A shipping container could provide much-needed storage space for junior football teams in Swinnow, if plans are approved by Leeds City Council.
Applicant Richard Poole, of Rodley, wants permission to put the new 20ft shipping container on land next to playing fields near Hough Top Court in Swinnow.
He says the container will be used to store football training and matchday equipment and will be hidden from public view by a row of trees and bushes and will be painted green to blend in. In his application, Mr Poole said: “In the absence of changing or storage facilities in the area and the volume of equipment required and used for the club, the container will be a huge benefit as we look to improve and expand the club.”
The current site has two 11-a-side football fields and one junior field.
People who use Farnley Hall Park are being urged to attend the latest public meeting to formally set up a group to help improve and maintain it.
As WLDreported last month, a public meeting at Farnley Hall agreed in principle to set up the new Friends of Farnley Hall Park group, which will carry out practical work such as weeding, pruning and litter picking, as well as protecting the heritage of the parkland and have a say in how it is managed.
The next meeting will be to form an interim committee, which will require three named officers – chair, treasurer and secretary – as well as others.
Support group: Farnley Hall Park. Photo: John Baron/westleedsdispatch.com
Cllr Forsaith said: “During the meeting we will be able to discuss the aims of the group and the sort of activities people might want to get involved in. So I do hope that many of the people who love Farnley Hall Park will want to come along to help set up this new group.
“As this meeting will be to set up the committee, I am hoping that volunteers for the officer positions and for the committee as a whole will come forward. If you, or anyone you know would like to discuss these roles, I can be contacted on 07891 220192.”
The meeting will be held at 6pm on 24 August at New Farnley Community Centre. All welcome to attend.
My name is Lucy Peacock and I am 10 years old. I go to Horsforth Newlaithes Primary School. I’ve been told that I am one of the 12 finalists of the Leeds Children’s Mayor competition. I am the only child that has been shortlisted in Horsforth and I would love your support.
My manifesto is to raise awareness of the struggles faced by families and children due to the cost of living crisis. Lots of children do not have three meals a day because their parents have to pay for bills and petrol instead. Covid has impacted families too as lots of people have lost their jobs. Every child deserves to be fed without worrying about going hungry.
I plan to hold completely free events to raise awareness of the crisis that will involve the whole community so that noone feels left out or ashamed. At these events there will be information and tips about making your money go further and free food, drinks and activities like arts and crafts and sports so that children can still have fun with their families. As well as helping with money we will ask the local supermarkets to donate food past its sell by date helping to reduce food waste.
Voting in the election is open until 26 September and the person with the most votes will be chosen to be the Children’s Mayor. I will be doing lots of campaigning with my family but I’d really like your help to get more votes and to tell more people about my idea. My Uncle has also made me a poster which I would be happy for you to share.
Hyde Park Source run a community gardening project at Armley Mills.
By Behla Hutchinson
Hyde Park Source are on the hunt for motivated individuals to join their staff team in the coming months.
The organisation has been running since 1998; responding to the needs of local communities and creating spaces for food growing, learning, play, rest and recreation. They are a small, adaptive organisation and make decisions collaboratively, working with communities across Leeds to develop their strengths through their community garden, design and build and outdoor education programmes.
The first role includes facilitating a weekly adult gardening group based within the gardens of the Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills, plus taking a lead on HR and staff wellbeing.
The second role involves coordinating the finances of the organisation – keeping track of our spending, budgeting, and invoicing amongst other things.
So if you care about the people of Leeds and the local environment and think you have the right skills to bring, get in touch!
Role 1: Wellbeing and HR Coordinator (22.5 hours permanent) + Volunteer Coordinator (7.5 hours parental leave cover – 13 months).
Role 2: Finance Coordinator (parental leave cover – 12 months).
Farsley Celtic entertained Fylde in a feisty encounter at The Citadel. Photo: John McEvoy
Words: Husnain Mahmood
Photos: John McEvoy/Leeds Shots
Farsley Celtic slipped to a second defeat of the season, as AFC Fylde ran out 2-1 winners in a feisty and evenly-contested tie at the Citadel.
It was a dismal start for Farsley as they conceded within the opening 30 seconds. Fylde goalkeeper Chris Neal sent the ball upfield, which was flicked on to Joe Rowley, who sliced his shot. But bursting into the box was Fylde winger Luke Conlan, who finished from close range.
The 14th minute saw a late challenge on Jimmy Spencer by Fylde’s Alex Whitmore, yet to much of the crowd’s bemusement saw Spencer receive a caution.
