Saturday 8th March
Celebrating International Women’s Day: The Power of Collective Change
Something I am truly passionate about celebrating—and fortunately, many of my male friends and family are too. Change happens when we all take action together.
This year, the global theme for International Women’s Day is ‘Accelerate Action’, emphasising the urgency of advancing gender equality. Meanwhile, in the UK, the theme is ‘For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.’ Real progress happens when everyone—regardless of gender—commits to making a difference. When we all change, things change.
Let’s keep the conversation going and push for meaningful action. How will you celebrate and support International Women’s Day this year?
There is a great speech on a great platform by Reese Witherspoon that’s extremely on point, and I have to agree – what woman do you know who says in a crisis, ‘ What are we going to do now?’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKKRBnpDpBY
Returning Member
Marquis Insurance Brokers is back, and we’re thrilled to welcome them as a returning member!
They specialise in small business insurance, offering tailored solutions for businesses that struggle to find coverage or believe they’re difficult to insure.
📌 Find out how they can help you and explore the list of businesses they support!
https://www.themaindeal.co.uk/directory/marquis-insurance-brokers/
Giggle Over – we didn’t ask for you
When building something on your land—whether it’s an extension to your home, a brick office space in your garden, even changing your roof from poly carbonate to roof tiles (no-one would bat an eyelid) requires a planning application – and reducing the height of a tree from public land – yes!!— We all know that planning rules vary across the UK, with each council enforcing different regulations.
For example, in London, planning approval may be more lenient for extensions overlooking properties, but strict when it comes to checking for historical artifacts underground. So why is it that our government, based in London, allows a fibre company to do whatever it wants, bypassing local planning considerations everywhere?
Garforth Never Had Telegraph Poles – And We Don’t Want Them!
Over the last few weeks, residents have been screaming their objections to the sudden introduction of telegraph poles. Historically, Garforth has never had them, yet now we’re being told this is the only option for fibre installation. But we already have two fibre providers—BT and Virgin—so why the sudden push for these intrusive poles?
The Reality? It’s Just Cheaper!
The company insists that no other option is viable, yet the excuses are costly and unconvincing. The truth? It’s simply the cheapest option. Instead of investing in further underground installation, they’ve opted for cost-cutting measures—forcing unsightly, treated (something else that needs questioning and is under review) telegraph poles onto our streets.
Of course, they could dig up the paths and install the fibre underground, like other providers have done, ensuring a cleaner, more sustainable infrastructure. But that would cost too much for a company that is already financially… questionable. 🤔
With Giggle Fibre going silent and ignoring residents and local MP’s—despite government recommendations to engage with the community—it raises serious concerns.
Could a delay to works be the only option to expose the costs they may not be able to afford? 🤔 Transparency matters and Garforth won’t be ignored! 📢 Garforth deserves better!
* news just in (4.50pm) – Giggle Fibre is simply a fibre infrastructure company rather than an internet service provider (ISP). This is important because it means that it won’t be Giggle Fibre who promote and sell internet services to us (and attach wires to houses). It is very likely that Giggle Fibre will sell the infrastructure to City Fibre. (The director of Giggle has recently started working for them).
There a few big internet services providers (ISPs) that use City Fibre’s infrastructure, including TalkTalk, Vodafone and Sky.
IF you use one of these ISPs currently, you need to ensure that they will continue to provide your internet underground and not attach wires to your house.
Hear more about the community meeting and actions that some are taking on this week’s Wednesday Vlog https://youtu.be/seAYxcPpzHo
What’s on?
TONIGHT – Ladies Night from 7 pm at Kippax Band Club, tickets available to pay on the door or message Helen Smith:
Message Helen to book yours! 07921 833 681
or Email: helen.smith87@nhs.net
What’s in store
Charity Ladies Night – Support, MAKE A WISH
Join Helen Smith (our great local NHS fundraiser) for a fun-filled Charity Ladies Night (and yes, gents are welcome too!) on Friday, 7th March at Kippax Band Club.This event is part of my fundraising for the London Marathon in support of Make-A-Wish UK—helping grant life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses.|
Drag compere & show 
Two male dancers 
An unforgettable night of entertainment!
Tickets: £15 (Limited availability!)
Payment: Cash or bank transfer
Happy to drop tickets off locally!
Fridays at The Gaping Goose hosts The Pizza Box Co. Every Friday in March, and one Saturday, 15th March from 5-8 pm or until sell out
Saturday 8th March from 7.30 pm at The Podger – Struggle Buggy Blues Band
Wednesday 12 March 2.45 pm at Luna Aura – Teen Glow up brow wax and tint – walk in afternoon
Wednesday 26th March from 5 pm at Izgra – Garforth Business Network Event hosted by Business Works – book on here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/garforth-networking-tickets-1144001241509?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
Tuesday 15th April 10-30-12.00am Create your own Spring and Easter Baubles with Dawn at Sewn Sweet Sewn will be taking place at The Station House Café https://fb.me/e/2U8Iav1H2
To look for more events – follow the new page Discover Garforth for new social events in and around Garforth https://www.facebook.com/groups/3898345080427100
As well as on Facebook, all events in our local area https://www.facebook.com/events/?date_filter_option=ANY_DATE&discover_tab=CUSTOM&location_id=105872162778090
Planning
Not much noteworthy in planning news this week—except Garforth Golf Club has requested permission to create a driving range at their course… but wait, don’t we already have a golf range next door? ⛳🤔
Oh, a tree needs official permission just to be reduced to half its size! 🌳✂️ Bureaucracy at its finest – see
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