A community-led campaign which is taking positive action to tackle the scourge of littering in Leeds is aiming to turn parts of Farnley and Wortley into a sea of purple.
There community clean-ups follow the success of the Litter Free Leeds movement, which has seen volunteers, businesses and organisations join forces to remove tonnes of rubbish and waste from communities across the city.
Volunteers will be out in significant numbers on their streets and local green spaces armed with litter grabbers and purple bags, highlighting the importance of individuals and communities taking responsibility for keeping their local areas clean, tidy and litter free.
The clean ups include events starting at the Butterbowl Pub in Farnley, The Golden Fleece in Wortley and Matalan car park.
Full details below:
Going purple in both Farnley and Wortley
To find out more about the Litter Free Leeds movement and to get involved, search for their social media pages or visit their website.
Beer-lovers are encouraged to attend an Easter weekend beer festival showcasing the best beer from independent breweries in Leeds and across the UK.
Horsforth Brewery will be hosting its third beer festival overs three days from Friday h to Sunday 9 April.
It will include beers from Horsforth Brewery’s own range, ginger beer brewery DMC, Harrogate Brewing Co., Northern Monk, Truth Hurts, and also Craft Beer Newcastle who will be bringing a selection of the best beers from the North East.
“We had such amazing feedback from festivals we ran last year and so many requests to do them again we had to do it as soon as we could this year!” said Mark Costello, owner of Horsforth Brewery.
“We love showcasing the local brewery talent and bringing beers and breweries to Horsforth that don’t have much of a presence here, plus of course we are delighted to have Northern Monk who have a great following in the area.”
Alongside their usual wide range of beers Horsforth Brewery will be releasing new beers from it’s “Icon Series” – a range of beers brewed by the staff of the brewery, each of whom has created their own unique recipe. The series is a celebration of the creativity and passion of the team, showcasing their favourite beer styles from hoppy IPAs to Imperial Stouts.
The Festival
A ticket will get you entry to one of the five sessions across the three days and a branded glass to take home (as well as use at the festival). Under-18s are welcome to the afternoon sessions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday when accompanied with responsible adults.
As well as beers from the visiting breweries, there will be a street food pop up by popular Mexican restaurant Sabroso Street and Bueno Burgers and pizza pop-up legends Meanwood Pizza.
For more information and to buy tickets, visit the brewery website. Admission is £6.50 and the event is held at the brewery, on New Road Side.
A planning statement submitted with the application states: “The scale of the building is able to facilitate take away customers, both an indoor and outdoor seating area for visitors as well as an adequately sized back of house area for staff to enable efficient service.
“The proportions of the facades have been designed to provide a contemporary style building with more glazing, and therefore light, into the newly created spaces to create a modern and pleasant environment.”
Goal-shy Farsley Celtic again paid the price for missing their chances as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Buxton.
The National League North trap door inched further open, with the Celts three points from safety after a game which again exposed their lack of cutting edge, with the strugglers scoring just six goals in their last nine league and cup games.
On another day, maybe The Celts could have got more from a game in which they were too negative in the first hall, before improving in the second.
Farsley created the best string of chances early in the first half, when a succession of corners led to Adam Clayton being denied his first goal of the season with his two efforts both being blocked on the line.
Buxton struck back by going close themselves eight minutes before the interval when Connor Kirby’s free kick threatened to creep inside of Max Dearnley’s near post.
The hosts then took the lead on the stroke of half-time when a well-struck volley by Jak McCourt deflected off a Farsley shirt to wrong foot Dearnley and give Buxton the lead with their first shot on target.
Boss Russ Wilcox started with centre back Tom Allan occupying a wide left forward slot – a move which again failed to reap reward, and Farsley improved after the break with the arrival of pacy Theo Williams.
Farsley went close early on, after a ball over the top found Frank Mulhern. The forward rounded Richardson and with the goal at his mercy from a tight angle he could only find the side netting.
Russ Wilcox’s side have made good use of set pieces so far this season and they almost found the equaliser from one when Andy Butler’s header was cleared off the line from a corner.
The Bucks had a golden chance to double their lead when an error from Clayton allowed Sam Osbourne in on goal who forced a strong save from Dearnley to keep the Celts in the match.
Farsley’s best chance to equalise came with seven minutes left to play when substitute Danny Devine’s acrobatic volley forced a world-class reaction save from Richardson, before Mulhern fired over from several yards out at the resulting corner.
The two missed chances were to ultimately define the game.
Just two minutes later the result was then put beyond any doubt after a mistake at the back from Farsley slipped Diego De Girolamo through. The substitute rounded the on-rushing Dearnley to finish into an empty net and make it two.
After 11 weeks of playing every Tuesday and Saturday it was understandable that some of the players are starting to look a little leggy.
