Pannal and traffic

A friend came to see us last Saturday and said the traffic was backed up from The Prince of Wales Roundabout to the turn off to Pannal. Why? We think it was the Christmas Market. We had our grandson Alex staying with us as Susan, our daughter, was mountain biking in The Lakes with her brother Michael who lives there. A few months back she cycled up from where she lives in The Peak District to Pannal over all the hills and dales. Brilliant or mad. We are inclined to think the latter. But admire her for her get up and go spirit. Wonder who she takes after mmmm as I have been told I am mad.  Took Alex to the market and it was brilliant. Have seen them before in Lincoln etc . Certainly drew visitors from far and near. Very busy and the one way system did not work very well. Only a blimp as I am sure it will "be sorted" next year. Pannal has been lucky to have avoided the floods. I went to Otley yesterday and the road at Pool was closed due to flooding so I had to retrace my steps and go the back way in. Pannal Golf Course is closed due to the weather and not sure when it will re-open. The Christmas lights should be on Pannal Green towards the end of the week. Hoping that the Green will dry up a bit as it is sodden which makes it difficult for the cherry picker to get to the tree in the middle.

Pannal bits and pieces

I have been told by my computer guru (our Richard) that readers can leave comments on my blogs. Do hope so as it would be nice to hear from everyone.
A very large pantechnicon came down the village last week. Not supposed to but we thought that once again he and others like him had missed the entrance to the business park. He sat in his cab quite a long time then reversed down Rosedale and up the village. Was it a sat nav direction through Pannal? Anyway we were going up the village and there he was surrounded by police and he was taken boxes out the back of his vehicle. What was going on?
On Saturday I took my eight year old grandson to the Christmas Fair of the Cats Protection League in Harrogate. We parked down the bottom of Tewit Well Road and walked across The Stray. A young well built man in front of us had a dog. His dog did its business on the path and he took a bag out of his pocket and I thought well done. But not so he laid the Morrisons bag on top of the poo and walked away. I said to Alex I am not saying anything as he might turn round and punch us. Alex said he would not punch me as I am only small but I can hold your bags whilst he punches you. What I kind thoughtful boy he is turning out to be.
Trying to get the Christmas lights on the trees as the strong winds at the beginning of this year blew them down and destroyed them. Hopefully all will be well and Pannal Green shall be lit up once more.  Also very much involved with Sandy Bank Quarry of which more later.

Pannal and Dark nights

The clocks went back and we are now dark about 4.45pm. Not used to it as yet. Went to the bonfire and fireworks on The Stray. Fireworks very good and quite a long session. Bonfire not as big as normal. We have been going to the Bonfire and Fireworks on the Stray more or less since it started. This year quite surprised to see no police presence. Never saw any trouble people too busy getting stuck in the mud. What I was not very keen on was late comers (the majority of us having parked and walked a fair distance) parking on the Stray and then revving up to get themselves out of the mud. Pannal at one time had a community bonfire on land behind Dunlopillo on the A61 and I remember the children having a guy and asking for money to buy fireworks. One enterprising young man stood outside Frank Walkers the Butchers (sadly missed) with a pushchair with a guy in it and it was only when we got closer we found it was his little brother he had dressed up. It is not recorded what his mother had to say about that. Believe The Black Swan bonfire went well on Sunday. At least it did not rain on Saturday or Sunday night. Yesterday started misty and cleared and I had a walk through Sandy Bank Quarry and through the fields and up All Saints Court very muddy but nice overhead. I am trying to keep the path through Sandy Bank Quarry and over the fields open as tenants want the quarry closed off from the fields and wired off.  Today clear blue skies which called for a walk at Knaresborough. Past The Marigold cafe which is recovering from being flooded and some boats sank. on to The World's End pub where we sat out in the sunshine. Very pleasant. Then walked up to The Lido. Wonder if houses will be built at The Lido where there are caravans. Owners of the caravans very worried so they told us. Years ago it was a very pleasant spot. Still is in a limited way as there are signs telling one what not to do.  The old Mill was a play area for children with table tennis etc and children played at the waters edge. Very dangerous further out as seen from the tragedies there.
 
seen from various tragedies there.

Pannal Halloween etc

No one came for Halloween. Quite different in Pannal from the 1960s up until 1990s. Our children used to get dressed up and visit our neighbours  and their school friends came round walking up and down Main Street, Station Road and Burn Bridge children walked along Westminster Drive. Was it the wet evening or are children not allowed out now? Was never very struck on trick or treat so our children never took part but do remember a bit of damage in Pannal. This got me thinking about people who came to Pannal. The gypsies selling clothes pegs or "lucky" white heather, French onion seller complete with bike, beret and striped jersey. Lovely strings of onions they were too. Knife sharpeners with their wheel that sharpened garden shears also. Wonder if there are still two milkmen. Harry Haste who lived on Flaxton Terrace was one and Cliff Trotter was the other. Harry now deceased and Cliff moved on to greater things. Pannal really was a village then. In the summer evenings people strolled around chatting to neighbours who were either out on a stroll or working in their front gardens. Our six bungalows where purchased by people who were either retired or on the point of retiring. We were the only family who purchased the bungalow at the beginning of our married lives. In the top bungalow were Mick and Josie Hayward, then Flo and Harold Hawkins, George and Mrs Wood (never knew her first name) Jack and Eileen Wilks (Jack died soon after they moved in and the bungalow was sold) to Jim and Nan Richmond, then us and last bungalow Maurice and Audrey Holmes. As we all came into together there was a great feeling of companionship. Unfortunately all have now died apart from us and Josie who now lives near Peterborough. Still know all who live in the bungalows now but not so much interaction.  I still walk about the village but most people are in cars now. Has the community spirit vanished?