Police increasingly concerned for missing wild camper from Farnley

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August 19, 2022

Police are continuing to appeal for information to help trace a keen wild camper from Farnley who has been missing for nearly two months.

As previously reported, Carl Warr, aged 59, was reported missing on June 24 after last being seen in Farnley on June 20.

Although he often goes walking alone for up to a month at a time, either wild camping or staying at campsites and bunkhouses, he normally keeps in regular contact with his family.

He is known to visit Cumbria, including around Carlisle, and North Yorkshire, including around Gargrave.

He has previously made mention of looking to find work fruit picking “down South”.

Detective Inspector Dan Bates, of Leeds District CID, said Mr Warr’s family are very concerned for his welfare. He added: “Although Carl’s lifestyle includes going off walking and camping alone, often for long periods, it is completely out of character for him to not have been in touch with his family for this long.

“They are very concerned about him, and we would like to hear from anyone who has seen him or who has any information that could help to trace him.”

Mr Warr is 6ft tall, bald, of stocky build with a grey full beard. He was last seen carrying a backpack and wearing a grey zipped jacket, grey jeans and hiking boots.

Anyone who has seen him or who has any information that could assist in tracing him is asked to Leeds District CID via 101 quoting reference 13220342084 or online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat.

Join our September community reporters training course and learn new skills

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August 19, 2022

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Would you like to tell the story of your community or a local group? Or perhaps celebrate local good stuff and learn new skills, too?

If you’d like to get more involved in what’s going on locally, our FREE West Leeds Dispatch community reporters’ training course is right up your street.

Join our growing band of community reporters, who have contributed more than 1,000 articles between them over the past three years.

The fun and friendly six-week course will run in our new community newsroom at Bramley Lawn Social Centre and is aimed at beginners.

It takes you through photography, interviewing, writing an article and a headline, where to find news, podcasting and more. It’s led by experienced journalist and lecturer John Baron, who is editor and co-founder of West Leeds Dispatch.

And the great thing is it’s free to join! Plus – you’ll become part of a growing movement of community reporters across West Leeds.

Our free course is aimed at beginners and runs over SIX, two-hour sessions. There will be lots of tea, coffee, cake and biscuits – and it looks great on your CV as you will learn transferable skills you can take into employment or studying.

West Leeds Dispatch community newsroom — Venue: Bramley Lawn. Photo: John Baron/westleedsdispatch.com

It’s running in our new community newsroom at Bramley Lawn Social Centre, off Stanningley Road, on Thursdays September 15, 22, 29 and October 6, 13 and 20, from 7pm to 9pm.

More details and b ook your free place here.

For further information, e-mail editor John Baron on news@westleedsdispatch.com.

Former 19th century foundry building set for more flats

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August 19, 2022

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Stanningley grey road flats plan — These offices off Stanningley Road will become flats. Photo: Google

Offices based on Stanningley Road in Bramley could become six flats, if plans receive the green light from Leeds City Council.

Applicant Noreen Khan has applied to change of use of offices to one-bedroom apartments at 230 Stanningley Road. The former Victoria Foundry is one of the last remaining 19th century industrial mill buildings on Stanningley Road.

The application states: “The proposal introduces carefully considered residential accommodation with minimal impact to the character of Bramley Town Centre Conservation Area.”

Earlier this year Ms Khan gained permission to transform a building at the back of the site into five flats.

The latest plans can be viewed in full here.

Plans to demolish closed Farsley care home submitted

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August 19, 2022

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Plans to demolish the former Richmond House nursing home in Farsley have been submitted for determination.

As previously reported by WLD, the home closed last year due to Leeds City Council budget cuts. It’s planned to clear the site for redevelopment, potentially for local authority housing.

Applicant Leeds City Council states: “The demolition of the building will mitigate the ongoing operational costs of holding the property, including security and maintenance costs, whilst also reducing the risk of anti-social behaviour which disused buildings can often attract. Whilst it is acknowledged that re-use of the building would be preferable to demolition, following an options appraisal process there are no alternative uses identified.”

