Achievements of adult learners in Hambleton and Richmondshire celebrated

The achievements of adult learners in Hambleton and Richmondshire have been celebrated at an awards ceremony.

The awards are a chance for teachers and staff to highlight the efforts of students and volunteers and for learners to recognise the impact of their teachers.

They also raise awareness of the wide range of courses to help adults in North Yorkshire gain new skills and qualifications.

They are organised by North Yorkshire’s Community Learning Partnership, which brings together North Yorkshire County Council’s Adult Learning and Skills Service, the Workers’ Educational Association, the Library Service, Rural Arts and A1 Community Works and other organisations.

At the awards celebration at Northallerton Library on Tuesday, October 23, more than 70 visitors were able to view learners’ artwork and projects.

Guest speakers included Angela Hall from Thirsk Rural Arts and Jackie Nithakorn from the Globe Community Library in Stokesley.

Martyn Cresswell and his ukulele group provided musical entertainment.

At the North Yorkshire County Council awards event are (from left) Tracy Watts of Hambleton CAB, Martin Hodgson, Graham Adlington, Chris Parkinson, Katie Croft of the WEA and Angela Hall from Rural Arts

North Yorkshire County Councillor Patrick Mulligan, executive member for Adult Learning and Skills, said: “The Adult Learner Awards ceremony was a great success, recognising the work and celebrating the achievements of all our learners.

“The variety of courses and qualifications on offer has benefited a lot of people within Hambleton and Richmondshire communities. The Community Learning Partnership is looking forward to organising similar award events across the county to continue to showcase the accomplishments of all our learners.”

The awards and winners were:

• Biggest achievers: Eloise Mitchell, Helen Watson, Olivia McKinley, Tracy Gama, Priyachandra Rai and Nathan Middlemass-Dry.
• Creative learner: The Scorton Crafty Ladies
• Digital learner: Michael Hobson
• Informal learning group: Hambleton Action Towards Inclusion WEA group, Northallerton Gardening Group and Volunteers at the Globe Community Library.
• Most improved learner/s: Annie Henry and Linda Bond.
• Significant contribution to adult learning: Keeley Metcalfe, Clare Atkinson, John Fowles and Paul Julian.
• Work-related learning: Jackie Nithakorn and Andrew Burnett.
• Overall individual winner: Michael Hobson
• Overall group winner: Hambleton Action Towards Inclusion WEA group.