Young people in Bramley have presented care packages to St Anne’s Community Services, which is a lifeline care provider for people in need.
The young people are all aged between 12 to 18 and handed over care packages consisting of toiletries, sanitary products, anti-bacterial wipes, chocolate, energy bars, water, hats, gloves and sanitary products.
Members of Barca Leeds’ Voice, Influence and Participation Group put together the packages after raising funds by making and sell reindeer food and festive hot chocolate cones, as well as holding a raffle and a fancy dress sponsored walk.
They raised over £500, and support organisation Barca Leeds was able to match this, giving them a grand total of over £1,000.
A Barca Leeds spokesperson said: “They wanted to fundraise so they could ‘give something back to their community’ and with this they chose to run some local family events at Broadlea Community Centre.”
These included a VE Day celebration and a ‘Palentines’ event (celebrating friendship around Valentine’s Day). The majority of the funds raised went towards buying the resources needed for the care packages.
“Our young people shared that over the winter months they were seeing more and more rough sleepers on the city centre streets and in their local communities,” the spokesperson added.
“They wanted to do something to help them which is how the fundraising ideas came about. They made a podcast with staff members from Barca’s Housing Navigator Team, who support people experiencing homelessness to get into accommodation and sustain tenancies.
“Young people were interested to find out more about how people become homeless and also what kind of support exists for them.
“Most importantly they wanted to know what would be the most useful items to include in the care packages. Yesterday they were able to finally hand over the packages to St Anne’s.
“These young people have done an extraordinary job, their commitment to making a positive difference in their community is something we can all admire.”
Council chiefs have given the green light to plans to move Calverley Library to the nearby Mechanics’ Institute as the local authority looks to save money.
£200,000 plans have been drawn up to relocate the library, which the council says has some of the lowest footfall, book borrowing and computer usage figures across the city.
A public consultation was launched in April – 70% of respondents were in support of the proposal, with many commenting that the proposed building would be more suitable and have potential to be a more usable community space.
The relocation will include creating level access into the Mechanics Institute, upgraded accessible toilets and redecoration of the library areas to provide a safe and welcoming environment.
Where the entrance to the new library will be at Calverley Mechanics Institute. Photo: Anne Akers
Councillor Peter Carlill (Lab, Calverley & Farsley) said: “Overall the move would safeguard and boost a library service in Calverley well into the future, and protect a historic building which has stood in the heart of the village for 150 years.”
He said both he and Cllr Craig Timmins were ‘very positive’ about the move.
“We have had a tour of the building to see the ideas for the refurbishment and are encouraged by the opportunities the relocation would bring,” Cllr Carlill added.
“The changes will lead to better use of an underused building, better community facilities for the village, maintaining library opening times, meeting or exceeding the capacity of books on display, providing more space for community groups and better facilities for the youth club which uses the building.”
He said a planning application for change of use of the Mechanics Institute to include library services will be submitted, and works will start on the design and technical specification of the new layout. No timescale has been given over the date of the actual move.
Cllr Carlill added: “We have asked that the proposed design be made available in the existing library to allow people to view and comment on the proposed plans.”
Councillor Andrew Carter (Cons, Calverley & Farsley) gave the consultation results a cautious reception.
He said: “The key thing is that we keep a library in Calverley. However, experience tells me that this relocation, and the disposal of the existing site, need to be kept a very close eye on, because the two run hand in hand.
“Leeds City Council’s consultations are not the most reassuring of exercises. For example, they are claiming that 70% of people who responded to the consultation on the library were broadly in favour of the move. When I tell you there were only 104 responses in total it rather puts it into perspective.
“I have concerns that the community groups who currently use the existing library will find space limited in the Mechanics. I also want to see a fully functioning library moving to the Mechanics.
“As for the existing site, it needs a sensitive development, in harmony with the centre of the village, which is a Conservation Area.”
The council’s land and property team will start to review the existing library building to identify the best strategy going forwards – which most likely would be sale of the building.
