monday Community Play Group 9-11:30am Little Angels Playzone, The Sugar Mill, Beeston ESOL Beginners class 9:30am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600 Crafts Group 9:30-10:45am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Holbeck Together coffee morning 10am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre Mindfulmess (online) 10:30am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Book: 07305 167629 Bingo and Hoy 11am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Dinner Jackets (baked potato) 12-1pm St Matthew’s Community Centre Lunch Club 12-1:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road MHA Lunch Club 12-1:30pm Cottingley Community Centre Lunchtime meditation 12:30-1pm Over Zoom. Book: jamyangleeds.co.uk/wellbeing Drop In Technology Support 1-3pm St Luke’s Church, Malvern Road, Beeston Hill 50+ Women’s Group 1-2:30pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600 Baking Together (online) 1:30-2:30pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre Book: 07305 167629 Dance On 2-3pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road. Women’s Cycling & Social Group 5-6:45pm Book: 07435 914350 Multi Sports for kids 5pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre Gateway 2 Sport 5-7pm Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle Yoga with Amelia 6-7pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck Illuminate Dance 6:30 & 7:30pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre Be Creative 7-8:30pm over Zoom. Book: fb.com/YourSpaceLeeds Drop In Mediatation for Beginners 7-8pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck Kickboxing 7-8:30pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street
Every Tuesday Tots Group 9-11am Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle Book: 07794 577586 Community Play Group
9-11:30am Little Angels Playzone, The Sugar Mill, Beeston MHA Breakfast Buddies 9-11am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston Advice & Advocacy 9:30am-2:30pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600 Mums & Tots 9:30am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre ESOL Entry 1 class 9:30am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600 Computer class 9:30am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600 Holbeck Together shopping trip 9:30am-12:30pm Book: 0113 245 5553 Coffee and Connect 10-11:30am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Holbeck Together Charity Shop 10am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Woodwork 10am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre MHA Exercise 10-11am Beeston Village Community Centre, off Town St Hunslet TARA Litterpicking 10am meet Church of the Nazarene, Grove Road Gardening Group 10:30am-12:30pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600 Zumba / Pilates 11am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston via Zoom Book: 0113 270 4600 Bingo and Hoy 11am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Quiz Time (online) 11am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Book: 07305 167629 Lunch Club 12-1:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road MHA Lunch and Social 12-2:30pm Parnaby Tavern, Middleton Road, Hunslet Lunchtime meditation 12:30-1pm Over Zoom. Book: jamyangleeds.co.uk/wellbeing ESOL class 12:30-3pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600 Line Dancing 1-3pm St Anthony’s Church Hall, Old Lane, Beeston Line Dancing 1-3pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston Walking Group 1:30-3:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road. Women’s Peer Support Group 1:30pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre
Line Dancing 2-3:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road. Yoga 2-3pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston via Zoom Book: 0113 270 4600 Women’s Cycling & Social Group (beginners) 4:30-5:30pm Cross Flatts Park Book: 07435 914350 Illuminate Dance 4:30pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre DAZL Dance 5:30-6:30pm Cottingley Community Centre Outdoor Yoga 6pm Top of Cross Flatts Park Book: 07576 113269 Inside Out exercise class 6-7pm Tenants Hall, Acre Close, Middleton Free Football sessions (8-18 yrs) 6:30-8:30pm Holbeck Community Centre, Old Elland Road. Book: richard.foye@leedsunited.com Yoga 7pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre
Every Wednesday One You Weight Management 8:30am-12:30pm Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle Everyday Life coffee morning 9-11am Beeston Village Community Centre, Beeston Park Place, off Town Street Advice & Advocacy 9:30am-2:30pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600 Open doors 9:30-10:30am St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Old Lane, Beeston ESOL Enty 1 class 9:30am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600 Mums & Tots 9:30am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre Bacon Butty morning / News Cafe / Pop Up Shop / Textile & Painting / Bereavement Group 9:30-11:30am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road. Holbeck Together coffee morning 10am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre Holbeck Together Charity Shop 10am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Woodwork 10am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre Beeston In Bloom Gardening Group 10am-12pm Millennium Garden, Cross Flatts Park Hunslet TARA Estate Walkabout 11am meet Best One shop, Rocheford Walk Singing 11am Cranmore & Raylands
Community Centre Community Cafe 12:30-2pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Lunchtime meditation 12:30-1pm Over Zoom. Book: jamyangleeds.co.uk/wellbeing Peer Support Group 1-2:30pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston via Zoom Book: 0113 270 4600 Walk and Talk 2-3pm meet at Middleton Park main gates on Town Street Tai Chi 2pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre Skate Mates 3:30-5pm LS-TEN, Kitson Road Book: ls-ten.org/skatemates Healthy Cooking 4pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre Free Football sessions (8-18 yrs) 5-7pm South Leeds Youth Hub, Belle Isle. Book: richard.foye@leedsunited.com Yoga 5-6pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston via Zoom Book: 0113 270 4600 Buddhism’s Lamp on the Path 6-7:30pm Over Zoom. Book: jamyangleeds.co.uk/buddhism 1st SLAM Beavers (6-8 yrs) 6-7:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston Illuminate Dance 6 & 8pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre Holbeck Moor FC: Inclusive adult football training 6:30pm Holbeck Moor Line Dancing 6:45-9pm Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle Dru Yoga 7-8:15pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck
Every Thursday Slimming World Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street. Book: 07841 488658 Tots Group 9-11am Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle Book: 07794 577586 Music & Movement 9am-1pm Little Angels Playzone, The Sugar Mill, Beeston Advice & Advocacy 9:30am-2:30pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600 Computer class / ESOL 2/3 class 9:30am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600 Holbeck Together shopping trip 9:30am-12:30pm Book: 0113 245 5553 Ping Pong 9:30-10:30am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Holbeck Community Shop 10am-2pm St Matthew’s
Community Centre Walk in Cross Flatts Park Meet 10am Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston Woodwork / Gentle Exercise / Beauty Treatments 10am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre Inclusive dance 11am-12pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Bingo and Hoy 11am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Lunch Club 12-1:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Cafe & Tea Dance 12pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre MHA Lunch Club & Social 12-2:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston Lunchtime meditation 12:30-1pm Over Zoom. Book: jamyangleeds.co.uk/wellbeing Be Friends Group 1-2:30pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Online classes 1-2:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road. Walking Group 1:30-3:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road. Camera Club / Reiki 2pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre Illuminate Dance 4pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre Elevate Women’s Wellbeing Group 4-5:30pm over Zoom. Book: fb.com/YourSpaceLeeds Middleton Scout Group 5:30-7:30pm Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle Book: scoutsmiddleton@gmail.com Zumba / Pilates 6-7pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston via Zoom Book: 0113 270 4600
South Leeds Lakers Juniors (Athletics) 6-7pm Cockburn School Book: fb.com/juniorlakersleeds Chat and Chill (Your Space) 6-7pm The Holbeck club, Jenkinson Lawn Yoga 7-8pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street. Book: 07512 393228
