Children picking vegetables in the Station community plot

The veg and herbs grown by Incredible Edible Aireborough in Parkinson’s Park, with the help of children from Guiseley Infants School, will be used in a  harvest feast with a difference at Guiseley Farmers’ Market on Sunday 20th September, when IE  Aireborough and Guiseley in Bloom join forces to cook up a celebratory foodie feast of their community garden vegetables, herbs and fruit – between 11am and 2pm. Along with the food, they’ll be discussing how to cook interesting dishes with stall visitors.

IE Aireborough grow vegetables and herbs in their community gardens at the Station Pub, Parkinson’s Park and Otley Road. The produce is free to anyone to come and pick, take home and cook up a delicious meal – garden to plate in less than a day. Guiseley in Bloom, grow fruit and vegetables at Springfield Park – which is also free to pick – and provided the planter in Parkinson’s Park. Parkinson’s Park also has a number of fruit trees planted over the years, and a new community orchard planted in the spring.
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Parkinson’s Park took part in the 2015 National Heritage Open Day Annual Events,  supported by Leeds Civic Trust, and organized by Guiseley resident Lynda Kitching.

Vice-Chair of the Friends, Jennifer Kirkby, took a group of local people around the Park, telling the stories  uncovered by herself and Barbara Winfield through the 2012 Heritage Lottery Fund research grant.

She told the story of how the Park was formed by the Guiseley Gap glacier over 13,000 years ago; and contained a marine band with the fossils of goniatites, an ancient relative of the squid.   Moving forward in time, areas around the Park have been noted as potential Romano-British settlements; whilst after the Romans left the province of Britannia Seconda around 410AD,  the land had become part of  the British Kingdom of Elmet until 617, when it was subsumed into the Angle kingdom of Northumbria, taken over by the Vikings in the 9th century (hence a lot of local Danish names)  and finally became part of  England  in the 10th century – under King Athelstan.

The group explored the early medieval earthworks of the Park,  as well as the newer ones left by Bellways.  Jennifer, explained the fields were part of the old medieval Open Field system, and that the meaning of the old field names, gave clues as to how they were used  – and how that had changed over time, as the land had moved in and out of cultivated usage, depending on population and climate.

She also told the stories of some of the people who had farmed the land since the Manor of Guiseley and Esholt was sold in 1719 to the freeholders of Guiseley for £13,800 –  including the three ladies called Susanna, who at different time from the 18th century, had owned one particular meadow.

The Park has a number of royal ‘memorabilia’ including trees planted around the times of Victoria, George V, and Elizabeth II’s coronations.  Also, artefacts found, have included a medal for Edward VII’s coronation – given to all school children in 1902.  Children, have always been important in the Park, and stories of snow and grass sledging, as well as bonfires, and courting couples were discussed.

Bringing the stories up to date, the formation of the Park in 1936/7 was described, following on from the building of Crompton Parkinson’s factory – and that it has been given to the people of Guiseley by the philanthropic brothers Frank and Albert Parkinson.   But,  the covenant had disappeared after the land was sold in 2004.

To bring the story up to date,  Jennifer explained the formation of the Friends in 2011 and that they were now  looking at land ownership with Bellway, and the best way to ensure that the Park was truly put back in trust for local residents – the story continues, as very much a part of British History.

Sunday 6th September 2015, and the sun shone bright and clear on the 4th Parkinson’s Park Children’s Gala,  encouraging a record turnout, with many new residents coming for the first time.   Chereyl Durerden commented – “It was fab, we’re new to the area so this was a great introduction to Guiseley, we had fun!”  Whilst, Sophie Smith said “ We have just returned from 3 years in Belgium, and it is lovely to see the park looking so well looked after; it is much improved.  The gala was a lovely event in beautiful sunshine. Well done to all of you, and thank you very much.

Many children came dressed as historical characters, (although we are not sure about the dates for batman :-)) adding to the colour of the afternoon.

The children also got to throw a sponge at a parent or teacher

And enjoyed competing in the races

The highlight of the Gala, as usual was the traditional Punch and Judy

The background Yorkshire atmosphere was provided, as usual, by Guiseley Brass Band

And the Travelling Tea Ladies provided the cream teas and cake – using some herb ingredients they had found growing wild in the Park.

Of course, nothing happens without a lot of behind the scenes work, and Litter Free Guiseley were on hand to make sure the Park was spotless.

Thanks go to everyone who organized the event, helped or provided funds and sponsorship.  One of the local councillors commented that “the number of family groups was noticeable, giving a real feeling of Community” – which is what the Friends of Parkinsons Park set out to achieve.

The event was made possible by:

Friends of Parkinson’s Park,  Outer North West Are Committee, Aireborough Historical Society, Aireborough Camera Club, Airedale Scouts,  Brooks Ecological, Caroline Herries, EGS Motors Idle, Incredible Edible Aireborough, GD Joinery,  Kelcliffe Cattery,Litter Free Guiseley, GuiseleyMethodist Church Morrisons, Nuffield Health, Ph7 Hairdressers, Sainsburys, SJK Taxies, The Station Pub, Subway, Tod’s Treats, Travelling Tea Ladies, Wacky Warehouse, Zen Rendezvous.