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. 

Pannal and trees

 I have a large high conifer hedge at the bottom of the garden and have been trying for ages to find someone to trim the back of it. Problem being there is a stream and a playgroup the other side of the stream and my conifers and going over towards the playgroup. At last I have found a firm that will tackle this from the playgroup side. So hopeful more light will shine upon them. 

Jonathan Sherwood tree carver coming next week to carve the owl on what is left of my very large cedar deodora  Looking forward to seeing it being done. The grandchildren of my neighbours said they would like to watch it being done but as Jonathan is starting at 8am there will probably only be me watching. Oh and Tigs the cat.

Last week I was driving on Leeds Road with the intention of turning off to Leadhall Lane. I was in the correct Lane to turn and coming up to the lights that had just changed to green when this car came tearing up on the inside of me and overtook me, making me jam on my brakes, and went racing along Leeds Road overtaking everything on his left He was amazingly lucky he never caused an accident but he got away with it and having done so will now do that manoeuvre again. Talking of manners I am finding very few people I pass in street make eye contact never mind speak. I always say good morning or hello and they visibly jump. 

Query is Joan Bradshaw still around? She used to live on Pannal Green and no one seems to know what has happened to her. She was a verger at St Roberts. Many years ago on the first Red Nose Day it was such a novelty that we all wore our noses and met up in St Roberts Church. I had put on my eldest daughter Susan's school uniform and Joan said how about we go to Pannal School and I will pretend to be your Mum and say I could not get you to get out of bed and that's why we are late. So off we went and Joan asked to see the Headmaster which was Mr John Kirk and he appeared in little short trousers blue jumper and Pannal school tie and cap. It was so funny we and all the teachers were laughing. For years after that I sent Joan a Mothers Day card. Those were the days! I know Linda Ruddy who was in Susan's class at school married Tom and Joan's son. There is a comments bit if someone could let me know as there are a few of us inquiring. 

Pannal Lightening and Me

 Ordinary Day not raining, not big black clouds.  I was coming out of the house to go to the garage. Keys very loosely over one finger. From nowhere lightening shot up my drive, hit the keys knocking them out of my hand hit the top of my garage, which has fortunately wooden doors, went over the top and hit the wind turbine at Pannal Primary School. The noise was horrendous and could be heard for miles. I was shaking and had a strong coffee. I am so pleased I was carrying the keys loosely as if I had been gripping them do not think I would be here to write this. I did have quite a large bruise on the back of my hand but that is all. My "incident" and the fact that the school was evacuated - new headmistress had only been at the school for a couple of days. My accident and wind turbine were reported in the Stay Ferret. Few days later as a member I attended Longlands AGM in their field in Starbeck. There was a caravan with awning serving drinks. I had a cup of tea and just picking up a piece of cake when the metal pole holding the awning fell on top of me hitting my shoulder.. I nearly fell to the ground but there was a lady near me that I managed to hold onto. Asked if I was ok I said yes and a helper said I had to be written in the Accident Book when I said my name and address. Someone said you are not the person that was struck by lightening are you. Then someone said its the 13th today so be careful. I did have a sore shoulder for a couple of days but ok now. Having just come off crutches following a stupid accident in the Lake District I am counting these as three. It is said everything comes in threes so hopefully that is my three. 

My Pannal Heritage Walk went well. It was a lovely warm day and people seemed to enjoy the walk and talk. Seems a very long time since I did my first walk. The Harwood pub was there in those days and I said to the landlord that I was doing the walk and would finish at the pub and he said how many people do you think will be coming. I said I don't really know probably about thirty.  He said ok I will make sandwiches for thirty. Which was very kind of him. Many, many more people turned up. It was great fun and we did finish the walk at the pub. Who got a sandwich I do not know but many drinks were consumed. The first pub was Platform 1 in 1980 then the Harewood which at the beginning was really good then through a series of landlords and landlady was not. It became the o-op which is very handy. Then we lost our very old pub Spacey Houses which was so sad. I tried very hard to save it as I had listed a number of buildings and Spacey Houses Farm which had not to be razed to the ground as many old farm buildings had to be kept and listed. Unfortunately I could not save Spacey Houses as THEY came one very rainy night and removed the roof. 

