Ripon primary school joins catholic academy

St Wilfrid’s Catholic Primary School in Ripon has joined the Bishop Wheeler Catholic Academy Trust.

The primary school currently has 148 pupils aged three to 11 of all faiths. It was graded ‘outstanding’ at its last Ofsted inspection in 2018.

The trust has 14 primary schools and two secondary schools serving 5,100 pupils across Yorkshire.

They include St John Fisher, St Joseph’s and St Robert’s in Harrogate and St Mary’s in Knaresborough.

Jill Allen, headteacher of St Wilfrid’s, assured the Stray Ferret “there is no problem with St Wilfrid’s and it is not being ‘taken over”, adding:

“We have voluntarily chosen to become an academy and join Bishop Wheeler Catholic Academy Trust in order to gain the benefits of being part of a family of schools, mutual support and educational development, sharing of resources and economies of scale.

“The trust ‘family’ of schools shares a common catholic ethos, but each school expresses that ethos in ways that suit its parish and community.  Similarly, the schools share good educational practice but adapt the curriculum to their local needs.”

Ms Allen added trust schools retained their unique identify, names, uniforms, crest and links to the community within the trust’s structure.

She said:

“St Wilfrid’s admission policy will not change as a result of joining the Bishop Wheeler Trust and the school will continue to welcome catholics and children of other faiths and none.

“We look forward to the future: working collaboratively with colleagues across the trust will enable our school to continue providing an excellent catholic education for our children.”

Simon McCudden, chair of the governing body at St Wilfrid’s, said:

“We look forward to realising the benefits of being part of the trust and, seeing our school continue to go from strength to strength.”

Diane Gaskin, chair of the trust board, added:

“I am very glad that St Wilfrid’s has joined our successful and growing catholic education partnership.  The good education that the school provides, their high standards and their enthusiasm for education of the whole child, are a pleasure to see and support.”

The trust is one of five multi-academy trusts across the Diocese of Leeds and is named after Bishop William Gordon Wheeler, who was Bishop of Leeds from 1966 to 1985.

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Business Breakfast: I’Anson Bros recruits commercial director as new mill opens

Excellence deserves to be recognised and celebrated. The 2024 Stray Ferret Business Awards is the event to put your business, people or great initiative in the spotlight!

Don’t miss out and click here to book your tickets now for the awards night on March 14 2024. 

Masham animal feed producer I’Anson Bros has appointed a new commercial director.

as the business looks to grow its sales with its new, £20m feed mill and distribution centre.

Andrew Richardson will take up this post at the beginning of March as Waterloo House, the firm’s new production facility prepares to go into production at Dalton Industrial Park, near Thirsk.

The new mill is the largest financial investment in the 120-year history of the company and will more than double production capacity.

Mr Richardson Richardson has extensive experience within the agri, retail, equine/leisure and fuel sectors having previously held the roles of managing director and group chief executive at two other major agri supply companies.

He said:

“I am delighted to have been offered the opportunity to be part of such a significant and important project and look forward to working with the team to make it an outstanding success.

“The new mill will deliver real benefits for customers, providing security of supply, the ability to meet growing demand and the development of new products.”

I’Anson managing director Sarah Richardson said:

“The role of commercial director is vital in ensuring we capitalise on the significant investment we have made in developing the new mill. The search to find the right individual has been long and thorough but we are delighted to have attracted someone of Andrew’s undoubted calibre.”

Contract cleaning firm forecasts strong growth

Contract cleaning firm It’s Clean is forecasting double digit growth for the third year running as it marks 25 years.

The business has expanded its management team and moved to larger premises on Harrogate’s Hornbeam Park.

Managing Director David Whan said he expected 2024 to see the same level of growth as the last two years after the firm secured new multi-year office cleaning contracts with two of Harrogate’s biggest businesses.

Mr Whan said:

“Some services are much better from local providers and contract cleaning is one of them, which is why we have focused our growth on a limited geographical area and developing a well-supported and highly trained regional team of cleaning staff and managers.

“We have overcome the recruitment challenges many operators face in our line of work by offering fair levels of pay and working hard to generate a sense of pride in being part of one of the most established and best known cleaning firms in the region.”

Harrogate Law firm welcomes back apprentice 

LCF Law’s specialist debt recovery team has welcomed Oliver Wraith back into its team.

