Swimmers are invited to Bramley Baths as they bring in the New Year in style with their annual January 1 Big Dip.
The event has been a staple of the Baths’ events calendar since it became community led in 2010.
Swimmers line the poolside, donned in their finest (carefully considered) fancy dress attire, and jump into the pool at the same time and then enjoy a fun filled session with all the family. Although fancy dress in encouraged, it is not essential.
A Pudsey cyclist is launching a campaign to stop close passes following a number of near misses in his home town.
Tim Devereux, of Hough Top, says he is so fed up with inconsiderate drivers that every time he cycles in January he will be displaying a poster on his bike asking drivers to keep their distance.
The sign says: “Don’t drive so close to me! Five feet please (Highway Code, rule 163).”
Tim Devereux told WLD: “In 2023, I rode over 1,800 km, mostly on Pudsey’s roads. All too often, I have been ‘close passed’ by motorists – especially on Lowtown and Church Lane. Motorists may have been the recipient of my shout of ‘too close’!
“I seem to be given plenty of room when I’m riding my trike, but on a solo bike it can be unsafe and scary.
“Today, three cars, one after the other, all passed me far too close on Richardshaw Lane. If we really want people to adopt Active Travel, people need to be more respectful towards the Highway Code rules, and towards other road users.”
Mr Devereux said that in January 2022, there were a number of changes to the Highway Code, including Rule 163: ‘Give vulnerable road users at least as much space as you would a car.’ He added: “Many drivers either don’t know the rule, or ignore it!”
The cyclist, who has previously featured in WLD for his charity fundraising exploits, doesn’t think he will be shouting at cars as much in 2024 – he says he asked the family Secret Santa to give him an extra loud horn.
Plans to turn a sweet shop in Bramley into a tattoo parlour have been approved by Leeds City Council.
Darren Ansbro, of Bramley-based Hard Lines Tattoo Studio, successfully applied to the council for a change of use of the property from retail to tattoo parlour.
In a design and access statement accompanying the application, they said the application was for a change of use only, and there would be no major structural changes made to the property.
They statesment said: “The property is currently used as a sweet shop and this is reflected in the existing colour scheme and signage which are brightly coloured. The only changes made to the exterior of the property would be painting the wooden door and window frames to dark grey and replacing the existing sign to a black sign with white and grey writing.
“This would make sure the front of the property blends in well with the existing businesses located beside which also use a similar colour scheme. We would also possibly be adding a “frosted” window graphic to the main front window to allow privacy.”
Dylan Youmbi caused problems for4 Gloucester City all afternoon. Photo: John McEvoy
Although Farsley slipped to a narrow 2-0 defeat at Scunthorpe United on Boxing Day, Clayton Donaldson is relishing the challenge of entertaining the league leaders at The Citadel tomorrow.
“We can take confidence from Boxing Day, they are a really good side and we went there with a game plan, which nearly worked,” Clayton said. “We had a goal disallowed and hit the post and we felt we were unlucky in the first half. We nullified their chances.
“Second half we gave a disappointing first goal away and the difference in fitness started to tell second half but I was happy with the performance, we gave it our all and a lot of teams go there and struggle massively. We’re looking forward to the game and we’re upbeat
“Tomorrow will be a totally different game to Boxing Day. They’re coming to a tight ground, the pitch will be heavy after all the rain we have been having, so they will struggle to play decent football on it. Of course we will be out to make life difficult for them and take all three points.
“We can take a lot of confidence from the Boxing Day game and we’ve seen some things we feel we can take advantage of. We were on an eight-match unbeaten league run and playing well and we want to get another run going.
“We know it’ll be a difficult game as they’re a good side. They have a National League set up, you only have to look at the players they have on the bench to tell that, but we can take confidence from our own form and know we are capabler of taking all three points.”
“300 games for one club is a great achievement and I am pleased for Chris,” Clayton said. “He is a great leader and always gives 100 per cent in everything does. He sets a great example for the rest of the lads and I hope Chris reaching this milestone inspires some of his teammates.
“I am happy for him and hopefully it will help spur him and the lads on to get three points tomorrow. We’re all looking forward to the game.”
Kick-off time
The match kicks off at The Citadel at 3pm. Supporters are urged to get to the ground as early as possible as we are expected a large crowd.
The Celts will be without midfielder Ryan Watson, who starts a three-match ban. Darren Stephenson and Jack Leckie are both still out injured and Lewis Turner is about to step up to full training following long-term injury.
