Tens of thousands set to flock to Pateley Bridge for major new sports event

A major sporting event expected to attract thousands of competitors will be staged in Pateley Bridge next year.

The Long Course Weekend started in Wales in 2010 and now attracts over 11,000 athletes and 35,000 supporters from 56 nations to Pembrokeshire over three days.

The event is based on the principles of the triathlon but is tailored to open up the three disciplines of swimming, cycling and running to as wide an audience as possible.

Long Course Weekends now take place worldwide but this one — hosted by North Yorkshire Council — will be the first one in England.

Nidderdale Showground.

Nidderdale Showground.

It will take place in Nidderdale between September 6 and 8 next year.

Competitors will have the choice to participate in one of the individual disciplines or choose all three, with different distances for swimming, cycling and running available to suit those taking part.

Cllr Derek Bastiman, the council’s executive member for open to business whose portfolio includes the visitor economy, announced the Long Course Weekend at a media event at Nidderdale Showground in Pateley Bridge this morning.

Read more:

 

More than 15,000 visitors expected at Nidderdale Show next weekend

Thousands of people are expected to attend Nidderdale Show when it makes its annual return next weekend.

The show is the last local agricultural event of the year.

Last year, it moved from its traditional Monday slot to Sunday due to the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

Organisers Nidderdale Agricultural Society have decided to stick with the Sunday slot and next weekend’s event will be open from 7.45am until 6pm.

For the 151st year, the event on the Pateley Bridge Showground will feature some of the finest animals and agricultural products the country has to offer.

From dairy, beef and store cattle and sheep, pigs, and goats, to show jumping, heavy horses and sheepdog trials, the event will present over 200 awards to a wide range of animals and handlers – all hoping to take home first prize.

Horticulture, farm crops, dry stone walling, home produce and fur & feather competitions can also be enjoyed throughout the day.

With a funfair, children’s entertainment, terries racing, a forestry exhibition and even a digger area, the show will offer fun for all the family.

Sunflowers Day Nursery will provide a family area where little ones can relax. The area also includes a nappy changing area, bottle warming facilities and a quiet area for nursing mothers.

Credit: Jemison Photographer

The show will also include trade stands selling local produce and goods, as well as a range of food and drinks vans.

Foodies can expect a two-course carvery, an afternoon tea selection and a range of hot meals and sandwiches in the public dining marquee.

Parking is free and a tractor park and ride service between the showground and Bewerley car parks will be available.

Dogs are welcome on short leads.

Tickets can be bought online and cost £13.50 for over 17s.

Read more:

 

Police name teenager who died in fatal Brimham Rocks crash

A 17-year-old boy who died after a car collided with a wall on Brimham Rocks Road has been named by the police.

Alfie Lovett, from York, was a passenger in the Peugeot 107 which crashed on Tuesday at 6.50pm.

North Yorkshire Police reported he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have shared a tribute his family paid to him.

It says:

“Alfie was a unique personality who loved to make people laugh and lived for adrenaline fuelled adventures. He lived his life fearlessly and marched to the beat of his own drum without caring about what anyone thought of him.

“Alfie had his own world view that very few understood. He was only 17, but has made a huge mark in his short time and anyone who’s ever met him is not likely to ever forget him!

“Alfie was a fiercely loyal friend, a protective big brother to his 2 younger sisters and brother and loving father to his infant son. Taken from us far too soon with so much more to give, he’ll be very missed every day.”

Three other occupants of the car were left with minor injuries and the driver has been helping police with their enquiries.

An appeal was launched earlier this week for witnesses.

Officers added in the original appeal:

“We are keen to hear from anyone who has captured any dashcam footage of the vehicle prior to the collision.”

You can email Nicola.Peters@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101 and ask for Nicola Peters.

Quote incident number 12230173187.

Read more:

 

Pateley Bridge grocery store to cease trading after 40 years

A grocery store and bakery in Pateley Bridge will open its doors for the last time this weekend after 40 years of trading.

Park View Stores opened in the 1980s and has since supplied Nidderdale with everyday essentials, as well as homemade breads, sweet treats and takeaway sandwiches.

Karen Seale, who co-owns the company with her family, said the store has not been ‘financially viable’ since the pandemic.

She added:

“Sadly, the business has become very financially challenging.

“Much like other businesses we’ve seen footfall drop massively – everything has changed since covid.”

Ms Seale’s parents, Dorothy Wilson and her late husband Malcolm, bought the unit, which was formerly a sweet shop, over four decades ago.

She added:

“We’ve all worked in it for the majority of its life.

