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Issue 87 | June 2022
Covering Beeston, Belle Isle, Cottingley, Holbeck, Hunslet, Middleton, Riverside & Stourton
CHANGING OF THE GUARD Labour lose South Leeds seats in May’s Council elections
by Jeremy Morton
T
he Labour Party has lost two of the three seats in South Leeds as Ed Carlisle won the Hunslet & Riverside seat for the Green Party and Wayne Dixon won in Middleton Park for the SDP. Both candidates have campaigned for a number of years and came close to winning last year. But their margins of success were significant, Ed Carlisle won by almost 500 votes, whilst Wayne Dixon won by over 700 votes. Commenting on his win, Ed Carlisle said: “It’s taken a long time to get here, we’ve run in many elections, but it’s great to eventually break through. Huge thanks to the large number of people who got involved and supported us, thank you to everyone who voted, whoever they voted for. I think it’s just really important that we keep on fighting to make democracy work for our communities. “I think it’s great that the political landscape is changing and people are looking for positive alternatives. I think we have, over the last few years, offered a credible political alternative and people have
now rewarded us. We plan to keep offering an alterternative, keep getting our hands dirty, collaborating with the local community to make things happen in South Leeds.” Ed Carlisle unseated long serving Councillor Elizabeth Nash who has, at various times, represented Kirkstall, Holbeck and Hunslet on Leeds City Council for nearly 50 years. Wayne Dixon beat first time Labour candidate Pete Chambers in Middleton Park ward, following Kim Groves’ retirement. Asked if his win was the biggest political shock in Leeds for years, Wayne Dixon said: “I don’t know that is that much of a shock to local people. “I think people are starting to think outside of the traditional parties and starting to look at different politics and reassessing why they vote the way they do. “Everyone in Middleton feels like they’re forgotten, and (they see) the investment that the city centre has.” “It was mostly local issues that came up on the doorstep. I’ve always focussed on local issues, because that’s what I know about and that’s why I started in politics in the first
In this issue:
Jubilee Yarn Bombers strike
page 3
Dorothy’s crafty fundraising
page 6
Chris is a fundraising hero
page 7
Dragos to exhibit at Royal Academy
page 12
Clara wins at Sports Awards
page 23
Breaking through: Ed Carlisle (left) won in Hunslet & Riverside and Wayne Dixon (right) in Middleton Park place, because I feel the area has been let down.” “It hasn’t really sunk in, but I’m very happy with the result and the fact that it wasn’t close, I won by several hundred votes.” Annie Maloney, who held the Beeston & Holbeck seat for Labour, told South Leeds Life: “I want to thank the
residents of Beeston, Holbeck and Cottingley for putting their faith in me to be their Labour Councillor. I look forward to working with my fellow Councillors Andrew Scopes and Gohar Almass. “I also want to thank Angela Gabriel for her 25 years of service as a Councillor. I know
I have big shoes to fill, but I hope to do her and the community proud.” Overall there has been little change to the political make up of the Council. Labour increased their majority of the 99 seats on the Council from 52 to 58 seats, despite the two losses in our area. More coverage on page 3
NEWS
2-11
SCHOOL LIFE
12-13
COMMENT
14-15
LIVES
16-17 18
ART LIFE WHAT’S ON
19-22
SPORTING LIFE
23-24
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South Leeds Life | June 2022
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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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Councillors debate two big developments in Holbeck C
ouncillors on the City Plans Panel considered two preapplication presentations for major sites in Holbeck on 19 May. The first was a revised version of plans for the former Kays site bounded by Marshall Street, Sweet Street and the railway depot, which we reported on in March. Developers Westrock have held a number of consultation events with the community in Holbeck and told the Panel that the feedback had been largely positive. Residents were keen to see the site, known as Sweet Street West developed as they feel unsafe and isolated walking in the area at night. Westrock have adjusted the
height of some of the blocks to avoid overshadowing the old Holbeck Library (not part of the scheme) and the Commercial pub, which will be refurbished and reopened as part of the development. They have also improved the greenspace which runs through the site. Cllr Neil Walshaw commented: “This is really good. It’s moved on a lot, it feels much more like a cohesive neighbourhood now. “I very much appreciate the amount of greenery. It connects it well to the surrounding area, which is not the greenest location at the moment as the residents pointed out in the consultation.”
A second scheme focussed on a site between Water Lane and the Bridgewater Place tower (nicknamed ‘The Dalek’). The site includes a low level office block that was formally a Halifax processing centre, which would be demolished. Developers Southside Leeds plans include a 19 storey hotel and four office blocks ranging in height
The Sweet Street West developement will include the refurbishment of the Commercial pub
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from 9-12 storeys. The proposals were broadly welcomed by Councillors, although concerns were raised about wind effects, given the impact Bridgewater Place has had and the mitigation measures it had to put in place. Cllr Al Garthwaite welcomed the design and hoped the new walking routes through the site would benefit the historic Grove pub. Planning Officers backed the proposals saying they represented a significant opportunity to regenerate a brownfield site. A full planning application is expected to be submitted in due course.
A hotel and four office blocks are be built next to Bridgewater Place
City responds after David Oluwale plaque taken from Leeds Bridge T
he city of Leeds came together to show solidarity after the blue plaque commemorating the life and legacy of David Oluwale was taken from Leeds Bridge within hours of it being unveiled. The plaque was unveiled during a special ceremony, organised by Leeds Civic Trust and supported by the David Oluwale Memorial Association, on Leeds Bridge in the city centre at 5pm on Monday 25 April. The event concluded at 7pm and it is believed the plaque was likely to have been removed sometime between 9.30pm and 10pm. Leeds District Commander, Chief Superintendent Damien Miller said: “It is truly appallingly that someone would remove the plaque commemorating the life of David Oluwale, and we recognise the significant impact that this act will have had on all those involved in keeping David’s memory alive and on the wider community. “The timing clearly suggests that this has been a deliberately targeted act and we are classing this as a hate crime. “We are treating this incident very
seriously and have detectives from Leeds District CID carrying out extensive enquiries to identify who is responsible and to locate and recover the plaque.” A man has since been arrested. A joint statement was issued by Leeds Civic Trust, Leeds City Council and the David Oluwale Memorial Association: “After such a successful plaque unveiling attended by upwards of 200 people, news that the blue plaque has been stolen from its location on Leeds Bridge is shocking. This follows the earlier daubing of racist graffiti in the city centre including on the Leeds Civic Trust premises. These are cowardly acts from people who are unwilling to debate their views in public. The successful unveiling of the plaque shows how far we have come as a city to combat racism. Its theft shows how much more we need to do.” Leader of Leeds City Council Councillor James Lewis said: “I was proud and honoured to attend the unveiling of the plaque last night. What has happened will not reduce our determination to
ensure Leeds is a welcoming city for everyone with racial equality for all.” Since the removal of the plaque, its image has appeared right across the city. Leeds City Council added it to its electronic screens and was
joined by advertising giant JCDecaux. It has also appeared on stickers producted by Awesome Merch and a Just Giving page raised over £3,500 to pay for a replacement plaque.
The plaque was taken from Leeds Bridge, but is now appearing all over the city
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News 3
Meet your new Councillors Annie Maloney: Beeston & Holbeck
Cllr Annie Maloney at the election count
I
stood for election because growing up I saw the constant injustice so many face. My Mum struggled as a single parent working full time and as I’ve got older, I’ve struggled to get by, felt the cost of living increasing, dealt with
bad bosses and struggled to get on the housing ladder. I thought we all deserve better and want to make a change so got involved in politics in the hope to enact change. I want to ensure every single resident behind every single door feels heard and
represented by their local councillors. Working with community groups, local businesses, service providers and residents to help implement the change that they want to see, empowering our community and in doing so effecting change and improving the quality of life for all residents. My priority will always be representing the needs of the community. However, when it comes to specific policy, it is housing. I’m a proud member of Acorn and look forward to working with them across the city as well as ensuring housing needs are met in our area. I live with my partner Àlex, who moved to Leeds from Barcelona 7 years ago. He’s now a fully fledged Yorkshire lad and we’re both huge Leeds United fans.
Ed Carlisle: Hunslet & Riverside
Cllr Ed Carlisle (centre) with supporters at the election count
I
’ve been active in the south Leeds communities for a long time (20 years), I love this area – and a few years ago I just became pretty disillusioned with the poor state of local politics in our ward especially (previously called City and Hunslet, now called Hunslet and Riverside). I felt (and still feel) that we need active local people to represent us within the City Council, people who are really in and for our communities. It’s been a wonderful and amazing journey these past years (I’ve been standing in the elections locally since 2015), and I’m so grateful to the wonderful range of people who’ve supported us – we got there in the end! Above all else, I’m committed
to listening to local people, and working with them, to create change for our area. Our communities have been pushed down for too long, but there are so many great local people – with wisdom, skills, ideas, and resources to share. I’ve always been committed to cooperating with others to effect change, but this new role creates an opportunity to go up a gear, and really help develop community cooperation and power. Also, I know and respect (and in some cases, even like!) a load of councillors from other political parties, and am keen to work across our differences with my ward colleagues, for the good of our community and our city: watch this space.
There’s certainly a lot to do! I think the private hire taxi drivers have been treated very poorly by the Council over the past months and years, and am keen to ensure they get a fair resolution to the current conflicts around their licensing. I’m keen to work with the environmental and waste departments (and also a wide range of community partners) on more innovative approaches to waste, and to ensure every resident in south Leeds has a fortnightly green bin collection ASAP. I’d love to see Leeds pioneering new methods for tackling drug abuse: the current system isn’t working, but countries like Portugal are demonstrating that there’s another better way. I think we need to push for a more localised economy, with priority given to locally-run businesses (for more, check out what CLES are doing in Preston). And I’m keen to see the Council across all its departments get better at genuine community dialogue, learning, and collaboration – no longer doing things to communities, but with them. I live in Beeston Hill, with my wife Tania, and two kids (aged 7 and 3). I’m really grateful that they love and support this journey into local community politics that I’m on – most of the time!
We approached Wayne Dixon too and hope to have his thoughts in next month’s edition
Jubilee ‘yarn bombers’ strike in Beeston A Beeston Crochet and Knitting group have joined the national movement to create toppers for post boxes and bollards. Also known as ‘yarn bombing’ the movement is bringing fun and colour to street furniture across the country. The group meet every Monday morning at Beeston Community Hub & Library and were approached by Beeston In Bloom to make post box toppers to impress the Yorkshire In Bloom judges. Having made a start they realised that the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee was coming up and decided to make a special one for the occasion. The topper, which features the Queen surrounded by a Beefeater, a corgi and two Guardsmen has been placed on the box outside Old Lane Post Office.
Election results in full Candidate Peter Richard ANDREWS Natalia ARMITAGE Annie MALONEY Nigel PERRY Mariana POLUCCIU Emily Louise REANEY Electorate: 18,282
Beeston & Holbeck ward Party Liberal Democrats The Conservative Party Candidate Labour Party Social Democratic Party Green Party Northern Independence Party Turnout: 24.0%
Candidate Samson Roberts ADEYEMI Ed CARLISLE Nick COTTLE Thomas Peter FOSTER Elizabeth Anne NASH Benedict TURNER-CHASTNEY Electorate: 17,597
Hunslet & Riverside ward Party The Conservative Party Candidate Green Party Freedom Alliance Social Democratic Party Labour Party Liberal Democrats Turnout: 27.2%
Candidate Taiwo Funmilayo ADEYEMI Jude Patrick ARBUCKLE Kay-Lee Anne ASQUITH Peter CHAMBERS Wayne Alan DIXON Electorate: 20,248
Middleton Park ward Party The Conservative Party Candidate Liberal Democrats Green Party Labour Party Social Democratic Party Turnout: 26.3%
Votes 179 740 2,070 250 971 147
Votes 253 2,441 42 33 1,947 53
Votes 408 82 207 1,910 2,687
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4 News
DePuy Synthes sustainability award and Ministerial visit
On the beat with Insp Tom Perry
F
or this month’s column, I want to talk to you initially about our recent response to the force’s knifecrime awareness week, Operation Sceptre. Knife crime has a significant impact to victims, their families and the wider community, not just in terms of individual incidents, but also in terms of feelings of safety within communities. Staff from your local neighbourhood policing team undertook a raft of actions as part of this operational response, which I will summarise for you. In conjunction with Leeds ASB team, we have secured a partial closure on a residential address linked with links to an urban street gang. This will be pursued for a full closure order over the coming weeks. Following a search of a residential address, fourteen knives were surrendered for destruction. In addition to this,
recent warrants have recovered a number of knives and other offensive weapons which could only be used in criminality. Various school inputs have taken place at both Primary and Secondary schools, with a focus on prevention and education. To supplement this, the team have conducted retailer visits at local vendors. Green spaces and parks have also been searched by the team to ensure they are free of hidden weapons. My hope is that this multifaceted approach is effective in disrupting the use of weapons, and preventing people choosing to carry them. If you wish to hand in/surrender any weapons, you can do so at Elland Road Police Station. As we move into the summer, we get to peak periods for demands on Policing. To ensure the continuation of the expected levels of service,
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West Yorkshire Police are advertising the various means by which you can contact the police. There are many different ways that members of the public can contact us online, and all of these are quicker, easier and cheaper than dialling 101. These include 101 live webchat, online local crime tracker and reporting forms for a wide variety of crime or incident types. The full list of contact methods to WYP can be found here: www.westyorkshire .police.uk/report-it My final word is on the Queens Platinum Jubilee, where Leeds will see a variety of celebrations on a variety of scales. Your local neighbourhood policing team will be on hand to support and participate in many of these events. Whatever your plans for the Jubilee celebrations, I hope that you enjoy a safe and enjoyable period.
