Improvements set for busy Kirkstall junction

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August 2, 2024

By John Baron

Traffic cameras and measures to improve traffic flow are to be implemented at a busy Kirkstall junction.

Kirkstall councillors Fiona Venner, Hannah Bithell and Andy Rontree met Highways officers last week, with the Bramley and Armley councillors, to discuss the main Kirkstall junction which affects all three wards.

As previously reported by WLD, there has been a spate of accidents at the four-way junction that connects Kirkstall Road, Abbey Road and Kirkstall Lane.

Cllr Venner (Lab) said: “This was due to concerns we have consistently raised about poor traffic flow through Kirkstall to Armley and Bramley and the alarming number of accidents at the junction this year. Most of the accidents are minor shunts due to yellow box and red light violations.”

She said the following is being put in place:

Cameras have been installed which will issue fines to people who stop in the yellow box at the junction.
Highways are applying to the Yorkshire Camera Partnership for enforcement cameras to also be able to fine people for red light violations.

Measures to improve traffic flow will take place in two stages:

Some of the timings of the lights are being altered over August when traffic is lighter to review how this goes. The changes will be implemented going forward from September if this improves flow.
Currently the lights operate on a cycle. Highways are looking at putting in vehicle detection so that the lights will respond dynamically to levels of traffic rather than being on a pre-programmed cycle.

Cllr Venner said the council is continuing to analyse patterns of accidents to identify if any more major reconfiguration of the junction is needed, bearing in mind that any changes can have a knock on effect elsewhere. A feasibility study will be carried out this financial year – by March 2025 – with a view to submitting a funding bid if major work is needed.

Traffic issues will be discussed at the Inner West Community Committee on Tuesday 3 September, 6pm-8pm at a venue to be confirmed.

In April, a spokesperson for Leeds City Council said there had been 14 recorded injury collisions at the junction in recent years, four of which were “serious”.

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Ofsted praise for ‘nurturing’ Pudsey nursery

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August 2, 2024

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A ‘nurturing’ Pudsey nursery provides a ‘good’ quality of education, Ofsted inspectors have said.

Kids Planet Pudsey, in Waterloo Road, was rated ‘good’ for its quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management.

The inspector’s report said: “Staff provide a nurturing environment for children as they progress from the baby room to the pre-school room. Children’s personal, social and emotional development are the nursery’s main focus.”

Children’s interests are at the heart of a well-sequenced curriculum and staff are praised for providing a language-rich environment and for communication with children. They also form secure relationships with children and their families, which is particularly evident for children with special educational needs.

The report adds: “Overall, consistent routines are provided for children. This helps them to understand what happens next. However, staff do not organise the lunchtime routine as effectively as possible.”

The full report can be read here.

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Future of Fashion: Hainsworth announces winner of slow fashion design competition

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August 2, 2024

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By Noelle Williamson

When Fashion Design student Gareth Godfrey-Williams got the chance to visit Hainsworth at Stanningley Bottom earlier this year, he saw for himself how textiles are produced.

He witnessed how the raw fibre delivered to the loading bay is processed into thread on site. He watched and photographed that thread being woven into cloth – cloth which is used by fashion, interior and theatre designers all over the world, and worn by troops from the Household Cavalry to the Mounties.

From Gareth’s photos of the mill machinery came his design for a garment made from Hainsworth Military Lightweight Cavalry Twill in cobalt blue (pictured below) and a prize of £500.

Tom Halford modelling Gareth Godfrey-Williams’ winning garment.

It started with the 23/24 Live Brief competition, in which Hainsworth, a family firm which has been weaving at Spring Valley Mill for 241 years, teamed up with Manchester Metropolitan University in a challenge for third-year Fashion Design students.

The students were given the brief to focus on style and function over trend, and craft a slow fashion garment that can be worn across the seasons.

Slow fashion rejects consumerism and mass-produced clothing in favour of high-quality design and ethical clothing production and consumption.

Hainsworth produces premium woollen textiles to last a lifetime, and the beauty of wool is its thermo-regulating quality, keeping the wearer warm in winter and cool in summer. Following their visit to the mill (pictured below) the MMU students were encouraged to use Hainsworth woollen cloth to take advantage of this quality.

A team from Hainsworth judged the competition and gave first prize to Gareth’s design for a field jacket with a wool shell, linen lining and nylon hood, 14 pockets, and adjustable cuffs and sides. Vivien Li’s design for a raincoat that folds down into a bag won her second prize, and £200.

