Bramhope by North Leeds Life

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MARCH 2010

northleedslife.co.uk The Life of the community

A Celebration of Mothering Spruce Up Your Garden Win Tickets for Antique Show

northleedslife.co.uk The Life of the community

Tel: 0113 274 8776 www.northleedslife.co.uk

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Contents Dear Readers This month, we’d like to take our hats off to mothers! Well, not just mothers, but mothering in general. With Mothers’ Day on 14th March, it’s a great opportunity to recognise the fantastic contribution foster and adoptive mothers make. We’ve all been horrified by the effects of the Haiti earthquake - but schools, groups and organisations in North Leeds were all quick off the mark organising what help they could. Of course, the job’s not over yet and we’d like to encourage you to support some of the charities working so hard to help. It’s time to get out in your garden again and there are tips on what to do, and how to use a garden designer if you’d like to give your garden a makeover. Plus, after a very successful Autumn Show, the Spring Yorkshire Antiques and Art Fair is giving away tickets again; Irish History Month goes national; Bradford Film Fest announces venues in Leeds; our councillors bring us up to date on a few issues; and our Letters’ Page gets a little livelier! We’re delighted to announce that we are increasing our print run to 36,000 copies per month and will be able to deliver to even more homes beginning in April. We will also be launching the first edition of Menston Life. With Spring definitely on the way, we will be looking at Outdoor Activity in the April edition - be sure to get your news and notices to us by the 1st March for April, and 1st April for May. Kind regards. Jack & Carole

06. A Celebration of Mothering

08. Your Letters 13. Raising Funds for Haiti 14. Community Pages 20. Sprucing up Your Garden 22. Win Tickets for Yorkshire Antiques & Art Fair

23. Irish History Month Goes National

24. Don’t be Foul! Muck Up! 30. News from Your Councillors

32. Younger Life 36. Sound & Vision 37. Local Live Music 40. Police Update 42. Give Blood, Save Lives

Congratulations to our competition winners: Dagmara Dziób who won the Romantic Getaway, and Andrea Paterson, Charlie Lindstrom, and Margaret White who won Creating Chaos fitness packages

tel: 0113 274 8776

email: info@northleedslife.co.uk website: www. northleedslife.co.uk post: 265a Otley Road, West Park, Leeds LS16 5LN

A Celebration of Mothering! Mothering Sunday is a chance for us all to show how much we appreciate our mothers. We buy them flowers, take them out for nice dinners and pamper them. It’s the one day we actually take a moment to reflect on the world’s most difficult job: parenting. Over time, the traditional family has changed. Today, many people are taking on the role of mothering, be it step parents, grandparents or older siblings. This Mothering Sunday we want to acknowledge those who step into the role of parent, often in the most difficult of circumstances - those who foster and adopt.

According to Barnardo’s, there are currently 3,000 children in the North West of England awaiting foster homes, and over 10,000 nationwide. Barnardo’s, together with other charities and local authorities are working very hard to find long term homes for them to ensure that they don’t get stuck in the care system. At the moment the shortage of foster parents is almost at crisis point. In a recent survey by Barnardo’s they found that 79% of people in Yorkshire had never even considered fostering. Why? “What people don’t realise,” says Dot Jarvis, Children’s Services Manager for the Yorkshire Region of Barnardo’s, “is that anybody from the age of 25 up can foster. There is no upper age limit, what is important is that carers have the basic skills and the capacity to do the job. Obviously carers also have to be in a position to practically care for a child. We have a careful screening process to ensure the child is matched with the right foster parents and we supply plenty of ongoing support and training once the child has been placed.” Although these children do often come from difficult backgrounds, foster parents always speak of how incredibly rewarding the experience is. Leeds City Councillor Brenda Lancaster, fostered children for six years. A stay-at-home mum and childminder with three children of her own, it was her doctor who suggested she try fostering. “It

was the most rewarding thing I have ever done”, said Brenda. “A lot of people say they would never consider doing it, but it’s wonderful to be able to offer kids a safe and stable environment and watch them grow.” Brenda went on to expand her family by adopting a baby boy who had hydrocephalus and spina bifida he’s now a successful painter and decorator. Lord Laming, a child protection expert said last year: “All children need is a little help, a little hope and somebody who believes in them.” Fostering can be challenging, the same as any job, but the rewards are immeasurable - you can help to turn children’s lives around. Sue, who fostered two young brothers commented: “They were absolutely lovely, but very challenging! Though that didn’t put us off. We knew this family needed support and the boys’ behaviour was a result of all the frustration.” Another foster carer, Hellene, said: “There is the odd hiccup now and then, like there is with any family, but the key is understanding and patience. The rewards are huge.” Yorkshire has a shortage of foster and adoptive parents right now, so if you feel you could offer a

loving, safe environment, taking a child into your care could be an experience well worth it. Contact Barnardo’s on 0870 240 8342 or afby@barnardos.org.uk and find out about the training and support that could set you on the road to fostering or adoption. Happy Mothering Sunday!

ren

th three of her child

wi Brenda Lancaster

YOUR LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

e Residents Group. Cragg Hill & Woodsid up was triggered following The formation of this gro olish the attractive an outcry over plans to dem’s Convalescent Home on Victorian villas of St. Joseph and replace them with a Outwood Lane, Horsforthlly large structure. modern and controversia nts are working with The committee and residellors to hopefully modify planners and local counciimpact on the local the design and reduce its environment. e Campbell, and Treasurer, Recently Secretary, Diann to receive a grant in d Peter Snow, were please group. Future plans are to support of the residents’ for this area of Horsforth. obtain conservation status more, please join us at a If you would like to know at Woodside Church on d hel be to at public meeting ase also visit our website 9th March at 7.30pm. Ple www.chwrg.org you then. We look forward to seeing Sarah Hart Ward Councillors deserve the cred it On these pages, Bob Horsforth has claim for actions in Horsforth, whilst attackin ed credit He claims success for work done, like g the City. In Horsforth we have a rolling annualon Highways. programme of Highways improvements, with a reser if some come in under budget. All stree ve list prioritised by officers, relating to their ts are is the Ward Councillors who deserve condition. It the work scheduled - we fought for athe credit for 50% increase in the budget for Highways in Horsforth and achieved it. Bob claims ‘730 hits’ and ‘112 letters’, odd - he is so secretive, how does one which I find find his address? All my contact details are publ hold a weekly surgery at the Library! ished, and I received any complaints about graffiYet I have not years. The Council and councillors areti for several to have graffiti removed from private powerless these are the sites Bob has chosen to property, but show on his site! If any resident wishes to complain abou t the Council or seek advice, come to your War Councilors, our task is to serve you, not d to play silly games. Cllr. Brian Cleasby. c/o Civic Hall or 11, Carr Lane, Rawdon LS19 6PD. Tel 0113 247 4580 or 0113 250 4318 (hom e) brian.cleasby@leeds.gov.uk

HAVE YOUR SAY!

Success for Leeds HMO Lobby Ten years ago, Leeds HMO Lobby was set up, on the initiative of our MP at the time, Harold Best. For the past decade, the Lobby (now at the heart of a national network) has campaigned for planning controls on HMOs (Houses of Multiple Occupancy). Yesterday, we achieved our objectives! On a visit to our colleagues in Oxford, the Minister John Healey announced that there will be (a) a new planning definition of HMO (similar to the housing definition), and (b) a change to the Use Classes Order, so that conversion to HMO counts as ‘change of use’, and therefore requires planning permission. The new measures are due to come into effect in April. What’s interesting is the huge support for these new measures. Nearly a thousand responses to last year’s consultation on HMOs were received by the government (three times more than they expected). And, over 90% of responses supported new legislation. The majority of these were from residents, either individually or through community associations. So, many thanks to local member organisations of Leeds HMO Lobby*, local individuals who took the trouble to respond, local councillors, the Council, and our current MP. It was worth the effort! This now gives teeth to the Council’s Policy H15 on HMOs, and will enable them to carry out their proposal in the Core Strategy: “supplementary planning advice will be prepared for inner North West Leeds, to establish housing mix targets for local neighbourhoods.” Richard Tyler (Leeds HMO Lobby) *Ash Road Area RA, Cardigan Triangle CA, Far Headingley Village Society, Headingley Development Trust, Little Woodhouse CA, North Hyde Park Neighbourhood Association, South Headingley CA, Turnways & Laurel Bank RA, Woodbine Terrace RA

ONE DAY YOU’LL WISH YOU’D JOINED ESPORTA

Shop Local People in Armley and Pudsey will be rewarded for shopping locally, thanks to a new reward card scheme introduced by the Council. Shoppers collect six stamps over a month and have the chance to take advantage of discounts with local retailers. With all the great local, independent businesses we have in our area, wouldn’t it be a great idea to have a similar scheme here? Over recent years, people have become much more conscious about shopping locally, but if the businesses banded together to come up with a scheme that rewards the locals for shopping with them, we have no doubt the community would rally around and support it.

What do you think? Let us know!

Please send your letters to: The Editor, North Leeds Life, 265a Otley Road, Leeds LS16 6LN or email: carole@northleedslife.co.uk

If your 2010 resolution is to get in shape visit www.esporta.com to download your complimentary one-day membership. Simply click where it says download your one-day pass and enter in leedslife as the promo code. Your one-day membership pass will be emailed to you. This offer is only valid until 30th March 2010. Esporta Cookridge Hall Health Club Cookridge Lane, Cookridge LS16 7NL

Tel: 0113 203 0003 For driving directions: www.esporta.com/leedscookridge *For offer terms and conditions: www.esporta.com/promotandc

Leeds Festival Chorus and Giraffes on Fire!

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When surrealist poet, Edward James, approached French composer Francis Poulenc about putting his poems to music in 1937, he said “set my poems in the musical style of giraffes on fire.”

Though it was a tall order (excuse the pun), Poulenc accepted, possibly because James, who was immensely wealthy and allegedly Edward VII’s love child, offered him 20,000 francs at the same time. The result, ‘Sécheresses’, is on the programme of Leeds Festival Chorus’s next concert. “It’s a tremendous piece,” says chorus bass Richard Wilcocks. “The music transforms routine surrealist poetry into something

really beautiful!” The same concert will also see performances of Rachmaninov’s ‘Variations on a Theme of Paganini’, Igor Stravinsky’s ‘Symponies of Wind Instruments’ and his highly dramatic ‘Symphony of Psalms’ which is often seen as an expression of his ‘spiritual discipline’. The BBC Philharmonic will be conducted

The Professional Choice

by Simon Wright and the pianst is the renowned Sunwook Kim. Leeds Festival Chorus is at Leeds Town Hall on 20th March at 7.30pm. Tickets (£14£27.50) from City Centre Box Office. www. leedsfestivalchorus.co.uk

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A Guide to Re-use and Recycling in Leeds

St Chad’s Green Team has produced a list of charities, and some local recycling ‘banks’, in Leeds that would be delighted to accept a wide range of your unwanted items. The idea is to encourage people to donate unwanted goods, rather than sending them to landfill. It is amazing the range of things that can be recycled - from clothing and furniture, to bedding, kitchen equipment, electrical goods, books, CDs, carpets and tinned goods. Organisations like St George’s Crypt, Emmaus, the Simon Community, Salvation Army, Oxfam and more, would all welcome donations of usable items. The list also includes the types of items accepted by each charity. For the complete list compiled by The Green Team, go to the St Chad’s website at www.freespace.virgin.net/stchads - then choose the eco-congregations quick link on the right of the page; here click on Ways to be Green, and finally go to Recycling opportunities in Leeds at the bottom of that page.

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Bradford International Film Festival Announces Satellite Venues in Leeds

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Since 1995, Bradford International Film Festival (BIFF) has been one of the outstanding events in the UK’s film calendar. This year, the National Media Museum is delighted to announce that ten satellite venues will also take part in BIFF, making the festival available to its biggest audience yet. These include Hyde Park Picture House, Otley Courthouse, Leeds Trinity in Horsforth, and Ilkley Playhouse. The National Media Museum will remain the hub of the festival, where its unique facilities make it possible to present films in every format from 16mm, 35mm and 70mm to 3-strip Cinerama and IMAX 3D.

Artistic Director Tony Earnshaw said: “BIFF has grown in stature every year since it began in 1995. This year will be one of our biggest, as we roll out a unique programme of star guests, premieres, previews, retrospectives and special

screenings to a number of venues across the region.” Further information and tickets can be accessed by phone on 0870 70 10 200, or online at www.nationalmediamuseum. org.uk/biff

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Leeds U3A Celebrates 25 years!

Leeds U3A opened its silver anniversary celebrations, with a special event in January, attended by guest of honour Dr Ingrid Roscoe, Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire. She opened the meeting with a message of strong support for the University of the Third Age. Music was provided by Leeds Waits, the official town musicians, who specialise in historical music entertainment. A number of the original members of the Leeds U3A group were present, providing an invaluable insight into the first few years. Of particular interest was a photographic archive, detailing many of the special occasions and group activities over the years.

