Bramley Junior Parkrun marked its seventh birthday. Photos: Danny Hutchinson
By Jean Hollings. Photos: Danny Hutchinson
A brilliant start to the day saw a celebration of Bramley junior parkrun’s seventh birthday.
18 junior athletes walked, jogged or ran across the 2km finish line, including three inspirational first timers.
Olivia received her half marathon band and three juniors achieved a personal best.
16 volunteers supported the juniors. Mums, dads, grandparents and friends volunteer for parkrun while their “junior” is taking part.
Juniors, volunteers and parents/spectators enjoyed birthday cake afterwards.
If you have a child between four and 14 years old who would like to join us, register at parkrun and meet us in Bramley Park every Sunday for 9am start or contact the team at bramleyjuniors@parkrun.com. You can register here.
The site of the proposed development off Owlcotes Road, Pudsey.
A major housing development in Pudsey has moved a step closer after Keyland Developments revealed it has sold the site to Leeds Federated Housing Association for the delivery of 54 new homes.
Keyland secured outline – in-principle – planning consent in 2020 from Leeds City Council for the new homes on Owlcotes Road under what’s called a Planning Promotional Agreement (PPA) with a local landowner.
Detailed plans for 66 homes were then submitted last September and are yet to be approved by Leeds City Council – and the proposals now appear to have been scaled back to 54 homes.
An artist’s impression of some of the houses in the Pudsey plans.
The sale represents Keyland’s first completed PPA sale in which they acted as Land Promoter as well as joint owner with the neighbouring landowner. The PPAs involve Keyland working with independent landowners, corporates, and regulated bodies to overcome obstacles to development by securing planning consent for future use.
The 5.5-acre site is located in an established and popular residential area next to Owlcotes Reservoir on Owlcotes Road.
Matthew Turnbull, Land & Planning Manager at Keyland Developments Ltd, said: “We are delighted to have completed our first PPA sale with this site.
“The planning consent and subsequent sale to Leeds Federated Housing Association has facilitated new homes to contribute to the local authority’s long-term housing targets.”
Leeds Federated is a housing association managing around 4,600 properties in Leeds, North Yorkshire and Wakefield areas. It rents affordable homes and sells homes through shared ownership schemes.
Keyland Developments Ltd is the property trading arm of Kelda Group and sister-company to Yorkshire Water.
The LS6 Junk Yard offer a wide variety. Photos: Ivor Hughes
Junk by name but not by nature – Ivor Hughes visited the monthly market on Sunday, 30 July. Here’s his report and photos:
This monthly event is run directly by Left Bank Leeds in Burley and not a sublet. Which explains why pitch fees are so cheap at £8 and public entry is fee. Yes, free.
Online, Left Bank Leeds describes it as an opportunity to browse over forty stalls from friends and neighbours who have decluttered their homes, wardrobes, sheds and craft and vintage stashes. And likens it to a car boot sale, albeit indoors. Nearly, but not quite …
Yes, just like boot sales, there are signs of decluttering and plenty of bargain prices. But maybe half of the stalls have established themes and several accept card payments.
No problems there – trade and semi-trade exhibitors make it a creditable indoor market and a useful venue for visitors to tap into potential sources. The pictures demonstrate some of that variety:
One of many decluttered bargains on the day. A child’s Adams Tail-a-Bike for £25 against a RRP of £95. Photos: Ivor Hughes
Boot sale prices – 50p a ball.
Plenty of vintage and collectable pottery – here some 1970s Hornsea Pottery Contrast.
The LS6 Junk Yard offer a wide variety. Photos: Ivor Hughes
Jita Kaur offers a selection of Indian food. Jita is a Neighbourhood Ambassador for Leeds Year of Culture 2023. On Saturday 5 August she is presenting Cultural Bloom, a celebration of the rich diversity of the community. Kirkgate Market (Food Hall), 11am-3pm)
A cut above the rest. Gent’s outfitters are uncommon sights at vintage clothing markets.
No shortage of toys.
Luck of the draw – your size?
Boot sale prices with boutique presentation.
The next LS6 Junk Yard Sale at Left Bank Leeds, Cardigan RoadLS6 1LJ, is from 10am-4pm on Sunday, 27 August 2023.
The minimal on-site parking is taken by stallholders and people with mobility issues. Early arrivals will have taken many on-road slots nearby. You may have to park some distance away.
A sponsored 10-mile walk to raise funds for the life-saving Pudsey Defibrillator Project.
The funds raised will contribute towards the upkeep and battery replacement of the 26 public access defibrillators across Pudsey.
Scheduled for Saturday, 2 September 2023, and setting off at 11am the route begins at Tyersal Chemist and finishes at Pudsey Park. The journey will take participants past 24 defibrillator locations, highlighting their importance to the community.
Locations include St Andrew’s Church, Fulneck Golf Club, the Fox & Grapes, Swinnow Community Centre among many others. A full list of these locations can be found here.
A map of August’s walk.
The walk has been organised by Councillor Simon Seary, who is also chair of Pudsey Carnival.
He said: “While the primary objective of the walk is to raise funds, it is also an opportunity to raise awareness about the presence and utility of these defibrillators in our community. These units can be the difference between life and death in a cardiac emergency.”
Members of the public are encouraged to join the walk at any point along the route and are welcome to sponsor walkers or donate directly via the JustGiving page.
Volunteers from the Litter Free Pudsey group have already signed up for part of the route to clean up along the way. Sponsorship forms will be made available shortly.
Cllr Seary added: “Your contribution, no matter how small, will go a long way in ensuring that our defibrillators are well-maintained and ready for use when required.
“Join us on September 2 as we walk to save lives and make our community a safer place to live.”
The Pudsey Defibrillator Project is an initiative by Pudsey Carnival to maintain and increase the number of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in the town.
By raising awareness of these devices and providing funds for their upkeep, the project aims to ensure that more lives can be saved in the event of cardiac emergencies.
The new shop is based in this area at Stanningley Bottom. Photo: Google
Councillors are set to decide whether to approve an application for an off licence at a new convenience store at Stanningley Bottom.
Mr Mohammed Doski, of Stainbeck Road, has submitted an application for an off licence for his new In N Out shop at 17Bradford Road.
His application would see the convenience store sell alcohol Sunday to Thursday from 7am to 11pm and Friday and Saturday 7am to 12 midnight.
The Friday and Saturday hours have been scaled back from 7am until 4am following concerns reported by WLD over street drinking and anti-social behaviour.
Concerns were raised by Calverley & Farsley’s councillors over the 4am closure.
Members of Leeds City’s Council’s licensing sub-committee will consider whether to approve the application at Leeds civic Hall on Tuesday 8 August 2023. The agenda and reports can be read in full here.
Two new tenants are moving into Farsley’s historic Sunny Bank Mills complex, bosses have announced today.
During the past 11 years Sunny Bank Mills has been transformed into a modern office and mixed-use complex for the 21st century, creating nearly 500 sustainable new jobs.
The two new companies moving into Sunny Bank are PQS Tech Solutions, formerly based in Pontefract Lane, Leeds, which is taking space in No 10 The Mending Rooms, and project management company David Yeadon Ltd, which is relocating from Bagley Lane to the 1912 Mill.
Andy Brooke, managing director of PQS Tech Solutions, said: “We like the mill, basically because it’s such a nice place with a great sense of community. The extra parking spaces were a big selling point, as was the option of having anything from shared Wi-Fi to a direct fibre Internet connection.
Sunny Bank Mills 1912 Mill
“Landlords William and John Gaunt have been great. They are very accommodating when we have wanted to look round and they went go the extra mile to find the ideal office for us.
“As a business we have been going for 11 years. We run alongside the PQS Survey hire business and have previously just had space in their depots. The PQS Tech business model has changed quite drastically over the last 12 months and more of our staff are office based.
“Because of this, I wanted a nicer environment for them to be in every day. It’s important for me that my staff are happy at work, and I do think that having such a friendly environment to work in every day is very positive for all of us.”
Meanwhile David Yeadon, owner and managing director of David Yeadon Ltd, explained that he had chosen Sunny Bank Mills for its sense of community and its facilities.
“I live locally and was aware of the history of Sunny Bank and its connection with the arts.
“We are a Leeds based project management company and we pride ourselves on our expertise and experience across a range of building projects within the educational sector,” said David.
John Gaunt commented: “These deals are a resounding endorsement of the quality of our flagship 1912 Mill and of the historic Mending Rooms.
“Both companies have had a successful track record in recent years and we look forward to helping them to build on their success. They are joining a vibrant business and cultural community here at Sunny Bank, where I’m sure they will thrive.”
Other commercial space to let at Sunny Bank includes 977 sq ft in the 1912 Mill available from October, and 1,720 at 20 Spinning Mill, which is available immediately.
A similar ‘Little Library’ at Interplay Theatre in Armley last week had its door ripped off and some of the books damaged.
Clayton Donaldson in action for Farsley Celtic. Photo: John McEvoy
By John Baron. Photos: John McEvoy
Farsley Celtic striker and head coach Clayton Donaldson limped out of his side’s final pre-season friendly in a match that was at times anything but ‘friendly’.
Former Bradford City and York City striker Donaldson was subjected to a series of full-blooded challenges by a physical Guiseley side and limped off with a leg injury after the fourth heavy challenge on him before half time.
Visitors Farsley will be hoping the injury isn’t too bad just a week before next Saturday’s National League North opener at Rushall Olympic.
