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Visitors and staff at leisure centres in West Leeds are being encouraged to make the switch to reusable period products.
Together with period poverty charity Freedom 4 Girls, Active Leeds are giving out free sustainable products at their leisure centres across Leeds over the next few months.
Their aim is to remove the barrier of periods when being active.
One in 10 girls in the UK can’t afford period products, and a lack of access can mean missing school, work and physical activity.
Staff at Leeds leisure centres have shared their experiences of how periods have impacted them at work, whether it is the fear of leaking, getting caught short and not having products with them at work, navigating perimenopause and irregular periods or struggling with feeling confident to do their job whilst on their period.
Over the next few months, Active Leeds and Freedom 4 Girls are providing the opportunity for staff and visitors to explore and take home sustainable period products, removing both financial and cultural barriers to physical activity.
They are also asking for help to stock the leisure centres’ period stations through donations of disposable or sustainable menstrual products.
At two pilot events that have already taken place, teams handed out 208 free sustainable products including 121 period pants, 57 period swimwear and 30 reusable pads.
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said: “This initiative is about more than just access to reusable and sustainable period products, it’s about normalising conversations, building confidence, and ensuring that no one is left behind because of their period.
“Following the success of the pilot events, we’re looking forward to rolling this out across more leisure centres over the next few months.”
Events will take place at Kirkstall Leisure Centre on 21 May, Armley Leisure Centre on 22 May and Pudsey Leisure Centre on 26 June along with others across the city.
By community reporter
A small but determined group of Pudsey residents have come together, opposing a planning application they claim threatens their safety, wellbeing and neighbourhood character.
Applicant David Newett has applied for planning permission to build nine dwelling houses with associated access, parking, amenity space, landscaping and infrastructure works off Alder Drive.
In packed kitchen-table meetings and WhatsApp groups that have grown steadily over recent weeks, residents of from Alder Drive and Alder Garth have voiced a string of concerns over the proposals.
These range from ecological loss to infrastructure strain and road safety.
“This place has been my medication,” one long-time resident said. “I’ve struggled with anxiety for years, but living here, seeing green space every day, being able to go out and run across that field… that’s kept me well without tablets. Now they want to put diggers 20 feet from my back garden.”
Residents described the road network as ‘dangerously narrow’, regularly blocked by parked vehicles, and ill-equipped to cope with construction traffic.
“It’s already a blind corner,” one said. “Throw in HGVs, deliveries, site workers, and we’re not just talking about inconvenience—we’re talking about emergency access. How are ambulances or fire engines meant to get down here?”
Another pointed out: “The developer’s road layout includes an open junction to the adjacent field. That’s not just a layout feature – it’s a signal of what’s coming next.
“We’re not just fighting houses – we’re fighting for our health, safety and community.”
Residents also said there had been no real consultation with them and also raised concerns about drainage from the sloped site, especially with the beck below known to overflow during heavy rainfall. Others pointed to the removal of mature trees that anchor the valley’s edge, warning it could destabilise the land and harm habitats.
The proximity to the railway line also raised concerns, particularly around Network Rail access and easement responsibilities — issues the group says the applicant has not properly addressed. Residents also criticised what they claim is the ‘speculative’ nature of the proposal.
With over 30 objections already lodged and more expected, the residents’ group hopes to see the proposal refused on the grounds of unsuitability.
The proposed development will feature a range of house types, including three, four and five semi-detached and detached dwellings. All of these will be either two storeys or two and half storeys high.
In a planning statement, the applicant states that all buildings have been located outside the green belt and the extent of the access road within the green belt is limited.
The statement says: “The site comprises a sustainable location for the proposed residential development that aligns with the council’s spatial strategy which places the Leeds Main Urban Area as the most sustainable location for development.
“The proposed development would provide windfall housing which would contribute towards the council’s aim of delivering 500 dwellings per annum on small and unidentified sites.
“While a limited amount of the proposed development falls within the green belt, this form of development … is appropriate on the basis that it preserves green belt openness and avoids conflict with the five purposes of the green belt.”
