Kate Whiteford OBE: False Perspectives

Kate Whiteford explores the reality and the artifice of the landscapes of Lancelot Capability Brown in a transformation of the gallery space with her large-scale prints of trees. Also on show, the artist’s own watercolours and her choice of works on paper from the Mercer’s collection.

Whiteford’s exhibition complements the Capability Brown 300th anniversary celebrations and 'Noble Prospects: Capability Brown and the Yorkshire Landscape' in the Mercer's north galley from 25th June to 11th September reveals more about Brown and his grand landscape designs.

Commissioned by the Mercer Art Gallery with the support of Arts Council England, Yorkshire.

The Mercer Art Gallery is open Tues to Sat 10 to 5, Sundays 2 to 5. Closed Mondays except Bank Holidays.

ADMISSION FREE

The Mercer Art Gallery, Swan Road, Harrogate, HG1 2SA Tel. 01423 556188 www.harrogate.gov.uk/mercerartgallery

The Colour Rush

The Colour Rush Sunday June 19, 2016 Harrogate's brightest, happiest community 5K is back for 2016 - bigger, brighter and better. Don't miss your chance to be part of this fun-filled, colourful event, supported by CNG . Organiser: Saint Michael’s Hospice Sponsor: The Colour Rush is supported by CNG Description: Prepare to be doused in a dazzling rainbow of colour as part of the season’s most in-demand fun run phenomenon, The Colour Rush. Turn up in white, and experience a rush of elation, excitement and exhilaration as you’re showered head to toe in vibrant colour at every kilometre of the picturesque Ripley course. The unique colour sensation takes you on an exclusive 5K route through the beautiful grounds of Ripley Castle, and whether you run, walk you’ll cross the finish line as a multicoloured masterpiece. The Colour Rush is a non-competitive, untimed event, and promises a fun-packed day out for friends and family, as well as the perfect technicolour team-building opportunity for businesses. Were you one of thousands to get plastered in vibrant powder paint at last year’s event? Can’t wait to do it all again, bigger, bolder and brighter? Or are you yet to experience the crazy colour sensation taking the globe by storm? Sign up today to avoid missing out on your place in the must-do event of 2016. Venue: Ripley Showground, North Yorkshire, HG3 3EA Time: 10.30am Cost: £20 per person (Under 16s £10, under 5s free)
Sponsorship There is no minimum sponsorship but we ask that participants raise as much personal sponsorship as possible to support local people living with terminal illness and bereavement
Contact Saint Michael’s fundraising team Tel: (01423) 878 628 Email info@saintmichaelshospice.org

Noble Prospects: Capability Brown and the Yorkshire Landscape

The Mercer Art Gallery, Swan Road, Harrogate, HG1 2SA.

An exhibition dedicated to the Yorkshire landscapes of legendary garden designer, Capability Brown, to mark the 300th anniversary of his birth.

Capability Brown is the creator of some of Yorkshire’s most admired landscapes, and this unique exhibition brings together an intriguing collection of artworks, which reveal more about the designer and his designs. Drawn largely from Yorkshire collections the show features portraits of Capability Brown and his Yorkshire clients, original plans, drawings and documents by Brown, paintings of his creations as well as works of art that inspired his landscapes.

'Cascade at Scampston' by Francis Nicholson c.1790s. Courtesy of Legard Family of Scampston.

Noble Prospects: Capability Brown & the Yorkshire Landscape is supported by Savills,The Landscape Agency, Saffery Champness, Coutts, Harrogate Borough Council, The Capability Brown Festival 2016, ArtFund (through a Jonathan Ruffer Curatorial Research Grant), Natural England, The Calmcott Trust, The Friends of the Mercer Art Gallery, Leeds Philosophical & Literary Society, Historic Houses Associations Yorkshire Friends, Mr & Mrs J. Samuel and private donors.

CapabilityYorkshire

Mad Hatter's Garden Fete - Free entry

Fun for the whole family! Pin the grin on the Cheshire cat, splat the dormouse, enjoy flamingo croquet in the garden, be entertained by Punch & Judy, try your hand at the coconut shy or put your parent in the stocks! Spot the clues as you follow trails around this fascinating museum and garden. Plus pop up Mad Hatter’s café serving cakes and drinks. Includes free entry to Victorian Workhouse Museum and kitchen garden… The Workhouse Museum, Allhallowgate, Ripon HG4 1LE More info from www.riponmuseums.co.uk, info@riponmuseums.co.uk tel 01765 690799

Tom Wood: New Work

An exhibition of new work by portrait painter Tom Wood, whose subjects have included His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales and Yorkshire author and playwright Alan Bennett, is showing at the Mercer Gallery until 19th June.

