Vision & Labour the art of making comics - Mercer Art Gallery - till April 2026
Nov 20th 7.30pm Berwins Salon North sees Jenny Draper, Adam Farrer & Dr Alex Box at the Crown Hotel
Nov 20th Blues Bar - Bang, Bang, Bang
Nov 21st Author Fintan Drury talks about his book Catastrope in conversation with Dr  Suesanne Samara at the Friends Meeting House
22nd Nov- 20th Dec - Exhibition of the life & work of artist Joash Woodrow 108 Fine art gallery Cold bath road
Nov 22nd - Tom Jones tribute - Frazer Theatre Knaresborough
Nov 22nd - Ripley Live presents Gary Stewart's Weetwood Mac at Ripley town hall
Nov 24th -6.45pm Henshaws Charity Festive Showcase at Ripon Cathedral 
Nov26th to Jan 18th - Jack and the Beanstalk Panto Harrogate Theatre
27th Nov 7.30pm - Comedy with Paul Pirie, Meryl O'Rourke, Ian Visible and Saul Henry at the Square and Compass North Rigton
27th Nov 7.30pm The Wittering Whitehalls Barely Alive at the Royal Hall Harrogate
28th Nov 7pm - Reverand & The Makers at The Bilton Club Skipton Road
28th Nov 7.30pm The Stylistics greatest hits & more Harrogate Convention Centre
29th Nov 7.30pm Knaresborough Choral Society King James School
30th Nov Henning Wehn Acid Wehn the Royal Hall Harrogate
1st Dec 7.30pm Christmas with Anton Du Beke & Friends at the Royal Hall
4th Dec 7.30pm Violinist Nicola Benedetti plays the Royal Hall Harrogate
5th Dec 7.30pm Swing into Christmas - Royal Hall Harrogate
5th Dec 8pm the Scrooge Diaries performed ny Peter Macqueen at Grewelthorpe Village Hall
6th Dec Harrogate Symphony Orchestra - Royal Hall Harrogate
6th Dec 7pm Live music with Bilko Kettlesing Village Hall
6th Dec 7pm Sounds of the Sixties tributes to Elvis, The Beatles, Chuch Berry at Wetherby Town Hall
6th Dec Gaelforce live at Frazer Theatre Knaresborough
7th Dec 4pm On Christmas Night St Wilfred's Church Harrogate
7th Dec 7pm Hyena Lounge presents at the Manhattan Club
`11th Dec The UK Pink Floyd experience Royal Hall Harrogate
11-13th Dec 7.30pm Gaslight by Patrick Hamilton at the Harrogate Studio Theatre
12th Dec 7.30pm Vinyl Sessions presents classics at Starling Independant Cafe Harrogate
13th Dec - Hyena Lounge Christmas Baubles Manhattan Club Harrogate
13th Dec Harrogate Choral Society presents the Messiah at St Wilfred's Church
17th Dec History Wardrobe presents a Very Victorian Christmas at Frazer Theatre Knaresborough
20th Dec 6pm Fanfare for Christmas with the Brighouse & Rastrick Band & Harrogate Gilbert & Sullivan Society at the Royal Hall
29th Dec Behind the Scenes Pantomime Tour at Harrogate Theatre.

Murder on the Links Agatha Christie
We join Poirot when he is opening his post and has received a letter entreating him to go straight to France on an urgent mission. In parallel Hastings meets a beautiful girl  (we all know how susceptible he was) on the train – she is a circus double act with her sister and they are acrobats.
Poirot’s letter is from a businessman called Paul Renauld but when Poirot arrives at his house he finds him already dead. Renauld was abducted from his bed in the night by masked invaders but his body is found stabbed on the local golf course in a shallow grave.
However the housemaid remembers a mysterious visit from the neighbour Mrs Duveen and a fragment of a cheque is found. The murdered man’s son Jack quarrelled with him right before about his inheritance and choice of fiancé – was it him? The murder weapon seems to have been a custom item made from a piece of aeroplane but was it the only one? And if so who had the other?
Why was there a body of a tramp found just after the murder? And what was the conversation in the rose garden about? Last but not least why does the situation ring bells with Poirot of a similar case years ago as well as the appearance of Mrs Duveen?

