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“If I can do it, anyone can!” Women and girls gain confidence in boxing ring

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Women's boxing in Armley. Photo: James Bovington

By James Bovington

Professional boxer Josh Wisher’s The Ministry of Boxing has increased opportunities for people to ‘feel better and get fit’ through the sport.

And West Leeds women and girls are being encouraged to try out the Saturday morning ladies-only session at The Ministry in Moorfield Road, Armley, with Josh also expanding the boxing on offer to two local schools.

“We rejigged our sessions in January,” explained Josh. “And there are two open boxing sessions for anyone aged ten and over on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6pm, but we’ve one session at 11am on Saturday mornings reserved for ladies, young and older, and we’re inviting more to attend with the aim of eventually creating a second session.”

Josh is passionate about the benefits the sport can bring.

“Female boxing as a sport is making progress,” added Josh. “It’s drawing bigger crowds and establishing itself in the same way as ladies’ football. 

“One young lady from our gym is now competing as a fully-fledged amateur boxer, but the Saturday session is designed more to develop fitness, confidence, and resilience through basic boxing training.”

WLD spoke to three attendees aged between 35 and 45. 

“I’ve been attending for six months,” said Margaret. “And I love the friendly atmosphere. Someone recommended the sessions to help cope with anxiety. They’ve really helped. It’s a cliché but if I can do it anyone can.”  

These sentiments are echoed by mother-of-three Paulette, who praised “the positive welcoming atmosphere at The Ministry with friendly, encouraging coaches who nevertheless have high expectations. 

“Attending classes since autumn 2022 when The Ministry opened has massively improved my willingness to get out and socialise.”

Primary school teacher Lucy added: “I commend Josh and Phil for their motivatational teaching ability as attendees are always being challenged with constantly changing content making the hour fly by.  The sessions are particularly appropriate for women facing the perimenopause and have improved my stamina, fitness and toning as I’m running much longer distances. 

“I always come away with a clearer head with stress and tension relieved. I’d encourage everyone to give it a go.”

Josh is encouraging more women to take part in the sessions.

He said: “Come along and meet Margaret, Paulette, Lucy and the ten or so others who attend regularly. We guarantee you won’t be disappointed. It’s excellent value for money and we look forward to getting that second session going for a healthier West Leeds.”

Meanwhile Josh is also running extracurricular boxing clubs in two local schools, Dixon’s Unity Academy and Wisher’s own former school, Green Hill Primary. 

The regular 3.45pm Thursday slot at Armley Leisure Centre is aimed at young people in school years 6 through 11 and is completely free to attendees. 

“Students have warmed to Josh so readily,” said Dixon’s Academy teacher Matthew Worrall. “He’s managed to push them physically, while making them feel comfortable at the same time. 

“Students rush to his sessions at the end of the day, and all involved seem more relaxed and confident in themselves. He’s proving to be a real asset to our school community.”

Sessions at The Ministry of Boxing are £6 for those 18 and over, £5 for under 18s.  For further information contact Josh on 07717 202784 or his dad Phil on 07917 715016.  The Ministry of Boxing is based at Electron House, Moorfield Road, Armley LS12 3RN.

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Stone sculpture approved at historic Calverley Old Hall

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calverley old hall
Boost: Historic Calverley Old Hall.

By John Baron

‘Positive’ plans for a new stone sculpture in the grounds of historic Calverley Old Hall have been given the green light by Leeds council planners.

The Hall, on Woodhall Road, dates back to the 12th century. It has been everything from a grand manor house for the Calverley family, complete with its own chapel, to a farm and cottages before falling into disrepair, with thieves helping themselves to stone, and landing on English Heritage’s At Risk register.

A successful Landmark Trust bid to the National Lottery secured £1.6million in 2022 to transform the entire building into a space for up to ten people to stay. In addition the funding provided for a community room to be made available to groups in the village.

A fresh planning application from the Landmark Trust was submitted just before Christmas for a stone sculpture in the grounds of the Grade One Listed building.

The application says the shape of the sculpture tapers slightly towards the top, with a rougher edge at the apex to allow water run-off and to avoid it appearing too formal in nature. The stone will have two sides which are carved in a manner which is inspired by the painted chamber, and two sides which are more natural stone faces, with minimal carvings on these two sides. 

Approving the application, a council planning officer’s report said the new sculpture “is expected to be a positive addition to the grounds”.

A design statement submitted to Leeds council with the application stated: “The piece is crafted from Hillhouse Edge sandstone sourced from a local quarry in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire.

“It is a reflection of the sandstone used for the building. It will be hand carved using traditional methods by a professional stonework artist, and has been designed using ideas and designs from a series of community workshops, where participants were asked to reflect on how they felt Calverley Old Hall could be best represented. 

“There are therefore references to the found archaeological objects in the building, the painted chamber, the restoration project and public engagement workshops which have been held on site, traditional craft skills used in the process and the history of the Hall itself.”

The plans and council report can be viewed in full here.

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Armley community group’s Lottery funding success

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Celebration: Armley Action Team.

By Lou Cunningham

Armley Action Team has been awarded £170,000 from the National Lottery’s Community Fund in recognition of the group’s contribution and work within the local area.

The funding will help to secure staff over a three-year period to support the development of the organisation and volunteer initiatives.

The mission statement of Armley Action Team (AAT) is that it exists to help Armley ‘thrive, not just survive’.

The group has been responsible for re-energising the annual Armley Festival, and being involved in partnership work to make the Town Street area a better place for everyone through street markets, ‘in bloom’, litter picks and the street ambassadors programme.

AAT recently held an event for volunteers and partners and partners to celebrate the first birthday of the opening of Bundles, a re-use preloved items shop for 0-18’s and Yum, the Community Pantry and Fridge.

Chair of Armley Action Team, Louise Megson said: “My fellow board members and I are absolutely delighted to be awarded the National Lottery funding. We are determined to continue the positive work that we have started over the past few years and the funding will allow us to develop ideas and be able to reach more people. We would also like to thank the community for supporting us.”

  • If anyone would like further information on getting involved or volunteering with any aspects of Armley Action Team, e-mail armleyactionteam@gmail.com.

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Farsley Celtic skipper looks ahead to Rushall Olympic tie

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Chris Atkinson celebrates his goal. Photo: John McEvoy

Skipper Chris Atkinson is looking forward to The Celts entertaining Rushall Olympic at The Citadel tomorrow (Tuesday) – but has warned it won’t be an easy game.

The Celts go into the game in 13th place, after a dramatic late win against Blyth Spartans last Tuesday and another clean sheet in a 0-0 draw at King’s Lynn. Visitors Rushall sank into the bottom four, following a 4-0 reverse at Peterborough Sports.

“It’s been a very positive week for us,” Chris said. “I thought against Blyth overall it was a good performance.

“We thought it was going to be a 0-0 draw, then Lewis Turner came up with a stoppage-time winner. It was really pleasing for Lewis. He’s had a difficult season with his ankle injury, he’s worked really hard off the pitch to get back as soon as he can for us and since he’s come back I think he’s been outstanding in every game.”

Chris said 0-0 in West Norfolk was ‘another good point’ and a fair result against the full-time outfit.

Looking ahead to the Rushall game, he added: “It will be another tough one as Rushall are another team fighting for the lives. We just need to focus on ourselves and keep the performance levels high.

“We are coming off the back of a very strong week with positive results. We will be looking to continue the good form!”

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West Leeds planning applications: 26 February 2024

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Each week we publish a list of the latest planning applications related to the six council wards in West Leeds.

The following new applications were published on the Leeds City Council website in the past seven days:

Armley Ward

Bramley & Stanningley Ward

  • None submitted.

Calverley & Farsley Ward

  • Tree works, 10 Town Gate, Calverley, Pudsey LS28 5NF.

Farnley & Wortley Ward

Kirkstall Ward

Pudsey Ward

Decided applications

Here are the planning applications decided by Leeds City Council this week:

Armley Ward

Bramley & Stanningley Ward

Calverley & Farsley Ward

Farnley & Wortley Ward

Kirkstall Ward

  • None decided.

Pudsey Ward

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Katherine Ryan to headline first Kirkstall Abbey Comedy Festival 2024

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Katherine Ryan is headlining at Kirkstall Abbey Comedy Festival.

Comedienne Katherine Ryan will headline the Kirkstall Abbey Comedy Festival, which will take place within the grounds of the iconic landmark on Sunday, 28 July.

The first large-scale, open-air comedy festival to happen in Leeds, The Kirkstall Abbey Comedy Festival is a 4,500 capacity event bringing an array of the county’s very best and brightest comics to a truly unique Yorkshire venue. 

Kirkstall Abbey Comedy Festival is running a special postcode pre-sale event in order to allow local residents to secure their spot at the festival before tickets go on general sale 48 hours later. LS4, LS5, LS13 & LS18 postcodes have exclusive 48-hour access to priority tickets available from today. To purchase pre-sale tickets, enter your postcode prefix (eg LS13).

