Acomb Explore Library :
Fri 3 Feb :
3.00pm – 4.00pm :
Free
Start the new year with a new activity and the opportunity to make some new friends!
Acomb Explore Library invites you to come and have a go at Boccia! Boccia is an inclusive game that is becoming increasingly popular throughout the country. It is related to bowls and played indoors from a seated position using soft leather balls.
For more information please call Acomb Explore Library on (01904) 552651 or acomb@exploreyork.org.uk.
Looking to get fit and active in York? Then why not join one of the council’s Walk 2 Jog courses!
Back following high demand and huge success in 2016, City of York Council is running two Walk 2 Jog courses for residents in early February and a further two in March.
Walk 2 Jog is a ten week course that aims to build fitness from a short walk to a steady jog. Jogging is a great aerobic activity which can help weight loss and develop a healthy heart.
In February the council is running two courses for those of different abilities. Those who have previously completed Walk 2 Jog can take part in the next challenge building from 5k to a 10k course.
Beginners on the other course will work their way up from walking to jogging 5k in ten weeks.
Councillor Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism said: “It is great to see the Walk 2 Jog courses returning. The courses have been well received and are a great way for people to get fitter. Jogging is popular, low cost and convenient and is an excellent way to achieve the recommended 30 minutes of physical activity a day. These courses offer a fun, informative and supportive approach for non-joggers who want to up their speed and stamina as part of a group.”
Both courses start on Tuesday 7 February at 6.30pm at Rowntree Park. Each session lasts between 40 and 60 minutes.
The cost is just £10 for a 10 week course. Those who complete the course will receive a free t-shirt.
For further information visit www.york.gov.uk/justjog. Places are limited, to book your place contact Hannah Higginson on 01904 553377 or email hannah.higginson@york.gov.uk. Alternatively residents can book online at https://groups.runtogether.co.uk/CityofYorkCouncilWalktoJog.
In March, for new parents who are looking to get active the council is holding parents and pram sessions. Courses start on Thursday 2March at 10am at Energise and on Monday 6 March at 9.30am at Beehive Nursery, Fulford. For more information visit www.york.gov.uk/justjog.
The acclaimed Show of Hands frontman has been rated as ‘one of England’s greatest singer-songwriters’, with an extensive back catalogue of inspired compositions. For this solo ‘Landlocked’ tour, Steve will be combining material from his albums ‘Off the Beaten Track’ and ‘All at Sea’. The first part of the evening will draw on his treasure trove of original and traditional songs about the English countryside while the second half will showcase the best of his rich nautical repertoire.
Green Lane allotments among 18 sites to be handed over
Good life
Management of the current allotment service is undertaken by one full-time officer with limited part time assistance from the Council’s Business Support service. Most sites have a voluntary site secretary who, on behalf of the Council, shows prospective tenants around the site, lets plots and deals with simple day to day enquires. A limited number of sites have voluntary tenants associations who run site shops and offer gardening advice and support to tenants.
York has 1250 allotments
The Council is now proposing to hand all 18 sites over to a volunteer managed body. The precise nature of the body has not been confirmed but it is clear that not all allotment holders are sold on the idea. Some said that they would be prepared to pay extra to ensure that a professional management service was sustained.
The main concerns relate the ability of plot holders to self regulate.
It is not unknown for users to become quite exercised over what outsiders might see as relatively trivial issues. The BBC even broadcast a investigative programme in 2013 called “allotment wars” Elsewhere Councils have run for the hills having divested themselves of local allotments.
The allotment service currently runs at a loss of £17k per annum. For 2016/17 direct expenditure is £80k with income expected to be £63k. As a contingency, a fee increase of 27% was approved by the Executive 7th December 2016. The new fees would come into effect in January 2018 which, assuming no price resistance, would balance income and direct expenditure.
Until a couple of years ago all allotments sites had waiting lists. Interest in some sites has waned in more recent months, although residents wanting primeplots will still have to wait
List of allotments in York
Where York’s allotment are located
Munster
York
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the twinning between York and Münster, Germany.
