Mast site: North Side Exchange, Wyther Lane. Photo: Google
Plans to remove an existing phone mast and replace it with a 30-metre pole in Kirkstall have been submitted to Leeds City Council for determination.
Applicant Cornerstone aims to take down the existing 22.5 metre mast at North Side Exchange Office Park, Wyther Lane with a new 5G towering equipment cabinets.
The application states the new mast will boost mobile phone signals in the Armley, Bramley and Kirkstall areas. The applicant says Armley ward councillors Louisa Cunningham, Jim McKenna and Alice Smart were approached for feedback prior to submission, but had received no response.
Hoollybush have launched a £32,000 appeal. Photo: John Baron
Volunteers at Hollybush Conservation Centre are hoping to be flushed with success after launching an appeal to raise £32,500 for a new accessible toilet block.
The Grade II listed former rhubarb farm, off Broad Lane, is a thriving community centre, cafe and gardens with thousands of volunteers and visitors each year.
But a TCV Hollybush spokesperson said:
“Anyone who has visited Hollybush on a busy afternoon, or been to one of our major events, knows that there is often a queue for the one ground floor toilet.
“We do have temporary portaloos on site, but they are not always happy places to be. Many people who enjoy the site have learning and physical disabilities, use walking frames or wheelchairs or are parents/carers with toddlers and pushchairs, and can experience un-needed anxiety and risk of toileting incidents.”
Hollybush has planning permission to build a new block with three accessible toilets and handwashing facilities. This will be a timber frame building, with a green planted roof, designed to complement the surrounding area. The spokesperson added:
“We very much hope to secure the majority of the costs for the building from the Landfill Communities Fund, which supports environmental and community projects at places like Hollybush. However, we need to raise another £25,000 to finish it off with nice things like a roof and actual toilets. We also need to provide a £7,500 contribution, raised from the public and others, to a Landfill Operator in order to release the £75,000 for our toilet block project. This will help demonstrate that the community is desperate for this to happen!
“We would be so grateful if you could contribute what you can. Hollybush is a special place, and all the people who find it safe and welcoming deserve to feel comfortable there in every way.”
The site of a former Farsley care home should be used for either local authority or extra care housing for the elderly, councillors have said
Richmond House was closed last year, along with Home Lea House in Rothwell, in a bid to save the local authority just over £1.5m a year. But senior councillors on the council’s executive board have stressed that the site should continue to be used for social benefit.
Leeds Conservatives deputy leader Councillor Alan Lamb (Wetherby) called on officers continue to have ‘urgent conversations’ with Calverley & Farsley ward councillors Andrew and Amanda Carter on the development of proposals for the site.
Director of city development Martin Farmington agreed to investigate whether it would be feasible for the site to be used for extra care housing, considering that an adjacent facility was used for the same purpose. Leeds City Council officers are looking into future uses for the site.
Cllr Fiona Venner (Lab, Kirkstall) said the closure of Richmond House last October had gone smoothly. Residents had settled into new homes and there had been no compulsory redundancies during the closure process.
The current Richmond House building is currently earmarked for demolition. The size and layout of the building is one of the reasons why NHS pulling out of the home, as it cannot compete with larger newer facilities. It’s not expected that the building in its current form would accommodate any future use.
After the meeting, Cllr Peter Carlill (Lab, Calverley & Farsley) issued a statement on social media. He said: “Discussions are now ongoing about possible use of the site for council housing, either specifically for older people, or as a mix of more varied council housing.
“I am happy to support this as a proposed use. I have had a large amount of casework from local residents struggling to find affordable housing in our area – and this has only increased in recent months due to the cost of living crisis. This site could provide substantial affordable homes for people from our communities, allowing people to stay within the village, close to their friends, family and support network and the area they call home.
“I will continue to look at options with council officers, but will be pushing for an option that has the most benefit for the local community, and resolves the issues that residents in our area raise with me most often.”
Richmond House was a 20-bed residential service in Richmond Road. It offered short-term care and support to people who require convalescence following a hospital admission. Council officers last year said average occupancy since 2018/19 was 55 per cent and its gross budget was £742,000.
Stuck for something to do with the family – or as a grown up? There’s lots happening at TCV Hollybush this summer.
Hollybush Conservation Centre, off Broad Lane, will play host to kids’ woodwork sessions on Wednesdays throughout August, offering the opportunity for children and adults to learn together in a safe, supported environment. Taught in groups of no more than six children, with their accompanying guardians, participants will learn the basic skills to make an item together, to take home and treasure.
There are two different courses, the first on learning how to build a bug hotel, and the second a small garden planter. Sessions run 10am and 1pm. Minimum age for attending the course is eight years old.
Making full use of the Hollybush garden, on 4 and 26 August, Lisa from Tiny Outdoor Explorers will be running two different multi-activity sessions, with nature crafts, puzzles and lots more. Pre-book your tickets by emailing info@tinyoutdoorexplorers.co.uk. Tickets are £7 a child and activities are suitable for 2-11 year-olds.
Hollybush is now open on Sundays, so people can pop down for a wander round the garden, and drop into the café for a treat between 11am and 3pm.
Sunday 7 August – Friends of Hollybush Volunteering Day, with the Health and Wellbeing Team.
Friends of Hollybush Volunteering days take part on the first Sunday of each month between 11am and 3pm, and offer the opportunity to drop in and help out with a project or event. Activities are suitable for adults or supervised older children. In August, get a taste of what it’s like to volunteer with the Health and Wellbeing Team at Hollybush, who will be building a Stag Beetle Loggery in the woods, and working on nature crafts. Free, no booking necessary.
Sunday 14 August – Tower of Song family-friendly summer special
Tower of Song is a long-running, very welcoming, open-mic night for Leeds songwriters to perform their original material, often on a theme picked by the audience. Come along and enjoy some music in the woods, and maybe even sign-up to perform, Performances will be between 2pm and 4pm, in the woodland shelter, and it’s free to attend. Further info on the event can be found on the Facebook event here.
Sunday 21 August – Weekend Woodwork
Back by popular demand, on Sunday 21 August Hollybush will be running two sessions of itsW ooden Sign Making course. Learn the skills to make a wooden sign using routering, pyrography or paints, which you will take home with you at the end of the day.
Sunday 21 also sees the return of the Menopause Meet-up group, now a regular monthly event. The group aims to provide mutual support and explore natural strategies for managing this time of life. No booking necessary. It runs 12pm-2pm.
Looking up to the rose garden in Pudsey Park. Photo: West Leeds Dispatch
As well as being maintained by the council, Kirkstall Abbey is supported by the Friends of Kirkstall Abbey Park group and Pudsey Park by Pudsey in Bloom volunteers. A new play area is currently being installed in Pudsey Park, with work expected to last throughout the summer.
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for public health and active lifestyles, said:
“After two years that have seen our parks and green spaces play a vital role for people through lockdowns as a place to relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely, the news that these parks have achieved the Green Flag Award is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that make the green spaces a great space that everyone can enjoy.”
Commenting on the news that these parks have met the Green Flag Award standard, Keep Britain Tidy’s Accreditation Manager Paul Todd, said: “These parks are vital green spaces for the community in Leeds. This award is testament to all the hard work of staff and volunteers, who do so much to ensure that they maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”
“The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.”
Other Leeds parks to receive the award include Golden Acre Park, Middleton Park, Otley Chevin Forest Park, Roundhay Park and Temple Newsam Estate.
Pudsey Juniors Football Club have secured a grant from the Football Foundation of £182,527 towards the pitch improvement works at Queens Park.
The project includes improving three youth and junior football pitches – which currently sit on a slope – and a 12-month maintenance programme. It will also provide a new modular unit to consist of a kitchen area and toilet, two metal storage containers and portable goalposts and a post and rail fence with three-metre wide gate.
Contractors will by starting very soon by spraying off the grassed area where the pitches are going to be improved in readiness for the groundworks to commence. The area will be fenced off whilst the works are taking place and will allow the grass to establish.
Pudsey Juniors use the area marked in red, which currently sits on a slope.
Ian Dent chairman of Pudsey Juniors said:
“This is fantastic news, we are keen to get things moving as quickly as possible ready for the start of the 2023/24 football season.
“We have been working for many years to improve facilities at Queens Park for the club to use and I’m looking forward to seeing the project completed.”
The grant is in addition to the club’s own contribution and section 106 money, which is paid to Leeds City Council as a planning condition for community improvements.
The club has been working closely with Leeds City Council and local councillors on the improvements. Cllr Simon Seary (Cons, Pudsey) said: “I’m extremely proud to have been able to work closely with Pudsey Juniors. This will help deliver the much-needed improvements to a large section of Queens Park, which will be dedicated to junior football.”
A council report published last week says the total cost of the project is £192,901.80, with Pudsey Juniors putting in £10,374.80. A contract was awarded to Cleveland Land Services for the pitch improvement works and 12-month maintenance programme at Queens Park.
The report added: “The project will make a huge difference to local junior football through the pitch improvement work, which will greatly enhance the quality of the grass pitches in Queens Park. This will reduce the number of matches being postponed due to having better quality pitches and better drainage, along with an enhanced maintenance programme.
“The welfare unit will enable Pudsey Juniors to generate income for the club by providing refreshments for their players and spectators and will provide toilet facilities to ensure it meets safeguarding and equality standards.”
The aim is for the groundworks to start this month, which should take around five to six weeks to complete. However, given the various works required and the time it will take for the newly developed pitches to become fully established following seeding works, the pitches are unlikely to be ready until summer 2023.
