Voters in Farnley & Wortley Ward will go to the polls on Thursday May 2, 2024 for the Leeds City Council elections. One councillor will be elected.
Voters are reminded that photo ID is needed to vote at polling stations. More details here.
Your West Leeds Dispatch has attempted to contact candidates asking them for a statement of up to 300 words and a head and shoulders photograph to help you decide who to vote for. Here are their responses…
Andrews, Peter: Liberal Democrats
2 Whingate Avenue, Armley, Leeds LS12 3RE.
Blackburn, David: Green Party
9 Cobden Grive, Farnley, Leeds LS12 5PA.
David Blackburn, Green Party. Photo: David Spereall
I am David Blackburn and have lived in the Farnley and Wortley area for the past 41 years and been the local councillor in this area for the past 26 years.
I am currently Green Group Leader on the Council and Deputy Chair of the Outer West Community Committee. I have represented the council on many bodies, both at local and national level one of which I have been English Chair for many years and was up until recently Chair of the UK & Ireland Steering Group, serving a term of 4 years.
Locally, while over the last 12 to 14 months I have been suffering with problems with my knee, for most of the time I have been very active in the community and as I now recover from my operation it is my intention to return to my more active self. In saying that I have in the last 12 months continued to do most surgeries, attended the meetings I must attend and carried on doing the casework. But I look forward to once again pounding the streets.
My priorities continue to be the people of Farnley & Wortley and looking after its local environment.
While local government funding may be poor, those resources need to be spent well and fairly and not wasted on self-indulgent projects.
The problem is that this is often not the case, where basic services such as parks and street cleaning are cut to the bone. Where front line staff who do the jobs, we as residents require are reduced and any suggestion that we reduce councillors’ allowances or special responsibility allowances are greeted with derision by our opponents. Well, we as Greens every year propose this reallocation of resources and also refuse to take the full amount of our allowances.
George, Daisy: Conservative Party
Address in Leeds.
Haigh, Kate: Labour and Co-operative Party
Address in Leeds.
Kate Haigh.
I am standing as a Labour and Cooperative candidate in Farnley and Wortley and hoping to complete the Labour team with Councillors Mark Sewards and Adrian McCluskey. Since they have been elected they have secured investment in all our parks including the new playground at Western Flatts Cliff Park. They have tackled parking issues, anti-social behaviour and fly tipping and I hope to be able to join them in their work.
I moved to Leeds after a career in IT for the Ministry of Defence where I was an active Trade Unionist and then 14 years as a Labour councillor. I can bring this experience to support residents in Farnley and Wortley and make sure that this community gets the support it deserves.
If elected I will work in the council to protect children and families from the cost-of-living crisis. I am proud to support a party that pays the real living wage. We will replace the police officers lost to Tory cuts.
I will back CCTV at The Playground, I support community use of the TV Harrison Ground and I will support the community groups and sports clubs who do such great work in Farnley and Wortley. I am keen to ensure that our young people get the opportunities they need to succeed, that we improve our green spaces and clear up our streets.
I have already spoken to many residents and been able to help out with issues and if elected I will continue to knock on doors and also to hold regular in person surgeries and be responsive to emails. Please support me in completing the Labour Team on 2 May.
Voters in Bramley & Stanningley Ward will go to the polls on Thursday May 2, 2024 for the Leeds City Council elections. One councillor will be elected.
Voters are reminded that photo ID is needed to vote at polling stations. More details here.
Your West Leeds Dispatch has attempted to contact candidates asking them for a statement of up to 300 words and a head and shoulders photograph to help you decide who to vote for. Here are their responses…
Bee, Elizabeth: Liberal Democrats
72 Waterloo Lane, Bramley LS13 2JF.
Elizabeth Bee, Liberal Democrats.
The disastrous state we are in locally and nationally corresponds directly to the decline in support for Liberalism over recent years.
As a country, just as with the local community, we have been governed by Labour and Conservative politicians who have been dominated by slogans and short-term expedients.
What we need is an understanding of what matters to you and me to live with security, with education, health and employment.
With Covid and lockdown Liberal values came to the fore: solidarity between individuals; the value of the community to support those struggling; the importance of the public service to maintain basic health and care; and internationalism to realise that we had to learn from the experience of other countries. Sadly as Covid has receded, so too have these values.
