Bramley baths' Russian steam room has been closed since 2020.
By John Baron
Bramley Baths is asking people to help shape the future of its Russian steam room, which has been closed for the past three years.
The steam room at the community led enterprise has not been open since the first Covid 19 lockdown in early 2020 and is in need of major investment.
Bramley Baths business development manager, Helen Whiteley, is holding a drop in session on Tuesday, 28 February, from 10am to 11am, to give people a chance to have their say on how they’d like the space to be used and explore different ideas.
Bramley Baths – the building dates back to 1904. Photo: Susan Tellum
The Baths posted on social media: “We are looking into plans for redeveloping the Russian Steam Room and welcome your ideas.
“Your answers really do contribute when we are looking for funding opportunities for projects, such as the steam room.”
As well as the pool, the Grade II Listed building on Broad Lane also houses a recently refurbished gym and studio space where various classes are held.
The community garden is run by the Bramley Baths Gardeners Group.
Baths bosses are also looking for ideas to develop the community garden area. A questionnaire can be found here.
This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Baths being run as a community led social enterprise. The Baths are Edwardian and date back to 1904.
Post Office bosses are trialling a new ‘lighter’ branch at Kent Road Mini Market in Pudsey, it’s been announced.
The ‘drop and collect’ format is aimed at increasing customers’ access to key services in their neighbourhood.
Natalie Liff, Post Office propositions manager, said: “At Post Office we are committed toensuring our network continues to develop to meet evolving customer demand. One of the ways we’re doing this is to trial an additional branch format on a small scale before we look at any wider introduction in the network.
“Drop & Collect is a new, lighter branch format that offers our postmasters and retail partners greater opportunity to adapt their business to suit their needs and the needs of their local customers.
“This new format has been developed to increase customer access to key services they require and to simplify the customer experience – including reducing transaction times.
“The new format at Kent Road Mini Market will offer Post Office services from a handheld device, providing convenient access for customers to bill payments and prepaid parcel collections and returns. To maximise accessibility to these services that our customers are increasingly seeking, more complex services like personal and business banking will not be available at this branch.”
During the trial of the new branch format, which will run until 23 March, Post Office bosses will monitor usage, suitability and any local feedback. More details about the trial can be found here.
A wider range of Post Office services are available from the nearby branches at Pudsey Post Office in Church Lane and Wellstone Rise Post Office in Swinnow Lane.
Decision: The council chamber in Leeds Civic Hall. Photo: David Spereall
By David Spereall, local democracy reporter
Leeds residents will see council tax rise by close to five per cent in April, after city councillors approved a new budget for the next 12 months.
The increase will be made up of a 2.99 per cent in core council tax, plus a 1.99 per cent rise in the social care precept, which is used to help fund care for vulnerable adults.
It was the biggest hike that could be passed without a local referendum and comes amid the dire financial position facing local government.
The council is using £15m of its reserves to plug a hole in its bank balance for the first time in living memory this year, in a move blamed predominantly on inflation and spiralling energy costs.
Debate: Leeds Civic Hall
The Labour administration’s plans for the next financial year will save around £60m.
Other cost-cutting measures include ending Bonfire Night firework displays and dimming streetlights, while rent for council house tenants will go up by seven per cent.
Presenting the plans at a meeting on Wednesday, council leader James Lewis said it was “the most challenging budget in living memory” and claimed the tax increase and measures were necessary to help look after the most vulnerable in society.
Leeds Council leader – Labour’s Cllr James Lewis
He also attacked the government for cutting a cumulative £2.5bn from the council’s bank balance since 2010.
Councillor Lewis said: “Tomorrow marks the five-month anniversary since the disastrous Conservative mini budget which added £30bn to the £60bn hole in the UK economy, pushed up interest rates and the cost of borrowing, and inflation is running close to 10 per cent.
“But it’s not just the last five months that have been chaos, it’s been 13 years of chaos.
“Government has given councils no choice but to raise council tax. Our council tax in Leeds remains the second lowest of all comparable core cities in England.”
Most opposition parties did not oppose the council tax rise, but all put forward amendments suggesting how ratepayers’ money could be, as they see it, better spent.
