DOCSLIB.ORG

Andrew Kirby

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Andrew Kirby NUMBER 126, MAY 2014 Edited by Rose George Hallelujah April Fool IN THIS BUMPER Spring is here, light nights are Yes, this is the May newsletter ISSUE: back, and we are an off-and but remember April’s? There ! on-road running club again. is no documentary on 1. NEWS IN BRIEF Goodbye obligatory hi-vis; Britain’s running clubs in hello which 2-3 RACE REPORTS canal (at you can 4-8 MARATHON least NEWS IN BRIEF star. Well REPORTS until they done to 9-10 MEMBER PROFILE actually everyone 11-16 RESULTS get round to redoing the who spotted that (though it towpath), mud and sounded like a perfect Chan- 17 CLUB unpredictable but warmer nel 5 documentary). But fear CHAMPIONSHIP weather. We wish all Harriers not: you can still be a running 18-20 RUNNING WITH a wonderful spring in their ambassador by starring in BABY Gemma’s radio show Running step. 21-22 THE ART OF on Air. See penultimate page ! NAVIGATION 23 NOTES FROM OUR CHAIRMAN 24 PBs, BIRTHDAYS, NEW PHOTO OF THE MONTH: Rain, howling winds & MEMBERS 5000 feet of ascent: Harriers still keep smiling. 25-27 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 28 VIDEO DIDN’T KILL THE RADIO STAR 29 BACK PAGE ! ! “Spring is nature’s way of saying, “Let’s party!” [Robin Williams] !1 RACE REPORTS: GUISELEY GALLOP In the interests of getting back in the game be met with whinging and ungrateful and getting a bit of confidence back Mr. moaning. I suspect this may not be the sport Buckley was persuaded that doing the for her. I wonder what she would have done Guiseley Gallop on Easter Sunday would be if I’d had to nip in the bushes en route. Also a good idea. Which it was. Lovely little race imagine my horror when I reached the end this. Simple but and was told the beer effective. Nice course. had ran out and I was Couple of short steep YOU CAN RUN BUT YOU presented with a tiny pulls, bit of a killer hill CAN’T SPIT bottle of wine, the at the end which you equivalent of a gobful can’t walk as people by where I’m from. Anyway are watching, but JILL BUCKLEY thanks to a swap with nothing you can’t Sandra all is well. handle. Entry on the Though I did lodge a day too- something complaint. Excellent, which you don’t see very often anymore in well organised race with a lovely the online scramble for race entries these atmosphere. days. Anyway the plan worked as I managed JILL BUCKLEY to do four out of the 6 miles in under ten (mile two I was stuck in a queue for the bridge crossing and ! (EDITOR’S NOTE: Perhaps the whinging woman was mile 6 was the aforementioned hill) which saved from watching our Secretary doing one of her for me off-road is pretty good. At one point I bush trips because it was too warm for gloves? SECOND was on for under the hour for the first time EDITOR’S NOTE: this editor’s note will make sense to some people.) !in many years. In the end it was 1:04 so I was still pretty chuffed with that and regained a bit of confidence. There was an amusing moment en route though when I had to spit (neatly in a grass verge having checked for other runners and taken into account the prevailing wind) and the woman in front of me shrieked in horror. Mind you she spent most of the six miles whining on to her poor husband who was doing his best in a lovely manner to keep her spirits up only to RACE REPORTS: BLACKPOOL HALF Blackpool Half Marathon I had started out running Parkrun left’ thoughts were offered a great combina- half a minute/mile faster blown straight out of my tion of tack and tinsel, than ever before for a run head. Imagine running a beautiful coastal views, this far, and I wasn’t sure I Parkrun in a parachute and hard work. The route could keep it up. Also, I simulator! It was tough. I along the sea front took us was so hot! I was running tried ducking behind some past colourful arcades, and through any puddle just to big men, but that didn’t under looming Pleasure splash my legs, and I had work. The wind was bigger. Beach rollercoasters, all trouble resisting the invit- We rounded the final bend good stuff to distract from ing waves crashing below at nearly 13 miles to climb the run. us. We descended from the a mean, cobbled slope up ! cliff-top and headed to the long finish straight. I I brought up the rear of straight into some mighty enjoyed the Blackpool Half, Team Kirkstall at the first wind. My reassuring ‘only a but I think more than three turn around three corners will be a re- miles in, having quirement for future been passed by DO I LIKE TO BE BESIDE races. Niamh and Timothé THE SEASIDE? ! on their return. I de- Niamh, Tim and I cided to put my foot by found our Kirkstall down. I never did LAURA HOGG champions Emma catch Niamh, but I and Scott soon after ran a little way with finishing. 1st lady Tim: not much con- and 4th place! So versation but with a shared when the good old British disgust at the smell of rain finally appeared we cooking batter. got on with the best bit of ! our day out to the seaside: Due to the out-and-back Car picnic! route, I felt like most of the ! run was spent heading to- We decided to skip the big wards the promenade and dipper and fish and chips. Blackpool Tower. They As usual when I look back never seemed to get any on a race, I remember only closer though. Halfway flashes of views en route, through, we left the glam- the fun of the journey, and orous end of town to run the post race high. But I along a high, peaceful suppose that’s for the best, green promenade overlook- and what makes us all keep ing a deserted beach. The doing them. sea stretched out into the LAURA HOGG distance, and the sun !shone on us all. !3 MARATHON REPORTS : BRIGHTON Back in 2012 senior management enrolled are a long way and are supposed to be dif- me in the Sport Relief mile. She decided it ficult) but the only thing I can think of is was time we started to get fit and set a that the course was just too flat for me. My good example to our two-year-old son. Be- legs were screaming at me for putting fore then my last run in any sort of orga- them through the repetitive plod of the nized event was cross-country in PE at sec- same terrain. Oh what I would have given ondary school, 22 years earlier. I hated it. at this point for a short climb or a downhill Fast forward to April 6th 2014 and I find section to strain some different muscles. Or myself standing in light rain with my uni even just a few corners. But no, we headed mate John at the start line of the Brighton on down to the power station at the far Marathon. end of the seafront, passing a working har- ! bour along the way that reeked of fish and At 09.15 the klaxon sounded and Paula made everyone feel queasy. At 22 miles we Radcliffe set us on our way,. It stopped turned for home. We were now running raining. I later along the seafront heard stories of a and the end was in pile-up at the start MORE CORNERS PLEASE! sight. I'd kissed as some runners by goodbye to my had reversed over 3h30m target and, the start line with Adam Rhodes having done some phones in hand to sums to kill a few secure a "selfie" hundred yards, de- with Mrs. Radcliffe. cided that sub Lunatics! The first 3h50m was realis- half mile saw us do a tic. With 200 metres lap of Preston Park to go I had one last and the only hill wor- push and got over thy of any mention. the line in 3:47:26. Thereafter we were It was my first into a steady 25.5 marathon and I miles of flat (and should be pleased nothing but flat) running. We latched onto at even finishing. But I'm disappointed. I the 3h30m pacers, the first 10 miles came met senior management soon after (who and went without event and we found our- thankfully hadn't gone into labour during selves a little ahead of the pacers. We were the race) and proclaim that marathons are now pushing 7m30s pace, so at halfway I not for me. Two days later, I excitedly en- told John I'm going to stick with the 8- tered myself in the Loch Ness Marathon minute mile plan. Then I reached mile 17. this September. But would I do Brighton I don't know what was different about mile again? No. It was brilliantly organized but 17. The course was still flat, there was it's an uninspiring route that takes you plenty of on-course support, my pace was along the same seafront three times. And fine. But at this point I died. it's just too flat. I'd take the Spen20 over ! this one every time.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • This Meanwood Valley Walk Download
    An introduction to the The Meanwood Valley has long been celebrated as a ‘green artery’ in Leeds, bringing rural countryside into the heart of the city. In this green corridor is a rich mosaic of habitats, including woodland, lowland heath, meadow, watercourses and ponds. Though much of the valley is readily accessible from local urban areas, it provides an excellent opportunity to experience and enjoy wildlife in often seemingly-remote surroundings. The valley is centred on two watercourses, the topmost being Adel Beck which rises in Bramhope, but which gives way to Meanwood Beck just south of the Outer Ring Road. The becks are home to fish, such as stone loach and bullhead, as well as the native white-clawed crayfish, which is sadly now threatened. Keep your eyes open when walking near the becks and you may be lucky to spot one of our resident kingfishers or otters. Where the becks flow between boulders and within the woodland, the cool, moist conditions provide the perfect habitat for ferns, liverworts and mosses. In contrast, the poor, free-drain - ing soils and open and exposed conditions at Adel Moor are ideal for heather and if you’re particularly lucky, you may spot the com - mon lizards which live here. Small ponds along the valley are also the breeding grounds of frogs, toads and newts, including the protected great crested newt. The woodlands that cover much of the green space in the valley provide wonderful scenes of carpets of ground flora in spring and rich colours in the autumn. Mammals such as roe deer, stoats and several species of bats make the woodland their home, together with a wide variety of bird species, from house sparrows and long-tailed tits to jays, red kites and all three native woodpecker – the great spotted, lesser spotted and green woodpecker.
