Sunday 17 December 2017

Pannal and Christmas

First warmish day we have had for ages. I am fed up defrosting my car so let it sit there covered this morning then looked out of the window and frost had all gone.
Hopefully everyone is ready for Christmas. Now do I buy a turkey now or do I wait? Waiting at the moment but will see as I would like a fresh one but if I buy now I shall have to put it in the freezer. Decisions, decisions.
I approached the CPRE with regard to the Crimple Valley asking if they could help as it is a Special Landscape Area as deemed by Harrogate Borough Council who now want to build on it. I have received a letter from them in London and the development plans that I sent them has been referred to their branch in Yorkshire. I shall pass this letter on to the Parish Council as I feel it would be worth joining to be able to have the benefit of their expertise. That reminds me. I went into Boots the other day and an assistant walked towards me and said "are you on benefit". I was taken aback thinking do I look as if I am on befit. I said "Excuse me what do you mean" and she said "Benefit is a range of makeup we are selling" .Honestly, that is true there is a range of make up called Benefit. I suggested that she should rephrase how she asks people in case she got thumped. As she very nearly was!!!
The lights are up on Pannal Green and very nice they look. When I was a member of the Pannal Village Society I asked members if Pannal Green should be lit up and they agreed and the money was raised. Then sadly three boys from Pannal Green were killed in a car crash and money was given from their paper round customers and blue and white lights were put on the trees nearest where they had lived on Pannal Green and they were all Leeds supporters. That was all a very long time ago and their parents do not live in Pannal Green now and the winds destroyed a number of lights last year. This year new ones have been put up and the Parish Council has taken over my job of arranging for the lights to be maintained and lit.
What will 2018 hold for Pannal. I do not know only that Harrogate Borough Council will do all in their power to destroy it. Am I saying this because I have lived here 52 years? Yes and no. I am thinking well yes of how I feel but also for the children and grandchildren and animals and birds, and butterflies and our lovely green space. If this area is built upon where will we go to walk, and exercise our dogs. It is a very well used area and if it is filled in just think we will have nothing left.
On a happier note a very Happy Christmas to you all and a Guid New Year and may all our wishes for lovely Pannal to be left alone come true.