A former member of the band Simply Red will be among the judges at next weekend’s allotment show in Harrogate.
Harrogate and District Allotment Federation will be holding its 62nd annual show in the Sun Pavilion in Valley Gardens from 11pm to 4pm next Sunday.
The show gives allotment plot holders from Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough and Boroughbridge the opportunity to showcase their gardening achievements.
The allotment sites will display Simply Red-themed arrangements for this year’s inter-site allotment competition
The arrangements, which will include red flowers, fruit and vegetables, will be judged by Knaresborough-born Tim Kellett, a former member of the band Simply Red.
The outstanding exhibit winner in 2021.
Judging will take place between 10am and noon and then Councillor Eamon Parkin, deputy mayor of Ripon, and his consort Lucy Proud will officially open the show.
Trophies will be awarded at the end to plot holders who have achieved the most points in certain categories or who have presented particularly good exhibits.
Nick Smith, director of Harrogate Flower Shows, will present the prizes.
Profits from the show go to a local nominated charity each year to enhance their gardening projects.
This year’s chosen charity is Ripon in Bloom, which intends to use the donation to help with the refurbishment of Bedern Bank.
The show includes a plant stall.
Entry to the Show is free. There will be a raffle, tombola stall, cakes, produce and plant stalls as well as artisan craft stalls and stalls showcasing local charities.
Stray Horns will play in the Bandstand from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.
Read more:
- Allotment show set to draw keen growers to Harrogate’s Valley Gardens
- Bake Off star coming to Harrogate as town gears up for holiday home show
Anger at decision to seal off part of Harrogate’s Valley Gardens
Exercise groups have criticised Harrogate Borough Council‘s decision to seal off a popular part of Valley Gardens.
The path in front of the Sun Pavilion is widely used by people taking part in fitness classes, including yoga and tai chi.
But gates have been put up forbidding access.
Michael Constantine, head of operations at Harrogate Convention Centre, said:
“The Sun Pavilion is a privately run venue, we have sadly had to take the decision to close off the gates due to recent vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
“In addition, some of the fitness groups have also caused damage with their equipment meaning the council tax payer has had to fund preventable repairs”.
Exercise groups have reacted angrily to the loss of the facility — and the suggestion they cause damage.
Bridget Tayan, speaking on behalf of Red Orchid Tai Chi group, which uses Valley Gardens regularly, said:
“Ou tai chi group have been practising up there for over 10 years and have never caused damage or inconvenienced anyone.
“Indeed we are often asked questions about the Sun Pavilion by passing tourists.
“I also pointed out that most of our group are in their 60s and 70s and not likely to vandalise anything. I have not had a reply.”
Read more:
- Fountain will end model boating in Valley Gardens, says club
- Harrogate district firefighters tackle four ‘significant incidents’ overnight
Ms Tayan said several other fitness groups, including yoga organisations and army-style fitness sessions, along with personal trainers and individuals who liked to keep fit. also used the area when it rained and were “equally dismayed”.
She added:
“I know that many of the Valley Garden regulars are concerned about the gates being locked as it has always been a right of way, apart from when there are functions, which is fair enough.
“Visitors like to stand on the terrace to take photos and it is one of the few places you can shelter if it is raining hard.”
Ms Tayan also suggested the size of the gates was unlikely to deter vandals.
‘Our council tax pays for this’
Comments on Friends of Valley Garden’s Facebook group were overwhelmingly critical of the move.
One said:
“I am a member of a fitness group who use Valley Gardens. We would never cause damage to the gardens and appreciate the beautiful gardens we can look at while at our classes.”
Another said:
“Another example of the short-sightedness of Harrogate council. I’ve exercised here for years, many others do so too. I have never, ever witnessed any damage of any kind. Our council should be facilitating and encouraging outdoor fitness.”
“So we can have a nice amenity just as long as we don’t use it? Our council tax pays for this and we want it back.”
The Sun Pavilion and Colonnade in Harrogate has been given Grade II listed status as part of the Queen’s platinum jubilee.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has announced six new sites across the country will be given the status.