Why Didn’t they ask Evans? Agatha Christie
So we meet our primary character Bobby Jones playing golf with local Dr Thomas – together they find the body of a man very near to death. Bobby stays with the man while the Dr goes for help and hears the dying man’s final words, “ Why didn’t they ask Evans?”. Bobby presumes this to be of no importance but does see a photograph fall from the man’s pocket of a beautiful girl – but he puts it back to keep with the body.
Shortly after a Mr Roger Bassington-French appears and takes over supervising the body as Bobby has to get back for Organ Practice – but why is he even there? He said he was there viewing houses, but was he?
 
However at the inquest they state that the body was identified from a picture of his sister that was found with the body – however the lady that comes to the inquest purporting to be the sister looks nothing like the photo.
 
From this point Bobby’s curiosity is stirred and with the help of local Earls daughter Frankie Derwent they decide to investigate further. Shortly after Bobby while napping is poisoned and that seals it for them that this was not a simple accident.

There’s no better place to soak up the festive spirit than Harrogate during the winter months. With twinkling lights strung across the town and the Stray glowing with illuminated trees, Harrogate transforms into a true winter wonderland. Whether you’re coming to browse the Christmas markets, enjoy the theatre and pantomimes, or simply relax in a cosy retreat, The Camberley, The Lodge, and Camberley Cottages offer the perfect base for your festive getaway.

From mid-November onwards, Harrogate comes alive with seasonal charm. The town’s Christmas Fayre and Market, just a short stroll from The Camberley, The Lodge and Camberley Cottages, runs from 5 to 24 December. Expect beautifully decorated chalet stalls, traditional fairground rides, and a spectacular Ferris Wheel, all set beneath a canopy of sparkling lights.

Browse for unique gifts, festive decorations, and tempting street food while enjoying the joyful atmosphere. Don’t miss the Candy Cane Express – a free-to-ride road train that takes you through the heart of Harrogate, passing by key festive spots such as Cambridge Street, Market Place, Station Square and Cambridge Crescent. The Fayre’s central location makes it easy to combine your visit with a spot of Christmas shopping in Harrogate’s high street favourites and charming independent boutiques.
 Find out more here.  

Explore the Region’s Christmas Markets
If you’re keen to venture further afield, the surrounding towns also host wonderful festive markets that are well worth the trip.

Knaresborough, just a short drive from Harrogate, holds its Christmas Market on 6 and 7 December in the historic Market Place. With over 60 stalls offering handmade gifts, festive treats, and live entertainment, it’s a delightful day out. Warm up with a mulled wine before enjoying the spectacular firework finale on Sunday at around 4:30 pm.  Find out more here.

A little further afield, the Skipton Christmas Market takes place on Sunday 7 and Sunday 14 December along Skipton High Street. You’ll find over 100 stalls selling artisan crafts, local produce, and festive food and drink, accompanied by entertainment throughout the day. Skipton often hosts a Makers Fair alongside the market – typically held on the first day – inside the beautiful Skipton Town Hall (date to be confirmed). It’s the perfect opportunity to discover locally made treasures and soak up the seasonal cheer.  

Finally, for a truly historic setting, head to York’s Christmas Market, which runs from 13 November to 21 December 2025. Centred around Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square, the market features traders from across Yorkshire offering regional crafts and gifts.  Find out more here.  To make your visit easier, we recommend using York’s Park and Ride facilities – Rawcliffe Bar or Poppleton are both excellent options. Spend the day exploring York’s many attractions such as the York Dungeon, Jorvik Viking Centre, or Castle Museum, before relaxing in one of the city’s cosy cafés or traditional pubs.

Stay in the Heart of the Festivities
After a day spent exploring the markets and soaking up the festive atmosphere, return to the warmth and comfort of The Camberley, The Lodge, or Camberley Cottages. With their welcoming rooms, convenient locations, and home-from-home feel, they’re the perfect places to unwind during your Christmas visit to Harrogate.  Check out the rooms here, and don’t forget, it’s easier to book direct with us to ensure you get the room you really want, whether you want a room with a huge shower, or one with a slipper bath. All our rooms are en-suite, and there’s one to suit everyone.  Alternatively, why not book one of our cosy cottages?  They make a delightful base from which to explore all that the town and wider area has to offer. 

