Carlton | Karen Bruce

Village of Carlton thriving

Carlton, Environment, Family, Leeds City Council Comments Off

Jan 092012

It’s great to see the village of Carlton looking great thanks to the efforts of the newly formed in 2011 Carlton in Bloom and the on-going good work of Carlton Village Residents Association. It’s evident for all of us who live in or visit Carlton the amount of hard work and time that local people have invested in the village and I was pleased to be able to help and support Carlton In Bloom to put in a successful bid to get a grant for £500 last year from Aire Valley Homes Outer South Area Panel to help them to get off to a cracking start.

I have been impressed with the events which CVRA has organised for the village last year including the successful gala in the summer and ‘Carols around the tree’ on 16 December which many villagers turned out for. It was a cold crisp evening full of community spirit as the sound of Garforth Brass Band rang out through Carlton together with the festive singing of carols and warmed by mulled wine and minced pies. As if that wasn’t enough, everyone then went onto Carlton Social Club for the rest of the carols and to warm up. There was a children’s entertainer and a special visit from Santa, which my daughter loved.

I’m looking forward to the next meeting of Carlton Village Residents Association (AGM) which is to be held on Wednesday, January 25 at Carlton Social Club at 8.30pm and I know that new people wanting to get involved will be very much welcomed.

Finally, to give people plenty of notice the Carlton Gala is a week or two earlier this year and will take place on June 30. Make sure you put it in your diary now as it’s sure to be another great day.

I’m sure that everyone in Carlton will want to join me in congratulating Nora Walton, the village postmistress, on reaching the Yorkshire Regional Finals of the Countryside Alliance Village Awards. Nora was nominated by a resident for services to the community and I know many locals voted for her. Good luck Nora, you’ve already done well to get this far!

New Year message for 2012

Carlton, Labour Party, Leeds City Council, Liberal Democrats, Older People, Oulton, Rothwell, Woodlesford Comments Off

Jan 052012

Councillor Karen Bruce and Rothwell Labour campaigner David Nagle I’d like to start by wishing everyone in Rothwell, Woodlesford, Oulton and Carlton a very happy New Year!

So 2011 was a fantastic year for the local Rothwell Labour Party team. On Thursday, May 5 I was proud to help to make history for the local party by becoming the first Labour councillor to be elected in Rothwell in the 21st century, defeating Steve Smith, the sitting Liberal Democrat who had represented Rothwell for the last eight years. The results were Labour Party 2889, Liberal Democrats 2365 and Conservatives 1018.

People of Rothwell, Woodlesford, Oulton and Carlton put their faith in me and I pledged to do my best for local people. It’s been hard, being the only Labour councillor when there are two opposition councillors, but local people tell me they think I’ve got off to a great start working hard on their behalf. Some of the biggest issues have been successfully lobbying the council and working with the Labour team to save Dolphin Manor and fighting to keep the Victoria and Reservoir allotments in Rothwell.

I’ve been contacted by many individuals and community groups and have been able to take up local issues on their behalf, as well as holding my popular advice sessions in Morrisons (at 10:30 every third Saturday in the month) and attend many residents and community meetings throughout the ward. The first six months provided me with the opportunity to forge even stronger local links between the Labour Party and the community.

It has been great to be involved in so many great community initiatives such as launching the Woodlesford Park Fun Day organised by the Woodlesford and Oulton Action Group, working the local Rothwell neighbourhood police team, taking part in the Rothwell bible readathon, lighting the Rothwell bonfire, attending the Remembrance Sunday service, helping to save the Rothwell Christmas lights . And it is a good job I had an early summer holiday as August was also busy.

I’m also busy with lots of official council meetings and committees such representing Rothwell on the Leeds City Council outer south area committee.

It was also a big year personally with my little girl starting at Carlton school. I was a very proud mum taking her to school on her first day – she’s loving it and it’s great to see her coming on wonderfully with her reading, writing and sums already. My husband Stuart has changed direction with a more independent career concentrating on some really interesting projects which means he is spending more time at home with our daughter. It has been an excellent Christmas with a little help from Santa of course and the school who helped to make it special for the children.

Pam Clarkson and her wonderful team of helpers once again put on a wonderful Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day at Blackburn Hall to make sure no local person missed out on Christmas day celebrations and I was pleased to give a MICE contribution towards the event. I was delighted that Pam was honoured on ITV’s Text Santa at Blackburn Hall and that ITV helped make the occasion even more special. I really enjoyed going on Christmas Day with my husband and daughter to chat with everyone who came for their Christmas dinner, which looked great, along with carols from Rothwell Temperance Band.

I look forward to working even more closely with local community campaigner David Nagle as he fights to win a second seat for the local Labour Party this May in the local elections. David is a hard worker and has already been busy taking up issues on behalf of local people.

If you’d like to help me, David and the local Labour team work for our local area then please get in touch.

