“Viking Hall” planned for Castle car park  

With the organisers of the Shakespearean Rose Theatre eager to return next summer for a repeat performance, it looks like they may have to dislodge Viking invaders first.

The York Council is reporting that they have been approached to provide a Viking themed theatrical experience which would include a Viking Great Hall and courtyard theatre “creating an immersive performance space with a capacity of approximately 100 people per show – with 360-degree sets, live actors, and special effects”.

The installation would also include a Viking themed homestead featuring food and beverage outlets, box office, sheltered and unsheltered seating, entertainment and demonstration stage and the potential for a craft and skills market.

The Council says this would involve the closure of the Castle Car Park to create a new area of “high-quality public realm”. Work on an alternative car park – a multi storey on St Georges Field – has not yet started.

The Rose theatre benefited from one of the warmest and driest summers we have had since the second world war. The test for outdoor attractions always comes with poorer weather. Time will tell what type of events are sustainable near the Castle.

As for the Viking Hall, our predecessors from Scandinavia were famous for their love of the arts. Many a happy evening was spent sitting next to an open fire sipping buttermilk and listening to the harps, lyres and lutes.

They might occasionally drink ale and mead, prompting the following poetic warning

Less good than they say
for the sons of men
is the drinking oft of ale:
for the more they drink,
the less they can think
and keep a watch over their wits.

Beers in those days were much weaker than today.

If the Viking Hall operators hope to get a license for their establishment, no doubt they will restrict sales to Kaliber and the like (No I didn’t think so either)

The Viking Hall would be open between January and May.  January to March is a notoriously quiet time in the York City centre.

What’s on in York: Chapter House Choir

Formed in 1965 to raise funds for the York Minster Appeal, the Chapter House Choir continues to build on its reputation as one of the North of England’s finest amateur chamber choirs, under the leadership of musical director Benjamin Morris.

This concert completes a series on the theme of exile, reconciliation and peace.  The concert marks three significant 100-year anniversaries:

  • Hubert Parry’s death,
  • The granting of women’s suffrage and later the right for women to be elected to parliament,
  • The forthcoming 100th anniversary on 11/11/18 of the armistice in the First World War.

The programme includes several of Parry’s masterful Songs of Farewell, C V Stanford’s virtuosic 8-part MagnificatA short Requiem by Walford Davies and the BBC Radio 3 commissioned work, The Pankhurst Anthem – words and music by Helen and Lucy Pankhurst – for which the Chapter House Choir will be joined by the talented Chapter House Youth Choir

Tickets – £15 & £13.50 (concessions), Students & under 18s £5 are available to patrons of the Chapter House Choir in advance of the general release on 7 September.  For details on how to become a patron, please see here

What’s on in York: Zen Doodle Workshop

York Explore Library :

Oct _13Zen

Sat 13 Oct :

11.00am – 1.00pm :

Free

Far from being a mindless activity… or simply as a response to boredom, people are now discovering the hidden pleasures of “Doodling”.

This is a Free session.

Paper will be provided by the tutor, but please bring a medium and a fine – “Fine liner” drawing pen along to the session.

This event will take place in the Marriott Room and is for Adults.

To book tickets please click here.

That was the week that was in pictures: more dumping and fly posting in west York

A mattress and other items have been dumped in the Cornlands Park

Bus shelter in Askham Lane damaged

Council asked to confirm a date when the much promised, never delivered, lay-by on Askham Lane will be constructed?

Hedge on snicket linking Gale Lane and Haddon Close reported. Needs cutting back

Snicket between Haddon Close and Tennent Road needs clearing of litter (not for the first time)

Fly posters advertising a Fair at ROKO Health Club are blighting the City

Far to much litter, broken glass and detritus on Tithe Close/Tedder Road snicket