How this Bramley actor is bringing Christmas cheer to children

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December 22, 2019

A Bramley actor has been giving children who might not normally go the theatre the chance to experience festive fun at Leeds Kirkgate Market.

Luke Dickson is one of the leading lights behind Santa & The Christmas Dragon, which is being performed in the market by the Alive and Kicking Theatre Company.

The show, which is free, uses music, song, magic and truly interactive story-telling to tell the tale of what happened when Santa promised some children a dragon for Christmas.

Luke, 44, who lives on Landseer Grove, has previously appeared in hit TV series Cold Feet and played legendary football manager Brian Clough in Red Ladder Theatre’s production of The Damned United. He said:

“We reach a really diverse audience in Kirkgate Market and aim to deliver something which is fun and interactive for all.

“Going to the theatre can cost a lot of money and people can be priced out. Unfortunately with the big institutions there is little they can do, as it costs what it costs to put it on and they have to break even.
“They offer cheaper tickets but it doesn’t always filter down to people who don’t have the opportunity.
“What we do is free and accessible for everyone in Leeds Kirkgate Market. We get children up playing parts, and it’s a lot of fun.”

Luke has been Co-Creative Director for Alive and Kicking Theatre Company since 2010. The company has been running for 30 years and is dedicated to making drama which impacts on primary age children both within the curriculum and beyond. Luke addedl

“We work with children, parents, teachers and the wider community around the child to promote learning, enjoyment and community cohesion through the joint creation of dramatic worlds.

“We create epic narrative journeys that explore complex moral and social issues and offer a cross-curricular and community focus.
“We are dedicated to making dramas that involve working with the children themselves and with parents, teachers and the wider community.”

The final performances of Santa and the Christmas Dragon will be in Kirkgate Market on Monday 23 December at 11am and 2pm. There’s also a performance at 2pm today (Sunday).

On Christmas Eve Alive & Kicking will be opening the doors to their very unique Grotto at the market. Enjoy magic, storytelling and a sing song with Santa. Grotto times are – 11am, 11.30am, 1,15pm, 2pm, 2.45pm, 3.30pm.

Santa & The Christmas Dragon is supported by Arts Council England, the Sir George Martin Trust, the Metis Trust and the Frances Muers’ Trust.

Biography

Luke Dickson has been a professional actor and interactive performance specialist since 1997.

He has worked for a string of theatre companies often in numerous productions, most recently with Red Ladder Theatre Company (Damned United and Mother Courage And Her Children).

Over the years Luke has also worked with Theatre Company Blah Blah Blah, Tell Tale Hearts, Plane Performance, Faceless, Write Stuff Theatre of Puppets and many more.

He has worked on TV in Cold Feet, a feature film The Spell, two short films A Serious Boy and Lucky. Luke also has a number of voice-over credits. In addition to this he has produced his own shows as Luke Dickson Theatre Company; Naked Circus, Like A Book and The Great Dixoni.

Bramley Rugby League Legends – Ernest Humphreys

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December 22, 2019

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Having played Rugby Union for Leeds Grammar School, Ernest signed for his beloved Bramley in 1948 and made his debut on the right wing in the 17-7 home victory against Batley on 27^th August 1949, writes Paul Abraham.

He appeared in a total of four matches during the season, three on the right wing and one on the left wing.

The following season saw Ernest score his first try for Bramley in the season opener at Rochdale, a match which the amber and blacks won 13-8.

Ernest once revealed that on the way to matches in Lancashire, which often took three hours or more to travel there, the team coach would stop half-way and from the boot of the coach, tea urns and boxes of buns were brought out!

Ernest, now playing on the left wing showed what potential he had when scoring the only try in a tight and tough 5-4 home win against Castleford.

He then scoring in four consecutive matches during late September and early October, a brace against Liverpool Stanley (won 22-12) at home and a try at the Barley Mow versus Oldham (lost 8-12) a try in the 11-21 reverse at Huddersfield and finally one in the 24-18 home win against Whitehaven.

