Talk on 5th February 2020

On February 5th, ‘Harry’ talked to us about ‘Walking Tours around Harrogate’. Harry, whose grandparents were of Czech and Bulgarian origins, started his walking tours after doing some research in Harrogate library, and he talked fluently and passionately about Harrogate’s origins (pre-Roman, Roman and Viking), painting pictures of Viking long-ships drawn up in Knaresborough.

Harry delivered a subset of his walking tour talk to members, with the help of fascinating old photographs of Harrogate that brought many reminiscences as well as new information from members. We learnt things we didn’t know (e.g. Farrah’s original coffee shop prospered because it took away some of the taste of the spa water, users of Harrogate’s earlier railway station were greeted on exit with a magnificent winter garden) as well as reminding us of the only WW2 bombing raid on Harrogate – on the Majestic Hotel, then requisitioned for the use of RAF War Office planners.

A most enjoyable and informative talk by a superb speaker.