The Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society, known to many as ‘The Phil and Lit’, is one of the city’s oldest established institutions, being formed in 1819.
Its lecture series invariably cover a wide range of subjects and it has always tackled controversial topics. 2024 will be no exception with a series of lectures on broad political topics that are vital to the year’s election agenda.
The first, at 6pm this Thursday, 4 January, will be given by Chris Graham, former UK Information Officer, on “Grown-up politics needs a grown-up voting system – our future depends on it: the case for electoral reform”. The next lecture in this series will be given on Wednesday, 7 April by Sir Vince Cable on “Big Business and the Democratic Process.”
The lectures are held in the Maurice Keyworth Building in the Leeds University Business School and all are welcome. More information on these and other lectures is on the Society’s website: www.leedsphilandlit.org.uk/.
Dr Rachael Unsworth, the Phil and Lit’s events officer, said: “The Phil and Lit may well be one of the oldest institutions in Leeds but over its more than 200 years history it has always been up to date with its programme of lectures on scientific, cultural and literary subjects. Recent topics have included Ukraine, Yorkshire Regional government, and press freedom.
“In 2024, being election year, the Society is presenting lectures on issues that should influence the political debate. All our lectures are open to everyone.”
Founded in 2018 by the international violinist Asuka Sumi, Otley Baroque provides the finest live concert with both renowned and up-and-coming musicians across the UK.
In January, Otley Baroque invites Farsley-born Cornetto player Nicholas Emmerson and two young talents from London and present Venetian baroque music at the time of Monteverdi, played on historical instruments.
Asuka said: “Nick Emmerson makes a triumphant return to his hometown after a successful career in the Netherlands and Germany.
“I have also invited two young and talented musicians from the Bellotti Ensemble in London, who have both graduated recently from the Royal College of Music. It will be an unmissable evening as these talents converge in the discovery of exhilarating Italian baroque music, which traces its origin from folkloric tunes to Mediterranean dances.”
‘Baroque ConneXion – Music in 17th Century Venice‘
21 January Sunday 2024 at Sunny Bank Mills Gallery
Start: 17:00 (Door Opens 16:30)
With Nicholas Emmerson, cornetto, Asuka Sumi, baroque violin, Pablo Tejedor Gutiérrez, baroque cello, Matthew Brown, harpsichord
Ticket Price range: £12 General, £10 concession (65+, unwaged), free under 16s, £22 pair, available at the Sunny Bank Mills Gallery Shop and online here.
Joe with his wife and children. Photo: Noel Bullock
By Katherine Turner
Joe Bedford, of Farnley, has dedicated the last ten days over the festive period to run ten kilometres each day, raising vital funds for Cancer Research and the New Farnley Cricket Club junior section.
Every morning at 8am, Joe and his friends from the cricket club have set off walking, running and biking to ensure the challenge is completed. They have a goal to raise over £5,000 for the charities. Joe has kept raising the goal each time they reach a target but wants to keep it achievable.
In 2021 Joe ran nine kilometres over nine days and wanted to go one better this year. Joe told WLD: “In 2021 I was raising money to buy a defibrillator for the cricket club and for the juniors. This time round my father-in-law has been terminally ill with melanoma, it has been a real challenge. I’m not a massive runner but I wanted to do something that would help my mental capacity as well as physically.
“I started on 23 December which meant that I had to go out on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and finish on New Year’s Day. I fixed the time at 8am so that everybody knew and anyone could join.”
Cancer is a subject very close to Joe’s heart. Sadly, during the challenge Joe’s father-in-law, and well-known local man, Billy Sutherland passed away
Joe could not believe the traction the challenge had gained, going from day one where five people joined, up to New Year’s Eve the group was now over 50 strong and included Joe’s children and wife (who still took part despite her recent loss).
Joe said “I lost my father-in-law on day seven, I found out at 6.30 in the morning and my wife was adamant that I go and run at 8. This was really, really challenging but at the same time we got it done, for him. With Cancer Research we just hope that people don’t have to go though what we have as it has been so difficult.”
If you would like to donate to support Joe’s cause you can find the link here.
At the time of writing the total stands at an amazing £5,205 and the Just Giving page will stay open until after the funeral.
New Year’s coral berries on Broad Lane, swans on the canal and Kirkstall Abbey in January sun have all been captured on camera by photographer Susan Tellum.
Here’s a gallery of Susan’s New Year images:
Don’r forget, you can share your photos of West Leeds with WLD readers. E-mail, then to news@westleedsdispatch.com.