After scoring at Keighley in a 7-16 defeat it would be four months before he crossed the whitewash again when he scored during the 16-10 home win against Rochdale Hornets.

He added another five tries by the end of the season including tries in the final two matches of the season, a 24-11 home victory versus Barrow and a nine-all draw at Liverpool Stanley, finishing with an impressive haul of 14 tries in 30 appearances.

1951-52 started as Ernest had finished the last season by scoring a try in the first game of the season as Bramley defeated Castleford at home 18-12.

The highlight of his season was scoring a try against the New Zealand touring team as Bramley came so close to defeating the Kiwis before going down 20-24.

The two league matches against Keighley were extreme as you could get with Ernest scoring in the terrible 7-53 home loss, but then scoring the winning touchdown in a 7-6 victory at Keighley.

He added two tries to his seasons total in a 22-8 Barley Mow victory against Liverpool City. The match he played in on Christmas Day against Doncaster was his 50^th appearance for the club, a game Bramley won 7-0.

1952-53 brought him four tries in sixteen appearances including tries in four home defeats against Barrow (9-10), Salford (6-16), Rochdale (17-44) and Bradford Northern (10-44).

The next season saw him appear in the first four matches of the season which included scoring two tries in a thrilling 15-13 home win against Salford.

Sadly a bad shoulder injury finished his season just as he was hitting form.

Season 54-55 saw Ernest back to his best when scoring seven tries in 31 matches, the highlight being one of the try scorers in a stunning 20-10 victory at Hull.

Other tries came in the defeats at Bradford (7-21) at Castleford (11-14) at Hunslet (9-19) and also in the drawn Yorkshire Cup tie at home to Doncaster plus a brace at home to Leeds (13-22).

Another injury ravaged season resulted in just seven appearances during the 55-56 campaign, however he played and scored in the final two matches of the season, scoring two in a stirring 16-12 home success versus Wakefield Trinity and in the final match, an impressive 27-5 hammering of Keighley.

Halifax spoilt his 100^th appearance for the club in April 1955 when they defeated the Villagers at Thrum Hall 31-16.

Injuries again limited his appearances for the next two seasons.

Two tries in the 36-17 defeat of Batley and a try during the 35-13 victory over Dewsbury both at the Barley Mow and a consolation try at Castleford in a 10-17 loss was his reward for the ten appearances of 1956-57.

The following season saw tries At Leeds in a disastrous 10-55 defeat in the Yorkshire Cup tie and the only try in the 7-33 home defeat by Featherstone during his eight appearances.

The 1958-59 campaign saw more of the old Ernest as he scored in three consecutive matches, at home to Blackpool (10-!8) and Hull KR (14-6) and in the 5-16 defeat at York.

He had also scored in successive matches earlier in the season when crossing in the 30-15 home victory against Keighley and at Castleford in a tight 9-10 reverse.

His other try came in the 12-20 home loss to neighbours Hunslet. Having played just 18 times during the previous two season, he pulled the amber and black jersey on 18 times during the season.

Ernest played for Bramley for the last time on February 6^th 1960 in a disappointing 0-33 loss at Halifax.

His final try was fittingly at the Barley Mow ground in the 18-34 defeat to Leeds.

He scored tries at home against Castleford (won 14-10), Huddersfield (lost 12-19) and in the 17-17 draw versus Hunslet (which was his 50^th career try for the club) and a try in an 8-27 reverse at York.

Ernest later served the club with distinction as a director during two separate stints.

Season Appearances Tries

49-50 4 0

50-51 31 14

51-52 21 6

52-53 16 4

53-54 4 2

54-55 31 7

55-56 7 3

56-57 10 3

57-58 8 2

58-59 18 6

59-60 15 5

Total 165 52

Mark’s History: Joseph Gott and the rumours surrounding the missing Armley finger

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December 22, 2019

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The Benjamin Gott Memorial sculpture in St Bartholemew’s Church, Armley is by the sculptor Joseph Gott – a cousin of the famous Benjamin Gott, writes Mark Stevenson.

