Copyright Betty Longbottom and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence. http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/597918
By Adele Rae
A well attended meeting of the Friends of Stanningley Park took place at St John’s Methodist Church.
Cllr Kevin Ritchie updated the group that a bid to the government’s levelling up fund, to update both Stanningley Park and Bramley Fall Park had been unsuccessful last year, however, Leeds City Council will continue to pursue capital grant funding to make further improvements.
It is hoped that by forming the Friends of Stanningley Park, additional external grant funding could be awarded, allowing for further community led improvements to be made.
The group discussed potential future groups and events, including a Lantern Parade, Park Run, a Measured Mile Adopting a Flower Bed, a Community Orchard and other Well-Being groups.
A representative from Stanningley Park Bowling Club, who has been working closely with FoSP announced that the club house will be reopening on 1 April with an Open Day. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Music from ‘The Bandstanders’ will be performed and refreshments will be available.
The date of the next meeting is yet to be decided but will be advertised on their Facebook pageFriends of Stanningley Park and on posters around the park. New members will be warmly welcomed.
The meeting was chaired by Cllr Kevin Ritchie, Cllr Tom Hinchcliffe was also present.
WLD reported las week on the council’s Inner West Community Committee approving a £36,000 grant towards a revamp of the run-down multi-use games area (MUGA) in Stanningley Park.
Kirkstall Valley Development Trust is very excited to be working with Forest School Leaders from our community to bring affordable forest school sessions to Kirkstall Valley Farm.
They are all very busy developing the space and gathering resources ready to start very soon. They will be working with LittleTrees Forest School who will offer pre-school sessions on a Monday morning and Leodis Forest School will be running some school and holiday sessions for primary school aged pupils.
There will be a taster day on the 4 April for seven-to-11-year-olds and plan to have the other sessions running after the Easter holidays. It is an exciting new partnership, and we are all passionate about bringing this opportunity to the children of Kirkstall.
Kirkstall Valley Farm has already gained a great reputation in the area for our pre-school farm sessions and school holiday playschemes. It already had classes from all the local primary schools visiting last summer and they hope to build on this further this year with even more children being able to enjoy this amazing natural outdoor environment on our doorstep.
Home Education Group sessions are also ready to start up again and will now run every other week in term time. Kirkstall Valley Explorer Tots will be back down on the farm on Tuesdays too!
All the details will be available soon on the KVDT booking site at www.bookwhen.com/kvdt or for more information, email kirsty.ward@kvdt.org.uk. If you would be interested in volunteering with any of our children and family events, please get in touch.
Volunteers are looking forward to welcoming you back to the farm!
The former Theaker Lane clinic site in Armley. Photo: Google
By Jean Hollings
I’ve lived in Armley 30 years plus and never felt the urge to go to a local forum meeting. I felt that I wouldn’t be listened to or people don’t really care about the area. So when a plea went out to report on a meeting I should have attended at some point over the years but have not, I thought ‘go on then’.
Arriving early at Armley hub there were a handful of people in the open plan upstairs foyer.
My initial thought was ‘have I got the right night?’ By 6.55pm the seats were occupied and the room was quietly buzzing.
Cllr Jim McKenna (Lab, Armley) opened the meeting and welcomed us all and acknowledged that they were new faces in the audience (oh, good – I wasn’t the only one then!)
The police were the first to present their statistics of crime including arson, burglary, theft, robbery, shop lifting plus theft of cars and motor vehicles, They discussed how many suspects they had identified for each crime.
Questions from the floor regarding e-scooters and Gotts Park Golf Club. After discussion it was agreed that an invitation to the Mayors office to invite the deputy Lord Mayor Alison Lowe who sits on the Police committee would be sent. Cllr Lowe would have the opportunity to discuss what can be done and how the Police and their community neighbourhood teams could be supported.
The Police did reiterate to report every crime to help identify hotspots and where services could be targetted.
