June 2024 – It’s still spring though

🌸🌼🌷🌱🌞🦋🐦🌈🍃🌺🌻🌿🐝🌱🌸 It’s June already 😱.  But let’s not rush into summer just yet. The pleasant weather invites us outdoors, whether it’s a stroll in the park or enjoying some sunshine without the hassle of a soggy dog in tow.

In Garforth, spring is definitely in the air as Garforth in Bloom breathes life into our town with vibrant blooms. Let’s also commend The Wombles for their diligent cleanup efforts. Yet, amidst the beauty, a pressing issue looms—bins, do we have enough?  “snack snicket” which I’ve aptly named, along Fairburn Drive suffers from litter, often by younger passersby –   Tell your kids to use the bins, one at the bottom and three at the top of snack snicket!  So here’s there’s no excuse not to be mindful of your sweet wrappers.. however as a dog owner, I would love to see more bins, just a couple more.  I would happily buy some through The Main Deal, but then there’s the cost of more collections…… but more bins less poop, It’s a catch-22 scenario !

Izgara

Have you been yet? It’s been open for a few months now, and we’re still only hearing of people going for the first time, mainly to check if the rumours are true—you know, the one about the portions not being BIG enough! I think one person must have started that, and like a game of Turkish whispers, it spread like houmous! The portions are fine, the food is divine, and the atmosphere is lovely. It adds to our ever-changing high street vibe.

I feel we need just one more restaurant on main street, and I think we’ll have a good balance. When I say a restaurant, I mean more of a street food vibe. When someone buys CLO, 🤞 I hope they see the potential for something like this—an early dinner spot with tapas dishes that our young adults can enjoy too. Let’s hope when a new owner takes it on, I get a chance to have a little chat.

There are a few commercial properties for sale in and around Garforth. – check them out https://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/commercial/property/garforth/

The UK Store and more

Have you been yet – seems to be a theme, doesn’t it?  I’ve heard lots of positive things about the new store and how kind and helpful the owners are, and why wouldn’t they be, it’s not their first rodeo and it seems to be a shop for everyone’s pockets and needs, which is very helpful in our current climate.  Pop in, you may get a bargain or three!

Nisa, not so nicer

I often hear feedback about the exterior of the shop not being aesthetically pleasing. I understand—it’s the first thing people see when they drive into Main Street, and it’s not ideal. Several people have approached the owners with suggestions.

Here’s my theory: When Amit and his family opened their shop in Garforth, it was their fifth store. They have other locations across the UK, some in less desirable areas, yet they never encountered any issues until they came to Garforth. Unfortunately, they did not receive a warm welcome. It was so unfriendly that they moved a family member off the tills and hired a non-family member to handle the front. Do you see where I’m going?  I haven’t spoken to Amit in a while, so I’m not sure how things are currently. The shop front still seems to be in disrepair. But would you want to invest in improvements if the welcome from the community isn’t very kind? This is just my theory; there could be various reasons, including financial constraints. The shop was up for sale some time ago, but I couldn’t find any recent information online.  Whether it’s ideal or not, it’s not something we know about as to the full reasons why the shop has had little investment to keep it looking NICER

It’s similar to a house on Fairburn Drive that needs a lot of work and is falling into disrepair. People comment about it frequently, yet they have no idea if the lady living there has any financial support or family assistance.  Be kind to people—your perception is probably not the reason.

Social Media at its best

During elections, I feel that many of our political candidates do not engage effectively with young people, whether it’s a local or general election. There’s very little effort made to help them fully understand why they should use their vote. Inform your children that some social media platforms are trying to engage them, but the information is not always accurate or truthful. Encourage them to talk to you about what they see online, and if you can, help them discern fact from fiction to ensure they are making informed decisions. Many posts are seen on channels that seem to be there, TakTic!  wink…  Intrducing my now 18 

In need of a job

Garforth Jobs https://www.facebook.com/groups/1452031655034679 is an invaluable resource for local job seekers, and I’m thrilled to contribute by sharing opportunities I come across on platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn. However, I’ve noticed a trend of parents seeking part-time positions for their children. While it’s natural to want to assist, I urge parents to empower their children to take charge of their job search.

