A Leeds-based wellbeing group is celebrating today after being awarded £9,600 from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK.
Yorkshire Well-Being Groupwill use the cash to help those at risk of leaving education or involved in crime to change their future. Workshops will focus on mindfulness and strategies to make better decisions. The workshops will run Monday to Thursday in Bradford/Thornbury and will be after school or at dinner time for those in education.
This new National Lottery funding will help anyone who has faced these challenges and we are looking for people to get involved.
National Lottery players raise over £30 million a week for good causes across the UK. The National Lottery Community Fund distributes a share of this to projects to support people and communities to prosper and thrive.
Chair, Lynne Firth said: “This grant means that we can start to make a difference to the lives of those who need it the most. This will make a big difference to people’s lives.”
Anyone wishing to be involved can contact lynne.firth@aol.com.
Sam Neave of Bramley Buffaloes. Photo: Mick Wormald
By Paul Abraham
In a match which many saw as a championship decider, Bramley Buffaloes – with what could have been considered a weakened team – were sensational from minute one.
Westgate had no answer to a Bramley side playing with speed and power which broke through the Westgate defence at regular intervals and by half-time the match was over as a contest as the Buffaloes led by 40 points to nil. Tries came from Dan Booth (2) Martin Loveridge (2) Steve Anderson, Eliah Chitiyo and Bailey Harman. Loveridge added six goals.
Although Westgate started the second half in determined mood and scored first, Dan Booth completed his hat-trick and Loveridge kicked two goals.
Westgate came back to bring the score to 48-10 before the Buffs went up another gear to score another four tries through Bailey Harman, Lewis Johnson, Martin Loveridge and Eliah Chitiyo with Loveridge adding two goals and Kasper Mroz kicking a goal to complete the Buffaloes scoring.
Fair play to the shell-shocked Westgate side, who battled to the last minute and were rewarded with two late consolation tries. Final score 64-22 to the Buffaloes.
A brilliant all-round team performance but a special mention for Martin Loveridge, who finished the match with an impressive 32 points from three tries and ten goals. With three games left the Buffaloes are four points clear at the top on the division.
This Saturday sees the Buffaloes play their final home league match of the season when they welcome the York St Johns Barbarians to the Blue Hill Lane ground with a 2pm kick-off.
The York outfit currently sit in sixth place with five victories from ten matches and had an excellent 20-12 victory last week at Batley Boys, so will come in to the match with confidence.
Sam Neave of Bramley Buffaloes. Photo: Mick Wormald
Meet the players – Sam Neave – Available for sponsorship
The versatile three-quarter made his Buffaloes debut as a substitute in the 44-18 away victory at Valley Cougars in June 2011 and appeared in another three matches during that campaign.
It would be 11 years before he returned to wear the amber and black when he appeared and scored two tries in the 18-15 victory at Lindley St Joseph’s and scored again in each of the nail-biting home defeats: 28-32 against King Cross Park and 32-36 versus Brighouse Rangers during the 2022 season.
Sam started the current season with a substitute appearance in the 46-18 home victory against Goole Vikings.
His first tries of the season came when he crossed for two tries in the 68-12 romp at home to the Scarborough Pirates.
A try in the 40-4 victory at home to Keighley Albion was followed by an impressive hat-trick at Crigglestone All Blacks which was won by the brilliant Buffaloes at a canter by 56-0. Sam’s Bramley career has totalled 14 appearances and one substitute appearance which has brought him nine tries.
If you would like to sponsor your favourite player, become a club member or join the clubs lottery then email info@bramleybuffs.com.
In N Out in Bradford Road, Stanningley Bottom. Photo: John Baron/westleedsdispatch.com
By John Baron
Council licensing chiefs have approved an application for an off licence at a new convenience store at Stanningley Bottom – but only after the owner reduced the proposed opening hours.
Mr Mohammed Doski, of Stainbeck Road, submitted an application for an off licence for his new In N Out store at 17Bradford Road.
Councillors on the licensing committee approved the application, subject to conditions. These will see the convenience store sell alcohol Sunday to Thursday from 7am to 11pm and Friday and Saturday 7am to 12 midnight.
