Saturday, April 20, 2024
Home Blog Page 137

‘Outer West’ parks, bloom groups and youth activities set for council funding boost

By
westleedslife
-
2
Pudsey in Bloom had a stall at Pudsey carnival last year. Photo: Damon Sugden

By John Baron

‘In bloom’ projects, youth activities and environmental improvements are among the projects aiming for funding from councillors next week.

Members of the Outer West Community Committee will decide a variety of applications from different projects and initiatives across three council wards – Calverley & Farsley, Farnley & Wortley, and Pudsey.

As part of their wellbeing budget, councillors will discuss:

Calverley in Bloom 2023 – £6,777

Building upon previous year’s floral display delivered within Calverley, the scheme will provide floral features (hanging baskets) to enhance the village centre. The 32 hanging pots will be located on Victoria Street, Thornhill Street, Rushton Street and Calverley Park.

Farsley in bloom planters
Farsley in Bloom filled planters like these in previous years.

Farsley in Bloom 2023 – £3,141

The scheme will provide floral features to enhance the village centre including Hanging baskets on lamp posts floral troughs on the roadside.

New Farnley in Bloom 2023 – £1,000

To buy £1,000 of plants from the Parks and Countryside Nursery (The Arium) to continue Farnley in Bloom’s additional seasonal planting to the many planters situated on public areas around New Farnley.

Pudsey in Bloom 2023 – £5,306

The scheme will provide floral features to enhance the town centre, including hanging pots, barrier troughs and long hay racks.

Additional staffing at Tyersal Park and New Farnley Park – £15,570

This application seeks funding for the provision of additional area resource staff to be based in Tyersal Park and New Farnley Park. The member of staff will be working 41 hours per week, for six months of the year. The duties they will be undertaking will include grass cutting, pruning, de-littering, emptying of litter bins, removing fly tipping, marking out sports pitches, inspection of play equipment, maintenance of park infrastructure, planting and sweeping paths.

Pudsey Park weekend littering – £1,218

Additional litter picking for up to 10 weekends during warm months in Pudsey Park.

Pudsey Carnival parade winds its way down Church Lane in 2019. Photo: Simon Cullingworth

Pudsey Carnival Committee – £2,600

The carnival, on 20 May, will start with a parade through Pudsey then back to Queens Park. There will be with events, charity and commercial stalls on the field and lots of free entertainment, particularly for children, throughout the afternoon.

Adult Band Project – £2,950

The overall aim for the project is to offer a free provision for adults to attend for one term to boost wellbeing and mental health within the community. Participants will be able to take part in creating music by either forming a band.

Capital grants to be considered by councillors include:

Environmental Improvements at Owlcotes Road, Pudsey – £6,080 

Funding will be used to transform a small piece of housing land Owlcotes Road which is proving difficult to maintain. Work includes clearing the shrubbery and site, landscape the area including grass seeding and rebuilding the stone wall which runs to the side of the site and opposite to ensure the area is in keeping with the wider area. If they are successful it is hoped to develop usable greenspace, eventually with benches and a Little Library, with access to outside seating and a place to socialise together,.

Eight projects are also seeking funding from the youth activities fund. These include:

Mini Summer Sports Programme – £720

To deliver 16 sport sessions in Hainsworth Park, Calverley Park, Swinnow Moor and Farnley Park.

Get into the community to rock up to do a mock up – £1,200

Funding will allow the project to continue working with young people aged 13-18, to reduce the numbers of young people not in education employment or training.

Farnley Football Project – £1,000

Building on the success of previous years’ football projects, they hoping to restart in April this year. The aim is to provide a positive, healthy outdoor activity, open to all young people aged 11 to 17 years of age. The aim is to challenge, engage and facilitate young people to make responsible decisions.

Farnley Youth Project – £2,500

To increase participation and improve service delivery to young people form the Farnley area, with a particular focus on the Heights and Bawns Estates. Weekly structured activities to young people around subjects such as health and wellbeing, cooking, relationships, self-confidence, crime and anti-social behaviour, community, internet safety, life skills, arts and crafts, and careers.

Outer West Easter Holiday Activity Days – £2,592 

To enable young people from Outer West to participate in a variety of youth activities at a venue close to where they live.

Youth Service – £1,530 

A six-week after-school project with the aim of providing young people with something fun to do, as well as offering support and reassurance readying them for the transition to high school. Sessions will take place at Farsley Farfield Primary.

