Representations of Harrogate

Question 1

How does the UCI Painting of Harrogate represent Harrogate? - Harrogate Representations

Answer 1

The photo represents Harrogate as bright, colourful and exiting. Busy and attracts exciting events.

Question 2

What strengths/weaknesses does the UCI Painting have in terms of utility? - Harrogate Representations

Answer 2

+: The art was produced recently (2019), representing a major part of the locale in cycling.
-: Produced prior to the event, shows an idealised reality, painting has commission from the UCI, made to promote the event, features left out of the painting, only one person’s viewpoint.

Question 3

How does the UCI Painting compare to your own experience of Harrogate and other sources? +/-? - Harrogate Representations

Answer 3

+: Accurately depicts Betty’s/Parliament Street, fits with other representations on the positive links to tourism and events.
-: weather is not always like that, the opinion on the event is severely divided.

Question 4

How does the Harrogate Advertiser article on County Lines drugs represent Harrogate? - Harrogate Representations

Answer 4

The article represents Harrogate as wealthy but troubled as a result. Has a large market for Class A drugs which is being exploited by gangs of dealers from other areas. Also represents Harrogate as having a competent police force to deal with this problem.

Question 5

What strengths/weaknesses does the County Lines article have in terms of utility? - Harrogate Representations

Answer 5

+: Produced by a credible news source interviewing experienced police officers dealing with the issue. Gives specific detail on the issue.
-: as a local news source, the advertiser may be biased towards the town, downplaying the issue. No numerical data given, advertiser’s journalism standard is below that of well-known sources.

Question 6

How does the County Lines article compare to your experience of Harrogate and other sources? +/-? - Harrogate Representations

Answer 6

I am personally aware of the issue of county lines, as my stepdad is a police officer. This has been represented as in issue in other local news, however most representations of Harrogate neglect this issue and depict a wealthy, prosperous area.

Question 7

How does the Harrogate Lonely Planet Guide represent Harrogate? - Harrogate Representations

Answer 7

Represents Harrogate as a very quaint, calm area which suits the lives of the elderly. Makes notes of Harrogate’s events such as the Flower Show and the Conference Centre, therefore not only a town for the elderly.

Question 8

What strengths/weaknesses does the Lonely Planet Guide have in terms of utility? - Harrogate Representations

Answer 8

+: Most likely from the experience of an outsider so creates a more honest view of Harrogate not from a resident. Produced by magazine with expertise in travel and hospitality.
-: May be produced based on single experience of Harrogate, not highly representative of the whole town. LIMITED.

Question 9

How does the Lonely Planet Guide compare to your own experience of Harrogate and other sources? +/-? - Harrogate Representations

Answer 9

A very accurate representation of Harrogate’s hospitality industry and general population compared to my own experience, census data and other articles about the area. Very calm and tranquil, suitable for all ages.

Question 10

How does Anita Bowerman’s abstract Stray painting represent Harrogate? - Harrogate Representations

Answer 10

Represents Harrogate as bright, colourful with idyllic landscapes and lovely flowers. A very abstract painting and represents it as a calm and quiet place.

Question 11

What strengths/weaknesses does the Anita Bowerman Stray painting have in terms of utility? - Harrogate Representations

Answer 11

+: Bowerman is a local resident so is capable of drawing in her lived experience to produce the artwork, professional artist well placed to capture the beauty of the Stray reliably.
-: Potentially produced with the motivation of money, as a local artist she may be biased to Harrogate as a place, only representative of 1 season, doesn’t show the packed and busy stray of the Summer.

Question 12

How does the ‘Harrogate Girl Blog’ represent Harrogate? - Harrogate Representations

Answer 12

Represents Harrogate as exciting with fun and enjoyable activities available. Also portrays it as beautiful and never boring.

Question 13

What strengths/weaknesses does the Harrogate Girl Blog have in terms of utility? - Harrogate Representations

Answer 13

+: produced by local resident Victoria Turner, who can draw on lived experience. The passion for the blog represents the positive attitude towards Harrogate.
-: Turner is a Harrogate resident, but also a Betty’s employee so is ultimately very likely to be biased towards a positive representation. She is also not an experienced expert at writing.

Question 14

How does the Anita Bowerman Stray painting compare to your own experience of Harrogate and other sources? - Harrogate Representations

Answer 14

This painting fits very well with other representations of Harrogate and the Stray, yet my own experience is different as the area is usually very busy in Summer, with the colours of the Stray being accurate.

Question 15

How does the ‘Harrogate Girl Blog’ compare to your own experience of Harrogate and other sources? - Harrogate Representations

Answer 15

A mostly accurate but slightly biased perspective of Harrogate, consistent with the very opulent and exquisite nature of the town. However, brands the activities as affordable which it largely isn’t.

Question 16

How does the BBC/Metro article about Harrogate being the happiest place in the UK represent Harrogate? - Harrogate Representations

Answer 16

Represents Harrogate as an incredibly cheerful place, with specific reference to Harrogate’s luxurious activities and hospitality. Represents it as incredibly safe as well.

Question 17

What strengths/weaknesses do the Harrogate/Metro ‘Happiest’ Articles have in terms of utility? - Harrogate Representations

Answer 17

+: uses lots of specific data to reinforce the point made by the article, the BBC are bound by law to be impartial, utilises photos to show what Harrogate looks like.
-: 5-6 years out of date (2014), happiness is subjective and varies with its quantifying being difficult, only surveys 25,000 people to formulate a judgement.

Question 18

How do the BBC/Metro ‘Happiness’ articles compare to your own experience of Harrogate and other sources? - Harrogate Representations

Answer 18

Very wealthy representation of Harrogate is reinforced as well as accurate in my view. However, reputation as a happy place may have suffered as the majority of people are not especially friendly to each other, with snobbery being common.

Question 19

How does Sonja Benskin Mescher’s poem represent Harrogate? - Harrogate Representations

Answer 19

Represents Harrogate as very rainy, yet makes note of notable places to visit in town in spite of the weather.

Question 20

What strengths and weaknesses does Sonja Benskin Mescher’s poem have in terms of utility? - Harrogate Representations

Answer 20

+: Gives an outsider view which is very frank and honest, makes specific reference to places.
-: Makes excessive reference to the weather which is not always rainy and may be based on limited visits as she is based in Bournemouth. Doesn’t pay attention to the character of the town.

Question 21

How does Sonja Benskin Mescher’s poem compare to your own experience of Harrogate and other sources? - Harrogate Representations

Answer 21

In terms of the weather, it is partially consistent with my own view as it does tend to rain a lot, but other sources show it to be bright and sunny.

Question 22

How does the Duchy Association represent Harrogate? - Harrogate Representations

Answer 22

The Duchy Association tells you that Harrogate is a very wealthy area, surrounded by parks and greenery as well as an urban town centre with activities. Also makes note of the sense of community in the area.

Question 23

What strengths and weaknesses does the Duchy Association have in terms of utility? - Harrogate Representations

Answer 23

+: The website is produced by knowledgeable local residents, features photographs of the area to represent it accurately, makes note of specific activities and leisure opportunity in the area.
-: Produced by local residents with a definite bias towards their local area, Duchy is presented as affordable whereas it is actually one of the most expensive areas in the town.

Question 24

How does the Duchy Association compare with your experience of Harrogate and other sources? - Harrogate Representations

Answer 24

Largely consistent with Harrogate as a wealthy and opulent area, yet green and vibrant with lots to do. However, presents the Duchy as affordable and good for families, whereas in actuality it is incredibly expensive.