A church and a high school will be aiming to draw the crowds in the Armley and Wortley areas next month.
St John’s Church on Dixon Lane Road is hosting its annual summer fayre from 11am until 2pm on 8 July. The event will include a bouncy castle, bric-a-brac, refreshments, teddy tombola independent stalls and face painting.
St John’s Church told West Leeds Dispatch that it will be a great way to spend your Saturday and to support your local church.
For more information please visit their facebook page, e-mail hellowortleyandfarnleychurch.org.uk or call Rev Chris Balding on 07746 668140.
St John’s Church is on Dixon Lane Road, Leeds, LS12 4RU.
Dixons Unity Academy, on Whingate Road, is organising its annual summer fair, which will run from 11am to 2pm on Saturday, 15 July.
The event promises games, stalls, a BBQ and much more. The entry price is £1 which includes a free raffle ticket.
A map of the planned new Leeds West & Pudsey constituency map
The Boundary Commission for England has today published its final recommendations for new constituency boundaries.
It is trying to re-jig the UK’s Parliamentary constituencies, to ensure MPs represent relatively even numbers of people.
The final proposals follow more than a year of public consultation and will see the creation of a new constituency called Leeds West and Pudsey.
This would cover the Leeds City Council electoral wards of Pudsey, Calverley & Farsley, Bramley & Stanningley and Armley.
Farnley and Wortley ward would now be in the proposed Leeds South West & Morley Constituency.
A new Leeds Central and Headingley constituency would be created and group together Kirkstall ward (which includes Burley), Little London & Woodhouse and Headingley & Hyde Park itself.
The final recommendations report was submitted to the Speaker of the House of Commons yesterday, and that report will now be laid before Parliament.
The Commission has now fulfilled its statutory responsibilities, and the submission of the report and its publication ends the Commission’s involvement in the 2023 Boundary Review.
Secretary to the Commission, Tim Bowden, said: “The recommendations we have published today mark the end of a thorough and consultative process to build the new map of Parliamentary constituencies.
“We have taken into account over 60,000 public comments, travelled the country, and heard many passionate views about how best to reflect local community ties in our recommendations. We are confident that our final recommendations are the best reflection of the statutory rules Parliament has set us. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has participated in the 2023 Boundary Review.”
The government now has four months to bring forward an order to give effect to the final recommendations.
The Boundary Commission for England is an independent and impartial advisory body, constituted under the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986. It is responsible for conducting reviews of UK constituencies in England and making recommendations to Parliament.
Each constituency it recommends contains no less than 69,724 electors, and no more than 77,062 (except in England for two ‘protected’ constituencies for the Isle of Wight).
The number of Parliamentary constituencies across the UK remains at 650.
First Bus has announced changes to fares across Leeds and West Yorkshire for the first time in 18 months.
From Monday (July 3) single fares will rise from £1.40 and £1.80 respectively to £2 although the price will remain unchanged for customers using the Tap On Tap Off (TOTO) card readers.
The TOTO system charges for a single journey and customers who make several bus trips each day on First Bus services will pay the standard fare on the first day which then continues to reduce the more they travel during a week.
To use TOTO a person uses their contactless bank card or mobile at the ticket machine next to the driver but must ‘tap’ again on the card reader device when leaving the bus.
The MCard available from Metro which can be topped up using cash at bus station Travel Centres and self-service PayZone machines, will give cash-paying customers access to the same best value Singles.
The most popular Return fare will remain at £4 but this will be the standard price for all return journeys.
Kayeigh Ingham, Commercial Director of North & West Yorkshire, said: “The majority of our single fare tickets are staying at the same price but we’re asking our customers to help us continue to achieve this by using TOTO or the pre-paid MCard.
“We have also continued to ensure that the average cost per trip of making multiple journeys remains low.”
She added: “These fare changes reflect the customer travel and buying habits we’re now seeing since the pandemic.
“Our business is not immune from the impact of inflation and rising business costs. We have looked carefully at how we can limit price increases for customers and balance this with the challenge of maintaining a sustainable network as we build back passenger numbers.
“At a time when everyone is looking at how to manage rising living costs and how much they use their own transport with continued high fuel prices, the bus is an affordable and sustainable way to travel.”
Posters will begin appearing on buses from today (Wednesday, 28 June) and further details about the fare changes can be found by visiting the First Bus Leeds website.
Around200 singers from Pudsey, Bingley, Skipton, Menston, Oakworth and Silsden came out in force to support Dementia UK, at the King’s Hall in Ilkley.
The singers were from Voices of Yorkshire choir, which sold out two shows and performed alongside The Beatles For Sale and comedian Graeme Rayner.
As part of their ongoing support for Dementia UK, they were delighted to gift over 100 tickets to people and families living with Dementia in the local area. Organisers Nick and Sally said: “It was such a joy to see so many people enjoying the music and making memories with their loved ones.
“We are so proud of our choir members for putting on two incredible shows, especially in the heat! They pulled out all the stops and the singing was as beautiful as ever.”
