Leeds Star Newspaper

#LeedsCelebrates 2024 #Olympians and #Paralympians with #GrandCivicReception. #Leeds celebrated its local #Heroes of the 2024 #OlympicsGames and #ParalympicsGames with a special civic reception. The event, aimed at recognizing the remarkable achievements of competitors from #Leeds and the wider #WestYorkshire area on the international sports stage in #Paris2024, was held in the banqueting suite of #LeedsCivicHall. The reception saw the presence of distinguished athletes such as #HannahCockroft, #GuillaumeJuniorAtangana, and #DonardNdimNyamjua; gymnasts #HarryHepworth and #LukeWhitehouse; and divers #LoisToulson, #JackLaugher, #AnthonyHarding, and #YonaKnightWisdom. These athletes shared captivating stories from their experiences at the #Games during interviews conducted by sports commentator and former international gymnast #LisaGannon, delighting the audience of 100 invited guests. The #LordMayorofLeeds, #CouncillorAbigailMarshallKatung, warmly welcomed the attendees to the event, which was organized by #LeedsCityCouncil and supported by the #WestYorkshireCombinedAuthority. Congratulations to all the #LeedsHeroes of the #Paris2024 Olympics and Paralympics! Your hard work, dedication, and spirit have not only brought pride to our city but have also inspired countless individuals both at home and around the world. Your remarkable achievements reflect the strength and resilience that characterize #Leeds and its people. We are incredibly proud of each one of you for representing our community on such a prestigious global stage. Here’s to your continued success and to the lasting impact of your accomplishments https://lnkd.in/ggnviWhr #OlympicsGames #ParalympicsGames #Paris2024 #TeamGB #LeedsNews #LeedsStar #LeedsStarNewspaper #LeedsCityCouncil #VisitLeeds #Leeds

#RoyalBritishLegion Commends #LeedsCityCouncil for #SupportingVeterans. #LeedsCityCouncil Aligns Military Compensation with Civilian Awards in Benefits Assessment. The #RoyalBritishLegion (#RBL) has expressed gratitude towards #LeedsCityCouncil for fully embracing the recommendations of its ‘#CreditTheirService’ campaign by no longer counting military compensation as income in benefits calculations. Initiated last year, the #RBL’s ‘#CreditTheirService’ campaign advocates for military compensation to be excluded from income assessments during welfare benefits means testing, aligning it with civil compensations like those for personal injury or medical negligence, which are already exempt. Historically, 80% of local authorities in the #UK have considered #MilitaryCompensation as income when determining eligibility for various benefits, including #HousingBenefit, #CouncilTaxSupport, #DisabilityFacilitiesGrants, and #DiscretionaryHousingPayments. Although #LeedsCityCouncil had previously excluded military compensation from consideration for #HousingBenefit, #CouncilTaxSupport/Reduction, and #DisabledFacilitiesGrants, a recent review has extended this exemption to include #DiscretionaryHousingPayments, effective immediately. The #RoyalBritishLegion also engages in educational outreach to ensure future generations understand the importance of remembrance and the realities of military service. This involves visiting schools, organizing events, and providing educational materials that teach the values of service and sacrifice https://lnkd.in/gMYkWa5f #LeedsNews #LeedsStar #LeedsStarNewspaper #LeedsCityCouncil #VisitLeeds #Leeds

Council Leaders Rally for Immediate Approval and Acceleration of New #LeedsHospitalPlans Ahead of #BudgetAnnouncement. Council leaders are poised to express their strong and unyielding endorsement for a proposed new hospital in #Leeds, urging the #Government to fast-track approval and expedite the process ahead of the forthcoming budget announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer this October. A critical report will be presented to the #ExecutiveBoard of #LeedsCityCouncil, emphasizing the importance of the #LeedsTeachingHospitalTrust’s (#LTHT) initiative to establish a new facility for the children’s hospital. This includes one of the UK’s largest centralized maternity centers and a new hospital for adults. The report underscores the significant economic benefits anticipated from the project, including the creation of 4,000 new jobs, the development of 1,000 new homes, and an estimated £13 billion in economic impact. These developments aim to position #Leeds as a premier hub for health research, technology, and digital innovation on both a local and global scale, enhancing clinical investment and academic leadership significantly. #LeedsChildrensHospital not only stands as a pillar of medical excellence but also symbolizes the community’s dedication to nurturing the health and well-being of its children. Through ongoing investments in healthcare infrastructure and research, the hospital continues to set benchmarks in pediatric care, ensuring that every child in #Leeds has access to the best possible medical treatment https://lnkd.in/g5B567bS #LeedsNews #LeedsStar #LeedsStarNewspaper #LeedsCityCouncil #VisitLeeds #Leeds

