Holgate Lodge to be “made safe” 15 months after arson attack.

Its taken a  long time, but the Council has now agreed to step in and make the West Bank Park Lodge (14 New Lane) safe.

The lodge was damaged in an arson attack in 2016.

The derelict building has stood as an unwelcome monument to disorder since then.

A meeting earlier in the week heard that before and after the fire

“the West Bank Park Heritage Group have had a keen interest in the building as a possible local heritage centre celebrating the origins and history of the park. The building is currently in an unsafe condition and therefore needs partial demolition to make it safe.
To assist this project access has been requested for specialist surveyors to record the layout and condition of the building. This can be facilitated as part of the making safe process”

As part of the demolition process any reclaimable building materials identified as having architectural heritage value will be taken into safe storage for possible reuse in any future rebuild in the park.

The Council has agreed that a further decision on the future of the bsite will be taken upon completion of making the building safe.

No arrests have yet been made by Police investigating the arson attack

 

Popular York bar and restaurant wants to expand into Lendal

The “House of Trembling Madness”, currently occupying premises in Stonegate, has applied for a licence to operate in 14 Lendal.

The popular destination was recently described in “Trip Advisor”  in the following terms

Fabulous tiny pub for which we were glad we waited to get in to.  Great beers and old world charm – justly popular with all ages – and all friendly. Lots of food being served but we just tried the beers – some are 50% or 60% proof! 

The main problem for the license applicant is that the new premises fall within what the Council calls the “cumulative impact zone”.

There is a presumption against providing additional outlets selling alcohol in the zone. The policy was a reaction to increasing problems with anti social behaviour and drunkenness on City centre streets.

The Council has however been largely ineffective in applying the restriction and it is likely that the application will be granted when considered on 5th March. Conditions are likely to be applied to any new license, with opening hours one possible issue.

Details of the application can be found here 

Inkwell Goes to the Zoo

Inkwell

York Explore Library :

Sat 24 Feb :

2.30pm – 3.30pm :

Free

A FREE creative writing session for 5-12 year olds!

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! From adventurous aardvarks to zany zebras, Inkwell needs your help rounding up all the animals of the zoo.

How many will you write about?

For more information please call York Explore Library on (01904) 552828 or york@exploreyork.org.uk.

What’s on in York: Finding the Words with Rachel Davies, Hilary Robinson & Joanne Stryker

FEB Findingthe WordsYork Explore Library :

Thu 22 Feb :

6.45pm – 8.00pm :

£3 (or £2 with a York Card)

Finding the Words is a regular poetry evening every month at York Explore Library. Each evening brings together three poets and we aim to include both published writers and those working towards a collection. We’ll have a bar available and readings last around an hour. The evening is also a chance to share and chat, so please feel free to bring any news or information about poetry local, regional or national.

Rachel Davies has been published in several journals and anthologies, most recently The Interpreters House no. 63 and Noble Dissent (Beautiful Dragons Press 2017). She has been a winner in several poetry competitions including Battered Moons in 2017. She co-ordinates the Poetry Society’s East Manchester and Tameside Stanza and is a member of Manchester’s Poets & Players organising committee. Formerly a primary school head-teacher, since retirement she has graduated MA in Creative Writing from Manchester Metropolitan University and is currently working towards a creative/critical PhD in poetry.  She doubts she will ever learn how to stop being a student. Originally from the Fens she now lives in Saddleworth with her partner and two cats. She blogs regularly on the challenge of fitting a PhD into a very full life. You can read her blog here:  racheld1607.com

Hilary Robinson lives in Saddleworth and is a retired primary school teacher. She has had work published in The Interpreter’s House, Obsessed with Pipework, Avis, Strix and Riggwelter. Her poetry has been included in several anthologies such as A New Manchester Alphabet (Manchester Writing School 2015) and Noble Dissent (Beautiful Dragons Press 2017). Hilary has recently completed her MA in Creative Writing at Manchester Metropolitan University and had a month-long holiday to recover. Since coming to poetry writing late in life, Hilary is trying to cram in as much of it as she can and will often be found at readings, workshops and launches. You can follow her on Twitter (@Hilro1) or on her occasional blog (mamierob.wordpress.com).

