By John Baron
Farnley residents have agreed to set up a new Friends of Farnley Hall Park group to help improve and maintain the park.
An initial public meeting to gauge interest in setting up the new group was held this afternoon in Farnley Hall.
Friends groups carry out practical work in parks, such as weeding, pruning and litter picking, as well as protecting the heritage of the parkland and have a say in how it is managed.
The meeting, organised by Councillor Ann Forsaith (Green, Farnley & Wortley), also discussed the siting of a new jubilee-themed bench and planting area, vandalism and other ideas to improve the park.
It was also agreed to set up a Facebook group and to host a second meeting in August to help decide a committee to help take the group forward.
The meeting heard Neil Bonnington, chair of the Friends of Western Flatts Cliff Park in Wortley, talk about how the group was formed at a public meeting last year and the raft of activities and fundraisers already taking part in the park.
Earlier this year, a Friends of Stanningley Park group was formed and had just formed a committee. The Friends of Armley Park also recently celebrated the opening of a new playground after years of campaigning, and the Friends of Hainsworth Park in Farsley have also opened a new play area following a community fundraiser.
