An under-13 Harrogate football team will go head-to-head with York at a county cup final this weekend.
The Harrogate and Craven School Boys team has made it to the final of the Yorkshire Federation Schools’ Football league against York School Boys.
The squad, made up of 24 boys from across the two districts, was whittled down from hundreds of hopefuls at the initial trials.
The boys were put forward by their school PE teachers at the time and all represent a range of local schools, including Ripon Grammar School, Harrogate High School, Rossett School, King James’ School, Ashville College, St John Fisher’s and St Aidan’s.
They have taken on teams from Scunthorpe, Sheffield, York and more during the campaign.
Now, following victories against Rotherham and Wakefield, the U13s will compete in the final at Bridlington Town this Saturday.
Manager Andrew Pears said some of the players have “been signed” or are currently in talks with “a number of professional football clubs”, including Hull City, Bradford City and Huddersfield Town.
He added:
“With a focus on developing young talent and fostering a love for the game, the team is dedicated to honing their football abilities, whilst also emphasising the importance of academic excellence and good sportsmanship.
“Coached by experienced mentors, the players are provided with the guidance and support necessary to excel both on and off the field.
“Throughout the season, the team competes in various tournaments and matches, showcasing their abilities and representing their districts with pride. Their dedication and passion for the sport serve as an inspiration to their peers and a source of pride for the Harrogate and Craven communities.”
Mr Pears also said players who have represented the district at a competitive level will be presented with honour caps at the team’s awards night in May.
Harrogate and Craven School Boys U13s will play York School Boys in the league cup final on Saturday, April 27. Kick-off is at 12.30pm.
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Ripon Grammar student organises charity concert for paralysed 15-year-old
A Ripon student is organising a fundraising concert in aid of paralysed Ripon Grammar student Alan Nowicki.
Daniel McClean, 17, is organising the event to take place next week.
In December, 15-year-old Alan had a life-changing accident that left him paralysed from the waist down. He fell from a pull-up bar in his bedroom and as he landed, hit his head on the hard floor.
Alan was rushed to Leeds General Infirmary where it was discovered he had suffered a spinal fracture resulting in a severe spinal cord injury. After 11 days and emergency surgery, he was transferred to Wakefield Pinderfields Hospital.
Alan’s mum, Kamila began a £20,000 fundraising campaign to fly her son to Poland for rehabilitation after she was quoted UK treatments at over £10,000 a week. The fundraiser is still live and has now reached over £23,000.
Kamila said:
“Most of it has been spent already on our nine-week rehab stay, flights, wheelchair and other rehabilitation equipment that I’ve bought for home use. I don’t have a top figure in mind really – every little helps.
“Alan is doing really well, he’s super strong and fit, positive thinking throughout. No change in terms of the paralysis but he has regained feeling further down on his tummy, so fingers crossed.”
Alan Nowicki at the Polish rehabilitation centre, Donum Corde.
Alan aims to get back to school to sit his GCSEs and begin A-levels. Before the accident he was in the RAF Air Cadets and aspires to be a pilot, a dream Daniel McClean shares.
Daniel said:
“When I heard what was happening and what we had in common it struck a special chord. For someone wanting to be a pilot it is potentially a career-ending injury.
“I don’t know Alan but when I read about his accident I couldn’t abide the thought that the help he needed wasn’t immediately being provided to him. It really struck me that I or anyone could be in that situation.”
Three student bands will take part in the concert. Mr McClean is a drummer in the band Yellow Number 5, which is among them. He told the Stray Ferret he aims to raise over £1,000 towards Alan’s treatment.
Daniel McClean’s band, Yellow Number 5
He said:
“I have spoken with Alan’s family and had confirmation that they are coming to the concert. They are very grateful we are doing this. I am also very grateful to Ripon Grammar for going out of their way to support me with this. This is definitely the biggest thing I have organised but everyone has been very supportive and at the end of the day it is about getting Alan the care he needs.”
The concert is among a number of fundraising events organised by members of the Ripon Grammar School community, including a home baked foods stall run by students and a non-uniform day where students paid £2 each to wear non-uniform.
The concert will take place April 18 from 7.30-10pm and is only open to students of Ripon Grammar School and their families. There is no ticket fee but volunteers will have donation buckets at the event. To donate online, click here.
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Ripon man with incurable cancer to walk 268 miles for Harrogate charity
A Ripon man with an incurable cancer is walking the length of the Pennine Way to raise money for Harrogate cancer care centre, Active Against Cancer.
Anthony Henson, 53, aims to raise £10,000 for the charity, which helps cancer patients maintain a level of fitness as well as supporting their mental wellbeing.
Mr Henson, an architect from the outskirts of Ripon, was rushed to intensive care at St James’s Hospital in Leeds in 2022 after collapsing suddenly. He was later diagnosed with incurable pancreatic and liver cancer.
At the end of 2022, he was given a pioneering operation and treatment which has extended his life. The operation was successful, but he the had to go through eight months of radiation therapy.
The treatment began last July and involves being injected with radiation, spending 24 hours in a lead-lined room and being checked with a Geiger counter to see if he can go home. The medication is flown in from Italy with Mr Henson saying, “it’s all a bit James Bond”.
He then has to isolate at home for two weeks until the radiation has diminished enough for him not to be harmful. This is repeated every two months meaning he is in isolation for eight weeks. He had his last treatment in January and has his final blood test next week.
During this isolation he began to walk the Pennine Way, which is 431 kilometres (268 miles) virtually in his garden, as well as taking walks along the way with friends and family when not isolating. His wife Fiona Henson, a teacher at Ripon Grammar School and their two children will support him on his virtual journey.
Mr Henson said:
“At first I was drained and just was trying to do up to two miles a day, your body takes such a pummelling but I have been fortunate in that I have had no pain, I just had sickness from the treatment. I started because I couldn’t go out and it kept me fit and I wanted to give something back to the phenomenal service.
“We have had amazing support. An incurable diagnosis is horrific for any family but the staff at Action Against Cancer, Macmillan’s and St James’s have done an amazing job keeping me alive I can never thank them enough. Active Against Cancer have kept up my physical and mental well-being for the past eight months and helped me live as normal a life as possible.
“Without them I would not have been able to deal with the treatments I have received and would not be able to continue to move forward, they have been a key part in keeping me alive and positive. I am therefore aiming to raise £10,000 to help support them so that they can help provide this vital service to those with cancer.”
Mr Henson is nearing the end of his challenge and has already raised over £8,000 of his £10,000 target.
To follow his journey or donate click here.
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Looking Back: King’s coronation was a royal affair in the Harrogate district
King Charles III celebrated his coronation this year – and the Harrogate district certainly celebrated with him.
From street parties and parades to afternoon tea and live music, people went all out to mark the new king in May.
See our gallery below to look back on the royal celebrations near you.
Harrogate
Over the three-day weekend, Harrogate saw a range of celebratory events.
People gathered for an afternoon tea at the Oatlands Community Centre, others watched a livestream on the big screen in the Valley Gardens.
Local businesses also showed their colours — and some four-legged friends even waved the flag for the day.
Afternoon tea at Oatlands Community Centre.
The Valley Gardens was also looking patriotic for the occasion.
People watched a livestream in the Valley Gardens.
Local businesses got into the royal spirit.
Betsy got coronation ready too!
Ripon
Ripon kicked off the royal celebrations with a live performance from Complete Madness in the Market Square.
Services in the cathedral and street parties followed, and surrounding villages gathered to mark the occasion too.
Former Ripon Grammar School student, 72-year-old Bruce Oldfield, even designed Queen Camilla’s coronation dress.
Fountains Abbey was lit up in honour of the King.
Floral displays created by the Ripon Cathedral Flower Guild and Ripon Flower Club.
Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Ms Jo Ropner and the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd John Dobson.
Complete Madness kicking off the celebrations.
Residents of Carr Close threw a street party.
Around 100 people partied on the street.
Masham and Kirkby Malzeard
Masham and Kirkby Malzeard residents came out in their droves to celebrate the royal event.
There was a car rally, a float parade, BBQs, maypole dancing and more.
Masham had a float parade.
