JLife’s political wizard Dan Cohen, Leeds city councillor for Alwoodley, talks constabulary meetings, secondary school applications and keeping the ghouls at bay.
After a strange summer, when the weather decided the school holidays were the perfect time to remain wet, cold and cloudy, and where positive COVID tests threw micro[1]organism-sized spanners into our plans, it is quite a novelty to be back in a more usual routine of young people at school and people going about their daily business.
It was great to hold our first two face-to-face Alwoodley Police and Community Together (PACT) meetings, followed by our latest initiative of an informal get together in The Dexter and The Lord Darcy snugs for those who wished. These monthly meetings with our Neighbourhood Policing Team are our opportunity to raise local issues around crime directly with the people empowered to tackle them, and we will continue to stream them live to the Facebook Alwoodley Ward Residents Group.
For some, 31st October is one of the highlights of their year – Halloween. Watch out on the Facebook group for details of local plans and events. Trick or treating is very likely to make a welcome, or unwelcome (depending on your view), return this year. We are recommending that if you are happy to be visited by any number of ghosts, ghouls, witches and wizards, you place a pumpkin or other suitable decoration outside your home, in the hope that only decorated homes receive visitors. This is (of course) not a foolproof system – the spirits can be quite unpredictable.
31st October is also the deadline for those in Year 6 to apply for their secondary school places. During October, our local high schools will be hosting various open evenings and events, details of which are available on their websites and social media. If I can be of any assistance during this application process, please give me a call.
Finally, and I can’t believe I’m writing this now, make sure to keep an eye out for December’s JLife column, which will have details of Santa’s tour of Alwoodley (set to be even bigger and better than last year – if such a thing is possible).
Do please remember for any local issues, concerns or questions, Neil, Peter and I are always here to assist – please don’t hesitate to get on touch with any one of us if there is anything we might be able to help you with. To get in touch with Dan, call 07711 647 849 or email daniel.cohen@leeds.gov.uk