history Archives - Page 10 of 14

Photos reveal hidden history of Harrogate’s abandoned railway tunnel

Recent photos have revealed Harrogate’s abandoned railway tunnel and air-raid shelter close to the Stray.

The pictures were taken by an urban explorer who uses the name Venturing Off Limits on social media and agreed to share them with the Stray Ferret. They show the dark and dank brick passage, known locally as ‘The Darky’, with icy stalactites hanging from the roof.

The only evidence of humans being there is a discarded shopping trolley. So what’s the story behind this tunnel?

Abandoned for good

The last train passed through Brunswick Tunnel over 150 years ago.

The tunnel begins close to the current Hornbeam Park station and runs underneath the present-day Langcliffe Avenue, towards St Mark’s Church on Leeds Road.

Credit: Venturing Off Limits

It served Harrogate’s first railway station, Brunswick Station, which was only in operation for 14 years before the current station was built.

Locals and businesses initially opposed the railway, fearing an influx of people from Leeds and Bradford would lower the tone of the town.

Brunswick Tunnel runs underneath Langcliffe Avenue

The tunnel was resurrected as an air raid shelter during WW2 before being abandoned for good in 1943.

In 1954, the government surveyed the tunnel to bring it back into possible use, but this idea never materialised.

Park Drive roundabout

The tunnel runs under where the Park Drive roundabout is now.

When the roundabout was built in the 1960s, workers accidentally dug into the roof of the tunnel not knowing it was there.

The Park Drive roundabout

Today the only evidence above ground of Brunswick Station, which was made out of timber, is a plaque mounted on a stone at the site, which is close to the Prince of Wales roundabout.

Brunswick Station plaque

Brunswick Station is on the left of this drawing. You can see the present Otley Road and Harlow Hill in the background.

The entrance to the Brunswick Tunnel is on private land and The Stray Ferret does not encourage anyone to try to enter.

Plans revealed to mark 700th anniversary of Battle of Boroughbridge

Boroughbridge is set to mark the 700th anniversary of a historic battle in the town with a major programme of events.

Battlefield tours and medieval weapons demonstrations will form part of the commemorations for the Battle of Boroughbridge, which took place on March 16, 1322.

The battle, between Edward II and his cousin the Earl of Lancaster, who was in collusion with the Scots, featured several thousand soldiers. The majority supported the king.

A small army of retreating rebels under Lancaster’s control attempted to negotiate a truce but when this failed a one-sided battle resulted in the surrender and subsequent execution of Lancaster.

Thirty of Lancaster’s followers were executed, including Roger de Clifford, Second Lord of Skipton, who was hung from Clifford’s Tower in York, which now bears his name.

The bridge at Boroughbridge, which is believed to be more or less in the same place as the medieval one where part of the battle took place.

The battle raged around a timber bridge crossing the River Ure and a ford, believed to be to the east of the present town, possibly in the Milby area.

This year’s programme will begin with a wreath-laying ceremony at the battle cross in Aldborough at 9.30am on Saturday, March 12.

The battle cross at Aldborough

Later that day the 3 Swords Medieval Group will demonstrate weaponry skills and armour on the shared community space behind Boroughbridge car park.

The Battlefields Trust and Boroughbridge Historical Society will lead tours and battle exhibitions.

A new series of medieval artwork will be incorporated into display boards and leaflets for a permanent battlefield trail.

Further commemorative events to mark the anniversary will take place throughout the year.

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.

Harrogate’s link to the discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb, 100 years ago

Did you know Harrogate has a fascinating connection to the tomb of Tutankhamen, which was discovered 100 years ago this month?

Harrogate Library has shared the story behind King Tut and James Ogden, who opened the jewellers in Harrogate in 1893.

According to researchers at the library, Ogden had a passion for archaeology and his specialism was Egyptology.

He was a prolific letter writer and wrote with Howard Carter for many years, the man who eventually would discover the tomb in 1922.

