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Boundaries and raw edges feature in new Sunny Bank Mills exhibition

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Hot Prickles by Deborah Gardner

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Raw Edge – A new exhibition in the Art Gallery at Sunny Bank Mills

9th July – 28th August

Raw Edge brings together the multi-disciplinary work of members of the Yorkshire Sculptors Group as they explore and respond to the notion of boundaries and raw edges.

This vivid exploration of materiality finds the artists drawing upon and engaging with both traditional materials – such as wood, stone and ceramics – as well as found objects and repurposed materials, through a variety of processes and methods.

Viscus by Melanie Wilks

This ranges from the traditional to the digital, in order to examine and interrogate the complex boundaries that stem from the relationships between objects, societies and the human condition.

Sunny Bank Mills’ history as a textile mill is also drawn upon widely in this exhibition, as artists such as Victoria Ferrand Scott and Linda Thompson interrogate the textile industry’s conflicts with femininity, process, and tradition.

Reflecting on the notion of ‘the edge’, the work in this thought-provoking exhibition engages with the omnifarious boundaries inherent to the human experience: political borders; the perimeters of the female experience; the tensions of colonial legacy; the borderline between industrialisation and the natural world.

Featuring work from; Garry Barker, Sally Barker, Paula Chambers, Liadin Cooke, Victoria Ferrand Scott, Patrick Ford, Shelia Gaffney, Deborah Gardner, Carole Griffiths, Joanne Hall, Christine Halsey, Vincent James, Linda Thompson, Melanie Wilks, Nicholas Vaughan.

Free entry. The Gallery is open Tuesday – Saturday, 10-4pm; Sunday 12-4pm. Closed Monday. Find out more information here. Follow us on Twitter: @sunnybankmills; Facebook/sunnybankmillsgallery; Instagram: sunnybankmills.

Skippko at Sunny Bank 

14th July – 17th July

Anthony Haddon

Since October 1988, Skippko has been one of Leeds’ leading visual arts organisations specialising in engagement, advocacy, bringing communities together; enabling the lives of ordinary people in Leeds to be celebrated, marked and remembered.

During the first lockdown in March 2020, when many of Skippko’s artists’ work dried up overnight, they commissioned all 18 of their artists to reflect on creativity during lockdown and isolation.

From 14 – 17 July you can explore the results of this commission on the first floor of the iconic 1912 Mill.

Anne Crowther

With photography, print, textiles, audio, animation, sculpture and performance, it’s a diverse and fascinating show and includes an events programme: 

Friday 15 July 2-4pm: Meet the artists – several of the artists will be in the mill, come along to find out more about their inspiration. At 3pm, Emily Whittaker will give a poetry reading.

Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 July 10am-4pm and 12pm-4pm: tarot card readings – Oscar Stafford aka Quentin Crisp will be in the mill and ready to read your tarot cards.

Sunday 17 July 1pm and 2.30pm: Anthony Haddon presents ‘Where is Fairyland’ a show for
children and adults. Booking required.

The exhibition and events are free. Find our more information and book for Where is Fairyland click here.

Video & photos: Kirkstall Festival returns to huge crowds and glorious sunshine

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Kirkstall festival 2022 pipers
Pipes entertained the crowds at Kirkstall Festival 2022. Photo Keef Williamson

Words & Video: Keef Williamson

Thousands of people flocked to the return of Kirkstall Festival after a two-year absence due to Covid.

Held in the grounds of Kirkstall Abbey, yesterday’s festival featured performances of all types, from orchestras to rock bands, battling Vikings to stand-up comedy.

Video captures sunny Kirkstall Festival 2022. Video: Keef Williamson

Like a mini-Glastonbury, these took place simultaneously in multiple venues – the main stage, the ruins, the tea tent, main arena, small arena and the cloisters. There was also a huge funfair at the entrance, then refreshments from the Kirkstall Bridge Inn, Butler’s of Kirkstall Forge, and numerous food trucks.

