Tuesday 31 December 2013

Christmas and all that

Christmas Eve everyone here. Always do a big dinner roast ham sprouts etc followed by clootie dumpling. We all have our traditions and heaven help me if I miss one out. Had a lovely evening in front of the fire fortified with the Christmas spirit from a bottle. Bas had his usual Christmas Eve cold. I am getting suspicious as it has been thus for many many years. Grandchildren hung up their stockings, sent their letters up the chimney (always a nerve racking experience for me) put out the sherry, mince pie and carrot and off to bed to lie and listen for the sleigh bells which they always hear. As Bas was poorly I did the honours only to be told the dishwasher was on and no one could hear them. Three times in all I went out in the cold. Not a delicate tinkle more like Big Ben when I had finished. The spirit of Christmas was wearing thin, It was cold out there. All the adults went to bed including Bah humbug with his cold leaving me to do Santa's work. I was so engrossed I never heard Big Fairy Bas come back into the room, God knows why, to switch off the dining room Christmas lights.(We have a large lit tree in the hall and four on the window sills in the lounge and one in the dining room) Anyway I heard the thump looked round to see Bas on reaching for the plug had fallen in the corner behind a large pouffe and got jammed between that and the welsh dresser. He could not get up and to be honest I nearly left him there. Anyway between smothering my laughter in case Scrooge saw it I got him up and off he went to bed for the second time. I meantime had to switch off the other lights and on reaching behind the tv and over the table with Santa's sherry and mince pie and Rudolph's carrot I overbalanced and there I was stuck behind the tv. I had to get myself out. squashed the pie, broke the sherry glass and had sherry all down my front. Where the carrot went I will leave it to your imagination. Eventually got to bed and got up at 7.30am (not bad) to find that Santa had been and in his hurry to get back up the chimney dropped and broke the sherry glass and had stood on the mince pie. What a tale Alex made of it all and who was it who had frightened Santa? Incidentally I have now got the cold accompanied by a cough. Shall be a quiet New Year for us I think. Certainly stay up to see 2014 hopefully not from behind the welsh dresser or tv.  I wish you all a very Happy New Year.

Monday 16 December 2013

Our funny cat

Forgot to tell you this. Our cat Marble is a fan of Strictly Come Dancing. She sits in front of the tv watching it avidly. Don't know what she is going to do when it finishes next week. Bad enough when Downton and The Paradise finished. Although she is not a fan of Last Tango in Halifax. Finds it a bit rude in places so does not watch it anymore. Tigs watches nothing. Not even wildlife programmes. Prefers to spend her time chasing things in the Quarry. Two strange cats we have. Tigs prefers Bas and just tolerates me and Marble sits on my knee (when not telly watching) and stares into my eyes and does not go near Bas. Incidentally they do not like each other. Nowt so funny as cats.

Friday 13 December 2013

Pannal News

Our lights put up. All trees in the windows and large one in the hall and lights outside. We managed it without too much swearing. ie lights not working or Bas going round the wrong side of the tree with a string of lights. It was him never me.
Our cats have a visitor a ginger cat who comes in and eats their food. We all put up with that. It is a bit wild and runs when approached but it has committed a big sin as it was asleep in their bed and they wont go near their bed now. Have taken all covers and washed them but no they are lying on the floor. Can see two Christmas presents coming up.
Sad news is that Diane Cattley from All Saints Court has died. She had Motor Neutron disease and put up a brave fight.  Diane was a great laugh and we used to have great fun as she worked at Pannal Grange Old People's Home and used to pass here a couple of times a day and I always seemed to be gardening when she passed.  Doug Baker whose funeral was yesterday was also a lovely person. Used to see him when we walked round Plumpton as he used to live there before him and Christine moved to Knaresborough. They belonged to Pannal Methodist Church and did so much in Malawi to help the children.
Will not be long until Christmas is upon us. Doesn't seem like Christmas this year probably because the weather is not too bad. I have been able to golf and chuffed to say have been first for three weeks on the trot. Soon it will be here and soon it will be gone. Our family coming up. 48 years have had the family for Christmas in Pannal. In this house. Good job I like baking and cooking. 4 grandchildren now. Alex who is 10. Bethany one and a half and twins Jake and Leonie age 3. Carols round the tree on Pannal Green hope to see a number of villagers. The ones I don't see I wish you a very Happy Christmas and a Good New Year. Lang may your lum reek as they say.

