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Life
Issue 1 Autumn 2011

South Leeds

YOUR COMMUNITY MAGAZINE FOR COTTINGLEY, BEESTON, BELLE ISLE, HOLBECK, HUNSLET & MIDDLETON

YOU'RE LOOKING GOOD, HOLBECK & BEESTON! We need your photographs, so get snapping! ASIAN WOMEN'S GROUP in Race For Life THE BIG ISSUES What next for Hunslet Cemetery & South Leeds Sports Centre?
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Welcome to South Leeds Life!

By John Baron

About South Leeds Life Editor: John Baron Contributors: Christie Andrews, Dawn Austwick, Emma Bearman, Hilary Benn, Leanne Buchan, Toshal Bhatia, Vikrant Bhatia, The Bridge group members (Ian, Alan, Janet and Michael), Lucy Chadwick, Michelle Cunningham, Gosia Denham, Leanne Drinkall, Dave Florence, Angela Gabriel, Al Garthwaite, Sherriden Hall, Lynn Hill, Gillian Holding, Phil Kirby, Richard Lancaster, Tahira Latif, Lindsay Macgregor, Shabana Mohammed, Jeremy Morton, Mahboob Nazir, Alia Nessa, Stephen Peacock, Carol-Ann Reed, Jayne Rodgers, Kylie Rumney, Kathryn Scarr, Alan Shaw, Jason Slack, South Leeds Youth Hub members (Caitlin Wilson, Shelleyanne Elliott , Rachel Lyons and Chelsea Laycock), Cath Stone and Richard Weaver. Contact

Have you thought about running your own business? Are you looking for a new office space or a venue to run a community group?
Tenants Hall Enterprise Centre is an exciting new facility in the heart of Middleton It includes: * Affordable hotdesking facility from only 5.25 an hour * Meeting rooms, hall and multi-purpose room all available for hire * On-site business advice and support For further information contact Judith Hickman / Kathryn Scarr, Health for All on 0113 2706 6903, email judith.hickman@healthforall.org.uk / kathryn.scarr@healthforall.org.uk or visit www.healthforall.org.uk

Hello and welcome to this first-ever issue of South Leeds Life, a new community magazine which provides a guide to news, views and events in YOUR community. Theres such a lot going on in the area!

INSIDE GUIDE

Youre Looking Good Beeston and Holbeck! Join in our new photographic project - we want your photos! Pages 4-5 On the run with the Race for Life Bangladeshi womens group Kushy Dil raise money to help beat cancer Page 9 Residents continue Beeston sports centre fight Whats the latest in the Splashback campaign? Page 15 Family Matters in South Leeds Check out our four-page pull-out on intensive family support Pages 19-22 Parks Pride Join our campaign to support local parks, including Middleton Pages 24-25 Summer of fun - in pictures Photos of events in Cottingley, Belle Isle, Beeston and Holbeck Pages 30-31 Cafe cultures alive and well Belle Isles got a terrific community cafe! Page 33

Our aim is simple - to increase peoples access to the dozens of local groups, organisations and services (our unsung heroes and heroines) and to highlight the areas community spirit at its best. Were here to give you a voice and help you tell your story - and to celebrate your achievements and champion members of the community who get things done. This is YOUR magazine and we want your contributions, be they articles, photographs or ideas - South Leeds Life can only be as good as you make it. This magazines been a long time coming - the need for a community newspaper or magazine was first mooted some 15 years ago by myself and Beeston resident John Hardy. In 1999 I produced, with Health For All, a pilot copy of a community newspaper called the South Leeds Independent and we did a second pilot in 2001. A few years later we produced the South Leeds Free Press community newspaper which some of you may remember. Finally were here with South Leeds Life, showing that with a bit of patience and a lot of persistence, even the longest held dreams can come true.

The blog - www.southleedslife. wordpress.com - brings you the very latest news and information about whats going on in our community. Back to our first issue, and were showing our support for all the wonderful events in our local parks and the fantastic work of voluntary organisations like Friends of Middleton Park and Friends of Cross Flatts Park with our Park Pride campaign. Were also previewing the opening of the new Tenants Hall Enterprise Centre in Middleton. Were also casting our eyes over two important campaigns in the area - to reopen South Leeds Sports Centre in Beeston and for improvements at Hunslet Cemetery. The fantastic community work at the Hardy Street mosque is celebrated, as are the achievements of the Kushy Dil womens group and the Asian ladies whove set up their own allotment plots to grow their own. Oh, and I do hope youll join in with the Looking Good Holbeck and Beeston project - we want your positive photos of the area and the people who live in it.

Telephone: 0113 270 6903 Write: John Baron, Health for All, 2 Acre Road, Middleton LS10 4LF Email: john.baron@healthforall. org.uk Social Media Twitter: @southleedslife Blog: www.southleedslife. wordpress.com Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/ southleedslife/ South Leeds Life magazine is published quarterly by the South Leeds Information Project - a project which is managed by Health for All, a community health development organisation working in partnership with local people to improve their communities. Any views expressed in this magazine are those of the individuals and/or groups concerned and do not reflect the views of Health For All or its staff. South Leeds Life magazine is independent from all political parties and adheres to the Press Complaints Commissions code of conduct. We try our best to avoid mistakes, but occasionally they may slip through due to the hectic production process. It is our policy to correct or clarify any mistakes or factual errors in the next available issue.

To tell us what you think about South Leeds Life (or to contribute to the next issue), contact John Baron on 270 6903, email john. baron@healthforall.org.uk or via twitter @johncbaron - Ill be glad You may also wish to take a look to hear from you. at the South Leeds Life blog, which is written by a team of volunteer local people and groups.
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South Leeds Life

Youre Looking Good, Holbeck and Beeston!

By Leanne Buchan, Phil Kirby and John Baron

Looking Good Holbeck & Beeston is a new project which aims to use photography to show our community and its people in a good light.
Leanne Buchan - oh, and there are pictures from David Foster on an Urban Gardening Weekend at Shafton Lane Allotments to inspire you too. The project is part of a city-wide initiative started by photography group Exposure Leeds (there are also Looking Goods in Armley, Bramley and Chapeltown). There are no editors or specific agendas, just volunteers to help maintain the website and to help you share your photographs. So if theres a great gem hiding away in Holbeck that youd like to shine a light on or bustling community in Beeston you think needs to be highlighted get in thing you like as long as its local where you can share your pho- touch with one of us at the folto Holbeck and Beeston. tos. We hope to put on an exhibi- lowing addresses: Perhaps youre interested in tion, too. John Baron: john.baron@ the different religions and cul- The Bridge group for people healthforall.org.uk or telephone tures, or youre a member of one with learning disabilities at Hol- 0113 270 6903 of the many community groups beck Community Centre has Phil Kirby: phil@philkirby.net in the area, or perhaps its the already got involved. A group areas history that captures your toured around Holbeck Urban Leanne Buchan: leanne.buimagination. Whatever it is, this is Village, the moor and around St chan@locateinleeds.co.uk a chance for you to show a differ- Matthews Community Centre ent side to your local community. taking pictures of parts of HolThe Holbeck & Beeston project beck they liked. And weve got is being launched with the help photographs of Holbeck Gala by

Members of The Bridge group for adults with learning disabilities have taken some photographs for the Looking Good Holbeck and Beeston project - and already have some of the photos on the wall of their Holbeck Community Centre base. Some of their photos of Holbeck are printed on this page. This is what some members had to say about their group and community...
Ian, from Cottingley I really like my community. I like the people and I have good neighbours. I am friends with the community police officers Jon and Dave. At The Bridge I like playing pool and snooker but especially football and tag rugby. I am a big Leeds United and Leeds Rhinos fan. On a Friday I go to the United Bar for pie and peas. I am also a member of the walking group and on Mondays I enjoy boxercise. I enjoy having a cup of tea with my friends here. I am good friends with Wasim, who owns the shop next door to the centre. I go there quite a lot. Wasim brought his family to our recent open day. Alan, from Hunslet I really like living in this area and I like The Bridge. I like drama and took part in a radio drama project that we recorded at South Leeds Community Radio. We wrote our own scripts for two one-act plays and helped to compose a jingle. I also like playing football and I go to Elland Road to watch Leeds United. I have a girlfriend, Leanne, and Im also a committee member of a learning disabilities forum, where I can make my views known. Janet, from Meanwood Arts and crafts are what I enjoy most. At the Bridge I have decorated mugs and T-shirts, made table decorations and worked on a group mosaic and bunting for our open day in July. I also enjoy working on my scrapbook and baking. I bake most weeks with my friend Linda who I look forward to seeing every Tuesday at The Bridge. We have a good catch up. I am baking lemon drizzle cake at the moment. We taste it here and then take some of it home which I like. I have been married for six years to Paul and I work at St Annes cleaning the kitchen. I do my own housework and ironing, I hoover my own bedroom and do the dusting. Michael, from Cottingley I like being on the computer a lot. I also enjoy nia (a form of movement, with elements of tai chi) and I like doing the karate chop while Im doing it. I also enjoy the Tuesday walking group, boxercise and arts and crafts. On Fridays I play football then go to the United Bar in Holbeck for pie and peas. Contributors to Looking Good Local residents and groups who have already taken part in the project and have photos printed on this page include: John Baron, Jonathan Bliss, Leanne Buchan, The Bridge group, David Foster, Alison Neale and Mark Rivers. Why not join in yourself? Its open to all! Phone John Baron on 270 6903 or email john.baron@healthforall.org.uk

It aims to give a face to a great community often dogged by a poor (and outdated) reputation and provide a real view of local people and places. Looking Good is about showing what the people who live and work in the area are proud of, a snapshot of daily life and what is genuinely unique about the places we live. And we want YOU to get involved. Help, support and equipment can be provided, so dont worry if youre not the worlds best photographer - neither are we!

of volunteers Beeston resident and blogger Phil Kirby, South Leeds Life magazine editor and journalist John Baron and council Anyone can take part in Looking officer Leanne Buchan (formerly Good Holbeck & Beeston, from promoting the Holbeck Urban professional photographers in- Village project). spired by architecture and nature Theres already a website - www. in the area to local residents and lookinggoodleeds.org.uk/holgroups who want to share their beck-beeston/ - with pictures story, and businesses trading in posted on it and a group pool the area. The subject can be any- on photo sharing website Flickr

South Leeds Life

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South Leeds Life

Dennis has Holbeck in his heart

NEWS IN BRIEF
By John Baron

Youth hubs a summer sizzler

The South Leeds Youth Hub is an exciting new facility built especially for young people in the south Leeds area.
Built on the site of the old Merlyn Rees high school in Belle Isle, the Hub provides young people from all of south Leeds with somewhere to go, something to do, someone to talk to and something to say. The Hub is made up of seven zones, including a mechanics workshop, a hair and beauty salon, a state of the art recording studio and a performance and chill out zone. Local schools are already taking advantage of the fantastic facilities available and are hosting their off-site learning here. If we didnt go to the Hub we would get bored. We keep off the streets by going to the Hub.

Climb every mountain.. SOUTH LEEDS: Nine intrepid Health for All staff and supporters climbed the three highest peaks in Yorkshire in a 24-mile walk in less than 12 hours, earning themselves membership of the exclusive Three Peaks of Yorkshire club, writes Dave Florence. They did this to promote healthy activities and to raise funds for Health for All and raised about 200. Well done Emily Godfrey, Richard Lancaster, Ajay Sharma, Richard Weaver, Rupert Limon, Gavin Parker, Jan and Mark Brookes and Vicky Bradshaw. Watch the video: www.southleedslife.wordpress. com/2011/07/31/video-walkersjoin-exclusive-three-peaks-ofyorkshire-club/ Residents have a voice BEESTON: A new residents forum has been launched over the summer by local people. Beeston Hill Residents Voice first met in June and now meets the first Tuesday of every month at Building Blocks on Tempest Road (7pm). Schools good report BELLE ISLE: Clapgate Primary School on Cranmore Drive has had a very successful Ofsted report, which has recognised the many strengths at the school. Also recognised was outstanding provision at foundation stage, good and outstanding teaching and that all children make good progress while at the school.

When Holbeck resident Dennis Kitchen retired recently, there was no sign of him taking things easy.
Community-spirited Dennis, whos lived in the area for more than 20 years, now gives up two days a week as a volunteer helping out with local group Menspace, which encourages local men to get out into the community and make a difference.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Mast opposition BEESTON: Members of Beeston Forum have opposed plans for a 17.5m high mobile phone mast with six antennae and equipment cabinets at the edge of Cross Flatts Park. O2/VodaFone have submitted the application for a mast on the footpath at the edge of the park on Beeston Road, near its junction with Parkfield Avenue. The planning reference number is 11/03023. The forum meets the first Thursday of the month at Beeston Village Community Centre. Visit: www. beestonforum.btck.co.uk/ Special on menu BELLE ISLE: The community cafe at Belle Isle Family Centre offers a pensioners special every Wednesday. It costs 3.50 for a main course, pudding and tea/ coffee. You can also meet new friends at the Friday luncheon club, which also costs 3.50. The centre is underneath St John and St Barnabas Church. Contact 2774819. Womens keep fit BELLE ISLE & BEESTON: Women-only salsa and keep fit classes for all ages are being held in Belle Isle and Beeston each week. Monday sessions are at the South Leeds Youth Hub in Belle Isle (5.15-6.15pm) and the Thursday classes are at St Marys Church Hall, Beeston, 6pm-7pm. More details from Ajay on 0798 4386236. Voice of Holbeck HOLBECK: A residents group which encourages local people to get more involved in their community meets on the last Thursday of every month. Voice of Holbeck meets at Cleveleys Court at 7pm. All welcome. Up for a cuppa? MIDDLETON: A monthly coffee morning is held on the second Wednesday of every month at Middleton Methodist Church, Hopewell View, 10am-noon. Pop in and have a cuppa.

their own with them to give the rest of the family South Leeds Life caught up with Dennis whos a break. It brings a different aspect to peoples lives also been involved with Holbeck in Bloom and and I enjoy helping out there. Voice of Holbeck groups as he worked on building a raised flower-cum-vegetable bed at Holbeck Dennis said that Menspace has been running Community Centre on Elland Road. He was work- since January and deals with mens health issues. ing ahead of the national In Bloom judges visiting He added: Holbeck to judge the areas floral displays. Typically many men are stressed and depressed if I really enjoy doing things in my own community theyre out of work. Menspace is an outlet to meet and trying to make a bit of a difference, he said. other men and do some light outdoor work. Menspace encourages people to take part in out- For more information on Menspace, contact Richard Lancaster on 0793 1659434. side activities and meet other like-minded men. We have got a plot at Lady Pit Lane allotments Breaking news: Health for All has been awarded a which we use regularly and we meet every Sat- grant of 96,000 over three years from the Henry urday morning at Two Willows. Fathers can bring Smith Charitable Trust, with assistance from Leeds their kids to the creche or spend a little time on Community Foundation, to support the work of Menspace.