Opposition response
The Conservative group suggested cutting spending on agency staff and trade union convenors within the council and called for firework displays and Christmas lights switch-ons to be spared the axe.
They also called for the council to look at offering free childcare places for social workers’ kids, in a bid to boost recruitment.
Cllr Andrew Carter
Tory group leader Andrew Carter was critical of the Labour administration for its performance since it took charge of Leeds in 2010 – the same year Labour lost power in Westminster.
“The children’s services department has gone over budget by £55m since 2010,” Councillor Carter said.
“Why has it taken you so blooming long to look into the children’s services department and sort out its financial problems?
“The government have been in power for 13 years. So have you.
“When are you going to take responsibility for any of the decisions that you’ve got wrong in this council over the past 13 years?”
Liberal Democrat Stewart Golton
Liberal Democrat group leader Stewart Golton criticised the administration for its plans to dim streetlights.
He told the chamber: “They say it’s only by 20 per cent and we won’t even notice anything, so it’s all right.
“We don’t think we should be cutting corners when it comes to public safety. We feel public safety is something that is absolute and should be protected at all costs.
“I wouldn’t take the risk if I was in charge of this council.”
The Lib Dems also proposed introducing a tax on second homes in Leeds, to fund improvements in social housing.
Opposition groups criticised Labour for ceasing its funding of 37 PCSOs in Leeds, which had been funded jointly by the council and the mayor of West Yorkshire.
The administration says it can no longer afford its share of the cost.
The Morley Borough Independents (MBIs), who hold all six of the town’s seats on the city council, called for more money to be spent on school safety schemes.
MBI leader Robert Finnigan also proposed building 100 new council homes in Morley, with the last social housing built in the town having been put up in the 1980s.
Green Party’s Cllr David Blackburn
Green Party leader David Blackburn (Farnley & Wortley) called for pay cuts for the highest-paid council employees to fund improvements in parks and green spaces, and for the introduction of a hotel bed tax in the city, which would see visitors charged a levy when they stay overnight.
The Garforth and Swillington Independents (GSIs), meanwhile, suggested one per cent be knocked off the proposed council tax rise, to be funded by reserves. Leader Mark Dobson also called for Bonfire Night celebrations to be retained.
All amendments put forward by opposition parties were defeated, however.
Councillor Lou Cunningham (Green, Armley) has written to the council’s chief executive Tom Riordan and West Yorkshire Police after the pedestrian died and another was seriously injured in an incident which has closed the A647 Stanningley Road in both directions.
Cllr Cunningham posted on social media: “Devastating news this morning regarding the serious collision on Stanningley Road, resulting in a pedestrian fatality and serious injury to another. RIP and my thoughts are with family and friends of those affected.
“No words will help, but I have written to our local inspector, the head of highways, the leader of Leeds City Council and the chief executive asking yet again for an urgent review of the Cockshott Lane junction on behalf of our community.”
In her letter, Cllr Cunningham added: “Any accident has a devastating effect on our community. Yet another in the area where the community have been actively requesting solutions after witnessing and being exposed to serious collisions and fatalities over the years is even more devastating.
“Please can this be considered as a matter of urgency.”
The incident happened earlier this morning near the former Church of the Venerable Bede on Stanningley Road. A 25-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
2019's Bramley Park Bonfire was the last one to be held. Photo: Simon Cullingworth
Leeds Council chiefs have launched a consultation over plans to axe the city and community bonfires it has previously held on November 5 – including the one in Bramley Park.
As previously reported, the council is proposing to permanently end its Bonfire Night and firework events due to the large costs of holding them.
The proposals come after the council said that holding the Bonfire Night events would save an estimated £215,000 every year.
A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “A consultation was launched on the 16 February for residents to share their views about bonfire and firework events not to resume. The council is working hard to cut all non-essential spend in the current financial climate and there is a cost of £215k each year to hold these events, and it is proposed that future displays no longer take place from 2023.
“The Council budget position received at Executive Board in December 2022 identified an estimated gap of £65.7m for the 2023/24 financial year, with a further gap of £84.5m over the following two years. The Council continues to be committed to working with partners to ensure that significant community and cultural events will still be able to take place later this budget year.”
