They call it God’s own country, and as England’s largest county, it is also referred to as “the Texas of Britain”.

Covering an area of around 6,000 square miles, stretching from the Pennines in the west, to the east coast and north sea, Yorkshire is said to be a microcosm of Britain with its diversity of scenery. Mountains,wild moorland, limestone scars, rocks of millstone grit, bubbling streams that become foaming rivers, sprawling valleys and dales, rolling woods – all contained within Yorkshire’s boundaries. Yorkshire has more castles, ruined abbeys and monastries, and stately homes than any other county in Britain.

The land of the White Rose, and once a kingdom in its own right, Yorkshire has never lost touch with its heritage or its identity. It is even said by a Scotsman, that a Yorkshireman is just a Scot with a funny accent (high praise from a Scot!).

Harrogate
Set in the heart of Yorkshire, the Harrogate District is one of the most beautiful and spectacular areas of England and this is where the Society will hold the first Autumn meeting to be hosted outside London. Your meetings secretary, Dr Janice O’Connell has compiled another first class educational programme which includes specialist updates on a number of important topics from the ongoing CPD programme. If you have not already done so, do study the preliminary programme booklet which was sent out in late July, it contains all you need to know about the conference and how to make a booking.
I would particularly draw your attention to the session on the Wednesday afternoon, “Future Models of Geriatric Care”; it will be well worth attending, especially in light of the recent publication of the latest NHS Improvement Plan.

England’s floral town
The conference centre is first class – plenty of light and space and every imaginable facility for the conference delegate. Harrogate itself is known as “England’s floral town”, with a rich spa heritage evident from the dignified architecture, and a cosmopolitan flavour. It has a stylish shopping centre, theatre and cafés.

Broad tree-lined streets and beautiful parks and gardens combine with the sweeping 200 acres of town-centre grassland known as ‘The Stray’, to bring a spacious feeling to the town. Although never far from the principal venues and accommodation, visitors can enjoy peace and serenity close to the town centre.

A window seat in the famous Betty’s tearooms, with spectacular views of the magnificent Montpellier Gardens, is guaranteed to rest the mind and lift the spirits. One of the newest developments, the classically-styled Victoria Gardens Shopping Centre, typifies this sophisticated town of character.

Links with Harrogate’s past as a spa town of international repute are carefully maintained, a splendid example being the superb Turkish Baths. Open to the public seven days a week, they are found in the imposing Royal Baths. A short stroll away, the 150 year old Royal Pump Room Museum contains the Old Sulphur Well whose spa water is still available for sampling.

Just across the road from the Royal Pump Room Museum are the famous Valley Gardens, with a worldwide reputation for their formal and informal acres of displays and attractions. Through the pine wood at the top of Valley Gardens are Harlow Carr Gardens, where the Royal Horticultural Show is held.

There are hotels and guest houses to suit all tastes and pockets, all within easy reach of both the conference centre and the main shopping area.

Should you decide to make a weekend of it, Harrogate’s surroundings also have plenty to offer. Full of hidden surprises is Knaresborough, just a few minutes from Harrogate, where Georgian houses dominate a charming market town perched high on the cliffs above the River Nidd. Narrow streets and ginnels enhance its quaintness. Attractions abound, including Mother Shipton’s Cave and Petrifying Well, castle ruins, Court House Museum, boating, riverside walks and a colourful market.

Eleven miles north of Harrogate, the medieval city of Ripon has a magnificent cathedral. The Ripon Hornblower maintains a 1,100 year old tradition by sounding his horn at the Market Place obelisk at 9pm every evening, “setting the watch”.

The Dales towns of Pateley Bridge, in Nidderdale, and Masham, home of Theakstons and the Black Sheep Breweries beside the River Ure to the north, are well worth a visit, as are Aldborough, with its extensive roman remains, and the neighbouring town of Boroughbridge, once an important coaching post on the Great North Road from London to Edinburgh.

Natural wonders
Natural wonders include Brimham Rocks, consisting of ancient outcrops of weather-shaped millstone grit and the subterranean splendours of Stump Cross Caverns. Great houses, parks and gardens of worldwide renown include Ripley Castle, Rudding House and Newby Hall. For details click here

Getting there
For details on how to get to Harrogate itself, click here. For accommodation, take advantage of the preferential facility set up by Hampton Medical Conferences as detailed on the “General Information” page of the Programme. There is ample car parking at both the conference centre (underground) and the main hotels, or if you prefer, there is a frequent train service from Leeds, followed by a few minutes in a taxi. The international airport of Leeds-Bradford is just twenty minutes away by taxi. However you plan to travel, we look forward to welcoming you to our new Autumn Meeting home for the next three years.

Alex Mair
Chief Executive