Forum Events 2022
January 27th Forum Meeting 2-4pm ‘Not for the Faint-hearted’ A talk by John Shackleton.
John will tell us about his exploits while trying to deliver over 30 ambulances and 2 fire engines, as well as other vehicles, to over 25 countries, over the past 30 years.
February 8th 12.30pm Lunch at the Empress Pub
A wide variety of pub food catering for any size of appetite and reasonable prices. Located at 10 Church Square, on the Stray neat Christ Church – No. 1 bus stop nearby. To book a place, please ring Suzanne 01423 560384.
March 24th 2-4pm Forum Meeting ‘The 18th Century Water Gardens at Studley Royal’. Followed by our AGM
Mike Bevington will give an illustrated talk about the water gardens and their history.
This will be followed by our Annual General |Meeting.
Tuesday May 10th 12.30pm Lunch at ‘Inn at Cheltenham Parade’ 26 – 30 Cheltenham Parade
English food – good reviews. Please ring Suzanne to book 01423 560384 Closing date for bookings May 3rd.
Thursday May 19th Day Trip to Whitby We regret that this event has had to be cancelled
Oh! I do like to be beside the seaside ….. So, how about a trip to the seaside to enjoy some fish and chips? You’ll have plenty of time to explore the town or wander along the beach at your leisure. Cost £23.50 per person (coach only). The coach will leave Harrogate Library at 9.15am and Knaresborough at 9.30am. Leaving for home at 4.30pm.
If you would like to book a place for yourself or a friend, please complete the booking form and return it to Ann Hill, 14 Bond End, Knaresborough, HG5 9AQ by May 12th 2022.
Thursday May 26th Forum Meeting 2 – 4pm ‘Could you be benefitting?’ and ‘Out and about’
Jim Bowley, Welfare Benefits Officer for Harrogate Borough Council, will talk about the current benefits system. You’ll be able to find out if you are missing out on any benefit payments, as he outlines the different benefits including universal credit, pension credit, housing benefit and council tax reduction, and explains how to apply for them.
Following Jim’s talk, there will be a presentation by Melissa Burnham, who is the area manager for Harrogate District in charge of delivering the North Yorkshire County Council’s policy for access. This policy includes traffic calming measures such as the Beech Grove project, Bond End junction amendments and the proposed Station Gateway project. As well as specific projects, there are also every day services to be maintained such as winter road gritting, parking and pothole repairs.
Tuesday June 14th 12.30pm Lunch at Sasso Restaurant, 8 – 10 Princes Square
Renowned Italian fine dining Restaurant. Two courses £15.95 Please ring Suzanne to book 01423 560384 Closing date for bookings June 7th.
Thursday June 23rd Trip to Himalayan Gardens, Grewelthorpe, Ripon Cancelled
The garden is home to an extensive collection of rare rhododendrons and Himalayan plants, nestled among a mass planting of showy hybrids. Perennials complete the picture later in the season creating a characterful understory and knitting the whole garden together. There is a cafe for tea/coffee and light refreshments.
Unfortunately this visit has had to be cancelled due to lack of support. Our programme of day trips is organised for your enjoyment. If you have any suggestions for increasing the number of people who might like to participate on these outings, please contact Ann Hill on 01423 861795.
Tuesday July 12th 12.30pm Lunch at Cedar Court Hotel – The Tipi on Stray Park Parade
The Tipi is in the grounds of Cedar Court Hotel a popular venue especially in Summer. Heaters and blankets are available but hopefully we won’t need them! Please ring Suzanne to book 01423 560384 Closing date for bookings July 5th.
Thursday July 21st Trip to Richmond and a guided tour around ‘The Georgian Theatre’
‘A Georgian Gem’ built by actor-manager Samuel Butler in 1788, this is the most complete Georgian theatre remaining in Britain. Today it seats just over 200 people but it used to house up to 400 rowdy spectators! The distinctive courtyard-style auditorium has three different levels and no seat is more than 10.7 metre from the stage. This wonderful building is not just an historic novelty for visitors to look round. It is still used as a theatre today.
