Kirkstall Online

Did you know that libraries are still active in Kirkstall? Well, I’ve just had a lovely chat with the lady running the mobile library van which is currently parked outside the Children’s Centre on Norman Street. The mobile libraries have been visiting Kirkstall every week since the library closed in July and are open to everyone. Each of the mobile libraries carries computers with free internet access! There are three different mobile libraries (times now added to our calendar):

Community mobile – offering a wide range of materials (weekly)

• Kirkstall Leisure Centre – Fri 09.00 to 12.00
• Morrisons Car Park – Sun 11.00 to 15.00
• Queenswood Road – Thu 09.30 to 11.00

Children and Family mobile – offering a wide range of children’s materials and some adult books (weekly)

• Kirkstall Leisure Centre – Thu 18.15 to 19.15
• Kirkstall Children’s Centre (Norman St) Sun 11.00 to 12.00
• Hawksworth Wood Children and Family Centre – Sun 12.15 to 15.00

Older people mobile – visiting care homes in the area (fortnightly from w/c 7 Nov 2011)

• Sayers Close – Tue 09.00 to 10.00
• Aire Vew Care Home – Tue 10.15 to 11.45
• St Anns Square – Tue 13.45 to 14.45
• Kirkstall Court Care Home – Wed 09.00 to 10.00

Children with a Breeze card can borrow materials straight away, and if you’re not a library-card holder already you only need to bring two proofs of address to join.

They also offer an “at home” service for people who find it difficult to get out, where they will visit every three weeks to bring books to you.

For more details on these services, visit www.leeds.gov.uk/mobilelibraries or phone 0113 2476016

Its a shame that Kirkstall Library has been shut due to underuse, but only if we use our libraries more can we preserve them for the future. If you don’t use and support them we may lose them forever.

Kirkstall-based Buckley Jewellery has launched its 2011 jewelled poppy range in support of the Royal British Legion, supporting serving and ex-Service personnel in the armed forces.

They were first commissioned to design an exclusive Remembrance Poppy Brooch for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal in 2009. Company founder and CEO Adrian Buckley personally designed the 18ct gold plated Buckley Poppy Brooch, encrusted with stunning ruby crystals, and donated all of Buckley’s proceeds from the sale of the original poppy brooch that featured on QVC to the RBL. A cheque for £1500 was presented to the RBL and this went towards helping those that need it most.

Last year saw this total rise to over £30,000 and the poppy was featured on a number of TV shows, even appearing on the X-Factor. This year Buckley, based in Wyther Green in Kirkstall, hopes to raise £1 million for the charity.

It is the  Royal British Legions Poppy Appeal’s 90^th Anniversary this year and Adrian is in the process of designing further exclusive products for this landmark occasion, including features in the national press, a two-hour show on QVC hosted by company founder and CEO Adrian Buckley. These are available for sale via the official British Legion Poppy Shop with all profits going directly to the Royal British Legion.

Remembrance Sunday is 13th November at 2.30pm at Kirkstall Cenotaph (by BHS). Wear your Buckley poppy with pride!

Following on from the extremely successful Kirkstall Abbey Deli Market, next year will see the start of a new outdoor market for 2012 in the picturesque 12th century ruins of Kirkstall Abbey. Enjoy a Sunday afternoon browsing hand made crafts, collectables and vintage treasures from across Yorkshire.

The market runs from 12 noon – 3pm on

Spring Market – Sunday 27th May
Summer Market – Sunday 1st July
Autumn Market – Sunday 30th September
Winter Market – Sunday 25th November

They are currently looking for stallholders. If you are interested in having a stall, please call 0113 230 5492, or email Kirkstall.abbey@leeds.gov.uk.

Set up Small Stall (6ftx3ft) £15 per market. Set up Medium Stall (10ftx4ft) £20 per market. Bring your own stall pitch £10 per market. Booking essential. You must provide details of your liability insurance.

The next Kirkstall Valley Community Association meeting will take place on Monday 7th November at 7pm at Kirkstall Leisure Centre. Please note that this is a change to the date and location previously proposed.

Agenda

1. Previous Minutes and Matters Arising

2. Treasurers Report

3. Kirkstall Festival

4. Kirkstall Matters

5. Update On Local Developments (Tesco and Metric BHS)

6. Email list and online membership form

7. Any other business

It is important that we have a good turnout so we can understand the current state of the Tesco and Metric-BHS planning submissions – our local councillors will be giving us an update on the status of these proposals. This is a critical time for Kirkstall with many major developments that will shape the area for the future and it is important that local people are aware of these. The meeting is open to everyone, and you can join the KVCA on the night if you wish.

Murder at the Museum - Thurs, 27th October (10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm)

Mr Mortis, the Undertaker’s assistant, has been found dead on top of a coffin!  Test your detective skill and follow the clues to solve the crime.

Witches and Wizards - Fri, 28th October (10am to 12noon and 2pm to 4pm)

Halloween fun for all the family making crafts perfect for little witches and wizards!

Spider Saturday - Sat, 29th October (2pm to 4pm)

Join us for halloween fun and make sparkly spiders, bouncing spiders and scary spiders!

Usual admission applies unless stated.  Booking is not required unless stated.  Children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.  Please contact Abbey House Museum directly for further information.

 Tel 0113 2305492

Abbey House Museum, Abbey Walk, Leeds, LS5 3EH

The Autumn/Winter edition of Kirkstall Matters is now available, and will be distributed to association members over the coming week or so. Its a cracking edition (if we do say so ourselves) with articles on the launch of Kirkstall Brewery, Richard Oastler, the BHS-Metric development, Sam Airey and of course the 2001 Kirkstall Festival, amongst many more regulars. Congratulations to everyone that helped to pull it together. If you’re not a member of the association (and if not, why not?) you can buy it from local newsagents – Its only £1. Thanks also to Eva Pitt who provided this edition’s fantastic cover photo!

Tesco has submitted its planning application to regenerate the important central site along Kirkstall Lane in Kirkstall. The proposals include new shops and a community facility set within a public square, a Tesco Extra store employing over 400 people, a new Leeds Postal Workers Sports Association club, and attractively landscaped green space along the A65.

The application follows six months of consultation, including a regular steering group attended by local residents, community groups, ward members, and businesses. The mostly derelict site was once home to businesses including Thomas Wade printers, Kirkstall Lights pub, the Liberal social club and a now-demolished vacuum forming building.

Deborah Hayeems, Tesco Corporate Affairs Manager, said: “We are pleased to be submitting a planning application that we believe would bring major benefits to the area, not least finally regenerating a mostly derelict site in the heart of Kirkstall.

“Recognising just what an important and challenging site this is, we wanted to involve the local community as much as we could in the development of our plans. Over the last six months we have seen our proposals improve significantly, with our project team able to make changes to the overall layout of the development, planned road investment, pedestrian routes and more.

“We will continue to work with the council and local community over the coming months as we work towards what we hope will be a positive decision in the New Year.”