
HARROGATE
Civic Society
Upcoming Events
Most Harrogate Civic Society Talks are free to members, with a £5 suggested donation for non-members.
See individual event details for location - most talks are at the West Park URC on Victoria Avenue.
Events are now booked via the Trybooking website - each event will have a link which incorporates the booking code. Follow the link to book your place. Thank you.
Christmas Social
3pm
6th December 2026
St Wilfrid's Parish Hall
Our annual Christmas Social. Always a great time to meet other members and chill out before Christmas.
Booking link to Trybooking website : https://www.trybooking.com/uk/GTRG

The Show Must Go On; Behind the Scenes at the Harrogate Flower Shows
7:00pm for 7:30pm start
13th January 2027
West Park Centre, West Park URC, Victoria Avenue
Nick Smith, director of the Harrogate Flower shows, will give an illustrated insight into the organisation of two of the highlights of the Harrogate year continuing the wonderful floral tradition of the town.
Booking link to follow

Montague Burton - the Tailor of Taste
7:00pm for 7:30pm start
9th February 2027
West Park Centre, West Park URC, Victoria Avenue
Jeremy Burton will talk about the life and achievements of his grandfather Sir Montague Burton from his arrival in England as a refugee from Russian oppression in 1900 until his burial in Harrogate in 1952.
Booking link to Trybooking website : https://www.trybooking.com/uk/GTTN

The Good, the Bad and the Lovely: Harrogate’s Urban Landscape.
7:00pm for 7:30pm start
9th March 2027
West Park Centre, West Park URC, Victoria Avenue
Harrogate’s urban landscape is unique, unusual and fascinating. This illustrated talk by Harrogate born geographer Michael Goodliffe will look at the history, layout and architecture of this still thriving northern town.
Booking link to Trybooking website : https://www.trybooking.com/uk/GTTO

Espionage – the Silent War
7:00pm for 7:30pm start
14th April 2027
West Park Centre, West Park URC, Victoria Avenue
Speaker: Peter Holmes
The Silent War has raged continuously since the end of WW2. But what is Espionage and how does it operate? Peter, who has served as an electronic warfare operator, will also explain the role bases such as Menwith Hill play in supporting the UK’s defence and intelligence related priorities.
Booking link to Trybooking website : https://www.trybooking.com/uk/HHPP

Swinton Castle - revisited
12:00pm
6th May 2027
Swinton Estate, Near Masham
This beautiful house near Masham in Wensleydale, bought with its surrounding estate by the Bradford industrialist Samuel Cunliffe-Lister in the 1880s, also has a Harrogate connection as Harrogate College (later the Ladies' College) spent the years 1939 to 1946 there when the school was requisitioned by the Air Ministry.
We will have a guided tour of the house, now a country hotel, by the present owner, Mark Cunliffe-Lister, and look at an exhibition of photographs of the girls' time there.
The cost of tour and refreshments is £22.50 per head. You will need to make your own way to Swinton, about three-quarters of an hour's drive from Harrogate, car sharing where possible.
Booking arrangements will be circulated nearer the time as there are limited numbers.

AGM & Harrogate BID
7:00pm for 7:30pm start
18th May 2027
West Park Centre, West Park URC, Victoria Avenue
Speaker: Jason Maxwell; Harrogate BID
Harrogate BID - making Harrogate the best it can be
Harrogate Business Improvement District was formed on 1st January 2019. The work of the BID aims to support, safeguard and improve Harrogate for businesses, visitors and residents alike, to make the town the best it can be.
Jason Maxwell was appointed as Chief Executive Officer in March 2026 having spent more than seven years leading Stockton BID and most recently working within the Economic Growth team at Hartlepool Borough Council.
Booking link to Trybooking website : https://www.trybooking.com/uk/HHPX

Harrogate and the bicycle: the best thing before sliced bread.
7:00pm for 7:30pm start
9th June 2027
West Park Centre, West Park URC, Victoria Avenue
Speaker: Harry Satloka
Join Harrogate’s resident wally in a waistcoat, Harry, to discover the crucial role Harrogate played in cycling history, where these contraptions came from; and how it resulted both in the greatest British cyclist of all time and a drunken brawl through the hotels of Harrogate.
Booking link to Trybooking website : https://www.trybooking.com/uk/HHPZ