
It’s the 3rd car boot sale for the Friends of CHaT Parks on Sunday – 19th July – from 7am for sellers and 8am to 12 noon for buyers. The entrance to Clarence Park is on 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.) If you use What3words the location is:
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See you there!
Events
There are a number of events that happen in Wakefield parks, some that we manage and others that other groups and organisations organise, as well as the Council.
It’s the Classic Vehicle Gathering today!

The Fleur de Lys CVS and the Friends of CHaT Parks are holding the Classic Vehicle Gathering this afternoon (Friday July 3rd) in Thornes Park, from 4pm til dusk. This is a wonderful free event for all the family – come on down!
RSPCA Fun Day and Dog Show postponed till September

Please note that the changes to the RSPCA Fun Day and Dog Show in Thornes Park. The annual event was due to take place this Saturday, June 27 however, it has now been pushed back to Saturday, September 5 due to the ongoing heatwave.
As the district will see highs of 35C this week with a Red Extreme Heat Warning issued by the Met Office for parts of the country, the The local branch, which is based in East Ardsley, announced on Sunday (June 21) that the event would be postponed to ensure “the safety and welfare of the dogs attending”.
Annual General Meeting 2026
The annual AGM for the Friends of CHaT Parks will be in the upstairs meeting room at the Holmfield Arms at 7pm on Wednesday July 29th. There will be a report on the work and events that the Friends have carried out this year and a chance to talk about issues you’d like to raise. Members and non members are most welcome and you can join on the night
Classic Vehicle Gathering coming soon

The Classic Vehicle Gathering in Thornes Park will be on Friday July 3rd from 4pm to dusk. This is a great event for all the family and is free to attend.
Entry forms are available at:
https://fleurdelyscvs.wordpress.com/our-event/entry-forms/
Busy weekend in the Park 13-14 June 2026


The Cancer Research UK Race for Life will be on Saturday 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.
On Sunday June 14th there will be the second car boot sale run by the Friends of CHaT Parks on Sunday from 7am for sellers and 8am – 12 noon in Clarence Park. 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!
Community Tennis Scheme for Adults
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:
Adult tennis coaching

Car Boot Sale on Sunday May 17th

This Sunday – May 17th – is the first car boot sale of 2026 for the Friends of CHaT Parks. Sellers can arrive from 7am and buyers from 8am to 12 noon. The entrance to the car boot sale is on the Denby Dale Road, on the same side as the Bandstand and there’s a banner at the entrance. The postcode is WF2 8DY. Exit onto Park Avenue. There will be stewards to guide sellers and buyers to parking spaces. Only second hand goods are allowed. No knives or weapons.
See you there!
Tennis Camp at Thornes Park, May 2026

Wakefield School of Tennis with the Friends of CHaT Parks will be holding a subsidised tennis camp on Thursday morning , 28th May, between 09:30 – 12:00 at the tennis courts in Thornes Park. This is aimed at beginners and improvers and only costs £1.00. This is a fantastic chance for children to come along, learn a new sport, make friends and have fun!
More details on:
Tennis Camp
Games of Thornes opens for 2026
NewsThe pay and play games will be open every weekend, weather permitting, on Saturdays and Sundays from April 11th until end September.
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The Friends of CHaT Parks will be opening the pay and play games in Thornes Park on Easter weekend. The games will be open from 10am to 5pm on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th April (weather permitting) and bookings and equipment can be obtained from the ticket office by the tennis courts. Come along and try out tennis, bowls, putting and the pitch and putt course.
And on Tuesday 7th April, Wakefield School of Tennis will be holding a tennis camp in Thornes Park from 9.30-12.30. The cost is £12 and the camp is suitable for beginners, improvers and intermediates. More information at:

