Horsforth Harriers bid farewell to running legend

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February 17, 2025

By Jill Stocks

Running club Horsforth Harriers have honoured one of their most well-known members as she leaves for a new life in Scotland.

And many others have joined in saying goodbye to an inspirational member of the running community.

Hilary Wharam took up running at the age of 52 and now, at age 82, she has completed over 200 marathons and numerous other events from 5k’s to ultras since her first race, the Horsforth 10k in 1994.

As well as this in 2010 she became the first woman to complete the full Bradford Millenium Way in one day. In 2019 she completed 10 marathons in 10 days at the Scorcher running festival, becoming the oldest person to do so at the age of 78 and gaining an entry in the Guinness Book of Records in the process.

This week Hilary is moving to Scotland to be nearer her family and start a new chapter in her life, which will still feature running as a major part of it.

Last Saturday she completed her final Leeds parkrun at Woodhouse Moor, which she has not only ran 112 times, one of 171 parkruns she has completed, but also volunteered at, helping set up the course.

Anne Akers, Director of Woodhouse Moor parkrun said: “Everyone knows Hilary because they see her everywhere, she’s a running machine. Not only does she come and run with us but she also comes and helps to set up. She’s just a stalwart.”

As a member of Horsforth Harriers for 30 years, having joined on 1 January 1995, Hilary also ran the Absolute Beginners group at the club, helping new runners taking up the sport.

The club honoured Hilary with life membership at their presentation evening at the end of January. Bev Elliott, Horsforth Harriers ladies’ captain and long-time friend of Hilary, spoke at the event.

“Hils has been instrumental in improving the physical and mental health of so many people who have joined her group over the years. She is incredibly supportive, highly motivational and a great friend to many. She is a real character and has a wicked sense of humour!”

Fellow Harrier Addi Manolopoulou said of the Absolute Beginners group: “Tuesdays won’t be the same without Hilary, but the miles and conversations we’ve shared with her will always stay with us. A group brought together by running but held together by friendship.”

Hilary was also a regular at It’s Grim Up North running events and took part in her last event with them this weekend, taking part in the Besotted at Bingley half marathon and completing it in 4 hours 19 minutes. She will be much missed by the organisers and regulars at Grim events.

Grim Up North posted on social media: “Hilary’s achievements are nothing short of remarkable. Her dedication, perseverance and sheer love of running have made her an inspiration to many. Whether it was a wet and windy day on the canal or a scenic trail race, Hilary always turned up with a smile and a determination that was truly admirable.”

“Those lucky enough to have shared a race, a chat or even just a moment with Hilary know the impact she has had on the running world.

“She embodies the spirit of community, endurance, and friendship that makes running more than just a sport – it’s a way of life. Her support for fellow runners, her unwavering enthusiasm, and her ability to make even the toughest races seem enjoyable will be sorely missed.”

Photo: https://www.andrewswalesphotography.com

Hilary is also featured on a Leeds city centre sculpture which recognises 383 women who have made inspirational contributions to the city of Leeds. The Ribbons Sculpture is located at the top of the gardens between Leeds City College’s Quarry Hill campus and Leeds Playhouse at the gateway to the SOYO development at Quarry Hill.

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Bramley: Eight-year old park runner notches up his 100th 2km run

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February 17, 2025

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ted trousdale bramley parkrun — Ted Trousdale proudly showing his junior parkrun milestone wrist bands. Photo: Sarah Cullingworth

Words: Jean Hollings

Eight-year-old Ted Trousdale started Bramley junior parkrun in April 2021 aged just four years old.

Since then he has visited eight other different junior parkruns, bringing his total events completed to 100 – and earning him a coveted silver wristband.

Although it’s not about completing the junior parkrun 2k in the fastest time, Ted’s progress is noticeable with him achieving a personal best at Bowling Park junior parkrun this year in nine minutes from his initial time of 15 minutes 35 seconds.

Ted says he has made many friends at junior parkrun and looks forward to running with them every week. He also enjoys taking part in the Saturday morning 5k event where he runs with his parents.