#WestYorkshireCombinedAuthority Named Official Destination Partner for #UKREiiF 2025. The UK’s #RealEstateInvestmentandInfrastructureForum #UKREiiF has designated the #WestYorkshireCombinedAuthority as the official Destination Partner for its upcoming annual event, scheduled from May 20th to 22nd, 2025, in #Leeds. In its capacity as the #DestinationPartner, the #WestYorkshireCombinedAuthority will play a key role at #UKREiiF. The authority will operate from a strategically located pavilion at the core of the event. This central position will facilitate a host of activities including panel discussions, meetings, and various interactive sessions throughout the three-day forum, ensuring #WestYorkshire’s prominent presence and active participation. The #UKRealEstateInvestmentandInfrastructureForum is an influential annual event that has rapidly become a cornerstone for professionals in the real estate and infrastructure sectors. Aimed at fostering growth and innovation, #UKREiiF serves as a dynamic platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and showcasing new developments in the industry. #UKREiiF brings together stakeholders from across the real estate, investment, and infrastructure landscapes to discuss current challenges and opportunities. The forum is designed to connect private sector investors, developers, and property professionals with public sector authorities, policy-makers, and civic leaders. The goal is to bridge the gap between these sectors, facilitating meaningful discussions that lead to tangible investments and collaborative projects https://lnkd.in/g7iT28_r #LeedsNews #LeedsStar #LeedsStarNewspaper #LeedsCityCouncil #VisitLeeds #Leeds

#HomeBargains Launches New #LeedsStore at #CentralWestRetailPark with £2 Million Investment. #HomeBargains, a leading family-owned retailer in the #UK, has further cemented its presence in #Leeds with the opening of a new store, dubbed ‘#Leeds2,’ located at #CentralWestRetailPark, #StanningleyRoad, #Armley. As a prominent family-run retailer in the #UK, #HomeBargains is significantly contributing to local employment by creating 55 new jobs with this expansion. The ‘#Leeds2’ store will serve as a complement to the existing #Leeds store and is part of the retailer’s network of over 600 outlets nationwide. Despite prevailing industry trends, #HomeBargains continues to expand robustly, opening around 50 stores annually. #HomeBargains is known for its commitment to the communities it serves. The new store in #Leeds will engage in various community-oriented initiatives, from sponsoring local events to supporting charities that make a difference in the Leeds area. This approach not only helps in building strong community ties but also reinforces the company’s ethos of giving back. The opening of the ‘#Leeds2’ store is a milestone for #HomeBargains in its mission to provide value to customers while playing a pivotal role in community development. With its wide array of products and community focus, the new store is set to become a favored shopping destination in Leeds https://lnkd.in/gUgCR5rZ #LeedsNews #LeedsStar #LeedsStarNewspaper #LeedsCityCouncil #VisitLeeds #Leeds

#LeedsMediaCentre Hosts Event to Boost #DigitalSkills Among #WestYorkshire BME Women. #LeedsMediaCentre recently hosted an engaging in-person event aimed at empowering underrepresented ethnic minority women in #WestYorkshire to enhance their digital skills. The event, part of the #LeedsDigitalFestival 2024, was organized by #WestYorkshireEthnicMinorityWomeninTech, in collaboration with #UnityEnterprise, the #YorkshireAsianBusinessAssociation (#YABA), #AD, #DigitalEnterprise, #TransitionPartners, The #CodersGuild, and #TrustLeeds. Named ‘#EmpowerHerDigitalConfidence,’ the half-day session featured presentations, panel debates, and Q&A sessions to showcase the support available within the region’s dynamic digital sector. The event kicked off with an introduction from #AD’s Marketing and Events Manager, #DaneileMoore. It featured six influential female panelists: #OlubunmiFajuyigbe, #JordanDargue, #PaulaGrizzard, #DallyKaur, #ArifaChakera, and #RebeccaPadgett — who shared their personal experiences in the digital realm with over 30 attendees, sparking lively discussions. Subsequently, #FaithDada and #CrispinReed from The #CodersGuild led a presentation on building confidence and leveraging transferable skills. #LizaKellett, Chief Executive of #TrustLeeds, also detailed the initiatives her organization is undertaking to support digital inclusivity https://lnkd.in/ggMxzjBH #LeedsNews #LeedsStar #LeedsStarNewspaper #LeedsCityCouncil #VisitLeeds #Leeds

#YoungEnthusiasts Win Top Award for #BridgingSmeatonsEngineeringLegacy with #ModernDesign. A group of enthusiastic young historians, inspired by the renowned #Leeds-born engineer #JohnSmeaton, have been honored with a prestigious award. Dubbed The #YoungSmeatonians, these students have successfully connected historical engineering feats with contemporary innovations by exploring how pioneers like #Smeaton have influenced modern toy designs, such as #Lego and #Meccano. Their dedication and hard work have earned them the title of regional winners of the #MarshAwardforVolunteers in #MuseumLearning, which celebrates volunteers’ significant contributions to enhancing museum visitor engagement. Collaborating with the #LeedsIndustrialMuseum, The #YoungSmeatonians contributed to the museum’s current ‘#Engineery’ exhibition. Their research focused on the impact of civil engineering on the environment and colonialism, bringing fresh perspectives to these critical issues https://lnkd.in/gdU2dVz6 #LeedsNews #LeedsStar #LeedsStarNewspaper #LeedsCityCouncil #VisitLeeds #Leeds

