Free weekly walking tours of Knaresborough have been introduced.
Professionally trained tourist guide Margy Longhurst is leading 60-minute tours every Wednesday — market day.
Those taking part will learn about the historic market and castle and much more.
Ms Longhurst said:
“The aim is to welcome visitors and newcomers to Knaresborough and give them an insight into the town’s history and places of interest.”
The not-for-profit tours get underway at 11am and 1pm at the Market Cross.
Margy Longhurst
Walkers will learn about the nearby statues and painted windows depicting colourful local characters, notably the Tudor prophetess Old Mother Shipton and Blind Jack, musician and engineer extraordinaire.
Moving along to Green Dragon Yard, medieval and Georgian buildings will be pointed out, including the Old Flax Mill, which played a key role during the heyday of the town’s linen industry.
Arriving at Knaresborough Castle, visitors will be guided round the ruins and hear stories of its association with royal monarchs such as King John and Edward II.
They will then experience the beauty of the view over the River Nidd and hear more about the surrounding places of interest, before being escorted back to where the tour commenced.
People can just turn up at the meeting point on Wednesdays at the Market Cross but the number of participants is limited to 16 on a first-come, first-served basis for health and safety reasons.
Free group tours for local charities and educational institutions can also be arranged by emailing Margy at margylonghurst@hotmail.com
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Stonefall Cemetery to host free war graves tours this month
*UPDATE*: This event has been cancelled as a mark of respect for Her Majesty.
Free tours will be held at Stonefall Cemetery next month where visitors can learn about some of the remarkable men and women of the Commonwealth forces who are buried there.
They are being organised by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) as part of the Heritage Open Days Scheme and will take place on September 10, 15, 17 and 18.
More than 1,000 casualties from both world wars are buried at Stonefall Cemetery.
Staff will be telling some new stories this year including the story of Dorothy Robson also known as ‘Bomb Sight Bertha’, the engineer who was instrumental in the development of the bomb sight on bombers and Flight Lieutenant Vincent Parker who was known as the ‘Locksmith of Colditz’.
On September 15, members of the public can also try their hand at stone engraving and will learn about how the CWGC maintains the headstones at the cemetery.
The director of external relations at the CWGC, Liz Woodfield, said:
“Everyone in Harrogate is very welcome to attend the Heritage Open Days at Stonefall Cemetery. They’re a great opportunity to learn how the CWGC honours and cares for the men and women of the Commonwealth who died in the First and Second World Wars, ensuring they will never be forgotten.
“There’ll be plenty going on from fascinating tours and talks to interactive activities such as stone engraving. Visitors will also learn how the CWGC is becoming more sustainable and is playing its part in tackling the key environmental concerns of our time.”
To book a free tour, visit www.cwgc.org/opendays .
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Harrogate’s Royal Hall to reopen to the public next week
The Royal Hall in Harrogate is to reopen to the public next week after being closed for more than a year.
The hall will hold an open day on Wednesday, July 7, which will allow visitors to look around the Grade II listed Edwardian building.
The hall, which was built in 1903 and reopened in 2008 following a £10.8 million restoration, held regular guided tours pre-covid. Because social distance rules have not been lifted, tours won’t be available next week but visitors will be able to make their own way round.
One-hour guided tours are due to recommence at 11am and 2pm on August 21.
But Gay Steel, open day coordinator for the Royal Hall Restoration Trust, said the situation would be reviewed after the government decides whether to lift all lockdown measures on July 21, and there was still a chance tours might be available on the second open day on July 27.
Ms Steel said:
“We are looking forward to the prospect of welcoming our visitors back to Harrogate’s glittering palace of gold and hope that you have an enjoyable experience.
“We are just being cautious in our approach as the safety of our visitors and volunteers is paramount.”
Live entertainment is due to return to the Royal Hall on July 31 with a performance from students at Knaresborough’s Freedom Performing Arts.
The 11-day Gilbert and Sullivan festival and a Fleetwood Mac tribute act are scheduled for August, as things gradually return to normal.
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