Recently published author Sarah Davis, from Armley, will be appearing at this year’s Ilkley Literature Festival Fringe.
She will be interviewed by one of the event organisers, along with Sarah Connell, another debut writer, from Wakefield.
Baby Daze was written by an Armley author.
Both writers will discuss their books and their journeys to publication and will be happy to share their experiences and tips with budding new authors.
Sarah Davis’ book ‘Baby Daze,’ was recommended in ‘Mother & Baby’ magazine’s ‘three of the best funny books’ feature.
It is a collection of relatable, short poems reflecting the rollercoaster of parenting a new born. It’s been described as ‘perfect for new mums’ and ‘like a rhyming new mummy diary.’
Since ‘Baby Daze’ came out, Sarah has been talking about her early parenting experiences with new mums and mums to be at events around the city, including at Mothercare and Mamas & Papas.
Sarah Connell’s novel, ‘Whenever,’ is short form literary fiction about the city where she lives.
Author: Wakefield’s Sarah Connell
In her novel, the city is referred to as ‘Warmfield,’ but Wakefield residents will recognise many local references.
The two authors have very different writing styles and routes to publication, so it should make for an interesting discussion.
This is a free event with the opportunity to meet and chat to both authors on Sunday 6th October 3-4pm at the Ilkley Arts Studio, next to the Manor House. No ticket required.
A 27-year-old woman from Bradford has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery over the armed robbery of Wellstone Rise Post Office, Swinnow Lane on Tuesday, writes Keely Bannister.
The woman was detained after firearms officers executed a warrant at an address in the Holmewood area of Bradford in the early hours of this morning, West Yorkshire Police revealed in a statement on their website.
Detectives from Leeds District CID are continuing to carry out enquiries into the incident which saw two masked men, armed with what appeared to be a handgun, enter the shop and threaten staff before taking cash and leaving the scene in a car driven by a third man.
A stolen silver BMW that was used in the crime was later found abandoned in the Holmewood area and was recovered for forensic examination.
Anyone with any information should contact Leeds District CID via 101 quoting crime reference 13190450263 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The event is taking place in the main hall at Pudsey United Reformed Church with doors opening at 2pm and closing at 5.30pm, with a produce auction taking place at 4.30pm.
Entrance for adults is £2 and 50p for children, with light snacks and refreshments on sale throughout.
There will be 136 different classes for adults and children to enter including vegetables & fruits, flower arranging, photography and home produce.
Pudsey Summer Flower and Vegetable show. Photo: Debby Dean
Exhibitors are charged at 50p per entry up to a maximum total of £5 after which entries will be free. All children’s entries are free.
People who wish to exhibit are asked to register online before 10am on Friday 6th September or in person at the School Street located church between 7pm and 9pm on the Friday.
This year’s show is celebrating the 80th anniversary of the “Dig For Victory” campaign with the official show programme explaining more:
“October 1939 saw the launch of the Dig for Victory campaign – one of the most successful public appeals ever. From the very first day of the Second World War, shipping was disrupted by enemy submarine attacks.
“As at that time over three quarters of Britain’s food was imported, almost overnight this lead to shortages of fruit and vegetables.
“At one point onions were selling for more per pound than gold! Within a month of the campaign’s start, gardens, yards, parks and roadsides all over Pudsey (and Britain) were turned over to the cultivation of vegetables & fruit. Pudsey Gardeners Association played its part then and still does today. So we are proud to commemorate this momentous event, 80 years on. Enjoy our special DIG FOR VICTORY display.”
Classes 37, 82 and 117 are exclusive themed exhibits and there will be a special Dig For Victory display.
Plans for future house building in Bradford have been branded a “dog’s breakfast” by a Calverley & Farsley councillor this week, writes local democracy reporter Richard Beecham.
Cllr Andrew Carter
Leader of Leeds City Council’s opposition Conservatives group Councillor Andrew Carter accused Bradford of disorganisation over housing targets, as well as wanting to build on the green belt land between the two cities.
The comments were made during a meeting of Leeds council’s development plans panel during discussions on Bradford’s ongoing partial core strategy review.
A core strategy is a document held by each council which dictates when and where housing and infrastructure should be built in the coming years, which also features housing targets. Bradford’s is currently out to consultation, after the government revised down the city’s annual housing target from 2,476 to 1,703 earlier this summer.
But Coun Carter was unimpressed with the early form of the plans, claiming they could lead to a strain on Leeds’s infrastructure. He said:
“This is a dog’s breakfast – it almost makes our process look quite good.
