Latest News

Saturday 21 January  1.30pm to 3.30pm  Childrens Junk Modelling in the Visitor Centre
Sunday 29 January 9am till noon Big Garden Bird Watch. 10am till noon Join Jo for arty things in the visitor centre
Saturday 4 February 10am till lunchtime Family Forest – Phone Jo 07843 673011 to reserve a place
Tuesday 7 February 10.30am Social History Group in the visitor centre
Saturday 11 February 10.15 Photography Group in visitor centre
Saturday 11 February 10am Woodland Management – Everyone welcome
Saturday 11 February 7.30pm Irish Night with live music at Crosland Moor Community Centre £8
Saturday 14 February 2pm – 4pm in the visitor centre Childrens Half Term Crafts. By ticket only
Saturday 3 March 10am Family Forest with Jo
Tuesday 6 March 10.30am Social History
Saturday 10 March 10.15am Photography Group in the visitor centre
Saturday 10 March 10am Woodland Management
Saturday 17 March 1.30pm-3.30pm Childrens Canvas Art with Emily
Monday 12 March Fund raising evening at Cinnamon Lodge, Meltham 7.30pm
Tuesday 3 April 10.30am Social History Group
Saturday 7 April 10am Family Forest with Jo
Saturday 7 April 2pm – 4pm Childrens Easter Holiday Crafts with Emily – by ticket only

SUNDAY 8 April – EASTER EVENT in the Park, live music with Kevin Kitchen. Easter Quiz, Wellie Wanging, Donkeys if its not raining.

SUNDAY 22 April 1.30pm - 2.30pm - HUDDERSFIELD SCOUTS St George's Day Parade

Saturday 5 May 10am Family Forest with Jo and first Saturday in the month thereafter
SUNDAY 6 May New Orleans Wiggle 2pm - 4.30pm  Jazz Band at the bandstand

SUNDAY 13 May 1pm to 4pm – PLANT SALE

Saturday 19 May 1.30pm to 3.30pm Childrens Baking Fun with Emily – by ticket only

Sunday 20 May from 10am  EXAMINER CHARITY CHALLENGE for wheelchairs and pushchairs - YOU NEED TO REGISTER! - see Examiner nearer the time.

SUNDAY 3 JUNE 2pm – 4.30pm PROMS AND PICNIC PLUS BIG LUNCH with Lindley Band

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 9/10 JUNE  11am – 4pm PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION (Photography group meet on the second Saturday of each month throughout the year.

SUNDAY 8 JULY afternoon J B GOODE PLUS BIG DANCE

SUNDAY 29 JULY 1pm – 5pm GALA DAY, fairground, donkeys, Slaithwaite Band, Pennine Jazz, stalls

SUNDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 1.30pm – 4.30pm HERITAGE DAY, vintage fairground, stalls, donkeys
Linthwaite Band

SUNDAY 16 SEPTEMBER BAND MARCH further details to follow

SUNDAY 28 OCTOBER  Childrens Halloween Party – further details to follow

SUNDAY 9 DECEMBER CAROL CONCERT – further details to follow

FoBP may put on some more bandstand entertainment – to be confirmed.

Chairman’s Report 2011

Many of us work hard to ensure that FoBP Ltd fulfils its charitable aims of enhancing the park and surrounding area for the benefit of the local and municipal community.

Over the 13 years of our existence we have seen major improvements in the park and can be proud of our achievements so far.  We work in close co-operation with Kirklees Council who have successfully applied for Green Flag status this year which means that they have a commitment to improve the park over the next five years and it is that commitment that the founders of FoBP were seeking on its formation.

In 2003 Kirklees Council applied to HLF for 3 major park developments, Greenhead Park – now completed-, Crow Nest Park – 2009 -  and Beaumont park - 2012 -  in that order.  However, due to changes in Lottery funding Crow Next and Beaumont Park will not now receive the money for complete overhaul.  Having foreseen this change our policy of cherry picking specific items for funding has been vindicated.  Now that the bandstand has been reinstated we have to consider future projects but before we do that let us look at those we are dealing with now.

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Visitor Centre
We have submitted a planning application to Kirklees Council for a larger temporary visitor centre probably twice the size of our existing one.  The old one has been up for 8 years and will need replacing at some stage.  A larger one will meet our requirements for the medium term future.  In the Council’s management plan they indicate that a permanent visitor centre will not be in place before 2020 so the new temporary building is vital to us now.  We are short of space for several functions and are limited in what we can offer to organisations who want to use the centre.  In addition the catering facilities will be improved enabling us to provide a better service to park users.
We need funding for this project and have submitted a pre application to BIFFA.  The council will help with the services and other items.

Woodland Management and History of Meltham Railway Branch Line
A woodland management plan was completed in 2010 on recommendation from Green Flag judges and as a consequence we are attempting to link the railway line and woodland beyond the park with walking trails connecting the two areas.  The plan advised that we should involve local schools who will research the history of the railway line and the information will be displayed on information boards and leaflets.  All schools will be involved in a Forest School Project which means that children will be involved with and understand the woodland from infant stage right through to leaving Moor End Academy.  This will give them a respect for their local environment and should discourage vandalism.
An application to HLF for a grant of £50,000 has been submitted.  If successful it means that we will become more involved with local schools and parents which will be good for our local community.
We are also talking to the Pennine Line Partnership about publicising a walking trail from Lockwood Station through the Park and woodland then on to Berry Brow Station.

Refreshment Hut
The reason for the formation of FoBP was the demolition of the pavilion overlooking the playground in 1998.  As more people make use of the park they have commented that toilets and a refreshment hut are needed near the Butternab Road Entrance as that is where a lot of park activities take place.  I think we all agree with this and it should be a project which we ought to pursue.  Our  experience with the new temporary visitor centre indicates that we should have some drawings done, apply for planning permission and then look for funding – EASY!!!
In our accounts we have £10882 in the Mary Roberts legacy fund which has to be used for restoration purposes so this could be used for matchfunding.  We need to get ideas on what, where, when and how we can start this process.

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We now need to examine the roles of our various committees to see what lessons can be learned from their operation, whether they are still needed and whether any new ones need to be established.

Park
In 2003 BTCV gave a grant for chain saws and training in their use and since then a great deal of necessary work has been carried out in clearing much of the overgrown vegetation.  This has resulted in a large increase in the numbers using the park because it is now a pleasant place to visit, the views for which the park was noted have been opened up and people feel safe again.  Whilst we have played a large part in this improvement credit must be given to the Council as, in the last two years since John Mason became head gardener, they have been able to put more people to work in the park thanks to them using various schemes such a Governments Back to Work project. However John will be working on his own this winter.
For the past 3 years we have agreed a winter work schedule with the Council with various tasks allocated to us. Now that there is a Beaumont Park management plan for Green Flag purposes and a woodland management plan to work to it is all laid out in the two plans.  We also have money from HLF to improve planting around the bandstand area.  When we met the Council this year to discuss the winter work schedule we felt that the park had been cleared of sufficient vegetation in previous years as to make it more manageable by John Mason so it was agreed that our volunteers liaise with him about work needing to be done.
We also need to be aware of the efforts of our Monday morning volunteers who plant bulbs, clear vegetation, look after herbaceous beds and generally help to make the park attractive.  They are assisted by pupils and staff from Crosland Moor Junior School and Moor End Academy.  They also agree with John Mason on the work they carry out.

Visitor Centre
The visitor centre has had a very successful year thanks to the efforts of all our volunteers who man the centre, bake cakes, organise social events and look after the stall by the bandstand.  Success is not measured by money but by the number of people using the facilities as this gives an indication to outside bodies of how popular the park has become. The more visitors the more they contribute to our income.
One of the reasons for the success is that many volunteers are involved in decision making as they have a sub committee meeting on a monthly basis and this is something which all teams need to consider.

Events
Now that we have the new bandstand it needs to be used and the events committee is working on next year’s programme.  In the past we have concentrated on brass band performances but, as part of the HLF grant conditions, we must open up our programme to other forms of entertainment, whilst maintaining and increasing our band commitment.

The committee are bearing this in mind and contact has been made with local schools who will also use the new bandstand.

In addition to musical events on the bandstand we have recently been putting on events for local children, parents and the general public including a bat walk, a geoday and an Autumn watch which have been well supported.  There is also a Saturday Forest School for children and parents every month.  These are encouraging additions to our events programme which should be developed but we need volunteers to assist with the organisation.  We are fortunate in that Emily will spend 9 hours 20 minutes per week during the winter months on events organisation as part of her degree project but most of the events take place during summer months hence the need for more volunteers for this committee.

