Over 1,500 items security marked on York allotments

dot-peen-chassis-componentOver 1,500 items have been security marked during the summer months by City of York Council working alongside North Yorkshire Police and the city’s allotment associations.

As part of the new York Allotments Against Crime campaign, the security marker was funded by a Police and Crime Commissioner’s Community Fund grant awarded to Bootham Stray Allotment Association – with support from City of York Council.

Property marking events have run from early July until September with hundreds of people turning up to have some 1,500 items marked and recorded. Should they be stolen and retrieved they will be more quickly returned to the owner and, if possible, used as evidence.

Councillor Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism at City of York Council, said: “This is a great result for the allotment tenants on our 18 sites. At Low Moor Allotments, 246 items were marked, at Holgate 180 while on the last session at Scarcroft and Hospital Fields Allotment, we secure 167 items. Backed by a social media campaign under the #whatisdotpeen hashtag and with our partners at North Yorkshire Police, this campaign is helping reassure allotment holders and increase their enjoyment of gardening.”

Councillor David Carr, Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods, said: “We continue to advise allotment holders to take any valuable tools home with them or ensure larger items are securely anchored or chained in a locked shed. These markers are a real asset in the fight against allotment crime and, following this success, we hope to repeat the scheme next year.”

For more information on the York Allotments Against Crime (YAAC) and further tool marking opportunities please contact Darren Lovatt on allotments@york.gov.uk or go to https://www.york.gov.uk/allotments

New Volunteer Bailiff Scheme at Chapman’s Pond

Chapmans Pond A new scheme to protect and enhance a pond popular with anglers and residents has been launched in York.

The Volunteer Bailiff Scheme, which is launching at Chapman’s pond with the support of the Friends of Chapman’s Pond and City of York Council, has been set up by local anglers who are keen to encourage good fishing practice and maintain the area as a beautiful place for visitors. They will help to monitor the water quality, make visitors aware of the site rules and report any anti-social behaviour. They will also advise people on fishing tips and techniques.

The scheme has been set up partly in response to a number of fish deaths during the summer which the Environment Agency investigated. The volunteers will help protect the fish by advising how to land one without injuring it and educating people on their use of bait. They will also monitor the health of the fish caught for early signs of any problems with the pond environment.

Chapmans Pond closed earlier in the year

Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, Councillor Nigel Ayre said: “Chapman’s Pond is a beautiful area and a popular fishing spot. The volunteers will be a friendly and well-informed presence at the site, helping to ensure that a visit continues to be a pleasurable experience for all. We would ask that anglers and visitors show respect to the volunteers and follow their advice – they are there for everyone’s benefit and to ensure the pond is looked after for future enjoyment.”

Anyone who wants to fish at the pond should have a valid rod licence which can be purchased from post offices.
The Environment Agency and police will also be supporting the Volunteer Bailiff Scheme, which launches on Monday 12 October. For further information, or if you would like to get involved, please email Jenny Cairns at City of York Council jennifer.cairns@york.gov.uk or call 07833 436832. Previous experience is not required but knowledge of fishing would be useful and training is provided.

Christmas carousel vs open air bar battle – Debate on 8th October

York Christmas Carousel

York Christmas Carousel

Petitions containing over 2000 signatures supporting the retention of the Christmas children’s carousel ride  in the Parliament Street area will be presented to the next York Council meeting on 8th October.

Tipi bar

Tipi bar

The “on line” version of the petition has now closed.

Separately Make it York have announced details of the public bar which will replace the children’s attraction.

The issues relating to Make it York’s attitude to public consultation are also likely to be discussed at a “Shareholders” meeting taking place on 5th October.

This was the meeting which was supposed to have been held in public but for which the Council has so far failed to publish an agenda.

York Council paid out over £1/2 million for Knights training and match-day facilities

A response on a Freedom of Information web site has revealed that the York Council has paid £400,000 to St John’s University.

In return the University  agreed to allow the Knights Rugby team to train, and play its second string fixtures, at the new Haxby Road sports ground.

£200,000 was paid out last year, despite an impasse developing during which the Knights were barred from using the facility.

They eventually gained access only 6 weeks ago.

A second installment of £200,000 has been paid during the current financial year.

It is unclear whether the payments will also facilitate access by York residents to the Haxby Road facilities.

Four weeks ago St Johns University announced that it was withdrawing from participation in the Community Stadium project at Monks Cross

The new information also reveals that payments of £42,168 were made in 2014/15 and £64,000 so far this year to allow the Knights to play their first team fixtures at Bootham Crescent.

No such fixtures have yet been played at the venue with the Knights following a largely nomadic existence for most of their current season, before eventually ending up at Heworth.

If they win their next fixture against Swinton, they might have a home tie in the playoffs… raising again the possibility of a move to Bootham Crescent.

Clubs hiring an average football stadium might expect to pay around £30,000 a year in rent. The figures for Bootham Crescent, therefore, look relatively high – although it would have to cover the cost of changing the layout from football to rugby, not to mention the issue of off the field income.

The expenditure of £506,168 is part of a total of £3.9 million spent so far by the Council on the Community Stadium project. The £3.9 million also includes around £1 million spent on improving athletics facilities at the University of York.

Most of the money has come from a “Section 106” payment made by the developers of the John Lewis store site at Monks Cross.

Knights costs

First gliding and kung fu sessions to be offered at York’s biggest 50+ Games

kungfu pensionersKung fu, gliding, kick boxing, weight lifting and fencing taster sessions are being offered for the first time at this year’s 50+ Games which run from Saturday 26 September to Sunday 4 October.

The Eng-AGE 50+ Games is a nine-day event organised by City of York Council in partnership with local sports clubs and coaches and runs alongside the popular York 50+ Festival. It offers an exciting, mainly free programme of taster sessions to introduce those aged over 50 to the broad range of health and fitness activities which take place regularly in venues throughout York.

This year’s record programme boasts 41 sessions and involves 17 different sports clubs. Their offer includes cardio tennis, swimming, walking, running, boxing, walking football and tennis, whilst residents who prefer gentler activity can enjoy bowls, yoga, pilates and seated tai chi. Also on offer is a motorised gliding experience at York Gliding Centre in Rufforth.

All abilities and fitness levels are welcome and the ethos of the Games is as much about meeting new people and taking part than winning!

Councillor Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism said: “The Eng-AGE 50+ Games offers residents a fantastic chance to try new sport in a friendly setting and discover where they can continue to take part throughout the year.

“All adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of physical activity a week – just 30 minutes a day will hit that target. Regular sport and activity benefits physical and mental wellbeing, and for older people it’s important to help balance and co-ordination, bone strength and flexibility to maintain a full and independent life.”

The full programme can be found at www.york.gov.uk/engage and leaflets can be picked up from libraries.

For further information contact Megan Hale, Older Peoples Physical Activity Officer, on 01904 553377, email megan.hale@york.gov.uk