Butterfly Bench
The Butterfly Bench nestles in a sheltered spot just below Clapper Brow Wood above the Edison Fields Entrance; the old wooden bench had got rather worn and was collapsing, so we reluctantly took it down. Then, we had a very kind offer of a replacement from the the brethren of Harewood Masonic Lodge, Westbourne House, Otley, which we accepted: a shiny new bench is now in place, one of the four new benches in the Park.
Continue readingFor many decades the spot in the Park near the Kelcliffe Lane Gate, that looks towards the summer setting sun has been a popular place for peace and contemplation. It is an historic ‘memory’ spot known by some older residents as ‘Old Man’s Corner’ where there was a bench in a strange triangular stone walled enclosure – now gone. Back in 2012 we replaced the previous Parkinson bench with a new wooden one, but sadly this irreparably collapsed early in 2020 just before the first Lockdown.
The bench has been sorely missed, so we are more than delighted to announce that a new bench has now been installed with the help of Ben and Lucyanne Harris. The bench is dedicated to their young son Freddie who was one of twins born in December 2013, but who returned to the angels a few days later. Freddie’s sister is now a lively 7 year old enjoying the sledging in the Park.
Parkinson’s Park too now has a ‘Natter Bench’, just inside the Farm Gate between the fir trees.
The idea of a Natter Bench is for people who feel lonely and would like a chat to sit on the bench and make new friends, whilst allowing for “passers-by to take some time out and speak with someone who may be feeling in need of some company”.
Continue readingThe apples in the orchard are ripening nicely, but they are not yet ready for picking. The majority of the varieties need another month or so to mature – and we could do with some sun. If you look in our orchard trail (download here) you will find the ideal picking dates for each type. Also whether the apple is a dessert fruit or better for cooking.
Unfortunately some apples have lost their labels during the year, so we need to renew them. Others we have still to confirm their identity.
We are having an apple day on 20th October; more information to follow later.
Above from left to right Charlestown Pippin a dessert apple, Balsam, which can be a dessert or cooker apple, and an Egremont Russet, another dessert fruit.
This is NOT an official notice that has been put up by either owners Bellway, Management Company Meadfleet, or the Friends of Parkinson’s Park. In line with Leeds BYELAWS FOR PLEASURE GROUNDS, PUBLIC WALKS AND OPEN SPACES, which the Park has adopted, cycling is not allowed unless there is a designated route – there are no such designated routes. Anyone injuring themselves on a cycle would not be covered by any public liability insurance, thus this sign is very misleading and dangerous.
Cycling
16. No person shall without reasonable excuse ride a cycle in the ground except in any part of the ground where there is a right of way for cycles or on a designated route for cycling
If people want to create insect hibernaculum they are welcome to do so, and should contact the Friends first to make arrangements.
2nd Guiseley Guides planting the wildflower meadow
On a beautiful May evening yesterday the 2nd Guiseley Guides and their leaders helped the Friends plant out flowers in Suzannah’s Meadow. This will help build up a nectar rich habitat to encourage bees and butterflies.
Wildflower plan plugs supplied by Leeds City Council Horticultural Grant
When the Bellway Estate was built the Friends suggested that the meadow at the bottom of the Park was restored – as it had been in the past. The area was duly landscaped back into a hillside by Bellway with plans passed for a path to come from the estate, up through the meadow and join the Greenshaw Terrace Path. The area was then planted up with rough grass, clover, vetch, birdsfoot trefoil and other early meadow establishing plants. We called it Suzannah’s meadow after the several ladies of that name who owned and farmed the land in past centuries.
Work on the meadow is a long term project of the Friends in conjunction with Meadfleet: a grass path has been cut along the bottom by the fence, joining it up with the central area of the estate for accessibility by less able residents, the planned gate entrance has been opened up for access to work on the meadow, orchard and lower levels of the Park (with a kissing gate due to go in over the summer). And, several local estate residents have put up bird boxes supplied by both themselves and Meadfleet, and planted crabapple trees to help pollinate surrounding fruit trees – one crabapple is in remembrance of a child who died at birth the others for siblings.
The next step is getting rid of the clumps of coarse grass and the planting and cultivation of more varied meadow wildflowers to build up a nectar rich habitat to encourage bees, which in turn will help pollinate the nearby community orchard .
Johanna and Peter Brooks preparing the ground for the wildflowers
Johanna Brooks of Brooks Ecological and Chris Parapia organized last night’s planting event with the 2nd Guiseley Guides, and prepared the ground over the weekend. The wildflower plugs were obtained by the Friends through a Leeds City Council Horticultural Grant. The Guides then spent an hour or so planting the plugs in the prepared ground last night, ensuring they were watered and mulched.
The plants now need to be kept watered to establish them and neighbours on the estate have volunteered to help do that.
“Within the woodland flow’ry gladed,
By the oak tree’s mossy root,
The shining grass blade timber shaded
Now do quiver on the foot,
And birds do whistle overhead,
And water’s bubbling in its bed,
And there for me the apple tree Do lean down low, in Linden Lea.”
William Barnes
We are lucky to have the help of The Orchard Project to teach us the skills for looking after the fruit trees in the Park. We have both the community orchard which was planted between 2015 and 2018, and trees that have been planted in various places over the years.
In the winter we learnt how to do both the formative and regenerative pruning. We are now taking on the spring tasks of mulching and ensuring the right level of fertility.
A Cider Ladies Finger tree pruned in the winter of 2019 and below in flower in May.
Sadly the old horse-chestnut by the Orchard, planted by Parkinsons, had to come down as it was a danger – but we are now using the bark as a mulch which will protect the trees and feed the soil.
We have also been recording the apple blossom from the various trees to help with identifications – especially those we do not know. For that we have help from the Northern Fruit Growers Association
The White Blossom of Balsam
Our next task is to learn how to scythe the grass over the coming months, as we have been advised that it is much better than strimming – it is also a good exercise. :-). Let us know if you’d like to join us in looking after the orchard and learning the old skills, parkinsonspark@gmail.com.
The Parkinson’s Park Apple Day will be on 20th October this year, with an apple crusher and press for juice, and apple goodies to taste.
The New Year has seen a number of maintenance jobs completed around the Park. Firstly, woodchip has been laid on the bottom path to help making walking easier. Thanks to Shaun Smith and helper from Elite Garden Maintenance for this.
Next, we have had work done to fix the broken gates, and to replace the vandalised gate on the Kelcliffe Lane entrance. Thanks to Ian Walker for this.
Finally, we have started renovating some of the old apple trees; this one is the one that is thought to be a cider apple tree, and was rather a thicket. We had the hawthorn tree growing too close removed, and have then pruned the apple tree back by around the recommended 25% to start forming an ‘open goblet’ shape. We’ll continue the work on the shape in future years. Hopefully, this will help improve the quality of the fruit – if we have done it right.
Apple Tree Before Pruning
Apple Tree After Pruning
The difficult ‘black’ run
The easy ‘green’ run – with a bump at the end !
Friends of Parkinson's Park CIC 
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