The Friends of Middleton Park (FOMP) are back with a packed programme of events and activities for summer 2022.
Summer in the park kicks off with the fantastic display of bluebells in Middleton Woods. The Friends are teaming up again with Middleton Railway to organise walks from the top station, Park Halt, over the May Day bank holiday weekend.
Guides will meet the 11:20am; 12:40pm; and 2:20pm trains on both Sunday 2 and Monday 3 May 2022. Enjoy a guided stroll to the Park Visitor Centre and Cafe, through the splendour that is the carpet of Bluebells in Middleton woods. The walk will take aproximately 40 mins, and is up and down hill and could be on unsurfaced paths.
On Sunday 22 May a guided walk will explore the park’s mining history. In the 18th Century Middleton Colliery was the main supplier of coal to Leeds, and Middleton Railway was built to supply that coal. The walk will take in some of the remains of the mining from that era in the park. 1:30-3:30pm from the Visitor Centre
The first bandstand concert of the summer takes place on Oak Apple Day, Sunday 29 May, 2-4pm when you can enjoy the Hands Across Ceildh Band.
Free children’s play sessions take place in half term on Tuesday 31 May and Wednesday 1 June, 1-3pm.
June will also see a celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on Sunday 5 June, 12-4:30pm. Bring your picnic and teddy bear, or enjoy food from the Cafe. Games, crafts, face painting, plus dance from the Balbar Singh Dance Company, performing and encouraging us to join in. Followed at 2:30 p.m. by the Corpus Christi Brass Band – band sponsored local Cllrs Sharon Blake and Paul Truswell.
July brings what is the highlight for many residents – Shakespeare in the park. Oddsocks Theatre bring a free performance of ‘Hamlet – the Comedy’ on Saturday 2 July from 7pm.
Oddsocks are a regular feature of the summer programme, delivering the Bard’s great works in a family-friendly pantomime style, while staying true to the play.
Walks, concerts and other activities continue through the summer culminating in the Great Middleton Park Show on Sunday 11 September from 1-4pm. There will be music, food, animals, stalls and of course the flower and produce competition.
