Parents criticise Little Owls nursery consultation

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April 25, 2024

By Don Mort, local democracy reporter

Additional reporting: John Baron

Parents campaigning against the possible closure of nurseries have claimed they are not being properly consulted by the council.

Leeds City Council launched a review of Little Owls, which operates 24 nurseries in the city, as part of multi-million pound budget cuts. Nurseries at Bramley, Burley Park and Hawksworth Wood are among 12 where alternative provision is being explored.

The authority, which was required to save more than £58m in the last financial year, have already confirmed that three nurseries in North and East Leeds are at risk.

The council has delayed the possible closure of the Kentmere, Chapel Allerton and Gipton North centres until August at the earliest, in response to feedback from parents.

But the Save Little Owls Nurseries campaign said some online consultation events were announced at less than a week’s notice and at times when parents would be putting children to bed.

Amy Greenshields, a parent at Kentmere Little Owls in Seacroft, said: “This is incredibly annoying, as when the consultation for my children’s nursery will take place I will be away for work.

“There is no way my husband would be able to go to the event with two children to feed and get to bed at the same time.”

re Campaigners calling on the council to withdraw its proposals and publish all documents relating to the Little Owls review.

A spokesperson said: “The council clearly never intended to consult parents with its original decision, planned for mid-April 2024, and now we instead have this rushed consultation.

“This is why we are calling for the council to shelve these proposals and put their review and ‘sufficiency analysis’ into the public domain, and run a proper consultation with multiple sessions to ensure all parents, carers and families affected by this decision can take part.”

Leeds City Council said parents had been informed of the different ways they could take part in the consultation.

A council spokesperson said: “We are hosting 15 online engagement sessions and those who are unable to attend but would still like some more information can receive a copy of the presentation slides and support with any questions about the proposal from their daycare manager.

“All views are important to us, whether or not you attend an engagement session, so we have set up a dedicated e-mail account that everyone can submit comments to: LittleOwlsReview@Leeds.gov.uk.

“As we have previously stated, we understand the concerns of parents, carers, staff and communities which could be affected by the proposals.

“These are proposals at this stage and we are continuing to engage with parents, carers and other stakeholders before any final decisions are made.”

Councils across the country are experiencing severe financial stress as a result of significantly increased costs to provide services and rising demand, especially for vulnerable young people and adults. This is being seen especially in supporting looked after children, those with special care and education needs as well as for adult social care, while a nationally-agreed pay increase for council staff has also added to budget pressures.

The position in Leeds reflects the impact of funding reductions from central government, cost increases and demand pressures for council services since 2010. Between 2010 and the end of 2024/25, the council will have had to deliver savings totalling £794million.

WLD has been chronicling cuts in Leeds since 2020 in its Cutswatch series.

Farsley author launches male fertility book

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April 25, 2024

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Scott Deighton author — Book: Farsley author Scott Deighton and his family.

A Farsley resident has had a fascinating and unique book published about struggling with fertility, and his journey through IVF.

Scott Deighton, in his enlightening and candid book My Boys Can’t Swim, takes you on a compelling journey through the intricate world of men’s reproductive health.

Mr Deighton said: “I have been working on this story for five or six years. The inspiration came from the waiting room at a Yorkshire fertility clinic. Having just found out the news that I have issues with fertility, I realised there weren’t any books out there for males to read and help them through the experience.”

He said My Boys Can’t Swim is not just for men, women can relate too, understanding more about what their partner will be feeling.

The author added: “More and more people are coming to the realisation that they are struggling with fertility, especially close friends who I knew would find comfort in the book given the journey they are going through.

“I have also been inspired by my good friend and mentor Peter Margetts, the author of the book When’s Daddy Coming Home. He has pushed and encouraged me to get this over the line. His support has been immense.”

Mr Deighton, a director in a construction company, hopes his book will raise awareness around the taboo subject of infertility and will encourage males to open up about their journeys.

