A former council children’s centre has sold for more than £650,000 after being put up for auction.
The vacant South Pudsey Community Centre and its surrounding land fetched almost double its guide price.
Pugh Auctions said the building and its surrounding land could be redeveloped after selling for £652,00.
The sales company said on its website: “The site may offer an opportunity for redevelopment or change of use, subject to any necessary consents.”
Bids were invited for the single-storey site off Lumby Lane, with a guide price of £350,000-plus.
Leeds City Council decided to put it up for sale after a children and families team vacated to work remotely in 2020.
A council report said the sale would raise cash and avoid the future costs of looking after the building.
It said: “The disposal of the property will result in a capital receipt for the council as well as absolving the council of any retention and maintenance costs.”
The asking price reflected the expected costs of refurbishment of the building.
There was a risk a buyer would not come forward at auction, the report said.
It added: “However, this is unlikely given recent auction results which demonstrate strong interest in similar properties of this type and value.”
A Pudsey town centre shop has been refused retrospective planning permission for new external signage.
Applicant R Dyari, of Mr Blue Market, had submitted a retrospective application to Leeds City Council for a 10.6m-wide illuminated fascia sign at the front of the Church Lane shop.
But a council planning officer’s report refusing the application said the sign contravened planning policy.
The report concluded: “The proposed advertisement due to its size, design and level of illuminance, would create an unsympathetic and overly dominant feature within the street scene, which would adversely affect the appearance of the this positive building, the visual amenities of the surrounding area and the special character and appearance of Pudsey Conservation Area.”
There had been 33 letters of objection, including Pudsey councillors Trish Smith and Simon Seary, with three letters of support.
Retrospective planning permission refers to seeking approval for a development or alteration to a property after the work has already been carried out without prior permission from the local planning authority.
Vape Masters refused
Vape Master on Lidget Hill, Pudsey. Photo: Simon Seary
Meanwhile, a retrospective application for an internally illuminated fascia sign at Vape Masters on Lidget Hill, Pudsey, has also been rejected by council planners.
A council report said the proposals failed to meet planning policy and added: “The proposed advertisement due to its size, design and method of illumination would create an unsympathetic and overly dominant feature within the street scene, which would adversely affect the appearance and the visual amenities of the surrounding area and the special character of Pudsey Conservation Area.”
Councillors Dawn and Simon Seary (Cons, Pudsey) said in a statement: “I fully support the decision to refuse the planning application for the neon signs in the conservation area.
“It’s important that we preserve the character and charm of our town and a neon sign would have been out of place. I hope a suitable compromise can be found, more sympathetic and that aligns with the conservation area’s guidelines.”
Councillor Trish Smith (Ind, Pudsey) said: “I’m very happy to see both these retrospective planning applications refused by Leeds Planners.
“While it’s great to see the shops used and businesses thriving, we must ensure everyone respects our Conservation Area.
“Hopefully this will be an end to the trend for this over-bright signage, each seemingly trying to outdo the last.”
Bramley parkrun volunteer Rosie Stewart, aged ten. Photo: Simon Cullingworth
Words: Jamie Stewart
Photos: Simon Cullingworth
Saturday (19 October) was a special day for one of Bramley’s youngest volunteers as ten year-old Rosie Stewart celebrated her 100th volunteer milestone.
Rosie can usually be found at the top of the hill along with her mum as a regular volunteer at Jamie’s junction. She first came along back in 2022 and was soon hooked, eager to get out of bed every Saturday morning and be part of Bramley parkrun crew.
Rosie loves being a parkrun volunteer. She particular enjoys dressing up for various celebrations and special events, keeping the run director updated via the walkie-talkie, as well as eating lots of cake at the end.
She also particularity enjoys encouraging canine members of the parkrun community and can be often heard shouting ‘Well Done Doggy’ as each furry parkrunner passes by.
Rosie said: “I love parkrun because of the people and I love clapping and cheering runners at the top of the hill. I come to parkrun each week with a smile on my face, excited to see everyone’s smiling faces Its a fun place to be on a Saturday morning.”
