Relieved: Farsley Celtic boss Russ Wilcox. Photo: Simon Cullingworth
By Thomas Ritchie
Farsley Celtic travel to Gateshead on Saturday in the Isuzu FA Trophy quarter-finals looking to extend an already club-best run in the competition.
The Celts will head to the North East full of confidence after a stunning 2-1 win at high-flying King’s Lynn Town on Tuesday, a victory that made it just one defeat in seven on the road.
Like Farsley, Gateshead also find themselves in a fight to avoid relegation and find themselves just the wrong side of the drop zone, fourth from bottom.
The Heed have won just one of their last six, and this will be their third-straight game at home, following on from a 2-1 defeat to Chesterfield and a goalless draw with Halifax Town.
Mike Williamson’s side have already seen off two Vanarama National League North outfits in the FA Trophy this season, defeating Gloucester City and Banbury United, alongside fellow National League Oldham Athletic.
Looking ahead to the fixture, Celts boss Russ Wilcox said: “The resolve of the team is tremendous, the togetherness, the fighting spirit.
“There’ll be defeats, they’ll be draws again, hopefully wins, but I think that’s one defeat in eleven and that was against Fylde.
“We now look forward to hopefully an exciting day for the supporters, and for the club as a whole, especially going there on a high.
“King’s Lynn were in that league last year, so it’s like a bit of a warm-up game.
“We know we’re going to go there, and they’re probably going to have a lot of the ball, it’s just doing the basics well.”
TEAM NEWS
Russ Wilcox will hope to have Tom Allan available after he missed our midweek trip to King’s Lynn.
Overlooking Kirkstall Abbey and Abbey Road. Photo: Jim Corah
Our community reporters and readers have been capturing snowy scenes in West Leeds this morning.
Share yours by e-mailing news@westleedsdispatch.com.
Here are some of the best photos from across West Leeds:
Sledgers having fun in Bramley Park. Photo: Susan Tellum‘Bramley Park from my bedroom window’ by WLD reader M Waterhouse.Paths already cleared and open: St Wilfrid’s Church in Calverley. Photo: Anne AkersCoppy Lane, Bramley. Photo: Cherril CliffSnowy Wortley. Photo: Debbie BinnersleyNorman Street, Kirkstall. Photo: Jim CorahA winter wonderland Bramley garden! Photo: Paul AbrahamAn Armley street scene. Photo: Helen FaySlow going on the Farsley-Rodley border – Part 1. Photo: Jo ReillySlow going on the Rodley border – part 2. Photo: Jo Reilly A snowy scene outside the WLD newsroom in Bramley. Photo: John BaronGotts Park Golf Course is – unsurprisingly – closed today. Photo: Gotts Park Gold Course/TwitterView over the valley from Bramley. Photo: Iola ShawSnowy Armley. Photo: Helen FaySnow-covered cars in this Armley street. Photo: Mark RollinsonMicky the dog loved the snow in Kirkstall, Photo: Mindy GooseA snowy back garden in Wortley. Photo: Katherine TurnerOutside community reporter Josie Armitage’s house in Bramley this morning. Calverley Woods. Photo: Anne AkersA snowy walk by the canal. Photo: Sarah Cullingworth
Alder Tree Primary Academy (formerly known as Mill Field Primary)
Allerton Grange High School
Austhorpe Primary School
Bardsey Primary Academy
Beecroft Primary School
Benton Park School
Birchfield Primary School
Bishop Young Church of England Academy (formerly DYCA)
Blackgates Primary Academy
Boston Spa Academy
Bracken Edge Primary School
Bramham Primary School
Bramley Park Academy
Bramley St Peter’s CE Voluntary Aided Primary School
Broadgate Primary School
Bruntcliffe Academy
Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School
Carlton Primary School
Churwell Primary School
Colton Primary School
Cookridge Holy Trinity C of E Primary School
Co-op Academy Nightingale
Co-op Academy Woodlands
Co-Operative Academy Priesthorpe
Cross Gates Primary School
Drighlington Primary School
Ebor Gardens Primary Academ
Elements Primary School
Elliott Hudson College
Fieldhead Carr Primary School
Fountain Primary School
