osh and Phil Wisher along with Leeds Councillors and ALC Management at the ALC session along with a number of participants. Photo: James Bovington
By James Bovington
‘Active Leeds’ funding is providing a further opportunity for local young people to enjoy a boxing taster session with West Leeds professional boxer Joshua Wisher free of charge at his Armley gym on Thursday, 15 February.
Wisher is one of Yorkshire’s rising boxing prospects and should have his fifth professional bout shortly.
The 15 February session is aimed at children aged 11 through 16 and takes place at 11am. Wisher is a fully qualified boxing trainer with England Boxing and is manager of The Ministry of Boxing, which he opened in Armley 18 months ago.
“I’m delighted to have been given a further opportunity to share some basic boxing technique with even more young people from our local area,” said Wisher, 25. ”Hopefully quite a few will come along and give it a go. We’ll make them welcome and promise an enjoyable activity for the half term.”
The half-term sessions complement a number of initiatives Wisher is running to combat anti-social behaviour through boxing for Leeds Youth Services and Armley Leisure Centre. Weekly novice boxing sessions are being held at the centre on Thursdays in school terms.
Wisher has also recently started offering boxing training at Dixon’s Unity Academy and plans to do the same after half-term at his former school Green Hill Primary.
Wisher’s gym is located in Electron House on Moorfield Road in Armley adjacent to Charlie Cake Park. The postcode is LS12 3RN. Parents wanting further information should contact James Bovington from the gym (bovingjd01@gmail.com) otherwise it’s just turn up to the session. Pizza and soft drink will be provided.
Fartlsey Celtic travelled to Tamworth. Photo: John Baron
By John Baron
Farsley Celtic slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat on the road as league leaders Tamworth increased the gap on second-placed Scunthorpe to 12 points.
A scruffy second half goal following one of the home side’s long throws was enough to bludgeon the battling Celts, as both teams finished with ten men in a game of few clear-cut chances.
Farsley more than held their own in the first half.
A long Donaldson throw was met by Allan in the box, but his shot was off target.
Shortly afterwards Allan crossed to the back stick but Coulson, under pressure, couldn’t direct his header on target.
A foul by Jack Evans on Tshikuna on the edge of the D set him up with a free kick in a dangerous position, but he lifted it just over the cross bar.
Milnes was then denied what looked like the opening goal by a super stop from Farsley keeper Zan Luk Leban after he was put through one on one.
The visitors went in 0-0 at half time and looked reasonably comfortable against a team unbeaten in 11 games going into the fixture.
The second half saw Tamworth enjoying more of the possession, but the away side had the first real chance, Noah Wadsworth hitting a half volley which the Tamworth keeper saved relatively easily.
Cullinane-Liburd headed just wide for Tamworth, before being sent off moments later for a second yellow card following a tussle with Assenso.
Coulson turned and span on a deep cross into the area on 56 minutes but fired his half volley over the Tamworth bar in what proved to be Farsley’s best chance of the game.
On 65 minutes Tamworth took the lead from Tonks’ long throw, which bounced in the area and Leban was unable to prevent it from going past him and into the back of the net.
Leban then denied Tamworth on a couple of occasions and although the Celts huffed and puffed, they couldn’t create anything clear cut against a team which has now recorded eight clean sheets on the bounce.
In stoppage time Misambo was shown a straight red for a late challenge on sub Arlott-John, injuring himself in the process and having to be helped off the pitch.
Next week the Celts entertain in-form Chester at The Citadel.
Armley's former Wilko store, off Stanningley Road. Photo: Google
A new Home Bargains store looks set to open in Armley in the former Wilko store off Stanningley Road.
A planning application has been submitted to Leeds City Council 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.”
No date for opening the new Home Bargains store has yet been given. The company already has stores in Kirkstall and Stanningley.
A community stalwart who has run Swinnow Community Centre for eight years has announced she is to stand down next month.
Tributes to the selfless work of Yvonne Allman have flooded in following her decision to step away from running the lifeline community centre, which is used by hundreds of people for a raft of community activities and services every week.
Yvonne will be handing the keys to Leeds City Council next month, which means the centre is currently earmarked for closure from 21 March 2024. WLD understands there has already been expressions of interest from a couple of local community groups about taking on the running of the council-owned building.
Posting on Facebook yesterday, Yvonne wrote: “It’s been my privilege and pleasure to run the centre over eight years and now feel the time is right for me to step down.
“We would like to thank everyone for the support and hope you all enjoyed the events etc. I would like to say a massive thank You to all my lovely volunteers for the fantastic help throughout the years Love you all and I’m going to miss each and every one.”
Yvonne had helped countless people over the years, from connecting people to food parcels and financial support services through to running events and activities for young and old. A number of local groups and support services currently run from the centre.
One centre user posted on Facebook: “You will be missed Yvonne, you brought that centre to life and helped so many people along the way. You truly are one of the most selfless people I know.”
“You’ve put so many hours in as a volunteer and have given so much of yourself to helping others without reward or recognition,” added another. “You’re the glue that held it all together. Thank you for everything you’ve done, all the activities you’ve organised, all the help and support you’ve given people individually and for being a beacon in the community for so long. Enjoy your rest – you’ve earned it.”
Another added: “Yvonne this is so sad! Your centre has been a lifeline for so many people over the years and I’m so sorry yet another service is having to go. Thanks to you and your volunteers for the cuppas and somewhere warm to go. Take care all of you.”
“This is such sad news for the community. You do so much for everyone,” said another. “You will be missed by so many people. However, you must put yourself, your health and your family first.”
And another said: “Oh Yvonne Allman you’ve done such phenomenal things, such heroic things, such NEEDED work – with little to no financial support and the tiniest amount of resource. You are utterly amazing. ThankYOU for all you’ve done, much of it unseen. I’m so sorry to hear this, but hope you are incredibly proud of yourself (and if not, me and many others ARE).”
Cllr Dawn Seary (Cons, Pudsey) paid her tributes. She told WLD: “Yvonne has helped so many people of the years. The stories have been emerging on social media about how she has touched so many lives we hadn’t realised. She has been going above and beyond to support the community, especially during the Covid pandemic
“Yvonne is an amazing individual and I wish her well.”
Cllr Seary added ‘a number of’ groups had contacted local councillors to express an interest in taking on the building. “There is an appetite there, but it’s not for councillors to decide who should take it on. We will, of course, advocate to keep the centre open. It is the heart of the community and certainly won’t be closed without a fight!”
Cllr Trish Smith (Cons, Pudsey) added: “Yvonne has been an absolute stalwart for the Swinnow community and we all owe her a huge debt of gratitude. She has quite simply been the beating heart of the centre for so long. I’d like to personally thank Yvonne for everything she’s done over many years and wish her well for the future. Hopefully her health will improve and she can enjoy more time for herself and her family.
“It’s my ambition to get the centre reopened so it can continue to fulfil a vital role helping residents of Swinnow and the wider community once again. I’ve been approached by several people who have shown interest in running the centre for the community. I’m already speaking with senior members of the council to make this happen.”
In a statement, Riaz Ahmed, Labour’s council candidate for Pudsey, said: “The closure of Swinnow Community Centre is devastating for our community at a time when Conservative cuts and chaos have driven so many families and vulnerable individuals into poverty.
“We would all like to thank Yvonne for her years of service and for signposting people to places where they can still receive help locally.
“Labour will continue to work with local community groups to help support Pudsey’s most vulnerable people, in addition to working towards a future where no-one need rely on food banks and other volunteer-run organisations to make ends meet. I have approached Leeds City Council to ensure that this vital asset to the community is not lost.“
View over New Wortley Cemetery. Photo: Michelle Angel Corns
Photos: Michelle Corns,Helen Fay, Katherine Turner and Kelvin Wakefield
Our community reporters have been out and about taking photos as a blanket of snow covered West Leeds today.
The snow is supposed to turn to sleet and then rain overnight, with tomorrow expected to be showery and warmer with highs of eight degrees centigrade.
Here’s a selection of photos:
Bramley, looking towards Leeds and Bradford Road – showing The Acorn pub. Photo: Kelvin WakefieldA snowy Western Flatts Park in Wortley. Photo: Katherine TurnerSnow starts to cover in the Armley terraces. Photo: Helen FayAn early afternoon dusting of snow in Wortley. Photo: Katherine TurnerThe view from the West Leeds Dispatch Community newsroom in Bramley as snow comes down on Stannignley Road. Photo: John BaronA snowy outlook in Pudsey. Photo: Amy Downes
Send us your photos to news@westleedsdispartch.com. We’ll publish a selection!
The site of the community-led housing development in Mistress Lane
Plans for 34 community led affordable homes in Armley have moved a step closer to reality after council chiefs agreed to sell the land.
As previously reported, independent community land trust Leeds Community Homes aims to build the new energy efficient new properties off Mistress Lane and is running a £500,000 community share offer to enable work to start at the site.
The project will deliver a mixture of one, two and three bedroom homes and apartments on an area of currently vacant land near the centre of Armley.
A council report has revealed that the local authority has this week agreed to declare the land surplus to requirements. It adds: “The disposal of the site will generate a capital receipt providing support to the council’s expenditure programme and financial position.”
The amount the land will be sold for has been classed as confidential by the council.
The homes are due to be a mix of flats and family houses for rent and sale, plus a shared communal space. They will be insulated to a high standard and also include solar panels (PV), air source heat pumps and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery systems for all the homes, meaning that they will have a much lower carbon impact than most new and existing buildings. Residents will see this benefit in lower energy bills.
Women and girls at the Ministry of Boxing in Armley. Photo: James Bovington
By James Bovington
West Leeds women and girls are being encouraged to try out the Saturday morning ladies-only session at The Ministry of Boxing in Moorfield Road Armley, run by local professional boxer Joshua Wisher and his dad Phil.
“We rejigged our sessions last month,” said Josh. “And there are two open boxing sessions for anyone aged ten and over to attend on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6pm, but we’ve still got one session at 11am on Saturday mornings reserved just for ladies, young and older, and we’re inviting more to do so with the aim of eventually creating a second session.
“Female boxing as a sport is making progress,’ continued Josh, ‘drawing bigger crowds and having established itself in the same way as ladies football has. We have one young lady from the gym who 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.”
Those sentiments were 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’.
Lucy is a mother of two ‘very physical, very active’ boys aged nine and 12. She is also a primary school teacher and said: “Josh and Phil for their motivating 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 and I always come away with a clearer head as stress and tension have been relieved. I’d encourage anyone to give it a go.”
“Come along and meet Margaret, Paulette, Lucy and the ten or so others who attend regularly,” urged Josh Wisher.
Ladies’ 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 Phil on 07917 715016. The Ministry of Boxing is at Electron House, Moorfield Road, Armley LS12 3RN.
Councillors will next week hear that closure-threatened Pudsey Civic Hall still makes a modest profit for the council each year – but the local authority says the building needs a major refit estimated to cost £7.25 million.
A report to be considered by councillors sitting on the outer west community committee next Wednesday says the building, which dates back to 1972, does not meet its annual budget targets and because it has large investment needs to ensure that it remains attractive to event organisers.
The council says it is not in a position to continue to fund these needs in the context of its broader financial challenges. The potential sale of the site could also deliver a capital receipt for the council.
Members of Outer West Community Committee has requested this report to allow for a discussion on the proposal which will help to inform the final decision about the future of the building and the wider site.
The report states that the venue, which was used by over 49,000 people in the last financial year, makes a ‘modest surplus’ but is consistently failing to meet income targets and is a “financial strain” on the council.
Revenue from the 300-capacity car park has also decreased due to the closure of Green Flag at Dawsons Corner in 2015 and changing working patterns following the Covid-19 pandemic.
