Bosses at Farnley Academy have submitted a planning application to build a new beach volleyball court at the school.
The 900 sq metre court would be built on an existing sports pitch which the school says is unusable due to the steep bank on site.
A report accompanying the application says the school would like to introduce beach volleyball to the curriculum and have the opportunity to work closely with Volleyball England, the national governing body for indoor volleyball, sitting volleyball and beach volleyball.
The report added: “The proposed scheme seeks to improve the available sports facilities in the area and give students access to a specialised sport.”
Plans also include a two metre-wide timber decking, along with the installation of a 3.4-high V-Mesh fencing and 1m-high ball stop netting installed above.
Scaled-back plans too transform the former Farsley Liberal Club into five apartments have been submitted to the council for approval.
Last October council planners approved proposals for six apartments on the site, but following specialist structural advice, the plans have now been amended.
Stephen Adler, from Stephen Adler Planning, wrote in a letter accompanying the new application: “Following specialist structural advice, the rear basement area, lightwell and replacement extension are not to be progressed such that this reduced scheme for five apartments is less intensive.
“It still protects the contribution that the building makes to the character and appearance of this part of the Farsley Conservation Area.”
The proposals also include new and replacement windows and doors, new rear balconies, demolition of an existing extension and new hard and soft landscaping.
The club, based in the centre of Farsley, closed in 2022 after 134 years. It had been struggling financially for several years.
As first reported by WLD, the club, in Old Road, called time in August 2022 and now sits empty.
Farsley Liberal Club is a Victorian building, built in 1899.
Rachel Reeves MP meets Bramley Park Academy pupils.
Staff and students at Bramley Park Academy have shown Leeds West MP and Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves around their school, which was last year rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.
Ms Reeves spent time in every key stage and learnt about the positive impact that Bramley’s 12 place specialist resource provision, LaunchPad, is having on pupils with Autism Spectrum Condition and communication needs.
Carrie Green, Executive Principal at Bramley Park Academy, said: “Bramley Park Academy has been on an incredible journey of improvement over the past few years.
“To go from special measures to outstanding in just five years is a phenomenal achievement. Pupils and staff alike are very proud of Bramley Park and they were thrilled to be able to showcase what a special place our school is to Rachel Reeves and the local councillors. It’s important to us to share our success story and show what’s possible with determination, ambition and a talented team which believes every child deserves the very best.”
Rachel Reeves MP added: “It was wonderful to be shown around Bramley Park Academy and see how far it has come in recent years. From excellent teachers to engaged pupils, there is so much Bramley Park Academy can be proud of.”
Bramley & Stanningley councillors Caroline Gruen, Tom Hinchcliffe and Kevin Ritchie also attended.
Bramley Park Academy is part of Wellspring Academy Trust. Established in 2012, Wellspring is a community of 31 mainstream primary and secondary schools, and SEND and Alternative Provision settings operating across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
Venue: Trinity Methodist Church, Bramley. Photo: Mark Stevenson
By Roger Cliff
The Bramley History Society is holding its Spring Photo Exhibition on Saturday 20 April, 9.45am to 11.45am.
As usual it will be at Trinity Church on Town Street, and the church will be providing refreshments. As this is the 40th year since the Society was formed, members have done a limited print of a tea towel they produced a number of years ago, which proved popular then. They are £7 to buy, or £9 P&P if you can’t make it.
As well as this, there will be hundreds of photos of Old Bramley, plus dozens of maps on display. By then the rain might have stopped, and be nice to see you there.
Update: Tomorrow’s game has been postponed due to a water-logged pitch. A new date will be announced in due course.
Original post: YES, the new season has arrived, the Buffaloes return to the West Leeds Rugby Union ground on Blue Hill Lane, Leeds LS12 1HH on Saturday 6 April, when the Bramley side entertain Guiseley Rangers in the Yorkshire Mens League Shield competition first Round.
The kick-off is at 2.30pm, and a good crowd is expected to see the “Buffs” charge into the new season.
Stalwart Cliff steps down
Cliff Spracklen has stepped down from the Bramley Buffaloes committee after 24 fully committed years. Cliff, a very well-known and respected writer, and rugby league trailblazer, now based in Bridlington he was one of the loyal and determined group of Bramley supporters who refused to let the club and long history die after the professional club resigned from the rugby league.
