Ornate Interiors scooped the overall Project of the Year gong at the Finishes and Interiors Sector’s Contractors Awards for its work on The Bradford Live project, which included the restoration of the old Odeon building in Bradford.

The ceremony – at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel – honoured the remarkable craftsmanship, exceptional collaboration and exemplary adherence to best practices within the finishes and interiors community.

Guest judge Mike Hayes said: “Selecting one winner from an outstanding and diverse range of projects made the job of final selection extremely difficult. This project not only represents an exceptional technical achievement but revitalised an historic building which had stood derelict for two decades.”

Ronnie Clifford, managing director and founder of Ornate Interiors, which is based off Broad Lane, said: “Winning the Project of the Year Award for our work at Bradford Live is a tremendous honour for our company and a testament to the skill, passion and craftsmanship of our team.

“This recognition celebrates not just the quality of our work but our commitment to preserving history through traditional methods and attention to detail. For our team it reaffirms the pride we take in our craft and the value to cultural heritage.”

Mr Clifford said the restoration of Bradford Live (the Old Odeon) meant so much to a lot of his team as some had childhood memories of visiting it and had watched its sad demise over the last two decades.

The company also scooped an award for their work on the Re-making Beamish project.

He added: “Over the last four decades I have had the pleasure to lead a team of dedicated craftsmen, working alongside them on the restoration of some of the most magnificent buildings in the country.

“Most of our team have spent their lives in the industry accounting for a few hundred years’ worth of experience between us with many of our apprentices having gone on to become valuable members of our core team.”

The awards were announced by double Olympic gold-medallist James Cracknell OBE and presented by category sponsors Minster, SIG, British Gypsum, CCF, Go Interiors, Protektor, Hadley Group, Troldtekt, Zentia and EPD Insulation group.

The FIS Contractors Awards are held annually to encourage and promote high levels of craftsmanship and design.

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In photos: June flowers around Kirkstall Abbey and Bramley

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June 6, 2025

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Photographer Susan Tellum has been out and about with her camera again capturing June flowers – real and crafted – around Kirkstall Abbey and Bramley.

Here’s a slideshow of Susan’s photographs:

We’d love to see your photos! Please share your photos of West Leeds to news@westleedsdispatch.com. We’ll print a selection of the best!

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MHA Horsforth celebrates their fabulous volunteers

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Jill Stocks

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June 5, 2025

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By Jill Stocks

MHA Communities Horsforth marked Volunteers Week with a lunch for their volunteers at The Bridge Inn in Horsforth.

MHA Communities runs a wide range of social and physical activities for older people in the town and none of these would be possible without the work of the volunteers.

From Bacon Butty Club to Anything Goes Dancing there is something for everyone amongst their wide range of weekly and monthly events.

MHA Communities Horsforth events are open to all over 55, are fully accessible and you can choose from all sorts of varied activities.

Find out where and when on WLD’s What’s On section or keep an eye on MHA’s facebook page.

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Quicker access to Armley Moor Health Centre blood tests unveiled

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June 5, 2025

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Patients can now book their blood tests online for Community Diagnostic Centres at Seacroft Hospital, James Reed House in Beeston, and Armley Moor Health Centre.

The new service aims to cut waiting times and give patients a more convenient option. Appointments from 10 June 2025 are available to be booked here.

The CDCs, operated by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, offer patients a range of tests closer to their homes. The new booking system, called Swiftqueue, is designed to be easy for patients to access and to manage their appointments.

Karen Ledgard, Head of Nursing at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Since the opening of the CDCs, 50,000 blood tests have been carried out at the three centres. The previous walk-in system has led to long waits for patients at busy times. We hope this new system will make it easier for our patients to arrange appointments at their convenience.

“This new system will help us manage the flow of patients through the centre and we hope it will mean people don’t have to wait long for their tests – patients can be in and out and get on with their day. It’s great for patients who live near these centres, that they can book their blood tests closer to home and don’t have to travel so far.”