The library was originally based at the Mechanics Institute before moving into its current building in 1973.
The family of murdered Horsforth schoolboy Alfie Lewis have joined forces with public and community leaders to help shape a new strategy to tackle serious violence.
In a powerful show of unity this week, Alfie’s aunt Mechelle Lewis stood shoulder to shoulder with the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Alison Lowe OBE, as Harehills hosted the first in a series of public conversations.
Fifteen-year-old Alfie was fatally stabbed in Horsforth on 7 November 2023.
Speaking at the Shine community space on Wednesday (23 July), Mechelle delivered a powerful and emotional address to the audience urging attendees to turn grief into action.
Mechelle Lewis said: “Alfie was a beautiful boy. He would light up a room – always dancing, or singing, or rapping.
“He’d just started on his journey through life when he was tragically taken from us. But we can’t allow his life to have been taken in vain.
“We stand here not just in grief, but in determination. Alfie’s life was stolen, but his story must spark change.
“We are supporting this serious violence consultation, and are working alongside The Mayor and community, united with a voice and with conviction to make a change.”
As part of the day Mechelle also introduced Alfie: Forever 15 – a trauma-informed, creative intervention developed with Leeds-based Redbobble Arts.
Supported by West Yorkshire Police and the Combined Authority, the project will use immersive performance, film, and music created by Alfie’s peers to engage students and raise awareness of the consequences of knife crime.
Hosted by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority the event brought together local organisations, residents, community leaders and campaigners for open discussion, collaboration, and co-creation.
Alison Lowe OBE, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime and former Armley councillor, said: “Tackling serious violence is one of our highest priorities.
“This event was both brilliant and deeply moving. It gave us the chance to bring partners and the public together as we work towards real and lasting change.
“This consultation is about listening to the people and communities most affected. Every voice matters.
“I urge everyone to get involved — whether online or in person at future events — and help us build a safer, brighter West Yorkshire.”
Lee Berry, Director of the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Partnership, Detective Chief Superintendent said: “Hearing Alfie’s story brought home exactly why this work is so important. Tragedy must lead to change.
“The value of this consultation lies in hearing directly from our communities – their voices, their experiences, and their ideas.
“We can then shape a strategy to make sure we are addressing the issues identified by our communities, to stem that tide of serious violence.”
Attendees included public sector agencies, charities, youth workers, educators, and campaigners, all focused on building a safer West Yorkshire through shared insight and action.
Angela Everson, Chief Executive of WomenCentre, an attendee on the day, said: “What I take from today is hope. Hope that we’re finally addressing serious violence in its fullest sense – from knife crime to domestic abuse and violence against women and girls.
“Alfie’s story reminded us that real stories move people to act.
“We’re not building a strategy that’s done to communities, but with them. This is your chance to be heard, to lead, and to protect future generations.”
As part of this major consultation, a series of community events will continue across West Yorkshire and there is also an online survey, open until Tuesday 30 September 2025.
The developer behind a major development with 503 apartments off Kirkstall Road is asking for feedback on its proposals.
Forshaw Group has unveiled its vision for New Foundry Square, which features 503 apartments, gym, pool and new public square on the former Thyssen Krupp site.
The proposal for Kirkstall Road hopes to transform a brownfield site into a thriving and inclusive new community, which draws inspiration from the area’s rich industrial heritage.
It will include a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments across five to 12-storey buildings and Forshaw says it is consciously designed to support intergenerational living in a welcoming neighbourhood.
The public is now invited to share their feedback and help shape the final plans before submission to Leeds City Council.
Key features of the proposed development include:
503 new homes: A mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments designed for young professionals, families and empty nesters
Resident amenities: Including gym, pool, sauna, cinema lounge, 24-hour concierge, independent retail and co-working spaces
Sustainable travel: Over 500 cycle parking spaces and new active travel routes
Green and public spaces: Landscaped gardens, play areas and a public square.
