Get ready for Opera and Party ticket giveaway

Caption: Thousands attended last year's ticket launch on Millennium Square

People eagerly awaiting the chance to get their hands on free tickets for Leeds’ hugely popular annual Party and Opera in the Park events will be able to do so at the special launch event to be held on Millennium Square on Saturday 5th June.

Running from 10am to 2pm, tickets will be available to collect in person for the biggest outdoor free events in the city which attract 120,000 people to the grounds of Temple Newsam each year.

Organised by Leeds City Council, the two events will this year be held on July 24th and 25th, with 50,000 set to attend the Opera show on Saturday and 70,000 at the pop Party on Sunday.

The launch event on Millennium Square will be feature a special live broadcast by Party in the Park event partners 96.3 Radio Aire, with those attending able to pick up a maximum of four tickets per applicant for each event.

Information about how to sign up for the city's LEEDSCard and BreezeCard schemes plus details of other forthcoming young people’s Breeze events and activities will also be available.”

Leeds City Council executive member for Leisure Councillor John Procter said:

“Party in the Park and Opera in the Park are two of the best free events to be found anywhere in the UK and we are very proud of that. This year’s concerts are sure to be fantastic again so we look forward to seeing as many people as possible at the ticket launch which always proved to be a fun day out in itself.”

Party in the Park will once again feature an impressive line-up of chart-topping pop acts with the details being revealed on the JK & Joel Breakfast Show on 96.3 Radio Aire and also by media partners the Yorkshire Evening Post throughout June.

96.3 Radio Aire presenters JK & Joel said:

“We can’t believe it’s that time of year already! As all tickets were all snapped up in just a few days last year, make sure you get down to Millennium Square on Saturday 5th June to get your hands on the hottest tickets in town because they’ll be gone before you know it. Trust us you won’t want to miss out on yet another incredible line-up at Party in the Park this year with all to be revealed over the next few weeks!”

Opera in the Park features the sounds of classical music provided by a live orchestra and leading performers and is supported by Magic 828 and the Yorkshire Post.

Magic 828 Breakfast Show presenter Glenn Pinder said:

"There is always a real buzz of excitement when the first tickets are handed out at the ticket launch. Last year tickets literally flew out of the door for Opera in the Park so make sure you get down to Millennium Square to guarantee your place at this year’s event set in the wonderful grounds of Temple Newsam."

Anyone requiring further details should contact Leeds City Council’s Events team on 0113 395 0891 or visit www.leeds.gov.uk. Information on where to get remaining tickets will be announced following the launch.

Notes to editors:

Media access to Party in the Park and Opera in the Park is strictly by prior accreditation only. To apply for accreditation, please send an email with your details, postal address, the name of the organisation you represent and the number of passes you would like (to a maximum of three) to roger.boyde@leeds.gov.uk

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:
Roger Boyde, Learning and Leisure Media Relations Officer,
Tel 0113 247 5472,Email: roger.boyde@leeds.gov.uk

Student council to officially open Pudsey Grangefield

One of the city’s newest and most innovative school buildings is to be officially opened by its student council.

Pudsey Grangefield School (Maths and Computing College) was one of the first built as part of the Leeds BSF (Building Schools for the Future) programme and opened its doors in 2008 to praise from students, staff and the local community. The school’s innovative design won the New Build category at the Leeds Architecture Awards 2009.

**********MEDIA OPPORTUNITY**********
Media are invited to the official opening of Pudsey Grangefield at 9.15am on Thursday 20 May. Please call 0113 3951577 or email jon.crampton@leeds.gov.uk to confirm attendance.
**********MEDIA OPPORTUNITY**********

Now, two years later, the school will be officially opened by young people from the school’s student council, who will unveil a plaque marking the occasion.

The official opening will take place at 9.15am and will be attended by the school’s principal, Ken Cornforth, pupils and invited guests who were involved in the school’s rebuild.

