Well-known Harrogate figure joins complaints against plans for new fountain in Valley Gardens

Mrs Beryl E Dunsby, a former organiser of Harrogate Christmas Market and business partner of Brian L Dunsby, former chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said she supported concerns raised by model boaters such as Claro Model Boaters over the council project to build a fountain in the beautiful park's boating pond.

"The pond is one of our favourite spots and was enjoyed by our own children with their own home-made wooden boats some decades ago.

"On Sunday we happily spent a while sitting on one of the many new seats around the pond's perimeter, watching families with their radio-controlled boats.

"Many other families of all age-groups were around the pool, doing likewise.

"We love the model boaters but a fountain would ruin this well-loved and free facility.

"Instead, we may have to be entertained by a monotonous mechanical fountain which will be expensive to design, manufacture, install and maintain, ultimately being paid for by local taxpayers."

But Harrogate Borough Council says their intentions are good and boaters fears are misplaced.

A council spokesperson said: “We will be installing a new fountain next year to help aerate the water and improve it cleanliness, once the hosepipe ban has been lifted.

“It will also provide another distinctive area for people to enjoy and complement the award winning floral displays, Himalayan and Japanese gardens, Grade II listed Sun Pavilion and Colonnades, and games and attractions currently on offer.

“The fountain is supported by Friends of Valley Gardens and will be controllable once installed.

"If it is problematic for the model boating club, we would be happy to discuss it with them to ensure it can be enjoyed all visitors of Valley Gardens.”

But the Friends of Valley Gardens says, while it welcomed the idea in principle, in practice it has concerns about the new fountain.

Friends Trustee Andrew Jordan said: “From a maintenance and purification of water point of view, the fountain is a good idea but it has to be the right fountain for the site and for the other users of the boating lake.

“We looked at the situation and we didn’t think the original plan would work.

"There wasn’t enough depth of water for the scheme they were proposing. We thought it was just an idea.

“The whole purpose of the boating pond is model boating – I know Harrogate Borough Council wants to reduce costs but before the scheme goes ahead they’ll have to get the agreement from the boaters.

“Boating really enhances the Valley Gardens.

"The model boats are stunning – you can see the time and effort that goes into them.

Open to everyone all year round 24 hours a day, the Grade II Listed Valley Gardens contain a greater number of mineral springs than any other known location.

Once known as Bogs Field, there are believed to be 36 different mineral wells in the popular park.