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Growing your own fruit and veg is pure poetry!

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By Anne Akers

Gardening together in an Armley allotment has helped a group of refugees and asylum seekers to come together and has inspired them to write poetry thanks to Leeds 2023.

Root Shoot Bloom Fruit LS12, a project supported by Leeds 2023’s My World, My City, My Neighbourhood, fuses allotmenteering with poetry, animation, planting and conversation – and promises to grow the community, one seed at a time.

With the help of Armley-based poet and performer Rommi Smith, who also happens to have an allotment in the town, the group of women have been encouraged to become poets, and this week they performed their work live at Christ Church.

The women are all part of the charity Meeting Point, based at the church, which provides practical and emotional support for refugees and asylum seekers including social activities and practical help and advice.

This week’s performance featured women from many different countries, reading their poems to music, most of them for the first time in languages including Arabic, Kurdish, Amharic, Spanish and Geordie!   

Root Shoot Bloom Fruit also launched a Letterbox Planting Project, encouraging the community in Armley to plant seeds. Letterbox-sized boxes containing seeds, growing instructions, and some of the poems in their original languages and translated into English, are being handed to local people in the hope of encouraging idea-sharing about Armley.

Follow Root Shoot Bloom Fruit on Instagram.

Kirkstall Abbey charges start this week – but Leeds folk still get in free

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Kirkstall Abbey
Hallowe'en venue: Kirkstall Abbey in the mist. Photo by Susan Tellum

Leeds City Council have announced that charges to visit Kirkstall Abbey ruins for people who live outside of Leeds will come in from this week.

New entrance charges introduced for non-Leeds residents visiting the abbey ruins, helping the cash-strapped Leeds council generate income to conserve the 870-year-old site and fund events, including seasonal tours and trails.

From this week an admission charge of £5 will be payable for adults from outside the city who are visiting the ruins only, with a charge of £2.50 for accompanying children. Under fives are free to enter.

Access to the Abbey grounds will remain free for all visitors. Entry to the abbey ruins will remain free for people living in all LS postcodes as well as WF2, 3, 10, 12, 17 / BD3, 10, 11.

As part of an improved activity programme, a brand new Tales of Kirkstall Abbey audio trail, accessed by scanning QR codes dotted around the ruins, will give visitors a chance to be guided around the site by curators and staff from Leeds Museums and Galleries.

As well as exploring the history of the abbey, it will also provide an insight into the lives of the monks who lived and worked at Kirkstall for almost 400 years.

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, culture and education, said:

“Kirkstall Abbey has been a unique and treasured part of the city’s heritage for centuries, but as well as celebrating its history, we want to make sure we’re looking towards its future too, developing ideas to make it an even more attractive, sustainable and inspiring place to visit.

“The harsh reality is that the financial situation we find ourselves in as a council means that to do that, we’ll have to identify innovative and creative ways to generate the money needed to bring those ideas to life and protect and conserve the abbey.

“Any decisions about introducing charges are never easy, and we have consulted broadly with the public both in and out of Leeds, using their views to help us shape our plans for site. We believe this project strikes the right balance between generating much-needed income and ensuring the abbey remains a visitor attraction the people of Leeds can be proud of for generations to come.”

As part of the new entry requirements, paying visitors coming from outside Leeds will be provided with an annual pass which will allow entry to the abbey for 12 months from purchase. The annual pass will also include entry to some events and volunteer-led tours.

Leeds residents will need to bring proof of address for free entry on their first visit; a driving license or recent utility bill will be accepted. They will also be issued with an annual pass, and will not need to bring proof of address again.

For more details on Kirkstall Abbey and the new entry requirements, visit this website.

Work to re-start at Rodley’s Moss Bridge – but still no finish date

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moss swing bridge work
The Moss Swing Bridge site in Rodley photographed in April. Photo: John McEvoy

Work is set to re-start on building a new Moss Swing Bridge over Leeds and Liverpool Canal following delays – but there’s still no firm finish date in sight.