The Kirkstall Abbey Comedy Festival boasts a line up including award-winning Canadian comedian and presenter Katherine Ryan (8 Out of 10 Cats, Taskmaster, Live at the Apollo) and surrealist stand up Ross Noble (Have I Got News For You, BBC Radio 4’s Just A Minute).

Joining them are the likes of the hilarious Yorkshire comic Maisie Adam (Have I Got News For You, Would I Lie To You?, QI), US comedian Reginald D. Hunter (Never Mind The Buzzcocks, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Have I Got News For You), spooky live sensation Clinton Baptiste, writer and comedian Mike Wozniak (Taskmaster, Man Down, Tim Key’s Late-Night Poetry Programme) and the self-deprecating, Eton-educated stand up Ivo Graham (Live at the Apollo, QI, Mock The Week, Have I Got News For You). Completing the line-up are comedy rising star Stephen Bailey (Unbreakable, House of Games) and the cult-stand up hero turned viral-sensation Jeff Innocent.

The Kirkstall Abbey Comedy Festival is the result of a new collaboration between Futuresound and Leeds Comedy Festival, the city’s biggest comedy promoter. Futuresound are the team behind events including Live At Leeds, Slam Dunk Festival and Ed Sheeran’s performances at Roundhay Park as well as kicking off a forthcoming summer series of concerts with special performances from Embrace and Madness, also to be held within the walls of Kirkstall Abbey.

General admission and Premium Seated tickets available – which include priority access and access to ‘Bobs Monkhouse’, a premium hangout area in the Abbey’s cloister,

The festival will be for ages 14+ and the gates will open at 2.30pm on the day.

Andy Smith, Director – Futuresound Group, said: “We’re so excited to be working with House of Fun and Leeds Comedy Festival to bring this amazing bill to the iconic Kirkstall Abbey.

“We are always looking for ways to bring new and exciting events to Leeds so when the possibility of collaborating with the city’s most respected comedy promoters came up we jumped at the chance. With some of the biggest names in comedy on-board this is shaping up to be a brilliant day with some household names, exciting new voices and lots more to close out our weekend at the Abbey.”

Tickets go on general sale from 28 February here.

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New walking and cycling improvements from Kirkstall Road to Leeds city centre unveiled

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GATEWAY: Cllr Helen Hayden, Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin and Burley resident Rory Osbourne.

The latest scheme in a £7.2 million package of walking and cycling improvements across Leeds city centre has opened.

The new cycle track from Kirkstall Road to Wellington Street boosts access for people travelling by bike from west Leeds into the city centre.

The Western Gateway scheme connects with existing cycling routes on the A65, Wellington Street, City Square and beyond and plugs a missing link in the city’s growing network of protected cycle routes separate from busy roads and pedestrian walkways.

Rory Osborne, from Burley, commutes into the city centre by bike along the new section of cycle track.

He said: “This new section of route has made a massive difference to my journey.

“There’s lots of traffic and fast-moving vehicles along that stretch. I feel so much more comfortable when I’m segregated from it all and I can just cruise along the cycle lane with confidence.

“Leeds is starting to become an example of what a cycling city can look like and that’s very exciting.”

Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s Executive Member for sustainable development and infrastructure, said: “I am pleased to see the progress on connecting cycling infrastructure around the city centre.

“It is important that people feel safe when making trips by bike to and from the city, and, by laying the foundations for safer journeys, more people will be able to try cycling as an alternative for getting around.”

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “A reliable and inclusive transport network, which prioritises cycling, walking and public transport, is key to our plans for a stronger and better-connected region. This investment is just one of the ways we’re working together to make West Yorkshire an even better place to live and work.”

The improvements are part of a wider programme adding 2.71km of two-way cycle track, wider pavements and new safer crossings for people walking and cycling. This includes the newly completed Crown Point Bridge Gateway and improvements around Sovereign Street. The schemes are being delivered through the Combined Authority’s Transforming Cities Fund programme, which aims to make it easier to walk, cycle and use public transport.

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Council services face axe, as tax and rents rise amid funding crisis

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WLD cutswatch

By Don Mort

Council services face millions of pounds in budget cuts after spending plans were agreed for the coming financial year.

Job losses, building closures and new parking charges will go ahead as cash-strapped Leeds City Council seeks to balance its books.