My Green Lab: The lab at Beeston was awarded Platinum status for sustainability
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laboratory at the DePuy Synthes research & development (R&D) campus in Beeston is the first Johnson & Johnson (J&J) site globally to gain a sustainability certification for outstanding work in reducing the environmental impact of laboratory space following the successful completion of the My Green Lab Certification Programme. The site was named a Platinum Level Certified Lab in February 2022 after scoring 79% on the assessment from My Green Lab. The scheme is recognized by the United Nations Race to Zero campaign as a key measure of progress towards a zero-carbon future, and a My Green Lab Certification is considered the gold standard for laboratory sustainability best practices around the world. Gemma Kurring, Senior Director Knee Development at DePuy Synthes UKI, commented: “We are delighted that our Leeds site is the first J&J laboratory globally to achieve a sustainability certification by My Green Lab. This is just one small step in our continuous efforts to reduce waste and CO2 emissions – thanks to all the team involved.” This Platinum certification is a key step for DePuy Synthes towards achieving their local sustainability commitments and contributing towards J&J’s overall climate goals. The programme conducted a survey of all personnel working in the Leeds Lab and assessed areas such as waste reduction and recycling, resource management, water usage, fume hoods, and cold storage. The report provided the team with opportunities and actionable ways to make meaningful change and
improvements before the printed materials, personalised second and final assessment. joints and robots to assist knee The St Anthony’s Road site is operations, to hip precision a world-leading centre of surgery devices. excellence for orthopaedic “This is an excellent example R&D, with state-of-the-art test of the outstanding MedTech laboratories, including a replica R&D being done at the heart of operating theatre where R&D the Leeds’ MedTech Cluster, teams can watch surgeons and the role of innovation in working in real scenarios, driving the creation of high providing them with the quality jobs and economic insights to develop new prosperity in the Leeds city products and services. The region as part of our Levelling Leeds test laboratory supports Up mission.” new product development and Hugo Breda, Managing marketing claims, utilising an Director for Johnson & Johnson extensive array of equipment MedTech UK & Ireland, said: including joint simulators, “We were delighted to host single and multi-axis George Freeman MP at our mechanical testers, motion- DePuy Synthes Leeds Campus tracking equipment, ECG, and today showcasing our latest metrology equipment. MedTech innovations and the n 18 May DePuy Synthes talented R&D & Manufacturing was delighted to welcome teams who make it happen. We the Minister for Science, were proud to help showcase Research & Innovation to its Leeds at the forefront of life world-leading R&D and sciences tech innovation. We Manufacturing campus in have been innovating at this Beeston. site since the early 1900s and George Freeman MP visited have a talented team in Leeds as part of his UK Tech Clusters dedicated to evolving our Tour which aims to drive offering from implants and investment, jobs & instruments to digital and opportunities across the UK robotic platforms to help linked to the Government’s healthcare systems and their Levelling Up agenda and to patients achieve the best drive investment across the life outcomes.” sciences industry. He said: “It was a pleasure to visit Johnson & Johnson’s state-ofthe-art MedTech Research & Development campus today, to see the brilliant work being done by the company’s Orthopaedics team. “The J&J Leeds Campus is their global orthopaedic R&D hub and is at the forefront of MedTech innovations, from joint imaging, 3D George Freeman MP (right) on site in Beeston
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News 5
Holbeck in the running for ‘game-changing’ funding A
multi-million pound proposal for regeneration of the centre of Holbeck is currently being developed by Leeds City Council and Holbeck Together for submission to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund. The bid will include significant investment into improving buildings and outdoor spaces in and around St Matthews Community Centre and Domestic Street. The ‘Heart of Holbeck’ proposals could include funding to enable: • Physical repair and improvement works to St Matthews Community Centre • Renovation of the interior of Holbeck Together’s current office space – The Old Box Office - to extend the space available for the community to use and repurpose its existing use. The rest of the bid will be asking for investment from the Levelling Up Fund to support: • Major environmental improvements to Holbeck Moor such as new play equipment
A bright future? St Matthew’s Communitry Centre could be refurbished and skate park, better pedestrian links and routes, a community event space, and major new planting. • Improvements on many of the local streets to add more street greenery and pocket parks and create a better pedestrian environment. • Revitalisation of the local
centre along Domestic Street to create more space for pedestrians. • Potentially extending previous successful group repair projects to back to back housing streets to improve their energy efficiency. These projects have been specifically identified through
Our Future Beeston by Beth Bingley
O
ver the past couple of months, Hub Worker James has been hosting energy saving drop-in sessions to help residents manage their rising bills at St Luke’s Cares, Asha Neighbourhood Project, Rethink Food and libraries in Beeston and on Dewsbury Road. We are continuing these over the summer so come along to discuss discount schemes, energy saving tips and climate action. Check out the Our Future Beeston Facebook page for more info: www.facebook .com/ourfuturebeeston We are also hosting a regular Climate Hub at Dewsbury Road Community Hub, Wednesday evenings from 5:30-7pm. This is a chance to discuss your climate concerns, learn how to get involved and see how we can support your projects. We have activities for all ages each week, so why not come along. Our May Day ‘Get Involved with Growing’ session at Beeston Village Community Centre was attended by 20 families, the children made plate gardens, potted seeds and herb cuttings, and designed their own mini
June 2022 | South Leeds Life
ongoing consultation with the community through initiatives such as the Holbeck Neighbourhood Plan where people highlighted key areas for improvement. The Pandemic has also highlighted the importance of having a central community facility. St Matthews enabled
Clearing bin yards to create gardens - can you help? yards goes further than simply storing bins. This project creates fantastic communal spaces which can be used for planting, composting, and socialising, as well as making recycling more enjoyable. If you have a bin yard you would like transforming, please get in touch and we will work with you and your neighbours to make it possible. To get involved or share your views, please contact James at ourfuturebeeston@gmail.com
well-being. “We’ve been a part of the community for 30 years. We are proud to be a community anchor – responding to and supporting the changing needs and situations that our community experience. We feel fortunate to have been approached to work in partnership with the Council to contribute to and build the ideas for the area and we want to make sure the communities’ opinions are captured and included. “This bid could make a significant visible difference to the Holbeck area – restoring spaces and creating wider opportunities. “We are hopeful that these ideas will lead to an official bid submission in July with further news about whether it has been successful later in the year.” You can have your say about the proposals via an online Consultation which provides more detail about the proposed plans - leedscentrallevellingup fund.commonplace.is Holbeck Together will also be running face-to-face opportunities for people to come and review the plans and contribute their thoughts between 7-10 June at St Mathews Community Centre (more details to be publicised shortly).
Could you replace Ed on our Board? S
gardens. Work has started on first bin yard garden project, with volunteers clearing rubbish, repairing walls, and removing the broken concrete and rubble. Cllr Andrew Scopes has kindly organised a community skip to take away the rubble and fly tipping on 18 June, so if you could volunteer a few hours to help on that date please get in touch via the email below. Rejuvenating run-down bin
the community to have a hub from where to support each other with food parcels, vaccinations, work and employment advice. Investing in the development of specific buildings will mean that Holbeck Together and other community groups can utilise more space and increase their services to the community. The plans are being backed by Hilary Benn MP and local Councillors. They are currently working collaboratively with Holbeck Together to build wider support from local people, local businesses and other partners. Elissa Newman, Chief Officer, Holbeck Together has called the ideas for regeneration being explored in this bid as a potential ‘game-changer’ for people living and working in the local area. “Holbeck has a rich history shaped by the people who have lived and worked in the area. It’s a history brimming with pride, entrepreneurship and success. “The Levelling Up agenda set out by the Government is about creating equality of opportunity across communities in the UK. It’s about giving everyone the chance to flourish. It means people everywhere living longer and more fulfilling lives, and benefitting from sustained rises in living standards and
outh Leeds Life is looking for people to join the Board of the not-for-profit company which oversees this newspaper and the website. South Leeds Life is politically impartial and we do not allow serving Councillors to be members of the Board. So as a consequence of winning the election in Hunslet & Riverside ward, Ed Carlisle has resigned from the Board. Ed has served on the Board for many years and was Chair for some of the time. We will certainly miss his energy. Thanking him for his service, South Leeds Life Chair Christine Smart said: “Thank you, Ed, for all the work you’ve put into South Leeds Life and helping it become what it is today. We will miss your input, but hopefully you will still find time to submit the occasional article.” The Board meets monthly, currently online, to review the editorial output, both in print and online. They oversee the finances to ensure that South Leeds Life can keep publishing and support volunteers.
The current members are: • Christine Smart (Chair) • Bruce Davies (Secretary) • Rocio Torres (Treasurer) • Kushmina Begum • Linda Meikle • Stewart Walton We are particularly looking for people with a background in journalism or business, but the most important quality is a
passion for South Leeds and telling its stories. If you would like to join the Board please send a 200 word application setting out what skills, knowledge and experience you would bring and details of what you would change to improve South Leeds Life. Email your application to info@southleedslife.com.
Ed Carlisle has resigned from the Board of South Leeds Life
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Crafting event raises £500 for Ukraine by Helen Carr
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n arts and crafts fundraising afternoon was held on Sunday 3 April 2022 at St Luke’s Church on Malvern Road in Beeston. The event was the brainchild of 8 year old Dorothy Brewer, who is in Year 4 at St Luke’s Primary School. After hearing about the situation facing refugees fleeing Ukraine, Dorothy came up with the idea herself and even created the poster for it. She then got her mum to help with deciding on themes and crafts that were cheap and cheerful to do. This was a great event, bringing people of all ages together to sit, chat and craft. There was quite a buzz about the place as everyone got stuck in. Even the men had a go at the crafts including knitting and finger painting cards. Donations for each activity started at 50p including the cakes, popcorn and refreshments. We asked people who helped why and what they thought about the event. Christine, who helped serving cake, said: “Hi, that’s an easy one to answer: When someone as young as Dorothy, sees the plight of others in the world, she gets up and does something to help, so it’s our pleasure (and it was) to support her in her worthwhile quest to
Dorothy hands over the funds to Olga do what she can. What an awesome job she did raising money for those in a terrible situation, but too giving us a real sense of togetherness and support. Well done that girl.” Cathy, who baked the cakes said: “Something positive I could offer for a vital cause, to support a young person’s initiative.” Laura commented: “For me I hadn’t done anything as of yet to help or raise money for Ukraine and was inspired by Dorothy wanting to do something and felt that it was something I could do and as
well as wanting to support Dorothy in her efforts.” Dorothy’s mum, Rowena told us: “She is amazing, she is always on the go and incredibly creative. This was an idea that she came up with and all I had to do was find a venue, time and volunteers. Fortunately we are surrounded by a fantastic community. It was also good to see the process from beginning to end.” Dorothy seemed to be in her element showing and helping everyone on the different activities. We asked her what she thought about it and would she maybe do it again. She told us she wanted to do something to help and hoped to do it again in the future. The total raised on the day was £519. Dorothy and her Mum Rowena presented this to Olga who works at the Ukrainian Centre in Leeds who was amazed and thankful for the effort and incredible donation. The Leeds Ukrainian Centre is currently looking to kit out ambulances with equipment and send them over to the Ukraine to help people on the ground. They are continually looking for donations as people are arriving with no personal belongings. They are struggling for donations for teenagers and tourniquets. If you can help with anything please get in touch with the centre. You can find more information and the projects they run on their Facebook page – the Ukrainian centre Leeds – Facebook page: www.facebook.com/LeedsUkrainian-Community-Centre
Benched Beeston In Bloom have dedicated one their benches in Cross Flatts Park to former Councillor Angela Gabriel . The plaque reads: “Thank you Councillor Angela Gabriel for 25 years of service. Now happily retired.”
Harrison Spinks donates mattresses for Ukraine F
ifth-generation family bedmaker, Harrison Spinks, has continued its charitable giving with a recent donation of 136 mattresses to The International Charity Fund “For Ukraine”, to support the country’s needs within hospitals and refugee accommodation. The Beeston-based company’s latest donation was initiated by Ukrainian native Olena Todd, Buyer at Harrison Spinks. Originating from Lutsk in the Volyn region of Ukraine, Olena moved to the UK in 2002 and has friends and family currently fighting and residing in the war-torn country. Over 130 mattresses – made up of a mixture of single, double and king sizes – have been donated to The International Charity Fund “For Ukraine”, which transports goods from the UK to Ukraine. The mattresses will be distributed across hospitals in Kyiv and within refugee accommodation for those fleeing the conflict. Olena commented on Harrison Spinks’ donation: “As the conflict broke out in Ukraine, my managers approached me to see how they could help, and we
discussed ways in which we could donate. When I heard about the number of mattresses Harrison Spinks would be donating, I felt completely overwhelmed and extremely proud. “I have friends and family who are currently fighting in the Ukrainian army and volunteering to help civilians, so I know that this donation will mean a huge amount to them.” The donation follows a recent number of charitable contributions made by the Leeds-based bedmaker, including mattress donations to Yorkshire-based charities Zarach and St George’s Crypt, and Liverpool-based not-forprofit FRC Group.
Nick Booth, Managing Director at Harrison Spinks, said: “As a socially responsible business we have been fortunate enough to be able to make a number of recent charitable donations both in the UK and abroad. “I’m incredibly proud of our team for supporting Olena throughout this difficult time and for arranging a donation of mattresses to her home country. We’re also grateful to Olena for bringing The International Charity Fund “For Ukraine” to our attention”. For more information about The International Fund “For Ukraine”, visit www.facebook .com/groups/forukraine2022
Mattresses being loaded onto a lorry for dispatch to Ukraine
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News 7
A local fundraising hero Could you Foster4Leeds? by Seren Oakley
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ocal Lady Pit Lane allotment volunteer, and Hillside resident Chris, is raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support. Macmillan is a charity offering support to families and those struggling with cancer. His raffle is also raising money for Cancer Research. Started after the inspiring care Chris experienced when his mum was ill, he has been raising money as a thank you to the nurses that helped look after her. He is on a mission to raise as much as he can. Every week at the allotment Chris has continued collecting raffle donations, and sharing his progress and continually increasing total with his friends. The allotment Chris volunteers at is a project specifically coordinated for those with mental health or learning difficulties, as well as physical disabilities. If you would like to contribute to Chris’ fundraiser we will be down at the Lady Pit Lane allotment in Beeston every Tuesday between 10:30an and
2pm. Alternatively at Hillside, of June in line with the day of Beeston Road between 9am the Queen’s Jubilee. On and 4pm. To enter the raffle, all Thursday 9 June there will be you need is to donate a pound. an online raffle draw, and party. Raffle prizes have been This will be delivered on zoom donated by the local and is free for anyone to attend. community to contribute to the Contact Julie at Hill Side for raffle. 1st prize consists of a more details: www.facebook professional massage session. .com/HillsideLeeds 2nd prize gets you a bottle of wine, 3rd prize is a box of chocolates, and 4th prize is a selection of bath products. All of the prizes have been generously given by supporters of Chris’ project, with more prizes added until the raffle draw. So far Chris has raised an amazing £201. This raffle will be culminating in the first week Chris working at Lady Pit Lane Allotments
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eeds City Council is aiming to recruit 80 more foster carers in the next 12 months to provide high quality care and support for the children and young people that they look after. Foster4Leeds is working hard to meet the increasing demand for foster carers, including an urgent need for carers who can look after children over 11 years old, sibling groups and those with additional needs. The council’s aim is always to place looked after children with a Foster4Leeds foster family. When there isn’t a Foster4Leeds foster carer available to look after a child, the council must look to place them with an Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) which can lead to the child being placed outside of Leeds, potentially impacting on maintaining links with family and friends, and a change of school. Councillor Fiona Venner, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult and children’s social care and health partnerships, said: “Foster4Leeds is a 100% not-
for-profit organisation that is committed to providing the best outcomes for looked after children in Leeds, including ensuring they are kept close to their birth families, friends, and school. Fostering comes in many forms and there is a type of fostering suitable for everyone, ranging from temporary care every once in a while, to longer-term placements. “We welcome applications from any ethnic background, religion, and sexuality. It doesn’t matter if you are married, single or divorced, a homeowner or living in a rental property, in work or retired. All that matters is that you can give your time to help a child.” Foster4Leeds provides a wealth of financial and
emotional support, as well as the opportunity to access training to help develop skills in supporting children and young people through difficult times. Financial support for Foster4Leeds foster carers is made up of two parts; a weekly allowance based on the age of the child and a weekly fee based on your skill level. Age allowances range from £142 to £246 and skill fees go up to £224. To support them emotionally, Foster4Leeds foster carers receive their own fostering social worker, membership to the Leeds Foster Care Association, access to The Fostering Network (with its award-winning Mockingbird programme) up to 14 days paid holiday and more.
BEESTON FESTIVAL goes to the movies
Full details at: beestonfestival.org.uk | @BeestonFestival on social media
SATU 25th RDAY June 2022
CR FLA OSS TTS PA R
pm
125
Supported by:
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PLUS at 6:30-9pm watch a selection of independant short films at our film festival
Eve nin FILM g fes tiva l
live music • dance • food • bazaar • farmyard animals • fun fair • birds of prey inflatables • climbing wall • sports • donkey rides • fancy dress competition
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Insulation for back-to-back Council homes H
undreds of residents living in ‘back-to-back’ council properties in Beeston, Holbeck and Hunslet will benefit from a project which will make their homes warmer and better insulated. The TIBB project (Transformation Insulation to Back-to-Back), forms part of Leeds City Council’s commitment to invest £100million in decarbonising council housing. Once the project is complete in March 2023, 750 properties across five wards, including: Beeston & Holbeck, Hunslet & Riverside, Armley, Burmantofts & Richmond Hill and Gipton & Harehills will be fitted with external wall insultation, new roofs and other efficiency measures as required. All of which will help to reduce damp issues, improve the visual appeal of properties and make homes warmer and more affordable to run. The project will work towards the council’s ambition of becoming a net-zero city by 2030 and supports inclusive growth. It is funded by £5.2million from the European Regional Development Fund
(ERDF) and £6.61million from the Council’s Housing Revenue Account, and several properties in the Armley area have already had their homes transformed in a successful pilot. Previous similar investment has made the average council home warmer and more efficient than the average privately owned home in Leeds. Katy, a resident who has already benefitted from the pilot, said: “I am happy with the look of the finished properties in the area. When they were working on installing, I was very doubtful of their look. Once the scaffold was removed and I saw it finished I was very impressed.” “I think that it’s definitely money well spent from the council in tackling fuel poverty. My house has a property to the back and one to the side, but it doesn’t retain any heat so I am constantly re-heating. The scheme will certainly tackle this. This scheme has managed to give a fresh feel to the area and makes the street better to look at. “I’m very grateful that the council are improving my house and saving me money as well.”
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Beeston families conquer Snowdon Families from Beeston who are part of the SPACE youth project and Kidz Klub were treated to a day out in North Wales. Whilst one group went rock climbing at Tremadoc and another enjoyed the beach at Abersoch; this group tackled the highest peak in England and Wales. At 1,085m (3,560 ft) the mountain known as Snowdon , or Yr Wyddfa in Welsh, is a tough climb whichever route you take to the top. Congratulations to everyone, you can now call yourselves Mountaineers.
