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19
Apr 2025
Sunday Picture Quiz Answers: April 19
Here are the answers to this week's Sunday Picture Quiz. How well did you do?
1. Turkish Baths, Harrogate
Harrogate's Turkish Baths are just about the only remnant left of the town's old spa facilities – but what a remnant!
To relax in the tiled, painted – and rather steamy – surroundings of the baths feels rather like being transported back in time, to an imperial past when whiskered men discussed affairs of state in the buff, before buttoning themselves back into their starched collars in time for lunch.
The baths were completely refurbished and restored during 2004 and 2006, and remain today the only Victorian Turkish baths still operating in England to have been built during Queen Victoria's reign.
They are housed within the Royal Baths complex, which was designed to be the "equal if not superior to any of the kind in existence" and was opened in 1897.
The Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant is the only other occupant of this magnificent building, as sadly the other units – formerly taken by the Viper Rooms nightclub and the Tourist Information Centre, among others – are all currently vacant.
2. Mechanics Institute, Kirkby Malzeard
Kirkby Malzeard Mechanics' Institute was founded in 1848, and the building in the picture was built as a home for it in 1852, funded by voluntary subscription.
Its purpose was to provide working men with somewhere to learn, and the building incorporated a library and reading room.
The first rule of the organisation states:
...the object of this Institution is to provide facilities for intellectual improvement and recreation; for the diffusion of literary, scientific, and general knowledge; and also by bringing together and uniting in one common purpose, all parties, of whatever shade of opinion, to strengthen and extend that general good feeling, so essential to the well being of Society.
Nowadays, it serves as a village hall and hosts all kinds of events and classes, inclusing pilates, yoga and quiz nights.
3. War memorial and pump, Lofthouse
This lovely old pump dates from the 18th or19th century, but was remodelled in 1920 by a local stonemason, who added a memorial to the men of the parish who died in the Great War.
On two sides of the pillar are inscriptions that read:
One pint of cold water three times a day is the surest way to keep doctor away. Whoso thirsteth, let him come hither and drink.
...and...
If you want to be healthy, wealthy and stout, use plenty of cold water inside and out. Let animal and man drink freely.
The other two sides accommodate a tap and the inscription to the war dead.
4. Statue of Blind Jack, Knaresborough
Blind Jack is one of Knaresborough's most famous historical figures. Born in 1717 near Knaresborough Castle, John Metcalf contracted smallpox at the age of six and was left blind. But he defied expectations, becoming a local guide, musician, expert horseman, stagecoach operator, army recruiter and roadbuilder.
Today, there's a pub, Blind Jack's, named after him and, appropriately enough, a road too. John Metcalf Way is the portion of the A658 between Buttersyke Bar roundabout on the Leeds Road out of Harrogate, and the Kestrel roundabout on Wetherby Road.
Too easy or too difficult? Let us know what you think of our quiz by contacting us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.
Please do send us tricky pics of the area that we can include – and we'll credit your contribution. Thank you!
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