History and Heritage
I have recently been questioning the need for this team but now realise that it is vital point of our committee structure.  This team was set up when we were dealing with the signage project funded by HLF in 2005 and the results of their research can be seen on various information boards, leaflets and the Beaumont Park book.  Recent work has been done on two bandstand information boards still to be installed.  We now need an information board on the castle site and possibly one for the path to inform about the blast wall once it is removed.

20,000 park maps were printed in 2008 from money from the signage project and less than 2,000 remain so we need to update it and have a reprint.  A decision on the reprint of the park book has yet to be made.  It contains some inaccuracies, a picture of the new bandstand would improve it and some new information has come to light.  Paid for by HLF it can be self financing and both Waterstones and  Tourist Information Office will sell it but because of reprint costs we may lose a little if sold by these two shops.

I previously mentioned research into the History of the Meltham Railway Branch Line to be carried out by local schools but we need to help them with any information in our records and also point them in the right direction for other source material.

Finance
Our current financial situation is healthy according to the latest accounts but we have to be aware that some of the money is already allocated.  We know that the council have a very strict budget and we should be prepared to spend money on projects which improve the park. This is why we raise money.

Committee Structure
Since formation our interests have gradually developed from wanting the council to pay more attention to the park rather than demolishing assets to running a visitor centre, helping with vegetation removal, putting on a programme of events and working with the local community.  This is probably a much greater commitment than originally foreseen by the first committee in 1998 and we have been fortunate in the number of volunteers we have encouraged to give time and effort to the ‘friends’.  However we have spoken in committee this year about the danger of overload.  People volunteer because they enjoy what they do and feel that they are contributing to something worthwhile in their local community.  However if asked to do too much they can easily walk away so it is  vital that work is shared among as many volunteers as possible.
About six years ago the committee was split into teams taking responsibility for specific tasks outlined previously and this has worked reasonably well since then..  As our role in the community centred round the park has developed I think now is an appropriate time to consider how we can improve our organisation so that the increasing burden can be spread amongst more volunteers rather than fall on the shoulders of general committee members.

I have already mentioned the way the visitor centre team operate by having its own sub committee meetings involving several volunteers and issuing minutes to all the general committee so that we are always up to date with their activities.  They are not reliant on one or two individuals and there is always cover for holidays, sickness, etc.

The events committee has increased in numbers this year consisting of general committee members but we need to bring in non committee volunteers especially as there is a large increase in events planned for next year.  There are several aspects where we need cover for tasks such as lighting, bandstand, clerical organisation, chairs,etc. We have had meetings with Council Culture and Leisure Services but reductions in budget and staff mean that they cannot give any more assistance than they already provide.

The Park committee deals with the council and, as stated before, we have seen a vast improvement in the park to the extent that it can be managed more easily now.  However we are now involved with the woodland area and will need volunteers to help with vegetation clearance.   There is already action built in the woodland management plan and the HLF project will include more jobs.  Once again more volunteers are needed although we have a nucleus from our winter monthly volunteers days.

The History and Heritage Team relies on 3 – 4 members of general committee but volunteers could be coopted to do archiving and researching the History of the Meltham Railway in conjunction with the local schools.

Administration is also an area where we are being stretched as people become more aware of the Park and what it has to offer.  There are several jobs not falling under the main team headings that need doing.  Posters, Newsletter issues, plant sales, funding, etc.

We have a lot of support from the community for what we have achieved so far and we need to tap into this to involve more volunteers the vast majority of whom do not like committee work but are quite happy to help out with specific tasks. It is also probably true to say that ‘volunteers’ need to be asked as most people are reluctant to appear to be pushing themselves forward.

Summary
We are considered to be a successful organisation by many and I think we can all agree with them but we need to examine the way we operate every so often to see if any improvements can be made. This will be discussed at the next two committee meetings.

Finally I would like to thank all committee members for their support and a special thank you to Joan Hannan and Pauline Blackburn who have served on the committee from the start so we will miss their experience. We are sorry to lose them but will not lose them altogether as they have indicated that they will help out when necessary.

7 December 2011.

SATURDAY 14 JANUARY 2012 7.30pm QUIZ NIGHT WITH CLAIRE at the CROSLAND MOOR COMMUNITY CENTRE.  Tickets £6 on sale in the visitor centre.  Jacket potato with various fillings and a selections of sweets.  BRING YOUR OWN DRINKS.

SATURDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2012 7.30pm - 11.30pm AT THE CROSLAND MOOR COMMUNITY CENTRE - IRISH COUNTRY NIGHT AND VALENTINE EVENING with the EVERLEY DRINKERS.  Tickets £8 on sale in the visitor centre.  Main course and sweet.  BRING YOUR OWN DRINKS.

