Armley theatre company tackles big issues with play about blind Polish grandad

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October 23, 2019

An Armley-based theatre company is set to tour its new production to key venues in Yorkshire.

Jadek – which is Polish for ‘Grandfather’ – is a semi-autobiographical story of its writer Francesca Joy, who in her 20s moved in with her blind 94-year-old Polish grandad.

The play, produced by the Imagine If company, explores how this unexpected turn of events affected both their lives. It also looks at racism, xenophobia and fear against a backdrop of Brexit.

Francesca Joy as Tasha and Piotr Baumann as Grandad in ***Jadek***.
Photo by Anthony Robling

Founding Artistic Director of Imagine If, Francesca Joy, spent ten years living in Armley. She says that living there help shaped her outlook – and her latest play:

“Jadek is about blindness, not just physically, but metaphorically. I believe some places are valued more than others. There’s a lot of good people doing good things in Armley, Interplay Theatre for instance, but the area needs funding from the Government. It often isn’t valued.
“Jadek is loosely based on my relationship with my grandad, who is my absolute superhero.
“I was touring and afterwards had nowhere to live, so it made sense to go and live with him. It changed the way I saw the arts and ultimately, how I saw the world. It was beautiful, hilarious and heartbreaking.
“When a child grows up in a family of violence, they experience the same brain patterns as a solider at war. I left home at 14 – me and my grandad both grew up as soldiers. He taught me how to stand up for what I believe in.”

In the play, grandad found a home in Yorkshire in 1945 after spending six years fighting and surviving World War Two.

He likes a whisky and hates the ventilation in his front room. Every morning he opens his eyes and a sorrowful “bloody hell” escapes his lips as he realises he’s still blind.

Tasha found a home at her grandad’s house after spending what felt like most of her life at war; she drinks way too much beer, has moved house over 30 times, and is trying to sell her children’s storybook to London publishers.

Francesca said:

“The theatre we create is based on the world around us comprising real stories from real people. We aim to create work that is inspiring, entertaining, thought provoking and unashamedly honest for intimate audiences
“Jadek parallels a lot of what is happening with Brexit and Trump now. There are also parallels with the segregation of cultures, xenophobia and the fear of World War Two repeating itself.
“How is this still happening? I still hear a lot of racism – people don’t know I’m half Polish.
“Jadek is for the broken ones, those who’ve fought wars, the blind, the Polish, the working class, the ones suffering in silence. This is for every single one of you. And as always, this is for my old man, my grandad, my Jadek.”

Yorkshire’s own BAFTA award winning writer Mark Catley [EastEnders, Casualty, Call the Midwife] is working with Francesca as an advisor on the piece. He said:

“Jadek is a beautiful story that starts small and ends up universal. The dialogue between grandfather and granddaughter is so entertaining you’ll want to move in too. The revelations are breath-taking.”

Taking the role of Grandad is Piotr Baumann – an established Polish actor who has just spent a year on Coronation Street as roofer Jan Lozinski.

“I’m delighted to be working with Francesca and Imagine If” said Piotr “Jadek reminds me of growing up with my father in Poland.”

Jadek is audio described for those with visual impairments and Imagine If is working extensively with blind/visually impaired communities and those with Polish heritage in each of the regions on the tour.

Imagine If

Imagine If is an Armley-based theatre company and charity founded in 2014. It tours new writing to theatres and prisons across the UK.

Francesca Joy is a trained actor, writer and producer and uses her first-hand experience to inform the art the company creates and is passionate about working with those under-represented in the arts.

Francesca uses theatre to engage with prisoners, improve their lives and ultimately reduce reoffending and recently worked in America with Tim Robbins [Shawshank Redemption] and his company The Actors’ Gang.

She has worked with young adults in care and recovering addicts, engaging them in theatre to enable them to rewrite their story and ultimately make active change in their lives and has raised over a £250,000 for Imagine If to work with disadvantaged people through the arts.

Jadek is on tour from October 16^th to December 4^th2019. It’s in Leeds at Slung Low and Holbeck Working Mens’ Club on November 17.

For more information and full tour details visit the Imagine If website.

Burley: Firework yobs threatened with arrest

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October 23, 2019

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Groups of youths who barricade roads and launch fireworks in the Burley and Hyde Park areas will face arrest during Bonfire Night.

An injunction being sought by the police and Leeds City Council to tackle firework-related anti-social behaviour that has plagued the community in recent years.

Residents in The Kelsalls area have had their lives made a misery by large groups congregating on the streets and indiscriminately letting off fireworks, often aiming them at people, homes, cars and the emergency services.

