What? It’s November already? 😅 Well, yes, because all the other months have been and gone!
We’re heading into that busy run-up to Christmas, and there’s lots to share over the next few weeks as we wrap up another year 🎄
But before you start your festive shopping, just take a moment to think…
💭 Which businesses have supported you all year round?
With the budget announcements coming (with Rachel, the UK accountant), let’s make sure we’re supporting the ones who keep our community ticking.
Shop local. Spend wisely. Give back where it counts 💚⬇️
We don’t need to know the details
If you’ve watched this week’s vlog (🎥 https://studio.youtube.com/video/zgIt8DpDb1s/edit you’ll have seen my shock and sadness at what the last week has brought, and my reflection on how quickly the noise in our town rises when something tragic happens. We don’t need every detail, because if those were shared, people would want more. What we do need is perspective.
Social media shouldn’t be the place where opinions are thrown around without facts. That’s not freedom of speech; a lot of it was just hate with some racist comments. It’s heartbreaking to read. Just when you think we’re moving forward, it feels like we’ve taken several steps back. Two families have been changed forever, and the ripple effect for both families is enormous; they don’t need the commentary.
FIRE, FIRE, FIRE
One fridge goes on fire, and YappApp adds that ALL THE FIRE ENGINES from the county came to the Co-op – I think there were 3, and if that’s all the fire engines in the county, then that’s slightly worrying! I don’t think anyone was hurt, and hopefully it will be open again soon, if not already!
CAR PARKING CHARGES
Yes, Barley Hill car park, behind the Italian (that’s La Bella Vita!), now has 1 hour’s free parking, followed by a small charge thereafter.
Personally, I think it’s a good move, and the feedback so far has been positive. Both locals and businesses are finding it easier to get a space, and Main Street is becoming more accessible. That was exactly what Anne from Dorothy Anne’s was trying to achieve: a local business pushing for a practical change to help the high street.
The idea was simple: stop commuters using the car park all day, make spaces available for shoppers, and help people stay longer on the high street. And guess what, I think it’s working. Businesses are now using the free car park further down Barley Hill near the park, the one that always used to sit empty.
To me, that’s smart planning, a solution that works for the many, not the few. Hopefully, over time, it’ll encourage even more people to pop into town because they can park more easily! However, one paid car park is enough to make the impact we needed.
** If you’re parking for your free hour, you’ll still need to register your car using the app, chip and pin, or cash, but it’s super easy. Plus, you can top up from your phone if you end up staying longer (which, let’s face it, usually means coffee or cake happened somewhere in between). ☕🍰 Free after 6 pm until 8 am, I think (do check). App is: PayByPhone
Some Great news
HUDDDDDDDLE is about to open its doors
How long have we all been waiting for an independent café to be open again on the high street? Huddle will officially open on Saturday, 15th November – good luck to Amanda and the team. Here’s to many meetings being held there, with lots of great coffee – I’m off to see Amanda on Monday – Looking forward to having a sneak peak
Have you heard or been? We have 2 * new Asian food options here on Main Street, I’ve heard great things – a little whisper in your ear 👂 they’re not all the same!
Saffron Bangladeshi Cuisine – a firm local favourite
Aagrah – Kashmiri Cuisine – a long-standing restaurant
* Bombay Blush – Bangladeshi Cuisine – Taking bookings for November
* Himalayan Essence – authentic Nepalese and Indian Cuisines meet a modern twist of South Asian tapas
– The Fly Line pub is closed for refurbishment until the 26th November. What changes will we see? They have hinted on their socials that they will be showing sporting events!
SHINE Tanning Salon – Bye, Sandy
It will be sad to see Sandy leave Main Street on the 15th November, she’s more or less been part of the main street furniture for years – we wish her good luck and good health in the future. I don’t know what’s going to happen with Shine when she’s left, but I will keep you posted if I hear anything
THAT SIGN
As I mentioned in last month’s vlog, a few ideas have come to light about how we could make better use of ‘that sign’ above Nisa’s old premises. For those who don’t tune into the vlog, here’s a quick catch-up: there’s currently a dispute between the previous owners (Nisa) and the new owner over how the sign should have been left, so that needs to be resolved first.
The lovely Luke at Hipco has stepped forward and offered to work with the owner to see if we can transform it into something positive, perhaps a ‘Welcome to Garforth’ feature where local businesses can also use it for marketing. Unfortunately, until we can get some traction with the owner, Tony Singh, things are at a bit of a standstill. But it’s an exciting idea, and one worth pursuing once the dust settles.
Pilot scheme
As I’ve mentioned here (and several times over on The Main Deal socials), I’m continuing to push for some progress with Highways on how we manage the roads around Garforth.
Let’s be realistic, councils don’t have the money to completely change infrastructure, so moving roads or creating bays aren’t going to happen. But a pilot scheme of intermittent yellow lines could gain traction if we keep providing consistent proof of the issues on Ninelands Lane, Church Lane, and Green Lane, the very roads that cause most of our daily frustration and discourage people from visiting local businesses.
I’ve already sent over 25 photos and videos to my contact at Highways (LCC), and we need to keep them coming. This isn’t about getting anyone into trouble for parking; it’s about showing the council the reality of what’s happening, so we can encourage better road management and safer solutions. If you’re a parent of a child at Ninelands, you will know how unsafe this is getting!
If you spot a problem, please send your photos or short videos to:
📧 Christine@themaindeal.co.uk
I’m not saying change will happen overnight, but if you’ve followed me since 2014, you’ll know one thing for sure: I’ll keep going, if I think it could work 😉
WHAT’S COMING UP, WHAT’S GOING ON
Saturday 8th November at The Podger from 7 pm – Back on the Blues – Pat Fulgoni & Sam Bolt Piano
Every Wednesday – Izgara – Greek Nights
and The Podger does a great quiz from 8 pm
Every Thursday – Quirky Ales Quiz – look on their socials https://www.facebook.com/QuirkyAles
Saturday 22nd November – 4.30 pm – 6.30 pm – Incredible Edible’s BIG BIRTHDAY BASH at Garforth Miners Welfare Hall – join them to celebrate 5 years of incredible community growing
Tuesday 2nd – Saturday 6th December Roll up, Roll up – get your Panto tickets for Beauty and The Beast with Garforth Musical Society – Tickets available at SPT Uniform Shop
Friday 21st November – Garforth Christmas Lights switch on 5.30 pm -7.30 pm
- Roads closed from 3.30 pm – 8.30 pm from outside Bella Vita to the top of Main Street
- The Gasgcoine will also be having a Christmas Market
Garforth Community will be performing too. 10 years ago they performed on the corner of Main Street, and now here they will be performing on stage – if you enjoyed their 10-year birthday bash at teh WMC, follow their page for all their upcoming performance in the lead up to Christmas https://www.facebook.com/garforthcchoir
Sunday 23rd November – Local Christmas Markets – Perfectly Batched from 12 pm and The Springs from 11 am
DECEMBER
Friday 19th December – Festive Family fun – a Collaboration with Funky Jives, Messy Play and Splat babies – https://www.facebook.com/reel/2341743299630149 at Kippax Social Club
Not to be political… but 👀
A fair few people have asked me recently if I’d ever stand as a representative for Garforth and Swillington. Which always brings another question in itself
It has been a question that has come up, a fair few times over the years, and while I’ve been a proud Green Party supporter for most of my voting life, my answer is always the same…
“No thanks — I like being liked!” 😅
That said, it really does feel like Garforth is changing; our town has grown, evolved, and is moving forward.
Is it time for something fresh, a voice that actually reflects who we are now, not who we were a decade ago? Someone who can engage with our younger voters; they’re the future of all our towns, after all? What do you think? – I’m just asking the question before anyone has a grievance!
SEE YOU IN DECEMBER – Have a great November, and try Huddle and our new Asian cuisine offerings
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