Author: gp

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.
– ENDS –
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’.

Jim Wight and Rosie Page, son and daughter of Alf Wight, World Famous Vet and author James Herriot attended Sheffield College on Tuesday, June 16th, to present a Veterinary Nurse Apprentice of the Year award to Rachel Green and to unveil a plaque in their father’s name. Members of Sheffield PDSA also attended.

Rachel, 18, is one of the first veterinary apprentices at the college and is completing her apprenticeship with Springfield Veterinary Group, Crystal Peaks. She earns as she learns, gaining hands-on skills in the workplace and studies for a qualification at The Sheffield College City campus, Granville Road, one-day week.

Rachel said: “I’m so pleased to receive this award. I love working with, and caring for, animals. Each one is different and an individual patient. I’m really enjoying the apprenticeship as I’m learning quickly in a really practical, hands-on way, and I like the fact that no day is the same.”

The award was presented and the plaque unveiled on the James Herriot Room at the College, on behalf of the James Herriot Legacy Fund, based at the World of James Herriot in Thirsk, North Yorkshire.

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.

Heather Smith, Principal, The Sheffield College, said: “I’m delighted that the family of the famous vet Alf Wight, who have such strong Yorkshire connections, have named our veterinary nurse training room after him. Animal care and veterinary medicine are highly competitive but the education and training our students receive means they can compete with the best.”

Ian Ashton added: “The James Herriot Statue and Legacy Fund has been developed as a tribute to Alf Wight, author of the books about the life of a country vet, which inspired two films and the long running and immensely popular TV series All Creatures Great and Small. We are delighted to have been able to develop our relationship with Sheffield College and to recognize Rachel’s achievements in the spirit of the James Herriot Legacy Fund initiative.”

‘Cycling Heaven’ Holidays launch and Malton Festival of Cycling Special Weekend .
The Old Lodge Malton in North Yorkshire is launching a new cycling service for summer 2015.

The new cycling holidays have been developed in partnership with Malton’s Northern Ride Cycles, Malton and are in response to huge demand created by the successful Tour de Yorkshire that passed through the area on 1-4th May 2015 and the Tour de France Grand Depart in 2014.

“Cycling is becoming the ‘Sport of Yorkshire’ and we have already been welcoming guests organising their own cycling holidays and through cycling holiday agencies. Our new initiative encourages guests to make cycling their preferred method of exploring this beautiful area.” Comments Eileen Lowery, hotel manager.

The new service offers includes a series of cycling trails on safe routes and with advice from experts at Northern Ride Cycles who will also supply cycles for guests who do not bring their own. Guests booking to stay for the Malton Festival of Cycling on Sunday 21st June will receive a special bed and breakfast room tariff of £85 for two people (usually £135) when staying on Sunday night.

“There is so much more to experience and learn about the area when on a cycle and guests will get seriously close to the countryside, enjoy the smells and sounds of this ‘heavenly’ part of North Yorkshire and when they return to the hotel have a luxurious and tranquil environment to prepare for the next day”. Added Eileen.

– ENDS –

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

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

http://www.theoldlodgemalton.co.uk

Press contact: John Gallery, Tel: 07967 032623 Email: johngallery@greatpotential.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.

The James Herriot Statue installed in the gardens of the World of James Herriot on Saturday 28th March 2015.  The official installation ceremony performed by James Berresford, chief executive of VisitEngland.

The World of James Herriot has a new exhibit, the James Herriot (Alf Wight) Statue, a life-size bronze sculpture of the author, who became the most famous vet in the world for his books based on his life and practice in rural Yorkshire.

On Saturday, 28th March 2015 the official installation ceremony of the statue will take place when James Berresford, chief executive of VisitEngland will perform the official proceedings. As a tribute to Alf’s wife, Joan, the statue of her famous and much-loved husband will be installed in the garden on what would have been her 96th birthday.

