Local heroes included in King’s New Year Honours ListFour Harrogate women named in King’s Birthday Honours listHarrogate hospice chief executive awarded OBE

A Harrogate hospice leader has been awarded an OBE in the King’s New Year’s Honours List.

Tony Collins, who is chief executive of Saint Michael’s Hospice, has been awarded the honour for service to the community.

Mr Collins, who is also chief executive of specialist bereavement and emotional wellbeing service Just ‘B’ and Hambleton and Richmondshire-based Herriot Hospice Homecare, has been a leader in the hospice community in Yorkshire and the North East for 27 years, and also sits on the board of national charity Hospice UK.

He has been at the forefront of increasing hospice care at home, increasing accessibility to hospice care for people in rural areas and introducing Yorkshire’s first specialised community bereavement service – Just ‘B’ – in 2009.

Saint Michael’s provides care and support for families living with terminal illness and bereavement across the Harrogate district. It does this from its hospice building, as well as in the community. Alongside Just ‘B’ and Herriot Hospice Homecare, it makes up registered charity North Yorkshire Hospice Care.

Joint chairs of trustees for the charity, Colin Tweedie and Joanne Crewe, praised Mr Collins’ “commitment and dedication to ensuring people across North Yorkshire and beyond have access to high quality care and support at the right time, and in the right place” in a statement.

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Tory council leader Carl Les receives OBE

Carl Les, the leader of North Yorkshire Council, has been awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours List.

The Conservative politician was made leader of the former North Yorkshire County Council in 2015 and has represented the Catterick area for more than 20 years.

He led local government reorganisation in North Yorkshire this year, which saw eight former councils – including Harrogate Borough Council – become one unitary authority on April 1.

Cllr Les said:

“Like many endeavours you can only achieve the best for people and businesses in local government through team effort.

“Whilst I am delighted, though humbled, to receive such an award I see it as a reflection of the teams I have had the privilege to lead.

“I am every bit as honoured to have worked with such committed and hardworking elected members and officers at the former county council and the new unitary, North Yorkshire Council.”

North Yorkshire Council is now the largest council in England by geography and third largest by population.

It is also the first council in England to pursue unitary status and devolution at the same time.

Cllr Les added:

“Through our collective efforts and strong partnership working across York and North Yorkshire we have achieved the unprecedented, landing single council status alongside a devolution deal.

“Together these are a game-changer for our region. Presenting us with the best possible opportunity to protect the most valued and essential public services for our residents, while unleashing the local powers and funds which will drive economic growth and deliver better job opportunities for people and businesses here.”

He had also been a member of the North Yorkshire Police authority for 15 years and now chairs the police, fire and crime panel.

Outside of his work as a councillor, Cllr Les is also a volunteer director and currently interim chairman of Wensleydale Railway plc.

He managed his family business, which was in the tourism sector, before selling it and retiring in 2014.

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Royal recognition for the American who saved Allerton Castle

Forty years ago, Allerton Castle near Knaresborough was in a dilapidated state.

The castle was built between 1848 and 1854 on the estate given to William Mauleverer, who came to England with William the Conqueror.

But when Dr Gerald Rolph bought it in 1983, the roof leaked and it was riddled with rot.

Dr Rolph, an American classic car enthusiast who made a fortune at the pioneering electronics company Tandy Corporation, had considered buying other great British homes but was drawn to Allerton’s Castle’s gothic revival style.

Today it is one of the finest buildings in the north of England. The Great Hall, with its balconies, staircase and hammer-beam ceiling, gives visitors an immediate sense of grandeur.

The Great Hall at Allerton Castle. Pic: Chris Chambers

Dr Rolph not only funded the renovation, but also travelled the world to find the beautiful artefacts that now fill the rooms.

Allerton Castle attracts visitors and wedding parties and has also hosted everything from film crews to Europe’s Strongest Man.

This week, Dr Rolph was awarded an OBE for services to historic preservation and conservation for his restoration of Allerton Castle.

Queen Elizabeth II awarded the honour but covid delayed the ceremony. Now aged 90, and unable to fly, he made a 13-day journey on board the Queen Elizabeth ship to receive the OBE off Jo Ropner, the lord-lieutenant of North Yorkshire, at her Camp Hill home near Bedale.

Dr Rolph with Jon B Wright, a trustee of his foundation.

Looking back at his first visit to Allerton, Dr Rolph told the Stray Ferret:

“It was in a derelict state. Virtually everything has had to be restored, including the roofing, the electrics system and the water system.”

In 2005, just as the restoration was almost complete, fire destroyed about a third of the castle. Undeterred, he simply redoubled his efforts.

In 2016, Dr Rolph gifted the castle, its contents, grounds and estate to the UK charity The Gerald Arthur Rolph Foundation for Historic Preservation and Education, which was formed to preserve Allerton Castle for English and world heritage.

Dr Rolph in Allerton Castle

Dr Rolph, a private man who visits England about three times a year, said the honour meant a lot but he was embarrassed to be catapulted into the limelight.

He said he enjoyed England’s beauty and way of life, but times were changing and the castle was a testament to the country’s heritage.

Did he have a message to local people who have regularly driven by Allerton Castle but perhaps never visited?

“The key thing is for you and your friends and relatives to come here. That’s why it has been preserved. We want you to come here and see Allerton Castle.”

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Leading education pair in Harrogate now have matching royal honours

There cannot be many families in the UK with two members whose work has been recognised by the monarch.

There may be none, so far, with two certificates signed by two different monarchs.

That rare privilege will belong to Richard Sheriff and his wife Janet, who have both now been made OBEs in recognition of their services to education.

Mr Sheriff, CEO of the Red Kite Learning Trust (RKLT) – a family of 13 schools including Harrogate Grammar School, where he was formerly head – has been included in the King’s first New Year Honours list.

He said:

“I was surprised and really delighted. I’m not one of those people that’s cynical about these things – it’s an absolute privilege.”

Though Mr Sheriff shared the news with his wife, he had not told their two sons until last night, as the list was about to be published.

A quiet toast at home with family was the planned celebration, before his schools reopen on Tuesday and normal work resumes.

However, he said, his new status has given him a change in attitude:

“You feel even more so you need to do something for it, make it look like you’re worth it. There’s a moral pressure there.

“There’s an element of embarrassment. I know so many people who are deserving of awards.

“Our chair of trustees Chris Tulley and all the trustees – they give up their time for nothing to help young people in our schools. The classroom teachers and teaching assistants, and the young people.

“The greatest thing in my job is bumping into kids I’ve taught and they tell you what they’ve been doing – and they’ve really done well. It’s just fantastic.”

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Mr Sheriff, who is the first person to have been president of the Association of School and College Leaders twice, said being able to give his time to the organisation and to other groups he has been a part of was a reflection of the support of the team around him throughout his career.

He described leading the RKLT as a privilege, bringing together people with “the same ethics and professional generosity” to ensure they delivered the best possible education.

He said:

“I’m an advocate for teaching and our profession. Anything that can put a positive light on a service that’s often seen in a dim light – a positive story about education.

“Working with young people is just brilliant and I don’t regret for a second 30-odd years of service to education.”

Awaiting a date for his investiture, Mr Sheriff reflected on attending Windsor Castle with his wife as she was awarded her honour by Princess Anne.

Mrs Sheriff – a headteacher at Prince Henry’s Grammar School in Otley who was made an OBE two years ago – now has her certificate on display at home.

Mr Sheriff  said:

“I took in my wife’s certificate and at the top of it, it’s signed in her own hand, ‘Elizabeth’. I looked and thought, ‘that’s a piece of history’.

“It’s absolutely wonderful. I was a huge admirer of the public service of the Queen. To have that in her own hand is very special.

“Now, alongside it, might be one signed ‘Charles’.  That’s something to pass down to our sons and then perhaps to our grandchildren. It’s quite special.

“I do appreciate it, I do feel very humbled by it, and I want to honour the honour by doing good with the time I’ve got to do it.”

Five Harrogate district recipients on King’s first honours list

Years of dedication in their fields have brought recognition for people from the Harrogate district.

The first New Year Honours List published in the reign of King Charles III features five residents from the area, each for different reasons.

Richard Sheriff, CEO of the Red Kite Learning Trust (RKLT), has been made an OBE for services to education.

The former headteacher was made head of the trust in 2018 after 11 years at Harrogate Grammar School.

RKLT now comprises 13 primary and secondary schools, including the grammar school. It became one of the first teaching school hubs in the country, while Mr Sheriff was the first person to serve two terms as president of the Association of School and College Leaders.

He remains chairman of the ASCL’s trust leaders advisory board as well as a member of the national STEM advisory board and a trustee of the professional teaching institute.

There are three recipients of MBEs in the Harrogate district.

Cyclist Lizzie Deignan, who grew up in Otley and now calls Harrogate home, appears on the list after many years of achievements.

Lizzie Deignan

Photograph: Trek Segafredo

She represented Team GB at two Olympic Games, winning silver in the women’s road race in London in 2012. She has triumphed in the women’s Tour de France and the UCI Women’s Road World Cup on two occasions each, and in other races including Paris-Roubaix, the Tour of Flanders and the Tour de Yorkshire.

The 34-year-old is now back in training after having her second child in September, and is expected to be racing for Trek-Segafredo again in 2023.

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Knaresborough resident Julia Skelton has been recognised for her services to charity and to the community in Bradford, through her role as executive director of Mind the Gap.

The theatre company offers training courses and live performance for people with learning disabilities and autism.

Dementia Forward CEO Jill Quinn has also been made an MBE, in recognition of her services to people with dementia across the Harrogate district.

She founded the charity in April 2012, supporting people with dementia and those caring for them. It has gone on to expand across North Yorkshire, offering an advice line, specialist dementia nursing services, and community events and groups for people with dementia and their families and carers.

The BEM has been awarded to Killinghall resident Anne Holdsworth, chair of the parish council and long-standing active volunteer in the community.

As well as almost 50 years on Killinghall Parish Council, Mrs Holdsworth has served on the village hall committee, as a governor at Killinghall Primary School, and as a member of the health authority. She has also represented the parish council at borough and county councils.

 

Want to know more about our local recipients of the King’s New Year Honours? Keep an eye on the Stray Ferret’s website and social media for in-depth stories and interviews tomorrow.

Premier League appoints Harrogate solicitor as chair

The Premier League has appointed a Harrogate-based solicitor as its interim chair for the second time.

Peter McCormick OBE will step into the role on February 1 when the current chair Gary Hoffman steps down.

Premier League clubs unanimously approved his temporary appointment. The clubs will now look for a permanent replacement.

The new role comes for Mr McCormick shortly after he stepped down as the temporary chair of the Football Association. He was succeeded Debbie Hewitt MBE.

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Mr McCormick will remain as chair of the Premier League’s Football Board and Legal Advisory Groups. He previously acted as the chair for the Premier League from 2014 to 2015. He said:

“I am delighted to receive the confidence and approval of the 20 Premier League clubs and the Board as they work to recruit the new chair.”

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said:

“On behalf of the Premier League and clubs, I would like to welcome Peter to this role. He is well known to us all and a trusted pair of hands who will see us through this transition period.

“The board’s aim is to have a new permanent chair in place before the start of next season.”

A Leeds United fan, Mr McCormick is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading sports and entertainment lawyers.

Harrogate council chief receives OBE medal at Windsor Castle

Harrogate Borough Council chief executive Wallace Sampson collected his OBE medal yesterday from Prince Charles.

Mr Sampson was awarded the OBE in the 2019 New Year’s Honours list for services to business and the community in Yorkshire, but he had been unable to receive the award in person due to covid restrictions.

He was presented with a medal by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle.

Mr Sampson has worked in local government for over 35 years and became chief executive of Harrogate Borough Council in 2008. He was previously a director at Bradford Council for eight years where he helped to support regeneration programmes in some of the city’s most deprived communities.

Mr Sampson said the day was made “extra special” as he was accompanied by his proud mum.

“I was honoured to attend the investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle to receive the OBE award from HRH the Prince of Wales. It was an occasion that will live with me for the rest of my life, made extra special by the fact that I was accompanied by my very proud mother.”

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