Monday 2 December 2013

Party Time in Pannal

Before I get on to the party. Let me just say sorry I have not seen the comments to my blogs as I lost my gmail account. Don't ask me why computers very often do this to me. They do not like me. Can't say I am in love with them either but back it has come and I apologise to all who have commented. I have read you now and thank you.
Ross and Linda from Brookside Nurseries held a retirement party as they have sold their business but will be around for awhile to complete the handover. I sincerely hope new owners keep it as a garden centre as we need it. Party was great. Many many people came and there was wine and eats. I knew so many people there it was like having my own party. Some villagers I see on an almost daily basis and others once in a blue moon so it was lovely to catch up and find out all the village gossip, Unfortunately some news was about burglaries in Pannal and Burn Bridge. Also did you see The Antique Centre (used to be the other nursery) on BBC2 Celebrity antique thing. They did show a lot of it and lo and behold it was burgled and £10,000 of antique jewellery was stolen. I did say to Bas at the time of the showing that I hoped thieves were not watching as it was  a bit isolated. Honestly burglary nothing to do with me.
We have now been signed off from doctors re Bas leg and that, I hope, will be the last time he does a man thing and pulls out a little table to stand on instead of getting the steps.
We have two cats. First one Marble belonged to Sarah the Osteopath at Pannal surgery as she was moving into a flat and the landlord would not let her have a pet. So as I knew Marble having featured her in my column when she was lost Sarah asked me to have her. I said it is Bas birthday at the weekend. Put her in a box and say Happy Birthday Bas which she duly did. So one cat arrived. I featured her in my column (she got quite a following) and one young man saw the article and rang me up to say he had just come out of hospital, his girlfriend had left him and he could not look after the kitten they had bought together (girlfriend moved out but left the kitten) could I please have it. I said (this was three month after Marble) put her in a box give her to Bas and say Happy Anniversary. Story of how we acquired Marble and Tigs (names they had when they came to live here) 

Wednesday 20 November 2013

Pannal bits and pieces

Hopefully stopped our surgery visits re Bas leg. Nurse or Sister Smith doing the dressings. I say Sister as Jim (unfortunately long deceased) our lovely next door neighbour used to come to me if he cut himself or got thorns in his fingers through gardening and I heard him saying to someone that I was a nursing sister. I'm not Jim I am a journalist. Oh right he said and carried on introducing me as a nursing sister. I never got to be Matron. Have been golfing now surgery visits (twice a week) are over and it was so cold yesterday. The golf was rubbish but the walk was nice. Have just heard that Jenny Hird is having a hip operation today and we wish her well. Poor Jenny had a debilitating stroke last year and has been in pain and the hospital have just discovered that she has broken her hip. They are having more than their fair share of troubles. Still proceeding with right of way over the fields through Sandy Bank Quarry. Have served notice of my intentions to HBC who own the land but as they do not make rights of way, that is NYCC, I have filled in yellow, green, pink and white forms sent maps, photos of the lovely wild flower meadow that was destroyed etc. What fun. Probably take years to come to a conclusion as there are any number of farmers ploughing up footpaths etc and NYCC are inundated with angry people. Our local councillors have been quite helpful with the exception of Sharon Bentley who has been worse than useless as she has "retired" and is not standing at the next local elections. Do miss Fred Willis. I have heard that the next local conservative to stand for the Pannal ward lives in Knaresborough.  Surely not true!! 