As pre-season games go, it certainly wasn’t a game for the feint-hearted as the tackles flew in at Nethermoor. In the second half there was a melee involving most of the players on the pitch following a challenge by Farsley’s Misambo, who was booked along with a Guiseley’s Liam Tongue, who had reacted with a push.
Farsley Celtic players celebrate Watson’s opener. Photo: John McEvoy
Guiseley were clearly out to disrupt new-look Farsley’s passing game and it was the home side who started the brighter of the two teams. Guiseley’s Pratt was through on goal but Farsley’s young keeper Harry Allen did well to make himself big and block the shot.
The visitors slowly came into the game and took the lead in stunning fashion in the 26th minute. Tom Allan was fouled in what appeared to be a crossing position on the left of the penalty area but Ryan Watson fired an unstoppable drive into the top right corner for his first strike since his return to the club.
Guiseley came close to equalising 11 minutes later as Kendall’s shot went just wide of the right post.
Farsley Celtic’s Marley Blair on the attack against Guiseley. Photo: John McEvoy
Farsley started the scored half with much more control over their lower league opponents, but it was the home side who equalised after 54 minutes, with Kallan Murphy firing the ball home.
In the latter stages of the game, the home side pushed strongly for a winner, the The Lions thought they’d taken the lead, but the linesman’s flag saved the Celts after some unconvincing goalkeeping from young Allen. A Guiseley trialist then struck the frame of a goal with three minutes’ remaining.
Farsley Celtic’s Tom Allan challenges for the ball with two Guiseley players. Photo: John McEvoy
Over 90 minutes 1-1 was probably a fair result and a useful workout for Farsley, who finish pre-season with three draws and three defeats as they seek to bed in 11 new players, a new management team and a new playing style.
Next Saturday The Celts travel to the West Midlands to face newcomers Rushall Olympic in the National League North opener. They’ll be hoping Donaldson will be fit for the game, along with injured defenders Isaac Assenso and Lewis Turner.
Councillors Trish Smith (left) and Amanda Carter (right) outside Pudsey's Halifax branch
A Pudsey councillor has called for a ‘banking hub’ to be established in Pudsey following this week’s announcement that Halifax will be closing its branch later this year.
Councillor Trish Smith (Pudsey Ward) said the news that Halifax will be closing its Pudsey branch in November would come as a blow for customers who haven’t made the switch to internet banking, as well as affecting footfall on the high street.
She, along with fellow Tory Amanda Carter (Cons, Calverley & Farsley) said different options should be considered to keep high street banking alive, including a “banking hub” model, where banks share a space to provide community banking services.
Cllr Smith said: “This is hugely concerning news for Pudsey. Residents will lose easy access to banking services, and there will also be a knock on effect on the vitality of the high street at a time when we’re trying to encourage people to shop locally. Unfortunately it’s a familiar story and we are losing banks left, right, and centre in our area of the city.
“I’d like to see whether it would be viable to have a “banking hub” in Pudsey. This is where basic banking services including counter services run by the major banks and the Post Office are provided from one location, with dedicated rooms where customers can see community bankers from their own bank for more complicated matters that require specialist knowledge or privacy. There have been a number of trials of this elsewhere in the country. The existing Halifax building itself would be ideal.
“Despite the moves towards a cashless society there are still many people who simply don’t want to bank online and prefer the traditional option of a high street bank. We will keep making the case for community banking and I hope we’ll be able to maintain this vital option for those that still rely on it in Pudsey.”
Councillor Amanda Carter added: “It is sad to hear of yet another bank serving the local community in Pudsey now set to close. Nat West, Barclays and HSBC have already shut their doors, and while there are other banks, the Halifax building is easier to access for disabled people.
“We are going to fight to keep banking alive in Pudsey for local people to use. There are a number of options to explore including asking the government to consider legislating to support local people who want to bank locally.”
The move is part of 44 branch closures announced by Lloyds Banking Group, which includes Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland.
A Halifax spokesperson said: “The world is becoming more digital than ever before and more of our customers are doing their everyday banking online.
“With more customers choosing to use digital ways to bank and manage their money, visits at this branch have fallen. As a result, we’ve made the difficult decision to close it.”
Pudsey man Tim Devereux has cycled from Leeds to Glasgow on a tricycle to raise money for Parkinson’s UK. He’s so far raised more than £1,000 in memory of his brother. Here’s the story of his trek in his own words:
The journey was in memory of my older brother Tom who died from the condition, aiming to raise funds for Parkinson’s UK.
My plan was to ride my trike 249 miles from Leeds to Glasgow over four days’ camping en-route.
Yesterday (27 July 2023) I arrived in Glasgow after four days riding – 49 hours 30 minutes, two nights’ camping, one hotel, 227.8 miles done, and 13,625 feet of climbing. If I had known I was intending to climb more than three Ben Nevis’s, maybe I’d have chosen a different route!
