Bathers took to Swinsty reservoir on Sunday as part of a mass trespass aimed at promoting the right to swim in UK open waters.
It is illegal to swim in Yorkshire Water-owned reservoirs, including Swinsty.
The company and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service issued a joint plea on Friday urging people not to enter reservoirs on safety grounds.
Yorkshire Water estimates 277 accidental drownings occurred in 2021, of which five were in North Yorkshire. Eighty-two percent of the 277 fatalities occurred inland, at reservoirs, lakes and rivers.
Ramblers take part in an annual gathering at Kinder in Derbyshire to mark the 1932 protest that established the right to roam.
But swimmers have taken to the United Utilities-owned Kinder reservoir to exercise “the uncontested right to swim in open water” as part of the protest in the last three years following the boom in wild swimming
Swinsty on Sunday. Pic: Len Downes
Sunday’s gathering at Swinsty in the Washburn Valley took place on the same day as the Kinder trespass.
Kate Rew, founder of the Outdoor Swimming Society, told the Stray Ferret:
“We were there and we communicated to our members about it — but no one organised it, it was a happening.”
Pic: Len Downes
Alastair Harvey, lead countryside and woodland advisor at Yorkshire Water, said last week:
“It is vital those visiting our sites stay out of the water, no matter how tempting it may appear. Cold water shock, undercurrents and operating machinery all pose dangers to people deciding to enter the water.”
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said in a statement:
“Reservoirs can be extremely dangerous and swimming in them can soon become serious, or even fatal – even if you are a strong swimmer.”
Read more:
- Reservoir swimming warning amid planned ‘mass swim’ at Swinsty
- Swinsty and Fewston parking charges to include ‘season ticket’
Swinsty Reservoir walking route reopens today
The circular walking route around Swinsty Reservoir has reopened today, three months ahead of schedule.
Yorkshire Water closed the circular route around the reservoir In November 2020 to allow it to undertake £6 million safety works that were due to be completed in the summer.
The company introduced a temporary footpath, which drew some complaints for being too muddy.
https://twitter.com/YorkshireWater/status/1512387717430136845
The reservoir in the Washburn Valley is a popular location for families and dog walkers in the Harrogate district.
Alastair Harvey, lead recreation advisor at Yorkshire Water, said:
“Swinsty is one of our most popular reservoir sites, so it’s fantastic to have the full circular route open once again. We’re grateful for the patience of our visitors and local residents whilst the work took place.”
Read more:
Conservative councillor Victoria Oldham nominated as final Harrogate mayor
Conservative councillor Victoria Oldham has been nominated as the final ever mayor on Harrogate Borough Council.
She will take over from Liberal Democrat councillor Trevor Chapman, who has held the role since April 2021 during a term disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking at a full council meeting last night, Cllr Oldham said it was an “absolute thrill” to be nominated.
Conservative council leader Richard Cooper congratulated her on her nomination, saying:
“Vicki and I have known one another since she first became the candidate for the Washburn ward.
“It was my great pleasure to support her during that by-election, and it will be my great pleasure to support her during her mayoral year.”
Councillor Pat Marsh, leader of the opposition Liberal Democrat group, also described the nomination as “wonderful”.
She said:
“Not only will Vicki be our last civic mayor, but she is female and she is rural. Those two pluses are amazing.”
Read more:
- Victoria Shopping Centre value falls by more than 80% in 10 years
- 15,000 Harrogate district households could miss out on council tax rebate
Cllr Oldham will be the final ever mayor on Harrogate Borough Council as the authority will be abolished and replaced with a new North Yorkshire Council from April 2023.
Elections to the new council will take place in May.
Outgoing mayor, Cllr Trevor Chapman.
The role of the mayor is to chair full council meetings and represent the borough at ceremonies and events. They also raise money for charities and are required to put their political affiliations aside to be impartial.
Also at last night’s meeting, Conservative councillor Robert Windass, who represents the Boroughbridge ward, was also elected as deputy mayor.
He will take over from Liberal Democrat councillor Christine Willoughby who represents the Knaresborough Eastfield ward.
The new mayor and deputy mayor will be officially sworn in at an annual full council meeting in May.
Menwith Hill to expand with new ‘golf ball’Harrogate Borough Council has granted the Ministry of Defence planning permission to build a new 30-metre high radome and electrical substation at RAF Menwith Hill.
It follows an application last year from the MoD to build three more radomes at the site, which was also passed.
There are now over 30 distinctive radomes, or “golf balls”, at the secretive site. The radomes are believed to house satellites and transmitters.
Washburn Parish Council said it was concerned by the expansion, as well as the detrimental visual impact created by the new radome.
However, it said it “recognises the important security roll” that Menwith Hill plays.
Read more:
In granting the application, council case officer Mike Parkes said the national security benefits of the radome outweighed its “harmful effects” on the Nidderdale landscape.
Built in the 1950s on the edge of Nidderdale, Menwith Hill is the United States’ largest overseas surveillance base.
Since 2000, protestors have taken part in a weekly demonstration outside Menwith Hill, which has been halted due to lockdown.
Sarah Swift, from the Menwith Hill Accountability Campaign group, said:
“We find the expansion of the site and of the base’s operations very worrying indeed.
“We believe that the activities of the base do not enhance the security of our area, our country or our world.”