What's happening in Beeston, Belle Isle, Cottingley, Holbeck, Hunslet, Middleton & Stourton. Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK. Second issue, our first monthly publication. Also online at www.southleedslife.com
Your FREE community newspaper Issue 2 | December 2014 What’s happening in Beeston, Belle Isle, Cottingley, Holbeck, Hunslet, Middleton & Stourton Young Alfie was attacked by a dog in Cross Flatts Park in April 2014 on Good Friday. After more confrontations with dogs, he and his brother are now too scared to visit his local park. Alfie’s father John has now raised the question - should dogs be banned from the park? “Since Easter both of my boys have experienced out of control dogs running at them just about every time we visit and on two occasions I had to physically intervene to stop them being injured. “Recently we've had a similar occurrence and then found the same dog being allowed to run loose inside the children's play area. When I challenged the owner I was subjected to a torrent of abuse. “Frankly I think its time all dogs were banned from Cross Flats Park because its impossible to tell who the responsible owners are with well behaved dogs and those who aren't as they’re running towards you and then it’s too late for our children.” John is a dog owner himself so hasn’t raised this subject lightly, but he feels his children aren’t protected. The dog who attacked Alfie on Good Friday was on a lead, but still inflicted facial injuries. The owner came forward after the event and voluntarily had the dog put down. The problem doesn’t just affect Cross Flatts Park. Friends of Middleton Park have been moved to offer dog training classes to help owners control their dogs and Muhammad Khizer Mahmood was recently attacked by a dog in Brickfield Park, Beeston. We’ve talked to the Police, to dog owners and other park users - find out their views on page 3 and join the debate online at www.southleedslife.com. Get the latest news at www.southleedslife.com - new stories posted daily In this issue: Ice Pak debate divides Beeston page 4 Save Spotted Cow’s head! page 11 Is it time to ban dogs from our parks? SPORTp12 LOCALHISTORYp11 WHAT’SON p10 CHILDREN p9 OPINION p8 NEWS p4-5 Middleton Park golf course memories page 5 Focus on the Hunslet Club pages 6 & 7 INSIDE: The views from: a dog owner; the Police; Park Friends groups; local children turn to page 3 “It’s impossible to tell who the responsible owners are with well behaved dogs and those who aren't” John with Charlie & Alfie Alfie’s injuries at Easter
Transcript
Your FREE community newspaper Issue 2 | December 2014
What’s happening in Beeston, Belle Isle, Cottingley, Holbeck, Hunslet, Middleton & Stourton
Young Alfie was attacked by a dog in Cross Flatts Parkin April 2014 on Good Friday. After more confrontationswith dogs, he and his brother are now too scared to visithis local park.
Alfie’s father John has now raised the question - shoulddogs be banned from the park?
“Since Easter both of my boys have experienced out of controldogs running at them just about every time we visit and on twooccasions I had to physically intervene to stop them being injured.
“Recently we've had a similar occurrence and then found thesame dog being allowed to run loose inside the children's playarea. When I challenged the owner I was subjected to a torrentof abuse.
“Frankly I think its time all dogs were banned from Cross FlatsPark because its impossible to tell who the responsible ownersare with well behaved dogs and those who aren't as they’rerunning towards you and then it’s too late for our children.”
John is a dog owner himself so hasn’t raised this subject lightly,but he feels his children aren’t protected. The dog who attackedAlfie on Good Friday was on a lead, but still inflicted facial injuries.The owner came forward after the event and voluntarily had thedog put down.
The problem doesn’t just affect Cross Flatts Park. Friends ofMiddleton Park have been moved to offer dog training classes tohelp owners control their dogs and Muhammad Khizer Mahmoodwas recently attacked by a dog in Brickfield Park, Beeston.
We’ve talked to the Police, to dog owners and other park users- find out their views on page 3 and join the debate online atwww.southleedslife.com.
Get the latest news at www.southleedslife.com - new stories posted daily
INSIDE: The views from: a dog owner; the Police; ParkFriends groups; local children turn to page 3
“It’s impossible to tell who the responsible owners are with well
behaved dogs and those who aren't”
John with Charlie & Alfie
Alfie’s injuries at Easter
Welcome to yourmonthly paperSouth Leeds Life is delightedto be back on yournewsstand. In June weproduced a pilot newspaperto test the water and thereaction was fantastic.
Now we’re back with thefirst edition of a monthlynewspaper bringing you allthe best stories and picturesfrom our website:www.southleedslife.com.
We hope to be financiallyself sufficent based onadvertising income fromlocal companies. We’ve been
able to start productionthanks to a grant from theYorkshire VenturePhilanthropy Fundadmistered by LeedsCommunity Foundation.So we extend our thanksto them and to the City &Hunslet Community Firstpanel.
About usSouth Leeds Life is written by
and for local people. People wholive and work in the LS10 and
LS11 areas of South Leeds.
The blog and newspaper areproduced by the South Leeds
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officers.
Our aims are:
To inform people of events,activities, issues and
opportunities taking place in theSouth Leeds community;
To encourage the involvement ofthe wider community in
communicating theirexperiences;
To foster community spirit andinvolvement; and
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South Leeds Life started as ablog in November 2010 and still
New 6th Form College to openA new post-16 academic sixth form collegeis set to open in South Leeds in September2015.
The Elliott Hudson College will be locatedclose to the White Rose Centre withprovision for 500 students per year. Parentsand students at an information morning atCockburn School on Saturday 15 Novemberheard that the exact location will beannounced once the ‘building is secured’ in thenext few weeks. It is understood that thecollege will take over and refurbish an existingblock on the office park.
Elliott Hudson College will focus exclusivelyon A Levels and not offer vocational courses.Their website offers 36 subjects ranging fromAccounting to Spanish. David Holtham, thePrincipal Designate who takes up his post inJanuary, explained that they had established aunique partnership with Cambridge University
and aimed at academic excellence:“I want to see our young people stepping
forward and achieving more than they thoughtthey were capable of.”
The college will be run by the GorseAcademies Trust who run Morley and FarnleyAcademies and have just established the RuthGorse Academy which is due to move topurpose built premises on Black Bull Street inHunslet in September 2016.
The college will replace the current sixthform provision at Morley and Farnley and sothese students’ applications will get priority.Cockburn is one of three partner schoolswhose students will be selected next ahead ofother students in Leeds. Applications for aplace can be made via the college website orvia the UCAS Progress website. The closingdate is Friday 30 January 2015.
South Leeds Life will be printed every month starting in autumn 2014. With a print run of 5,000 and each copy read by an average of 3 people, advertising with us will be seen by 15,000 people in South Leeds.
This advert is Quarter Page and costs just £175, prices range up to £500 for a full page. For more information ring 07894 583966 or email: [email protected]
South Leeds Life | December 2014 www.southleedslife.com
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The Police view We asked the Inner South Neighbourhood Policing Team about dog ownership
What is the law concerningdog owners having their dogon a lead in a park?
There is no set legislation inrelation to having a dog on alead in a park. With recentchanges to anti-socialbehaviour legislation, publicspaces protection orders willtake precedence in places suchas parks. These can includerestrictions around dogs, suchas keeping them on a lead. Youcan get further informationhere:http://asbhelp.co.uk/public-spaces-protection-order/
How are the Policepromoting responsible dogownership? What is the DogWatch scheme?
The Dog Watch scheme waslaunched by neighbourhoodpolicing officers in Pudsey in2011 but has since been rolledout to other parts of thedistrict. The scheme is mainlyabout creating a network ofmembers of the public whowalk their dogs acting as 'eyesand ears' passing on anyinformation about anythingsuspicious they see that couldassist us in tackling crime andanti-social behaviour. Thescheme also helps to promoteresponsible dog ownership andthere have been a number ofcommunity events run underthe scheme at local parks thatinclude free dog chipping andother activities.
What should someone do
if they are attacked by a dogin a public place?
They should make sure theyreport it to the police. Everysituation is different so it’s notreally feasible to give anypractical advice other than toget to safety.
Does it make a differenceif you are attacked by a dogwhilst it's on a lead?
No a dog can still bedangerously out of controlwhilst on a lead.
Inspector Chris Bowen, whoheads the Inner SouthNeighbourhood Policing Team,said:
"A high proportion of peoplebitten by dogs are bitten in adomestic situation, often in thehome involving family dogs ordogs they know.
"Incidents where a person isbitten by an aggressive,unknown dog - if they are
reported to the police - aredealt with robustly and canresult in owners appearing incourt.
