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New Farnley Cricket Club targeted by arsonists – updated

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Arson attack in New Farnley. Photo: New Farnley CC

New Farnley Cricket Club has been targeted by arsonists who started a blaze causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to the clubhouse.

Both police and the club are appealing for information after CCTV caught two people on camera deliberately setting fire to the cricket club late last night (Monday).

West Yorkshire Police said they were called to the cricket club at 11.10pm and are investigating the incident, which is being treated as arson.

The clubhouse was badly damaged by the blaze. Photo: New Farnley CC

A New Farnley CC spokesperson said on social media:

“We will make every effort to continue trading throughout what will be a lengthy refurbishment process and we would be grateful for all your continued support. We will provide updates regarding trading as and when plans are agreed.”

It’s understood refurbishment could take at least three months.

The club, which plays in the Bradford Cricket League and runs junior and senior teams, hopes to fulfil the remainder of their fixtures but admits its finances will take a hit due to the attack.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: “Officers are investigating the incident which is being treated as arson and any witnesses are asked to call police on 101 quoting crime reference 13200439115.”

UPDATE: Crowdfunding appeal launched

A crowdfunding appeal to help raise £5,000 for arson hit New Farnley CC has already raised more than £2,000.

The appeal can be found here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/newfarnleyfire.

Club chairman John Baldwin expects the repair bill to be around £100,000. He told Bradford Cricket League:

“The metal on the roof is badly damaged and the interior has suffered huge damage.

“We will only know if the roof supports have been compromised when we are able to take down the ceiling and inspect them.

“This is a big blow for the club and such a senseless act. I was called by the Fire Brigade just after midnight to be told the building was on fire.

“It was a huge shock and seeing the damage in the daylight brought home just how much of the building had been affected.”

Distinctive trailer stolen from Bramley over bank holiday

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bramley trailer theft

Police are appealing for information after a trailer was stolen in Bramley.

Between 6.15pm on 30 August and 12pm on Bank Holiday Monday, 31 August, the trailer was taken from Broad Lane.

As the trailer is quite distinctive, police are appealing for anyone who believes they may have seen it in their area or anyone who has any information on the theft to get in touch.

Anyone with information should use the West Yorkshire Police online chat service, quoting crime reference 13200438204.

Leeds coronavirus cases rising – Bramley Greggs outbreak ‘dealt with very effectively’

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Greggs Bramley
The Greggs depot in Bramley

Leeds’s top civil servant has warned the city is “bubbling under” the national COVID-19 watch list, adding younger people have been most affected by the virus in recent weeks, writes Richard Beecham.

Leeds City Council chief executive Tom Riordan claimed he did not believe the city was yet at a stage where it would have to consider introducing local lockdown measures, such as those seen in Kirklees, Bradford and Calderdale in recent weeks, but warned the case rate in the city was rising.

In a speech to a group of councillors, broadcast this morning, Mr Riordan added more work was being done to avoid “raves and unlicensed events” to prevent the spread of the virus among young people.

“Our work continues intensively,” he said. “The case rate in Leeds is rising, and we are what you might call ‘bubbling under’ the national watch list. Our rates are up to a three percent positivity, which is three in every 100 people tested are positive.

“Our testing rates are very high now, which is good because that is what we have to do to keep on top of things.

“Our case rate is now in the mid-20s, so it is 25 or 26 on our seven-day daily rate. We are on the radar of the national gold meeting, but we are not yet at a stage where we are likely to require movement restrictions, in our view, as our neighbouring councils have had to do.”

Bramley Greggs depot latest

He touched upon the incident at the Greggs depot in Bramley last week, in which a number of staff tested positive for Covid-19, prompting immediate action from Leeds City Council and Public Health England.

Mr Riordan said: “There has been an outbreak in a Greggs distribution centre in the west of the city, which has been dealt with very effectively.

“Although members of staff have tested positive, a very large number of drivers have been tested, and, I think, none of them have tested positive.