A housing update followed. The local manager stated that in Armley they had 2,500 council properties. He discussed the delay of the heat pump source system at Burnsall Grange which has bee delayed to 2025/26 due to financial and budget constraints.
Anti-social behaviour teams have currently 18 active cases and any concerns should be reported to the housing office.
They are several rough sleepers in the area where the team are working with other agencies to support people as required.
The council are doing walkabouts in the area to identify issues and members of the audience were invited to join them if they would like to by booking at the local housing office.
It was discussed that the annual tenancy contact post covid reviews now in year 2 are 65% ahead of schedule where 1000 have been visited. With a 6.5 day turn around they have 32 properties ready to view.
The housing now have a local poertal where tenant can access their rent payments and report any issues. Their next system update wil include if the tenant will not be available for a planned repair. Apparently there is a Youtube video on their portal.
Questions from the audience included rough sleepers in the high rise flats and parking around Town Street, Theaker Lane and the flats.
Armley Town Street is in need of investment. Photo: Google
The highways department were the next to step up and present. Their team are currently engaging with local stakeholders to identify how to make the Armley Town Street area better – looking at businesses, people and buses.
They are currently unable to progress with their proposals to improve Town Street’s road layout due to the forthcoming May local elections. Comment on an improvement scheme for Armley Town Street will be available at their future open consultation meeting and also online.
A lively debate followed, which included reflections on Morley High Street changes.
A planning update regarding the former Theaker Lane clinic was the next agenda item.
Plans for 18 apartments with six parking spaces have been submitted. The town centre location has a presumption that the tenant will use public transport or to access the city centre. Buyers will be aware of the concerns of parking overspill and the traffic reinforcement orders in the local area. The council are keen to make use of the site as its been closed for over 20 years.
The former medical centre on Theaker Lane. Photo: Chaotic Footsteps
Also discussed was the former public house – The Royal. There are plans for two retail units on street level and an eight-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) on the first and second floors. These are being looked at due to current regulations they will be deemed insufficient. It was mentioned about the highway restrictions and conservation orders in the area.
Questions from the audience included the former Upstairs Downstairs site and the former Brooks laundry site.
The chair of the Armley Commons Right Trust introduced himself plus other trustees and stated there is an open meeting next Thursday, 7pm at Interplay on Armley Ridge Road.
An audience member encouraged people present to spread the word about potential changes to Armley Town Street.
The meeting closed following a ‘thank you’ to Cllr McKenna for his support during his long term of being a ward councillor, which ends in May He stated that he will keep in touch and be at future meetings.
The next meeting will be in about six weeks – watch this space for details. The chair of the meeting was not identified due to the local elections.
Yes, I did learn things about local organisations that I wasn’t aware of and their input to day to day activities and lives of Armley people. Yes, I was surprised that people were genuinely passionate about Armley. Yes, I would encourage people to go to these meetings to learn more and be involved in future decisions. I didn’t feel that I was forced to join in but was happy to listen to views.
Delving into the history of an area you were brought up in can cause you to experience a whirlwind of emotions – from sentimentality to a sense of loss and happiness.
This project is a testament to the deep connection we all have to are home towns and how the streets we all once roamed hold special places in our hearts. Through juxtaposed images viewers are transported though time, showing the deep history of a street that is often over looked and forgotten.
The project centres on ‘Town Street’ found in the inner-city suburb of Armley, a place that I close to my heart.
It aims to explore the collective memories shared by myself and the community.
By highlighting the unique journey of the street using archived images it showcases the evolution of a street, that over the years has faced numerous challenges but still preserves the same values and community spirit.
Do you know someone who is very lonely at the moment? Are you – or someone you know – struggling with their mental health?
Leeds residents are invited to join the Equality Hub For Older People event, which welcomes older people living in and around Leeds to come and speak to people who have the power to enact change. The theme for this Hub is the ‘Wellbeing.’
The special event is being held at OPAL 55 Bedford Drive, Leeds LS16 6DJ on Thursday, 28 March 2024, 11am-1pm.
