Author: gp

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Revealing the stories behind Wensleydale Railway’s stations

Revealing the stories behind Wensleydale Railway’s stations

A generous bequest of family photographs has inspired a remarkable research journey

A recent donation of family photographs has sparked a fascinating journey of discovery, enabling staff and volunteers at the Wensleydale Railway to piece together the story of one of its stations, Finghall Lane near Bedale.

The photographs were kindly given to us by Mrs Jane Stringer, who, having inherited them from a family friend, got in touch to find out if they would be of interest to us. The remarkable photographs, which date from the late 1880s through to the 1930s, depict the station in its heyday, with its beautifully-maintained flower beds and five staff including Station Master, George Metcalfe, who ran it from the mid 1890s until just after the First World War. Born at Great Fencote near Northallerton, George was employed by the North Eastern Railway Company all his working life, working his way up from the roles of porter and signalman to the respected position of Station Master over 50 years.

‘This is a real glimpse into the past for us, given that few people had access to cameras until well into the twentieth century’ commented Virginia Arrowsmith, our Heritage Education Officer, ‘and it’s also really valuable resource for us to share with schools, who visit us to explore what life was like on the railway in Victorian and Edwardian times.’

We are running an ongoing research programme into the history of the Wensleydale Railway, which runs from Leeming Bar to Redmire, and we would be delighted to hear from anyone who has a family connection with the railway or can help us piece together its story over the last 150 years. To get in touch, please email education@wensleydalerailway.com or telephone 01677 425805.

 

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How’s Business Pop Up Business Cafe

John Gallery

Great Potential will be at the Pop Up Business cafe in Boroughbridge on 23rd May.

Boroughbridge Popup Business Café
23rd May 2017
9 am – 1 pm
Best Western Crown Hotel, Horsefair, Boroughbridge, YO51 9LB

Attendees at previous Popup Business Cafes have said:

“Free, brilliant advice, no sales pitch and lots of patience for all my questions”
“Genuinely helpful advice from people who want to help and not just sell their business”
“It has restored my confidence, given me ideas about direction. An opportunity to reflect on my 16 years in business”
“I have been inspired by the excellent advice given”

Have you ever wished that you had all the answers to your business questions in one place? Well that’s what a Popup Business Cafe is.

The Local Enterprise Partnership and Boroughbridge Chamber of Commerce are packing the Crown Hotel with volunteers from the local business community. We will be one of the local experts available to give free practical answers to your questions on a range of business topics.

You are welcome to turn up when you like, leave when you like, come back again when you feel like it. It’s more like an informal cafe, than a business conference!

The event is completely free, so, come along and chat with an expert at our informal drop in sessions throughout the morning, for genuinely free business advice.

To find out more information on who else will be there, and to book your place at the Popup Business Café visit https://boroughbridgepopup.eventbrite.co.uk You’ll also find information on Twitter, follow @hows_business #popupbizcafe

See you there, John Gallery

Pop Up Cafe
Pop Up Cafe

 

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USA travel agents fact-finding visit to Herriot Country

Jim Wight, son of Alf Wight OBE (James Herriot) welcomed Arthur Small of Virgin Atlantic and six senior travel agents from the USA to Herriot Country and the World of James Herriot. Jim provided a personal guided tour of the World of James Herriot, sharing many anecdotes and true-life situations of the times when the attraction was the original surgery and home of his family.

Paull Tickner, director of Custom GB, whose portfolio of tour ideas includes the Yorkshire Dales and the World of James Herriot, created for Virgin Atlantic’s new routes into Manchester from San Francisco, Boston, Newark and Atlanta, arranged the visit. The group included: Peg Haskins, Viking Travel, Westmont, Illinois; Becky Avery, Carson Travel, Toledo, Ohio; Karen Hancock, McDade Travel, Roanoake, Virginia; Anne Michelle Popeck CTC, Van Zile Travel, Rochester, New York; Linda Sains, LindaleTravel, Asheville, North Carolina and Michelle Busse, Brentwood Travel, St Louis, Missouri.

“This visit is another example of the importance of the World of James Herriot to its world wide audience. We have visitors from all over the world but the USA is without doubt where James Herriot’s books found their greatest popularity. To have welcomed such a high level group of agents in one visit is excellent news for us!“ comments The World of James Herriot managing director, Ian Ashton.

They were enthralled by the visit to the Centre and asked many questions about Alf Wight (James Herriot) and the books he wrote. Managing Director Ian Ashton presented the guests a DVD of the recent 100th Anniversary Dinner for the vet and author, a guidebook about the World of James Herriot and several items of memorabilia as a reminder of their visit.

USA Travel Agents fact-finding trip to Herriot Country
USA Travel Agents fact-finding trip to Herriot Country
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ibookedin launched at International Confex

ibookedin launched at international confex

ibookedin launched at International Confex when founders Gee and Kiran Mann alongside Michael Hirst attempted to demolish some old school style telephones to make the point that the new fully connected service would render them obsolete for meetings and event search and booking.

ibookedin integrates venue availability through connections to venue property management systems using licensed connectivity and cloud apps and puts venues space into its online market place. Buyers of meeting space can search find and book in three simple steps.

