Partygoers at Swinnow Community Centre. Photo: Dianne Craven
By Dianne Craven
The Big Christmas Meal was the last big event of 2024 for the re-launched Swinnow Community Centre.
A warm welcome and Christmas magic was on offer.
It was started by the Mays Family, following the death of mum-in-law, Marilyn. The aim was to bring family and friends to isolated people who were unlikely to have a Christmas Day together.
Guests received a personal invite hand written by children from the local community.
The event was opened by the Oak Church pop up choir. They performed a selection of Christmas carols, which ended in a rousing rendition of We wish you a Merry Christmas.
Every child received a gift.
Swinnow Community Centre’s Lucy Mutton said that the event fulfilled the three key values of the centre; Hope, Love and Service.
In previous reports people have commented on how important the centre and its events are to them. One person said, “I am a sole parent with no family in Leeds.” The event made her feel less isolated and alone.
It is hoped that 2025 will see the centre make even more of an impact on the community, not just in terms of numbers attending or nice events, but offering more services and supporting new projects.
Information about upcoming events or to get involved with the Swinnow Community Centre can be found on Facebook. Or you can e-mail swinnowcommunitycentrecic@gmail.com.
Students at a Bramley kickboxing gym were delighted to receive awards showing progress made in the sport.
ValorMartial Arts owner and coach Matthew Alderson described the event as ‘a graduation ceremony.’
He said: “The event was a milestone for all those who received their belt and especially for Ellie, Sahib and Joshua who have earned a black belt.
“That’s no small feat indicating as it does unwavering commitment and discipline. All our graduates can be proud that their hard work, dedication, and perseverance have paid off. Watching each one grow in skill, confidence, and spirit has been inspiring and will likely encourage others.”
Mum Stacy said: “My daughter Kendel, aged nine, was thrilled to get her yellow/black stripe belt after six months training at Valor.
“Under Mat’s guidance she’s grown stronger mentally and physically building her confidence and making friends as she’s developed valuable skills. She’s now focussed on earning her next belt.”
Mr Alderson, 42, has a military background and opened Valor in Westfield House on Broad Lane two years ago.
He said: “It’s been quite a journey. We now have ninety or so attending weekly classes over three age ranges from five years upwards.
“We’ve built our own kickboxing community based largely on support, trust, and energy from parents and students. A community in which skill, strength and resilience can thrive.
“Our ambition for 2025 is to compete in regional competitions with the first in Barnsley in February. We’d also like to double our membership as we all keep kicking and punching our way to greatness!”
Those interested in training at Valor should contact Alderson via social media or visit the website, or call or text 07845 805624.
More than 1,500 people have so far signed a petition asking Leeds City Council to halt plans to close Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall.
The petition was started last Tuesday by Burley resident Stuart Long in response to the council’s proposal to close the museum as part of its 2025/26 budget.
Organiser Stuart Long said: “To see over 1,500 citizens sign it to date shows the immense outpouring of support from all for this valuable resource in a much-loved community location next to Kirkstall Abbey.
“If you haven’t sign it yet then I’d call upon readers of the West Leeds Dispatch to please do so today and help provide a strong message to Leeds City Council that it must stay.”
Leeds City Council’s consultation into the proposed closure runs until 23 January 2025 and feedback can be completed here.
Leeds City Council is proposing to close Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall as it faces an unprecedented strain on its finances.
Job losses, service cuts, building closures and a council tax rise of almost five per cent are also being considered by the authority.
Latest figures show the council needs to save £106.4m during 2025/26 to avoid having it declare itself bankrupt. The Abbey House Museum closure could save £160,000.
The council faces rising costs in services including adult social care, while central Government support of local authorities has decreased over the past 14 years.
Follow WLD‘s ongoing coverage of Abbey House Museum here.
Plans for flats at Pet World in Pudsey. Photo: Google
Scaled-back plans to change a former Pudsey pet store into four flats have been approved by Leeds City Council.
The proposals – at Sharp’s Pet World on Clifton Hill – had been submitted by Mrs K Smith and include four, one-bedroomed duplex flats which will be accessed via Delph Hill. Mrs Smith had originally applied for six flats at the site.
A council planning officer’s report approving the application, subject to conditions, concluded: “The proposal is not considered to have an unduly detrimental impact on the character of the area, inclusive of the heritage context of the Conservation Area and the positive status of the building within that area.
