Articles taken from York Press, a newspaper providing local news, sports, and events, primarily covering York and North Yorkshire. This is just a sample of 20 recent articles from this innovative county.
(1) Local MP Championing English Whisky, Yorkshire and Beyond
North Yorkshire MP Kevin Hollinrake was singing the praises of whisky to his guests in the House of Commons.
But none of the spirit available for participants to have a tot or two had made the journey from Scotland for the reception, which welcomed those involved in the alcohol industry, Government representatives, and MPs.
The Thirsk and Malton MP was hosting an event championing English whisky. His constituency is home to three whisky distilleries—Cooper King Distillery, Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery, and Ellers Farm Distillery—as well as Whiskyside, an online shop and dedicated whisky bar in Hunmanby. “These businesses were the inspiration behind holding such an event, as well as my ministerial role covering small businesses such as these,” he said. Sixteen other distilleries, from Northumberland to Shropshire, were also represented at the event, which was supported by the English Whisky Guild and Exploring English Whisky, an organisation of English whisky drinkers. “Approximately 50,000 casks of English whisky are expected to be laid down by distilleries by the end of 2024, and the value of this maturing stock is forecast to exceed £1bn over the same period,” said the North Yorkshire MP. “This growing industry has a hugely exciting future ahead—not just in North Yorkshire but both nationally and internationally. The event was hugely successful and included parliamentarians, representatives from business, trade and export departments in Government, as well as key stakeholders in the industry.” Additionally, award-winning Norfolk whisky and its many accolades can be found on the English Distillery website, with its latest win being the title of World's Best Single Malt Whisky for The English Sherry Cask Matured at the 2024 World Whiskies Awards. Taken from the site: "English whisky is now really up and coming, definitely not playing second fiddle to Scotland any more... To see an English single malt win world's best single malt at the World Whiskies Awards just confirms how much of a strong contender it is on the global stage."— Bethany Brown, Editor of Whisky Magazine.
(2) York-based Tell Media has been entertaining audiences at the AFC Asian Football Cup in Qatar.
The TV programming and broadcasting company, based on Blake Street and incorporated in 2006, provided big-screen technology across 51 matches and nine stadiums during the January–February tournament. Its team delivered in-stadium screens for close-ups, score graphics and VAR updates, as well as pre-match and half-time entertainment with presenters interacting with the crowd. In total, Tell Media’s work reached more than 1.5 million attendees. In central Doha, it also supplied technical crew and state-of-the-art equipment to produce high-energy visual displays and interactive content, aiming to set new standards in live sports engagement. Tell Media says its track record in immersive experiences helped transform each match into “a spectacle of excitement.” The company adds that its success on the international stage highlights the global impact of regional expertise. Director Tom Ellis said: "This project stands as a testament to our exceptional team’s dedication and skill. The fact that a York-based company can have this impact in Qatar is significant for the wider York Business Community. It fills us with immense pride and it’s a milestone we are thrilled to celebrate and share.” Production Manager and University of York graduate Olivia Maltby added: "There’s nothing quite like the buzz of excitement from a sports crowd in a stadium. Being in on the pitchside action over in Doha was a real proud moment. Hearing the response to the live visuals output by our team was just another reason as to why we do what we do. We are looking forward to another year of exciting work worldwide.” Tell Media says it now aims to build on its Middle East success and push the boundaries of live sports entertainment even further.
(3) York-based International Feedmill Solutions (ISF), an animal feed mill engineering firm, is marking 35 years of business by raising £3,500 for Macmillan Cancer Support and St Leonard’s Hospice.
To date £700 has been raised from a cycling challenge and on September 8 staff will enjoy a Yorkshire Three Peaks Walk. ISF employs 25 and has a £3m turnover. It began in 1989 when managing director Iain Scott saw a need for specialist animal feed mill engineering expertise after he worked in a feed mill. Starting as ‘one man with a van’, the business has remained family-owned, with a 10,000 sq/ft manufacturing plant at the Raylor Centre in York and customers across the UK and Europe. Iain said: “I’m incredibly proud of what ISF has achieved over the past 35 years. From our humble beginnings, we’ve grown into a leading engineering firm in the animal feed milling industry. This growth has been driven by our dedicated team, innovative solutions, and unwavering commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. I look forward to celebrating with everyone next month at the races and to raising more money for Macmillan Cancer Support and St Leonard’s Hospice. These fundraising challenges exemplify our enduring spirit and dedication to giving back to the community that has supported us throughout the years.” An integral part of the UK food supply chain, ISF provides bespoke engineering solutions, including design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of plant and equipment for animal feed processing companies, aiming to improve the efficiency and quality of their processes with minimal disruption. The company won York Press Business of the Year in 2019 and has won the SHAPA award for Innovation in Training and Development for the last two years.
(4) York-based Cellhire, a global specialist in IoT and mobile communications, has won “Best Tech Innovation in Live Production” at the Broadcast Tech Innovation Awards 2024.