The footpath encircling the Abbey was lined on both sides with stalls from dozens of small businesses and community organisations.

vikings kirkstall festival 2022
Beware the Vikings in Kirkstall! Photo: Keef Williamson

The glorious weather brought out enormous crowds, but one of the organisers told WLD­:

“The sunshine has been a bit of a problem for a few vendors with stalls in full sunshine selling things like chocolate and candles!”

Meanwhile WLD editor John Baron was chilly in the shade under a leafy tree!

Scary times on the Ghost Train at Kirkstall festival. Photo: Keef Williamson

The festival is run entirely by volunteers from the Kirkstall Festival Committee. If you’d like to get involved with next year’s Festival, visit their website.

WLD reader and photographer Susan Tellum was also on hand to capture the festivities. Check out her slideshow of images below:

This year’s festival was held on Saturday, 9 July 2022.

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Armley: Apartments could replace eyesore former medical centre off Town Street 

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theaker lane armley

By John Baron

Proposals to demolish a dilapidated and dangerous former medical centre in Armley and build 18 apartments in its place have been submitted to Leeds City Council for approval.

The derelict site, on Theaker Lane, off Armley Town Street, has sat empty for many years and has been subjected to vandalism, arson and anti-social behaviour. It’s been branded locally as an ‘eyesore’.

New plans for the site include the demolition of existing clinic building and the construction of two four-storey blocks with 18 apartments new access, parking and associated landscaping.

Dilapidated: Inside the former medical centre on Theaker Lane. Photo: Chaotic Footsteps

The applicant is named as Stanningley-based WTS Armley Ltd.

A planning statement accompanying the application says there would be seven flats in the front block with 11 fiats to the rear block, along with a small communal garden area. The apartments would be a mix of one and two bedroom.

There would be eight parking spaces in ‘a highly sustainable location given its town centre siting close to public transport’.

“The site is in a derelict state and the sooner planning approval is given the sooner the site can be developed,” the planning statement by planning agents Northern Design (Oldham) concludes.

“The poor condition of the present structure, coupled with the relocation of healthcare services to the nearby LIFT complex more than a decade ago, means it is unlikely to ever again be required for its original purpose.”

The latest plans can be read in full and commented on here. Council planners aim to make a decision on the application by Friday, 30 September 2022.

The former medical centre on Theaker Lane. Photo: Chaotic Footsteps

Previous unsuccessful plans for the Theaker Lane clinic site include a 22-bed hostel with six kitchens in 2016.

The building was subject to an arson attack in 2018, dubbed at the time by Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves as a ‘wake up call’ for Leeds City Council to properly secure the building.

Photos by urban explorer Chaotic Footsteps were published by WLD last October and showed how dangerous the building was.

Bramley Rugby League Legends – Keith Bollon

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Success: Bramley RL player Keith Bollon.

Paul Abraham continues his look back at club legends who played for Bramley Rugby League Club in bygone days…

Keith holds the distinction of playing for both Bramley Rugby League and Bramley Old Boys Rugby Union, as they were called at the time. It’s a unique achievement and he is always welcomed back at both clubs since his retirement from playing.

He made his Bramley rugby league debut on 22 January 1966 in the 4-11 defeat to Leeds at Headingley and started against Hull KR at home, ending in a 7-11 victory to the Robins. The final match of the season saw Keith come on as a substitute in the 15-all draw at Whitehaven.

The following season saw Keith make seven appearances for the Villagers and brought him tries in successive matches in the 27-6 win at Batley and the 23-5 victory in the home game with Doncaster.

Season 67-68 and Keith appeared 19 times plus one substitute appearance and kicked goals against Leeds (11-24), Bradford Northern (6-24), Hull (11-2) and Doncaster (10-5), all being played at home.

Keith’s name was one of the first on the teamsheet as he made 33 appearances during the 1968-69 campaign. Keith celebrated this with tries in the away matches at Featherstone (8-18), Hull  KR (9-36) and Hunslet (12-19) and added a brace of tries in the 18-7 home victory against Batley. He also kicked a goal in the 17-23 home reverse against Halifax.