It goes on to say that the 52-year-old building is in need of substantial investment. The report states: “…Taking account of the age of the mechanical and electrical installations of the building, the energy certificate that would need to be achieved and applying a m2 rate to the full refurbishment of the facility, Asset Management have estimated that a comprehensive refurbishment cost would be in the region of £7.25m.”
The council allocates £20,000 per year towards maintenance costs.
WLD understands from different sources that at least two community organisations have expressed an interest in taking on and running the building in a ‘community asset transfer’, similar to the what happened at Bramley Baths, which has gone on to be a national exemplar for community led social enterprises in the UK.
But the council report appears to rule this out at Pudsey Civic Hall, along with bringing in an external operator. It points to the amount of work needed to bring the building up to scratch and to meet government regulations surrounding its poor energy performance.
Councillors on the outer west community committee will have the chance to question council officers and executive board member over the closure proposals.
The full agenda and report can be found here. The committee meets at Farnley Hall Park on Wednesday, 14 February at 1pm.
A public consultation into the future of Pudsey Civic Hall closed last month. Its future will be considered as part of the council’s city-wide budget proposals at a meeting of all 99 councillors at Leeds Civic Hall on 21 February 2024.
The outer west community committee is made up of nine councillors from Calverley & Farsley ward, Farnley & Wortley ward and Pudsey ward. There are five Conservative councillors, three Labour and one Green councillor.
Sunny Bank's John Gaunt with one of the sheep. Photo: Fiona Gell
Have you HERD? Two giant sheep have made their way to Farsley’s historic Sunny Bank Mills.
They came from HERD, a festival produced by the Artichoke Trust, which saw 23 larger-than-life sheep appear in surprising places across the Kirklees countryside last summer.
Charlotte Topliss from Project Farsley saw that the sheep were looking for a new home and immediately contacted John and William Gaunt at Sunny Bank thinking they might like to adopt them.
After an enthusiastic yes, there followed a bit of head scratching as to where these enormous beasts could go and how exactly they were going to get from a warehouse in Morley to the grounds of the Mills.
John Gaunt with one of the giant sheep. Photo: Fiona Gell
But they made it happen via some large lorries, with Fethera now sitting gloriously outside the 1912 and Covero temporarily up in the woodland.
A Project Farsley spokesperson said: “We hope people love seeing them as much as we do. We are loving the reaction of the community to these amazing sheep!”
Project Farsley is a community arts collective in Farsley.
The sheep are lifted into place. Photo: Fiona Gell
John Gaunt, joint Managing Director of Sunny Bank Mills, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Fethera and Covero, our new 12 ft tall, 15 ft long sheep sculptures to Sunny Bank Mills. It feels very fitting that Sunny Bank Mills, with its history of nearly 180 years of wool cloth production, can give these two amazing sculptures a permanent home.
“The sheep were originally commissioned by Artichoke for Herd, a Kirklees year of Music 2023 project. Fethera and Covero were made and designed by artist Dave Young and Anne Gaffikin.
“We would like to thank the Artichoke Trust who have very generously donated the sculptures to Sunny Bank Mills. We would also like to thank Project Farsley who spotted the opportunity that these two sheep needed a good home.
“We love working with community groups such as Project Farsley and our common aim to encourage and deliver public art works came together perfectly. Fethera and Covero will form the beginnings of The Sunny Bank Mills Sculpture Trail, with a third sculpture to be unveiled soon.
“Do head to https://herd-kirklees.co.uk/about/ to read about the amazing HERD festival and the fascinating story behind the naming of the sheep, which is derived from an ancient method of counting sheep!”
NETWORK Rail’s decision to buy back a disused stretch of rail line in Wortley “leaves options open” for rail improvements in Bradford, a councillor has claimed.
But they acknowledged any new rail link involving the Wortley Curve would be “very much in the long term.”
