Speeding drivers in Armley were given advice about their speed by a combination of Armley residents, police and council representatives.
The Community Speed Watch event saw people come out at a variety of hotspots in Armley, including Town Street, Hall Lane, Armley Ridge Road, Armley Grange Drive and Wortley Road.
NPT3- Road traffic operation on 5/9/19 throughout Armley with representatives of Leeds city council Several locations were visited throughout the day. No tickets issued on this occasion, words of advice given to drivers. pic.twitter.com/yLVgDVAePx
— West Yorkshire Police – Leeds West (@WYP_LeedsWest) September 8, 2019
Attendees spent the time monitoring traffic, gathering data and educating some drivers too.
Original plans to have people on Stanningley Road failed to come to fruition after the local neighbourhood policing team decided to target other areas first.
The idea for the Community Speed Watch came following concerns about speeding traffic along a number of streets raised at a recent Armley Forum meeting.
Green Party councillors in Farnley & Wortley are demanding that tens of millions of pounds of public money should not go towards new roads to support the expansion of Leeds-Bradford Airport.
Councillors Ann and David Blackburn and Ann Forsaith are among members from Kirklees, Bradford, Craven and York who have signed an open letter regarding investment in Leeds Bradford Airport
Cllr David Blackburn
Ann Blackburn
Winner: Cllr Ann Farsaith
The letter calls on senior figures within the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership – which includes the local authority districts of Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield and York – to use the money to support other forms of transport.
They say alternate uses for the cash – as much as £100m – such as “affordable, safe and sustainable” public transport links, including trams, to reduce carbon emissions.
This video highlights expansion plans at the airport – and possible transport solutions.
The letter reads:
“You will, of course, be aware that only a few weeks ago Leeds City Region and its constituent councils declared a Climate Emergency in response to the stark warnings on the threat of climate change from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the fact that we have a limited amount of time to bring our emissions under control.
“Proposals to invest public money in transport links to Leeds Bradford Airport are aimed at supporting its expansion plans which can only mean more flights and more carbon emissions making our chances of hitting our net zero carbon emissions target by 2038 remote if not impossible.”
“As Green Party Councillors in the Leeds City Region we are calling on you to oppose the use of public funds to improve transport links to Leeds Bradford airport and for that funding to be reinvested in projects that will significantly reduce carbon emissions.
“I am sure you will agree with us that declaring a climate emergency and then making no changes to those actions which are in conflict with that policy makes no sense.”
A West Yorkshire Combined Authority spokesperson said:
“A public consultation on three options for the airport link road was held earlier this year and the responses are being considered.
“A further round of technical consultation will be released later this year. Carbon modelling is being undertaken as part of the development of these options.
“Unmanaged growth in air travel is inconsistent with achieving national and international carbon reduction targets, which is why we want the Government to set out a national approach to aviation and its contribution to tackling the climate emergency.”
Kirkstall Forge has a rich history. Photo: Jill Stocks
Armley-based Leeds Industrial Museum is seeking an artist to work on a new commission for its forthcoming exhibition, Leeds to Innovation.
This exhibition will tell the stories of some of the change-makers from the city across three hundred years of history.
One of the people organisers would like to feature is Betty Beecroft, the founder of the historic Kirkstall Forge industrial site.
They’re looking to commission an artist to create a new 2D work based on the only known image of her, and the legacy of her work.
This work will re-interpret Betty Beecroft’s life and create a focal point for her story in the exhibition space, which opens in October.
Leeds Industrial museum at Armley Mills
Leeds Industrial Museum will provide some background research on Betty Beecroft and Kirkstall Forge to support the artist, as well as access to the published copy of the original portrait of her.
The successful applicant will work closely with the Projects Curator and Curator of Industry to create a new work for display responding to her life.
The Beerhouse Act of 1830 saw the introduction of the Beerhouse and Beershop (off licence?), writes Mark Stevenson.
As the name suggests they could sell beer and be open from 4am to 10pm.
For the 2 guineas you paid to the local excise officer, anyone could brew and sell beer. The licence would say if the beer could be consumed on the premises (beerhouse) or off (beershop).
Elizabeth Dawson (born 1781) took advantage of the new act and opened her own Beerhouse in Rodley Town Street, according to the 1841 census.
