Impromptu seating areas include clusters of beer barrels. Photo: Ivor HughesCatering already busy by 5pm. Photo: Ivor HughesAll the details about the big weekend.
Leeds band Indignation Meeting started the weekend’s extensive live music at six with their own number PVLR. Usually a four-piece, they were six this evening with two backing vocalists. Here Hugo Hatcher is on bass guitar. Photo: Ivor HughesSt George’s Crypt in Leeds is the beneficiary.Just a handful of the scores of beers and ciders on offer. Photo: Ivor Hughes
Bramley Baths’ staff are taking part in a 20-mile coastal walk to help train new lifeguards – and are appealing for your support.
The Baths, which opened in 1904, is running as campaign raising awareness of water safety as part of a celebration of becoming an independent community led facility a decade ago.
Jennie Willetts, a duty manager at Bramley Baths, said the idea was to provide a free lifeguard training course for under represented young people in the community – and a dozen staff members are hoping to raise over £3,000 between them.
She said: “Throughout our ten years as a community led, not-for-profit organisation, we have delivered several successful National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) courses enabling us to not only train them, but also leading participants onto employment with ourselves or have gone on to work at other sites across the country.
“We are raising funds to enable up to 12 young people to gain this life-changing qualification. This week-long intense course provides them with all the skills needed to be a lifeguard and equips them with first aid skills which we as an organisation feel are vital.
“These young people, who will be identified through our work with local youth organisations, may not engage with mainstream education or have financial barriers which, through no fault of their own, limits their prospects of further education and ultimately employment.
“We want to inspire these young people to not only work in the leisure industry but also give them a sense of pride as to what they have achieved and in turn act as an example to their peer group and other people within their local communities.”
Over the summer, Bramley Baths will also be running two-hour workshops where children can come along and learn basic lifeguard and water safety skills in the pool and an hour learning the basics of first aid and CPR.
The Baths recently released a water safety advice video, which was filmed at the Baths and at Farnley Reservoir:
Mark Sewards with Leeds West MP and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves.
Farnley and Wortley councillor Mark Sewards has thrown his hat in the ring to be the next Labour MP for the new Leeds South West and Morley constituency.
Councillor Sewards was first elected as a ward member for Farnley and Wortley in last year’s local elections.
Over the coming weeks, the Labour Party will select their parliamentary candidate to stand in the new constituency at the next general election. The constituency includes the Farnley and Wortley, Morley North, Morley South and Ardsley and Robin Hood wards.
In his pitch to local Labour Party members, Cllr Sewards said:“I grew up in Morley and I’m now raising my family in the new part of the constituency, Farnley and Wortley. I’m a teacher, a councillor and a proven election winner.
“I care so much about our area, and I am angry that the people I grew up with are being let down by a Conservative government that knows little and cares even less about the lives we lead here.
“As a teacher, I see first-hand how our young people are being held back by the Tories. Leeds South West and Morley deserves an MP who will fight to ensure that every child in every classroom in every school can fulfil their true potential.
“My combination of truly local roots, my understanding of the issues local people face, and my track record of representing and winning for people here will help to make me a candidate that people can put their trust in.
“This selection is about choosing a candidate who can take on the Tories and beat Andrea Jenkyns. I am that person. I’ve already led successful campaigns to win seats from an established opposition here in our constituency. I know that with your support, we can do the same at the General Election.”
As reported by WLD on Wednesday, the Boundary Commission for England has published its final recommendations for new constituency boundaries across the UK.
Leeds West as we know it will cease to exist and there will be a new constituency called Leeds West and Pudsey, covering the Leeds City Council electoral wards of Pudsey, Calverley & Farsley, Bramley & Stanningley and Armley.
Farnley & Wortley will move into the Leeds South West and Morley constituency. Kirkstall ward (which includes Burley) will move into a new Leeds Central and Headingley constituency, which would also include Little London & Woodhouse and Headingley & Hyde Park wards.
A Pudsey man is planning to ride 249 miles from Leeds to Glasgow on a tricycle to raise money for Parkinson’s UK.
Tim Devereux, of Hough Top, will spend four days ‘Pedalling for Parkinsons’ from 23 to 26 July – three years after his older brother Tom died from the condition.