Contractors will manually soft strip the inside of the building, which dates back to 1971, first segregating the materials that can be recycled, then the demolition of the main building will be carried out in a controlled manner.

The plans can be viewed in full here.

Richmond House was a 20-bed residential service in Richmond Road. It offered short-term care and support to people who require convalescence following a hospital admission. Council officers last year said average occupancy since 2018/19 was 55 per cent and its gross budget was £742,000.

The closures have previously sparked a fierce political debate.

Follow WLD‘s ongoing coverage of Richmond House closure here.

Council agrees to relaxed mowing to support wildlife in Burley Park

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August 19, 2022

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Burley-walk-3 — Burley Park. Photo: Mark Stevenson

Leeds City Council’s parks department has agreed to implement a ‘relaxed’ mowing regime in Burley Park, in a bid to encourage a more natural habitat for wildlife and allow wildflowers to grow.

The changes were requested by the Friends of Burley Park group, who said on social media: “This will be implemented soon and will provide significant benefits for urban wildlife while also supporting tree health during these unusually hot summers.

“We thought long and hard about the best locations for relaxed mowing that would least affect people’s use of the park while also delivering much-needed ecological benefit and also fit in with our tree planting plans for this winter as well as council management approaches – no small feat!”

Check out the map detailing the new mowing regime below:

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New Wortley prepares for its annual community festival

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August 19, 2022

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new wortley food festival 1 — New Wortley Food Festival was held on Jailey's Field in 2021. Photo: Michelle Corns

The New Wortley community will come together for its annual celebration tomorrow (Saturday, 20 August 2022).

The event promises a fantastic family day out with stalls, food and much more. Activities also include New Wortley Community Centre’s poetry group, Dance Dolls and Divas, Northern Opera, West Leeds ARLFC, balloon modelling, face painting, sports day races, inflatables, bike track and a bake off event.

It will run from 12pm to 3pm on Oakwood Recreation Ground (Jailey Fields, behind the jail).

Contact Gemma.Bain@newwortleycc.org for more details

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Armley: Gotts Park to host heritage open day

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August 19, 2022

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Gotts Park Mansion Armley — Gotts Park Mansion, Armley. Photo: Katherine Turner

By Katherine Turner

On Saturday, 10 September Gotts Park Mansion will open its doors to host Benjamin Gott – the man and his mansion.

Gotts Park Mansion is set in stunning parkland and was the home of Benjamin Gott, owner of Armley MIlls and a leading figure in the Industrial Revolution.

The grounds were designed by Humphry Repton, described as the last great English landscape designer of the 18th century. The Grade ll listed mansion has since become the clubhouse for Gotts Park Golf Club.

benjamin gott blue plaque — A blue plaque commemorating Benjamin Gott can be found at the mansion. Photo: Katherine Turner

The event starts at 2.30pm and guides on the day will be Clive Walton, who is the head greenkeeper, secretary and director of Gotts Park Golf Club, and Dr Patrick Eyres author of The Yorkshire Red Books of Humphrey Repton.

Clive Walton said: “With the golf club being open 364 days a year it plays an important role in keeping Gotts Park Mansion accessible to the public. Having lived and worked in the area since I was born, I have always had a keen interest in its history. Every year I look forward to being part of the Heritage Open Day, it gives me the opportunity to share my knowledge with the wider community.”

Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture. Each September thousands of volunteers across the country invite you to experience local history, architecture and culture. Stories are told, traditions explored and histories brought to life. All for free.

Details of this and other free Heritage Open Day events can be found here using the interactive map.

The Mansion House, Gotts Park Golf Club, Armley Ridge Road, Leeds, LS12 2QX. Pre-booking is required, call 0113 231 1896.

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Rodley: ‘Excessive’ tree removal plans refused by Leeds planners

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August 18, 2022

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Leeds Civic Hall. Photo: John Baron/westleedsdispatch.com

‘Excessive’ plans to remove 70 trees on land in Rodley have been refused by Leeds City Council planners.

Applicant Mr I Berrie wanted to remove around a mix of 70 cherry, sycamore, ash and elm trees on land behind 19A Bagley Lane. The work would have been carried out by Horsforth-based Aire Valley Tree Services.

