KVCA AGM 5th April 2007, 8pm at the Milford Sports & Social Club
www.matters.kirkstall.org.uk
In this edition: page
• Kirkstall Festival 2007 5 • Local News & Events 6 • Schools’ Poems 11 • Sandford Play Area 14 • Paxton Centre 15 • Green Rubbish 17 • Train Station Area 20 • New District Centre 22 • Local Help & Advice 23 • Planning Concerns 24 • Hollybush Projects 26 • Leeds through the Ages 29 • Abbey House Activities 31 • Local Wildlife 35
The magazine of Kirkstall Valley Community Association
Editorial Team: John Crompton, Val Crompton, Ann Lightman, Ken Waterworth
COPY DATES: 3 issues each year, 15th Jan, 7th May, 15th Sept.
Articles, readers' letters, poems etc. are most welcome. Our preferred format is Microsoft Word. We can also accept Word, or Microsoft Publisher. Kirkstall Matters is produced using Microsoft Publisher 2002.
Ideally please e-mail your file as an attachment to the address at the top of this page or deliver it on disk to our postal address (see below). If you can't provide your article in electronic form, you can deliver it to our postal address, 18 The Rise LS5 3EP.
The views expressed in KIRKSTALL MATTERS are those of the contributors. If not attributed to individuals, they are from The Editorial Team. They are not necessarily the views of the KVCA. KIRKSTALL VALLEY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, founded in 1978, with the aim ‘to promote the benefit of the inhabitants of Kirkstall and the neighbourhood'.
It is non-party political, non-sectarian and a registered charity. It has a number of subsidiaries responsible for organising events and activities, for example KIRKSTALL FESTIVAL COMMITTEE. The KVCA acts as a pressure group and a watchdog on developments affecting Kirkstall. It campaigns and co-operates on a number of issues with certain other local organisations, as it decides.
It is open to anyone to join. See application form on page 46. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP IS £4.
Membership includes three issues per year of KIRKSTALL MATTERS, delivered free within the
Kirkstall area. Alternatively they may be sent by post, this option is popular with members who live out of the area. As a "not for profit" charity, we welcome a donation of £3
to cover postage & packing from postal subscribers:
c/o The Treasurer, 18 The Rise, Leeds LS5 3EP
websites:
Send Matthew Guy or Martin Lewis, news & photos: Kirkstall Community Website:
see www.kirkstall.org.uk details on page 5. See also Gerard Roe:
www.matters.kirkstall.org.uk for KVCA information or to download a membership form
Printed by Smallprint
“The Merry Monk of Kirkstall is still
going strong -
thanks be to Doug Kilvington ! ”
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 3
15 January 2007 Dear Reader,
Greetings and good wishes for 2007. At the Festival this year, we shall be celebrating the 800th anniversary of the Leeds 1207 charter. In the year 1207, Kirkstall Abbey was already well established (1152) !
I enjoyed very much the excellent “Vacant Possession” (‘A Play for Kirkstall’ by Ray Brown), also several music and other events - see reports in this issue.
Copy date for issue 95 is 7th May 2007. Please write up local news, views and reports of events and send them to me. Come along to the KVCA monthly meetings at 8pm in the Milford Sports Centre, the next meetings are on Thursdays 1st February and 1st March. All who are interested in Kirkstall are very welcome!
Hope to see you at the KVCA Annual General Meeting on Thursday, 5th April. Do come along and talk to me and other KVCA committee members about Kirkstall matters. Email: Val Crompton [email protected] tel. 225 9142
Val Crompton Editor &
Illustrator
Steve Gradys Vice Chair
KVCA 2007
John Liversedge Chairman
KVCA
Ken Stratford KVCA
Secretary
Contents Issue 94
What’s On 4 Chairman’s Letter John Liversedge 5 Letters & Messages Missing Stones Cllr John Illingworth 6 Abbey Floodlights John Roles 6 Mural: Rat running 7 Abbey Light Railway Peter Lowe 7 Remembrance Sunday Val Crompton 8 Lawnswood Singers Ann Lightman 9 Combined Choir Carols Ann Lightman 10 St Stephen’s Church Plans John Rex 10 Creative Writing - KSS 11 Beecroft Primary Poems 12 Hawksworth Wood Award 13 New Trees wanted Cllr Liz Minkin 14 Sandford Play Area Bob Marriott 14 Kirkstall Gardeners Graham Wheatley 15 Update from Canada Matthew Guy 16 Green Issues & Rubbish Olivia Brabbs 17 Index of Advertisers 18 Train Station Area Paul Holdcroft 20 New District Centre Cllr Liz Minkin 22 Help & Advice 23 Stop Loan Sharks John Battle MP 23 Planning Abbey Mills Cllr John Illingworth 24 Hollybush Farm Jenny Twaddell 26 Guided Walks Jo Murricane 27 Leeds Poetry Ann Lightman 28 Leeds History Quiz Ann Lightman 29 Leeds Museum - the Wednesday Club 30 Abbey House Activities Vicky Lucas 31 Puzzle Corner Val Crompton 33 Buried Treasure 34
Rita Samuel KVCA
Treasurer
Editorial
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 4
What’s On...
KIRKSTALL VALLEY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION General meetings are at 8 pm in Milford Sports Club, usually on the 1st Thursday of each month (except May, Aug & Dec). All are welcome. Officers Honorary Vice Presidents: Marjorie Kilby & Douglas Kilvington Chair: John Liversedge Tel. 0113 278 5987 Vice Chair: Steve Gradys Treasurer: Rita Samuel Secretary: Ken Stratford
KIRKSTALL FESTIVAL Saturday 14th July, 2007 Chair: John Liversedge tel. 278 5987
ABBEY HOUSE MUSEUM Opening times: Monday closed all day Tues to Friday 10am - 5pm, Saturday 12noon - 5pm Sunday 10am - 5pm Admission charges Adults £3.50, Children £1.50 (16 and under) Concessions £2.50 (senior citizens and students) Family ticket £5 (2 adults and up to 3 children) The Refectory: Licensed restaurant / café (accessible without museum entry).
ABBEY - GUIDED TOURS Usually take place on 3 occasions each year. Contact Abbey House Museum for details. Tel. 230 5492 ABBEY - VISITORS’ CENTRE 11am-3pm Closed on Mondays & Fridays
ABBEY LIGHT RAILWAY Trains from Bridge Road run at frequent intervals along to Kirkstall Abbey (and vice-versa) on Sundays from 1 pm to dusk (weather permitting) BURLEY LODGE COMMUNITY CENTRE Burley Lodge Road LS6 1QF Tel. 275 4142 Community Projects: Cafe Open Mon, Wed, Fri 9.30am - 2.30pm Office Open Mon-Fri 9.30am - 5.30pm
BRAMLEY COMMUNITY CENTRE Waterloo Lane Tel. 255 2227 Mon-Thurs. 10am-4pm Fri 10am-3pm Evening appointments for Counselling. West Leeds Community Drug Project - with Support, Outreach, Group Work & Crèche
CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT (CND) Meetings:7:30pm,3rd Wed of the month, at Headingley Community Centre, North Lane. Tel. 274 1011
CARDIGAN CENTRE 145-149 Cardigan Road Resource Centre 9am to 8pm Mon-Fri. Tel. 275 9282 Youth Point; ‘Active for Life’ Healthy Living Project; Older Active People Scheme; Handy Person Scheme
FORUM 2000 mechanics’ Institute, Town Street, Horsforth.
HAWKSWORTH WOOD COMMUNITY CENTRE 6, Broadway. Drop in for a cuppa -tel. 228 5550 Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Free Internet access; Meeting Room Hire; Credit Union Information service. See page 41
HAWKSWORTH WOOD COMMUNITY SHOP 8 Broadway. Monday to Fridays 9 am to 3.30 pm.
HAWKSWORTH WOOD YMCA Lea Farm Mount Tel. 216 2970. Free ‘Connexions’ Access Point - Mon - Thursday 3pm - 4pm and Fridays 6-8pm Lunch Club (age 50+) Fridays 11.30am - 1.30pm Parent &Toddler group, Thursdays 9.30 - 11.30am. Park Lane College Courses, Tues - Thurs (Term time) Activity groups in Sports, Drama, Dance, Martial Arts etc.
HOLLYBUSH CONSERVATION CENTRE Broad Lane. Tel 274 2335 Volunteers welcome ! Tues - Fri 9am-5pm; 2nd & 4th Sun 9.30am-5pm
JAZZ BAND CLUB at the Merry Monk, Kirkstall Hill. Tel: 275 9403 Fridays from 9pm - its free !
MILFORD SPORTS CLUB Beecroft St.Tel 226 3030 see page 39
POVERTY AID UK Collection Warehouse & Charity Shop, 165 Cardigan Road. Tel 274 4099/ 274 6349
ST MARY’S CHURCH HALL Bingo Tuesdays at 8 pm (Doors Open at 6.30pm) Indoor Bowling Thursdays and Fridays,1pm to 4pm Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Hall Hire - Tel. 258 2923
VESPER GATE HOTEL Tel. 220 0961 Abbey Road. Every Wednesday 'Family Fortunes' Quiz Night.9.30pm-11pm.
WEST END HOUSE - Food & Ale Tel. 278 6332 Quiz Nights every Tues & Thursday at 9pmsee page 39
WEST PARK UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Spen Lane, Sunday Service 10.30am Contact : Church Secretary 225 9637
Kirkstall Festival ‘Leeds through the Ages’
14 July 2007
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 5
Kirkstall Online is a community resource and information website centre for the residents of Kirkstall and those with an interest in the area. Kirkstall Online is a corporate member of the Kirkstall Valley Community Association.
Matthew who is in Canada (see page 16) continues to maintain the website.. Please keep sending local news, views and pictures to: info @kirkstall.org.uk
♦ News ♦ Discussion Board ♦ Local Photographs ♦ Old Postcards ♦ Webspace
Help needed ! Do you have computing skills? Help is needed to compile and edit
Kirkstall Matters.
Please contact Val Crompton or John Liversedge if you would like to help
produce this Community Magazine.
Letter from KVCA Chairman Well we are in the midst of winter but I am glad to say summer is now on the horizon. Kirkstall Festival is on Saturday July 14th, 11am-5pm. Make a note in your diary! 2007 is the 800th anniversary of the granting of a charter creating the borough of Leeds. To mark the occasion the Council have instigated “Celebrate Leeds 2007”. There will be numerous attractions throughout the year incorporating this theme and we in Kirkstall are no exception. Our festival theme this year is “Leeds through the ages”. We have numerous events organised with local schools and other organisations incorporating ‘Celebrate Leeds 2007’. We hope this year to have a special event in the main arena, I don’t want to say too much at this time - however it does involve a very large space, horses and very heavy men trying to hurt each other with very sharp objects! We are expecting a very large attendance. You will be pleased to know we have organised car-parking facilities over the road from the Abbey. About time you may say! We will have the South Tyneside Pipe and Drum band leading the Parade into the Abbey. They will also be performing on the Main Field and at points around the Abbey grounds. Don’t forget the Festival Church Service in the Nave at 4.15pm - it’s quite an experience. There is so much more to see and do. Just come along and enjoy a wonderful day out and don’t forget to buy a programme. Why not buy two and give one to a friend? The A.G.M. of the Kirkstall Valley Community Association takes place at the Milford Sports Club on Thursday 5th April 2007 at 8pm and you are all invited to attend. We could do with help in the distribution of the Kirkstall Matters magazine. If you can spare a couple of hours three times a year we would be very grateful. If you can help us with the magazine in any way, please give me a ring. John Liversedge tel. 278 5987 15 January 2007
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 6
Whatever happened to Kirkstall Abbey Floodlights? In October, vandals entered the site behind the Church and vandalised seven of the floor mounted lights in the church nave and crossing. The incident was not captured on CCTV or spotted by the guard due to the location of the break-in. The damage was reported to Property Management Section, who then sought advice from the Architect about replacement. The reason replacement has taken so long is:
a) that the company who supplied the lamps and their fittings were asked to advise on a new product which has more 'vandal-proof' features. It is only this week that that advice has been obtained and our own electricians have sourced the specialist fittings required to withstand similar attacks.
b) the repair of the railings work was deemed to be imminent. There was a feeling that replacing the lights - which may cost in the region of 2K might be unwise if nothing was done to prevent the same incident repeating itself. The railings package has gone out to tender and is likely to start soon.
c) the overall security of that area of the church was looked at. It has been decided to put another CCTV camera in that area, as it is indeed a 'blind spot'. The order for this work has been placed.
The security strategy at the site has been reviewed after a year of operation, taking into account the experience of incidents such as this. We will be taking various measures to address blind spots.
Unfortunately all this has meant that the lights have been out for three months. We hope that we will shortly have supporting measures in place to further deter vandalism and then the abbey will be floodlit again. John Roles email 10 January 2007 Head of Heritage Services Libraries, Arts and Heritage Learning and Leisure Department Tel: (0113) 247 4019 Fax: (0113) 247 7747
More Station Parade woes... Holes in the pavement & road
O Holy Night... Christmas thieves came upon the midnight clear...
When some people were at Midnight Mass, or were making merry on Christmas Eve, thieves were stealing valuable York stone paving from Station Parade. Local residents also complain about the bad state of the road: Sharon Cracknell writes
“I am in total agreement with the state of Station Parade - the pot holes were huge and were damaging my car! I think if the whole patchy, messy tarmac was lifted and the cobbles showing, it would look like it should do. These houses have so much character - I think the roads outside should be the same. Everyone looks after their houses by maintaining good windows and doors, and having plants and window boxes. If we could, we would also maintain the road but we can't. Station Parade Yorkshire paving slabs - I cannot believe that people steal them! I feel very strongly that these slabs should be replaced like for like. Leeds is a popular destination for overseas visitors and it is now featured in travel books. It is devastating that lumps of black tarmac are used to fill the gaps. This not in keep with the character and history of Kirkstall.” Cllr John Illingworth comments “We imagine that somebody heaves the Yorkstone into the back of their pick-up truck and sells it on. It is very difficult to catch them at it. We have a policy of replacing "like with like" but it is a battle to make contractors and LCC highways officers stick to this.”
Also - “York stone paving near no. 36 Morris Lane, lifted by Yorkshire Electricity contractors, which was replaced by blacktop in October 2006, was promised York stone to be re-laid within six months - we will monitor!”
Cllr Liz Minkin
Three months of darkness... winter woes...
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 7
It is where the first commercially successful locomotives were built. It was one of the first “Engine Manufactories” in the world.
This will be a spectacular redevelopment. Watch this space!
Peter & Jean Lowe 15 Jan 2007
Rat running up Hesketh Mount...
There has been a big problem with rat-running during the morning peak up Hesketh Mount, along Hesketh Road, Park Mount, Vicarages, Station Parade and the Glebes by motorists hoping to bypass the queue on Morris Lane and emerge in front of the bus.
Residents are delighted that this has now been ‘fixed’ with a "no entry" sign and a very short one way section at the bottom of Hesketh Mount. “I agree that it really is worth the added cost of trying to hang onto the York stone. (ref. p6) It would be good to cobble Station Parade, it adds considerable character to the Vicarages. Life on Vicarage View is much improved in the mornings. There was a sudden and dramatic improvement in the volume of traffic. Thank you (to all the team) for your help on this.” Email: 13 Jan 2007 from Wesley Hicks, Vicarage View
Railway Underpass Mural
The youth service is working with youngsters in the Queenswood Drive/Woodbridges area. The young people are planning to design and paint a proper and attractive mural on the walls to the railway underpass, at the back of St. Stephen's Church, instead of the constant messy tagging.
They will be consulting local residents about the design & colours. Think up some good ideas...
Abbey Light Railway News The GoGo rail tractor is almost finished. It is being lined out and its works plates fitted.
Another project is to re-gauge the wheels of the German Orenstein & Koppel locomotive from 2’3” to 2 foot gauge. To do this we will have to service our vintage horizontal hydraulic press to get the 60-70 tons to move the wheels.
The next locomotive to be worked on is our Hunslet, which we used some years ago. Its two cylinder Ailsa Craig engine will need its bearings re-metalling.
‘New No Entry’ Young people to paint mural...
Abbey Light Railway News - Hudson GoGo... This week, we had the pleasure of visiting the site of Matthew Murray’s Round Foundry, in David Street, off Water Lane. Ron Fitzgerald and his team of industrial archeologists are excavating the site. This is the Holy Grail , the ‘Hallowed ground of engineering’, in Leeds.
Murray & Wood Works, Holbeck 1806
Matthew Murray’s Round Foundry
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 8
Were you there?... Remembrance Sunday 2006 On Remembrance Sunday, wreaths were
laid at the Kirkstall War Memorial. “They shall not grow old ...”
The Abbey Churches Together Remembrance Day Sunday afternoon Service, at Kirkstall War Memorial, was led for the first time by the Revd Rosemarie Hayes of St Stephen's.
The National Anthem was sung, after the Act of Remembrance when we remembered all who have died for their country in war. Then we joined together to say
“We pledge ourselves anew to be peace-makers, in our homes and in our community, in our country and throughout the world.”
Val Crompton
Despite the miserable weather that after-noon - the rain started to fall as the service finished, the Abbey Light Railway was running - see photo.
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 9
Kirkstall Concert with the Lawnswood Singers... Lawnswood Singers
rise up in song St Stephen’s Church, Kirkstall was the venue for a Concert by the Lawnswood Singers “Rise up in Christmas Song”.
The church comfortably held the large congregation, including a group from Adel, that had braved the windy weather. The Christmas trees lent a festive touch as did the tables of seasonal goodies, which we tucked into in the interval. The Christmas cake was excellent!
The all-female Choir, with their black shirts, white shirts and brilliant red chiffon scarves with gold musical symbols, sang their first piece as they came up the aisle. Visually they looked superb and it was matched by their singing – clarity of diction, volume when needed, and range. They looked as if they were really enjoying it – with some lovely jokey touches, like reindeer antlers donned for “Eight little reindeer”.
There were some unusual songs, some fast paced, some slow and melodic. Interspersed were secular readings. A keyboard duet with the pianist, Peter Reasbeck, and the choir’s Conductor/Musical Director, Brenda Hawer, was another lovely interlude - a medley of well-known Christmas tunes. We also appreciated hearing St Stephen's fine organ when we joined in singing some of the carols.
If you would like to find out more, there is a website: lawnswoodsingers.co.uk.
Ann Lightman
Above: Conductor Brenda Hawer, and the Lawnswood Singers
Below: Pianist Peter Reasbeck
PHOTOS: VAL CROMPTON
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 10
Combined Choirs at Kirkstall St Stephen’s... January 2007 Epiphany Carols
“Let there be Light” was the theme for the Epiphany Carol Service held at St. Stephen’s Parish Church, Kirkstall on Sunday 7th January. It was still light as we made our way through the impressive Victorian monuments into the well-lit church where down the aisle, red candles set in evergreens, flickered.
The congregation was swelled by members of neighbouring churches. We were celebrating the three wise men giving their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to baby Jesus on the twelfth day of Christmas – the service programme decorated with them processing on their camels.
The Revd Rosemarie Hayes welcomed us and then the joint churches choir, in red and green, took their places in the choir stalls. The lovely service comprised readings (the clarity of the diction of all readers is to be commended), carols sung by the choir, and hymns (We three Kings...) and prayers where we all joined in. The highlight was the symbolic lighting of the candles. The overhead lighting was switched off. In silent darkness we watched as the candles were lit on the altar. Then we saw the candles being lit on the stand by the choir stalls and, most impressively, those on a wrought iron screen in front of the altar – producing a wall of light.
After the service, refreshments were served and we had time to admire the lovely church and the way it had been decorated for Christmas. The team of flower-arrangers are to be congratulated – not an easy task to decorate such a large church.
Ann Lightman
Look out on Boxing Day!
Although ‘no snow lay round about’, we enjoyed singing “Good King Wenceslas looked out” on the Feast of Stephen. It was 10am on Boxing Day (St Stephen’s Feast Day) when we met with Revd Rosemarie Hayes for a special Patronal Festival Communion Service.
Val Crompton
Look forward
Agreement has finally been reached on details of the work to be carried out at the rear of St Stephen’s Church.
