New fitness class launching for people who have a mental illness

City of York Council is launching a new fitness class for people who have a mental illness.

Classes start this Thursday and will take place every week from 12noon to 1pm at York St John University Sports Hall.

The Wellbeing Circuits Classes are aimed at encouraging people to take regular exercise to help them cope better with their illness.

They are the latest addition to the council’s expanding HEAL (Health, Exercise, Activity and Lifestyle) programme which helps people who have medical conditions to exercise.

Exercise may help combat depression and make you feel happier, boost self-esteem, help you concentrate, sleep as well as enable you to look and feel better.

The Wellbeing Classes are designed to be fun and friendly in a supportive environment, giving people the chance to feel better and meet with those who have had similar experiences.

Katie Ellis, Exercise Pathways Officer at city of York Council, said: “Exercise can be a small change that could help make a big difference to your health. It’s important to try and keep active, no matter how hard that can feel in difficult times”.

Classes cost just £3 per session and those interested can simply turn up and take part.

For more information, members of the public can contact Katie Ellis on 01904 553377 or e-mail Katie.ellis@york.gov.uk or visit www.york.gov.uk/heal

£50,000 boost for Acomb Green

We understand that the Friends of Acomb Green have secured a lottery grant of £50,000 which will be used to improve play facilities.

Members of the public are being asked for their views on the designs for the playground which is due to be completed by summer.

The funds will also go towards installing benches on the rest of the Green later this month.

The Friends and Council are conducting a tendering process and expect to choose a playground design with help from the local community by February 20. Members of the public are invited to view the designs and provide feedback at the Acomb Explore Library from February 7 to 19.

They can also email friendsofacombgreen@yahoo.co.uk

2 fined for dog fouling offences

A report to the Council next week reveals that several prosecutions took place between 1st July and 30th September. The results included:
• 2 x £50.00 fixed penalty notices were issued under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 for allowing a dog to foul and failing to remove the faeces.
• A further prosecution took place against an owner who failed to keep his dog under proper control (costs £704.07)
• One popular City centre bar and restaurant was prosecuted for falsely describing the strength of spirit drinks (Costs £2575.58) A further 5 cautions were issued to 3 other businesses for similar offences.
• 4 people were given £50 fixed penalty notices for smoking in a prohibited area
• A taxi driver was fined £225 and given 8 penalty points for driving without the required insurance
• One woman was fined £300 and had to forfeit amplification equipment for breeching a noise abatement order