Gildersome Primary School
Gledhow Primary School
Grange Farm Primary School
Greenhill Primary School
Greenmount Primary School
Harehills Primary School
Highfield Primary School
Hill Top Primary Academy
Hillcrest Primary Academy
Hollybush Primary School
Holy Name Catholic Voluntary Academy (Cookridge)
Horsforth Newlaithes Primary School
Horsforth School
John Smeaton Academy
Kerr Mackie Primary School
Kirkstall St Stephen’s C of E Primary School
Lane End Primary
Lawnswood School
Leeds City Academy
Leeds East Academy
Leeds West Academy
Lighthouse Free School Academy
Low Road Primary School
Manston Primary School
Morley Newlands Primary Academy
Mount St Mary’s Catholic High School
New Bewerley Community School
Otley All Saints C of E Primary School
Otley The Whartons Primary School
Oulton Academy (formley known as Royds)
Parklands Primary School
Pool-in-Wharfedale C of E Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Pudsey Grammar School (Formerly known as Pudsey Grangefield)
Pudsey Lowtown Primary School
Quarry Mount Primary School
Rawdon St Peter’s C of E Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Reach Primary Learning Centre
Richmond Hill Primary Academy School
Rosebank Primary School
Rufford Park Primary School
Ryecroft Academy
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School
Seacroft Grange Primary School
Seven Hills Primary School
Shadwell Primary School
South SILC Broomfield Site
Southway KS3 & KS4 Extended Educational Provision
Springwell Leeds Academy
St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School
St Bartholomew’s CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School
St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School
St Chad’s C of E Primary School
St Francis Catholic Primary School, Morley
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Hunslet
St Margaret’s C of E Voluntary Controlled Primary School
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Horsforth (Voluntary Academy)
St Oswald’s C of E Primary School
St Theresa’s Catholic Primary School
Summerfield Primary School
Swarcliffe Primary School
Temple Moor High School & Sixth Form
The Morley Academy
The Rodillian Academy
The Stephen Longfellow Academy
Thorner C of E Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Victoria Primary Academy
West Oaks School
West SILC Milestone Site
Westbrook Lane Primary School
Westgate Primary School
Westwood Primary School
Whingate Primary School
Whinmoor St Paul’s C of E Primary School
Whitecote Primary School
Windmill Primary School
Woodkirk Academy
Wykebeck Primary School
Yeadon Westfield Infant School
Al Kauthar Girls Academy
St Mary’s C of E Primary Academy (Hunslet)
Open
Ashfield Primary School – operating but with skeleton staff
Collingham Lady Elizabeth Hastings’ C of E Primary School
Park Spring Primary School, delayed 10.30am start
Park View Primary Academy, delayed 10.30am start
Rothwell Victoria Junior School, delayed 10am start
Roundhay All Through School 14–18: Secondary Campus, delayed start
The Ruth Gorse Academy, delayed 9.30am start
The Met Office has warned that “significant disruption” is expected on the roads and trainlines. Updates on severe disruptions to buses can be found here. Details of rail disruptions can be found here. People are being urged to travel only if you need to.
Leeds Bradford Airport reported delays to flights this morning. More details here.
Leeds council has said if your bin is not collected today as normal, further efforts will be made to collect them on Saturday.
Community hubs and libraries face closure or revised opening hours. Users are urged to check ahead before visiting, contact information can be found here.
Farnley & Wortley Green Party councillor Ann Forsaith is set to stand down at the local elections in May, it’s been announced.
Councillor Forsaith, who was elected in 2019, is standing down due to ‘personal circumstances’. Mark Rollinson will stand for the Green Party in Farnley & Wortley in May.
