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Brave Kaiden and his grandad are the final West Leeds Heroes recipients

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The final winners of West Leeds Hero Awards are Aiden Delaney and his grandson Kaiden, who have been recognised for their amazing fundraising and outstanding bravery, writes Hannah Boyle. 

Aiden has been raising funds to support nine-year-old Kaiden from Farnley, who has been diagnosed with cancer and needs a specialist operation in Germany.

Using his musical talents, Aiden has been making and selling CDs, using the funds to support Kaiden and his family but also support children’s cancer charity Millys Smiles. 

Aiden has worked throughout lockdown to keep the fundraising going and has been described as a ‘one-in-a-million grandad’ by friend Rob Russell Davies, who also applauded Kaiden for his bravery. 

Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves said:

“I am delighted that Aiden and Kaiden are our final Leeds West Heroes. They have shown amazing bravery and commitment throughout lockdown. Well done Aiden and Kaiden!”

The West Leeds Heroes awards have been handed out by Ms Reeves to people who have made a difference during lockdown.

Paul Abraham: How to set the correct goals for you?

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Paul Abraham, speaking at Bramley Lawn.

By Paul Abraham of www.headingonwards.com

Following on from my last article and while still in partial lockdown, you can evaluate what you want to achieve or have achieved by the time we get back to normality.

Why Set Goals?

Top-level athletes, successful business-people and high-achievers in all fields set goals.  Setting goals gives you long-term vision and short-term motivation. It makes you focus to make your dreams and ambitions in life come true. 

By setting clearly defined goals, you can measure and take pride in the reaching of your goals, however large or small and this will also raise your self-confidence, as you recognise your own ability in achieving the goals that you’ve set.

“SMART” Goals

A useful way of making goals more powerful is to use the SMART method. This is the most used technique to create achievable goals.  The SMART method is how to set your goals so

S – Specific  M – Measurable  A – Attainable  R – Relevant  T – Time-bound

For example, instead of having “I want a new job” as a goal, it’s more powerful to use the SMART goal “I will have started a new job that I enjoy doing by December 31, 2020.”  

This gives you a definite target with a date to keep you focused.  To break it down further you could use smaller goals to reach your target such as “I will spend an hour per day looking at job recruitment websites” then “I will arrange an interview with a recruitment company by the end of next week”. 

Here are some examples of how to create better goals using the SMART technique.

POOR  EXAMPLES “I want to”GOOD  EXAMPLES “I Will”
Eat betterEat two pieces of fruit a day Have 2 chocolate free days a week
Go to night schoolEnrol in a course on basket making
Meet new peopleBecome a volunteer for a local charity
TravelSpend two weeks in Thailand by Dec 31st 2022
Be less stressedLearn how to meditate and relaxation techniques
Exercise moreJoin a health club by the end of this month
Spend time with the kidsOrganise one family “activity” per week
Lose weightJoin a local slimming club by the end of this month

Read more of Paul Abraham’s weekly mental health tips here.

Green light for Pudsey housing plans

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owlcotes reservoir pudsey
The site of the proposed development off Owlcotes Road, Pudsey.

Planning chiefs have approved in principle outline plans to build dozens of new houses on a site in Pudsey, writes Richard Beecham.

Outline plans to build at least 65 houses on a greenfield site off Owlcotes Road in Pudsey were discussed by Leeds City Council’s south and west plans panel.

A report by council officers claimed the authority has received 13 objections to the plans from residents, citing issues such as the loss of views and privacy, the need for traffic calming measures, and threat to wildlife.

Councillor Andrew Carter (Con, Farsley & Calverley) took issue with the fact the plans would involve building on a greenfield site, adding:

“I have opposed this piece of land being used for housing.

“On climate change, council declared a climate emergency. I wonder if the council takes the climate emergency seriously – if we include sites like this it makes a mockery of it.

“I would hope whatever happens, necessary protection measures will be taken. The site will be a major loss.

“I really don’t know where our planners get information (on infrastructure) – there is a doctor’s surgery within yards and it is full to overflowing.

