Friday 16 December 2016

The Ryedale Business Award Finalists

Today the finalists were announced for the First ever Ryedale Business Awards. www.ryebas.co.uk.

The Judges were

Councillor Linda Cowling.
Ian Rogers
Richard Shaw


The finalists are as follows

Learning and Development sponsored by Alex Yoxall Photography

Ryetools
The Jones Partnership
Viva Hair

Community Contribution  sponsored by Handy Mag

Helmsley Walled Garden
Libby Butler Jewellers - Carolyn Frank
Terrington Stores

Young Entrepreneur sponsored by Ryedale District Council

Fergus Court Funeral Services
Gemma Richardson
GVT Painting and Decorating

Innovation sponsored by Vale Radio

Consultancy Team
High Farndale
The Stick Man


Rural Diversification sponsored by Anna Lupton

Happy Paws Boarding
Deepdale Farm Weddings
Studford Luxury Lodges

Start Up Business sponsored by Federation of Small Businesses

Horsetown Beers
The Cutting Shed
Willow Green Estate Agents


Long Standing Business sponsored by Pearson and Ward [Ware and Kay]

Claridges of Helmsley
RV Rogers Roses
R Yates &Sons
Terry Elsey Tyres

Ryedale Champion sponsored by Gillies Jones

Cuckavalda Gundogs
Easterby Racing
Tommy Banks


The winners will be announced at the Ryedale Business Awards which are to be held on Tuesday 24th Jan 2017 at the White Swan of Ampleforth by kind permission of Simon Parker, Robert Fawcett and Edward Fawcett who have sponsored the event.

Tickets are available  £15  from Handy Mag Office in Market Place Malton or Anna Lupton on 01347 868526. Cheques made payable to Ryedale Business Awards.

Breakfast will be served at 9.30am  and the winners announced by Vale Radio and transmitted live throughout the morning.

The event will end at 11.30am.

The White Swan will remain open should anyone wish to stay on for further celebratory drink and lunch will be available to be purchased.












Sunday 4 December 2016

WRA 2106 - the largest tourism awards in the country

Last week Harrogate saw over 1000 people attend the WRA2016 awards .I was lucky enough to be invited as a guest of Robert and Edward Fawcett who had 2 of their businesses in as finalists to win an award-Studford LuxuryLodges and the Fairfax Arms in Gilling .
Love a black tie event and I took a selfie which some people said I looked scary I thought more started rabbit in headlights syndrome but that is what happens when you take a selfie.
Last year Jack went with me as we were finalists and up for the best bed and breakfast . This year the pressure was off and I must say a lot nicer venue than last year...it was held at the new Yorkshire Event Centre on the Yorkshire Show ground. The amazing Heather Parry runs the show and is so organised and laid back about it all . Heather was on the board of Deliciously Yorkshire when I was too a few year ago and I always admired her organisational skills.
We had a prime table,  to the Yorkshire Cricket Team to our left and Annie Stirk and her husband Ken who runs Absolutely Food  -they bought a fox red Labrador from Jack 4 years ago .oN their table to was The Yorkshire food finder and Flat cap chef -Sue Nelson and husband Aidan. just behind us to the left was Frances Atkins of the Yorke Arms ,Ramsgill sharing a table with James McKenzie from the Pipe and Glass at South Dalton and a pair of French men who were VIP from the cyling world.
The food was wonderful .... I will go anywhere for a good meal ... and it certainly was.





Friday 18 November 2016

Been a Botanist for the evening in York

Well not quite... I was very privileged to receive an invitation to a pre opening evening at the Botanist on Tuesday.  Staff were putting everything into practice ready for its opening this coming week. But here is a peek into The Botantist which is in Stonegate and in part of the old Mulberry Hall building.
The staff were wonderful, the food was wonderful, the live music was wonderful  and the drinks were wonderful ...no that is an understatement.

THEY SAY  "A concept like no other, offering a soon to be world-famous selection of botanical cocktails, craft beers and ales, Champagne and wine. Food inspired by the deli, rotisserie and BBQ. With live music every night, sublime social times are guaranteed!"

I say the drinks were amazing ...what can you be tempted by with - a choice of 11 gins and good to see Yorkshire's Masons Gin is on their list too . They have Long Drinks, Short Drinks, Martinis, Beers,Flutes and Alcohol Free .

I choose THAI CHILLI CRUSH  -Fresh red chilli, microThai basil, apple and lemon juice with Tanqueray gin and green apple liqueur.

I can't wait to go again and order a watering can. This is a big drink to share as it holds 4-5 servings.

Saying that, it is soon a good friends birthday.

Tuesday is only the beginning, it will be a place to hang out in have a few drinks,eat and relax.

York you are very lucky to have the Botanist within your walls .

Attention to detail doesn't stop in the public rooms , Ladies , take a trip along the long corridor on the first floor.




Saturday 22 October 2016

Lancashire Life....

A cat they say has nine lives well I am now on my second. I have been in Yorkshire Life previously through my bed and breakfast business and also when I thought up the idea of the Ryedale Rose with lots of glossy photographs too . September saw not only a write up about us and the history of Carr House Farm  and our families in Lancashire and North West Magazine,but it was one I had written too . So here is my second life in this Lancashire glossy.