Tuesday 5 November 2013

Pannal and green fields

We still have the roadworks in Main Street. Hopefully this is the end as the highways department are now painting the white lines.  I an saddened by the farmer/person who has taken over the "management" of the farm lands between Church Lane (entrance through Sandy Bank Quarry) and Almsford Bank on the A61 Leeds Road. We have lived here nearly 50 years and during that time and for twenty years before the area was green fields with a profusion of buttercups and wild flowers. One walked through to the accompaniment of bird song. Alas no longer. No flowers, no grass and no birds. Green space is at a premium in Pannal. Since the 1960s there have been more and more houses built and this will continue using up every space we have. It is very difficult to try and protect Pannal as we have only two councillors and one of them is worse than useless. The other councillors on HBC do not like Pannal and try to put as much housing and industry here as they possibly can. This is a fact and has always been so. When I was Chairman of the Harrogate Civic Society and also Chairman of Friends of the Valley Gardens I attended all council meeting for a number of years and it was staggering the vitriol that Pannal attracted. One Director of Technical Services said to me if it is the last thing I do I shall make Pannal the same as Bilton. Fortunately he went years ago but his legacy lives on. I am making myself miserable as I cannot see any solution. On to family matters Basil "did a man thing" instead of going and getting steps/ladders he stood on a little table, it tipped and scrapped all down his shin. Result a big loss of blood, a severe infection, visits to the surgery twice a week. Still going on. This will I hope teach him to use steps/ladders. We would would we not ladies. Big family reunion this weekend which will be lovely as our children live in The Peak District, The Lake District, Bristol and Cheltenham so we do not see as much of them as we would like. We have relatives in Scotland and Wales and all their families live around them. No one has ever moved. All have houses near their parents. This was how it used to be as I grew up with grandma, grandpa and cousins all round me. Now of course children go to Universities away from home (I did not I just got the bus).

Wednesday 16 October 2013

Pannal in turmoil

Pannal is having Church Lane and Main Street surfaced. Vans and lorries everywhere not to mention traffic lights, and men (traffic ambassadors they are now called) with stop and go signs. It is not before time that this work was done as there were potholes everywhere. Rosedale was done a bit ie holes filled in but one big hole was left why?  There was a few days of perfect peace Pannal was not being used as a rat run. THEY could not get into the village. Now it seems to be business as normal plus workmen and lorries.
The latest "incident" is the "farmer" who has taken over behind the church has decided after 50 years that our wonderful wild flower meadows should be ploughed up and corn planted. The public footpath has had weed killer put on it so there is no longer any grass. Weed killer was put on the grass to kill it before ploughing without any signs going up to say spraying was in progress. One local lady took her dog on its usual walk to find it had collapsed and had to be taken to the vet who diagnosed breathing difficulties due to toxic materials. One local was also told that the spraying was not toxic. All the wild flowers died in a matter of hours. How is that explained? A right of way that we have used for 50 years and one that I am trying to be made official has been ploughed up in part. Villagers who have written to Harrogate Borough Council complaining had received very curt letters in return. What can be done? I am hoping North Yorkshire County Council will be more reasonable than HBC but who can we report the wilful destruction of the wild flower meadows to? Pannal Village Society which exists to protect the village will soon have nothing to do as there will be nothing left to protect. I really like Pannal and have enjoyed living here all these years but gradually things are getting sadder and sadder. When all the houses are built at Dunlopillo how will the school cope? Will it have to be enlarged again? Will more money be thrown at it by the developers? More green fields will be swallowed up. A roundabout will be built on the A61 and a road will be built through green belt land to the houses and offices (cannot call it a business park) thus helping the number of cars that use Pannal as a rat run. Sad days ahead. Buildings all the way from Buttersyke Bar to Harrogate. Pannal as a village wiped out as along the A61 there will be continuous ribbon development.

Monday 30 September 2013

Pannal news and events

First of all thank you Mrs Brown? of Harlow Hill for the great big bundle of stamps. Yes, I am still collecting them for my friend.  Over the summer I have had a number of people knocking on my door to ask if I know about their relatives who used to live in Pannal. Fortunately I have been able to help them all. This is what happens when you have lived in a place nearly all your life and are nosey. I think that goes with the territory of being a journalist. I have always been a "nice" one by that I mean when I interview people I do not write anything that would upset them. One lady who purchased one of my books because the relative she had come to see my about was featured in it emailed me to say she had the surprise of her live when looked through the book she found a photo of the Johnson Family Band who were also related to her and did I have anymore photographs. I did and sent them to her. When I write this blog I do not know who reads it and I would love to have comments from you. Go on please reply to me and tell me anything otherwise I sit here typing away not knowing if I am writing rubbish or is it enjoyed. Second thought some of it is rubbish. I am doing three talks this month on Pannal and its people and places. 2nd Starbeck Methodist Church, 16th Woodlands Methodist Church and 21st Gracious Street Methodist Church 7.30pm, 8pm and I think 7.30pm waiting for this one to confirm time. I am still meeting people that say "Oh I do miss your column". Which is lovely. I miss it in a way but I do have so much extra time now and I will write this blog. Sadly a number of my readers do not have a computer.  My vertigo is still rubbish so I am off to try Epley (think spelt correctly) treatment as prescribed by my doctor. If anyone has heard of this or had it let me know please as this is unknown territory. The big news of the week is of course Dunlopillo who have received outline planning for 120 houses. I would have liked a Business Park there as if we want a tin of paint etc  the car has to come out. One good thing is the horrible Dunlopillo building will come down. I remember the railway cottages that were where the car park is now. The Art Deco building (where Bintex started) the façade is being kept. I am very lucky to have amongst my many, many papers photographs and brochures of both Bintex and Dunlop Latex Foam. In a few years time Pannal will have changed can we cope? When one looks around the surrounding villages they still are villages with very little new buildings whereas Pannal!!!!! It is such a pity that the Councillors do not like Pannal and also such a shame that our local Councillors Matt Hill and Sharon Bentley did not attend the planning meeting. One of the most important in Pannal's history.