Leeds Older People’s Forum is a registered charity that exists to promote the wellbeing of older people in the city of Leeds. We’re a network of third sector organisations working to ensure older people have the opportunities, freedom and support to live the life they want. Since 1994, we’ve been working with and for older people to make Leeds the best city to grow old in. Our member organisations work closely with older people across a diverse range of areas, including health, social care, housing, transport, and leisure.
One of our aims at Leeds Older People’s Forum is to promote older people’s wellbeing in a way shaped directly by their voices.
Part of the way we do that is by hosting the Equality Hub For Older People to hear directly from those living in Leeds about their experiences and issues. Our next session is focused on ‘Health and Wellbeing’, which includes topics such as mental health, physical fitness, and healthcare services around the city.
We hope that you will join us in engaging in a discussion about what can be done to improve older people’s health and wellbeing in Leeds.
Co-op Academy Priesthorpe, in Pudsey, has received a ‘good’ Ofsted rating with ‘outstanding’ features during their recent inspection.
The secondary school received outstanding in ‘personal development’ and good in the other four categories: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision.
Its last report in 2020 said the school ‘required improvement’. It’s the first ‘good’ rating for the school since 2012 – before it became part of the Co-op Academies Trust in 2017.
The report commends the school for its ‘wide and ambitious’ curriculum and ‘inclusive community’, saying staff are proud to be part of the ‘Priesthorpe family’. Pupils are seen to develop strong bonds of friendship within small coaching groups where current affairs are discussed: “These groups also help to foster the strong relationships between pupils and staff that inspectors saw throughout the inspection.”
Ofsted reported: “A particular strength of the school is the personal development offer. There are a huge range of clubs, trips and activities for pupils. These range from small clubs such as ‘computer coding’ to entry into national competitions and opportunities to experience high quality art installations. Leaders’ work to ensure that all pupils can take advantage of this contributes strongly to the sense of community and cohesion.”
The report acknowledges the way that staff identify pupils who need extra support: “Staff have a strong understanding of pupils’ needs. For example, in lessons, teachers use the information they receive about disadvantaged pupils to organise their classrooms, adapt activities and ensure that all pupils are involved in lessons.”
Ofsted praised the way leaders know exactly what to do to continue with strong attendance. It emphasised the ‘striking example’ of pupil mentors where they “mentor their peers to encourage them to come to school. This helps pupils to develop their leadership skills and adds to the sense of a supportive environment.”
Joint Principals at Co-op Academy Priesthorpe, Martin Blacoe and Louise Pratt, said: “We are absolutely delighted that the inspection team recognised the work that goes on everyday to make sure we have an inclusive community where every student can thrive. Our achievements are based on a team effort, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank our students, staff, parents, governors, and wider community for their continued support, which makes a real difference”.
The report also highlights areas where improvement is needed. “A small number of pupils do not demonstrate the thirst for knowledge that leaders expect in lessons. This means that some pupils are not able to take full advantage of the curriculum offer. Leaders should continue to develop strategies and actions to build high levels of motivation and engagement from all pupils.”
CEO of Co-op Academies Trust, Dr Chris Tomlinson, added: “We’re delighted to receive this rating from Ofsted, acknowledging the huge steps that leaders and staff have taken to create a fantastic inclusive learning community for all students at Priesthorpe.
“Pupils feel valued and supported, and ultimately, Ofsted have seen the way that nurturing the pupil/staff relationships has helped students to become ‘highly motivated’. Congratulations to the senior leadership team, the pupils, family and staff – a richly deserved rating.”
A Farnley resident paid a waste collector found on Facebook £150 to remove waste from their property. The waste was later found dumped illegally.
A new scheme has been launched to help Leeds residents dodge rogue traders dumping their waste illegally and landing them with hefty fines.
The new scheme comes after a Farnley resident ended up being fined after paying a waste collector found on Facebook £150 to remove waste from their property.
When the Serious Environmental Crime Team found the waste dumped illegally, the resident couldn’t provide details of who had removed the waste and hadn’t checked if they held a licence.