When Carter discovered the tomb, he invited Ogden to the Valley of the Kings as part of his team of experts and the Harrogate jeweller was one of the first people in over 3,000 years to visit inside.

He even owned two phials with consecration fluid from the tomb.

James Ogden

Ogden gave lectures about his travels and it was reported in the local press that he had some “extremely fine” slides showing the actual handling of the mummy.

He also ensured that his shop on James Street could meet the demand for Egyptian-inspired jewellery, which was all the rage in the 1920s and 30s.

Harrogate Library was bequeathed some of the glass slides owned by James Ogden and staff say one of their projects this year will be looking at how they can make them more accessible to the public.

Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant reveals plans to re-open

A Chinese restaurant set in the main hall of the Royal Baths in Harrogate plans to reopen next year after months of repairs.

Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant has been closed for most of the last two years due to coronavirus lockdowns and an extensive refurbishment that began in May this year.

Because the restaurant is based in a Grade II listed building, the work has been more complicated than expected.

The building, which is owned by North Yorkshire County Council, underwent a series of roof repairs before work started on the internal central hall in September.

Now the Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant has revealed that the works are almost complete. It said on its Facebook page:

“We are almost finished with the renovations. However we will not be open until after the New Year.

“Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant wish you all a very merry Christmas and happy New Year. We look forward to seeing everyone in 2022.”

Although the Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant has been closed, the owners have continued operating at their other site, Haks Little Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant, on Station Parade.

Stonefall candlelit vigil remembers war dead at Christmas

About 60 people, including the Mayor and Mayoress of Harrogate, lit candles for more than 1,000 fallen soldiers at Harrogate’s Stonefall Cemetary yesterday.

Harrogate mum Benji Walker has been running Candles for Heroes every year since 2018 because she does not want the soldiers to be forgotten.

Yesterday’s vigil raised over £300, which will be shared between the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which maintains the site, and armed forces charity Help for Heroes.

Ms Walker said:

“I have a son who serves in the Yorkshire Regiment. It’s important to me. They should always be remembered. Christmas is a special time anyway for family, so it’s a nice time to remember the sacrifice they gave.”

Stonefall is one of the largest war grave sites in northern England.

The cemetery was created in 1914 but most burials are airmen who died during the Second World War when bomber command bases were established in Yorkshire. About two-thirds of the dead are Canadian.

Ripon museums receive £100,000 lottery boost

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded almost £100,000 to Ripon Museum Trust to develop a major project.

The Inspiration for a Fairer Future project will enable the stories of poverty, law, crime, punishment and justice to be explored by a wider, more diverse audience.

It will also enable work to be carried out to safeguard the future of the Grade II listed Ripon Workhouse building.

The successful first round funding application provides the financial means for work to begin in spring, which will inform a larger proposal for £1.7 million, to be submitted to the heritage fund for consideration in 2023.

A fundraising campaign is being launched to secure match funding for the project.

The trust runs the Workhouse, Courthouse, and Prison and Police museums and the project will create a more cohesive story across all three sites, giving access to more historic spaces, improving orientation and creating new digital and on-site interpretation.

A new lift will be installed in the Workhouse to allow access to the upper floor and the dormitories will be opened up to provide new meeting spaces for community groups, schools and researchers.

There will be new facilities for school groups and other learners as well as new community spaces.

The initial development funding of £99,396 from the heritage fund will be used to appoint project staff and undertake community consultation to ensure the project reflects the needs of the people it seeks to engage, inspire and support.

Trust director Helen Thornton said:

“We’re delighted that we’ve received this support thanks to National Lottery players. Our long-term vision for the three museums in our care can now begin to be realised.

“This grant will significantly increase the opportunities for people to get involved here – after reflecting upon our history and themes we hope to inspire people to seek a fairer society”.

Richard Taylor, chair of trustees, said:

“We were able to purchase the workhouse complex in 2016 due to a significant grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

“Thanks to their ongoing support, we can safeguard an important listed building for the future and link up all the fascinating powerful and personal stories we have from the Workhouse, the Prison and Police Museum and the Courthouse Museum.”