    [Show full text]
  • Rose Newsletter May 2015
    KIRKSTALL HARRIERS NEWSLETTER MAY 2015 NEWSLETTER Issue 138 edited by Rose George NEWS IN BRIEF CONTENTS MUD! p.1: News in brief Spring has sprung. The era of p.2-3 Club Championship news hi-viz is drawing to an end, p4. Yorkshire Vets update hurrah! But the era of having p.5 Race report: Meanwood Valley Trail clean shoes is always on us: p.6 Ninja Women now we are going more off- p.7 Race Report: Three Peaks Race road, please remember to take off muddy shoes before p.8-9 Race Report: Two Oceans Ultra, Cape Town entering KLC. Staff have often p.10-11 Member Profile: Steve Webb already cleaned up, and we p.12 Race Reports: Chairman’s Chase & TT don’t want to make their jobs p.13 Race Report: Ackworth Half harder by giving them more p.14 Social news mud to deal with. Check your p.15 Essay shoes please. p.16 Club news: birthdays, PBs p.17 The End PARTY! Our 30th birthday celebrations will take place on 26th June. Details on p.14. Photo of the month: The Meanwood Valey Trail Buckley Beer Handover Mr. Buckley: “I’m getting out of here before she notices it’s shandy.” Mrs. Buckley: “#***!!!££###” !1 KIRKSTALL HARRIERS NEWSLETTER MAY 2015 CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP Some may have noticed the Club Championship gap in last month’s newsletter - this was solely due to me completely forgetting to do it. Here’s hoping I remember from now on in! Race 3 was the final PECO of the season at Roundhay Park.
    [Show full text]
  • Interim Report January 2018 - March 2019 BACKGROUND
    Interim Report January 2018 - March 2019 BACKGROUND The Meanwood Valley has long been celebrated as a ‘green artery’ from the centre of urban Leeds to the rural countryside north of the city. This Green Infrastructure Corridor has a rich natural heritage, with an extensive and diverse range of habitats and a wealth of sites designated for their biodiversity value and nature conservation interest. In January 2018, Leeds City Council and the Meanwood Valley Partnership were awarded £65K from the Heritage Lottery Fund in order to promote an understanding of this wildlife and its management by increasing opportunities for local communities to discover and get involved in the natural environment of the Valley, through a programme of volunteer activity, wildlife surveys, Bioblitzes and other public nature events, interpretation, web content and education. By encouraging as wide a range of people as possible to celebrate this wildlife on their doorstep we aim to ensure the sustainability of this natural heritage into the future; because, in the words of David Attenborough: “No one will protect what they don’t care about, and no one will care about what they have never experienced”. The project officially started in January 2018 and will run to June 2020. It was in April 2018 when our newly-funded Meanwood Valley Heritage Ranger started that the project really took off the ground. This report summarises what we have achieved in the first year of this project; from January 2018 until March 2019. PROJECT THEMES To achieve our aims of engaging as many people as possible with the wildlife on their doorstep we developed the following themes: INTERPRET NATURE EXPERIENCE NATURE UNDERSTAND NATURE PROTECT NATURE INTERPRET NATURE Prior to this project we noted that on-site interpretation panels were extremely limited; very few leaflets were available; web content was hard to find and, where available, spread over a number of websites.