Mr Wraith was an apprentice in the debt recovery division in 2019 and completed a level 3 paralegal apprenticeship in 2022. He then left to travel before re-joining LCF Law to continue his legal career.

He said:

“I would recommend apprenticeships to anyone thinking of pursuing a legal career, as you get lots of real experience alongside studying for the qualification.”

LCF Law’s head of debt recovery, Andrew Langton, said:

“It’s great to have Oliver back. When he first started it was just the two of us, and we have now grown to a team of five.”

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Final Ripon ‘Stonehenge’ site sold to English Heritage

The final henge of a 5,000-year site near Ripon known as the ‘Stonehenge of the north’ has been sold to English Heritage.

The Thornborough Henges complex includes three large circular earthworks each more than 200 metres in diameter dating from 3,000 to 2,500 BC. It is located near West Tanfield, between Ripon and Masham.

Today all three henges are clearly visible as massive circular banks, ranging in height up to four metres high.

Historic England described the Neolithic site as “probably the most important single ancient site between Stonehenge and the Orkney Islands in Scotland”.

Currently under woodland, the northern henge is the best preserved of the three and one of the best-preserved henges in the country.

Property firm Knight Frank announced today it had sold the northern henge on behalf of a local private landowner to English Heritage.

Last year, as reported by The Stray Ferret, the central and southern henges plus their surrounding lands were gifted to Historic England and English Heritage by the construction companies Tarmac and Lightwater Holdings.

Today’s news means all three parts of the monument are under one single owner for the first time in at least 1,500 years.

Thornborough Henges will be joining the likes of Stonehenge and numerous Roman sites on Hadrian’s Wall on English Heritage’s national heritage collection.

The site falls within the Richmond constituency of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who said:

“Having recently visited the henges site, I know how truly remarkable the totality of the monument is. Bringing all three henges together in the ownership of English Heritage ensures their preservation and enhances the charity’s ability to tell the story of the earthworks and their importance to the pre-history of our nation.”

Photo of the neolithic Thornborough Henges.

One of the UK’s most important neolithic sites, the Thornborough Henges, north of Ripon. Photo: English Heritage.

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said:

“Thornborough Henges is one of England’s most impressive and important prehistoric monuments so it’s wonderful news that the entire site is now in the care of English Heritage for the benefit of the nation. The acquisition of the third henge marks the culmination of years of hard work and tenacity to unite and safeguard Thornborough Henges for future generations.”

Gerard Lemos, chair of English Heritage, said:

“Reuniting the henges like this means that the public is now able to explore all three and re-connect with the people who gathered here 4,500 years ago.”

Entry to Thornborough Henges is free although the northern henge is currently closed because a number of trees were damaged in recent storms. It is expected to open this year.

For more information, click here.

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Fundraiser launched for former Harrogate BID director with terminal cancer

An open coffee, fizz and cake afternoon is being held in Burton Leonard this weekend in support of a resident with terminal bone cancer.

The family of Christine Armstrong, 62, are fundraising for the Bone Cancer Research Trust after she was diagnosed with the illness.

Christine recovered from breast cancer only to be told in December 2022 she had bone cancer and that it was terminal. It has now spread throughout her body and into her brain.

Ms Armstrong is a prominent figure around Harrogate and Knaresborough: she started The Met Club which she eventually sold and also ran the Harrogate BID and later the Wakefield BID.

She now lives with her son, daughter-in-law and two of her grandchildren in Burton Leonard.

Christine Armstrong and her grandchildren Charlie and Elle at home in Burton Leonard.

Ms Armstrong’s daughter-in-law, Katie Heptonstall said:

“Christine has spent a year fighting and going through so much both physically and mentally but throughout it all has remained incredibly positive and happy to be around.

“Despite all that she is going through, she never moans or complains about their noise levels and instead lets them snuggle up with her in bed and still tries to help look after them.”

Family friend Bethan Pritchard signed up to do the London Marathon in April to raise money to fight bone cancer following Christine’s diagnosis.

Last year Ms Pritchard ran 12 marathons in 12 months, raising almost £27,000 for Tommy’s Baby Charity and Ryedale Special Families Charity.

Ms Pritchard said on the JustGiving page dedicated to Ms Armstrong:

“Christine is fighting hard and still manages to smile despite everything so I feel the least I can do is put my trainers on and run some miles for an extremely deserving cause.”