Plans are displayed in the North Aisle and involve the existing font being made portable, glazing of the front of the Baptistery, and a new glazed screen with double doors across the space under the gallery to create a Narthex, (an inner room between the church porch and the nave), and the provision of toilets with facilities for the disabled. The whole area to be carpeted and independently heated.
We have a shortfall of possibly £24,000 in the Development Fund. Support from efforts and individuals would be appreciated. For more details please contact
John Rex tel. 275 0589
“How we do enjoy good music in Kirkstall !”
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 11
Forest Camp Nightmare Holly was tossing and turning and wriggling and wriggling, she could not settle. She shot up in fear from a bad dream. Suddenly, she heard footsteps, quiet footsteps, trotting footsteps. “Oh!” She screamed, rapidly she smacked her hand across her mouth, and hid further in her tent. The thing turned its head swiftly, strolled around the tent and prowled back from the direction it came.
As quietly and as quickly as she could, she followed it. ‘Crack!!’ She jumped into the nearest holly bush;
she had stood on a twig by mistake. The thing turned around broodingly, nothing was there, so it continued strolling through the forest…
Georgia Hicks aged 10
“Creative writing can be scary!”
Creative writing - animals & scary things...
Animals
Lions roar, Cats claw.
Cows moo, Horses chew.
Snakes slide, Birds glide.
Ants crawl, Ladybirds are small.
Monkeys swing, Koalas cling.
Bunnies hop, Horses trot.
Megan Monaghan aged 8
Maisy, scare baby Maisy scared, scared of bats, Scared of putting on floppy hats, Scared of frogs, scared of big dogs. Scared of hamsters, that bite, Scared of witches when they’re in sight. Scared of sting rays, scared of test days. Scared of snakes, scared of rakes.
Maisy Dutton aged 9
see page 37
Creative writing from
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 12
Beecroft Primary Winner of Leeds Poetry Competition...
Maud Haddon’s Poem ‘Conversation’ was the winner of the Leeds’ ‘Peace’ Poetry Competition
Conversation
“Why are you here?” “You’re not like me!”
“You’re an enemy not a friend!” “You’ve got a big nose!”
“No, you can’t play with me!” “You’re not as good at maths as me!”
“I’m right handed, so I’m always right, you’re not!”
“You can’t spell!” “You’re thick!”
“You’re useless at football!” “I don’t want you on my team!”
“You don’t dress cool!” “YOU CAN’T PLAY WITH ME!” “Yes I can, we’re both the same,
we can both play the game!”
Maud Haddon aged 11 (Beecroft Primary School)
Open the Door
Go and open the door, Maybe it will lead to the world
of your favourite book, The fiery underworld,
A yet to be discovered, mysterious island, Or even just your living room.
Go and open the door,
Maybe a leopard is stalking its prey, Or you might see a world full of new opportunities,
An ever-growing tree, A shadow with a glowing light,
Maybe it is an underground tunnel that travels the world,
Or even a door leading to… yet another mysterious door.
Go and open the door,
Maybe it will lead to an eerie, grey, forgotten battlefield,
Maybe you will plunge down... down… down from a cliff with a never-ending fall,
Or even to a collapsing cave with just darkness for company.
Go and open the door,
Even if you don’t like adventures, Even if there is nothing there,
Just take a chance and open the door.
Daniel Ludford aged 11 (Beecroft Primary School)
Several ‘Open the Door’ poems were read out in Family Assembly when the Lord Mayor visited Beecroft Primary School in January 2007.
Eden Way, Leeds LS4 2TF PHOTO: Val Crompton tel. 0113 275 6125 see page 48 Kirkstall Cloisters
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 13
Hawksworth Wood School wins Award...
STEPHEN LAWRENCE AWARD
Hawksworth Wood Primary School is very proud to have achieved the Stephen Lawrence Education Standard. This award celebrates good practice in promoting race equality and ethnic minority achievement in schools. The school’s portfolio met all the criteria to gain not just Level 1, but Level 2 status.
At the Awards Ceremony, children from Hawksworth Wood Primary School were invited to make a contribution of thoughts and ideas surrounding racism. Here are some extracts from our presentation.
“We at Hawksworth Wood Primary School are very proud of our Stephen Lawrence Award Level 2. We treat everyone as one, irrespective of colour or religion. We support each other and play with each other. We are a team of children working together and can change the future for the better !
Here are three poems that our pupils have written”
Keja Malik (aged 10)
Rights
Everyone has their own rights Whether you are black or white. Whatever the colour of your skin, What matters is what’s within. If nasty words are thrown your way, be brave Rise above, ignore what they say. Don’t answer back, don’t get in trouble too, They’re the ones with the problem not you. Racists are bullies and that’s a fact. Set a better example in the way you act. If you show equality and respect, You will be treated better than you expect. Earth is our home, that’s where we belong. Let’s share it and try to get along, Despite our race, So the world will be a better place.
By Stephanie Weston (aged 10)
Stephen Lawrence I got bullied because I’m black To my face and behind my back. The bus stop was rattling like an old shack, The sky was like me totally black. As they came I stepped back I knew they were there because I was black. Beaten and stabbed in a brutal attack All because I was black.
I lay down on the ground And took my final look around. I floated up in the air And knew that I’d be happy there. I used to live in the capital, London My mum was so upset she got made redundant. Now I’m up here looking down On my old and evil town.
Racism doesn’t make you big and strong Racism is just really, really wrong. By Danielle Atkinson (aged 10) I get hurt
When people are mean about the colour of my skin, It doesn’t make me a different person within. I know it is mean They don’t regard me as a human being. I can run to hide, far away, But instead I get hurt, more than words can say, The next thing I know, I’m floating away high in the sky, Close my eyes, there’s no sound when I lie, Only my friends can help me now.
By Jessica Emmonds (aged 10)
Cragside Walk Leeds LS5 3QE 0113 258 3984
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 14
Land to be re-planted
Many nearby residents were upset by the felling of the mature trees in the grounds next to the vicarage to St. Stephen's Church at the junction of Station Parade and Vicarage View. This land belongs to the Ripon & Leeds Diocese.
We strongly objected as did many local people and the St. Stephen's Parochial Church Council. We are glad to report that the Diocese has agreed to replant, though we have not been told yet what species will be chosen. They have also assured us that they have no current plans whatsoever to apply for planning permission to build on the land. All the grounds of St. Stephen's Church are now protected by a tree preservation order.
Cllrs Liz Minkin & Bernard Atha
Two trees have now been planted! They are only small (approx 2/3 metres) and have been planted in odd places - one at the back next to the dividing graveyard fence and one next to the Rectory garage... However I am just excited that they have planted two trees!
15 Jan 2007 email from Sharon Cracknell
New Trees wanted... New Play Area wanted...
Sandford Road Play Area Regarding the above play area I refer to Kirkstall Matters issue 93 page5 article by ANDREA.
“A lot of new young families moved into this area. This play area would be ideal for these families, including my own family, to use.
However, the swings have gone, the soft floor ripped and the slide is vandalised. Also there is broken glass. I think its disgusting that it has been allowed to get to this state. 1t’s time that we as a community took an interest in it.. !!”
KM93 p5
The local residents association are actively trying to have a new one built. We are in contact with the Learning & Leisure Parks and Countryside. Martin Wright has visited the site and stated that it will require a complete refurbish costing £120,000.
I am in contact with Councillor Minkin to see if she can help us in any way. I will keep you updated with future developments.
Bob Marriott, Secretary to the Gilberts & Sandford Rd. Residents Association December 2006
Email from Cllr Liz Minkin 10 January 2007
“We are supporting the Gilberts and Sandfords re play area and will pursue funding possibilities and consultation re design etc.”
Winter view of the area before these trees were felled.
Kirkstall Play Area
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 15
West Yorkshire Fuchsia Society
We meet on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at Headingley St Columba United Reformed Church, 7.30 -9.30pm New members are very welcome. You can learn about growing or showing fuchsias at our friendly meetings. Next meeting is on Wednesday 21 February Speaker Gordon Kirby, former Head Gardener at Temple Newsam
Contact Graham Wheatley 0113 256 3055
Gardening in Kirkstall... Spring Show
Paxton Horticultural Society Paxton Centre, 186 Kirkstall Lane
Spring Show Saturday
7th April 2007 2 - 4.30pm
Anyone wishing to exhibit will be most welcome - schedules available from Show Secretary Graham Wheatley,
0113 256 3055
Paxton Centre 186 Kirkstall Lane
www.paxtongardeners.BTIK.com
Along with the full programme of horticultural activities run by the Society, The Hardy Plant Society - West Yorkshire Group also hold their monthly meetings at the Paxton Hall. The hall is used by other groups with a diversity of interests: Premier Martial Arts, Slimming World, White Rose Model Society, Polio Society, and West Yorkshire Anglers. Paxton Horticultural Society, which is always looking to welcome new members is on Kirkstall Lane, just across from Headingley Railway Station. Friends of Paxton This group was formed in April 2005. Our object was to maintain the Millennium Garden and the area surrounding Paxton Hall. We meet on the first Monday of each month from 10am until 12 noon. The number of volunteers varies between 4 and 10 and we tackle jobs such as hedge trimming, weeding and planting. Plant Sales: Saturdays 5 May, 19 May and 2 June All will take place between 9am and 1pm. Why not join us ? Telephone Margaret Denton on 0113 261 2205 for further details. The West Yorkshire Group of the Hardy Plant Society meets at Paxton Hall on the second Friday of each month at 7.30pm to 9.30pm. The Group Secretary is Mrs. Gill Evans, 1a Town Gate Calverley, Leeds LS28 5NF. Tele: 0113 257 6188 February 9th. Vanessa Cook “A new Look at Herbaceous Borders”. March 9th. Jeff Bates “Clematis and Other Climbers’’. Plants for sale. Gardeners Friday Forum – Meet on the first and third Friday of each month, 1.30 – 3.30pm, with a full programme of guest speakers and gardening tips.
Flower Arranging Group – Hold two sessions on the first Thursday of each month, 1.30 – 3pm and 7.30 – 9pm. Each session has a theme, but group leader Kath Hall will tailor the tuition to meet the needs of individuals.
