Stoke Rochford Hall is Wedding Venue of the Year Finalist

Stoke Rochford Hall

Stoke Rochford Hall near Grantham has reached the finals in the Wedding venue of the Year category of the Lincolnshire Life Taste of Excellence Awards 2015.

These are the eighteenth annual Taste of Excellence Food & Drink Awards that celebrate the best in food and drink from across the county.

“The team here at Stoke Rochford Hall is delighted to be in the finals of this award. After a busy summer when in August alone we hosted 17 weddings it is excellent news to be recognised by reaching the finals of these prestigious awards. We are looking forward to the awards ceremony in November”. Comments Barry Clark, general manager at Stoke Rochford Hall.

The winners and runners-up will be announced at an Awards Ceremony on Thursday 12th November at Oaklands Hall Hotel, Laceby.

World First for York’s Minster Quarter

Bedern Hall York

‘World First’ for local businesses and organisations as the
Minster Quarter initiative re-launches, finds new headquarters and is the first business group to be part of innovative GAMBIT project.

When: Friday 23rd October at 12noon
Where: Bedern Hall York (Photographers and reporters welcome)

York’s Minster Quarter has established a new base for the organisation’s administration at Bedern Hall York and is to spearhead a new project called GAMBIT, the working title of a ‘World First’ application that Science City York (part of Make it York) has been developing with Bosch, ARUP, Virtual Viewing and Fosse Games. It is a totally new APP that is set to transform how people interact and buy from business and enjoy their visitor experience in the City. The joint initiative is to be launched at Bedern Hall York on Friday 23rd October at 12noon.

The Minster Quarter was established in 2007 by retailers and attractions in the historic area that includes the most preserved elements of the City of York’s Roman origins, in order to highlight the many interesting and high quality establishments in this area of the City.

“The Minster Quarter is historically, probably the most important part of the City with York Minster as its jewel and the establishment of the partnership at Bedern Hall provides an opportunity for visitors and local businesses and residents to come and learn more about the partnership and the area more easily than ever before. GAMBIT is set to transform the way visitors interact and we are delighted to be the first business group to be involved in the project.” comments Frank Wood, chairman of the Minster Quarter and Owner of Braithwaite Jewellers of Goodramgate.

The Minster Quarter initiative working with GAMBIT aims to refocus on new marketing activities in 2016 to take advantage of these developments, to raise awareness of the quality and variety of independent businesses available plus the important historic experiences available in the Minster Quarter.  Included is a new historic trail about the Stonemasons and Freemasons in this part of the City that has been developed by Minster Quarter academic advisor Peter Goodchild.

In addition, Bedern Hall has now established a public opening programme to its private conference, weddings and special occasion bookings enabling people to make contact in person more easily.

Roger Lee who operates Bedern Hall on behalf of the Guilds of York said: “This is an excellent arrangement as it combines the roles of commerce, historic attractions and heritage in an area of the City that is often taken for granted and we aim to generate a new drive for visitors and local people to come and see and appreciate the many assets that the Minster Quarter has to offer.”
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For more information please contact: John Gallery, Great Potential
Tel: 07967 032623 Email: johngallery@greatpotential.co.uk
Notes for Editors: The Minster Quarter, with majestic York Minster at its core and mediaeval walls around its border is an area rich in architecture and steeped in history. It boasts an eclectic and unique mix of shops, world-renowned boutiques and professional businesses plus ancient churches, modern and traditional pubs, cafes, restaurants and hotels.

Sir Gary Verity to open restored heritage railway carriage

Aysgarth Railway Carriage

Official Opening by Sir Gary Verity, CEO, Welcome to Yorkshire of restored and transformed heritage Railway carriage.

When: Monday 19th October 2015 Time: 9am for 9.30am

Where: Aysgarth Station, Aysgarth, Leyburn, North Yorkshire.

On Monday 19th October, guest of honour Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, will open the restored heritage carriage Coach 5345 at the Wensleydale Railway’s Aysgarth Station.

Coach 5345 was rescued from the siding at Redmire in March 2014 and moved to Aysgarth Station in April 2015. Volunteers from the Aysgarth Station Project (TASP), supported by the Wensleydale Railway Trust and Carperby Parish Council, successfully applied for a grant of £5000 from the Richmondshire Community Opportunities Fund to assist with the restoration. TASP volunteers, supported by local businesses, completed the restoration to a very tight deadline (to comply with funding conditions).