Joanne Stryker’s  poems have won prizes and are published in journals and anthologies in Canada and the U.K. She spent several years in Yorkshire and now lives in her native Canada. She will be reading from her new collection After published by Cinnamon Press. After is a heart-breaking account of the aftermath of a suicide. Simple, spare language and the use of questions allow the seismic shifts of grief and disbelief to resonate through this powerful, disquieting and sometimes harrowing, but never sentimental or self-indulgent, sequence. There is a fine line of control and grace in this poignant and deeply humane collection.

If purchasing a YorkCard ticket please ensure you bring your card with you to the event.

To book tickets please click here.

What’s on in York: Women and Print in eighteenth-century York

Feb _21 Women In Print

York Explore Library :

Wed 21 Feb :

6.15pm – 7.45pm :

£6, or £5 with a YorkCard

Tutor: Dr Kaley Kramer

York’s conscious civic self-fashioning in the eighteenth century was accompanied by an expanding local print industry. Women played an important role in this, particularly Grace White, who established York’s first newspaper in 1719, and Ann Ward, whose business in Coney Street lasted 30 years under her direction.

Join Dr Kaley Kramer as she uncovers the lives and careers of these fascinating York women.

To book tickets please click here.

York Mansion House set to celebrate Chinese New Year

 York Mansion House is holding a series of special cultural workshops and events on Saturday 24 February to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Guests will be able to venture through the Mansion House and learn about York’s rich civic history, as well as coming away with a new Chinese cultural skills from calligraphy to Taiji (Tai’chi).

As well as these events the Mansion House, the York BID and Make It York have teamed up to install Chinese lanterns throughout the city, along Stonegate, Coney Street, Blake Street, Davygate and on the front of the Mansion House.

Workshops include:

  • 11am – 12pm: traditional Chinese painting workshop (Dining Room)
  • 1 – 1.30pm; 2 – 2.30pm: Calligraphy (Dining Room)
  • 1.15 – 1.45pm; 2.15 – 2.45pm: Zither (State Room)
  • 1.30 – 2pm; 2.30 – 3pm: Tea ceremony (18th Century Kitchen)
  • 1.45 – 2.15pm; 2.45 – 3.15pm: Taiji ‘Tai’chi’ (State Room)

Workshops are free to join with the price of admission! People can sign up for workshops at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chinese-new-year-workshops-at-york-mansion-house-tickets-43165303585?platform=hootsuite 

The workshops are supported by the Leeds Confucius Institute and with local traditional Chinese artist Danny Ha.
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What’s on in York: JORVIK Viking Festival @ York Minster

Feb _17Minster

The Minster :

Thu 15 Feb :

10.00am – 3.00pm :

£2.50 with standard admission.

Make your own Viking-style decoration to take home in the stunning surroundings of the Chapter House inside York Minster.

Inspired by the Anglo-Scandinavian stone carvings in our Undercroft Museum, your keepsake will help you look the part throughout a fun and educational week in York!

Need some more inspiration? You can also meet the Vikings right here too! Handle authentic and replica Viking artefacts, learn how to play a Viking board game, and discover more about the mystery that is York Minster during the Viking period from our resident ‘Vikings’.

£2.50 per child for craft activity, with standard admission.

Admission ticket lasts for 12 months. Family 12-month ticket from £10 (valid for up to 4 children visiting the Minster with 1 adult). FREE admission to Minster for York residents with proof of residency (York Card, DVLA License, utility bill).

Macbeth, the North, and 1066 with Justin Hill

Feb _16Justin Hill

York Explore Library :

Fri 16 Feb :

3.30pm – 5.00pm :

Adult £6.50 Conc. £5.50

The events of 1066 are often seen through the prism of what happened in the south of England.

However, the events that lead to the Norman Conquest happened here, in the North, in the struggle between the real-life historical figures of Duncan, Macbeth and Earl Siward. In an illustrated talk, bestselling author Justin Hill recounts this little-known story, which is just as bloody and compelling as the Shakespearean play.

To book ticket please click here.

For more information please visit The Jorvik Viking Festival website.