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Armley volunteer targets litterbugs and tidies eyesore

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Mia Strebakowski out and about in Armley with her litter pickers.

By Andy Dalton

A keen eco-warrior is helping to clear litter in Armley.

Leeds City Mission Compassion Centre in Mistress Lane, at the end of the Town Street shopping area is surrounded by a grassed area which is often used as a thoroughfare by pedestrians. Unfortunately litter is left in abundance. The litter has become both an eyesore and a danger.  Discarded bottles and broken glass are to be found amongst paper wrappings, sweet papers, polystyrene packing, cigarette packages, plastic containers and a host of other throw-away items.

19-year-old Mia Strebakowski who helps at the City Mission Compassion Centre decided to do something about the growing litter problem.

Armed with a litter picker and plastic sacks she made a start to clear up the area. Last Monday while the weather was dry and sunny she spent over two hours scouring the grassed area to give it a spruce up. At the end of her clean-up attempt the main grassed area had been cleared.

She said that she hoped to tackle the border areas on another occasion.  These present a challenge as the litter is often entangled by thorn bushes.

All the litter was sorted with glass, metal and plastics going to appropriate recycling bins.

City Mission Coordinator Andy Dalton commended Mia for her valiant attempt at her environmental clean up.  He said that Mia was a regular helper at the City Mission Compassion Centre and also a keen environmentalist.  The City Mission and its volunteers were seeking to make a difference for the better for Armley residents.

He added: “A big thank you to Mia for her hard work and commendable example of seeking to care for our environment and make Armley a better place for everyone.”

The City Mission Compassion Centre is located at the junction of Town Street and Mistress Lane (next door to Westerly Rise flats) in Armley. It is diagonally opposite Armley Library.

Leeds City Mission is a multi-church Christian agency which has worked with marginalised people since 1837 and seeks to meet the physical, social and spiritual needs of Leeds residents. 

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Bramley DIY shop back in business

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Businessman Nasser Sarvjahani. Photo: Kelvin Wakefield

By Kelvin Wakefield

A local business owner has taken over the running of a much missed Bramley store on Upper Town Street. Nasser Sarvjahani, who also runs the barber shop on the same parade, has now taken over the former Bramley Ironmongers, which closed last year.

Now called Bramley DIY Plus, Nasser sells a large array of DIY and garden products, provides a key cutting service, and plans to expand into plumbing supplies too.

He said “It’s important for the community to have local, independent stores. Many customers don’t want to be rushed, and they appreciate someone taking the time to talk to them while serving them.”

Nasser Sarvjahani with a customer at Bramley DIY. Photo: Kelvin Wakefield

There is a tremendous amount of stock packed into the space, from bulbs and batteries to weedkiller and wrenches, and they even have sledges for sale, if you need one to take on Bramley Park during the next snowfall!

Bramley DIY Plus is open weekdays from 8.30am-5.30pm, plus Saturday mornings too.

West Leeds: Bus service improvements start Sunday

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pudsey bus station
Pudsey Bus Station.

First Bus is introducing improvements to services on key travel corridors in the west and south of Leeds which begin this Sunday (25 February).

The daytime frequency of the 14 service operating Leeds-Armley-Pudsey increases from every hour to 30-minute intervals with more evening journeys and a last departure from Leeds at 11.10pm.

This has been supported with funding from West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Services 33 and 34 connecting Leeds to Kirkstall Road, Rodley, Guiseley and Otley have timetable changes to enhance punctuality and co-ordination of buses travelling from Horsforth Leeds. Early morning services to Otley have also been restored.

Two additional evening trips on Monday-Friday have also been added to the 27 service operating from Guiseley to Leeds.

From the Corn Exchange in the city centre to Morley in the south, an additional six later evening trips will be available on the 51 and 52 service with journeys after 8pm serving Elland Road Park and Ride to extend connectivity for users.

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Leeds 2023: An impact that lasts for many years?

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Armley Park hosted a free Leeds 2023 project. Photo: John Baron/westleedsdispatch.com

By Don Mort, local democracy reporter

The economic impact of a 12-month programme of cultural events is being assessed following the city’s official year of culture.

An evaluation report will assess whether Leeds 2023 delivered on its targets to increase visitor numbers, create jobs and attract outside investment to the city.

The programme was delivered by Leeds Culture Trust, a charity set up by the council in response to the cancellation of the UK’s participation in the European Capital of Culture competition.

Funding included grants and a £1.8m loan from Leeds City Council.

A report to the council’s Strategy and Resources scrutiny board said more than 1,000 volunteers collectively contributed 17,766 hours of their time to the events.

It said: “The year-long programme of events featured at least 1,100 events. This figure is expected to increase once final data has been collated.”

The report said the year of culture attracted national media coverage and 643,000 unique visitors to the Leeds 2023 website.

Jonathan Pryor, deputy council leader and executive member for economy, culture and education, said: “I think what we are going to see is an impact which lasts for many, many years.

“I think there’s been some phenomenal coverage across the country of the year of culture. I personally think art is of value for its own sake, but we will see that there’s a huge economic benefit to this city in addition to that.”

