Lightwater Valley Adventure Park is set to reopen later this month in time for the Easter Weekend.

The theme park is set to open its doors on Thursday March 28.

Lightwater Valley is launching two brand new attractions, which include a new rollercoaster and a Safari Jeep Ride. Plus the soft play area and theatre are both relocated and extended.

The park in North Stainley, near Ripon, was first established as a farm attraction in 1969 and became a theme park in the 1980s after introducing its first rollercoaster ‘the Sewer Rat’, which remained in place until 2009 when it was changed to Raptor Attack.

More rides and activities have been introduced over the years with the ‘Ultimate’ rollercoaster launching in 1991, bagging the world record as the longest rollercoaster at the time.

It has been at Lightwater Valley longer than any other remaining ride but last year Brighton Pier Group, owners of the park announced it would be closing for good after they found they could not bring it up to “acceptable standards”.

The Ultimate has been closed for a number of years

The new Rocket Rollercoaster is aimed at 10-12 year old visitors taking riders on an “adrenaline fuelled journey that gives everyone a thrill as if the rocket is flying amongst the stars”.

It will join the Caterpillar ride and Ladybird ride for rollercoasters catered to younger visitors. The park aims to “boost their commitment to the under 12s” and The Safari Jeep Ride is also part of this plan.

The ride will see large model animals set in landscapes relevant to their habitat, including elephants, zebras and lions. Visitors sit in their own Jeep which takes up to four people. The safari experience will also offer face painting and a chance to handle various small reptiles, bugs and creepy crawlies.

Go Safari attraction at Lightwater Valley

The theatre is also set to host a programme of children’s shows including Sing-a-long Safari, Bluey & Bingo and Peppa Pig & George.

Upgrades to the attractions have been completed during the closure of the park over winter.

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This week’s photograph was taken by Andy B, capturing The Ultimate at Lightwater Valley in its final days.

Andy B

Photo of the Week celebrates the Harrogate district. It could be anything from family life to capturing the district’s beauty. We are interested in amateur and professional photographs, in a landscape format.

Send your photographs to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk for a chance to be featured next week, we reserve the right to adjust and crop images to fit into our format.

The Lightwater Valley 10K race is set to raise vital funds again for North Stainley Primary School.

The event, on March 5, was first held in 2010 and is organised by the Friends of North Stainley School.

All money raised through entry-fees or donations will be put towards learning equipment and improvement of facilities to support the school and its pupils.

The run typically brings in around three and a half thousand pounds – almost half of the funds raised for the school each year.

The organisers say that the event is suitable for all abilities. It is set on well-marshalled roads with picturesque scenery.

The entry limit is 500 runners, with 348 places remaining.

Runners will have access to on-course refreshments as well as free food and drink at the end of the race. There will be food for visitors to buy at race HQ.

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For the race-marshals and other administrative roles, the Friends of North Stainley School rely on volunteers, whilst food and drink is provided by local supporting companies.

This does not mean the race is not a serious competition. It is registered with UK Athletics and the course is officially measured by the association of UK course measurers.

Describing the route, Mike Greathead, treasurer of the Friends of North Stainley School, said:

“The run starts in the grounds of Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park and heads out along quiet country roads. The bulk of the route consists of 3 peaks – this has been nick-named “The W” by some of our regular participants and provides a great challenge for seasoned runners whilst still being achievable for the less experienced.

“We also have a 3k fun run which we encourage local children to take part in from 7-16 years, it is a great opportunity to encourage younger runners and we award various medals and prizes on the day.”

For further information on the race – including how to enter – see the racebest website or the dedicated Facebook page.

One of the most iconic rides at Lightwater Valley has been closed for good after its owners found they could not bring it up to “acceptable standards”.

Brighton Pier Group, which bought the park in 2021, said it had tried to find ways of bringing The Ultimate back into use after it last operated in the 2019 season.

However, the 30-year-old rollercoaster will now be removed from the park, which has shifted its emphasis towards younger children in recent years.

Anne Ackord, chief executive of Brighton Pier Group, said:

“We have devoted much time and effort considering the future of The Ultimate. The ride has been out of service for some years now and the process of assessing the viability of bringing it back into use was a long one.

“We are mindful of its nostalgic status and that many of our visitors have fond memories of riding the Ultimate Coaster.

