Friday, March 29, 2024
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Armley school could become part of street safety initiative

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Proposals; St Bartholomew's School. Photo: Google

Streets around a primary school in Armley could be closed to traffic during the school run, according to a council report.

St Bartholomew’s Primary School in Armley is one of three proposed schools across the city which may be added to Leeds City Council’s School Streets scheme.

School Streets make roads outside schools into pedestrian and cyclist zones at the times displayed on the signs during term time. This helps to reduce air pollution and keep children safe from traffic.

The council report says only two of the three proposed schools will be chosen for the latest phase of the initiative – Windmill Primary in Belle Isle and Ireland Wood being the other two. The third-placed school will go on the reserve list if either of the other schools drop out.

The report stated:”School Streets are where a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) is used to restrict vehicular access on roads outside schools during the morning drop off and afternoon pick up times, with exemptions for access permit holders, authorised vehicles and blue badge holders.

“Fourteen School Streets were installed in Leeds as part of an 18-month trial during the Covid-19 pandemic to support social distancing outside schools, increase active travel to and from school, whilst also improving air quality and road safety. Of these, two have been withdrawn and 12 remain.”

Data from all three potential sites is being gathered by the Council.

The report concludes: “The implementation of more School Streets in Leeds will maintain the positive impacts recorded, including increased levels of active travel on the journey to school and improved perceptions of road safety and air quality outside school gates.”

The latest phase of the scheme is funded by £48,000 from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA). The two successful schools will be subject Experimental Traffic Regulation Order for 18 months to evaluate the success of the scheme.

Hollybush Primary School, Bramley, and Primrose Hill Primary in Pudsey both successfully operate the schemes, although one at Beecroft Primary in Burley was scrapped in 2021.

The report can be read in full here.

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Farsley Celtic look to get season back on track at Hereford

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Gaffer: Farsley Celtic head coach Clayton Donaldson. Photo: John McEvoy

By Josh Makin

Farsley Celtic will be looking to end their recent poor run of form this weekend when the Celts face play-off outsiders Hereford at Edgar Street.

Player/head coach Clayton Donaldson is looking for a reaction to last weekend which saw Farsley lose 3-0 away at Boston United, with the gaffer looking for a return to the Celts’ fine early-mid season form.

The Celts are on the road for the second successive weekend as they make the trip down to face Paul Caddis’ side as they look to secure a first victory in six matches – the most recent coming in a 1-0 win over Blyth Spartans at The Citadel in February. The run has seen The Celts slip to 19th in the table, just five points above the drop zone with seven games remaining.

Farsley will also have youngster Joao Silva back after his loan spell at Liversedge ended, as well as assistant manager Danny Ellis who has been made available for selection ahead of the final seven fixtures of the National League North season.

“I think it’s a game for us in which we need to bounce back and show a reaction. I don’t think the performances have been too bad but it’s the individual mistakes that have cost us and we need to stop doing that and get back to what we were doing at the start of the season. We need to get back to how we were.

“Confidence has slightly taken a hit but we’ve had a good training session this week, going over a few things and we have cleared the air so we are looking forward to the game.

“Hereford are a decent side, there’s going to be a big crowd there as well so that’s another plus in my eyes, being able to play in front of a crowd and atmosphere like that is something that drives me on as a player so hopefully it will drive the rest of the players on too.”

Speaking on the team news for the match, Clayton said: “Joao is back from his loan now so he is available. We’ve made Danny Ellis available for selection as well so that’s two that will come in.

“Isaac (Assenso) is still out injured and hasn’t trained this week so we will hopefully see by the end of the week how he is. George Smith also still has a knock and hasn’t trained so he will most likely be a miss for Saturday.”

Hereford have enjoyed a solid season so far, with Paul Caddis’ side sat in tenth position on 59 points, three points off of Boston United who occupy the final play-off place.

They have not enjoyed the best of form recently however, with the Bulls winless in their last three matches, suffering a 2-0 defeat away at Brackley, preceded by a 3-3 draw with Alfreton and a 1-0 loss to Chorley at Edgar Street.

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Pudsey: Home education fair brings families together to offer support and highlight services

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pudsey house
Venue: Pudsey House. Copyright Betty Longbottom and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

by John Baron

Parents in West Leeds who are home educating their children are being invited to a home education fair in Pudsey to connect them to services and products which can support them.

