The sun shone bright once again at Cross Flatts Park for this year’s Let’s Move: South Leeds event. Co-ordinated by Get Set Leeds Local (part of Active Leeds, Leeds City Council) with great support from community partners.
The South Leeds community came together in their masses to move, explore, and connect on Saturday 10 May. The park was buzzing, with both young and old taking part in a huge range of taster activities. It really felt like a community celebration showcasing the breadth of what’s on offer across South Leeds and beyond for local communities, and introduced people to activities they may never have seen or tried previously.
Thanks to all the partners who contributed time to make it happen. It truly couldn’t happen without everyone’s involvement. This year’s event was supported by over 35 organisations and groups coming together to put on tasters, demonstrations, have stalls and hand out free refreshments and foods.
Many thanks is given to the support from the Inner South Community Committee. A big thank you also to Kelly Cheetham, Community Champion from Morrisons Hunslet for your donations to support the event, and to all our volunteers.
Children raced from activity to activity, earning a ‘stamp’ on their sheets. Collecting five stamps earned them entry to a prize drawer and a lucky dip prize. Well done to all our winners who claimed either a fun sports hamper or attraction vouchers.
It was fantastic to see children enjoying athletics, cycling, cricket, football, multisport, tennis, table tennis, rollerskating, dance, rugby and many more activities. There weren’t just activities for children though, it was great to see grown-ups also joining in with things such as Tae Kwon Do, Yoga and group walks.
Yorkshire Contemporary came along as part of their Inside Out project, which is their community based arts play projects in South Leeds for children and families in Beeston and Beeston Hill. The event culminated with a mini fun run, with families doing a 1km loop – children racing their parents (or parents keeping up with the kids). Well done to all who took part.
Free food and snacks ensured people had a full tummy to run around with. Get Set Leeds Local shared donated kit (thanks to partners) for families to select sports clothing and trainers to enable them to be active.
Police and fire service invited children to have photos and explore the (noisy) vehicles. The Influencing Travel Behaviour team supported many cyclists through the Bike Register scheme which helps return recovered bikes; Big Bike Fix volunteers worked hard throughout the afternoon doing repairs of people’s bikes. Everybody Cycling were busy with not just their smoothy maker bike (although they did look refreshing), but created an opportunity for all ages to try a huge range of adapted bikes.
We’re already looking ahead to next years event. We’re keen that this is a community led event, so if you’ve got feedback, ideas, or would like to get involved with planning or putting on an activity then get in touch with karen.peck @leeds.gov.uk
Activity Partners
Thanks to all the stall and activity holders (some of which aren’t listed below). If you joined in an activity at the event, and would like to find out more or pop along to one of their sessions then some details are below:
South Leeds Lakers Juniors
Offer run, jump and throw activities free of charge to children aged 8-14 years. This takes place at the John Charles Centre with an emphasis on children having fun whilst also learning new skills. www.southleedslakers.co.uk. Adult social runs of various distances take place on Tuesday mornings and evenings.
British Cycling
Andy is a British Cycling Activator working alongside Active Leeds. He supports us activating our bike hubs, and working with local groups to support and mentor new activity. If your group is interested in trying some cycle activities then get in touch.
Cycle North
Cycle North are commissioned by WYCA to support adults to learn to ride or develop cycle confidence. They offer weekly group sessions at Cross Flatts Park, along with offering 1:1 support. Bespoke sessions can be developed for groups. Bikes available through our hub. New women’s only sessions also now available. www.cyclenorth.co.uk/adult. Watch this space for family sessions coming soon.
Yoga4Leeds
Monika runs weekly outdoor classes at Cross Flatts Park every Saturday. Small contribution needed. www.yoga4leeds.com
Leeds Dock Paddleboarding
Weekly sessions at Leeds Dock, including beginner sessions, youth sessions and progression paddles. Find them on Facebook.
Yorkshire Cricket Foundation
Children’s Chance to Shine Cricket sessions take place weekly. 8-12 years 10-11:30am / 13-15 years of age. www.chancetoshine.org or contact Sohail Raz 07783 987376
South Leeds Valkyries (women’s basketball)
A friendly session for women, set up by South Leeds residents as a way for women to connect and have fun. They play and train weekly every Thursday evening, with coaching support from LDM. They can be found on Instagram @southleedsvalkyries or email southleedsvalkyries@gmail.com
Leeds All Stars TaeKwonDo
Family friendly weekly sessions take place weekly at Greenmount Primary School (you don’t need to attend the school). All ages train together. www.leedsallstarstaekwondo.co.uk
Parkroll with LS-TEN and Skate Scholarship
These family friendly roller skating sessions at Cross Flatts Park have returned for summer, every Saturday at 10am. Email hello@ls-ten.org or call 0113 532 5357 for more information.
Tennis
New tennis courts at Cross Flatts Park are coming soon. You’ll be able to book a court for free at clubspark.lta.org.uk/LeedsCityCouncil/Bookacourt. Free tennis equipment is available to borrow from the Watsonia café (within their opening times) with a deposit. Adult and junior sessions are available at nearby John Charles Centre for Sport with Active Leeds.
West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA)
WYCA joined us at the event as part of their Walk It Ride It campaign to listen and build understanding for what would support local people. www.cyclecityconnect.co.uk
Dance Action Zone Leeds (DAZL)
DAZL delivered some fab dance workshops at the event. Across South Leeds they deliver a mix of streetdance, Cheerdance, Hip-Hop, Breakdance, Creative, Jazz, Contemporary classes for children aged 3 – 19 (25 with a disability) along with sessions for mums on a Thursday. Find their timetable and further information at www.dazl.org.uk
This post was written by Karen Peck
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