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KIRKSTALL MATTERS issue 92 Mid 2006 PAGE 1

www.matters.kirkstall.org.uk

In this edition: Festival News • Abbey Landscape • Student Housing • Kirkstall in Bloom • Kirkstall District Centre • Kirkstall Mills

• Abbey House Activities • Railway Children • Family History Research • Treasures of Leeds • Boston Diner Site • Kirkstall Forge

• Shakespeare Festival • School News & Poetry • Sculpture • Hollybush Conservation • Healthy Walking and more...

The magazine of Kirkstall Valley Community Association

Issue 92 Mid 2006

Kirkstall Festival © PHOTO: Val Crompton

£1

Come to Kirkstall Festival Saturday 8th July 2006 12 noon-5pm at Kirkstall Abbey

Parade starts at 12 noon Hesketh Avenue


Libraries

Local branches, with facilities available:

Kirkstall Library tel. 214 4529 26 Kirkstall Lane Mon 1pm – 5pm

Wed 10am – 5pm Fri 1pm – 5pm

Sat 10am – 1pm

facilities: Council Papers, Disabled Access, Photocopier, Fax

Burley Library tel. 214 4528

Cardigan Road

Mon 2pm – 7pm Wed 9.30am – 5pm

Fri 2pm – 6pm Sat 11.30am – 3pm

facilities: Asian Language Books, CD Rom Multimedia, Meeting Room, Disabled Access, Fax, Internet Access

Bramley Library tel. 214 6040

Hough Lane

Mon 10am – 8pm Tues 10am – 6pm Wed 10am – 5pm Fri 10am – 3pm

Sun 11am – 3pm

facilities: CD ROM Multimedia, Council Papers, Theatre Bookings,

Disabled access, Photocopier, Study Area, Fax, Internet Access

Headingley Library tel. 214 4525

North Lane

Mon to Fri 9.30am - 7pm Sat 9.30am - 5pm Sun 11am - 4pm

facilities:Asian Language Books, UK Yellow Pages, CD ROM Multimedia,

Computer Catalogue, Council Papers, Meeting Room, Theatre Bookings, Videos,

Disabled Access, Photocopier, Study Area, CD’s, Fax, Planning Applications, Sale of Book Tokens, Internet Access

Kirkstall Matters email: [email protected]

EDITOR : Val Crompton

Editorial Team: John Crompton, Val Crompton, Doug Kilvington, Ann Lightman, Ken Waterworth

COPY DATES: 3 issues each year, 15th Jan, 7th May, 15th Sept.

Articles, readers' letters, poems etc. are most welcome. Our preferred format is Microsoft Word. We can also accept Word, or Microsoft Publisher. Kirkstall Matters is produced using Microsoft Publisher 2002.

Ideally please e-mail your file as an attachment to the address at the top of this page or deliver it on disk to our postal address (see below). If you can't provide your article in electronic form, you can deliver it to our postal address, 18 The Rise LS5 3EP.

The views expressed in KIRKSTALL MATTERS are those of the contributors. If not attributed to individuals, they are from The Editorial Team. They are not necessarily the views of the KVCA. KIRKSTALL VALLEY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, founded in 1978, with the aim ‘to promote the benefit of the inhabitants of Kirkstall and the neighbourhood'.

It is non-party political, non-sectarian and a registered charity. It has a number of subsidiaries responsible for organising events and activities, for example KIRKSTALL FESTIVAL COMMITTEE. The KVCA acts as a pressure group and a watchdog on developments affecting Kirkstall. It campaigns and co-operates on a number of issues with certain other local organisations, as it decides.

It is open to anyone to join. See application form on page 46. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP IS £4.

Membership includes three issues per year of KIRKSTALL MATTERS, delivered free within the

Kirkstall area. Alternatively they may be sent by post, this option is popular with members who live out of the area. As a "not for profit" charity, we welcome a donation of £3

to cover postage & packing from postal subscribers:

c/o The Treasurer, 18 The Rise, Leeds LS5 3EP

websites:

Contact Matthew Guy: Kirkstall Community Website: www.kirkstall.org.uk

see also Gerard Roe: www.matters.kirkstall.org.uk

Useful telephone numbers

Weetwood Police, front desk 0113 241 3459

Peter Krushniak, NHW Liaison 0113 241 3441

Police (non-emergencies) 0845 606 0606

Printed by Smallprint


Dear Reader, Many thanks to all contributors and advertisers, I had difficulty fitting everything in this issue! Copy date for the next issue is 15th September. Please keep sending articles to Kirkstall Matters . We are particularly pleased to have news and poems from local schools.

If there are any readers with drawing or desktop publishing skills and some spare time, please contact me. I need help. Doug Kilvington who has drawn the Merry Monks cartoon for over twenty years is not well enough to draw new monks. His monks are part of the character of this magazine and will, like the Time Lords, continue. I am

modifying and recycling Doug’s old monks - with Doug’s blessing !

I hope to see many of you at the Festival Service in the Nave at 4.15pm on 8th July. It is a wonderfully cool place to be on a hot day! Email: Val Crompton [email protected] tel. 225 9142

Val Crompton Editor &

Illustrator

Doug Kilvington Cartoonist

2006

John Liversedge

Chairman KVCA

Ken Stratford KVCA

Secretary

Contents Issue 92

What’s On 4 Chairman’s Letter John Liversedge 5 Kirkstall Online Matthew Guy 5 KVCA AGM Mary Rennie 6 Festival Events John Liversedge 7 Boston Diner Matthew Guy 8 Kirkstall Forge Ken Stratford 8 Letters & Messages 9

St Stephen’s School News 10 St Stephen’s Church News Judith Endersby 11 Beecroft Primary Weather Poems 12 Student Housing Dr Richard Tyler 13 Railway Children David Hey 14 Fishing in Kirkstall Valley 15 Cut Cost of Calls John Battle 16 Family History Margaret Thompson 17

Index of Advertisers 18

Kirkstall Mills Cllr John Illingworth 14 Abbey Villa listed Cllr John Illingworth 14 Abbey Views & Yews Andrew Middlemiss 22 Kirkstall District Centre Patrick Bird 24

Gardeners’ World Graham Wheatley 25 Kirkstall in Bloom Ian Ross 26 Secret Garden Puzzle Val Crompton 26 Kirkstall Footpaths Cllr Liz Minkin 27 Goldfinches Peter Larner 28 Hollybush Walkers Jo Murricane 28 Conservation Centre Jenny Twaddell 29

Blue Plaques - Brewery Ann Lightman 30 For adults only Ann Lightman 31 Material Pleasures Exhibition 32 Abbey House Activities Vicky Lucas 33 Abbey Light Railway Peter Lowe 34 Kirkstall Sculptor, Kevin Harlow 35 Shakespeare Festival 36

Rita Samuel KVCA

Treasurer

Editorial

Did you say you were called

The Doctor?


What’s On...

KIRKSTALL VILLAGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION General and Planning Committee meetings at 8 pm in Milford Sports Club, usually on the 1st Thursday of each month (except May, Aug & Dec). Officers Honorary Vice Presidents: Marjorie Kilby & Douglas Kilvington Chair: John Liversedge Tel. 0113 278 5987 Vice Chair: Steve Gradys Treasurer: Rita Samuel Secretary: Ken Stratford

KIRKSTALL FESTIVAL Saturday 8th July, 2006 Chair: John Liversedge tel. 278 5987

Stall Bookings: Roger Moran tel. 226 8098 76 Kirkstall Lane, Leeds LS5 3JV

KIRKSTALL LEISURE CENTRE Kirkstall Lane Open 8:30am to 10:30pm. Bookings Tel. 214 4555 Special activities for children during school holidays

KIRKSTALL ABBEY TENNIS CLUB Jessica Fischer Tel: 07711 646991, [email protected] see page38

ABBEY HOUSE MUSEUM Opening times: Monday closed all day Tues to Friday 10am - 5pm, Saturday 12noon - 5pm Sunday 10am - 5pm Admission charges Adults £3.50, Children £1.50 (16 and under) Concessions £2.50 (senior citizens and students) Family ticket £5 (2 adults and up to 3 children) The Refectory: Licensed restaurant / café (accessible without museum entry).

ABBEY - GUIDED TOURS Usually take place on 3 occasions each year. Contact Abbey House Museum for details. Tel. 230 5492 ABBEY - VISITORS’ CENTRE 11am-3pm Closed on Mondays & Fridays

ABBEY LIGHT RAILWAY Trains from Bridge Road run at frequent intervals along to Kirkstall Abbey (and vice-versa) on Sundays from 1 pm to dusk (weather permitting) BURLEY LODGE COMMUNITY CENTRE Burley Lodge Road LS6 1QF Tel. 275 4142 Community Projects: Cafe Open Mon, Wed, Fri 9.30am - 2.30pm Office Open Mon-Fri 9.30am - 5.30pm

BRAMLEY COMMUNITY CENTRE Waterloo Lane Tel. 255 2227 Mon-Thurs. 10am-4pm Fri 10am-3pm Evening appointments for Counselling. West Leeds Community Drug Project - with Support, Outreach, Group Work & Crèche

CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT (CND) Meetings:7:30pm,3rd Wed of the month, at Headingley Community Centre, North Lane. Tel. 274 1011

CARDIGAN CENTRE 145-149 Cardigan Road Resource Centre 9am to 8pm Mon-Fri. Tel. 275 9282 Youth Point; ‘Active for Life’ Healthy Living Project; Older Active People Scheme; Handy Person Scheme

HAWKSWORTH WOOD COMMUNITY CENTRE 6, Broadway. Drop in for a cuppa -tel. 228 5550 Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Free Internet access; Meeting Room Hire; Credit Union Information service. Bingo on Wednesdays at 1.30pm See p43

HAWKSWORTH WOOD COMMUNITY SHOP 8 Broadway. Monday to Fridays 9 am to 3.30 pm.

FRIENDS OF HAWKSWORTH WOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL Bingo at the school, last Thursday of each month, 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm (Term time only).

HAWKSWORTH WOOD YMCA Lea Farm Mount Tel. 216 2970. Free ‘Connexions’ Access Point - Mon - Thursday 3pm - 4pm and Fridays 6-8pm Lunch Club (age 50+) Fridays 11.30am - 1.30pm Parent &Toddler group, Thursdays 9.30 - 11.30am. Park Lane College Courses, Tues - Thurs (Term time) Activity groups in Sports, Drama, Dance, Martial Arts etc.

HOLLYBUSH CONSERVATION CENTRE Broad Lane. Tel 274 2335 Volunteers welcome ! Tues - Fri 9am-5pm; 2nd & 4th Sun 9.30am-5pm

JAZZ BAND CLUB at the Merry Monk, Kirkstall Hill. Tel: 275 9403 Fridays from 9pm - its free !