“I note some of the key areas they want to build on the green belt are along the boundary with Leeds. The reductions they are proposing have little direct impact on Leeds, whereas the areas they are proposing to develop most certainly do.”
He went on to call for assurances that Bradford Council would keep Leeds up to date with any plans that would affect both districts, adding:
“They are behind us, but all councillors need to know what is going on. I have a series of major concerns about what is hinted at in these documents, and where we have had to ask for clarification.
“It seems to me that Bradford’s plan is to build on the green belt that separates Leeds from Bradford knowing the chaos that would bring. It would put the traffic problems onto another authority, because they admit where their economy is going and we hopefully know where our economy is going and they are diametrically opposed.
“Consequently you can take it as read that we will have a lot more traffic from another area coming onto our road structure.
“At least now we are clear as to the predicament we will be in.”
A council officer responded to Coun Carter: “The importance of this is that we are putting down a marker. We can only comment on proposals that have been brought forward.
He later added: “Bradford are at an early stage of their core strategy and we are putting down markers to say what we are concerned about.”
Coun Dawn Collins (Cons, Horsforth) added:
“We should be protecting greenbelt boundaries, so that people are comfortable with what authority they come under. To allow this to drift until the last minute, I am very disappointed.”
According to Leeds’s report, Bradford’s core strategy review also proposes a “significant reduction” in gypsy and traveller sites, going from 39 to 10 gypsy and traveller pitches. It added the proposals also include a reduction from seven to five transit pitches and from 45 to zero travelling show-people pitches.
The Leeds report added:
“Officers are concerned about the robustness of the evidence in demonstrating realistic levels of need. If insufficient provision is made in Bradford, an implication for Leeds could be greater stress is placed on sites in Leeds.”
“The gypsy and traveller pitches being reduced to such a degree is quite alarming. Should Bradford choose not to take any heed of our comments on that, what are the formal procedures for us to say ‘we are not going to tolerate this’?
“We have developed good working practices when it comes to gypsies and travellers’ pitches and we don’t want anyone to spoil it.”
A Leeds council officer responded:
“We do have some concerns around their methodology and how they have calculated their figures. We are suggesting they talk to the Gypsy and Traveller Exchange, who were quite instrumental in our proposals.
“If we did make a representation that is considered at Bradford’s examination, that is a significant risk to Bradford, to have another local authority that’s putting forward a case to the inspector. There will be an incentive on Bradford’s side to solve things with us if they possibly can.”
A Bradford Council spokesperson said:
“The partial review of our Core Strategy is still ongoing and open to consultation and we work closely with our neighbouring councils on our approach as they do with us.
“These comments are being made by local opposition councillors who don’t represent the formal view of Leeds Council.
“Obviously we’ll engage with all feedback as we take the local plan through the next stages of the process.”
Highway works which will improve the overall road safety around Hawksworth Wood Primary School have been approved by council officers, writes Keely Bannister.
The off-site highway improvements are required after expansion of the Kirkstall school took place last year, which doubled its student numbers from 210 to 420 pupils.
The introduction of No Waiting at Any Time waiting restrictions to remove obstructive parking and improve visibility for both pedestrians and drivers alike in the following locations;
a) Cragside Walk; b) Broadway/Cragside Walk/Cragside Close junction; and c) Broadway/Hawkswood Crescent junction.
The introduction of a No Stopping, Monday to Friday, 8am till 4pm restriction on School Keep Clear markings located on Cragside Walk and Broadway, to remove obstructive parking and ensure the safety of the school children and other pedestrians alike;
The construction of parking lay-bys on the western side of Broadway with associated bollards and footway works;
The marking out of parking bays on the wide footway located on the eastern side of Broadway;
The construction of an informal pedestrian crossing point on Cragside Walk with associated footway link, tactile paving and road markings; and
The removal of the existing speed hump and the construction of a speed table to facilitate the aforementioned informal pedestrian crossing point.
The report goes on to list the impact the informal zebra crossing facility will have, with the positives identified as:
Provide safer passage whilst crossing the road to all pedestrians, especially those with mobility issues, disabled people, parents supporting pushchairs and young and old people;
Greater independence and choice for children travelling to school;
Make it more pleasant to walk or cycle, encouraging a more healthy lifestyle;
Improve quality of life for the local community;
Remove undesirable parking in the vicinity of the school and crossing points, visibility for pedestrians wishing to cross and drivers approaching the waiting pedestrians is enhanced, thus improving crossing safety;
The implementation of traffic calming features will assist in slowing driver speeds thus improving the road environment for all road users;
The introduction of lay-bys and parking bays will regulate parking and remove the likely conflict between pedestrians and vehicles.