Farsley’s Jimmy Spencer rifles a shot against Fylde. Photo: John McEvoy
As the first half went on both Farsley and Fylde were strong in their challenges but it was Fylde who continued to attack. Jordan Cranston on the left side for Fylde continued to put dangerous crosses into the box which Farsley defended well against.
Growing into the game, which was now largely being played in the visitors’ half, Farsley had their first real chance midway through the opening period; the ball bounced kindly for Jacob Gratton, but he hit a half volley from outside the box straight at the opposition ‘keeper.
Minutes later, Farsley were presented with an opportunity to level after Neal came charging out of his goal and caught Frank Mulhern with a high boot just inside the penalty area.
Mulhern dusted himself down and slotted home the spot-kick, sending the Fylde shot-stopper the wrong way.
As the half drew to a close, a goalmouth scramble in the Farsley box turned into a coming together between both groups of players, with Andy Butler, Mulhern of Farsley, as well as Kyle Morrison of Fylde all booked for their troubles.
With the break coming at a good time for the referee, Farsley came out brightly in the second-half; Luke Parkin won a free kick in a dangerous position which Fylde dealt with well.
The game remained evenly contested approaching the final 30 minutes as both sides continued to attack each other. Sam Osborne made a mazy run towards the Farsley box, but saw his shot blocked twice by Andy Butler as Farsley cleared the danger again.
Farsley looked bright again as a free kick was won on the right hand side after some good possession. The ball was whipped in but ended up going for a goal kick as there was still no luck in front of goals for Farsley.
Fylde continued to press, with Nick Haughton twice trying his luck from outside the box, a low strike comfortably saved by Max Dearnley before he blazed a wild strike high and wide.
At the other end, Farsley tested Neal through Mulhern, whose free-kick from just outside the box was saved comfortably by the Fylde man.
However, with 18 minutes to go it was Fylde who took the lead, after a cross from the right was kept in superbly by Joe Rowley. He diverted the ball across for Nick Haughton to rocket home from close range.
The closing stages of the game saw Farsley press for an equaliser, with Kian Scales and Dave Syers thrown on, but Fylde were able to hang on for all three points.
Manager Russ Wilcox said he was proud of an ‘outstanding’ performance against full-time opposition, and said it was The Celts’ best showing since he took over as manager earlier this year:
CT Plus buses ceased operations earlier this month.
A Farnley councillor has expressed his dismay after a lifeline bus service between Leeds and Pudsey was axed due to a private company going into administration.
Leeds-based bus company CT Plus Yorkshire last week announced the immediate closure of all its services across West Yorkshire following pre-pandemic struggles, Covid-19 lockdowns and rising fuel costs.
Services axed included the 81 and 81A service between Leeds city centre, Old Farnley and Pudsey.
Concern: Cllr Mark Sewards
Councillor Mark Sewards (Lab, Farnley & Wortley) has said the service needs replacing as soon as possible as some residents had been left isolated by the lack of a local service. Cllr Sewards said: “Like many residents, I was dismayed when the 81 bus service was cancelled following the collapse of CT Plus. This route is an essential one for many residents and it is a damming indictment of our current system that it was cancelled so abruptly.
“I’ve have spoken with West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin and her team about the need to replace the bus route as soon as possible. It cannot be right that some residents, including the elderly, now only have access to Leeds via expensive taxis or by walking considerable distances to catch the 42, which can be very unreliable.
“Tracy’s team are negotiating with the other bus operators and asking them to share the financial stress and provide an alternative as soon as possible for the cancelled route. They are also seeking funding from the Department for Transport to secure unprofitable routes. I have also been feeding people’s messages about the 81 directly into this process and I have stressed the need for an immediate resolution.
“Long term, this has only cemented my view that we need our buses back in public control. I was elected on a promise to improve the buses in Farnley and Wortley and I will not stop until we have a permanent solution to the chaos passengers face.”
Cllr Simon Seary
The 81 bus also served Troydale, and its loss has left some residents isolated.
Cllr Simon Seary (Cons, Pudsey) also expressed his concerns. He said: “I’m extremely concerned to hear about CT Plus Yorkshire ceasing trading, leaving many local residents isolated. It’s about time that the elected Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin, as chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, started taking responsibility for the poor bus services across the area. If she was closer to the issues things would and could have been different.”
The 81 service was operated by social enterprise HCT Group, which said in a statement last week: “Everyone at CT Plus Yorkshire and Powell’s – and across the wider HCT Group – has worked tirelessly to put the operations in Yorkshire on a sustainable footing, but there is nothing further to be done and the situation cannot continue.