The applicant said wildlife habitats would be improved as part of the development and that the site is ‘located within a sustainable location in relation to access to services, facilities, employment opportunities and public transport links within reasonable distance’.
It concludes: “The principle of development has been demonstrated to be acceptable, and the application is accompanied by a suite of technical reports which demonstrate that there are no technical constraints which would prevent the site coming forward for development and that the scheme will not result in any significant adverse impacts in accordance with local and national planning policy.”
Council planners aim to decide the application by 15 May.
By community reporter
Did you know Pudsey has a theatre? Well, it certainly does!
Nestled in the hills above Fulneck Moravian Settlement, overlooking the valley, is the beautiful and historic Fulneck Theatre. Also known as the Comenius Centre from its former life as part of Fulneck School’s Drama Faculty and Sunday School, the building has been home to Fulneck Dramatic Society (FDS) since it formed over 100 years ago in 1924.
A few years ago, FDS took on sole management of the theatre, a rare treat for an amateur group to have a full time venue.
They produce three shows every year in house, with talented actors, technical and backstage staff and team of directors all working completely voluntarily.
The theatre also acts as a venue on occasion for external acts and theatre and film companies, most memorably hosting an Elton John tribute night, which was a great success.
The group is kept running by a hard working committee, who manage the day to day operations and steer the society’s visions.
Its next play is Agatha Christie’s The Stranger. A psychological delve into love and trust which asks us the question, what do we really know about those closest to us?
The play will run for six performances, from May 13 to 17, at 7.30pm, with an additional performance on the 17th at 2pm.
Tickets are priced at £12 (or £10 if you are over 65, under 18, or a student).
Coming to see a show is the easiest way to support the arts in your local area, but there are other ways to help. Donations or becoming a patron can also sustain and revive the culture of theatre in Pudsey. The group is totally volunteer led, and most of its funds come directly from our plays.
If you would like to find out more about the theatre, our society or the latest show, please visit our website.
By Don Mort, local democracy reporter
An office building in Horsforth could be converted into homes if plans are agreed with the council.
The proposal would see Springwood House, a four-storey site on Low Lane, converted into 15 flats.
Leeds City Council will consider an application for a change of use of the building.
A letter to the council from consultancy firm ID Planning said nine two-bedroom and six one-bed flats would be created.
An existing 41-space car park would be retained for use by residents.
It said: “The property itself was originally constructed as an office building. This application seeks to change the property to an entirely residential use.”
People living there would benefit from being close to Horsforth Town Street, with access to shops and restaurants, the letter said.
It said: “Low Lane is a main bus route with bus stops directly adjacent to the site providing direct public transport links to Leeds city centre and Horsforth.”
Permission had already been granted for the building of a Lidl supermarket on land nearby, ID Planning said.
The plans can be viewed in full here.
A series of new ‘family hubs’ have been launched across Leeds to bring together a wide range of services for people to access help more easily.
Leeds City Council has launched seven new hubs to host key support organisations under one roof, aiming to simplify the process for families to reach out for early help on a range of issues.
The family hubs build on the success of the council’s community hubs and will be based in Armley and Horsforth in West Leeds
The revamp will see the council make savings of £750,000 and also provide a single point of contact for families with children up to the age of 18 to access guidance and advice on matters such as mental health, domestic abuse and substance use, one-to-one interventions and parenting groups
They also provide support up to the age of 25 for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Each hub will have manager, social workers, senior family help practitioners and family help workers who can deliver one-to-one support along with signposting to other services.
Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for children and families, said: “Each hub has tailored support offers designed to meet the needs of that area and strengthens our ambition to support families, empower individuals and foster connections to create a brighter future for every family in Leeds.”
By Don Mort, local democracy reporter
A shake-up of mental health centres is set to go ahead – despite fears it would leave people with too far to travel for help.
The cash-strapped council is planning to relocate services from three day centres which offer support groups and well-being activities for adults.
The Mental Health Support Hubs are at Stocks Hill in Armley, Lovell Park and Vales Circles in Beeston.