Leeds U3A membership has grown out of all proportion from its initial beginnings. There are currently 376 members across both the Leeds and the new Cookridge/Horsforth groups and new groups are starting up all the time the next one will probably be in Wetherby. There are over

Raising Funds for Haiti The earthquake that struck Haiti in January sent emotional shockwaves around the world. Aid poured in from every corner of the globe and the residents of North Leeds proved that no matter how small your community, you can still make a difference.

18 interest groups, ranging from walking, dancing and Tai Chi, to art, literature, music, languages, and bridge, plus fun groups like rummikub, scrabble and card making. For more information, visit www.u3aleeds.btik.com Oxfam in Headingley put together a silent auction just days after the quake. Local businesses donated prizes to be auctioned off: movie tickets from Hyde Park Cinema, dinner for two at Cafe Lento, a free haircut at Oasis Hairdressers and more were all up for grabs. The event immediately raised £300. Schools Get Busy The children of Cookridge Primary School put their thinking caps on and came up with great ways to raise funds. Each of the nine classes did something different and in total they raised over £1,000 in an afternoon. Pool C of E had a ‘Hats for Haiti’ day where the children could wear any type of hat and make a donation to do so. Prince Henry’s had a non-uniform day and the geography department organised other events and raised over £2,000. Otley Rotary Send ShelterBoxes Otley Rotary Club immediately sent enough money for two ShelterBoxes to be sent. They have been huge supporters of the charity since it was founded by a Rotarian in 2000.

Each ShelterBox contains essential equipment for up to 10 people to survive for a month. The boxes cost £490 each and are delivered directly to those who need them. Otley Rotary also organised collection points to raise funds for more boxes. To find out more about ShelterBox go to www.shelterbox.org. Ilkley Haiti Fund Anne Wilkinson started the Ilkley Haiti Fund in 2006 after volunteering in Haiti for five years and seeing first hand what needed to be done. The charity is currently helping to put two boys through medical school in Haiti. Without that help, they wouldn’t have been able to continue their education. The boys have not been heard from since the quake, so it is not known if they are alive. In the week after the quake, Ilkley Haiti Fund raised over £10,000 and their efforts are ongoing. Funds go specifically towards helping St Joseph’s Home for Boys and The Haiti Project, among others. If you would like to donate, you can take

a cheque made out to ‘Ilkley Haiti Fund’ to any Lloyds TSB bank or send it directly to Anne Wilkinson, 6 Eaton Road, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 9PU. Help is Still Needed The recovery from the Haiti earthquake is going to take a long time and they still desperately need our help. If you have had a Haiti fundraiser or have one planned, let us know - let’s spread the word and raise some more dosh!t us know

Beware of Scammers! It is unfortunate that people try to profit from human suffering. The Charity Commission says it is aware of a number of online scams to get hold of charitable donations intended for Haiti. Some emails have been making the rounds, purporting to be from legitimate charities, but asking for large, cash donations to be made at Western Unions. No legitimate charity would ask you to do that. If you would like to donate, please ensure it is through a trusted, reputable charity and the money will go to the right people. Visit www. charitycommission.gov.uk to check if the charity is registered in the UK.

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ACTIVE

Bramhope Badminton Club meets Mon 8pm at Bramhope Methodist Church Hall. New members welcome. Details: Chris on 0113 267 1829. Calling Dance Teachers! The Robert Craven Memorial Hall, Old Lane ,Bramhope would like to hear from qualified dance instructors willing to teach or lead either Ballroom, Old Time or other styles of dance. Wed PM now available, other times possible Contact Ewart on 0113 267 8001. Dalesbus Ramblers provide a programme of free guided walks in the Yorkshire Dales on Sundays. All walks accessible by public transport, & DalesBus services 800, 820 & 870 which link North Leeds with the Dales on Sun & bank holidays. Details: Steve on 07982 764 857 or www.dalesbusramblers.org.uk Dance the Night Away! At The Tuesday Club, Moortown Social Club, Cranmer Gns, LS17, 8-11pm. Great atmosphere & DJ. Over 30s. Smart dress. Only £3. Details: Reg on 01274 771285/ 07939 959400. Great Yorkshire Morris Men meet at Pool Memorial Hall on alternate Wednesdays. They perform mainly Cotswold dances, with forays into the Yorkshire Longword, Rapper & Border styles. New dancers & musicians welcome - no previous experience required. Details: Bob Carter on 01423 863433 or visit www.gymm.org.uk Horsforth Fellandale Running Club trains every Wed, usually on Otley Chevin. Runners of all abilities welcome. Details: Andy 258 5691, or secretary@ fellandale.com

Leeds YHA Walking Group organises walks, cycle rides, weekends & social activities. Over 160 members aged 20-74. Try before joining. Membership £8 pa. Details: Stephen on 0113 368 0417 or visit www.leedsyha. org.uk New Fat Burning, Body Toning, Fitness Classes at Robert Craven Memorial Hall, Old Lane, Bramhope. Aerobics & Abs Wed 6-7pm; LBT ( Legs, Bums & Tums) Wed 7-8 pm. £5 per session. Details: Gail on 07961 813679 Open Day at Holt Park Bowls The season starts with an Open Day on 24th March, 2pm at Holt Park Crown Green Club, Farrar Lane (opposite tennis courts, beside High Trees pub). Everyone welcome - beginners & experienced. Otley Badminton Club plays at Prince Henry’s on Mon 7.30-9.30pm & Fri 8-10pm. New members welcome. Details: Steve Norfolk on 07860 242089 or steve.norfolk@freightair.co.uk Otley Short Walks for All Weekly walks in March, part of ‘Walking the Way to Health’ initiative. Easy, usually on level ground, at moderate pace & about an hour long. Walks leave The Courthouse at 10.30am on Wednesdays, some require a bus ride. Details: 0113 230 7060. Otley Squash Club provides for all levels of ability. Details: www.otleysquashclub. org. Otley Walkers Variety of twice weekly walks from 5 - 20 miles. Also weekends away & special events. New members welcome. Annual membership £5 per household. Try a walk before joining. Details: 01943 463125 or wawotley@ mail.com.

Phoenix Folk Dancers Try English Country Dancing at Adel Methodist Church Hall (behind the Lawnswood Arms) Wed, 8 - 10pm. Beginners welcome, partner not necessary. Call 0113 2611902 Sequence Tea Dance at Old Pool Bank Village Hall, Fri 2 - 4pm. A great way to exercise & socialise. All welcome. Details: 0113 284 2126. Sequence Tea Dance At Bramhope Methodist Church Mon from 2 - 4pm starting 15th March. Everyone Welcome. Details: 0113 267 9802. Taichi, Qigong, Daoist Yoga & Soft Kungfu At Otley Civic Centre, Thurs 7-9pm in room 4, & Mon 10 - 11am in the Main Hall. Learn how to use your Qi to boost your energy levels, health & all round wellbeing. Details: Therese Maini on 07809 447596 & www. otleykunfu.org.uk / www. otleytaichi.org.uk West Yorkshire Federation of Yoga Enhance your yoga practice 2nd Sun in the month, 2 - 5pm at The Robert Craven Memorial Hall, Bramhope. Details: 01943 467851 or 0113 256 7070 Yarnbury Angling Club Matches held 1st Sun of month. Members only. Coach transfers to & from venues. Membership details: Adrian Addy on 07956 964713.

ARTS & CRAFTS

Adel Life Drawing Group A friendly group of ‘life’ artists of all abilities meets regularly in Adel. Details: Bob on 230 1761 or bandlisle@ntlworld.com. Birds in Chinese Art An exhibition by members of the Chinese Brush Painters’ Society (Yorkshire Group) Tues 2nd March - Wed 30th June at Lotherton Hall, Aberford LS25. All paintings

for sale. Open Tues - Sat 10am - 5pm, Sun 1pm - 5pm. Details: as above. Bramhope Arts Group 1st March: a practical evening with DVD/Video at Bramhope Arts Club; 8th March: visit to Farsley Art Club for a joint appreciation evening; 15th: practical evening - title ‘Bus stop’; 22nd: a demonstration of flower painting by Brenda Chappell; 29th: practical evening. New members welcome. Details: Ian on 0113 230 0094. Chinese Brush Painters Society (Yorkshire Group) Sat & Sun 20/21 March, Xiao Bai Li will run workshops on painting English landscapes in the Chinese style at Pool in Wharefdale Village Memorial Hall, Arthington Lane, Pool LS2110am - 4.30pm. New members most welcome. Details: Anne Allan on 01422 368482, mail@cbpsyorks. co.uk or via the website www. cbpsyorks,co.uk. Floral Demonstration Evening with Carl Wilde Wed 31st March, 7.30pm at Prince Henry’s, Farnley Lane, Otley. In aid of Great Ormand Street Hospital & Leeds Teaching Hospitals Charitable Foundation (Chloe’s appeal - for a little girl in Rawdon with facial haemangioma). Tickets £10. Details: Rachel Lockley on 01484 680472, rachel.lockley@talktalk. net or Margaret Lockley on 0113 267 0848. Guiseley Art Club meets Mon 1.30 - 4pm (excl bank holidays) in the Oxford Road Methodist Church Hall, Guiseley. New members most welcome. Details: Monica on 0113 267 7726. Life Drawing in Otley New series of life drawing sessions will be held 7pm to 9pm Tues at Otley Civic Centre, starting in Feb. Details: Bob on 0113 230 1761 or bandlisle@ ntlworld.com.

ARTS & CRAFTS

Otley Arts Club meets at the Old People’s Welfare Centre, Crossgate, Otley. Workshops, portrait sessions, talks, demonstrations & plenty of opportunities to just paint or draw. New members welcome. Details: Ted on 01943 461145 or Judi on 01943 607088. Pool Art Group meets Fri 10am-12 noon at Pool Methodist Church. Support & encouragement from fellow artists at all levels. Details: Pat Walker on 0113 203 7952.

COFFEE MORNINGS, FAIRS & MARKETS

Bramhope Farmers’ Market at the Robert Craven Memorial Hall, Old Lane, from 9am 2nd Sat of month. Selection of home baking, organic meats, sausages & pies, free range eggs, bread & cheese, plus veg produced by local farmers & producers. Bramhope Methodist Church Weekly Coffee Shop Every Tues morn from 10amnoon. Delicious homemade scones & friendly fellowship - all welcome. Charity Auction Sat 3rd April at Adel Methodist Church Hall (behind Lawnswood Arms). Over 350 lots. Doors Open at 10am, auction at 11am. Wonderful items, including genuine hand signed memorabilia from The Beatles & famous boxers! In aid of rescued animals. Coffee Morning every 2nd Sat at St. Wilfrid’s Church 10am - 12 noon. Plus, a raffle, pastries & fruit pies at bargain prices. Coffee Morning Every Sat at Otley Methodist Church Wesley Hall, 10am - 12 noon. Homemade cakes, trifles etc on sale plus a warm friendly

atmosphere. Access via both Boroughgate & Walkergate entrances, with disabled access from Walkergate. Green Fair St Matthew’s Church, Wood Lane, LS7. 12 June, 11 am-3 pm. Stall holders wanted! Craft stalls, refreshments, cake-stall, drum circle, puppet workshop, live music. Raffle. Info on Green Living. Children’s games. Stalls: £15 or £10 for own table, community or charity stalls. 50p entry, accompanied children free. To book a stall contact: ComHallBookings@AOL.com Otley Farmers’ Market is on the last Sunday of the month. Spring Fair Sat 6th March at Pool Methodist Church Hall, 10.30am - 3.30pm. New children’s books, cards, , cards, jewellery, quilted goods, china & porcelain, handmade chocolates, cakes & preserves, plants, bulbs & much more! Admission free. Refreshments served all day. Table Top Sale Sun 7th March, 10am - 1pm at Pool Village Hall. Great opportunity to pass on your surplus possessions & raise cash for your favourite cause. Details: Tim Robson on 0113 284 3437 or tim.robson@yahoo.co.uk £10 fee to reserve a table, proceeds to Pool Village Memorial Hall. Weekly Coffee Shop At Bramhope Methodist Church, Tues 10am -12 noon. Delicious home made scones & friendly faces. All welcome.

