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Fundraiser for Heights Drive delivery driver’s family passes £25k mark

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westleedslife
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Tragic: Claudiu-Carol Kondor

By John Baron

A crowdfunder set up to raise money for the family of a delivery driver who was killed during an apparent ‘vanjacking’ in Armley has passed the £25,000 mark.

Claudiu-Carol Kondor, 42, from Sheffield, died as he tried to stop a thief stealing his van when out delivering parcels on Heights Drive, Armley, on Tuesday evening.

Mr Kondor’s colleagues at SP Transport Group have set up a fundraiser for the driver, who they described as a “beloved colleague and confidant”. The fundraiser has smashed its initial £750 target and, at the time of writing, has raised £25,400.

Mike Neill, operations manager of SP Transport Group, wrote the “unimaginable loss” had left everyone “devastated”.

“Claudiu was a dedicated and cherished member of the SP Transport Group family who tragically lost his life on 20 August 2024 during a struggle that occurred in the midst of a van theft,” he said.

“Claudiu was more than just a colleague – he was a friend, a confidant and a valued member of our team.

“His commitment to his work and the camaraderie he brought to the workplace will never be forgotten.”

Mr Neill added that Mr Kondor’s death would affect all who knew him.

“While no amount of money can fill the void left by Claudiu’s passing, we hope to provide some comfort and support to his loved ones,” Mr Neill said.

The fundraiser can be found here.

Mark Ross, aged 32, of Conference Road, Armley, appeared before Leeds Magistrates’ Court on Friday charged with Mr Kondor’s murder.

Another 24-year-old man was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of murder. A woman, who was arrested at the same time on suspicion of assisting an offender, has been released under investigation.

Anyone who witnessed any part of the incident or who has any information that could assist the investigation should contact police on 101, quoting Operation Proscombe or crime reference 13240455080, or reporting online via the West Yorkshire Police website.

Information, including footage, can be provided through the Major Incident Public Portal.

Meet the owls at Owlcotes as popular bird of prey event returns

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asda owlcotes
Asda at Owlcotes. Photo: Google

Shoppers can look forward to the return of the “meet the owls” event at The Owlcotes Centre in Pudsey.

This year, the event will be held in partnership with the local wildlife rescue group, Wise Old Owls, offering a fun and educational experience.

The event invites shoppers to an engaging experience where they can meet a variety of owls and other birds of prey. Participants will gain valuable insights into the crucial work undertaken by Wise Old Owls in rescuing and caring for these magnificent creatures.

The first 150 attendees will receive an exclusive reusable tote bag with a unique design. In the lead-up to this event, Owlcotes hosted a poll on social media, asking followers to vote for their favourite animal.

Unsurprisingly, the owl soared to victory, inspiring Owlcotes to create a bag featuring a barn owl and the message, “Owl-ways Think Reusable.”

This thoughtful design and play on words serve as a lasting reminder to prioritise sustainability and protect the environment by reducing single-use plastics.

In addition to meeting the owls, children can unleash their creativity at the event’s colouring station while learning about the importance of protecting the environment and improving biodiversity.

Event Details:

  • Event: Meet the Owls
  • Date: Wednesday 28th August 2024
  • Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Location: Owlcotes Shopping Centre, Pudsey

“We’re thrilled to bring back the Meet the Owls event for another year,” said a representative from Owlcotes Shopping Centre.

“This event is a fantastic opportunity for the community to learn about the incredible work of Wise Old Owls and discover ways we can all contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.”

Check out WLD’s what’s on section for more local events here.

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Seaside misery as Farsley Celtic slip to Scarborough defeat

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Farley Celtic travelled to Scarborough. Photo: John Baron

By John Baron

A late strike from Harry Green saw Scarborough Athletic deservedly earn a 2-1 win against Yorkshire rivals Farsley Celtic.

Alex Brown gave The Seadogs an early lead, though Ben Atkinson’s penalty on the hour put Farsley right back in the contest.

However Green’s spectacular strike on 83 minutes saw Scarborough secure their third win of the season.