Beth Pritchard training to raise money for the Bone Cancer Research Trust

Her target is £2,000 for the Bone Cancer Research Trust but Ms Armstrong’s family want to help her raise as much as possible.

Her family are holding the coffee, fizz and cake afternoon this Saturday February 10 from 1.30-3.30pm at Burton Leonard Village Hall to kickstart the fundraising.

Katie Heptonstall added:

“We have been overwhelmed with the level of support, so many people have messaged to contribute or support the event which means so much to us as a family.”

To donate to the cause click here.

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Study unlocks secrets of the Knaresborough Hoard

A university study has made some fascinating discoveries about the mysterious Knaresborough Hoard.

The hoard, which consists of 30 items discovered in 1864, is the only known example of a late Roman hoard of this type to be recovered from a bog or marsh in Britain.

Although it was found 150 years ago, there has never been any detailed analysis of the items and its discovery has never been fully understood.

Most of the items are on display in The Yorkshire Museum in York, having been donated in 1864 by Knaresborough ironmonger and town councillor Thomas Gott.

Now Newcastle University archaeology student Jessica De Maso has carried out the first comprehensive study of the hoard as part of her MA degree.

Ms De Maso’s research suggests the hoard was discovered in a boggy area near Farnham, approximately two miles north of Knaresborough.

Two Roman roads ran through the area, providing connections to York and Hadrian’s Wall, which suggests the items may have come from wealthy Romans in the area.

The research team thinks the items were to impress guests because when polished, the bronze would have resembled gold.

It is unknown why the items were together or in a bog. It could be for ritual or spiritual reasons, to hide them, or make them irretrievable.

The research also discovered more about Thomas Gott and his discovery. At the time he was Knaresborough improvement commissioner and knew the estate manager of land near Farnham.

The landowner commissioned work on drainage in a marshy part of his land, making it likely that is where the hoard was found.

They also found evidence that there were originally more items in the hoard when discovered, but many had been mistakenly melted down by Gott.

Ms De Maso said:

“The study of the Knaresborough Hoard at the Yorkshire Museum was an incredible opportunity to engage with the idea that endless avenues of research can be done on existing collections in museums. I found this to be especially engaging and wonderfully challenging.”

Kathy Allday, chair of Knaresborough Museum Association, said:

 “It is fantastic. It is one of the most important and historically significant artefacts in the country. All the work they have done is brilliant, it has an interesting story behind it and it was found only two miles away from Knaresborough.”

She added:

“It would be wonderful to return it, even on loan, but it is not something to happen in the short term.”

Large fluted bowl from the Knaresborough Hoard. Image: the Yorkshire Museum

James Gerrard, professor of Roman archaeology at Newcastle University, said:

“This project has shown the value in re-visiting old discoveries and we’re delighted to have the opportunity to work alongside the Yorkshire Museum to understand more about this extraordinary collection and who Thomas Gott was. It’s good to know that more than 150 years on, our research has helped tell a fascinating, if complex, part of the story about this remarkable discovery.”

Adam Parker, curator of archaeology at the Yorkshire Museum, said:

 “The Knaresborough Hoard is an exceptional collection of Roman copper alloys. The excellent work has unlocked the research potential of these objects for the first time and will allow us to tell their story more completely.”

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Former Ripon Grammar student breaks Atlantic rowing world record

A former Ripon Grammar School student has broken a rowing world record.

Bobbie Mellor, 34, was part of a three-strong female team that rowed 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in 40 days, 10 hours and 51 minutes.

The Stray Ferret reported on the World’ Toughest Row challenge when it happened and now team Wavebreakers is the fastest female trio ever to row across the Atlantic.

The previous record, set in 2022, was 42 days, seven hours and 17 minutes.

The team has raised more than £80,000 for the charity WWF’s climate crisis fund and the United Nations’ refugee agency UNHCR‘s climate change charities. Their employer, Vodafone, has offered to double donations up to the team’s target of £140,000.

Ms Mellor who began as a novice was skipper, and she and teammates Hatty Carder and Katherine Antrobus finished 10th overall against 38 crews, including professional rowers.

The race began in La Gomera in the Canaries on December 13 and finished in the Caribbean island of Antigua on January 22.

Ms Mellor said:

“It’s been wild. We had a shaky start but then some magic happened.”

The team had a rocky start, capsising early in the race and battling sea sickness, sleepless nights and waves of up to 10 feet high.

