Famous York sword on display at the Tower of London

One of York’s most famous and treasured artefacts is on display at a special exhibition in the Tower of London until January 2016.

Sigismund Sword

From this week until 31 January 2016 the world famous Tower of London will play host to a special exhibition from the Royal Armouries to mark the 600th anniversaryof the battle of Agincourt with the Sigusmund Sword from York playing a starring role.

The exhibition brings together, for the first time, rare and iconic objects from the collections of the Royal Armouries and elsewhere to retell the moving story of this deadly encounter; from the road to battle, to the events of 25 October 1415 and the aftermath, which in turn will explore the popular myths, reality and legacy of this extraordinary battle.

York’s Mansion House has offered the exhibition use of the sword as work starts at the historic townhouse to restore the building and ensure a better visitor experience and ensure visitors can see more of the building and its Civic collection than ever before.

The restoration comes following a grant of £1,198,700 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) as well as funding from the council and donations to the restoration fund.

The City of York ceremonial sword and scabbard on display at the exhibition dates from circa 1416. On Sigismund’s death in 1437 the sword became the property of the dean and canons of St George’s and was acquired by one of the canons who may have presented the sword to the City of York on 5 May 1439 and it has been used as a civic sword since that date.

Today the sword is used on ceremonial occasions such freedom of the city, Mayor Making and Full council. The sword was also used for the recent State visit in 2012 which saw the Monarch presented with the Sigismund sword before they enter the city.

The exhibition’s curator and medieval specialist, Dr Malcolm Mercer said, “We are delighted to include the City of York ceremonial sword and scabbard in this exhibition. No original weapons from the battlefield are known to survive, but records tell us that this sword is part of a fascinating legacy of the powerful royal alliances formed in the aftermath of this remarkable battle.”

For more information on the Agincourt 600 exhibition please visit www.agincourt600.com/event/royal-armouries-exhibition-tower-of-london/

Have your say on Council Tax Support consultation – Acomb Library 17th November

City of York Council is inviting residents to have their say on changes to its Council Tax Support Scheme.

Any change would remedy the unfairness of the last Labour Council which imposed a system which hit hardest the lowest paid members of society. They were told to pay several hundreds of pounds which many simply didn’t have. Labour had hoped that the government would be blamed for the cynical ploy. Instead electors kicked out the Labour leadership at May’s Council poll.

The consultation takes place from: Monday 2 to Sunday 29 November 2015 and asks whether the council should consider providing more assistance to residents by increasing the maximum 70 per cent discount they can receive.

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To complete the consultation visit www.york.gov.uk/consultation . Drop-in sessions are also taking place on:

•Wednesday 4 November West Offices, Station Rise, 2.30 – 7.30pm

• Thursday 12 November Burton Stone Community Centre 2.30 – 7.30pm

• Monday 16 November Haxby Explore 2.30 – 7.00pm

• Tuesday 17 November Acomb Explore 2.30 – 7.30pm

• Monday 23 November Tang Hall Explore 2.30 –7.30pm

• Tuesday 24 November Copmanthorpe Library 2.30–6.30pm

• Thursday 26 November Fulford Explore 2.30 – 5pm

A review of the York Council Tax Support (CTS) scheme was taken to Executive on Thursday 29 November, which saw members agree to progress with a consultation.

At the meeting, Executive were presented with a report which outlined what existing financial support was available to residents, the number of people seeking support and what further steps could be taken to support York’s most financially vulnerable residents in the short term but also in a sustainable way going forward.

City of York Council’s CTS scheme has been in place since April 2013 and is intended to provide low income and vulnerable council tax payers with financial help towards meeting their council tax liability.

Since April 2013, the maximum amount of Council Tax support or discount available to working age households in York is 70 per cent, which means every working age household is required to pay at least 30 per cent of their council tax bill regardless of their income or family circumstances.

The council is now considering whether to change the current 30 per cent cap and is asking residents to have their say, which could result in changes being implemented as soon as next year subject to Full Council approval.
Currently there are 5,096 working age residents who qualify for CTS – who are typically reliant on welfare benefits for their income because of illness, disability or unemployment, receive tax credits, are lone parents or who are in low paid work.

Residents who are state pension age and qualify on the basis of their income will continue to have support based on 100 per cent of their Council Tax liability and are not affected by this consultation.
Full details of the scheme can be found on the council’s website. www.york.gov.uk/counciltaxsupport

The council’s YFAS (Financial Assistance) scheme was only introduced in 2013 (the same time as CTS) and provides emergency financial support in a crisis but also support for qualifying residents with their council tax. This was initially grant funded by the Department of Work and Pensions, which then withdrew funding from April 2015.

