Show off your photography skills!

There is just under a month left to enter a ground-breaking photography competition to get people thinking about ageing in a more positive way.

Age Concern, York Cares, York CVS, York Older People's Assembly, York Racial Equality Network, and other key charity and voluntary groups are supporting the competition, along with the University of York, York Press and the council, to help change attitudes towards ageing and promote a positive attitude towards older people.

The competition - 'Full of Life' - is asking residents of any age to send in photos of people aged 50 and over doing something they love in York - whether working, playing, volunteering, or socialising with friends and family. The aim of the competition is to generate a bank of photographs that can be used to show older people in a more positive light as well as highlighting the wide range of opportunities there are in the city for older people.
Along with the rest of the UK, York's population is ageing. By 2029, the number of people aged 55 and over in York will have increased by 33 per cent, and people over 85 by an incredible 83 per cent. 

The best images will be used in publications and publicity material produced by the council and its competition partners to present a new and inspiring view of ageing and the huge contribution that older people make to the life of the city.
Submissions will be judged within five categories:

• Taken by photographers of Primary School age
• Taken by photographers of Secondary School/Further education age
• Taken by photographers aged19 years +
• Taken by photographers aged 50 years +
• Taken by professional photographers

Winners will be invited to a special reception and exhibition in June. Submissions must be in by 23 May 2011. More information about the competition, prizes, and how to enter are at: https://sites.google.com/site/fulloflifeyork/

Time travel with the Tardis

Sun 15 May 11am to 4pm

Let our Tardis bring you to a time and place where Dr Who fans rule. Come dressed as your favourite character or invent an alien he's yet to meet. Or maybe it’s time to get that Stetson.

There are free activities all day for all ages 0 – 100+.  Sample the special alien menu and time traveller meal deals in the cafe. Make your own bow tie and alien masks. Learn all about the real life UFO sightings in Yorkshire.

Join Dr Who scriptwriter Daniel Blythe for ‘The What, Why & Where of Doctor Who’.  Here you’ll spend an entertaining and enlightening hour discovering what’s true and what’s not about the Time Lord and all his adventures. Starts at 11.15pm, 1pm and 2.15 pm for an hour. £3 per family. Book early to avoid disappointment, ring 01904 552828.

Ahead of the Day make sure you see our website, or ask in your local Library or Explore Centre, for details of our invitation to write your own 300 word Dr Who story set in York www.york.gov.uk/leisure/Libraries/children/drwhomay11/  We give you the opening lines. You can do it just for fun or send it in and join the competition. It’s open to all ages including adults, in three age sections 0 - 11, 12 - 17 and 18+. The three winning stories will be picked by Daniel Blythe, and announced and read out by him on Dr Who Day.  We’ll also put them on our website so you will be famous!

Get your footy boots on

A new 6 a side football league kicks off for 10 weeks, followed by a 5 week cup competition.  City of York Council’s sport and active leisure team are organising a new league, taking place on the outdoor astroturf at Energise on Thursday nights from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

The league will last for a total of ten weeks, followed by a 5 week cup competition, with a maximum of 12 teams taking part.  Each team can have a maximum of 8 people on the night (although there’s no limit to the number of people in the squad). Each match will be 40 minutes and all 12 teams will play every week.

The league will be affiliated to the FA with qualified referees provided.  The cost is £25 per team per week.  £50 deposit per team is required up front but will be refunded when all the games are played

Teams will be accepted on a first come basis.  Anyone interested in registering or finding out more should contact Will Saville, sports participation officer on 07786 701248 or email will.saville@york.gov.uk

Ouse this?

Sat 28 May, 11am to 4pm at Yorkshire Ouse Sailing Club, Main Street, Naburn

Ever wondered what it would be like to sail on the River Ouse?  Then just turn up with a change of clothes and a towel, we will provide all the equipment and tuition totally free - light refreshments included.

Open Your Ears – Open Days!