But Coun Sam Firth, Conservative member for Harewood, said questions should be asked about spending on Leeds 2023.

He told Monday’s scrutiny meeting: “We’re going to wait and see what the final results of the report are when it comes out.

“Coun Pryor talks about it being a phenomenal impact, well a phenomenal amount of money has been spent on a phenomenal flop, in my opinion.”

Coun Pryor defended the council’s involvement, saying he saw many children enjoying the cultural events.

He said: “It’s an essential part of what this year was about.

“There has been phenomenal value in this and it’s disappointing to see people snipe from the sidelines who didn’t really attend that much.”

Leeds 2023 events included the unveiling of Hibiscus Rising, a colourful sculpture by the artist Yinka Shonibare, on Meadow Lane.

The sculpture was designed in honour of David Oluwale, a British-Nigerian man who drowned in the river Aire in 1969 after being chased by police.

Wortley FC launches clubhouse crowdfunder

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Volunteers at the football club where Kalvin Phillips began his career have launched an £80,000 appeal to pay for a new clubhouse.

Founded in 1974, Wortley FC is a community and family-based football club dedicated to the furtherance of youth and senior football. It wants to build a clubhouse on the top plateau of its grounds off Blue Hill Lane in order to become more financially sustainable through hosting teams with matchday hospitality and end-of-season presentations.

The club supports hundreds of young players every week.

On online crowdfunder has now been launched to help raise the £80,000 for new facilities. The crowdfunder states: “We currently have 20 teams playing in the Garforth League from under 7’s-under 18’s, plus two open age mens teams in the Yorkshire Amateur League.

“In recent years we have started to build a Girls section and have 3 Teams in the West Riding Girls Football league and also have younger girls training each week, as well as an Open Age Ladies Team in the West Riding County Women’s League.”

The crowdfunder can be found here.

WLD reported last week that councillors on the Outer West Community Committee had agreed a £10,000 grant to support the initiative.

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‘Dream come true’ as Bramley food bank volunteer nets Leeds United ticket

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Marching on: Food bank volunteer Pat Whitley with Cllr Tom Hinchcliffe.

By John Baron

A Leeds United fan who has followed the team for 50 years is about to watch her first game at Elland Road, thanks to her selfless voluntary work at a Bramley food bank.

Pat Whitley is one of four stalwart volunteers at the lifeline Bramley Care Bears’ food bank, which runs at Broadlea Community Centre. All four have received free tickets to watch a Leeds United home game next month thanks to the efforts of Bramley & Stanningley Councillor Tom Hinchcliffe, who asked the club if they could donate some tickets.

Pat, 66, said she will be fulfilling a lifelong dream. “I’m chuffed to bits! It really is a dream come true. I’ve been following Leeds since I was at school and I’ve never been to Elland Road. I’m really excited and so chuffed.

“Tom also helps at the food bank and is a Leeds fan and all we talk about is football. I’m looking forward to wearing my Leeds t-shirt and my scarf – I can’t believe it. Last season was heartbreaking when we got relegated from the Premier League, but this season we are doing well.

“I’d like to thank Tom and Leeds United for the tickets, I really appreciate what they have done and couldn’t believe it when Tom told me where I was going!”

Bramley foodbank
Volunteers: Pat Whitley and Angela McConnell. Photo: Liam O’Sullivan

Cllr Hinchcliffe said Pat volunteers at the food bank every week and helps support some of the area’s most vulnerable residents.

“She mentioned to me a few months ago that she’s a huge Leeds United fan but has never been able to get to Elland Road,” he added.

“It stuck with me for a while because everyone should be able to watch their favourite football team! I’m so pleased I’ve been able to secure tickets for her and some of the other volunteers at an upcoming game at Elland Road. Pat and all the volunteers at Bramley Care Bears deserve it.

“Thank you to Leeds United for helping to arrange this.”

The food bank sessions run at Broadlea Community Centre every Friday and Sunday from 11am-12pm. Call 07805 225 270 to book a time slot. Bramley Care Bears is a volunteer-led group which carries out a number of activities across the Bramley area.

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Pudsey: Tree protection order confirmed on Crawshaw Academy boundary

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The affected trees on the boundary of Crawshaw Academy, Pudsey. Photo: Google

Council chiefs have confirmed a tree preservation (TPO) order to preserve trees which last year faced the axe in Pudsey.

As reported by WLD last August, Crawshaw Academy wanted to remove trees protected by an existing TPO, and additional trees not currently protected, at the boundary with Woodfield Terrace and Sheridan Way in Pudsey. 

In a split decision, council planners only gave permission for two of the trees to be removed, despite concerns over the impact of the trees from some local residents, including shading.

A council report published this week said the six unprotected lime trees ‘were considered to have amenity value’ and a temporary TPO made last August was confirmed as a permanent order – despite objections by two residents on Sheridan Way.

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Pudsey: Landmark Trinity chapel and flats ‘under offer’

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pudsey_trinity chapel
Photo: http://www.churches-uk-ireland.org/towns/p/pudsey.html

A former Methodist chapel and nightclub in Pudsey could soon have new owners after the agents selling the property listed it as ‘under offer’.

