Volunteers from Harrogate library have been turning back the clock on the town’s historic landmarks.
The team have worked with a local photographer to compare what Harrrogate looked like in the early 1900s to today.
Most of the work is currently on display at the library and will be until the end of July but the volunteers have also shared others on social media.
Our featured image shows the boating pool in Valley Gardens, which was taken by a Mark E. Mitchell in 1930.
It shows a few small sail boats in the water, which has clearly captured the imagination of visitors to Valley Gardens.
Today’s image, which was taken by Jonathan Turner, captures a much quieter boating lake in October 2020. The project has also captured life in the coronavirus lockdown.
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The below image shows the former J.Chippindale & Co shop taken by Asquith & Son in the early 1900s.
Today’s image shows how the building is now occupied by the Cardamom Black restaurant, with cars replacing the scores of bicycles on display.
The building has stood the test of time.
The Then and Now project was funded by a £5,000 grant from Libraries Connected Yorkshire and Humber.
Using photo editing software freely available on the library PCs, volunteers were able to produce side-by-side and composite images.
Cllr Greg White, the executive member for libraries, said:
“We’re really pleased with how the project has developed at Skipton, Scarborough and Harrogate.
“I understand that feedback from the groups was extremely positive.
“They all enjoyed learning about the history of their town and connecting with its past, and gained new skills using the free photo-editing software.”
Did you know that the Stray Ferret has teamed up with Harrogate Historian Malcolm Neesam to produce audio walking tours of Harrogate? The walks are sponsored by the Harrogate Business Improvement District (BID) and take you back to the Golden Age of the Harrogate Spa and a walk through the Commercial Heart of Harrogate.
Why not take a walk back in time and learn about Harrogate’s glorious past.. They’re easy to do and a great day out. For more information click here.
