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Abbey House Museum public meeting discusses future plans

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Abbey House Museum. Photo: Kelvin Wakefield

Words: Angela Harrison

Photos: Kelvin Wakefield

A public meeting heard of plans to ‘reimagine’ Abbey House Museum, embedding ‘children’s play’ at its heart.

Sunday’s meeting also heard about proposals by Kirkstall Brewery to include a ‘brewseum’ and bar/restaurant at Abbey House.

As reported last week, Abbey House Museum will be receiving part of a £952,000 citywide grant awarded to Leeds Museums & Galleries from Arts Council England. 

The funding will be going towards developing and safeguarding the museum’s long-term future, after it was saved in February from potential closure which would have saved the council £160,000 per year.

After a community-led backlash, the museum received a reprieve and looks forward to a solid future, as it approaches its centenary in 2027. 

Sunday’s meeting was chaired by Councillor Hannah Bithell (Lab, Kirkstall) and she was joined by senior council officers.

The council shared their plans for the museum’s future, some of which was outlined in May.

Aside from developments at the museum itself, a proposal from Kirkstall Brewery has been received by Leeds City Council to make use of the Gatehouse, where the cafe was previously based.

The proposal is to use the space after-hours (weekday and weekend evenings) as a bar and restaurant with an associated ‘Brewseum’, which would be separate from the museum itself. 

The Brewseum would tell the story, in words and exhibits, of the history of beer brewing in Leeds starting with the Cistercian Monks of Kirkstall Abbey through to the present day. 

Rob Warriner, from Kirkstall Brewery, attended the meeting and said the company ‘likes to invest locally, putting the community first and providing what people enjoy’.

He said the organisation has a penchant for old, attractive buildings and they would like to support ongoing services in the museum and that this would be a ‘partnership proposal’ rather than a takeover. 

Mr Warriner added:Although we’re very excited about the project I think it might be a little premature to say too much definitively about the project.” 

Kate Fellows, Head of Learning & Access, told attendees that since the first public meeting – where many suggestions were made by the community to safeguard Abbey House – the museum has worked extensively with colleagues across the council and followed up on the ideas put forward.

A new development plan for the future direction of the building is centred on ‘play for children’, as they are transported to the 1880s. 

Additionally, historically accurate Victorian costumes are being made and ready soon for visitors to try on and have their photos taken in the Victorian Street. 

Lisa Broadest, Head of Operations and Enterprise, said now that funding is secured, there will be a ‘reimagining of Abbey House Museum’. They are working with a design company Creative Core, which specialises in historical experiences. 

The aim is to embed ‘play’ throughout the museum and focus on ‘identity and sustainability’.

The collections, displays and experiences in the museum will be developed on key themes with a strong focus on intergenerational play (parents and grandparents will say ‘I used to have one of those!’) 

Research will be made to ensure diverse stories are being told, and broadsheet newspapers will be displayed to explain the stories behind the collections. 

There will be a concentration on how to develop a stronger marketing strategy, including how best to use social media and move towards digital marketing, as well as rolling out more leaflets across the city.

David Hopes, Head of Services, said visitor numbers have increased 45% since the start of the year when the museum was well-publicised during the campaign to save it from closure. 

The museum’s opening hours are also under review, with an aim to open earlier on a Saturday (currently 12pm). 

During the meeting a question was asked regarding “brown road signs” – these are the road signs that direct traffic to local tourist attractions. Currently there are none for Kirkstall Abbey, but they are on the way.

These will be placed on as many road junctions as possible and the locations are being decided by the Highways Agency. Funding for these is being provided by the Friends of Leeds City Museums. 

Jane Walne, Chief Officer, Operations and Culture, concluded the meeting with a timely reminder that on 13 July 2026, it will be 400 years since Leeds was given its Royal Charter from King Charles I in 1626, which formally incorporated the Borough of Leeds. 

This anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate sites like Abbey House Museum, Kirkstall Abbey, Abbey Mills and to work to support them moving forward, ‘with thanks to the hard work of capable staff so that we can look at the next 400 years. 

Ms Waine added: “We have an opportunity now to set up a future direction and reimagine Abbey House Museum to something quite special. 

“Our past, and our grandparents’ past, brings together a great energy for the site. Credit goes to the locals and those on the ground, and so we have an opportunity to look forward constructively towards a long-term future.” 

