Venues: Leeds Pudsey – G&H Offices LS28 8AD; Leeds Kirkstall – Milford Sports Club LS5 3AS & Horsforth at Leeds Trinity University For the Male who your life who may be struggling with their Mental Health Andy’s ManClub is here to help every Monday except Bank Holidays 7-9 pm  Sometimes listening and knowing you’re not the only one struggling is enough to help.At our groups there’s no pressure to talk – you can take it all at your own pace Men’s suicide prevention charity Andy’s Man Club has launched a new support group in Horsforth the volunteer-led sessions are held every Monday at 7pm 10 March they will be held at Leeds Trinity University on Brownberrie Lane It’s the 80th anniversary of the the end of the Second World War in Europe in 1945 on May 8 – when the Allies accepted the surrender of Nazi Germany Four days of celebrations have been organised for this year’s anniversary VE Day commemorates the end of the Second World War in Europe on May 8 Here’s a selection of some of the commemorative events happening in West Leeds this week. More can be found in WLD’s what’s on section There will be a service at Leeds Minster on Saturday hosted by Lord Mayor of Leeds councillor Abigail Marshall Katung choir – including Leeds Philharmonic Chorus – and bagpipe performances Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Every fortnight we publish a list of the latest licensing applications related to the seven council wards in the West Leeds Dispatch patch The council’s licensing department regulates activities that require a licence event notices and taxi licence applications. They also ensure that licensed premises and individuals comply with the law and protect the public The following licensing application was published on the Leeds City Council website in the past 14 days: Tickets are now on sale for the annual St Joseph’s Beer Festival hosted by St Joseph’s MOPS This year we will be holding 2 sessions on Saturday 3rd May 2025 from 2-6pm and 7.30-11.30pm Please ensure you buy the correct ticket for the session you want  There is also a combined ticket available lager style brews and cider from local and national brewers The adult ticket price for the evening session is £15.00 (plus £1.50 booking fee) for the evening sessions This includes a free half pint glass (filled 5 times) food and quality entertainment from Good Question and the Average Joes plus guests The adult ticket price for the afternoon session is £10.00 (plus £1.00 booking fee)  This includes a free half pint glass (filled 5 times) and quality entertainment from the Celtic Cowboys and Amici  Free child tickets available for the afternoon session Parents will need to supervise their own children Barbecue food and soft drinks are available to buy in the afternoon After that the drinks are priced at just £1.50 per half a pint and cashless facilities are available Come and join us on 3rd May for a fun filled afternoon  Where else can you get quality entertainment great food and fantastic drinks at this value Tickets are limited so book early to avoid disappointment An order to preserve trees at a small woodland near the Owlcotes Centre in Pudsey has been approved by council officers Last April concerned residents spoke out against the felling of trees at Wood Nook which runs next to the footpath linking Asda and New Pudsey Station at Dawsons Corner Councillors in Pudsey and Calverley & Farsley wards also raised concerns A council report published on Friday said a council officer visited the site on 16 April 2024 and witnessed multiple trees being snapped and uprooted by a tracked digger At this point the trees were not protected by a preservation order and were not in a conservation area A provisional woodland order was issued to protect the remaining trees and on Friday permanent protection was confirmed Landowners Fort Property Holdings – via solicitors Schofield Sweeney – had objected to the tree preservation order which proved the tree were not valued and had adequate protection But a council tree officer’s report stated: “The housing allocation status remains in place and can exist along side a TPO Any future development application will be considered on its own merit and any approved planning decision will supersede the existing Preservation Order It is an inaccurate belief that Preservation Orders sterilise a building site.” A council report concluded: “Having carefully considered the issue raised by agents on balance it is considered that the Tree Preservation Order is warranted on the grounds of amenity and expediency.” The report and other documents can be read in full here As previously reported by WLD, residents had been concerned over the impact on nesting birds and had contacted local councillors. Three years ago Stanningley resident Steve Cave started a petition to have Tree Protection Orders put in place Each week we publish a list of the latest planning applications related to the seven council wards in West Leeds The following applications were published on the Leeds City Council website in the past seven days Here are the planning applications decided by Leeds City Council this week: Pam Ward said on a sunny Tuesday afternoon at the Pudsey Congs Cricket Club.   Pam recalls being involved in setting up Penny Lane as a dementia friendly café in November 2009 “Everyone is familiar with the Beatles song Penny Lane” says Pam and that is how the now hugely popular twice monthly event was named,” she said which is held at Pudsey Congs Cricket Club everyone is assured of a very warm welcome.   Volunteer/Helper likes nothing better than to make everyone welcome and is not deterred by the weather When it’s raining Mike can be seen standing outside with his umbrella ready to assist members entering the club house.   This all adds to the occasion – everyone is made to feel really special “We are all like one big happy family here,” is a view shared by Karen Mitchell MHA Community Co-ordinator whom along with a team of volunteers makes Penny Lane so special and so welcoming.   “I have worked in the care sector for about 40 years and I am passionate about raising awareness of dementia,” added Karen a hot drink and refreshments on arrival as well as a raffle all help to make fortnightly Tuesday afternoons such a big hit Regular Keith Spellman described Penny Lane as “the best thing since sliced bread” She added: “It’s just life-changing seeing people when their lives light up.” There was a real buzz in the air on Tuesday when Hayley J opened the afternoon’s live entertainment with Love is in the Air “It just makes it so special for me when people are enjoying my singing,” says Haley who always enjoys singing at Penny Lane – something that she has done for a few years.  “Everyone is so welcoming” added Haley Another great singer on the day was member Shirley Webster with her rendition of Viva Espana.  “I like cheerful songs,” said Shirley who has always enjoyed singing. There was certainly no shortage of cheerful songs on Tuesday who is a regular attender along with mum Ellen Wood told West Leeds Dispatch that she has found that dementia may cause anxiety making friends and listening to songs that you recognise can all help,” says Annette who likes the inclusivity and being able to dance with her mum and others is proud of the success of Penny Lane which is MHA’s longest running activity in Pudsey and the only one of its kind in the area “We now have an open membership,” explained Oli which means Penny Lane is suitable for anyone living with dementia “The open membership we introduced has led to a really good vibe and great interaction” Oli told West Leeds Dispatch The afternoon closed with Haley J singing Simply the Best While at the 50th Pudsey Allotments and Cottage Gardeners Association Spring Flower show in Pudsey Parish Church, community reporter Damon Sugden caught up with the founder of a new hedgehog rescue that has quietly taken root in Pudsey Thanks to a lot of dedication and training has turned her passion for wildlife into action After recognising the need for more local support for injured and displaced hedgehogs, Kim has launched Prickle Patch Hedgehog Rescue her mission is already making a difference “I’ve been trained by Dale at Milford hogs and I’m also under supervision from The Hedgehoggery in Shipley,” Kim explained Hedgehogs are declining and need the right care to recover and be released safely.” Working alongside a supportive network of experienced rescuers Kim is combining her teaching career with her rescue work She’s already begun treating and rehabilitating hogs recently releasing two healthy