Leeds schoolchildren have contributed to a new council housing project by celebrating a local sports hero with a special tribute.
The Brooklands Avenue development in Seacroft, constructed by Wates Construction for Leeds City Council, features a five-story apartment building. In a community engagement effort, students from Beechwood Primary School in Seacroft were invited to name the new apartments. After exploring numerous options, they chose to honor the late Doris Storey, a distinguished local athlete, by naming the building after her.
Champion swimmer Doris Storey, originally from East Leeds, was only 19 when she clinched two gold medals at the 1938 Empire Games in Sydney. In her honor, the new apartment building, set to be completed next spring, will be named Doris Storey House. As a token of appreciation for the students’ efforts, Wates Construction has gifted Beechwood Primary School £500.
The donation was presented in the form of a giant cheque during a ceremony at the school. The event was made even more poignant with the presence of Doris’s grandsons, Darren and Damian Quarmby. Also attending were Wates’ senior project manager Alan Neal and social value advisor Leah Larkin.
Doris Storey House will feature 25 one-bedroom apartments and is part of a larger project that includes eight two and three-bedroom houses at Brooklands Avenue, also developed by Wates for Leeds City Council. Additionally, 55 more homes are under construction in Gipton, located on Amberton Terrace, Amberton Crescent, Amberton Street, and Montagu Avenue, as part of the same initiative.
These new residences are being constructed as part of Leeds’s Council Housing Growth Programme and will offer affordable rental options. The majority of the funding for this development is provided by the council, with supplementary financial assistance from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Brownfield Housing Fund.
Councillor Jess Lennox, Leeds City Council’s executive member for housing said:
“Doris Storey was a genuine Leeds sporting hero and her trailblazing exploits deserve to be remembered and celebrated, both now and into the future. I’m delighted, therefore, that this new building is being named in her honour. Well done, too, to the children at Beechwood Primary for playing their part.
“The scheme at Brooklands Avenue is a great example of how our Council Housing Growth Programme is helping to provide good-quality affordable homes for people right across the city.”
Leah Larkin, social value advisor at Wates said:
“What we’re building at the Brooklands Avenue scheme will be a part of Leeds for years and years to come – it’s so important to us that we recognise the city’s history and involve local communities as much as possible.
“Doris Storey was a sporting icon and it’s fantastic to see her legacy remembered and celebrated by Leeds’s next generations at Beechwood Primary with the naming of Doris Storey House – we’re honoured to have been able to support it.”
Melissa Callaby, a teacher at Beechwood Primary School said:
“In Year 3, the children get involved in different local projects each year. They researched the history of the area as part of this.
“When another teacher from school told them about Doris Storey, they were really interested in finding out more about her.
“It felt important to tell others about her life to make sure her achievements and what she stood for were not forgotten.”
Speaking about the Beechwood Primary School event, Doris’s 51-year-old grandson, Darren Quarmby said:
“My brother and I were both extremely proud to visit the school and meet the children who helped decide on this lovely new tribute to our grandmother.
“They were so knowledgeable about her achievements – we came away hugely impressed and with big smiles on our faces.
“It will be great to see the new building when it is finished, hopefully it will inspire even more people to learn about our grandmother and the success she had.”
Doris Storey was a representative for Great Britain at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin and later won gold medals at the Empire Games in 1938, which later evolved into the Commonwealth Games. She also set two world records in the 100-yard breaststroke. Doris trained at the former York Road baths in Leeds, managing to fit her training sessions around her work as a machinist at Burton’s factory on Hudson Road.
Leeds is proactive in addressing the diverse housing needs of its population. Alongside new development, the city is renovating existing properties to meet modern standards of living. These renovations are crucial in preserving the architectural heritage of Leeds while ensuring that all housing is safe, comfortable, and suitable for contemporary living.
Looking to the future, Leeds is poised to continue its trajectory as a leader in innovative housing solutions. With plans to expand housing developments, integrate smart technology, and enhance community amenities, the city is committed to providing homes that meet the needs of its growing population.
The ongoing transformation in Leeds not only reflects the city’s dynamic approach to urban development but also its dedication to creating sustainable and inclusive communities. As Leeds continues to grow, it remains a beacon of how cities can evolve to meet the challenges of the 21st century, ensuring that all residents have access to affordable, high-quality, and sustainable living options www.leedshomes.org.uk
