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“Thank you for everything”: Tributes paid to Windrush pioneer Alford Gardner

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Alford Gardner. Photo: Leeds City Council

Bramley’s Alford Gardner, who was one of Britain’s last surviving passengers of the Empire Windrush, has died aged 98.

Mr Gardner was one of the last few surviving passengers who made the journey on the HMS Windrush and will be remembered for breaking down racial barriers. He was 98.

HMT Empire Windrush arrived in England nearly eight decades ago, bringing hundreds of people from the Caribbean who answered Britain’s call to help fill post-war labour shortages.

The Windrush scandal erupted in 2018 when British and predominantly Black citizens of Caribbean heritage were wrongly detained, deported or threatened with deportation by the UK government despite having the right to live in the UK. Many lost homes and jobs and were denied access to healthcare and benefits.

Alford served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War and was one of the last surviving passengers of the Empire Windrush.

Following his return to the UK in 1948, Alford settled in Hyde Park and found work in engineering until his retirement. During the war, Alford met Norma McKenna who he went on to marry, and the couple had nine children together.

His legacy in Leeds was cemented in 1948 when he became one of the founding members of the city’s famed Caribbean Cricket Club, a focal point for the city’s West Indian community in the 50s and 60s. Today, the club is the longest-running black-led organisation in Leeds and the oldest of its type in the UK.

Alford was honoured by the city in February when he was presented with the prestigious Leeds Award to formally recognise his achievements and contribution to the city.

Tributes have flooded in today.

Veteran broadcaster Floella Benjamin said on X: “I have total respect and admiration for #Windrush pioneer Alford Gardner who died aged 98. He encapsulated joy, dignity and courage. He will be remembered and celebrated each #BlackHistoryMonth for his legacy #RIP.”

A spokesperson for Jamaica Society leeds added: “Leeds’s last surviving Caribbean WW2 veteran and Windrush passenger, Alford Gardner has passed at 98. A proud Jamaican, and part of a generation who helped to rebuild postwar Leeds and Britain we owe him more than a tweet can say. Thank you Mr Gardner. For everything.”

Leeds Lord Mayor Cllr Abigail Marshal Katung added: “I am so sorry to learn of Alford’s passing. He was a true pioneer who made a lasting impact on Leeds while blazing a trail for so many members of our Caribbean community. May his soul Rest In Peace.”

Dame Elizabeth Anionwu added: “Rest well Alford Gardner, we will miss your story telling and the most beautiful and infectious laugh. This photo is a great souvenir – it was taken in 2018 at Tilbury Docks during the 70th anniversary of the arrival here of the Empire Windrush ship.

Pudsey: Chance to comment on road safety measures at sixth form college

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Under construction: Pudsey Sixth Form College. Photo: WLD

Pudsey residents can have their say on proposed road safety measures around a new sixth form college off Kent Road.

Leeds City Council is advertising a raft of measures connected to the £13 million Pudsey Sixth Form College, which will cater for up to 600 students.

Work started in May on the college, which will and offer a wide range of A levels, vocational courses and GCSEs, and is being built on land next to Crawshaw Academy, off Kent Road.

Council highways chiefs have opened a public consultation into the proposed package of highways improvements, and local residents have until 18 October to comment on them.

Measures include five road humps and two speed tables.

A copy of the individual scheme plans are available on request by e-mailing troteam@leeds.gov.uk.

If you wish to comment on the proposals, write to Mr M Butcher, Traffic Team, Merrion House, 110 Merrion Wav, Leeds, LS2 8BB or e-mail troteam@leeds.gov.uk by 18 October 2024.

The new college is designed to meet a projected rise in the number of 16-18 year olds across Leeds over the next decade – and to give local students the chance to excel without having to travel further afield.

The two-storey building will contain 25 classrooms and include green technology – including air source heat pumps – to minimise its carbon footprint.

The college is due to open next year.

