Family transforms Leeds park into a magical fairy land during coronavirus lockdown

A Leeds park has been transformed into a magical land of fairies thanks to the creative efforts of one family - and to the delight of children from across the city and beyond.
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Heavily pregnant mum-of-four Charlotte Smith, 29, who is due her first daughter in four weeks, came up with the idea a few weeks ago to place home-made fairy doors around Rodley Park.

After an initial batch of 22 proved popular with the local community, she went on to make a further 80, with the help of her sister Sheree, 39, and now youngsters can find a total of 102 fairy doors across the park.

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Each door has been cut by Charlotte with a jigsaw and hand-painted by her and Sheree, with every one bearing the name of its fairy owner.

Charlotte Smith, 29, with her boys Nico, eight, Drewie, seven, James, three, and Evan, 18 months,, and her sister Sheree Smith, 39, with her son Alfie, 10, pictured with the fairy doors at Rodley Park. Picture: Bruce RollinsonCharlotte Smith, 29, with her boys Nico, eight, Drewie, seven, James, three, and Evan, 18 months,, and her sister Sheree Smith, 39, with her son Alfie, 10, pictured with the fairy doors at Rodley Park. Picture: Bruce Rollinson
Charlotte Smith, 29, with her boys Nico, eight, Drewie, seven, James, three, and Evan, 18 months,, and her sister Sheree Smith, 39, with her son Alfie, 10, pictured with the fairy doors at Rodley Park. Picture: Bruce Rollinson

The magical trail has attracted families from across Leeds and Yorkshire and led to the creation of the Facebook page 'Fairies of Rodley Park' which now has over 500 members.

Charlotte said it was inspired by one of her four sons, James, three, who is currently obsessed with the tooth fairy.

"James comes to the park with us to help put them out - and he's excited every day to find them, even though he's helped us put them out.

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"We just love it. It's lovely watching the kids run around and find the doors."

One of the fairy doors created by sisters Charlotte and Sheree Smith at Rodley Park. Picture: Bruce RollinsonOne of the fairy doors created by sisters Charlotte and Sheree Smith at Rodley Park. Picture: Bruce Rollinson
One of the fairy doors created by sisters Charlotte and Sheree Smith at Rodley Park. Picture: Bruce Rollinson

The sisters' project has also sparked creativity among their fans, with some children inspired to make their own doors.

Charlotte said: "Some of the locals put some doors up with conflicting numbers on, so we created the community tree for the local children to put their own magic on.

"I have never seen Rodley park so busy, we have definitely had at least 500 families searching for some magic this last week and made lots of children very happy."

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Sheree, who has son Alfie, 10, said: "It's been amazing. It was Charlotte's idea but she quite quickly she roped me in to help out. It's just magic. Seeing the smiles and the comments we are getting on the Facebook page is great.

Poppy, 10, and Holly Penman, nine, with the 102nd fairy door at Rodley Park.Poppy, 10, and Holly Penman, nine, with the 102nd fairy door at Rodley Park.
Poppy, 10, and Holly Penman, nine, with the 102nd fairy door at Rodley Park.

"Every time we walk in the park it's amazing."

Local resident Marie Penman said Charlotte and Sheree have "brought magic to the park" for her daughters Poppy, 10, and Holly, nine.

She said: "Fairies have been a huge part of Poppy and Holly's life after losing their grandad a few years ago - they have a worry fairy and a happy fairy to help ease their anxieties and make them smile.

"So when Charlotte and Sheree added fairy doors to Rodley they brought magic to the park. Poppy and Holly as well as many other children have enjoyed so many trips looking for fairy doors, we have searched high and low to find all 102 doors.

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"I can't thank them enough for bringing so much joy to my girls, especially in these uncertain times."

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