±±±± Week ending Saturday 22nd October 2022 ±±±
We can all safely say that Winter is fast approaching. Technically, winter does not start until the 21st of December this year. However, the rain this week did not stop the intrepid bulb planters in Carr Lodge Park.
Deb and volunteers of the Friends of Horbury’s Park started planting what will be circa 7,000 purple crocus bulbs, when completed. An additional 1,000 crocus bulbs will be planted in Horbury Bridge by the Pride in Horbury Bridge group over the next few weeks.
This will now mean we have planted around 16,000 bulbs over the last 3 years! A mix of crocus and daffodils in all our parks including Illingworth Park in South Ossett, via their friend’s group of hardworking volunteers.
On Tuesday evening we both attended the Friends of Horbury’s Parks community group meeting, which was held in Horbury Old Town Hall. Darren and Deb are both founder members of this group and along with an amazing team of volunteers, have achieved so much in many of our parks, since we started back in 2017.
The group have agreed to fund the following over the winter months and into summer 2023. The purchase and installation of 12 to 15 bird and bat boxes for Carr Lodge and Reid Parks. These will be installed in the winter months to be ready for spring and the breeding seasons.
The Community Orchard will be planted before Christmas, fingers crossed, and will feature a sign giving details of the trees and what can be done with the fruits when ready for picking. The trees have been paid for by a grant from Wakefield Council and the sign by Darren and Deb’s trade union UNITE.
In time for next summer, 4 picnic benches will be installed in the lower park of Carr Lodge Park. These will be available for families and groups to use, making the park even more of an attraction. Watch this space for more information about the Friends Group activities.
Whilst on the subject of trees, more whip-trees are planned to be planted around Horbury Lagoons over the winter months. More information to follow over the coming months.
On Thursday evening Darren attended a meeting that had been organised by Horbury Civic Society. The venue was the Calder Vale Pub, in their upstairs function room. It was attended by around 15 locals, mainly representing the businesses. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Civic Society’s Big Ideas for Horbury, including Horbury Bridge and Junction.
A range of topics were discussed from flooding and the lack of river management, the ownership of Charles Street, the natural recourses of Horbury Lagoons and the problems this creates and the cost of soaring energy bills for the businesses.
One of the ideas that the Civic Society has been developing is that of a Horbury Wind Turbine, which could be located somewhere in the Junction area and be designed as a piece of very functional artwork. Imagine something as powerful as the Angel of the North but functional & generates 100% free electricity.
This could have many benefits for our communities, from an income stream for the Community groups across our varied communities and a potential for reducing the energy costs for our local and much needed employers. Watch out for more information over the coming months.
On Friday morning, you may have seen the raised platform working on the drive into the Old Town Hall in Horbury. The contractors were carrying out a roof inspection of the building to see what repairs need to be addressed. Identified work will be carried out as required to ensure that this building stays water tight and functional.
The major works continue on Ossett Town Hall with work being done in the roof space and well as the creation of a new library space on the first floor. A new lift is to be installed and other improvements across the building. The works are also continuing on Horbury library, with contractors working at high level on the roof and surrounding stone work. Apologies in advance for any disruption whilst the work is being carried out on Horbury and Ossett Town Halls and both library spaces.
On Friday Darren delivered the first batch of pumpkins to Horbury Library. These are now available, free of charge, to collect and to create your own spooky entry into the Pumpkin Carving Competition.
All you need to do is collect your pumpkin, be creative and return to Horbury Library by 10am next Saturday. When you collect your pumpkin, please collect a free small Hallowe’en bag with some sweet goodies.
Judging will take place soon afterwards, with the winners announced at around 11am. There are book tokens for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes. This event is free to enter and is being sponsored by the Friends of Horbury Library and your two local Labour Councillors – Darren and Deb.
A date for your diary – on Sunday 6th November there will be a free concert in the Methodist Church in Horbury. The concert is to celebrate the Centenary of the passing of William Baines, one of the sons of Horbury. A renowned pianist who along with his family ran a music shop on Horbury High Street.
The event starts at 12:45pm with a free light buffet followed by the piano concert at 1:30pm. Following the concert there will be a free guided walk around Horbury.
On Wednesday morning Deb and Darren attended the Senior Citizens’ Support Group coffee morning at Horbury WMC. This is one of our regular Wednesday morning visits, which serves as an opportunity for people to talk to us about local issues.
You would be amazed at some of the conversations we both have and the difference we can make to people by listening and getting things sorted! If you want to visit or join the Seniors group, they meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each and every month from 10am until noon. More information can be found at – www.scsg.co.uk or on their Facebook page.
Our next Saturday advice session will be on 5th November at the Baptist Church on Junction Lane in South Ossett and on the 19th of November in Horbury Library. Both sessions start at 10:15 and continue until circa 11:30am No appointment required, just turn up and say hello. You can also contact both of us by email at – DebNicholls@Wakefield.gov.uk or DByford@Wakefield.gov.uk by ‘phone – 01924 763088 or via Facebook, full details are shown at the top of this Blog.
Our local Royal British Legion – Horbury, Sitlington and Ossett Branch, launch our Poppy Appeal next Friday. The event will take place in Ossett Marketplace at 11am and will be attended by the Mayor of Wakefield Councillor David Jones. Starting on Monday 31st October, poppies will be on sale at all our usual venues. Thank you in advance for the hard work the entire team, this is a mammoth task we undertake each year lead by a great guy called Malcolm.
Please keep safe and take care.
Darren & Deb
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