The council usually holds events in Roundhay Park, Bramley Park, East End Park, Middleton Park, Springhead Park and Woodhouse Moor. he event in Roundhay can attract up to 70,000 people, and the one in Bramley Park usually attracts several thousand attendees.
The last events were held in 2019 but have been cancelled in the past three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic and costs.
The bonfire consultation is taking responses until Tuesday, March 7, at 5pm. Once the consultation is over a final decision is due before the end of March. Have your say here.
Volunteers will be planting 18 more fruit trees at a special event at Kirkstall Abbey orchard.
A mixture of pears, apples and plums will be planted by the Friends of Kirkstall Abbey Park, a group aimed at improving and running community events at the parkland.
The event runs on Sunday, 5 March at 11am.
A Friends spokesperson advised: “Please wear boots (walking boots are good), dress for the weather, and bring gardening gloves. We will have some spare gloves and tools. However please bring along your own spade and fork if you have them. Wheelbarrows also useful.
“Please bring some lunch and a drink. Families are very welcome – children must be supervised by the accompanying adults at all times.?
Police cordoned off the crash scene on Stanningley Road last Wednesday. Photo: John Baron/westleedsdispatch.com
By John Baron
UPDATE 3.15pm: Stanningley Road has now fully re-opened.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: A woman pedestrian has died and another has been seriously injured in an incident which closed the A647 Stanningley Road in both directions.
The incident happened earlier this morning near the former Church of the Venerable Bede on Stanningley Road.
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: “At 8.28am today (Wednesday) police were informed by the ambulance service of a crash at the junction of Stanningley Road and Cockshott Lane in Armley. The crash involved a Volkswagen Golf, which caused damage to a bus stop.
“Emergency services attended and found two pedestrians had suffered serious injuries. One of the pedestrians, a woman, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
“The second person, a man in his forties, was taken to hospital. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
“The Golf driver, a 25-year-old woman, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
“Road closures are in place and are likely to remain there for most of today while enquiries are continuing at the scene.
“Motorists are asked to find an alternative route at this time.
“Enquiries are continuing into how the collision occurred and anyone who witnessed it, or who has footage that will assist, is asked to contact the Major Collision Enquiry Team on 101, or by using the 101LiveChat facility on the West Yorkshire Police website. The log reference is 0290 of 22 February.”
The crash scene on Stanningley Road.
Earlier this morning police advised people to avoid the area.
Police are on scene at a serious road traffic collision in Stanningley Road, Leeds. Road closures are in place on the bypass while enquiries continue at the scene. Motorists are asked to avoid the area at this time. pic.twitter.com/K5N0K3dpmn
First Buses say services X11, X6 and 72 are being diverted towards Bradford via Branch Road and Armley Town Street.
Service 86 is diverting from Armey Town in both directions: Armley Town Street, Hill Top Road, Green Hill Road and turn right on to Henconner Lane. The route is the same in reverse.
Farsley Celtic earned a draw at Kettering. Photo: Thomas Ritchie
By Thomas Ritchie
Farsley Celtic made it six games without defeat as they picked up another point on the road, drawing 0-0 with Kettering Town.
The Celts had picked up just one point away from home in eight attempts between October and January, but have now picked up five points in their last three, whilst also defeating Hungerford Town in the FA Trophy.
In truth, it was a game in which neither side did enough to warrant all three points, with neither goalkeeper forced to make a save throughout the 90 minutes.
Neither side fashioned an opening inside the opening half-hour on a tricky surface at Latimer Park but, as the first half drew to a close, it was Farsley who came on the stronger.
Carlton Ubaezuonu found space on the edge of the box and saw a strike deflected over, Luke Parkin drove a strike across goal and just wide, before Harrison Foulkes had to be alert to claim Kian Scales’ low, driven cross at the near post.
As the second half began it was the Celts who were once again threatening, Andy Butler nodding across goal for Ubaezuonu, whose effort was deflected just wide of the near post.
Kettering then fashioned an opportunity of their own at the end after good work from Decarrey Sheriff down the right, but Tyrone Lewthwaite’s flick was blocked in the box before Farsley cleared.
