Category Archives: Community News

‘Monday Mind Workout’ – Monday 29th June 2020

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Good morning,

Today’s ‘Monday Mind Workout’ is themed around cryptic clues for bands or singers past and present. E.g Enticements = Temptations

  1. Dark Sunday or Saturday?
  2. Unemployment card
  3. Champagne and orange
  4. First book in the bible
  5. Lads that run an establishment selling animals
  6. They gather no moss
  7. Refined Association
  8. The direction where it is lovely
  9. Merlin
  10. Nosey feline is dead
  11. Sinatra is off to make a film
  12. They need straightening out
  13. B.A., B.Sc. and M.F.A.
  14. Cadbury’s very warm
  15. Could be joiners or cabinet makers
  16. Sun Casts Them
  17. Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
  18. Anne, Mary, Elizabeth or Victoria
  19. Stag, Cowboy, Dung and Colorado
  1. Late night athlete on deck C
  2. Throw Small Fruit
  3. John Toilet
  4. The Legend of the Chocolate Bar
  5. Best Pal is Prickly Bush
  6. Both of You

Best of luck and let me know how you get on.

Shared Moments: Day 77 ‘Thomas the Tank’ Written by Maureen Kershaw

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Day 77 – Rain at last! After a few glorious days and being able to get ‘all dolled up’ in Summer clothing – to visit the supermarket – today is a day for staying at home. To watch the long awaited rain, catch up on household tasks (what are they?) maybe with a catch up of recorded TV progs playing in the background. Find photos to accompany my Lockdown blogs ready for the book. Ironing perchance? Mmm, we’ll see. E-mails to reply to, phone calls to make, the next batch of ‘Memories’ to write, a story for a magazine, prep. my next piece for the Museums & Galleries – the days are not long enough for all that is to be done. Thank goodness I’ve not got into bread-making, it took long enough to download ‘Zoom’ properly.

I promised myself I would read more; many books were started but remain unfinished. They remind me of being halfway through knitting a garment before the novelty wore off and I would start another. In 1984 I started knitting a jumper in a cosy white wool with an occasional cerise and grey fleck. I loved the feel of it until, in pregnancy, I couldn’t bear to touch it and it made me feel ill! The jumper was packed away whilst I knitted babywear with no problem. I never returned to the unfinished  jumper but I loved to knit all manner of knitwear for my young son. The one disaster though was a ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ jumper. I didn’t quite master the art of all those different colours being successfully brought to life and Thomas’s face did not smile but was cross-eyed and looked in excruciating pain. I was too embarrassed to photograph it but Darren wore it with pride. Maybe during Lockdown I could return to knitting? Perhaps not. I have more than enough to occupy my time, in particular this very day……unless I get a better offer.

We are pleased you were able to fit an article in for us too Maureen, thank you, until next time…..

A message from Leeds City Council on Armed Forces Day

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Celebrate Armed Forces Day at home this Saturday

Leeds Armed Forces Day, Saturday 27th June. How you can get involved.

People of all ages across Leeds are encouraged to celebrate the courage, dedication and commitment of the British Armed Forces, as part of Leeds Armed Forces Day on 27 June.

Armed Forces Day is usually marked by hundreds of events across the UK, however due to Covid-19 these events have been cancelled so people are now being encouraged to celebrate from their own homes.

During this week we are honouring the role of the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force, Reservists, veterans, cadets and the wider Armed Forces family in society and also thanking them for their support in helping with the ongoing Covid-19 effort.

Despite not being able to hold the flag raising ceremony this year the Armed Forces Day flag will still be flying from 20-27 June from the Civic Hall and Leeds Town Hall and we will still be lighting up our council buildings in red, white and blue during this week.

How will you be marking Armed Forces Day?

For resources and ideas on how to get involved, you can go to: https://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/get-involved/

We are also supporting the Salute Our Forces campaign. You can pay tribute to the British Armed Forces by posting a photo or video of yourself or your family, friends and colleagues saluting using the hashtag #SaluteOurForces #LeedsAFD20 and tagging @LeedsAFD and @ArmedForcesDay. For more information go to https://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/get-involved/saluteourforces/

Chapel FM will be doing a special show for Armed Forces day. This will include several veteran radio hosts introducing pre-recorded oral histories about life in the Armed Forces from people from a diverse range of ages, backgrounds and areas of service. Saturday 27th June 10am – 4pm. Tune in to the Armed Forces Day broadcast:

  • On FM radio at 94.6FM in many parts of Leeds
  • On elfm.co.uk anywhere in the world
  • And online later for listening on demand

Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Eileen Taylor said:

“I’m delighted and honoured to be hosting the city’s Armed Forces Day celebrations. Unfortunately we cannot hold the usual Flag Raising Ceremony or the parade this year but we can still come together at home to acknowledge and show our thanks for the Armed Forces.