“We began this project with great enthusiasm and after four months of very hard and sometimes frustrating work, the results are impressive.  We still have some minor jobs to do to complete the project, but will be ready to use 5345 as the Aysgarth meeting room/café for next season.  The restoration work has been undertaken by TASP volunteers with the support of local people and businesses.” commented TASP chairman, Neil Barker.

“Thanks to them, to all those who came and helped at Open Days (regulars and occasional visitors, cake makers etc.) and finally, but not least, to our families for putting up with our obsession! We are a small, but effective, go-ahead team and have welcomed several new members this year. We work on most Wednesdays and Saturdays: come and join us; there will always be something that volunteers can make a contribution to, or even learn a new skill.” added Neil.

The Wensleydale Railway is one of the longest heritage railway routes in the country and operates and daily service in the main season between Leeming Bar and Redmire with Wednesday and Saturdays for the Northallerton-Leeming Bar section. The Railway is considering an extension of the line from Redmire to Aysgarth Falls, a return to the centre of Northallerton, and a general upgrade of the line, stations and trains.

“The carriage will be an asset to the Wensleydale Railway and shows our ongoing commitment to a presence in the Upper Dale” commented General manger Nigel Park.

Attendance at the event can be booked at: http://bit.ly/AysgarthCarriageOpening

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For further information please contact: Nigel Park, general manager, The Wensleydale Railway, Leeming Bar Station, Leases Lane, Leeming Bar, Northallerton, North Yorkshire DL7 9AR

Tel: 01677 425805 Mobile: 07446 381118

Email: generalmanager@wensleydalerailway.com

Notes for Editors: The Wensleydale Railway line now serves Northallerton West, Leeming Bar, Bedale, Finghall Lane, Leyburn and Redmire, a distance of 22 miles.

Iron Lady Tours at Grantham Hotel

Stoke Rochford Hall near Grantham has announced Iron Lady Tours that introduces visitors to the place where Margaret Thatcher grew up as a grocer’s daughter and went on to become Britain’s first woman Prime Minister.

October 13th 2015 would have been her 90th birthday.

The new tour will guide guests to locations in Grantham beginning with the site of Thatcher’s home, her school, a visit to the Grantham Museum where there is an exhibition about Margaret Thatcher and includes details of the Margaret Thatcher Statue campaign. Also at the Grantham Museum guests will have the opportunity to see the D-Day exhibition and the Dambusters exhibition, the iconic raid on Germany’s Ruhr Valley in 1943, the historic achievement of this raid and the crucial part it played in World War Two that was devised in Grantham.

“Margaret Thatcher remains one of the UK’s most important political figures. Her connection with Grantham is evident in her biographies and in recognition of her association with Grantham, and whatever people’s views about her may be, she is one of the dominant political figures of 20th century Britain, and the political philosophy that bears her name ‘Thatcherism’ is recognised worldwide. This tour will explore her early life and the things that influenced her.” comments Barry Clark, general manager.

Another famous son of Grantham, is Nicholas Parsons whose father was a doctor in a country practice in Grantham. Among his patients were the Robert’s family which included young Margaret who became Margaret Thatcher. Nicholas went to the same school as her, Grantham & Kesteven High School for Girls! In the kindergarden they took boys … not what you might think. He moved to London with his family when he was 8 years old.

Visitors will also be invited to learn about other Grantham historic sites including the statue of Isaac Newton (1642-1727) the mathematician and physicist who was one of the foremost scientific intellects of all time. He was born at Woolsthorpe, near Grantham in Lincolnshire, where he attended school.

“Grantham has been somewhat unfairly dubbed as boring in the past and may be somewhere that people have only seen from a train or passed in a hurry on the A1 but there is so much to explore and discover. We hope that this new tour will encourage people to stay longer, to learn about its rich and varied past and its people”. added Barry.

At the hotel, guests will have an historical tour of Stoke Rochford Hall that explains the background to the imposing grand hotel, which began as the site of a Roman Villa, was the location for a series of noble houses and for 18 months in WW11 housed the headquarters of the Second Battalion of the Parachute Regiment. Here, on the Library floor, the plans were laid which led to the ill-fated Arnhem ‘drop’ of 1944.

‘Iron Lady’ tours include a two night stay, dinner and breakfast and is available for independent travellers and for group visits.

For further information please contact: Barry Clark, general manager, Stoke Rochford Hall Hotel, Stoke Rochford, Grantham, NG33 5EJ Tel: 01476 530337 Email: b.clark@stokerochfordhall.co.uk

Press Contact: John Gallery, Great Potential T: 07967 032623

E: johngallery@greatpotential.co.uk

Notes for Editors: Stoke Rochford Hall, near Grantham in Lincolnshire is a unique 96 room hotel, conference and banqueting centre. A Victorian country mansion  set within formal landscaped gardens and 28 acres of parkland.