“The service offers the most up to date and technically robust system for bringing meetings and event booking online and emulates the now common online retailer operations with a three-click approach to search find and book venues.

Some readers may remember LateMeetings.com service that I founded in 2005 before selling to Expotel (now Capita) and which ibookedin is the modern version. It is more sophisticated, smoother and easy to use and it’s great for me to be involved in this space again supporting Kiran and Gee. Hopefully those who doubted our original concept will think again” comments John Gallery, MD of Great Potential and industry advisor to ibookedin.

The service is seen as the global distribution system for meetings and events. Click Here to see the video.

ibookedin launched at international confex
ibookedin launched at international confex

 

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GP client World of James Herriot to visit The State Darwin Museum Moscow in Russia

Great Potential’s client the World of James Herriot team to visit and meet Moscow’s Herriot Fans at James Herriot Exhibition at The State Darwin Museum Moscow in Russia.

John Gallery, md of Great Potential will accompany Ian Ashton, md of the World of James Herriot to The State Darwin Museum Moscow in Russia which has set up an exhibition of James Herriot Memorabilia in honour of Alf Wight (James Herriot) whose 100th birthday celebration was held in October 2016. Ian and John will be travelling to the Russian city on 15th February where they will meet museum officials including Anna Kliukina director of the museum and Maria Scheglova, Head of the English Club of Fans of James Herriot Moscow.

News of the exhibition reached managing director Ian Ashton via an email from the Director of the State Darwin Museum Anna Kliukina who forwarded photographs of the opening of the exhibition plus a range of other images of the exhibits that have been prepared and displayed at the State Darwin Museum.

“We are extremely honoured that this exhibition has been staged and delighted to have been invited to visit. It’s amazing how many followers we have in Russia and shows just how far and wide James Herriot’s stories have reached around the world,” comments Ian Ashton, managing director of the World of James Herriot.

Alf Wight visited Russia accompanying a boatload of sheep in October 1961 and included the story of the trip in one his books “The Lord God Made them All”. The books and TV series continue to be popular in Russia, so much so that there is an ‘English Club of Fans of James Herriot Moscow’ and some members have visited the World of James Herriot.

Ian adds: “The Russian people are so enthusiastic about everything Herriot and we’ve had many Russian visitors coming to visit the area and see the places that Alf Wight based his books on. We never expected such a fabulous exhibition but it is important that we continue to develop this relationship and make the trip to Russia.”

MD Ian Ashton and PR manager John Gallery are making the trip to Moscow and have appointments arranged with several members of the Fan Club and officials at the Darwin State Museum.

“We are making the effort to learn Russian greetings and etiquette before we go but the Russians are keeping us guessing about who we shall meet. That is probably just their way but we will be presenting gifts from Herriot Country to our hosts. We are also gearing up for the cold weather and have purchased Herriot branded ‘ushanka’ fur hats to help us cope with the temperature. comments John Gallery.

Ian Ashton (L) and John Gallery Cropped

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Stoke Rochford Hall Grantham acquired by Talash Hotels Group

Stoke Rochford Hall

Stoke Rochford Hall near Grantham has new owners following its acquisition by the Talash Hotels Group.

Home to the NUT’s National Education and Training Centre since 1978, the 96-room Victorian mansion now joins the expanding Talash group, which also owns and operates the Best Western Barons Court Hotel in Walsall, Best Western Falstaff Hotel in Leamington Spa, The Allesley Hotel in Coventry, Honiley Court Hotel in Warwick, Risley Hall Hotel & Spa in Derbyshire and the Chimney House Hotel in Cheshire. Talash is headquartered in Warwickshire and run by brothers Ravi and Sanjay Kathuria.

Sanjay Kathuria said: “We are really excited about Stoke Rochford Hall joining our group where we have significant plans to develop the business. The hotel is trading successfully and we see a number of opportunities to enhance this within our group. Stoke Rochford Hall is the latest step in our ambition for 20 hotels by 2020”.

Originally built in the 1840’s as a private residence, the Hall offers a state of the art hotel, conference and banqueting facility, while retaining its old world charm and values. Stoke Rochford Hall is six miles south of Grantham, a quarter mile from the A1 and under 75 minutes from London Kings Cross by train.

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The Annual Christmas dinner of the Detectives Club at The Bedern Feast

Bedern Feast

The Annual Christmas dinner of the Detectives Club at The Bedern Feast  

Where: Bedern Hall

When: Wednesday December 14, 2016 from 7:00 PM to 11:00

The Feast of Christmas at Bedern Hall has an unusual and entertaining concept when Arsludendi will keep guests amused through the evening with a period piece of the Detectives Club. The Detectives Club is having its Christmas dinner. The Chair person on making the introductory speech comments on how they are all able to enjoy this time of year as it is a quiet time for detectives as people aren’t inclined to commit crimes at Christmas, it being the season of goodwill to all men. Each of the other detectives seeks to disabuse her of this idea by telling her of a crime they have had to investigate at Christmas. Enjoy dramatised readings from Miss Marple, Lord Peter Wimsy and Father Brown.