The award recognised Cellhire’s “Count Cam” out-of-the-box kit-based solution, which enabled the BBC to broadcast in real time and seamlessly from 369 vote-counting locations during the 2024 UK General Election. The Broadcast Tech Innovation Awards celebrate the exceptional teams behind the most outstanding broadcast productions of the past year. Tony Guerion, Cellhire’s CEO, commented: “The award is a testament to our team’s commitment to innovation and delivering solutions that meet customers’ needs. During the general election, our Count Cam offering demonstrated Cellhire’s IoT connectivity capabilities for delivering reliable, scalable services for critically important live broadcasts.” The Count Cam kits featured adapted iPhones with extended battery packs and tripods. However, the standout element was Cellhire’s multi-network IoT SIMs, which enabled connectivity to all UK mobile networks via a single SIM, ensuring uninterrupted streaming from all locations, including remote counts. Designed for ease of use, the kits included pre-installed apps and simple functionality for quick deployment and smooth operation by crews. Tony continued: “With the BBC we set a new standard for live election coverage by providing a new level of transparency not seen previously thanks to our solution. The award highlights how technology can enhance transparency and accessibility during general elections, where uninterrupted broadcasting is paramount.” This is Cellhire’s second major award win in 2024, following recognition as the Best Wireless Connectivity Provider at the 2024 Comms Business Awards, which acknowledged Cellhire’s wide-ranging IoT connectivity solutions for industries including security, broadcast, events, and marine over the past year. Tony added: “Cellhire’s IoT connectivity is now used across a growing range of industries and applications. Customers and partners rely on us to deliver reliable, scalable solutions for demanding applications where there is no margin for error.”
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York-based AgriSound is working with South Africa’s GYO Systems to turn sugar into energy on an industrial scale.
The partnership aims to improve crop-pest monitoring to increase sugar yields, while hydroponics will be used to boost biofuels production. AgriSound will deploy its innovative ‘Polly’ insect listening device to help growers track and reduce damage from pests such as the Eldana Stalk Borer. The project will also explore expanding bio-energy production near urban areas unsuitable for housing or food, using low-cost hydroponic technologies. This will focus on Camperdown, KwaZulu-Natal, near one of the main sugarcane-growing regions in South Africa. Dr Jenna Ross OBE of the UK Agri-Tech Centre said: “The increased availability of sugarcane has the potential to be used to generate bio-energy, a type of renewable energy with the potential to replace fossil fuels. As biomass grows, it absorbs carbon from atmosphere which is then released when incinerated. This makes biomass carbon neutral. Therefore, sugarcane offers massive economic and environmental rewards for South Africa. However, with yields seriously impacted by crop pests and excess land-use for crops under heavy scrutiny due to competing food/housing resources, this project aims to solve two pressing local problems in one move all whilst working closely with local communities to deliver employment and economic development opportunities.” South Africa’s energy challenges are worsened by ongoing “load-shedding,” often leaving more than half the population without power. Bioenergy offers potential for more reliable, sustainable power. The project, led by AgriSound, has received over £200,000 from Innovate UK’s African Innovation Collaborations for Net Zero Places. Casey Woodward, founder and CEO of AgriSound, said: “We are embarking on an ambitious mission to pivot South Africa towards a net-zero carbon economy by optimising bio-energy production. This project is more than an innovation in agriculture; it’s about reshaping the country’s energy landscape and uplifting its people to continue doing so on their own terms. We have begun work this month and our aim for the project is to harness the power of nature-based solutions to revolutionise the South African agricultural landscape. We expect it to contribute to tackling the energy crisis and climate change while providing substantial economic and social improvements, and reduce the country’s carbon footprint, all within the span of 12 months.” AgriSound’s long-term plan also aims to ensure land remains fertile and available for future food and housing needs. Carine Kroukamp, founder of GYO Systems, said: “We are very excited to do this groundbreaking research which has the potential to revolutionise the bio-energy industry in South Africa. This will not only solve a part of the power crisis but will provide countless employment and economic development opportunities.”
(6) A unique exhibition in Tokyo has been showcasing York's significant printing heritage.
The display, titled 'Rhapsody in Wood Type,' is featured at the Printing Museum, a globally recognised institution dedicated to the history and techniques of printing. A portion of the exhibition is dedicated to DeLittle of York, the UK's last surviving wood letter factory, detailing its history and role in printing. Masato Kitani, a specialist officer in the Printing Museum’s academic planning office, expressed his excitement about exhibiting items tied to DeLittle after visiting York last year. He said: "For Japanese people who are only familiar with woodblock printing, such as ukiyo-e from the Edo period, European and American wooden movable type is a very rare sight, and the advertising culture that developed in England during the same period, such as playbills, seems like a mysterious world. We are grateful for the cooperation of the people of York, and we hope to continue our long-term relationship in the future." The R.D. DeLittle Eboracum Letter Factory began operations in 1888 and continued until 1999. To illustrate this intriguing narrative, artefacts and images have been sourced from Explore York Libraries and Archives and Thin Ice Press: the York Centre for Print. These pieces outline the broader history of wood type, first mass-produced in the 1830s. Wood type had a dominance in the worlds of entertainment and advertising for over a century. The exhibition is also a demonstration of the research undertaken at the University of York. Professor Helen Smith detailed the effort it took to relocate various objects associated with DeLittle when the London-based Type Archive shut in 2022. These items, including a unique pantograph machine and a historic office, were part of the University’s StreetLife project on Coney Street from 2022-2023 and are now on show at Thin Ice Press: the York Centre for Print. Professor Smith highlighted that the link between DeLittle and Japan isn’t new, as on several occasions DeLittle purchased valuable Japanese hardwoods to create their distinctive type. Dr Julie-Ann Vickers, head of archives at Explore, said: "This impressive exhibition demonstrates the international reach of our heritage collections here in York. The collaboration with Thin Ice Press and Tokyo’s Printing Museum presented an opportunity to gather archives and objects together to bring York’s incredible printing history to new audiences in Japan. We too hope this is just the start of a great partnership." Professor Naoko Takeda, a researcher at Waseda University in Tokyo, is delighted that Japanese audiences will learn about York’s history of printing. She added: "I first realised how important York’s printing industry was when I saw the StreetLife exhibition in 2022. It’s a dream come true that just three years later, so many people in Japan know about a remarkable York manufacturer, DeLittle."