In truth it was a game in which Farsley, buoyed by a fine 3-0 win against Marine in midweek, struggled to get a foothold in.

The Celts, who made several changes from Tuesday, were dealt a blow before the game when goalkeeper Tom Wooster, on a season-long loan from Manchester United, was ruled out for at least a month through injury.

Replacement Dylan Ombang made an impressive debut and pulled off a decent save to deny the hosts an early lead after seven minutes.

It took another four minutes for the opening goal of the contest and Farsley were, not for the first time this season, architects of their own downfall. They lost the ball in their own half and Brown fired low past Ombang for an early lead.

The lead was almost doubled on 32 minutes but Ombang, on loan from Leeds United, made a flying save to deny Lewis Maloney.

Farsley were thrown a lifeline on the hour mark, as the referee pointed to the penalty spot following a handball. Clinical Ben Atkinson coolly slotted past Ryan Whitley for his third goal of the season.

Despite the set-back, Scarborough generally controlled the final stages of the game against a blunt Farsley attack and were rewarded with an impressive winning goal seven minutes from time.

The lively Green, who gave the Farsley defence a torrid time, spectacularly fired into the top corner to secure the win for the Seadogs.

Despite yesterday’s defeat it’s been a decent start to the season for Farsley. After four away games on the bounce they sit in eighth place with six points, and continue their travels on Bank Holiday Monday when they visit Warrington (3pm).

Line up

Farsley Celtic: Ombang, Allan, Misambo, Assenso, Sloane, Greenfield (Fielding 72), Branson, B Atkinson, Turner, Mampala (Kiwomya 72), Youmbi (Stephenson 66).
Subs not used: Fox, Leverett.

In photos: Storm Lilian batters West Leeds

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westleedslife
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A motorists moves a fallen tree from his car in Bramley. Photo: Kelvin Wakefield

Storm Lilian has battered Leeds, leaving behind a trail of destruction this morning.

Trees were blown down, roads blocked and public transport disrupted as a yellow warning for severe weather was issued across northern England and north Wales until 11am on Friday, bringing gusts of up to 60mph.

The strong winds and heavy rain has caused widespread traffic and travel disruption this morning.

Community reporter Kelvin Wakefield captured the chaos in Bramley – see a slideshow of his photos below:

  • A motorists moves a fallen tree from his car in Bramley. Photo: Kelvin Wakefield

Saturday’s Bramley parkrun has been cancelled, although Armley’s 250th parkrun is unaffected in Armley Park.

WLD reader Dave Wood sent us this photo of a blocked Half Mile Lane, Stanningley at 9.30am:

Half Mile Lane in Stanningley this morning. Photo: Dave Wood

And Kay McGrath captured Farnley Hall Park after Storm Lilian:

Tree damage in Farnley Hall Park after Storm Lilian. Photo: Kay McGrath

Join WLD for our September community quiz night

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By Jill Stocks

The West Leeds Dispatch Community Quiz night returns after a summer break (although you may not have noticed the Summer!) back at the now regular venue of the Owl in Rodley.

We will be back there on Wednesday, September 11 (8pm) for another round of challenging questions posed by quiz mistress Jill Stocks.

Venue: The Owl, Rodley.

For those who like to do a bit of swotting before the event there’s a strong possibility there may be questions about Japan in there somewhere after Jill’s recent travels, and a round about famous birthdays, alongside the traditional much-loved rounds of sport, music and news.

There’ll be some food at half time and of course a well stocked bar with a range of alcoholic and soft drinks, courtesy of Mark, Jay and the team at the Owl.

Everyone’s welcome from seasoned quizzers to those who just want to join in a social evening.

Entry is free. See you there!

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Try traditional furniture making at Calverley Old Hall!

By
Anne Akers
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The Landmark Trust, which owns Calverley’s historic Old Hall, is offering people a chance to try traditional woodworking there as part of the run-up to the official re-opening in October.