hedgehogs back into the wild “The aim is to eventually have a proper shed space and more equipment,” Kim said I’m relying on community support and my own resources.” A growing number of followers on social media have already donated to help get Prickle Patch off the ground If you find a hedgehog out in the day or in distress, Kim encourages you to get in touch via the Prickle Patch Hedgehog Rescue Facebook page it could be a sign something’s wrong,” she advises “Just keep it safe and give it some water — no milk though but those foods can actually cause serious health issues The safest options are cat or dog food and water,” she said Prickle Patch is clearly a labour of love — and it’s growing Thanks to Kim at Prickle Patch Hedgehog Rescue and supervised by the wider rescue network in West Yorkshire for supporting our local wildlife:Milford HedgehogsThe HedgehoggeryHedgehog Emergency Rescue Phone: 07436 126357. Email: pricklepatchpudsey@outlook.com. TicTok. Houses could be built on a vacant plot of land in Pudsey if the council agrees to planning permission The site off Alder Drive could be redeveloped into nine family homes with parking spaces and garages Permission is sought from Leeds City Council to build three A design report by planning consultancy Johnson Mowat said: “All homes will be provided with private gardens or public amenity space and at least two off-street car parking spaces “Cycle storage will be provided where garages are not proposed Electric vehicle charging points will be provided for each home.” The report said part of the site was within the Leeds Green Belt but was an appropriate place for new housing The new homes would help meet a growing need for housing in the city The applicant said wildlife habitats would be improved as part of the development The report said: “The habitats introduced and enhanced by the development are expected to benefit various species including bats hedgehogs and foraging and nesting birds.” It added: “The site is located within a sustainable location in relation to access to services employment opportunities and public transport links within reasonable distance.” The plans can be viewed in full here Santander has announced plans to close 95 of its high street branches across the UK – including its branch in Pudsey The high street bank said its customers were increasingly shifting to banking online and said it was aiming to start closing almost a quarter of its 444 branches this year The decision puts 750 employees at risk of losing their jobs The Pudsey branch on Lidget Hill will close on Monday Santander say support will also be available in branches at Petergate Mall They say 74% of Pudsey branch customers have used online “Closing a branch is always a very difficult decision and we spend a great deal of time assessing where and when we do this and how to minimise the impact it may have on our customers,” a Santander spokesperson said “Our customers are continuing to change the way they manage their money “Across our network in the ten-week period leading up to 12 December 2024 branch transactions fell 21% compared with the same period in 2023 “Over the past five years we have also seen a 63% increase in the number of transactions that customers choose to complete digitally whilst we have seen a 61% reduction in branch transactions over the same period “Before deciding to close this branch we reviewed the ways we serve our customers We also looked at where our branches are located and the other local banking options available.” Santander will also reduce hours at 36 branches and remove the front counters out of 18 others Pudsey) said: “We’ve just been informed that the Pudsey Branch of Santander will be closing Our first thoughts are with the dedicated staff and we sincerely hope they can be redeployed with no job losses.” Pudsey) said: “It’s extremely disappointing to hear that our Santander branch is set to close It will leave Pudsey town centre with only one bank and the Post Office giving one less reason for people to come into Pudsey “This is sadly another blow to high streets up and down the country and a particular blow to Pudsey at a time we’re starting to see positive growth in our own high street “My thoughts are especially with the staff who will now lose their jobs through this closure especially for those on a fixed income who use cash transactions to help them manage their finances I accept most people now use online banking and pay by card but with transaction charges for card payments now accounting for a large chunk of a businesses turnover it’s eating into vital profit margins – Cash is King “I’ve tried to highlight this over the past few years with initiatives like the Pudsey Lottery and have even looked into the possibility of a Banking Hub – with no luck yet We need to keep cash circulating and continue shopping as locally as possible.” said Santander’s decision to close almost a quarter of its network “will come as a real blow to many customers” Santander is also closing its branches in Morley and Ilkley. Both towns will now be without a bank branch and are being recommended to receive a banking hub I often pass this branch on weekday lunchtimes and people are queueing out the door to see one of the tellers Where are those customers going to go once the branch shuts Absolutely terrible there’s going to be know banks left not everyone does online banking or telephone banking and what about the older people of pudsey what are they going to do and yet again people are going to lose there jobs this branch is a very busy one it’s always packed when I go past it !!! Again it’s targeting the older folk who don’t do as much on the internet The last “proper” bank out of a town needs to be obliged to setup a Banking Hub and bear the cost of setup A former Pudsey hair salon will be converted into a hot food cafe after plans were approved by Leeds City Council the owner of Pudsey and Horsforth-based The Yorkshire Vaper has been granted to transform the former SC Two hair salon at 17 Lowtown to a hot food cafe The cafe will form part of Mr Wlkinson’s existing collectibles shop Lads ‘n Dads A design statement submitted with the application states: “The design/changes to the property are very minimal and only actually serve to replace existing old There were two letters of representation from the public over the proposals A planning officer’s report approving the plans said: “Taking account of all other material planning consideration and that the site has no other specific constraints it is recommended that planning permission be granted.” The plans can be viewed here Vegan Events UK is getting ready for this Saturday’s Pudsey Vegan Festival at Pudsey Civic Hall If you are looking for inspiration for a vegan lifestyle or plant-based options or to discover items that you won’t find in the supermarket Pudsey Vegan Festival will feature 60 stalls including a huge selection of cooked foods Talks include Mind Matters with Anne Davies where you’ll learn what you need to know about ageing health with top tips on thriving into old age as a vegan The Power of Exercise to Change Your Life with Sophie Banyard gives you top tips to start bringing the life changing magic of exercise into your life today Sophie is a personal trainer and mindset coach who is passionate about helping people to build inner and outer strength and resilience enabling them to conquer whatever challenges life throws your way a Yorkshire Plant-Based Councils campaigner will talk about the Plant-Based Councils campaign that calls on UK councils to take climate action by promoting plant-based eating to their residents and to lead by example with 100% plant-based internal catering She’ll talk about what they’re doing in Yorkshire and how people can help And there will be vegan rhymes from Glastonbury Festival Poet-in-Residence Dominic Berry Family friendly vegan verse from the 2020 saboteur award winner for ‘UK Best Spoken Word Artist’ come hear Dominic share some deep and some light-hearted tales of being vegan in today’s haphazard world Local stalls include Pudsey’s Fluffy Cat Candles who make mood boosting candles with room filling scents hand-poured in small batches using biodegradable soy wax and only the highest quality pure essential oils Bradford’s Father’s Farm Foods is a family business and supplier of various types of tree nuts Relevance Catering is a family vegan catering company based in West Yorkshire producing traditional Yorkshire bakes pies and sausage rolls as well as cakes and traditional sweet treats Ella’s Vegan Yorkshire Bakery in Malton nestled