South LeedsChild Friendly Leeds Children CISV South Of The River

South of the River – God bless the child

On 6 February 2015 By leeds11

Apparently it was Whitney Houston who said “I believe the children are our future”. Actually she probably sang it and although it’s a bit trite, it’s something to bear in mind. It seems too often that we don’t believe in our children, but prefer to blame them or to fear

South LeedsCllr Adam Ogilvie councillor local government party whip South Of The River ward3 Comments

South of the River – Bringing It All Back Home

On 22 January 2015 By leeds11

Since those mysterious posters went up in Beeston and Hunslet there’s been quite a few comments saying councillors should live in the ward they represent. On the face of it this is absolutely right, but I do think there are a few things to consider. Councillors have several jobs to

Beeston South Leeds7 7 7 July 2005 Beeston community spirit London bombings South Of The River tenth anniversary3 Comments

South of the River – Ten years gone

On 2 January 2015 By leeds11

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2015. I’m not sure what this year will hold, but I know Beeston will find itself in the media spotlight again in July. 7 July 2015 will be the 10th anniversary of 7/7, the London bombings. Three of the four young men that blew themselves

South Leedsbox set films Pride South Of The River Spirit of 45 Still The Enemy Within

South of the River – the box-set before Christmas

On 19 December 2014 By leeds11

I was picked up on Twitter for my shoddy use of economic terms in last week’s column. I considered re-stating the argument and delving into heavy economics, but it’s the week before Christmas, so let’s talk about films. If Christmas has become about TV, this year it’s about box sets.

South LeedsCllr Keith Wakefield Labour Party Leeds City Council riot South Of The River UKIP

South of the River – Grim choices

On 12 December 2014 By leeds11

Keith Wakefield, the Leader of Leeds City Council has said they will have to make “grim choices” in setting next year’s budget. I read the press release with a sinking heart. I’ve mentioned this before but the council has lost £129m from its annual budget since 2010 and is facing

South Leedsfriendship marriage South Of The River

South of the River – What’s Love Got To Do with It?

On 5 December 2014 By leeds11

I had to give a speech this week. I don’t really enjoy speaking in public, but I had plenty of time to prepare for this one – thirty years to be precise! It was my Other Half’s and my 30th wedding anniversary – that’s Pearl, if you were wondering –

South Leedscommunication Inner South Community Committee language mindfulness South Of The River1 Comment

South of the River: Communication breakdown

On 28 November 2014 By leeds11

There was an interesting theme running through Wednesday’s Inner South Community Committee and that was the importance, and the difficulties, of communication. A number of issues came up in the discussion group I was part of. ‘Why aren’t there any evening activities at the Youth Hub?’ – well there are,

South LeedsFixin'To Die Funeral songs South Of The River

South of the River – Fixin’ To Die

On 21 November 2014 By leeds11

I was lucky enough to get tickets to see that old rock god Robert Plant when he played in Leeds this week. It was a great show and I love his new music, but you’ll be relieved to know I’m not going to write about him or Led Zeppelin this

South LeedsAspiring Communities bias comments ethos South Of The River3 Comments

South of the River – Media Bias

On 14 November 2014 By leeds11

I was pulled up by a comment on the blog this week, a sarcastic reference to the ‘unbiased editor’. Who knew editing a local news blog would be so tricky? I knew from an early age that ‘the media’ was biased. My (Australian) mother railed against Rupert Murdoch when he