How would you like to enjoy an entertaining afternoon of humorous anecdotes from Gervase Phinn and a cream tea at the Old Swan Hotel? And, at the same time, you could be helping to raise funds for the Friends of Harrogate Hospital. Funds which could finance projects such as making a playground, so that small patients at the hospital might actually want to go outside for some fresh air and exercise. For further details, please follow this link. Gervase Phinn
Category Archives: Events
New themed tours of Stonefall Cemetery
On the 5th / 6th / 8th March for International Women’s Day, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) we will be putting the spotlight on some of the female casualties buried at the site. This is a completely new tour about casualties we’ve not spoken about before.
Sister Florrie Prest from Bilton is just one of the female casualties at Stonefall cemetery, who will feature in the tour.
On the 12th / 13th / 14th March the CWGC will be highlighting the casualties from East Africa, Fiji, the Caribbean, Canada, Australia and New Zealand who are buried at Stonefall Cemetery.
More information including booking details can be found here: Commonwealth War Graves Near You: Book Tours | CWG
New venue for u3a meetings.
Congratulations to u3a on its 30th anniversary – unfortunately festivities were curtailed by the pandemic. Open meetings are starting again on the last Friday of the month at the Wesley Centre. On Friday October 29th the talk will be given by Richard Taylor of the Ripon Civic Society entitled ‘No Rest for the Wicked’. Coffee/tea will be served at 10.30, followed by the talk at 11.15am.
Anyone who is no longer in full-time employment is very welcome to join u3a. Please look at the website : u3asites.org.uk>Harrogate for further details and membership application forms . These are also available in The Library. For any enquiries about membership please use the dedicated line 07715 429 249 .
Silver Swans ballet – a highlight for Silver Sunday
On Sunday 3rd October 2021, you can join in a free online one-hour Silver Swans® adult ballet class, specially designed for the over 55s. This event is part of the annual Silver Sunday celebrations, supported by the Sir Simon Milton Foundation, and is a day in the national calendar celebrating older people and their contribution to society.
The free online Silver Sunday event is hosted using Zoom and is suitable for absolute beginners – plus there is no upper age limit. As it is online, there is no limit on location as anyone from the UK (or the world!) can join in. After the hour-long class, all participants can make a cup of tea and join in an informal chat with all the Silver Sunday Silver Swans® attendees. The classes are open to anyone (male or female) – no previous dance experience necessary. Continue reading
Good News! Our Lunch Club is back …..
Tuesday September 14th at 12.30pm Lunch at The Dower House in Knaresborough
Suzanne has arranged for the Lunch Club members to meet at the Dower House at Bond End, Knaresborough. This has been a popular venue in the past and there is space to meet inside and out, depending on the weather. ‘Newly under the helm of Victoria Vasallo Storm restaurant is fast becoming a must visit on the Yorkshire dining scene’. If you would like to reserve a place for yourself (and a friend?), please contact Suzanne Marland by telephone 01423 560384 or e-mail: suzie.marsland@gmail.com Closing date for bookings is August 30th.
Father Christmas will be visiting Harrogate
Harrogate Christmas lights switch on this weekend.
50th anniversary bonfire has been cancelled
The annual bonfire and firework display on the Stray has been cancelled due to the current pandemic restrictions. This would have been the 50th anniversary of the event, which will now be postponed until 2021. Each year the event, organised by Harrogate District Round Table, raises money for charities and local groups.
An opportunity not to be missed
Elizabeth Smith from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission travels around the country talking about the work of the CWGC which maintains all the headstones and memorials to the fallen of WW1 and WW2 throughout the world. As well as talking to groups and school children, last year she conducted two fully-booked Heritage Day visits to Stonefall Cemetery in Harrogate, which included the histories of some of the nearly 1000 air crew members who are buried there.
Elizabeth will be giving free tours of the war graves at Stonefall as part of Heritage Open Days over the weekend of the 12th / 13th September. The numbers are very limited (5 to a tour and only 6 tours) due to Covid restrictions. All tickets need to be booked in advance and the link to book is via the HOD site: https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/commonwealth-war-graves-walk-and-talk-stonefall-cemetery-harrogate
Update September 3rd – All places have now been booked. Thank you for your support.
End of an era
After 30 years of service, the Bookstall newsagents in Harrogate train station is closing. This shop stocked a really comprehensive selection of magazines. It was always handy if you wanted to pop in for something to eat or drink – or perhaps a little light reading for your journey. Not to mention greetings cards, guide books ….. This was a vital part of Harrogate station and will be missed.