Book your winter stay today and make this year’s festive season one to remember – surrounded by lights, laughter, and the unmistakable charm of Harrogate at Christmas.

Peril at End House by Agatha Christie
We join Hastings and Poirot at the sea side where while sitting sipping cocktails on the terrace they meet a young lady called Nick. When it seems that she has a pot shot taken at her it comes out that she has had various accidents – a large picture nearly falling on her and the brakes of her car failing to respond. Poirot and Hastings concerned for the ladies safety decide to become involved.
Nick has a variety of people staying at her family home as well as renting her lodge house to a pair of Australians – non of which seem to have a motive for murder but who knows what is beneath the surface. Nick at Poirot’s urging asks her to invite her cousin Maggie to stay and provide extra deterrent and support – however at the fireworks display on Fireworks night Maggie is shot.
It seems on the face of it that Nick is the target and Maggie is the unfortunate casualty – but is she? And what motive? And where is the gun?
There is also Nick’s best friend Freddie Rice who has an unstable drug addicted husband, her potential lover Jim Lazaus, Nick’s potential fiancé Commander Challenger and Nick’s cousin Charles Vyse – but does he want to marry Nick or inherit the estate?

Death in the Clouds Agatha Christie
So we join Poirot for a locked door mystery in the form of an Airplane death. We join our cast of suspects on the short flight from France to England in a small plane.
Our cast comprises of Venetia Kerr a country lady and neighbour to the Countess of Horbury taking the seat next to her, Madeline the Countesses’ maid, James Ryder owner of a cement company, Daniel Clancy murder mystery writer, Norman Gale Dentist, Jane Grey Hairdresser returning after a short holiday in France and the Dupont Father & Son duo who are archaeologists.
The victim is a French Money Lender called Madame Giselle – she was known among the elite as a discrete source of funds for those in the right circles and used blackmail as security for her loans. This meant this lady had a multitude of clients who had a strong motive for wanting her out of the way.
This lady also had one daughter who was heir to her considerable fortune who had been given to nun’s to raise as a child – but where was she now? Was this yet another motive for murder?
And then there was the murder itself – no one saw it done, there was a poison dart with the body, there was a wasp loose on the plane, the police found a blow pipe but no one saw it used. So for a change Poirot was literally on the scene when the murder occurred but still not a single one of the passengers or stewards saw it occur.

Dumb Witness by Agatha Christie
Our story starts with the background of a lady Emily Arundell’s fall down the stairs, we are also introduced to the cast of suspects – Her three family members – Charles & Theresa Arundell children of Emily’s deceased sibling – both spendthrifts. Dr Donaldson fiancé of Theresa who needs money for his research, Minnie Lawson who is in the will, Bella Tanios cousin to  Charles & Theresa who is on the verge of financial ruin due to mishandling of the family finances by her Doctor husband  Dr Tanios.
Emily then takes a nasty fall at home lays her up in bed she decides to remake her will as she is concerned that her wealth may be an incentive for her family to make away with her. Charles himself made a joke to her face when she refused him funds that holding on to the bulk of her capital gave everyone in the family an incentive to bump her off.
Shortly after this Poirot received a letter from Emily which although dated considerably earlier had taken over a month to reach him. Hastings and Poirot then decide to take up the challenge and follow up the letter as it is cryptic in the extreme. They discover at arriving Emily has since passed away and they decide to investigate.
Our trusty duo arrive and Poirot in his typical style ingratiate himself with every neighbour, member of staff, member of the family etc – having found the lay of the land decides the case merits further investigation.
One of the key characters in this book is Bob the dog who was featured on the cover. The image on the cover was modelled on Christies own dog Peter  and she was very fond of him.
It was during this time in the 1930’s that the Detective Club which Agatha Christie helped to launch was expanded with other leading crime authors such as Dorothy Sayers, GK Chesterton and Nicholas Blake to name a few.  It was the worlds first social networking club for crime authors – with dinners, editing, ideas etc

If you love your crafting, then November is the ideal time to visit Harrogate with two “can’t miss” events taking place this month.  And, of course, The Camberley, The Lodge and Camberley Cottages, are ideally placed as a base for your visit.  With comfortable rooms, delicious breakfast and a central location just a short walk, or a scenic drive, from the events.

