Dartmouth Park Plan Welcomed

Plans for a new play area and multi-use gym area for young people were unveiled to a meeting of the Friends of Dartmouth Park Group this week. The plans – funded by Housing Developer contributions – will see a new children’s play area introduced along with a teen zone for young people on the space of a disused tennis court.

Cllr Judith Elliott said “This regeneration plan has been a long time coming but we are delighted it is now to be implemented. We have campaigned for many years – along with the Friends of Dartmouth Park Group – for these improvements to be introduced and the plan will be implemented over the autumn and winter months."

Over £200,000 has been found to support the regeneration project with footpaths also to be improved.

Cllr Wyn Kidger, who attended the meeting said “Dartmouth Park is one of the jewels in Morley’s Parks crown and this improvement plan will be welcomed by young and old alike. The Friends Group deserve a lot of credit for battling with us to bring these improvements and I am pleased we are going to finally get the work undertaken.”

Morley Mayors Charity Channel Challenge

Morley Mayor Cllr Robert Finnigan has been delighted at the response from local groups following his call to take on the Mayor Charity Channel Challenge. The challenge – to be held at Morley Sports Centre on Saturday 21^st October at 2pm at Morley Sports Centre, will involve teams rowing the equivalent distance of crossing the Channel - 33,300 metres - on rowing machines as they compete against each other to be the first “boat” to make the crossing. The event is raising funds to support West Yorkshires two Children’s Hospices, Martin House in Leeds and the Forget Me Not Fund based in Huddersfield who deal with children from across the region suffering from life shortening conditions.

 Cllr Finnigan said “The response from groups taking up the challenge has been fabulous. We have a team from the Leeds Rhinos Foundation taking part along with teams from Morley Sports Centre, Morley Firefighters, the Different Gravy Wine Bar, the Yorkshire Teachers Rugby League team and of course the Mayors own team. It’s a long and sweaty physical challenge which will take around 3 hours but the support with sponsorship has been brilliant.”

 The event at Morley Sports Centre will also include a bun sale with bottled water for the competitors being provided free by Morley Morrison’s.

 Cllr Finnigan said “Both hospices do an excellent job with supporting families who are facing exceptionally challenging circumstances. We are hoping to raise over £1000 to support the work they do and I would encourage Morley Folk to attend, support the rowers and give generously to both these excellent charities.”