Hitting the right note: Farsley Village Singers. Photo: Farsley Village Singers
By Susan Johnson
Farsley Village Singers were in fine voice when they performed their summer concert on Sunday evening at St John’s Church in aid of two charities, The Batten Disease Family Association and Andy’s Man Club.
The choir – ably led by by musical director and founder Jen Silvester-Killen – performed a variety of songs from Abba to Sir Karl Jenkins.
All were very much appreciated by a wide audience of all ages. In the interval a supper buffet and drinks were provided, followed by a raffle in support of the charities.
The choir will now take a short summer break but rehearsals will resume in September at St John’s Church in preparation for their 2023 Christmas concert.
A 'speed hump' was caused due to concrete buckling in a 2017 heatwave.
Motorists are being reminded to expect delays as work is carried out on both Armley Gyratory and Stanningley Bypass next week.
Armley Gyratory
From 8pm on Monday 24 July until 5.30am on Thursday 24 August there will be daily night-time partial closures around the Armley Gyratory for surfacing works.
Council chiefs say the highways surfacing works will mark a significant milestone towards phase one construction completion, after the work started in April last year.
The partial closures are planned to coincide with reduced levels of traffic during the school summer holidays.
The road will re-open during the daytime with 30mph speed limits and other traffic management measures in place to allow improvements to be carried out safely.
To prepare for these partial closures, drivers are being urged to plan ahead before travelling and to sign up for regular e-mail updates or follow Connecting Leeds on social media.
The Armley Gyratory works are complex and the work areas have been segmented into seven parts, as work progresses clockwise around the gyratory, with a total of 19 phases of activity. This includes planing the existing carriageway, ironworks, laying binder, tarmac surfacing and associated white lining. Because of the scale of the road surfacing, with different work areas and days, it will need different diversions and local access plans.
For impacted bus services see WY Metrobuses for the latest timetables.
Stanningley Bypass works and diversions
Works will also take place on Stanningley Bypass during the school summer holidays, with reduced levels of traffic allowing the works to progress as quickly as possible.
From 8am on Thursday 27 July until 6am on Monday 21 August 2023 roadworks will take place along the Eastbound A647 Stanningley Bypass. The traffic management will be set up 24/7 between those dates.
Work will require a partial closure of the bypass and some of the access/slip roads, with local diversions. A contraflow system (between Dawson’s Corner roundabout and Swinnow Bridge) will be in operation.
These planned works are part of Leeds City Council’s highway annual maintenance programme and follows last year’s Westbound joint and resurfacing programme.
Police are appealing for information on a man known to frequent the Farnley area of West Leeds.
Wesley Robinson, 33, has been reported missing from Woodhouse and police are growing concerned for his welfare.
Mr Robinson is around 6ft 8ins tall and of stocky build. It is not known what clothing he is wearing, although he often wears shorts.
He frequents Leeds city centre and the Farnley and Little London areas.
Anyone with information that will assist is asked to contact police in Leeds on 101, or use the LiveChat on the West Yorkshire Police website. The log reference is 1432 of 16 July.
On the run for charity: Josh Wisher and friends. Photo: James Bovington
By James Bovington
Armley boxer Josh Wisher and three others from his gym The Ministry of Boxing in Moorfield Road raised £322 for mental health charity MIND by running a half marathon along the Leeds Liverpool canal from Bingley Five Rise Locks to Armley’s Wyther Lane.
“We set out to raise £300 and are delighted that over 20 people donated so that we exceeded this raising about £360, with Gift Aid included,” said Wisher.
“And I’m grateful to fellow runners Lucy, Thomas and Becca for doing this with me. We started in rainy Bingley and finished in sunny Armley.”
Running for charity: Josh Wisher. Photo: James Bovington
Wisher, 24, has his fifth professional fight at Elland Road and first six-rounder scheduled for 8 September, opened The Ministry of Boxing in September last year and now runs classes for all age groups attended by over a hundred weekly including two ladies-only sessions.
Josh and his fellow runners. Photo: James Bovington
He said: “I chose MIND because MIND works to improve mental health which is also an objective at TheMinistry.
