Upcoming Events

A guided walk around the Cemetery. The walk will be lead by local historian and Society member Dr Paul Jennings.

Grove Road cemetery was consecrated in 1864, described then as having 'a charming beauty, solemn stillness, and sacred grandeur'. It was to be the last resting place of Harrogate people from all walks of life. This guided walk looks at the history of the cemetery and a selection of graves reflecting that diversity. It is a short, level walk, accessible to all, of just over an hour.

Meet at the Grove Road entrance cemetery. There is on-street parking nearby.

A visit to Long Lands Common near Bilton (https://www.longlandscommon.org/) where we will learn about this exciting community-owned woodland project. We will also hear from Knareborough Forest Park (https://www.knaresboroughforestpark.org/) about their plans and fund-raising to acquire 60 acres of greenbelt land linking Long Lands Common and the Nidderdale Greenway. There will be a tour of key Long Lands features and members can explore the site as much as they wish.

Access is on foot or by cycle but disabled access by vehicle can be provided on request for those with mobility issues. There is an area with limited seating, which can be used for part of the talk or for anyone who may not be up to walking around the site.

Mark your diaries, because the Harrogate Civic Society is once again coordinating with a growing and varied group of hosts across the town to open heritage sites and buildings, and to lead talks and tours, during the national Heritage Open Days festival in September.

There will be no glossy printed programme this year, so check back here https://www.harrogatecivicsociety.org/heritage-open-days-hods from 1 August to see what’s on in Harrogate - or to download the timetable of events, which will be updated regularly here for any late changes.

Full details of the festival, with a searchable database of events across the country, is here: https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/.

Ogden of Harrogate, since 1893 one of the town's most prestigious and creative family businesses, will be welcoming Members of the Harrogate Civic Society to its 38 James Street premises for three private viewings of an extensive exhibition of artefacts relating to the business and most fascinating family history.

Bespoke vintage pieces will be on display in original Georgian display cases in the Regency Room, and there will be a look behind-the-scenes at its in-house workshop.

Hosted by two of the fifth-generation family members, guests will learn about James Roberts Ogden’s interests in archaeology and his work with Howard Carter to test and replicate ancient objects found in the 1922 discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb, and with Sir Leonard Woolley at the excavations of the Royal Graves at Ur.

Due to capacity constraints, these viewings will each be limited to 12 Members. Tickets must be booked on Eventbrite - details will be posted here from 1 August - and will be free-of-charge and limited to two tickets per booking.

These viewings are for Members only, and will take place one week after similar free-ticketed events are held for the public as part of Heritage Open Days. Members are therefore requested not to claim tickets for those HODs events.

Friday 15 September, 10:00 to 11:30
Tuesday 19 September, 15:00 to 16:30
Thursday 21 September, 15:00 to 16:30

Access: There is chargeable metered on-street parking in James Street and nearby roads. The premises has a lift but some areas that are not normally open to the public are not wheelchair accessible.

Enquiries during booking period (from 1 August): Diane Davenham at Ogden’s on 01423 504123 or pa@ogdenharrogate.co.uk.