What’s on: Santa’s socks

Wed 25 Nov

Santa needs more socks please.

Santa 's Socks - Main PhotoWe’re bringing people together for a second year, to create handmade, unique Christmas stockings that, once completed, will be filled with sweets and will be distributed by two charities this year – York Food banks and IDAS (the Independent Domestic Abuse Service).

How can I get involved?

Make a stocking – either on your own, or as part of a group. Each stocking should be no more than 40cm long & 25cm wide if possible (although these measurements are approximate and we do expect & hope for a lot of variation!)… Lots of templates are available on the internet, we don’t mind which you use – as long as your stocking roughly matches our dimensions!

Send us your photos both during and after making & we’ll pop them on twitter & Facebook to inspire others. For some inspiration of your own, take a look at our Pinterest page.

Follow York Learning’s board Santa’s Socks on Pinterest.

Completed stockings need to be dropped off at the York Learning desk at West Offices, Station Rise, York YO1 6GA, or at your local library until the 25 November.

Final handing in date is; Wednesday 25 November, as we’ll be filling the stockings on the first of December!

What’s on: Bloodaxe Challenge

EricThe challenge this year will be based on the story of King Cnut, and the stickers will show him and other characters in his story.

As previously we challenge children to read 4 books on a loose ‘historical’ theme, so castles, fantasy with time slip etc.

The challenge runs from 24th October 2015 and 17th January 2016. Children get a bookmark when they start the challenge and can collect 4 different stickers, one for each book read.

Children completing the challenge will get a voucher for free entry to the Jorvik centre and the chance to come and meet author David MacPhail on Wednesday 17th February.

Children will also win a voucher for a free drink and cake in any York explore cafe on completion of the challenge.

You can enter at all Explore York Libraries, not forgetting the Mobile.

Famous York sword on display at the Tower of London

One of York’s most famous and treasured artefacts is on display at a special exhibition in the Tower of London until January 2016.
Sigismund Sword

Sigismund Sword

From this week until 31 January 2016 the world famous Tower of London will play host to a special exhibition from the Royal Armouries to mark the 600th anniversaryof the battle of Agincourt with the Sigusmund Sword from York playing a starring role.

The exhibition brings together, for the first time, rare and iconic objects from the collections of the Royal Armouries and elsewhere to retell the moving story of this deadly encounter; from the road to battle, to the events of 25 October 1415 and the aftermath, which in turn will explore the popular myths, reality and legacy of this extraordinary battle.

York’s Mansion House has offered the exhibition use of the sword as work starts at the historic townhouse to restore the building and ensure a better visitor experience and ensure visitors can see more of the building and its Civic collection than ever before.

The restoration comes following a grant of £1,198,700 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) as well as funding from the council and donations to the restoration fund.

The City of York ceremonial sword and scabbard on display at the exhibition dates from circa 1416. On Sigismund’s death in 1437 the sword became the property of the dean and canons of St George’s and was acquired by one of the canons who may have presented the sword to the City of York on 5 May 1439 and it has been used as a civic sword since that date.

Today the sword is used on ceremonial occasions such freedom of the city, Mayor Making and Full council. The sword was also used for the recent State visit in 2012 which saw the Monarch presented with the Sigismund sword before they enter the city.

The exhibition’s curator and medieval specialist, Dr Malcolm Mercer said, “We are delighted to include the City of York ceremonial sword and scabbard in this exhibition. No original weapons from the battlefield are known to survive, but records tell us that this sword is part of a fascinating legacy of the powerful royal alliances formed in the aftermath of this remarkable battle.”

For more information on the Agincourt 600 exhibition please visit www.agincourt600.com/event/royal-armouries-exhibition-tower-of-london/

What’s on: Poetry Society Surgeries with Carole Bromley

Sat 31 Oct: 10.00am – 3.15pm

carole-bromley_carole-bromley-2This is a wonderful opportunity to discuss your poetry on a one-to-one basis with poet and tutor Carole Bromley, a relaxed but in-depth analysis of your poems.

Identify strategies for further developing your writing, discuss problems you may be experiencing and look at strategies for taking your work forward.
There will be plenty of time to talk about all those things you need to know about writing, revising and submitting your work.

Surgeries take place at York Explore, Library Square, Museum Street, York, YO1, which is 5 minutes walk from the station and 1 minute from The Minster. Library Square is well served by buses and there are several car-parks nearby. York Explore also has a very nice cafe.
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What’s on: Spooky halloween stories and crafts

Fri 30 Oct : 2.30 – 3.30pm at Clifton Library

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Dare you come along to our Spooky storytime? Listen to ghostly stories
make creepy crafts, carve a pumpkin, do the ghoul hunt and much more.

Stories and Crafts for 5-12 year olds.

Please bring along a pumpkin to carve.
There will be a ghostly ghoul hunt around the library and various spooky crafts to make.
Please feel free to come dressed up in your  Halloween costume

Tickets booked via Clifton Library 01904 552662  clifton@exploreyork.org.uk

Fri 30 Oct: 4.00 – 5.30pm at Haxby Library

haxby-halloween

Creepy stories across the city today, crafts to make and give, colour ins, fancy dress essential to this one.

Watch out for the famous Haxby spiders … they breed them large and furry (but very friendly and they love books)!

Tickets and more details from Haxby library, 01904 552660,haxby@exploreyork.org.uk

 

 

What’s on: Merchant Adventurer’s by candlelight

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Date: Thur 29 and Fri 30 Oct
Time: 6.30pm, 7.30pm and 8.30pm

The Merchant Adventurers’ Hall’s popular candlelit tours return for this year’s Illuminating York.

This unique experience includes a fully guided tour by a costumed guide and provides the opportunity to experience this stunning building as it was lit centuries ago.

The tour lasts approximately 1 hour with tours at 6.30pm, 7.30pm & 8.30pm.

Tour groups will be limited to 20 people and we do ask that appropriate footwear is worn as the Hall’s floors are uneven.

Tickets: £8 (no concessions), £4 Children.
Pre-booking is advised on 01904 654818.

What’s on: Frances Brody new book launch

Thur 29 Oct: 7.00pm – 8.00pm

francesFrances Brody, author of the highly-praised Yorkshire-based Kate Shackleton Mystery series set in the 1920s, introduces book number seven: A Death in the Dales.Published in paperback original by Piatkus, on October 1st 2015, price £8.99

Author of short stories, historical novels, plays for theatre and scripts for radio and television Frances will talk about filling her life with crime, and will happily answer questions.

This is a free event but booking is essential, to do so please go to http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/frances-brody-author-a-death-in-the-dales-tickets-18375453476?aff=es2 or contact York Explore Library on 01904 55282 or speak to a member of staff.
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What’s on: Winnie’s Amazing Pumpkin

29 Oct: 2.00pm – 3.00pm

winnieJoin Explore York Libraries and Mud Pie Arts Theatre Company as we introduce that popular book character Winnie the Witch for some spellbinding mayhem!Help her out of trouble when the vegetable patch gets out of hand. Expect   storytelling, music and you must all be prepared to join in with the magic making!Fancy dress optional!

Suitable for 3 – 8 year olds. A parent or carer must stay at this session.

To book a place for this session contact any Explore York Library, pop into speak to a member of staff, email york@exploreyork.org.uk, or ring 01904 552828