Before it was shut in 1985, the Wortley Curve, a stretch of rail in the Wortley area, allowed rail services to travel between Bradford and Wakefield without the need to pass through Leeds City Centre.
In recent years, there have been calls for the line to re-open as a way of boosting Bradford’s poor rail connectivity.
Late last year, the three acre stretch of land that makes up the curve was listed as one of the lots in an online auction to be held in January.
It had been listed by the site’s owners, Railway Paths Ltd, a charity that owns and manages former railway land.
It had a guide price of just £15,000, and the listing by Pugh Auctions mentioned there was Japanese Knotweed present on the site.
Bidding eventually reached £47,000 – and it was eventually revealed that the successful buyer was Network Rail.
Network Rail – which owns and manages rail infrastructure across the country, said: “We can confirm that Network Rail has purchased the land at the former Wortley Curve. Plans for the future usage of the site continue to be discussed internally and with stakeholders.”
Reacting to the announcement that it was Network Rail, and not a private buyer, who now owns the land, Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration Planning and Transport said: “We’re pleased that Wortley Curve has been kept in public hands, as it leaves options open for infrastructure improvements in the future.
“However, that would be very much in the long term, our immediate priority is the delivery of a new platform at Forster Square ready for our year as UK City of Culture 2025 and a new station as part of the Southern Gateway to improve overall connectivity and capacity for the district.”
The new platform for Bradford Forster Square station was announced by the Department For Transport last week. £24m will be spent on the new platform, which will allow more trains to London from the station.
Government had previously pledged £2b to Bradford for a new city centre station – part of redevelopment of an area of the city centre between Leeds Road and Manchester Road known as the Southern Gateway.
A multi-million pound overspend continues to grow as decisions loom over spending cuts to balance the council’s budget.
Leeds City Council will have to dig into reserves to break even this financial year, leading to further pressure on next year’s budget and beyond, councillors have been told.
A report to the executive board meeting on Wednesday (February 7) said the council was forecasting a general fund overspend of £39m, up from £35.3m in December.
Much of the financial shortfall is being caused by the rising cost of caring for vulnerable children in the city. Almost £60m must be slashed from the overall budget this financial year.
Deputy council leader Debra Coupar said measures were in place to reduce the overspend, but the use of reserves would be needed to balance the 2023/24 budget.
She said: “It should noted by executive board that this will impact on the resources available for 2024/25 and future years.”
Job losses, new parking charges and building closures are expected as part of wide-ranging budget measures at the authority. A council tax rise of 4.98 per cent has been proposed.
Coun Alan Lamb, leader of the Conservative group, asked whether the budget would remain balanced at the start of the new financial year.
He said: “It’s not good news, is it? Are we confident that in month one next year we are still going to be reporting a balanced budget, or can we already predict that there’s going to be an overspend when we come back in March?”
Coun Coupar, executive member for resources, said: “We are not unique in the country in terms of the pressure for funding around children’s services and the inadequacy of funding from the government to allow us to do that job.”
The council’s proposed budget for 2024/25 will be debated at a full council meeting on February 21.
A report to the executive board meeting said there was an estimated a budget gap of £64.6m in 2025/26 and a further £47.1m in 2026/27.
Councils must present a balanced budget to avoid issuing a Section 114 notice, effectively declaring bankruptcy.
The report said: “It needs to be recognised that we are not funded to provide all the functions we currently do, and so future service provision must be provided within the limited resources available.”
Leeds Civic Hall.
Foster care fees rise
Foster carers will be paid more for their services as the council seeks to improve the care of vulnerable children in the city.
Leeds City Council has agreed an increase in weekly fees and maintenance payments to help families meet the rising cost of living.
A report to the council’s executive board said the move would cost £1.8m this financial year and was included in an overspend in the Children and Families budget.
But the move would save money in the long term by helping to recruit foster carers and avoid more children being looked after in costly residential placements.
Coun Fiona Venner, executive member for children’s social care (Lab, Kirkstall), said: “We are doing this because it is the right thing to do, because our foster carers do need to be paid properly for the incredibly important and skilled work they do.