“The spread we are seeing around the city is more across most wards at lower levels – it’s not like the Bradford or Kirklees situation where it is concentrated in particular wards and communities.

“If anything it is the younger demographic, across all ethnicities, that have been affected.

“And so we are working actively with police avoiding raves and unlicensed events.”

Bramley Wombles launch with litter pick – in photos

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Bramley Wombles at Fairfield Community Centre. Photo: Simon Cullingworth

More than 20 people attended the launch of the Bramley Wombles, a new group aimed at keeping Bramley tidy.

The Wombles met at Fairfield Community Centre this weekend and were launched with a litter pick around the Fairfield estate.

The group aims to encourage people to take greater pride in their community, as well as keep Bramley, Rodley and Stanningley tidy.

Dispatch photographer Simon Cullingworth was at the Wombles’ launch and captured these photos:

Andrew Hardaker, one of the founder members of Bramley Wombles.
Ready for action: Volunteers with Bramley councillor Caroline Gruen (far right).
Father and daughter Darren and Lily Evanson lending a hand.
Wombles Assemble: Volunteers gather outside Fairfield Community Centre.

Check out the Bramley Wombles on Facebook. The initiative is supported by the Bramley & Stanningley ward councillors.

Volunteers from the Newlay and Whitecote Residents’ Association (NAWRA) also held a litter pick this weekend.

Green light for plans to demolish West Leeds pub

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the swinnow pub
Image: Google Maps

Plans to demolish The Swinnow pub in Pudsey and replace it with eight houses have been approved by Leeds City Council.

Proposals include three pairs of semi-detached houses, one detached property and a detached bungalow.

A planning officer’s report approving the plans says:

“Each property has two off-street parking spaces, which is considered adequate given the fact the proposed dwellings are three-bed in size (with the exception of one dwelling which is two-bed).

“There is concern, as echoed by Councillor Simon Seary (Pudsey, Cons) in his representation, that on-street parking along the junction with Harley Drive and Swinnow Lane would cause an obstruction and cause a threat to highway safety. To address this, a condition for the applicants to provide a single Traffic Regulation Order at the site frontage, will be imposed on the approval of this application.”

The plans were approves subject to a raft of conditions, including the use of building materials and installation of car electric charging points.

The proposals can be viewed here.

Planning saga

It’s taken five years to get to this stage, with several planning applications submitted unsuccessfully in the past.

In November 2018 plans were submitted for ten semi-detached properties and four apartments, which drew 61 local objections. These plans were amended into the scheme which has just received planning permission.

In September 2017 The Dispatch reported on a planning application for a new – smaller – pub on the site with five flats above and four pairs of semi-detached houses and one detached house. The proposal was later withdrawn.

An outline application establishing the principle of housing on the site was approved by the council in 2015.

Mark’s History: The old buildings and ford along a walk in the Kirkstall Valley

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westleedslife
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I would not say this walk is unspoilt but I would grab it whilst you can, writes Mark Stevenson.

It was reported by WLD a development of approximately 160 apartments has been proposed for the old Jump Arena site, which is along Redcote Lane where this walk starts.

The entrance is on Redcote Lane. Photo: Mark Stevenson

Redcote Lane is just off Kirkstall Road, near where the Asda is. According to Leodis:

“It is thought that the name ‘Redcote’ derives from Rigg Cote which is mentioned on old maps of the area. In Armley Old Chapel there is a memorial dating from 1673 to a John Moore of Redgecote. Other memorials refer to it as Redcoat.”

As you walk up Redcote Lane (1) you will notice a wall on the right-hand side that is possibly part of the old Boot Factory that was there in the early 1900’s or the Maintenance Depot belonging to the Ministry of Works that occupied the site in the 1950’s.

As you walk further up the lane you will come to the old toll bridge (2) that was built for Benjamin Gott. Two lodges once stood either side of the bridge.

Historic Gotts Bridge. Photo: Mark Stevenson

If you look carefully you can see what looks like two metal ‘stumps’ on the ground just as you walk onto the bridge.