Parkrunner regular Darren Evanson appreciates Rosie’s support. He said: “Rosie is an absolute parkrun legend. She is at parkrun in all weathers with a big smile, encouraging words of support and energy boosting high fives.
“I have run my best times this year thanks to the support that Rosie has given me over the last few months.
“Rosie is my guiding ray of sunshine at the top of the pesky climb to Jamie’s junction and Bramley parkrun are fortunate to have her in our awesome team. Congratulations to Rosie on reaching her 100th volunteer milestone. She is truly an amazing person.”
Volunteers of all ages are always welcome and made to feel part of the team. Drop Bramley parkrun team an email if you would like to help: bramley@parkrun.com.
Hanif Malik OBE on left of attached photo and Chris Sylvester on right.
By James Bovington
Chris Sylvester, from Getting Clean in Armley, was both surprised and delighted to receive a Community Impact award at the annual dinner of the Park Lane Foundation.
Getting Clean started as a volunteer project in November 2021 led by Mr Sylvester, a former addict, with recovering addicts helping each other and the local community to get clean and stay clean.
Mr Sylvester, 43, said: “This was both unexpected and humbling as our approach is just to get on with the work we do in Leeds.
“Knowing that other organisations recognise our commitment to tackling addiction and creating safer, happier and cleaner communities is a major boost for us.”
Getting Clean is a mutual aid organisation providing peer-to-peer support to people in drug and alcohol recovery by giving them the opportunity to help others and care for the environment. It’s developed into a not-for-profit company, making and selling soap and Getting Clean’s ‘Soap with Hope’ is made by recovering addicts in therapeutic soap-making workshops.
My Sylvester added: “All of the proceeds from our sales help us support people in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction including assistance in finding work. We also aim to create a cleaner, greener and more sustainable local community.
“Getting Clean means more than stopping taking drugs. The therapeutic value of ‘getting clean’ relates not only to our bodies and minds but also to our streets and local communities.
“Besides making soap, we arrange regular volunteering projects, such as community clean ups, conservation work and residential repair jobs for vulnerable citizens. We aim to educate and inspire all members of the community to lead cleaner and more sustainable lifestyles – whether that means recycling plastic or abstinence from substances.’
‘We’re delighted that in addition to our recent award we’ve been selected to receive ongoing support in 2025 from the Park Lane Foundation who’ve pledged to support our organisation with detailed business support.”
High-tech 3D scans have revealed the intricate inner workings of the world’s oldest model locomotive for the first time in more than 200 years.
Leeds Industrial Museum’s miniature recreation of a pioneering early steam locomotive recently underwent a detailed CT X-Ray survey using sophisticated equipment at the University of Leeds.
The resulting images show how the precious model, made for the famed engineer Matthew Murray in 1811, replicated the revolutionary mechanics of its full-sized counterparts and in turn helped power a worldwide boom in the railway industry.
It is hoped the images can now illustrate to museum visitors how the model worked and exactly why it was so important to the evolution of early railways across the globe.
John McGoldrick, Leeds Museums and Galleries’ curator of industrial history, said: “This tiny model played a huge part in the development of the early rail industry, allowing Murray to showcase his brilliance to investors and giving him the opportunity to bring his trailblazing designs to life.
“Thanks to these remarkable scans, we can now explore for the first time since 1811 how the model worked, and the extraordinary ingenuity and intricacy which went into its creation.
“Short of cutting open the model, which we wouldn’t ever do, we’d never have got to see its inner workings in quite this way. Now, not only are we examining a piece of engineering history, we’re also getting a unique and unprecedented insight into the mind of one of the world’s great inventors.”
Full-sized Murray designs, such as the famous Salamanca, became the very first commercially viable steam locomotives, and were built around the same time as the model.
At least two other models of the same type were made, with one being gifted by Murray to Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia when he visited Leeds in 1816.
Murray would have used the fully working miniature replicas to woo potential investors and colliery owners, as well as impressing his fellow designers and contemporaries.
