The apples in the Orchard are ripening, but they are not ready to pick yet. In previous years we’ve had people picking them far to early and then throwing them away – which is such a shame. So, this year we’ve tied a label on each tree with apples with the rough time when they should be ready to harvest. Some will be ready in September, others not until November, for most in will be October.
You can tell when an apple is ready to pick when when you cup it in your hand and give it a slight twist, and it comes off in your hand. If you need to give the fruit a yank, or it leaves its stalk behind, or even a bunch of leaves, it is definitely not ready!
You can also tell from our apple guide – each tree is labelled with its name, and there is a note in the guide to the time when it should be ready. You can download the guide here. It will also tell you if it is a desert or cooking apple or both.
The Orchard Trail
Unfortunately, it has been a poor year for pears, and there are none. But the two plums have fruit, which will be ready, hopefully, during September.
After a break of a year, the Friends of Parkinson’s Park are pleased to announce that our Traditional Children’s Gala is back. Scheduled for Sunday 5th September from 2pm to 4pm, the theme this year will be Space.
We’d love children (and parents if they wish) to come in space inspired costumes for the fancy dress competition. This all adds to a fun afternoon where attractions will include :
Pete’s Suitcase Circus
Guiseley Brass Band
An Orienteering Space Trail
Face Painting
A Hoola Hoop Competition
A Space Quiz
And lots of stalls including Aireborough Camera Club
There will also be a Raffle and Refreshments, but why not bring a picnic as well – we are hoping for good weather.
CHILDREN’S GALA PROGRAMME – 5TH SEPTEMBER 2021
1.45pm Onwards – Space Trail. Come and get your Space Bags at the Farmgate entrance to the park. The bags will be £5.00 each and contain – A Space Trail map, a space quiz, a space themed notebook, a small alien space kit and a raffle ticket. First Prize will be a Family Ticket to Harewood House but there will be lots of other prizes too. We have 100 bags.
2-2.45pm Guiseley Brass Band
2.45-3.15pm Pete’s Suitcase Circus* including Hoola Hooping. Suitcase Circus is a show full of circus skills, comic inventions, audience participation and family fun.
3.15-3.45pm Guiseley Brass Band
Around 3.30 – 3.45pm Fancy Dress Competition Judging
We are also asking children to send in their space pictures for a display, here is our first one from Ayaan showing the planets in the solar system. Email parkinsonspark@gmail.com and we’ll let you know where to drop it off.
Planets in our solar system by Ayaan
*HEADLINE ACT AT THE CHILDREN’S GALA – PETE’S SUITCASE CIRCUS
Pete’s Suitcase Circus events provide a fantastic learning experience for children and adults. Circus skills are a great have-a-go activity; learning new skills such as hula hooping, juggling and plate spinning promotes a great sense of achievement. Pete will be doing circus activities to link in with our Space theme. Suitcase Circus has performed at both local and national festivals over the past 20 years from the Ilkley Literature Festival to the Albert Hall. Glastonbury, to Leeds Festival.
Please be aware that the unseasonal and inclement weather has brought down a branch from one of the Oak trees that lines the path that run up through the wooded area. Please take great care if using that part of the Park.
The Friends of Parkinson’s Park (FOPP) have been in touch with the company who maintain the Park who will take action when they can. FOPP have been out, armed with suitable sawing implements, and removed those parts of the tree limb that had overlapped the path and caused an obstruction.
Photos of offending tree branch, and sawing process included. Please take care!
Friends of Parkinson's Park CIC 
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