Friday 6 September 2013

What is happening

What is happening in Pannal re the Dunlopillo site. A plan has been put forward for 120 houses and office accommodation. My bet is that the plan will go through as from experience gained since 1968 with Harrogate Borough Council numerous Councillors both local and North Yorkshire. Pannal is a dirty word and the feeling the more housing there the better. Also I have heard that the Ward Bros always get what they want. Now what do they want? They would like the whole site to be housing and I would hazard a guess and say that is what will come about. the small Business Park they envisage will fail because the rent/price will be too high. HBC will be told that there is no call for business/offices there and a plan will go in (in a few years) for more housing. The road that is being investigated at the present time is the A59 - A1 and who do you think has land there just right for a Business Park - yes the Ward Bros. So Dunlopillo will be all housing and the other piece of land will be a Business Park. Neat eh?  Pannal as we know it will be no more. Now away from that sad subject to the exploits of our son Michael. We are tremendously proud of him as he has run the toughest race in the world for charity. It is the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc. 168 kilometres Running up and down, in all, It is a mountain race with 12 mountains to run up most of them 2,500 metres. He started at 3.30pm on Friday and the finishing time was 2.30pm on the Sunday. Super Michael finished at 10am. I needless to say went to bed on Friday night at 2am and up at 6am and Saturday 3am and up at 6am, We could follow his progress on the computer.  It was very exciting and worrying too. Helen his wife was travelling by bus from France to Switzerland and Italy. He said the crowds were fantastic and there were little kids on the route during the night shouting them on. The crowd had programmes and the runners nearly 3.000 of them had their numbers on their vests and names in the programme so there were shouts of come on Michael from the English and the same in Italian, Swiss and French. He was very, very tired and suffered from a bit of altitude sickness but he made it. Mad fool that he is.

Wednesday 7 August 2013

Pannal Blogger is back

I have changed my computer from an Apple Mac to Windows and it has been such a problem. Taken months to set up and now hopefully all is well. Been to Scotland and up and down to visit the children. Now enjoying this great weather and back to golf. I HAVE SUFFERED FROM VERTIGO FOR OVER TWENTY YEARS BUT HAD THE WORST ATTACK I HAVE EVER HAD. (Not meant to be in capitals but it does fit in with my mood). Still not right but hopefully getting there. Played golf on Tuesday for the first time for awhile and enjoyed it. Also concerned with what is happening in Pannal. A big decision re the Dunlopillo site and the Ward Bros plan to build houses there. I would have liked to have had a Hornbeam style business park there but I do fear the Ward Bros will get their way and it will be a lot of housing with small units for sales etc. I despair of HBC. A member of the PVS said that at this rate there will be nothing left in Pannal to protect and I am inclined to agree with him. I am trying to have the Art Deco building (old Bintex factory) listed as it was used for radar testing during the 1939-45 War. Have sent off photographs and all details so will just have to wait and see as it is in the hands of English Heritage now.  Don't know how the village is divided some will want a Business Park whilst others housing and a number simply do not care as they are newcomers and not all that bothered about history. There is an online petition by Mr and Mrs Boden who are objecting to the housing and also the road from the A61 through green belt. Shall continue later hopefully in a much lighter vein.