Mr Devereux said: “In January 2020, my brilliant big brother Tom died aged 79 in Canada – he had Parkinson’s and Lewy body dementia.
“I want to raise money for Parkinson’s UK; they fund research into the most promising treatments, getting closer to a cure every day.
“Tom’s motorbikes, along with his motorcycle magazines, imprinted on me a life-long love of motorcycling. However I can’t do the trip on a motorcycle as I sold my last two in 2019, so it’ll be pedal powered by recumbent tricycle instead! I’m planning to ride the 249 miles from Leeds to Glasgow over four days, camping en-route.”
Last year WLD featured Mr Devereux’s fundraising exploits. He had been growing a beard since March 2020 in protest against Boris Johnson but finally shaved it all off following his resignation as Prime Minister – and raised more than £700 for the Trussell Trust food banks.
Senior librarian Rhian Isaac in Kirkstall Abbey with Leeds Central Library's precious copy of the Missale ad usum Cistercienci
A medieval book has been returned to Kirkstall Abbey where it was first studied by monks more than 500 years ago.
Known as the Kirkstall Missal, the rare book was printed in Paris in 1516 and is believed to have once belonged to the monks of Kirkstall Abbey. Remarkably, it still contains notes and passages they delicately wrote by hand.
After centuries of being handed down through generations of two prominent Leeds families, the book, which features detailed instructions and woodcut illustrations on the dos and don’ts of public worship, was acquired at auction by Leeds Central Library in 1901 for just £5.
This week, librarians took the Kirkstall Missal back to the abbey where, thanks to a detailed research project, visitors will be able to discover more about it and borrow a digital copy. The book itself will now be going on display at Leeds Central Library.
Rhian Isaac, Leeds Central Library’s special collections librarian, said: “This remarkable text has been part of the city’s history for more than half a millennium, outlasting countless events, places and people which have come and gone while it has remained almost perfectly preserved.
“It’s humbling to think that today, we are looking at the very same words which were studied by monks here in Leeds all those centuries ago and which we’ve now returned to the abbey where the Missal was once so important to those who lived here.
“It’s also exciting that visitors to the abbey and the library will have the chance to discover more about this unique piece of the city’s story and to connect with the abbey and its history in a new way.”
The Missal – full name Missale ad usum Cistercienci – was rediscovered by Philip Wilde, library assistant at Leeds Central Library, while exploring the library stacks, sparking a mission to find out more.
He discovered that the Missal was approved for the use of the Cistercian order by their General Chapter in Citeaux, France.
The Leeds book is one of three copies which were known to have been in the north of England before the Dissolution of the Monasteries which saw Henry VIII tear down many religious institutions and seize much of their property.
The book was probably saved by William Cooke of Beeston, whose son Alexander was later Vicar of Leeds from 1615 until his death in 1632 and whose signature can also still be seen in the Missal.
When Alexander died, his library was acquired by incoming Vicar of Leeds, Henry Robinson, who then bequeathed it to his son, also Henry, who founded Holy Trinity on Boar Lane.
Among the book’s many passages are the Mass of St Gregory’s Trental, which was handwritten in Latin using red and black ink. The writer also added a number of unauthorised Saint’s names, including St William of York.
Cistercian monks began building Kirkstall Abbey in 1152 on land which was given to them by nobleman Henry de Lacy.
They flourished until the Dissolution of the Monasteries when, on November 22, 1539, Abbot John Ripley surrendered the abbey to King Henry VIII’s agents.
In the late 1800s the abbey buildings were bought by Colonel John North, who donated the ruins and grounds to the Leeds Corporation in 1890. Today, Kirkstall Abbey is one of the country’s most well-preserved Cistercian monasteries.
As well as borrowing a digital copy, visitors to Kirkstall Abbey will be able to join a free audio tour which features more details about the abbey.
The Missal itself will be on display at Leeds Central Library for the next two weeks.
Entry to the abbey is free for Leeds residents who just need to provide proof of address on entry.
Golfers enjoy the special event at Calverley Golf Club. Photo: Jess Wong
By Jess Wong
An inspiring golf event for people with disabilities has taken place at Calverley Golf Club, bringing together a passionate group of golfers.