GROUPS/CLUBS

Aireborough Duplicate Bridge Club meets Tues 7pm at Rawdon Conservative Club. New members welcome. Call 261 2139 or beverley.harfield@ntlworld.com

Bramhope Bridge Club meets at Robert Craven Memorial Hall, Old Lane, Mon 12.45 & 4.15pm, & Tues & Thurs 7.15 - 10.15pm. Lessons for novices on Wed evenings. Details: Bob on 225 7495 Bramhope Round Table Leeds’ active Round Table meets every second Tues for fun, friendship & fundraising (in that order!). All men between 18 & 45 welcome. Details: www. bramhoperoundtable.co.uk or info@bramhope844.co.uk Chevin Division Trefoil Guild meets at 7.30pm on 1st Mon of the month in Otley or Guiseley. The group offers a varied calendar of events, with opportunities for travel, adventure & broadening your horizons, & supports Girl Guiding UK. Details: 01943 872892. Friends of Chevin Forest Park Practical conservation work such as vegetation clearance, step building or meadow management takes place on 2nd Sun of every month. Details: The Countryside Rangers 0113 237 5312 or countrysiderangers@ leeds.gov.uk Ilkley & District Motor Club Meets 1st & 4th Wed every month at Otley Rugby Club, Cross Green, Otley, starting 8pm. Everyone welcome. Also meets 2nd, 3rd & 5th Wed at other locations. Details: www. ilkleymotorclub.org Kaleidoscope Social club for the mature (50 +) & unattached with a zest for life. Regular meetings & monthly programme of events. Not a dating agency. Details: 0113 262 1455 or 261 2272 or www. kaliedoscopeleeds.weebly.com

Leeds Association of the British Federation of Women Graduates meets monthly, usually at Headingley Parish Hall, St Michael’s Road. On Wed 17th March at 7.30pm there will be a talk on growing up in South Africa under apartheid by Nora Whittam & the Northern Regional Meeting is on Sat 27th March. Details 262 4131 or leedsawg@ntlworld.com Leeds Caledonians The final meeting in the winter programme is a Club Night on 3rd March, 7.30 to 9.30pm at The Stables, Back Church Lane, Adel. Details: 0113 267 0424 or info@ leedscaledonians.org Leeds Co-operative Members’ Group meets monthly for talks & outings. Details: kpm.coop@ googlemail.com or 0113 216 8837 Leeds Hospital Alert A small group of concerned people campaigning for preservation of the NHS. They meet at Muir Court, Sagar Place, off St Michael’s Rd, Headingley. 7.30pm. All welcome. Details: Carmel Coles 275 6062. Leeds IVC General Interest Club Friendly company & a wide range of events - including meals, walks, theatre, talks. Professional or like-minded people, mainly 30-55. Club nights twice monthly. Details: 0870 787 4425 or www.leedsivc.org.uk Leeds Oxfam Group Will meet Wed 3rd March, 7.30pm at Leeds Civic Hall. The group arranges events & activities across the city in support of Oxfam, including open meetings on the first Wed of each month. All welcome. Details: Pauline Neale on 269 3542.

GROUPS/CLUBS

Leeds University Old Students’ Association welcomes all former students of the University. There will be a guided tour of Bishopthorpe Palace in York on Tues 2nd March & Spring Lunch at Devonshire Hall on Thurs 8th April. Details: 261 4564 or gmroche@ btinternet.com Mercury Movie Makers meet Wed at Rawdon Conservative Club, 7:30pm. The club is for camcorder owners. Advice, regular film & practical evenings, & occasional outdoor events. Details: 267 4868 www. communigate.co.uk/brad/ mercmove National Trust in Leeds and District A thriving organisation with almost 400 members. Details from Pam on 0113 258 8178. Otley Amateur Radio Society meets Tues at Clifton Village Hall (just before The Spite pub on Newall Carr Rd ). New members always welcome! The Club is registered as an RSGB examination centre for Foundation, Intermediate & Advanced licences. A full 2010 course schedule is currently being prepared. Details: Paul on 07768 996370, paul@pekae. co.uk or www.otleyradio.net Otley Camera Club Meets Thurs at Prince Henry’s Grammar School, 7pm. Packed programme of speakers & the chance to enter competitions. If you’d like to improve your skills & get more from your camera come along! Details: www. otleycameraclub.co.uk Otley Chevin Rotary Club Meets at Chevin Country Park Hotel, York Gate, on Mon, 7.30pm. Dinner followed by interesting speaker. Rotary provides a wide range of services - local, national & international, plus a very good social programme. Details: David Lewis, President, 01943 877720.

YOUR Community Pages Otley & District Men’s Forum Meets every other Thurs, 10am at Otley Civic Centre. Membership free. Coffee & biscuits £2. On 4th March Jack Swindells will talk about his life long interest in cricket. Otley & District Women’s Forum Meets 9.45 - 11.45am on alternate Thurs, (Sept - May), at Methodist Church Hall, Walkergate. On 4th March Mr P Clarke will talk about 20th Century Architecture, & on 18th March Tony Eaton presents ‘Memories of a Teenage Pit Boy’. On 1st April Derek Forster talks about ‘Billies & Charlies’. Otley Film Society This month’s films are ‘Waltz with Bashir’ on 4th March & ‘Conversations with my Gardener’ on 18th. For details email info@ otleyfilmsociety.org.uk Otley Historical Society Meets 11th Mar for a talk by Mrs Diana Parsons entitled ‘Reservoirs of the Washburn Valley’ The Manor Room, Bridge Church, 7.45pm Otley Lions Club Meets 1st & 3rd Wed of each month, 8pm at the Red Lion, Otley. New members welcome. Monthly book sale last Fri & Sat of month in Black Horse stable yard. Varied social programme. Details: David Homewood on 0113 294 8255 or Eric Booth 01943 467 900. Otley Little Theatre Live theatre & musical events in Otley. New members welcome - acting, singing, dancing & anyone who can help with technical backstage. Details: Lee Wells on 01943 464982, info@olt.org.uk or www.otley. co.uk/littletheatre Otley Poets meet 1st Tues of month at 8pm for poems & drinks & occasional guest poets at Korks Wine Bar Bondgate Otley. Details: Alan Holdsworth 01943 870344 or alanrh62@yahoo.co.uk. Otley Rotary Club meets weekly at Westbourne House, Bradford Road, Otley, Thurs 12.30 - 1.45pm. Open to

active or retired professional or business people. Lunch followed by guest speaker. Details: Keith Thompson on 01943 - 879329 or ktswoop@ talktalk.net. Otley Townswomen’s Guild promotes the interests of women & raises money for charities. It meets 1st Thurs of each month, 7.30pm in the Lecture Room, Otley Methodist Church. As well as guest speakers, the Guild has a wide variety of interest groups. Visitors welcome. Details: 01943 468741 or m.e.newton@ talktalk.net Otley Twinning Association. Otley is twinned with Montereau in France (60 kms from Paris). Membership open to anyone in Otley district. Reciprocated visits take place regularly (usually on a family or couples basis). Meet 2nd Wed of the month at Grove Hill Club (8pm). Details: Ken Daphne (Chairman) 01943 465137 or Graham Barton (Secretary) 01943 461646. Otley Women’s Institute Meets at 7.15pm on 2nd Wed of the month in Cross Green Community Centre, Otley. Visitors welcome. Details: 01943 463610 Pool WI meets on the 2nd Tues of each month at 2pm in the Pool Sports & Social Club. All welcome! Pool Bridge Club meets on Mon (excl bank holidays),1.15 - 4.30pm at Pool Methodist Church. Soroptimist International is a worldwide organisation for women in management & professions working through projects to advance human rights & the status of women. Details: Cath Turner at harryandcath@ hotmail.com The Women’s Fellowship meets Wed, 2pm at Pool Methodist Church. Variety of interesting speakers. The Wharfedale Speakers Club part of the Assoc of Speakers Clubs (UK), meets in Otley twice a month. New members welcome. Speakers of all ages

& backgrounds. Come along & improve your speaking skills. Details: Barry Taylor 0113 284 2148. Wharfedale Gardeners’ Group Meets at 7.30pm on 2nd Tues of the month (Sept - May) at Otley Methodist Church. Guest speakers, plant sales & trips. Annual membership £10. Details: Liz Auty 01943 465 331. White Rose Ladies Speakers Club meets at Farsley Library Community Room, 7.45pm on Mondays. Next meetings 8th & 22nd March. A friendly environment in which to find your voice, improve your presentation skills, & have a lot of fun. Details: Sheila Wyatt on 267 2062. Yorkshire Countrywomen’s Association Bramhope Branch meets 2nd Thurs each month at 1.30pm at Robert Craven Memorial Hall. New members welcome.

MUSIC

Amici Singers Rehearsals have just started - anyone interested in joining is invited to contact 0113 2671292 or 0113 2285932. No auditions - just a desire to sing with others. Bradford Music Club meets 3rd Sun each month, 7 - 9pm at Rawdon Meeting House, Harrogate Rd. Singers & musicians needed. All styles of music. Details: Ann Perry on 01274 630162 or annperry@ blueyonder.co.uk Flute Group meets Tues 6.45 - 7.45pm during term time at Yorkshire College of Music & Drama (19 Shire Oak Rd. Headingley). For flautists of Grade 4 standard & above. New members very welcome! Details: 0113 275 1232

YOUR Community Pages MUSIC

Friends of University Art and Music (Leeds) helps to foster the musical & artistic outreach of the University of Leeds. Membership open to all & regular activities arranged. On Mon 8th March the FUAM Annual Lecture entitled ‘Opera as Theatre’, by Professor Anthony Ogus, will be held in the School of Music. Details: www.leeds. ac.uk/fuam or 0113 343 2584. Horsforth Choral Society Spring Concert The society will perform Carl Orff’s ‘Carmina Burana’ with conductor Kathryn Woodruff, soprano Emma Smith, counter tenor Gareth Price, & baritone Quentin Brown at Horsforth School, Lee Lane East, Horsforth on Tues 23rd March at 7.30pm. Also featuring local children’s choir, pianists & percussion. Tickets £8 (£6 under 16s) from 0113 250 2203, any choir member or on the door. Leeds Organ & Keyboard Club Details: John Booth on 0113 226 5671. Otley Chamber Orchestra rehearses fortnightly on Sundays, 7 - 9pm at Otley Courthouse. New members (especially upper strings)welcome. Details: john_restorick@hotmail.com Otley Community Drum Circle 3th Sun of the month at The Courthouse, Otley. Have fun & create rhythms. No drumming or musical experience necessary. Children with responsible adult welcome. All drums provided. Cost £4/£3. Details: Anna or Paul on 01943 465413 Otley Courthouse Community Singing Group A community choir devoted to the enjoyment of singing. New members (especially men!) welcome - no auditions, no pressure, no experience necessary. Tues at the Courthouse, 1.30 - 3.30pm (term time), £4 per session. Details: Dave Stewart 07970 997183 or dave@singout.me.uk

Phoenix Concert Band rehearses Thurs 7.30-9.30pm at St Chad’s Parish Centre. Players of a suitable standard welcome (Associated Board Grade 5), particularly brass players & percussionists. Details from www.phoenixband.co.uk or secretary@phoenixband.co.uk Simeon Wood a concert by internationally renowned flautist Simeon Wood will be held on Sat 6th March at Otley Methodist Church. He will also play 20 or so other instruments ranging from piccolos to pan pipes, recorders to ryutekis. Tickets (£6 adults, £3 children) available by sending a cheque payable to “Otley Methodist Church” and a SAE to An Evening with Simeon Wood, c/o 76 The Whartons, Otley, LS21 2BS. Stoke-on-Trent Male Voice Choir A concert with the Lawnswood Singers on Sat 20th March at St.Margaret’s Church. Horsforth, 7.30pm. Tickets £5 from 285 932 or at the door. The Big Ceilidh Wed 17th March, featuring live music from The Assumption Ceili band, at the Hospice Conference Centre, Moortown. Fun for all ages & abilities! Tickets (£10) include finger buffet. Details: 218 5555 or www.st-gemma.co.uk Wharfedale Recorded Music 3rd March: ‘The Forgotten Rite: The Life & Music of John Ireland’ with Gary Midgley; 17th: ‘Two Bicentenaries: Chopin & Schumann’ - Margaret Vesty; 24th: ‘Reviewing Naxos’ - David Denton; 31st: ‘Romeo & Juliet Excerpts’ - audio-visual presentation with David Pyett. All meetings Wed, 7.45pm at St. John’s, Ben Rhydding. Details: 01943 601538. Yeadon & District Male Voice Choir welcomes male voices of any ability at Yeadon Methodist Church, Chapel Hill. (next to Town Hall). Singing is a proven stress buster! Come along any Thurs at 7.30pm. Details: John Atkinson 294 9095

SENIORS

Golden Oldies Film Club 3rd Mon in the month, 2pm at Otley Courthouse. Transport available. £2 incl. refreshments & raffle. Details: 01943 463965. Leeds & Bradford Friendship Group Friendship & activities for people of retirement age. Meets 1st Wed of month at Pudsey Civic Centre 1.30pm ready for speaker or entertainment at 2pm. Also days out, dining, walks, holidays, computer & play reading groups. New members welcome. Details: Barbara 01943 875208. Otley Action for Older People Men’s Group meets Fri pm. On 5th & 19th March there will be short mat bowls; a quiz on 12th & lunch out on 26th. On Mondays there’s bingo from 1.30pm at the RAOB Club, Walkergate, Otley. Golden Oldies Film Club meets 3rd Mon of the month at Otley Courthouse, 2pm. Entry £2. Dance classes continue Mondays at Otley Methodist Church, including 5 Bollywood sessions & possibly Flamenco from April. Sessions: 11.15am - 12.15pm, £3. There’s Tai Chi at The Methodist Church Thurs from 2pm, £3. Details: 01943 463 965. Otley Methodist 1812 Group meets on 18th of every month, providing a social gathering for churchgoers. Ages range from 20s - 60s & activities include theatre visits, ten pin bowling, country dancing & safari suppers. Details: john.burland@sky.com Otley Over 60s Club at Crossgate (opposite Rose & Crown) open Wed to Sat, 9am-12 noon, serving refreshments. Sequence Dancing on Wed 2 - 4pm; Gentle Exercise to Music on Thurs, 10.15-11.15am; Sat Bingo,1.45pm; bric- a-brac stall Fri & Sat 9am-12noon. Pool Lunch Club Organised by Otley Action for Older People, the lunch is at Pool Methodist Church, Wed from 12 noon. Enjoy a two course meal followed by coffee & biscuits for just £2.20. Details: 01943 463965