between the North Yorkshire moors and the Yorkshire Wolds has perfected a range of ready-made vegan mixes pancake mix and scone mixes plus a gluten-free range and supports animal welfare charity Miracle’s Mission Huddersfield’s Ivy Dene Rabbit Rescue promotes humane behaviour towards rabbits in Yorkshire by providing care security and re-homing for rabbits in need and educates the public on rabbit care and welfare Pet Respect is an animal education charity operating in the Hull and East Riding area which is run entirely by volunteers By using innovative ideas it promotes responsible pet ownership and anti-animal cruelty Yorkshire’s MamaLlamaByGigi specialises in creating handmade jewellery including polymer clay earrings and bookmarks rings and necklaces and wooden jewellery with mixed brass elements a non-profit animal welfare charity that works with sick Its mission is to provide a place of safety for animals in danger to educate on the needs of neutering both pets and strays and to neuter stray dogs and cats to prevent the birth of more animals onto the streets It also rehabilitates and re-homes dogs in need Pudsey Vegan Festival takes place from 10.30am to 4.30pm on Saturday 3rd May 2025 at Pudsey Civic Hall There are excellent public transport links and the venue has free parking. Standard entry is £5 on the door or in advance (under 16’s free) or advance VIP tickets are £15 to include a goody bag full of vegan products, samples, discounts and offers. Tickets are available here. For more information, visit the website Follow the Vegan Events UK social media pages to get updates on news and promotions Check out WLD’s what’s on section for more events here. Volunteers from Yorkshire Water’s £36 million Pudsey Beck project have been improving the outdoor spaces at Pudsey Southroyd Primary School The volunteers created a new woodchip outdoor play area for the nursery built handmade wooden benches for outdoor classroom areas in the woodland and constructed a bird hide to encourage children to get closer to nature Tree maintenance has also been carried out They’re aiming to welcome more nature to the school grounds and help support play and outdoor learning said: “We have a number of improvement projects under way in and around Pudsey which we appreciate can be disruptive to the community at times so it’s really important to us to give back where we can and help get children in the outdoors and enjoying nature.”  The Yorkshire Water education team has been working with a number of other primary and secondary schools in the area delivering Lego The team also welcomes schools to the Education Centre at Headingley Water Treatment Works where Pudsey Southroyd students attend every year as part of their water cycle curriculum headteacher at Pudsey Southroyd Primary School said: “On behalf of the entire school community we want to extend our deepest gratitude for the voluntary time “The enthusiasm and commitment to improving our outdoor spaces means our children will have enhanced learning opportunities that will help them be the best they can be “The unique collaboration and teamwork we witnessed is in line with our school values and has provided further inspiration for our children and community to become active citizens themselves in the future.”  The volunteers were joined on the day by Councillor Trish Smith (Ind She said: “There must have been around 30 people from across Yorkshire Water and their subsidiaries all working together helping our amazing community Many of their suppliers had donated the materials too – it was like our very own Pudsey DIY SOS “My sincere thanks to all those who worked so hard those who worked with me to set the day up and to all the school staff for being so accommodating I hope the children are as proud as I am of the incredible changes made by everyone’s hard work and enjoy the benefits of this for years to come.”  The volunteer work is part of Yorkshire Waters £36 million investment in four projects across west Leeds and Bradford to improve water quality in Pudsey Beck and reduce discharges from storm overflows during heavy rainfall In partnership with Bradford-based non-profit and Tilbury Douglas spent a day volunteering to improve the school’s outdoor area for when the children return after the Easter break Materials for the works were generously donated by Tilbury Douglas A small hot food takeaway kiosk could be built next to the former HSBC bank building in Pudsey The former HSBC Bank, at the corner of Church Lane and Robin Lane, has been empty since it closed its doors in October 2020 Plans by owner Mohammed Abbas will see the takeaway based on a corner plot of the site which is currently vacant and was formerly used as an ATM point A planning statement submitted with the application states: “The development aims to enhance the site’s usability while respecting the existing building’s heritage and the surrounding Conservation Area “The development aligns with local and national planning policies By introducing a new retail facility that contributes to the vibrancy of the town centre the kiosk represents a positive addition to the site and the wider community “The proposed kiosk represents a positive addition to the site enhancing its mixed-use character and providing a valuable service to the community The kiosk will serve as a hot or cold food outlet or concessions stand contributing to the vibrancy of the town centre and supporting local businesses.” The kiosk will be set back 0.5 metres from the main street to allow pedestrians to pass through and for customers to stand and order without obstructing the footpath It will be constructed of smooth-faced stone at the front elevation to match the bank’s façade with red brick on the side and rear elevations to blend with the host building The planning application can be read in full here Previous plans by Mr Abbas to turn the building into a retail unit and flats were approved by the council last August You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience Take part in the 2025 Charity Shops Survey the survey provides detailed benchmark data giving you a better understanding of the charity retail sector. Deadline for submissions is 4th July Take part and find out more and wasn’t that a lovely bit of sun some of us had yesterday Shame it’s back to business as usual today with grey March skies but it is technically the first day of spring Society Diary would like to apologise for our irregular meetings these days but doesn’t absence make the heart grow fonder What time apart also allows is for Diary to collect a few more charity-related stories from across the country to share with you read on for tales of a woman stuck in a loveless marriage to Pudsey Bear an indication that MrBeast’s vast philanthropic influence might finally have gone to his head and TV presenters taking on a mammoth roller-skating challenge to raise money the lovable mascot of BBC Children in Need for 40 years but what about his long-suffering wife this story isn’t actually about a fiction character’s imaginary wife but a real woman who changed her name by deed poll to Pudsey Bear 16 years ago The woman formally known as Eileen De Bont legally changed her moniker after running an eBay auction to raise £4,000 for the national charity in 2009 All the north Wales-based fundraiser’s bank details medical records and tarot reading business have been in the name of the Children In Need mascot ever since But this week she told MailOnline that her unusual name has also caused trouble with the Home Office refusing to grant her a passport in 2009 after deeming her name change as “frivolous” Mrs Bear was recently told her application could fail again due to a potential copyright breach “I thought that after 16 years the passport agency can hardly call my name ‘frivolous’,” she told the newspaper.  