Council tax will rise by 4.98 per cent and rents by 7.7 per cent after the budget for 2024/25 was debated at a full council meeting.

The council needs to make £63.9m in savings by March 2025 in order to balance its budget and avoid issuing a section 114 notice, effectively declaring bankruptcy.

And further cuts are expected in future years as the council faces further budget gaps of £64.6m in 2025/26 and £47.1m in 2026/27.

Council bosses have warned that the authority cannot continue to provide all its current services following cuts in central government funding.

Council leader James Lewis said: “Today this administration is putting forward a balanced budget, which is a remarkable achievement given the national financial crisis facing local government.

“The huge scale of the problem is well known. There is no magic wand, instead it will be a long road to improve things.”

Conservative group leader Alan Lamb criticised budget decisions by the council, including spending on the 2023 official year of culture.

He said: “He portrays us as the victims of circumstances while never taking responsibility for the poor decisions he and the administration have taken. They promised to unleash culture. Instead they unleashed an enormous bill and a package of cuts to services and the introduction of fees and charges for things people have never had to pay for before. It doesn’t have to be this way.”

Liberal Democrat group leader Stewart Golton told the meeting: “Right now, thanks to decisions that this administration has made or has planned, the people that I represent feel like the receivers have been sent into our community, and we’re rapidly being liquidated.”

Parking charges will be introduced at beauty spots including Otley Chevin and Golden Acre Park under the budget plans. 

The parking charge plans faced public opposition when surveys were carried out. Coun Barry Anderson, Conservative member for Adel and Wharefedale, said: “Eighty per cent of people said no. But this council said, ‘Yes, we know better than the public out there’.”

Pudsey Civic Hall. Photo: Ivor Hughes

Pudsey Civic Hall faces closure to save cash, despite making a modest financial surplus and being used by thousands of people a year. A final decision on the future of the Civic won’t be confirmed until March.

Coun Andrew Carter, Conservative member for Calverley and Farsley, said: “It is a success story, not a facility that’s due for closure.”

Councillors debated 63 amendments from opposition parties which would have cancelled parts of the savings programme. All the amendments were voted down.

Deputy council leader Debra Coupar said: “What I’ve heard today from the opposition is just short term solutions to 14 years of austerity. We have to take tough decisions to balance the budget.”

The council has already reduced staffing by more than 2,500 full time posts since 2010, with a further 750 expected to go.

Activities to support older people in Bramley

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By Win Roddy

From April, Bramley Elderly Action (BEA) starts to celebrate its 30th year of supporting local older people. Since opening in 1994 in an office in St Peter’s Church, operated by just one single co-ordinator, there is no doubt BEA has grown considerably.  

Currently covering Bramley, Swinnow and parts of Stanningley, its 120 volunteers offer a wide range of services, events and activities to 1,090 members.

Manager Claire Lovatt says BEAs main purpose is to reach and support as many local people as possible, aged 60 onwards, with a view to reducing loneliness, offering friendship, advice and information.

“Put simply we want to help local older people to be happier,” Claire said. 

In addition to its befriending scheme, volunteers help to run the many social events including both independent and supported trips (sometimes combined), movies with supper, trips to pantomimes, garden centres, markets and farms – even trips to football matches!

Activities are mainly held in either Bramley Lawn or Bramley Community Centre. Tuesday Swim and Shape Shifter (Ukulele) sessions take place in Bramley Baths. Other activities include drop-in and cosy cafés, keep-on carrying on café bereavement group, gentle exercise sessions, craft, gardening and men’s group, line dancing, digital drop-in and online zoom quiz. BEA also holds Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (MCST) and sessions for people with memory impairment.

The quarterly comprehensive newsletter, available free to members, provides news updates and detailed information regarding events and seasonal activities. Membership Recruitment Worker, Simon, advises membership can be obtained via referral, either from GP, health professional, relative or self.   Anyone wanting to make a referral or requires further information can telephone 0113 236 1644 or call into Bramley Community Centre between 9am-4pm, Monday to Friday. 

Bramley Elderly Action relies on volunteers to help deliver activities and befriending scheme. Its new volunteer scheme called ‘Action’ welcomes all enquiries, and supports people into volunteer roles.

Stanningley Bottom: Junction improvements ‘to start in April’

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Some of the faded markings on the roundels at Stanningley Bottom. Photo: Darren Bullough

By John Baron

Work on £100,000 improvements to a road junction labelled ‘the worst in Leeds‘ will finally start on Tuesday, 2 April, it’s been revealed.