Flashback to January 2025 protest: Artist Dianne Riding, a teacher for 43 years, labelled the closure plans an ‘injustice’ and added: “It’s vital to have places like this where kids engage in experiences away from screens.” Dianne provides immersive education at AHM playing Miss Choakumchild, a character from Dickens’ novel Hard Times. Photo: Kelvin Wakefield

At the beginning of the meeting, a minute’s applause was held by all in memory of Dianne Riding who sadly passed away in August.

Dianne was a main force in the campaign to save Abbey House Museum from closure and was passionate around the focus on children’s play, immersing into history without the need for electronics, and maintaining the feel of the Victorian streets.  

Dianne attended the ‘Save Our Museum’ protest in January this year, and addressed the crowd as Miss Choakumchild, a Charles Dickens character, and was fantastic! 

After the protest, she worked tirelessly behind the scenes in the weeks leading up to the decision to keep the museum open. 

Dianne will be missed, and remembered by many as the key driver in saving Abbey House Museum. 

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Volunteers needed to help create illustrated Farsley map

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Amity brew co Farsley
Host: Amity Brew Co

By Daniel Brabban

A Farsley based arts organisation is looking for volunteers and ideas to help create an illustrated map of Farsley. 

Project Farsley is launching ‘Find It Farsley’, an interactive map which will collate events going on in Farsley, allowing residents an easy way to find out what’s happening in the community. 

The map is the brain-child of Samuel Booth in collaboration with artist James D Murphy.

They will be asking residents to contribute ideas and landmarks to the map at a drop-in session on Saturday, 25 October between 9.30am-1pm at Farsley Farmers’ Market and between 2-4pm at the Amity Brewery Company.

Mr Booth said about the project: “I wanted to create a what’s on page for events happening in Farsley as the algorithm made it diffIcult to find things without using social media.

“I found the idea of a simple what’s on page a bit mechanical, so I wondered how can I make the data more human.” 

The map will feature Farsley landmarks, with some ideas coming from residents. Mr Booth said: “I don’t just want the map to feature my perspective of Farsley.” 

Artist James D Murphy has previously created a similar map for Otley. 

Plans are in place to create physical prints, with talks ongoing for the map to be featured permanently around Farsley. 

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Kirkstall Forge ‘unaffected’ by CEG’s administration

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Kirkstall Forge development. Photo: June 2025

The future of £600 million Kirkstall Forge development will be unaffected by developers CEG entering administration, it has been confirmed.

As reported by Business Desk, Commercial Estates Group (CEG) has been placed in to administration following a recent shareholder dispute. It’s understood part of its management team are moving on to form a new company.

KRE Corporate Recovery has been appointed to oversee the administration process at CEG, which has offices in Leeds and London.

But a spokesperson from CEG today confirmed its flagship £600m Kirkstall Forge development will not be affected. 

“CEG is an entity which provides management services to client companies and does not own any property assets,” a statement said. “The property-owning entities managed by CEG are unaffected. Therefore Kirkstall Forge is unaffected.”

In July, Kirkstall Forge hosted a public consultation ahead of fresh housing plans being submitted for the site, which had seen construction stall for a number of years. In June Banks Homes became CEG’s first joint venture delivery partner at Kirkstall Forge.

CEG said in July 2023 that the development had been ‘paused’ due to factors including the Covid pandemic and war in Ukraine.

The site currently features a commercial and office block and a train station.

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Kirkstall Advent windows set for festive return

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By Mindy Goose

The Kirkstall Advent windows are returning this December.

The windows around Kirkstall will be revealed each evening, with each display showcasing the creativity of the Kirkstall neighbourhood. There are examples from previous years in the image above.

Interactive map

You will be able to find them on our interactive map, as well as see them unveiled on Facebook and Instagram. You can follow the advent trail on a dedicated Instagram @kirkstalladvent and Facebook page.

The history of advent windows

It is a Swedish tradition that can be dated to the 1800’s. Lighting up windows in the dark gloom of winter, Advent candles would appear in windows to illuminate the street below. Fast forward to the 21st Century.

In 2005, Old Town Stockholm created the first ‘Levande julkalendern’ (Living Advent). Decorated windows were revealed each day during Advent, in the lead up to Christmas, to the delight of passers-by.

It has since spread across Northern Europe and reached the shores of the UK. In 2020, Kirkstall joined with towns across the country, who found even more reason to lighten the darkness of winter. With the Covid-19 pandemic sending the UK into lockdown, local community spirited neighbours got together to bring some cheer to the streets. The living advent has been celebrated every year since.