Lyndon Forshaw, CEO of Forshaw Group, said: “New Foundry Square represents a bold new chapter for Kirkstall Road.
“It is a key opportunity to transform a disused site into a thriving new neighbourhood for all generations. We’re committed to creating a place that reflects the rich history of Leeds while setting a new standard for modern city living.
“We’re excited to hear what local people think so we can shape the future of this space together.”
Have your say
The consultation is open until midnight on Thursday, August 7, with the public encouraged to participate via the online survey or by contacting the project team directly:
Every fortnight we publish a list of the latest licensing applications related to the seven council wards in the West Leeds Dispatch patch.
The council’s licensing department regulates activities that require a licence, such as selling alcohol, providing entertainment, event notices and taxi licence applications. They also ensure that licensed premises and individuals comply with the law and protect the public
The following licensing application was published on the Leeds City Council website in the past 14 days:
Reaching retirement age can take some getting used to: an empty desk and an empty nest (unless you’re up to your elbows in grandkids).
Hips and brain can be a bit creaky; the occasional glimpse of mum or dad in your own reflection; the bus pass (and bus pass photo!); more ‘me time’ than you know what to do with – and that’s Us Time when two of you retire together!
However much you were looking forward to retirement, when you’re accustomed to the pace and structure of a working week, the abrupt shift down the gears is unsettling.
Say goodbye to full-time days, permanent nights and shift rotas; to part-time, job share and temping; to hybrid and remote working; to the ‘freedom and flexibility’ of zero-hours contracts and freelancing. Job title, function, status, dress code all gone. Bin the CV. Delete Linked-in. No more busing or driving in, clocking in or logging in. No more pressure, gossip or internal politics. No more fire alarm tests! Marvellous!!
And it will be, at first. And again, not long after. For a while in between, though, you might experience a small – probably very small – a frisson – just a hint of – existential crisis. There, you see, it’s hardly worth mentioning.
Symptoms present as questions, and range from mild: What am I going to do with all these hours and days? Through moderate: Who am I, if not a (insert appropriate term)? To severe: O!M!G! I’m officially old! How much time have I got left?
Alarming as this might seem, be assured that it is merely a natural, temporary phase: a major life change has raised the spectres of every cliché you ever heard, read or watched before the age of twelve, about toothless crones with bad hair; crabbit old geezers with smelly dogs; harmless old dears; doddery old men; domestic tyrants; helpless invalids; witches and wizards, good, bad and ugly (though wizards always have great hair).
So much great literature and so many classic folk tales have come down from when average life expectancy was around 45, and keeping your hearing, sight and all your teeth was more luck than judgement.
Shakespeare, the Brothers Grimm and Dickens left us stories from their own times, but also reached back through centuries and across land and sea for history, legends and folk tales that would speak to their contemporaries.
Those stories also speak to us because we are essentially no different from our ancestors, except in one significant respect: compared with even recent ancestors, most of us live to be downright ancient.
Furthermore, with the advantages of education, healthcare, pensions, decent housing, community care and bus passes, retirement is becoming a misnomer.
‘Retirement’ affords us the time to look outward again, to make new friends and enjoy family; to slow down and savour books, music, gardens and walks; and to develop talents and explore new interests.
Now we’re in our sixties, there’s no denying that there are more years behind us than ahead of us, but as long as we’re busy living now, how can we possibly have one foot in the grave?
Easing carefully back from mortality, our questions – of identity and the business of living fully – remain. While there are several senior citizen models to consider, from silver fox to the foot/grave motif, let’s also step back from metaphor and folk tales to consider simple adjectives: The current full retirement age is 66 (rising to 67). At 66, am I old? Or elderly?
According to an online dictionary, elderly can be defined as
over 65 (i.e. before you qualify for your pension!)
or
b. a polite way of saying old.
This begs the question: Why do we need ‘a polite way of saying old’? Seriously. How is old a rude word to be avoided?
