By John Baron
Welcome to our latest handy five-minute Sunday roundup capturing what’s been happening in West Leeds during the past week.
It’s the first week of the school summer holidays, so things start to slow down a little as people go away for their annual breaks – but it’s still been busy news-wise in West Leeds.
This week we’ve put Pride in Place in the spotlight. If you’re not aware, two areas of West Leeds – Armley & New Wortley and Farnley East – will each receive £20 million of Government money over ten years to improve local high streets, parks and community facilities.
Community reporter Helen Fay reported on a consultation event at the Corn Mill Lodge, which aimed to find out how local residents aged 50+ want to see the money invested in Armley and New Wortley. More than 100 people attended – find out more here. The Chair of the Farnley East neighbourhood board – which will decide where the money is spent – is Jo Gittins. She updated us on the launch of a £100,000 community funding pot. WLD will continue to watch with interest.
Our most read story of the week? Lots of comments on the article and on social media about the proposed axing of a train service linking Halifax with Hull, which stops in both Bramley and New Pudsey Stations. Will it leave a gap in the timetable and inconvenience travellers who would lose a direct connection to some stations?
Also worth noting the council proposes to raise fees at its Little Owls Nurseries across the city, including in Armley, Bramley, Burley and Hawksworth Wood. You may recall the council last year consulted on proposals to place some of the nurseries into private ownership – but so far it looks like that that hasn’t been fully realised.
And, of course, Leeds West and Pudsey MP Rachel Reeves was axed as Chancellor of the Exchequer by new Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Here’s Ms Reeves’ reaction, in case you missed it.
Bramley
Anyone up for a game of panel? Planning permission is sought for padel courts in the Swinnow Grange Mills complex in Bramley. Read Don Mort’s report here.
And you can celebrate community owned Bramley Baths and its place in Leeds’s history when it opens its doors for a celebration of heritage, community, wellbeing and fun. Travellers who set up camp in Bramley Fall Park have now moved on.
Burley
A spot of good news! Rosebank Primary School in Burley has officially opened its new sensory garden, a specially designed outdoor space that will support the wellbeing, communication and development of children across the school. Read all about it and see the photos here.
Calverley
Want to hear about a Calverley writer’s ‘Ridiculous Adventure’? Ann Akers was there as The Fall and Rise of the Mölkky Bar Kids was launched by Neil Squires at Truman Books, Farsley. Read Anne’s report-cum-book-review here.
Farnley
Leeds City Council is consulting on its latest Local Flood Risk Management Strategy, outlining how it intends to provide greater resilience across the city – and we also heard a brief, but long overdue, update on a flood prevention scheme involving Farnley Reservoir and Wortley Beck.
We also had news of a successful summer camp supporting local youngsters with activities at New Farnley Cricket Club – including details of the next camp. Thanks to Noel Bullock for his report. And plans have been submitted to demolish a redundant block of buildings at a depot off the Ring Road in Farnley.
Farsley
Great to see phoenix club FC Farsley, which is rising out of the ashes of the former Farsley Celtic, record its first goals and win as their pre-season campaign continues ahead of the league kicking off next month. It was a day some long-suffering Farsley fans felt may never happen again. Photographer John McEvoy was on hand with his camera to catch the action.
Horsforth
The big news in Horsforth this week was the council deciding a consultation will indeed be launched into the impact of controversial town centre parking charges across Leeds – including Fink Hill in Horsforth. Will the controversial charges be overturned? Read more here.
Community reporter Jill Stocks has been busy again this week. She discovered Think Like a Pony is more than a riding school, providing a number of programmes for personal support and development through horsemanship. And Horsforth St Margaret’s Church held its patronal service, celebrating its congregation and patron saint with lots of lovely stories.
Horsforth’s most famous brothers, the Brownlees, have been busy this week celebrating their Foundation’s 100th event, marking a major milestone for the charity.
Kirkstall
Community reporters Eliza and Yann Ainley were busy covering last weekend’s Kirkstall Art Trail. Read their report and photos of the annual event, which continues to grow each year, here. Kirkstall Abbey’s annual comedy festival returns today (Sunday, 26 July) and just over the road at Abbey House Museum bosses are looking for your memories as the museum looks ahead to its 100th birthday next year.
Pudsey
The future of Pudsey market has been in the news recently as the council launches a public consultation into its future. Meanwhile, volunteers have been out in force to give the stalls a fresh lick of paint in an effort to spruce up the area. Have to say, they did a good job.
Community reporter Catriona Mossop gleefully reports the clock at Pudsey Parish Church has been fixed after several years. Many Pudsey folk have commented on how much they’ve missed it – but the chimes are now once again ringing out across Pudsey! Read the full story here.
And a Pudsey dad who raised more than £42,000 in memory of his daughter has launched a new business that will continue supporting children’s charities for years to come. We wish Steve Pritchard all the best in his efforts.
Stanningley
A personal training company with a difference is going from strength to strength after being nominated in six categories of a prestigious national awards scheme. It was a real joy to visit BFIT Fitness in Stanningley to speak to the daughter-father team who make the unique business a real family affair.
Wortley
Wortley isn’t always a particularly ‘newsy’ area – or perhaps we don’t cover it as well as we could. It was good to see the area featured this week, even if it was for mixed reasons.
Sadness over plans to fell 34 trees in Western Flatts Park were thrown into the spotlight by community reporter Katherine Turner. A further 13 trees will have canopy reduction or deadwood works.
As we mentioned higher up, Leeds City Council is consulting on its latest Local Flood Risk Management Strategy, outlining how it intends to provide greater resilience across the city. Wee also heard a brief, but long overdue, update on a flood prevention scheme involving Farnley Reservoir and Wortley Beck.
And police say a drugs lab has been found on Whitehall Road, sparking arrests in Wortley.
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?
Want to give the kids something to look forward to? A holiday club is running at Farsley St John’s for primary aged children (Reception to Year 6) from 27-30 July, 9.30am-12pm, with games and a mid morning snack. Details here.
Kids and their families are invited on a very special adventure at Abbey House Museum this summer holiday. The Magic Faraway Tree is a free spotter trail from Kids in Museums and Blyton Books, celebrating Enid Blyton’s much loved children’s book series. Check out details on the Abbey House Museum event here.
Pudsey Community Project runs a well-stocked children’s clothes exchange – all kinds of children’s clothes from 0-12 years old including school uniform, shoes, coats etc – saving people money and helping the planet at the same time! More details here.
- If you have any news or events you’d like to see us cover, drop us a line at news@westleedsdispatch.com.
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