Summer Holiday Targeted Provision – £1,500

The main objective is to enable some of the hardest to reach and vulnerable young people to access positive activities.

Pudsey Youth Cafe – £4,120

The group runs at Pudsey Wellbeing Centre each Wednesday evening from 6.30pm to 8pm and is a safe space in Pudsey where young people can gain a positive social experience.

The Outer West Community Committee will meet at Farnley Hall Park on Wednesday, 15 February, at 1pm. The agenda can be read in full here.

The committee is made up of five Conservative councillors, two Labour and two Green.

Sponsored content

http://www.sunnybankmills.co.uk

Farsley Celtic earn vital point at Telford but curse luck in front of goal

By
westleedslife
-
0
Farsley Celtic earned a point on the road at Telford. Photo: Thomas Ritchie

By Thomas Ritchie

Farsley Celtic picked up what could prove to be an important point on the road, as they drew 1-1 with AFC Telford United.

It was a tale of two set-piece goals at the New Bucks Head Stadium, Harry Flowers opening the scoring for the hosts, before Andy Butler levelled just before the interval.

Farsley will be left wondering how they didn’t find a second, taking the game to their opponents in the second half, but failing to find the killer touch in the box.

The Celts started the game on the front foot but were restricted to long-range efforts in the early stages, Frank Mulhern bending a long-distance effort wide, while Bobby Johnson drove a strike across goal and just wide.

But is was the hosts who would open the scoring inside the opening quarter of an hour. Brendan Daniels’ free-kick from the left found the towering Harry Flowers, who powered his header in off the crossbar.

That sparked a strong period for the Bucks, who always looked like a threat at set pieces.

They would come close to a second at a corner, the ball dropping to Montel Gibson who miskicked, before Byron Moore saw his effort from close range blocked on the line.

After withstanding the hosts’ push for a second, Farsley went on the search for an equaliser, and it would arrive less than five minutes before the break.

It was 19 years ago on this day that Andy Butler scored his first professional goal, for Scunthorpe United, and he was at it again on career appearance number 701.

Lewis Butroid’s corner from the right found an unmarked Butler at the far post, and the centre-half planted his header into the top corner.

And there was time for Russ Wilcox’s side to almost edge in front before half-time arrived, Butroid delivering a wicked cross that Carlton Ubaezuonu couldn’t get a strong enough connection with, glancing wide.

As the second period began it was Farsley who picked up where they left off, Kian Scales forcing Joe Young into action as he parried the Farsley man’s driven shot, before the hosts scrambled clear.

The Celts were beginning to get the ball down and play some nice football on Telford’s expansive surface, and Ubaezuonu would come close after the ball was worked well to him in the box, flashing over from a tight angle.

As the game entered the final 10 minutes, Frank Mulhern almost found the all-important second in spectacular fashion.

He spotted Young off his line and launched a half-volley goalward from near the halfway line, with the Telford ‘keeper forced to backpedal and tip over his bar.

Mulhern would then come close again as he continued to be a nuisance for the Bucks’ defence, cleverly flicking the ball over a defender before his effort was smartly saved by Young.

The dangerous Farsley frontman – who starts a four-match ban on Saturday after his red card against Hereford – would have one final chance at the death, Chris Atkinson keeping the ball alive for Mulhern, who brought the ball down inside the box but struck just wide.

The point moved the visitors up to fourth from bottom in the league and just a point behind fifth bottom Leamington.

Farsley, who yesterday revealed striker Jimmy Spencer has moved to Curzon Ashton, are next in action in the FA Trophy fifth round when they visit Hungerford on Saturday.

Line ups

AFC Telford United: Young, Burke, Livingstone, Nolan, Flowers, Rowe, Daniels, Evans (Ekpolo 74), Gibson (Salmon 90+1), Moore (Williams 56), Allen. Unused subs: Piggott, Blissett.

Farsley Celtic: Dearnley, Turner, Butroid, Johnson, Butler ©, Allan, Scales, Atkinson, Ubaezuonu, Mulhern, Parkin (Syers 81). Unused subs: Clayton, Osadebe, Assenso, Morgan (GK).

Attendance: 958.

Reaction

Celts boss Russ Wilcox said he was delighted with his side’s last two performances, but felt last night’s dominant second-half performance merited all three points.