If you look carefully one of his fingers is missing. Rumour has it that the cleaning lady broke it off whilst cleaning the statue and was too scared to tell anybody and threw the finger away.

The monument is just one of many by Joseph Gott. Some of his sculptors used to be in Armley House but were removed by the council.

A few of these from Armley House can be seen at Lotherton Hall, as I discovered on a recent trip.

Joseph Gott had moved to Rome in 1822 and was very successful as a Sculptor but in 1838 there was a cholera epidemic in Europe and his work dried up.

To make thing worse he also lost his children and his wife never fully recovered from the disease. He died in Rome in 1860. His work is still sought after today.

Adele Rae: The lady behind KVDT’s Unit 11

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December 22, 2019

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In the first of a monthly series of articles putting community-spirited West Leeds residents in the spotlight, community reporter Ramona Green speaks to Adele Rae, from Burley, about her work with the Kirkstall Valley Development Trust (KVDT).

Adele Rae is KVDTs community director and also the centre manager for their community hub, Unit 11 Kirkstall Bridge Shopping Park.

She has been in this role now for more than three years, which started as a voluntary position. She is a paid member of staff now from about three weeks ago.

Adele undertakes plenty of jobs, including the organising of events, taking bookings for groups/workshops/meetings that wish to use the Unit’s space, leading & supervising all the volunteers there and many others too.

Basically, she is “in charge of all the community based projects” at Unit 11.

KVDT chose Adele Rae for this position from the very start of the project. They must have noticed her passion and desire to make “Kirkstall Valley a better place for us all to live and work in.”

“I’m keen on the link between social & environmental justice,” she added.

It’s because of people like Adele that KVDT are an ambitious organisation, keen to involve people at a local, grassroots level.

This is proven by the meetings they regularly hold to seek the opinions and ideas of local people. Kirkstall Valley Farm is another fine example of this and the need for fresh, locally grown produce has been recognised by them.

Adele has always worked with people and in her previous employment, she has been a trained nurse and a primary school teacher.

This works very well with and even compliments her roles at KVDT and Unit 11.

It is a “Family Space” after all and Adele is already well-equipped to supervise children’s activities and assist in any first aid issues that may come up.

In the time I have spent at Unit 11 with Adele Rae and the other members of staff, paid and voluntary, I have discovered a much needed community hub that covers many kinds of activities, events and workshops.

Adele is there most times to welcome everyone and offer them a hot drink and a chat. It really meets its aim of “reducing social isolation and creating fun” and Adele is a massive part of that!

To find out more about Unit 11 why not speak to the lady herself? Contact Adele Rae on 07900 986570 for more info, to rent a space or for offers of volunteering at Unit 11.

Leeds: £23m of cuts planned for Leeds as council tax set to rise almost 4 per cent

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December 21, 2019

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Council tax is set to increase by almost four per cent next year, as Leeds City Council plan to make a further £23 million worth of cuts to its departments, writes Local Democracy Reporter Richard Beecham.

The authority announced early plans for its forthcoming budget for 2020/21, and claimed the rates rises of 3.99 per cent were “in order to meet rising costs”.

A report is set to be considered by the council’s executive board at Civic Hall on Tuesday, January 7, and also shows how the council aims to make another £23.24 million of savings over the next financial year.

But Leeds City Council insists it has no proposals for “large-scale compulsory redundancies”, which led to around 3,000 job losses between 2010 and 2019.

The plans follow the Local Government Finance Settlement, which was delivered today, and contains a one-year funding agreements for next year with a spending review to be carried out by the government to determine the funding position after 2021.

The rates rise is expected to generate the authority an extra £17 million, but costs for the council are expected to increase by £47.9 million, with nearly half of this being related to inflation.