(7) Ellers Farm Distillery has announced a new flavour for its Y-Gin brand, developed exclusively for easyJet.
The airline began stocking the Orange flavour gin, from the Stamford Bridge-based distillery, on its A321neo flights departing from the UK on March 20. This is the company’s first move into the airline market, featuring essential oils, fresh orange and citrus, aiming to deliver a top tipple at 30,000ft. This new listing has been made possible thanks to Travel Retail start-up Sustainaholics, which realised that spirits miniatures always come in either heavy breakable glass or PET bottles made from plastic that most airlines have committed to removing. Last June, Sustainaholics created and launched the award-winning Alumini®, a light ultracompact 100% post-consumer recycled aluminium 5cl bottle that’s endlessly and easily recyclable and the travel-friendly, low-carbon choice. Steve Hickey, Sales Director at Ellers Farm Distillery, said: "It’s been fantastic to partner with Sustainaholics on this project and to see our first airline listing go live with easyJet. Our new Y-Gin has a fabulous flavour that will delight customers and it’s also great to be noticed for our genuine commitment to sustainability and innovation in the drinks industry. We can’t wait to see Y-Gin Orange take off.” Simon Cox, Director of Inflight Retail at easyJet, said: "Here at easyJet we are always looking to enhance our customer experience, whether it’s our delicious on-the-go food and snacks, duty free shopping in the air, as well as on-board beverages. We are delighted to be offering our customers even more choice and variety as we welcome the limited-edition Y-Gin from the boutique Yorkshire-based distillery, Ellers Farm.” David Mills, founder of Sustainaholics, said: “We’re incredibly proud to launch the award-winning Alumini® in this industry-first collaboration with easyJet and Ellers Farm Distillery. We have the best possible launch airline in our mission to promote more travel-friendly, eco-friendly solutions and showcase the innovation being delivered by the UK spirits industry today by independent challenger brands committed to producing great-tasting drinks that minimise our impact on the plane.”
(8) £6 Million Project Underway as York Engineering Firm Expands HQ, a 200-year-old York business.
As The Press reported at the time, JH Shouksmith was given the green-light last year to expand its Osbaldwick headquarters after a vote by councillors. The building services engineering firm sought permission to replace existing office, warehouse and storage buildings that are prefabricated and more than 50 years old. Now work has got underway on site and, once complete, the three-story office building will be accessed via Murton Lane, while a pair of two-storey light industrial buildings will have a separate access from Outgang Lane to the north. At a groundbreaking ceremony, Artium Construction’s Managing Director, Martin Watson, said: "Artium Construction have been privileged enough to engage early and support Shouksmith Properties team with driving the design and procurement forward in anticipation of this significant milestone. We look forward to delivering this development and creating local employment and supply chain opportunities along the way." David Shouksmith is the seventh generation of the family to run the business, which was founded in the city in 1820. He told councillors last year: "The current office has served the business well for over 50 years, however it is starting to become extremely dated and is coming to the end of its lifespan. The office and the industrial unit behind it are not environmentally friendly and has a very poor energy efficiency rating. In this current climate, we cannot afford to continue to operate buildings such as this. The time has come and we are in a position to be able to redevelop the front of Osbaldwick industrial estate, to replace our offices and allow the business to progress." The company has over 70 staff based in York and Leeds. It had an annual turnover of around £12 million in 2021 and this is forecast to increase to £17 million in the next few years, meaning the company needs more staff. A spokesman for Shouksmith said today: "We are delighted to be working with Artium Construction Limited (based in Leeds), who have taken the concept to the next level with our incumbent team in readiness for this long-awaited milestone. We look forward to the next part of the journey and are very excited about our new HQ and estate expansion at Murton Way." There will be 40 car parking spaces and 22 bicycle parking spaces provided at the new office, with 26 car parking spaces and 20 cycle spaces provided for the industrial units. York has a recognised shortage of industrial units and some of the new office space will be rented out to start-ups or companies wanting to expand. The £6 million development is due for completion next summer.
(9) Two iconic York brands are coming together to make two special beers to mark a major anniversary.