Sponsored content

Authentic greek food pudsey partner
https://authenticgreek.co.uk/order-now

Moss Bridge – ‘snagging’ issues still causing problems

By
westleedslife
-
1
The new Moss Lane Bridge in Rodley leads to the proposed development.

By John Baron

‘Snagging’ problems causing ongoing issues with a newly installed swing bridge in Rodley are set to be fixed within the next week or so, it’s been claimed.

Moss Bridge reopened last month – a year after work started on replacing the old bridge. It will provide a link to a planned new housing development at Airedale Mills and easy access to Rodley Cricket Club and Rodley Nature Reserve.

But concerns have continued to be expressed by Rodley residents over the manoeuvrability of the swing bridge, which some are saying is currently not fit for purpose.

“The new bridge over the canal by the reserve is quite clearly not fit for purpose,” one woman said on social media. “Half an hour sat in our car to get to the reserve. The poor guys trying to manoeuvre the bridge back, over the canal, so cars could drive over the bridge. Other members of the public were also trying to help. They were trying to align the bridge up, so that it locked into place, for the barriers to rise.

“We were trying to deliver top soil to the reserve for the bulb planting tomorrow. There was a phone number to phone for an engineer but the operator wanted a post code. Who would know what the post code would be, it’s on the canal. Clearly a fault with the bridge.

“Frightening if this happened when the houses are built and emergency services are trying to get across the canal.”

Councillor Peter Carlill (Lab, Calverley & Farsley) has also expressed concerns. He posted: “I reported these issues to the planning department who came back to say there are issues at the bridge that are going to be fixed in the next week or so.

“Hopefully this will improve the action, but it will need reviewing afterwards to make sure it is fit for purpose.”

WLD understands from planners that there are a number of ‘snagging’ issues to resolve to make the bridge fit for purpose and before planning permission conditions can be discharged.

The new bridge was installed to replace the previous link to the Airedale Mills site, which already has planning permission in principle for a new housing development.

Councillors on the south and west plans panel are set to decide a detailed planning application for 66 houses next Thursday at Leeds Civic Hall.

But Councillor Andrew Carter (Cons, Calverley and Farsley Ward) said: “We have had a weekend of problems yet again with the new bridge over the canal. It is quite clearly unfit for purpose. There is no way the planning committee should consider the associated housing development further whilst this bridge fails to operate properly.

“The council must now step in and call a halt until or unless this issue is properly and safely sorted out. Enough is enough.

“The proposed developer of the housing scheme should realise that this plan simply
can’t go ahead, and ‘get out from under.’ This situation is a major risk on a number of
levels and must now be addressed.”

Striker Jimmy Spencer leaves Farsley Celtic for Curzon Ashton

By
westleedslife
-
0
jimmy spencer farsley celtic
Striker Jimmy Spencer has left Farsley Celtic. Photo; Simon Cullingworth

Farsley Celtic have today confirmed the sale of Jimmy Spencer to Curzon Ashton for an undisclosed fee.

Spencer, 31, joined the Celts from Mansfield Town in the summer of 2018, and spent five years at the Citadel, becoming a central figure for Farsley throughout his time in West Leeds.

The fee will come as a welcome financial boost for part-timers Farsley, who have been struggling with cash-flow problems in recent months.

A Farsley spokesperson said in a statement: “Everyone at the club would like to thank Jimmy for his immense efforts in a Farsley shirt over the previous five years, and wish him all the best for the future.

“He will leave behind a whole host of moments of individual brilliance that will live long in the memory of Farsley supporters, such as his hat-trick at Grantham Town, his overhead kick at Alfreton, and his outstanding assist for Jack Higgins’ winner at Matlock Town.

“Jimmy and his family will always be welcome back at the Citadel. Once a Celt, always a Celt.”

Spencer made an immediate impact in his first season at the club, helping to fire the Celts to the Northern Premier League title, and a return to the National League North for the first time since 2010.

Spencer would be honoured individually for his efforts that season, voted the Northern Premier League Player of the Year, whilst being named in the Northern Premier League’s Team of the Year, alongside Will Hayhurst.

In 2019, Spencer was voted into Farsley’s Team of the Decade for the 2010s.