MILFORD SPORTS CLUB Beecroft St.Tel 226 3030

POVERTY AID UK Collection Warehouse & Charity Shop, 165 Cardigan Road. Tel 274 4099/ 274 6349

ST MARY’S CHURCH HALL Bingo Tuesdays at 8 pm (Doors Open at 6.30pm) Indoor Bowling Thursdays and Fridays,1pm to 4pm Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Hall Hire - Tel. 258 2923

ST STEPHEN’S CHURCH Sunday Services: 8:45am. Holy Communion. 10am.Parish Communion 6.30pm Evensong, (Said) Midweek Holy Communion: Wednesdays at 11am. Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Rainbows, Brownies, Guides. Contact: Revd Brenda Wood e-mail: [email protected] Mobile: 0780 844 2839

THE SALVATION ARMY Kirkstall Lane www.leedsburleysa.org.uk Tel: 293 5559 or 393 0586. Sunday Service 10.15am Home & Family Meeting Mondays at 1.30pm Charity Shop Tuesday with tea/coffee 10am-noon Lunch Club at 12 noon (please book in advance) Carers & Toddlers Mon, & Thurs.9.35 - 11.15am.

VESPER GATE HOTEL Tel. 220 0961 Abbey Road. Every Wednesday 'Family Fortunes' Quiz Night.9.30pm-11pm. WEST END HOUSE - Food & Ale Tel. 278 6332 Quiz Nights every Tuesday. & Thursday at 9pm see page 37


Kirkstall Online Webmaster, Matthew Guy writes “After living in Leeds for 20 years, I am leaving to spend some time in Canada. I don't want Kirkstall Online to disappear ! I will still maintain the site until new people can be found to help out or take over the running of Kirkstall Online. If you can help, please let me know.

In February 2000, I started the site to make sure that www.kirkstall.org.uk, www.kirkstall.com and www.kirkstall.info were kept for use by the community.

I hope that after I leave Kirkstall this can continue and I will do my best to keep the site going remotely. I won’t have my ear to the ground so will rely even more on people telling me what is going on in the area. Please email me or post on the Discussion Board to make sure the website continues to go from strength to strength.

Many thanks to everyone for all their help and assistance with the website and to you all for being such good friends and neighbours. Kirkstall is a great place and I will miss it. My partner bought me a lovely canvas printed photograph taken by Paul Holdcroft of the mist in the valley with the Abbey tower poking through. It will go on our wall in Canada and remind us daily of a place we made a very happy home.”

♦ News ♦ Discussion Board ♦ Local Photographs ♦ Old Postcards ♦ Webspace

website for the community www.kirkstall.org.uk

[email protected]

Kirkstall Online Resource & Information Centre

Matthew Guy

Letters... Matthew to move to Canada... KVCA Chairman’s Letter Our small band of eccentrics, otherwise known as the Kirkstall Festival Committee, are busy planning the 26th Kirkstall Festival for Saturday, 8th July.

Last year, being the 25th Festival, we really did make it bigger and better than ever before! It was hard work for everyone involved. I thought this year’s festival would not be as difficult, as the pressure would not be as great. How wrong can you be? We try to do better each year.

There have been delays in sending out letters to stallholders. Please if you want a stall, just get in touch with us and we will sort it out. There is plenty of room now that most of the work at the Abbey is finished. Everything should be back to normal for the festival.

We are going to focus on selling more festival programmes. We do depend on programme sales to augment our funds for the festival. Many people think the festival is funded and run by the City Council, it is not. We on the committee are local people, unpaid, who do it for

pleasure. Everyone who helps, or does anything for the festival, does it for fun. We get satisfaction from knowing that we have done something for our community.

We are very lucky that the City Council help us. Without their help last year, there would not have been a festival. I would also like to thank the local primary schools. They take part every year. They always get involved in everything, posters, parade, youth stage, stalls, sports, dancing, singing, the list goes on. So thank you to all. Teachers and parents give up their valuable time both during the year and on festival day itself.

It is YOUR festival for the pleasure and benefit of YOUR community. If you think you can help in any way, please phone me. Why not volunteer to sell programmes for us for an hour on festival day? Then go off and enjoy the festival knowing you have done your bit! Come on, do it!

John Liversedge 278 5987 (see page 7)

John Liversedge in the centre


KVCA AGM held 6th April 06 KVCA becomes Kirkstall Valley Community

Association Chairperson’s Report John Liversedge reported that the festival was a great success but we overspent. In part this was deliberate because it was to make the 25th festival special. The committee has plans to recoup the losses. John thanked everyone for their help. Douglas Kilvington and Marjorie Kilby were voted to be Vice-Presidents of KVCA, in recognition of their long years of community service.

Secretary’s Report Ken Stratford reported that attendance at committee meetings has been very good and that we have just over 450 members. Ken congratulated Val on “the incredible publication that is Kirkstall Matters”. He said that between 13,500 and 15,000 people attended the festival. Ken said that there is a really good team of people who put together the festival and are involved in KVCA. He paid tribute to the contributions of a number of individuals including Catherine Simpson for her work on fundraising.

Treasurer’s Report Rita Samuel circulated copies of a balance sheet for the Festival and KVCA accounts for 2003, 2004 and 2005 and went through these documents. The cost of producing the magazine and postal charges had both increased but the membership fee had been static. The committee decided to raise the subscription charge from 2006 and this does not seem to have been a deterrent; in fact Rita has received letters of congratulation about the quality of the magazine. We agreed that we should apply for a grant towards the cost of producing the magazine.

Membership Secretary’s Report Ray Booth had submitted a report. We have 453 members and 49 postal members. Ken commented that Geoff Hodgson’s target had been to have over 500 members. 210 magazines are sold through retailers and 20 go to advertisers. Ray wrote that Rita had taken over all the work associated with membership and with contacting advertisers and retailers, that he was resigning as membership secretary but was happy to continue to distribute the magazine. We thanked Ray for all the hard work he had done over the years.

Editor’s Report Val spoke about Doug Kilvington’s cartoons of the Merry Monks, which illustrated Kirkstall Matters for about 20 years. Doug had a slight stroke and was unable to draw, so since then Val has been recycling the monks. Val stressed that the quality of the magazine depends on the contributors and that it is important for people who live in Kirkstall to listen out for newsworthy items and to encourage schools to send in material. Rita said she would approach the schools.

Kirkstall Online Matthew said that he had snapped up the Kirkstall website in 2000 and that there are now between 800 and 1500 visits to

KVCA Annual General Meeting Report ... the site per month; the busiest time is the summer. In July Matthew will be moving to Canada but he will do his best to ensure that Kirkstall Online continues. Abbey Light Railway Peter Lowe reported that this is the railway’s 30th year and its 25th year of carrying passengers. The cost of operating, in particular the cost of insurance, has been increasing. However, the railway is still going strong and the test run of the “gogo tractor” should take place within the next few weeks.

Resolutions Ken Stratford had brought 3 resolutions to the AGM:

The first resolution was: It is proposed that the Association delete from its name the word ‘Village’ and adopt other name as may be suggested by members at this meeting Ken Stratford said that he thought a change of name was needed in order to reflect the “broad sweep” that the association needs to have in the local area. Ken Waterworth moved that the name adopted be Kirkstall Valley Community Association and this was carried.

Re the second resolution, “Vision for Kirkstall”, Ken Stratford spoke of the need for KVCA to have an input into shaping policies, to carry out a major consultation exercise and to apply for grants. The resolution was carried. Re the third resolution on community facilities, Ken Stratford said that since he had been working at a community centre in Burley he had been struck by the way in which an association which is already grant aided is able to draw down other forms of money. On the map drawn by Voluntary Action Leeds Kirkstall has the lowest density of community facilities . Stephen Rennie moved an amendment that the wording “and there is no supervised provision for children-play” should be included. The resolution was carried.

Election of Officers Chair: John Liversedge Treasurer & Membership Secretary: Rita Samuel Secretary: Ken Stratford Honorary Vice Chair: Steve Gradys Honorary Vice Presidents: Marjorie Kilby & Doug Kilvington Editor Kirkstall Matters: Val Crompton

Any Other Business John Illingworth circulated an information sheet about Kirkstall Mills and asked for members to become involved in asking for answers to the questions that remained unanswered. Mary Rennie, Minutes Secretary


Parade There will be a full parade which sets off from Hesketh Avenue at 12 noon. We finish in the grounds of the Abbey, at the main stage, just before 1pm. The parade will be led by the pipe and drum band from Tyne & Wear. They will also be performing around the grounds during the afternoon. Abbey Light Railway - there will be train rides from 12 noon to 5pm on Festival day.

The Abbey Churches Together Festival Service will in the nave of the Abbey at 4.15pm. We have the new Archdeacon of Leeds, the Ven. Peter Burrows, giving the address, and John Battle M.P. will give a short reading. There will be music by the Festival Children’s Choir and

the Salvation Army Band. Please come along at 4.15pm to the cool of the Abbey Church and meet Archdeacon Peter Burrows.

New or Different Events:- ● Leeds Youth Circus performing and offering workshops ● Kirkstall Childrens Choir ● Sports showcase led by Kirkstall Leisure Centre ● Punch and Judy ● Tea Dance for all ages! ● Youth Stage t Photo Competition

Return of favourites including: Ronnie the Rhino, Pony Rides, Sports, Mini Motorbikes, Hollywood Bowls, Silver Sparrows Steel Pans, Bassa Bassa, Pete White Suitcase,

Irish Dancing, Morris Dancing, Vintage Cars, Drumming Workshops, White Rosettes Choir, Dog Show, Circus, Fair and all attractions.

The Kirkstall Festival Field Manager is Steve Gradys, who is also the Vice Chair of KVCA.

If you would like more information about anything to do with the Festival, please get in touch.

Steve Gradys

Festival ... new events, all on Saturday 8th July...

Craft Stalls & Displays

We are well on the way to planning this year’s festival. We rely on income from various sources to fund the event. My role is to raise income through the sale of stalls. We are always looking for new and interesting stalls. We are particularly keen to encourage craft stalls and displays as these add to the interest on the day.

As a KVCA member you would pay just £25 for a stall position that is two metres wide. Extra space is available at a further £20 per two metres.

If you, or any of your friends, are interested in running a stall then please contact Roger Moran on 0113 226 8098 or 07802 922513 and I will send you an application form.

Roger Moran tel. 226 8098 76 Kirkstall Lane, Leeds LS5 3JV

New for 2006 t Photo Competition

Send in your Kirkstall Photos (colour or black & white) up to A4 size, with your name & address (or school) and location of picture, shown on the back of the print.

Entries to be received by Rita Samuel, 18 The Rise, Leeds LS5 3EP, by 30th June 2006.

Photos to be displayed at the Kirkstall Festival, and then kept for the KVCA archives & as a library for use in the KVCA magazine and Kirkstall Online. Certificates given for winning entries.