The cluster of streets, bordered by Alexandra Road and Burley Lodge Road and including Burley Lawn park, has been described at times as being “like a firework factory going up”.

Between September and December last year nearly a third of the 151 calls made to the police from the area related to firework-related nuisance.

Groups of 30 to 50 youths were involved in anti-social behaviour around the streets and in the park causing considerable distress and intimidation to residents, many of whom would not go out after dark.

Incidents included roads being barricaded, fireworks launched along the ground at people and vehicles, and the anti-social use of motorbikes and cars.

Many of those involved wore masks or other face coverings which has presented challenges in identifying them and taking appropriate action.

Police and council teams say they are working closely in partnership to tackle the issues this year.

To support their work, Leeds City Council is applying to Leeds County Court for an injunction under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014. It will be used against ‘persons unknown’, being anyone engaged in anti-social behaviour in the area.

It would create an exclusion zone covering the area in which anyone would be forbidden from:

Being in possession of any firework or other explosive or pyrotechnic material in public.
Disguising their identity with items such as masks for scarves
Congregating in a group of three or more and engaging in behaviour that causes nuisance to residents.
Behaving in a manner that is threatening or abusive to any other person engaged in lawful behaviour in public.
The restrictions would be backed by a power of arrest.

Inspector Andy Loftus, who heads the Leeds North West Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:

“The dangerous use of fireworks and other related anti-social behaviour is an issue that affects communities across Leeds at this time of year, but the situation that comes about in this particular area of Burley stands out as an absolute priority for us to tackle.
“For a sustained period of weeks and months, this concentration of residential streets linked by ginnels becomes the setting for a completely unacceptable level of behaviour that has a really negative impact of the quality of life of people living there.
“We have been working in partnership with our council colleagues to address these issues over the years but we have faced some challenges both in terms of our ability to identify suspects and to be proactive in targeting those involved before incidents occur.
“This injunction, if successfully granted, will give us much-needed additional powers to intervene at an early stage and prevent incidents before they occur. We hope this will help to reduce the number of incidents and improve the situation for the long-suffering residents.
“We also hope our use of these additional powers will send a very clear deterrent message to those youths who think it acceptable to behave like this.”

Cllr Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council’s executive member with responsibility for Safer Leeds, said:

“We will not tolerate any form of anti-social behaviour in our communities, and will always use every tool at our disposal to put a stop to it. I welcome therefore the application for this injunction to tackle and stop firework-related anti-social behaviour in the community of Burley.”

How new community farm will put focus onto Kirkstall Valley

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October 23, 2019

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kirkstall valley farm burley — Grants: Kirkstall Valley.

To some it may have seemed a utopian pipe dream – a community-led farm in the shadow of the city centre, tucked away off the busy and traffic-choked Kirkstall Road, writes John Baron.

But, thanks to a group of determined activists at the Kirkstall Valley Development Trust (KVDT), that dream of a tranquil oasis growing produce on land sandwiched between the busy A65 and the River Aire will become a reality.

Leeds City Council has agreed to lease the 16-acre Burley Mills Farm (now known as Kirkstall Valley Farm) and allotments to the community for a minimum of five years from next April at an affordable rent.

The area of farmland to be taken over by the community. Photo: KVDT

There are plans to employ a ‘grower’ for the site next year, who will help co-ordinate the variety of voluntary positions and local helpers on the community farm.

It’s hoped to sustain the area – which was privately farmed for many years until the previous leaseholder died in 2017 – by selling weekly vegetable and fruit boxes to residents and shops, as well as developing educational and social projects.

One of the leading lights behind the project is local resident and fleet manager Roger Plumtree, whose father was a farmer. He says the project will allow him to re-connect with his roots. Mr Plumtree added:

“We see a huge opportunity with the location of the farm. There are very few community farms across the country which are so close to the city centre and we’re hugely excited to be bringing real-world sustainable agriculture to the community.
“We want to bring agricultural land back into use, enhance wildlife on the site by preserving the boundaries and make it a community asset.
“We intend to start working on the farm, fundraising and creating the infrastructure needed as soon as we can, even if full scale veg box production might have to wait until 2021.”

Mr Plumtree is a keen supporter of the community supported agriculture model – and is also quick to stress the value of producing organic food, using natural pest control. He’s inspired by the smallholding model of agriculture the Chinese have mastered as a way forward for this country.

Get involved

In the meantime Roger and the band of around a dozen volunteers on KVDT’s farming steering group are looking to pull supporters together to gather ideas and see what skills and time there is locally.

There will be a supporters meeting followed by farm visit on Saturday 2nd November, starting at 12pm at KVDT’s new base at Unit 11, Kirkstall Bridge Retail Park.

If you can’t make it but want to be involved, contact Roger at roger.plumtree@kvdt.org.uk.

From November to Xmas 2019 KVDT will fundraising £20,000 on Crowdfunder to finance Kirkstall Valley Farm’s start up. Go to the fundraiser here from November to help them get there.

Money will go towards a tractor, equipment, green manure seed, toilets, a collection hut and social area for volunteers. It will also make the site secure.

Kirkstall Valley Development Trust is a community benefit society set up in 2016 to develop a learning and leisure park over 200 acres of inner West Leeds and to refurbish Abbey Mills in Kirkstall for housing and community use.

Abbey Dash 2019: Road closures and parking revealed

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October 23, 2019

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Thousands of runners will head down the A65 Kirkstall Road on Sunday 27 October 2019 for the annual Abbey Dash – but which roads will be closed and for how long?

If you’re taking part in this year’s race, or will be watching from the sidelines cheering on friends and family, then this is everything you need to know:

There are three races happening on the day with a junior race and a wheelchair race supporting the 10k Leeds Abbey Dash.

You’ll find the key times here:

The junior race – 8.10am

The wheelchair race – 8.55am

The dash race – 9.30am

The races start from The Headrow, continuing onto Kirkstall Road, Commercial Road and Abbey Road to Kirkstall Abbey.

The runners will then come back down A65 into the city centre, finishing on Westgate and The Headrow.

Here are the road closures and opening times for affected roads in the Kirkstall and Burley area …

West Street – Kirstall Road to Park Lane (5am-2.30pm)
Willow Road – Kirkstall Road to Burley Road (8am-1pm)
Kirkstall Road – West Street to Commercial Road (8am-1pm)
Commercial Road – Kirkstall Road to Abbey Road (8am-1pm)
Bridge Road – Commercial Road to Savins Mill Way (8am-1pm)
Abbey Road – Abbey Walk to bridge Road (8am-1pm)

A full l ist of road closures can be found here.

The following diversions will be in place:

1. Kirkstall Leisure Centre junction – Morris Lane, Abbey Walk, Abbey Road A65, Ring Road A6120, Rodley Lane A657 and Armley Road A647.

2. Savins Mill Lane junction – Leeds and Bradford Road B6157, Rodley Lane A657 to Ring Road A6120 and then follow signs for Headingley or Abbey Road A65

3. Cardigan Fields – No diversion route possible, this area is locked in

4. Shell Garage/viaduct junction – South of Kirkstall Road -Armley Road A647, A657 to Bramley, Ring Road A6120 and then follow signs for Headingley or Abbey Road A65. North of Kirkstall Road – Burley Road, Kirkstall Hill, Morris Lane, Abbey Road A65, Ring Road and finally Armley Road.

Local bus services will face disruption during the road closures. More on bus alterations can be found here.

Leeds Train Station will be closed from 11.40pm on Saturday 26 October to 11.40am on Sunday 27 October. After this time there will be a limited service until 4am on Monday 28 October.

Entries close at midnight on Thursday, 24 October.

Abbey Dash is run by Age UK.

Value this information? Then support the Dispatch below:

Can you help Bramley Buffaloes reach new heights?

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October 23, 2019

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Bramley Buffaloes Rugby League Community Club are seeking volunteers for the 2020 season, writes Martyn Cheney.

We are an ambitious team in the Yorkshire Men’s League. Having won the Division two Championship in 2016, and reaching the forty/20 cup final in 2019.

We are looking to recruit volunteers, who are looking for a challenge, to be involved with the Buffaloes.

We aim to run two senior teams in 2020 and beyond, both playing in the Yorkshire Men’s League Structure.

We are looking for Team Managers, to deal with registation of players prior to games, and complete of game day administration.

We are looking for Assistant Coaches, to help on training nights and game days.

Finally we need help with social media, match reports and assistance on game days.

If you think you have the skills and the dedication to help the Buffaloes, then we want to hear from you.

If you would like more information or to register your interest, please contact Martyn on 07903246337 or email martyn@bramleybuffs.com.

Commuters’ anger over train delays at New Pudsey and Bramley

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October 22, 2019

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

West Leeds commuters reacted with anger after a broken down train caused severe delays for waiting passengers at New Pudsey and Bramley Stations.

Some commuters complained trains were running hour minutes late, causing people to be late for work and cramped conditions on the platforms at Bramley.

Frustrated Stephen Foxcroft Tweeted:

“I’m sat on a Northern Rail train stuck near New Pudsey due to a broken train in front of us. I’ve missed my connecting train in Leeds and the now the next train. My train was cancelled yesterday due to a fault. This joke isn’t funny anymore.”