Spencer is the latest in a line of Farsley players and official to make the move over the Pennines to East Manchester. He will reunite with former Celts boss Adam Lakeland and former Celts players Will Hayhurst, Adam Barton, Jordan Richards and Sam Walker.

Curzon manager Lakeland said: “He is a player I signed at my previous club and was outstanding for me. In my opinion he is one of the best number nines outside the football league.”

Spencer leaves the Citadel after making 173 appearances, finding the back of the net on 59 occasions. His career includes spells at Plymouth Argyle, Notts County, Morecambe and Cheltenham Town, and has made over 150 football league appearances. 

Loanees depart

Connor Teale and Nathaniel Wallace have returned to Fleetwood Town and Scunthorpe United respectively, following the conclusion of their loans at Farsley Celtic.

Connor Teale made seven appearances for the Celts, filling in at centre-half while Adam Clayton and Isaac Assenso returned from injury. The versatile Nathaniel Wallace made five appearances in his time at the Citadel, filling in at both right-wing back and in the Celts’ forward line when called upon.

Celts travel to Telford

Farsley Celtic head on the road tonight, making the long trip to AFC Telford United.

It’s another hugely significant game for the Celts, who travel to a side in Telford who currently sits bottom of the division, nine points behind Farsley.

And a win could see Russ Wilcox’s side move out of the relegation zone, or at the very least move level on points with Bradford (Park Avenue).

However, the Celts will face a tough task having struggled on the road, failing to win away from the Citadel in the league since October 25.

Yet the Celt Army can head into this evening’s meeting full of confidence, losing just three of their last 10, and having secured a confidence-boosting 1-0 victory over Hereford on Saturday.

AFC Telford United have certainly seen an improvement in their performances under Kevin Wilkin of late, stringing together a run of five games without defeat in early January.

That said, they have won just one of their last 10 in all competitions, and have lost back-to-back games heading into this fixture.

The Bucks have looked to strengthen their squad ahead of this evening’s meeting, bringing in defender Luke Burke on loan from AFC Fylde until the end of the season, while The Celts will be missing the departed Jimmy Spencer.

Striker Frank Mulhern is available this evening, with his four-game suspension for Saturday’s dismissal kicking in on Saturday.

TICKETS

Supporters can purchase their tickets in advance, online, by clicking here.

You can check out all the important supporter information here.

Community Champion – Wortley’s Debbie Binnersley praised for her uniform exchange scheme

By
westleedslife
-
0

by Katherine Turner

A West Leeds woman with a real commitment and passion to supporting families in her local area has been thanked for her hard work in the community.

Debbie runs the LS12 Uniform Scheme which is a free service for providing uniforms to children attending school in the LS12 area, including Armley, Farnley and Wortley.

WLD recently appealed for readers to nominate and publicly thank their ‘Community Champions’. Selfless people that “go that extra mile” to help others and don’t ask for recognition.

Debbie Binnersley is our first Community Champion and was nominated by Jo Fiddes, who volunteers alongside Debbie.

Jo told us “I nominated Debbie because of the work that she does with the LS12 Uniform Scheme. She makes a real difference in the community and set this scheme up by herself. It services children across the LS12 area.”

“She started the scheme at Whingate Primary as she was a parent and a governor. She recognised a need, not everyone that recognises a need does something about it, but Debbie did.”

A pop-up uniform collection was held at Whingate Primary in Armley

Jo told us about the hard work that Debbie puts into making this scheme a success: “She takes in the uniform and stores it, washes it and organises it all. Debbie logs it all on a spreadsheet and then publicises it to parents so that they can have free high quality uniform for their children.”

Debbie was surprised by her nomination. “I’m totally shocked to be honest. I never expected to be nominated!” she said.

“The scheme helps on so many levels. School uniform can be a significant cost each year and with many families struggling to afford the basics it was a logical step to offer pre-loved uniform, most of which still has plenty of life left in it, back into the community to help families make their money go further.

“It also stops unwanted items going in the bin and adding to the estimated 4000 tonnes of textile waste disposed of each year.

“An added bonus of the scheme is that I’ve got to make loads of new connections and met some fantastic people along the way, all while helping people.”

Some of the items donated to the clothing exchange.

Clothing waste is a real issue, according to WRAP, Waste & Resources Action Programme an estimated £140m worth of clothing is sent to UK landfill each year. Schemes such as Debbie’s can help reduce carbon, water and waste footprints, saving clothes from going to landfill, whilst also helping families to save money.