Join the advent trail

If you are interested in joining the Kirkstall Advent Trail, or finding out more, e-mail info@kirkstallarttrail.co.uk. More information via the Kirkstall Art Trail website.

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Cup joy for Horsforth St Margaret’s after referee scare

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Fish and Drew look after their players. Photo: Sam Gillinder

By Sam Gillinder

Horsforth St Margaret’s played Leeds City in the quarter finals of the Leeds and District FA Senior Cup, with a place in the semi finals at stake. 

The fixture was played at Horsforth’s home venue King George’s Playing Field.

The match was initially delayed by 40 minutes due to the referee not showing up and a last minute replacement had to be found. Had a replacement not been found both teams would have had to forfeit their place in the tournament. 

At the start of this encounter the two teams sat fourth and fifth in the West Yorkshire Association Football League Division 1, so a close game was expected. The previous meeting saw a 2-1 win to Horsforth on Leeds City’s patch.

Horsforth on the attack. Photo: Sam Gillinder

From the first whistle the game became fast paced and Leeds opened the scoring in the first four minutes. The ball was put into the crowded penalty area and Horsforth were unable to prevent an early goal. 

The home team immediately answered when Jake Kilbride rounded the opposition’s goalkeeper and put the ball into the net. 

Adam Gregory made the score 2-1 when he found space in the area and slotted the ball past the goalie’s left. 

Kenan Can scored an incredible left foot volley to make the score 3-1 to Horsforth. Then Kilbride scored an amazing lob of the keeper from 20 yards, 4-1. 

Kilbride attempted a first half hat-trick, but his left foot shot went narrowly wide. 

At half time it was 4-1, with Horsforth having dominated the game. 

In the second half Leeds City enjoyed more possession, prompting the Horsforth coaches to make some tactical substitutions. 

Horsforth scored a bullet shot courtesy of Connor Peat midway through the second half to make the score 5-1.

Leeds forced a good save by the Horsforth goalkeeper after a decent attempt from a direct free kick. They also hit the post. 

Near the end of the match Leeds City scored from a corner but by then there was insufficient time to make the game result in their favour. 

The final result finished Horsforth St Margaret’s 5 Leeds City 2.

Tom Whitaker (left) and man of the match Lachlan Quirke (right)

They progress to the semis with – in coach Drew McMillan’s words – a “talented squad”.

Playing like this there is no reason why Horsforth St Margarets cannot win this competition and when asked whether they can win the entire tournament, coach Tom Fisher added: “Why not!”

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Pudsey company launches new training centre

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Paul Churchill with G&H Apprentice Callum Barry

By Daniel Brabban

Building contractor G&H has announced the opening of a new training centre designed to fast track the training of its apprentices.

The facility will be based at their head office in Pudsey where it will replicate a real-life construction site in a controlled environment. 

G&H development manager Paul Churchill said: “This dedicated training facility gives our apprentices more time to build practical skills and confidence before working on live sites.”

The training centre will allow apprentices to practise electrical and mechanical tasks they may not have time or opportunity to complete at college, allowing them to reach near-qualified skill levels a year early.

Through this scheme G&H aims to address the construction industry’s shortfall in skills.

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Independent creators celebrated at new Horsforth shop

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Faryal Aslam has opened a shop in Horsforth

By Daniel Brabban

A Leeds-based designer brand has opened its first shop in Horsforth.

Knottinger was created by Faryal Aslam in 2020 as an online store. The shop – on New Road Side – officially opened on Saturday, 18 October following a soft launch last month.

 

“We want to build a little hub for people who love discovering something new, supporting small businesses and being supported by creativity,” said Ms Aslam.

The shop aims to bring together a collection of Aslam’s own designs as well as accessories designed by other independent creators.

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Horsforth apples saved from going to waste

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Photo: Tom Swinnen/Pexels https://www.pexels.com/@shottrotter/

By community reporter

Volunteers from Horsforth Climate Action have collected more than one and a quarter tonnes of apples and pears from trees that would otherwise have gone to waste.

Residents have picked their own fruit and donated it, but a team of six volunteers have picked fruit from gardens where the owners didn’t have time or ability to do this.

Horsforth Climate Action volunteers have also picked fruit from the community orchard at Calverley Lane, Broadgate Primary School and Children’s Centre and allotments at Springfield and Willow Green.