No entry fee, just send in your photos, taken in Kirkstall Ward.

Ven. Peter Burrows


Kirkstall Forge industrial site PHOTO: Val Crompton

Boston Diner concerns... Boston Diner, St Ann’s Lane

17 April 2006

Developing Kirkstall Forge Outline planning permission has been given for this 63-acre industrial site. The next 10 years of detailed planning applications and the actual work starting on this site will be most interesting. It is very important that we all keep a close eye on progress.

Ken Stratton

Outline planning permission for forge site...

The topic of most concern on Kirkstall Online is still The Boston Diner. Local residents feel that this historic landmark on our doorstep will vanish because of greed.

It is an historic building, which appears on the earliest Ordnance Survey maps of Leeds and was occupied by the Butler family in the heyday of Kirkstall Forge.

The building cannot be listed, because it has been extensively re-constructed over the years, and very little of the original structure is left. Only one corner pre-dates the 1851 OS map.

Watch this space! Check the website for further news.

Matthew Guy

© PHOTO: Matthew Guy


Do you remember Douglas Burns? KVCA member from Northumberland, Douglas Burns, writes: I am approaching 85 years! I was at Kirkstall Road School 5 to 7, Hawksworth 7 to 11 and at Leeds Modern, 11 to 18. I was at the Air Ministry in London from 18, and during the war a Fl/Lt Navigator, RAF. I would be pleased to hear from any readers who know me.

Best wishes - keep up the good work! Douglas Burns M.B.E. 18 Stonehaugh Way, Ponteland, NE20 9LX.

Family & Friends Reunited through Kirkstall Matters

Hazel Poulter of Horsforth, and Bev Forster (seen above in 1959, as May Queen at St Stephen’s School) of Kirkstall are both related to Mary Alice Lawson. They met up recently through an article and old photographs in Kirkstall Matters.

The Sound of Music It was good to meet up with friends of St Stephen’s from other parts of Yorkshire, including Edmund and Tina Butler, at “A Treasury of English Music”.

This concert, on 25th March, was well attended at Kirkstall St Stephen’s Church. It was in aid of the St Stephen’s Organ Fund. We heard music from Thomas Tallis, (1505-1585), to E C Bairstow’s ‘Let all mortal flesh keep silence’, sung by the Choir of Ripon Cathedral. It was lovely to see and listen to the Boy Choristers (ages 8-13) who attend the Cathedral Choir School.

We especially enjoyed two Organ Solos played by Thomas Leech. John & Val Crompton

Beckett Park Primary School

Many people, who fought hard to keep Beckett Park School open, are sad to hear the news that the School Organisation Committee voted to close Beckett Park Primary, as the

Executive Board of the Council recommended it should.

Letters & messages... School to close...

Organ Update

Following the Ripon Cathedral Concert, I have been asked “What is the Organ Fund”? The Kirkstall St Stephen’s magnificent organ was recently valued at £250,000 !

Since 1973, the PCC has allocated £100 to the Organ Fund - but the organ is tuned three times a year at £100 per visit. No cleaning or major work has been carried out in the last 33 years, apart from a new blower motor.

The organ now needs cleaning, estimated cost £10,000, where each of the 2000 plus pipes are removed and blown free of dirt. It is recommended that organs be cleaned every 20 years. The present fund stands at £900. We are a long way short of finance for having this wonderful instrument cleaned. Hence the Organ Fund.

If anyone would like a guided tour, this can be arranged. All contributions gratefully received!

Kenneth Endersby, Organist


Kirkstall St Stephen’s Primary School news...

Kirkstall St Stephen's Church School was in the top group of schools locally and nationally in terms of value added between Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 As a feeder school for Abbey Grange, the school is involved in a partnership with St Mary's, Menston - a sports' college. This provides specialist training for staff and a wide range of activities for the children. Local sporting links include:

• Leeds Rhinos - rugby

• Yorkshire Cricket, Headingley - cricket

• Leeds Metropolitan University - tennis, athletics

• Trinity and All Saints College - PE student teachers

After school and environmental activities

• Leeds Rhinos Learning Centre - after school provision supporting literacy, numeracy and ICT in fantastic surroundings overlooking the rugby pitch and Headingley Cricket Ground

• Environmental activities, including tree planting in the local area

The school will be undergoing further refurbishment in the coming months. A new area is being created to provide accommodation for Pre- School and Morning and After School Clubs. This follows on from the first phase of the project which created the ICT suite.


Early Years Centre in former cellar ... New Pre-School opened in 2006 in the former cellar. Funding from the Diocese meant that the build could take place. Pre School has now grown from 20 children, to 43 in sessional care. There is an indoor play area, separate entrance and toilet & kitchen facilities.

This Early Years Centre is bright and colourful. It was opened by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress (Cllr Bill and Mrs Pat Hyde of Temple Newsam Ward). They were presented with gifts from the children in Pre-School. Head Teacher, Mr Ian Blackburn, believes that this wonderful new facility (which includes a covered outdoor play area) will help to sustain pupil numbers at Kirkstall St Stephen’s. It will ensure the continued life of the school which is at the heart of the community.

above: Mr Ian Blackburn with the Lord Mayor

Concert in aid of “Children of the Gambia”, at Kirkstall St Stephen’s Saturday June 24th at 7.30pm Two Choirs for the Price of One ! The Amici Singers & The Lawnswood Singers Tickets £5 inc. refreshments. Contact tel. 267 7775

New Priest-in-Charge at St Stephen’s

The Revd Rosemarie Hayes, the Vicar of St Margaret’s, Horsforth, is to be the new Priest-in-Charge at Kirkstall St Stephen’s. The service of Licensing will be carried out by Bishop John Packer on June 29th at 7.30pm. This is an additional role for Rosemarie and she is warmly welcomed to St Stephen’s. Judith Endersby & Christine Greaves, Churchwardens

Kirkstall St Stephen’s Church news & activities...


Drip Drop

Drip drop drip drop Plop plop plop plop Look at the rain on the window pane Glug glug from the drain Rush rush down the drain. Hear the thunder bang bang crash, Hear the thunder bang bang bang. Hear the lightning go chhh chhh chhh chhh, Hear the thunder bang crash Bang crash bang bang bang Crash! Bang bang CRASH! CRASH! Woooooooo! Woooooo! goes the wind, Boom boom boom boom goes the thunder. Look at the trees swish swosh swish swosh Look at the snowflakes dancing.

Kirsty Hammond, age 6

Look at the Rain !

Look at the rain wiggling down the path Watch the rain going bubbly Hear the rain going tip tap Listen to the thunder go crack Hear the thunder go split spat Watch the thunder go slip slap Look at the thunder go crash bash Listen to the thunder go bang bang bang Listen to the wind go whistle Hear the wind howling See the snow dancing Watch the snow going flutter. Lorna Parker, age 6

Wet Weather Poems from Beecroft Primary...

Listen to the rain

Listen to rain go drip drip on the floor Look at the rain go splish splish in the bucket Hear the lightning snapping snapping on the roof Look at the lightning go slip slip Now hear the wind go howling Listen to the wind whistle as it blows through the tree.

Thomas Burdon, age 6

Rain Storm

Look at the rain go dribble dribble down the drain. Watch the rain go down the plug going glug glug. Listen to the rain go drip drop on the rock, Hear the thunder go crashing boom on the clouds! Look at the storm go crash crackety. Watch the wind go wishety washety blowing the trees. Listen to the snow go swirlety swirlety. Hear the wind go wish wosh wishety washety round the blowing air.

Anya Patel, age 6 “Did you hear the thunder last night?”

Beecroft Primary School, Eden Way, LS4 2TF

Cold Spring Storms 2006


Accommodating students ... community code

Student Housing impact on communities in inner NW Leeds. After six years...

On 6 April, HMOs in Leeds (houses in multiple occupation, or shared houses) became subject to licensing. Leeds has more HMOs than any other town – and most of them are in Headingley and surrounding communities like Meanwood, Woodhouse, Hyde Park, Little Woodhouse, Burley, Kirkstall and West Park. This concentration of HMOs has had a massively destructive impact on these communities. This is why Leeds HMO Lobby was set up six years ago.

Now at last licensing is coming into effect. It won’t solve our problems – but it is a step forward. The Act defines a HMO as any house with three or more occupants who aren’t a single family, thus including all shared housing. Only the largest of these will need a licence – those with three or more storeys (counting attics and basements) and five or more people (who aren’t a family). But this will cover most HMOs. There will be a Public Register of all licences issued – so we will know who’s responsible for each licensed HMO. Landlords have three months to apply for a licence. After that, they become liable for a fine of up to £20,000. From July, the Lobby will be supporting residents to make sure all eligible HMOs are licensed.

Area of Housing Mix (AHoM)

On 10 April, the last round of consultation on Leeds Unitary Development Plan closed. The UDP is the grand strategic plan for the whole city. Leeds HMO Lobby took the opportunity to press for a plan which addressed the imbalance of the community by HMOs in Headingley and the surrounding areas including Kirkstall and West Park. The first draft of the Revised UDP included the proposal for ASHORE (Area of Student Housing Restraint). The Inquiry Inspector reported

‘that the population overall is out of balance and that action is needed to ensure a sustainable community.’

The Inspector suggested three things:

1 an Area of Housing Mix (AHoM, instead of ASHORE), 2 an enlargement of the Area (as we suggested). 3 a stronger policy to disperse student housing. The

Council has accepted these proposals, and they have been available for comment since February. As a draft policy, ASHORE was effective – AHoM can be equally effective.

Studentification

Studentification is what happens when student housing upsets the balance of a community. Leeds HMO Lobby defines it as ‘the substitution of a local community by a student community.’ It’s now being tackled nationally & locally. ‘Students & Communities Revisited’ is the title of a conference taking place in Nottingham in May. Councils & communities, universities & students will be there, to report and debate the latest developments in tackling studentification. Further info will be available on the Unipol website at www.unipol.leeds.ac.uk Community Code

Two years ago, the Lobby proposed a Community Code, which was agreed by all concerned. It says ● Say Hello ● Keep the peace ● Clean up. It’s good to see the Code promoted, not only in Unipol’s Housing tabloid, but also in Leeds Met’s guide to Accommodation 2006.

Dr Richard Tyler

See also www.HealHeadingley.org.uk/headway


Railway Children of the Aire Valley...

