The information for this blue plaque must have been written by an estate agent, writes Mark Stevenson.
To say that this 233-year-old building in Hanover Square is in central Leeds is stretching it a bit, I think.
Blue Plaque at Denison Hall. Photo: Mark Stevenson
The land the house is built on cost £8,500 when John Denison (John Wilkinson assumed the surname Denison by Royal Licence in 1795) bought it.
He only lived at Denison Hall for a short time as, on his marriage in 1787, he moved out.
Another view of Denison House. Photo: Mark Stevenson
Various other people, one of them being William Gott in 1851 – son of Benjamin (like the estate agent, I am stretching the West Leeds connection a bit) – lived at Denison Hall over the years.
But what I find the most interesting is that it was a maternity home during and after World War Two.
I bet there aren’t many people in Leeds who can claim to be born in such a grand old house.
Please support independent community led journalism in West Leeds…
Contested plans for 121 homes on a greenfield site in New Farnley will be decided by an independent planning inspector and NOT by Leeds City Council.
Developer Redrow already has outline permission to develop the site off Whitehall Road and submitteddetailed plans last September, which include internal road layouts and housing design.
But more than a year after submitting the application Redrow has decided to appeal against the council’s failure to decide the application.
As WLD reported in June, council planning chiefs were locked in talks with Redrow over concerns including the mix of housing types, the lack of agreement over affordable housing and the need for more on-site green space.
In March, more than 80 people packed into New Farnley Community Centre todebate the proposals with council planning officers. The plans attracted hundreds of objections at outline planning stage.
Redrow recently revised its plans from 126 houses down to a total of 121 units, comprising 117 houses and one block of four flats.
The latest report published in June by council planning officers says the site has been allocated for housing in the council’s Site Allocation Plan blueprint and that development is supported in principle, subject to all other material planning considerations.
Please support independent community led media in West Leeds…
A late Dave Syers header earned Farsley a deserved first point of the new season against promotion favourites York City in a 1-1 draw at the Citadel, writes Thomas Ritchie.
Sean Newton had given the visitors a first-half lead, but it was Farsley who took control of the game in the second period, and could well have snatched all three points late on.
Adam Lakeland was delighted with his side’s performance, as he said:
“I’m absolutely delighted (with our performance), and I think at the end a point is the least we deserved.
“The longer the game went on I felt we looked the fitter team, we finished the game stronger and I’m massively proud of the effort again from the players.
“We had a tough night on Tuesday playing a long time with 10 men, and things went against us, so for them to put that kind of performance in against the favourites of the league, I think it was a really, really good display from us.”
York’s biggest threat in the first-half came from set-pieces, and their first big opening came 10 minutes in. Matthew Brown found space in the box at a corner and powered his header goalward, forcing a terrific reaction save from Steven Drench.
Adam Lakeland had made one change from Tuesday’s defeat to Spennymoor with Jake Charles coming in for the injured Will Hayhurst, and Charles was involved in Farsley’s first real opening.
The forward held up the ball for fellow ex-York man Tyler Walton who made a bursting run into the box, only for the ball to be whisked off his toes just as he was about to pull the trigger.
Both sides then had a number of half-chances before the visitors struck the opening blow with eight minutes remaining in the half, Sean Newton picking up the ball in the box and thundering a terrific strike into the top corner.
The Minstermen probably should have doubled their advantage shortly after the interval as Ollie Dyson broke in behind the Farsley defence before striking the upright, with the rebound falling to Michael Duckworth who fired over.
The Celt Army were then left feeling hard done by after a goal from Joel Byrom was chalked off for an infringement by Jimmy Spencer, before strong shouts for a handball by Kieran Kennedy in the penalty area were waved away.
However, Farsley kept pushing and the equaliser came with six minutes remaining as two substitutes combined, Luke Parkin delivering for Dave Syers who guided a superb header inside the far corner.
From that moment on there was only one side that looked like snatching all three points – Jimmy Spencer rattled the crossbar with three minutes remaining, before moments later he found Syers in the box who was denied by an excellent Peter Jameson save.
Steve Watson’s side were just about able to hang on for a point after a nervous finale, but in truth, a share of the spoils was a fair reflection of the 90 minutes.
Leeds Civic Hall. Photo: John Baron/westleedsdispatch.com
Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake has warned that the city faces fresh Government restrictions next week following a ‘steep and serious’ rise in the number of Covid-19 cases.
Council Leader Judith Blake
The latest figures for the seven-day infection rate is 367.6 per 100,000 and the positivity rate is 20.7%.
Cllr Blake said:
“This is another steep and serious rise that we continue to be very concerned about. Almost all wards in the city have rates of over 100 per 100,000, meaning that cases and transmission are city-wide.