  • Follow WLD’s coverage of Pudsey Sixth Form College here.
  • More news from Pudsey can be found here.

Fundraiser launched to honour Matilda, the Pudsey girl who dreamed of a world without litter

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Legacy: Matilda Pritchard

The family of an 11-year-old girl who died suddenly in her sleep have set up a fundraiser to fulfil her dream of a “world without litter”.

Matilda Pritchard unexpectedly passed away due in April due to an undiagnosed heart condition. He death left her parents, Anna and Steve, devastated and heartbroken with many unanswered questions.

Now, her family has decided to honour her memory by fundraising for Keep Britain Tidy – a campaign she was passionate about.

They hope Matilda’s legacy will help to empower school children to make a difference within their school and wider community.

Originally hoping to raise £11,213 – to represent Matilda’s birthday – the appeal has now reached more than £19,000 to help support Keep Britain Tidy for five years. The aim is to reach £40,000.

Matilda had an undiagnosed heart condition called arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) which affects one in 1,000 people, a condition which Matilda showed no symptoms of having until she tragically passed away in her sleep.

Steve Pritchard, Matilda’s father, said the appeal was a way to channel their grief and to celebrate Matilda’s life and issues she was passionate about.

He said: “Matilda had a compassionate heart and a strong sense of responsibility towards the environment. She was deeply impacted by the sight of litter around our local community and its effects on nature. She cared so much that she joined a local litter-picking group in Pudsey, and Matilda dedicated her time to cleaning up the community she loved.

“When we were on our dog walks we would regularly collect bags of litter, ensuring our local public spaces remained clean and beautiful for everyone to enjoy. We were very proud of her for her community spirit and awareness of the environment.”

With the original target raised, the family have worked with Keep Britain Tidy to utilise the funds raised in the best possible manner to achieve Matilda’s dream. They feel Eco-Schools program is the most suitable channel to share Matilda’s story as well as the impact we all have on the environment.

With the first year’s worth of sponsorship raised, the family are now looking to raise £42,000 to continue to support the cause for five years, the same length of time Matilda should have been at secondary school.

Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Chief Executive of Keep Britain Tidy, said: “We want to say a huge and heartfelt thank you to Anna and Steve who are fundraising for Keep Britain Tidy in memory of Matilda.

“Matilda dreamed of a world without rubbish, a dream we share. Her passion for keeping her local parks clean and tidy is a reminder to us all that one person can make a difference.

“No matter how big the environmental challenges we face, we would all do well to look at this beautiful country through the eyes of our children – through Matilda’s eyes – and keep striving for a world without rubbish.”

More information about Matilda’s fundraising campaign can be found on JustGiving.

The aim is to raise as much money as possible to support the Eco-Schools program to help empower school children to make a difference in their school and wider community.

People can support Matilda’s cause by visiting matildaslegacy.com.

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Farsley Literature Festival 2024 offers something for all

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Story time at Truman Books in Farsley.

By John Baron

The third annual Farsley Literature Festival gets under way this month – and promises something for young and old.

The festival takes place in venues across Farsley. As well as Truman Books and The Old Woollen, there are events at St John’s Church, Amity Brewery, Sunny Bank Mills and Farsley Library. 

Headliners for this year’s festival include acclaimed bestsellers Ian Rankin (22 Nov), Kate Mosse (2 Nov) and Elly Griffiths (10 Nov), journalist Miranda Sawyer (13 Nov) and comedian Shaparak Khorsandi (16 Oct).

There’s also the chance to uncover up-and-coming wordsmiths. Whether it’s nine new authors releasing books this autumn (Debut Class 2024, 3 Nov), crime writers like Tom Hindle and Rachel North (14 Nov) or the debut novel from immigration lawyer Tasweef Kahn (5 Nov), you’re sure to find something you’ll want to tell your friends about.

Plus don’t forget to join the now legendary Book Lovers’ Quiz (13 Oct) to test your bookish knowledge.

