‘BrAmazonians’ deliver Valentine’s treats to older people in Bramley

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February 15, 2022

bramazon bramley deliveries — Margaret enjoyed receiving her gift from BrAmazon's Vicky Jamieson

Words: Jean Hollings

Members of a West Leeds running group have helped to deliver Valentine’s Day gifts for Bramley Elderly Action (BEA) members.

Back in May 2020 when the Covid pandemic lockdown effected everyone, running club Bramley Breezers joined forces with BEA by delivering activities, magazines and sunflower seeds to vulnerable and isolating people while social distancing. The scheme was nick-named ‘BrAmazon’.

Easter 2021 BrAmazonians were required again where Easter parcels were delivered.
Over Christmas 2020 and 2021 BrAmazon and BEA joined forces again to deliver cards and gifts to their members.

And on Valentine’s Day they were called into action again.

BEA had 15 Valentine’s Day deliveries to be made (on Monday, 14 February) to Bramley people who are vulnerable and unable to leave their homes.

The packages were collected from BEA, the Breezers ran/walked to their allotted address, dropped off the item and had a little chat with the person. They took a photo (with their permission).

A recipient told Laura Parker that Bramley Elderly Action helped her dad when he was in his 80s and she also uses them now she’s in her 80s. Laura said she had not realised how long they had been running.

Another lady – Margaret – enjoyed receiving her gift from Vicky Jamieson (pictured, top).

Crowdfunder launched to support Farsley bar and brewery’s barrel expansion

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February 15, 2022

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A Farsley brewery and bar which launched during the pandemic has launched a £15,000 crowdfunding appeal to help expand its offering.

Amity Brew Co is asking people to support its bid to take over additional mill space in Sunny Bank Mills for oak barrel storage.

This will enable the owners to age their beer in port, rum or whisky barrels and produce new and bold flavours bottled in premium glass bottles to sell online or in the taproom.

The funds will also go towards new brewery equipment, including an additional 1,000-litre tank to create more beer as part of their Spinning Mill Barrel Project.

Appeal: Amity co-founder and director Russ Clarke.

The crowdfunder has so far raised more than £5,600 and Amity co-founder and director Russ Clarke says he was inspired by the US model of a brewpub, making limited batch beer on-site and getting it into the hands of the community fresh and fast. He added:

“We are beer geeks at heart and have been involved in the UK craft beer scene since it exploded, so we produce a blend of core classics and exciting boundary pushing beer that we would want to drink ourselves.”

Watch the crowdfunding video below for more:

The crowdfunder, which includes a range of rewards depending on the size of your donation, can be viewed here.

The 2,500 sq ft brewery and bar, is based in the mills’ Festoon Rooms with a paved outdoor beer garden overlooking the recently developed £2million Weavers Yard, a 5,000 sq ft outdoor space with 96 car parking spaces.

Wortley’s fabulous fundraiser for Candlelighters – thanks to Bramley Breezer Stacy

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February 15, 2022

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Words: Jean Hollings

Back in 2018 Stacy Procter took a career break to become a mature student to complete a BA Honours Degree. During this time she was lucky enough to successfully gain a family events volunteer role at Candlelighters.

The support Candlelighters offer is eternal. They are a Yorkshire-based children’s cancer charity, providing financial and emotional support for children and families affected by childhood cancer and holds a special place in her heart.

Stacy began volunteering at the sibling groups, bereaved mum’s group and any other events she could offer her time for.

In October 2018 she was a volunteer marshall at the Yorkshire Marathon for Candlelighters. That particular year the weather was horrendous. But the driving horizontal rain and those brave runners inspired Stacy to challenge herself.

Having never run other than a jog on a treadmill she thought: ‘I can and I will do this’. Running from nothing to a marathon was not realistic, so Stacy took the decision to join the Bramley Breezers Running Club and this is where her love for running began.

She wanted to be the runner who inspired her at the Yorkshire Marathon and also wanted to raise vital funds for Candlelighters.

It was the support of the Bramley Breezers that made this possible. Continuing to volunteer for the Candlelighters groups, she decided to fundraise herself too.

In her first year of attempting to achieve her goal – January to October – she ran the Leeds 10k, The Great North Run and the Yorkshire Marathon.

Her passion to support Candlelighters spread from home to her running club and then community wide. Stacy said:

“The last five years of being part of the Candlelighters’ family have been epic.”