The fair is the idea of Pudsey mum and teacher Kate Frazer, who founded her own home educating business – Schoolz At Home – during the Coronavirus lockdown.

“Many families think they are isolated and have no network of support but it is not true, there is so much out there for families that are home educating,” said Kate.

“This event will show families what is on offer for them and also offer guidance and advice. We’ll have everyone there, including youth mental health support, and we also welcome families who are curious about home educating.”

Kate says home educating families are a diverse bunch ranging from children who are unwell or neuro diverse to children who under achieve in school – Kate has also taught child actors who move around the country.

“A lot of people have preconceived ideas about home education,” she said. “Some just think you can’t be bothered to send them to school, or whatever, but it’s not the case. Home schooling is huge is Australia, Canada and New Zealand and is increasing in popularity here, too.”

In 2023 it was estimated that there were between 125,000 and 180,000 children across the UK being home educated, and numbers are rising annually.

Kate set up Schoolz At Home during the pandemic after home educating and supporting her own daughter during lockdown. It originally started as a Facebook page signposting parents to useful resources and activities, but soon grew into something much more. Kate also runs online classes and activities, including a class where children set up their own businesses and take part in Dragon’s Den-style activities.

In addition, she runs a group every Tuesday called Home Ed Club, after finding there was nowhere in West Leeds for home schools students aged seven upwards to meet up, take part in activities and gain confidence. The hub has been running for three years and meets at Pudsey House every Tuesday, from 10am-12pm.

“We have created a safe open space for children in the Leeds area to come and socialise, and integrate themselves back into an environment with other children,” said Kate, who is looking to restart more online activities for home schoolers soon.

More details on Schoolz At Home can be found here.

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Reader’s letter: Calling for safer streets for our children

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A residential street in Burley Park. Photo: Google

Dear sir;- I am writing in support of national charity Living Streets’ call to see 60% of children walking to school by 2029. Fewer than half of primary school aged children walk to school in England, this is a drop from 70% a generation ago. 

When we design streets for children, we create places that work better for everyone. Increased walking rates will reduce road casualties, improve health and air quality, reduce carbon emissions, and boost our economy.  

A combination of ambitious yet realistic targets, at least 10% of transport budgets spent on active travel, improved road safety in our neighbourhoods and empowering local authorities to make the right transport decisions, would go a long way to creating safer streets for children to walk and play. 

I urge all political parties to ensure the walk to school is at the heart of their transport policy this election year. The impact of this investment will also help tackle the current climate, economic and health crises. 

Yours sincerely,

Jane Braunholtz-Speight
Carr Manor Crescent
Leeds.

Appeal to trace wanted man Christopher Wright

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Police are appealing for information to help trace a registered sex offender who frequents Burley Road and is wanted for breaching his conditions.  

Christopher Wright, 46, who is also wanted on recall to prison, is being sought by officers from Leeds District Public Protection Unit.  

He is white, 5ft 8in tall, of thin build with light brown wavy hair and ginger facial hair. He also has a Birmingham accent.   

He has links to Headingley and frequents Leeds City Centre and Burley Road and is currently thought to have no fixed address.   

Officers have been carrying out extensive enquiries to find him but have so far been unable to locate him.  

Anyone who has seen him or who has any information that could assist officers is asked to contact 101 without delay quoting reference 13240151861 or online. Information can also be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

“Blown away” – Record entries for Farsley art exhibition

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Ones To Watch 2024 by Harry Meadley

By Robert Beaumont

One of Yorkshire’s most prestigious annual art exhibitions has attracted a record number of entries this year.

The acclaimed Ones To Watch exhibition at the Sunny Bank Mills Art Gallery in Farsley is now open and runs until April 21. It is focused on talented emerging artists and makers with Yorkshire connections.

Ones to Watch returns to the Gallery for its eleventh year, showcasing some of the most exciting emerging talent Yorkshire has to offer. The exhibition brings together work by artists from across disciplines, from painting to sculpture, film, photography, ceramics, design and more with much of the work available to buy.

It is the first exhibition in which Sunny Banks Mills’ new Arts Director Anna Turzynski has curated since her appointment in January.

Anna said: “This year’s One’s To Watch has been an amazing introduction to this special gallery and I have been blown away by both the quality and the quantity of the entries. It was an incredibly difficult job for the judges to whittle down the original record 204 entries to the 40 now on show. Some tremendous art missed out.

