2024 has been a very special year for Pudsey Parish Church, having featured a number of events celebrating the 200th anniversary of its opening in 1824.
This Friday evening (20 December), the church will mark the end of this Bicentenary year by welcoming the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, as the special guest speaker at its Christmas Carol Service.
The Carols by Candlelight service will start at 6.30pm, and will feature classic Christmas carols and readings recounting the Christmas story. The service will be followed by refreshments.
This is the first of the church’s Christmas week events, with other highlights including a Nativity service – complete with real-life donkeys – at 10.30am on Sunday morning; a pair of Christmas Eve Christingle services (free booking essential, via the church’s website at http://www.pudseyparish.org.uk/christmas/), the traditional midnight communion service starting at 11.30pm on Christmas Eve, and a family service at 10.30am on Christmas morning.
Carrie Green of Bramley park Academy with her silver award at the National Teaching Awards Ceremony.
An inspirational West Leeds headteacher has won silver at the ‘Oscars’ of the teaching profession.
Carrie Green, executive principal of Bramley Park Academy and Elements Primary School has been honoured for her exceptional contributions to education through commendation at the Pearson National Teaching Awards.
Since taking the helm at Bramley Park Academy in 2018, Carrie has led a remarkable turnaround.
The school, in special measures at the point of conversion, went on to achieve ‘outstanding’ in a single inspection cycle. Her approach has created a nurturing environment where students now thrive.
Carrie’s impact extends far beyond the classroom. She is deeply committed to supporting her community: implementing initiatives such as providing free school uniforms and partnering with the Greggs Foundation to offer essential support to families in need.
Her dedication to her students and their families is truly inspiring.
Mark Wilson, CEO of Wellspring Academy Trust added, “We are immensely proud of Carrie’s accomplishments and her recognition as a finalist in the National Teaching Awards.
“Her exceptional leadership, strategic vision and tireless dedication have been instrumental in transforming the provision available for young people in Leeds. Carrie’s achievement is a testament to her hard work and passion for transforming education.”
The Teaching Awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of educators across the UK. MaryPalmer, CEO of the Teaching Awards Trust, said: “Every educator deserves acknowledgement for the exceptional impact they have in both their classrooms and the wider community, every day.
“The awards evening is a chance to take a moment to reflect on the incredible work happening in early years, schools and colleges across the UK, and celebrate all who make it happen.”
When asked about the honour, Carrie said: “I am truly honoured to have been awarded silver winner at the 2024 Teaching Awards. Teaching is in my blood, I never wanted to do anything else.
“Making a difference has been my driving passion right from my first days teaching in an outside classroom in Morley to now running two inspirational provisions in Leeds.
“I certainly would not be here without the support and dedication of the teams around me at Bramley, Elements and Wellspring. They, along with our remarkable pupils, drive me every single day to make our schools even better and provide a truly world-class education, which inspires everyone to be a world changer.”
Volunteers preparing the meals at Calverley Golf Club on Christmas Day 2020.
A community fundraiser is aiming to net £150 to support Calverley Rotary Club’s Christmas Day lunch appeal.
Each year the Rotary Club of Calverley distributes 200 hot meals on Christmas day to elderly and vulnerable people who otherwise would be alone on Christmas day.
The crowdfunder has been organised by President of the Rotary Club of Calverley Carole Owczarek. She is looking to raise £200.
Police are appealing for witnesses and information after a West Leeds woman was threatened at knifepoint by four males in balaclavas.
The incident happened last Thursday on Woodhall Lane.
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: “Detectives are investigating an attempted aggravated burglary in Leeds where a woman was threatened at knifepoint.
“At 6.11pm on Thursday, December 12, police were called to the incident at an address in Woodhall Lane, Stanningley.
“A 26-year-old woman had been confronted by four males in balaclavas as she left the house. She was threatened with a knife and the suspects demanded to be let into the property.
“A family member heard the disturbance outside and managed to pull the victim into the house and close the door.
“The suspects tried to force entry but then left the scene in a black estate car that they had arrived in.”
Officers from Leeds District Crime Team are continuing to investigate the incident, and officers from the local neighbourhood policing team have increased their patrols of the area to provide reassurance.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact Leeds District Crime Team via 101 quoting crime reference number 13240676342 or online here.
The site would have been accessed via Rein Road, off New Road Side. Photo: Google
By John Baron
Initial outline plans to build up to 24 homes at a former sewage works off New Road Side, Horsforth, have been refused by council planners.
Access to the former Yorkshire Water treatment works site would have been via Rein Road, close to the Kirkstall Forge development, plans submitted by Horsforth-based Stonebridge Homes stated.