Crafts in the Pen
Skipton Auction Mart plays host to Crafts in the Pen on 15 and 16 November.  This huge festive crafts fair draws visitors from across Yorkshire and beyond. There will be more than 230 artisan stalls, two cafés on site, free parking and a Santa’s Grotto (entry includes a gift).  It’s an annual highlight for lovers of handmade goods, and a great opportunity to pick up some one of a kind gifts for the festive season and beyond.  Tickets are just £6, making it the ideal event for anyone who loves handmade items but doesn't have the skills to create them.  You can find out more here.

Knitting and Stitching Show
The following weekend sees the Royal Hall, and Convention Centre play host to possibly the largest craft show in the North of England.  The Knitting and Stitching Show attracts visitors from across the UK and is the perfect place to find knitting, sewing, spinning, papercrafts and embroidery equipment.  You are bound to come away with lots of new ideas, and almost certainly some great additions to your crafting stash.  Whether you are looking for the perfect knitting yarn or you are in the market for a new sewing machine, quilting frame or cabinet, this show has just about everything you could possibly wish to see.  Taking place over four days 20 – 23 November, the venue is a short walk from The Camberley, The Lodge and Camberley Cottages, making us the perfect choice for your stay.    You can find out  more about the show, and book your tickets, here 

Harrogate
Harrogate is not just a place to bed down — it’s a destination in its own right. Renowned for its elegant Georgian architecture, independent stores, tearooms and thermal spa heritage, you can stroll through the Montpellier Quarter, relax in the Valley Gardens, or visit the famous Bettys Tea Rooms for a quintessential afternoon tea experience.

If you are visiting Skipton, the auction mart is on the outskirts, but do take the time to visit the lovely town with its historic marketplace and lovely cafes.  Skipton is just a 30-40 minute drive from Harrogate, or you can catch the Harrogate to Leeds train and change for Skipton. 

After a full day of browsing, you’ll appreciate returning to our cosy, welcoming guest house where you can rest, recharge, and perhaps enjoy a quiet evening stroll. In Harrogate, you have access to a wide range of cafes and restaurants.  If you’re unsure which to choose, we can offer personalised recommendations based on your preferences. Alternatively, you can explore our blog posts about great places we think you'll enjoy. 

Practicalities
With so many stalls at both events, we do recommend arriving early so you can enjoy a quieter browse before the crowds really build up. We also recommend bringing comfortable shoes.  There is quite a bit of walking about.  In our experience, we recommend going around the stands at least twice to ensure you see everything. 

You may also want to bring a sturdy bag for your purchases.  Whilst many stall holders will provide bags, from experience, we have found that taking your own reusable bag is always a good option.  Even if you don’t plan to buy much, you might find that you come home with a bit more than planned. 

We’re delighted to welcome visitors coming for a crafty break, and we’re here to help make your weekend as crafty as possible.  

Vision & Labour: Making Comics
The Art Of Avery Hill Publishing
An exhibition at the Mercer Art Gallery, Harrogate
18 Oct 2025 to 26 April 2026
 
Kristyna Baczynski, Tim Bird, Katriona Chapman, Tom Humberstone, Charlot Kristensen, B. Mure, Owen D. Pomery, Claire Scully, J. Webster Sharp, Rachael Smith, Lizzy Stewart, Lucy Sullivan, Zoe Thorogood, Donya Todd, Tillie Walden, George Wylesol.
 
Harrogate’s Mercer Art Gallery has teamed up with indie publisher Avery Hill Publishing to create an exhibition showcasing some of today’s most exciting comics creators. Opening in October in time for this year’s Thought Bubble Comic Art Festival, the exhibition offers a fascinating glimpse into the work of leading comic artists, and an important snapshot of the UK comics landscape over the past decade.


From the early superhero comics of the 1930s underground comix scenes of the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s, to the rise of manga and Art Spiegelman’s Pulitzer Prize winning Maus in the ‘90s, generations have grown up reading comics. It is a medium that inspires diverse groups of people to a life-long love of reading, and has filtered into education, health, public art, video games, movies, and many more parts of life today.
 
