With improved weather on the cards for this weekend, police are advising residents to secure their property while enjoying the outdoors.

Warmer weather means more people will be out in the garden and are likely to risk leaving doors, windows and outbuildings open.

Sneak-in burglaries increase during the spring and summer months and police are urging residents to keep opportunist thieves at bay by remembering to lock doors and windows at all times.

For detailed crime prevention advice, including a security self assessment, click here

You can also download here the Polices free “Securing your home iBook” for lots more advice or their free mobile phone “app” by clicking here

(more…)

Detectives in York are investigating following a serious assault in the city.

It occurred shortly before 9pm an Friday 5 April 2013, in a house in the Upper Poppleton area.

As a result of the incident an 81-year-old man suffered serious head and chest injuries and was taken to York District Hospital were he remains in a serious condition.

(more…)

York police are asking for witnesses after five people were arrested following a large disturbance involving football supporters in Gillygate on Saturday afternoon.

Police were called to reports of glasses and bottles being thrown in the street outside the Pink Pony pub at around 2.15pm on Saturday 16 March 2013.

No-one was injured during incident which involved a group of people from York and Stoke-on-Trent.

(more…)

It looks like redevelopment of the Tannery site at Strensall may shortly get the go ahead.

A plan for the provision of 53 dwellings with associated public open space, access and infrastructure, plus a pedestrian and cycle bridge over the River Foss is set to be considered at the next meeting of the Planning Committee

NB. The Tannery was built around 1805 The Tannery closed down in 2004 and was supposed to be made into a business park with 350 new jobs. Subsequently it was subject to arson attacks and is arguably one of Yorks’ worst eyesores.

It seems likely that there will be minor flooding in parts of York over the next 24 hours. However the threat is not as great as seen earlier in the year.

The A19 near Fulford is reported to be closed.

Upstream river levels have dropped dramatically over the last few hours.

The shopping centres will be unaffected.

Bus services are not operating today (New Years Day)

As always the best guide is the web cam on Kings Staith http://www.farsondigitalwatercams.com/live-webcams/north/Ouse/York/# . If the no entry sign is still above the waterline then there should not be any serious flooding.

We’ll provide updates if things deteriorate

The Environment Agencies web site also now has an improved graphical representation of flood threats (above) It can be accessed here: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/142151.aspx

You can check the position at monitoring sites across the County here for the Ouse catchment area http://tinyurl.com/Ouse-catchment

It seems likely that there will be minor flooding in parts of York over the next 48 hours. However the threat is not as great as seen earlier in the year.

Roads like Skeldergate will be closed.

The shopping centres will be unaffected although the will be pressure on parking spaces in the run up to Christmas. There is a flood warning in place for St Georges field. Use of the Park and Ride service is recommended.

As always the best guide is the web cam on Kings Staith www.farsondigitalwatercams.com/live-webcams/north/Ouse/York/#. If the no entry sign is still above the waterline then there should not be any serious flooding.

We’ll provide updates if things deteriorate

The Environment Agencies web site also now has an improved graphical representation of flood threats (above) It can be accessed here: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/142151.aspx

You can check the position at monitoring sites across the County here for the Ouse catchment area tinyurl.com/Ouse-catchment

You can register to receive flood warnings from the Environment Agency here fwd.environment-agency.gov.uk/app/olr/home

These are the direct links to the Environment Agencies water level monitoring stations for York. They give the current river levels and compare them to historical records. today.

tinyurl.com/Holgate-beck-level

tinyurl.com/York-City-centre-river-level

tinyurl.com/Foss-Barrier-river-level

tinyurl.com/New-Earswick-river-level

tinyurl.com/Skelton-river-levels

There is flooding in the Huntington/New Earswick area where the River Foss is 2.73 metres above normal levels. Huntington Road is closed at the railway bridge. Skeldergate is also closed.

Substantial rainfall is expected during today.

Currently other local rivers are below the peak that they reached in September. However, there are widespread flood warnings in place in the area.

The Environment Agencies web site also now has an improved graphical representation of flood threats (above) It can be accessed here: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/142151.aspx

You can check the position at monitoring sites across the County here for the Ouse catchment area http://tinyurl.com/Ouse-catchment

You can register to receive flood warnings from the Environment Agency here https://fwd.environment-agency.gov.uk/app/olr/home

Check out the current river level position on this Kings Staith web cam http://www.farsondigitalwatercams.com/live-webcams/north/Ouse/York/# As a rule of thumb, provided the no entry sign remains visible, there should only be relatively minor flooding in York.,

These are the direct links to the environment Agencies water level monitoring stations for York. They give the current river levels and compare them to historical records. Levels are all now in the area where some flooding is possible and the Agency is forecasting further rises in the levels later today.

