Pannal and Country Parks

Having lived here nearly all my life I believe I know everywhere in Harrogate and I have been walking the County Parks. Killinghall and Knox. As I did so I have been wondering why there is not a Country Park in Pannal.  Almsford Bank is mentioned in a council blurb as a leisure area but we have the Crimple Valley and it would make a great Country Park. When you think how important Pannal was long before Harrogate was thought of I do not feel we have come off very well. Many years ago there was a Director of Technical Services called Ken Corri and I happened to be sitting next to him at a meeting and he said to me you live in Pannal then showed me a map and pointed at the Bilton area and said this is what I want  Pannal to be like, many more houses. Now alive or dead his wish is coming true. That is why I think it is time we, the residents approached our Parish Council and our Councillor and made our feelings known. Bilton and Knox residents have a lovely area to walk in which will never be built upon. We in Pannal know HBC own the Crimple Valley having purchased it from Bentley of Pannal Hall in 1963. The part I am talking of is the land this side of the A61 Leeds Road from behind St Robert's Church.  The Crimple Valley the other side of the Leeds Road also owned by the council and supposedly kept as a lung separating Pannal from Harrogate. That land is doomed and will be built upon. I would like the area including Sandy Bank Quarry to the Leeds Road and up to All Saints Court to be a Country Park. Left wild as it was and perhaps the wild flowers will return. It was so beautiful before it was ploughed up. This area is always under threat from HBC plans for a gypsy site, plans for housing. I am so very afraid for it as it will in time be attacked again. Look around everyone all the area we have is the Recreation Ground and Woods and a small grassed area called Pannal Green. We deserve better. We deserve the Crimple Valley as a Country Park and we deserve to know it will be safe for future generations. 

Pannal achievements with love

Now this is not boasting but I was only thinking today of how much I love living here. So in 1969 with all the building going on Rosedale, Rosedale Close and the demolition of the beautiful Rosehurst. I thought about the trees and how could I protect them. I had never done anything like this before so I rang up the Forestry Commission and a lovely man called Mr King came to see me and we walked round (Me pushing the pram with dog at the side) and we mapped out all the trees we thought were important. I sent it to Mr Hoyle the Borough solicitor and he agreed and so the very first tree preservation order for Harrogate was born. TPO No 1 Pannal 1969. Then some years later Dr Kellner's house just off Westminster Drive, Burn Bridge the owners put in a p/a to have it demolished and houses built on the site. I thought no so put a very good case forward for its retention and it was granted a reprieve .I unfortunately could not save Spacey Houses PH as I had written to HBC to try to when in the middle of one night/very early morning Punch Taverns who owned it sent workmen to take the roof off and that was the end of a very old Hotel which had been used as a meeting place for the Captain and Committee of Pannal Golf Club when they were formed in 1906 and before they had their Clubhouse built. Then Spacey Houses Farm and buildings were in danger of being razed to the ground as HBC owned it and I had such a lot of opposition from Councillors but I contacted English Heritage and persuaded them to send someone up. Took a lot of persuading but he eventually came and said it was not a wasted journey as it was one of the best ancient farmhouse and buildings, barns etc that he had seen so that was saved. I then got in touch with Batchelor the Builders and said they were, in my opinion, good sympathetic builders were they interested and yes they were. Saved Sandy Bank Quarry and had it made a SINC and Crimple Valley behind St Robert's Church which I think we will always have to protect as it is also owned by HBC and considering they want a light industry site on the other part of the Valley we shall always have to protect it. When I look at Pannal Village we have so little green spaces now that what we do have we must look after.  I became Chairman of The Harrogate Society then I formed the Friends of the Valley Gardens and was the first Chairman in order to save the Sun Pavilion which HBC wanted to demolish to build a car park. I can look back on these achievements and just thank goodness I had a very supportive husband who was always there for me. I trained as a journalist which was a great help as I knew my way around but it was my success with the Tree Preservation Orders that set me on this path. One other success was with the help of the villagers the stocks were replaced. I still look after the little patio garden by St Robert and now I shall have to pick up all the leaves but I shall wait until they are all down. I wrote the first book ever written The History of Pannal followed by Postcards from Pannal with the help and kindness of the villagers who were very generous sharing their village history and photographs with me. My new book Pannal and Burn Bridge will be out soon. I am always here to help people who write/email me or come to the door. I have helped two people last week with Pannal queries. I am Pannal Golf Club Historian having written their Centenary Book which fortunately they loved . As I said I am here and willing to, if I can. help or answer questions about Pannal and Burn Bridge places and people. 

