The Harrogate Club has honoured its longstanding member, Harrogate historian Malcolm Neesam, by naming its dining room after him.
The club on Victoria Avenue, which dates back to 1857, provides a variety of events, dining, and social occasions to members and their guests.
Mr Neesam was at the club today for a special lunch to mark the naming of the dining room, which is now called The Malcolm Neesam Room, and to unveil the latest Harrogate Civic Society plaque.
The plaque, close to the footpath on Victoria Avenue, gives details about the club, why it was set up and what it stands for.
The historian had a hand in designing the civic society’s first Harrogate plaque at Tewit Well in 1971. The latest plaque is the 89th to be installed in the town by the group.
Harrogate Civic Society has a website and app with walking trails between different plaques.
L to R: Stuart Holland (Harrogate Civic Society), Janet Chapman, Malcolm Neesam, Kevin Parry (The Harrogate Club), Trevor Chapman.
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The club’s president, Kevin Parry, said it wanted to honour Mr Neesam for his contributions to the venue and to the town over many decades by naming its refurbished dining room after him.
It was officially unveiled by the mayor and mayoress of Harrogate, Trevor and Janet Chapman.
Mr Neesam gave a typically interesting and humorous talk to around 30 people who attended.
Some of his speech is below:
“The club’s early members were deeply embedded in the life of the town. Most notably was in the Great War, when the club opened its doors to army and navy servicemen.
“I have done guides to the club, and people ask, ‘what does the club actually do?’ Actually, the club does nothing, it’s the members who do it.
“When I joined the club, it was male-only and the conversation could be terrible. The quality has improved immeasurably since females joined!
“The club will continue to thrive, continuous of younger members joining whose views may be very contrary to the established membership, but they represent the future and their views will triumph in the end, as has always been the case with the club.
“I have always valued above else the fellowship to members, not just to me.
“No better example than that is the wonderful plaque which I do not deserve. It touches me very much, and to the heart, that the club has done this wonderful gesture.”
