In this month’s update, the Mayor of Harrogate, Councillor Viv Poskitt reflects on a rewarding June meeting residents, supporting local organisations, and celebrating community achievements.
Welcome back to my MONTHLY column, the eagle eyed readers may have spotted that I rather exuberantly thought it was weekly which I stated in my last article!
Community Engagement
I have certainly had another busy month. I went to the West End Association as the town councillor for St George’s Ward to meet with the residents and find out about local issues. The committee and its volunteers do a great job keeping the Oval as a beautiful natural habitat for our community.
During Dementia Awareness Week I was invited to the Rainbow Group on Knaresborough Road, to meet with clients, staff and relatives. This group offers day care services for those families living with dementia. It was a lovely morning.
I met with Jemima and Tim from Zero Carbon Harrogate to have an informal meeting about how we can work together with Harrogate Town Council.
Annual Town Meeting, West Park URCCouncil & Governance
On May 27th, we held our Annual Town Meeting of the Council at West Park URC, which was well attended and we had a few questions asked by our parishioners and we were able to share some of our achievements and aspirations.I attended the Harrogate branch meeting of the Yorkshire Local Councils Association (YLCA) on 8th June where I was able to meet with other chairs of local parish council’s and discuss the issues that we all share.
A couple of days later, I went to Tadcaster on a Chairing Skills training day. As Mayor of Harrogate, I chair of the council’s monthly Full Council meetings and enjoyed learning more about the rules, regulations and protocols required, building on my knowledge in this area. It was great to meet with fellow Yorkshire councillors and to hear about the goings on in other areas. I feel very grateful that we have such a cohesive mix of councillors who make my job so much easier!
Education & Young People
On the 30th May, I was invited to the Harrogate KTA Taekwondo Black Belt Grading 2026 at Rossett School where I was able to question some of the candidates and present them with their belts and certificates. I was even awarded an honorary day. It was great to see the enthusiasm and discipline in these young people.
I was up early on Friday 5th June to cycle to school with the Oatlands Junior School “Bike Bus”. As everyone knows cycling around this town is my favourite way to commute so this was truly special and the weather was kind to us.
Awards & Civic Recognition
I was delighted to be invited by Simon Cotton to the Annual Harrogate Hospitality and Tourism Awards at the Royal Hall. It was an exceptional evening, and all the nominees thoroughly deserved their accolades. I was thrilled to present the Bar Person of the Year award to Josh Henderson of Six Poor Folk, a popular choice. Having done bar work in my youth I do not underestimate how hard they work. And huge congratulations to Sharon Canavar for her Ambassador award for her work with Harrogate International Festivals.
Before this months Full Council Meeting at the Civic Chambers, I received a Silver Salver from the Royal Yorkshire Regiment commemorating their 20-year anniversary, a very proud and humbling moment.
Banks Group 50th Anniversary – HorticapLocal Visits & Organisations
I went to Horticap which was hosting a 50-year anniversary of the Banks Group which offers sponsorship and support to such projects. We were treated to some delicious canapés made by the staff, and I was treated to a tour of the garden area. It is such a wonderful place, and I highly recommend a visit.
I attended another Charity Ball for Supporting Older People and the following morning I was up early to raise the commemorative flag for Sir Robert Barrie Day on Sunday 7th June at the Civic Centre, a first for me!
Sunday was certainly a busy day for me as I then headed to Ashville College to meet members of the Hope Church for their Annual Celebration of International Diversity. I was joined by my contemporary from Knaresborough, and we were treated to some wonderful singing and delicious food from around the world.
I then travelled north to Ripon for the Cathedral’s Golden & Diamond Wedding Service which brought together couples who married at Ripon Cathedral for 50 & 60 years. It was a beautiful service and the consort and I were even able to renew our vows, albeit not even close to 50 years wed!
Culture & Heritage
I was really pleased to be able to join Harry’s wife Rebecca on her Walking Tour highlighting women’s history in Harrogate, not just Agatha Christie stories but the first GP in Harrogate obviously paved the way for the rest of us, a fascinating tour.
I was thrilled to attend the Tewit Youth Band’s Annual President Concert in Wetherby where after 45 years service President Colin Gibbs retired.
And finally, I unveiled the plaque to commemorate Beryl Burton, the cycling legend, which was such a privilege. Having just completed a charity cycle at the weekend I was truly inspired by her abilities and used that motivation to keep me going.
Personal Reflection
In essence I have met some incredible and inspiring people and look forward to my next few weeks.
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