Young farmer given chance to run Washburn Valley farmYorkshire Water has appointed a new tenant for a farm it owns near Swinsty Reservoir, as part of a scheme to encourage young farmers and sustainable land management.
The company announced the starter scheme last year amid concerns about the lack of farmers aged under 40.
It revealed today it has appointed 23-year-old Robert McAneney as the first tenant under the new scheme.
Yorkshire Water will rent Scow Hall Farm in the Washburn Valley to Mr McAneney for five years.
It will then help him find a permanent residency and rent the farm to another tenant for five years as part of the company’s Next Generation programme.
Mr McAneney grew up on his family small-holding and currently works on an arable and Christmas tree farm in Darlington.
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View of Swinsty Reservoir from Scow Hall Farm
He plans to keep a flock of Oxford Down sheep and Cheviot mules alongside other livestock at Scow Hall Farm.
Mr McAneney said:
“I’m really excited to start this new chapter. When I got the call from Yorkshire Water I was at work, out in the fields ploughing – my life changed overnight, and I immediately started planning what I want to do at Scow Hall Farm.
“To have this kind of opportunity at this age is amazing, and the team at Yorkshire Water have been really supportive. I’m most looking forward to being able to develop Scow Hall Farm into a more sustainable farm and increase my flock to substantial numbers.”
Yorkshire Water’s Next Generation programme was created as part of its Beyond Nature scheme, which supports farmers with sustainable land management.
Solar farm proposed for SpofforthYorkshire Water could build a solar farm on its wastewater plant near Spofforth.
The company has submitted an environmental impact assessment to the council for its site on Ribston Road, near the village.
The plans are still in their early stages and it has not been decided how much space to allocate for the solar panels.
Yorkshire Water, which is the second largest landowner in the county, plans to develop energy at 150 of its sites as part of a plan to become carbon net-zero by 2030.
A spokesman for the company said the sewage farm would continue to operate alongside the solar panels.
He added:
“Many of Yorkshire Water’s treatment works include land that could be used for different purposes, such as ground mounted solar arrays.
“These allow us to maximise the value of otherwise unused land, while providing renewable energy to offset the consumption of existing on-site assets.”
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In November the company submitted proposals for a similar solar scheme at its sewage works in Bilton.
The plans attracted concern from Leeds Bradford Airport, which said in its consultation response that the panels could dazzle pilots.
Alert motorist averts double road closure travel chaosRoad users in the Ripon and Boroughbridge areas have been spared potential travel mayhem today thanks to a sharp-eyed motorist.
Paul Stockburn, who lives with his wife Sandra in Copt Hewick, noticed both North Yorkshire County Council and Yorkshire Water were due to have diversions in place on the same day.
Copt Hewick is located on the outskirts of Ripon between the Dishforth and Boroughbridge roads.
Mr Stockburn told the Stray Ferret:
“Every household in the village received a letter from Yorkshire Water giving advance notice of an eight-week programme of pipe replacement work that would close a section of Dishforth Road between New Road and Strait Lane. That work started last week.
“Enclosed with the letter, was a diversion map showing Boroughbridge Road as the crucial alternative route for Copt Hewick road users to follow.
“Then I saw yellow signs put in place at both ends of the bridge on Boroughbridge Road that crosses the River Ure near Ripon Racecourse, saying that the bridge would be closed for a day on 19 January, so that inspection works could be carried out.
“I thought, does this mean that an extra one day diversion for diverted traffic would need to be put in place – and where would it be diverted to?”
The Yorkshire Water road closure sign on Dishforth Road (above) and the North Yorkshire County Council sign, which has now been removed
“What made this confusing situation even more ridiculous was a paragraph in the Yorkshire Water letter about the Dishforth Road closure, which read: ‘We understand that these works will be inconvenient, which is why we’ve liaised closely with North Yorkshire County Council highways department regarding every aspect of this essential scheme.'”
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The Stray Ferret raised Mr Stockburn’s concerns about the confusing and apparently contradictory advice on the Yorkshire Water and NYCC’s respective road closure signs.
Yorkshire Water said it would look into the matter — then diverted the Stray Ferret to NYCC.
Melisa Burnham, highways area manager, for North Yorkshire County Council, said:
“As Yorkshire Water is undertaking an eight week programme of works on Dishforth Road our contractors have agreed to reschedule the one-day bridge inspection. We will remove the advance warning sign as soon as possible. We apologise for the concerns this caused.”
When told the potential double diversion road closure chaos had been averted, Mr Stockburn, said:
“I have let as many people as possible in the village know the good news – including one gentleman in his 80s, who was wondering how he was going to get to Harrogate for his covid vaccination.”
Muddy footpath at Swinsty closed amid safety fearsYorkshire Water has closed a temporary footpath at Swinsty reservoir that has drawn complaints about it being too muddy to use safely.
The footpath was introduced last month while maintenance works takes place on the usual route.
