The Californian engineer building bridges between communitiesWork to create Harrogate district’s first mosque continues after asbestos delay

Work on turning Harrogate’s former Home Guard Club into the district’s first mosque is finally going ahead after a delay caused by the discovery of asbestos. 

Harrogate Islamic Association bought the premises at the corner of Tower Street and Belford Road last April and has since been focusing on fixing the roof and making it weather-proof. 

But repair work uncovered unknown quantities of asbestos, which is carcinogenic but had not been identified by any survey at the time of purchase. 

The substance has had to be carefully removed and disposed of by licensed professionals before further work on the building could progress. 

Reda Djamaa, trustee and spokesperson for Harrogate Islamic Association, said:

“We’ve dealt with that problem and now we can carry on with refurbishing the building. Our main aim is to get the ground floor ready for use.” 

Harrogate Islamic Association raised half a million pounds to purchase the building, which stands next to St Peter’s CE Primary School, and must now raise a further £200,000 to gut the building and replace all its timbers.

Phase three will see a complete refit of the interior, including a new staircase, plasterwork, doors, windows and wiring, as well as new toilets and ablution areas, all at a cost of £250,000. 

The final phase, costing another £50,000, will add a kitchen, outdoor bollards and railings, and security and lighting systems. 

Mr Djamaa said: 

“We have weekly prayer and we pass round a bucket, and we get some funds from other mosques, but it’s a mosque for the community here in Harrogate, and so most of the money will be coming from the community here too. 

“We hope we’ll be able to get to the next stage within the year, but we’re doing it bit by bit. We’re not in a hurry.” 

In the meantime, the 100-plus members of Harrogate’s Muslim community will continue to meet at in the Quakers’ Friends Meeting House on Queen Parade. 

Picture of the front door of the former Home Guard Club in Harrogate.

The mosque premises have served the community in various ways over the last one-and-a-half centuries.

The former Home Guard Club has served the community in various capacities over the last 150 years. Originally built around 1870 as two cottages, it was converted shortly afterwards into Harrogate’s first cottage hospital until 1883, before serving as Harrogate’s Masonic Hall from 1884 to about 1930. 

At the end of the Second World War it became the home of the 5th West Riding Battalion (Home Guard) Old Comrades Association and Club. 

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Harrogate Islamic Association confident of mosque purchase as deadline looms

Harrogate Islamic Association has said it is confident of raising enough money to buy the former Home Guard Club and convert it into the town’s first mosque.

A price of £500,000 was agreed to buy the building, which is on the corner of Tower Street and Belford Road, before the association obtained planning permission.

The current owner set a deadline of Monday next week to complete the sale.

The group already has several hundred thousand pounds set aside to buy the building but does not yet have enough to pay the full asking price.

After planning permission was granted last month by Harrogate Borough Council, the association launched a crowdfunding campaign to help raise the extra money needed to buy the building as well as for much-needed repairs, setting a target of £200,000.

With days to go until the owner’s deadline, the crowdfunder is currently on just £18,000.

However, Zahed Amanullah, a member of the association, said there was no risk the deal could fall through because it had loans in place to cover any shortfall.

Mr Amanullah said:

“We are on our way to getting the money. It’s not all reflected in the crowdfunding campaign, which we’re extending to the end of April, which is the month of Ramadan, and will be used to pay back loans.

“We’ve been raising money from other sources, such as pledges from the community directly.

“Where there might be a shortfall, we have people to loan us the difference, so we can pay them back. Our intention is to make the payment in time with a combination of loans and crowdfunding.”

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The association, which was set up in 2011, has been looking for a permanent home for several years, with previous attempts at securing a site falling through. Around 100 Muslim worshippers currently meet in the Quakers’ Friends Meeting House on Queen Parade.

The association also organises prayer sessions at Chain Lane Community Hub in Knaresborough.

Mr Amanullah said once the group has the keys to the building, the immediate focus will be on repairs and restoring original features.

All being well, it could open to the public by the end of the summer.

Malcolm Neesam History: the colourful past of what could become Harrogate’s first mosque

Malcolm Neesam

 

This history is written for The Stray Ferret by celebrated Harrogate historian, Malcolm Neesam.  

 

 

The first hospital for the people of Harrogate, as distinct from the Bath Hospital in Cornwall Road, was opened in 1870 in three cottages in Tower Street after an appeal by the Vicar of old St. Mary’s Church.