The youth workers are a laugh but keep us on the straight and narrow. They give us information on loads of things such as getting a job, revision techThe summer has been a busy time for the Hub, with niques, alcohol and drug awareness. local young people accessing activities in dance, music, mechanics, hair & beauty and sports. We Caitlin Wilson age 13 also hosted our first performance with Glee Club Shelleyanne Elliott age 16 at the Hub and a Summer Sizzler outdoor gala. Rachel Lyons age 18 The Hub will be running after school sessions in dance (in association with DAZL), music, arts & crafts, sports, hair and beauty from 16th September. Dont miss out! Book your place on 0113 3367773. Chelsea Laycock age 17 Built and owned by Leeds City Council and paid for by the Big Lottery Fund, as part of the Myplace programme, the South Leeds Youth Hub is a Youth Service led project working in partnership Heres what young people think: with Health for All Leeds, 4Children, NHS Leeds, The Hub is a fantastic place for young people to go. Land Securities, and Hunslet Boys and Girls Club. We go a couple of times a week and really enjoy it. Details of all the Hubs sessions can be found on the We do loads of things such as cooking, sports, art, website www.southleedshub.org.uk. You can also beauty treatments, dance mats, chill out, Xbox Kin- follow us on facebook or twitter (@southleedshub). nect, pool, table tennis, skate ramps and trips out. We get all of this for 30p a session!

Inspired to dig for success

Taking part in outdoor projects with Menspace has inspired one local man to set up his own business.
Kenneth Cullingworth, 23, and his friend Michael are hoping to set up a gardening business after being inspired by some of the activities at Menspace. Kenneth told South Leeds Life: We did some work up at Middleton Family Centre and in Belle Isle there was a lot to do at Middleton and I really enjoyed doing it, there was a big improvement at Its all come through Menspace, theyve really the centre at the end of it so I thought about set- helped me. ting up a business. Kenneth, who also helped to build a wall at the I enjoyed cutting the grass and I felt good that front of Holbeck Community Centre during his Id done something good thats giving something time with Menspace, has been distributing leaflets in the community to advertise his services. back to the community. Thats right, you could be writing for South Leeds Life magazine or providing video for the online blog. Or we can help you set up your own blog, Facebook page, YouTube channel or twitter account to allow you or your group the chance to tell your story. We can help you to tell your story whether its sharing your life as a carer, youre trying to lose weight or quit smoking, or whether you want to let other people know whats going on in your community.

Glee-ful song and dance at hub

By Lucy Chadwick

The South Leeds Youth Hub hosted an amazing evening of song, dance and live music with the Glee Club at the Hub performance on Thursday 11th August.
The South Leeds Youth Hub hosted an amazing evening of song, dance and live music with the Glee Club at the Hub performance on Thursday The atmosphere on the evening was electric with the audience fully supporting and appreciating 11th August. the young performers with claps and cheers of Talented young people from across south Leeds encouragement. came together to create an unforgettable evening The young peoples confidence grew with each of entertainment. performance and the final applause brought the After a full week of rehearsals under the direction house down. of Dazl and You Can Rock, the young people put on a fantastic performance showcasing songs from Glee Club at the Hub will continue with sessions the TV series for an audience of over 150 people starting on 16th September with another perforfrom the community and local Councillors Judith mance scheduled for December. Blake, Kim Groves and Neil Dawson. Young people interested in joining the Club should Glee Club at the Hub were supported by dance contact the Hub on 0113 3367773 for further ingroups from Dazl including Junior Hip Hop and Mini formation. Dont stop believing Pom boys group and live local band Cryptic Shift.

Everyone has a story to tell!

YOU could be a community reporter!

We can offer you all support, equipment, training and help you need.
If you or your group is interested, contact John Baron on 0113 2706903 or email john.baron@healthforall.org.uk for a friendly and informal chat.

Connect and share your experiences with others and with other communities.

South Leeds Life

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South Leeds Life

Public meeting hears new police HQ plans

A community cafe run by local residents could open at a planned new divisional headquarters for Holbeck police.
would be no such problems at - Its a great idea for a community cafe in the ownership of the Elland Road. He also floated the community. The building needs idea of setting up a cafe run by to be welcoming and accessible the community at the site. for all including disabled peoThe station would have 40 cells, ple. Perhaps a small group of 416 parking spaces and a comdisabled residents and commumunity cafe. There would be one nity representatives could form entrance for the public and anan expert advisory group? Chief Supt Mark Milsom, divi- other for offenders signing bail. sional commander for City and Here are some of the comments - The possible designs look like the worst example of 1970s Holbeck, said the new site was made at the meeting by local comprehensive school design. as near as perfect for the force residents: as it had good road links, would - It needs to be a building thats help police Leeds United games - Does it have to be ultra-modinviting for local people. ern? Can it not just be a buildbetter and bring together a range ing that is landscaped and not - You should take a look at The of services under one roof. Greenhouse development in too OTT? Modern buildings Milsom acknowledged that HolBeeston Road. It is a modern, are great on Canary Wharf beck police probably werent cutting-edge eco-building and but were talking about Heath good neighbours at their current there are facets there that could Road in Beeston and 1930s Burton Road site because a lack be used. semis were not after awards, of parking meant an overspill into just a functional, welcoming Despite some quibbles, most neighbouring roads, but there building. people at the meeting seemed A packed public meeting was told that multi-million pound proposals to transform the old greyhound track site off Elland Road would be in an ideal position to offer a better service to local residents, and would lead to better crime detection rates. to show little major opposition to the proposal. A detailed planning scheme is expected to be submitted to the council by November this year. The current Holbeck Police Station, on Burton Road, would be sold. - WATCH the police video about the proposals over at South Leeds Life blog: www.southleedslife. wordpress.com/2011/07/10/ community-cafe-plan-for-newholbeck-police-hq/ - LETTER: The need for proper public consultation over the proposed development of land near Elland Road is the subject of an open letter by Beeston Forum.Check it out: www. s o u t h l e e d s l i f e . w o rd p re s s . com/2011/08/10/letter-frombeeston-forum-on-ellandroad-development/

Kushy Dil ladies enjoy Race For Life

By Toshal Bhatia

NEWS IN BRIEF

A group of Asian women from south Leeds have put their best foot forward and taken part in the Race For Life at Temple Newsam.

Morrisons shopping trips HOLBECK: Do you have problems with your shopping? Holbeck Elderly Aid (HEA) might be able to help with a scheme to help older and disabled people with their shopping at Hunslet Morrisons. HEA has a fully accessible minibus, suitable for wheelchair users, and can provide door to door pick ups and drop offs for 3. More information on 245 5553. Clean slate HUNSLET: Feel-good furniture shop Slate is now based in Low Road, Hunslet for all your quality used furniture, TVs, electricals and beds at bargain prices. It opens 9.30am-4pm Monday to Saturday. Call 270 4005 for details. Vision to improve area BELLE ISLE: Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation (BITMO) wants to work for a neighbourhood that has opportunities for residents to be involved directly in how services are managed, that has Belle Isle as a place where people want to live and that has properties of quality. Tenant participation is important to BITMO - call Lynne Spirrett on 214 1825 or check out www. belleisletmo.co.uk. Funky fun bus SOUTH LEEDS: Eduplays funky fun bus is available for hire. The double decker bus is ideal for creche provision, community events, galas, promotion events, weddings and galas. It features a dance floor, music, karaoke and disco lights, mirrors and a maze, a ball pool and slide, noughts and crosses and biff n boff bags. More information on 0113 277 8965. Massive lunch MIDDLETON: About 300 people turned up to the Miggys Massive Lunch event, at Middleton Primary School. Food and refreshments were provided, along with activities for young children such as face painting, bouncy castle, karaoke singing and den building.

The group increases the ladies confidence, self esteem and helps them with information to access services they might not know are available to them, such as health checks, childcare and more. The group is mainly for Bangladeshi women, but as people bring their friends to the group there are The women had trained for the event with a walk- more and more women coming who arent necessarily Bangladeshi. ing group in Cross Flatts Park. Members of the Kushy Dil - Bangladeshi womens group - took part in the summer event to raise money to help beat cancer. A number of women in the group have had relatives suffer from the condition and wanted to raise money to support the charity Cancer Research. Members of Kushy Dil - which translates into happy heart - regularly take part in activities including healthy cooking sessions from different cultures, arts and crafts as well as exercise like walking or zumba. Kushy Dil meets Monday afternoons, 1-3pm at the Building Blocks off Tempest Road, Beeston. For more information, contact Thamina Begum on 0798 4101394 or 271 7231.

Standing in the place where we live

By Michelle Cunningham

The place where I live isnt physically bound Its the place where the love and the laughter is found
South Leeds Youth Theatre had an exciting end of term by performing at West Yorkshire Playhouse in their original play called stand in the place where you live. We had 350 people in the audience so it was a real buzz. We rehearsed from January until the performance on 14th July, exploring our thoughts and feelings about what our play title means.

South Leeds Youth Theatre meets every Wednesday, term time only at New Bewerley Primary, Bismark Drive, Beeston. 7-12yrs Our piece explores what its like meet 4.30-6pm and 12-19yrs to live in South Leeds; things meet 6-8pm. we see, hear and do: more im- We are free provision and all portantly we explore how all groups are run by professional our own experiences create the theatre makers. We go on trips place we live. We used personal such as the theatre, ice skating, stories, sounds and images as our rock climbing, cinema and bowlinspiration and worked with the ing. young people whose names and If you would like further informany others who were not on mation, please contact Michelle stage tonight. or Sara on 0780 709 1835 or email youththeatresleeds@yahoo.co.uk
8 South Leeds Life www.southleedslife.wordpress.com

Pupils remember greenfingered Janette

By Jeremy Morton The following article originally appeared in the Yorkshire Evening Post. I am a governor at New Bewerley and although the commemoration was a while ago I was reminded of Janettes great contribution to school at the end of year assembly.

It was an emotional day when pupils, parents, teachers and governors dedicated a special memorial bench in the garden which she loved. A collection was held to raise money for the bench, with pupils writing special letters about their memories of Mrs Parker to go with their donations.

Teacher and friend Georgina Barnes, who went to University with Mrs Parker, paid an emotional tribute to the inclusion assistant describing her as a witty, intelligent woman. She said She gave so much time and patience to the children she supAs part of her work as a teaching assistant, Janette ported. They grew to love her. The gardening club Parker encouraged her pupils to take an interest which would never have been established without in gardening. Mrs Parker sadly lost her six month her help and commitment still flourishes today. battle with cancer last July, but the gardening club I truly miss this wonderful woman with whom I at New Bewerley Community School in Beeston spent many happy times she gave me laughter which she founded continues to flourish. and kindness. We were truly lucky and blessed to have known this lady.
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NEWS IN BRIEF

Mosque opens its doors to wider community

Words by John Baron and Mahboob Nazir Photographs: Mahboob Nazir

Owzat! Park cricket match bats for unity

Photographs: Mahboob Nazir

NEWS IN BRIEF

Cross Ingrams meeting HOLBECK: Cross Ingrams Area Residents Association (CIARA) held its AGM at the Ingram Gardens Community Centre on Tuesday 13 September. Discussions included vehicle crime, metal theft, prostitution, highways, library provision, allotment vandalism, SouthLeeds Sports Centre and the PFI. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 22 November. Contact for CIARA is Steve Peacock at stpeacock@ btinternet.com Polishing up on Polish HOLBECK: Holbeck Neighbourhood Policing Team are polishing up their Polish skills to build better links with the local community. Police officers and PCSOs are having free language lessons from police volunteer Maggie Wiercigroch to ensure they can communicate with the growing Polish community living in the area. Youth activities MIDDLETON: Want somewhere to go and something to do? If you enjoy music, dance, sports, arts and crafts or just want to chill with your mates? Friday Night Project at Middleton Sports Centre. Ages eight to 13 years meet 8-7.30pm, 12 to 18 years meet 7.30-9pm. Details 276 0837. Everyday support for women BEESTON: Women Making Choices is a group which sees women from the local community supporting each other with everyday issues. It runs Tuesdays (10am-noon) at the Two Willows Childrens Centre in Cardinal Square. It costs 1 a week and includes breakfast and a creche. More details on 2709432. Crime and grime BEESTON HILL: Residents attending a Beeston Hill Residents Voice meeting have marked on large-scale maps the locations of crime and grime issues in the area - they will be used to check hotspots for these issues.

A Beeston Hill Mosque is operating an open door policy and welcoming the wider community.

Cross Flatts Park in Beeston was the setting for a special game of interfaith and intergenerational cricket as families from all faiths, ages and different backgrounds came to the park to play together.
One of the organisers, Mahboob Nazir from the Jamia Masjid Abu Huraira Mosque in Hardy Street, said: The aim of the event was to bring the community together. The aim of this project was to use sports and other leisure activities as a method of engagement for disconnected communities, creating safe spaces where commonalities can be shared and differences can to be respected. The event, which included a parent and children match, a competition, bouncy castle and free refreshments, was a partnership with the Kashmiri Muslim Welfare Association (KMWA) at the Hardy Street mosque, Yorkshire Cricket Board, Hamara Centre, Leeds Jewish Representative Council, Together For Peace, HYIP, West Yorkshire Police and was supported by local councillors.

Hamaras community cafe BEESTON HILL: Hamara in Tempest Road has a community cafe where people can enjoy good-quality food. It runs Monday to Friday, 11.30am1pm. More details on 277 3330 or email admin@hamara.co.uk. From its humble beginnings in a small office with two part time staff working solely on one project, Hamara has grown to be the largest ethnic minority organisation in the voluntary and community sector in Leeds. WMCs 100 years BEESTON: Having seen four monarchs and 22 prime ministers come and go, Rowland Road Working Mens Club is celebrating its 100th birthday this year. The club still opens seven evenings and three afternoons a week and it is hoped that a new housing development under way nearby will bring new members to replace those who have sadly passed away or moved from the area. Warrior art BELLE ISLE: Join Tai Jutsu, the warrior art of self defence, to help build confidence, improve fitness and lose weight. It runs at South Leeds Youth Hub alongside Shotokan karate from 6pm to 7pm every Wednesday. Details 0796 3502424. Saved by the Bell HUNSLET: After receiving a report that the old school bell had been stolen at Hunslet Childrens Centre PCSO Sarah Holman contacted local scrap dealers, Morley Waste Traders in Pepper Road who have very kindly donated an old pub bell to the centre. Garden help for elderly HOLBECK: Do you need help with your garden? If so, Holbeck Elderly Aid might be able to help. For further information contact Lesley at HEA on 245 5553. Gala contact HUNSLET: To contact Hunslet Gala, use the exclusive enquiry line 0845 475 2041 (local rates apply) or 0113 2177781. 2012s gala could be held on the last Saturday in June.

