Latest news

As you know, we usually keep this newsletter focused on useful updates and local progress. But with postal votes arriving this week and the election on 7 May, we wanted to take a moment to say this clearly: We need Izaak on our team. He works incredibly hard and focuses on the things that matter most locally - making our roads safer with new pedestrian crossings, taking real action to make the Otley Run safer, supporting the Beckett Park skate park project, and pushing for mo

This isn't really any different from previous info we've shared, but so that you definitely have it - here's the info shared from RunforAll. If you're running or watching we hope you enjoy! Read the road closure briefing here: "Event Specific Information Date: 10/05/2026 Leeds Marathon Start Time: 09:00 Leeds Half Marathon Start Time: 10:00 (Subject to change) Last Runner expected to Finish: 16:45 Leeds Marathon Route: https://www.runforall.com/media/me3fxx04/leeds-mara

Join Friends of West Park Fields and Izaak for a community walk around the park; join just for the walk and chat - but we'll also point out where improvements like wildflower planting and footpath changes can be made and generally discuss ideas to make the park more accessible and fun and nature friendly! Meet corner of Thornfield and Arncliffe Road, 2pm on Sunday 12 April Join the Event on Facebook

The repair gang are back on Saturday at Meanwood Community Centre, Stainbeck Ave, LS7 2QU, (1pm-4pm)! Here's the info they've shared: "As ever, if you're bringing an item for repair, it would be useful to know some details, preferably* make a post on the main repair cafe page . A few guidelines on bringing stuff to be repaired: 1. Wash clothes if possible before bringing. No pants! 2. Empty drip trays, crumb trays etc, so we don't make a mess - we may not fix items if they ar

We've already got the latest Lawnswood update, new litter bin locations, the latest Marathon briefing, skate park news and pothole news in the newsletter. So here are the little bits: Northern Gas works happening on Otley Old Road with 3-way traffic lights and a part closure of Tinshill Drive in April We attended the St Paul's Warm Welcome this Monday and took the opportunity to remind people how worthwhile it is to attend (plus do some washing up and pick up some casework).

A number of people have asked us questions ranging from emergency services support to road closure details. We've taken these up and been able to answer individual questions. For your interest, here's the latest briefing from the organisers (RunforAll): Here's the event web page . Here's the route map . And here's a pic of us with Alex Sobel dressed as Father Christmas for the 2025 Santa Dash (Izaak will be running the half, what should he dress as??):

Quick fire local news we've shared on Facebook, with links to the full story, because there's only so much you can put in an email newsletter: Brown bin collections starting again from next week . We are campaigning to add a couple more estates to our free garden waste collection service. We have funding to improve Silk Mill Playground, what play equipment is best? Please share with parents ! Where should we plant more trees locally ? Join Izaak's walkabout in Clayton Wood w

A reminder that there is a Meanwood Beck flooding engagement event tomorrow, 4-6pm (drop in) at The Meanwood Institute. Worth going even if not at risk - lots of interesting information about natural works being done all up the Meanwood Valley Trail to help prevent flooding and improve biodiversity. Here's Izaak's notes from the first drop-in, last week: 🌊 Meanwood Flooding Engagement event, 5th March, Meanwood Institute Over last 2 years council have been studying 20 differ

The Cardigan Community Centre is running Youth sessions in our area, including at West Park United Reformed Church, LS16 5BD on Wednesdays from 5pm - 6.30pm, for young people aged 11- 17. The session provides a safe and welcoming space for young people to socialise, take part in Activities/Sports, and access support if needed. Please share this with local parents!! Also, why not check out the St Paul's community meal which includes activities for kids? Every Monday from 5pm

We'll be nominating a few people for this! Here are the details. Please get involved: " I’m getting in touch to let you know that for the fifth year running, the BBC Radio Leeds Make a Difference Awards are back! The awards celebrate and say thank you to people and animals living in West Yorkshire who make where we live a better place. We’re hoping to find and honour the hidden heroes amongst our community. Here are some more details about the awards. Every day we h

There will be two public engagement events about flood risk from the Meanwood Beck. The events will be held at The Meanwood Institute (94 Green Rd, Meanwood, Leeds LS6 4LD) between 4pm-6:15pm: Thursday 5th March Thursday 12th March The events will be in a drop in format with the council team and partners to speak to residents about Property Flood Resilience, Surface Water Flood Risk and Natural Flood Management. We've spoken to the team having lobbied for some time for more s

Otley Run We've helped arrange for additional anti-social behaviour officers every Saturday afternoon for the next few months to tackle unacceptable behaviour such as public urination. More news on our work to tackle the Otley Run coming soon. Ireland Wood, Cookridge, Lawnswood As you probably know, we hold regular meetings with our neighbourhood police team and residents. Last night was the meeting for north of the ring road in Weetwood ward. Tonight is the meeting for south

Run for All have shared with us a briefing about the marathon and half this year, to take place on the 10th of May. As they say, “The Leeds Marathon and Leeds Half Marathon over the past 3 years has seen the city come together collectively to support a number of truly great causes. Opening the doors to mass participation, the marathon demonstrates the power of friendship and what is possible when running with friends. The city has come out in force for the past 3 years lining

Come along to the St Chad's Cheese and Wine fundraising night to celebrate St Valentine's Day. Proceeds go to their Raindrops Appeal which is to fix their leaky roof. We volunteered at their homeless shelter on Friday night, which involved moving some of the toys for kids because they were being dripped on... so it's both the romantic and the community spirited thing to do! Note that there will be non-alcoholic choices of drinks too. Tickets in advance but not available on th

With their HQ right here in Weetwood, there's a new group in town... we're supporting them and hope to join at least one or two of their upcoming dates - they have one at Golden Acre Park on Saturday 21st February (see Eventbrite below): Leeds Lapwings: Community Birdwatching in Leeds Leeds Lapwings is a community birdwatching group based in Leeds, set up to make nature and wildlife more accessible to people who might not otherwise feel that birdwatching is for them. They run

Every Monday from 5 there's a community meal at St Paul's Church, Ireland Wood. We often go along to chat with attendees and help with the washing up (see also our local MP Alex serving!) We provided a bit of funding and support for it to get started back in 2022 and since then it has become a real institution. It's not just a 'warm space' anymore, but a really nice place to meet neighbours and make friends - and is especially great for parents with kids who all play together

Come along to the St Chad's Cheese and Wine fundraising night to celebrate St Valentine's Day. Proceeds go to their Raindrops Appeal which is to fix their leaky roof, as mentioned at the amazing Carol Service for those who went. Book your tickets here

Please share with your friends and family. We hope it's useful. And if you want to add any, let us know: Church Together in Headingley put together the Christmas services of churches in Headingley. We've done some research ourselves and added in more from our ward, from Tinshill down to Meanwood. If you want a carol, family, or Christmas-themed service to go to this year...take your pick! In the meantime, here's a picture of us all dressed as Father Christmas at a St Paul's c

A nice local lead in to Christmas! From 1st December right up to Christmas Eve, windows decorated with a Christmas theme will be lit up for visitors to enjoy – a new one added each evening. Here’s the list of where you can see them (lighting up time 5pm)……

Take a look at our previous post for the details , but as a reminder it's the Santa Dash THIS Sunday - tying into the Kevin Sinfield 7 in 7 challenge. It starts at 2 and our previous post had the road closure timings. It's a 3k dash and the three of us along with MP Alex Sobel will be dressing as Father Christmas to do it. Do say hi if you go! Here's a pic of us with the REAL Father Christmas the Meanwood Lights Switch On.