Reasons given for the proposed felling included historic and recent vandalism of the site, too many trees in a small area and the closeness to residential properties.

But Leeds City Council planning officers refused the application. In their conclusions, a report said: “The felling requested is excessive and disproportionate to the potential problems experienced.

“This woodland is a prominent feature in the locality and as such contributes significantly to public amenity. The trees in question are an integral part of the woodland edge and their removal would be detrimental to visual amenity and the composition of the woodland as a whole.”

Another report by a council woodland officer woodland said that the area had been neglected and was in need of appropriate management, the wholesale felling is not supported. The report added: “The application is extremely vague and effectively proposes the wholesale felling of a woodland area, without mention of replanting or woodland management.”

The council has said it would look favourably on future applications to undertake considered, sustainable woodland management, namely selective thinning and replanting, together with appropriate tree management.

The planning application and council reports can be viewed in full here.

Fancy learning the ukulele in Pudsey? A friendly group is looking for you!

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August 18, 2022

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Robin Lane Health and Wellbeing Centre Pudsey — Pudsey Wellbeing Centre. Copyright Stephen Craven and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

By Susan Johnson

Do you like to sing, or maybe you strum a guitar or ukulele and would like to share your love of music with likeminded people?

The Pudsey Ukulele Group is a group of people of mixed ages and abilities who meet every Tuesday at Pudsey Wellbeing Centre between 10.30am and 12.30pm to play and sing all types of music.

Even people who think they have very limited musical ability soon learn that they can make an effective contribution to the overall musical experience.

There is a modest charge of £2 per session to cover the use of the rehearsal room. Our leader is Jill Huggins, for further details you can contact her on jane@pudseywellbeing.com or phone 07856 532199.

We have played for charities, care homes, last weekend’s Pudsey Food Festival and on Sunday, 21 August will be playing at the Classic Car Show at Fulneck. Come and join us, we look forward to welcoming new members.

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Pudsey’s pumpkin patch

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August 18, 2022

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pumpkins Whiteley's farm Pudsey — Spot the pumpkin! Whiteley's Farm will have thousands of them. Photo: Keef Williamson

By Keef Williamson

On the outskirts of Pudsey is a small farm, plant nursery and farm shop growing all manner of fruit veg and flowers.

Manager Vicky Whiteley was keen to show WLD the pumpkin patch. It’s a large area covered in low-lying leaves, but if you push them aside, there are pumpkins in various stages of development.

Because of the recent heatwaves, many of the pumpkins are ready now, about a month early.

“There’ll be about 2,000 pumpkins there, and I’m glad we’re exempt from the hosepipe ban!” said Vicky.

From not ready ready – some of the pumpkins at Whiteley’s Farm, Pudsey. Move the slider along to see both…

Whiteley’s Farm Shop and Nursery is on Hough Side Road, Pudsey. Check their Facebook page for opening times.

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Paul Abraham: Best natural hay fever remedies – Part Two

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August 18, 2022

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paul-abraham-bramley-buffaloes — Paul Abraham, speaking at Bramley Lawn.

By Paul Abraham

Following on from last week’s column on hay fever, please find another six natural remedies to help ease your sniffles and watery eyes!

1. Garlic

Increasing your dietary intake of garlic can help boost your body’s immune system, while also acting as a decongestant and helping to alleviate minor hay fever symptoms. It’s also an anti-inflammatory and a good source of quercetin, a natural antihistamine.

When to take: With meals, one or two months before the hay season starts, but most effective when eaten crushed or raw. If you can’t stomach that, try garlic capsules from your local pharmacy.

2. Acupuncture

Research has found that the ancient Chinese medicine of acupuncture can be a natural hay fever remedy, helping to reduce hay fever symptoms, such as a runny nose and itchy eyes, dramatically. Using sterile needles, acupuncture pinpoints specific areas of the body and helps relieve any symptoms caused by current ailments. Studies have shown that acupuncture has a positive effect on alleviating hay fever symptoms.