Placed under the supervision of Dr. Loy, patients paid from three shillings to seven and six a week, depending on their means.

Within a space of only two years, the new “Cottage Hospital” was found to be too small, so its governors investigated some property on the opposite side of Tower Street that belonged to a Mr. Hudson, which they purchased for £550, and after refitting, the hospital moved into these new premises in 1873.

The numbers of patients dealt with at the Cottage Hospital increased throughout the decade. During the half year between 13th September 1870 to 14th March 1871, 25 patients were admitted as bed cases and 63 as out patients. During the year 1877-8, the annual total numbered 66 bed cases and 213 out patients.

The former Home Guard club and potential mosque.

In June 1878 the highly esteemed Dr. Loy died. His successor was a Mr. Hartley, who did not remain in position for very long. He was succeeded in 1879 by Dr. Neville Williams as the institution’s medical officer. By the end of the decade, patient numbers had increased to 75 bed cases and 292 out patients.

Charge of the Light Brigade

Perhaps the Cottage Hospital’s most famous patient was Sergeant-Major Robert Johnston, who had participated in the infamous Charge of the Light Brigade, consequently receiving the Crimean medal, which later included clasps for his service at the battles of Alma, Balaclava and Inkerman.

In all, Sergeant-Major Johnston served his country for 22 years, 336 days, during which time his health deteriorated, which was probably why he came to the celebrated health resort of Harrogate.

When Sergeant-Major Johnston died at the Cottage Hospital on 28th November 1882, his funeral was attended by an estimated 20,000 people at a time when Harrogate’s population was around 12,000. He is buried in Grove Road cemetery.

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The following year, the hospital moved into new, purpose-built premises that now contain St. Peter’s School.

The Masons move in

In December 1883, the press reported that the old hospital premises had been purchased by John Richardson and Moses Perkin on behalf of the Harrogate and Claro Lodge of Freemasons, who paid £560 for the building.

They subsequently doubled the size of the building, adding to the older Tower Street section, which dates from the 1840s, the wing that now stands next to St. Peter’s School.

The Masons remained there until moving into their new Station Avenue building in 1931. A little later, the building at the corner of Tower Street and Belford Road was occupied by the Home Guard Club.

Home Guard members would play snooker at the club.

Today, the building presents a somewhat forlorn appearance to the passer-by, as its windows have been covered, the walls are badly stained, much of the external decoration has vanished, and pigeons have left unmistakable signs of their presence.

I was therefore not surprised to see an application to convert the building. I may be alone in this, but I would be sorry to lose this piece of Harrogate’s medical history, particularly in view of its connection with our Charge of the Light Brigade resident, if demolition occurs.

The building, even in its present condition, is an original feature of an especially delightful Victorian townscape, which if restored — assuming restoration is possible — would enhance, rather than diminish, the whole locality.

Harrogate district church leaders back mosque

Church leaders in the Harrogate district have shown their support for a planned mosque in the town.

Twenty-two leaders have signed a joint statement backing the plans, saying the “time is right” for a place of worship for Muslims.

Signatories include the Bishop of Ripon, the Rt Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley.

Harrogate Islamic Association has lodged plans to Harrogate Borough Council to convert the former Home Guard Club into a place of worship.

The joint statement from church leaders says:

“As church leaders in Harrogate, we the undersigned wish to express our support for our Muslim friends and neighbours as they seek a suitable site for a dedicated place of worship.

“We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to worship and, without wishing to prejudge the specific suitability of the site currently under consideration, we believe that the time is right for the creation of a permanent mosque to serve the needs of Muslims who live and work in our community.”

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So far, the application has received 135 public comments – 72 in support and 59 objecting.

Traffic and parking concerns

The objections highlight concerns about traffic, parking and the fact that the building is a non-designated heritage asset.

Households across Harrogate have reported receiving anonymous leaflets through their doors encouraging them to oppose the plans with a guide on how to word the objection.

Supporters dispute the concerns. They say there is enough parking nearby, particularly as there is a multi-storey car park on Tower Street, and that it would be good to see the building brought back into use.

HIA was established in 2011 and has been looking for a permanent place to convert into a mosque for years. Other attempts to find a home have fallen through.

Around 100 worshippers currently meet in the Quakers’ Friends Meeting House on Queen Parade.