St Giles Luncheon Club, Bramphope 1st Wed in month from Oct-June. Two course, hot, homemade lunch. Starts 12.15pm at St Giles. Details: Mrs Mary Burnell 0113 267 1742

SPIRITUAL

Bethel Evangelical Church Otley & Ilkley ‘A church for people who don’t go to church’ meets every Sun,10.30am at Whartons Primary School, The Whartons (off Newall Carr Road), Otley & 6pm at Ilkley Playhouse, Weston Road, Ilkley. Details: Pastor Martin Woodier on 01943 464631 or visit www. bethelotleyilkley.com Christian Science Church in Headingley invites you to their services: Sun10.30am. Testimony meetings 2nd Wed of the month, 7.30pm, & 4th Wed at 2.30pm. Reading Room open 11am - 2pm Tues, Thurs & Fri - 40 Otley Road. www.christianscience.org.uk FREE Drop-In Meditation Sun 7 - 8pm (3rd Sun of month 6.30 - 7.30pm). Experience peace & calm with periods of silence & guided meditations. Details: Brahma Kumaris 275 7727, leeds@uk.bkwsu.org, or www. bkwsu.org/uk/leeds Otley Spiritualist Church Church services: Tues healing 7.30pm; Wed healing 2.30pm; Sat Service 7.pm (clairvoyance); Sun Service 6.30pm (divine). 38 Newmarket Street, Otley. Rise & Shine @ 9 Everyone welcome. 30 minute cafe-style worship, ideal for all ages. Informal, friendly. light breakfast every Sunday, 9am at United Reformed Church, Main Street, Burley-in-Wharfedale. Details: Mirella 01943 465 353

SPIRITUAL

St Giles, Bramhope Get together for carers of under5s on 8th March, 1.30 - 3pm games, stories & a chance to chat & chill. Mothering Sunday, 14th March, join them for their special lively & informal ‘all together’ service at 9.30am, followed by refreshments. On 28th March St Giles welcomes families - their 9.30am service has activities for children in the church hall & a warm welcome for all. The Fourth Way Foundation Sacred Dances of Gurdjieff: Half Day Workshop on Sat. 6th March, 2 - 5pm in Fewston. Fourth Way Philosophy: Readings & discussion Wed 10th & Wed 24th March, 7:30 - 9.30pm in Otley. Ennea-rhythmics: Demonstration & Workshop 2:30 - 4.30pm Sat 13th March in Leeds. ‘Meetings with Remarkable Men’ by Peter Brook 2:30pm Sun 28th in Otley Details: Robert on 078 14951231 or www.fourth-way.org.uk

SUPPORT

Arthritis Care (Otley & District) meets at St John Ambulance Meeting Room, Gay Lane, 1st Wed of month, 2 - 4pm. People of all ages with arthritis, or an interest in it, most welcome. Details: 01943 466428. Diabetes Leeds Support Group Friendly group of people with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes & their partners/ carers, meets 1st Mon of the month (except bank holidays) at West Yorkshire Playhouse, 7 - 9pm. Details: Joan Wells on 0113 225 4528. Families Need Fathers meets 7.30pm, every 2nd Wed of the month at Victoria Hotel, Great George St., Leeds. This is a support & advice group for parents trying to maintain & develop relationships with their children, following divorce or family breakdown. Details: Don 07981 710179 or Ray 07921 728747.

YOUR Community Pages Leeds Coeliac Group Gluten-free Spanish meal at Café Atlanta, 10 Lowtown, Pudsey, LS28, Fri 26th March. Details: Sandra McLean on 07711 768850 or sandra.mclean@btinternet. com. Macmillan Cancer Support New fundraising group in Otley. Details: Laura Riach 01924 232444 or lriach@macmillan. org.uk Parkinson’s Disease Society Leeds & District AGM will be held at St Chad’s Parish Centre, Far Headingley on Wed 10th March, 1.30 for 2pm meeting. Everyone welcome. Details: Terry on 0113 293 5930. The Forget Me Not Cafe for people with dementia & their carers. 1st Wed of the month 1.30 - 3.30pm at Yeadon Cricket Club, (behind the Swan Public House) High Street, Yeadon, £1 includes raffle & refreshments. Details: Jean Deeming 01943 472004 or Dawn Perkins on 0113 231 1727. Wharfedale Cardiac Club (affiliated with British Heart Foundation) is open to former cardiac patients & their partners. Opportunity to take part in exercise classes under supervision of qualified instructors. The club meets on Mon, Wed & Thurs at Wharfedale General Hospital. £2.50 Details: Clive Wilkinson 0113 267 1721.

TALKS & DISCUSSIONS

Leeds DFAS (Decorative & Fine Arts Society) Wed 17th March: Nicholas Watkins gives a talk entitled ‘Gaugin, Bonnard & the Nabis: the triumph of a Decorative Aesthetic in the 1890s’. 1.45 for 2pm at Castle Grove Masonic Hall, Moor Rd, Headingley. Guests £5. Details & booking: Ann Lightman on 0113 261 1363. Leeds Geological Association ‘Where did all the ice go? Ice sheet fluctuations in Yorkshire

Submit your FREE community notice to: North Leeds Life Community Notices 265a Otley Road, West Park, Leeds LS16 5LN

during the Last Glacial Maximum’ by Dr Mark Bateman of Sheffield University. At 7pm on Thurs 11th March in the Rupert Beckett Lecture Theatre, Michael Sadler Building, Leeds University. Visitors welcome. Details: www. leedsga.org.uk Leeds RSPB Group meets on Weds 17th March for an illustrated talk by BBC wildlife photographer & author Mike Leach on “The Complete Owl”, revealing British owls in folklore & fact. Venue: Lecture Theatre B, Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds at 7.30pm. All welcome. Details: 217 6170 or rspbleeds@googlemail.com Yorkshire Archaeological Society (Family History Section) will hold a lecture entitled ‘Women & Civic Culture in Victorian Leeds’ by Simon Morgan, 11am on Sat 20th March at 23, Clarendon Road, Leeds. Free drop-in sessions Tues 2 - 4pm for anyone needing help with family history research. Details: Mrs J. Butler on 263 9540 Yorkshire Archaeological Society (Industrial History Section) Meet 6th March 11am at 23 Clarendon Rd, LS2 for lunch & speaker. This month Chris Rule talks about ‘The Growth of Rural Industry: the Example of Sherburn & South Milford. Non members welcome. Details: Jane Ellis on 0113 265 9970.

MISC/EVENTS

Aireborough Grammar School Reunion Lunch (1956) Sat 20th March, 12 for 12.30pm at The Stansfield Arms, Rawdon. Very lively, friendly & cosmopolitan mixed group, do join us. Details: Fiona on 01434 240489, fionasande@btinternet. com, or Loraine on 07966 247152.

Expert Patients Programme runs courses for people with long term health problems, unpaid carers, families of children with health problems, disabilities or other challenges, & people with mental health problems. The aim is to help people cope better. Details: 305 7591 or epp. account@nhsleeds.nhs.nhs.uk Hope Pastures Horse & Donkey Sanctuary Weetwood Lane, LS16. Open to visitors daily between 10.30 and 3.00pm, or come any Wednesday morning at 11.00am for a guided tour. 50p/£1 sale with refreshments, Sunday 28th March, entry free. Have you a few hours to spend as a volunteer? Get in touch at phtrust@fsmail. net - we can use all sorts of skills. Book now for Pony Days 2010! Call Karen on 0794 894 8158, or see details on our website: www. hopepastures.org. Narrow Gauge Model Railway Exhibition 13th & 14th March at Benton Park School, Rawdon. All proceeds to Sue Ryder Care Wheatfields Hospice, Headingley. Details: 0113 203 3338, richard. stevens@suerydercare.org or www.narrowgaugenorth.org.uk Nearly New Children’s Clothing & Toy Sale On Sat 6th March 10am -12pm at Ben Rhydding St John’s Church, Bolling Road. Adm £1 incl. refreshments. A great place to pick up good quality children’s clothes, toy bargains, books & DVDs. Proceeds 50% to seller, 50% to charity. New sellers please call 01943 609743 for details. Otley Courthouse is looking for volunteers in all areas. If you have a couple of hours to spare & would like to help, get in touch. No experience necessary, all ages welcome! Details: Irene Lofthouse 01943 467216 or ochvolunteers@ hotmail.co.uk

Or email to: carole@northleedslife.co.uk DEADLINE for APRIL editions: 1st MARCH DEADLINE for MAY editions: 1st APRIL

MISC/EVENTS

Otley Walkers Wine & Cheese Social Sun 28th Mar, 7.30pm, Otley Rugby Club. Be among the first to see & maybe buy the new guidebook for the Six Dales Trail. Find out the latest about the Otley Walkers work in Otley & how you can get involved. More info: Randal Metzger 01943 461661 or wawotley@mail.com. Quiz Night Sat 6th March, 7.30pm at Pool C of E Primary. £5 per adult/ £3 children, includes quiz, raffle & bingo. Details: 0113 284 3151 (during school hours) Table Top Sales Raise funds for your club or charity with a table top sale at Pool Village Hall. A dry, warm environment available every Sunday. Room for 20 tables, a kitchen for refreshments & car park. Details: Tim Robson on 0113 284 3437 or tim.robson@ yahoo.co.uk The Second World War Experience Centre rescues recordings, letters, diaries, photographs & other memories of wartime life, producing resources for schools to ensure that the sacrifices of those who lived through the wars are not forgotten. Volunteers & donations always welcome. Details: 0113 258 4993.

Volunteering at St. James’s Hospital Wanted! enthusiastic volunteers to help take a trolley service around the wards in new Cancer Wing, delivering magazines, newspapers, drinks & snacks to patients. Details: Vicki James on 0113 206 7646) or Vicki.James@ leedsth.nhs.uk Volunteers Wanted! Yorkshire Cancer Centre is looking for enthusiastic Volunteers to help run a new Charity Shop based at St James’s Institute of Oncology in Bexley Wing. Details& application form: Aanika Dhillon, Fundraising Department on 0113 206 8620 or volunteer@ yorkshirecancercentre.org.uk. Wesley Hall at Otley Methodist Church is available to local organisations & charities for fundraising purposes every Fri, 9.3011.30am. Cost: £15. Details: Pauline Dobson 01943 466 751.

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Your Garden - A Visual Expression of Who You Are

The Expertise to Bring Your Garden to Life

Garden designers draw on their extensive knowledge of plants and hard landscaping materials to achieve a variety of effects. Whether you are on a tight budget, want something low maintenance, or are an avid gardener, there is always something a designer can recommend. Throughout the design development process the design brief is constantly in the back of the designer’s mind, so expensive mistakes can be avoided. No more plants that keel over and die because they have been planted in the wrong place! Hard materials form the structure will be able to draw up a planting of the garden. By combining plan, advising on quantities and materials in a certain way, the varieties, and be able to give designer can create a unique look you an illustration of how the without blowing the budget or planting will look over time. making maintenance a chore. A planting plan will also give The same goes for planting. The you an accurate costing and is planting palette available to us something you can add to if your nowadays is endless. We can use budget allows. plants from all over the world Typically to design and build a and some will thrive in the British small garden you are looking climate. to spend a minimum of £3,000. One style, native to America, is Our design fees start from as the Prairie style of planting. By little as £250. We offer a free combining grasses and colourful consultation, and will bring new perennials, it provides year round perspectives and ideas to solve interest, is low maintenance, the problems of the site and and provides a dramatic and maximise the potential of the colourful effect without breaking available space. the bank. A qualified designer Full Circle Garden Design & Construction www.fullcirclegardendesign.co.uk Tel: 0113 216 6296 / 0787 6255 036

Culinary Quest Nominated for Award

Greg Mulholland has nominated Culinary Quest in Bramhope for the national Small Shop of the Year award.

Pete and Karen Pardy took over the running of the deli in 2007 and have firmly established the store as an integral part of the community. Greg said he made the nomination “based on the deli’s staunch commitment to customer service, charitable work and place right in the heart of the community. Not only does the shop have an excellent deli section, but in response to the closure of other services in the area has started to diversify so as to lessen the impact of the closures on customers.” Greg also recognised the charity work done by Culinary Quest, in particular their fund raising efforts in aid of Help for Heroes.

