Friends of Parkinson's Park CIC

Welcome to Parkinson’s Park

Posted on May 10, 2017 by andyeyeam

Parkinson’s Park sits on the hillside behind the old Crompton Parkinson site on Netherfield Road: access is via entrances on Kelcliffe Lane, Greenshaw Terrace, Parkinson Way, Nethercliffe Crescent and Hillside Avenue. This historic area was given to the people of Guiseley to use as a park by Frank & Albert Parkinson in the 1930’s: it has been used for walks, play, and events ever since . Now owned by Bellway Homes, basic maintenance is done by Meadfleet The Friends of Parkinson’s Park CIC (FOPP) was set up to once again make the Park an attractive green space for community use and events, whilst helping to manage its varied natural habitats. On these pages you can read the history, examine the ecology and sign up to follow and comment on progress – as well as tell us your own stories of the park.

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Retirement Beckons

Posted on April 24, 2024 by Jennifer Inskip Kirkby

This is my last official post for Friends of Parkinson’s Park CIC, as I have decided to retire after 13 years as Vice Chair. As one of the founders of FOPP, I can say our initial objectives have been achieved; namely to save the park from dereliction, have it recognized in the Leeds Local Plan as a community green space, and to create a community hub that can be enjoyed by all local residents. The Park really came into its own during lockdown, proving the benefit of doing this.

I leave the Park in the good hands of the many people who now contribute to its upkeep in one way or another – some officially and some just quietly doing what they can.

Frank and Albert Parkinson left us a valuable legacy and we should be grateful to them for that. You can read more on the history of the Park here.

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FOPP Events 2024

Posted on April 18, 2024 by Jennifer Inskip Kirkby

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Explorers In The Park

Posted on March 7, 2024 by Jennifer Inskip Kirkby

In contrast to our last post on drug users, the local Explorer Group started doing small projects in the Park last summer. One of the projects was to create a tree pit around the Jubilee Oak, which they then planted with bulbs last Autumn – their hard work has now come to fruition.

The Explores will be back this year after Easter. We look forward to working with them again in 2024.

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Drug Users In The Park

Posted on March 7, 2024 by Jennifer Inskip Kirkby

The Park has been used for a number of years by drug users and even dealers. This became a major issue when the Park was not looked after back in the 2000’s and was one of the reasons why the Friends were formed.

Unfortunately, incidents of this and related anti-social behaviours are growing again. Evidence of drug taking has been found this week in both the Orchard, and in a shelter that has been dismantled on the wooded slopes. The activity takes place in some of the more isolated places in the Park, especially in the bottom copse and on the wooded slope.

We’ve had discussions with both Meadfleet (the people responsible for the land) and the Police and have been asked to report incidents when found.

We’d therefore like to ask park users if they spot any evidence of drug taking to report it to us on parkinsonspark@gmail.com – if you have photographic evidence of where and what please send that too. We’ll be compiling a regular report.

Picture – a shelter that has been dismantled where drug packets were found

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2024 New Year, New Shoots

Posted on January 1, 2024 by Jennifer Inskip Kirkby

Photo courtesy of Aireborough Photographic Society.

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St Oswald’s, Guiseley, Christmas Tree Festival 2023

Posted on December 8, 2023 by Jennifer Inskip Kirkby

The St Oswald’s Christmas Tree Festival is now on Monday -Saturday, 10am – 5pm throughout December. There are displays of trees decorated by local schools, uniformed groups, voluntary organizations and businesses.

Friend’s of Parkinson’s Park have added to the collection with our Christmas display of The Garden of Eden – and yes, there is an Adam and Eve together with a snake.

The whole festival creates a lovely atmosphere in the church for the Advent and Christmas season, with some very creative decorations.

Thanks go to everyone who provided items for FOPPs tree, we are pleased to be able to support this event.

PS If you’d like one of the last copies of the Guiseley Jubilee Oak there are some available in St Oswalds.

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Memories Are Made of This

Posted on December 3, 2023 by Jennifer Inskip Kirkby

Memory Stars and Snowflakes.

The stars and snowflakes in memory of your loved ones (human or pets) are up again this year at the small Kelcliffe Lane entrance . New ones have joined old ones from previous years – although a few older ones are now too weather worn and have had to be discarded.