"The issue of dangerousdogs still exists, and legislationhas recently been revised toallow us to deal with incidentsthat occur on private property.
"It is important to recognisethat the number of incidentswhere someone is bitten by anunknown dog in public arevery low and that most dogowners are responsible andcare for their pets in a safe andlawful manner."
Join the debate
Children’sviews
We would like tohear what youthink about dogsin parks.You can join thedebate online at:southleedslife.com or write to us: c/o 224 CrossFlatts Grove,Beeston, Leeds,LS11 7BW.
Friends of Cross Flatts Park has beencampaigning to improve the park for fifteenyears.
They successfully won funding to improvesecurity with railings around the park and had theold tennis courts refurbished to create Multi UseGames Areas.
The Friends run a series of summer concertsevery year and a dog show to encourageresponsible dog ownership. In the past they have runcampaigns to get owners to clean up after theirdogs and given out free rolls of plastic bags.
Cllr Angela Gabriel, Chair of the Friends said:“It is upsetting to hear that this happened in our
park and I hope Alfie has made a full recovery. As
someone who has been very scared of dogs in thepast, I’m very sympathetic. It has taken me 60 yearsto over come this fear.
“I could not support banning dogs from the parkbut would like to encourage responsible dogownership. The problem is down to a fewirresponsible dog owners so I do not feel a banwould be appropriate.”
Cllr Gabriel added that the Friends could domore to educate dog owners and work with thepolice and dog wardens.
“The park is for everyone, dog owners and thosethat are scared of dogs. We need everyone torespect other park users and behave responsibly.”
Alan Shaw from Friends of Middleton Park
commented:“Middleton Park, as with many other parks and
green spaces around Leeds, suffers sometimes fromdogs off the lead that are out of control. Althoughthe Park is safe, we have had our fair share of dogattacks and near misses. This has always concernedthe Friends and we have been trying to promoteresponsible dog ownership through the annual DogShow.
“Now we feel that we want to do somethingmore. We just completed a discounted course ofbasic dog training for owners and their dogs withthe need. We hope to be able to offer it again in thenew year for any more owners who want to be ableto learn how to control their dogs better.”
Sue Talbot has kept BorderCollies for over 30 years inBeeston.
She has walked them in CrossFlatts Park and Middleton Parkthroughout that time and has seenmany changes. Here are her views:
The first thing I want to say is it’snot the dogs’ fault - it’s the owners.It is very easy to own a dog thesedays, but there is very little controlon how you look after your dog.
Most owners love their dogs,they look after them and supervisetheir exercise. No one in Beestonhas a large garden so of course wetake our dogs to the park.
I do understand that if you arenot keen on dogs and one runstowards you it is hard to know if it’sfriendly or aggressive.
Having said that, dogs should beallowed to run off the lead in thepark, but owners must train themso they come back when called.Letting them run on the tenniscourts isn’t the answer as peopleplay sports in these.
I think children, and adultsactually, need to be taught how tobehave around dogs too. Screamingand running away just looks like agood game to a dog. It’s muchbetter to be quiet and stand still.
Owners need to make sure they
pick up their dog’s poo too. It’sdisgusting to leave it for someoneelse to tread in.
I would like to see the DogLicence brought back and set ata realistic level, say £50 per year.
It sounds a lot, but a puppy cancost several hundred pounds andthen there are the vets bills. Alldogs should be chipped and thatdata should be linked to the annuallicence. The money from the licencefees should then be spent on aproper Dog Warden service thatcan deal with irresponsible dogowners.
The responsible dog owner
South Leeds Life | December 2014www.southleedslife.com
Children from the BanglaSquare Youth Projectrecently produced a specialmagazine about Cross FlattsPark as part of their JuniorReporters course. Here’swhat they thought of the
park:
Nazeen (11):I like Cross Flatts Park. I playfootball and rounders onthere, but I don’t like dogsbecause they’re ruthless andpoo everywhere.Faisal (11):I like everything in the parkapart from dogs - there shouldbe dog-free zones. I don’t likethem and they put me off fromcoming.Mamun (10):I like everything! Cross FlattsPark is a place where kids canenjoy themselves. The onlything I don’t like about it arethe dogs and the dog poo.Hamza (10):I think dogs should be bannedfrom the park, I don’t like themor their poo! I think abarbecue / food court is agood idea and more rockclimbing walls.
Sue Talbot and Nell
Dogs in parks debate
Parks Friends’ groups respond
Ice Pak debatedivides Beeston
South Leeds Life | December 2014 www.southleedslife.com
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Aspiring Communitiesproposals are currently inthe planning process.You can view the plansthat have been submittedonline at:https://publicaccess.leeds.gov.uk/online-applications/and searchingfor application number14/06007/FU.Alternatively you can viewthe plans at The LeonardoBuilding, RossingtonStreet, Leeds LS2 8HD.The proposals are openfor comment untilThursday 4th December.Following this a report willbe prepared by PlanningOfficers and a decisionwill be made byCouncillors on the South& West Plans Panel,probably at their Januarymeeting.South Leeds Life willreport on progress ateach stage.
The Shine Project, whichsupports girls aged 11-19 inSouth Leeds, is set to open anail bar in Beeston.
The Shine Nail Bar willoperate as a social enterpriseoffering employment andtraining to local young people.All profits will be ploughedback into the wider projectwhich supports girls who arevulnerable or at risk, and aimsto build self esteem, resilienceand empower them to flourishand achieve their goals. Moreinformation at:www.theshineproject.org.uk.
Council tenants in Belle Islehave voted overwhelmingly forBITMO (the Belle Isle TenantManagement Organisation) tocarry on managing theirhomes for a further five years.
BITMO, which is run by aboard elected by the tenants,won 904 of the 947 votes cast.
Belle Isle votesYES to BITMO
City View healthchampions takeon allotment
Charity to openNail Bar
Health Champions from theCity View GP practice inBeeston are planting up anallotment with expert helpfrom BBC expert Joe Maiden.
“Tending an allotment givespeople all sorts of healthbenefits including gentleexercise, social interaction,improved gardening skills. Wewill share the produce andencourage healthy eating. Wealso plan to take cuttings andgrow on plants to give toother community groups.”saidLinda Hepworth.
Join the debate at: www.southleedslife.comNew articles and comments are uploaded every day
Newsin brief
Plans for a new community and multifaith centreon the former Ice Pak site on Barkly Road havecaused contoversy in Beeston. The original plans were withdrawn by the AspiringCommunities charity following lange number ofcomplaints about the large scale development. New,scaled down, plans are currently in the planningprocess.A public meeting organised by the group to explain
the plans attracted 150 people to Beeston ParishCentre. There was heated debate with accusationsthat the building would be a mosque and thatopponents were being racist.A new group, the Save Our Beeston Campaign hasbeen formed to oppose this and other developments,which they say have been “rolled out without anythought as to the cumulative impact on the health andwell being of those of us who have made Beeston
Village our home.”The open letter from Save our Beeston has attractedover 750 signatures from local residents.South Leeds Life has been covering this story sinceJanuary 2013 and recent articles have attracted morethan 100 comments. We are pleased to have been ableto provide a forum for debate and reproduce aselection of the comments here.
Mrs Ahmed:Some people are angry
because they are ignorant andfear integration. The councilshould pass any plans that willencourage and inspire peopleto learn about each other andwork together to educate. Thego ahead of the plans will sendout an anti-racist messagewhilst engaging with acommunity and provide a localvenue to meet the needs ofthe community.
John Adamson:Would it not be better for
the Asian Community if theytried to integrate into the localway of life. There are severalplaces in Beeston whereintegration can be met, i.e.pubs and clubs, where peoplemeet to know each other. Thisis not the Asian way of life, andso, this project is doomedbefore it gets off the ground.
Also the traffic on “prayer”day will be horrendous onBarkly Road, causing worry forthe local parents who havechildren at the nearby primary
schools.Lets scrap this plan, what
about a local cinema?
Shaz:How can you judge
something will be wrong foryou or the community you livein before it has even begun.
Practising muslims shouldnot attend pubs and clubs.
How can you even ask this,you are asking people todirespect thier beliefs.
All of us have young childrenso we are all concernedregarding our children but thatdoes not mean you can say onearea will become more busyand your concern for yourchildren will grow, a unforseenincident can happen on anyroad at any time we can notpresume it.
Miss Knowles:I live on Barkly Road. My
best friend is Muslim and mypartner is mixed race. I am nota racist.