Open to any young people of school age, yorkartsacademy offers opportunities to join bands, orchestras, choir, rock band, steel bands, African drumming, song writing, rock bands, jazz band, big band, brass & woodwind group and percussion group …..and loads more! For a complete list visit our website www.york.gov.uk/education/arts/

We also have musical sessions for children aged 3-5, and 6-8, and African drumming and steel bands for adults.

On Sat 7 May, at Canon Lee School, take the chance to join a ukulele workshop – open to any age, children and adults, no experience necessary. The two sessions are 9.45am to 10.45am and 11am to 12noon.  If you don’t have your own ukulele we can loan you one. Please contact us to book your place(s) in advance.

Playing their instrument or singing in a group at yorkartsacademy can really improve children’s confidence and social skills, as well as their musical abilities. They will be able to meet a whole new circle of friends of different ages and from different schools. We offer regular performances, which can really raise a young person’s self-esteem.

Many groups need some previous instrumental experience, but other groups need no previous experience at all.

For students already learning an instrument with York Arts Education, membership of their first session is free.  Concessions are also available. Groups run weekly during term time.

Come along and see what’s on offer at one of our open sessions, and our staff will be able to offer any advice or guidance to help you and your child make the best decision for them.

For more information, visit www.york.gov.uk/education/arts/music/Performing_arts_centres/

or call our office on 01904 554660 for information on yorkartsacademy

No window cleaning involved!

Sat 7 May at Canon Lee School, Rawcliffe Drive, Clifton Without

Take the chance to join in a ukulele workshop – open to any age, children and adults, no experience necessary.

There will be 2 workshops running during the morning, 9.45am to 10.45am and 11am to 12noon.  If you don’t have your own ukulele we can loan you one. Please contact us at the telephone number below to book your place(s) in advance.

While you’re at Canon Lee, why not have a look around our yorkartsacademy, which offers young people opportunities to join bands, orchestras, choir, big band, brass & woodwind group and percussion group …..and loads more! For a complete list visit our website www.york.gov.uk/education/arts/

We also have musical sessions for children aged 3-5, and 6-8.

For more information, visit www.york.gov.uk/education/arts/music/Performing_arts_centres/

or call our office on 01904 554660 for information on yorkartsacademy

These boots were made for walking

6th  annual sponsored walk to raise money for Crohn's and Colitis UK - Sun 22 May

This event has become a regular in the York Events Calendar.  As well as the walk, which commences from the Hospitium in the Museum Gardens at 12 noon, there will be live music, face-painting and dancing…..something for all the family.

To register, phone 0845 4348510.

Take a Chance with Freya North

Tue 24 May at Explore York Library Learning Centre 7pm to 8.15pm

Freya North makes a welcome return to York to talk about Chances, her stunning new summer bestseller.

Vita's gift shop would do better if she ran it as a business, not as somewhere to daydream. But she's not one to tell herself off – she leaves that to Tim, her ex, who still co-owns the shop. He cheated on Vita and broke her heart. Could she ever give him another chance? Oliver, an experienced and successful tree surgeon, runs his home as calmly as his business. However, his heart is still with the mother of his child, even though it's been three years now. He won't take a chance on love again. Then a pear tree brings Oliver to Vita – and as spring turns into summer they are given choices and chances. Will they grab them – or walk away?

We’ll be celebrating the first anniversary of our reopening as Explore York Library Learning Centre with a glass of wine and cake for our visitors this evening.

  

Tickets £5.00 (YorkCard) and £6.50 from Explore York, 01904 552815 exploreyork@york.gov.uk

Swimming lessons are not just for kids!

Adult swimming lessons at Energise, Cornlands Road, Acomb and Yearsley Pool, Hayley's Terrace

Beginner’s classes are suitable for anyone who has never had the opportunity to learn to swim, is frightened of the water or has had a previous bad experience in water. Age is not a limiting factor and all ages are welcome to attend.