Council launches Platinum Jubilee memories project C
herished stories, memories and photos of royal events in Leeds are being brought together as the city prepares to mark Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. People in Leeds are being asked to come forward with their contributions to the new historical record, which will be hosted by Leeds Libraries’ online Leodis Photo Archive leodis.net The Leeds Platinum Jubilee Memories Project aims to create a new archive of royal occasions through the decades, including everything from the Queen’s Coronation in 1952 to this year’s street parties for the Platinum
Jubilee. Anyone with a memory to share of a Royal event in Leeds can log on to the Leodis website and choose one of the pre-selected images to accompany their memory or submit their photographs for inclusion in the project. There will also be collection points for written memories and photos at libraries throughout Leeds and help with digital systems for those wishing to learn a new skill. The Leeds Platinum Jubilee Memories Project will be one of several high-profile celebratory projects hosted by the Leeds Library Service, including participation in The Big Jubilee
Booklist; Twixt t’Covers: The Big Jubilee Read Panel Event; three film screenings as a part of the Regional Film Club; Big Jubilee Read Jigsaws which include tea parties. Leeds Library Service will also host 70 Years On… Noticeboard Activity, a reader development activity, inviting people to suggest a book that readers will be enjoying in 2092! In addition, the specially extended bank holiday weekend will see street parties in the city, beacon lightings, church services and more. Speaking of the Leeds Platinum Jubilee Memories Project, the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Asghar Khan, said: “With the Platinum Jubilee, we have an excellent opportunity to create a remarkable historical record of 70 years of Her Majesty the Queen in Leeds. “No matter the memory, whether it’s being a part of a crowd waiting to see the Queen; a street party past or present; or even meeting the Queen in Leeds, we want as many recollections as possible. “The Platinum Jubilee Memories project will create a lasting historical legacy of the
Queen’s time in Leeds. “If we collect enough memories and photos, we intend to make a book to send to the Palace as a gift for the Queen.” Commenting further, Councillor Mary Harland, Executive Member for Communities, said: “Leeds Library Service has something for everyone over the Platinum Jubilee period. I’m sure it will be a great deal of fun for everyone. “As the longest-serving monarch in British history, it is essential that we not only celebrate with the incredible range of activities Leeds Library Service is hosting over the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee but also create a legacy for future generations to look back upon. “The Leeds Platinum Jubilee Memories project provides that legacy. “Therefore, I would encourage everyone to dig through their photos, write up their special royal memories, and be a part of this incredible Jubilee celebration.” More information on all Platinum Jubilee events and projects in Leeds can be found at: leeds.gov.uk/ platinumjubilee
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June 2022 | South Leeds Life
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News 9
Women in Beeston urged to take up invite for breast screening appointment
Cynet Rings A pair of swans on the River Aire in Hunslet are raising a second brood of cygnets. “This year they have had six eggs hatch and all seem to be doing well. Dad is chasing off all ducks as per usual and they are going exploring more and more on a daily basis.” writes H2010 resident Keith Smith. Photo by Rebecca Plant
Lord Mayor visits Asha Neighbourhood Project by Tahena Ahmed
I
n one his last appointments before the end of his term of office, the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Asghar Khan and the Lady Mayoress Robina Kosar visited Beeston’s Asha Neighbourhood Project on 24 May. The Lord Mayor spoke about being the 127th Lord Mayor of Leeds. He reminisced about his childhood when he first arrived from Kashmir in Pakistan to live in Leeds at the age of 11. He described how nervous he was when he arrived in Beeston. He noticed how green and open the countryside was
Visiting an ICT class
as he drove up the motorway to Leeds and how it resembled parts of Pakistan. He was shocked when he arrived in Beeston to see endless identical terrace houses. He was frightened to go outside in case he couldn’t find his house among the many and, with no English, he thought he wouldn’t be able to ask for help. He compared his first memory of being nervous to now being an ambassador for Leeds. He spoke about his father working hard in a foundry and working extra on Saturdays to support him and his siblings with extra tuition to
improve their English language. He shared a clear message that with hard work, opportunities are available in Leeds. He felt Leeds was a very compassionate city and a place of sanctuary. He also spoke about how the BAME community have made a positive contribution to Leeds and its expansion. The Mayor spoke about his profession as a postman and described his experience of going to what was soon to become the Asha Centre in 1985, but at the time was the Caravanserai Project, to build his first proper bike. He mentioned how as Mayor
With the children in the Pre School
he had visited 180 schools and that his first local school had been Cross Flatts Middle School (now Park View Primary Academy). The Mayor paid special tribute to the Late Abdul Quddus who was an inspiration to him. The Late Abdul Quddus was not only a Governor at his school, he was also one of the original founders of the Asha Centre. He thanked all Asha Centre staff and Management Committee members for their ongoing contribution to the local community and the city since Asha’s beginning in 1985. Both Lord Mayor and Mayoress took a tour of the Asha Centre and spoke to the ICT students. They spoke about the opportunities available in the city and encouraged everyone to work hard, gain skills and aspire to achieve more. The service users were
I
nvitations to attend breast cancer screenings are currently being sent to women living in areas of Beeston. The Breast Screening Hub will be inviting all eligible patients who are registered with a GP practice in Beeston to attend screenings from June to August 2022. Anyone who has received an invitation for a breast screening are urged to please book their appointment as soon as possible. Every three years, women in the city aged between 47 and 73 years-old are routinely invited to undertake a screening, which involves a mammogram X-ray. The aim of the mammogram procedure is to detect any small changes in breast tissue that may indicate cancers that are too small to be seen or felt by the woman herself or a doctor. Screening rates in Leeds have been impacted by the varied challenges of coronavirus. Breast screening saves around 1,300 lives each year in the UK.
One project being delivered in the city seeking to improve participation in the screening programmes for breast cancer and also bowel cancer and cervical cancer is Cancer Wise Leeds. The project is funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research, led by Leeds City Council and delivered in partnership with the Leeds Cancer Programme. Supporting this aim over the three-year programme are six Screening and Awareness coordinators. Working within Primary Care Networks in communities across the city, the coordinators are working with communities to better understand how the screening process could be improved to meet their needs.
able to ask the Lord Mayor questions about community issues and he encouraged them to put this forward to the council. He visited the ESOL class and talked about his journey as he didn’t speak English when he first arrived in the UK. He praised the students and ESOL tutor for their commitment and ongoing contribution. He encouraged the student to persevere and gave himself as an example as to what is possible and what you can achieve. The Pre-School also had a visit, where both Mayor and
Mayoress had an opportunity to interact with the children. The children were amazed by their special visitors and by their special attire. This special visit reminded the staff of Princess Ann’s visit in the 1980’s. Everyone enjoyed the visit where they had the opportunity to speak to the Mayor informally over light refreshments. Plenty of photos were taken to remember and record the visit. He presented Asha Staff and the Management Committee with a Certificate of Recognition for their work in supporting the community.
Presenting a Certificate of Recognition to Asha staff and Committee
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Hunslet Youth Club marks first anniversary
Money matters with Leeds Credit Union
Saving money on your water bills W
ith the cost of living crisis forcing households to reduce their outgoings, Jodie Lockwood, Branch Coordinator at Leeds Credit Union, offers some advice on saving money on your energy bills by using less water. Much has already been written about rising energy bills and the impact this is having on households across the UK. With much of the focus being on the price of gas and electricity, the rising cost of water has gone largely unnoticed but, unfortunately, water bills have increased by almost 2% since March 2022, driving the average UK household's water bill up to nearly £420 a year. With this in mind and with Water Saving Week (an annual event that raises awareness of issues around water use) having just taken place from 23-27 May, now is the perfect time to look at ways in which we can all use less water and reduce our water bills. Turn off your taps While this may sound obvious, did you know that running taps waste more than five litres of water per minute? Try to only use your taps when absolutely necessary and definitely don't leave them running while brushing your teeth, shaving or washing your face. When it comes to doing the
washing up, use a washing up bowl - never wash everything in the sink under running water. Steam your veg When boiling vegetables on the hob, you don't need to fully immerse them in water, just ensure larger items' bottom halves are covered, pop a lid on your pan and your veg will cook just as well with half the amount of water. When it comes to gardening, preparation is key Remember to water your outdoor plants in the early morning or at the end of the day to stop the water evaporating in the midday sun. If you don't, you'll have to water everything twice. Change your shower head Replacing your shower head with a water efficient one could reduce a four-person household's water bill by
approximately £53 a year. While you might not want to buy a new shower head if yours works perfectly well, water efficient models are available for as little as £20 so, in the long term, it's an investment worth making. Beware drips Dripping taps can waste in excess of 5,300 litres of water a year so, if you notice a tap dripping even after it's been firmly turned off, change the washer asap. Make the most of rain water Installing a water butt allows you to collect rainwater which can then be used to water your garden, saving you as much as 24,000 litres of water a year. Leeds Credit Union provides straightforward and affordable financial services to people in Leeds, Wakefield, Harrogate and Craven.
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The crush at the bar for Mocktails at the Youth Club celebration
by Jeremy Morton
T
he Open Access Youth Club at The Hunslet Club has been running for a year now. To celebrate they held an open evening last week (17 May 2022) and went I along to find out how the project is progressing. The building on Hillidge Road was already buzzing when I arrived at 6pm with more seniors (Year 8 and above) arriving all the time. The Senior youth club runs until 9pm, Monday to Friday and is free. It offers a safe space where young people can come along and join in any of the activities on offer or just relax with their friends. There’s also a Junior Youth Club (8-12 years), also free, that runs from 4:30-7pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Dennis Robbins, The Hunslet Club’s Chief Executive told me: “We weren’t sure what to expect when we set this up to run over five nights from 4:30 through to 9pm, but the response has been unbelievable, amazing. Most nights we are averaging 50 at the junior youth club and 50 at the senior youth club; that’s 250-330 young people in the club when you include all the activities we run. That’s every night, it’s massive and I think it’s going to grow.” I got talking to a group of boys playing pool, one of the boys explained:
“I come down here all the time. There’s pool, we can do X Box and then do cooking, or we can play football outside. You can do anything here. It’s just cool, it’s somewhere to chill.” I asked the Youth Worker at the table if his job was mostly playing pool. He put me right, saying: “We make sure the kids are behaving and being sensible. We monitor what they’re doing, but this is an open access club so we let them do what they want. If someone’s not right we might intervene, sometimes we let them sort it out themselves, but if they’re getting angry we might take them to one side and chat to them and see if they’re doing OK.” Dennis told me that these youth work interventions are an important part of how the club runs. “Our Intervention Workers are here to support any young person who presents with any problem. We have handled 230 interventions over the last 12 months. These range from bullying and loss of confidence at school, to pregnancy, drink, drugs and petty crime. Some cases are sorted on the night, some go on over a period of time, some are referred to other agencies.” He told me of one case where a Youth Worker had noticed that two boys were suddenly buying everyone drinks at the tuck shop. He alerted the Intervention Worker
who discovered that the boys were getting involved in crime. Work is ongoing to help the boys. One of the girls I spoke to appreciated the staff as well as the activities. She said: “I come down Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I like the staff, they’re really nice and they help me with loads of things. There was an incident happened with this boy and they really helped me deal with it. I like to hang out with my friends, do baking and sports with them.” There are plans to develop the youth clubs using ideas from the young people themselves. There will be a Games zone kitted out with the latest technology; a music room with DJ equipment and guitars, drums and other instruments; as well as a craft and design workshop. Dennis continued: “There’s nowhere else like this in Leeds – and there should be. 85% of these young people are from south Leeds but we have youngsters coming from 23 wards. We’re citywide provision, the only purposebuilt youth club in the city. Other cities are getting new £8m buildings, Leeds is lagging behind. Look around you, we are proving that this kind of provision works. “The young people keep coming, they’re meeting new people and making new friendships, I just love it.”
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School Life 11
Music Federation pupils help railway mark Queen’s Jubilee T
he Middleton Railway has commemorated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee today by planting a tree at its
June 2022 | South Leeds Life
Moor Road headquarters. Children from Windmill Primary and Low Road Primary schools ceremonially planted
the tree in front of the railway’s “Engine House” building, witnessed by local councillors, volunteers and supporters.
Pupils helped plant a tree at Middleton Railway’s Moor Road headquarters
These schools are part of the Low Road and Windmill Music Federation who are very supportive of the railway and are active participators in the local community. After the ceremony, the children enjoyed a train ride to Middleton Park and back hauled by one of the railway’s historic diesel locomotives. Middleton Railway Vice President, Ian Smith, said: “We are delighted to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne and to link her long reign with the legacy our young citizens will contribute to society over the coming years.” The railway will be selling special cream teas to celebrate the Jubilee over the weekend of 4-5 June, when a full train service will be running between 10am and 4pm. For full details go to: middletonrailway.org.uk
Reach centre celebrates its 5th birthday
Pupils join (l-r) Head of Centre Ali Elvidge, Mik Artistik and Burley Banksy to celebrate
Cup success for Cockburn School boys rugby teams C
ockburn School is celebrating some excellent sporting success in boys rugby. The Year 7 boys team were crowned champions in the Leeds Rhinos 9's Super League tournament. The team won 4-3 having shown incredible resilience and maturity, keeping their composure when all seemed lost. A try from Jil Yeboah won the day on the pitch at Headingley Stadium. The Year 8 boys rugby season came to an end, eventually losing 23-22 to ASA Hull in golden point extra time of their quarter final. All of the players gave 100% and stuck together in their best team performance so far. The school were immensely proud of their attitude and character all the way to the end. Great things to come next year for this team! The Year 9 boys were crowned champions in the Leeds Rhinos 9's Championship Cup after yet another exciting match. This team have their sights high on future success as they move into their Year 10 season. There’s more coverage of youth Rugby League on page 23 with news of the work of the Hunslet Rugby Foundation and their partnership with the Luke Gale Academy and its Kicking For Grassroots project.
Pupils ask Cllr Andrew Scopes about his role
Crowned at Headingley: Cockburn Year 7 Boys Rugby team
Having lunch with Mik Artistik
T Cockburn School Year 8 Boys Rugby squad
Champions: Cockburn School Year 9 Boys Rugby squad
he Reach Primary Learning Centre in Beeston celebrated its fifth birthday last month with local artists and parents. As well as a visit from local Councillor Andrew Scopes, cult Leeds musician Mik Artistik and Burley Banksy worked with the children through the morning, creating artworks and writing poems, which were then shared with parents and schools over cake and a singalong. The school works with children who are struggling with mainstream school life and are at risk of permanent exclusion. Over the last five years the school has worked with 235 children, three quarters of who
have returned to mainstream primary school. A quarter have moved to a specialist setting. Reach has worked with 57 schools across the city and gained a number of awards including: the Carnegie Silver Mental Health Award; Investors in Pupils; and the Mindmate Champions Award. Cllr Scopes (Beeston & Holbeck) commented: “It was great to see the calm and nurturing environment at the Reach Learning Centre. I enjoyed speaking to the pupils and answering questions about being a councillor. I also need to say a massive thank you to the pupils who showed me around and introduced me to the school pets.”
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12 School Life
Low Road opens EYFS playground extension by Stewart Walton
I
had the pleasure of attending Low Road Primary School to mark the new EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) Extension to the playground area on 27 May. As a very proud community representative I have passed the school gates thousands of times but had never been beyond the school gates and the big green fence surrounding the school. So when I received an invite to witness a school assembly and then attend the grand opening of the new amendments I was overjoyed and impressed by what I found. I never cease to be amazed at the community spirit within my area but to find it goes beyond the gates of Low Road Primary School impresses me a great deal. The assembly was themed around the Queen‘s Platinum
Jubilee and as you would expect from a music Federation School such as Low Road there was plenty of music. The school anthem was impressive to say the least and the enthusiasm by the teachers and the pupils was wonderful to see. I was joined by Cllr Paul Wray and we were both nearly in tears. Later we were invited to view the new EYFS improvements; mostly done by the caretaking team, Executive Headteacher Andy Gamble and Federation Headteacher Rachael Troughton who were both very keen to praise the caretakers hard work. There were new plants, flower filled borders, extensions to the children’s play areas, mud kitchens, a reading area, even a throne fit for a Queen was in place. All these made possible by a number of community contributions - it was clear to see that the children had full priority.
It was amazing to spend even an hour with these inspirational people. Inside the school there are many areas for soft play, every corner is utilised, covered in soft lights. We even passed a teacher using Google to find calm music. Beanbags a-plenty and corners used, plenty of activities for the children to use their imagination. As Hunslet TARA Chair I felt so proud to feel that this school represents so many of our children. Cllr Wray commented: “It was wonderful to visit to Low Road Primary School in Hunslet. The new play area the school has built for its pupils is amazing. The fact it was also the staff who built it equally so. I also had the pleasure of watching a school assembly and I have to say that the positive energy emanating from both staff and the children was contagious.”
