Category Archives: Regeneration

DATES FOR 2016

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events_medium2016 is the year of the second Tour of Yorkshire in April with a stage start in Otley, the  Queen’s 90th Birthday Celebrations in June,  the Rio Olympics in August.  At the moment we are planning the following events, but may add to them during the year, including a regular monthly working party.

Clean for the Queen – Winter Working Party – 5th March, 10am – 12noon
Clean for The Queen is a campaign to clear up Britain in time for Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th birthday, which will be officially celebrated in June 2016.When she came to the throne litter was not the problem that it is today. Food packaging, plastic bottles, takeaway meals and cigarette butts have all contributed to a growing menace that affects our wildlife, streets, countryside and sense of pride. What better way could we show our gratitude to Her Majesty than to clean up our country?Clean for The Queen weekend on March  4th, 5th and 6th 2016.

Children’s Gala – 4th September
Theme to be decided,  if you’d like to make a suggestion let us know

Heritage Open Day, Walk Through Time – 11th September
Once again we’ll take you on a walk around the Park to tell you about the hidden history uncovered during our HLF All Our Stories Project.

Lantern Parade – 18th December
We are planning to have a lantern making workshop in the Autumn half term,  more news later in the year.

DO YOU KNOW WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS? – Chris Parapia

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IMAG0504Litter Free Guiseley members recently came to help collect litter in Parkinson’s Park prior to our Traditional Children’s Gala. Jeff Yates described the park as an “oasis” of cleanliness compared to many areas of Guiseley.

However,  I am very sad to report that some people are letting our reputation down; in particular the bottom copse and bench areas are being used for drinking, lighting of fires and even more worrying drug taking.  This is an area where children play !!20150927_144910

The latest shocking occurrence was the destruction of the gate at the Sheepfold entrance on Saturday evening, 26th September. Do you know who is responsible for these sheer acts of wanton vandalism?

Many long standing residents of the area will remember that before the Friends of Parkinson’s Park got involved the park had degenerated into nothing more than an unloved dog toilet and drug dealing den as can be seen from the pictures taken in 2010/2011.

Park in 2011

Park in 2011

I am sure that all our new residents and friends on the Edison Fields Estate and the Redrow estate would not want a return to those bad old days, with gangs of youths putting off everyone else from entering the park. We have worked hard with everyone’s support to change the park back to what it should be, a beautiful open space for everyone to enjoy.

If you know who is responsible for spoiling these wonderful areas please inform the local community policing service. They are available on outernorthwest@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or by phoning 101 which is the non emergency telephone number.

Bottom Path is Back After A Decade Of Neglect

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It seems like forever, that local people have been trying to get the old track along the bottom of the Park restored.  But now, at long last, thanks to Meadfleet,  we at last have a mown path that we can start to regenerate and reconstruct so that it can be used to get from one side of Guiseley to the centre, avoiding busy roads.   The intention is to keep the grass mown as a minimum.

Picture from 1930's clearly shows the path along the bottom of the Park.

Picture from 1930’s clearly shows the path along the bottom of the Park.

Greenshaw terrace entrance

Greenshaw terrace entrance

Continue reading →

Dates for the Diary

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There are a number of meetings and events on the horizon for your diaries and if you are able to wander along and help out everyone is always very welcome indeed.

Thursday 21st May, Gala Meeting – there will be a meeting to discuss preparations for the Summer Gala. If you are interested in assisting with this year’s preparations then please contact Chris Parapia whose contact details can be found at this link.

Sunday 24th May, Station Pub Music Festival – the Station Pub have been very supportive of Parkison’s Park over the years, for example, lending us their tables for the Summer Gala and other things as well. They have requested if anyone could help with a collection they are making during their music festival. It would consist of collecting money in buckets for an hour or so. If you are are able to help then please make contact and we will put you in touch with the organisers.

Working PartySunday 31st May, Working Party on the Park – meet at the Farm Gate at the top of the Park, between 10am and Noon for some general maintenance, weeding, tidying Etc. All helpers very much appreciated.

Friends 2 : Council 0 – by Chris Parapia

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Friends enhancing the Park with daffodil bulb planting

The bottom boundary of Parkinson’s Park was a hive of industry this morning with a great number of folk joining in with the spring bulb planting . We were fortunate to receive 1000 narcissus bulbs free from Groundwork Trust and with everyone pitching in they all got planted in less than an hour,  just finishing before the heavens opened.

Many thanks to Steve and Sue, Ann, Ben and Lucyanne, Jane and Nick, Nicola and Violet, Josie, Sarah, Jacob and Finlay.  Hopefully in spring we will be rewarded with a wonderful display. Continue reading →

Planting Poppies For Aireborough’s WWI Commemoration Launch on 4th August 2014

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The Poppy Planting Team

The Poppy Planting Team

As part of Aireborough’s World War I commemorations, Parkinson’s Park have been sowing poppies.  The idea is for the poppies to be in bloom on 4th August, when a whole host of events and special features are due to start as a means to recognize the sacrifice and say ‘thank you’ to all the local people who took part in the First Wold War,  in whatever way.

On the morning of Wednesday 30th April  Chris Parapia joined in with Oxford Road Pre School Playgroup  to sow wildflower and poppy seeds at the play area in front of the playgroup building.

In the afternoon six pupils from Guiseley Infants School and their teachers, Daisy, Matilda, Oliver,Jake Evie and Harriet and their teachers Janet Munnings and Helen Gastel,  walked up to the Park,  and worked very hard sowing seeds in the newly extended wildflower area by the Farmgate; helped by Betty, Josie, Chris and Barbara from the Friends.

