York Minster Fund Emma Bridgewater Mug now in production!

Designed and produced by Emma Bridgewater, the new York Minster Fund mug is sure to become a collector’s item.

The first consignment of this limited edition piece will arrive in the Fund office in September 2013 and advance orders are already being taken.

The mug is priced at £20 plus postage and packing (£4 for UK parcel delivery) and we can accept cash, or cheques made payable to the York Minster Fund.

Send to: York Minster Fund Mug, Church House, 10-14 Ogleforth, York. Y01 7JN

The mug would make a perfect gift, so why not take the opportunity for some early Christmas shopping? Your purchase will support the ongoing restoration and conservation of York Minster.

Burglary in The Gallops

A shed door has been forced and a bike and sports equipment stolen from a shed in The Gallops. The owners were away at the time.

The Police offer the following advice

Securing your home

If you want to be certain your home is as safe as you can make it, here are ten top tips you should follow:

Fit strong locks to external doors and windows, and make sure they are locked at all times.

Always remove all keys from inside locks, and keep them out of sight and in a safe place.

Fit sturdy deadlocks (British Standard BS3621) to all doors. Euro cylinder locks should bear the new standard TS007.

Make sure your doors and frames are strong and in good condition – wood doors should be at least 44mm thick.

Mark your property – having it marked helps police verify it’s been stolen.

Fit a door chain or bar and door viewer (spy-hole), and use them.

Never leave a spare key in a convenient hiding place such as under the doormat, in a flowerpot or behind a loose brick – thieves know to look there first.

When you are out in the evening, leave your lights on and shut the curtains.

Install outside security lighting; if other people can see your property a burglar may think twice.

Keep your tools and ladders securely locked up – a burglar could use them to get into your house.

Mayfield Grove open space “tug of war” climaxes on Friday

Mayfield Grove nature reserve

The public open space in Mayfield Grove has been the victim of a “tug of war” between two potential management organisations for several years.

In one corner is the Chase Residents Association. As local people with a stake in the neighbourhood they would be a natural partner for the Council in maintaining and improving the area.

In the other corner is the pan City “York Natural Environment Trust” (YNET)

Despite mediation, the two groups have not been able to reach a joint agreement and now on Friday Cllr Dave Merrett will be asked to choose which will be trusted with the management of this attractive informal area.

Ironically part of the Labour Councils policy is to divest themselves of maintenance responsibilities for amenity areas.

The report to Fridays meeting says, “To achieve this, the council was ideally looking for community groups to take on the responsibility where the council faces significant financial pressure and resources are stretched at this time. This approach was also seen as the route to achieving wider benefits; an emphasis on nature conservation and providing a green space amenity for the benefit of local residents and the wider York community, as agreed at the 8 March 2012 decision session”.

In many areas residents are understandably reluctant to take on responsibilities which they feel should be covered by their Council Tax payments.

It is ironic therefore that in this case, where there is a willing residents group wishing to adopt the land, they are in danger of being pushed out by a pressure group.

The report talks of deriving some income from the pond use (taken to be fishing rights) to offset costs.

One option being considered is for the Council to retain responsibility for the area and then work with the community groups on an informal basis.