Tuesday 14 May 2013

We missed Pannal's summer

Taken me this long to get over it. We went up to The Lakes as our eldest son and his wife live there. We meaning all of us. Big family gathering. Temperature here on the Friday of the Bank Holiday weekend was sunny and in the low twenties. I left Pannal in shorts and strappy top and by the time we reached Settle the clouds were approaching.  Had a coffee at The Mill and travelled onwards. Reached Milnthorpe at 4pm to grey skies and decidedly cool. Saturday was similar with a bit of sun and a very cool wind. Sunday was drizzle and an even colder wind. Temperature meanwhile was 23 degrees everywhere else except our corner of The Lakes. Susan, Michael, Richard and Helen entered a 10 km race and it took them about 50 mins. Alex 9 years old entered 2km race and came sixth. He was chuffed. Charlotte carried 9 month old Bethany and entered the 2km, youngest there, and did a good time. Bas and I and James and Jonathan cheered them home. Monday the sun came out we were going home. What should have taken us one and a half hours took 4 hours. We made a detour to The Smith's Arms sat in their garden and had a meal. Bliss. Tuesday charity day at Pannal Golf Club. Glorious weather. Then back to the normal rubbish. Golfed this morning and had two lots of hailstones. It looked as if it had snowed. Raining as I write. But I did play eighteen holes and do I feel better for it. Who knows.

Monday 22 April 2013

Kindness in Pannal

Ok my brilliant idea we need some more gravel for the back garden lets go and get it. They will help us into the car with it. 6 large bags. Bas panicking, me driving slowly on a route home with no bumps. Would our car be ok. Yes it was. Now the hard part how do we unload it. We cannot carry it even between us. I know lets get the trolley thing and unload it one at a time onto it. Boot up, trolley positioned, A voice said "let me help you with that" A young man picked bags up one at a time (Oh please you did not think all 6 at once did you?) and carried them through to where we wanted them. He was on his way to pick up his child from school and decided to help. That was really kind. Did give him a beer. Really chuffed by that. We hear about all the bad people in the media. So let's cheer for the good ones. Also Karl our lovely plumber who came and fixed our toilet which had flooded. Saturday was lovely so laid gravel and gardened and gardened Sunday and today. Apart from Saturday do want the weather to get warmer. Poor old us and poor plants one minute quite warm then freezing nights with that rubbishy cold wind. Talking of the wind two large fence posts have come undone from our fence. Rang to see if anyone could come and fix them but they are inundated with calls and do their visits on the basis of when people ring in they see how many people need help in one area and go there. I rang a week ago then rang again yesterday and asked if anyone, apart from me, had telephoned from Pannal. Answer no. So guess we will have a long wait. Awaiting the planning application from the Ward Bros. re Dunlop Latex foam site. Have heard that the businesses up there are having trouble finding somewhere else to go as Harrogate has a shortage of places for them to go. One wonders why the whole of this site could not be used as a business park along the lines of Hornbeam Park if there is such a shortage. Poor old Pannal a village long before Harrogate was thought of and has suffered more housing than any other village. Feel quite sad when I think of what it used to be. Up to the middle 1960s everyone knew everyone.

Friday 5 April 2013

Pannal after Easter

Thank you Richard for giving me the link to what I said in the Harrogate Advertiser. All very true and the village is divided. A planning application will be submitted roundabout May so we shall all have a chance to see what will happen to the old Dunlop Latex site. Been down to see half of our family. James who lives in Bristol and Richard in Cheltenham. Poor Richard, Charlotte and baby Bethany were involved in an accident on the motorway. The catch broke on the car bonnet and it flew up and smashed the windscreen. With great presence of mind (one never knows how one will react until it happens) Richard who was overtaking at the time managed to slow down. The cars behind obviously saw what had happened and there was no collision. The police moved them to safety. Not a nice thing to happen on Easter Sunday. Came home and was asked to look after our grandson, Alex, the day we arrived home as his mother (daughter Susan) had to go into hospital to have a molar removed. Also on arrival found the toilet flooded, thingy at the back of the toilet had come off. All will be back to normal this weekend, we hope. Hope your Easter break was not as traumatic as ours.

