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West Leeds RUFC ground improvements boosted by £10,400 grant

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The clubhouse hall at West Leeds RUFC clubhouse, in Wortley.

By John Baron

West Leeds RUFC have been boosted by a £10,400 grant to improve its facilities thanks to councillors on the outer west community committee.

Club chair Karen Breakwell said the club was ‘delighted’ to have secured additional funding on top of the club’s own crowdfunding appeal for essential improvements to the club and its facilities off Blue Hill Lane.

She said the funding would help “refresh and reinvigorate our little club down the Lane” and help them complete more projects including upgrading the showers, installation of LED floodlighting to the pitch and also improve social areas.

“We are absolutely over the moon with this grant from Leeds City Council and we will ensure that this is used to promote sports facilities for the use of our kids across the local community,” added Ms Breakwell.

At the meeting, Cllr Mark Sewards (Lab, Farnley & Wortley) praised residents for raising ‘an amazing’ £10,400 and securing a further £4,000 in grant funding and noted there was still some fundraising to do if they were to reach their £41,000 target. He suggested an initial grant of £10,400 to match the amount residents raised and perhaps revisit it again if they raised more money.

Farnley & Wortley councillors David Blackburn (Green) and Adrian McCluskey (Lab) agreed to this.

Other grants approved included: Pudsey Park weekend litter picking, Outer West police anti-social behaviour and road safety operations, Bawns and Heights Fun Day in Farnley, public space CCTV cameras, Andy’s Youth Project at Robin Lane in Pudsey and Farsley Festival.

Environmental improvements at Owlcotes Road in Pudsey were deferred for a second time for clarity on the decision-making process following a disagreement between councillors. A grant for the adult band project in Pudsey was also deferred and site improvements and new equipment for West Leeds Activity Centre in Armley were refused.

The full meeting can be viewed here:

The agenda, papers and minutes of the last outer west community committee meeting held at Farnley Hall can be read here.

The outer west community committee is made up of councillors from the Calverley & Farsley, Farnley & Wortley and Pudsey wards. The political make-up is five Conservatives, three Labour, one Green. Read more of WLD‘s coverage of the committee here.

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Rain fails to stop play at Kirkstall Festival

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Panto dames enjoy Kirkstall Festival 2023. Photo: Ivor Hughes

The crowds still flocked to Kirkstall Festival yesterday – refusing to let the heavy rain and thunderstorms dampen their spirits.

Community-run Kirkstall Festival regularly attracts more than 20,000 people to Kirkstall Abbey grounds for its community parade, stalls, food, music, funfair and entertainment.

And the crowds still came out with their pack-a-macs and umbrellas ensuring the event was a success.

Photographer Ivor Hughes captured the fun, despite the damp conditions. Here’s a slideshow of his images:

  • Panto dames enjoy Kirkstall Festival 2023. Photo: Ivor Hughes

Hi-res versions are available on ivorhughes.com.

And photographer Susan Tellum captured these photos:

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Solar panel plans resubmitted at Kirkstall Brewery halls of residences

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The Kirkstall Brewery Hall of Residences

New plans to install solar panels at Kirkstall Brewery halls of residences have been resubmitted – less than a month after they were refused by council planners.

The panels will provide power for hundreds of students living in Abbey House, Graham House, Monkwood House, Oak House, Grove House, Elsworth House, Walker House, Musgrave House, and Poplar House.

The latest plans don’t include Olive Mount House, which has met with concern by planners in June, who had said the proposals failed to meet planning policies and added: “It is also concluded that the proposed western section of solar equipment would be detrimental to the adjacent residential accommodation.”

Applicant Cloverco hope the new panels will make the buildings more energy efficient on the 8.7-acre canal-side site, which caters for more than 800 students.

The plans, documents and reports can be read in full here.

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Armley Action Team launches ‘Yum’ food bank 

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Mark Rollinson volunteering at the Community Fridge in Yum, Armley Action Team's new community food project. Photo: Fran Graham

By Katherine Turner

Newly launched ‘Yum’ is Armley Action Team’s food project, based at Unit 9, Gelder Road, behind the Royal Pub on Armley Town Street.

Yum has just started up and is offering emergency food parcels for people living in Armley and who are referred by people involved in community projects or workers supporting local people.

Fran Graham, from Armley Action Team, explained: “If this is you, e-mail armleyactionteam@gmail.com asking for an emergency fresh pack (contains bread, spread, cheese, milk and eggs – plus any dry or household items we have spare) and we can arrange a time for you to collect.