    [Show full text]
  • Leeds Civic Trust Annual Report Donations and Sponsorship 2017 Chair’S Introduction
    16/17 LEEDS CIVIC TRUST ANNUAL REPORT DONATIONS AND SPONSORSHIP 2017 CHAIR’S INTRODUCTION The Trust gratefully acknowledges the support its work has received from partners and supporters in the form of grants, donations The Trust has had another terrific year at the forefront of As well as Facebook and Twitter we can now add Instagram and gifts in kind. a wide range of discussions that affect this wonderful city to our social media presence. These platforms enable us to of ours! reach out to a much wider audience and they will make a This year, we were pleased to welcome ten new corporate members to the Trust. They comprise the nine members listed in bold significant contribution to broadening our membership. Hand below plus Oakapple Group, who joined us as a gold member. The work of Leeds Civic Trust has not in the least been in hand with this comes our new website. Our thanks must impeded by changes in Director and Chair.We welcomed go to Meleri who has worked extremely hard to bring this to GOLD CORPORATE MEMBERS CORPORATE MEMBERS Martin Hamilton as Director Designate to the Trust in fruition. All of this must surely mark our arrival into the 21st Acanthus WSM Architects Leeds Beckett University October 2016 and it was officially handed over into his very century! A sleeker and more user-friendly approach to our CEG Adair Paxton LLP Leeds Building Society capable hands on Kevin’s retirement in December 2016. communications will no doubt bring us enormous benefits in www.ceg.co.uk Leeds College of Music the long term.
    [Show full text]
  • Adel Walks Booklet
    ADEL WALKS Adel Neighbourhood Forum Contact us: [email protected] Introduction Everyone talks about the greenery of Adel but very few appreciate the woods on our doorstep. We walk there regularly and it is not unusual to see no one in an hour walking through this beautiful landscape. There are many paths that cross through the woods but few clearly signposted footpaths and landmarks. Most of Adel Wood is probably not ancient woodland and throughout the woods there are the remains of boundary walls. What we are going to suggest in this leaflet are a few simple circular walks starting from either Adel Parish Church, Adel St John’s Primary School on Long Causeway or Adel Primary School on Tile Lane. There is no one route and many cross over and join other walks that mean you can spend as little as just under an hour in the woods or up to 2 – 3 hours. One of the ancient meanings of the name Adel was boggy ground so wellies or walking boots are recommended apart from long dry spells. All of the walks are safe for adults and children if approached sensibly but paths through the woods are not generally suitable for pushchairs. An approximate walking time has been given for most of the walks but this is clearly dependent very much on your own speed. We suggest trying one of the shorter walks first if you aren’t confident and use that to judge how long some of the other walks are likely to take. This leaflet has been produced on behalf of the Adel Neighbourhood Forum and we are very grateful to Ian Bond who has prepared all the descriptions.
    [Show full text]
  • Meanwood Valley Trail Is Essentially a Walking Route However Some Sections Are Either Public Or Permissive Bridleway
    Introduction The MeanwoodValley has long been celebrated as a‘green artery’ in Leeds, bringing rural countryside into the heart of the city. This 7 mile linear walk takes you through some of the highlights of the cultural and natural history of the Valley. ACCESS TO THE TRAIL The number X84 bus is a regular bus service along the A660 and connects Woodhouse Moor and Golden Acre Park enabling the trail to be completed as a linear walk. For up to date times and information please look up www.wymetro.com or call (0113) 245 7676. WHO CAN USE THE TRAIL? The Meanwood Valley Trail is essentially a walking route however some sections are either public or permissive bridleway. These parts of the trail can also be used by horse riders and pedal cycles. For information on this or other rights of way issues please contact the Public Rights of Way team on 0113 395 7400. FURTHER INFORMATION The cultural and natural history of the Meanwood Valley is fascinatingly diverse.We can only give you a glimpse of it here. For more information please look up the Parks & Countryside Service on www.leeds.gov.uk or telephone (0113) 395 7400. We also advise that you reference the Meanwood Village Association who have published fantastic books on the history of the Valley (www.meanwoodvillage.org.uk). The publication of this leaflet has been sponsored by The Myrtle Tavern in Meanwood and local community group,The Meanwood Valley Partnership. A 7 mile walk from Woodhouse Moor We are grateful for their continued support of the Trail to Golden Acre Park and the Meanwood Valley.
