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Pudsey Liberal Democrats Announce Parliamentary Candidate for General Election

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Pudsey Liberal Democrats have announced the selection of Ian Dowling as their parliamentary candidate for the Pudsey Constituency.

Mr Dowling is a long-standing Liberal Democrat and Chartered Management Accountant who has significant experience working in the NHS, and previously with Royal Mail and British Gas.

On his selection, Mr Dowling said

“It is a privilege to stand for the Liberal Democrats to serve the people of the Pudsey Constituency.

“At a time of major upheaval in government as a result of the ill conceived drive towards a No Deal Brexit we need to step back from the brink of the precipice. It is clear that no deal with the EU is better than the deal we already have as a member of the EU.

“We need to Revoke Article 50 and turn back our focus to provide the NHS, Education, Social Care, and other public services that the people of Pudsey, Calverley, Horsforth and Guiseley and this country needs and deserves.

“I look forward to being able to do this as MP for the Pudsey Constituency.”

Mr Dowling joins sitting MP Stuart Andrew (Conservative) and Jane Aitchison (Labour) as prospective Parliamentary candidates at the next general election.

At the last election in 2017, Mr Andrew held on to his seat by just 339 votes, making Pudsey one of the tightest marginal seats in the country and a key battleground at the next General Election, whenever that is announced.

Bramley: New course combines employability with the gym

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trailblazer

Fancy a free local employability course with gym membership to help West Leeds residents back into employment? writes Josie Armitage.

Sport Works Yorkshire is bringing their Nu Futures programme to West Leeds, starting on 8th October. 

If you are aged 19-65 and not working or at college, or there for less than 16 hours per week and would like to make a positive next step, this could be the course for you. 

Fairfield Community Centre in Bramley. Copyright Stephen Craven and licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.

The course will support you to feel more confident and better about yourself so you can improve your access to local employment and skills provision.

Sport Works Yorkshire’s tutors will deliver the morning sessions at Fairfield Community Centre in Bramley and cover employability skills (understanding of the workplace and behaviour, cv writing, interview skills), personal skills (confidence building, team building), English and Maths and qualifications including First Aid, Occupational Studies and coping with change.

Participants will also benefit from Mindfulness sessions to help them manage stress and anxiety effectively.

Participants will spend the afternoons improving their mental, emotional and physical health and wellbeing through exercise, activity and fun at Underground Fitness Cub led by the club staff and Sport Works tutors.

Sport Works Yorkshire have successfully delivered their Nu Futures programmes across West and South Yorkshire with 98% of participants progressing into jobs, further learning or volunteering. 100% of participants have felt more confident and able to manage their stress levels after the course.

Simon Leonard, Sport Works Yorkshire’s Managing Director said:

“Our course supports participants to re-engage in learning, improve their confidence and self-esteem, and develop their employability skills. All learners achieve a first aid qualification. Our tutors support learners with issues around housing, debt management and clinical depression and health anxiety, to enable them to stay on the programme and achieve successful progression outcomes including jobs, learning at a higher level and volunteering.”

A former participant, Tim Neale, from Calderdale, successfully completed the first programme in Halifax and impressed the team at Sport Works so much that they offered him a job.  He is now a support coach delivering their programmes in Calderdale and Kirklees. Tim said:

“The support and belief the team put into me has been fantastic and has been the same from the first day on the course right up until now. It’s been a breath of fresh air.”

Sport Works Yorkshire will be delivering the programme in partnership with Trailblazer Fitness CIC and Fairfield Community Centre. Antony Newby, owner of Underground Fitness Club said

“We love what Sport Works Yorkshire are doing, they love our club and what we are doing, and we are going to do some amazing things together. Trailblazer is a Community Interest Company and the Underground Fitness Club is an extension of what we do, to be able to offer more services and opportunities for the community. We are perfect for this and we are looking forward to making an even bigger change for the better in the community. The course is free and you get 2 months free membership to the club!”

The course is funded by Leeds Community Foundation’s Leeds Fund Enterprise and Employability.

For more information, contact Mark Longley, Sport Works Yorkshire’s Head of Learning on 07967 889343 or mark@sportworksltd.co.uk.

Pudsey nursery celebrates refurbishment

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westleedslife
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pudsey littlemoor nursery

A Pudsey nursery has undergone a transformation after being recently refurbished. 

Busy Bees Leeds Pudsey Littlemoor, located on Littlemoor Road, has made a number of upgrades to its setting to support the ‘Outstanding’ care and education the nursery team provides to the children who attend.

The most significant changes come to the nursery’s baby and toddler room, which has now been split into two dedicated spacious areas for the separate age groups to learn and grow.

The pre-school room has also been extended, with new equipment and resources to enhance the children’s learning at every stage and age of their development.

The nursery, which received its ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted grade in November 2016, has also had a rebrand which has seen the former Treetops setting become Busy Bees Leeds Pudsey Littlemoor.

Vicky Ogden, Nursery Manager at Busy Bees Leeds Pudsey Littlemoor, said:

“The whole team has been so excited about the refurb and rebrand. Now it’s all complete it’s an exceptional environment for children to learn and develop while most importantly, having fun.”

Rachel Reeves MP renews calls for Ministers to plug funding gap for West Leeds flood defences – UPDATED

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westleedslife
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kirkstall road viaduct flood
Flashback to 2015's flooding along Kirkstall Road.

Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves is calling on Ministers to use their upcoming spending blueprint to earmark cash for Leeds’ planned flood defences before they “live to regret their dither and delay”.

The move came after Chief Secretary to the Treasury Rishi Sunak responded to a letterfrom Ms Reeves urging the Government to deliver the protection the city needs by further investing in Phase Two of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme.

In his response, the Treasury Minister refused to commit the funds – despite a Government promise that Leeds would soon have one of the ‘most resilient flood defence programmes in the country’. 

Mr Sunak said:

“Later in the autumn, the Government will announce its ambitious plans for future capital spending, including the publication of the National Infrastructure Strategy.” 

But Ms Reeves said: 

“Yet again the Government is coming up with excuses for its failure to deliver the funds needed to properly protect Leeds from the potentially devastating impact of future floods. 

“I hope ministers do not live to regret their dither and delay.  If we do not get proper flood defences in place it is the businesses and communities in my constituency who will pay the price. 

“The Government should ensure all the required funds for flood defences are including in its forthcoming National Infrastructure Strategy.

“I will keep up the pressure on the Government and the Environment Agency until we get all the funds in place to build the city’s flood defences.”

Almost four years ago on Boxing Day 2015, devastating floods struck Kirkstall and Burley. 

Some businesses needed to relocate, and others were forced to close.

 To provide protection from future flooding like those seen in 2015, a flood defence scheme capable of providing a 1-in-200-year level of protection is required. 

Leeds City Council has drawn up Phase Two of its Flood Alleviation Scheme to provide this degree of protection, while the Government has committed to spending £65 million on this project with a total of £86.8 million in funding secured. This will secure one in 100-year flood protection.

But the figure falls £25.3 million short of the £112.1 million required to provide the city with the protection it needs. 

UPDATED 10.43pm:

A Government spokesperson said:

“We are already investing heavily to provide better flood protection for communities and homes in Leeds.

“Since the devastating floods of 2015, we have committed £100m to bolster protections in the city. This includes investing more than £35m for the city centre, and a further £65 million to protect the wider area, including Kirkstall Road.”

Flood alerts issued in Burley, Kirkstall and Wortley – Updated

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westleedslife
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flood map kirkstall wortley

UPDATED 7.27pm MONDAY: Flood alerts are no longer in operation for Burley, Kirkstall and Wortley Beck areas.

ORIGINAL POST: Flood alerts are in place on the River Aire in Burley and Kirkstall and Wortley Beck as heavy rain continues today.

A flood alert is the lowest of three flooding categories according to the Environment Agency. It says flooding is possible and urges people to be prepared.

The next step would be a ‘flood warning’, then a ‘severe flood warning’.

The Met Office has put a yellow weather warning for rain in place all the way through until Tuesday, but a statement on the Environment Agency website said:

“River levels will remain high following last night’s heavy rainfall. We do not, however, expect to issue any flood warnings.

“Levels will fall later this evening and into tomorrow. Our Leeds incident room is open and we are monitoring the situation.

“Plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may become flooded. We will update this message later today or if the situation changes. “

A similar warning is currently in place for the Wortley Beck catchment area.

Latest updates about flood alerts and warnings can be found here.

UPDATE 8.39pm: The rain has impacted on a number of rail services running out of Leeds. Full details here.

Turn junk mail into jewellery! Penny pinching ideas from the ‘Auld Git’

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westleedslife
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1

In the latest ‘Penny Pinching’ column from Armley’s Susan Denton, this week the ‘Auld Git’ turns junk mail into jewellery.

Do you get a lot of colourful junk mail and wonder what to do with it? Here’s an idea for young and old alike:

Paper Beads

These can be used to make unique pieces of jewellery or they can just be fun to string together, depending in skill levels.

Equipment needed

Equipment you will need
  • Junk mail magazines/flyers
  • Pen/pencil
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Ruler
  • Knitting needle (or similar, to wind paper on)

Method

Mark and cut the paper into strips as shown in the photo. The strips should taper towards the end.

