Nine years ago there was the Tour de France; then there was the UCI Road World Championships in 2019.
Now the Harrogate district has another major sports tourism event heading its way — the Long Course Weekend.
The three-day event is less well known, which is little surprise given that it’s never been held in England before.
But the annual Long Course Weekend in Wales has grown to attract 11,000 athletes and 35,000 supporters from 56 nations to Pembrokeshire.
North Yorkshire Council, which has agreed to host the event annually for the next three years in Pateley Bridge, has estimated it will bring £2 million to the local economy.
The council has paid a £25,000 hosting fee to the event organisers.
Matthew Evans, the founder and chief executive of Long Course Weekend, was at Nidderdale Showground yesterday for a media event to announce the venue will be the centrepiece of next year’s inaugural event from September 6 to 8.
Mr Evans pledged to bring to Nidderdale “a different sports event to anything you have had here before”. He joked:
“Pateley Bridge will be turned into a bit of a Lycra-clad community for a few days.”
But what is Long Course Weekend and what will it mean to local people and businesses?
(from left) Mike Holt, Cllr Derek Bastiman, Emma Robinson and Matthew Evans at yesterday’s launch.
What is Long Course Weekend?
The Long Course Weekend caters for swimmers, cyclists, runners and triathletes of all abilities over one weekend.
But unlike triathlon, in which competitors perform all three disciplines in succession, a day is dedicated to each activity.
Friday will feature swimming in a Nidderdale reservoir; Saturday will feature a cycle ride around North Yorkshire and Sunday will see a run ending on a red carpet in Nidderdale Showground.
Competitors can participate in one discipline or all three.
The swim distances range from 1.2 miles to 2.4 miles, cycling routes will be from 56 miles to 112 miles and the run will start at five kilometres to a full marathon. There will also be a children’s running event.
The number of swimmers and cyclists is expected to be capped at 1,000 each for the first year at Pateley Bridge, although no figure has yet been given for the maximum number of runners.
Where is it being held?
Nidderdale Showground
Nidderdale Showground will become ‘event village’ — the centrepiece of the three days. A red carpet will be laid out in the showground.
The full 112-mile cycle ride is expected to take in most of North Yorkshire and finish at the showground. The swim will be in a yet-to-be-finalised Nidderdale reservoir — not the River Nidd.
The exact details have yet to be finalised and applications for competitors are due to be opened later this year.
Why is it being held in Pateley Bridge?
Gemma Rio
Yesterday’s announcement was the culmination of years of discussions between Gemma Rio, head of council-owned tourist body Destination Harrogate and Mr Evans.
Ms Rio said she hopes it will “become a significant annual event like the Great Yorkshire Show” that will boost the wider local economy. She added:
“There will be a festival feel at the showground and the benefits of the event will extend to multiple Nidderdale villages and dales.”
Will Pateley Bridge cope with the crowds?
Between 18,000 to 25,000 people are expected to visit for the event, according to the council.
Cllr Derek Bastiman. the Conservative-run council’s executive member for open to business, said it was an ideal opportunity to improve the post-covid Nidderdale economy.
He said accommodation providers and hospitality businesses for miles around would benefit and although there were likely to be road closures and some disruption the benefits would outweigh any problems.
Pateley Bridge-based voluntary organisation Nidderdale Plus will help to mobilise volunteers for the event.
Asked whether Pateley’s infrastructure could cope, Mr Evans acknowledged each Long Course Weekend “comes with challenges” but pledged to work with organisations to ensure the area could cope.
According to the council, North Yorkshire’s visitor economy brings in more than £1.5 billion a year from domestic visits alone. Tourism accounts for 10 per cent of the county’s overall economy, and 41,200 workers are employed in the sector.
What they say about it
Emma Robinson
Yesterday’s announcement at the showground included representatives from the council, tourism and sport.
Emma Robinson, 43, a mum-of-three and member of Harrogate Triathlon Club who has competed for Great Britain in the 35 to 39 age group, said:
“The beauty of the Long Course Weekend is the chance to take part in the individual disciplines. As a triathlete I will probably take part in all three, but it’s great that others can choose to just take part in the swim, the cycle or the run.”
Former Pateley Bridge mayor Mike Holt, a volunteer with the Nidderdale Plus community support organisation, said:
“Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale are such wonderful places, and we do attract a lot of visitors from around the country and from abroad already.
“But to have such a successful internationally-recognised event coming here will broaden our appeal to an even wider audience.”
Read more:
- Tens of thousands set to flock to Pateley Bridge for major new sports event
- Hopes to extend Nidderdale Greenway to Pateley Bridge
Matthew Evans, the Long Course Weekend’s founder and chief executive, said:
“We have wanted to bring the Long Course Weekend to England for a long time now, and North Yorkshire is the perfect location as the county has a proven track record of staging major sporting events, such as the Tour de France’s Grand Départ.
“It is one of only a few sporting events that encompasses swimmers, cyclists, runners and triathletes of all abilities over one weekend.”
Cllr Bastiman said: “To host such a well-respected and internationally-renowned sporting event is a real coup for us.
Tens of thousands set to flock to Pateley Bridge for major new sports event“The Long Course Weekend has become a very popular date in the sporting calendar in countries across the world, and it will be a privilege for North Yorkshire to host an event next year. It will give us the chance to showcase to a global audience what we can offer here in what is one of the most beautiful and diverse parts of the country.”
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.
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:
- Hopes to extend Nidderdale Greenway to Pateley Bridge
- Pateley Bridge grocery store to cease trading after 40 years
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:
- After 150 years, Nidderdale Show moves to a Sunday
- Hopes to extend Nidderdale Greenway to Pateley Bridge
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
- Concern about inflation on £68.8m Kex Gill road scheme
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
- Hunt saboteurs disrupt start of shooting season near Pateley Bridge
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:
- Council concedes it should have held public inquiry into Harrogate Station Gateway
- Plans to create new traffic-free greenway submitted
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:
- 11-foot sunflower leaves rivals in the shade at Kirkby Malzeard
- Historic Harrogate district sites offer free access for Heritage Open Days
- Lib Dems criticise Yorkshire Water river health team project
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 morningNidderdale 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
- Reservoir monument restored and returned to Nidderdale Museum
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:
- Euthanasia and Death (October 4)
- Sex, Fertility, New Methods of Reproduction and Marriage (November 8)
- Can Wars be Just? (December 6)
- Money, Power and Economic Justice (January 10)
- Artificial Intelligence (February 7)
To find out more and to help with managing numbers, attendees are asked to email darryl.hall@leeds.anglican.org
Read more: