Riverside Grassington » Yorkshire Dales

The Stepping Stones Project in Skipton

Cathy Parry — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 09:43:21 +0000

Last year I commented to a neighbour on how lovely their hanging baskets looked and they explained how they’d bought them from the Stepping Stones Project in Skipton. I’d never heard of the group so decided to find out a bit more.

Apparently the group started in 1999 and is a day service for adults with learning disabilities. There are between 15 and 20 adults with learning disabilities on the project, all of whom are referred through social services and come on a part or full time basis. Others offer their time as volunteers. It strives to build the confidence of the vulnerable adults through gardening with the intention of enabling them to move on to different things. New skills are developed such as using a variety of equipment, including petrol lawn mowers and strimmers, which opens up new opportunities.

The Stepping Stones Project also encourages independence and attendees are encouraged and nurtured to enable them to access the group on their own using public transport. Skills to use in the home are also promoted, for instance cooking activities. The project is much more than a gardening group with long lasting effects on vulnerable people’s lives. The group is also interested in is other community groups, such as people with mental health issues so that it opens its doors in a sense and becomes more of a community-based project. Engaging in physical work, including working with plants can help people with a range of health issues.

My Neighbours Hanging Basket

The project is situated at the bottom of Aireville Park, which is really a wonderful setting near the canal. The site used to be a nursery but had become run down and overgrown and had to be completely renovated. The transformed area has a pond with a sensory area, a fruit and vegetable growing area and poly-tunnels for bedding plants, including hanging baskets.

The group has grown from strength to strength including having the brilliant success for ‘Stepping Stones in Bloom’, beating 30 others in their category to win a Gold Award in the RHS Yorkshire in Bloom Competition.

So when you need hanging baskets give them a call and be ready to be amazed.

By Cathy Parry

Cathy Parry is the owner of two holiday cottages set alongside the picturesque River Wharfe. You can view them on her website www.riversidegrassington.co.uk and connect via Facebook www.facebook.com/RiversideGrassington.

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The Tour de France 2014 – Grassington

Cathy Parry — Mon, 22 Jul 2013 10:23:03 +0000

Cycling around Grassington in The Yorkshire Dales

What a fantastic base or stopping point as part of a touring holiday. Exploring The Yorkshire Dales by bicycle gives you the opportunity to either use the network of minor roads or for the more adventurous the ‘green lanes’, byways and bridleways -there are over 800 km (500 miles) with some testing climbs and challenging descents.

This is the ideal way to discover the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales as well as having the opportunity to visit the array of local tea rooms and public houses to savour well-earned homemade cakes and perhaps a pint of locally brewed beer. This is the place for all abilities with the option of riding on the valley bottoms perhaps as a family group or for the more experienced rider that extra challenge of the Yorkshire Dales Cycle Way 210km (130miles). (The National Parks Authority along with North Yorkshire County Council is undertaking the re-signing of the route showing their commitment to encouraging cycling).

The Tour de France 2014

What an exciting time to enjoy cycling at whatever pace you choose, including being a spectator. The first two stages of the world’s awe inspiring road cycling race, the Tour de France, will be visiting the Yorkshire Dales National Park in July 2014. The sponsor vans travel the route ahead of the cyclists handing out a wide variety of freebies and offering miles of entertainment in anticipation of the ‘main event’. The crowds will be buzzing and the atmosphere electric. This will be something very special and an opportunity you don’t want to miss. Securing this event has taken a lot of hard work and commitment by a team of dedicated people led by Welcome to Yorkshire. Showcasing this wonderful part of the country to the rest of the world the Tour goes through Threshfield literally minutes from Grassington village. Consequently, there couldn’t be a better time or place to visit.

By Cathy Parry

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Dining out in Grassington

Cathy Parry — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 10:07:13 +0000

An evening in Grassington and wondering where to dine?

Grassington village in the Yorkshire Dales may not be very big but there are many options to choose from if you want to eat out during the evening. There really is something for everyone with the village being home to several excellent pubs and restaurants.

The Devonshire Hotel is comfortable with excellent food, which can be eaten in the restaurant or bar. The landlord offers a friendly welcome and fine ales. As well as the extensive a la carte menu there are separate steak and fish nights. An early bird menu is also available and a kids choice.

The Black Horse Hotel. The landlord offers a range of fine ales and meals can be eaten in the bar or for a more relaxed dining experience in the restaurant. Fresh local produce is used in the wide variety of traditional English fayre as well as a selection of vegetarian and fish dishes to delight your taste buds.

The Foresters Arms. A good selection of traditional ales and meals served in the bar or restaurant area. This is a lively establishment, which has a welcoming atmosphere. As well as a varied a la carte menu and daily specials board the chef also offers pizzas to eat in or take away.

The Grassington Hotel is a little bit of luxury in the centre of the village. Call in for a drink or eat in the restaurant. The chef uses fresh local produce twinned with international speciality ingredients when preparing dishes for the mouth watering menu.

Rozi’s Tandoori House may be small but what fantastic food it offers. The staff are friendly and welcoming and the chef prepares very good meals at very reasonable prices. Not only a restaurant, (bring your own alcoholic drinks) but also a take away.

Only a short walk away are; The Old Hall at Threshfield or The Fountain at Linton and a little further afield is the well-known Angel at Hetton.