The length, width and amount the strip tapers will determine the finished bead

Take a strip cut of paper and, using the widest end, begin to wind evenly around the knitting needle. Use a small dab of glue to secure the head at the start.

Keeping the strip even, wind to the end, securing with glue. Slide the bead off the knitting needle. Repeat as often as you need.

If creating custom jewellery it is best to seal the beads using varnish or ‘modge podge’ glue.

More penny-pinching tips can be found here.

More next week from the Auld Git! If you have any ideas drop me – Susan Denton – a line at news@westleedsdispatch.com.

West Leeds planning applications: 29 September 2019

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westleedslife
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Here’s your weekly guide to the latest planning applications in the five wards covering West Leeds.

What’s been planned in your area?

Armley

Bramley & Stanningley

Calverley & Farsley

Farnley & Wortley

Kirkstall

None submitted this week.

Pudsey

New signs could deter parking outside West Leeds schools

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westleedslife
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Photo: MTaylor848/Wikimedia Commons used under creative commons licence https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

A grant of more than £3,000 will help a project to reduce the number of cars parking outside schools in parts of West Leeds.

The Outer West Community Committee has agreed to fund the purchase of School Parking Signs to help reduce the number of vehicles parking outside schools, which they hope will help to keep children safer and ease congestion on local roads. 

The ‘Kiddie Shaped’ and ‘Child Friendly Police Officer’ signs, produced by a local company, are designed in a number of formats with the option to include a lollipop message stick.

The most popular messages include, ‘take care – children crossing’, ‘don’t block the pavement’, ‘think before your park’ and ‘show you care, park elsewhere’.

It is hoped the signs will help reduce speed, cut down on illegal parking and make drivers aware that there are lots of children in the area.

Cllr amanda carter
Cllr Amanda Carter

Outer West Area Committee chair Councillor Amanda Carter (Cons, Calverley & Farsley) said: 

“Schools can often be hot spots for parking and the roads are often busy with families collecting their children, so it’s really important that we make roads as safe as possible during the school run.”

The committee, which met at Pudsey Town Hall, covers Calverley & Farsley, Farnley & Wortley and Pudsey wards. 

Community Committees hold at least four public meetings a year, where ward councillors make decisions about services and priorities for the local area.

Mark’s History: Farsley connection to Hunslet almshouses

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westleedslife
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hunslet cemetery Almhouses
These almhouses near Hunslet Cemetery have a connection to Farsley. Photo: Mark Stevenson

Words and photos: Mark Stevenson

I was in Hunslet Cemetery the other day taking some pics and next to it are some Almshouses I knew a bit about. I wanted to get some up-to-date pics, but as it had started to chuck it down I decided to wait for another time.

By the afternoon I found myself in Farsley and as it was no drier I went into the church for a look around.

It was while I was in the church I noticed that one of the stain-glassed windows had an inscription on it to a Hannah Elizabeth, wife of Hunslet architect John Edwin Leak.

The inscription in Farsley. Photo: Mark Stevenson

John Edwin Leak was the man who had designed the Almshouses next to the cemetery in Hunslet.

Hannah is registered as being born in Farsley and, as the window says, her parents were from Stanningley.

Her father George was a Clerk Non-Works, (anyone know what that is?). Also, the window has Brooke spelt with an E when it is spelt Brook, (another spelling mistake?). 

Farsley Celtic snatch last-gasp win against Curzon

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westleedslife
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Photos: Simon Cullingworth

Words: Ed McIntyre & Simon Cullingworth

What a game… a penalty save, a red card and a last-second winner!

Farsley Celtic shocked Curzon Ashton late on, as goals from Akeel Francis and Will Hayhurst were enough to seal a home victory for the Celts.

On the half-hour mark Curzon Ashton were awarded a penalty by referee James Westgate after Tricket-Smith was brought down in the area. Callum Saunders stepped up to take the spot-kick, but Farsley goalkeeper Kyle Trenerry got across well to make the save to ensure that the half-time score was 0-0.

However, Curzon Ashton did take the lead in the second half, with Tricket-Smith’s long-range strike on 69 minutes silencing the Citadel.

Farsley Manager Adam Lakeland decided to use all three of his substitutions as soon as the goal went in, and his choice paid off on 88 minutes when substitute Akeel Francis was played through one on one, and he made no mistake in poking the ball past an oncoming Calderbank-Park and into the far right-hand corner of the net.

Curzon Ashton saw themselves go a man down as Mohamed Ali was shown his second yellow and a red card, all but ending the visitors’ hopes of finding a winning goal.

