Farsley Celtic look for first pre-season win at Guiseley

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July 28, 2023

By Josh Makin and Frankie Green

Farsley Celtic are preparing for their sixth and final fixture of pre-season tomorrow (Saturday) with a Leeds derby at Guiseley AFC.

This will be a big game for the new-look Celts as they aim to end pre-season on a high, and have a win under their belts ahead of the start of their National League North campaign.

Farsley most recently faced Guiseley back in April 2022 at The Citadel where a Frank Mulhern stunner inside the first minute earned Farsley all three points in a crunch relegation tie.

On Tuesday Farsley lost 1-2 at The Citadel by National League side York City, with The Minstermen coming out on top thanks to a dubious penalty decision in the second half. Joao Silva scored the only goal for the home side with a well-hit left-footed shot from outside the box to increase his tally to two in pre-season.

It was Farsley’s most encouraging performance yet under the new regime, with Clayton Donaldson coming close to getting on the scoresheet multiple times, with Ben Atkinson having a goal disallowed for offside. The Celts will now be looking to cap off pre-season with a win.

Saturday’s hosts most recently defeated National League North side Scarborough Athletic 1-0 at Nethermoor Park, and they will be looking to do the same again on Saturday when Farsley visit.

TEAM NEWS

Lewis Turner and Isaac Assenso could return to the squad after missing the York fixture.

The Celts did not sustain any other injuries on Tuesday night and will be looking to utilise a fully fit squad.

MATCH DETAILS

The game will take place at 3pm on Saturday 29 at Nethermoor Park, Otley Road, Guiseley, Leeds, LS20 8BT. The admission prices will be: adults £12, concessions (over 65s/students) £8, under 18s £5, under 11s accompanied £1. Payments can be made at the gate with cash or card.

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Green light for £143k West SILC Milestone work

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July 27, 2023

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Council chiefs have appointed a contractor to carry out £143,831 works at West SILC Milestone during the summer holidays.

Leeds Building Services (LBS) has won the contract to carry out the ‘mechanical building’ work at the Stanningley school, according to a council report released this week.

Mechanical building work is carried out in a building or facility that involve motors, machines, or the flow of fluids usually in conjunction with electrical or electromechanical controls.

The council report says: “The works support the council’s health and wellbeing plan by ensuring children have a safe and watertight learning environment.”

The work is due to be finished by the time the school re-opens in September.

The full report can be read here.

Armley campaigner’s sponsored Liverpool to Leeds bike ride will support people with addiction

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July 27, 2023

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chris liverpool leeds — On you bike: Chris Sylvester is looking to raise much-needed funds.

By Jill Stocks

Armley resident Chris Sylvester is embarking on another journey in his life this weekend.

He’ll be accompanied by Ed Carlisle, a friend and also a Green councillor for Hunslet and Riverside ward.

Chris and Ed will be cycling Liverpool to Leeds, 127 miles, aiming for a sub 12-hour completion time this weekend to raise funds for Getting Clean, which is a Community Interest Company that Chris has set up after his own personal experience of addiction.

Getting Clean has various projects across West Leeds, including conservation projects, soap-making workshops and community projects for clean ups and repairs.

Getting Clean started as a project for recovery for addicts to volunteer in the community and continues to do so.

Their mission is to provide those in recovery with support with the possibility of employment, whilst also using these projects to provide support to the community and the environment.

And this weekend they are cycling the Leeds Liverpool canal to raise funds for the projects.

There are a number of projects ongoing; Conservation projects across the city such as wild flower meadows, and there are also community repairs, across West and South Leeds, assisting those most vulnerable with running repairs to their housing.and environs.

There is also the successful Getting Clean soap workshops. Volunteers gather to make soap because “soap is hope”.

There is much more information on this here.

Chris is a recovering addict. He also told WLD he didn’t have a lot of cycling experience but he’d certainly been putting the miles in when we met with him having got up at three am to get some miles in before work.