“It has been a privilege to have served the residents of the ward, offering support, particularly over the past few years, and acting on the concerns of local residents,” Cllr Forsaith wrote in the latest Green Party newsletter.
“I have enjoyed getting to know much more of the ward well, and meeting and helping so many residents. I am particularly pleased to have enabled and supported the start up of several new groups./
“Sadly, may personal circumstances have led me to make the difficult decision not to stand for re-election in May. Although I will miss working for residents, please be assured I will continue to support the work of the Green team in Farnley and Wortley.”
Candidate: Mark Rollinson.
Mark Rollinson is a community activist and has two grown up sons and a teenage daughter. He works as a logistics manager at a dairy company and has been involved with the Armley Action Team, helping to organise Armley Festival. He is involved with a number of local community groups and has been active in Farnley & Wortley for the past six years.
“My passion is for improving the support available for local people and enhancing the local environment for our community,” Mr Rollinson said.
“I believe that our green spaces and parks are important, as are the sporting clubs that use them. I am also keen to support various activities for youngsters and older people in the ward.”
Other councillors in Farnley and Wortley ward include Cllr David Blackburn (Green) and Mark Sewards (Labour).
A scheme offering boxing and life skills to young people in Bramley is one of two youth projects aiming to secure funding at a council meeting next week.
Two projects supporting young people in Bramley are hoping to secure council funding at next Tuesday’s inner west community committee meeting in Burley Greenhow Community Centre.
Community organisation Barca-Leeds are hoping councillors will approve £1,582.50 towards their Raising Aspirations project.
The grant would be used to fund boxing and life skills sessions for youg people aged 11- 17.
“The aim for boxing is young people will learn discipline through the sport and the physical activity will help to improve fitness levels and mental health,” a council report states.
“Opportunities to informally educate young people around crime, ASB, healthy lifestyles, nutrition and self-care will also be factored in. The Skills for Life sessions aim would be for young people to learn new and essential skills for life in an informal, non-judgemental environment.
Skills include cooking, budgeting, self care and sexual health.
Kids Club Leeds is asking for £4,232 towards its Bramley After School Hub Klub.
The grant will be used to support up to 40 primary school children through term-time weekly home visits, hub sessions held at Bramley Baptist Church, and termly community wide action events called “activates”, which are designed by and with full participation of the children in making them happen.
The grant will also support three young people who’ve been trained to be Kidz Klub volunteer and they will attend Bramley Hub Klub each week to help and be role models to the children attending.
Play area refurbishment
Since the last Community Committee meeting in November 2022, the following projects have been considered and approved by council officers:
New Wortley – Christmas in the community – £2,000 from Armley wellbeing funds.
Sandford Play Area Refurbishment – £5,187.06 from Kirkstall capital funds
Go-Karts – £2,209.20 from Armley, Bramley and Stanningley and Kirkstall wellbeing.
Fairfield Lane Grit Bin – £177.22 from Bramley and Stanningley wellbeing.
St Anne’s Way Skip – £161.90 from Kirkstall wellbeing.
Upper Rodley Lane Grit Bin Refill – £80.62 from Bramley and Stanningley wellbeing.
The inner west community committee is made up of eight Labour councillors and one Green councillor from the Armley, Bramley & Stanningley and Kirkstall wards. They are supported by community co-optees.
Next Tuesday’s meeting, at Burley Greenhow Community Centre, starts at 6pm. The full agenda and papers can be read here.
Lily is having a really bad day. She’s depressed, she’s not sleeping and is constantly being reminded that she will never measure up to her Captain Fantastic sister.
The GP can’t do much except offer to increase her medication. Her friend has the answer – a herbal sleeping remedy…except it has some…unusual side effects and just like Alice, Lily finds herself tumbling down the proverbial rabbit hole into the weird and wonderful land of Illusia. Ruby slippers aren’t going to help this time. Can she ever find her way home again?