My objection to theproposed plans is strictly due
to the volumes of traffic thatwill be travelling down a highlypopulated road. A road thatthe highways department havealready placed speed reducingstructures and twenty mile perhour signs on. On this road,adjacent to the site is aPrimary School which alreadycontributes to increased traffictwice daily, five days per week.
As for the claim that the‘multi faith centre’ willencourage acceptance andintegrate the community, I feelif forced on the local residentswho have already made theiropinions known, will in facthave the opposite effect!
Asma:Please try to understand that
we are trying build a centrethat will be in-use by all. Thepurpose of the prayer rooms isthere to re-educate today’syouth in how to be modelcitizens, to live life peacefullyand to abide by the law of land.The youth have been mis-ledand mis-guided by externalbodies for far too long in the
ways which are non-Islamic.Love, peace and harmony
that’s what AspiringCommunities are trying tocreate.
We need inter-mingling andinter-action of people tounderstand one another torespect one another. Barriersneed to come down, AspiringCommunities are trying toachieve this under the guidanceof Pir Arshad Mahmood. Doesit matter if its an IslamicCentre? I think not. Youngsters,young men and women needguidance. Let us guide them onthe right path.
Please come and speak toAspiring Communities. Let’sshare ideas on how we canmove forward together.
Sara:I am against this proposal
have been since the firstplanning application wassubmitted. My reasons beennoise, traffic, pollution, thedesign and look of the buildingas its not in keeping with thesurroundings nor is it a
modern looking building. Thefront of the building looks toomuch like a mosque ratherthan a community centre, theprayer room is massive incomparison to the actualmulti-faith room which is morelike a cupboard. If you arewanting to sell it as a multi-faith centre for the communitywhy is this? Also if it is multi-faith why must we abide byIslamic law inside the centre ie-removing shoes.
You can read morecomments at: http://www.southleedslife.com/angry-meeting-debates-aspiring-communities-plans-ice-pak-site/
Planning
Middleton Park golfcourse memoriesThere was sadness and adose of gallows humour asmembers turned out atMiddleton Park golf courseon the day the courseclosed (31 October 2014).
Back in 1933 former LordMayor and Freeman of the Cityof Leeds, Alderman Sir WilliamHemingway opened themunicipal golf course atMiddleton Park. 81 years laterhis grandson Earnest Gill, whowas present at the opening,played the last round using hisgrandfather’s putter.
I talked to Earnest, the ClubCaptain, about his memories ofthe course
“I have many happy memories.We’ve produced some verygood golfers at this club and it’salways been a friendly place. It isso sad that Leeds City Council
have in their ‘wisdom’ decidedto close the course. It wouldnever have happened if it wasnorth of the river.”
Earnest said he wouldcontinue playing golf (“My wifesays I have to!”) but he isn’t surewhere he will play.
Another former captain, MarkCunliffe, was there despitehaving had knee surgery just
three weeks previously.“I’ll just play a couple of holes,
but I had to come” he said.“There’ll be a few tears today.”
As previously reported onSouth Leeds Life, the decision toclose the course was taken bythe Council’s Executive Boardon 17 September in the face ofmassive budget cuts. Plans arebeing drawn up to return the
course to parkland with fundingavailable to retain a sportinglegacy.
Judith Blake is a councillor forthe Middleton Park ward andalso sits on the Executive Board.She told us:
“It is sad to be in a positionwhen we can’t keep openhistoric facilities, but we arefaced by ferocious budget cutsand the course was used bydeclining numbers that didn’tjustify the level of subsidy wewere putting in.”
However, she went on toexplain that she is determinedto see sport and leisureactivities continue on the site. Asum of £74,000 is available tohelp transform the land.Middleton Park is owned byWades Charity and leased toLeeds City Council, so there isno question of the land beingsold off for housing or any otheruse.
South Leeds Life | December 2014 www.southleedslife.com
The new Inner South Commu-nity Committee is aiming torevolutionise how people caninfluence the priorities anddelivery of important servicesin the areas where they live. Services such as street cleans-ing and environmental action,the management of communitycentres, allocation of funding tolocal groups and organisationsdelivering a wide range of im-portant projects have all beenand are continuing to be deliv-ered locally. However, in order
to strengthen community in-volvement and communicatethe work that is being deliveredthe Inner South CommunityCommittee are encouraginglocal people to help drive for-ward positive changes in theirareas. Residents are encouraged toget involved and to enable this,the Inner South Communitycommittee is building on andimproving existing networkswith other forums and partnerssuch as tenants and residentgroups and the police to ensurethat both the aims and ambi-tions for the local area are morefocussed and joined up. The committee hold a minimumof four meetings a year whichare open to the public and any-one can attend. Each meeting
has an open forum sectionwhere members of the publiccan raise issues. The meetingsare held in places and buildingsthat are accessible to residentsand the agendas at the meet-ings are tailored to focus onlocal priorities. The Inner South CommunityCommittee will agree a Commu-nity Plan to frame its prioritiesand guide its work. It managestwo funding streams: the Well-being Fund and the Youth Activ-ities Fund, this is funding that isspent locally in the area and isaccessed by a wide range ofpartners to provide local serv-ices and improvethe local commu-nity.The committee isreally keen to con-
nect with local residents andlocal groups and keep everyoneup to date with their work.Please get in touch if you wouldlike to know more but beforeyou do that, please like andshare the committee’s Face-book Page!www.facebook.com/LCCInner-South. To find out more infor-mation about the communitycommittee and when the nextmeetings are visitwww.leeds.gov.uk/community-committee.
Get involved with your new Inner South community committee
Earnest Gill (Captain) & Ian Bertie (Chairman)
Advertising feature
Fireworks light upMiddleton sky
Over 7,000 people attended the bonfire and fireworkdisplay in Middleton Park on Wednesday 5 November.
Crowds poured into the park from all directions, fromBelle Isle, Beeston, Middleton and further afield. Anenormous pile of pallets was ignited at 7pm, and then at7:30 after a countdown from Cllr Judith Blake, thefireworks started. Oohs and ahhs greeted the finalefollowed by well deserved applause.
The display was organised by Leeds City Council andsponsored by the White Rose Shopping Centre.
Commenting on Twitter, Cllr Judith Blake(@cllrjudithblake) said: “Thank you @LeedsParks for agreat bonfire and firework display in Middleton Park . Over7k enjoyed fantastic evening.”
You can see a video of the display on our website at:www.southleedslife.com/middleton-park-bonfire-fire-works/
South Leeds Life | December 2014www.southleedslife.com
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December 2014 | South Leeds Life www.southleedslife.com
If you’ve been to theHunslet Club in thelast ten years you’ll
probably know Donna Hall. She exemplifies thepassion and enthusiasm that is the hallmark of theclub.
The morning I met Donna at the Hunslet Club shehad just been speaking to a young girl who had cometo the club’s alternative education provision for the firsttime. She was frightened and didn’t want to stay, justwanted to go back to school. Donna had talked herthrough her options: stay and try some classes and we’llwrite to the school, or leave now and close downanother option.
“That’s what I do,” Donna explains. “I’m a qualifiedyouth worker and I support the young people’s socialand emotional well-being whilst they’re here with us. Ispend a lot of time sitting and chatting and finding outwhat they’re thinking, challenging their thoughtprocesses, helping them get the best out of their timehere.”
The Hunslet Club runs vocational training provisionfor young people who are not engaging with their
mainstream school. Hair & beauty, catering,construction and motor engineering are all offeredalongside functional skills (maths and English). Theyoung people come from all areas of Leeds and havemany different backgrounds and circumstances.
For many it’s a chance to start again and turn theirlves around; a high percentage go on to furthereducation and work.
“It’s great to see them when they come back andvisit,” says Donna. “One young woman was really hardwork, violent because she grew up in a violent family.She is now 23 and came and worked with us on aplacement from college and she brought her baby in
when she was born. She wants to come back and workhere. I know she’ll make an amazing mum and anamazing worker.”
Donna herself came to the youth club as a girl withher older brothers and the Hunslet Club means a lotto her.
“The staff here are so passionate about what they do,it’s like a family.”
“I left school with nothing and when I first appliedfor a job here I didn’t get it, so I came and volunteeredfor seven months. Then I got a job as a general supportworker, that was ten years ago. The Club encouragedme to get a qualification so I studied part time for fouryears to get my degree in Youth & Community Work.”
