Pannal when we first knew it

 Seeing all the cars using Pannal to get to and from the A61 Leeds Road made me think what it used to be like when we first came to live here in the 1960s It was so quiet and our house was one of the first bungalows built since about 1929 so there was a lot of interest and older villagers used to come and ask if they could have a look round. Yes they did and they used to pass comments on what they liked and did not like. Mostly liked but did not like was a decorative glass screen seperating the hall from the dining room. " Oh I would not have that with your young child she will go through it you mark my words". We went on to have four children and none of them ever went "through it". 

We designed our garden and spent time putting the plants in and very often working in the front garden we would be stopped by ca drivers asking where the Squinting Cat Pub was. Now this was because Mr Young the landlord was the first person in the Harrogate area to have a carvery on a Sunday and everyone flocked it it. Before the ghastly alterations it was a lovely country pub. Very up market. WE all remember when a few years later it had a little passenger railway running round the garden which the children loved. How did it get its name. The Squinting Cat.  Well it is nothing to do with cats:-

It used to be a smithy and drinking house called The Three Horseshoes. At one time run by an elderly lady who used to peer out of the window at the customers. It was said she was called t'owld cat and the pub was nicknamed The Cat. When it was sold in the 1930s the name was changed to The Squinting Cat.  It is situated on Whinney Lane but with the number of houses there now don't think it is a Lane anymore. Recently my eldest son and I had a walk up to the Pub (My suggestion) and when he saw the number of houses there are now in what was just fields that he and his siblings as young children used to cycle to with a picnic (no cars, except on a Sunday, perfectly safe) he said "Thanks Mum for spoiling my childhood bringing me here". In those days there were a number of children living in Pannal and during the summer holidays they used to meet up in the morning come back for lunch and then off they all went again not seeing them until dinner time. It was a wonderful Famous Four type childhood which they have never forgotten.

Writing about those happy days and thinking of the number of cars, vans and heavy goods vehicles coming from and to that area to Leeds, Bradford or York they will come through Pannal or Burn Bridge to get to the Leeds Road they will not go down Otley Road to get to the Leeds Road as one council official stated at a Harrogate Borough Council Meeting when the houses were going to be built. 

Strange thing was as he finished his sentence there was uproar from the audience as everyone started shouting "no they won't" the fire alarm went off and we all had to leave the building. Funny that!!

Tigs like all cats loves the sun and when it rains, as it is at the moment, she looks at me as if to say "and this is?"

Oh! must just say I have a few books Pannal and Burn Bridge Their Stories that I wrote left. If anyone is interested text me on anne.smith.pannal @gmail.com 

Pannal and Yorkshire Water

Before I get on to the tale of Yorkshire Water I shall tell you what a lovely time I had with my family Susan has a big birthday coming up so decided she would like us all to get together. The date was arranged. We were all going to meet at a National Trust big house in Kettlewell.. There would be seventeen of us plus three dogs. The forecast was not good but we said well we will all be together it will be fun. It was great fun we were there three days and the weather was beautiful Very warm and the sun shone all the time so we were out in the garden. Not a cloud in the sky. Forecast was so wrong but hurrah for that. Susan and Dick are cavers and climbers so it was arranged for them to lead all those that wanted to go, down a cave. He had plenty of takers but not me. My reasoning being why would I want to go in the dark when the sun was shining. The expedition was a great success, Only one of my grandchildren had been caving. Obviously Susan and Dick's son Alex. We met his girlfriend Erin for the first time and she is lovely and a bit quiet having to meet us all but later she was fine. We had a meal at the Bluebell the first night which was very good and we were all served very quickly no one was waiting. Chef and staff did no well. Next night we ate what we had all brought and Michael and Helen were the chefs and it was all lovely. 

Then back to earth next week we had the meeting arranged by Yorkshire Water. No one from North Yorkshire Council turned up and we all felt they should have as they were the ones who told YW to use Sandy Bank Quarry. YW staff were quite young and took a bit of flack when no map was produced telling us where they were laying pipes. The gentleman who I was sitting beside lived in Spring Lane and I said to him do you know where the pipes are going on Spring Lane and he said no all we know is they are coming over the field to Spring Lane. I felt it was not a very satisfactory meeting as we did not find out a great deal  No timetable of when and how long. I reckon if we had a pub here all those young people would have been in it "drowning their sorrows" I feel they were "set up" I have also just thought all the workmen do they have a portable toilet in Sandy Bank Quarry or are they doing what bears in a wood do? Shall find out. 