Pannal Heritage Walk

 I am doing a Pannal Heritage Walk on Friday 19th September. Meeting at St Robert's Church at car park at 11am. Walking towards the Mill Pond in Mill Lane and then back up Main Street to the Old School. Me talking my usual rubbish which is humorous and it is a fun talk but at times slightly serious as I tell you the history of Pannal. Finish back at the Church where we shall a little walk round the church grounds and then have a nice relaxing seat and a chat in the Church. 

Hopefully see some of you together with the Heritage Group. 

Pannal was a village but is it now?

 Pannal was a village but is it now that is the question. We who live here still call it Pannal Village but the Council and some residents say it is a suburb of Harrogate. The "village people" like to think it is a village. We have an ancient Church St Roberts, Pannal Hall ,Old protected cottages, a Village Green. Village Institute, Old School now Scout Hut, the wonderful Crimple Valley. Old Corn Mill and pond and very lucky to have a railway where steam trains flourished. A number of village shops now down to the Post Office and a new Co-op that replaced the pub in the centre. Spacey Houses was at the top of the village now sadly demolished so no pubs. A hairdressers that replaced the lovely Ken Walkers butcher and fruit and veg. We all miss Ken who retired to look after his wife. Lovely to think back to how it used to be. We used to have a village policeman Stanley Stukens who lived at the top of the village. When he retired we had a shared policeman with Huby. They were so good knew most people and stood no nonsense. 

To us it is still a village apart from the traffic. Where are all the cars coming from. If one stands at the top of Church Lane one will know. Mostly Green Lane and also Leadhall Lane and goodness do they go fast. They fly down Church Lane sometimes slowing down for the Matrix then speed in up and they are never ever doing thirty miles an hour and when they reach the bad bend in Church Lane where the speed drops to twenty mph forget that they fly down Main Street. Interestingly a neighbour had to sell her bungalow as the noise from the traffic nearly drove her mental. It really did. If one is gardening at the front the constant swishing of fast cars up and down from Church Lane and Main Street could drive one mental if they let it. What can one do re traffic, flap all it seems until there is a terrible accident. Accident black spots bottom of Church Lane and approaching the bend by Pannal Green. 

Cup of tea and bp settled I am now back. I am doing a walk for Heritage Week on Friday 19th September. Meeting at St Robert's Church at 11am. Shall walk up to the Mill and Mill Pond then up to the top of Main Street and Spring Lane/Woodcock Hill and see the old school. Then back for some chat and a sit down at St. Roberts. It is a fun walk some history and funny anecdotes - a lighthearted fun talk which I always enjoy and from the feedback my audience do to. 

i have had my cedar deodora cut down as it was so near the house and if it did come down in the high winds it would fall on my house and fat chance I would have had claiming insurance as always happy to not pay claimant out they would have said "should never have been planted there - to near the house. So I am afraid I had to bite the bullet. Tree had a little baby tree so it lives on. Gary my very nice tree man asked if he could have it to plant on. Happy to do so and I am having an owl carving by Jonathan the great wood carver. So that will be really lovely. Left height on the tree so my very kind neighbours can see the owl. 

What did Tigs think of all the noise not a lot. She gave me some very hard stares. 

 

More goings on in Pannal

 The copper beech in Rosedale part of which suddenly came down necessitating its felling. No it is not going to be left as it is the reason being a bees nest was discovered so when the bees leave the nest the trunk of the tree will be removed. My sad news is about forty years ago I purchased "a dwarf conifer" as that is what I was told it was by the gardener at the Great Yorkshire Show. It is now massive and towers over the houses. I planted it to near my neighbours garage and I now think it could undermine their garage. so very sadly it will have to come down. The roots are growing across my garden and it is pretty near my house and in the very strong winds that we had I lay in bed listening to the branches being blown about and thinking if it does come down I am gone so probably would be half the house. I am saddened that it has to be felled as I love trees but I am a bit scare of what might happen. I am hopefully going to have a bird, fish or animal carved on the trunk. I shall, I think, be going out as I do not want to see it being felled. 