so I would like it on the front page of my passport next to my photograph.” As someone who also changed its identity over a decade ago Society Diary sympathises with Mrs Bear and hopes the Home Office changes its tune for those unaware of the phenomenon of MrBeast he is an “influencer” with millions of “followers” on the “internet” MrBeast is also disrupting the global charity sector with Beast Philanthropy which leverages his vast social media profile to raise funds for causes including poverty But this week, the 26-year-old American Youtuber caused a stir with a social media post about his latest scheme He posted: “I have a pilot living in a $2,500,000 private jet and if he doesn’t leave for 100 days he keeps it a cop/criminal in jail and if they don’t leave for 100 days they win $500,000 and someone living in a gym until he loses 100 pounds for $500,000 MrBeast was challenged by followers that he was motivated less by sharing his wealth and more by the fact that he enjoys “forcing random people to live in small spaces” The influencer denied this and clarified that all participants were happy and free to leave at any time Diary remembers the days when sitting a bath full of beans was enough to generate a few quid for a good cause but it appears the stakes have been raised Red Nose Day is celebrating its 40th year with a night of fundraising today Besides the usual host of celebrity-featuring sketches this year’s event features a 24-hour roller disco undertaken by broadcasters Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones For those who have seen clips of the pair’s Wheely Big Challenge what is striking is how much more painful the challenge has been than they expected Jones nearly had to pull out after suffering an injury when he fell over but the pair kept going through the night Diary remembers roller discos being a lot of fun but there’s probably a reason why they stop after a few hours M&S colleagues at Owlcotes in Pudsey are going the extra mile today (Friday 7 March) to support Leeds Women’s Aid and are aiming to cycle 200 miles during an in-store Bike-A-Thon The fundraiser will support local women and children and mark International Women’s Day, which is held on Saturday M&S Owlcotes manager Claire Smith is confident that the 28 colleagues who signed up for the event will achieve the 200-mile target – and to lead the way Claire was first on the bike to set an impressive early morning target.  Claire said: “We do a lot to support our local community here at M&S and each year we support a different charity that is chosen by colleagues.” The Bike-A-Thon runs until 6pm today to raise funds for independent charity Leeds Women’s Aid and support women to live safely and free of domestic violence and abuse.  Harriet Eggeling Fundraising Officer at Leeds Women’s Aid said: “M&S are really supportive of the charity and this is really appreciated at a time when the for demand for domestic violence and abuse services is increasing.  “Bike-A- Thon is a great idea and fits really well with this year’s International Women’s Day theme of Accelerating Action.” There is certainly lots of action planned throughout the day to achieve the 200-mile target and colleague Ellie Newsome welcomed the challenge as the second Bike-A-Thon rider of the day!   Mo Alt Lahcen will be going the extra mile by completing a 30-minute stint on the bike while he is fasting and Throughout the day shoppers can cheer the Bike-A-Thon team along and donate to Leeds Women’s Aid by making donations of cash Easter Eggs or unopened toiletries which will go to local women and their children.  If you would like to support this event please call into M&S at Owlcotes today before 6pm.  Alternatively, cash donations can be made here Leeds Women’s Aid is an Independent Charity based in Leeds providing a range of outstanding domestic violence and abuse services. Leeds Women’s Aid Charity Shop is located at 102 New Road Side, Horsforth, LS18 4QB and donations can be made here A Pudsey centenarian capped his 100th birthday week with a celebratory meal and a special presentation at the lunch club he attends War veteran Derek Webber had an ‘exciting’ week as well as receiving a card from the King and Queen Every Friday he attends MHA Pudsey and Farsley lunch club at The Britannia pub and friends sang happy birthday to him and gave him three cheers chocolates and a Marks and Spencer voucher “It’s very nice to get all this attention,” said Mr Webber who attends the Friday group because “it gets me out and about and meeting people” Mr Webber recalled some of the major events in his life notably surviving the Bath blitz in World War Two Bath suffered three raids from 80 Luftwaffe aircraft which took off from Nazi occupied northern France of which 1,100 were seriously damaged or destroyed including 218 of architectural or historic interest “It was very scary and I remember being very frightened,” Mr Webber said From the age of 18 Mr Webber spent four years serving in the RAF as bomber command ground staff and served ‘in a number of places in this country’ saying he didn’t travel to London to join the celebration but recalled a ‘do’ at the station he was serving He came to Pudsey in 1952 to start a position in a solicitors’ office “Jobs were hard to find when you came out of service,” he added He settled in Pudsey with his family before retiring in 1990 “I have enjoyed my time here in Pudsey,” Mr Webber said “My late wife and I made a life here and were very happy.” While he couldn’t offer any tips for a long life he did remark on how the world had changed since he was born in 1925 “I have lived in all kinds of places in my life When you think about it I have seen some amazing changes in the world particularly with things like technology.” Mr Webber had special praise for MHA Pudsey and Farsley which supports older people in the community “I come here every week and they have been very good to me You get to meet some great characters and they are very friendly.” At 100 years old he is still very active and attends a number of groups run by different organisations around Pudsey including a men’s forum every other Wednesday at Pudsey House services and signposting for older people aged 55 and over in Pudsey a Penny Lane session at Pudsey Congs Cricket Club For more information, call 0113 256 2717 or go to the website and is on track to deliver a day of delights for model railway fans and their families This much-anticipated event will take place at Pudsey Civic Hall on Saturday 8 March between 10.30am and 4.30pm with proceeds from the day going to Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice in Headingley Running on time and with no delays since 1994 a keen model train enthusiast who worked as a fundraiser at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice the event has raised thousands of pounds for the palliative and bereavement support charity over the last 30 years 20-year-old student Oliver Kirkby is organising the show this year following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps He said: “We have a variety of exhibitors – those who have built their own model railways including the track the building and the scenery including the fine details from walking in in the morning knowing nothing about model railways and buying everything you need to build a layout when you get home The exhibition is open to everybody and offers something for everyone Oliver added: “We see quite a lot of families turning up – grandparents will take their grandkids for a day out to see the trains We get a whole range of ages coming through the doors When asked about his involvement with Narrow Gauge North 2025 (NGN) Oliver said: “My love for model railways comes from my family really My Dad and my Grandad used to take me to railways and railway exhibitions when I was much younger “I’m proud that NGN can continue supporting Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice by raising vital funds that will make an impact on the lives of those when they really need it.”  Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice said: “We are absolutely delighted that Narrow Gauge North 2025 will once again be raising funds for Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice “Their continued dedication and all the money they have raised over the years helps us to be there when it matters with our end-of-life care and bereavement support.”  