“The exhibition is for artists who either study in, or are from, Yorkshire. We have extended the scope this year to include artists who are studying at independent art colleges, such as the Feral Art School in Hull, or are leaving alternative arts education, such as those who are self-taught.”

The exhibition explores topics across politics, the environment, history, culture, social issues and sexuality and is also representative of one of the core values of the Gallery, supporting and mentoring regional artists by providing them with space to exhibit, sell and make work.

This year sees the introduction of the BLANK _ Award 2024 in partnership with Leeds City College Art and Design, which will enable the Gallery to display art in the centre of Leeds for the first time, while the Visitors’ Choice Prize provides an artist with space at Sunny Bank Mills in which to work. This is a valuable resource after graduation and helps to retain talent in the region. 

Two of the artists taking part in One’s To Watch are Edd Jones and Hajab Zainab.

Artist Edd Jones exhibiting at Ones To Watch 2024. Photo by Harry Meadley

Edd, a student at the Hull-based Feral Art School, has contributed three stunning Hull-inspired works, Watching The Fishing Boat Leave At Night, Humber Bridge and View Across The Humber, all capturing the magic of the Humber and its impact on the cityscape of Hull.

He explained: “Since 2021 I have been developing my skills through classes with Feral Art School in Hull. These classes have allowed me  to explore different mediums and approaches. I am currently part of their fellowship programme, while also exhibiting at the Skulk at Brew in Bond Street in the city.  The tutors at Feral encouraged me to exhibit and I liked the fact Ones To Watch was open to students taking informal classes for the first time. This has given me a tremendous opportunity.

“Watching The Fishing Boat Leave At Night was created using acrylic paint on wooden board during a class at Feral where we had to pull a random phrase out a hat and develop a piece based on it. Humber Bridge and View Across The Humber are based on pictures I have taken in the area where I live. Both of these are oil pastel based. This is my preferred medium as I love the control and immediacy I can get from it.”

Hajab Zainab, who lives in Heckmondwike and studied at the Huddersfield College of Art and Design, having moved to the UK from Pakistan five years ago, is delighted to be part of Ones To Watch.

“The warmth and support I have received in this country for my art has been amazing. It’s something I just didn’t experience in my Pakistan homeland. Here my ideas and my way of working is properly understood and being part of this amazing exhibition just underlines this.”.

Hajab has submitted a trio of intensely personal pieces, dominated by a gorgeous image of a female in a pose of supplication, reminiscent in its grace and beauty of Anthony Gormley’s Angel Of The North. As she explained, her art is a product of a wide range of influences, including cultural, historical and technical. Her use of pixels is especially imaginative.

“In my work, I try to dissolve the boundaries separating different artistic disciplines, sparking discussions on the interconnectedness of identity and heritage. By infusing elements of my own cultural heritage, I create a dialogue to transcend geographical borders and invite viewers to question their assumptions about art and its significance in our lives.”

Ones To Watch is open in the Gallery, Sandsgate Building, Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley, LS28 5UJ, Tuesday-Saturday 10-4, Sunday 12-4 until April 21. Closed on Mondays. FREE ENTRY. 

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Buffaloes Bulletin: Farnley postponement and anniversary kit for Bramley

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By Paul Abraham

Unfortunately, Saturday’s proposed YML Shield fixture for Bramley Buffaloes against Farnley Falcons Rugby League will no longer be going ahead.  

This is a big disappointment for the Bramley coaches and players as they were raring to go and get the new season up and running.

This week has seen the club unveil their 2024 home and away kit.  

The home kit design is to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Buffaloes’ return to the rugby league playing world and details of their first match back is featured on the front of the shirt.  

The away kit includes 1879 on the collar to signify the year the original club was formed in the Conservative Club, which was located above Listers Butchers shop on Bramley Town Street.

Farsley Celtic appoint stalwart fan as honorary vice president

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Iain Wilkinson (right) pictured with fellow fan Roger.

Farsley Celtic fan and long-term volunteer Iain Wilkinson has been made an honorary vice president of the club to mark his many years of service.

Iain, a member of Farsley Celtic Supporters’ Club who travels to both home and away fixtures, said the National League North Club ‘runs through his veins’.