Part of the exhibition will be a selection of vintage signs which once adorned the streets of Leeds. These include a huge wooden arm and hammer which once advertised a Victorian gold beater’s shop, held here by KItty Ross
Suspect sales tactics employed by crafty companies through history will be exposed in a new exhibition in Kirkstall exploring the evolution of advertising.
The Power of Persuasion will cast a critical eye over the spurious claims made by firms of the past, which occasionally landed them in hot water and helped set the strict standards for advertising today.
The exhibition, which will open at Abbey House Museum later this month, will also look at iconic brands from Leeds and beyond which have stood the test of time and cemented their place in history.
Among the stories which feature in the exhibition are the fraudulent claims made by Leeds firm C.E. Fulford Ltd, whose appetisingly named Bile Beans were on sale in the early 1900s.
Supposedly capable of helping with all manner of minor ailments, the beans, which acted as a laxative, purportedly owed their amazing curative properties to a mysterious secret ingredient discovered by a fictional explorer in the heart of Australia.
But when the company was taken to court for fraud in 1904, not only were the miraculous medicinal properties of Bile Beans found to be false, but the company was also forced to admit their “secret ingredient” was in fact nothing more than humble, locally grown rhubarb and liquorice.
Other brands under the spotlight include Vibrona Tonic Wine, made by Fletcher, Fletcher and Co. Ltd in around 1905. Marketed as medicinal, and available to buy at chemists rather than licensed premises, tonic wines were in fact extra strong alcoholic drinks, which resulted in many innocent buyers becoming unwittingly intoxicated.
The exhibition also looks at how tobacco was once sold as a health product, with one 1914 snuff company’s advertisement even carrying the slogan “a pinch a day keeps flu away.”
In contrast, other objects on display will look at the stories behind many historic, tried and trusted brands, logos and packaging which have become synonymous with their products.
Also part of the exhibition will be a selection of vintage signs which once adorned the streets of Leeds. These include a giant pair of spectacles which once hung outside the famous Dyons jewellers, founded on The Calls in 1845. Other signs include 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.
Kitty Ross, Leeds Museums and Galleries’ curator of social history, said: “The tactics companies have used to try and persuade costumers to part with their money have varied dramatically over the years in line with consumer trends, economics and the way in which advertising itself has been regulated.
“Victorian and early 20th century companies had a tendency to either wildly exaggerate or outright fabricate the health benefits of their products, often leading to quite outlandish claims which did not stand up to scrutiny.“
A new show home is being launched at the multi-million pound Stonebridge Beck development in Wortley.
Only a handful of the energy-efficient properties now remain at the scheme on Stonebridge Lane, which are being showcased at the launch of a new show home on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 January.
New Homes Advisor Giselle Ledgard, said: “We now only have a few beautiful mill townhouses remaining and this will be our final show home.
“The property is situated in the Grade II listed former textile mill and simply oozes character. It takes full advantage of many original features such as high ceilings, large windows which flood the rooms with natural light, deep window sills and thick walls.”
The new four-floor show home is on the market at £320,000 and includes carpetsthroughout. Over the launch weekend the last remaining homes available can be reserved for just £250.00.
Stonebridge Beck is a joint venture by Rushbond Plc and Advent Developments. It also provides a choice of contemporary new build properties including the 4 bedroom Hazel house type which has its own show home and is available to view without an appointment.
The Sales Centre and show homes are open 7 days a week between 10am and 5pm. For more information please call 07837 116 469 or visit www.stonebridgebeck.com.
West Leeds Dispatch board: (from left): Noel Akers, Jill Stocks, Diane Law, Iola Shaw and Anne Akers. Front row: John Baron
By John Baron, editor & co-founder
It’s New Year’s Eve and as I type this article I’m sat at our kitchen table, munching through some posh chocolate biscuits we were given as a Christmas gift and washing them down a freshly brewed cup of Yorkshire Tea. And I feel proud.
You see, today marked a special landmark for WLD – we published our 10,000th article since our website started eight-and-a-half years ago, back in May 2015. Time flies when you’re having fun, as they say!
I’m sure you’ll agree that this milestone is quite an achievement for a small community led operation like ours. It’s a lot of words and photos over the years (must be a few hundred thousand words – I can’t even begin to count them!).
What I do know is that it’s a lot of shining a light on the work of local groups and organisations, celebrating individuals, providing important community information, tracking planning applications, keeping an eye on local issues and holding the powers that be to account.