http://tinyurl.com/Holgate-beck-level

http://tinyurl.com/York-City-centre-river-level

http://tinyurl.com/Foss-Barrier-river-level

http://tinyurl.com/New-Earswick-river-level

http://tinyurl.com/Skelton-river-levels

Festival of Remembrance 4th Nov Sat 7:00pm Barbican

• Fireworks display 4th Nov Sun 4:00pm Rawcliffe Country Park. Admission £7-50p (including bus ticket) Cars £40. Web site: http://www.kaboomyork.com

• Christy Moore 5th Nov Mon 7:30pm Barbican

• “Gunpowder Plod” and Fireworks 5th Nov Knavesmire Admission (adults) £12 Car parking in advance £5. Web site: http://www.gunpowderplod.com/

• Fireworks display 5th Nov York Maze Admission £12-95 Web site: http://www.yorkmaze.com/pages/bonfire_night.html

• Football City v Northampton 6th Nov Bootham Cres

• Joseph/Dreamcoat 6th / 10th Nov Grand Opera House

• Iolanthe 7th Nov Theatre Royal

• Alexander McCall Smith 7th Nov Tempest Anderson Hall

• Ben/Holly’s little kingdom 7th/8th Nov Barbican

• Aesthetica Short Film Festival 8-11th Nov Various see web site for details http://www.asff.co.uk/

• Which camera? 10th Nov 9:30pm Acomb Explore Library Basic digital camera course – buying advice and guidance Find out what to look for when buying a camera and understand the different jargon. You will learn to understand the different types, from simple point and shoot, standard compact and enthusiastic compact cameras. We will also discuss megapixels, zoom, lens, resolution, LCD screens, image stabilisation and ISO range.

• Football City v Wimbledon 10th Nov Bootham Cres

• York Music Society Concert 10th Nov Minster

• Burlesque 10th Nov 8:00pm Barbican

• Mamma Mia 10th Nov Racecourse

• Al Murray 12th Nov Grand Opera House

• Spirit of the dance 13th Nov Grand Opera House

• Get confident with computers 13th Nov 7:00pm Fulford School. 10 weeks course. A very ‘hands on’ course for those wishing to move on from using basic skills on a computer. You will learn how to use the features and functions of an ‘average’ computer by using some selected Microsoft Programs. Navigate the World Wide Web using web addresses, links and understand how to safely shop online; Create a variety of word processed documents by entering text and using different tools for editing that text. Create and understand template documents (i.e. letter headed paper). Use different formatting tools to aid meaning in your documents and layout your text by understanding how to create paragraphs change margins and spell check your work. Cost: £60

• Fascinating Aida 14th Nov Grand Opera House

• Jools Holland + Roland Gift 14th/15th Nov Barbican

• Poison Pen book launch 15th Nov 7:00pm Dringhouses Library Mother and daughter team Pauline Kirk and Jo Summers – writing as ‘P.J. Quinn’, discuss their new novel set in 1959. http://yortime.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/poison-pen.html

• The Manfreds 15th Nov Grand Opera House

• Bellowhead 16th Nov 7:00pm Barbican

• Farmers Market 16th/17th Nov Parliament Street

• Make your own Christmas stocking 17th Nov Sat 10:00am Quilt Museum Create a keepsake for tomorrow using simple folk art inspired images applied, by sewing machine, to a Christmas stocking base. Each stocking incorporates a deep cuff, which can be left plain, decorated with machine stitching or an appliquéd name/motif. http://yortime.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/make-your-own-christmas-stocking.html

• Chapter House Choir 17th Nov Minster

• Jon Richardson 17th Nov 8:00pm Barbican

• Glassy Jewellery 18th Nov Sun York Explore Library Learn how to make stunning jewellery from scratch.

• Slade & Sweet 18th Nov 7:30pm Barbican

• The Queen 18th Nov 2:00pm Barley Hall & Mansion House unique opportunity to view costumes worn in this acclaimed film by Dame Helen Mirren, before settling down to a special screening, complete with tea & cake, in the opulent setting of the state room in York Mansion House.

• InterFAITH week 18th – 27th Nov Various Celebrating Interfaith Week, this is an opportunity for York’s diverse and vibrant faith communities to showcase their beliefs, traditions and values

• Calendar Girls 19th/24th Nov Grand Opera House

• Wellie workout 19th Nov Mon 1:00pm Acomb Wood we will be coppicing hazel. This is an old management technique used to provide young growth on the tree, even as the tree ages. So come along and have fun – all tools will be provided. Please contact Jenny Cairns on 07833 436832 or jennifer.cairns@york.gov.uk for more details.

• Frankie Boyle 20th Nov 8:00pm Barbican

• Phoenix Dance Theatre 20th/21st Nov Theatre Royal

• History Lectures 20th/21st Nov 5:30pm Kings Manor York Minster in 1212 and Life in the City 1412. See http://yortime.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/york-800-public-lecture-series.html

• Rufus Wainwright 21st Nov 7:00pm Barbican

• King Lear at York High 20/21st Nov York High School

• King Lear 23rd/24th Nov Theatre Royal

• Take That 2 23rd /24th Nov Racecouse

• Showaddywaddy 23rd Nov 7:30pm Barbican

• Football City v Torquay 24th Nov Bootham Cres

• Mohiniyattam 24th Nov Minster In celebration of Interfaith week Manasamitra in partnership with York Minster present Mohiniyattam, the graceful dance style of Kerala which is located on the South West coast of India. Using a traditional lullaby from the 19th century as the backdrop, the reading of the poem is accompanied by a languid interpretation through dance and music. A beautiful visual art piece made with spices and representing Kerala will form the centrepiece. There will be a Q &A session following the performance and Coconut delicacies will be on offer to taste.

• Windows of Mens Souls 24th Nov 7:30pm St Helens Church York based chamber choir, Spectrum, directed by Ben Horden, perform music from both the Anglican and Catholic disciplines of Tudor England with music by Thomas Tallis, William Byrd and Robert Parsons

• The holly & the Ivy 24th Nov 9:30am Mansion House This half day workshop will introduce you to the popular art of Sugarcraft and later you can reward your hard work with tea and mince pies.

• Jeremy Hardy 24th Nov Theatre Royal

• A Time for Silence 24th Nov Minster (Micklegate singers)

• The Overtones 24th Nov 7:00pm Barbican

• “Classical on Demand” 24th Nov St Michael Le Belfrey

• Bike ride 26th Nov 11 am Millennium Bridge Enjoy a largely traffic free bike ride along Route 65 to Bishopthorpe. Refreshments available at Rowntree Park Reading Cafe including a special offer for all riders!

• The Upbeat Beatles 26th Nov Grand Opera House

• The Saw Doctors 27th Nov Grand Opera House

• Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman 27th Nov 7:30pm Early Music Centre

• A Government Inspector 27th – 1st Dec Theatre Royal

• Les Miserables 28th/29th Nov Theatre Royal

• The Nutcracker 28th Nov Grand Opera House

• Marty Wilde 29th Nov Grand Opera House

• St Nicholas Fayre 29th Nov – 2nd Dec Various The Fayre offers a range of markets specialising in gifts, crafts, and the very best in local farm produce. Outside markets move into Parliament Street, St Sampson’s Square and Coppergate while York’s grand medieval Guild Hall provides a home for ‘Made In Yorkshire’ artists and crafters from across the region. The magnificent medieval townhouse, Barley Hall, presents a special medieval market with live crafting, mulled wine and costumed traders and St William’s College houses an arts and crafts market for fine hand-made items not to be found in the shops. Carol singers and buskers flock to the city to perform over the weekend to thousands of festive shoppers.

• The Office Party 29th/2nd Dec Friargate Theatre

• Santas Steam Adventure 29th /2nd Dec NRM Everything is ready for Christmas but Santa has lost his presents! Come and help us track them down at the North Yorkshire Pole. The journey begins in our Station Hall which has been transformed into Santa’s depot. From here Santa’s helpers will climb onboard a beautiful festive carriage pulled by a steam engine to take part in a special interactive story telling adventure. Before the magical steam journey is over, children will meet Santa Claus himself and receive a special present to take home.

• Stick granny on the roof rack 30th Nov Theatre Royal

• Giant Advert Wreath 30th Nov 11:00am York Minster

• Kevin Bridges 30th/1st Dec Grand Opera House

• UK Snooker Championships 1st/9th Dec Barbican

(more…)

We are asking householders to review their home security now that dark nights are with us once again.

The warning comes following a spate of burglaries including three in the Harrogate area, two in the Hambleton District and one in York in the last few days.

Detective Chief Inspector Heather Pearson who leads the force’s dedicated burglary team under Operation Haven, said: “With the dark nights now with us, it’s important that your security is as robust as possible. Before the cold weather sets in, there is still time to get outside and give your property a security overhaul to ensure your home, outbuildings and boundaries are as secure as possible.

“We see an increase in burglaries at this time of year and have introduced a dedicated team to help prevent and detect these crimes. However, we need householders to be security conscious and make sure they make life as hard as possible for criminals.”

Crime prevention measures range from the most basic and cost free to more expensive items such as tracking devices and alarm systems. Making sure you take even the most basic measures is essential.

(more…)

The Ouse is now reaching peak levels and is expected to fall gradually over the next 24 hours.

The Foss is already returning to more normal levels.

In both cases the levels seen early today were close to the highest ever recorded (12 years ago). It was a closer call for the York community than the Council seemed to be prepared to admit on Tuesday.

Useful web site list

(more…)