Welcome to the latest handy five-minute Sunday roundup capturing what’s been happening in West Leeds during the past week.
Big news this week was Bramley Baths announcing multi-million pound redevelopment plans at the Grade II Listed building, which would include a new coffee shop area and a sauna. Check out artists’ impressions and full details here. This will be a major boost for the Edwardian Baths, if the scheme moves forward.
And senior councillors will next week discuss holding a review into parking charges in district centre car parks, which have proven controversial since they came in last year. Read Jill Stocks’ update – and local reaction – here.
Our most read story of the week? Leeds City Council deciding to reduce to speed limit on a stretch of busy Carr Road in Calverley. If you missed it, read all about it here.
Armley
It’s been a busy week in Armley.
Libraries in the city – including Armley – are set to cease lending out iPads after devices became obsolete and some were stolen. There was better news for former Armley councillor Alison Lowe, who has been offered a peerage in the House of Lords.
Entrepreneurial Armley Park Primary School pupils have spent the last few months growing their own fruit and vegetables, which they’re now selling, alongside children across the city, at Leeds Kirkgate Market. A £5 million affordable housing development named in memory of Armley Scout leader has celebrated a special milestone and sweltering shoppers in Armley Town Street are being offered chilled drinks by volunteers to help quench their thirst.
Graham Barber writes about the work of Wade’s Charity on land including Gott’s Park – read the background at Before Leeds had a charter: Wade’s Charity and five centuries of civic life. And finally, three arrests were made following the discovery of over £10,000 in suspected counterfeit notes and printing equipment at an address in Armley.
Bramley
It was lovely to catch up with community gardeners in Bramley, who have celebrated restoring a community garden at Bramley Lawn Social Centre to its former glory. They celebrated with a special tea and cake celebration with councillors.
And boxers at Bramley Villagers used their recent home show at the West Leeds club to demonstrate skills they have learnt. Read James Bovington’s report here.
Burley
An update, this week, on the future of a historic building amid concerns for its future: Grade II Listed Burley Library has been added to national ‘buildings at risk’ register. A move some would argue is long overdue.
James Bovington reports how how a martial arts gym is helping a kickboxer reach his potential.
Calverley
Calverley River Bridge closed overnight earlier this week as part of major improvement and maintenance works.
Farnley
New Farnley Cricket Club booked their place in the quarter-finals of the ECB National Club Championship after producing another outstanding all-round display to defeat reigning National Club Champions Ormskirk by 79 runs.
Farsley
One of the largest archaeology companies in the UK has relocated their Leeds office to Springfield Mills in Farsley. Welcome to Farsley, AOC Archaeology!
A new youth group has started in Horsforth aimed at easing the transition for pupils leaving year 6 and starting high school in September. More details here. Horsforth’s Summer Art Club is back again for 2026 with art activities for children aged 7-14 and a whole range of activities for creative young minds, and nominations are now open for the annual Heart of Horsforth community Awards.
Plans for a new training and gym building have been submitted at Yarnbury RFC, in conjunction with Guiseley FC. It’s all go at the club, as this weekend Yarnbury are hosting their annual beer festival.
And finally, a renowned comedy writer has brought his talents to Horsforth with his one-man show ‘God, the Bible and Everything in 60 minutes’. Jill Stocks went along and met him.
Horsforth
Horsforth residents are invited to have their say on the future of one of the town’s most historic buildings, in the Hall Park Stables consultation. More details on how you can have your say can be found here.
Kirkstall
This week saw firefighters tackle a large blaze behind a historic Kirkstall mill building. We also featured a write up and dozens of photos from last weekend’s super-popular Kirkstall Festival.
This weekend sees Kirkstall Art Trail make its mark – read (and listen) more about the ‘biggest and best yet’ here. The winners of the trail’s inaugural Capture Kirkstall photography competition have also been announced.
There was good news for Kirkstall Abbey and Pudsey Park – they’ve both received the prestigious national Green Flag award for excellence.
Pudsey
As well as Pudsey Park’s prestigious Green Flag award, busy Valley Road has closed for 14 weeks to allow vital culvert replacement works to take place. Here’s all the details you need to know.
And amended plans for a 16-metre high mobile phone mast in Pudsey have been refused by council planners, following local concerns.
And the BBC reports bus operator Squarepeg – which runs services connecting Horsforth, Seacroft, Pudsey, Rodley, Farsley, Gomersal, and the White Rose Centre – used its entire fleet of vehicles in a protest over the region’s bus franchising process, which it says favours larger companies.
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?
Calling all women in LS12! Shenanigans group in Armley is holding a life drawing class on Thursday – details can be found here. There’s free boys and girls football session in Western Flatts Park, Wortley on Tuesday (3.30pm) – details here.
Fancy trying something a little different? Give line dancing at Swinnow Community Centre on Tuesday evening (8pm) a go.
If you have any news or events you’d like to see us cover, drop us a line at news@westleedsdispatch.com.