Swiftqueue, by Dedalus, is a digital patient flow and appointment management platform used by more than 100 healthcare organisations in the UK and Ireland.

Patients are asked to be aware that Beeston and Armley CDCs can only offer blood tests for people aged 16 and over. Seacroft CDC can offer blood tests for anyone aged five and over.

When using the online system for the first time, patients will be guided to create an account and follow the on-screen instructions to arrange their appointment.

Minimal information is required to set up an account and make an appointment. Patients will be asked to provide their name and date of birth, and an email address. The email address does not need to be their own – it could be a friend, relative or carer who is assisting them or making the booking on their behalf.

If patients arrive without a pre-booked appointment, they will be allocated the next available slot on arrival. This could be later in the day or a different day during busy times, so all appointments should be pre-booked online in advance if possible.

Walk-in blood tests are still available at St James’s University Hospital, Leeds General Infirmary, Chapel Allerton Hospital and Wharfedale Hospital.

More information about blood tests in Leeds can be found here.

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Two directors leave crisis club Farsley Celtic

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June 5, 2025

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Crisis-hit Farsley Celtic today announced the departure of two of its directors.

Paul Glover and Jonathan Wickham have confirmed they are stepping down from the football club, which last month saw its men’s team relegated three divisions.

The Celts endured a turbulent season which included a fan boycott after the club began playing home games over 70 miles away in Buxton due to a failed attempt to install a new artificial pitch at The Citadel.

The official club statement said: “Farsley Celtic can confirm that Paul Glover has resigned for personal reasons from his position as director of the football club (FC2010 Ltd). Paul remains club president and retains his position on the board of the holdings company (FC2010 Holdings Ltd).

“Jonathan Wickham has also resigned as non-executive director at the football club. We’d like to thank both for their service.

“The club will not be commenting further at this time.”

Next season is due to see the club play in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division.

Farsley Celtic is managed by former Fulham and Brighton goalkeeper David Stockdale, but the club is yet to sign any players for the coming season, which starts next month.

The club’s instability last season led to the departure of much of its men’s first team squad and backroom staff, with the campaign featuring four managers, seven goalkeepers and using more than 40 players, including youngsters from the club’s emerging talent squad.

Farsley Celtic was branded ‘England’s biggest crisis club‘ by a national newspaper last month.

Owner Paul Barthorpe departed as chairman and director of the football club (FC 2010 Ltd) in February. He still owns the ground via the FC2010 Holdings company and is majority shareholder at the club. Robert Winterbottom is the minority shareholder.

Josh Greaves and John Stubbs continue as executive directors on both the football club and the holdings company.

Women’s team promoted

There was better news for Farsley Celtic’s women’s team, which has been promoted to the NERWFL Division 1 South, which sits in Tier 6 of the women’s football pyramid.

A spokesperson for the women’s team said: “This isn’t just any promotion — it marks our fourth promotion in just three seasons, which is a phenomenal achievement and a real testament to the ambition, drive, and togetherness of this squad and everyone involved in the club.”

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Buffaloes Bulletin: Bramley on a charge after three consecutive wins

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June 5, 2025

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Tom-Langton — Tom Langton, Bramley Buffaloes

By Paul Abraham

Following their 37-24 home league victory against Birkenshaw Blue Dogs, the Buffaloes secured a thumping 34-12 victory at home to Illingworth in the Yorkshire Men’s League Trophy.

Seven different players crossed the line including Kacper Mroz, who also added three goals.

Another evening match followed, and the Buffs hit top form with an impressive 44-6 victory at home to Seacroft Sharks.

The try scorers were Tom Langton x2, Jack Iceton x2, Kieran McFarlane, James Clarke, Sam Marshall and Kieran Foster-Matthews with Marcus White kicking four goals.

The victories moved Bramley up to fourth position in the second division. After a mixed start to the season the squad looks to be adapting well after winning promotion last season.

This week sees the “Buffs” travel to Castleford Panthers for a YML Trophy match and will be looking to go one better than the draw they had at the Panthers earlier this season.

