Tributes have been paid to celebrated Harrogate historian Malcolm Neesam, who died yesterday.

Mr Neesam, who wrote some of the most authoritative books about Harrogate, died in the early hours of the morning on his 76th birthday.

He was a founder member of Harrogate Civic Society, whose chairman Stuart Holland described him as “an inspirational source of knowledge about our town”, adding.

“Always a gentleman in manner and appearance, Malcolm had an amazing way of recounting our history as a simple story.

“In his work with the civic society — originally the Harrogate Society — Malcolm was instrumental in establishing the listing of buildings in the town and establishing the first conservation area.

“He had an encyclopaedic memory of facts, people and places which made his presentations at meetings fascinating.

“As author of many books about the town, it was Wells and Swells, covering the golden age of Harrogate, 1842 to 1923,  that Malcolm will more recently be remembered for.

“Alongside his research and writing, Malcolm was the founder historian of the Harrogate brown plaque scheme, from presenting plaques on the Tewit Well and Magnesia Well in 1975 to a staggering 92 plaques around the town today.

“The Harrogate Civic Society will keep Malcolm’s name alive by continuing in his footsteps, celebrating our rich heritage and past.”

‘Chronicler of our town’

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones wrote on his Community News website that Mr Neesam made a “profound” contribution to the area. He added:

“As a historian he was the chronicler of our town, and nobody knew more.

“His knowledge had depth and breadth, and he was always so generous in helping others tapping into that well of understanding. Malcolm was also passionate about music, and again his knowledge was huge.

“He cared deeply for Harrogate, its past and its future, using his unparalleled knowledge to inform debate.

“I recall very fondly many long conversations about our area and shared musical interests. As a very near neighbour I would see him regularly, and always enjoyed doing so.

“Malcolm was a Harrogate hero. He leaves a body of work that is impressive and an area much the better for all he did. This is indeed sad news, but we should give thanks as we think about him.”

Freedom of the borough

Harrogate Borough Council awarded Mr Neesam the Freedom of the Borough in 1996 for his services as a historian.

Councillor Graham Swift, deputy leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said:

“Malcolm had an enthusiasm and passion for the town and in 1996 was awarded the Freedom of the Borough for his services as historian of the town.

“On behalf of the borough council, I’d like to offer our deepest condolences and sympathy to Malcolm’s friends and family during this time.”

‘Forever Mr Harrogate’

Judy d’Arcy Thompson, chair of the Stray Defence Association and a friend of Mr Neesam, said:

“We will all be the poorer for the loss of Malcolm, ‘Mr Harrogate’, as he has been called. A true Harrogatonian who had a wealth of knowledge about our beautiful town and its history.

“He had a deep and abiding passion for this town and Malcolm knew more about our wonderful Stray, its origins and history, than anyone else. We will miss his knowledge and wisdom immensely.

“He will never be forgotten but be forever Mr Harrogate.”

A decision on whether to create a Harrogate town council is unlikely to be made until at least 2024, a meeting heard last night.

Wallace Sampson, chief executive of Harrogate Borough Council, outlined the lengthy legal process to members of Harrogate Civic Society.

Mr Sampson said North Yorkshire Council, which comes into existence on April 1 next year, would have to undertake a community governance review before any changes to Harrogate’s governance can take place.

This would involve two stages of consultation, likely to take place next year, followed by a final recommendation on whether to approve a town council.

If approved, a legal order would be made, followed by other processes before implementation.

Last night’s meeting.

Speaking at last night’s packed meeting, at which he and Councillor Graham Swift, deputy leader of Harrogate Borough Council, discussed local government reorganisation and devolution, Mr Sampson said:

“It’s really difficult to say how long that process will take but our best guess is 15 months to two years. If it happened by 2024 that would be a good timeframe.”

Mr Sampson also said elections for a mayor for the combined North Yorkshire and York regions would “probably” take place in 2024.

Read more:

• Harrogate town council: What is it and what would it cost taxpayers?
• Key planning document delayed for west Harrogate residents facing 4,000 new homes

Last night’s meeting discussed the implications of the momentous changes brought about by North Yorkshire devolution and local government reorganisation.

