I always see September as a reset, but before that happens;
I need to listen to my body
(whether I like it or not)
As I get older, my body has developed a delightful habit of shouting at me, “Nope, you can’t do that as quickly anymore. Oh, and you want to fit WHAT into your day?”
My knees are doing their own thing, my hormones have gone rogue, and honestly, Monday and Tuesday might look identical on paper, but they’re worlds apart in reality.
Let’s be honest, I’m Generation X. We’re a rare breed (the good kind). We don’t need micromanaging. (Don’t even try to tell us what to do.) We were there when IT and E-commerce kicked off, and unlike the stereotype, most of us are pretty savvy. We like learning new tech (and if you don’t, come find me, I’ll convert you).
I was one of the few girls in my IT GCSE class. I loved it. Aiming for an A, got a B (I blame the floppy disks). But I knew back then that my brain had more to give. IT would be a big part of my life, and it has been.
Am I afraid of AI? Not the technology – it’s the people who might misuse it that makes me worry. We’ve been here before, remember? People panicked about the T’internet, worried it’d steal jobs and crash the world. But here we are, still googling, scrolling, sharing, and learning. If AI is used well, it’s going to be a powerful tool. I use it every day and it’s only enhanced what I can do, and let’s not forget, the internet gave us access to a world of knowledge and connection we never had before. Most of us use it daily, and most of us would be lost without it; well, not personal Facebook pages, they can go, as the thread of rubbish that comes with group pages is all too much!
Summer Mode: Semi-Activated
This is my favorite time of year, the summer holidays. Not because I get to plan six weeks of jam-packed adventures for the kids (those days are gone), but because it forces me to slow down. Sort of. The truth is, I used to take a whole month off to regroup. Now? I’m lucky if I manage ten days, and even those are spent catching up with life admin. But not running and shouting ‘GET OUT THE DOOR’ is nice enough!
Right now, as well as a 45-hour working week, my brain’s juggling:
- My eldest is flying the nest to live and work down in Winchester.
- The house is being blitzed, painted, polished, and prepped for valuation
- 🧘♀️ And me? I’m reminding myself to actually listen to my body instead of powering through like I’m still 30.
We’ll do this after Feastival, tomorrow!
🍓 Strawberry Season Is Here! 🍓
If you haven’t already discovered Annabel’s Delicious Pop-Up Shop just off Aberford Road (just past Cedar Ridge Estate), you’re in for a proper summer treat!
Every Friday, you can swing by (drive-in) to pick up the juiciest, tastiest strawberries, or sit down and enjoy them with a dollop of cream right there. I did a taste test last week with a full kilo (don’t worry, I shared… mostly), and hand on heart, these are the best strawberries I’ve ever had.
Annabel also sells:
🍯 Local honey
🥄 Homemade chutneys
🍬 meringues (Eton Mess, let’s have ya)
📍 Pop by, grab something sweet, and support a brilliant local business doing it right. Or come and see her at Feastival on Saturday
or if you prefer to pick your own – Here’s the list of where to go in Leeds – https://leeds-list.com/culture/strawberry-picking-in-leeds-and-yorkshire/
FINGERS CROSSED
For Huddle to open their doors this month, there are still windows that need to be placed into the two big holes, so we hope they can at least get their fourth date of opening in and open
Nice to see a new Doggy Parlour taken on the little shop on Main Street (used to be a sweet shop then Worralls Mortgages)
WHAT’S ON
The summer holidays are nearly here—and so are some brilliant events right on our doorstep!
📅 5th July | 10 am – 4 pm
Garforth Feastival – FREE entry! – DONATIONS WELCOME and DON’T FORGET YOUR FEASTIVAL CUP
📍 Garforth Leisure Centre
🍔 Food, fun, local traders & family entertainment for all ages.
🚶♂️ PLEASE WALK – Parking is very limited.
🚫 No parking available at Monkey Maze or The Podger.
🎶 19th July | 11 am–10 pm
GFest 2024
📍 Glebelands, Garforth
🎟️ Tickets available online or from St Gemma’s Shop in Garforth
(Please note: Carer tickets available online only)
🔗 Buy Tickets Here
THERE’S MORE
- Saturday 5th July – 5-10 pm Quirky Ales – 90’s Summer Dance Party Live DJ https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1EvcrBva5w/
- Saturday 5th July at 7 pm, Neil Sadler Band at The Podger
- Tuesday 8th July 6.30 pm Luna Aura Woman’s sister Circle with tea ceremony – https://fb.me/e/5KZMVlVQ8
- Thursday 10th July at 6.30 pm at Luna Aura – Relaxing Sound Bath https://fb.me/e/3iZCMvlsp
- Friday 11th – 12th July 10 am -3 pm Garforth Garden Centre – Demonstration day of mobility Scooters and chairs
- Sunday 13th July from 10 am – Garforth Market at The Lord Gascoigne
- Saturday 2nd – 3rd August 10 am – 3 pm t Leeds Local Summer Market – The Springs
- Saturday 2nd August 12-4 pm Breeze in the Park at Glebelands LS25 1NT- TICKETS REQUIRED £1 per child https://www.breezeleeds.org/breeze-in-the-park/
Summer Bands in Leeds Parks from 2.30 pm
There are plenty still on from July through to September – these are mostly free and great to take the parents to. We love Wetherby Riverside because you can buy a fish and chips lunch and then sit and listen https://www.leedsinspired.co.uk/events/summer-bands-leeds-parks-2025
A family friend, Summer in Leeds
https://www.leedsinspired.co.uk/collection/family-friendly-events
Planning
- Ninelands Lane is being closed off from the 4th to the 8th of August (I hear they’ve missed a bit of yellow line painting opposite the school field)
- Mint Festival Newsam Green Farm – planning application (premises license)
It seems they’re wanting longer hours for the small, medium, and large events they put on. Hopefully could mean more events in the future too, having bigger local events would be great! https://publicaccess.leeds.gov.uk/online-applications/simpleSearchResults.do?action=firstPage
- Leeds Local Plan Consultation – Information email from Garforth Planning Forum
This important district-wide consultation will begin on 7 July 2025 and will last until 15 September 2025.
To support this consultation, the Council has arranged a series of community drop-in events across the district. These events will offer an opportunity to learn more about the draft plan, ask questions, and share your views in person. In addition, all consultation materials and supporting information will be available online via our dedicated platform, where your comments can also be made
https://leedslocalplan.commonplace.is/
Register, and then you will be able to learn more when the consultation opens on the 7th. We encourage you to register on the platform to receive updates and notifications about key stages of the consultation, including the formal launch. Your input is vital in helping to shape a sustainable, inclusive, and forward-looking vision for the Leeds district through to 2042.
Until then – we’ll be back in September – enjoy your holidays, wherever you go
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