I think I need a holiday, only one more week of school and then off; well, ‘out of the office’, luckily, I can easily carry the office with me wherever I go, being anywhere in the world and still being able to show you what’s going on locally, is pretty cool, thanks to our world of technology.
I had a thoroughly good, local night out last Saturday and, you will know, my first sip of something alcoholic since the 31st December; looking glamorous going out, not so pretty Sunday morning! We never learn…
Besides running around this week like a headless chicken and thus far, counting just short of 70,000 steps since Monday afternoon, it’s been another productive week. It was great to meet up with Dan Robinson who has formed Garforth’s Incredible Edibles and with Phil Barrett from Team Feastival, to discuss ideas, ways forward and funding, seeing if we can help him. Dan has some amazing ideas and wants to connect with what’s already here, Garforth in Bloom, Garforth Allotments; which are already helping his plans. Greening Garforth and Garforth Arts Network etc. He doesn’t want to invent the wheel, he wants to collaborate and bring people together, to do and learn together, make our community better with each step. If we can help get the word out there and Phil, help in getting him some funding and to get collaborative ideas and things to happen, then fabulous. Follow the groups and be part of the great changes. Could you take ownership of a bit of land and a raised bed, feed it with edible goodness and look after it?
https://www.facebook.com/IncredibleEdibleGarforth/
This week, I have received an invitation from Leeds Recycles, to go on a tour of the recycling facility in Beeston, the aim is to raise awareness of the recycling sorting process and issues with contamination, They say we have really helped them get the word out locally to you guys by sharing all they do, and feel our influence in keeping you updated will only help even more – I’m quite excited, and will share all after the tour.
It’s nice to know that local people think of you when trying to help someone else. I have had my second request for input and information from a Leeds Uni. student, the second onne in the past 6 months. They are studying the trends and downfalls of modern-day shopping such as towns and high streets, and wanted my input. He asked why I thought high streets were failing; I turned him round to thinking, why are we bucking the trend!
Why is our town so busy with people and traffic?
Why do we have no empty shops?
Why do we have a list of people wanting to get onto the high street?
Why are people coming back to the high street?
If you listen to a journalist talking on the news, they always comment on the high street as in a city centre, high streets with big chains such as big department stores, but not very often speak of the high street as in, small towns. Not many articles are spoken about how, some towns are turning around and having a rise in footfall and more independents coming in; there is a lot of reason for these changes in our town
Creating a buzz and showing people what’s local
Housing Development, new people to the area
Location and changes to increasing public transport (when the trains turn up)
Growing together and making the good changes we want to see
It will be nice to be mentioned in the students article when he’s finished his work
LOCAL EVENTS
If you’re not using our new App, you’re missing out the next 64 local events and finding businesses easily!
I see planning has been approved for, The Assembly, which will go ahead at the premises of Neil’s Fruit and Veg shop (Ladycares) Another great place to be, locally ! Word on the street, they would like to be open by April. Good luck to them whilst all the work gets underway.
Jigger and Jar have also put in an application to extend their opening hours, a little! Cool
I shared a few details this week of 2 businesses that are up for sale.
The Good Food Store on Main Street and Heer’s Convenience store on Fairburn Drive
I like to drop ideas, plant seeds and see what you, the community think to those ideas. I suggested a Vegan takeout shop for The Good Food Store, somewhere you can buy great homemade vegan and veggie food, possibly gluten free etc, A few things were pointed out, such as, oly 1% of our population is vegan, true, but why not be part of the growth, choice and options in our high street! A few people would like to see another fast food option such as McDonalds or KFC….. not for me thanks and not a good idea to encourage more unhealthy options to our nearby schools. Local councils are trying to discourage too, in a new policy where they look at the fast food options on high streets, and make sure we don’t have too many, thankfully!
Heers convenience store – I suggested this would be great as a Local Deli, selling meats, cheese, breads, fresh local produce, fruit and veg, coffee etc, stock as much of it from our local producers, so having a great local convenience store with great options!
These are my suggestions. 2 new independent businesses we don’t already have, something new, something good, something that I feel will work. What are your thoughts?
Until next week – Enjoy local, we’re getting better because you’re being part of the buzz and using local, first
Recent Comments