    [Show full text]
  • June 2011 Newsletter:Layout 1
    June 2011 HORSFORTHHORSFORTH HARRIERSHARRIERS NEWSNEWS Blimey, we’ve been busy! Beginners group, highly successful ABC race, away runs, podium finishes and some other great racing performances. Oh yes, we’re still at it. See inside! Editor’s notes No Captains Columns this issue, only a slight- ly apologetic piece from me - it would appear that in order for you to get a newsletter these days, I have to pick up an injury... I’m quite worried about that, obviously... That said, what a couple of months we’ve had! When the last newsletter flew through the ether, our Run in Leeds ‘Absolute Beginners’ Group hadn’t had it’s first session, and now it’s almost reached it’s conclusion! Nobody - least of all me - could have guessed what an enor- mous success it was going to be and as a result we’ll have about 30 or so newly fledged Horsforth Harriers (sorry, been watching too much ‘Springwatch’). Let’s make them welcome and encourage them to continue in the same enthusiastic and courageous Steve Large leads the Harriers charge at the manner - although some will no doubt leave re-scheduled Thirsk 10 Miles. Pic courtesy us watching admiringly from a distance in of Flaming Photography. fairly short order. by the Race Committee, whipped into shape by Bob Foulkes, and also all of you who Our more established runners have distin- marshalled or helped out on the evening. guished themsleves with a whole host of sparkling performances at marathons the Marc has got the third of the ‘Discovery Runs’ length of the country (and beyond!) and it’s coming up in July, with a fourth slated for the good to see our guys on the podium at races - first Tuesday in August, taking advantage of Rob Furness won the Roundhay Park parkrun the summer evenings to seek out routes not outright and was second in the Wharfedale accessible on Hall Park-based training Marathon, Tim Midgely added the Baildon evenings.
    [Show full text]
  • Learning Outside of the Classroom and the Role It Plays in Enhancing and Enriching a Broad and Balanced Curriculum
    Learning outside of the Classroom and the role it plays in enhancing and enriching a broad and balanced curriculum. As you embark on your journey to become a teacher, you will consider learning that takes place in different contexts, whether that be through the outdoors or in another setting, such as a Museum or Gallery. Why learning “Any area beyond the classroom, whether it is a field, a woodland or public park, is a product of its history, outside of its geography and of people.” the Kelly and Cutting (2011) classroom? So when planning a Broad and Balanced Curriculum, that encompasses a plethora of subject areas, as Practitioners we should consider where the learning best takes place. Over the last couple of years, more than ever, we have probably reflected and appreciated the places that are on our doorstep. We want to take you on a whistle-stop tour of a variety of different learning spaces in and around Leeds, that would be excellent in supporting learning through a broad and balanced curriculum. Please also add your suggestions to the slides for future reference. On our Before you begin, please read the Learning outside the Classroom (2006) manifesto that will help you understand why these experiences are so valuable. Doorstep…. https://www.lotc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/G1.-LOtC-Manifesto.pdf As you view these slides, and read the information provided, it would be beneficial for you to jot down any learning opportunities that spring to mind. Perhaps you may have the opportunity to visit some of these venues over the summer, (depending on restrictions).
    [Show full text]
  • Autumn / Winter Events 2019 and 2020
    Autumn / Winter Events 2019 and 2020 Join the Meanwood Valley Heritage Ranger for a range of autumn and winter nature events September Hedgehog Nature Event in Meanwood Saturday 21 September For anyone passionate, fascinated or worried Meet at Meanwood Park car park, Park about the UK’s favourite wild animal. Join your near the Rangers Hut, off Green Road 10:00am to 12:00pm Ranger to learn more about hedgehogs and how you can help save them in Meanwood Valley Guided Bat Walk on Tuesday 24 September An evening bat walk to discover which bats Meet Entrance to Meanwood Valley reside on Sugarwell Hill. BOOKING REQUIRED Urban Farm Sugarwell Hill 20:00pm to 22:00pm October Guided Autumn Nature Walk of Saturday 12 October Join your Ranger on a Guided Nature Walk to Meet at Meanwood Valley Urban Woodhouse Ridge and Sugarwell Hill see what Wildlife we can discover Farm car park 10:00am to 13:00pm Autumn Moths on Woodhouse Ridge Wednesday 16 October Join your Ranger to learn about the magical Meet at Woodhouse Ridge entrance world of Moths; see what Autumn moths we on Ridge Terrace 19:30pm to 21:30pm can catch in the trap November Guided Winter Nature Walk of Adel Saturday 16 November Join your Ranger on a Guided Nature Walk to Meet at Entrance to Adel Wood on Wood, Adel Moor and Scotland Wood see what Wildlife we can discover Buckstone Mount, Alwoodley 10:00am to 13:00pm Smartphone Photography of Nature Saturday 30 November Get whizzy with your smartphone, capture Meet at Meanwood Park car park, and Landscapes in Meanwood Park your digital winter
    [Show full text]
  • From Plane to Podium.. Sort Of.. Earlier This Year, Club Captain Marc Springer Was Strug- Gling for Form, Beset by Injuries and Illness
    May 09 From plane to podium.. sort of.. Earlier this year, club captain Marc Springer was strug- gling for form, beset by injuries and illness. Fortunately, Marc has since returned to his best and is running as quickly as ever. But, come the week of the Leeds Half Marathon, Marc’s luck took another downturn and he had to fly out to Sydney, Australia to attend a funeral due to a family bereavement. Having left Leeds for Sydney on the Tuesday, a few days later Marc flew home arriving back in Leeds on the Saturday night. Lesser mortals might have baulked at getting up early the following morning to run in the Leeds Half, but Marc not only did so, but flew round the course in 1:21:43, finishing as 1st M50 in Marc pictured at one of the PECO Cross Country fixtures at the process. Golden Acre Park earlier this year. Thanks to Jenny and Alistair Davy for the photo. This is a remarkable result given Steve Large, rattling off half marathons for fun the size of the field and the general level of (he completed three in May and is attempting ability required to finish top of any category. to run at least one every month through 2009) (Denise Frost, a former winner of the Leeds full led the way home in 1:19:31 to finish 27th Marathon, almost made it a double as she overall and was followed by a huge Harrier finished second F50 in 1:38:33). But to do it turnout - 34 in all, I counted - containing PB’s within hours of stepping off a plane from galore - full details, as ever, in the Race Australia is extraordinary! Results round up at the rear of this newsletter.