“The schools, as far as I am aware, are all full, so where are kids going to go to school if local schools are full?

“It’s become a standard response – ‘the services are adequate’ – but they are grossly inadequate.”

Matthew Turnbull, speaking on behalf of Keyland developments, claimed any challenges on the grounds of environmental impact were irrelevant, as the council’s site allocation plan – the document which lists where houses should be built in future – was adopted by the authority after it declared a climate emergency.

He said:

“The challenge related to sites formally designated within the green belt.

“However, the site was not allocated as greenbelt. Any delay to these sites may delay the council’s ability to deliver housing.

“We were informed that this was brought to plans panel because it needed to be considered in the light of the climate emergency.

“However, I would point out Leeds City Council declared the climate emergency on March 27, 2019 – the SAP was adopted in July 2019 – this site was allocated after the climate emergency was declared in full knowledge of the climate change agenda.

“The site is one of the best and most sustainable developments in the outer west area. The site will deliver new housing, while being policy compliant.”

The application, known as an “outline”, focuses on the broad principle of development on the site, with further information on the number of houses and designs in a more detailed “reserved matters” application, to be submitted in the coming months.

But panel member Coun Barry Anderson was concerned accepting the outline plans in its current form could make planning chiefs feel compelled to accept any unsuitable reserved matters application further down the line.

“I have grave concerns over this,” he added.

“I am not satisfied that the infrastructure, health and school needs have been addressed clearly.

“The road is quite dangerous – the fact there is a need for traffic calming shows there are significant concerns.

“I do think there is more information that need to be looked at. This is the one chance we have got to get it right – and at this stage I don’t feel like we have enough information to honestly say that there won’t be problems further down the line.”

Coun Ryan Stephenson (Con) said: “I am concerned about the drainage element – it has not been answered fully. All we have had is reading the reports.

“In summary, some more detail could have been provided to us to help us along the way.”

Coun Paul Wray (Lab) said: “This is an outline application – whether people like that it’s in the SAP or not, it carries weight. We are here to make a decision, not play local politics with the situation.”

Coun Anderson then proposed a deferral of the application while more information could be obtained about the site. The proposal was voted down by six to two.

The panel then agreed to accept the plans in principle and delegate the decision to planning officers.

Following the meeting, Beth McQue, development planner at Keyland Developments Ltd, said: “This site had already been allocated for residential development in the Leeds City Council Site Allocation Plan (2019) and the consent will now enable a housebuilder to bring forward a high quality scheme to complement the site’s surroundings.

“In this case we have been able to bring about regeneration of a redundant site and contribute to the local authority’s long-term housing targets.”

Bramley Greggs distribution centre closed following coronavirus outbreak

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Greggs Bramley
The Greggs depot in Bramley

Health chiefs in Leeds are responding to a coronavirus outbreak at the Greggs distribution centre in Bramley

The premises are now closed and are being deep-cleaned, and testing and contact tracing of staff is under way.

Greggs have been working with the council, Public Health England and the Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group to put the necessary control measures in place, and a Public Health spokesperson said they are satisfied that all steps have been taken to minimise any further spread of infection.

In a statement, Lucy Jackson, Leeds City Council’s deputy director of Public Health, said:

“A number of staff recently tested positive for COVID-19 at Greggs’ distribution depot in Leeds. Following further testing, more staff have been identified as being positive. This highlights why further testing and contact tracing is so important which Greggs is proactively undertaking.

“The safety of Greggs staff, customers and the wider community remains our priority and we are working closely with Greggs and Public Health England to make sure any infection is contained.

“The workplace is being deep cleaned and further contact tracing carried out, with necessary advice shared about self-isolating and awareness of symptoms. This is a crucial part of controlling the spread of the virus and protecting our community from further infection. We are satisfied the necessary steps are being taken quickly to minimise any further spread of infection.”

“As the virus is still within our community, we should all continue to keep at least two metres away from people outside our households wherever possible, wash our hands with soap and water often, for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching our face and follow the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ guidance to help keep ourselves and others safe.”

