The Minster’s celebration of Christmas begins with this, the first service of Nine Lessons and Carols. Tonight 7:00pm

The traditional sequence of nine readings is interspersed with carols from the Minster Choir (including a new commission from David Briggs) and Christmas hymns for the congregation.

A second service of Nine Lessons and Carols is on 24 December at 4pm.

Highly recommended but arrive early as these are very popular services

Funding boost as Sports Village pool takes shape

Kent Street coach park sold for £1.5 million?


Sports village pool - artists impression

The Press are reporting that the Council will receive £1.5 million for the sale of the Kent Street coach park. The site is to become a new Fire Station and a planning application has now been submitted which shows the station itself, a drill yard and a car park with 18 spaces, with a training tower also being built. The application is due to be determined in March.

The Council committed £3 million in June 2010 towards the £10 million cost of a new competition standard swimming pool which is under construction on land off the Hull Road. The Sports Village pool was originally opposed by Labour Councillors but they subsequently endorsed the project when they took office earlier in the year.

The receipt from the Fire service will mean that the Councils target valuation on Kent Street has been achieved. This will ease pressure on funding from the rest of its capital programme.
A contribution towards the Sport Village has also been received from the Sports Council although the facility is expect to break even on operating costs when it opens late in 2012.

The facilities to be provided at Hull Road include:
• A 25m x 17m 8-lane pool (including a deep end)
• Health and fitness facilities
• Dance / aerobics / martial arts studio
• Training Pool, 4 lane, 0.8m to 1.2m deep
• Externally, a 3G pitch

In addition a £2 million replacement athletics track will be provided as part of the Monks Cross Community Stadium development.

The Sports Village forms part of the expansion of the University of York. A 7 minute frequency bus service to the campus is already running. The Sports Village is located close to the Hull Road park and ride site.

Sports village taking shape