If you didn’t catch them at the King;s Hall but would like to see them perform, they have several local events coming up in the following weeks, including:
Steeton Gala on 1 July
Oakworth gala on 1 July
Wilsden Gala on 2 July
Manorlands Garden Party on 9 July
Crickfest on 27 August
They have choirs in Bingley, Pudsey, Skipton, Menston, Oakworth and Silsden and love to welcome new members. If you’re interested in joining the Voices of Yorkshire family, contact them via their website.
Armley boxer Josh Wisher in action on Saturday. Photo: Julian Hudson
By James Bovington
Armley professional boxer Joshua Wisher has won his fourth professional match against London-based Lithuanian Egidijus Zukas in a four-round battle which he hopes will serve as a springboard for longer more challenging fights.
Wisher was one of five local boxers managed by Mark Bateson’s West Yorkshire Boxing Promotions who all won their bouts at Elland Road on Saturday, 24 June.
“I’m delighted to have been back in the ring boxing a tough opponent, allowing me to showcase all the skills that I’ve worked on since my bout last November.” stated Wisher, 24, who is also manager of The Ministry of Boxing on Moorfield Road in Armley.
“Zukas proved to be a tough opponent able to absorb hard punches to body and head, but I wore him down and got a unanimous decision giving me the win.”
Joshua Wisher won his fourth professional match against Egidijus Zukas. Photo: Julian Hudson
It’s been a busy year for Wisher, who remains keen to lead anti-knife crime initiatives in Armley and who was featured on BBC Look North along with four trainee boxers from his gym extolling the benefits of boxing training as a way of building self-esteem and mutual respect to obviate the perceived need to carry knives.
“We’ve applied for funding for anti-knife crime initiatives from both Leeds City Council and the West Yorkshire Mayor and have now been waiting some time for a positive decision,” added Wisher.
Josh Wisher in action. Photo: Julian Hudson
Meanwhile his gym goes from strength to strength, with about 130 attending classes weekly.
As for Wisher himself longer more challenging fights beckon: “I trust that I’ve proved that I’m an exciting, exhilarating and explosive boxer who pleases fans and who’s ready to progress to harder matches,” he added.
“As early as Bateson’s next show in September I hope to be competing in six-round bouts. I’m grateful for the increasing support I enjoy in West Leeds.”
Photographer Susan Tellum has been out and absit with her camera in West Leeds again, this timer capturing summer ing Bramley Park.
Here’s a slideshow of her photos:
Did you know there was a Friends of Bramley Park group, run by volunteers to help I’m prove the park? For more information join their Facebook group: Friends of Bramley Park.
Do you enjoy taking photos of West Leeds? Share your photos with WLD readers by dropping us an e-mail to news@westleedsdispatch.com.
Broken CCTV has “severely compromised” public safety in libraries across Leeds, a security review has found.
Leeds City Council said cameras in several libraries and community hubs across the city were either in “disrepair, have outdated technology or are poorly functioning”.
The local authority said the issues have posed a risk to staff, members of the public and politicians – such as councillors – who hold regular surgeries in the venues.
As a result, £400,000 is being spent on upgrading security across these venues over the next two years, with the buildings most in need being prioritised first.
The problems were identified by a review the council carried out, which it said was made more pressing by the fact some of its sites are occasionally staffed by lone workers.
A decision notice detailing the upgrades on the council’s website said: “The recent cost-of-living crisis and Covid pandemic have significantly increased community tensions, which has resulted in an increase in the number of incidents taking pace across the city.
“This has prompted the service to conduct a comprehensive security review of community hubs and libraries, and it has become apparent that a significant number of the current CCTV systems in our 32 sites are either in a state of disrepair, have outdated technology or are poorly functioning.
“This means that both staff and customers’ safety whilst on site is severely compromised.”
A separate document detailing the upgrades said that while the cost of the works was “substantial”, they would reduce the potential for injury, “or worse still loss of life”.
“Incidents can happen anywhere and not just in areas where there is marked anti-social behaviour,” the paper added.
A spokesperson for the city council said that the improvements were originally due to be carried out before now, but that they’d been delayed by the pandemic.
They added that the work, “can now go ahead and will ensure by standardising our protocols and systems across all council venues our customers and officers can be assured of the highest levels of health and safety.”
Police have found a fake handgun which has been converted to fire “modified ammunition” in a wooded area in Bramley.
Officer responded to a call yesterday (Monday) at 6.10pm of a firearm being found in a wooded area off Musgrave View.
A police statement confirmed firearms officers attended and confirmed it to be a blank-firing handgun converted to fire modified ammunition.
Detectives are continuing their investigations.
Anyone who has witnessed any suspicious activity is asked to contact Leeds District CID via 101 quoting reference 13230354989 or online via the West Yorkshire Police 101livechat website.
Leeds City Mission is organising an open afternoon this Saturday (1 July). They are throwing open their doors at their premises in Mistress Lane (end of Town Street) in Armley to visitors.
They are organising a social event and sale. There will be tables displaying a variety of second-hand books and DVDs.
Visitors can take their choice on a “give as you feel” basis. There will be also be a hybrid pop up charity shop for the afternoon featuring bric a brac and clothes. All monies raised will go towards the various compassion projects undertaken by the City Mission amongst needy people in West Leeds.
