Woman only swim

Woman only swimming sessions every Saturday 25 June to end of July at Yearsley Swimming Pool

New session for women swimmers in an all female environment. Simply come along and swim.  Children welcome, (boys up to the age of 5 and girls of any age if accompanied by an adult)

Women Only Beginners Swimming Lessons are also available.

Low cost swimming lessons for women beginners to be taught within the session.  The 6 week course starts 25 June, 5.30pm – 6.15pm each week. Cost: £18.00. Places must be booked in advance.

For more details about the session or to book a swimming lesson place please contact Yearsley Pool on tel: 01904 552424.york.gov.uk/fit

Water lot of fun

Free Water Polo sessions: Sundays until end August 7pm to 8pm

If you are 8 years old or over and can swim 50 metres come and try something new and exciting.  No experience necessary.  Sessions to include training activities, mini polo games and water polo matches.  No need to book, simply come and play. 

Information on how to join the club will be provided, and club membership will be available from September 2012.

For more details e-mail: contact@yorkwaterpolo.org or telephone 07802 314455.

Take the plunge

6 week low cost adult swimming lessons commencing 13^th June, 8^th August, 19^th September, 31^st October and 12^th December 2011

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.

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.

Course places are available to book via Yearsley Pool and Energise from Monday 11^th April 2011. Please call in at reception at either centre to confirm your place with payment (£18) or telephone 01904 552424. or visis: http://www.york.gov.uk/leisure/swimming/lowcost/

If you have any general enquires please contact: 

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

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

Fit in the Just 30 Fair

Sun 24 July 10am to 4pm at Rowntree Park

This popular and free family event is bigger and better than ever before! 

Whether you want to try climbing, sailing, football, mountain biking, tennis, jogging or even den building, you can have a go for free at this event and then find out where to continue doing it.

A host of different fitness and leisure organisations will also be there for you to talk to, including representatives from leisure centres, sports and walking  clubs, private gyms, fitness instructors, outdoor sports organisations, volunteering agencies and many more.
The Just 30 Fair is part of the York Gold Weekend celebrations. 
Visit: www.justafewminutesmore.com/

Run for all

Sun 31st July 9am starts at Knavesmire Road, York

2009 saw the first Jane Tomlinson Run For All – a 10K event starting at York Knavesmire and taking in the beautiful historic sights of the City of York. The second run will provide this opportunity for 8,000 participants, providing them with the opportunity to raise funds not only for the Jane Tomlinson charity but for a charity of their own choice.  Join Steve Cram. Harry Gration and other personalities on this outstanding day out and also join in the warm up – The Big River Dance – when you could be part of a team to break the world record!  visit http://www.runforall.com/

Clarence uncovered

Thu 28 July 1.30pm to 2.30

Come to Clarence gardens and help us see what wildlife lives there.  We will be looking for birds and butterflies then trying to identify and count them.

Please wear appropriate clothing and shoes for the weather and activity

To Book a free place please contact Jenny Cairns on 07833 436832 or jennifer.cairns@york.gov.uk  

Dance workshops

Mon 25 to Fri 29 July at Huntington School

Get the kids burning off some energy and trying their hand at something new during the first week of the summer holidays with a variety of dance sessions.

Styles include:

Ballroom, Cheer, Disco, Street, Musical Theatre, Rock and Roll, Latin, Ballet and Modern/Jazz.

Sessions are £7.50 each, and if you buy 4, you can get a fifth session FREE!