WLD reported last October that the Grade II Listed Trinity Methodist Chapel, off Lowtown, had gone on the market for offers over a cool £1.25 million.

Trinity closed as a church in 1982 and was used as a shopping arcade throughout the 1980s and 90s, as well as an arts centre and Citizens Advice Bureau and cafe. It dates back to around 1899.

Most recently it was a nightclub, which closed in 2016 due to anti-social behaviour.

The price also includes car parking on the one-acre site, as well as flats 1 to 12 in a block of apartments at the adjacent Mount Pleasant Heights.

The properties are being advertised by Adair Paxton and more details can be found here. The name of the potential new owners has not been revealed.

Plans to transform Trinity into 20 flats where refused by Leeds City Council back in March 2019.

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Demolition work as Southroyd prepares for new children’s centre and after-school club

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Demolition work has been carried out over half term at Pudsey Southroyd’s children centre cabin and after-school club building, which the school is replacing with 11 converted shipping containers.

The children’s centre plays host to baby groups and toddlers’ activities.

The new building will be constructed out of 90% recyclable materials, the project will be completed by mid-April and will create new facilities for Pudsey Children Centre, as well as new venue for local groups and holding workshops and community events.

The new building will boast a living roof when it is finished.

Residents help shape the future of their Bramley street

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Leeds Federated and Connect Housing colleagues at the community day

Residents on a West Leeds street have had their say on how they would like to improve their community.

A community day was held on Borrowdale Crescent to hear about what works well, what could be better and their ideas for improvements in the area, between Armley and Bramley.

As part of the day, residents were invited to complete a survey about the street and local area which will feed into a joint plan between residents, Leeds Federated and Connect Housing to help bring people together and build a strong community.

During the event, Leeds Federated and Connect Housing colleagues provided skips for residents and were on hand to offer advice on finances, tenancies and gardening.

As well as speaking to residents, colleagues litter picked the street and neighbouring open green space. The litter pick was supported by Litter Free Leeds who provided their distinctive brand of purple bags. They also arranged for all the filled purple bags to be collected at the end of the day by the Council.

Charlie Churchouse, Neighbourhood Officer at Leeds Federated, said: “It was great to work alongside Connect Housing and bring everyone together for the community day. We heard some good feedback from residents and we hope to hear more through our online surveys.

“From resident feedback, we’re going to create a series of shared Neighbourhood Plans linking organisations, charities, volunteers and people with shared interests together, to shape and build strong communities.”

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Farsley Celtic aim to bounce back against Blyth

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The Citadel is the home of Farsley Celtic.

Skipper Chris Atkinson is looking for Farsley Celtic to bounce back tomorrow (Tuesday), when they face fellow mid-table side Blyth Spartans at the Citadel.

The Celts lost 2-1 against play-off hopefuls Chester on Saturday – and Chris is still smarting after some debatable refereeing decisions during the game, which included a controversial sending off for defender Tom Allan.

“Sometimes you lose games and you hold your hands and say you have been beaten by the better team on the day,” he said. “I don’t think that was the case on Saturday. We were unlucky: the lads put a real shift in, and to get punished by two poor refereeing decisions is a hard one to swallow.”

He’s looking for the team to bounce back after narrow back-to-back defeats against two of the top three teams in the league.

Chris said: “We will be looking to bounce back straight away. We need to bring Saturday’s frustration into Tuesday’s game and really take the game to Blyth, starting from the off.

“Our performance levels haven’t dropped over the past few weeks, we just haven’t been getting the rub of the green. We are looking to get another unbeaten run going and see where it takes us. Hopefully starting Tuesday!”

Swinnow Community Centre to stay open amid U-turn

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Yvonne Allman and Jean Evans.

The future of Swinnow Community Centre appears to have been secured after the community stalwart who runs it reversed her decision to stand down.

As reported by WLD earlier this month, community stalwart Yvonne Allman, who has run Swinnow Community Centre for eight years, announced she was to stand down for personal reasons and that the centre would temporarily close on 21 March.

But this week Yvonne has announced a U-turn on her decision and the centre will stay open – but she’s appealing for more volunteers to help with the running of the lifeline centre, which hosts a number of lifeline groups, activities and services.

Swinnow Community Centre
Swinnow Community Centre

Posting on social media, Yvonne said: “Due to an amazing response to me leaving and Pudsey Community Project’s campaign to save the Swinnow Community Centre, we have decided to retract my resignation and keep running. With the help of Leeds city council, and Cllr Dawn Seary this has all been made possible.

“Today we have the pleasure of announcing we are staying open. We are still in need of volunteers to help keep our services going, if you could spare an hour that would be a great help. Also we are asking for donations to help towards events and every day running costs.

“Thank you so much for all the fantastic posts, support and love, onwards and upwards to the future.”

Yvonne also announced that the centre was looking into setting up as a Community Interest Company, a special type of limited company which exists to benefit the community rather than private shareholders.

If you’d like to get involved, please e-mail: swinnowcommunitycentre@hotmail.com or pop-in and say hello to the team and collect an application form.

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