“The benefits of boxing in improving mental well-being irrespective of whether a person actually competes are well known.
“Boxing provides challenge, gives a person an ambition and a goal and can make them proud of what they accomplish as well as improving physical health,” explained Wisher, adding ‘Running this half-marathon encouraged me to commit to the York Marathon in October’.
Primary school teacher Lucy Denison who attends the ladies’ sessions, added: “I’m proud to have taken part in this and helped support MIND. It’s given me the impetus to sign up for October’s Abbey Dash. I always feel good after boxing sessions at the gym and would encourage more women living locally to sign up.”
New benches to help older and less able-bodied people to get out and about in Kirkstall and Burley have been installed.
The £30,000 project to install 16 street benches in the Kirkstall and Burley areas was approved by Leeds City Council last year and is part of the council’s Local Centres Programme, which aims to support town centres across Leeds.
Kirkstall councillor Hannah Bithell (Lab) provided an update on the scheme this week. She said: “In 2020 we first shared our ambition to spend our district centres money to support older and less able bodied people across Kirkstall and Burley to walk and access the district centre.
“One of the legacies of Covid, was a breakdown in people’s fitness and strength due to lockdown and isolation. These benches will give the opportunity to continue to build this fitness back up, and if it doesn’t come back, provide a permanent stopping point so people can still access shops and the district centre.”
Cllr Bithell said consultation had been carried out on social media and with affected householders, which led to six of the benches being moved to places ‘people are happier with’.
“I know there is a lot of fear of anti-social behaviour around there being any benches, but our older residents shouldn’t be trapped in their homes due to poor behaviour, so I will make sure I work with you all and police should any issues come up,” she added.
“Please contact me on Hannah.Bithell@Leeds.gov.uk if something does start to be an issue and of course contact the police and LASBT as well.
“Another message I have seen and agree with is some of the benches are not looking at the most delightful views. They are more focused on the operational task of being on a route and in the least annoying location within that area, whilst also not obstructing the highway.
“This is why a lot of them are on the verge rather than the pavement looking out. I would love to work with residents to create some art etc that we could put in front of the benches that do give something to look at that is more pleasant moving forward. Again please e-mail if you have any ideas.”
Other Local Centres Programme schemes in West Leeds
The Local Centres Programme was launched several years ago, with £150,000 allocated for each ward to spend.
Council budget cuts in 2020 meant that the amount was reduced to £30,000 per ward, with only four schemes completed at the full cost, including one which included on‐street parking improvements, pedestrian crossing points and bus stops on Rodley Town Street.
An area of land outside Pudsey Parish Church will be revamped. Photo: Google
Work has started in Pudsey on delayed plans for Queen’s Jubilee garden on a patch of land at the junction of Church Lane and Radcliffe Lane, outside Pudsey Parish Church. The land had been used as an informal and unadopted car park for around 40 years.
Government transport chiefs have reiterated their commitment to upgrade and electrify the existing line between Bradford Interchange and Leeds Station.
Previously announced upgrades to the line, which runs through West Leeds via Bramley and New Pudsey Stations, could deliver a 12-minute journey time and help decarbonise the railway within the next decade.
No specific timescale on the upgrade the line was confirmed by the Government this week. The proposals were originally proposed in their £96 billion Integrated Rail Plan published in 2021.
The announcement came as the government launched a study to look at options for running HS2 trains to Leeds and committed to reassessing evidence to improve rail connections in Bradford.
The Government says the Leeds Studydelivers on a commitment made in the Integrated Rail Plan and will consider a number of potential options to run HS2 trains into the city centre.
It will consider capacity at Leeds Station and take into account local views, as well as factors such as disruption, economic development, value for money, affordability, deliverability and timescales.
Government will also reassess evidence to improve connectivity in Bradford, including examining the case for a new station.
The Leeds Study was promised 20 months ago when the Department of Transport published the controversial Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) and revealed it was planning to scale back plans for HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail.
It stated that the eastern leg of the high-speed rail line will stop at East Midlands Parkway and trains will then run on an existing line to Sheffield.