Ken Cornforth, principal at Pudsey Grangefield, said:“The design of our new building is transforming the school experience of our students. The innovative and flexible learning environments our building provides are equipping our young people with 21st century skills and creating confident and ‘professional’ lifelong learners.

“The students are extremely proud of their new facilities and the opportunities they provide - a pride they share with the many visitors we receive from home and abroad throughout the year. I believe it is therefore most appropriate that our students themselves formally open their magnificent place of learning.”

Councillor Sue Bentley, lead member for education at Leeds City Council, said:“Pudsey Grangefield is a shining example of the future of education. The state-of-the-art buildings help to prepare young people for life outside of school by ensuring they have access to facilities found in offices, universities and many types of industry and business. It is a school Leeds can be proud of.”

Chris Edwards, chief executive of Education Leeds, said:“Investment in secondary schools through the BSF programme has enabled thousands of young people to learn in some of the best facilities in the country.

“Pudsey Grangefield is a brilliant example of what can be achieved when you combine first class facilities with excellent teaching. It will be an important statement about what lies at the heart of our work for young people from the student council to officially open their fantastic school.”

The school has many state-of-the-art facilities including innovative open learning areas, break-out spaces and show-and-tell rooms which provide informal discussion and presentation areas for up to 50 students.

The building has a minimal amount of corridors to ensure it is as open and welcoming as possible while the central 'street' and general teaching areas are linked by a three-floor hub of ICT facilities, library and resources.

Pudsey Grangefield has attracted several plaudits and awards, including:
• Highly commended in the 'Inspiring Design' category at the BCSE Awards 2009;
• Used to illustrate CABE's corporate strategy for the next three years, 'Shape the future';
• Shortlisted for Most versatile learning environment award at PfS Excellence in BSF awards 2009;
• Winner of best new building award, Leeds Architecture awards 2009
• Highly commended in the 'Inspiring Design' category at the BCSE Awards which took place at The Emirate's Stadium in London last year.

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:
Jon Crampton, Leeds City Council press office, 0113 3951577
Email: jon.crampton@leeds.gov.uk

Public asked to help identify flytipping white van men

The public’s help is being sought to try and identify three people who dumped rubbish in a notorious flytipping hot spot.

Council CCTV cameras caught the moment when a white van pulled up on Royds Lane. Three men then get out and, in less than five minutes, they dump around 30 tyres and a large amount of plasterboard onto the floor. The men then get back in the vehicle and drive away.

The incident took place at 4.55am on the 6th of May but the registration of the van is indistinct and the public is being asked to help identify the vehicle or the people involved.

Anyone with information is asked to call the council’s flytipping hotline on 0113 222 4406.

Royds Lane has been regularly blighted by flytipping for a number of years, costing businesses and the council thousands to clean up. Council enforcement officers installed CCTV cameras in September last year, which led to fly tippers being brought before the courts.

Councillor James Monaghan, Leeds City Council’s executive board member for environmental services, said:
“Cleaning up flytipping costs the council tens of thousands of pounds every year and is a blight on our neighbourhoods and communities.
“I would appeal to the public to help us find the people responsible for this latest incident as a deterrent to others who think the street is an appropriate dumping ground.
“We will always take action against those who seek to dump their rubbish on the streets.”

ENDS
For media enquiries please contact:
Michael Molcher, Leeds City Council (0113) 224 3937
e-mail: michael.molcher@leeds.gov.uk

Wheelie great cycle training for young children

The next generation of young Leeds cyclists are receiving training to boost their skills and confidence in bike riding this week.

Leeds City Council has revised and improved its cycle training and is now delivering the new national Bikeability programme of cycle training.

The course presents an exciting step forward to the previous course with extended time allowing trainees to develop and consolidate their on-road cycling skills.

Leeds City Council hope to deliver the programmes to 1800 pupils before 31 March 2011 and are looking to expand this number in future years.

The previous one-day course, which has been successfully delivered for many years across Leeds, has been expanded into a one and a half day course covering the first two levels the Bikeability programme.

