FOPP Fleece
FOPP Polos
The Friends Of Parkinson’s Park can now buy either a fleece or polo shirt with our own logo, which has been designed by Ian Hobson.
The items are availale from Wharfedale Embroidery in Otley. However, if you are interested in purchasing one, then please contact Chris Parapia on parkinsonspark@gmail.com. If a few people are interested we may be able to negotiate a discount. These are just sample colours, others are available.
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.
White Cross Vetinary Nurse, Amanda Hatfield withe the Hillside Bin
Saturday 2nd March; what a beautiful sunny spring morning, and what better time to celebrate the “official” bin naming ceremony at the end of Hillside Avenue. After many months of negotiation and perseverance the new bin has finally made it into position.
Many thanks to Tim Harrison and staff at White Cross Vets Practice for sponsoring the cost of the bin, and to committee members Josie Brooks, Nicola Denson and Chris Parapia for their persistance. Thanks also to Councillor Latty and Martin Beaumont from Leeds City Council for ensuring that the bin was supplied.
Thanks also to White Cross Vets for supplying us with some “doggie” bags which we gave out to passing dog walkers with very positive comments.
On Saturday March 2nd a working party will be out on the Park picking litter, planting some saplings and carrying our other jobs as needed. All are welcome. Meet at the Farm Gate on Kelcliffe Lane at about 09:30.
Friends of Engine Fields and Parkinson’s Park, man the Green Space Stand
The Friends of Parkinson’s Park, joined with The Friends of Engine Fields, yesterday (Saturday 23rd February) at a Living in Aireborough – pop-up exhibition and vintage tea room, in Yeadon Town Hall, organized by the Aireborough Neighbourhood Forum.
As well as highlighting all the great work done by local Friends groups in upgrading valuable green-space in the area, the Friends stand also asked visitors to pinpoint on a map where their favourite green spaces in Aireborough are.
This map will be built up over the coming weeks at
further pop-up events, as part of the work of the Aireborough Neighbourhood Forum to identify the green spaces in the area for the future and make sure it has the right designation in the new Leeds Local Development Framework.
If you want to nominate your favourite and most used green spaces you can list them below in the comments section .
Andy & Darren Fix Up The New Boxes
A new housing development went up in Parkinson’s Park this morning. Darren Shepherd and Andy Cheetham, braved heady heights, to nail a number of affordable homes for bats and birds to various trees around the park.
The boxes were donated by Peter and Joanna Brooks, of Brooks Ecological, and were put in locations suitable for their hoped for inhabitants. The bat boxes were places in a south facing direction, as high as the ‘developers’ dared, and had steps sawed into them for easier climbing (for the bats). Apparently the bats like to live close together, so there are around three per tree.
The bird boxes were put facing north east – although colder there is less wind, (the prevailing wind is from the west) and less chance of ‘fried’ chick, should the sun deign to shine.
Now all we have to hope for is that some residents find them desireable enought to inhabit!!
Mandarin Duck on Yeadon Tarn
Hello. I am finally stirring from my winter slumber, and the over indulgences of Christmas! The shortest day has been and gone, and we can look forward to warmer weather next week.
The highlight of the birds seen in the park this winter is the Waxwing (bombycilla garullus). A winter visitor from Northern Europe: a beautiful bird indeed: listen out for them flying over with a soft jingling call.
There are also a lot of Goldfinches around, and some superb Bullfinches. The male is a stunner in his striking red and black plumage.
I continue to see the Red Kite; even flying around in heavy snow; probably Continue reading
Winter Holiday Time for the Bug Hotel
Little Kelcliffe – No Longer A Sea of Mud
The first January snows of 2013, have certainly provided some magnificent scenes of Parkinson’s Park; whilst crowds of children have been trying out the traditional sledging runs.
What better way to enjoy a day off school and get plenty of outdoor exercise.
(More snow scenes from Jane Blake in the gallery.)
Marked on the map grapevine.
During a walk in the Park at lunchtime, I came across a dozen or so walkers sitting on the new Park benches and eating their lunch. They were apparently from Bradford’s University of the Third Age, on a hike around Guiseley and Menston.
Starting at the station, they were walking across the Park, and up to Fairy Dell, then down to Menston, around High Royds, and back to Harry’s (Wetherby Whaler) for a welcome Fish and Chip tea.
They were very pleased with the benches as a place to have a picnic, and have now officially marked them on walker’s grapevine map, as a great place for lunch on a walk.
So, as they say in the Marketing world, I think we can expect more footfall in the Park in the future. Which is great news, as the more it is used as a community asset, Continue reading
Barbara Winfield and Andy Cheetham, testing the new bench
Anyone going to the Park for a brisk winter walk, will notice a new addition to the landscape – Barbara’s Bench; or to be precise, the bench Barbara and brother, Alan Winfield, have donated to the Park in honour of their parents Norman and Marjorie Winfield (nee Rhodes).
Sited on a favourite old spot, where workers ate their sandwiches in summer, and courting couples lingered in spring, Barbara’s Bench was expertly installed by Jamie Scott, of S Thorpe, Groundwork Ltd, who were contracted by Bellway Homes. And, for those of a dubious disposition, yes it is level, and we have a photo of the proof. The concrete slabs are the original ones from the days of the old bench installed by John Moore and his team. Continue reading
Friends of Parkinson's Park CIC 
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