Jo said “With the cost of living crisis it’s a really important service that she provides. I know from my own work in a food bank that one of the things that pushes people into not being able to buy food is actually the cost of buying new uniform. For some people it is the difference between being able to eat or not. She never asks for recognition and does it for the good of other people and is definitely worthy of a Community Champion award.

Here’s how you can support the project:

  • Donate good quality uniform, coats, hats, gloves, scarves and wellies
  • Hold a collection at work, school or in the community
  • Volunteer to help clean and iron the uniform
  • Donate space to store and sort donations

More information can be found on the website. If you know of anyone that is in need of support Debbie encourages you to contact them via the form online.

Debbie says: “The service is totally confidential, so please don’t struggle in silence.”

To nominate a Community Champion simply drop us an e-mail at news@westleedsdispatch.com with the name of the person you would like to nominate and the reasons why. Please include your name and telephone number so that we can contact you.

Sponsored content

Bramley Baths partnership 1

Flats plan at Lower Wortley ‘eyesore’ bookies site

By
westleedslife
-
0
The site used to be occupied by William Hill, but has been empty for three years. Picture from Google Maps (2022).

By David Spereall, local democracy reporter

An “eyesore” former bookies in west Leeds could be given a new lease of life as a block of flats.

The former William Hill shop in Lower Wortley, off the A6110 ring road, has been empty since 2020 and has been the target of vandalism and graffiti in the years since.

But now the shop and the house directly behind it, on Branch Place, could be converted into a three-storey block of six flats if Leeds City Council approves the planning application.

A developer had originally wanted to put up a four-storey building, with nine separate residential apartments.

But that idea was scaled down after they were warned this would be too big by planning officers from Leeds City Council, who were concerned about the impact on the adjoining row of two-storey terraced homes.

The home, on Branch Place in Lower Wortley, behind the old William Hill shop. This alsoforms part of the proposed development site. Photo: Google.

A design and access statement, put forward on the applicant’s behalf, said both the former bookies and the house to the rear “are in a dilapidated and neglected state with graffiti present externally.”

It added that the plans would “enhance” the area, “by replacing the currently derelict bookmakers which can only be classed as an eyesore, and therefore eradicate any harmful impacts on adjacent properties and reduce the  opportunity for crime and anti-social behaviour”.

Under the plans, charging points for six electric vehicles would be installed as part of the development and space for 16 bikes would be provided.

There are also proposals for a communal space with “planted greenery and seating”, according to the applicant, which would  “allow for views and interaction” with the neighbouring Wortley Beck.

A decision on the plans is likely to be made by the city council later this year.

Sponsored content

Farsley Celtic partnership
http://www.farsleyceltic.com

Low sensory gym sessions to continue at Pudsey Leisure Centre – and expand to other gyms

By
westleedslife
-
0
The low sensory area at John Charles Centre for Sport.

A pilot scheme at Pudsey Leisure Centre which creates a safe and inclusive space for individuals with autism, ADHD and other neurodiverse conditions is set to continue – and expand to other gyms in Leeds.

Loud music and bright lights can be a trigger for neurodivergent people, making activity in a gym environment very challenging; the aim of the low sensory sessions is to remove these barriers and make the gym space more accessible.

The low sensory gym sessions started at Pudsey Leisure Centre after learning from people with neurodiverse conditions what would support them to access the gym.

Following positive feedback received from customers, Active Leeds is expanding them to the John Charles Centre for Sport, John Smeaton, Middleton, as well as continuing at Pudsey.

Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for public health and active lifestyles, said: “Following fantastic feedback from customers at the Pudsey Leisure Centre, I am thrilled to say that we are now rolling out these sessions more widely. Regular exercise is crucial to the physical and mental wellbeing of people, and we want to ensure that we are providing a space in our leisure centres which is accessible to everyone and where customers feel comfortable and supported.

“We are continuing to work closely with partners to offer as much support as possible for neurodivergent people across our service. Working with Advonet, People in Action and Public Health we are delivering specific disability awareness training to gym instructors and staff. We are also working closely with Breeze Leeds to support autistic and disabled children when activities are held in our facilities.”

Session times across all centres will be Wednesday, (6.30pm–8pm) and Sunday, (1pm–2.30pm). Customers visiting during those hours that would like to listen to music are encouraged to bring headphones.