Wednesday 27 March 2013

Pannal in the News

The old Dunlop Latex Foam site is in the news again. It was on the front page of the Harrogate Advertiser and I was quoted. Did not see the article as I do not subscribe to the paper anymore as I think it is very downmarket now.  Wonder how divided the village will be having been to the public consultation. It seems to be inevitable that something houses/light industry will be there. If built the way in will be from the A61 via a roundabout across Green Belt land and in front of the houses on Spacey View. Apart from the Green Belt problem there is also the other problem that the road will run all the way through the site and out onto Station Road, Pannal thus creating a rat run. Traffic going out along Burn Bridge Road to the A61 dice with death so this will give them the means to drive through the Dunlop site (past houses and shops) and onto the A61 via the roundabout. Poor Pannal village Main Street and Station Road. Can Pannal Primary School absorb all the new pupils? They will receive money from the developers will they lose their playing fields to more buildings? A testing time for Pannal and its inhabitants.
Heard that there was an accident on Church Lane whilst we were away between two cars and the bus and a passenger was hurt.
Also the news that Banjo has died. Banjo was the little white donkey that was in the field at the top of Church Lane. He was supposed to be involved, as usual, in the Palm Sunday procession but was found dead in his stall. I have a photo of him that I took when he was a bit younger
Wish you all a Happy Easter and thanks to all who sent me used stamps.

Monday 25 March 2013

Back to Pannal

Yesterday morning I was lying on a beach playing with sand this morning I was playing with snow. Have had a lovely week in Los Gigantes. Coming home flight delayed but fortunately only delayed to Stansted if it had of been Leeds/Bradford might not be home now. What am I saying? Do I want to come back to snow from blue skies and hot sun. What do you think?
What has happened whilst we have been away. Michael Newby whose parents Ken and Joan live in Burn Bridge will be Harrogate's Mayor from May. I took a photograph of Michael leaning on our front garden wall when he was elected a Councillor for the Pannal Ward in the 1980s. He now represents Saltergate. Unfortunately missed the meeting at Pannal Village Hall by Forward Investments with their plans for the old Dunlopillo site. Shall hear more about that in the coming days no doubt. Will let you know.

Wednesday 13 March 2013

Pannal and sad news

Audrey Towers has died. Audrey had lived in Pannal since about 1947. She was in the Land Army during the Second World War and often talked about her adventures. She was President of the WI and was also instrumental in restoring the gardens at Pannal Railway Station. She organised a number of ladies, me being one of them, and we started tidying up the gardens rescuing plants and planting more. Audrey lived at The Cottage Spacey Farm and when Harrogate Borough Council sold it she moved to Killinghall where she never really settled and was very pleased when a house became available in Pannal Green and she upped sticks and moved there. Back as she said amongst her own people and places she knew so well. Little Sally has also died. Think she was about 95 and had moved to Crystal Court (Pannal Grange as we knew it) Sally was often seen pushing her husband in his wheelchair. He then sadly died and that is when she left Burn Bridge.  Happier news is Mary Hyde of Burn Bridge will be 100 years old on March 26. So many congratulations to her. She is quite a character and played golf well into her eighties and I know flowers and a large card signed by all of us golfers will be winging its way to her. I also had a call from Joan Bradshaw whose friend had seen my blog about Joan and I on Red Nose Day. She was pleased.

Saturday 9 March 2013

ps to Mothers' Day

Forgot to say why I linked Mothers' Day and Red Nose Day is because I always send my "Mum" -  Joan Bradshaw a Mothers' Day card.

Pannal and Mothers" Day

On the eve of Mothers' day and also Red Nose Day. Why am I linking them? The very first red nose day a tea was held in the chapter house of St Robert's church and all villagers were asked to attend wearing red noses and dressed up appropriately. I decided to wear my daughters Pannal School uniform (Susan attending Grammar School by this time) So off I sallied. Sitting at my table was Joan Bradshaw of Pannal Green who said what if I take you round to Pannal School and say I am your mum and you wont go to school. So off we went Joan holding my hand and dragging me into the reception area saying she would not get out of bed I am fed up with this I want to see the headmaster. Teachers heard the commotion came out, laughed when they saw us. Headmaster was summonsed. Mr Kirk turned up wearing tiny grey shorts, little shirt, small tie and a school cap on his head. What a laugh we all had and red nose day was a success in Pannal.