The applicants argued the proposals ‘respected’ the site, and added: “The site is a realistic and deliverable prospect for residential development, and its development will bring landscape, biodiversity and social benefits.”
But Horsforth Town Council objected amid concerns over the access from the main road and the need to respect important long and mid-distance views. There were ten individual objections, plus general comments from Cragg Hill & Woodside Residents’ Group.
A council planning officer’s report shared some of the concerns and said the proposal was ‘inappropriate development in the green belt’. It concluded: “…It is considered that the proposal fails to comply with both national and local policy and refusal is recommended.”
On access, the report added: “The Local Planning Authority considers that the proposal would result in an intensification in the use of a substandard access and proposals have not been put forward that would mitigate the harm that would occur to both vehicle and pedestrian safety.
“As such the proposal would increase the potential for road safety hazards in the vicinity of the site to the detriment of highway safety.”
Farsley Celtic's Lewis Turner scoring the winning goal against Blyth Spartans in February 2024. Photo: John McEvoy
By John Baron
Farsley Celtic’s Lewis Turner has thanked physios and paramedics who saved his life after he had to be resuscitated following a suspected cardiac arrest.
Turner, 32, collapsed on the pitch during the first half of last Tuesday’s FA Trophy tie at Gateshead.
“After what has been a really tough week, I am now back at home with my family,” Turner posted on X.
“I can’t thank the medical staff and paramedics enough for treating me at the game. In particular Frazer Bell, Gateshead’s physio, who performed CPR on me and saved my life.
“I have been overwhelmed by the support I received on the night from the players and staff from both clubs, and for all the messages and well wishes me and my family have received. We are so grateful.”
A club statement on Sunday said Turner was back at home recuperating with his family, and will undergo further tests.
“It is too early to tell [what his plans are] long term, so we wish Lewis all the best in his recovery and will update you as and when possible, and we look forward to seeing him again soon!” the statement added.
Farsley Celtic travel to Gateshead looking to fulfil the fixture for the third time tonight (7.45pm kick off). Last Tuesday’s game was called off before half time following Turner’s collapse and the game was also postponed 40 minutes before kick off the previous Saturday due to a waterlogged pitch.
Since a 2-0 win on 5 November at Kings Lynn, The Celts have lost their last five league matches.
Pitch update
The club has also issued an update on the ongoing saga with installing a new artificial pitch at The Citadel. According to the club, engineers have assessed the surface and now told Farsley additional works are needed to what was already planned.
The club say that Storm Darragh left the pitch in a “severely waterlogged state”, and last month’s snowfall has also pushed back progress.
Fans were initially told that the club’s first four home games in National League North would be played away from home, with a return date in September.
A club statement said: “As per our previous post relating to the pitch (28 November) the CBR survey was scheduled for the following week (5 December), however this was disrupted by storm Darragh, which left the pitch in a severely waterlogged state.
“Engineers visited the site at the end of [last] week when the pitch had sufficiently drained, and decided that given the recent weather conditions (heavy snow and water logging) a CBR survey would not be necessary as the pitch would require the additional works as part of the main program.
“This information has been agreed on and signed off … and they have now gone away to plan the additional works, in terms of pricing, timescales, additional activities and to then put that in a program of works.
“They are aware of the urgency of this and have assured us that they will come back to us as quickly as they possibly can, and when they do we will update you.
“Again we can only apologise to all involved. We too are majorly suffering in a multitude of ways, but we can assure you that we are doing our absolute best to make this happen as quickly as we can. We do not want to be in this position at all, and the sooner it is resolved the better for everyone involved, and once it has been the club’s long term future will be secured.”
A fan boycott of ‘home’ games, which are now being played more than 70 miles away in Buxton, continues.
Carol singers took to the streets off Kirkstall again.
By Maggie Sheen
The Kirkstall Carol Singers are taking to the streets around Kirkstall Avenue to raise money for Leeds Homeless Street Angels. It was over £300 last year but they are always hoping to do better!
They are making the traditional start at Raynville Superstores at 5.30pm on Sunday, 22 December. The grand finale is at The Bridge Inn.
Please join in, or support the singers for this much-needed charity.
Yorkshire Water is investing £1.9m at a storm overflow to reduce the number of discharges into Farnley Wood Beck, improving the health of the watercourse.
A new surface water sewer and outfall will be installed from Spring Avenue in Gildersome to the green space by Spring View for highway drainage to flow to, preventing it from entering the combined sewer network.
Once completed, the project is expected to reduce the risk of the Dean Beck storm overflow discharging into Farnley Wood Beck during periods of heavy or prolonged rainfall by 40%, as flows within the sewer will be significantly reduced.