Wensleydale Railway Open Day

Wensleydale Railway Nigel Park Time Check

On Saturday 3rd October from 9am to 6pm, the Wensleydale Railway open day will allow visitors to experience the wide range of interesting activities. At Leeming Bar there will be:

• Demonstration of track laying/track work

• Carriage restoration

• Example of a diesel locomotives (Class 20 with panels removed and shunter with panels removed)

• Level crossing keeping

• Administration/Office work

• Footplate rides on Joem steam locomotive

• Operation of the shop and buffet

• Leeming Bar Residents’ carriage

In addition there will be a Marquee with displays about future plans, cake stall, coffee stall and a Hog roast.

Visitors will have the added opportunity to spend time on the footplate and experience the engine as a train driver and two trains will run the length of the length of the line from Northallerton West to Redmire, stopping at each station to enable visitors to visit each location.

At Bedale there is to be viewing the signal box/signalling, Vegetation clearance, Display of pictures of the level crossing repair work (in the Training Room) and a demonstration of Bedale Station Group activities

At Leyburn there is to be an infrastructure demonstration on the platform, vegetation clearance and demonstration of FOLS, shop and Tea Bar activities

“This is a fantastic opportunity for visitors to learn at first hand how a heritage railway works and will get then into parts of the railway that a normal train ride can never provide. We hope that visitors experiencing these activities will be encouraged to join our volunteer programme and come along to enjoy a very satisfying volunteering role and become ambassadors for the Wensleydale Railway”. comments general manager, Nigel Park.

Trains will run between Northallerton and Redmire for this event and will stop at all stations. A Vintage Bus will also run from Leeming Bar to Scruton free of charge (donations welcome) and there is catering at Leyburn, Bedale and Leeming Bar. Free car parking is available at Leeming Bar. Activities will also take place at Aysgarth station.

Wensleydale Railway is one of the longest heritage railway routes in the country and operates and daily service in the main season between Leeming Bar and Redmire with Wednesday and Saturdays for the Northallerton-Leeming Bar section. Plans are in hand to extend the service in line with future demand.

For further information please contact;

Nigel Park, general manager, The Wensleydale Railway, Leeming Bar Station,

Leases Lane, Leeming Bar, Northallerton, North Yorkshire DL7 9AR

Tel: 01325 251204 Mobile: 07446 381118

Email: generalmanager@wensleydalerailway.com

Notes for Editors: The Wensleydale Railway line now serves Northallerton West, Leeming Bar, Bedale, Finghall Lane, Leyburn and Redmire, a distance of 22 miles.

Wensleydale Steam Returns and Open Day for Volunteers

Joen Steam Engine

On Saturday 26th September, the Wensleydale Railway will be running the Joem Steam engine for a special steam day between Leeming Bar and Northallerton.

Visitors will have the added opportunity to spend time on the footplate and experience the engine as a train driver. The arrangements for this will on a ‘first come first served’ basis for places during travel and will be available for other visitors at each stopping station.

Open Day at Wensleydale Railway on Saturday 3rd October 2015 – Visitors invited to see behind the scenes and learn about Volunteering opportunities

On Saturday 3rd October, the Wensleydale Railway is staging a special open day that will allow visitors to experience the wide range of interesting activities.

At Leeming Bar there will be:

  • Demonstration of track laying/track work
  • Carriage restoration
  • Example of a diesel locomotives (Class 20 with panels removed and shunter with panels removed)
  • Level crossing keeping
  • Administration/Office work
  • Footplate rides on Joem steam locomotive
  • Operation of the shop and buffet
  • Leeming Bar Residents’ carriage

In addition there will be a Marquee with displays about future plans, cake stall, coffee stall and a Hog roast.

Visitors will have the added opportunity to spend time on the footplate and experience the engine as a train driver and two trains will run the length of the length of the line from Northallerton West to Redmire, stopping at each station to enable visitors to visit each location.

At Bedale there is to be viewing the signal box/signalling, Vegetation clearance, Display of pictures of the level crossing repair work (in the Training Room) and a demonstration of Bedale Station Group activities

At Leyburn there is to be an infrastructure demonstration on the platform, vegetation clearance and demonstration of FOLS, shop and Tea Bar activities

“This is a fantastic opportunity for visitors to learn at first hand how a heritage railway works and will get then into parts of the railway that a normal train ride can never provide. We hope that visitors experiencing these activities will be encouraged to join our volunteer programme and come along to enjoy a very satisfying volunteering role and become ambassadors for the Wensleydale Railway”. comments general manager, Nigel Park.

