Apple Picking Time in October with Apple Day on 20th

Posted on September 3, 2019 by

The 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.

Posted in Ecology, Events, Facilities

Dinosaurs Took Over the Park for the 2019 Children’s Gala

Posted on September 2, 2019 by

Despite the rain, there was a good attendance of new Friends and old. The Dinosaur Trail was especially popular with the children; as was the ever entertaining Professor Dan who worked his magic as he dodged the showers. For the adults there was an excellent display from Guiseley Camera Club, and the launch of the new 2020 Aireborough Historical Society Calendar. Guiseley Brass Band lent a Yorkshire flavour to the afternoon, thankful that this year they had their smart new gazebo to sit under.

Well done once again to the organizing committee, all the helpers and the sponsors.

Now, if you look very carefully you will find that some of the dinosuars are still around. !!

A hatched dinosaur egg !!
Posted in Events

PROGRAMME FOR THE CHILDREN’S GALA 2 – 4.30PM, 1st SEPTEMBER 2019

Posted on September 1, 2019 by

2pm onwards Professor Dan

2pm Guiseley Brass Band

3.15pm Guiseley Brass

3.45pm Children’s Games

4pm Fancy Dress Parade

4.15pm Presentation of prizes and raffle draw

4.30 Close of Event

There will be:

  • Metal detecting and fossil hunting,
  • A Dinosaur course
  • Facepainting
  • Arts and crafts tent
  • Photographic exhbition by Aireborough Photographic Society
  • Display by Aireborough Historic Society
  • Refreshments with dinosaur buns

Posted in Events

Another Firework Spectacle

Posted on June 30, 2019 by

Another excellent event to end the Tales Told Festival 2019 by Codswallop CIC.

Image | Posted on June 30, 2019 by

Fireworks Tonight

Posted on June 29, 2019 by

Don’t Forget

Fireworks in the Park

Tonight 10pm

TALES TOLD FESTIVAL

Posted in Uncategorized

Cycling in the Park

Posted on June 23, 2019 by

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.

 

Posted in Facilities

Notice from Codswallop Re the Tales Told Finale and Fireworks

Posted on June 23, 2019 by

“The Tales Told festival kicked off in truly chaotic style today 22nd June, and we’re here to give you a little warning for the end of our festival!”

“On the 29th June between 8-10pm we’re having our annual Festival Finale extravaganza at Parkinsons Park! A fantastic evening of family fun and good vibes  that will come to a spectacular climax by Optimum Fireworks!”

“Between 10-10:15pm there will be a short but explosive firework display… just a heads up! Can you help us out by spreading the word far and wide so everyone who needs to know knows?? Thanks pals!”

See you there!

For more information on the Tales Told Festival all the events and the Finale see the Codswallop Facebook Page here.

Posted in Events

2nd Guiseley Guides Upgade Suzannah’s Meadow

Posted on May 16, 2019 by

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.

 

 

Posted in Ecology, Events, Facilities

Growing An Orchard

Posted on May 4, 2019 by

“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.

Posted in Ecology, Facilities

2019 Spring Clean – 24 March

Posted on March 16, 2019 by

Image | Posted on March 16, 2019 by