Are you a business based in West Leeds? Do you want to promote your business? This event in Armley could be up your street, writes Martin Heaton.
Armley Conservative Sports and Social Club are holding a Christmas Fayre on Sunday 1 December from 3pm to 6pm to showcase local businesses within West Leeds.
Indoor tables will be charged £10. Or (if you are brave) £5 for an outdoor space but outside stallholders will need to provide their own table and any shelter they may need. Entry is free for all visitors.
Organiser Carrie Summers said:
“The fayre is being held to try and boost local businesses throughout West Leeds and is open to the public and not just members.
“There are currently a number of local businesses showing their produce, including beauty, perfume, sweets, handmade gifts, light up bottles and a local photographer.”
The licensed bar will be open throughout the Fayre
Forty-nine children, parents and friends joined Families Together Leeds at their Family Monster Picnic at St Peter’s Church Hall, Bramley.
.The free event was held on Halloween to celebrate charity Family Action’s 150th anniversary.
Local families, including those they support, were invited to bring a picnic and have fun spending quality time together.
Entertainment
was provided by Bounce and Wobble and a slime making workshop was run by
University Centre from Leeds City College. Other activities included salt dough
monsters, hand prints, 10 minute raves, a colouring competition and rock
decorating. The painted Family Action
rocks will be hidden in a local park next week for children to find.
Family Action is a national charity with around 145 services across the country that support 45,000 families every year.
Janina Macheta, Operational Manager at Families Together Leeds, said:
“A picnic is a great way for families to spend quality time together in the fresh air that is easy and inexpensive. We were delighted that so many local families joined us at our Family Monsters picnic where they enjoyed themselves so much and made happy families memories together.”
David Holmes CBE, Chief Executive of Family Action, said:
“At the beginning of our 150th Anniversary we conducted some research about family pressures which found that one of the biggest challenges families face is not having enough quality time together. We organised the Family Monsters picnics to give families the opportunity to relax together, to talk and reconnect and above all have fun. We are thrilled that so many people came along to help us celebrate our anniversary.”
To mark its 150th anniversary the charity has launched its Family Monsters Project to help families with everyday challenges. It has started a national conversation about the everyday pressures on families or ‘family monsters’.
The campaign aims to get these pressures out in the open and to stop family monsters from becoming overwhelming by helping families find ways to talk about and face their pressures together. Family Action has also released a short film bringing family monsters to life.
Families Together Leeds offers family support, group support and volunteer support to families across the city of Leeds.
Police are appealing for information following an attempted robbery on a mother with her baby near Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall.
At about 5.30pm on Saturday the 21-year-old victim was walking in the park near to the Abbey House Museum when a man approached her and asked for the time.
As she walked on the man ran up to her and put his hand in her coat pocket knocking her into the pushchair and causing her and her baby to fall to the ground. Neither was injured and nothing was stolen.
The man ran off in the general direction of Horsforth.
He was white, about 5ft 9ins tall, and of stocky, medium build. He was wearing a dark zip-up jacket and dark jogging bottoms.
Officers are looking into whether it is linked to a street robbery that occurred at about 3am on Sunday involving a similarly described suspect.
A 19-year-old man was approached near to TGI Friday’s, at the bottom of Kirkstall Road, by a man who asked him the time. When the victim looked at his phone, the suspect barged him out the way and ran off with it.
Anyone who witnessed either incident or has been approached in a similar manner is asked to contact Leeds District Crime Team via 101 quoting crime reference 13190589573 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Christ Church in Armley is one of the locations hosting a community-based HIV testing session as part of National HIV Testing week, writes Keely Bannister.
Being held on Monday 18th November from 3pm until 6pm, the Christ Church session will be run by BHA Leeds Skyline – a sexual health charity offering HIV support services for anyone living with or affected by HIV, and HIV testing for Black African communities.
Targeted at people of colour but open to anyone who needs a test, the testing process is very simple: a small prick of the finger – hence the awareness week’s key message of ‘Give HIV the finger: a finger-prick test is all it takes’–resulting in a small amount of blood being placed on a testing strip and then a result in 20 minutes. Other tests such as for gonorrhea and chlamydia will also be available.
Some personal details will be requested from attendees, but these are never used to identify a person and discretion is always used by the experienced staff.
Other sessions will be available throughout the week in different parts of the city, all of which can be viewed here.
Now in its eighth year, National HIV testing week aims to reduce the numbers of undiagnosed people and those who are diagnosed late.
Despite great advances in prevention, testing and treatment contributing to a national reduction in the number of people diagnosed with HIV, there are still around 1 in 12 people who are unaware they have HIV and spend an average of three to five years not knowing, increasing the risk of passing HIV on to sexual partners.