“I spent many years watching the old Farsley, but from the sidelines both home and away,” Iain said. “Since the folding of the old club and the rebirth I made a promise to myself I would become a more active and at times vocal volunteer. Doing whatever was needed to make sure our village team continued flourish and play at the highest level possible!

“There isn’t a lot I haven’t had to turn my hand at at this place. But mainly starting as a steward (we had two at the time) working my way up to the matchday safety officer, doing this while joining the committee of the supporters club. I became vice chairman about ten years ago, up until COVID.

“I have had many a happy hour throwing myself into the best Village football team (doing whatever I could to help the team) in the world. Unfortunately age and ill health has played it’s part but I look forward to a new chapter.

“I can guarantee FCFC runs through my veins and I remain a loyal servant the club.”

Chairman Paul Barthorpe paid tribute to Iain. He said: “Iain is without doubt one of my favourite people at the club and has been for the past five years! An absolutely genuine guy, who always says it as it is, has a fantastic dry sense of humour with some brilliant one liners, and – most importantly – always has the club at heart!”

Earlier this week, the club also announced head of deaf football Paul Young and head of women’s football Sue Hawkshaw would join the board of directors.

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Harry’s mile-a-day challenge nets over £1,000 in memory of ‘nanna’

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Nine-year-old Harry from Leeds has completed an epic challenge for charity by walking a mile a day in memory of his great grandmother Freda.

Harry has raised more than £1,000 for Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice who provided care for Freda, or ‘nanna’ as Harry fondly called her, in her final days.

Harry’s mum Natalie Manning, 37, said: “Growing up, we were always at nanna’s. After my dad died when I was 21, we spent even more time with my nanna and grandad. She and my grandad were married for 62 years!

“Nanna was caring, funny and witty. Easy going. We had a very close relationship. Harry loved Nanna too. He used to love going down to see her. They used to bake together when she was well. Buns, things like that. She liked to make a good Cornish pasty!”

Natalie continued: “Nanna had been ill with COPD for a long time – around 16 years – but she became very poorly in September and was taken into hospital.

“Nanna wanted to be cared for at home in her final days; that was one of her wishes.

“Jenny, one of the nurses from Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice, came out from September to help care for her at home. Jenny gave us all such comfort – especially my grandad. She sat and held his hand and talked him through everything. She was amazing with all of us.”

Struggling to witness his nanna’s worsening health, Harry came up with the idea of a walk in her honour. Natalie explained: “This walk was all Harry’s idea! With nanna being poorly, he said: ‘I’m going to walk a mile every day mummy, just to make nanna proud.’ And that was it, she loved that. 

“When nanna died earlier this year, he was still determined to carry on. He said: ‘I’m doing it and I’m going to raise £1,000!’ We set £500 as our target and raised that before the day of the funeral. We do feel very proud of Harry. He’s amazing. He really is.”

Choosing a different route in the Horsforth area each night, Natalie and Harry completed the walk together. Natalie continued: “This walk, at night-time, it was just me and him that went normally. It’s done him the world of good because he took losing nanna very hard. It’s lovely, he’s really opened up to me. It’s been very therapeutic for me too. Just having a bit of time in the day to get away from everything, to reflect on memories.”

Natalie and Harry were joined by their family for the final mile of the fundraising walk, with Harry riding his nanna’s electric scooter all the way home. 

When asked what Harry’s fundraising walk meant to her, Natalie replied: “It means a lot to know that the money raised will help Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice. The care and the love the staff have for people, it’s just amazing. They went above and beyond for us every single day.”

Clare Humphreys, Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice, said:We are so grateful to Harry and Natalie for their incredible fundraising walk; what a fantastic achievement! The funds raised mean we can continue to be there during the hardest times for people who need us the most.”

You can find out more about Harry and Natalie’s walk and fundraiser via their JustGiving page here. 

To find out more about fundraising for Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice, contact wheatfields.fundraising@sueryder.org

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Green light for Pudsey town centre 20mph speed scheme

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lidget hill pudsey
Lidget Hill, Pudsey. Photo: Google

Council chiefs have decided to press ahead with proposals to introduce a 20mph speed limit along a number of streets in Pudsey town centre.

