
HARROGATE
Civic Society
Archive Society Events

Wildlife and ecology of RHS Harlow Carr
10:00 am
23rd April 2024
RHS Harlow Carr
Red kites, song thrushes, greenfinches and great tits were among the birds that came out in song to greet 23 Harrogate Civic Society members on a private visit to RHS Harlow Carr. They were joined by Andrew Willocks, RHS horticulturalist and our expert guide. Andrew’s tour focused on the wildlife and ecology of the site but he was also generous to answer the widest range of horticulture questions that members raised.
We learnt that the avian life above the gardens is joined from time to time at ground level by badgers, foxes, stoats, water shrews and even deer, and that the birds, bees, butterflies and other wildlife numbers are monitored and recorded in national databases.
Our tour soon passed the former mid-19th century Harlow Carr Hotel & Spa (Harrogate Arms), closed to the public since 2014 but which had its informal re-opening as a brand new RHS-managed café the day before our visit. Andrew highlighted some of the significant re-landscaping nearing completion, noting the target to increase biodiversity in this area by 30 per cent. The ongoing challenge to manage drainage throughout the gardens was a consistent theme: one tip we were given was to plant willow to reduce soil erosion and control moisture levels.
We stopped outside the Bramall Learning Centre and Library to inspect the heat-loving Afghan sage beds; we were told about the tufted ducks that arrive in summer to nest on the lake’s island; and we then proceeded to view a magnificent newly-completed sandstone bridge. Andrew explained to us the RHS’s “Wild About Gardens” campaign, and we were all encouraged to follow a "No Mow May" policy for our lawns.
Gloomy skies, chilly April air, and drizzle competing with feeble rays of sun didn’t faze any of us and after two hours admiring and learning about the fauna, flora and landscaping, our guide delivered us to the front of the Harrogate Arms. After a group photo, little effort was needed to encourage us inside for a hot drink, bite to eat, and a sit down, with a chance for members to chat and compare notes on what they’d discovered during a most informative, enjoyable and sociable visit.
The Society’s thanks go to Andrew Willocks and the RHS Harlow Carr team for welcoming and looking after us. As the visit was over-subscribed, we'll seek to repeat it next Spring.

AGM 2024
7:30 pm with refreshments from 7:00 pm.
16th April 2024
St Pauls' URC Church Hall
It was standing room only at our AGM on 16th April, with a record attendance of over 70 members. Fortified by a glass of wine (or tea, coffee or water), the members dealt with the business of the meeting. Our outgoing Chair, Stuart Holland, summarised the many events and activities that had ensured a busy year for the committee, who were supported by members of the sub-groups (Planning and Development, History, Communications and Events).
The election of the new Committee took place with Andrew Brown, David Siddans, Henry Pankhurst, Chris Dicken (Treasurer) and Angela Fahy (Secretary) remaining in place. New committee members, Tony Thorndike, Nick Brennan, Michael Laycock, Paul Fennimore, Brian Dunsby and Mike Newby, were elected. Stuart Holland retired from the committee, as did Susan Amaku (after an admirable 25 years of committee membership), leaving the posts of Chair and Vice Chair vacant. Members approved the proposal that Andrew Brown would become an interim Chair, with Mike Newby as Vice Chair. Mike will step in to the Chair role after a period of handover to him, at which point a new Vice Chair will be appointed for the remainder of the year.
Henry Pankhurst thanked both Stuart and Susan profusely for their time in office and gifts were presented to recognise their work on the committee; flowers were also presented to Chris Holland in recognition of the support she had provided to Stuart.
The meeting then heard three short talks from members of the Society. Barry Adams bemoaned the approach of North Yorkshire Council to the town centre, which appears to be largely dictated by traffic engineers and consultants who have little idea of what makes Harrogate special, and then set out some of his vision for the future. David Rhodes talked of Harrogate’s historic significance as a spa, albeit one that only dated back to the eighteenth century, and suggested that this should be used as the basis for future developments. He also reminded us of a number of key anniversaries that will occur in the next few years and suggested that they were all worthy of celebration. Finally, Paul Hatherley argued that visions were of limited use unless they could be turned into reality and explained how the Society, together with Zero Carbon Harrogate, was exploring whether there was the appetite for a Neighbourhood Plan that would help to define the town’s future.
The evening closed when Andrew Brown thanked the three speakers and all those who had been involved in the organisation of what had been a very successful event.

Using the census and other local studies resources
10:30 am to 12:30 pm
11th April 2024
Harrogate Library
Inspired by the popular talk about the census given to society members by Dr Paul Jennings on 20 February, this practical hands-on session, in the top-floor local studies area of Harrogate Library, attracted an eager group of ten members, the maximum that space would allow. All were keen to begin or progress their own family, house or other local history research.
Paul was on hand to offer guidance, including in the use of the computer terminals to gain free access online to Ancestry for the census and other records, and demonstrating how to use the census on microfilm. Angela Fahy, secretary of the society and regular volunteer at the library, described the variety of printed materials, some stored in the basement and awaiting cataloguing, that exist to aid our research. Ian Rogers, who volunteers at the library one morning a week, providing a drop-in advice service for the public seeking help with family history research, also kindly joined us. Old Harrogate street maps, books about the census, and a recently-donated album of old colourised photos of Harrogate were brought out for us to examine.
Some delved into online census records to aid their family history research, several wanted to learn about their house's history and focused on the old street directories and maps, while others explored the folders of old photos of the town. Members soon got caught up in their studies, as one discovery led to another, and so the event went on longer than planned. The society is grateful to the staff at Harrogate Library for welcoming us and reserving a room for this most interesting and educational event.
Kevin Hales

Allerton Waste Recovery Park 2024
10:00 am