Brass Cap Badge from The Royal Artillery & 1914 Half-Penny recently found in the Park.

Brass Cap Badge from The Royal Artillery & 1914 Half-Penny recently found in the Park.

The poppies should give colour on August 4th, when there will be a wreath laying ceremony at the cross in Guiseley at 11am followed by flowers placed on the war graves in St Oswald’s cemetery: Guiseley Brass Band will be playing  music from 1914, from 10.30am.  Later in the evening the Guiseley churches will be holding an evening reflection.  Nationally there is to be a ‘blackout’ from 11pm when people will be asked to turn off their lights, and light a British Legion candle.  Special  WWI candles will be available from The Royal British Legion’s partner,  Marks & Spencer’s from early July,

Entry from Guiseley Town Council Minutes of 12th November 1918.

Entry from Guiseley Town Council Minutes of 12th November 1918.

The Aireborough Commemmorations are designed to bring together in remembrance the townships of Yeadon, Guiseley and Rawdon – not forgetting Hawksworth and High Royds, whose families were all part of the Parish of Guiseley.  The events will last from 2014 until 2018 and compliment national events.    The idea was started by Stuart Andrew MP, last year,  after discussions with the local Royal British Legion.  The organizing committee, of which Parkinson’s Park is a member, along with Guiseley in Bloom,  Guiseley Carnival, Rawdon Parish Council, local churches, and the British Legion,  is chaired by WWI historian Cllr John Davies from Rawdon Parish Council.   Anyone who wants to be part of the committee,  or has an event they are organizing that could link into the WWI programme, should contact John on 0113 250 4403.

 

 

 

Dog Fouling – by Chris Parapia

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Full Dog Fouling Bags Left ona Bench In the Park

After fighting long and hard to get a dog waste bin positioned by the Park’s Farmgate entrance,  and after fantastic usage by all park users,  the council decided to move it away in early January with no consultation with the Friends or park users.   They cited “health and safety” reasons, as Kelcliffe Lane is now so full of potholes their collection vehicle cannot make the journey along it.  (The potholes have occurred because a proper drainage system was not put in by the developers when the wall was built for the houses on the old allotments at the top of Oxford avenue.  Previously there was a dry stone wall along the lane which water drained through instead of sitting in puddles as it does now.)

The dog bin was moved to where Oxford Avenue meets Kelcliffe Lane – but is not now well used.

Many park users have complained to us that they are very annoyed and irritated by this and we the Friends are especially upset as we have worked so hard to improve the park , and littering and dog fouling had decreased enormously.  It is now on the increase again with dog owners leaving unbagged waste and full bags around the Park including on the benches !!!   There really is no excuse for this, the Park is not owned by the Council and any mess has to be cleared up by local people: this is a place we want children to play and enjoy !!  There are dog bins at both Hillside Avenue and the Nethercliffe entrance.

We are still negotiating with the Council for a return of the bin, however, if you feel strongly about this situation please write a comment or contact our local councillors Graham Latty, Pat Latty and Paul Wadsworth.


A Park With Three Benches !

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The bench arrives down Clapper Brow - left to right, Steve, Martyn, Paul and Andy

The bench arrives down Clapper Brow – left to right, Steve, Martyn, Paul and Andy

A recent comment on a Guiseley related Facebook page bemoaned the lack of green space in Guiseley, and the paltry nature of the ‘one bench’ that was in Parkinson’s Park.  Well,  the Park now has three benches (and one tree log): the latest addition was installed by our local crack ‘men who can’ team at the end of July

The bench is partly made from the sycamore trees that used to stand near the cafe on Ilkley Moor.  It was made by Paul Whittaker, Continue reading →

Springtime in Guiseley

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Walking through the park this week you will no doubt have spotted the new flowers which are opening up daily.  Spring has finally sprung and plants which have been shivering and clinging onto life for months have been rewarded with warm, nurturing sunshine.  There has been very little rain over the last few weeks, which could become a problem if the dry conditions continue, but at the moment the plants are thriving.The most stunning area of the park has to be the woodland path from Greenshaw Terrace, which is carpeted with beautiful wood anemones and celandine

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There are still some cheerful daffodils around the park although the striking display along Jubilee walk has now gone over. Continue reading →

2013 Season Gets Off To ‘Fruitful’ Start

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Incredible Edible Inspired Raised Beds

Incredible Edible Inspired Raised Beds

Inspired by the example of Incredible Edible,  Sue Jackson and Steve Magson have created some raised beds near the Farm Gate Entrance,  to plant herbs and other produce.   Just one of the tasks completed by the ‘friends’ on the first of the 2013 monthly Park upkeep days  – and,  as with the first tree planting event a year ago,  the sun turned up to warm endeavours.

Richard Lamb and Barbara Winfield,  did a fantastic job clearing up several large bags of winter debris,  including broken sledges;  maybe some discarded sledge parts should be left as a time capsule for future archeologists.

Darren Shepherd and Andy Cheetham, planted a wildlife shrub border along the wall of Little Kelcliffe with plants donated by the Woodland Trust;   Nicola and John Denson replenished the shrubs on Jubilee Walk which had suffered from over zealous strimming, and Josie Brooks landscaped more appealing looking shrub island along the ridge path and planted bulbs.

Anyone interested in taking part in future upkeep days, or with ideas they’d like to implement in the Park,  should contact us at parkinsonspark@gmail.com.