Day one
Day one was wet, setting out from Pudsey heading for Dent in North Yorkshire. The route included the Settle Nipple Hill, three miles long which took 59 minutes, and another hill between Ingleton and Dent, even higher and steeper. I had to get off and push for a while! In the gloom of the evening, I thought there were sheep on the road – no, just weeds growing in the middle of track.
Tim Devereux
Day two
Day two took me from Dent to Dalston. For the first half of the route, the M6 was often in sight. While the motorway builders had carved through the landscape, smoothing out the hills, whoever built my single track road kept in the plunges down to a hairpin bends where streams were crossed, leaving the cruel hill back up the other side of the valley.
I heard something fall off while whizzing down one of these – it was my left mirror. I didn’t go back up to retrieve it! I used my phone for navigation and had to conserve the battery carefully despite taking two power packs. I’d got to the campsites too late to find where to charge up!
Day three
Day three, Dalston to Moffat, was a change of plan – I realised that the 80 miles I’d scheduled for the last day was simply beyond me, so I re-routed and booked a hotel to cut 20 miles from day four. I feel I made a sensible decision!
A sketch of Tim’s late brother, Tom Devereux
Day four
Moffat to Kirkintilloch began with a six-mile slog up the Devil’s Beeftub, which kept flattening deceptively, only to go up some more. I felt out of sorts, only managing 16 miles in three hours, and it was a chat with a fellow cyclist at a coffee stop that bucked me up.
Smooth cycle tracks were a boon too! It turned out to be my fastest day – the roads through Glasgow were busy but not steep.
There were moments of weirdness and moments of hope; on day one, riding in the gloom as night fell, I saw sheep on the road. But they weren’t sheep – they were bushes, growing in the middle of the track – weird!
And hope? I stopped for coffee at the Crown in Shap – one of the customers gave £10, the landlord wouldn’t let me pay, and as I left, a young couple were scanning the website QR on the trikes fairing.
Buoyed up by caffeine and kindness, the next few miles rolled by. Cyclists worry about close passes by motor traffic – but in the whole trip, everyone gave me plenty of room, even if I’d held them up. (If Just Stop Oil need another way to slow traffic, they could think about trikes!)
The ride gave me plenty of time to think about Tom, a great big brother to have; I realised that this was a sort of pilgrimage for him.
To all who helped me along the way with encouragement and donations – I am unbelievably grateful – thank you so much!!! The total now is £1,091 and it’s not too late to donate here.
Horsforth Brewery will be hosting its fourth beer festival over the August Bank Holiday weekend featuring a wide range of beers.
The event — which spans three days from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 August – will include beers from Horsforth Brewery’s own range, ginger beer specialists DMC, The Meanwood Brewery, Grumpy Jon’s Cider and Docks Beers.
Guiseley-based bottle shop The Hoptimist who will be bringing a selection of the best beers including Trillium, Parish Brewing and 450 North.
“We absolutely love hosting our beer festivals. It’s a great opportunity for local breweries to showcase their products in Horsforth and to bring beer into Horsforth that’s not normally available.” said Mark Costello, owner of Horsforth Brewery.
Alongside their usual wide range of beers Horsforth Brewery will be brewing up some new beers from its ‘IconSeries’ – a range of beers brewed by the staff of the brewery, each of whom has created their own unique recipe. The series is a celebration of the creativity and passion of the team, showcasing their favourite beer styles from hoppy IPAs to Imperial Stouts, and was launched earlier in the year for their Easter beer festival.
The festival
There will be four sessions for the festival – Friday evening, Saturday afternoon and evening and Sunday afternoon.
Due to the cost of living crisis, the festival has an eye on keeping costs for attendees down and is offering two types of tickets – one which gets you a glass to use at the festival and take home. If you’ve attended a previous Horsforth Brewery festival you can bring your own glass and in return for the entrance price receive two tokens for a half pint each.
“We know times are hard for so many people right now and want to make it easier for people to attend the festival,” added Mark. “We also know that people’s glass cupboards are probably bursting from the amount of festival glasses they’ll have accumulated over the years, I know mine is, so if they’d rather bring one of the glasses from one of our previous festivals we’re delighted to accommodate that.”
Under-18s are welcome to attend when accompanied with responsible adults but must leave the premises by 9:00pm.
As well as beers from the visiting breweries, there will be live music on the Friday and Saturday sessions and pizza pop-up legends Meanwood Pizza will be providing the food.
Details and tickets
Who: Horsforth Brewery What: A beer festival showcasing beer and cider from Leeds, Grimsby and America with live music and street food
When: 25th – 27th August Where: Horsforth Brewery, 143 New Road Side, LS18 4QD Price: £6.50 (includes entry + 1 glassor entry + 2 halves), under 18s – Free
