More than 200 students have completed outdoor sections of their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award challenges at Harrogate Grammar School this month, in another sign of life getting back to normal.
Eighty year 11 students spent May Day bank holiday weekend completing the practice DofE bronze award expedition, which was called off when lockdown was imposed last year.
They then went straight on to the two-day expedition, which was the final challenge of the award that tests young people’s problem solving, life skills and resilience.
The next weekend an unprecedented 144 year 10 students completed training expedition walks aimed at developing their teamwork, communication and camping abilities ahead of their qualifying DofE bronze award expedition in June.
Neil Renton, headteacher at Harrogate Grammar School, said:
“It’s wonderful to see our students getting back to normal school life, including the Duke of Edinburgh Award challenge.
“Learning is not just about being in the classroom, the skills they develop through our wide range of extra-curricular activities will serve them well for life.”
Teachers Jake Kempton and Laura Chesworth organised the expeditions and said students were delighted to be back outdoors.
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Mr Kempton said:
“Seeing the looks on students’ faces and receiving feedback from parents shows the scheme has had such a positive impact.
“It would have been easy to cancel the expeditions again this year but after the challenging 12 months these young people have had we thought it was massively important to go ahead.
“We were particularly proud to deliver the expeditions this year as it felt like a fitting tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh. As teachers we take great joy in being out there with the students as part of an experience that creates lifelong memories.”
Ms Chesworth said it was crucial the year 11 students completed the outdoor expedition as they had spent the last two years completing the award’s other qualifying sections, which involve physical challenges, learning new skills and volunteering. She said:
“They’ve shown resilience, flexibility and worked hard to adapt their challenges to still meet the criteria during lockdown.
“We wanted to do them justice by seeing them complete the award as a whole.”
To satisfy the demand for DofE expedition places, extra staff volunteered to help supervise, and outdoor adventure organisers the Lupine Adventure Cooperative provided trained and qualified DofE expedition leaders.
Other school trips are now being planned as Harrogate Grammar School eases back towards normal teaching life.
Year 11 and year 13 are both having a day of fun at Flamingo Land next week.
Year 12s studying a BTEC in outdoor education have already resumed their practical studies and are taking part in their own expedition in Swaledale and Wensleydale.
Year 7 are looking forward to the humanities visit to Bolton Abbey and geography fieldwork trips are in the pipeline.
Plans are being made for a year 9 residential trip to the Lake District next spring.
PE fixtures have resumed for the summer term.
Harrogate district care home residents remember Prince Philip ‘fondly’ todayA number of care home residents sat and watched the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral this afternoon.
Care homes in Knaresborough and Harrogate sat to share their memories and remember Prince Philip.
The care homes said a number of their residents has spent this week thinking of Prince Philip and the royal family as they mourn.
At The Gatehouse, on Manor Road in Harrogate, the residents sat to watch the funeral on TV and the staff had put on an afternoon tea for them to enjoy.
Home manager, Adam Carling, said:
“Remembering Prince Philip here at The Gatehouse today. He was an amazing man and our residents remember him fondly. A sad day for all.”
Residents came together this afternoon to watch the funeral.
The staff decorated the room and organised an afternoon tea.
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At the Manor House care home in Knaresborough the residents also wanted to come together to watch the funeral.
A notice was put up during the week telling residents it would be shown on the TVs in the lounge.
Carer, Alison Morgan, said:
“Lots of our residents have admired the Royals through their lives and today is a very sad day for them, and how we hope the Queen and her family feel the warmth and love and wishes from the public and that in some small way it helps.”
Some residents at Knaresborough Manor watched the service privately in their rooms.
Others sat together in the lounge to watch the service.
The Cuttings, run by Harrogate Neighbours, in Harrogate also encouraged residents to sit together this afternoon to watch the funeral broadcast on TV.
Sue Cawthray, chief executive of Harrogate Neighbours, said:
“Staff and tenants came together to pay their respects to Prince Philip who had been part of their lives for many years. Everyone has a fond memory of a man who has given so much to this country and the commonwealth. Our thoughts are with the Her Majesty The Queen.”
Residents at The Cuttings sat in the lounge this afternoon to watch the broadcast.
Many of the Harrogate residents wanted to pay their respects today.
The Duke of Edinburgh had a long association with the Harrogate district and made several visits over many decades.
These included a visit to the Majestic Hotel in 1949 with the future Queen, and a trip to the newly constructed Conference Centre in 1982.
Thanks to local historian Malcolm Neesam for providing us with some of these images.
Did you ever meet Prince Philip during one of his visits or through the Duke of Edinburgh awards? Get in touch at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk
Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip at the Majestic Hotel in 1949. Credit: Walker-Neesam archive
Visiting Harrogate Railway Station on July 10 1957 with the Queen. Credit: Walker-Neesam archive.
The Duke of Edinburgh at the Conference Centre on March 26, 1982. Credit: Walker-Neesam archive.
Visiting Knaresborough’s Working Men’s Club in 1998. Credit – the BBC.
The Queen and Prince Philip in Ripon in 2004 commemorating the 400th anniversary of the city’s royal charter.
Prince Philip and the Queen at the Great Yorkshire Show in 2008.
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Yorkshire Agricultural Society pays tribute to Duke of Edinburgh
The Yorkshire Agricultural Society which runs the Great Yorkshire Show has paid tribute to Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth’s husband, and said he played an “integral part” in the society’s heritage.
A statement from Buckingham Palace confirmed that Prince Philip “passed away peacefully this morning” at Windsor Castle, aged 99.
The Duke of Edinburgh first paid a visit to the show in 1977 and attended the show on its landmark 150th anniversary in 2008.
He visited the show on the third and final day along with Her Majesty the Queen to meet exhibitors and inspect livestock.
The Queen was patron of Yorkshire Agricultural Society, which organised the show, from 1952 to 1997.
Nigel Pulling, chief executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, said the Royal Family have been an “integral part” of the society’s heritage and paid tribute to Prince Philip.
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Mr Pulling said:
“It is with deep sadness that we learn of the passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The Yorkshire Agricultural Society sends its sincere condolences to the Royal Family at this sad time.
“The Royal Family and Her Majesty The Queen have been an integral part of the Society’s heritage since it first formed in 1837 and on two occasions, in 1977 and 2008, we were honoured to welcome HRH Prince Philip along with Her Majesty The Queen to the Great Yorkshire Show.”
As part of his engagements with the Queen, Prince Philip often visited North Yorkshire to lend his support to various initiatives and events.
In May 2010, he opened the Scarborough Open Air Theatre and supported military events across the county.
The Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire described Prince Philip as a “hugely charismatic man, who was much loved and respected by so many”.
Tribute have also been paid by politicians, organisations and the Dean of Ripon Cathedral this afternoon.