2023 has been a great year for WLD. Our quarterly print edition was nominated for Community Newspaper of the Year at the national Newspaper Awards and it was nice to be rubbing shoulders with the likes of The Guardian and The Telegraph! A couple of months later I attended an invitation-only Local News Champion reception at number 10 Downing Street as recognition of WLD‘s work in the community. We even got to interview the PM when he visited Farsley last month! Our new what’s on section has also proven hugely popular, with hundreds of events being featured each month.
We’ve also had a record 1.3 million page views on our site this year and have never been more widely read.
Some of the attendees of a community reporters’ training course at our community newsroom in 2022. Photo: John Baron
While it’s always nice to receive accolades, at the heart of our organisation is our wonderful team of volunteer community reporters. It’s been great to run three of our training courses this year – honestly, I get such a kick out of running them and it’s always a proud moment when our graduates’ first articles go live on the site or in our newspaper!
My thanks to everyone who has been part of the 1,700 contributions by community reporters in the past five years since we started running courses. Thanks also to our stalwart board members, who help steer West Leeds Community Media through what are increasingly choppy waters for local media.
It’s no secret that local journalism is in crisis, the traditional business model which sustained the industry for decades has virtually collapsed. As a result there are fewer and fewer local journalists on the beat (the BBC, YEP and Leeds Live all have fewer reporters working for them now than they did at the start of the year and Leeds Live has even closed its offices).
West Leeds Dispatch editor John Baron outside the doors of number 10 Downing Street
While I approach 2024 with my usual sense of excitement for what’s happening in our communities, it’s going to be a challenging year for WLD. Our National Lottery funding runs out in May and, while we are seeking further funding, our own medium to long future remains unclear.
Without local journalism, our democracy suffers. There’s no-one to let you know about the latest planning or licensing applications, or to shine a light on council decisions and debates, or to highlight how your council tax is being spent. Local journalism should stimulate people to be more active in their community – it should foster community spirit and galvanise communities, sometimes into action.
I start 2024 with a real worry about how its decline impacts our communities and our democracy, particularly against the backdrop of the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and the inevitable dangers of disinformation it brings at the hands of bad players.
At this point I must thank our brilliant band of supporters, who each donate £4, £10 or even more a month to support what we’re doing here in West Leeds. We couldn’t do it without you. If you’d like to join them in supporting independent community journalism, then please follow this link, we’d dearly appreciate it.
It’s the support and warmth from our volunteers, supporters, readers and partners who keep us doing what we’re doing as we look ahead to our ninth birthday in May.
In the meantime we look ahead to 2024 in West Leeds – what will happen to the TV Harrison ground in Wortley? Which local events or groups will you take part in this year? When will those flood defences in Kirkstall finally be finished? Will Kirkstall Goit finally be restored? Will those plans for housing in Pudsey be finally approved? What will close next as council cuts are brought in? Will Pudsey Civic Hall be saved? What will be built in your community? And most importantly, will Farsley Celtic avoid relegation this year?! Keep your eyes peeled!
I wish you and your families a happy, healthy and prosperous 2024.
Volunteers who gave up their time on Christmas Day to deliver hot food and presents to people in need have been thanks for their efforts.
More than 180 hot meals were delivered to elderly people living on their own. Members of the Rotary Club of Calverley and the team at Calverley Golf Club prepared the meals and delivered them, along with a small gift and a card.
Recipient Pat Evans said: “A massive thank you for a beautiful meal and gifts. I was overwhelmed with them. And thank you all for giving your time up to help others I greatly appreciated it. Wishing everyone a happy new year.”
Raymond Fowler said: “I would like to thank Calverley Rotary Club a very nice Christmas dinner and presents, and thanks to the lovely young family who delivered it, they made my Christmas much happier. Thank you.”
A Rotary spokesperson said: “In many cases for people who are on their own, this was the only person they will see on Christmas Day. We are very grateful to people who have donated items or money in any way to make this happen.”
The timetable for the new number 10 service linking the White Rose Centre, Pudsey and Horsforth has been released will start from Tuesday, 2 January 2024.
Operated by Squarepeg, it will replace the 9 service operated by Yorkshire Bus which ended on Christmas Eve.
The service will operate from Horsforth to White Rose Centre via Horsforth Vale, Rodley, Farsley, Pudsey, Farnley and Wortley.
The service will operate hourly on weekdays, slightly less frequently on Saturdays, and journeys will be retimed to improve reliability and punctuality.
On weekdays, connections with Squarepeg service 9 will be available at Horsforth and White Rose Centre, with a typical 10-minute connection time.
