Harewood Recreation Project

Work is now underway to create the new play area, adult outdoor gym and tennis court on Malt Kiln Lane. We are pleased to announce that the root protection fencing around trees and hedgerows has been installed. The next phase of work will be hand clearance down to a specified level to minimise disturbance to wildlife.

Harewood Parish Council has appointed an Ecology Clerk of Works to ensure that wildlife habitats and biodiversity are preserved during construction. We will create new areas for wild flowers as part of the plan and, when complete, the recreation area will become a place for both young and old to enjoy.

We have included anticipated maintenance costs in the Parish Council budget for 2021 - 2022. When the site is open, we ask you to support us by helping to keep it clean and tidy.  Please take litter home or dispose of in one of the village litter bins.

Broadband in Harewood Village

Improving access to high speed broadband is part of the Government’s Building Digital UK strategy. Rollout in our area is complete and most Harewood village residents are now able to access high speed broadband, with the exception of Harewood Mews and some outlying properties.

Local residents working from home during the pandemic have found the faster service invaluable. Mindful that some Harewood residents were being denied improved broadband services, the Parish Council undertook to explore the option of setting up a Community Fibre Partnership (CFP). An offer of £58,139 was received from OpenReach i to extend the network to properties in Harewood Mews. A consultation process was undertaken by to explore the feasibility of a CFP. The first round of the consultation resulted in 22 expressions of interest in joining a CFP. At this level of engagement the individual household cost was £1,142 (£2,642 less £1500 available from the Rural Gigabyte Voucher scheme). This proved to great for most residents to proceed and a CFP was deemed not to be feasible.

There are satellite broadband alternatives from companies like Sky and Starlink that residents unable to access fibre may wish to consider but lags in data transfer can occur with satellite systems, and download speeds are typically less than hard-wired fibre connections. You can find out more here: https://www.broadbandchoices.co.uk/guides/broadband/satellite-broadband

The second phase of national rollout of high speed broadband was announced by Government in December 2020, and the Parish Council will ensure that Harewood Mews and other areas of the Parish that remain unconnected, are kept on the Leeds City Council’s agenda for implementation of the scheme. More information on the Building Digital UK strategy can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/next-steps-in-governments-5-billion-gigabit-broadband-plan

A willingness to serve

Following the messages we have put out concerning Councillor vacancies, we were delighted when Brian Armstrong, a resident of Weardley, responded and expressed interest in being co-opted. Brian accepted the invitation to observe our January on-line Council Meeting and confirmed his wish to serve on the Council. Following the meeting, Council members extended an invitation to Brian to join Harewood Parish Council. Brian will be filling one of the vacancies for councillors representing the Wigton Moor district. We welcome Brian to the Council. Two vacancies still exist so, if you are interested in joining us, please contact the Chair or Vice-Chair for more information.

Brian tells us, "My wife and I have lived in Weardley for 47 years and we have 2 adult children raised in this village. Now retired from the horticultural industry I have the time and opportunity to serve the community and make a contribution to council responsibilities for road safety, planning and recreation. In addition to gardening other interests include sport, an invigilator at University technical college and helping the LGI Heart Centre charity."

Photographic competition

We are very disappointed to have to report that not a single entry was received for the Christmas Photographic Competition that was advertised in the November 2020 newsletter. So, just like as in the TV show Pointless, the prize money (deliberately unspecified) will have to stack up to next year. It would, nevertheless be super to see your photographs of where we live and to this end a Gallery section has been added to the Home section of our web site www.harewoodparishcouncil.gov.uk Currently this feature includes some of the images used for the web site. Please do send in any pictures you would like to share to vicechair@harewoodparishcouncil.gov.uk Please remember that if they show people who are recognisable or car number plates that are readable then you need permission from the people concerned in order to share them. We would need to see such written permission before putting the pictures on the site. The best strategy is to avoid the problem when pointing the camera. 

Can anyone help?

A couple visiting Harewood on the weekend 9-10 January lost a ring while walking on the Harewood estate. It was lost on the section of footpath leading west from the gateway to the estate, opposite the end of Wike Lane.

The ring, which is pictured above, features a red glass stone with two gold decorative snakes either side. The ring has great sentimental value for the lady who lost it as it was given to her mother by her father when they first met. A reward is offered for the safe return of the ring to its owner.

If you find the ring please get in touch with the Parish Clerk, Mr Kevin Sedman; contact@harewoodparishcouncil.gov.uk

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