May was the last time I wrote a blog. What have I and Pannal been doing. Enjoying the fantastic summer weather. Having said that it is raining today and that is why I am here. Came back from a great holiday, last night, in The Dales. Fantastic weather also a few weeks back a fantastic holiday in The Lakes. Now these are two places that have their own weather but for once they were the same as everywhere else. Hot and sunny. Our Michael and family live in the lakes and he in his spare time is a fell runner and was pleased to find he was placed 11th best fell runner in the lakes out of about one hundred. We went to a fell race with him and if you thought the Pannal Gala was bad (and it was) it cost £10 to get in and apart from children's races and the big fell race. There was a sweet stall, a hot dog stall, a pop stall and a raffle. Michael said to me "don't you dare complain as I am paying for you and dad". I am a source of embarrassment to my family as I say things like "Excuse me how can you justify that price?" The older I get the worse I am. A mixture of Scottish and Yorkshire need I say more. Our youngest granddaughter celebrated her 2nd birthday here in Pannal and apart from going into the house to sleep we had all our meals in the garden. We all had a lovely time. Pannal is deciding to apply for Parish Council status and where was I when the meeting took place. I was on the golf course. First things first. Everyone knows that from May to September I walk, play golf and garden. I feel Pannal has suffered (and I use this word) more than most over the years. We have had so many houses built with more to come. There would not have been a recreation ground at Crimple Meadows if it had not been for John Law (late of Pannal Avenue) and me. It would have been all houses. I was also pleased to, as Chairman of the Friends of the Valley Gardens and Chairman of The Harrogate Society, have saved the Sun Pavilion and Colonnades from being demolished. Also I saved Spacey Houses farm by having it listed. We must fight to save what we have left. Sandy Bank Quarry and the Crimple Valley and green fields around. I do not need to be on committees to get things done.
I was very pleased to receive official recognition as the historian for Pannal Golf Club and as the historian for Pannal I have been entrusted with all memorabilia from Southern College later Pannal Ash College now the Police Training College on Yew Tree Lane. It has closed down on July 31 and is being sold by the Home Office. Yet again more houses. Can I save the original old school buildings. Yes I am going to give it a good try. I am still receiving comments and telephone calls from readers of my Harrogate Advertiser column saying how much they miss me which is very gratifying. Incidentally my new book is being delivered this week and will be on sale in Scotland (I hope) as it is about Glasgow. Have a good summer. Be back later but I am here if needed.
