SLIP BACK INTO THE EDWARDIAN AGE

There is still room to book your place on a private guided tour around The Royal Hall, Harrogate, organised by Bishop Monkton Local History Group. Now open to non-members, this tour, led by the Hall's head tour guide, will take place on Monday October 7th from 10.30 a.m. to 12 noon at a cost of £5, with an opportunity to then have lunch at "Barking George", the hotel directly opposite the Hall. Bookings, at the latest, by Thursday September 26th.

Please contact Annabel Alton (annabel@annabelalton.com) to book a place and indicate if you would like lunch.

Secretary, Annabel writes.

"This special tour will give us a fascinating insight into the extraordinary life and restoration of this last surviving ‘Kursaal’ in Britain, completed in 1903. A symbol of architectural brilliance, this Grade 11 listed building has been meticulously restored to its former glory. Conceived and designed as a ‘Cure Hall’, the building provided a major entertainment venue for those who came to take the waters, as spa treatments and theatre combined became very popular in the rapidly expanding spa town of Harrogate. We will step into a world of glittering gold, boasting an astounding amount of gold leaf and ornate decoration, and discover the legendary performances that graced the stage throughout the years. Also, to hear the many stories about those who used the hall, from suffragettes to Arthur Conan Doyle to Canadian Air Squadrons celebrating the end of the war, and latterly those who led the restoration with Royal support to save the hall in 2006."