As previously reported by WLD, a new Moss Swing Bridge over the canal is being built to link to a planned housing development in Rodley. It was supposed to be installed and open by May, but work had failed to progress as expected.

The delay had caused concern to volunteers at both Rodley Cricket Club and Rodley Nature Reserve, which both rely on the bridge for easy access.

Councillors have blamed the developer Dynamic Capital for removing the old bridge too early – a claim denied by the developers, who blamed the delays on late changes to the design of the bridge.

In an update this week, Councillor Peter Carlill (Lab, Calverley & Farsley) said council planning officers have been chasing approval for the bridge’s structure from all parties. The understructure has now been approved to allow work to resume and work on pilings is expected to re-start in the next two weeks.

He said external stakeholders are still not satisfied with the details of the swing bridge itself, and council planning officers are working to ensure agreement can be made. He is also chasing a final programme of works from the developers. Cllr Carliil added:

“Unfortunately these works began without the details being submitted and approved as was required, leading to these unnecessary delays between removing the bridge and installing the new one.

“I will continue to work on this to ensure the delays are minimised and a new bridge or temporary access is provided as soon as possible. Any issues, please contact me on peter.carlill@leeds.gov.uk.”

Last month developers suggested an August finish for the replacement bridge, but this is still to be confirmed. All six councillors in both Bramley & Stanningley and Farsley & Calverley wards are pushing for a completion schedule from the developers.

Cllr Carlill said he had raised serious concerns about emergency vehicle access to the nature reserve, cricket club and others, and confirmed a new gated emergency access road has therefore been built from the Horsforth side. He added:

“The main priority now is getting a new bridge in as soon as possible, hence why I’m pushing for a completion schedule as soon as possible. If this is some time away then I will be asking for a temporary structure to be provided.”

Developers have previously said they were doing all they can to minimise disruption to the community.

Police seek man in connection with burglary

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Owen Sharpe

Police are appealing for information to help trace a man with connections to West Leeds who is wanted on suspicion of burglary.

Officers from Leeds District Crime Team want to speak to Owen Sharpe, 30, in connection to a burglary at a flat in the Hyde Park area of the city in April.

He has links to west Leeds, particularly Hyde Park, Armley and Bramley.

Anyone who has seen him or who has any information that could assist in tracing him is asked to contact Leeds District Crime Team via 101 quoting crime reference 13220234964 or online via www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat.

Information can be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

New lease of life for £2m Lower Wortley flagship offices

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A flagship office building in Lower Wortley, which has recently changed hands in a deal worth just under £2m, is undergoing a comprehensive refurbishment.

Link Up House, formerly the headquarters of the Big Word Group, has been bought by Seneca Property and will be rebranded and renamed as Element.

The 21,630 sq ft building, which fronts the Leeds Outer Ring Road, is being transformed into high-quality and sustainable offices – with an emphasis on the wellbeing and comfort of its occupiers.

Work has already started on the seven-figure refurbishment of the building and is due to be completed next month, when suites will be available. 

Elizabeth Ridler, partner with global property consultancy Knight Frank in Leeds, who sold the building to Seneca and has been retained to advise the new owners, said:

“This is an exceptionally exciting project. The comprehensive refurbishment of Element will create some of the finest affordable occupier-friendly out-of-town office space in Leeds. 

“Element will be available to lease as a whole or on a floor by floor basis, with the ground and second floors comprising 7,358 sq ft of space and the first floor 6,913 sq ft. There are also 84 on-site parking spaces. Rents will be in the region of £18 per sq ft.

“The key elements of the refurbishment are new VRF air conditioning, toilets and LED lighting throughout, with a major emphasis on the wellness agenda, including new showers, lockers, drying room, a business lounge, a coffee bar, cycle storage and outside seating.”

Pudsey: Digital advertising board plans rejected by council

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Photo: Google

Plans for an illuminated advertising board at the bottom of Richardshaw Lane in Pudsey has been refused by council planners.