Saturday Evening Group – this discussion group meets on a weekly basis to discuss all aspects of horticulture. The group meets each Saturday from 8pm to 10pm. Graham Wheatley
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 16
Update from Canada... Winter Wildlife Matthew Guy is the founder of Kirkstall Online. He moved to Canada with his partner in July 2006. Matthew continues to maintain the website. He is looking for people to help update and monitor the discussion boards.
above: Matthew’s dog in his garden, Nova Scotia, Canada. December 2006 below: the 1830’s wooden farmhouse, where Matthew & his partner are living.
15 January 2007
When we told people we were moving to Canada, they thought of ten month winters and driving to work in skidoos. So far we have made it to January with only one significant snowfall which lasted two days and temperatures below minus 10, on only two occasions. Whether this is the result of global warming or Mother Nature being kind to the ex Kirkstillians I don’t know. One thing I have found is in Nova Scotia people talk about the weather just as much as they do in Leeds.
Working has really helped with the integration into the community, meeting people and enjoying talking to customers and colleagues. As soon as I open my mouth it is obvious that I am not from around these parts and this causes many conversations about why we moved, what part of England we are from and how we came to be in the Annapolis Valley. I have been welcomed to Canada so many times by so many people it has reinforced my initial impressions of the friendliness of the area.
The first evening I was working late I came home to find a car stopped in the middle of the road 200 yards from our house. A young woman had the back door open and looked distressed and agitated. I stopped and found that there had been a collision but not with another vehicle - with a deer. Four teenagers had been out for a drive and a deer jumped out in front of the car. A collision was unavoidable. The car lost headlights, radiator grille and suffered some large dents. The teenagers were shocked and upset by the incident. We arranged for parents to call and collect them. The deer was badly injured and police and forestry staff were called and the animal was sadly destroyed. A couple of days after the incident, I read in the Yorkshire Evening Post online that Kirkstall is having some issues with the deer population too.
I very much enjoyed reading the last edition of Kirkstall Matters sent to me by Val. I was interested in the consultation on the district centre and the Hollybush renovations which I would like to have seen first hand.
Also reading the reports and looking at the photographs of the festival, it looks like it was another excellent event – a great community occasion which is always so well organised and such fun.
Our Kirkstall cat and our Nova Scotian dog have begun to normalise relations. They don’t quite curl up together in front of the woodburner but get as close as the same rug. A mutual respect is being encouraged.
We are looking forward to our first spring here. We have already started planning our work in the garden and in no time it will be summer, and a year since we left Kirkstall.
PHOTOS: Matthew Guy
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 17
Rubbish emails... Green issues... Safety first...
Waste efforts wasted Kirkstall residents have seen both green and black bins emptied into the same bin lorry! People who have sorted out their recyclable waste and placed it in their green bins have been upset to see both their efforts, and the recyclable waste, wasted.
Contamination Residents were told by the bin men that:
separate collections had been stopped due to contamination of recyclable waste; this contamination was caused by people not being able to understand the instructions for sorting.
Email from Olivia Brabbs 9 Jan 07
“My concern is that no notification has been provided to residents from the council regarding the cessation of recycling door step services. People have been led to believe that a collection is still taking place as part of their council tax services.
Since discovering the hidden change to services, I and some other residents have stopped using the green bins. We take rubbish for recycling to neighbourhood waste sites instead. This is a very difficult task when living in a small back to back terrace with limited storage space available. Driving to sites cancels out some of the benefits of our recycling efforts!
Recycling and other green issues are important to many of us. It is really upsetting to think that we have been kept in the dark about the reality of services. It is galling to view recyclable waste being put into general disposal vans with the 'Recycling with the Jones' caption blazoned on the side, also to read 'Urged to Recycle' in Leeds Weekly News featuring Cllr Steve Smith.
Myself and my fellow Vicarage View residents would really appreciate an update as to current recycling services in our area and reassurance that the Council will be addressing our concerns.”
Olivia Brabbs
Where’s tha’ bin? Are you talking green rubbish?
Email from Randal Brown 10 Jan 07 Director of City Services
“The council policy is that we collect the dry recyclables and there has been no deviation from that policy. What is clear is that there appears to be an operational failure which needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency at this location. I have forwarded this email to Steve Smith, the Head of Environmental Services.
I will ask Steve to undertake an urgent investigation into the reason for the operational failure and to put appropriate corrective actions in place to ensure that the service is delivered to Vicarage View as correctly from now on.
I will ask Steve to ensure that you are kept informed of progress with completing this matter via email.”
Randal Brown
Morris Lane/ Kirkstall Lane junction
- Safety first
I and other shoppers using this area are concerned about the safety of children running out of the newsagents’ shop and on to the road at this busy corner.
Could a short barrier rail be fixed near the kerbside of the pavement so that people cannot step/fall/run into the road?
Rita Samuel 15 Jan 07
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 18
Is your business Kirkstall based? Why not advertise in Kirkstall Matters?
Advertising is low-cost and effective Circulation of 1000 copies -only £10 per quarter page
We need you to support us and help pay for the production of our Community Magazine.
Index of Advertisers
Abbey Guest House 19 Abbey House Museum Workshops 18 Abbot’s Tea Rooms 18 Accident Repairs - Branch Auto Bodies 42 Alison James – Optician 44
Bargain Booze 43 B. Bex – Joinery 43 Beecroft Primary School & Nursery 48
Computer Help - Martin Lewis 40 Computers - Media Magic Computers 47 Computers - Steve Dunn PC Services 19 Co-op Leeds 46 CPS – Airedale, Quality Printing 45
Doyle Roofing & Property Maintenance 42 Electrical Installation - Tony Wilson 40
Fashion Company -Dress Making 38 Greenhows of Leeds - Vacuum Cleaners 41
Hawksworth Wood Community Association 41 Head 1st - Gents Hair & Treatment Room 45
Headingley & Kirkstall CND 47 J.News Newsagents 44 Kaydan Gas Services – Gary Rhodes 46 Kirkstall Abbey Tennis Club 38
Kirkstall Leisure Centre 19 Kirkstall Newsagents, VT & BV Hajari 40 Kirkstall Online - Community Website 5 Kirkstall St Stephen’s Pre School 36 Kirkstall St Stephen’s Primary School 37 Kirkstall Valley Primary School Nursery 36
Mark Johnson – Re-upholstery 44 Milford Sports & Social Club 39 McClarys Launderette & Dry Cleaners 43 Mick Patrickson – Joinery & Builder 40 N.L.S. - National Legal Services - Wills 45
Printer - Simon of Smallprintleeds 42 Sports Massage 41
The Bookshop Kirkstall 19 The Mill Race Organic Restaurant 42 Therapeutic Counselling - Carole Anne 38 Tiling - Brian Hurst 41 West End House - Food & Ale 39
Birthday Parties at Abbey House Museum
If you are looking for a birthday celebration with
a difference, why not book a Birthday Party at the Museum?
Our parties give children a chance to be creative and explore the museum and its objects in a fun and unique way.
Party Planning Birthday Parties take place on Sunday mornings from 10am - 11.30 During this time, your group will have exclusive use of our Activity Room. Your group will be led in a craft activity (which you choose when booking). Materials will be provided, and the children can take home what they make. There will also be time to look around the museum, enjoying the chance to dress up and have a go at the penny in the slot machines. The party is suitable for children aged between 7 - 14 years. We can take up to 10 children per party. We provide a party leader and the materials.
The Birthday Party costs £30. Pre-booking is essential tel. 0113 230 5492
Education Workshops Specially designed workshops are available led by a freelance educator at a charge of £40 per session. Suitable for Key Stage 1 & 2: Houses
& Homes, Going to the Seaside and Shops & Shopping, and Toys & Games.
Booking essential
Reminiscence Box Scheme To hire a box of objects for a day centre or nursing home, please phone for details or a
leaflet This service is free of charge. Abbey House Museum tel. 0113 230 5492
The Abbot’s Tea Rooms Abbey House Museum Please call 230 5492
concerned about the new plans for more flats near the Station.
“Let’s call this quiet spot St John’s Place”
Paul Holdcroft is concerned about the new plans and writes
“I'm sure you know this location (Former Fourways Bus Depot). It is close to Headingley Train Station on Kirkstall Lane - where two monstrosities have already been put at the side of the Listed building.” (see also Kirkstall Matters 91 )
Website comments include: “The charming station & waiting rooms on the left; a crime on the right!” and “The flats show no respect and do not complement their surroundings.”
Above & Below: Old stone cottages of Kirkstall
Above: Former Fourways Depot PHOTOS: Paul J Holdcroft
Above: Red brick flats dominate the streetscape
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 21
All Change at Headingley Train Station... 2007 A planning application
06/06512/FU has been submitted to erect a four storey
block of 16 (two & one bedroom) flats on the
site of the former Bus Depot, next to Headingley Station,
Kirkstall Lane..
Councillor Liz Minkin comments "I have looked at the file for the application to build a 4 storey block of 16 two and one bed flats on the land next to Headingley Station where Fourways coaches used to be. I do have the most serious concerns about the application.
The proposed block would be very tall, massive and dominant, visible from a very wide area, and the proposed design is unprepossessing, and the materials are a peculiar mishmash of odd colour bricks and render. There is very little amenity/ greenspace for the residents. The public footpath could be better accommodated. It think it will adversely affect the setting of the listed building at Headingley Station. It would not reflect nor contribute to improving the character of the local area.
The awful block behind Headingley Station which got planning permission is an aberration and no further development should attempt to reflect it, as this application does. Kirkstall has a great and interesting variety of house types, and has recently accommodated quite a few new blocks of flats, some better than others. But in any event, any more would I think tend to alter the character of Kirkstall for the worse." Cllrs Bernard Atha and John Illingworth have also written to object to the plans and say
“We agree totally with the concerns of Councillor Minkin. We have to be vigilant in order to prevent developments that do not improve our environment and which are merely a means of creating a bigger profit for the developer irrespective of the interests of the people in the neighbourhood."
What are your views?
The plans can be seen at Headingley Library or at the Development Centre in the Leonardo Building by Millennium Square. If you have any views please do write in. The more people who write their own letters, even if it is just a line or two, the more notice will be taken and the more influence they will have. If you write to us we will send on your comments.
