To let all members of Friends of Parkinson’s Park know that there will be an Extrodinary General meeting to discuss the future of the Park, on 10th November 2015, 7.15pm in Guiseley Methodist Church, Fellowship Room. There are some important decisions to make and all members are encouraged to come to this meeting.
Saturday 7th November, we will be having a working morning in the Park – planting bulbs and doing some general maintenance. Meet 10am at the Farm Gate with bulb planting tools.
The 2015 Friends of Parkinson’s Park Lantern Parade will be on 20th December 2015 ; meet 3.45pm in the Park for a 4pm start. Invitations and full details will be out in a few weeks time.
We will parade by lantern light from the Park to Guiseley Cross and then there will be a programme of carols and singing with Guiseley Brass Band, and St Oswalds Choir. People on the route might like to dress up their gardens on the evening, if it is fine.
If you would like to make a large lantern (as the one in the picture), Otley Courthouse have a lantern making workshop, next Tuesday 27th October, am and pm. Book via Otley Courthouse – box office on 01943 467466 or go online at otleycourthouse.org.uk
We also have 8 places for people who would like to play the drums on the parade – no 
experience is needed and a drum is provided. However, you do need to attend a tuition session on 18th December 7pm at St Oswalds Church. If you would like a place please email on parkinsonspark@gmail.com
On Sunday 29th November, we will be dressing the Advent Tree in the Park 2-3pm, bring your own decorations. But you are welcome to add decorations throughout Advent.
If it is wet, we will take a raincheck on the weather, but the carol singing will go ahead in St Oswalds Church.
Parkinson’s Park has joined Local Giving. This is an easy way to donate to the funds of Friends of Parkinson’s Park. You will find the website and donation button here just enter Friends of Parkinson’s Park into the search box.
The scheme is funded by sponsors, and on Tuesday 13th October, the charity will be having one of they ‘Grow Your Tenner’ campaigns’. The campaign opens at 10am for on line donations and continues to Wednesday 18th November 2015 at 5pm, or until their funding for this scheme runs out. Usually the funds run out before the end date.
They say:
From Tuesday the 13th October at 10am, we’ll be matching one-time, on-line donations pound-for-pound up to £10, and monthly donations up to £10 per month for 3 months*. All charities with active Localgiving memberships are eligible to receive up to a maximum of £10,000 of match funding and the campaign will run across the whole of the UK.
With Gift Aid, a one-time donation of £10 made through Localgiving.com during Grow Your Tenner will generate £21.67** , so make sure you spread the word and start growing those tenners!
Match funding limit per group for Direct Debit donations: £9,000
Match funding limit per group for one-time donations: £1,000
Match funding limit per donor for one-time donations: 5 donations per group
Litter Free Guiseley members recently came to help collect litter in Parkinson’s Park prior to our Traditional Children’s Gala. Jeff Yates described the park as an “oasis” of cleanliness compared to many areas of Guiseley.
However, I am very sad to report that some people are letting our reputation down; in particular the bottom copse and bench areas are being used for drinking, lighting of fires and even more worrying drug taking. This is an area where children play !!
The latest shocking occurrence was the destruction of the gate at the Sheepfold entrance on Saturday evening, 26th September. Do you know who is responsible for these sheer acts of wanton vandalism?
Many long standing residents of the area will remember that before the Friends of Parkinson’s Park got involved the park had degenerated into nothing more than an unloved dog toilet and drug dealing den as can be seen from the pictures taken in 2010/2011.
Park in 2011
I am sure that all our new residents and friends on the Edison Fields Estate and the Redrow estate would not want a return to those bad old days, with gangs of youths putting off everyone else from entering the park. We have worked hard with everyone’s support to change the park back to what it should be, a beautiful open space for everyone to enjoy.
If you know who is responsible for spoiling these wonderful areas please inform the local community policing service. They are available on outernorthwest@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or by phoning 101 which is the non emergency telephone number.
Friends of Parkinson's Park CIC 
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