In the dark days of 2020, when meeting with friends was restricted and Christmas looked as if it just might be ‘banned’, FoPP asked local residents to bring some joy into the world by lighting up different areas of the Park in a Christmas Elf Trail. This is one tradition of those times that has been kept, it is an ill wind that blows no good at all. This year there is no official trail sheet, but there are lots of inventive displays around the Park which have been taken on by different families and groups. The only theme – ‘reuse, recycle’.
UPDATE: The Jubilee Plaque has been returned to the Park and found on 17th January 2023.
It is with sadness that we report that the Queen’s Jubilee Tree Plaque has been stolen; it is not vandalism. It was well fixed, and it seems to have needed an ‘implement’ to remove it.
Why anyone would want to take the plaque the day before the Lantern Parade and cause shock and upset at Christmas time no one can fathom. Maybe the person themselves is also in a bad way and needs help. If you did take it and are reading this, now is a good time to return this item to the local residents; especially when so many have worked so hard to bring joy to others.
On Gaudete Sunday, the Third Sunday of Advent, which anticipates the joy of Christmas, Friends of Parkinson’s Park celebrated their 9th Lantern Parade. The evening was fine and cold, just as it should be for the season, and darkness fell to show of the lanterns as we left the Park just after sunset.
The Park at Sunset (picture Gary Hewitt)
Every Parade is slightly different, this year our Guiseley Lanterns have been repaired to see us through a few more years, and we added some colourful crochet Mandalas to the collection. Drums, this year were played by The Parky Park Drummers, whilst Guiseley Brass Band did the traditional honours at Guiseley Cross for the carols.
Children Gather Around Guiseley Brass Band (picture Stuart Andrew)
As usual, there were many people involved in organizing, getting ready for and presenting the event – from woodchip spreaders, to lantern and cake makers, to the park decorators, lantern carriers, marshals and local churches. A comment left on the FoPP Facebook page read “thanks for a wonderfully atmospheric, festive event” to everyone involved, and to everyone who came along and enjoyed themselves.
The 2022 event was supported by Leeds Inspired and local councillors, as well as donations, and the funds FoPP raises during the year for our community events. Thanks too to local venues The Potting Shed and Full Circle for use of their premises for drumming rehearsals.
Parade Participants (pictures from Liakat Parapia)
Rainbows, Brownies and Guides planted a bank of fruit bearing trees for the Queen’s Green Canopy along Jubilee Walk in Parkinson’s Park on Sunday 4th December 2022.
Planting The Queen’s Green Canopy on Jubilee Walk
The late Queen Elizabeth decided that her legacy for her Platinum Jubilee would be a nurturing Green Canopy of native trees for the United Kingdom. The Woodland Trust, as a partner in this scheme, has been donating packs of whips to local groups to plant and register as part of the canopy so that as many people as possible could take part in building this legacy for the future. (This is now extended to March 2023.)
Below is the programme for the Lantern Parade on Sunday. Bring a lantern to light your way. It looks like being fine but cold; stout footwear is needed in the Park.. Should it rain, you will find information here and on Facebook as to whether the parade will go ahead.
Yorkshire based artist Eleanor Tomlinson drew several illustrations at the death of the late Queen that superbly captured the mood of the nation, and spread like wildfire across social media. (Unfortunately some people then used the illustrations on commercial goods without paying the copyright fee, which is akin to stealing.)
When we were looking for a photograph to illustrate our Jubilee Tree Story booklet written by Bradford writer Irene Lofthouse who specialises in secret local stories, we asked Eleanor if we could use one of her drawings. We were delighted when she agreed, for the fee of a donation to The Prince’s Trust.
Illustration by Eleanor Tomlinson (copyright) used in the FOPP booklet
We had a productive year in the Orchard this year and the trees are growing nicely. In January we’ll do the winter pruning and some maintenance work on the trees. Over Christmas we’re celebrating the past year and looking forward to what is to come by lighting some trees and putting up an advent wreath, a different one for each week of advent. We then do a wassail in January to keep away the evil spirits.
Friends of Parkinson's Park CIC 
You must be logged in to post a comment.