“We can make up fresh packs to collect Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 2pm until 4pm and Saturday from 10am until 12pm.” 

Support: Joy, Kai and Bethany of Climate Action Armley.

Yum also runs a community fridge run in partnership with Climate Action Armley. 

Fran told WLD what a community fridge is: “It’s a fridge that is dedicated to surplus perishable food – donated by people for anyone to take for free. You can give to it, take from it, or both.

“It’s a space for those fresh items that need to get used up, that you might have too much of, or you might not get to use in time before going away. It’s a way to share food that would otherwise go to waste.”

Mark Rollinson volunteering at the Community Fridge in Yum, Armley Action Team’s new community food project on Gelder Road. Photo: Fran Graham

Yum’s Community Fridge is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 2pm until 4pm and Saturday from 10am until 12pm. Anyone can use the community fridge, and they encourage everyone to use it and to share food, not bin it.  

Yum is looking for volunteers to help spread the word and to keep the fridge and emergency food stocked up. Drivers or cyclists who might collect surplus food are a priority. They are also looking for donations of household products, nappies, formula, hygiene products, cooking oil and bags of sugar. 

Soon to be announced, Yum will be opening a community food pantry where people can save money on a weekly shop. More on this to come.

Joy, Kai and Bethany of Climate Action Armley.

More information

Address: Yum, Unit 9 Gelder Road, Leeds, LS12 3JF (between Armley Action Team’s office and Bundles).

For more information, contact their Facebook page or e-mail armleyactionteam@gmail.com.

Proposed train station ticket office closures labelled ‘inhuman’

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New Pudsey Station. Photo: Mark Stevenson/flickr

By David Spereall, local democracy reporter

Plans to shut ticket offices at rail stations – including New Pudsey and Horsforth – have been criticised by West Yorkshire councillors, who’ve branded them “appalling” and “inhuman”.

Only three West Yorkshire stations – Leeds, Bradford Interchange and Huddersfield – will retain their ticket offices under proposals announced on Wednesday. At least 16 others, including Halifax and Wakefield Westgate, are at risk of permanent closure.

Train companies and the Department of Transport insist the nationwide move will “modernise” the railways and will affect only 12 per cent of passengers who still buy their tickets from kiosks.

But there was angry condemnation of the plans a West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) transport committee meeting on Friday.

Councillors across the region say the idea discriminates against elderly and disabled passengers, reduce cheaper ticket options and poses a safety risk to female passengers at unmanned stations.

Matthew McLaughlin, a Labour councillor in Kirklees said: “Not only is it outrageous, but it’s typical of the government to just see people as numbers.

“They haven’t measured, because they can’t be bothered to measure, the safety aspect of this. How many crimes and assaults didn’t happen because there were staff there?

“When a train’s delayed or cancelled, passengers go to the person in uniform to find out what’s going on.

“It’s a totally inhuman way of looking at the system.”

The Rail Delivery Group, which represents operators, insists ticket office staff will be redeployed to concourses and platforms and will remain available to help passengers.

But staff union the RMT has warned the plans could lead to job cuts, while transport minister Huw Merriman admitted on Thursday that that was a possibility for workers who “don’t wish to make that transition.”

Leeds Labour councillor Oliver Edwards said: “I think if you lose those people and you lose their knowledge then you’re not going to get that back.

“I just think it’s an appalling proposal from the government.”

A consultation over the closures is due to end on July 26, though Transport for the North are among those calling for the deadline to be extended.

Concerns have also been raised about the complexity of navigating ticket machines at stations and the likelihood of waiting rooms being open for less time.

Calderdale councillor Scott Patient said the potential closures told a “story of a less inclusive society”.

He added: “In Hebden Bridge yesterday, a passenger was telling they’re going to feel digitally excluded by this.

“The face-to-face contact with staff is the only way she can buy a ticket. She doesn’t have a smartphone and she’s scared to use a computer, even though she’s tried in the past.

“Halifax, the main town in Calderdale, is going to have no-one there (at the station).

“When we’re talking about an inclusive society, we’re really missing a trick here.”

Leeds Labour councillor Annie Maloney said the closures would impact on the safety of women and girls.

“If you’re getting a train at 7am and there’s no-one there it’s quite scary,” she told the meeting.

“Perceived risk is a big thing. Having someone in uniform there changes the vibe of the place.”