It is hoped the measures will make the roads safer for pedestrians and motorists visiting the town centre. The new speed limit will be introduced on the following stretches of road:

  1. 20 mph speed limit on the entire lengths of: Crawshaw Hill; Hammerton Street; Lidget Hill; Longfield Avenue; Longfield Court; Longfield Grove; Longfield Mount; Longfield Road; Longfield Terrace; Manor House Street; Manor View; Market Place; Mulberry Street; Robin Chase and Wavergreen.
  2. 20 mph speed limit on parts of: Church Lane; Lowtown and Robin Lane.

The scheme was originally approved back in April 2022 and had been subject to a public consultation.

A council report this week revealed there had been a single objector to the proposals, who argued “traffic is already slow enough”, that the measures would have no effect on speeding drivers and drivers would ‘watch their speedo’ rather than the road.

But a council highways officer’s report overruled the objection, saying Chapeltown, Church Lane, Robin Lane, Lowtown (Lane End), Lowtown (The Lanes), Richardshaw Lane all show an existing mean traffic speed of 25mph and the reducing the speed further will improve safety. The officer argued ‘there is no evidence to indicate that lower speed limits cause distraction to motorists, in fact it could be argued that slower speeds provide greater time for drivers to react to unexpected incidents’.

The report added: “Lower speeds limits in residential areas and in busy town centre environments have significant benefits for road safety, where typically injury rates are reduced by 50%…

“A reduction of mean speeds of traffic by 2/3 mph on average at all times of day will provide a safer environment for pedestrians and motorists within the Pudsey Town Centre. The average speed of traffic will be monitored throughout the year.”

Leeds City Council will now implement the new speed limit, which has the support of all three Pudsey councillors.

The report can be read in full here.

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‘Friends’ discuss community orchards, lantern parades and other ideas to improve Stanningley Park

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Stanningley Park Leeds
Copyright Betty Longbottom and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence. http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/597918

By Adele Rae

A well attended meeting of the Friends of Stanningley Park took place at St John’s Methodist Church. 

Cllr Kevin Ritchie updated the group that a bid to the government’s levelling up fund, to update both Stanningley Park and Bramley Fall Park had been unsuccessful last year, however, Leeds City Council will continue to pursue capital grant funding to make further improvements.

It is hoped that by forming the Friends of Stanningley Park, additional external grant funding could be awarded, allowing for further community led improvements to be made.

The group discussed potential future groups and events, including a Lantern Parade, Park Run, a Measured Mile Adopting a Flower Bed, a Community Orchard and other Well-Being groups.

A representative from Stanningley Park Bowling Club, who has been working closely with FoSP announced that the club house will be reopening on 1 April with an Open Day. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Music from ‘The Bandstanders’ will be performed and refreshments will be available.

The date of the next meeting is yet to be decided but will be advertised on their Facebook page Friends of Stanningley Park and on posters around the park. New members will be warmly welcomed.

The meeting was chaired by Cllr Kevin Ritchie, Cllr Tom Hinchcliffe was also present.

WLD reported las week on the council’s Inner West Community Committee approving a £36,000 grant towards a revamp of the run-down multi-use games area (MUGA) in Stanningley Park.

Forest School is coming to Kirkstall Valley Farm

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Fun at Kirkstall Valley Farm.

By Kirsty Ward

Kirkstall Valley Development Trust is very excited to be working with Forest School Leaders from our community to bring affordable forest school sessions to Kirkstall Valley Farm.

They are all very busy developing the space and gathering resources ready to start very soon.  They will be working with Little Trees Forest School who will offer pre-school sessions on a Monday morning and Leodis Forest School will be running some school and holiday sessions for primary school aged pupils.

There will be a taster day on the 4 April for seven-to-11-year-olds and plan to have the other sessions running after the Easter holidays.  It is an exciting new partnership, and we are all passionate about bringing this opportunity to the children of Kirkstall. 

Kirkstall Valley Farm has already gained a great reputation in the area for our pre-school farm sessions and school holiday playschemes. It already had classes from all the local primary schools visiting last summer and they hope to build on this further this year with even more children being able to enjoy this amazing natural outdoor environment on our doorstep.

Home Education Group sessions are also ready to start up again and will now run every other week in term time. Kirkstall Valley Explorer Tots will be back down on the farm on Tuesdays too!

All the details will be available soon on the KVDT booking site at www.bookwhen.com/kvdt or for more information, email kirsty.ward@kvdt.org.uk.  If you would be interested in volunteering with any of our children and family events, please get in touch.

Volunteers are looking forward to welcoming you back to the farm!