By John Baron
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 the the pausing of plans for a new £7 million Ring Road footbridge, which is due to like Rodley with Calverley. The scheme’s a long-running one and there’s already been quite a wait, but the council’s reiterated its commitment, so watch this space…
Looking ahead to the next seven days, our editor John is taking a well-earned break, so our coverage will be scaled back. But we’ll still be publishing as often as we can, so keep your eyes peeled.
Here’s this week’s round up:
Armley
Couple of interesting planning applications in Armley this week.
An empty warehouse off Carr Crofts Drive could be converted into a padel centre, if plans are approved. Padel’s quite the up and coming sport, apparently.
And a telecoms firm has launched a fresh bid to install a 20-metre mobile mast on Armley Ridge Rod, after previous plans were blocked by the council.
Bramley
Following on from our story last month about the axing of a popular but unreliable direct train service, Leeds West and Pudsey MP Rachel Reeves is now calling for assurances over the service used by passengers at both Bramley and New Pudsey Stations.
Turning to business news, a Bramley funeral director is celebrating 10 years of trading – and has announced new ownership.
And in sport, Bramley’s Billy Pickles has returned to boxing with an impressive win at Leeds Arena.
Calverley
As well as the aforementioned news over the pausing of plans for a new Ring Road footbridge, there was a big turn out for Calverley’s 105th annual show. Reach Anne Akers’ report and photos here.
Sad news this week that the much-loved Cravings by Sid cafe has closed its doors for the last time – full story here.
Farnley
It’s always great to see communities coming together. The first-ever Farnley Fest proved to be quite an event! Read Peter Allison’s report and photos here.
Farsley
As well as the aforementioned news over the pausing of plans for a new Ring Road footbridge, it was good to see football return to Throstle News for the first time in more than two years, as phoenix club Farsley played their first home game and drew the crowds. And it was even better to see the lads record their first-ever win as they edged a seven-goal-thriller yesterday.
Horsforth
This has been a controversial topic for some time now. A public consultation has this week been launched for users of Horsforth’s Fink Hill car park and local residents to have their say on parking charges there. More details here, via Jill Stocks.
Horsforth School is proud of its pupils’ GCSE results this year. Find out why here. While we’re on the subject of Horsforth School, a former student is making waves in the boxing ring, James Bovington reports.
Kirkstall
In Kirkstall, people are being encouraged to volunteer at TCV Hollybush, who have lots of opportunities available for the right people. It’s a smashing place, too!
In other news there’s been recognition for the beer garden at Kirkstall Bodge Inn, police have made arrests in Kirkstall over the theft of some cargo, and a joint fundraising effort between Specsavers Kirkstall and PureGym Leeds Kirkstall Bridge has raised £1,800, enabling 48 prostate screening tests to be carried out – good stuff, indeed!
Pudsey
News is always slower over the summer holiday period – but there’s been lots happening in Pudsey this week!
Private operators will be able to hire the whole of Pudsey Market to run specialist weekend markets as part of a package of measures to breathe new life into it. Read more about the results of the consultation into the future of Pudsey Market here.
There was good news for Crawshaw Academy and Pudsey Sixth Form students when they received their GCSE results this week, and hats off to this lad at Priesthorpe Co-Op Academy who’s overcome the odds to secure exam success and a career in the army.
Following on from our story last month about the axing of a popular but unreliable direct train service, Leeds West and Pudsey MP Rachel Reeves is now calling for assurances over the service used by passengers at both Bramley and New Pudsey Stations.
And the saga continues… Part of the former HSBC bank building in Pudsey town centre could be transformed into three holiday flats, if the latest plans for the site are approved. Book your stay in the Costa Del Pudsey soon…