Normandy veterans’ stories to feature in Ripon’s VE anniversary commemorationsHarrogate to hold VE Day 80th anniversary commemorationsUrgent calls to renovate ‘shabby’ Harrogate plaque ahead of VE DayKnaresborough Town Council reveals plans for VE DayHarrogate History: VE day 1945 – a day of rejoicing after the dark years of war
Malcolm Neesam (1946 – 2022) was a writer, archivist and historian, specialising in Harrogate and North Yorkshire history. He was born in Harrogate and studied at the University of Leeds as a professional archivist and librarian. He subsequently worked in Hereford, Leeds, London and York where, for twenty-five years, he was North Yorkshire County Music and Audiovisual Librarian. In 1996 Harrogate Borough Council awarded Malcolm the Freedom of the Borough for his services as the town’s historian, preserving much of the town’s heritage.
This article was first published October 2, 2020 as part of Malcom’s Harrogate History series for the Stray Ferret.
On Tuesday 8th May 1945, a full-sized likeness of Adolph Hitler gazed across West Park Stray surrounded by a replica of his Mountain retreat at Berchtesgaden.
It had been placed there as the crowning display of a huge bonfire and assembled by the Harrogate Home Guard, who, at dusk, stormed the display, and to frantic cheering from the assembled townspeople, captured the effigies of Hitler and his cronies, before the Mayor lit the bonfire that burned ‘Berchtesgaden’ to the ground.
Beyond this scene of rejoicing, Harrogate was a sea of bunting and the flags of allied nations, which filled not only the town centre, but nearly every suburban street as well. In the main shopping streets at the town’s centre were displayed large portraits of the King and Queen, Prime Minister Churchill and allied leaders, Field Marshall Montgomery and other military luminaries.
Joyous crowds surged through the town centre that day, whose drab and neglected appearance, the result of five years, eight months and five days of wartime austerity, was temporarily brightened by brightly coloured displays, although the need to conserve energy precluded the use of gas or electric power, exceptions being made at the Royal Baths, and Municipal Offices where Mayor G. Spenceley had greeting the crowds gathered in Crescent Gardens.
A street party in 1945
People continued to surge through the centre of the town throughout the day, despite heavy rain showers, although the streets cleared in time for both the Prime Minister’s broadcast, and the King’s speech.
The borough court continued to function on VE Day, the main business being concerned with granting licences for dancing and extensions for liquor and music, all essential aspects of the coming celebrations on the following Sunday, which at the request of the King, would be a day of national thanksgiving and prayer.
A service was planned at St. Peter’s Church attended by the Mayor and full Corporation, followed by a brief ceremony at the War Memorial in remembrance of the fallen.
In the afternoon, a grand parade was to occur on West Park, when participants would include American military personnel, units of the Home Guard and Civil Defence, representatives from the British Legion, St. John Ambulance Brigade, the Scouts and the Guides. Flag bearing youth groups present included the Sea Cadets, Army Cadet Corps, Air Training Corps, Girls Training Corps, Boys Brigade, and the Civil Defence Messengers.
Neighbours and friends celebrating
After a short open air service, the parade marched via West Park and Parliament Street to the Municipal Officers in Crescent Gardens, where the Mayor took the salute from a specially constructed platform.
The Mayor’s rousing speech reminded the townspeople of the ordeal they had undergone, and that until Japan had been overcome, the resolve of the people must be continued. He ended his speech with the sincere thanks of the entire Corporation for what the townspeople had achieved through their great sacrifice.
Memorable though the Peace Parade had been, for some of Harrogate’s residents, their most exuberant celebrations were reserved for the town’s many street parties, which involved whole communities.
Looking back: Happiness in Harrogate district amid the challenges of 2020
As 2020 draws to a close, the Stray Ferret looks at the news stories that stood out among a year of extraordinary events.
Today, we look back on some of the highlights of the year when, amid the bleak events, the spirit of the community and individual strength shone through.
After facing a disrupted end to his school life and an uncertain path ahead, 18-year-old Morgan Glazier decided to set himself a challenge.
Raising money for mental health charity Mind, he completed a mile to correspond with the date of every day in June. After one mile on the first, two miles on the second and so on, he finished 30 miles on June 30, totalling an incredible 465 miles in the month.
As a result, he raised more than £9,000 for a charity close to his heart.
Also raising money, but for a completely different reason, was former Harrogate Grammar School student Harry Pritchard.
He had secured a place at the prestigious LAMDA drama school in London, but with fees of almost £14,000 feared he would be unable to take it up. Friends and family rallied around – but when Hollywood star Russell Crowe shared the campaign, the money rolled in.
For football fans, meanwhile, the crowning achievement of the year was Harrogate Town securing promotion to the football league for the first time. They may not have been able to be there for the 3-1 win over Notts County at Wembley, but fans were able to enjoy the occasion when the team held an open top bus parade through town on their return.
Photo: Matt Kirkham, Harrogate Town
The football season was able to conclude after a delay during the first lockdown – but many events were not able to proceed as planned. However, communities united to ensure the important dates did not go by unmarked.