Brew York is working with legendary York-based band Shed Seven to produce beers celebrating the band's 30th-anniversary tour this winter and special homecoming shows at York Museum Gardens later this week. To mark the two York gigs, the brewery has created an exclusive beer named ‘Homecoming’. Brew York says this limited-edition brew captures the spirit and energy of Shed Seven's iconic music and their deep connection to the city of York. "Homecoming" is a refreshing hazy pale ale, crafted with the finest ingredients to create a taste that fans of both the band and Brew York will love. Brew York is also working with the band to release another beer to launch in conjunction with the band's nationwide 30th anniversary tour running from November–December, with details to be announced soon. Wayne Smith, Co-Founder & Managing Director at Brew York, said: “We're incredibly excited to partner with Shed Seven for this special occasion. As long-time fans of the band, we wanted to create something that not only celebrates their incredible 30-year journey but also pays homage to their roots in York. 'Homecoming' is a beer that embodies the essence of their music and the vibrant community that has supported them over the years.” Shed Seven, known for their hit songs "Chasing Rainbows" and "Going for Gold," have been a staple of the Britpop scene since the 1990s. The band's bass player, Tom Gladwin, said: “I’m a big fan of Brew York’s beers and their beer hall on Walmgate, so we’re thrilled to be working with them on this special beer. It's a perfect way to celebrate our 30th anniversary and create something fun and collectable for our fans in our hometown. We can't wait for everyone to taste 'Homecoming' and join us for the shows at York Museum Gardens." The homecoming shows at York Museum Gardens are set to take place this Friday and Saturday (July 19 and 20), promising unforgettable performances in a historic and picturesque setting. "Homecoming" will be available for purchase in limited quantities at Brew York's taprooms and selected retailers starting Friday. The new beer follows a release last month of Kammy’s Un-Beer-Lievable, created with former professional footballer and TV commentator Chris Kamara. The lager was launched to celebrate the Euros 2024 tournament and support Prostate Cancer UK, with a donation from every sale going to the charity. For more information about the collaboration, upcoming events, and where to purchase "Homecoming," visit Brew York's website.
(10) A North Yorkshire vineyard, situated between York and Harrogate, has officially been named the producer of the Best Single Varietal White Wine in the country.
The accolade comes after their Dunesforde Pinot Gris 2022 was presented with the WineGB Awards trophy at a ceremony in London on Friday, July 19. The Tom Day Trophy was awarded to the Townsend family of Dunesforde Vineyard by expert judge Susie Barrie MW, marking the first time a wine from Yorkshire has received such an honour. In addition, Dunesforde Pinot Gris won the trophy for Best Wine for the Midlands and the North. The WineGB Awards celebrate the crème de la crème of British wine, now regarded as one of the world’s most exciting wine regions. Expert judges, including Oz Clarke OBE, Susie Barrie MW and Peter Richards MW, evaluate all entries blind in a rigorous process. Ian Townsend, owner of Dunesforde Vineyard, said: “We couldn’t be prouder that our wine has been awarded these prestigious trophies by the esteemed WineGB Awards judging panel. Who knew that a wine from a small vineyard in North Yorkshire could be named as the top wine in the country in its category? When we planted the first vines in our village, Upper Dunsforth, in 2016, we could only dream that we could make wines anywhere near as good as this. We are over the moon that we are now standing side by side with some of the greatest producers in Great Britain.” The trophy-winning wine, Dunesforde Still Pinot Gris, comes from the exceptional 2022 vintage, which allowed the Upper Dunsforth vineyard to produce this wine for the first time. Situated just south of Boroughbridge, the vineyard describes the Pinot Gris as a rich but easy-drinking wine with smooth orchard and citrus fruit flavours. Judges noted: “Aromas of lime peel and fresh pear. On the palate there is pear, white pepper and lime oil. Nice balanced acidity, good texture and a long finish.” The four-acre vineyard, established in 2016, has grown to 6,000 vines of Bacchus, Solaris, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir Precoce, producing three still whites, a still red, three sparkling whites, and two sparkling rosés. Annually, some 10,000–12,000 bottles are produced and bottled in Staffordshire. The vineyard also hosts social and educational events and staged its first-ever food and wine festival in April, which proved exceedingly popular. Dunesforde Still Pinot Gris is available online or from Dunesforde’s Cellar Door, priced at £22.
(11) Severfield, the Thirsk-based structural steel company that fabricated the vast framework for the SeAH site at Teesworks, has welcomed a record number of new apprentices as the business continues to grow.
The company, which also built iconic structures such as The Shard and Everton FC’s new stadium, works across sectors including commercial offices, nuclear, and defence. Having just welcomed a record 40 new apprentices, Severfield has also opened a new Apprentice Training School at its largest manufacturing facility in Dalton near Thirsk. As part of Severfield’s commitment to developing talent for the future, an induction week took place for all new apprentices, including team-building exercises, behavioural safety sessions, and workshops on mentor relationships, emphasising the importance of support networks in career development. The apprentices also visited one of Severfield’s active construction sites and heard from senior colleagues within the specialist project management teams who themselves started their careers as apprentices. The newly opened Apprentice Training School at Dalton provides a dedicated production area that acts as a ‘mini factory’ where apprentices can practice manufacturing operations such as welding and grinding away from the main production lines. Jill Jenkins, Early Careers Manager at Severfield, said: “We are thrilled to welcome this year’s intake of apprentices who will be integral to shaping the future of our industry. At Severfield, we are deeply committed to investing in young talent, and our apprenticeship programme provides a solid foundation of practical skills and real-world experience for young people. The new training school at Dalton is a great example of how we will support and nurture the next generation of skilled individuals, who will help drive innovation and success across our company and the wider industry.” The training school was officially opened by Mark Bates from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, who said: “It is fantastic to see Severfield investing in this type of facility for its future colleagues. It will act as a unique starting point for young people to learn in, as well as prepare them for the larger live factory environment. Investment such as this in training and skilling the region’s manufacturing workforce of tomorrow is very much welcomed by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.” Including their new 2024 intake, Severfield now has 107 colleagues undertaking apprenticeships across the UK in engineering, manufacturing, and design roles, with 33 based at Dalton, 29 at Severfield’s Enniskillen facility in Northern Ireland, 22 at Lostock in Lancashire, 14 at Sherburn near Malton, and 9 at Severfield’s Carnaby facility near Bridlington.
