Day: July 6, 2016

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World of James Herriot Award at Askham Bryan College York

Ian Ashton and Ellie Tomlinson

Ian Ashton, managing director of the World of James Herriot in Thirsk presented an award to Ellie Tomlinson at the annual Askham Bryan College Graduation and Awards ceremony on Wednesday 30th June 2016 where the guest address was given by Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York.

The World of James Herriot Award is in recognition of Ellie’s achievements in gaining the Special Award of Best Practical Veterinary Nursing Student following her studies for a Foundation Degree in Veterinary Nursing. Ellie also received the Handbook of Veterinary Nursing.

Ian Ashton said: “I’m so pleased to have been able to present this award to Ellie as it recognises her efforts and commitment to the care of animals which is why James Herriot joined the veterinary profession. The Award is one step in her career progress and hopefully this will support Ellie in her future work and like the many others who have been inspired by the James Herriot books, TV series and films.”

The award was presented at Askham Bryan College during the annual Graduation and Awards Ceremony on behalf of the James Herriot Foundation Trust, based at the World of James Herriot in Thirsk, North Yorkshire.  The World of James Herriot is now a privately operated company whose management has a vision to continually develop it and attract more visitors including the launch of the James Herriot Foundation Trust which aims to provide bursaries for people wishing to enter the animal care world and for whom the James Herriot stories have been an inspiration. 2016 is the 100th anniversary of the author’s birth and a fundraising black-tie dinner is to be held on Saturday 1st October at Tennants Garden Rooms, Leyburn to celebrate and raise funds for the Trust.

Ian Ashton added: “We are delighted to continue our relationship with Askham Bryan College and to recognise Ellie’s achievements in the spirit of the James Herriot Foundation Trust.”

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Heritage education programme at Wensleydale Railway

Wensleydale Railway Scruton Education Initiative

A heritage education programme at Wensleydale Railway of school visits has been researched and developed for Key Skills Two and invited children from 10 local primary schools to visit Scruton Station and village during June and July 2016.

The school children arrive by vintage train, where they’re met by a team of volunteers in period costume, each of whom are based on real individuals from the village and locality 100 years ago.

Against the backdrop of the restored Victorian station, set-dressed, as it would have looked in 1916, the visits include interactive play about life on a country station 100 years ago during the First World War.

Children take part in a series of six interactive activities, which explore different aspects of the railways from weighing parcels on a set of original scales to working out timetables, writing period postcards and investigating railway artefacts.

“After months of research and planning we are delighted to now be delivering the programme at Scruton. There has been an excellent reaction from the children and both teachers and parents are pleased with the outcomes.” comments, Virginia Arrowsmith, coordinator of the project for the Wensleydale Railway.

With a grant of just under £40k from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the initiative contributes to the Wensleydale Railway’s community role and follows the recent National Railway Heritage Award for Scruton Station’s restoration.