We need to bring them back – and that is what I am standing for as Liberal Democrat candidate again and as a resident of Bramley for over forty years.
Local democracy has been destroyed by central government cuts over the past fourteen years. Years ago Leeds City Council ran gas, electricity, water, transport, all schools, all colleges, some higher education, some social security and St James’s Hospital.
Bit by bit all these services have been taken away and the council today cannot even choose how much it raises locally or how to spend what it is allowed to raise.
Democracy means local democracy and I am determined to return local services to local councils. Only then can we solve the many problems that we see here every day. How ridiculous, for instance, with an issue as local as potholes that we have to rely on the central government allocating cash to Leeds.
A Liberal Democrat vote is to put human values before economics and the obsession with national control.
Cook, Adam: Conservative Party
Address in Leeds.
Adam Cook
My name is Adam Cook, I live locally in Bramley & Stanningley and the opportunity to stand for Leeds council in my home ward is a great honour.
In this election, we need to have a good councillor who will deal with our local issues and on this, the current incumbent Labour councillor has failed. We have seen rising crime across our ward and city, potholes not filled in, cuts to vital services due to financial mismanagement and higher council tax. Despite attempts to blame national Government, it’s clear the current administration need to shoulder responsibility too.
I am the father of a young family, and I’m passionate about our local area. I’ve seen, and know many of you have too, the increase in anti-social behaviour. This must be a priority for your local councillor and, when elected, it will be one of my driving aims to make sure our streets are safe.
Leeds needs more homes, and when elected I will push for more affordable homes, built responsibly and with sustainability at heart. We need to make sure these homes are safe to access and live in, unlike the Airedale Mills development which remains a danger to any future residents.
After speaking with many residents, I know your desire to have a truly local councillor, someone in your corner to improve our local area. As your councillor I will be a year-round presence, making improvements, holding regular surgeries, and dealing with your issues.
This election is not about Westminster, this election is about having your bins emptied, making sure potholes are filled and keeping us safe in our own community.
I will be the councillor who will make this my priority and driving principle if you elected me as your local councillor.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have; adam.candidate@outlook.com.
On Thursday 2 May, please use your vote for our community and a hard-working individual. Vote Adam Cook.
Rae, Adele: Labour Party
Address in Leeds.
Adele Rae
My name’s Adele and I’m delighted to be standing as your Labour candidate for Bramley & Stanningley. I’ve lived locally for over 30 years and I’m a founding member and CEO of Kirkstall Valley Development Trust. In this role, I’ve helped build an organisation which changes lives, from running food banks to leading play schemes for children.
I’ve got a strong track record as a community champion, but now I want to go further and serve our community as your Councillor.
My pledges to you are:
Community groups, sport clubs and events bring so much to the fabric of life and produce benefits to health and well-being. Using my experience, I will support groups to secure the funding they need.
The four parks in Bramley, Stanningley and Rodley are so important for mental health and wellbeing so I will ensure the parks and ‘Friends of’ groups receive the investment and support they need.
I will hold regular surgeries, be a proactive and accessible councillor and support you with your issues.
Anti-social behaviour and shoplifting make residents’ lives miserable. I will campaign for the resources needed to make a safer future for everyone.
Everyone deserves a safe and decent home. I will support those who are in need of affordable housing and where those homes are not of a decent standard.
Your Labour team, has already secured so much for our area. From fighting to bring Bramley Baths into community ownership, saving Bramley Library and supporting Bramley War Memorial.
14 years of Conservative austerity and Cost of Living Crisis has caused real hardship across our communities. We all deserve better! Together with Councillors Kevin Ritchie, Tom Hinchcliffe and our MP Rachel Reeves, we will be a strong, local Labour team, always putting you first and serving your interests. I hope you will put your trust in me and vote for me.
Riley, Richard: Social Democratic Party
Address in Leeds.
Whittaker, Keith: Green Party
6 Lilac Grove, Victoria Park Avenue, Leeds LS5 3AG.
Keith Whittaker
I live off Victoria Park Avenue in a cooperative housing development. I currently work in the care sector with vulnerable adults, though I previously spend much of my working life in engineering.
If elected I would do my best to represent you in the council:
I would aim to make myself accessible by holding regular surgeries
As a regular cyclist and occasional car driver I have noticed an increase in the number of potholes that are are hazardous to all road users and I would pressure the council to prioritise fixing them.