Organised by the Disabled Golf Association (DGA), the event aimed to break down barriers and create a welcoming environment for golfers with health conditions or impairments, showcasing that golf is a sport for everyone, regardless of physical ability.
Dan Atkins, an event organiser, golfer and coach emphasised the DGA’s commitment to promote inclusivity.
Dan Atkins, event organiser and golf coach.
“No matter what their ability is in terms of disability, mental or physical, this is a chance to come out and to enjoy the game of sport, really,” he said.
“There should be no boundaries whatsoever for disabled golfers and I hope this event served as a platform to break down these barriers.”
Participants shared their stories of playing golf. John Riordan, the event co-ordinator of the DGA, describes playing golf with ‘sparkles in his eyes’: “I can have 90 bad shots, but when there is one good shot, that’s what makes you come back again.
“Actually, we make fun of ourselves; we just want to have fun together regardless of our disabilities.”
David Kirkham, representing the England team while being a double amputee, encouraged everyone to embrace the fun of golf: “Your mind is your strongest muscle. Nothing is impossible.”
Danielle Crosby, a participant who started playing golf in 2015, described the event as inspirational, saying: “I am privileged to be disabled and to be a part of this. I like the driving range most, and I really like the buzz you get from the swing when you hit a good shot.”
Neil Patrick, the Disabled Golf Week event coordinato is second from left. Photo: Jess Wong
Neil Patrick, the Disabled Golf Week event coordinator, expressed his excitement about participating in the event: “I’m very passionate about what I do.
“It’s sometimes really emotional because it’s nice to see disabled guys coming out and playing golf very passionately and just caring about it again.”
“It’s nice to get recognition from England Golf, and Yorkshire Union is here as well, so it’s been well worth it today.”
Neil Burke, the Club Support Officer from England Golf, mentioned some challenges despite the promotion of inclusion and diversity. He said: “I think one of the biggest challenges is that a lot of the clubs are voluntarily led or rely heavily on volunteers.
“They might have a paid employee, but the people who have run initiatives are creative volunteers. Therefore, when you want to grow something big, you might have the right heart rates, but ultimately you don’t have the time and capacity to spend the money.”
The Disabled Golf Event at Calverley Golf Club has not only provided a platform for disabled individuals to enjoy the sport they love but has also inspired more people to embrace golf as an inclusive and accessible sport.
For more information on the Disabled Golf Association, visit their website or telephone Graeme Robertson on 07932 061 680.
Fairfield Community Centre. Copyright Stephen Craven and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Christmas lights funding, a teddy bears’ picnic and an initiative to use boxing as a way to deter knife crime in Armley could all receive funding from councillors in ‘inner’ West Leeds next week.
Members of Leeds City Council’s inner west community committee will meet at Fairfield Community Centre, in Bramley next Tuesday to decide the fate of thousands of pounds of grant applications.
Applications include:
Inner West Leeds Christmas lights – £11,447
This includes Armley, Bramley and Kirkstall displays.
CCTV – £6,000
For annual running costs of cameras in Ley Lane, Broadlea Grove, Broadlea Hill, Hawksworth Wood and Cragside Rec.
Inner West Grit Bins – £2,499
One re-fill for all 31 grit bins in Armley, Bramley & Stanningley and Kirkstall wards.
New Wortley Festival 2023 – £2,000
To support community event.
Friends of Armley and Gotts Park – £2,059
To help bring people together and support a teddy bears’ picnic in July and the dog show in September.
Leeds Hyde Park Football Club – £3,000
To cover running costs.
Learning Boxing, Living Better – £1,800
This project seeks to supplement and enhance the regular youth boxing coaching sessions organised by The Ministry of boxing on Armley three times a week. The funding is proposed against a background of two fatal knife crime incidents in the area earlier in 2023.
Mighty Radio Leeds – £15,000
The grant will be used for the funding of a roadshow trailer kitted will full PA, which will then be used for holding community events in Armley and beyond.
5-a-side football posts – £899
The grant awarded will be used to pay for the item and installation of a set of 12ft goal posts on the Broad Lane Football Pitch, Bramley.