West Yorkshire stations at risk of losing their ticket office include:

  • Bingley
  • Bradford Forster Square
  • Ilkley
  • Menston
  • Shipley
  • Keighley
  • Halifax
  • Hebden Bridge
  • Todmorden
  • Dewsbury
  • Cross Gates
  • Garforth
  • Guiseley
  • Horsforth
  • Wakefield Westgate
  • New Pudsey

West Leeds planning applications: 8 July 2023

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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

  • Certificate of Proposed Lawful Development for a dormer window to the rear, 18 Latchmere Drive, West Park, Leeds LS16 5DL.

Pudsey Ward

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Police urge Armley residents to report sightings of missing Bradford teen – updated

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Missing: Skye Bond/

UPDATE: Police say Skye Bond has been located safe and well.

ORIGINAL POST: Police are appealing for the help of people living in Armley to report any sightings of missing Bradford teenager Skye Bond. 

Skye, 17 was reported missing from her home in Keighley on 25 June 2023.

She was last seen on the Christchurch Estate in Armley on Saturday, 1 July. 

Police believe she is telling people her name is Zaneya and that she is from Birmingham.

Skye is described as a mixed race female and 5 foot 7 tall. 

Detective Inspector Karl Noglik of Bradford CID said:

“We are urgently appealing to the community of Armley to report any sightings of Skye to us. 

“We are growing increasingly concerned for her welfare and we need to make sure she is okay. 

“I would urge people in that area to keep a look out for her and report any sightings immediately to us.”

Anyone with information on Skye’s whereabouts is asked to contact police via 101 or 999 or use the live chat facility at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/contactus quoting log 1461 of 25 June.

Pudsey: New home plan refused at former equestrian centre following objections

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westleedslife
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Acres Hall Farm, Pudsey. Photo: Google

By John Baron

A former equestrian centre will not be transformed into a new family home after Leeds City Council refused planning permission.

Applicants Mr and Mrs Slinger submitted the proposals in May for the stone-built six-bedroom home at Acres Hall Farm, off Acres Hall Avenue.

The property would have featured a dressing room, three bathrooms and a WC – but the plans received objections from 26 residents and Councillor Dawn Seary (Cons, Pudsey).

Some argued that it would change the rural designation of the land and that it would lead to a loss of views across open countryside, among other concerns

In refusing the application, a planning officer’s report said the proposed development was not in accordance with the council’s development plan.

It added: “The surrounding area is rural in nature and whilst there is no distinctive defined character to the area the design of this large detached house, of two-and-a-half storeys, lacks any context or relationship to surrounding features.

“The design could be described as suburban in character and it is not considered an appropriate response in design terms to its countryside setting and will appear intrusive and out of context in the landscape.”

A design statement submitted by the applicant with the planning application says the proposed dwelling would have been located on the current area that is covered in hardstanding.

Vehicular, pedestrian and cycle access would have used the existing access off Acres Hall Avenue.

It adds: “The dwelling proposed is to utilise the existing barn as the owner has his own horses and wants to provide a sustainable development which allows him to have access to his own barns.

“The house shall be heated through ground source heat pump to underfloor heating. Solar panels to the roof shall give a contribution to the electricity and the house shall be built with over specified insulation, ventilation etc to make the energy usage of this building as little as possible.

“Having access to his horses allows this dwelling to be a one-off development mixing personal hobby and livestock with the residential status.”

The planning application and reports can be viewed in full here.

New members can hit the right note with Farsley Village Singers

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Hitting the right note: Farsley Village Singers. Photo: Farsley Village Singers

By Susan Johnson

If you enjoy choral singing there is some good news for you!

You can come along every Wednesday evening during term time to St John’s Church in Farsley at 7.30pm and meet other keen members of Farsley Village Singers enjoying singing a variety of music.

E-mail committee@farsleysingers.co.uk for more information or if you’re planning to attend.

The choir was founded in 2015 by Jen Silvester-Killen mainly for Farsley residents, but over the last eight years has been boosted by new members from across west Leeds.

The singers normally perform two concerts per year with proceeds going to charity. It also performs on request at nursing homes, song festivals and with other choirs.

If you would like to hear them perform their summer concert then come along to St John’s Church, Farsley  on Sunday 16 July at 6.30pm. Tickets are £7 and under 14’s are £1, including refreshments. Tickets can be bought here.

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£294,000 earmarked for Bramley school modular classroom

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Whitecote Primary School, Bramley. Photo: Google

Council chiefs have given the green light for a replacement modular building at the Whitecote Primary School in Bramley – at an estimated cost of £294,000.

A council report says the current accommodation is a modular building accommodating two-year-olds which has reached the end of its serviceable life and requires replacement. 

