5th August

The "Herald's" War Telegrams

The position of Harrogate in reference to the War news is rather different to that of other towns. Harrogate has a large residential population, which includes many businessmen with world-wide commercial interests. Amongst its visitors are many representatives of all nations. These include French, German, Russian, and Austrian people, who are vitally interested. Take, as an example, the French. The telephones and wires are in the possession of the French Government. It is almost impossible for private messages to get through. Our guests from foreign countries are to a large extent in isolation here as regards being in touch with their respective homes. Recognising this, the "Herald" made prompt arrangements with the Press Association to have a regular summary of war and associated events telegraphed immediately on receipt of same by the leading news agency, the Press Association. On Sunday we were able to expose in the front windows of the Herald Buildings telegrams informing our public of what was taking place. The crowds which gathered throughout the day and night showed their interest and appreciation of our effort. On Monday and again yesterday the most vital news was thus briefly published. The "Herald" intends, as long as the necessity exists, to maintain this service, and on Sundays particularly every effort will be made to post bulletins of the chief occurrences. The news will be so summarised that the public will be able to grasp at once what is happening. As the Territorials are to be embodied with the Army for home service, our telegrams, we trust, will be a service particularly to those who have relations in the Forces. At all events, our visitors and residents may rely upon being kept well informed of the latest news. The telegraph office in Harrogate has been open day and night - a very wise arrangement of the authorities which, we trust, will be continued, at least during the exciting moments of the war. It has always been a great disadvantage that telegraphic communication with Harrogate ceased at 9 o’clock at night. Harrogate, in the season at all events, demands an all-night service such as exists in the larger business towns. In this respect Harrogate cannot be judged by its permanent population. It should be remembered that we have amongst our visitors people from all parts of the world, many of them with wide international interests, to whom telegraphic facilities are of the utmost importance. We hope to see the time, and that shortly, when an all-night telegraphic service will be available to Harrogate. The telegraph office, however, can be kept open for the benefit of anyone who chooses to pay, but this is a pecuniary tax which ought not to be in a country which is actually the clearing-house of the world. The "Herald" on many occasions, extending over long years, has been repeatedly put to the expense of paying for the keeping open of the telegraph office. Therefore, an all-night service would be of immense advantage to the press of the country, which after all is working in the interest of he public. We here acknowledge that the telegraphic work of the "Herald" has always been facilitated and made easier by the intelligent Harrogate Post Office and telegraphic staffs. We are also glad to acknowledge a like consideration from the Harrogate telephone authorities and its staff.

12th August

Harrogate & The War

It is difficult to realise from local conditions that England is at war. Everywhere in our town nature suggests smiling peace. Brilliant sunshine, warm air, luxuriant foliage and placid people betoken the normal season. There are many visitors. The hotels are well patronised, though not full. Provisions are plentiful and prices have not realised the apprehensions of the first scare. For a day or two the town felt the consequences of war in trepidation as to the supplies of flour and other food stuffs. We soon recovered from this, and there is comparative contentment. Every person feels a warm yearning to contribute something towards the war in one form or another. The overwhelming desire is to find some way to ease or help the situation. There are many ways, and it is important that we should draw attention to a few of them. There are other dangers to be apprehended apart from military battles. With Harrogate, as with all other English communities, there is a dander to be apprehended from financial troubles. It is here that the people far from the war can render vital assistance. The most important point is that money should circulate rather than be hoarded; that notes should be freely accepted to give the Government the gold coins it needs. In the first touch of a war scare everyone is inclined to close his purse and rigidly economise. Whilst economy in the matter of food is of first importance, it will not be well for Harrogate if everyone abstain from something approaching their normal expenditure in dealing with the tradesmen of the Borough. If there is no trade their establishments must be closed and the hands employed discharged. This would add the terrors of distress to the anxieties and dangers of war. If everyone who can afford it continue to buy what they need as in normal times, then money will circulate and thousands of people kept in employment. There is another way in which the public of Harrogate can help to mitigate the dangers of the situation, and that is, wherever possible, by paying accounts, small and large, promptly; by paying cash in every possible instance. Upon the well-to-do a great responsibility at this time rests. They can discharge it by showing consideration to those indebted to them who are not able at the moment to discharge their indebtedness. Indeed, there never was a time when the golden rule would so meet the national and humane exigencies of the situation.