Headingley Station in 2004 PHOTO: Val Crompton
Former Fourways Depot 2007 PHOTOS: Paul J Holdcroft
See also www.flickr. com/photos
or comments
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 22
New District Centre shock... Eden Mount Plans
KDC Consultation at Milford Sports Club 28 Nov 06
Residents were shocked to find that the much needed Healthcare Facilities were not in the new plans displayed at the Milford Sports Centre.
We learnt that the health element of this scheme will not be going ahead to the original timescale. The Council services (Credit Union, Library, Welfare Rights) will proceed without health. Health services may feature on the site in the future. LCC & PCTs say that the site options presented so far do not allow for a facility with acceptable location on the site, design and access.
From LCC & Leeds PCT Statement on Kirkstall Joint Service Centre:
"We recognise that this may come as a disappointment for all those who worked so hard on this scheme: and the PCT is committed to continue to support the managers of these services and the GPs with whom we have been working with to find alternative suitable accommodation in the future."
Councillor Liz Minkin says
“This site is perfect. It is on a junction with good transport links and is close to Headingley train station. The health element of the Kirkstall District Centre is not going ahead at present. This is an immensely complicated scheme for the regeneration of the heart of Kirkstall on an interesting, well placed but difficult site. It will take quite some time still, but we are pressing for one joint project team to maximise progress.
We are still optimistic that all the parties - the Council, Primary Care Trust, Espalier (the private developer and part landowner) and LIFTCo (the joint funding company for health provision) - will work together to achieve a high quality and attractive development which will provide Kirkstall with a good range of shops, public services, leisure facilities, residential accommodation, open spaces.
We understand that the planning application for outline planning permission might go to the Plans West Panel in February.”
Eden Mount Development - Public Consultation
Many local residents remember the controversy surrounding the loss of Kirkstall Hill Community Centre on Eden Mount behind the Merry Monk, and the Council's decision to sell the land for residential development. It was sold at auction last June, and bought by Mood Developments for £405,000. The developers will soon be applying for planning permission to build on the land. The plans will be on view at the Exhibition at the Merry Monk Pub on 17th January. There will be forms available for you to tell them what you think, but please do tell us your views as well. A report will be in the next issue of Kirkstall Matters. 10 Jan 2007
Merry Monk
Eden Mount
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 23
Stop Loan Sharks
John Battle MP has led the fight for change.
"We need to deal with debt on our doorstep," said John. "Most people borrow money at some time in their lives, with credit cards and mortgages, and it shouldn't be a problem. Poorer people sometimes have to borrow small amounts just to cover the basics and find most lenders unwilling to give credit. They are often faced with unscrupulous companies or loan sharks offering extortionate rates of interest.” John urges people to use their local Credit Union as an alternative to doorstep lenders. See page 41, Credit Union service at HWCA.
John Battle's Surgeries
First Saturday in each month Cow Close Library, Butterbowl Drive - 9.30am Armley Library - 10.30am Bramley Library, Hough Lane - 12 noon Third Saturday in each month St Johns Church, Dixon Lane - 9.30am Kirkstall Housing Office - 10.30am Heights Library, Heights Drive - 11.30am Burley Lodge Centre, Burley Lodge Road - 12.30pm
Contact details: John Battle MP Unit 31 Whingate Business Park Leeds LS12 3AT tel. 0113 231 0258
North West Leeds Area News, including Kirkstall Valley
Leeds Girls High School held a brief initial consultation on the development of their Headingley sites in December. Early 2007, there will be further consultation on a Design Brief for these sites.
Area Committee meets 7pm, Thurs, 8 Feb, Hawksworth Wood Children’s Centre, and 7pm, 29 March, venue tba. The Committee has set up a group to prepare a ‘Vision’ for our area.
Local area news and help... Fight for change...
j
Decent homes & Good Jobs for Young People: two campaigns for 2007
Working in Parliament – and doing meetings around the country on ‘interfaith matters’ – I regularly refer to West Leeds, not only to let people know where I come from and live, but because it includes Kirkstall Abbey – a place to which I regularly return to walk round for a bit of peace and quiet (recalling the old Cistercian tradition of 400 years ago). 2006 was a great year for Kirkstall, with the refurbishment of the Abbey and the wonderful new visitors’ centre. Kirkstall Abbey puts Leeds on the international map as a place of interest all year round – it’s our local treasure space!
Looking forward, politically and nationally we know that this year will be a year of change – policies are important as well as personalities and for us in Leeds West. The provision of new affordable homes for families to rent must move up to a top priority for the Prime Minister. Second to that is skills training to keep us in the jobs market. Decent homes and good jobs for young people are the key to the future – that’s two campaigns for us all to get on with in 2007. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at my regular advice surgeries or get in touch by letter, phone or e-mail.
With best wishes for 2007, John Battle MP
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 24
Did you fill in a questionnaire about Kirkstall Mills?
Councillor John Illingworth writes ‘What really happened... In January 2006 one thousand households in Kirkstall received a questionnaire, about the future of Abbey Mills and St Ann's Mills, from a market research company. The company was called "Swift Research".
Abbey Mills dates from medieval times and is grade 2 listed. St Ann's was founded around 1780. Surviving buildings date from 1830 and house various small businesses. A brochure with the questionnaire explained that the council could no longer afford to maintain both sites. They wanted to sell Abbey Mills for residential development, and relocate the existing tenants to St Ann's Mills, which would also be restored. Did Kirkstall people support the council's plans? Council officers claimed that Swift were an independent research company. Inquiries show that things were not quite what they seemed.
An officers' plan to sell Abbey Mills to a developer can be traced back to April 2003, when "Chromogene" occupied the building. The council were liable for repairs, but there were few concerns about finding new tenants or about the fabric of the mills. St Ann's Mills was not then part of the deal.
Most mill buildings were "grade B – satisfactory" when surveyed in August 2003. The surveyors recommended refurbishment for industrial use. Their scheme provided some modest improvements, facilities for disabled people and forward maintenance over 25 years.
When the proposed sale came before the Executive Board in December 2004, the surveyors' estimates were described as "backlog maintenance" and the total repair bill was doubled. I was concerned about accuracy and demanded an audit inquiry.
An Internal Audit inquiry by Leeds City Council found little to criticise and considered the Executive Board report "broadly fit for purpose". I persisted with my complaint, and sought an External Audit report by KPMG (the accountancy firm of Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler), which has an international reputation. KPMG found dozens of mistakes, and they concluded in May 2006: “...there were a number of mathematical inaccuracies, inconsistencies between the narrative of the report and financial information contained in the detail of the DCF ( Discounted Cash Flow ) model and a lack of clarity in other areas. These combined mean that the financial information reported to the Executive Board was incorrect and potentially misleading."
KPMG urged the council to consider a wider range of options. One option which the council has not considered is the straightforward refurbishment of BOTH mills for their existing industrial uses, using Prudential borrowing. This option works well, and requires no subsidy. We have local commercial tenants who would be pleased to occupy the buildings on this basis. The reason why it succeeds is that it doesn't waste money moving tenants from one building to another, or refurbishing these historic buildings to higher internal standards than are necessary for functions they were never designed to serve.
I also requested a Scrutiny hearing in January 2005, where I asked about a valuation for a major office development at St Ann's Mills that I discovered in the council files. Officers denied any intention, despite the fact that they had also lobbied the Environment Agency throughout 2004 to lift the floodplain designation on the surrounding land.
We now know that a confidential report by council highway engineers in May 2005 for the Development Technical Board also showed St Ann's Mills as a major development site.
Plotting or Planning to sell Abbey Mills ?
St Ann’s Mills
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 25
In June 2005 development officers prepared an architects' brief for St Ann's Mills, which stated "ADS ( Architectural Design Services) should be aware that further more strategic redevelopment of the site may take place in the future with a private sector partner." ADS completed this work on 28 September 2005, but the council has not yet released the full results. This secrecy may reflect an estimated cost of £5,000,000 at St Ann's Mills, given on 5 July 2006 in a report to the Executive Board. The projected cost of St Ann's Mills in December 2004 was only £2,000,000. This discrepancy is in addition to the serious arithmetical mistakes and inconsistencies that KPMG have independently discovered.
Meanwhile the Kirkstall councillors were trying to discover what was going on. I found that the site survey for Abbey Mills had been plotted incorrectly on the council's map, so that the A65 appeared to go through someone's front room! Part of the "Normans" had been digitally moved from its correct position in an attempt to make things fit. The misplotting also kept the drivers' visibility splay well away from Kirkstall Abbey Park. If it had touched the park English Heritage must be consulted and this might have scuppered the entire scheme. Development officers suggested that Ordnance Survey had made a mistake. I passed this explanation to Ordnance Survey, who re-measured the area with one of their crack surveying teams. They reported that there was nothing wrong with their map. The council had got it wrong.
Although the council admitted its mistake, the schematics were still wrong on the consultation draft of the Planning Brief for Abbey Mills, effectively concealing from the public the full environmental damage associated with this scheme.
The proposed new access to Abbey Mills does not meet highway visibility and safety standards. It creates a non-signalised cross-road intersection on the most congested road in Leeds, requires major earthworks and the demolition of grade 2 listed buildings, including the wall outside Abbey Villa with the loss of dozens of mature trees on the border of Kirkstall Abbey Park.
The Kirkstall councillors were excluded from the public consultation and only received the materials in January 2006 when they were distributed to the public. I immediately complained to the Monitoring Officer about serious factual errors in the consultation brochure. I also appealed against this treatment and the council's appeal panel agreed that it was wrong, but an unusual delay with the minutes allowed Swift Research to complete their work
before the panel decision was published.
Swift Research are a market research company who work in secret. This means that the consultation on the Kirkstall Mills did not meet Freedom of Information guidelines, or the council's own policies for openness and
fair play in public life. Respondents were given an assurance of confidentiality, which sounds fine until you realise that only Swift knows who they are. This makes it impossible for anybody else to put the correct facts before the consultees.
I have challenged this with the Information Commissioner, at which point a further fact has come to light. Swift did not write the brochure or the questions! Almost all of it was designed and written by Leeds City Council staff who had failed to negotiate proper tenancies, and subsequently got the money wrong, the maps wrong, the road wrong and the public consultation wrong.
Are Kirkstall’s historic buildings safe in their hands?’