Every Friday Charity Shop 8:30-11:30am United Free Church, Malvern Road, Beeston Happy Global Families 9-10:30am Beeston Village Community Centre, Beeston Park Place, off Town Street Stay & Play 9-11am St Anthony’s Church Hall, Old Lane, Beeston Stay & Play 9am-6pm Little Angels Playzone, The Sugar Mill, Beeston Tea & Toast 9am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre Food Bank 9-11am Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle ESOL 2/3 class 9:30am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600 Toast, Cuppa & Games 9:30-11am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road. Hunslet RLFC Breakfast Club 10am-12pm Phoenix Suite, South Leeds Stadium Holbeck Together coffee morning 10am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre Holbeck Together Dance On 10-11am Holbeck Moor MHA Stretch & Tone 10-11am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston Hunslet TARA Gardening 10am meet Church of the Nazarene, Grove Road
Publicise your event with South Leeds Life’s FREE listings Call/text: 07894 583966 Email: info@southleedslife.com Post: 224 Cross Flatts Grove, Leeds, LS11 7BW
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Drop In Technology Support 10-12pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Arts & Crafts 11am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre Bingo and Hoy 11am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road MHA Lunch Club 12-1:30pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Lunch Club 12-1:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Lunchtime meditation 12:30-1pm Over Zoom. Book: jamyangleeds.co.uk/wellbeing Ballroom & Sequence Dancing 1-3pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston Little Legs Rugby 1-3pm Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle Line Dancing / Computer Club 1:30pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre Chair-based Exercise 1:45-2:45pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road. Book: 0113 272 1050 Poetry (online) 3pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Book: 07305 167629 Free Football sessions (8-18 yrs) 4-5:30pm Holbeck Moor. Book: richard.foye@leedsunited.com Illuminate Dance 5pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre 1st SLAM Cubs (8-10½ yrs) 6:15-7:45pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston 1st SLAM Scouts (10½-14 yrs) 8-9:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston
Every Sunday
Every Saturday Cross Flatts parkrun 9am Top of Cross Flatts Park Middleton Woods parkrun 9am Leeds Urban Bike Park Debbie Heart Theatre School 9am-1pm Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle DAZL Tinys (Age 3-5) DAZL Xplode (Age 6-9; 10+) DAZL HQ, Middleton Community Centre, Acre Road. Book: fb.com/danceactionzoneleeds Park Roll rollerskating 10am-12pm Sports Courts, Cross Flatts Park, Beeston Book: ls-ten.org Coffee morning 10am-12pm Church of the Nazarene, Grove Road, Hunslet Outdoor Yoga 10:30am Top of Cross Flatts Park Book: 07576 113269 Women’s Walking Group 11am-1pm Book: 07435 914350 School Uniform Swap Shop 11am-1pm Bridge Cafe, Cross Flatts Park, Beeston
Junior parkrun (4-14 yrs) 9am Top of Cross Flatts Park Knitting Group 10am-12pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Dynamo Cricket (8-11 yrs) 10-11:30am Cross Flatts Park Healthy Minds Cycling Skills 10-11am Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Middleton Railway 10:30am3:30pm Moor Road, Hunslet Toning & Stretching with Julie 6:30-7:30pm DAZL HQ, Middleton Community Centre, Acre Road. Book: 07783 786776 Saturday 2 October Holbeck & Beeston Cemetery Volunteers 10am-1pm Meet centre of Holbeck Cemetery, Beeston Road Coffee morning 10am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Look At Me Don’t Look At Me 7:30pm The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn Book: slunglow.org Board Games Night 7:30pm The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn Book: slunglow.org Monday 4 October IDOP Trip to Pugney’s Country Park 11am-2pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Book: 0113 270 4600 Men’s Corner 7-8:30pm Charlies-Angel-Centre, 6B Ashbrooke Park, LS11 5SF Tuesday 5 October Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy Open Evening 5-7pm St George’s Road, Middleton Grandparents Social Circle 7-8:30pm Charlies-Angel-Centre, 6B Ashbrooke Park, LS11 5SF Wednesday 6 October MHA Rambling Group Book: (0113) 271 6201 MHA Kurling 10-11am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston MHA Pot of Tea Dementia Cafe 1-3pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston Hunslet Tenants & Residents 6:30-8pm Church of the Nazarene, Grove Road Miscarriage Support Group 7-8:30pm Charlies-Angel-Centre, 6B Ashbrooke Park, LS11 5SF Thursday 7 October Cockburn School Open Evening 6-8pm Gipsy Lane, Beeston Hunslet Carr Residents Assoc 6:30-8pm Woodhouse Hill Community Centre Community Support Group 7-8:30pm Charlies-Angel-Centre, 6B Ashbrooke Park, LS11 5SF Friday 8 October David Lascelles (Earl of Harewood) Book Launch 6pm Jamyang Buddhist