Welcome back to the pool is a class for anyone who has been away from swimming for a number of years or has suffered a life changing event, whether an injury, medical condition, disability or emotional trauma and would like to be supported back into swimming.

Learn front crawl aims to teach people the basics of front crawl technique. The class is suitable for people who are able to swim comfortably out of their depth in breaststroke or backstroke and would like to have the opportunity to learn a new stroke.

Develop front crawl aims to help people improve their front crawl stroke technique. The class is suitable for people who can swim a few lengths of front crawl but would like some help with stroke technique to improve breathing patterns, stroke length, speed and stamina.

Fitness Training aims to help you to take your swimming to the next level, and give you innovative ideas and programmes to develop your speed and stamina in the pool. The class is suitable for anyone who regularly swims but would like to push themselves to achieve more fitness benefits from their swimming.

6 week courses, commencing 2 May and 3 June - 45 Minute lesson each week - cost £18

All classes will be taught by ASA level 2 qualified and experienced swimming teachers and class numbers will be kept small to ensure participants receive individual feedback and are helped to achieve their aims.

For further information go to www.york.gov.uk/leisure/swimming/lowcost/  Course places are available to book via Yearsley Pool and Energise.  Please call in at reception at either centre to confirm your place with payment or telephone 01904 552424.

If you have any general enquires please contact:

Catherine Butt, Aquatics Community Sports Coach, Sport and Active Leisure

Tel: 07825 863007 or e-mail: catherine.butt@york.gov.uk

Summer in the City

We’ve got loads of new courses and workshops starting over the next few months to help you make the most of the summer, learn new skills and hobbies and impress any visitors.

New courses for this term include…

-          Bike maintenance courses to help you head off on day trips without worrying about flat tyres,

-          Summer BBQ Party Dishes, to impress guests with a change from the usual BBQ fayre

-          Flower Arranging workshop – bring the outdoors in with this introduction to flower arranging

For more information on these, and all the other courses starting soon, visit www.york.gov.uk/learning4life and download the summer programme, call 01904 552806 or email adult.education@york.gov.uk.

Adult Education courses are available to anyone aged 19+.

Steel yourself for some Caribbean drumming!

Wed 4 May, 18.15 – 19.15pm

The sounds of the Caribbean come to York, with the chance for adults to have a go at playing in a steel band.

The tradition of steel bands mean that you don’t need to be able to read music, just have a good sense of rhythm. Our experienced tutor will show you the techniques of playing steel pans – a great way to relax and have fun, and to make new friends!

There’s also the opportunity to continue on a regular basis if you find that you really enjoy it.

For more information on musical activities for young people and adults, visit  www.york.gov.uk/education/arts/music/Performing_arts_centres/

or call our office on 01904 554660 for information on yorkartsacademy

Happy Birthday to us!

Explore York Library Learning Centre has been open a year on Tuesday 24 May. There will be many activities to join in to help celebrate.  These are planned for the weekend before, on 21 and 22 May, as well as Wednesday 25 May.

For more information please contact Marion Brookes, Explore York Library Learning Centre on 01904 552815 or email exploreyork@york.gov.uk

Explore the Petal Garden of King Shubash

Sat 14 May - 7pm to 8.45pm at Explore York Library Learing Centre

A king marries a girl.  Not out of love, or desire, or companionship.  He marries her because he fears her wisdom. Now Hanna Leah the wise has to solve three impossible tasks, as her very life depends on it!  A tale of deceit, cunning, and the many faces we all wear.  A storytelling evening for adults and 12+

Peter Chand and Shonaleigh are two of Britain’s most exciting and entertaining storytellers. They have enthralled audiences all over the world with fantastic Indian and Jewish stories from their respective cultures, creating a unique blend of joy, pathos, and humour!

They have also led many joint and individual story collecting projects both here and overseas, training people how to collect, perform, and share their own stories.

This is their second collaboration, and they have performed together all over Britain, and in Belgium, Holland, and Norway. 

www.fablers.co.uk/

Tickets £6.50 (YorkCard) and £7.50 from Explore York Library Learning Centre, 01904 552815, exploreyork@york.gov.uk

Pole exercises... but not what you think!