Cllr John Illingworth January 2007
Locations: Abbey Mills 12 & St Ann’s Mills 15
Extract from Highways Report 13 May 2005 A65 Transport Study BHS = 5, Kirkstall District Centre = 14,
... the A65 appeared to go through someone’s front room!
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 26
News from Hollybush Farm Willow weaving
YES! It's that time off year again when the schools team create living willow structures. The willow is coppiced at Rodley nature reserve just down the road from Hollybush. The cuttings are then weaved into tunnels, domes, wigwams and even fences.
The cuttings will put down roots over the winter months. When springtime comes around it will be ready to throw up new shoots and become a living, green and leafy structure.
Environment... Green Houses... Hollybush News
Do you live in a Green House ? After consultation with the Woodland Trust, Parklane has come up with a ‘Tri-partite’ approach to counter global warming called ‘Go Green with Parklane!’
The scheme relies on the three partners, Parklane, the Tenant and the Woodland Trust. Parklane ensures that a number of ‘green’ credited properties are available, which will be energy efficient, and supplied with a ‘doing your bit’ box. Parklane also supplies the household with two bicycles. The students’ side is to leave two cars at home, and to do simple things to save energy.
Parklane reviews the household’s carbon footprint and then calculates the CO2 emissions for the year. This is sent to the Woodland Trust who translate the figure into a number of trees. Parklane will pay for the Trust to plant the trees, thus putting a little back against the CO2 emissions. The household receives a certificate from the Trust.
Director Nav Ahmed says, ‘The plan is to launch the scheme with between 15 – 20 houses. If all parties ‘do their bit’ we are confident that this scheme will help the environment and be a massive success with the students. I’m sure the local residents will be happy about reducing the number of cars in the area as well!’
Parklane Properties
Hollybush Out & About Success
Over the past year this project has organised walks for refugees and asylum seekers over Leeds and the surrounding area, taking in some of the lovely countryside of West Yorkshire.
The Out & About Allotment Project has also been a success with a great harvest of vegetables for all involved. We have received so much positive feedback for both projects by everyone who has joined in, which has made the whole adventure seem so much more worthwhile.
Unfortunately the funding for the Out & About projects stopped at the end of November. This has not stopped the project going out in style though. At the start of November Out & About went on a lovely 3 day holiday to the beautiful countryside surrounding Kettlewell. And completely out of season, the sun put its hat on for us for the duration!
Hollybush Gardening Project with adults with learning difficulties
Helpers needed Tuesdays to Fridays 9.30am – 3pm Meet at Hollybush, bring lunch and wear suitable outdoor clothing
Working with up to 15 students a day the students learn open college network units in gardening and basic skills. Support the students with literacy and numeracy out in the Hollybush wildlife garden.
Regular commitment needed (but come along for one day to see if its for you first) Minimum 1 day a week. No under 16’s Under 18’s must complete a parental consent form prior to volunteering. Any special requirements please get in touch first.
Contact Jenny Twaddell 0113 274 2335
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 27
Improve your local environment BTCV is the UK’s largest volunteer charity working with people and the environment. Hollybush Conservation Centre is one of the biggest offices in the country and provides a wide range of volunteering opportunities for people who are interested in working to improve their local environment.
Whether you are thinking of gaining experience for a career or you just want to give the odd day here or there, Hollybush is always open to new volunteers of all ages and abilities.
Come on down and see for yourself! We offer:
♦ Practical urban and rural conservation tasks Tuesday-Friday (& every 2ND & 4TH Sunday).
Meet at Hollybush 9.15am, back at 5pm An open door policy for all, meet at Hollybush at and bring your lunch. Please call us for more information or check out our website at www.hollybushleeds.org.uk
Under 18s must complete a parental consent form. Under 16s must be accompanied by a parent / guardian.
John Preston West Yorkshire Manager
Kirkstall Sunday Walks! Enjoy short local walks in Kirkstall on the first Sunday of each month. Free and open to all ages and all abilities! Come and get some fresh air and find out more about your local area. Meet at the front door of Hollybush at 1pm, (walks no longer than an hour):
Sunday 4th February - Canal walk, and then back to Hollybush to look around the Wildlife Garden. Walk Leader - Declan. Sunday 7th March - Houghly Gill and back via the Rose Garden at Gotts Park, then explore Hollybush's Wildlife Garden! Walk Leader - Kevin. ALL WALKS START AT 1pm WALKS FROM HOLLYBUSH: Hollybush Conservation Centre, Broad Lane, Kirkstall, LS5 3BP. (Buses 38, 91a, 15, 33, 33a, 670, 757 and 760 stop nearby)
For more information please contact: Jo Murricane 0113 230 7060 [email protected]
Hollybush Healthy Walking Project...
Wildlife Watch, for children up to 12, is on the first Sunday of
each month, at Hollybush Conservation Centre, Broad Lane, Kirkstall.
Contact [email protected] or call the Hollybush Centre on 0113 274 2335,
or visit the website at www.hollybushleeds.org.uk
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 28
Leeds through Poetry & Pictures...
The Wednesday Club November activity was led by Samantha Flavin, Curator of Social History, at Abbey House Museum. Items from the Museum were examined with a selection of poetry about Leeds.
The first poem, “Mary, the Maid of the Inn” was by Robert Southey. This epic, produced in 1796, was based on a story about the original Hark to Rover Inn near Kirkstall Abbey. On a dark windy night, Mary (the bar-maid) accepted a bet to go down to Kirstall Abbey. The proof was to be some foliage from the alder tree that grew there. She accepted the bet and whilst in the Abbey came across two men carrying a body. She hid, but came close to being discovered in the moonlight when a hat belonging to one of the men blew near her feet. Mary was able to flee back to the safety of the pub with the hat. She became mentally unhinged on discovering that the hat belonged to her fiancé, hanged later as a murderer. We each read a verse and examined some of the art-works of Kirkstall Abbey produced at that time.
The poem ends with:
Where the old abbey stands, on the common hard by, His gibbet is now to be seen Not far from the inn it engages the eye, The traveller beholds it, and thinks with a sigh, of poor Mary, the Maid of the Inn.
‘The Opening of Leeds Town Hall’
We then moved on to the main Victorian event in Leeds – the opening of the Town Hall by Queen Victoria in 1858. Samantha set the scene, with pictures of the Town Hall (clock tower incomplete, but acting as a stage for a display of flags) and of the Mayor’s house on Clarendon Road. The Mayor, Peter Fairbairn, and his wife entertained the Royal Party – the Queen, Prince Albert and two of their daughters.
Diary extracts were read, including that of Queen Victoria, who was touched by the display of loyalty in a “radical” town. Items were handed around: a scrap-book and souvenirs, tickets for the event and evening concert. Queen Victoria knighted the Mayor, Sir Peter Fairbairn. (Sir Peter & his family are buried in Adel Churchyard)
The 1858 official poem was then read by us all in turn. It could never be mistaken for great poetry but it did a good job in advertising the city and its industries and describing the day. The 30,000 Sunday-school children cheering and singing on Woodhouse Moor must have been a wonderful sight and sound. We saw two of the programmes the children would have used – pink for a girl and blue for a boy – each beautifully printed with gold, red and blue as well as black ink, with a border of ivy leaves (eternal fidelity). We ended with two humorous poems. We were amused by a poem in Yorkshire dialect (written in 1933) about the new Civic Hall owls. An alphabetic romp through Leeds (U is for Unslet!) which appeared in an early 20th century University Rag magazine was read. A happy end to a really enjoyable (but educational) morning!
Ann Lightman
Engraving by Sparrow (1774)
‘The Brontës through the Eyes of Arthur Bell Nichols’
This interesting talk with pictures was given by Polly Salter, Curator of the Brontë Parsonage Museum. The Education Room at Kirkstall Abbey Museum was packed for this October meeting of the Wednesday Club for Adults. Muriel Warriner
Haworth Parsonage Zoë Crompton
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 29
Uncovering 800 years of Leeds history... Leeds through the Ages 2007 Anniversary Quiz
Do you have a picture of the old Leeds Theatre Royal ?
At the January Wednesday Club Meeting, Kitty Ross, Curator of Social History, explained that 2007 was the 800th anniversary of the granting of a charter creating the borough of Leeds. The charter, given by the Lord of the Manor, Maurice Paynel, established Briggate and granted the right to hold a market. Two names come down to us from this time: Boar Lane (a corruption of Borough Lane) and the district of Burmantofts (properly Burghermen’s tofts). A toft is a plot of land and this is where the Burghers were given an allotment in addition to the narrow plot of land they owned on Briggate.
We were then handed the 5 page quiz sheet she had drawn up – 28 questions. The first appeared to be an account of a horse-race at York on June 5th 1807. However, we discovered when Kitty talked through the answers, that it was an ironic account of the bitterly-contested General Election where the Yorkshire voters could select their two (only 2- the Cities did not have representation until 1832) Members of Parliament from three contenders: William Wilberforce, Lord Milton and Henry Lascelles, son of Lord Harewood. The first two were elected and the latter, an MP since 1796 lost his seat. Election posters were handed around indicating that slavery was the hot topic of the day. The bill that William Wilberforce then piloted through Parliament to abolish the slave trade (not slavery itself – that came later) was successful. At the end we were given a printed copy of the answers which contained facts and figures – one was that the amazing figure of £250,000 was expended on this election!
Kirkstall Abbey House Some questions served to highlight items on display in the Abbey House Museum:
• the unique Morgan Lowry (a Leeds clockmaker) striking clock at the foot of the stairs. (the recent restoration paid for by Friends of Leeds Museums) What is so special about this clock? ¹
• the large Burmantofts Faience vases in the Art Furnishings shop in the street (crocodile & monkey, snake & bird)
• the clock in the Street pub, presented in 1907 for services to the L B W & S T P and B A The letters represent words. Can you identify the organisation? ² - which will hardly have tripped off many tongues! Answers on page 34)
• the wonderful silk picture near the top of the lift, commemorating an event in the Indian Mutiny, whose significance was explained.
• a glass in the Friends of Leeds Museums case presented to Mrs Joe Cohen in 1907.