As the game entered the final quarter of an hour, both sides would be presented with the chance to snatch all three points.
The first fell Farsley’s way as Harrison Foulkes fumbled a deep cross, but Carlton Ubaezuonu somehow failed to keep his footing as he stretched for the ball, unable to fully connect with the goal gaping and the hosts scrambled to safety.
Then, with almost the final kick of the game, the Poppies were left wondering how they hadn’t scored. A free-kick from the right dropped to George Forsyth at the back post and, with the goal seemingly at his mercy, he prodded wide.
Ultimately, Russ Wilcox’s side will be pleased with a point and back-to-back clean sheets, moving alongside four other sides on 33 points around the drop zone.
Match reaction
Celts boss Russ Wilcox praised this side’s determination and resilience as they added another point at the start of a run of three tough away fixtures in a week.
THE Ministry of Boxing, in Moorfield Road, Armley, only opened last September – but has quickly established itself as a centre of excellence for improving personal fitness and developing boxing skills for the hundred or so attending weekly.
Manager Joshua Wisher, 24, explained: “It’s gone well with specific groups for women, children, teenagers and ‘tiny tots’.
“We teach boxing skills which could eventually be used competitively. We’re keen to help everyone develop general fitness and boxing definitely improves mental and physical health.”
Former Farnley Academy student Wisher gave up a secure engineering job joining dad Phil in opening ‘The Ministry’.
He explained: “Having our own gym to promote the sport we love and provide opportunities for people in our West Leeds community had been an ambition for some time.
“I’m glad we took the plunge and now I’m developing skills in business as well as boxing. I’m ambitious for ‘The Ministry’ to be at the heart of the community.
“Last year our Children in Need ‘Boxathon’ raised £310. I’d welcome suggestions for ‘The Ministry’ to do more locally to fulfil its potential as our hub of wholesomeness.”
In May Wisher plans a charity fundraising evening giving local people the chance to know him better.
“We’ll divide funds raised between the Armley Action Team, the Ringside Trust assisting retired boxers and CRY, which provides heart screening for young sportspeople.”
The busy boxer’s ambition for 2023 is to qualify to challenge for a national title belt at super middleweight with matches at venues like Leeds Arena.
“My fourth professional bout is at Elland Road on 4 March. I promise a decisive, exciting, exhilarating, explosive electrifying victory. The event’s called The Heat.
“It will get extremely hot for my opponent Fernando Valencia. He’ll be on the receiving end of powerful punishing punches precisely positioned.
“This is what winning requires and I’m tough enough to deliver. I’m totally dedicated to training hard to show just what I can achieve’.
Wisher puts his status as a rising contender down to the excellent training received from his dad and coach Phil Wisher.
‘‘I am so proud of Josh,” he said. “He was twice a regional amateur champion and has matured into a seriously hard and capable boxer with the makings of a champion.
“Josh needs longer harder fights to challenge him mentally and physically. But he won’t forget his roots and his priority remains as much opportunities for people in West Leeds as making a name for himself.”
Wisher is inviting local business to invest in his potential through sponsorship.
“I’ve got a few sponsors but would be grateful for more to develop my career,” said Josh, who is best contacted via his Facebook blog Joshwisherboxing.
Calverley Rotary Club members have been doing their bit to support the survivors of the earthquake disaster in Turkey and Syria.
Members have bought purchased five Aqua Boxes and five family filters at a cost of £925 from their charity account.
Each Aquabox Gold Box, which is tailored to support a family group, contains water purification filters as well as items of humanitarian aid to help with shelter and shelter building, lighting, cooking and feeding, educational development and hygiene. Each box with all its contents costs us £150, plus £35 for the Family Filter device
John Procter, secretary of Calverley Rotary Club, said: “Natural or man-made disasters happen all too often and when they do people are in desperate need of safe drinking water and humanitarian help.
“We rely entirely on donations and the fundraising activities of our supporters to fund our work and to purchase the items which we supply in the aid boxes we send out in times of crisis.
“We are always looking for new members to join us on a Tuesday evening for a meal and get together plus a range of speakers. Please contact us if you are interested.”
