A new bus service will operate from Knaresborough and Harrogate every Sunday from this weekend for the summer season.
Eastern DalesBus 825 will run to Ripley, Brimham Rocks, Fountains Abbey, Kirkby Malzeard, Masham, Leyburn and Richmond.
It will continue every Sunday and bank holiday until September 25, departing from Knaresborough bus station at 10am and stand three at Harrogate bus station at 1020am.
Eastern DalesBus 825 is run by York-based Reliance Motor Services , which provides rural bus services in North Yorkshire, as part of the DalesBus network, with support from the National Trust and North Yorkshire County Council’s Locality Fund.
Full timetable details are available in a leaflet available from Harrogate Bus Station and here.
Other DalesBus services running from Harrogate include double-decker DalesBus 59 on Saturdays to Blubberhouses, Bolton Bridge and Skipton, and DalesBus 74 on Saturdays to Ilkley, Bolton Abbey and Grassington.
DalesBus 24 runs daily between Harrogate and Pateley Bridge, with onward connections on Sundays and Bank Holidays to Upper Nidderdale and Grassington.
Read more:
- Harrogate buses enjoy strike boom but taxis suffer
- Concerns raised over ‘success’ of rural bus pilot scheme in Ripon and Masham
New trail running group formed in Pateley Bridge
A new trail running group has been formed for people who want to get fit while enjoying some of the best scenery in the Harrogate district.
Pateley Runners will stage free off-road runs three times a week around the fields of Nidderdale.
Si Lawson, who is setting up the venture along with two friends, said he hoped it would appeal to local people as well as tourists.
Mr Lawson, who moved from Harrogate to Pateley Bridge last year, likened the group to the Early Bird Run Crew, which was set up as an informal, free running community in 2019 and now organises regular runs in Harrogate and Knaresborough.
Trail running involves being close to nature, so those taking part will face the added challenges of rough terrain, cow pats and low hanging branches but also feel the exhilaration of exercising in spectacular scenery. He said:
“Trail running is a different type of running to road running. It’s much more sociable. The intention is to be totally inclusive. Anyone can run with us.”
A post on the We Love Nidderdale Facebook group announcing the venture has received a large response.
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The group will meet at the bandstand in Pateley Bridge every Tuesday night at 7pm as well as on Thursday nights and during the day on Sunday.
Mr Lawson said the Tuesday group would be aimed at everyone, with a view to getting beginners fitter for longer runs later in the week.
He said other local running clubs, including Harrogate Harriers, Nidd Valley Road Runners, Knaresborough Striders and Ripon Runners provided a great service but Pateley Runners would cater exclusively for trail runners.
A scientist who still runs for Harrogate Harriers, he said he was less minded to travel 70 minutes to Harrogate and back to join fellow runners when there was a public footpath outside his house into the heart of Nidderdale.
He plans to set up a Facebook page called Pateley Runners shortly.
National Open Gardens: Gardens taking part across the Harrogate district this summerThe temperatures have risen across the Harrogate district this week and that summer feeling has well and truly kicked in.
And what better time than to enjoy some of the stunning flora and fauna that our area has to offer.
There are lots of gorgeous gardens to explore over the next few months as part of the National Garden Scheme.
The initiative gives visitors unique access to over 3,500 exceptional private gardens in the UK and raises impressive amounts of money for nursing and health charities. The scheme also promotes the physical and mental health benefits of gardens.
We have put together a list of the participating gardens in our district from now until August:
Birstwith Hall, Birstwith
When: Sunday, June 19, 2pm-5pm
Admission: Adults £5, children go free
About: A charming and varied four-acre garden nestling in a secluded Yorkshire dale.
A formal garden and ornamental orchard, as well as extensive lawns leading to a picturesque stream and a large pond. There is also a walled garden and Victorian greenhouse.
The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.
Yorke House and White Rose Cottage, Dacre Banks
When: Sunday, June 26, 11am-5pm
Admission: Adults £5, children go free
About: An award-winning English country garden in the heart of Nidderdale.
A series of distinct areas flowing through two acres of ornamental garden. There are also colour-themed borders, as well as a natural pond and stream with delightful waterside plantings. Secluded seating areas and attractive views.
The adjacent cottage has a recently developed garden designed for wheelchair access. There is a large collection of hostas and an orchard picnic area.
The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.
Prospect House, Burton Leonard
When: Friday, June 24, 1-.30am-2pm
Admission: Adults £35, children go free
Booking: A limited number of tickets have been made available for this special event. Tickets must be booked in advance here
About: Following a welcome by the owner, there will be talks on the development of the garden, the creation of a cutting garden and colour-themed borders plus demonstration of cut flower arrangements in the potting shed. Buffet lunch included.
Prospect House features a one-acre walled, landscaped garden with ornamental pond, pergola, large oval lawned area, cutting and vegetable beds.
There is a colour-themed herbaceous long border, ‘hot’ borders, and a physic bed. There is also mature hedging, trees and seasonal interest throughout. Additional new planting areas are being established.
A renovated outhouse has been converted into a potting area used for garden workshops.
The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.
Cobble Cottage, Whixley
When: Sunday, July 3,11pm-5pm
Admission: Adults £4, children go free
About: An imaginatively designed, constantly changing, small cottage garden full of decorative architectural plants and old family favourites.
There is an Interesting water garden, containers and use of natural materials. It also features a black and white courtyard garden and Japanese-style garden with growing willow screen.
The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.
Group openings – gardens that open on the same day
Grafton gardens, Marton-cum-Grafton
Well House.
When: Sunday, July 3,11am-5pm
Admission: Adults £6, children go free
About: These two gardens in adjacent rural villages are also connected by a public footpath.
Paddock House is on an elevated site with extensive views down a large sloping lawn to a wildlife pond. A plant lover’s garden where the house is encircled by a profusion of pots and extensive plant collections combining cottage gardening with the Mediterranean and Tropical. A curved terrace of Yorkshire stone and steps using gravel and wood sleepers leads to many seating areas culminating in a cutting garden and small greenhouse.
Well House, in Grafton, nestles under the hillside, with long views to the White Horse. This one-and-a-half acre garden was begun 40 years ago and is constantly changing. A traditional English cottage garden with herbaceous borders, climbing roses and ornamental shrubs with a variety of interesting species. Paths meander through the borders to an orchard with ducks. Refreshments are available at The Punch Bowl pub, a five-minute walk from Well House.
Dacre Banks and Summerbridge Gardens
Woodlands Cottage.
When: Sunday, July 10,12pm-5pm
Admission: Adults £10, children go free
About: Dacre Banks and Summerbridge Gardens are situated in the beautiful countryside of Nidderdale and designed to take advantage of the scenic Dales landscape.
The gardens are linked by attractive walks along the valley, but each may be accessed individually by car.
Low Hall has a romantic walled garden set on different levels around the historic C17 family home (not open) with herbaceous borders, shrubs, climbing roses and a tranquil water garden. The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.
Riverside House is an atmospheric waterside garden on many levels, supporting shade-loving plants and features a Victorian folly, fernery, courtyard and naturalistic riverside plantings. The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.
Woodlands Cottage is a garden of many rooms, with exquisite formal and informal plantings, and an attractive wildflower meadow which harmonises with mature woodland. The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.
Yorke House has extensive colour-themed borders and water features with beautiful waterside plantings. The newly developed garden at White Rose Cottage is specifically designed for wheelchair users. The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.
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The Priory, Nun Monkton
When: Thursday, July 7,11pm-5pm
Admission: Adults £6, children go free
About: A large country garden surrounding William and Mary house (not open), at the confluence of the River Nidd and River Ouse.
It features species trees, calm swathes of lawn, clipped yew, beech and box, formal rose garden and mixed borders.
There is a new area of soft perennial planting and informal parkland. There area also kitchen gardens with a greenhouse and swimming pool where teas will be served.
The Nun Monkton Ferryboat will be running a special service on this day, connecting Nun Monkton with Beningbrough and Moor Monkton, from the riverbank next to The Priory.
Markenfield Hall, Ripon
When: Tuesday, July 12, 2pm-3pm
Admission: Adults £5, children go free
Booking: By guided tour only (max 10 people). Tickets must be booked in advance here
About: The work of the hall’s owner Lady Deirdre Curteis and gardener Giles Gilbey.
Mature planting combines with newly designed areas, where walls with espaliered apricots and figs frame a mix of hardy perennials.
In 2018 the farmhouse border was replanted to eventually blend seamlessly with the hall’s main east border.
Goldsborough Hall, Goldsborough
When: Sunday, July 24, 11pm-5pm
Admission: Adults £5, children go free
About: An historic 12-acre garden and formal landscaped grounds in parkland setting around Grade II*, 17th-century house, which was the former residence of HRH Princess Mary, daughter of George V and Queen Mary.
Goldsborough Hall boasts Gertrude Jekyll inspired 120ft double herbaceous borders, a rose garden and a woodland walk.
There is a large restored kitchen garden and glasshouse which produces fruit and vegetables for the hall’s commercial kitchens.
Greencroft, Littlethorpe, Ripon
When: Sunday, August 7, 12pm-4pm
Admission: Adults £5, children go free
About: A half-acre informal country garden created by the owners. It features long herbaceous borders packed with colourful late summer perennials, annuals and exotics culminating in a circular garden with views through to large wildlife pond and surrounding countryside.