The ultimate goal for Chris though is for Getting Clean to be a full time project. To have enough funding to take the project forward full time:

“That’s the goal. The end objective is to be able to create a group that carries that message of recovery to people trapped in addiction to allow people to bring skills and be empowered.”

Chris also emphasised that it’s not just the addict but those around who are affected; that all members of the family and friends are impacted.

You can sponsor Chris and Ed here.

For more information on Getting Clean and to order some soap, click here.

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Builder announces major changes at Kirkstall housing development

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July 27, 2023

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kirkstall place — A CGI of the completed Casa Abbey Court development.

A new company is set to own and market hundreds of homes on a new £65 million housing development on the former Kirkstall District Centre site.

Bespoke homes developer Artisan Real Estate has been building 263 low carbon and low energy homes at the six-acre site, providing a mix of one to four-bedroom apartments and town houses.

Developers Casa by Moda will now take ownership and market all 223 homes, which will now be available to rent rather than to buy. The remaining 40 properties will be affordable housing to be managed by Yorkshire-based housing association 54North Homes.

Casa by Moda will continue to work in partnership with Artisan to complete the delivery of the new homes, the first of which will now be completed in 2024. The first occupiers were originally expected to move in this summer, and the development of 263 dwellings fully completed by next year.

The development has also changed its name from Kirkstall Place and will now be called Casa, Abbey Court.

Matt Townson, Director of Development and Projects at Casa by Moda, added: “With demand for rental accommodation remaining high, our approach as a long-term owner and operator is to create not only high quality, sustainable homes, but new communities that go beyond bricks and mortar and actively support the wellbeing of our residents.

“Casa, Abbey Court marks a step change in single family rental in Leeds, not only in quality but also being able to offer residents leases of up to three years – something unheard of in the traditional rental market. During the current periods of economic uncertainty, we believe it’s important to be able to provide our residents a security of tenancy that can only come from our long-term approach.”

Situated just a two-minute walk from Headingley Station, Casa, Abbey Court will offer the latest state-of-the art technology promoting sustainable living and low energy costs with easy and accessible transport links to the city centre.

Technology partner Utopi’s smart environmental sensors will be incorporated into the homes, which enable residents to monitor everything from room temperature to air quality and light pollution.

The development features electric air source heat pumps.

James Bulmer, Regional Director for Leeds-based Artisan North, said: “The collaboration with Casa provides a significant opportunity to deliver much-needed new homes for rent in one of Leeds’ most desirable suburb.

“There is a growing demand for high-quality family rental properties with easy access to city centres providing the perfect blend of town and country living. Casa is a proven operational model designed specifically to meet the needs of today’s rental market.”

Ahead of welcoming its first residents next year, Casa by Moda is accepting pre-registrations of interest for homes at Casa, Abbey Court via its website.

The housing plans at the former district centre site were first approved in March 2021. The site was also the home of popular bargains shop Harvard Mills, which re-opened in Harehills.

Follow WLD’s ongoing coverage of the development here.

Check out WLD’s what’s on guide for the latest events from your community and beyond.

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New ‘wellbeing pod’ opens at Armley Library

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July 27, 2023

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armley midwife — Library role: Midwife Charlotte Compton.

A novel addition to Armley Library is giving parents support from midwives and healthcare professionals in the same place they browse for their favourite books.

New “wellbeing pods” have officially launched in eight of the city’s libraries and community hubs, including Armley. They are the first of their kind to be hosted by any library service in the UK.

A joint initiative between the NHS in Leeds and Leeds Libraries, the pods are small, clinical rooms converted from old interview rooms, or added in as stand alone, enclosed pods.

Pods in each library are booked by midwives and other NHS services, who then manage their appointments and timings directly with patients. Each of the pods can be used by midwives or other healthcare professional and are complete with an examination bed, sink, seating area, and leaflet rack.