Sam Wilkinson added:

“@northernassist shoutout to making me late for work again. Every train from Leeds to Pudsey has been cancelled between 7:45 and 8:40. Cost me £15 in an Uber to work. Thank you!”

@northernassist morning views. This is the 7.14 from Bramley to Leeds. It’s now 8.44. Shambolic pic.twitter.com/Q0hSTuv8mt
— Laura Harris (@lcharris63) October 22, 2019

Clare Chapman added:

“It’s a bit of a poor show when @northernassist – spend a few million on new trains and the brakes don’t work. Currently stuck on a train at Bramley that hasn’t moved in 40 minutes #sendhelp“

Northern confirmed that some lines were blocked due to a broken down train at Bramley this morning. The line was cleared by 10am.

Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves has previously raised issues with overcrowding and unreliable services at Bramley Station.

Will A647 bus measures create rat running and congestion?

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October 22, 2019

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Two Calverley and Farsley councillors have expressed concerns over the progression of the A647 Bus Corridor proposals.

As reported earlier this month, senior council transport officers approved preliminary designs for the road which a report states will “provide estimated bus journey time savings of 10 minutes inbound in the morning peak, and nine minutes outbound in the afternoon peak, as well as improving bus reliability”.

But the two councillors have expressed concerns that it will make living alongside it more difficult.

Andrew Carter Calverley and Farsley — Cllr Andrew Carter

Cllrs Andrew and Amanda Carter (Cons) believe businesses could be affected and local parking problems could be exacerbated as restrictions on the main A647 route disperse cars to residential areas on side streets that do not have the physical capacity to take extra cars.

Cllr Andrew Carter thinks this may actually be detrimental to the Climate Emergency as it could create greater levels of congestion and pollution in residential streets as drivers jostle for limited parking spaces. He said:

“We understand the aim of this scheme and, of course, I would like to see much quicker journey times for Calverley and Farsley residents in and out of Leeds.
“However, the city is still promoting an outdated mode of transport and I am yet to be convinced that reducing capacity for cars on the road network in West Leeds will actually deliver against the ambition to cut congestion.
“I have said on many occasions that there is no ambition in the city’s future transport plans – will this proposal allow us to move forward to an innovative, but deliverable mass-transit solution that will attract more passengers and persuade residents to leave their cars at home? I think not.”

Councillor Amanda Carter added:

“I have no doubt this will inconvenience residents. No longer will they be able to park outside their home, instead displacing others from their parking spots. Where do we end up? Residents permits that are a hassle and an inconvenience for residents and visitors alike?
“It is good that the council is looking to invest in our local road network but we are from certain that this is the right approach.”

“Creating a shift from people using cars to buses”

Cllr Lisa Mulherin (Lab), Executive Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainable Development, hit back at the Carters’ criticisms. She said:

“We all share the desire to see a mass transit system in Leeds or beyond. While we work with West Yorkshire Combined Authority on new proposals to determine what this could look like, we remain committed to investing in bus travel for the people who live and work in our city.

“Making bus journeys faster and much more reliable is crucial to creating a shift from people using cars to buses.
“The A647 sees bus delays that impact on people’s lives making it hard to get to work on time, make important appointments or plan journeys with any kind of reliability. This scheme will make a positive difference to people travelling by bus.

“This scheme underwent significant consultation and looked to address residents’ and business concerns over parking as much as possible while still making the very necessary improvements to the corridor.
“Many sections of bus lane will be restricted to peak hours only to allow for resident and business parking on the highway outside of these hours, including in Calverley and Farsley.”

The proposed scheme includes:

New bus lanes, parking restrictions and new crossings to the section of the A647 between Bradford Border to Dawsons Corner;
Traffic signal upgrades with buses given priority at junctions between Dawsons Corner and Bramley Town End Roundabout;
The conversion of Stanningley Road’s High Occupancy Vehicle Lane (two-plus lane) into a bus lane, apart from a section between Cockshott Lane and Armley Ridge Road during peak periods to maintain existing on-street parking provision for residents, as as well as the extension of the bus lane linking up Bramley Town End roundabout;
Cockshott Lane and Armley Ridge Road junction changes along Stanningley Road and the creation of a new crossing at Redcote Lane;
Changes at the Ledgard Way/Armley Road (Mike Carpet’s) junction with a reduction in the movements allowed between 11am and 7pm, with changes to Pickering Street to help accommodate more traffic movements as a result; and
A reduction of Branch Road to a single lane allowing widening of the footway and tree planting.