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A York-based nursery has supplied more than £215,000 of plants for a £28.3 million rejuvenation of a park in a Scottish city.
Johnsons Nurseries of Whixley provided the plants for Aberdeen’s historic Union Terrace Gardens as part of a partnership with fellow landscape provider Ashlea Ltd, who had won the soft landscaping contract. The plants included a custom hand-grown city crest made from gold and green Ilex crenata, along with 130 different varieties of plants. Originally opened in 1879 by architect James Matthews, the rejuvenated gardens now feature new wheelchair-friendly routes, a children’s play area, and three new pavilions for cafés, restaurants, and cultural spaces. The Gardens also include extensive seating, new lighting elements, refurbished historic arches and Victorian toilets, and specially commissioned artworks. A new water feature has been installed, and the statues of William Wallace, Rabbie Burns, and Edward VII have been cleaned, alongside the ‘grand staircase’ leading down to the lower Gardens. Over 20,000 plants were supplied to increase biodiversity within the Victorian park, including 1,252 Primula vulgaris, 1,853 Ophiopogon plan ‘Nigrescens’, 1,400 Brunnera, 1,270 Ajuga reptans ‘Atropurpurea’, 1,008 Anemone Honorine Jobert 2L, and thousands of Ilex crenata gold and green plants that formed the city crest. Johnsons Nurseries’ marketing manager, Eleanor Richardson, said: “We were thrilled when the opportunity arose to work on such an iconic garden project, and it was great to work with the fantastic team at Ashlea once again. The project has breathed new life into the gardens, and we hope that our plants can be enjoyed for generations to come.” Stuart Simpson, Director at Ashlea Ltd, said: “We were delighted to work with the Johnsons team once again on this project, transforming Union Terrace Gardens into a fresh, revitalised space. Johnsons’ top-quality plants, trees, and shrubs really enhanced the gardens and made this a truly tranquil location.” Johnsons Nurseries and Ashlea Ltd have collaborated on numerous projects before, including The NCL2 Fulfilment Centre, Stockton; Sighthill, Glasgow; Pennine 5 Campus, Sheffield; and various Center Parcs locations across the UK. The Aberdeen collaboration has helped the Scottish scheme win awards including a Gold Award in the 2024 Scottish Design Awards for Public Building and another Gold Award for Lighting. The gardens also secured the prestigious Project of the Year and Public Realm Project accolades at the ASA Design Awards 2024, following its 2023 CECA Scotland Place Making Award.
(13) A well-known local manufacturer has won a major honour in a prestigious award.
The York Handmade Brick Company, based at Alne near Easingwold in North Yorkshire, triumphed in the craftsmanship category of the 2024 Brick Awards for its work on 5, St Frederick’s Place in the heart of the City of London. The Brick Awards were presented at a glittering ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London’s West End. Run by the Brick Development Association, the awards are regarded as the brick industry’s Oscars and recognize exceptional brick architecture and craftsmanship, celebrating projects that demonstrate innovative use of clay brick, outstanding design, and a commitment to sustainability. The ceremony was hosted by TV personality and architect George Clarke, known for his work on Channel 4 programmes including The Home Show, The Restoration Man, George Clarke's Old House New Home, and George Clarke's Amazing Spaces. This year’s awards attracted entries from housebuilders, developers, architects, and contractors across 18 highly contested categories. The project at 5, Frederick’s Place, located near Bank Underground Station, involved demolishing two buildings and erecting a seven-storey structure consisting of retail and commercial spaces, along with a purpose-built archive for the Mercers’ Company. Brick Awards judges praised York Handmade’s work, saying: “What a nice example of brickwork, well-planned and extremely well-executed. This was a real conversion of what was a site ripe for development and gave the building a new and relevant rebirth. The project boasts some interesting and exciting masonry features. It’s not very often one sees tapestry bond and here it’s well done. It’s very soft on the eye, a great use of brick. The combination of different types of bricks in the building’s construction adds character and appeal, drawing the attention of the public. This blend of bricks creates an alluring façade that speaks to both tradition and modernity. It’s an effective way to add personality to an architectural design, captivating the public.” Chairman David Armitage said: “We are tremendously proud to have won the coveted craftsmanship award this year. The judges’ comments are wonderful and a ringing endorsement of everything we are trying to achieve here at York Handmade. Huge thanks are due to the management team and employees at York Handmade for their imagination, enterprise, and hard work, which all combined to make this project so successful and memorable. We believe we can tackle any brickwork project successfully.” York Handmade has previously been highly commended for its work in the Medium Housing category for the Lancer Square development in Kensington, London, and for the Renshaw Hall student housing development in Liverpool in the Specialist Brickwork Contractor category last year. These commendations follow the company’s success in the RIBA Stirling Prize 2022, which was awarded to its Magdalene College Library project in Cambridge.
