The Royal Hall in Harrogate is to host a six-hour long free event on May 27 to celebrate its 120th anniversary.
The 950-seat venue, which was originally called the Kursaal, was re-opened by then Prince Charles in 2008 following an £10.7 million restoration.
The Beatles, Yehudi Menuhin and Frankie Howerd are among the stars to have played there.
Music ranging from classical to pop to Gilbert and Sullivan will showcase the diverse acts the Edwardian venue has hosted since it opened in 1903.
Inside the Royal Hall. Pic by Jim Counter
The event, organised by the Royal Hall Restoration Trust, will begin at 10am with music and singing.
From 2pm, the Darren Busby Duo will provide music for line dancing and for those who prefer to waltz and foxtrot, the Harrogate Symphony String Quartet will play from 3pm to 4pm.
Gay Steel, of the restoration trust, said:
“Sit for a while in the grand circle or dress circle and let your imagination take you back to the hall’s Edwardian heyday when visitors would stroll around the building listening to the entertainment on offer.
“The grand hall’s sprung dance floor will be cleared for dancing apart from tables for afternoon tea.”
The dressing rooms will also be open to explore on the day.
The event is free but donations to the restoration trust will be welcomed.
Afternoon tea bookings can be made via the Royal Hall Restoration Trust website here. Alternatively, telephone 01423500500 or email enquiries@rhrt.org.uk.
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Harrogate bus firm prepares to mark 20 years this weekend
A day of free bus rides and a gathering of old vehicles will be held this weekend to mark the 20th anniversary of a local business.
Connexions buses was founded in 2002 by Craig and Julie Temple, who still run the company today.
To celebrate the occasion, Connexions is hosting a running day at Wetherby Racecourse on Sunday, with modern and vintage buses on show. The oldest will be from 1948, with a number from the following decades and one brand-new bus.
Mr Temple said:
“It’s the first time we’ve done anything like this, but as it’s our 20th anniversary I thought we would make a bit of an effort.”
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Having run the business for two decades, Mr Temple said the last few years have been among the most challenging.
As the company began its recovery from the covid pandemic, while an industry shortage of drivers has put extra pressure on.
“Covid has a lot to answer for. It made people realise they could live on less money or they didn’t want to work as much and preferred their time at home with family.
“People have had nearly a year off driving and it’s appalling how rude and aggressive a lot of people are on the roads now. We see it every day.
“When drivers have left us, it’s not for a driving job somewhere else, it’s to do something totally different.”
Rising costs and expectations
Meanwhile, technology has been revolutionised in the last 20 years, while Mr Temple said customer expectations have also risen significantly.
In the last few months, fuel prices have added to the challenges facing the company. Mr Temple said:
“Fuel prices have massively affected us. We’re a relatively small operation – we have a fleet of 40 vehicles.
“We are paying nearly £12,000 a week more than nine months ago.
“It’s incredibly hard because the customers are the only place it can come from. We’re a good alternative to having to pay more for the car fuel, but us having to put our prices up isn’t helping.
“We get what’s called the Bus Service Operators Grant, a subsidy on the fuel, but it’s 10 or 15 years since it was changed, despite the fuel price having increased. It isn’t helping us very much.”
Setting aside the challenges they face, Sunday will be a day of celebration Craig and his team – including his 19-year-old son, who has joined the family firm as a driver.
Free shuttle buses will run every half hour from Harrogate railway station to Wetherby and the racecourse, then on to York.
The gates will be open from 10am to 4pm and anyone is welcome to attend free.