No house number is given but I think it was 144 Town Street.
Elizabeth’s daughter or granddaughter Maria Dawson (born 1826) worked as a barber at age 15.
Was it a case of getting your hair cut and have a beer while you wait?
William IV pub in Wortley. Photo: Mark Stevenson
William IV was king at the time of the Beerhouse Act . Because of this many taverns and public houses were named in his honour.
Back of Wortley’s William IV pub. Photo: Mark Stevenson
He remains “the most popular monarch among pub names”. One such pub with his name is in Wortley.
Farsley Celtic earned another important three points in an action-packed afternoon at the Citadel, with a 3-2 victory over Kettering Town.
Goals from Dave Syers, Tom Allan and Will Hayhurst were enough for Farsley to secure the three points, with efforts from Marcus Kelly and Brett Solkhon not enough for the visitors.
Farsley Celtic Manager Adam Lakeland was pleased with the three points as he commented:
“It should have been easier, I thought we were the better team.
“I thought we started the game very well. Obviously Chris Atkinson’s smashed one over from a corner inside three minutes and then we’ve won the penalty, which we missed.
“Once we got that second, I thought we’d kind of go on there. I felt we were great value, but the referee, it’s a soft free-kick for me that he’s given them.
“The game was closer than I felt it should have been, I felt we were the better team and obviously with it being 3-2 then it causes a bit of pressure and tension in the last 10 minutes.”
Just five minutes in the Celt Army had the chance to take the lead after being awarded a penalty as Tom Allan was brought down by Mick McGrath. But the opportunity was squandered as Ben Atkinson dragged the spot-kick wide.
Kettering were inches away from taking the lead as Ben Milnes unleashed a low strike from the edge of the penalty area that left Kyle Trenerry unsighted, but fortunately for Farsley it struck the upright and rebounded to safety.
Farsley then broke the deadlock as Jordan Richards whipped in a simply sumptuous cross for Dave Syers, who was able to run onto the ball and firmly head past Paul White in the Kettering goal.
Syers could well have doubled his side’s lead 30 minutes in as he robbed Javan Videl 25-yards from goal, but the Farsley midfielder shot straight at White when one-on-one.
The Poppies believed Farsley should have been reduced to 10-men shortly before the interval, as Lindon Meike lobbed Trenerry before being caught by the onrushing Farsley shot-stopper, but his strike bounced agonisingly over, and Trenerry was cautioned.
Farsley controlled the game after the interval and Jordan Richards was the provider once more as the Celt Army made it 2-0 20 minutes into the second-half, Tom Allan heading his excellent delivery into the goal.
Jimmy Spencer almost further extended his side’s lead, latching onto Danny Ellis’ long ball before attempting to lob White who was caught off his line, but his effort drifted just wide.
With just over 15 minutes remaining the Poppies halved the deficit as substitute Marcus Kelly curled a fine free-kick from the right-hand side into the far top corner.
Farsley soon re-established a two-goal advantage as Spencer slipped in Luke Parkin. His low effort was parried straight to the feet of Will Hayhurst by White, who rolled home.
Kettering pulled a goal back almost immediately from the restart. Connor Kennedy squeezed a low cross into Brett Solkhon, who was able to bundle home from close range.
In the closing moments Tom Allan headed against the crossbar from another superb Jordan Richards delivery, before Danny Nti missed a guilt-edged chance for the visitors in added time.
Nti got free in the box but could only head Lindon Meike’s cross straight at Kyle Trenerry from six-yards out, and Farsley held on for the three points.
The lives of a young couple killed after they were struck by lightning 150 years ago will be remembered at a special service in Stanningley on Sunday.
If you go into St Thomas’ Church on Stanningley Road, you will find a stained glass window depicting The Good Shepherd.
This window memorialises two young Sunday School teachers from Stanningley, who were tragically struck by lightning while out courting 150 years ago and are interred in the churchyard just to the left of the church doors.
The couple will be remembered on Sunday, 8 September when the people of Stanningley will come together at 4pm in St Thomas’ Church for a service marking the 150th anniversary of their deaths.