I have enjoyed watching England. Hang on have I? It was been so tense edge of the seat stuff. Would be good if they beat Spain but is that realistic? Fingers crossed. I enjoyed Wimbledon the men's matches but not the ladies. The grunting one annoyed me and the Final was boring. 

My intrepid daughter has, with a friend, been walking round Mount Blanc. Many miles. weather not bad but the scenery was beautiful. Michael her brother and his wife are off to do it in September. Michael has already run round it in a competition. This time take it easy and enjoy the scenery. James says he is not going to and Richard loves kayaking.  As a family we have always walked. Long distance footpaths both in Scotland and Yorkshire. 

School is out and the roads in Pannal are quiet which is so lovely. Probably not for long as I do not know where the time has gone. I can remember May but how have we got to the end of July so quickly. Time for my four children and their families to visit Pannal where they were all born. Well apart from Susan who was born when we lived in Kirkby Overblow. I do not want to live anywhere else. Where I live has not really changed and it suits me. 

Tigs agrees she is a happy little soul and follows me around all the time. Funny really as she never bothered with Marble but I think she misses her. 

Goings on in Pannal

 I am now very nearly on the mend but not able to fully bend my right knee but I am assured that will come. Still attending HDH but on my next visit I can drive myself. Having had two crutches for a long time I then had one crutch now no crutches yippee. I am finding it slightly difficult as having been held up by crutches my sense of balance is a bit off but that is hopefully will improve. I shall not jump streams again. I took off like a gazelle and landed like an elephant so I have learned my lesson. Friends have said "Whatever did you do that for" My answer "thought I could"

In my resting period I have been busy answering queries about relatives who used to live here or places that people remember and say is it still there? Mostly the answer is yes but there has been a no. Had a query from a gentleman in Ontario who used to live at Rossett Green Lane in the large house that belonged to Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints in the 1960/70s.  Unfortunately after the Latter Day Saints owned it it was a Nursing Home then the beautiful house was demolished and other buildings were erected on the site and surrounding area. Rather sad as Sir Norman Rae used to live there when it was a private house round about 1910. He was to all accounts a very lovely man and a great benefactor in the Shipley, Bradford area and an MP for Shipley.  I have a book written about him Sir H Norman Rae 1860 - 1928 Our Local Benefactor written by G Shuttleworth and M Walker. Apart from answering queries I have really enjoyed the fantastic sunny weather. 

Last blog I mentioned Woodcock Hill sign that was removed. NYC will not play ball and re-instate it and the Pannal and Burn Bridge Parish Council are going to do an Interpretation Board about which I have been asked to help. Think it is going to be positioned near Sandy Bank Quarry and amongst the history of that area Woodcock Hill will be mentioned. It is mentioned on the very old 18c maps that I have so it is important as the large house on the hill was called Woodcock Cottage. I do not like to see Pannal being downgraded by losing part of our history. So I shall do my bit and see that it is not. 

Couple of Sundays ago there was a loud crash. I was in the garden and thought that two cars had hit each other head on it was that loud. What it was the gentleman who owns the second house in Rosedale told me a very large branch on the big copper beech tree had come down. I had put a Tree Preservation Order TPO NO 1 Pannal 1969 on a number of trees in Rosedale but the tree was found to be dangerous and it was felled. Amazing watching the feller climb the tree and saw off the branches and trunk. He was very high up. 

The next noise I heard that week was a car flying through the village. It was going so fast coming down Church Lane and then Main Street which I heard then saw. It was a Police car flying through the village to get to Leeds Road. 

Thank you to all my bloggers who asked "are You alright" and my wonderful neighbours. My four children have been very supportive. They were part of the group that Said "whatever did you do that for" Tigs has also ben very supportive and follows me everywhere. So much so that I sincerely hope I do not fall over her. 