How are Scunthorpe faring?
Scunthorpe sit top of National League North on goal difference over Tamworth. They have won six out of their last seven league games and were held to a goalless draw at Buxton last Saturday.
The Irons are the division’s top scorers on 51 goals. Their recent run of good form comes after the future of the club, and their Glanford Park home, was secured following a period of financial uncertainty. Daniel Whitehall is their leading scorer, with 14 goals in 24 league games.
Plans for 34 community led affordable homes in Armley have been boosted by a £300,000 grant by Leeds City Council.
Independent community land trust Leeds Community Homes aims to build the new energy efficient new properties off Mistress Lane and are 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 council has approved funding of up to £300,000 to support Leeds Community Homes to deliver 34 new affordable homes for social rent at Mistress Lane. The grant comes from money paid to the council by housing developers through what are called ‘section 106 legal agreements’.
The site of the community-led housing development in Mistress Lane
These 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.
The NHS in Leeds is encouraging residents to choose the right service if they become unwell during the festive period.
GP practices, pharmacies and hospitals are still here to help people over the New Year period. Appointments at GP practices continue to be available and pharmacies will also be open, with some changes to opening hours. However, it is important to choose the appropriate service to meet your needs.
Industrial action by junior doctors will also impact on services. The strike dates are; from 7am on 3 January 2024 until 7am on 9 January 2024.
For advice and tips on staying well this winter and to find out how to access different healthcare services, visit togetherwe-can.com.
If parents and carers have concerns for their young children aged 0-5, a website for West Yorkshire led by a team of doctors provides accurate medical advice. Visit: https://www.wyhealthiertogether.nhs.uk.
Dr Sarah Forbes, Medical Director at the Leeds office of the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, said: “As with any other time of the year, people can and will become unwell over the holiday period. People can manage some minor illnesses and ailments safely at home – remember to stock up on paracetamol and other cold and flu remedies. You can also visit your local pharmacy, who can offer professional advice for minor illnesses.”
“GP appointments are also available over the festive period. The appointment may not be at your usual GP practice, but at a nearby surgery, referred to as an extended access hub. To book an appointment, ring your usual GP surgery or contact NHS 111 to access the out-of-hours service.”
“Save time if you have a minor injury or illness – A&E is busier than usual so, unless it is a life threatening or emergency case (when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk), you are likely to experience a long wait. It may be quicker for you to go to anurgent treatment centre or call 111 / visit NHS111 online. It’s free and they can give you urgent advice, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
“Please remember you should only call 999 in a life-threatening emergency. This includes choking, chest pain, blackout, severe bleeding, a serious injury, or symptoms of a stroke.”
This can be a difficult time of year for many people, and it’s important to look after our mental health, as well as our physical health. Help and support are available for anyone who needs it:
West Yorkshire mental health support line is a free service providing confidential support, advice, information and guidance for anyone concerned about their mental health or someone they care for. Anyone registered with a Leeds GP can call the helpline on 0800 183 0558. The service is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
MindWell is the mental health website for people in Leeds. MindWell provides advice about looking after your mental health, as well as where to go if you or someone you know needs support. Visit: mindwell-leeds.org.uk.
Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service is for anyone aged 17+ registered with a Leeds GP and provides support and psychological therapies for common mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. The service also provides online therapy courses and self-management tools which are available at any time day and night to help with a wide range of issues including stress and anxiety, mindfulness, depression and bereavement. Help is available immediately through online courses at https://leeds.omnitherapy.org/
Children and young people can visit the MindMate website for information and support about their emotional health and wellbeing: mindmate.org.uk
The NHS Every Mind Matters website also includes a wide range of resources to help with anxiety, low mood and stress.
If you’re struggling with your mental health, the NHS is here for you. Find out what support is available on our new mental health hub:nhs.uk/mentalhealth
Support for people in crisis is also available:
Connect – a survivor-led local helpline which offers emotional support and information to people in Leeds every night from 6pm-2am on 0808 800 1212. Connect also provides online support through instant chat for people – lslcs.org.uk Connect specialises in working with people at risk of suicide and self-harm and those with complex mental health needs.
Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s (LYPFT) Single Point of Access (SPA) – if you, or someone you’re worried about, needs urgent care or treatment for a mental health crisis call the SPA on 0800 183 1485 (open 24/7, every day).
Anyone whose life is in immediate danger should call 999.