She’s taken part in fundraising runs to community events – all of which Candlelighters and her Breezers family have supported her with.

Stacy is always trying to be creative with fundraising, from running 240 miles for Captain Tom to making and delivering afternoon tea boxes.

Stacy Procter raised money for Captain Tom’s appeal. Photo: Simon Cullingworth

Stacy is so proud to share that with her family and friends they have raised an huge amount of £13,214.38!

She feels there is so much more they can raise.

Stacy is so excited that this year she will be volunteering for the Candlelighters residential. This is why she will continue to fundraise.

Her next fundraising event is on Saturday 26 February 2022 when Stacey and her team will be hosting a community fundraiser in aid of Candlelighters at St John’s Church, Wortley (2-4pm).

Everyone is welcome, so please come along for a fun packed afternoon to raise vital funds and awareness for Candlelighters.

Apartment plan at Armley St George’s Crypt building

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February 14, 2022

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Plans to convert a common room and office into a two-bedroom apartment at a St George’s Crypt-owned building in Armley have been submitted to Leeds City Council for approval.

The Crypt has applied to change part of its building in Conference Road. Under the plans, the first floor will consist of a kitchen, common room, two double bedrooms and a bathroom.

The planning application states:

“The proposed new flat will be on the first floor and constructed of studded internal walls. The existing office will be removed and converted to a new common room.”

A new access ramp with handrails would also be installed.

The application can be read in full here.

£230k gym improvements unveiled at Pudsey Leisure Centre

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February 14, 2022

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A new state-of-the-art gym has been unveiled at Pudsey Leisure Centre following an investment of more than £230,000.

Leeds City Council say significant investment has been made into new equipment and wider refurbishments at both Pudsey and Garforth leisure centres, in a bid to encourage people to be more active following the Coronavirus pandemic.

Just under a million pounds being invested across the two sites to enhance the facilities, including the creation of new virtual spin studios.

The work at Pudsey includes:

Creating a much brighter, open space
New flooring
New lighting
Decorations and branding
£149,000 invested in the latest free weights, cardio, and resistance equipment

The new gym features the latest technology to help people at all stages of their wellness journey. The investment replaces equipment which was more than 10 years old.

Along with new equipment the refurbishments have created a brand-new experience for leisure centre users with money invested in new lighting, flooring and decoration and creating a much brighter and open space.

A council report said:

“The gym equipment will give greater opportunity to engage more people to increase their activity levels to lead happy, active and healthy lifestyles, improving the health of people in the catchment around Pudsey Leisure Centre as part of the recovery from the pandemic.“

To arrange a tour of the new gyms or to find out more about memberships that start from as little as £20 a month, visit the Active Leeds website.

WLD previously reported on the investment here.

Bramley Housing Office at auction for £280k

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February 14, 2022

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Words: John Baron

The former Bramley Housing Office is available to buy at an online auction – at a guide price of £280,000.

Cash-strapped Leeds City Council no longer needs the building and is looking to raise money by selling off some of its assets.

WLD previously reported that two community organisations each had an interest in taking on the building, which has been empty for at least three years.

Documents accompanying the online auction, which ends on 23 February 2022, state:

“The property is considered suitable for continued use as offices or change of use / redevelopment subject to obtaining the necessary consents.”

The documents on Bramley Housing Office can be found here. The auction is being run by Pugh Auctions.

WLD reported in May 2017 that council chiefs were hoping to raise in the region of £325,000 from the sale of the housing office on the commercial market.

West Leeds Dispatch‘s Cutswatch series has been following proposed council budget cuts and building sales over the past 12 months here.

Donations sought for new pre-loved shop in New Wortley

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February 14, 2022

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Donations of children’s and adults’ clothing, baby goods, bric-a-brac and books are being sought for a new pre-loved shop opening at New Wortley Community Centre next month.

People in Armley and New Wortley are being urged to drop off donations for the ‘Nearly New Wortley’ shop from today.

Donations can be made between 10am-2pm Monday to Friday.

The bargain shop’s official opening is on Monday, 7 March at 10.30am.

Armley men encouraged to join Leeds Canal Crew and make a difference

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February 14, 2022

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swing-bridge-leeds-liverpool-canal — Photo: Mark Stevenson

Do you live in Armley and would like to develop new skills and make a difference to your community?