The people at Jamia Masjid Abu Huraira Mosque in Hardy Street are working hard to ensure that the facilities are not just open to the areas large South Asian population, but also to people of all backgrounds, religions and ethnicities.

we should be celebrating our commonalities rather than focusing on our differences.

Mahboob said the young Imam, Qari Muhammed Sajaad Rumi, is a huge asset to the organisation and uses prayer times to talk to young people Recent events include talks from diabetes experts, about their social and ethical responsibilities. how to save energy in the home and a visit from When the English Defence League were marchcouncil officers to discuss problems with litter and ing through the city centre, we partnered with the anti-social behaviour. The Mosque also hosted a council and the police and put on a free event for joint Christmas/Eid party last December and this the whole community - Asians, whites and blacks summer has held charity car washes. An arts and - with free food, PlayStations, sumo-wrestling and craft group meets every Saturday morning. five-a-side football with the local police. This was School pupils and teachers are also regular visitors diversionary event to keep people away from the to the Mosque to learn about what it means to be tension area and prevent them from getting into any kind of trouble. a Muslim. There are three strands to the facilities on Hardy Mahboob also said Islam teaches us to respect Street - a Mosque, a community centre and a Com- other religions. The Mosque is also part of the munity School (also known as a Madrasa in Arabic). Beeston Hill Faith Trail, which sees people of difKMWAs vice chairman, Mahboob Nazir, leading ferent faiths visit their places of worship, including on the Community and Social Activities, said: the local Church and the Sikh Gurdwara, and learn Mosques play an important role in their local com- about different religions and cultures. munities, not only as centres for religious worship for Muslims, they also play a role in supporting local volunteering, social activity, social justice campaigns and supporting local economies since they provide a focal point for donations and giving and these support the less fortunate in society. The Mosque, which was set up 25 years ago after converting an old flour mill owned by the Co-op, has plans to expand its facilities further down Tempest Road, off Stratford Street/Lodge Lane.

Mahboob said he would welcome contact with anyone in the community. He can be reached on He added: My role is to bring down the barri- 0113 2718050 or emailed at gooddeeds@live. ers that people may feel towards a Mosque or the co.uk Islamic faith. I believe we are one community and

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Community spirit shines through with cemetery clean-up

A community has joined together in support of their historic cemetery by organising a community clean-up of the local landmark.
Hunslet Cemetery was treated to the clean-up by the cemeterys dedicated community action group, Friends & Relatives of Hunslet Cemetery. The group were joined in their efforts by local councillor, Geoff Driver, and the councils Parks & Countryside department. Councillor Geoff Driver (Middleton Park) said: The Friends group has done a fantastic job of looking after this cemetery and they can be extremely proud of their efforts. We hope that there will be regular events of this kind throughout the year and we are always on the look-out for new The Friends have more than volunteers to lend a helping 1,200 followers on their Facehand. book page, and an online petiThe Friends group is aiming to re- tion which currently has more store the cemetery to its former than 400 signatures calling for glory and recently held a passion- more security and maintenance ate meeting to give people a say in the cemetery - can be found about the improvements theyd here: www.gopetition.com/petilike to see at the vandal-hit cem- tion/38643.html etery.

New enterprise centre is just the business!

By Kathryn Scarr and John Baron

NEWS IN BRIEF

Have you ever thought about running your own business?

Want to turn a hobby or interest into something more? Do you have an existing business that could benefit from some help and support? Leeds council has pledged to work closely with the group. Rothwell Neighbourhood Policing Team recently made five young people clean up Hunslet Cemetery after they were found damaging gravestones. Tenants Hall Enterprise Centre is a 1.6 million state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Middleton which offers an exciting opportunity for new and existing businesses in the local area. If youre considering working for yourself and would benefit from some additional advice and support then the new Centre could be just what you are looking for. The Centre, which is owned by Leeds City Council and run by Health for All, will be officially opened by MP HiIlary Benn and Leeds City Council leader Keith Wakefield on 28th October 2011. conferences. There is also a multi-purpose room complete with kitchenette, toilets and an outdoor area which is also for hire. Judith Hickman, Enterprise Operations Manager for Health for All comments: The new centre will enable enterprise to play a key role in Middleton and south Leeds. The facilities will provide the perfect space to enable local people to come together and support each other through community groups whilst also accessing external services.

Improving the Cottingley estate COTTINGLEY: The Holbeck Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) and partners are aiming to improve the Cottingley estate by tackling issues affecting the quality of life of local residents. The Cottingley Closer Communities project kicked off with a community cleanup, and will focus on crime, grime, housing and environmental issues across the whole estate for six months. There will also be monthly community meetings at Cottingley Tenants and Residents Association, at Cottingley Primary School, on the first Monday of every month. The first one is on Monday, 3 October. Takeaway concerns DEWSBURY ROAD: A local councillor is calling for no more fast food takeaways in an area of Dewsbury Road, following a recent planning application for a new premises. Councillor Angela Gabriel strongly opposed the planning application requesting the change of use of a shop unit to become a hot food take away on a parade of shops close to the Broadway pub. She said there were already too many takeaways, which affect the character of the area. Police drop-in sessions COTTINGLEY: Got a local problem with crime or antisocial behaviour? Holbeck NPT drop-in sessions will be held at Cottingley Childrens Centre on 5 October, 9.30am to 11am). Go on, keep fit! BELLE ISLE: Women-only keep fit classes for people any age run at South Leeds Youth Hub in Middleton Road every Monday, 5.15pm-6.15pm. Donations welcome or just turn up. Details 271 7231. Back on track MIDDLETON: Middleton Railway is back up and running as normal following disruption caused by thieves earlier this summer. Hundreds of people attended the recent railway autumn fair. More details at www.middletonrailway.org.uk

Ten up on the Cardinals

Members of a youth club in south Leeds have celebrated their organisations 10th birthday with the wider community
A street celebration, which was held in Cardinal Square, included stalls from local organisations including Beeston in Bloom, a Bedouin tent, and bouncy castles, It also leads a campaign against slides, a stock which saw wet guns, knives and violence with its sponges thrown at PCSOs and a TAGS campaign. The Cardinal Youth Club in host of other attractions. Beeston was set up by communi- The Youth Club provides activi- For more information, contact ty campaigner Yvonne Crowther ties including IT, sports, arts and Yvonne on 0113 2762020. on the Cardinal Estate back in crafts and advice on health and 2001. lifestyle issues.

The Tenants Hall Enterprise Centre has been developed for the people of Middleton, so we would welcome peoples views on how we can build on the centre and the provision of services for the Situated on the former Tenants Hall site, Health for community. Alls head office, the centre will include office and Development of the Centre is being funded by meeting/training rooms, hotdesk facilities as well Central Government and the European Unions as providing a range of on-site business support European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). services. For more information, contact Judith Hickman or There are three dedicated meeting rooms for hire Kathryn Scarr on 0113 270 6903, email judith.hickand a large hall which can be split into two for man@healthforall.org.uk / Kathryn.scarr@healthcommunity events/functions, group activities or forall.org.uk or visit www.healthforall.org.uk

Volunteers hit the airwaves in South Leeds

By Al Garthwaite

South Leeds Community Radio gives a voice for everyone living and working in South Leeds.
We broadcast 24/7 over the internet, so log in * English (ESOL) for women, using media techniques to help you learn to www.southleedscommunityradio.org.uk for a unique mix of music, drama, whats on, informa- * Radio and creative media for people with learning tion programmes and live shows presented by voldifficulties and disabilities. unteers from your own community. We also aim to run after-school and holiday clubs Volunteers are always welcome, including com- for children and young people - again, contact us plete beginners, so whatever your age and back- for details. ground, and whether you want to be a presenter, interviewer, technician, DJ, administrator or pro- Why not hire the South Leeds Community Radio ducer, or if youre not sure but would like to be Roadshow to play at your event or festival? Volunteers play music to suit every occasion, and the involved, do contact us. roadshow includes a free PA for all your announceNew this autumn: we are running courses for peo- ments. ple in the area who want to learn a wide variety of skills. Courses for people aged 19 upwards start * Contact us: South Leeds Community Radio, Hillside, Beeston Road, Leeds LS11 8ND tel: 0113 towards the end of September or early October, 387 6464 or email: info@southleedscommuniand include: tyradio.org.uk * Radio Production and studio techniques - morning and evening classes, with one especially for women.

New youth project tackles guns and knives

A project to sway teenagers away from gun and knife crime is being set up in South Leeds.
knife crime in the area but said Work will include looking at isthe project aimed to keep it that sues such as territory, status, reputation, enemies and revenge. way. She said the project would work The project aims to raise young with four groups on a rolling 12- peoples self-esteem, which will week programme until the end allow them to resist peer presof March, with the first six weeks sure; have increased ability to looking at some of the issues take responsibility for themCupboard co-ordinator Alison surrounding what makes young selves; better able to negotiate safer boundaries and be able to Chandler stressed there wasnt people join gangs. plan safe outcomes and maintain a problem as such with gun or positive relationships. Run jointly by the Cupboard Young Peoples Service in partnership with South Leeds Community Radio, the 9,000 Sharp Solution project will work with youngsters to tackle some of the causes of the problems, such as gang culture. The final six weeks will see the young people work with South Leeds Community Radio at Hillside, taking what theyve learned on the course so far and using it to produce radio drama, music or dance. The project is financed by the Home Office through the Communities Against Gangs, Guns and Knives Fund.

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Why Hunslet Club is simply the best

By Sherriden Hall, age 12 The Hunslet Club is a place where get closer to everyone else. It was kids and young people can come a holiday full of laughter and fun and do loads of different things which created memories nobody One of the things it organises is will forget. We had some amazan annual trip away for people ing experiences like zip-wiring, who come to the club, this year raft building, oh yeah and eating we went to Ambrieres les Valles snails (yuck!) It was a long 17 hour journey France 2011 was one of the most but that was just part of the fun. amazing times of my life. It was a Whilst there we also went to a chance to make new friends and big swimming baths with slides in Southern France.

South Leeds Sports Centre campaign still on the radar

By John Baron

NEWS IN BRIEF

and diving boards. We also went So if you want to join in with fun to a town where we could do our like this, come and join the Hunown thing. It was just an amaz- slet Club! ing trip and I cannot wait for next year.

A group of South Leeds residents still havent given up their fight to get a local sports centre reopened as they approach the anniversary of its closure.

Lots to do at Hunslet Club

The Hunslet Club is one of the largest youth clubs in the country and is right here in South Leeds! There is lots to do for children, young people and adults, writes Jason Slack. Activities include football, breakdance, youth club, boxing, hip hop, gymnastics, musical theatre, Duke of Edinburgh awards, cheerleading, Irish dance, cooking, ballet & half term activity camps for children & young people, for adults there is box fit or dance fit sessions & a fitness suite, there are also parent and toddler sessions in football, gymnastics and ballet too. and refurbishment, including a fully licensed bar and are also available for event hire.

For more information visit www. hunsletclub.org.uk or phone The clubs facilities have recently 0113 2716489. undergone a major extension

Silver joy for blooming good Beeston and Holbeck

Congratulations go to both the Beeston and Holbeck In Bloom groups who both secured silver rose awards in the Yorkshire In Bloom horticultural campaign, which encourages communities to improve their environments. and leafy village of Bramhope, on to link them together. Clarksfield allotments are exceptional; the outskirts of north Leeds. On Beeston, judges commented: the tenants clearly love their alBeeston is a pleasant and friend- lotments and work hard to keep ly community that has clearly improving them. It has one of the highest levels of social deprivation in the country but the tremendous community spirit that we encountered shows a huge commitment to making On Holbeck in Bloom, which had sure that it is still a great place entered for the first time, judges to live. said: Holbeck - like the phoenix from the ashes - is rising to the many challenges that it faces as an Urban Community.

options and possibly have sport facilities as part of the deal, but we are keen to see a swimming pool Members of the Splashback group are campaign- there. Its what local children need. ing to get South Leeds Sports Centre in Beeston Campaigners have agreed to hold a demonstrareopened. The facilities were closed by Leeds city tion outside the centre on Saturday, November 5 to council in November last year due to falling visitor mark the anniversary of the closure of the facility. numbers and high running costs. Seven-year-old Nathan Kirk plays rugby for local Campaigners claim the area doesnt have enough youth team The Beeston Broncos, which used facilities for youngsters and that other facilities, South Leeds Sports Centre as changing facilities. such as the John Charles Centre, are difficult to Nathan told South Leeds Life during Augusts proget to by public transport. tests that he faces a 10-minute walk before and A demonstration was held during the first day of after matches to facilities at the Hunslet Club. He the school summer holidays. And as the centre said: Its good at Hunslet but its not very good that nears the anniversary of its closure, campaigners we have to walk so far before and after games. are vowing to continue their fight, despite the Another youngster, who attended the Friday Night council expressing interest in possibly turning the Project at the centre - a group which provided a site into a new 420-place primary school to meet range of activities to young people aged between the rising demand for places in the area. The coun- eight to 16 years - said there wasnt much for him cil is also still open to local organisations taking over to do now that the facilities had closed. the running of the facilities. Mum of five Tina Head said it was impossible to Campaigner Sally Cieslik said the group would not take all her family to the nearest swimming pool allow the centre to fall quietly off the radar. up the road at the John Charles Centre - in one go. Sally said she wasnt opposed to the plans for Splashback can be contacted on 07889 945345 or a school, as long as it had sports facility for the search for Splashback on Facebook. whole community - including a swimming pool. She added: Its good theyre still looking at all the

Residents honoured BELLE ISLE: Police officers and members of the public have been honoured for displaying great bravery and hard work to make south Leeds and the city centre a safer place. Among those honoured at the City and Holbeck Divisional Awards was Stan Roberts, a 69-year-old Belle Isle resident who alerted officers to a man who had been trying to leave the scene of a nearby burglary. As an officer tried to arrest the man he began to struggle, so Stan grabbed the mans left arm and blocked his escape route. PCSO at meeting COTTINGLEY: PCSO James Clarke attended a recent Cottingley Community meeting. He gave residents the monthly crime figures for the area and discussed the proposals for the new police station that may be built on Elland Road. He also gave details of Operation Dungeon, which has been concentrating on metal thefts and has included visits to local waste traders to check what is being weighed in as scrap and by whom. Park clean-up MIDDLETON: Leeds councillors rolled up their sleeves to show their commitment to volunteering in the city. Led by Lucinda Yeadon, the councils champion for volunteering, elected members joined forces with staff volunteers at Middleton Park to cut back overhanging branches, clearing paths of overgrown vegetation, weeding the flower beds, fence painting and planting. Community facilities reopen CHURWELL: Stanhope Hall in Churwell has been formally reopened after a refurbishment programme that has modernised it for community use. The improvement plan cost more than 70,000 and the centre will now house community activities including youth clubs, pensioners groups and local sports club.

taken In Bloom to its heart. Beeston has some strong and atBoth communities received the tractive floral features improved same award in the urban com- by a good choice of plants and a munity category as the affluent pleasant use of colour as a theme

Council open to talks over future of centre

Leeds city council says it is still exploring all options for the South Leeds Sports Centre site.