Contract partners Galliford Try are already underway with the project and are expecting to complete it in March 2025.
Lumi Ajayi, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “The project at Farnley Wood Beck is part of a £180m investment project across Yorkshire by the end of April 2025 to reduce discharges from storm overflows, and is an important step in improving the quality of watercourses in and around Leeds.”
The surface water network will be installed in stages, and teams will be seen moving around the area. Due to the location of the new pipes, and for the safety of teams and local people, temporary road closures will be necessary.
A section of Springbank Road will be closed to vehicles, with a signed diversion in place, on weekdays until the Christmas break. Spring Avenue, Church Avenue, and Springbank Crescent will be closed in the same way in January 2025. The greenspace and footpaths off Springbank Crescent will be closed during the works.
Lumi added: “We thank residents and road users for their patience whilst we work on this incredibly important investment.”
Nearby, Yorkshire Water is working on a project to reduce discharges by 77% at its Pudsey Smalewell storm overflow, by installing 3,500m3 of storm water storage.
It also plans to create a wetlands where plants act like filters for the water entering Pudsey Beck, off Hough Side Road. As well as creating a home for wildlife with cleaner water, this storage system helps to improve water quality.
The utility is also planning its largest ever environmental investment between 2025 and 2030, which includes over £1bn to further reduce the impact of storm overflow discharges on the region’s watercourses.
Scottish comedian Connor Burns will bring his critically acclaimed stand-up show 1994 to Farsley as part of a 40+ date UK tour.
The show will be held at The Old Woollen in Farsley on 6 February 2025 as part of the additional dates added to the already sold-out tour.
Named the “future of Scottish stand-up” by comedian Daniel Sloss, Burns has built a reputation as a standout comedian. His 1994 tour reflects how times have changed since his birth, exploring the humour in everything from pop culture nostalgia to everyday cultural moments. The show asks: “Was everything better back in the day?”
Burns earned rave reviews after sold-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe, where he sold close to 8,000 tickets in his hometown throughout August.
Burns is one of Chortle’s 2020 ‘Ones to Watch’ and has received positive reviews from outlets such as The Scotsman (★★★★★), The List (★★★★), and Beyond the Joke (★★★★).
The existing mobile phone mast site in the ground of Crawshaw Academy.
By John Baron
Plans for a 21 metre-high mobile phone mast at Crawshaw Academy in Pudsey have been submitted to Leeds City Council.
The proposals include the demolition of an existing 15m monopole supporting six antennas behind the astroturf floodlit pitch off Kent Road and replacing with a new 5G monopole supporting a total of nine antennas.
A design statement submitted with the plans says mobile network operators Vodafone and Telefonica are in the process of upgrading their existing network coverage wherever possible in order to match the increasing demand for mobile data usage and coverage.
The report adds: “As part of this continued network improvement program, there is a specific technical requirement to improve existing network coverage in and around the area of Pudsey and the requirement for an upgraded site has been identified.
“Mobiles can only work with a network of base stations in place where people want to use their mobile phones or other wireless devices. Without base stations, the mobile phones and other devices we rely on simple won’t work.”
Leeds residents could be charged to enter Kirkstall Abbey ruins under new proposals by cash-strapped Leeds City Council.
Two years ago the council changed its admission model to charge non-Leeds residents an entrance fee for 12 months’ access to the main Abbey ruins.
The local authority is now proposing to implement an admission charge for everyone, including Leeds residents, to visit the main Abbey ruins.
Entry to the rest of the grounds will remain free.
Latest figures show the council needs to save £106.4m during 2025/26 to avoid having it declare itself bankrupt, due to rising costs and reduced contributions from central government.
A public consultation on the proposals to give Leeds residents a say on the issue has now been launched.
The consultation states: “We’ve already cut costs where we can – for example, through a freeze where possible on recruitment and non-essential spend. But this isn’t enough.”
The Abbey is considered one of the best-preserved Cistercian monasteries in the country, with over 850 years of history. The consultation adds: “It is essential we allow public access to this important monument and preserve it for future generations. To allow this to happen it must become more financially sustainable.”
The consultation process an adult paying £6.30 for 12 months’ access to the Abbey ruins, £3.10 for a child. Leeds Card holders would get 20% discount.
As reported yesterday, the council have launched a public consultation into the future of Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall, which is facing closure in a bid to save £160,000 a year.
The consultation into the proposed closure can be found here. You can have your say until 23 January 2025.
Last year the Gatehouse cafe at the museum was closed due to budget cuts.