“Our student areas have significantly higher rates. Hospital admissions are rising in Leeds, which has an impact on planned surgery if it continues. This reflects the national picture, with rates across most of the country rising, with really significant rises in northern university cities.
I am therefore asking everyone to do their keep playing their part to keep themselves and others safe, to minimise contact to stop the spread.”
Government guidelines advise:
Making space and stay 2m away from people you do not live with;
Washing your hands regularly and for 20 seconds;
Covering your face in enclosed spaces; and
Isolating when you need to/are advised to, and getting a test if you have symptoms.
To find out more about the current government restrictions for Leeds and any further questions, visit this website.
Top Tory hits out at 10pm curfew ‘U-turn’
A Calverley & Farsley councillor has accused the authority’s leader of “blaming the Government for anything that goes wrong” around Covid-19.
Cllr Andrew Carter
The leader of the council’s opposition Conservatives group Coun Andrew Carter accused council leader Judith Blake of U-turning on her support for a government-imposed curfew, as well as accusing the authority of failing to use its powers to prevent the spread.
His comments come following a letter sent to the government earlier this week, signed by northern council leaders including Coun Blake, calling on the government to lift its 10pm ‘curfew’ restrictions on bars and restaurants in order to help local economies.
But Coun Carter said Coun Blake (Lab) was supportive of such a curfew in September.
Leeds City Council posted that the infection rate in the city had this week risen to 341.1 per 100,000.
Councillor Andrew Carter said:
“We are supposed to be trying to work together in a non-political way as the city battles with a soaring infection rate. Unfortunately the council leader has made it more and more difficult to do this, claiming credit for everything that goes right and blaming the government for anything that goes wrong.
“Her latest comments, wanting more localised controls, are another example of this. Perhaps she needs reminding that her own chief executive was seconded to draw up plans for how central government and local government should try to deal with the second wave. This is part of the reason why a regional approach, as opposed to a national approach, is being taken.
“I would remind everyone that it is only a matter of a few weeks ago that Coun Blake was bemoaning the fact that the government had not introduced a curfew sooner.”
A BBC article from September 18 claimed council leaders had asked ministers to implement a 10pm limit on venues, but the suggestion had been turned down.
The piece reported a council spokeswoman saying: “In our conversations we regularly discuss a range of potential options that could possibly be introduced to reduce Covid-19 rates in the city, and this has included a possible curfew for bars and restaurants.”
Coun Carter continued:
“I am not for one minute suggesting that the government has got everything right, because it hasn’t, but neither has the council. I can give examples of where the council has in my view failed to use powers it already has to enforce social distancing. What would the administration want to do now? Impose restrictions on a ward by ward or street by street basis? On the one hand they complain about confusion and on the other hand seem to want to add to it.
“This all smacks of the leadership in Leeds being panic stricken as Covid rates rise massively. up until recently the Council Leader was talking about her contacts with government ministers and the work our Chief Executive was doing in London advising the government, now she says she’s never consulted. I understand she had two conversations with the Secretary of State only yesterday.”
Coun Blake and her fellow northern leaders had written to health secretary Matt Hancock this week setting out an alternative plan for local measures, which they claim could be more effective in controlling infection rates.
Leeds, along with neighbouring authorities Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees, is currently under local restrictions which forbid more than one household mixing in houses or gardens.
Current restrictions, including the 10pm curfew have also led to concerns over the impact the pandemic is having on the local hospitality sector.
According to the letter, the five-point plan would allow for greater local decision-making – giving councils the power to agree additional lockdowns before they happen, as well as a locally-controlled version of the “test and trace” system to help minimise the spread of the virus.
Another Bramley and Stanningley Community Foodbank Collection is being held this Sunday and Monday – and people are being urged to donate any unwanted food items.
The last collection was really successful and provided much-needed food to distribute at the Bramley Care Bears food bank, which runs locally.
As last time, there will be a box placed outside the addresses listed below where people can make a donation of food or toiletries.
If you can please donate even one item it will be greatly received. You can leave donations from 12-4pm on Sunday 11 October and 9am-2pm on Monday 12 October.
Donation addresses:
23 Broadlea Avenue LS13 2TA
3 Airedale Cliff LS13 1EA
59 Hough Lane LS13 3PS
14 Longfield Drive LS13 1JX
83 Victoria Park Grove LS13 2HW
19 Moorland View LS13 1PU
Additionally Bramley Community Centre will be open from 9am on Monday 12 October – there will be a shopping trolley at the entrance to place donations in.
Bramley Baths has also agreed to be a donation point, so if you’re visiting the baths you can drop off there too on Sunday and Monday.
The collection is being run by Bramley and Stanningley Councillors Jools Heselwood, Kevin Ritchie and Caroline Gruen. They said: “The current pandemic situation has meant real hardship for some families and as a community we want to be able to help families in our area.”