Farsley pushed on in the little time that remained and they found a winning goal deep into injury time, with Will Hayhurst latching onto a loose ball to fire a shot into the back of the net.

West Leeds: Mass transit system ‘future proofs’ public transport

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westleedslife
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A PROPOSED mass transit system cutting through the heart of West Leeds would “future proof” public transport in the region – a committee was told, writes Local Democracy Reporter Chris Young.

Transport companies, academics and businesses across the world are currently being consulted on ambitious plans to create the new system, which could include vehicles powered by the most up to date technologies.

Members of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership Board discussed the plans at a meeting on Wednesday where the project was described as “really important” for the future of the region.

A proposed City Region Transit Network was first revealed earlier this year. It included a line that would link Dewsbury to the University area of Leeds, via Bradford city centre.

It would include stops in areas not currently linked to rail networks, including Heckmondwike, Cleckheaton, Junction 26 of the M62, “South Bradford” and Laisterdyke.

It would also include stops at existing stations at Low Moor, Bradford Interchange, Bradford Forster Square and Pudsey.

There would also be routes to Thorpe Park to Leeds city centre via Bramley and Armley, a line linking Castleford, Junction 28 of the M62, the Temple Green park and ride and the Leeds University District.

At Wednesday’s meeting members were told that there was a blank canvass – because there was not currently a mass transit system in the area.

The final plans could take a number of different forms, and include emerging technologies and automation.

Whatever form the plans take, the system is unlikely to be operational until 2033.

A call for ideas for the scheme went out last month and runs until Halloween. It will ask the developers of systems from around the world for advice on the best type of system for West Yorkshire.

This will include green transport schemes.

Jon Sheard, Head Of Finance, said:

“We are planning schemes for the future that improve transport infrastructure and help deal with the climate emergency we are facing.
“At this point we are looking to gather a broad church of organisations and listen to their ideas.”

At the meeting Bradford Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe said:

“This is a really important project.
“We talk a lot about HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail, which will be game changers for our region, but people still have to be able to connect with them. This will give us that.
“This process will help us find out what is best and hopefully get a system where we don’t have to dig big channels through the ground.
“I’m encouraged by this work.”


She asked how much the project was likely to cost, officers told her the costings would not likely be worked out for several months.


Roger Marsh, Chair of the Committee, said:

“It is important we keep sight of this. It is the opportunity to future proof local transport, rather than just work to catch up to other areas over the next few decades.”

Members were told there had been an encouraging response to the call for ideas so far.

Early plans for the system include frequent city centre stops and stops every kilometre or so in other areas.

Vehicles are expected to enable 200 to 300 people to get on/off at every stop.

Kirkstall flood campaigners’ delight at World Cleanup Day

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armley mills clean up

A group of community campaigners who help maintain parts of the River Aire have taken part in a World Cleanup Day event in Armley and Burley.

Volunteers have taken part in a series of clean-ups along the Kirkstall Valley and in Armley following the devastating Boxing Day floods in 2015.

Their most recent efforts saw Leeds City Council join partners at three locations along the river on Saturday at a cleanup organised in partnership with Open Source Arts, Greenpeace, Peter Duffy Ltd, Team Kirkstall and Friends of Burley Mills and St Ann’s Woods and Wildlife.

The teams worked to clear rubbish from the rivers, its banks and neighbouring hedgerows at Armley Mills, Redcote Lane and Burley Mills Woods.

Friends of Burley Mills and St Anne’s at work

Philip Marken, Director of Open Source Arts said:

“Open Source Arts were delighted to join in with World Cleanup Day, hosting two cleanups with Flood Risk Management and partners on a beautiful sunny Saturday.

“Open Source Arts have been hosting river stewardship activities in Leeds since Spring 2016 and this day was another hugely successful effort, enabling us to make the best out of our beautiful blue and green spaces. Thank you to everyone who continues to support this good work.”

A series of future clean-up sessions will be taking place as part of the next phase of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme and ongoing Stewardship programme within Flood Risk Management.

Greenpeace campaigners in Burley

These include the following sessions;

  • 1st Friday of every month: Thwaites Mill
  • 2nd Friday of every month: Newlay
  • 3rd Friday of every month: Whitehall Waterfront

The programme, delivered in partnership with River Stewardship Company and Peter Duffy Ltd, is a crucial element of a natural flood management approach which is aimed at managing flood risk in a natural and sustainable way.

To take part, contact Sarah Emberson at Sarah.emberson@the-rsc.co.uk or 07766 352932.

World Cleanup Day is a global movement and is aimed at bringing communities together to clean up the planet’s streets, rivers, forests and beaches. Since its launch in 2008, 20 million volunteers have taken part in events across 157 countries, making it one of the largest global clean ups.

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