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19
Oct
New society launched to bring Harrogate's spa heritage back to life
A new organisation has been launched in Harrogate with the ambition of reviving the town's spa heritage.
Harrogate Spa Society, which was recently incorporated as a community interest company (CIC), brings together work across water, nature, health, culture, heritage and design with the intention of turning Harrogate into 'Britain's Living Spa'.
Founder and director George Eglese said the organisation "draws inspiration from the pioneering and experimental spirit that once made Harrogate one of Europe's great spa destinations".
Left: George Eglese. Right: Harrogate's motto, Arx celebris fontibus, seen here on the side of the Royal Pump Room, means 'citadel famous for springs'.
The society brings together several years of research, creative projects and collaboration with organisations and individuals across the town.
Mr Eglese said:
Harrogate was built on an extraordinary spirit of discovery, invention and experimentation. Its mineral waters gave rise to an entire culture of health, nature, architecture, entertainment and international exchange.
Too many of the places and traditions that made Harrogate extraordinary have been neglected, but their potential remains.
At a time when we're rethinking our relationship with nature, health and the places we live, historic spa towns have a remarkable opportunity to lead again. Harrogate has all the ingredients, and this is an opportunity for the whole town to help shape what comes next.
The society's vision has also been informed by recent visits to some of Europe's historic spa towns, where Mr Eglese saw how their distinctive cultures, landscapes and traditions are being renewed for contemporary life.
At the heart of the society's vision is Harrogate Cure, the society's public-facing cultural programme, which will see a new season of activities unfold throughout 2027.
The society proposes a new vision called the Harrogate Cure, which could be showcased in a refurbished and reglazed Crescent Gardens pavilion. Image: Harrogate Spa Society.
A press release issued by the society states:
Bringing together art, music, nature, movement and discovery, the Cure will celebrate Harrogate's unique spa landscape and revive the spirit of experimentation, creativity and international exchange that once defined the town.
Harrogate Spa Society's wider work includes Spa Commons – an initiative to explore the restoration and renewed use of Harrogate's historic spa buildings, mineral springs, gardens and public spaces – and Harrogate Wildbelt, a landscape vision connecting the town's rivers, valleys, woodlands and green corridors.
Map of the Harrogate Wildbelt, as proposed by George Eglese.
Early priorities include exploring a new public role for the Crescent Gardens pavilion, researching and mapping Harrogate's mineral springs, developing a growing archive of the town's spa history and culture, and continuing its work on the Harrogate Wildbelt.
The society is also developing relationships with researchers, cultural organisations, environmental groups and other spa towns across Britain and mainland Europe, creating opportunities for collaboration and the exchange of ideas.
Mr Egelese added that further projects, events and opportunities to get involved would be announced over the coming months.
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