Volunteers scything the meadow in Holbeck Cemetery
October 2021 | South Leeds Life
What’s On 21 Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck Seven by Seven 6:30-11pm The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn Saturday 9 October Your Space Craft & Cafe 10am-12pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck Catch 22 7:30pm The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn Book: slunglow.org Tuesday 12 October Hearing Aid Clinic 10am-1:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Hunslet TARA Coffee & PCSOs 10am Hunslet Community Hub and Library, Church Street Epic Leeds 3:30-6:30pm Little Angels Playzone, The Sugar Mill, Beeston Wednesday 13 October MHA Kurling 10-11am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston Saturday 16 October Jumble Sale 10am-2pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck Mindfulness Mini Retreat 10am-12pm Over Zoom. Book: jamyangleeds.co.uk/wellbeing Coffee morning 10am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Sirens, Men & Crabs 7:30pm The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn Book: slunglow.org Thursday 21 October Get Online drop in 1:30-3:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Friday 22 October My White Best Friend 7:30pm The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn Book: slunglow.org Saturday 23 October Middleton Railway 10:30am3:30pm Moor Road, Hunslet Eugene 7:30pm The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn Book: slunglow.org Tuesday 26 October Free Outdoor Play 1-3pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Epic Leeds 3:30-6:30pm Little Angels Playzone, The Sugar Mill, Beeston Wednesday 27 October Hunslet Cemetery Volunteers 10am-1pm Meet by the chapel Middleton Road, Hunslet Middleton Railway 10:30am3:30pm Moor Road, Hunslet Free Outdoor Play 1-3pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Arm in Arm Memory Cafe 1:30-3:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Friday 29 October MHA Dance-a-thon 9am-5pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston Saturday 30 October Craft & Homemade Food Market 9:30am-12:30pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Buddhist Retreat Weekend 9am-5pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck Halloween Party Hunslet Warriors, The Oval Planet LOL 7:30pm The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn Book: slunglow.org Sunday 31 October Buddhist Retreat Weekend 9am-5pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck What Are You Hungry For? 8pm The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn Book: slunglow.org
Free allotment sessions in Beeston Hill T
he environmental charity, Groundwork, is holding social allotment sessions in the hopes of helping out people who need help readjusting to a post-covid world, one step at a time. Do you pay council tax to Leeds City Council? Do you enjoy gardening? Have you ever wanted to learn how to grow your own fruit and veg? Well this might just be for you. Held at Lady Pit Lane Allotments on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10am until 3pm, the allotment project offers residents a range of activities for you to get involved in, from growing fruit and veg to other activities such as arts and crafts, skills workshops, old furniture repairs and many more. We also use our sessions to maintain the allotment. The project leader aims to make every session fun and engaging and is accompanied by helpers who are just as eager to get stuck in and help out. Towards the winter period,
Learn skills, meet new friends at Lady Pit Lane Allotments the weather will undoubtedly turn cold and miserable as it usually does, so we will be more likely to use our indoor facilities for activities. These will vary from arts and crafts, right through to furniture repair. We will vary the activities from week to week. The aim of the sessions is to help those who require it, from people with learning
difficulties, to those who want to readjust to post-covid society at their own pace. With tea being served all you must bring is lunch for yourself, all tools and equipment are supplied for you! If this project sounds like something you’d be interested in, contact the project leader at Louise.Ross@groundwork.org. uk or call 07730 765551.
