Category Archives: Events

SUMMER ART AND THE PARK

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FoPP has been getting creative as our own contribution to My LEEDS Summer a Leeds 2023 Programme of Community Events in each of the 33 wards of the City.

THIS EVENT WAS CANCELLED ON 14TH JULY, DUE TO BAD WEATHER FORECAST

On Saturday 15th July 2023, we’re inviting you to come and draw or paint in Crookland’s Orchard, between 11am and 12.30pm. Bring a sketchbook, and spend a lovely mindful hour being creative. There will be a local artist available to offer informal advice and suggestions. It doesn’t matter if you are a seasoned artist or a newbie, all welcome.

Bring a cushion or garden chair as well and maybe a picnic lunch or light refreshment.

There will also be an art table for children where FoPP will supply the materials. (Children should be accompanied by a parent or carer.)

If it is wet, we will cancel the event.

Crooklands Orchard in Parkinson’s Park

ART EMBROIDERY

Members of FoPP have also been busy creating art works for the Good Grief Guiseley, Community Art Embroidery Project. This is an exhibition of embroidered photographs of evocative food memories – food or meals shared with loved ones from our past. With each picture there is a story to share with those of the present.

In all, thirty people contributed an embroidered or embellished picture to the exhibition, which was organized by Good Grief Guiseley, supported by Dying Matters and Leeds 2023, and led by Daisy Croft Crafts.

The Exhibition was first shown on Sunday 2nd July at The Feast – Guiseley & Rawdon My Leeds Summer Celebration , and has now moved to Otley Courthouse where you can have a coffee in the cafe, whilst you read through the stories. There are some really lovely and poignant contributions. The exhibition will be there for the month of July.

Good Grief Guiseley Art Exhibition in Otley Courthouse

The History of Parkinsons Park

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A thoroughly enjoyable evening last night as the guests of Aireborough Historical Society who invited David Myers and myself to talk about the History of Parkinson’s Park, and show some of the films that David has made in the past about the legacy of Frank and Albert Parkinson.

The association of the site of the Park with Frank and Albert Parkinson began in 1918 when the first F & A Parkinson Ltd works was built on Netherfield Road in order to produce electrical motors.

One of the slides from the History of Parkinson’s Park
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Children’s Easter Trail

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Kitchen Table Teacher (whom you may have seen at the Children’s Gala) will be running an Easter Trail in Parkinson’s Park for Primary age children over the Easter holidays, with educational activities at each of the Park Benches.

Easter Decorations, particularly of the fabric, knitted and crochet kind, can also be added to the celebration tree when you visit

Imaginative Christmas Displays in Parkinson’s Park To Bring Joy

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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’.

Christmas Journey to The North Pole

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9th Lantern Parade On Joyful Sunday

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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)

Famous Illustration in FOPP Booklet To Support Young People Rebuild Confidence

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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
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Advent Wreaths For Crookland Orchard & Stars for Loved Ones

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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.

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