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Media are invited to attend the training at St Josephs R.C. Primary School, Otley, Leeds, LS21 3AP on Wednesday 19 May at 10am to see the year six children undertaking the improved training scheme.

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Councillor Andrew Carter joint leader and executive board member for travel and transport said:
“This is an exciting new direction for cycle training. The new structure will allow trainers more time to assess the ability of the pupils and more time to teach the necessary skills for safer cycling. Our enthusiastic team of trainers have an excellent track record and are looking forward to working with the children in this new format”

For Leeds, Bikeability will provide an incentive for children and parents alike to undertake quality cycle training to ride safely and well on modern roads. Cycle training is a vital life skill required before 'more children cycling, more safely, more often' can become a reality.

Leeds City Council will work closely with the Schools Sports Partnership to ensure that as many schools as possible are able to access the course. We hope to expand capacity and deliver level 3 in the future.

Notes to editors:

Bikeability has three levels. Leeds City Council aims to offer year 6 children the opportunity to complete levels 1 and 2 free of charge by signing up for a combined training course (11/2 days). Children will be taught in the playground and on the local roads, by qualified Bikeability trainers. Each child will receive a certificate and badge upon successful completion of the course.

Bikeability is administered by Cycling England. Cycling England works with a range of partners who all share a vision of more people cycling, more safely, more often.
http://www.bikeability.org.uk

Financial support for Leeds City Council is provided by Cycling England http://www.dft.gov.uk/cyclingengland/



For media enquiries, please contact;
Cat Milburn, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 247 4450
Email: Catherine.milburn@leeds.gov.uk

Leeds lass in running for council worker of the year

Caption: Beverley Yearwood, a finalist for Council Worker of the Year awards

A Leeds City Council worker is in line for a top national award for her services to the local community.

Beverley Yearwood, community safety coordinator in the area management service, has made the final shortlist for the community engagement category in the National Council Worker of the Year awards.

Voting has commenced and will run until 8 July 2010, when the winners will be announced by BBC presenter Jeremy Vine at a Gala Dinner to mark the end of the LGA Annual Conference in Bournemouth.

Beverley was nominated for her tireless work in helping reduce crime in the north east part of the city and success in bringing people together to tackle the issues important to residents living across the area.

Beverley is well known by the residents she works with who describe her as a “true friend”, someone who is always there and someone they can rely on. She is respected as someone who is determined to help those who want to make a difference and for her can-do attitude.. Her success in helping improve the community’s trust in the council and its partners makes her a perfect candidate for this years awards.

Last year she was honoured with the city councils outcome and excellence award for ‘Thriving Places’ after securing nominations from council colleagues and the Divisional Commander of North East Police Division.

Councillor Les Carter, executive board member with responsibility for neighbourhoods and housing said:

”It is excellent news that Beverley has reached the finalist stage of this award, she thoroughly deserves it, and no doubt her colleagues and the people of Leeds will be on the case voting for her.

“Beverley is such a key member of the team here at the council, and is very modest about all that she has achieved. I wish her the best of luck and urge all of Leeds to vote. “

Cllr Margaret Eaton - Chairman of the Local Government Association said:

“There are hundreds of thousands of council employees across this country who work to improve their local areas every single day. Each council can give their own examples of staff members who routinely go above and beyond the call of duty in their service to the community. The Council Worker of the Year Awards provide a much needed opportunity to recognise some of the outstanding contributions made by local authority staff.”

23 unsung heroes from local councils across the UK have been short listed for the six awards this year – Community Engagement, Green Award, Working with Young People, Lifetime Service, Team of the Year and Bravery.

You can see more details of Beverley, including a film of her work by going to http://www.localgovernmentchannel.com/awards/c/community_engagement_2010/v/beverley_yearwood/

Voting will continue right up to 12pm on 8 July 2010, when the winners will be announced.