Rothwell gets a visit from Santa Clause

Carlton, Oulton, Rothwell, Woodlesford, Young People Comments Off

Dec 032011

Rothwell will be getting a very special visit from Santa Claus soon when he flies into Rothwell Park on his annual visit. I’ve been told by the elves that he’ll be arriving by helicopter as his reindeer are resting before all of their exertions delivering presents to the boys and girls on Christmas night.

Santa’s helicopter will be landing at 10:30 on Sunday, December 18 in Rothwell Park. Santa Claus will then have a walk about amongst the crowds to talk to the children and collect their letters. Santa will then fly away from Rothwell back to Lapland so he can read the letters and tell the elves what presents they need to get ready. Santa will then be back on Christmas night to deliver the presents to all the boys and girls in Rothwell, Woodlesford, Oulton and Carlton.

Rothwell Ladies Circle will be providing the refreshments.

Rothwell bonfire and fireworks a great success (karenbruce.co.uk)
Councillors save Rothwell Christmas lights (karenbruce.co.uk)

Councillors save Rothwell Christmas lights

Carlton, Environment, Family, Leeds City Council, Rothwell, Woodlesford Comments Off

Nov 172011

As the massive cuts imposed by the Conservative and Liberal Democrat government begin to bite one of the things that had to be cut was the central funding that Leeds City Council used to give to provide local communities right around Leeds with money for Christmas trees and lights.

The good news is that in Rothwell we have managed to save the Christmas trees and lights by using some of the money from the local area committee budget. The local area committee is made up of all the local councillors in outer south Leeds – that’s five Labour councillors, five Morley Borough Independents and a couple of Liberal Democrats. The councillors are funding all the Christmas lights and trees across the council wards of Rothwell, Ardsley and Robin Hood, Morley South and Morley North.

“I’m delighted that we are investing almost £4,500 to pay for Christmas trees and lights for the Rothwell ward. We made sure that we will have our Christmas lights on Commercial Street and local Christmas trees and ensured that there would still be “Carols Round the Tree” in Woodlesford, Carlton and outside Rothwell One Stop Shop to bring the traditional Christmas cheer and encourage people to use our excellent local shops and businesses leading up to Christmas.

It’s been a hard year for many and Christmas is a time for all of us to come together and celebrate.

Rothwell bonfire and fireworks a great success

Carlton, Oulton, Rothwell, Woodlesford Comments Off

Nov 052011

The Rothwell bonfire and fireworks last night was a huge success – despite the torrential rain, which didn’t appear to put a downer on people’s fun! I haven’t had any official estimates yet, but to me it looked like at least half of Rothwell was out to enjoy the display. There were crowds of people thronging the streets walking to Springhead Park from right across Rothwell, Woodlesford, Oulton and Carlton.

I’d just like to repeat the thanks I said last night when I lit the bonfire and did the count down for the fireworks. The Rothwell bonfire and fireworks were only possible because of the fantastic work of the Leeds City Council staff, the usual dedication and commitment of Rothwell and District Lions and last – but definitely not least Al-Murad Tiles without whose generous sponsorship we might not have had a display this year.

And finally, another thanks – to you, the people of Rothwell, Woodlesford, Oulton and Carlton who young and old turned out once again in a massive show of community spirit.

Rothwell Neighbourhood Policing Team – we need it here for good!

Carlton, Community safety, Crime, Oulton, Rothwell, Woodlesford Comments Off

Aug 122011

The 20% cuts to the policing budget is of great concern to my constituents in Rothwell, Woodlesford, Oulton and Carlton. Our concern has grown after this week’s riots and disruption. I was at a meeting with Chief Constable, Sir Norman Bettison on Wednesday, he has an incredibly difficult job to do to be forced to make these cuts on behalf of the coalition government and trying to protect the service we receive especially on the frontline with our Neighbourhood Policing Teams. Sir Norman couldn’t give an assurance that there would be no cuts to the Neighbourhood Policing Team numbers, not surprisingly. I asked Sir Norman whether he could give an assurance that we would retain the Rothwell Neighbourhood Policing Team base at Rothwell Police Station and was given an assurance that we would have a police station in Rothwell with the NPT based there.

I wholeheartedly agree with Jack Dromey MP, Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government, that it would be folly to go ahead with these cuts at this time. Let’s hope this coalition government sees some sense and reflects on the unprecedented cuts to the policing budget and the effect that it could have, and at the same time as slashing the rest of public spending.

Thank you Rothwell

Carlton, Leeds City Council, Oulton, Rothwell, Woodlesford Comments Off

May 072011

I’d like to say a huge thank you to the voters of Rothwell, Woodlesford, Oulton and Carlton who’ve put their faith in me and elected me as the new Labour councillor for the Rothwell ward on Leeds City Council. Before the election I pledged to do my very best for local people and I will keep my promise.

