A descendant of legendary 19th century Harrogate Mayor Samson Fox is to continue the family legacy by taking on a senior role at the Royal Hall Restoration Trust last filled by the late Dame Fanny Waterman.

Lucy Fox (Viscountess Gormanston) is the great-great granddaughter of 19th century industrialist, entrepreneur and philanthropist Samson Fox who used his vast wealth in the late Victorian era to provide for the poor in Harrogate, as well as funding the building of London’s Royal College of Music and Harrogate’s Royal Hall.

She will become Vice President of the Royal Hall Restoration Trust, joining her father, Edward Fox, the internationally acclaimed actor, who became the trust’s founder president in 2001.

Lucy Fox said: ‘I am honoured and humbled to join the Royal Hall Restoration Trust which has done so much to make sure that the Royal Hall may continue to excite and wow those who visit it, just as it has for well over a century.

Lucy Fox, the new Vice President of the Royal Hall Restoration Trust, sitting in the box at the Royal Hall with a photograph of 19th century Harrogate Mayor Samson Fox and Samson’s biography. (Picture contributed) | Submitted

placeholder image — Lucy Fox, the new Vice President of the Royal Hall Restoration Trust, sitting in the box at the Royal Hall with a photograph of 19th century Harrogate Mayor Samson Fox and Samson’s biography. (Picture contributed) | Submitted

"I am proud of all that my great-great grandfather did in what was actually a fairly short life dying when he was just 65.”

The chairman of the trust, Russell Davidson, said he was delighted that Lucy had agreed to step up her involvement in improving and protecting the Royal Hall, the town’s most glittering venue where everyone has appeared, from Elgar to The Beatles.

“Lucy’s father and his wife Joanna David were great supporters when we were raising £2.7 million towards completing the Royal Hall’s restoration in 2008,” said Mr Davidson.

“Their support has continued as the trust’s work carries on to help preserve and enhance this much-admired building.

Lucy Fox and Russell Davidson, Chair of the Royal Hall Restoration Trust, Russell Davidson, pictured in the Royal Hall box in Harrogate dedicated to Samson Fox. (Picture contributed)

"Lucy is an arts marketing and PR specialist and has already helped us in various ways using her many skills including helping us arrange VIP receptions and sourcing ‘in kind’ support from local businesses and media coverage.

"We felt it was the right time to recognise this by inviting Lucy to become trust vice president, a role we haven’t filled since we lost Dame Fanny Waterman.

"The Royal Hall Restoration Trust has recently carried out a flurry of physical enhancement projects at the Royal Hall including refurbishment of the main bar, designing and creating new forthcoming attraction boards and installing large graphic panels depicting long gone areas of the Royal Hall estate such as the Kursaal tea rooms and the beautiful Rose Gardens.”

The Fox’s family’s support for the Royal Hall has been consistent and generous over the decades.

Edward and Joanna have among other things, held recitals, compered concerts and attended fundraising events.

Their son, film and TV star Freddie, joined his mum Joanna at the Royal Hall for the world premiere of The Man Who Captured Sunlight celebrating the many successes of Samson Fox and more recently Freddie has become ambassador and presenter for the newly-formed Cuore Chamber Orchestra whose chosen home is the Royal Hall.