The Sun Pavilion and Colonnade were constructed in 1933 to designs by Leonard Clarke, the borough surveyor, as part of a £60,000 spa development scheme intended to be one of the finest in Europe.
The classical building with Art Deco details was opened by noted medic Lord Horder of Ashford and the opening ceremony was captured on film by British Pathé. The pavilion was designed as a place to take refreshment and rest after taking exercise or after taking the spa waters in the town centre.
After a period of decline in the 1980s, the site was restored following a campaign led by local citizen Anne Smith and supported by celebrities including author James Herriot.
In 1998, the Sun Pavilion was officially re-opened by Queen Elizabeth II, and in 2018 celebrations were held to mark the 20th anniversary of Her Majesty’s visit.
Read More:
- Malcolm Neesam History: The Sun Pavilion and Colonnade, Valley Gardens
- Leeds company handed £270,000 Sun Pavilion refurb contract
The five other sites given listed status include the M62 motorway, the Imperial Hotel in Stroud, Gloucestershire, All Saints’ Church in Shard End, Birmingham, the Queen’s Theatre in Hornchurch, Greater London and the Hampshire Archives in Winchester.
The listings aim to highlight some of the important places from the Queen’s reign and to reflect the important social, technical and cultural changes which have taken place over the past 70 years.
Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England which advised on the new listed buildings, said:
“These new listings celebrate the diversity and richness of our heritage overseen by Her Majesty during her 70-year reign, showing how the fabric of the nation has changed and developed.
“These sites cover the length and breadth of the country – from All Saints’ Church near Birmingham, which she opened in 1955 when she was newly crowned, to the high-tech Hampshire Public Records Office, completed in 1993.”
Nigel Huddleston, heritage minister, added:
Malcolm Neesam History: The Sun Pavilion and Colonnade, Valley Gardens“These historic sites provide a fantastic opportunity to reflect on how much life in the UK has changed during Her Majesty The Queen’s 70-year reign. Listing them as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations is a fitting way to pay tribute to the longevity of her service.”
This festive history is written for The Stray Ferret by celebrated Harrogate historian, Malcolm Neesam.
The Council’s recent statement that they are to improve conditions at the Valley Gardens Sun Pavilion and its associated buildings, is welcome news.
Following the magnificent achievement of having saved the Sun Pavilion from demolition in the 1990’s, the Friends of Valley Gardens, with the full co-operation of the Council, enjoyed the sight of the re-furbished building being opened by the Queen in 1998. At that time, Council Leader, George Crowther, assured the Friends that they could rely on the Council to look after the Sun Pavilion, and to finish the job by restoring the Sun Colonnade and two Sun Parlours.
Unfortunately, these were ideals that later administrations were unable to achieve, apart from removing the glass roof of the colonnade, and also the windows and doors of the two Sun Parlours – the net result being that these structures were exposed to the weather, with deterioration setting in.
The Sun Colonnade and Pavilions, 1936
As walking and exercise were long recognised an essential part of the Harrogate “cure”, along with an understanding that weather conditions often discouraged visitors from walking very far, many Harrogate buildings incorporated glazed spaces where people could walk and be protected from the rain, cold and wind, which sometimes makes outdoor walking a trial. The encircling “ambulatories” at the Royal Hall, the Royal Bath’s Wintergardens, and the Wintergardens at the Old Swan are all examples of this trend. Consequently, when the Sun Pavilion was planned for Valley Gardens, a long covered walk was added to link the new Sun Pavilion with the Royal Pump Room to the east, and the Royal Bath Hospital to the north. After the new buildings were opened in 1933, they soon became a highly popular attraction.
Read More:
Night time illuminations, 1938
Recent news that improvements are to be made are indeed welcome, as they open up exciting possibilities for the future. With a rain-proofed roof, the Sun Colonnade would be a good location for special fairs and markets such as the Art Market or Christmas Market, without damaging the grass or flower beds of Valley Gardens. Perhaps Harrogate International Festivals, or other local Festivals, could find the refurbished locality ideal for their needs.
