Richmond Information Centre, Useful links

Community groups, clubs and volunteering in and around Richmond

A selective list of non-profit groups with an open-access web presence (e.g. not just Facebook).

Choirs and choral societies (also see Music)

• Military WAGS Choir: female choir, centred on Catterick Garrison
• Richmond Operatic Society: amateur musical theatre group, producing at least two public shows a year
• Richmondshire Choral Society: since 1879, RCS has sung most of the great choral works. Members always wanted!
• Station Singers: three friendly community choirs, for singers at all levels

Friendly societies

• Fellmongers Company of Richmond: an ancient craft company, with charitable purposes and apprenticeships.
• Probus Club of Richmond: for retired and semi-retired professional and business people. Frequent talks.
• Richmond Rotary Club: talks; charitable support and grants.
• Soroptimist Club, Richmond and Dales: friendly women's club, with monthly meetings, talks, charitable activities.
• WI - that's "Women's Institute", so why don't they just say so? Choice of two: Richmond and Swale.

Gardening

• Gilling West and District Gardening Society: lively programme of events, activities and visits.

Local history and prehistory

• Richmond and District Civic Society: monthly talks on the local heritage, plus visits and tours
• Swaledale and Arkengarthdale Archaeology Group: digs, walks and talks on the local area.

Music

• Richmondshire Concerts: annual season of six high-quality classical concerts by professional artists.
• Richmondshire Orchestra: community orchestra, three concerts a year. Membership enquiries welcome.
• Royal Scottish Country Dance Society: dances, classes and socials, Sep-Apr.

Outdoor activities (also see Sports)

• Richmond & District Angling Society: also see Angling on Useful links page.
• Richmondshire Ramblers: branch of Ramblers association. Friendly group walks, and twice-weekly well-being walks.
• Swaledale Outdoor Club: lively long-established club - canoeing, caving, walking, climbing, cycling... 

Pastimes

• Bedale & Dales Croquet Club: Beginners welcome. Active Apr-Oct. Social play Tue/Thur, friendly matches, club tournaments.
• Richmond Bowls Club: free taster sessions for beginners; lovely centrally located site.
• Richmondshire Bridge Club: meets Thursday nights at the Cricket Club. Visitors always welcome as a pair.
• Richmond Camera Club: long-established, friendly club; beginners to experts. Weekly meetings Sep-Apr.
• Richmond Scrabble Club: friendly club for all levels of players; Wednesdays 7pm, at the Buck Inn on Newbiggin.

Sports (also see Outdoor activities)

• Liberty Health Club and Pool (Richmondshire Leisure Trust): members can work out, swim, use the sunbeds... 
• Richmond and Zetland Harriers: athletics club in Catterick; all forms of running.
• Richmond Badminton Club: weekly club nights at SFX School during term time; senior, adult and junior leagues.
• Richmond Bowls Club: season runs Apr-Oct. Match play at all levels, and free taster sessions on request.
• Richmond Cycling Club: friendly club, one of the oldest in the world, welcomes road cyclists of all standards
• Richmond Dales Amateur Swimming Club: for young swimmers at all levels. Qualified professional coaches. 
• Richmond Town Football Club: Weardale League Division 1; Veterans, Women, Over-40s and 17 junior teams. Also Walking Football, for those who can no longer play other forms of the game.
• Richmond Triathlon Club: for athletes of all ages from 8 to 80!
• Richmondshire Cricket Club: lively club, promoting cricket for all. Superb town-centre ground and clubhouse.
• Richmondshire Rugby Union Football Club: from Micros to Veterans, Ladies' and Men's teams. Own clubhouse.
• Swaledale Runners: friendly club for runners at all levels. Social runs, improvers' runs, marathons and ultras!
• Team Caterpillar: running for all ages and all standards, and fundraising for good causes. Based at The Station.
• Westfields Tennis Club: full membership at present, but waiting list may be available.

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Theatre​

• Richmond Amateur Dramatic Society: RADS members put on three plays a year at the Georgian Theatre Royal
• Richmond Operatic Society: amateur musical theatre group, producing at least two public shows a year
• Richmondshire Youth Theatre: acting and dance workshops; students can get involved with live touring theatre.

Town and Country

• North Yorkshire Wine Society: monthly tastings at the Cricket Club
• Original Richmond Business and Tourism Association: running a business, or starting a new one? Join now!
• Richmond and District Civic Society: monthly talks on the local heritage, plus visits and tours
• Richmond and Hambleton RSPB (local group of Royal Society for the Protection of Birds)
• Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust: founded to restore The Station; now with wider conservation aims
• Richmondshire Climate Action Partnership: getting to Net Zero, and protecting the environment.
• Scorton Lakes Nature Reserve: ambitious regeneration of old gravel pits; wonderful nature walks.

Volunteering opportunities

• Dementia Forward: you'll be a member of a lovely team, possibly working from Garget Walker House in Richmond.
• Foxglove Covert Local Nature Reserve: meet friendly, like-minded people and help your local environment.
• Georgian Theatre Royal: box office, usher, backstage support... Volunteers have plenty to do (and get benefits).
• Green Howards Museum: help with family history research, welcoming visitors, organising archive material...
• Just the Job: providing meaningful outdoor work for individuals requiring help and support.
• Kiplin Hall: vacancies often available at this magnificent Jacobean house  for stewards, gardeners and other roles. 
• Richmond Castle: gardening, guiding, back-office activity...
• Richmond Information Centre: That's us! Use your knowledge, enjoyment of meeting people and love of Richmondshire.
• Richmond Library: learn new skills, meet people, and keep a valuable service open.
• Richmondshire Museum: welcome visitors, catalogue exhibits, assist in the valuable job of conservation...
• The Station - Front of huse volunteers plus a number of other roles during busy times.
• Walking for Health - volunteers needed to assist walk leaders.
• Wensleydale Railway: lots of opportunities - though sadly we can't see any vacancies for 'Steam Locomotive Driver'!
• Charity shops: several in town - just drop in for information and to offer your services.