Bobbie Mellor (centre) and her teammates Hatty Carder and Katherine Antrobus

Bobbie’s mother Bridget, from Burton Leonard, said:

“The girls did us proud, showing great resilience, courage and teamwork. I found their arrival very emotional and was so relieved they made it. I always knew Bobbie would be a great skipper, she’s so positive, cheerful and calm. It’s an inspiration to other girls to know anything is possible.”

Ripon Grammar School director of sport Adam Milner said:

“’I know Bobbie, who took up rowing for the first time during lockdown, has joked that her old PE teachers would be shocked at what she’s doing now, since she was never sporty at school.

“But whether you’re naturally sporty or not, it’s all about giving your best, which is what we encourage all our students to do – and Bobbie is clearly a shining example of that.

“We’re all incredibly proud of her achievement, she has given it her all.”

“Bobbie reminds us all that it’s never too late to try something new – it doesn’t have to be as big as a world record, or even winning medals, just being part of a team or achieving your own personal best is something to celebrate.”

For more information about the fundraiser click here.

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Former Ripon Grammar student rows the Atlantic

A former Ripon Grammar School student is among an all-women team of three rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in one of the toughest races in the world.

They are taking on the World’ Toughest Row to raise money for charities that help against climate change. The team are raising money for charity as part of Your Planet campaign by Vodafone which is aiming to raise £1 million to help conservation and protect the planet.

The funds raised from the row will be split between WWF’s climate crisis fund which defends wild places, restores forests, and keeps our oceans healthy and UNHCR’s climate crisis work which provides humanitarian aid to refugees displaced by the climate crisis.

Bobbie Mellor, 34, former Ripon Grammar school student, confesses she was never sporty at school and only took up rowing during the pandemic. She has joked that her old PE teacher would be astounded to see her now.

Bobbie is global head of sustainability for Vodafone, and her Wavebreakers teammates Hatty Carder and Katherine Antrobus have been training for more than two years to join the ranks of fewer than 100 women in history to attempt the journey, which they hope to complete on January 27.

Having set off from La Gomera in the Canaries in December with a fleet of 38 other crews from around the world, the team are 2,000 miles into their journey as they make their way to Antigua in the Caribbean.

Team Wavebreakers, Left to right: Hatty, Bobbie, and Katherine. Image: World’s Toughest Row

Bobbie and the team she skippers have been battling sleep deprivation, salt sores, physical extremes, and the psychological challenges of the open ocean, with their sights set on raising money to help protect those on the frontlines of the climate crisis.

In the past, she has cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise money for Cancer Research, and she has also climbed Kilimanjaro for charity.

Bobbie said:

“I’m rowing the Atlantic in support of charities tackling the climate crisis. What better way to raise money and awareness, than to go back to basics and cross an ocean powered just by our own oars? I’ve always been quite adventurous, but the pandemic really gave me a new hunger to do big things with the life we have and jump on every opportunity that comes my way.”

Her mother, Bridget, who has been cheering her on from home in Burton Leonard and plans a welcome home party in February, has been fundraising and lighting candles at her local Catholic church as she prays for their safe return.

Bridget said:

“Bobbie has always had a sense of adventure and at first, I was absolutely terrified at the thought of them rowing unsupported. They row two hours on and two hours off through the night and have to swim under the boat to scrape off barnacles every two days.

“I am very proud of her, and all the girls in the team. They have worked really hard and done lots of training. It’s very uplifting to know there are still young people willing to push themselves to the limit and challenge themselves for good causes.”

Just getting to the start line required extensive technical, mental and physical preparation with the team completing many hours of training rows around the UK coastline to qualify for the start.

The team are tackling waves of up to 30 feet high, at one point their boat capsized and two of the team fell in the water but managed to get back on board once the vessel self-righted. The trio are surviving on freeze-dried food and drink ocean water filtered through a desalinator. Communication to home has also been extremely limited.

Bridget Mellor said:

 “I’ve had three emails and spoken on the phone on Christmas Day. What she misses most is good water, all she wants is a nice glass of sparkling water.”

“She seems to be in good spirits, they are just focused on getting across the ocean. She says the most annoying thing is getting hit in the face every night by flying fish.”

“Bobbie said it was like living in a live action movie for the first week. Everyone in Burton Leonard is in awe but I’ll be glad to see them back safe and well.”