Call 01904 552806 for more details

New light on old York

Mon 25 to Fri 29 July at Explore York Library Learning Centre and Kings Manor - £5, £7 and £10

In a recent Rough Guide poll, York was voted the country’s favourite small city or town – but how well do you know York?  This week of walks, talks and lectures offered jointly by York Libraries, Adult Education and the University of York gives you the chance to see the city we live in with fresh eyes, and perhaps uncover a few nuggets of information about its history. All of these sessions are aimed at adult learners and will take place at either the Explore York Library Learning Centre or the King’s Manor.  Please do join us as we look at how our fair city came to

be the thriving hub we see today. For enquiries and bookings call the Adult Education Enrolment Office on 01904 552806 or check out the website

http://www.york.gov.uk/leisure/Libraries/whatson/newlight/

Dance the night away

Sat 23 July 4pm to 9.30pm at Rowntree Park

Come a join us in a carefree evening, participate in the dance classes on offer and then remain for three hours of dancing under the trees.  From a John Travolta moment to a touch of Rio followed by a walk through the Wild West, join us for Jive, Samba and Line Dancing plus much more! Bring a picnic and a bottle or buy food in the Park. A perfect event for all ages.

And why not make a Rio Head Dress or Mask to wear on the evening when attending our class in Rowntree Park from 1-3pm. Free admission.  For more information visit http://www.yorkfestivals.com/  

Riverwatch

Come and join us for a bit of wildlife spotting on a relaxing free boat ride along the River Ouse Thu 21 July 6pm to 7.30pm, meet outside the Lowther pub on Kings Staith. 

Please wear appropriate clothing and shoes for the weather and activity.

Limited space so book quickly - To Book a place please contact Clair Merrifield on 07769 963127 or clair.merrifield@york.gov.uk

Murder, mystery and railway shenanigans

Our annual Big City Read for 2011 is “The Lost Luggage Porter” by Andrew Martin.  Look out for opportunities to obtain your copy of the book and join in our summer’s programme.  Full details will be on our website www.york.gov.uk/libraries.

Our launch event with author, Andrew Martin, is on Wed 20 July, 7pm at Explore York Library Learning Centre.

Tickets, £5 for YorkCard holders or £6.50 are on sale at Explore York, 01904 552828, exploreyork@york.gov.uk and can also be requested at any library.

University challenge

Tue 19 July 10.30am to1.30pm - Meet at Grimston Bar Park and Ride office, Hull Road, Dunnington

Join one of our resident walk leaders Derek for a free guided 7 mile walk around Heslington and the University grounds. See the progression of the new site, explore the countryside that is on its doorstop and most of all enjoy the great outdoors. Please bring some lunch and refreshments. For more information contact Fiona Barker –Active Living Officer on (01904) 553440 or fiona.barker@york.gov.uk to download the full York Health Walk leaflet visit www.york.gov.uk and search for ‘Walking for health’.

Rowntree Park birthday bash

Sun 17 July 2pm to 5pm at Rowntree Park - Free entry

This is the largest of the summer fairs attracting thousands of people to York’s premier park. There will be live music, bouncy castles, community stalls, birds of prey and much more to do and see.

Parking is only available for disabled badge holders so please use alternative transport.

No booking required just come down to the park and enjoy

Shakespeare hits the parks

Sat 16 July at West Bank Park and Sun 17 July at Rowntree Park 7pm to 9.30pm

Love's Labour's Lost - Not Cricket Productions present Shakespeare’s ‘Love’s Labour’s Lost’. Return to the era of rock 'n' roll, the Jive is in and The King of Navarre and his friends have sworn off wine and women in a bid to get some studying done. But will they keep their oaths when the beautiful Princess and her delectable entourage arrive on a diplomatic mission?
Misunderstandings, mayhem, music and...Russians

For more info and tickets: www.simplyspiffing.co.uk

£6 Adults £5 under 16's

Step out

Starts Fri 15 July (fortnightly) 11am to 12noon from The Wilberforce Trust, 49 North Moor Road, Huntington.

The Wilberforce Trust and Sport and Active Leisure have joined together to offer a free leisurely walk around the village of Huntington. The walk is being led by trained walk leaders who are there to make the group enjoyable and safe. There has never been a better time to meet new people, explore the local countryside and get fit for free!

For more information about the walk or to register your interest contact Fiona Barker –Active Living Officer (01904) 553440/ fiona.barker@york.gov.uk

To download the full ‘York Health Walks’ timetable visit www.york.gov.uk and search for ‘walking for health’.