Here, I must express my deep appreciation for the way online advertisers anticipate my every need at this difficult age.
It’s heartwarming, the way all those adorable little cookies keep offering physiotherapy clinics, health insurance, and help with making a will or setting up power of attorney… Ah, I feel quite tingly all over.
OK, I exaggerate, but you could live to regret typing gentle aerobics or chair yoga into a browser, or clicking on an over-55 dance fitness link.
Cookies underpin the self-image that search engines feed us; an image, I would argue, skewed more to advertisers’ bottom lines than our wellbeing.
An account holder over the age of 65 (55?) offers two promising lines of persuasion: a cultural predisposition to anticipate attenuating powers; and/or a disposable income. Both might be exploited profitably by encouraging a sense of an imminent sell-by date.
Our searches generate cookies, which accumulate into a sort of mosaic of preferences, a profile which directs search engines to retrieve material consistent with those preferences.
It follows that if you research health issues or services related to older citizens, you may observe a shift in content in your feed to match.
Once that shift starts, a search for ways of staying fit and meeting likeminded people will generate great local information but may include a sprinkling of cheerful promotions to address mobility problems or improve bone density.
If you click on links for older walking groups, expect a lean through outdoor clothing and walking aids towards accident insurance, or a range of safe, luxury cruises and boutique special interest tours, all featuring stylish 60-somethings, and then travel insurance.
It’s marketing, which is fair enough, but a steady drip feed of supplements, serums and cures for what ails you, all wrapped up in the-end-is-nigh admin gets a bit wearing. Declining non-essential cookies is always advisable, and it would be harmless fun to dream up some off-the-wall searches to confuse the cookies. Necromancy retreats, anyone? Fire-eating courses? Release your inner Silver Surfer!!
So, back to LIVING, via What am I going to do? and its fraternal twin, Who am I? If you’re not a Leeds native or simply don’t know what your neighbourhood has to offer during office hours, then typing Armley, Leeds, or Wortley, Leeds, for example, into Facebook will open your eyes to local organisations, groups, venues and services.
If you don’t see what you want, e.g. line dancing, try typing line dancing into your phone, and watch line dancing near me/Bramley/Pudsey/classes pop up. At your local community centre or parish hall, you could find coffee mornings, breakfast or lunch clubs, craft sessions, art, memory cafés, knitting, boardgames, sewing, a men’s group, a women’s group, a choir, a walking group, even a theatre group, and yetmore besides. At most groups, someone will come and rescue a slightly nervous looking newcomer and explain what’s what: there’s no pressure to sign up, but you’ll be welcome to join in for a taster.
The West Leeds Dispatchwhat’s on section carries comprehensive local listings for exhibitions and shows, concerts, festivals, library events, sport fixtures, and plenty more. Most of them on bus routes; you can open it in your browser to find something happening that same day, check buses, take your travel card and head out for an adventure.
If you want to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty, volunteers at Kirkstall Valley Farm, Hollybush, Bramley Baths and Bramley Care Bears grow plants and food, or help people tackle their gardens. (As you’d expect, many have Facebook pages, if not their own websites.)
And while you’re helping and learning, you could apply for an allotment, and start planning. If you’re looking for responsibility and purpose, without a major time commitment, most group leaders and support teams in parish and community venues are volunteers, and would welcome another pair of hands.
In fact, it’s the same in every neighbourhood and district throughout Leeds: for museums, theatres and independent cinemas; and health, sport, social and cultural organisations, the commitment of volunteers is critical to the quality and reach of their work, and the cultural life of this city.
If you look, it’s remarkable how many of those volunteers are your – our – age!
Young was a great adventure in new places with new friends, and you’ll never be that slim or innocent or foolish again. Young was living in the moment, knowing that your life was finally beginning. Also not knowing what you didn’t know, and only finding out when it really, really mattered.