Personally, it was a very proud day for me yesterday as I took office and went to sign my declaration with Tom Riordan, the chief executive of Leeds City Council. My daughter Esme, who’s almost four, was also celebrating as she’s helped out so much on the campaign trail by helping to deliver leaflets and even knocking on doors! When I shook hands with Tom, Esme promptly followed by also shaking his hand.

But this isn’t just a victory for me or the Labour Party, more importantly it’s a victory for the people of Rothwell. I’m keen to get started on the many things to tackle for everyone in our community. These are tough times and the Labour council is being put into a position where it is being forced to make cuts on behalf of the Tory/Liberal Democrat government and our priority has to be to protect the most vulnerable as far as possible from devastating cuts.

I’d also like to thank the local Labour Party members many of who already work so tirelessly in the local community and also found time to help me deliver local Labour community newsletters and knock on doors to talk to local residents and listen to their concerns.

I’m honoured and humbled to be the first Labour councillor in Rothwell since the Liberal Democrats took the three seats. I don’t underestimate how difficult a job it will be, especially with two opposition Liberal Democrat councillors who will be trying to undermine the work I do to help local people. That’s why it’s important to build on what we’ve already achieved and elect another Labour councillor next year.

I also want to build on the work Labour Party members have done in the community and I’d like to extend an open invitation to local people who’d like to get involved and join us in fighting the brutal Tory/Liberal Democrat government who are cutting too fast and too deep. If you’d like to join us then please get in touch using the contact form.

Carnival in the air in Rothwell

Campaigning, Carlton, Labour Party, Rothwell Comments Off

May 022011

Karen Bruce and Esme at Rothwell May Day fair 2011 Had another great bank holiday weekend in and around Rothwell. It started on Friday with an official road closure outside The Unicorn in Carlton for our very own street party to celebrate the Royal Wedding. There was loads going on including \ barbeque, home made cake stalls, hook a duck, fun fair rides for the children and several live bands playing in the car park with a vegetable delivery lorry from Dobson’s pressed into service as a stage. The first band on was Defender, which was not only surprisingly good but had the added bonus that the dad of one of Esme’s friends was playing bass guitar. And what else would you expect in the jewel of the Rhubarb triangle than the Rhubarb Olympics – our daughter Esme made a valiant effort in the Rhubarb chucking managing to at least hit the bucket and being rewarded with a commemorative William and Kate china bell!

Saturday and Sunday saw more #labourdoorstep with us out campaigning in Rothwell, delivering leaflets and talking to people about the local elections on Thursday. It’s so inspiring to see how riled people are at what the Liberal Democrats have done to them. It’s interesting to see that it’s not just Labour and Liberal Democrat voters who are angry, but even some Conservatives. I met one woman who traditionally votes Conservative in the general elections and Liberal Democrat in the local elections – she was saying how she couldn’t bring herself to vote for either the Tories or Lib Dems as she was disgusted at what the coalition government are doing and in particular she was worried about her three grandchildren and whether they would be able to go to university at £9,000 a year each. It was also great to hear so many local people saying they’ve already voted for me with their postal votes, many making a point of coming out of their homes to tell me and other Labour members whilst out campaigning.

Today it was more campaigning this morning, swiftly followed by the Rothwell May Day festivities. The highlight for me was bumping into and talking to so many people I know, both friends and voters that I’ve met while out campaigning. The highlight for Stuart, my husband, was probably the traditional Punch and Judy show – something you rarely see these days. It also appeared to enthral Esme who especially loved it when the crocodile came on. But the real highlight for Esme was her ride on a little white donkey called Sally and having her face painted as a ladybird. I thought the Morris dancing was great as well!

Rothwell Labour fighting for local people

Campaigning, Carlton, Environment, Labour Party, Leeds, Liberal Democrats, Oulton, Rothwell, Tories, Woodlesford Comments Off

Nov 182010

I’m very excited to have been chosen by Labour Party members in Rothwell, Woodlesford, Oulton and Carlton to be their candidate in the May elections and helping to take Rothwell Labour Party into a new era. This is a very serious job for serious times.

These are tough times and there will be tougher times to come - at the top of my list of priorities will be fighting to protect local people against the Conservative and Liberal Democrat government’s cuts. The most vulnerable in our community must be protected from the savage cuts which will be imposed on to Leeds City Council.I will do everything I can to protect local older people, those with disabilities, our young people and our children – in fact everyone who relies on our essential public services.

I am already fighting to protect our local environment where there are threats to our local area such as the Yorkcourt Properties planning application on Newmarket Lane towards Methley and potential development on Oulton Hall Estates land. Local residents can be assured that Rothwell Labour Party will always fight to protect the greenbelt.

I know from speaking to people locally that many feel that they have been ‘sold out’ by the Liberal Democrats as when they voted for them they weren’t voting for a Conservative government, but that’s what they’ve got along with the most savage cuts ever. Rothwell Labour Party understand how people feel and we are on your side!