Since 1957 there have been hundreds of exchange visits between the two cities, including civic party visits, school exchanges, choirs, rotary clubs, sports teams and artists. The Lord Mayor’s recent visit to Münster and a new community memory project marks the start of the celebrations.
The Foreign Office approached City of York Council in 1957 to propose the twinning with Münster as part of a process to help re-build relationships between the two countries after World War II.
The 50th anniversary of the twinning was celebrated in 2007 when the Oberbürgermeister (similar to a Lord Mayor position in the UK) and the then Lord Mayor signed a symbolic agreement to recognise the twinning and to commit to the relationship in future.
The current Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress visited Münster in December 2016 where they met their civic counterparts and visited the Christmas markets, to see how they approach and deliver the festive experiences. (more…)
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City of York Council is offering residents the chance to take up a new activity to start the New Year with the latest Learn to Nordic Walk courses in Rowntree Park starting in January 2017.
The council’s latest Nordic Walking course starts on Friday 13 January, and sessions will take place every Friday for four weeks from 11.30am until 12.30pm, meeting at the Rowntree Park Reading Café.
At the end of the course participants will receive a Nordic Walking UK Freedom Card, which will enable them to attend Nordic Walking groups anywhere in the UK, including several in the York area. The cost of the course is £25, and booking is essential as places are limited.
Nordic Walking – walking with the aid of long poles – is currently one of the fastest-growing exercise activities in the UK. Originally developed from cross-country skiing, it is a gentle exercise, but burns 40 per cent more calories than ordinary walking and works 90 per cent of the body’s muscles. It is a safe and effective method of exercise for people of all fitness levels, and is perfect for those wanting to lose weight.
All equipment will be provided although participants should wear comfortable clothes and sturdy footwear.
For further information or to book a place please call City of York Council’s Public Health team on 01904 553377 or email yorwellbeing@york.gov.uk.
Councillor Nigel Ayre, City of York Council’s Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism said: “This is a great opportunity for residents to start the New Year by taking up a new activity and having fun whilst getting fitter. Over the past few years Nordic Walking has grown in popularity as a fun way to keep fit. It is a great activity, which people of all ages can enjoy and can be a brilliant way for people to take in the spectacular views York has to offer. Hopefully people take the chance to take part in this course, which is open to people of all ages.”
The service, which starts at 7.30pm on Saturday 24 December in St Helen’s Square, is supported by the Salvation Army band and involves the audience being encouraged to form the choir for a range of Christmas Carols.
The service is expected to finish at around 8.30pm.
As this is an outdoor event residents and visitors are encouraged to wear suitable clothing for the cold temperatures. Traffic restrictions will be in place at St Helen’s Square, Coney Street and Lendal, which will be closed to traffic from 6.30pm to 9pm as the event takes place.
Earlier the internationally renowned nine lessons and Carols service takes place in the Minster.
The service starts at 4:00pm but those wishing to gain admittance are advised to be there by 3:00pm
Do you want to get to grips with Windows 10, improve your creative writing, or even learn Tai Chi in 2017? Then look out for the new Learning 4 Everyone programme this month.
The brochure is being distributed throughout December to nearly 100,000 households and includes over 300 courses, with several new and expanded areas, including a beauty section and an expanded business offer. These new courses are on offer alongside more established courses including creative craft courses and modern foreign languages.
New courses on offer in 2017 include Metafit, a 30 minute high intensity workout session designed to help people who are short of time to get fit and active. Pure stretch, a combination of yoga and pilates is also on offer for people looking to get fit in the new year.
Discover Romeo and Juliet is a new course on offer for people looking to jump into the world of drama. The practical mindfulness is a three course series exploring happiness, health and being organised.
Cllr Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, said: “The adult learning programme gives residents the opportunity to learn a great range of new skills and gain qualifications with the help of our fantastic tutors. We’ve taken residents feedback on board and there’s now even more one day and weekend courses available. With over 300 courses including many new and expanded sections and numerous free taster sessions, I’m sure there will be something for everyone.”
For more information about the programme see the brochure being delivered to all homes, pick one up from libraries, or visit www.yortime.org.uk.
Bookings can be made online, by calling 01904 552806 or by visiting West Offices, Station Rise on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 10am and 4pm.