Staff and guests admire the new play facilities at Low Road Primary School
School gets builder’s cash for wildlife garden expansion A
wildlife garden at a South Leeds school is set to flourish following a £1,000 donation from a housebuilder. The Stephen Longfellow Academy has created a biodiversity garden complete with a bee colony and vegetable patch and plans to expand its green space with the funds received from the Persimmon Homes Community Champions scheme. The Stephen Longfellow Academy provides primary and secondary education in Beeston
to students who are not functioning effectively in mainstream education. Ayrton Sharp, Key Stage 3 Teacher from the Academy said: “Persimmon Homes’ generous donation will enable us to expand our biodiversity garden. “We plan to encourage more wildlife to the area, creating greater opportunities to educate our students on their natural surroundings. “Our main project will be to restore our current pond. We also want to encourage more
wildlife to the garden and plan to install bird boxes, bug hotels and animal dens. “Our next goal is to coordinate trips to other nature reserves to help expand our students’ knowledge and to understand the positive impact they can make to their natural environment.” Under The Persimmon Homes Community Champions scheme, the West Yorkshire regional business provides financial support of up to £1,000 to two local charities or good causes, every month. For more information or to apply for Community Champions funding, visit www. persimmonhomes.com/charity To follow the developments of the biodiversity garden, visit stephenlongfellow.leeds.sch.uk or @TSLA_Leeds on Twitter.
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From Cockburn John Cha Academy to The Royal Ac by Jeremy Morton
D
ragos Abalasi, a Year 11 student at Cockburn John Charles Academy has had is photographic artwork accepted to be shown at The Royal Academy in London this summer. His art teacher Jessica Crawford has been entering pieces for the Royal Academy’s Young Artists’ Summer Show for several years. But with over 21,000 submissions, it seemed unlikely that anyone from Belle Isle would be chosen. Dragos’s artwork will not only be shown in the larger online exhibition, but will be physically exhibited at the gallery in Piccadilly. He and his family have also been invited to a special private showing, ahead of the exhibition opening to the public. Dragos seemed genuinely shocked when his achievement was announced in school assembly. Afterwards I asked him about his piece ‘Surface’. “It’s a photographic collage” he explained. “I spent three hours walking around the White Rose Shopping Centre looking for surfaces that were decaying, breaking down and took photos of them. Then I played around with them in Photoshop. It wasn’t really working with straight lines, so I made them wavy and it came together.” ‘Surface’ is one of his GCSE exam pieces and Dragos is hoping for a high mark. He’s also hoping to take some of the skills he’s developed into A Level studies with either Design Technology or Graphic Communication. Jessica Crawford, Subject Lead of Art, Craft and Design, commented: "We are extremely proud of Dragos and his winning submission to the Young Artist Summer Show 2022. “To be in the top 1.5% of submissions in the country is a huge achievement and a great reward for Dragos after 3 years of hard work in his GCSE Photography. “The project title was ‘texture’, and you can see in the final piece that Dragos truly encapsulated the brief, you can really feel the textures in this image. “We are looking forward to hearing all about his trip to see the exhibition in London in the summer." If you can’t get to London to see the physical exhibition, you see the online exhibition at: youngartists.royalacademy.org .uk from 19 July.
Jessica Crawford and Dragos Abalasi with his submission ‘Surface’
June 2022 | South Leeds Life
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School Life 13
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arles Inspirational Educator cademy Award for Belle Isle Headteacher A
by Jade Belton & James Inge
T
he Eco Committee at Clapgate Primary School have been working hard to make their school environment a greener space. We visited the school to have a chat with the children who are from year groups five and six. The children were eager to share with us what they had been doing. The children were overtly proud of their achievements and excited by the changes they were impementing across their school. It was refreshing to see young children taking accountability for the environment and also for the younger pupils in the school, acting as role models and correcting actions when needed. The children had some very interesting facts to share after a trip to Yorkshire Water, including that there are twelve different
by Jeremy Morton
ndy Gamble, the Executive Headteacher of the Low Road and Windmill Music Federation has been recognised as an ‘Inspirational Educator for Music Education’ by the Worshipful Company of Educators. Andy received the prestigious national award at a black-tie ceremony at the Plaisterers Hall in the City of London at the end of April. Part of the citation reads: “Andrew has a passionate belief in the power of music making to enhance the whole curriculum. He believes that, at its best, learning to perform a musical instrument proficiently not only develops skills of dexterity and the ability to read and understand an abstract language, but enhances concentration, develops patience and resilience, raises self-esteem and how to cope with setbacks. It is learnt in a social and co-operative environment that requires respect of and dependence on others. These attributes are valuable to all subjects in the curriculum.” Ten years ago the schools became the first in the country to partner with Opera North for their In Harmony programme. This involves the whole school, pupils and staff, learning an instrument and singing. And readers may remember that pupils from the schools reached the semi-final of Britain’s Got Talent in 2020, working with contemporary company Class Dynamix. Music is truly embedded into school life. I caught up with Andy at Windmill Primary School in Belle Isle to ask him about the award. He greeted me in jeans and polo shirts rather than his usual suit, as he had come straight from working on the new garden at Low Road. Andy is nothing if not hands on. He tells me how important music is to the two schools, down to the rebranding he oversaw when he took over as Headteacher, having been on the staff at Windmill for over twenty years. He describes it as a “Unifying thread through our curriculum.” But he explained: “It’s not because we want the kids to be amazing musicians at the end of the day, that’s a biproduct, but the skills that they’re learning through learning
Meet Clapgate’s Eco Committee boards are switched off regularly and not left on after leaving a classroom. The school also composts its food waste and this is used on their allotment. This massively reduces the amount of waste the school ships to landfil each week. When we asked the pupils questions about why making the school greener was important to them they were all clearly passionate about making their school as environmentally friendly as possible. The children mentioned the chickens the school has, the impact of reducing waste and the financial benefits of being more aware of energy expenditure. Thanks to the hard work of these pupils and their teacher Miss O'Connell the school is now in the process of applying for the Green Flag Award, and I don't think that we can argue that their efforts here are more than admirable.
Andy Gamble, Executive Headteacher of the Low Road and Windmill Music Federation an instrument, learning to sing and having the exposure, for us it’s about self-confidence, it’s about camaraderie, teamwork, social etiquette, learning to take turns, and learning the formalities of growing into a rounded citizen of the future. Hopefully a citizen that will remain in Leeds, in Belle Isle and Hunslet and go onto greater things.” Results, measured via SATs tests, have risen over recent years. Children at both schools have a low starting point compared with children nationally, but the schools had some of the highest progress scores in Yorkshire in the last publish results in 2019. But Andy is cautious about putting that down to the music. “I don’t think you can attribute this success to the music directly” he said. “I think it’s the culture of the schools. As educators we have to get the results, but we have to have a balanced curriculum. We’ve put most of our eggs in the music basket, but not at the expense of science or geography or history.” I asked Andy if he thought music had helped the children cope with the pandemic and the mental health issues many have faced. He said thought it probably had, but had no direct evidence.
Then he told me of an experience a few years ago. A child who was in a very difficult situation at home and struggled with his behaviour in school and would occasionally ‘kick off’. On one occasion Andy was called to help after he had stormed out of his classroom. Andy eventually found him in the toilets, he had collected his violin and was playing it, quite angrily. He was lashing out on the instrument rather than knocking books off shelves or kicking chairs over. He had chosen that as an avenue to get rid of his fury. “That opened my eyes to the fact that you can reach people with music in a different way. So many children coming into school from different countries and music is an international language, so on day one even if they don’t have a word of English they can join in with the music and we can bond.” The award was made to Andy personally, but he is clear that it reflects on the whole community and he’s very proud of that. “For Belle Isle and Hunslet to have a flagship, recognised, curriculum speaks volumes about the dedication of the community, the staff and the children who live and work in this community and their alliance to the vision of what we’re trying to achieve.”
Pupils from Clapgate visited Yorkshire Water types of bacteria in our water before it is cleaned. To follow up from this the children are holding an assembly to share tips with the other pupils on how they can all save on water usage. The Eco Committee have made several changes to their daily school routines and their focus on saving energy, water and food waste is already having a big impact. The committee are ensuring that all lights and white
The Eco Committee are even going as far as to look at how the school communicates and conveys information to parents. We spoke to Mia one of the pupils on the Eco Committee, she talked about the eco newsletter they are launching. This will include tips on how to reduce energy, water and food waste. It will then be emailed to parents to save on paper waste and printing costs.
Jubilee by numbers The children of Westwood Primary School in Middleton celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a range of activities and even created a human 70. Well done Westwood!
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14 Comment
In our view Election breakthrough Being in power for a long period of time can lead to complacency and that’s what’s seemed to happen to the Labour Party in South Leeds. Ed Carlisle’s campaign to become a Councillor started over seven years ago with an annonymous poster campaign asking if anyone had seen the ‘Missing’ councillors of the then City & Holbeck ward. People said he couldn’t beat the Labour vote, but last month he displaced the longest serving member of the Council. Wayne Dixon has fought a similar battle in Middleton Park. Now that they are elected let’s see what these community activists can do to affect life in our neighbourhoods.
#RememberOluwale Whoever removed the blue plaque to David Oluwale must have thought they were helping keep the story of his death quiet. How that has backfired on them! With images of the plaque displayed all over the city, many more people will have learnt how David, a British citizen originally from Nigeria, died at the hands of racist policemen in Leeds in 1969. The city has changed and will not tolerate such attidues any more. But the incident also reminds us that we must never let our guard down.
Your letters and comments Hunslet Moor School In response to your request for information on Hunslet Moor School. My mother Phyllis Broadhead as was, attended the original school on Burton Avenue between 1936 and 1948, with her twin Kathleen and elder sister Doreen. They were at that school for the whole of their school life. Mum recalls the nursery teacher was Miss Gibson and can remember being put into cots for a sleep in the afternoon. She thinks nursery was from 3 to 5yrs and then into the infants and beyond. In September 1939 all three sisters were evacuated to Lincolnshire, but returned to Hunslet Moor after about 6 months. The headmistress was Miss Hall, Miss Jolly taught English, Arithmetic and Geography, Miss Hurst History and Music, Miss Wilson Poetry, Mrs Guy for Art, Mrs Newman taught PT and Miss Heath for Cookery and Housekeeping. She remembers this class was held in a purpose built room over the Nursery and had to cross the girls school yard to get to it. Boys and girls playgrounds were separate in those days. She was in the netball team from 11yrs to 15yrs old and played against local school teams such as Hunslet Carr, Low Road and Middleton. Hockey practice was held on the old Cockburn field off Middleton Grove, Dewsbury Road and they caught the tram there and back. She cannot recall the stained glass window ever being in the girls school and wonders if it was removed during the war? However she can recall a sticky resin being put on all the windows to prevent them from shattering in case of bombing during the war, thus making the classrooms very dark and lights had to be on all the time. My best friends were Marjorie DIxon, Valerie Jackson and Shirley Nuttall. She wonders what became of them. Phyllis Ripley
The old Hunslet Moor Primary School on Burton Avenue ©Denise Heather via leodis.net shops to close ... it’s becoming a wasteland. The only thing Labour care about is the city centre ... this will cost them, the people of Hunslet and Middleton won’t forget Mary
Cockburn sports pitches
I would like to respond to a letter from the Chair of Trustees of Cockburn School about the objections to the proposed development on Middleton Park land of a new 3G sports pitch and tennis courts. I do not think most objectors would disagree that Cockburn School MAT has taken on a bulge of pupils at the behest of Leeds City Council, which has required the building of additional classrooms to Art for art’s sake accommodate the students. The Chair This month we have two stories of ignores the fact however that the current talented local artists exhibiting school playing pitch at the east end of the site needs redevelopment. The school have their work to the wider public. Some admitted on several occasions that this people will be asking “but what is it pitch gets waterlogged. The community’s for?” point is that, why build another pitch The great thing about art is that it without first resolving the difficulties of doesn’t have to be for anything. It’s using the pitch that is already there. The to enjoy; to challenge; it’s to look Council elections Chair ignores this. at life in a different way; or just to At last voters are seeing the light and I do not think most objectors would calm our minds down as we voting two local activists into office. Those disagree with the Chair’s comment that the contemplate the image before us. of us who are active in our communities in ancient woodland is not (immediately or We like Paul Grist’s encouragement: South Leeds know how we have been “Don’t worry about understanding it. treated. The building of the unnecessary directly) affected … in that it is not Appreciate it in an open-ended way.” Park and Ride In Stourton, the decimation threatened with removal or destruction by the development. However, the woodland And according to Florence of our roads, the removal of greenery for area, which is both classified as ‘Ancient Nightingale it can help you heal. concrete, allowing Post Offices to close, Woodland’, and ‘Local Nature Reserve’, WILL be impacted by use of the additional plastic pitch. The Chair dismisses the impact Beeston & Holbeck ward Includes Beeston from Cross Flatts Park to the Ring on the Public Right Of Road, Cottingley and Holbeck. The three councillors are: Way (207), which Gohar Almass (Labour) 07445 878 333 gohar.almass@leeds.gov.uk runs alongside the current school Annie Maloney (Labour) 07554 969236 annie.maloney@leeds.gov.uk boundary. He is Andrew Scopes (Labour) 07860 400645 andrew.scopes@leeds.gov.uk dismissive of the path suggesting that Hunslet & Riverside ward Includes the city centre, Beeston Hill and Hunslet. it is no interest, is not The three councillors are: used, and is not even Ed Carlisle (Green) 07738 921277 ed.carlisle@leeds.gov.uk ancient. I think most objectors would Mohammed Iqbal (Labour) 0113 226 8796 mohammed.iqbal@leeds.gov.uk wholly disagree with Paul Wray (Labour) 07528 512649 paul.wray@leeds.gov.uk this sentiment. Why should we be so Middleton Park ward Includes Belle Isle and Middleton. The three councillors are: dismissive of local history? The path / Sharon Burke (Labour) 0113 378 8814 sharon.burke@leeds.gov.uk route has been in use Wayne Dixon (SDP) 0113 378 0900 wayne.dixon@leeds.gov.uk since at least 1852, Paul Truswell (Labour) 0113 378 8811 paul.truswell@leeds.gov.uk was once a cobbled
Your Leeds City Councillors
lane, and once led to one of the two local farms (the original Parkside Farm). It IS used by the local community and the community think it should be preserved and kept in use, no matter that the official PROW could be diverted. Incidentally, this proposed diversion adds elevation and distance to this path thereby making it a less attractive proposition. The Chair finishes by suggesting that we in the local community should not object to the ‘loss’ of only 1.5 hectares of land, when Middleton Park has more than two hundred. I would say that this very much depends on the situation and what 1.5 hectares are being lost. The community and most objectors would probably agree that there MIGHT be remit for additional school sports pitches if the land were more suitable, but in our view this expansion just doesn’t add up. The park loses valuable meadowland, and the development will be directly adjacent to a LNR and Ancient Woodland. Alan Shaw, Chair of Trustees, Friends of Middleton Park
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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: @NewBewerleySch Our partnership with @Opera_North inspires and allows access to amazing opportunities. Zinzile, one of the many success stories, has been touring the country performing as Carmen's daughter in Opera North's Carmen.
@LeedsRecycles We know that not everyone in Leeds can drive down to a household waste recycling centre or shift heavy stuff. We've got a variety of other options for getting rid of large items in Leeds. For a full list of options head over to orlo.uk/1hkbZ @recoveryrunner7 Have no fear if you ain't got the gear. We can help with that.
Art at St James’s I remember being treated for breast cancer at St. James’s (late 2017-early 2018) and seeing all the paintings in the Bexley Wing while waiting to be taken home after. Barbara Kirk
Fairtrade birthday buzz I remember being part of the group which worked for Leeds becoming a Fairtrade city 18 years ago. Somewhere there are some certificates awarded to the best Fairtrade supermarkets in Leeds signed by me! I was proud to be involved and work with some amazing people. Lindsey Pearson
Crafting for Ukraine Well done Dorothy, so proud to call you my God-daughter. Nigel Johnson-Hartlebury
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.