Wednesday 6 March 2013

A walk around Pannal

I did my talk for the Rossett Lectures and it went down well. There was about 130 people there (so I am told) and there were a number of questions asked which I managed to answer. One of these days someone will ask me a question I cannot answer but it has not happened yet. The only time I was ever stumped for an answer was when a lady asked me if I could trace Great- aunt Bertha who once lived in Pannal in the 1900s and I asked what her second name was to be told "Oh you have got me there, I don't know."  I really enjoy doing my lectures as I meet some lovely people and everyone says it is not like a lecture where the speaker just talks it is like being talked to by a friend. That is the way I like it as anyone who likes or is interested in my stories of Pannal people and places are friends.
The Ward Bros (Forward Investments) are putting in an application to build on the old Dunlopillo site. Pannal Memorial Hall are holding an exhibition of their plans on 19th March. Be interesting to see what they come up with this time.

Thursday 21 February 2013

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.

Thursday 14 February 2013

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.

Friday 8 February 2013

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

Friday 25 January 2013

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.

Monday 21 January 2013

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.

Tuesday 15 January 2013

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.

Pannal has snow

We have some snow not a lot but enough to close the golf course. Not that I am bothered as still in the Big Boot. Meant to say that, thank goodness, the traffic lights on the bridge on Station Road have been changed. The second lot of light coming down Station Road have been switched off. We have been complaining for years (truly) about them as drivers who do not know Pannal and shall I be uncharitably and say using it as a cut through go through the first set of lights on green and when they come to the second set they are on red and instead of driving through they have stopped and we who live here has to have our wits about us in case we crash into the back of them. Was a silly arrangement and glad it has been stopped.
Last year poor Becky only 17 who used to work at the golf club was killed by a train at Pannal Station - not the drivers fault and last week Susan and Brian Towers poor dog was killed near the doctors surgery. Poor little dog was spooked by a child on a scooter moved onto the road and was unfortunately hit by a car the lady driver of which was so upset.
Have had a few e-mails about the lights on Pannal Green saying how lovely they were. Just hope we do not have strong winds and they get damaged as that is what happened last year and new lights had to be purchased.
Stuffed at the moment as I cannot get out and about to talk to villagers and see what is happening in the village so do not know when next blog will be.

Thursday 10 January 2013

Pannal up and running again

A Happy and Healthy New Year to you all. My New Year has not started too well as I tripped over a loose paving stone doing the food shopping and twisted my foot. It was painful but I carried on and everyone came up for the festive season and I managed all the cooking etc. Then on everyone's last night we were playing games and Someone who shall be nameless - James - put a whoopee cushion (one of my presents, oh yes) under my chair I sat on it screamed and staggered off to the right on the foot that I had hurt which necessitated a visit to A&E much later on as we were all screaming with laughter me included. I am now encased in the Big Boot having sympathy for The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Fractured or Ligaments damaged shall know more when I go back to hospital in two weeks time.
Before this episode I had a visit from Malcolm Ross ho lives in Pannal asking if I had seen news item on tv about a carriage that was being restored having been removed from a North Yorkshire pub and left derelict. I had not but I remember Mae's carriage (named after former landlady at Lascelles Arms in Follifoot) being crane lifted away from Platform One (now The Harwood)  as it was supposed to have been riddled with asbestos. It was used as a restaurant so I hope that was not true and the one that is being restored is Mae's.
Out and about before Christmas I met so many people, not just from Pannal, saying they missed my column and all the historical news and villagers who lived here and also villagers who used to live here and came visiting that I wrote about. The Harrogate Advertiser changed their policy and only wanted news of clubs and societies which , as a journalist, I was not willing to do. My column interested people from this area and far beyond. I still have people ringing, emailing or coming to the house with queries. Which is lovely. 
I am doing a Rossett Lecture in February about Pannal. Last time I did one I had so much interest from the people who attended as some of them said they had often passed along the A61 and seen the sign to Pannal but had never been there. Two ladies that did come and telephoned me after their visit said how much they had enjoyed it but they were surprised that there was not a little co-op in the village. To think Pannal used to have 13 shops now just the post office. I am also doing lectures about my Dad who served in the Royal Navy and was a World War 11 decorated war hero. He had many adventures Russian convoys being one of them

The lights on Pannal Green were lovely this year and we are hoping that there will not be strong winds as that is what did the damage last year and they had to be replaced this Christmas. We now have the daffodils to look forward to and little by little the nights are getting lighter. Has been a long winter and unfortunately it is not over yet.