“All I want is for someone to pick up my book and let me know that it has changed their mindset. I refer to the book as an arm around the shoulder, if it can give people that feeling then I have succeeded in my quest.”

From lifestyle choices to medical interventions, ‘My Boys Can’t Swim’ offers practical guidance on how to navigate the hurdles and enhance fertility in a male-centric context. The book can be bought here.

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Pudsey: Stop order issued over unauthorised tree felling

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April 24, 2024

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wood nook — Wood nook. Photo: Simon Seary

By John Baron

The unauthorised felling of trees in a small woodland near the Owlcotes Centre in Pudsey has been stopped.

Local residents had spoken out against the recent felling of trees at Wood Nook, which runs next to the footpath linking ASDA and New Pudsey Station at Dawsons Corner.

The site is allocated for housing through the council’s planning blueprint, the Site Allocations Plan, and no trees on the site were subject to a Tree Protection Order (TPO), and the site is not a designated Conservation Area.

A Leeds City Council spokesperson confirmed: “The privately owned site at Wood Nook has been unused for some years.

“Removal of the trees is not a breach of planning regulations; however the Forestry Commission issued a ‘stop notice’ because no felling licence had been applied for.

“Council officers have visited the site regularly since being alerted on 11 April of the removal of trees and an emergency TPO is now in place. This can be issued promptly to the landowner and affected neighbours, preventing further losses and allowing a period for objections or appeal before the order is made permanent or lifted.

“The council and landowner are liaising on the matter and all clearance work has ceased. To date there has been no approach to planning services about possible development. Any future proposals will be considered carefully to ensure the scheme is appropriate to the site and takes into account any TPOs and the condition of the site prior to the tree felling.”

Local residents had been concerned over the impact on nesting birds and nearby residents in Stanningley had contacted local councillors. Two years ago local resident Steve Cave started a petition to have Tree Protection Orders put in place. The petition had 246 signatures.

Councillor Dawn Seary (Cons, Pudsey) said: “It was disheartening to see the destruction of the Wood Nook site last week, near to the train Station. Despite the swift action taken by Leeds City Council officers after I raised it with them, the pace of destruction has left the site in an awful state.

“I am informed that the Council has now implemented Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) and any potential development should commit to replacing any lost trees at a ratio of 3:1, the trees removed will be noted as part of a biodiversity assessment. However, it’s important to acknowledge that the felling and destruction occurred without proper permission.

“I will work with the council to ensure those responsible will be held accountable for their actions. The impact on local wildlife, is concerning.

“As this site was sadly added to the Site Allocation Plan, prior to me becoming a Councillor, development here is inevitable. However, I will be scrutinising any forthcoming planning applications on this site and will ensure the actions this week will not be ignored.”

Councillor Peter Carlill (Lab, Farsley & Calverley) said: “After being informed of the horrendous amount of tree felling on this site, I contacted appropriate departments at the council on 11th April.

“The first advice I received included a note that disturbing wild birds would be an offence, I also contacted the Wildlife Crime Team at West Yorkshire Police the following day.

“The Forestry Commission were therefore notified as widespread tree removal would normally need a licence from them. They served a Stop Notice to prevent any further works for an investigation to take place.

“A Tree Officer from the council also attended the site and due to the value of the trees there was significant enough concern to progress an Emergency Area Tree Preservation Order to protect the remainder of the site.

“Recent reports of burning on the site appear to be from another unauthorised group separate to the contractor, who accessed the site to fly tip or burn waste – there should be legal action taken by the landowner to stop this.

“I have had confirmation that if a planning application comes forward in the near future, the planning department will seek to base this on the state of the site before tree felling was started (based on aerial imagery and past photography) – to make sure that they have a responsibility to mitigate for what has been lost.

“I was also notified that a petition asking for a tree preservation order for the site was created in 2022, and that this was sent through to the council along with a request for a tree preservation order at that time. The most important thing so far has been ensuring the works were halted, however I will now look into why this original request had not been actioned, which may have halted these works sooner.”