Could these ‘stumps’ have something to do with the Toll Bar that would only have been lifted once you had paid to cross?

The bridge is well worth a look under and the footpath (3) you see going off along the river is also worth a walk.

A footpatch along the canal. Photo: Mark Stevenson.
View from Gotts Bridge. Photo: Mark Stevenson

The path leads to the canal towpath but a fence bars your way when you reach it so you will have to come back on yourself.

Once you have crossed the bridge or come back from your detour you carry on walking until you come to some railway bridges. Look to your right as you near these bridges and you will see the entrance to the Kirkstall Nature Reserve (4).

The entrance to Kirkstall Valley Nature Reserve. Photo: Mark Stevenson

The reserve is on the site of the former Kirkstall Power Station and is made up of fly ash deposits and landfill.

The site was capped in the 1990s. In medieval times it was a place where orchards grew.

Footpath along the river Aire. Photo: Mark Stevenson

There is a circular path that will take you all the way around the reserve and back to the entrance.

If you get tempted and fancy a walk along the river you will find another ‘pebble beach’ (5) along with a weir (6) that dates back to the early 1800’s and is Grade ll listed.

A Grade II Listed weir on the Aire at Kirkstall. Photo: Mark Stevenson

If you walk along the river bank you will notice a large memorial stone (7) in the middle of the path.

Mystery: Memorial stone on the walk. Photo: Mark Stevenson

This has always been a puzzle to me as the area has never had buildings that would warrant such a stone.

As you follow the path you will come to an old ford (8) which also dates back to the early 1800’s and is also Grade ll listed.

An old forge over the River Aire. Photo: Mark Stevenson

The island opposite (9) the ford is like a reserve within a reserve. It is, however, closed off to the public because of ground nesting birds, some of which are rare. It also provides a refuge for the wildlife in the area.  

Burley: DJs fined £10,000 over illegal bank holiday party

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westleedslife
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Eight people have been fined £10,000 after police broke up parties in Headingley and Burley over bank holiday weekend.

At a party on Grimthorpe Place, Headingley, four people were fined £10,000 for their role in organising the event.

Fifteen people who attended the party were fined £100 for breaching the current government restrictions. One male was also arrested for drunk and disorderly behaviour.

At around 12.45am this morning, police were called to a report of a house party on Winston Mount, Headingley. A male was fined £10,000 and he has been reported for summons.

Officers also broke up a party on Harold Place, Burley. The homeowner was reported and fined for breaching Covid-19 regulations, alongside two DJs at the party who were fined £10,000 and have been reported for summons. They also had their equipment seized.

Police are urging the public to abide by the current regulations in place and to avoid attending or organizing parties or unlicensed music events.

Superintendent Chris Bowen said:

“Our priority remains keeping our communities safe from the spread of Coronavirus and we can only do that by abiding by the current restrictions.

“I would urge those thinking about organising or attending house parties or unlicensed music events to seriously consider the impact their actions are having not only on themselves, but their family, friends and the wider community.

“Not only are you putting your health at risk, but you are breaking the restrictions and you risk being fined and risk being arrested.”

Green light for children’s home plans, despite councillor’s concerns

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westleedslife
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Leeds Civic Hall.

Plans for a children’s home in Armley have been approved – despite the concerns of a local councillor.

Applicants Cambian Group are changing a six-bedroom house into a children’s home in Billingbauk Drive.

The home will accommodate three young people aged eight-18 years old on expected long-term residencies and employ three staff.

Jim Mckenna armley
Cllr Jim McKenna

Councillor James McKenna (Lab, Armley) opposed the application on the grounds that the area area is not suitable for a children’s home, there will be no chance for children to interact productively with community due to frequency of change, the lack of local services and lack of public consultation.

There were five objections from local residents.

Councillors sitting on the south and west plans panel approved the plans, subject to conditions, including implementing car electric charging points on the site.

The planning officer’s report can be read in full here.