Trains will run between Northallerton and Redmire for this event and will stop at all stations. A Vintage Bus will also run from Leeming Bar to Scruton free of charge (donations welcome) and there is catering at Leyburn, Bedale and Leeming Bar. Free car parking is available at Leeming Bar.

Wensleydale Railway is one of the longest heritage railway routes in the country and operates and daily service in the main season between Leeming Bar and Redmire with Wednesday and Saturdays for the Northallerton-Leeming Bar section. Plans are in hand to extend the service in line with future demand.

more details: www.wensleydalerail.com

 

Caving for team Building and Education

Caving at Carlton Lodge

Carlton Lodge Activity Centre near Thirsk, North Yorkshire has announced new courses in Caving for team building and education that provides a range of subterranean experiences.

Caving instructor George Plant who has recently completed the British Caving Association’s (BCA) highest instructing award, the Caving Instructors Certificate (CIC), will deliver the courses that offer three levels:

  • Introductory Caving – suitable for novices
  • Intermediate Caving – For those with some previous underground experience who want a taste of the vertical.
  • Advanced Caving – For those who have experienced caving and want to go further.

Caving courses begin at £170 per person including full board accommodation.

David Sharp, chief executive said: “Caving is a fascinating experience and in North Yorkshire we have the premier caving region in the British Isles. Our skilled and qualified instructors will show students the experiences from a choice of suitable caves where they will discover it is unlike anything else.”

The courses are ideal for corporate groups for team building and challenge events for normally desk-bound executives and other adults seeking an extreme adventure experience for leisure.

“As alien as scuba-diving or space-travel but available to all, caving provides ‘dirty-learning’ that children and adults can all enjoy“. added George Plant, caving instructor at Carlton Lodge.

For further information please contact: Mark Faulkner, Head of Centre

North Yorkshire Youth, Carlton Lodge, Carlton Miniott, Thirsk, YO7 4NJ

Tel: 01845 522 145  e-mail: mark@nyy.org.uk

Websites: North Yorkshire Youth: www.nyy.org.uk Carlton Lodge Activity Centre: www.carltonlodge.org.uk

Notes for Editors:  North Yorkshire Youth, provides opportunities for children and young people to learn and grow by:

  • Supporting youth development work in North Yorkshire communities
  • Providing  day and residential programmes of adventurous activities from Carlton Lodge Activity Centre
  • Providing training opportunities for young people and those who work with them
  • NYY’s mission remains the same as that of its founders in 1941 –‘to help children and young people to realise their full potential by enhancing and improving our range of learning and development opportunities’.

New Drive for Business

New Drive Boosts Business at North Yorkshire Hotel  

The Old Lodge Malton in North Yorkshire reports that business is up for summer 2015 and the hotel manager puts some of this success to the hotel’s new drive.

The hotel is a historic building and when the owners came to seek contractors to resurface the drive it was an important decision to get the right finish to ensure it would be in keeping with the hotel and its grounds.

The Old Lodge was originally built in 1604 as the Gatehouse to the Castle of Malton. It is a listed building that narrowly escaped demolition due to a family feud! Its grounds are a National Monument, due to the ancient treasures that may lie beneath.

“The new drive has become a talking point and guests both from the local community coming for dining, social occasions and weddings plus resident guests are all commenting on how impressive the new drive looks so I’m calling it ‘my drive for business!’ ” comments Eileen Lowery, hotel manager.

The new drive was installed by contractors S&B Smallman of Pontefract who specialize in tar macadam laying and surfacing including driveways and pathways, school playgrounds, car parks and private roads. The resin-based solution used at the Old Lodge has ensured a smart looking finish and is also very easy for access by people in wheelchairs.

“The solution is importantly sympathetic to the historic building and provides the management and staff with an easy to maintain surface that also looks good”. added Eileen.

For further information please contact: Eileen Lowery, hotel manager.

Tel: 01653 690570 Email: info@theoldlodgemalton.co.uk

 Notes for Editors: The Old Lodge is a stunning Tudor mansion set in beautiful grounds, on the edge of the historic Market town of Malton, near Pickering, North Yorkshire with 20 en-suite rooms, all with TV, DVD/CD player, tea & coffee facilities, plus a further 8 rooms in a renovated public house about 50 metres away, called The Old Lodgings. The Old Lodge has a beautiful antique wood panelled boardroom. It has adequate natural lighting, supplemented with overhead lights and lamps, with a window that can be shuttered to block out light if necessary.

Herriot remake Possible?