Life of Illusia is the long-awaited musical fantasy by the Pudsey-based Invisible Pain Theatre Company (IPTC). The show was postponed from 2020 due to lockdown.
Since then, it has been revised and now contains a bigger cast as IPTC welcomes new members – including cast members of the Bradford Players, who performed in Beauty and the Beast at Bradford Playhouse in December.
IPTC is a mental health theatre company who support both children and adults who wish to pursue acting, drama and musical theatre. IPTC also aims to raise awareness of the complexity of mental health issues and combat the stigma attached to them.
Venue: Interplay Theatre in Armley Ridge Road
Life of Illusia is showing on Friday 28 and Saturday 29th April at Interplay Theatre in Armley. Tickets can be bought here.
Councillors and bus users in West Leeds have reacted with anger and concern after cuts to the area’s bus services were confirmed by operators First West Yorkshire.
As revealed by WLD on Sunday, the number 9 Horsforth to White Rose Centre service, which goes through Farsley, Rodley, Pudsey, Farnley and parts of Wortley, will be axed.
A petition against the loss of the number 9 – along with the 87 St James’ Hospital-Holbeck-Armley-Bramley service – has been launched by Pudsey Labour Party and can be signed here.
Pudsey councillor Simon Seary (Cons) is also encouraging bus users to register their concerns for him to take up with FirstBus.
A journey 9S, to cover an early morning service used by students to Elliott Hudson College, will be introduced by First.
There will also be new timetable on the X11 Leeds – Pudsey – Bradford route with some early and late journeys being cut completely, and an hourly service introduced on the number 14 service between Pudsey and Leeds.
WLD readers have already reacted with anger and concern to the cuts and there are also growing concerns over the decision to change the 508 Halifax to Leeds service, which will be rerouted to operate along the ring road and Stanningley Bypass so miss out Farsley, Rodley and Bramley.
In a letter to West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Cllr Andrew Carter (Cons, Calverley & Farsley) said: “I would like to strongly object to the decision that has been taken that the 508 bus service will no longer serve Farsley. I am writing on behalf of my constituents in Farsley, a number of whom have already contacted me about this decision.
“We are constantly lectured about the need to use public transport, and yet services are being withdrawn.
“To make matters worse, patients who currently attend the Sunfield Surgery in Stanningley are being transferred to the Hillfoot Surgery on Owlcotes Road, Pudsey from 1 April. Losing this bus service will make this transfer even more difficult. It needs an urgent approach to the bus company.”
Cllr Peter Carlilll (Lab, Calverley & Farsley) pledged to work with the Combined Authority to discuss these routes with other operators to see if more of these services can be returned – especially the number 9 route which is key for many journeys that aren’t possible via other buses.
He added: “This is yet again another reduction in the bus service our residents deserve, which has continued to decline for decades. It provides further evidence that the bus system in this country is broken and in need of reform, and I am therefore continuing to work alongside the mayor towards bringing buses back under public control, as well as campaigning for long-term sustainable Government funding for bus to halt this decline.”
Cllr Carlill urged people to contact him with specific concerns at peter.carlill@leeds.gov.uk.
First: “demand has changed”
First West Yorkshire say passenger numbers remain lower than pre-pandemic levels and although many services are showing good growth, a very small number haven’t shown signs of attracting sufficient users to cover their costs.
Kayleigh Ingham, commercial director of First West Yorkshire, said: “We have worked closely with the Combined Authority to maintain connectivity where possible. Unfortunately some of these journeys are no longer viable given low levels of utilisation and increased operating costs, whilst WYCA has chosen to revise or withdraw some of these expired contracts for the same reasons.
“We appreciate that some amendments will be disappointing for customers affected. First West Yorkshire has carefully reviewed these, together with WYCA, in order to limit changes.
“This action is necessary now to ensure we build a sustainable network into the future and that we balance customer demand with available resources, where there is a clear need for additional capacity.
“It would not be prudent for any organisation, private or public, to continue to operate the same services knowing that the demand across the bus network has changed.”