You can vote for Beverley via the website www.localgovernmentchannel.com/awards or via SMS to 80039 quoting ‘LGATV 1BeverleyY’

Notes to editors

About the Council Worker of the Year Awards

The Council Worker of the Year Awards 2010 will take place at a Gala Dinner on July 8th at the BIC Centre, Bournemouth.

Confirmed sponsors include the Local Government Employers (LGE), Communities and Local Government (CLG), Natural England and the National Police Improvement Agency (NPIA).

Films of the finalists will be broadcast on the Local Government Channel, at www.localgovernmentchannel.com.


For media enquiries, please contact;
Cat Milburn, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 247 4450
Email: Catherine.milburn@leeds.gov.uk

Wraps come off stunning new Armley Leisure Centre

Caption: The new Armley Leisure Centre is now open

The wraps have come off the latest addition to the impressive range of leisure facilities in Leeds today with the opening of the new Armley Leisure Centre.

The doors to the much-anticipated new centre on Carr Croft opened bright and early at 7:15am, with visitors able to have their first chance to see and try out for themselves the state-of-the-art facilities inside.

The new centre, built as part of a historic £33m project overseen by Leeds City Council which will also see another new leisure centre open in Morley next month, boasts a range of fantastic facilities including a stunning main 25-metre swimming pool, 10-metre learner pool, hydrotherapy pool, 100-station Bodyline gym, four-court sports hall, two-court sports hall, dance studio and a café, as well as a multi-use games area outside.

To mark the opening the first 100 customers through the doors received a special commemorative gift while there was also be celebratory cake. Guided tours of the building will be available throughout the week leading up to a special community open day which will take place on Saturday 22nd May from 10am-2pm.

The day will include tours and free health checks for adults, while young people will be able to sample dance mats, Vew-do boards and the council’s Striker 5 football programme. There will also be an appearance by 96.3 Radio Aire presenter Rich Williams, who has bravely volunteered to go in goal for a special penalty shoot-out contest.

Richard will also be drawing out the lucky winner of a competition which anyone who visits the centre all week can enter simply by leaving their details at reception. The prize is a free Bodyline Premier card which will allow the winner free access to the facilities and all classes at Armley for a year.

Leeds City Council executive member for Leisure Councillor John Procter said:

“The waiting is finally over and we are delighted to be able to open the fantastic new Armley Leisure Centre for the first time.

“We hope as many as people as possible can come along and take a tour of the wonderful facilities or enjoy a swim or gym session throughout the week and then bring their families and friends along to the community day on Saturday. We want this centre to be a great new focal point for those in the local community and beyond and we are sure everyone will be really impressed by it.”

96.3 Radio Aire presenter Rich Williams said:

“This will be a little different from sitting in the comfort of my studio. For those who listen to my show you’ll know I love football but I’m not really one for playing it! I’m still extremely competitive though so I wish you luck if you’re trying to score past me!”

The new Armley Leisure Centre will feature a varied fitness programme, with the Bodyline gym fitted out with the latest equipment and weights while there will also be 5-a-side football, badminton, gymnastics and basketball available along with a range of fitness classes on offer including dance and toning sessions, yoga and pilates.

There will also be the chance to hire the facilities at the centre for parties, while the swimming programme includes general swimming sessions, lane swimming, aqua aerobics, fun sessions, swimming lessons, parent and toddler sessions and free swimming sessions for anyone aged 16 and under or 60 and over.

For further information on the new Armley Leisure Centre or to download the swimming and fitness programmes go to www.leeds.gov.uk/armley. The new centre can also be contacted from 18th May onwards by calling 0113 336 7880.

Notes to editors:

The new centre has been created by contractors Interserve with the project being managed by the Local Education Partnership with support from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Sport England.

The Local Education Partnership works to assist in the delivery of education and leisure projects in Leeds. It is made up of Leeds City Council, the national Building Schools for the Future investment programme and private sector companies Interserve, Barclays Private Equity and Cambridge Education.

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:
Roger Boyde, Learning and Leisure Media Relations Officer,
Tel 0113 247 5472, Email: roger.boyde@leeds.gov.uk