West Leeds World War One graves: St Wilfrid’s in Calverley

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November 2, 2019

Calverley war grave — Photo: Mark Stevenson

A week or so ago I thought it might be a good idea to take a photo of all the World War One graves in West Leeds, writes Mark Stevenson.

It soon became clear I would need to narrow it down to get it done in the time I had.

The numbers I use are from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website and, to make it more manageable, I only took a photo of graves with a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone.

Some WW1 war graves have private headstones, which meant I would have had to look at all the graves in West Leeds which I did not have time for, but I’m sure I will get around to.

Today’s Cemetery is Calverley’s St Wilfrid’s Churchyard.

Of the eight casualties buried here from WW1, I was only able to find one headstone and that was for R Hockley, husband of Gertrude Lavinia Hockley, of 8 Woodland View, Calverley.

While I was in the churchyard I got talking to a lady who told me she once lived on Woodland View. At the time I did not know R Hockley’s address.

Yesterday Mark featured the war graves at Armley’s Hill Top Cemetery.

New Pudsey Station may lose £5 million park and ride funding

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westleedslife

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November 1, 2019

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new pudsey station — New Pudsey Station. Photo: Ian Kirk, used under Creative Commons licence

A planned park and ride scheme in New Pudsey Rail Station is at “high risk” of running beyond its funding deadline, a report has revealed, writes Richard Beecham.

Work to the station, including increased parking, had been proposed by West Yorkshire Combined Authority as part of its Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme.

The Authority, which oversees major transport projects across the region, said the scheme “would increase the opportunity for park and ride and would enhance connectivity to, from and within West Yorkshire.”

The work, estimated to cost around £5 million, would be paid for through Growth Deal funding, which has to be spent by March 2021. It would have led to the station’s car park almost doubling in size.

However, a recent report to the Combined Authority has revealed that there is a “high risk” that the work at Pudsey will not be delivered before that date, and the money allocated to the scheme may have to be “re-profiled” to other transport schemes.

Transport bosses are in the process of speaking with the Government to establish what needs to be done to keep the plans on track.

The Transport Investment Programme involves funding from the Department for Transport and the Combined Authority funds of up to £173.5 million. The funding programme opened in 2017 and has to be completed by 2021.

The report, which is going before the West Yorkshire and York Investment Committee on Thursday, says “issues” around the delivery of the scheme had arisen between the Authority, Network Rail, and Northern Rail, and these issues would push the delivery beyond the March 2021 date.

It says there are also issues involving the delivery of the Rail Accessibility Programme, a scheme to create “step free access” from the station entry point through to the platform edge at Cross Gates, Horsforth and Morley rail stations.

The report to the committee says:

“The Rail Accessibility Programme and New Pudsey Park and Ride are now both at high risk for delivering beyond the end of the programme. Issues have arisen through the delivery of the schemes through Network Rail and Northern which have pushed delivery beyond April 2021.
“The Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme programme manager is in discussion with the Department for Transport on how this could be accommodated, or if the allocated spend will have to be re-profiled to other schemes.
“A meeting was held with DfT in October and options for end of programme spend are being discussed; a report on this issue will be submitted to DfT in due course.
“The outcome of these discussions will determine how the end of programme spend is profiled and which elements may continue at risk.
“The programme is being carefully monitored to ensure that spend profiles are maintained and the programme is fully allocated.
“Additional match funding from other sources is also being investigated to enable delivery of some of the over-programmed elements. The outcome of the negotiations with DfT could impact on the necessity to spend before the end of the programme.”

Other schemes proposed as part of the Programme include a rail station at the White Rose Shopping Centre. And details of a planned parkway at Leeds Bradford Airport will also be revealed before the end of the year.

Burley: New home plan on historic lodge site causes concern

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westleedslife

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November 1, 2019

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A new house could be built on the site of a historic former lodge house in Burley, much to the concern of residents and councillors.

Applicant Mr K Malik has applied for retrospective permission to build a new dwelling on grounds formerly associated with St Anne’s Villa, off Burley Road.

The proposals create a new dwelling in place of the original lodge house, the total demolition of which was approved in 2014.

But substantial works have taken place both internally and externally prior to approval for a new build on the site.

A report to be considered by councillors at next Thursday’s South and West Plans Panel meeting says works already carried out include the removal of the side and rear walls, removal of previous rear extension, and the building of partial new walls to front, sides and rear. It adds:

“As only partial demolition has taken place and new build has commenced without permission this application has been submitted to regularise the works.
“It is due to the extent of wall removal that the application has been submitted as a new dwelling, rather than as extensions to the existing dwelling. ”

The report adds:

“This former lodge building has been lost almost in its entirety due to the removal of a substantial number of walls and the roof, coupled with previous loss of chimneys.
“This was formerly an attractive and characterful building although badly in need of upkeep and repair.
“The loss is regrettable, however a previous application to demolish the lodge was approved in December 2014. “

There have been eight objections to the plans, including the developer starting work without planning approval, over dominance and loss of privacy, materials not in keeping with the original building and the development appears to create a new dwelling within the historic property.

