Pannal and Spacey Houses

Good Spacey Houses at last is being developed. I am very pleased that I asked English Heritage to list the buildings which they said were one of the best group of farm buildings they had listed. It should be a great development and will good on the way into Harrogate from Leeds on the A61. That is if everyone looks on the right as they approach and do not look at the car showrooms which does nothing for Spacey Houses. The long line of cars for sale were supposed to be screened by trees and bushes that was the plan and the owners were told so by Harrogate Borough Council. But as usual no notice was taken and HBC say they are so strapped for cash they cannot enforce it. I am now nearly out of the Big Boot. I can walk so I have been down to "DO" the patio area by the notice board. Little gardens are coming along quite nicely. I also did a bit of tidying up of our front garden and people stopped and gave me the used stamps they had been saving up. Fantastic I received quite a large bundle which I have delivered to Pam and she was delighted and I have now accumulated a number of brownie points. Keep them coming please.

Pannal/Harrogate a dumping ground

Three doors up from where I live the old man who lived in the bungalow died and his property was sold. We have all watched with interest the number of skips that have been in his drive. Last count eleven. I mentioned to someone that it was strange as there seemed to be such a lot of rubbish, large stones, rubble, wood etc going in the skip. I did not think his bungalow was that bad that it had to be rebuilt. I was told that the builders were doing some work in London and because the price of hiring a skip there was £800 and here it is £200 it was easier to bring the rubbish up and get rid of it here. Very naughty eh? Hope story is not true as we could be/are the dumping ground for rubbish from the south. Snow again yesterday. I unfortunately was in it as I had two hospital appointments. Good news is nearly out of the boot. I can drive and walk now within reason. Shall give it a go soon when snow goes.  Incidentally I e-mailed Look North and told them of my experience with Jimmy Savile in Pannal and asked why they did not know of his reputation when a great number of people did.  Had a reply saying no they did not know of his reputation. Seems strange the eyes and ears of this area, and he lived in this area, did not know anything about him. Stories had been going around for years at St Jimmy's and on his Marathons I had heard them but they who are a listening and reporting service had not.

Pannal continued

Do not know what happened there. Suddenly navigated away from page and published. Anyway here we go again. No other incidents made it to Bristol. Came back on Monday and woke up on Tuesday morning to a covering of snow. Quite a surprise but it went nearly as quick as it came. Found out Nigel the Vicar is leaving St Robert's. Mixed feeling in the village some people like him and some do not. I have always got on ok with him as he has a sense of humour. Joan Newby is recovering well from her chemotherapy and her broken hip. She is a tough one. Also Jennifer Bentley also on the road to good health. Last time I saw Jenny Hird (at Christmas) she was progressing well from her devastating stroke. I hope to get rid of Big Boot soon then physio. Whilst I have been at home I have seen the number of heavy lorries that use Pannal as  short cut for Leeds and Bradford. I am sure it is the sat navs ( Dozy Doris) that is sending them through the village. I have asked Pannal Village Society if they will report it as there are signs prohibiting heavy vehicles at the top of Station Road and top of Church Lane. They said they would.  Computer playing up so finishing off here.

Pannal and bits

We have been down to our Grandaughter Bethany's Christening. It was lovely and she was so very good. I wore a long skirt so that Big Boot would not be seen too much. Went down to Bristol by train and travel was fine. Arrived Leeds to change trains, escalators out of order but luckily there was a lift. I had worn a rucksack as I needed my hands free. On going to get out of the lift I found I could not. My rucksack had got entangled with rail at the back of the lift. The doors opened everyone got out I went to walk forward,  found I could not, the doors opened again the people that had got out were staring in. The doors closed I could not remember the name rucksack I was just pointing behind me. Bas was saying is it your foot, I am still pointing behind me. Doors were opening and shutting one lady was left she said can I help doors closed. Eventually Bas realized and freed me. We were laughing as it was like a Marx Brothers comedy

Pannal and weather

Snow still lying. Side roads have not been cleared and are a bit slippy so I am told as I am, unfortunately, still in the Big Boot. Family are calling me Clumpy. Another month of this lark then start physio. I do not get a lot of sympathy as when people (hospital staff being one lot) ask me how I did it and I tell them a whoopee cushion they just fall about laughing and say never heard that one before. On the Stray some lads built an igloo and advertised it for sale on ebay as a detached residence. Money going to charity. Bids have reached over £1000 as yet. Had sad news that Jean Robinson of Burn Bridge had died. Jean was a lovely lady. She loved everyone and I never heard her say a bad word about anyone. We all have a gossip and a grumble but not Jean she was a pleasure to be with. She had many friends who are upset about the news. Jean was in her nineties, kept herself well, dressed nicely and had a young mind and could converse with old and young alike. She will be sadly missed. Good job I am writing another book or I would be bored out of my mind by now. Taking this enforced lay off as an opportunity to get on with it.

Pannal cut off

It did not start snowing until after 5.30am this morning. I know that as I was up. Did go back to bed though. Heard that Pannal was cut off early on. Not surprising really as we are in a dip. Hill on either side of us to go up or through Burn Bridge but it was stated it was just as bad. School was closed not surprised as headteacher does not live here nor do the teachers and judging by the 4x4s and cars of a morning neither do half the pupils. Stated by another school on tv we do not open the school when it snows as a teacher or a pupil might fall over and sue us. What sort of country are we living in?  Was told that all the snow gritters etc are now up at Penny Pot Lane. They used to be on Claro Road which was much more sensible as from Penny Pot Lane they have to either tackle Cornwall Road or Pot Bank to get to Harrogate both steep hills.  We have about 4 inches and I am sorry I am not out as this must be the first year that I have not built a snowman or a snow caterpillar. One year built a great igloo and that seemed to last for weeks.  Those poor young people that died on Glencoe. There but for the grace of God go Bas and I. We have done some "daft" walks and thought nothing can happen to us. All young people think that and so sad they were so young and talented. One being a lady doctor at Harrogate District Hospital. I am hoping Big Boot comes off on Wednesday as I have a lecture to do in Ripon.

Reply to comment

I have replying to comment asking about my lecture at Rossett School and I hope you received it. If not here it is. I am one of ten speakers at Rossett Lectures and I believe our audience have paid in advance to hear all ten lectures. I only talk from October to March and these are fully booked but I am doing a talk at Woodlands on the 16th October. Any others that come along I will put in my blog. Thank you for your comment and your good wishes.