Here’s a roundup of some the main events taking place over the coming week in South Leeds.
We start this week with Middleton Elderly Aid’s Christmas Fair on Saturday. Running from 10am-2pm, there will be flowers, cakes, gifts, raffles, games, refreshments, not forgetting Santa’s Grotto. It’s all at their social centre on Acre Road, LS10 4LF.
Leeds United entertain Aston villa in the Premiership on Sunday, kicking off at 2pm. You can expect the usual heavy traffic and parking issues around Beeston, Holbeck and Cottingley before and after the match.
Also on Sunday the Leeds Knights take on the Milton Keynes Lightning in the NIHL National Division. The ice hockey match faces off at 6pm at Planet Ice on Elland Road.
On Monday evening, 6:30-8pm, the Beeston Hill Community Association will be meeting at the Hamara Centre on Tempest Road, LS11 6RD
The Christmas Lights switch on at Middleton Park Circus is also on Monday evening. The free event runs from 6:30-7:30pm with performances from DAZL, rides, family fun activities, visits from Santa and Kingy the Hunslet RLFC lion, and market stalls. The lights will be switched on at 7:30pm.
There is a face-to-face consultation event on Tuesday about the design of the new West Yorkshire Weaver Line buses. In the atrium at White Rose Shopping Centre, from 10am-1pm.
Then on Tuesday it Holbeck’s turn with the Christmas Lights switch on organised by Holbeck Together, with guest of honour Leeds United legend Stuart Dallas. The event runs from 4-5:30pm with festive music, family friendly craft activities, hot food and drinks at St Matthew’s Community Centre (LS11 9NR).
A Councillor advice surgery will be held at Middleton Elderly Aid’s Social Centre on Acre Road on Wednesday from 9:30-10:30am.
At Holbeck Cemetery, Fairfax Road, LS11 8SY, volunteers will be meeting at 10am on Wednesday to carry out various tidying up activities. New people are always welcome and equipment is provided.
There is a coffee morning and bingo at Cardinal Court in Beeston on Wednesday 10am-12pm organised by MHA South Leeds.
Hunslet Remembered is a chance to reminisce and discuss local history on Thursday from 10am-12pm at Hunslet Community Hub & Library, off Church Street, LS10 2NS.
There will be a Police Contact Point at the Hamara Centre on Tempest Road on Thursday 10am-12pm. This is a chance to raise concerns or ask questions of the Leeds South Neighbourhood Policing Team in an informal setting.
The Salvation Army hold their monthly Friendship Lunch on Thursday, 11am-1pm at their base on Hunslet Hall Road, LS11 6QB. It’s a warm space with chat and games etc plus a free snack lunch.
Opera North are holding another of their free concerts at the Penny Hill Shopping Centre in Hunslet, near the Church Street entrance. From 12:30pm on Thursday.
The final Christmas Lights in South Leeds will be lit on Thursday in Beeston. The Salvation Army Band will be present outside Nisa on Town Street to lead the carol singing from 6pm. Once the lights are lit, free hot food will be served over the road in the Beeston Parish Centre. The event is co-hosted by St Mary’s Church, Beeston Festival and Beeston in Bloom.
Locals can look forward to an evening of powerful and heartwarming choral music on Thursday when The Leeds Irish Choir perform at Fearns, Leeds Dock. Starting at 6pm, the 60-piece choir will set the tone for the festive season with a lively mix of traditional carols, upbeat festive favourites, and a few non-Christmas numbers too, all whilst raising donations for Simon On The Streets, an independent charity in West Yorkshire that supports the homeless and vulnerable.
Then on Friday, also at Fearns, between 3-5pm, both beginner and experienced creatives in South Leeds can look forward to a cosy evening of bringing seasonal art to life with paint and sip brand, Pinot & Picasso.
On Friday residents of Beeston & Holbeck ward can meet their Councillors at the monthly surgeries: 4pm at Beeston Library on Town Street; 5pm at St Matthew’s Community Centre in Holbeck; and 6pm at Cottingley Community Centre.
And finally, ‘A Proper Merry Christmess’ is a chaotic Christmas comedy for grown-ups – an honest festive story, featuring the authentic heartbreak and humour that the Christmas movies usually leave out. On Friday at 7pm. This is the first of two performances at Slung Low’s Warehouse in Holbeck, Crosby Street, LS11 9RQ. As usual its pay what you decide, book tickets at www.slunglow.org/shows
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