Ivana Noon, Business Development Manager at Hainsworth, explains: “Gareth’s final garment was truly remarkable. We were in awe of the unique construction of his garment. His attention to detail was second to none. Gareth also demonstrated utmost professionalism throughout the project, a truly deserving and talented winner.”

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Buffaloes Bulletin: Frustrated, but Bramley up for Upton

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August 2, 2024

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By Paul Abraham

A late postponement of last week’s home match against York Acorn due to the North Yorkshire side being unable to raise a team, left the Buffaloes frustrated

It also left them out of pocket with another home match takings lost through no fault of their own – income the club can ill afford to lose.

This week sees the Buffs travel to Upton to hopefully keep the momentum going as they top the league with three games left.

Bramley defeated Upton earlier this season in a 38-0 home victory when flying winger Eliah Chitiyo scored an impressive four tries.

Upton will be going into the match in confident mood after travelling to New Earswick All Blacks and coming away victorious after a nail-biting 26-24 victory and moving up to third in the division table.

Recent Yorkshire Mens League Results

New Earswick All Blacks 24 Upton 26
Elland/Greetland 24 Birstall Victoria 10
Dodworth Miners 32 Wyke 18

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Swinnow: Green light for 82 council houses at Hough Top

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August 1, 2024

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School site hough top — The former school site at Hough Top could become council housing. Photo, taken July 2024, by Google

By Don Mort, local democracy reporter

A former school site in Swinnow will be turned into council homes after planning approval was given.

Plans for 82 houses and flats at Hough Top drew multiple objections from people living nearby, including the impact on road safety, damage to trees and wildlife and the massing and appearance of the scheme.

Leeds City Council sought permission for the project at the former Hough Side High School site.

The scheme was approved by the council’s South and West plans panel at a meeting on Thursday (August 1).

The council cited a growing need for social housing in the Pudsey ward, where more than 350 bids were being made for each home advertised.

Coun Andy Parnham, Labour member for Armley, told the meeting: “I would love this in my ward because we are crying out. It’s number one in my inbox, housing.”

Councillors were told the use of red brick was among objections to the design of the homes.

Councillor Barry Anderson, Adel and Wharfedale Conservative, said: “Yes, getting this level of affordable house is great.

“However, I believe we should be making our affordable housing equal to or better than other housing.”

The application was before the panel after a decision to approve was deferred at a previous meeting.

Coun Kayleigh Brooks, Labour member for Little London and Woodhouse, said: “I’m actually quite disappointed this has dragged on so long. It’s so difficult to get these applications put together in the first place.”

The development includes 28 two-bedroom and 23 three-bed houses. Four four-bed houses will also be built, along with 17 one-bed and ten two-bed flats.

A majority of panel members voted to defer and delegate the application to the council’s chief planning officer for approval, subject to conditions.

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Armley Conservative Club housing plans refused

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July 31, 2024

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armley conservative club — Armley Conservative Club.

By Don Mort, local democracy reporter

A long-running planning saga has ended with Leeds City Council refusing controversial plans for new homes on the former Armley Conservative Club site.

Eleven terraced houses would have been built on Theaker Lane under the proposals, which were first submitted in 2022.

Fairfield House, a 19th century sandstone building, and a neighbouring clubhouse would both have been converted to form eight terraced houses.

A separate row of three new-build houses was also proposed for the site under plans considered by Leeds City Council.

A planning report said concerns were raised over the impact on Armley Conservation Area during the planning process.

They included the ‘overly dominant, visually out of keeping’ design of the scheme and the impact on nearby trees.

The council’s highways department also raised road safety concerns about ‘sub-standard’ access to Armley Ridge Road.

The report added: “The Local Planning Authority consider the proposed conversion and partial demolition works fail to reflect the scale, form and proportions of this positive historic building and would result in a poorly designed addition which fails to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of Farfield House and the wider Conservation Area. The proposal would cause less than substantial harm to a designated heritage asset.”

A design statement by Halifax-basedapplicants Leeds Construction Developments said people living at the site would be close to shops and transport links.

It said: “Armley is well-equipped with local amenities. There is a large amount of public open space within the area, such as Armley Moor.”

The planning officer’s report said changes had been made to the layout of the scheme with the help of council design officers.

It said: “Regrettably, the latest revision has still not overcome the original conservation issues, and has now introduced new harm. Information is also missing in regard to several other areas such as greenspace and affordable housing.”

Concerns over the plans were discussed at an Armley Forum meeting in August 2022, amid concerns about extra traffic on ‘racetrack’ Armley Ridge Road.

Armley Conservative Club was established around 1895 and was based at The Dennison Hall. It later moved to The Primrose Hall and then to its present location at Far Field House.

