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Armley Jail: Museum, flats or community resource?

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westleedslife
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Armley residents have come up with a host of different possible uses for the Leeds Prison site should the prison close.

As reported on Monday, the future of the prison is uncertain and subject to speculation.

Armley Jail could be closed and sold off for housing as part of Government plans to close some – currently unnamed – Victorian jails and build new prisons.

The possible closure has prompted a lot of discussion on Facebook on Twitter, with ideas ranging from converting the area into luxury flats, a prison or ‘ghost’ museum or a community facility.

Angela Beanland said on Facebook:

“It’s a wonderful building as was the house within the walls (but that got pulled down when they did the extension).”

Another said:

“The building itself is magnificent .. It could be a community development hub, resource centre, training centre .. So many things if the prison system is empty and looking to unload its resources.”

Stephen Clayforth added:

“I am in agreement with Armley prison being sold for housing as long as the facade of the building is preserved as it is an iconic landmark within Armley, West Leeds and Leeds in general. As long as there were certain safeguards for it and the park immediately in front, which also wants protecting as a heritage landmark being the scene of public executions including (I believe) the last public hanging outside of London.”

<blockquoteclass=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”>

@WLDispatch It’s a listed building so it won’t be demolished. But I’d love the outer walls to come down, would make the area more attractive

— Fiona Pelly (@Pookygillies) November 10, 2015

Marie Varley added:

“It wouldn’t even be housing and would stay standing – it would be better as a prison museum. One of a kind!”

Harry Clough Smith said:

“They spent millions upgrading and keeping it going. Just stupid isn’t it to waste that money?”

Another resident said:

“It’s an awesome building. Would be a shame to take out the prisoners only to fill it with yuppies. My beloved Jack Fultons might become a Starbucks or something.”

What do you think? Have your say in the comments below.



Event: Armley Christmas lights switch on

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westleedslife
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Saturday will see Armley Christmas lights switch on with a fun packed agenda.

A night of live music, firteworks and a funfair awaits, with Radio Aire getting the entertainment under way at 5.30pm, with music continuing until 7pm.

Armley Town Street
Christmas 2015: Armley Town Street is ready to light up. Photo: Lilly Marchesi

The switch on will be held on Armley Town Street. All welcome to attend!

The lights are funded by local councillors through the council’s Inner West Community Committee.

As previously reported, Pudsey Christmas lights switch on will be attended by Pudsey’s own Commonwealth Games silver medalist Nile Wilson on Friday (November 13).



Bramley: Controversial alcohol licence approved

By
westleedslife
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1

Councillors have approved a controversial bid for an alcohol licence at a former chemists in Bramley.

Applicant Athin Kumar Pandit successfully applied for a licence to sell alcohol off premises at a proposed Bargain Booze shop at 23 Nora Place, which is the site of the former Co-op Chemists.

Councillors sitting on yesterday’s licensing committee approved Mr Pandit’s application to sell alcohol daily but insisted on a later opening time of between 8am and 11pm rather than the 6am start Mr Pandit had hoped for.

The decision comes despite a petition opposing the licence signed by more than 200 residents and more than 40 individual letters of objection.

Mr Pandit, who said alcohol sale would make up 25% of the shop’s sales, agreed to police requests to have CCTV installed on the premises. Police did not oppose the licence, accepting the measures offered by the applicant.

Local residents spoke passionately about their concerns about the possible impact on their local community should the licence be granted. They claimed there could be an increase in anti-social behaviour and street drinking on what is a popular route to school.

Kevin Ritchie Braamley and Stanningley
Cllr Kevin Ritchie

Bramley councillor Kevin Ritchie spoke against the application. He issued a statement to the Dispatch after the meeting. He said:

“The ward councillors are disappointed with the result but understand the decision made by councillors on the committee. The licensing application process is quasi-judical rather than political. Objections have to be based on four guidelines.
1. Prevention of crime & disorder
2. Prevention of public nuisance
3. Public safety
4. Protection of children from harm

“The applicant essentially has to have measures in place to satisfy these guidelines.

“What might occur, in the event of a failure of one of these measures isn’t taken into account at this stage. In theory there is scope to tackle issues should they subsequently occur, which may include revoking of the licence.

“On behalf of the councillors and residents I argued for a more assertive use of licensing powers to prevent crime and disorder (highlighting the Institute of Alcohols 2015 report Alcohol’s Impact on Emergancy Services). This makes clear the impact of dealing with alcohol related crime means (police) “no longer are able to patrol residential areas to catch burglars”.

“In addition I submitted evidence from public health highlighting Bramley’s higher than city average hospital admissions for alcohol related reasons.

“I urged the committee to refuse, arguing it was in the public interest to test these arguments before a magistrate should the applicant subsequently appeal.

