Monthly Archives: December 2013

2013 Website Review

Posted on by

The WordPress statistics monkey has prepared a 2013 annual report for this blog.  What this has told us is that ‘location’ has been the most popular post – thereby attracting, hopefully, more visitors to the Park, both generally, and for our three main events: All Our Stories, Archaeology Project, the Children’s Gala, and the Christmas Lantern Parade.    Our links with other social media, Facebook, Twitter and email have been a key method of people finding out about the Park and activities.  However, we need to work harder at attracting more comments and interaction from Park users.   The full report is below.  Which only leaves us to wish you a Happy New Year for 2014.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 8,700 times in 2013. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 3 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

Lighting Up A Future Tradition

Posted on by
Guiseley Brass Band Play Carols

Guiseley Brass Band Play Carols

Thank you to everyone who came to the Friends of Parkinson’s Park Lantern Parade; there was a fantastic turnout from all over the area, with residents old and new, all our local Councillors and Member of Parliament.  Some people passing by the in their cars, even stopped to join in.

It seems the children really enjoyed coming to the Park in the gathering dusk with lanterns: and watching people approach the decorated tree in the park from all directions was like watching a ‘gathering of the tribes’.   It was lovely to see so many different types of lanterns and the thought that had gone into them.

At the Cross,  Guiseley Brass Band really created a wonderful atmosphere in which to munch home made mince pies , and drink mulled wine, and try and read the words of the carols – those who couldn’t just hummed the tune.

We would also like to thank ‘God’ for being kind with the weather – we had asked especially if he could hold the rain off for an hour or so – and he obliged  :-).

In the role call of people who made the event happen, thanks particularly go to:

Lanterns

Lanterns

The idea – Nicola Denson

Invitations – Nicola Denson, Josie Brooks, Barbara Winfield, Jenny Kirkby

Paths Chipping – Josie Brooks, Steve Megson, Chris Parapia , Jenny Kirkby

Chippings – donated by Mike Shackleton (Tree Care Company)

Lights  – Barbara Winfield, Andy Cheetham

Moon Lantern and Drums – Cecil Higgings Arts, Bradford

Music – Guiseley Brass Band

People on Parade

People on Parade

Mince Pies and Buns – Sian Cartwright

Mulled Wine – Richard Slatcher (The Station)  & Rebecca

Photographs – Leekie Parapia, Peter Kirkby

Taking Part – Guiseley residents

Marshalls – Josie Brooks, Nicola & Jon Denson, Andy Cheetham, Barbara Winfield

Overall organization – Chris Parapia and Jenny Kirkby

Funding – Comic Relief Community Cash, Local Cllrs

Gathering In the Park at Dusk

Gathering In the Park at Dusk

The purpose of the event is to set a new Guiseley tradition, in line with our 2013 All Our Stories project – exploring the history of the Park and its role with local people. Now we have experimented with the idea and know it works and people like it,  we will aim for the same event next year with lantern making workshops, and more drums on the route.   We have made a note of a number of ideas for improvement, but please let us know of any ideas you have, or if you would like to take a role in the organization of it.  We’ll be posting more photos of the event over Christmas.  Oh, and last but not least thank you,  to all those who gave us a donation – this will go to the upkeep of the Park and future events.

A Merry Christmas to everyone from The Friends of Parkinson’s Park.

Lantern Parade – Marking the Route

Posted on by
Parade Route

Parade Route

Here is the route the Lantern Parade will follow on Sunday 15th December, setting off at 4pm from the Park (red marker) – see earlier item for full details.

We are also pleased to announced that Cecil Green Arts, from Bradford (who organized the Lister Park parade earlier this year) have kindly lent us one of their large lanterns, and will be providing a drummer to help with the rhythm of the parade.

Meanwhile, Sian Cartwright will be baking the mince pies and buns, and Richard Slatcher from The Station Pub, will be mulling the drink, both to be consumed at the memorial cross whilst Guiseley Brass Band plays carols.   Richard has also reminded us that the Christmas Market and Craft Fair complete with hog roast,  will be on at the Station from 9am to 1.30pm on Sunday 15th.

Lastly, some residents on the parade route, have offered to light their gardens and houses with lights and lanterns – this will certainly add to the atmosphere: thank you

Lastly,  can we remind you to RSVP to parkinsonspark@gmail.com, so that we can gauge numbers.

Lantern Parade and Carols – 15th December 2013

Posted on by
Lantern1

Lantern Parade at Ashton. Source Ashton Market

The Friends of Parkinson’s Park  invite residents to come and take part in Guiseley’s first community Lantern Parade, Sunday 15th December 2013, between 4 – 5.30pm.  This will be supported by  Red Nose Community Cash, and be part of the Heritage Lottery Fund All Our Stories project.

amesbury-lantern-parade-03

Lantern Parade at Stonehenge

Lantern parades are becoming popular in a number of towns and cities across Britain during late Autumn, and Winter.  These hark back to older customs around Samhain and Yule, that were built into the Christian Festivals of All Saints/Souls and Advent/Christmas; the purpose of all being to encourage light, warmth and salvation to return again to nourish crops and people – whilst a little ‘misrule’ is in order.

So, to start off what we hope will become a new Guiseley tradition,  meet up near the top copse in Parkinson’s Park at the decorated tree stump from around 3.45pm, and then we will parade with lanterns down to Town Gate and the cross.  There, we will be met by Guiseley Brass Band, who will play a number of carols for us to sing along too, whilst mulled drink, mince pies and Christmas buns will be given out.

Winchester Daily Echo

Advent Lantern Parade at Winchester. Source; Daily Echo

Please,  bring your own lantern to create a display and light the way (ideas for lantern making below), and if children (or adults) would like to dress up to get in the Christmas spirit, it all adds to the ‘misrule’.   All children need to be accompanied by an adult.  The Park can also be a little muddy if it has been raining, so wellies or study shoes would also be appropriate.

If you could email us on parkinsonspark@gmail.com to let us know you are coming and how many people, that would be useful, to help us with planning.  If the weather is wet or very snowy on the day the event will not go ahead,  please see this website for details of cancellation.  Also, please email us if you would like to help decorate the Park with lights on the 15th, and could even lend some outside lights to make a display.  Come and help make a new Guiseley custom for old and new residents, for us to pass on to future generations.

Find 10 lantern making ideas here.

There are also lantern making video’s on YouTube.