There are two negative impacts highlighted with a reduction in air quality due to lower speeds and displacement of existing on street parking, potentially to areas where it may create a problem.
However, a paragraph in the report looking at the works on the climate emergency concludes that there will be a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions:
“…We will remove undesirable parking in the vicinity of the school and around pedestrian crossing points and remove the potential conflict between pedestrians and motor vehicles, thus providing a safer environment around the school and in the surrounding residential area which will encourage more sustainable travel behaviours for all users and make it more pleasant to walk or cycle, encouraging a more healthy lifestyle.
“This will in turn result in a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions as journeys to and from school by private cars are reduced and a modal shift to more sustainable travel is fashioned.”
Consultation was taken with the school, with Kirkstall councillors being supportive of the plans.
Various amendments to the parking restrictions were requested by local residents and these have been considered and included where possible.
Artists Nel Whatmore and Sarah Chandler with William Gaunt, joint MD of Sunny Bank Mills which has created new studios for artists.
Picture: Richard Doughty Photography
Bosses at the thriving Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley have created more space for its flourishing artistic community.
The mill complex has opened 10 new studios in the Twisting Gallery this month, which will complement the existing 14 studios in its Spinning Mill.
Sunny Bank Mills already hosts the popular
Sunny Bank Mills Gallery, the acclaimed art, design and culture space housed in
a light and tranquil 3,000 sq ft old cloth warehouse.
The spacious art gallery, together with the new and existing studios, showcases local artists and provides a creative space for the Farsley, Pudsey and west Leeds community.
The studios and the art gallery will be
open to the public as part of the special Heritage Open Days on September
14-15.
William Gaunt, co-managing director of Edwin Woodhouse, the developers of Sunny Bank Mills, said:
“We want to support local artists in Leeds. The overriding aim is that the mill should be an inspiring place for people to come to work – and visit. The new studios in the Twisting Gallery, together with the Spinning Mill and the gallery, achieve this aim.”
Nel Whatmore, a Yorkshire artist who has just moved into Sunny Bank Mills, said:
“It has been a lifetime’s ambition of mine to have a studio in a mill and to be part of a creative community. Having recently been forced to cancel my biggest show of the year, Chelsea Flower Show, I am delighted to say that I have had the time to explore new opportunities and discover Sunny Bank Mills.
“The combination of an inspiring building and the careful curation of the spaces meant it was a very easy decision to move in to the Twisting Gallery.”
Sarah Chandler, another artist who has just moved into Sunny Bank Mills, said:
“From the first moment that I walked into Sunny Bank Mills my mind was active with creative thoughts.
“I have only recently moved to Farsley but it already feels like home. It is a very special place full of warm friendly people. I love the sense of community here. I am honoured to have been accepted into the new studios. I can’t wait to get started.”
Volunteers are needed to help older people enjoy the popular weekly Calverley Lunch.
People are needed to help transport Farsley Live at Home members to and from its weekly Wednesday Lunch Club at Calverley Methodist Church, (starts at 12pm).
Help is also needed collecting the cooked food from a local school and returning the empty containers after the lunch, people to help serve food and clear away.
Farsley Live at Home is a social group for over 60s aimed at preventing social isolation in Farsley, Calverley, Tyersal and Rodley areas.
Susan Cook, Farsley Live At Home community co-ordinator, said:
“We provide a wide range of social activities eg exercise classes, tai chi, shopping trips, pub trips and breakfast and lunch clubs.
“We also have a team of staff responsible for organising the activities who are supported by a large number of volunteers, who are invaluable to us.”
If volunteering at Calverley Lunch, or becoming a member, appeals to you or someone you know please contact 0113 290 9340.
Farsley Celtic returned to winning ways as an excellent second-half performance saw Bradford Park Avenue defeated 3-0, writes Thomas Ritchie.
Tom Allan, Jordan Richards and Ben Atkinson all struck after the half-time break to earn the Celt Army all three points against their local rivals.
Boss Adam Lakeland was delighted with his side’s performance. He said:
“I thought we controlled and dominated the entire first-half of the game, I thought we came out and started really well, really quick, obviously had a lot of possession.
“I was disappointed at half-time not to have got our nose in front, but then in the second-half we’ve obviously come out with a quick corner and we’ve got our noses in front, big Tom (Allan) getting a goal which he thoroughly deserved.