Greggs CEO Roger Whiteside, added in a statement:

“Following a number of our staff testing positive for COVID-19 at our Leeds distribution depot, we have taken immediate action to implement our COVID response plan and we are working closely with Leeds City Council and Public Health England to ensure that we minimise any possible impact on our customers and the wider community in Leeds and the surrounding area.”

Armley: Objections made to new off-licence proposal

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alice smart armley
Cllr Alice Smart

Armley politicians are objecting to a new off-licence on Armley Ridge Road amid concerns about anti-social behaviour in the area.

Councillors Alice Smart, Lou Cunningham and Jim McKenna (all lab) have been joined by Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves in objecting to an application for a new premises licence. Cllr Smart said:

“Armley has serious longstanding problems with street drinking and anti-social behavior. These issues are exacerbated by the high volume of off-licenses in the area. As local representatives, we are frequently told by residents that they want to see a reduction in the number of off-licenses in Armley town centre.

“We also know that many residents feel unsafe shopping in Armley because of the prevalence of street drinking, crime and anti-social behavior. All of these problems are heightened by the excessive availability of cheap alcohol.

“A great deal of work has been done by the local councillors, MP, police and local residents to address the issues around street drinking and anti-social behavior. Having yet another licensed premises on Armley would only intensify these problems and increase the number of people who feel unsafe shopping in Armley.

“If you feel the same, I urge you to object to application PREM/04584/001.”

New Farnley writer launches project exploring how creativity helps people through grief

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Faye Dawson

Two women from Leeds have launched a project that focuses on how people use creativity to help channel their grief.

‘Projecting Grief’ is the creation of photographer Jo Ritchie and New Farnley writer Faye Dawson. They have been gathering the portraits and stories of people who have created a piece of work for which grief was the catalyst and are seeking more contributors.

The idea was formed following the death of Jo’s younger brother Jack.

“My brother took his life in November 2017 age 24,” says Jo.

“Until that point, I had not really had to face real grief, and for a long time it was completely overwhelming.” 

Jo felt the need to connect with people in similar situations and was fascinated – and uplifted – to discover how many people channel their grief through creativity.

“Sometimes the last thing I wanted to do was pick up my camera and attempt to be creative, so I was intrigued to meet people whose grief was the catalyst of a creation.”

In 2019 she focussed on finding those that had used a creative skill as a distraction, a relief, or an expression and began taking their portraits.

“It was great to make contact with strangers and learn of their stories,” she continues. “It soon became clear that the portraits required context, so I set out to find an interviewer and writer to create the narrative.”

She teamed up with Communications Consultant Faye Dawson whose own grief had taken her down another path.

Faye had two miscarriages in the space of nine months and says she did not understand her grief.

“I thought ‘how can you grieve for someone you never met, never knew?’ There were people suffering far worse than me.”

She decided to not try again, but it left her thinking about not continuing her family’s genes. 

“I’m a stepparent and a stepchild and I started to ask myself why a genetic connection is so important to so many? Is it not also about those whose lives you have touched? Your influence, who you have been as a person?”

She started to explore this by writing about her own family who she describes as ‘blended and bonkers’.

“I decided to leave my full-time job and set up as a freelancer with the idea of giving myself more time to write, and in 2017 I set up my own Communications Consultancy.”

Faye and Jo started working together in March this year and have captured and written several portraits and stories including that of comedian Luisa Omielan [‘What Would Beyonce Do?’ ‘Politics for Bitches’], and Bramley-based actor Luke Dickson [‘Damned United’, ‘Mother Courage’ ‘The Great Dixoni’].

They have spoken to cooks, authors, musicians, and exhibition makers and are looking for more people to contribute. 

“Grief has no prejudice,” Jo concludes. “We want a wide range of voices and any creative process is valid – from cooking to sewing, dance to pottery, music to writing; anything that has/is helping you deal with the grieving process that you’re happy to talk about.”

“We believe this project to be not only beneficial to those who have lost, but also to the arts as an industry and an entity because creativity touches all our lives.”