Jim Wight and Rosie Page, son and daughter of the author will join James Berresford along with Sean Hedges-Quinn, the sculptor of the statue, June Imeson OBE, the original driving force behind the opening of the World of James Herriot, plus Councillors Mark Robson & Gareth Dadd of Hambleton District Council, David Shields of Welcome to Yorkshire plus many supporters, volunteers and staff from the Centre.

The Statue is a tribute to Alf Wight and forms the focus for the ‘James Herriot Legacy Fund’ that has been formed to provide bursaries for young people wishing to join the animal welfare and veterinary sector.

Ian Ashton, managing director of the World of James Herriot said:
“The aim is to provide bursaries for people wishing to embark on a career concerning the welfare of animals, and for whom the James Herriot stories may well have been an inspiration. The fund has now reached its target for the Statue to be installed and we will continue to raise funds for the Legacy Fund which is a fitting tribute to Alf Wight and his continuing worldwide appeal“.

The Legacy Fund began with a very generous bequest made to the Friends of the World of James Herriot by the late Mr Thomas Frank Blinks who lived in Robertsbridge, East Sussex, and was a life member of the Friends of the World James Herriot. Fundraising is now a continuous part of the World of James Herriot’s activities to ensure that the vets and veterinary nurses of the future can apply for support from the Legacy Fund.

Jim Wight and Rosie Page, son and daughter of Alf Wight, speaking about the Legacy said: “This is a unique opportunity to develop a legacy to support young people who wish to become veterinary surgeons, or to pursue a career dedicated to animal welfare. Our father would be proud to be associated with this initiative and we consider the statue to be a very fitting tribute.”

James Berresford, Chief Executive of VisitEngland, says: “James Herriot’s veterinary tales have been drawing visitors to the Yorkshire countryside for decades and it is fantastic that Thirsk is now installing a statue of the famous author (real name James Alf Wight) in tribute to what would’ve been his wife Joan’s 96th birthday. It is a real honour to be invited to perform the official proceedings with James and Joan’s children and I hope that James Herriot’s legacy continues to attract more tourists to the area who can visit ‘The World of James Herriot’ attraction and even donate funds to his fantastic Legacy Fund”.

For further information please contact:
Ian Ashton, The World of James Herriot, 3 Kirkgate, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 1PL Tel: 01845 524234 E-mail: mail@worldofjamesherriot.com

Press Contact: John Gallery, Tel: 07967 032623 E-mail: johngallery@greatpotential.co.uk
Notes to Editors: 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.  Contributions to the Legacy fund can be made online at: http://www.worldofjamesherriot.com/the-james-herriot-statue/

New Release                             15th January 2015

Yorkshire Celebrity Chefs for ‘Kitchen Live’ at the Yorkshire Hotel Show on 10th February 2015 at York Racecourse.

A ‘Kitchen Live’ demonstration event will be at the Yorkshire Hotel Show on Tuesday 10th February 2015 when hundreds of hoteliers, restaurateurs and caterers will descend on York Racecourse for the first of the two-day Yorkshire Hotel, Restaurant and Bar Show.  Here is the line up for the Kitchen Live, which is FREE to attend:

Steph Moon, TV Chef on BBC 2 ‘The Great British Menu’ series and BBC 1 ‘Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is’, and Chef Consultant for ‘All Things Food’.
Steph says: “I am excited to see what is in store at this brand new event at the Yorkshire Hotel show having worked in Yorkshire hotels for over 15 years of my Career I await to see with interest what we can all learn from the show”
Rob Green is chef-proprietor of the award winning Green’s Restaurant in Whitby. He is the national seafood chef of the year, awarded by Sea-fish, the authority on seafood and also a winning contestant on ITV’s ‘Britain’s Best Dish’ Rob is also a business professor for Yorkshire coast college.
Sophie Jewett, ‘The Chocolate Lady’, opened York Cocoa House in November 2011. Her dream was to create a home for true chocolate lovers, who felt they had a personal bond with chocolate. Sophie will share her chocolate love and skills from her Chocolate Masterclasses.  “It’s not about fancy equipment or ingredients, it’s about learning the science behind it, learning from your mistakes and working with good ingredients”. comments Sophie.