The announcement comes as the government formally responds to the Transport Select Committee’s report on the Integrated Rail Plan. As part of this, the Department for Transport outlined to the committee that it expects to complete the Leeds Study in 2025.
The DfT adds: “During the course of the study, we intend to review the case for focusing development work on a smaller number of options taking account of evidence including costs, affordability, benefits and value for money.”
The Leeds station and area options to be assessed will include but are not limited to:
new platforms at the existing Leeds station
non-infrastructure solutions, such as dwell times and timetable changes
implications of the different options to run HS2 to Leeds on the wider network, such as capacity at Sheffield Station
opportunities for West Yorkshire mass transit to release capacity at Leeds
The government also promised £40 million to West Yorkshire Combined Authority to support its development of the mass transit system, which will deliver integrated public transport options and offer a greener, quicker and more reliable option of travel.
A proposed line could provide better links between Leeds and Bradford and go through West Leeds.
Construction is due to begin in 2028 and be completed by 2040.
Two male youths have been arrested in connection with fires at playgrounds in Farsley as police continue their investigation.
As reported earlier this month, a fire was lit in Hainsworth Park under a slide designed for small children and there was a similar incident at Farsley Recreation Ground.
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said today: “Following reports of criminal damage caused to play areas at Farsley Rec and Hainsworth Park on the 4 and 6 July, officers have arrested two males aged 15 and 16.
“Suspects have been released on bail whilst enquiries are ongoing.”
Protected trees on the southern boundary of Crawshaw Academy could be cut down and replaced with younger trees, if a planning application is approved.
Red Kite Learning Trust, which runs Crawshaw Academy has submitted a planning application to remove 19 trees protected by a tree preservation order (TPO) at the boundary with Woodfield Terrace and Sheridan Way in Pudsey.
A total of 30 mature trees would be removed under the plans. They can be clearly seen from Ravens Mount, Robin Lane and over properties from Woodfield Terrace and Sheridan Way.
The planning application stated: “There have been ongoing concerns from neighbours about these trees and the measures put in place by the school have not satisfied the local residents.”
A replanting scheme has been commissioned by the school and has been submitted in support of this application.
“The proposed scheme has been purposefully kept simple to reflect the nature of the current TPO and to try to replace the avenue effect the current trees provide while removing the nuisance for neighbours,” the application adds.
Council planners, meanwhile, have given the green light for protected trees to be felled due to a widening of Tyersal Lane to allow Yorkshire Water to build stormwater storage tanks for flood mitigation within a nearby field to the west of Pudsey. Full details can be found here.
Art work at Kirkstall Abbey, as part of the Kirkstall Art Trail 2023. Photo: Keef Williamson
By Keef Williamson
You would think it was safe to schedule a public art event involving numerous venues, some of them outdoors, for the middle of July.
But this is British weather we’re dealing with and so, of course, it rained. On Saturday at least. The weather improved on Sunday and many more people were to be seen enjoying the surprisingly large number of locations hosting many different types of art.
We started by heading off on Saturday morning to Kirkstall Abbey – a magnificent venue that famously lacks a roof. A number of artists were located in the cloisters with their creations displayed on small stalls with pergola-like roofs.
In the nave, the artworks were placed in the recesses along both sides so they did benefit from some cover.
It has to be said the sheer number of exhibitors on the trail means that planning and discipline were needed if you wanted to see everything. Needless to say, we failed on both counts, so our apologies to artists not included here.
Kirkstall Art Trail 2023. Photos: Keef Williamson
Art work at Kirkstall Abbey, as part of the Kirkstall Art Trail 2023. Photo: Keef Williamson
After the Abbey we went to the Conservation Volunteers Hollybush site. This benefits from having a roof and a number of artists had their works on show in the Barn. In a semi-enclosed outdoor seating area, puppeteer Belinda May performed ‘Workhouse Stories’, an enchanting account of life in a Leeds workhouse told by puppets which WLD featured yesterday. Hollybush was also hosting several workshops.
Our plan on Sunday was to visit a cluster of locations off Morris Lane and Hesketh Road. Most of these were private houses and we were struck by the generosity of the owners in letting random strangers into their homes and in one case offering chocolate biscuits.