 

“The Bedern Feast is our annual jaunt into food, frolics and sometimes mayhem and knowing how Arsludendi bring their magical twist to events, this will be a great event for all to enjoy.” comments Roger Lee, director of the Bedern Hall Company and Time and Place Catering who operates the Hall.  Details of the Feast can be found at: http://bit.ly/BedernFeast16 and places are £38 per person including mulled wine.

The Bedern Feast is a unique invitation every December and includes medieval-inspired food and Ypocras or Hippocras, ‘a spiced wine taken at the end of a meal as a digestive’. Guests are invited to arrive dressed in Christmas Costume but that is not obligatory.

The Hall will be dressed for the occasion to give attendees the real feel of the medieval (and other periods) and will bring a little ‘luxe’ to the evening with a super new style buffet menu that includes locally grown ingredients prepared with characterful recipes.  

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Volunteers awarded for their contribution to their communities.

A prize of £1000 was awarded to Joseph Banks as North Yorkshire Youth celebrated the achievements of some of their volunteers at 2 different award ceremonies in the same week.

Joseph Banks age 13 won the £1000 prize which will be given to a charity or community group of his choice. Joseph was awarded Young Volunteer of the Year at the North Yorkshire County Council Volunteer Awards, which were held on October 29th.   Joseph was a key contributor in the setting up the youth club at Huttons Ambo in Ryedale which he attends regularly.  Lilly Allenby Youth Development Worker for Ryedale nominated Joseph.  Lilly said ‘Joseph did an amazing job and consulted with young people in the area and presented his findings to the Village Hall committee’. Joseph has since gone on to raise funds for the village defibrillator.

David Sharp, chief executive said: “These young volunteers have set an enviable standard of commitment, are an example to others and fully deserve the recognition that these awards bring.”

Responsible for safeguarding, membership and the weekly programme at Boroughbridge Youth Club, which she played an integral part in setting up, Lisa Bentham won the Harrogate Volunteering Oscars held on 28th October.

Also a volunteer buddy as part of North Yorkshire Youth’s buddy network Lisa has already supported one young person and now is supporting her second.  Youth Development Workers Lenny (R) Lennon and Vicki Lever who nominated Lisa said that ‘Lisa is a hard working young person who gives a lot of her personal time to benefit other young people in and around her own community – this is on top of working full time as a business support administrator for NYCC Prevention Service and studying for a youth work degree through distance learning’.

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BBC Countryfile presenter Ellie Harrison at World of James Herriot

BBC Countryfile presenter Ellie Harrison visited the World of James Herriot recently and met up with the son of famous vet and author James Herriot (aka Alf Wight), Jim Wight during a tour of the Centre.

Interest in the World of James Herriot and Herriot Country Tourism has seen a boost this year with several factors such as a Channel 5 TV series The Yorkshire Vet, the 100th Anniversary of Alf Wight’s birth in October and the Centre’s initiative setting up the James Herriot Foundation Trust that provides bursaries to help with training for future veterinary nurses.

“The original ‘All Creatures Great & Small’ based on the veterinary practice in Thirsk, the Skeldale Veterinary Centre, where James Herriot based his famous books was a BBC production in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Several of the series’ original actors attended the 100th anniversary celebration dinner and Ellie’s visit is a welcome follow up to what is turning into an important year for the Herriot story.” comments Ian Ashton, managing director of the World of James Herriot.

Ellie’s visit was on a private basis and Jim Wight said: “It still amazes me at the interest and affection that people have for my father’s books about life in rural North Yorkshire and the impression it made on their lives. To have Ellie visit with her personal and occupational interest in all things about the countryside is a delight.”

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‘Wensley Ale en GIN’ Trains on Saturday 24th September

Wensleydale Railway Nigel Park Time Check

‘Wensley Ale en GIN’ Trains on Saturday 24th September

On the evening of Saturday September 24th Wensleydale Railway is running a special ‘Wensley Ale en GIN’ Train from Leeming Bar to Redmire and return.
This is a special train and so a special fare is payable of only £10.
A selection of Artisan and quality fabulous gins, with an assortment of refreshing mixers, will be available at an inclusive price of £15 for 5 gins to enjoy throughout the journey. Extra gin is available at £3.50 a measure plus, in addition, a wide range of beers.
“ ‘Wensley Ale en Gin’ Train is a great initiative with which to experience a late summer trip along the line whilst enjoying the newly fashionable range of gins.  The team here have nicknamed it ‘en GIN’ and what a super way to take in the early evening sights of the Yorkshire Dales. Wensley Ale’ trains are very popular generally.” comments Nigel Park, general manager.

On the return journey, the train will stop for a while at Leyburn Station giving customers the chance to get some food and drink in Leyburn itself.

Bookings are available online at: http://www.wensleydalerail.com/wensleyaleseptember24/

Wensleydale Railway is one of the longest heritage railway routes in the country and operates a 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.