Fifty years ago, fishing and train spotting were the national hobbies for boys. Today’s children enjoy 'wham-bang-wallop' computer games, surf the Internet and love to send text messages on mobile phones. Children are not required to conform to long-established principles. Instead, they buy books on cheating at computer games. It was a far cry back at Kirkstall in the Fifties. The golden rules of fishing and train spotting was integrity and honesty. Liars and 'cheats' were discouraged from joining the fun. The incentive that drove my angling-mad school friends to fish their local stretch of Leeds-Liverpool canal between Kirkstall and Rodley was the chance of a 'bite'. The reason I visited the railway line was to bag a prized 'cop'. The only difference between us is that anglers tend to be loners. Train spotting was a much more companionable pursuit. We were driven by a love of the great outdoors and being close to nature. We enjoyed the same high-octane excitement and long periods of suspenseful waiting. Rather than watching a float bobbing on the water, the biggest thrill for me was hearing the tell-tale rustle of signal wires.

Collecting engine numbers was also a good lesson for boys who hated school homework. The most rewarding part of a day's spotting was to underline the 'cops' in an Ian Allan abc Locospotters Book. My last abc combined volume, the winter 1958/59 edition, cost 10/6d! By the early 1960s, gaps began to appear among the steam classes (due to scrapping). The new diesels were not yet listed. Many disenchanted youngsters turned to railway photography. Photographs of steam engines in railway magazines fuelled the imagination of tens of thousands of schoolboys. Armed with Kodak Brownie 127 cameras, they became as familiar a feature of the railway landscape, as small boys with notebooks and pencils.

I stopped train spotting in 1960 (I was then 14 years old). I began photographing trains instead. With little money to spend on fares, travels with a camera had to be made within cycling distance from home. I spent much time photographing trains in the Aire Valley between Leeds and Shipley. Then, as I grew older, I headed for the northern fells, including the Pennine routes over Standedge, Woodhead and Settle-Carlisle line. Sensing that time was running out for branch line services, I visited the rural backwaters of the Yorkshire Dales, North Wales and the Lake District. I wanted to photograph the railway scene before it vanished. But I always returned to the Aire Valley. I came back to the flyover junction at Kirkstall and the deep cutting between Newlay and Calverley. I have fond memories of both places. The line was reduced to two tracks in 1967. The introduction of electric trains in 1995 has transformed the scene.

Perhaps these pictures will rekindle memories of your own?

Kirkstall, August 1961 © PHOTO: David Hey

Readers enjoyed David Hey’s “Lost Stations of Kirkstall Valley” in Kirkstall Matters issue 91 and asked for more information. David Hey writes...

At Kirkstall Forge Locks © PHOTO: David Hey Forge Locks is on the left. The locomotive is a

'Jubilee' class heading a parcels train towards Leeds.


Kirkstall Forge Station... ‘Thame-Clyde Express’

Kirkstall, May 1961 © PHOTO: David Hey

River Aire © PHOTO: Val Crompton

Above: Class A3 No 60092 Fairway heads the 'up' 'Thames-Clyde Express' at Kirkstall in May 1961. Just visible in the left background is Kirkstall Forge Station. This was closed in 1905 when the line was increased to four tracks between Leeds and Shipley. Then when the Aire Valley route was reduced to two tracks in 1967, the demolition crew moved in and razed Kirkstall Forge Station to the ground.

David Hey

There may not be many train spotters but we still see youngsters fishing in Kirkstall Valley...

David's railway photos taken in the Aire Valley can be found on “Lost Railways West Yorkshire” website.

Fishing in Kirkstall Valley...


John Battle's Surgeries

First Saturday in each month

Cow Close Library, Butterbowl Drive - 9.30am

Armley Library - 10.30am

Bramley Library, Hough Lane - 12.00am

Third Saturday in each month St Johns Church, Dixon Lane - 9.30am

Kirkstall Housing Office - 10.30am

Heights Library, Heights Drive - 11.30am

Burley Lodge Centre, Burley Lodge Road - 12.30pm

Contact details: John Battle MP Unit 31 Whingate Business Park Leeds LS12 3AT tel. 0113 231 0258

[email protected] www.johnbattle-mp.org.uk

A better deal... John Battle MP ... Local Election

Help & advice from your local Councillors: Saturdays 10.30 -11am Kirkstall Neighbourhood

Housing Office, 45 Kirkstall Lane LS5 3BE Thursdays 12.30 Hawksworth Wood

Community Centre, 6 Broadway LS5 3PR

Civic Hall tel. 247 4045 Cllr Bernard Atha home tel. 267 2485

Cllr John Illingworth tel. 267 3735 Cllr Liz Minkin tel. 278 0218

John wins battle for new rules to cut the cost of 0870 calls The cost of calling 0870 numbers is to be reduced to the same price as national landline rates. Telecoms regulator

Ofcom has announced that businesses will no longer get a cut of revenue generated by calls starting with the 0870 number. The changes follow concerns over unclear pricing and marketing of “non-geographic” numbers such as those starting with 0870. John Battle MP for Leeds West has campaigned hard for the change. John said:

“We live in an age where we should be challenging the cost of goods and services to get a better deal. This proves the phone operators can afford to cut costs to ensure we are not ripped off. And it also shows that the regulator can bite when it is prodded and poked.”

Companies using 0845, 0844 and other 08 code numbers must provide customers with more accurate price information. The cost of calling these numbers will not change. Ofcom will review 0845 call rates – used by some five million UK dial up internet users – within two years.

John Battle MP 25 April 2006

Local Election Result May 2006 Kirkstall Ward Bernard Atha (Lab) 2149 (Elected)

Christine Ruth Coleman (Lib Dem) 1546

Benjamin Robert Jackson (Con) 489

Martin Leslie Reed (Green) 537

John Battle researching family history


Family history research leads to a long trip... How far away has family history research taken you?

The internet has helped many people from afar to find their roots in the Kirkstall area. Others, living here, have uncovered travel tales of their ancestors. Margaret and Richard Thompson of West Park had an amazing family history trip. Margaret writes: WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

Do you have missionary ancestors? I have. I felt the need to defend what they did, in the light of current anti-colonial thinking. Yet I secretly wondered what it was really like to leave home and family to be a missionary overseas?

I have been brought up on my mother’s tales of her time as a missionary child. My grandfather went as a missionary to the South Pacific island of Niue. He left England with his new bride in July 1909. By the time they arrived in October 1909 my grandmother was pregnant and grandfather, the Revd Gavin Smith, had learnt sufficient Niuean to preach his first sermon in the local language. Everyone now in Niue, is bi-lingual.

Plans for a visit in 2006 to Niue were greeted with astonishment at our local travel agents. However, our local Trailfinder, Neil, rustled up an itinerary within a few hours. We were up and running and so the great trip was born. The island of Niue is a thousand miles to the north east of New Zealand. It is a coral atoll and is home to only 1,200 people. The island has no natural harbour and no sandy beaches. Centuries ago, Polynesian settlers from Tonga came here. Although Niue was annexed to New Zealand in 1901, it has not been opened up to mass tourism. Sometimes the number of visiting whales out-numbers the visiting humans!

The only plane from Auckland, New Zealand leaves once a week at 11pm. We took off for Niue and then there was a tremendous bang and the smell of roast chicken and fuel! A “bird strike” caused us to circle for a few hours. We shed fuel and then returned to Auckland until the following day. This gave us the chance to chat with the locals who were on our plane. They were very interested in our story. When we arrived at the island, our presence was quickly made known.

An early morning phone call told us that we should go into the capital, Alofi, and meet the Rev Falkland Liuvaie. We arranged a hire car. They said

“Can you drive? Pop in and pay before you leave next week. Leave the car with a full tank at the airport with the keys in - and by the way - no insurance available. If you bend it, you mend it!”

The roads are empty. Only four new cars a year are imported. The whole island can be circled in two hours.

We met up with the pastor, Rev Falkland Liuvaie, and his wife, Salati, just as a feast was due to start! We were invited to join them. The pastor was interested in my story and introduced us to many people. The island people hold the early missionaries in very high regard. Each village now has its own church. We had read my grandfather’s reports. He wrote of a people held in thrall to witchdoctors. He also recognised an early environmental problem. The islanders were being encouraged to replace their thatched roofs with tin, which had to be imported and was expensive.

Air New Zealand had mislaid one of our cases in Tonga. No, we didn’t go there but the case did! We were without quite a few things. I needed a sunhat. When I went to buy one, there was no such thing in the island shop. Locals make their own hats and I was lent one for the week by the shopkeeper. On Sunday we went to the pastor’s house and to the church service. All the ladies were dressed in white and most of the men in suits. The heat was intense. I read the lesson wearing the borrowed hat and one of my husband’s shirts!

We had the most marvellous week on the island. After Sunday lunch with the pastor, we joined in the celebrations for the

opening of the new hospital and yes, even more feasting! During the next few days, we swam in shady chasms with tropical fish and sea snakes. With dolphins for company, we snorkelled in the open sea. We drank coconut milk from the shell as we watched for coconut crabs in the light of torches at night. We looked at the full moon through a telescope. And above all we were received with courtesy and love wherever we went.

We feel privileged to have visited Niue. I am happy to visit local groups to share more of this amazing trip with them.

Margaret Thompson


Is your business Kirkstall based? Why not advertise in Kirkstall Matters?

Advertising is low-cost and effective Circulation of 1000 copies -only £10 per quarter page

Mail us at [email protected] to find out more.

We need you to support us and help pay for the production of our Community Magazine.

Index of Advertisers

Abbey Guest House 19 Abbey House Museum Workshops 18 Abbot’s Tea Rooms 18 Accident Repairs - Branch Auto Bodies 42 Alison James – Optician 44

Bargain Booze 43 B. Bex – Joinery 43 Beecroft Primary School & Nursery 37

Computers - Media Magic Computers 47 Computers - Steve Dunn PC Services 19 Co-op Leeds 46 CPS – Airedale, Quality Printing 45

Doyle Roofing & Property Maintenance 42 Electrical Installation - Tony Wilson 41

Fisher Autos - Vehicle Repairs 44 Footloose Dance & Theatre Arts 48 Funeral Directors - John Holt 43 Garden Design - James Hoopert 40 Greenhows of Leeds - Vacuum Cleaners 40

Hawksworth Wood Community Association 41 Head 1st - Gents Hair & Treatment Room 45

Headingley & Kirkstall CND 47 J.News Newsagents 44 Kaydan Gas Services – Gary Rhodes 46 Kirkstall Abbey Tennis Club 38

Kirkstall Leisure Centre 19 Kirkstall Newsagents, VT & BV Hajari 41 Kirkstall Online - Community Website 5 Kirkstall St Stephen’s Pre School 39 Kirkstall Valley Primary School Nursery 39

Mark Johnson – Re-upholstery 44 Milford Sports & Social Club 38 McClarys Launderette & Dry Cleaners 43 Mick Patrickson – Joinery & Builder 41 N.L.S. - National Legal Services - Wills 45 Paxton Centre 36

Printer - Simon of Smallprintleeds 42 Sports Massage 40

The Bookshop Kirkstall 19 The Mill Race Organic Restaurant 42 Tiling - Brian Hurst 40 West End House - Food & Ale 37

Birthday Parties at Abbey House Museum

If you are looking for a birthday celebration with

a difference, why not book a Birthday Party at the Museum?