Mark’s History: Armley Hall Vicarage and the changing face of Armley

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westleedslife
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Armley hall vicarage 1
Photo: Mark Stevenson

I wonder what the first Vicar to live in Armley Hall Vicarage felt about the place? writes Mark Stevenson.

I’m not sure exactly when it was built but I’m guessing sometime in the 1870/80’s when the face of Armley changed so much that if you had been away for ten years you would not have recognised the place. 

The vicarage was on Prospect Grove (roughly where Parliament Place is today). It had its own large garden where the Vicar and his family might have tea on a sunny day, but it was within spitting distance of a brick works, a gas works and not to mention the prison.

The building is between Holy Family Primary School and a local authority housing estate. Photo: Mark Stevenson

Even though public executions had long since stopped I’m sure large crowds would have gathered for the more notorious criminals being hung disturbing the Vicar’s peace and quiet.

The field (as it was then) the vicarage is built on was owned by the trustees of Thomas Farrer in 1845.

The vicarage later became known as Victory House and used to be a Royal British Legion Club. Photo: Mark Stevenson.

The field’s name was Ley Close and was just off of Ley Lane – possibly named after Ley Well, which was roughly where the parking area is on Parliament Place.

In 1881 Joseph Maughan, 43, from Newcastle was Vicar of Armley Hall. His wife Mary, 28, and three daughters Selina, 17, Alice, 11 and Ethel, four, were living at the Vicarage along with Elizabeth Scholes, 18, their servant.

In 1911 Armley Hall Vicarage was occupied by Harry Roper, 40, from Cleckheaton who was a Clerk In Holy Order. He lived there with his wife Alice, 27, his aunt Martha, 70, and two servants, Amy, 22, and Florie, aged 18.

Rear view of the property, complete with safety fencing. Photo: Mark Stevenson

I’m not sure if they did things differently back then or if it is a spelling mistake but the census says Harry and Alice had been married 17 years up to 1911.

The vicarage later became known as Victory House and was a club for the British Legion.

West Leeds planning applications: 30 August 2020

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Each week we publish lists of planning applications related to council wards in West Leeds.

The following applications were published on on the Leeds City Council website in the past seven days:

Armley Ward

Bramley & Stanningley Ward

Calverley & Farsley Ward

Farnley & Wortley Ward

Kirkstall Ward

Pudsey Ward

Bramley: New restaurant owners donate takings to NHS appeal

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persepolis bramley
Photo: Simon Cullingworth

Words: Sarah Cullingworth

Photos: Simon Cullingworth

Following a successful opening and some great reviews the owners of Persepolis on Bramley Town Street generously donated £1,354 – all of their first day takings – to the NHS Thankful Thursdays initiative.

The campaign aims to raise £100,000 through local businesses donating a percentage of their sales to do something wonderful for the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

NHS donation: Persepolis in Bramley. Photo: Simon Cullingworth

Owners of the Mediterranean restaurant, Rakesh and Nasser, decided it was the perfect way to celebrate the start of their venture last month. They said it gave them the opportunity to give something back to our wonderful NHS.

To find out more visit the Thankful Thursday website.

Police appeal after man attacked by six masked men in Armley

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Detectives are appealing for witnesses after a man was assaulted by six masked men in Armley.

Leeds District CID are appealing for witnesses to the incident which is believed to have taken place at around 6.20am yesterday (29 August) in the car park of the Westgate Mills apartment complex.

It took place after the victim, a 34-year-old man, was assaulted by a group of up to six masked men, one of whom was reported to be carrying a knife.

The victim was taken to hospital to be treated for serious but not life threatening facial injuries.

Detective Inspector Al Cheyne of Leeds District CID, said:

“We are conducting initial enquiries into this serious assault and would like to speak to anyone who has information or who saw the incident.

“We would also like to speak with anyone who saw a group of men leaving the area in the immediate aftermath of the assault.”

Information can be given to Leeds CID on 101 referencing crime number 13200434757, online at www.westyorkshirepolice.co.uk/101livechat, or anonymously to the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

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