“Dig in” project enhances Sanderson House in Chapelfields

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Click to enlarge

The “dig in” team have issued the following statement

“We’ll be starting a weekly club at Sanderson House next Tuesday 4pm – 6pm. The club will be a mixture of gardening, crafts and cooking and will be open to all.

Come along to help with the transformation of the garden and be a part of this exciting project taking root in Chapelfields.

We have a special treat organised on Saturday 16th March, a trip to Brunswick Organic Nursery, free transport provided.

We are recruiting for a trainee, this is a fantastic opportunity that will be of great benefit to the lucky person who gets the role, please spread the word.
Check out the posters for details”.

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Charity swim at Energise pool on 26th and 27th April

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Residents in York are being invited to dive into the world’s biggest fundraising swim this April and take on the Swimathon challenge to raise money for cancer charities.

The event in York is being held at Yearsley and Energise Pools, where local swimmers can join thousands of others across the country donning their swimwear in an effort to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Duncan Goodhew, Swimathon President, said: “It’s going to be a busy few months coaching, and taking part in the Swimathon Squad 5k team challenge. The Squad provides a fantastic opportunity to bring together swimmers of all abilities and demonstrate to the thousands of people taking part in Swimathon every year that anyone can achieve their goal regardless of their ability, while raising funds for Marie Cure Cancer Care as they smash their target.”

Marie Curie Cancer Care gives people with terminal illnesses the choice to die at home. Funds raised by taking on Swimathon 2013 will help Marie Curie nurses provide them and their families with free hands-on care and emotional support, in their own homes, right until the end.

To sign up click here entries are open until 24 April 2013. Please note that the events will result in temporary pool closures.

Reduce your energy costs!

Community Energy Direct is a non-profit co-operative working to help people stay warm while spending less.

The Energy Smart Club model is supported by York and other local councils and could help you save money by switching energy suppliers.

Their dedicated website click here at has more information, and with your gas and electricity statements to hand you can click through to sign up online.

There is no obligation, signing up simply means your household can be assessed to see if a better energy deal is available, and offered a choice of lower-cost providers within a few weeks.

Call 0845 4502581 for more information.

Major new opening at York Minster for Spring Bank Holiday – volunteers sought

Volunteers sought for “Revealing York Minster”, opening Saturday 25 May 2013

There will be an important date added to York Minster’s historical timeline on Saturday 25 May 2013, when a brand new visitor experience, Revealing York Minster, opens to the public.

Revealing York Minster is a network of new interactive galleries, housed in the Undercroft and Treasury below the historic cathedral, which tells the colourful story of York Minster, from the lives of the Roman garrison to the work of the staff, clergy and volunteers in the 21stcentury.

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York Libraries “Giant Booksale”

• 22nd Mar 2013 – 25th Mar 2013
• Come along and find a bargain at the Giant Booksale.
• Every day
• Location: Explore York Library Learning Centre
• Cost: Entry Free

Visit Explore York between Friday 22 March and Monday 25 March and take a look round the Giant Book Sale.

All types of stock available: Paperbacks, Hardbacks, Fiction, Non Fiction, Audiobooks, Playaways, DVDs, CDs, Lots of local history stock

Acomb Alive!

Acomb Alive!, the voluntary Group who are taking responsibility for regenerating the Front Street area, have announced their plans for the next few months.

Following on from the successful Pancake Race on 12th February there will be a number of Activity Days in Front Street to attract people into the area to see what is going on, this has followed a successful bid to the Westfield First Community Fund. The next one will be on 30th March and there will be activities for people, the launch of the Easter Egg Treasure Hunt, and lots for children to do.

Acomb pancake race

Acomb pancake race

Acomb Alive! have now met with the council to discuss how empty shops can be brought into use, improvements in the area, and efforts to have the business rates reduced by lobbying the Valuation Office.

The street market planned for Easter has been postponed. It is hoped that an event will take place later in the year when a Street Market, with activities like crafts and Vintage stalls, will draw people to Front Street.

A project has been started which could bring empty shops into life. So if you know of any local artists or bands who want spaces then let Acomb Alive! know.

York cycle network revealed

The Council has published its final plans for a cycle network in the City. Only 50 responses were received to a consultation on a draft plan which was published last year.

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Many of the proposals are worthwhile and might reverse the hostility to cyclists shown by the new Labour Council when took out key cycle links when it first took office in 2011. Removal of the cycle lane at Clifton Green was done in the face of majority opposition from consultees.

The party has a poor recent record on provision for cyclists having virulently opposed the provision of off street facilities in Beckfield Lane area when in opposition. That important link to Manor School still hasn’t been completed.

Nor is the Cross Street/Front Street anomaly addressed in the proposals.

In fact none of the Councils top 25 cycle priority schemes address outstanding issues in the Westfield area.

Cycling and other transport issues are likely to remain under-funded as long as the Council devotes a large proportion of its budget to the unnecessary City wide 20 mph speed limit.

The proposed cycle network can be viewed by clicking here

The proposed priority list of improvements can be viewed by clicking here.

Representations on the proposals can be made by email to laura.bootland@york.gov.uk before 5.00pm on Monday 11th March 2013.