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Kirkstall: Christmas activities in Trust’s new home

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kvdt christmas event

There are lots of Christmas community activities happening at Kirkstall Valley Development Trust’s new base in Kirkstall. Community reporter Ramona Green reports …

Why not bring your children along next Saturday to KVDT’s Community Hub, Unit 11, Kirkstall Bridge Shopping Park (between Pure Gym & Cancer Research Charity Shop) as they host a Christmas Party with a “special guest” coming to see the children.

 The volunteer elves will be very busy this week creating a “Grotto grand enough for Santa himself”.

Each child will receive a present from Father Christmas to place underneath their tree and can also make a “Christmas wish” to him too.

Little Learners will be providing messy play, crafts and games for the children as they wait to enter the grotto.  As usual, there will also be the children’s play area with plenty of fun toys and great kids books.

Sit back with a hot drink while the children play and then take them into Santa’s Grotto to meet the “Big Man himself”. Entry is £5 for children, adults are free. The event runs 10.30am until 3.30pm.

 Last weekend KVDT held a craft-themed Christmas Market at their hub. 

It was supposed to be at the Abbey but due to high winds and health and safety, it was held at Unit 11. The place looked amazing with lots of effort obviously going into setting it up, especially at such short notice.

There were a number of stall holders, all selling their own “wonderful wares”.  From knitted finger puppets to intricate items made from iron.

Some of the stall holders were there for both days while some new ones came for the Sunday.

The “KVDT Christmas Special Hot Choccy” going down a treat with both kids and adults alike.

If anyone wants to know more about this event or any others, please contact Adele Rae (Community Director) on 07900 986570. If anyone wishes to volunteer any of their time and skills to KVDT/Unit 11, please also contact Adele Rae.

St Mary’s: Mental health unit opening date revealed

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armley mental health unit

Recently-approved plans to build a new mental health unit in west Leeds have been described as “transformational” by healthcare professionals, writes Richard Beecham.

A new facility for child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) is set to be built at the St Mary’s Hospital in Armley, and is expected to open in 2021.

Leeds City Council last month approved plans for the site, which include 22 beds, therapeutic areas and an activity room.

Thea Stein, Chief Executive of Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust which provides CAMHS services, said:

“This purpose-built unit will be truly transformational in so many ways and I look forward to the day we are able to move in.

“I’d also like to thank the local community and its representatives for being so welcoming to the development during the pre-planning stages. We will do all we can to make sure we are a good neighbour during construction and beyond.”

The new unit will provide 22 in-patient beds, as well as improved facilities for children and young people across West Yorkshire.

Leeds and York Partnership NHS Trust added:

“This will include a range of spacious and therapeutic areas, including a multi-purpose activity room, educational facilities, a family visiting room, courtyards and a green communal space for service users and staff.

“There will also be a health-based place of safety in the unit, where a young person who is thought to be in urgent need of care will receive a mental health assessment to ensure they get the most appropriate support.”

The trust added that it would soon start work on the site, with the demolition of some existing buildings due to take place in February 2020.

The construction of the new unit is planned to start at the end of April 2020, and expected to be open from September 2021.

Green light for Pudsey pub demolition

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boars head pudsey
Photo: Google

Fresh plans to demolish a 19th century Pudsey pub have been approved by Leeds City Council’s planning department.

The Boar’s Head, on Roker Lane, has stood empty since 2003 and plans approved this week will see the building make way for two semi-detached houses.

The decision comes despite four objections from nearby residents, who were concerned about road safety. There were also concerns over a loss of privacy.

Initial proposals for a small terrace of three two-bedroom homes were refused by Leeds City Council in June for being ‘overly dominant’. But planning officers say the latest application has overcome those concerns.

The Boar’s Head was one of four pubs on a mile stretch of road that has closed in the past 20 years. The White Cross, the Regent and the Weasel also shut their doors; only the Fleece on Fartown is still in business.