Narrow Gauge North 2025 will take place on Saturday 8 March Tickets: £10 for adults and £1 for accompanied children under 16 Family ticket (available after 1.30pm: £15 (2 adults plus accompanied children) A Pudsey woman will be pounding the 26.2 miles around London to help raise funds for blood cancer charity Leukaemia Care – a cause very close to her and her family was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in 2019 Running the London Marathon is something 24-year-old Hannah She now has the opportunity to do just that She said: “Running the London Marathon is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time – it’s an amazing opportunity and will be such an achievement “’I’ve been wanting to raise money for Leukaemia Care because they truly made a big difference to me and my mum during her illness “It helps so many people and I really believe the work they do makes such a difference Leukaemia is such a devastating disease and I really want to help find more treatments and support individuals and those affected by it as much as I can.” Nearly 10,000 people are diagnosed with leukaemia every year in the UK Leukaemia Care exists to support patients and families through diagnosis put in a colossal effort just to reach the start line and we commend each and every one of them have been affected by setbacks and challenges At Leukaemia Care we work tirelessly to help improve diagnosis and detection we need people like Hannah who selflessly face this challenge head on and raise vital funds to enable us to be there for the people who need us the most.” and she is keen to pay back the charity that not only supported Janine but also helped with money towards transport when Hannah was travelling home from Nottingham University for visits and provided financial support towards funding for a private counsellor who’s well on her way to achieving her fundraising target of £2,300 added: “Mum had a ‘celebration of life’ party which helped raise some money and my work has been good by displaying my fundraising page at reception “I’m excited to see other people who have been helped by Leukaemia Care and also in meeting other family members who have been affected I’ll definitely celebrate with a huge meal and lots of chocolate with my mum To help raise funds for Leukaemia Care, and support Hannah, visit her Just Giving page.  We are currently working to fix the problem and should have it resolved shortly To search and apply for jobs, please visit our jobs page [Error 1007 ID: 18.9b5e6cc1.1746504558.18f3febc] To experience the best that the Archbishop of York website has to offer, you need to enable JavaScript in your browser's settings. Turnon.js provides guidance on how to activate JavaScript for your particular browser In the countdown to Christmas, the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell joined with Pudsey Parish Church in the Diocese of Leeds to mark a 200 year anniversary at a special 'Carols by Candlelight' service 2024 marks two hundred years since Pudsey Parish Church was opened in 1824 the church has hosted several events throughout the year and launched an appeal to raise money to restore the clock tower "Thrilled to be at Pudsey Parish Church as we prepare to welcome Christ as the light of the world the one who provides hope amidst the darkness may we be drawn by the light of Christ and come in joyful adoration before the manger Pudsey Parish is a tremendous testimony of faithful service in this part of Leeds I pray the next 200 years of ministry will be filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit.” "It was a lovely to welcome Archbishop Stephen at our carol service especially as we celebrate people worshipping in this church for two hundred years On Christmas Eve our Christmas celebrations continue with two Christingle services at 3pm and 5pm We then have midnight communion starting at 11.30pm followed by our Christmas day service at 10.30am In the days and years to come we look forward to welcoming many more people to come and worship with us." The Church of England’s Christmas theme for 2024 is ‘Follow the Star: Calm and Bright’. To find a carol service or church event near you this December, head to achurchnearyou.com The owner of a popular Pudsey tea room has been praised for her time serving the community as she prepares to take a well-earned rest Olde Booths Tea Rooms, on Lowtown, Pudsey, has been put up for sale by owner Julie Pearson for an asking price of £39,950 Julie has run the tea room for 30 years – and news of her selling the business has resulted in an outpouring of appreciation for her services to the town One customer called for public recognition of the efforts her – and her mum – have put in over the years She wrote: “We have been going to the tea room for over 25 years and Julie has been there for over 29 years my heart goes out to her as an outstanding member of our local community “I know she’s hasn’t taken the decision to pack up lightly She support the Pudsey Lottery and has three awards for the finest cafe in the area “Julie has many devout followers and we don’t want to see her go.” Carol Hodgson posted on social media: “Really sad to hear Pudsey won’t be the same without you all Jane Chamberlain added: “All the best for the future I came here with my husband a few years ago to show him round the area and to see my mum’s old house It brought back happy memories coming here with my mum and my two girls “All the staff were so friendly and kind and the food was amazing Helen Garrand said: “I am so sad to hear this you need to concentrate on your health and retirement added: “I totally understand and you look after yourself I can only say that when I did my 15 years at adult social care at the Town Hall you actually saved my days Pudsey) added: “So sorry to hear this Pudsey) said: “Genuinely gutted to have seen this but you deserve your rest Thank you for everything you’ve done for so long ” I’m sure we’ll still have you there for a little while yet though (I certainly hope so) but I would like to wish you both all the very best Owner Julie confirmed on social media that describing her business as: “Our little baby and pride and joy.” She added: “It’s not a decision that we have come to lightly “We have had 29 amazing years and you never know we might have another 29 as nobody might want our baby but if they do fingers crossed it stays the same.” The headteacher of Pudsey Grammar School has admitted that having £4 million funding for a new post 16 centre withdrawn by the Government was ‘disappointing’ The school received planning permission to build a state-of-the-art sixth form block last June The scheme received the backing of the previous Government in 2023 and would have created 134 additional sixth form learning places additional staff offices and a dedicated sixth form learning space with IT facilities But a financial review by the Government decided the development would not proceed Pudsey Grammar School headteacher Mark McKelvie said: “We were disappointed to receive notice from the Department for Education in December that they were withdrawing the funding for our proposed new Sixth Form building “I met with Rachel Reeves MP in mid-January to discuss this Ms Reeves explained that the programme was part of a series of unfunded spending commitments made by the previous Government and as a result could not proceed.  “This was extremely disappointing as it means we cannot expand our popular and oversubscribed Sixth Form to around 350-400 students from across the wider area at this point our future plans and financial modelling were not dependent on the additional number of students the building would have provided this does not affect any of our recruitment plans for Sixth Form students as our existing excellent facilities can easily accommodate around 280 students We are welcoming more and more students from across the area to our Sixth Form as they appreciate what we offer and how supportive our students and staff are towards new year 12 students who attended other schools.” Mr McKelvie said there was ‘much to be proud of’ in the school which remains one of the most popular in Leeds with around 900 applications for 215 year 7 places He added: “We have good exam results we already have an excellent building and our Sixth Form is easily the best in the west of the city with high quality support beyond the classroom combined with excellent personal development opportunities and extra-curricular activities which are second to none as our recent separate trips to Paris and New York demonstrate “As we had set aside funding for the new building we are now working on future plans to further develop our Sixth Form facilities by providing additional social and study areas.” Pudsey Conservative councillors Simon and Dawn Seary have written to Leeds West and Pudsey MP Rachel Reeves to express their concerns In a statement they said: “Local students will suffer the consequences of Rachel Reeves’ choice to halt funding for Pudsey Grammar School’s Sixth Form expansion “The school is already oversubscribed and in urgent need of more space while other Sixth Form projects continue to receive funding “She may cite an alleged financial ‘black hole,’ but … Mauritius is set to receive £9bn – potentially £18bn – in negotiations over the Chagos Islands We have written to Rachel Reeves and will continue to voice our deep disappointment and will continue urging her to reconsider her choice.” The Government has said the Mauritius figures are “inaccurate