Our parties give children a chance to be creative and explore the museum and its objects in a fun and unique way.

Party Planning Birthday Parties take place on Sunday mornings from 10am - 11.30 During this time, your group will have exclusive use of our Activity Room. Your group will be led in a craft activity (which you choose when booking). Materials will be provided, and the children can take home what they make. There will also be time to look around the museum, enjoying the chance to dress up and have a go at the penny in the slot machines. The party is suitable for children aged between 7 - 14 years. We can take up to 10 children per party. We provide a party leader and the materials.

The Birthday Party costs £30. Pre-booking is essential tel. 0113 230 5492

Education Workshops Specially designed workshops are available led by a freelance educator at a charge of £40 per session. Suitable for Key Stage 1 & 2: Houses

& Homes, Going to the Seaside and Shops & Shopping, and Toys & Games.

Booking essential

Reminiscence Box Scheme To hire a box of objects for a day centre or nursing home, please phone for details or a

leaflet This service is free of charge. Abbey House Museum tel. 0113 230 5492

The Abbot’s Tea Rooms Abbey House Museum Please call 230 5492

for further details. Mon: Closed all day

Tuesday-Friday: 10am – 5pm Saturday: 12pm – 5pm Sunday: 12 noon – 4pm

Last admission is 4pm each day OAP Special: 2 course lunch with tea or coffee

for £4.00 every Friday


Steve Dunn PC Services For home PC users and small businesses

PC & Laptop Troubleshooting and Repair

Upgrading PC hardware or software Home/small office networks and general advice

Call me on 0113 2264567 for a free quote

Kirkstall Leisure Centre

Looking for somewhere to hold a meeting or event?

We now have a Meeting Room Available every day one off or long term bookings

Seats up to 25 people. Children’s Parties, local groups and businesses welcome

Contact Reception for further details: Kirkstall Leisure Centre Kirkstall Lane, Leeds LS5 3BE Tel 0113 214 4555/6

Kirkstall – your local leisure centre

The Bookshop, Kirkstall

10 Commercial Road, Kirkstall, Leeds LS5 3AQ

Telephone 0113 278 0937

Second-Hand & Out-of-Print Books

Open Monday to Saturday 10:15am to 4:30pm, and at other times by arrangement.

English Tourism Council

email: [email protected]


Do you remember St Ann’s Mills in 1970? Would you like this mill to become a centre for Kirkstall Valley Park?

Abbey Mills and St Ann’s Mills in Kirkstall are two historic industrial buildings on the banks of the River Aire. Abbey Mills dates back to medieval times, and is grade 2 listed. St Ann’s Mills was founded as a water mill around 1776 but is not presently listed. Abbey Mills was repeatedly damaged by fire, and most of the surviving buildings on both sites date from around 1835. The main range at St Ann’s Mills uses fireproof brick arch construction and may have been one of the earliest steam mills in the area.

Both sites were acquired by the Council between 1965 – 1970 as public open space for a Kirkstall

riverside park. The sites continued in industrial use until land assembly was complete. Both mills became part of the Council’s light industrial portfolio.

In 2003 the Leeds City Council Development Department put forward a plan to sell Abbey Mills for residential development.

Kirkstall’s Historic Mills alternative proposal... This proposal developed into a scheme to re-invest the proceeds in St Ann’s Mills. There are serious problems with this plan.

• The proposed new access road for Abbey Mills cannot meet national highway safety standards. The new junction would be on the inside of a blind corner, with poor visibility. There may be pressure to close off streets in the “Normans” to reduce accidents if this scheme goes ahead (see p21).

• Parts of Abbey Mills would be demolished, and trees bordering Kirkstall Abbey Park cut down for the development (see p 21).

• St Ann’s Mills would not be developed for industrial use. It would become very expensive "serviced offices".

• These proposals could provide two new access roads serving a 50 acre mixed development scheme for the whole of central Kirkstall, which is still under wraps.

• The Council’s does not meet government guidelines for public information and consultation.

There is an alternative proposal to use St Ann’s Mills for a "Rehabilitation Centre" in partnership with the Probation Service. The Mill would become the construction centre for the Kirkstall Valley Park, and could be refurbished for community use, with a Natural History function.

Cllr John Illingworth See www.kirkstallmills.net for further details

St Ann’s Mills 1970 with pitched roof

Abbey Mills, view from Bridge Road

St Ann’s Mills

Kirkstall Historic Sites

Abbey Villa

Abbey Mills

Kirkstall Leisure Centre


Abbey Villa Listed

I am delighted that the Secretary of State has agreed a separate Grade 2 listing for Abbey Villa. This is in addition to the Grade 2 listing for Abbey Mills. Abbey Villa forms part of the Abbey Mills complex. It was not previously mentioned in the listing document and its status was not clear.

I have also received advice from the Department for Transport in London that in view of high traffic flows, Abbey Road should be classed as a Primary Distributor Road. The national road safety guidance therefore requires 120 metre sight lines rather than the 90 metres in the Draft Planning Brief for Abbey Mills. This increased visibility splay would take the proposed access road to the A65 through Kirkstall Abbey Park, rather than through the garden of Abbey Villa.

A65 Traffic Concerns

The advice from the Department for Transport is that Abbey Road is not suitable for a "simple" junction. We should be looking at traffic signals, "single lane dualling" or a gyratory system to achieve a safe access to the proposed residential development.

Abbey Villa Grade 2 listed... A65 Traffic Concerns It would be difficult for drivers travelling in either direction along the A65 to see vehicles emerging uphill from a side-road on the inside of a blind corner. They simply won't be visible unless the boundary wall is set back by at least 5 metres at the new junction. This would mean that mature trees would be lost, and the public entrance to Kirkstall Abbey Park would have to be re-designed.

I think that a new road access to the north of Abbey Villa would be a serious mistake. Whatever development takes place at Abbey Mills, vehicles should only use the existing entrance to the south. This entrance is narrow and inconvenient but vehicles are highly visible. There have been no recorded accidents here in over 160 years. A "left-in, left-out" arrangement would be safest, and could be enforced with a low kerb and bollard along the centre line of Abbey Road.

Cllr John Illingworth * History of Abbey Villa The house was built between 1837 and 1846 to replace an earlier house that had been burnt down in a fire of 1797 which destroyed the associated mill buildings. It was part of the mill complex, serving as the mill owner's house and as an office for the mill. By 1921 the new gable end had been constructed, along with the porch at the rear. The Abbey Mills complex was purchased by Leeds City Council in 1961 and is let out to tenants. SUMMARY OF IMPORTANCE Abbey Villa is a stone built nineteenth century mill owner's house, with good survival of original features and is in close proximity to a group of listed mill buildings. It therefore has group value with the other listed buildings and meets the criteria for listing.

* Abbey Villa, Abbey Road A65

Traffic concerns were discussed at the Exhibition, of plans for the Abbey Mills Complex, held at Kirkstall Leisure Centre, February 2006.

Abbey Mills development plans

Abbey Mills Complex -boundary stone wall & trees


Abbey Landscape a Landscape Architect’s view When working on landscape schemes, I sometimes get the dreaded phone call from a contractor that begins "we've got a problem". The heart rate quickens, the palms become sweaty as the issue unfolds usually entailing vandalism or an unexpected cost. On the Kirkstall Abbey landscape scheme the phone call had a different character..... "We’ve found a 500 year old wall !" Now every time we excavate a hole on the site deeper than 200mm, we have had an archaeologist present to watch the dig and check for artefacts. This seems very sensible given the area’s status as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. However, when we uncovered the 500 years old wall I was expecting a team of archaeologists on site and a local TV crew to back up the on-site archaeologist! In this case another, senior, archaeologist came to the site.

The Abbey Landscape... excavations...

PHOTOS: Chris Walton

The wall was photographed, recorded and then we were allowed to proceed with the works. The find was thus left in the ground for future generations to uncover, if they desire. We have made further excavations during the course of the works but have as yet uncovered nothing of interest. The day to day challenge of working on a large landscape project is a double edged sword. You hope something of interest will be uncovered - yet know that this might hold up works! However when you step back and consider that we are working on ground which was used by our ancestors 800 years ago it is quite humbling.

Work progresses on the new playground with modern safety standards


The Abbey Landscape... what do you (yew) think?

It makes you think that it is a real privilege to work on such a site and the "problems of making a find" pale into insignificance. Your help is needed

There is however an issue which you can help us with – at the Eastern end of the Abbey there are some yew trees which were planted without English Heritage approval back in the 70’s. These trees are now interrupting the floodlit views of the Abbey from that end. We’d like to take these trees away – and replace them elsewhere on site. The yew trees are planted right over where the monks graves are believed to be and further growth will prevent any future investigation. What do you think?

Should we protect the views and the archaeology?

Andrew Middlemiss Project Manager

Tell us your views on the yews.

Yew trees already block part of the interesting views of the abbey from the road. Should these dark trees by the wall be relocated?

“I want to be buried by that wall. Promise me, you’ll plant Rosemary for remembrance, on my grave ...”


New Kirkstall District Centre Plans...

The application seeks approval in more detail for access, siting and design to the area of the site up hill of the current KwikSave car park. It seeks approval in outline for the bottom half of the site, (adjacent to Commecial/Kirkstall Road A65), due to the uncertainty of the position of the LIFT facility. Formal neighbourhood consultation by the Council appears to reinforce the high level of public support (95%) surveyed at the public exhibitions.

LIFT to SHIFT LIFT want to shift to the top half of the site

The proposed New Kirkstall District Centre is a result of extensive public consultation and includes:

● Shops, post office, pharmacy and banking facilities; library, nursery, post offices workers’ club, range of restaurants, cafes/bars, gym and new public open space.

● A wider mix in size, type of housing for all the community (apartments & key worker housing and managed student accommodation). ● Parking mainly hidden beneath the development and accessed off Beecroft Street and Kirkstall Lane. ● Space for community and social facilities that could include LIFT (Local Improvement Finance Trust) – Joint Service One Stop Centre with health care facilities).

The Chief Planning Officer for Leeds City Council provided a position statement to the Council’s Plans Panel West on 23 March 2006. This enabled them to note the progress, nature and scale of the development pending resolution of outstanding issues. The main issue for resolution is the location of the LIFT building. This is currently proposed on the bottom of the site adjacent to the Kirkstall Road (A65) but this location has now been discounted by LIFT.

The Panel noted that the siting of the LIFT element is an important element of the new centre but needs to be balanced. This is to ensure vitality of the retail offer, to encourage visitors and provide an integrated and sustainable district centre. The new LIFT building location is still subject to discussions. It has been generally agreed, following design workshops, to be now situated on the top half of the site. This will alter the current planning application.