Leeds City councillors agreed to press ahead with the plan, set to save £500,000 this year, at an executive board meeting on Wednesday.
Users of the Stocks Hill centre protested before the meeting against plans to move the service to Calverlands Complex Needs Centre in Horsforth.
Norman Forsyth, 78, said it would take multiple bus journeys for some people to get to the new site from Armley.
Speaking outside Leeds Civic Hall, he said: “We have support workers who help us, and peer support groups.
“It’s going to be two buses for some of us and for some it’s three buses. Do they really think Horsforth is part of the local community?”
In the meeting councillors were told the shake-up was part of plans to save more than £100m this financial year.
The Lovell Park hub would move to Wykebeck Complex Needs Centre and the centre at Vales Circles would join Laurel Bank Complex Needs Centre in Middleton.
Labour’s Salma Arif, executive member for adult social care, said the level of service would not be reduced and people would still have access to help.
She said: “That is why there has been a detailed process of consultation. Through effective planning, these issues can be resolved.”
A report to the meeting said attendance had declined at the hubs and they only opened two or three days a week.
It said: “People accessing services would be supported to transition to alternative sites identified within personalised reviews and in accordance with their individual needs.
“The Mental Health Hubs have not seen investment for many years, with costs associated with maintenance backlog and repairs now increasing.”
The Lovell Park and Vales Circles buildings could be sold off after they are vacated, the council said. A report considered by councillors added: “It is proposed that the Stocks Hill site be retained to support the wider localities review.”
WLD has previously reported on concerns over the proposals from Stocks Hill users, who say it is a local lifeline for them and that travelling to Horsforth by public transport wasn’t practical. A petition against Stocks Hill’s closure has also been submitted to council.
A former Pudsey hair salon will be converted into a hot food cafe after plans were approved by Leeds City Council.
Applicant Dale Wilkinson, the owner of Pudsey and Horsforth-based The Yorkshire Vaper, has been granted to transform the former SC Two hair salon at 17 Lowtown to a hot food cafe.
The cafe will form part of Mr Wlkinson’s existing collectibles shop Lads ‘n Dads, which is next door.
A design statement submitted with the application states: “The design/changes to the property are very minimal and only actually serve to replace existing old, derelict or dated elements.”
There were two letters of representation from the public over the proposals.
A planning officer’s report approving the plans said: “Taking account of all other material planning consideration and that the site has no other specific constraints, it is recommended that planning permission be granted.”
The plans can be viewed here.
A thought-provoking show about a nuclear weapons treaty, and a poignant one-woman play set in Northern Ireland are brought to West Leeds next month by Red Ladder Local.
Talking About The Fire, created by seven-time Fringe First winner Chris Thorpe and director Claire O’Reilly, is part show and part conversation written and performed by Thorpe, who explores the risks of nuclear war and why disarmament has arguably never been more important.
In Troubled, a 60-minute one woman show about love, death and division told with tea and biscuits, writer and performer Suzy Crothers reveals the impact of a childhood shaped by conflict.
Talking About The Fire comes to St Bartholomew’s Church, Armley, on May 20. Troubled is being staged at Hawksworth Wood Village Hall on May 22, and The Gate at Belle Isle on June 19.
Both productions are part of this year’s Red Ladder Local programme, run by Red Ladder Theatre Company, bringing touring shows to alternative theatre venues in local communities across Yorkshire.
Alice Barber, Red Ladder Theatre Company’s creative producer and programmer, said: “Red Ladder Local is all about bringing theatre, particularly shows by new writers, to people where they live.
“Tickets are never more than £5, which makes them more affordable than most mainstream theatres, and that can be the difference between somebody going to see a piece of theatre and not.”
A community art project in Farsley is inviting residents to attend the culmination of its work celebrating textiles and stories.
Residents have been bringing their textiles, sharing stories and have their cherished pieces photographed. Each story is captured in a large-scale mural that resembles a patchwork quilt. The unveiling of the finished piece will take place on 3 May.
Local artist Alaina Dunne launched Spinning Tales last year, receiving funding from the Leeds Cultural Investment Programme. The project explores people’s emotional connection with textiles and fabrics.
