Let's celebrate 2012!

2012, York 800 – has been an outstanding year for the City of York with events of all kinds and sizes throughout the year.  And don’t forget our visitors – the Queen and the Olympic Torch. 

A year to remember has been captured in two films, one on York 800 and the other on Ebor Vox.  These will be shown on a Screen which will be positioned in various locations across the City and Communities will have the opportunity to see just what a year it has been.

For information on where and when the Screen will be in your area please visit: www.yorkfestivals.com

Goodbye to York 800

Mon 31 Dec, 11pm to 1am (1 Jan) at Duncombe Place

Await the Minster Bells ringing in the Midnight Hour and celebrate the events which have taken place across the City in 2012.

People are requested not to bring glass to this event.

For more information visit: www.yorkfestivals.com

Christmas extravaganza concerts

A feast of festive music performed by over 300 young musicians from York Arts Academy, aged 8 – 18.

Groups include York Arts Academy Orchestra, York Arts Academy Senior Concert Band, Intermediate Band, String Orchestra, First Strings, Big Band and Jazz Band, Drummers and Choirs, playing music of all styles – something for everyone.

The schools who will be joining them at the Central Hall are Yearsley Grove Primary, St. Aelred’s Primary, Fishergate Primary and Huntington Primary.

Tickets will be available on the door or in advance from York Arts Academy on Saturday mornings at Canon Lee, and Wednesday 4.30pm to 6.30pm at Millthorpe School.

£5 per concert (concessions £2.50) or £7.50 for an all-day ticket (concessions £4), Children under 18 free

Concert times: Sat 1 Dec, 11am to12.30pm, 2pm to 4pm and 7pm to 9pm at Central Hall, York University.

Rock DJ

Wed 12 Dec, 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Door84 Lowther Street

York Arts Academy rock bands, and local young D.J’s get a chance to show what they can do at this exciting performance!

All welcome, tickets available on the door - cost £1

For more information contact Ted Schofield ted.schofield@york.gov.uk or 01904 554275

Musical family fun day

Sat 15 Dec, 10am to 1pm at Canon Lee School

Come and find out what we do on Saturday mornings, have a listen, or bring your instrument and join in the fun!

We have a fabulous variety of groups, including Overture (music-making for ages 3-8), WOW band for beginner players, Young Voices, Young Minstrels recorder group, Guitar Groups, Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band, Intermediate Band, String Orchestra, First Strings, Minster Minstrels, Improvisation, Big Band and Theory classes.

Or come and try an instrument for free! If you’ve ever wanted to have a go on a string, wind or brass instrument, now’s your chance.

Refreshments are available all morning in our tuck shop, including tea, coffee and mince pies.

If you want to join in with any of the groups during the morning then please contact us to ensure a place: Ted Schofield - York Arts Education Administrator, email: ted.schofield@york.gov.uk or tel: 01904 554275

Santa's circular cycle

Fri 14 Dec, 11am to 1pm - Start from Millennium Bridge (Butcher Terraxe side of the River Ouse)

A circular bike ride to Heslington common via the golf course and the University, approximately 6.5 miles.

We will be using mostly off-road cycle paths, tarred tracks and bridleways.  This will be the last ride before Christmas and will finish at Rowntree Park Café for refreshments and a Festive quiz! Ho Ho Ho!

For more information contact Sarah Prescott on 01904 553377 or Email: sarah.prescott@york.gov.uk or visit www.york.gov.uk/cyclerides

800 years and still counting..

“York's Freedom Charter, 800 Years and Still Counting”

1st Festival on human rights

Mon 10 to Sat 15 December, 2012.

This first York festival of Human Rights promotes a community where institutions, organizations, businesses and individuals debate, learn, understand, embrace and apply human rights principles to their daily lives.

Members of the Human Rights City project network include representatives of the City of York Council; University of York; York St John University; Amnesty International; International Service; Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust; North Yorkshire Police; Justice and Peace Group; City of Sanctuary movement; York CVS and many others.

As part of this project we are organizing an annual Human Rights festival which aims to promote the exchange of ideas as well as debate on Human Rights issues and governance at
various levels. The event will include the projection of documentaries as well as interventions from a number of researchers, writers and politicians.

There is a provisional website where you can check for updates and see the list of events: www.yhrcproject.webs.com (click on “events”). All the events are free.

There is also a Facebook page with information about different events in York and where you can post comments or reviews on conferences or debates that you have attended: www.facebook.com/yhrcproject

For more information please contact:

Andres Jaroslavsky

Project and outreach coordinator

York Human Rights City Project

Email: andres.jaroslavsky@york.ac.uk

Tel: 07913920118

Christmas crafts

Sat 15 Dec, 10am to 11.30am at Rowntree Park

Join us on the terrace of the cafe to make your own Christmas wreath.  We will use willow to make a frame that you can then decorate with materials collected from the parks.

Afterwards why not pop into the cafe for a hot drink to warm up!

Cost: Free

Please book your place by contacting Jenny Cairns on 07833 436832 or emailing jennifer.cairns@york.gov.uk

Woodland workout

Mon 3 Dec at Rawcliffe Country Park and Mon 17 Dec at West Bank Park, 1pm to 3pm

We will be thinning an area of woodland in Rawcliffe Country Park.  This involves cutting down selected trees to create more light and space for other trees to expand and grow bigger.

At West Bank Park we will be resurfacing the woodland paths with bark chip and replacing any sections of edging that have gone missing.

All tools will be provided - Please come prepared to get muddy!

Please contact Jenny Cairns on 07833 436832 or jennifer.cairns@york.gov.uk for more details.

Jingle Jog

Why not come along and try a festive fun run with a difference, sign up and get your free Santa suit to run your chosen distance in. Two distances are available, a shorter 2km route suitable for participates as young as 2 and as old as Santa Clause himself.  If you would like a bigger challenge why not try the 5km route around York’s famous Knavesmire.

The fun does not stop with the run, feed the reindeer and try some festive treats - a great family fun day for all.

For more information register at 0121 661 5161 www.bhf.org.uk/yorksanta

This event is on Sun 9 Dec, 2k walk or run start at 10.30am; 5k fun run start at 11am; Event closes at 12.30pm

Entry fee: £9 in advance or £10 on the day, includes FREE adult-sized Santa suit; £2 for children aged 2 to 11, asked to come in festive fancy dress.