On 15 June 2023 we joined many others for the Great Get Together which took place in Cross Flatts Park. Get Set Leeds Local came along with some mini tennis, which was popular with toddlers, children and a few adults who were picking up a tennis racket for the first time since school.
Not everyone realised there are free to use tennis courts within Cross Flatts Park, and free tennis rackets and balls available to hire from the Watsonian Pavilion café within the park. Rounders and cricket kit is also available from the café. If there’s other kit you’d like to see, which could be part of the loans list let them or us know.
As Wimbledon takes place once again, we’ve been asked about tennis sessions in local parks, and we’d love to see regular local facilitated free “come and join in” style tennis sessions, supported by a coach to facilitate the session. If you know of someone who has an enjoyment for tennis which they’d like to share with others, or who may be interested in developing this type of idea with us further (and potentially even training up as a tennis coach to support the sessions) then get in touch.
Brickfield Park in Beeston Hill (Lady Pitt Lane, next to St Francis of Assisi primary school) was enhanced in 2022 through Council funding to add play equipment. A small group of residents and school children are now keen to support and develop activities that enrich what the greenspace has to offer.
Local children had asked for regular weekly activity. With support with funding from the Inner South Community Committee, Brickfield ParkPlay continues every Saturday at 10.30am led by Aidan who grew up around the corner, and now works with Hunslet Rugby Foundation. ParkPlay is a free family friendly play session, which welcomes all ages along any week to try a range of different fun games and activities. Pop along and meet Aidan and find out more about ParkPlay and join in.
Get Set Leeds Local and St Luke’s Cares ABCD workers have had great fun with children from the School Council at St Francis of Assisi Primary School. They explored ideas on how their school could link with their local greenspace, before taking part in a session in the park enjoying some orienteering via Xplorer, along with doing some litter picking of the park.
A teacher commented:
“The School Councillors have made me so proud today, with their fantastic, polite attitude towards improving our local spaces. They collected a lot of litter and they really made a difference today!”
Litter pickers have been purchased through Get Set Leeds Local for residents to continue to keep the park tidy through regular litter picks. Get in touch if you’d like to join them, or would like to develop your own litter picking group.
Beeston Hill residents have also received a Community Chest pot from Get Set Leeds Local to put on free Brickfield Bootcamp tasters throughout July and part of August for any local resident (adults) of any ability to come along and join in. Come and join them Monday evenings 7–8pm at Brickfield Park, whether you’re new to fitness, or wanting to add a session to your weekly programme. If you’ve ideas of what you’d like to see in this greenspace (or others) then let us know.
One group also keen to attract new people to try their sport are Cross Flatts Bowling Club. Through Inner South Community Committee funding and Get Set Leeds Local the club have new equipment and balls to enable new users of all ages to have a fun experience of the game. Through event pop ups, and weekly tasters (every Monday, Tuesday and Friday 1-4pm) they’re keen to welcome new people to come along and have a try, with a free first taster session!
We’re looking at what cycle sessions to develop for South Leeds. If you’d like to see activities for children, adult led rides or some family rides then please get in touch to help us shape the offer.
Adult Learn to Ride activities continue weekly at Cross Flatts Park for summer. If you’ve not ridden for years, or never had the opportunity to learn then these sessions will help get you going. Bikes are provided. Sessions take place 10am-12noon and 12:30–2:30pm every Saturday. Book your place via www.cyclenorth .co.uk/adults.
Get Set Leeds Local supports community good ideas for things that will support people to move more. One thing we love is supporting the next generation of community leaders. Some boys from Beeston approached us (via their parents) in response to a South Leeds Life article. They asked if we could help them put on a basketball tournament.
They’d been inspired by going to watch an adult basketball tournament, and thought it would be something they’d love to see to inspire other young people to enjoy basketball together. Together with Let’s Do More, the very first Leeds Swish Basketball Tournament (for under 12s and under 14s), which has been co-produced with the boys, will take place on Saturday 8 July for all abilities. Eventbrite booking required.
If you’ve got ideas for things that would support yourself and others to move more and be active in some way then get in touch. Via Sport England funding, we have a Community Chest Pot (up to £300) which anyone can apply to, which supports community ideas for Beeston & Holbeck or Hunslet & Riverside wards. Get Set Leeds Local is an Active Leeds (part of Leeds City Council) led project, working in collaboration with residents and partners enabling more people to move more.
Follow us on social media, or get in touch via karen.peck@leeds.gov.uk / 07891 274130
This post was written by Karen Peck
Photo: Children from St Francis of Assisi Primary School litter picked Brickfield Park
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