The plans – and associated reports – can be read in full here.

Read more of WLD’s coverage of Armley Conservative Club here.

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Pudsey: Former children’s centre set for auction

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July 31, 2024

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south pudsey community centre kent road — Photo: Google

A former children’s centre is set to be sold off in September – more than three years after the council authorised its sale.

Councillors on the decision-making executive board approved the sale of South Pudsey Community Centre and its surrounding land on Lumby Lane back in February 2021 in a bid to raise money for the cash-strapped council.

The sale is part of a review of the council’s property portfolio as it seeks to balance its books and offset a reduction in national government funding since 2010.

WLD understands the disposal of this property was halted due to some statutory works Yorkshire Water requested to carry out. Yorkshire Water have now told the council they no longer require the site and so, we in land and property are re-entering the site for auction on 18 September 2024.

South Pudsey Community Centre was formerly office accommodation for the Council’s Children and Families department.

Follow WLD’s Cutswatch series, which is chronicling council cuts across West Leeds.

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Holiday hunger: Food distribution begins at Bramley Care Bears

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July 31, 2024

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Bramley Care Bears food support — Food support is on hand at Bramley Care Bears this summer.

By Paul Abraham

Bramley Care Bears are helping parents/guardians with a weekly bag of food to help feed their child/children at dinner times until the children go back to school.

This will be a FREE service only available to residents in the Bramley area and can be collected at the Broadlea Community Centre.

People can obtain their bag once a week on a Friday or Sunday at the food distribution session between 11am and 12pm. Proof of child benefits and address will be needed to obtain their bag.

Bramley Care Bears are receiving more and more surplus foods from different organisations each week and also pay for fresh fruit and vegetables once a week.

For more information, contact Angela on 07805 225270.

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Farsley Celtic secure goalless draw in Manchester

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July 31, 2024

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By John Baron

Farsley Celtic continued their unbeaten pre-season campaign with a drab goalless draw at FC United of Manchester.

Pre-season is all about building fitness, and the match will have proven useful to Clayton Donaldson’s side as they continue their preparations for the season ahead. As a spectacle it fell mostly flat.

Both teams struggled to create much in terms of goalmouth action, particularly in the first half, while The Celts’ impressive trialist goalkeeper pulled off three strong saves late in the game to keep a well-earned clean sheet.

Farsley forward Robbie Fox came just a couple of inches from breaking the deadlock early in the second half, but his curling attempt was just wide of the post.

Farsley’s keeper saved one on one as FC United pressed. And as the game entered the final 15 minutes he came to his side’s rescue with a stunning save to tip a curling shot around the post and then push a rasping drive over the bar.

Farsley created their own chances late on. Fox fired into the side netting from a tight angle, Alex Kiwonya was denied by a superb defensive tackle when through on goal and another Kiwonya effort flew straight into the arms of the opposition goalkeeper.

Dylan Youmbi saw his header from Lewis Turner’s cross pushed away by the home goalkeeper. An ensuing goal-mouth scramble saw the Farsley forwards fail to get the ball over the line when a goal looked certain.

A late Farsley goal would have been tough on the hosts who gave their National League North opponents a good work out ahead of the season opener on 10 August.

The visiting Celt Army were in good voice and good humour and enjoyed their trip over the Pennines – especially the impressive local delicacy known as the Bombay Butty, which features meat and potato pie, a spicy lamb samosa and curry sauce in a bread bun!

Farsley’s pre-season friendly on Saturday at Bradford Park Avenue has been postponed due to work at Bradford’s ground.

Farsley Celtic: Trialist, Walker (Youmbi 70), Sloane (Allan 67), Branson, Assenso (Misambo 70), Watson (Turner 45), Fox, B Atkinson (Greenfield 70), Campton-Sturridge (Fielding 70), Mampala, Stephenson (Kiwomya 70).

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Ofsted praise for Dixons Unity Academy turnaround

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July 30, 2024

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Ofsted inspectors have praised a West Leeds school for turning around its performance.

Dixons Unity Academy in Armley was deemed inadequate by inspectors in March 2023 – but in its latest report this week the school has received a ‘good’ rating.

Inspectors praised the quality of education, personal development, leadership and management at the school, but said behaviours and attitudes still required improvement.

Their report said: “Staff have high expectations for pupils’ learning and behaviour. These expectations are being increasingly well realised. Pupils experience consistent routines and common approaches to teaching. This creates a strong focus on learning.”

Leaders have taken significant action to improve the quality of education at the Whingate Road school, providing comprehensive staff training.

