All we can ask is ‘where has summer gone this year?’ Only a few warm days at the start of June and then so much rain – everything has grown. We just hope for some sunny dry days so harvest can finish well, as lots of fields look ripe for harvesting.
Since our last Newsletter, we’ve had a superb evening with the illustrated talk by David Beck, and seen the superb book he produced from his paintings of Wainwright’s Fells.
Low Hall Garden was the lifetime work of Pamela Holliday, née Hirsch, who had lived in the house for her 95 years; it was so good to wander around her garden and then be provided with tea and cakes.
Our evening walks this year have had a low uptake and one was even cancelled because of such low numbers. What are we doing wrong? Katie’s walk at Pateley Bridge to Merryfield mines turned into an 8 mile walk with super views of Nidderdale and a welcome ice cream at the end. Thank you to Carol Drinkwater, who was our leader. We all send good wishes to Katie who is not fit enough to lead walks at present. Let us hope for some dry weather for the several walks planned, and thank you to Jenny Goodhand Jones for a very interesting programme of walks.
Nicola arranged a tour around the War Graves at Stonefall. We had a very knowledgeable tour guide who told us many of the back-stories. Only a small group came, so the donation to the War Graves Commission was topped up by Harrogate and the Dales Association, but it was a most interesting morning.
Our second coach trip of the year was to Wallington Hall and Gardens on a wild day with wind and heavy showers. The walled garden however, looked splendid in full colour.
I have made my first planning visit to Warwickshire and found a good hotel and 5/6 National Trust properties. (details later in this newsletter). During the trip I came across works for HS2. What a lot of damage to the countryside, just to shorten the time taken to get from London to Birmingham. I just hope our new government will not allow more greenbelt to be spoiled. It seems questionable to spend billions of pounds on the railway when we need so many more hospitals, health centres and more care for the elderly. We just hope for changes for the good of everyone, and not just talk with no action, to help re-build a better country.
I wish you all good days, with some sunshine and perhaps an Indian summer in September.