MONDAY 12 MARCH 2012 7.30pm INDIAN CURRY NIGHT AT CINNAMON LODGE, MELTHAM
£10 per person for a buffet style meal with starters, main meal and Indian sweet/fruit.  Vegetarian options available.  Drinks to be bought at the bar (DON'T BRING YOUR OWN!!)
Mini table quiz.  Tickets available from the visitor centre.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 7.30pm IN THE VISITOR CENTRE. Everyone welcome

Agenda

1. Apologies for absence
2. Minutes of the AGM of 8 December 2010
3. Matters arising from the minutes
4. Chairman's Report
5. Secretary's Report
6. Treasurer's Report
7. Election of Officers
8. Any other Business

There will be a short committee meeting afterwards - open to all.

The SUMMER NEWSLETTER is now available for download.  Our volunteers are currently distributing 7,000 in the Crosland Moor, Beaumont Park, Netherton and Linthwaite areas.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE EVENT ON SUNDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2011 HAS BEEN CHANGED DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES.

ON THE BANDSTAND:

2pm - 3pm HEAVY ARTS
3pm - 4pm TIME TRAVELLERS

Due to problems with water seepage the cascade and fountain has been switched off until the fault is rectified otherwise the pump will be damaged.

NORMANS QUIZ NIGHT Saturday 24 SEPTEMBER.  3 tickets still available.  £6 per person supper included but bring your own drinks.

14 SEPTEMBER - WEDNESDAY WALKERS 22 walkers did a 4.5mile walk from Marsden Station, up the canal to Hey Green and up hill and down dale to reach the Railway Pub in time for lunch.  Showery and breezy at times but very enjoyable.

HERITAGE DAY 11 September 1.30pm to 4.30pm - Quite a gusty start to the day and for Health and safety reasons some stalls were transferred to the arches above the cascade and fountain.  In view of the not so good weather we were pleased that people turned out to take advantage of the free entertainment by Marsden Concert Brass, African Drummers and Kirkburton Rapier Dancers.  Punch and Judy shows attracted quite a number of people as did the vintage funfair.

THURSDAY 26 May 2011 6.30pm to 7.30pm 

PACT MEETING (PARTNERSHIPS AND COMMUNITIES TOGETHER) 6.30pm to 7.30pm in the visitor centre.  Meet Phil Handley (Police Community Support Officer) and his team to discuss local issues.

Refreshments available.

PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGES TO THE TEA ROOM OPENING DAYS.

The last THURSDAY opening will be 24 FEBRUARY 2011. 

With effect from 2 MARCH 2011  the tea room will open on WEDNESDAYS from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. 

From 27 MARCH 2011 until 30 OCTOBER 2011 the tea room will open ON SUNDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS from 1.30pm to 4pm reverting back to winter opening hours in November through to March 2012.      

Following the AGM on 8 December 2010 a new management committee has been appointed.

Peter Turner - Chair (Director and Trustee)

Pat Battye - Deputy Chair  (Director and Trustee but not a cheque signatory)(New Visitor Centre project leader and Bandstand Project Team) Pat is also the walk leader for the Friday Health Walkers.

Tony Moyle - Hon Secretary (Director and Trustee) Stood down and re-elected 8 December 2010

Mary Kenworthy - Hon Treasurer (Director and Trustee but not a cheque signatory) (Administration, Website, Bandstand Project Team) Stood down and relected 8 December 2010

Michael Rayner - (Director and Trustee) Publicity Co-ordinator

Management Committee (including the above)

Pauline Blackburn (Park and newsletter distribution) 

Joan Hanan (Visitor Centre sub-committee)

Philip Jackson (Visitor Centre sub-commitee)

Ken Kaye (Social History Event organiser, Merchandise and New visitor centre project team)

Anne Mallinson (Visitor centre hire and maintenance, new visitor centre project team and Bandstand Project Team)

Karen Moyle (Special Events organiser, History and Heritage Chair, Bandstand Project Team)

Anne Ross (Park)

Malcolm Taylor (Visitor Centre operations and Funding)

Pauline Tymchak (Park, signage and leaflets)

Cllr Molly Walton - (Kirklees liaison and funding)

Charles Waterhouse - appointed 8 December 2010.  Newsletter sponsorship and deputy Wednesday Walk leader.

