By John Baron
Welcome to the first in what will hopefully be a handy two-minute Sunday roundup capturing what’s been happening in West Leeds during the past week.
Two of Pudsey’s landmarks have been in the news. It looks like the sale of Pudsey Town Hall will finally go ahead after Historic England refused Pudsey Civic Society’s application to have the historic building Listed. The Town Hall hadn’t been fully used since 2016 and efforts by the Pudsey Town Hall Community Interest Company to take the building into community ownership were unsuccessful.
And Leeds City Council has launched its public consultation into the future of Pudsey Market. The market has sadly been struggling some time – but how can new life be injected into it?
Also worth flagging the latest raft of work – including potential delays – have been announced later this month as part of the £44 million Dawsons Corner/Stanningley bypass scheme.
Here are some of the articles written by our team of community reporters from your part of West Leeds:
Armley
A public consultation into future conservation management at Gott’s mansion, Gott’s Park and Armley Park will be launched with a special event later this week, Helen Fay reports. Here’s how you can have your say.
We’ve had a first look at the newly approved panel centre at The Roundhouse near Armley Gyratory, there are plans to expand an Armley nursery to meet rising demand and it looks like it could be the end for a popular mural on Town Street after new shopfront plans were approved, despite objections from two Armley councillors.
Bramley & Stanningley
The site of the former Wyther Park Community Centre could be sold by the cash-strapped local council, and residents can be part of a unique community artwork as Full Circle Funerals launches two new free workshops to expand its Bramley Mural Project.
Artists are inviting people to explore the heritage of Grade II Listed Bramley Baths at these free workshops, and details of the second helping of the annual MillFest event – which proved quite a success last year – can be found here. Check out Jan Calvert’s lovely report on how love has shaped a Bramley man’s new restaurant endeavour, and if that’s all a bit much for you, check out Christopher Pratt’s real ale review at the Old Unicorn.
And James Bovington reports how boxers at Bramley Villagers used their recent home show at the West Leeds club to demonstrate skills they have learnt.
Burley
Don Mort reports that Leeds City Council has decided a takeaway can now open until 3am, despite local concerns. But plans to convert a semi-detached house into a children’s home were withdrawn just before councillors were due to meet to decide the proposal.
Farnley
Summer camps are set to hit holiday boredom for six at New Farnley Cricket Club, Noel Bullock reports – details here. There’s lots going on there – including an over 50s international cricket match between England and New Zealand later this month and congrats to New farnley CC as they beat Pudsey St Lawrence to reach the Priestley Cup Final.
Farsley
Youngsters unfairly get a bad rep these days, so it’s always nice to shine a light on them when they do something positive. Step into the spotlight 12-year-old Jesse Carliil, who’s doing his bid to support Leeds charity Zarach end bed poverty by undertaking a gruelling 137-mile sponsored bike ride. It’d be lovely if you could support his efforts, if you can.
Also in Farsley, Sunny Bank Mills has unveiled one of its most ambitious and joyful exhibitions yet. The Magic Show has taken over its Gallery until 27 September, bringing together disabled, neurodivergent and learning-disabled artists in a vibrant celebration. And last Sunday we reported on phoenix club FC Farsley’s first ever game and what it meant to long-suffering fans.
Horsforth
There’s been lots of community initiatives in the news this week. Volunteers at a community orchard in Horsforth are appealing for the community to support a much-needed spruce up. Jill Stocks also covered the fantastic Walk of Art event, which featured many different community organisations.
Also in the spotlight was the help Horsforth Museum gives to help people trace their family tree. Young people at Horsforth’s School of Rock are set to perform 400 songs to celebrate Leeds’ 400th birthday, a grand Edwardian house is set to go under the hammer and check out Jan Calvert’s heart-warming love story behind Horsforth’s new Thai bistro.
Kirkstall
Kirkstall has, as you would expect during Kirkstall Festival week, been a hive of community activity.
Lara King’s write up and photos from the Friday evening festival fundraising concert really captures the flavour of the event. The Abbey also provided the setting for the performance of a Shakespeare classic, which community reporter Jill Stocks fell in love with.
There was a real sense of celebration at Kirkstall Valley Farm this week as Kirkstall Valley Development Trust (KVDT) marked two significant milestones while also looking ahead to another. Councillors approved a grant to improve lighting outside a Kirkstall playground in a bid to improve safety and reduce anti-social behaviour. And Jim Corah reports that the winners of Kirkstall Art Trail’s poetry competition have been revealed – the main trail is next weekend so keep your eyes peeled for more details.
Pudsey
As well as the Town Hall, market and Dawsons Corner updates, it’s been a newsy week in Pudsey.
The Essar Oil petrol station on Lowtown has been granted an alcohol licence after bosses agreed not to serve customers 24 hours a day. The initial proposal had led to a number of local objections.
Leeds West and Pudsey MP Rachel Reeves has featured a couple of times. She’s welcomed Pudsey Sixth Form College students to Downing Street and visited apprentices at G&H and Building Futures Together.
Swinnow Community Centre has also announced its free summer sporting activities for families, which are worth a look here.
Wortley
Fancy supporting young people by helping them to play rugby? Katherine Turner reports on how volunteer junior coaches are needed at West Leeds RUFC, on Blue Hill Lane.
What’s on
Don’t forget to check out our what’s on section, featuring dozens of community events, groups and services complied each week by our dedicated team of volunteers.
Highlights this week? Check out Andy’s Man Club Monday evening meetings in Kirkstall and Pudsey, Horsforth and the new Bramley group. The next Bramley Moorfields Market will be held in Bramley Park next Sunday (19 July) and you can take a reflective stroll around Kirkstall Abbey on Wednesday.
- If you have any news or events you’d like to see us cover, drop us a line at news@westleedsdispatch.com.
Sponsored content
