Castle car park future

A Council meeting next week (14th June) will receive an update on plans to replace the Castle car park with an events space.

Contrary to expectations, most of the area would continue to be hard-surfaced. There is provision for a Pagoda style shelter. The useable space is rather less than can be found on the other side of the road in Tower Gardens.

More extensive changes are planned for the Eye of York – which would effectively become become “the rectangle of York” with space being made available for outdoor museum exhibitions.

The report recommends that “the new public realm at the Castle and Eye of York forms part of the
council’s funding bid to central government’s Levelling Up Fund, applications for which close on 18 June 2021″.

The new apartments being built at Castle Mills can’t be occupied before the Castle car park is closed according to a (frankly perverse) planning condition. The Castle car park can’t close until replacement parking has been provided. The Planning Committee has so far refused to approve the provision of a replacement car park.

We expect central government to start reducing its capital spending and borrowing shortly. We doubt whether “nice to have” schemes will get priority over essential infrastructure investment..

No updated business plan is being presented to the meeting next week.

NB. The Council has made no progress on the £5.9 million scheme to redevelop the site currently occupied by “Spark”. They are under pressure to sell the site and use the receipt to avoid unnecessary borrowing which otherwise would be necessary to fund the Castle Mills/car park part of the project.

The Council says that refined drawings may be presented to the meeting next week

Community Stadium car parking confusion

Better Leisure web site

It seems that, despite all the delays, the position for those wanting to park at the new Community Stadium car park remains confused

Although “Better Leisure” tell drivers on their web site to buy a match day ticket in advance from either the Knights or (later in the summer) York City FC, there appears to be no on-line purchase option currently available. This could lead to unnecessary parking in nearby residential areas although many will no doubt restrict their stay to the 2 hour maximum currently enforced across the site.

Any issues need to be sorted out quickly now. Not everyone is yet comfortable with using public transport while car parking income from the 400 allocated match day spaces, is needed to help balance the books on the hugely expensive project.

New bus shelter arrives in Ascot Way

New bus shelter (left) Temporary bus stop still in use (right)

Good to see that the replacement bus shelter in Ascot Way has finally arrived. It was supposed to be available from the autumn when the adjacent building works were completed. Looks very tidy.

The actual bus stop has not yet been moved back to its original location and is still located round the corner.

Disappointing to see that the Ashford Place street sign has not been realigned. It continues to point to part of Windsor Garth. It was reported for attention over 2 months ago. Similarly potholes on Ashford Place itself – also reported some time ago – have still not been marked up for attention.

Foxwood Community Centre wildflower garden

Better news in Foxwood where volunteers have planted up wildflowers as part of a campaign to help pollinators (bees etc.). Good display now outside the community centre and in part of the Foxwood park.

What’s on in York: Knights rugby half term activities

Fun In The Sun – May Half-Term Camps

Join us this May half term as we able to offer 4 park sessions for local children to enjoy. Fun, engaging, multi activity sessions based in the local Parks and green spaces.

Designed to help keep you fit and active during the school holidays, with each participant receiving a free drink and snack at each session. These sessions have been made possible through Ward Committee funding who we would like to thank for their continued support.

Booking is essential with limited availability. Please see each individual link below to book on an event.

Event 1 – Westfield Primary Community School

When: Wednesday 2nd June Time: 10:00 – 11:30

Where: Westfield Primary Community School, Askham Ln, YO24 3HP

About: Free fun for 5 years and upwards. Includes a free snack and drink

Cost: Free of charge           To Book please click here              Note: Advance booking is essential.

Event 2 – Woodthorpe Green Play Area

When: Wednesday 2nd June   Time: 2:00 – 3:30pm

Where: Woodthorpe Green Play Area, Summerfield Rd, YO24 2RU.

About: Free fun for 5 years and upwards. Includes a free snack and drink

Cost: Free of charge          

To Book please click here             

Note: Advance booking is essential.

Event 3 – Oaken Grove playing area

Friday 4th June            Time: 10:00 – 11:30

Where: Oaken Grove playing area, YO32 3QW

About: Free fun for 5 years and upwards. Includes a free snack and drink

Cost: Free of charge                      

To Book please click here 

Note: Advance booking is essential.

Event 4 – Acomb Green.

Friday 4th June            Time: 2:00 – 3:30pm

Where: Acomb green. Acomb Green, Acomb, YO26 5LR

About: Free fun for 5 years and upwards. Includes a free snack and drink

Cost: Free of charge                      

To Book please click here             

Note: Advance booking is essential.

If you have any questions, please email a.prentis@yorkcityknights.com or call the Knights office on 01904 876 527.

Improvements to York – Selby cycle path

The new “White Rose” football pavilion and associated pitches have now been completed. They can’t be brought into use until agreed improvements on the adjacent cycle path – which is a York Council maintenance responsibility – are also completed.

The cycle path upgrade was a condition of the planning approval given on 16th November 2018. (click)

Elsewhere we are waiting to hear whether SUSTRANs was successful in its grant application to the government for funding to resurface the track near Riccall and the A64.