Leeds City Council leader Keith Wakefield has said he hasnt given up on South Leeds Sports Centre and said the facilities are in mothballs. He told the YEP: I have lived in Beeston, I know its an area of high deprivation and social need.

Bin yard clean-up lifts 25 tonnes of rubbish

By John Baron In the region of 25 tonnes of rubbish have been removed from Beestons bin yards as part of a major clean-up operation. Many of South Leeds bin yards have become dumping grounds for household waste over the years but residents attending a meeting of Beeston Hill Residents Voice have been told that the council was looking to tackle some of the problems. Andy Beattie, of the councils environmental health and environmental protection department, said 46 bin yards had been tidied in the Harlechs, Lyndons and Woodviews areas and reminded residents of their responsibility to take a pride in their community. Mr Beattie said: Weve been bringing residents attention to keeping the yards clean. We have served a lot of legal notices in the area and weve noticed a lot dens or yards. 26 properties had of them are now staying clean, received formal written warnwhich is great news. ings - three have received 100 He added that the council was fixed penalty notices for failing looking at the citywide problems to comply. connected to bin yards. One of The Yorkshire Evening Post rethe possible solutions could be to cently reported that tenants and lower the walls of the yards. residents in Holbeck will be asked Mr Beattie said that the council if they want to see the walled was also encouraging private yards intended to contain home owners to clear their gar- wheeled bins knocked down.

The councils Leeds South Inner Area Committee has more than 50,000 available to carry out the work. Mr Beattie also said that the council was working with local businesses to help tackle some of the litter problems in the area and said there had been meetings with Leeds United to tackle some of the problems created by fans on matchdays.

Ive always been quite sympathetic on the closure debate. As a council we have taken one of the biggest financial hits in the country and are having to Beeston councillor and executive save 90m, so it would be hard to promise that the member for leisure Adam Ogil- centre will reopen. vie told South Leeds Life: I welcome the continued interest in Its in mothballs at the moment, but we havent South Leeds Sports Centre from given up on it. We are prepared to talk to the comSPLASH campaigners and people munity about all options. in the area. A spokeswoman for Leeds City Council said: The Clearly there is interest in the site from Childrens decision to close South Leeds Sports Centre last Services at the Council in terms of a new primary November was taken because it was costing the school for the area and my view if that were to pro- council 25,000 per month to run due to low and ceed is that there would have to be leisure use open falling visitor numbers over the last few years. to the local community as part of the school plan. We are exploring all available options for the site I am also in discussions with an organisation who and are still keen to hear from anyone interested have expressed an interest in reopening the sports in taking over the running of the centre. We would centre to see whether that may be an option as well encourage any interested parties to come forward as exploring whether a new school and a sports as soon as possible. centre could be an option for the site. I am more than happy to keep people informed as things move forward.

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Making the most of our community spirit

By Hilary Benn, MP for Leeds Central

From where I see things, theres lots of community spirit in South Leeds. So lets make the most of it!

One of the most worthwhile things about being a Member of Parliament is that you have the chance to help deal with problems.
Like people, problems come in all shapes and sizes, but if something is worrying us then what we want - more than anything else - is to get it sorted out. Lots of people come to see me in my surgeries (or email, write or telephone). I cant solve every problem, but I always promise to do my best to help. And what enables me to do that is the voice that you give me. Being chosen by local people as their representative those initials MP after your name means that I can get answers. Whether its a problem with council housing, or DWP benefits, or rubbish that needs clearing, or something about what the Government is doing Ive been getting loads of letters recently from residents who are very worried about the changes to our wonderful NHS - those I contact on your behalf know that their response will be carefully looked at. And if I dont think its good enough, then I can and will - take it further. Why is this? Is it because we dont think its worth asking for help? Or because we have become very impatient and expect instant results? Is it because some people just don't know what their elected representatives do? Or is it because others have become so overwhelmed by cynicism that they can't actually see the good things that are happening in our neighbourhood? Once again, this summer was the season of our local festivals, galas and community events across South Leeds: from Hunslet to Beeston, and from Cottingley and Holbeck to Belle Isle and Middleton. All of them were great this year, and even the showers on Holbeck Moor didn't dampen our spirits. But what I always find most encouraging about attending them is seeing the astonishing range of people and organisations working on behalf of the community they live in. Unsung and often unrecognised, they are making a real difference, just as elected representatives do. Yes, we get things wrong sometimes, and I know that criticism and disagreement comes with the job. But if we are going to solve the problems of the world and fulfil our hopes and aspirations for the future, then we need our politics to work for us too. And just like a rather delicate plant, politics need nurturing and looking after, because if we damage it, then we will have thrown away the best and only hope we have of making progress. We know that times are tough. Family incomes are being squeezed, and we all worry about the future when it comes to pensions, being looked after when were older, where our children are going to live, and how we are going to keep our economy on the move.

I put my head round the front door wondering what she wanted and there was a smiling face. Oh Mr Benn. Do come in. I just wanted to show you the new kitchen cupboards you Sometimes the result is surpris- helped get for me. ing. A while ago, I was doing It turned out that she had writsome doorknocking when a man ten to me when her kitchen was on a flat roof saw me coming being done up and housing had The range of cases I deal with - down the road and said that his said that they would only provide with the wonderful help of Judy, wife would like a word. a certain number of cupboards. I Olivia and Sally in the office is enormous. Last year we helped about 1,500 people with their individual problems and at least as many again who wrote to me about political issues on which they and I - have a view.

wrote on her behalf and there I was, some months later, admiring the result! At a time when there are those who say that politicians are remote and dont help, the daily experience of many people who seek the help of their MP or local councillor is actually very different. And all the surveys show that if you ask people about their own member of Parliament or local councillor, they have a much higher opinion of them than if you ask them what they think about politicians in general. One response is based on our personal experience; the other is the result of what is reported in the papers or on television about what we think is everybody else's experience. In South Leeds, I am really lucky to serve alongside a great team of councillors. They are committed and hard-working but they dont always get the thanks and recognition they deserve. Indeed, helping people is a part of an elected representatives work that gets very little attention.

But we should also not forget what we can do when we come together as a society. After all, the National Health Service that radical idea that changed so many lives for the better - was created out of the ashes of the Second World War at a time when we had a much higher deficit than we have today. It is living proof from our own history that if we have optimism, determination and spirit then we can as people and politicians achieve an enormous amount. And it is in coming together that we build the thing we call community spirit. From where I see things, there's lots of community spirit in South Leeds. So let's make the most of it!

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Youngsters have an ACE time with activities

South Leeds youngsters enjoyed quad biking and archery as part of a two-day residential at Penistone, near Barnsley.
Twenty six youngsters from different schools across south Leeds attended the residential at the Kingswood Activity Centre and took part in activities including the zip wire, high ropes and fencing among other things. The event was organised by ACE, which works with both high and primary schools in the area, providing physical activities for children aged five to 11 years old and kids with disabilities. Co-ordinator Richard Weaver said: The children all had a great time - we were blessed with some terrific weather, which makes a lot of difference. All the children who attended are part of the clubs run across the area by ACE, which puts on different sports activities and team challenges and helps inactive youngsters become more active and enthused by sports and healthy activities and to gain confidence and self esteem. Its funded through the NHS for work with child obesity. Children are referred to ACE through their schools. For more information, contact Richard Weaver on 270 6903.

Family Matters
Putting families first with Health For All's Family Support Services

Putting families first

By Vikrant Bhatia

Family life is at the heart of the work of Health For Alls family support services, which includes a team of workers who support families and children on a one-to-one level.
We help people who are experiencing: * Difficulties parenting or managing childrens behaviour * Family relationship difficulties * Significant difficulties with household management and budgeting The council is doing a lot of its work in Cottingley alongside the Tenants and Residents Association Cottingley (TRAC), Cottingley in Bloom, the local vicar, Cottingley Primary School, helping to pull the community together and empowering the residents to help clean Cottingleys act up. * Councillor Angela Gabriel is a ward member for Beeston and Holbeck Ward and is the chair of the councils inner south area committee, which covers Beeston, Belle Isle, Cottingley, Holbeck, Hunslet and Middleton. If you would like more information about one of the above groups, or would like to join one, contact her on 07946 632 468 or email angela.gabriel@leeds.gov.uk * Care routines * Difficulties arising from alcohol or substance misuse The key aim of our service is to give children the best possible chance of leading safe, healthy and happy lives within their own homes. We help parents and carers to address any obstacles or barriers that may prevent that happening. Parenting is one of the hardest jobs in the world as we all know and together with you and anyone else who is supporting you we will try to find a way in reaching your goals which can be found on the We support more than 200 next page of this four-page families from different backpull-out), family links nurturgrounds on a one-to-one level ing and strengthening famiand more than 100 families lies 10-14 through our specialist support groups. * Anger management programmes for young parents Our services include: with anger issues * Intensive family support for younger children, including * Specialist support groups support to families affected such as the WISE group in by domestic violence, alcohol Middleton and Women Makof substance misuse, poor ing Choices in Beeston, inparental physical health, cluding confidence-building sub-standard housing and sessions, learning activities We can also arrange for you behavioural issues. and coping with anger. to meet with other people in * The Think Family Service of- Our referrals come from a wide a similar situation so you can fers one-to-one support for variety of sources depending share your knowledge and families with children aged on the group but include soideas to help support each six to 13 years old. The sup- cial workers, schools, childrens other. If we cannot help you port is for families suffering centres, health visitors, GPs, we will aim to put you in touch from some or all of the issues self referrals and midwives. with the people who can. Evabove. erything you tell us is confidenYou can find our services at tial and if we need to contact * One-to-one support for three community bases - Belle young parents and their Isle Family Centre, Middleton other health professionals families (such as GPs) we will always Family Centre and Pavilion on ask you first. * Evidence-based parenting Dewsbury Road. programmes including Mellow Parenting (details of HFA is excited to be working alongside our partners in supporting the development of remodelled family support services in the area. Weve had experience of delivering previous Surestart programmes and the current intensive family support services. We believe weve played a major role in the journey and the learning processes to develop the new model for specialist family support services. New developments featuring our specialist family support services will be featured in the December issue of South Leeds Life. For more details contact us at the Belle Isle Family Centre, underneath the St John and St Barnabas Church, Belle Isle Road, Leeds LS10 3PG or telephone 0113 2774819. Services are also provided at Middleton Family Centre in Sissons Road and The Pavilion Family Centre on Dewsbury Road in Beeston.

Getting involved couldnt be easier

By Cllr Angela Gabriel

Most local groups are currently taking stock of the successes of the summer. Two of the groups Im involved with, Beeston Festival and Holbeck Gala, are planning their AGM and trying to get more people involved.
Anybody who has any ideas or who wants to get involved is more than welcome. Helping out isnt just about turning up on the day, it is about ideas - at Beeston Festival were looking for someone who is internet savvy and can make us a web page, we need help with leaflets, planning next years festival it doesnt matter how old or young you are you can give us ideas. Beeston in Bloom members are busy growing our seeds and taking cuttings. Anybody whos tidying their garden and dividing plants, give us a call, well take half a plant off you with pleasure! Weve just been guerilla gardening, digging up and rescuing plants around the Malverns area where the houses are due to be demolished. We have gone and recycled their plants! And we found an abandoned planter which were going to recycle, plant up and use at the Shell garage. The In Bloom groups arent just about planting bulbs, its about engaging people in what we do. The Cardinal Youth Club is trying to get an allotment together, and were looking to go and bring our skills to those kids and help them. Both Beeston in Bloom and Holbeck in Bloom entered the Yorkshire in Bloom competition in the urban category this year. Both groups will find out how theyve done at a trophy ceremony on September 20, so watch this space! Allotments in our area seem to be growing in popularity. Shafton Lane allotments also seem to be doing very well as people follow Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall to grow their own and become urban gardeners. There used to be problems with anti-social behaviour down at those allotments but the community has worked together to put them back on track and theyre doing really well now. Our big next thing is Cottingley, and there will be a big clean up there on September 23. There will be lots of skips and were inviting residents to bring out their rubbish.

Its the first of many projects in Speaking about green fingers, as Cottingley. South Leeds Life went to press Were going to be maintaining I was due to officially open the overgrown shrubs, cleaning the Clarkesfield Allotments annual streets and paths and getting the police involved in a number show. of initiatives.

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Family Matters
Putting families first with Health For All's Family Support Services

Learning how to become better parents

As all mums know, its sometimes easy for the kids to get on top of you.

Building confidence and learning to relax

A women-only relaxation and relationships event in Belle Isle has helped to show people how to stay safe and offered self defence classes, relaxation sessions and a massage.

Sometimes I didnt know how to deal with situations. Mellow Parenting showed me how to not get stressed out and how to deal with pressure points without losing my rag. It helps us deal with kids a bit easier, but it also helps us to understand ourselves. None of us have had an easy life. One mum said: Mellow Parent- It helps us become better people ing is a crash course for people and not to inflict our problems like ourselves who have strug- on our kids. No child or parent is ever gogled with our children. At first I was all nervous. I didnt ing to be perfect, but I feel much know anybody in the group. But I more confident. A group of south Leeds parents who accessed the Mellow Parenting programme facilitated by Health for Alls Intensive Family support service have been getting help with how to become better parents and improve the relationship and strengthen the bonds with their children.

He added: We help the parents understand their own childhood and deal with what was good in their lives but also recognise what was unhelpful. Were emI dont take my kids for granted powering todays parents to or expect too much from them make changes in their lives and any more, said another. I just change the way they behave let them be themselves, as well We run our sessions one full day as being able to control them a week for 14 weeks. That gives us lots of time for us to build remore. Ian Goodson, a family support lationships and explore peoples adviser for Intensive Family Sup- background issues. Another said: I feel Im a better mum, I can handle my kids much better. Its still tough - Im a single mum - but I now have the confidence to take my own decisions. The primary referrer to the Mellow Parenting programme are social care, childrens centres and health visitors.

port at Belle Isle Family Centre, said that he hoped the 14-week made some fantastic friends here The mum said the help and ad- intensive course helps parents - I have a new best friend and vice often came in fun ways, such feel closer to their children. Im going to buy a bunk bed so as through playing games. Ian said the course spends a lot of her son can sleepover with mine Another young mum said: Ive time looking at the parent themin future. The friendships have met some good friends hopefully selves, many of whom had disadbeen the most important part. It for life. Mellow Parenting gave us vantaged childhoods and added makes you feel as if youre not a chance to go somewhere where that hopefully whats learnt in the alone. Being in the same room we could just be ourselves. group helps to break the cycle with mums who are facing the of disadvantage and empowers same struggles as you gives you them not to repeat the mistakes confidence. of their own parents and grandparents.