Applicant Carter Jonas wanted to upgrade an established paper and paste advertising display to a modern digital format – but there was one letter of local objection and council planning officers felt the proposal would affect people who live nearby.

A council report refusing the plans concluded:

“It is becoming apparent that paper advertisement with down-lighting is increasingly viewed by advertisers as an antiquated method, (ie only one advertisement at a time) and the potential benefits through remote management of digital displays any reduced proliferation in signage advances weight in the determination of such forms of advertisement, however the siting of large digital advertisement equipment needs to be considered carefully.

“In this instance given the acute proximity to residential properties on Varley Street, the digital signage is considered to be unacceptable and would be at odds with the prevailing residential characteristics and context of the area and introduce undue harm to residential amenity by virtue of the frequency and illumination of the proposal.”

The plans can be viewed in full here.

Meanwhile, there have been five objections to a similar proposal further up Richardshaw Lane, at number 23. The plans, which can be viewed here, are live and open for comments on the council’s planning portal.

Rodley Cricket Club hopes to build new practice nets as plans are submitted to council

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rodley cricket club
Plans: Rodley Cricket Club

Plans for artificial practice net facility and fencing have been submitted by Rodley Cricket Club.

Chairman Steven Bradbury said the proposals would enhance playing and practice facilities available for cricketers aged from five years old into their 50s.

The proposed site is to the south of the sports ground and protected by trees and shrubbery. In a planning statement accompanying the planning application to Leeds City Council. Mr Bradbury said:

“The requirement for artificial practice facilities away from the main cricket playing surface arises from the substantial increase in junior and senior members in recent years which has substantially increased the number of fixtures hosted and players desiring to practice.”

The area will include a concrete base and artificial grass.

The application is being submitted following consultation with the Landowner, Wades Charity, and Leeds City Council Parks and Countryside. Rodley Cricket Club currently manage the entire site, off Moss Bridge Road, following the agreement of a long-term lease.

The plans can be viewed in full here.

More than £3,000 raised at Kirkstall Forge Ukrainian event

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An event at Kirkstall Forge to raise funds to support people in war-torn Ukraine has raised more than £3,000.

More than 150 people attended the fundraising evening, with all money raised being shared between Leeds Together For Ukraine and Leeds Ukrainian Community Centre.

There was the opportunity to enjoy Ukrainian food, live music performances by Music from the Attic, bid in a silent auction and enjoy the Butlers bar at Kirkstall Forge.

The event was run by Forge owners CEG in partnership with Leeds City Council, Leeds Together for Ukraine and the Leeds Ukrainian community.

Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said:

“It was a pleasure and a privilege to be involved with this event. To see so many people turning out to raise money to help others in their hour of need was truly heart-warming and a fine example of the generosity for which Leeds is well known.”

Olga Callaghan, chair of the Leeds Branch of the National Association of Ukrainians of Great Britain, said:

“The Ukrainian community in Leeds would like to give an enormous thank you to everyone for their hard work, enthusiasm and amazing generosity that made the event such a success. Words cannot express our gratitude for your help.” 

Lucinda Yeadon, community liaison manager at CEG, said:

“Leeds United, Leeds Rhinos and a number of local businesses and individuals donated items for a very special auction. Over £3,000 was raised on the night with donations still coming in. A huge thank you to everyone who helped organise the evening – especially the fabulous Life Team and wonderful Butler’s at Kirkstall Forge, who hosted the event!”

Anyone wanting to donate to the Leeds fundraising campaign for Ukraine can do so using this link: Leeds Together for Ukraine – JustGiving.

Open day highlights work of Burley-based alcohol and drug addiction service

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5 WAYS manager Jo Byrden (left) with a visitor.

A Leeds centre for those in recovery from issues with alcohol and drugs will be highlighting the range of work they do with an open day later this month.