Pudsey Bus Station.
The changes
Services which will be withdrawn:
9 – White Rose Centre-Pudsey-Farsley-Horsforth
9A – Seacroft-Colton-Swillington-Rothwell-Middleton-White Rose Centre-Pudsey-Farsley-Horsforth
47 – Leeds-Hunslet-Middleton-Morley-White Rose Centre
48 – Wigton Moor-Moortown-Chapeltown-Leeds-Hunslet-Middleton-Morley-White Rose Centre
64 – Leeds-Cross Gates-Barwick-in-Elmet-Aberford
87 – St James’ Hospital-East End Park-Hunslet-Holbeck-Armley-Bramley
Organisers of the popular annual Pudsey 10k race have announced that the event has been cancelled this tear – but hopes to return in 2024.
The event – which includes the 10k, family fun run and under eights park run – is organised by Pudsey Pacers Running Club.
But an announcement on social media yesterday (Tuesday, 7 March) said: “We were approached by the Jane Tomlinson race organisers and asked about moving the date this year due to a clash with one of their very popular races.
“We agreed to this request and although we did consider alternative dates, we have decided that along with various other reasons we will take a break this year.
“Whilst there will be no 10k event this year, it is our intention to return next year and we will keep you posted via this page once there is more information to report.”
Pudsey Pacers running group formed in 1991. Meeting twice weekly, their run leaders and run coaches support over 250 mixed ability members. You can contact them by e-mail: membership@pudseypacers.com.
Cllr Helen Hayden helping to plant trees near Calverley.
Work has started to plant thousands of trees at the site of a new flood storage area to help reduce the risk of flooding from the River Aire in the Kirkstall Valley and beyond.
A group of volunteers planted the first 1,000 trees in the area surrounding the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme Phase 2 (FAS2) flood storage area near Calverley, between the Horsforth Vale housing development and Cragg Wood.
The newly planted whips were grown from seed at Leeds City Council’s plant nursery, The Arium, and are part of the scheme’s commitment to the environment and water quality.
Council chiefs say they will provide habitat for local wildlife and capture carbon to help combat the climate emergency. The trees also form part of the commitment from the Leeds FAS2 scheme to replace any necessary tree removals on a three to one ratio.
The volunteers from the Leeds FAS2 team were joined by members of Leeds City Council, and staff members from SFS – one of the hundreds of businesses who will be protected from flooding by the Leeds FAS2 scheme.
The SFS Leeds site is situated off Kirkstall Road in Burley and has had a sheet piled flood defence wall with access ramp successfully installed. Alongside providing several volunteers to plant trees on the day, they also made a donation towards the 1,000 whips.
Flood defences being installed at Kirkstall Bridge Inn. Photo: Keef Williamson
Leeds City Council executive member for infrastructure and climate, Councillor Helen Hayden said: “The Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme is vital for Leeds. When it is finished it will increase flood resilience for people who live, work, or travel through Leeds to an exceptional level.
“Once all of the trees here have established, we will have created an entire woodland area here in West Leeds – one that will provide habitat to animals and help to clean our air.”
SFS managing director, David Wigglesworth said:“As a business that has been employing local people here in Leeds for over 130 years, we felt first-hand the effects of the flooding back in 2015 and the impact it has on an organisation and its employees.
“These new flood defences will help to secure the future of our business and workforce while providing a legacy for future generations. At SFS it is important that we play our part, and we are delighted to be working in collaboration with BAM and Leeds City Council to replant trees in the surrounding area.”
Leeds FAS2 is due to complete in winter 2023.The scheme is using a combination of engineered and natural methods to protect 1,048 homes, 474 businesses and key infrastructure along a 14km stretch from Leeds City Station, through Burley and Kirkstall, to Apperley Bridge.
Once complete, the scheme will reduce the risk of flooding to a 0.5% chance of occurring in any given year – this means protection against a one-in-200-year flooding event – similar to storm Eva in 2015. The area in Leeds city centre currently protected by Leeds FAS1 will also have its level of protection upgraded to the same standard.