Team Wavebreakers are currently sitting in 10th place overall and in second place for teams of three. They have reached £74,500 so far towards their £140,000 fundraising target for the two climate crisis charities close to their hearts.

Team Wavebreakers with 3,000 miles to go. Image: World’s Toughest Row

Facts about the challenge:

You can follow their progress here and donate here.

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Harrogate man takes on round the world yacht race

A Harrogate man is taking on a 40,000-mile yacht race around the world.

Sean McPartland, 53, is taking part in the Clipper Round the World Race, which organisers describe as one of “the biggest challenges of the natural world and an endurance test like no other”.

The retired Birstwith resident is part of the Dare to Lead crew who are tackling the epic journey from the UK to South America on a 70-foot ocean racing yacht.

Mr McPartland said in a video on the team’s website:

“I will be completing the full circumnavigation of the globe racing for 40,000 nautical miles. If you didn’t think that was mad enough, I have never sailed before.

“I just love challenges, the last challenge I did I cycled from the Arctic to Africa. I wanted to do something else and when I saw the Clipper race on YouTube I thought why not. I love inspiring people it is just a great adventure”.

The Clipper Round the World Race began on September 3 last year in Portsmouth and is divided into eight legs and between 13 and 16 individual races including six ocean crossings.

The team is halfway through its journey and is currently on the east coast of Australia.

The race, which first took place in 1996, was created by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo non-stop around the world. Since 1996 almost 6,000 race crew and over 60 nations have trained and raced as part of the Clipper Race.

Eleven identical racing yachts are supplied by the organisers and have fully qualified skippers and first mates to safely guide the crew. The crew complete four levels of intense ocean racer training before competing.

UNICEF is the charity partner for this year’s race and Sean said he was “proud to be raising money to support their vital work for children”.

You can track his progress here and find his fundraising page here.

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Asda set to open new Express store in Knaresborough

Wetherby Road Co-op in Knaresborough will close today (January 8) and then reopen as a new  Asda Express store two days later.

The move is part of Asda’s long-term plan to expand into the convenience market and become the second largest UK supermarket.

Asda acquired 132 sites from the Co-op in a £438 million deal in 2022 and plans to open 300 sites by 2026.

The new store will become the second Asda Express in Knaresborough following the opening of the Boroughbridge Road branch last year.

Andy Perry, vice president of convenience at Asda, said:

“We’re incredibly excited to be bringing our Asda value and quality to the Knaresborough community with the conversion of the Co-op site. The roll out marks an incredibly exciting moment for our business and accelerates our presence in the fast-growing convenience market.”

A local Asda source, who asked not to be named, said:

“We have a full team that have all moved to Asda with a pay rise. Initially it will be mostly branded products and we may experience shortages for at least 10 weeks until Asda have enough sales data for accurate deliveries.

“Asda is the only major supermarket that currently doesn’t have a convenience range, so it’s a new concept for them too. We will have teething issues as with any new business but we urge our customers to be patient and look forward to seeing them on the other side.”

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Harrogate bar hosts sober night out for Dry January

North Bar in Harrogate is hosting a sober night out to promote Dry January.

The event will be hosted by North Yorkshire Connected Spaces, which was launched in September last year to provide support for the recovery community in North Yorkshire.

The 80s and 90s themed night is also supported by North Yorkshire Council and the Drink Drug Hub, which provides safety information about drink and drugs.

A spokesperson for NYCS said they “join together people and groups from all walks of life, meeting the needs for a stronger community, well-being, recovery from addiction and other harmful issues”. They added:

“Our aim is to get out in the community and run events so we can offer support for individuals involved with social issues connected with addiction. This includes homelessness, domestic violence, trauma, mental health, social care and probation.”

The group is working with the NYC public health team to tackle the harms associated with alcohol use.

NYCS said:

‘’North Yorkshire, connected spaces have been working with North Yorkshire Council on supporting their dry January campaign. As part of the campaign NYCS have organised the sober night out social event for people who are completing the month off booze.

“Dry January is a great opportunity for people to reflect on their relationship with alcohol.”

The event will be a “good chance to socialise with friends, have a boogie and meet new people – just without alcohol”.

North Bar will have  DJ for the night playing 80s and 90s hits in the function room and said the event will have the capacity to hold 45 people. Dress up is optional and anyone can buy food from Pizza Social next door and bring it into the venue.

The event takes place on January 19 from 7pm

Dry January facts:

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