Town’s history can be brought alive in a Cultural Quarter

From: Susan Amaku and Stuart Holland, Co-Chairs of Harrogate Civic Society.

IT was pleasing to see recent letters suggesting improvements for the town, particularly to creating a new Cultural Quarter in Harrogate.

Harrogate Civic Society led proposals for a Cultural Quarter last summer when they entered into discussions with likely developers of the old Crescent Gardens council offices, met with officials from Harrogate Borough Council and liaised with other organisations. Since then, the offices have been sold and we understand the developer is keen to make some of the building available for community use – including the original mayor’s parlour, the council chamber and the grand entrance staircase.

This was all confirmed in a press release from the borough council which stated that “the proposed plans will ensure that the building provides much needed office space in the town centre and provide community benefits that keeps Crescent

Gardens as a vibrant addition to Harrogate town”.

Harrogate Civic Society see the potential of this as the hub of the Cultural Quarter that takes in the landmark buildings surrounding it, from the Royal Hall, past the Royal Baths to include the Royal Pump Room Museum and the Mercer Gallery. It will also include Crescent Gardens themselves and Valley Gardens.

There is so much history and tradition in this area that can be brought alive for residents and visitors through good publicity, exhibitions, events, outdoor performances and, most of all, a link back to our spa heritage.

From: Simon Broadbent, Harrogate.

I AM disappointed by the extensive coverage given to the people who bemoan the mess left on the Stray the other week, and the police apologising for not robustly dealing with it.

I was there that night and it was a lovely chilled atmosphere on a lovely summer evening. There were groups everywhere chatting, people playing football and frisbees, dogs and children running back and forth.

Let’s face it, we would all go mad stuck in our houses not seeing anybody face to face for months.

Yes the mess is sad, and gas cylinder use should be counselled against.

But were any serious crimes logged on the Stray that night? I think not.

All we have is so-called Stray protectors not wanting people going out and enjoying themselves safely.