Junior footballers in Kirkstall have launched a fundraising appeal after callous thieves stole their goalposts.
Thieves stole the metal goalposts stolen from Kirkstall Crusaders U13s’ pitch over a week ago and are hoping to raise £1,300 towards replacing them.
Coach Ryan Bennett said: “The lads are devastated by this and we had to borrow another pitch on Sunday to play.
“They are also in a title race to be division champions and switching pitches every week will not be ideal. We are currently trying to source some replacements, but buying new ones would be extremely difficult given the price. The team funds are raised in the summer by the lads and parents.”
One Kirkstall mum added on social media: “Come on Kirkstall, let’s get behind an awesome club that supports our children’s development in football and let’s help raise the money (and more if possible) that is needed to replace the goal posts.
“Remember all coaching/management to do with the club is run by volunteers and the subs are minimal, so let’s give something back. I saw what we all did for Abbey House Museum, let’s see if we can do the same for Kirkstall Crusaders.”
Volunteers at Kirkstall Valley Farm are working with the UK Community Supported Agriculture Network, who are hiring an engagement officer to help them and other farms in West Yorkshire to engage with communities in all sorts of different ways.
The role is for two days per week, contract for two years. Maybe this is the perfect role for you or someone you know. More details here.
Join the farm’s open day on 12 April and meet volunteers and growers to find out more about the farm. Farm tours at 11am and bring and share lunch from 12-1pm.
Bring any kind of food to share, or just come, there will be plenty of food. If possible, bring a plate or bowl and a fork.
Celebration at Christ Church. Photo: Nelson Rodriguez
By Nelson Rodríguez
The 150th anniversary of Christ Church Upper Armley was a real community affair.
The celebration was attended by religious leaders, representatives of organisations and local schools.
Members of Meeting Point, which offers emotional support for refugees and asylum seekers, and sisters and brothers from different churches and residents of Armley also attended.
This commemoration highlighted the inclusive and supportive identity that Christ Church has forged over its 150 years, even in times of challenge.
Within this framework, Christ Church welcomed representatives of the Church of England, who have maintained a fraternal and sororal relationship with the church for years.
Bishop Nick joined the celebration. All were present, symbolizing hope and confidence in the good work and mission of Christ Church.
The Armley community and friends of Christ Church participated in the celebration, sharing an afternoon of family joy.
There were refreshments and a bouncy castle, a fantastic craft activity, and an Armley clothing swap. More than 200 people attended the community celebration.
The following day a solemn service was held, presided over by Bishop Nick, to celebrate Christ Church’s 150th anniversary.
A multicultural luncheon was then enjoyed by more than 240 parishioners. Reverend Phil Arnold, Vicar of Christ Church, jubilantly thanked and blessed all those who attended and supported the event, making it a success.
The Farsley community came together for a ‘day of action’ at Farsley Celtic’s ground.
The Celts appealed for people to help get their ground up to spec by carrying out jobs such as weeding, cleaning and painting ahead of ground grading to ensure the stadium is up to Football Association standard at the end of the month.
Volunteers turned out to support the club, which has played every game away from home this season after failed attempts to install an artificial 4G pitch.
Land behind Armley Gyratory could be set for flats. Photo: Google
By Don Mort, local democracy reporter
A decision on whether 384 flats can be built next to a busy traffic junction has been delayed by councillors.
Concerns were raised over the provision of green space and affordable housing as part of the project next to Armley Gyratory.
Developer UCR Leeds sought permission to build apartments in blocks of up to 18 storeys on land at Armley Road and Wellington Road.
Leeds City Council’s city plans panel was recommended to approve the scheme at a meeting on Thursday.
But the decision was deferred to allow further negotiations with the developer.
The meeting was told that under housing policy 20 per cent of the flats – some 77 homes – should be classed as affordable rent.
But the developer was offering to provide just seven discount rents because the full requirement was not financially viable.
Panel member Dan Cohen, Conservative councillor for Alwoodley, said: “I think the amount of affordable being provided here is really woeful.”
Colin Campbell, Otley and Yeadon Liberal Democrat member, also raised concerns over the affordable homes contribution and lack of green space. He said: “I think it’s insufficient.”
Coun Campbell proposed that the decision was deferred for further discussions on issues also including the design of the scheme.
He questioned why the developer was proposing to include padel tennis court in the project.
Coun Campbell said: “I wonder whether it would be better for that to be green space.”
The panel was told the project was fully compliant with council planning policies. But members voted for deferral in a split decision.
A report to the meeting said an independent review found the project could not meet the full affordable homes requirement. The scheme would be re-assessed when 75 per cent of flats were occupied.
The developer could be required to provide the full 20 per cent if it was deemed financially viable at that stage.
Volunteers at Swinnow Community Centre refused to let last week’s closure stop them running activities.
They held a number of outdoor sessions on Swinnow Moor while much-needed maintenance was carried out at the busy community hub.