There’s also the chance to meet your favourite authors, panels, workshops, signings, performance and storytelling – and organisers are promising it will be fun, eclectic and entertaining.

Details of all events, prices and bookings can be found here.

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Latest West Leeds Dispatch newspaper hits the streets – here’s where you can pick it up

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Our latest 16-page printed newspaper has hit the streets of West Leeds this week.

Featuring all the latest news and views from your community, the paper has been written largely by our team of volunteer community reporters.

This issue looks at the mass transit system which is planned for West Leeds, we look at the future of Farnley Fish Pond, shine a light on how new volunteers have helped breathe new life into a local community centre and look back at a number of fantastic community events in the summer.

You can pick up your copy here:

Armley

  • Armley Helping Hands/Strawberry Lane Community Centre
  • New Wortley Community Centre
  • Armley Community Hub
  • Bundles/Yum/Armley Action Team, Gelder Road
  • Armley Community Hub
  • Leon’s Cafe, Town Street
  • Ministry of Boxing

Bramley

  • Bramley Baths
  • Bramley Community Centre
  • Bramley Lawn Social Centre
  • Bramley parkrun
  • Bramley Community Hub
  • Bramley Villagers

Burley

  • Cardigan Arms*

Calverley

  • Calverley Post Office*
  • Calverley Library*

Farnley

  • Farnley Community Centre
  • New Farnley Community Centre

Farsley

  • Truman Books*
  • Farsley Community Hub
  • Sunny Bank Mills

Kirkstall

  • Kirkstall Leisure Centre*
  • Bridge Inn *
  • New George*
  • Kirkstall Fisheries*
  • Mogs Cafe*
  • Abbey Barbers*
  • Kirkstall Health Centre*
  • Kirkstall Brewery Tap*
  • KVDT, St Stephen’s Church Hall
  • Butler’s, Kirkstall Forge

Pudsey

  • Pudsey Community Hub/Library
  • Pudsey Wellbeing Centre*
  • Pudsey House
  • Pudsey Community Project, Fartown*
  • Swinnow Community Centre

Rodley

  • The Owl*
  • Crown and Anchor*
  • Rodley Nature Reserve

Wortley

  • Lower Wortley Community Centre
  • New Wortley Community Centre

An asterisk * denotes papers still to be dropped off by our team of volunteers.

Pudsey amputee plays guitar again – thanks to band’s resourceful fan

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The Variants' guitarist Stephen Swales.

By David Nesham

Pudsey amputee Stephen Swales is again playing his guitar with local group The Variants.

Stephen learnt to play guitar during his school days and whilst he enjoys all popular music has become very much influenced by punk.

2021 saw the birth of The Variants and unfortunately the start of Stephen’s medical issues. At first he was having problems holding the plectrum and subsequently noticed a lump in the middle of his right hand which continued to grow.

Stephen said: “The middle of my hand was looking like a dog’s pad and after numerous tests my consultant said there is a chance it could be a tumour.”

 After further tests it was finally diagnosed as a rare grade 3 soft tissue tumour. 

Major procedures then followed including radiotherapy, chemotherapy and a visit to the specialist unit at the Royal Marsden in London. 

None, however, proved successful and did not negate the risk of the disease spreading.  

In January 2023 Stephen took the traumatic decision to have his lower arm removed. Whilst his guitar playing days appeared to be over he continued with The Variants as singer, song writer and playing the harmonica.

Local Variants’ fan and guitar repairer Mick Bean became aware of Stephen’s predicament and had the idea of making a prosthetic with an attached plectrum which Stephen was keen to pursue.  

A combination of steel rods, velcro and a plectrum produced a prototype and after further modifications Stephen was back playing his guitar. 

Mick said:  “When I invited Stephen round to try out the prototype I didn’t really know what to expect but after a couple of minutes I was astonished to see and hear him strumming rhythms on his guitar” 

Stephen added: “Mick, bless him, made me this prosthetic and I was back playing rhythm again. I think punk is an attitude, the fact that I get up and play guitar with one arm is more punk than having a Mohican” 

Stephen is now looking to the future and hopes to progress more with the group.  