    [Show full text]
  • Booklet:Layout 1 15/05/2019 09:36 Page 1 Booklet:Layout 1 15/05/2019 09:36 Page 2
    booklet:Layout 1 15/05/2019 09:36 Page 1 booklet:Layout 1 15/05/2019 09:36 Page 2 An introduction to the The Meanwood Valley has long been celebrated as a ‘green artery’ in Leeds, bringing rural countryside into the heart of the city. In this green corridor is a rich mosaic of habitats, including woodland, lowland heath, meadow, watercourses and ponds. Though much of the valley is readily accessible from local urban areas, it provides an excellent opportunity to experience and enjoy wildlife in often seemingly-remote surroundings. The valley is centred on two watercourses, the topmost being Adel Beck which rises in Bramhope, but which gives way to Meanwood Beck just south of the Outer Ring Road. The becks are home to fish, such as stone loach and bullhead, as well as the native white-clawed crayfish, which is sadly now threatened. Keep your eyes open when walking near the becks and you may be lucky to spot one of our resident kingfishers or otters. Where the becks flow between boulders and within the woodland, the cool, moist conditions provide the perfect habitat for ferns, liverworts and mosses. In contrast, the poor, free-drain- ing soils and open and exposed conditions at Adel Moor are ideal for heather and if you’re particularly lucky, you may spot the com- mon lizards which live here. Small ponds along the valley are also the breeding grounds of frogs, toads and newts, including the protected great crested newt. The woodlands that cover much of the green space in the valley provide wonderful scenes of carpets of ground flora in spring and rich colours in the autumn.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction Part One Woodhouse Moor to Meanwood Park
    Part one Woodhouse Moor to Meanwood Park Woodhouse Ridge was a gift to the people of Leeds from Sir Thomas Beckett & Mrs Meynell-Ingram in 1876 enhanced by the addition of Batty’s Wood from Welcome to the start of the Meanwood Valley Trail. From here you Alderman John Warburton in 1901. Like much of the MeanwoodValley the site can visit Woodhouse Moor, the oldest public park in Leeds. Bought in 1857 it be - has been host to working mills and farming but then came over to public came the ‘lungs of Leeds’ - a green respite from the smog and grime ofVictorian recreation and enjoyment. The mix of rhododendron and sweet chestnut trees Leeds. Its history and present day use are as diverse as one another with allotments, with the native ash, oak and birch remind you of itsVictorian influence. recreation, nature conservation and public gatherings always proving popular. In the spring you will see (and smell) the Alderman Henry Marsden whose statue you start from, was an inspiration to ordi - ramsons (left), wood anemone and bluebells nary folk. Starting life as a mill hand in Holbeck he eventually became a Liberal MP which carpet Battys Wood and together and Mayor of Leeds from 1873-76. with the sounds of drumming woodpecker and the tawny owl calling from within the 1 Starting at the statue of woodland, you can forget for a moment H.R. Marsden, close to the junction how close you are to the city centre. of Woodhouse Lane and Raglan Road, follow the latter down to where it 3 Crossing Grove Lane, follow the foot - meets Rampart Road.
    [Show full text]