When to try: Sufferers should have four to six acupuncture sessions before hay fever season starts to see the best results.

3. Self-hypnosis

Recent studies have shown that sufferers trained to use self-hypnosis saw a dramatic reduction in their hay fever symptoms, such as a runny nose and irritated throat. They were taught a special self-relaxation technique and soon noticed less discomfort when the first symptoms of hay fever appeared.

When to try: At the start of the hay fever season.

4. Vaseline

Hay fever sufferers praise Vaseline for being a vital hay fever remedy as soon as the weather begins to warm up. Spreading a thin layer of Vaseline inside the lower nostrils can help combat hay fever and reduce symptoms significantly, as the Vaseline traps pollen entering the nostrils. It effectively blocking the pollen from entering the nasal passages and stops hay fever symptoms from worsening.

When to take: Daily during hay fever season, before leaving the house.

5. Onions

Onion skins are a good source of quercetin, a natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory proven to reduce symptoms in hay fever sufferers. Onions contain three times as much quercetin as kale and 10 times as much as broccoli and can be eaten throughout the day in a variety of meals, so they’re one of the easier hay fever remedies to try.

When to take: Daily with meals, although one option suggests you chew raw onions as an alternative – we only recommend this if you’re staying in.

6. Have a shower

While showering, washing your clothes and bedsheets won’t help to prevent hayfever, it’s one of the best way to sooth your symptoms. Pollen gets caught up in our hair and the fibres of our clothes when we leave the house – and especially when we spend time in the outdoors – so washing it all away can stop the sniffles in an instant.

If you’ve been suffering, be sure to follow these handy hay fever remedies, they could make your symptoms more bearable.

More of Paul Abraham’s wellbeing columns can be read here.

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Stanningley coffee shop owner honours son’s legacy

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August 17, 2022

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cup19 Stanningley — Caroline Hardy at Cup19, in Stanningley. Photo: Emma Roberts

By Emma Roberts

A Farsley mum who lost her son to leukaemia has followed her dream to open a new coffee shop in his honour.

Cup19, on Bradford Road, Stanningley, is proving popular with coffee lovers – and with good reason.

The name Cup19 was chosen by Caroline Hardy in memory of her son Haris Hussain, who died aged 19 after a year-long fight against Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. Haris was a promising young cricketer who had played for the Yorkshire under 16s.

After losing her son Caroline decided not to go back to midwifery. She moved from Sheffield to be with her partner – cricket coach Matt, who lives in Farsley.

The coffee shop is proving popular with locals. Photo: Emma Roberts

The couple, looking for a lifestyle change, made the brave decision to go self employed and pursue a shared dream of opening a coffee shop. Their vision was to create a cosy, welcoming and safe space to rest, relax and meet friends.

Caroline said she wanted a space for coffee lovers who could enjoy a drink and not feel rushed. When the building, which had been Pop Along Café, became available, they began planning its renovation. Cup19 opened six months later on 19 January 2022.

For his 19th birthday Haris, a talented wicket keeper and batsman, raised over £20,000 for the charity DKMS UK, fighting against blood cancer. To continue his legacy his family created the HH 1843 Foundation to support teenagers affected by cancer, through sport.

The proceeds of the 19th cup sold every day are donated to the charity. It is served in a special white cup.

Caroline and Matt also employ Nikki, who lives in Swinnow. Matt’s daughter helps out at weekends and Caroline’s niece helped set up the social media when they first opened, so it’s been a real family and friends team effort making Cup19 successful.

More recently, Caroline called upon Master Chef of Great Britain member Simon Lilley, founder of Coghlans cookery school, to deliver a pop-up bistro night.

The bistro menu changes each time based upon seasonal foods and has proven so popular that renovations are now under way to expand into the upstairs of the building to meet demand.

Over the next few months Cup19 also hope this upstairs space will be a bookable space for people to host meetings or a co-work together. Waffle Wednesdays is popular with locals, especially families where the shop opens slightly later until 7.30pm you can get a drink and waffles or pancakes for £8.

Cup19 can be found on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter by searching @cup19coffee.