Becoming aware of an array of steep learning curves fanned out in front of you, and feeling that you had to tackle them all at once if you were going to get by. How to make friends. How to earn a living. How to manage money. How to be yourself. How to take care of yourself. How to recognise The One. How to handle success. How to recover from failure.
Young was a ride with new friends and a random dog, crammed into an open-top car, no seatbelts, a dodgy fuel gauge, radio on loud, and 50/50 odds on whether you’d all get there together, or whether you’d end up on the hard shoulder with the random dog and your thumb out.
Old is another adventure, but one you start grounded in life experience and self-knowledge, with people around you whoknow you but like you anyway.
Steep learning curves aren’t exclusive to youth but, by our age, most of us know the wisdom of, “I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.” Though I personally prefer Irving Berlin’s version: There may be trouble ahead, but while there’s music and moonlight and love and romance, let’s face the music and dance!
Elderly – old! – is a ride in a much-travelled camper van with friends and your own dog. Food and drink in the fridge. Statins and BP meds in the dash.
If you get What3Words wrong, you’ll park up, sit out under the stars together, agree who’s sharing which bunk, and set off again tomorrow, crumpled and bug-eyed from whispering in a shared bunk half the night and listening to snores for the other half.
You may not be entirely sure about your ultimate destination, and you’ll probably need the AA if the dicky clutch quits, but you’ve got motorway services on the satnav and no-one gets left on the hard shoulder.
Pudsey Wellbeing Centre. Copyright Stephen Craven and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
By Gary Lemal
At Wednesday evening’s Police And Communities Together (PACT) meeting new Sergeant James Preston urged people to report all crime – even small crimes, along with suspicious behaviour.
The reports will help form a bigger picture of the pattern crimes. These can then be used to help track down perpetrators and in sentencing.
Sgt Preston said if you see a crime taking place dial 999 immediately. The 999 number should also be used if there is an imminent or ongoing threat to safety. For non-emergencies call 101. West Yorkshire Police encourage us to report crime using Live Chat. Start a live chat here.
The meeting, held in Pudsey Wellbeing Centre, heard that in summer doors and windows are often left open. We need to make sure that thieves cannot just walk into our homes and take things, hand bags and car keys are particular targets. Make sure doors and accessible windows are locked at night.
Quite a number of Pudsey retailers have been victims of shoplifting, and Sgt Preston urged shop managers to report all instances to help build a picture and allow greater resources to be put towards this.
It is now a crime if a shop worker feels threatened or is intimidated. A new law has been introduced making it a specific crime to threaten or assault a shop worker. The Government has also introduced a Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee meaning all crimes should have a ‘timely response’.
The new crime and policing bill, which is currently going through the House Of Lords, aims to further support victims and give greater police powers.
An area of concern for many residents of Pudsey and elsewhere are youngsters on electric motorbikes, often driving dangerously. A gentleman at the PACT meeting had come because of an incident where he and his family narrowly avoided serious injury with an E-bike rider.
Here is a rough guide to what is allowed:
A bicycle is legal as is an unpowered scooter but they should not be used in pedestrian areas including pavements, no insurance is required.
Electric scooters are not legal except as part of a scheme run on behalf of a local authority. Our nearest scheme is in York.
E-bike regulations require e-bikes to have pedals that can propel the bike, an electric motor of up to 250 watts, and electrical assistance that cuts off when the speed reaches 15.5 mph (25 km/h).
All other, more powerful vehicles must be road-legal, have number plates and insurance. In most cases a driving test should have been passed.
Attendees at the meeting were told that illegal vehicles will be seized and then crushed.
The next Pudsey Ward PACT meeting will be on Wednesday, 3 September at 7pm in the Wellbeing Centre, Robin Lane.
Bev, volunteer from Calverley and the big piles of food in the
warehouse. Photo: Anne Akers
By Anne Akers
A Yorkshire charity which is given surplus food from supermarkets has appealed to West Leeds organisations to help distribute it to those in need.