His efforts proved successful, with each engine selling for £350, galvanising Murray to create further locomotives which later inspired the great George Stephenson’s designs.
Those locomotives also revolutionised the transportation of coal in Leeds, enabling a small and relatively lightweight engine to haul more than 20 times its own weight, powered by steam from a cast iron boiler with a single flue.
Leeds Museums and Galleries teamed up with Dr Michael Bailey, an early railway historian and archaeologist of early locomotive technology, Dr Alice Macente from the University of Leeds School of Civil Engineering and Dr Sam Allshorn from the School of Earth and Environment.
The scans were carried out at Wolfson Multiphase Flow Laboratory in the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds.
The full findings of the scanning and research will be featured in a future exhibit about the model.
Once the world’s largest woollen mill, Leeds Industrial Museum in Armley is home to models and machinery paying tribute to the city’s industrial heritage as well as its many inventors and engineers.
Plans have been drawn up for a bridge over the Ring Road to better connect Farsley and Calverley.
By John Baron
Council planners have approved proposals for a £7 million foot and cycling bridge over the Outer Ring Ring to improve links between Calverley and Farsley.
The bridge, part of the £23 million Connecting West Leeds project between Horsforth and Pudsey, will be built at the junction between Calverley Lane and the A6120 Leeds Outer Ring Road.
It will be accessed via a spiral ramp on each side provide easy access for people walking, wheeling and cycling.
A planning statement submitted with the application noted the ‘high number of speed-related collisions’ at the location.
It added: “The bridge will play a key role in addressing health inequalities by restoring a significant and historic connection for people walking, wheeling, and cycling between the communities of Calverley and Farsley, which was severed in the 1970s when the A6120 Leeds Outer Ring Road was built.
“It is anticipated the proposed development will result in increased active travel in the area, not only in making new connections between communities, but in tying in with existing active travel and health opportunities, with better health outcomes, reductions to congestion and local air quality improvements.”
A council planning officer’s report approving the scheme, subject to a raft of conditions, conceded: “Overall, it is considered that the proposed footbridge has been developed to a degree that ensures there will be no significant impact on the openness of the green belt.
“Drainage, landscaping and ecology issues have been satisfactorily resolved subject to detailed planning conditions and the completion of a legal agreement, no significant impact on nearby properties in terms of residential amenity (including noise), no objections in terms of flood risk or contamination and an ability to satisfactorily mitigate the effects on habitat and ecology.
“In light of the significance of the public benefit of the scheme, it is considered that the proposals are acceptable and are therefore recommended for approval.”
The report acknowledges a significant number of trees have been removed – 71 in total – to facilitate construction of the footbridge, but says mitigation tree planting will take place off site.
The proposals drew two letters of objection and two of support from local residents.
Construction on the accessible footbridge is already running late as it was due to start last spring.
A speed reduction to 50mph on the A6120 Outer Ring Road and A647 Stanningley Bypass, from Horsforth roundabout to Stanningley Bypass at Henconner Lane Bridge has already been implemented, along with road improvements between Rodley roundabout and Horsforth.
Lacklustre Farsley Celtic slipped to a 3-0 defeat to Spennymoor Town at The Horsfall Stadium in Bradford on Friday night.
The fixture was switched to the home of Bradford (Park Avenue) with work still to start on installing a new 4G playing surface at The Citadel.
It was the nomadic Celts’ 21st consecutive game played away from The Citadel, including pre-season, and you have to go back to April and the final game of last season for the last time a match was played in Farsley.
The schedule is understandably starting to tell on the players, who have put in a heroic effort to keep the Celts in mid-table. In the past five league games the Celts have won one, and scored just twice, failing to hit the target in the last three matches – although arguably a battling draw 0-0 draw at Chester a couple of weeks ago was a cracking result.
And judging by the sparse Friday night crowd patience is starting to wear thin with fans as well. Both fans and players will be eagerly awaiting an update on work on the pitch, which has stalled due to unspecified problems.