LIFT

Exhibition at Milford Sports Club


SHIFT LIFT ... Gardeners’ world...

Gardening is a tradition in Kirkstall. It has been going on for over 800 years...

Activities at the Paxton Centre 186 Kirkstall Lane

The Gardeners’ Friday Forum meet on the 1st & 3rd Fridays of each month at 1.30-3.30 pm in the Paxton Centre. Members of the Group must be members of the Paxton Horticultural Society. Guests may come to three meetings in a period of 12 months without being members. A "display table" is available at most meetings to enable members to display both their successes and failures, and where necessary get advice from the other members. New members are welcome, both to the Society and the Group.

Flower Arranging - have two classes, led by Kath Hall, on the 1st Thursday of each month at 1.30-3pm and 7.30-9pm

The Saturday Evening, Table Show and Discussion Group meets every Saturday evening 8pm-10pm. (See page 36 for Summer Show.) As well as pot plants, flowers, arrangements and vegetables there are open classes for horticultural exhibits, art, photography and cookery.

Friends of Paxton meet on the first Monday of each Month at 10am to keep the grounds around the hall in good condition.

The West Yorkshire Group of the Hardy Plant Society meet at 7.30-9.30pm on the 2nd Friday of each month.

The hall is also available for hire. Contact Graham Wheatley on 0113 256 3055

The main changes are likely to be: ♦ Relocation of the LIFT building

from the lower to upper part of the site;

♦ A reduction in the overall number of new homes.

♦ Additional parking and possible incorporation of a multi storey car park to allow for the LIFT facilities.

♦ The provision of student/key worker housing on the lower part of the site due to the relocation of the LIFT building.

♦ The re-design of existing public open space and creation of new pedestrian routes.

We are considering the amendments to the new District Centre and will seek the community’s views at a further public exhibition at the end of May. The details of the local venue and time of the exhibition will be advertised shortly. The responses will inform the submission of an amended planning application in June 2006. We are hopeful of a positive recommendation at a committee date later that month.

Patrick Bird Development Manager

Espalier

West Yorkshire Fuchsia Society

We meet on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at Headingley St Columba United Reformed Church. New members are very welcome. You can learn about growing or showing fuchsias at our friendly meetings. On Wednesday, 21st June, Charles Jenkinson will be giving advice on how to prepare plants for the show-bench.

Our annual display and plant sale will be held in the Blenheim Courtyard at

Golden Acre Park on Saturday 16th July 10am -3pm. For details contact Keith Martin tel. 0113 270 7528


Time to enter the Leeds in Bloom Private Gardens Competition

Any one who takes a pride in their garden can enter this competition (there is a disabled section). There are 3 categories: Large Garden, Small Garden (no more than 500 sq yards), and Floral Plant Containers. There are 1st, 2nd & 3rd prizes for each ward.

Closing date for entries is 30th June with judging in July (free entry forms from LCC Red Hall, Red Hall Lane, Leeds LS17 8NB)

I first entered in 2003 and received a ‘Highly Commended Certificate’. In 2004, I won 3rd prize. In 2005 I was awarded a Bronze Medal, and £30 of garden vouchers, for ‘Best Small Garden’ in Kirkstall Ward. Winners are invited to an Awards Evening in September at Leeds Town Hall.

It is an incentive to receive recognition for the effort you put into maintaining your garden. My year starts now with planting seeds in my greenhouse.

Ian Ross

Kirkstall in Bloom... Spring into Summer...

H A R E B E L L Y

F O X G L O V E S

Y A L O I V P E N

T O M L I L Y S A

S I R I Y P P O P

E G A S S H O R T

N M A R I G O L D

O T E L O I V C O

H E N O M E N A K

Secret Garden Puzzle The answers can all be found in the garden. Solve the clues then search for the flowers and discover unwanted animal (4) - - - - in the Secret Garden Square.

1. Berry & bacon joint (9) - - - - - - - - - 2. Cover vixen’s paws (9) - - - - - - - - - 3. Lovely wig? (8) - - - - - - - - 4. Seek rich wife (8) - - - - - - - - 5. I hear she is no friend (7) - - - - - - - 6. The best policy (7) - - - - - - - 7. Rainbow colour (6) - - - - - - 8. 11th November (5) - - - - - 9. Frying in South Yorkshire (5) - - - - - 10. In an orchestra (5) - - - - - 11. Valley girl (4) - - - - 12. Wise man (4) - - - - 13. Got up for Tea (4) - - - - 14. Blue surrounds a pupil (4) - - - -

Secret Garden Square Words in the square can be read forward, backward, up, down and diagonally, always in a straight line. Cross through each word as you find it and then tick it on your list of answers. Val Crompton

C O W S L I P L

U N W A P S I A

C T G X F D G M

K S O O O U L B

O E R F X B E E

O N F D A O T E

T A B Y S I A D

D U C K L I N G

‘Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May’

Shakespeare’s sonnet 18

May time wildlife walk - can you find?

a DAFFODIL, DAISY, COWSLIP, NEST, CUCKOO, PIGLET, LAMB, BAT,

DUCKLING, TOAD, FROG, SPAWN, 2 FOXES & 2 BEES and... the darling BUDS !


Kirkstall footpaths ... litter problems...

C. 1860 Kepstorn Farmyard

Kirkstall 1908 Right of Way

Ref. Footpaths & Cottages page 15 of Kirkstall Matters 91

Details & map sent in by Mr & Mrs Smith of 94 Morris Lane.

We live at 94 Morris Lane and have done so since 1984. We would like to correct information given in Issue 91 by Cllr Liz Minkin.

There is no public footpath alongside the garden of our house. The legal right of way goes from Spen Lane, up Kepstorn Rise, into Kepstorn Close, between the flats and up the hill to the bridge over the railway. The path is clearly marked on the 1843 map. The only legal right of way at the side of our house is for access by 92 and 94 Morris Lane, and the bottom part for 12 Kepstorn Close.

There has always been doorway access to our garden at the top.

We have surfaced the path to our garage and people use it as a short cut from Kepstorn Close to Morris Lane, which we have never objected to, although we seem to spend a lot of time picking up litter from this area. It would be preferable if Cllr Minkin addressed this litter problem.

The Aire Valley Walk is signposted to go up Kepstorn Rise.

(The right of way is marked in red on the copy of the 1908 map sent in with this letter)

Letter from Cllr Liz Minkin Ref. Footpaths & Cottages Kirkstall Matters 91 page 15 Dear Editor, I regret that there is contention about what I had thought was a straightforward matter, and I write as a local resident of over 30 years.

It is true that the footpath alongside 94 Morris Lane is not on the register of public footpaths, but then neither are most of the paths in the old County Borough. Leeds City Council has never given the issue sufficient priority against all the other claims for resources.

However, anyone can claim a footpath to be registered as a public right of way, and there is an official procedure for this. I have walked that path frequently for the last 30 years, until it was blocked off. I regret that I can no longer walk there, and that I did not claim it many years ago. I know other residents have used it as well. This land is in the ownership of Leeds City Council.

Finally, speaking as a local councillor, I have taken up the issue of litter many times, and picked it up myself more than once. Yours sincerely, Liz Minkin

1843 map

Hark To


Watch for local wildlife... Explore the local area... Goldfinches like teasels and burdock. It can be worth growing a few teasels in your garden. These plants do grow very readily from seed and they can get out of hand! It is worth this trouble, to have half a dozen goldfinches in your garden!

There is only a limited amount of seed in a teasel. If you want to see these lovely birds for more than a few days, seed in a feeder is the answer. Bright Butterflies Watch out for the male Orange tip with a bold splash of colour on each forewing - usually seen dashing

along as if to an urgent appointment, but most likely looking for a female.

The female Small tortoiseshell butterflies will be seeking out the nettles in Kirkstall. Each lays several hundred pale green eggs on the underside of a nettle leaf. Both sexes are similar.

Their wings are bright orange and red, with small blue spots on the outer margins.

Hollybush Healthy Walking Project

The walks we organise are short (up to an hour), led by a trained leader and cater for ALL abilities and ages. The aim of the walks is to increase fitness and provide an opportunity for people to explore their local area and meet local people!

If you would like more details, please get in touch with Jo Murricane tel. 230 7060,

email: [email protected].

Headingley Walking Group: Mondays, 11am at Burton Croft Surgery, Burton Crescent (just off Otley Road before Shaw Lane when heading into Leeds). Aireborough Walking Group: Fridays, 10am at Aireborough Leisure Centre. Bramley Walking Group: Thursdays, 10am at Morrisons, Bramley Shopping Centre.

KIRKSTALL WEEKEND WALKS ! Every 2 weeks from Hollybush Conservation Centre, Broad Lane, Kirkstall. Meet at 1pm at the front door of the building for a short local walk! Dates: Sunday 21st May, 4th June, 18th June, 2nd July with more dates to come.

Beautiful Goldfinches

Sharp-eyed Kirkstall residents have reported seeing more goldfinches. Goldfinches have been seen in Vesper Walk gardens using bird baths and feeding on seeds.

Years ago, goldfinches were caught and sold as caged birds (lifespan 8 years). In winter, many Yorkshire goldfinches used to fly off to Spain but now they stay here. The winters are warmer and food is put out for them.

A recent survey of 17,000 birdwatchers, by the British Trust for Ornithology, found that the goldfinch visited more than half of all gardens. This compared with less than a quarter, ten years ago.

Peter Larner writes... The Charm of Goldfinches

The collective noun for a group of goldfinches is a “charm”. Those who are lucky enough to have goldfinches in their gardens will understand how appropriate the name is. With its black and white head boldly marked with red, black and yellow wings and white rump, the goldfinch looks more like some exotic cage-bird than an inhabitant of Yorkshire.

I had been a birdwatcher for many years before I saw my first goldfinch in Leeds. Goldfinches began to turn up round the edge of town. They showed an uncanny ability to find seeding thistles – their favourite food. As soon as the purple flowers died and even before the seeds had fully ripened, a family party of goldfinches would appear. They would feed for a few days and move on.

Now goldfinches appear in gardens, sometimes to feed on ornamental teasels. They come to bird feeders and though they happily take sunflower seeds, what they really like is very small seed. This is often sold as niger (Nyjer) seed. In some Kirkstall gardens, goldfinches are seen every day in autumn and winter. These delicate colourful birds are a delight to watch. Their increase is mainly due to the winter food we put out for them. Like most finches, Goldfinch feed their young on insects for the first 10 days. Then they rely on seeds, so summer feeding could be helpful as well.