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South Leeds Life | October 2021
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
22 What’s On IN BRIEF Seven by Seven: an evening of 7” vinyl Seven by Seven is a friendly open decks vinyl playing session. You can bring along and play seven of your 7” 45rpm vinyl singles – hence Seven by Seven – or just come and listen to others play. The 7” 45rpm format is the only limitation. We don’t dictate the type of music – you can play whatever you want to, and we relish that variety! We’ll add your name to the list when you arrive, and we play in that order – first come first served. No DJ skills needed, and our ethos is – no pressure, no competition, no egos. Seven by Seven is coming to The Holbeck club, Jenkinson Lawn, LS11 9QX on Friday 8 October, 6:30-11pm. Check the website for more information: 7by7.club
Dance-a-thon On Friday 29 October 2021 MHA Communities South Leeds will be hosting our sponsored Dance- A-Thon event to raise funds to enable us to keep supporting older people within our community. It all takes place between 9am and 5pm at St Andrew's Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston, LS11 8AG. Please come along and support us in our sponsored event either by dancing or cheering us on! We have slots for Exercise, Line dancing, Ballroom and Disco. Refreshments will be available all day. If you wish to sponsor or make a donation please contact (0113) 271 6201 or email southleeds@mha.org.uk
Santa Specials at Middleton Railway Bookings are open for the ever popular Santa Specials after the disappointment of last year’s cancellation. Middleton Railway’s Santa Special Trains start running on Saturday 4 December. Each child aged up to 12 years inclusive for whom a fare has been paid will be given a present by Santa whilst travelling on the train. Once the train has arrived back at Moor Road adults (including children 13 or over) will receive a hot drink and a mince pie. For children there will be juice and biscuits. As well as the weekend services there will be trains on Thursday 23 and Friday 24 December. Advance booking is strongly recommended, especially for services close to Christmas. Full details at www.middletonrailway.org.uk
Term starts at Slung Low’s Cultural Community College D
own at The Holbeck, Slung Low are all set to welcome you to the Autumn Term of their Cultual Community College. The College is College is a place to come and learn, free at the point of use, a wide array of classes and courses for adults aged 18+. Courses cover a wide range of interests: Flamenco Dancing Feel like you’ve been transported to Spain with Ariana Armenakas in a sixweek introduction to the vibrant, passionate art of Flamenco dance. You will be taught technique and a choreography to take away and practise. Cook Indian Food (online) Manjit, and her awardwinning team, will guide you step-by-step through a muchloved South Indian recipe, whilst introducing a variety of cooking techniques and delicious spices. Close Up Magic One of a kind Michael will introduce you to the wonder and trickery of close-up magic. Be prepared for lots of laughs and for your jaw to hit the floor more than once.
Kindness Festival The Leeds Festival Of Kindness, Compassion & Wellbeing runs from 10-16 October. Events are organised under three themes: Kinder to Ourselves, Kind to Each Other and Kinder to Our World. The online launch event features Dr. Thupten Jinpa, Chief English Translator to the Dalai Lama who will be talking about ‘Transforming Society Through Compassion’. Tuesday 12 October will see a Kindness Exchange event at Leeds Civic Hall. There will be speakers and stalls from a host of organisations including the NHS, Leeds Community Homes, Our Future Leeds, Together 4 Peace and many more. For full details of the festival go to: kinderleeds.org
Drop-in and get online Middleton Elderly Aid is holding a special drop-in event on Thursday 21 October, 1:30-3:30pm, as part of Get Online Week. They will have staff and volunteers to help you with any online issues from applying for Blue Badges to online banking and shopping. They can also help showing how to use your smartphone or tablet. And all advice comes with a smile and cuppa!
Everyone is welcome at the Pay What You Decide college Horror Make Up Have you ever wanted to go for a zombie look on Halloween, but not been brave enough to give it a go? Whether you’re already a lover of makeup or would like to try something new, come and build up your confidence with the scary side of makeup! Holbeck Stories You know Holbeck is special,
but did you know it was once the scene of the most profound technological/ economical changes the UK has ever seen? Author Jon Howe will guide you around the local landmarks to learn how pioneering industrialists turned Leeds from a town into a city. All in little old Holbeck. The Holbeck Choir Everyone is welcome! Come
down to the club: sing, meet new people, and share food. The brilliant Tessa will lead you through a selection of songs and teach you the individual harmonies to beautifully blend as a choir. Full details of every course is available at slunglow.org /cultural-community-collegeautumn-2021/, but hurry, courses book up very quickly!