“As a city, we are extremely proud of our long and distinguished military history and of our current Armed Forces personnel who work in various deployments at home and abroad – addressing emergencies, providing security and supporting numerous initiatives in dangerous situations, with great dedication and professionalism. I would like to thank them all and especially for their contribution with the ongoing pandemic”

Cllr Jane Dowson, Leeds Armed Forces Champion said:

“Leeds Armed Forces Day is a chance for us all to say a big thank you to our service men and women. I think everyone will want to join with me in thanking Armed Forces personnel for all the work they are doing currently to help during the current Covid-19 pandemic. I would like to offer a big thank you to everyone taking part and I will be saluting them all on Saturday. I hope you will join me.

“I hope you will tune in to Chapel FM – 94.6FM on Saturday 27th June from 10am – 4pm for a dedicated day of activities including pre-recorded interviews, phone in’s and dedications throughout the day.”

Leeds City Council is most grateful to the Ministry of Defence for their funding towards this event.

Leeds Armed Forces Day to be marked with a day of festivities and excitement: Armed Forces Day salute

Lots of things to give us entertainment and food for thought from Leeds Playhouse

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Here’s a little round up of theatre performances and short videos that our friends at Leeds Playhouse have been sharing for you to see at home.

We are looking forward to the day when we can come back and visit the theatre.

Reasons To Be Cheerful

Celebrating the infectious music of Ian Dury and the Blockheads, Graeae’s Reasons To Be Cheerful is a punk rock musical and gritty coming of age tale, which leaves audiences shouting for more.  Graeae is a theatre company championing deaf and disabled actors  – a force for change in world-class theatre – breaking down barriers, challenging preconceptions and boldly placing Deaf and disabled artists centre stage.

Watch Reasons to be Cheerful

Available to watch until 3rd August. Film captioned & audio described versions also available.  Please note that this contains language and themes that some may find offensive.

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Northern Ballet’s Dracula  Returns to the Quarry Theatre…sort of.

Watch Dracula 

Northern Ballet and BBC Four have partnered to bring you this sold out show, so if you didn’t catch it last year, take this opportunity.   Step into the world of Dracula – if you dare.

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Windrush: Movement of the People

Watch Windrush

Windrush: Movement of the People is a stunning original dance piece created by Phoenix Dance Theatre. If you missed the premiere at the Playhouse in 2018, now’s your chance to catch it. With dynamic choreography by Sharon Watson and original music by Christella Litras it’s a beautiful narrative piece for dance lovers and a perfect option for drama fans too.

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Wannabe

Wannabe is a hilarious, heart-warming docu-drama about a group of women who form a Spice Girls tribute band. From Breach Theatre, the team behind It’s True, It’s True, It’s True, ‘stop right now’ and take minutes out to spice up your lockdown life with this pocket sized docu-drama.

Watch Wannabe

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Nine Lives

Fleeing from his home where a fresh wave of homophobia threatens his life, Ishmael has sought sanctuary in the UK and arrives in Leeds … can he find a place to call home again?
This powerful and intimate drama was originally commissioned at the Playhouse and features Lladel Bryant of the Pop-Up Theatre company, it’s written by Zodwa Nyoni and directed by Alex Chisholm.

Watch Nine Lives

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Strung Out – Refugee Week 2020

Phosphoros Theatre created a 40 minute film, exploring friendship, refugee identity and not giving up. Filmed and performed under lockdown by refugee actors Strung Out.  This short film takes a bold, sideways look at expectations, friendship and what it means to let go.

Watch Strung Out

News and information on:

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Face Coverings on public transport

From June 15, Government guidelines require people to wear a face covering on public transport, with some exemptions for children, disabled people or people with breathing difficulties.   A full list of exemptions from wearing a face covering can be found here.

If you are exempt from wearing a face covering you can download an assistance card here to help communicate this to staff on bus and rail services in West Yorkshire. You can either print the card off or take a picture of it on your phone to show transport staff.

For further information and updates on local public transport, please see: https://www.wymetro.com/corporate/news/releases/bus-and-train-service-updates/

Covid-19 Transport Plans

As part of the council’s response to Covid-19, Connecting Leeds is taking emergency action to help the public safely make their essential walking or cycling trips. Enabling people to keep two metres apart will help protect the health and safety of the public.

Connection Leeds would like your ideas on these four themes

  • Creating more pedestrian space in busy public places
  • Creating more space to cycle for travel and daily exercise
  • Maintaining quieter residential streets to support safer walking/cycling
  • Creating more space for pedestrians and cyclists outside schools

There is also still an opportunity to suggest a scheme on the interactive map

You can find out more and give your feedback here.