“We have resolved to work with residents and MP Rachel Reeves, who also strongly objected, to both tackle any problems that may arise once opened and urge the government to review the licensing act to take into consideration the impact on public health.”

A retrospective planning application for a new shop front to the Nora Place building has also been submitted and will be decided by the council’s south and west plans panel later this month.



West Leeds: Don’t lose your vote!

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westleedslife
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0

West Leeds resident Sarah Page writes about why it’s important to register before December 1 and keep your vote.

In Leeds West there are 67,222 of us eligible to vote. At the moment, across our area, there are 7,065 houses where no one is registered to vote. Things are changing and so we have until the 1st December to register and keep our vote.

Maybe one vote makes little difference. I don’t know if there are any examples where one vote has turned the tables or changed anything, but I know that when votes are combined they definitely do – it’s why we have the current government.

I know that voting has more chance of changing things than not voting – you have to be in it to win it!

If someone stays quiet then nobody is going to listen to them. I hope the people in those 7,065 homes register to vote because I know we have something worth saying and we deserve to be heard around here.

You can do it online: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.



Meeting to reveal Armley Town Street plans

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westleedslife
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Plans to transform the fortunes of Armley will be unveiled as a public meeting next week.

Rachel Reeves MP
Rachel Reeves MP

Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves is hosting a second public meeting as part of the Armley Town Street Revival Plan at 5pm on Thursday 19 November at Armley Library.

The newly formed community action group, All Together Armley, will submit their plans to the public on how Town Street can be improved.

In an email to local residents, Ms Reeves said:

“Since the public meeting we held in September, I am delighted to see that All Together Armley has been developed as a representative body to bring the positive change we all want to see on Town Street.

“With the support of Leeds City Council and the Armley councillors, local residents have sat down and started to map out what they want to see change in the area.

“It’s great that the focus of their activities is around how to make the space more welcoming by dealing with anti-social behaviour, street drinking and attracting new businesses and services.

“It would be great if everyone coming to the public meeting on 19th November came with a positive idea that they can feed into the plans being drawn up by All Together Armley.”

Representatives from West Yorkshire Police, local councillors and Leeds City Council officers will also be in attendance.

As reported on The Dispatch, Town Street has been struggling with anti-social behaviour, crime, street drinkers and litter. The strategy is a result of a survey of Armley shoppers and residents which highlighted local concerns.

Check out our six-month timeline of developments on Town Street below:



What time do Pudsey Christmas lights switch on?

By
westleedslife
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2

Pudsey Christmas lights switch on will be attended by Pudsey’s own Commonwealth Games silver medalist Nile Wilson on Friday (November 13).

The event promises lots of fun for all the family hosted by Radio Aire. There will be a crafts and gifts table top sale in Pudsey House from 3pm, craft stalls in Pudsey Market from 5pm, Father Christmas at Cafe Lux, street mascots, beer and food marquees and a fun fair.

There will also be live bands and singers, a spectacular fireworks display and the town’s very own Pudsey Bear on hand too.

Ronnie the Rhino will also be in attendance at the event, which will be held in Pudsey Leisure Centre car park.

Agenda for the night:
From 6pm-6.20pm Pudsey Parish Church performs
6.25pm- 7.00pm Crawshaw school performers
7pm-7.15pm Cllr Mick Coulson and the carnival queen. Switch on with Ronnie Rhino and gymnast Nile Wilson.

… And then the party starts with a line up of bands including City of Lights, Keri-Ellah, Blyss and Craig Brauns.

The event has been organised by Pudsey Business Support Group in partnership with the Pudsey councillors.



Final week to comment on Leeds housing plans

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westleedslife
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West Leeds residents have one week left to comment on the locations of 66,000 new homes across the city.

The ‘Your city, Your plan’ consultation calls for views on potential locations for new housing, employment and retail across Leeds up to 2028 – but has caused controversy in areas including Farnley, Pudsey and elsewhere for including green belt areas.

The consultation comes to an end at 5pm on Monday, 16 November.

The council says more than 5,000 people have so far either given their views online or attended one of 15 drop-in sessions around the city.

Full details and feedback can still be given online while printed forms are available in libraries and one stop centres.

Cllr Richard Lewis
Cllr Richard Lewis

Leeds City Council executive member for regeneration, transport and planning Councillor Richard Lewis (Lab, Pudsey) said:

“The response to the public consultation has been good so far, especially with some of the drop-in sessions being packed out which was great to see.

“But we still need as many people as possible to fill in the feedback forms before it closes next Monday.”

The council says the highest allocation of new homes will be in the city centre and ‘inner area’ of Armley, Beeston Hill, Belle Isle, Gipton and Harehills, Hyde Park and Woodhouse, Hunslet and Seacroft.