@LASBTSouth Following two full premises closure orders in the Beeston area where there was significant criminality and ASB. Both occupants have handed their tenancies back without further court action. #jobdone @LeedsDads If your kids love soft play, we’ve got you covered! Come to our FREE session for dads and preschool kids at Little Angels Playzone. We'll play, chat and grab coffee/tea and toast. The next one is on Saturday 11 June. Book via leedsdads.org/events/
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Comment 15
MP’s notebook with Hilary Benn MP
7
0 years of service is a remarkable achievement by any measure. So, as we celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, I am sure we would all like to express our heartfelt thanks for her devotion to our country, and for the way in which she has carried out her duties. She has been an encouragement to many and a constant in our lives during turbulent times. Long may she reign. The cost of living crisis is the single most important issue facing families in South Leeds. The facts are stark. Inflation is at a 40 year high. The cost of energy and food keeps going up. And lots of people worry about being able to afford the higher bills they are already getting, let alone keeping themselves warm this coming winter. On a recent visit to a local charity, I heard how demand for debt advice is shooting up. The energy companies have been warning of a catastrophe to come, and the Chancellor has now finally adopted the
policy that many of us have been calling for - namely a windfall tax on the oil and gas companies (even though he decided to call it instead a ‘temporary targeted energy profits levy’!). Anyway, the extra help is of course welcome but there will still be those struggling, and I worry in particular about people disconnecting themselves because they are on a pre-payment meter. We know that people on prepayment meters pay more for their electricity and gas than those who pay by direct debit. This is unacceptable price discrimination against those who are mainly on the lowest incomes. I raised this with the Prime Minister recently and asked him what he will do to ensure that all of our constituents have access to light and to warmth. It used to be legal to cut off people’s water supply if they could not afford to pay their bills, but there was such an outcry that the law was changed to stop this happening. And it’s not just energy
prices. The cost of food is shooting up too, and while there are global pressures, new research says that the postBrexit barriers we have now put on trade with the EU have had an impact on food prices in the UK. Prices have risen most sharply for foods where we are more reliant on imports from the EU like fresh pork, tomatoes and jams. There are also other consequences of these new trade arrangements following our departure from the EU. I recently visited a very large fruit farm in Kent which last year wasn't able to pick 8% of the crop it had planted because it couldn't get enough visas for fruit pickers. As a result, they have planted fewer crops this year and are expanding their business overseas to import more fruit from there to help fill our supermarket shelves. This simply doesn't make sense. Surely, we should be aiming to produce as much food as possible here in the UK? The impact of all of this is clearly seen by the Trussell Trust, which runs a huge
network of food banks across the UK, including in Hunslet, Beeston and Belle Isle. This is the sobering picture they report. More than 2.1 million emergency food parcels were given to people facing financial hardship across the UK between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022. More than 830,000 emergency food parcels were provided to children. There has been a 14% increase on pre-pandemic levels of demand, as more and more people are unable to afford the absolute essentials, and needs have grown in the past six months, after the £20 increase in Universal Credit was taken away and the cost of living crisis began. Food bank managers are sounding the alarm from the front-line. One said: “The
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people who come in are telling me they’re scared. People are beside themselves about what the next six months will bring.” Perhaps most shocking of all, 5,156 people were admitted to hospital with malnutrition between September last year and February this year in England alone - more than in the whole of 2010. And the number of people being admitted with scurvy – the disease we used to learn about in our history lessons - has doubled in the past 10 years. As the sixth wealthiest country in the world, surely, we can do better than this? And finally, to come full circle, a thank you to three other public servants. May 5th saw the end of Liz Nash’s long career on Leeds
City Council. For nigh on 50 years, she has given extraordinary service to our community. I've had the privilege of working alongside Liz for about half of that time and I can attest to the fact that she has been a doughty fighter on behalf of her constituents. The same is true of Kim Groves and Angela Gabriel, who have both stepped down. They have been great representatives of their communities, and all the people they have helped over the years will remember them with gratitude, as the rest of us reflect on the changes for the better they helped to bring about. I am sure we would want to send them our heartfelt thanks for everything that they have done and wish them and their families well for the future.
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
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achieve, going for a promotion at work, meeting new people, joining a gym, writing a book, whatever dream you secretly have, because that little voice in your head whispers “you can’t do that, you’re not good enough.” The reason is usually because the brain wants to keep you safe and out of harm's way, that means keeping you in a comfortable bubble of what you already know, not expanding and trying new things. Every time you ask yourself a disempowering question, you’ll get a disempowering answer, instead of saying to yourself “Why am I so stupid, why can’t I do this?” try, “How can I do this better? What can I do differently?” Each time you catch yourself in a negative pattern of thinking, see how you can switch it up to be less unhelpful. I’m not saying that you can or should get rid of every negative thought you have, that would be exhausting, and sometimes it’s important to see things that require improvement or change, but if that means putting yourself down, being unhappy or knocking your confidence in the process, then it’s worthwhile considering another way. Here are 3 top tips to improving self-talk 1 Using alcohol or drugs to silence intrusive thoughts rarely works, in fact it can make them darker and more sinister. It’s also likely to increase anxiety in the days that follow, which will increase the momentum of the thoughts and emotions.
2 If you’re struggling with intrusive thoughts and your confidence is suffering as a result. Think about what you’d say to someone you love, if they were saying what you say, about themselves. We are often much harder on ourselves than we are on others. 3 If thoughts in your head are preventing you from fulfilling the things you desire in life, being happy and productive, it might be time to share them with a trusted friend or family member. Getting them out in the open can be a good way of letting them go. If you don’t have someone you want to confide in, you could always write your thoughts down on paper and then rip it up afterwards. Life is full of ups and downs, highs and lows and it’s natural for moods to fluctuate, but it’s not natural to feel a continual lack of self-worth or selfesteem. It’s not something that we often talk about, because why would we? thoughts are private and nobody has to know. It’s often easier to pretend to be happy or outgoing even when that’s not how you really feel. If this article resonates with you, or someone you know, then please consider having a chat with your GP or seeking support, you’re not alone. www.samaritans.org Telephone 116.123 - Free phoneline 24/7 www.drinkaware.co.uk Shannon Humphrey is a Youth and Adult First Aid for Mental Health Instructor. She specialises in anxiety, stress, overwhelm and burnout. www. pathwaysforpositivity.com
16 South Leeds Lives
Pathways for positivity with Shannon Humphrey
I am ... W
ould you agree with me if I said bullying was wrong? To deliberately pick on someone, single them out, physically or mentally, or maybe both, because there’s something about them that you just don’t like, or understand? I think most people would agree that bullying is unkind, uncalled for and can have longlasting detrimental effects for the victims, who often find it hard to move beyond the trauma and misery of being harassed and ridiculed. Even in later life, they might struggle to trust people, open up about
their experiences, have meaningful relationships or learn to accept and love themselves for who they truly are. So if we know and accept that bullying is so wrong, and detrimental to a person’s wellbeing, why do so many of us do it to ourselves? Why do we speak in a way that undermines us and makes us feel unworthy? What am I going on about? Well, we wouldn’t speak to friends in the unkind way we often speak to ourselves, OK we might want to on occasion, but I’m not sure how good or longlasting that friendship would be! You know the sort of thing I’m talking about, you make a mistake, so you’re
“stupid”, you forget to do something so you call yourself “an idiot” or worse. How many of us fall into the trap of scrolling through social media and comparing our circumstances to complete strangers. Convinced they’re everything (you think) you’re lacking. Great looking, loads of money, a wonderful career, confidence by the bucket load, perfectly well behaved children, an ideal family who enjoy exotic holidays to places you can only dream of … Whatever insecurity you have, you’re bound to find someone online who will make you feel utterly miserable when you compare yourselves to them. If you’re feeling low, social
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media might not be the best place to go, unless it’s to speak to people and take your mind off your worries. The truth is, most people, even online influencers, have their own private insecurities, but they only post things they want others to believe about them, all through a heavily filtered lens. It's very rare that we get to peep behind the camera and see what their life is really like without the bright lights and picture perfect scenery. Psychologists tell us that we have between 60,000 and 80,000 thoughts a day. How many of those thoughts are used to praise ourselves? Compared to how many used to put ourselves down? When was the last time you stepped back and looked at something you’ve done with a sense of accomplishment? Or looked in the mirror and thought, yeah, I feel happy with myself today? Just as important as it is to work out our body, to keep it fit and healthy, we have to train our minds to do what we want, and not to run away with damaging thoughts. Intrusive thoughts will pop into our minds at the least helpful moments, thoughts that derail our confidence and can increase anxiety and selfdoubt. Preventing us from doing the things we’d like to
Three poems by Nina Dales N
ina Dales is a mum and poet living in Middleton. Her first poem is called ‘Mums Maths Day’: On Friday I went back to school, Mums Maths Days what they said. I took a seat beside my son, saw the work and thought … ”I’m dead!” The teacher introduced herself, then said “just ask if you are stuck … We’re learning through last year’s GCSE’s.” And I sat there just thinking “oh ****.” I looked at the other mums sitting all smiley, working their way through quite quick. I looked at the paper, my son sitting so eager and thought “ oh God help you … I’m thick!” The teacher came wandering, I just knew she would politely said “that isn’t right.” She explained the problem and ways to resolve it, much to my bloody delight. Well, my son he got it, as the teacher went on then started explaining to me I came here this
morning to brush up on maths. But I can’t do a GCSE! Can just about add up the bills every month. Work out prices of shoes in a sale. But give me year 11 maths GCSE and it’s written all over it … FAIL. Those Dam green goblins they will come chasing. They’ll get me for sure I can tell. So I’ll sit here pretending it’s all making sense until it is time for the bell! Well I can get top marks in cuddles, cleaning and cooking the tea But I want my son to pass his exams. So Pleeeeease do not come asking me. As much as I love you I’d just like to say … Don’t slam the door as you’re leaving today, Don’t stamp about cursing, don’t scream, don’t shout. Say something nice as you’re on your way out! If ya shoes gone off walking, or
ya bag isn’t there, it means I’ve had to move it cos you didn’t care. Ya smart little comments go over my head I’ve been there, I’ve done it … and said what you’ve said. So say something new, something I have not heard. Or put up ‘n’ shut up ‘n’ don’t say a word! Your death stares don’t phase me, I’m sure you’ve seen mine. But yours will get better, believe me … in time. You’re life is a nightmare, ya mum is a pain, you’re late for school, oh surprise … once again! Well as you dash out, gobbing off on your way, I politely smile and shout “have a good day.” When really I’m thinking “Thank God they are gone.” I was wondering how long that could go on! I’m nackered already, my head is just spinning I’m ready for bed and the days just beginning!
But thank God for this silence it’s wonderfully bliss the only one thing as a mother, I miss. Dementia With eyes so lost you look at me … another banished memory you smile because you know my face but yet my name, you can not place. Where is the woman I know is so strong where are the memories we’d laugh upon? What happened to the lady so proud who stood tall, Dementia has stolen…stolen it all. A distant frail lady now sits in a chair a vacant expression along with her there Remembering childhood, with her father and mother finding hard to recall, any Nina Dales memory of other.
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South Leeds Lives 17
This led in 1775 to the Company leasing a mill to grind the flint on the River Wharfe at Thorp Arch until their own mill was repaired at Jack Lane. In 1774 a cousin of Joshua Green had become a partner in the Company as well as being Company Accountant and in 1775 or 1776 an entrepreneur businessman from Colne, Lancashire called William Hartley joined the firm which then began to trade as Humble, Hartley, Greens & Company, on his death in 1813 he was
Greens & Company. John Green, a founder member of the Company withdrew his money in the 1790s; he went bankrupt although he started again when he established the Don Pottery at Swinton in 1801. The year 1785 saw the Leeds Pottery amalgamate with the Swinton Pottery, Wath Road, Swinton both being run by John Green the Potter, the Green family originally coming from this area. It was an uneasy amalgamation and eventually ended in a dispute in 1806 and the Leeds Pottery closed for a while. The year 1813 saw the Pottery once again back in business but the remaining partners who were George Hanson a Manchester business man, Samuel Wainwright and his son, William Hartley (junior), and a Potter named Justus Christian Ruperti, struggled on with strained finances before
succeeded by his son William. Finance came from many different sources and in the early 1780s John Barwick, a surgeon and apothecary in Leeds, Henry Ackroyd, a yeoman, Samuel Wainwright, a gentleman from Thorp Arch, and Thomas Wainwright, a Post-Master of Ferrybridge all bought partnerships in the Leeds Pottery. On 19 February 1781 Richard Humble, who had also been an Agent for Brandling's Middleton Colliery, retired from the partnership at the age of 64 leaving the Company to trade as Hartley,
the Pottery was offered for sale in 1826. At this time the Pottery comprised of four biscuit and eight glazing kilns, slip houses, workshops and a flint mill. It remained unsold until 1830 when it was once again offered for sale but it was not until 1843 that the Manager Stephen Chappell and his youngest brother James purchased it. After Chappell’s death the Company had insufficient funds to pay its creditors and in 1849 the Pottery was put up for auction. The Pottery was bought by
Local history with Ken Burton
The Leeds Pottery T
he Leeds Pottery was the Hunslet’s answer to Josiah Wedgwood's pottery factory at Burslem, Staffordshire, both of which exported to many parts of the world. Leeds Pottery, or Old Leeds Pottery, was one of a cluster of potteries that opened south of the River Aire in Hunslet and Holbeck in the 18th and 19th centuries. On 12 November 1770 Jeremiah Dixon of Allerton Gledhow, Yorkshire and his wife Mary conveyed a close of land
June 2022 | South Leeds Life
the Leeds Mercury and the Leeds Intelligencer thus: "On Tuesday last, a melancholy at the pottery new building near this town, owing, as we are informed, to the Master Bricklayer hurrying up one of the tall hovels expeditiously, by which, one Moses Hawkshead was killed and three others bruised." In 1771 Humble and John and Joshua Green insured their pottery at a valuation of £1,000 and with a further policy valuing stock and
A Leeds Pottery plate Richard Britton who took as a partner Samuel Warburton, after Warburton’s death in 1872 the Company traded as Richard Britton & Sons, Alfred and John Broadbent having joined in partnership with their father. The Company was once again bankrupt in 1878 and it was bought by the Middleton Estate & Colliery Company Limited and was for short time run as a Pottery by the Taylor Brothers (James, Joseph, and Charles all of Hunslet) before finally closing in 1881. The 1881 Census return shows Charles Taylor then aged 49 as a Master Potter employing 250 men and women living at the Pottery with other members of his family.
A Leeds Pottery bill header of 1827 included a drawing of the factory on the north side of Jack Lane of about 5½ acres called Rushy Pasture to Richard Humble of Middleton for £600. Humble was an Agent for coal mine owner Charles Brandling, but there was no mention of a pottery building, two days later Richard Humble leased Rushy Pasture and access rights to Charles Brandling for a full term of 48 years and paying the rent of £7 on 1 May and 11 November. The statement of no pottery on the site could be misleading because on 28 August 1770 an accident was reported in both
utensils at £500. Twenty-one years later the pottery was valued at £53,860,14s.8¾d (£53,860.79p), this gives some idea of its success. The Company traded as Humble, Greens & Company. A disaster struck the property on Sunday the 31st July 1774 when the sails of the windmill belonging to the Pottery fell down with a tremendous crash, this was looked on as a judgement for desecrating the Sabbath, leading the proprietors to resolving that the mill should never be allowed to work on the Sabbath again.
A Leeds Pottery Shell-Edged Tea Pot
Gasworks and other industrial buildings soon covered the site after it was demolished and in the late 1970s and early 1980s it became part of a new road complex and nothing now remains of what was the site of a major Leeds industry. Leeds City Council restarted the Leeds Pottery brand in 1983 making reproduction pieces, but they had to sell the business and production moved to Stoke-on-Trent. In 1992 it was acquired by John Croft who renamed it Hartley, Greens & Company. In 2011 it was acquired by Denby Pottery and production was moved to Middleport Pottery, Stoke-onTrent.