For GP practice and pharmacy opening hours over the festive period, please visit this web page.
The number 9 bus route will soon include extra stops.
Dear sir, It was good to read in West Leeds Dispatch that Squarepeg are to take over the running of the number nine Ring Road bus from Horsforth to the White Rose Centre. The bus will become the number 10 route.
The bus is a lifeline for regular travellers, particularly the students who use it to get to and from college and who would other wise have to take two buses taking over 90 minutes.
I must admit, I stopped using it under the last operators after it had become unreliable. It was seldom on time and on some days could be 20 minutes late or even not turn up at all.
I note that Squarepeg are to be paid one million pounds over 30 months of the contract to operate it, which is an eye-watering amount of money. Let’s hope they manage to improve reliability and get to grow the service.
Skipper Chris Atkinson fights for the ball at The Citadel. Photo: John McEvoy
Farsley Celtic are preparing for their biggest crowd for a number of years when National League North leaders Scunthorpe United visit The Citadel on Saturday.
The Celts have sold more than 1,500 tickets for the match, which is an all-ticket affair. Numbers have been boosted by the large number of visiting supporters, who are being encouraged to park at Pudsey Civic Hall car park. The game has been moved from New Year’s Day to accommodate supporters wishing to use public transport.
The Citadel is the home of National League North club Farsley Celtic. Photo: Farsley Celtic
The Celts will be looking to bounce back after a 2-0 Boxing Day defeat at Scunthorpe ended their eight-match unbeaten league run.
Skipper Chris Atkinson, who is set to make his 300th appearance for The Celts, is confident his side can pull off a David vs Goliath shock.
“[Boxing Day at their place was always going to be] a tough game going away from home to the league leaders, but I thought we handled ourselves very well,” Chris said.
“We kept them to very few chances in the first half, kept our shape and defended well. We were unlucky not to nick a goal ourselves, hitting the post and having a goal ruled out for offside. In the second half we conceded a goal early which gave us a mountain to climb really, but the boys kept plugging away and working hard for each other. It just wasn’t to be on the day.
“Saturday’s game will be another tough one against the league leaders. But I think we can cause them a lot of problems on our pitch and our home form has really picked up of late.
“Teams don’t like coming to The Citadel, especially at this time of year when the pitch isn’t at its best. The boys can’t wait to get out there for the final home game of 2023. Let’s hope we can get the three points to go with it!”
Work to restore historic Calverley Old Hall to its former glories continues to gather pace – along with plans for a new stone sculpture in the grounds.
The Hall, on Woodhall Road, dates back to the 12th century. It been everything from a grand manor house for the Calverley family, complete with its own chapel, to a farm and cottages before falling into disrepair, with thieves helping themselves to stone, and landing on English Heritage’s At Risk register.
The Landmark Trust, a charity which rescues historic buildings to make them available for holiday rental, bought it in 1981, renting out newer cottages attached to the historic hall once existing tenants had moved on.
A successful bid to the National Lottery secured £1.6million in 2022 to transform the entire building into a space for up to ten people to stay. In addition the funding provided for a community room to be made available to groups in the village.
A fresh planning application from the Landmark Trust was submitted just before Christmas for a stone sculpture in the grounds of the Grade One Listed building.
The application says the shape of the sculpture tapers slightly towards the top, with a rougher edge at the apex to allow water run-off and to avoid it appearing too formal in nature. The stone will have two sides which are carved in a manner which is inspired by the painted chamber, and two sides which are more natural stone faces, with minimal carvings on these two sides.
A design statement submitted to Leeds council with the application stated: “The piece is crafted from Hillhouse Edge sandstone sourced from a local quarry in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire.
“It is a reflection of the sandstone used for the building. It will be hand carved using traditional methods by a professional stonework artist, and has been designed using ideas and designs from a series of community workshops, where participants were asked to reflect on how they felt Calverley Old Hall could be best represented.
“There are therefore references to the found archaeological objects in the building, the painted chamber, the restoration project and public engagement workshops which have been held on site, traditional craft skills used in the process and the history of the Hall itself.”
Council planners have also given the green light for work in the building itself.
They have just approved a planning application for new external oak louvres to the southwest facing first floor window in the Parlour Block and the installation of solar glazing to the slimline double glazed panels within the new bronze casements. A perimeter raised oak section will also be applied to the floor to conceal cabling and 5amp plugs, along with new door cases and environmental controls in the form of a Building Management System.