Harrogate Borough Council and six other district councils, along with North Yorkshire County Council, will be abolished next year when the new North Yorkshire Council comes into being on April 1.

8,000 council staff

Eight thousand staff will be brought together into what will be one of the largest councils in the UK, in a move estimated to save about £30m a year.

The loss of Harrogate Borough Council has led to concerns that Harrogate may lack a political voice after the changes, with most key decisions set to be made by North Yorkshire Council in Northallerton.

Last month Pat Marsh, the Liberal Democrat leader for Harrogate and Knaresborough, called for the process to create a Harrogate town council to begin “as soon as possible, within the next couple of months” but this seems unlikely to happen.

Philip Broadbank, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Harrogate Starbeck on North Yorkshire County Council, attended last night’s meeting and said afterwards the party would continue to push for the process “to be done as quickly as possible” but he accepted it would take time.

Cllr Swift told the meeting that Harrogate Borough Council’s civic centre at Knapping Mount “won’t be a white elephant” after the authority is abolished and would continue to be used by staff employed by North Yorkshire Council. He said:

“It’s going to continue to save you £1m a year forever.”

Two new smart bins branded an ‘eyesore’ outside Harrogate’s Valley Gardens are to be moved.

Harrogate Borough Council said today it would “find a more suitable location for the bins”, which it revealed cost £4,350 each.

The bins use sensors to identify different types of waste, as well as how full the receptacles are and whether they have been damaged.

Harrogate Civic Society and the Friends of Valley Gardens both called for the bins to be relocated this week because of their visual impact on the conservation area.

The council has installed six smart bins, costing a total of £26,1000, in Valley Gardens. But it is the two outside the main entrance that have attracted criticism.

Stuart Holland, co-chair of the civic society, said it welcomed receptacles to collect waste and recycling but described the smart bins as ‘eyesores’.

Ann Beeby, secretary of the Friends of Valley Gardens charity, said it has aesthetic concerns and had asked the council to consider moving them inside the entrance.

Read more:

• Calls to move ‘eyesore’ smart bins at Harrogate’s Valley Gardens
• The quirky new Harrogate café where customers can cuddle chihuahuas

A council spokesman said today:

“The location of the bins was chosen in areas where footfall is high and where in peak season bins require emptying multiple times a day.

“We’d like to thank Harrogate district residents and Harrogate Civic Society for sharing their comments on the bins. And following feedback from the civic society, we will work with them to find a more suitable location for the bins outside Valley Gardens to preserve the heritage of the town while maintaining a high footfall area.”

Smart bins ‘improve efficiency and increase recycling’

Two bins have also been installed in the children’s play area.

The council spokesperson said the new solar-powered compacting public bins would “improve efficiency and increase recycling”.

They added:

“Each self-contained 240l bin, that prevents birds and vermin from entering, can compact the volume of up to 10 standard bins.

“Resulting in each pair accommodating a total of up to 4,800 litres of waste and recycling and a reduction in the time and cost of emptying bins, as well as a reduction in fuel costs and carbon emissions.

“Meaning we can spend more time litter picking and keeping the district clean and looking its best.

“The allowance for recycling glass, plastic and cans means that these items can be removed from general waste and increase the district’s recycling rates.

“Much like the standard bins that have recently been retrofitted with a sensor, we are also able to monitor fill levels and are alerted if there are issues with the bin, or the bin becomes full before its next collection, ensuring litter is kept to a minimum and we can ensure the district is kept clean and tidy.”

Plans to redevelop Harrogate Borough Council’s former headquarters have been recommended for approval next week.

The proposals for Crescent Gardens, which has sat empty for five years, include a two-storey extension, rooftop restaurant, gym and new office space.

The plans have been recommended for approval at a meeting on May 10 after the council’s planning department released a report saying the redevelopment would “increase the vitality of this town centre site and prove beneficial in boosting Harrogate’s economy”.

Harrogate-based property developers Impala Estates are behind the proposals after purchasing the building for £4 million in 2020.
This came after the council moved to its new Knapping Mount headquarters in 2017.

At the time, the council announced it would sell Crescent Gardens to property developer Adam Thorpe who had plans for a £75 million redevelopment including luxury apartments, an art gallery, underground car park, swimming pool and restaurant.

But two years later, Mr Thorpe’s company ATP Ltd fell into administration with debts of almost £11 million, including £24,394 owed to the council.

Crescent Gardens

Crescent Gardens then went back up for sale and was eventually bought by Impala Estates.

Historic England objection

In the report to next Tuesday’s meeting, the council’s planning department said the latest plans from Impala Estates would “alter the locality but on balance are considered acceptable.”

An objection by Historic England questioned the public benefits and said the roof extension should not exceed one storey. The body also said the plans relate “very poorly” to the existing building.

However, the council has argued this view contradicts a previous assessment from Historic England’s predecessor body, English Heritage, which described the building as “poorly proportioned in classical terms” because it was originally restricted to two storeys.

These comments came when English Heritage refused listed status for the building in 2002.

Read more:

• Future of ex-Harrogate council building could be decided this month
• YouTuber raves about Knaresborough and Harrogate takeaways
• Calls to move ‘eyesore’ smart bins at Harrogate’s Valley Gardens

Meanwhile, the latest proposals have already won the support of Harrogate Civic Society which described the scheme as “excellent”.

The civic society previously said:

“The existing roof lends itself to a two-storey extension, something that was advocated many times to Harrogate Borough Council, making use of the original design that envisaged future extensions at roof level.

“We are pleased to see that the building will be retained and refurbished as offices, with a restaurant on the roof and meeting rooms within the historic core, as this will retain a degree of public access and use of the building.”

Harrogate Civic Society and the Friends of Valley Gardens have called for new smart bins at Harrogate’s Valley Gardens to be moved.

The bins use sensors to identify different types of waste, as well as how full the receptacles are and whether they have been damaged.

But Harrogate Borough Council’s decision to site two of them immediately outside the main entrance to Valley Gardens, in Harrogate’s conservation area, has been criticised.

Stuart Holland, co-chair of the civic society, said it welcomed receptacles to collect waste and recycling but described the smart bins as ‘eyesores’.

Mr Holland added:

“What is unfortunate is that these particular ones have been positioned in such a way that they spoil the entrance to the gardens and have been laid on a crude base of concrete over paving slabs with no regard for quality of installation.

“This location is at the heart of Harrogate conservation area, opposite a Grade 2* listed building and at the entrance to a designated area of significance.”

A conservation area is defined as an area that has special architectural or historic interest, the character and appearance of which it is considered desirable to preserve or enhance.

Read more:

• ‘Smart bins’ to be trialled in Harrogate from this month
• Harrogate branded the ‘new Hollywood’ after film crews descend

Some planning applications are rejected because of the impact on the conservation area.

Mr Holland added:

“Valley Gardens itself is Grade 2, included within the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest by Historic England, for its special historic interest.

“The paved area on which the bins have been positioned is land incorporated under the Stray Act and as such is subject to strict controls.

“There is no evidence that these controls have been respected. The civic society would welcome meeting with local councillors to look at satisfactory ways of re-positioning these bins.”

The smart bins in the play area. Pic: Harrogate Civic Society

‘Consider moving them’

“The existing bins are constantly overflowing, leaving rubbish blowing around;  the gardening team had to spend many hours removing the rubbish, and this will now be done by a different team.

“The new bins are being trialed in the gardens, and we will be keeping a watching brief.

“We are however concerned about the pair of bins at the entrance on aesthetic grounds, as they are in a significant heritage area. We have asked the council to consider moving them inside the entrance, to the area near  the signboard.”

Celebrated Harrogate historian Malcolm Neesam has published a book documenting the golden age of the town’s spa past.

Mr Neesam began work in 2005 on Wells & Swells – The Golden Age of Harrogate Spa 1842-1923.

With more than 1600 pages of glorious detail it begins with the opening of Harrogate’s pump room and covers the town’s glory days at the height of the Victorian Spa boom. It ends with the construction of the war memorial after the First World War.