‘Michael Hjort, trained with Roux Restaurants and opened Melton’s Restaurant in the 1990’s with his wife Lucy. Melton’s is featured in all the major food guides winning two ‘AA’ rosettes and has a rating of five in the Good Food Guide. In 2001 Michael and Lucy opened Melton’s Too; a Café-Bar Bistro in Walmgate, York (Now renamed Walmgate Alehouse & Bistro).  Since its foundation in 1997, Michael has been one of the principle organisers of the York Food and Drink Festival and is now the Festival’s Managing Director. His commitment to this Festival arises out of his enthusiastic support of the local quality food industry.

Students from York College will also be joining the ‘seasoned’ chefs. They are attending Foundation Level to Level 3 in Food Preparation and Food Service on either a full time or part time basis and the Yorkshire Hotel Show is one of the many experiences available as a student at the College which also provides the chance to enter prestigious competitions such as the Nestle Toque d’Or and also a wide variety of international and local visits which enhance their learning experience.

Student Olivia Etheridge, Professional Chef Diploma said: “York College is super! I started the course late and was immediately accepted by classmates and tutors.  I was helped to catch up with everyone else and quickly felt comfortable in my class.  This course has really inspired me and I have accepted an offer from Sheffield Hallam University to study a Degree in Food and Nutrition.”

Host/MC of Kitchen Live, Irene Myers, has brought together a fantastic line up of top regional celebrity chef’s who will be cooking up some amazing food, using local & regional produce. The timetable for Kitchen Live is:

11am – Sophie Jewett, York Cocoa House
12 noon – Michael Hjort
1pm Steph Moon
2pm Rob Green
3pm York College

“These are some of our region’s best known chefs and food specialists demonstrating their skills and knowledge to their peers and to others aspiring to follow in their footsteps. We are delighted that the Yorkshire Hotel Show is to be a platform for their skills and knowledge in an entertaining format”. comments show director, Keith Myers.

The Yorkshire Hotel Show is a FREE event for industry professionals in the Yorkshire region creating business opportunities and featuring the latest equipment, food, drink, interiors and technology. Local and national organisations showcase the best the Hospitality industry has to offer for 2015.
The venue for the show is the Knavesmire Stand at York Racecourse, a space that overlooks the racecourse and has great access with 2000 free parking spaces.

–    ENDS –

For further information please contact:
Contact: Keith Myers, Show Director
Tel 01904 349477
Mob 07712886036
keith@yorkeventsltd.co.uk
http://yorkshirehotelshow.co.uk
Press Contact: John Gallery, Great Potential, Tel: 07967 032623
Email: johngallery@greatpotential.co.uk
Notes for Editors: York Events Ltd, the team behind the show has assembled a wide range of professionals in tourism and hospitality to make this show possible and is grateful for local support including VisitYork, Welcome to Yorkshire, York Festival of Food and Drink and City of York Council. The Show’s media partner is Hotel Owner Magazine, a Mulberry Publications title.
In addition, ‘Hospitality Action’, the hotel and catering industry charity and the Lord Mayor’s charities will benefit from a Charity Dinner to be held at York College on the evening of Monday 9th February when the Lord Mayor of York and the Civic Party will attend to see students from the College cook and serve the banquet. Dinner Tickets at £25 per person can be ordered via the Show website www.yorkshirehotelshow.co.uk

New Release                         7th January 2015

Hotel and Tourism industry organisations line up for Yorkshire Hotel Show on 10th & 11th February 2015 at York Racecourse.

Key industry organisations will be at the Yorkshire Hotel Show on 10th and 11th February when hundreds of hoteliers, restaurateurs and caterers will descend on York Racecourse for the second Yorkshire Hotel, Restaurant and Bar show to be held in Yorkshire.

The British Hospitality Association has confirmed attendance as an exhibitor and will be presenting ‘The Big Hospitality Conversation’ initiative that brings job-seeking young people together with hoteliers, restaurateurs and other catering business to learn and exchange knowledge about careers in the industry.

