Putting community life in the spotlight, but with balance

Welcome to your latest WLD supporter update and thank you to everyone who has joined us in the past couple of months.

I know times are hard and your ongoing support of independent community led media in West Leeds is much appreciated and one I don't take it for granted.

We've been busy since I last wrote to you. Our latest print edition has hit the streets and we've been getting our teeth into some important local issues, such as the future of Kirkstall Goit and highlighting delays to vital flood defences and cuts to local bus services, among others.

Following a couple of fatal stabbings in Armley this year we've been putting Armley and Armley Town Street into focus. Some media have been quick to paint a bleak picture of Armley, which conveniently ignores a lot of the positive things happening in the area. We've shone a light on the tireless work of volunteers to make their community better, We've also put five business owners on Town Street in the spotlight to highlight what it's really like in Armley - and what they've said about the place is predominantly positive.

Speaking of being inspired, one of my favourite articles of the past month was attending the unveiling of the blue plaque for Armley asbestos campaigner June Hancock, who took on a massive multi-national corporation and won. It was inspiring and humbling to be there in person:

It's not the job of media to gloss over local issues, or provide PR. We have to tell it as it is, otherwise you wouldn't trust us. But we try to accurately reflect what’s going on in a balanced way. Read all our Armley coverage here (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) and make your own mind up about what’s happening in the area.

From tomorrow I'm taking a few days off to recharge my batteries. But WLD will be back on Tuesday afternoon to put the spotlight on your community.

If there's something you think we should be covering, drop me a line on news@westleedsdispatch.com (Öffnet in neuem Fenster).

• John Baron, Editor