FairShare Yorkshire, which has a warehouse in Holbeck, already sends food to six Community Food Members (CFMs) in West Leeds. but there is so much surplus food, they need to find more organisations to take it, says Operations Manager Matt Denison.
The warehouse receives pallets of fresh vegetables, fruit, meat, bread and dairy, ready meals, canned and dried food from supermarkets including Marks and Spencer, Asda and Tesco.
Stacks of food in the warehouse.
“All the food is unspoiled and in-date, it’s just surplus to their requirements. And because it’s so fresh, we need to redistribute it reasonably quickly,” he said.
Volunteers help unpack and sort the food which is then boxed up for CFMs who pay £45 a week for about 125kg of food with a retail value of more than £400. Armley Action, Bramley Care Bears, Kirkstall Valley Development Trust, Pudsey Community Project, New Wortley Community Centre and Horsforth Community Pantry use the food for their food banks and community cafes.
Matt said they were looking for organisations and local groups who could be CFMs, taking and redistribute the food, or preparing and serving it in community cafes and soup kitchens.
He said they did not need to be a registered charity, but would need to show they could take and deal with the food.
If you are part of an organisation or local group who would be interested in becoming a CFM, or if you would like to volunteer either in the warehouse or driving the delivery van, you can register via the website, call 01226 593778 or e-mail enquiries@fareshareyorkshire.org.
South Asian arts celebrated at New Wortley Community Centre. Photo: Helen Fay
By Helen Fay
New Wortley Community Centre hosted a vibrant community arts event on Saturday (19 July).
The event, organised by South Asian Arts UK, featured a packed programme of arts and crafts, solo and group dancing, singing and music – as well as mouth-watering food provided by the Sri Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Tong Road.
The event was a family friendly celebration of South Asian arts and there were a variety of creative stalls including face painting, henna tattoos, a fun photo booth and a clay workshop session.
South Asian Arts UK (SAA UK) is a Leeds-based registered charity whose mission is to enrich people’s lives through the engagement and participation in traditional and contemporary South Asian music and dance.
Sherin Alex, Marketing & Creative Communities Manager of SAA UK told WLD about the event at New Wortley: “This is part of our pop-up culture project that we have taken across seven of the wards that took part in the Leeds 2023 events, including Armley.
“As part of our commitment to community engagement this year we’re strategically going across different communities and wards, taking forward the legacy of Leeds 2023.”
SAA UK have already held pop-up events in Morley, Chapeltown and Chapel Allerton among others, and the Armley event was the last of these.
However, Sherin said “There will be a final showcase at Leeds Playhouse on Saturday, 16 August where we will be bringing together talents from all these different wards to perform.
“The intent behind this project is to bring diverse communities together and give them a safe space in which to perform in a relaxed, informal environment.”
Saturday’s event was organised in conjunction with LCC Localities Officer Kimberley Frangos, who was also Armley ward Host during the Leeds 2023 Year of Culture.
Kimberley said: “SAA UK approached all the 2023 Hosts because they had been granted funding to run some events across local communities.
“Seven wards responded, including Armley, and we were lucky enough to hold this event in New Wortley Community Centre.
“SAA UK are planning to do this again next year across Leeds, in as many wards as they can. It’s a pleasure working with SAA UK, they have some brilliant people, it’s wonderful learning about cultures new to me, it brings music, vibrance, colour and happiness to the community – it’s all just fantastic.”
Performances on the day included a dance solo by Sahana, singing from Bratati Chaudhury, music from Eshwar Sureshkumar and dance by the Sabhrang Dance Group.
Armley councillor Andy Parnham opened proceedings with a short speech endorsing his support of the project. The event also marked South Asian Heritage month, which runs from 18 July to 17 August.
South Asian Arts UK is a 28 year old organisation, based in Leeds.
SAA UK teach music and dance and also arrange concerts performed by world renowned artists from across South Asia in the UK. The most recent was a sold-out show held at Howard Assembly Room in Leeds with Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty, a stalwart of Hindustani classical singing.