#LeedsConservatoire’s Contemporary Pop Choir to Perform as Finalists at #London’s #RoyalAlbertHall. The #LeedsConservatoire #ContemporaryPopChoir has been selected as a finalist for this year’s prestigious #HowSweetTheSound competition at London’s #RoyalAlbertHall. This competition will see a lineup of elite choirs and spoken word artists vying for accolades in three categories on Sunday, October 20. The event will be hosted by #GRAMMY Award winner #DonaldLawrence, with a judging panel composed of gospel music luminaries including #KarenGibson, founder of the #KingdomChoir, #BazilMeade of the #LondonCommunityGospelChoir, and Premier Gospel radio’s #MuyiwaOlarewaju. The #ContemporaryPopChoir earned their spot in the finals with a compelling audition video, securing their place in the #LargeChoirs category. They will compete against acclaimed choirs from #Denmark, #Italy, and the #UK. Notably, all members of this choir are under 30, making them the youngest group in their category and the only ensemble affiliated with an educational institution. Formed by #LeedsConservatoire students and alumni, the #ContemporaryPopChoir is known for its energetic performances and creative interpretations of gospel, rock, and pop music. The choir was founded in 2015 by #PrincipalLecturerCraigLees, who is also the musical director of the #LeedsContemporarySingers. This nine-piece vocal harmony group, which emerged from the #ContemporaryPopChoir, gained national recognition by winning #BBCOne’s #PitchBattle in 2017 https://lnkd.in/gztWJsHE #LeedsNews #LeedsStar #LeedsStarNewspaper #LeedsCityCouncil #VisitLeeds #Leeds

Experience a #WinterWonderland: #IceCube Brings Festive Magic Back to #LeedsCityCentre This #Christmas. Prepare for a captivating winter adventure as the cherished #IceCube at #Christmas makes its return, bringing festive joy to #MillenniumSquare, #VictoriaGardens, and #CookridgeStreet starting November 22. Ideal for celebrating the holiday season, this event offers an array of attractions suitable for all ages, including the popular outdoor #IceRink, delightful #ChristmasMarket stalls, and various seasonal activities. The event will be open daily with varying hours: from 12pm to 9:30pm from Monday to Thursday (extending to 10pm on Fridays), from 11am to 10pm on Saturdays, and from 11am to 7pm on Sundays. Note that it will be closed on #Christmas and #BoxingDay, continuing through to #NewYear’s Eve. The highlight of the holiday celebrations is the stunning 400sqm outdoor ice rink at #MillenniumSquare, covered by a transparent marquee to ensure that the skating fun continues no matter the weather. The #PenguinClub is back to offer young skaters under nine years old a delightful and safe introduction to ice skating, complete with charming penguin skate aids. The club meets every weekend at 10:30am, with extra sessions during the half-term. #IceCube at #Christmas will enhance the festive season in tandem with the newly revamped #LeedsChristmasMarket, set to occupy #CitySquare from Friday, November 22, to Sunday, December 22 https://lnkd.in/gVUuDTFp #LeedsChristmas #LeedsNews #LeedsStar #LeedsStarNewspaper #LeedsCityCouncil #VisitLeeds #Leeds

#Revive Celebrates Grand Opening of Third Reuse Shop in #Hunslet. Nearly 14 years after opening its initial reuse shop in #Seacroft, #Revive celebrated the launch of its latest retail outlet in #Hunslet. The new store offers a wide range of items, including #qualityfurniture, #electricalgoods, #clothing, #music, and #books, all at significantly reduced prices. This initiative supports the community by providing a platform for residents to pass on their pre-loved items. #Revive operates five retail outlets across #WestYorkshire, staffed by a dedicated team of 67 employees and supported by over 30 volunteers, including individuals in work-based training programs. These programs offer valuable retail and warehousing experience, helping participants transition into paid employment. All donated items undergo electrical testing to ensure safety and functionality. Sales proceeds are invested back into the community, supporting #Revive’s partner charities — #SLATE’s The Feel Good Furniture Store, which offers employment opportunities to individuals with learning disabilities, and the #StVincentdePaulSociety (England & Wales), which focuses on poverty alleviation in Leeds https://lnkd.in/g8CR8gYm #LeedsNews #LeedsStar #LeedsStarNewspaper #LeedsCityCouncil #VisitLeeds #Leeds