Best known for his portraits, Wood’s subject matter also includes figurative subjects, animal and nature subjects, abstract and still life studies.

The Mercer exhibition brings together over 30 new paintings, including very recent studies of dancers from Northern Ballet. The paintings will be for sale. Tom Wood is also an inspiring teacher and he will be presenting two special events at the Mercer Art Gallery:

Tom Wood: New Work an Illustrated Talk on Tues 23 Feb, 2pm, tickets £6 Stencils Workshop Tues 26 April, 10am – 4pm, £25

Tom Wood: New Work is at the Mercer Art Gallery, Harrogate from 6 February to 19 June 2016, admission is free. Opening times are 10am – 5pm, Tuesday to Saturday and 2 – 5pm on Sundays. Closed Mondays except Bank Holidays. Closes at 4pm November to March. For more info visit www.harrogate.gov.uk/mercerartgallery

Lightwater Valley opens on 23rd March 2016

Escape to Lightwater Valley and discover the excitement of five unique attractions set amidst 175 acres of glorious North Yorkshire countryside, along with thrilling seasonal events that are guaranteed to keep the whole family coming back for more. Join us for our crime fighting Superheroes Live! Event or come along and meet CBeebies' Andy Day for dinosaur fun, facts and music at Andy's Dinosaur Adventure Weekend. Take on a day out packed with thrills, chills and adventure in Lightwater Valley Theme Park, choose to run wild on the UK's largest Angry Birds Activity Park or head to the Lightwater Falconry Centre to see over 35 amazing birds and watch spectacular daily flying shows. With over 40 rides and attractions for thrill seekers of all ages, Lightwater Valley Theme Park is bursting with mini, mega and ultimate adventures for the whole family. For our mini adventurers, jump aboard one of our Eagle's Creek Farm tractors for a fun and entertaining journey around our farm, or enjoy sliding and hanging around in our brand-new Funkey Monkey's Soft Play & Café (opening Spring 2016). For our mega adventurers, shoot the raging water of the Wild River Rapids, brave the terrifying Falls of Terror or climb aboard The Flying Cutlass for some tummy tickling pirate fun. For our ultimate adventurers, be thrown in the air in the grip of our Eagle's Claw and hurtle through some of our deepest, darkest forest aboard Europe's longest roller coaster - The Ultimate. As well as our Theme Park here at Lightwater Valley Attractions you will also find: Tree Top Nets - High in the trees giant trampolines, walkways, slides and tunnels made out of netting, suspended 9 metres off the ground (Opening Summer 2016). Jurassic Adventure Golf - An 18 hole dinosaur-themed golf course. Lightwater Country Shopping Village - enjoy leisurely shopping for ladies and gents' fashion, furnishings, kitchenware, toys and traditional sweets and drinks. The Granary Café - Treat yourself to a morning coffee and croissant, delicious lunch or fabulous afternoon tea

Please check website for opening/closing dates/times, they do vary during the season.

Lightwater Valley Theme Park, North Stainley, Ripon, North Yorkshire. HG4 3HT

Contact Telephone: 01765 635321 Contact Email Address: leisure@lightwatervalley.co.uk Website URL: www.lightwatervalley.co.uk

Crafty Convicts at the Prison and Police Museum

Wander round this atmospheric prison, see its pillory and whipping post, experience what it is like to be alone in an empty cell, with a hard wooden bed and a slops bucket in the corner! Find out how it feels to be a convict with special half term activities; have your finger-prints taken and take part in convict keep-fit in the exercise yard.

Activities 11am – 3pm, Museum open 10am – 4pm Prison and Police Museum, St. Marygate, Ripon HG4 1LX Entry: Adults £6.50 (concs £6), Child (6-15 years) £5, Under 5s admitted for free, family ticket to all museums available.

Crafty Convicts at the Workhouse Museum

Take part in crafty convict fun this half term. Print your own convict hat with the Broad Arrow, create a carved picture to take home, and have a giggle with a prison themed Punch & Judy show. Discover what life was like in one of the best-preserved Victorian Workhouses in the country, complete with its own kitchen garden.

Activities 11am – 3pm, Museum open 10am – 4pm The Workhouse Museum, Sharow View, Allhallowgate, Ripon HG4 1LE Entry: Adults £6.50 (concs £6), Child (6-15 years) £5, Under 5s admitted for free / family ticket to all museums available.