For our review of the year we’ve picked out our favourite stories, not necessarily the most read, or from the front page, but stories that reflect the life of our community month by month:
January saw a headteacher donning boxing gloves and a new mural of Leeds United legend Gordon Strachan unveiled, we also reported how Beeston in Bloom are transforming the communications boxes that litter our streets and have teamed up with local artist Zoe Mitchell to brighten the street scene.
Artist Zoe Mitchell and Linda Stanley from Beeston in Bloom
In February we reported that South Leeds Community Kitchen had found a new home for their monthly meal at St mary’s in Beeston. Organised by Mosaic church they offer free hot meals and friendship. This was also the month that saw three Guides from the 5th Middleton group achieving their Gold Awards andEddie Gray popping in to Holbeck Together as part of Leeds United’s ongoing support for the charity.
Volunteers prepare a hot meal at South Leeds Community Kitchen
In March the Hunslet Moor House extra care flats on Hunslet Hall Road were officially opened. The flats offer private accommodation and community facilities including a bistro, as well as flexible care packages. We also met the new CEO at Asha Neighbourhood Project, Alia Nessa, and marveled at the clever animations that brought Hunslet stories to to life.
Anne and Barry Parker cut the cake to officially open Hunslet Moor House
Middleton Elderly Aid received their Kings Award for Voluntary Service by the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Ed Anderson and the Lord Mayor of Leeds in April. That month also saw students from Cockburn School and Hugh Gaitskell Primary School performing with the acclaimed Manchester Camerata orchestra and discovered the the Hunslet Club returns £120 in social value for every £1 invested in the club.
Carol Edwards receives the award from the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire and the Lord Mayor of Leeds
May saw hundreds converge on Cross Flatts Park for the Let’s Move: South Leeds event; we also reported how Leeds United’s plans to expand Elland Road stadium had gone down with councillors on the City Plans Panel and details of the public consultation.
CGI of the proposed new West and North stands at Elland Road
South Leeds took over the City Museum in June as the Creative Communities Pride in Place arts project concluded with an uplifting celebration. The project engaged 300 local residents, learning new skills and expressing their talent. There were community festivals and galas tooand we revealed that Dennis Robbins, the CEO at The Hunslet Club would be receive an honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University.
Talent and pride at Leeds City Museum
Joe Conroy an ex-Leeds United player who grew up with the Charlton brothers and now lives at Pennington Court care home in Beeston got a special tour of Elland Road in July.
Young designers from The Hunslet Club made a splash at the Burberry headquarters in August. That month also saw the new Bingo 3000 open in Hunslet and thousands of young people attend the festival of rugby in Middleton.
On the catwalk at Burberry
In September the Baton of Hope arrived in Leeds on World Suicide Prevention Day, South Leeds cleaned up at the Yorkshire in Bloom awards and a New Town was announced for Leeds South Bank
The Baton of Hope outside St Matthew’s Community Centre in Holbeck
There was a very special performance of Tony Harrison’s poem V in Holbeck Cemetery just weeks after the death of the poet in October. The month also saw the opening of the Hunslet Club‘s new artificial pitch.
Barrie Rutter was one of cast perfoming V in Holbeck Cemetery
In November we reported that Sam and Craig Gilmore, founders of Champions Football which runs sessions every Saturday on Hunslet Moor had received the Contribution to Community Award at the Leeds Police Awards. In other news Kidz Klub were to be awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, and on a sadder note that learning disability rights activist Lynn Bailey had died.
Craig Gilmore, Insp Mark Lund and Sam Gilmore
And finally in December, as delays to the new tram system were confirmed and Leeds United promised support for local residents, we spoke to the cast of Elf The Musical, which was seen by over 1,000 people during its sold out run at Cockburn School.
Elf cast members (L-R): Joel, Umayyah, Lola, Harley, Ollie and Ronnie
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