Ted Happily receiving his first-place prize, photographed by him proud mum.

Due to his love of running he has recently started training with the junior section of the Pudsey and Bramley running group.

He usually plays football after juniors, but yesterday he got a late notification that his football match was called off. So with his mum made a last minute dash over to Dewsbury to do the Hoppits Hill fell race, where he came first boy in his under nine category.

Junior wrist band achievements after completing the following number of events: 11 = half marathon – blue; 21 = marathon – green; 50 = ultramarathon – orange; 100 = silver; and 250 = yellow.

More junior parkrun information can be found here. More information about Pudsey and Bramley juniors here.

Farsley ‘full of cool dads’ as national newspaper sings village’s praises

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February 17, 2025

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Farsley is one of the top 11 postcodes in the country to live – and is full of ‘cool dads’, according to the Sunday Times.

It’s Style magazine singled out Farsley for its ‘micro-breweries, sourdough bakehouses and great live music venues’ which apparently appeals to ‘hipster dads’.

“Farsley has all the cultural catnip that hipster dads can’t get enough of,” it says. “Once a sleepy suburb, this neighbourhood has become the focus for Birkenstock Boston-clad, Radio 6 Music-listening dads — oh, and it’s also considered the happiest place in Leeds.”

The write up singles out Amity Brew Co, The Mill Kitchen, Deeva restaurant and the Old Woollen, which the article says is the ‘creating heart’ of the village.

The Sunday Times article can be read in full here.

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Horsforth Highlights: Snapshots of life in Horsforth

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February 17, 2025

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By Jill Stocks

There’s always plenty going on in Horsforth and the past fortnight has been no exception.

Here’s just a few pictures from local residents out and about in Horsforth.

The above picture shows Claire Evans and friends at Horsforth Brewery with Mark Costello where they were brewing a beer which will be ready for International Women’s Day on March 8.

If you have any photos depicting life in Horsforth please send them in to us so we can feature them. If you would like a copy of our print edition look out for them in a number of local cafes, pubs and shops or contact us.

Horsforth Lottery winner Anne, who purchased her ticket at Woodside Micropub, collects her prize of £80 Horsforth pounds to spend locally (Dave Brosnan).

Hayley Gaftarnick performs at The Horsforth Hotel.

Horsforth in Bloom volunteers tend to planters on Town Street (Peter Mallott).

Horsforth Mags (Horsforth based Newcastle United fans) anxiously watch their team play in The Black Bull.

Customers at Horsforth Community Cafe read the latest print edition.

Parental Leave meet up at Truly Scrummy (Lucy Todd).

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24-hour bus service sees boost in passengers

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February 17, 2025

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First West YorkshirePhotograph by Richard Walker/ImageNorth — First West Yorkshire Photograph by Richard Walker/ImageNorth

First Bus has said that its first 24-hour bus service in West Yorkshire – which passes through parts of West Leeds – has been boosted by an increase in passengers.

The bus company says the number 72 bus has seen a 138 per cent increase in customers travelling between midnight and 5am since becoming a round-the-clock service back in September.

Figures for the first three months to the end of the 2024 for the Leeds to Bradford service show that passenger numbers had grown from just over 2,000 in the first four weeks to more than 4,800 in December.

Kayleigh Ingham from First bus (right) with Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe.
Photograph by Richard Walker/ImageNorth

Kayleigh Ingham, commercial director of First North & West Yorkshire, said: “We’re delighted with the growth we have seen on this service, which is clearly appealing to the people of Leeds and Bradford.

“Customer numbers have steadily increased month-by-month and we see this trend continuing in 2025.

“The 72 has always been a high frequency route. We have invested further in our network to build on the success we have seen, while ensuring the best possible service for our customers.”

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s transport committee and leader of Bradford Council, said: “The two cities working together provide a huge economy. Good transport connectivity is therefore vital to making the most of that economic opportunity.

“It’s all part of helping us to build a better-connected West Yorkshire, but there’s still lots more to do.”

