What’s on in York: Knights rugby half term activities

Fun In The Sun – May Half-Term Camps

Join us this May half term as we able to offer 4 park sessions for local children to enjoy. Fun, engaging, multi activity sessions based in the local Parks and green spaces.

Designed to help keep you fit and active during the school holidays, with each participant receiving a free drink and snack at each session. These sessions have been made possible through Ward Committee funding who we would like to thank for their continued support.

Booking is essential with limited availability. Please see each individual link below to book on an event.

Event 1 – Westfield Primary Community School

When: Wednesday 2nd June Time: 10:00 – 11:30

Where: Westfield Primary Community School, Askham Ln, YO24 3HP

About: Free fun for 5 years and upwards. Includes a free snack and drink

Cost: Free of charge           To Book please click here              Note: Advance booking is essential.

Event 2 – Woodthorpe Green Play Area

When: Wednesday 2nd June   Time: 2:00 – 3:30pm

Where: Woodthorpe Green Play Area, Summerfield Rd, YO24 2RU.

About: Free fun for 5 years and upwards. Includes a free snack and drink

Cost: Free of charge          

To Book please click here             

Note: Advance booking is essential.

Event 3 – Oaken Grove playing area

Friday 4th June            Time: 10:00 – 11:30

Where: Oaken Grove playing area, YO32 3QW

About: Free fun for 5 years and upwards. Includes a free snack and drink

Cost: Free of charge                      

To Book please click here 

Note: Advance booking is essential.

Event 4 – Acomb Green.

Friday 4th June            Time: 2:00 – 3:30pm

Where: Acomb green. Acomb Green, Acomb, YO26 5LR

About: Free fun for 5 years and upwards. Includes a free snack and drink

Cost: Free of charge                      

To Book please click here             

Note: Advance booking is essential.

If you have any questions, please email a.prentis@yorkcityknights.com or call the Knights office on 01904 876 527.

Coronavirus York updates; 13th February 2021

Deaths

One additional hospital death announced today. It occurred on Thursday

Test results

TWENTY THREE additional positive test results announced today. Brings the cumulative number of cases in the City to 11,542.

Rate /100k population figure has reduced to 109.68

The infection rate in York continues to fall more quickly than in other parts of the country

Neighbourhoods

For the first time since 16th December a neighbourhood (South Bank/Dringhouses) in York has recorded fewer than 3 infections.

The area with the highest number of cases in now Osbaldwick

Vaccinations

Over 2 million vaccinations have now been completed in the Yorkshire region

Hospitals

There are currently 133 COVID-19 patients being treated by the York Hospital Trust.

15 patients are in intensive care

Tests

4967 PCR coronavirus test were conducted during the week ending 8th February.

The positivity rate was 5.2%

1074 lateral flow tests were conducted on 12th February

York families urged to ‘stay safe’ this half term

York’s public health chiefs are urging residents to ‘stay safe’ over the coming week, as children and young people across the city start their half term holidays.

The week will mark a welcome break for many parents and carers who have been home schooling, but also presents extra challenges in keeping children entertained within the lockdown restrictions.
The break comes as York’s seven day rate continues to fall:

  • The latest official “validated” rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 31.1.21 to 6.2.21 was 134.8
  • York is currently ranked 25th out of 149 Upper Tier Local Authorities (UTLAs) in England with a rank of 1, indicating the lowest 7 day rate.
  • As at 8.2.21, the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 2 PCR tests only) was 5.4%. The national and regional averages are 7.1% and 7.6% respectively.
  • As at 10.2.21, 45,596 CYC residents have received the first dose and 1,049 had received both doses.

Cllr Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council, said:

I know that many parents and carers will be glad of a break this week after their hard work homeschooling over the last half term.

“There are lots of activities that parents can do to keep their children active over the holiday period, but it’s vitally important that we all continue to follow the current national restrictions. The efforts we are all making a real difference, however we still need to keep going.

“With vaccinations continuing to be carried out at pace in York, there is light at the end of the tunnel and we must all keep up our efforts to fight the spread of the virus.”