“My brother and I have worked in the shop since we were teenagers – even just helping stacking shelves on weekends.”

Ms Seale said the business has been up for sale for over two years, but they haven’t yet found a buyer.

She told the Stray Ferret her family has been overwhelmed by the support they have received since announcing the closure.

“Customers have been really sad about the closure – I think we’re the only people some customers speak to in a day.

“We’re very grateful to all our customers, suppliers and employees who have been supported us for all these years.”

Park View Stores will trade for the last time this Saturday.

Read more:

 

Boy, 17, dies after car hits wall near Brimham Rocks

A 17-year-old boy has been killed after a car collided with a wall near Brimham Rocks, near Pateley Bridge.

The teenager, who has not been named, was a passenger in a grey Peugeot 107 when it hit the wall on Brimham Rocks Road at 6.50pm last night.

North Yorkshire Police today appealed for witnesses and information.

The force said in a statement:

“Tragically, a 17-year-old boy, a passenger in the 107 died at the scene of the collision. The boy’s family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.

“Three other occupants were left with minor injuries and the driver is helping with the police with their enquiries.

“The road was closed for several hours to allow investigation work to take place at the scene of the collision.”

Police are urging anyone who saw the collision, or the car involved prior to the collision, to get in touch.

Brimham Rocks Road

Officers think that the car left the Fulford area of York at 11am on the same day and travelled to Brimham Rocks via Kirk Hammerton, Green Hammerton and Knaresborough.

They are particularly keen to hear from anyone who has captured any dashcam footage of the vehicle prior to the collision.

You can email Nicola.Peters@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101 and ask for Nicola Peters.

Quote incident number 12230173187.

Read more:

 

Hopes to extend Nidderdale Greenway to Pateley Bridge

A survey has been launched to assess the popularity of extending the Nidderdale Geenway to Scar House Reservoir north of Pateley Bridge.

The idea to build an off-road path between Harrogate and Nidderdale was first proposed in 1996.

In 2014, the first four-mile section of the greenway was opened between Nidd Gorge in Bilton and Ripley and it’s proved to be a popular route for cyclists, wheelchair users, horse riders and pedestrians.

Backed by sustainable transport charity Sustrans, the route follows an old railway track and extending it deeper into Nidderdale could give more parts of the area an economic boost, similar to how Ripley has benefited from the first section.

But an extension is problematic due to the fact that some of the tracks have now been built on.

Liberal Democrat councillor for Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale, Andrew Murday, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service discussions with landowners between Dacre Banks and Pateley Bridge revealed difficulties as it would require North Yorkshire Council to pay a a substantial amount of money up front to establish rights of way.

For example, he said creating a path along a former railway line in Upper Wensleydale is likely to cost the council several hundred thousand pounds.

He hopes the survey by action group the Hampsthwaite Pathfinders will show the public are behind the plans so it can be brought before North Yorkshire Council.

Cllr Murday said public money wouldn’t be used to built the path and that it would come from Sustrans to the tune of between £10 million to £15 million.

He said:

“I know there are economic problems in the country. People have said how can we afford to do this when people can’t afford to eat. But in my own personal view, if this exists in 30 years’ time, people will say — it’s great.”

Rob Lloyd, a member of Hampsthwaite Pathfinders, said:

“Whilst the survey will help Hampsthwaite Pathfinders to focus on improving local paths the survey is open to all who have an interest in the greenway extension and whose comments may be used to shape our input to the North Yorkshire Council steering group.”

The survey is available here and closes on September 18.

The results will be published next month.

Read more:

 

Open day in Pateley Bridge gives people chance to learn about local rivers

The Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust is hosting an open day in Pateley Bridge this weekend to give local people an insight into its work.

The environmental charity protects local rivers, including the Swale, Ure, Nidd, Wharfe and Ouse, by carrying out educational projects and engaging with communities.

The open day will tell people about its work in areas such as water sampling, flood management and controlling non-native species, as well as highlighting the importance of healthy river environments.

A representative of Nidd Action Group, which is campaigning to clean-up the Nidd, will be among a number of guest speakers.

Read more:

There will also be two guided walks along the Nidd, a lunch time poster session and a session in the Rivers4U mobile classroom where people can enjoy learn about the river and life within it further.

Soup, coffee and cake will be on offer during the lunch session.

Dr Marie Taylor, chief executive of the trust, said:

“People are now far more aware of the quality of Yorkshire’s rivers and yet many are probably less aware of the extent of the trust’s endeavours and our partnership achievements in monitoring and improving our waterways.