Local news at the time described the incident:
A young couple, Thomas Hardaker, twenty-one years of age, son of Mr Joseph Hardaker, cloth weaver of Pudsey, and Emma Carrick, aged twenty two, and daughter of Mr Henry Carrick, basket maker of Stanningley, were out courting when they were struck down by electric fluid and killed on the spot.
The original events made national news and their funeral at St Thomas’ was attended by thousands, with many of the local mills closing for the day.
The goal of the workshops is to get members of the Kirkstall Valley – people living in Burley, Kirkstall, Bramley and Armley – together to think about what issues are impeding people’s wellbeing.
They will also look at what things would make life better for members of the community, and finally strategies to get from the current situation to the future that they want and build community self-reliance and empowerment.
Dr Lina Brand Correa, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University opf Leeds, said:
“We are interested in studying ways to build community self-reliance that would be sustainable in the long term, while at the same time giving back as much as we can to the communities we work with.
“Participants of the workshop will benefit from increased self-awareness of issues around the Kirkstall Valley, as well as possibilities for the future.”
Residents can attend one Kirkstall Valley: Present, Future and How To Get There workshop on Tuesday 10th OR Thursday 12th September, from 6pm-8pm (dinner included).
There is a second workshop on Saturday 14th of September, 11am-1pm, with lunch included. In order to attend the second workshop, you must have attended either the Tuesday or the Thursday workshop.
The workshops will be held at Kirkstall Valley Development Trust’s new base at Unit 11, Kirkstall Bridge Shopping Park.
Confirm your attendance to Lina on l.i.brandcorrea@leeds.ac.uk or phone 0113 343 7966 or Phil or Myra at Open Source Arts on 0113 246 8975.
KVDT’s AGM will procvide updates on all of the organisation’s projects and will take place on Thursday 26th September at 7.30pm in Unit 11, Kirkstall Bridge Retail Park. Register here if you’re able to come.
Entering its third year, the “Crufts of Armley” is a chance for dogs of all breeds and ages to strut their stuff in the judging ring and show their mettle over the agility course.
With free entry, the categories your pooch can compete in include:
Prettiest bitch
Handsome hound
Perfect puppy
Serious senior
Waggiest tail
Best rescue
Best dressed
Best in show
Agility
Free microchipping will also be available.
A West Leeds Dispatchcommunity reporter will be on hand taking pics, so make sure you are signed up to our daily newsletter to see if you and your dog feature in a future article!
Aerial view of the floods along Kirkstall Road, Leeds, in 2015.
Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves has accused Chancellor Sajid Javid of an “insult” to the people of Leeds by failing to fund urgently needed flood defences in his spending round.
Ms Reeves said residents and businesses in the Kirkstall and Burley areas are no better protected now than they were at the time of the devastating Boxing Day floods of 2015.
Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves
The Leeds West MP says only a one-in-200 year level of protection would defend Kirkstall from the flooding seen in 2015. The Government has committed £65m in funding towards a scheme that would defend against a onje in 100 year event..
The lack of Government commitment means there is a £25.3m shortfall, leaving Leeds City Council to find other sources of funding.
Ms Reeves said:
“It will be a bitter blow to people and businesses in Leeds and across Yorkshire that the Chancellor has ignored all the calls to urgently improve local flood defences in his latest spending plans.
“This failure to come up with the funds flies in the face of previous assurances from ministers that we should wait for the Chancellor’s funding review for the promised extra funds.
“This winter it will be four years since the floods and yet the Government has still failed to fund the flood defences we need to protect our city and our communities in Burley and Kirkstall. It is an insult to the people of Leeds from Boris Johnson and this Tory government.
“With winter around the corner, people will be understandably worried about the risk of future floods. This spending review is far more about the Tories gearing up for a snap election and trying to extricate themselves from the chaos they have created over Brexit rather trying to help people who are still suffering the impact of almost a decade of Tory austerity.
“I will continue to press the Government for proper flood protection for Leeds and a fair deal for the whole region. But only a Labour government can deliver the real investment that our NHS, schools and transport systems desperately need.”
Ms Reeves wrote to Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers last month to urge her to prioritise the city’s flood alleviation scheme.
In a letter to the Cabinet Minister, she said the Government had to end the “delay and dither” surrounding the funding of the scheme.