Mr Neesam said:

“The ‘swells’ in the book are mostly the grand visitors – kings, queens, grand dukes and duchesses and millionaires.

“The ‘wells’ are the Harrogate waters, which were exploited with every new discovery and promoted to cure different illnesses.”

The book is the second in a planned trilogy. The first history, The Great Chronicle, charts Harrogate from its earliest times to 1842.

Today’s launch, organised by Harrogate Civic Society at the Cedar Court Hotel, was attended by more than 150 people.

Mr Neesam has written more than a dozen histories relating to Harrogate. In 1996 he was awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Harrogate in recognition of his contribution to the town.

Stuart Holland, chair of the civic society, said:

“We learn from the past and it helps us plan for the future. The civic society has a huge role to play in studying the history of the town, take pride in the town and learn from the past.

“Malcolm was a founder member of Harrogate Civic Society and has inspired many to discover the history of their town.”

Today’s book launch.

Read More:

• Bill posters from Harrogate’s Royal Hall reveal varied past
• Bilton Working Men’s Club to change name after more than 100 years

The book is published by Carnegie Publishing Ltd. Its managing director, Anna Goddard, told the Stray Ferret:

“There is nobody other than Malcolm Neesam who could have written this. The depth of the research, the detail of the writing, the quality and range of the illustrations he has selected are all second to none.

This book will last forever – it is a treasure for future generations”

If you wish to order a copy you can contact Carnegie Publishing here.

Mr Neesam will be at Woods of Harrogate tomorrow at 11am to celebrate his book and the 127th  anniversary of Woods as one of the oldest family-run business in the town.

A new mosque will be created in central Harrogate after the sale of the former Home Guard club completed today.

Harrogate Islamic Association has collected the keys for its new Tower Street premises after raising the £500,000 needed to buy the now-dilapidated building.

However, the hard work is not over: the group will continue to raise funds throughout Ramadan, which started today, to fund the renovations needed to bring the property back into use.

Zahed Amanullah, a member of the association, told the Stray Ferret:

“We are just over the moon — we’re so excited.

“Other communities in Yorkshire are looking this way and are really impressed with what they have seen.

“It’s a great example of how to establish a community within a wider society that is really harmonious and supportive.”

Mr Amanullah said Friday prayers for members of the association had been celebratory, with many having moved to Harrogate a decade or more ago and been searching for a place for a mosque ever since.

Read more:

• ‘Community goodwill’ helped to overcome anti-mosque campaign, says Harrogate Islamic Association
• Malcolm Neesam History: the colourful past of what could become Harrogate’s first mosque

Harrogate Borough Council granted planning permission in March for changes to the building to create a place of worship.

HIA then began a crowdfunding campaign to raise £200,000, alongside loans, to complete the purchase and to carry out repairs. Mr Amanullah said the first priority was to repair the roof and ensure the building was water-tight before any further work was carried out.

Zahed Amanullah of Harrogate Islamic Association

Then, he hopes some space can be refurbished and opened later this year while the remainder of the building is renovated. He added:

“There are some real architectural surprises in there – we’re looking forward to having a good look around. We had just one or two walks through the building in total darkness so far!

“We’ve had people offering in-kind support. That alone is hugely helpful — we’ve got tradesmen and women offering their services.

“We’ll be using an architect, and we’ll be working with Harrogate Civic Society on our plans.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming people into the building. We will have some sort of public open house when it’s safe to do so.”

Police have told the Muslim organisation planning to open the Harrogate district’s first mosque to include extra security measures due to safety fears.

Harrogate Islamic Association has applied for planning permission to convert the former Home Guard club on the corner of Tower Street and Belford Place into a place of worship.

As part of the planning process, the council consults some organisations to see if they lend support, recommend refusal or suggest alterations.

North Yorkshire Police has submitted a designing out crime report, which says the main crime associated with mosques is racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage.

It suggests that the plans include external lighting, iron railings, laminated glass, CCTV and intruder alarms.