Harrogate historian writes book about town’s Edwardian past

A Harrogate historian has written a book about the lives of working-class people during the Edwardian period in Harrogate.

This will be the fifth book by Dr Paul Jennings, who has lived in Harrogate for 25 years.

He said Harrogate’s rich and lavish past is often documented but the lives and names of people who helped to build the town are lost to history.

The book, ‘Working-Class lives in Edwardian Harrogate’, looks at the lives of numerous working-class professions including servants, hospitality staff, rail workers and industry workers.

Around 3,000 women worked as servants in Harrogate during the Edwardian period, 1901-1914, which was a lot more than other sectors.

The book also looks at education for poorer people, local amusements and some of the rich families they worked for.

Anyone interested in local history may know the name Samson Fox, he was mayor of Harrogate three times between 1890 and 1892 an also brought Harrogate with its first steam fire engine, built the Grove Road School, funded the Royal Hall and provided affordable social housing.

Another local life examined in the book is Richard Ellis who funded the Queen Victoria statues which still stands across from the train station.

Dr Jennings said:

“I was more interested in the names people don’t often remember. I spent a lot of time in Northallerton’s record office as well as local libraries. Some schools were also kind enough to let me go through their historical records.

“It was seriously enjoyable doing it.”

The idea for the book came around seven years ago.

Dr Jennings became inspired when he started researching the Edwardian period, 1901 to 1914. It was the period Harrogate really boomed, well-known buildings such as the Harrogate Theatre, the Majestic Hotel and the Royal Baths were being built around this time.

Dr Jennings is a retired history lecturer from the University of Bradford and also a member of the Harrogate Civic Society.

He said he has no current plans to write another book on Harrogate but has plenty of work lined up with the civic society.

The book is also in conjunction with an upcoming exhibition at the Pump Room Museum, which has a provisional opening date of December 2.

Ripon BID appoints management team

The Ripon Business Improvement District board has appointed a management team to deliver events and projects aimed at helping local businesses thrive.

Eighty per cent of Ripon traders voted in favour of creating a BID in June. BIDs, which are funded by a levy on local firms, come up with ideas to increase visitor numbers to towns and cities.

Elizabeth Faulkner, former manager of Altrincham BID, has been appointed Ripon BID manager and Lilla Bathurst, who previously worked for Hull BID, has been named assistant Ripon BID manager.

Ms Faulkner worked for tourism organisation Visit Manchester for 12 years. Her experience as a destination marketing specialist was put to good use in Altrincham, where she led the submission that saw the town win the Great British High Street Award in 2018.

Ms Bathurst worked as a stockbroker in the City of London prior to her move north to Hull and change of career. Her initiatives included the award-winning Hull Street Food Nights, which supported the city’s evening economy by increasing footfall.

The two women are excited by the prospect of working alongside businesses to promote Ripon as a destination locally, regionally and nationally.

Ms Faulkner said:

“This is a wonderful city with a rich history and so much more and it’s our job to make as many people as possible aware of what Ripon has to offer.”

Promoting what the city has to offer and increasing footfall are two of the objectives of the Ripon BID

Ms Bathurst added:

“I relocated to the area and soon discovered that it has a great community spirit, with people who work together and have a positive attitude.

“I’m looking forward to meeting with businesses of all sizes who make Ripon such a special place.”

Deep clean

Projects to be delivered over the next few weeks include a deep clean for city streets, the first stage of a way-finding strategy looking at signage and evaluation of Ripon’s destination and social media platforms, material and websites.

In addition, at a time of rising fuel and power costs, businesses will be offered free consultations on ways to save money.

Rick Jones, who owns Valentino’s restaurant and the Water Rat in Ripon, and is a member of BID board, said:

“We are all looking forward to moving things forward through initiatives that focus on many aspects of the Ripon economy, from heritage to hospitality to the city’s retail offer and major visitor attractions, such as Fountains Abbey and Newby Hall.

