West Leeds Dispatch

By Don Mort, local democracy reporter A backlash to the building of a Microsoft data centre is gathering pace after Green Party councillors voiced their opposition. The 11 councillors – including ward members in Armley and Kirkstall wards – said the development at the former Skelton Grange power station was against the city council’s commitments to address climate change.

By Rebecca Hunter Volunteers at New Wortley Community Centre are delighted they have achieved the VAL Quality Mark Level 1 for “excellence in volunteering”. They were able to demonstrate a “high standard of volunteering practice” within their processes, induction, training and general investment in their volunteers. The achievement is thanks to the work of Volunteer Coordinator Rachel Arnold and her team of over 20 volunteers. Daniel volunteers with the food pantry.

By Don Mort, local democracy reporter More than 20 flats could be created in a former office building if plans can be agreed with the city council. Permission is sought for the conversion of Kingswood House, on Richardshaw Lane in  Stanningley, for residential use. Developer Bauer Group is seeking approval from Leeds City Council for the scheme. It would provide 21 one and two-bedroom apartments at the west Leeds site.

By Rebecca Hunter Volunteers at New Wortley Community Centre are delighted they have achieved the VAL Quality Mark Level 1 for “excellence in volunteering”. They were able to demonstrate a “high standard of volunteering practice” within their processes, induction, training and general investment in their volunteers. The achievement is thanks to the work of Volunteer Coordinator Rachel Arnold and her team of over 20 volunteers. Daniel volunteers with the food pantry.

By Jane Knowles Grade II Listed Bramley Baths is to continue its work as a major cultural and community hub over the next few weeks and months as it rolls out its Heritage Open Days events and refreshes its Friends of Bramley Baths scheme. On Saturday, 12 September Bramley Baths will be hosting its Heritage Open Days activities as part of the national festival aimed at celebrating local heritage.

By Jill Stocks Horsforth Town Council announced the details of their new monthly litter picks this week, and local residents are encouraged to join in and help keep Horsforth tidy. Previously the town council have organised litter picks throughout the month of October but this year sees the launch of a schedule of litter picks taking place on the first Sunday of the month, starting this Sunday, 6 September, with a different area covered every month.

By Andy Dalton Hundreds of apples are being given away to people in the Armley area. Leeds City Mission (LCM) are repeating a harvest project which has become an annual feature in recent years. Mission staff and volunteers are placing trays of apples on a table outside their premises for the next two to three weeks and are inviting members of the public to come and take as many as they want for free. Every apple is handpicked by volunteers from a variety of apple trees.

By John Baron City councillors will next week debate proposals to create an additional two electoral wards for Horsforth Town Council. All 98 councillors are due to attend a full meeting of Leeds City Council on Wednesday, 9 September at Leeds Civic Hall – and included on the agenda is a community governance review of Horsforth Town Council.

By Iola Shaw Heritage Open Days (HODs) is an annual free festival of heritage and history events running for 10 days from September 11 throughout England. We have a good number in West Leeds, with several hundred across West Yorkshire and over 5,000 free events across the UK. There are many places that are rarely accessible as well as extra exhibitions on at familiar venues. Some do require advance booking whilst others are drop in sessions and some are online.

Photos: Yann Ainley, Lynn Beaumont, Dianne Craven, Lara King, Diane Gardner and Christopher Pratt We asked our volunteer community reporters to submit their photos of what summer in West Leeds has meant to them. A huge thanks to everyone who submitted their photos.