Monthly Archives: January 2012

Mud, Mud and yet more Mud

Posted on by

“When you reach for the stars you may not quite get one, but you won’t come up with a handful of mud either”  Leo Burnett, Advertising Executive

Muddy Path - before the regeneration started

Unfortunately,  when it rains,  the paths in the Park turn to mud, that is the nature of the geology of the Park.  Today is a classic example.  We are working with Bellway on ways to alleviate this, including making  wide grassy areas to walk across, instead of single tracks.

One thing that will be done quickly is put an anti-slip coating on the new steps:  as muddy clay on boots,  from both the lane and the park mean that people need to be extra careful, and this will help.

“He who slings mud generally, loses ground”  Adlai E Stevenson,  Ambassador to the United Nations (1961-1965)

Tree Surgery

Posted on by

Tree Graffiti - Oak tree marked for removal of dangerous dead branches

Those of you who go to the Park regularly,  will notice some yellow marks have appeared on some trees.  This is not Jamie indulging in a spot of graffiti;  he wasn’t very good at it anyway:  the trees have been marked by an experienced tree surgeon for the removal of diseased and damaged wood,  or branches that need lopping for safety.

It is unfortunate that we seem to have lost a lot of the horse chestnuts in the park to canker,  as well as an apple tree.  However,  the death of the trees will be managed, and whilst they are not a danger the tree trunks will be left in place to provide a habitat for bats, woodpeckers and insects.   A Continue reading →

Secret History

Posted on by

Crompton Parkinson's early 1950's (Source: John Moore)

John Moore, who used to look after Parkinson’s Park for Crompton Parkinson, called to see his old stamping ground today to explain some things that have puzzled us.  He brought a picture dating back to the early 1950’s, showing a Hillside entrance we did not know about,  the old tennis pavillion repleat with cesspit,  and, we can just make out a little more of the frustrating ‘sheepfold’ entrance which was also called “old man’s corner” because of the seats in it.

The line of trees shown going up to the copse  is something we want to highlight a little more in the wooded area.  And, John confirmed, that when the car park was built Aireborough Council did asked for more trees to be planted in that area. Continue reading →

Ten Years Younger – Phase 1 and 2

Posted on by

30th November 2011

19th January 2012

The new Field Gate Entrance is done, which, together with the work on Little Kelcliffe, opens up the landscape view, and creates a more inviting scene  – a dog bin will be going in by this gate as soon as the Council get them in; a number of people have been requesting one.

This almost concludes Phase 1 of the regeneration.    Phase 2 of work will  look at the trees Continue reading →

Good News and Bad

Posted on by

New gate at Greenshaw Terrace

Two things to report today,  one good, one not.  The good news,  is the first self closing gate has been fitted on the Greenshaw Terrace entrance, together with the door mat.

The other news, is that we have reported to the Council that the work they did on the Hillside end of Kelcliffe Lane before Christmas has left the bridle way in a worse condition than it was before.  Instead, of just a muddy lane,  we now have an even muddier ditch, full of lose rocks.   The land belongs to Kelcliffe Farm, however it is the Council footpath/bridle way department who have done the work.   Gerry Hill, who lives at Kelcliffe Farm has reported this to Ian Oxley, Enforcement Officer, Public Rights of Way, at Leeds Council,  as has Chris Parapia, from Friends of Parkinson’s Park.  For anyone else who wishes to complain Mr Oxley’s number is 0113 2375265 and his email is Ian.Oxley@leeds.gov.uk.

UPDATE – 19th January – The Council have been to have a look at Kelcliffe Lane at the Hillside End.  They have agreed that it needs ‘stoning up’ and that this will be done ‘in the near future’.

Gates and Sunrise

Posted on by

Hello

Mark and Jamie from Pudsey Landscapes

On walking out of the Park along the the Kelcliffe bridleway I happened upon Mark and Jamie from Pudsey Landscapes digging out the farm gate entrance in readiness for creating a generally more welcoming experience. When I approached they were hard at work but paused monetarily to chat and update me with where they had got to. They are expecting to have the gates in over the next week or so.

Steps at Hillside End of Bridleway

As well as good progress on the Farm Gate we commented on the steps going up at the Hill Side end of the Bridleway. I am sure many of you will recall the experience previously associated with this particular entrance. Requiring a physical dexterity usually associated with an Olympic gymnast coupled with  a generous element of good fortune one was always rather relieved to get through unscathed. We now have the foundations laid for a pleasant and gentle descent down well laid out wooden steps. Nice!

Sunrise looking Eastward from Little Kelcliffe

The weekend has brought the clearest and crispest of winter days with a frosty bone hard terrain and clear blue skies. In turn these have brought the most beautiful of sunsets and sunrises. Here is a sunrise snapped yesterday morning from Little Kelciffe looking East towards Guiseley.

Bird Watch – Pink Foot in the Park, by Darren Shepherd

Posted on by

Pink Footed Goose (Source: Annimal Spot)

Darren reports that yesterday, Thursday 12th January,  around 3pm, a skein of about 80 Pinkfeet geese flew over the Park, heading  north northwest.    The same birds were then seen at Barden Scale, Bolton Abbey at about 3.30pm.

The pink-footed goose (Anser Brachyrhynchus), does not breed in the UK, but over-winters here in places like Norfolk and Lancashire,  before returning ‘home’ to Spitzbergen, Iceland and Greenland.  Darren’s conclusions are that Parkinson’s Park appears to be on a migration flyway.  So, expect more wonderful V formations in the coming months.

1212012

Posted on by

View from Little Kelcliffe - High Royds with Rombalds Moor behind and Edison Fields in front

Work continues on the gates and the entrances, whilst the weather has smiled today; making a change from the howling gales, bone chilling rain, and river of mud conditions in the Park of late.

Looking around, it was hard to believe that it is only 12 January.  The grass is more spring green, than winter pale; the sky, a brilliant blue with white wisps and black wings; and the songbirds are twittering away searching for ‘the one’.  A good day for shiver free walk in the Park,  to find that slimmer, fitter new you.

End of the day in the Park

It feels good now to walk across the open expanse of Little Kelcliffe, and feel part of the wider landscape – Hawksworth Moor to the left, Wharfedale to the right, and the impressive Victorian expanse of High Royds in front.  Quite different, to picking a careful way along a mucky track through the tangled and hummocky overgrowth – it will be great when we can get the hedge around the copse under control again and properly laid.    Thank you Gentlemen of Pudsey Landscapes for putting up with the dreadful weather to give back to we Guiseley folk some simply pleasure.  However,  I think a cold snap is forecast,  so get those thermals, and ice picks out !!

Bird Watch – Calling Curlews, by Darren Shepherd

Posted on by

Curlew Flying - (Source: Scotlandincolour.com)

Night and day, the wildlife and birds of the Park live their lives and have their ‘adventures’, and it is worthwhile taking time to slowdown to their pace and just observe.

Today, 9th January, a red kite, with no wing tags, circled overhead.  Many kites have wing tags of different colours,  the left wing gives the place they fledged, and the right the year.   As ours has no tags,  they have either fallen off, or, it is wild.  The kite seems to be in the park regularly now, although, as today, it is frequently harassed by one of the local crows – these Continue reading →