Russ Wilcox will probably look to freshen up his side ahead of Tuesday’s visit of play-off hopefuls Darlington, the first of four home games on the bounce which will surely define The Celts’ season.
With only nine games left, Farsley have a tough run in, with promotion hopefuls Darlington, Brackley, Alfreton and Chester all still to come.
Time will tell whether The Celts’ inability to get what they deserve out of games this season will haunt them come season’s end at the end of April.
Match reaction
Boss Russ Wilcox felt his side had done enough to win the game:
Police have launched a murder investigation following the death of a 17-year-old boy in Armley during the early hours of this morning.
At 2.48am (Sunday, 19 March), police received reports of a disturbance at a house in Salisbury Grove, where a party involving a large number of people had been taking place.
Officers attended and dispersed people from the area around the address, and the victim, a 17-year-old boy from Leeds, was taken to hospital with stab wounds. He was pronounced dead a short time later.
Detectives from West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team are treating his death as murder.
A scene remains in place around the address in Salisbury Grove to undergo forensic examination and specialist searches.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Alan Weekes said: “The loss of a young life in such sudden and violent circumstances is an absolute tragedy, and we are treating this incident very seriously and doing everything we can to identify those responsible.
“We are continuing to support this young man’s family at what is clearly an incredibly difficult time for them, and we are committed to getting them the answers they need as we progress our enquiries.
“Our investigation is still in its very early stages, and we are carrying out extensive enquiries to build up a picture of the full circumstances of this incident.
“We are aware there were a large number of people attending a party at the address when the victim was attacked, and we are keen to speak to anyone who was there and who witnessed any part of this incident.
“We would also like to hear from anyone in the area around the time of the incident who has any relevant CCTV, phone or dashcam footage that could assist the investigation.
“We fully appreciate that this incident will cause understandable concern in the local community, and we are liaising with our colleagues at Leeds District who are working to reassure people.
“Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team will be maintaining an increased presence in the area and are keeping their local community representatives updated as our enquiries progress.”
Anyone who witnessed any part of the incident or who has any information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team via 101 quoting Operation Pedalbourne reference 13230154405 or online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat. Information can be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The plans would see the upstairs area of 66 Burley Road occupied by a dessert and coffee lounge. The downstairs area is occupied by a sandwich shop. Photo: Google
By David Spereall, local democracy reporter
Plans to open a “dessert and coffee lounge” on Burley Road have been put forward.
Applicant Hamid Ahmadi has applied for permission to open a cafe on the upstairs floor of a property on Burley Road.
The building’s downstairs area is currently occupied by a sandwich shop and takeaway, Deli Chez.
Under plans submitted to Leeds City Council, the business would also include an outdoor shisha smoking area at the back of the premises.
A design and access statement attached to the plans said: “The existing space is located in an ideal area to become a dessert and coffee lounge with external shisha smoking area. It will serve residents of Burley Road and the surrounding area.
“The site is located within an area of Leeds which provides services to the neighbourhood, students and passing trade.”
Under the plans, the cafe would open from 10am until 2am during the week, with a 4am closing time at weekends and bank holidays.
The council will make a decision on whether or not to approve the plans in due course.
Police in Leeds are appealing for information to help trace a wanted offender with links to Bramley.
Kyle Walker, aged 36, has been wanted on recall to prison since March 3 and officers are continuing to carry out extensive enquiries to locate him.
Anyone who has seen him or who has any information that could assist in establishing his current whereabouts is asked to contact Leeds District Offender Management via 101 quoting reference 13230124564 or online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat.
Information can be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
There have been several really big stories over the past couple of weeks which have brought about concern and anger – and they’re both about what’s happening on West Leeds’ roads.
Our four articles about cuts to our bus routes have been read more than 23,000 times and have prompted literally hundreds of comments both on our website and on social media.
In case you’ve missed it, bus operators First West Yorkshire are – from April 2 – axing the number 9 Horsforth to White Rose Centre service, which goes through Farsley, Rodley, Pudsey, Farnley and parts of Wortley. Changes to the X11 and 14 timetables are proposed and the 508 will change its route to miss out Farsley, Rodley and Bramley.
The outcry over this single issue has probably the loudest in the nearly eight years I’ve been editing WLD. As the council spends millions of – largely government – money on cycle and bus lanes in a bid to relieve congestion and tackle climate change, it’s counterintuitive for bus companies to cut services.
I don’t drive. To get from where I live in Farnley to somewhere like Farsley by bus takes about 30 minutes to the Ring Road bus stop to getting off in Farsley. With the axing of the number 9 it’ll take me two buses and – given connections – probably a good hour to get there.
Same thing with going to the White Rose Centre, which will mean a bus into town then out again, instead of one 20-minute journey. And same with getting to somewhere like Horsforth. And, of course, it’ll cost double what I’m paying now because I have to take double the number of buses – maybe that’s the idea?
There are people in West Leeds who will be left high and dry by these decisions, and we’ll keep shining the spotlight on it moving forward.
Scheme: Stanningley Bottom. Photo: Darren Bullough
The other ‘biggie’ this week has been the news we broke on Tuesday about the new £100,000 road layout at Stanningley Bottom. The area does tend to polarise opinion, some say the junction is dangerous, others say it’s fine if you approach it carefully.
The new scheme, to be implemented this year, will see the roundels replaced by mini-roundabouts, among other improvements. Will that solve the problems? Who knows. It’s worth pointing out that the junction there has a relatively low accident rate, despite people’s perceptions of it.
I’m sure this is one we’ll be reporting on for some considerable time to come as whatever the council does it won’t please everybody. At least, with a bit of luck, the road surface will be better than the ‘surface of them moon’, which some compared it to last year.
In more positive news, we’re always glad to highlight the incredible community spirit which exists in our communities and this week we featured the brilliant work of volunteer Jackie Scargiull at a book club for older people in Bramley.
Please do read of her – exploits here – and let us know if there is someone else who we should feature for making a difference to the lives of others.
Dispatch joins Google project helping to sustain local journalism
Local news costs money to produce, and we’re delighted WLD has been selected to join a partnership with Google which will provide much-needed financial support for the independent journalism sector.
The deal will see 45 community news titles across the country join theGoogle News Showcaseto better connect with audiences and strengthen their offering.
Described as a “watershed moment” for the industry, the partnership helps build sustainable models for local reporting and cements the sector within the wider journalism industry.
WLD editor John Baron in our community newsroom in Bramley. Photo: Sara Thornhurst
Deputy Director of ICNN, Matt Abbott, said: “This is game-changing for independent journalism in the UK and we are delighted to expand our relationship with Google to bring this partnership together.
“Google News Showcase is an extremely important initiative that highlights the value of local news. By partnering, Google is not only helping the independent sector become more sustainable but is acknowledging the enormous contribution hyperlocal journalism makes to public interest news in the UK.”
Base: Bramley Lawn. Photo: John Baron/westleedsdispatch.com
So far the majority of organisations that have partnered with Google on the Showcase project have been traditional news publishers.
At a time when traditional publishers have become disconnected from the area they serve or have ceased publication of their local titles altogether, our voluntary team at WLD has done an incredible job ensuring people have access to a trusted source of information about their area.
We’re proud to have delivered local news or almost eight now. But that growth – which saw our site viewed more than one million times last year alone – comes at a significant financial cost.
While the financial support this partnership delivered by ICNN and Google offers additional stability, we do need our readers to further support our work through a small regular donation if we’re to become sustainable. More details here.
Farsley Celtic's Theo Williams on the attack against Gateshead last week. Photo: John McEvoy
By Thomas Ritchie
Farsley Celtic make the relatively short trip to Buxton this weekend, hoping to close the gap on those above them in the fight to avoid relegation.
The Celts head into the weekend unbeaten in four and having lost just one of their last 12 but, as Manager Russ Wilcox has admitted, too many of those games have been drawn, which means Farsley remain in the relegation zone.
However, Wilcox’s side are just three points behind each of the three teams directly above them, with games in hand, so a result at Buxton could be a huge step towards safety.
The Bucks themselves have been on an excellent run of late that has seen them move up the division and away from the threat of relegation.
Craig Elliott’s side are unbeaten in 11, although their last defeat did come against the Celts at the Citadel back in January.
Russ Wilcox said: “It’s amazing, he’s done a great job there has Craig (Elliott).
“What they’ve done differently to us is they’ve won more games, I think that’s the difference, getting that three points instead of one.”
“That’s why there’s a tinge of disappointment, but the togetherness of the group is there, again we went 1-0 down (on Tuesday), but we fought back.”
TEAM NEWS
Russ Wilcox has a fully-fit squad to select from as the Celts make the trip to Derbyshire. Sam Muggleton could make his debut after being an unused substitute on Tuesday night.
TICKETS
Supporters can purchase tickets online by clicking here.
All the important supporter information can be found here.
Plans for housing and apartments for this site off Whitehall Road. Photo: Google
Plans for new apartments and houses off Whitehall Road in Wortley have been withdrawn by developers.
Premier Builders Ltd have withdrawn proposals submitted last summer for 22 apartments and five family houses, including parking, landscaping and access on scrubland at the junction of Whitehall Road and Dunlop Avenue.
The apartments would be a mix of one and two bedrooms and the houses would have four bedrooms. 31 parking spaces were proposed.
But council planners have raised concerns =about the number of apartments planned for the site.
A planning statement submitted by the developers said: “The proposed development will help to redevelop a vacant and un-utilised site, which is derelict and in a state of disuse. The proposals will help bring forward a partial brownfield site for much-needed housing.”