Finding the venues was easy using the Trail map and looking out for bright yellow bunting outside. Some of the houses were displaying two or three artists.
We enjoyed the acrylic pen landscapes and plants by Mindy Goose, ceramics by Clare Paul, graphic prints by Jon Simmons and abstract paintings and prints by Ailsa Robinson. Under a gazebo in a garden watched over by three chickens we found Christine Hinchliffe with a small collection of rusty found objects.
A short distance away we found a house showing oil landscapes by Simon Dobbs, ‘touchy feely’ mixed media abstracts by Sophie Smith, and intricate papercuts by Aurora Art. And a couple more chickens in the garden.
St Stephen’s Church Hall hosted several artists including Karl Berzins with a collection of oil still lives and landscapes and Neil Simmons showing his mixed-media townscapes.
Finally (for us) a visit to a small upstairs room at St Stephen’s Primary School to view ‘Assembly’ – dozens of small clay figures made by children from Beecroft, Kirkstall Valley and Kirkstall St Stephen’s Primary Schools. It’s possibly a tribute to Antony Gormley’s ‘Another Place’ installation at Crosby Beach.
We missed lots of exhibits, but thoroughly enjoyed what we did see and especially being able to chat to the artists. Who knew Kirkstall had such artistic talent?
Seagulls Paint is one of the UK’s top 100 social enterprises named in this year’s NatWest SE100 Index.
Applicants to this year’s SE100 have painted a positive picture in terms of their outlook for the future – despite shrinking profits and continued worries about winning enough business, gaining investment and surviving the cost of living crisis.
The list was selected according to a number of different criteria to reflect both business and impact issues – including financial performance, how thoroughly they measured and managed their impact, and their commitment to both climate issues and to taking positive action on equality and diversity.
Cat Hyde, co-founder of Seagulls, said the Kirkstall Road social enterprise has had a record couple of months due to the vast amount of paint collected from households, the number of customers and being almost back to pre-Covid volunteer numbers.
Cat said: “It came as a big surprise to find out we were in the top 100. We hadn’t applied and still don’t know who nominated us. It means a lot to our staff and volunteers to get this recognition as the team works incredibly hard to divert paint from landfill and provide a cheap resource for the people of Leeds.
“We also couldn’t do what we do without our wider community and the support of organisations and people in Leeds. Seagulls is a true grassroots social enterprise, started around a kitchen table to respond to environmental issues and combat social justice. We are very proud to have been recognised for our hard work.”
Megan Virrels, CEO of NatWest Social & Community Capital, said: “A huge congratulations to all those named in this year’s NatWest SE100 list. Social & Community Capital has been committed to supporting UK social enterprises for over 20 years, and we are constantly inspired by the resilience, ambition, and creativity that we see in the sector.
“So we’re delighted to partner with Pioneers Post again to showcase the very best social enterprises across the UK and recognise the fantastic work of these impactful organisations.”
Despite finances appearing to be tighter for social businesses this year, the overall attitude expressed by those in our survey was far from gloomy. Some 90% said they were making a more positive impact than the year before and three-quarters said they were feeling optimistic about the future.
To find out more about the work that Seagulls Paint does and how you can get involved, visit their website. Seagulls are based off Kirkstall Road.
Cyclor Cross comes to Bramley. Photo: Simon Cullingworth
Photos: Simon Cullingworth
Bramley Fall Park hosted dozens of cyclists taking part in cyclocross – an exciting form of bicycle racing which consists of short course laps usually in off-road terrain.
One of the organisers, Doug Jopling, of the Bramley Wheelers Cycling Club is excited to be able to bring the event to Bramley and demonstrate Cyclo-cross to people from all walks of life.
“Cyclo-cross is a sport that is accessible for all ages and abilities,” said Doug. “We hope that by hosting this event in Bramley Fall Park, it will encourage local residents to come along and get involved by either taking part in the races, or spectating and cheering on their friends, families and other competitors.”
Photographer Simon Cullingworth was on hand to capture the event:
