It’s the mystery that has been hanging over Harrogate for a week: how did a cow get into Valley Gardens — and was it reunited with its herd?
The story of the cow wandering towards the Magnesia Well Tea Room last Saturday morning is one of our best-read this week.
It has provoked numerous head scratching because Valley Gardens is nowhere near grazing cattle. It has even inspired a poem, which we’ve published below.
Dog walker Lucy Emma Renshaw-Martin spotted the bovine beast when she was taking her usual morning stroll.
The cow heads to the tea room.
Police dealing with the incident.
Lucy, who sent us these photos, still has no idea how the cow got there or what happened to it. She left as the police were struggling to deal with the loose cow.
The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Police last weekend for details of the incident. The force finally replied today with a one-line statement saying only that ‘the cow was reunited with its owner’ — leaving the mystery only partially solved.
Poem about the cow
Carole Keegan, a member of Harrogate Writers’ Circle, compiled this imaginative poem about the cow’s sojourn to Valley Gardens.
“I want to break free” sang the Friesian cow
Not to the abattoir just right now.
Aha! A hole in the fence, looks big enough for me
Plenty of Flora and Fauna and of course the magnesia well for a cup of tea
It’s strange to be here without the herd
A few pics and police but nobody’s saying a word
Everyone’s looking at me but not even a MOO
Perhaps I should pop over and shout BOO!
It’s a mystery how I got here, buts it’s been such fun
I do love Patrica Hodge as Miranda’s mum!
AND an added boost I can manure the roses and plants
Maybe to the onlookers it will be pants.
I’ve looked all over and don’t know how I will be taken away
Oh the memories of such a glorious day
Gosh,I know I will put a daisy in my mouth, with a pout
Join the Magic Roundabout….hey Zebedee
Please wait for me!
Read more:
- Cow found wandering around Harrogate’s Valley Gardens
- Last Post marks 100th anniversary of Harrogate war memorial
Cow found wandering around Harrogate’s Valley Gardens
People enjoying the sunny weather in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens today were shocked to stumble across a wandering cow.
Lucy Emma Renshaw-Martin was one of many dog walkers going about their morning routine at about 8.30am when she saw the beast.
It was casually ambling around the central section, appearing to head in the direction of the Magnesia Well Tea Room.
The cow heads towards the tea room.
Lucy managed to photograph the cow from distance and later got a more close-up image when she was safely behind the barriers on Valley Road.
She told the Stray Ferret she had no idea how the cow, which appears to be a Holstein or Friesian, ended up in the 17-acre gardens, which are not particularly close to any fields.
Read more:
- ‘Extensive action’ pledged to tackle teen bike track in Harrogate woods
- Tickets selling fast for Harrogate Town’s big match against Blackburn
She said:
“The police were there but just herding it around from what I saw.
“It’s not every day you see a cow on your morning dog walk.”
Do you know more about the cow and how it ended up in Valley Gardens? If so email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
Police were dispatched to help.