The project will benefit over 150 young people aged five to 18 years from Pudsey and the surrounding areas.
Traffic issues and initiatives to improve Armley Town Street will be discussed at a re-arranged Armley Forum meeting.
The public meeting was cancelled last month due to the extreme heatwave which saw Leeds bake, with temperatures reaching almost 40 centigrade.
The re-arranged meeting will see council planning officers talk about on progress on planning applications at Theaker Lane and the Conservative Club, Pickering Street/Armley Court and the Aviaries.
Residents will have the chance to raise issues with council highways officers about Armley Ridge Road, rat running on the Aviaries, ongoing work on the A647 and there will be a general update on the Armley Ward.
There will also be an update on Armley Town Street and the Armley Ambassadors scheme, with the latest on future events and projects from the Armley Action Team.
The Armley Forum, which is run by Leeds City Council, will be held on Tuesday, 2 August 2022, at 7pm in Armley Community Hub. Armley residents are cordially invited to attend.
Russ Wilcox’s side ended pre-season with a 5-1 home defeat to National League side Scunthorpe United, with a scoreline that flattered the guests who rattled in four goals in the final 12 minutes.
Five minutes into the game, debutant Reagan Ogle opened the scoring for Scunthorpe.
However, it took only ten minutes for Jimmy Spencer to make it 1-1 with a cool finish inside the box.
Despite a strong start, it was Farsley who were on top for the majority of the first half. Jacob Gratton looked the most likely threat for Farsley, and came close as he cut in from the left and forced the Scunthorpe ‘keeper Marcus Dewhurst to make a great save.
Midway through the second half, the visitors made eight substitutions, and that proved to be a crucial moment as the fresh legs proved all-important.
The rain appeared to be an advantage for Scunthorpe, making the surface quicker for their attackers. Farsley had a couple of chances to take the lead but the crowd had to wait until the 78th minute for the next goal, when some great build up play led to a second goal scored by midfielder Cameron Wilson.
With the Celts tiring, Scunthorpe took advantage as Nat Wallace made it 3-1 in the 81st minute.
The visitors’ attack was too energetic for Farsley’s defence, as Lewis Butroid accidentally played the ball to Charlie Burden-Whittleton, who passed it into the net.
Burden-Whittleton quickly made it five, as he converted a volley after a cross from Wilson in the 86th minute and confirmed the Celts’ defeat.
Farsley gave a great account against the recently relegated League Two side, where they could’ve seen a more positive result on another day.
Next up is the season opener, with a trip to Leamington next weekend.
Put on some 3D glasses and take a wander around the treasure trove that is Scrap in Farsley to discover some interesting new features and items… but are they really there?
From an idea that originated for ‘I Love West Leeds’ festival, local artist Sam Paechter has been developing his skills in creating anamorphic anaglyphs: a complex process of manipulating the colours and shape of off-set photographs to produce an image that the brain recognises as 3D.
With funding from the Leeds City Council’s Leeds Inspired grant, ‘Illusion’ is an installation commissioned by the Farsley Festivalteam originally planned to feature on Hainsworth Park during the Festival in 2020.
Ted.
But due to the COVID pandemic, neither the festival or the installation took place. Two years later, it was decided by both the Festival team and the artist to offer this as an extra event to the local community in addition to the festival. Fiona Killen, Chair of the Farsley Festival team explains:
“We’ve been waiting two years to see this installation and can’t wait to get our 3D glasses on. We’d originally planned for this to be part of Farsley Festival in 2020. It’s thanks to the Leeds Inspired Fund and Scrap that we can offer this artwork experience for free.
“As well as so much going on at the Festival and over the Jubilee weekend, we thought it would be a shame if the installations were lost amongst all the other activities. We also wanted to be able to offer the community something extra and something a little different and Scrap is the perfect place to host this! We are showcasing local talent and local businesses.”
Sam has placed a number of 3D images, including a dog and a baby, around the space that blend with their surroundings so it’s hard to distinguish what is real and what is not.
Sam Paechter, Creator of Illusion, said:
“I’m really pleased to be able to feature this installation in Farsley. Whilst Farsley and especially Sunny Bank Mills is known for art and creative talent, I hope this offers something a bit different, perhaps something that people have not experienced before. It’s entertaining but also maybe a little bit disturbing (in a good way!).”
Louise Lucas, director of Scrap, said:
“Scrap is all about creativity so it makes absolutely sense to partner with this project; we’re happy to be supporting local artists and the local community, and looking forward to seeing the delight and wonder of visitors discovering these images as they stroll around.”
Scrap – a local Farsley business located in Sunny Bank Mills – kindly offered their space and will be hosting the installation throughout the summer for people to pop in, pick up a pair of 3D glasses off the counter and get exploring!
