Kirkstall Brewery’s founder Steve Holt has bought North Brewing, which will continue to operate as an independent brewery, run by the existing management team.
The move will ensure North’s future, including its Springwell Brewery and Taproom, as well as the North Taproom sites in Leeds and Manchester. The transaction does not include the North Taproom in Birmingham, which will now close.
The founders of North, John Gyngell and Christian Townley, have known and worked closely with Holt since the earliest days of the North brand, since the opening of North Bar in 1997.
North Brewing Co filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators last Monday. The group, which supplies several supermarket and casual dining chains nationally, said that the cost of living crisis and Brexit were factors that had left it in need of funding.
Steve Holt of Kirkstall Brewery said “We’ve been friends and industry colleagues for almost 30 years. North is an iconic beer brand that had to continue. Together, we’ll make sure that North will continue to make some of the best beer in the country.”
The purchase of the North will see Gyngell and Townley remain at the helm of the business, and secures the jobs of 78 North employees.
Clayton Donaldson in action for Farsley Celtic. Photo: John McEvoy
By John Baron
Farsley Celtic are looking to bounce back to winning ways when they make the trip over the Pennines to Chorley tomorrow.
The Celts slipped to an unfortunate 2-1 defeat at windswept South Shields on Tuesday, with gaffer Clayton Donaldson frustrated we didn’t take at least a point out of the game.
“We were very unlucky not to get something and all the staff and players know that,” said the gaffer. “It was a weird game in difficult conditions but our confidence and belief is still high and the players were upbeat in training last night. There were a lot of positives and we just need to move on.”
The Celts will face a stern test at Victory Park against a side that have lost just three times at home this season. Chorley, who sit just outside the playoff places, will be looking to bounce back after suffering a 2-0 home defeat against Chester on Tuesday.
“It’ll be a very physical game tomorrow,” Clayton added. “We played them at the start of the season and we’re expecting a difficult and hostile game – Chorley is never an easy place to go.
“They’ve been having a good run and are pushing for the playoffs, but we are really looking forward to the game and can’t wait to get out there and get back to winning ways. Our away form has been very good this season, we’re playing well, we’re in confident mood and are looking forward to it.”
Clayton Donaldson in action. Photo: John McEvoy
Kick-off time
The match kicks off at 3pm.
Ticket news, travel & parking
All the important supporter information for the clash – including tickets and travel – can be found here. Our supporters’ club coach is fully booked for this fixture.
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 absentees Jack Leckie and Harry Sheridan back in training. Darren Stephenson has yet to return to training.
Rudy Misambo trained last night after missing the South Shields game due to a stomach issue. Isaac Assenso and Dylan Youmbi missed Tuesday’s fixture with knocks.
Snow White, aka Holly Smith, has had fifteen inches cut off from her luxurious locks for the sake of other less fortunate princesses.
Holly decided that she would get her hair cut before the Bramley Parish Theatre Players’ production of Snow White. The pantomime will be performed at Leeds West Academy Theatre from 15 to 17 February.
Holly has donated her hair to the Little Princess Trust who make wigs for children who are suffering hair loss through cancer treatment and other illnesses.
She has also set up a Just Giving page which has so far raised over £300 and is welcoming further donations. Here is the link.
If you’d like to see Snow White’s nifty new bob then just go to the Parish Theatre Players’ website to book your tickets for the fairest family panto of them all.
Be amazed by the ‘Talking Mirror’, terrified by the Evil Queen and mystified by a bunch of Ghostbusters. Will true love conquer all? Will the Prince save Snow White? Come to Bramley’s annual pantomime and find out!
A specialist therapy service helping some of the city’s most troubled families could be axed, raising fears of more children being taken into care.
Leeds City Council could save £330,000 by cutting its Multi-Systemic Therapy Child Abuse and Neglect team (MST-CAN) as part of widespread budget cuts at the authority.
Therapists provide intensive treatment over six to nine months for families with child protection concerns, also addressing trauma and substance misuse problems.
The service, designed to prevent children facing abuse and neglect ending up in the care system, is under review as the council faces a multi-million pound budget gap.
The council’s Children and Families scrutiny board was told the future of the service was out to consultation.
Coun Ryan Stephenson, Conservative member for Harewood, said cutting MST-CAN could cost more in the long term if it led to more youngsters in care.
He said: “The proposal is to cut a service that was set up in 2013 due to an increasing number of children coming into the social care system.
“It was decided to implement the MST-CAN model to keep some of those most complex children, who were experiencing abuse and neglect, together as families.”
Fiona Venner, executive member for children’s social care, said the council was not proposing to cut its wider MST services.
She said: “MST-CAN works with a very small number of families. It’s an unpalatable decision but it’s a decision we’ve put forward, that we see as necessary in order to make the savings we need to make, in the really awful context we are in.
“We have many other ways that we support families to prevent children coming into care.”
MST-CAN has the equivalent of 5.2 full-time staff, according to the council’s service review report.
Julie Longworth, director of children and families, said the council had no choice but to make savings. She said: “They are a small team team doing fantastic work. We would want to retain those staff. We want to retain their knowledge and expertise.”
Building sales, parking charges and job losses are being proposed as the council seeks to balance its budget.
Coun Jonathan Pryor, deputy council leader and executive member for economy, culture and education, said: “I think it demonstrates the dire position all local government is in.
“You end up cutting things that would save you money further down the line.”
WLD has been chronicling council cuts for several years in our Cutswatch series.
The family who have run Calverley Stores since 2006 are quitting in March, potentially leaving the village without a Post Office.
The announcement by Waheeda and Asaf Hussain comes 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.
Like the people featured in the drama, Waheeda had problems balancing the books through Horizon and had to make good the shortfall by borrowing money to keep the business and their home.
“It was an extremely dark and anxious period for all of us but particularly for Waheeda,” said Asaf.
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.
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.
Waheeda Hussain of Calverley Post Office
Asaf said they were grateful to all the customers for their support over the years.
“There are significant numbers who have supported us through our side ventures like the Friday Curry Nights, The Pop-Up French Bakery, and our Street Food Fridays. Most will be aware that these were necessary for us to simply survive as a business and to remain afloat.
“We have been blessed with the custom of lots of local businesses but particularly Zenith. Zenith who were originally based in the mills in Calverley. Zenith are one of the leading car leasing companies in the UK and we completed a considerable number of road taxes for them. In fact, without their business over the years we would not have survived.”
He added that the family would stay in the village for the time being.
A collection of classic confectionery has added a timeless touch of sweetness to a new exhibition in Kirkstall.
Vintage Yorkshire sweet jars, chocolates and toffee tins are among the objects on show in Abbey House Museum’s The Power of Persuasion, which explores the stories and strategies behind some of history’s most iconic brands.
Curators and volunteers have been hard at work recreating a vintage sweet shop for the exhibition, showcasing shelves of historic treats enjoyed by children and adults over the past 120 years.
Among the objects which make up the display are tins of traditional Pontefract liquorice, made by Hillaby’s in the 1930s. Founder John Hillaby established the huge steam-powered Lion Liquorice Works in 1850, which grew its own crops and became the largest liquorice producer in the world.
They also made the liquorice boot which was famously eaten by legendary silent film star Charlie Chaplin in the film, Goldrush.
Kitty Ross, Leeds Museums and Galleries’ curator of social history, said: “Sweets and confectionery are among the most enduring and recognisable brands in the world, tapping into a unique sense of nostalgia and the happy memories we have of them as children. “Most people can fondly recall their favourite childhood sweet or treat as well as the places and people they associate with them, and that’s always been a key part of the products which have stood the test of time.
“In many ways, those brands encapsulate the power of advertising and we can see in them examples of the ingenious tactics different companies have used to appeal to their customers over the decades.”
As well as sweets and confectionery The Power of Persuasion also features other objects which look back at hundreds of years of tried and trusted brands from across Yorkshire and beyond.
Examples include vintage signs which once adorned the streets of Leeds such as a giant pair of spectacles which once hung outside the famous Dyons jewellers and which were rescued from a skip when the shop was renovated. Also on display is an eye-catching golden Tetley’s brewery sign and a huge wooden arm and hammer which once advertised a Victorian gold beater’s shop in Leeds.
The Power of Persuasion is open now at Abbey House Museum on January 20, 2024. More details are available here.
It’s not long now until the bowling season begins and Armley Bowling Club is appealing for new members to boost the club and enjoy a fun, community activity.
If you are free on a regular basis, the friendly club would love to hear from you.
A spokesperson said: “Don’t worry if you have never played before. Our members are a friendly bunch and there will be plenty of opportunities to practice.”
If interested there’s a few ways to reach out:
• Come along to a meeting on a Thursday at 2pm at the bowling hut.
Women’s group SHEnanigans Armley are working with local organisations to deliver a series of projects aimed specifically at increasing the safety of women and girls in the community.
