An exhibition dedicated to local historian Malcom Neesam is currently on display at Harrogate Library.
The Public Library, The People’s University exhibition features about 40 works by local artist Matt Wyatt – including a portrait of Malcom Neesam and a written tribute to him.
Mr Neesam, who was regarded Harrogate‘s foremost historian, died last year on his 76th birthday.
He grew up in Harrogate and spent most of his life working as a librarian and archivist, with a passion for writing about the town’s rich history.
Mr Wyatt said:
“The show is dedicated to Malcom Neesam with his portrait and written tribute on display.
“Visitors are invited to make art to add to the display and write reviews giving feedback and critiques. This encourages creativity from the viewers should they wish to explore this.”
The title of the exhibition draws on a conversation between Mr Wyatt and Mr Neesam, he added.
The artwork is in a variety of mediums – including oil and acrylic paintings, collages, photographs and writings – and aims to celebrate how the library serves our community.
Some of the works on display, including a portrait of local writer Joel Dean and the Odeon Harrogate.
Various community groups, including Harrogate Writers Collective and Harrogate Film Society, are also signposted throughout the exhibition.
In addition, there are more than 100 pieces of work by local people and school pupils to enjoy. Visitors are invited to create and add their own artwork to the display to “encourage creativity”.
Mr Wyatt told the Stray Ferret:
“It aims to build community, local culture and bring more people to enjoy the library.”
The library exhibition is free to enter and is located on Victoria Avenue.
The exhibition is on display now and runs until Saturday, November 4.
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Odeon packed for 90-minute archive film of Harrogate district
A 90-minute programme of archive footage of the Harrogate district has once again packed out the Odeon.
Two extra screenings were fully booked yesterday after tickets for September’s original viewings were also snapped up.
It means almost 1,000 people have watched the curated footage now.
The programme, which features clips held at the Yorkshire Film Archive in York, was commissioned by Harrogate’s Civic Society and FIlm Society.
It shows Harrogate and Knaresborough celebrating coronations in 1937 and 1953, the opening of the Odeon Cinema and Dustin Hoffman in Harrogate during filming of the 1979 film Agatha.
1970s fashion, Harrogate style
It also features the Harrogate Spa in 1930s, local railways in 1962, including the Ripon line that closed six years later, Knaresborough’s zoo and aquarium in 1968, the Knaresborough bed race in 1977, Disability Action Yorkshire, the Harrogate flower show and the Great Yorkshire Show, including a visit by the Queen in 1957.
Some of the highlights are available through the Yorkshire Film Archive website.
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Archive film of life in Harrogate district returns for extra showings
Harrogate on Film returns to the Odeon cinema in March after two sold-out screenings last October.
The additional showings are a second chance to see a 90-minute programme put together from footage held at the Yorkshire Film Archive in York.
The film was commissioned by the Harrogate’s Civic Society and FIlm Society. It includes a mix of amateur and professional footage, featuring rare shots from the opening of the Odeon Cinema and the filming of an Agatha Christie movie in the 1970s.
Audiences will also view clips from the 1937 and 1953 Coronation celebrations, the Great Yorkshire Show, the Harrogate Spa in 1930s and rail-travel in the 1960s.
The film combines footage from major events with scenes from everyday life. A sneak peak is available through the Yorkshire Film Archive website.
Stuart Holland, chair of Harrogate Civic Society, said:
“There is so much passion shown by residents of both Harrogate and Knaresborough to learn more about our history, and I know this screening will not disappoint”.
There will be two showings on March 27, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.
Tickets are available through the Harrogate Film Society website, with discounts for Harrogate Film Society members, as well as members of Harrogate and Knaresborough Civic Societies.
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Harrogate Film Society’s 66th season set to begin
Harrogate Film Society will begin its 66th season on Monday next week with a showing of the South Korean film Parasite at the town’s Odeon cinema.
It will be the first of 15 critically acclaimed and diverse films from around the world, many of which are rarely shown on big screens in the UK.
The society, which stages films every fortnight at the Odeon, also organises social evenings and discussions after selected films.
Next week’s season opening film is followed by His Name Is Green Flake, The Great Beauty, Just Mercy, Saint Maud and Pain and Glory, plus more.
Committee member Jan Garvey said:
“After a difficult year due to covid, we are so happy to be putting on a full programme of 15 films.
“We believe that good films are best enjoyed in a cinema, on a big screen, with a good sound system and in the company of others.”
Annual membership, which costs £45 and is available to anyone aged 16, provides entry to all 15 films. Guests are also welcome at £5 per viewing.
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