Kitty drew our attention to the influx and contribution of Eastern European Jews to Leeds following the Pogroms of 1881 and later. Others questions brought items, which were passed round, including photographs, diaries, paintings, tickets, posters, magazines including rag revues – the 1957 one for Leeds Polytechnic had a contribution from the Leeds poet, Tony Harrison, then a student there. We learned that 200 years ago the Primitive Methodists were founded as a break-away from what became the Wesleyan Methodists (a commemorative plate is in the Museum collection). 150 years ago, Mount St Mary’s Catholic Church was built for the incoming Irish population. 125 years ago the charcoal iron was patented, as was, amazingly perhaps, an electric iron especially since a very antiquated hand-held vacuum cleaner was dated 25 years later (1907). 1907 was also the year the fax machine was invented in Germany, the helicopter in France and the song, The Teddy Bear’s Picnic (J.W. Bratton) was written. 75 years ago Carlton C. Magee invented the parking meter in America. Remember Leeds in 1957 ?
Back in Leeds, 50 years ago the Theatre Royal was pulled down to enlarge Schofield’s store. The Museum has a model of the Theatre, programmes, photos of it being demolished down, but no photo of it as a theatre – perhaps a reader might be able to help? Also 50 years ago petrol coupons were issued in case petrol had to be rationed due to the Suez crisis and duty free tobacco tokens were issued to pensioners The Museum has a variety of coupons –but all unused and usually from the end of rationing as those issued and used were destroyed. Also in 1957 the first satellite, the Russian Sputnik went into space, in contrast to Leeds where a double decker bus was first registered by Sam Ledgard. Just one item from 25 years ago - the Rolling Stones played in Roundhay Park (25th July 1982). War Anniversaries
The final question reminded us that at every notable anniversary, Britain has been at war somewhere – in 1207 it was with France (and 1407, 1557, 1707, 1807), in 1557 also with Scotland, who we fought in 1307 too. We were over-committed in 1857, with the Indian Mutiny, Persia (Iran now) and China – the second Opium War. 1907 was the least known conflict – with Somalia. Perhaps we ought as a nation to take more interest in our history and try to learn from it? Some things never change!
Ann Lightman
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 30
Upstairs Downstairs at Cliffe Castle, Yorkshire The Wednesday Club at Kirkstall Abbey House Museum
There was maximum attendance at the December Wednesday Club at Kirkstall Abbey House Museum.
The speaker was Daru Rooke, Curator of Cliffe Castle, Keighley and his subject, The Edwardian
Country House – the family and servants.
Daru used to work at Kirstall, so was known to some of the audience, but whether we knew him or not we were united in proclaiming him an excellent speaker…he was knowledgeable and interesting and hardly drew breath! His “props” were items from the stores, which he used as a starting point for dealing with each of the people he spoke about. Some of the illustrations were from his research into Cliffe Castle and the family that transformed it into a country house - the Butterfields. We were given a little insight into how they became seriously wealthy. The American, Roosevelt-related wife of Henry Isaac Butterfield may have contributed but the main source of wealth was the woollen mills they owned. It was Henry Isaac that remodelled the house, so that it became three-times as big, with a marble-topped bar (the U.S. influence), three gothic towers, glasshouses and magnificent gardens. The Butterfields also had homes in Nice and Paris and all would have run with machine-like efficiency – every part knowing exactly what was expected and ensuring it happened. It is surprising how much one has absorbed about this period without realising it - the T.V. period dramas and comedies e.g. “You rang my lord?” “The Duchess of Duke Street”, and “Upstairs Downstairs” to name just three give a pretty accurate picture of life at that time. Even so, every so often in the talk, you realised the reason for something you had just taken for granted. Daru started with the Master of the house “the moral guardian”. At last I understood why permission was sought from the Master of the house by a house or parlour maid to see a certain young man! We were told how the master would dress – a Top Hat being the prop.
Amusements included- gaiety girls for one of the Butterfields, hunting, shooting and fishing (one was rather fat, so his hunting was confined to rabbits in a warren), politics (one became an MP- so became involved in public speaking from the hustings and the recruitment of soldiers), gardening (grapes were an obsession with one Butterfield, who did conducted tours of the vines). Smoking was another male pastime, deemed dangerous for women, hence the special clothing – caps and jackets, so that the smoke did not get into the clothing they wore in mixed company. Daru gave us job descriptions starting with the most senior – the Butler (estate manager in really large houses) and in smaller ones, often combined with the Valet. It was a position for a single man, being at the Master’s beck and call. The job was varied and responsible. It included being in charge of the cellar (some ended in alcoholism) and silver safe, answering the door, flower arranging and overseeing the reception rooms plus attending to the personal requirements of the master – for instance shaving and dressing. Next came the Footman. Being tall and having good calf muscles were job requirements – they were status symbols as was their uniforms – powdered wigs and knee breeches. The muscles were a left-over from when they were basically security men to accompany ladies when travelling in more dangerous times. By Edwardian times the muscles were rather redundant when carrying the lady’s shopping. Other duties included silver-cleaning, making candles (even after the advent of electricity, which was a bit hit-and-miss at first) attending to desks – replenishing ink, paper and blotters, laying tables and washing glass or fragile items – special lead-lined sinks were their domain. They also had the job of cleaning down the guests after hunting- enabling them to gain experience so that they may progress to Butler in time. In the kitchen the Cook ruled. In dramas she is often female, but in the largest houses it would have been a man – ideally French. The Prince Regent paid a salary of £1,000 a year to his cook in 1870…good food was a status symbol. The cook would have been supported by a number of maids – scullery, kitchen and vegetable. If the Cook was not female, the two top positions for a women were as a Ladies-maid and a Housekeeper. The Ladies-maid helped the mistress fulfil her position – to look beautiful, to do good works and to write letters. Often ladies alleviated their boredom with changing their outfits up to eight times a day and gambling. The Housekeeper, usually referred to as Mrs …, despite being single. She was in charge downstairs (the Butler was in charge upstairs). She was responsible for the china cabinet, the candles and the linen. She was usually the first-aider too. She formed part of the senior staff who would have their own parlour and maids.
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 31
Art Gallery & Museum... What’s On...
Abbey House Museum
Please note: All children must be accompanied by an adult, unless otherwise stated. At busy times we will have to limit the number of pushchairs in the museum due to health and safety regulations. Vicky Lucas Bookings now being taken on the number below.
Club A drop-in morning for the under 5s and their carers
with craft activities. This month’s theme is Winter. No booking necessary, normal admission applies (under 5s are free).
February Please note: Wednesday 7th Feb - No Wednesday Club Wednesday 7th February, 1.30-3.30pm: The
Collections Club A chance to help preserve the past for the future and
learn more about the wonderful collections of Leeds Museums. Booking essential. There is no charge to take part.
Tuesday 13th February, 1pm-3pm– Family Fun Afternoon. Craft activities for all the family based around the theme of Space. No booking necessary, normal admission applies.
Wednesday 14th February, throughout the day – Craft Sessions for playschemes and larger groups
Hour long craft sessions based around the theme of Space will take place in our education room with a museum facilitator. Booking essential, 50p per person to cover materials.
Thursday 15th February, 2pm-3.30pm – Craft Workshop for 9-13 year olds: Create a tile plaque.
Cost: £3.50 per person (£3.00 with a Leeds Card). Carers do not need to accompany their children on this workshop on completion of a consent form.
The still-room maid was the Housekeeper’s maid and would have a mini-kitchen to do prepare things like tea-cakes for afternoon tea. The lowest in the hierarchy were the housemaids, up before anyone else, to clean and black-lead grates silently! They were still there last thing at night, providing hot water bottles. It was their ambition to escape to become a ladies-maid. The nearest match to their status in the house was that of the children. These were kept out of sight except when visiting their parents, in their best clothes, under supervision for a set time (and a short time) each day their parents were at home. They might have formal education from a governess, but would pick up most of their behaviour from the servants – the kitchen being a haven for many a wealthy child. (Perhaps this is why the very English fashion for sending young children to public school arose ?). The first World War is generally seen as the beginning of the end of this stratification of society. All in all we had a thoroughly entertaining and interesting session…this is just the briefest of accounts, omitting much of the fascinating detail. We then enjoyed the lunch in the café.
Ann Lightman
Visit Cliffe Castle
Admission free Cliffe Castle Museum & Art Gallery Spring Gardens Lane, Keighley, BD20 6LH Tel. 01535 618230 Open Tues-Sat 10am-5pm, Sundays 12noon-5pm Closed Mondays (except Bank Holidays)
The museum houses displays of local fossils and geology; crystals and minerals; natural history; local bygones, stained glass, pottery; furnished rooms and temporary exhibitions. The museum has a small shop, outside in the grounds there is a café, aviaries, greenhouse and children's play area.
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 32
Abbey House Activities 2007 ... Tuesday 13th February, 1pm-3pm Family Fun Afternoon Craft activities
for all the family based around the theme of Space. No booking necessary, normal admission applies.
April
Tuesday 3rd April, 1-3pm: Family Fun Afternoon Craft activities for all the family based around the theme
of Spring. No booking necessary, normal admission applies.
Wednesday 4th April, 10.30-12pm: The Wednesday Club for adults
Leeds at War (WWII) with Michele Lefevre, from the Local Studies Library. Booking essential. Cost: £5 per person (no concessions), which includes a set menu lunch in our café at 12pm.
Wednesday 4th April, 1.30-3.30pm: The Collections Club. Booking essential.
Thursday 5th & Friday 6th April, 10-12pm: Meet the Victorians. Come and meet a face from the past. No booking necessary, normal admission applies
Friday 6th April: Bank Holiday opening The museum will be open 10am – 5pm, last admission
4pm Friday 6th April, 2-4pm: Be A Victorian This is your chance to become a Victorian. Come along
and dress up . No booking necessary, normal admission applies.
Monday 9th April: Bank Holiday opening The museum will be open 10am – 5pm, last admission
4pm Tuesday 10th April, 1-3pm: Family Fun Afternoon Craft activities for all the family based around the theme
of Easter. No booking necessary, normal admission applies.
Wednesday 11th April, throughout the day: Craft Sessions for playschemes and larger groups
Hour long craft sessions based around the theme of Easter will take place in our education room with a museum facilitator. Booking essential, 50p per person to cover materials.