In a breakdown of the council’s spending plans, it added that more than £10 million of the savings would come from its Adults and Health budget, while the communities and environment; and city development budgets would see cuts of £4.78 million and £3.11 million respectively.

But information from the authority adds: “In terms of staffing levels, the budget for 2020/21 sees the position from previous years continue with no proposals for large-scale compulsory redundancies, as the council has reduced in size by over 3,000 employees between 2010 and 2019.”

Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake said:

“The financial position remains challenging with another year ahead where significant savings need to be made.
“We remain committed to protecting front-line services and investing in support for our most vulnerable young people, families and adults, as well as creating opportunities for everyone in all of our communities.
“Despite these challenges, we will keep doing everything we can to tackle poverty and inequality as a compassionate city with a strong economy, continuing to lobby for the resources we need, embracing new ideas and supporting innovation.
“Everything we do will also be mindful of the impact of climate change, in keeping with our declaration of a climate emergency earlier this year as we strive to make Leeds a carbon-neutral city.”

The 2020/21 initial budget proposals will now be considered by councillors and stakeholders, together with a survey running on the council’s website after the executive board meeting on January 7, 2020.

The final plans will then be discussed by the executive board on Wednesday, February 12 before being debated and voted on at the full council meeting on Wednesday, February 26.

MP Stuart Andrew takes Rodley geese cull concerns to secretary of state

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December 21, 2019

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Pudsey MP Stuart Andrew has taken community concerns over an ongoing cull of Canada Geese in Rodley to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Mr Andrew met residents to hear their concerns about the cull at a peaceful protest last weekend.

The protest followed months of concerns that people are killing Canada geese for sporting purposes. The Dispatch reported in September that shot birds had been found in different parts of Rodley, including on a football pitch.

One of the geese on a football pitch in Rodley in September. Photo: Eugene Lacey

The cull is legal, provided the land owner gives permission, the shooters have licences and that it is part of a cull for agricultural purposes after all alternative methods have been tried.

Posting on Facebook, Mr Andrew said:

“Given the ongoing nature of the Canada geese cull, I have escalated the concerns that I share with a number of constituents in Pudsey, Horsforth and Aireborough to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
“This is a difficult issue to address due to existing law but please do be assured I will continue to press the urgency of this issue at the highest levels.”

In his letter to Theresa Villiers MP, Mr Andrew said:

“I understand that it is culling season and that culling can be carried out provided certain conditions are met.
“However my constituents have expressed deep concerns that the conditions laid out to ensure the culls are carried out humanely, while protecting the health and safety of nearby residents, are not being followed.
“Government guidelines state that geese should be culled between the end of May and the end of June due to being unable to fly during moulting season, however these geese are being culled on an ongoing basis and are falling from the sky into the gardens and surrounding fields in the community.
“Moreover, my constituents are reporting extreme stress and anxiety due to the presence of masked gunmen in the area in broad daylight shooting less than 30 metres away from members of the public.”

Read the letter in full here:

West Yorkshire Police have said officers are monitoring the situation.

Rodley Nature Reserve, which is next to where the shootings have taken place, issued a statement on its website condemning the shooting.

Trustees said they had no evidence that any illegal shooting of geese had taken place on the reserve. The statement added:

“The shooter is not on our land and is not allowed on it – he is nothing to do with Rodley Nature Reserve and is shooting on the farmer’s land adjacent to the Reserve, which we sadly have no control over.”

According to regulations the shooters have no obligation to pick up dead or dying birds that have become injured and flown away from the scene to die.

A letter delivered to Rodley households back in September by one of the people carrying out the cull said :

“…We are advising you it is being done for your health and safety and legally, all authorised by the government & the general licensing law of the land and the landowners obligations and the police will be aware of the pest control activity going on.
“WE APOLOGISE FOR ANY DISTRESS TO ANYBODY but it is a much-needed job to be done and cannot be prevented.”