The most popular hours of travel during the week are between midnight and 2am, and between 2am-4am on Saturday nights. The average number of customers at the weekend is 67 per cent higher than during the week.

Over 12,500 customers used the service in the early hours during the period September to December, with two-thirds travelling in the direction from Leeds to Bradford.

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Get involved: Farnley Fish Pond meeting set to form ‘Friends’ group

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February 16, 2025

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Farnley Fish Pond. Photo: Katherine Turner

A community group to support and improve historic Leeds’s smallest nature reserve is set to be officially formed at a public meeting tomorrow (Monday, 17 February).

Members of the public are being urged to get involved in the Friends of Farnley Fish Pond group, which will organise and take part in activities such as litter picking, applying for funds to improve the area, and planting and reporting problems among other things.

Tomorrow’s meeting aims to form a constituted community organisation with a bank account and elected chair, treasurer and committee. The meeting starts at 6pm at Farnley Community Centre. All welcome to attend.

The neglected pond area has recently undergone a transformation after years of neglect. There are further plans for a new pathway, benches and litter bins.

To get involved with the Friends group, contact peter.allison@farnleycommunitycentre.co.uk, message via Facebook or telephone 0113 460 4702.

WLD reported on last month’s public meeting here.

Farsley Fish Pond was created in 1815 by soldiers returning from the Napoleonic wars. Despite its name, it’s never had any fish in it apart from in recent years when someone let carp into the water.
Follow WLD‘s past coverage of Farnley Fish Pond here.

Vehicles and parking on agenda in ‘outer’ West Leeds

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February 16, 2025

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Issues with vehicles and parking have dominated responses to a survey on roads and transport in ‘outer’ West Leeds.

A report to be considered by councillors on the Outer West Community Committee on Wednesday details the findings of a public consultation under the themes of vehicles and parking, walking and wheeling, cycling, accessing bus stops and rail stations and the street environment.

Of the responses received 38% were related to vehicles and parking, 23% cycling, 21% wheeling and walking, 9% street environment and 9% accessing bus and rail stations.

Findings from the Leeds Streets For All consultation in ‘outer’ West Leeds include:

Common themes for vehicles and parking include included inconsiderate parking, speeding, congestion/volume of traffic, vehicle using street as a rat-run.
Common themes for cycling included – cycle provision feels unsafe/inadequate, no provision for people cycling, cycle route not well connected, difficult to cross the road.
Common themes for wheeling and walking included – difficulty in crossing the road, obstruction on pavements, pavements too narrow/damaged and inconsiderate parking.
Common themes for accessing bus stops and rail stations includes – hard to cross the road to access bus stop/rail station, not enough space around bus shelter, bus shelter too small and congestion/volume of traffic.

The consultation covered the Calverley & Farsley, Farnley & Wortley and Pudsey council wards.

A council report says a local plan with a list of potential interventions can only be developed as funding opportunities from external sources become available.

A potential list of improvement schemes includes:

More than 3,500 people visited the consultation website, and 259 respondents left 799 contributions. A total of 1,164 relevant comments were analysed in this report.

Councillors will respond to the report at the Outer West Community Committee meeting at Farnley Hall on Wednesday, 1pm. The full agenda and documents can be found here.

The outer west community committee is made up of nine councillors from three wards: Calverley & Farsley, Farnley & Wortley and Pudsey. It has four Labour, three Conservative, one independent and one Green councillor.

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Chance to relive ‘memories of Bramley’ at former pub

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February 16, 2025

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Roger cliff bramley history — Roger Cliff, Bramley History Society.

By Craig Smith

History buff Roger Cliff, from Bramley History Society, is presenting an evening of photographs and memories at the old Globe Pub.

Join Bramley History Society on Wednesday June 4 2025 at 6pm at Full Circle Funerals on Broad Lane for a trip down memory lane. Explore the rich history of Bramley through stories and photographs, shared by local historians and residents.

During the evening members of the Bramley History Society will discuss various parts of Bramley’s rich history, including the controversial developments of Old Town Street, 55 years ago.