Hello sailor

Sat 9 to Sun 24 July - Many FREE events

The 2011 Festival of the Rivers in York presents another packed programme of family friendly events on the banks of our beautiful rivers, the Ouse and the Foss.

As a central lifeline to the city the rivers have played an important part in our history and attract thousands of

visitors each year. As their role has evolved we continue to celebrate their rich heritage from the Roman and Viking connections to the fantastic sporting and leisure opportunities they offer.

Dance the night away under the trees in Rowntree Park, take a lazy cruise through the heart of the city or get cultural with a play or some riverside poetry. Festival of the Rivers welcomes you to simply dip in a toe or make a huge splash.

Full information on www.yorkfestivals.com

Arts Barge @ Festival of the River

Thu 7 July to Sun 24 July at the Arts Barge - next to the Bonding Warehouse

The Festival of the Rivers are excited to be able to introduce a new, imaginative, varied project to its programme.

Artsbarge are curating a range of activities including  Art exhibitions, art, drama and children’s workshops, community cinema, cabaret, magic, plays and performances from Chris Helme, 103 Falling Birds, Little Num Num club plus many more evenings of music and events.

For more info: www.theartsbargeproject.com

Explore the history of Haxby

Thu 7 July 12.30pm to 1.30pm at Haxby Library

Tom Smith is a local historian and author of A history of Haxby, originally published in 1988 and later revised in 2003. His talk will delve into Haxby’s past, archival records and personal accounts from local residents.

This event is ticketed.  Tickets are available from Haxby library.  For further information please contact 01904 552660 or haxby.library@york.gov.uk 

A gateway to history

Wed 6 July 2pm to 4pm at Explore York Library Learning centre

Looking for your ancestors or interested local history? This session is suitable for anybody interested in finding out more about archives.  We will talk about how to find them, how to use them and what sorts of information they contain, with the help of some examples from York’s own rich Archive.

Booking is essential.  This can be done through any York library, or by contacting the Archives and Local History department (01904 552800, or archives@york.gov.uk ).

Hope and glory

Sun 3 July 10am to 4pm Bustardthorpe Field, York Knavesmire

A family fun event raising funds for Help for Heroes and ABF – The Soldiers Charity

A fun packed day featuring The Hung Rock Band, The Yorkshire Volunteers Band, Rubix Cube, Alex Heselton, Alan Cuckston and his Orchestra, Red Shoes Dance Troop, Live Canon and Battle Re-enactment, Vintage Vehicles, Flight Simulator, Bouncy Castle, Refreshments, Licensed Bar and a Fly Past by the Royal Airforce.

Family £20, Adult £8, OAPs/Children £5

Tune up

Our talented Arts Academy present an exciting range of musical delights:

Canon Lee School Saturday 2nd July, 10.30am- tickets £3 (concessions £1.50) available from YAA or phone 01904 554660

Choir, String Orchestra, First Strings, York Arts Academy Senior Orchestra, Intermediate Band, Guitars, Dance Groups, Overture early music groups, Minster Minstrels.

Millthorpe School, Wednesday 6th July 6pm - tickets £3 (concessions £1.50) available from YAA or phone 01904 554660

Jazz Band, Rock Bands, York Youth Woodwind & Brass, Songwriters, African Drumming, Folk Group.

Picnic in the park

Sat 2 July 2pm to 4.30pm at Tower Gardens (opposite Clifford's Tower)

Come along to Tower Gardens and listen to the music provided by Jband and the Everybody Choir from Manor School, York Rose Singers, local disabled composer Richard Mendham and Assessible Arts and Media’s Sound Weavers and Hands and Voices Choir.

·         e-mail address: Hannah.Thompson@a-arts-media.org

·         Event public enquiries number: 01904 626965

If bad weather this event will take place at Manor School.

What a pain!

Classes every Tuesday 2pm to 4pm at University of York Sports Centre

Suitable for adults with lower back pain. Low impact exercise class delivered by a qualified exercise instructor with support from physiotherapists at York Hospital

For more information contact Katie Ellis – Exercise Pathways Officer, katie.ellis@york.gov.uk or 01904 553440.