In photos: Sunrise and sunset on the canal

By
westleedslife
-
0
Walking the canal between Kirkstall and Rodley. Photo: David Cawson

WLD reader David Cawson has been out and about in West Leeds with his camera.

It was a beautiful February day yesterday and David captured his sunrise and sunset walk along the canal towards work yesterday morning, and back again in the evening.

The photos were taken between Rodley and Kirkstall.

Here’s a slideshow of his photos:

Reader Susan Tellum yesterday beautifully captured the first signs of spring yesterday.

Please feel free to share your photos by e-mailing them to news@westleedsdispatch.com.

Sponsored content

https://seagullsreuse.org.uk

Armley care home pioneers complex dementia support

By
westleedslife
-
0

Orchard Care Homes has opened a fourth Reconnect community to support people with complex dementia care needs at its Paisley Lodge Care Home in Armley.

Paisley Lodge’s Reconnect community combines cutting-edge dementia care practice and a first-class training programme for its care team.

Orchard Care Homes seeks to re-frame dementia care through its ‘Dementia Promise’ initiative, launched last month. It aims to focus on people’s strengths, abilities and what they can meaningfully achieve in their lives, instead of focusing on their diagnosis and difficulties.

With the capacity to care for 18 people, the Reconnect community will provide care for people living with complex needs arising from their experience of living with dementia, who often experience heightened levels of psychological distress.

The service will aim to reduce the dependence on psychotropic medication; through support focused on who the person is, striving for people to live life to the full.

Hannah Miller, Dementia Lead at Orchard Care Homes, said: “As we have seen from the success of our three other Reconnect Communities, the need for specialist, people-focused dementia care is essential.

“Our Dementia Promise focuses on breaking the mould of traditional dementia care which often relies upon medication without looking to reconnect them in a more holistic and nurturing way.”

Orchard Care Homes’ ‘Dementia Promise’ aims to lead change in dementia care internally and externally through its work on raising awareness of changes that are needed in approach and discourse, extensive training programme, pain management initiatives, driving down reliance on psychotropic medication, reducing anticholinergic burden and continually updating its approach with the latest evidence that contribute to people living well with dementia.

Sponsored content

https://theartrooms.co.uk

Major half-term roadworks planned for Stanningley Bypass and Armley Gyratory

By
westleedslife
-
0
Work is ongoing at Armley Gyratory. Photo: February 2023

Major road works and planned disruption to Stanningley Bypass and Armley Gyratory will take place during February school half-term.

Motorists travelling along these routes are advised to plan ahead, follow the signed diversions, and allow extra time for their journeys.

Beginning at 5am Saturday 11 February and until 5am Monday 20 February day-time road works will take place along the eastbound A647 Stanningley Bypass.

Work will require a partial closure of the bypass and some of the access/slip roads, with local diversions.

A contraflow system (between Dawson Corner roundabout and Swinnow Bridge) will be in operation. The working times for the actual construction will be 7am to 7pm daily between 11 and 19 February.

These planned works are part of Leeds City Council’s highway annual maintenance programme. It will complement the successful westbound joint and resurfacing programme, delivered during 2022.

Also starting on Monday, 13 February and until Friday, 17 February new surfacing works are taking place to the Armley Gyratory, which will mean a week of partial night-time closures and local signposted diversions.

Over two nights from 8.30pm until 5am on 13 and 14 February lane closures for the A58 Wellington Road approach to the roundabout.

Then over three nights from 8.30pm until 5am on 15, 16 and 17 February lane closures on the A58 Ingram Distributor approach on the Armley Gyratory.

Diversions will be in place at Armley Gyratory.

Councillor Helen Hayden, executive member for infrastructure and climate, said: “We’re trying to co-ordinate hundreds of road works and schemes across the city at any one time to minimise disruption for anyone travelling around the area. This means at every opportunity when we know there will be less traffic, we need to press on with works.

“This is especially necessary in the western area of Leeds, where we’ve combined the timings of these major works to the A647 Stanningley Bypass and Armley Gyratory, during February school half-term.

“We hope to make the most of these closures to get more of the work done quickly and safely at night where necessary, to minimise the impacts of disruption. We know there’s still much more work to do and acknowledge will be disruptive, but the changes we are making will have a long term positive impact. We thank everyone for their patience and to please try and plan-ahead during this time.”