I am being kept busy with queries re Pannal people and places. It is like this every year but I enjoy it. I have collected so much information and I had a lovely friend Alan now sadly no longer with us who gave me and St Robert's Church books of both Pannal and Beckwithshaw and all who are buried there. Interestingly people contact me from all parts of Britain saying they have read my Blog. Now that is strange but nice. 

I hope we have a summer like last year but it will be too hot for some. Remember Lucy at the Post Office a customer once said to her "Its too hot I cant be doing with this weather" and Lucy said "Well take off your bloody vest then"  Short and to the point but sensible. 

Tigs loves it when I am at home gardening. She follows me all round the garden and I have to be careful that I don't fall over her as she makes mad dashes. If I did there is no good saying go get help. She would say The names Tigs not Skippy the bush kangeroo. 

Pannal and Devastation

So saddened by Yorkshire Water and the devastation they are and will cause. We received a letter from Y W only a few days before they entered and closed off Sandy Bank Quarry. They said they enclosed a map. No it was a very dark photo of where? Was this a competition and we were to guess the correct place and get a prize? No prizes but it was a puzzle. A lady I met said to me my husband is a surveyor and he had a bit of difficulty. Anyway puzzle solved as next moment they were in Sandy Bank Quarry with security vans and guard dogs. All closed off behind wire fencing no one to enter.  Now what was that for were the dogs going to attack if one tried to enter?? I had tried to get in touch with North Yorkshire Council through their Public Notice on the gate at S B Quarry I emailed them at the address given for Parks and Open Spaces and there was no such email address.. Now that was not a surprise. I had wondered if they would reply to me re the devastation going on.  Got my answer no they would not. I emailed North Yorkshire Council and no one seemed at all bothered. Then with luck I eventually got Joseph who was bothered and gave me some contacts. How refreshing to find someone who cared. Pannal and Burn Bridge Parish Council held a meeting in Pannal Institute which I unfortunately could not attend as I had DVT in my left leg requiring a hospital visit.  I am ok now and did attend the other two meetings in the Scout Hut on Woodcock Hill. Knaresborough and Harrogate Friends of the Earth put in very well written objections as did George Eglese who incidentally tells me his parents used to live at Hill Top Hall. In preparation Y W had twelve healthy trees felled as they "were in the way". This is nesting season but who cares! Bluebells and wild garlic about to bloom but will be covered by "hard standing" Owls other birds and animals have gone. I can se them from my window. Been informed by Y W work will take fifteen months and their way into the Crimple Valley is via Sandy Bank Quarry. Did you know people's ashes are scattered there as they obviously loved the Quarry. I came across one gentleman just standing half way in on the footpath and I was about to turn back when he said. It's ok I am scattering my wives ashes here as this was one of her favourite walks with the dog. So not only flowers, birds and animals are or rather were there. 

This is a miserable blog as one feels frustrated by Big Brother Companies that do not care what havoc they reap. They are laying sewage pipes but we know why it is to build houses in the Crimple Valley that was always the plan. Myself, David Wilby KC and Councillor John Mann asked Harrogate Borough Council to make Crimple Valley into a Country Park in honour of Queen Elizabeth 11 and they were open to the idea but then North Yorkshire Council took over and they like covering green spaces with buildings. When talking about house building there is to be a new "village" between Harrogate and York at Cattal where 3000 houses are to be built and the North Yorkshire Council Leader said we need to build 3000 houses every year in this area. So that gives you an idea of what we are in for. 

I was away for a few days and when I returned Tigs would not stop miewing her displeasure.

Mothers Day my oldest son came over (others were on holiday) and as a surprise we went to the Imax Cinema in York to see Elvis in Concert. I am a massive Elvis fan so that was wonderful. Elvis was brilliant I saw him at Prestwick Airport in March 1960. Never to be forgotten and there are a few of us in Pannal. 

