First Blog

Leeds wellbeing web is the first blog I have actually posted to as opposed to just browsing round. Having seen many blogs mangled by web browsers, I am using a specialised blog authoring client to do this entry. –Darren

The thing I like most about Leeds

I moved to Leeds 8 years ago and the thing I like most about it is that people are friendly and there are lots of things to do in this fairly small city. I live near Roundhay park which is probably the biggest park in Leeds where a lot of famous people have performed. The other thing I like about Leeds is the Carnival which happens at Pottern Newton Park every year. The scene of the carnival is very vivid and brings people together to have a good time.

My hopes for the future

Roundhay Park arena is one of the largest natural ampithieters in europe. Last Sunday it was host to a bicycle race.

I hope to be a proficient blogger by the end of the course.

Darren

the best of both worlds

So, hello there – I’m Stuart, and I’ve joined the Leeds Wellbeing web team.

One of my favourite aspects of living in Leeds has to be that it’s a large cosmopolitan city, providing you with all the amenities and fun you’d ever need – but it’s also in the heart of Yorkshire, close to plenty of open green spaces and wildlife. You just need to hop on a train, a bus or drive out a few miles to get out to beautiful open countryside. And if you know where to look, you can actually find a lot of relaxing green spaces right here in the city, too. There’s plenty here for people to discover, and chill out time is an important factor in keeping well, I think.

Finding balance in Leeds

Hello, I’m Vicky.  I came to Leeds two years ago, after spending many years in our concrete capital. Originally from Yorkshire, I feel like I have returned to my roots! I love Leeds for many reasons, the fantastic mix of both countryside and citylife, enables me to find a balance in my life.  To find stimulation and entertainment when I want it, but also to find a way to relax, connect to nature, unwind and find peace.  I’d like to write about some of the delights our city has to offer, which can enable us to lead healthy and fulfilled lives!

Pudsey & environs

I live in Pudsey. Tong Valley and Pudsey Park are my pride and joy…myself in the valley, the grandkids in the park.

I hope we’ll all be more familiar with the vast resources offered by the next 7 weeks

Migrant Community Network

I am a Migrant Community Networker, Leeds is home to one of the largest migrant communities in the UK. Ensuring all citizens have access to services and a voice in how services are delivered to them is key to my work. This training course in internet reporting is to help me understand blogging and how to use words and pictures to inform peoples and form opinions

Shafique Sheikh

Feeling at home in Leeds

My name is Su, I’ve lived in Leeds  on and off since being a young baby but came back in 1988 after a long absence in the ‘big smoke’ and foreign climes, following my ‘breakdowns’ in 2001 and 2003 I’ve found plenty to do to here to inspire me to keep well, I’m hoping that the Community Reporter Course will help me learn the skills to publish these experiences and hopefully encourage others with their well being.

Women’s Information & Support Hub “WISH”

My name is Shanah Amjad, and I am Migrant Community Networker .
My community networking role has helped me start a womens Information and support Hub (WISH) in Leeds. My first project is a job club for single Asian women who have not worked in the U.K. and are claiming jobseekers for the first time.
I would like the reporters course to help me gain knowledge on blogging and uploading pictures onto the web-site for others to share.

Rodley Nature Reserve, a place of Peace and Beauty

Situated just four miles from the centre of Leeds and nestling in a U bend on the River Aire, Rodley Nature Reserve provides a wonderful free resource for local people. Visitors often comment on what a peaceful place it really is. Many come for a spot of birdwatching and others for just an easy stroll.

The reserve was created in 1999 on the site of the old Rodley water treatment works on land owned by Yorkshire Water plc and it is managed by Rodley Nature Reserve Trust Ltd. The four main water bodies – the lagoon ,duck marsh, reedbed and wet grassland – were all dug out in 1999 on the rough grassland bordering the river and they now provide excellent birdwatching from a series of six hides, several of them with special facilities for wheelchair users. Other habitats include a willow coppice, two wildflower meadows, a six acre crop field growing bird-friendly seed crops and a series of dragonfly ponds. A hide at the Manager’s Garden looks out onto bird feeding stations which attract a wide range of birds throughout the year.

In the summer months the dragonfly ponds provide a peaceful and relaxing place to sit or potter around. Visitors are also encouraged to explore the wildflower meadows on well cut paths.

All the paths on the reserve are well maintained and provide easy walking with little or no gradients. There are seats at regular intervals to sit and  enjoy the bird song and the peaceful surroundings.

And no visit to the reserve would be complete without a call at the visitor centre where you can be sure of a friendly welcome and a hot or cold drink. There are also good toilet facilities.

The reserve is open on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year from 10.00am to 4.00pm and admission is free. Other than guide dogs, the reserve does not allow dogs on the reserve in any circumstances in order to avoid disturbance to wildlife. More information can be found on the reserve’s website at http://www.rodleynaturereserve.org

Thanks to Peter Murphy Secretary Rodley Nature Reserve.

Mike Bush Community Reporter.

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