“There is a collective benefit – If they do well, we all do well and the city thrives.”

“In the first instance, we are getting the foundations right and in the appointment of Elizabeth and Lilla, we have made a great start.”

Wartime bombing of Harrogate’s Majestic hotel told in new play

The bombing of the Majestic hotel in 1940 has inspired a new play written by a Pateley Bridge playwright.

Keith Burton has been writing plays for the last 10 years. In summer 2019 he was commissioned by North Yorkshire County Council to write a play about Harrogate’s role during World War Two as part of VE Day celebrations.

Harrogate Dramatic Society will perform the play, named ‘The Stray’ next weekend following covid delays.

The play begins on Sunday, September 8 1940 when Buckingham Palace was bombed. This triggered The Coats Mission – a top secret plan for the evacuation of the royal family from London.

One of the proposed temporary homes was Newby Hall, Ripon, with Winston Churchill staying at Grove House across from Harrogate Fire Station.

This plan made the RAF and the Secret Intelligence Service nervous due to Harrogate’s involvement in the war effort.

In nearby Yeadon, where Leeds Bradford Airport is now, bomber planes were being built at an underground factory. There was also a code-breaking centre that fed information to Bletchley Park in Forest Moor.

On Thursday, September 12 the Majestic hotel was bombed by a ‘stray’ plane as part of a larger raid. This was the only bomb to fall on Harrogate in World War Two.

Actors during rehearsals for ‘The Stray’.

‘The Stray’ is based on what might have happened in Harrogate during that week in September to cause the bombing of the Majestic.

Playwright Keith Burton said:

“Thanks to local historian Malcolm Neesam, everything in the play is historically accurate it’s just the ‘why’ that I’ve made into a story. As a dramatist, that is what I do.”

Harrogate Dramatic Society will perform the play at The Crown Hotel November 4-6. To book tickets click here.

The Stray Ferret has teamed up with local 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 Harrogate during wartime. They’re easy to do and a great day out. For more information click here.

New ‘immersive soundscape’ art celebrates Harrogate’s spa history

A new art installation will celebrate the 450th anniversary of William Slingsby’s discovery of spring waters at Tewit Well in Harrogate.

Sound and light artists Dan Fox and James Bawn will bring the history to life on Crown Place, which is the cobbled street between the Crown Hotel and the Royal Pump Room Museum.

Called ‘1571 The Waters That Made Us’, the artwork will consist of recordings of water sounds, from deep underground noises to the well and the tap water sounds at the pump room museum.

Mr Fox said:

“This is an immersive soundscape played through speakers along the length of Crown Place.”

The temporary exhibit will be in place from October 17 until October 23. You can visit for free between 2pm and 9pm daily.

It will form part of the build up to the four-day Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival, which takes place from October 21 to 24.

Speakers at the festival, which takes place at The Crown Hotel, include Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, and historian Melanie King, who will talk about the history of Harrogate’s mineral springs.

Pictured from left are Deborah Boylan, from Raworths, and Marcus Black and Clare Gibson from Slingsby Gin.

Harrogate International Festivals chief executive Sharon Canavar said:

“2021 has been momentous for a lot of things, few of them being celebratory.

“So it felt only right we lead on a new, temporary attraction for Harrogate to celebrate the 450th anniversary of the discovery of our spa waters.

“The event industry was particularly hard hit by covid, and commissioning new artistic work, and a new tourism attraction, in the midst of the pandemic was a risk.

“However, as an arts organisation, it was one we were determined to take as we firmly believe that keeping artists in work is key.

“It’s also a superb opportunity to celebrate the rich history of Harrogate.”

Information about this year’s Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival, and the visiting guest writers, can be found on Harrogate International Festivals’ website.

Interested in Harrogate’s history? Join celebrated local historian Malcolm Neesam on two guided audio walks by clicking or tapping here.

Abandoned for good

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Park Drive roundabout

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Deep clean

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