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’

How Stean Gorge is urging people to head outdoors in an effort to improve mental health.

The advice comes ahead of  World Mental Health Day, which takes place across the globe on Monday.

The Nidderdale visitor attraction, carved out over thousands of years by waterflow, features an 80ft-deep chasm and underground cave network.

Recently, it has welcomed yoga and wild swimming to its outdoor activities, which include rock climbing, canoeing, abseiling, caving and gorge scrambling.

Above the gorge it also boasts the only Via Ferrata – a series of high wire and zip wires– in Yorkshire; one of just three in the UK.

Tony Liddy, director of How Stean Gorge, in Lofthouse, said:

“It’s proven that children and adults who spend more time in nature are healthier, happier and more resilient. It may be clichéd but it’s proven that nature does have healing qualities, it is our Natural Health Service.”

Studies show being in nature helps to reduce blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension and the production of stress hormones.

Mr Liddy said:

“We’re becoming a bit of a hot spot for natural detoxing, offering a complete escape. Our upcoming Springtime Cleanse will include yoga, wild swimming and gorge walking, whilst our Flow Back to Nature Weekend Retreat offers yoga, Stand Up Paddleboarding and bushcraft. The perfect antidote to stressful, hectic lives.”

Some experts are urging cold water outdoor swimming to be adopted as a public health measure, as it’s proven to help reduce inflammation, which is linked to health issues ranging from heart disease to depression.

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Outdoor activities generally can advance motor skills, lower body mass index, improve muscle strength and generally boost overall health. Mentally, outdoor challenges can improve self-confidence, independence and self-esteem.

Mr Liddy said:

“Taking on physical challenges has huge mental health benefits. Our team of trained adventure instructors encourage visitors of all ages and skill-levels to take the opportunity to push themselves, mentally and physically. It boosts confidence, helps you overcome fears, and is a fantastic stress-buster. Ultimately, it’s about having fun.”

Other proven benefits include better resilience, being present in the moment, boosting creativity and problem solving.

The gorge has recently undergone a major face-lift, expanding its 20-pitch campsite and installing six new eco-friendly chalets with hot tubs and wood burning stoves.

Mr Liddy added:

“We’ve transformed the site with our ambitious expansion plans to cater to the huge demand for adventure tourism. We want to showcase nature’s stunning playground in this unique gorge that has existed for ten thousand years, since the last Ice Age.”

Graded as a triple Site of Special Scientific Interest, the gorge hosts geological formations, features bats hanging from its caves and fossils frozen in its limestone.

We have been bathed in glorious sunshine this week and it feels amazing to get outside and feel the sun on our skin again.

While our sunny disposition may change with the weather, it’s always good to make the most of it while you can – and that includes exercising outdoors.

Because, let’s face it, the treadmill and weights areas just don’t have the same appeal when it’s warm outside.

If you’ve only ever really worked out at a gym, however, you might be wondering how to make your sweat session an al fresco experience.

From wild swimming and cycling to bootcamps and running, here are six outdoor workouts across the Harrogate district to get you out in the sunshine this spring and summer:

Outdoor fitness sessions with Set the Tone Fitness – Ripon and Knaresborough

A Set the Tone outdoor fitness session.

Head fitness coach Stu Clark and his team run outdoor sessions across Ripon and Knaresborough.

You can expect a mixture of cardio and non-cardio exercises and activities, along with fun warm-ups, team and pair work, accompanied by some “excellent tunes”.

The sessions are suitable for all levels of fitness.

Stu said:

“There’s nothing better than breathing in the fresh air and feeling the sun on your back while you’re doing squats or a one-minute plank.

“It makes you feel alive. There’s something about being in amongst nature and hearing those sounds that brings peace and calm.

“You can forget your other pressures and focus on enjoying the outdoors – even if that involves getting a bit of a sweat on and doing more star jumps than you thought possible.

“The sessions and are great fun. After all, laughter is great for your stress levels and may lower blood pressure.”

Parkrun – Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon

A parkrun in Harrogate from 2015.

Parkrun sees runners of all abilities take part in a 5km run every Saturday morning.

It holds three events in the Harrogate district: on The Stray in Harrogate, at Conyngham Hall in Knaresborough and at Fountains Abbey in Ripon.

It offers an opportunity for all the local community, regardless of age or gender, to come together on a regular basis to enjoy the beautiful green spaces and get physically active at the same time – and best of all, it’s free!

Read more:

• Harrogate district set to become health destination in echo of Victorian past
• Four wellness retreats in the Harrogate district to re-energise mind, body and soul

Wild swimming – various locations

Ben Pitts tests the waters at Janet’s Foss in Malhamdale.

Wild – or outdoor – swimming has enjoyed increased popularity in recent years, with more and more people even braving the elements and swimming throughout the seasons.

If winter swimming sounds a little on the chilly side, then luckily late spring and early summer is a more favourable time to start.

