Calm restored to Seacroft Green

Seacroft Green in the recent past has had anti-social behaviour

Seacroft Green in Leeds was an area plagued by anti-social behaviour.

Many of the older residents were frightened and the once idyllic village green was covered in dog mess and tyre tracks.

Then the formidable Lily Woods stepped in, with Diane Marsden the duo formed Seacroft Green Residents Association.

Now the area has been transformed, the renovated green is used for its proper purpose and recently 2000 people attended the village gala on it.

Despite being an area firmly within the urban sprawl of Leeds Seacroft Green has a rural feel with the Cricketers' Arms overlooking the green.

Lily Woods says:

"It was horrendous the problems we had. It's gone from strength to strength, we've achieved so much. The green is how it should be now."

Lily started by firstly tackling some problems caused by bad behaviour around the Cricketers Arms, the local pub. Then, with support from the city's authorities, the group began to grow. Now there are 14 people on the committee.

Renovations costing £53,000 have transformed the green. A new rail around the green prevents vehicles driving on the grass.

The Landlord of the pub, Barry Morton, confirmed "I've lived round here for years and it was getting bad on the green with a lot of people driving cars and motorbikes. Now it's getting cleaned up."

The same view as seen in 1936 - was it a better behaved era?

Diane explains:

"we are quite passionate about where we live. It needed something to start it and Lily was the catalyst.

"Start your own residents' association up, it'll be the best thing you could do. It will change your area, it will change your life. If I can do it anyone can do it."