A spokesperson said: “Over one and a quarter tonnes of fruit has been collected, nearly double last year.

“Baking apples have been kept for Horsforth Community Café, eating apples have gone to the Community Café and Community Pantry and small apples were juiced at HCA’s Green Festival last month.”

Over 60 crates of apples for juicing have been passed onto Leeds Urban Harvest for juicing.

Horsforth Climate Acton has been running for three years and was established to help Leeds become zero carbon, nature-friendly, and socially just by the 2030s.

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Wortley: Camp Detox boxer wins junior Yorkshire belt

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By James Bovington

Levi Kettlewell trains at Camp Detox in Wortley and is the busiest of young amateur boxers having had 13 bouts in the past year – including the latest which saw him win the Yorkshire 54kg schoolboy title belt.

“I’ve won nine of my bouts,” explained Levi, 14. “I work hard with training sessions four times a week and do long running sessions.

“I’m ambitious. I prove what I’m made of in the ring. Next year I’m determined to become a national champion and get my name out there. Later if I can build a large fanbase I hope to box as a professional. I love training at Camp Detox and have made so many friends.”

Dad Liam said this son was thriving at Camp Detox.

He added: “I used to box from here and Levi’s granddad was also a boxer. Now I’m training Levi. He adores the club, his teammates and the other coaches.

“Like most teenage boxers he doesn’t care for having to be strict about his diet but that’s young boxers for you. Makes them hungrier for success.”

Young Kettlewell defeated Freddie Harding from East Yorkshire winning each round by unanimous decision. The bout took place on a show at Harehills WMC.  

“Winning this belt has been the highlight of Levi’s career,” explained Liam. “He’s been boxing around the country.  We’re looking forward to a busy season this coming year as Levi continues to learn, progress and showcase developing skills.”

All elite athletes require sponsorship. Individuals and companies who are potential sponsors for Levi should contact dad Liam Kettlewell via social media or at levinliamk@gmail.com.

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Civic watchdog welcomes £130m Kirkstall Road apartment plans

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New Foundry Square, off Kirkstall Road

By John Baron

A civic watchdog is supporting proposals for a new £130m ‘urban community’, off Kirkstall Road.

A planning application for New Foundry Square was submitted in August, which could see the former Thyssen Krupp site transformed into 504 apartments.

Plans also include a gym, sauna, swimming pool, cinema lounge, co-working spaces, 24-hour concierge and nine independent retail units.

Green and open spaces would include landscaped gardens, play areas and a new public square.

Leeds Civic Trust’s volunteer-run planning committee has said it supports the application, ahead of the council making a final decision on the plans later this year..

In a statement, the Trust said: “There was general support for the approach taken to the development of the site and the five stated principles for the scheme design.

“They also felt the buildings’ design and appearance were a step above many that they have seen in recent years, reflecting traditional building forms and including features of architectural interest e.g. the sensible use of arches.

“They welcome the mix of brick colours and the applied/inset balconies giving many units private outdoor space.”

Consultation on the proposals runs until Wednesday, 22 October. The plans can be viewed in full here and commented upon.

Follow WLD’s ongoing coverage of the Thyssen Krupp site here.

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Swap your clothes and save money – and the environment – at Horsforth event

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Old Kings Arms in Horsforth.

Horsforth residents are being encouraged to recycle their clothing in a special swap event where people bring up to five items of clothing – and take five away.

Horsforth Climate Action is partnering with the Old Kings Arms on Town Street for its popular Clothes Swap event.

A spokesperson said: “Clothes swaps are an accessible, fun and social way of refreshing your wardrobe, while saving you cash and reducing clothing waste in landfill. 

“Please bring good quality items – no underwear, socks, or jumble.”

The event takes place at The Old King’s Arms in Town Street on Saturday, 8 November, from 10am-12.30pm.

Clarification: This article was updated on 21 October to clarify the date of the event is Saturday, 8 November, not the 6th as originally stated.

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In Photos: Colour and old buildings in Bramley

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It’s beginning to look a lot like autumn in Bramley!

Photographer Susan Tellum continues to capture West Leeds through the seasons – this week capturing autumn colour and old buildings in Bramley.

Here’s a slideshow of her photos:

Share your photos of West Leeds with news@westleedsdispatch.com. We’ll publish a selection of the best.

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