Special ornamental features include a gazebo, temple pavilions, formal pool, stone wall with mullions and gate to pergola and cascade water feature.
The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.
Head out for a walk then visit one of these four dog-friendly pubs in the Harrogate districtWith the warmer weather (finally) arriving, nothing beats a walk in the Harrogate district’s beautiful countryside with your four-legged friend.
We are truly spoilt for dog walks in the area – from the peaceful Nidd Gorge to the rolling hills of Nidderdale.
But all that rambling is guaranteed to work up a thirst.
To help quench it, we have put together a list of four dog-friendly pubs in the Harrogate district.
Obviously there are too many to possibly mention, so get in touch with your favourites and send your photos to nina@thestrayferret.co.uk
The Knox – Bilton, Harrogate
The Knox often crops up as a dog-friendly favourite, with furry companions being considered very much part of the family.
The pub’s website says:
“Dogs are more than welcome at The Knox, and if you ask one of our team members, they’ll be more than happy to bring your four-legged friend a fresh bowl of water. From time-to-time, we may even have treats available to keep your dog occupied and happy, just be sure to ask one of our team.
“We’re an extremely busy pub and we want your furry friends to feel relaxed, safe, and happy at all times during your visit.”
Sportsman’s Arms, Wath, Nidderdale
The quaint hamlet of Wath is in a wonderful area for walking; the circular route from Pateley Bridge is particularly good, four miles out along the northern fellside and back along the river.
Once you have stretched your legs, you can enjoy a refreshing pint and a spot of lunch in the bar area of this family-run 17th-century country inn, while your dog curls up under your seat.
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The Royal Oak, Staveley, Knaresborough
Landlady Catherine Audsley outside The Royal Oak in Staveley.
Staveley is actually home to a nature reserve, which takes you on a lone walk that stretches beyond the village. It has many wild and rare species of flowers and wildlife and is perfect for a summer dog walk (they are permitted on leads).
Once you have admired the otters, of which there are regular sightings, head to Royal Oak, a traditional country pub that reviewers on Trip Advisor have described as “the most dog-friendly place I have ever been to”.
The pub’s website says:
“A selection of local ales and various seating areas offer somewhere for everyone – even the four-legged friend.”
The huge beer garden is also very impressive if you want to catch some rays.
The Royal Oak, Ripon
Another Royal Oak, this time located in Ripon’s historic Kirkgate, this renovated 18th century coaching inn is a firm favourite with dog owners.
Enjoy a walk at nearby Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden and then head into Ripon for a wander.
The pub’s city centre location is a great base to explore this fabulous part of the district.
Dogs are allowed in the bar area and there is even a selection of dog-friendly tables in the restaurant if you have worked up an appetite.
Police investigating brawl in quiet Pateley Bridge streetNorth Yorkshire Police is investigating a brawl involving a large group of men and women on a quiet Pateley Bridge street this week.
The incident took place just before midnight on Monday when the group, who officers described as young adults, were seen fighting and swearing on Bishop Way.
A police spokesperson said the incident was “very unusual” for Pateley Bridge and “completely unacceptable”.
If you have any information, photos or video footage, you can contact bill.hickson@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101 quoting 12220097471.
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Pateley Bridge enjoys a party in the park
Around 200 people flocked to Pateley Bridge recreation ground today for the town’s Picnic in the Park.
The free event, organised by Bewerley Parish Council and Pateley Bridge Town Council, invited locals to come down and have a picnic whilst enjoying music from three bands performing on the band stand.
Our roaming reporter Suzannah enjoyed tunes from Summerbridge and Dacre Silver Band and well-know local musicians Ant and Frank when she visited.
This was Ant and Frank in action.
Event manager, Tracey Dawson said:
“I’m just so pleased with how many people have come out. It’s all generations coming together and enjoying the weekend.”
The event ran from noon to 3pm today.
Read more:
Here are some more pictures from the afternoon:
(Left to right) Rita, Benjamin, Richard and Alexander.
Joanne Griffith (left) and Debbie Anson dressed up for the occasion.
Sandra and Sharon from Nidderdale Plus showed how the community group helps local people.
People standing for the National Anthem.
A Nidderdale school is celebrating achieving a ‘good’ rating in its latest Ofsted report.
Glasshouses Primary School maintained its rating from the previous inspection in 2012, with the report particularly praising its ethos and the attitudes of pupils to learning.
In their introduction, the inspectors wrote:
“Glasshouses Primary School is a small school that has big ambitions for all its pupils.
“A caring and respectful ethos runs through all areas of the school. Leaders are determined to provide pupils with the knowledge and understanding they need to be happy, confident and successful.”