Pannal tale of woe plus

 I have not been able to do anything as I have a self imposed injury. I was walking in the Lake District after having been to an amazing Elvis Concert. Well not him but a very good impersonator. Birthday present from my oldest son Michael and Helen as they knows what a great Elvis fan I am. ( Bit worried would Mum like this) Oh yes she did. Next day out walking with them I  jumped a stream and landed badly. It was painful but seemed to be sore but ok. Travelled down to Bristol to my second son and family and that is where it happened. I have torn everything from behind my right knee down to my ankle. On crutches and looks like a long time out of action so the hospital say. My neighbours are lovely and very helpful as I can hardly walk am in pain. Cannot drive either so have to rely on them My family have also been brilliant and have come up when they can.  I was in Bristol for Easter  and walking down some sleep steps to the beach and stepping from the bottom step onto the beach my leg just gave way and I was in terrible pain. Bearing in mind I did it in the Lakes and it was sore but I did not expect this to happen. Fortunately James was alongside me as I had said walk near me as not too sure with my vertigo. He did fortunately. I was going home by train the next day and if this had happened as I stepped from the train to the platform at Leeds I dread to think.

I thought I could walk down to the VE Day Celebrations at the church and my friends Jenny and Bruce came to walk down with me on the crutches. I got there had my glass of prosecco saw the brazier lit and had to sit on the wall then come home. That was a mistake because I was in such pain later and all the next day. Why did I think I could do that. Don't ask. Unfortunately I did not manage to attend the Celebrations on Pannal Green but I heard it all went very well on a glorious day. Not going to mention the weather because you know what will happen if I do. 

I have been asked to mention that Pannal Methodist Church Spring Lane has a box of books written by Rita Corbridge called Heritage that tells the story of the Methodist Church. I helped a bit with Rita's book. Rita was a teacher at Pannal Primary School and was a really lovely lady. We were both interested in history and I wrote about the history of Pannal and Rita about the Methodist Church. If you would like  a book Heritage by Rita Corbridge contact the Methodist Church or come to the monthly coffee afternoons which are well attended and very friendly. 

The sign for Woodcock Hill that Harrogate Borough Council, in their wisdom removed., will not be re-instated. I contacted Pannal and Burn Bridge Parish Council and asked them to contact North Yorkshire Council to have it reinstated. They did so and NYC refused. I wanted the sign reinstated above the one for Spring Lane. P&BBPC mention Woodcock Hill in their Neighbourhood plan but people have said to me "where's that then". So I have now asked if the Parish Council will reinstate the sign by getting in touch with NYC and saying they will pay for it. I await their reply. Many years ago HBC had a number of old street signs which they had kept. Wonder if Woodcock Hill is amongst them?? 

Tigs is a very happy little cat as she is very friendly and loving so she now has me all day and every day. 

Pannal Fairies and kindness

 I was approached by Jane of Clarke Beck Close asking if she and her friends could replace the Fairy Doors that are on trees on Mill Lane as they do need replacing. Lovely idea and I suggested we get some children involved and meet at the Mill Pond when the new doors are up.  Shall let you know. 

Now the kindness. On Saturday I went to do my shopping in Morrisons. Did the shopping came out to a terrific downpour. Waited until it eased a bit. Put my shopping in the car and the rain got heavier. Thought I don't want to drive in this so went back into the shop and had a coffee. Came out still raining but not heavy like it had been. Got in the car and it would not start. I gentleman was passing and I said "excuse me do you know anything about cars as I cannot start my car?" He had a look and said its your battery. I have leads in my car but my shopping is on top of them. I will go home and unload shopping and come back. He did so but could not get his leads to attach so called his wife and she came down in her car and attached leads and it worked. Now isn't that wonderful. They went out of their

 way to help me. What a lovely lovely thing to do. There was also another older couple who came to ask me if I was ok. They were also kind. What a wonderful town we all live in. I arrived in Morrisons car park at 1.30pm and I arrived home at 6.30 pm. What a long day and I was also very wet. Car seems ok I have only had it since just before Christmas so I have no idea why that happened. I rang Dave in Starbeck so will take it to see him after I have taken the car for a long drive to really charge the battery as least that is what he told me to do as I am afraid and to my shame I know nothing about cars as my lovely husband was the expert having had cars all his life and knew all about engines and stuff. 

It has been such a long winter. Are we going to have warmer days. Funny some days are lovely and the next day we are back to those cold winds. Tigs is perplexed. Does she come in and curl up on a chair, usually the one I sit on or does she go into the garden. You and me Tigs we are both perplexed. She is a very affectionate cat but also nuts.

I did a talk for Pannal Wives Group and showed slides of what Pannal Village looked like in years gone by. I always make my talks humorous and they are always well received. I also do a talk on the Valley Gardens as I set up Friends of the Valley Gardens and saved the Sun Pavilion and Colonnades from demolition. How Harrogate Borough Council could have ever decided to do that is beyond me and I fought a very long and hard battle to save them. Her Majesty the Queen came to open the Sun Pavilion after a major refit and all those same stupid Councillors were presented to her. I was present. 

Pannal Unwanted? Development

Thanks to John Mann our local Cllr we all received news of proposed development in Pannal and Burn Bridge. - south of and .behind Walton Park on the east side of the A61, south of Smithy Close and west of the A61,Burn Bridge Road, Hillfoot Lane, Hilltop Lane, Rossett Green Lane, adjacent to Ashville College, Church Lane. Just think of all the traffic that will come through Pannal. It just goes to show how Pannal was loved by HBC and now NYC - I think not. I have always said if they could put a prison or a Borstal here they would have done so. Pannal is a Village of that we are all proud but if the "powers that be" get their way we will not be. The west side of Harrogate has had more than their fare share of housing. Probably not everyone will agree with me but this is my view. 

I have lived here in 2026 sixty years and in those far off days we had a great variety of birds.  Lapwings a large number, Thrush, a number of Blackbirds,  Starlings ,Wagtails and occasionally other visitors all in our gardens, and in the Quarry Owls, Woodpeckers, Pheasants, Rooks. Also Bats who nested in the Larch trees that fronted our gardens, Now all we have are a few sparrows and tits ,some rooks that nest in the large trees in the garden of the Old Schoolhouse. lots of magpies and pigeons. Having said all this, during covid with hardly any cars about we could hear birdsong but never saw many birds. 

I was reading the other day mention from the Pannal and Burn Bridge Parish Council re Woodcock Hill.. We all knew where that was as there was a sign at the top of Main Street that said Woodcock Hill but that was removed a few years ago and one saying Spring Lane was put up. Would be nice to see the Woodcock Hill sign re-instated or Woodcock Hill leading to Spring Lane. I have passed these thoughts onto the P&BBPC

Is Spring nearly here? Tigs seems to think so as she is spending more time in the garden instead of trying all the seats in the lounge to find the one most comfortable. She also says she cannot now be bothered chasing birds. Tigs and Marble were never much good anyway. Do remember Tigs brought a rabbit through the cat flap to me and I put it in the Quarry and she brought the same rabbit back twice more. I ended up getting the car out and taking the rabbit up to the top of the Valley Gardens.  

Pannal no snow now

 In all my many years here I do no remember snow lasting as long. In the past we have had heavy snow but it has gone in a few days. This time our cars were well and truly "snowed in". Now we are free.

One very sad happening . We found out Ken Walker had died. H died in August and no one in Pannal was informed. We only found out When we sent Christmas cards. I heard from Shirley Wilson. Shirley was one of the ladies Jo Hayward was the other lady who started Pannal's very first Play Group. Shirley and I and obviously a number of other villager had kept in touch with Ken. Ken was the owner of Walkers the butcher and veg shop where the hairdressers now is. I knew Ken before that as when we lived at Kirkby Overblow he used to come round with his van that we bought met and veg from. When Ken was going to retire Shirley rang me to tell me and said "what can we do to mark the occasion" I said "lets have a party". St Robert's Church Hall was booked and we told the village but it was a secret from Ken. Come the big day Peter and Shirley Wilson and Bas and I and all the villagers who had baked and got wine and drinks set all this out. Don't know where Ken thought he was going for lunch but it was not to the Church Hall. We were all there and greeted him rapturously. He was quite overcome and shed a tear. All his staff old and new were there. That was so lovely. It was a never to be forgotten event. I was only just thinking of this today as I was walking round a very quiet village as in those far off days Saturday was not a quiet day as we all "went to the butchers" to collect our orders. RIP Ken you were a lovely man. 