If you want to take part in the project email projectinggrief@gmail.com

To see the story so far visit www.projectinggrief.com

Leeds schools should take ‘cautious approach’ on face coverings, claims education chief

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Leeds Civic Hall.

Children travelling to and from school should continue to wear masks – even though Leeds is not under local lockdown – an education chief has said, writes Richard Beecham.

It follows new government advice issued this week, which orders secondary school pupils in lockdown areas to wear face coverings between classrooms in an attempt to halt the spread of Covid-19.

Although the city is not currently under any local lockdown, Leeds City Council’s executive member for learning, Coun Jonathan Pryor (Lab) has called on pupils to take a “cautious approach”, adding that school headteachers should have the power to make the decision on whether to make masks compulsory.

He said: “It’s best to be cautious about things. It’s sensible for children and vulnerable people to wear masks on the bus to and from school. If they are travelling from room to room, it’s for individual schools to decide.”

The use of face coverings in schools had been opposed by the Government up until Tuesday night, when new guidance stated pupils should wear masks in school corridors. Coun Pryor believes the U-turn is a result of the Government not listening to teachers in the first place.

“I think any government needs to be willing to U-turn when they have got something wrong,” he said.

“But from the Government at the moment we are having U-turn after U-turn. They are not listening to people not only do they not know what they are doing, they are also not listening to the experts.

“Leeds has lower infection rates than those areas under local lockdown. We are confident we are not going into a local lockdown imminently but how schools reopen plays a big part in that – we ask schools in Leeds to keep in close contact with families around this.

“We are moving into a new normal,” he added.

“We are going to have to take a cautious approach. Leeds has done the right things that we need to.”

For the past few weeks, Neighbouring West Yorkshire districts Calderdale, Bradford and Kirklees saw local lockdowns introduced due to rising infection rates. Coun Pryor pointed out some schools in Leeds will have pupils living in these areas.

He added: “Individual schools near the border with other districts have different cohorts and different pupils It’s a bit stricter when they are at home, and we hope that children need to remain cautious – such as wearing masks on public transport and when they are not in their bubbles.”

Abbey House Museum and Armley Mills re-open after lockdown closure

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Abbey House Museum. Photo: Welcome to Yorkshire

Museum-lovers in West Leeds can rediscover millions of years of history now council-run venues across the city have officially reopened.

Leeds Museums and Galleries sites closed earlier this year as part of a city-wide effort to control the spread of Covid-19.

Now, having put a range of new safety and social distancing measures in place in line with government guidance, each of the historic venues is ready to welcome back visitors in person.

Visitors to Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall can discover fascinating facts, stories and memories spanning hundreds of years of music in Leeds in the site’s captivating Sounds of Our City exhibition. Nearby are the stunning ruins of Kirkstall Abbey, built by monks back in 1152.

At Leeds Industrial Museum in Armley, some of the city’s greatest minds and their remarkable inventions can be rediscovered in Leeds to Innovation while at Thwaite Watermill, visitors can see one of the country’s last remaining water powered mills.

Leeds Art Gallery in town has a thought-provoking collection of British woodwork sculpture on display alongside objects from Africa, India, China and Myanmar as part of the Woodwork: A Family Tree of Sculpture exhibition. Work by contemporary artist Sara Barker will also be on display until September.

The Lotherton estate is home to a beautiful country house filled with an internationally important collection of decorative art from the 19th and 20thcenturies while Temple Newsam will give visitors the chance to safely explore the stunning 500 year-old Tudor Jacobean mansion and one of Europe’s biggest rare breeds farms.

Leeds City Museum is currently hosting Fast x Slow Fashion, which explores the changing face of the Leeds high street and the city’s own unique style through an eye-catching collection of clothes, accessories and historic photos.

Leeds Discovery Centre, a state-of-the-art storage facility and home to more than 1.3 million objects, is also available to visit for pre-booked tours from Autumn.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “Our wonderful museums and galleries are a cornerstone of our city’s cultural offering and we know how much people in Leeds have missed being able to pay them a visit.