Hospitals of the Future

Hospitals of the Future is the plan to build a new adults’ hospital, and a new Leeds Children’s Hospital at our Leeds General Infirmary site.   Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust would like your views on their  hospitals and how they could be improved.

You can find out more and access the survey here.

Hospital care since lockdown for people with dementia 

The National Audit of Dementia (NAD) is a programme which looks at the care provided to people with dementia in general hospitals in England and Wales. They would like to find out about care that has taken place since lockdown (after 23 March 2020).

Two surveys are available:

  • For people with a dementia diagnosis or memory problems who have experienced hospital care.  Click here to access this survey.
  • For people who provide care for a person with dementia. You can use this survey to provide information about a hospital admission for the person with dementia you support OR about a situation where a hospital admission would usually have happened but did not.   Click here to access the survey

Leeds Directory

  • Access to vetted and rated trades for essential  and urgent repairs
  • Helping people stay safe but socially connected

https://www.leedsdirectory.org/

 

National Theatre at Home – A Midsummer Night’s Dream

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This week National Theatre at Home is giving you the chance to watch Shakespeare’s most famous romantic comedy.

A feuding fairy King and Queen cross paths with four runaway lovers and a troupe of actors trying to rehearse a play. As their dispute grows, the magical royal couple meddle with mortal lives in the forest, to hilarious, but dark, consequences.

The Bridge Theatre’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is streaming from 7pm  tonight until 7pm Thursday 2 July 2020. — The running time is 2 hours 40 minutes with a very short interval. The BBFC rating is 12A with infrequent strong language.

Click on the picture to watch from 7pm tonight

Lockdown easing from 4th July

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The government has annouced further easing of the lockdown rules and a change to social distancing guidelines from 4th July.

From now up to 4th July the rules remain the same and you can read these here

From 4th July the social distancing rules change from 2 metres to what the government is calling ‘1 metre plus’.  This means where you can still stick to 2 metres it is advised that you do but where this is not possible keep a minimum of 1 metre while taking extra care to protect yourself and others – such as hand washing and face covering where appropriate.  The closer you are the greater the risk of infection – scientists believe the risk of infection roughly halves with each metre of distance so avoid close contact with people outside your household as much as possible.

On the same day more businesses will be allowed to open  including restaurants, pubs, cinemas, visitor attractions, hotels, and campsites as well as other public places, such as libraries, community centres, places of worship, outdoor playgrounds and outdoor gyms.

More detailed information is on gov.uk but a summary of the new rules is below:

As of 4 July, this will mean:

  • you can meet in groups of up to two households (your support bubble counts as one household) in any location – public or private, indoors or outdoors. You do not always have to meet with the same household – you can meet with different households at different times. However, it remains the case – even inside someone’s home – that you should socially distance from anyone not in your household or bubble. This change also does not affect the support you receive from your carers
  • when you are outside you can continue to meet in groups of up to six people from different households, following social distancing guidelines
  • those who have been able to form a support bubble (i.e. those in single adult households) can continue to have close contact as if they live with the other people in the bubble, but you should not change who you have formed a support bubble with
  • additional businesses and venues, including restaurants, pubs, cinemas, visitor attractions, hotels, and campsites will be able to open – but we will continue to keep closed certain premises where the risks of transmission may be higher
  • other public places, such as libraries, community centres, places of worship, outdoor playgrounds and outdoor gyms will be able to open
  • you can stay overnight away from your home with your own household or support bubble, or with members of one other household (where you need to keep social distancing)
  • it will be against the law to gather in groups larger than 30 people, except for a limited set of circumstances to be set out in law and unless all members of the group are exclusively from two households. Police will have the power to break up groups larger than 30, apart from these exceptions

These rules may be changed at any time if the infection rate seems to be rising.

Changes in Government guidance for those who are shielding

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Yestercached.imagescaler.hbpl.co.uk/resize/scaleWidth...day the government outlined some upcoming changes for people who are shielding.  This is for those people who have been contacted by the NHS or Government to say they are at high risk (extremely clinically vulnerable) from coronavirus, and advised to stay home and shield.