 
News Release July 2015 US executives are said to be full of “great ideas” for an All Creatures Great and Small remake.

Ian Ashton, managing director of the World of James Herriot in Thirsk has his fingers crossed that recent reports about a possible remake of the All Creatures Great and Small series will become a reality.

Reports in the Mirror and Mail national newspapers and online highlight the possibility with an online poll at the Mirror inviting reader’s views on whether they would watch the remake. At the time of writing 54% are in favour. (http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/tv-classic-creatures-great-small-6139290)

Ian Ashton said: “It would be splendid news if HBO bosses make the decision to go ahead with a remake because there are so many people who have been inspired by the James Herriot books, TV series and films. Visitors from around the world make their way to the World of James Herriot here in Thirsk and a new series would be a huge benefit for his fans and create a new generation of Herriot aficionados.”

The reports say that if the rumours are true, the gentle British story of a vets’ practice in the Yorkshire Dales is to be given a “big-budget remake” by HBO. The US version will reportedly be “sexier and glossier” than the original. An HBO spokesman said: “HBO does not comment on shows in production until they are green lit.”

Previously owned by the local council, 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 Legacy Fund initiative 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.

Ian Ashton added: “We recently launched the James Herriot Statue and Legacy Fund as a tribute to Alf Wight, and as a new way to recognise and support people entering the veterinary and animal care profession. If the series remake happens it would also be a huge boost for the James Herriot Legacy Fund initiative.”

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For further information please contact:

Ian Ashton, World of James Herriot, 23 Kirkgate, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 1PL

Tel: 01845 524234 E-mail: mail@worldofjamesherriot.com

Press Contact: John Gallery, Great Potential. Tel: 07967 032623

E-mail: johngallery@greatpotential.co.uk

Notes for Editors:

Set in the former Thirsk surgery and home of Alf Wight, World of James Herriot brings to life his colourful story: his lifetime’s work as a vet and his ever popular writing as ‘James Herriot’. The World of James Herriot is a unique tribute to Alf Wight, vet and author of the James Herriot stories. Based in his original surgery at 23 Kirkgate, Thirsk, North Yorkshire – the ‘Skeldale House’ of the Herriot books – it takes visitors on a journey back to the 1940s.

Summer Holiday Children’s Activity Days Solution for working parents

Prices reduced on Summer Holiday Activity Days at Carlton Lodge Activity Centre near Thirsk.
North Yorkshire Youth, (NYY) based at Carlton Lodge Activity Centre near Thirsk, North Yorkshire has announced reduced prices on its Summer Holiday Activity Days that will be a boon to working families during the forthcoming school summer holiday break in August.
The new service provides a weeklong activity programme for children aged between eight and 14 years that can be booked for individual days or weekly. Costs for the new service to parents have been reduced by 25% to just £150 per week and which is likely to be much lower than traditional day care nurseries.  The new service is provided by North Yorkshire Youth at Carlton Lodge Activity Centre and has proved to be a popular initiative. Managers at the Centre have issued a last-call appeal for the final places available before the school holidays begin.
David Sharp, chief executive said: “As a working parent myself, I know how much of a challenge it is for parents to make arrangements for child care during school holidays both in terms of the cost and organization. Our initiative will assist with these issues but in addition, parents will also be pleased to know that their child in our care will also benefit from the learning and personal development opportunities we deliver”.

The new arrangements will begin on 17th August and continue until 28th August 2015 – more details available at http://www.carltonlodge.org.uk/activities/days

“Often it is friends and relatives who are relied upon to help out during school holidays, which is fine for some people, but our vast experience, reliability and safety record puts us in a unique position to provide activities that will support this initiative“. added Mark Faulkner, head of centre at Carlton Lodge.
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For further information please contact:
David Sharp, chief executive
North Yorkshire Youth, Carlton Lodge, Carlton Miniott, Thirsk, YO7 4NJ
Tel: 01845 522 145 E-mail: david@nyy.org.uk North Yorkshire Youth: www.nyy.org.uk Carlton Lodge Outdoor Centre: www.carltonlodge.org.uk
Media Contact: John Gallery, Great Potential. Tel: 07967 032623
Email: johngallery@greatpotential.co.uk
Notes for Editors:  North Yorkshire Youth, provides opportunities for children and young people to learn and grow by:
•    Supporting youth work in North Yorkshire communities
•    Providing adventurous activities from Carlton Lodge Activity Centre
•    Providing training opportunities for young people and those who work with them
•    NYY’s mission remains the same as that of its founders in 1941 – ‘to provide learning and personal development opportunities for children and young people’.