The Mayor's Quiz Night Fundraiser - 12 December

This event's preparation has been a bit of a preoccupation in our spare moments during recent weeks.  Will anyone come? Will we make any money? Will people enjoy themselves?
Now it's over, we can say 'yes' on all counts.
Over 90 people came, with the Chair of N Yorkshire Council, The Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Harrogate and the Mayor of Ripon,  all in attendance with their partners.
We made a net figure for the charities of at least £1240
The contest was hard fought, with the 'chain gang' graciously winning the booby prize. 
Many, many thanks to those who contributed to the fun!

A week of seasonal activity

There as been quite a lot going on in recent days.  Here are the diary entries:

• Saturday 3 December:  Manor House Care Home open day
• Phantom of the Opera, Rotary Fundraiser at  Queen Ethelburga's
• Tuesday 6 December:  Advent Service with the Guides
• Wednesday 7 December: Shanties, Songs and Teas at the Friendship and Leisure Club
• Thursday 8 December: Advent service, Henshaw's Style
• Saturday 9 December 8 am Packing and distributing gifts with Knaresborough Lions and Rotary
• Knaresborough Choral Society Concert
• Sunday 11 December: Studio 3 Dancers - Christmas Lunch and performance

Christmas Tree Festival - Sustainabilly-tree!

St John's Church has hosted the Christmas Tree Festival for three years now. It was suggested that the Mayor put in a tree this year.  Not wanting to flinch at the challenge, we prepared a version of the sort of 'tree' we normally have.  A bit bigger than our usual effort
 Each tree was given a name - in our case, we chose Sustaina-Billy-tree. Well, we thought it was funny!
The 'tree' was a pruning Shan found on a skip; all the decorations were home made or re-cycled in some way, and the gifts at the bottom, either Fair Trade or charity shop purchases

Ripon follow suit

Bright Friday 25 November in Knaresborough was followed by the Ripon Lights switch on the next day.  A different style of occasion, marked by the celebrity appearance of Jack Laugher, a local Olympian.  Jack generously posed for photos and selfies, and signed autographs to everyone’s delight.
Our evening was marked by being driven back to Knaresborough in the brand new TransDev bus, on display at the event and named after Jack

Bright Friday! Lights Switch On

Bright Friday, a gesture to combat the gloomy values in the idea of Black Friday, was Knaresborough's way of framing the beginning of the Festive Season
Children, each carrying a candle, processed from the Castle grounds to the Market Square, and led the count down to the big switch on.  The careful planning by Hannah Gostlow's team was rewarded by the excitement of the packed Market Square, and the whole proceedings working without a hitch!

20 November - Leeds Minster Oak Leaf Service

This day was a global day of recognition for the victims and families affected by road traffic accidents.  The ceremony in Leeds was one of many throughout the Region, bringing together victims and their families in a common expression of grief and concern.  A very moving occasion.

Memorial Service for George Moore - 18 November

A great character and generous benefactor was commemorated at a dignified and moving occasion.  Although living away, in the Isle of Man, George had maintained strong links in the Town, both personal and through the Foundation.  Generous tribute was paid to this larger than life figure.

16 November - Local Action

An evening meeting at the Mitre Inn, called by residents and traders on Waterside, expressing concern about the Town's 'direction' (my word).  A very helpful discussion, which demonstrated that not only were people concerned, but that also work was going forward - in the Neighbourhood Development Plan, for instance - aimed to sort out issues.  Memo to the Mayor: keep plugging away at improving communication between the Town Council and the community.

15 November - Thanksgiving at Menwith

Generous hospitality at our local branch of the NSA. Still a bit subdued, absorbing the implications of the recent presidential election.

Week of Remembrance

This rather self satisfied image does not do justice to the experience of the days of the time of remembrance.
11.am, Friday 11 November: a well attended ceremony at the war memorial in the Castle grounds
9.30 am, Sunday 13 November,  at St John's Church, formal procession to the war memorial, including the Deputy Lord Lieutenant and the MP.

Knaresborough Horticultural Society - Prizegiving

KHS flower show was the star attraction at the Yorkshire Showground.  Mike Prest was our host.

Diary of a week in October

Friday 14 October: Harrogate College Prizegiving
Monday 17 October: Memorial service for Maurice Bardon.  His sudden death was a real shock to our community.
Town council Meeting
Tuesday 18 October: Harrogate and Ripon Council for Voluntary Services AGM
Wednesday 19 October:  Yorkshire Wildlife Trust AGM, Staveley Nature Reserve
Thursday 20 October:  Visit of the Duke of Gloucester to Knaresborough, and King James's School
Friday 21 October: Rotary Charter Dinner

!2 October - King James's School 400 celebration

Pupils of King James's School displaying the original charter establishing the school in 1616.  Drama students performed an amusing and brilliant review of these last 400 years.

Resume normal service - Remember Bebra?

This is one of Bebra's links with Knaresborough - a call box being used ias a free book exchange.  It is located in Knaresborough Square.
some of the Knaresborough contingent at the Kermes celebrations.
Saying goodbye to our hosts. We experienced a wonderful kaleidoscope of events, and returned with a resolve to maintain and enhance the link with our friends in Germany.