Approving the plans, a council report stated: “The proposed works as a whole are considered to be acceptable and will not impact negatively upon the historic character and appearance of the grade I listed building. Consequently, the proposal will not have a detrimental impact on the special or historic interest of the listed building or the character and appearance of Calverley Conservation Area.”
Farsley Celtic visited Scunthorpe on Boxing Day. Photo: Josh Makin
By John Baron
Farsley Celtic’s eight-match unbeaten league run came to an end as they were beaten 2-0 at Scunthorpe United.
Two second half goals from the home side were enough to secure three points for the league leaders and top scorers – but the well-organised Celts can take heart from a determined defensive performance.
Had Joao Silva’s first half effort not hit the post, and The Celts not had a goal ruled out for offside shortly afterwards, perhaps the result could have been different.
As expected, Scunthorpe dominated possession for long spells but were faced by a hard-working Farsley side who came with a clear plan to frustrate their full-time counterparts.
And when The Irons did find the target, they found Farsley stopper Zan Luk Leban in fine form.
The first half saw Farsley give as good as they got and they weren’t overawed by their more illustrious opponents and a home crowd of 4,468. After Farsley started well, it was the hosts who had the first real chance of the game, Danny Whitehall planting a diving header wide of the post on 13 minutes.
Scunthorpe had a couple of half chances before The Celts came closest to scoring on 33 minutes. George Smith swung in a cross which was met by the head of Silva – but his effort agonisingly came back off of the far post.
Seven minutes later The Celts thought they had taken the lead, but the linesman’s flag was raised to spare the home side’s blushes.
Farsley keeper Leban then pulled off a couple of fine saves to keep Scunthorpe out just before half time as the hosts began to dominate.
The second half continued in a similar fashion and Scunthorpe finally found a way through from Jason Law’s shot on 52 minutes. Law thought he’d scored again four minutes later, but he was ruled offside.
Farsley were almost back in it just before the hour when Branson’s header from a corner almost found the net but Scunthorpe keeper Fitzsimons produced a diving save to keep it out.
Two minutes later Whitehall slid in at the far post to make it two for the visitors.
To their credit Farsley hung in there and almost pulled one back and 75 minutes when Ben Atkinson sent Coulson through but his first time effort was straight at Fitzsimons.
Despite their unbeaten eight-match run coming to an end, The Celts can take a lot from their performance ahead of Saturday’s return fixture at The Citadel.
staff worker Dagmar Truman and volunteer Tina Weinreich sorting the presents donated to the City Mission Christmas Kids Gift Project
By Andy Dalton
Volunteers from a West Leeds charity have worked hard before the start of the Christmas holidays. Their efforts meant that over one hundred children from struggling families will receive a surprise present on Christmas morning.
Over the last few weeks volunteers and staff at Leeds City Mission in Armley have been sourcing and packing presents in their premises in Mistress Lane. Kind hearted businesses, individuals, churches and other organisations have rallied to assist the City Mission by donating a comprehensive range of presents for children across a wide age range.
Leeds City Mission is one of the oldest charities in the city and has been in continuous existence since 1837. It works amongst marginalized people and poorer families who are struggling with life. From its Mission Room premises a variety of compassion projects are organised bringing much needed help to people out of work, homeless and those on low incomes. It utilised its extensive networks in the yuletide season to identify families in real need and provide them with a present for their children.
Tina Weinreich, who originates from Germany, was one of the volunteers who helped with the project. She enjoyed sorting, categorising and organising the donated presents which other volunteers delivered to needy families before Christmas Day.
The Mission Room, off Mistress Lane.
A spokesman for the City Mission remarked that it was unimaginable that any child should have the unfortunate experience to wake up on Christmas morning to have no gift or present waiting for them. He said that the cost of living crisis, inflation and a multitude of other reasons during 2023 had seen an increase in people coming to the City Mission needing help and assistance. This Christmas Gift Project was just one of the responses initiated by the City Mission in its vital and ongoing work.
Leeds City Mission is a multi-church Christian agency working with marginalised people and seeks to meet the physical, social and spiritual needs of Leeds residents.
Bramley and Kirkstall Abbey waiting for Christmas and a cheeky figure looks over the Abbey café. These were the photos captured by WLD photographer Susan Tellum today.
Here’s a gallery of her images:
Share your photos of West Leeds via news@westleedsdispatch.com.