Midwife Charlotte Compton said: “The hub provides a welcoming, safe space for women in the local area to access maternity care. It is a well-known location and very accessible for people to get to. It also enables women to access other services being offered here whilst they visit.”

Andrea Ellison, Leeds Libraries’ chief librarian, added: “By giving local people this new opportunity to see a midwife or healthcare professional when they visit their local library, we are linking even more of the city’s support services together and further emphasising the role which libraries play at the heart of our communities.”

Wellbeing Pods are currently situated in eight libraries and community hubs: Armley, Compton, Headingley, Holt Park, Hunslet, Reginald Centre, St. George’s Centre, Seacroft.

More information about libraries in Leeds can be found here.

Check out WLD’s what’s on guide for the latest events from your community and beyond.

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New Pudsey: Rail ticket office closure consultation extended

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July 26, 2023

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new pudsey station — New Pudsey Station. Photo: Mark Stevenson/flickr

A consultation over plans to close hundreds of railway station ticket offices across the UK – including New Pudsey and Horsforth stations – has been extended.

Industry body the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) said some train companies did not provide accessible formats, preventing people from being able to respond to plans.

More than 170,000 responses have been received, according to watchdogs Transport Focus and London TravelWatch.

The closure plans come after Transport Secretary Mark Harper wrote to train operators asking them to cut costs.

The plan sparked concern from rail unions over job cuts and disability groups over accessibility issues, but train operating companies argue only 12% of tickets are now bought at station kiosks.

RDG say they are keen “to give as many people as possible a chance to take part”and have extended the consultation until 1 September 2023.

The closure programme is expected to last for three years.

People can have their say here.

Wortley: Roofing plans rejected by council after concerns over wrong slate

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July 26, 2023

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Cliff Oaks Mansion - Wortley — An artist's impression of new houses on the Cliff Oaks development.

Leeds council planners have told a housing developer they have used wrong type of roofing slate on a prestigious £8 million housing development in Wortley.

Priestley Homes had applied to the council for retrospective application for new roof tiles to seven dwellings at its Cliff Oaks development in Fawcett Lane, Wortley.

But council planners have this week refused their retrospective application, saying they have used black modern concrete roof tiles instead of ‘Spanish slate in dark grey,’ which was approved during the original planning consent.

In a letter to planners on behalf of Priestley Homes, Andrew Windress, director of planning consultancy ID Planning, admitted that the townhouses have now been built – and that ‘due to a miscommunication between the contractor and architect, different roof tiles have been installed that do not accord with those approved under permissions’.

Mr Windress argued the black slates are appropriate for the new-build townhouses of the wider Cliff Oaks Development as they complement the original slate roofs of the adjacent Grade II listed Cliff House, which was gutted by fire several years ago, and stable block developments.

But Mr Windress concluded: “It is not considered that the roof tiles cause any visual harm and do not represent an incongruous feature in the wider Cliff Oaks development. We therefore consider that the roof tiles as built are not materially harmful and retrospective permission can be granted for their retention.”

But a council planning officer’s report described the development as a ‘row of high quality dwellings with a contemporary design and character which in turn would emphasise the neighbouring Grade II Listed Cliff House, considered the focal point of the development site’.

The report refused the application and concluded: “It is considered the development, as built, fails to accord with [National Planning Policy Framework], creating visual harm with a clear deviation from the approved materials which in turn is harmful to both the development of the terrace properties themselves and crucially the neighbouring Grade II Listed Cliff House.”

Developers have six months to appeal to the Secretary of State against the decision.

A Breach of Condition Notice was first served on the developers on 14 December 2022.

The full council report and planning application can be read here.

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Woven in History: Iconic textile mill celebrates 240th anniversary

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July 26, 2023

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Zareena Syed AW Hainsworth — Zareena Syed of AW Hainsworth

A family-run heritage textile mill established in 1783 is celebrating its 240th anniversary.

AW Hainsworth manufactures iconic British woollen cloth, high-performing textiles, and iconic fabrics for customers worldwide.

Abimelech Hainsworth founded his cloth merchant business in Farsley in 1783, and since then, the company has seen tremendous success.

AW Hainsworth is an official Royal Warrant Holder and crafted the UK’s first heat and flame-retardant fabric. Today, its fabrics are used in many industries – from leading fashion brands to luxury car interiors.

Amy Widdowson is in weaving at AW Hainsworth.

Hainsworth cloth is worn by royalty and the military in the UK and globally, and its interior fabrics furnish royal interiors, palaces and the House of Lords. Some of AW Hainsworth’s key historical moments include Hainsworth fabrics being worn at both the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 and the recent Coronation of King Charles III earlier this year.

In 1979, the British Snooker Championships were broadcast for the first time on colour television, with the competition played on the now iconic green Hainsworth cloth.

More recently, Hainsworth’s costume fabrics were used to produce the cloaks that the Death Eaters wore in West End production Harry Potter And The Cursed Child, and to dress characters in Downton Abbey, Queen Charlotte, Hamilton, Game of Thrones, and the Crown.

The fully-integrated, vertical textile mill also supplies woven felt for pianos and other musical instruments, designs national and international transportation fabric, and protective materials for emergency services and military personnel worldwide.

The fabric design, manufacture and supply business has focused on cutting-edge innovation and product development in recent years – by launching a quarter of a million-pound state-of-the-art new laboratory space.

Managing Director of AW Hainsworth, Amanda McLaren, explains: “When I first joined the business in 2021 I was acutely aware of Hainsworth’s long and prestigious history and how important it was to guard this as a ‘custodian’ of this amazing family business and West Yorkshire mill.

“In order to understand our future, we have to respect and remember our past, and I have learned a lot by looking back at the stories of those who steered Hainsworth through the previous two centuries. We continue to build on this foundation, with a strong commitment to investing and building a bright future for all our stakeholders to enjoy.”

“We have an amazing team of people at Hainsworth today who are all working with pride, passion, expertise and a desire to succeed.”

To mark this important milestone, the team at AW Hainsworth will be celebrating with a host of events throughout July, August and September, rounding off the business anniversary with a party for customers, employees and suppliers.

The specialist textile manufacturer is the parent company to Hainsworth Fabric of a Nation, Hainsworth Protective Fabrics, Hainsworth Toptable, Natural Legacy by Hainsworth, John Atkinson, Hainsworth Technical Felt, Northern Rubber by Hainsworth, and Replin by Hainsworth.

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Farsley Celtic impress despite 2-1 friendly defeat against York City

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July 26, 2023

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Farsley v York city — York's John-Lewis scores from the penalty spot against Farsley Celtic. Photo: John McEvoy

By John Baron. Photos: John McEvoy

New-look Farsley Celtic remain without a win in five pre-season games – but new boss Clayton Donaldson must have been impressed by what he saw against his old club York City last night.

The Celts put in a valiant effort against higher league opposition, and were unlucky to lose a game decided by a controversial second half penalty.

The home side put in a strong first-half performance and played some good possession football at times.

It’s fair to say The Celts, who have signed 11 new players this summer, have been ‘shot shy’ in their previous friendlies – but against the Minstermen there were clear signs the players were at last beginning to gel and create chances.

Farsley Celtic’s Joao Silva celebrates after scoring. Photo: John McEvoy

Farsley got off to the perfect start on 13 minutes when young prospect Joao Silva fired the ball home from outside the area with a left-footed strike to record his second goal of pre-season.

City didn’t let conceding an early goal go to their heads and they pushed on for an immediate equaliser. Adam Crookes forced a corner after Zan Luk spilled Kouhyar’s initial effort on target, before John-Lewis’ header was met with a smart save from Farsley trialist keeper Luk.

The visitors were level 13 minutes later when a deflection gave Maz Kouhyar a golden chance to equalise from just a few yards out, despite Farsley appeals for offside.

Farsley came close to nudging themselves back in front on the half-hour mark when player/head-coach Clayton Donaldson raced through on goal before firing his effort wide of the left-hand the post.

Connor Branson heads just wide. Photo: John McEvoy

Conor Branson nearly restored the lead when he met a pin-point delivery from George Smith, but his header was wide of the mark.

The Celts continued to have the better of the chances with their front three of Donaldson, Darren Stephenson and Silva looking lively.

Just three minutes before the interval, some strong hold-up play from Stephenson led to Donaldson striking from the edge of the box, forcing a diving save from the York goalkeeper.

The second half saw The Celts change formation and make several substitutions, disrupting the flow of the game.

But Farsley did have the ball in the back of the net on the hour mark when Ben Atkinson finished off a lovely team move involving Smith and Ryan Watson.

York were edging the game possession-wise and, with 20 minutes to go, the visitors went ahead from the penalty spot after Farsley’s Jack Leake was wrongly adjudged to have fouled York’s John-Lewis inside the area.

Farsley deserved at least a draw against higher league opposition, but will be buoyed by a much-improved performance. Former Farsley striker Jimmy Spencer, who left the club in January, was also in attendance.

The Celts travel to Leeds rivals Guiseley for the final pre-season workout on Saturday, ahead of the opening day National League North fixture at Rushall Diamonds on August 5.

Farsley Celtic: Luk (GK) (Allen), Leake, Smith (Milambo 61’), Branson, Missambo, Allan, Blair (Watson 46’), C.Atkinson (B.Atkinson 46’), Donaldson (Baptista), Stephenson, Silva (Carroll 46’) Unused Subs: Anyiam-Osigwe

York City: Whitley (GK), Duckworth, Howe, Cordner, Crookes, Pybus, McLaughlin, Dyson, Siziba, John-Lewis, Kouhyar (Castro 68’)

Unused Subs: Campbell, Fallowfield, Hancox, Burgess, Trialist A, Main, Barnes

Additional reporting: Josh Makin

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Buffalo Bulletin: Scarborough Pirates aim to loot Bramley

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July 26, 2023

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Tom Langton Bramley Buffaloes — Tom Langton, Bramley Buffaloes

by Paul Abraham

With last week’s match at Westgate Common postponed, the Buffaloes seek to bounce back from the narrow cup final loss to East Hull as they venture to the east coast of Yorkshire to take on the Scarborough Pirates.

Although the teams have played twice so fat this season with Bramley winning both games by 68-12 the Buffs are anticipating a tough challenge as the Pirates have hit a good run of form recently and had an excellent 20-14 home victory against Batley Boys last weekend.

With the season entering an exciting final phase, the Buffaloes stand proudly at the top of the division and in pole position to win the league.

The top five positions are only separated by four points as shown below:

P W L F A Points

Bramley Buffaloes 9 7 2 375 108 14

Goole Vikings 11 6 5 328 220 12

Westgate Common A 8 6 2 242 116 10

Batley Boys 8 6 2 164 119 10

Crigglestone All Blacks 10 5 5 172 282 10

* Westgate and Batley docked two points each for cancelling matches.

Meet the team – Tom Langton. Available to sponsor

Tom made his Buffaloes debut in a 66-6 thrashing of Warrington Wizards in an away match on 22 May 2011, he ended his first season by appearing in seven first team matches and scored his first try for the club in the 18-44 defeat at Valley Cougars.

The following season and switching between the centre and second row positions he totalled 12 appearances with a try coming his way in the 26-12 home victory against the Coventry Bears.

It would be nearly four years before Tom donned the amber and black shirt again as the 2016 season brought him a try against Mancunians RLFC in a 28-18 away victory.

The 2017 season was a successful one for Tom who was now settled within the forwards and appeared in 16 matches and crossed the whitewash three times, in victories against Bradford Victoria away (52-10) at home to Hull Wyke (32-10) and in the 50-24 victory at Kings Cross Park.