“Nevertheless, given both the investment required to bring it up to acceptable standards of safety and the re-imagining of Lightwater Valley as a family-orientated adventure park, we have decided to close The Ultimate permanently and remove it from the park.

“We look forward to welcoming everyone to the new-look Lightwater Valley as it develops and evolves into the north of England’s number one destination for family adventures.”

The Ultimate was opened in 1991 and at the time was the longest rollercoaster in the world. It has been at Lightwater Valley longer than any other remaining ride.

Along with the rest of the park, based in North Stainley, near Ripon, it was not opened in 2020 because of the covid pandemic, but unlike the other rides it has not been operational since.

When Brighton Pier Group bought the theme park, it indicated its commitment to keeping The Ultimate going. It also said it was aiming to develop and expand the whole park to create “the premier amusement destination across Yorkshire and the surrounding areas”.

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A woman has suffered serious leg injuries in a four-car collision near the entrance to Lightwater Valley Adventure Park.

The incident happened at the theme park on the A6108 near Ripon at around 4.35pm on Saturday, April 30. It involved a white BMW estate, a blue BMW, a grey Audi, a grey Mercedes Benz and a silver Suzuki car.

The woman, in the grey Audi, is receiving treatment at hospital. Other drivers and passengers received treatment for minor injuries.

The road remained closed until 8.20pm while the emergency services worked at the scene and carried out a full collision investigation.

North Yorkshire Police is asking anyone who saw the collision or recalls seeing any of the vehicles prior to the incident to get in touch. Officers are also appealing for any dash-cam footage that could assist with the investigation.

To offer information, email ben.prosser-waite@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101, select option 2, and ask for Ben Prosser-Waite.

The reference number is 12220073181.

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Lightwater Valley will reopen next weekend, with new attractions and activities to attract families of younger children.

The adventure park near Ripon said visitors can expect a new discovery woods, dodgems, new food outlets, a hall of mirrors, an old-school amusement arcade and a new character for children to meet.

Ebor the Lightwater Dragon will meet and greet visitors and have his photo taken.

The friendly dragon is part of the park’s re-brand towards younger children aged up to 12 and will be at the centre of the daily entertainment programme throughout the year.

Discovery Woods will include a lakeside nature trail, a mud kitchen and cloud gazing.

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The park would not be complete without its rides, of which it has more than 35.

Some old favourites like the Eagle’s Claw, Skyrider and the Lady Bird rollercoaster will reopen alongside some gentler rides such as the carousel and the Lightwater Express train.

The Eagle’s Claw

The park has not confirmed if larger rides like the Ultimate will reopen but with its focus now on younger children some rides no longer fit the brief.

Treetop Trails, where visitors can walk across trampoline nets high above the park, will reopen.

Ripon Runners made up for lost time when the Lightwater Valley 10k returned at the weekend after two years off because of covid.

Ted Leahy completed the testing course in 35 minutes and 43 seconds to win the men’s open race, 19 seconds ahead of Ripon Runners clubmate Jamie Baker.

Jamie was outright second in the race and also won the men’s seniors event in a time of 36.02, almost five and a half minutes ahead of the second-placed senior runner.

Ted Leahy, winner of the men’s race and Emily Abbey, who won the women’s race

Other winners from the club, included Ian Harrison in the male veterans 40 race and Lenny Lennox who was the first male veteran over 60 to cross the finishing line.

The outright winner of the women’s race was Emily Abbey of Swaledale Runners in a time of 44 minutes and.37 seconds.

Morag McDowall and Lucy Philpott capped an outstanding day for Ripon Runners by winning the female veterans 55-years old and female veterans seniors categories respectively.

A total of 136 runners completed the race and many more, including junior runners, took part in the 3k event.

The other winner was North Stainley Primary School, which raised much-needed funds from the entry fees paid by runners.

The annual race, over an undulating multi-terrain route, is organised by the charity Friends of North Stainley School and covers a course that  passes through the Lightwater estate and the surrounding countryside.

Money raised contributes towards the cost of school trips, technology for pupils, music lessons and sporting activities.

North Stainley Primary School opened in 1871 and is still based in its original building, close to the village church of St Mary’s.

All photographs provided by Tyler Parker Photography.

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