Across LS12, indeed the whole of Leeds, every woman and girl should feel safe but sadly that isn’t always the case and that’s why the pilot SHE Safe has been launched locally.
SHEnanigans recently held a self-defence class for members and it was one of the most popular events held in their two year history for a very simple reason – such safety initiatives are needed.
Jo, a member said of the event, said “I’ve lived in Armley for over 20 years and I love this community – but whether I’m here or elsewhere, I’m always conscious of my safety. It’s something that you regrettably become all too aware of. Walking down the street; ‘cat calls’; inappropriate ‘banter’ that instantly puts you on edge because at the back of your mind, you can’t help think ‘what if’…
“It’s a scary place to be and this pilot project will definitely help me and others feel more protected.”
SHE Safe intends to work in partnership with existing and new projects and bring them to the women and girls in our area.
Lizzie from SHEnanigans said: “We held a focus group and every woman (and I mean every woman) said that they didn’t feel safe. Not just in Armley, but in general. And so, do we wait until something tragically happens or do we do something?
“That’s when the conversations really started and now, thanks to an amazing group of volunteers and professional guidance, we’re launching SHE Safe as a sister project to our main SHEnanigans Armley group.
“With over 750 members made up of women or anyone who identifies as a woman in LS12, we desperately want them and non-members to access free projects that gives them access to becoming better informed and ultimately becoming far safer than they may feel now.
“Over the coming months, the SHE Safe team will be embedding the Ask for Angela campaign and raising awareness of the Walk Safe application.
“If you see the SHE Safe sticker, you can be assured that the team have received the training needed to embed these projects and the venues have committed to playing their part in supporting this initiative. If you’re a venue that is interested, please email armleyshenanigans@gmail.com and one of the team will contact you.”
‘Ask for Angela’ is for people (men included) who feel unsafe, vulnerable or threatened. They can discreetly seek help by approaching venue staff and asking them for ‘Angela’ and this will indicate to staff that they require help with their situation and a trained member of staff will then look to support and assist them.
This might be through reuniting them with a friend, seeing them to a taxi, or by calling venue security and/or the police. SHE Safe volunteers have received the training and will be rolling out this preventative project soon with local venues.
The Walk Safe app is a free personal safety app to download here. It offers a range of features to help people feel safe throughout the day and night. The plan is to deliver more free information sessions via the Armley Action team, SHEnanigans and New Wortley Community Centre.
It is available to everyone as a way of route planning, alerting friends as to your current location, as well as where the nearest help and support is located if it is needed.
The app also includes information on local support and help available if needed, such as the locations of ‘Ask for Angela’ venues in Leeds, of which there are now more than 600 across the city. These locations can also be seen at the online map at Ask for Angela – Women Friendly Leeds.
SHEnanigans are looking at funding for further self-defence classes and interactive awareness sessions too. Keep an eye on the main SHEnanigans Armley Facebook site and Armley Good Stuff for more information.
A raft of changes to Leeds bus services have been announced today – including improvements to the popular number 14 Leeds-Bramley-Pudsey service.
From Sunday, 18 February the FirstBus-operated service will see its Monday to Saturday frequency increased from hourly to half-hourly during the daytime, and an hourly evening service will be introduced from Leeds.
On Saturdays, the service will start three hours earlier from Leeds, one and a half hours earlier from Pudsey. Sunday frequency will remain hourly, and hours of operation will now be 9.05am to 6.05pm from Leeds. These enhancements are funded by the Combined Authority through its Bus Service Improvement Plan.
Changes have also been made to improve the reliability of the number 33 and 34 service, which goes through Kirkstall and Rodley; the 81 Leeds, Armley, Pudsey service; and the 508 service.
Cllr Tom Hinchcliffe.
Councillor Tom Hinchcliffe (Lab, Bramley & Stanningley) said he had been campaigning for improvements to the number 14 service for some time.
“I’m extremely grateful to Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority for funding these improvements to the number 14 service,” Cllr Hinchcliffe said.
“This bus is an important part of our local transport infrastructure. Many Bramley and Stanningley residents have told me how disappointed they were when the number 14 was cut last year by First Bus. Following our successful campaigns to reinstate the number 9 service and increase frequencies of the number 60/60A service, I’m delighted we have been able to improve this service too. There is still more to do and I will continue to campaign for better connectivity and transport services for local residents.”
The bus industry has been affected by changes to post-Covid travel patterns which have hit revenues, leading to operators cutting back on routes and frequencies.
The Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said she has stepped in to support services as part of her mission to build a better-connected region.
“Better bus services are a vital part of my mission for a better-connected West Yorkshire,” she added. “I’m delighted that these new and improved services will be hitting our streets next month – connecting communities, reducing reliance on cars and getting people where they need to go.”
A bus on the new A647 bus lane. Photograph by Richard Walker/ImageNorth
On weekdays, additional journeys will be introduced 0610 Leeds to Otley and 1005 Otley to Leeds. Some service 33/34 departures will be swapped over and some journeys will be retimed by around 5-15 minutes. Additional later journeys will operate Mon-Fri 2330 Leeds to Guiseley, Sat 2330 Leeds to Horsforth, Sun 2215 Leeds to Otley.
51 52 Leeds • Morley • Tingley Mills
On weekdays, late evening journeys from Leeds after 2000 will operate via Elland Road Park & Ride.
81 Leeds • Armley • Pudsey
The early afternoon timetable will be amended with one additional round trip and other journeys retimed.
110 Wakefield • Outwood • Leeds
Most journeys will be retimed by around 5 minutes, and evening journeys from Wakefield will be retimed by around 10 minutes.
118 Wakefield • East Ardsley • White Rose Centre
Most journeys will be retimed by around 5-10 minutes. On school days, the 0825 Gascoigne Road to Wakefield will start from White Rose Centre at 0800.
163 Leeds • Garforth • Kippax • Castleford
The 2305 from Leeds will be extended to terminate in Castleford instead of Kippax.
Due to safety concerns, the 174 will no longer serve Bottom Boat Road. On Saturday mornings, the first 175 journey will commence from Castleford instead of Micklefield. Most journeys will be retimed by 5-15 minutes.
200 201 Leeds • White Rose • Morley • Cleckheaton / Batley • Heckmondwike
On Saturday mornings, additional short journeys will operate, 0634 Birstall to Cleckheaton and 0710 Batley to Heckmondwike. On Sundays, the 0800 Batley to Heckmondwike will be withdrawn, and most other journeys will be retimed 12 minutes later. Evening journeys will be significantly retimed and amended. Many other journeys will be retimed by up to 5 minutes.
202 203 Leeds • White Rose • Dewsbury • Mirfield • Huddersfield
Significant changes will be made to the timetable to improve service punctuality and reliability. In the morning peak there will be earlier journeys from Dewsbury to Leeds (0440) and Leeds to Huddersfield (0537), but fewer journeys between Dewsbury and Huddersfield. The evening frequency will be reduced from half-hourly to hourly, with alternate journeys on routes 202 and 203, and last journeys earlier at 2242 from Leeds (currently 2324) and 2244 from Huddersfield (currently 2330). On Sundays the service will be significantly retimed.
212 Dewsbury • Batley • Kirkhamgate • Wakefield
Most journeys will be significantly retimed. On weekdays, there will be an additional earlier journey from Wakefield to Dewsbury at 0605.
229 Huddersfield • Heckmondwike • Birstall Retail Park • Leeds
On weekdays and Saturdays, the 1722 from Leeds will continue beyond Heckmondwike to Huddersfield, and the 1753 will terminate at Heckmondwike (1705/1735 on Sundays). On Saturday mornings, the first journey from Huddersfield will be 30 minutes earlier at 0653. Evening journeys will be significantly retimed and will finish earlier at 2235 from Leeds (currently 2310), but later from Huddersfield at 2314 (currently 2230).
254 255 Leeds • Cleckheaton • Brighouse / Halifax
On Saturday mornings, the timetable will be significantly revised and enhanced with additional earlier through journeys from Leeds to Brighouse and Halifax. On Sunday evenings an additional journey will operate 1820 Leeds to Cleckheaton. Some evening journeys will be amended and retimed by 5-10 minutes.
425 Wakefield • East Ardsley • Morley • Bradford
Some journeys will be retimed by around 5 minutes.
The evening frequency will be increased from hourly to half-hourly, alternating between service 444 and 446, with a later finish from Wakefield at 2324 instead of 2220. The early morning service from Wakefield will be enhanced. Most journeys will be retimed by around 5-15 minutes. These enhancements are funded by the Combined Authority through our Bus Service Improvement Plan.
508 Halifax • Shelf • Odsal • Thornbury • Leeds
This service will start earlier and finish later. Late evening frequency will be reduced from hourly to approximately two-hourly. Most journeys will be significantly retimed.