They fought and realised the dream of every Bramley fan when the Bramley Buffaloes were formed and played their first match in 2004. Everyone involved at the club thanks Cliff for all his hard work over the years and looks forward to seeing him at future games and events.
Buffs social media going to a new level
The Buffaloes are delighted to announce that the nationally respected media company JDG Media will be handling the club’s social media platforms this season. The company which was founded in 2010 have worked with a wide range of clubs, NGBs, brands, sponsors and publications and pride themselves on their flexible and personable approach.
Calverley Bridge spans the River Aire. Photo: Mark Stevenson
Historic Calverley Bridge is set for a major overhaul, according to a council report on highways repairs this week.
Calverley Bridge is earmarked for £2.25 million of ‘concrete repairs’, according to the Highways Infrastructure Maintenance Programmes (Structures), which recommends £7.1 million of works across the city.
The works are expected to be carried out in the next financial year (2024-25).
Calverley Railway Bridge is also set for investment. The remote monitoring system is due to be removed, along with the replacement of vehicle restraint system and painting refurbishment at a cost £90,000 in 24-25 financial year. A further £550,000 is allocated for 2026/26 onwards.
The report states: “The council’s highway structures are continually monitored for condition and maintenance needs. Prioritised planned maintenance and strengthening programmes are developed to maintain the assets in a safe and serviceable condition appropriate for their use.”
Plans for a combination of 28 social rent and shared ownership homes in Armley have been approved by Leeds City Council.
Developer 54North Homes has successfully applied for planning permission to build the properties on the site of a former church hall and vicarage off Wesley Road.
The development will be made up of two and three bedroom. 22 of the properties will be available for social rent, and the remaining six will be available for shared ownership. 38 parking spaces will be provided.
A council planning officer’s report says the development will lead to the heavy loss of trees on the site, with 16 replacement trees proposed on-site, the retention of some mature trees and an off-site site contribution of £51,000 will lead to the to planting of 34 heavy standard trees in Gotts Park, Armley.
The report concludes: “The proposal would have a positive impact on the character and significance of designated heritage assets.
“The proposal would deliver an appropriate mix of housing, off-site greenspace, biodiversity net gain and there are no highway or parking concerns. It will also deliver much-needed affordable housing in excess of policy requirements. This is given significant weight.
“Although the proposal would have a significant detrimental impact to trees due to the very high numbers of trees to be lost, some replacement planting is proposed both on and off-site, albeit below policy requirements.
“Although there will be harm in relation to loss of trees and in design terms, on balance the provision of affordable housing and compliance with all other material planning considerations are considered to outweigh these harms.”
Access to the new development will be off Wesley Road, opposite St Bartholomew’s Church. The church hall on the site burned down during a blaze earlier this year.
WLD reported last month that council chiefs have authorised a £700,000 grant made up of commuted sums to go towards funding the project. Commuted sums is a funding stream managed by the council and is made up of contributions which have been paid by developers.
Farsley wildlife photographer Rosie Dutton’s shot of Thor the Arctic walrus has earned her a place in the British Wildlife Photography Awards (BWPA) with the image subsequently placed in their yearbook.
Thor, in Rosie’s own words, ‘visited British shores and did a little tour’ just over a year ago, gaining widespread media attention at the time.
“:I snapped this image during his stay in Scarborough as he was resting for a few days before heading home,” explained Rosie. “The Walrus was named Thor by locals in the area where he was first spotted. Thor stayed where the boats launch.
“The police taped off the area, so nobody disturbed him. I found an empty spot in the crowd to get low with my camera. I wanted to focus on his face as it’s so detailed. He remained asleep with little movement enabling me to get some good shots.”
Photographer: Rosie Dutton
The BWPA was founded in 2009 by Maggie Gowan and is now directed by photographer Will Nicholls.
Rosie said: “It’s a prestigious award for a wildlife photographer as the photos are exhibited throughout the country and published in a beautiful collection book.
“I entered ten images into different categories including portraits, wild woods, animal behaviour, urban wildlife etc. My photo in the book is from the portraits category. The panel of judges whittled it down to the finalists in the book and then onto the winners etc.”