The 1969-70 would be Keith’s most prolific try-scoring season as he crossed for an impressive ten tries.

He scored tries in the away games at Hunslet (14-16) and Wakefield (12-31) and then scored in three out of four matches in September/October with tries at home to Halifax (15-28) and Wakefield (16-16) and the away loss (7-15) at York.

He scored two tries in the 10-18 home defeat to Huyton and went on to score in successive matches at Huyton (17-5) and at home to York (16-12), with his final tries being in the 14-0 whitewash at home to Blackpool. He also kicked goals against Wakefield at home and in the impressive 19-3 home victory against Hull KR in his 29 appearances.

1970-71 came, and Keith started in another 25 matches for the amber and blacks. This brought him two tries in the brilliant 35-2 thumping of Hunslet at Parkside and single scores in the home games versus Bradford Northern (27-5) in the Yorkshire Cup and in the victorious league matches against Hunslet (23-5) and Blackpool Borough (13-5). The home derby against Leeds in September was Keith’s 100th start for the club. Sadly it ended in a 9-29 defeat.

The following two seasons were quieter for Keith as he turned out 11 times, including one sub appearance in the 1971-72 campaign and followed that with nine starts and six substitute appearances in season 72-73 and added to his career tries by scoring on 1 April in the superb 20-5 victory at Huddersfield.

Every Bramley supporter will remember the 1973-74 season as the club’s most successful season.

They won their first-ever trophy when they defeated Wakefield away 10-9, Castleford 13-2 and St Helens 13-12 at home and defeated Widnes 15-7 at Naughton Park to lift the BBC2 Floodlit Trophy.

The semi-final against St Helens was a personal highlight, as Keith scorched over for two tries in a stunning victory. The club also reached the semi-final of the John Player Trophy, going down to a 2-14 defeat at Rochdale Hornets. In his 26 starts and three sub appearances, he also scored tries against Whitehaven, at home in a 21-12 victory, in a 10-14 defeat to the star-studded Salford team at the Willows and in the challenging 8-8 draw at home to Castleford.

Another 34 starts in the Bramley side came during the 1974-75 campaign, and in a season which saw the side relegated from the first division, Keith still managed to cross the whitewash on six occasions.

First in the club’s record-breaking 52-17 demolition of Doncaster in the Yorkshire Cup and a crucial try in a thrilling 15-14 home win against Castleford, while on their travels, he scored at York (14-21), Wakefield (13-50), Keighley (3-11) and Warrington (8-23) the final two being the final two games of the season.

His 200th first-team start brought him a try in the 13-6 home win against Whitehaven and was Keith’s only try of the 1975-76 season when he was limited to just nine appearances.

The promotion-winning campaign of 1976-77 brought Keith another 9 appearances, including one as a sub and scoring a vital try in the tough 20-8 victory at Halifax.

The 1977/78 season was to be Keith’s final season, and it was fitting that it should finish with him playing in the top division as he made 14 starts and one substitute appearance. His last try in Bramley’s colours was in the 23-3 home victory versus Dewsbury, and he also kicked a drop-goal in the nail-biting 15-13 home win against the strong Workington Town side. His last appearance was in the 2-15 defeat at Bradford Northern, who the previous day provided the opposition in Keith’s final match at McClaren Field, which resulted in a 5-16 loss.

Keith will always be remembered as a classy back, and it is a surprise to many who saw him at his prime that he was never rewarded with a county appearance as his speed and distribution would not have been out of place at that level.

Career record

Season          Apps          Sub Apps          Tries          Goals          Drop-goals          Points

1965-66           2                1

1966-67           7                                           2                                                                6

1967-68          19               1                                           4                                              8

1968-69          33                                          5                1                                             17

1969-70          29                                        10                2                                             34

1970-71          25                                          5                                                               15

1971-72          10               1

1972-73            9               6                         1                                                                 3

1973-74          26               3                         5                                                               15

1974-75          34                                          6                                                               18

1975-76            9                                          1                                                                 3

1976-77            8               1                         1                                                                 3

1977-78          14               1                         1                                         1                      4

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West Leeds planning applications: 10 July 2022

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Each week we publish a list of the latest planning applications related to the six council wards in West Leeds.