Maypole dancing in Kirkby Malzeard.
Vintage cars also rallied as part of the parade.
Knaresborough
Knaresborough House held a livestream of the coronation service, as well as a Coronation Concert over the weekend.
The concert, which was held at Knaresborough Castle, celebrated at music through time and people smiled as the sun shone down.
Livestream at Knaresborough House.
Hundreds gathered for the Coronation Concert.
Knitting Pretty and Number Thirteen in Knaresborough were decorated for the coronation.
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Ripon Grammar School teacher Helen Mackenzie retires after 18 years
A Ripon Grammar School PE teacher will retire after 18 years in post tomorrow.
Helen Mackenzie began working at the school in 2006. She was director of sport for all Ripon schools, including the former Ripon College (now Outwood Academy), as well as 19 other primary schools surrounding the city.
However, after going part-time and focussing her efforts solely on Ripon Grammar 10 years ago, she said “the time has come” to retire and spend more time with her husband.
Ms Mackenzie, who is an England Netball level 3 coach, has taught a wide range of sports at Ripon Grammar, where she was formerly a pupil until 1986. These include netball, badminton, swimming, gymnastics, football, basketball, dance and aerobics – and that’s all in one day.
Asked about her favourite memory during her time as a teacher, Ms Mackenzie she had “far too many” to mention. But she did recount leading the netball team to qualify for the national school’s netball competition in 2015, where the girls placed fourth in the country:
“At the finals in Chester, I was checking the scoreboards and I overheard someone say ‘Ripon Grammar are the dark horses of this competition’ and I nearly burst with pride.
“In the end – having drawn with Millfield, a school with more PE staff than we have actual staff, we made the third/fourth play-off, coming fourth in the country and the highest-placed state school throughout the whole competition.”
Ms Mackenzie has “never been an elitist”, she added, and said her main priority is pupils enjoying being physically active.
“Once, when I was demonstrating a long fly over the vaulting horse, a boy said to me, ‘I never thought anybody as old as you would be that good at gym.’ A backhanded compliment, but when he then had a go himself, he said ‘did you see me miss? I flew!”
“I was buzzing for the rest of the day.”
Ms Mackenzie was diagnosed with cancer in 2009. She said one pupil’s comment helper her mental health “no end” during the “worst time of her life”:
“It was touch and go for a while but when I pulled through the worst of the treatment and returned to school, a little boy said, ‘oh miss, your eyes have turned back on!’”
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What’s next?
Ms Mackenzie’s life shows little sign of slowing down in semi-retirement.
She is also a deputy housemistress of the girls’ boarding house at Ripon Grammar School, which she will continue to do after stepping down as a teacher.
Ms Mackenzie said:
“Fortunately, I will still be around as will be continuing my boarding role, but RGS is in my blood.
“I came here as a student, my children came here, I’ve worked here.
“If you cut me through the middle, Ripon Grammar School will be stamped through me like a stick of rock.”
She won the British Citizen Award for outstanding work tackling food poverty, through her charity, and encouraging sport in 2021. The same year she won the Stray Ferret community awards Harry’s Heroes for her work helping disadvantaged families.
Back to Basics, which was founded in 2019, provides free ingredients and guidance for a cheap and nutritious meal to those in need.
Ms Mackenzie, whose mother Sylvia Grice died this year, said she hopes to invest more time into the initiative following retirement.
She also runs Ripon City Netball Club – which she set up 10 years ago – as well as Ripon Swimming Academy. She said:
“I intend to get fit — well fitter than I am now! — and enjoy spending time with my husband, John — not sure he will enjoy it that much!
“I also plan to volunteer in my teacher daughter Laura’s primary school, Kirkby Malzeard, to get my PE fix. I also love reading and never have time, so reading and crossword puzzles will also fill my day.”
Ms Mackenzie’s final day at Ripon Grammar School will be tomorrow.
‘Remarkable’ and ‘inspirational’ Ripon woman Sylvia Grice dies“I will miss the very essence of the place, the beauty of the grounds, the buildings, the fabulous pool, which is my favourite place, and, above all else, I will miss the kids.
“What amazing people they all are – I adore them and have loved working with them.”
One of Ripon’s most remarkable and best-loved residents has died at the age of 90.
Sylvia Grice taught an estimated 250,000 people to swim, including Olympic diving champion Jack Laugher, over the space of 50 years.
She died yesterday — three months after celebrating her 90th birthday.
Sylvia, who lived in Littlethorpe, devoted much of her life to teaching people to swim in a city that has three rivers and a canal. She was awarded an MBE in 2010 and given the Freedom of the City of Ripon in 2019.
Daughter Helen Mackenzie announced the news on social media this morning. She said:
“While we are thrilled she is now at peace, we are distraught at the thought of life without her. Rest in peace Dame Sylvia – you were loved by many and will be missed by all.”
Sylvia with Olympic champion diver Jack Laugher.
Hundreds of tributes have already been paid on social media — many by people Sylvia taught to swim.
The messages included “such an amazing and inspirational lady who will be missed”, “Sylvia was a remarkable lady, she was respected by everyone who knew her”, “One of the most incredible and impactful woman I have ever had the joy to meet” and simply “What a Ripon legend”.
A life helping others
Speaking to the Stray Ferret at her mum’s 90th birthday party, Helen said Sylvia broke her leg at the age of three and was in traction in hospital until she was eight.
She added:
“She learnt to swim when she was 15 and married my dad, Jim, the love of her life, when she was 20.
“When my sister Alison and I came along she regularly took us to swim at Ripon’s Spa Baths and caught the eye of the manager Fred Windsor.
“He encouraged her to become a qualified swimming teacher and over the years she went through all of the grades to become an Amateur Swimming Association tutor and then a Fellow of the Institute of Swimming Teachers.”
Sylvia used her qualifications to help people of all ages and abilities, from toddlers having their first visit to the pool to her mother-in-law Florrie, who learnt to swim when she was 58.
She taught people to swim at Ripon Grammar School and at Ashville College in Harrogate, where she set up Triton Swimmers and away from her busy teaching schedule, found time to run the Spa Gardens cafe, be an active member of Ripon Lions and raise money for numerous charitable causes.
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Ripon man to run four ultra-marathons in memory of father
A Ripon man will run 224 kilometres in November in memory of his father.
Former Ripon Grammar School pupil Harry Cleary, 25, will aim to complete four ultra-marathons, which are each 56km.
The first three will be in London and the fourth and final leg will begin in Ilkley and end inside Elland Road Stadium — which he described as “a lifelong dream for a Leeds United fan”.
Mr Cleary’s father died this year after a long-term struggle with alcoholism and mental health.
Harry said:
“As a young man, watching the male figurehead in your life pass away as a shell of the man he once was, is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I’m determined that won’t happen to me.
“My dad was a very proud man who struggled to accept and discuss his emotions, and instead, leaned on the vices of life.
“The distance represents the 56 years of my dad’s turbulent, but incredibly impactful life.”
Harry Cleary, pictured at the front, taking part in a race.
Following his father’s death, Mr Cleary took up running as a coping mechanism and found it has been “invaluable” to his own mental health.
“As someone who has struggled with depression and anxiety for several years, I have sought these physical outlets as healthy coping mechanisms.
“I want to show men the importance of talking and asking for help if they need it.”
He is raising money for men’s mental health charity Movember and has set a target of £5,000.
The charity hosts an annual event which involves growing a moustache for the month of November. It aims to raise awareness and de-stigmatise male health issues, including suicide, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.
It won’t be the first time Mr Cleary has punished his body for the charity. Over the last three years, he has walked from the Scottish border to Newcastle in 32 hours and walked the 140km-length of Hadrian’s Wall — both on no sleep.
He added:
“I think about my dad every day, and I hope he’ll be looking down with pride as I complete these ultra-marathons to stop men like him dying far too young.
“I know I’ll be completing all my ultra-marathons with my dad.
“We’re marching on together, dad.”
Mr Cleary’s London runs will take place on Saturday, November 4, 11 and 18, and his Yorkshire leg will be on Sunday, November 26.
He told the Stray Ferret anyone is welcome to run with him and those interested should contact him on Facebook.
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