Meet Bramley's 'Flying Parson' - the Rev David Evans.
By Paul Abraham
Bramley RLFC were in the headlines in August 1946 when they signed the Reverend David L Evans, who was nicknamed “The Flying Parson”.
Below are some of the reports of his signing and televison appearance in London. There seemed to be some mystery over his actual age and, despite all the publicity, he failed to make an appearance for the Bramley first team who already had quality three-quarters in the shape of goal-kicking centre Jack Gibson, the Australian Bob Bartlett and local speedster Ernest Humphreys, so his opportunities would have been limited especially as it was an era before substitutions.
Was it all a publicity stunt or a genuine signing? Whichever, he got Bramley in the spotlight.
Halifax Evening Courier – Wednesday, 28 August 1946
A 23 year old clergyman, the Rev. David L Evans who’s speed on the wing has earned him the title of “The Flying Parson” has been signed by the Bramley Rugby League Club. Before taking up his ministerial duties at Burstall, he assisted several Welsh Rugby Union Clubs Blaenavon and Briton Ferry.
Bradford Observer – Thursday, 29 August 1946
The Rev David L Evans, nonconformist minister of Birstall, has signed as a professional for Bramley, but will not receive a signing-on fee, though he will get the normal playing terms. Evans, who was nicknamed “The Flying Parson” when playing rugby union in Wales because of his speed, says, the money he will receive will help him in the organisation of various youth and sporting clubs attached to his Gospel Temperance Mission.
“Flying Parson” August 30th 1946
The Rev, David L Evans, paster of the Gospel Temperance Hall at Birstall, Yorkshire, has signed on as a professional for Bramley Rugby League Club. 28 years of age, the pastervis married and has three children. He has earned the title of “Flying Parson” from his prowess as a wing three-quarter. The Church Governors have raised no objections to the Rev-Evans using football as a means to strengthen his income. He is the first minister of the Gospel ever to sign professional Rugby League forms.
“The Flying Parson” photographed at the Bramley Rugby Ground.
Bradford Observer – Friday, 6 September 1946
Bramley’s Flying Parson is televised
Rev DL Evans, who signed professional forms for Bramley Rugby League Club, yesterday went to Alexandre Palace, London, to appear on the television Picture Page programme for his television interview with Mr Wynford Vaughan Thomas.
Twice yesterday the Rev David Evans, minister of Birstall Temperance Hall, went before the television cameras at Alexandra Park, London to explain how at the age of 31 he has taken up Rugby League Football, joining Bramley with the nickname the “Flying Parson”. Mr Evans had taken his rugby kit with him, but it was decided he should appear in a black suit.
Mr Evans related the history of joining Bramley, although he actually prefers soccer. He said he joined Bramley only to show that clean living can enable a man to keep fit enough to play a highly competitive sport against men much younger.
Asked if he maintained very strict rules of training, he replied “Not really, as you have probably guessed, I don’t drink.” His advice was “Live cleanly, think cleanly, and you will act cleanly.”
Barbara Taylor Bradford was born in Armley in 1933 to Freda and Winston Taylor. Attending the same Upper Armley school as Alan Bennett, she went on to become a famous writer both here and in the States where she now resides.
After leaving school at 15 to work in the typing pool of the Yorkshire Evening Post she became a reporter for them, sitting alongside another famous Leeds author Keith Waterhouse.
Photo: Susan Johnson
After meeting Robert Bradford, an American producer, who she later married, she then moved to New York. Ten of her books were made into TV mini series and TV movies produced by her husband.
Barbara Taylor Bradford was awarded the prestigious Leeds Award for her contribution to the city for the recognition of her nationally and internationally acclaimed work. Recipients have their name inscribed on the wall of fame located in the Civic Hall. She was awarded an OBE by the Queen in 2007 for her contribution to literature. She is also a patron of Leeds Library.
Read more of Susan’s ‘Stepping Into’ column here. The column looks at the history which is etched beneath our feet into heritage paving stones in Armley Town Street.
Police have issued images of a man they want to identify in connection with an attempted serious sexual assault in the Stanningley Road area.
The incident took place between 2.30am and 2.50am on Stanningley Road on Thursday, July 14 after a woman was approached by a man and followed up Stanningley Road.
He spoke with her briefly and then attempted to assault her.
The offender fled in the direction of Gotts Park.
DI Carl Morrison of the Leeds Safeguarding Unit, said:
“We are continuing to conduct a number of enquiries into this offence and the victim has been supported by specially trained officers.
“We are now releasing CCTV stills of a man we would like to speak with and I would ask anyone who can identify him to come forward.”
Anyone who can assist the enquiry is asked to contact PC 3676 Gamble at Leeds District Safeguarding Team 2 on 101 or online referencing crime number 13220382121. Information can also be given anonymously to the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
