Arsonists destroy memorial bench for terror victim in attack on tenants’ hub
A BENCH dedicated to a Yorkshire victim of the Manchester Arena bombing has been destroyed in an arson attack on a popular community building.
Arsonists targeted the Arbourthorne Tenants and Residents Association (TARA) building on East Bank Road, Sheffield, on Saturday evening, not only causing considerable damage to the property, but also destroying a bench outside which was dedicated to Kelly Brewster, who died in the May 2017 terror attack while shielding her niece.
Arbourthorne councillor Ben Miskell said: “Those responsible should be ashamed of themselves.
“Not only have they destroyed a bench dedicated to a young woman who tragically lost her life in a terror attack, but they have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to a well-loved community centre.”
Miss Brewster, who was 32 when she was killed, was described by her family as a “beautiful person inside and out”. In a special tribute to her, they also said how she was the happiest she had ever been and had just put down a deposit on a house with her partner.
Emergency services tackled the blaze, which caused extensive damage inside and out, on Saturday.
There was also substantial water damage from attempts to put out the fire.
The building, owned by Sheffield Council, is used as a base for the local tenants and residents association to meet.
Bingo and other community events were regularly held there before the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown.
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service was called out to tackle the blaze at the building on East Bank Road after receiving reports from residents.
Coun Miskell said: “Someone in our community knows who is responsible. I am encouraging them to report this information to South Yorkshire Police or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
HULL COUNCIL has unveiled planned works to Holderness Road designed to stop rush hour gridlocks and improve safety for pedestrians.
Pictures released by Hull City Council show a new filter lane in Holderness Road for traffic turning right into Kingston Shopping
Centre and McDonald’s. A new pedestrian crossing is also set to be installed at the junction with Sculcoates Lane.
Council Deputy leader and the Regeneration portfolio holder Coun Daren Hale said that the filter road was designed to stop traffic making its way out of the city being obstructed during the evening rush hour.
The works come as part of a project to improve Holderness Road, including with new cycle lanes, with the filter lane and crossing to be installed this summer.
A new pavement cycle route is also set to be installed so that right turning traffic onto Southcoates Lane can continue to use its own lane. Coun Hale said: “We took the decision to further improve traffic flow along this busy route whilst undertaking the refresh of the cycle lanes.
“We understand that motorists waiting to turn right from Holderness Road into the Kingston Shopping Centre regularly obstruct traffic heading out of the city during the evening rush hour. This queuing traffic regularly extends up to and beyond the Mount Pleasant junction, creating unnecessary gridlock.”
THEY TELL a story of women’s achievements in many walks of life – from Olympic level eventing to using traditional blacksmithing skills to create art in Yorkshire.
An online exhibition to mark International Women’s Day has chosen 70 images taken by The British Press Photographers Association’s 439 members, including by The Yorkshire Post photographer Simon Hulme.
His image capturing Julie Hebb and Dolores Buffham concentrating as they moisturise their faces during a “Looking Good Feel Better” class at Nottingham’s Maggies Cancer Support Centre caught the eye of selectors, who want to show how women can “shine” at times of adversity.
Also pictured is 19-yearold Rwandan Florence Nyiramahirwe, with her threeyear-old son, who is a mentor for other young women, and wants to become a broadcast journalist.
Closer to home former tax accountant Annabelle Bradley who gave up spreadsheets to become a Dales blacksmith is caught making fireworks as she works red-hot metal at Malham Smithy.
Chair Lindsey Parnaby said: “Press photographers are very fortunate to meet many inspirational women in the course of their work; women from all walks in life who shine brightly despite, at times, facing much adversity.
“The BPPA ‘Women’ is a visual celebration dedicated to just some of these inspiring women of the world who personify female empowerment; images of their moments of triumph and strength captured by members of The BPPA.” The BPPA was formed in 1984 by a small group of Fleet Street photographers. To see the exhibition visit http:// women.thebppa.com.
A visual celebration dedicated to just some of these inspiring women Lindsey Parnaby, chair of the British Press Photographers Association
A PARISH council could soon take over the responsibility for two cherished green spaces in a village.
A Bradford Council meeting on Thursday will decide whether Wilsden Parish Council will take on the responsibility for maintaining Wilsden Park and also Firth Lane Playing Field, also known as Wilsden Recreation Ground.
At an online meeting, members of Bradford Council’s Regulatory and Appeals Committee will sit as trustees of the Royd House Trust, the body responsible for the park, and the trustees of the Firth Lane Recreation Ground to discuss the playing field. Both green spaces were handed to Bingley District Urban Council under the agreement that they would remain free to use by the people of Wilsden.
Fred Ambler and George Ambler handed over the park to Bingley Council in 1919 under the covenant that it be used “for the perpetual use thereof by the public for the purposes of recreation rest and pleasure”.
The park includes children’s play equipment, a multi-use games area and a bowling green.
The recreation ground was passed to the same council by Maud Brigg in 1928 to be used “as a playing field by persons living in the Parish of Wilsden subject to any Byelaws for the regulation thereof for time being in force”.
The urban council was absorbed into Bradford Council in the 1970s.