Michael Coulson on the attack for Farsley. Photo: John McEvoy
By Josh Makin
Farsley Celtic slipped to a 2-0 defeat against high-flying Scunthorpe United at The Citadel in a chaotic affair which saw three red cards and a record league crowd of 2,333.
Goals in either half from Will Evans and Fin Shrimpton were enough to secure the three points for the league leaders, against a Farsley side which showed plenty of spirit and were unlucky to have conceded a clean sheet.
It was the visitors who started the strongest out of the two sides, with Scunthorpe going close numerous times through Whitehall, before they took the lead through Evans after an almighty goalmouth scramble which saw a number of claret shirts swipe at the ball before the defender lashed home.
Tom Allan rises highest. Photo by John McEvoy
Farsley had chances of their own however, going close through Dylan Youmbi whose across the goal strike was almost tapped in by Michael Coulson.
The game was then thrown into chaos with ten minutes left to play in the half, after an off-the-ball altercation between Isaac Assenso and Whitehall led to both players been shown a straight red card.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first, with Scunthorpe looking the more dangerous side and they almost doubled their lead two minutes into the half when Alfie Beeston dragged a shot wide of the far post.
Jordan Carroll in action. Photo by John McEvoy
The Celts responded and came close to equalizing moments later through Coulson whose first-time effort forced a strong diving save from Fitzsimons to palm it around the post.
Clayton Donaldson’s men continued to ramp up the pressure on the Iron as the half continued, and not many went closer than Coulson who after receiving the ball in the box from Tom Allan, cut inside and fired an effort towards the top right corner which flew agonisingly wide.
Zan-Luk Leban didn’t have many saves to make during the match, however he had to be on top form to deny Scunthorpe’s Michael Clunan after a thunderous strike from outside the box looked destined for the bottom corner before the Slovenian’s intervention.
Jack Evans battling against Kian Scales. Photo by John McEvoy
The uphill task for Farsley was then made worse when Chris Atkinson was shown a second yellow card on his 300th appearance for the club for an apparent foul on former Celts man Kian Scales meaning Farsley finished with nine men.
The Iron then made their advantage count as Finley Shrimpton arrived late into the box to finish past Leban to seal the three points for Scunthorpe and condemn the Celts to defeat.
The Celts are on the road next week, as we make the short trip over to Greater Manchester to face Curzon Ashton at the Tameside Stadium, where Farsley will be looking to do the double over the Nash.
A disused stretch of West Leeds rail line that has been touted as a way to improve services into and out of Bradford will go to auction in the New Year.
The Wortley Curve is a section of railway that connected the Wakefield to Leeds line to the Bradford to Leeds line.
It was closed in 1985, much to the annoyance of Bradford politicians, and is now overgrown.
There have been calls in recent years for the line to be re-instated, as it would allow trains to travel from Bradford to Wakefield and beyond without having to pass through Leeds Station.
But the site, next to Wortley Recreation Ground, will go under the hammer at an online auction on January 30 with a guide price of just £15,000.
The land currently belongs to Railway Paths Ltd, a charity that owns and manages former railway land.
The online auction listing, by Pugh auctioneers, says the three-acre stretch of land is “suitable for a variety of different uses.”
The most recent push to reinstate the Wortley Curve emerged in 2020, when the Government made available funds to improve local rail services.
Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves had pushed for funding to re-open the Wortley Curve. A meeting of West Yorkshire Combined Authority in May that year heard that transport markets between Bradford and Wakefield were “not served well.”
Members were told the curve could also provide a link between the London to Leeds leg of HS2 – which has since been scrapped.
A report said: “If the Wortley Curve could be reinstated as part of a wider package, it could potentially enable faster, direct journeys between Bradford/Calderdale/Kirklees and Wakefield/Sheffield/the East Midlands without having to reverse at Leeds Station.”
The auction listing describes the Wortley Curve as: “An irregular shaped parcel of land extending to approximately 3.1 acres (1.3 Hectares) and comprising land mainly used as a former railway line.
“The site currently has heavy tree coverage and still retains some of the old rail track but could be suitable for a variety of future uses, subject to any necessary consents.
“We understand that Japanese knotweed is present on site as well as some of the old rail track.”
When WLD asked the Combined Authority about the sale of the site, and if the Authority would consider bidding on it, a spokesperson said: “We have a number of projects in development, and we continue to monitor various parcels of land which might help deliver on our ambitions to create a better-connected region.”