The Celts failed to trouble Spennymoor’s keeper during the 90 minutes as the visitors dominated from the off. A double strike from Glen Taylor and a goal for Rob Ramshaw ensured a comfortable night for Graeme Lee’s men, who arguably should have won by more.
Manny Mampala’s powerful drive flew just over the bar in the first half, and, while the Celts improved in the second half, they only had Rudy Misambo’s off-target header and a couple of blocked shots to show for it.
Spennymoor continued to control the game as time wore on, and Ramshaw could have added further gloss when he ran on to McKeown’s square pass, but his low shot was well saved by Wooster in the Farsley goal.
After the game, Farsley manager Pav Singh attempted to rally his beleaguered players and the fans, urging them to ‘keep the faith’.
He said: “A challenging night against Spennymoor, where lapses in concentration and individual errors allowed them to take advantage. These moments have been our achilles heel recently, putting us on the back foot. But we’ve shown real strength out of possession throughout the season, and this is just a temporary slip.
“I can’t fault the lads. As a group, we’re giving everything and working hard to put things right, despite the obstacles we face. We simply need to sharpen up in those key moments – defending the box better and being more composed in possession when it counts.
“I was particularly impressed with Sam, Dylan, Manny, and Robbie. It was crucial for them to step up, and they did exactly that. Despite the result, their effort and application were exactly what we needed.”
Injuries are starting to pile up for The Celts. Darren Stephenson, and potentially Cole Hyde, have joined Isaac Assenso, Lewis Turner, Chris Atkinson, Ryan Watson and Aiden Walker on the sidelines.
And The Celts – who are still under a transfer embargo which was imposed last month – have recently let midfielder Sam Leverett join Bridlington and forward Alex Kiwomya join Warrington Rylands.
Pav added: “We’ll need to dig deep. But I have full belief in this group. We’ll regroup, find solutions, and approach Wednesday’s game with the same Farsley Celtic battle-hardened mentality.
“As Nelson Mandela once said: ‘it always seems impossible until it’s done.’ Keep the faith, and we’ll find a way.”
The Celts are next due to face Peterborough Sports in another ‘home’ game at Bradford (Park Avenue) on Wednesday, but at the time of writing are still awaiting clearance to play the game.
Danny Greenfield was presented with the Farsley Celtic Fans Forum player of the month for September, after the game by fan Marc Murley. The awards have been set up by fans rot recognise the efforts of the players.
Anne Akers on her allotment in Calverley. Photo: Noel Akers
SIR;- Allotments are an important part of community life across England and the rest of the United Kingdom.
This isn’t just because they let the public grow our own food, but because of the friendships which are built by the simple acts of growing food next to our neighbours; It makes us stronger and more understanding of oneanother despite our possible superficial differences.
Together, tending to the beautiful natural world graced to us in stewardship by God above helps us to relax and appreciate the world as is, to lessen the burdens modern life places upon us.
Calverley allotment. Photo: Anne Akers
While the summer months have the best weather, many allotments which are assisted by Parish Councils or community enterprises like Providence Pastures in Leeds still need supporting during colder months, and there are a wealth of charities, local groups and community organisations who can help you to be more included and involved in growing food and meeting new friends at your local allotments or In Bloom Groups.
With all the events from abroad, climate change, and a rise in loneliness which has been noticed since the pandemic, I do believe that we can be more positive, healthy, and forward facing by growing food, bearing fruit, and helping our local communities.
This way we can lessen our afflictions to move on in a better way, which brings everyone together in peace. Peace is sorely needed, and maybe we can reach it, by helping our neighbour’s gardens grow.
Cllr Tyler Callum Wilson-Kerr Aberford & District Parish Council Leeds, United Kingdom
Bramley Baths has today launched a community share issue in a bid to raise £350,000 to future-proof its Grade II-Listed Edwardian building.
Bosses at the Baths – which today celebrated its 120th birthday – have identified a series of improvements to the building over the next five years and are looking to raise enough money to repair and replace parts of the leaking roof and replace the roof lanterns.