Thursday 12th & Friday 13th April, 10-12pm: Meet the Victorians. Come and meet a face from the past. No booking necessary, normal admission applies
Friday 13th April, 2-4pm: Be A Victorian This is your chance to become a Victorian. Come along
and dress up. No booking necessary, normal admission applies.
Wednesday 21st April, 10-12pm: Adult Art Group Booking essential, £5 per person (no concessions). Wednesday 25th April, 10.15-12pm: The Monkey Club A drop-in morning for the under 5s and their carers with
craft activities. This month’s theme is Shapes. No booking necessary, normal admission applies (under 5s are free).
Wednesday Clubbers lunch in the Abbot’s Café
Thursday 15th February & Friday 16th February, 10am-12pm– Meet the Victorians
Come and meet a face from the past. Will you see the Victorian undertaker, widow washer woman, maid or botanical chemist? No booking necessary, normal admission applies
Friday 16th February, 2pm-4pm– Be a Victorian This is your chance to become a Victorian. No booking
necessary, normal admission applies. Wednesday 28th February, 10.15-12pm: The Monkey
Club A drop-in morning for the under 5s and their carers with craft activities. This month’s theme is Fruit. No booking necessary, normal admission applies (under 5s are free).
March
Wednesday 7th March, 10.30-12pm: The Wednesday Club for adults
Oral Histories with Sarah Shooter, Education and Outreach Manager of the West Yorkshire Archive Service. Booking essential. Cost: £5 per person (no concessions), which includes a set menu lunch in our café at 12pm.
Wednesday 7th March, 1.30-3.30pm: The Collections Club
A chance to help preserve the past for the future and learn more about the wonderful collections of Leeds Museums. Booking essential. There is no charge to take part.
Wednesday 21st March, 10-12pm: Adult Art Group A chance to develop your artistic skills and look at the
museum’s collections in a new and creative way. Each participant will be given the chance to create an artwork during the session which can be taken home. Booking essential, £5 per person (no concessions).
Wednesday 28th March, 10.15-12pm: The Monkey Club A drop-in morning for the under 5s and their carers with craft activities. This month’s theme is Shopping. No booking necessary, normal admission applies (under 5s are free).
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 33
May
Wednesday 2nd May, 10.30-12pm: The Wednesday Club for adults
Early Settlers of Leeds with Curator of Archaeology, Katherine Baxter. Booking essential. Cost: £5 per person (no concessions), which includes a set menu lunch in our café at 12pm.
Wednesday 2nd May, 1.30-3.30pm: The Collections Club
A chance to help preserve the past for the future and learn more about the wonderful collections of Leeds Museums. Booking essential. There is no charge to take part.
Monday 7th May: Bank Holiday opening The museum will be open 10am – 5pm, last
admission 4pm Wednesday 9th May, 10.30-12pm: The Wednesday
Club for adults The Victorian Leeds Who’s Who, an introduction to some 19th Century Personalities of Leeds by Samantha Flavin, Curator of Social History. This is a special session to celebrate Museums & Galleries Month. Cost: £5 per person (no concessions), which includes a set menu lunch in our café at 12 Wednesday 16th May, 10.30-12pm: The
Wednesday Club for adults Moving Here with Kitty Ross, Curator of Social
History. A look at immigrants to Leeds. This is a special session to celebrate Museums & Galleries Month. Cost: £5 per person (no concessions), which includes a set menu lunch in our café at 12pm.
Wednesday 23rd May, 10.15am – 12pm: The Monkey Club
A drop-in morning for the under 5s and their carers with craft activities. This month’s theme is Faces. No booking necessary, normal admission applies (under 5s are free).
Monday 28th May: Bank Holiday opening The museum will be open 10am – 5pm, last
admission 4pm Tuesday 29th May 1pm-3pm– Family Fun
Afternoon Craft activities for all the family based around the
theme of Leeds People. No booking necessary, normal admission applies.
Wednesday 30th May, throughout the day – Craft Sessions for playschemes and larger groups
Hour long craft sessions based around the theme of Leeds People will take place in our education room with a museum facilitator. Booking essential, 50p per person to cover materials.
Thursday 31st May, 2pm-3.30pm – Craft Workshop for 9-13 year olds: Create a Portrait.
Cost: £3.50 per person (£3.00 with a Leeds Card). Carers do not need to accompany their children on this workshop on completion of a consent form.
Abbey House Activities 2007 ...
The Monkey’s PUZZLE A Dinosaur, Octopus, Whale, Shark
Fill in the grid so that each row, each column and each of the four 2 X 2 squares, contains all four creatures
Solutions are on page 34
Thursday 31st May, 10am-12pm– Meet the Victorians No booking necessary, normal admission applies.
June
Friday 1st June, 10am-12pm– Meet the Victorians Come and meet a face from the past. Will you see the
Victorian undertaker, widow washer woman, maid or botanical chemist? No booking necessary, normal admission applies.
Friday 1st June, 2pm-4pm– Be a Victorian This is your chance to become a Victorian. Come along and
dress up. No booking necessary, normal admission applies.
Wednesday 6th June, 10.30-12pm: The Wednesday Club for adults . An introduction to the mylearning website resource of Leeds Museums & Galleries, with Dominiqu Attwood, Learning Project Coordinator. Booking essential. Cost: £5 per person (no concessions), which includes a set menu lunch in our café at 12pm.
Wednesday 6th June, 1.30-3.30pm: The Collections Club A chance to help preserve the past for the future and
learn more about the wonderful collections of Leeds Museums. Booking essential.
The Monk’s PUZZLE B How many monks can you find in this issue?
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 34
Answers... amazing 277 year old Kirkstall clock !
Puzzle solutions (see page 33)
Did you solve the monkey puzzle?
Or did it send you bananas?
Ref page 29 Kirkstall History Quiz - 2 clocks
1. Do go and look at this clock, made in 1730. It is on the ground floor at Abbey House. This rare long case clock was made in 1730 by Morgan Lowry (1682-1757) who was born in Leeds. He worked in Briggate and Boar Lane. The clock is still working. It runs for a whole year on one winding. There are two 48 lb weights. The strike makes 56,940 blows to the bell on one winding!! 2. The oak-cased bracket clock in the Street pub was presented in 1907 to Joe Briggs for services to the L B W & S T P and B A – (where the letters represent words – can you identify the organisation?) Answer: Leeds Beer Wine & Spirit Trade Protection and Benevolent Association.
Kirkstall Abbey Treasure... Change of use What’s happening to the former Headingley Primary School building?
The Council’s Executive Board on 13 December decided to delay the disposal of the school building for six months to allow Headingley Development Trust to develop final proposals for the building and secure the necessary capital funding for its refurbishment in line with the business plan.
A major initiative here is HDT’s bid to make the former Headingley Primary School into a focus for creative new businesses, called HEART.
Headingley Development Trust
Buried Treasure
Henry Pearson, the treasurer of Kirkstall Abbey, is said to have hidden the abbey valuables before the dissolution of the monasteries.
All the stories, handed down through the generations of Kirkstall residents, agree that the treasure is buried in the abbey precincts - not at one of the outlying farms or ‘granges’.
Some stories say the treasure is a chest containing the church silver plates and cups (chalices). Other say that the chest also includes the abbot’s silver dining dishes and jugs which were only used when entertaining important guests.
This treasure has not yet been found. Kirkstall gardeners keep digging deep !
There are 40 monks faces in this issue - can you find them all?
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 35
Bird boxes linked to the internet... Kingfishers
Watch the Birdie!
Children from Hawksworth Wood and other local schools have enjoyed free activity holidays at Lineham Farm.
The Lineham Farm Children’s Centre at Eccup has received an AOL Innovation in the Community £2000 award.
Jo Shepheard from Lineham Farm writes “The award will enable us to install infra-red wireless bird
box cameras so that visiting children can study nature whilst here in our environmental room and through the centre’s website when they return to school. Our first camera bird box has been installed and linked so feeding and nesting birds can be viewed on our television set. First Direct employees, who had been on The Earthwatch Project, had applied for grants for local projects. We were the lucky beneficiaries. The grant also paid for two saddleback pigs, boxes for ladybirds, hedgehogs and butterflies, and a wind generator to power the electric fencing surrounding the pigs! Voluntary groups have continued to provide essential maintenance tasks around the farm. They have completed fencing, gardening and
painting. Many thanks to them all. Park Lane College brought a group of students to Lineham Farm.
The students are on their first year of a Conservation and Environmental course. Their jobs have included clearing reeds from the wetlands. One of the students had been a visitor to the farm with his Primary School in year 6. Steven Good, now 17, had fond memories of Lineham including the walks around the woodlands, cosy evenings in front of the log burner with cocoa and story telling and the animal care sessions.”
For details, contact the Farm Office tel. 0113 230 0959. [email protected] www.linehamfarm.org.uk
Winter Blues: not capturing the Kingfishers At the start of our walk, on a glorious winter’s afternoon, we met a couple who were very excited. They had seen a pair of Kingfishers on the canal bank. Imagine our delight when we saw a flash of iridescent blue skimming the water beneath the trees then settling on a branch. The Kingfisher sat there for several minutes, watching for the tell-tale ripples of its prey, before flying further along the water and disappearing into the trees.
What a start to our walk! If only we had brought a camera with us to capture the moment!
Jacquie & Brian Wright Leeds-Liverpool Canal, Rodley 3.15pm 9th December 2006
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 36
Head teacher:Mrs B.A.Clay Kirkstall Valley Primary School
Argie Road, Leeds LS4 2QZ
Monday- Friday 9am to 12 noon A warm, safe and stimulating
environment
From 2½ to school age FREE from 3 years old.
Kirkstall St Stephen’s Pre-School Kirkstall St Stephen’s
C of E Primary School, Morris Lane
Leeds LS5 3JD Tel: 0113 214 4630
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 37
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 38
KIRKSTALL ABBEY TENNIS CLUB
Playing at Kirkstall Abbey Free coaching for juniors and adults for ten weeks from May Tournaments Social events
Membership: Adults £20 Family £40 Juniors £4
Concessions for Priority Leeds Card Holders
New members welcome
For more information contact: Jessica Fischer 07711 646991 [email protected]
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 39
KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 94 early 2007 PAGE 40
Computer Help
Help with your computer at home, anywhere in Leeds, based in Kirkstall.