“We want to ensure services to the public are not disrupted, but most importantly we want to preserve as many jobs as possible. We are now talking to commissioners across Yorkshire, seeing if we can transfer as many services as possible to new operators.”
The number 30 – Horsforth, Horsforth Vale to Pudsey – service has also ended.
West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said her thoughts were with the drivers and staff who were now without employment, but feared this was “only the start” of closures. “Bus patronage hasn’t risen as quickly as we’d like after the pandemic, which is why I and others have been calling on government to extend its Bus Recovery Grant beyond October,” she told the BBC.
West Yorkshire Combined Authority has launched The Mayor’s Big Bus Chat consultation to help shape the future of buses in West Yorkshire.
A new pedestrian crossing will be built on Kent Road. Photo: Google
Update, 26 August 2022: Work has now been pushed back to October half-term.
Original post: Highways chiefs say work will to start on the installation of a pedestrian crossing on a busy Pudsey road, following a Crawshaw Academy student’s high-profile campaign.
Busy Kent Road will close at 8am on Tuesday, 30 August and reopen at 4pm to allow work on the new humped zebra crossing
Residents living in the Kent Road area have expressed long-running concerns about road safety – and earlier this year Crawshaw sixth form student Chloe Freeman launched a petition to improve pedestrian safety on the 30mph road.
The petition, which drew more than 1,000 signatures, called for action to make the road safer, particularly for pupils who cross the road.
WLDrevealed in May that the crossing will be part of a £275,000 package of pedestrian safety measures across the city.
Diversions will be in place during the closure:
Traffic will be diverted via Valley Road, Robin Lane and Lowtown.
A mural is planned at St Bartholomew's School in Armley
A public consultation has been launched into plans for a mural on a graffiti-daubed wall at St Bartholomew’s Primary School in Armley.
As previously reported by WLD, Inkwell Arts (Leeds Mind) is planning the mural along with a wellbeing garden for pupils with special educational needs at Castleton Primary School and Leeds Baby Bank workshops and outreach in the Armley area.
The project, which is being funded by the Co-op, has Armley artist Claire Jagger on board, and it’s planned for the long school wall overlooking busy Tong Road. The artist created one of the colourful internal murals at the new young people’s mental health facility at St Mary’s Hospital and her work is currently part of an exhibition at Freedom Mills, off Kirkstall Road.
A consultation document circulated by Inkwell says the idea is to bring people together to create something beautiful. It states: “Claire uses masonry paint for her murals, which is then fixed with a long-lasting top-coat to help prevent general wear and tear/weathering.
“The space we would like to brighten up is a long wall, overlooking Tong Road. A school staff member initially told us about this space and asked us to make use of it. We have written permission and full buy-in from the school. But now, we would like to hear from you.
“Claire and our experienced Inkwell art facilitators will run mark-making workshops with the school and local organisations, such as Armley Helping Hands and Aspire. The work created in the sessions will influence the final design of the mural. This allows the community to feel they have ownership over the mural, and have been able to contribute to the overall project.
“We will also be recruiting local volunteers to assist with the painting and general maintenance/upkeep of the mural itself, including in the event of vandalism.
“We would like to help demonstrate community resilience post-Covid, encouraging locals to come together to create something beautiful that the area can feel proud of. The impact on those involved in designing and maintaining the project will be huge, especially for individuals with poor mental health.
“Without the voices of the local community, projects such as this can’t always go ahead, so we’d love to get your feedback.”
E-mail your views on having a mural at St Bartholomew’s to inkwell@leedsmind.org.uk.
A Jowett Kingfisher will be at Fulneck Classic Car Show this weekend.
By Damon Sugden
Community organisation MyPudsey is excited to announce the first-ever classic car show set in the picturesque Fulneck Moravian settlement in Pudsey, on Sunday, 21 August.
Bring all the family to see some classic cars ranging from legendary historic vehicles right up to 80s and 90s super stars.
Among the vehicles hoping to attend is a unique Jowett 1934 Long 7 ‘Kingfisher’, built nearby at Jowett’s in Idle. We know these special cars have a lot of fans in the community, and this is a chance to see a beautiful local classic up close.
Other rare examples are the settlement’s own 200 year old fire engine and Humber 16/60 F-coupé dating from 1935. Recent cars sure to bring back happy memories are our 1984 Ford Capri 2L Sports and 1991 Sierra Cosworth.