They are offering two free, full-day furniture making workshops on Tuesday and Wednesday 27 and 28 August, led by Simon Dunn from History in the Making. Participants will be able to learn the types of skills needed to make one of three beautiful timber benches, which will be used on site at Calverley Old Hall in the Chapel and the new community garden. 

These workshops run from 10am – 4pm, and each day will repeat, so only book onto one date.   Over 18s only. Book here via Eventbrite.  

Open day – October 6

After nearly three years of renovation work thanks to £1.6m from the National Lottery, the Old Hall. Woodhall Road, is ready to re-open both as a holiday let for ten and community space. Before the paying guests start to arrive in the autumn, The Landmark Trust is inviting locals to have a look around it all and take part in a number of activities to celebrate the completion of the works. These activities include:

  • Drop in to the Community Space during the day to have a go at weaving. Many of the past residents of Calverley Old Hall made their living through textile work, so visitors can have a go at making their own small woven craft to take away with you
  • Musicians from Leeds Waits will be performing around the building, playing traditional music on traditional instruments 
  • Re-enactors Frei Compagnie will set up their medieval camp, where you can meet soldiers, cooks and craftspeople and get a glimpse into medieval life at Calverley

Entry to the open day is free, but booking is essential via this link.

Background

The hall started out as a humble timber house in the 12th century. Successive owners made it a more substantial stone building, with the large halls, medieval windows and a chapel added over the centuries. It reached its heyday in Tudor times, with rare wall-paintings uncovered during the renovations.

The glory of the hall and its owners, the Calverley family, came to an abrupt halt in 1605 when Sir Walter Calverley murdered two of his sons there. He was pressed to death. While the family continued to live there, they eventually moved to Esholt and the hall was sold and divided into workers cottages. By 1861, 11 households lived on the site, including in the chapel. Over the next century or so it was converted into a farm, then back to homes. It was hit by fire, theft and vandalism, and was eventually bought by the Landmark Trust in 1982. The trust is a charity which buys historic properties for holiday lets. 

Murder investigation launched over delivery driver’s death in Armley

By
Anne Akers
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Detectives have launched a murder investigation following the death of a delivery driver during an apparent theft of his van in Armley.

At 6.51pm yesterday, police were called to reports of a man found seriously injured in an incident involving a van in Heights Drive.

Officers attended and found the victim unconscious with members of the public trying to help him. He was given emergency treatment by ambulance staff but was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.

Initial enquiries suggest the victim, aged in his forties, had delivered a package to an address about half a mile away in Alliance Street at about 6.45pm and had returned to his van to find a male attempting to steal it.

When he tried to stop them, they drove off at speed with the victim only partly in the passenger door of the vehicle.

The van, a plain silver Ford Transit Cargo, was then in collision with two parked cars in Heights Drive and was driven away leaving the victim injured in the street, between the junctions of Heights Way and Heights Bank.

As a result of enquiries, the van was recovered in Highlands Walk, Belle Isle, a short time later.

Detectives from West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team have launched a murder investigation.

The victim’s family has been informed but we are not yet in a position to release his identity.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle said: “Our investigation remains at an early stage but, based on what we currently know, this appears to be a truly shocking incident where the victim has been killed while going about his business as a parcel delivery driver.

“His family has been informed and they are completely devastated about what has happened. We are working to support them at what is a really difficult time and are doing everything we can to get them the answers they need.

“We are carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances and to identify the person whose incredibly dangerous actions have been responsible for causing his death.

“We have spoken to a number of witnesses but are still very keen to hear from anyone who witnessed any part of this incident. That appeal covers the circumstances of the van being stolen in Alliance Street at about 6.45pm; the journey it took along Heights Drive to where the victim was found; its movements as it fled the scene there; and its movements before being found abandoned in Highlands Walk in Belle Isle, which is about six miles away.

“We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who has seen the suspect in the van at any point after it was stolen or when it was abandoned, and we ask that people who were in the vicinity of any part of this incident check their dashcam, doorbell and home CCTV footage to see if they have caught anything that could assist the investigation.