Calverley Old Hall talk recalls centuries of history – and secret finds

By
westleedslife
-
0
calverley old hall
Boost: Historic Calverley Old Hall.

A senior historian is to chronicle recent finds at historic Calverley Old Hall – including 16th century wall paintings and concealed deposits.

Caroline Stanford, from the Landmark Trust, will be speaking online on Thursday 16 February at 7.30pm for the Yorkshire Vernacular Buildings Study Group (YVBSG)

Ms Stanford has been Landmark’s historian since 2000 and, in a blog posted last September, detailed more recent finds. She wrote: “First, there came the once-in-a-lifetime discovery of the 16th-century painted chamber. Now, the Old Hall’s very walls are yielding an astonishing treasure trove of objects. 

“In past centuries, objects were often deliberately concealed in a building’s eaves or wall spaces of a building, apparently as good luck charms. 

“However, at Calverley Old Hall the number of such objects emerging from the walls is surprising even the archaeologists.

Found: Children’s shoes.

“To date, we have found five distinct areas holding tens of objects, clearly deliberately placed. They are tucked into the wall cavities and eaves of the great hall, the solar, the parlour block. In most cases, the objects are too fragmentary to have been still useful when hidden.

“Yet following some ancient folk instinct that we no longer understand, past residents clearly thought they carried some power to protect against evil influences, a quality known as ‘apotropaic’. 

“Their analysis has required input from specialists in many materials: leather, pottery, cloth, metalwork, bone and plasterwork. There are fragments of slip and stoneware, textiles and felt hats; clay pipe bowls stained with tobacco smoked by Yorkshiremen (and perhaps -women) long ago. 

“There are scraps and fittings from a horse harness and many offcuts from shoemaking – we know from other research that a cobbler lived on site in the 19th century. We have found six odd shoes, most of them leather and heavily worn, some for adults, some for children. One is a child’s wooden clog.”

Read Caroline’s full post here.

Calverley Old Hall. Photo: Mark Stevenson

Calverley Old Hall was the family seat of the Calverley family from c1150 to 1750, after which it was colonised as cottages and declined in status.

Owned since the 1980s by the Landmark Trust, it is now the subject of a major restoration project to give the whole site a financially sustainable future. This talk will provide an overview of the latest interpretation of the construction phases of Calverley Old Hall within their historical context, including the discovery of sixteenth century wall paintings and a remarkable number of concealed deposits. 

The event is free of charge and open to all. There will be an opportunity for questions and discussion after the talk. Ticket details here.

Sponsored content

partnership sunny bank mills new
http://www.sunnybankmills.co.uk

Bramley Pantomime keeps it in the family with Jack and the Beanstalk

By
westleedslife
-
0
Edward Turner, was given a special award for his long service and commitment to the community theatre group, with daughter Emma Smith, and grandchildren Joe and Holly.

By Linda Birch

Bramley Panto is back by popular demand at Leeds West Academy theatre after the annual event successfully moved there last year following the closure of St Margaret’s Church in Bramley. 

The company have many happy memories of the years spent at St Margaret’s but feel fortunate to now have the opportunity to make new memories at Leeds West Academy. 

There is a long history of pantomime in Bramley and last year Bramley Parish Theatre Players celebrated 100 years at a special dinner dance. It was lovely for the players celebrate with so many people who have supported the group over the last fifty or sixty years.

Current chair, Edward Turner, was given a special award for his long service and commitment to the community theatre group. Continuing the family tradition across three generations are his daughter Emma Smith, and grandchildren Joe and Holly, who are all involved in the current production.

This year they are performing Jack & the Beanstalk. Come and watch hero, Jack, as he dares to climb the beanstalk to save his princess. Will he get the better of the giant and live to tell the tale? Join in the fun as Dame Dotty Dimple and Simple Simon get into a few scrapes to save their cottage and of course, their precious cow, Buttermilk. 

The show promises great entertainment for the whole family!

The performances are during the Leeds schools’ February’s half term: Thursday 16 and Friday 17 Feb at 7pm, and Saturday 18 at 1.15pm and 5.30pm. To book tickets online go to www.bramleypanto.co.uk or call 07368 986 969. 

Sponsored content

Bramley Baths partnership 1
http://www.bramleybaths.com

1...136137138...865Page 137 of 865

© 2020 West Leeds Dispatch