This year the lights on Pannal Green were amazing and I emailed the Pannal and Burn Bridge Parish Council to tell them so. Another change for my mind to go back to the time when I was on the committee of the Pannal and Burn Bridge Village Society and at our Annual Members Meeting I raised the question could we put up some fairy lights on Pannal Green at Christmas?  I was telephoned by two wonderful villagers one who said I can provide the trees and the other said I can provide the lights but please do not mention our names we want to do this anonymously. Wonderful. More lights were later added blue and white ones in memory of the three boys from Pannal Green who were tragically killed along with another poor gentleman who was on his way home. Three benches were also placed on Pannal Green and this was with money collected by the customers of the boys who had a paper round That was a number of years ago and they have all been replaced now. To great effect and the lights for 2025 will be stupendous I have been told. 

Tigs loved the snow. I loved the snow from inside the house as I was battling flu which has not quite gone as I cannot shake off the lingering cough but hopefully I will. 

Happy New Year for some

Great for everyone who had a good New Year. I had a lovely brilliant Christmas with my family in Bristol. New Year we were all getting together from Bristol, Cheltenham, Lake District, Peak District Wakefield but, for some, it was not to be. My daughter Susan and family first to cry off due to flu then friends from Wakefield were next and even worse Helene was taken as an emergency to Pinderfields where she was admitted for over a week in intensive care. Everyone else arrived saw in the New Year with James not feeling too good. Richard next one to feel rubbish. Michael and Helen only there for one night as they were flying off to Austria. I managed another couple of days then flu hit me hard. I am not a bed person but afraid I was this time. It has taken me until now to feel nearly normal. Well as normal as I will ever get as my family and friends say. Then the snow arrived. Family had gone to their respective homes whilst we rivalled Austria. The grandchildren were gutted as they missed the snow. Now every year since we have lived here I have built a snowman first with the kids then just me. This year unfortunately no I was not up to doing that. Such a shame. As I type this snow still there but slowly going. I am feeling much better but still have the cough. Unfortunately this is my sad tale of woe. Now hoping for better things from 2025. 

One question I will ask is why do we pay Council Tax. What is that for?? We were told to put our bins out on Friday 10th December very early to be collected. Thanks to two young men who were passing I managed that. All our bins are still there waiting to be emptied. The footpaths were never gritted (they used to be) they were deadly. The cars had pushed a lot of snow to the side of the road and onto the pavements. It is now compacted. Nobody has seen a postman. No one has had any mail delivered. Don't even know if it is being collected. What has happened to Great Britain is it turning into a third world country? Having lived here sixty years things were never this bad. My children have happy memories of taking their sledges down to the VG on the bridge to collect our weekly bread order. 

Woodcock Hill was like a sheet of glass and an Asda Van skidded into Mrs Nimmo's wall followed by a car trying to avoid the van. The road is still closed with warning signs. I remember Mr Winfield's the Headmaster of Pannal Primary School's wife, who was the school secretary and at the time, lived in the school house on Woodcock Hill fell and broke her arm having slipped in the snow as unfortunately the gritting lorries could not get up/down the hill. Ah yes there used to be gritting lorries. 

What a miserable blog. 2025 has just started so lets hope we shall have a good year. A lovely summer and we shall all feel so much better. Onwards and upwards as the saying goes. 

Pannal Lit up

 I am not a fan of gold and white lights so when the fir trees on the green were beautifully decorated in coloured lights that for me is magic. Pannal Green certainly beats Harrogate for lights. They have gold and white lights and the trees on the Stray are the same. I loved it when every boundary tree was a different colour especially on Montpellier Hill.

