News
Litter Pickers Unite!
On Saturday 19th May at 10am, Gildersome Parish Council are organising a Mass Litter Pick, in order to clean and tidy up the village environment.
We're looking for willing volunteers, either individuals or groups, who care enough about Gildersome to turn out for a couple of hours to clear the village streets and green spaces of bottles, cans, paper and other debris which pollute the village.
Queen's Representative To Visit Gildersome Scarecrow Trail
Calling all Scarecrow fans! Gildersome's ever-popular Scarecrow Trail is to take place on Sunday 24 June, and your Scarecrow intentions must be registered before 28 May. Gildersome Parish Council run the event and the main organisers, Councillor Kathy Cook (2530667) and Councillor Pat May (2537019) have already received enquiries from enthusiastic Scarecrow designers.
Tree Dedication Ceremony in Gildersome
Gildersome is proud of it's trees and greenery. Indeed, the logo of Gildersome Parish council is a tree. So residents were saddened last year, when Leeds City Council had to remove three diseased blossom trees on greenery near the Ashwoods. Particularly because those trees had been planted in Coronation year, 1953.
Policing priority: Parking on Scott Green
Following contact from a group of Scott Green residents, Gildersome's Neighbourhood Policing Team has agreed to make parking in the area this month's policing priority.
With increasingly difficult driving conditions and obstructed footpaths, the police have agreed to meet with local residents and Parish Council members to seek to make the area's roads and pavements safer.
Gildersome Parish Council newsletter, April 2012
We have now published our annual Parish Council newsletter to all the households of Gildersome.
For the first time, the newsletter is also available online.
Jubilee Party at Gildersome Sports Club
Gildersome Sports Club will be holding a garden party to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
The event, which will be attended by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, will start at 11am on Monday 4th June 2012. For more details, see the event's Facebook page or follow @GilderJubilee on Twitter.
Geldard Road planning proposals: April update
If you have submitted an objection to the planning proposals, please let us know. You can send a copy of your letter or form to planning@gildersomecouncil.org.
Residents may have seen recent articles in the local press referring to Leeds City Council's plans to identify sites for the construction of over 7,000 houses in the Morley area. Until last week it was firmly believed that the fields between Gelderd Road and Dean Wood would have been one of these sites...
Jubilee trees planted
Many villagers will have noticed that three new flowering cherry trees have now been planted at the corner of Ashwood Drive. These replace the diseased trees, believed to have been planted to mark the Coronation in 1953.
The Parish Council thought it appropriate that the planting of the new trees be part of the recognition of the Diamond Jubilee this year. To this end there will be an event arranged, probably in May, to mark the occasion.
Street Lane bottle bank
Whilst the bottle bank on Street Lane continues to testify to the green credentials of Gildersome residents, the surrounding area unceasingly demonstrates the tendency of the wind to blow litter into hedges. All of Gildersome would be grateful if passers-by would pick up a few bits of rubbish and put them in a bin. We would also be interested to see a litter-picking get-together. If you would like to take part then please get in touch.
An easy way to help: If you notice that the bottle bank is full, call
(0113) 247 7858. This is a Leeds City Council number that deals with bottle banks.
Parish Council writes to stables
Following complaints from local residents about horse dung on footpaths and pavements, Gidlersome Parish Council has written to the stables and riding schools in our neighbouring areas.
The letter reminds horse riders of relevant sections of the Highway Code, particularly that riders should keep to roads and bridleways and not use footpaths or pavements. It is hoped that this will go some way to improve the situation.
If you have any concerns about horse droppings in the village, or have any information that might help address the problem, please do get in touch.
Parish Council representative on school's governors
Gildersome Parish Councillor Simon Kimberley has been appointed a governor at Gildersome Primary School. The position arose following a decision to invite a broader range of community involvement to the running of the school. Having himself attended the school as a child, Councillor Kimberley is particularly delighted to take up the post: "As a former pupil of Gildersome Primary School I am looking forward to giving something back as a governor and to look after Gildersome's adults of tomorrow."
Neighbourhood Policing Team: March update
The police Neighbourhood Policing Team have reported to Gildersome Parish Council that there have been six burglaries on dwellings in the last month. Whilst crime in Gildersome continues to be much lower than in neighbouring areas, police would like to remind residents to keep their doors and windows locked. Particularly if you have PVC doors, please ensure that you have upgraded the locks to a newer, more secure version.
You can find further news and advice from the Neighbourhood Policing Team on their website.
New under 5s' playground equipment: Update
Gildersome Parish Council are pleased to announce that the new piece of playground equipment — specifically aimed at the under-five-year-olds in the village — will be installed in the Town Street Playground on week commencing February 20th. For Health & Safety reasons, this will mean that the playground will be temporarily closed for the duration of the installation, which will take up to two weeks — weather permitting.