Wortley's Debbie Binnersley and Tracy Morgan from Zero Waste Leeds collecting
By Clancy Walker
The Leeds Winter Coat Appeal, run by Zero Waste Leeds, is asking people in West Leeds to donate great quality second-hand winter coats and other items of winter clothing in the last few days for donations to the winter 2023-2024 campaign.
Donation points in West Leeds include:
Armley Community Hub
Armley Moor Health Centre
Hawthorn Surgery, Wortley
Bramley Community Hub
Pudsey Leisure Centre
Reduce, Reuse Kids Clothes – at Pudsey Community Project
Zero Waste Leeds is aiming to distribute more than 6,500 items of winter clothing, to match last year’s total and ensure even more people can access warm clothing during the coldest months
More than 5,000 coats and items of winter clothing have been distributed so far since the appeal started in October and Zero Waste Leeds is hoping to reach more than 6,500 this year. The final date for donations is Friday, 26 January.
Volunteers outside Pudsey Leisure Centre.
Coats and winter clothing will be available from 27 collection points until the end of February. Details of donation and collection points can be found on the Zero Waste Leeds website.
Gill Coupland, from Zero Waste Leeds, said: “People in Leeds are so generous and we are so thankful that people can and do want to help. We’ve seen a real increase in donations since Christmas and as temperatures have dropped below zero – people have been having a good clear out and passed on items to those who need them.
“We would love to be able to distribute more than 6,500 items for this appeal, so we’re asking people to have one last rummage around in cupboards and drawers – and ask friends, family, neighbours and work colleagues – to find good quality items of winter clothing that can be donated. These can be taken along to more than 40 donation points, including community hubs and leisure centres, over the next week, so that we can pass them on to those who need them this winter.”
Last year’s Winter Coat Appeal saw Zero Waste Leeds distribute over 6,500 items of free winter clothing across the city, helping to reduce waste and saving people over £132,000 that could be spent on other essentials.
As well as winter coats for adults, children and babies, Zero Waste Leeds is also appealing for people to donate other great quality items of winter clothing that they no longer want or need, including hats, gloves and scarves, waterproof clothing, fleeces. This year Zero Waste Leeds is also asking for donations of baby cot sleeping bags, snow suits for young children and babies, and footmuffs to keep babies and children warm in their prams and buggies and is collaborating with Leeds Baby Bank to ensure these items are distributed to families who need them.
Gill Coupland concluded: “The cost of living crisis has hit families hard and priorities have had to change. For many families in Leeds, paying bills or buying food has had to take priority over buying a new winter coat. Sharing thousands of donated, good quality winter coats across the city means we can help ease some of the financial pressure.
“Freeing up unworn coats from the back of cupboards and wardrobes and passing them on is also so much more sustainable than buying new. Leeds is a hugely generous city and people really care about helping others, and we’d love everyone who can to have one last clear out and pass on your warmth. It really does make a difference.”
Farsley Celtic's Dylan Youmbi fires off a shot against Radcliffe. Photo: John McEvoy
After two postponed games, gaffer Clayton Donaldson can’t wait for his in-form team to get back into action.
The Celts have only suffered two defeats in the last 12 league matches – and they were narrow back-to-back losses against second-placed Scunthorpe United over Christmas.
Farsley come into the game in fine form, following a decent draw at Curzon Ashton (in a game they should have won) and a fine 2-0 home win against third-placed Scarborough Athletic.
The gaffer. Photo: John McEvoy
“In some ways the break because to the weather didn’t come at the best of times as we’ve been in good run of form and as a player you just want to get back on the pitch. But on the plus side it does give us time on the training pitch and gives players the chance to overcome some knocks,” Clayton said.
The gaffer is expecting a tough away game tomorrow night against a full-time side sitting just above the Celts in the table.
He said: “South Shields like to play expansive football, especially at home. They currently have an interim manager and got their first win since 14 November last time out (a 3-2 thriller at Bishops Stortford) and their confidence will have taken a boost from that.
“But we are in good form ourselves and come into the game with confidence. It will be two confident teams going into the match and I think it’ll be a good football game which I’m looking forward to!”
Kick-off time
The match kicks off at 7.45pm.
Ticket news, travel & parking
All the important supporter information for the clash – including tickets and travel – can be found here. Our supporters’ club is running a coach to the game and spaces are still available. Cost is £20. Contact John Stubbs on 07904 187327 to book and for departure times.
Team news
The Celts have no new injury 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 absentees Jack Leckie and Harry Sheridan back in training. There’s no news on Darren Stephenson’s return.