In our time-constrained lives, asking someone to design, build and plant your garden may seem like an extravagance, but it is an investment that can considerably increase the value of your home, and release you to enjoy so many other things. Ultimately, it ensures that you have a garden in which you will want to spend time relaxing, playing with the children, or just pottering about. It’s hard for a client to know how much it might cost but think about it the way you would buying a new kitchen or car. The most important thing is for the designer to truly understand what you want and need - this can be an extensive list, or just the bare bones, such as patio and planting beds. Working with this agreed list of requirements, a garden is designed incorporating not only these but also other factors such as the period and materials of the house, the way the garden faces, soil type, and budget. There would be little point in designing a garden with a series of waterfalls if the

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budget didn’t allow for it! I am constantly reading books and magazines to ensure that I’m up to date with the latest garden trends and products - for instance, new ecologically sound or recycled products that can be used to great effect. The plant world has its own fashions and nowhere can this be better demonstrated than at Chelsea Flower Show - again, the new species can be woven into your planting plan. Designing a garden is ultimately about using my knowledge to fulfil your wishes and create an outdoor space that you can appreciate through your window, in which you will love spending time, and which is a visual expression of who you are. Annabel Bridge, Annabel Bridge Garden Design

Win Tickets to the Spring Yorkshire Antiques and Art Fair

Irish History Month Goes National!

The response to Bowman Antiques Fairs’ first event in November was fantastic! Now they are offering North Leeds Life readers an opportunity to win tickets to their first Spring show on Saturday and Sunday 22/23rd May, 10am-5pm. Once again, the venue is the Yorkshire Event Centre, Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, and the fair will feature up to 350 stand holders, including dealers in antique silver, jewellery, ceramics, glass, textiles, writing accessories, art, collectables, vintage clothing and accessories, clocks, watches and furniture. Bowman Antiques Fairs have 100 complimentary tickets, each admitting two people, to give away (usually £4 per person). To apply send a postcard to North Leeds Life Promotion, Bowman Antiques Fairs, P.0. Box 64., Shipley, BD17 7YA, telephone 01274 588505, or apply online at www.antiquesfairs.com quoting North Leeds Life. Offer ends Monday 21st March.

Calling All Menopausal Women!

Senior Pharmacy Lecturer at the University of Leeds, Julie Sowter, is recruiting menopausal women who would like to take part in focus groups for a PhD research study. The study is looking for women who have, or are considering using, herbal medicines for their symptoms. The focus groups will explore what kind of information they require to use this kind of treatment.

sense of it and use it.

Some of the issues they will explore include; Why and where you look for information about herbal medicines, who you ask, what sort of information you’re looking for and how you make

If you are interested in participating, please contact Julie Sowter at j.r.sowter@leeds. ac.uk or telephone 0113 343 1329

This will help Julie understand more about how they can improve the information provided about herbal medicines and help women understand more about them.

An initiative of the Leeds-based Irish Arts Foundation, Irish History Month is now in its fourth year and about to go ‘national’ with events in Sheffield, Leeds, Liverpool and London. Irish History Month presents Irish history and experiences in Britain and beyond, highlighting the many positive contributions Irish people have made to British society and introducing new audiences to the vibrancy of Irish arts, heritage, culture and history. The official launch takes place on Thursday 4th March at Leeds City Museum with the Deputy Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Andrew Barker in attendance. Guest speakers include Michael Keaveney, Cultural Attaché, Embassy of Ireland, John Roles, Director of Leeds Museums & Galleries, Dinah Clark, Leeds Arts Partnership, Brendan McGowan,

Galway City Museum, and Irish History Month featured artist, Bernard Canavan. The month is packed with events, including Experience Ireland at Seven Arts Centre and Chapel Allerton Library on Sunday 7th March between 1 and 5pm. This is a free family-friendly event with lectures, workshops on music, dance and crafts, Irish music sessions and a range of exhibitions. This year features lectures from Bernard Canavan, and Dr Frank Sweeney, who will talk about Irish migration to Britain. Flautist Niall Keegan and bodhran player Mark Maguire will headline the afternoon concert.

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Other events include a recital from Lucht Focail Poets, who’ll bring an Irish dimension to the Headingley LitFest on Thursday 25th, a Bernard Canavan art exhibition at Seven Arts, and the Grove Inn Folk Club on 26th March where the club introduces a number of guest musicians and singers. The eleventh Leeds St Patrick’s Day Parade will take place in Leeds City Centre on Sunday 14th March. For the full programme of events in Leeds, Liverpool, Sheffield & London, visit www. irishhistorymonth.com

Committed Volunteer Invites Others to Join Her Yvonne Edmondson of Horsforth recently celebrated 10 years of volunteering at Wheatfields Hospice in Headingley. She helps on a number of projects, including coffee mornings, the weekly sales, admin and reception work, as well as giving talks to local groups. “I really enjoy volunteering here”, she told us. “We have a great time and it would be lovely to see some new faces helping to raise money for this great cause.” Wheatfields Hospice costs £2.5 million each year to run and volunteers help raise vital funds so that the Hospice can continue to provide quality care for people with terminal illnesses. For further information on how you can volunteer at Sue Ryder Care - Wheatfields Hospice, please contact Helen Peel, Volunteer Coordinator, on 0113 203 3340 or helen.peel@suerydercare.org.

March at The Courthouse, Otley Icabod Productions: Funny Men A witty & poignant new comedy by Andrew Crowther. Tickets £8/£6 in advance, £9/£7 on the door

Don’t Be Foul - Muck Up!

Sara Quin recently accompanied a class of 28 children from Otley All Saints Primary on a walk into town and had to run the gauntlet of over 20 occurrences of dog fouling in just 0.5 miles. It was a very tricky feat! Sara Quin Dog fouling is a huge problem encouraging people to clean up in some areas of Otley, so Sara after their dogs. has started a campaign, Muck The competition winners will Up, to change the behaviour have their poster copied and of dog owners and promote displayed in houses and shops a more responsible attitude. all over Otley. Not only will The campaign started with a this campaign make an impact competition in the Airedale & on current dog owners, it’ll Wharfedale Observer inviting hopefully educate the dog local children to design posters owners of the future.

Concert on the Pitch 2010 Otley Rugby Club is to follow their successful, inaugural Concert on the Pitch 2009 at Cross Green in June last year with another star studded event on Saturday 3rd July.

The performance will again feature professional opera stars (more on that later), the Sellars International Youth Brass Band, who are still winning prizes, and the excellent Fairfax Singers. Based on last year’s experience, a truly delightful, professional evening is in store.

Jacqui Wicks Trio Sat 13 March: 8pm The campaign has the full support of Greg Mulholland MP, Otley RUFC, Otley Junior Athletics Club, Cllr Ryk Downes, Dog Fouling Team at Leeds City Council and the police, among others. For more information go to www.muckup.org.uk or email info@muckup.org.uk

Cabaret Heaven

Tom McConville Trio

Simon Munnery: fantastic comedy from the one-time creator of Alan Parker-Urban Warrior; Marcelo Deramos incredible Brazilian acrobat; plus compere Bernard Otter & hostess Peggy Lee. Tickets: £8.50/£6.50.

One of the top fiddle players in the country, & winner of BBC Folk Awards ‘Musician of The Year’ 2009. Joined by guitarist David Newey & acoustic bass guitarist Phil Murray. Tickets from £9/£7 in advance.

Frid 19 March: 8pm

Sat 6 March: 7.30pm

Jacqui performs songs from her debut album, Vintage - featuring eclectic & unique renditions of songs by Tom Waits, Nina Simone, and Nick Drake amongst other timeless classics. Tickets from £9/£7

Sat 20 March: 8pm

Martyn Joseph

Sun 21 March: 8pm An acoustic artist with electrifying spontaneity. Tickets: £14/ £15

Box office open 10am - 4pm Mon - Sat. Tel: 01943 467466

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More than a restaurant The Paris Brasserie at Calverley Bridge, just off the Ring Road between Horsforth and Rodley, is open again! Having been closed for two years it was

This is a building destined to welcome and entertain people and it’s wonderful to see it open again. The new Paris Brasserie aims to be far more than a restaurant - more a vibrant, fun location with good food and regular events, including live music. Although the dining area is quite spacious with seating for around 90, the different levels, subdued lighting, layout and music choice create an intimate feel and warm ambiance. The restaurant extends into a conservatory area and, with blinds down, the snowy night didn’t touch us - it will be fantastic in the Summer.

PARIS is Back! recently bought by Eddy

McGawley, who also owns Max & Eddy’s Deli on King Lane, and the newly refurbished restaurant opened for business in November. It was at the height of The Big Freeze that we pulled into the snowy car park at Paris. Outside it was truly miserable, but inside was a roaring fire, a bright bar and a warm welcome.

Over the decades this house has been a pub, a railway hotel and numerous restaurants. In the 1940s it was run by a colourful character, John Showers, who staged all kinds of entertainment and themed evenings, even introducing Chinese food, which he considered to be ‘the most superior of culinary arts’, and an exotic menagerie including a monkey. His first wife apparently returned to haunt the premises after her death - but there has been no sign of her lately! the bubble ‘n’ squeak particularly little, but the homemade ice tasty. cream (dark chocolate, mango But, to the food! Maybe it was and strawberry) was just right, I did ask if you were hungry the weather that prompted and the morello cherry pancake - believe me you needed to be! the chef to include dishes with vanilla ice cream and Kirsch These were decidedly generous designed to warm you to the liquor sauce sounded too good portions (blame the blizzard!). core. We’re suckers for a good Fearing I might fill up on mashed to pass up on. scallop, so the pan fried scallops potato I removed it only to Believe me, if it was cold when with pancetta and pea puree discover a substantial bowl we left Paris, we never noticed! (£7.50) was a must for a starter, packed with scallops, salmon We were warm, satisfied and and yes, they were succulently and king prawns in a delicate convinced we wouldn’t need wonderful! I chose a seafood creamy sauce - none of this three to eat for another week! We did ‘assiette’ with smoked salmon, little bits of fish floating in sauce note, however, that they have haddock and leek fishcake, crab here. Accompanying this was a a rather nice early bird menu spring roll with tartar sauce quartet of lovely veg. available up to 7.30pm - in case and salad (£5.50). I wasn’t crazy we should feel peckish in a You might think that this about the spring roll, but loved week’s time! would have defeated us and everything else. For our main we would have no room for Calverley Bridge, courses we opted for pan seared dessert - think again! We were Leeds LS13 1NP Gressingham duck breast with happily ensconced at our table bubble ‘n’ squeak and a rich port Paris is open 12 noon - 10pm, so waited a little while before and thyme sauce (£13.95), and 7 days a week reaching for the dessert menu. a fish pie smothered in fluffy, To book a table call The cheesecake seemed a bit cheesy mashed potato (£10.95). 0113 258 0888 too much, the crème brulée too The duck was nice and pink and

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Otley Victorian Fayre Starts Planning for 25th Year!

Otley Chamber Orchestra’s First Birthday Concert

On 28th March Otley Chamber Orchestra will celebrate its first anniversary with its first public performance. The programme will include Weber’s Oberon Overture, symphonies by Schubert and Haydn, and will be conducted by Tricia Restorick.

Otley Victorian Fayre will hold its AGM at the Red Lion, Kirkgate, Otley, on Tuesday 9th March at 7.30pm. All are welcome.

As the chair of the 2009 Fayre I would like to thank my committee, and everyone who supported us - especially the thousands of people who attended the Fayre. This year we are looking forward to our 25th event and would welcome new volunteers to help with the planning. Anyone interested in

joining us, please contact me on 01943 461115 or steph.lee7@ talktalk.net. Steph Lee, Chair, Otley Victorian Fayre Last year’s Competition Winners were: • S pirit of the Fayre: The Cutting House

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Since its first rehearsal in January last year, members of the orchestra have met every other Sunday at Otley Courthouse. The players are mostly Otleybased but some travel from Ilkley, Headingley, and as far afield as Settle. Led by Miles Brett, a recent graduate of Leeds University, there are regularly two of each instrument in the woodwind family, a full complement of strings (16 violins, six violas, eight cellos and two double bass), plus brass and percussion players. The orchestra mainly plays music from the Classical period (Haydn,

Mozart, Schubert) but also enjoys exploring a wider repertoire, including more ‘challenging’ music. Last October a workshop saw an augmented orchestra of about 60 players attempt Tchaikovsky’s 4th Symphony - and manage a performance with only one stop! The Orchestra’s birthday celebration concert is on 28th March, 8pm at The Courthouse. Tickets (£6/£4) are available from 01943 467466 or on-line at www. otleycourthouse.org.uk . For information about the orchestra, please contact john_restorick@hotmail. com

Wharfemeadows Children’s Play Area to Get Major Facelift Following consultation with residents, a new children’s play area is to be created in Wharfemeadows Park, using £235,000 of council funds.

