The Friends of Middleton Park have unveiled their summer programme of events for 2026 and as usual it includes live music, dance, history walks, some Shakespeare and the Great Middleton Park Show.
It starts with Bluebell Walks. FoMP volunteers will meet Middleton Railway passengers at Park Halt at 11:20am, 12:40pm and 2:20pm on Sunday 3 May and Bank Holiday Monday 4 May and escort them through the woods to the Visitor Centre and back, enjoying the carpet of bluebells along the way.
Live music on the bandstand includes the South Leeds Community Band (Sunday 28 June, 2-4pm), Wakefield Big Band (19 July), Tingley Brass Band (9 August) and The Friendly Band once again close the season on Sunday 27 September.
Before all that there’s an afternoon of Song and Dance with the Leeds People’s Choir and Hands Across Ceildh Band on Sunday 17 May.
May also sees the ever popular Fun Dog Show on Sunday 24th, 1-4pm.
Middleton’s Got Talent will celebrate local bands, singers and dancers on 14 June.
A highlight for many will be Oddsocks Theatre’s return on Wednesday 8 July. This year they present Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, but don’t worry about it being high brow. This is the Bard’s work retold as family-friendly pantomime. The free show starts at 7pm, and goes on whatever the weather. Bring a picnic, chair or rug and maybe an umbrella just in case.
Guided walks will reveal various aspects of the park through the summer. Beeston Wood is the destination for the walk on Sunday 31 May. Meet at the Visitor Centre at 1:30pm, please wear suitable footwear and dress for the weather. That’s followed by a Waggonways and Railways walk (21 June), Trees, Butterflies and Nature walk (26 August); South Leeds Golf Course walk (23 August) and finishing with a Middleton Colliery walk (20 September).
This year’s Great Middleton Park Show will be on 13 September. The show includes a craft and produce competion where you can show the flowers, fruit and vegetables from your garden plus your arts, crafts and baking from home or school. There will be lots more with stalls, food, live music and dance and live animal displays.
The Friends are also continuing their monthly litter picks in the park. Meet at 1:30pm at the Visitor Centre on the first Sunday of each month. Equipment is provided but please wear stout shoes and bring gloves.
All of the events take a lot of organising which is all done by volunteers. If you enjoy the events and would like to see them continue why not give up a little of your time to help?
There are lots of different roles and you won’t be asked to do anything you are not comfortable with. To find out more about joining this friendly team contact Friends of Middleton Park by emailing info@fomp.co.uk or call Frances on 01924 824488.
Full details of all the events can be found at: fomp.co.uk or on Facebook.
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