Thousands of frontline workers are continuing to support York’s efforts against the virus by getting regular symptom free testing.

The city now has three sites offering the testing to residents, workers, students and staff who are eligible. More information about symptom free testing is available online.

York residents aged 70 or over who haven’t yet received their covid-19 vaccination can also now support the city’s fight against covid-19 by arranging a vaccination appointment.

Until now, the NHS asked people not to contact them about their COVID vaccination and wait until they are approached. This remains the case for most people, but local NHS services are encouraging people in priority cohorts 1-4 (over 70s and those on the shielded patient list) to contact the NHS to book their appointment to ensure everyone in this group is offered the vaccine by mid-February.

Eligible residents can book their appointment by contacting the national booking service online. Those who cannot do it online can call a free 119 number, anytime between 7am and 11pm seven days a week. The national system allows patients to pick a convenient location and time.

Sharon Stoltz, City of York Council’s Director of Public Health, said:

I would urge anyone aged 70 or over who hasn’t yet had their vaccination to make an appointment through the national booking service.

“The uptake of the vaccine so far in the city has been fantastic and making sure as many York residents as possible are vaccinated is one way we can continue to fight the virus and support our local NHS services.

“If you aren’t in one of the priority groups, please wait to be contacted, everyone will get the chance to book an appointment at the right time.

“We can all work together too by looking out for family and friends, particularly during this cold weather, and following the basic rules of regular hand washing, wearing of face coverings in public spaces when 2 metre social distancing is not possible and isolating at home if you have symptoms or have been asked to do so by NHS Test and Trace or our local contact tracing service.

“Whilst the fall in cases is encouraging we can’t let our guard down yet. There are still more people in hospital than the first peak and sadly we have seen a number of deaths in recent weeks.

“This virus isn’t relenting but our efforts and the incredible vaccine rollout is helping to stop the spread and offer real hope that things will get better. Thank you to everyone for their efforts, let’s keep going.”

The council’s Coronavirus helpline offers support including with food, essentials or someone to speak to. Anyone needing help can call 01904 551550 or email COVID19help@york.gov.uk.

There are lots of school holiday ideas and resources available online. Check out York Mumbler and Little Vikings for local resources.

Council works to ensure children don’t go hungry this half-term

Good Job GIFs | Tenor

City of York Council has today approved funding to provide more than 2850 children with food vouchers to support them this half-term.

The council is providing almost £43,000 of emergency funding to continue supporting children with free school meals, for children who normally receive free school meals during term-time. This is on top of the £9000 previously spent on free school meals from the emergency fund set up to support individuals and  families during the pandemic.

The council has put in place emergency funding for October half-term and will be seeking support from the Government and bringing forward proposals for further support during Christmas, February half-term and Easter.

Schools will be in touch with the families of those children that are eligible to ensure they can get their £15 voucher.

Councillor Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council said: “This has been a difficult year for everyone and as a council, we have been doing everything we can to support local residents.

“We want to ensure that children who receive Free School Meals don’t go hungry this half-term. Nearly 3,000 children can access this support, with vouchers of £15 per child provided to all who are eligible for free school meals.

“Staff at the city’s schools have been incredible in supporting children and families and once again they are stepping up to help administer this programme. I am incredibly grateful for all they are doing.”
 

What’s on in York: Roald Dahl at half term

The Twits (Colour Edition): Amazon.co.uk: Dahl, Roald, Blake, Quentin:  9780141369341: Books

With half-term coming up York Library have some special treats for children of all ages.

Storyteller John Kirk is going to be appearing on YouTube live with an exclusive telling of Roald Dahl’s The Twits on 24 October and again with Spooky Stories for Halloweenies on 31 October.

The sessions are free, but people need to register to receive the YouTube link see below.

Our partners at Hoglets have created 6 exclusive online storytimes for the under-fives featuring stories from around the world for children, every Tuesday morning from 27 October on our YouTube channel.

We have a page on our website dedicated to bringing you information about reading, fun and learning for children and families, including our Bloodaxe Challenge in partnership with the Jorvik Viking Centre, Mumbler’s Halloween Train and online stories and activities.