“The open day is a great opportunity to explore the breadth of our work, learn about what we have delivered with others, and discover how to support these activities.”

The event will take place on Saturday, September 16, from 11am – 3.30pm.

It will be held at the Riverside Scout Hut in Pateley Bridge and is free to attend.

Stunning rainbow over Nidderdale this morning

Nidderdale is known for its fantastic views, which were made even more beautiful this morning when a full rainbow appeared in the sky.

Reader Joyce Liggins captured the optical phenomenon at about 9.30am from her bedroom in Pateley Bridge.

It shows the view looking towards Greenhow Hill — a sight Joyce is familiar with having lived on the same street all her life.

Joyce, who took the photo on an iPad, said:

“If I see something that looks nice, I take a photo of it.”

We love receiving your photos. Don’t forget you can send in your images to letter@thestrayferret.co.uk to be featured in our photo of the week on Sunday.

Read more:

 

Ethical dilemmas to be discussed in Pateley Bridge

Sex, death, war and artificial intelligence will be discussed in a series of monthly Food for Thought talks by a leading theologian in Pateley Bridge.

Dr Peter Vardy, who has written extensively on religion and ethics and was vice-principal of Heythrop Jesuit College in London, from 1998 to 2011, will lead the events at St Cuthbert’s Church.

For more than 30 years he has run conferences for GCSE and A level students in this country and overseas.

Dr Vardy, whose first talk will take place next month, said:

“The aim of this initiative is to engage those attending with contemporary issues, but also to explain different approaches particularly to Christian understandings of ethical dilemmas.”

Everyone from within the parish and beyond is welcome to attend the Food for Thought events.

The Vicar of St Cuthbert’s, Revd Darryl Hall, said:

“Our mission action plan inspires us to grow confident Christians, devoted to growing deeply as disciples.

“We have a dedicated team looking after the youth ministry in the parish and also a team looking after adult discipleship – which is where Food for Thought first came from as a confirmation course during Lent.

“It proved to be so popular that we ran a second series before taking a break for the summer.

“We are very fortunate that Dr Peter Vardy kindly offered to run a monthly series on Christian ethics from September to February.”

Starting on September 6 with the subject of ‘how to make ethical decisions’, the 45-minute talks will start at 7pm followed by 15 minutes for questions. Refreshments will be available from 6.30pm.

The other subjects to be covered are:

To find out more and to help with managing numbers, attendees are asked to email darryl.hall@leeds.anglican.org

Read more:

 

Nidd Art Trail in full swing as local artists begin to open their doors

Local artists, craftspeople and photographers are opening their doors to the public this weekend to showcase work as part of NiddArt Trail.

The trail, run by community organisation Nidderdale Art Trail, aims to highlight both the artistic talent on offer throughout the district, as well as keep community spirit alive.

It originated as Nidd Art Fest, which ran from 1997 to 2008, and has been known as NiddArt Trail since 2009.

Venues in upper and lower Nidderdale, Pateley Bridge, Bewerley, Knaresborough and surrounding villages will house the works of both professional artists, such as Claire Baxter Gallery and JOT’s Gallery, as well as amateur groups such as Pateley Bridge Art Club, which will hold its summer exhibition in St Cuthbert’s School, and Lofthouse Art Group.

A number of community venues will also host featured works, including Summerbridge Methodist Church and Sawley Village Hall.

St Paul’s Art Group will have a variety of mediums on display, including photography and crafts, with some on sale to the public. The work will be held in St Paul’s United Reformed Church, Harrogate, on 26 and 27 August. Refreshments will also be available.

Poetry readings will also take place at Darley Methodist Church as part of the trail. Reverend Alastair Ferneley of Dacre and Alan Jordan, Lay Pastor in the Methodist Church, will be reciting their own poetry on Saturday, August 19, and Saturday, August 26.

Paintings, pottery and photographs curated by local artists will all be housed in St Andrew’s Church, in Blubberhouses, on 19 and 20 August, as well as 26 – 28 August too.

Treasurer Charles Mellor said:

“It’s very much a community event and is made from a mix of talent and community effort.

“There is quite a spectrum of activity this year.”

Some pieces will be available to buy from both the professional and amateur artists, however many choose to simply be involved in the trail.

“I think people just really enjoy being a part of it.

“Many of the groups and venues involved become very enthusiastic about the trail.”

The participating venues are free to attend and will be open at various times from Friday, August 18 to Monday, August 28.

The trail has been available to view online from August 1.

Find a full breakdown of the participating artists and venues, as well as their opening times, here.

Read more: