The Council has issued a media release saying, “To celebrate the end of the London 2012 Games and the success of Team Yorkshire’s athletes – such as Jack Laugher and Joanne Jackson – children in York will be able to swim for free this summer”.

The announcement comes a few days after it was revealed that Olympic legacy preparations in York had stalled. The Active York organisation had failed to finish designing its web site despite the Games approaching a climax while the Councils own web site was littered with out of date information. See our previous news item http://stevegalloway.mycouncillor.org.uk/2012/08/06/new-swimming-pool-opens-next-tuesday-but-york-olympic-legacy-at-risk/

Children under 16 will go free from Monday 13 August to Sunday 2 September on production of a YorkCard or Yozone Card at Yearsley and Energise pools.

Free entry is for open swim sessions only. Swim timetables for both pools are available at www.york.gov.uk/fit or by calling 01904 552424.

The cost to taxpayers of the concession has not yet been revealed

The Sheriff, Guild of Scriveners and many Serjeants will all take part in the annual medieval-themed York charity event, Assize of Ale, this weekend.

In the middle ages Sheriffs were concerned that the ale of York should be of a suitable quality and brought it upon themselves to appoint Serjeants to test the quality of ale in the city.

This Saturday (11 August) at 1.50pm, members of the Guild of Scriveners, friends and supporters will be summoned and then sworn in as Serjeants by the Sheriff of York, Councillor Paul Firth, in the historical Mansion House, where they will then take part in the medieval custom by visiting the cities alehouses to ensure it is palatable.

Throughout the years, this has become a key charity event in York and involves two separate routes around city centre alehouses. In the weeks leading up to the event money is raised by publicans selling squares on a map of the city. A lucky square is then drawn in each pub on the day of the Assize, with half the money going to the winner and half to the charities.

People can get involved by buying the squares in the participating pubs, joining in on the day (medieval dress is traditional) or simply making donations.

There is also a medieval feast at Bedern Hall in the evening, with ale provided by York Brewery.

Money raised from the event will be donated towards the Lord Mayor, Sheriff and Guild Master’s charities, this year SSAFA Forces Help, Special Olympics City of York and York and District Citizens Advice Bureau.

The Guild has been traced back to 1487 and regulated lawyers, scribes and others in the City.

The eyesore former school buildings on Windsor Garth may be with us for a few more months.

We understand that bats have been found roosting in part of the building. They will have to be relocated before demolition can begin.

The expectation is that a planning application will be submitted shortly by the owners who anticipate that housing will be built on the site.

Given the availability of increasing numbers of housing sites in the City, and the fact that mortgages are still difficult to come by, we doubt whether building work will start during the next 12 months.

In the meantime residents will expect the site to be kept tidy and secure