“The re-roofing will benefit the building’s appearance and the residential use will be a sustainable one that secures the long-term maintenance of this positive heritage building.
“The levels of habitation for future residents is acceptable and there would be no undue levels of detriment on the living conditions of neighbours occupants. Further there are no highway safety concerns.”
Five serving police officers from Pudsey Police have been sacked and three former colleagues told they would have been dismissed over a WhatsApp group featuring “routine misogyny” and “casual racism”.
The eight current and former officers appeared before a gross misconduct hearing relating to inappropriate, offensive and derogatory posts in a WhatsApp group they were part of.
The hearing revealed they also shared photographs of “death scenes”, car crashes, missing people and detainees.
The hearing panel, chaired by an independent legally-qualified chair, found that all five serving officers should be dismissed and that the three officers who resigned while under investigation would have been dismissed if still serving.
The officers are:
PC Luke Riddett – 26 findings of gross misconduct and 12 findings of misconduct.
Ex-PC Tom Harrison – 10 findings of gross misconduct and four findings of misconduct.
PC X (who is subject of an anonymity order) – eight findings of gross misconduct and three findings of misconduct.
PS Mark Otter – seven findings of gross misconduct and one finding of misconduct.
PC Javaid Habeeb – five findings of gross misconduct and 10 findings of misconduct.
Ex-PC Matthew Harrison – five findings of gross misconduct and five findings of misconduct.
PC Dominique Hawkins – four findings of gross misconduct and two findings of misconduct.
Ex-PC Lee Hillyard – two findings of gross misconduct and one finding of misconduct.
All eight will now be added to the College of Policing’s Barred List preventing them from gaining any further employment in policing.
The hearing was told about a number of messages of concern within the WhatsApp group, which included:
The sharing of a photograph taken at the scene of a sudden death after the body had been removed and inappropriate comments from others within the group.
Inappropriate discussions about individuals involved in serious injury/fatal road traffic collisions, including one conversation in which a photograph was shared from the scene.
Derogatory comments made about colleagues and one particular colleague’s family members. These included messages that were deemed to be misogynistic and transphobic.
Inappropriate discussion about suicide, both in relation to a colleague and a vulnerable member of the public.
Comments about sexual harassment and claims about individuals both within the WhatsApp group and colleagues who were not part of the group.
The sharing of images of missing people and arrested individuals and associated inappropriate comments, including those of a racist nature.
The chat group came to the Force’s attention after an inspector made a report to the Professional Standards Directorate after becoming aware of potential inappropriate behaviour. A referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) who declared it as an independent investigation.
Speaking after the heating, Detective Chief Superintendent Tanya Wilkins, Head of West Yorkshire Police’s Professional Standards Directorate, said: “This misconduct hearing looked not only at the actions of this group but also their inaction.
“The lack of challenge and complicity of a supervisor being involved in these conversations has allowed a culture of routine misogyny, casual racism and bullying to develop within this team.
“We make clear to all employees of West Yorkshire Police the standards we expect of them both on and off duty and have a specific policy in place around the use of social media, which includes WhatsApp. The messages that were looked at as part of this investigation were mean-spirited and not representative of the inclusive culture we seek to foster in West Yorkshire Police.
“Frontline policing can be extremely hard, and this is well recognised. West Yorkshire Police has a variety of services available internally, including peer support, counselling, chaplaincy support and TRiM (Trauma Risk Management) for those affected by a traumatic event, incident or situation.
“We understand that there still remains a place for more informal support between colleagues, but a social media platform is not the appropriate place to discuss and share information about sensitive operational matters.
“Supporting colleagues can also not be used as an excuse for the use of racist and misogynistic language, which have no place in policing.”
Any members of the public with information about any potential misconduct or criminal behaviour by any police employee can report the issue in person at a police station, by calling 101 or by using Live Chat online. There is also the option to contact West Yorkshire Police’s Professional Standards Directorate directly by calling 01924 292044 or emailing psdintel@westyorkshire.police.uk
You can also provide information anonymously to the Police Anti-Corruption and Abuse Reporting Service, which is run by independent charity Crimestoppers. You can access the service by calling 0800 085 0000 or by using their online reporting form.
Bramley & Stanningley's councillors on Stanningley Park MUGA.
A refurbishment of the Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) in Stanningley Park has been welcomed as part of a £100,000 package of improvements which includes Rodley Park and Bramley Fall Woods playground.