Comics writers and artists work in a wide variety of ways, from solo creators who write and draw their own books, to collaborations between several creators. Comics can be short, accessible stories of just 30 pages, or lengthy graphic novels, hundreds of pages long. It is a medium with something for everyone—literary fiction, memoir, non-fiction, sci-fi, horror, and more. As it grows, so does its recognition, with graphic novels winning prestigious awards and being adapted to film and TV.
 
On display in the exhibition will be original artwork by sixteen diverse artists, shown alongside the finished books. The exhibition will offer insights into the creative process of making comics, and the different working practices of each artist, ranging from meticulous ink drawings to spectacular digitally created imagery, including video footage of the creators at work. There will also be photo opportunities with life-size recreations of some of the book covers, an interactive game designed by artist and designer George Wylesol. The various design elements pulling it all together are by comics artist Kristyna Baczynski who has created infographics, including a description of the various stages of journey from the original idea of the creator to the finished physical book
 
The audience will come away with an appreciation of the talent and vision of the creators and a new understanding of the labour involved in creating the art and making the finished book.

Karen Southworth, Exhibitions Curator at the Mercer explains “Through working with Thought Bubble and Avery Hill Publishing, we’ve come to appreciate that comics and graphic novels are a valuable, but often overlooked, part of our literary culture. We know this exhibition will inspire fans of comic art but we hope it will open lots more people’s eyes to discover this vibrant and accessible art form”. 
 
Avery Hill Publishing co-founder Ricky Miller says “This exhibition is an exciting way for us to extend our remit of helping new creators into comics and a great chance for us to look back on what we’ve created over the years. Somehow we’ve achieved this despite having no publishing experience, juggling demanding day jobs and major life-changes, in what was supposed to be a fun side-project that accidentally got out of control”.
 
The exhibition has been organised in partnership with Thought Bubble, the UK’s largest comic art festival which takes place in Harrogate annually in November. Thought Bubble’s Martha Julian says “To see the work of these incredible creators in one place should be grasped with both hands! Avery Hill Publishing have been a stalwart of the indie comics community for well over a decade, and we couldn’t be prouder to be including this celebratory exhibition as part of this year’s Thought Bubble Festival”.




 
                                                                                                                                 ENDS
For further information please contact:

Katriona Chapman at Avery Hill Publishing [email protected] and
Karen Southworth at the Mercer Art Gallery, North Yorkshire Council [email protected]
 
 
 
Notes to Editors

About Avery Hill
Avery Hill Publishing are a London-based independent publisher of comics, graphic novels and art books. Best known for being the first to publish work by breakout comics stars like Tillie Walden and Zoe Thorogood, they’ve gone on to develop an exciting slate of up-and-coming artists, a catalogue of diverse and compelling books, and have won numerous awards and acclaim along the way. With a love for the unusual and an eye for creators with potential, Avery Hill have carved a niche as a home for remarkable, offbeat books and are proud of their role in nurturing new talent.
 
More Info: Avery Hill Publishing
 
About the Mercer Art Gallery
The Mercer Art Gallery is Harrogate’s public art gallery. It opened in 1991, housed in the 200 year old Promenade Rooms, one of Harrogate’s first purpose built spa buildings. The Gallery’s name comes from the water-colourist Sidney Agnew Mercer who lived most of his life in Yorkshire and whose sons contributed funds towards the new art gallery. The gallery is managed by North Yorkshire Council; it offers a changing programme of temporary exhibitions  of modern and contemporary art alternating with displays of Works from the Harrogate Fine Art Collection, which is also available to view online at artuk.org, the digital home for art from every public collection in the United Kingdom.
 
More info:  Mercer Art Gallery


About Thought Bubble Comic Art Festival
Thought Bubble is THE Yorkshire Comic Art Festival! A week-long celebration of comics, illustration and more spread across the whole of Yorkshire, finishing in a huge two-day comic convention in Harrogate. We use our festival week to promote the power of comics! We believe they can inspire, educate and bring people together like no other medium, so whether you're a longtime fan of comic art or have never picked up a graphic novel before, you’ll find something for you.

More info: Thought Bubble Festival