Category Archives: Regeneration

Attention Turns to Wood

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Sycamore Trees on Clapper Brow , About 150years Old

Around 1861, when the American Civil War was raging,  Prince Albert was breathing his last, and Mrs Beeton was publishing her cookery book, someone in Guiseley, planted, these magnificent sycamore trees.  It is said that to “plant a tree is to give body and life to one’s dreams of a better world” (Russell Page).  Well,  it is a matter of opinion if the world is better, or not, in 2012; but it is now our turn to look after these trees for future generations.  Fortunately,  they are all healthy and just need dead wood removing.   Around this area in the summer,  we are also hoping to run a project to establish a wild flower meadow for the Queen’s Jubilee as part of an RHS programme;  but more of that later, when we have got permission from Bellway. Continue reading →

Steps Are Finished – Hurrah

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Alert Dog (on steps)

Well done to Pudsey Landscapes for some much better steps.  These should take the widest feet now, and hopefully alleviate slipping.  Congratulations, as well to Mr Oxley’s team at Leeds Council,  for a much improved path from Hillside.

Thank you also, to the gentleman who took this photograph of the steps for me; saving a walk around into the field.  I know I suggested you take a picture of your ‘dog’, but I was quite surprised to find myself on the photo as well !!!

Mud, Mud and yet more Mud

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“When you reach for the stars you may not quite get one, but you won’t come up with a handful of mud either”  Leo Burnett, Advertising Executive

Muddy Path - before the regeneration started

Unfortunately,  when it rains,  the paths in the Park turn to mud, that is the nature of the geology of the Park.  Today is a classic example.  We are working with Bellway on ways to alleviate this, including making  wide grassy areas to walk across, instead of single tracks.

One thing that will be done quickly is put an anti-slip coating on the new steps:  as muddy clay on boots,  from both the lane and the park mean that people need to be extra careful, and this will help.

“He who slings mud generally, loses ground”  Adlai E Stevenson,  Ambassador to the United Nations (1961-1965)

Ten Years Younger – Phase 1 and 2

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30th November 2011

19th January 2012

The new Field Gate Entrance is done, which, together with the work on Little Kelcliffe, opens up the landscape view, and creates a more inviting scene  – a dog bin will be going in by this gate as soon as the Council get them in; a number of people have been requesting one.

This almost concludes Phase 1 of the regeneration.    Phase 2 of work will  look at the trees Continue reading →

1212012

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View from Little Kelcliffe - High Royds with Rombalds Moor behind and Edison Fields in front

Work continues on the gates and the entrances, whilst the weather has smiled today; making a change from the howling gales, bone chilling rain, and river of mud conditions in the Park of late.

Looking around, it was hard to believe that it is only 12 January.  The grass is more spring green, than winter pale; the sky, a brilliant blue with white wisps and black wings; and the songbirds are twittering away searching for ‘the one’.  A good day for shiver free walk in the Park,  to find that slimmer, fitter new you.

End of the day in the Park

It feels good now to walk across the open expanse of Little Kelcliffe, and feel part of the wider landscape – Hawksworth Moor to the left, Wharfedale to the right, and the impressive Victorian expanse of High Royds in front.  Quite different, to picking a careful way along a mucky track through the tangled and hummocky overgrowth – it will be great when we can get the hedge around the copse under control again and properly laid.    Thank you Gentlemen of Pudsey Landscapes for putting up with the dreadful weather to give back to we Guiseley folk some simply pleasure.  However,  I think a cold snap is forecast,  so get those thermals, and ice picks out !!

Swinging Gates

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New entrance 'doormat' for the Oxford Avenue entrance

A wild and windy week, (apparently the wind speed last night was 75 mph at Yeadon airport) but the men from Pudsey Landscapes have carried on heroically.   The top part of the park (Little Kelcliffe) has now been opened up, and is starting to look like a useable space again.  (We have plans for events to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee later in the year, and this will be an ideal area.)

A key focus of the work is now the entrances.  Jamie and Mark are hard at work on new gates and entrance ‘doormats’  for the Oxford Avenue, Greenshaw Terrace, and the Farm Gate entrance. Meanwhile, on the Hillside Avenue side,  the hole in the hedge, that has been used as an entrance for a number of year, has now been made into proper steps.  In addition,  we have managed to get the council to do some work on improving the bridleway access from that side, and work is underway. Peter is hard at work taking out the old barbed wire that surrounds the park on a number of sides – let’s hope none of it is too springy !! Continue reading →

Day 4 – Opening up the views

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View from the farm gate entrance

A beautiful snowy scene greeted Pudsey landscapers this morning.   A light covering had landed overnight but it didn’t stop work.  A visit mid morning revealed quite a change as the removal of the willowherb near the top copse was completed, which has opened up the view from the farm gate access right across to Ilkley moor.  The bramble has also been taken further back from the paths in this area to make them more open and welcoming.  With the completion of an extensive litter pick the park is becoming a much safer place to explore.  Let’s just hope we can keep it that way!

What Are The Plans?

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1956 - A Parkinson's Open Day in the Park. Source: Wharfedale Observer 29/6/1956

What are the plans for the Park?  A fair question, put by Sheila Sykes and Brian Richardson yesterday.   The Friends of Parkinson’s Park (FOPP) want to regenerate the Park as a 21st century asset, to an expanding Guiseley very short on green spaces and good sized gardens.  The Park was originally given for the use of ‘the people of Guiseley’ by F & A Parkinson Ltd in the 1940’s: very possibly because Guiseley Recreation Ground, had been built on after the First World War.  Officially, the land in 2011 is designated public green space: however, it is owned by Bellway.  Bellway, through their 106 agreement, have provided a budget, and contractors for initial phases of regeneration. Continue reading →

Day 3 – Cold and Wet

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Hillside Avenue Entrance - cut back and opened up

Today I wondered along to the Park with a hope of seeing some of the Pudsey Landscapes Operatives in action but my timing was off and there was little sign of them (it was midday!). It was also very cold and very wet with a distinct feel of winter in the air. What was very pleasing to see was that early attention had  been given to making the entrances more accessible and the paths widened. It is very early days and there is so much more to be done but  already there are  small improvements that make walking in the Park a more pleasant experience than it was before. Well done Pudsey Landscapes and keep up the good work.

Day 2 – Great Interest

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Peter and Ken, Pudsey Landscapes

Day 2 of the regeneration; Peter Stell and Ken Newsholme from Pudsey Landscaping,  are hard at work with their strimmers – not quite as picturesque, maybe, as the large scythes that used to be used for such a job !!   The first task is cutting down the clumpy grass,  a feature of land used by ‘many dogs’,  clearing the entrances,  and making the paths wider and more visible, so they don’t turn into muddy tracks with the wetter weather. Continue reading →