Appeal – Can You Remember Way Back When?

Discussing the sheepfold entrance

At the top of the Park is an area we have called the ‘sheepfold’ entrance (although, in truth, waller Martyn Hornsby-Smith tells us the walls are probably too low for that).  On old maps it looks like a triangular walled area, and some of us old enough to remember, vaguely recall such a structure with a stile, and a seat that looked west.   We don’t know what this area was, and we don’t know exactly how it looked.  The walls have disappeared, and all that remains is the sides of the stile, lying in the path (providing a stand for Bellway’s Simon Uttley in the picture.  Councillor Graham Latty is standing in the gap of the old stile).   So, we are putting out an appeal for anyone who remembers what the area looked like:  do you have a picture, a map, or could you do a rough drawing.  Most of all,  does anyone know what it was used for – was it an animal fold, or maybe a turning circle for carts, or even something to do with the drainage that cross the Park around this point.  As the churn stand, and an interesting set of stone gateposts are also in the area, we’d like to restore this feature,  but need more information to do it properly .

What Are The Plans?

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

Park Regeneration Starting November 2011

Discussing Ideas for the Park Restoration

We had our first site meeting with Bellway this morning to agree a plan of action on restoring the Park.  Bellway has said that work will start before the end of November,  and will progress in phases.

Continue reading