Historic Harrogate Model Displayed

Historic Silver Model of Harrogate’s Royal Pump Room Goes on Display

 A solid silver model of Harrogate’s Royal Pump Room, made in 1927 in Ogden of Harrogate jeweller’s workshop, is set to return to the shop for public display.

This iconic piece has been hidden from view, stored as part of the council’s civic collection.

The piece is of historic significance for the spa town. It was commissioned by Captain Whitworth, who served as Harrogate Mayor between 1926-28.

Captain Whitworth presented the piece to Harrogate in 1927 for use at civic occasions, such as gracing the mayor’s table during great banquets.

The model, also known as the Civic Salt, is inscribed with the words: ‘Let your speech be always with grace and seasoned with salt.’

Ogden of Harrogate has loaned the piece from the civic collection for a special display, part of the jewellers 130^th year celebrations, on the lead up to Valentine’s Day. It will be on display from Thursday 8 February.

Robert Ogden said: “This is one of the most famous artefacts to come from the Ogden workshop and has been lovingly brought back to its former glory in the workshop for our planned display. It also brings to light an overlooked philanthropic figure in our spa town’s history.”

Charles Warwick Whitworth studied law and lived in Harrogate. He became a territorial captain in the West Yorkshire Regiment fifth battalion in 1902, suffering minor wounds in the First World War in Belgium. Charles inherited the Boroughbridge Brewery on the death of his father, and lived for some time at Park Place on the edge of the stray overlooking Christchurch.

Much dedicated to public service, he became Mayor of Harrogate and served a three-year term between 1926 and 1928. He chaired many organisations including the Harrogate Hospital, the Ripon Divisional Conservative Association and the Yorkshire Home for the Disabled. In 1913, Charles owned a house in Filey and provided underprivileged children from Leeds with seaside holidays during the summer.

Founded by James R Ogden in 1893, Ogden of Harrogate is today managed by his great, great, grandsons Robert and Ben Ogden.

A historic jeweller, for over a century, Ogden of Harrogate have crafted and curated a stunning collection of fine jewellery for their distinguished clients, which have included royals and public figures.

This particular iconic piece came to light after a chance encounter between the great, grandson of Captain Whitworth, Ben Whitworth, and Lynne Mee, a former Mayor’s secretary for Harrogate Borough Council with a passion for preserving the civic collection.

Lynne Mee said: “As one of the volunteers marking last year’s centenary of Harrogate’s War Memorial, I had the great pleasure of meeting Ben after the Remembrance Service. As part of the commemorations, we were seeking family stories and Ben spoke about the Whitworth-Ogden connection.”

Ben flagged to Lynne the friendship he had discovered between Captain Whitworth and James R Ogden. Lynne then introduced him to Robert and Ben Ogden, who had also been involved in the centennial exhibition, as their relative Walter died aged 19 in the First World War.

Lynne said: “As Mayor’s Secretary, I was responsible for the civic collection which I came to know well and to greatly care about. As Ben had never seen the Silver Royal Pump Room model, it struck me it could be loaned to Ogden’s for public display. I approached Harrogate Charter Trustees, including Charter Trust Mayor Cllr Michael Harrison, who were very supportive of the loan and I am delighted this beautiful item will be seen and admired by many more people.”

Robert Ogden added: “It’s a rare object, of unique quality and finery and a testament to Ogden’s craftsmanship; a piece we are very proud to display and celebrate.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

Photos show the Civic Salt in Ogden’s workshop being cleaned/ and on display.  Photo credit: Ogden of Harrogate.  For further images, go to: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/xqu981ev3x86csh2t6yrh/h?rlkey=aca64q4qpcfnvtmzto54zei4g&dl=0

For further media enquiries contact clair@causeuk.com 0753 194 8014

About The Civic Collection

Harrogate Borough Council (1974-2022) and its predecessor, the first council when the town received its Charter of Incorporation (1884-1974) jointly created the civic collection.

In its earlier years, many of the mayors were wealthy and/or self-made businessmen who made donations to mark their Mayoralty, such as Captain Whitworth and others like Nicholas Carter, who was the first Mayor and who donated the Mayoral chains of office still used today.

The collection is mainly made up of donations/gifts; many given on its 75th anniversary in 1959.  Over the years, many items have been given by local societies such as The Law Society, visiting conferences/exhibitions, like the Toy Fair, and local businesses such as ICI and, indeed, Ogden’s who made a number of gifts to the town’s collection trophies/cups for tennis and polo tournaments (and more), as well as being commissioned to make others, or were the retailer of a gift.

Following HBC’s demise in 2022 (when North Yorkshire Council came into being) the collection is temporarily under the care of Harrogate’s Charter Trustees.

NB In England and Wales, charter trustees are set up to maintain the continuity of a town charter or city charter after a district with the status of a borough or city has been abolished, until such time as a civil parish council or in larger settlements, a town council is established.

About Captain Whitworth

Charles was born at Green Field Cottage, Heckmondwike, on Friday 18th January 1878, the eldest son of Joseph Whitworth and Julia Warwick.

Following education at Uppingham, which he left in December 1896, Charles studied for and practised at the bar.   He married Alice Marion Lupton (daughter of William Arthur Lupton, Mayor of Bradford 1899-1901) at Bradford Parish Church on 17^th December 1901 and they set up home at Larchfield in Harrogate (no longer in existence). Charles became a territorial captain in the 5^th Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment on 7^th May 1902 and inherited the Boroughbridge Brewery on the death of his father in 1906.  The outset of the 1914-18 war saw him as a staff officer of the regiment and he suffered minor wounds in Belgium.

After several years at Larchfield, Charles and Marion moved to a house on the edge of the stray overlooking Christchurch. Later still, in 1928, they bought The Priory, Nun Monkton on the confluence of the Nidd and the Ouse.

Much dedicated to public service, he became Mayor of Harrogate and served an unusual three years term between 1926 and 1928, although not on the Council at the time of his elevation, and he chaired many organisations including the Harrogate Hospital, the Ripon Divisional Conservative Association and the Yorkshire Home for the Disabled. In 1913 Charles owned a house in Filey, 23 Crescent, and provided underprivileged children from Leeds with seaside holidays during the summer.

The Priory became a convalescent home for the forces during World War II, at one time housing fifty patients but it was sold in 1948. They moved to The Red House, Bishop Monkton (now demolished) where Charles died in 1954. Marion then bought a flat overlooking the Stray in Harrogate and survived there until April 1968.

About Ogden of Harrogate

A historic jeweller, for over a century, Ogden of Harrogate have crafted and curated a stunning collection of fine jewellery for their distinguished clients, which have included royals and public figures.

Today the 5th generation of the Ogden family present one of the finest collections of jewellery anywhere, including vintage pieces, luxury watches and items crafted in its own in-house workshop.

Ogden Of Harrogate : Fine Jewellery & Luxury Watches (ogdenharrogate.co.uk)