“People will be understandably appalled by this man’s death in these circumstances, and I want to reassure them that we are absolutely determined to find the person responsible.”

Anyone who witnessed any part of the incident or who has any information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team via 101 quoting Operation Proscombe or crime reference 13240455080 or online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat

Information, including footage, can be provided through the Major Incident Public Portal at  https://mipp.police.uk/operation/13XM020119P03-PO1 

Calverley Show organisers delighted at turn-out

By
Anne Akers
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0

Despite the terrible start to the growing year, there were still plenty of entries in this year’s Calverley Show at the Methodist Hall.

Organisers had put out an appeal for entries through the West Leeds Dispatch and were delighted with the response.

“We were really pleased to see many new faces coming to the show with entries, as well as our regulars,” said Anne Akers, one of the show committee.

“As a result, there will be a couple of new names on the trophies.”

She said they were particularly pleased that children had submitted entries, with one teenager coming second with his chocolate cake, the first time he’d entered a show. Another teenager also won second prize in one of the photograph classes.

Calverley Brownies ran the refreshments and cake stall, helping to raise £300. The full amount raised by the show will be known soon.

Trophy winners were:

  • The Edward and Sheila Garnett Trophy for the most points in the show by a Calverley resident/allotment holder. Mandy Rees
  • The J Aubrey Grimshaw Rose Bowl for the best individual exhibit in the Flowers and Vegetables Sections. Malcolm Tordoff
  • The A Dixon Trophy for the most points in the fruit, vegetable and flowers classes. Awarded to a person who has not previously won any trophy, medal etc. in these. Laura Feltrup
  • The C.R.A.G. Rose Bowl for the most points in classes 40-43 (floral) by a Calverley resident showing the greatest variety in garden flowers. Beverley Smith.
  • The Alan Saul Memorial Trophy for the best Gladioli. Bryan Thomson
  • The Councillor Wylde Cup for the most points in the Flower Section. Mandy Rees
  • The Dr N Hughes Cup for the most points in the Vegetable Section. Malcolm Tordoff
  • The National Vegetable Society’s Medal for the best fruit and vegetable exhibit.  Malcolm Tordoff
  • The Bannister Trophy – Calverley Allotment Champion, for best Trug. Nathan Crossley
  • The Scott Trophy for baking. Hilary Marryat
  • The Gibson Wells Trophy for handicrafts. Jan Wedgwood
  • The Paine Trophy for art. Janet Sladdin
  • The Harper Trophy for floral art. Anne Reed
  • The Trustee’s Fancy Cup for favourite in show. Anne Akers
  • The President’s Junior Cup for children. Eliza Marjoram

Community picnic and bulb planting set for Wortley Rec

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westleedslife
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Fancy joining a community ceilidh, bulb planting and picnic in West Leeds?

The Friends of Wortley Rec group are holding their first big community event and are promising a wealth of activities for all the family.

As well as bulb planting and a community picnic, there will be a performance from Leeds People’s Choir, a community ceilidh led by Hands Across Ceilidh band, a ‘decorate a mini plant pot’ session and lawn games.

New Wortley Recreation Ground
Wortley Recreation Ground has Friends. Photo: Google

Attendees are invited to bring their own picnic on Saturday, 31 August 2024, from 11am-2.30pm.

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Rare find at Giant Leeds Antique Arms, Medals and Militaria Fair at Pudsey Civic Hall

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The medals were spotted at Pudsey Civic Hall. Photo: Ivor Hughes

Northern Arms Fairs of Harrogate has been organising military antiques, art and collectibles events since 1978. One of their most substantial and long running is at Pudsey Civic Hall. This year the fourth of six was on Sunday 18 August. Ivor Hughes visited and found something of particular local interest.

These three WWII campaign medals (pictured above) include by far the rarest of all, the Air Crew Europe Star (centre). Typically, this medal was earned by air crew who had completed two months’ operational service over Europe.

And only after they had also qualified for the 1939 – 1945 Star (left). Though related death or disability, or an award for bravery, made qualification immediate.