The host venue, Full Circle Funerals, also has its own history, as it was a popular pub for over 170 years known as ‘The Globe’.

This is a completely free event, provided by Full Circle Funerals and Bramley History Society. There will also be free tea, coffee and biscuits avaiable on the evening too.

Book your place here.

For more local events, check out WLD’s what’s on section.

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West Leeds planning applications: 16 February 2025

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February 16, 2025

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Each week we publish a list of the latest planning applications related to the seven council wards in West Leeds.

The following applications were published on the Leeds City Council website in the past seven days.

Decided applications

Here are the planning applications decided by Leeds City Council this week:

Armley Ward

Replacement of existing display with digital advertisement, 1 Pickering Street, Armley, Leeds LS12 2QG.

Bramley & Stanningley Ward

Change of use from Commercial, Business and Service units (Use Class E) to two Dwellinghouses (Use Class C3), Unit 1 Removal House, Town Street, Stanningley, Pudsey LS28 6EZ.
Erection of canopy to front of existing detached garage, 3 Vickersdale Court, Stanningley, Leeds LS28 6JF.

Calverley & Farsley Ward

New community sports hub with three floodlit artificial grass pitches enclosed by metal ball-stop fencing. A one storey pavilion building containing changing facilities, a community cafe, reception area and meeting rooms with associated car parking and landscaping works are also proposed, including two new children’s play areas and demolition of existing pavilion. NON MATERIAL AMENDMENT to 20/00320/FU , Woodhall Playing Fields, Woodhall Sports Pavilion, Woodhall Lane, Pudsey LS28 7TT.
Gable wall side extension with dormer window to rear and roof lights to front; new detached garage to rear; white render panelling to front and side of bay window and removal of chimney Show more description, 19 Chatsworth Road, Pudsey, LS28 8JS.
Demolition of rear extensions; Single storey rear extension; addition of ground floor window to side, 36 Parkside Road, Farsley, Pudsey LS28 5BG.

Farnley & Wortley Ward

Consent, agreement or approval of condition 3 to planning application 23/04874/FU, Farnley Hall, Hall Lane, Farnley Leeds LS12 5HA.
Consent, agreement or approval required by conditions 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 16, 17 and 18 of Planning Application 23/07418/FU, Starr Holme Stables, Back Lane, New Farnley, Leeds LS12 5HN.
Change of use from a car showroom (Sui Generis) to a grocery shop, 145 Oldfield Lane, Upper Wortley, Leeds LS12 4EX.
Retrospective application for change of use of part of dwelling to use as hair salon, 9 Addingham Gardens, Armley, Leeds LS12 3TJ.

Horsforth Ward

Emergency Tree Works, .26 North Broadgate Lane, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 4AB.
Single storey extension with steps to rear, 87 Long Row, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 5AT.
Addition of solar panels to front and wall mounted battery/inverter to rear, 17 Craggwood Road, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 4RW.

Kirkstall Ward

Certificate of Proposed Lawful Development for a part single storey and part two storey rear extension; insertion of window to gable wall Show less description, 56 Woodbridge Vale, Headingley, Leeds LS6 3LT.
Change of use of dwelling house to residential care; internal alterations and insertion of new rooflights to the rear, 22 Stanmore Road, Burley, Leeds LS4 2RU.

Pudsey Ward

Demolition of conservatory; Single storey side extension; addition of dormers to rear and roof lights to front to form rooms in roof space; addition of a window to front and amendments to rear window to form door; new paving to side, 57 Occupation Lane, Pudsey, LS28 8HL.

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Love is all around on MHA Horsforth Valentine’s walk

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February 16, 2025

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By Jill Stocks

There was love in the air in Horsforth Hall Park yesterday on the MHA Communities Valentine’s Day walk.

Walkers looked for hearts hidden all over Hall Park which each had a special friendship message written on them.

The walk was the latest Walk N Talk organised by MHA Communities Horsforth as part of their range of activities aimed at enabling older people to stay active in their community.