The first Pudsey Scarecrow Festival scared off the birds with a terrific standard of entries and huge crowds in attendance, writes Damon Sugden.
Worzel Gummidge and Aunt Sally popping into Pudsey House for a cup o’ tea and as slice o’ cake. Photo: Damon Sugden
The day kicked off with Pudsey’s Yorkshire produce and craft market celebrating its one year anniversary, with its own scarecrows on display and an owl experience, which was a hoot.
Bowled over by great scarecrows. Photo: Damon Sugden
Pudsey Park also hosted a large number of scarecrows, and saw large crowds flock to enjoy the free entertainment from local bands, great food and children’s storytelling from The Rainbow Factory.
Which way to Oz? Photo: Damon Sugden
With more than 80 scarecrows made by charities, groups, schools, businesses and local residents sited around the town, attendees were invited to follow a trail map to visit the scarecrows on display (thank you to everyone that provided the volunteer pit stops along the trail).
All funds raised on the day went to Pudsey in Bloom with the hardworking group also judging the top three scarecrows in the competition.
Dressed for the occasion in Pudsey Park. Photo: Damon Sugden
Given the very high standards of the entries, the judges at Pudsey In Bloom had a really hard decision to make.
Ronald McScarecrow and friend in Pudsey Park. Photo: Damon Sugden
They wanted to let all entrants know that the standard was exceptional and they know you all worked so hard to make them. The Competition Winners were:
1st Place: Family Holiday Scarecrow
2nd Place: Beattie the Bowler
3rd Place: Scaredy Cat
Well done to everyone who took part! More event photos can be found here.
Caroline Draper, from the Festival Committee, added:
“I wish I could give you all a trophy and a holiday voucher as you deserve it. It’s given us a lot of food for thought for next year.”
Winners: Julie Goulding and family. Photo: Damon Sugden
Julie Golding, who won first place with her grandchildren Amelia and James Armstrong, said:
“They (the grandkids) live in Stockport but we’ve had them over a lot during the summer and we thought the scarecrow entry is what we can do together.
“We’ve spent a lot of the summer building and sticking the scarecrows together, its been good fun. Watch out – next year will be an ever bigger and better entry!”
Tea for two, anyone? Photo: Damon Sugden
Event founder Caroline Draper wishes to offer the following thanks:
Airedale care home for saving the day for allowing us to use their electricity supply to power the bandstand.Pudsey In Bloom. Bryony from The Rainbow Factory. ALL the volunteers. ALL the musicians, support crew and DJs. Everyone who contributed to the volunteer pit stops, Leeds City Council & Ward Councillors Simon Seary and Trish Smith for their support & funding. My amazing Husband Ian Draper for putting up with me wittering on about the festival everyday for a year. ALL the public for being lovely and considerate to our town. EVERYONE who made a Scarecrow.(Apologies to anyone not mentioned directly as there are so many whose contributions helped make the day a massive success).
Long festival days: This scarecrow is resting up with 4th Pudsey Scouts. Photo: Damon Sugden
Huddersfield St Joes were supposed to be playing the Falcons first team, but they have unfortunately had to pull out.
There will be extra fun off the pitch including pie the coach, a tombola, face painting, name the teddy, a bouncy castle, with a barbeque to feed the troops and drinks available from The Hut.
All the fun will be happening from 9am at the Butt Lane ground on 7th September.
Pack your swimming goggles and dive in for a history talk with a difference – in a West Leeds swimming pool!
Take in Bramley Baths’ Edwardian finery while board member John Battle guides you through the fascinating history of the Baths’ Grade II Listed building.
The talk is part of the national Heritage Open Days events running across the country and taps into the theme of ‘people power’. Mr Battle said:
“Here at Bramley Baths we particularly fit into the ‘people power’ theme following our successful community-led takeover of the Baths from Leeds City Council back in 2013.
“We’re a great example of how ‘people power’ can bring about change in our communities.”
The event, which is free, will not only feature a talk from Mr
Battle but also provide a chance to have a swim.
Bramley: The People Powered Baths runs on Sunday, September 22, 12.30pm-1.30pm. Booking in advance is essential as places are limited. Call 0113 256 0949 or call in to reception to reserve a free place.