Although WWII campaign medals were unnamed, these three were accompanied by the certificate of award. The recipient was Sergeant Joseph Edward Boyes, aged 21, from Beeston, Leeds. On 18 May 1943 he was navigator of an RAF bomber laying sea mines on the western French coast near La Rochelle. The bomber was shot down by German flak and ditched nearby. Sgt Boyes was one of five casualties.

Northern Arms Fairs’ next event at Pudsey Civic Hall is on Sunday 13 October from 9am to 2pm. 

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Kirkstall Brewery residences: Care leavers and homeless families plan approved

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westleedslife
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The Kirkstall Brewery Hall of Residences

By John Baron

Plans to turn empty student accommodation in Kirkstall into accommodation for care leavers and homeless families have been approved by Leeds City Council planners.

Council chiefs want to lease four blocks of currently empty student accommodation at the former Kirkstall Brewery Residences, off Broad Lane, to provide temporary accommodation for young adult care leavers currently in education or training and homeless families.

Plans affect Abbey House, Walker House, Musgrave House, Canal House and The Maltings residences, which currently provide 242 bedrooms between them. The proposals were approved for a period of ten years.

A planning statement submitted with the application stated: “Leeds is experiencing high demand for homelessness assistance, accepting duties to assist approximately 1,200 households every quarter. 

“The three main causes for homelessness in the city are households required to leave living arrangements with family or friends, an end of a private sector tenancy, and domestic abuse.

“Leeds has had a strong prevention model and is recognised nationally for its performance, but this model is now strained against the national backdrop of the housing crisis, cost of living crisis, utility cost increase and availability of affordable accommodation. A large number of landlords have sought to retire.”

The report added that there is a long wait time on the highest priority for social housing in Leeds, with the turnover of stock reducing, and stock numbers reducing due to right to buy sales. It says private sector rents have increased over 9% year on year.

Three main cohorts will be accommodated at the building, including:

  • Care leavers who are in full-time education or training (including apprenticeships) and are over 18 years old.
  • Care leavers who are in employment or seeking employment, and are over 18.
  • Families being re-accommodated from temporary housing.

A council planning officer’s report published today approved the plans, despite 14 letters of objection. There was one letter of support from civic watchdog Leeds Civic Trust.

The report concluded: “The development is not considered to be harmful to the character and appearance of the area, nor would it have a harmful impact on highway safety.

“The development provides specialist affordable provision which weighs heavily in the balance of considerations. The scheme therefore provides much need affordable housing to meet the needs of the local authority within an established residential area whilst bringing a currently vacant building back into a viable use.”

The cash-strapped council hopes to save £1.5m in 24/25 and £2.2m in 25/26 due to reduced reliance on private bed and breakfast and expensive night by night accommodation.

Leeds City Council’s Children and Families department and student accommodation providers Cloverco Limited are the joint applicants.

The plans can be viewed in full here.

Background

The brewery complex was originally closed in 1983, bringing to an end a 150-year tradition of brewing in the buildings.

The site stood empty and unused until it the late 1990s when it became Kirkstall Brewery Student Village, part of Leeds Metropolitan University (Leeds Beckett University, as it’s now known).

The complex had been put up for sale in 2021. It features 828 student beds across 16 buildings, but its occupancy has steadily decreased as more students make use of city centre accommodation.

WLD first covered the latest proposals in March.

Bramley: Enlarged mobile phone mast plan approved by council

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westleedslife
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0
Decision: Leeds Civic Hall.

Plans for a 20-metre tall mobile phone mast in Bramley have been given the green light by Leeds Council planners.

The proposals will upgrade an existing 15m-high telecommunications mast at St Catherine’s Business Centre, off Broad Lane.

The mast is based the car park, and already features cabinets and palisade fencing in a small compound.

Approving the proposals, a council planning officer’s report said: “The proposal is not considered to have a significant detrimental impact on neighbouring amenity or highway safety.”

The plans can be viewed in full here.

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