They look lovely ‘twinkling’ in the snow as they hang from the branches of the old hawthorn trees. They will be lit by ‘fairy lights’ just before dusk

If you’d like to have one added please email Joanne Brooks at parkinsonspark@gmail.com before 10th December.

Cold but Beautiful

The cold weather has made the Park look picturesque which has brought out the photographers – here are a selection that have been pasted on Facebook by Matt Barker, Liakat Ali Parapia, and Jennifer Kirkby.

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FOPP Advent & Christmas Events 2023

Posted on November 26, 2023 by Jennifer Inskip Kirkby

Christmas Lights Market – We kick off our seasonal celebrations at the Guiseley Light Switch On, 26th November, 2- 6pm. Come and say hello at our stall; we’ll have the popular roll-a-car, a children’s bran tub, copies of the Guiseley Jubilee Oak Story, and leaflets on the Alternative Lantern Parade 2023 and Christmas Bauble Trail. Please bring cash.

Christmas Tree Festival – For the start of Advent, we’ll be adding a tree to the St Oswald’s Christmas Tree Festival which will open on the First Sunday in Advent, 3rd December. There will be a host of innovatively decorated trees from a range of organizations across the Parish which makes a splendid sight as the days grow darker.

Park Christmas Lights and Bauble Trail – The start of Advent sees the Park Christmas Light Trail back by popular demand. Visit a variety of locations to find a letter at each that makes up a Christmassy word. Trail leaflet here. Each location will have been dressed for Christmas by a different team. This includes the memory corner, where stars and snowflakes blow in the breeze, each one a memory of a loved one or pet. If you’d like to dedicate a decoration contact Joanna Brooks on parkinsonspark@gmail.com

Advent Tree – At the same time, hang an Advent bauble on the celebration tree to build up the decorations over the period until we we reach Christmas Day. Red and gold are the best colours as they light up the Park as the dying sun sends its rays across the landscape.

Lantern Parade – Finally, the Lantern Parade on 17th December will be changing formats this year. More details here. We are again recruiting local people for drummers an activity much enjoyed by those who take part. If you’d like to volunteer contact Chris Parapia on parkinsonspark@gmail.com. No experience necessary, just enthusiasm.

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The ‘Alternative’ Lantern Parade

Posted on November 26, 2023 by Jennifer Inskip Kirkby

After 10 years, the FOPP Lantern Parade on Sunday 17th December will be different this year; however, with your enthusiastic input, just as enjoyable we hope. The time has come when Leeds City Council think we need professional traffic management for the Friends parade down from the Park. That has not been possible to arrange this year, so there will be no community parade from the Park. Instead, here is

4.10pm	Gather at Guiseley Town Cross. We envisage people walking from their homes as dusk falls with a lit lantern to gather together at the heart of Old Guiseley. Music from Guiseley Brass Band, Mince Pies, collect a Carol Sheet.
4.20pm	Be there to see the arrival of the Guiseley Lanterns as darkness falls. Listen out for the drumming as they get closer.
4.30pm	Start of carol singing by lantern light with Guiseley Brass Band
4.50pm	Finale, with children singing Jingle Bells on the steps . If you have them bring bells to jingle

Festive dress is encouraged to make the event more special; dig out your Santa hats, antlers, and Christmas jumpers.

Let’s Make This Special

We would ask, as always, that children are accompanied by adults. And if the weather is pouring down, as has been its habit since July, we will cancel the event, so watch out on the day on our Facebook page. Parkinson’s Park.

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Christmas Bauble Trail, Early December – 7th January

Posted on November 26, 2023 by Jennifer Inskip Kirkby

The start of Advent sees the Park Christmas Light Trail back by popular demand. On a day and time of your choosing, visit a variety of locations in the Park to find a letter at each that makes up a Christmassy word. Trail leaflet here.

Each location will have been dressed for Christmas by a different team of local people.

Meanwhile add your own Bauble to the Advent Tree from 1st December to build up the decorations over the period until we we reach Christmas Day. Red and gold are the best colours as they light up the Park as the dying sun sends its rays across the landscape.