The Stray Ferret is the media partner for the St Wilfrid’s Stars Awards 2024, with our coverage kindly sponsored by Little Bird Made and Grantley Hall.

Nominations for Ripon’s 2023 St Wilfrid’s Stars Awards are open until Saturday September 30 and there is still time to nominate the organisations, individuals or businesses that you believe have made a positive contribution to enhance the life of the city.

The awards, bearing the name of the city’s patron saint, were launched by Ripon Together in the cathedral’s 1,350th anniversary year, to recognise the selfless giving of Ripon’s unsung heroes – many of them volunteers – who help others through their behind-the-scenes work.

Who received awards in 2022?

Here is a selection of last year’s winners.

In 2022, the Youth Award was presented by the Mayor of Ripon Councillor Sid Hawke, to Rosie Sturt (pictured below) who led a team of young volunteers who have created a Lego Club at Ripon Library.

The aim of the club is to help young children to increase their social skills and confidence in the wake of the covid lockdowns.

A St Wilfrid’s Star was also presented to Sarah Jaques – a Ripon Library volunteer and co-ordinator – who won the community award for her tireless and dedicated work.

Her citation read:

“Without volunteers, there would be no library and there would be a great gap in the life of the city.”

For the overall 2022 volunteer of the year award the panel of judges selected Gloria Sturdy, who has devoted her life to supporting many causes in the city.

This includes the provision of lunches at Holy Trinity Church for people in need and sewing PPE kits for frontline workers during the pandemic.

The 2022 culture award was presented to the Ripon Theatre Festival organising committee, in recognition of it staging a highly successful inaugural performing arts event from a standing start.

Building on last year’s success the 2023 event, led by festival director Katie Scott (pictured above) again added considerably to the cultural life of the city.

Caroline Bentham, who has supported groups in Ripon through her community scrap fund, which raises money from the sale of recycled metal, received last year’s  environment award.

As well as being a supporter of many good causes, she is an active Girl Guide Leader and an assistant county commissioner.

The 2022 St Wilfrid’s Star Award for tourism was presented to to Ripon Community Poppy Project, whose decorative work and detailed designs have delighted local residents and  visitors to the city.

There was no bigger event in Ripon in 2022 than the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations and the army of non-stop knitters ensured that the city’s streets were wrapped in Royal bunting.

They went on to create a dazzling star-spangled backdrop for last year’s awards evening at Ripon Cathedral, while the trophies presented at the event were designed and produced by Jennyruth Workshops.

Read more:

• Ripon’s search for the St Wilfrid’s Stars of 2023

• The St Wilfrid’s Stars winners of 2022

A Ripon knitting group has given hand-made teddies to children entering reception this September.

The teddies were given to children joining Highfield Prep School to help ease the transition to primary school.

The teddies, which were knitted in the colours of the Harrogate school’s uniform, were made by a team from the Ripon Community Poppy Project in June.

For many children, major changes to their routines and environments, such as moving to primary school, can be very stressful. They are also particularly prone to separation anxiety at this stage.

Extra reassurance is often needed to help ease these distressing emotions, especially for socially anxious and neurodivergent children.

Head of Early Years & Foundation Stage at the school, Kathryn Wilson, came up with the idea to hand out teddies to comfort new pupils and said:

“We wanted to give the children something to take home over the Summer to encourage them to talk about joining Reception with their parents.

“They can also take the teddies on adventures over the Summer and then come and tell us all about them in September.

Hazel Barker, a friend of Ms Wilson and one of the knitting circle’s leaders, said the group was “delighted” to help out

She commented:

“We get involved with all sorts of community projects. Because I have known Kathryn such a long time, it felt like a special request we could accommodate.”

Ms Wilson added:

“We also hope that it will be a comfort for the children to bring their teddies in with them in September on their first day at ‘big school’.”

Read more 

• More than 150 Nidderdale children take part in moorland education event
• Lack of special need provision in schools ‘failing children’, says Harrogate mother

This article is sponsored by Barnard Castle School.

Barnard Castle Prep School is where the foundations of children’s learning are laid.

It is here that children enjoy an inspiring and nurturing experience that sets them on a rewarding and happy journey in education.

Ahead of this major milestone, parents and children are being invited to learn more about where “Barney’s” school journey begins.

An open morning is being held at the co-educational independent day and boarding school in County Durham, which has a history that stretches back to the 19th century.

The event on October 1, which also includes the Senior School, is aimed at giving parents and pupils an opportunity to get a feel for the school, inspect the facilities and chat with peers and staff.

Barnard Castle School’s Prep School headmistress Laura Turner said:

“We tell our parents that our collective role, as parents and teachers, is to arm our children with the tools with which to clear the path ahead of them, not to clear the path for them.

“This means we have to allow them to fail at times, in a supportive environment. If we do that together, we are doing our best to prepare our young people for the challenges ahead.”

Pupils at Barnard Castle School.

The Prep School, which ranges from reception to Year 6, offers creative curriculums in each year group allow children to be engaged and become independent learners and thinkers.

These are practiced alongside a robust, wide-ranging extra-curricular activity programme, including regular lessons in Forest School.

Ms Turner said:

“In the pupils’ final year at Prep School, we focus on preparing the children for transition to Senior School whilst maintaining the safety and security of a familiar class environment.

“As an alternative to SATs, Barney’s Year 6 Achievement Award provides a focus for the children, fostering in them a more mature, ambitious and independent approach to study and recognising their commitment right across the curriculum.

“We place enormous emphasis on ensuring each and every pupil feels a sense of belonging at ‘Barney’; only then will they come close to maximising their potential.”

The school has a history that stretches back to the 19th century.

The Prep School also offers junior boarding, which boasts a “wonderful community of pupils” and a “family feel”.

Ms Turner added:

“Boarders at Barney become rounded, independent, and responsible Barnardians. They develop empathy and kindness for their peers, as well as a true appreciation for the family environment, mutual trust, and respect.

“Our boarding family is a wonderful community of pupils from a variety of countries, with the largest percentage coming from UK-based families.

“Our team have created an environment that pupils aspire to part of; it is one of warmth and nurture, enthusiasm and House spirit and, overwhelmingly, a sense of family.”

Situated on the outskirts of historic market town of Barnard Castle, an extensive transport service is operated from across the North East and North Yorkshire to the school.

To find out more about what makes education at Barnard Castle School so special, contact a member of the admissions team on 01833 696030 or email admissions@barneyschool.org.uk