Work on filling and levelling the Escrick sidings site appears to be proceeding more quickly now.

What’s on in York: Fairfax House has a new exhibition

Reunited: Lifting Lockdown with the Georgians

Each room in the house explores a different longed for post-lockdown activity, whether that is being reunited with friends and family, having the opportunity to travel, to rekindle a romance placed on pause, to celebrate and dance, or simply to ditch the pyjamas and get all dressed up.

Told from the perspective of the eighteenth century, the exhibition draws on the house’s rich and varied history, as well as utilising its magnificent collections. During your visit you will learn more about life in the Georgian period, from the peculiar rituals of the marriage bed, to their outlandish sense of fashion and their surprisingly similar experiences of travelling. Along the way you will get the chance to try out some classic eighteenth century chat-up lines, learn the steps to popular country dances of the day and how the Georgian’s would have shifted their lockdown love handles.

Throughout your journey you will encounter the one time residents of the Fairfax House, the Hon. Miss Anne and Viscount Fairfax, and learn more about their experiences of living through an epidemic – the often very dubious medical treatments available to them and the parallels their experiences share with our own.

Book tickets online.

York’s young people benefitting from Duke of Edinburgh scheme

Despite the challenges of Covid, lockdowns and national restrictions, the Duke of Edinburgh Award is flourishing.

Currently in York there are 661 young people doing Bronze, 323 Silver and 220 Gold participants. Last year 108 young people from across York successfully completing their Award, including over 3000 hours of volunteering in our local communities.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award offers young people an opportunity to get involved in charity and sporting activities, refining their skills and supporting their local communities. The Award is regarded highly and many young people in York choose to enrol at school. This month over 100 young people are starting their Bronze Award at Fulford School.

Over the last year the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) has adapted to the new challenges, and young people are still giving up their time to develop themselves and support their community whilst demonstrating their determination and resilience.

Councillor Keith Orrell, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education said: 

The last year has been an enormous challenge for all of us, and to see these young people still continue to work so hard and achieve so much is inspiring.

“This award is a testament to the incredible legacy to the Duke of Edinburgh which has given joy and support to so many young people.

“The awards offer fun, adventure and big challenges to anyone aged 14 to 24, and enhance the offering of activities from our schools and communities. We are proud to be part of this scheme, widely recognised as one of the world’s leading youth achievement schemes, and I applaud all those who’ve pushed their personal boundaries to earn their award.”

“In 2020 all our lives profoundly changed. Schools closed, activities stopped and young people felt isolated. For some, taking part in DofE has been an essential support when their lives have felt like they were crumbling. Over the last year we have been reminded of the value of connecting, communication and community. These incredible young people have chosen to spend their time in our community making a better world.”

When most people associate DofE with expeditions, this is just a small part of the DofE challenge. During the expeditions young people have to independently navigate a route through the countryside then camp and cook for themselves – whatever the weather. To complete their aware they must also have done months of voluntary work, physical activities and built up their skills in a chosen hobby. This combination helps make young people rounded, engaged and dedicated young citizens.

Whilst many of them faced problems where their chosen activities were cut short by covid restrictions, this didn’t stop them rising to the challenge.

Toby Eastaugh, Principal of Vale of York Academy, said:

“The Duke of Edinburgh Award runs in Year 10 and 11 at the Vale of York Academy and is held in high regard among students, staff and parents.

The award allows students to develop resilience, confidence, leadership and above all support their physical and mental well-being.

“Even though the pandemic has halted many things this year, we continue to work without young people on the award and have lots of plans to get students back out of the classroom next summer. As a Principal, it is very pleasing to see our students engaging in the award, a provision which supports our motto ‘Always giving the best”.

Examples of local activities
  • Alexus had been volunteering at his local library. Once lockdown started he became a really valuable friend and support to his Granddad. He not only tended his garden and helped with cleaning and care, he also taught his Granddad to use new technology so that he could keep in contact with the world at large.
  • Cyd switched her volunteering to helping an anxious family friend to relax by giving them on-line art tutorials.
  • Henry was a young leader at his local Scout Group for a year, helping with camps plus activities and badges.
  • Neve was tap dancing for her physical section. When she could no longer attend classes she continued to practice at home and still danced in a planned show – adapted to be online.
  • Luke, a keen club squash player could no longer play regularly, so switched to PE with Joe Wickes for his Physical activity.
  • Numerous young participants took over cooking family meals or doing challenging baking during lockdown for their skills. Many have spent time learning to play a new instrument, or honing their skills on one that they already played. When participants could no longer attend their usual clubs, they enrolled on online courses ranging from money management to robotics to develop a new skill.
  • Participant Jansen completed his Silver Expedition on the North Yorkshire Moors, developing teamwork and resilience.
  • Before the Covid restrictions Nicole was able to do her Gold Volunteering at Respite Centre. She assisted in a variety of tasks which included helping with mealtime assistance, accompany them on outings to places of interest, serving meals, supporting with daytime and evening activities.