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03
May 2025

Here are the answers to this week's Sunday Picture Quiz. How well did you do?

1. Gazebo, North Stainley
Quite what this unusual little building is, we're not quite sure – and we're not sure anyone else is, either.
It has often been referred to (including by us) as a toll booth, dating back to the days of the old turnpike roads. Just like today's toll motorways, someone would have to sit in the booth, collecting fees from any vehicles passing through.
But this cylindrical building, with its conical sheet metal roof, is grade II listed, and its official entry refers to it as a gazebo. However, given that gazebos are usually understood to be roofed structures with open sides, specially meant for sitting in, this seems unlikely – the space inside the booth is rather cramped. And who would want to sit and while away the hours at the side of what has for centuries been a main road?
There is another possibility. The building's official listing also notes that it was previously listed as the former village lock-up, which does not seem inconceivable.
Whatever it is, it is unique – certainly in this district – and one of the more notable features of the A6108 north of Ripon.

2. Knaresborough Lido
This bank of the River Nidd, downstream from the main body of Knaresborough, has long been the town's favourite swimming spot.
In recent years, however, it has come to prominence for the wrong reasons, as the water quality has consistently been found to be poor, with high levels of harmful bacteria, including E.coli.
After a long campaign, the lido was finally afforded bathing water status in 2024 and the Environment Agency has since tested the water regularly over the last two bathing seasons, with a view to putting in place a plan to clean the river up.
Incidentally, the term 'lido' is an Italian word for a beach, often a private one that charges a fee. No fees are payable at Knaresborough Lido, but breakfast, lunch and snacks are available at the lovely Watermill Café that overlooks it.

3. Market cross, Masham
A stone market cross was built in Masham's market place in the Middle Ages, after the town was granted a market charter in 1251.
The base is original, but the shaft was replaced in the 18th century. Nevertheless, it is a Grade II listed building and a Scheduled Monument.

4. Harrogate Theatre's lantern roof
Many people walk past this theatre without ever glancing upward, but they did, they would see this marvellous relic of a bygone age. The building's lantern roof still displays the stained-glass words 'Grand Opera', just as it did when it was first opened in 1900.
Over the last century-and-a-quarter, the theatre's boards have been trodden by actors Charlie Chaplin, Sarah Bernhardt, Trevor Howard and Ben Kingsley, as well as performers including David Bowie, Ken Dodd, Eddie Izzard and Graham Norton.
You can find out who's performing now on the Harrogate Theatre website.
Too easy or too difficult? Let us know what you think of our quiz by contacting us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.
Please do send us tricky pics of the area that we can include – and we'll credit your contribution. Thank you!
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