Friends of CHaT Parks

22/06/2026

Not long to go to the wonderful Classic Vehicle Gathering in Thornes Park on Friday 3rd July from 4pm to dusk. As well as the miniature railway running, the Friends of CHaT Parks will have a stall - come by and say hello! This is a great free event for all the family.

17/06/2026

Thank you to the volunteers who came to help our Weeding Wednesdays 2026. The flowers are starting to bloom and fill out the beds and keeping them looking tidy is a big job. Weather permitting, weeding in the Flower Garden will be every Wednesday from 1-3pm, so please come if you can.

15/06/2026

Many thanks to everyone who supported the Friends of CHaT Parks car boot sale on Sunday - sellers,buyer, and volunteers. All your help is really appreciated. Our next car boot sale will be on Sunday July 19th.

10/06/2026

Planting in the Flower Garden has begun as you can see and Weeding Wednesdays 2026 will now begin on Wednesday afternoons from 1-3pm, beginning next week, on the 17th June. Thanks to the Wakefield Council workers and all the volunteers who make the park look so lovely.

10/06/2026

The Cancer Research UK Race for Life will be on June 13th 2026 in Thornes Park. The 10k begins at 9.30am, the 5k at 11am and the 3k also at 11am. If you want to get "muddy" the Pretty Muddy Kids starts at 12.30 and the Pretty Muddy 5k at 1.30pm.

There will be no Wakefield Thornes parkrun on Saturday and Wakefield Thornes junior parkrun on Sunday.

Please check that you have entered the correct web address or try using the search above to find what you're looking for

10/06/2026

Don't forget that it's the second car boot sale run by the Friends of CHaT Parks on Sunday - June 14th - from 7am for sellers and 8am - 12 noon in Clarence Park. (Sellers can arrive from 7 am to 12 noon, with buyers from 8am.) The cost per vehicle is £10 car; £2 for a trailer and £15 for a van/car sideways. Entry point is off the Denby Dale Road (on the same side as the Bandstand - banners and stewards will be on the roadside to assist) and the postcode is WF2 8DY. Exit onto Park Avenue. Items for sale should be second-hand. No knives or weapons.
See you there!

30/05/2026

Wakefield School of Tennis has partnered with Thornes Park and the Friends of CHaT Parks to deliver the COMMUNITY TENNIS SCHEME, creating an environment in which Adults can also play, learn and compete.

This programme has been created to combine learning, improving, practicing and playing, socially ands competitively.

Don't have time to learn/play the game? There's an early morning session being planned at Thornes Park!

For the full range of adult coaching sessions click here:
https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/ThornesPark/Coaching/Adult

26/05/2026

Wakefield School of Tennis is having to move the tennis camp that was due to be held on Thursday 28th May at the tennis courts in Thornes Park. This session is now going to be on THIS Friday 29th at the same time - 9.30 am to 12 noon. Dwight asks that please can those who have signed up to let him know if they are able to attend, or would like to be moved to the other similar open day session on Thursday 23rd July. Text/WhatsApp me on:
07715 627159.

26/05/2026

Good morning. Thank you for everyone contacting the Friends of CHaT Parks complaining about the arrival of caravans in Thornes Park over the Bank Holiday Weekend. We all appreciate that this can adversely impact on people’s enjoyment of the Park. The relevant authorities have been notified and procedures are in motion to have the caravans removed as quickly as the law allows. In the meantime it would assist the Friends Group, and possibly speed up the process, if complaints regarding the caravans or the travellers were made directly to the police.

24/05/2026

Another date for your diary - on Saturday June 27th the RSPCA Leeds and Wakefield branch will be holding their fantastic Summer Fun Day and Dog Show in Clarence Park from 11am to 4pm. More information at:
https://www.rspcaleedsandwakefield.org.uk/summer-fun-day-dog-show/