“Throughout the time these historic sites have been closed, there has been a tremendous amount of effort and imagination gone into not only preparing the sites for reopening but into ensuring people have still had the opportunity to engage with and explore our world class collection digitally.

“We’re thrilled that all our sites are now ready to welcome back the public and that visitors can safely enjoy our museums and galleries both in person and online.”

Each Leeds Museums and Galleries sites has social distancing and hygiene measures in place and booking in advance at some sites is essential. New visitor routes are also in place and some venues have limited access to some areas ensure visitor safety.

More details of arrangements at individual sites, advice for visitors and details about how to book can be found at: https://museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/reopening-information/

West Leeds Dispatch launches pilot print edition

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wld page 1

Read all about it! We’re really pleased to announce we’ve produced a pilot printed edition of West Leeds Dispatch – just months after the Coronavirus pandemic led us to scrap our initial plans to move into print.

WLD is one of just eight independent news organisations (and 25 freelance journalists) across Europe to be awarded €5,000 each for specific initiatives to engage their communities during the pandemic. 

The funding comes from the European Journalism COVID-19 Support Fund, in partnership with the Facebook Journalism Project (FJP).

The paper features new and exclusive content from across West Leeds written by more than 25 community contributors.

Due to the pandemic, we’re distributing the paper directly to the area’s most vulnerable residents.

5,000 papers are being delivered directly through neighbourhood networks like Bramley Elderly Action, Armley Helping Hands and Owls, as well as organisations who have led the wider community response to Covid-19 including Barca Leeds, New Wortley Community Centre and Unit 11 in Kirkstall.

If you’d like to pick up a copy, papers can also be picked up at the following places:

  • Bramley Community Centre
  • The Wine Shop, Bramley Town Street
  • Blue Tiger, Bramley
  • Farsley Post Office
  • Scrap and Sunnybank Gallery in Farsley
  • Calverley Post Office 
  • New Wortley Community Centre (from September 2)
  • Kirkstall Valley Development Trust, Unit 11, Kirkstall Bridge

and others to be announced!

You can also read August’s edition online here…

Please let us know what you think of our pilot by e-mailing news@westleedsdispatch.com or post in the comments below! Should we produce more copies?

Although the planned April newspaper didn’t make it to print, we did produce a virtual version which you can read here.

From Wortley FC to England – Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips nets England call-up

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Photo: Leeds United

Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips has been called up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad for their Nations League fixtures next month.

England, who are playing for the first time since November, travel to Iceland on Saturday 5th September, before facing Denmark on Tuesday 8th September.

The international call up for the player who ‘learned his trade’ with Wortley Juniors as a boy, comes after a fantastic season which ended with promotion for his hometown club.

On being named in the Three Lions squad, Phillips said:

“I’m buzzing. Never in a million years did I think I’d get into this position, but I’m here now and I can’t thank Leeds United enough for helping me get there.

“Last night I heard the manager wanted to speak to me, then on the way to training today, he rang to say that he’d been watching me for a while and would like me to join up with the rest of the lads.

“It’s a big step but I’m going to take it and give it everything I can. It’s massive for not just me, but also my family. I just want to push on, keep doing even better and see where it’ll take me.”

His boyhood club tweeted their support this morning:

Leeds United also tweeted their support:

Phillips last year played a part in helping Wortley FC secure planning permission for new pitches on the former Wortley High School playing fields, off Blue Hill Lane.

As reported by WLD, in a letter supporting the planning application, 24-year-old Phillips thanked the club for its support as a young player and said it was ‘good to hear’ about the plans. He played for Wortley between 2003 and 2010 and added:

“I really enjoyed my time at the club and I still watch some of the games. The pitches will make a lot of difference to the club, both from the playing side and supporting. When I played we all played at different pitches so my mum had to run around to get myself and my brother to games, which meant she did not get to see both our games.

“I still have friends and relations playing at the club with the open-age men’s team.

“There are many benefits to [the] proposals, like the opportunities it will give local children, and adults who may wish to become coaches. Knowing the site as I do, I know it would benefit from a facelift. To this end I fully support this project and hope to come along when it is finished for a tour around.”