and misleading” a Government source told WLD: “Conservative politicians have an incredible brass neck to try and grandstand over this issue when they left behind a £22bn black hole in the public finances “It has fallen again to Labour to clean up the mess and we make no bones about the fact we’ve had to take tough decisions to fix the foundations of our economy “Our focus is now on pushing for growth to put money in the pockets of working people and driving high and rising school standards And Pudsey’s independent councillor Trish Smith said: “It’s a huge shame this project hasn’t gone ahead as planned Our young people deserve the very best start in life and every opportunity we can offer them the young people in the west of the city have had to travel – often long distances – for the correct provision for them and their future aspirations Whilst we have the new sixth form facility currently being built off Kent Road the Grammar School project would have complimented that provision and offered our young people more choice locally “Hopefully this is just a delay though and the project will go forward once new funding can be identified.” Rachel Reeves MP was approached for comment Helen Broadhead has opened her new art shop and craft venture on Richardshaw Lane has transformed her shop into a space where creativity flourishes – not just through her own work community engagement and sustainable crafting Helen’s vision for Sunnyjolly Designs goes beyond selling her beautifully hand-painted and illustrated products offering a range of workshops for both children and adults and hands-on art workshops that you don’t often find in mainstream settings,” Helen said “From recycling toys and found objects to exploring watercolours and acrylics we want to make art accessible and fun for everyone.” A big part of Helen’s mission is sustainability ensuring that old or broken items find new life through art “If a toy has a missing arm or is a bit worn out we see it as an opportunity to create something new instead of throwing it away,” she says The shop also features a free craft swap station where visitors can pick up materials for their own projects or donate supplies they no longer need encouraging people to drop off unwanted toys to be rehomed or repurposed in creative ways visitors will find a treasure trove of handcrafted artwork and personalised gifts—all designed and made by Helen herself “Most of my inspiration comes from animals,” she says “I love creating little characters that bring people joy.” Whether you’re looking for a unique gift A Pudsey hair salon could be converted into a hot food cafe if plans are approved by Leeds City Council wants to transform the former SC Two hair salon at 17 Lowtown to a hot food cafe called Mary’s Kitchen The cafe will sit alongside and form part of Mr Wlkinson’s existing collectibles shop on Lowtown A design statement submitted with the application states: “The design/changes to the property are very minimal and only actually serve to replace existing old derelict or dated elements “The new shop front will essentially be like for like PVC the only difference being the colour change from white to black both other premises either side of 17 have black shop fronts so this will only serve to bring the shop in keeping with the others while also improving heat retention for the building with the improvement of double glazing instead of single with the intent of lowering energy use.” The plans can be viewed here Photographer Susan Tellum enjoyed a sunny walk from Bramley Library to Pudsey Library where the Knitted Pudsey display of the town can be seen Move the slider below to compare the real Pudsey Town Hall with the knitted one The blanket was produced by 16 volunteers in 2023 – read more about it here Here’s a selection of her photos in the slideshow below: Leeds West and Pudsey MP Rachel Reeves has toured the construction site of the new Pudsey Sixth Form College and met with prospective students expected to host around 700 learners off Kent Road is set to open its doors to its first cohort of students in September this year Funding has been sourced through a £12.7 million loan from the Department for Education Chancellor Rachel Reeves was ‘delighted’ to see the progress made in building the new college in her constituency “Speaking to future Pudsey Sixth Form College students while on the visit their positivity around being able to remain in the local area to attend sixth form was clear,” Ms Reeves added “Without the creation of this large new sixth form college many prospective students would instead have to travel further afield for their sixth form education.” Pudsey Sixth Form College will not only ensure that young people have additional learning opportunities but it will also release capacity in partner schools Co-op Academy Priesthorpe and Leeds West Academy along with Leeds Sixth Form College and Leeds City College Phil Mark, principal of Pudsey Sixth Form College said: “It is exciting to think that in a few months Pudsey Sixth Form College will begin its role providing the young people of Pudsey and the surrounding area with educational opportunities leading to employment or further study “Drawing on links with Leeds City College and Leeds Sixth Form College this new sixth form in Pudsey will be able to expertly provide both academic and technical courses for young people.” regional managing director of Caddick Construction Yorkshire & North East said: “It was a pleasure to welcome prospective students and local figureheads to the site to see the progress we are making “This project is not just about the building; it’s about giving local people the educational resources to help them succeed We’re grateful for Rachel Reeves’ interest and support and we look forward to continuing our work to welcome new students to the project later this year.” Follow WLD’s ongoing coverage of Pudsey Sixth Form College here The popular swimming pool at Pudsey Leisure Centre is set to close for a month to allow for essential maintenance work 1 December 2024 following the final timetabled sessions and scheduled to reopen on Monday subject to contractors completing works on time.  essential health and safety maintenance works are to be carried out as well as installing a new energy efficient LED lighting system A spokesperson apologised for any convenience but added: “This work will allow Leeds City Council to achieve its long-term plans for Pudsey Leisure Centre and reduce its carbon footprint The works will provide a cleaner leisure centre for future generations through sustainable clean energy “Whilst we appreciate the pool closures may cause disruption they are necessary to continue the operation of the pools.” During the closure members will be able to access any of the other Active Leeds Leisure Centres In preparation for the closure all joining for swim lessons has been temporarily paused and will resume in the New Year Pudsey) said: “Hugely disappointed to see that during the proposed six-week closure to the wet side of Pudsey Leisure Centre for remedial works they have not used this opportunity to refresh the changing rooms or the tiling around the pool side “As councillors we only received the communication on Tuesday and we have already requested a meeting with the senior team of the Leisure Services department to see if we can include these works during this time.” Pudsey) said: “I’ve already arranged a meeting with senior officers to discuss how we can maximise this closure No opportunity to fight for our share is lost!” Visitors to much-loved Pudsey Park will once again be able to pick up refreshments as the kiosk is set to reopen this weekend After a much-needed refurbishment the second most visited community park in Leeds will finally see its kiosk serving up treats again from tomorrow (August 3) efforts have been made to maintain the original aesthetic of the outside of the kiosk wherever possible whereas the inside has been completely redone the kiosk has always been very popular with park goers and those passing by Pudsey Park and the kiosk were originally opened to the public in April 1928 by the Duke and Duchess of York later to become King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The park was recently awarded with a Green Flag Award alongside six other parks and green spaces in Leeds recognising it as one of the best in the UK Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate said: “We’re pleased to confirm that this historic kiosk will be open for business again We know people in the area have been asking for this since it closed