We will arrive in Richmond about 11am then you can have coffee or lunch and wander around the town or maybe visit the castle. We will meet up again at 2.15pm to start the tour at 2.30pm. Afterwards, time permitting, you may have time for a cup of tea before our journey back.The coach will depart from Harrogate Library at 9.30am and York Place, Knaresborough at 9.45am. Cost 26.50 per person. To book a place for yourself or a friend, please complete the booking form and return it to Ann Hill, 14 Bond End, Knaresborough, HG5 9AQ by July 1st 2022.
Thursday July 28th Forum Meeting 2 – 4pm ‘The Red Cross’ followed by a defibrillator tutorial
Most of us are aware of the humanitarian role of the Red Cross internationally, but are we aware of it’s role in the UK? At this meeting, we will hear all about the services the Red Cross provides, locally and nationally.
Following the presentation, there will be a tutorial on the use of external defibrillators. There is increasing publicity about how the prompt use of a defibrillator can save the lives of people who suffer a cardiac arrest. This session should provide an opportunity for you to find out how to use a defibrillator and will highlight the in-built safeguards.
Thursday August 18th Trip to Shibden Hall and Bankfield Museum
This is a visit to Shibden Hall, near Halifax, where the ‘Gentleman Jack’ television series was filmed. When we arrive we have time for a coffee. There will be a land train to take us up to the house for those who do not wish to walk up as there is a slight incline. There will be a talk before we go around the house. I have been informed that there are only stairs to the upper floor. When you have finished you will be able to have lunch in the Lakeside Cafe.
We will meet all together for the coach journey (10 mins) to Bankfield Museum at 2pm. They have a costume exhibition ‘As seen on TV’ which is new this year, as well as their own costume exhibition and further displays. There is a small cafe with light snacks and drinks if you wish to rest a while. We will be leaving Halifax about 4pm.
The coach will depart from York Place, Knaresborough at 9.15am and Harrogate library at 9.30am. Cost per person £25. To book a place for yourself or a friend, please complete the booking form and return it to Ann Hill, 14 Bond End, Knaresborough, HG5 9AQ by August 4th 2022.
Please note change of event:
Thursday September 22nd 2 – 4pm Dancing for Well-being and Social event
Jackie Terry-Schumann, Director of Dancing for Wellbeing, has been a popular visitor to our meetings previously. So, it is lovely that she is able to return to help us dust of our sequins and dancing shoes once again.
Dancing for Well-Being is ideal if you find other dancing or exercise classes too much, for example, if you have mobility or balance problems, if you use a walking aid or a wheelchair, or if you find co-ordination or remembering moves difficult.
- You can dance SITTING orSTANDING
- You can move at the level to suit your abilities and limitations
- You don’t need a partner
- You don’t need a good memory.
The dancing will be followed by refreshments and a social event.
Tuesday November 8th 12.30pm Lunch at The Ugly Duckling, Knaresborough.
This is a first time visit for the Lunch Club. The restaurant is situated by the road bridge overlooks the River Nidd. Easy to access via the no. 1 bus and get off at the stop for Mother Shipton’s cave.
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November 24th 2 – 4pm ‘Scalpel to Spade and Beyond
Helen Gleave will give a presentation which tells the story of her remarkable career, from being one of very few female trainee surgeons, to becoming a consultant, and then holding national roles with healthcare regulators. Helen and Chris then realised Nature was in trouble, and set up Make it Wild to do their bit to help. Helen will explain what they do and why.
Thursday December 1st 2 – 4pm Seasonal Beetle Drive - Cancelled
This event will be instead of a Christmas Trip this year.
Come and join us for a Seasonal Beetle Drive. It’s a Beetle Drive with a twist, the twist being they are not Beetles but Reindeer and Snowmen. There will be prizes for the winners and booby prizes for losers. We will be serving mince pies and Christmas cake with a cup of tea when we have finished.
Please send cheque for £5 made out to HDOFF and send to Ann Hill, 14 Bond End, Knaresborough, HG5 9AQ (Tel 01423 861795)
Tuesday December 13th 12md Christmas Lunch Mountbatten Suite, Cairn Hotel, Harrogate
2 COURSES – £18.00 per person (includes gratuity) (Menu to follow)
To book a place please contact Suzanne Marsland, 37 Church Square Mansions, Harrogate HG1 4SS (01423 560384). A cheque for £18 per person (payable to H.D.O.F.F.) should arrive by Tuesday November 29th 2022.