The closure will continue until the £6m works are completed in summer 2022.
It means there will no longer be a circular walking route at the popular beauty spot, which many people from the Harrogate district visit over the festive period.
The Stray Ferret reported how a pregnant woman had to be rescued by a passing family after she struggled to walk the diversion.
The company has employed marshals over the break to offer advice to visitors on safety issues, including parking if the car parks become full.
A spokesperson for Yorkshire Water said it expected Swinsty to be busy over the festive period and the diversion south of the reservoir, which went through farmer’s fields, had become too muddy.
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Yorkshire Water is encouraging walkers wanting a circular route to visit Fewston instead.
A Yorkshire Water spokesperson said:
“As a result of ongoing engineering work at Swinsty reservoir the circular route around the reservoir is no longer available.
“We have put up signs around the site to inform people of the closures. The circular walk around nearby Fewston reservoir is still available.
“Additionally, extra colleagues will be on hand at Swinsty over the festive period, which is expected to be busier than normal, monitoring car parking at the site and advising people of the closures.”
An updated map of the current walking routes at Swinsty is below:
Pateley Bridge farm wins national award for eco effortsA farm near Pateley Bridge has won a national award as recognition for its environmental efforts over the last four years.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) chose Humberstone Bank Farm as the rural and land winner for its social impact awards.
Jonathan Grayshon took on the tenancy of the farm from Yorkshire Water in 2016 and hoped to become a leading example of sustainable farming.
Since taking on the farm they have planted, with the help of volunteers, around 6,000 trees.
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It is a large farm with 904 hectares of protected moors, grazing land, traditional hay meadows, a wildlife and sediment pond as well as Belted Galloway cattle for conservation grazing.
The judges said of Humberstone Bank Farm’s work at the awards:
“At a time of huge change for the rural sector, we felt that Humberstone Bank Farm was a real exemplar as to what could be achieved on many levels.
“The collaboration between landlord and tenant in terms of land management to manage aspects such as flood risk in the environment, is an innovative approach.
“We believe Humberstone Bank thoroughly deserves to be a winner.”
Of the award win, Lisa Harrowsmith, lead surveyor at Yorkshire Water said:
“As one of the region’s largest landowners, our land strategy is to ‘deliver exceptional land for Yorkshire, forever’ and Beyond Nature plays a key role in that.
“The RICS award is a recognition that we are heading in the right direction to deliver on our ambition and make a lasting difference for future generations.”
Pregnant woman rescued from Swinsty Reservoir diversionA pregnant woman had to be rescued by a passing family after she struggled to walk the Swinsty Reservoir diversion on Saturday.
Helen Riley, who is in the early stages of pregnancy, thought she was going for a quick stroll on her usual route around the reservoir.
She set out in the afternoon with some firm walking boots and soon found the diversion but did not realise how muddy it has become. She said:
“Some of the route is simply impossible to walk. If that family wasn’t there to help I don’t know what would have happened. I was in tears when I eventually got back.”
Yorkshire Water introduced the diversion last month. It is due to be in place for 18 months while £6 million safety works take place.
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The company warned the route was uneven and “sometimes wet” and therefore unsuitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs.
However, many readers have expressed concerns about its suitability and Helen told the Stray Ferret the warnings do not fully reflect the reality:
“The rain, the cows and the number of walkers have made the route difficult to walk. My boots were covered in mud and it came up to my shins at some points.”
Yorkshire Water is diverting excess water from the reservoir to Lindley Wood reservoir to protect the embankment from flood erosion.
A spokesperson for the company told the Stray Ferret:
“We’re aware that the diversion footpath at Swinsty reservoir has become slightly difficult to navigate – with some areas very muddy.
“We are speaking to North Yorkshire County Council about ways they may be able to improve the public right of way.”
Yorkshire Water also encouraged anyone worried about the diversion route to visit other nearby reservoirs, such as Fewston and Thruscross.
Portable cabin removal restores Ripon festive cheer
A portable cabin parked near Ripon’s Christmas tree on Market Square has been removed.
The cabin appeared two days after the city’s biggest ever display of Christmas lights was switched on and somewhat spoiled the view.
Councillor Stuart Martin told Monday’s virtual meeting of Ripon City Council the cabin had been moved following a request to Yorkshire Water, which ordered the cabin as part of sewer repair works at the junction of Market Square East and Kirkgate.
Cllr Martin, who is also a district and county councillor, said:
“If, as expected, the lockdown is lifted on December 2, the works will be halted until the New Year.”
Ripon spent an extra £65,000 on Christmas lights this year, with the tree in the market place the centrepiece of the attraction.
The Market Square has been a major focal point in Ripon since the 12th century and is one of the most famous landmarks in the Harrogate district.
When the sewer works began, cllr Martin told the Stray Ferret:
“It is not right to put this slap bang in front of a Grade II* listed building, next to the Christmas tree. This has obviously caused a lot of upset.