The day, which will include tours and taster sessions, is open to everyone at 5 WAYS, off Burley Road. As well as having the chance to see the services available, people will have the chance to chat with members of the Leeds recovery community who use 5 WAYS to help remain abstinent.

The manager of 5 WAYS, Jo Byrden said:

“We really hope lots of people come down and see the full range of what we offer. Anyone is welcome to attend, whether that is people who want to become members, friends or family of people who use alcohol and drugs, or professionals who work in services that might want to refer people to 5 WAYS.

“We’ve been open for six years and have seen so many positive stories during that time. There have been people who at one time were really struggling with life but with our support they’ve gone on to sustain their recovery and grow in confidence, go into further education, volunteering and enter full-time work.

“There’s lots of different services on offer at 5 WAYS to help people recover from alcohol and drug use, we offer training courses including Intro to Peer Mentoring, Drug and Alcohol Awareness courses. We have a range of activities and groups including; a drama group, and there are dance classes, yoga and music groups. There’s something for everyone.”

At the Open Day members of 5 WAYS will be presenting an overview of how the centre helps people to maintain abstinence and visitors will be able to sit in on recovery groups and activities. 

The 5 WAYS Open Day will run from 10am-4pm on the 24 May. People can visit at any point during the day but are encouraged to reserve a place. A full timetable of activities is available here and people can also reserve their spot online or by calling 0113 887 2749

5 WAYS is located at 43 Westfield Road, off Burley Road, Leeds, LS3 1DG.

New climate action group meets in Armley

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Venue: New Wortley Community Centre, on Tong Road

A new community climate action group is forming in Armley.

The first meeting of Climate Action Armley is today (Monday, 9 May), 5.30-7pm at New Wortley Community Centre.

Over the next few months, the new climate action group will develop projects, campaigns and ideas that address local issues and aspirations and tackle climate change.

The group will then receive support over the next three years through Climate Action Leeds to grow as a group and make things happen.

Some of the ideas suggested so far are community gardens, a repair cafe, protecting existing biodiversity and greenspace, and tackling waste disposal, recycling and litter.

The Climate Action Armley group is going to be resident-led and open to people from across the Armley ward, people who work in Armley and anyone who sees Armley as a place they are connected to.

The Armley group is one of a number of local hubs being set up by Climate Action Leeds to provide a platform for people, organisations and communities to come together to take action on climate change.

For more information about the new Climate Action Armley group, contact Joy: joy@t4p.org.uk.

Have a say on future plans for Armley Park at event

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armley park playground
Armley Park's new playground.

People who use Armley and Gotts Parks are being encouraged to help shape the future of the parks next week.

The Friends of Armley and Gotts Park and the Wade’s Ranger are holding an event asking people what they would like to see in the park in the future.

The event is being held in Armley Park Bowls Pavilion on Saturday, 15 May and gives people the chance to find out what improvements have been carried out in the past few years – and what the ideas for the future are.

The event runs 10am-3pm and all are welcome to attend.

As previously reported by WLD, Leeds City Council is also consulting on improvements to five parks as part of a £20 million council bid to the government’s ‘levelling up’ fund.

The proposed bid centres around the Leeds West parliamentary constituency and is called ‘Green, Healthy and Connected’. It proposes improvements to Armley, Bramley Falls, Kirkstall Abbey Park, Stanningley and Wortley’s Western Flatts parks.

The £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund invests in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK, including regenerating town centres, upgrading local transport, and investing in cultural and heritage assets.

The Armley Park proposals

As well as investments to parks themselves, the bid features better pedestrian and cycle links between the parks.

Funding has been applied for to make big changes (no guarantee the bid will be successful)

A website with full details of all the proposals can be found here. The specific proposals for Armley Park can be found here and include new trim trail equipment, planting, a new pavilion to encourage live performance and a multi-use area containing a concrete skate park, multi-use goal ends roller-skating facility.

A consultation event was also held at last weekend’s Kirkstall Abbey deli market.