Hit with a £200 fine which they failed to pay, they were prosecuted and had to pay over £1,000 including costs and victim surcharges.
The council has announced the Leeds Accredited Waste Carrier Scheme (LAWCS), to help Leeds residents find someone local, legal and responsible to take away their waste away.
More than half of those offering the service could be operating illegally according to a study by Material Focus, dumping waste in country roads, back alleys and car parks around the city creating an eyesore as well as attracting rats and antisocial behaviour.
Choosing a non-licensed waste carrier could also lead to a hefty fine for those hiring an illegal firm, as everyone has a duty of care to dispose of their waste responsibly. In the last 12 months, 12 people in Leeds were prosecuted for not choosing a licensed carrier.
The council also crushed 10 vans used for fly tipping in the last 12 months.
With the new LAWCS, residents can easily find a list of accredited waste carriers, where the council has undertaken additional background checks and vetting, including intelligence shared from the police and other local authorities before the waste carrier is given the ‘accredited’ status.
Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said: “We’re thrilled to be launching this new scheme to support everyone in Leeds to easily find a trustworthy and legal business to remove their waste and not fall foul of the law.
“I’m proud of the work we’re doing to combat fly tipping in Leeds, showing a zero-tolerance approach to all environmental crime.
“With the LAWCS, we hope to shrink the marketplace for illegal waste carriers that contribute to fly tipping and make it easy for people to fulfil the duty of care to dispose of their waste correctly.
“Please think twice about just hiring anyone from social media to take away your home or garden waste. If you see a local business offering services, check to see if they’ve got the accredited waste carrier logo and check their details at www.leedsdirectory.org/lawcs.
“If you’re a responsible waste carrier, we’d be glad to have you join this free scheme that puts your checked and vetted business in-contact with local customers.”
Motorists are being urged tp plan ahead for three night-time road closures on the Armley Gyratory southbound A643.
Following the replacement of Gelderd Road footbridge in January, Leeds City Council will carry out final works during the Easter school holidays and require safe access to the site.
A key goal of the Armley Gyratory scheme is to provide improvements for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as enhancing accessibility, and replacing the existing footbridges over Gelderd Road and Spence Lane.
The new Gelderd Road footbridge, along with Spence Lane footbridge, include accessible ramps to better meet the needs of non-motorised users and people with disabilities. All the new upgraded footbridges are designed to ensure they will need less maintenance work and inspection, over future decades.
The council says these works are planned and co-ordinated across the city and especially with National Highways works on the M621 scheme.
Diversions
To complete the Gelderd Road bridge work, motorists are advised there will be a two-night closure from 8pm to 5.30am on Tuesday 2 and Wednesday 3 April, along with a further night closure on Wednesday 10 April.
With the Armley Gyratory approach to A58 Wellington Road southeast exit closed and Ingram Distributer A643 south bound will be closed, re-opening again outside of these hours.
The diversion in place is 5.5 miles long.
Further details about the works and any future partial weekend closures are on the project website.
For the Armley Gyratory footway for people walking or wheeling, there will be a diversion in place until the summer 2024, while works take place on constructing the new bridges.
Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for sustainable development and infrastructure, said: “Please plan ahead after the Easter weekend on the nights of the 2, 3 and 10 April and follow the short road diversions in place. We thank everyone for their ongoing patience while we continue to work hard to minimise disruption and thank those who have already changed the way they travel into and around the city centre.
“These bridges work represent transformative changes to the overhead footways for people walking and wheeling – making it easier to get across the gyratory, either going or away from the city centre. The works are also a bridge engineering challenge, as well as programme challenge to carry out, with the least disruption as possible. I look forward to seeing these new footway structures built and open in the summer.”
The current phase two Armley structure programme:
Spence Bridge (2a) Summer 2024 bridge construction completion.
Gelderd Bridge (2a) Spring 2024 bridge construction completion.
Wellington Road Bridge (2b) summer 2024 removal of existing bridge and construction over autumn/winter 2024/25 (pending final design/approvals).