Residents say the works should preserve a historical feature.

But council officers are advising the plans be approved, subject to a raft of conditions, including advising the council over materials used and the installation of an electric car charging point.

The report concludes:

“Whilst the proposal raises a number of concerns such as the poor outlook from the living room, the loss of the original building and the poor amenity space, this decision is finely balanced between the harm these issues raise and the benefits of trying to retain a piece of local heritage with a viable and practical use going forwards.
“The proposal before Members is considered to comply with both national and local planning policy and provides a balance between reflecting on what was there previously whilst providing a home that is more appropriate to today’s living standards.
“Given the previously approved applications, including approval for demolition, it is considered the current scheme creates a limited impact upon visual or residential amenity and is acceptable in highway safety terms.”

The council report can be read in full here.

Police appeal following Leeds ‘ride out’

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westleedslife

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November 1, 2019

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Police have launched an investigation to identify those involved in a motorbike ‘ride out’ across Leeds – including Kirkstall Road.

From about 5.30pm groups of motorcycles and quad bikes congregating around Seacroft, Kirkstall Road and Roundhay Park before riding in and around the city centre, with about 40 to 50 vehicles involved at its peak.

Members of the public reported being alarmed by the riders, a number of whom were wearing balaclavas and mounted pavements and ignored traffic signs.

Some were riding without lights and had no number plates. There were also reports of cars being damaged by bikes squeezing past them in traffic.

Police say those involved appeared to have come from the Seacroft, Halton Moor, Harehills, Bramley and Armley areas.

The incident is similar to the 2016 Halloween ride-out, which involved over 100 youths who congregated in Kirkstall Road before riding into the city centre. Thirteen people were jailed at a later court hearing.

Leedswatch CCTV cameras and police drones were also used to capture footage that will now be subject to detailed analysis as part of the investigation.

The numbers involved eventually reduced with incidents concluding by about 9.30pm.

Superintentent Jackie Marsh, of the city’s community safety partnership Safer Leeds, said:

“The dangerous and anti-social behaviour of those who took part in these incidents last night was completely unacceptable and put people’s safety at risk and unnecessarily caused fear to members of the public.
“We simply will not allow activity like this that impacts on people’s lives to go unchallenged and will be taking robust action against those we identify as being involved.
“Detectives will now be comprehensively reviewing all the available evidence, including CCTV, officers’ body-worn video and police drone footage, as we work to identify suspects and arrest them and seize their vehicles.
“Our investigation into a similar but much larger event in Leeds in 2016 resulted in thirteen people receiving prison sentences totalling almost fifteen years for causing a public nuisance.
“That should provide a very stark reminder to others of the potential penalties they can face if they choose to involve themselves in incidents like this.”

Anyone with any information or phone or dashcam footage is asked to contact Leeds District CID via 101 quoting log number 324 of October 31 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

West Leeds World War One Graves: Armley Hill Top

By

westleedslife

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November 1, 2019

2

A week or so ago I thought it might be a good idea to take a photo of all the World War One graves in West Leeds, writes Mark Stevenson.

It soon became clear to me I would need to narrow it down to get it done in the time I had.

The numbers I use are from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website and to make it more manageable I only took a photo of graves with a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone.

Some WW1 war graves have private headstones which meant I would have had to look at all the graves in West Leeds, which I did not have time for, but I’m sure I will get around to.

Armley Hill Top Cemetery has 34 casualties from WW1.

I was able to find 23 with War Graves Commission headstones. Two I was able to find addresses for that are still around today. Thomas Sedgwick, of 15, Aviary Grove, Armley and J H Wilkinson, of 18, Clarence St., Bramley.

Look out for other cemeteries over the coming days.

Bramley: Healthy Hallowe’en activities on Wyther Park estate

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westleedslife

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November 1, 2019

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Nineteen families on the Wyther Park estate in Bramley have received a free breakfast and lunch.

Volunteers from the Wyther Park Community Group ran a Healthy Halloween Holidays day, which was filled with activities including lots of exercise.

Local resident Jacky Scott said

“It was great to see so many people from the local community coming together.”

And Donna Bell added:

“It’s nice to see parents put their phones down and get involved, and everyone’s costumes were great! We also ran this stay and play over the summer holidays and it will be back in the Christmas holidays too.”

The funding was from the Leeds Community Foundation and the food was provided free from Fareshare. Wyther Park Community Group was supported by its community development worker and by Barca Leeds (Better Together), who provided 30 free pumpkins and helped families carve them.