Small businesses are part of the community and as a Green Party councillor I would support independent local business wherever possible.
Anti-social behaviour is an issue and some of these incidents could be avoided with more Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).
Availability and quality of housing is an issue I feel strongly about and would seek to get involved in.
On a wider scale, I believe that tackling climate change, natural environment destruction and social justice issues need urgent action to avoid all our futures, particularly those of our younger people and future generations being put in grave danger. Achieving greater social justice is key to achieving a sustainable future and addressing these issues together can significantly improve lives.
I was part the initiative to persuade Leeds City Council to declare a climate emergency and would work to ensure that they take this seriously. However, I recognize that currently local councils have limited resources and powers to address local needs and so need to be target resources effectively. I was actively involved in setting up of Our Future Leeds and Kirkstall Valley Farm.
I believe that I can help make a difference. A vote for me is a vote for a greener, cleaner and safer Bramley and Stanningley.
West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin unveiled the heritage boards in Pudsey. Photo:George Dyker.
By Damon Sugden
New heritage boards highlighting the history of Pudsey’s old railway have been unveiled at a special ceremony.
Organised by volunteers from the Greenside Greenway group, the first is located at the start of the railway bridge on Carlisle Road (overlooking the Greenside tunnel) and the second is located at Crimbles on Lowtown (the site of the former Lowtown Station).
The two information boards recreate the link along the railway line between the former Pudsey Greenside and Lowtown Stations and show maps, a history of Pudsey’s railway in Pudsey and pictures of the old stations.
Victims of the Beeching cuts of the 1960s, Pudsey’s redundant branch line now forms a green corridor through the town. Currently used as a footpath, the Greenside Greenway group is working to re-establish the old railway line as a modern multi-use path and cycle route.
The unveiling was performed by West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin (Lab), a champion of low energy travel. Councillor Trish Smith (Cons, Pudsey), who supported the boards, was also in attendance.
The heritage boards in Pudsey. Photo:George Dyker.
By providing the information panels, the group is ensuring that the important reasons for the railway’s building and use are remembered, and the benefits of having a mass transit system at the heart of the town are understood.
Chairman Andrew Jarosz said: “What a lovely sentiment – we’ve finally got interested in our heritage. We are stood on a magnificent Victorian bridge, we’ve got the cutting behind us and stopped the flytippers for the moment.
“We’ve got an exciting plan to make the whole old track a purpose-built greenway for cyclists, walkers, to welcome the West Yorkshire Mayor to officiate on unveiling these information boards, and also local Councillor Trish Smith who helped in pushing our plans through the Leeds City Council Outer West Community Fund, who have ultimately paid for these.”
Lee Carter and Gary Lemal, from Greenside Greenway, said: “We are looking for tens of thousands to complete the three feasibility phases so that we can progress the route to planning and building.”
Memories: Ralph Middlebrook. Photo: Damon Sugden
Well-known Pudsey resident Ralph Middlebrook contributed his memories of what was known as “the Pudsey loop”. He said: “64 years ago I started work as a booking clerk at Pudsey Greenside railway station which was a hive of activity especially dealing with the delivery of coal and commuter travel.
“The station was well kept under the station master, including Hannah Wood, who lived at Turkey Hill and was designated as a porter/signal woman. When goods trains arrived Hannah would open the signal box to enable the train to reverse into the vast goods yard and the contents be unloaded.
“I also remember well two trips to London by Pudsey Greenside School. Not bad: a through train from Greenside to Kings Cross!
“Until 1878 the line terminated at Greenside and I had the first ticket number 0001 issue from Pudsey Lowtown to Greenside along with notices of closure which I have donated to the Civic Society for safe keeping.”
In 1878 the tunnel was created and the line was extended to Bradford via Laisterdyke.
Mr Middlebrook added: “The really good news as a cricket fan was that the soil excavated from the tunnel was utilised to create the cricket ground from Tofts Road towards Chapeltown as a new home for the famous Pudsey St Lawrence CC who previously played in and around a ground near Pudsey Park. I congratulate all concerned in erecting this information board, well played.”
The Greenside Greenway group welcomes new members and can be contacted via their Facebook group or by e-mail greensidegreenway@gmail.com.