For more information about groups and services similar to this, contact senior group support worker Leanne Drinkall on 0113 8272200 or email leanne. like this. Its good to get out and A creche and refreshments were drinkall@heathforall.org.uk meet people in similar situations. also provided. Beckie took part in the self de- It makes you feel like youre not fence session - and also used the the only one and that youre not event to look at the opportunities alone. a university course might bring Julie felt relaxed after taking part her. She said: I feel like I have in the massage and relaxation learned some useful skills today session, where she learned some - if I ever find myself in a situa- key relaxation techniques to help tion I feel like Ill be able to get deal with stress. She said: Its myself out of it. Its not just been made me relax all my muscles about the physical side of things and everything that youre wortoday and weve also touched on rying and stressing about goes domestic violence too. out of the window and youre The event, organised by Health For Alls intensive family support team, proved a big success with the self defence and relaxation sessions proving very popular with parents who attended Belle Isle Family Centre. Events like this are about groups getting together and learning something new outside of our normal environment. Its great to see local groups mixing together and getting to meet other people, making friendships and able to cope better. It helps get you ready for the day ahead and the daily things going on around you every day. I really enjoyed mixing with different people and talking to

speaking to other people with them about how theyre coping. You get to make a lot of friends similar experiences. It gets me out of the house - Im whove been through the same bringing up three children by my- things you have, and thats really self so its good to come to events important.

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Family Matters
Putting families first with Health For All's Family Support Services

Holbeck ladies find allotment is growing on them

A group of Holbeck residents are showing how good it is to grow your own fruit and vegetables - and beat the general lack of healthy fresh food available in Holbeck.

Were going wild in the woods!

When you go down to the woods today.... South Leeds youngsters have been going wild with a series of August fun events in local parks.

peas to salad produce, tomatoes, take part in walks, healthy cook- Tahira says that in addition to the fruit, potatoes, peas, turnips and ing sessions, trainings and social groups plot, her family has other plots at Shafton Lane. gatherings. okra. The Holbeck Health Group is one of the groups which come under the umbrella of the Awaaz Network. The Awaaz (which means voice) network has been formed to help ensure the sustainability and development of Asian women community groups across Leeds. The Holbeck Health Group meets at St Matthews Community Centre. The groups been going four years and caters for up to 18 people and helps promote healthy eating, exercise and good health in general to Asian women, who Group member Tahira Latif said: We have experimented with all kids of things to see what we can or cannot grow. We go there and bring the kids, who find it entertaining to be there and can play but if they want to help they can. We go whenever we get time, sometimes four or five hours a week. Its very exciting to pick the produce youve grown yourself and worked to produce. We go to have picnics and teas there with the kids. Another group member said: The things we grow taste much better than what youll find in supermarkets - its much fresher and nicer and it gets us out into the fresh air. One member said: We do not see each other very much but we come here to get together, and eat and talk together. For more information, contact Shabana Mohammed (co-ordinator) on 0795 8742719.

by Health For Alls intensive family support services - in previous years when she brought her older children.

Rachel, who was with four-yearold Harry, said: Weve enjoyed making things, the bouncy castle and things like that but most of Wednesdays in the Woods events all weve enjoyed being in the At the Middleton Park event, provide a great opportunity for fresh air together - its been a re- mum Lynne from Cottingley, families to spend some time to- ally good day. was with her son Jacob (whos gether taking part in fun activities Another mum, Jill, who was also nearly five) and her two-year-old such as sports, arts and crafts, at the Cross Flatts event, said the nephew Adam. She said: I like bouncy castles, musical activities, hula hooping and colouring had Wednesday in the Woods beface painting, dancing, farmyard been the best bits but that her cause the events are community animals and food. family had enjoyed everything. based. You get to know people The events were held in Cross Its something for the kids to do from across South Leeds.

do with the kids so events like this are really good because they get you all out as a family, youre doing new things and youre out in the open. The weathers been fantastic, it couldnt have been a better day. Weve had our faces painted, which was great.

that they might not normally have the chance to do. Ive been to all four events this year and Ive been in previous years as well and I wouldnt miss them. The Middleton Park event featured a visit by a fire engine and the police, clowns the Rapide Brothers and DJ Rocky alongside activities including hook a duck. A total of 614 people attended across all four events. Different themes included: Around the World in the Woods, Fairytales in the Woods, Talent in the Woods and Party in the Woods.

Members of the Holbeck Health Group are running their own plot at Shafton Lane Allotments, growing everything from chick-

Doctor Who, Dickens and Rebus at Morley Literature Festival

By Christie Andrews writers Mark Morris, Paul Magrs * Charles Dickenss great-greatFrom Doctor Who to Dickens via Some of the main great-granddaughter Lucinda and Mark Michalowski will be popular thriller writer Ian Rankin events include: Hawksley, who celebrates her speaking at Morley Town Hall south Leeds residents are being * Rebus author Ian Rankin will be talking about his new book ancestors life and work at a on the same day. invited to read all about it at this The Impossible Dead at Morley * Comedian Arthur Smith at literary lunch at Tingleys Vilyears Morley Literature Festival. Town Hall on October 13. lage Hotel on October 10; Morley Town Hall on October A host of high-profile writers will For more details, visit: www. 8; be making appearances at the * For Doctor Who fans: Alwyn morleyliteraturefestival.co.uk Turner will be discussing his popular annual event, which runs website or ring 0844 848 2706. biography of Daleks creator from October 8 to 16 in Morley Terry Nation at Morley Library town centre venues including the on October 13. Doctor Who library and the town hall.

The events were funded by the Flatts Park, Cottingley Primary and it gets everyone out into the Perhaps some parents cant afinner south area committee. School and Middleton Park. ford to take their children to soft fresh air. Belle Isle mum Rachel and her And Beeston mum of two Janine, play areas, but here you can pay a family attended the event in who was with her two young pound for the bouncy castle and Cross Flatts Park. She said that daughters, added: Sometimes theres the play bus too. It gives shes attended the events - run you get stuck for something to the children a chance to do stuff

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Park plans at centre of rebirth of south Leeds

By John Baron

Factfile
Of Middleton Parks 630 acres, 200 are ancient woodland and a designated nature reserve. There is also grass land, a golf course and recreational areas.
and the less common yellow archangel. The bowl-shaped pits found in the woods are the remains of an early form of coal mining dating back to before 1300. Friends of Middleton Park host a number of events throughout the year including band concerts, workMiddleton Woods Local Nature ing parties and tours. Reserve is the largest ancient The Friends of Middleton Park woodland in Leeds and has been was set up to encourage more continuously wooded since at people to use the park and least 1600. Oak dominates the woodlands in the heart of south mixed woodland which together Leeds. with streams and ponds, provide a refuge for numerous mammals, The group runs a programme of events and serve teas at the Lakebirds and amphibians. side Centre every Sunday afterMany species of insects and noon from the beginning of May fungi can be found in the woods to the end of September - why together with a profusion of not join them for a cuppa? wildflowers including bluebells

A public meeting has highlighted how a 1.9 million boost will help restore Middleton Park to its former glory.

If you would like to get involved as a member or volunteer, or want more information, contact Rachel on 07914 729051 or visit their website - www.fomp.co.uk.

Park Pride
Join your South Leeds Life and support our local parks
As well as providing an essential green lung in south Leeds, theres a fantastic array of activities going on in a lot of your local parks. Bowling greens, tennis courts, playgrounds and nature trails all offer a chance to get outdoors for fun activities. And events such as dog shows, craft and produce shows (ones being held in Middleton as this magazine went to press), planting, walks, bands, plays and events are all part of the modern-day life of the larger parks. Here at South Leeds Life well be featuring all the terrific activities in local parks - and also encouraging people to join some of the hard-working local groups made up of local residents that support parkland such as the Friends of Middleton Park and The Friends of Cross Flatts Park.

Alan Shaw, secretary of The * A new bandstand/performance space will house bands, plays Friends of Middleton Park group, and entertainment gave a presentation on the detailed proposals surrounding the * New and improved entrances Heritage Lottery-backed regento the park, including replacing eration scheme for the park. gates and barriers Mr Shaw told the meeting - at * Footpath improvements includMiddleton Methodist Church ing a new pedestrian path parHall - that work on the ambiallel to the existing driveway, tious scheme was due to start resurfacing the footpath from in March but had been put back the car park to the lake and secand was now due to start in tions around the lake, and imSeptember. The scheme will reproved paths through the park store and improve the park and and Middleton Woods increase access to the facilities for the whole community. Improve- * Improvements to the Rose Garden ments include: * Described as contemporary in * Improved Middleton Railway park halt - including an entry appearance, the new Lakeside point to the park with seating, Centre will be built of glass, interpretation and signage brick and wood and include a cafe, terrace, educational facili- * Artwork and information, a ties, information and offices for seating area and ecology and parks staff. mining trails at former Middleton Broom Colliery

* More volunteering and com- Last July The Friends of Middlemunity involvement in the park ton Park group, supported by Friends members also discussed Leeds City Council, celebrated the need to draw visitors from news that the Heritage Lottery across south Leeds, including Fund (HLF) had accepted their nearby Beeston, to the park - and bid for a 1.46 million grant the importance of the Friends under the Parks for People progroup being closely involved as gramme. Last December the council agreed to invest a furthe work progresses. ther 125,000, supported by a One local resident said: Weve further grant of 287,000 from got an historic landscape on our the Wades Charity. doorstep which needs to be cherished by everybody."

Park Pride

Here at South Leeds Life we strongly believe that our local parks play a major role on bringing our communities together and offer a great chance to get outdoors and have some healthy fun!

Thats why today were launching our Park Pride campaign to encourage people to make more use of their local parks. Although weve focused on the wonders of Middleton Park today, in future issues well be looking at Cross Flatts Park in Beeston, Holbeck Moor and your smaller local parks.

How do you make use of your park? What do you like best about it? Do you have an event or run a group which supports your local park? WED LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! Drop us a line either by email at john.baron@healthforall.org.uk, by telephone on 270 6903 or write to John Baron, Health For All, Middleton Advice Centre, Acre Road, Middleton.

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Our lives as young mums in south Leeds

By Kylie Rumney and Lindsay McGregor

Some of our stories as part of the project

Young mums in south Leeds have had their work exhibited as part of a London exhibition, inspire young people to make informed choices in their lives and encourage others to be positive about who they are. Their work aims to help make a better future for themselves and their families...

Boost young mums is a group for Our campaign is called Future women under the age of 25 who me, and the aim of the camhave children in the Beeston area. paign is to ensure that all young We teamed up with Media 19 - a mums look to their future. We multi-media project that enables all have a past and even when young parents to speak out about you decide to have a baby you their lives and the challenges they still have a future, your path has face - to create a campaign that just changed. promotes what its like to be a young mum from Beeston.

Originally there were a lot of paths the group wanted to use but they came up with the idea of past, present and future. The ladies of Boost then went on to produce some fantastic work which we aim to get seen by a multitude of people in our area come a long way, but there are of Leeds and possibly wider. still improvements that could be made.

Many people think that when youve had a baby so young you have ruined your life or they think youll never be able to achieve your dreams or ambitions, but this is not true and our campaign Future Me intends to change the stereotypes and opinions of We all should have the oppor- our communities and hopefully tunities to progress that others others. have in life and we want to raise We think the work our group has awareness of the support that is done sends out a very positive message. It has definitely made available to all young mothers. During our project we looked more of our mums who attend back at archive material to see think more abut their future and what it was like for mums in the where they would like to go, for past. The way in which young instance back into education or mums are thought of now has into a career.

Suzannes story: Im 20. I was 18 when my daughter was born. It was hard to start with, but I enjoy being a mum. Bethanys wonderful, she brings a nice warm feeling to my heart. The hard thing about being a young mum is the looks you get off people sometimes. Especially when youre shopping and the kids are playing up.

Kylies story: I was 18 when I got pregnant. I knew Id always wanted children, but it wasnt planned for that time. The hardest part of being a young parent, for me, has been the sleep deprivation.

No-one knows the right answer or the right way to do everything, so youre bound to make mistakes. But also, when youre You feel a bit low and if people pregnant, you think youre going to do everything right, but as are judging you. In the future Id like to find soon as the baby comes along its someone to love me and my a different story. daughter as Im single at the mo- I thought it wouldnt be as ment. Id love a job eventually. Id hard as it turned out to be. I had like to work in retail instead of looked after my own sister, but cleaning, maybe on a shop floor when its 24/7 its a reality check! or a till because Id be meeting Have a baby for the right reasons, new people. Id like to meet new dont get pregnant just because its the way to be. people.

Lyndsays story: Ive kept my little girls first haircut as a reminder of how soft and curly her hair was. I was 18 when my daughter was born. Ive brought her up on her own and, looking back, it has been challenging. At the time I wasnt really doing anything with my life. I had always struggled at school and it wasnt until I was 16 that I was diagnosed with dyslexia and by then it was too late. I felt as if nobody cared. Being a teenager I thought whats the point, then? Ill just do nowt. Then I fell pregnant. It gave me a reason to do something, to go back to college and qualify rather than just giving up on my future and staying on benefits for the rest of my life.

Leannes story: The best things about being a mum is being there when Archie needs me. The difficult part is not having any help and having no-one to support us. I dont like being on my own, particularly at night when Archies dad is at work. In the future Id like to train to be a childcare assistant. I dont want to be on the dole for the rest of my life and I want better for my son than I had. I dont think I had enough love when I was growing up, my mam and dad were never there for me. In my future I want to be there for Archie when he needs me and I wont let him down. Hes my life now and I wouldnt change it for the world. Thats my future, whats yours?

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Bosom buddies show why breast is best

Breast is best - thats the mes- There are health benefits - a sage from the mums who attend reduced risk of osteoporosis and breast cancer for mum and for Middleton Baby Cafe. Based in Middleton Family Cen- baby, lower levels of obesity, fewtre, the cafe offers help, special- er chances of stomach problems ist advice and support to mothers and ear infections. Breast milk is a live substance Run by Cath Stone, the cafe of- produced by each mum specififers a place to meet other mums cally for her baby and it cannot be who were/are successful at replicated by bottled milk. breastfeeding, a chance to relax, The Baby Cafe, part of a natalk and breastfeed and receive tional franchise, is supported by lots of support from other mums, the Middleton Bosom Buddies breastfeeding counsellors and group. The Bosom Buddies are a group of mums who have breasthealth professionals. Breastfeeding counsellor and lac- fed their babies and are keen to tation consultant Cath, a mum of offer their support and experithree, said: I breast-fed my chil- ence to other mums. interested in breastfeeding. dren and trained as a counsellor when my youngest was little. I had support when things werent going well and I wanted to give something back to other mums. I think breastfeeding should be seen as the normal way to feed a baby.