During the maintenance period, the centre didn’t want to spend the week closed, so they rallied together to provide fun engaging sessions on the Park throughout the week. This initiative ensured the continuation of vital community services and fostered a deeper connection with the local environment.
One of the standout successes during this period was The Den, Swinnow Community Centre’s youth club, which took its sessions outside and had a profoundly positive impact on the local community.
Through interactive games, team-building activities, and environmental projects, young people at The Den played an active role in making Swinnow Moor Play Park a more welcoming and vibrant space.
A centre spokesperson said: “As the maintenance of the community centre concludes, we reflect on this period as an opportunity that showcased the community’s adaptability and unity.
“The outdoor sessions not only ensured the continuity of relationships but also strengthened community bonds and highlighted the importance of communal spaces.
“We look forward to welcoming everyone back to their refurbished facility and are grateful to all who participated and supported their outdoor endeavours during this time.”
Horsforth Town Street gained a new Irish venue at the end of January – and the origins of its name have been quite the topic of conversation.
But contrary to popular opinion the name Thomas Hardy’s has nothing to do with the English novelist and poet. In fact it is based on the story of Irishman Thomas Hardy.
Thomas Hardy’s Irish Bar opened on January 3t and the story of the Hardy family in Horsforth is a rather interesting one going back many centuries.
The story of Thomas Hardy arriving in Horsforth dates back to the 1600s and begins in the Ulster Province.
The Plantation of Ulster began during the reign of King James VI of Scotland, who then became James I of England, when the organised colonisation of Ulster by the British began.
This British colonisation of Ulster began in the early 1600s and was well established by the 1630s, across half a million acres in the counties of Armagh, Cavan, Fermanagh, Tyrone, Donegal and Londonderry.
The Plantation of Ulster led to the creation of a lasting Ulster Protestant community but also led to native Irish nobility losing their land and years of animosity and sectarian conflict from the 1641 Irish Rebellion through to recent years and The Troubles, which began in the late 1960’s and ended in 1998 with the Good Friday Agreement.
It was during these first troubles in the 1640s that John Stanhope decided to return to his Horsforth family home, accompanied by his servant Thomas Hardy.
Thomas settled in Horsforth and the Hardy family line continued over several generations, some as skinners, some as butchers, until William Hardy became clerk to Lawyer John Stanhope in the mid 18th century and the Hardy family went on to hold very prominent positions in society over subsequent generations.
His son John Hardy replaced him as clerk and steward in his early twenties and he himself became very wealthy through the Low Moor Ironworks Company. He was then subsequently replaced by his brother James, making him the next Hardy family member to serve the Stanhope family.
John Hardy died in 1806 but his son, also called John, inherited his company share and wealth and served as MP for Bradford in the 1830s and 40s before his death in 1855.
John Hardy Esq MP (pic Google)
The next generation was headed by John Hardy’s eldest, again called John, who also served as an MP, dying in 1888.
Charles Hardy, John’s second son, was more heavily involved with the ironworks and used his wealth in supporting charities and in building churches in Bradford. Charles died in 1867.
Gathorne Hardy was a bit more detached from the ironworks but was another Hardy who served as a member of parliament, as the MP for Leominster from 1856 to 187, when he received the title of Viscount Cranbrook.
John Hardy’s youngest son, the Rt. Hon Laurence Hardy, was an active manager at the ironworks and also served as JP for the West Riding of Yorkshire, the MP for South Kent, Privy Counsellor to David Lloyd George PM and deputy speaker.
Rt Hon Laurence Hardy (pic Google)
Harold Hardy was the youngest son of Gathorne Hardy and a manager and partner of the Low Moor Company. His public service was recognised when Harold Park, Low Moor was named after him.
Meanwhile you can celebrate St Patrick’s Weekend over the next few days at Thomas Hardy’s where you are invited to “raise a glass, join the craic, and immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere” with live music on every day including Monday.
Old Booths Tea Rooms on Lowtown, Pudsey. Photo: Google
The owner of a popular Pudsey tea room has been praised for her time serving the community as she prepares to take a well-earned rest.
Olde Booths Tea Rooms, on Lowtown, Pudsey, has been put up for sale by owner Julie Pearson for an asking price of £39,950.
Julie has run the tea room for 30 years – and news of her selling the business has resulted in an outpouring of appreciation for her services to the town.
One customer called for public recognition of the efforts her – and her mum – have put in over the years. She wrote: “We have been going to the tea room for over 25 years, and Julie has been there for over 29 years, my heart goes out to her as an outstanding member of our local community.
“I know she’s hasn’t taken the decision to pack up lightly. She support the Pudsey Lottery and has three awards for the finest cafe in the area. She’s an ear to lean on, has calmed many trouble customers, and given so much advice over many years.
“Julie has many devout followers and we don’t want to see her go.”
Carol Hodgson posted on social media: “Really sad to hear. Pudsey won’t be the same without you all. Fabulous tea shop! Wonderful atmosphere, excellent staff and brilliant food. Wishing you all the best ladies.”