(14) Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery releases a new Filey Bay whisky
A North Yorkshire distillery has begun bottling the latest iteration of its popular STR-finished whisky, Filey Bay STR Finish Batch #4, 46% vol, which builds on the success of Batch #3, a previous release that won Platinum in the Las Vegas Global Spirit Awards, gold in the New York World Wine and Spirits Competition, and gold in the UK Spirits Master Awards. Whisky Director Joe Clark explained that the key difference in Batch #4 is the increased time in cask, both ex-bourbon and STR, resulting in more red fruit and greater depth, reflecting both the use of older stocks and the quality of the unique casks. Tasting notes include hints of summer berries, vanilla ice cream, orange chocolate, and toasted oak, with citrus and caramel notes from the ex-bourbon casks intertwining with the red fruits of the STR ex-red wine casks, producing a complex yet approachable whisky with a sweet, oaky spiciness reminiscent of a fine Spanish red wine. STR, which stands for Shaving, Toasting, and Re-charring of red wine casks, is an advanced cask type pioneered by the late Dr. Jim Swan, with the casks used for Filey Bay STR Finish previously holding Rioja red wine before being reconditioned in Jerez. The distillery, Spirit of Yorkshire, says this process balances maturation to retain fruit-driven flavors while highlighting sweetness and spice from the oak without overwhelming the spirit. Limited to 3,000 bottles for the UK market, Filey Bay STR Finish Batch #4 is priced at £65 and is available online, at the distillery shop, and from specialist retailers nationwide. Spirit of Yorkshire, the first single malt whisky distillery in Yorkshire and one of only a few distilleries worldwide to grow 100% of its own barley, is celebrating its success at prestigious world whisky competitions, with seven of its Filey Bay single malts—including Flagship, STR Finish #3, Moscatel Finish #3, Port Finish #1, Sherry Cask Reserve #3, Double Oak #2, and Peated Finish Batch #3—winning gold medals at the 2023 World Whisky Masters Competition, the latter praised for its hints of candied ginger and gentle smoky notes. Joe Clark noted the distillery’s pride in entering seven whiskies in the Europe (excluding Ireland and Scotland) Single Malt category, winning seven out of 19 gold medals and becoming one of only four English whisky distilleries to achieve gold.
(15) A couple from York who both struggled with dyslexia at school are making waves after inventing an ingenious water saving device.
Belle and Jason Richardson have a small holding in Pocklington and have come up with SealStop, which acts like a portable ballcock allowing you to set your tap running and walk away without the risk of overfilling your container. Recently Belle took the invention to Climb25, a two-day festival in Leeds for start-ups and businesses of all sizes, investors, and policymakers from across the UK and overseas. On the spot she took part in a Busk Your Business segment and won. "I hadn't got a pitch, I just completely blagged it, and somehow I won," said Belle, who worked as a radiographer for the NHS at York and Malton Hospitals before now devoting her time to SealStop. The invention has been five years in the making and was thought up through necessity. "Jason is a farrier and we live on a small holding with a lot of animals," said Belle, 34. "I was forever over-filling the drinking troughs. Jason's brain is always on and he came up with SealStop. It has a diaphragm and cuts off the water to prevent any wastage. It's now got a trademark and a patent and we have had two large companies wanting to buy it, but we have said no. Our ethos is very much people first and profit second - it's about helping people not to waste water. We're in the middle of a hosepipe ban after one of the driest Springs on record. We all need to be aware that we're running out of fresh water, and we have to be mindful how we use it. I'm not saying don't water your garden, but it's about how you do it. SealStop can also be used in the equestrian world, in farming, for caravaners, gardeners and builders as well as people who have hot tubs." Both Belle and Jason, 41, went to school in York—Belle at The Mount and Jason at Oaklands—and both suffered from dyslexia. Jason first featured in The Press when he was 16 and was working as an apprentice blacksmith after leaving Oaklands, having passed his GCSEs by dictating his answers to an independent note-taker who took them down word for word. A chance encounter at Climb25 reunited Belle with her former teacher Ian Donaghy, who was hosting the event and taught Belle when he worked at The Mount. Ian said he is so proud of the couple's achievements: "Here you have two people with dyslexia and in this case two wrongs really have made a right and for them to have won this award is just brilliant." In addition, the couple, whose sons Oscar, eight, and six-year-old Seb help pack the products, have already won Theo Paphitis Small Business Sunday award; the UK Business Awards Start-up Innovation Customer Satisfaction Award; and One to Watch University of York Enterprise Award, sponsored by Uber. Meanwhile, very recently, 34-year-old Belle took the invention to Climb25, a two-day festival at the Royal Armouries in Leeds for start-ups and businesses of all sizes, investors, and policymakers from across the UK and overseas. On the spot she took part in a Busk Your Business segment and won. While she was “blagging it” at Climb25, Belle met legendary branding expert Steve Edge, designer of the iconic Star Wars Millennium Falcon and who has also worked on Raiders of the Lost Ark, among other major films. Steve was so impressed with SealStop that he offered Belle a one-to-one branding session. She said: “Our invention was born of necessity and, like most of the best inventions, it’s very simple. My husband Jason is a farrier and we live on a small holding with a lot of animals. I was forever over-filling the drinking troughs. Jason’s brain is always on and he came up with SealStop. The diaphragm cuts off the water when it reaches the top of a container to prevent any wastage. SealStop can also be used in the equestrian world, in farming, for caravanners, everyday gardeners, golf clubs and builders, as well as by people who have hot tubs. As we gain momentum with our sales, we are also approaching retailers and garden centres.” “This is very much a family affair. Our sons Oscar, eight, and six-year-old Seb help pack the products in our workshop at our farm. It’s an exciting venture for them, and for us, too. So far we are delighted with our progress – out of thousands of SealStops sold, only two have been returned.” Belle added, smiling: “This is only the start of SealStop.”