Take a virtual tour around Abbey Mills

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December 21, 2019

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abbey mills 2 kirkstall — Proposals: Abbey Mills. Photo: Mark Stevenson

A community organisation hoping to bring a dilapidated historic building in Kirkstall back into use has produced a virtual tour to highlight its poor condition.

Members of the Kirkstall Valley Development Trust are hoping to take Grade II Listed Abbey Mills, which dates back to the 19th century, into community ownership.

Click here for the virtual tour around the building.

KVDT’s Chris Hill said:

“Go to the symbol in the bottom left hand corner then click on the part of the mill you want to walk around. You’ll need to play around. Warning – it’s a massive file and you might struggle with a mobile phone.”

KVDT are hoping to create a community hub and heritage centre alongside social housing. A deal with Leeds City Council has been delayed because of a disagreement whether a new access road into the mill is needed.

Read more of West Leeds Dispatch‘s coverage on Abbey Mills here.

Mark’s History: The Burley parents who lost five sons during war

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December 21, 2019

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James and Ada Stewart had at one time or another lived at 16 Burley Lodge Road and 4 Lodge Avenue (roughly where the grass is between Gilpin Street and the rail track), writes Mark Stevenson.

In 1914 they had nine children, eight sons and one daughter. By 1919 they had four.

Five of their sons had been killed fighting for King and Country in WW1.

To make matters worse their son Walter survived the war and he served in East Africa but died on the ship on his way home and was buried at sea. Up until 2011 he was not even recognised as a casualty of war.

Pvt William Arthur Stewart killed at Gallipoli on the 24th October 1915, aged 29.

Second Lieutenant Charles Edward Stewart killed at the Somme on the 10th September 1916. Mentioned in Dispatches in 1915 he was shot in the head whilst leading his men.

Pvt Leonard Stewart contracted pleurisy, he died in a Manchester hospital on 26th June 1917, aged 21.

Private Alfred Stewart killed in Belgium on 13th April 1918.

Of the three remaining brothers;

Robert Henry Stewart survived the war and died on the 25th October 1928, aged 35.

James Frederick Patrick Stewart (the eldest) also survived the war and died in 1944.

George Mears Stewart, (the youngest) at the age of 41 joined up in WWII. He was a Captain by the time he left the Army in 1947. He died in 1957.

West Leeds planning applications: 21 December 2019

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December 20, 2019

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Every week West Leeds Dispatch provides listings of all the latest planning applications from the five wards across West Leeds.

Here are the applications from the past week.

Armley Ward

Retrospective application for storage container converted to pre-packed meal outlet, Land Off Salisbury Grove, Armley.

Bramley & Stanningley Ward

Certificate of Proposed Lawful Development for a single story rear extension11 Broadlea Close Bramley Leeds LS13 2SH
4m single storey rear extension, 3.99m to ridge height and 2.87m to eaves 23 Richmond Close Bramley Leeds LS13 3HF
Demolition of outbuilding; single storey outbuilding to rear 23 Richmond Close Bramley Leeds LS13 3HF

Calverley & Farsley Ward

Detached granny annexe and outbuilding to rear 52 Ederoyd Crescent Stanningley Pudsey LS28 7QURef. No: 19/07669/FU | Status: Current
Tree works 111 Old Road Farsley Pudsey LS28 5BR
Single storey extension to front, single storey rear extension; dormer window to rear 24 Newlands Farsley Pudsey LS28 5BB
Single storey rear extension 3 The Knoll Stanningley Pudsey LS28 5FB

Farnley & Wortley Ward

No applications submitted.

Kirkstall Ward

Conversion of four maisonettes on first and second floors to form four flats and four maisonettes including rear extension over existing terrace and gable roof extension to both sides with dormer windows to rear 75 Spen Way Spen Lane West Park Leeds LS16 5EN
Certificate of Proposed Lawful Development for Use as a 3 bed House in Multiple Occupation (C4)4 Beechwood Mount Burley Leeds LS4 2NQ
Part two storey, part single storey rear/side extension with access ramp to side 107 Kirkstall Hill Kirkstall Leeds LS4 2TH

Pudsey Ward

5m single storey rear extension, 4m to ridge height and 3m to eaves 2 Tyersal Close Tyersal BD4 8HE
Single storey side extension 43 Uppermoor Pudsey LS28 8DA

Review: An Armley Christmas Carol

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December 20, 2019

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Words: Samantha Stewart

Photos: Simon Cullingworth

An Armley Christmas Carol showcased some amazing local talent from the Armley People’s Theatre.