Donna also organises the school holiday activitycamps and youth clubs. During the October half termthey catered for 370 children over the week. Activitycamp is often a family’s first encounter with the clubso Donna makes sure parents know what’s going onand are comfortable to leave their children. TheWednesday Youth club has up to 70 children aged 8-12years and Donna marshals a team of 12 staff, volunteersand students on placement to run the activities.
Volunteers are a central part of the Hunslet Club andanother of Donna’s roles is that of volunteer co-ordinator. She provides support and advice, arrangestraining and makes sure they are appreciated.
“The volunteers are amazing.Without them we just couldn’t dowhat we do.”
Volunteers come from all over. Alot of parents help out with thefootball teams, sports students
come from the universities. As well as giving somethingback to the community, volunteering can be hugelyrewarding.
“One woman recently left us start work as aBehaviour Support Worker in school. When she cameto us ten months ago, she was working in an office andhated it. Another has been with us eighteen months,she’s always been good with the kids, but now herconfidence has grown and I can leave to her run thesession.”
“I absolutely love this place, everyone who comes inis different, but everyone gets treated the same. And Ilove my job, it’s very busy but massively rewarding.”
Celebration day forpositive projects
People from across the south Leeds communities ofHunslet and Beeston Hill gathered on 23 November fora vibrant, packed-out event to celebrate the many positivelocal projects generated and supported through theCommunity First funding programme in the ‘City andHunslet’ ward over the past three years.
The Hamara Centre was packed with over 160attendees, enjoying a dazzling array of performances,presentations, food from around the world, and a lot ofgood ol’ fashioned chit-chat.
Performers included: Latvian traditional dance, poetryand song; classical Indian ‘Katthak’ dancing, courtesy ofSouth Asian Arts UK; a mesmerising magician; hauntingsantoor and tabla music (traditional Indian stringedinstruments); a ‘Gatka’ sword performance, by the KhalsaSingh Brothers; and a majestic Chinese Lion Dance withdrumming.
Event host Gohar Almass Khan, of the South LeedsCommunity Alliance, summarised by saying: “I’m proud tobe a citizen of such a beautiful, diverse and colourful cityas Leeds. Let’s celebrate our differences, share our goodvalues and traditions with each other, and live peacefullyand harmoniously with unity in our United Kingdom.”
Hunslet residentsfight Trolleybus
Residents of the Whitfield estate in Hunslet mounted aprotest in August against the proposed route of the NGTTrolleybus through their estate.
The plans, which are currently being scrutinised by apublic enquiry, would see a dual track run along theprecinct past Hunslet Library, the Job Centre, the GardenGate pub and through the Whitfield estate. Because thisis a two-way route there would be a trolleybus passingthe houses every three minutes from 6am until midnight.Deborah Fahey of Hunslet Against The Trolleybus said:
“There is a better route that wouldn’t threaten ourchildren’s safety. There is a neglected strip of green spacerunning alongside Low Road.
“People are united in opposition to this plan – whatyou see is the good old fighting spirit of Hunslet.”Hunslet Against The Trolleybus has a Facebook page andcan be contacted by email [email protected].
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“The staff here are sopassionate about whatthey do, it’s like afamily.”
Darren’s Box-Teq proves a hit with partnersBox-Teq sessions at the HamaraCentre in Beeston are proving verypopular.
The sessions are run by Darren Rhodesfrom the Hunslet Club. He explains thatalthough Hamara doesn’t have a boxinggym, the boys sit in a circle to form a ringwhilst he teaches boxing skills such asshadow boxing and pad work. The youngpeople enjoy it so much that they oftenstay on to watch the adult class whichfollows.
“This work is breaking barriers,” saysDarren. “Some people may feel
uncomfortable, or just not know aboutthe Club. So taking the sport out to themis a great way of overcoming that andshowing that everyone is welcome at TheHunslet Club.”
Last week he brought the Hamara classover to experience a session in the club’spurpose-built boxing gym. The youngpeople clearly enjoyed themselves.
Box-Teq is just of many activities beingdelivered across South Leeds. The HunsletClub has been given £250,000 by SportEngland to increase participation levels inthe area. The three year programme aims
to engage 2,000people in sportand has alreadyattracted over400 people sinceit started in July2014.
The 14-18 agegroup is key.Younger childrengenerally playsport in school,adults that areactive tend to stay active throughout theirlives. But many people stop playing sportin their teenage years and then never startagain. The programme aims to bridge thisgap by offering different sports in a rangeof community venues.
There’s a free Junior Gym session everyFriday from 5-7pm for 13-18 year olds.They are also hoping to start a weightsclass at The South Leeds Academy.
Stephanie Hunter, who co-ordinates theprogramme, explains that they also offeractivities for pre-school age children. Totsfootball and rugby is run at Health For All’sTenant Hall building in Middleton and TotsCricket is due to start soon at BuildingBlocks in Beeston.
“We are really pleased with how thishas started,” she says “but we are alreadylooking three years on to make sure wemaintain these partnerships and cancontinue to offer great sportingopportunities for everyone in SouthLeeds.”
For more information about all theseactivities go to www.hunsletclub.org.uk;ring Stephanie on (0113) 271 6489; oremail [email protected].
Jenny’s Christmas carddesign is a winner!Ten year old Jenny Murgatroydhas winning ways when itcomes to designing a Christ-mas card.
Her picture of Mr and MrsSnowman around a Christmastree was judged the winner of acompetition organised by TheHunslet Club to find a design fortheir official fund raising card for2014.
Jenny, who found out about thecompetition when she attendedan Activity Camp at the Club, wasone of more than 50 childrenwho submitted entries, and herpicture was chosen by a panel ofjudges from the Club, WhiteRose Shopping Centre and SouthLeeds Life.
The cards are on sale at TheHunslet Club, the CustomerServices desk at White Rose andat the BITMO Housing Office inBelle Isle.
They were printed free ofcharge by Beeston-based printersTeam Impression on their newlyinstalled state-of-the-art HP In-digo 10000 digital press – one ofonly six currently in operation inthe UK.
Gary Hickey, Greetings Divi-
sion Managerat Team Im-pression said:“We are de-lighted to beable to helpThe HunsletClub becauseof the fantasticwork that itdoes in thelocal commu-nity and wehope that they raise plenty ofmoney from the sale of thecards.”
The Hunslet Club is the WhiteRose Shopping Centre local char-ity partner for 2014-2015 andCentre Director James Baileyadded: “We were impressed bythe standard of entries and feel
sure that Jenny’s card will provepopular with our customers.”
Jenny, a Year 6 pupil at ThorpePrimary School, received an earlyChristmas present from Team Im-pression and a gift card fromWhite Rose when she went toTeam Impression’s facility to startthe printing process.
Jenny with Jeremy Morton, Donna Hall,Gary Hickey & JamesBailey
If you’ve been to theHunslet Club in thelast ten years you’ll
probably know Donna Hall. She exemplifies thepassion and enthusiasm that is the hallmark of theclub.
The morning I met Donna at the Hunslet Club shehad just been speaking to a young girl who had cometo the club’s alternative education provision for the firsttime. She was frightened and didn’t want to stay, justwanted to go back to school. Donna had talked herthrough her options: stay and try some classes and we’llwrite to the school, or leave now and close downanother option.
“That’s what I do,” Donna explains. “I’m a qualifiedyouth worker and I support the young people’s socialand emotional well-being whilst they’re here with us. Ispend a lot of time sitting and chatting and finding outwhat they’re thinking, challenging their thoughtprocesses, helping them get the best out of their timehere.”
The Hunslet Club runs vocational training provisionfor young people who are not engaging with their
mainstream school. Hair & beauty, catering,construction and motor engineering are all offeredalongside functional skills (maths and English). Theyoung people come from all areas of Leeds and havemany different backgrounds and circumstances.
For many it’s a chance to start again and turn theirlves around; a high percentage go on to furthereducation and work.
“It’s great to see them when they come back andvisit,” says Donna. “One young woman was really hardwork, violent because she grew up in a violent family.She is now 23 and came and worked with us on aplacement from college and she brought her baby in
when she was born. She wants to come back and workhere. I know she’ll make an amazing mum and anamazing worker.”
Donna herself came to the youth club as a girl withher older brothers and the Hunslet Club means a lotto her.
“The staff here are so passionate about what they do,it’s like a family.”
“I left school with nothing and when I first appliedfor a job here I didn’t get it, so I came and volunteeredfor seven months. Then I got a job as a general supportworker, that was ten years ago. The Club encouragedme to get a qualification so I studied part time for fouryears to get my degree in Youth & Community Work.”
