Student Receives First Memorial Bursary Reward

The head of ICL Boulby has paid tribute to the memory of the local mine worker and farmer who played a key role in the developments which saw the mine become the world’s first and only producer of the revolutionary mineral Polysulphate.

Boulby Vice President and General Manager Malcolm Mewett says the launch of the annual Paul Hogarth Bursary to support local students will ensure that the contribution of Mr Hogarth is given the recognition it deserves.

He was speaking at the mine as 18-year-old Grace Fulller from Grosmont was announced as the first winner of the bursary which will provide funding of ￡5,000 a year to enable her to study for a physics degree at the University of Liverpool.

Mr Hogarth, who died suddenly earlier this year, worked for 27 years at ICL Boulby and was also a farmer who had a leading role in trialling Polysulphate at his family’s Overdale Farm near Whitby. He was closely involved in promoting Polysulphate, including featuring in media coverage and videos demonstrating how it brought practical benefits on his own farm.

Mr Mewett says the bursary reflects the high regard in which Mr Hogarth was held among both his colleagues and the local community.

He explained “Paul Hogarth was one of our greatest ambassadors in promoting the potential of Polysulphate, using his own farm to demonstrate how it could improve growth and yield for so many different crops.

“It is the commitment of Paul Hogarth and all our staff which has ensured that we have delivered on the challenge of making the transition from potash to lead the world in exploiting the potential of Polysulphate.

“The bursary is a demonstration of our commitment to the future of Boulby and to give young people in the area the opportunity to fulfil their potential.”

Grace, who has been studying four A Levels at Whitby College, gained a coveted place on the Women in Mathematics course at the University of Cambridge and was also awarded school physicist of the year by the Ogden Trust. As part the bursary she will be offered the opportunity to undertake a placement at Boulby.