Other FoBP sub groups and projects:

Roy Mason Chair of the Photography Group, deputy David Lowe
Susan Doran Wednesday Walk leader
John Pearson - Bandstand team and Beaumont Park book
Ray Mallinson and Roman Tymchak - Woodland Management
Susan Doran, Susan Fox, George Hinchliffe, Marion Hoyle - Monday Gardening Club

Resigned from Commitee 8 December 2010
Betty Dawson
John Pearson
Glyn Brooke

Due to frozen pipes and no toilet facilities the visitor centre is closed until FRIDAY 10 DECEMBER but

BBC weather forecast shows the temperatures are due to start rising on Thursday therefore we hope to be back in action by the weekend.   

We are that the CAROL CONCERT was cancelled due to frozen facilities.  The pipes have frozen therefore we have no water or toilet facilities.

The Christmas flower arranging event on Saturday 4 December was relocated to LOCKWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH near Lockwood lights. 

The Beaumont Park Lodge was auctioned by Allsops on 16 December 2010 and sold for £130,000  See the following link for details: http://www.auction.co.uk/residential/home.asp Click on online catalogue, The Lodge is Lot 109.

SATURDAY 4 DECEMBER 2010 10am to 12noon in the visitor centre - Christmas Flower arranging demonstration by Carol Jarvis.  £6 per person including mince pie and hot drink.  Please put your name on the sheet in the visitor centre or email us or telephone 01484 645217 to reserve a place.

SATURDAY 4 DECEMBER 2010 St Barnabas Christmas Fayre HAS BEEN CANCELLED 

SUNDAY 5 DECEMBER 2010 3pm to 4pm CAROL CONCERT by the main gate in Beaumont Park Road. Golcar Band will play and are accompanied by St Barnabas Church Choir.  FREE ADMISSION.  Mulled wine and mince pies will be on sale and the visitor centre will be open from 1.30pm. 

SATURDAY 11 DECEMBER 2010 WOODLAND MANAGEMENT. Meet at the Depot at 10am, wear suitable clothing, gloves and boots.  Work in the park with Ray and Roman clearing overgrown vegetation.

SATURDAY 11 DECEMBER 2010 FoBP PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP meet in the visitor centre at 10.30am. 

WEDNESDAY 22 DECEMBER AND 29 DECEMBER - The Wednesday Walkers will be walking as usual.  Soup and Sandwiches available in the visitor centre.  Meet 10.30am at the Depot.  

FoBP is a non political, non religious group but we work alongside other groups in the community to encourage and strengthen community spirit.

The WINTER 2009 NEWSLETTER is available to download on the useful links and download page. 

VOLUNTEERS WANTED - VISITOR CENTRE

The visitor centre is open for refreshments 1.30pm to 3.30pm Sundays and Thursdays. Do you have
any free time? If so, call in and put your name on the rota. It is a great way to make new friends and raise money for the restoration of the Park.

FUNDING TEAM - next meeting Wednesday 20 January 2010 at 2pm in the visitor centre

A recently formed funding sub-committee is looking for new ideas to raise money for the restoration of the Park. If you wish to join the team and help out at events please contact Malcolm Taylor or email us your ideas. friends@fobp.co.uk or telephone Malcolm 01484 303330.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR WORK IN THE PARK

There is still quite a lot of work to do clearing vegetation in the park. If you are able to help please come along on the work days:
SATURDAY 9 January, 13 February and 13 March
SUNDAYS - dates to be published on our website

WALKING GROUPS

WEDNESDAY WALKERS - Commencing WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2010. Meet at the depot for a prompt 10.30am start. Maximum of 5 miles then return to the depot for lunch. Soup and sandwiches will be on sale. If you are interested  please email friends@fobp.co.uk or telephone 01484 645217

FRIDAY HEALTH WALKERS - meet every FRIDAY at 2pm in the visitor centre for a walk around the
area with refreshments afterwards in the visitor centre.

NORDIC WALKING - meet TWICE MONTHLY on Thursdays at 1.30pm alternating between Beaumont
Park and Castle Hill. Organised by Diane Clifford (Kirklees Warden) and Julian Brown
(Castle Hill Ranger) . See notice board or our website for dates

The cascade requires a new pump, it has been ordered and should be installed shortly.

The lower gates were opened by Jean Calvert, Mayor of Kirklees on 27 April 2008. Go to our restoration page for further details

The visitor centre is now fully operational following the thaw.