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South Leeds Life | June 2022
18 South Leeds Lives
Here and There with Peter Haughton here
Sun’s out! Ey up. Saturday. Sun’s out. Now shall I get up… or wait ’til Neenie comes back from walking Arnie? She allus does the ‘first un these days now she’s retired as well. Brings me another cuppa, too. Bless. Too nice though! Think I’ll nip
over to Aldi - get some croissants - we’ll ‘ave a continental brekkie. Yep! It is nice and warm outside for once! Can’t tell you ‘ow glad I am. Loads o’ tab ends slap bang in the doorway. Nice and quiet though. An’ I just need bread as
well. Busy at ‘checkouts though. Like Briggate. Both aisles chocker. And, just as I’m thinking I could call out in that monotonic voice that Lee Evans impersonates so perfectly, ‘Cashier Number Three, please!’, they sort it for me. I’m quick. Like a ferret down a rabbit oil. Still have to wait though, so it gets me thinkin’ about that Queen song ‘I want To Break Free’. And be’time the young lad arrives, I’ve got me stall set out… ‘Do you know that Queen song ‘I Want To Break Free’. He nods. ‘Ere goes (didn’t sing too loud)Please open aisle three I want to be free to go eat me croissants at least before tea-eee I want to be….’ Worked. Got ‘im laughin’. Because music soothes the savage breast. That’s Shakespeare, tha’ knos. Unless it’s rapping. Not reet soothin’. And that’s the point. ‘Ave to ‘ave a savage breast for that. Not many people know this, but rapping started ‘ere, in Yorkshire. Yes you read it right, an’ it can be proved in a coupla paragraphs. Y’see, me, I’m already gettin’ nearly as old as Methuselah, but me mam taught us boys a rap that her dad’d taught ‘er. But to mek sense of it I’ll ‘ave
to explain a coupla things: it’s two kids meeting in a playground who ‘ave brothers called Bob. But ‘Bob’, as manyas-old-as-me from Yorkshire will be able to tell yer, was the nickname for a shilling, a coin used before decimalisation and, in today’s money, worth 5p. ‘Bob’ is also a Yorkshire word for a punch. First kid’s angry because the other kid’s brother called Bob owes ‘is brother Bob a shilling so ‘e sez in an angry voice (see - rap!) ‘Tha Bob owes ar Bob a bob an’ if tha Bob dun’t give ar Bob that bob that tha Bob owes ar Bob ar Bob’s gunna give tha Bob a bob on’ nose!’ Just needs a beat innit. there I am mad about … bicycles. Back in the early nineties I took the ferry to Holland to cycle through Belgium, then France, on a Specialized Rockhopper, to spend some time in Paris. I’m not a super-fit kind of person: one of the reasons I was doing this was to have a separate holiday from my thenwife who’d made other plans, as the marriage was just about over. Cycling to Lille, Leeds’ twin city, wasn’t bad at all because it was mainly flat. The hostel I stayed at in Lille was different from ours because it was mostly occupied by workers, not hikers. When, the following day, it took until lunchtime to get out of Lille, and facing so many hills with Paris still so far away, I took a train. The bike followed
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on a goods train, to arrive in Paris the day after. But I was lucky, because I had a French friend called Dominique who lent me the use of his flat, just outside Paris, whilst he was away on holiday. And I still remember the immense satisfaction of being at Le Gare du Nord at 7:00 am the next day to pick up my beloved companion. Intact. Things might have changed since but Paris in the 90’s was quiet in August because, traditionally, so many Parisians were en vacance. I cycled only on the Right Bank side of the Seine, i.e. north-western Paris, because it’s mostly flat and gentle, other than la Butte de Montmartre. There was more than enough to
explore. Still visited Sacre Couer though, locking my bike up somewhere beneath (tip always buy the securest lock you can afford). You ride safe, wide boulevards as you saunter your way away from the river, to the outskirts, the slight upwards incline and warm weather convincing you… to take it easy. On the downhill return, you pick up speed, with minimum effort, in order to savour the cooling breeze. Holidays? Divorce? C’est la vie c’est la guerre. Given the right weather, you can enjoy cycling anywhere especially including Leeds. But wherever you bike a big city, it’s advisable to stay away from traffic wherever you can.
Daughter Katie checking out the Specialized Rockhopper, Dorset, 1988 (ish)
New book tells the history of Hunslet S
teven Burt and Kevin Grady have teamed up to produce a fascinating history of Hunslet – Leeds’ most famous industrial suburb. ‘The Remarkable Story of Hunslet’, at 350 pages with over 250 illustrations is a most comprehensive history of the area. It traces the history of Hunslet from its first mention in the Domesday Book of 1086 up to the present day. It is lavishly illustrated throughout with maps, paintings and photographs and describes the economic and social history of the township from humble beginnings to becoming the great industrial powerhouse of the Victorian period and beyond. It describes the lives of Hunslet’s people – life in the back-to-back streets, their churches and chapels, their schools, the pubs and shops, the sporting clubs, cinemas, and major annual events such
as the Hunslet Feast. As well, it tells the story of the development Hunslet’s roads and railways, and its great industries ranging from the handicraft woollen cloth making industry and coal mining in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries to the development of the textile mills, iron and steel works, potteries, glassworks, chemical works, and the great steam locomotive, chemical, printing and engineering works in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Co-author Steven Burt said: “The story of Hunslet is truly remarkable. It grew from being an agricultural manor and township on the edge of Leeds in the Middle Ages to becoming the industrial powerhouse of the city in the nineteenth century. “It engineering products including steam locomotives, traction engines, steam ploughs, pumping engines and
coal-cutting equipment, and machinery of all sorts were exported all over the world. In addition, it was famous for woollen cloth production, flax spinning, glass making, its chemical works, production of iron and steel, nail making, production of gas holders, and much more.”
The book highlights some of Hunslet’s most dramatic events and controversies including the arrival of the Middleton Railway, the Cholera epidemic of 1849, the battle to save Hunslet Moor, and its great contribution to winning two world wars. In more modern times, it recounts the
Steven Burt (right) & Kenin Grady launched the book at Hunslet Library
disastrous building in the 1960s and the subsequent demolition of the notorious Leek Street Flats, and the slicing of Hunslet in half in the early 1970s by the driving of the M1 motorway, through it, and the subsequent efforts of Leeds City Council and Leeds Development Corporation to remedy the damage wreaked on the community by the illthought-out slum clearances and road building. The book concludes by looking at Hunslet today, and the challenges its faces and the opportunities for its continued renewal; it discusses present-day problems of high levels of deprivation, poor health and housing, whilst celebrating Hunslet’s vibrant modern industry and the impressive regeneration projects which are transforming Hunslet’s waterfront area. Hilary Benn, MP for Leeds Central, said:
“This book is a simply magnificent achievement. Immensely readable and engaging, Steven Burt and Kevin Grady chronicle with great skill and beautiful illustrations and pictures the history and development of this historic part of the city of Leeds. “From Hunslet’s earliest appearance – in the Domesday Book – through its golden age of engineering making wonderful steam locomotives, its sporting prowess, politics and new housing to the huge changes that the modern era has brought, readers will learn something new and interesting as they turn each page. And above all, it is a story about the people who made this extraordinary place.” The book, priced £20, can be purchased from: • Stephenson’s Wallpapers, 333 Hunslet Road • Leeds Civic Trust, 17-19 Wharf Street, The Calls • The Leeds Library, 18 Commercial Street • Online purchase available via www.leedscivictrust.org.uk
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Art Life 19
Paul Grist: A Means Of Recovery
Beeston teacher Paul Grist at his exhibition in the Bexley Wing at St James’s Hospital
by Jeremy Morton
P
aul Grist, a teacher and artist from Beeston, showed me round his current exhibition in the atrium of Bexley Wing at St James’s Hospital, Yorkshire’s regional cancer centre. The space is both a peaceful, quiet space and busy thoroughfare where, as Paul puts it “you will see all of life: people who have just had extremely bad news; people who have just had extremely good news; families waiting for news; patients with drips and feeding tubes; nurses, doctors and porters; it’s all there in that space.” It’s exactly the sort of space Paul wants his work exhibited in, not hidden away in an art gallery. He believes art is for everyone and should be part of the everyday world. Paul was diagnosed with
June 2022 | South Leeds Life
throat cancer three years ago and was inspired by a quote he saw on the wall at Bexley Wing on his first visit: “Little as we know about the way in which we are affected by form, colour, by light, we do know this, that they have a physical effect. Variety of form and brilliancy of colour in the objects presented to patients are actual means of recovery.” Surprisingly, it was written as long ago as 1859, by Florence Nightingale. Having read it, Paul, who has made artworks since he was at school, was inspired to carry on creating work with the aim of exhibiting here once he had recovered from the cancer. The exhibition, called ‘A Means Of Recovery’, includes 14 paintings inspired by the quote and painted over an 18 month period. Many of the paintings are
based on tight, geometric patterns, but this breaks down in the more recent pieces. Paul explained: “Now in my most recent ones I’m allowing gesture and expression to begin to break through the geometrical structure of the painting. Maybe that’s because I’m not having treatment now and maybe I’m less inside myself, because I’m back engaged at work and everything else.” He talked me through his inspirations for each work, ranging from the music of John Coltrane to the experience of travelling to hospital everyday for treatment through an empty city in the strange springtime of the first lockdown. But he’s very clear that these are not important to the viewer. “My paintings are completely open to interpretation, obviously I have my own
thoughts about them, but I think understanding is a bit of a myth in visual art. It’s about how does it make you feel, how do you respond to it? It’s a different way of communication from language.” And his advice to visitors? “Don’t worry about understanding it. Appreciate it in an open-ended way. I’m not imposing a particular interpretation on it. Hopefully people will enjoy them and interpret them in their own ways without having a meaning thrust upon them.” I certainly enjoyed them and would highly recommend a visit. The exhibition, which runs until July, is free and open to the public, but please wear a facemask in the hospital. All the works are available to buy with 35% of the price going to the Leeds Hospitals Charity.
Red Ladder Theatre Company want to hear your stories! R
ed Ladder are a theatre company based in Leeds. We’ve been bringing theatre shows to Belle Isle for a few years now, but now we want to make a show, with you, in the heart of our community. We’re working with Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation (BITMO) on a project called Belle Isle Stories, which celebrates the talent and creativity of the amazing people who live here. We want to hear your stories about life in Belle Isle to create a community showcase in June. They might be funny, intriguing, ordinary or extraordinary – every story matters! The stories will be shared at a celebration of Belle Isle Talent at BITMOs Gate on Sunday 26 June 2022. There will be food, music and a showcase of incredible local talent. Everyone is welcome to join! Got a story to tell? There are lots of ways to get involved… 1. Submit your story If you’ve got an idea ready to go, then get in touch! Don’t worry about formalities – just tell it to us like you would tell it to your mates, and we’ll do the rest. You could send it to us by email, voice recording, tell us in person or even make a short film. Check out all the different ways to get in touch below. 2. Take part in a free workshop We’ll be running free workshops in the build up to the event. These courses are a
great way to meet new people, develop your writing skills and do something a bit different. We’re a friendly bunch – everyone is welcome! Here’s what we’ve got coming up: Get Writing! Workshop When? Thursdays (2 & 9 June) What time? 6.15pm-8.15pm Where? The Gate Get Acting! Workshop When? Thursdays (2, 9, 16 & 23 June) What time? 6.15pm-8.15pm Where? The Gate Don’t worry if you’ve missed the first session, you can join at any time. If you are able get in touch to let us know to expect you that would be brilliant, but not essential. You’re welcome to drop in any time! Not sure writing or acting is for you? We’re also looking for individuals and groups to perform on Sunday 26 June. Singing? Juggling? Dance? If you have a performance that is between 2 and 10 minutes in length, we’d like to hear from you! We’re so excited about this exciting project. We hope to have you join us! Get in touch to find out more: Email: gate@belleisletmo.co.uk Call: (0113) 378 2190 Text/WhatsApp: 07891 274 237 or pop in and speak to someone at The Gate Belle Isle Stories has been made possible with funding from the Arts Council’s Let’s Create Jubilee Fund.
a captivating glow stick display from the younger members of the cast. The teen playing Parr really brought the emotion on stage that that role and song required. The sixth and final solo performance from Parr really rounded off a great musical from the Rogues, who had the attention of every person in that room. To end the show, title track
Six brought celebration, joy and pride to both the performers on the stage and their families in the audience. A fabulously told tale everyone involved with should be proud of, as they shared the story of Henry VII’s wives, with unexpected and adult references, every last one of them involved impressed family and friends alike in the audience.
Hunslet Rogues perform SIX: The Musical by Khya Gott
W
e have all heard the story of Henry VIII, but now it’s time to hear a story we haven’t heard before, the story of his six wives. A Friday evening in South Leeds watching the Hunslet Rogues perform SIX: The Musical. The performers consisting of children and teenagers performed classics from the hit musical as well as referencing other cult movies along the way. The show started with our first queen Catherine of Aragon followed by Anne Boleyn as they sang their classics No Way and Don’t Lose Ur Head. In Amongst the ballads, the
musical referenced a different classic. With Henry VIII playing a pivotal role in the show, Boleyn and the man himself performed Summer Nights from Grease.