Natural wonders to illuminate Leeds as Light Night returns T
Book now for the Santa Special at Middleton Railway
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he spectacular wonders of the natural world will come to life on the streets of Leeds when Light Night returns this month. The hugely popular cultural showpiece will see a breathtaking programme of illuminated artworks take over well-known landmarks and locations across Leeds city centre on 14 and 15 October. Under the banner Back to Nature, this year’s event will be themed around nature and the environment, with artists from around the world creating pieces reflecting everything from the spectacular diversity of the animal kingdom to the beauty of trees and plants and even the unstoppable power of the weather. Highlights this year will include the chance to catch digital lightning bolts, cast from the front of Leeds Civic Hall thanks to artist Seb Lee-Delisle and French artists Pitaya’s light sculpture at Leeds Dock will recreate a giant, endangered
marine mammal in a powerful message about biodiversity. The 2021 programme has been modified to allow for additional safety measures but will still feature more than 40 installations and artworks spread across ten different zones, many supported by local businesses. Councillor Jonathan Pryor,
Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, culture and education, said: “Light Night really is a one-ofa-kind event symbolising everything that makes culture in Leeds so completely unique and special. “It’s inspiring to know that this year’s installations will be carrying such a powerful
Catch digital lightning bolts at the Civic Hall on Light Night
message, encouraging all of us to consider our impact on the planet and what we can each do to make Leeds a cleaner and greener place.” Light Night Leeds takes place on Thursday 14 and Friday 15 October from 6.30pm until 10.30pm. For full details of the programme go to: bit.ly/lightnight21
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October 2021 | South Leeds Life
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Sporting Life 23
Medals galore for the fighting Crosby family
Silver medal for Blossom Crosby in the Gi category
T
here were gold and silver medals galore for the Crosby family as they competed at the BJJ Junior Elite European competition on 18-19 September. Father Tom ‘The Viking’ Crosby combines his sporting life as a mixed martial arts cage fighter with his profession as a childminder in New Forest Village. But this weekend was about his children: Blossom, Autumn and Ocean who share a love for
martial arts with their dad and compete at Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). Saturday 18th was the Gi categories. Blossom won her first two bouts in some awesome battles and then lost in the final to earn a silver medal. Autumn got a silver medal after a tough match, but got caught in an armbar. Ocean achieved a default gold medal after his opponent missed weight, it was not the
Gold for Autumn Crosby way he wanted to earn his medal, he really wanted to fight. Then on Sunday it was the No Gi categories. Blossom Crosby won a gold medal via an armbar in the final. Autumn and Ocean both achieved gold medals, but not the way they would like. They wanted to fight but the event wouldnt allow it as both their opponents didn’t make weight for their category.
New Kids on the Park New local football club Beeston Parkside FC got off to a flying start last month, with a series of impressive high-scoring league victories. They play their matches on Sundays in Cross Flatts Park, and train mid-week; new members are always welcome. Full info at: facebook.com/BeestonParkside.
Gold for Ocean Crosby
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South Leeds Life | October 2021
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
24 Sporting Life
Cricket World Cups visit Beeston
Hunslet’s rollercoaster season ends in disappointment by Ian Pickles and Jeremy Morton
H
unslet RLFC’s seesaw season finished with two great wins to finish the regular season, before they crashed out of the playoffs in the first round. The last home game of the season was against bottom of the table West Wales Raiders on 5 September. Whilst a win was expected, coach Alan Kilshaw was pleased with the performance and the fact that ten different players scored tries in the rout. From the off the home side were on top, a clever Jy-Mel Coleman kick sent in Dominic Brambani after only 2 minutes. The impressive Joe McClean cleared a path for Brambani to chip a ball for Kiedan Hartley to score and Hunslet were 12-0 up after only 5 minutes. A big score looked on as first Vila Halafihi nipped over before captain Duane Straugheir finished off a fine move including a sublime Will Cooke pass. Brambani had brought his kicking boots and Hunslet led 24-0 after only a quarter of an hour. West Wales did get a try back, but a brace from Matty Chrimes led to a half time score of 32-6. The second half saw tries from Chapman-Smith, Hartley (2), Whiteley, Young, Wray, McClean and Andrade before