Leeds Canal Crew is a new group which will be tidying the towpath, learning lock keeper and bushcraft skills and trying out canoeing and boating on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

The sessions are free to men in the Armley area.

Contact Joe Kemp at Touchstone via joek@touchstonesupport.org.uk for more information. Sessions run on Tuesday afternoons.

‘Let’s paddle’ half-term sessions

If you live in Armley and are looking for something fun and free in the half-term holiday, take a walk to the canal and join free canoeing sessions for all the family.

Using large two-person canoes, participants will get a whole new view of the area. It’s a safe and fun session, running from Armley Mills by the Canal & River Trust, perfect for those who have never tried canoeing before.

Book your place here.

Heartache as Farsley Celtic slip to last-gasp defeat in relegation tussle

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February 13, 2022

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Farsley Celtic v Gloucester — Farsley Celtic slipped to defeat in their relegation 'six-pointer' against Gloucester. Photo: Simon Cullingworth

Words: John Baron

Photos: Simon Cullingworth

As gut-wrenching late defeats go, this one was was as hard to take as they come.

With just three minutes to go struggling Farsley Celtic were set to move off the bottom, leapfrogging both opponents Gloucester City and fellow strugglers Telford United, who were also losing.

Jimmy Spencer had netted his second goal in as many games early in a tense second half, which looked set to give the home side their first league win since November.

But Farsley sat deep and just three minutes from time Gloucester’s Matt Green managed to get a toe on to a ball played low across the box and steer it past Celts ‘keeper Kyle Trennery to pull The Tigers level.

Disaster was to follow as two minutes into injury time when Oliver Hulbert turned in a late winner to ensure Farsley remained rooted to the bottom of the League.

While the last two performances under new boss Russ Wilcox have shown improvement, the late horror show made in ten on the bounce without a win in the league, with another crunch game at Bradford Park Avenue looming next Saturday.

To add salt into the Celts’ wound, influential defender Tom Allan looks set for a spell on the sidelines with what looked like a nasty looking ankle injury which left the former York City defender hobbling on crutches.

Farsley’s Will Hayhurst and Tom Allan look on in Saturday’s defeat to Gloucester. Photo: Simon Cullingworth

Farsley Celtic goalscorer Jimmy Spencer tussles for the ball. Photo: Simon Cullingworth

Farsley Celtic boss Russ Wilcox said the result was a hard one to take and said his side deserved a point from the game:

Farsley Celtic: Trenerry, Vaughan, Sutton, Clayton, Allan (Drake 43), Hayhust, Atkinson, Turner, Walker, Spencer, Parkin (Gratton 82). Subs not used: Westcarr, Fialdini, Akiotu.

Gloucester City: Cole, Gerring, Nugent, Hall (King 76), Thompson, Barkers (Robert 77), O’Sullivan, Sheaf, Tomlinson (McClure 60), Hulbert, Green. Subs not used: Armstrong, Hill.

Attendance: 432

Paul Abraham: Allow yourself to be human and fallible

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February 13, 2022

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paul-abraham-bramley-buffaloes — Paul Abraham, speaking at Bramley Lawn.

Words: Paul Abraham of www.headingonwards.com

The past two years have been incredibly stressful and life-changing for many people. Now as we start to return to some sort of normality there is the threat that we will try and make up for the past two years by pushing ourselves too hard in trying to make up for “lost time”.

Is your best never good enough? The demanding standards of perfection we set ourselves can drain the joy out of your life and keep your stress levels high.

Is it time to give yourself a break? Perfectionism might sound like a great trait, after all, people who care about high standards in any walk of life are likely to be achievers. However, holding ourselves to excessive standards can be highly stressful.

A British study in 2003, which is still relevant today, found that the people most at risk of hopelessness and distress were those who combined perfectionism with “avoidance coping” – that is dealing with problems by ignoring rather than confronting them.

The combination of impossible standards and avoidance behaviour caused stress and depression. Psychologists’ opinions differ as to whether perfection can ever be a positive attribute. Taken together the evidence suggests perfectionism has a tendency to make it harder to cope with the stresses of life.

Here are six pieces of advice when you start pressuring yourself to reach perfection in whatever form.