Full match report of Blue Dogs match can be read here. Illingworth match report can be found here. Seacroft match report can be found here. Thanks to Andy and Devon Johnson for their comprehensive match reports.

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Lower Wortley Methodist Church ‘under offer’

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June 4, 2025

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The former Lower Wortley Methodist Church building on Branch Road could be about to have new owners.

WLD reported last March that the 19th century building was available to buy for offers around £275,000.

But the property is now ‘under offer’ to a unnamed potential buyer. A property under offer means a buyer has made an offer that the seller has accepted, but no legal paperwork has been signed, and the sale isn’t yet finalized.

The empty building, which dates back to 1884, is listed for sale ‘with development potential’ on the commercial property website Loopnet and is being earmarked as being suitable for business, educational or religious re-use.

The listing describes the 5,843 sq ft building as: “Lower Wortley Methodist Church is a classic late 19th century Methodist chapel design. It is a rectangular building of solid stone construction. The church fronts Branch Road and there is a small single storey stone extension, dating from the late twentieth century, to its southern side.”

More details on the sale listing can be found here.

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Pub’s food drive supports Pudsey Community Project – here’s how you can help

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June 4, 2025

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Pudsey residents are being urged to support a food drive, which is being held at a pub in the town.

The Manor Inn, on Manor House Street, is opening its doors as a food collection point to help those in need.

“We are wanting to support Pudsey Community Project and help in as many ways as possible!” the pub posted on social media.

“So, we are having seven weeks of different food drives, this week is tinned meat / tinned fish. And as a business we are going to also donate over the bar prizes to help encourage our customers to donate!”

Their collection schedule is:

Week 2 – next week (9 June 2025) – Tinned chopped tomatoes
Week 3 – Baked beans
Week 4 – Pasta
Week 5 – Teabags
Week 6 – Cereal
Week 7 – Rice

“All your donations go back to the people of Pudsey! And – look out for our charity day too coming up!” the pub added.

Pudsey Community Project exists to transform Pudsey and its surrounding areas with and for the local community, especially for those who are most disadvantaged and vulnerable.

The project started in March 2020, providing emergency food aid to households in Pudsey, Calverley, Farsley, Swinnow, Tyersal, Rodley and Woodhall.

Through Pudsey Foodbank they offer emergency food parcels with six day-a-week capability, but have also developed Pudsey Community Pantry to offer more sustainable food support to over 100 households each week.

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Volunteers’ plea over jubilee garden planting

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June 4, 2025

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jubilee garden pudsey — Volunteers have planted at Pudsey's jubilee garden. Photo: PiB

Volunteers who work tirelessly to make Pudsey a more attractive place for residents, businesses and visitors have been busy improving the jubilee gardens.

Pudsey in Bloom volunteers are committed to caring for and conserving the environment and encouraging others to take a pride in their town.

But they were disappointed last week to see that some of the new plants were missing from the beds at the garden, which is outside Pudsey Parish Church.

Posting on social media, the group said: “The jubilee garden team were very disappointed to find some of the newly planted blooms were missing from the garden.

“Pudsey in Bloom have worked very hard to raise money for those plants for the benefit of everybody in Pudsey. We would like them to remain in that bed please so that everybody can appreciate them.

The jubilee garden was built in 2023 and features planting and commemorative benches to mark the late Queen’s platinum jubilee a year earlier.

New volunteers are always welcome at Pudsey in Bloom – more details here.

Busy month for litter pickers

Meanwhile, volunteers at Litter Free Pudsey, who pick up litter in a bid to keep the town tidy, have revealed between them they collected 265 bags of rubbish, including the Pudsey carnival clean up.

“Thank you for your amazing efforts,” organiser James Crabtree posted on social media.

More details on Litter Free Pudsey can be found here.

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“It is time for trams” – Mayor Tracy Brabin

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June 4, 2025

4

Ambitious plans to bring trams back to Leeds and West Yorkshire have secured a major funding boost from the government.