Land allocated for housing in the Pudsey area also includes Calverley Lane, Hill Foot Farm in Pudsey, Hough Side Road, Pudsey, Acres Hall Avenue/Troydale Lane in Pudsey and Dick Lane in Thornbury.

Land allocated for housing in west Leeds also includes: Airedale Mills in Rodley, former Wortley High School site and Wortley Low Mills off Whitehall Road.

In Armley there are plans for housing off Wesley Road and land has been allocated for a mixed housing and employment at Armley Gyratory. Included in the land allocation is housing up Kirkstall Road and in the Otter Island area, off Kirkstall Road. A travellers site is proposed off Farnley Ring Road.

The Dispatch reported in June how council chiefs rejected government statistics on projected population growth in the city, which showed that the number of households in Leeds is projected to rise by just 44,500 over the next 15 years. They said the figures failed to take into account a number of local factors in Leeds.

Consultation responses will be reviewed by the council to consider the need for any changes, prior to submitting the plans to the government for independent examination.

To take part in the consultation visit www.leeds.gov.uk/yourcity.

Suspected Pudsey drugs meeting place secured

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westleedslife
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A small area of demolished garages on Acres Hall Crescent in Pudsey has been secured after fears the area was been used by drug dealers.

The garages had become a meeting place for strangers and local residents were worried that illegal activities were taking place with vehicles gathering in the space.

Cllr Josephine Jarosz
Cllr Josephine Jarosz

Pudsey councillors Richard Lewis, Mick Coulson and Josie Jarosz have been trying to resolve this for some time and now it looks like a solution is in sight.

Funding has been provided by the council’s Housing Advisory Panel for a gate to be placed at the front of the site, meaning people will not be able to access the site by car.

The councillors hope that this will stop people travelling by car to the site, while allowing residents to carry on their daily lives.

Councillor Josie Jarosz (Labour, Pudsey) said:

“People living in Acres Hall Crescent have a right to feel safe in their homes – having this area open for anyone to drive in was making people feel unsafe. Putting this gate in place is a practical and fair way to ensure that people are not parking in this spot, for whatever reason.

“Local people don’t use the area to park, so closing it off doesn’t reduce residents parking in the area. I look forward to seeing this work completed and local residents being able to feel more safe at home.”



Helen Thompson: Whingate Primary School offers support

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westleedslife
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0

Whingate Primary School in Armley is donating the proceeds from Children in Need day to two good local families in need.

Pupils are taking part in a non uniform day for the annual BBC fundraiser – but Whingate headteacher Stuart Myers has taken the decision to support two of Whingate’s families.

The first is Wortley cancer sufferer Helen Thompson, who is raising money for the Bexley Wing of St James’ Hospital where she is having her treatment and for a trust fund for her two children.

whingate primary school letter
In a letter to parents, Mr Myers said:

“Many of you will be aware already that a parent, Helen Thompson, is currently heroically fighting a serious illness. Helen has two daughters, Lucy who attended Whingate, and Hannah, who is year five.”

The second family have so far declined publicity.

Helen’s friends and family are also hosting a fundraising event at The Brick pub, Tong Road on Saturday, 14th November.

Helen’s friend, Jo Gittins, told The Dispatch that the school had made ‘a very kind gesture’ which was appreciated by friends and family. She also provided an update on her friend’s health:

“Helen has started losing her hair. She kept her spirits high and decided to take control and ‘brave the shave’.

“This was done at home, in an emotional setting with the while family present in support. In the spirit of solidarity, each member of the family took turns with the shave. Truly all in it together.”

Local residents are invited to attend The Brick’s fundraiser. If you have any prizes suitable to be raffled or sold contact Jo via email at r_helen@outlook.com.



Pudsey bag snatch: Police issue e-fit

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westleedslife
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0

Police have released an e-fit image of a man they want to identify to speak to regarding an attempted robbery at Pudsey bus station.

As reported last week, the incident – which left the victim upset but physically unharmed – took place at about 9.10pm on Wednesday, 28 October, near the Greggs shop opposite the bus station.

The 36-year-old woman had the shoulder strap of her bag grabbed by a man who let go after members of the public intervened.

PC James Taylor, of Leeds District Neighbourhood Crime Team, said:

“As part of our continued enquiries into this incident we have worked with the victim to produce this e-fit image. Anyone who recognises the man pictured or believes they saw a man matching his description in the area of Pudsey Bus Station around the time of the offence is asked to call Leeds District Neighbourhood Crime Team via 101.”

The suspect is described as white, 6ft tall and of medium build, slightly overweight with what she described as ‘bad skin’ and a wide nose.

He was wearing a checked jumper with a diamond shape pattern and dark thick long coat. The man apparently spoke with a Yorkshire accent and smelt of alcohol.