For more details on Calverley Rotary, e-mail rotaryclubofcalverley@gmail.com.
New tenants in Kirkstall: (from left) Jonathan Asquith Managing Director, Jackie Wilkinson Finance Director, Richard Knight Operations Director, and Alex Carey Client Success Director.
An expanding IT company is bringing a team of 60 people to its new base at Kirkstall Forge.
Managed Service Provider Jungle IT is taking 2,987 sq ft at Number One Kirkstall Forge.
Delivering complete IT strategies and solutions, the company was keen to grow in an environment designed to support collaboration, creativity and prioritise health and wellbeing.
Richard Knight, operations director at Jungle IT, said: “Our new facility is designed to promote modern ways of working, with flexible spaces that can be adapted to the differing needs of our team.
“The sustainable and lifestyle credentials of the facility will allow us to demonstrate to our staff, clients and prospects our investment in the well-being of our team and our commitment to innovation.”
Hands On Healthcare has also expanded within the studio space at the development, moving from a 14-desk space to 40 desks in a matter of months.
The studios are designed to help smaller businesses grow and include a full suite of easy to book meeting rooms, Butler’s café and informal business lounge, the Forge Life concierge team and on-site railway station.
Frank Collins at Hands On Healthcare said: “We moved into Kirkstall Forge in July 2022. It has a great community feel and offers far more than just a space to work in. The contemporary space, activities, events and facilities ensure it is a fantastic environment for our team.
“The studios have eased our fast growth, taking the headache of running the office away so we can concentrate on growing our business.”
Only 3 studios remain available, offering space from 6 up to 14 desks.
Emma Roe, front of house manager at Kirkstall Forge, explains: “The site continues to be a popular choice with its dedicated railway station offering easy access to Leeds, Bradford and onto Manchester. It is a modern, inspiring environment designed to nurture smaller businesses as well as large corporates, with onsite facilities and events which help to attract and retain staff.”
Ultimately, the £400million Kirkstall Forge scheme is set to become home to a thriving mixed-use community comprising of 1,050 new homes, 300,000 sq ft of offices and 100,000 sq ft of retail, leisure and community space.
It seems as if the winter has been longer, darker and damper than previous years. The thick layer of clay that runs across the site created a quagmire which took weeks to dry out.
The main activity over the past few weeks has been schlepping barrowloads of wood chippings down to the lot. We have an arrangement with local tree surgeons who leave their load at the site entrance. The message goes out to the lotholders that there’s free chippings and we all race down there with our barrows.
Anne Akers on her allotment in Calverley. Photo: Noel Akers
It really is hard work loading, pushing and unloading, though I do count it as a workout in my run training plan. Most of us use the chippings to create and cover paths, putting a few centimetres depth over weed-suppressing membrane. It makes a satisfying soft crunching noise as you walk over it.
Now that the soil has drained and can be worked, I’m down there making preparations for planting, even though it’s a good few weeks off. Well-rotted manure well dug in adds lots of goodness, a little does go a long way, too, which is just as well as it’s harder to barrow down than the chippings!
Back home, in the warmth and comfort, cuppa in hand, I’ve mapped out the growing scheme and ordered my seeds. Potatoes are a staple and are always good to break up the clumpy soil. Plus nothing is more satisfying than digging them up and popping a few straight in the pot.
Last year’s cold, then wet, then heat, more heat and wet again made it a poor growing season. The good potatoes were excellent, but there weren’t many and the slugs bored holes in the rest. I’ll be planting Charlottes (second earlies) and Pink Fir Apple (maincrop) when the threat of frost is over. Broad beans, beetroot and brassica grow well, though peas don’t like my soil, so I’ll be giving them a miss.
Shallots and onions grow well and have the added advantage of scaring off the slugs, who don’t like the strong smell. And squash are fantastic to grow and can be planted out as beans are harvested. Last autumn I planted new strawberries and rooted runners from the old beds, as well as transplanting raspberry canes.
Although folk like to talk about spring being here, it isn’t. We could have more frost and snow before we can cast a clout, so the only sowing I’ll be doing will be in the greenhouse, or the heated propagator. The windowsills will soon be filled with trays sprouting seeds ready for the allotment.