Pannal and Whinney Lane

 On one of my walks around Pannal I thought I will go up Cobler Hill and Whinney Lane and round. Very pleasant to start with then when I reached Whinney Lane devastation. Rows and rows of large houses so very close to existing houses on Castle hill. so very many of them.  One lady I met lives in a bungalow and has a large house looming over her bungalow and garden with windows looking into her bedroom etc. The developers had a meeting with residents and what they said to local enquiries is "we are here to make a profit". In other words we don't care. I listened to Week in Parliament this morning and Boris Johnston said re the development of many many houses we do not want to destroy countryside. Obviously his words do not mean Whinney Lane which is a Lane no longer as houses are being built both sides of it so it is now being widened. There is a "builders footpath" for one to walk down (no cars allowed except for resident access). Go and have a look and you will have a first hand view of countryside being turned into tarmac and buildings. It is so very sad as in  the old days it was so pleasant to walk to the Squinting Cat (when it was a lovely country pub before being altered to what it is now. At least they should benefit from the housing. Who remembers the lovely oak panelled rooms and how they were one of the first places to put meals on with a carvery on a Sunday? Our day for gardening and we were so often stopped by people in cars saying is this the way to the Squinting Cat? Also who remembers the little railway and small engine that ran round the garden and tooks the kids on rides?

On a sort of lighter note my long haired cat Tigs disappeared for three days. I was worried and went round the quarry as I know there are foxes there and as we back/front onto to it it is where she goes. Went round the school to see if she had been shut in saw Jane head teacher and mentioned why I was there. She said she would keep an eye open for her. Next morning the stupid cat wanders in without a care in the world no shame. Last time I am looking for you and getting soaking in the process I said, she just looked and said and where is the food I am starving. I did email Jane and tell her stupid was back. 

Since I published my email address last blog people have been using it to ask about people and places in Pannal. Great I am happy to answer queries. My blog can be read by just going onto google and typing Anne Smith Pannal. 

Pannal Blog and comments

 My whole website was changed (why do they do this when one is perfectly happy with it) anyway have just looked at my comments. Can Sandra and Alan get in touch. If they would like to. My email address is annesmith.pannal@yahoo.co.uk Also please Graeme Bentley in Australia with whom I had correspondence many years ago re Websters, Pannal End. Also anyone else who would like to be in touch with me. 

Pannal and me

 I am I hope ok now having got over the broken ribs and my leg injury. I played golf yesterday for the first time since last October and what a fantastic day I picked. Could it be the last day we were all without jumpers. It was hot and sunny. Shall not say a lot about the golf. My tee shots were great but I could not putt to save my life but they always say that when you have a long lay off its the putting that goes. It was lovely but different to be back.

Seems awhile since a wrote a blog as I have been busy finishing of my book on Pannal and Burn Bridge. It is with my publisher who is a friend and I was hoping to have the book out for Christmas but he has advised me to wait as I will not be able to have a launch. So unfortunately that is what I shall have to do. It makes sense what he is advising me. Hopefully something to look forward to as I have enjoyed writing it and I sincerely hope you enjoy reading it. I do have some more bits to add but the bulk of it has been done.

We are all just waiting to see what happens with this virus but I just listen to the news on the radio in the morning and do not watch any other news on tv it is too depressing and there is not a lot we can do about it except be sensible and hopefully we will be safe. I am so pleased the Crimple Valley has been saved as I walk it and love it .I also have great affection for Sandy Bank Quarry and in the Spring it is so very beautiful covered in bluebells. Something we can all look forward to when these dark nights are over and Spring is just round the corner.  Do you realize that when Harrogate Borough Council wanted to build houses at the rear of St Robert's Church they were taking away the only bit of walking country we, in Pannal, have. I have walked all round Harrogate and surrounding areas and Bilton has lovely surrounding countryside - the Nidd Gorge, the cycle and pedestrian path from there to Ripley. Jennyfield has their Country Park, Harrogate has The Stray. I could go on but the point is Pannal and Burn Bridge were going to left with not a lot. Just got back to walking down Mill Lane when it is now closed again. 

I feel it is so sad that the Crimple Valley on the other side of Leeds Road will be light industry. All the Crimple Valley was supposed to be protected as a wedge to separate Harrogate from Pannal so that Pannal kept its identity.I make no excuses about defending Pannal and Burn Bridge. I love living here and I will always defend it as I have done for over fifty years and been successful in thwarting builders and HBC.  

I have heard of two people who have had the virus and are recovering now thank goodness. I will not name them as they might not want be to be named but I am so glad you have both recovered.

Notice the planters in Pannal. Planted by the Parish Council so well done. Also the speed signs, nice to be greeted by a smiley face. Although when coming up or down the village I take pleasure in driving at just under 20mph and annoying the drivers behind me who want to tear through the village. Although it can be a hazard where I live - just opposite Rosedale - as some numpty drivers when I am indicating to come into my drive coming up or down Main Street they think I am turning down Rosedale and try to overtake or in some cases undertake. Scary. 

Also pleased that the big pile of rubbish, not only garden waste but bricks and bags etc has been cleared up thanks to HBC. Now I know it is behind the old farm but on one of my walks in the evening, I saw a rat going into the rubbish pile. Now if it was living and breeding there it was a danger to the houses on Pannal Green so well done all the rubbish being removed.