Milford ARLFC new boiler – £5,000
Contribution to £20,000 costs.
Site improvements and New Equipment at West Leeds Activity Centre – £4,460
Funding approved since last committee meeting in March by council officers:
YMCA Leeds Crime Prevention – The City of Leeds YMCA – £3,800
Inner West Road Safety and ABS – West Yorkshire Police – £6,178
Life on the Veg – The Conservation Volunteers – £10,000
Community Participation and Learning Programme – Leeds Irish Arts Foundation – £1,200
Bramley Summer Fitness Activities – Your Back Yard – £4,210
SEND Activity Day – Voice Influence & Change Team, Leeds City Council – £1,000
Leeds Starlights Cheerleading Team – Leeds West Academy – £1,000
Kirkstall Festival 2023 – Kirkstall Festival Committee – £5,000
Kirkstall Art Trail 2023 – Kirkstall Art Trail (sub-group of KVCA) – £7,710
Empower – New Wortley Community Association – £15,232
A £12,500 bid from Kirkstall Educational Cricket Club to support the club’s refurbishment was refused by council officers.
The inner west community committee is made up of nine councillors (all Labour) from Armley, Bramley & Stanningley and Kirkstall wards. It is also made up of community co-optees. It meets next Tuesday, 4 July, at 6pm and the full agenda and papers can be read here.
Pudsey takeaway Authentic Greek Food only opened last autumn, but it’s already established an enviable reputation for delicious high-quality meals.
Nestled on Manor House Street, just behind the Town Hall and on the same road as Wetherspoons, the takeaway is rapidly becoming one of Pudsey’s hidden gems, and one its regulars really cherish.
Owner Eriol Tzallo only uses the best ingredients and aims for restaurant quality food every time.
And it’s Eriol’s passion for the best Greek food and produce sourced only from trusted suppliers that has led to rave reviews on sites like JustEat, where it averages four-and-a-half stars from more than 100 reviews.
Nikki posted: “Absolutely AMAZING food!! Will definitely be ordering again!” and Lisa said: “Amazing food, such friendly staff. Food was excellent and such big portions. Will definitely be back.”
Tom added: “Mouth-watering first bite and the food stayed just as delicious from start to finish. Warm and full of flavour, I’m definitely getting it again!” and Kayleigh added: “Cannot believe I have not tried this place sooner! Fresh beautiful flavours, unreal!”
The talented chefs at Authentic Greek Food cook a variety of dishes from restaurant-quality kleftico chicken to specials like Arni keftedes (lamb meatballs in a rich tomato sauce with herbs and cheese) and traditional Greek favourites like Moussaka. There are Greek salads and lots more besides.
Delicious appetisers include humous, tirokafteri and tzatziki, all with pita bread, plus a selection of dips. There’s a selection of wraps using the best chicken or pork gyros, Greek sausages and a selection of authentic box meals.
Eriol Tzallo, of Authentic Greek Food in Pudsey.
Eriol has listened to customer feedback and has tweaked his menu based on people’s suggestions. He added: “We have been very well received. Our regulars come back time and again and are very loyal. They appreciate the restaurant-quality food we cook – we even hand-cut the chips!”
It’s a case of Authentic Greek Food by name, and authentic Greek food by nature. Why not give it a try if you haven’t already?
It is now open from 12pm until 10pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday it opens 5pm-10pm. Authentic Greek Food closes on Tuesdays.
Authentic Greek Food is behind Pudsey Town Hall, next to The Crossed Shuttle (Wetherspoons). Photo: Google
Youngsters at Pudsey Primrose Hill Primary use their new laptops
Youngsters at Primrose Hill Primary School in Pudsey have welcomed the donation of new laptops to help them carry out their work.
Following the success of the “Computers for Schools” initiative during the he Covid-19 pandemic, Pudsey councillor Simon Seary (Caons) has taken the lead in a collaborative effort to support education in the community.
Through a partnership with Next Generation IT and Borg Warner, Primrose Hill Primary School in Pudsey has received a generous donation of laptops, enabling enhanced learning opportunities for its students.