The storytelling didn’t end there, the story of a King marrying six people continued and next up, was his wife Jane Seymour. All the Queens stood on the stage alongside
The cast of Six: The Musical on stage at The Hunslet Club
Seymour to sing ballad Heart of Stone. A first act of surprises and entertainment concluded as the performers took a well deserved break, and it felt safe to say all my expectations were exceeded. After the interval, Anne of Cleves sang her classic, Get Down, and in true Cleves fashion, stole the show. On Wednesday’s we wear pink? Before Kathryn Howard performed All You Wanna Do came references to 2004 comedy Mean Girls. A surprise mention to a teen film classic. Finally, the only queen to survive, Catherine Parr. An emotional song performed with
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South Leeds Life | June 2022
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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 June 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 holidays, 30 May - 3 June Full contact details can be found in our online What’s On guide at www.southleedslife.com/events
Every Monday Mums & Tots, Tea & Toast 9-10:30am Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street 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 Over 65s Group @ Hunslet RLFC 9:45-11:45am Phoennix Bar, South Leeds Stadium Holbeck Together coffee morning 10am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre Walking Group 10am BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road Crochet & Knitting Group 10am-12pm Beeston Community Hub & Library, Town Street Mindfulmess (online) 10:30am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Book: 07305 167629 Chair Based Exercise 10:30am-12pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus Bingo and Hoy 11am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road MHA Soup & a Sandwich and Digital Health Hub 11:30am-1pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston 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 Dance class 12:30-1:30pm Tenants Hall, Acre Close, Middleton Gentle Exercise 12:30pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle 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 One You Stop Smoking Support 1pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road 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 Beeston Hillers’ Book Club 1:30-2:30pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub & Library Beeston Digital Inclusion Classes
1:30-3:30pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus Reiki 1:45pm &3:30pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Book: 07305 167629 Dance On 2-3pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road. 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 & 7pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre Kickboxing 6:30-8:30pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Youth Community Cafe 6:30-8pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston Be Creative 7-8:30pm over Zoom. Book: fb.com/YourSpaceLeeds Mediatation for Beginners 7-8pm Over Zoom. Book: jamyangleeds.co.uk/wellbeing
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 Active Tots 9:30am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle 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 REACH support for 16-24s 10am BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road Grandparents Kinship Support Group 10am-12pm St George’s Centre, Middleton
Bosom Buddies breastfeeding support 10am-12pm Tenants Hall Enterprise Centre, Acre Close, Middleton Book: (0113) 270 6903 Woodwork 10am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle MHA Exercise Class 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 Affordable Breakfast 10:30am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Belle Isle and Middleton Craft & Chat 10:30am-12:30pm St George’s Centre, Middleton Zumba / Pilates 11am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston via Zoom Book: 0113 270 4600 Job Search Club 11am-12pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston 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 MEA Lunch Club 12-1:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Holbeck Together Lunch Club 12-1:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck MHA Lunch and Social 12-2:30pm Arthington Court, Balm Road, Hunslet Lunch Club and Social 12-3pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus Bingo 12pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle 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 Digital Support 1pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road Line Dancing 1-3pm St Anthony’s Church Hall, Old Lane, Beeston Line Dancing 1:30-3pm 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 Games Afternoon / Singing Group
2-3pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck 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 Free Kids Sports 3:30-4:30pm Grove Field, off Church Street, Hunslet Digital Skills Workshop 4-5pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub & Library Book: 07435 914350 Illuminate Dance 4:30pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre Rainbows and Brownies 4:30-7:15pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Cockburn Community Choir 5-6pm Cockburn School, Gipsy Lane, Beeston Free Kids Sports 5-6pm West Grange Courts, between the corner of West Grange Road-Winrose Crescent and Jenkinson Place, Belle Isle DAZL Dance 5:30-6:30pm Cottingley Community Centre Dance Fitness (14+) 6-7pm Middleton Community Centre, Acre Road Book: 07519 018675 Outdoor Yoga 6pm Top of Cross Flatts Park Book: 07576 113269 Inside Out exercise class 6-7pm Tenants Hall, Acre Close, Middleton 51st Leeds (Hunslet) Guides 6:15-7:15pm Rainbows; 6:157:30pm Brownies; 7:15-8:30pm Guides St Mary’s CofE Primary Academy, Church Street, Hunslet Free Football sessions (8-18 yrs) 6:30-8:30pm Holbeck Community Centre, Old Elland Road. Book: richard.foye@leedsunited.com NK9 Dog Training 6:30pm Hunslet Methodist Church, Telford Terrace Book: 07856 229909 South Leeds Lakers Running Club 6:55pm Beeston Village Community Centre. Book: bit.ly/LakersRunning Yoga 7pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Hunslet Nelson Women’s Rounders 7-8pm Middleton Leisure 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, Belle Isle 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 Ingram Court Community Room, Holbeck Holbeck Together Charity Shop 10am-12pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Woodwork 10am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Remember Together Group Young Dementia Leeds Hub, Cottingley Book: 07983 215865 email mcst@ageukleeds.org.uk Beeston In Bloom Gardening Group 10am-12pm Millennium Garden, Cross Flatts Park Confidence Building course 10:30am-12pm Tenants Hall, Acre Close, Middleton Singing 11am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Holbeck Together Lunch Club 12-1:30pm Ingram Court Community Room, Holbeck 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 Parents & Tots 1:30-2:30pm Ingram Court Community Room, Holbeck Parents & Tots Social 1:30-2:30pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston Walk and Talk 2-3pm meet at Middleton Park main gates on Town Street Tai Chi 2pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Slimming World 2-9pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street. Book: 07841 488658
Family Cooking 4pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Women’s Wellbeing Group 4:30-6pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub & Library Free Football sessions (8-18 yrs) 5-7pm South Leeds Youth Hub, Belle Isle. Book: richard.foye@leedsunited.com Bat & Chat Table Tennis 5-7pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub & Library Yoga 5-6pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston via Zoom Book: 0113 270 4600 Climate Hub and Energy Saving drop in 5:30-7pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub & Library 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, Belle Isle Holbeck Chat & Chill 6-7:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Touch & Pass Rugby for over 40s 6:30-7:30pm Hunslet Warriors Holbeck Moor FC: Inclusive adult football training 6:30pm Holbeck Moor Line Dancing 6:45-9pm Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle Yoga 7-8pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Book: 07576 113269 SO! Choir 7:30-9:30pm The Tetley art gallery, Hunslet Road
Every Thursday 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 Computer class / ESOL 2/3 class 9:30am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600 Affordable Breakfast 9:30am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle 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
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Library Story Bus 10-11:30am St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Walk in Cross Flatts Park Meet 10am Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston Woodwork / Knit & Natter / Beauty Treatments 10am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Holbeck Together Community Cafe / Community Supermarket 10:30am-2pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Craft Group / Digital Inclusion 10:30am-12pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus Inclusive dance 11am-12pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Walking Football 11am-12pm The Hunslet Club, Hillidge Road Bingo and Hoy 11am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Hunslet TARA Estate Walkabout 11am meet Best One shop, Rocheford Walk CV Writing 11am-12pm Hamara Centre, Tempest Road, Beeston Line Dancing 11:30am-12:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Lunch Club 12-1:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road 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 Tea Dance 1pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Draw with Celia 1-3pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck Be Friends Group 1-2:30pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Online help class 1:30-3pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Conversation Club for asylum seekers and refugees 1:30-3:30pm The Holbeck club, Jenkinson Lawn Table Tennis 1-2:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Walking Group 1:30-3:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Digital Inclusion / Social Group 1:30-3pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus Camera Club 1:30pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Employment and Training drop in 4pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road Illuminate Dance 4pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Elevate Women’s Wellbeing Group 4-5:30pm over Zoom. Book: fb.com/YourSpaceLeeds Women’s Chat & Chill Evening 4:30-6pm BITMO’s GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle 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 Yoga 6:30pm St Andrew’s Methodist
Church, Cardinal Road, Beeston 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 Food Bank 9-11am Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Belle Isle Affordable Breakfast 9:30am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle ESOL 2/3 class 9:30am-12pm Asha Neighbourhood Project, Beeston Book: 0113 270 4600 Toast & Games, Knit & Natter 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 Breakfast Club 10-11:30am BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road Gardening Group 10am-12pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus Julie’s Ancestry Group 10am-12pm and 1-2:45pm 26 Belle Isle Circus MHA Stretch & Tone 10-11am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston Hunslet TARA Gardening 10am meet Church of the Nazarene, Grove Road Green Team Volunteers 10am-3pm Skelton Grange Environment Centre, Stourton Digital Hub IT Support 10-12pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Arts & Crafts 11am Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle 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 Fish & Chip Lunch Club 12-1:30pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck 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 1:30pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle Bingo Afternoon 1:30-3pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck Friday Social Club 1:30-3:30pm BISA 59 Club, 59 Belle Isle Circus Chair-based Exercise 1:45-2:45pm Middleton Elderly
June 2022 | South Leeds Life
What’s On 21 Aid Social Centre, Acre Road. Knit and Natter 2-3pm BITMOs GATE, Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle Road 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 Table Tennis 4:45-5:25pm (7-11yrs) 5:306:15pm (12-15yrs) St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck DAZL Youth Club 5-7pm Middleton Community Centre, Acre Road Illuminate Dance 5pm Cranmore & Raylands Community Centre, Belle Isle South Leeds Lakers Juniors (Athletics) 6-7pm South Leeds Stadium Book: fb.com/juniorlakersleeds 1st SLAM Cubs (8-10½ yrs) 6:15-7:45pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston 5th Middleton Guides & Rangers 7:30-9pm South Leeds URC Church, Nesfield Road, Belle Isle 1st SLAM Scouts (10½-14 yrs) 8-9:30pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Beeston
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 Holbeck Moor FC Juniors (4-6yrs) 9am Ingram Road Primary School, Holbeck Saturday Breakfast 9:30-11am Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Park Roll rollerskating 10am-12pm Sports Courts, Cross Flatts Park, Beeston Book: ls-ten.org Family Lego Club 10-11am The Holbeck club, Jenkinson Lawn Middleton Railway 10am-4pm Moor Road, Hunslet ParkPlay 10:30am Brickfield Park, Lady Pit Lane, Beeston Yoga 12-1pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Book: 07576 113269 Bingo 12-3pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Youth Club 7-9pm LS-TEN Skatepark, Kitson Road, Hunslet
Every Sunday Junior parkrun (4-14 yrs) 9am Top of Cross Flatts Park Recovery Runners 10am The Glass Box, Leeds Dock Indoor Children’s Exercise 10am-12pm Hillside, Beeston Rd Healthy Minds Cycling Skills 10-11am Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park Middleton Railway 10am-4pm Moor Road, Hunslet Hunslet TARA Litterpick 12pm meet Church of the Nazarene, Grove Road Big Bike Fix drop in workshop 12-4pm Harlech Avenue, Beeston Toning & Stretching with Julie 6:30-7:30pm DAZL HQ, Middleton Community Centre, Acre Road. Book: 07783 786776
Wednesday 1 June Meet your PCSOs 10am-12pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub and Library Free Children’s Play Activities 1-3pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Julbilee Afternoon Tea 1-3pm MHA South Leeds, St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston Book: (0113) 271 6201 Jubilee Party Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Book: (0113) 272 1050 MHA Walking Group Book: (0113) 271 6201 Leeds Irish Health Group 10am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street 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 2 June 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 Beeston Community Forum 7:30-9pm Beeston Village Community Centre, Beeston Park Place, off Town Street Saturday 4 June Holbeck & Beeston Cemetery Volunteers 10am-1pm Meet centre of Holbeck Cemetery, Beeston Road Coffee morning 10am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Coffee morning 10am-12pm Church of the Nazarene, Grove Road, Hunslet Yak Street Jumble Sale 10am-2pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck Saturday Family Film Club 11am-1pm St George’s Middleton Community Hub & Library Hunslet TARA Information Desk 11am Church Street Get Involved In Growing 11am-1pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park, Beeston Thumberlina 2-3pm The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn Book: slunglow.org Sunday 5 June Platinum Jubilee Extravaganza 12-4:30pm Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Platinum Jubilee Picnic 12-3pm Recreation Ground Church Street, Hunslet Platinum Jubilee Barbecue 12-3pm Bowling Green Hut, Hunslet Moor Monday 6 June Middleton Community Group 6-7pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Tuesday 7 June Hunslet TARA Litterpick 10am meet Church of the Nazarene, Grove Road Wednesday 8 June MHA Kurling 10-11am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston Entertainment with Cliff Bryan 1:30-3:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road MHA Singing Sensations 1:30-3pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston MEA Pie & Peas evening 5-7pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road White Rose Speakers
7pm Jury’s Inn hotel, Brewery Wharf Saturday 11 June Leeds Dads Soft Play 10am-12pm Little Angels Playzone, The Sugar Refinery, Dewsbury Road, Beeston Book: leedsdads.org/events Free Crochet Group 10am-1pm Bridge Cafe, Cross Flatts Park, Beeston School Uniform Swap Shop 11am-1pm Bridge Cafe, Cross Flatts Park, Beeston Sunday 12 June Hunslet RLFC v North Wales 3pm South Leeds Stadium, Middleton Grove Tuesday 14 June Hearing Aid Clinic 10am-12pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Book: (0113) 272 1050 Wednesday 15 June Leeds Irish Health Group 10am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Film Club: The Sound of Music 12:30pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Book: (0113) 272 1050 Thursday 16 June Leeds Baby Bank 10am-12pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub & Library Saturday 18 June Table Top Sale 9am-1pm Bridge Cafe, Cross Flatts Park, Beeston Coffee morning 10am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Coffee Morning 10am Hunslet Methodist Church, Telford Terrace, Balm Road Hunslet TARA Information Desk 11am Church Street Board Games Evening 7-11pm The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn Sunday 19 June Middleton Park Transport Walk 1:30-3pm meet Middleton Park Visitor Centre, off Town Street Tuesday 21 June Hunslet TARA Coffee & PCSOs 10am Hunslet Community Hub and Library, Church Street Hunslet TARA Litterpick 10am meet Church of the Nazarene, Grove Road Wednesday 22 June Meet your PCSOs 10am-12pm Dewsbury Road Community Hub and Library Friday 24 June Beeston & Holbeck Councillors’ Surgeries 4pm Beeston Community Hub & Library, Town Street, Beeston 5pm St Matthew’s Community Centre, Holbeck 6pm Cottingley Community Centre
Saturday 25 June Table Top Sale 9am-12pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park, Beeston School Uniform Swap Shop 11am-1pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park, Beeston Hunslet & Riverside Councillors’ Surgeries 10am Hunslet Hub & Library 11:30am Dewsbury Road Hub & Library; 1-1:30pm Facebook Live: fb.com/PaulWrayUK Beeston Festival 12-5pm Cross Flatts Park Hunslet RLFC v Rochdale Hornets 3pm South Leeds Stadium, Middleton Grove Beeston Film Festival 6:30-9pm Cross Flatts Park Turtle 7:30pm The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn Book: slunglow.org Sunday 26 June Holbeck Together Sunday Lunch 12-2pm St Matthew’s Community Centre Book: 0113 245 5553 MHA Sunday Lunch 12-2pm St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston Book: 0113 271 6201 Wednesday 29 June MHA Kurling 10-11am St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane, Beeston MEA Pie & Peas evening 5-7pm Middleton Elderly Aid Social Centre, Acre Road Drink & Draw 6:30-8pm The Tetley, Hunslet Rd Book: thetetley.org/whats-on Saturday 2 July Holbeck & Beeston Cemetery Volunteers 10am-1pm Meet centre of Holbeck Cemetery, Beeston Road Coffee morning 10am-12pm Beeston Parish Centre, Town Street Coffee morning 10am-12pm Church of the Nazarene, Grove Road, Hunslet Yak Street Jumble Sale 10am-2pm Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Ingram Road, Holbeck Saturday Family Film Club 11am-1pm St George’s Middleton Community Hub & Library Hunslet TARA Information Desk 11am Church Street Get Involved In Growing 11am-1pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park, Beeston A Tale of Orpheus & Eurydice 3pm The Holbeck, Jenkinson Lawn Book: slunglow.org Sunday 3 July Bands In The Park 2:30pm Watsonian Pavilion, Cross Flatts Park, Beeston
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South Leeds Life | June 2022
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
22 What’s On IN BRIEF Beeston Festival is back Beeston Festival returns to its usual place in the calendar on Saturday 25 June after the disruptions of the pandemic. As well as the usual mix of live music, dance, sports, kids activities, stalls, food, live animals and a fun fair, this year the festival is extending into the evening with a film festival. The selection of independent short films has been hand picked to represent real-life and honest themes in our community including immigration, multiculturalism and social pressures such as mental health. The outdoor event is free, but ticketed. You can register for tickets online at bit.ly/BeestonFilm or on the day. ‘Doors’ open at 6:30pm with the first film being shown at 7pm. The films are due to finish at 8:30pm.
Waterfront Festival returns The Leeds Waterfront Festival is back on the weekend of 2526 June at various venues along the River Aire Waterfront. Try canoeing, kayaking or paddle boarding at Granary Wharf, or watch the spectacular Dragon Boat races at Leeds Dock. Find out more at: leedswf.co.uk/whats-on
Get Construction Ready with free training Construction Ready is a 2-week course that will give you the essential skills and knowledge needed to work on a construction site. On completion you will gain your CSCS Card and a guaranteed job interview. The next course runs from 4-15 July at Leeds City College. You must be 19+ and have lived in the UK for 3 years. Full details at tinyurl.com/4wmpd768
Belle Isle Senior Action – BISA – Lunch Club Belle Isle Senior Action’s Lunch Club is held on Tuesdays from 12pm. You get a delicious lunch and pudding, for only £5.00. This is followed by an afternoon of Bingo Board games, and quizzes, as well as ‘Play Your Cards Right!’ We also have a minibus with full disabled access facilities to transport you to our 59 Club, and take you home safely. If you are over 60 and live in Belle Isle, why not come and join us! Phone Paul on (0113) 277 8208.
Lost Passport I, RAWA ABDALLA KHDHIR, would like to politely inform the general public of Leeds that I have lost my Passport. Unfortunately, this was my original Iraqi Passport document. I lost it in Leeds in the Middleton / Belle Isle area. My passport document number is: A10165488 / Date of issue: 10/07/2016. If anyone finds it please contact me on 07480 810814.
Licensing Act 2003 Notice is hereby given that I, Four89 Ltd, have made an application under section 17 of part 3 of the Licensing Act 2003 for the grant of a premises licence for the premises known as: Dolce Vita Craft & Kitchen, 287 Beeston Road, Leeds, LS11 7HX I intend to conduct the following licensable activities on or from the premises: Sale by retail of alcohol (on & off sales) Monday to Saturday 08:00-19:00 Sunday 09:00-17:00 Subject to the following terms: CCTV, Challenge 25, incident register Responsible authorities or any other person may make written representations to Leeds City Council about this application until 16th June 2022 which should be sent to entertainment.licensing@leeds.gov.uk For full details and to view a copy of the application please contact Entertainment Licensing on 0113 378 5029 or email entertainment.licensing@leeds.gov.uk It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application and the maximum fine for which a person is liable on conviction for this offence is an unlimited fine.
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Friends plan Jubilee Extravaganza for Middleton Park F
riends of Middleton Park are proud to invite you to their Platinum Jubilee Extravaganza on Sunday 5 June 2022, 12–4:30pm in the Park near the visitor centre (LS10 3SH). This is a free event, open to all. Working with the Balbir Singh Dance Company, the Friends successfully applied to Leeds Community Foundation for a grant from Arts Council England’s Let’s Create Jubilee fund to put on this event. In the week leading up to the event, Balbir Singh and other dancers will be visiting local groups to gather ideas, practice dances and write speeches. The event will celebrate the whole of the Queen’s reign from her accession to the
throne in 1952 to the present day. Working on material from her annual Christmas address to the nation, the Balbir Singh Dance Company will create a series of dances, incorporating everything from classical Indian dance to old-fashioned hopscotch! Around the performance area will be games, balloon modelling, face painting and henna. There will be an exhibition of photos by the Leeds Co-operative Photographic Society, the cafe will be open and the Friends will be selling their delicious home-made cakes. At 2:30pm we will be joined by Corpus Christi Band with a special playlist of Jubilee themed music, sponsored by
The Friends are working with the Balbir Singh Dance Company our local councillors Sharon Burke and Paul Truswell. They will pause their playing at 3pm for the Queen’s speech, as written by community groups and spoken by local people. Rachel Darton from Friends
of Middleton Park said: “We are thrilled to put on this event to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s long and eventful reign, and to celebrate our diverse and vibrant local community. Please come and join us!”
