Friends of Parkinson's Park CIC

Did you know there were 7,500 different types of apples?

Posted on October 26, 2016 by Jennifer Inskip Kirkby

A variety of local people made the Parkinson’s Park Apple Day a very enjoyable event on Saturday; celebrating their harvest, playing traditional games and taking part in the Apple Quiz.

Eleven year old Daniel wrote -“Yesterday was really fun. I loved it and can’t wait for next year. It was much more popular than I expected and next hopefully next year there will be even more people. Apple bobbing was a real hit even though it was freezing cold (I thought it was any way). The apple pressing was great and the children loved it. I can’t believe how many apples were brought along. I had my Fitbit on and it went on almost 45 mins longer. The people who came along were fabulous and helped a lot. the weather was brill and it only started raining at the end. Maybe it knew the Parkinson’s Park apple day was on! ” Continue reading →

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Grow your Tenner for Parkinson’s Park – 18th October to 17th November 2016

Posted on October 18, 2016 by Jennifer Inskip Kirkby

If you give £10, Parkinson’s Park may get £20

Localgiving Matchfunding from 18th October to 17th November 2016

Parkinson’s Park is a Community Interest Company who raises money to enhance Parkinson’s Park in Guiseley and run annual community events such as the Children’s Gala and the Lantern Parade.

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Bug hotel is no more !!

Like other organizations, we have had been hit by a spate of vandalism over the Summer months, which has destroyed facilities such as our ‘bug hotels’ and some of the gates. Not only do we have to replace these items, but we also need to try to increase actions to curb this wanton destruction – all of this takes funding.

We are therefore taking part in this year’s Grow Your Tenner Campaign run by Localgiving.

During this campaign Localgiving will match all online donations of up to £10, and monthly direct debit donations up to £10 per month for 3 months.
Continue reading →

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Come To Our Apple Day

Posted on October 12, 2016 by Jennifer Inskip Kirkby

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Annual Children’s Gala

Posted on September 22, 2016 by andyeyeam

On Sunday September 4th, FOPP held its Annual Children’s Gala, with the topical theme of Parkinson’s Park goes to Rio!

The weather seemed to match our theme, but overall a great day was had by all with mini-Olympics, Community Games including Tug of War, Egg and Spoon, Sack race run very professionally by young people from Guiseley Baptist Church. Fairground games provided by Westgate School were enjoyed by all young and old. The pillory proved a hit with youngsters delighting in getting Mum, Dad or grandparents thoroughly soaked.

Many Friends and residents turned out to help with setting up for the day and a wide range of local organisations chipped in to support us including Guiseley Methodist Church Scout Leaders, Litter Free Continue reading →

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Bog Garden for the Park

Posted on September 22, 2016 by andyeyeam

On the 30^th August the installation of the Bog Garden took place. It was a warm sunny day and we were very fortunate to have the input from a group called Open Country who drew up the plan and the planting regime for the garden.

They arrived mid-morning with their helpers and also with a corporate group from the Department of the Environment who had volunteered for the day and were aiming to bring the Garden to completion in one day.

Everyone set to work digging out the area, then laying the liners and filling in the area with plants suitable for the setting.

In all 16 helpers were involved and were kept going with refreshments provided by FOPP.

The garden is situated down near the Netherfield/Nethercliffe entrance to the park. Nick and Open Country will be back to do further work later this month and have agreed to make occasional visits to undertake any maintenance work.

We were very fortunate to receive funding from the Northern Horticultural Society and from Meadfleet and we offer our thanks for their support.

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Parkinson’s Park Crime and Order

Posted on August 30, 2016 by Jennifer Inskip Kirkby

Crime in the Park

Pallets burnt near the wooden bench

We are very sorry to report that Criminal behaviour is increasing in the Park especially to do with drugs, arson and general destruction of Park features from gates to trees. The Police have been notified and have been to the Park to look at the issues. To start with patrols by PCSO’s will be increased. The registration numbers of potential drug dealers have been reported for enquiry. All drug related debris is removed by a number of people as soon as it is spotted.

The Bug Hotel in the copse destroyed and the Pallets burnt near the bench.

We are not alone in facing this growing level of crime; Engine Fields in Yeadon is another Friends led green space in Aireborough that suffers from sporadic bouts of criminal damage. Damage that is frequently mended by community orientated local people.

There are also running battles with destruction, often arson, at Guiseley Cricket Club where expensive covers have been destroyed, and other sports and community facilities in Guiseley and Yeadon. Continue reading →

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Parkinson’s Park Children’s Gala Goes To Rio

Posted on August 8, 2016 by andyeyeam

Save the date! Sunday 4th September is this year’s Guiseley Children’s Gala at Parkinson’s Park. A day of celebration bringing the children and people of Guiseley together, for fun, games, ice creams, cakes and a brass band. Fancy dress is encouraged with prizes. The theme this year is inspired by the Olympics at Rio. So dress for a “Sporting Event” or a “Carnival”. Maybe combine the two with a nice combination of Lycra and Feathers. And if that is not enough Professor Fiddlesticks will entertain the children with his magic and tricks. The invite says it all. May the sun shine on us and see you all there. Anyone available to help out behind the stalls, please make yourself known.

Gala 2016 invite

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Hillside Road Entrance Spruced Up

Posted on August 1, 2016 by andyeyeam

It’s amazing how much you can do with a few willing volunteers and a short space of time. A merry band of people including Chris Parapia, Barbara Winfield, Josie Brooks, Martyn Hornsby-Smith, Horace Price and Nicola Denson, met Thursday (30th June) to plant some wildflowers kindly donated by Carol Rowe around the Hillside Road entrance.

The entrance had benefitted from new steps in the past but was overdue some additional planting to make it a more attractive entrance to the park.

With time in short supply we quickly got on clearing the area of weeds and grass, digging it over, cleaning the steps and planting the new wildflowers. We marked the edge with stones so people could be sure something had been happening there.

We hope you think it looks much better. Unfortunately we forgot to take any before pictures but here’s a one of the activity taking place and the end results. Continue reading →

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Wild flower planting – Thursday 30th June, 10:00 to 13:00

Posted on June 26, 2016 by andyeyeam

The Friends of Parkinson’s Park have acquired some Wild Flowers. There will be a small working party gathering on Thursday 30th June between 10:00 and 13:00 to plant them out. The area chosen is the steps at the top of the Park closest to the Hillside Avenue entrance. If you can make it then all help is gratefully received. Stout footwear is advised.

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Pictures from the Tales Told Festival Lantern Parade

Posted on June 18, 2016 by Jennifer Inskip Kirkby

Some pictures from the Tales Told Festival Lantern Parade on 17th June. This was a special community event designed to bring people together and celebrate Aireborough and summer, organized by community arts company JP Productions. Fireworks were by award winning Optimum Fireworks.

The lanterns arrive that had been made during the week long Tales Told Festival

Playing games whilst it gets dark enough for the Fireworks – led by Jacob Phillips

And off we go, the rain barely holding off - booms sound around the Guiseley Gap

And off we go – booms sound around the Guiseley Gap

An excellent display is enjoyed by those close, and for miles around

The vibration of the moist air by the energy of the fireworks releases water vapour in a mist across the landscape. Party’s end and a lot of people feeling more positive about the place they live.

Please note – permission was sought from the landowner via FOPP for this special community enhancing event. Care was taken to advertise the event in advance, and warn local people with livestock in the area. Advice was taken on the ecology. The event was risk assessed and insured. The event was privately funded.

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