Alaina said: “We had 70 people take part in the project over two photography session and the stories that everyone shared were emotive and uplifting.
“Coupled with the brightly covered, sometimes intricate textiles, the final pieces look like a patchwork of the community, telling the stories of peoples lives.”
The final piece will be displayed across three murals which will be situated outside each of the three primary schools in Farsley: Westroyd Primary School, Farsley Springbank Primary School and Farfield Primary School.
Alaina added: “We really hope people can see from this project how textiles give us powerful links to the past, to our families and friends, and bring us comfort and joy.
“So many of these pieces have been kept because they hold special memories, and we heard time and time again throughout the photography sessions, how important it was for people to take them out of their hiding places and hold them again.”
The celebration event will be at Westroyd Primary School on Saturday, 3 May from 1pm. There will be drinks and cakes available and people will be able to discover where their precious piece of textiles is being displayed.
“It will give us the opportunity to say a huge thank you to our photographer Tom Jackson, who took great care of all of the participants and their treasured items,” she added.
“Also to Jaynie Batty for designing the final pieces and Sunny Bank Mills and Farsley Community Hub and Library for hosting our photography sessions and finally to the Farsley Farmers Market and Leeds City Council’s Cultural Investment Programme for funding the project work.”
Community led Bramley Baths is encouraging applicants for the voluntary position of chair of the trustees.
The board is made up of a group of volunteers who help steer the strategic direction of the Baths, which has been community led since local people took over running the facility from Leeds City Council in 2013.
The role involved supporting the existing CEO at the Baths is looking for an exemplary leader who embodies collaboration, community focus, and has the energy to inspire a dedicated team.
Outgoing chair Nick Quin said: “It is not only a brilliant health, leisure, wellbeing and swimming pool in the heart of West Leeds, it is also one of the leading social enterprises in the UK.
“This is a great chance to be chair of the board trustees that make sure that this place is running in the right direction and doing everything it can to support the community.
“Whatever your background and whoever you are, I would encourage you to apply. We are looking for someone who can provide that leadership and direction as Bramley Baths moves on to the next stage of its exciting adventure.”
A Baths spokesperson said: “We currently have a fantastic opportunity for someone to join us as chair of our volunteer Board of Trustees.
“Our current Chair of Trustees is coming to the the end of his term with us, therefore we are now recruiting for his replacement. We are looking for someone to enhance and build upon the success of our social enterprise over the past 12 years.”
More details on the role and how to apply can be found here.
Meanwhile, Staring next Wednesday (30 April) Bramley Baths’ walking group is returns following its winter break. People are being to join the volunteer-led group for a relaxed stroll.
The first walk will start from Bramley Baths, 6pm on Wednesday, 30 April. Walks are free of charge and there is no need to book. These walks will be fortnightly, until the winter months.
The walks are designed for people to get active, enjoy the outdoors and meet new people.
For more information please contact Nick, volunteer@bramleybaths.com or call 0113 256 0949.
A lifesaving defibrillator has also been fitted at the front of the Grade II Listed Bramley Baths building on Broad Lane by Torque Logistics Ltd and Public Access Defibrillators UK.
Horsforth Town Council has been awarded a prestigious Silver Award under the Local Council Award Scheme.
The Silver Award – administered by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) – recognises that the town council excels in strong governance, active community engagement, and a clear commitment to continuous improvement. It demonstrates a standard that goes above and beyond statutory obligations.
This achievement follows a Bronze award in February 2024.
To achieve this award, the town council demonstrated:
Horsforth Town Council chair, Councillor Simon Dowling, said: “This recognition highlights Horsforth Town Council’s ongoing commitment to progress, innovation and dedicated service to the community.
“It is reward for all the hard work all councillors put in as volunteers
“I want to pay special tribute to the staff who support the town council, including clerk Becky Crabtree and admin assistant Steph White who do so much behind the scenes to support the town council in being able to be so active in the community.”
Details of what the award means, the different levels and what happens after being accredited can be found on NALC’s website.