The name of the applicant is simply given as Butterfield on the application form, and the company name ‘Purfleet’.

The Dispatch featured concerns about the future of the Boar’s Head in October 2018.

The planning application and decision can be viewed in full here.

West Leeds planning applications: 15 December 2019

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Each week we publish lists of planning applications published on on the Leeds City Council website.

The following applications were validated for wards in West Leeds in the week beginning 9 December 2019: 

Armley Ward

Bramley Ward

Calverley & Farsley Ward

Farnley & Wortley

Kirkstall Ward

Change of Use of first and second floors from storage and workshop to two flats, with new windows; staircase to rear, 358 Kirkstall Road, Burley.

Pudsey Ward

Al fresco dining area opens outside Farsley restaurants

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A radical remodelling of space at the award-winning Sunny Bank Mills has created an al fresco dining area outside two of Farsley’s most popular cafes and restaurants.

An £100,000 investment in the area outside the historic Old Combing building has enabled the popular Mill Kitchen and Grumpy’s to offer a continental-style eating area to their customers.

An attractive pedestrianised area now leads to the heart of the mill, where Yorkshire Television’s Emmerdale and Heartbeat were filmed.

This investment by Edwin Woodhouse and Co Ltd, the owners of Sunny Banks Mills, follows the regeneration of the historic Old Combing, which has allowed both the Mill Kitchen and Grumpy’s to expand within the building.

grumpys farsley sunny bank mills
Am artist’s impression of what the area could look like in summer

John Gaunt, co-managing director of Edwin Woodhouse, said:

“The Mill Kitchen and Grumpy’s have proved a tremendously popular members of our Sunny Bank Mills community in recent years. We are delighted to help them build on the success they have already achieved.

“Indeed the Mill Kitchen hit the national headlines last month when it hosted Emma Barnett’s Election Show on Radio Five. Emma was impressed by the Mill Kitchen, and indeed by Sunny Bank Mills itself, and we were delighted to show her around.”

Many original features of the Old Combing building – where the mill used to comb the wool tops prior to spinning the worsted yarn used in the weaving of some of the finest worsted cloth in the world – have been kept.

These are complemented by recycled and reclaimed furniture.

Work is also under way on a £2 million project called Weaver’s Yard, which will transform the mill.

The central part of the estate is being re-modelled to create open spaces and to re-establish the prominence of historic mill buildings.

There are now 70 companies, and more than 355 employees, at Sunny Bank Mills.

Simon’s Snaps: Santas galore thanks to Bramley parkrunners

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Bramley parkrun regulars took part in Santa Dash earlier today, raising funds for St Gemma’s Hospice at the same time.

Dispatch photographer Simon Cullingworth was on hand to capture the Santas in fance dress for his regular Simon’s Snaps column.

Simon’s Snaps: Carol singers entertain Bramley shoppers

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westleedslife
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bramley carol singers
Photo: Simon Cullingworth

Christmas shoppers in Bramley Tesco were treated to carol singing on Saturday lunchtime, writes Simon Cullingworth.

Members of various churches congregated in Bramley centre to spread Christmas cheer.

Paul Crabb of St Peter’s Church said the proceedings brought:

“Tidings of comfort and joy!”

Members of all the Churches in Bramley gathered in Tesco on Saturday morning to bless shoppers and staff alike with an hour of Christmas Carols.

Some shoppers look surprised, many smiled, a few left quickly, one or two joined-in as they waited patiently at the checkout.

Some offered donations but were told, “it’s all free, just like Jesus!”.

Calverley’s Rotary Club prepares to deliver Christmas dinners

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westleedslife
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If you know of a lonely elderly person who will be spending Christmas Day alone and would like a Christmas Dinner to be delivered by volunteers let the Rotary Club of Calverley know.

Last year the club delivered around 120 meals in Pudsey, Calverley, Farsley, Rodley, Swinnow, Bramley and Stanningley. A spokesperson said:

“We are very grateful to the staff at Calverley Golf Club for preparing them so that we can deliver piping hot to these people.”

