Leeds West MP – and shadow chancellor – Rachel Reeves met staff and students at Pudsey Grammar School to hear about the challenges facing schools across the country.
Pudsey Grammar School has recently secured £4 million from the Department for Education for a new Sixth Form block, which is planned to open in the next academic year. The school is also a designated National Behaviour Hub and works with others to improve the culture and behaviour within their schools.
Headteacher Mark McKelvie invited Ms Reeves to visit the school and hear about the work they are doing, the issues impacting the local community, and the challenges that schools face across the country.
“I believe that engaging with policymakers is essential to advocate for the interests of our school and its students… so I was keen to meet Rachel and talk to her about our school and various educational matters,” said Mr McKelvie.
After meeting the head teacher, Ms Reeves met with five members of the School Council, representing students at the school, where she answered a range of questions about local and national politics. Mr McKelvie said: “They asked a wide range of insightful questions which Ms Reeves answered with detail, substance and clarity.”
Ms Reeves said: “I enjoyed answering the questions the students had and was impressed by the range of questions.”
Volunteers have helped to spruce up Bramley Baths‘ community garden and paint the studio at the community led leisure facility.
Ten volunteers attended the Baths from placemaking and regeneration company, Places for People, which takes a commercial approach to delivering social outcomes.
The Baths posted their gratitude to the volunteers on social media: “Massive shout out and THANK YOU to @placesforpeopleofficial.
“Not only did 10 of their team volunteer their time to help spruce up the garden, give our studio space a fresh lick of paint and tidy the car park, they also gifted us with a brand new defibrillator.”
A West Yorkshire bus operator has revealed more improvements to one of is most popular bus services, after more services and lower fares delivered double-digit increases in passenger numbers on its Aireline route through Shipley, Thackley and parts of West Leeds.
Working in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, The Keighley Bus Company announced last September that it had secured Combined Authority support worth £2.7 million over three years to deliver improvements aimed at attracting more people to choose the bus, and cut congestion and pollution.
The funding deal enabled The Keighley Bus Company to run more buses on three of its most popular routes – along with a brand-new route 60A to increase weekday journeys between Shipley and Leeds from the previous two to three buses an hour, while replacing parts of the 508 route withdrawn by operator First last April.
The bus firm now says its Aireline route is now attracting 28% more customers compared with prior to September 2023’s improvements, with over 350 more passengers per week boarding its buses on the new sections of route served by the 60A.
From 17 March, Keighley Bus Company will add an extra weekday morning bus service to arrive in Leeds before 9am, and an extra bus in the late afternoon, boosting evening peak departures from Leeds City Bus Station to every 15 minutes.
The Keighley Bus Company’s Commercial Director, Paul Turner, said: “Our Aireline customers can look forward to twice as many peak-time buses compared with the timetable in place before last September’s improvements.
“We’re delighted to see significant improvements for our customers, supported by the Combined Authority through Bus Service Improvement Plan funding, are proving so popular with more people in Shipley, Thackley and Calverley switching to our buses.
“The success of our additional services is an excellent example of partnership working between bus operators, local transport authorities and Government to make bus travel attractive for many more people.”
The bus goes through Calverley, parts of Farsley, Rodley, Kirkstall and Burley, before arriving in Leeds city centre, and vice versa.
Peter Carlill.
The move was welcomed by Calverley & Farsley Councillor Peter Carlill (Lab), who said: “The increase in passenger numbers on this route has been a fantastic success, and it shows that people will use buses when you get services right.”
Cllr Carlill, who is also deputy chair of the Combined Authority’s transport committee, added: “Following the rerouting of the 508 service – which took it away from many passengers in Farsley, including myself who used it regularly – I spoke to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Transdev as another nearby operator around a possible replacement.
“This led to the creation of the 60a service, funded by Tracy Brabin, which does try to replace some of the lost connections, but also provides a direct bus link from Calverley to Farsley.
“This new route and enhanced frequencies have been so successful that I have had concerns from passengers about overcrowding on services and full buses. In response to this Transdev intend to put on extra buses at peak time to meet the demand. They also intend to continue the 60a service all the way to Keighley, rather than stopping at Shipley.”
Cllr Carlill said that the Combined Authority’s initial funding has stimulated Keighley Bus Company to invest further in the service. He added: “All of this is at the operators expense, showing that the initial investment by the Mayor into the route has been a real success, provided better bus connections and has increased passenger numbers.
“Further rounds of funding from the Mayor’s Bus Service Improvement Plan are still to be identified and I will be looking at other routes in the area that could benefit from investment.”
Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin added: “Making bus travel more convenient, reliable and affordable is a key part of my vision for a better-connected West Yorkshire. Our funding has given these buses a real boost, showing that investment into the network delivers results. I hope to see results like these replicated across the region.”
Full details of all The Keighley Bus Company’s routes and fare deals are available online, in printed timetables from the Metro Travel Centre at Leeds City Bus Station, and via the free to download ‘Transdev Go’ mobile app.
Plans to extend a popular Burley dental practice gave been refused for a second time by Leeds City Council planners.
Burley House Dental Care is based on the ground floor of a former house, with a residential apartment on the first floor. Plans included single storey side extensions and change of use of the first floor to dental surgery.
But council planners this week refused the application, saying the proposal was contrary to both local and national planning policy.
The applicant says the proposals were to allow the practice, based on Burley Road, to meet regulatory requirements. The proposal consisted of a modest extension to the front and another single storey extension to the rear to create a recovery room.
There would also have been a change of use of the first floor to create staff facilities, a decontamination room and medical supply store. An accessible WC would have been created on the ground floor.
But a planning officer’s report concluded: “The proposed single storey extensions would by reason of their scale, design and location, would result in an incongruous form of development that would fail to respect the character and appearance of the street scene and the established regular building line of the terrace along St Michael’s Lane and Knowle Terrace within this prominent corner plot.”
A planning statement submitted buy the applicant had argued: “The proposed extensions have been designed to address officers’ concerns on the previously refused scheme to achieve a reasonable design that is compatible and accord with the relevant planning policies to avoid overlooking, overbearing and over dominance of the proposed extensions on the adjoining property.
“The scheme has been designed to be sympathetic with the host building as well as the immediate neighbourhood and context.”
Spring crocii and winter pansies at Kirkstall Abbey and a mild February weekend in Bramley Park and Upper Town Street have been captured by West Leeds photographer Susan Tellum.
Chris Atkinson celebrates his goal. Photo: John McEvoy
Farsley Celtic notched a comfortable three points thanks to a 3-1 win against basement club Bishop’s Stortford at The Citadel.
Goals from Noah Wadsworth, Chris Atkinson and Ben Atkinson were enough to give the Celts the win, while the visitors notched an injury time consolation goal.
The gaffer takes a tumble as a Stortford defender slide in. Photo: John McEvoy
The Celts started the brighter of the two teams, Rudy Misambo heading narrowly wide early on. It wasn’t long before Noah Wadsworth gave the Celts the lead with a fine strike into the bottom corner.
Soon after Clayton Donaldson came close with a header which was tipped over the bar by the visiting keeper.
Sam Leverett in the thick of the action. Photo: John McEvoy
re a superb low Chris Atkinson strike from what must have been 35 yards hit the bottom corner to put the Celts 2-0 up just before half time.
The second half was a quieter and scrappy affair, but Farsley slowly got on top and Ben Atkinson finished a fine move involving Donaldson and Coulson to make it 3-0.
Leban saved one on one for Farsley but The Celts could have added more to the scoreline, most notably through Wadsworth and Allan, who both hit the woodwork.
In injury time the Celts gave the ball away in midfield and the visitors notched a late consolation goal.
Next week Farsley travel to top of the table Tamworth.
Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman suffered serious injuries after becoming trapped under her own car in Farsley.
The incident happened on a driveway on Kirklees Rise, shortly after 2pm yesterday (Friday).
Emergency services were called to the scene and the woman, aged in her 60s, was taken to hospital with serious crush injuries. The collision involved a Vauxhall Corsa. Nobody else is thought to have been involved.
Officers from West Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Unit are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who may have video footage to contact them by calling 101 or go online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat quoting reference 890 of 2/2.
A fundraiser to thank the family quitting Calverley Stores – potentially leaving the village without a Post Office – has raised more than £1,700.
Last month’s announcement by Waheeda and Asaf Hussain came as hundreds of sub postmasters pursue claims for compensation following prosecutions and losses due to the flawed Horizon computer system. The scandal was highlighted at the beginning of the year by the ITV drama Mr Bates Versus the Post Office.
Waheeda and Asaf have run Calverley Stores since 2006 – and a fundraiser has been set up to support the family by Calverley resident Katie Coates.
On the online fundraiser, Katie said: “After the recent events that have come to light with everyone regarding the Post Office, I feel it is right we help Waheeda, Asaf and the boys.
