Friends Of Silsden Park

Friends Of Silsden Park A group to promote and improve one of Silsden's best assets.

Please support this event.It's a great way to pass a day and it helps us to improve the park.
20/06/2026

Please support this event.
It's a great way to pass a day and it helps us to improve the park.

Thanks to Keighley Lions who helped with funding we have sourced and installed these boards around the park to help visi...
19/06/2026

Thanks to Keighley Lions who helped with funding we have sourced and installed these boards around the park to help visitors identify some of the plants and animals that they may come across.

We would like as many people to attend as possible so if you fancy a game of bowls, a walk around the park and some cake...
19/06/2026

We would like as many people to attend as possible so if you fancy a game of bowls, a walk around the park and some cake and tea we will see you there.

The Blackbird is particularly vocal tonight....
17/06/2026

The Blackbird is particularly vocal tonight....

Same place. Same day. Same beauty. Different times. Midday and sunset. Looking out across the meadow from 'Harry's Haven...
17/06/2026

Same place.
Same day.
Same beauty.
Different times.
Midday and sunset.
Looking out across the meadow from 'Harry's Haven'

We managed to do a bit of weeding in the rain this morning.Luckily we were under the trees so quite sheltered from the h...
12/06/2026

We managed to do a bit of weeding in the rain this morning.
Luckily we were under the trees so quite sheltered from the heavy showers.

We are hoping to create another bed for ornamental grasses and need some large flat stones to edge the bed with
If anyone has any surplus to their needs please get in contact.

04/06/2026

June.

This year we have had rain and unexpected heat. Friends of Silsden Park are trying to deal with the climate as it now reveals itself.

Lancaster University states that 5 million people in Britain are now affected by flood and drought annually. As many as 3 million are under threat from surface water flooding alone. Silsden is an example of flooding experienced in a valley as the beck makes its way to the River Aire and its flood plain.

There is a need for action to adapt houses, landscapes and businesses. Some of you will have read the National Trust's article that quotes one 'Flood Action ' group digging three new ponds along a local brook to soften the impact of storm surges that threatened to flood streets. Some places hold water higher up the catchment by planting trees. The Woodland Trust, in partnership with others, has planted 38,000 saplings over 94 acres in Hayhills Farm, Silsden, as part of the Northern Forest. In many places leaky dams help to slow down the flow of water from high ground to the towns below. ' Sustainable Drainage ' systems can include various interventions that absorb or divert water; soakaway in parks, permeable paving in driveways and green roofs or water butt's on downpipes.

In the park over 1000 trees have been planted this century. Survival rates have been surprisingly good and while trees are young their value in holding water is considerable. They also absorb pollutants in the atmosphere while reducing heat in hot weather. The park volunteers have attempted to slow the flow of water in other ways. This is needed as more development on the higher ground above the park increases the water flows. Where water was previously held in grassy fields it now runs down new roads and driveways. The school has aimed to counteract it's own surface run-off by creating a large pond.

In the park volunteers will continue to try to devise ways to help the town. The number of trees may be nearing it's maximum but water can be slowed in other ways. It is hoped that weather extremes will not increase but while the flower beds bloom and trees blossom and fruit the park will also do its best to befriend the town.

(These are comments from one individual. )

WOW!
27/05/2026

WOW!

17/05/2026

May



Now is the time to sit near the bowling green. Watch players on the carefully maintained green and enjoy the flowers from a different viewpoint.

Clematis Montana cling to the nets around the tennis courts. Above the low wall Aubretia cascade in purple and mauve, interspersed with Bearded Iris. Soon Helianthemum (rock rose) will open in pinks and yellows.

Above them the show beds are ablaze with pansies that survived the winter. In the main flower bed there are pink spires of Lupin and blousy red Peonies. There is much more to follow as summer progresses.

Unfortunately a large branch of an Oak tree, loved by many, was lost in the Spring. Recently Bradford Council tree surgeons



removed some of the tree's heavy branches. This an attempt to extend the life of the tree which has damage down the middle of its trunk. The tree may not have a long future but Friends of the park are constantly replacing failed trees and there are many young Oaks (Quercus robur and Quercus petraea) establishing themselves in the park.

Scrap helpfully left near the park gates if someone wants to collect
15/05/2026

Scrap helpfully left near the park gates if someone wants to collect

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