The council has continued to commit a base budget of over £500k to the scheme, with additional funding for two years, to ensure the impact of withdrawal of the specific grant was not felt by YFAS residents.
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So two months on where are the Syrian refugees?

Two months after the York discovered its collective conscience and offered to help Syrian refugees, just how many have actually made the short 2 hour flight from the camps in Greece to the City?

The short answer is none.

The delays are becoming an embarrassment as first local and national government bickered over who would pick up the bill, and then – following an announcement that the PM would allow 20,000 refuges into the country – insurmountable bureaucratic hurdles have prevented speedy action.

Now with winter approaching conditions for the refugees are rapidly deteriorating.

The York Council Leadership says that the supply of information from the government about the process and funding to house and support refugees has been slow and limited.

“Mothers wrapped their children in rubbish bags to try to keep them warm” Click

“This is why there has as yet not been any confirmation of when refugees may arrive or how many there may initially be – the information is gradually emerging.

We now understand that funding will be provided to local authorities for a refugee’s full five years in the UK, but not exactly what this will cover.

City of York Council has been in contact with the Home Office and Migration Yorkshire – and a meeting with officials is planned in early November.

We do plan to hold a joint press conference once we have the information we need – specifically covering arrival – and are in a position to confirm how many refugees we will take. This will likely take place with other organisations, including York Minster – following a meeting last week.

In the meantime CYC has been promoting a new fund called the York Refugee Appeal, hosted by the Two Ridings Community Foundation, in coordination with local media. Other offers of help are of course very gratefully received, and can be directed to refugeesupport@york.gov.uk”.

So what should happen?

Many people who offered help and support 8 weeks ago are still waiting to find out what they can do and when.

Some chose to take direct action with several visiting the refugee camps.

The Council should update the refugee page on its web site each week (at least) providing details of what is being done
The should appoint a named official to coordinate action with aid agencies and volunteers in the City
The MPs for the city should press central government to be more open about timetables and processes. There needs to be a greater sense of urgency

We know that these voluntary bodies are activity involved in the process

But it is the statutory agencies that need to up their game as winter approaches

Halloween – Advice from York Police

York Police are asking children and residents to observe a code of conduct in the run up to Halloween. The following poster can be downloaded from their website

Parents should take responsibility for their children’s behaviour – know where they are at all times, and follow a few key dos and don’ts.

Do:

Only trick or treat in your own neighbourhood unless you’re with an adult
Stay in well lit areas where there are plenty of houses
Make sure an adult knows the area you plan to visit and what time you’ll be back
Look out for ‘no callers please’ posters and respect your neighbours
Keep to pavements and trick or treat on one side of the street before crossing safely to the other side – don’t criss-cross
Wait to eat any treats until you get home so that an adult can check them

Don’t:

Don’t cut through back alleys, ginnels or fields, and don’t trick or treat too far from home
Don’t go alone – take an adult with you or stay in a group
If you do decide to go trick or treating, please respect the wishes of householders who do not wish to take part, and please do not use the season as an excuse for anti-social or intimidating behaviour.

Even if you are not involved in trick or treating, bear in mind the following:

Not everyone appreciates trick or treaters. To prevent unwanted ghosts and ghouls, put a ‘no callers’ note on your front door.
If you are prepared to receive the local monsters, switch on your outside light and remove any trip hazards. If you set lanterns outside your front door with candles in them, make sure that they are far enough out of the way so that costumes won’t accidentally be set on fire.
If you are driving on the evening of the 31st, remember that excited children don’t always do as they are expected, so slow down in residential areas and take extra care.

If things get out of hand, you feel intimidated, or someone’s safety is at risk, contact North Yorkshire Police.

Skips on Saturday – Bramham Road

What’s on: Poetry Society Surgeries with Carole Bromley

Sat 31 Oct: 10.00am – 3.15pm

This is a wonderful opportunity to discuss your poetry on a one-to-one basis with poet and tutor Carole Bromley, a relaxed but in-depth analysis of your poems.

Identify strategies for further developing your writing, discuss problems you may be experiencing and look at strategies for taking your work forward.
There will be plenty of time to talk about all those things you need to know about writing, revising and submitting your work.

Surgeries take place at York Explore, Library Square, Museum Street, York, YO1, which is 5 minutes walk from the station and 1 minute from The Minster. Library Square is well served by buses and there are several car-parks nearby. York Explore also has a very nice cafe.
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