gp, Author at Great Potential Marketing, Management & PR

June 22, 2016June 16, 2019

James Herriot 100th anniversary Grand Central Loco

Rosie Page and Jim Wight unveil Grand Central 100th

The James Herriot 100th anniversary loco was unveiled at Kings Cross London on Wednesday 22nd June with Rosie Page and Jim Wight daughter and son of the famous author.

An exhibition of Thirsk and Herriot Country followed on the concourse of Kings Cross where the James Herriot team, volunteers from Thirsk Tourist Information Service and senior managers of Grand Central Rail joined forces to promote the area and the easy access by Grand Central to Thirsk and Northallerton in the heart of Herriot Country.

In addition to the Herriot team and Thirsk Tourist Information volunteers, the entourage included James Herriot’s son Jim Wight, daughter, Rosie Page, Cllr Mark Robson, Leader of Hambleton District Council, Peter Wright and Julian Norton, stars of the Channel 5 TV Series ‘The Yorkshire Vet’, David Shields area director of Welcome to Yorkshire and Andrea Morley chair of Thirsk ‘Yarn Bombers’, a group of 300 people who knitted and crocheted and under the cover of darkness cloaked the town with creations for the Tour de Yorkshire. “This is a real team effort and in Alf Wight’s centenary year, we are delighted to be working with Thirsk Tourist Information and Grand Central to share the good news about Thirsk, James Herriot’s home town. We will be encouraging people to attend the 100^th Anniversary fundraising black-tie dinner on what would be his 100^th birthday on Saturday 3^rd October,” comments the World of James Herriot managing director and chairman of the Herriot Country Tourism Group, Ian Ashton.

June 21, 2016June 16, 2019

James Herriot Locomotive re-dedicated at Kings Cross London

A team from The World of James Herriot, Thirsk Tourist Information, Grand Central Rail and Herriot Country Tourism Group descended on Kings Cross London on Wednesday 22^nd June for an event to celebrate the author James Herriot (Alf Wight OBE) in his 100^th Anniversary Year and to promote his home of Thirsk and Herriot Country for holidays and short breaks.

The James Herriot Locomotive is re-dedicated to the author in a ceremony at Kings Cross Station at 10.30am on Wednesday 22^nd June 2016 and an exhibition of Thirsk and Herriot Country in North Yorkshire held on Kings Cross concourse for the whole of the day, including morning and evening commute times.

A giant model pig used as part of the display took some loading onto the train in preparation..

June 20, 2016June 16, 2019

Hotel manager ‘loses’ pet Labrador in pets welcome initiative

Pets Welcome Initiative at Stoke Rochford Hall Grantham

Hotel general manager ‘loses’ his pet Labrador as guests can’t get enough of him in ‘pets welcome’ initiative.

Barry Clark Stoke Rochford Hall general manager is wondering where Russell his pet Labrador is some days as guest are loving walking him so much.
Pets receive their own booking service and welcome letter as well as a welcome pack of treats and a toy. The hotel is a registered ‘pet friendly’ hotel and welcomes dogs, cats and other guest pets as part of the service. Staff care for guest dogs them when guests want to visit local attractions that do not accept pets and they also provide a free dog walking service.

“The biggest attraction of dog walking seems to be the fact that the grounds at Stoke Rochford Hall are so large and a great asset where guests love to bring their dogs, let them free and have no worries about traffic or other perils.”
comments Barry Clark, general manager at Stoke Rochford Hall.

Stoke Rochford Hall is set in 28 acres of landscaped grounds with quiet seating areas, lake and charming woodland walks. Stoke Rochford Golf Club is adjacent to the hotel where resident guests can book tee times and enjoy a special price for a round. The hotel is easily accessible directly from the A1 just south of Grantham.
“Russell seems to be really enjoying his new friends and guests are helping me out when I have a busy day and have less time to walk Russell myself.” adds Barry.

May 25, 2016May 25, 2016

Herriot’s Computers for Africa

Veterinary specialist who travelled through 15 countries to meet James Herriot helps to establish Computers for Africa initiative with The World of James Herriot and James Herriot Foundation Trust at the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) Congress, Birmingham.

A team from The World of James Herriot in Thirsk attended the annual British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) Congress at the International Conference Centre and National Indoor Arena in Birmingham in April 2016.

