Deluge Fails to Dampen County’s Spirit

Wet weather has failed to dampen the county’s spirit as key festivals and tourism business have declared they will not be beaten by the deluge.

Despite the county experiencing torrential downpours this week festival organisers at the hugely popular Masham Sheep Fair have announced they will open for business as usual this weekend. The River Ouse may have burst its banks but the majority of York businesses are trading as normal including key tourist attractions such the National Railway Museum, the Jorvik Viking Centre and the city’s popular Food and Drink festival. Hebden Bridge, which has been repeatedly hit by the bad weather is open, and has an exhibition highlighting the town’s strength during the recent poor weather at the Heart Gallery. The nationally renowned Ilkley Literature Festival goes ahead as normal as does the Helmsley Folk Weekend.
 

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said:

Yorkshire, like the rest of the country, has experienced extremely high rainfall this week however it doesn’t mean the entire county is closed - far from it. Festivals, towns and businesses are fighting back and it’s extremely important to get the message out there that Yorkshire is not a washout, where possible we are open for business ready and waiting with a warm Yorkshire welcome that won’t be beaten by the wet weather.

Westwood Lodge Ilkley Moor is open as usual.  Local shops,  roads and rail links are open and operating normally 

 

CLA Game Fair At Harewood Cancelled

We hear that the CLA Game Fair due to open at Harewood House on Friday 27th July has been CANCELLED. "Adverse, and worse than predicted weather which has hit Harewood Estate has now defeated all the efforts the organisers have made in order to open the show. Despite weeks of rain the site was drying out well before the deluge of rain on Friday afternoon followed by lighter but continuous rain throughout the weekend. The site is now saturated with water lying in all areas of the showground regardless of the ditches which have been dug to drain as much excess as possible. Vehicle movement is at a stand still other than movement along the 4000 metres of trackway and acres of bark that have been put along all the show rows. The concern is that once the exhibitors, catering units and other show contractors arrive many vehicles would have to drive off the protected areas in order to set up and the ground cannot take it. This would create a safety issue apart from the other issues of vehicles getting stuck or not being able to reach their stands". PLEASE NOTE THAT WESTWOOD LODGE IS VERY MUCH OPEN FOR BUSINESS AS USUAL as are the vast majority of attractions in this part of Yorkshire and (as far as we know) all restaurants, pubs, tea rooms etc. We look forward to welcoming all guests who were planning to attend the CLA Game Fair in the knowledge that there is still lots and lots to do during your stay with us.