(16) Yorkshire has long been a region of innovation firsts, from the invention of the UK’s first bottle bank to the steam locomotive, and today, it continues to lead the way in bioscience. To mark Yorkshire Day today, York Biotech Campus (YBC) is spotlighting three pioneering scientific breakthroughs developed right here in the heart of the region.
Fera Science Ltd. – a first of its kind Insect Research Laboratory
- In 2022 Fera, a leading provider of expert laboratory and field-based services in the agriculture, food, and environment sectors, invested £1m into creating a state-of-the-art insect research laboratory at YBC. The expansion involved converting a former 2,000 sq. ft storage unit on site into a purpose-built insect research unit. The result was a first of its kind in Europe. It allowed Fera to upscale its current insect services and help meet the needs of clients from across the food and agriculture industries by demonstrating insect bioconversion - the process of rearing insects on organic waste material to create high-quality products, such as protein or fertiliser - at scale and replicating the nature of insect farming in a factory.
Abingdon Health - the world’s first ever saliva-based pregnancy test
- Abingdon Health is a leading international developer, manufacturer and distributor of high quality and effective rapid tests. They teamed up with Salignostics to launch SalistickTM - the world’s first saliva-based pregnancy test. SalistickTM is based on Salignostics’ groundbreaking technology, which detects the pregnancy hormone β-hCG in saliva. Working alongside Abingdon, they’ve been able to launch the exciting product to market giving the ability to test for pregnancy anywhere, at any time.
Labskin – the first commercially available human skin equivalent mimicking different ethnicities
Labskin is a specialist in human skin microbiology and produces a lab-grown human skin equivalent which mimics the real thing. Until very recently this was restricted to one type of skin model. They’ve recently launched a world-first, new model made with melanocytes, the cells which produce the pigment melanin and give our skin its colour. The new Labskin-M has been validated with melanocytes from donors of different ethnic backgrounds, enabling Labskin to create 3D models which mimic different ethnicities. These models can now be used to study the effects of products on various ethnicities and skin types.
Liz Cashon, Estates Manager at York Biotech Campus, said: “Yorkshire Day is the perfect moment to celebrate the spirit of innovation that runs through our region’s DNA. At YBC, we’re proud to be home to firsts in bioscience, from sustainable insect research to inclusive skin models and pioneering diagnostics. These achievements reflect the bold thinking and collaboration that define Yorkshire’s contribution to global science.”
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A North Yorkshire business making crutches and walking sticks is putting its best foot forward as one of Britain’s best small businesses.
Cool Crutches & Walking Sticks is a finalist in the Digital Star Award at this year’s Small Awards, run by Small Business Britain. Cool Crutches and Sticks was co-founded in Cheltenham in 2006 by Amelia Peckham and her mum Clare Braddel after Amelia suffered a life-changing quad biking accident aged 19, the previous year. Amelia developed a spinal cord injury that left her partially paralysed from the waist down and she feared she would never walk again. Using NHS crutches proved painful, leading her to create crutches that were lightweight, colourful and stylish. The family relocated to the Harrogate area in 2017 and Cool Crutches and Sticks has grown into a successful online business that sells crutches and walking sticks in a range of designs and colours. Its products have been used by celebrities including Amanda Holden, Eamon Holmes, Olly Murs, Jonny Bairstow, Frank Dettori and Dame Prue Leith. Last year, the company, based in Fountains Road, Harrogate, was one of 12 finalists in National Women’s Enterprise Week, a UK-wide celebration of female-led businesses. It was also one of 100 firms highlighted by Small Business Saturday for Amelia’s entrepreneurial spirit in creating the company to solve a personal need and developing it into a flourishing enterprise that prioritises both functionality and style for mobility aids. Since Amelia ran the business full-time since 2021, it has enjoyed ‘whirlwind’ growth and with six staff and further expansion planned as it moves into supplying private hospitals, clinics and shops. As with Lyndsey Watterson of York, whose customers for her Neo Walk sticks and canes include Hollywood celebrities, as the Press recently reported, Amanda sees her devices as transforming walking aids as glasses have done so in recent decades. Now, it has been selected as one of just eight finalists for the Digital Star Award for best digital only business, which highlights small businesses that only sell online, showing innovation in web design and functionality and growth of sales. Michelle Ovens, Founder of Small Business Britain, said: “The Small Awards is all about celebrating the inspiring small business owners who are at the heart of the economy and their communities. “They are an opportunity to recognise and applaud the passion and resilience of the nation’s small firms, particularly amidst such turbulent times. Cool Crutches & Walking Sticks is extremely deserving of being shortlisted for this award and we can’t wait to celebrate with them in May.” Amelia Peckham said: “Our mission is to establish Cool Crutches as the UK's most innovative and empowering walking aid brand, and we are thrilled to be a finalist in this category!” The winners will be announced in London at an awards ceremony on May 16.