Please contact David Hastings 0788 5765379.

Bramley RLFC Legends: Andy Mason

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westleedslife
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andy mason bramley rlfc

Can a player who only made 44 apperances for the club, be classed as a legend? writes Paul Abraham.

In Andy Mason’s case he can!  After representing Yorkshire County Rugby Union on a number of occasions Bramley acted swiftly and fought off many bigger and richer clubs to sign Andy for a club record signing on fee.

Andy made his debut in the black and amber on February 3rd 1985 in a 12-19 reverse at Batley playing at right centre. 

His first try for the club was when he made his first appearance at stand-off in the 16-19 home defeat to Dewsbury. 

Quickly adapting to league and Andy showed what he could produce when he outpaced the Whitehaven team three times to post his first Bramley hat-trick in a very impressive 32-4 home victory. 

A week later he scored again, this time in a 14-26 home loss versus Swinton. 

His pre-match warm-up of jogging alone around the pitch for 10 minutes was now something the Bramley faithful looked forward to seeing. 

During April Andy crossed the whitewash five times in three matches, a try at Swinton in a 10-18 reverse and then a brace of tries in his next two matches, a 30-10 home victory against Doncaster and then in an exciting 22-18 win at Blackpool Borough. 

Andy ended the season having played 13 times (10 at right centre and 3 at stand-off) and had crossed for an impressive ten tries.

Season 1985-86 saw Andy get off to a flying start scoring tries in the first three games of the season, nail-biting victories at home to Batley (14-13) and at Doncaster (16-14) with an 18-20 defeat at Mansfield sandwiched between. 

A  Yorkshire Cup victory (22-10) at home to Doncaster  brought him another try. 

Tries at home to Fulham (lost 24-42) and in victories at Runcorn (31-29) and Fulham (20-18) and Andy was starting to be watched by many first division clubs especially after scoring for Yorkshire in the War of the Roses match and also being selected as 18th man for Great Britain in the first test match against Australia at Old Trafford. 

Tries then followed in the 16-7 home win against Huddersfield followed a week later in a 6-19 defeat by Wakefield at McClaren Field  and a 14-12 victory at home to the Sheffield Eagles. 

The match at league leaders Whitehaven in the beginning of March is classed as one of the best Bramley performances in their history for those fortunate to have travelled up to Cumbria to witness it. 

After conceding early tries, Bramley then clicked in to gear with Andy and Peter Lister both giving exceptional performances as the Villagers smashed the Whitehaven side by 38 points to 14. 

Despite not scoring, Andy shone the following week in a 20-20 RL Challenge Cup first round draw at First Division Bradford Northern. 

A 46-10 thrashing of Keighley at home brought Andy another brace of tries and he then scored two tries in a hard fought 20-15 home victory at home to Blackpool Borough, these would be his last tries in a Bramley shirt. 

Andy’s final match was on the 18th April when Bramley defeated Mansfield at McClaren Field 46-20. 

A big money transfer ten took Andy to Leeds, but despite the short stay he left the Bramley faithful with some amazing memories.

Season     Apps      Tries

1984-85     13           10

1985-86     31           16

Total           44           26

Mark’s History: Landowner Thomas Kilson and Upper Wortley Primary School

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westleedslife
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upper wortley primary school
Photo: Mark Stevenson

In 1846 Thomas Kilson may have been looking out of his window looking out at the world and wondering about all the changes that were taking place around his little croft and garden, writes Mark Stevenson.

Move on 30 years and those changes will have changed this part of Wortley forever.

In 1876 Upper Wortley Primary School on Upper Wortley Road was opened (on Kilson’s land) to educate the growing population of the area.

When I came across the school prior to its redevelopment into flats in 2015 it was in a sorry state, which is not unusual for listed buildings been listed. There was no protection against vandals.

Photos: Mark Stevenson

Upper Wortley Primary School is one of 35 Board Schools designed by Richard Adams for the Leeds School Board.