The consultation runs until 27 May 2022. The responses will be collated, go to the council’s decision-making executive board for approval and then be submitted to government for consideration by 6 July.

Part of the levelling up bid will also include Armley Town Street public realm, pedestrian, cycle and road infrastructure. Full details of the proposals have yet to be revealed by Leeds City Council.

Farsley Celtic stage the great escape as relegation scrap goes to final minutes

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Farsley Celtic players and staff celebrate at the final whstle. Photo: John McEvoy

Words: John Baron

Photos: Simon Cullingworth and John McEvoy

As Sir Alex Ferguson once famously said: “Football. Bloody hell.” You’d be hard-pressed to summarise Farsley Celtic’s final day drama any better than the tenacious Scot.

The Celts were saved from relegation following Guiseley’s last-gasp defeat at Alfreton in a dramatic and tense final day at the bottom of the National League North.

Farsley, who started third-bottom, were were two minutes from the drop due to defeat against play-off chasers Boston United.

But they earned a reprieve from elsewhere as Guiseley, who started bottom, were the victims to a dramatic late turn of events which saw them concede twice to Alfreton in the 88th and 94th minute and lose 2-1.

Both goals were celebrated by long-suffering Farsley fans as much as any goal at the Citadel this season. Farsley fans invaded the pitch in pure joy as news of Alfreton’s second goal filtered through:

As for the match itself, the 90 minutes was torturous for home fans.

Boston scored in each half through Jake Wright jnr and Danny Elliott, securing them a play-off spot. The visitors started strongly as The Celts seem to struggle with the occasion, and it was no surprise when they took the lead.

Farsley left their shackles in the dressing room at half time, and had several good chances through Mulhern, Greaves, Parkin and others. Missed chances have been a curse for The Celts all season and Boston’s second goal effectively ended the match.

A busy summer ahead

The importance of Farsley staying in the league will not be lost on anyone as Russ Wilcox, who only took over as The Celts’ third manager of the season in February, masterminded an unlikely great escape.

When Wilcox took control, the team was in a downward spiral and hadn’t won since November. He got the players looking like a team again and did just enough to turn fortunes around.

Wilcox battled through an injury crisis with only 10 senior outfield players available at times, so it’s no mean feat for a club as small as Farsley to survive in a league with full-time outfits and considerably larger budgets.

Yesterday was justifiably one of celebration but this summer will be absolutely crucial if the club is to avoid another difficult season.

In a ‘normal’ season, three clubs go down, not one. And Farsley would have been doomed had league bosses not decided to expand numbers this year.

Securing the future of key players like Spencer, Mulhern, Atkinson, Clayton etc is essential. It seems a pipe dream that loanees such as Digie, Robson, Greaves and others will make a permanent drop to this league, so there are important figures from ‘the great escape’ to replace.

The biggest question is over the manager. Wilcox was non-committal on his future at the club in his post-match interview, where he spoke about his delight over an ‘unbelievable’ day and praised players’ efforts:

Wilcox said he hoped to sit down with chairman Josh Greaves next week to discuss the way forward. Let’s hope the discussions are positive.

Stan Collymore, who played most notably for Nottingham Forest and later Liverpool, was at The Citadel yesterday. He wasn’t the only famous face spotted yesterday. Boston fan and former deputy chief medical officer for England Professor Jonathan Van Tam also attended. Mr Van Tam often appeared in televised press conferences alongside the Prime Minister during the Covid pandemic.

Line-ups

FARSLEY: Robson, Digie, Atkinson, Clayton, Syers (Greaves 32), Gratton, Turner, Spencer, Hayhurst, Mulhern, Parkin; Subs (not used): Trenerry, Drake, Ingham, Malumo.

PILGRIMS: Dewhurst, Duxbury, Garner, Shiels, Green, Wright jnr (Massanka 30), Elliott, Wright snr, Abbott, Byrnbe, Seriki; Subs (not usded): Thanoj, Ferguson, Preston, Sault.

Man of the match: Jimmy Spence.