The park already has a skatepark, tennis courts, bowling greens, café, children’s leisure complex, and formal shrub and bedding areas, but the children’s playground is desperately in need of refurbishment. A consultation was held last year and comments from residents have helped to shape the final design. The play area will have equipment suitable for children from toddlers to early teens with dog-proof fencing, litter bins and benches. Work is due to begin onsite in April. “We have a great space here which is used and loved by the community but the children’s play area is very tired and has been letting the side down”, said Cllr Ryk Downes. “We now have the funds to create what will be a wonderful area for the children and young people of Otley. Getting work started as soon as possible is a priority so everyone can get the benefit this summer.”

Councillor Clive Fox Writes:

Pool, Bramhope and Arthington As I write this, the weather forecast is for more snow, just when we hoped we’d seen the last of it. As if skating around the city streets for much of December and January wasn’t enough entertainment, I see the annual outdoor ice rink is up and running in Millennium Square. The one real difference being you have to pay for it, whereas the earlier ice was on ‘free vend’. The gritting situation was a point of contention for many. We start the winter with 21,000 tons of the stuff and contracts for regular replenishment deliveries, and what happens? The government cancels our contracts and requisitions the lot to eke out supplies for the less well prepared authorities. To echo Network Rail’s predecessor, it was of course the wrong sort of snow. It didn’t require too many government scientists to establish that the problem lay in the fact that there was too much of it, it was too cold and it lay around too long. The council’s highways people made a huge effort to keeping things moving. Gritters set out at four in the morning and work continued virtually round the clock. Given the very low overnight temperatures we experienced, gritting alone was never going to be enough. So where does that leave us? With a huge number of potholes. Recent icy conditions have shredded many road surfaces and this is where the council’s potholing crews come into play. So if you know of a significant pothole, as opposed to some minor blemish, just email the boys on highways@leeds.gov.uk and log the defect, giving the exact location. Try them - they are waiting for your call. clive.fox@leeds.gov.uk

Councillor Ryk Downes Writes:

Otley 2010 is the year of the Volunteer in Leeds I have been appointed Volunteer Councillor for the North West Outer Area of Leeds. The theme in March is volunteering in every neighbourhood. To find out about volunteering opportunities in your area, call Volunteer Centre Leeds on 0113 395 0405 (or visit http://www.leedsyearofvolunteering.co.uk/) with your postcode and we’ll tell you what’s going on. Many organisations depend on volunteers and there’s always a need for more. Environmental Target for Leeds Last month, Leeds City Council committed to reducing carbon emissions across the whole of the Leeds area by 40% by 2020. The action plan to achieve these reductions includes; • Supporting energy efficiency and micro-renewables in homes and commercial buildings. • Approving renewable energy schemes to decarbonise the grid, and increasing the use of public transport and greener vehicles. • Producing an analysis of how much carbon each measure is expected to save. • Publishing carbon budgets for both the council’s own operations and the wider city. • Publishing this action plan and beginning its implementation by autumn of the same year. • Identifying resources to enable the creation and implementation of the plan, so as not to detract from the excellent work being carried out under the current Climate Change Strategy, the ‘Vision for Action’. • Reporting annually to the Climate Change Partnership on progress towards the delivery of the 40% reduction target. Decisive action to reduce carbon emissions requires significant additional resources from the government. The Council supports the Get Serious About CO2 campaign for national government to assist local authorities with additional funds, and legal powers to make radical changes to act on climate change.

Yorkshire Artists ‘Tall Tales’ Competition It’s time for Brown’s Gallery’s Third Annual art competition. This year’s challenge is to create a picture, in any medium, inspired by a novel or children’s tale. The picture is open to interpretation, as always, and this time you can really let your imagination fly whether it’s Roald Dahl or Stephen King, C.S. Lewis or the Brothers Grimm! The competition is divided into three categories, by age: 10 and under, 11-18, and 18 and over. Each person can enter one piece of work only, which should not exceed an image size of 30x20 inches. Browns Gallery will exhibit all the entries for sale from 1st - 14th May. The artist can set the price of the work and a commission of 25% plus VAT will be levied. Prizes will be awarded to the winner and two runners up in each category in the form of vouchers for Stephen Smith Art and Craft Department (ranging from £50 - £250) for the adults, and an art set for the ten and under section. For more information on how to enter, display requirements and prizes, contact Browns Gallery 01943 464656 / sales@brownsgallery.co.uk or visit their website www.brownsgallery.co.uk

Last year’s over-18s winner, Sheila Venamore, and under-18s winner, Lauren Steel pictured with Peter Brown Jnr and Jessica Burdge.

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e f i L r e g Youn 32

Jane Disley, Headmistress, Richmond Hous eSchool

Does the Early Bird become the Bookworm? In comparison to our European counterparts, the UK has recently been under scrutiny regarding its school starting age. Is it ever too young to start learning? And, as a nation, are we putting too much pressure on our youngsters by forcing them into full time education from as young as three or four? Finland consistently tops the European league tables for academic achievement and educational standards. However, with children not starting school until the age of seven, and summer holidays spanning 12 weeks, their pupils actually spend less time in the classroom than other European countries, indicating that a later school starting age could be beneficial. In comparison, England’s school starting age has been set at five since 1870, with many children throughout the country starting Reception at four and Pre-School at three. So what are the benefits of starting education so young? Jane Disley, Headmistress of Richmond House School, Far Headingley, believes: “There is a place in school for children as young as three, but only if

the emphasis is placed on learning through play. I strongly believe play-based learning is highly beneficial to the development of the young.” This is a view mirrored by the Schools’ Secretary, Ed Balls, who recently stated: “It is vital to get children playing and learning from an early age.” Children are naturally inquisitive and eager to learn, keeping them out of the school system until a later age could mean they feel under challenged and lose passion for learning later down the line. Putting children into school earlier can help them to develop confidence, social skills and establish a solid foundation for school life.

Calling All Dancers!

Schools Get Busy for Haiti

The children of Cookridge Primary School put their thinking caps on and came up with great ways to raise funds. Each of the nine classes did something different and in total they raised over £1,000 in an afternoon. Pool C of E had a ‘Hats for Haiti’ day where the children could wear any type of hat and make a donation to do so. Prince Henry’s had a non-uniform day and the geography department organised other events and raised over £2,000.

Horsforth School Students win the Faraday Challenge In January, a group of Year 8 Horsforth School students participated in the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) Faraday Challenge held at Pudsey Grangefield School.

Jane Disley adds: “I cannot see any benefit in keeping children at home until the age of six or seven. We enjoy seeing children flourish through knowledge, social interaction and playbased learning from the earliest opportunity. Schools are no longer rigid in nature, instead they offer varied and exciting learning opportunities and experiences which enhance a youngster’s childhood.”

Northern Ballet Theatre (NBT) is searching for budding dancers aged 11- 16 years to take part in its annual Easter Course at the West Park Centre, Spen Lane, Leeds, from the 6th to 9th April. The course offers the chance to work with top dance professionals to create a dance to a piece of music written especially for the course by highly regarded international composer, Philip Feeney. At the end of the week participants will perform their work for family and friends. To celebrate the opening of NBT’s new building in 2011, the group will be invited back to perform in the Company’s new home. To book please contact Jo Dean on 0113 274 5355 before 15th March. For further information visit www.northernballettheatre.co.uk/easter. The course runs from 9.30am until 3.30pm each day and costs £80.

Andrew Farkas, Thomas Hickman, Ryan Playfoot, Bethany Hinds, Emily Shaw and Ellie Lowry (pictured) were given the task of designing and manufacturing an antiflooding device that would remove as much water as possible from a tank in one minute. The students competed against five other local schools and won the competition. The students were awarded with a trophy and a £250 voucher to spend on design and technology equipment for the school. Congratulations and well done!

Parents Rank Froebelian School ‘Outstanding’ Parents of children at the Froebelian School in Horsforth recently rated it as outstanding. A survey, undertaken by an independent consultant, has identified that 96.2% of parents feel that the school has either met or exceeded their expectations. An independent preparatory school, Froebelian provides places for 190 boys and girls aged between the ages of three and 11 and aims to provide children with a happy learning environment. The overall impression presented in the report was that the school provides an outstanding educational and social grounding. The Froebelian School is on Clarence Road, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 4LB. Tel: 0113

e f i L r e g n u Yo Community Notices

‘Youth Bar Project’ Coming to Otley

Exciting plans are underway to open a nonalcoholic bar in Otley, exclusively for 11-18 year olds, which will give them somewhere safe, smart and comfortable Rosemary Pummell pictured with her four children – all keen supporters of to relax with friends. the Youth Bar Project. The idea is Rosemary Pummell’s (an Otley resident and teacher in Bradford) who has wanted to do this for many years. Known as ‘The Youth Bar Project’, the venture already has the backing of Greg Mulholland MP, and words of support from ChildLine’s Esther Rantzen who says “What a brilliant idea! I hope it’s a great success. Britain’s young people need and deserve it.” It is hoped that Otley’s Youth Bar will be open during out of

school hours and holidays. It will be designed like an adult pub, but geared to the needs of youngsters, and include things like Wii consoles, computers, table football and a pool table. Membership will be free and Rosemary is keen that youngsters have their say in its design. “I want this to be a community venture and it’s so important that the young people are excited about it and involved every step of the way. It’s for them and they will

ultimately be responsible for its success.” The Youth Bar Project team is organising a meeting which will be held at Otley’s Civic Centre on Wednesday 17th March at 7.30pm where further details of the project will be revealed. Young people and anyone with an interest in the project are welcome to attend. They particularly need people with legal and accountancy experience.

Prince Henry’s Leads the Way With Stephen Lawrence Award

Staff and students from Prince Henry’s recently spoke at the national conference for the Stephen Lawrence Education Standard, an award scheme developed in Leeds to recognise schools which promote diversity and challenge discrimination. The audience included representatives from local authorities from across the country, keen to find out more about the award, which is named after the black teenager who was murdered in a racially motivated attack in 1993. His mother, Doreen Lawrence OBE talked about significance of the scheme and the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, the Rt Hon Ed Balls MP, gave a keynote speech. Prince Henry’s has developed a national reputation for its work in embedding a global dimension across the school and preparing

students to become global citizens. The school achieved Level 1 of the Stephen Lawrence Education Standard in 2006, and building on that success is currently working towards the highest level of the award. Assistant Headteacher Chris Lillington talked about the school’s partnerships with fourteen schools around the world to promote cultural diversity, and how the students are exploring global themes like human rights, fairtrade, sustainable development and conflict resolution. Year 13 students Lucy Watmough

and Shahnoor Amin also contributed to the proceedings. Shahnoor talked about her experiences working alongside other Prince Henry’s students with Nobel Laureates as part of the PeaceJam programme. This included meeting Archbishop Desmond Tutu in Los Angeles in 2008. Soprano Lucy Watmough performed the title song to the Sound of Music – in Chinese! Prince Henry’s was the first Leeds high school to be awarded the prestigious International School Award from the British Council.

Adel Playgroup A local group of parents & pre-schoolers (0-4 yrs) meet Friday 10 - 11.45am during term time at the Stables, behind Adel St John Church, Back Church Lane. Craft, music & toys for the toddlers, plus a cuppa & treats for mums, dads & grandparents. Details: adelplaygroup@gmail.com Baby Rascals Are you a new Mum? Would you like to meet other new Mums & enjoy a cup of coffee? Then come to the Parish Room at Otley Parish Church Wed 1 - 2.45pm during term time. A warm welcome awaits. Details: 01943 463815 Beechtree Steiner Kindergarten runs three parent & child sessions a week, 10am - 12 noon Wed, Thur & Fri at Stainbeck Community Centre, LS7. An introduction to Steiner philosophy for children aged 0-3. New kindergarten in Meanwood. Details: 269 0262. Chevin Wildlife WATCH Group A fun kids & parents group run by volunteers in partnership with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust & one of the longest running WATCH Group in Yorkshire. Activities every 1st Sat & 3rd Sun. Details: Jennifer Watts on 0113 237 5320 or chevinwildlifewatch@ hotmail.co.uk Hope Pastures Horse & Donkey Sanctuary Weetwood Lane, LS16. Open to visitors daily between 10.30 and 3.00pm, or come any Wednesday morning at 11.00am for a guided tour. 50p/£1 sale with refreshments, Sunday 28th March, entry free. Have you a few hours to spend as a volunteer? Get in touch at phtrust@ fsmail.net - we can use all sorts of skills. Book now for Pony Days 2010! Call Karen on 0794 894 8158, or see details on our website: www.hopepastures.org.