down and now families and residents visiting the park can pick up treats and hot drinks once more “We hope the kiosk will be a popular added attraction for people using the park and it will contribute through its income to the continued maintenance and improvements to parks throughout the city.” Official local authority website for Leeds providing information on local services Five serving police officers from Pudsey Police have been sacked and three former colleagues told they would have been dismissed over a WhatsApp group featuring “routine misogyny” and “casual racism” The eight current and former officers appeared before a gross misconduct hearing relating to inappropriate offensive and derogatory posts in a WhatsApp group they were part of The hearing revealed they also shared photographs of “death scenes” missing people and detainees. The hearing panel chaired by an independent legally-qualified chair found that all five serving officers should be dismissed and that the three officers who resigned while under investigation would have been dismissed if still serving All eight will now be added to the College of Policing’s Barred List preventing them from gaining any further employment in policing The hearing was told about a number of messages of concern within the WhatsApp group The chat group came to the Force’s attention after an inspector made a report to the Professional Standards Directorate after becoming aware of potential inappropriate behaviour A referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) who declared it as an independent investigation Detective Chief Superintendent Tanya Wilkins Head of West Yorkshire Police’s Professional Standards Directorate said: “This misconduct hearing looked not only at the actions of this group but also their inaction “The lack of challenge and complicity of a supervisor being involved in these conversations has allowed a culture of routine misogyny casual racism and bullying to develop within this team “We make clear to all employees of West Yorkshire Police the standards we expect of them both on and off duty and have a specific policy in place around the use of social media The messages that were looked at as part of this investigation were mean-spirited and not representative of the inclusive culture we seek to foster in West Yorkshire Police West Yorkshire Police has a variety of services available internally chaplaincy support and TRiM (Trauma Risk Management) for those affected by a traumatic event “We understand that there still remains a place for more informal support between colleagues but a social media platform is not the appropriate place to discuss and share information about sensitive operational matters “Supporting colleagues can also not be used as an excuse for the use of racist and misogynistic language Any members of the public with information about any potential misconduct or criminal behaviour by any police employee can report the issue in person at a police station, by calling 101 or by using Live Chat online. There is also the option to contact West Yorkshire Police’s Professional Standards Directorate directly by calling 01924 292044 or emailing psdintel@westyorkshire.police.uk You can also provide information anonymously to the Police Anti-Corruption and Abuse Reporting Service, which is run by independent charity Crimestoppers. You can access the service by calling 0800 085 0000 or by using their online reporting form Plans for a multi-million pound wetland scheme in Pudsey have been submitted to Leeds City Council for approval Yorkshire Water have proposed a major scheme to improve the water quality of Pudsey Beck and reducing storm overflows that carry sewage wastewater into the beck.  The scheme will introduce a wetlands greenspace which will use plants to naturally treat storm wastewater on land previously earmarked for housing Plans include the relocation of an existing storm overflow and the construction of an integrated constructed wetland The wetland will be based at the disused Yorkshire Water sewage works The land has not been used by Yorkshire Water for at least 30 years The scheme was first announced in September 2023 The plans can be viewed in full here. Outline plans to establish the principle of housing on a former industrial site in Pudsey have been submitted to Leeds City Council has applied for outline planning permission to change the use of the former Pudsey Plant Hire site off Lumby Lane into up to 13 properties A planning statement submitted by the applicant concludes the land is suitable for housing It added: “The site layout indicates that the existing access from Lumby Lane can be upgraded to the required highway standard and thereafter a layout can be achieved for an appropriate number of housing units.” As the application is only an outline to establish the principle of the development all other matters – including access and layout – would be determined by a full application at a future date The site has been in use for handling building plant and waste materials since at least 1962 and the transfer of waste materials was confirmed as an established use in 1992 The plans, which are due to be decided by 28 April, can be viewed in full here Pudsey-based company G&H has opened applications for its 2025 apprenticeship programme offering both on-site and office-based roles there are several apprenticeship opportunities available in electrical Apprentices joining the team in August 2025 will become full-time employees at the mechanical Applications are welcome from post-A-Level The three-year apprenticeship scheme is delivered in partnership with further education establishments including Leeds College of Building and Bradford College and will lead to an industry-recognised City & Guilds qualification said: “We’re excited to launch our 2025 apprenticeship scheme which is designed to develop and nurture our future workforce We’re looking for candidates who are hardworking and passionate about the construction sector we have offered a comprehensive apprenticeship programme designed to attract top talent and provide young people with valuable real-world experience with many of our alumni having gone on to forge successful careers at G&H.” first year Maintenance Apprentice at G&H said: “Applying for the G&H apprenticeship scheme was the best decision I ever made “I’m gaining valuable on-the-job training where I’ll earn my Level 3 NVQ in Servicing and Maintenance upon completion an apprenticeship has been a far better pathway than just going to college and I would highly recommend it to anyone leaving school and eager to start their career.” G&H has been delivering apprenticeships since 1999 with many former apprentices now in senior roles Chair of the Department for Education’s Apprenticeship Ambassador Network recently visited G&H and praised the “inspiring work that G&H is doing to invest in the skills needed to drive the growth and productivity of their business.” Apprenticeships on offer include two Level 3 Electrical roles and a Level 3 Service and Maintenance role in the south All applicants must be at least 18-years-old by August 2025 GCSE grade four or above in Maths and English are desirable but not essential there are two Level 4 Project Manager apprenticeship roles Applicants must be at least 16-years-old by August 2025 be able to travel to the Pudsey-based head office are encouraged to apply and may be considered for a fast-track route to completion The deadline for applications is 28 March, with a recruitment day scheduled for April and an August 2025 start. CVs should be sent to katie.hardisty@wearegandh.com Council highways chiefs have said they will continue to monitor delays caused by the installation of new traffic lights in Pudsey Some motorists say it’s been taking them up to 20 minutes to drive through the centre of Pudsey as a result of the change in timings at the lights in Pudsey town centre In autumn new signals were installed at the main Church Lane junction and Market Place to replace the old signals which had exceeded their expected lifespan A poll on the Pudsey Born and Bred Facebook group saw more than 1,000 people vote and urge the council to return the lights back to what they were before the work which has led to long delays on all four roads approaching the main crossroads One driver told WLD: “The lights have been a massive issue for a couple of months I now try to avoid Pudsey town centre at all costs – the last time I tried it the traffic was trailing back all the way back along Robin Lane to Crawshaw Avenue and beyond It’s caused a real problem