Kirkstall Valley: Grants awarded to help improve environment

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westleedslife

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November 1, 2019

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kirkstall valley grants — Kirkstall Valley Grant recipients in November 2019.

A grants scheme to help projects that improve the environment and wellbeing for communities in the Kirkstall Valley has presented the second round of its awards.

The scheme aims to empower residents in the Kirkstall Valley (Armley, Burley, Bramley, Kirkstall, Rodley and Horsforth) to “create a leading example of what a sustainable future could look like”.

It focuses on what can be achieved by small-scale projects with limited resources, and how that can inspire lasting community connection and is is a joint initiative between Kirkstall Valley Development Trust (KVDT) and Open Source Arts (OSA), with support from Power to Change.

The three award winners in this round were:

James Gray – Park Green Community Project, Armley

Park Green is a community-owned space in Armley, which is in desperate need of some improvements.

Residents are coming together to change the Green into an ecological community space, with a new bee-friendly border with indigenous wildflowers, insect hotels, communal composting for kitchen waste and maintenance to the iron fence.

The project hopes to encourage residents to take pride in their local green spaces, share skills and knowledge by getting involved in gardening and to engage with recycling, especially our food scraps which often end up in landfills. The grant will be used for tools needed for the work on the land.

Dr Tig Calvert – Flower Gardens, Kirkstall Lane

A small group of neighbours wish to contribute to the community by planting flower gardens in properties off Kirkstall Lane (Ash Road/Langdales and surrounding area) – particularly properties where landlords or residents are not currently able to maintain a garden.

They will supply planters, hanging baskets, plants and aftercare to enable the community to enjoy bee and butterfly attracting flowers and natural wild areas where appropriate.

The project is to be run by volunteers. The project can easily be extended to other areas within the Kirkstall Valley region with the help of new volunteers.

Priya Sidharh and Beth Stepan – One Billion Rising Leeds

One Billion Rising is a global response to the UN statistic that one in three women experience rape or serious violence, encouraging people everywhere to ‘rise’ against this issue.

The One Billion Rising Leeds campaign celebrates the brilliant work of our local charities and supports them in their aims, through community collaboration.

OBR Leeds will be facilitating workshops for Leeds residents to come together and get creative in expressing solidarity with the local charities that work towards ending violence against women and girls, and will print the artwork created in a booklet, to share in fundraising endeavours for these charities.

Applications for round three welcome

If you live or work in the Kirkstall Valley area and you have an idea for a great project that you could run in the local community, take a look at the Kirkstall Valley Grants website to find out if you’d be eligible. Or give Open Source Arts a call on 0113 246 8975.

The first round saw funding for Edible Beds Project in Bramley, Bug Houses on the Broadleas in Bramley, hedgehog conservation in Armley and neighbourhood planting in Eden Crescent, Kirkstall. Read The Dispatch’s report here.

Mark’s History: The friendly Gotts Ghost

By

Anne Akers

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October 31, 2019

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If you are one of the many dog walkers or joggers that use Armley Park and you see a strange figure where the fountain is, don’t worry – it probably the ghost of Benjamin Gott, who is said to haunt the fountain, writes Mark Stevenson.

Apparently, he is a friendly ghost who is happy to help people who may be lost in the park.

Considering he died some 50 years or so before the fountain was built I would have thought he would have been looking at the fountain and wondering who had built a fountain in his garden.

The fountain in Armley Park is grade ll listed and it was erected by William Henry Gott to commemorate the sixtieth year of Queen Victoria’s reign in 1897.

Read more about local history in Mark’s column, one of our regular features.

Armley: Gotts Park cafe closes – group seeks new base

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westleedslife

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October 30, 2019

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Customers say they are ‘gutted’ that the cafe at Gotts Park Mansion in Armley is now closed ‘until further notice’.

Current owners Amanda and Jayne have chosen to ‘seek new ventures’ after taking on the cafe in 2017.

They had hoped to continue until Christmas but ‘due to unforeseen circumstances’ have now closed immediately.

The cafe, based inside the Manor House, sold hot and cold meals, drinks, snacks and breakfasts.

A post on the cafe’s Facebook page said:

“We would like to thank everyone for their continued support over the last two-and-a-half years we have made some really great friends of which I’m sure our friendships will continue.”

Disappointed customers have posted their thanks to Amanda and Jayne.

Charlie Rust posted:

“Oh no! Good luck with whatever you do. I loved coming to you with the kids, best breakfast ever x”

Mandy Brownsword posted her tributes. She said:

“You’ve been amazing ladies and I wish you both love for your future ventures and family life xx”

Jackie Drewett added:

“Oh … ladies how sad but can I say as a family business in London please support your local shops and cafes etc as when they are gone you can’t replace them … x good luck.”