La Leche League of Wharfedale meets 1st Fri of month, 10am to noon, in the lower hall, Christchurch, The Grove, Ilkley, to provide breastfeeding help & support. All women interested in breastfeeding welcome - babies & young children too. Free, but donation to running costs welcome. Library of info on breastfeeding, birthing & parenting available. Details: Ruth 01943 461 051. Little Rascals Toddler & parent/carer group meets every Wed during term- time at Otley Parish Church 9.30 - 11.15am Toys, refreshments, craft table. Free. Details: 01943 463815 Mend Free Programme to help families get fitter, healthier & happier. For 7 - 13 year olds above healthy weight & their families. Starts 10th Jan (4 - 6pm) at Leeds Trinity University College. Details: 0800 230 0263 Multi Skills Club Tues during term time, 4 - 5pm at Leeds Trinity University College, Horsforth. Ages 6 - 9. £2 a week. Details: Trinity Fitness Sports on 0113 283 7155. Mums & Tots Group meets every Tues 1 - 3pm in term time at Bramhope Methodist Church Hall, for play, chat & a cup of tea! Cost £1 per family. Rock Solid & BASE Youth Groups Rock Solid (Yrs 6 - 8), & BASE (Yrs 9 - 13) run on Sunday evenings as a joint venture between Bramhope Methodist & St Giles Church. Details: Nick on 284 2063

The Owls New city-wide informal childminding group whose aims are to: offer support & training; share information; & organise social events. Membership just £5 a year, Details: 0113 240 2956. Who’s Been Sitting on My Chair: Freehand Theatre Company Thurs 11 March: 10.30am & 1.30pm. A playful & musical interpretation of a well known tale for 3 - 7 yr olds. Tickets: £3 child/£4 adult. I free ticket for adult accompanying 10 children. What a Load of Rubbish Fri 12 March: 7.30pm A fun packed family show for Science Week from the Manchester Museum of Science & Industry, followed by a chance to question an environmental expert. FREE, but seats limited so please obtain tickets from box office on 01943 467466

SOUND & VISION bell By Brendan Camp

MIRANDA VERSUS THE CROC Friday 5th February, Carpe Diem, Leeds

Miranda Versus The Croc join Noah and the Whale and Joe Gideon and the Shark in having a moniker that suggests conflict or cahoots with an aquatic creature, but, beyond that, similarities between this acoustic duo and the twee folk-pop of the former or the swampy punk-blues of the latter are few. Not wanting to overdo the obvious comparison name check roll call, I do feel it worth mentioning that Miranda has a bewitching quirkiness of the Tori Amos/Kate Bush/Joanna Newsom school and possesses a powerful voice that, at times recalls punk-poet-priestess, Patty Smith. The duo played an exciting, upbeat set with Miranda rocking an unwieldy looking but rich sounding semi - acoustic bass guitar and the grizzled Croc on a bright and resonant six string. Amply compensating for the absence of drums or percussion through

nimble, propulsive bass playing and a viciously rhythmic guitar technique, a distinctive song writing style was revealed with a soulful vocal sailing over brisk, choppy chords. Occasionally drifting into lilting, jazz-inflected riffage and finger picking, the set retained a strong acousto-punk edge with traces of Undertones or Buzzcocks influence on the likes of Carry Me and a hint of the gypsy-punk of Gogol Bordello on The Yellow Wallpaper. Elsewhere one is reminded of early Ani Difranco (okay, I’m done with the comparisons now. At least they’re entirely favourable). All in all, Miranda and the Croc delivered a confident and arresting performance with solid, memorable songs and admirable musicianship. Their current Myspace success is well deserved. Now, go check ‘em out.

DVD - BLINDNESS

Directed by: Fernando Meirelles Starring: Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Danny Glover, Gael Garcia Bernal I missed this one when it came out in 2008. I feel this accomplished film has been unfairly overlooked and under-appreciated. Despite a hot, widely acclaimed director, A-list cast and production, the film remains largely unseen. Like The Road, which I reviewed last month, Blindness has apocalyptic, chaotic cityscapes and concerns itself with the moral dissolution of society in desperate circumstances. Yes, both films often make for gruelling viewing, but each experience is ultimately rewarding. Based on a novel by Nobel prize-winning Portugese author, Jose Saramago, Blindness begins with a Japanese businessman inexplicably losing his sight in rush hour traffic, his field of vision becoming a sea of white, as if he’s ‘swimming through milk’. The man goes to a doctor (Mark Ruffalo) who is treating a number of other patients for problems with their sight. After contact with the infected man the doctor is struck blind and the ‘White Sickness’ is suddenly an epidemic. Only the doctor’s wife, played by the reliably excellent Julianne Moore, remains unaffected. The panicked government places those infected in quarantine in run down hospital wards, where things quickly descend into chaos. The doctor and his wife agree to keep the fact that she can see a

secret. She is the sole eyewitness to the horror that ensues and we experience the film mostly through her eyes. Director Meirelles, exploded onto the scene with the astonishing coming of age crime epic City of God, and followed that with the gripping political conspiracy thriller, The Constant Gardener. With Blindness he has delivered another compulsive, intelligently made drama. I’m surprised at the critical mauling the film received when it first emerged. If nothing else, it is a technical triumph. The cinematography is superb, featuring stark over-lit frames, soft dissolves and a bleached-out colour scheme, that combine with intricate sound design to convey a tangible, disorienting sensory experience. The film’s detractors accused it of simplistic and melodramatic depiction of moral degradation, but I feel it succeeds in showing the bonds and intimacies forged thorough a shared and challenging experience. Amid the bleak scenes of desperate, brutal humanity there are affecting moments of tenderness, beauty and muted eroticism. By turns shocking, poignant and evocative, Blindness is a stylish, thought provoking work that deserves a wider audience.

Local LIVE Music Shy Child Wed 3 Mar, Nation Of Shopkeepers, From 7:30pm. New York rockers making spangly electro and disco-laced synth-pop. Preston Reed Thurs, 4 Mar, Seven Arts Centre Studio Theatre. From 7:30pm. Blues, rock, funk & jazz influences produce a signature sound that has earned him world renown. Newton Faulkner Thurs 4 Mar, O2 Academy, 7pm, tkts £17.50. Soulful, heartfelt acoustic blues with a pop edge & distinctively laid back style. Nick Harper Fri 5 Mar, Brudenell Social Club, 7pm. Son of legendary Roy Harper, he was described by Mojo Magazine as ‘one of the finest guitarists of his generation’. Bjorn Again Sat 6 Mar, O2 Academy, 7pm, tkts £19.50. Founded in 1988 in Melbourne, Australia, this tribute band now boast over 4000 performances in 60 countries. Curtis Eller/ Rebel Yell Sat 6 Mar at The Adelphi. 2 - 5pm, £3. Curtis Eller is New York City’s angriest yodelling banjo player. Yodelling & strong language can be expected. Plus rebellious punk rockabilly from Leeds four-piece Rebel Yell. Fun Lovin’ Criminals Sun 7 Mar, O2 Academy, 7pm, tkts £17.50. This New York trio have been rollin’ their own unique blend of rap, blues & rock since 1993. Richmond Fontaine Mon 8 Mar, Brudenell Social Club, 8pm. From Portland, Oregon, this band has a powerful blend of rock, country, punk & folk. Famed for strong, story-based songs. Scott Brothers Duo Mon 8 Mar, 1.05pm Leeds Town Hall. Playing a selection of SaintSaens, Gounod & Franck. Free. The Stranglers Thurs 11 Mar, O2 Academy, Leeds. Seventies punk icons.

Four Tet Fri, 12 Mar, TJ’s Woodhouse Club, from 7:30pm. A mixture of folk-inflected electronica & lo-fi murmurings incorporating elements of jazz, techno & hip-hop. University Cuban Music Big Band Fri 12 Mar, Clothworkers Hall, Leeds University School of Music. 2nd & 3rd year students, some of whom had never played this style before a seven week course, perform a celebratory concert. Form: Silverlode Fri 12 Mar, The Elbow Room, 9pm. High powered indie -rock with classic influences & a progressive sound. Killa Kela Sat 13 Mar, The Cockpit, Leeds 7pm, tkts £7 The UK’s finest human beatbox, writes & produces his own material, after touring with Jurassic 5 for seven years. Maggie & the Shufflemonsters Sat 13th March at Swarthmore Education Centre, 8pm. In aid of ‘Raising the Roof’ appeal. Tickets £5 on door. Jacqui Wicks Trio Sat 13 March, 8pm at Otley Courthouse. The Beguiling voice of the legendary Sex Patels. Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Sat 13 Mar, Leeds Town Hall, 7.30pm Playing a selection of Debussy, Ravel & Saint-Saens. Tkts £9.50 - £27.50 Leeds Youth Jazz Rock Orchestra (LYJRO) Sat 13 March, 7.30pm in Lewis Jones Suite, Headingley Stadium. Supported by East Leeds Junior Wind Band & Roots Alive Ceilidh band. Fundraiser for their 2010 South Africa trip. Tickets £10/£5 include pie & peas supper. Details: Brendan Duffy on 230 4074. Peter Green Sat 13 Mar, Irish Centre, Leeds, 8pm, tkts £22/£20. Founder of Fleetwood Mac, former member of John Mayall’s Blues Breakers & one of the most influential British Blues guitarists since the mid-60s.

37 John Scott Whiteley Mon 15 Mar, Leeds Town Hall, 1.05pm. York Minster’s organist puts the Town Hall organ through its paces performing Bach, Verdin & Berveiller among others. Admission Free. Alexandra Dariescu Wed 17 Mar, The Venue, Leeds College of Music, 1.05-1.55 This well-respected pianist will perform pieces by Bach, Chopin, Ravel & others. Admission free. Leeds Festival Chorus with BBC Philharmonic Sat 20 Mar, 7.30pm Leeds Town Hall, tkts £14-£27.50 (discounts available)Performing Rachmaninov, Stravinsky & others. Tom McConville Trio Sat 20 March, 8pm at Otley Courthouse. Musician of the Year BBC Folk Awards 2009. Paloma Faith Sat 20 Mar, O2 Academy, Leeds, tkts from £12. London-based alt-soul songstress with a heart melting vocal presence & a Billie Holiday influence. New Young Pony Club Sun, 21 Mar, The Cockpit, from 7:30pm (doors 7pm). Minimalist eighties-influenced punk-dance influenced by the likes of Iggy Pop & Blondie. Martyn Joseph Sun 21 March, 8pm Otley Courthouse. Acoustic artist with electrifying spontaneity The Hidden Cameras Tues 23 Mar, Brudenell Social Club, Leeds. From Toronto, Joel Gibb & his Hidden Cameras collective with their uncommon melodic & poetic gifts that Gibb describes as ‘gay church folk music.’ Crooked Still Wed, 24 Mar, Brudenell Social Club, from 8pm. Alternative bluegrass trio comprising banjo, cello & double bass

The Hollies Wed 24 Mar, Grand Theatre & Opera House, Leeds, 7.30pm, tkts from £25. In spite of the retirement of the original singer, Alan Clarke, the group continues to present a dazzling show, featuring that trademark Hollies sound & classics like ‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.’ Barbara Dickson Thurs 25 Mar, Grand Theatre & Opera House, Leeds, 7.30pm Multi-million selling recording artist, Olivier award-winning actor & OBE, Dickson is one of the most popular entertainers in the UK. ‘Roots’ Fri 26 March, 8 - 11pm at New Headingley Club, St Michael’s Rd, Headingley, featuring Hokum Hotshots £4 on door. Jon Allen Fri 26 March, 8pm at Otley Courthouse. His first album reveals a timeless collection of beautifully-crafted songs. Leeds Bluegrass Club Last Thurs of month, The Grove Inn, Back Row, Holbeck.(off Water Lane). Live, acoustic, American Bluegrass/ Country music, resident bands & guests from 8.30pm. £3. Picking sessions - musicians welcome. Details: John 267 0761, or Kevin 267 7040. Orchestra of Opera North Sat 27 Mar, Leeds Town Hall, 7.30pm, tkts £9.50-£27.50. Performing Wagner, Mahler & Strauss Samay Sun 28 Mar, The Carriageworks, Leeds, 3pm, tkts £6/£4. Performing pieces drawing on Indian classical music influences & Latin/reggae style. Acoustic Ladyland Wed, 31 Mar, Brudenell Social Club, from 8pm. An electric jazz group that plays dirty rock ‘n’ roll. Filska Mon 5 April, 7.45pm at Otley Courthouse. A scintillating set of instrumentals delivered with intense energy from this Shetland originating band.

Food Co-ops the New Way to Shop Locally

Birdwatch With Stan Kenyon

Finding good, fresh, healthy food at affordable prices is not always easy. But by banding together with neighbours, you can set up a food co-op to pool buying power and order in bulk direct from farmers and suppliers. This means local communities can buy a wide range of foods at cheaper prices, improve access to a wide range of good food and improve their health and well being. Food co-ops also help support local farmers and suppliers.