Donna also organises the school holiday activitycamps and youth clubs. During the October half termthey catered for 370 children over the week. Activitycamp is often a family’s first encounter with the clubso Donna makes sure parents know what’s going onand are comfortable to leave their children. TheWednesday Youth club has up to 70 children aged 8-12years and Donna marshals a team of 12 staff, volunteersand students on placement to run the activities.
Volunteers are a central part of the Hunslet Club andanother of Donna’s roles is that of volunteer co-ordinator. She provides support and advice, arrangestraining and makes sure they are appreciated.
“The volunteers are amazing.Without them we just couldn’t dowhat we do.”
Volunteers come from all over. Alot of parents help out with thefootball teams, sports students
come from the universities. As well as giving somethingback to the community, volunteering can be hugelyrewarding.
“One woman recently left us start work as aBehaviour Support Worker in school. When she cameto us ten months ago, she was working in an office andhated it. Another has been with us eighteen months,she’s always been good with the kids, but now herconfidence has grown and I can leave to her run thesession.”
“I absolutely love this place, everyone who comes inis different, but everyone gets treated the same. And Ilove my job, it’s very busy but massively rewarding.”
Celebration day forpositive projects
People from across the south Leeds communities ofHunslet and Beeston Hill gathered on 23 November fora vibrant, packed-out event to celebrate the many positivelocal projects generated and supported through theCommunity First funding programme in the ‘City andHunslet’ ward over the past three years.
The Hamara Centre was packed with over 160attendees, enjoying a dazzling array of performances,presentations, food from around the world, and a lot ofgood ol’ fashioned chit-chat.
Performers included: Latvian traditional dance, poetryand song; classical Indian ‘Katthak’ dancing, courtesy ofSouth Asian Arts UK; a mesmerising magician; hauntingsantoor and tabla music (traditional Indian stringedinstruments); a ‘Gatka’ sword performance, by the KhalsaSingh Brothers; and a majestic Chinese Lion Dance withdrumming.
Event host Gohar Almass Khan, of the South LeedsCommunity Alliance, summarised by saying: “I’m proud tobe a citizen of such a beautiful, diverse and colourful cityas Leeds. Let’s celebrate our differences, share our goodvalues and traditions with each other, and live peacefullyand harmoniously with unity in our United Kingdom.”
Hunslet residentsfight Trolleybus
Residents of the Whitfield estate in Hunslet mounted aprotest in August against the proposed route of the NGTTrolleybus through their estate.
The plans, which are currently being scrutinised by apublic enquiry, would see a dual track run along theprecinct past Hunslet Library, the Job Centre, the GardenGate pub and through the Whitfield estate. Because thisis a two-way route there would be a trolleybus passingthe houses every three minutes from 6am until midnight.Deborah Fahey of Hunslet Against The Trolleybus said:
“There is a better route that wouldn’t threaten ourchildren’s safety. There is a neglected strip of green spacerunning alongside Low Road.
“People are united in opposition to this plan – whatyou see is the good old fighting spirit of Hunslet.”Hunslet Against The Trolleybus has a Facebook page andcan be contacted by email [email protected].
1 Low RoadHunslet
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“The staff here are sopassionate about whatthey do, it’s like afamily.”
Darren’s Box-Teq proves a hit with partnersBox-Teq sessions at the HamaraCentre in Beeston are proving verypopular.
The sessions are run by Darren Rhodesfrom the Hunslet Club. He explains thatalthough Hamara doesn’t have a boxinggym, the boys sit in a circle to form a ringwhilst he teaches boxing skills such asshadow boxing and pad work. The youngpeople enjoy it so much that they oftenstay on to watch the adult class whichfollows.
“This work is breaking barriers,” saysDarren. “Some people may feel
uncomfortable, or just not know aboutthe Club. So taking the sport out to themis a great way of overcoming that andshowing that everyone is welcome at TheHunslet Club.”
Last week he brought the Hamara classover to experience a session in the club’spurpose-built boxing gym. The youngpeople clearly enjoyed themselves.
Box-Teq is just of many activities beingdelivered across South Leeds. The HunsletClub has been given £250,000 by SportEngland to increase participation levels inthe area. The three year programme aims
to engage 2,000people in sportand has alreadyattracted over400 people sinceit started in July2014.
The 14-18 agegroup is key.Younger childrengenerally playsport in school,adults that areactive tend to stay active throughout theirlives. But many people stop playing sportin their teenage years and then never startagain. The programme aims to bridge thisgap by offering different sports in a rangeof community venues.
There’s a free Junior Gym session everyFriday from 5-7pm for 13-18 year olds.They are also hoping to start a weightsclass at The South Leeds Academy.
Stephanie Hunter, who co-ordinates theprogramme, explains that they also offeractivities for pre-school age children. Totsfootball and rugby is run at Health For All’sTenant Hall building in Middleton and TotsCricket is due to start soon at BuildingBlocks in Beeston.
“We are really pleased with how thishas started,” she says “but we are alreadylooking three years on to make sure wemaintain these partnerships and cancontinue to offer great sportingopportunities for everyone in SouthLeeds.”
For more information about all theseactivities go to www.hunsletclub.org.uk;ring Stephanie on (0113) 271 6489; oremail [email protected].
Jenny’s Christmas carddesign is a winner!Ten year old Jenny Murgatroydhas winning ways when itcomes to designing a Christ-mas card.
Her picture of Mr and MrsSnowman around a Christmastree was judged the winner of acompetition organised by TheHunslet Club to find a design fortheir official fund raising card for2014.
Jenny, who found out about thecompetition when she attendedan Activity Camp at the Club, wasone of more than 50 childrenwho submitted entries, and herpicture was chosen by a panel ofjudges from the Club, WhiteRose Shopping Centre and SouthLeeds Life.
The cards are on sale at TheHunslet Club, the CustomerServices desk at White Rose andat the BITMO Housing Office inBelle Isle.
They were printed free ofcharge by Beeston-based printersTeam Impression on their newlyinstalled state-of-the-art HP In-digo 10000 digital press – one ofonly six currently in operation inthe UK.
Gary Hickey, Greetings Divi-
sion Managerat Team Im-pression said:“We are de-lighted to beable to helpThe HunsletClub becauseof the fantasticwork that itdoes in thelocal commu-nity and wehope that they raise plenty ofmoney from the sale of thecards.”
The Hunslet Club is the WhiteRose Shopping Centre local char-ity partner for 2014-2015 andCentre Director James Baileyadded: “We were impressed bythe standard of entries and feel
sure that Jenny’s card will provepopular with our customers.”
Jenny, a Year 6 pupil at ThorpePrimary School, received an earlyChristmas present from Team Im-pression and a gift card fromWhite Rose when she went toTeam Impression’s facility to startthe printing process.
Jenny with Jeremy Morton, Donna Hall,Gary Hickey & JamesBailey
South Leeds Life is inviting you toshare your story about how youlive your life in South Leeds.
Perhaps if you have lived hereforever and have seen places comeand go, you could take others on awinding trip down memory lane.You may have just enjoyed a specialfamily occasion that you would liketo share. Maybe you have an interestthat you know other people inSouth Leeds enjoy or perhaps,recently, you achieved somethingyou are proud of. Let’s not forgetthat you could be the one who hasexperienced a daring pursuit! Theseare the stories that we can all findinteresting.
Of course there are a few
considerations. Firstly, South LeedsLife would very much like yourstory to be accompanied with aphoto. Secondly, if you are feelingunder-confident about your writingskills, you can submit an uneditedversion and we can help you withloose ends. It does have to bereadable: that means a word limit of500 words would be great. Ofcourse you can think outside thebox: if you don’t fancy using akeyboard you could submit yourstory in graphic novel form, asphotos or even as a video.
You can email your story [email protected] or post itto 224 Cross Flatts Grove, Leeds,LS11 7BW.