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.

Church leaders who have signed the statement are:

Plans for Harrogate mosque attract 100 comments

A proposal to open Harrogate’s first mosque has attracted 100 comments ahead of a decision by Harrogate Borough Council.

Residents have until Sunday, February 6 to have their say. So far 56 people have written in support while 40 people have written to object.

Planning applications rarely receive as many comments.

The objections highlight concerns about traffic, parking and the fact that the building is a non-designated heritage asset.

Households across Harrogate have reported receiving anonymous leaflets through their doors encouraging them to oppose the plans with a guide on how to word the objection.

Supporters dispute the concerns. They say there is enough parking nearby and that it would be good to see the building brought back into use.

Following a successful crowdfunding campaign, the Harrogate Islamic Association (HIA) revealed that it wants to convert the former Home Guard club into a place of worship.

The HIA was established in 2011 and has been looking for a permanent place to convert into a mosque for years. Other attempts to find a home have fallen through.

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Around 100 worshippers currently meet in the Quakers’ Friends Meeting House on Queen Parade.

Zahed Amanullah, from the HIA, told the Stray Ferret that they hope to run religious, community and charitable events at the building.

It would also support Syrian and Afghan refugees who have moved to the area. He added:

“We thought this is our best chance to have somewhere in the town centre. The location is fantastic.

“We recognise its historical value and we want to be mindful of that when we restore the building. We will retain its period features. We’re not going to put a minaret up or anything like that, it’s needed as a space. Nothing will be added.

“We see ourselves as part of the fabric of the town. We’re all in Harrogate because we love Harrogate. We have a very diverse community of Muslims from Asia, Africa and England, but the nearest mosque is more than 15 miles away.

“It’s a rare vacant spot where there are no facilities for the community and it will easily handle our weekly needs.”

Police recommend extra security for Harrogate mosque

Police have told the Muslim organisation planning to open the Harrogate district’s first mosque to include extra security measures due to safety fears.

Harrogate Islamic Association has applied for planning permission to convert the former Home Guard club on the corner of Tower Street and Belford Place into a place of worship.

As part of the planning process, the council consults some organisations to see if they lend support, recommend refusal or suggest alterations.

North Yorkshire Police has submitted a designing out crime report, which says the main crime associated with mosques is racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage.

It suggests that the plans include external lighting, iron railings, laminated glass, CCTV and intruder alarms.

Police also suggest an external post box to prevent arson.

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The mosque faces opposition from a leaflet campaign and Bristol planning expert Gavin Boby, who calls himself the Mosquebuster.

But many people posted supportive comments on social media when the Stray Ferret reported the opposition yesterday.

Harrogate Civic Society has also lent its support after rejecting two previous proposed sites for the mosque.

Henry Pankhurst, on behalf of the civic society, said:

“We are very hopeful that the building will be able to take its place, once repaired and refurbished, as a worthy neighbour to all of the notable nearby properties.

“Railings should be erected as above and windows should be of a design which is suitable for this historic building and the conservation area.

“Every care should be taken to preserve historic features internally as well as externally.”

Harrogate’s Muslim community raises £85,000 for first Mosque

Harrogate’s growing Muslim community has raised £85,000 to open the district’s first Mosque.

The Harrogate Islamic Association (HIA) normally meets in Christian churches or community centres but soon could have a space to call its own.

While the group does not expect to have a big meeting soon, it hopes to have the former Nidderdale Children’s Resource Centre in Starbeck ready for Ramadan next year.

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The group, which was established in 2011, has been looking for a place to convert into a Mosque for years until it found the “Goldilocks” building.

It was just the right size and the Muslim owner offered it to the group at a sizeable discount.

With 80% of the asking price already accounted for and a deadline of the end of September, the HIA went public with a fundraiser just a few weeks ago.

This former children’s centre in Starbeck could soon become a Mosque.

Zahed Amanullah, the fundraising campaign organiser, said the HIA saw an “amazing response” with some individuals donating thousands of pounds. He told the Stray Ferret:

“The building is perfect for us. We would only need to knock down one wall and decorate. We still need to get through planning but the dream is to have it open and in use by around March to April next year for Ramadan.”

The HIA plans for the Mosque to be a welcoming space for the entire community and has already had discussions with its future neighbours about how they could use it.