Small tortoiseshell

Orange tip


Holybush Conservation Centre Opening times : Tuesday –Friday 9am- 5pm 2nd and 4th Sunday 9.30am- 5pm

Practical conservation task days across West Yorkshire Tasks include: Dry stone walling, tree and hedge planting, fencing, footpath, pond work, creating wildlife areas in school grounds

Wednesday afternoons 1pm- 4pm Half day tasks in the wildlife garden at Hollybush, come for an hour or all afternoon Tuesday – Friday 9.30am – 3pm Horticultural and basic skills training for adults with learning difficulties at Hollybush. Regular commitment of one day a week needed to support the students in the classroom and in the wildlife garden. No experience or horticultural knowledge necessary. Call Susan for more details. Events in the wildlife garden

June 25th Insect fun day Open to all, children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Volunteers Week Celebrations June 6th – Bird ID June 7th – Butterfly ID June 8th – Intertidal Coastal ID All the training courses are run from Hollybush and are free to all our volunteers and members of the public. June 9th – Fun and Games day at Kirkstall Abbey, ultimate frisbee, two touch football and rounders! No level of fitness required and no steel toe capped boots allowed! Contact: Jenny Twaddell 0113 274 2335

Out & about... Hollybush Conservation...

The Out and About Project This project run from the Hollybush Centre. It is a walking and conservation project that aims to do both city orientation walks for new arrivals pointing out key services, as well as country and park walks for those with an interest in the environment. If you are interested or know someone who is please contact Tania Salvesen at Hollybush 0113 2742335, e-mail [email protected]. Out & About Saturday Walks 27th May Meanwood Valley Urban Farm : 1.5 miles. Suitable for small children. Meet 1.30 on the steps outside the Art Gallery (next to central Library) 10th June Harewood House : 3 Miles Suitable for small children. (separate activity planned) Meet at 1pm at Central Bus Station Stand 23. 1st July Slaithwaite, 3 miles Not suitable for small children. Meet at 12.30 Leeds Railway station outside WH Smiths

10th July Yorkshire Dales, Malham. Not suitable for small children. Meet 9.30am, Venue to be decided.

Hollybush Healthy Walkers 23 April 2006


Leeds Civic Trust Blue Plaques... the Brewery

Kirkstall Abbey House Museum Wednesday Club meet at 10.30am - 12 noon, in Abbey House on the 1st Wednesday of the month. Booking is essential and the fee of £5 includes a set menu lunch at the Abbot’s Tearooms.

The 1st meeting in 2006 was a talk and slide show on “Blue Plaques”. It was given by Bob Tyrell, member of the Blue Plaque committee of the Leeds Civic Trust. London was the city to first introduce plaques in 1867 – for people to read whilst on the bus! Leeds’ first plaque was unveiled in 1987, at the Leeds & Holbeck Building Society (now just Leeds) on the Headrow. The plaque commemorates the Burley Bar stone, which marked the north western limit of medieval Leeds. This stone is shown on the earliest plan, drawn in 1560. The talk was a romp through various aspects of the history of Leeds and its famous citizens. It was well illustrated with slides of the people or buildings - often with period photos, drawings or plans. We did not hear the story of all 98 plaques... There are 70 in central Leeds and the rest are in the suburbs. Those that were illustrated, had fascinating stories behind them. There is a book with details of the historic background to the first 66 plaques erected, with a list of the more recent plaques.

Blue Plaques of Leeds 80 page, A4 book of pictures, stories and maps.

The stories behind the famous people and places. ISBN: 0 905671 22 8 Dyson & Grady

Published in 2001 by Leeds Civic Trust £9.95

Leeds Civic Trust was formed in 1965 as a direct result of the outcry over the demolition of a much loved building, Becketts Bank, for the erection of the bland National Westminster Bank building. There is just one plaque in Kirkstall. It is on Kirkstall Brewery, sponsored by Leeds Metropolitan University. In 1898, Kirkstall Brewery was producing 72,000 barrels of beer a year. These were not only sold in Leeds but were also exported to Australia and New Zealand! By 1957, Kirkstall Brewery, now owned by Whitbread’s, was producing 250,000 barrels of beer and stout each year. The brewery closed in 1983 and the buildings were later converted to housing for Leeds Metropolitan University students.

Bob Tyrell does an annual check on the Blue Plaques and cleans them all. (This must be good exercise given the number and their positioning - high enough to deter vandalism!) It was an excellent talk, entertaining and instructive.

Ann Lightman

Kirkstall Brewery

Abbey House PHOTO: Val Crompton

P. Brears


Also at Abbey House Museum

Touch Tours Every Wednesday & Thursday at 2pm

A hands on tour of the Victorian streets with a museum guide. You will have the rare

opportunity to touch 19th century objects. Learn more about the collection and

the personal stories behind them. Booking is essential as places are limited to

8 per tour. Cost: £4 per person (no concessions).

Programme for Adults at Kirkstall Abbey House Museum

The title makes it sound a little racy! It is used to distinguish it from activities suitable for children. Most people taking advantage of what is on offer are senior citizens but it does include younger adults – male and female. There are three separate programmes. All have to be booked in advance. Two of these are on a Wednesday.

The other Adult Programme is of occasional lectures held in the evening at Abbey House. The café is transformed into an atmospheric lecture hall. Wine is usually served.

The longest running of the two regular events is the Wednesday Club, normally held on the first Wednesday of the month, where for £5, one has an interesting handling session or lecture starting at 10.30 a.m. This is followed by an excellent two-course lunch in the café. The format varies - regular KM readers will recall write-ups of some of the subjects. Some sessions held by some of the Abbey House curators have not been written up but the sessions are just as interesting. They have consisted of an almost constant stream of artefacts passing through our hands.

The Collections Club normally held on 3rd Wednesday. You are given the opportunity to assist the staff in caring for or cataloguing the collections.

These sessions are free and you can opt for a morning 10-12 or afternoon session 1-3 – or both! I have enjoyed the day there, having lunch in the café. I joined in “The Care and Cleaning of Metal-work”. We were issued with gloves, dusters and cleaning materials. A member of staff showed us the correct way to apply the polish and how to then buff it up for a good shine.

The objects we polished were from the shops downstairs. One excursion was made to look for more objects when we had finished those the staff had selected.

As a child, I helped with weekly polishing of horse brasses and a large copper kettle. However doing it at the Museum was considerably more fun – because of the company, the information given about the objects – what they were, what they were used for, how old they were, etc. The member of staff was not nearly as hard a taskmaster as my mother – the object was not to rub away the surface but to enhance the finish. The polished articles were placed carefully on tables around the room. I think we all got quite a buzz out of seeing the array of objects and materials gleaming against the dark wood of the private room where we worked.

Ann Lightman

For adults only?... interesting handling sessions

P. Brears


Material Pleasure Exhibition... until 2 Oct 2006 The 2nd Wednesday Club meeting at Abbey House was a power-point presentation by Emma Slocombe. Emma is Assistant Curator of Decorative Art. This talk was about the current (until 2 Oct) Material Pleasure Exhibition at Temple Newsam. Do go and see it.

The real breakthrough came towards the end of the 18th century with the introduction of engraved cylinder-printing. Repeats were no longer a problem. The print quality was as good as printing on paper – so backgrounds became incredibly detailed.

We were shown a range of patterns some on screen, and some actual textiles from the collection. The rococo style was in fashion during the 1770s and 80s – pastoral scenes of aristocratic ladies playing at being rural maids – one with them almost falling out of their garments! It was pointed out that the figures became much more realistic peasant figures during and after the French Revolution.

Emma is very knowledgeable on her subject, but such is her enthusiasm, warmth & humour that she has no problem engaging her audience. We were unanimous in our praise.

Ann Lightman

The exhibition was prompted by the donation to Temple Newsam of a large textile collection by Henry Ginsburg. Emma described the fascinating history of monochrome plate-printing onto plain material.

Until the seventeenth century the common fabrics used in Europe were wool, linen and for the very rich, silk. East Indian trading companies were set up by the English, French and Dutch in the early 17th century and began to import printed cottons from the East. They caused a sensation! The new brilliantly coloured material was WASHABLE and reasonably priced.

It was not long before a textile printing industry producing block-printed fabric was thriving in London. The size of a block-printed pattern repeat was small – so that a hand can lift the block. Joining up prints could be done accurately. Pins were placed at the corners of the block. The European technique contrasted with the Indian process of 'painting' which involved applying dyes and mordants (used to fix the colours) with a pen or brush.

Meanwhile the textile industry was in uproar and it wasn’t long before the import of cotton was banned both here and in France. The supply didn’t cease, as smuggling through the French Freeport of Marseilles was rife. Women could no longer be seen wearing this material. Some dresses were cut up and used to create patchwork bed hangings. In 1752, Francis Nixon of Dublin, developed a process that enabled fabrics to be printed from engraved copper plates. Suddenly fabric could be printed with the detail of an engraving on paper! The first plate-printed textiles were produced in London. Following the lifting of the ban on imports of cotton in 1759, printing works were established. By the 1770s France became the centre of luxury plate-printed textiles.


Wednesday 28th June, 10.15am – 12pm– Monkey Club A drop-in morning for the under 5s and their carers with craft activities. This month’s theme is People who help us. No booking necessary, normal admission applies (under 5s are free). July 2006 Wednesday 5th July, 10.30-12pm: The Wednesday Club for adults. A guided tour of Kirkstall Abbey with a museum guide. Please wear suitable footwear and outdoor clothing. Booking essential. Cost: £5 per person (no concessions), which includes a set menu lunch in our café at 12pm. Tuesday 25th July – Sunday 30th July: Arts & Crafts Week A chance to buy crafts and produce from local artists and crafts-people. Children’s craft activities will also take place in the activity room each day from 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm (except Wednesday morning). No booking necessary, normal admission applies. Wednesday 26th July, 10.15-12pm: The Monkey Club A drop-in morning for the under 5s and their carers with craft activities. This month’s theme is The Seaside. No booking necessary, normal admission applies (under 5s are free). August 2006 Tuesday 1st August, 1-3pm: Family Fun Afternoon Craft activities for all the family, based around the theme of Clowns. No booking necessary, normal admission. Wednesday 2nd August, 10.30-12pm: The Wednesday Club for adults African Costume and Textiles with Antonia Lovelace, Curator of World Cultures. Booking essential. Cost: £5 per person (no concessions), which includes a set menu lunch in our café at 12pm. Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th August, 10am-12pm: Meet the Victorians Come and meet a face from the past. Will you see the Victorian undertaker, widow washerwoman, maid or botanical chemist? No booking, normal admission. Friday 4th August, 2-4pm: Be a Victorian This is your chance to become a Victorian. Come along and dress up (costume provided) and take part in activities in our Victorian streets. Complete the Victorian shopping list challenge. No booking necessary, normal admission . Tuesday 8th August, 1-3pm: Family Fun Afternoon Craft activities for all the family, based around the theme of Butterflies and Bugs. No booking necessary, normal admission applies. Wednesday 9th August: Craft Sessions for playschemes, childminders and larger groups Hour long craft sessions based on the theme of Butterflies and Bugs will take place in our education room with a museum facilitator. Cost: 50p per person to cover materials. Booking essential.