Beautiful direction from Sarah Applewhite brought Tim Dawtry’s script to life, and movement on the stage kept the audience captivated.

Excellent performances. Photo: Simon Culingworth

Robin Whitfield’s skills with lighting transformed the space and created a stunning atmosphere for each of the scenes.

The music, a combination of contemporary and original songs by Sarah Stead, Tim Dawtry and Ashleigh Stevenson, gave opportunities for some great singers to shine and underpinned the transitions, adding to the ambience when the ghosts appeared.

Armley People’s Theatre ensemble. Photo: Simon Cullingworth

The whole cast were on stage throughout with ensemble movement and spoken word amplifying the action.

The set and props were minimalist but expertly used to transport us around Armley, from Scrooge and Marley’s Pawn shop to the squalid flat of Bobbi Cratchett and the Karaoke night at the pub which could only be The White Horse.

There were many excellent performances from the adult cast and John Poulter made great work of Scrooge, from grasping miser to transformation.

The young people worked brilliantly together on stage and the gang scene was gripping. AJ Watson gave a flawless performance as Jake Cratchett, he is a future Armley star of stage and screen for sure!

For me, there was a bit too much Armley grit in the first part of the play and not quite enough glitter and stardust at the end to shake off the feeling of sadness at the poverty so many are experiencing this Christmas.

The contemporary setting held a mirror to many of the problems facing Armley tonight and it was not comfortable viewing.

The hard work, talent and exuberance of the cast and crew was plain to see and I can’t wait to see what the APT will bring us next!

The cast of An Armley Christmas Carol. Photo: Samantha Stewart

New book celebrates Hollybush Conservation Centre

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December 20, 2019

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Glorinda - kirkstall abbey — Picture of the Abbey through the old stone river bridge Pre 1904

With funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund the Friends of Hollybush have been busy collecting and recording memories from past volunteers and staff, plus researching the history of the site, writes John Preston.

So the project that was originally subtitled “Hippies and Dole claimants their heritage” is completed. It features colourful silk paintings by last year’s Year 6 at Hollybush Primary School.

The book “Hollybush 1979-2019 An illustrated oral history” is now ready to be printed.

To order your copy of this limited edition publication at pre-publication prices please go to the Friends of Hollybush website.

Alternatively visit Hollybush in person and bring cash and complete an order form. The offer closes 17th January and books should be available for collection in early February or to be posted out.

Many of the stories in the book can be read here, however the book contains additional material and different photos.

Farsley Farmers Market makes early visit for Christmas

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December 20, 2019

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December’s Farsley Farmers Market has been moved forward a week – just in time for Christmas shoppers, writes Keely Bannister.

Usually held on the fourth Saturday of the month, the market will this month take place on Saturday 21st December, meaning that whether you are looking for a last-minute gift or some extra treats for the Christmas meal, the popular market is one of West Leeds’ not-to-be-missed events.

The market will start at 9am and continue through to 12.30pm and be in its usual place of St John’s Church, New Lane, Farsley.

Entertainment will include music from Bramley-based Tutti! Leeds Community Concert Band, face painting from Debbie Austin and complimentary warm meade and roast chestnuts.

Yorkshire Wildlife (inside) and the Woodland Trust (outside) will be the charities present at this months market, raising money and awareness.

St John’s Church is accessible for people with a range of disabilities and has a Changing Places toilet with adult-sized facilities. Organisers of the market will also provide a quiet space for anyone who requires it during the event.