Cllr Seary, a dedicated advocate for educational development and community engagement, was approached by Nick Morrall from Borg Warner. Nick, representing his employer, expressed their desire to contribute back to the community by donating 45 laptops that had recently been replaced within the company.
Cllr Seary reached out to Steven Lightfoot of Next Generation IT, a local leader in IT solutions and connectivity for schools.
Together, they spearheaded the refurbishment efforts, ensuring that the laptops were restored to optimal condition. The collaborative efforts yielded positive results, as 30 fully functional units were prepared for donation to Primrose Hill Primary School at no cost to the institution.
The donation of laptops will provide students with increased access to technology, facilitating their educational journey and equipping them with vital digital skills for the future.
“We are thrilled to witness the impact that can be made when local companies and community leaders join forces,” said Councillor Seary. “The refurbished laptops provided by Borg Warner, in collaboration with Next Generation IT, will make a significant difference in the lives of the students at Primrose Hill Primary School.
“We hope that this inspiring act of giving encourages other businesses to follow suit and contribute to the betterment of education within our community.”
Motorists are being warned to expect partial road closures at Armley Gyratory and on Stanningley Bypass for a month during the summer holidays.
From 8pm Monday, 24 July until 5.30am Thursday, 24 August 2023, there will be daily night-time partial closures around the Armley Gyratory for surfacing works as part of the £41.9m improvements scheme.
Full diversion routes will be in place during this time and New Wortley residents will be contacted about how they’re affected.
The partial closures are planned to coincide with reduced levels of traffic during the school summer holidays.
Leeds City Council’s Connecting Leeds team have apologised for some significant night-time disruption to journeys over the coming weeks.
The road will re-open during the daytime with 30mph speed limits and other traffic management measures in place to allow improvements to be carried out safely.
To prepare for these partial closures, Leeds visitors, workers and residents are being urged to plan ahead (search Plan Ahead Leeds or visit www.leeds.gov.uk/planahead) before travelling and to sign up for regular email updates or follow Connecting Leeds on social media.
The Armley Gyratory works have been segmented into seven parts, as work progresses clockwise around the gyratory, with a total of 19 phases of activity. This includes planing the existing carriageway, ironworks, laying binder, tarmac surfacing and associated white lining. Because of the scale of the road surfacing, with different work areas and days, it will need different diversions and local access plans.
These details, along with impacts on local bus services, will be communicated in the weeks ahead of the works.
Stanningley Bypass works and diversions
Works will also take place on Stanningley Bypass during the school summer holidays, with reduced levels of traffic allowing the works to progress as quickly as possible.
From 8am on Thursday, 27 July until 6am on Monday, 21 August 2023 road works will take place along the eastbound A647 Stanningley Bypass. The traffic management will be set up 24/7 between those dates.
A partial closure of the bypass and some of the access/slip roads will be in place, with local diversions. A contraflow system (between Dawson’s Corner roundabout and Swinnow Bridge) will be in operation.
These planned works are part of Leeds City Council’s highway annual maintenance programme. It will complement the successful Westbound joint and resurfacing programme, delivered during 2022.
To minimise potential future disruptions, the council are also looking to allow the maintenance of other services (like street lighting, for example) where it is safe to do so, and within the traffic management set up.
Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for sustainable development and infrastructure, said: “I would like to thank road users for their patience in advance during this disruption. The Armley works are progressing well and on track to complete phase one by winter 2023/24.
“Armley Gyratory is a busy strategic route used by thousands of people each day and therefore to partially close it requires careful planning. By carrying out the repair works during the school summer holidays and most importantly at night, we can hopefully limit the disruption with expected lower traffic levels.
“We’re working hard and as fast as we can with our contractors to make these improvements and again thank everyone for their patience. We have done lots of work to try and minimise the disruption these works will create, but no matter the amount of planning there may be some delays.
“We would please like to urge motorists to plan their journey in advance, follow the signed diversion and allow a bit of extra time for their travel. We are putting together a number of signed diversion routes, for each phase of activity to be made available via www.leeds.gov.uk/planahead.”
A good crowd at Blue Hill Lane witnessed a powerful all-round performance from Bramley Buffaloes as they stormed in to the final of the Yorkshire Men’s League Shield with a 40-4 victory over Keighley Albion.