Beeston basement supports culture and arts

By John Baron

To some, Beeston would be an unlikely place for the citys newest underground studio and gallery.
Artist and teacher Bruce and Debs Davies have transformed the basement of their terraced house - which they admit themselves is a little ramshackle - into a cultural facility which they hope will ultimately be available for residencies and exhibitions on a regular basis. Bruce acknowledges that the project is an ambitious one - but has lofty goals to help the city retain some of the graduates who leave following graduation because of a lack of opportunities and be financially and artistically free from constraints. He said: Its no secret that Leeds has real problems retaining its talent. I know from experience that its incredibly difficult for artists to get residencies or to showcase their work and they have to go elsewhere to do it. I tried for six years to exhibit but it was a real struggle. I hope ultimately that people who want to get to the next level can come here and be part of a residency programme. But were reliant on getting the money in place to redo the basement up, create working spaces, get its own door so people dont Debs said in a recent guest post have to come through the house. on the Culture Vulture blog: The Thats going to be the next chalvision is to provide this space with lenge. its own door, smooth walls, a sink The art space is currently a and practical things like a toilet cleared-out basement - but that and cloakroom. Alongside these hasnt stopped the couple hold- physical attributes will be two cuing four events there. More than rators, a residency and exhibition 25 people squeezed into the programme and various events space for a recent talk by cur- and community happenings. rent HMI research fellow Allan These curators would select Antliff called Attacking Gentriartists from an open submission fication: the anarchitecture of process whereby the only stipuAdrian Blackwell. The basement lated criteria are that those applyalso acted as a starting point ing are resident of Leeds. Bruce for a 10km art run/studio crawl would like to see art graduates around Leedss underground art being able to develop their pracstudios. tice by providing them with free The first event - This is our house work-space and exhibition op- was a performance art event portunities. that looked at the boundaries and distinctions between public and private space.

They had undergone seven * For more details on Middleton Baby Cafe - which meets weeks of training, covering lisevery Tuesday, (10am-noon) tening skills and breastfeeding at Middleton Family Centre management, to become volunon Sissons Road - or Bosom teer peer supporters at the cafe. Buddies contact Cath on 0784 Middleton Bosom Buddies is a 3339574 or 2762386. The Nine women who recently com- constituted community group group is supported by NHS pleted their training to become a and recently received an Awards Leeds and Health For All. bosom buddy recently received for All grant of 9,930 to reach out with breastfeeding informa- * There is also a baby cafe and bocertificates presented by local som buddies group in Beeston. Middleton Park councillor Kim tion and support to women in The baby cafe meets at Beeston the surrounding areas such as Groves. Parkside Health Centre on Holbeck and Hunslet. Wednesdays, 1-3pm. Details from Cath on 0784 3339574.

I also want; if it is at all possible, to give something back to the community that I feel has given something to me .... Beeston is now the place I have lived in the longest out of all the little places I have been, and say what you want about it, I have a pretty good life here. I have met some good people. I would like to somehow include this community in our venture. Their next event will be an exhibition Speakeasy: art in an age of prohibition in September and October. For more details on the initiative, go to the Basement Arts Project blog, follow the project on twitter @BasementArtsPro or on facebook.

Happy to be a bosom buddy!

I received advice and tips from people at the cafe and other mums, often things that I would never have thought of myself. Emma, who has a girl of six Sharing tips and meeting others months, said she first attended was a real help for me. the Middleton Baby Cafe when Emma said the cafe has areas her daughter was just six weeks where the babies can interact old. She said: The breast feed- and play as they get older. She ing wasnt going well, I felt really added: I got so much benefit lonely and thought that it must from coming here that I wanted only be me that had problems. to give something back and beComing to the cafe made me re- come a bosom buddy. If I can alise that other mums have issues help someone who felt as rubwith breastfeeding and I didnt bish as I did when I first came here and reassure and help them feel so alone. then that would be good. Middleton mum Emma Prest was one of the nine women to receive certificates to signify she is now officially a Bosom Buddy.

Springboard to Independence
A training session to help local groups and organisations become more independent has been held in Belle Isle.
Emma underwent training one day a week for seven weeks on common problems and scenarios, how to deal with certain issues, she discussed her own experiences and discovered other contacts and organisations which she could signpost other mums to. Springboard to Independence was run by Health For All staff and gave taster sessions to help members of local groups to run their own finances, structure their own management, organise publicity and give them the confidence to run their own group. Future sessions will include linking groups with potential funders and other services. Groups attending including some from the Bangladeshi and Sikh communities, community and support groups. More information on 270 6903.

Middleton Elderly Aid opens new shop

By Dawn Austwick Middleton Elderly Aid is an independent registered charity that provides support for the over 60s living in the Middleton, Leeds 10 area. We are a needs-lead organisation which works from grants and money we raise in our charity shop. home visits, coffee mornings, luncheon club, exercise classes, handyman service, day trips and general help and advice signpostOn the 5th of September we ing people in the right direction. opened our second charity shop Our current premises provide a in Middleton. All money raised in drop-in allowing the elderly to our shops goes towards support- call in for an informal chat or ing our services, which include to raise any concerns they may Our aim is to allow the over 60s to live safely, securely and happier in their own homes for as long as possible. have. We currently have five paid staff who work with the help and dedication of 35 volunteers. The new shop on 97 Throstle Lane, next to Bhambra stores will allow us to interact with the residents living at the opposite end of Middleton to our current shop and expand our services.

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South Leeds summer of events in pictures

Bowled over by Belle Isle village green tournament

A local councillor, children from a nearby primary school and elderly residents all joined together to take part in a village green bowling tournament in Belle Isle Councillor Kim Groves (Middleton Park) said: This event was a fantastic example of the work that is being done locally by organisations like BITMO to strengthen links between young and older people in Belle Isle. It is really important that these relationships are established throughout the whole community, between residents of all ages. and everyone involved had a really great time, with people from each generation getting a great deal out of it .

The Bridge celebrates its first birthday

A group for people with learning disabilities has celebrated its first year of service with an open day attended by dozens of people. The open day featured photograph displays, workshops/demonstrations in arts and crafts, Nia movement, screen printing, baking and massage. There was also musical entertainment from service users and the fantastic band The Outsiders.

Councillor Kim Groves joined 10 children from Windmill Primary and residents of the Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation (BITMO) in the tournament at the Belle Isle Circus bowling The bowling tournament was green The event was organised and an opportunity to bring young funded by BITMO and was aimed children into a traditionally older at building bridges between peoples environment and for the young and older people in everyone to have fun together. The event was held in great spirit the area.

The Bridge, which has been running at Holbeck Community Centre since the closure of Moor End in Hunslet, provides day services for people with learning For more information, email carol-ann.reed@healthforall.org.uk disabilities.

Holbeck Moor hosts family fun day

the family. The event was run by Churches Together in Leeds 11 and Hope 11 and was part-funded by the councils Inner South A bouncy castle, face painting, Area Committee. food and football proved the perfect combination for a fun day for The sun shone on Holbeck Moor for Hope Leeds 11 - a family fun day which drew dozens of families from across south Leeds.

Healthy tips and food bring Cottingley residents together

Cottingley is sometimes described by locals as a bit of an island, slightly cut off from the rest of south Leeds by busy main roads. But its certainly not a case of being out of sight, out of mind. Health For All held a health event in Cottingley Towers recently. It had two aims - to introduce people to healthier food and ways of living such as exercise and to bring together residents from all different backgrounds and ages to get to know each other better. One man who attended the event said: Its years since Id tried an apple or a banana - I dont usually bother with them. But I had some today which was nice. I might go get some more now. I also know how important it is to have a good mix of stuff and not just stuff in packets. The event included health advice, cooking sessions, childrens activities including face paint- The event was also attended by ing, health checks and henna several members of the Kurdish amongst other things. The event community. was funded by the councils inner south area committee.

Lifes a Breeze in Cross Flatts Park

Breeze got off to a sprinting start at Cross Flatts Park as young people and their families flooded in to take part in the free fun - and beat the holiday boredom. set a record of 7.3 seconds for the 60 metre urban athletic sprint challenge held at Breeze on Tour. Youngsters were encouraged to compete against his time.

With just under a year to go be- Youngsters also took part in a fore the 2012 Olympics, Leeds wide range of sports and arts own Elliot Hurley - the under- 17s activities. Yorkshire 100 metre champion -

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Belle Isles community cafe

By John Baron Its one of Belle Isles best-kept secrets... whod have thought that under St John and St Barnabas Church youd find not only a family centre offering all kinds of different groups and support, but a fantastic cafe too? Well, Belle Isle Community Cafe has been around for a while now and has gained a solid local reputation for wholesome, good value homemade meals at lunchtimes, traditional cooked breakfasts and, more recently, buffets for different occasions. I popped by for a secret visit one lunchtime. Theres a daily selection of specials on the board. Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding (4), belly pork (3) scampi and chips (5) and quiche, chips and salad (3.25) all tempted, but I plumped for the beef. A generous portion served cheerfully and tasting, well, deliciously homemade - it hit the spot for me. Typical specials at the cafe include casseroles, pies and pasta, nothing too fancy, just good, decent food. My colleague took advantage of the solid selection of hot and cold sandwiches on offer by plumping for an egg mayo - and again there was plenty in it. Very nice After gulping down the last drops of our cups of tea - a wide was her best description. range of hot and cold drinks are Other options included cheese, available - we were tempted ham and tuna, with prices startby a bakewell jam and coconut ing from about 1.70. And there sponge (1.30) but just didnt were also options of salads, omhave room. Maybe next time. elettes and jacket potatoes. And vegetarian options are also avail- Belle Isle Community Cafe ofable. For the little ones theres a fers pensioners specials every selection of meals including fish Wednesday (noon to 3pm) which fingers, burgers, sausages and features a main meal, dessert and sandwiches, with prices starting tea for 3.50. Theres also a family teatime club every Tuesday at a reasonable 1.50.

How the Bake Lady revels in cake and community spirit

Clandestine cake clubs and secret tea rooms... in South Leeds?! Home cooking fan and local resident Lynn Hill tells South Leeds Life about how she brings together strangers using cake and social networking and about her plans for a national cake week in October.
There is no pressure, no competition. We dont judge who is the best, although some people are quite competitive. People become creative with their recipes, and at the end we get to take Lynn - who makes no financial home lots of cake too. gain from her events - says her Lynns passion for cakes is such secret afternoon tea club, which that shes setting up a national is attended by a dozen people cake week in October. each month has all the required Theres no national cake week legal certificates, the venue is on the calendar, so Ive just set kept secret to attendees until a up a blog in the hope people pick couple of days prior to the event up on it, she explains. Its nothTheres something wonderfully - as is the menu. ing formal, its all about baking a mysterious - and just plain nice - Lynn also runs the equally in- cake and getting together with about the idea of an underground triguing Clandestine Cake Club. family and friends. No competiSecret Tea Room in Leeds. People can bring along a home- tion, no judging, just having fun I get pure joy out of people arriving at my house, sometimes theyre people I know but often Ive never met them. My neighbours have no real idea what I do here. baked cake and a non baking and eating lots of cake. guest, to a cake club at different While good old-fashioned home locations in Leeds. cooking is at the heart of what There are rules: NO cupcakes. The the Bake Lady does, social media traditional large cake is favoured. also plays a big part, with Lynn Lynns at pains to say she doesnt become the archetypal silver have anything against cupcakes: surfer - a retired person whos ... but Im routing for the cake in mastered the internet. all its humble glory. People seem Lynns set up blogs, pages on to have forgotten how to make Facebook and has more than one At a secret location somewhere them. account on twitter. in Leeds, I create afternoon tea Tea and coffee is available. The menus. Baking cakes and scones, record amount eaten so far at Its relatively easy once youve tea loaves and tartlets for you to one cake club meeting is a belt- mastered it - theres no great mystery to social media. Its conenjoy in the comfort of my family bursting 11 slices. nected me to so many different home. Share a table with strangLynn adds: The way I see it, I use people. ers and leave as friends. I believe that I am the only private Under- cake and tea as a catalyst for a Check out Lynns Bakelady blog ground Tea Room of its kind in social gathering. It brings people here: www.bakelady.wordpress. together, gets them out of the com/ or follow her on twitter @ Leeds. house, gives them a break from Every month Lynn invites guests their children and gives them the MySecretTeaRoom. from a waiting list of more than chance to meet other people. National cake weeks blog can be 100 to an afternoon tea of home fund at www.nationalcakeweek. baking, part of an underground People bake their cake and co.uk/ or on twitter @nationaltea room/supper club movement bring it along to a chosen venue cakewk which started in London a couple which remains secret until fairly close to the event. They even get of years ago. the chance to bring a guest with Lynn says: When I retired, I read them, so they dont have to come the blog of London underground alone. They meet other cake bakrestaurant aficionado Ms Mar- ers and their guests, the convermite Lover, Kersten Rodgers, and sation revolves around baking thought if she could do this sort and friendships form from there. of thing then so could I. Its that simple. They start the event as random strangers and spend the time getting to know each other and become friends. Retired local resident Lynn Hill also known as Bake Lady - is on a mission to spread the word about cakes and afternoon tea. She runs a monthly Secret Tea Room in the dining kitchen and front room at her house, the address of which is a closely-guarded secret known only to a few. On her blog she describes it as:

Lynns recipe:
Fat/Little Rascals Makes 6-7 Large Rascals or 12 Little Rascals Ingredients 1 Large Egg 150g plain flour, sieved 150g Self Raising flour, sieved 1 tsp Baking powder 130g cold butter, chopped into cubes 90g Caster Sugar Grated Zest of one Lemon 1/2 tsp ground Mixed Spice 40g chopped Glac Cherries 150g mixed dried fruit such as currants, sultanas and raisins. Drained after soaking in warm water to plump up the fruit and soften. 50ml Milk Decorations Glac Cherry halves and Blanched Almonds Caster Sugar for dredging. Method 1 Preheat oven to 180 deg Fan assisted 2 Sieve all the flours and baking powder into a mixing bowl. Add the butter and give your hands some exercise by rubbing together until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. 3 Add the Caster Sugar, Lemon Zest, Mixed Spice, Chopped Glace Cherries and drained Mixed Dried Fruit until well combined. 4 Add the beaten egg and enough milk (50ml) to combine mixture together into a soft, not too sticky dough. Add more milk if required. 5 Form the dough mixture into 6 Large or 12 Little Rascals. It helps to weight the total amount of dough and then shape each Rascal into the 6 or 12 equal sizes. Top with Blanched Almonds and Glace cherry halves. Place these onto a none stick baking tray. 6 Bake for 15- 20 mins for the Large Rascals. 10 15 mins for Little Rascals. 7 Once out of the oven, dust with Caster sugar

3-5pm) offering healthy meals and fun activities for parents and children. For more information about the cafe, call 0113 277 4819 or email bifc@healthforall.org.uk its highly recommended.