People will notice I have a red car on my drive. Yes it is mine as people are coming to the door and saying "are you alright"? which is very kind of them but yes I am but I had a nasty scare with my lovely blue car. I have had it 26 years and I loved it (but my children had told me repeatedly to get another car) It was fine and I was taking it to Starbeck for is MOT. I went down by Morrisons and was just approaching the railway crossing which was open. Good job I never put my foot down a bit as My car suddenly stopped very near the crossing and then the barrier went down. To say I was shaken was an understatement as I could have been on the crossing. Anyway I had a near miss. I rang my garage and spoke to lovely Dave ( whom I have been with since before I had my blue car) who came out and the car was towed to his garage. Dave rang later and said it was a write off. Everything had failed. I had just got a full tank of diesel too. Looking for another car I had a very unfortunate experience the other side of Knaresborough when someone whom I thought was genuine selling me a car was not. Found out in time. So put it all down to experience. So hope my red car is as lovely as my blue one was. 

I had a bath with a shower over it and my children said I should have it removed and a shower in its place as it would be safer than me climbing in and out of the bath. I said I have been doing that for a very long time and I am fine but gave in then because the bath had sprung a leak behind the shower so I have have a new shower and told my children don't you dare suggest a seat thing in there and they said we were not going too. I had all the doors shut but the dust has got everywhere. Wondered if I could call it fairy dust because it is Christmas but no I would not get away with that.  Tigs of course was fed up with the whole operation. Also wonder why my lovely blue car gave up the ghost and the shower over the bath did likewise. Spooky eh?

Well as I said coming up towards Christmas I wish you all a Happy Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year for us all. 

Pannal dark

I went round to see a friend in Westminster Drive Burn Bridge last weekend. My friend loves cakes so I take her cake or cakes. I supply the goods she supplies the tea or coffee. Well we nattered on and I did not realize how dark it was getting. Very dark by the time I left. At the corner of Westminster Drive walking round to Rosedale no street light ,pitch black, piles of leaves on the pavement really quite scary. Anyone else come across this - not good. Talking of leaves I have cleared the patio garden by St Roberts. Looked good for about five minutes then more leaves came down so I shall have to trundle down there again and clear new fallen leaves but not in the rain. When I was there visitors were reading the Interpretation Board for which I did all the writing and provided the photographs. I have been clearing leaves and also did the little garden there fifteen years ago. Strange all those years ago people stopped and spoke whether you knew them or not but now no one speaks just all walk past sometimes I speak to them but just normally get a grunt in reply. Why are people like this? Oh I do miss friendly old Pannal. 

Have you noticed the new Notice Board that has been put up at the entrance to Sandy Bank Quarry on the left hand side as one goes in. Danger do not enter sign. What is that all about? I remember many years ago two boys went up the hill on the left hand side before the gate entrance and got stuck and the fire brigade had to rescue them but that was years go. I used to go that way and walk along the top of the quarry now I walk along the bottom. P&BBPC are/were putting a notice there asking dog walkers to pick up after their dogs which I totally agree with. As some people seem to think there is a Poo Fairy who will do it for them. 

A couple of weeks ago I was walking up to the Post Office and there was an elderly lady in front of me> I caught up with her just outside the Dentists and good job I did as she staggered over towards the dentists grass incline I ran grabbed her right arm and steadied her. She could have had a nasty tumble down and I never realized that one could do that. Have a look as you pass. 

I am having my bath removed. It has a shower over it but my children ganged up on me and said you need a proper shower. I said I have been getting in and out of the bath for nearly sixty years I am perfectly fine. No I did not win that argument so I have agreed and it will be done net week. Plus new sink, splash walls etc. Then my car gave up the ghost. I was taking it for its MOT and just this side of the railway crossing it suddenly stopped never to go again. Thank goodness it was not on the actual crossing - a near thing. Fortunately lovely Dave from the garage rescued me. Been using Dave for many years and he has always been kind. Also fridge, washing machine and cooker all broke down and I have had to buy replacements. Still got the vac as that was new this year. Christmas coming and I have had to pay to replace. Not done the car as yet. All unbelievable. 

Tigs loved the snow. She was skipping about making funny little noises. I like snow and there was enough to build a snowman then the rains came so I could not. Tigs decided she had had enough and has spent the rest of the day in the arm chair. She is not daft!!