Complimentary free ice creams, plus teas, coffees and soft drinks will be available throughout the afternoon, which runs 2.30pm to 4pm.
Leeds City Mission community development worker Andy Dalton explained that the City Mission are throwing open their doors for the afternoon to the general public at their Compassion Centre in Mistress Lane.
Venue: Leeds Christian Hub in Armley., Photo: Andy Dalton
Refreshments will be served on the adjoining grassed area where people can mingle. People can chat and enjoy the sunshine around tables on the grass as well as browse inside the centre.
Mr Dalton concluded: “Essentially this a community event where people can pop in, meet other people, enjoy an ice cream and pick up a bargain. Everyone is welcome.”
Leeds City Mission is a multi-church Christian agency which has worked with marginalised people since 1837 and seeks to meet the physical, social and spiritual needs of Leeds residents.
Further details available at Leeds City Mission on 0113 345 3118.
Two teams of young entrepreneurs from Leeds have successfully designed and manufactured two unique high quality products which aim to tackle social issues in just five days in the latest Creative Enterprise Challenge.
The teams of students aged between 11 and 15 went head to head in the challenge, organised by Farsley-based Just Lovett Design, to meet the brief of creating a sustainably focused product made using recycled materials that also tackled a specific social or environmental issue. Their idea had to be backed by a business plan, brand and marketing strategy.
It was the latest of the challenges held during the school holidays which are designed to give young people an opportunity to unlock their entrepreneurial and creative potential in a real life ‘The Apprentice’ meets ‘Dragon’s Den’ experience.
Sami Lovett, from Farsley’s Just Lovett Designs
They also develop their practical skills along the way by learning handicraft, graphic design and digital fabrication skills, and make their products using recycled wooden boxes and waste plywood donated by Leeds based integral blinds manufacturer Morley Glass.
The latest winning team, ‘Team Therapysaurus’, created a dinosaur themed therapeutic box designed to help children and parents navigate their way through mental health issues. The product helps children express their emotions through small tokens that represent their feelings at a given time, which are placed into an attractively designed box that they can paint and decorate themselves.
Runner up was ‘Team Money Monkey’. They created an educational product for young people aged 6-13 to help teach them to be smarter with their money and the lesson that ‘everything has a price’. The product includes paints and assets to decorate its wooden box and monkey, plus the tokens that parents give to the child after they complete their chores with the child’s goal to fill up the box to gain a reward for their efforts.
Both teams were required to come up with a product name and explain how they would market their product with a view to ultimately making a profit. They were guided through the week by Sami Lovett, founder of Just Lovett Design, who developed the Creative Enterprise Challenge to encourage more children to think about starting their own business after completing their education.
At the end of the week, the ‘mini businesses’ developed by the teams were judged by two successful entrepreneurs, with whom the students had to negotiate to secure fictitious investment. This latest programme was judged by Russel Harvey, who is better known as The Resilience Coach and Ben Westerby, founder of Westerby Consultancy.
Sami Lovett said: “We were really impressed by the level of teamwork and ingenuity of both teams. We absolutely love working with students to help them plan, design and make their products, as well as teaching them core business skills along the way.
“One big moment for us is watching the teams pitch their products to real-life business owners at the end of the week. We see such a huge change in confidence in the students and that is our main goal. We can’t wait to help more students over the summer holidays.”
The next Creative Enterprise Challenges will take place at the Just Lovett Design studio at Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley, every week during the school summer holidays starting on 17th July and running through to week commencing 28 August, with places for ten children every week.
The number 9 bus route will soon include extra stops.
More details have emerged ahead of the number 9 bus service reconnecting West Leeds residents cut off from public transport due to bus cuts earlier this year.
The controversial rerouting of the 508 service in March as part of a series of cuts by First Bus left Calverley Lane and parts of Leeds and Bradford Road with little or no bus service.
But as reported by WLD in May, independent company Yorkshire Buses, which also took on the number 9 route after it was axed by First, has come to the rescue after working with local councillors.
It is adding Calverley Lane and Leeds and Bradford Road to its number 9 route from Monday, 3 July 2023.
The company has today provided more details of the re-routed service between Horsforth Station to The White Rose Shopping Centre. Buses will be diverted in both directions to serve Calverley Lane, Leeds Bradford Road, Upper Rodley Lane back to its current line of route at Rodley Town Street.
The two bus stops at the bottom of Coal Hill Lane at the junction of Town Street will no longer be served but Yorkshire Buses managing director Steve Carr says other bus stops are located along Town Street outside and opposite Rodley Park some 200 meters away.
The service will run Monday to Saturday every 60 minutes, including evenings.
From Monday 3 July the service 9 will also be diverted in both directions to serve Horsforth Vale and will also be extended to Horsforth Station to connect with trains to Leeds and Harrogate.
Single, daily, weekly and monthly tickets are all available from the driver and all Metro issued products and Elderly Citizens passes are accepted, and with the Mayor’s fares in place no journey will cost more than £2. Or get a DaySaver for £4.50 and explore West Yorkshire.