Rosie, 28, lived with her parents in Rodley until moving to her own home in Farsley three years ago. She works for the EIA (Environmental Investigation Agency) as an assistant visual communications editor, helping the EIA tackle wildlife and environmental crime.
“I love creating media to help save global wildlife and prevent climate change and I know that what I’m creating is helping to better the world environmentally,” she said.
“Wildlife photography requires lots of patience and deep knowledge of the behaviour of different animals knowing where to find them, what time of day and year. Sometimes a shoot can be a full day with no results. But I find the rewards are huge when you get ‘the shot’. My selected photo was not too difficult given that Thor was there in the open unbothered by people passing by. It was hard navigating the people, but as a subject, he was perfect to photograph.”
Does Rosie have a favourite animal for her work? “No. I get a thrill from photographing large wildlife that isn’t necessarily native to this country and get excited photographing the smallest of things like the frogs in my garden here in Leeds. Where better?”
Artists have an extra week to make their submissions for Kirkstall Art Trail. The deadline for submissions via CuratorSpace has been extended to Tuesday, 9 April 2024.
Established artists, those just starting out, crafters, workshop facilators, and those who have that one friend who’s creations should be shared with the wide-world, they all have time to get their submission in via Kirkstall Art Trail’s CuratorSpace page.
There are some other opportunities available during the weekend of Kirkstall Art Trail. There are two community art projects, a poetry trail, and a photography competition Capturing Kirkstall.
Kirkstall Art Trail. Stephen Cole, Arresting Images on Instagram.
Kirkstall Art Trail was recently awarded funding for the 2024 event from Leeds City Council’s Inner West Leeds Community Committee. The organising group are looking for businesses to provide sponsorship to help support the event which attracted more than 1,400 visitors in 2023.
Reflecting on their involvement with Kirkstall Art Trail, Mindy Goose said: “For me, as a person who has become disabled and consequently unable to work, it has given me purpose. I also love feeling like I’m a real part of the community, that I have value!”
Kirkstall Art Trail takes place on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July 2024 between 11am-5pm, with venues across Kirkstall hosting artists and workshops. KAT2024 is a free event, maps will be available during the week to help visitors make their way around.
Local men’s mental health and suicide prevention project, Man About Town has found a new venue to hold its fortnightly Vinyl Picnics.
The first Vinyl Picnic since late last year will be held on Sunday, 21 April at Carole’s Kitchen café in Tong Road.
A poster advertising the event states the picnic is ‘for the benefit of men, not at the exclusion of women’.
Venue: Carole’s Kitchen. Photo: Google
The philosophy behind the Vinyl Picnic is for men to meet in a safe space to socialise and listen to records played on a portable record player.
Participants are welcome to bring their own vinyl, group facilitators also bring records to play. The Vinyl Picnics run alongside walks on alternate Sundays, from 10.30am to 12.30pm.
The project has been running for almost five years and also holds a music group that meets on Wednesdays at 10am at Woodhouse Community Centre.
For further information, contact Jonathan on info@creativeframe.org.uk and there is also a Man About Town Facebook page.
Two West Leeds fundraisers have put their best foot forward and completed the first in a series of sponsored walks to raise funds for a Wortley-based mental health charity.
As reported by WLD, Paul Abraham, of Bramley, and Damon Cooper, of Farsley, are taking part in the walks to raise money for the James Burke Foundation, which has its headquarters in Proton House, off Tong Road. They are hoping to raise £500 between them.
Paul and Damon.
They started at Wigan Warriors’, idolising Andy Farrell and reach the Totally Wicked Stadium in St Helens. Damon followed this walk by walking from the Shay to Odsal straight after!
Between them, they have so far raised £315, plus gift aid.
Mum Sharon Burke set up the foundation in 2018 in memory of her son, James, a former University of Leeds student and LURL player. James, an explosive force on the rugby league field, represented Jamaica in the 2014 Commonwealth Games but tragically took his own life in 2017. Sharon started the foundation to address mental health issues, confront stigma, and foster a deeper understanding of these challenges.
The duo are planning further fundraising walks in August and October.
