Walk 2 Jog course returns

Back after its success in 2017, City of York Council is running two Walk 2 Jog courses, starting on Monday 26 February.

Walk 2 Jog is a ten week course that aims to build fitness from a short walk to a steady jog. Jogging is a great aerobic activity which can help weight loss and develop a healthy heart.

In February the council is running two courses.

The first course will see residents work their way up from walking to jogging 5k in ten weeks.

Those who have previously completed Walk 2 Jog can take part in our second course, with the new intermediate challenge of going from 3-7km and they can work towards the 5-10k challenge later in the year.

Councillor Ann Reid, interim executive member for leisure, culture and tourism said: “It is great to see the Walk 2 Jog courses returning. The courses have been well received and are a great way for people to get fitter.

“Jogging is popular, low cost and convenient and is an excellent way to achieve the recommended 30 minutes of physical activity a day. Most of us have our new year’s resolutions to keep to and these courses offer a fun, informative and supportive approach for non-joggers who want to up their speed and stamina as part of a group.”

Both courses start on Monday 26 February at 6.30pm at Rowntree Park. Each session lasts 60 minutes.

The cost is just £10 for a 10 week course. Those who complete the course will receive a free t-shirt.

For further information visit www.york.gov.uk/justjog.

Places are limited, to book your place contact the YorWellbeing team on 01904 553377 or email yorwellbeing@york.gov.uk .

Work to improve the A19 Crockey Hill junction set to start

The Council  will be starting the second phase of work to improve the flow of traffic on the A19 south of York with works at the Crockey Hill junction with Wheldrake Lane starting on Sunday 14 January.

The work is expected to be completed by Friday 4 May. No work will take place over the Easter weekend, and the road will be operate as normal from 30 March to 3 April in a bid to minimise disruption to road users.

An extra southbound lane will be built on the approach to, and through the junction in a bid to ease rush-hour congestion heading south out of York, particularly at the A64 Fulford Interchange. The traffic lights in the area will also be improved.
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Action taken on issues in and near Westfield

Shame to see so much disrepair and vandalism in the St Stephens graveyard in Acomb. Several who fell in the First and Second World Wars are buried here. We hope, as part of the commemoration of the end of WW1, some refurbishment work might be possible. More to come

As a minimum, we’ll ask for the War Memorial on The Green to be given a good clean and tidy up in the spring

Good progress is being made on levelling the footpath on the Library side of Front Street

Recent rain has meant that some paths and roads have standing water on them. Part of the footpath on Askham Lane is almost blocked at one point. We’ve reported the locations that we have spotted. To report issues go to https://www.york.gov.uk/reportproblems

Good to see that all the noticeboards in the Westfield Ward are now back in use and are being updated regularly. If you wish to advertise a local event email Foxwoodra@btinternet.com. They have taken over noticeboard management in most of the area

Action taken on these

Wanted more goose scarers in York – Never volunteer?

The old army motto, seems to have passed the York Council by.

In a report to a meeting taking place next week, the Council provides a long list of activities which are currently undertaken by volunteers.

  • ‘Sustrans’ uses many volunteers to help maintain the cycle route network. Volunteers also work with Sustrans to help promote cycling more generally. Some of these volunteers are also coordinated through St Nicholas’ Fields.
  • ‘York Health Walks’ organise the ‘Walking for Health’ programme. c25 volunteers lead the walks. They are currently advertising for an additional walk leader in the Foxwood area
  • ‘Bike Belles’ runs social bike rides, bike maintenance workshops and cycling with tots’ sessions.
  • Part of the grant given by the Council to “York Wheels” is a contribution to funding their ‘volunteer car scheme’. 28 individuals provide this important service which enables elderly and infirm residents to stay in their own homes.
  • Public Rights of Way Survey work 5-6 volunteers regularly give their time (every May and November) to undertake the rights of way survey. This consists of a random survey of 25% of the York rights of way network.
  • Air Quality Assessment One of the areas the Council believe ‘volunteers’ could provide significant assistance is collecting and replacing the diffusion tubes which are located on lamp posts around the city. The tubes – which are collected over two days each month – help give an indication of the air quality at those locations.

There area one or two less obvious potential pastimes on the Councils list

  • Gardeners – 112 In various parks – friend’s groups
  • Litter Pickers – 157 – individuals and groups- work over and above our visits
  • Lockers / Unlockers – 81- of various parks
  • Bailiffs – 12
  • Goose Scarers – 8
  • Trail Builders – 7
  • Snow Wardens – 214
  • Balsam Bashers – 3
  • Leaf Blowers – 4

Goose scarers sound a bit Elizabethan to us.