Bangs and a Bun Despite the valuable efforts of many people in consistently feeding garden birds, the cold weather has caused many losses. This is particularly true of small birds. Their high surface-area: volume ratio renders them especially vulnerable in persistently cold weather. An example is the distinctive long-tailed tit, tiny and round with a long tail. Head and undersides are whitish with pale reddish-brown sides and a black head band. In winter parties, they roam through woods and parks searching for small insects and spiders. In more recent times they have learned to visit bird feeders. Restless and acrobatic, they have a weak undulating flight. April sees them building a large ovoid nest of moss and feathers with a side entrance and decorated with lichens. Before the snow, numbers were high after a good breeding season, aided by the warm spring. Hopefully, given their large clutches of seven to twelve eggs, they will soon recover.

Would you like to stop OVEREATING BINGE EATING OR COMFORT EATING?

Hypnotherapy and NLP can help. Call Colin now on 07932 552 485 / 0113 267 6006 or visit The Apothecary Centre, Otley

‘I don’t drive, I’m driven’ is what I always say, though that is starting to wear thin with the people who chauffeur me around. Since ‘learn to drive’ has been on my ‘to do’ list for the past 11 years and I just never seem to get around to it, I’m forced to take public transport. What’s not to love about Leeds buses? There’s the way they’ll just drive straight past you when you’re practically standing in the middle of the street, waving them down like an aircraft, or the friendly banter of the drivers, or the way people put their filthy Ugg boots on the seats like they’re at home - all of which is totally endearing and worth the price of a Day Rider. My particular bus goes through the centre of Headingley and easily claims the ‘Most Surreal Bus Journey’ title. Get on in the evenings and you can’t avoid running into the Student Mafia who seem to do nothing but go to fancy dress parties for three years. Sometimes there’s a theme (one time there was a bunch of them decked out in bright orange prison overalls, which was a little unnerving), other times, there’s no telling who might get on the bus. Just last week, I found myself sitting next to a Crayola Crayon with Charlie Chaplin in front of me.

Thanks to funding from the Big Lottery via the Making Local Food Work programme, free advice is now available on everything you might need to know about setting up a food co-op, such as finding suppliers, buying equipment or recruiting volunteers.

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The alliance for better food farming, Sustain, has produced a food co-ops tool kit which is available free on-line at www.sustainweb. org/foodcoopstoolkit. Support, such as oneto-one advice, ‘How to’ workshops and training days, exchange visits to other food co-ops, and regional networking events, is also available. You can search for your nearest community food co-op at www.foodcoops.org. If you would like more information on buying collectively, contact Lizzie Fellows, Sustain’s Food Co-op Adviser for Yorkshire & the Humber, at lizzie@sustainweb.org or call 07814 756511.

Police Update

With PCSO Claire Salkeld

We are pleased to report that no burglaries took place at all in Pool, Bramhope or Arthington in the last month. This is an amazing result and down to a lot of hard work between the Neighbourhood Policing team and the community. Everyone is playing their part and remaining vigilant and security conscious and this is keeping these figures down. Unfortunately there has been a spate of plant equipment thefts in the area. Over £220,000 worth of equipment was stolen from Black Hill Road, Arthington. One vehicle was recovered by the owner nearby but two have not been recovered. One is an articulated trailer, the other a digger. Another JCB mini digger and trailer were stolen from the car park of the Ramada Jarvis Hotel. These are also still missing.

We have had one theft of vehicle which occurred opposite Martin’s Mills, Pool. The vehicle had ‘Hacks Construction’ written on the side and has not yet been recovered. If anyone has any information pertaining to the people responsible for these crimes, please do not hesitate to contact us. Anti-social behaviour calls have remained virtually non-existent. We have had one call from a

resident about noise nuisance at The Knoll, Bramhope, but when officers arrived there was no youths present. Hopefully this trend will continue but if you feel there are any issues that you need to raise with us please contact us on the direct number at Otley Police Station.

Police Update With PCSO Peter Andrews

Following information from a local resident, police recently attended St Martin’s Field, Otley, and searched a vehicle and a female occupant was given an official caution for possession of drugs. Three people were also arrested for other drug offences on Westgate and Ash Grove. Three vehicles have been stolen from premises on Leeds Road and Pool Road. These were properly secured, and in one case the offenders gained entry to the house to obtain the keys. Land Rover type vehicles appear to be the target for thieves at the moment, so we would appeal to all owners to be extra careful. There have been burglaries at properties on Newall Avenue and The Green, and anti-social behaviour calls were received from St Richard’s and St David’s Roads and Weston Park View relating to

young people throwing stones. Patrols have been stepped up at these locations and residents have been visited in an effort to identify those responsible. The Speed Indication Device (SID) was deployed on Pool Road and Bradford Road, Otley. A number of vehicles were seen breaking the speed limit and the drivers have been suitably dealt with. This initiative will continue at both these and other locations in the Otley area as part of an ongoing project to improve road safety.

The Contact Point at Otley Library has ended due to lack of use. The Neighbourhood Policing Team can be contacted at Otley Police Station Helpdesk, Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm. The Contact Point at Bennett Court, Weston Drive, Otley will be held from 10 - 11am on: 9th and 23rd February, 9th and 23rd March, 6th and 20th April. The Contact Point at the Children’s Centre, Weston Lane, will be from 5 - 6pm on: 8th February, 8th March, 12th April, 10th May and 7th June.

Remember, you can also contact the police by calling the non-emergency number 0845 6060606, or for routine matters, your local officers on 01274 471453. You may have to leave a voicemail, but we will return your call as soon as possible. The messages are reviewed at least twice daily.

Leeds City Museum Presents ‘A Greener City’

A new exhibition, ‘A Greener City’, that looks at environmental and conservation issues in Leeds, was launched recently at Leeds City Museum. Running through to the end of the year, it will feature a collection of short films celebrating green spaces and environmental initiatives around the city. These will be screened on the big screens in the museum’s striking central arena. Created by Leeds City Council, in partnership with the Yorkshire Film Archive, the films range from an interfaith group planting flowers in Charlie Cake Park in Armley and allotment holders at Clarke’s Field in Beeston, to healthy living in a hostel for homeless men in the city centre, and Skelton Grange Environment Centre in Stourton.

Give Blood, Save Lives

To make it even easier, there The prospect of ‘making a difference’ are some blood can be overwhelming at times. donation days But one way you can make a huge coming up difference, and potentially save locally:

someone’s life, is by giving blood. Blood is a vital resource all year round and our local hospitals rely on the kindness of donors every day to save and improve the lives of patients. The NHS needs 7,000 voluntary donations of blood daily, yet only four per cent of the eligible population are active blood donors.

Anyone aged from 17 - 65, weighing more than 50kg (7 stone 12lbs), and in general good health, can help to save lives by becoming a blood donor. To book an appointment, call the Donor Line on 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk

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Bramhope Environmental Group Enters its Third Year The Bramhope Environmental Group (BEG) entered its third year with a continuing programme of stimulating meetings on topics related to how we in Bramhope can help to reduce our carbon footprint, and to encourage bio-diversity in our gardens and community.

For example, in January Cathy Knamiller, a PhD student at Bradford University, lead our discussion on ‘Domestic Water Use and its Carbon Footprint’. On 25th March (we meet bi-monthly) Jim Butterfield, who co-ordinates the U3A environment class in Ilkley, will open a discussion on ‘Food and Climate Change’. We’ll be looking at issues like our carbon footprint for Sunday lunch; should we be encouraging the transport of green beans from Kenya; what we think about Paul McCartney backing of one

Pets With Attitude! Pet portraits with a difference

meat free meal a week, and much more. On 27th May, Kerry Fieldhouse, of the Council’s Parks and Countryside Department Wildlife Team, will lead a discussion on species conservation in Leeds, focusing on Breary Marsh (Golden Acre) as a site for wildlife rehabilitation. BEG is open to everyone - please don’t hesitate to come along. For details please call Chris or Gary Knamiller on 01943 430 634. Gary Knamiller

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Designer Dress for Less

This Month at The Courthouse

rob chappell > freelance creative Photoshop illustration, traditional illustration techniques, Storyboard layouts, exhibition design, graphic design, corporate branding projects, packaging design, product design, point of sale design, exhibition design, furniture design, interior design, modular design, 3D design projects, catalogue layouts, acrylic, watercolour, gauache and oil painting. I use Photoshop and Indesign as well as having a grounding in Painter IX and use of Slick Markers. I’ll can undertake anything from concepts to artwork including fetching the sandwiches and stirring the tea.I work quickly, it’s hard to distract me when I’m producing. I always read the brief and take plenty of notes when being briefed. I like to work closely with a team and I always try to produce good and effective solutions at a reasonable price. If you think that I would fit the bill in terms of your creative needs and would like to see the portfolio of more projects on CD, then please give me a call on 07967 891 550 or email me at chappell.rob@gmail.com

“Probably a £1,000 cocktail dress that was designed for Barbara Windsor,” said Jenni Small, of Jenni’s Dresser, Otley, when asked about the best thing that had ever been brought into her boutique. “My favourite piece in the shop at the moment is a Vera Wang purple satin cocktail dress which cost £750, but I’m selling for £150.”

f you’re anything like me, your ears perk up at the very hint of a bargain. That’s one of the many reasons that dress agency shopping has become so popular. For the unfamiliar, dress agencies offer an outlet where you can sell clothes you no longer wear. They specialise in barely worn, quality clothing, often designer

names. We’ve all done it; bought something we loved in a high street store then watched as it sits, unworn in our closet for months on end. Rather than throw it out, take it to a dress agency and sell it on. The agency will agree a price and you split the sale 50-50. Jenni opened ‘Jenni’s Dresser’ in Otley last year, having run Room at the Top dress agency on Street Lane in Moortown for six years. She has noticed the popularity of this kind of shopping increase, especially during the recession, as it gives people the opportunity to dress well without spending too much money. Dress agencies can be little treasure troves - you never know what you will find. “Our customers are of all ages and they enjoy finding something a little different,” Jenni told us. The boutique style of the shop and friendly atmosphere make the experience even better. “Suppliers and customers come from as

far afield as London, including several well known celebrities. Of course, we’re very discreet!” Imagine, you could find yourself roaming around in a star’s onlyworn-once designer dress! If you have some clothes you no longer wear, why not take them in to your nearest dress agency? At Jenni’s Dresser clothes are taken in on Wednesdays and Fridays, or by appointment. “We only take items that have been purchased within the last few years and are either unworn or had limited wear,” said Jenni. “We take sizes 6-22, they must be in immaculate condition and we insist that they have been cleaned.” At the moment they are taking in Spring/Summer items, including wedding outfits, hats and fascinators. Unworn shoes and boots are always popular too. All in all, dress agency shopping is a great way to look good, save money and recycle clothes. So whether you’re buying or selling, drop in to Jenni’s Dresser in Otley - you never know what you might find!

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Wyn Davies at The Grove Wyn Davies is a distinguished pianist and cabaret performer, establishing an international reputation as a raconteur, and on Saturday 6th March he will present his show ‘Just Wyn’ at The Grove Methodist Church, Town Street, Horsforth, at 7.30pm. Since his debut with Welsh National Opera, Wyn has conducted most major British opera companies and many orchestras, including the Halle, the Northern Sinfonia and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. He spent two years with the Metropolitan Opera, New York, and two seasons in Canada where he conducted an award winning production of Kurt Weill’s ‘Threepenny Opera’ in Toronto. He conducts regularly at the Buxton Festival. Tickets £5 on the door, or by post from Mr C.Seller, 21A West End Lane Horsforth LS18 5JP, enclosing a stamped addressed envelope, and cheque payable to Grove Methodist Church. www.grovemethodist.org.uk/concerts

5/2/10

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The Life of the community

2010

FREE MONTHLY

community news and local business directory

northleedslife.co.uk

Available online, limited hard copies at Pool Post Office and on notice boards at the Memorial Gardens, Pool Village Hall, Arthington Lane and Old Pool Bank Village Hall.

• FREE door-to-door delivery to 36,000 local family households and businesses, every month

• OVER 120,000 readers each month

Please note: While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information in this magazine, North Leeds Life assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions or the consequences of reliance on the magazine for such information. North Leeds Life reserves the right to refuse any content which we deem offensive or inappropriate. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission.

To receive your Pool e-news, register at pool.enews@googlemail.com or telephone the editor on 0113 284 2905

• FREE monthly community magazines, packed with local news, reviews, features, listings and local advertisers

northleedslife.co.uk The Life of the community

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OVER 100,000 PEOPLE READ NORTH LEEDS LIFE MAGAZINES EACH MONTH

Give a Little Love for Valentine’s

northleedslife.co.uk The Life of the community

Tel: 0113 274 8776 www.northleedslife.co.uk

OVER 100,000 PEOPLE READ NORTH LEEDS LIFE MAGAZINES EACH MONTH

NEW Me editionns!ton

northleedslife.co.uk

The Life of the community

Tel: 0113 274 8776 www.northleedslife.co.uk

OVER 100,000 PEOPLE READ NORTH LEEDS LIFE MAGAZINES EACH MONTH

Advertising enquiries

northleedslife.co.uk Tel: 0113 274 8776 / 0113 293 4304 Connecting you to the community

Email: info@northleedslife.co.uk

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