Gosias 2-2-4-6-8 banana cake recipe

Gosia Denham, who runs the Hope Families group which meets at Middleton Primary School, provides this tasty recipe for you to try at home. Gosias 2-2-4-6-8 banana cake Method Ingredients 2 large very ripe bananas 2 eggs Mix in the flour Heat the over to gas mark 4 Scrape the mixture into the loaf (180c) tin and bake for 40 minutes then lower the temperature to Grease a 2lb loaf tin gas mark 2 (150c) and bake for Mash the bananas with a sturdy a further 30 minutes. fork Try to resist eating until it cools Cream the butter and sugar to- down! gether and mix in the eggs Mix together the two yellow mixtures you have

Do you have a recipe youd like 4oz butter or margarine to share with readers? Email us 6oz sugar at john.baron@healthforall.org. uk or write to John Baron, Health 8oz self raising flour For All, Acre Road, Middleton and well do our best to feature it in our next issue.

Health tips
Its recommended that we eat at least five portions of different types of fruit and veg a day. Its easier than it sounds. A glass of 100% unsweetened fruit juice can count as one portion, and vegetables cooked into dishes also count. Why not chop a banana over your breakfast cereal, or swap your usual mid-morning snack for some dried fruit?

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How health trainers have changed our lives

Local residents who have had the support of health trainers to help them change the way they live have agreed to meet more regularly and form a support group to help each other. Health trainers provide a free one-to-one service to support people to lose weight, become more active and better manage stress levels among other things in order to lead a healthier lifestyle. In the past year, the trainers have helped around 1,400 people. At a meeting at Hillside in Beeston, people who have received help from the trainers got together to share tips and experiences on how theyve improved their health. A little over a year ago Mark, from Beeston, weighed 17 stones mainly due to a diet of fatty takeaways. He now weighs 11 stones nine pounds and recently took part in a fun run. He said: I feel really good about myself. Theres been a dramatic change, I used to have asthma but I rarely get it now. It used to be difficult to play with my young kids but now I can do it and spend quality time with them. I just set myself a goal and went for it. I now walk everywhere - I walked here today from Seacroft and I feel great. It shows what can be done if you put your Hes now lost three stones: I mind to it. now walk about the place a lot Another attendee said she used more - in fact I walk everywhere, to be a sugar addict who took Ive ditched my bus pass! two sugars in her tea and added sugar to lots of things. Shes lost Another local resident has lost inches off her waist thanks to two stones (from 17 to 14 stones reducing the amount of sugar seven pounds) because he is no longer sedentary and does plenshe has. ty of walking and cycling. He Ive really cut down now, she added: I dont sit still any more. added, and often now I dont He also put down his success to have sugar at all because it makes having a good healthy breakfast things too sweet for me. I feel and then burning it off for the much better in myself. rest of the day. 72-year-old Derek, from HunAlia Nessa, Health Trainers service slet, was overweight because manager, told the meeting: You he wasnt eating properly and have all seen Health Trainers to was suffering from diabetes.

Former hostel leads the way in stylish eco-living

By John Baron Reclaimed railway sleepers had been used to create large raised allotment beds which are tended by residents. They have further allotments down the road which the residents tend, and the proThe Greenhouse is powered duce grown here is sold in the by wind, rain, the sun and the on-site deli. ground. Its developer, Citu, de- Surrounding the courtyard are scribes it as a UK leader in eco- ground floor offices, most of which are occupied by creative development. It is a part refurbishment, part businesses. Beeston might not be the first place youd expect to see the very latest in stylish eco-living, so it was a pleasant surprise to be wowed by this distinctive development during a recent visit. new build on the site of the former art deco Shaftesbury House - a large five-storey brick hostel for working men and women, originally designed in 1936 by George C Robb. A lodging house that improved standards of living for around 500 workers in the area, it was built using methods of construction and housing concepts considered revolutionary at the time. So its fitting that Citu should choose this site to push the boundaries of modern construction again - and provide 172 flats and a handful of small businesses. The Greenhouse is holding an open day on October 1 to mark its first birthday and local residents are being invited to attend and have a look around the building. During my visit - which coincided with the launch of its Greenspace sustainable conference centre - I toured the open courtyard area at the heart of the development. From the wind turbines and solar panels on the roof to the heating/ cooling exchange system - nothing is wasted. Bold new technologies like the 80m underground bore holes that access energy from the thermal aqua layer meet obvious efficiencies like the economy of scale in having a single boiler system serving all flats. Rain and bath water is also collected, recycled and used for flushing toilets saving up to three Olympic swimming pools of wa- According to development manager Karen Stafeckis, much effort ter being wasted a year. is being made to integrate this Sensor-operated lighting is used new community - which has its in the corridors and the wall and community group on facebook door signage is made out of reto encourage residents to buy cycled yoghurt pots. Residents into the sustainability ethos - into also have a personalised energy the wider inner city community tracking system accessed via TV of Beeston. She stresses this is no to keep track of their energy congated community. sumption on a day to day basis. She said there are plans to buy Greenhouse recently transtwo cars for a car club which the formed some of its apartments wider community can make use into the UKs most sustainable of, the Greenhouse has a presApart-Hotel. ence at local galas, the deli is

help make underlying lifestyle changes and I thought it would be a good idea for us all to come together to share experiences, to socialise and see whether youd like to form a group or forum to meet more regularly. A similar health trainers client meeting was held in Shine in Harehills. Health Trainers are funded by the NHS. You can be referred by your GP to the service. For more information on the health trainers, contact 0113 8272201 or email healthtrainers@healthforall.org.uk.

10 ways to beat stress

1. Write down a list of the things that are worrying you This will ease the worries and a lot of problems will have less importance. Tick off each problem as you solve it. 2. Set priorities You can only achieve so much in one day. Make a list of things to be done and decide which of these are really important to you, and leave the others for another day. 3. Compile a list of your positive qualities At stressful times, feelings of self doubt may occur. Build up your selfconfidence. Write an advertisement as though you are selling yourself. Anytime you are feel that things are getting on top of you, read through your list and youll realise that youre not such a disaster and that you are worthwhile after all. 4. Laughter is a positive natural stress-beater It takes away the tension caused by many stressful situations. Try spending more time with cheerful, happy people. Find ways to enjoy yourself, watch a funny film or read an amusing book. A laugh a day keeps the blues away. 5. Learn to stand up for yourself Say no if you really dont want to do something. Its hard, but try it! You dont have to be aggressive, rude or unpleasant, but people will begin to treat you with more consideration and you will suffer less stress because you wont be doing things you dont want to do. 6. Try to eat a balanced diet Include foods in your diet that contain anti-stress elements: vitamin C (from fresh fruit and vegetables) and vitamin B (from wholemeal bread, pasta, flour and whole grains). 7. Become aware of how you tense your body When you are under pressure you may tense your neck, jaw or shoulder muscles throughout the day. Make a mental note to relax these areas. 9. Plan ahead for changes. Prepare in advance wherever you can. By looking at your future needs youll reduce the obstacles. This can help you to stop feeling stressed because youve too many decisions to make in a short time. Plan well ahead for big changes like moving house, holidays or retirement.

open to all, tenants are being invited to a quiz night at a local pub and the concierge, Jimmy, is Beeston born and bred and was involved in the construction. Karen added: We hope we have something here which will have its own unique community spirit and we have an ongoing commitment to the development and encourage people to be eco-friendly. Im hoping we can extend out connections with the local community in the future.

8. Exercise regularly It plays an essential part in reducing stress. Choose something that suits you and take it easy to begin with- brisk walking perhaps? 10. Dont be afraid to ask for help if you really need it. A Once youve got it try movproblem shared is a problem ing on to an aerobic exercise halved. Talking over your such as dancing, swimming worries is a positive way to or cycling. Studies show that reduce stress. Build up a supregular periods of exercise port system around you. Talk increase the bodys producto a friend or visit a counseltion of endorphins: powerful lor. Asking for help is not a hormone-like chemicals asweakness , its giving yourself sociated with a general sense something you need. of calm and wellbeing.

Could your business or organisation fill this space?

Could you support this magazine?

Live life to the full with the South Leeds Life magazine - 3,000 copies distributed free every quarter through local pick up points and community groups across South Leeds Quarter page ads from 50 Full range of ad sizes from 30 and full sponsorship opportunities available from 1,500 To advertise your business/group or service call John Baron on: 0113 270 6903 john.baron@healthforall.org.uk

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Do you remember Holbeck in the 1950s?

By Steve Peacock

Hunslets history is now online

I went willingly: the dental clinic was deep in the heart of my beloved Hunslet, and I would have had all my blackened teeth extracted one by one for one more visit to those blackened terraces. City Lights, Keith Waterhouse (1994) Anyone interested in the history of Hunslet should catch an interesting community website called Hunslet Remembered - forges, engineering shops, and great locomotive works carry www.hunslet.org. You can read how Hunslet de- its name and fame to every corveloped from a peaceful rural ner of the civilised world. In the backwater to one of the leading closely-packed streets, with their teeming population, and amid industrial areas of Britain. the ordered turmoil of the busy In 1908 Alf Mattison wrote: The works, there seems nothing to Hunslet of today might well be suggest that less than a century termed the heart of industrial ago this smoke-clouded, beLeeds, throbbing with unceas- grimed district was one of the ing activity. The products of its most favoured residential parts of Leeds, with stately mansions of the merchant princes set in the midst of fair gardens and orchards. Check out the website - its well worth a read!

View from Holbeck Cemetery looking west in 1950s

View from Holbeck Cemetery looking west today

The first photograph appears in Beeston Days published by the Beeston Local History Society in 1991. It shows a view, around the 1950s, looking from Holbeck Cemetery, west towards Wortley and Armley. The second photograph shows almost the same view today. What a difference a day, or 60 years makes. Can you spot the similarities? St Bartholomews church on top of the hill in Armley is clearly visible on both. There is also what looks like a chimney to the left of the church. Also visible on the two is a building in the yard of William G. Search Ltd (plant hire company) on Whitehall Road just below Wortley Rec. Looking more carefully, the now disused LNWR Farnley railway embankment that runs parallel to Brown Lane can also be seen on the right hand side of the photographs. The Tilburys and Eustons cannot be seen on todays photograph due to the trees on Beggars Hill. One striking feature of todays photograph is the number of trees that have appeared since the earlier photograph despite the increased number of buildings. Holbeck is perhaps a greener place than it once was. Maybe it is also a healthier place. Notice all the chimney stacks that were once belching out smoke and polluting the atmosphere. Although the old photograph is not very good quality, it does suggest a haze hanging over the city. Perhaps this has been replaced by the pollution from road transport.

The 1950s photograph takes me back to my youth. I was born and brought up in Tilbury Road (number 21). In the foreground of the picture is what I knew to be the quarry. A desolate area that was one of my playgrounds. The building on the right with the large chimney was the brickworks. These were kilns in which bricks were fired. It was a twostorey building. The kilns themselves were on ground level. The coal for the furnaces was physically fed in by workmen from the level above the kilns. My father worked there for a short while. When the kilns were emptied and open to the outside they were often frequented by passing tramps a nice warm room for the night. The clay bricks were brought up to the kilns from a site further down Elland Road, nearer to the football ground, using a small cable railway. The fired bricks were returned using the same railway. The railway can be seen going to the left of the picture. As kids we used to hop a ride on the wagons, until one of the workmen came along and caught us and told us off. The quarry was also a place to go to find tadpoles, frogs and newts. In later it years it became a council tip. Not only was the waste from our dustbins emptied there, but also black stinking sludge from the roadside grates which were regularly cleaned. This sludge often contained coins that had been lost down the grates. We used to go poking about in this mess to retrieve the coins not a very healthy practice.

A dirt path followed the wall of the cemetery from Noster Terrace and then dropped down to Buckton Road and Malvern Street. We called this the Quarry Path. From the end of Malvern Street a dirt track led down to the end of Little Town Lane at its junction with Elland Road. We knew this track as Beggars Hill. Both the Quarry Path and Beggars Hill can still be found today. In the winter months when snow lay on the ground you could sledge all the way from Noster Terrace, down the Quarry Path, over Buckton Road and Malvern Street and then down Beggars Hill to finish on Little Town Lane. Sometimes the owner of the house at the end of Buckton Road would throw ashes from the coal fire on to the road to stop us sledging past the house.

times horse-drawn gypsy caravans would set up camp on there but my parents told me to keep well away from them. In later years, Holbeck Feast was held in September for a short while on The Tips. I was there from the arrival of the first caravan to watch the rides being constructed until the Feast finished and the last caravan had left.

Ivys girl power remembered with blue plaque

Benson was born on 11 November 1913 in Holbeck, the youngest of three children of Douglas Rolland "Digger" Benson and his wife Mary Jane Mead. Her father, a musician who played with ensembles including the Leeds Symphony Orchestra, began teaching her to play piano at the age of five. She played at working mens from the age of eight, billed as Baby Benson, and During World War II, opportuniperformed on BBC Radio aged ties for female musicians opened up as many male musicians were nine. enlisted into the armed forces. She left school at 14 and took The band became the BBC's resia job at the Montague Burton dent dance band in 1943, and factory in Burmantofts, putting were top of the bill at the London aside half a crown from her Palladium for six months in 1944. wages each week to save up for her first saxophone. She supple- When America joined the war mented her income by playing in and GIs flooded into Britain, Ivy reportedly complained that every dance bands in the evenings. time her band played at an AmerBenson joined Yorkshire-based ican army base they lost another sextet Edna Croudson's Rhythm member. Girls in 1929, touring with them until 1935, after which In 1945 the band were the first she toured with various bands entertainers invited to perform at including Teddy Joyce and the the VE Day celebrations in Berlin Girlfriends where she became a at the request of Field Marshal featured soloist. She moved to Montgomery, and on Christmas London in the late 1930s and Day that year they performed for a live BBC Radio broadcast from formed her own band.

Television was just beginning to appear in most peoples living rooms at this time but playing out took up most of kids time in these years. As a youngster, there seemed to be few restrictions on where we went or what we did as long as we stayed out of trouble. I even remember walking with my mates to Middleton Woods from home. Kids these days dont know what theyre missing, forever playing on their computers A large expanse of waste ground and with so many restrictions on is clearly visible in the 1950s pho- where they can go and what they tograph between the Eustons/ can do. Tilburys and Gelderd Road. Mat- If you have any comments you thew Murray School was eventu- would like to make or memories ally built on part of this area. It was you would like to share about the bounded by Brown Lane in the above please drop South Leeds north, Wortley Beck in the west Life a line. and Pettys Field (Pettys Printers sports field) in the south. Close to the houses were some allotments and garages. The rest of the area was waste ground. Maps show it to be called Islington but as kids we knew the area as The Tips. Being close to where I lived it was my main play area. Bike riding, bogie riding, kite flying, hide-and-seek, den building, fire building, apple scrumping and sledging in winter were among the activities we got up to. Some-

Ivy Benson, the female band leader from the swing era who was born in Holbeck, has been commemorated with a historic blue plaque at her old home in Cemetery Road. Local councillors, residents, members of Leeds Civic Trust and former members of the band attended the official unveiling of the plaque. Ivy Benson and Her All Girls Orchestra became the BBC's resident dance band in 1943 during World War II and more than 250 women passed through the ranks of the Orchestra, which Ivy led for forty years. A blue plaque is a permanent sign installed in a public place to commemorate a link between that location and a famous person or event, serving as a historical marker.

