Happy New Year York

Happy new Year MinsterWe’ll get over the flood problems quickly and make a fresh start!

and below our favourite “stories” from 2015

Today’s riddle for seniors… Here is the situation:

You are on a horse, galloping at a constant speed

On your right side is a sharp drop-off.

On your left side is an elephant traveling at the same speed as you.

Directly in front of you is a galloping kangaroo and your horse is unable to overtake it.

Behind you is a lion running at the same speed as you and the kangaroo.

What must you do to get out of this highly dangerous situation?

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

Get off the merry-go-round and go home, you silly old bugger!

Gone but not forgotten

Gone but not forgotten

 

and finally

Once upon a time there was a king who wanted to go fishing, so he  called the royal weather forecaster in for a weather update for the next few hours.

 The weatherman assured him that there was no chance of rain in the coming days.

 So the king happily went off fishing with his wife, the queen. On the way they met a farmer on his donkey. Upon seeing the king the farmer said, “Your Majesty, you should return to the palace at once because in just a short time I expect a huge downpour in this area.“

 The king was polite and considerate, he replied, “I hold the palace meteorologist in high regard. He is an extensively educated and experienced professional. Besides, I pay him very high wages. He gave me a very different forecast. I trust him and I will continue on my way,” and so he did.

 However, a short time later torrential rain fell from the heavens and the King and Queen were totally soaked.  Their entourage chuckled upon seeing them in such a non-regal condition.

 Furious, the king returned to the palace and gave orders to fire the weatherman at once!

 Then he summoned the farmer and offered him the prestigious role of royal forecaster.

 The humble farmer said, “Your Majesty, I do not know anything about forecasting. I obtain my information from my donkey. If I see my donkey’s ears drooping, it means with certainty that it will rain.”

 So the king hired the donkey and cut out the middle man – a fine enduring tradition in rich circles.

 And thus also began the time-honored practice of hiring asses to work in the government’s highest paid and most influential positions!

 

Floods update: Financial support available for Business Flood recovery in York

York Flood AppealSome welcome, if slightly belated, news from York Means Business (which is part of the otherwise invisible “Make it York” organisation). 

Financial support of up to £2,500 is being made available to help small and medium sized businesses in York and North Yorkshire affected by the flooding to get back up and trading.

The recovery fund is supported by Government funding and will help businesses to pay for additional measures over and above the costs of repairs that would normally be covered by insurance.

Affected businesses should email Business@makeityork.com to register. Once the application process has been finalised we will contact you directly with further information on how to apply. More information will be available soon at www.york.gov.uk/floods

Flood update: Flood command team stands down

floods childs toyThe multi-agency emergency flood response in York and North Yorkshire has been stood down now that the recovery phase of the operation is well underway.

The decision was taken this afternoon (31 December 2015, New Year’s Eve) by the Strategic Co-ordinating Group chaired by North Yorkshire Police.

Partner agencies in the Tactical Co-ordinating Group – Silver Command – run from North Yorkshire Police’s Force Control Room in York, will return to their organisations to get on with the recovery work from the severe flooding which hit York, Selby, Cawood, Tadcaster and Malton on Boxing Day and in the days that followed.
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Nestle £100,000 boost to York Flood Appeal

Money pouring in to Flood Appeal. Total tops £141,000 by 2:00pm

York Flood Appeal

Businesses or individuals who wish to donate to the appeal should contact Jan Garrill, of Two Ridings Community Foundation or go online at http://www.trcf.org.uk/

Click here to make on “on line” donation

Nestle, one of York’s largest employers, has today (Thursday 31 December) donated £100,000 to the York Flood Appeal – taking the fund to £137,000 in just 48 hours.

The appeal, which was only launched on Tuesday, will help York residents affected by the flooding to get back on their feet.  Funds will provide essential household items, such as carpets and washing machines, and the costs of living in temporary accommodation or paying for extra heating.

Dame Fiona Kendrick, Chairman and CEO of Nestlé UK and Ireland said: “As one of York’s biggest employers it has been very concerning to see the effect of these floods on the local community. We want to join those who have rallied round to support the relief effort, including many of our employees, and we have already been able to provide food, drink and other supplies. We now hope this £100k donation will help the York Flood Appeal provide vital support to those in need at such a difficult time.”

The York Disaster Fund – a local charity established in 2000 in response to the floods that year – set up the York Flood Appeal. The Two Ridings Community Foundation, the local community foundation for York, North & East Yorkshire is hosting the appeal on behalf of the charity.

Steve Stewart, Chief Executive of City of York Council, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the response from both businesses and members of the public who have offered their time, donations and financial assistance to give relief to the people directly affected and the communities around them. We thank Nestle for this generous donation, which will undoubtedly go a long way to helping York residents get back on their feet.”

Anyone needing to apply to the fund should get in touch with City of York Council on 01904 551550.

For advice and support on the York floods visit www.york.gov.uk/floods

Floods updateKnavesmire Road
  • River levels continue to drop and local flood warnings have been downgraded.
  • Some drivers are now venturing onto the Knavesmire Road. The official advice is not to drive into flood water because of the danger of underwater obstructions, missing manhole covers etc.
  • B1222 @ Naburn is still closed (1300hrs Thursday)
  • Traffic lights at Walmgate Bar and on Foss Islands Road (Morrisons) are still not working