There will also be the ‘Peoples Choice Award’ through public voting, and the winning car will be the very first car added to the ‘People Choice’ shield and they will also receive a trophy to take home with them. Every hour there will be six vehicles that will go out on ‘parade’ through the streets of Pudsey too. Come on down to support this very first car show and give your vote – which car will you choose?
A 1932 Morris Minor Family is coming to Fulneck in Pudsey.
Fulneck had a recent cameo in the BBC drama Gentleman Jack, and the settlement will be free to explore.
Refreshments will be available, the Heritage Museum will be open, and music will be played throughout the day.
The event will take place Sunday, 21 August, between 10am and 4pm, at the East End car park from the Roker Lane entrance. Limited free car parking is available at the West End car park.
A £30,000 project to install more street benches in the Kirkstall and Burley areas has been given final approval by Leeds City Council.
A total of 16 steel benches will be installed at locations agreed with Kirkstall Labour councillors Hannah Bithell, John Illingworth and Fiona Venner in a bid to encourage walking throughout the Kirkstall Ward and support those who may need a place to stop and rest.
The project, is part of the council’s Local Centres Programme, which aims to support town centres.
A council report approving the final details of the scheme said: “It has been identified by ward members and agreed by officers that there is an absence of street bench provision within the ward, which acts as a barrier to those residents who may wish to walk to certain destinations but would require somewhere to sit and rest on their journey. The project seeks to introduce benches at key points that would support those who choose to walk.”
The benches will be based at:
At the junction of Latchmere Drive with Filingfir Drive.
At the junction of Butcher Hill with Moor Grange View, outside commercial premises.
AtthejunctionofSpenLanewithQueenswoodDrive.
Queenswood Drive, opposite the northern junction with Woodbridge Crescent.
Queenswood Drive, by the entrance to Batcliffe Wood.
Kirkstall Lane, by the junction with Station Approach.
At the junction of Kirkstall Hill with Beecroft Street.
At the junction of Kirkstall Hill with Eden Drive, outside commercial premises.
At the junction of Kirkstall Hill with Burley Hill Drive.
At the junction of Burley Hill Drive with Kirkstall Road.
At the junction of Kirkstall Road with Evanston Avenue, opposite commercial premises.
Kirkstall Road, by the footpath access to Kirkstall Abbey opposite Back De Lacy Mount.
Vesper Lane, by the Vesper Gate remnants.
Vesper Road, by the public footpath to Vesper Recreation Ground.
At the junction of Lea Farm Road with Hawkswood Avenue; and
At the junction of Broadway with Hawkswood Avenue.
The Local Centres Programme was launched several years ago, with £150,000 allocated for each ward to spend. Last year, council budget cuts meant that the amount was reduced to £30,000 per ward, with only four schemes completed at the full cost, including one in Rodley which included on‐street parking improvements, pedestrian crossing points and bus stops on Rodley Town Street.
WLD is tracking council cuts and building sell-offs through its Cutswatch Series here.
Can you help develop the community of New Wortley? Photo: John Baron/westleedsdispatch.com
Volunteers are needed to play a key part of a voluntary led organisation working in West Leeds.
New Wortley Community Association is looking for people to join its board of trustees and is welcoming people with a passion for helping local communities.
The association is looking for local resident board members from a wide background of ages, culture and backgrounds, as well as people with experience and expertise in areas such as community engagement and development.
Full details in the poster below:
For more information, or to express an interest, contact Andrea Edwards at andrea.edwards@newwortleycc.org.
Community led Bramley Bathsand social enterprise Seagulls have been nominated for prestigious regional awards.
Social Enterprise Yorkshire and the Humber (SEYH) runs the annual awards ceremony to recognise and showcase the breadth of work being done in the social enterprise sector in the region.
Bramley Baths has been nominated for the social enterprise of the year award. Baths CEO David Wilford said: “We are honoured to be on the shortlist for this award. The team at the Baths and trustees work so hard to give the community the best service for great value.”
Seagulls founders Kat Hyde and Kate Moree
Nationally recognised community enterprise Seagulls, off Kirkstall Road, has been shortlisted for the environment award. Seagulls works to improve the environment through the recycling and reuse of paint materials, alongside the creation of work for disadvantaged people and groups.
Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award – sponsored by Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Vicki Beevers from The Sleep Charity Anthony Waddington from Participate Projects Jim Reiss from DJ School UK
SEYH is based on Bradford Road, Stanningley, and is a not-for-private-profit organisation established to represent, promote and drive forward the development of the social enterprise sector.
The awards ceremony will be held at The Shay Stadium in Halifax on Thursday, 22 September.
