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15
Jan 2022
Family’s involvement in Harrogate charity ends after 100 years
A Harrogate charity has said goodbye to one of its trustees after 42 years, ending a century-long family connection.
At its latest AGM, Vision Support Harrogate District gave a special thank-you to Bob Sergeant for his long service, bringing to an end his family’s involvement since the organisation’s early days.
Bob joined in 1979, following in the footsteps of various family members including his father, Russell Sergeant, after whom the charity’s drop-in centre in East Parade is named.
Russell Sergeant
The Sergeants first became involved with the Harrogate Society for the Blind, as it was then known, in 1923.
The organisation had been founded two years earlier to support local soldiers returning from the First World War with visual impairments caused by mustard gas.
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Bob’s grandparents, Henry and Marion Sergeant, were near neighbours of the charity’s founder Miss Fripp, who lived in Spring Grove.
Henry had a shop on James Street, where Waterstones is now situated, and offered to display and sell basketry work made by visually impaired people.
Henry Sergeant
Henry went on to become vice chairman of the charity for six years from 1932, while Marion continued to be involved as a committee member.
Later, their son — and Bob’s father — Russell, became a trustee, serving as secretary, chairman and president before being made honorary president in 1993. Russell’s sisters, Jean, Alison and Joyce, were volunteers at the charity’s social centre, while Jean’s husband Les Topham was on the committee.
Volunteers essential
Looking back over nearly a century, Bob said he was proud of his family’s connection and honoured to have been personally involved for so long. But he praised the hard work and commitment of many others in ensuring the society’s longevity and success. He said:
Bob said some of his highlights included the fundraising garden parties at Dacre Banks and the yearly trip to Scarborough for visually impaired people and their carers.
End of an era
He remembers big events like the annual Christmas party at The Lounge Hall, now Wetherspoons, which welcomed around 400 people. It was funded by the society, with transport arranged by the Rotary Club. He said:
Bob and his wife, Mary, still intend to be involved with the society in the future, but his resignation from the committee marks the end of an era as their two sons live too far away to continue the Sergeants’ active contribution. He said:
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