Winter Health Walks Programme out now!

The winter programme includes details of a new walking group for Holtby and a monthly walk and swim from Energise and Yearsley Swimming Pool, as well as information on Nordic walking and the 12 regular health walks across the city.

Walks are free, open to all and there is no need to book!

For more information please contact: Sarah Prescott, Active Living Officer on 01904 553377 or Email: sarah.prescott@york.gov.uk 

For more information visit: www.york.gov.uk/healthwalks

Beginners photography course

Well, why not join me on a beginners photography course to get to grips on camera control, basic photography terms and of course what makes a good photo! There will also be opportunities for you to progress your photography skills and learn some tips and tricks along the way. The course will take part on Friday afternoons for the duration of four weeks (25 Jan to 15 Feb), at a cost of £10.  

I will be willing to put on extra lessons after this four week period for anyone who may be interested in furthering their skills! There’s no age limit however, due to the nature of photography I would recommend this course for adults and older children as there are elements of theory work involved.  I have tried to include a mixture of practical and theory to each session.

If this course sounds appealing to you then please don’t hesitate to book your place with me! Please contact Michael Rothwell by email: michael.rothwell@york.gov.uk By phone: 07951 497205

Behind the scenes at the Archives

RESIDENTS FESTIVAL – City Archives tours CANCELLED

Regretfully we have had to cancel the Behind the Scenes tours of the City Archives planned for Saturday 26th January because of staff illness.

We are looking to re-schedule these tours to take place in the February half-term holiday next month, and will publicise the new date on the Archives pages on the Council website www.york.gov.uk

We are very sorry to have let down everybody who has already booked on these tours and we hope that they will be able to come along when we re-arrange them in February.

Moving on from 1212

University of York Senior Lecturer and Medieval historian, Dr. Sarah Rees-Jones takes us back 100 years after 1212 when York was briefly the capital of England during Scotland's Wars of Independence. This lecture will explore the impact of the wars on the city.

Venue: Explore York Library Learning Centre, Sat 26 Jan, 2pm to 3pm

To book a free place, please contact Explore York on 01904 552828 or exploreyork@york.gov.uk 

Get stuck in!

Monday 14^th January, 1pm to 3pm

We will be working to uncover some of the remains of the old airfield.  The heavy work was completed last year but since then some of the plants have regrown and leaves have fallen on the remains.  We would like to clear this back so they don’t disappear into the undergrowth again.

Monday 28^th January, 1pm to 3pm

This task is to check the condition of the nest boxes in West Bank Park and to repair those that can be repaired.  We will also be able to make some new ones and install them in time for nesting season.

If you would like to come along to either of these sessions please contact Jenny Cairns on 07833 436832 or jennifer.cairns@york.gov.uk so we have enough equipment for everyone.

A sneak preview

Residents will be able to see inside the newly refurbished and extended West Offices building that will become the new Customer Centre and offices for the council, prior to it opening in March 2013.

There will be information available about the building and public artists will be on hand to talk about their art installations.

Dates and opening times:

26 January 2013, 10am–4pm

27 January 2013, 11am-3pm

Further details will be available on the council’s website: http://www.york.gov.uk/council/hq/ in the New Year.

It's your turn now

It’s the 18th York Residents' Festival and is organised by Visit York in partnership with City of York Council. The 2013 event promises to give residents of the city access to more free attractions, events and restaurant deals than ever before. With sixteen new attractions and eight new restaurants on board, York residents will have the opportunity to enjoy exclusive access to ninety of the city’s top visitor venues and dining experiences over the two day event. The Festival offers a thank you to the people who live in the city that help create an unforgettable visitor experience.  2013 highlights will include tours of West Offices as well as guided tours of the St Nicholas Fields Nature Reserve, and such attractions as Joseph Rowntree Theatre and Holgate Windmill are taking part for the first time. Restaurants offering dining deals will include Indian Vibes, Piccolino, York Cocoa House, El Piano, Filmore and Union, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, The Cross Keys and the Black Swan Inn

Pre-booking is required for some of the attractions and guided tours, details of which can be found on the Visit York website at www.visityork.org or by picking up a York Residents’ Festival leaflet from the Visit York Information Centre at 1 Museum Street, and libraries. Some venues have limited tickets and operate on a first come first served basis. Residents need a YorkCard to gain admission at each venue, available from all of York’s public libraries. YorkCards have a £2 admin charge for adults but are free for under 18s. Make sure you update your YorkCard in order to take part.
A full list of all participating attractions and restaurants will be available from early January at the Visit York website

An evening of reflection

This year’s Civic Events includes Edith Jayne talking about surviving the Holocaust and Cllr Keith Hyman who will talk about the effects of apartheid on the District 6 neighbourhood in CapeTown and why his family left South Africa.

During the event there will be a performance by Riding Lights Theatre’s and York Theatre Royal’s senior youth theatre groups. This original work is inspired by material taken from York’s Refugee Committee Minute Book (1938-39).

Prior to the Civic Event, York St John University students studying MA Applied Theatre will present ‘Out of her System’, a participatory performance exploring girls’ experiences of education from a human rights perspective.

Book tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/event/4941852213

For further details visit www.yorkfestivals.com/holocaust-memorial-day or phone City of York Council on 01904 554275 or email artseducation@york.gov.uk

Facebook: hmdyork

Twitter: @yorkhmd

For further information about Holocaust Memorial Day visit www.hmd.org.uk

Building a better and safer future

As well as hosting the Holocaust Memorial Day Civic event on Thursday 24 January and the Clifford’s Tower Commemoration on Sunday 27 January 2013, there are many other events and activities to visit and participate in.  York’s Holocaust Memorial Day programme 2013 includes a range of thought-provoking events and activities, which take place at various venues all over the city and are organised by a number of different partners including the University of York, York St John University, New School House Gallery, City Screen and South Bank Community Cinema.  In addition the programme includes two Jewish Heritage trails which will recall the medieval and modern Jewish community’s contribution to York’s history on Sunday 20 and 27 January.

Everyone is welcome to take part in the programme. Many of the programme’s events are free, some require booking in advance.

For further details visit www.yorkfestivals.com/holocaust-memorial-day or phone City of York Council on 01904 554275 or email artseducation@york.gov.uk

Facebook: hmdyork

Twitter: @yorkhmd

For further information about Holocaust Memorial Day visit www.hmd.org.uk

Poles at the ready

Join Karen for 4 hours tuition over 4 weeks. Learn the basic technique of Nordic walking whilst meeting new people with similar interests. Booking required in advance, contact Sarah Prescott on 01904 553377 or e-mail sarah.prescott@york.gov.uk for more details.

Please come in outdoor clothing and bring a rack sack with a drink. Waterproofs maybe needed.

Suitable for all ages and most fitness levels, you do not need to have tried Nordic before to attend the course.

The course is every Tuesday from 22 Jan to 12 Feb, 11am to 12pm and costs £20 for the 4 week course including pole hire.