Windsor House to close

Shock as Ascot Way elderly persons home faces early axe

The media are claiming today that Windsor House will be the next home to be closed by the City of York Council.

Although the closure is not unexpected, it had been anticipated that the home would remain open until alternative facilities were provided in the Acomb area.

Originally the plan had been to offer residents places at a brand-new care village which was to have been built on the former Lowfields school site. That project is running 5 years behind schedule and does not yet even have planning permission.

Another option – to replace the facility on the Oakhaven site – also is running behind schedule.

The Council is putting most of its effort and money into the east of the city. The sale of the Windsor House site – and parcels of land at Lowfields – will be used to finance a big home and leisure complex at Burnholme.

Windsor House residents, and their relatives, are likely to be very angry if places cannot be provided in Acomb to ensure that links with families and friends are sustained.

Some of the 34 members of staff at the home may face redundancy although, as there is a chronic shortage of care staff in the City, most will have a choice of alternative jobs should they choose to remain in the sector.

The closure would mean that the last Council run elderly persons home in the Westfield Ward would close. There is a private home on Gale Lane.

The sheltered accommodation at places like Gale Farm and Lincoln Court are not directly affected by the decision.

What’s on in York: The Uninvited Guest!

York Explore Library

Tue 10 Oct

6.15pm – 7.45pm

£6, or £5 with a YorkCard

Oct _10Univited GuestIt is said that York is the most haunted city in England, and the nightly, highly successful commercial tours reveal no shortage of interesting and unexplained occurrences which claim to be connected to supernatural events within the city.

One such apparition, which has up until now never been revealed to the wider public, is that of a male gentleman who walks the corridors of our Mansion House. Colin Sheppard, a city guide who hosts tours of this newly refurbished and historic building, has explored the possibilities of who this ghostly figure might have been in his earthly life. Join him as he takes you on this voyage of discovery into the identity of this ‘uninvited guest.’
Tickets are £9 each, or £8 with a YorkCard, and are available from any Explore library or from the Inspire website (www.feelinginspired.co.uk).

What’s on in York: Silence in the Minster

An opportunity to experience and enjoy stillness in the Minster, with talks, meditation, poetry and music

12th Oct 2017

7.00pm – 9.00pm

FREE

Are you exhausted by the constant assault of noise in our daily lives? Do you look for somewhere – anywhere – where you can be quiet, even if just for a short while and when you get it, what should you do with it?
Have you wondered what it would be like to experience the Minster after hours and the daily operations have disappeared?

Silence in the Minster could well be the occasion you’ve been looking for.

The event, organised by The York Minster Pilgrimage Group, will take place on Thursday 12th October from 7.00pm – 9.00pm.

The evening will start with Canon Chris Collingwood giving a talk on how to use silence – drawing on the deep well of teaching, resources and experience in the Christian contemplative tradition – before leading periods of silent meditation.  Occasional readings of poetry during the evening will also help to sustain an atmosphere of stillness and calm.

The evening is open to all, whether you are a person of faith or not, or for those who already have experience of contemplative prayer and meditation. Those taking part will also have the opportunity to explore the space of the Minster by wandering around at will or just sitting in silence and letting the Minster ‘speak.’

This is a free service. All welcome. Access is via the North West Door.