“We only spoke at half-time, just before the lads came back out, I think there’s a few things that have just not quite gone our way in the last couple of games at big moments.
“You can either feel sorry for yourselves or you can put in a good performance and work hard, and eventually that little bit of fortune will change, and obviously we got that little bit of fortune with the goal of Jordan’s.”
The game started quietly as both teams attempted to settle into a rhythm, but Farsley carved out the first opportunity as Luke Parkin and Tom Allan played a sweet one-two down the left before the former shot wide.
The hosts had a golden opportunity to open the scoring midway through the first-half, as Isaiah Bazeley led a counter-attack down the right and crossed for Lewis Knight who sliced his strike wide, when he really should have hit the target.
With five minutes remaining in the first-half Farsley had strong shouts for a penalty turned down. Adam Clayton headed Luke Parkin’s corner down to Tom Allan who was being held by Avenue defenders, but the Farsley protests were waved away.
The Celt Army were quickly out of the blocks after the interval and Jimmy Spencer was inches away from breaking the deadlock as he brought down Tom Allan’s excellent cross, but his strike was tipped onto the post by Avenue shot-stopper Jack Bennett.
However, Farsley edged in front from the resulting corner which was taken short to Tyler Walton, whose delivery was nodded into the bottom corner by Tom Allam.
The woodwork prevented Luke Parkin from doubling his side’s lead just after the hour mark, as his terrific free-kick cannoned against the upright before he fired the rebound wide.
It was then Bradford’s turn to be denied by the frame of the goal as Marcus Wood made a dangerous run, waltzing through the Farsley defence only for his strike to hit the base of the upright.
With just under five minutes remaining a goalkeeping error saw the three points all but wrapped up, Nathan Cartman working the ball to Jordan Richards who scored his first Farsley goal as his low strike went through the legs of Avenue ‘keeper Bennett.
The best was saved until last as Ben Atkinson capped off a fine win with a superb strike deep into added time, receiving the ball from Spencer and drilling home a terrific strike past Bennett from 20 yards out.
Mr Kristoffer Carpenter is aiming to create two additional bedrooms, converting the property from the current four-bedroomed house in Armley Park Road to a six-bedroomed shared property.
He plans to lower the basement floor and changing the space, which is currently used for storage, into an en-suite bedroom and a living room.
The current living room, which is located on the ground floor, will be converted into a bedroom.
To add extra natural light into the basement, lightwells will be added or extended with windows being increased to “full height” and doors being glazed.
Five objections are listed on the planning portal from people living on Armley Park Road as well as other parts of LS12.
Mary Erin Finegan is one of the objectors. She said:
“The property above has been kept in a state of disrepair with the front garden piled with rubbish over the summer, creating a perfect breeding space for pests.
“Armley Park Road is already packed full of cars, making it often difficult to park near our home with our young children, I don’t believe packing in more renting tenants will improve this issue. There are already a number of HMOs on this street.”
Caleb Price, who objected as an owner/resident of 18 Armley Park Road, and owner/landlord of 20 Armley Park Road, wrote that he “strongly objected” to this application. He added:
“Over the 17 years which I have lived on Armley Park Road, I have seen the terrace of numbers 2-24 steadily transition from a noisy, untidy and litter ridden environment to one which is relatively quiet and well cared for by the majority of local residents.
“I attribute this to the gradual change in use of the houses from HMOs to residences for families, couples and single people. Both owner-occupiers and rental residents of the terrace have positively contributed to the environment in recent times.”
A report from the council’s highways team states that they have no objection to the plans, subject to a number of conditions being met. These include cycle storage, suitable bin storage and occupiers being ineligible for parking permits.
HMOs – houses is a property rented out by at least three people who are not from one ‘household’ but share facilities like the bathroom and kitchen – have long been a controversial topic in Armley.
In a landmark ruling in August 2017, councillors on the South and West plans panel refused a HMO application on Conference Road in Armley saying that granting it “would alter the character of the area, that another HMO would affect community cohesion, cause parking problems and would lead to the loss of a much-needed family home”.
However, the developer appealed and the decision to refuse was overturned by an independent Government planning inspector Andrew McCormack, who said:
“I find that the property is situated in a well-connected area which does not have a high concentration of HMOs. Therefore its impact on the character of the area in terms of its use will be very limited and, in my view, the proposal would help to meet a significant demand for this type of housing in Leeds.”