The £50,000 installation of a new MUGA at Stanningley Park has replaced the old tennis courts, which have been in a state of disrepair for some time.
Improvements include:
Resurfacing and relining the tarmac area
Removal of the old goal posts and the installation of goal ends with attached fencing at either end of the area
Additional basketball hoops
Two new benches and two new bins.
Carol Hodgson, treasurer of Friends of Stanningley Park, welcomed the improvements. She said: “We are thrilled with the installation of the new MUGA at Stanningley Park.
“Friends of Stanningley Park is a group of committed volunteers who work extremely hard to bring improvements to our local green space and I’d like to thank Bramley & Stanningley’s councillors for discussing these improvements with our group and taking on board our suggestions.”
The multi use games area at Stanningley Park.
In a statement, Councillors Adele Rae, Tom Hinchcliffe and Kevin Ritchie (all Lab, Bramley & Stanningley) said: “Improving our local parks has always been a top priority for us. We’re delighted to have secured this funding which has vastly improved the facilities at Stanningley Park. It has been fantastic to see the new MUGA being used every day since the works were completed.”
The improvements to Stanningley Park come as the playgrounds at both Rodley Park and Bramley Fall Woods have also received investments.
Alongside the Calverley and Farsley councillors, the Bramley and Stanningley councillors have funded improvements to Rodley Park including:
New climbing frame for younger aged children
New seat spinner
New games painted on the ground.
The investment into Bramley Fall Woods playground includes:
A new toddler unit
Repairs to the roundabout
Resurfacing of the floor.
These improvements to local parks total over £100,000.
The improvements to the parks have been funded through the Inner West Community Committee CIL funding and Bramley and Stanningley Councillors Ward Based Initiative funding.
It’s a wrap! What an amazing week we’ve had culminating in Santa’s Sleigh Ride yesterday evening. Hundreds of children have received presents from Santa, spoken to him and had a photo with him not to mention Rudolph.
This doesn’t happen without the amazing support of our staff and volunteers who have once again worked their socks off: decorating the sleigh, organising the farm event and pulling the sleigh.
They are a truly wonderful group of people. Kirkstall is so lucky to have them.
Thank you too to Mr Whippy Leeds who comes out every year and gives away mountains of ice cream and the Hookers and clickers do it for charity, who created the beautiful gifts (400 of them) We’re truly grateful.
From all at KVDT we would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
The junction of Carr Crofts, with Tong Road, Armley.
Photo: Google
Motorists are being warned of possible disruption in the Carr Crofts and Tong Road area of Armley while essential work is carried out to replace ageing metal gas pipework with new, more durable plastic pipes.
The work, carried out by Northern Gas Networks (NGN), will ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to customers in Leeds, keeping homes and businesses safe, warm and connected.
The project has been ongoing since November and is expected to finish in February 2025.
So that engineers can carry out the work safely and efficiently, and to protect members of the public, some traffic management measures will be put in place.
From Monday 20 January there will be a road closure on Carr Crofts at the junction of Tong Road. This will be in place for approximately two weeks.
From Monday 20 January there will also be temporary traffic lights on Tong Road for the remainder of the project.
Chris Reed, Central Business Operations Lead for Northern Gas Networks, said: “We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused during these essential works. However, it is vital we complete them in order to continue to maintain a safe and reliable gas supply to homes and businesses in Leeds.”
For further information about the work please contact NGN’s Customer Care Team on 0800 040 7766 or email: customercare@northerngas.co.uk.
Anyone that smells gas or suspects carbon monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
Bosses at Bramley Baths have been given the green light to install 172 panels solar panels across six roofs at the Grade II Listed Edwardian building.
Council planning officers approved the Baths’ proposals this week, and it is hoped the solar panels will help the Baths, which is community led, reduce its electricity usage by around 30 per cent as the facility bids to become carbon neutral by 2030.
A heritage statement submitted by the Baths said: “The installation of the proposed Solar PV system will greatly help in the continuous rise in energy bills and help pay towards the running costs of such a beautiful building.
“We feel the development will not adversely affect the character or appearance of the property, streetscape, or surrounding area. The materials and design are consistent with solar panels that are installed elsewhere around Leeds, and we are sympathetic to the wider locality, intentionally preserving the local character and visual amenity. “
Council planning officers approving the proposals said the panels would be “largely obscured” on a variety of pitched roof slopes and “the impact on heritage significance is considered less than substantial to both heritage assets”.