Chancellor and Leeds West and Pudsey MP Rachel Reeves will today (Wednesday 4 June) announce the allocation of £2.1 billion of local transport funding to West Yorkshire which will enable the Combined Authority to get spades in the ground on West Yorkshire’s tram project by 2028.

Speaking ahead of next week’s Spending Review, the Chancellor will join West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin at a bus depot in Huddersfield where she will unveil West Yorkshire’s ‘transport for city regions’ funding for 2027-2032.

The funding will also support other vital transport infrastructure projects across the region including new bus stations in Bradford and Wakefield, extensive bus priority measures and cycleways on the A641 and North Kirklees transport corridors, and access improvements to unlock regeneration across six key neighbourhoods bordering Leeds city centre.

The first phase of West Yorkshire’s Mass Transit network will create two tram lines – a Leeds Line, running from St James’s University Hospital through the city centre to the White Rose, and a Bradford Line, connecting Bradford and Leeds city centres, via West Leeds.

This represents the region’s biggest infrastructure project in decades and will form part of an integrated transport network, under the single Weaver Network branding, connecting bus, tram and train services as well as walking and cycling routes.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “It is time for trams – today is a huge moment for our region.

“The Chancellor’s backing means we now have the investment needed to bring trams back to the streets of Leeds and Bradford – improving public transport connections and boosting growth.

“We will also be able to take forward other vital projects, including new bus stations for Bradford and Wakefield, which will help us create a better-connected region that works for all.”

Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “Delivering a tram system will transform connectivity across our city – and between Leeds and Bradford – bringing jobs and opportunities within easier reach of thousands of local people. This sits alongside other transport improvements, including bus reform, that reach out across the whole city.

“Securing this funding is another important milestone because it demonstrates clear government backing for the scheme, offering greater confidence and surety as we work together with the Combined Authority and partners to bring trams to our two cities.”

The Combined Authority will publish its preferred route options later this year, with a full public consultation planned during 2026.

The £2.5bn mass transit programme will have spades in the ground by 2028, with the intention for the first trams to be operating before the mid-2030s.

The project will improve local transport for over 675,000 people and benefit those in some of West Yorkshire’s most deprived communities.

Last year the Combined Authority asked for the public’s views on different route options, with 4,845 individuals and organisations in total having their say.

More than two thirds of those surveyed in West Yorkshire backed the Bradford Line plans, while more than three quarters supported the proposed Leeds Line.

Respondents said improving connections with residential areas, reducing traffic congestion, improving access to employment and education, and providing quick journey times were the most important outcomes.

WLD reported in February that three options for how and where the Leeds to Bradford line will run exactly have been put forward a public consultation into a proposed mass transit system has shown a line running via Armley and Stanningley is the marginally preferred option to link Leeds and Bradford.

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Armley: Leeds Baby Bank launches urgent £60k appeal

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westleedslife

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June 4, 2025

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By Isaac Date

Leeds Baby Bank has announced an urgent appeal to raise the £60,000 needed to open their new centre in Armley.

With enough support, the fundraiser could see the location opening to support families in need by mid-July.

“It’s a stark reality that 40,000 children in our city are living in absolute poverty,” said Leeds Baby Bank founder, Chantal Nogbu.

“We exist to ensure no child in Leeds goes without because of poverty, but lately we have been overwhelmed by the number of people needing our support.

“Currently we have over 200 families needing help and have made the heart-breaking decision to close our waiting list.

“That’s why we are delighted to have found a new home around four times the size of our old one and it will mean we can expand our support enormously! The rush is now on so we can open our doors. It’s imperative we are back up and running as soon as possible.”

Leeds Baby Bank was founded in 2017 and supports families in need with children aged 0-5 years, but over the last five years, the charity has grown rapidly.

The new centre will allow Leeds Baby Bank to expand the services it offers. Families will now be able to visit in person to collect the essentials they need for their children, and it will also be possible for the charity to host groups for both parents and children alike.

A Go Fund Me page has been launched for the appeal, where you can support Leeds Baby Bank and find out more about their work.