“It’s also something we can’t afford not to do because we have to recruit and retain our foster carers. Foster care delivers the best outcomes for children.”
The executive board was asked to agree a five per cent increase in fees and a seven per cent increase in maintenance allowances for foster carers. Both would be backdated to April 2023.
Coun Venner said there was a risk of foster carers leaving the council service to work for private providers if fees were not increased.
A report to Wednesday’s executive board meeting said the council would have to spend an extra £9.4m a year on Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) placements if it no longer had any in-house foster carers.
It said: “A loss of internal foster placements will drive our overall costs up as we source provision from the private sector and reduce the quality of placements for our children.”
Coun Alan Lamb, Conservative group leader, said the increase in fees could go further. He said: “It sticks in my throat every time I think of the amount of money going to external residential placements. I simply cannot get my head around how it can cost so much.”
The meeting was told around 60 per cent of Leeds foster children were living in in-house placements.
Julie Longworth, the council’s director of children and families, said more skilled foster carers were being recruited.
She added: “The fact that we have got 60 per cent of our children in in-house foster care is really positive. But absolutely we are continuing to drive that.”
Skipper Chris Atkinson fights for the ball at The Citadel. Photo: John McEvoy
Farsley Celtic is the first football club in England to equip both the boardroom and changing rooms with several Mental Health First Aiders.
The volunteers will support everyone connected with the club about mental health.
In a groundbreaking initiative, Farsley Celtic, of the Vanarama National League North, has partnered with The National League/West Riding FA and The Football Mental Health Allianceto create a supportive and safe environment for all.
Chairman Paul Barthorpe, vice-chairman Josh Greaves, men’s captain Chris Atkinson and women’s captain Lauren Rigby all completed mental health first aid (MHFA) training.
MHFA is a programme that helps to educate people on how to identify and assist someone who is suffering from a mental health or drug use condition.
The training is intended to assist people in recognising early warning signs of mental health conditions, providing initial assistance and support to someone in difficulty and helping to connect them to external support.
Paul Barthorpe, Chairman at Farsley Celtic said: “Understanding the crucial role that mental health plays in the overall well-being and performance of our community, Farsley Celtic is committed to being at the forefront of mental health initiatives in football.
“This collaboration with West Riding FA and The Football Mental Health Alliance will enable us to recognise, understand, assist and signpost individuals who may be experiencing mental health concerns. One in four of us will experience mental health difficulties each year and with this, it is important that we all take time to look after ourselves and our mental health.
“MHFA training allows everyone attached to our club to know that there are five individuals whom they can approach to discuss mental health, enabling more people to spot potential signs of mental health conditions. It also equips our leaders in the dressing rooms to support their teammates with their mental health and signpost them where appropriate.”
The Citadel.
Danny Matharu, Founder of The Football Mental Health Alliance said: “We are proud to be working with Farsley Celtic.
“From our research, they are the first ever non-league or professional club to have mental health first aiders in both their dressing room and boardroom. Their engagement in MHFA demonstrates their unwavering commitment to the mental health of everyone involved in their Club.
“This partnership represents a significant stride towards our collective goal of having at least one person in every football club mental health first aid trained.
“The benefits to having this training are numerous. MHFA can help to promote the importance of mental health and reduce the stigma around seeking help for mental health conditions. This can encourage people to speak up and seek help if they or anyone they know, are experiencing mental health challenges. This can lead to better overall mental health and well-being within the club, helping to create a more supportive and inclusive culture.
“Having people in the boardroom and on the pitch trained in mental health will enable positive messages around mental health to cascade down into their junior teams and across into the stands and the local community.”
MHFA empowers people to identify early signs of mental health conditions, it can lead to enhanced player performance, more resilient teams and improved communication as well as better safety, welfare and inclusion.
Mental Health First Aid Training is for anyone. The skills acquired through MHFA training are valuable and transferable, promoting well-being and mental health support in various aspects of life.