Your Councillors and MPBeeston & Holbeck wardIncludes Beeston from Cross Flatts Park up to the Co-op, Cottingley, old Holbeck. The three councillors are:David Congreve 0113 277 7389 [email protected] Gabriel 07946 632 468 [email protected] Ogilvie 0113 247 4578 [email protected]
City & Hunslet wardIncludes the city centre, Holbeck Urban Village, Beeston Hill and Hunslet. The three councillors are:Patrick Davey 0113 261 0465 [email protected] Iqbal 0113 294 1049 [email protected] Nash 0113 275 8594 [email protected]
Middleton Park wardIncludes Belle Isle and Middleton. The three councillors are:Judith Blake 0113 395 1735 [email protected] Kim Groves 07891 741 832 [email protected] Paul Truswell 0113 247 4472 [email protected]
Leeds Central MP – Rt Hon Hilary BennHilary Benn is our MP. He represents the Leeds Central constituency which covers Hunslet, Belle Isle, Beeston,Holbeck, Cottingley in south Leeds as well as the city centre, Woodhouse, Little London, Lincoln Green, Rich-mond Hill, Osmondthorpe, Halton Moor and New Wortley.Contact: [email protected], www.hilarybennmp.comConstituency office: 2 Blenheim Terrace, Leeds, LS2 9JG; phone: 0113 244 1097; fax: 0113 234 1176
In our viewFeedbackI really enjoyed reading South Leeds Life.It gives people hope that there is anamazing community feel in our areadespite negative press around this side ofLeeds. Planning applications could add tothis paper?Richard Harrison, Beeston
Middleton BonfireI went down to the park, I was not goingto go but went with the grandkids. To behonest I thought it as a complete waste ofmoney, which could have been betterspent. In this day and age with all the cutsthe government has made, includingclosing our Golf Club, it’s not good.Linda Morgan
Fantastic to see a Council organised and aBusiness sponsored event being so wellattended by the community.
Congratulations Middleton to anothergreat Bonfire night in a safe and controlledenvironment!Louise Nichols
Library opening hoursNever mind closing earlier I think Beestonlibrary should open at 9:00am instead of10:00am, all the pre school children thatwalk past the library after dropping oldersiblings off at Hugh gaitskell and Beestonprimary would benefit as you’re not goingto wait around an hour for it to openespecially in the middle of winter! To getyoung children into reading is hard enoughshame on you Leeds city council!!Richard
Seriously, with those timings it becomesvery difficult for most workers to use thelibrary. If the council decides libraries area service they wish to keep supporting
then have them open longer. Shut moredown if you have to. If you can get to theselibraries you can get to Middleton’s.John
Middleton Park golf courseI never thought I would see this happen.As the Captain said we are the wrong sideof the river, it would never happen innorth Leeds. Why not retain the original 9holes? Where do all those golfers go whocan’t manage the hills of the municipalcourses left or afford to travel acrossLeeds? This close was on the cards from2008 when the council refurbished theclub house but never opened in June 2013as a token gesture which was never goingto work as they were never committed toit succeedingPast captain, chairman, secretary andcurrent trustee, Peter Watts
There are other courses so the golfers canstill play their game.With the government cuts it is now timeto decide what services councils shouldprovide.Social, educational, housing and upkeep ofroads and paths are priorities. I’d ratherwe provide care for the elderly andvulnerable than prop up unviable sportingfacilities.Richard
Every post on the website has a spacefor comments and we activelyencourage readers to join the debate.
Alternatively, send your letters to: 224Cross Flatts Grove, Leeds, LS11 7BW.Or Email: [email protected] may be edited for publication.
Keep up todate, up tothe minute,by followingSouth LeedsLife’s Twitterfeed: @SouthLeedsLife.
Twitter is the 140 character‘micro blogging’ site. It’s freeand you can sign up attwitter.com. It’s a great placeto find the very latest news.Here are some of ourfavourite recent tweets.
@C4CJGreat example from@SouthLeedsLife on how torecruit a sports journo,offering mentoring & training.@WestYorksOPCCBelle Isle TMO received£1,260 from the SaferCommunities FundFind out about their work @LeedsGetActiveDo you know we have a freedance aerobics class on aTuesday 6-7pm@Middletoncentre@LCC_EmploymentVisit #jobshopleeds at ThePoint @whiteroseleeds white-rose.co.uk/thepointcall in today! we can help withyour #jobsearch@SouthLeeds_PEWe are looking for a localsponsor for a new footy kitfor our academy andsuccessful Y10 side... Anyoneinterested?@MRTTrustLtd@HunsletHawksRLCongratulation to our "track-side" neighbours on theirpromotion.
South Leeds Life | December 2014 www.southleedslife.com
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Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
Your letters and commentsDogs in parksDogs are very popular pets in thiscountry. They bringcompanionship to their ownersand are even used as therapywith older and disabled people.Parks and open spaces shouldbe welcoming to everyone. Sodog owners have got to takeresponsibility - train your dog,keep it under control and pick upits mess.
Planning disputesThere will always be differencesof opinion over newdevelopments - be theyconservatories, factories orsupermarkets. We have ademocratic planning system inthis country that gives everyonethe chance to have their say. Wefeel it is the role of South LeedsLife to make our readers aware ofissues as they come up and allowthem to debate the issues. Whilstthe debate over IcePak has beenheated at times, it’s importantthat people can air their views.
Season’s GreetingsChristmas is a time of giving, ofcelebration, a time for families.There are many events going inSouth Leeds this Christmas -fairs, carol services, Christmaslights - get along and supportthem, be part of the community.But also remember those whodon’t enjoy Christmas - theisolated and lonely. Why not callon your neighbours and checkthey’re OK this season.We hope you and yours have avery merry Christmas this year.
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South Leeds Life | December 2014www.southleedslife.com
The very latest news from Beeston, Belle Isle, Cottingley, Holbeck, Hunslet and Middleton
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Written for South Leeds residents by South Leeds residents - it’s YOUR blog
What do you get if pourboiling water down a rabbithole?Hot cross bunnies!Why do elephants paint thesoles of their feet yellow? So they can hide upside downin custard!Have you ever seen an ele-phant hiding upside down incustard? Well, it shows it works!What do you get if you crossa kangeroo with a sheep? Wooly jumpers!What do they sing at a snow-man's birthday party?Freeze a jolly good fellow!Why does Santa have threegardens?So he can hoe hoe hoe! What kind of motorbikedoes Santa ride?A Holly Davidson!What do you get if you crossSanta with a duck?A Christmas Quacker!How did Scrooge win thefootball game?The ghost of Christmas passed!
ANGELSCHRISTMASELVESFRANKINCENSEGOLDJESUS
MAGIMINCE PIEMYRRHNATIVITYPRESENTSREINDEER
SANTASHEPHERDSSNOWMANSTOCKINGTURKEYYULE
Christmas WordsearchFestive games, puzzles and jokes
Christmascrackers
Colour me in
My first term at Cockburn High SchoolMy name is Stanley and I’d like towrite about my first term atCockburn High School. Cockburnis a high school in Beeston, Leeds.
I found that it was very differentthan my primary school. Firstly, highschool is much more bigger thanprimary school. Secondly the systemis different. Instead of having just oneclass, you have lots of different classesthat you have to get to and from. Youhave a timetable and planner which
tells you where you need to be. Canyou believe it, in my first week I gotlost on my way to Geography!
The school meals are also different.In comparison, we used to have ourlunch served to us on plates, but inhigh school you can buy your ownmeals and eat them from takeawayboxes. There is also a thumb scanningmachine, which identifies whichperson’s thumb it is and links to yourown account number. We can buy
things this way. I get money added tomy account for dinner and a cookie.
My favourite teacher has got to beMr Fong Wah. He teaches History. MrFong Wah, is very supportive by givingus advice for homework projects tomake them as good as they can be.Because of this I have really enjoyedHistory so far.
However, my favourite subject hasgot to be Art. Art is more advancedat high school. You get to explore
I havemade fivenew friends. I still have my old friendsfrom primary school too. We havelearnt that there are loads of differentlunch time activities. Me and my new
friends go to ICT lunch time class.There are lots of after school clubstoo which I will hopefully get ontonext term.