Reacting to the report, headteacher Nicola Thornber said:
“That top line absolutely encompasses what Glasshouses Primary School is about. There’s some great statements in there but that, for me, is the best.”
At the beginning of the year, the school, which has 55 pupils, forming Upper Nidderdale Federation, with Fountains Earth and St Cuthbert’s primary schools.
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The inspection report praised the new governing board for having a good understanding of the school’s priorities. It added:
“They hold leaders to account effectively and have clear plans for the ongoing development of the school.”
Inspectors said the school could make further improvements by having more ambitious lessons to enable pupils to stretch themselves, and doing more to support pupils who are working slightly below expectations so they can catch up with their peers.
Miss Thornber said she was happy with these recommendations and that the school was already working on those improvements.
Meanwhile, after a recommendation by Ofsted, Glasshouses has been invited to be part of a small schools forum run by North Yorkshire Council, sharing its experiences with others.
Miss Thornber added:
Water voles thriving in new Nidderdale home“I’m absolutely delighted with the report – we’ve had such great comments.
“We have some great relationships with parents. Everyone has worked so hard.”
Two hundred water voles released in Nidderdale are thriving in their new habitat, surveys have discovered.
Yorkshire Water released two groups of the endangered animals in 2020 and 2021 at Timble Ings Wood in the Washburn Valley.
Recent surveys suggest they are settling in well to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with signs of the animals up to 1km away from the original release site.
Surveys of the area have found burrows, droppings, and signs of feeding, such as piles of nibbled grass. There have also been regular checks for the water vole’s main predator, the American mink, which has not been spotted.
Philip Tennyson, recreation coordinator at Yorkshire Water said:
“While this is a successful project, water voles are particularly sensitive to disturbance, and the good work we’ve done so far can easily be lost.
“We would urge visitors to Timble Ings Woods to stay on the paths and keep dogs on a lead away from the ponds and watercourses to protect the fragile water vole population.”
Read More:
- 100 water voles released in Washburn Valley this week
- Nidderdale group offers dog leads to protect nesting birds
Water voles are classed as an endangered species, and have been identified as one of Britain’s fastest declining mammals.
They have been named as a priority species for protection in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, and conservation efforts like the one in Nidderdale are crucial in preventing their extinction.
The project is part of Yorkshire Water’s Water Works for Wildlife initiative, which aims to enhance biodiversity in 15 local wildlife sites.
Community invited to launch day at Darley boules courtsA French-themed open day will be held to officially launch the new boules courts in Darley this weekend.
Darley Playing Fields Association is inviting the community and visitors from further afield for wine, cheese — and of course, a game of petanque.
Taking place this Saturday, May 21, from 2pm, it will be an opportunity to see the work that has gone into creating Darley’s new community facility at the playing fields.
Association chairman Mark Simpson said:
“It’s aimed at the local community and will be a relaxed affair with the aim of getting the availability of petanque known and getting people to have a go.”
Read more:
The courts have been available to play on since Easter, with a few informal teaching sessions taking place.
They were created by the playing fields association with funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, while Darley and Menwith Parish Council supported the work and funded two benches by the courts to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee.
Historic Darley Mill to be converted to housingAn 18th-century corn mill in Nidderdale is to be converted into housing after complaints that the historic building once used as a shop and restaurant has deteriorated into a “mess”.
The proposals for Darley Mill include the conversion of nine homes and the construction of 11 new properties at the Grade-II listed site.
Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee approved the plans at a meeting on Tuesday when a local councillor said many villagers wanted to see the site redeveloped “as soon as possible”.
Cllr Sue Welch, chair of Darley and Menwith Parish Council, said:
“The current mill building is a mess – it spoils the whole look of the village and that part of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
“We need to bring it back into use and good repair.”
Cllr Welch said although the parish council viewed the mill conversion as “essential,” it could not support the construction of new homes at the site.
In response, Richard Irving, an agent for the developers YorPlace said the new builds were needed in order to make the development financially feasible – a view which was supported by an independent valuer.
Mr Irving also said the development would be carried out to the “highest quality”.
Read more:
The approval comes after previous plans for a smaller development of 13 homes were given the go-ahead in 2018. However, these plans never came forward.
The site closed as a corn mill in the 1960s and was most recently run by Yorkshire Linen Company as a restaurant and shop until 2016 when the company ran into financial problems.
Prior to this, the mill was converted into a store selling crafts and clothing in the mid-1980s.
The latest proposals include a mix of two, three and four-bedroom properties across the site.
The mill’s water wheel will also be kept under the plans.
Councillors cast five votes for and two against to approve the plans at Tuesday’s meeting.