They already have engagements as a support act in Wakefield and Bradford and have plans to hire studio time to record four of their own songs so that CDs can be distributed to promoters and also sold at gigs.

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Kirkstall workshops will help manage money and mental health

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Staff take part in a photoshoot to capture office life

By Emily Cotter

Mental health charity Leeds Mind is offering free ‘financial wellbeing’ workshops in Kirkstall and online to help people manage their money and their mental health.

Through its programme, Money in Mind, the charity offers a range of sessions covering everything from budgeting, increasing income, using technology to manage finances, regaining control over spending habits and more.

The workshops were developed in response to the cost of living crisis, with the charity experiencing an increase in demand for support around financial difficulties and debt. Research from Mind found almost half of people experienced a decline in their mental health due to the crisis.

Jacob Day, Senior Money and Mental Health Coach for Leeds Mind, said: “We know that money and mental health are really closely linked. Mental health difficulties can make managing your money harder, and financial difficulties can impact your mental wellbeing.

“With the cost of living continuing to impact our day-to-day lives, we wanted to give people the tools and skills they need to stay in control of their finances, and make managing money as easy and stress-free as possible.”

The charity sees stigma as a major obstacle for people seeking support, saying that people often approach them with a sense of ‘shame’, or feeling as though it’s just normal to be stressed about money.

Jacob added: “We get all sorts of people seeking support, whether their difficulty stems from low income, benefits cuts or high earners who find it difficult to control impulsive or therapeutic spending.

“I’d really urge everyone to seek support if money is having an impact on your mental health. We’re not taught this stuff in school, but it can have a profound impact on our quality of life. While it’s OK to not be OK, that doesn’t mean you have to suffer in silence.”

The in-person workshops will be held in Kirkstall, Leeds, while the online workshops will make the free support accessible to people from across Leeds. Additional Money in Mind workshops with Better Leeds Communities are in a location TBC.

Dates run throughout October, November and December. Full details can be found on the Money in Mind web page, by calling 0113 305 5800 or by emailing info@leedsmind.org.uk

The workshops are free to sign up to and attend. 

Women’s ‘walk and talk’ safety pilot extends across Leeds

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A pilot project to improve women’s safety in Pudsey and Farsley has been extended to cover the rest of the city.

West Yorkshire Police is continuing to invite women to meet with local Neighbourhood Police Officers and PCSOs to show them areas in which they feel vulnerable or unsafe in their local communities.

After launching in February, the pilot will now operate across the whole of Leeds, having initially started in Pudsey/Farsley and Hyde Park/Headingley/Woodhouse.

It is open to women aged 18 and above, living or working in Leeds, who wish to share their worries or concerns regarding their safety in their community. 

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “We want to listen to women’s experiences and for them to feel free to share their thoughts and raise concerns.  From these conversations we are keen to learn about any reoccurring themes and find out what we, along with our partners, can do to improve safety for women and girls.”

Visit West Yorkshire Police website for more details.

StreetSafe App

You can also report feeling unsafe in public spaces via the StreetSafe app, completely anonymously.

Whether it’s due to environmental reasons, such as poor street-lighting or anti-social behaviour or harassment, reports to the app are shared with police and the council for action.

Click here to find out more about the StreetSafe App.

WalkSafe App

WalkSafe Leeds is a free app to help you have safer and more enjoyable experiences when you are out around Leeds. It allows you to share the tracking of your location and journeys with others, share your route and alert your contacts if you need help. You can also find venues in the area that are dedicated safe spaces. 

Click here to find out more about the WalkSafe App.

Friends of Stanningley Park prepare for lantern parade

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Stanningley Park is all set for a lantern parade.

