Just heard that the Mill Pond (duck pond) is being cleaned. Diana Clark of Mill Cottage told me as she lives there and is very much involved. The leading light in this is, and sorry I do not know his name, but he has come to live by the pond and is from Argentine. This is amazing good news as Dunlopillo were a disaster for the wildlife round the pond especially the ducks with all the chemicals from Dunlopillo that leaked into the pond. The ducks egg were sterile. So pleased that Dunlopillo have gone as it was a well known fact at the Pannal Surgery on Leeds Road, in days of old, that children who had coughs and went to the doctor were treated for Pannal cough. A resident has a letter that stated it was felt that the source of the coughing was Dunlopillo.
Attended the Remembrance Day Service in Pannal Memorial Hall today and it was a lovely Service. I have been attending for many years.
The SouvenirValley Garden books are selling very well and we have another book signing at Waterstones on Saturday 23rd November. People are buying them as Christmas presents for their children who used to play in the Gardens but have now married and moved away from Harrogate. Also a number have been posted overseas to expats. The Souvenir Guide costs £5 and does not cost a lot to post.We also do talks on the Valley Gardens and also in the summer a Walk and Talk through the Valley Gardens starting at the Main Entrance up to the King Edward V11 Memorial Gates continuing up to the New Zealand Gardens past the Sun Pavilion through the Colonnades and back to where we started
Now my query is Mr Tom Wright who was Headmaster at Pannal Primary School (where the Scout Hut is now) during the Second World War. All the children he taught have never forgotten him and speak very highly of him. My second book Postcards from Pannal contained a number of his photographs which he gave me. He had two daughters. Does anyone know where they live? Do they have families? I would appreciate information please. My email address is annesmith.pannal@yahoo.co.uk.
Once again no golf due to a waterlogged course. In between showers and any free time I have from the book I am gardening and picking up thousands of leaves. The cats are in. Enjoying their beds so winter must be approaching.
I have given my email address so if anyone wants to email me about anything to do with Pannal do so by all means. Love to hear from you.
Monday, 11 November 2019
Monday, 4 November 2019
Pannal weather and me
I know I am not the only one fed up with the weather. Seems like months since I last played golf never mind the gardening. I am rushing out between showers or even heavier stuff to cut down bits., only two more times for the garden bins to be collected. Think we all shall all be going to the tip as we can not manage to get everything in the bins.I have lived here over fifty years having lived in Harrogate where my parents lived and then when we got married in Kirkby Overblow. and I have never known weather like this but I can tell you we had a far better summer than the poor souls in Glasgow did. My life long friend lives there. We have known each other since we were four and Terry and her husband Bob came here in the summer and stayed at the Hotel Majestic which I wish I had not recommended as it was rubbish. I complained about the service we received sent 2 letters to the manager (named) and never had the courtesy of a reply. I digress as when they were here the weather was fantastic for a whole week. They said Is it always like this I lied and said Oh yes. Well we have to blow our own trumpet once in awhile eh?
Valley Garden books are selling amazingly well. Now in Weatherstones and we did a book signing in WH Smiths on Saturday which was fun selling books and asking do you want it signed? Does signing enhance or deface? Now there's a question. Most people said yes they wanted a signed one .Pannal Post Office is selling the books but they are at the rear of the shop amongst magazines and comics. So if you want a book that is where they are. I am told they are useful Christmas presents. Parents sending them to children who used to play in the Valley Gardens but now married and living elsewhere in the UK. It really is a nice book for £5. I am a journalist and this is my sixth book but my co-author Jane this is her first. We had a lovely time writing it and sorting out the photographs to be put in. Many cups of tea were drunk and the occasional beer. Jane and I take people round the Gardens telling them the history of the buildings, the gardens and the plants and we also do talks Have a talk and a walk round the Gardens on the 20th for the Gift of Life Celebration Walk and the Mayor and Mayoress will be walking with us.. Did a talk last week at Southlands and had a chat to long time Pannal resident Pat Lamb. She is in her nineties and looked well.
I started this blog with a moan about the weather and I will end it with a cats moan about the weather.When they go out into the garden they look back at me as if to say what do you call this? Wet underfoot and overhead.
Valley Garden books are selling amazingly well. Now in Weatherstones and we did a book signing in WH Smiths on Saturday which was fun selling books and asking do you want it signed? Does signing enhance or deface? Now there's a question. Most people said yes they wanted a signed one .Pannal Post Office is selling the books but they are at the rear of the shop amongst magazines and comics. So if you want a book that is where they are. I am told they are useful Christmas presents. Parents sending them to children who used to play in the Valley Gardens but now married and living elsewhere in the UK. It really is a nice book for £5. I am a journalist and this is my sixth book but my co-author Jane this is her first. We had a lovely time writing it and sorting out the photographs to be put in. Many cups of tea were drunk and the occasional beer. Jane and I take people round the Gardens telling them the history of the buildings, the gardens and the plants and we also do talks Have a talk and a walk round the Gardens on the 20th for the Gift of Life Celebration Walk and the Mayor and Mayoress will be walking with us.. Did a talk last week at Southlands and had a chat to long time Pannal resident Pat Lamb. She is in her nineties and looked well.
I started this blog with a moan about the weather and I will end it with a cats moan about the weather.When they go out into the garden they look back at me as if to say what do you call this? Wet underfoot and overhead.
Thursday, 17 October 2019
Peace in Pannal
Quiet in Pannal. Could be because I am out and about selling books. A Souvenir Guide to the Valley Gardens. Steve has some in Pannal Post Office and they are in Harrogate. It is selling tremendously well. A number of people are buying it for Christmas presents for their children that were brought up here but now scattered around the country but all have a fondness for the Valley Gardens.When friends come to stay with me I ask them where would they like to go and they say Valley Gardens and Bettys. Not surprising really. Our book is £5 a low price as we wrote it for the residents and tourists so that they can get as much enjoyment as we have and are still having. We - me 22 years as founder and Chairman of Friends of the Valley Gardens and Jane followed me for 9 years.
We had our Launch on Sunday and it was lovely. Hosted by CC Jim Clark we had a service in St Wilfred's followed by tea and coffee then off to the Sun Pavilion for lunch with local dignitaries, sponsors and guests. Finished up at Jane's house on York Road. Both Jane and I made cakes and scones and it was a very nice end to a lovely day. The event was great but the weather was not. Constant rain which seems to be par for the course. Our course Pannal has been closed as it was waterlogged.
My cats have not had me around so much but when they do they are so affectionate. See absence does make the heart grow fonder.
Have a look at the book you will really like it. Count the spelling mistakes. It was not Jane and I as not only did we go over our own work but we read each others, Printing errors and they have apologised and will correct them in our next run. There will be another print as it is proving to be a very popular book. First print 1,500. Might be more next time.
We had our Launch on Sunday and it was lovely. Hosted by CC Jim Clark we had a service in St Wilfred's followed by tea and coffee then off to the Sun Pavilion for lunch with local dignitaries, sponsors and guests. Finished up at Jane's house on York Road. Both Jane and I made cakes and scones and it was a very nice end to a lovely day. The event was great but the weather was not. Constant rain which seems to be par for the course. Our course Pannal has been closed as it was waterlogged.
My cats have not had me around so much but when they do they are so affectionate. See absence does make the heart grow fonder.
Have a look at the book you will really like it. Count the spelling mistakes. It was not Jane and I as not only did we go over our own work but we read each others, Printing errors and they have apologised and will correct them in our next run. There will be another print as it is proving to be a very popular book. First print 1,500. Might be more next time.
Sunday, 22 September 2019
My book
These past few months have been exciting. It all started because I am the founder of the Friends of the Valley Gardens to save the Sun Pavilion, Colonnades and New Zealand Garden in the Valley Gardens from being demolished in order to build a car park. I was friendly with Geoffrey Smith, James Herriot and David Bellamy and asked them to be Patrons. They were and after many years hard battle the Sun Pavilion, Colonnades and New Zealand Gardens were saved. I was Chairman for 22 years and following me came Jane Blayney. This year Jane and I decided to write a book about the Valley Gardens as there has never in the whole history of the Gardens been a book. So this is what we did and we had a fun time doing it. It came out on Tuesday and so far we have sold 200 copies. It is called A Souvenir Guide to the Valley Gardens, Harrogate and it has photos old and new, history and a map showing all the buildings and species of trees. It really is a splendid book and it will be launched by County Councillor Jim Clark in the Sun Pavilion on the 13th October. All the local dignitaries will be there. living here so long we have done this book for the residents and tourists and have kept the price down. It is £5 and will be available all over Harrogate and I hope Pannal too.
Fortunately not a lot has happened in Pannal whilst I have been writing. Everyone is waiting to see how the Dunlopillo building, which we hoped was going to be demolished, will look turned into apartments.It will need to be an amazing face lift as it is such an ugly building. We are all extremely interested to see how they will beautify it.
The weather lately has been brilliant. Only yesterday we were all out in the sunshine without jackets. Now will we be able to get out and about. Probably not to our usual places but this end of town should be ok. No golf competition on Tuesday at Pannal. Those that can make it will get a game as it is a Roll up. I shall be involved with Jane selling our book. No shortage of takers.I hope you all like it.
Fortunately not a lot has happened in Pannal whilst I have been writing. Everyone is waiting to see how the Dunlopillo building, which we hoped was going to be demolished, will look turned into apartments.It will need to be an amazing face lift as it is such an ugly building. We are all extremely interested to see how they will beautify it.
The weather lately has been brilliant. Only yesterday we were all out in the sunshine without jackets. Now will we be able to get out and about. Probably not to our usual places but this end of town should be ok. No golf competition on Tuesday at Pannal. Those that can make it will get a game as it is a Roll up. I shall be involved with Jane selling our book. No shortage of takers.I hope you all like it.
Sunday, 11 August 2019
Pannal in peril?
Goodness me another blog in so short a space of time but this is important. please look at Pannal Parish Council's website or their Facebook site. This is what I am asking you to do and I shall also object on these grounds for PN18 Employment site south of Almsford Bridge, Pannal.
Please as many residents as possible write in and object to this plan. Apart from the fact that we are so proud of the Crimple Viaduct and the fact that it can be seen from a long way away. If HBC plan to have a light industrial site on this area. which was designated by HBC in the past as never to be built upon maintaining the separation of Harrogate from Pannal by these green fields, means we will no longer be able to see this Grade 11 listed monument. Castles are monuments, buildings and follies can be monuments. This is our - Pannal's - monument. As a historian, journalist and a very long time resident of Pannal I am saying this and also as a resident I know if this plan is allowed to go through the traffic will not only use the extremely busy A61 Leeds Road but come hurtling through Pannal. Letters of objection are fine is one does not have access to the internet. Let the Council know that PANNAL IS NOT A DUMPING GROUND FOR ALL THEIR MONEY MAKING SCHEMES.
These modification plans are in all the Libraries. Please also reaffirm deletion of PN19 land behind St Robert's Church and PN17 land adjoining Spring Lane Farm from the plan as being a necessity. Comments can be emailed to planningpolicy@harrogate.gov.uk or posted to Planning Policy, Planning and Development, Harrogate Borough Council, PO Box 787, Harrogate, HG1 9RW. The deadline is Friday 20th September, 2019. When the Local Plan came up last year all our objections counted so please make sure all our objections count for the Modification plan. hopefully we can win this if we all work together.
Please as many residents as possible write in and object to this plan. Apart from the fact that we are so proud of the Crimple Viaduct and the fact that it can be seen from a long way away. If HBC plan to have a light industrial site on this area. which was designated by HBC in the past as never to be built upon maintaining the separation of Harrogate from Pannal by these green fields, means we will no longer be able to see this Grade 11 listed monument. Castles are monuments, buildings and follies can be monuments. This is our - Pannal's - monument. As a historian, journalist and a very long time resident of Pannal I am saying this and also as a resident I know if this plan is allowed to go through the traffic will not only use the extremely busy A61 Leeds Road but come hurtling through Pannal. Letters of objection are fine is one does not have access to the internet. Let the Council know that PANNAL IS NOT A DUMPING GROUND FOR ALL THEIR MONEY MAKING SCHEMES.
These modification plans are in all the Libraries. Please also reaffirm deletion of PN19 land behind St Robert's Church and PN17 land adjoining Spring Lane Farm from the plan as being a necessity. Comments can be emailed to planningpolicy@harrogate.gov.uk or posted to Planning Policy, Planning and Development, Harrogate Borough Council, PO Box 787, Harrogate, HG1 9RW. The deadline is Friday 20th September, 2019. When the Local Plan came up last year all our objections counted so please make sure all our objections count for the Modification plan. hopefully we can win this if we all work together.
Friday, 9 August 2019
Pannal and the travellers
yesterday I was meeting a friend at Crimple Hall for coffee and unwittingly walked into the travellers. . They let two dogs loose. They were small yappy things and immediately attacked my feet. I was wearing sandals. Only small dogs I know but very very aggressive. Woman at van stood watching. Boy said to me "this is our bit entrance is down there" I went into the garden centre and the staff there told me that there was damage and antiques and plants had been taken. They were in shock. Police were called and asked did anyone see the goods being taken. Staff said no it was during the night, Police left. I was told police would not do anything like moving them on. Is this true? What is happening. Travellers have also been to other places in Harrogate and left leaving a terrible mess to be cleared up. How come we, the general public, can be fined for dropping a crisp packet on the ground and a mess can be left for the Council to clear up. I just do not get it. Can anyone tell me why this is? Why do we council tax payers have to pay for the mess to be cleared up? When my friend arrived we did not stay which is a shame as Crimple Hall were loosing out. Went home and spent a couple of happy hours in my garden. Which I love. Places I love being the beach, the golf club and my garden. Never happier.
Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Peace reigns in Pannal
As I wrote in my blog last time Pannal makes its own congestion. I know it is often not helped by traffic coming through the village as a short cut to reach the A61 but at the moment peace reigns. Pannal school is closed the roads are quiet. As I have often said it is a nuisance in the mornings and afternoons but only for three quarters of an hour each time. No stupid idea of advocating a road to the west of Pannal will help the congestion caused by parents taking and bringing back their children from Pannal Primary School. We have a primary school in the village and we have to live with that. My four children all attended Pannal Primary school (I think we still hold the record for the number of years the children were there). As I type this not a single car has passed either up or down Main Street and I have just written why that is.
I am writing a book on the Valley Gardens , Harrogate as I was Chairman - for 22 years - and founder of Friends of the Valley Gardens and we saved the Sun Pavilion from demolition. I have a co-author Jane Blayney who followed me as Chairman and we are having fun writing the book which will be out in October. It will not be a hard backed book but a book easy to carry around telling readers about what is in the Valley Gardens and photographs of how it used to be and believe me it was magnificent. I remember it as a little girl and all I remember is flowers everywhere and running up and down the Colonnade. We are being sponsored by Betty's, Harrogate Spring Water and more and all will have their logos on the back of the book. Should be on sale everywhere, hopefully.
I have just come back from our big family holiday in Wales, a few miles from Tenby and we were away last week and spent everyday on the beach swimming with fantastic waves so body boards, kayaks. paddle boards the family brought. Rented a fantastic house which had its own private path to the beach. Beautiful long sandy beach with few people so it was heaven sent. Long walks and an especially a steep uphill walk to get back to our house. Once down on the beach we were there to stay. Bethany one of my grandchildren had her 7th birthday whilst we were there and she had asked for her party to be on the beach before we set of to Wales so her wish was granted.
Plan has gone in for 26 flats in the Dunlopillo office block. No it is not going to be demolished. Shall look at the plans to see how they are going to make that eyesore beautiful. In 1962 when it was built a brochure, of which I have a copy, was sent out saying that it blended in well with surrounding countryside!!
As well as writing this book I, as the local historian, am answering many questions about Pannal both the village, the people who lived here in past years and also as Pannal Golf Clubs historian so it is pretty busy. I am answering a query at the moment for people who have just moved into a very old house in Burn Bridge and they will be pleased to know I have all the answers to their questions and also what the inside of their house looked like at the beginning of the 1900s.
Played golf yesterday all eighteen holes and the heavy rain and hailstones were a nuisance as we got very wet twice. It was our Lady Captain's Day so we felt we had to finish.
As I have just come home on Sunday Tigs and Marble (who were well looked after by my neighbour) are making a great fuss of me. They are both very affectionate little cats.
I am writing a book on the Valley Gardens , Harrogate as I was Chairman - for 22 years - and founder of Friends of the Valley Gardens and we saved the Sun Pavilion from demolition. I have a co-author Jane Blayney who followed me as Chairman and we are having fun writing the book which will be out in October. It will not be a hard backed book but a book easy to carry around telling readers about what is in the Valley Gardens and photographs of how it used to be and believe me it was magnificent. I remember it as a little girl and all I remember is flowers everywhere and running up and down the Colonnade. We are being sponsored by Betty's, Harrogate Spring Water and more and all will have their logos on the back of the book. Should be on sale everywhere, hopefully.
I have just come back from our big family holiday in Wales, a few miles from Tenby and we were away last week and spent everyday on the beach swimming with fantastic waves so body boards, kayaks. paddle boards the family brought. Rented a fantastic house which had its own private path to the beach. Beautiful long sandy beach with few people so it was heaven sent. Long walks and an especially a steep uphill walk to get back to our house. Once down on the beach we were there to stay. Bethany one of my grandchildren had her 7th birthday whilst we were there and she had asked for her party to be on the beach before we set of to Wales so her wish was granted.
Plan has gone in for 26 flats in the Dunlopillo office block. No it is not going to be demolished. Shall look at the plans to see how they are going to make that eyesore beautiful. In 1962 when it was built a brochure, of which I have a copy, was sent out saying that it blended in well with surrounding countryside!!
As well as writing this book I, as the local historian, am answering many questions about Pannal both the village, the people who lived here in past years and also as Pannal Golf Clubs historian so it is pretty busy. I am answering a query at the moment for people who have just moved into a very old house in Burn Bridge and they will be pleased to know I have all the answers to their questions and also what the inside of their house looked like at the beginning of the 1900s.
Played golf yesterday all eighteen holes and the heavy rain and hailstones were a nuisance as we got very wet twice. It was our Lady Captain's Day so we felt we had to finish.
As I have just come home on Sunday Tigs and Marble (who were well looked after by my neighbour) are making a great fuss of me. They are both very affectionate little cats.
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