Come to Grassington in the Yorkshire Dales and be spoiled for choice or just be spoiled!!

By Cathy Parry

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Fishing on the River Wharfe in Grassington.

Cathy Parry — Thu, 30 May 2013 08:39:38 +0000

The River Wharfe is a wonderful sight whatever the weather. The name Wharfe is Celtic and means ‘twisting, winding’. It rises near Beckermonds, in Langstrothdale, at the head of Wharfedale and flows some 60 miles through the the wonderful scenery of the Yorkshire Dales to meet the Yorkshire Ouse at Cawood. For much of its length it forms the county boundary between West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire.

The stretch through Grassington is beautiful and varied as it winds its way down under the bridge, which carries the B6265 over the River Wharfe between Grassington and Threshfield. The bridge itself has an interesting history with one of its most notable claims to fame being it was the place where the murderer Tom Lee was hanged in the 19th century.

As well as enjoying the river’s beauty and power, fishing is proving ever popular, particularly fly fishing. Generally the preferred methods on the Wharfe are upstream dry fly fishing as well as upstream and downstream wet fly and nymph fishing. Fishing permits can be purchased from Grassington Post Office for £20 per day and £3.85 per day (£10 for 8 days) for a Rod Licence. There are said to be large stocks of wild brown trout in the Wharfe and it would be hard to find a better river in the country for fly fishing. Apparently a 4lb+ Brownie is caught nearly every year on fly with the best being 10lb+!!. But The Yorkshire Dales River Trust is not complacent and plans to make substantial enhancements to the river over the next few years. These include pollution control and easing erosion.

So come and enjoy fishing in the Wharfe and see if you can beat 10lbs. The challenge is set…..

By Cathy Parry

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Things to do in Grassington, Yorkshire Dales

admin — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 07:39:21 +0000

Wondering what to do when you visit Grassington? Well of course there are the wonderful walks by the river but that’s just the beginning. Enjoy fishing, horse riding, climbing, canoeing, cycling and running. The scenery is stunning, which adds to the activity you choose. But what about the village and what it can offer you on a day to day and evening to evening basis. The wide variety of shops, pubs and restaurants mean you don’t need to leave the village. There are:

ladies and gents fashion shops for all ages and tastes
a dress agency, which also specialises in hiring evening wear, prom dresses and hats
outdoor shops stocking a wide range of walking, camping, cycling and running gear
delightful book shops
traditional sweet shops
newsagent which also sell lottery tickets
an array of linen and gift shops selling an imaginative selection of gifts
an off licence selling a comprehensive range of beverages
a mini supermarket
a delicious deli, which sells amongst other delights fantastic sandwiches
a bakery with breads and naughty but very nice cakes and confectionary
a local butcher selling prime cuts, including locally sourced meats
a hardware shop selling everything you might need from pets foods to oven gloves
florists to treat yourself and those you love
a very friendly post office with a wide selection of greetings cards and gifts as well as a free cash machine
a range of friendly and welcoming churches
cafes to suit everyone’s tastes and pockets
pubs with fine ales and wines
restaurants serving wonderful food ranging from traditional English meals to the more exotic, as well as one providing cookery courses
a library and information centre
a bank with free cash machine
a garage and petrol station in nearby Threshfield
leisure facilities including gym and pool 1 mile away at Long Ashes
This is all on your doorstep as well as:
a doctors
dentists
fire station
ambulance station
post depot
schools and pre-schools
Of course these are just the basics. There a myriad of social events you can be involved in including:
weekly pub quiz nights
meetings of different societies….too many to mention both during the day and evenings
groups for children and young people
movie nights in the town hall
productions starring the Grassington Players
annual pantomime
Grassington festival
Dickensian weekends

You can do as much or as little as you want. It’s all here……..just enjoy.

By Cathy Parry

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Grassington Festival 14th-29th June 2013

admin — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 08:07:20 +0000

Grassington Festival – 15 days of Music and Arts in the Yorkshire Dales

Grassington Festival is a fortnight of exciting events for all the family. It has now been running for 33 years and in that time has provided some outstanding entertainment from high class artists.

Previous artist have included Billy Ocean and Alan Davis. This year they include Jules Holland and Jack Dee. But this isn’t just about bringing performers to Grassington but also about showcasing some of the exceptional local talent, for instance last year Skipton Girls’ High School Chamber Choir and Bradford Grammar School Concert Band entertained crowds. The unique combination of performances, live music and visual arts means no one will leave our beautiful village disappointed.

Every year during the last two weeks of June, Grassington is a cultural haven, which not only provides concerts and a range of performances including, dance, music, street theater and workshops but also walks, talks and creative challenges. Events take place in the large marquee, town hall, local pubs, churches and streets. This year (2013) the two weeks are themed around the weather with an opening parade of umbrellas and the town hall transformed into a feast of weather. The festival team listen to audiences and in response this year are providing a classical tour with a rich and varied program of classical music as well as the wonderful Black Dyke Brass Band. The local community takes great pride in being involved and endeavors to give everyone a chance to learn something new, enjoy something familiar and be actively involved in a fantastic fortnight. There is something for everyone and to suit every pocket. Don’t miss out on a sensational two weeks of entertainment in one of the most beautiful parts of the country.

By Cathy Parry

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