Grit bins for public footpaths
This winter Gildersome Parish Council has secured five new grit bins to placed around the village to help make Gildersome a safer and less slippery place when the bad weather arrives. The point of these bins is to help keep footpaths and pavements free from ice and snow this winter.
"Pavements are for pedestrians"
Motorists who park their cars on Gildersome's pavements may face penalties as the Neighbourhood Policing Team makes the issue a local priority. Increased police vigilance on impassable footpaths has been promised following reports from local residents to Gildersome Parish Council.
Cllr Pat Pearson, Vice Chair of Gildersome Parish Council, said, "The police have told us that whilst it is not illegal to park on the pavement, it is if you do so and there is insufficient room for wheel chairs and buggies to pass."
Speed guns deployed in 20 MPH zone
The Neighbourhood Policing Team aims to ramp up their use of speed guns following the introduction of a 20 MPH limit in the centre of Gildersome.
The 20 MPH zone, which includes the roads surrounding both Gildersome and Birchfield primary schools, continues to be monitored by Parish Councillors, the police and local residents.
If you have any concerns about speeding on the village's roads, please get in touch so we can pass this information on to the police.
2012 Scarecrow Festival date set
Gildersome's 2012 Scarecrow Festival will be held on 24 June. It is a fantastically popular village-wide event, with residents and local businesses joining in the fun.
If you're in search of a theme, don't forget this year is the Diamond Jubilee!
Toddlers at play in Gildersome
Update: Installation of the new play equipment is due to begin on 20 February 2012. It could take up to two weeks for the work to be completed. For safety reasons the whole play area will be closed while the improvements are made.
Playtime fun is guaranteed for Gildersome toddlers thanks to the efforts of the Parish Council and the installation of a new piece of play equipment in the village playground.
Carols round the Christmas Tree: 15 December 2011
The annual 'Carols Round the Christmas Tree' event will be held on Thursday 15 December outside the Meeting Hall.
We'll be singing festive songs from 7pm, so come along and join in!
Autumn planting
The Parish Council have now completed the autumn planting of the village flower tubs.
We would like to thank the residents of Gildersome who help with this planting and maintainance throughout the year. It is appreciated by everyone in the village.
Gildersome Lights Switch-on a huge success
Switch On Night for Gildersome Christmas Lights was a huge success, with over 500 people attending to start off the festive season.
Each year the Parish Council try to add a few extra lights for the occasion. The children from Birchfield and Gildersome Primary Schools helped everyone get into the festive spirit with a selection of Christmas songs.
This year the children enjoyed a visit by Buzz Lightyear performing the Swith On Countdown and the fireworks were spectacular. Hot dogs and mulled wine went down very well as winter warmers, even though the weather was very kind to us. Donations for the refreshments raised £171 for Children In Need.
Also thanks go to Roger Bennett, for all his help with the Christmas Tree; and to Phil Hird for his work on the lights.
Gildersome Christmas Lights
Friday 18 November is switch on night for Gildersome Christmas Lights. The fun starts at 6:45pm with children from the two local schools singing festive songs.
Switch on is at 7pm and the evening is topped off with a firework display. To keep everyone warm, hot mulled wine will be served free of charge and there will be a barbecue selling hot dogs.
It's always a real community event organised by Gildersome Parish Council — make sure you don't miss it!
The Parish Council would like to thank Roger Bennett, a local building contractor, for putting up the Christmas tree and arranging the firework display.
Gildersome Guides celebrate 100 years
A new flower bed is under construction opposite the village green to commemorate the centenary of the Guides. There will be an engraved stone in the centre and flowers planted in the shape of the Guides' logo.
It is hoped work will be completed soon. Roger Bennett, a local builder, has been the main contractor.
Gildersome remembers
Gildersome villagers of all ages remembered those who lost their lives in wars past and present last week.
On Friday 11 November, children from Birchfield and Gildersome primary schools gathered at the cenotaph for an act of remembrance.
On Remembrance Day itself, there was a service at St Peter's Church followed by a procession to the Green. Wreaths were laid by Cllr Lesley Gettings (Gildersome Parish Council) and Cllr Robert Finnigan (Leeds City Council, Morley Borough Independents), as well as by Chris Johnson and his son, Jack. Chris has recently returned from his third tour in Afghanistan.
Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire Roger Barnes, who attended with his wife Linda, was very impressed with the turnout.
We are all very grateful to all who took part and helped. Special thanks go to Rev. Canon Felicity Lawson, Rev. David Newton and Rev. David Hulme, to Gildersome Scout Group who were on flagpole duty and, as ever, to Tony Swain who played the bugle calls.
Removal of diseased trees
The trees at the bottom of Ashwood Drive opposite the New Inn have been taken down by Leeds City Council because they were diseased.
It is always a shame when we lose greenery from the village, but it is sadly unavoidable when a diseased tree poses a risk to people and property.
Gildersome Parish Council will look at the possibility of planting new trees at the site, as we have elsewhere.