Palace of glittering gold

HE gently took her by the arm and guided her into the auditorium of the Royal Hall to begin the celebrations marking the re-opening of the historic Harrogate theatre after its £10.7m restoration. Prince Charles took his seat and Lillian Mina, chairman of the Royal Hall Restoration Trust, stood at the podium, still frail after treatment for cancer, to thank the many people who have helped complete the project. ‘The restoration of the Royal Hall has been an enormously successful project, and this success has been down to teamwork,’ she told the 200 strong audience. ‘This is not just about restoring a precious part of our local and national heritage, but it has been about meeting our obligation to future generations to look after and pass on what has been provided to us by our own forebears.’ Lillian Mina said the icing on the cake of the restoration project was securing the help of the Prince of Wales as patron of the trust. Mrs Mina, who was awarded an MBE in January for leading the multi-million restoration bid, added: ‘It was hugely daunting, but I was given some very good advice which was to try and include the most prestigious people to help you. And the advice could not have been truer. ‘You (Prince Charles] promoted the importance of the Royal Hall in the most important circles, which was vital in the early days when a dark cloud hung over the project. ‘Your first visit to the Royal Hall 18 months ago was a marvellous catalyst in our fundraising. You opened a lot of eyes to the importance of the Royal Hall. From that moment, the trust never looked back.’ Prince Charles described Lillian Mina as a national treasure and congratulated the craftsmen and women who worked to bring the hall back to life. ‘I cannot possibly tell you how thrilled I am to be here to see for myself the complete transformation that has been brought about in this magnificent building,’ he said. ‘I came here in July and although there was a lot of activity all over the place, it was little more than a shell.’ Before unveiling a commemorative plaque, he added: ‘I likened the Royal Hall to an elegant and lovely old lady who had fallen on somewhat hard times. I see she has being taken back in time to the beauty and splendour of her youth. The result is simply quite breathtaking.’ Prince Charles also praised Lillian Mina for her hard work in helping raise money towards the Royal Hall, originally built in Harrogate's heyday as a successful and prominent European spa town, and now thought to be the sole surviving Kursaal – or cure hall – in the country. Describing Mrs Mina as remarkable, he added: ‘The Royal Hall is one of our great national treasures, but we have another national treasure here today. She has an unspeakable determination, courage and ineffability. ‘It was Harrogate's most fortunate day when she came to live here 25 years ago. It is not surprising that you offered her the freedom of the town last year, and I am so pleased that her efforts were rewarded in the New Year's Honours List. Only a few people could deserve it more.’ Earlier the crowd applauded as he switched on the lights to the Royal Hall, illuminating the grand facade of the building. Prince Charles, welcomed by the Harrogate Brass Band, waved to the hundreds of people who had been waiting in the cold to see him. The prince then met members of the Royal Hall Restoration Trust and was shown around the hall. He entered the auditorium with Mrs Mina, and was treated to performances from Tewit Youth Band, St Aidan's School Choir and two young solo choristers - Emma Whiteley and William Dutton. The hall will hold its first public performance next month. The hall is owned by Harrogate Borough Council and was built in the town’s heyday as a spa town at the beginning of the 20th century. The Grade II listed building is thought to be the country’s only surviving Kursaal, and was important element of the ‘cure’ for people taking the waters in the North Yorkshire town. Dignified exercise was also possible on rainy days using the ‘ambulatory’ or circular walkway for promenading. Those who have appeared at the hall in its long history range from Elgar to the Beatles. In 1997 the decision was taken to review the structure of the crumbling but still well used building and by 2002 the go ahead was given for a major restoration programme. The Heritage Lottery Fund made a £6m grant and the council contributed £2m. The Restoration Trust was set up by concerned and committed residents who raised £2.7m well over its original £1m target. Prince Charles became its patron, the actor Edward Fox its honorary president. His great, great grandfather Samuel Fox was Mayor of Harrogate at the time the hall was built. And Dame Fanny Waterman is its honorary vice president.

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