The campaign of 2018 brought Tom another three tries, this time in 14 appearances as he scored in the defeats at home to East Hull (12-24) and at Siddal (20-22) while crossing in the impressive 34-18 away victory at New Earswick All Blacks.

His first two-try haul in a match came in the following season as he crossed the Nottingham Outlaws line twice in the 42-0 home victory.

His other try came in a 10-30 defeat at East Hull as he completed eleven appearances that season. Due to the pandemic the Buffaloes only played one match during 2020 when Tom scored in a 12-0 victory at Milford Marlins.

With some normality returning in 2021 Tom played in seven matches, again being “Mr Consistency” with his 100% effort in every match.

With another 12 matches under his belt in 2022, which included scoring a try as he played at scrum-half due to players being injured or unavailable in the thrilling 12 try 28-32 defeat by King Cross at the West Leeds Rugby Union ground.

During the rugby league close season Tom played and starred for West Leeds RUFC before putting the amber and black back on.

Up to this weekend’s match Tom’s career totals stand at 97 first team starts and one substitute appearance with an impressive total of 16 tries, including scoring in both game against Crigglestone All Blacks this season in the 66-4 home win and the 56-0 away victory. Tom is without doubt a Buffaloes hero to fans.

If you would like to sponsor your favourite player, become a club member or join the club’s lottery then please email the club at info@bramleybuffs.com.

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Burley: Art classes paint a positive picture thanks to the OWLS

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July 26, 2023

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OWLS.04 — Today’s topic at Owls Art Class was portraiture in pencil. Photo: Ivor Hughes

By Ivor Hughes

OWLS (Older Wiser Local Seniors) is one of several hyper-local community initiatives supported and part funded by Leeds City Council. Their catchment in West Leeds includes Burley and Kirkstall.

Among OWLS’ wide range of social activities is a beginners’ art class. The class is held every Tuesday morning from 10am-12pm at Left Bank Leeds, an arts and events venue based in the former St Margaret of Antioch Church, Cardigan Road, Burley.

The number of students attending is typically around 20 with a wide range of topics. On the day of our visit it was portraiture in pencil with the model (pictured) on screen.

OWLS volunteer Tom Foster and organiser Jenny Oates. Photo: Ivor Hughes
Leeds Left Bank is an arts and events venue in the repurposed St Margaret of Antioch Church. Photo: Ivor Hughes
Leeds Left Bank is an arts and events venue in the repurposed St Margaret of Antioch Church. Photo: Ivor Hughes
Today’s topic at Owls Art Class was portraiture in pencil. The model was on screen. Photo: Ivor Hughes
Today’s topic at Owls Art Class was portraiture in pencil. Photo: Ivor Hughes
Leeds Left Bank is an arts and events venue in the repurposed St Margaret of Antioch Church. Photo: Ivor Hughes

All materials are provided and the suggested donation £3. First visit free. The art class is followed by a social gathering from 1-4pm.

OWLS is online or telephone 0113 369 7077.

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Bramley & Stanningley Forum discusses West Leeds flood defences

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July 25, 2023

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eric atkinson centre bramley — Venue: The Eric Atkinson Centre in Bramley.

Flood defences and crime are just two of the topics on the agenda at a public meeting in Bramley this Thursday.

The Bramley & Stanningley Forum will hear an update of the multi-million pound Flood Alleviation Scheme, which runs along the river Aire through the heart of West Leeds. There will also be an update on flood prevention from Leeds City Council’s flood risk manager Jonathan Moxon.

PCSO Sharon Senior from West Yorkshire Police will provide the latest crime statistics and Jessica McCulloch from Bramley Housing Office will provide an update from her department.

Bramley & Stanningley Forum meets on Thursday, 27 July at 7pm in the Eric Atkinson Centre, Wellington Gardens, LS13 2JA.