Hamburg immediately after the kings speech. She continued to lead the band until the early 1980s. Towards the end of her career the band played mostly private functions as dance halls and variety theatres dwindled in number. The band disbanded in 1982 after a final performance at the Savoy Hotel, briefly reforming in 1983 for a performance on Russell Harty's television show to celebrate Benson's 70th birthday. She was the subject of an episode of the tribute show This is Your Life in 1976.[4] Benson retired to Clacton on Sea but suffered a heart attack at her home and died on 6 May 1993, aged 79.

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South Leeds features online on the Culture Vulture blog Useful numbers in South Leeds cut out and keep guide
* Active Clubs Experience (ACE) works with schools and communities to engage primary school age inactive children in regular, enjoyable, physical activity including sport, dance and fitness. Contact Richard Weaver, ACE Club Co-ordinator 0113 2706903 * South Leeds Youth Hub. If youre 11-19 and looking for something Celebrating Sikh elders group to do, call 0113 3367773 Pictured above celebrating their group are members of the Sohni * Hunslet Club: Helping young people achieve their potential Seyat group, which offered a 0113 2716589. weekly lunch and health tips for Sikh Elders at Beeston Village * South Leeds Youth Theatre - 0780 709 1835 or email Community Centre. youththeatresleeds@yahoo.co.uk * Beeston in Bloom www.beestoninbloom.btck.co.uk/ Contact%20us * Beeston Local History Society 0113 2717095 * Holbeck Gala: enquiries@holbeckgala.co.uk * SANGAM Forum for Sikh and Hindu self-help groups 07959 474542 * Menspace - to help men and boys improve their wellbeing 276 2720 * Beeston Action for Families 0751 5851631 * Touchstone - 271 8277 * New Bewerley Childrens Centre 3368255 * Two Willows Early Years 270 6166 Council services: Welfare benefits rights and advice: 3760452 South Leeds counselling services: 3058306 Registrar: 222 4408 Councillors: Beeston & Holbeck Ward includes Beeston from Cross Flatts Park up to the Co-op, Cottingley, old Holbeck. The three Councillors are: David Congreve 277 7389; Angela Gabriel 07946 632 468; Adam Ogilvie 247 4578. City & Hunslet Ward includes the city centre, Holbeck Urban Village, Beeston Hill and Hunslet. The three Councillors are: Patrick Davey 261 0465; Mohammed Iqbal 294 1049; Elizabeth Nash 275 8594. Middleton Park Ward includes Belle Isle and Middleton. The three Councillors are: Judith Blake 395 1735; Geoff Driver 278 5995; Kim Groves 07891 741 832. Hilary Benn MP: Contact: bennh@ parliament.uk, www.hilarybennmp. com Constituency office: 2 Blenheim Terrace, Leeds, LS2 9JG; phone: 0113 244 1097; fax: 0113 234 1176 Or: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA; phone 020 7219 6714 Surgeries: First Saturday of every month (except August): 10.00am 11.15am St Georges Centre, 11.30am 1.00am Tunstall Rd Community Centre Fourth Friday of every month (except August): 4pm 5pm St Matthews Community Centre, 5.15pm 6.15pm Beeston Library Please note: Due to pressure on space this is just a snapshot of local services, not a comprehensive guide. To be included in the next issue, contact John Baron on 270 6903 or email john.baron@healthforall.org.uk

Holbeck Viaduct: Or what happened to our skywalk?

By Jayne Rodgers and unusual space unused and the sense to show a bit of vision. At the moment, its exotically steadily decaying. We werent the first people overgrown with randomly seedto sneak up there. Urbex have ed local fauna. Its wildly beauchecked out it too, as have The tiful but with clear evidence of Leeds Historical Expedition Soci- the regions incredible industrial ety (that is perhaps a made-up heritage. Standing several metres name for a society but the video above roads and pavements (its is real). This led us to ponder on a viaduct, thats what they do) it why the viaduct is not being used offers remarkable views of the to its full or indeed, any po- ever-changing cityscape. It brings the spectacular local countryside tential. into the vibrant metropolis and So, like others before us, we dis- back again. cussed the abandoned plans for it to combine a walkway into the But enough of the superlatives city with an urban park. It was we took pics, plenty of them, so earmarked to become a skywalk you can see exactly what were or what the architects propos- talking about: Ricks, Alexs and ing it called an elevated linear mine. park but somewhere along the Other cities have done it. Paris line (cuts, cuts, cuts?) the money has one and New York thinks the idea is so good theyve done it disappeared. Shame, because this is a stun- twice! Hows that for faith in the ning piece of Victorian architec- positive impact of projects of this ture, an engineering miracle that kind? Mexico City is also working provided a vital transport channel on one that will open in 2012. into the growing city in the nine- Is there any reason why Leeds teenth century. The viaduct once shouldnt have one too? A draft was and could again be a remark- design exists; how hard would able feature of a city, if Leeds has it be to get the project back on track? NB that is not a hypothetical question. In projects like this, as Alex of Exploring Leeds blog says, Instead of leaving a redundant piece of grand civic architecture to linger until it is demolished you make it part of the community again and turn dead space into leisure space. So, what do you think Leeds? Wouldnt the city benefit from turning a decaying space into a thing of practical beauty? Would locals use it? Would it be a perfect place for picnics and strolls? Wouldnt some of the many tourists who visit the city love to sit in a park instead of a pub sometimes? We know that times are tough (blah, blah) but it doesnt seem like a good strategy to always let cost obscure benefit. Maybe it wouldnt even cost that much to have a gorgeous, functional green space close to the city. I guess we wont know until we ask Thoughts, anyone?

The service was run by Health for * Cardinal Youth Club - Yvonne Organisations for elderly: All for four years but has unfortuCrowther 276 2020 * Holbeck Elderly Aid: nately since closed due to a lack * St Lukes Cares, community charity 0113 245 5553 of funding. It is hoped some of the members 0113 2710766 will attend the Parivar luncheon club in north Leeds - details from Health trainers: Gurpreet Gill on 07958 474542. Health Trainers provide a FREE Some of the services have been taken over by Touchstone, an organisation which provides services that improve the health and wellbeing of local people. More details on 0113 271 8277.
which works with young people * Belle Isle Elderly Winter Aid 277 8208 * Middleton Elderly Aid - 272 1050 * South Leeds Live at Home Scheme - 271 6201 Mosques: * Khoja Shi'a Ithna Asheri Mosque, Beeston Road, 276 5558 * Jamia Masjid Abu Huraira, Hardy Street - 0113 271 8050 * Masjid-e-Umar and Muslim Association, Stratford Street 270 9536 Gurdwaras: Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak, Ladypit Lane - 276 0270 / 276 0261 Community facilities: * Belle Isle Family Centre: 0113 277 4819 * Tenants Hall Enterprise Centre, Middleton: 270 6903 * Beeston Village Community Centre: 271 7231 * Hillside - 0113 387 6300 * Building Blocks Centre, Maud Avenue: 270 8088 * St Matthews Community Centre, Holbeck: 2762720 * Middleton Family Centre: 276 2386 * Pavilion, Dewsbury Road: 270 9432 * Hamara Healthy Living Centre 0113 2773330 * Holbeck Community Centre 276 2720 * Temple Works - 07710 418219 * Middleton Play and Learning Centre - 277 5323

one-to-one service to support you to lose weight, become more active and manage your stress levels better amongst many other things, in order to lead a healthier lifestyle. 0113 8272200 Community caravan: Health for All owns a high quality Community Caravan at Cayton Bay on the east coast near Scarborough and Filey for low income families. 0113 2706903 Local organisations: * Hamara Healthy Living Centre 0113 2773330 * Hunslet Festival - 0845 475 2041 * Health for All - community development organisation 2706903 * Friends of Middleton Park www.fomp.co.uk * AWAAZ network: Made up of Asian community groups 07958 742719 * Middleton Railway 0845 680 1758 * Beeston Community Forum www.beestonforum.btck.co.uk/ Contact%20us - 2716985 * Slate furniture store - 270 4005 * Beeston Festival beestonfestival@googlemail.com * Asha Neighbourhood Centre for South Asian Women 0113 2704 600

It all started on Twitter, as outings are often wont to do these days. A discussion about disused railway lines in Leeds led to a 140-character chat about urban gardens and creative use of derelict spaces. This in turn brought about an expedition to explore the old Holbeck viaduct, 85 arches and 1500 yards long, that runs from the south of Leeds as far as the railway station in the city centre. Four epic adventurers (ok, nosy people with a penchant for long lunch breaks) climbed a railway embankment and took a stroll along the viaduct, marveling at its beauty, checking out the views, considering what it could be used for and generally getting slightly tetchy to see this exciting

Community catering: * Pat at Belle Isle Family Centre 0113 2774819 Creche: * Eduplay Mobile Childcare is a mobile crche service providing high quality mobile childcare 0113 2778965 Community transport: * TransportLink Community Transport, efficient and safe transport services to school, youth and community groups, voluntary and statutory organisations at competitive rates - Contact Jill Newton 0113 2706903 Children and young people: * The Cupboard project aims to improve the health and wellbeing of young people aged 13 to 19 years in South Leeds providing one to one support, groups and drop in facilities - Alison Chandler 0113 2762720.

Sample Holbecks marvellous botanic gardens!

By Gillian Holding I dont know what Im looking for when I leave the main highway. Im driven by natural curiosity, but also because I find this scarred light industrial landscape surprisingly compelling and aesthetically interesting. Ive felt increasingly theres art to be found Ive been walking the length of amidst the desolation, and in reWater Lane in Holbeck several cent weeks Ive found it. times a week for a while now: For the last few weeks have reits the nearest place to my studio vealed at the intersection of Bath for a decent espresso. Lane with Holbeck Ginnel the Every so often for a bit of vari- triumphant glory that is Holbeck ety and excitement, I liven up Botanic Gardens. the route with a detour onto the small desolate side roads populated by a few solitary parking meters, and adorned with rampant weeds and an eclectic collection of rubble. This paradise of massed vibrant colour and floral abundance comprises two extraordinary meadows and a variety of borders. The flowers have emerged from the rubble and concrete over the last month and with each passing day Ive been in awe at the power of nature to impose such beauty in such unprepossessing circumstances. Did somebody at some point sow some seeds? Is it all the remnant of some attempt by previous occupants of the sites to introduce herbaceous landscaping? One of the meadows has a predominantly yellow-blue theme. The other is a patriotic blaze of blue, red and white. A border tends to red and white. The sheer variety of colour is extraordinary, but on closer inspection you see that cornflowers are contributing many of the blue hues of delphinium, violet, indigo and sky-blue; poppies account for much of the crimson, scarlet, rose and magenta; and asters a lot of yellow. Tucked in between the power flowers though are a mass of other smaller plants, all contributing to the textural tapestry which is best observed by walking right up and leaning down to it all. No photo can do justice to this magnificence, which I dare not admit to the dog who has patiently sat waiting for me to scamper round in my vain attempts to record it all for posterity. The closer in you get, the more impressive it is. Like any good artwork, Holbeck Botanic Gardens do not show all at first sight. But do go; and marvel.

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Thanks to Emma Bearman for her support. Catch the Culture Vulture at www.theculturevulture.co.uk/blog

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Fabulous Holbeck views

I was walking along Beeston Road the other day and decided to pop into Holbeck Cemetery. It wasnt morbid curiosity, it was just that Id never been in there and wanted a closer look, writes John Baron. I found a viewing platform with some breathtaking views of Holbeck and the city centre a real hidden gem. The cemetery is a really interesting place, steeped in local history and strangely beautiful. It dates back to 1857 and its opening coincides with the closure of St Matthews Church graveyard, off Holbeck Moor. Theres a slideshow of photos on South Leeds Life blog www.southleedslife.wordpress. com/2011/08/07/slideshow-theview-from-holbeck-cemetery/

Webwise at South Leeds Life

Catch up with the latest, comments, polls, maps and videos which have been posted over at the South Leeds Life blog - www.southleedslife.wordpress.com The collaborative blog is run by a small group of local residents and community organisations.
POLL: Readers have been voting on whether theyd like to see an Aldi built on the site of the landmark Middleton Arms. So far 36% of people who voted have voted said yes they would, 48% said no and 16% werent bothered either way. On the poll, local resident Paul commented: The site should be used for something like Aldi or Netto etc. Or at least something that could bring jobs into the area. Boarded up buildings are not attractive, Its just a waste of space at the moment. www.southleedslife.wordpress. com/2011/08/17/poll-do-youwant-to-see-a-new-aldi-built-atmiddleton-arms-site/ MAP: Weve put together a Google map of just some of the local community groups you can find in your part of south Leeds. The map is also open for you to A happy community day, the add your group or organisation/ weather was for the major part good and once we had things service. * The maps at www.south- battened down against the ocl e e d s l i f e . w o r d p r e s s . casional gust of wind, local orcom/2011/08/07/mapped- ganisations displayed their work south-leeds-community-or- enthusiastically... The theme of past, present and future may ganisations-and-groups/ have got a little lost but the future SLIDESHOW: A slideshow of was covered as there were some photographs showing the view plans to view for both Middleton over Holbeck from the viewpoint Park and the new Enterprise Cenin Holbeck Cemetery is one of the tre. A good day. areas hidden gems. w w w. s o u t h l e e d s l i f e . w o rd * The slideshows at www. p r e s s . c o m / 2 0 1 1 / 0 7 / 0 6 / southleedslife.wordpress. middleton-day-saturday-9thcom/2011/08/07/slideshow- july/#comments the-view-from-holbeck-ceme* On the fire that ripped through tery/ Holbecks Lord Nelson pub, COMMENTS: Your comments StevePHolbeck says: I think are always welcome in our posts. the pub has now been demolished. What a sad loss for On Julys Middleton Day event, Holbeck. In the past I spent Deacon Al Henry, the Methodmany happy hours in the pub. ist Minister for Middleton, said: It was a smashing old building. Its a shame that many of our old pubs have closed and become a potential target for the vandals (Spotted Cow, Kings Arms). * On the theft of metal from the tracks at Middleton Railway, Paul comments: If somebody could donate some CCTV cameras then the police would catch and lock up the mindless idiot thieves. Salena Riley replied: Unfortunately to place CCTV cameras in the area may prove difficult as the line run through a green area and the cameras may suffer the same fate as the line. www.southleedslife.wordpress. com/2011/06/21/metal-thievesstrike-at-middleton-railway/ www.southleedslife.wordpress.com for the latest news

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