(18) The University of York has announced plans to open a campus in India.
Professor Charlie Jeffery, the university’s vice-chancellor, met with the Indian prime minster and said the country has an “ambitious drive for global influence, skills development and economic growth”. The campus is due to open in Mumbai – the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra – for the 2026/27 academic year. It will initially offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses in computer science with AI and cyber security, business, economics and creative industries. The University of York said the campus will have its own dedicated staff, underpinned by the university’s “curriculum and quality assurance framework”. Representatives from the university have signed a memorandum of understanding with the state and its chief minister. The university said its next step will be to receive a licence from the University Grants Commission in India to develop the campus. A university spokesperson said the campus will have a “strong emphasis on research”, contributing to "India’s growing demand and drive for research development and innovation in areas such as food security, environmental change and future technologies”. They said the university has “strong and enduring ties with India” through its alumni network, academic collaborations and joint research initiatives, adding: “The Mumbai campus intends to be a natural extension of this relationship.” 'A really exciting venture' Prof Jeffery said: “The quality of what we do here in York, and our purposes as a university for public good, will be critical to the future success of this venture in India. We’re taking our values-driven approach to education and research, working with a country that has an ambitious drive for global influence, skills development and economic growth. This is a really exciting venture and we are committed to building and strengthening our connections in India and contributing to the education of its future leaders and entrepreneurs.” Devendra Fadnavis, chief minister of Maharashtra, said it was a “privilege” to be working with the University of York. “The opportunity to connect our students with the academic excellence of a Russell Group institution is particularly valuable and will offer significant academic and research benefits to students and scholars alike, while further enriching the educational landscape,” he said. “Built on a strong foundation of shared innovation and aligned priorities, we remain dedicated to advancing a relationship that reinforces national development objectives and enriches the global exchange of knowledge." Alison Barrett, country director of the British Council in India, said the venture will “catalyse research partnerships between innovators from India and the UK”. “This new venture will be testament to the shared commitment between India and UK towards the internationalisation of education,” she said.
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A family-run vineyard just outside York has won gold for its sparkling wine. Yorkshire Heart Vineyard at Nun Monkton won the gold at the Glass of Bubbly Awards 2024 last week in London.
Glass of Bubbly is a premium online resource for news and information on champagne and sparkling wines. With hundreds of entries from wineries and vineyards across the globe, each wine went through a rigorous judging process with judges including wine experts and sommeliers. Yorkshire Heart’s sparkling white wine was awarded a gold medal in the Pastries Delight category which judged sparkling wines that showed ‘a yeasty, brioche, nutty character.’ The award follows a suite of wins and nominations for the Vineyard, having been awarded Product of the Year at the Yorkshire Post Rural Awards and nominated as finalists in the Yorkshire Post Excellence Awards, York Press Awards and Visit York Tourism Awards. Yorkshire Heart Vineyard director Tim Spakouskas said: “We are thrilled to have received a gold award for our sparkling white wine at the Glass of Bubbly Awards. Having competed against wines from around the world, it is great to have the opportunity to showcase English and Yorkshire-made wines, especially for our sparkling wine which is much-loved by our visitors and customers.”
(20) One of York's most influential philanthropists is to be inducted into the charity hall of fame.
Joseph Rowntree, the former owner of Rowntree's and a well-known philanthropist is set to be introduced into the Charity Hall of Fame's 'Hall of Legends' class of 2025. The recognition for Rowntree comes 100 years on from his death, as York remembers the impact he had on the city. "His pioneering work on reducing poverty and inequality for his workers in York helped shape what would later become the modern welfare state," a spokesperson for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) said. "He joins the Hall of Legends, the home for visionary reformers and campaigners who have made an enduring impact, shaping policy, changing attitudes, and establishing services and standards that still impact us today." The Charity Hall of Fame launched last year as the first of its kind, dedicated to those working in the charity sector for their contribution to society. Nominated by the public, an independent panel selected a mix of historic and contemporary figures to induct across the fields of philanthropy, justice and equality, social pioneers and community impact. The JRF spokesperson added: "The family’s legacy continues through the Joseph Rowntree foundation, the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust, who continue to operate today." He joins civil rights activist Claudia Jones, social housing reformer Octavia Hill and founder of the Foundling Hospital - the first publicly funded institution for orphaned children - Thomas Coram, to name a few. The Charity Hall of Fame said Rowntree was a "Quaker philanthropist whose ground-breaking work to alleviate poverty and inequality, helped shape the modern welfare state". It added: "His family’s legacy continues through the Joseph Rowntree foundation, the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust, which still fund social justice work today." Jamie Ward-Smith, founder of Charity Hall of Fame, said: "Now more than ever we need pioneers like the 22 that I’m proud the Charity Hall of Fame is honouring this year. "It’s a chance to celebrate extraordinary individuals past and present whose passion, commitment, and innovative spirit transformed society. They represent the profound impact of community founders and campaigners and I really hope elevating them will inspire future generations to follow in their footsteps."