If the £350,000 target is surpassed, the Baths has a stretch target of £500,000 to allow the refurbishment of accessible toilet facilities and also contribute towards the wider regeneration of the building, which opened as a public bathhouse on 17 October, 1904.
The Baths, which has been community led since 2013, are asking for a minimum share of £50 from investors.
All members will receive part ownership of a community led facility for fitness, health, wellbeing and fun, alongside a regular newsletter, an entitlement to interest on your share capital once the Baths’ finances permits, a vote at the AGM and other benefits.
Bramley Baths chief executive David Wilford said: “We believe that this is the time for us to become not only community led, but part community owned. This is the time for local people who love the building to invest and support the continued use of the building.”
Trustee Steph Taylor said: “This place is really special. The model is incredible. It works because of everybody’s passion, everybody’s focus and everybody’s relentless ambition for this to be a place which the community owns and the community feels is their home.
“For the next 120 years we are going to need some money to keep this place going, but instead of doing that the usual way we are launching a share offer. This means we can really extend the way we are run and led by the community out as far as possible an into genuine community ownership.
“For as little as £50 people can own a bit of the Baths and be a part of the Baths – and we really hope you will help us.”
Bramley Baths is 120 years old today. Lord Mayor Abigail Marshall Katung with Baths chair Nick Quin. Photo: John Baron
120th birthday celebrations
Leeds Lord Mayor Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung today led the celebrations marking the Baths’ 120th birthday. A special ceremony was held at 3pm – the exact time the Baths were opened on this day in 1904 by Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress Mr and Mrs A Currer Briggs.
Watch the video below for the Lord Mayor’s comments:
Bramley Baths chair, Nick Quin, said: “I don’t think in 1904 the Lord Mayor would have imagined that in 120 years’ time that we would have been stood here, and there’s no way he could have imagined the stories that live in this place. It’s more than just a pool and more than just a leisure facility, but a real jewel in the heart of Bramley.
“It’s rooted in the community, and hopefully it’s ready for the next 120 years as well.”
Watch as the candles are blown out on a birthday cake by the Lord Mayor and grown ups who learned to swim at the Baths as a child:
The 120th birthday celebrations continue on Saturday, 19 October, with a circus-themed community birthday party.
Entry to the building is free, if you fancy a trip down memory lane or just fancy a look around. Refreshments will be served in the studio space. If you are planning to come for a swim, entry is £2 per person, and booking is essential.
For more information, please contact reception on 0113 256 0949 or e-mail hello@bramleybaths.com.
The first Sunday in the month is now a day to look forward to for members of the newly formed Sunday Lunch Club in Calverley.
“Especially when you live on your own, this gives you the encouragement to get up and get out,” was a view shared by diner Janet.
She says Sunday can be a difficult day when you are on your own and don’t have family around – and this was a view quickly shared by a couple of other members who were enjoying chatting to others and welcoming new members.
“You can’t fault the food,” enthused Marlene and the smiles around the tables and empty plates said it all!
The Sunday Lunch Club for the over 55s started in September and meet at Calverley Methodist Church on the first Sunday of the month. A lovely homely atmosphere and a warm welcome are guaranteed when diners arrive to socialise and enjoy some home cooked food with others.
Sarah Cohen, Community Co-ordinator at MHA Communities, and volunteers Wendy and Margaret, made a hearty two course traditional meal with home-made Yorkshire Puddings which was enjoyed by over twenty diners on Sunday.
New members are welcome. Join MHA for Sunday Lunch, 12.30pm to 2.30pm, £10 contribution. Contact MHA Communities Farsley on 0113 290 9340 or email farsley@mha.org.uk.
Another new addition to the Calverley timetable is the Singing for Pleasure Club. which is held weekly on a Monday at Calverley Methodist Church between 1.30pm and 3pm.
Oli Craven, Scheme Manager at MHA, is also looking forward to adding a Friday Coffee Shop and a monthly Saturday Café to the offering in Calverley.
MHA Communities organises a range of activities, socialising and wellbeing events each week for the over 55s in Calverley, Farsley, Pudsey and Tyersal. More details can be found here.