West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said: “I’ve seen the Spen Valley Greenway and what that can look like with art, music, family cycling, and such a feeling for a community. So I am delighted that you’ve achieved this today.
“Every day you’re all volunteering and giving back to your community, so it’s great to be here. Active travel is very much part of our transport plan.”
Tracy Brabin with Ralph Middlebrook. Photo: George Daker
Cllr Trish Smith added: “This an absolutely fantastic community group, doing great things for all of us so we have better access to cycling and walking. These boards are a small start of a very big project, so well done everyone.”
The Greenside Greenway committee would like to thank the following people:
Lee Carter for the layout and putting in over 100 hours of voluntary time to get everything together, and approved by the committee. Lee has specially designed the boards to be easier to read for anyone with dyslexia or similar conditions.
Pudsey and District Civic Society for sourcing and supplying both the historical information and photographs.
Christine Jopling for the illustrated artwork, and Leeds Signs for the finished installations.
Tracy Brabin, West Yorkshire Mayor, and Pudsey Ward Councillor Trish Smith for their support. The Outer West Community Committee is made up of nine councillors from Calverley & Farsley, Farnley & Wortley and Pudsey wards.
Candidates and chair Pete Zanzottera ahead of the hustings. Photo: John Baron
By John Baron
The future of Armley Town Street, transport, housing and other local issues were debated at a lively Armley ward hustings event.
The hustings, put together by volunteers, saw four of the six parties standing for election as a councillor at the upcoming 2 May local elections in attendance at Denison Hall, along with around 50 Armley residents.
Armley resident Pete Zanzottera chaired the hustings, and in attendance were Labour Party candidate Richard Banks, Green Party candidate Lou Cunningham and Dan Walker for the Liberal Democrats. Sean McDonald stood in for the Yorkshire Party’s Armley candidate Rachel Martins, who was unable to attend.
Candidates faced questions about what community groups they’re involved in, before resident Shazad Mahmood asked about the future of retail in Armley Town Street area and historic plans for a new supermarket at Carr Crofts.
Labour’s Richard Banks said plans for a supermarket at Carr Crofts were withdrawn a number of years ago. “We need to do something about Armley Town Street and improve it considerably,” he added.
Yorkshire Party’s Sean McDonald called for ‘a lot of regeneration and investment’ and more consultation over plans to regenerate the area. Liberal Democrat Dan Walker backed calls for investment and Green Party’s Lou Cunningham said there needed to be better communication between private landlords, shop owners and shoppers about what kind of shops were needed on Town Street.
She said she was working with Armley Action Team to run events like a spring market and events in the new pocket park and was keen to see some empty shops used for creative pop up events and activities.
Venue: Denison Hall, on Armley Town Street. Photo: Mat Dale
Local resident Michaela asked about the saturation of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) in Armley.
Cunningham (Green) spoked about the need for more family housing in Armley and said she would support local residents to object to planning applications for new HMOs. She said it was important to ensure standards of council properties were high. Walker (Lib Dem) said HMOs caused problems with neighbours and ‘take away’ sense of community due to the transient nature of occupants.
McDonald (Yorkshire) spoke generally about the chronic shortage of housing while Banks championed Labour’s selective licensing scheme for landlords which could be rolled out in Armley – he also said there was a need for more council housing, praising the number built in Leeds despite a lack of finding from central government. Some residents expressed concerns over landlords passing the licensing costs onto cash-strapped tenants.
A question from a 12-year-old Dixons Unity Academy student touched on drug use, harassment and anti-social behaviour.
McDonald (Yorkshire) accused police of ‘taking their eye off the ball’ and made a call for more ‘bobbies on the beat’, which needed to be addressed at Mayoral level, and called for more preventative educational programmes surrounding drugs. He said police resources were mismanaged. Walker (Lib Dem) said the issue ‘came down to resources’ and would lobby to increase the police budget.
Cunningham (Green) is a drug and alcohol nurse and said part of the answer was to engage more people in treatment. She encouraged more people to report anti-social behaviour and crime and hailed the importance of the local police officers. Banks (Lab) accused the Tories of making cuts to 21,000 police officer jobs: “That is why we have no bobbies on the beat.” He hailed Labour Mayor Tracy Brabin’s efforts to boost numbers, which he says have resulted in 900 more police in West Yorkshire.