At the event, the World of James Herriot Team members met with 2015-16 president of the BSAVA, Patricia Colville, along with colleagues Gabriel Varga, Director of Business Operations and Strategy North Europe at Zoetis Pharmaceuticals and Sharon Roberts, director of Computers for Africa to announce a strategic alliance to link The World of James Herriot with Computers for Africa.

The new alliance will connect the three organisations in the effort to encourage donations of computers to African countries that has been spearheaded by BSAVA member Gabriel Varga. Gabriel’s links to Herriot go back to the 1980’s when he successfully but illegally travelled through 15 countries from his own, at the time communist country, Slovak Republic, so that he could meet Alf Wight (James Herriot) who was speaking at the BSAVA Annual Congress held at the International Conference Centre in Harrogate that year.

“Alf Wight was a regular attendee at the BSAVA Congress and was a past speaker. It is fitting that we are now expanding our activities to help people in Africa through BSAVA and Computers for Africa. When we heard Gabriele’s story it was such an interesting and admirable effort that he made to meet Alf and Computers for Africa is such a worthwhile cause that Alf Wight would have wholeheartedly supported it. This initiative also fits with our aims for the James Herriot Foundation Trust to support the education of veterinary nurses and the many other people inspired to become vets by his books, films and TV series”. comments the World of James Herriot managing director and chairman of the Herriot Country Tourism Group, Ian Ashton.

The World of James Herriot is to become an official collection point for Computers for Africa where businesses and individuals can dispose of unwanted computers at no cost. Donated computers must be in working order and will be reconditioned before being shipped to Africa. Computers for Africa will provide a certificate of data cleansing to the donating business or person to ensure data-protection.

The recently launched James Herriot Foundation Trust aims to provide bursaries for veterinary nurses. The Foundation Trust was established in 2015 following the installation of a statue of Alf Wight (James Herriot) in the gardens of the World of James Herriot, Alf Wight’s former home and surgery in Thirsk. Jim Wight and Rosie Page, son and daughter of Alf Wight (James Herriot) are Trustees.

Pictured: (L-R)

Sharon Roberts, Computers for Africa; Ian Ashton, World of James Herriot;

Patricia Colville, BSAVA 2015-16 President and Gabriele Varga, Zoetis Pharmaceuticals.

May 18, 2016June 16, 2019

Hot Tub Holidays launched at Scarborough glamping resort

Pinewood Park, Scarborough’s glamping, caravan and camping park has launched a new Hot Tub Holiday at the resort.

The resort has installed the first of a new generation of hot tubs into its most luxurious glamping lodge with a host of added value luxury items.

The popular holiday and event site lays claim to being the first glamping site in Yorkshire but with the rise in popularity of this type of holiday, owners Kerry and Dave Woodhead, recognise that competition has intensified and have instigated a series of new initiatives including adventure breaks and themed holidays. And now hot tubs.

“Pinewood Park is a secure, family-friendly, established and professional camping park, where children are in a safe environment and there is so much for the whole family to do in the area. Our new services including Hot Tub Holidays at Scarborough glamping resort Pinewood Park, offer new choices for guests visiting Scarborough and Pinewood Park and we are determined to continue to improve our quality and service offer as we continue to develop the business”. comments Pinewood Park director, Kerry Woodhead.

For a limited period the resort is offering half price Sunday night stays for bookings made by May 31st. Other options when staying at Pinewood Park include Tipi tents, Shack or Wagons and there is a caravan and camper camping area.

“Pinewood Park a great base for a traditional seaside stay but as guest expectations increase for higher quality services and facilities plus interesting things to see and do, the Hot Tub and new adventure activities help to fulfill that demand”. added Kerry.

May 17, 2016May 17, 2016

Newton House Knaresborough on ‘Four in a Bed’

Great Potential client Denise Carter, owner of Newton House guesthouse Knaresborough is on Channel 4 TV’s ‘Four in a Bed’ from 16th to 20th May 2016. Denise and her colleague Jackie Fennell are the first of four guesthouse owners who compete to be the winner of the competition to be the best of the four.

The winner is announced in the final episode on Friday 20th May. The Newton House episode can be viewed here.