“Waheeda and her family always bring a huge smile regardless of what’s going on behind closed doors! The upset this has caused our community is just horrific! Let’s all try and help Waheeda, Asaf and her family and pay back some of the awful times they have had over the past years of working at the Post Office!”
As previously reported by WLD, the couple tried to sell the shop and Post Office a couple of times, but there was no interest. In the end they have sold the shop, which will become a general store, leaving it to the Post Office to either find someone to run the sub Post Office or leave Calverley folk having to travel to Woodhall, Farsley or further away for services.
“It was an extremely dark and anxious period for all of us but particularly for Waheeda,” said Asaf last month.
The announcement led to hundreds of messages of support from customers in the village and further afield. All said how sad they are that the family was leaving, but understood why. Many have stories of how Waheeda and Asaf have helped them, especially during lockdown when they looked out for the more vulnerable customers.
In 2018 Waheeda was crowned ‘queen’ of Calverley in a lighthearted community awards run by Creative Calverley community organisation.
Farsley Celtic's Dylan Youmbi fires off a shot against Radcliffe. Photo: John McEvoy
Farsley Celtic entertain bottom club Bishop’s Stortford at The Citadel tomorrow (Saturday) – and are coming into the game in good form.
The visitors have lost their last seven league games but the Celts won’t be taking tomorrow lightly, with memories of early November’s 2-1 home defeat to Darlington, who were then bottom of the table, still fresh in the mind.
“If we’re not at it tomorrow, it will be a long day,” said gaffer Clayton Donaldson. “It’s not going to be easy. There is no such thing as an easy game in this league, and you can see that in the results across the board this season, anybody can beat anybody on the day.
“They lost heavily (4-1 against Gloucester) last week but they had a man sent off and the score might not reflect the full game, so we have to be on our guard. They are fighting for their lives and will be looking for a reaction after last week.”
The gaffer feels recent results haven’t reflected strong performances in recent games, with the Celts unfortunate to only have one point to show for their efforts at South Shields and Chorley.
“Our performances have been very pleasing, even if it hasn’t always been reflected in the results. It’s frustrating but I feel it’s only a matter of time before we start another good run, similar to the one we had before Christmas.
“I just feel we are lacking that but of luck in front of goal sometimes. The performances have been good. Sometimes you create your own luck, like with our goal at Chorley last week when we got bodies in the box.
“We’re looking forward to tomorrow’s game and hope fans come out in numbers to get behind us. Their support has been great all season and we all appreciate it.”
Clayton Donaldson in action. Photo: John McEvoy
Kick-off time
The match kicks off at 3pm.
Ticket news & supporters’ information
All the important supporter information for the clash – including admission prices and parking – can be found here.
Team news
The Celts have no new injury major concerns to report.
Lewis Turner and Joao Silva are out on loan at Ossett United in a bid to gain extra minutes and the gaffer has long-term absentee Harry Sheridan back in training but lacking match fitness. Hull City loanee Jack Leckie has suffered another injury setback and will not play again this season. Darren Stephenson has started on-field running and some physical work.
Dylan Youmbi could return following an injury sustained in our last home game against Scarborough.
Pudsey Carnival parade 2023 winds its way through Chapeltown. Photo: Debbie Binnersley
Organisers have revealed the theme of this year’s Pudsey Carnival.
The popular community event is being held on Saturday, 18 May 2024, with the popular parade through Pudsey town centre, followed by stalls, funfair and arena attractions at Queens Park.
And this week’s committee meeting decided the parade theme will be musicals from stage and screen.
Proceeds from the carnival will go towards the Pudsey Defibrillator Fund.
THE long disused Wortley Curve seems to have been safeguarded for any future rail use after Network Rail revealed they purchased the land at auction this week.
The stretch of rail line in Leeds was once key in linking the Bradford to Wakefield without having to travel to Leeds City Centre.
But the stretch of line was closed in 1985, but there have been calls to re-open the link to improve services to and from Bradford.
But any future proposals for the curve seemed to be in jeopardy when, earlier this week the land went to auction with a guide price of just £15,000.
It had been listed by Railway Paths Ltd, a charity that owns and manages former railway land.
When the auction ended yesterday it emerged that the lot had sold for £47,000 – but there were no details about the successful buyer.
Now Network Rail – which owns and manages rail infrastructure, has told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that it is the new owner of the Wortley Curve.
WLD had made enquiries over the purchase, and this afternoon a Network Rail spokesperson 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.”