Pupils benefit from orderly classrooms and improving behaviour on site, the report adds. “The majority of pupils respond to the clear expectations that staff set. Leaders address and record any instances of bullying or poor behaviour. Despite this, some pupils and their parents remain concerned about bullying.”

The school is working ‘ever more closely’ with pupils and their families to improve attendance. There are signs that this is beginning to improve.

The report also says pupils benefit from high levels of pastoral and academic support. And the support for pupils with special educational needs was also praised.

Read the full report here.

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Bat and chat in West Leeds for people with Parkinson’s

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July 30, 2024

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Ping Pong Pete coaching a ParkyPING session

By Rob Cook

Leeds ParkyPING!, a table tennis club for people living with Parkinson’s Disease, is opening for a second regular session in West Leeds after a successful first year.

ParkyPING! meets at St Stephen’s Church Hall, Kirkstall, on the first and third Monday of each month. The new Tuesday session will meet with the same pattern, starting on Tuesday, 6 August.

It’s now recognised that exercise is the best, perhaps the only way, of slowing down the symptoms of Parkinson’s. And table tennis is one of the best forms of exercise for that purpose. As well as being aerobic, table tennis help with balance, hand-eye coordination, reflexes, and making split second decisions.

Members of Leeds ParkyPING! meet to bat and chat together. The group includes women and men of all abilities, from complete beginners to people who play and used to play in Leeds Table Tennis League.

As well as playing table tennis, the group gets professional coaching, and members share informal, and invaluable peer support about experiences of living with Parkinson’s. Several partners of group members also attend regularly, giving them the opportunity to share information about how their lives are affected by the condition.

The group was started by local man Rob Cook, with friends Andrew and Hillary.

Rob was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2019. Having played table tennis as a teenager but only occasionally since, Rob quickly realised that he needed to get back to the table. In 2021 Rob took part in the first UK Championship for people with Parkinson’s, which was the first time he’d met other people with the same condition.

Rob has since played in PingPongParkinson’s World Championships in Croatia, and Austria, winning silver medals for mixed and men’s doubles respectively.

Leeds ParkyPING! is part of a growing Parkinson’s table tennis community across the UK, and globally. Rob said: “UK and world championships have been fantastic experiences, which I wanted to share at a grassroots level, with more people who could benefit.

“Several other people who have taken part in championships have also started local groups. I’m proud that Parkinson’s table tennis is being driven by people with Parkinson’s themselves.”

But Rob also acknowledged the vital support given. As well as ongoing support from friends, Rob is very appreciative of the funding received for ParkyPING! from Parkinson’s UK, Table Tennis England, Kirkstall’s councillors Hannah Bithell, Andy Rontree and Fiona Venner, Hey Neighbour!, Boost Charitable Trust and Sport Parkinson’s. They have also felt very welcomed by staff and volunteers from Kirkstall Valley Development Trust (KVDT), who manage St Stephen’s Church Hall. Leeds ParkyPING! is led entirely by volunteers.

If you or someone you know has Parkinson’s and would like to join the group, please get in touch via Leeds ParkyPING! website or by e-mail: parkyping@gmail.com.

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Rodley Nature Reserve joins Little Hiccups mosaic trail

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July 30, 2024

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Little Hiccups Rodley nature reserve — Miriam Watson-Pratt, the Little Hiccups secretary, along with charity members at the mural at Rodley Nature Reserve. Photo: David Nesham

By David Nesham

Rodley Nature Reserve has been selected by the Little Hiccups charity to launch an accessible and inclusive mosaic trail across Leeds.

The charity is dedicated to supporting families with children who have additional needs and disabilities. The initiative, aimed at celebrating and fostering a sense of community, will encourage families to explore various sites across the city.

Little Hiccups Secretary and events organiser Miriam Watson-Pratt said: “The mosaic trail will feature a series of beautiful mosaic artworks created in collaboration with local families and artist Mary Goodwin.

“Each mosaic is designed to represent the unique experiences and perspectives of the participating families while highlighting the beauty and inclusivity of the chosen locations.

“The first mosaic has been unveiled at Rodley Nature Reserve a haven for wildlife and a popular destination for families seeking to enjoy nature in an accessible and inclusive environment.”

Reserve Trustee Maggie Bellwood commented: “We are delighted to be selected to launch this initiative which helps both the Little Hiccups charity and the Reserve’s commitment to provide access and wellbeing.

“It complements our accessible hard paths, Visitor Centre and toilet facilities together with the wheelchair friendly viewing points in all our hides.”

The Reserve was chosen for the launch because of its inclusivity which was recognised by the Open Country’s Good Access Award in 2018.

To find out more about the Little Hiccups charity visit their website.