Cllr Carlill added that investigations by the police and Forestry Commission into possible offences will continue, and prosecution can follow if these are founded.

Councillor Andrew Carter (Cons, Calverley & Farsley) said Wood Nook, adjacent to Dawson’s Corner, is a historic area of Stanningley. He added: “No planning application has been submitted so no-one was aware of what was going on until the tree felling commenced.

“I believe the council have been slow to act to stop this work. I notified the appropriate departments of the council as soon as I was informed that felling had begun.

“Regrettably, it is largely too late now. If the council cannot take appropriate action to save significant areas of woodland, then all their talk about protecting the environment is nothing more than virtue signalling.”

Community focus: Music From the Attic hit the right notes to support members

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April 24, 2024

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Music From The Attic at Kirkstall Abbey.

By John Baron

A West Leeds music club is bringing people of all ages and backgrounds together to play music.

Music From The Attic has been meeting weekly in Kirkstall since it was formed eight years ago and the mantra of one of its leaders, Nick Davis, is a simple one: ‘music is therapy’.

“Any age or ability can come along, we help each other out,” Nick said. “One of the best things about the group is the effect it has on people from all walks of life.

“We’ve helped people to get over bereavement, divorce, unemployment and addiction. We’ve helped people gain more confidence and also in so many other ways.”

He said Music from the Attic members play at open mic nights, and some even write their own songs.

“People come and go,” added Nick. “We have a regular attendance of between 20 to 25 people and over the years we must have had more than 50 people come through the ranks. New members are always welcome!”

Music From The Attic have released their own song – ‘See What I Can See’.

Got an un-played instrument in your house? Come dust it off and play with Music From The Attic at Kirkstall Educational Cricket Club, on Queenswood Drive, Mondays from 7-9pm. Check out Music From The Attic on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or e-mail nickdavis1@hotmail.com for more information.

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Concert aims to raise vital funds to support Kirkstall Festival

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April 24, 2024

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Kirkstall Festival will be holding a special concert to raise much-needed funds to help secure the future of the popular annual event.

Two covers bands – Weetwood Mac & Gary Stewart’s Graceland – have both agreed to play a fundraising event in Kirkstall Abbey the night before the main festival on Friday, 12 July. This will be the first time the two bands have appeared on the same bill, ahead of their hugely anticipated gig at York Barbican on 21 December 2024.

Attendees will be able to hear some of the greatest hits from two of the most successful albums in musical history – Rumours and Graceland – together with other tracks from two of the most successful recording artists the world has ever seen.

The Kirkstall Festival has now been a mainstay in the Leeds social calendar since 1981, attracting up to 25,000 people of all ages each year to the picturesque grounds of the 12th century Kirkstall Abbey.

The 45th annual Kirkstall Festival will take place on Saturday, 13 July 2024. The event is a full un-ticketed event which usually attracts around 25,000 people.

One of the organisers, Nick Davis, told WLD the festival is organised by unpaid volunteers and is the largest such event in Leeds.

He said costs for insurance, marquees, generators, tables, chairs, communications, artists, toilets, toilet rolls, bin bags, skips and signs are going up every year. In 2000 the Festival cost £6,000 to stage, but with additional health and safety costs, more events, additional paperwork, licenses, permits, the cost has grown over the years to around £33,000.

“We receive around £8,000 in grants, sponsorship, and donations (although these are proving harder to come by),” Mr Davis added. “The rest has to be raised on the day. We hope people will support the festival and help secure our financial future.”

The festival is organised by unpaid volunteers – the largest such event in Leeds – and all proceeds will go to support the Festival.

Tickets, priced £20, are available, along with Butler’s and Kirkstall Forge VIP tickets at £45. A bar and food will be available. Tickets can be booked here.

Volunteer at KirkFest

Are you looking to volunteer at Kirkstall Festival this year? Organisers are having a social meet-up to bring everyone together at the Kirkstall Bridge Inn at 7pm on Sunday, 28 April. All welcome.

Get a fitness boost at ‘Swim, Bike, Run’ event at Bramley Baths

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April 24, 2024

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Ever fancied giving triathlon a go but don’t know where to start? Bramley Baths has got you covered.

Not only do the community led Baths host their very own tri club, they are currently running a ‘Swim, Bike, Run’ event every month.

These events are a way to experience all three disciplines of triathlon, in a fun inclusive environment. There are suggested distances that can be changed as appropriate to meet everyone’s needs, and all completed indoors.

The next event is Saturday, 4 May, starting around 4pm and is now available to book here. For more information, e-mail jennie@bramleybaths.com.

Friends prepare to light up Stanningley Park this autumn

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April 24, 2024

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armley-lantern-parade-2 — Similar lantern parades were held in Armley and Bramley earlier this year.

By community reporter

The Friends of Stanningley Park are hoping to bring the community together at an inaugural lantern parade this November.

Volunteers have teamed up with Spacehive and Leeds City Council, who have pledged to provide 80% of the funding to make the project a reality, however, they need to raise the remaining funds needed via crowdfunding and the support of local businesses.

Lantern-making workshops will be organised during the October half-term holidays where not for profit organisation Creative Communities Leeds CIC will help everyone make willow lanterns. The sessions will be completely free and will open to everyone in our community, of all ages.

A spokesperson said: “The vision is to create an inclusive and interactive event where people can use their imagination, spark their creativity, discover ways to use sustainable and recycled materials as well as socialise and engage with the wider community. People of all ages are encouraged to participate in the parade by using their own lanterns or even torches, mobiles, flags etc.”

The parade will wind around Stanningley Park to finish at the park’s bowling club for refreshments and music.

Donations to support free lantern-making workshops can be made here.

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Bramley Baths partnership 1 — www.bramleybaths.co.uk

Pudsey Parish Church launches £150,000 clock appeal

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April 24, 2024

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By community reporter

It’s been a few years since the landmark clock at Pudsey Parish Church last told the time.

The clock stopped when the mechanism developed a fault, and then the church was forced to take one of the clock faces down due to concerns about the safety of the masonry supporting it.

The church has now launched a public appeal to raise money to fix these problems and bring the clock back into service.

Chris Dunford-Kelk, the acting chair of the church’s Parochial Council, said: “We often hear people saying what a shame it is that the clock doesn’t work any more.

“Unfortunately, it will take a lot of work to make the tower safe, put the clock face back up and then get the clock working again. This will cost around £150,000.

“The church clock is a Pudsey landmark and the only public clock in the town, so we hope that the people of Pudsey will help us raise the money to get it repaired. £150,000 is a lot of money, but it could easily be raised if every person in Pudsey contributed just £5 each.”

Pudsey Parish Church was opened in 1824, so this year marks its Bicentenary.

The church is organising a number of events across the year to celebrate, and the temporarily removed clock face will provide people with a unique opportunity.

Mr Dunford-Kelk added: “The church’s actual 200th birthday is on August 30 and we’ll be opening the church up and giving people the chance to see things they wouldn’t normally be able to do, including the chance to see the clock face up close and have a selfie taken next to it. We’ve got lots of details of our bicentenary celebration weekend that we can’t wait to share with everyone.”

You can donate to the church’s clock appeal online here, contact the church on 0113 257 7843 or e-mail office@pudseyparish.org.uk.

The next Bicentenary event at the church, this Friday evening, is a concert from popular local funk band The Boogiemen.

Tickets are only £5 and can be bought here. Other upcoming bicentenary events include a variety of concerts, a peal of the church’s bells, a talk from Leeds Rhinos legend Jamie Jones-Buchanan and a Christmas Carol service with a very special guest.

The church hosted one of its popular family fun days over Easter and will have similar events through the year. A list of currently scheduled events can be found here.

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Wortley: New play area ‘on track’ to open

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April 23, 2024

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Work on a new playground at Western Flatts Park in Wortley is making good progress, campaigners have said.

Western Flatts Cliff Park has been waiting a long time for new and improved playground facilities and it looks like the end is now in sight with the playpark due to be completed within the next month.

The Friends of Western Flatts Cliff Park group provided an update on Facebook: “There’s been good progress from the team over the past month, with foundations and metal framework going in for the new tyre swing and zip line, installation of one of our two new carousels, pathway curb stones for all new paths and the new toddler area gates added.

“Landscaping work has also started to remove a lot of the excess soil, although progress on this to date has been hampered due to the wet weather.

“Our understanding from LCC is that the build is still on track for completion by 20 May. Should this change, we’ll be sure to let you know, but if all goes to plan – we’re now less than a month away!”

The next few weeks should see all final build work complete ready for public opening. This includes:

Tarmac paths
Adding the rubber play surface to each equipment area
Adding fences around the toddler area
Installing the remaining play equipment
Installing the picnic table, benches, signage and bin
Adding the painted games to the toddler area
Landscaping and clean-up
Site sign-off and security fences coming down

The work has been funded through Section 106 money secured from the developers on new houses built on the former Wortley High School site.

As reported by WLD, a petition was signed by over 1,000 people back in 2021. Further campaigning from the Friends of Western Flatts Cliff Park group was followed by a public consultation asking the local community to choose between two sites at the top and bottom of the park.

The results came in and 564 people chose location two at the top of the park, while 303 chose location one at the bottom of the park.

Get involved with the Friends

The Friends of Western Flatts Cliff Park are holding their AGM at the Hanover Arms on Thursday 25 April, 7pm. All welcome to attend.

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Wortley: Contested off licence application to be decided by committee

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April 23, 2024

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An application to sell alcohol off premises in Wortley will be decided by councillors next week.

Loghman Ahmadi has applied for an off licence to sell alcohol daily between 7am and 11pm at a convenience store off the Five Lane Ends roundabout. The premises was recently an ice cream parlour.

There have been 21 objections to an application by local residents, as well as Farnley & Wortley councillor Adrian McCluskey. Concerns include an already high number of shops selling alcohol in the area, its proximity to nearby Five Lanes Primary School and the impact on an already busy roundabout.

But West Yorkshire Police have expressed no objection to the proposals as the applicant has agreed to a number of licensing conditions, including running and maintaining a CCTV system, maintaining staff training records which would be open to inspection and carrying out regular checks outside the premises after dark to deter any loitering groups.

The licensing committee will meet on Tuesday, 30 April in Leeds Civic Hall at 10am to decide the application. The full agenda and council documents can be read in full here.

Bramley: Police increasingly concerned for missing Donna Walsh: UPDATED

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April 23, 2024

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UPDATE, Monday 29 April: Donna Walsh from Bramley, who was previously the subject of a missing person appeal, has been found safe and well. Police have thanks everyone shared appeals and helped with enquiries to locate her.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Police are renewing their appeal to trace missing person Donna Walsh from Bramley.

She was last seen on Monday, 15 April and police are increasingly concerned for her welfare.

Donna, 43, is 5ft 3ins tall, slim build and was last seen wearing a red coat with a fur hood, dark trousers, light-coloured trainers and a light-coloured beanie hat.

Officers are making extensive enquiries to locate her.

Anyone who has any information as to her whereabouts is urged to contact the police via 101, or using the LiveChat facility on the website quoting log number 1889 of 18 April.

Armley Park appeal as girl seriously injured in e-scooter collision

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April 22, 2024

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Police in Armley are appealing for information following a collision involving an e-scooter which left a four-year-old girl with serious injuries.

The collision happened in Armley Park at 4.25pm yesterday (21 April). The e-scooter and its rider left the park and went onto Stanningley Road.

Anyone with information about the incident or who may have witnessed it, or who may have video footage of it, is asked to contact West Yorkshire Police by calling 101 or go online quoting reference 13240213100. Alternatively, call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.