Sherin Alex added: “While on the one hand we showcase renowned international artists, our community engagement ensures we give the common man a chance to perform and give their voice to this project.
“As an organisation we champion the cause of bringing people together – instead of focusing on differences, it’s better to focus on what we as humans have in common.
“Music and dance has no one language – it’s universal, whatever background or culture we come from. I think it’s a matter of finding those similarities and focusing on what brings us closer rather than what divides us. All in all, it’s a nice initiative, a good project and one I’m proud to be associated with and happy to lead on it. I feel very fortunate.”
Further details of SAA UK’s projects, a Music Summer School and the Leeds Playhouse showcase can be found here.
Harriet King at the Wellness studio with her book, “The 12 Week Ultimate At Home Yoga Guide”.
Photograph by Jan Calvert
By Jan Calvert
Well Nest in Kirkstall is opening their studio for a weekend celebrating wellness at their ‘WellFest’ festival during the weekend of 8 to 10 August.
Harriet King opened the converted church studio on Victoria Road, Kirkstall, two years ago. Inspired by a vision to offer a safe space for movement, relaxation and connection for the Kirkstall and West Leeds community, Harriet has a programme of events planned throughout the weekend.
Harriet’s love of yoga began as a child when she attended classes with her mum. Since then she has trained as a teacher and specialised in working with children with special and additional needs before fulfilling her dream to open a wellness centre.
She now collaborates with the ‘Sunshine and Smiles’ charity and ‘Cafe 21’ supporting families and young people with Down Syndrome and adapting her classes to meet a wide range of community needs.
Harriet said: “We wanted to create a space where different ages and different body types from all walks of life can feel part of a community promoting wellness.”
The British Heart Foundation recommends yoga as an activity which helps to develop, flexibility, strength, balance and coordination. The festival also offers meditation, massage, hot and cold water therapy and gatherings for dance, ceremony and harp playing.
There is a programme of events throughout the summer holidays for children and Harriet says the festival “offers adults a time away from the responsibilities and hustle of everyday life!”
An opticians in Kirkstall is helping children in Horsforth to shine brightly by donating high visibility vests to the local youth organisation.
Specsavers Kirkstall has donated 50 luminescent jackets to the 7th Airedale (St Margaret’s) Scout Group, with the aim of making sure children can easily be spotted by motorists when their activities take them out into the community.
The youngsters have already worn the vests while out on a community litter pick.
Established over a hundred years ago, the Scouts help children and young people develop life skills, teamwork and outdoor adventure through activities like camping, hiking, and community service.
Jennie Long, ophthalmic director at Specsavers Kirkstall, said: “It’s so important for children to spend time outdoors – it offers a wide range of benefits, including supporting healthy eye development.
“That’s why we’re honoured to help out the Scouts and all the amazing work they do to help young people get outside and learn valuable life skills. We hope our donation helps keep children safe by making them more visible when exploring their communities.”
The 7th Airedale Scouts, which is based in Horsforth, works with over 75 children in the community across its Beavers, Cubs and Scouts groups.
Cassy Simpson, group lead volunteer at the organisation, added: “A big thank you to Specsavers Kirkstall for providing our group with these high vis vests.
“They are extremely useful, helping our children be seen and kept safe while out and about during our meetings.
‘So far, our Beavers have used them collecting litter around the community and on the evening chip shop hike. They will be an invaluable part of our safety kit for all of our beavers, cubs and scouts.”
Horsforth Scouts is open to children 4 – 18 years old. As well as an active lifestyle, regular eye tests are an important part of any child’s development. All children under 16, as well as those under 19 in full- time education, are entitled to an NHS funded eye test, available at Specsavers.
To book an appointment at Specsavers Kirkstall, visit the website or call 0113 278 8774. Specsavers is based at Kirkstall Bridge Retail Park.