Police also suggest an external post box to prevent arson.

Read more:

• Will Ripon’s new pool open this month?
• Harrogate Islamic Association hopes to see off anti-mosque campaign

The mosque faces opposition from a leaflet campaign and Bristol planning expert Gavin Boby, who calls himself the Mosquebuster.

But many people posted supportive comments on social media when the Stray Ferret reported the opposition yesterday.

Harrogate Civic Society has also lent its support after rejecting two previous proposed sites for the mosque.

Henry Pankhurst, on behalf of the civic society, said:

“We are very hopeful that the building will be able to take its place, once repaired and refurbished, as a worthy neighbour to all of the notable nearby properties.

“Railings should be erected as above and windows should be of a design which is suitable for this historic building and the conservation area.

“Every care should be taken to preserve historic features internally as well as externally.”

Harrogate Civic Society has called for the £10.9 million Station Gateway scheme to be totally reconsidered as consultation on the latest designs draws to a close.

The organisation, which protects Harrogate’s heritage, said it had “many concerns” about the initiative, which aims to make the town more attractive and improve cycling and walking.

Its submission to the consultation questioned whether the scheme, in its current form, would achieve its main aims and called for a rethink, even if it risked jeopardising funding.

It said:

“We have many concerns, including the absence of wider strategic thinking to address traffic flow; the risk of increased congestion if part of Station Parade is one lane; potential conflicts between the flow of pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles at crossing points; poor design proposals for Station Square, which do not reflect Harrogate’s distinctive character.

“We would prefer to see the whole proposal reconsidered, even though this may mean that Harrogate would lose the opportunity for improvement though this particular fund.

“Traffic and congestion is a problem in the town, the environment for pedestrians and cyclists must be improved, businesses in the town centre should be supported through infrastructure improvement, and the town centre should be a better place for those living in it but this scheme, in its present form, does not achieve this.”

Read more:

• Harrogate businesses consider legal challenge to Station Gateway
• Station Gateway: the story so far of the £10.9m scheme

What is the Harrogate Station Gateway?

The Harrogate scheme is one of three projects worth a combined £42m in Harrogate, Skipton and Selby funded by the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund, which encourages cycling and walking.

They are being delivered in partnership by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council, Craven District Council and Selby District Council.

A consultation on the revised designs ends tomorrow. It is anticipated that work in Harrogate will begin by the middle of next year.

To take part in the online consultation, click here.

A new brown plaque was unveiled in Harrogate today to commemorate Hungarian artist Jean-Georges Simon.

Simon studied art in Budapest before the Great War. He left Hungary in 1920 to develop his style of post-impressionism in Italy, Switzerland and France, before marrying in London in 1937.

In 1941, Simon moved to Ramsgill before later moving to Harrogate where he lived for most of his life on 4 Park Road.

The Hungarian artist taught at Harrogate School of Art and a 2005 monograph by Robert Waterhouse, who was at today’s unveiling, brought his life and work to a wider audience.

Read more:

• New Harrogate walking trail app launched
• History: The story behind Harrogate’s Spitfire plaque

Mayor of Harrogate Borough, Trevor Chapman, unveiled the plaque today alongside Consul General of Hungary, Krisztina Katai-Nagy at Simon’s former home on Park Road. Robin Sutcliffe, who is involved in Simon’s archive, was also in attendance.

A self-portrait of the Hungarian artist, Jean-Georges Simon. Credit: Robert Waterhouse.

Mr Waterhouse said at the unveiling today that they had planned to recognise Simon three years ago at an exhibition called Their Safe Haven.

The 2018 exhibition would have showcased 14 Hungarian artists, including Simon, who established themselves in Britain before the Second World War. Another planned showcase a few years later fell through due to the covid pandemic.

He said:

“Unfortunately, it [the 2018 exhibition] did not go to plan because there was no money for it.

“It’s very important to Robin and I that there is finally public recognition for Simon.”

Financed by a grant from the Jean-Georges Simon Trust and co-ordinated by Harrogate Civic Society, the plaque becomes the 88th in the town to be commissioned.