This is my last official post for Friends of Parkinson’s Park CIC, as I have decided to retire after 13 years as Vice Chair. As one of the founders of FOPP, I can say our initial objectives have been achieved; namely to save the park from dereliction, have it recognized in the Leeds Local Plan as a community green space, and to create a community hub that can be enjoyed by all local residents. The Park really came into its own during lockdown, proving the benefit of doing this.
I leave the Park in the good hands of the many people who now contribute to its upkeep in one way or another – some officially and some just quietly doing what they can.
Frank and Albert Parkinson left us a valuable legacy and we should be grateful to them for that. You can read more on the history of the Park here.
In contrast to our last post on drug users, the local Explorer Group started doing small projects in the Park last summer. One of the projects was to create a tree pit around the Jubilee Oak, which they then planted with bulbs last Autumn – their hard work has now come to fruition.
The Explores will be back this year after Easter. We look forward to working with them again in 2024.
The Park has been used for a number of years by drug users and even dealers. This became a major issue when the Park was not looked after back in the 2000’s and was one of the reasons why the Friends were formed.
Unfortunately, incidents of this and related anti-social behaviours are growing again. Evidence of drug taking has been found this week in both the Orchard, and in a shelter that has been dismantled on the wooded slopes. The activity takes place in some of the more isolated places in the Park, especially in the bottom copse and on the wooded slope.
We’ve had discussions with both Meadfleet (the people responsible for the land) and the Police and have been asked to report incidents when found.
We’d therefore like to ask park users if they spot any evidence of drug taking to report it to us on parkinsonspark@gmail.com – if you have photographic evidence of where and what please send that too. We’ll be compiling a regular report.
Picture – a shelter that has been dismantled where drug packets were found
The stars and snowflakes in memory of your loved ones (human or pets) are up again this year at the small Kelcliffe Lane entrance . New ones have joined old ones from previous years – although a few older ones are now too weather worn and have had to be discarded.
They look lovely ‘twinkling’ in the snow as they hang from the branches of the old hawthorn trees. They will be lit by ‘fairy lights’ just before dusk
If you’d like to have one added please email Joanne Brooks at parkinsonspark@gmail.com before 10th December.
Cold but Beautiful
The cold weather has made the Park look picturesque which has brought out the photographers – here are a selection that have been pasted on Facebook by Matt Barker, Liakat Ali Parapia, and Jennifer Kirkby.
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.
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.)
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
Lots of activity over the last weeks to improve the look of the Park and bring more joy to those who use it. The Park is not Council owned, it belongs to Bellway Homes. Meadfleet do basic maintenance in conjunction with Friends of Parkinson’s Park, whilst FOPP and local residents come together to try and make the Park special with the aim of looking after our heritage, and bringing joy to all.
In November the Nethercliffe working party of local residents worked on improving their entrance; which hopefully will soon have spring bulbs and early spring flowers from Celandines to Willow catkins and Backthorn blossom.
Putting Down Woodchip PathsImproving the Bog Garden Edging Continue reading →
Ten years ago the Friends of Parkinson’s Park was formed. November 2011 saw the start of the Park’s regeneration; a collaboration between Bellway Homes and an embryonic Friends Of Parkinson’s Park (FOPP); whilst February 2012 saw our first public meeting . 2012 was the year of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympic Games; a time of celebration and joy that gave us a lot of impetus to create a community asset for the people of Aireborough – not to mention the opportunity for Jubilee related grants for improvement.
Work on Park Re-Generation Starts November 2011
Friends at the planting of the Queen’s Jubilee Walk in 2012
Ten years later, we are still here; now registered as a Community Interest Company who work to raise money for Park improvements and organize community events. The Park itself has been officially recognized as part of the Leeds Green Infrastructure in the Local Plan, and is listed as both a Community Park for wellbeing, and a Natural Space where ecology is important. This meant than when the pandemic struck in 2020 the Park was there as a crucial sanctuary for many residents.
Poster by Paul’s Paint Pots
Our 10th anniversary year of 2022, will see the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham plus the Winter Olympics in Beijing and the Football World Cup. We will be having events and ‘crafts’ that celebrate these occasions as well as the Festival of British creativity and innovation announced by Prime Minister Teresa May in 2018 and now called Unboxed.
On top of this will be our usual Aireborough events including the Children’s Gala and Lantern Parade – in addition we will be collaborating with and supporting the Leeds 2023, Yarns Well Spun creative project run by Abi James, and Good Grief Guiseley.
Children’s Gala
Improvement work on features and facilities will continue with the help of grants from various organizations and a growing band of Friends (watch out for announcements and calls for help) whilst we are delighted that the Co-op has chosen our Willow Walk project as one of their local causes for 2022. Incredible Edible Aireborough will be looking after the herb planter; we hope to plant more trees in Crooklands Orchard; and Greenshaw Wood and the wildflower areas will continue to grow.
Crookland Orchard with trees donated by Leeds City Council, new sign courtesy of Heritage Lottery and bench sponsored by Cllrs Graham and Pat Latty
Over the last decade we have had help and support from innumerable people; resident, councillors and organizations. We have had sponsorship from a number of businesses and collaborated with many local and regional organizations from Guiseley Brass Band to the Orchard Project and Open Country. Through all this time, the core FOPP team has stayed more or less the same.
Litter Free GuiseleyGirl GuidesOpen Country Fire BrigadeOtley Dry Stone Wallers
Will we be here in another 10 years time? We hope that FOPP will last that long – but the most important legacy is the Park itself which was founded by the Parkinson brothers in the mid 20th century and given to the people of Guiseley. This is what we so nearly lost at the start of the millennium and which has been core reason for being.
Friends of Parkinson's Park CIC 
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