Late diagnosis rates are still too high – nationally 43% of people were diagnosed late in 2018. This correlates to poorer long-term health outcomes and leads to a tenfold increase of death within one year.
Former Armley councillor Alison Lowe will have her HIV test live streamed on Wednesday 20th November to help highlight the process and encourage others to take the test.
For more information relating to HIV and black African communities please contact Jeni Hirst, Director of BHA Leeds Skyline on 0113 2449767 or jeni@thebha.org.uk.
For more information relating to HIV and Gay & Bisexual Men please contact Tom Doyle, Chief Executive of Yorkshire MESMAC on 0113 244 4209 / 07771 931 421 or t.doyle@mesmac.co.uk.
Bramley Library/Community Hub. Copyright Stephen Craven and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
As part of International Fraud Awareness Week, Housing Leeds fraud officers are hosting a series of drop-in sessions in Bramley, Kirkstall and Wortley as well as other areas of the city, writes Keely Bannister.
The sessions, being held at the centres with the most footfall, are a chance for people to meet with officers and raise any issues of tenancy fraud.
Monday 18th November from 1pm to 4pm @ Seacroft Community Hub
Tuesday 19th November from 10am to 1pm @ Dewsbury Road Community Hub
Wednesday 20th November from 10am to 1pm @ Garforth Community Hub
Wednesday 20th November from 1pm to 4pm @ Moor Allerton Hub
Thursday 21st November from 10am to 1pm @ Morley Community Hub
Friday 22nd November from 1pm to 4pm @ The Compton Centre
Examples of tenancy fraud can include the named tenant permanently living somewhere else and sub-letting a property without permission.
If you have any concerns but you cannot attend one of the sessions you can contact the fraud team by emailing tenancyfraud@leeds.gov.uk or calling 0800 144 4000.
Council bosses have over-ruled an objection to preserve trees on land near a business in Bramley.
Last year residents living in the Houghley Gill area successfully fought against plans to pull down protected trees on historic woodland and replace them with three light industrial units and car parking near Hill Top Commercial Centre.
Gaunts Property Ltd had described the woodland as a ‘poor quality’, a point contested by local residents.
Leeds City Council made a Tree Preservation Order on 10 May 2019 on a provisional basis, but the landowner objected.
“… There is little evidence to support that they are of significant amenity value which together with species quality and viability …”
But council officers disagreed with Mr Tavendale’s assessment, saying
” It is not necessary for there to be direct public access to the woodland, for it to be classed as a valuable amenity to the area. The trees comprising the woodland are considered to constitute an amenity to the local residents and to provide food, nest sites and cover for local wildlife. Pockets of woodland such as this are considered to be valuable urban assets. “
Problems: Armley Town Street. Photo: Lilly Marchesi
Armley is one of four areas across Leeds to benefit from a pot of money to tackle problems with knife crime.
The Home Office has awarded Leeds City Council £172,840 to spend on community projects that aim to prevent and reduce youth violence in four areas: Gipton & Harehills, Burmantofts & Richmond Hill and Armley wards, plus Chapeltown.
A council report released this week says grants of between £3,000 and £12,000 will be awarded to local organisations through a competitive application process.
The report, by Leeds City Council officer Kate Sibson, says:
“Grants will be made available for projects delivering in wards with the highest knife crime prevalence,
“A short-term grant programme is the most effective way of investing in projects and organisations with close community ties that are able to mobilise and complete programmes of activity within the tight timescale.”
The report approving the four-month programme can be found here. Projects must be fully delivered by March 2020 and more details on how to apply for a grant will be revealed in due course.
The crowds flocked to Bramley Shopping Centre on Friday night for the annual Christmas lights switch on.
Paul James Swain Photography was on hand to capture some of the performances, fun and festivities - and fireworks - from the night. Here's a small selection of his photographs...
The festive season gets really under way in Bramley as the Christmas lights are switched on at Bramley Shopping Centre on Friday, 22 November 2019, writes Helen Garrand.
It’s an evening not to be missed, with a full programme of events starting at 5pm right through to 8pm to keep the whole family entertained.
What’s more Ronnie the Rhino from Leeds Rhinos RLFC and Vodaphone’s Gigafast Rocket Boy will be dropping in to say ‘hello!’.
An evening packed with great entertainment includes Christmas carols sung by West Leeds SILC (Special Inclusive Learning Centre) Choir, dance with Dazl Explode from Dance Action Zone Leeds, songs from Rachel Crowe – all hosted by Flamingoland’s award-winning Ryan Swain and his puppets.
And the Christmas lights switch on is followed by a fireworks display.