A Brilliant Example

Now that the patriotic sentiments of our Empire are so stirred as to create in every person a burning desire to do something to help the nation in the forthcoming struggle, comes information of a remarkable moment whereby ladies in particular may render the greatest service to their country. The value of this scheme lies in the fact that it will enable the lady guests at our various hotels to combine in making articles of comfort, of benefit to the fighting men, the wounded, and even the distressed poor. In such a crisis as has arisen in Great Britain it is important that the energies of our patriotic ladies should be fully employed. Indeed, it will be a benefit to them because it will give them something to occupy their minds which will tend not only to their own tranquility but to the benefit of those upon whom the burden of fighting has fallen. On Sunday, through the initiative of Lady Tuck, Her Ladyship's husband, Sir Adolph Tuck, promptly called a meeting of the guests stopping at the Grand Hotel, Harrogate, for the purpose of enlisting their sympathies in a scheme whereby the ladies would be able to combine to make warm comfortable clothing, bandages, and other articles which will be urgently demanded by the wounded very soon. The lady guests enthusiastically supported the plan and something like £80 was promptly raised, which sum is daily growing. The money is to be spent on materials which the lady guests will work up into useful articles most likely to be demanded. This splendid example is to be taken up by the lady guests at other Harrogate hotels, so that in our town will soon be found a feminine army turning out, well in advance, a welcome supply of comforting articles. In every town and village there will be sewing parties engaged in the same mission, but by enlisting the services of lady hotel guests who can have their own organisation, we utilise an unexpected and valuable force not otherwise available. It is to be hoped that the guests in every hotel of the various watering-places will carry out a similar movement. It will conduce to their own happiness and the comfort of those who have bled in the cause.

19th August

The Harrogate Civilian Riflemen

[ Yet to extract ]

26th August

Harrogate and the War

The local situation is distinctly easier than it has been. Fine weather has prevailed and the town appears busy with visitors, though, of course, the numbers of our guests are not to be compared with those of a normal August. It has been a source of satisfaction hat harvesting operations have been unimpeded. We have heard of visitors who have left the seaside for our inland town. No doubt this movement will grow, for Harrogate is very peaceful, prices are easy, and there is nothing except natural anxieties about the war to disturb our visitors. Whilst there has been, and is still, a slackness in business amongst our traders, yet even in this respect there is an improvement. Harrogate, as usual, is coming forward with liberal support for the various relief organisations, and churches and chapels are taking collections, but we must admit that it is disappointing to find in one instance, at least, where the regular Sunday collection was taken first and the relief contributions subsequently at the door as the congregation passed out. It seems to us that under the serious circumstances existing, every effort might be concentrated in aid of he great object of relief. The whole-hearted response, however, of he general public assures us that every need will be met as it arises. In the administration of these various funds these is always a danger of overlapping. We trust that our community will take care that where independent working will result in this, those in authority will see the necessity of co-operating with the principal agencies in their mission of relief. We should here take the opportunity of paying tribute to Mr Clifford and those associated with him for the success achieved by their Sunday concert. The Kursaal was filled to overflowing, and no doubt a handsome sum will have been realised for relief benefits. Another cause of satisfaction is the knowledge that so many of Harrogate's young men have offered their services to the country. These include some of our finest specimens of young manhood in all grades of life, but the country has need of more and will readily obtain them. The primary need, however, of the moment is that our workers may be kept i n employment. The more employment there is the less need will there be for funds to meet cases of distress. Next to this it is incumbent upon everyone, so far as they can, to keep trade as near normal conditions as possible. Finally, everyone should preserve a stout heart, undismayed by rumours of even isolated reverses. Great Britain will win in the end as she has always has done. She will overcome every obstacle, and, by the blessing of Providence, do her share in helping to restore to the world a lasting peace. This is a great cause, and should enable every man, woman, and child to face the task and its penalties before us with radiant determination.