The Friday and Saturday hours have been scaled back from 7am until 4am following concerns reported by WLD over street drinking and anti-social behaviour.
Concerns were raised by Calverley & Farsley’s councillors over the 4am closure, along with West Yorkshire Police and Leeds City Council’s environmental protection team.
The site where the development will take place, pictured here by Google Maps in 2009.
A new housing development of 67 new homesin Rodley could become affordable housing, WLD understands.
The long-running plans to build a housing development on the Airedale Mills site in Rodley were approved by councillors in June, with the backing of Casa By Moda (part of construction giants Caddick).
Casa My Moda had no comment to make when approached by WLD but have confirmed they are no longer attached to the project and that the planning application belongs to the landowner to progress with other developers.
They say the proposal was always an application submitted by the landowner which they had supported, but that they have not been connected to it for some months.
It’s understood that social housing provider Stonewater is set to take on the site and hope to use the approved planning application without any amendments.
The new Moss Lane Bridge in Rodley leads to the proposed development.
A Stonewater spokesperson told WLD that they are aware of the site, along with other potential development opportunities in and around the Leeds area, but have nothing more to add at the moment.
Discussions between the council’s planning department and Stonewater have taken place.
Stonewater is one of the largest social housing providers in the UK, owning and managing around 36,000 homes. It has a vision of everyone having the opportunity to have a place they can call home, and it offers homes for rent, shared ownership and sale.
The approval of the plans in June came despite widespread opposition in Rodley, with ongoing concerns over the reliability of a recently-installed swing bridge which links to the ‘island’ site.
Councillors and local residents expressed concerns people will be left stranded in an emergency if the bridge can’t be pulled into the ‘down’ position to let road traffic across.
Photographer Susan Tellum has been out and about with her camera and has captured meadow blooms in Bramley Park, storms over Kirkstall Bridge and sun on Armley stone and the Leeds and Liverpool canal.
Volunteers at a previous clean-up in Bramley Baptist Churchyard.
Bramley residents can help clear away overgrown war graves at a community clean up event tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday).
Community volunteers from the Bramley War Memorial group will be getting their strimmers out to clear away overgrown war graves in Bramley Baptist Churchyard, on Hough Lane.
One of the volunteers, Ian Johnstone, posted on social media: “Tomorrow – 9 August – looks like it’s going to be a fine day for our Bramley Baptist War Graves clean up volunteers. Session starts at 12.30pm. New volunteers are always welcome to come along and join our frienly group.”
Armley Tennis club have appointed Eleanore Lake as the club’s new head coach.
Eleanore is a level 3+ accredited coach. She is a passionate and enthusiastic coach whose goal is to get as many people to play tennis as possible. She enjoys teaching players of all levels and abilities and wants to help players reach their highest potential.
When not at Armley, Eleanore is normally playing tennis herself, she competes in grade 3s and British Tour level competitions as well as competing for Leeds Beckett women’s 1st team.
A club spokesperson said: “Tennis has enriched Eleanore’s life and she is looking forward to sharing her passion with the people of Armley Tennis Club.”
Her appointment is seen by the club as a commitment to the West Leeds community to provide first-rate opportunities for youngsters who would like to get into playing tennis and for adults of all abilities and ages who want to improve their health and well-being.
The spokesperson added: “We are so pleased to have Eleanore on board. Tennis has been seen as an exclusive sport, but Armley Tennis Club has been here in West Leeds for 95 years and we aim to make it a truly a place for all of the community. We offer pay and play tennis and Eleanore offers coaching for non-members.”
If you would like to find out about coaching at Armley for children or adults, please contact armleytenniscoaching@outlook.com or call 0751 2764949.
Police want to interview these two people in connection with break-ins at Bramley Station
British Transport Police officers investigating a series of incidents of criminal damage to cars at Bramley Railway Station have today released a CCTV image of two people they would like to speak to.