On his decision to include Phillips within the latest England squad, Gareth Southgate said: “He’s a player that we’ve watched a lot over the last 12 months. Leeds have had an outstanding way of playing, the position he plays is one where we need competition and the way he plays in that role is clear to see.

“I spoke to him this morning, which was a nice reminder of what it means for somebody to be in their first England squad. “It’s a proud moment for him, his family and his club.”

Bramley food bank masterminds win penultimate West Leeds Hero award

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philip mcconnell

The penultimate winners of the West Leeds Hero award for this week are Angela and Philip McConnell, who have been recognised for the work they do with Bramley Care Bears. 

A few weeks ago, it was calculated that they had supported 416 families with free food – that’s 1,200 individuals – since 2 April 2020. 

Angela and Philip have held food banks every week during lockdown – at Bramley Community Centre and at Fairfield Community Centre – as well as delivering food parcels on Bramley Elderly Action’s minibus each week. 

It’s almost a full-time job for them, sourcing and collecting food from local supermarkets, organising the space, finding freezer space around the area and coordinating spatially distanced food distribution using a booking system.

Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves said:

“They have worked tirelessly throughout these past months, supporting community members with food during the pandemic and lockdown. An inspiration to us all. Thank you Philip and Angela for your outstanding contribution to our local community.”

Art of weaving returns to Farsley’s Sunny Bank Mills

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weaving sunny bank mills farsley

The traditional art of weaving has returned to the iconic Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley.

Sunny Bank is one of the last remaining family-owned mills in Yorkshire and Yorkshire Television’s Emmerdale and Heartbeat were filmed there.

It has been in the Gaunt family for almost two centuries and current co-owner William Gaunt, a passionate weaver, has now launched a series of weaving classes on site.

The first class starts on Saturday 5 September and will be held in the Twisting Gallery Studios at the mill. They will be taken by fully qualified teacher and weaver Agnis Smallwood.

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Sunny Bank Mills landlords William and John Gaunt

William, who studied textiles at Leeds University in the 1980s, said:

“Bringing weaving back to Sunny Bank Mills, and organising these classes, has been a tremendous labour of love. Our family have been weaving wool cloth for generations. So when we sadly sold our family textile business in 2008, I thought it was the end of my weaving career and the end of the family’s connection with the craft of weaving.

“The Gaunt family came across from Ghent in the 12th century with the Flemish weavers. So, with at least 800 years of weaving in our blood, there was a strong urge to keep alive the tradition and retain that long relationship we had with the loom. But how?

“The key was to find the handlooms on which I had been taught at university and which, thanks to new textile teaching practices, had been discarded. After a ten-year search, I eventually discovered them at Fabworks in Dewsbury, an amazing independent fabric store.

“The parts were all muddled up, covered in dust, legs had been sawn off the frames and the looms cords were all cut. In fact, it was impossible to see if the looms were complete or not. However, I was determined to save these looms, which are 100 years old, and bring them back to life.”

The inaugural class, Weaving In A Day, is a one-day course from 10:00am – 4:00pm and will teach the traditional art of weaving on a hand loom.

A series of classes will follow throughout the autumn and winter, including a five-week beginners’ course on weaving, starting on Friday September 25, and a chance to weave your very own mini Christmas stocking on a traditional handloom on November 21.

Mr Gaunt has restored eight of the 10 looms he discovered at Fabworks and has lovingly restored them to their former glory.

“It was so satisfying to see the looms once again brought back into working order and being used for the purpose that they were first intended and to see the delight on the faces of the weavers, as they started to create their own cloth for the first time.

“The skills of weaving will not now be lost in this famous wool village of Farsley and it is with great pride that the next generation of weavers will absorb this ancient craft,” he explained.

Under the ownership and management of William Gaunt and his cousin John, the award-winning Sunny Bank Mills complex has been transformed into a modern 21st century employment, retail and artistic community, creating more than 350 jobs and providing a stimulating base for over 70 companies.

For more details about the specific courses, visit www.sunnybankmills.co.uk.

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