Highways chiefs hope the changes will make the junction at Stanningley Bottom safer to use, with proposals including restoring the deteriorating road surface, and changing the two continental-style ’roundels’ into mini-roundabouts, as well as adding relevant signage and markings to make them clear to motorists. There are also plans to improve pedestrian infrastructure at the two existing zebra crossings.

The scheme was originally planned to be completed last year, after being given the go ahead in March 2023.

Scheme: Stanningley Bottom. Photo: Darren Bullough, 2023

The scheme follows calls in 2022 from Conservative, Green and Labour councillors on both the inner and outer west community committees for an urgent package of improvements in the area, which has been subject to complaints by motorists about its safety and deteriorating road surface.

Cllr Andrew Carter (Cons, Calverley & Farsley), told WLD that work was scheduled to start in the Easter holidays. He said: “It is not before time. Stanningley Bottom’s dangerous road lining and surfacing has disintegrated. It’s as I have said many times: this junction is like the surface of the moon.”

The road layout was first introduced as part of the CityConnect cycle superhighway project back in 2016 and has already been subject to revision since then following a local petition and a campaign by local businesses and road users.

WLD has featured the issues surrounding Stanningley Bottom since they were first raised by residents and motorists.

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Rodley businesswoman’s ‘sanity over vanity’ message over cold water swimming

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Making a splash: Clare Clifford.

By Jim Corah

Rodley business owner Clare Clifford will soon be a Mental Health Swims host at RSPB St Aidan’s Nature Reserve.

Mental Health Swims help everyone enjoy the healing power of cold water swimming, and Clare will be hosting regular swims at St Aidan’s. Clare has been wild swimming for a while, whatever mood she is in a swim is “the one thing that can lift me out of it.” Preferring dips over distances, Clare extols the view that wild swimming is for sanity over vanity.

Training to host Mental Health Swims has been an “eye opener” for Clare, though she feels much more confident in supporting others to swim.

Clare takes the plunge at St Aiden’s.

”After a difficult period of poor mental and physical health I decided to quite literally take the plunge and try wild swimming,” she said. “I felt instantly more alive than I had in a very long time, and knew that I’d found my happy place – who knew it would be in (sometimes freezing) cold water.

“After I attended some other Mental Health Swims locally I decided to make the step to apply to be a volunteer and launch my own swim. I can’t wait to safely guide others on their journey to experiencing the natural high and benefits of the water. 

“As a busy mum, business owner and person, the water gives me a moment of calm and stillness amongst all the chaos that is modern day life.”

Aside from hosting swims at St Aiden’s, Clare Clifford runs Sunshine Digital Media and is the founder of ‘shop local’ website Find It In Farsley. 

Mental Health Swims believe in empowering everyone – people of all skin colours, body shapes, ages, sexualities, genders, backgrounds and abilities – to enjoy the healing power of cold water and community. In 2021 there were 80 swims, with more like St Aidan’s being added once hosts like Clare complete their training.

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Management buyout for Pudsey-based Winder Power

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WinderPower production facility, Pudsey

One of the UK’s leading manufacturers of power and distribution transformers, Winder Power, has secured a multi-million pound combined debt and equity funding package from Connection Capital to support a management buyout of the business.

Hundred-year-oldWinder Power, which has risen to become one of the most trusted suppliers of electrical handling equipment for the power industry, has seen a significant increase in demand for its power generation and handling equipment and services with the switch to increased renewable energy generation across the UK over the last decade.

The firm employs over 100 people at its 80,000 sq ft manufacturing facility Grangefield House, Richardshaw Road, and customers include Thames Water, Euro Tunnel, ASDA and Drax.

The deal, which was originated and led by independent corporate finance boutique CorpFin, based in Harrogate, will see the exit of previous private equity investors Mercia Asset Management, which has disposed of its significant minority shareholding.

Paul Matthews, WinderPower

Winder Power MD Paul Matthews said: “This funding opens a new chapter for the business at an incredibly exciting time for our industry. The progress we have made to establish the Winder Power brand as the leader in the sector since our original MBO in 2008 has really paid off. We are now well positioned to enjoy another decade of growth, with infrastructure investment increasing across most of our sectors and markets in the UK at a time when we have an unrivalled reputation and capacity.”

Connection Capital provides £3m-£12m of private equity and debt funding to high-growth businesses in different sectors across the UK and has previously invested in Virgin Wines, Wagamama, and TeamSport Go-Karting.    

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