Hamara healthy living centre: meeting community needs H
amara healthy living centre is a vibrant community centre on Tempest Road in the heart of Beeston and is now reopen to the public following the Covid-19 pandemic, running a wide variety of sessions covering a large range of community needs. Working within the community sector and now employing over 20 staff, Hamara currently delivers several different strands of work including: Health Promotion, Youth Activities, Older People’s Services, Saturday Supplementary School, Learning Disabilities, Education and Employment & Training Programmes. These are all key facets of our work in strengthening and supporting our community. Nizam runs a mens group for 55+ who enjoy activities such as walking, gardening, sports and woodworking, he provides support, advice and advocacy. Nizam also runs the “Talk English” groups to help people improve their English and build their confidence. Aziza runs a womens group for 55+ and supports service users with English speaking, crafts, day trips, gentle exercises and spirituality, she too provides support, advice and advocacy. There is also another group for older people called “Recycled teenagers”, this is a mixed group for anyone over
the age of 60. There is a wonderful youth project that runs three days a week with the aim of supporting our young people into different roles through advocacy and training, whilst also running youth clubs, youth diners and various sporting activities from the ages of 1118, and a parents & tots group every Wednesday for sensory and creative play HALO is a member-led day service for adults with learning disabilities, running five days a week and supporting members to make independent choices and build upon life skills, employability skills and relationships, HALO enjoy day trips, creative sessions, sporting activities and gardening activities. Hamara has a full time
employment officer, Simona, who support service users with all aspects of employability, from CV writing, job search clubs and employability related workshops. Simona will also provide one to one support and interview preparation. On a Saturday, we have our very own supplementary school for children aged five to eleven, this is currently being delivered online, however will be returning to the centre in September, for the new academic year. Hamara is a digital health hub, providing digital access for the community, our staff are happy to support people to develop digital skills and access online services, whilst relaxing in our ‘Heritage café’ which provides fresh homecooked meals daily.
The Hamara centre on Tempest Road in Beeston
As well as our long standing, weekly groups and sessions we have some exciting events coming in the future. On 13 June, Josie will be running an open “Hamaras Farmers” workshop for Learning Disability week which will be a combination of creative and gardening activities. You can join us at 6.30pm every Wednesday in the centre for a free hot homecooked meal cooked by foodcycle, no appointment necessary, just drop in! For details about upcoming events and sessions, please drop in to the centre, visit our website www.hamara.org.uk, call us on (0113) 277 3330, email us on admin @hamara.co.uk or follow us on social media.
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June 2022 | South Leeds Life
Email: info@southleedslife.com
Sporting Life 23
Get Set to Xplore parks A winning month for Hunslet by Karen Peck
G
et Set Leeds Local has been supporting more Inner South amazing projects recently, as well as seeing some of the community ideas developed in 2021 celebrating their one year anniversaries. Get Set Leeds Local is led by Active Leeds (Leeds City Council) with a focus on Holbeck and Beeston Hill, receiving Sport England funding to support community ideas, and co-produce things that help local people move more. Huge congratulations to Clara from South Leeds Valkyries on winning the Inspirational Community Champion award at the recent Leeds Sports Awards which took place at Leeds Dock Hall. Clara came to us with the idea last year, and with the support of Let’s Do More and many other community champions the weekly session has flourished. Clara took to the stage on 12 May to receive her award from BBC’s Tanya Arnold.
Local Community Chest Pot (up to £300). We’d love to see a wide range of activities supported through this fund. Through GSLL Community Chest we’ve been pleased to fund litter pickers; table tennis tables, sports equipment hubs; bootcamps; balance bikes for Dewsbury Road hub; contributions to new clubs such as Holbeck Moor JFC; women’s martial arts self defence and many many more. Contact getsetleedslocal@leeds.gov.uk for our simple application form and share your idea with us. Building Capacity Within the GSLL funding, we can help upskill local people to support others to be active. We’re recently joint funded three activator courses for Good Deeds volunteers in Beeston, working with Streetgames; currently developing two Ping Activator courses for Inner South community groups, recruit for a BAME women’s only swim teacher course, as well as training up ride leaders. Whether you’d like to deliver community Zumba, share your love of Tai Chi with others, or set up a walking group get in touch. Co-produced projects Some of the community
Clara and fellow Valkyries at the Leeds Sports Awards The South Leeds Valkyries women’s basketball session is welcoming to anyone wanting to join, inspiring women from across the South Leeds community to have a go at basketball, but also giving a safe social space to develop confidence and friendships. The South Leeds Valkries has moved for the summer to Lane End Primary every Thursday 6– 7pm. Email southleeds valkyries@gmail.com for more information Community Chest Pot Any resident with a community good idea which supports others to move more in our GSLL communities can apply to our Get Set Leeds
ideas we’ve supported over the past year to grow have been captured by Leeds Digital Plus and can be found as “social shorts” on our You Tube page. Get Set Leeds Local - YouTube Do take a watch – you may see some familiar faces. We have funding to support co-produced projects. If you have an idea of something which may support Holbeck and Beeston Hill to move more then get in touch. Xplorer Keep an eye out for Xplorer fun in community parks this summer. Get Set Leeds Local has had Cross Flatts Park, Holbeck Moor, Hunslet Moor and Brickfield Park mapped out for Xplorer and purchased the
equipment packs which are hosted in community locations and available for free for groups. Xplorer is a British Orienteering product that aims to engage the whole family through fun navigation challenges that can be easily set up and taken down in local green spaces. This involves a blend of both physical activity and decision making, which gives children and their family a sense of adventure and an added reason to access their local park. Short training sessions are available for any new groups wanting to use the equipment and put on Xplorer activity for community fun. Get in touch if you’d like to find out more about Xplorer and put on a community session. Cross Flatts Bike Hub The Cross Flatts Cycle Festival will return this summer on Wednesday 17 August 1– 4pm at Cross Flatts Park. Save the date and pop along for a wide range of cycling activities for all ages, along with bike fixing and bike register. The Cross Flatts bike hub activities continue weekly with led learn to ride activities delivered by Cycle North – available for anyone to book onto and attend (no bike needed). Visit Adult cycle training CityConnect (cyclecityconnect.co.uk) for information and booking link. From learning to ride for the first time or building confidence after a break from cycling to one-to-one advanced training on a route of your choice, there’s something for everyone We’ve recently supported 9 new people to train as ride leaders, with the British Cycling course delivered at Leeds Urban Bike Park. If you’d like to lead a short led ride, and utilise our bikes for a group to use then get in touch. We’re keen to build on this community resource. To get in touch e-mail getsetleedslocal@leeds.gov.uk Follow us on Instagram @getsetleedslocal and Twitter @getleeds
Continued from page 24 Hunslet took the game to the visitors early on and took the lead on the 11th minute when after quick passing Jimmy Watson sent Jack Render over in the corner. Joe Sanderson converted and the hosts led 60. Having equalised, Swinton could force the change in momentum, and Hunslet started to drop off tackles and rush out of the line as the Lions registered again through Lewis Charnock. 6-12 Hunslet were under the cosh, but dogged defending kept Swinton out until stoppage time when Roby scored for the visitors. 6-18 at the break. Swinton switched up a gear early in the second half and after drawing a Hunslet defender in the Lions broke down the right. Good passing saw Jack Hansen go under the posts and at 6-24 it looked as though Swinton may run out easy victors. But this Hunslet team certainly don’t give in, and now had their best spell of the match. Constant pressure looked like it might wield a try, but the Lions’ defence held out until in the 58th minute when
sharp passing sent Wayne Reittie diving over in the corner. Joe Sanderson’s conversion frustratingly hit the crossbar and fell the wrong side, so at the three-quarter mark Hunslet trailed Swinton 10-24. More Hunslet pressure came from the strong running forwards. Joe Summers and Kieran Moran particularly looking dangerous. But injuries to Daniel Okoro-Aroh, Duane Straugheir and the aforementioned Summers took the sting out of Hunslet’s attack. Swinton pulled the sucker punch, when after being lucky to get a 40/20 that looked to have landed short they created an overlap and Michael Butt scored in the corner. 10-28 Wayne Reittie scored a second try similar to his first to reduce the arrears, but it was too little too late as Swinton ran out 16-28 winners. On 22 May Hunslet made the long journey to Llanelli to take on West Wales Raiders. Despite being without a number of senior players through injury, they successfully negotiated the potential ‘banana-skin’ fixture scoring another half century of
points. Dave Gibbons, in his first game back after recovering from shoulder trouble, was switched from halfback to centre in the absence of injured threequarters Jason Mossop and Jacob Doyle, and made a big impact with a hat-trick in a real positive for the Parksiders. Hunslet shot into a 10-0 lead inside the first six minutes through tries by Josh JordanRoberts and Kiedan Hartley, with Joe Sanderson landing the first of his seven goals and, despite subsequent pressure from the lively hosts, never looked back. Harvey Hallas, Jordan Paga and Gibbons crossed to help establish a 26-6 lead at the break and the Parksiders duly hit the half-century with a try by Wayne Reittie, Gibbons’ last two scores and Hartley’s second touchdown. The players were given the final weekend of May off to enjoy the Challenge Cup Final, before they travel to Doncaster on 5 June. They have home matches against high flying North Wales Crusaders on Sunday 12 June and against Rochdale Hornets on Saturday 25 June.
Luke Gale joins up with Hunslet Continued from page 24 “A couple of weeks later Schoey invited me to a camp in Doncaster which Luke attended, which was the first time I got to chat to Luke. “The pandemic put a stop to it all but, after coming out of that, we’ve strengthened our partnership and we now run several programmes, all of which offer beneficial support to our community.”
He added: “Luke’s been great – as has been everyone else at the Luke Gale Academy, including Shaun Ireland, who was instrumental in launching the partnership. “Luke and his colleagues have a genuine care for the community and that fits with what we do at the Hunslet Rugby Foundation. It was therefore a `no-brainer’ to work alongside them.”
Gale said: “It’s great to be working with the Hunslet Rugby Foundation. The pandemic slowed down our progress but we’re very much driving forward what is now a great partnership. We have many exciting programmes coming up and we’re looking forward to developing our relationship with Hunslet and offering lots of opportunities to the wider community.”
Activities at The Hunslet Club T
he Hunslet Club timetable continues to expand, and this month there is space for hundreds of newcomers in 5 different sections including: rugby, dance, boxing and ballet. All sessions are just £1.50, so its the perfect way to try your little ones out with a new sport/hobby with no commitment or booking needed. The most important thing to keep in mind at The Hunslet Club is that if you're a newcomer, we prioritise 3 things. First, THC is a melting pot and a great way to meet new people. So, we always encourage making new friends. Second, we want you to learn new skills. With our professional sport and dance coaches you are guaranteed a
high quality training session no matter which one you attend, so you’re going to learn something new. Third and finally, it is most important that attendees have fun! There are spaces for children of all ages and abilities in the following sessions; Beginners Dance (age 5 to 8), Beginners
dance (age 9+), Boxing for Tots (18 months to 5 years), Ballet beginners, Rugby for Reception year 1, 2 and 3. To join us, simply come along and get involved! There is no booking or commitment needed. For all further details visit www.HunsletClub.org.uk
Professional coaching at The Hunslet Club
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South Leeds Life | June 2022
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24 Sporting Life
A winning month for Hunslet
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Luke Gale joins up with Hunslet T
he perfect partnership, that’s the only way to describe the link-up between the Hunslet Foundation’s energetic and highly professional development team and the Luke Gale ‘Kicking for Grassroots’ initiative which, in addition to providing physical activity, also focuses on such as healthy eating. Mikey Nuttall, who was then Hunslet’s sole development officer, helped Gale deliver a session in Doncaster over two years ago, only for the coronavirus pandemic to immediately halt further progress. The relationship, however, is now back in full swing, with many folk in south Leeds and beyond benefiting immensely from several ‘Kicking for
sourcing essential funding. Touch and pass sessions are being held each week at Hunslet Warriors, a high schools competition was contested in mid-May and a new project - ‘RL Takeover’ – is being launched involving four local primary schools. In addition the recent Easter camp, which successfully focused on giving children the chance to enjoy Rugby League during the school holidays (with those wanting to play more regularly being directed to Beeston Broncos, as their nearest club) will be repeated during the summer and at Christmas, with other local amateur clubs to be designated for recruitment. Nuttall, who is now the Hunslet Foundation’s Development team’s general
Hunslet in action against West Wales Raiders. Photo: JASP James And Sarah Photos
by Ian Pickles
H
unslet RLFC have had a good May, winning three out of four matches. Hunslet brought home the 2 points from the Portway Stadium, Solihull on 1 May against a tricky Midlands Hurricanes team after a solid display without ever really having to get into top gear. Midlands in their former guise of Coventry Bears caused an upset for the Parksiders last year after coming from 22-44 down with fifteen minutes to go to beat Hunslet 46-44 in a defeat that cost the job of former coach Gary Thornton. Alan KIlshaw’s team didn’t want a repeat of that and after
Good Friday’s unlucky defeat at the hands of Keighley Cougars they needed to get back on track. After 22 minutes the Parksiders were 6-14 up, late in the half they lost first Harvey Hallas and then Ethan O’KHanlon to the sin-bin. Down to 11 men it was backs to the wall, but excellent line defence kept the score intact and at the break, although depleted, Hunslet still led 6-14. Midlands scored first in the second half, but tries from Harvey Whiteley and Joe Sanderson stretched Hunslet’s lead to 10-22. The Hurricanes scored in stoppage time but it wasn’t enough. Final score 1622.
A week later Hunslet entertained the newsest club in the league, Cornwall, at the South Leeds Stadium. The Parksiders gave the new boys a bit of mauling racking up 52 points against the new boys. Cornwall are still to really get into their stride in their first season, and took some players on loan for Leeds Rhinos for this match. But to be fair, gave a decent account of themselves against a Hunslet side eager to start climbing the league. Fans’ favourites Wayne Rettie and Jimmy Watson scored the opening and closing tries of the first half with Harvey Hallas and Jordan Paga joining them on the score sheet. Still Hunslet
were only 22-12 up at the break. Hunslet scored first in the second half through Kieran Moran. That boosted the Parksiders’ confidence and they notched up four more tries with Rettie, Watson and Paga each getting a second and Jacob Doyle. Final score 52-16. Pre-seson promotion favouites Swinton Lions were quite a different prospect seven days later. In the two teams’ first meeting in nine years the former Championship side (who only sat one place above Hunslet at the start of play) hit Hunslet either side of the break to put the task a little beyond the Parksiders. Continued on page 23
Luke Gale and young players from East Leeds, Beeston Broncos, Hunslet Warriors and Bentley enjoyed a summer camp at South Leeds Stadium Grassroots’ projects, with Nuttall – plus recently appointed Tyler Finister – offering their dynamic expertise in terms of delivery; Gale, plus his colleagues Jon Schofield, Mark Turner and Shaun Ireland, provide an invaluable and enjoyable focal point and, crucially, knowledge on
Jason Robinson returns to the Hunslet Club by Samantha Bailey
O
n 18 May Jason Robinson OBE returned to his hometown here in Leeds. Jason began coming to The Hunslet Club as a young child, where he took up rugby for the first time, and continued to prosper in the sport. He reminds us that young people in our community can achieve anything they set their mind to, as long as the opportunity is there to match their drive and determination. He revisited his home town and club in celebration of the CreatedBy funding awards that
have been given to fund more opportunities for young people in and around South Leeds. These were given in collaboration with the Rugby League World Cup 2021 and The National Lottery. This funding is essential and guaranteed to make more quality sport sessions available to our local young people. On this visit, he led our girls under 16’s rugby session and what a brilliant opportunity it was for this young team. They had a fantastic time picking up new skills, and taking words of advice and wisdom from a professional rugby league
player and former England team captain! The girls were definitely inspired to prosper in the sport after seeing the reality of the success that could be ahead. It's great to be able to see that the needs of the young people in the south Leeds area getting more exposure and recognition. Brighter futures for all Leeds youth are on the horizon! The Under 16s Girls Rugby League sessions run on Monday and Wednesday evenings, 6:30-7:30pm, and cost just £1.50. Ring the club on (0113) 271 6489 for more information.
Jason Robinson led a coaching session with the girls rugby squad
manager and oversees the work of Finister and Hunslet Warriors’ Lee Robinson, said: “The partnership, funnily enough, started on a night out when Jonathon Schofield and I had a chat and exchanged numbers to look at ways we could work together. Continued on page 23