Pannal - Sandy Bank Quarry Desecration

 Just had news about the fate of Sandy Bank Quarry. News came from Friends of the Earth not North Yorkshire Council or Yorkshire Water. From March 2026 to March 2027 our beautiful Quarry will be closed to us but not to very heavy lorries. Sewage pipes are to be laid through the Quarry and Crimple Valley. Now what will that be for is it because they are old or it it for housing connection? I would bet on the latter. Hard standing will be laid in the Quarry all the bluebells and wild garlic will be destroyed the sanctuary of the birds and animals will also be destroyed. Owls, pheasant woodpecker, numerous birds and small animals who live in the Quarry. My family has enjoyed the quarry for sixty years. The children have played in it even done their homework sitting at the top. Lovely walk through to Crimple Valley. Now is this important for our wellbeing or do we just destroy it. Who cares? We do. Why havn't we who live here been told. Do Yorkshire Water ride roughshod over birds, animals, land and us. Do they just turn up with their massive lorries and equipment. Do North Yorkshire Council repeat the mistake of their predecessors and don't tell anyone. We have not forgotten one morning at 6am Harrogate Borough Council arrived and removed our little listed hearse house at the Quarry entrance. How do I know it was 6am because I received phone calls from worried neighbours about what was happening. It was gone and I later heard the stone had been sold at a profit. I have informed the Stray Ferret and the Harrogate Advertiser bout what Yorkshire Water plan. I doubt we can stop them but lets just hope they bring chemical toilets. Closure for a year lets also hope they move out of Sandy Bank long before that. Will the flowers return or will they be under hand standing? Time will tell. Sad news to report. Sorry.

I am recovering from DVT. Had that a good few years ago and not very pleasant but as they say I live to fight another day. Harrogate District Hospital staff were very good. I sent them a thank you card. Although I cannot help but wonder who the numpties were that demolished Harrogate General as we do need a second hospital only having the District now. Fortunately I did not have DVT whilst I was away in Cheltenham at my youngest son and family's new home. which is massive and lovely. It is so nice to have my four children all settled with families and lovely homes. I also this week went to see my friend Jenny and Bruce in their new home. Having moved away from all the vast new housing round the Squinting Cat. to the peace of Sovereign Park the old Royal Bath Hospital now flats overlooking the Valley Gardens and very nice their flat is too. I was a patient in the Purey Cust Ward (he was Dean of York in the 1800s) when it was a hospital.

Tigs was not happy whilst I was away as she follows me everywhere but home now so happiness reigns. 

Just Pannal

I had a great holiday in Portugal with family in November but caught "something" on the plane over,  a rotten cold but was it as I have not really been right since. Cough and nose running like a tap. Christmas and New Year not firing on all cylinders but ok, Then it hit. It was awful. It got so bad I had a word with the surgery and said I had the flu vaccine only to be told the flu you have is not the same as the one you had the vaccine for. So now I know. Clearing now but it is taking its time. Been told there is a lot of it around. Yesterday I felt better and went down and cleared the patio area by St Robert's Church. It was a mess but looks better now. Still have the little flower beds to clear but I am not going in the rain. Village quiet with people walking around. Probably all in their cars going through the village. What I cannot understand with school time traffic is why a number of cars go through the village both up and down at school time. Why can't they leave earlier before school time (cars start parking on Main Street at 8.20am and they are gone by 8.55am) or after school time. Now if nobody knew that I have just typed it living on Main Street I know these things!

Had a little bit of excitement last week one evening. Blue lights flashing police surrounding a white damaged car and the driver was taken away in a police van. White car was collected about four days later. Was this the car that was damaged on Leadhall Lane and the driver collapsed on the pavement. Who Knows?

The offer on the Black Swan has fallen through which is a pity as we all got excited thinking it was going to be run again. It does seem sad as it is a lovely pub with a great garden. I remember it well in the 1960s and 70s when we used to take the kids round on a summers evening for a drink and a play in the garden. I remember one time when we took our first grandson round as a very little boy and he went on the slide and coming off at the bottom he landed on a big stone. Then I heard a voice saying Oh my God Anne Smith is here and she writes for the Harrogate Advertiser. Stone dug up and rapidly removed. Had some decent landlords I remember Anne the landlady who had long red hair and I think was an ex beauty queen. Still see her daughter Annette from time to time. Also Mark who was a great landlord. 

Noticed the flats at the old Dunlopillo Headquarters are now finished and up for sale with parking available at the rear. The front did not belong to Dunlopillo.

Did Tigs have a good Christmas and New Year do not ask her as the answer will be no as she had to contend with three dogs. Put all her belongings in the summerhouse but kept her food in the utility room as I wanted to see something of her. She was not happy with the dogs but they had all been brought up from puppies to ignore cats never to chase them but she did not know that. Tried to tell her but she would not listen a dog is a dog. Did make it up to her now everyone gone. 

Happy Christmas Pannal

 Not very festive all his rain. Yesterday I went into town. (Having lost my bus pass) in my car and it was so warm I had to wind the windows down. Apparently four other people had lost their bus passes as well. . There was a big pile of bus passes at the Bus Station but mine was not amongst them. I do not make a habit of losing it. Never done so before and for being stupid it cost me £10. If it is a decent day I sometimes walk up and get the bus but if it is a really nice day and I need to go to town I very often walk. Although I am not as quick up Church Lane as I used to be. 

The trees on Pannal Green look lovely once more and the Carols on the Green was well supported. 

Pannal Surgery closing. Heard the rumour that it was being sold. Wonder what as. Used to be a house then for many years Newsagents and store. When my eldest daughter was a small baby a customer said A little boy oh what lovely rosy cheeks (we did not have central heating) what's his name. I said Susan and it was when that Johnny Cash recorded A boy Named Sue. It was very popular. She looked at me in amazement but I was cross my lovely daughter being taken for a boy. When I did use the Surgery I always found that patients came from Duchy and other places as they all said it was easier to park at than Leeds Road. Sad that Pannal and Burn Bridge do not have a pub. Platform One/Harwood had their moments sometimes great sometimes not. Black Swan or Mucky Duck as we called it was a good pub and we all enjoyed going there. Inside in the winter and in the summer their lovely large garden. Great fun when Mark owned it. Landlords/landladies do make a pub if they are genial mine hosts. Would be good to see it up and running again. 

I have just returned from Portugal with family. Have never been before and it was lovely. As we were coming off the plane friends Norma and David were going on to come home. Family laughed as everywhere  I know someone. We were standing on a jetty taking a photo of Table Mountain when my parents neighbours said hello. When my youngest son went to Oxford University met Pannal people who were on holiday there. Met a number of other people in various places. Went to Venice and I said Well one thing for sure I have never been here before so will know no one and a voice said Anne Smith I turned to see Maureen and her husband from Walton Park. I said are you staying here and she said no we are on a cruise and have just come off that boat. 

Traffic still bad on Main Street and Station Road using us as a rat run. Noticed that many builders lorries are not coming down Church Lane as much but are now going in and out of Rosedale. 

All my family a large crowd of us are all here for Christmas and it will be so lovely, Eight of them arrive on the 20th and the other lot on Christmas Eve. The grandchildren are growing up and now I am the only one to still believe in Santa. Everyone humours me. 

I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a Guid New Year and lang may yer lum reek. Tigs looked amazingly intelligent when I said to her go on wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Then I am afraid she looked her usual dozy self but never the less she does wish you all Compliments of the season. We all wish for peace in this very troubled world. Who of us ever imagined that we would be living with what is going on now. No one I suspect could have foretold this a few years ago. 

Pannal, Me Owl and Trees

 I now have the back of the conifer hedge at the bottom of my garden done. It was a big job for Gary as it had to be tackled from the school side, Crossing the Pannal Beck, my fence then the conifers. Now done it is and sunlight will once more shine on the Pannal Nursery Groups play area much to my delight. I went round to see them to tell them what was going to happen and said I had at last found Gary who would come and do them. They had never complained as I had kept them in the picture about my efforts to find someone.  Jonathan has carved me  a wonderful owl. Majestic it is. He is so talented. The owl has been named, by my daughter Susan,  Cedric as he was carved from a cedar tree Jonathan knows Gary the Tree Man and I said to him I have just had a text from Gary and he can't come on the day he said he would as his girl has to have a massive operation. How awful is it his wife or daughter. Jonathan said its his dog. We all love our pets in my case "my girl" is Tigs who is a very affectionate cat. She knows what I am saying to her and she does it much to my amazement. Well when she feels like it. Not all that chuffed with all the noise first trees then carving. 

Pannal was such a quiet village sixty years ago so easy to cross the road. Now if one crossed the road as one did in those far off days - death beckons. The traffic is awful. Not just at school times but all day. Usually not too bad at weekends but this weekend was awful. Where are they coming from and where are they going to? The speed limit is in the vast majority of cases not being adhered to. I think most of the drivers look at speed signs and think "Oh they don't mean me" It will not be pleasant when all the houses are built on the Western side. Pannal and Harrogate will not be the same and what are being built are not of great  architectural merit and they seem to have tiny rear gardens. 

I have been asked to include the following in my blog. Play by Alice Nutter performed by the Dramatic Society Barnbow Canaries on the 27-29th November  West Park Centre.  ps If I have got this wrong (can't read my own writing - never could that is why I learned shorthand) but this time thought I would try.. Will it work? If not there will be a ps.