By Carol Hodgson

Come and join Friends of Stanningley Park for their inaugural community lantern parade on Friday 1 November 2024.

There will be live music from 5.30pm and hot drinks available (cash only).

The gathering of lanterns will take place around 6pm near the bowling club and then parade around the rose garden area (Half Mile Lane entrance).

You can bring your own homemade lanterns to the parade or come in fancy dress if you wish.

Creative Communities Leeds CIC are running a free workshop during half-term on Tuesday 29 October 12pm to 3pm at St Thomas’s Church Hall, Norwood Crescent, Stanningley (next to St Thomas’s Church).

Food and drink will be included, all materials provided and there’s no need to book.

Everyone is welcome to come along and make a willow and tissue paper lantern which can be decorated and carried in the parade. If you belong to a group please get in touch if you would like a lantern making workshop organised – e-mail creativecommunitiesleeds@outlook.com.

As it’s an outdoor event it will be dark with some uneven muddy ground, it’s recommended you bring a torch and dress appropriately for the weather. Children are the responsibility of their parents at all times.

In case of adverse weather check social media prior to the event.

Organisers are always looking for volunteers to help on the evening. Contact Friends of Stanningley Park on friendsofstanningleypark@gmail.com.

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In photos: Colourful Bramley before the rains

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Autumn has well and truly arrived, but photographer Susan Tellum captured colourful Bramley before the rain arrived.

Here’s a slideshow of her photos:

Hainsworth works with students to create unique cloth design

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London College of Fashion, BA (Hons) Bespoke Tailoring - work by student tailor Matilda Jonathan. Photo: James Rees

Stanningley-based fabric manufacturer and woollen mill Hainsworth has teamed up with final-year tailoring students at London College of Fashion to create a unique jacquard cloth design.

Hainsworth tasked students from London College of Fashion’s BA (Hons) Bespoke Tailoring course with creating a custom cloth, with the winning designers invited to weave and finish their fabric at the heritage textile mill.

Course leader Daniel Poulson said: “Providing our students with the opportunity to design and execute a fully bespoke jacquard weave in partnership with the Hainsworth team is a unique and valuable experience.

Seeing their ideas come to life at the mill, from fibre to finished product, has been rewarding for all involved. I am grateful for the investment and exchange of knowledge and expertise throughout this creative process.” 

The winning students, Anna Zhou, Anastasia Inozemtseva, and Matilda Jonathan, were selected for demonstrating originality, quality craftsmanship, and sustainability. The three students visited the Hainsworth Mill in Yorkshire to see their designs woven on Jacquard looms, ready to transform into expertly tailored garments. These garments formed part of their graduate showcase presentation at Protein Studios in Shoreditch.

Andrea Noble, Design and Product Development Manager at Hainsworth, added: “The students were once again very engaged, professional, and clearly ambitious for a career in tailoring.

“I enjoyed discussing their creative concepts for their final collections, enabling them to find ways to develop artwork appropriate for jacquard patterning, which expressed and embodied their final collections.”

The 2024 Bespoke Jacquard Project was also shortlisted for the University of the Arts London’s Knowledge Exchange Awards, which recognise collaborations with external partners to create positive change through real-life challenges designed to co-create value for society, the economy and the environment.

Farsley Celtic to play Kettering Town in next round of FA Cup

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farsley celtic new badge

Farsley Celtic have been drawn in a home tie against Kettering in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup.

The Celts beat Manchester-based Wythenshawe Town 1-0 on Saturday thanks to Darren Stephenson’s coolly taken first-half strike.

The victory secured their place in the fourth qualifying round for the first time since 2007 – and leaves them just one win away from making the first round proper – and potentially playing against League One or Two opposition.

Southern League Premier Division Central side Kettering sit third in their league and have lost just twice this season.

Due to stalled work on installing a new 4G pitch at Farsley, the Citadel will not be ready for the game, which is due to be played on the weekend of Saturday, 12 October. A venue will be confirmed in due course.

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