Pudsey Pacers Running Club have run the Virtual London Marathon by completing several laps around their home town.
This year’s London Marathon was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions, leaving runners with little option but to keep things local.
Pudsey Pacers members and supporters made a great effort to re-create the sites and landmarks of London competitors would typically run past. They ran four six-mile circuits around Pudsey.
Photographer Cathy Martin captured the runners in action around Pudsey:
Early morning London Marathon start at Queens Park in Pudsey.Friendly face for Pudsey runners.Pudsey’s version of Big BenCelebration at Queens Park.Runners pass another landmark …A drinks station in Bramley – the Big Ben of Bramley?Running past Pudsey’s version of Platform Nine and Three Quarters at Kings Cross…Pudsey Pacers pound the streets of their home town.Pudsey’s version of The Shard.
Please support community led independent journalism in West Leeds…
Much-loved: Edwardian Bramley Baths is Grade II Listed.
Community led Bramley Baths is to receive a potentially lifesaving financial boost to help them through the Coronavirus pandemic.
Bramley Baths is one of 445 organisations sharing £103 million from the government’s Cultural Recovery Fund to help support venues hit by the impact of Covid-19.
The historic Broad Lane leisure facility has received £168,700 to diversify its services and re-train staff to deliver outreach health services across the community.
The cash will also help review the not-for-profit company’s business plan, install better CCTV, cover utility costs and further develop the site as a sustainable eco-hub by carrying out an eco-survey of the Grade II Listed building.
The Baths will also further develop the organisation’s heritage offering, including an exhibition exploring its 116-year history.
This vital funding is from the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage and the Heritage Stimulus Fund – funded by Government and administered at arms length by Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Both funds are part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund which is designed to secure the future of Britain’s museums, galleries, theatres, independent cinemas, heritage sites and music venues with emergency grants and loans.
“This funding is brilliant news for us. It will help us adapt our operations AND become a more outward-looking organisation, delivering health and fitness services where they’re needed across the community.
“The money will hopefully help us to continue to welcome visitors into 2021. These are difficult times for leisure facilities like ours, operating at reduced capacity and with increased cleaning costs. This is a welcome boost for us and it will help us meet needs of the wider Bramley community.”
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said:
“As a nation it is essential that we preserve our heritage and celebrate and learn from our past. This massive support package will protect our shared heritage for future generations, save jobs and help us prepare for a cultural bounceback post Covid.”
“The funding is an essential lifeline for our heritage and the people who work tirelessly to conserve it for us all, so that we can hand it on to future generations.”
Bramley Baths is the only remaining Edwardian bath house in Leeds and is Grade II listed. It first opened as a pool and public bath house in 1904, enabling local residents to wash, swim and use the Russian Steam Baths.
The facility has been independent and community led since a group of local residents took over the running of the building from Leeds City Council in 2013, following a local campaign.
Please support independent community led journalism in West Leeds…
The community of Hawksworth Wood are reversing the doom and gloom of Covid by hosting their own version of Light Night, writes Sadie Binns.
From an idea by local resident Hayley Smith the word spread and more than 30 homes and businesses are taking part by lighting up their windows and gardens on Saturday, 11 October from 6pm.
Local resident Hayley Smith said:
“The nights are drawing in, there are strict lockdown rules in place, and everything feels like it’s being cancelled.
“We wanted to bring some light and fun into the community and hosting our own, socially distanced, night light sounded like a good idea. I had no idea how many people would get involved it’s been brilliant.”
Residents are being encouraged to walk around the estate, creating their own route to view people’s displays.
Light Night is an annual multi-arts and light festival which takes over Leeds City Centre for two amazing nights. This year a laser show will be illuminating the city’s skyline on 22-24 October.
Please support independent community led journalism in West Leeds…
We hear a great deal about detoxing our bodies and how there are chemicals in our food and drinks that can be harmful, certain hormones and bacteria that can build up, even pesticides in the air, writes Paul Abraham.
Many of us don’t realise our bodies are full of harmful toxins that’s causing us to feel bad.
Most experts recommend we go through a deep cleansing where you put yourself on a fast and then eat a certain diet, staying away from things that are harmful. They say in time you’ll rid yourself of those toxins and will start to feel better.
In the same way, there are all kinds of toxins that can build up in your mind. When you dwell on what you can’t do and the hurts you’ve felt and the challenges you face, you are focusing on toxic thoughts that can do as much damage as the toxins in your body.
Toxic thoughts build up and become like toxic waste that will eventually contaminate your whole life. They affect your attitude, your self-esteem and your confidence. They become part of you. Mark guarding your mind a priority, put it at the top of your to-do list. If your mind is polluted, your whole life will be damaged.
