Doubts thrown on Council claims about “Big City Read” book

The York Council continues to claim that the Susanna Gregory novel “Mystery at the Minster”was specially commissioned for the Big City read“.

This seems unlikely as the book was first published in August 2011 and publicity material from that time made no reference to either the Big City Read or the York800 celebrations.

Nevertheless it is a good read and is deservedly recommended.

The Council says,

City of York Council’s Library and Archives service are inviting residents to meet the acclaimed author of a brand new book that aims to get the whole city reading together and talking about ‘Mystery in the Minster’.

Novelist Susanna Gregory was commissioned to write the thriller specifically for the Big City Read and will be fielding questions, reading extracts and revealing some hints on the plot at the launch event at York Explore Library Learning Centre on Wednesday 25 July from 7pm.

‘Mystery in the Minster’ is a medieval-themed murder mystery and the seventeenth in Susanna’s bestselling series – of which over 100,000 copies have been sold. It features her regular character physician-cum-sleuth Matthew Bartholomew who finds himself in York. What starts as a dispute over land soon turns to murder…

This year’s chosen book is available from all of York’s 14 libraries and Explore centres from 26 July. What’s more, each book given away this year will contain a unique ‘bookcrossing number’ which readers can use on www.bookcrossing.com to enter comments on the book, as well as seeing where the book has been previously and keeping track of it once it’s been passed on.

Tickets to the launch event are free but booking is essential. Book online for all events at www.york.gov.uk/libraries or by calling into any library. Residents can also follow the events using twitter @yorklibrariesuk or facebook at www.facebook.com/ExploreYorkLibrariesandArchives.

Taxi licence numbers may be de-restricted

The York Council will be responding this week to a national proposal that there should be no restriction on the number of taxi licenses that are issued in the City.

The so called “deregulation” is one of the proposals of a Law Commission report which is currently subject to consultation.

There is a concern that deregulation could lead to overcrowding at City centre taxi ranks.

The Councils propsed response can be viewed here
http://tinyurl.com/Taxi-changes-York

Essential resurfacing works on Wigginton Road

City of York Council will be carrying out essential resurfacing works on Wigginton Road at the junction with Crichton Avenue this month.

The works will start at 6pm on Monday 23 July to be completed by 11pm on Friday 3 August, weather permitting. The works will take place weekday evenings only, under a full road closure between 6pm and 11pm.

A signed diversion route, suitable for all vehicles, will operate inbound from the A1237 Outer Ring Road via the A19 Shipton Road and outbound via Haxby Road to the A1237 Outer Ring Road.

Outside of the working hours, the road will be open as normal. The road closure will be supervised at each end to prevent unauthorised access. Access for pedestrians and emergency services will be maintained at all times. Cyclists will be instructed to dismount and use adjacent footways.

The contractor carrying out the works will be City of York Council Highways Maintenance, who will be responsible for public safety. As with any construction work, there is likely to be a certain amount of disruption and inconvenience, but everything reasonably possible will be done to keep this to a minimum.