I know I have two cats Marble and Tigs but apart from coming in for food I am not seeing much of them. This will change when the weather gets colder. Will be nice to have their company as I think we are all dreading the dark nights and the thought of no Halloween, no Bonfire Night, and most of all what is going to happen at Christmas? There are normally fifteen of us get together over Christmas and New Year so fat chance of that happening for me and for everyone else. I do not want to finish on that miserable note so just remember we shall all get through this some how or other. Yes we will!!  

Pannal and development

I went up to have a look at Pannal House Farm and met Iain McGregor on his digger in the front garden. He was telling me that he wanted to keep the Farm buildings and restore them but HBC Planning said no. Then he put plans in to demolish and rebuild using the same stone they said no again.The buildings which were lovely and could have been restored have now been left so long that might not be possible as they are very damp. So he is in between a rock and a hard place but having lived here so long I know a lot of people so I asked one of them if he could help Ian and he said yes. They have spoken so hopefully there might be a better outcome. 

Then someone informed me that there has been a change of builder at the old Pannal Ash College/Police Training College and they were demolishing buildings. A few years ago a friend Margaret was Secretary there and she and her boss Terry were wondering what to do with all the memorabilia there was from when it was a school. Light bulb moment "have a word with Anne Smith." so they did and Bas and I went up to meet them. Were shown round the buildings which were lovely all fully furnished. I had been in the Memorial Library years before that when I wrote its history and took an invoice of what it contained. I asked what is happening to it. Answer probably demolished and everything thrown in a skip. Upshot was I came home and applied to have the building listed as a War Memorial as that is what it was built for and dedicated as a Library to the boys from the school who had fallen in the First World War and opened by the Earl of Harewood. I have written the full story in my latest book. Not out yet but I am seeing my publisher next week. The Memorial Library was listed by me in 2014. The builders have been informed so it will not be demolished together with the Headmaster's House. In its hey day what a wonderful spot. It had everything.

Oh I nearly forgot I have everything silver cups presented to the boys, photos, their magazine.I was their skip and my husband said as husband's do "where are you going to put it all?" and I said as all wives do "I'll find a place" and I did.  

I had a walk yesterday up to Whinney Lane and sadly all those houses 240 odd and a school. Whinney Lane will be closed to traffic if they get their way and I bet they will widen the road by removing the verges changing from a Lane to a highway. Some of the houses at Castle Hill will have homes right at the bottom of their gardens with windows facing them. I am not chuffed with HBC as I think they are the worse Council we have ever had but they might be only be  partly to blame as they did ask farmers in the district to approach them with land for building. Castle Hill Farm is also a lovely house and it will remain. 

I am not golfing as yet another accident that I will not bore you with so at home a bit more. Now if I had a dog it would be saying "how lovely to see you, I like having you around and I love you" but I have cats. who say " what are you doing here all the time". 

Pannal surrounded

I do not want to add to the woes of the world. Pannal has been lucky with this virus but Pannal will not be so lucky to be surrounded by all the housing nor will Beckwithshaw, There are plans, having built houses all down the left hand side of the Otley Road from Harrogate,. plans are afoot to build 8OO or more houses on the right hand side just below Harlow Carr Gardens. We are loosing our green fields. I have just been up to the old Police Training Ground to have a look at the Memorial Library which I had listed on 14th October 2014. I am writing in my book about this area, I am quite an authority on Southern College and Pannal Ash College who were there before the Police Training College took over as I have all the memorabilia from both those Colleges. The Memorial Library is still there and it is a beautiful building which at one time was in danger of being demolished but not now as I have it listed. I have informed the Harlow Residents Assoc of this fact. There are now new builders on the site and the house numbers have gone significantly up as they want to build smaller houses .For the locals a sad fact.

 Ever wondered why we have so many police cars through the village. We are a short cut to their new Headquarters.

 Have heard that horrible pile of rubbish at the rear of St Roberts Church will be moved and notices put up warning against fly tipping. Not before time as there are rats around and I am sure Pannal Green residents do not want those invaders. 

Older residents will remember Pat Lamb. Well she is still going strong having celebrated another birthday. Only sad thing is her family cannot get in to see her and most of all we are missing hugs. I have seen two of my children which was so lovely but my other two live too far away so I have not seen them and this is the first time in our lives we have not seen each other for so long.

Yesterday a council lorry stopped outside our houses in Main Street. We looked on in horror what now?. One man took out traffic signs go and stop put them on the pavement. What were they going to dig up. Then another man got off the lorry threw the signs in the back and off they went. Hugh sigh of relief but what was all that about. perhaps just to scare us!

I had to wander round to the school at the weekend as Tigs had not come home. Then she appeared so I emailed Jane to say if I was caught on the CCTV I was looking for Tigs. Marble always around when I come in if I am using the car she always appears to greet me. I am pleased I have them and I am also pleased we have the Crimple Valley as I do so enjoy walking it up to the Viaduct.