when there didn’t need to be one.” There are concerns the delays are causing rat running on other Pudsey streets A Leeds City Council spokesperson said signal timings often require close monitoring and minor adjustments once implemented on the street “The recent modernisation of traffic signals in Pudsey was carried out as part of the council’s ongoing improvement programme to refurbish ageing signals and keep them in a safe condition externally funded by the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement,” the spokesperson added “Concerns were initially raised around waiting times for pedestrians and the signals were adjusted accordingly This resulted in an increased delay for vehicles aware of continuing concerns raised by motorists and are keeping the operation under review to ensure the signals remain as efficient as possible to both pedestrians and motorists.” Pudsey’s councillors have been actively pushing for the situation to be revolved and further changes to the lights were made by yesterday by highways officers He said: “I am glad the officer took the points on that I raised and has addressed my concerns Cllr Seary said changes included to the sensors on Lidget Hill and the right turn arrow detector and the pedestrian crossing in front of Boots now appears in fewer stages of the cycle Pedestrian priority at peak times has been reduced and the white lines on the Lowtown approach could also be changed going away from the junction to give a slightly larger space for vehicles waiting to turn right Pudsey) said: “The change of lights has been a nightmare for local residents We have been working with the team and reporting all concerns which has brought some improvements “The team are very proactive and have made amendments in response to the issues we have raised We are hopeful that the adjustments made yesterday finally address the problem but will continue to monitor.” Pudsey) called on the council to ‘sort it out’ She said: “As soon as the road was reopened I e-mailed to say the timing was off I was told it was a smart system and would adjust accordingly “I allowed more time but continued to ask Highways Officers to look into the sequencing as it clearly still wasn’t working as it should They admitted there had been an issue with one section that had since been corrected and said priority was being given to buses and pedestrians “I explained that still wasn’t working and the standing traffic was causing pollution and frustration forcing vehicles off the main streets – effectively they were causing rat running There are almost constant long queues on each of the four approaches to the main traffic lights which can’t be correct Highways really must get this sorted out.” Why couldn’t they just have changed the physical lights but left all the timings as they were all those vehicles sat idling and moving nowhere what is that doing to the local air quality I know I’m not the only person who avoids shopping in Pudsey now dues to the long queues and congestion Leeds council seem to spend millions on road projects (Armley Gyratory etc) and despite months/years of extra delays due to the road works the end result is traffic flow is about the same as before Perhaps scrap most of the big projects then with the 10’s of millions saved fill potholes/resurface roads and stop cutting things like Libaries Pudsey Civic Hall etc all of which cost next to nothing in comparison and actually benefit people Thousands of people are expected to attend Pudsey’s big Christmas light switch on Fun fair and stalls: Rides on Lowtown and Christmas stalls in Pudsey Market Kids’ activities: Christmas crafts and Santa’s Grotto at Pudsey House Craft Fair: Rotary Club’s Christmas Craft Fair The Pudsey Produce and Craft Market is also open this Sunday in Pudsey Market Place from 9am to 1pm then 3pm to 7pm There will be road closures between 10am until 10pm Lowtown from the junction of The Lanes to the main traffic lights in the Centre and Manor House Street will be closed from 10am on Sunday 1 December and will not reopen till 10pm This is to allow the funfair and stage to be built from 10am and the event will open at 3pm Bus services that normally run up/down Lowtown will be diverted along Kent Road The bus station and all car parks will be open as normal Pedestrian access to all the shops and businesses will be maintained throughout the time Nestled in the hills above Fulneck Moravian Settlement is the beautiful and historic Fulneck Theatre Also known as the Comenius Centre from its former life as part of Fulneck School’s Drama Faculty and Sunday School the building has been home to Fulneck Dramatic Society (FDS) since it formed over 100 years ago in 1924 FDS took on sole management of the theatre a rare treat for an amateur group to have a full time venue They produce three shows every year in house technical and backstage staff and team of directors all working completely voluntarily The theatre also acts as a venue on occasion for external acts and theatre and film companies most memorably hosting an Elton John tribute night The group is kept running by a hard working committee who manage the day to day operations and steer the society’s visions Its next play is Agatha Christie’s The Stranger A psychological delve into love and trust which asks us the question what do we really know about those closest to us with an additional performance on the 17th at 2pm Tickets are priced at £12 (or £10 if you are over 65 Coming to see a show is the easiest way to support the arts in your local area Donations or becoming a patron can also sustain and revive the culture of theatre in Pudsey and most of its funds come directly from our plays If you would like to find out more about the theatre, our society or the latest show, please visit our website. Plans to transform an empty floor of a building opposite Pudsey Cenotaph into two flats have been approved by Leeds City Council will convert the first and second floors of the property into two one bed flats including some external and internal alterations to the building The area previously provided toilet and ancillary accommodation for number 9 Chapeltown which operated as a sports bar and club next door until July 2024 A design report submitted with the application said: “It is considered that this proposal will provide a positive viable use to what is currently vacant space in a prominent location on a major thoroughfare through the town “Upon completion the development will provide a positive contribution to the streetscape and local area adding to the vitality and sustainability of the town centre whilst having no detrimental impact on the neighbouring properties or the area as a whole.” A planning officer’s report approving the proposals concluded: “It is considered that the proposed development is acceptable and is compliant with planning policy and guidance.” The plans, which also include internal and external alterations to the building, can be viewed in full here Works have recently been carried out to convert former ground floor shops at 11-15 Chapeltown into two new flats.  The future of Pudsey Civic Hall is yet to be decided The future of the community facility has been uncertain after cash-strapped Leeds City Council last December announced a proposal to close the building as it struggles to balance its finances which was used by over 49,000 people in 2022-23 makes a ‘modest surplus’ but the council says it is consistently failing to meet income targets and is a “financial strain” It says the building requires major investment As previously reported, a decision on the building’s future was originally ‘due in the autumn’ but WLD understands the council is still considering different options for the building A Leeds City Council spokesperson said: “Due to the closure of Morley Town Hall in early 2025 for refurbishment works Pudsey Civic Hall will remain open until the end of December 2025 we will continue to review options for Pudsey Civic Hall  “Once a final decision is made – subject to executive board approval – the decision will be communicated to the building’s stakeholders and residents.” WLD has been following local government cuts since 2020 through our Cutswatch series, which can be found here why is the community centre being considered for sale It’s a revenue raiser & profitable and Tyersal for five magical nights this December Santa’s official tour route has been published and this is where families can expect to see him which are run by volunteers from the Pudsey Christmas Lights group start at 6pm and aim to finish around 8pm each night