I was asked to write 1000-1500 words and duly obliged somewhere in between. They gave me three days to  get it together and apart from the first couple of sentences which they must have cut down and doesn't read quite right the rest of the article is mine. I was delighted with how they had printed the photographs and must say quietly pleased with how it all came to print ... A 5 page spread.

Thursday 29 September 2016

It is all coming together....

My idea of having Ryedale Business Awards is finally coming together  firstly with the help of Craig Nattress who gave me contacts and thought that my idea  "had legs" and wasnt so crazy it wouldn't work.

The steering group is Louise Lunn from RDC who is a marvel at organisation. Emma who is involved with the Federation of Small Businesses and Marianne from HandyMag.

They are now set to be held at the White Swan in Ampleforth on Tuesday 24th January. The event starts at 9am when the doors open. Simon Parker and his merry team will be serving breakfast  feast at 9.30am-10.30am .Vale Radio are in charge of broadcast and Alex Yoxall is in charge of photography.
We encourage any Ryedale business however great or small to enter as there are 8 sections and we hope you will find at least one you will come under. or is you know someone who you think deserves to win please go ahead and nominate them

All details are on the website - www.ryebas.co.uk -pronounced like Oscars !

Sunday 17 July 2016


On my work front as well as guests staying for bed and breakfast it has been a busy week. Monday saw me in York -a meeting to take forward an event which will be bigger and more appealing to a wider sector of visitors next year. Then to write an article for an eating place. 
I was very pleased to hear the Team Fairfax Arms came 3rd in the Welcome to Yorkshire's best pub award. I also hosted a reporter and we were served with delicious food created in The Fairfax Arms kitchen. I was grateful that head chef Ben Turner came out to speak to the reporter to answer more technical questions on the food side of things Andrew Daly is the perfect host and everything went smoothly 
Thirdly enjoyed jam and scones with any local business and delighted that I have made a link for them to another Yorkshire business to enhance their business. 
And lastly I was ask to write an article with 1000-1500 words for a glossy magazine .I thought 1240 was a good halfway pitch and will look forward to seeing it in print very shortly - this was for a Lancashire business and then back to Yorkshire for the weekend
Love my job x

Saturday 16 July 2016

Saturday 2 July 2016

Fingers crossed

Two businesses in the tourism world have put their trust in me to enter them into the White Rose Awards. I am delighted that both businesses are now finalists.These are the largest tourism awards in the country and are organised by the Welcome to Yorkshire Team. The standards are always very high and the judging very thorough too .
I was a finalist last year myself so this gave me great insight into what is expected and how to present the entry correctly.
Once the finalists have been announced it is then back over to me to get another 3 copies of each entry in with a relatively short time. Judging takes place over this next month or so and then we wait. Fingers will be crossed until the winners are announced in a star studded black tie evening event later in the Autumn.
For me this year, I am happy to do the paperwork and not have the pressure of being the actual contestant. Although I am at hand to go through the last minute tweaks to make sure the businesses get as good as a chance as the next .
Should your business wish to enter an award even though you are too late for the WRAs there are still others you can enter. If you would like  some help in filling entry forms in or guidance please get in touch.

This isnt a bad view from my
office window this morning

Fingers crossed

Two businesses in the tourism world have put their trust in me to enter them into the White Rose Awards. I am delighted that both businesses are now finalists.These are the largest tourism awards in the country and are organised by the Welcome to Yorkshire Team. The standards are always very high and the judging very thorough too .
I was a finalist last year myself so this gave me great insight into what is expected and how to present the entry correctly.
Once the finalists have been announced it is then back over to me to get another 3 copies of each entry in with a relatively short time. Judging takes place over this next month or so and then we wait. Fingers will be crossed until the winners are announced in a star studded black tie evening event later in the Autumn.
For me this year, I am happy to do the paperwork and not have the pressure of being the actual contestant. Although I am at hand to go through the last minute tweaks to make sure the businesses get as good as a chance as the next .
Should your business wish to enter an award even though you are too late for the WRAs there are still others you can enter. If you would like  some help in filling entry forms in or guidance please get in touch.

This isnt a bad view from my
office window this morning

Monday 11 April 2016

Win £20,000 with the Cointreau Creative Crew Grant Scheme!

Do you wish having £20,000 to follow your dreams and turn them into reality.

Well your chance is  here.

 Don't worry if you are not used to form filling I can do this for you to help you catch the judges eye. I have filled in many successful entries and will have it done before breakfast time .If you don't enter you cant win .So what have you got to lose ....




Saturday 9 January 2016

When negatives become positive.

Most people will have heard that York have been flooded recently . It has had a large impact on businesses across the city. After many positive things that are been said, it is still in the back of people's ...there is a flood which is the negative.
 I came back on the train yesterday from Leeds to Thirsk having being at a Welcome to Yorkshire PSGM board meeting chaired by Sir Thomas Ingleby. I thought it is no good trying to make people  forget about the floods,  turn the negative into a positive. Looking out of the train window I was surprised at how many "water" birds had already taken advantage of the flooded fields .Trees and strips of land  have been marooned by the water. There were even a pair of swans gliding about on the water.  So instead of staying away from York,please
go and take a look for yourselves. Maybe you should take waterproof footwear but most people would wear them in any case in the winter time . Please help York to turn the negative into a positive. York is open for business.