May 16, 2016May 16, 2016

Sutton Hall Resort Gardens Open Saturday 28th May 2016

Sutton Hall Resort Gardens Open 28th May 2016

Sutton Hall Resort, near Thirsk is opening its gardens to the general public on Saturday 28th May in the first of a series of open days to coincide with the 300th anniversary of Lancelot ’Capability’ Brown this summer. A lost garden has been identified in the grounds of the Hall and the open days will provide an insight into the historic heather and rock gardens, its valley gardens and a woodland walk.

A ‘lost’ garden has been discovered in the grounds of the Hall and management and gardening staff have decided to open up the grounds to a wider public to be able to appreciate the gardens.

The ‘lost’ garden was developed by James Harry Edwards who acquired the property in 1907 and who decided on a Japanese garden style.

“Capability Brown’s tercentenary seemed a perfect time to invite the general public to explore our gardens. We are not claiming designs here were Browns’ but we are especially keen to show people the gardens, which are in a style reminiscent of Brown’s work. Restoring the ‘lost’ garden will be part of this activity.” comments Linda Barnard, manager of the Resort.

For further information please contact:
Linda Barnard, Sutton Hall Resort, Sutton-Under-Whitestonecliffe, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 2PS. Tel: 01845 597 200 Email: info@suttonhallresort.com
Press Contact: John Gallery, Great Potential Tel: 07967 032623
Email: johngallery@greatpotential.co.uk

Sutton Hall is an historic Manor House which has been beautifully and sympathetically adapted to provide eight elegant apartments with a small indoor pool and a Residents’ Lounge.  The resort operates as a private members club and also includes six adjacent cottages providing further accommodation with a similar theme. There are 24 acres of grounds, which include gardens, woodland, and a meadow with a stream running through, two all-weather tennis courts and a croquet lawn.

April 16, 2016June 16, 2019

Yorkshire Vet Series Boosts Herriot Country

The second series of the Yorkshire Vet began on Tuesday 12th April and bosses at the World of James Herriot and the Herriot Country Tourism Group are delighted. Visitor numbers at the World of James Herriot are up by 9% year on year since the new series began, giving a welcome boost to tourism in the area. The World of James Herriot is located in the original home and surgery of the author in the market town of Thirsk. The attraction was formally owned by Hambleton District Council and is now operated as a private business. It is the focus for the Herriot Country Tourism Group, the destination marketing membership organisation that includes hotels, guesthouses, self-catering and other visitor attractions in the area.

“This is fantastic news for the World of James Herriot in the 100^th Anniversary year of James Herriot’s birth. It’s also a boost for the Herriot Country Tourism Group in this part of Yorkshire because there are so many people who have been inspired by the original James Herriot books, TV series and films of All Creatures Great and Small and we are delighted that Daisybeck Productions and Channel 5 have produced another series.” comments Ian Ashton, World of James Herriot managing director.

A black tie dinner is to be held on Saturday 1^st October at Tennants Garden Rooms in Leyburn to commemorate the 100^th Anniversary and to raise funds for the James Herriot Foundation Trust. Yorkshire Opera star Lesley Garrett OBE, will perform and BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration MBE, will be master of ceremonies. Tickets can be ordered online at www.worldofjamesherriot.com

Yorkshire Vet series boosts Herriot Country. April 2016

February 28, 2016

Great Potential director John Gallery interviewed by Webcertain TV

Great Potential director John Gallery was recently interviewed on Webcertain TV at the National Attractions Conference held at The National Football Centre, St George’s Park, Staffordshire.

John explained the work Great Potential is undertaking for the World of James Herriot in Thirsk in driving engagement and creating opportunities to combine traditional marketing with digital channels.

See the interview here:

February 28, 2016

Flying Scotsman Breaks Launched at Stoke Rochford Hall Hotel Grantham

Flying Scotsman breaks launched at Stoke Rochford Hall Hotel near Grantham to celebrate the return of the the ‘world’s most famous’ locomotive.

Flying Scotsman returned to the National Railway Museum , York on Thursday 25th February travelling along the East Coast Main Line from Kings Cross London to York. The locomotive was the first steam train to reach 100 mph and did it at Stoke Bank near Stoke Rochford Hall on the main line.

The special break that includes a two-night stay with dinner and the chance to visit the section of track where the record was achieved. Guests will also be invited to a special visit to the Great Central Railway at Loughborough, the only place in the world where you can see two full sized steam trains pass each other. The break is priced at £100 per person.