“The current poor condition of the modular building at Whitecote Primary School presents a longer-term health and safety risk, and without replacement the provision may no longer be able to operate,” the report says.

“Not being able to provide places for two-year-olds at Whitecote Primary School would create a shortage of places in the area.”

It’s been agreed the work will be carried out by an existing framework provider to minimise the disruption to the school. The replacement accommodation to be delivered in the summer term from September 2023.

The council report can be read in full here.

Leeds: ‘Misunderstanding’ lingers over 20-minute neighbourhoods

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westleedslife
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A residential street in Burley Park. Photo: Google

By David Spereall, local democracy reporter

“Misunderstanding” remains around the concept of 20-minute neighbourhoods, a climate emergency meeting in Leeds has been told.

Leeds City Council is one of several local authorities across the country developing the idea, which is a planning policy geared towards putting shops and services in communities and within walking distance of people’s homes.

But while the concept has divided political opinion and attracted legitimate criticism in some quarters, it’s also been attacked by conspiracy theorists, who’ve made unfounded claims that people will be banned from leaving their local areas.

The city council says 20-minute neighbourhoods was conceived in response to residents wanting infrastructure to be more accessible.

But opponents have protested at consultation events about future developments in Leeds, a meeting of the council’s climate emergency advisory committee heard on Tuesday.

It follows similar demonstrations in Oxford earlier this year.

Conservative councillor for Adel and Wharfedale, Barry Anderson, said opposition to 20-minute neighbourhoods remained among some residents in his ward.

He told the meeting: “I’m getting a lot canvassing from people who are against this.

“I think we’ve got to do some sort of communication exercise about what the benefits are.

“Oxford’s position, rightly or wrongly, was interpreted as ‘you’re not allowed out of your own community’.”

Adam Harvatt, the council’s group manager for policy and plans, admitted the authority had received “a lot of angry comments” about 20-minute neighbourhoods.

The council is currently cultivating its Local Plan 2040, which is designed to offer a framework for development across Leeds over the next two decades.

Mr Harvatt said: “We’ve had demonstrations against us while we’ve been in consultation events (for the Local Plan 2040).

“In my opinion, it’s based on a complete misunderstanding of what 20-minute neighbourhoods is and what it’s all about.

“Trying to prevent people leaving their area is absolutely not what it’s about.

“It’s not about stopping people using their cars, or counting their journeys they’re on or setting up cameras. Planning doesn’t have those powers.

“It was responding to what a lot of local people were telling us. (They were asking us) ‘Are you thinking about local infrastructure?’

“A lack of services is one of the biggest frustrations people have about new housing sites. So it was a response to that.”

As reported by WLD in March, Armley has been earmarked as having ‘potential’  to be 20-minute neighbourhood pilot location in Leeds.

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Farsley Celtic held by well-organised Silsden in second pre-season friendly

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Farsley Celtic travelled to Silsden for their second pre-season game. Photo: Josh Makin/Farsley Celtic

By John Baron

Farsley Celtic were held to a draw for the second game running as their pre-season campaign continued against a well-organised Silsden AFC side last night.

The Celts travelled to the Office Interiors Stadium with several trialists in the squad as they looked to get more minutes under their belt, with new player/head coach Clayton Donaldson playing his first 45 minutes for the club.

Silsden were well marshalled at the back by former Farsley Celtic legend Adam Clayton, who left the Citadel during the summer after eight seasons and more than 300 appearances. Former goalkeeper Kyle Trenerry also appeared for the home side, but was largely untroubled on a night of few chances.

It was the visitors who started the brighter of the two teams, Chris Atkinson heading straight at Trenerry, before Ryan Watson went close when clean through. Marley Blair then made a great run through the middle before firing over the bar after 14 minutes.

A Watson free kick was deflected behind after 28 minutes and shortly after Rudy Misambo came close for Farsley as his downward header sailed just wide of the post.

The rest of the game was a stop-start affair, with the Celts making six substitutions at half time as Donaldson tried to get minutes in as many legs as possible and help integrate the club’s 11 new summer signings into the team. The hard-working home side rarely threatened.

The Celts, who are clearly trying to play more of a passing/possession-based game this season, almost won it right at the death, with Conor Branson heading just over from a George Smith free kick.

The match finished 0-0 and follows a 1-1 draw at Brighouse on Saturday. The Celts know tougher pre-season challenges lie ahead as they entertain Halifax Town, Huddersfield Town and York City before travelling to Guiseley ahead of their first game of the National League North season at new boys Rushall Olympic on August 5.

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