It is now part of a new small housing estate by Advent Developments.

Pudsey General Election 2019 result: Conservative Stuart Andrew increases majority – UPDATED

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Pudsey MP Stuart Andrew.

Conservative Stuart Andrew comfortably held his marginal Pudsey Constituency seat.

Labour had hoped to win in Pudsey and oust Mr Andrew. In the end he increased his majority from just 331 to 3,517, an increased vote share of 1.4% on the 2017 result.

Results:

Jane Aitchison (Labour) – 22,936

Stuart Andrew (Conservative) – 26,453

Bob Buxton (Yorkshire Party) – 844

Quinn Daley (Green) – 894

Ian Dowling (Liberal Democrats) – 3,088

Speaking at the count at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, he said:

“At the last election, I nearly lost this seat, but it was remarkable on the doorstep to hear how many people were voting for us this time.

“Politicians ignore democracy at their peril. It is our job to deliver on that commitment, make sure we get Brexit delivered, then concentrate on those issues that matter.

“The National Health Service, police, and locally we need to make sure we sort out our transport.”

The Pudsey constituency includes the Leeds City Council wards of Calverley and Farsley, Guiseley and Rawdon, Horsforth, and Pudsey.

The seat had traditionally been a Conservative stronghold until 1997, when it was taken for Labour by Paul Truswell. Truswell retired in 2010, and the seat was taken back for the tories by Stuart Andrew.

Going into this election, Andrew sat on one of the slimmest majorities in the region – just 331 ahead of nearest challenger, Labour’s Ian McCargo at the 2017 vote.

Leeds West 2019 General Election result – Labour’s Rachel Reeves holds: UPDATED

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Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves

Labour’s Rachel Reeves has held her Leeds West seat in the 2019 General Election.

Ms Reeves received 22,186 votes, a share of 55.1% – down 8.9% on the 2017 election.

Conservative Party candidate Mark Dormer won 11,622 votes, a 28.9% share, an increased vote of almost 3% on the last election.

Brexit Party’s Phillip Mars received 2,685 votes in third place.

The results are:

  • Yorkshire Party – 650
  • Alliance for Green Socialism – 31
  • Conservatives – 11,622
  • Brexit Party – 2,685
  • Labour – 22,186
  • Green Party – 1,274
  • Lib Dems – 1,787
  • SDP – 46

Following the result, Ms Reeves Tweeted:

“It’s a privilege to have been re-elected by the people of Leeds West. I will work tirelessly to repay your faith in me.

“But after tonight’s devastating results for @UKLabour we need to re-build trust in our party and learn some difficult lessons if we want to win again. “

Ms Reeves, who had more than 5,000 votes sliced off her majority, called on the Labour Party to “learn lessons” from its election defeat.

She spoke of the need for the party to re-win trust in order to regain power and make changes. She said:

“This evening was a disappointing night for the party I love. The country does not deserve the government it has elected this evening. Our country deserves better than this.

“The Labour Party needs to re-win the trust of people. Labour has not won a general election since 2005 and we with humility and respect need to learn those lessons.

“If we don’t, we are letting down the most vulnerable people in our society. We are allowing our public services to continue to go underfunded, and we are allowing a Tory hard Brexit.

“Without power we are powerless, we are powerless to defend to serve the people we got into politics to serve.

“I will make sure that next time Labour returns to power because we have learned the lessons from this election.”

The constituency of Leeds West covers the council wards of Armley, Bramley and Stanningley, Farnley and Wortley, and Kirkstall.

The seat has been held by Labour since Clement Attlee’s landslide election victory in 1945, except for four years in the mid-1980s when it was briefly held for the Liberal Party by Michael Meadowcroft.

Long-serving MP John Battle then held the seat for Labour from 1987, before retiring in 2010, for the seat to be taken over by Rachel Reeves.

Going into this election, Reeves held a healthy majority of 15,965 gained in the 2017 vote.

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