Mayor of Harrogate column: A busy summer of events

The summer holidays are in full swing and as usual I was able to attend the Great Yorkshire Show as a member and what a success!

The weather was glorious and I have to say the ‘mini high street’ featured by Harrogate BID was an absolute triumph.

I loved attending every day of the Show this year, despite juggling meetings and celebrating my wedding anniversary.

Watching John Whitaker winning the Cock O' The North, having won it initially 50 years ago, was fantastic.

I caught up with lots of local residents and businesses.

The weekend after the Show, I went to the Ashfield Court Care Home annual family barbecue, before heading down to Starbeck to open the new Camwal Playground.

The play area is a testament to the hard work by the local community and it was great chatting to and seeing families enjoying the new equipment.

I was invited to Vision Support Harrogate District Fashion Show and Secondhand Clothing Sale and I managed to purchase two new dresses to add to the mayor collection!

The following day was the Granby Community Event where I chatted with partners in the care sector.

I was also persuaded to host a tea party by St Michael’s Hospice.

An invite followed to the Theakston Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival. I was very excited to meet Steph McGovern and chat to Val McDermid. I discovered that I share birthdays with the winner Elly Griffiths and her editor, so we had the obligatory selfies!

Next, I headed down to Spofforth to present the Junior Cricket Awards, a great evening in a lovely setting.

The following morning I covered a spin class at Beckwith gym which was a sweaty one but enjoyable, then a quick turnaround for a quick photo opportunity in town.

In the afternoon I headed up to Bilton Community Centre Open Day, we chatted and sang, and I embarrassingly won the cake in the raffle, that was subsequently enjoyed by my work colleagues.

An enjoyable time was had at Valley Gardens introducing the White Rose Wind Band who were wonderful and much appreciated by the crowd enjoying the sunshine.

Later in the week I popped into the Harrogate Theatre for their autumn launch, they have an exciting list of events.

After work the next day I headed up to Dene Park to their Family Fun Day which was very well attended and even the fire brigade turned up to engage with the local community.

You may have seen on social media that I opened the new wine terrace at Ake & Humphries on Leeds Road. Then we were up early again to head to Goole who were hosting Yorkshire Day.

It was a long hot day but lovely to catch up with contemporaries.

At the end of the week I was filmed to make a video to subsequently help patients and families with dementia, watch this space.

The next morning I was back to Rossett to award students with their taekwondo belts, such dedication and discipline.

I met with colleagues at Harrogate Brewing Co. for the annual social with Harrogate BID and the Chamber of Commerce, a great networking event

I managed to witness the eclipse after another meeting!

At the weekend I went to the Ibiza Symphonica at the Showground which was absolutely incredible, well done to Harrogate Theatre and all involved.

The following day I opened the 65th Allotment Show at the Sun Pavilion, then we were at the Police Treatment Centre for their charity event.

There are still plenty of events to attend during the summer.

I may be another year older but still going strong! Keep following me on insta!