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.

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.

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.

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.

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.