Prioritise based on you values. Trying to do everything perfectly is hugely stressful . Save your high standards for the things that matter to you most.
Get comfortable with the idea of experimenting. Taking risks and making mistakes needn’t be a disaster and can be a positive learning experience.
Be process-smart. The majority of the payoff for your efforts tends to happen fairly early in the process; after that, the benefit-to-effort ratio starts to decline and at some point it stops being worthwhile.
Reward yourself for imperfect achievements. For instance, it may be better to meet a deadline with a slightly less-than-perfect product than spend so long getting it right that you don’t deliver at all.
Find role models. Who do you know who has similar goals, but seems to struggle less? When facing a challenge, ask yourself or them, how they’d tackle it.
Stress-saving cue cards. Write some positive, realistic statements on small pieces of card and carry them with you to serve as a reality check when perfectionism is making you too stressed. Examples are – “Nobody is perfect”, “having an off-day doesn’t make me a failure”, “It’s okay to make mistakes – everyone does”, “I’m only human” and “If I’ve done my best, that’s the best I can do”.

We all have to learn to tolerate a level of imperfection. Your life can be far less stressful if you can allow yourself to be human and fallible.

Read more of Bramley-based Paul Abraham’s wellbeing columns on WLD here.

£1.8m Burley Park Centre plans withdrawn amid council review – ‘no decisions’ on future use

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February 13, 2022

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Words: John Baron

Leeds City Council has withdrawn a planning application to convert the former pupil referral unit at Burley Park Centre into office accommodation and nursery facilities.

Members of Leeds City Council’s decision-making executive board agreed in February 2020 to spend £1.8m on refurbishing the former Burley Park pupil referral unit (PRU) off Cardigan Lane, and allowing nearby Burley Park Little Owls Nursery and Children’s Centre to move into the space.

The former PRU site, which has been empty since April 2018, was also due to house office space for Leeds City Council.

But council chiefs say the Coronavirus pandemic has changed the authority’s needs for offices and are now ‘reassessing’ the requirements of the nursery. The nursery’s current building was described by councillors in 2020 as ‘awful’.

Councillor Fiona Venner (Lab, Kirkstall) is the executive member for adult and children’s social care and health partnerships. In a statement issued to WLD, she said no final decisions have been made over the future use of the building:

“The council has a large property portfolio and continually reviews the use and requirement for buildings across its estate.
“The scheme proposed for the former Burley Park Centre was prepared before the pandemic.
“The nursery requirements are being reassessed and the council’s use of its office estate has substantially changed over the last two years. the council has a working target to reduce office accommodation by 50% from 2020 levels.
“Until the review of requirements has been completed, no decisions have been made about the future use of the building.”

Plans, which can be viewed here, also included the demolition of existing garage structures and fuel store at the site and a single-storey extension to north-east elevation.

WLD has been following the pandemic’s impact on council spending in West Leeds – through our ongoing Cutswatch series.

Mark’s History: Was Commercial House on Farsley Green a pleasant place to live?

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February 13, 2022

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commercial house town street farsley — Rich history: Commercial House in Farsley Town Street. Photo: Mark Stevenson

Words & Photos: Mark Stevenson

Thomas Hollings was a grocer and draper in Farsley for at least 30 years.

It may be that his business was doing well because in the 1860s (or early ’70s) he was able to either rent or have built Commercial House on Farsley Green, which in the 1840s had been owned by Clara Thornhill and rented by William Pearson (a farmer) as pasture.

Thomas lived at Commercial House with his wife Eliza, who was still running the shop as a grocer in 1891 aged 63. Two of Thomas’s daughters Hannah (25) and Alice (17) were teachers in a ladies school in 1881.

Benjamin, Thomas’s eldest son, went on to become a bank manager living at 141 North Street in Sheepscar in 1901 and at 80 Francis Street, Chapeltown in 1911.

His youngest son Harold was a doctor who lived at Holme Upon Spalding Moor in 1901, where Eliza (his mother) now lived aged 73.

I wonder how pleasant a place it was to live? Commercial House had a farm at the back of it, a mill pond to the side. I imagine both would smell, especially in the hot weather. Not to mention the noise of the animals!

Then there was a Nether Cape Mills opposite, which overlooked the house. The noise coming from it and the smithy at the back of Cooper’s Coffee Shop would have added to this.

A map of the area. Reproduced with permission of National Library of Scotland.

Imagine all the mill workers and miners going into The Fleece on payday, the anti-social behaviour that would have happened around that pub wouldn’t be something you would want your kids to see.

Read more on West Leeds’ rich history with Mark Stevenson’s weekly column here.