The advice will change (in England) from July 6th and after that date the changes are

  • you can meet with 1 other household if you live alone or you’re a single parent who lives alone with your children – this is called a support bubble
  • you can meet outside with people you do not live with, in groups of up to 6 – as long as you stay 2 metres away from each other
  • you do not need to try to stay 2 metres away from people you live with

From 1 August the government will be advising that shielding will be paused. From this date, the government is advising you to adopt strict social distancing rather than full shielding measures. Strict social distancing means you may wish to go out to more places and see more people but you should take particular care to minimise contact with others outside your household or support bubble. In practice this means that from 1 August:

  • you can go outside to buy food, to places of worship and for exercise but you should maintain strict social distancing
  • you should remain cautious as you are still at risk of severe illness if you catch coronavirus, so the advice is to stay at home where possible and, if you do go out, follow strict social distancing
  • you can go to work, if you cannot work from home, as long as the business is COVID-safe
  • children who are clinically extremely vulnerable can return to their education settings if they are eligible and in line with their peers. Where possible children should practise frequent hand washing and social distancing

After 1 August, the centrally provided support – ie government food boxes etc will stop, however local council and some nhs volunteer support is likely to continue, at least for a while.  We will be keeping an eye on the situation so that we can advise you on the support (including support from Caring Together) available locally

Information is available on gov.uk  and on the nhs website

Please note: this advice is from July 6 and it is recommended you follow the current advice till then. This advice is as follows:

  • only leave your home to spend time outdoors, for example to go for a walk
  • stay at least 2 metres (3 steps) away from other people in your home as much as possible
  • get food and medicine delivered and left outside your door – ask friends and family to help or register to get coronavirus support on GOV.UKif you need it
  • prepare a hospital bag, including a list of the medicines you’re taking, in case you need to go into hospital
  • wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
  • make sure anyone who comes into your home washes their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds
  • use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
  • clean objects and surfaces you touch often (such as door handles, kettles and phones) using your regular cleaning products
  • clean a shared bathroom each time you use it, for example by wiping the surfaces you have touched
  • Do Not have visitors inside your home, including friends and family, unless they’re providing essential care
  • Do Not stop taking any prescription medicines without speaking to your doctor

 

 

Have your say on West Yorkshire Devolution

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It may seem a long time now since the chancellor announced The West Yorkhire Devolution deal in the budget and focus has naturally shifted to Covid-19 related issues but progress towards implementing this deal has continued in the background. ,

The deal, the biggest ever of its kind, brings more than £1.8 billion of investment for West Yorkshire into local control. This includes £38 million per year for 30 years with significant freedoms to spend on local priorities.It will see more decisions about the region taken here instead of London and more investment for the things that matter to local people.

In key areas for our future like transport, skills, the economy and climate change, responsibility will be transferred to people who know and understand our region, enabling us to move away from one-size-fits-all national approaches to deliver locally-focused decisions which will bring greater benefits for our communities and improve people’s quality of life.

In the current context, the deal will also provide more essential funding and powers to help our region recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

A public consultation has now launched and will run until 19 July 2020 on the deal and proposals for a directly elected mayor.

Please take part and share your views as part of this. There are a number of ways to engage:

  • Through the online survey on the West Yorkshire Combined Authority website.
  • By emailing wyconsultation@ipsos-mori.com
  • By calling the freephone telephone number 0800 141 3657
  • By post using the freepost address: Freepost WY Devolution Consultation (no stamp needed).

What would it take for your city to delight you?

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As we emerge from lockdown, what do we want from our city? Do we want to return to ‘business as usual’ or is this an opportunity to think differently and create  the kind of place where we really want to live and where everyone  flourish?

This question will be explored in a partnership between two cities, Liverpool and Leeds. Each city will host one conversation, with a panel of speakers to explore the topic. There will be opportunities for participants to ask questions and raise issues with the panelists.

The Leeds event will take place on Saturday 27th June and includes the four speakers below

If you want to take part in either of the  the events you can book your free place below to join the conversation.

Liverpool Saturday 20th June – 7pm

Leeds Saturday 27th June – 7pm

Engage Liverpool are also going to live-stream it on Facebook and then post it to their YouTube channel.

Whether or not you would like to join the live events, they would still like to hear what you think. Please do get in touch using the survey linked below.

Share your thoughts here…

The organisers had this to say in their press release:

“For an hour on Saturday evening from 7pm on the 20th and 27th June, we’ll hear stories and ideas from each city in turn, looking at exciting and delightful grassroots projects that add significant value to their communities and the city at large.

Over the series we’ll talk about how we scale these ideas and the role of active citizens within them. But we’ll also have space to talk about things that don’t exist yet, but we wish did, and ask what are the areas of the city that we wish would delight us and how we might get there. We’ll hear a broad range of ideas from each city and various communities within them that will spark discussion and ideas.

Each session will be chaired by representatives of both cities and we will draw threads for the things we have in common, and the things that make our cities uniquely delightful.

We will, of course, talk about the Pandemic we’re all facing and what we’re learning during it and what effect it is having on our cities. Are there any new things that are happening right now that we want to carry forward with us into our post pandemic cities? Do we want to go back to business as usual? Are our city leaders aware of these things?

We are building a community of enquiry around this question. We want the challenge of our city leaders and our citizens to go beyond a merely functional city, although we want that too, to how can cities inspire and delight the people that live in them and what role will we all play in this?”