Another term done
School’s out for Easter — and once again, the year is absolutely flying! I haven’t even had time to plan every holiday yet, which is unheard of. Normally, I’m in full panic mode if the October half term isn’t booked by now.
I’m (not so secretly) counting down the days — just one more year! — until our holidays are no longer ruled by the school calendar. Bring on the cheaper breaks, even here in the UK. Move over Centre Parcs… I’ll take a luxury apartment for £20, thanks.
Work and life are both in full throttle right now. Like most people, I’m running non-stop: kids, ageing parents, a house to manage, and a full-time business that doesn’t exactly clock off at 5 pm. Days blur into each other, and before I know it — blink — it’s Friday again – So take the time when you are on holiday to a new level of looking after yourself.
Freedom of Speech or Just Being Mean? – Social media and the presence of an opinion
This week, I shared a post on my personal page about what I jokingly call “the presence of a gob” on social media — particularly Facebook. What I really meant was how some people use “freedom of speech” as an excuse to be unkind.
Luckily, I’ve never been heavily trolled (and I’m not inviting it now), but it amazes me how quick people are to voice strong — often nasty — opinions about things they don’t understand or wouldn’t do themselves.
For example, why do people feel the need to comment on what someone wears, how they style their hair, or what tweaks they’ve chosen to make to their appearance? They’re just clothes. It’s just a personal choice. The irony? Many of the loudest critics grew up in the 70s-80s — a decade full of Hippies, punk rockers, new romantics, mods, and Madonna wannabes!
I follow lots of people online — funny women, fashion vloggers, entrepreneurs — and I love how different they all are. But lately, I’ve found myself stepping away from my personal feed. I don’t want to be part of the noise — the nastiness, the judgement, the endless unsolicited opinions.
Kindness is underrated. And if you don’t like what someone’s wearing or doing? Here’s a wild idea: just scroll on.
🌳 Giggle Fibre’s “Dead Trees” & Dodged Questions 🌳
As Giggle Fibre continues erecting telegraph poles at lightning speed — faster than an online troll’s comment (irony) — we find ourselves watching something a lot of people didn’t ask for and don’t want being rolled out… with seemingly no one able to stop it.
What really stood out during my meeting with the CEO of SCD/Giggle (yes — same company) was the world-class mansplaining. The highlight? Being told that the “best practice” would be for me to reverse down my drive — as if the newly installed pole, now awkwardly positioned at the edge of my driveway, wasn’t causing a clear line-of-sight issue and a genuine safety concern.
I had to bite my tongue before pointing out that after living here for 26 years, I probably would have worked that one out already — if it were even feesible for me to do so!
Here’s the part that really needs to be highlighted:
The CEO openly admitted that as far back as November 2024, it was known that 220 telegraph poles were heading to Garforth. And yet…
📢 No organised resident meetings.
📢 No letters.
📢 No clear communication.
Why were we not told? Who decided we didn’t need to be?
So, either the CEO is pulling the ‘wood’ over our eyes, or someone else decided that they had the power to keep us in the dark and hoped we’d just accept it and, if true, ‘wood’ it have it been stopped anyway?
Either way, that’s not how public infrastructure works, and it’s a question that deserves answers.
If you wish to learn more as the process continues, follow the page Garforth Against Giggle Fibre https://www.facebook.com/groups/1140850617686698
🏢 SLP Shop Renovation – What’s Next?
The building next to Valentino’s — which has had quite the career over the years — is looking brand new again! It’s been beautifully renovated and naturally, everyone’s having a good guess at what it might become next.
Here’s the scoop: sources say there are currently no confirmed plans for what’s going in just yet. The team is simply finishing off the refurbishment for now.
We joked with a nearby shop owner that they should pop a sign in the window saying:
Coming soon: Combined business, Barber-Charity Shop-sex dungeon.
…They politely declined. 😂
So for now, it will stay empty — but we’ll be keeping a very close eye (and probably popping our heads in the window now and then, too).
What’s on
Do follow the new Facebook page – Discover Garforth Events and Social for all up-and-coming events https://www.facebook.com/groups/3898345080427100/
- Saturday 5th April – The Podger from 7.30pm – Greg Brice as part of the Leeds Blues Club LIVE
- Every Wednesday – Luna Aura with Amy Longden
Walk-In TEEN GLOW UP Afternoon – No Appointment Needed!
Grab your mates and head down to Luna Aura for an afternoon of fresh brows at competitive prices – no appointment needed! Whether you fancy a quick wax, just a tint, or both, award winning Amy Longden Permanent Makeup has you covered.
Why come?
Walk-in service – no booking, just turn up!
Affordable prices – get your brows done without breaking the bank!
Expert mapping on every set of brows – no one else gets the results like Amy does!
Fun vibes, great music & a chill atmosphere
First come, first served – so don’t leave it too late!
- Tuesday 8 April – 10 am-12 pm Incredible Edible Garforth at the Co-op giving away pumpkin seeds
- Tuesday 15th April 10.30 am-12.00 pm Create your own Spring and Easter Baubles at The Station House with Dawn of Sewn Sweet Sewn https://fb.me/e/2U8Iav1H2
Coming up
- Garforth Community Feastival – Saturday 5th July – more details to come so follow our socials
- GFest – Saturday 19th July – Have you bought your tickets yet? Now available online https://bit.ly/3QWB0K0 or at St. Gemma’s Charity Shop
Planning
- A new Leeds council website has been built www.leeds.gov.uk – it’s had a bit of a facelift and seems much better!
- Planning application fees increase – 1 April 2025
From Tuesday, 1 April 2025, planning fees will increase for the enlargement, improvement, or alteration of a dwelling house, some prior approvals, and conditions discharge. The regulations also introduce a new three-tier banding to fees for section 73 applications. - Not quite my intermittent yellow lines idea! Changes to local roads – https://leeds.traffweb.app/traffweb/2/PublicConsultation1. Introduce a no waiting at any time restrictions in Garforth along sectors. I’ve emailed Highways for more information, as the QR code provided leads only to a map that won’t download — and despite what the notice says, there’s no working link included.
The man who is Orange says “Tariffs” is a beautiful word — almost as lovely as “bankruptcy.” And so far? Everything’s going smoothly… if you ignore the fire behind him. 🔥🇺🇸
See you in May
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