The following new applications were published on the Leeds City Council website in the past seven days:

Armley Ward

Bramley & Stanningley Ward

Calverley & Farsley Ward

Farnley & Wortley Ward

Kirkstall Ward

Pudsey Ward

Decided applications

Here are the planning applications decided by Leeds City Council this week:

Armley Ward

Bramley & Stanningley Ward

Calverley & Farsley Ward

Farnley & Wortley Ward

Kirkstall Ward

Pudsey Ward

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New Government role for Pudsey MP Stuart Andrew – 48 hours after resignation

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Pudsey MP Stuart Andrew.

Pudsey MP Stuart Andrew has been appointed Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice today – just two days after quitting his previous role.

Mr Andrew resigned as Housing Minister on Wednesday in protest against the leadership of Boris Johnson.

He said: “Loyalty and unity are traits that I have always endeavoured to provide for our great party. However, I fear I have let these override my judgement recently. There comes a time when you have to look at your own personal integrity and that time is now. Therefore, given recent events I have no other choice than to resign.”

Mr Johnson announced yesterday that he intends to quit as Prime Minister after more than 50 resignations – but wants to stay on until a successor is appointed.

The Pudsey, Horsforth and Aireborough MP’s return was one of a slew new appointments made today by Mr Johnson, as he bids to build a caretaker Government.

Mr Andrew was Housing Minister for 148 days. Marcus Jones, MP for Nuneaton, Arley and Hartshill, will replace him.

Pudsey man trims ‘protest’ beard for first time in over two years following Boris Johnson resignation

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By John Baron

A Pudsey man who has been growing a beard since March 2020 in protest against Prime Minister Boris Johnson has finally shaved it all off – and raised more than £700 for charity.

Tim Devereux pledged to keep growing it until Johnson resigned, and he asked people to support him by raising funds for the Trussell Trust food banks, via an online crowdfunding appeal.

When Mr Johnson announced his resignation yesterday, Mr Devereux visited Unique Barber Shop, in Pudsey, to have his beard removed.

Mr Devereux, who lives on Hough Top, has so far raised £706 for the Trussell Trust food banks with his fundraiser. He told WLD:

“I am overwhelmed by the response to my fund-raiser, I had no idea it would reach so many people – my original £200 target was smashed. I don’t know whether people really don’t like ex-PM Johnson, or whether they just hate beards. Either way, I am hoping the donations will continue!”

Mr Devereux spent almost two and half years growing his beard which, before trimming, easily reached his chest. He added: “It feels a bit strange not to have it any more – I’ve been told I look a bit like my big sister! Given the hot weather, it’s not too bad timing.”

The fundraiser also volunteers at Pudsey Labour Party’s monthly food bank collections for the Pudsey Community Project and is passionate about tackling food poverty. “People are saying we have to do something to tackle food poverty and hopefully this goes a little way to raising the profile of the issue,” he said.

Donations to “Tim’s Beard Trimming” can be made here.

Community-led Bramley Baths ‘proud to be paying real living wage’

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Danniell, Jack and Alice are beneficiaries of real living wage commitment by Bramley Baths. Photo: Josie Armitage

by Josie Armitage, Trustee of Bramley Baths

Congratulations to Bramley Baths on achieving Living Wage accreditation from the Living Wage Foundation.

Bramley Baths has joined the movement of thousands of organisations and businesses by offering all its employees the Real Living Wage. We believe a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay and together we can continue to ensure everyone can earn enough to live on.

The Living Wage Foundation is a campaigning organisation at the heart of the independent movement of businesses and people that campaign for the idea that a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay.

They celebrate and recognise the leadership of responsible employers who choose to go further and pay a real Living Wage based on the cost of living, not just the government minimum.

The real Living Wage is based on the cost of living and is voluntarily paid by nearly 10,000 UK employers believe we all need a wage that meets our everyday needs.

Nick Quinn, Chair of the Trustees, says:

“We’re proud to be a real living wage employer. We’re delighted to be able to make this commitment to our team while offering affordable swim, gym and classes for our community.  We have gone further and also enhanced pay levels for our 16-17 year olds as we value all of our staff.”

David Wilford, Chief Executive, adds: “We are known as the friendly Baths and major on our excellence in service standards.”

Runners urged to sign up to Leeds Abbey Dash 2022

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Abbey Dash 2019. Photo: Simon Cullingworth

Runners are being urged to sign up now for the Leeds Abbey Dash 10k for Age UK, which is bing held on Sunday 23 October 2022.

Age UK is urging runners to sign up now to secure their place and help raise vital funds for older people in Yorkshire and across the UK.

The flat course between Leeds city centre and Kirkstall Abbey and back is perfect for runners of all levels.

abbey dash 3
Flashback to Leeds Abbey Dash 2019. Photo: Simon Cullingworth

Money raised will go towards local support and befriending services for older people in Yorkshire, as well as Age UK’s national Advice Line and Telephone Friendship Services. Older people are facing a challenging time with the rising cost of living, with those most vulnerable struggling to make ends meet, and Age UK’s services are a lifeline for those who have no one to turn to.  

The 10k Wheelchair Race and the shorter 2k ‘Junior Dash’ for eight to 14-year-olds will also be returning for 2022.

Lydia Curran, Head of Events at Age UK, said:

“We are so excited for this year’s Leeds Abbey Dash – 10k for Age UK and can’t wait to be back in the city for this brilliant event.

“It’s such a fun and friendly atmosphere and the flat course means it’s perfect for runners of all abilities, whether it’s your first ever 10k or you’re aiming for a Personal Best! So please do sign up now, by taking part you’ll be making a huge difference to the lives of older people in Yorkshire and across the UK.”

Key information

When: Sunday 23 October 2022
Where: Leeds City Centre
Distance: 10k event for adults (ages 15+) and 2k Junior Dash race for 8 -14-year-olds

The course: Flat and perfect for both beginners and experienced runners
Registration fee: £26, or £24 for UK Athletics members. The Junior Dash is £8 to enter and the Wheelchair Race is £26. (All costs exclude a processing fee*).

A technical running t-shirt is available to buy for £4.99, and runners who raise £100 for Age UK will receive a free cotton runner’s snood.

To sign up to the event visit www.ageuk.org.uk/lad. For any enquiries please email 10k@ageuk.org.uk or call 0800 077 8751.

Kirkstall councillors’ concerns amid backlash over Headingley’s plan to stage more music and boxing events

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Matchday parking in communities around Headingley stadium already causes concern

By David Spereall, local democracy reporter

Neighbours of Leeds Rhinos’ Headingley ground are fighting plans to host more music and boxing events at the venue.

Stadium bosses have applied to Leeds City Council for a licence to hold up to four events per year, outside of its usual sporting activities.

But 35 local people have objected, with many citing anti-social behaviour and chaos from previous music and boxing dates at the rugby ground. There are concerns the proposals will add to existing match day parking issues in Burley and Kirkstall.

That includes the six Labour councillors representing the Headingley and Kirkstall wards, plus one from the neighbouring Weetwood ward.

A public hearing next Tuesday will decide whether or not the licence is granted.

In their written objection to the council, one neighbour said: “Following the last event, there were instances of boxing fans taking the opportunity to relieve themselves in gardens and aggressively responding to requests to stop.

“A boxing match attracts a very different demographic compared to a rugby or cricket match, and displays different expectations.

“Compared with rugby, where organised fan involvement brings a certain level of self-regulation so as not to bring clubs into disrepute, there are fewer such structures for a boxing or wrestling card.”

Another said: “As a local resident living near the stadium, when they hosted the last event on September 4 last year, I experienced patrons acting with disgusting disregard for residents.

“I found beer bottles in my garden, broken bottles in my driveway, and even witnessed a couple of people urinating in my garden.”

Another neighbour wrote: “It is really not acceptable to be having events, especially boxing matches, in such a densely packed residential area.

“It will impact on our community and I fear it will drive many people away from here. Please don’t let them spoil my home that I love.”

In their application, the stadium management company which runs Headingley listed a number of proposed measures they claim will mitigate anti-social behaviour in the area.

These include refusing entry to people who are drunk and operating a comprehensive CCTV system within the ground.

They’ve also pledged to employ an independent noise consultant to monitor noise levels in the surrounding streets during the events.

The applicants wrote: “We are mindful of our neighbours and will adopt a policy consistent with existing stadium protocols and procedures to minimise noise and light disruption.”

They added: “We have also corresponded with all those who wrote to us after the boxing event on September 4, 2021 to understand their concerns.

“We feel that we have implemented mitigation measures to contain all the concerns raised.”

Earlier this week, it was revealed that a teenager was left with a facial injury after being struck by firework shrapnel during a display at Headingley in 2019.

Council could fund £10k play equipment honouring ice cream seller Mr Rossi

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Councillors will next week discussing spending over £10,000 on new park play equipment honouring a former West Leeds ice cream man who passed away earlier this year.

As reported by WLD in March, Bramley mum Alison Arnison started an online crowdfunding appeal to build a new piece of play equipment in the shape of Mr Rossi’s iconic ice cream van in Bramley Park. The crowdfunder raised more than £260.

Now, councillors sitting on the inner west community committee will next week consider spending £10,506.72 of their wellbeing fund budget to fund the play item.

An artist’s impression of the proposed equipment.

Mr Rossi – his full name was Vittorio Di Mascio – was well-loved in the West Leeds area, and for more than 40 years drove his trusty ice cream vans around the Bramley and Pudsey areas.

His passing led to hundreds of tributes on social media at the time.

A variety of other projects are also requesting funding. These include a new art group for Bramley & Stanningley, money towards a celebration of 40 years of New Wortley Community Association and a community youth project in Kirkstall.

The inner west community committee is made up of nine councillors from Armley, Bramley & Stanningley and Kirkstall wards, along with community representatives.

It next meets on Wednesday 13 July, at Room 6/7 Civic Hall, Leeds. LS1 1UR at 6pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

The meeting agenda can be found here.

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Dentists opens new practice at Bramley Shopping Centre

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The official opening of the new My Dentist surgery at the Bramley Shopping Centre. Picture by Paul Heyes

The UK’s largest dentistry provider, {my}dentist, has opened its purpose-built practice in Bramley Shopping Centre.

It has agreed a 15-year lease with landlord LCP, the national commercial property and investment company.

It has merged its two practices in the town to create a 4,885 sq ft modern practice with more surgeries and new dental equipment, as well as better accessibility with surgeries accessible from ground floor level. 

All of the clinicians and staff from the previous Broad Lane and Stanningley Road practices have moved to the new premises and a further three jobs have been created for receptionists and a treatment co-ordinator.

Nicola Wood, {my}dentist area development manager, said:

“We wanted to bring our patients in Bramley a modern new dental practice that meets their needs now and in the future.

“Our team has worked hard on the new practice and it has been great to hear the positive reaction from patients. With more surgeries we have an increased number of appointments for our existing patients and beyond this, we know that accessing dental care in this region is difficult which is why we have introduced {my}options, an affordable way to access a dentist when you need one.”

Asset manager Rakesh Joshi, lettings director at LCP, said: “After welcoming {my}dentist to The Killingworth Centre, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, earlier this year, we are pleased to have also brought the surgery to Bramley Shopping Centre, where its 20,000 patients will have access to top-of-the-range equipment in this superbly appointed practice.”

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