Bramley Remembrance Day service in photographs

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westleedslife
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0

Hundreds of people from Bramley, Stanningley and Rodley fell silent as part of a moving service at Bramley War Memorial.

Here are some photos from the day from Roy Wilson, Friends of Bramley War Memorial.

Bramley remembrance
Different faiths were well represented at Bramley Memorial. Photo: Roy Wilson

While proceedings were by the Church of England, other churches and other faiths were be represented through the Leeds Jewish Representative Council and local Mosques as a reminder that people of all faiths fought and died in the name of their country.

bramley_remembrance_2
Rem,embrance Sunday in Bramley. Photo: Roy Wilson, Friends of Bramley War Memorial

The focus of the service was on reminding those present of the terrible cost of war through the stories of service personnel from the Bramley area who died on 8 November in both world wars.

Bramley remembrance sunday
Lest we forget … Photo: Roy Wilson, Friends of Bramley War Memorial.

Clarence Wigglesworth, from Rodley, died early in the war on 8th Nov 1914 in the first battle of Ypres. Clarence was the first Rodley man to be killed in WW1 and his son, Cyril, was the first Rodley man to be killed in WW2 on 31st May 1940.

Bramley remembrance sunday
Laying a wreath … Photo: Roy Wilson, Friends of Bramley War Memorial.

William Lawton died on 8th November 1918 – only three days before this dreadful war ended. William was 23 when he died, as was his brother Ernest, who was killed on 8th April 1917 at the battle of Arras.

In memorium ... Photo: Roy Wilson
In memorium … Photo: Roy Wilson

Joseph Marsden died on 8th November in 1942, in Libya. Sadly, his brother Alfred had already been killed on 12th July 1940.

Bramley remebrance sunday service
Photo: Roy Wilson

Cllr Caroline Gruen was one of the people who campaigned to get a war memorial in Bramley. She said:

“The Remembrance Day service at the memorial was incredibly moving and a valuable opportunity for people to come together locally to show their respect for those who gave their lives to protect this country and the freedoms which we enjoy today.

“Sadly around 630 people from the Bramley and Stanningley lost their lives in the service of their country and this was the perfect opportunity to reflect on that as a community.”

Bramley War memorial.
Bramley War memorial. Photo: Roy Wilson

Similar services were also held in Armley, Calverley, Farsley and Pudsey.

Poppies at Bramley War memorial
Poppies at Bramley War memorial. Photo: Roy Wilson

Robert Salt: How I battled anxiety to run business

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westleedslife
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2

Robert Salt is a 21-year-old entrepreneur from Green Hill Drive, Bramley, who is living the dream of running his own business despite battling anxiety and depression. Here, he tells the powerful story of how he’s challenging the stigma surrounding mental health and making a success of his life.

mr pitta
Robert Salt runs Mr Pitta, which is on Commercial Street every Monday

I am a young entrepreneur from Leeds and I own a new business which is just over six months old and is going great so far.

It is a food business called Mr Pitta – trading out of a trailer on Commercial Street in Leeds city centre every Monday and also at local events such as Leeds World Feast, Kirkstall Deli and much more.

I sell Greek style pittas and make the pitta bread from scratch on the day so it is totally unique.

A fresh pitta beats a shop bought one any day! Fillings include Halloumi, Falafel, pork and chicken. I am very grateful for the wonderful feedback I have had so far from customers and I have already had moments where I have completely sold out.

After watching a recent documentary on BBC Three featuring Professor Green called “Suicide and me”, it has inspired me to tell you my start-up business story.

I really want to help inspire people. I am a long term sufferer of severe anxiety, which has sometimes caused serious spells of depression.

I would just like to make people more aware and remove the stigma around mental health as suicide is the biggest killer of men in the UK and this needs to change.

The biggest issue is that men do not talk about how they are feeling, often meaning that even the people closest to you do not even realise there is anything wrong.

I have always suffered with anxiety ever since I can remember and it has always held me back in life – avoiding tasks just to escape from the anxiety. It takes over your life and removes the enjoyment – the fact that it holds you back in life causes you to be depressed.

I had been wanting my own business and to work for myself ever since I got my first job – I hated the fact that I was being controlled and I felt trapped – I felt like I didn’t have the option of controlling my anxiety.

Mr Pitta
Food glorious food at Mr Pitta

I had experimented with various business ideas and they didn’t work out – again, I felt like my anxiety was holding me back.

It got to a point where enough was enough – I went to the doctors and got help.

This help has enabled me do things that I have never been able to do – getting help has allowed me to gain more control of my anxiety and ultimately allowed me to start my business venture.

Although I am still getting help for my anxiety and I often still struggle, it would be brilliant if I could even just inspire one person to go and get help so that they stop being held back by anxiety because I know if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve my dream of owning my own business.



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