Tree planting in Hainsworth Park, Farsley. Photo: Becs Rivett
Tree planting has marked the competition of an ambitious extension of a play area in Hainsworth Park, Farsley.
The planting of the eight trees marked the culmination of a three-year long project led by volunteers from the Friends of Hainsworth Park to create a natural landscaped play area for physical and adventurous play next to the existing play park.
The Friends of Hainsworth Park secured over £30,000 for the new play area, which is suitable for children six and upwards.
Money was mainly raised during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 through crowdfunding and with councillors’ support.
A plaque acknowledging the community’s contributions to the extended play area.
Sarah Cropley, from the Friends, said: “It was great to see the trees installed. The new play area has been so well used by the community since it was installed last year. It’s always in use and you see a lot off the older kids using it.”
As well as the new play area, a new path has also been installed on the natural route people use through the park and accessible picnic tables have also been installed.
“So many people have contributed to the fundraising,” added Sarah. “We’re grateful for everyone’s support in the community.”
Check out our slideshow of images below:
A dedication plaque at the site
A mixture of trees for all seasons have been planted
Contractors install the trees at Hainsworth Park
Some of the trees, which were donated by Palmer Plants
The trees were donated by Calverley-based Palmer Plants.
The park was given to Farsley community by mill owners the Hainsworth family 102 years ago for ‘playing fields and use of unorganised games, particularly for young people’.
Some family members, including Robert and Richard Hainsworth, are still actively involved with the park, which now falls under council control, and have provided donations and time to support the Friends group.
Christ Church Upper Armley Primary School. Photo: Google
An ethos of ‘inclusion and respect’ runs through Christ Church Upper Armley Primary School, Ofsted inspectors have said.
The school, on Theaker Lane, was rated as ‘good’ by inspectors in all five categories, including the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and early years provision.
“Teachers and pupils understand and follow the clear system for promoting good behaviour. There is a strong culture of positive rewards and recognition,” the report states. “Staff have high expectations of all pupils. Most pupils behave well in lessons and at social times.”
Inspectors praised reading provision but added: “Leaders use assessment well to identify gaps in learning. However, teachers do not structure lessons to meet the needs of some of the weakest readers. These pupils do not have the phonic knowledge to access the same learning as their peers. Therefore, essential learning time is lost.”
There’s also praise for the school’s maths provision and the personal development curriculum, but the report notes too many pupils arrive late to school each day.
Dan Pearce from Dan Pearce Sells Holmes and Danny Peat from Synergy FM with some of the Park Spring children who received the hoodies.
By Barbara Glastonbury
Park Spring Primary School year six children have been raising funds to purchase their leavers’ hoodies.
In most schools the hoodies are received in June/July time when they are about to leave for the summer.
But Park Spring headteacher Rachel Horan said to the children: “If you raise the funds yourselves you can have them to wear as soon as you’ve raised enough to purchase them”.
They set about the challenge and now the children are excited to have their ‘Class of 2023 hoodies’ hoodies to wear every day – four months ahead of time.
The children did the usual fundraisers but to speed up the process decided they needed to collaborate with local businesses. They were fortunate enough to secure donations from two local businesses, Synergy FM donated £100 and ICH Service Pudsey donated £250.
That left a shortfall of £500. The children came up with an idea and approached Dan Pearce Sells Homes and offered to wear his company logo on the sleeve of their hoodies in exchange for the £500 shortfall. They invited Dan Peace and his team into school and three of the year 6 children presented a really professional pitch which convinced them to pay half the cost of the hoodies, in exchange for their company logo on the sleeve.
There is much excitement and a real sense of achievement, so much so that the current year 5 children are hot on their heels and want to have their hoodies for the whole of their time in year 6 and have already raised well over half the amount needed to buy their own Class of 2024 Hoodies.