Police appeal following Swinnow Lane collision

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October 22, 2019

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Police are urgently trying to trace the occupants of a grey Fiat 500 that was involved in a road traffic collision in West Leeds today (Tuesday 22 October).

The vehicle was travelling along Swinnow Lane away from Hough Top and towards the right hand bend at Wickes on Hough Tree Road at around 1.45am.

It then left the road and was in collision with fences and the compound at Wickes. The occupants of the vehicle left the scene but it is believed they are all injured.

Enquiries are currently being made to trace them and officers are concerned for their welfare.

Any witnesses to the incident or anyone with information about those in the car are asked to call police on 101 quoting log 90 of Tuesday 22 October.

Kirkstall Road: Former Iceland store could become a gym

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October 21, 2019

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The site of a former Iceland store which closed off Kirkstall Road last month could become a new gym and leisure facility, if a planning application is approved.

Landlords Asda have applied to the council to change the use of the building from retail to a flexible use of retail and/or leisure.

A supporting statement submitted by Asda does not name the potential occupant of the site but says it would create the first gym in that part of Kirkstall Road; It says:

“The proposed change of use is necessary to meet the requirements of a prospective new tenant and bring the floorspace back into an active and economically productive use.

“The proposal is positive in all regards. It will add to the mix and balance of uses within the Local Centre and attract residents into it, which will have positive benefits for wider retail, leisure and commercial services in the Local Centre through the opportunity for linked trips between uses.
“It will attract custom across a range of times, including through the evenings and on weekends. It follows that the use is one which truly contributes to the operation of a mixed and balanced local centre location. The proposal is positive economic development.
“The positive nature is further demonstrated by the proposal resulting in the immediate reoccupation of a vacant unit within the Local Centre. “

A statement by Iceland in September said that Asda had ‘declined to re-new the lease’. The centre is also occupied by Asda, Poundworld and Greggs.

The planning application can be viewed in full – and commented upon – here.

Find employment and gain skills at Bramley workshop

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October 21, 2019

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An Employment & Skills Workshop will be held at Bramley Community Centre tomorrow (Tuesday).

This is a free event where you can find out more about development opportunities, employment, skills and volunteering. Refreshments and food will be available free of charge.

It runs from 2.30pm until 5pm.

The NHS are going to be on site at 3pm till 4.15pm to present information and talk about vacancies they have which include portering and ward house keeping support roles.

They will explain the application process and personal requirements for the jobs. Staff will be on hand to advise and support.

Butt Lane McDonalds will also be present with job opportunities.

Sunny Bank Mills regeneration boost for thriving Farsley

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October 21, 2019

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grumpys farsley sunny bank mills — Grumpy's in Farsley.

The regeneration of the historic Old Combing building at Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley has proved to be winner with its occupiers.

Mill Kitchen and Grumpys, two of Farsley’s cafe restaurants, are expanding within the building, while children’s play gym Jackaboos has signed a brand-new three-year lease.

Ailsa Youngson of the Mill Kitchen café and delicatessen said:

“We’re planning on using it to do all of our baking – we make all of our cakes and savoury bakes (sausage rolls, scones, quiches) in-house, so this will give us some useful extra space.
“We’ve also bought a bread oven and will start to bake our own bread for use in our sandwiches and on our breakfast menu with a view to expanding into retailing different types of bread and pastries.
“It’s a great spot for us to get customers from across the West Leeds area (and beyond) and Farsley seems to be going from strength to strength with lots of other independent businesses opening up.”

Alex Rogerson of Grumpys commented:

“The expansion to our back of house and kitchen area will allow us to become even more creative with our menu. The additional space will mean we can experiment with new side dishes and desserts to accompany our popular wood fired pizza menu.”

The popularity of the Old Combing received another boost with the news that children’s play gym Jackaboos had signed a new three-year lease.

Owner Angie Walker explained:

“For over 13 years Jackaboos has had a presence at the Old Combing within Sunny Bank Mills and we look forward to many more. Being just off Farsley Town Street is a great location and Sunny Bank Mills provides a rich heritage and culture for the town of Farsley.”

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, and these are complemented by recycled and reclaimed furniture.

John Gaunt, joint managing director of mill owners Edwin Woodhouse and Co Ltd, said:

“The Mill Kitchen, Grumpys and Jackaboos have proved a tremendously popular members of our Sunny Bank Mills community in recent years. We are delighted to help them all build on their success they have already achieved.”

There are now 70 companies, and more than 355 employees, at Sunny Bank Mills, where YTV’s Emmerdale and Heartbeat used to be filmed.