“The positioning could have been better.”
Work on the sewer repairs at the junction of Market Place East and Kirkgate
Following Cllr Martin’s intervention, Harrogate Borough Council asked Yorkshire Water to find a more appropriate place for the cabins.
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In the spirit of making the best of a bad situation, people on an online Ripon community group suggested decorating the cabins as giant presents or as Santa’s sleigh.
Another wrote:
“We have so little to look forward to this year. Surely it’s not too much to ask to be able to take a photo of our beautiful square!”
Swinsty reservoir footpath diversion ‘too muddy to walk’A visitor to Swinsty reservoir last weekend has complained that the new temporary footpath is already too muddy to walk.
Yorkshire Water announced last week the footpath would close for 18 months to allow it to undertake £6 million safety works.
The company warned the route was uneven and “sometimes wet” and therefore unsuitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs.
It added walkers should wear “suitable footwear” but it seems even those with sturdy boots and wellies may need to find a new walk for the time being.
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A Stray Ferret reader, who asked to remain anonymous, contacted us on Sunday to say his family walk deteriorated into a quagmire. The reader said:
“This diversion is really not well thought out. We will not be doing it again as the ground is only going to get worse over the coming months.
“I am surprised that Yorkshire Water has suggested the route. It needs reassessing as it is not fit for purpose.”
‘Swinsty is the busiest it has ever been’
The reservoir, in the Washburn Valley, is a popular location for families and dog walkers in the Harrogate district.
Graham Hebblethwaite, the chairman of Washburn Parish Council, today told the Stray Ferret it had never been busier – and this was causing problems.
“I have lived here for all my life and this is the busiest that it has ever been. Lots of people are parking on the verges and wrecking them.
“That leads to issues with the emergency services trying to get through. It also means that locals have been clashing with visitors.”
Mr Hebblethwaite even said some locals were planning to move to escape the issues.
Yorkshire Water is diverting excess water from the reservoir to Lindley Wood reservoir to protect the embankment from flood erosion.
A spokesperson for the company told the Stray Ferret:
“We’re aware that the diversion footpath at Swinsty reservoir has become slightly difficult to navigate – with some areas very muddy.
“We are speaking to the North Yorkshire County Council about ways they may be able to improve the public right of way.”
Yorkshire Water also encouraged anyone worried about the diversion route to visit other reservoirs, such as Fewston and Thruscross.
Fears solar panel farm in Harrogate could dazzle pilotsPlans for a five-acre solar panel farm in Harrogate have attracted concern from the aviation industry that it could dazzle pilots flying to and from Leeds Bradford Airport.
Yorkshire Water has submitted initial plans to Harrogate Borough Council to erect panels at its Bachelor Gardens sewage works in Bilton.
George Graham, airside operations unit supervisor at Leeds Bradford Airport, said in a written consultation response on behalf of the airport it would like to review the scheme against aviation safeguarding criteria. He added:
“Specifically we’d review the application with a view to understanding the potential glint and glare risk and its impact on aviation activity.
“Harrogate is a published visual reference point for aircraft operating into and out of Leeds Bradford Airport using ‘out of the window’ navigation and as such we’d like to safeguard against any potential threat to airline safety.”
Mr Graham added the airline would need to conduct an initial review before deciding if a formal glint, glare assessment was necessary.
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Yorkshire Water, which is the second largest landowner in the county, plans to develop energy at 150 of its sites as part of its bid to become carbon net zero by 2030.
A spokesman for the company said the sewage farm would continue to operate alongside the solar panels.
Yorkshire Water has applied to the council for an environmental impact assessment screening opinion to determine whether the project would be likely to have significant effects on the environment. It has yet to submit formal a formal planning application.
A spokesman said:
“Many of Yorkshire Water’s treatment works include land that could be used for different purposes, such as ground mounted solar arrays.
“These allow us to maximise the value of otherwise un-used land, while providing renewable energy to offset the consumption of existing on-site assets.”
Swinsty Reservoir footpath to close for 18 monthsYorkshire Water it to close a footpath at Swinsty reservoir and introduce diversions over the next 18 months as part of £6m safety works.
The reservoir, in the Washburn Valley, is a popular location for families and dog walkers in the Harrogate district.
Work on the reservoir’s east bank spillway is due to start on Monday next week and be completed by summer 2022.
The project will divert excess water from the reservoir to Lindley Wood reservoir to protect the embankment from flood erosion.
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Yorkshire Water said in a statement:
“As the route is on uneven and sometimes wet ground, it is not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs – walkers are advised to wear suitable footwear and keep dogs on leads.”
Mark Allsop, customer liaison advisor at Yorkshire Water, said:
“This ensures that the reservoir can continue to play its part in supplying drinking water to the homes of millions of customers in Yorkshire.
“The investment will reinforce the structure and protect the area in the face of extreme weather.”
The water company worked with local landowners and North Yorkshire County Council to map out the footpath diversion.