What’s OnYour guide to events and activities across South Leeds in DecemberMonday 1 DecemberWomen’s Fitness10-11am KMWA HardyStreet, BeestonFamily Fun and Run3:30-4:30pm Beeston VillageCommunity CentreFriends of Stank Hall BarnAGM 7:30pm Tommy Wasspub Dewsbury RoadTuesday 2 DecemberSouth Leeds Life News Cafe10am-12pm Cafe at HillsideBeeston RoadWednesday 3 DecemberCAP Job Club10am-12pm Two WillowsChildren’s Centre, CardinalSquare, BeestonHunslet Memories12-2pm Garden Gate pubHunslet Tenants &Residents Association6:30pm Church of Nazarene,Grove RoadThursday 4 DecemberMulti Skills 4 Tots10:15-11am Building Blocks,Tempest Road, BeestonBeeston Christmas LightsSwitch On5:30pm Co-op, Town StreetBeeston Community ForumAGM 7:30pm Beeston VillageCommunity CentreFriday 5 DecemberSouth Leeds Life News Cafe10am-12pm BITMOs GATE,Aberfield Gate, Belle IsleWinter Craft Course10am-12pm Tenants HallEnterprise Centre, MiddletonVictorian Christmas10:30am-12pm MiddletonPark Visitor CentreIn Harmony CommunityChoir12:15-1:15pm HunsletParkside Rugby Club, BelleIsle RoadFriday Night Project6-9pm Middleton LeisureCentre
Saturday 6 DecemberCross Flatts Parkrun9am Watsonian Pavilion,Cross Flatts Park, BeestonRoad
Leeds Dock ChristmasMarket10am-4pm Leeds Dock,Armouries Way, HunsletHolbeck Christmas Market11am-2pm St Matthew’sCommunity CentreBITMO Christmas Fair12-2pm BITMO’s GATE,Aberfield Gate, Belle IsleSlung Low Christmas Fayre12-4pm HUB, Bath Road,HolbeckSunday 7 DecemberLeeds Dock ChristmasMarket10am-4pm Leeds Dock,Armouries Way, HunsletChristmas in MiddletonPark12-6pm Middleton parkVisitor CentreHolbeck Chrismas LightsSwitch On
5:30pm St Matthew’sCommunity CentreMonday 8 DecemberWomen’s Fitness10-11am KMWA HardyStreetBelle Isle Christmas LightsSwitch On3pm Belle Isle CircusFamily Fun and Run3:30-4:30pm Beeston VillageCommunity CentreTuesday 9 DecemberSouth Leeds Life News Cafe10am-12pm Cafe at HillsideBeeston RoadOlder Persons ChristmasParty10am-12pm Hamara Centre,Te,pest Road, BeestonMiddleton Christmas LightsSwitch On3-4:30pm Middleton CircusWednesday 10 DecemberCAP Job Club10am-12pm Two WillowsChildren’s Centre, CardinalSquare, BeestonThursday 11 DecemberMulti Skills 4 Tots10:15-11am Building Blocks,Tempest Road, BeestonFriday 12 DecemberSouth Leeds Life News Cafe
For up to date event informationmake sure you go online to www.southleedslife.comand check the What’s On Calendar
South Leeds Life | December 2014 www.southleedslife.com
10 What’s On Facebook: facebook.com/southleedslife
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
Publicise your event withSouth Leeds LifeSend full details of your event to:[email protected], or post to: 224 Cross Flatts Grove, Leeds, LS11 7BW
10am-12pm BITMOs GATE,Aberfield Gate, Belle IsleWinter Craft Course10am-12pm Tenants HallEnterprise Centre, MiddletonIn Harmony CommunityChoir12:15-1:15pm HunsletParkside Rugby Club, BelleIsle RoadFriday Night Project6-9pm Middleton LeisureCentre
Christmas Lantern Festival6:30-7:30pm WatsonianPavilion, Cross Flatts Park,Beeston RoadSaturday 13 DecemberCross Flatts Parkrun9am Watsonian Pavilion,Cross Flatts Park, BeestonRoadMonday 15 DecemberWomen’s Fitness10-11am KMWA HardyStreet, BeestonFamily Fun and Run3:30-4:30pm Beeston VillageCommunity CentreTuesday 16 DecemberSouth Leeds Life News Cafe10am-12pm Cafe at HillsideBeeston RoadWednesday 17 DecemberCAP Job Club
10am-12pm Two WillowsChildren’s Centre, CardinalSquare, BeestonThursday 18 DecemberMulti Skills 4 Tots10:15-11am Building Blocks,Tempest Road, BeestonFriday 19 DecemberSouth Leeds Life News Cafe10am-12pm BITMOs GATE,Aberfield Gate, Belle IsleWinter Craft Course10am-12pm Tenants HallEnterprise Centre, MiddletonBITMO Christmas Quiz12-2pm BITMOs GATE,Aberfield Gate, Belle IsleFriday Night Project6-9pm Middleton LeisureCentreSaturday 20 DecemberCross Flatts Parkrun9am Watsonian Pavilion,Cross Flatts Park, BeestonRoadLeeds Young ArchaeologistsClub10am-12pm Middleton ParkVisitor CentreMonday 22 DecemberChristmas Activity Camp8:45am-3pm Hunslet Club,Hillidge RoadTuesday 23 DecemberChristmas Activity Camp8:45am-3pm Hunslet Club,Hillidge RoadSaturday 27 DecemberCross Flatts Parkrun9am Watsonian Pavilion,Cross Flatts Park, BeestonRoadWednesday 31 DecemberNew Year’s Party7pm-1am Beeston ParishCentre, Town Street
Festive Christmas Lights are due to bring cheer to our localshopping centres across south Leeds. Here are the details ofthe Switching On Ceremonies:Beeston Christmas LightsThursday 4 December 5:30pm - Beeston Co-op, Town StreetThe Lights will be switched on by the Lord Mayor with carolsand the Salvation Army band. Followed by light refreshments inBeeston Parish Centre.
Holbeck Christmas LightsSunday 7 December 5:30pm St Matthew’s Community CentreFollowed by Community carol service and meal organised byMosaic ChurchBelle Isle Christmas LightsMonday 8 December 3-4:30pm Belle Isle CircusJoin children from Windmill Primary School and musicians fromOpera North for a festive musical treat.Middleton Christmas LightsTuesday 9 December 3-4:30pm Middleton CircusJoin children from local primary schools to sing carols.
Christmas LightsSwitch Ons
Photo: Lucy Potter
I think Julie is an inspiration tous all. I can see her healthtakes its toll by the constantpain she is in, yet is at BITMOGATE every Monday to help agroup of us Family TreeResearchers to delve furtherinto our ancestry past. Welldone Julie.
Think the programme, ‘WhoDo You Think You Are?’ probablycaused an upsurge in peoplewanting to know their ancestrypast.
Julie has been discoveringfamily trees for people for manya year and so far traced herhusband’s family tree, going backto the 1670s/1680s.
The course started on 20March, the course is on-going andis at BITMOs GATE everyMonday 10am till 12pm middaythen from 1pm till 3pm.
On my first visit, Julie asked mefor one of my parent’s names andentered it intowww.ancestry.co.uk. Within afew mouse clicks, went back in
time down my mother’s line to1866.
I have now progressed fromthat, and with Julie’s help goneback to 1700s.
Sometimes you get to knowthings what your ancestors gotup to, like at least one of mineended up in jail, only for a shorttime as acquitted. While looking
at the prison records, noticed insome cases male prisoners werewhipped. A record of this is inthe Prison log book. Not surewhy, but shows you the brutalityof it all.
The group have been twice to
Leeds Library family researchdivision. We will all be going againnext year.
Julie comments:“Me and Chris have always
been interested in Family Historyand it was Chris that startedlooking into his history.
“Chris used the GenesReunited site to look for records
and did find a few for hisGrandparents, but had to stopafter a while as he started withbad migraines.
“I decided to carry on and havebeen researching for the past fewyears. The earliest I have got back
to is around the 1670s/1680swhich is 8th Great Grandparents.
“There have been quite a fewinteresting finds and it has alsoput us in contact with Cousinsaround the world. We have evenmet up with 3rd Cousins –Sandra and Ian live in Australiaand flew out to England to meetus. They did a 6 week tour ofEngland and met up with morefamily members who they are incontact with. Ancestry can putyou in contact with familymembers you never knew werethere. We are in contact withSandra and Ian all the time, withregular emails and the occasionalSkype.
It was Chris who asked ifwould like to do an Ancestrygroup, I was unsure at first andsaid I would think about it.
“I decided I would give it a go,so had a meeting with Carla atBitmo Gate and now nearly 7months later the Group is goingreally well.
“It’s proved to be popular andnow runs for 2 sessions -mornings and afternoons on aMonday.”
Young Archaeologistsprobe the past
A new club for budding Young Archaeologists hasbeen launched for children interested inarchaeology, history and exploring the past.
During the sessions children aged 8-16 get theopportunity to meet professional archaeologists, learnabout techniques to investigate sites, explore objectsfrom different periods in history and undertakeexperimental archaeology projects.
Leeds Young Archaeologist Club (YAC) has been setup following the very successful Middleton ParkHistory Detective Club,.