What’s On at Abbey House Museum ...

Please note: All children must be accompanied by an adult, unless otherwise stated. At busy times we will have to limit the number of pushchairs in the museum due to health and safety regulations. Vicky Lucas Bookings now being taken on the number below.

Abbey House Museum, Abbey Walk, Leeds, LS5 3EH Tel: (0113) 2305492 Fax: (0113) 2305499 Email: [email protected] May 2006 Monday 29th May – Bank Holiday opening Open from 10am until 5pm, last admission 4pm

Tuesday 30thMay, 1pm-3pm– Family Fun Afternoon Craft activities for all the family based around the theme of Dressing Up. No booking, normal admission applies. Wednesday 31st May, throughout the day – Craft Sessions for Playschemes and larger groups. Hour long craft sessions based around the theme of Dressing Up will take place in our education room with a museum facilitator. Booking essential, 50p per person to cover materials. June 2006 Thursday 1st June, 2pm-3.30pm – Craft Workshop for 9-13 year olds: Marbling. Cost: £3.50 per person ( £3.00 with a Leeds Card). Carers do not need to accompany their children on completion of a consent form. Thursday 1st June & Friday 2nd June, 10am-12pm– Meet the Victorians. Come and meet a face from the past. Will you see the Victorian undertaker, widow washer woman, maid or botanical chemist? No booking necessary, normal admission applies Friday 3rd June, 2pm-4pm– Be a Victorian This is your chance to become a Victorian. Come along and dress up (costume provided) and take part in activities in our Victorian streets. Will you help the widow washer woman with her washing, or mix a potion for the chemist? Complete the Victorian shopping list challenge. No booking necessary, normal admission applies. Wednesday 7th June, 10.30am – 12pm – Wednesday Club: The Art of Embroidery with Emma Slocombe, assistant curator at Temple Newsam House. Booking essential, £5 per person (no concessions) which includes a set menu lunch in our café at 12pm. Wednesday 21st June, all day – Collections Club: Care and cleaning of wood. A chance to help preserve the past for the future and learn more about the wonderful collections of Leeds Museums. Booking essential. There is no charge to take part


This is the 30th year of the founding of the railway. 2005/6 was a reasonable year for passenger figures. They may increase when the Abbey is fully restored.

The costs of operating the railway (insurance & fuel) have increased. We generate our own electricity. We could not afford the cost of connecting to the mains supply.

Abbey Light Railway...1924 GoGo Tractor restored...

Abbey House Summer Holiday Activities ... Thursday 10th August, 2-3.30pm: Craft Workshop for 9-13 year olds: Clay Cost: £3.50 per person (£3.00 with a Leeds Card). Carers do not need to accompany their children on this workshop on completion of a consent form. Thursday 10th and Friday 11th August, 10am-12pm: Meet the Victorians No booking necessary, normal admission applies. Friday 11th August, 2-4pm: Be a Victorian This is your chance to become a Victorian. No booking necessary, normal admission applies. Tuesday 15th August, 1-3pm: Family Fun Afternoon Craft activities for all the family, based around the theme of Holidays. No booking necessary, normal admission applies. Wednesday 16th August: Craft Sessions for playschemes, childminders and larger groups Hour long craft sessions based on the theme of Holidays will take place in our education room with a museum facilitator. Cost: 50p per person to cover materials. Booking essential. Thursday 17th and Friday 18th August, 10am-12pm: Meet the Victorians Come and meet a face from the past. No booking necessary, normal admission applies. Friday 18th August, 2-4pm: Be a Victorian This is your chance to become a Victorian. No booking necessary, normal admission applies. Tuesday 22nd August, 1-3pm: Family Fun Afternoon Craft activities for all the family, based around the theme of Pirates. No booking necessary, normal admission applies. Wednesday 23rd August, 10.15-12pm: The Monkey Club A drop-in morning for the under 5s and their carers with craft activities. This month’s theme is The Jungle. No booking necessary, normal admission applies (under 5s are free).

Thursday 24th and Friday 25th August, 10am-12pm: Meet the Victorians No booking necessary, normal admission applies. Friday 25th August, 2-4pm: Be a Victorian This is your chance to become a Victorian. No booking necessary, normal admission applies. Monday 28th August, 2-4pm: Bank Holiday Opening The museum open 10am – 5pm, last admission 4pm. Tuesday 29th August, 1-3pm: Family Fun Afternoon Craft activities for all the family, based around the theme of The Garden. No booking necessary, normal admission applies. Wednesday 30th August: Craft Sessions for playschemes, childminders and larger groups Hour long craft sessions based on the theme of The Garden will take place in our education room with a museum facilitator. Cost: 50p per person to cover materials. Booking essential. Thursday 31st August and

September 2006 Friday 1st September, 10am-12pm: Meet the Victorians No booking necessary, normal admission applies. Friday 1st September, 2-4pm: Be a Victorian This is your chance to become a Victorian. No booking necessary, normal admission applies. Wednesday 6th September, 10.30-12pm: The Wednesday Club for adults Exotic Animals with Clare Stringer, Curator of Natural Science. Booking essential. Cost: £5 per person (no concessions), which includes a set menu lunch in our café at 12pm. Wednesday 27th September, 10.15-12pm: The Monkey Club. A drop-in morning for the under 5s and their carers with craft activities. This month’s theme is Nursery Rhymes. No booking necessary, normal admission applies (under 5s are free).

Restoration of the Hudson GoGo tractor of 1924 progresses well. We should have a test run within the next two weeks. This will be the first run for 50 years!

Peter Lowe

GoGo


Kirkstall Sculptor’s ‘Grim Reaper’ in London...

You can see Kevin’s life-size Gothic horror ‘Grim Reaper’ (shown above being worked on in his studio), now finished and in the London Dungeon.

Kevin’s work comes in all shapes and sizes. From sculpting the Beatles for the Beatles Story Exhibition in Liverpool, to sculpting the Millennium Statue of Christ (the Good Shepherd) at Holyhead (see below). Kevin says

“ I enjoy diversity and challenge. If you are seeking eye-catching work or something spiritual or even just entertaining, then I’m the person to contact.” [email protected]

Local sculptor and artist, Kevin Harlow, came to Leeds from Peterborough in 1972 to study Fine Art at Leeds Poly. 24 years later, Kevin is still here. After teaching from 1978-87 in Bradford, he set up a studio in Kirkstall and became self-employed. Kevin lives and works in Vesper Road and his daughter Abby attends St Stephen’s School. You may have seen some of Kevin’s work at an exhibition in the Abbot’s Tearooms. Below: Kevin in the garden of the Ucheldre Centre, Holyhead.

Kevin Harlow’s painting of Kirkstall Abbey


12th Leeds Shakespeare Festival Kirkstall Abbey Cloisters, Leeds Following last year's sell-out success the British Shakespeare Company are proud to return for the 12th Leeds Shakespeare Festival. The Kirkstall Abbey Cloisters provide an idyllic setting for two of Shakespeare's most popular plays, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, his best loved romantic comedy and Romeo & Juliet, the greatest love story ever told.

A magical open-air festival of love, laughter and amorous adventure, performed by a company that continues to delight audiences and critics alike. These productions are suitable for all age groups.

We will also be holding our Comedy in the Park Monday nights and final night musical celebration, Stars of the West End. Book early as these are likely to sell out. Box Office 0113 224 3801

Shakespeare Festival - 25th July to 20th August Wayne Sleep will be appearing as Puck

Come to the 12th Shakespeare Festival ... 25th July...

Paxton Horticultural Society, 186 Kirkstall Lane, Leeds 5

PLANT SALE Saturday 3rd June 9am-12 noon

Quality plants at reasonable prices, come along, have a browse. Enjoy a chat with members of the Society over a cup of tea.

Members will try to answer your gardening queries.

SUMMER SHOW Saturday 1st July 2pm - 4.30pm

Classes for roses and cut flowers, vegetables, geraniums,

fuchsias, flower arranging, pot plants, cookery & crafts.

Exhibits can be staged between 9am and 12 noon on the day of the show. Plant sale & refreshments.

Show Secretary, Graham Wheatley, 0113 256 3055


KIRKSTALL ABBEY TENNIS CLUB Playing at Kirkstall Abbey

Coaching for Adults and Children

Tournaments

Social events

Membership: Adults £20 Family £40 Juniors £4

Concessions for Priority Leeds Card Holders

For more information contact: Jessica Fischer 07711 646991 [email protected]


Head teacher:Mrs B.A.Clay Kirkstall Valley Primary School

Argie Road, Leeds LS4 2QZ

Monday- Friday 9am to 12 noon A warm, safe and stimulating

environment

From 2½ to school age FREE from 3 years old.

Kirkstall St Stephen’s Pre-School Kirkstall St Stephen’s

C of E Primary School, Morris Lane

Leeds LS5 3JD Tel: 0113 214 4630


Greenhows of Leeds for all your vacuum cleaner needs

• Same day service • Free estimates • All work guaranteed • Commercial enquiries

welcome • Reconditioned vacs for sale

Part exchanges welcome

341 Kirkstall Road Leeds LS4 2 HD 0113 279 1170

James Hoopert Garden Design and Construction

Tel: 0113 278 0795 Mobile: 07931 222553

All aspects of garden construction. Paving, Decking, Turfing and Gravel. Fencing, Walling, Pergolas, Water Features and Planting Schemes

Increase Building

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KIRKSTALL NEWSAGENTS

Tony Wilson

Electrical Installations

16 Vesper Gardens

Kirkstall

Leeds LS5 3NS

Tel. 274 6027

mob. 07946 608 869

Hawksworth Wood Community Association

Drop-in centre with coffee shop. Weekly

advice surgeries provided by Leeds North West Homes Housing Association and Victim Support. Weekly advice on

anti-social behaviour, Police advice surgery and local councillor advice

surgery. Information bureau for local people. Credit Union service.

Internet access for local and older people.

Entertainment, courses, trips.

6 Broadway Monday-Friday 9am - 5pm

tel: 228 5550


Tel. 278 0945

J.NEWS


Quality Printing for clubs,

local associations, Church Groups etc.

at the keenest of prices ...


Membership Application Form

I wish to join the KVCA

Kirkstall Valley Community Association

Name……………………………………...

Address…………………………………..

Postcode………………………………...

Annual Membership (inc. delivery of Kirkstall Matters within the Kirkstall area) is £4

U.K. Postal delivery (outside Kirkstall) for a year costs us £3. For postal delivery

we welcome a donation.

I enclose cheque/postal order payable to ‘KVCA’ for £…..

Post this coupon to:

KVCA Treasurer 18 The Rise Leeds LS5 3EP

km092

Documents

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kirkstall library

kirkstall lane

inhabitants of kirkstall

kirkstall festival photo

kirkstall abbey parade

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