Chrimes completed the scoring and his hattrick on the hooter. Final score 82-6. Hunslet ended the round robin section of their Betfred League 1 season with a resounding win at league runners up Workington Town on 12 September. Town have been a bit of a bogey team for Hunslet in recent seasons and had won again at South Leeds Stadium in May. The first half was evenly matched with the lead changing hands, but the Parksiders gave as good as they got and went in at the break just two points down at 14-12. Coach Alan Kilshaw must have given a rousing half time team talk as Hunslet came out of the sheds fired up and on 43 minutes, after Cooke was held short, his flicked pass sent Duane Straugheir over under the posts for an easy Brambani conversion. Both sides had chances but couldn’t score. Ten when Harvey Whiteley forced his way over the line but couldn’t wrestle the ball down, Dominic Brambani executed a precision kick to the corner for Reece Chapman-Smith to snatch the ball and score. Two penalties stretched the Hunslet lead to 14-26. Then with ten minutes to go, Jy-Mel Coleman showed a clean pair of heels to feed Lewis Young who skipped under the sticks to round a great day off. Final
Hilary Benn MP was joined by Mo Hussain, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at YCCC, Sohail Raz Diverse Communities Manager at Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, Amran Malik and Rao Khan from UN Streets as the men’s and women’s Cricket World Cup trophies were unveiled at Beeston Festival
T
he Yorkshire Cricket Foundation brought the men’s and women’s World Cup trophies to Beeston last month in a bid to inspire the next Joe Root or Heather Knight. The trophies travelled to the Hamara Healthy Living Centre and Hugh Gaitskell Primary School and were the centre of cricket themed activities at both venues. They also came to Beeston Festival where their arrival was signalled by dhol drummers from the Punjabi Roots Academy, they were then unveiled by Hilary Benn MP. Youngsters of all ages took part in a throwing skills game using the YCCC Throwshow inflatable. Free Bats were given to those
that managed to make three successful throws in a row. The visits build on the work already going on in the Beeston community where the Foundation is supporting street cricket initiatives such as the Dynamo Cricket. These sessions for 8-11 year old girls and boys have been taking place in Cross Flatts Park and an indoor venue is currently being sought so that they can continue through the winter. Sohail Raz, Diverse Communities Manager for the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, said: “It is brilliant that the trophy tour is coming to Yorkshire and into the communities we work closely with. “This once in a lifetime
opportunity will hopefully plant a seed of hope to inspire and empower the communities to grow.” Will Saville, Managing Director for the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, said: “It’s fantastic the trophies are on display in the heart of the communities and where our vital projects are running. “Hopefully the tour can inspire more youngsters to get involved and enjoy cricket.” Youngsters interested in playing cricket can contact: Sohail.raz@yorkshirecricket foundation.com. Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club also run training for children and young people at their Gipsy Lane ground in Beeston. You can find them on Facebook.
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Kiedan Hartley’s hattrick try against West Wales. Photo: Paul Butterfield
score 14-32 and the hoodoo was lifted. Hunslet had momentum going into the playoff eliminator match at Doncaster on 19 September. Despite the turmoil earlier in the season, they had lost only once under new Coach Alan Kilshaw and had beaten Doncaster at the Keepmoat Stadium in August, having drawn against them earlier in the season at home. But it was not to be this time, with Doncaster in control for large parts of the game. Hunslet started well and in only the 4th minute Dominic Brambani kicked a brilliant 40/20 and from the next set sent an inch perfect kick to the corner for Wayne Rettie to score. But Doncaster came back with good pressure forcing mistakes to score three tries and go in 18-6 up at half time. A long arm wrestle was eventually broken by Doncaster with a Beharrell drop goal, leaving the Parksiders needing three scores to save the game with only ten minutes to play. With Hunslet taking increasing risks, Doncaster scored two more tries before Chrimes got one back. But on the hooter Doncaster were in front 31-10 and fully deserved the win. Hunslet must now look to next season, but with a big drop in central funding, it’s likely several players will leave for pastures new in the close season.