The Friends of Middleton Park had a lot to talk about at their open meeting on Tuesday evening. Birdwatching, archeology, park improvements and their summer programme of activities were all covered.
Graeme Ashton, Estates Officer, updated the meeting about work the Council had been doing in the park including a recent bird survey which had counted 24 different species including a buzzard spotted on the Clearings. He confirmed that the path from Park Holt (the Middleton Railway top station) to Winrose Drive had been completed as part of the Lottery-funded improvement works and that interpretation panels should be in place early next month. He also announced that a fun fair would be coming to the park on 28th – 30th June.
The meeting then discussed the Friends’ summer programme which sees activities every Sunday from 5th May to 29th September. Some of the highlights are:
- Bluebell Walks with Middleton Railway – 5th & 6th May
- Oddsocks present “The Comedy Of Errors” – 9th July
- Middleton Park (Fun) Dog Show – 28th July
- Craft, Flower and Produce Show – 15th September
Volunteers are always required to help with the activities and to staff the cafe in the new Visitor Centre We will be uploading all these events to the South Leeds Life What’s On section and details are also available on the Friends’ website.
South Leeds Archeology announced that they are holding a “dig” to excavate the Ice House in Middleton Woods. Before refrigerators, big houses like Middleton Lodge would use ice gathered in winter and stored in an Ice House to cool their drinks in summer. The dig will take place from 4th to 6th May, volunteers are welcome to join the work – please come to the Main Gate on Town Street at 10:00am each day with stout footwear and a packed lunch. Those of you with less energy or time will be able to visit the dig on the Sunday afternoon to find out what has been uncovered.
The meeting was rounded off by a fascinating talk from Linda Jenkinson who teaches birdwatching. We learnt the basics of using binoculars and ran through some of the common species that are to be found in the park and in our gardens. Linda will be leading a birdwatching walk in Middleton Park on Sunday 12th May at 9:00am.