Overnight on Sunday 31 July to Monday 1 August a Vauxhall Corsa had its rear and offside windows smashed and was ransacked. In the early hours of Wednesday 12 July a Mercedes A Class was also ransacked and had a window smashed.
Since March there have been 16 incidents of criminal damage to vehicles at the station and investigations are ongoing, but officers believe the two people in the image may have information that could help their investigation.
Anyone who has information regarding these incidents is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 2300080156. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Photo: Betty Longbottom. Used under Creative Commons licence
Owls, kestrels and hawks will all feature in a ‘Meet the Owls’ event outside the Owlcotes Shopping Centre in Pudsey.
For three weeks in August, shoppers will have the unique opportunity to witness these magnificent birds up close and personal.
The free awe-inspiring bird of prey show, presented by experts in the field, takes place outside B&M and Asda, the free show will feature a Pygmy owl, a Little owl, a Barn owl, a Spectacled owl, a Southern white-faced owl, a Eurasian eagle owl, a Kestrel and a Harris hawk.
A spokesperson said: “The event not only guarantees entertainment for all ages but also offers an educational experience for children. As they witness these majestic birds in action, young minds will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for wildlife and conservation.”
While entry to the event is free of charge, visitors are encouraged to contribute to a charity pot on-site. All donations received will go towards supporting the dedicated owl experts in their mission to rescue birds and provide them with safe rehabilitation.
The free event will take place between 10am and 3pm on Wednesday 16 August, Wednesday 23 August and Wednesday 30 August.
Pudsey Scarecrow Festival is back for 2023. Photo: Damon Sugden
Winging its way back to Pudsey Park is the ever-popular Pudsey Scarecrow Festival on Sunday 3 September from 10am until 4pm – and this year’s theme is Superheroes.
This year promises fun for all the family with an amazing scarecrow hunt. Explore the park together and see if you can discover all the Superheroes on display.
There will be fun stalls, tea and cake, ice cream and music to enjoy throughout the day. All profits raised will go to local good causes.
Organisers are looking to get as many scarecrows as possible installed in and around Pudsey Park, as it gives people with limited mobility a chance to see your imaginative work.
If you would like to build a scarecrow to enter – remember Superheroes are not just in comics and films, real people can be super and amazing too – this is a great opportunity to get creative and maybe learn some new crafting skills.
Building a scarecrow is simple. Just pick something that you like about Superheroes and have a look around for a few basic bits to build with: garden canes for a frame, old clothes, straw, shredded paper or old pillows for stuffing, some of the most imaginative scarecrows have been up-cycled from unexpected items such as plastic plant pots.
There will be prizes for the best entries, and many previous entries have been both imaginative and hilarious!
If you live outside of Pudsey and you would still like to enter a Scarecrow then let organisers know on the entry form.
Bring it to the park between 9am – 10am on Sunday 3 September. All scarecrows should be named with its name clearly displayed to help with judging the competition.
For details on how to enter please visit the event website or pick up one of the entry forms at Pudsey Community Hub, Pudsey Wellbeing Centre on Robin Lane or Pudsey Community Project on Carlisle Road.
Wortley Football Club have submitted plans for a single-storey clubhouse on land off Blue Hill Lane.
The club, where England and former Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips started his career, submitted the proposals last week for Leeds City Council planners to consider.
Proposals include a bar, kitchen and social area, as well as using an existing portakabin as a toilet block.
Founded in 1974, Wortley FC is a community and family based football club, which is dedicated to the furtherance of youth and senior football. The club aims to provide quality training and playing facilities to all club members regardless race, gender, religion or ability.
In its application, the club says the site is currently vacant and used as parking around the football pitch. It has been fundraising for a new clubhouse for a number of years.
The clubhouse would be in use on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Inspired by England’s Lionesses? A West Leeds girls’ football team is welcoming new players ahead of its new season and is encouraging youngsters to become the new Alessia Russo.
Stanningley Albion has places in both its under 12s and under 13s teams.
Training takes place on Tuesday evenings 6pm-7.30pm and Saturday mornings 9.30am-11am at Woodhall, Calverley.
Anyone interested can contact Kevin on 07970 482467.