There are all sorts of activities to choose from including craft club, minibus shopping trips, indoor bowls and dance fit.

There’s also a range of social events on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Central Methodist Church on Town Street with a coffee morning from 9.30am, followed by bacon butties and Tuesday Hour Time where you can enjoy board and card games.

Or if fashion is more your thing tickets are now available for the MHA Community Fashion Show in March.

Check out their Facebook page and find out more.

Check out WLD’s what’s on section for more West Leeds events.

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Farsley Celtic look to youngsters in new manager Stockdale’s first game

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February 14, 2025

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Ebenezer Ameho farsley Celtic — Ebenezer Ameho gets a shot away for Farsley Celtic. Photo: John McEvoy

New Farsley Celtic manager David Stockdale is relying on youth in his first game in charge.

Stockdale, the Celts’ fourth manager of the season, will be in the dugout for tomorrow’s game at Vanarama National League North fixture at Leamington FC.

The Celts are aiming for their first win since Boxing Day as they occupy third from bottom slot in the league. The game comes at the end of a seismic week which has apparently seen chairman Paul Barthorpe resign from the football club side of the business.

Ebenezer Ameho and Buba Krubally will both step up into the first team from the club’s Elite Talent Squad as the Celts face a double whammy of a lengthy injury list and departing senior players.

17-year-old forward Ameho has already had minutes in the Farsley Celtic senior team, having made his debut as a substitute in last season’s FA Cup replay against Scarborough Atheltic, and featuring as a substitute in four league games.

Fellow attacker Bubba Krubally has also earned a step up to David Stockdale’s side. The teenager also got a taste of first team action last season, as a substitute in the FA Trophy game against Radcliffe.

Stockdale said: “I spoke to academy manager Luke Dean and he was very complimentary about both of them. I’ve spoken to them briefly and they were both really keen to get going.

“It’s a nice thing for Farsley that the younger players are coming through. It is difficult circumstances but hopefully my attitude towards it and the fact I did the same things giving youngsters the chance at the last club I was at.”

Manager Stockdale faces a tough baptism with the club still under a National League embargo.

He said: “The fact that it feels like we now have full transparency around the club is brilliant and I’m excited for the club but we’re under no illusions. We know it’s still going to be an uphill battle for the club on and off the pitch, but it’s one that a lot of people are looking forward to.”

Stockdale is looking forward to managing the Celts for the first time.

He said: “Looking ahead to tomorrow’s game against Leamington, it will be a special day because Farsley are probably my most local club, and it’s the highest level I’ll have managed at but given the larger circumstances surrounding the club, it’s much bigger than a personal milestone. Most importantly it’s about trying to get some points on the board for the club and about making something on the field a little bit better than in recent times.

“The more and more I get the chance to be working together with the players and the more they understand me, hopefully we can move forward and we have got a little bit of time to do that.

“We haven’t had the chance to train as a squad this week with the various things that have happened this week but I’ve sent some analysis information to the lads in the squad for tomorrow.”

Ebeneezer and Bubba join the likes of fellow ETS players Thomas Priestley-Standing, Will Morrisey, Tyler Polwarth, Chris Bumhira and Liam Wilson who have all earned first team minutes at Farsley so far this campaign.

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Engineers investigate gas leak affecting New Farnley, Wortley and Gildersome

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February 14, 2025

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new farnley community centre — Photo: Google

People living in the New Farley, Wortley and Gildresome areas are being incited to use shower facilities available at Armley Leisure Centre.

The offer comes after a gas leak in the area earlier today (Friday, 14 February). Northern Gas Networks have set up an incident hub at New Farnley Community Centre,
Low Moor Side.

An update at 4.48pm said shower facilities for customers without gas are available at Armley Leisure Centre. Attendees should show proof of address on arrival

A spokesperson said: “Our engineers remain on site investigating the cause of the loss of gas supply to customers. If you require additional support, either speak to our team who are on site at New Farnley Community Centre, or call our Customer Care team on 0800 040 7766 (option 4).”