The Buffs started in rampant mood and crossed for three early tries, sadly for the home supporters two of the tries were disallowed.
Despite this Bramley kept their composure and scored at regular intervals throughout the first half and ended the half with a commanding 26-4 lead.
With the heat becoming oppressive, mistakes were inevitable and each side were guilty of many handling errors in a scrappy third quarter of the match before the Buffaloes outlined their superior fitness levels and finished the match off in fine style and a 40-4 final scoreline.
Winger Kieran Hudson scorched over for two tries, to take his total to four in two matches since his return to first team action. Connor McGill was on target with six goals.
The final will take place at Featherstone Rovers’ Post Office Road ground on Saturday, 15 July and will be against East Hull with a 1pm kick-off time.
This weekend’s home match against Leeds Akkies will not be taking placing due to the Leeds’ team’s being unable to raise a team.
Buffaloes’ leading try-scorers
Kieran Foster-Matthews 8 Sponsorship available
Jamie Donnelly 7 Sponsored by Plane Ward Ltd
Brad Wilson 6 Sponsored by Lynda Cheney
Jack Boot 5 Sponsorship available
Daniel Booth 5 Sponsored by Zak Clarke
Leading goal-scorers
Connor McGill 15 Sponsorship available
Kacper Mroz 11 Sponsored by Four Old Blokes
Colin Cobley 10 Sponsorship available
Martin Loveridge 7 Sponsorship available
If you would like to sponsor your favourite player, become a club member or join the club’s lottery, e-mail the club at info@bramleybuffs.com.
Meet the team – Cameron McLachlan | Sponsored by Devon & Andy Johnson
Cameron made his debut in April 2016 in a 24-34 defeat at Hull Dockers and ended the season with three tries in seven appearances.
The following year he put on the amber and black 17 times and added six tries to his career total.
Another three tries in 12 appearances came the following year in the premier division. For various reasons Cameron only managed 11 starts and one substitute appearance over the next four seasons.
This season and Cameron is back and firing on all cylinders and leading by example, with four tries coming from his six starts and one substitute appearance to give him a career total of 53 starts and 2 substitute appearances, which have brought him a total of 16 tries, which is a fabulous tries per game ratio for any player in any position.
The new shop is based in this area at Stanningley Bottom. Photo: Google
By John Baron
The owner of a shop based under the arches at Stanningley Bottom wants to be able to sell alcohol until 4am on Friday and Saturday.
Mr Mohammed Doski, of Stainbeck Road, has submitted an application for an off licence for his new In N Out shop at 17Bradford Road.
He is wanting to sell alcohol from 7am until 4am on Fridays and Saturdays and 7am to 11pm Sundays to Thursdays.
Mr Doski’s application, which can be viewed and commented upon here, has already attracted a ‘strong’ objection by local councillor Peter Carlill (Lab, Calverley & Farsley).
Concerns: Cllr Peter Carlill
In his objection Cllr Carlill states: “I have no issue with the opening of a shop in this location, but the application seeks to sell alcohol until 4am on a Friday and Saturday which I believe to be unacceptable in this location.
“The area is essentially a small shopping parade in the middle of a quiet residential area, with most of the businesses open only in the day, apart from one off-licence that closes at 10pm.
“This licence would, I believe, be the latest license available for some distance from this location. I am concerned it would therefore attract a significant number of visitors from a wide area to buy alcohol late at night, leading to increased noise nuisance through increased vehicle movements through the area, car doors, car radios conversation of visitors outside etc.
“There is very little parking outside the shop, and I would be concerned that visitors would pull up in unsuitable locations, on the pavement or on the double-yellow lines. The nearby junction already has road safety concerns that this could exacerbate.
“I am also concerned it could lead to street drinking and people congregating outside the shop and under the adjacent arches after all other licensed premises within the area have closed, leading to noise nuisance, litter and broken glass, as well as the possibility of bringing anti-social behaviour to the area.
“There are already concerns about anti-social behaviour in nearby centres, and this could be a magnet to attract people to this otherwise quiet residential location.”
People have until Monday, 17 July to comment on the application.