Jane Chamberlain added: “All the best for the future. I came here with my husband a few years ago to show him round the area and to see my mum’s old house. It brought back happy memories coming here with my mum and my two girls.
“All the staff were so friendly and kind and the food was amazing, as were the cakes. Good luck.”
Helen Garrand said: “I am so sad to hear this. As you say, you need to concentrate on your health and retirement. You have been a second family to me. Thank you for everything, I will miss you all.”
Helen’s friend, Julie Botham, added: “I totally understand and you look after yourself. I can only say that when I did my 15 years at adult social care at the Town Hall you actually saved my days. I used to escape to you.”
Local politicians have also paid tribute. Councillor Dawn Seary (Cons, Pudsey) added: “So sorry to hear this. The bar is set high for new owners, I hope you have a wonderful retirement, you will be missed.”
And Cllr Trish Smith (Ind, Pudsey) said: “Genuinely gutted to have seen this but you deserve your rest. Thank you for everything you’ve done for so long.
” I’m sure we’ll still have you there for a little while yet though (I certainly hope so) but I would like to wish you both all the very best. You will be so missed.”
Owner Julie confirmed on social media that, with regret, the tea rooms were up for sale, describing her business as: “Our little baby and pride and joy.”
She added: “It’s not a decision that we have come to lightly.
“We have had 29 amazing years and you never know we might have another 29 as nobody might want our baby, but if they do fingers crossed it stays the same.”
Closing: The Halifax branch in Horsforth. Photo: Google
By John Baron
Town councillors have heard moves to introduce a banking hub in Horsforth have been gathering pace.
In January Lloyds Bank Group announced plans to close its Halifax branch, giving 12 months’ notice on their Town Street building. This led to LINK and Cash Access UK announcing plans to introduce a banking hub following the departure of the last banking hub in the town.
Banking hubs are shared banking spaces, similar to a traditional bank branch, but available to all banking customers. The hub would include an ATM and a cash deposit and withdrawal service for personal current accounts and businesses, operating from 9am to 5pm Mondays to Fridays.
Councillors at last night’s Horsforth Town Council finance and general purposes committee heard that representatives from Cash Access had been in touch and were actively looking for potential bases in the town.
“They seem keen to find somewhere,” said Councillor John Garvani (Broadfields ward).
He said a number of buildings were being considered for the facility but said Cash Access, which is operated by the UK’s major banks, were not keen on taking on a short term commercial lease to use the former Santander banking building.
Cllr Garvani said if a suitable building was not found that Cash Access was keen to use a venue which may already be operated by an independent business and possibly share facilities and do ‘drop in sessions’.
“I thought it might take eight months, but it seems to be suddenly coming together,” he added.
Meetings with Cash Access were due to be held in coming weeks to help identify a venue.
Horsforth Town Council chair Simon Dowling said: “It’s great that Horsforth has been considered for a banking hub. When I first looked at this five years ago it was a case of ‘not on your nelly’.”
At the time Dr Chris Ashton, Chief Commercial Officer at LINK, said: “While more people are choosing to bank and pay for things digitally, we know that many people still rely and choose to use cash and face-to-face banking.
“That’s why we’re delighted to recommend a new hub in Horsforth. There are over one hundred hubs open across the country and when it opens, the Horsforth banking hub will be vital for the local community and high street.”
An opening date for the Horsforth banking hub has yet to be set.
Work on converting a stone Victorian semi-detached property in Horsforth into a £290,000 community hub is set to start early next month.
Councillors on Horsforth Town Council’s finance and general purposes committee last night heard work on the long-awaited facility, at 3 The Green, would hopefully start on Monday, 7 April.
The building, next to Horsforth Village Museum, will become a new community space with a large meeting and conference room on the ground floor which will have capacity for up to 80 people.
There will be a new kitchen and new toilet facilities, one of which will be a Changing Places room, for people with disabilities.
There will be a lift from the ground floor to the first floor which, as well a providing access to the new town council offices, will also be accessible for Horsforth Museum next door.
Councillor John Garvani.
Councillor John Garvani (Broadfields ward) said work would take 12 weeks and he hoped the building would be up and running for the summer holidays.
“Things are starting to move,” he added.
Cllr Simon Dowling.
Council leader Simon Dowling (Broadfields) said it was hoped events like community cafes and information days could be held in the new building.
Cllr Dowling said: “We hope this will be a facility for the community, by the community.”
The pair of stone Victorian semi-detached properties started life as a gentleman’s house and a vicarage. The buildings have had several uses over the decades. One of them was once a pub.
The two buildings were knocked together and became the buildings for the former Horsforth Urban District Council. In 1974 the buildings were handed over to Leeds City Council for their use.
Number 5 is the home of the Village Museum, which leases the building from the Town Council, and number 3 is currently vacant.
The process to acquire the buildings took the Town Council longer than initially expected but in May 2022, the transfer of the three properties was completed.
Horsforth Town Council has taken out a loan in order to purchase the buildings and complete most of the internal modifications required, along with using Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding.