Chief executive of the Institute for Hospitality, Peter Ducker will also be speaking about the professional qualifications and accreditation that the Institute provides, plus its work with local colleges and universities that help young and mature industry practitioners with continuous professional development (CPD).

‘Meet The Tourism Society’ is an opportunity to learn about the wide and influential part it plays in this important industry that is so vital to the economy of Yorkshire, which has seen so much success with the Tour de France Grand Depart in 2014. Welcome to Yorkshire will also be part of the Yorkshire Hotel Show line up with more news of the ‘Tour de Yorkshire’ planned for May 2015.

‘Hospitality Action’, the hotel and catering industry charity and the Lord Mayor’s charities will benefit from a Charity Dinner to be held at York College on the evening of Monday 9th February when the Lord Mayor of York and the Civic Party will attend to see students from the College cook and serve the banquet.

“Support from the key industry bodies demonstrates the importance of a regional show that showcases industry services and products, plus the inclusion of the Charity Dinner will add entertainment and networking value for visitors in a social setting that complements the serious business case for attending the show.” comments show director, Keith Myers.

The Yorkshire Hotel Show is a FREE event for industry professionals in the Yorkshire region creating business opportunities and featuring the latest equipment, food, drink, interiors and technology. Local and national organisations showcase the best the Hospitality industry has to offer for 2015.
The venue for the show is the Ebor Stand at York Racecourse, a space that overlooks the racecourse and has great access with 2000 free parking spaces.

“Visitors will have some of the best expertise for products and services on hand, a packed conference programme of business seminars and opportunities to meet some of the best talent in the business” added Keith.

Confirmed exhibitors include:
121 WORKWEAR; British Hospitality Association: Dancing Goat Coffee; Deliciously Yorkshire; Godson and Stones; Great Potential; Hospitality Action; Hotel Owner Magazine (Media partner); HSH; Hotel HR Group; Institute of Hospitality; IC Entertainment; Linx Beds; Merlin Software; Nikki Stones Accounting; Planet Planit; Saville AV; The Tourism Society; Visit York; Welcome to Yorkshire; York Festival of Food and Drink.

For further information please contact:
Contact: Keith Myers, Show Director
Tel 01904 349477
Mob 07712886036
keith@yorkeventsltd.co.uk
http://yorkshirehotelshow.
Press Contact: John Gallery, Great Potential, Tel: 07967 032623
Email: johngallery@greatpotential.co.uk
Notes for Editors: York Events Ltd, the team behind the show has assembled a wide range of professionals in tourism and hospitality to make this show possible and is grateful for local support including VisitYork, Welcome to Yorkshire, York Festival of Food and Drink and City of York Council. The Show’s media partner is Hotel Owner Magazine, a Mulberry Publications title.

The World of James Herriot in Thirsk is winner of the Small Visitor Attraction Award in the Welcome to Yorkshire White Rose Tourism Awards for 2014. The Award was presented at the annual black-tie awards ceremony at The Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate on Monday evening.

“This is fantastic news for the team at the World of James Herriot. Previously owned by the local council, WoJH has been run since 2012 by a team of Herriot enthusiasts with a vision to continually develop it and attract more visitors. Our passion for WoJH means we have increased visitor numbers year on year since taking it on.” comments The World of James Herriot managing director and chairman of the Herriot Country Tourism Group, Ian Ashton.

The James Herriot Statue and Legacy Fund has been developed as a tribute to Alf Wight, author of the books about the life of a country vet, which inspired two films? and the long running and immensely popular TV series All Creatures Great and Small.

The initiative aims to provide bursaries for people wishing to enter the veterinary world and for whom the James Herriot stories have been an inspiration. The installation of the James Herriot Statue in the gardens of the Centre will take place on Saturday 28^th March 2015.

Ian Ashton added: “We have invested £25,000 to date to improve our visitors’ experience and as a result, we have increased visitor numbers to 27,000 in a year, widened our global appeal and created a profitable business.”

Note: World of James Herriot PR is managed and executed by Great Potential