Swinnow Community Centre has recently launched a bicycle donation scheme to benefit local people of all ages, writes Damon Sugden.
Centre manager Yvonne Allman, said people from the community have been asked to donate their spare and unwanted bicycles (just bikes, not scooters or go karts please) – of all sizes from toddlers up to adult bikes.
These can be donated in any condition – volunteers at the centre will recondition them back to a safe and usable standard.
These sessions are run every second Sunday, and bikes can also be brought in for basic repairs to get them straight back on the road.
People in need of a bike for their kids or themselves, are invited to apply to the centre’s bike scheme.
Availability is dependent on the bikes that are donated – Yvonne is currently organising a waiting list. Kids that are given bikes are shown how to wash them, and repair punctures.
This is important as they need to “earn” their bike and know how to look after it, before they are allowed to take it away.
Also any kid can drop in and learn the important basics of bicycle maintenance with onsite bike mechanic Tim Devereux.
Yvonne feels that not only do the kids deserve the chance to have a bike of their own but also the adult bikes will empower people to improve their lives.
The mend and make do ethos is also important for people’s life skills and sense of well being, but also great for the environment. She added:
“The donated bikes are dropped off, done up, the kids wash them and they learn to change the tyre, fix punctures, if they get stuck they can come back every second Sunday for help and advice from Tim.
“If the bike needs major repair it goes back to the repair shop. If they start to grow out of it, they can donate the bike back and we get them a bigger bike, so its continuous.”
Danuta Skarszewska collects the bikes, Councillor Mark Harrison (Cons, Pudsey) passes them to Jonathan Ambler and between them they repair them when they can.
Tim Devereux is managing the onsite walk-in repairs every fortnight. Yvonne added:
“Every month we are going to sell one high quality bike from the donated stock, so that we can put all the money towards the parts that are needed to fix the other bikes. We’ve just sold our first one, so that money will now help to buy new seats etc.
“We are finding that a lot of people are wanting stabilisers and they are costing us around £6 a pack, so if anyone who has unused ones in their garage they would be a brilliant thing to donate.”
Yvonne is also requesting donations of any spare good condition cycle helmets (need to be undamaged). They are also urgently in need of bike bells, reflectors, pedals and many of the basics to make the bikes road worthy. She added:
“We want the scheme to be self serving, if someone drops a bike off and somebody wants a bike they can get the bike, put a donation in, and can also purchase a bike helmet and spare puncture kits for a donation. That all goes back in to buying the parts for doing the bikes up.
“So far I’ve got a list of 15 people that are wanting a bike. And as you can see we’ve got people coming in off the streets getting their bikes repaired, they don’t always know how to fix the problem – so they get taught.”
Susan Deakins and Robbie Fryer brought Robbie’s own bike in for repair – as the chain was catching on the frame.
This was quickly remedied by Tim and Jonathan, and Robbie was soon back on his bike riding happily around the centre carpark.
“We just wanted a scheme where anybody that needed a bike (especially to help adults get to work) and they are walking because they can’t afford bus fares, if kids or adults need a bike they will get one – if they can demonstrate the need.
“As you can see it works – a lady has just come in off the park and asked for a toddler bike, and she’s managed to be able to pick one up. She is then going to donate her toddlers push bike. We are not bothered what age group or condition the bikes are in, please bring them along as they will all see some use.”
“GIVE A BIKE” scheme runs every second Sunday, the next one is Sunday 7th September.
All donations can be taken to Swinnow Community Centre, Swinnow Lane, LS13 4RF 9:30am to 4:30pm.Please ring for weekend donations: 0113 256 6576.
Until the 9th September, the Church Lane institution will be providing a bed for the night as well as an evening and breakfast meal for the WYDAN service users.
These are the three ways in which you can help Pudsey Parish Church help those in need:
Donation of your time volunteering at church during the week – there are numerous opportunities and training will be given prior to commencing your role.
Donations of new underwear, vests and socks.
Monetary Donations: Visit this link and select WYDAN from the drop down menu titled ‘my donations are for’.
Staff at the Wellstone Rise Post Office in Swinnow Lane were left badly shaken following an armed robbery this morning.
Police say that two masked man, armed with what appeared to be a handgun, had entered the shop and threatened staff before taking cash and leaving the scene in a car driven by a third man.
A police spokesperson said:
“No-one was injured but those involved were left badly shaken.”
Officers are currently at the scene and enquiries into the incident are ongoing.
Witnesses can call Leeds District CID via 101 quoting log number 342 of September 3 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