For the Stray Ferret, 2020 saw us launch our news site as the pandemic reached the UK in March. Our audience has grown enormously in the last 10 months, and we’re grateful to everyone who has got in touch, told us their story or shared their concerns.
As the new year approaches, we’re as determined as ever to bring you the most important stories from across the Harrogate district, as well as those chinks of happiness in what can often seem a very gloomy world.
Please do keep in touch with us about anything you think we should know – you can email our news team at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk or call us on 01423 276197. And keep following us for the latest news as it happens via our website, Facebook page, Twitter feed, Instagram or LinkedIn.
Thank you for your support in 2020. We wish all our readers a healthy and happy new year.
Pateley Bridge man with cancer survives coronavirus to see VE Day
A man from Pateley Bridge who has suffered for seven years with kidney cancer survived coronavirus in time to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe day.
Roger Jefferson, 64, a retired police constable in the town, tested positive for covid-19 in April after coming down with a persistent cough and a tight chest.
In 2013, Mr Jefferson was diagnosed with cancer after a tumour was found on his left kidney and later in his lungs.
Since February, he’s been on two sets of medicines, Ipilumab and Nivolumab, aiming to reduce the cancer.
Roger Jefferson pictured with his wife, Hilary, outside their home in Pateley Bridge on VE Day.
But it was in early April after being furloughed from his part-time job when he started to shake, cough, feel constantly tired and had no taste or smell.
“It took me three stops to get up the stairs,” said Mr Jefferson. “I felt absolutely dreadful and had a cough that you would not believe.”
At first, Mr Jefferson thought it was the cancer treatment. But he later tested positive for coronavirus in Leeds and was told to recover at home. He said:
“One of the main things is that you can’t lie down, because you cough. I spent three weeks in a chair sleeping. It was horrendous.”
Meanwhile, Mr Jefferson lost 18 pounds in 10 days while suffering with the virus.
“I was not eating and not wanting to eat,” he said. “It was very debilitating.”
After six weeks of recovery, Mr Jefferson was given the all clear last week from COVID-19.Despite still having a mild cough and a husky voice, he feels he is one of the lucky ones.
When asked if he was scared when he was tested positive, Mr Jefferson said there was no fear:
“When you’re a cancer patient, the fear goes. There’s an acceptance of the inevitable but a determination to carry on.”
Now, he’s trying to get his strength back and walked five miles as part of his recovery on Friday morning. After lockdown, he’s looking forward to being able to get out in his Autograss car and start racing again.
“It’s frustrating,” said Mr Jefferson. “I just want to play with my toys.”
Scarecrows in North Stainley tell the village VE Day story
The VE Day 75th anniversary was celebrated in many shapes and forms across the Harrogate district and perhaps among the most imaginative came in North Stainley, where villagers created a scarecrow trail.
The main road through the village was lined with the painstakingly-produced characters dressed in 1940s clothing, while numerous Union flags fluttered in the light breeze of a sunlit day.
The figures ranged from the scarecrow soldier at North Stainley Primary School, next to a poppy design and the message ‘Lest We Forget’, to a Land Army girl outside a private house and the Vicar, celebrating Victory in Europe in gateway to the church of St Mary The Virgin.
Drake’s Fisheries make special delivery to Harrogate Neighbours for VE Day
Harrogate Neighbours overcame the problem of social distancing to put on a special day of VE Day celebrations for the residents of The Cuttings in Starbeck and Heath Lodge in Harrogate. Drake’s Fish and Chips in Knaresborough arrived with an appropriately-dressed team to deliver lunch.
Lockdown festival continues with high hopes after raising £500 for hospital on first day
A festival designed to bring people together online has proved a hit with communities across the Harrogate district.
HG Community Lockdown Fest has more than 60 activities scheduled across the bank holiday weekend, including VE Day celebrations on Friday. Among the online performances was a wartime-style song from The Haddow Sisters in Harrogate (shown above), reminiscent of popular 1940s group The Andrews Sisters.
Each session is free, but participants are being encouraged to donate what they can to Harrogate Hospital and Community Charity when they sign up. The fundraising total at the end of Friday stood at £500.
On top of that, Harrogate Town AFC is putting its weight behind the weekend, auctioning off a signed shirt this afternoon and contributing more than £600 for the charity.
Local history
Mental health webinars, children’s Spanish classes, cooking workshops and an online beer-tasting will be held today. Tomorrow, with the weather expected to turn colder, organisers are hopeful that the programme of interior design, floristry, singing, yoga and local history will prove even more popular.
Rebecca Oliver, who helped to put the weekend of events together, said:
“It’s impossible to say how many participants we’ve had, but every event has had someone taking part – despite the amazing weather! We’ve got some great sessions still to come, including plenty on Sunday which are ideal for a rainy day.”
Malcolm Neesam (1946 – 2022) was a writer, archivist and historian, specialising in Harrogate and North Yorkshire history. He was born in Harrogate and studied at the University of Leeds as a professional archivist and librarian. He subsequently worked in Hereford, Leeds, London and York where, for twenty-five years, he was North Yorkshire County Music and Audiovisual Librarian. In 1996 Harrogate Borough Council awarded Malcolm the Freedom of the Borough for his services as the town’s historian, preserving much of the town’s heritage.