Nordic Walking is an enhancement of ordinary walking – it makes something we can all do…. twice as effective!  Nordic Walking uses poles to in order to add two major benefits to walking

·   The use of poles means the upper body muscles are used as well as the legs

·   The poles help to propel the walker along – this means he/she works harder than usual yet the support given by the poles makes it feel easier!

Nordic walking is suitable for most fitness levels and abilities. Suitable from 18 yrs and upwards.
Courses take place at West Bank Park, Rowntree Park and Hull Road Park at various times and dates throughout May, June and July and cost £20  For further information on times see the PDF on righthand side of this page www.york.gov.uk/leisure/walking/health/
To book a place contact Catriona Sudlow or Fiona Barker on 01904 553440 or e-mail fiona.barker@york.gov.uk/ or catriona.Sudlow@york.gov.uk

MEND it!

Why join the MEND Programme?

Ø       FREE healthy lifestyle programme (valued at £400) which helps 7 to 13 year olds become fitter,   healthier and happier

Ø       Set goals to reach and maintain a healthy weight

Ø       Make new friends

Ø       Feel more confident and boost self esteem

Ø       Take part in fun games and activities to get fit

Ø       Learn how to read food labels and how to cook healthy recipes

Ø       Do it as a family like the 5,000 others that have already benefited

The programme starts 5 May - every Monday and Thursday for 10 weeks

If you would like more information or to join,

call MEND on Freephone 0800 230 0263

or visit www.mendprogramme.org/

Croquet in the Park

Ever thought about playing Croquet?  York Croquet Club at Scarcroft Green are hosting an introcuctory course for players new to croquet.  The course costs £20 but this fee will be deducted off the membership price if you decided to join the club.  The sessions will be held on Tuesday evenings at 6.30pm for six weeks beginning 3 May.  If you are interested in taking part please ring Alison Larard on 01759 368123 or Lance Andrews on 01904 624132

Bowling for Bishops

WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRY BOWLING?

Interested?  Why not come along to our Open Day on Sat 14 May 2pm to 5pm? 

A free session, open to anyone who would like to try bowling for the first time or returning to the game after a period of absence.  All necessary equipment and coaching will be provided.

Bowling can be enjoyed by everyone and provides gentle exercise in convivial company.

Light refreshments (tea/coffee/squash and biscuits) will be available during the afternoon.

Phone Martin or Sue Prime on 01904 702708 for more information or just come along on the day.

Rowntree Park on the map

The son of the founder of Slimming World, Ben Miles, challenged himself to get fit to enable him to ride his bike from Gibraltar to Norway in order to raise money for the NSPCC.  Ben started the ride on 10 April and hopes to arrive in Norway on 29 May. En route Ben will be arriving in Rowntree Park on Saturday 7 May 2pm to 4pm and would like you to join him, his team and members of Slimming World for a PARTY IN THE PARK. Join the Party in the Park 50 km or 25km rides or do the mile and make not just the team and Ben smile, but kids too. With the sponsor forms on the website you can even get sponsored for the mile event now. Ben hopes he has inspired many people to get in a better shape as well as stay with the healthy eating plans that his Mum created and that have benefitted so many people to date.

Read his story and get full details from the website www.bensmiles.com/ 

A wheelie good day out

Cycle & Dr Bike Roadshow  Sat 14 May 9am to 2pm.  An opportunity for all the family to come along, have some fun and try out a range of bikes from learners, childrens, adult, folding, tandems, recumbents, trailers, trailer bikes, child seats, child back tandems and electric bikes, Also you can bring your own bike and have it checked over, all for FREE.

Additionally, there is a Guided Ride to Askham Bryan departing at 11am lasting approximately 1 hour.  Please bring along a roadworthy bike.

See www.cyclingcityyork.org.uk/ for more information or call 01904 553440.