Charter Trail Opens

Simon Theakston, the Deputy Lieutenant of North Yorkshire was recently guest of honour at the Museum, to open The Charter Trail, in the company of Sue Welch, Chairman of the Museum Society, the Deputy Mayor of Harrogate Borough Council, the Mayor of Pateley Bridge Town Council, Museum trustees and other distinguished guests.
In 1320, Edward 11 granted a charter to the Archbishop of York. This allowed a weekly market and an annual fair, in ‘Pateley brigge, in nedredale’. 2020 marked the 700th anniversary of this momentous occasion, and the Museum decided to celebrate! Unfortunately Covid intervened, but we are pleased to report that the work on the exhibition continued and it is now open. It takes the form of a series of display boards throughout the Museum, representing The Charter Trail, which explains why it was granted, and how the markets and fairs have evolved over the past 7 centuries.
The research work was carried out by a group of Museum volunteers and the exhibition was funded by Museum Development Yorkshire, Knabs Ridge Wind Farm Community Fund, Pateley Bridge Town Council and the Vale of Nidd Masonic Lodge. It will remain in place throuhgout the year, so come along and follow the Trail, while also refreshing your memory of our collections.