Join us for our Speaker Lunch on Monday 28th September 2026. Each month a Club member will discuss a topic close to their heart. In September we will be welcoming John Westmancoat and the title of his talk will be: “Robert Ackrill: Journalist; Chartist; Charter Mayor of Harrogate”.
Robert Ackrill (1816-1894), founder of the Ackrill newspaper group, was involved with the everyday life and development of Harrogate into a British spa town that rivalled others. He supported changes that led to Harrogate having a Mayor as a civic head.
John Westmancoat has an MA in Creative Writing and is a retired librarian from the British Library at Boston Spa, Wetherby, which operates as a key part of the national British Library in London. John is currently working on the history and background to the Knaresborough Eleven – these were local men who were convicted of rioting at Knaresborough Castle Top in 1866.
Tickets for Speaker Lunches cost £20. This price includes a main course, dessert and a coffee. Tickets must be booked in advance, either online or in-person with Terry at the Club.
The bar will open at 11.45am, lunch will be served from 12:00 to 13:00, followed by the talk from 13:00 to 13:30.
