More Tour de France events announced for York

Tour de France WINNER

More and more events are joining in York and the UK’s first ever Fête du Tour to celebrate the Tour de France’s imminent arrival. The Fête du Tour (festival of the Tour) is a long-standing French tradition which involves communities along the route celebrating and building the excitement.

On Saturday, York city centre will have lots of French, cycling and yellow-themed activities to help residents and visitors get into the spirit of the Tour.

The fun takes place from 10am to 4pm and will include members of Riding Lights Theatre who will be performing on a rotating stage, powered by bikes, whilst dressed in French costume and accompanied by an organist.

Visitors to the city centre can also pose as Sir Bradley Wiggins with the help of a cut out and mask.

Information tents will have details about the Tour de France in York and the Made in Yorkshire market will be taking place from 29 May to 1 June, offering delicious treats for your Fête du Tour picnics and parties.

There will also be the opportunity to purchase York’s ‘Experience the Race’ merchandise.

York’s city centre will be dressed with yellow bunting in Parliament Street, St Sampson’s Square and Coney Street to bring a truly festive spirit to the centre of York.
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Fracking in York

Fracking 1

The York Council has released, under Freedom of Information legislation, copies of correspondence its Labour Leadership has had on the subject of Fracking

The Emails can be read here:

With York environment Forum

York Environment Forum policy statement

Local Plan Minerals policy extract

York Council internal briefing on Fracking

The Labour Leadership have yet to make clear their policy on the use of fracking techniques in the York area

York “Fairness Conference” fails fairness test!

york-fairness-conference-logo

A “Fairness  Conference” – beng promoted by the York Council – has been criticised for being “unfair”.

Critics say that the conference – taking place at York University on 9th June – is unbalanced as it features only Labour party speakers.

They include the Labour leaders of four Councils as well as no fewer than three Labour MPs.

The nearest that the conference gets to political balance is in the introduction on a flyer which refers to the inspirational work of Liberal campaigner Joseph Rowntree.

While the Labour Party are free to debate whatever issues they wish – and this topic is a worthy one – they should not use public money to promote their spokespeople.

The Conference is also being attended by the Archbishop of York and several academics.