Hookers and Clickers met at Gotts Park Cafe. Photo: Joanne Brophy

Armley resident Joanne Brophy runs the Hookers and Clickers crochet and knitting group at the cafe. She is now looking for new premises in the area, preferably a cafe. Joanne said:

“We will be very sad to see the cafe close. It’s a lovely space in beautiful grounds with well-cooked food and always with a smile.
“Amanda and Jayne enjoyed us being there. We all either had breakfast or lunch and cake too!
“Now I will need to find another space to use, preferably a cafe. I’d like very much to keep it in Armley.”

Joanne, who launched the group last year, said there can be anything up to 15 ladies there on a Tuesday morning.

“As well as knitting and crocheting for different charities, it encourages people to talk and as the group has ‘bonded’ over time people have spoken about their mental health, children, grandchildren, jobs they’ve had etc.
“I think all of the ladies look forward to meeting up on Tuesday. The cafe had lots of outside space too, we did a flower arranging class outside just for something different for us to do/learn.
“We have also had ladies from the FB page come to Gotts Park Cafe to visit us. They have come from Essex, Middlesex, Northumberland, Scotland. One of the ladies lives in Hong Kong and visits us when she’s in UK.
“Gotts Park cafe closing is a blow to my group. “

If anyone has a cafe and wants to host a knitting group, e-mail Joanne on hookersandclickers@gmail.com.

On Facebook, the cafe told Joanne they were ‘gutted’ to close and added:

“We cannot thank you enough for your support. If not for you and the groups you have introduced to Gotts Park we would have closed a while ago xx. You’re super special and we love you.”

What time does Bramley Park bonfire and fireworks start?

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westleedslife

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October 30, 2019

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Thousands of people are expected to turn out for the 2019 Bramley Park bonfire and fireworks display.

Six large community bonfires will once again mark Bonfire Night in style this year in Leeds.

In what is always an occasion not to be missed for all the family, the free public bonfire organised by Leeds City Council will be held on Tuesday, November 5.

As is tradition, a safe firework display will accompany and provide a rousing conclusion of the event.

The fire will be lit at 7pm, with fireworks starting at 7.30pm.

In the interests of safety, visitors are asked to leave their own fireworks and sparklers at home, as they enjoy a fantastic feast of colour and entertainment on the night.

Pudsey restaurant applies for extension – weeks after initial plans refused

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westleedslife

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October 30, 2019

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A popular Pudsey restaurant is hoping to get the green light for its extension plans – at the second time of asking.

East Bar and Restaurant, off Richardshaw Lane, wants to extend its existing restaurant and the beer store to accommodate new toilet facilities and servery area.

The extension would create an extra 70 square metres of floorspace.

The application, by Chris Durkin, says the existing roof terrace would also be extended and existing doors and windows would be re-used.

As reported by The Dispatch last month, the restaurant had initial plans for two single storey rear extensions, extension of the existing roof terrace and a new single storey entrance lobby refused by Leeds City Council.

A planning officer’s report refusing permission said that proposal was acceptable in terms of the design and appearance, but points to concerns over parking and noise from the roof terrace.

East’s latest planning application can be read in full here.

Show home to open at South Side Ridge, Pudsey

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westleedslife

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October 30, 2019

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Sponsored content

The show home at an exciting new residential development in Pudsey is opening its doors for the first time on Saturday November 2 and Sunday November 3.

South Side Ridge on Pudsey Road is proudly presented by Advent Developments and on completion will comprise just 12 contemporary styled four and five-bedroom family homes surrounded by extensive mature landscaping.

The generous kitchen at South Side Ridge

Tim Reeve, Managing Director of Advent Developments, said:

“The opening of the show home is always an exciting time as it gives potential buyers a real appreciation of the quality of the houses we are building.
“They will be able to see first-hand the designer kitchen, the spacious living areas and generously sized bedrooms as well as external features including a double garage, private parking and landscaped gardens with superb deck area.”

Meanwhile, one of the site’s other main features is its south facing aspect with elevated and uninterrupted long distance views across Post Hill.

Tracy Robinson, Sales Negotiator at selling agent LSL Land & New Homes, said:

“The view certainly gives the development the ‘wow factor’ and all the properties have been positioned to take full advantage.
“When you look out of the windows and see vast swathes of open countryside it is hard to believe you are so close to the centre of Leeds.”

The interior of the five-bedroom show home has been designed by Beckett & Beckett Interiors who are based on Stanningley Road.

Large lounge with a great view at South Side Ridge

Prices at South Side Ridge start from £549,950 and the Government-backed Help to Buy scheme is also available (subject to status). The first phase has already sold off-plan.

The show home will be open from 10am-5pm on November 2 and 3 and then every Thursday to Monday thereafter.

For all enquiries please contact LSL Land & New Homes on 07837 116 469, or visit www.southsideridge.co.uk.