Well the snow came down and stayed for quite some time and many photographs were taken. Just a few of them have made their way onto our gallery so please take a look if you want a reminder of what the park is like in snow.
Steps Closed
Where there's muck, there's ...................
The Hillside steps have been closed temporarily whilst anti-slip paint is put on them, and the top steps are widened slightly. Chris Gaunt asked if this could be done, as, with the mud and snow it might be a worthwhile precaution against slipping. The steps will be open again, as soon as this is done. Bellway are also looking at widening and laying a more sturdy path from the steps into the Park, as the current small, narrow, track gets very muddy and slippery.
We hope these changes will make the Park more pleasurable to use, and open access to more people.
Our thanks to Mr Oxley’s team at the council for improving the path down to Hillside from the steps; a much better job than the first attempt.
Bird Watch – Winter Visitors by Darren Shepherd
Goldcrest - (source John Smith, Halstead & District Photographic Society)
Bird life in the Park this January has been quiet, although there are still a few birds about, including some winter visitors from Scandinavia and Russia. The commonest of these visitors is the redwing (turdus iliacus), which can be seen in the Park occasionally; most obviously at night on migration south, when its “stuuf” piping call can be clearly heard.
The second ‘visitor’ is the fieldfare (turdus pilaris) a slightly larger member of the thrush family which has a blueish plumage, in comparison to our resident mistle thrushes Continue reading
Sledging on ‘Suicide Hill’
Sledges at the top of 'suicide hill'.
With perfect timing the snow arrived in time for a snug evening watching England win the Calcutta Cup, followed by a Sunday morning of fun sledging in the park; a ‘choice’ weekend for some !! At midday, Great Brow slopes were at their slippery best, and people gathered from near and far – some borrowing children to ‘legitimately’ take part in the fun.
The Park has always been popular in the snow, but over the years the location of the sledging slope has changed. In the 1950’s, it was mainly on Clapper Brow (the other side of the park to today’s fun) with the younger children sledging down the gentle path towards the wood; only the big boys went on ‘suicide hill’ (the very steep hill, now with the Bellway fence
Waiting for a clear run on Great Brow
at the bottom) or the ‘snowdrop run’ on Great Brow. Clapper Brow was still the popular place to go in the 1980’s, with the long run at the bottom towards the bowling green, making it a good ride. Now, however, with fences and trees having sprung up, the main hive of activity is the steep slope of Great Brow, with a few intrepid children still trying their luck on ‘suicide hill’ – although with the fence at the bottom it really is a case of being very careful.
If you have any good photographs of today’s fun, do let us know and we’ll put them in the picture gallery.
Friends Meeting 21st February
Where there's muck, there's ...................
The list of people who have said they would like to be Friends of Parkinsons Park is growing, and it is wonderful to know that there are so many people interested in the future of the Park: be that from an historical, recreational or environmental aspect.
The regeneration of the Park and it’s subsequent development has an important role to play in the health and wellbeing of the community. Yesterday, the Government published it’s Public Health Outcomes Framework 2013-2016: the objective of which is to improve healthy life expectancy overall, and address regional differences. This is to be done through the improvement of a Continue reading
Mud, Mud and yet more Mud
“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)
Tree Surgery
Tree Graffiti - Oak tree marked for removal of dangerous dead branches
Those of you who go to the Park regularly, will notice some yellow marks have appeared on some trees. This is not Jamie indulging in a spot of graffiti; he wasn’t very good at it anyway: the trees have been marked by an experienced tree surgeon for the removal of diseased and damaged wood, or branches that need lopping for safety.
It is unfortunate that we seem to have lost a lot of the horse chestnuts in the park to canker, as well as an apple tree. However, the death of the trees will be managed, and whilst they are not a danger the tree trunks will be left in place to provide a habitat for bats, woodpeckers and insects. A Continue reading
Secret History
Crompton Parkinson's early 1950's (Source: John Moore)
John Moore, who used to look after Parkinson’s Park for Crompton Parkinson, called to see his old stamping ground today to explain some things that have puzzled us. He brought a picture dating back to the early 1950’s, showing a Hillside entrance we did not know about, the old tennis pavillion repleat with cesspit, and, we can just make out a little more of the frustrating ‘sheepfold’ entrance which was also called “old man’s corner” because of the seats in it.
The line of trees shown going up to the copse is something we want to highlight a little more in the wooded area. And, John confirmed, that when the car park was built Aireborough Council did asked for more trees to be planted in that area. Continue reading
Ten Years Younger – Phase 1 and 2
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
Good News and Bad
New gate at Greenshaw Terrace
Two things to report today, one good, one not. The good news, is the first self closing gate has been fitted on the Greenshaw Terrace entrance, together with the door mat.
The other news, is that we have reported to the Council that the work they did on the Hillside end of Kelcliffe Lane before Christmas has left the bridle way in a worse condition than it was before. Instead, of just a muddy lane, we now have an even muddier ditch, full of lose rocks. The land belongs to Kelcliffe Farm, however it is the Council footpath/bridle way department who have done the work. Gerry Hill, who lives at Kelcliffe Farm has reported this to Ian Oxley, Enforcement Officer, Public Rights of Way, at Leeds Council, as has Chris Parapia, from Friends of Parkinson’s Park. For anyone else who wishes to complain Mr Oxley’s number is 0113 2375265 and his email is Ian.Oxley@leeds.gov.uk.
UPDATE – 19th January – The Council have been to have a look at Kelcliffe Lane at the Hillside End. They have agreed that it needs ‘stoning up’ and that this will be done ‘in the near future’.
Friends of Parkinson's Park CIC 
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