A Pudsey-based academy trust is set to welcome a sixth school under its umbrella as it expands across the city.
The Owlcotes Multi-Academy Trust is based at Pudsey Primrose Hill Primary School and is set to welcome Spring Bank Primary School in Headingley into its group.
According to a council report released this week, the proposed conversion date from a council-run school to academy is 1 May 2024.
Schools already part of the Owlcotes Multi-Academy Trust include:
Armley's former Wilko store, off Stanningley Road. Photo: Google
By John Baron
Council planners have given the green light to transform the former Wilko’s store in Armley into Home Bargains.
A planning application was submitted to Leeds City Council last month by Home Bargains owners TJ Morris for a new shop frontage and shutters at the former Wilko’s store which closed last September at Centre West Retail Park.
The plans include a new shop front with shutters, goods entrance and fire escape doors, repair and paint existing cladding, car park resurfacing and associated work.
In a letter accompanying the application, developers say they will ‘reuse and refurbish’ existing floorspace at the store and add: “The Wilko store which had previously occupied the unit has now closed and this application will allow a new, well-established retailer to occupy the unit which will revitalise the town centre of Armley.
“The proposed works will allow the building to be refurbished to a high standard to allow Home Bargains to expand their existing representation in Leeds.”
Planning permission was granted today by council planners.
No date for opening the new Home Bargains store has yet been given. The company already has stores in Kirkstall and Stanningley.
Plans for a specialist care home for adults have been submitted near The Travellers’ Rest pub in Armley.
Concert Healthcare Property Holdings Limited want to build a new care home of 13 bedrooms and two apartments for adults with a range of disabilities. Proposals include the demolition of the house at 61 Hill Top Road.
The applicants say the proposals will make efficient use of an underutilised, vacant brownfield site which is in a sustainable location and will also provide high-quality purpose-built care development which will cater for the unique needs of adult residents with a range of disabilities.
Access would be via Hill Top Road. The vacant parcel of land was occupied by a small engineering works until late 2013.
Upgrades to mobile networks in Pudsey could cause interference to TV received through an aerial such as Freeview, BT, TalkTalk and YouView, a national organisation has warned.
Improvements are currently being implemented in Pudsey, and symptoms could include intermittent sound, blocky images (pixelation) or loss of TV signal.
For residents who are affected by the upgrades, free support is available from Restore TV. Restore TV is an independent programme created by Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited (DMSL), an organisation owned by the UK’s four mobile network operators: EE, Virgin Media O2, Three and Vodafone.
Restore TV’s role is to ensure people can continue to enjoy free to view TV if mobile service upgrades cause TV interference. Restore TV reports to the Coexistence Technical Working Group, chaired by Ofcom, which monitors and advises on the programme to ensure free to view TV viewers’ interest are properly served.
The programme offers additional support for people who are 75 years of age or older, are registered blind or partially sighted or receive any of the following benefits: personal independence payments (PIPs); attendance allowance; constant attendance allowance or War Pensioner’s Mobility Support.
Ben Roome, CEO of Restore TV, said: “We know just how important TV is to inform, entertain and provide welcome company. Restore TV exists to ensure we all can continue to access free to view TV as mobile services are improved across the country.
“If you see new TV interference, we’re on hand to help you resolve the issue. We can send a Restore TV filter, free of charge, for you to fit between your aerial lead and TV or set-top box to remove mobile signals and allow you to watch free to view TV as normal. Full instructions are included, and we can provide further advice online and by phone if needed.
“In most instances, fitting the filter will resolve any issues, but if this isn’t the case, we may also be able to arrange a follow-up visit from a Restore TV engineer at no cost, depending on eligibility.”
Cable and satellite TV, such as Sky or Virgin, are not affected. However, viewers with these services, who also watch free to view TV through an aerial, can receive a free Restore TV filter.
Any viewers who experience new interference to free to view TV should contact Restore TV on:
· 0808 13 13 800 (free from landlines and mobiles)