Wild swimmer Ben Pitts, from Harrogate, said:

“I started back in 2019 with a friend from work. For some reason we decided November would be a great time to start, so there was actually frost in the shaded part around the lake. I’m pretty sure we were only in there for a minute, but that was long enough.

“I wanted to get into it after reading about the benefits of it in one of Ross Edgley’s books.

“The mental clarity you get from being in the cold and the rush of energy once you’re out are fantastic, so it’s not hard to see why more people are getting into it with everything that has been going on. It also increases your white blood cell count, which helps your immune system.”

Swimming outdoors is a great way to stay fit and connect with nature, but some basic safety precautions must be taken.

When it comes to locations, a good place to start is here.

Cycling with The Personal Cyclist, Harrogate area

Head outside on a bike with confidence – even if you don’t know where to start.

If you’re anything like me and you love the idea of heading out on a bike, but have no idea where to start, The Personal Cyclist offers cycling confidence coaching and personalised guided cycling tours in and around Harrogate.

Founder Kate Auld said:

“Cycling outdoors with the wind in your hair is one of the best ways to see the world, get close to nature and get a cracking workout in the process.

“You can’t check your phone and just ‘switch off’, you have to really engage with your surroundings and that’s what makes it magic.

“Often people who haven’t ridden for years just need a little extra support to cycle safely and socially. It’s a myth that you need to have all the gear (or go fast) to reap the benefits of cycling outside.”

Ready Steady Mums walking group – Harrogate

Ready Steady Mums brings new parents together once a week to walk together.

In Harrogate, simply going for a weekly walk around The Stray has been a lifeline for dozens of new parents, who bring their babies along to get out of the house and make friends at what can be a very isolating time.

Formed in 2016, the volunteer-run group offers “friendship, support, cake, fresh air and fitness” and meets at St Mark’s Church, just off Leeds Road, at 10am every Friday.

It is free to attend and there is no need to book. I’ve heard amazing things about the homemade cakes!

Bootcamps with Lauren Randall Fitness – Harrogate

Bootcampers get stuck in at “The Ranch”, just outside Pannal.

Personal trainer Lauren coaches at the biggest outdoor gym space in the area, just outside Pannal, complete with a full gym rig and plenty of kit – perfect for adult PE.

Sessions at “The Ranch” are 45 minutes and focus on everything from weight lifting technique to cardio endurance to sport specific training, catering for all levels of fitness.

Lauren said:

“Research continues to prove that being outdoors and around nature improves mental health, lowers blood pressure, improves mood and relieves stress.

“Combine that with the endorphin release and plethora of benefits of exercising and you can’t go wrong.

“The winter weather can make it more challenging to get outside, but you’ll soon notice a surge in outdoor activities and better moods.”

Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats have called on the government to introduce a sewage tax to raise money to clean rivers.

The party said a 16% tax on water companies would help to create an emergency fund to improve rivers which had sewage dumped into them.

The Stray Ferret reported in November that Yorkshire Water released raw and untreated sewage into Harrogate district rivers and becks on 3,800 different occasions in 2020.

The worst affected local river is the River Nidd, prompting health concerns from wild swimmers that use the river in Knaresborough.

Water companies are legally allowed to release sewage through overflow pipes when the sewage system becomes too full, which can happen during increased rainfall.

Read more:

• River Nidd a ‘potential health risk’ after MPs’ vote on sewage
• Raw sewage released into Harrogate district rivers for 36,000 hours last year

The Liberal Democrats highlighted that Yorkshire Water made an operating profit of £241 million last year.

Hannah Gostlow, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Scriven Park in Knaresborough, said:

“Rivers should be safe for sustaining wildlife, swimming and leisure. They are a precious source of drinking water for some. 

“So why are they filled with raw sewage and human waste, destroying them for decades to come?

“It is disgraceful to see a company which pollutes our local rivers with sewage make so much money last year. I think Yorkshire Water should pay to clean up the mess they make here. This Conservative government is once again too slow to act and doing nothing to protect our local rivers.”

The Stray Ferret contacted the Conservative leader of Harrogate Borough Council, Cllr Richard Cooper, to ask for his response to the proposal. He referred us to the council press office. We await a response.

Wild swimming has become more popular in recent years among people who prefer swimming in rivers and lakes than inside buildings.

Knaresborough woman Miranda Newbery is among those who have taken up the sport. She started last year during lockdown and says feeling connected to nature whilst exercising gives a sense of freedom and changed her life.

Ms Newbery currently swims in the River Nidd with friends once or twice a week but says pollution levels have become an increasing concern.

Last summer she introduced her children to wild swimming. They later fell ill and although she cannot be sure it was due to pollution she has since bought them snorkel-like masks to wear.

Swimming with a friend in Ullswater

She said:

“It makes me nervous, of course I couldn’t prove it was because of the water but it gives us all so much pleasure I don’t want to stop the kids doing it.

“The river is key to Knaresborough and used by so many. It is something we should look after with our politicians working to protect it too.”

The state of rivers has been a hot topic since MPs voted last month against an amendment to stop water companies, such as Yorkshire Water, pumping raw sewage into British rivers.

Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough was among those who voted against the amendment. He later said he would support a new amendment to the Environment Bill that would reduce sewage in waterways.

Read more:

• Harrogate firm EnviroVent sets 2030 net-zero target
• Cycling campaigners stop in Harrogate on 500-mile tour to Glasgow

Failed pollution tests in Nidd

The Stray Ferret spoke to other local residents last week who echoed Ms Newbery’s views and called for action to reduce pollution in local rivers.

Jacqui Renton, from Knaresborough, who swims in the Nidd as part of her training for a British championships open water swimming competition, said the Nidd had failed water pollution tests and was “a potential health risk”.

Nevertheless the swimmers plan to keep plunging into the Nidd.

Ms Newbery says she’s shared laughter and heartbreak with other wild swimmers over the last year and encourages people to give it a go.

“There is something about the combination of the cold water and being in the beautiful natural surroundings that we are blessed with in Knaresborough that is truly restorative.”

“It’s a mindful practice and sharing that with friends is so special.”

Team ‘SwimyourChannelswim’ is ready to complete its charity relay across the English Channel after three cancellations due to covid and bad weather.

Friends Andrea Stark and Jacqui Hargrave decided to do the relay for charity but needed two more team members. They convinced Jonty Warneken and Richard Powell to join.

Each swimmer has chosen a separate charity to donate support.

Jacqui Hargrave is donating to Saint Michael’s Hospice, Andrea Stark is donating to the Samaritans, Richard Powell has chosen Combat Stress as his charity and Jonty Warneken is donating to Open Country.

After each cancellation a team is required to complete a qualifying exam in 16 degree waters for 2 hours. The team is determined, however, and has re-qualified for the relay after every cancellation.

The team gets ready in Whitby.

Swimming the English Channel requires great stamina, it can take the team 12 to 14 hours to complete the relay.

According to the Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation, keeping away from shipping lanes and strong waves can add hours and miles to the relay with the longest recorded time being 29 hours.

Other dangers of swimming across the English Channel include sewerage, changes in weather, strong waves, jellyfish stings and hypothermia.

Jacqui said “my biggest worry is seeing a shadow in the water and being like, ‘what is that!'”

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Jonty preparing for the English Channel

Team leader Andrea Stark said how the team came together:

“Jacqui and I committed ourselves to taking on the Channel Challenge before we got any older and bits of us start falling off. We managed to persuade Jonty and Richard to make up a team – it’s now or never!”

Jonty Warneken said why he is donating to Open Country:

The sister of adventurer Bear Grylls is taking on her own challenge – in the waters of the River Nidd at Knaresborough.

Lara Fawcett, 54, has set herself the challenge of swimming for five minutes, three times a week throughout February, aiming to raise £50,000 for charity.

She is supporting the Archbishop of York Youth Trust, which works in partnership with schools, churches and communities to support young people to develop their leadership skills, confidence and character-building. Through its Young Leaders Award, it has enabled more than 100,000 young people from 850 schools to learn and practise social action will help them transform their communities.

Lara said:

“This cause is very close to my heart as it empowers young people from across our communities. Plunging in icy water is a literal wake-up call.

“We can’t forget our young people. It’s been widely reported lockdown has a detrimental impact on their confidence and mental health, and yet we will be relying on them to demonstrate character and leadership to help rebuild communities.

“They are the answer to society’s most pressing problems by being the change they want to see in the world – from leading the green agenda, to becoming the next generation of teachers, business leaders and politicians.”

She said youth services across the UK are under severe strain following a decade of funding cuts, amounting to £1bn. A £500m Youth Investment Fund promised by the government has been delayed by the covid crisis.

Read more:

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Recent National Youth Agency research has found that one in four youth charities are on the brink of collapse, unable to meet their costs beyond March. Dan Finn, chief executive of the Archbishop of York Youth Trust, said:

“The Covid-19 pandemic has left communities devastated and I urge the government to do as much as they can to support youth services like ours. By putting character education into practice through meaningful social action, young people are displaying acts of kindness and are petitioning for change all over the country. Lara’s fundraising efforts will help us support even more young people to become leaders now, and in the future.”

Wild swimmer Lara Fawcett in the River Nidd (Photo: Gary Lawson)

For her #FrostyFeb challenge, Lara, who lives in Wetherby, has chosen designated safe wild swimming areas of the River Nidd and River Ure in North Yorkshire and is encouraging other experienced cold-water swimmers to join her. Alternatively, anyone who can’t get out into open water is invited to take part by having an ice bath or lying in the snow for one minute and making a donation to the charity.

Lara added:

“Both Bear and I are passionate about supporting youth services: Bear is the Chief Scout and I am a Trustee for The Archbishop of York Youth Trust. We as a society need to do as much as we can to empower young people from all walks of life, to aim high, be the best they can be and become the next generation of leaders, which we need more than ever before.”

To donate to Lara’s fundraising challenge, click here.