On transport, all candidates spoke about the need for more buses and better public transport. All supported bus re-regulation.
McDonald (Yorkshire) called for an extended travel pass across Yorkshire, incorporating bus and rail. Banks (Lab) criticised the Tories’ deregulation of buses back in 1986 and heralded plans for a mass transit system between Leeds and Bradford which he claimed could cut through Armley along Armley Road and Stanningley Road. He said plans to improve traffic and pedestrian realm on Town Street would go to consultation in June and said it was important businesses and shoppers should have their say.
Cunningham (Green) called for ‘common sense’ solutions and said major highways plans needed to have more people around the table to ensure ‘joined up thinking’ over different modes of transport. She cited the length of time the number 16 bus can take to travel along half a mile of Town Street as an issue and said improvements to encourage walking and cycling the currently ‘dangerous’ two miles into the city centre needed to be considered. She said traders’ and shoppers’ voices ‘should be at the forefront’ of any scheme for Town Street. Walker (Lib Dem) also backed calls for a mass transit system.
Candidates also faced questions about the need for a low traffic neighbourhood in the Victoria Parks but no-one seemed to know exactly what was happening with the scheme, and there were also questions about improvements to housing stock.
Warwick Bettney from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Conservative Adam Westwood could not attend the hustings.
A full video of the proceedings will be circulated in due course by organisers and published by WLD.
WLD will be publishing candidate profiles of Armley ward’s candidates this week ahead of the 2 May election.
A batch of community reporters graduated at our course in Armley. Photo: John Baron
By John Baron
If you’d like to get more involved in what’s going on locally, our free West Leeds Dispatch community reporters’ beginners’ training course is right up your street.
The friendly and informal course runs over four sessions and offers a friendly and fun introduction to writing articles, taking photos, interviewing and writing headlines – as well as offering wider help and guidance on everything you need to know to be a community reporter. We can even help with spelling and grammar!
Our free course is aimed at beginners interested in telling the story of their community and runs over four, two-hour sessions. There will be refreshments, cake and biscuits – and it looks great on your CV as you will learn transferable skills you can take into employment or studying. We hope you’ll go on to contribute many articles for us.
WLD editor John Baron in our community newsroom in Bramley. Photo: Sara Thornhurst
They’re run by West Leeds Dispatch editor John Baron, a journalist with 30 years’ experience who has worked for a variety of local newspapers as well as The Guardian.
At the end of it, you’ll become part of the Dispatch family of community reporters and earn a community correspondents’ ‘press card’, as well as gain increased skills and confidence.
Our latest course starts from Thursday,May 9 for four sessions finishing on Thursday 30 May. Sessions run at our community newsroom at Bramley Lawn Social Centre, Rossefield Lawn, off Rossefield Approach, Bramley Leeds LS13 3TG from 7pm-9pm andfree tickets can be booked here.
Venue: Bramley Lawn. Photo: John Baron/westleedsdispatch.com
If you have any questions, e-mail John on news@westleedsdispatch.com.
A Grade II Listed former Kirkstall Road pub which has suffered from floods, fire and vandalism could soon have new owners.
The Rising Sun, which closed as a pub in 2009, is on the market for £400,000 through business property specialists Fox Lloyd Jones – and the website now lists the property as ‘under offer’.
As reported by WLD, council planners approved plans in February 2023 to change the upper floors of The Rising Sun to six apartments and altering the ground floor pub area into a coffee bar and lounge – five years after the proposals were first submitted. Planning permission also includes space for 25 cars.
The property listing on Fox Lloyd Jones says the building has potential to be used for alternative uses including, and not limited to, dentist, clinic/beauty, a creative workshop, nursery, restaurant or office accommodation.
It adds: “The building is understood to have been constructed in 1895 as a Joshua Tetley Heritage Inn and is of solid red-brick construction with a pitched slate roof and includes a single-storey extension to the rear with a flat felt roof.
“The building is entirely self-contained with excellent visibility onto Kirkstall Road and has most recently been occupied as a second-hand furniture shop.”
The Rising Sun pub in Kirkstall Road. Photo: Google maps/Google Street View
Building’s history
A Joshua Tetley Heritage Inn built at the turn of the 19th century, The Rising Sun was once a busy pub at the heart of the local community. The Grade II Listed landmark pub closed in 2009.
The Rising Sun was severely damaged by fire in 2013, has suffered from vandalism and drug use and its downstairs was left under several feet of water when the River Aire flooded on Boxing Day 2015.
The pub, which dates back to 1895, reopened as a second-hand furniture shop in 2011.
Plans to de-list the late Victorian pub’s historic internal features and transform the building into six flatswere refused by Leeds City Council planners in 2017. Planners said at the timethe proposals to remove internal fittings would cause ‘substantial harm to the special character and significance of the listed interiors’.
There have been a variety of plans to resurrect the Grade II Listed building over the years, including one – refused by the council in 2017 – to de-list its interior and turn it into apartments.
Health teams are raising awareness of the symptoms of tuberculosis in parts of the city most at risk from the disease.
A six-month project was launched in Armley to help people get treatment for TB after an increase in cases in the community.
The city’s annual Health Protection Board Report said the team worked with white British men over 40 who had a history of substance misuse and homelessness.
Funding was secured for a community development worker based at healthcare provider Touchstone as part of the project.
The report said: “Armley had been identified due to local data indicating a rise in TB cases in the area.
“The worker developed partnerships between clinical and community projects, groups and organisations who are in direct contact with these men.”
Symptoms of TB include a persistent cough lasting more than three weeks which brings up bloody phlegm.
Other warning signs include weight loss, night sweats, a high temperature, fatigue, loss of appetite and swellings in the neck.
The infection is usually spread through the air by coughing and sneezing. Most cases are curable with a six-month course of antibiotics.
The report said a TB clinic was re-established at Leeds Student Medical Practice as part of work to tackle the disease.
The UK has one of the highest incidence rates among western European countries for TB, which is preventable but disproportionately affects vulnerable populations.
The report said: “Certain groups, such as migrants, ethnic minority groups, and those with social risk factors such as homelessness or a history of imprisonment are more affected.”
The report said recent data showed the overall TB incidence rate for Leeds was stable.
But further awareness-raising work is planned in parts of the city including Armley and Harehills, where communities are known to be at the highest risk.
The report said: “There is likely to be an increased demand for the acute and community TB services due to higher levels of migration in the coming years, particularly from countries with high TB incidence.”
Ukrainian families with children aged under five were being invited to TB screening, the report added.
The annual report will be presented to Leeds City Council’s executive board on Wednesday (April 17).
Are you looking to volunteer at Kirkstall Festival this year? Organisers are having a meet-up to bring everyone together.
The festival this year will be held on 13 July 2024 in the grounds of historic Kirkstall Abbey – but the event runs on the goodwill of people willing to help on the day.
Kirkstall Festival is run by volunteers.
A festival spokesperson said: “From our volunteers who have been with us for many many years, to our new volunteers: come meet the rest of the friendly bunch!”
Some of the festival’s volunteer committee board will be in attendance. The meeting will be at the Kirkstall Bridge Inn at 7pm on Sunday, 28 April.
Missing Owen Sharp, who is believed to be the victim of a stabbing in Leeds city centre, has been found and taken for medical treatment, police have confirmed.
Mr Sharp, aged 32, from Middleton, was seen with what appeared to be serious injuries after an altercation in St Paul’s Street in the early hours of Tuesday, April 9.
Police were treating Mr Sharp, who has ties to Armley and had been seen in Burley and Farnley in the past week, as a missing person since the incident.
A police spokesperson today said: “Owen Sharp, who was previously the subject of an appeal, has been found and has been taken for medical treatment.
“Officers would like to thank all those who provided information which assisted in the search for Owen.”
A project which aims to significantly improve the personal safety of women and girls in LS12 will be officially launched in Armley this week.
SHESafe is made up of a team of volunteers who are coordinating a series of initiatives aimed at raising awareness of issues and support services alongside learning practical self-defence skills.
The initiative was born following a free self-defence class where members of SHEnanigans – a women only/anyone who identifies as a woman fun and friendship activity – were asked if they felt safe and the unanimous response was no.
Coupled with the fact that Armley has the second-highest domestic abuse incident rate across Leeds, and in February 2024 there were 182 violent crimes across the community, the partnership team had a choice to make – do something or do nothing. They chose to do something and created the unique SHE Safe campaign.