The two Sun Parlours are more problematic, but surely – at this location – offer potential for private sector involvement, such as for hire by a children’s creche, a flower and seed shop for the Royal Horticultural Gardens, a venue for youth interest, etc. etc. To make the area safer by night, it would be good if the dud lights along the Elgar walk could be replaced, for unless I am wrong, this path seems completely blacked out at night.
As to the immediate future, I suggest that what Harrogate needs to steer it successfully through the next few years is strong leadership, with a bold vision allied to good business sense. This is desperately needed, and it may well be that the future use of these Valley Gardens buildings will be as good a test of resolve and ability as any.
Malcolm Neesam.
Harrogate Borough Council has awarded a £270,846 contract to Claywood Construction Ltd to refurbish Harrogate’s Sun Pavilion.
The pavilion, which has an art deco glass dome and overlooks Valley Gardens, hosts weddings and can accommodate up to 200 guests. But it has been run down for some time.
The Leeds-based company will be tasked with reconstructing the floor, installing underfloor heating. replacing the heating system, refurbishing the toilets and repairing the leaky roof.
In a report, the council said refurbishment and maintenance of the building would protect “the value and prolonging the life of the asset” and ensure “the health and safety of building users”.
Completed in the 1930s, the venue on Cornwall Road was restored to its original state in 1998 and reopened by the queen.
Read More:
- Licence granted for new micropub in Boroughbridge
- Green light for 1,000 solar panels on Harrogate Convention Centre roof
- In Depth: To BID or not to BID? Divided opinion in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon
Prize-winning vegetables and cakes to be sold in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens
Visitors to Harrogate’s Valley Gardens on Sunday will be able to view and buy produce grown in allotments across the Harrogate district.
The Harrogate and District Allotment Federation is holding its 60th annual allotment show in the Sun Pavilion from 11am until 4pm.
Stalls displaying produce will also be open on the nearby Sun Colonnade. Entrance to all areas is free.
Harrogate district mayor Trevor Chapman will formally open what will be the federation’s 60th show at noon.
The federation, which brings together members of 16 allotment sites in Harrogate, Ripon and Knaresborough, was due to celebrate its diamond jubilee show last year until covid forced its cancellation.
Read more:
- Green Shoots: Harrogate district plumber swaps ‘dirty diesel’ for vegetable fat
- Harrogate council leader: ‘Christmas Market organisers refused other locations’
Vegetables, plants and cakes will be judged and sold and any outstanding items donated to Resurrected Bites, the Harrogate and Knaresborough community organisation that gives food that would have been thrown out to the needy.
The event will also include a miniature bug hotel, a raffle and stalls by Harrogate Civic Society and The Woodland Trust as well as craft and coffee stalls. Musicians will play in the bandstand between 2pm and 3.30pm.
Profits from this year’s event will be donated to Ripon Museum Trust, which owns the Workhouse Museum, Prison and Police Museum and Courthouse Museum in Ripon.
£240,000 refurbishment lined up for Sun PavilionA refurbishment of up to £240,000 looks set to take place at the Sun Pavilion in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens this October.
Harrogate Borough Council has advertised a contract on the government’s procurement portal of between £180,000 to £240,000.
The contract says that work will start on the pavilion on October 18.
Companies have until August 20 to bid for the contract.
Read more:
- Pannal man accuses council of acting ‘unreasonably’ over leaning willows
- No final decision on HCC investment until 2022, says council
- Harrogate council to bypass procurement process for £125,000 contract
The refurbishment work must be completed by February 18, 2022.
It would include reconstruction of the floor from oversite concrete level, installing underfloor heating, insulation to the floor and new floor coverings.
Other works would see replacement of the heating system and refurbishment of the toilets.
Completed in the 1930s, the venue on Cornwall Road was restored to its original state in 1998 and was reopened by the Queen.
Today, the pavilion hosts weddings and can accommodate up to 200 guests.