Encouraging your child to actively seek employment on platforms like Facebook demonstrates initiative and responsibility, qualities that employers value highly. Additionally, engaging directly with potential employers fosters independence and builds valuable skills for the future. I know that teens are not likely to be on Facebook as it’s no longer their used platform, but they can do it whilst searching for that all-important job that gives them what they want

Britain, Britain, Britain

It seems to be the talk of the Talent show BGT. BRITAIN (if you watched it) It’s the first thing that’s mentioned, but I have to say, the majority is the opinion of our older generation.  Listen to my Monday Moaning about how sometimes, you just need to look at things differently, to have a better understanding of how things evolve, and let’s talk about the positives of a talent show first https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE51KOGDPv0&t=2s

ROOT for the SHOOTS 

Have you seen the new(ish)  fabulous allotments off Selby Road? We mentioned them a few months ago when there were some grumpy folks worried about planning permission and access requirements. Yes, you have to follow the rules, but the same goes for the approach!

Anyway, the allotments are now ready! With a deposit of £39.99 and then just £9.99 a month,   They’ve already had 100 people sign up – You get a plot, tools, seeds, workshops, plug plants, and both online and in-person courses. It’s a fantastic way to grow your own food locally and learn the things you’ve always wanted to know.

Ready to get your hands dirty and join in the fun? I hope there are some plots left, as the initial uptake has been brilliant – https://www.rootsallotments.com/providence-pastures-leeds-allotments

They have a Facebook and Instagram page too
https://www.facebook.com/rootsallotments
https://www.instagram.com/rootsallotments/

 

What’s on and coming up

Welcome Café at St. Marys Church 

 

 

• Saturday 8th June – Garforth in Bloom fair

• Saturday 8th June – Garforth Hedgehogs Rescue  🦔 🦔 🦔 🦔  will be outside Costa Coffee from 10 am – 3 pm – with a fabulous raffle stall
• Saturday 8th June at The Podger – A Motown evening with DJ Footsee’s Northern Soul and Showcase disco

• Sunday 9th June – Station House café is now open for the summer months on Sundays from 12-5 pm – and this Sunday Nousa Boutique will be there, again with her range of fabulous ladies’ fashion – breakfast and shopping!
• Sunday 9th June – A car treasure hunt at The Gaping Goose in aid of Yorkshire Air Ambulance – see more https://www.facebook.com/gapinggoose1
• Friday 14th June – 9 pm At The Podger – Tomas Heppell, Leeds Blues
• Friday 14th June – 14th July Euro 2024 showing games at The Podger
• Sunday 30th June – Garforth and District Lions Gala at Glebelands
• Saturday 12th July  12-9 pm Garforth Beer Festival at Garforth Country Club
• Saturday 20th July – Gfest – get your tickets online or at St Gemma’s charity shop on Main Street https://bit.ly/4efSfAf

 

• Saturday 26th October (Garforth Community Feastival introduces)– SAUSAGEFEST tickets are now live https://bit.ly/4bAAOsx – come and support our fundraiser in October – with Bare Brass Band playing great food by Homegrown hospitality, a fabulous bar run by Becca and the team from The Gin Shack and us, the volunteers of Feastival, helping you enjoy this local event – raising money for Feastival 2025/26

 

Planning

 

• Land off Aberford Road (on the corner by the Newhold Est. Entrance) – Erection of industrial unit to form car MOT centre with ancillary offices and waiting area; hardstanding parking and retaining walls
• Bridge at Garforth – Nice to see the new erection of the lift shafts at Garforth Train Station, they’re cool, and looking forward to their completion so more people can access the station, and the Station House Bistro and Café – (Due to be completed around August)

• Plans to expand the Thorpe Park trading estate in east Leeds have been approved in concept.

  https://bit.ly/3RiG0Jw

 

 

Until July – enjoy the weather, and remember to inform our next generation about jobs, litter, and the true election details