We all probably know someone who is bitter, cynical, and has a sour attitude. They expect the worst. Why is that? They’ve allowed toxic thoughts to take root.
These negative thoughts are poisoning their future. So, what’s the solution? They need to go through a detoxification – not a physical cleansing but a mental cleansing. They may need to detox the bitterness, the low self-esteem, the condemnation from past mistakes, and the discouragement that’s trying to become part of them.
How do you detox? You make a decision that you will not dwell on those thoughts anymore. You starve the toxins. Every time you dwell on that negative thought, that condemnation, that bitterness, that low self-esteem, you are feeding it and giving it new life, making it stronger.
Those thoughts come saying. You will never get well. You’ll never be happy. You’ve been hurt so many times. You will never accomplish your dreams. But instead of dwelling on them, just say, ”No, I’m not going there, I’m not dwelling on my hurt, or what I don’t have or my mistakes. I’m dwelling on the good parts and thoughts of me and how my best days are still to come.”
If you ignore toxic thoughts and keep your mind filled with thoughts of hope, thoughts of self-belief, then the toxic thoughts will grow weaker, and before long they won’t have any effect on you.
It’s not easy but as the motivational speaker Dennis Waitley said: “Don’t dwell on what went wrong. Instead, focus on what to do next. Spend your energies on moving forward toward finding the answer.”
A group of older people in Armley will form a flock of budding birdwatchers this winter thanks to a new community project tackling social isolation.
Through an innovative partnership between Leeds Museums and Galleries, arts organisation Skippko and older people’s support network Armley Helping Hands, the group is being encouraged to spot and identify the birds they can see safely from their windows at home.
Photo: SImon Cullingworth
Online videos of birds from the taxidermy collection at Leeds Discovery Centre and specially-created packs posted to their home will also inspire the group to create their own pieces of ornithological artwork that will be displayed at Leeds Industrial Museum on Canal Road in Armley.
Michael Howard, community engagement worker with Armley Helping Hands, said:
“During the pandemic, it’s become more important than ever that we help older people in our community to stay in touch with each other and to know they’re not on their own.
“Activities like this can be a genuine lifeline to someone at risk of social isolation, giving them a chance for some hugely important interaction and a chance to engage with the world outside their home safely.”
Rebecca Machin, Leeds Museums and Galleries’ curator of natural sciences said:
“We wanted to try and help a group of older people who might be having to stay at home right now and away from their friends share in that while also keeping them connected with us and each other.
“This partnership is allowing us to do just that, bringing together a small but important network of older people in the Armley community and giving them a chance to engage with our collection at home as they learn about the birds they can see in their garden.”
Previous activities run in partnership with Armley Helping Hands and Skippko have included digital photography, dark room activities, etching, drawing and wire sculpture, with each one linked to objects in the Leeds Museums and Galleries collection.
Armley Helping Hands work in partnership with Time to Shine on the Don’t Call Me Old project, which aims to reduce social isolation and loneliness amongst older people in Leeds.
There’s no doubt that life has been thrown upside down by the Coronavirus pandemic – and West Leeds Community Media’s annual general meeting certainly isn’t immune.
Instead of holding our AGM in the pub or a community centre as we have in previous years, this time we’re holding it in a socially distanced way online, via Zoom.
As well as electing board members, reviewing the past year of West Leeds Dispatch and looking to the future, we’re delighted to welcome Emma Meese as a guest speaker.
Emma manages Cardiff University’s Centre for Community Journalism (@C4CJ) a unique fusion of research and practice committed to developing a strong network of community journalism across the UK.
She’s also a director at the Independent Community News Network (ICNN), a UK-wide representative body for the independent community and hyperlocal news sector, which WLD was a founder member of.
Our AGM is on Wednesday 21st October at 7pm via Zoom.
You’re more than welcome to join our community-led board and our amazing community reporters for this event, simply drop us a line on news@westleedsdispatch.com to book your free place and find out more about community led media in West Leeds.
Please support independent community led media in West Leeds…
Mark’s History: Denison Hall – the ‘grandest’ house in West Leeds?
The information for this blue plaque must have been written by an estate agent, writes Mark Stevenson.
To say that this 233-year-old building in Hanover Square is in central Leeds is stretching it a bit, I think.
The land the house is built on cost £8,500 when John Denison (John Wilkinson assumed the surname Denison by Royal Licence in 1795) bought it.
He only lived at Denison Hall for a short time as, on his marriage in 1787, he moved out.
Various other people, one of them being William Gott in 1851 – son of Benjamin (like the estate agent, I am stretching the West Leeds connection a bit) – lived at Denison Hall over the years.
But what I find the most interesting is that it was a maternity home during and after World War Two.
I bet there aren’t many people in Leeds who can claim to be born in such a grand old house.
Please support independent community led journalism in West Leeds…