SHEnanigans and the SHE Safe project are free to join for any woman or person identifying as female who lives or works in the LS12 area. SHEnanigans has a current membership of over 760 women and the group is non-political, non-religious and works on a ‘pay as you feel’ basis.
SHE Safe will be launched at 7pm on Thursday, 18 April 2024 at Interplay Theatre, Armley Ridge Road, LS12 3LE.
The launch evening will begin with a short introduction from partners of the SHE Safe project, followed by a demonstration of the Leeds wide ‘Walk Safe’ fab and free phone app that enhances personal safety. There will be free self-defence lessons led by Suffia, a qualified and experienced karate teacher who will be demonstrating simple yet effective moves that can protect attendees should they ever find themselves in a threatening position.
Lizzie, one of the organisers said: “Armley is a great place to live but, like anywhere, we have issues which we can choose to ignore or choose to change. Through SHE Safe, we’re committed to the latter so that women and girls in our community feel safer and stronger.
“The launch night is the start of a year-long programme to embed initiatives that protect our female residents. The hope is that we can demonstrate that this initiative works so that other areas across Leeds replicate what we’re doing and personal safety doesn’t ever become a tragic afterthought.”
Sara, from Women Friendly Leeds, said: “This collective, proactive and positive approach to women and girl’s safety has been inspiring. A partnership between like-minded women who genuinely care about protecting others from harm has the potential to become a tangible lifeline for so many.”
SHE Safe is run by SHEnanigans in partnership with the police, Safer Stronger Communities Team, Armley Action Team, Interplay Theatre, New Wortley Community Centre, Women Friendly Leeds and Goshukan Karate Academy West Yorkshire. The SHE Safe project is a one-year initiative made possible by funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Police are continuing to appeal for information to help trace a man who is believed to have been injured in a stabbing in Leeds city centre last week.
Owen Sharp, aged 32, from Middleton, is currently being treated as a missing person following information that he was the man seen with what appeared to be serious injuries after an altercation in St Paul’s Street in the early hours of Tuesday, April 9.
Officers remain concerned for his welfare due to the level of his injuries not yet being established and are continuing to carry out extensive enquiries to locate him.
He has been seen on CCTV since the incident – at the Co-op store, in Burley, on April 11 and in Butt Lane, Farnley, on April 12.
Owen Sharp in Butt Lane, Farnley, on April 12Owen Sharp at the Co-op in Burley on April 11
Detective Inspector John Graham, of Leeds District CID, said: “Although Owen might seem okay on the CCTV, we still need to find him and confirm that he is safe and well or if he needs medical attention.
“We would like to hear from anyone who has seen him or has any information that could assist in tracing him, and we continue to appeal directly to Owen to get in touch.”
He is described as being 5ft 5ins tall, with a slim face, brown hair and a stubble beard. He was seen on CCTV wearing an orange padded coat, grey trousers and white trainers. He has links to Armley and Hyde Park.
Three men have been arrested in connection with incident and have been bailed pending further enquiries.
Anyone with any information that could assist in locating Owen is asked to contact Leeds District CID via 101 quoting log 108 of April 9 or reference 13240195980 or online.
John Battle cutting the ribbon on an exhibition which chronicles Bramley Baths' past. Photo: Simon Cullingworth
More than 100 children from ages four to fourteen made a splash in the second annual John Battle Gala at Bramley Baths.
The gala was a fun and inclusive event where the participants demonstrated their swimming skills to their proud parents and carers. The gala is named after Sir John Battle, former MP for Leeds West, who retired as the leader of the community led organisation in 2021 and played an important role in the campaign to save Bramley Baths from closure in 2013.
Jennie Willets, a duty manager at Bramley Baths, said: “The second John Battle Gala was a fantastic success, filled with energy and high spirits, with an underlining message of inclusivity.
“The gala is testament to the high quality of swimming lessons that are delivered day in, day out by our fantastic team, particularly our swim teachers. As we approach our 120-year anniversary, the event celebrated not only our swim school participants and dedicated team, but also the power of community and what is possible.”
Also present at the gala was Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves who welcomed the participants at the registration and later handed out prizes.
Ms Reeves said: “It was fantastic to see so many children taking part in the gala. I congratulate the participants on their hard work and the staff for making the gala possible.”
