Beacon to be lit in York to celebrate Her Majesty’s 90th birthday

Local residents are invited to come and watch the lighting of a beacon this Thursday evening as part of the celebrations to mark Her Majesty’s 90th birthday.

Midsummer bonfire against a night sky, moon Beacon and MoonThe event will start from 6.30pm in Glen Gardens where local children are invited to take part in games organised by the Friends of Glen Gardens.

The games were enjoyed by young people in the 1920s and include marbles, jump the rope, kick the can and jacks.

At 7.30pm the beacon will be lit by a group of volunteers from the Friends group.

The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will light the principal beacon at Windsor Castle.

This will be followed by the lighting of beacons throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, UK overseas territories and a Commonwealth country to celebrate this landmark birthday.
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York Council QUANGO set new targets

A watchdog committee will be told next week what the targets for the Councils wholly owned “Make it York” (MIY) organisation will be.

York's image to be improved  as alcohol dominates City centre economy

York’s image to be improved as alcohol dominates City centre economy

MIY has been the centre of controversy since it took over the management of City centre activities 12 months ago. 

It has just reported a £29,000 “profit” for last year …..but only after receiving nearly £1 million from local taxpayers.

Now the Council is saying that the subsidy for 2016/17 must be used to meet a range of targets which include;

  • Sustaining/creating “high value jobs” (Taxpayer contribution £179k) – This includes inward investment, account management with “500 jobs created above the national median wage”. In 2015/16 MIY claimed to have created 233 new jobs (against a target of 700) of which only 167 (target 500) where “high value”
  • Cultural/visual identity (£120k) – improving the City’s image (!), a year round creative lighting setup for the city centre, digital signposting and what’s on, city centre public realm enhancement and “the” Eye of York development.
  • Bring people and businesses together (£39k) – to “enable serendipity to happen” (!)
  • Community based economic initiatives (£30k) – includes rolling out Bishopthorpe Road “model” to other suburban shopping areas.

In addition, the MIY will promote the Shambles market and stimulate tourism albeit no numeric targets for these activities are included in the proposed “service level agreement”

What would success look like?

Most of these objectives are notoriously difficult to monitor. In particular, most economic growth is organic and would probably happen anyway without third party stimulation.

MIY has already fallen into the trap of measuring inputs (e.g. number of meetings held) rather than outputs. It is reminiscent of the last Councils flirtation with the exotic attractions of Cannes

If the organisation can make a “profit” then they appear to care little that local traders are squeezed out by high rents or that children lose their traditional pastimes.morris-world-missing-target

Performance numbers for 2015/16 will be considered at a “shareholders” meeting next week. They show that MIY missed all of their economic development targets during the last year

However, the number of potential tourists accessing Visit York information did achieve the 2 million target. The organisation also did better on business inquiries and conferences.

There are no customer satisfaction measures for city centre activities or the “markets” experience.

Total tourist numbers and entry numbers at attractions are not reported. Nor are hotel room occupancy figures.

In the wake of the City of York Trading scandal, the Council has promised a root and branch review of how its arm’s length companies and partner organisations are governed.

 The sooner that happens the better.

What’s on in York – A Forgotten Local hero? Alcuin of York and his World

York Explore Library :

Wed 20 Apr: 6.15pm – 7.45pm :

£6  (£5 with a York Card)

Apr 20_AlcuinAn introduction to Alcuin of York, his activities, and the York of his time. The lecture will explore the forgotten glory of York between the Romans and the Vikings

Alcuin is remembered in York today by a street-name, a college, and a wing of a library. His city, York in the Anglian era, has been largely forgotten, eclipsed by Romans and Vikings. The eighth-century, the era when Alcuin lived, is often referred to as part of the ‘Dark Ages.’  Who was Alcuin?  What did he do?  Why does he matter? And what kind of world did he live in?

This talk will introduce Alcuin’s life and world, exploring his roots in York, his achievements, why they might matter today.

This is a unique opportunity to learn more about the importance of Alcuin of York from a leading expert in the field Dr Mary Garrison from York University

This event is aimed at 14+

For information on how to book  /Events.York/StandardBookingProcess/ViewEventDetails?id=26458450

What’s on in York – Cookery for fun & health – Superfood suppers!

York High School :

Wed 20 Apr –  Wed 4 May (three weeks) :

7.00pm – 9.00pm:

£40 for all  (plus £10-£15 a week for ingredients)

Apr 20_Simple Superfood SuppersSimple, super-healthy nutritious dishes, ideal for midweek suppers.  A fun, informative and practical cookery course.

Follow our tutor, a qualified chef, as he guides you through a selection of nutritious recipes prepared knowing you are giving your body some essential goodness. Using fresh ingredients you will gain an understanding the importance of flavour balance and learn presentation and cutting techniques.

Develop your skills each week and try out your new knowledge at home and impress your family and friends.

Please bring an apron, oven gloves, selection of knives (guidance will be given at beginning of course), a folder for recipes, a pen and suitable container to transport food home. You will be required to bring your own ingredients.

Click here to find out more.

Minimum age for attendance is 19.