The Club is held on the third Saturday of everymonth, with the next session on 20 Dectember. Thesessions are held at Middleton Park Visitor Centre from10am-12pm, with the club costing only £6 for thewhole year. Children are welcome to come and trytheir first session for free but there are limited spacesso booking is essential to avoid disappointment.Contact Louise, Megan or Sarah [email protected] what we are up to on Facebook: Leeds YAC andTwitter: @YAC_Leeds.
Ancestry group goesback in time
South Leeds Life | December 2014www.southleedslife.com
Holbeck residents move tosave the Spotted Cow’s headThe derelict remains of the SpottedCow Inn stand slightly off the road onTop Moor Side in Holbeck.
Lining a popular thoroughfare into thecity, it looks like just anotheroverlooked building in the area.However, this was once a thriving 19thCentury public house, serving thecommunity and more recently footballsupporters. Since its fire in March 2007,the exposed skeletal roof has been leftcharred, giving shelter to wild growingbuddleia and pigeons cooping under thebeams.
Although the land is privately owned,it has been left unoccupied since beforethe fire (the present landowners haveno plans to renovate). Beneath thepeeling paint and broken windows, setabove the door frame, is the relief of thehead of the spotted cow. This sculpturalrelic is all that’s left of this crumblingpub. Perhaps the head symbolises somehistory too? Maybe it can evoke somememories of times gone by?
At a recent publicity group meetingfor the Holbeck Neighbourhood Plan,local resident Steve Peacock suggested
the idea ofsaving the headof the SpottedCow. The ideawould be todisplay itsomewhere inthe communityas a figureheadof Holbeck’sheritage.
I decided todo a bit ofrooting aroundwith localhistorians and‘Holbeck-ites’and I managed to piece together a‘s’potted public house history.
The Spotted Cow is listed in White’sDirectory 1837, landlord ThomasDobson. It was originally a Melbournebrewery but was then bought by Tetley.Eve Tidswell of Friends of HolbeckCemetery records that later in 1889,landlady Elizabeth Carr purchased agrave plot in 1889.
Local resident Phil Kirbyremembers ‘The Spotted Cow was thefirst pub I got drunk in’. His dad anduncle Tommy left him clinging to a lamp
post outside!Steve Peacock remembers it was a
popular pub on the crawl towardsElland Road on match days with footballsupporters. He also remembers using itas his local when he first moved into thearea in the 1980’s.
What does the Spotted Cow mean toyou? Could the sculpture of the head bean icon of the past but also lookforward to a bright future for Holbeck?
The pub is now being demolished, butthe cow’s head is to be saved.
by Lucy Potter
Let SLATE help with your Christmas furniture needs
There never seem to be enough chairs in the house whenthe family sits down to the Christmas turkey. SLATE, the feel good furniture shop, can help with aaffordable solution. The charity, which works with peoplewith learning difficulties, has been given 101 designerdining chairs and is selling them for just £15 each. Or just£12 if you bing this article to the shop beforeChristmas - that’s 20% off! The chairs have been donated by international furniturecompany Hillcross Furniture who make bespoke furniturefor the hotel and restaurant trade. Richard Barker who runsthe family firmsaid:“We are delightedto donate theseitems to theSLATE charityshop. Our onlyother option wasto send them tolandfill, but theseare qualityproducts anddeserve to beused again.”SLATE can also help with a great selection of dining andcoffee tables sofas, and other furniture.Call into the shop, just along from McDonalds on LowRoad, or call them on 0113 270 4005.
Visit our website: www.slateleeds.co.uk
Advertising feature
South Leeds Life | December 2014 www.southleedslife.com
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Local businesses help community club thrive again
Middleton Park Football Club met lastmonth to celebrate the support of ourSponsors and Local Councillors whoall turned up to meet the playersdespite the freezing wet conditions.
Children from aged 18 months to ouradult players all turned out to say thankyou to all the local businesses that haveshown us support over the past yearthrough several hard spells, including ourrecent break-in where the club lost over£3,000 worth of equipment. The club
now has over 200 members and boastssome of the best pitches in Leeds thanksto the development at Middleton LeisureCentre that was spearheaded by our localLabour councillors, Judith Blake, KimGroves and Paul Truswell.
The photo shows players, coaches andmanagers with club sponsors and localcouncillors. The club expressed its thanksto UK Car Parking Services (UKCPS),McDonalds (Hunslet), ASDA Middletonand the Councillors for taking the time
out to visit us on a Saturday. They alsothanked sponsors who couldn’t make it:Clear Choice cleaning contracts, ReidServices, Regency Plumbing, GeorgeMorgan design & build, BEST Clothing(Trinity Centre) and EDI Solutions.Thanks to all the local businesses thatsupported the club.
Club Secretary, Wayne Dixon said:“We are always looking for businesses
to support the club financially as the clubhas a £50,000 a year expenditure bill.
These businesses have been verygenerous and hopefully they will continueto support us and encourage morebusinesses to join them.”
The Club is now looking for sponsorsand players for several teams. ContactWayne on 07852 311717 or [email protected] to getinvolved.
Going back to about Febru-ary this year I joined theParkrun team at CrossFlatts Park. Here is mystory.
Parkruns are all over thecountry; ones in Leeds areCross Flatts, Roundhay Park,Temple Newsam Park and
Hyde Park.They all start on Saturday
morning at 9am local time. IfI’ve not remembered anymore in Leeds, my apologies.
The parkruns are all organ-ised by volunteers, who mar-shal and collate informationafterwards to give you a plac-ing and time.
Someone told me there arealso Parkruns in Oz and NewZealand.
The Runs were to help meto lose weight and be fitterthan I usually am.
My best time is 44 minutesand worst 51 minutes. Quiteoften will look at my stopwatch on final 200 yards orso, and run that to try andkeep under a certain time.Sometimes it works, some-times like last week wentover the 50 minutes by 6 sec-onds when I wanted to beunder that.
Despite puling a calf mus-cle, hamstring, going and get-ting the biggest blister myPodiatrist has ever seen, Icontinue to do the runs.
Well I say do run. I usuallyrun about a mile and walk theremaining 2 miles.
I remember my first run,when Nikky walked roundwith me to show me theroute. It took some time toremember, which for othersmay have been easy, but notme, as I have early onset De-mentia.
The race is 5k or 3.1 Miles.This is the same for everypark run.
Twice instead of cutting into finish, carried on and didnearly 6k (3 laps) instead of 2and a half, and had to backtrack.
Once I cut a corner forwhich I was posted last(which was fair enough) in-stead of third from last.
My friend pointed out themistake. Today, I still don’tknow where I went wrong.
Anyway next run, Amandawho on Marshal Duty, walkedthe last mile with me to makesure I did not go off pisteagain. Thanks Amanda.
The Marshals are nowaware I might go off track andlook out for me.
I’m on I believe, my 29thrun this weekend. Lookingforward to my 50th run t-shirt. If I complete all my runs,should be about March nextyear.
Had some fun with the
runs and not so fun. When agentleman high on booze de-cided to run alongside of meas he could not catch up withothers. Told him to give mespace, whereupon he slunghis bag of beer onto my dam-aged knee. Ouch. He got afew verbals. He waited withhis polish mates to confrontme on next lap. Walking to-wards them, I suddenlyspeeded up and run pastthem. Ha Ha.
Couple of weeks after thatsame group, high five me atbottom of park and offeredme a can of beer. I said nothanks got some water, andran past them.
We also get many runnerscoming from other groups
paying us a visit.I remember Lucy, Nicola
and baby Poppy coming fromanother Parkrun and had acoffee in the café afterwards.Where I took some photos.
Going to take photos of allour half and full Marathonwinners, to go on slide showat annual Parkrun party andFacebook.
So Thanks for all your help,to Amanda, Jeny, Phil, Dianne,Karen, Betty, Christine, Nikky(laf) and many more, toomany to go through them all
Find out more atwww.parkrun.org.uk/cross-flatts..
Me and my Parkrunsby Kenneth Ingram
BeestonWanderersBeeston Wanderers are anopen age group of youngpeople aged 14 to 19 yearsold; who live, train and playfootball for fun in SouthLeeds.
They are so-named as theydo not have their own groundand wander around Beestonplaying football on any greenspace they can find. The team ismade up of players whosefamilies come from differentcorners of the world –Romania, Zimbabwe, Portugaland Pakistan. The lads havenow become an integral partof the local community inSouth Leeds and with theirlove of the football means theyfit right into team.
Their manager Mazhar isnow looking for sponsorship,to pay for a club strip andrental for a pitch in Beeston,so they can train and enter theteam into a league.
For more infomation contactMazhar on 07821 981582.