Have fun and do your Christmas shopping with stalls include face painters, balloon modeller and Christmas crafts along with fairground rides.
And to round off the fun-filled evening the MIND Christmas Grotto opens its doors for children to meet Santa and enjoy a magical experience.
The Bramley Lights Switch On is sponsored by the following:
Inner Area West Community Committee (Wellbeing Fund)
Baptist Church richardshaw lane Photo: Mark Stevenson
Sometimes when I take a picture of a building I think ‘that looks interesting’ and take the picture without really seeing what I am looking at, writes Mark Stevenson.
This old church is one of those buildings. I took these pictures three years ago, happy that I had the pictures and then just ignored them. Well, more fool me!
Built in 1827 – old Baptist church and minister’s house. Photo: Mark Stevenson
This old Baptist church and attached minister’s house on Richardshaw Lane in Pudsey is 192 years old, as they were built in 1827.
But it is not the age of the building that attracted my interest, it is the fact that the area in front of the minister’s house and the side of the church was once a burial ground.
Does anyone remember this burial ground? Or if the bodies have been moved or are they still buried there?
The graves were still there in 1950 but after that, I am not sure what happened to them.
The plaque on the front of the building reads Technico House and it is now a nursery. The building is Grade ll listed.
The big event will be held on Wednesday 20 November 2019 in the leisure centre car park from 3pm.
The big switch-on is at 7pm and the event will feature live music, food, games, stalls, gifts, books and toys.
This year’s switch on will also feature a major walk-through illusion, the Vortex Tunnel.
Be prepared to lose your balance and hold on tight as the virtual Vortex has you tilting, turning during this crazy adventure. The Vortex is great fun for children (over three years old) and adults.
The City of Leeds Youth Wind Orchestra will also perform.
Farsley Celtic have now gone four league games without victory as nine-man Boston United left with all three points following a 4-2 victory, writes Thomas Ritchie.
The Celt Army twice fought back from a goal down, however failed to make their numerical advantage count as the visitors struck twice in the final 20 minutes against the run of play.
Farsley Celtic Manager Adam Lakeland cut a frustrated figure after the game, as he said:
“I have to say our defending in that second-half was terrible, the goals were too easy, I’ve spoken about them with the players in there.
“It’s nowhere near good enough defending, letting them get in with ease, because I’ve actually felt we’ve played really well there over 90 minutes, and in the second-half we were certainly the better team.
“When it went to 2-2, you felt like we were the team in the ascendancy and that we’d go on and win it, there’s still 25 minutes to go at that point. They’ve obviously made a change and brought (Jay) Rollins on, with a bit of extra pace up top.
“If you concede four goals you don’t deserve to get anything out of a game of football, we’ve been a bit naïve there.
“We’ve lost the game because our defending wasn’t good enough in the second-half, but the referee’s performance was embarrassing, and I feel sorry the assessor!”
After a scrappy opening to the game, the visitors were awarded a penalty midway through the first-half as Will Hayhurst was adjudged to have handled in the box, with Jordan Thewlis converting.
Within three minutes Farsley had struck back through Jimmy Spencer, the forward finding space in the box and superbly heading home Will Hayhurst’s delivery.
Farsley had a couple of half-chances before the first period drew to an end, but came within inches of taking the lead just a minute into the second-half as Spencer crossed from the right for Nathan Cartman whose volley was superbly tipped onto the crossbar by Peter Crook.
The Pilgrims then retook the lead against the run of play, Jordan Thewlis flicking the ball on for Dominic Knowles who kept his cool to slot home.
The Celt Army hit back once again just minutes after falling behind, as Adam Clayton was felled in the box by Crook, with Will Hayhurst firing home the equaliser from the spot.
What appeared would be a decisive moment came just minutes later, as Boston’s Martyn Woolford received his marching orders after lashing out off the ball.
However, Farsley were unable to take advantage of the extra man and it was in fact Boston who went in front when substitute Jay Rollins broke clear and went down under the challenge of Tom Allan in the box.
The referee pointed to the spot, and Jordan Thewlis converted his second penalty of the afternoon.
Adam Clayton collided with the advertising hoardings with around five minutes remaining and was unable to continue as his side were forced to finish the game with 10 men, before the man advantage was reinstated when Boston’s Demeaco Duhaney received a second booking for kicking the ball away.
The best chance for the Celt Army to draw level came in the 90th minute as Will Hayhurst’s corner fell in the box, and somehow Boston cleared as no-one was able to get a shot away.
And the Pilgrims wrapped up the three points in the third minute of added time as they caught Farsley short at the back, with Brad Abbott slotting home when one-on-one with Kyle Trenerry.
