In addition to free City centre car parking, 3 of the City’s park and ride sites will be operating on Boxing Day

However there will be no other bus services running in the City on either Christmas Day or Boxing Day. (Details of services running across North Yorkshire during the holiday period ca be found here http://getdown.org.uk/bus/xmas.shtml). It seems more than slightly ironic, less than a month after a Council commissioned report criticised off peak bus services in the City, that the authority should choose to subsidise (to the tune of £10,000) park and ride services at the expense of its own residents. Most of the City centre car parks are half empty on Boxing Day anyway, reducing the need to encourage people to park on the outskirts of the City.

Three Park & Ride services will operate on Boxing Day, including:

• Askham Bar (route 3) – First bus at 7am from the site, last bus back from Tower Street at 6.42pm
• Designer Outlet (route 7) – First bus at 7am from the site, last bus back from Rougier Street at 6.42pm
• Monks Cross (route 9) – First bus at 7am from the site, last bus back from Rougier Street at 6.43pm

All three services will operate at a 15 minute frequency throughout the day and will be FREE for all passengers (and will stop at all usual stops along the route).

For more information about Park & Rides over Christmas and New Year visit www.york.gov.uk/transport or www.itravelyork.info

City of York Council and the York Human Rights City project are hosting the city’s very first Human Rights Festival from 10-15 December.

The festival will include a variety of events to promote the exchange of ideas, as well as a debate on human rights issues and governance at various levels.

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With support from retailers, North Yorkshire Police and bus operators in York, City of York Council announces new plans this week to tighten enforcement measures on one of York’s busiest bus, cycle and taxi routes.

Traffic enforcement restrictions have been in place on Coppergate since the 1960’s, but only enforced infrequently. Results from an enforcement action day in August 2011, undertaken in partnership with North Yorkshire Police, saw over 600 motorists ignore ‘no access’ signage and illegitimately access Coppergate during restricted hours.

In a bid to reduce congestion and improve journey reliability for buses and taxis through the heart of York’s city centre, the council is introducing strict new controls which include extending the hours of access for authorised vehicles, slightly reducing the hours of access for loading and unloading and introducing automatic number plate recognition cameras (ANPR).

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At the same time as the Met Office issues a warning that temperatures are set to fall towards the end of this week, City of York Council, North Yorkshire Police, Yorkshire Water and the Environment Agency join forces to issue a safety message to all residents and road users to exercise caution following the recent spell of flooding.

The Met Office has issued a yellow “be aware” warning, which means as temperatures fall there will be widespread frost and ice on some roads and footpaths.

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• UK Snooker Championships 1st/9th Dec Barbican

• Ukulele Orchestra 3rd Dec Grand Opera House

• Woodland workout 3rd/17th Dec 1:00pm Rawcliffe / West Bank Park We will be thinning an area of woodland in Rawcliffe Country Park. This involves cutting down selected trees to create more light and space for other trees to expand and grow bigger. At West Bank Park we will be resurfacing the woodland paths with bark chip and replacing any sections of edging that have gone missing. All tools will be provided – Please come prepared to get muddy! Please contact Jenny Cairns on 07833 436832 or jennifer.cairns@york.gov.uk for more details

• Beyond the barricade at Christmas 4th Dec Grand Opera House

• Ding Dong Merrily 4th Dec 7:30pm Early Music Centre Part of a fortnight of Early Music Christmas Festival

• A Christmas Carol (promenade) 5th/21st Dec The Golden Fleece

• Mostly Autumn 6th Dec Grand Opera House

• Children’s Chapel 6th 3rd Jan York Minster http://www.yorkminster.org/whats-on/2012/12/06/the-children-039-s-chapel-in-york-minster.html

• Carol Concert 7th Dec Minster

• Jimmy Carr 7th/8th Dec Grand Opera House

• Minster Minstrals 8th Dec 1:00pm Early Music Centre

• Christmas Tree-Top Angels 8th Dec Minster. Create your own unique Angel inspired by the Minsters stained glass

• Big Band Christmas Party 8th Dec De Grey Rooms

• Handel’s Messiah 8th Dec Minster (YMS)

• Santas Steam Adventure 8th /23rd 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.

• York’s Festive Fayre 8th/23rd Dec Parliament Street York’s Festive Fayre brings a sweep of Christmas traditions with music and decorated wooden huts. Open Daily from Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday 9.30am to 6.30pm, Thursday/Friday & Saturday 9.30am to 7.30pm, Sunday 9.30am to (approx 6.30pm) you are sure to find that extra special Christmas gift. Then escape the hustle and bustle and relax in the twinkling haven of the Festive Inne and enjoy a glass of delicious Winter Pimms and other festive offerings.

• Jingle Jog 9th Dec Sun 10:30am York Knavesmire Why not come along and try a festive fun run with a difference, sign up and get your free Santa suit to run your chosen distance in. Two distances are available, a shorter 2km route suitable for participates as young as 2 and as old as Santa Clause himself. If you would like a bigger challenge why not try the 5km route around York’s famous Knavesmire. The fun does not stop with the run, feed the reindeer and try some festive treats – a great family fun day for all. For more information register at 0121 661 5161 www.bhf.org.uk/yorksanta

• Stand up York 12th Dec 7:30pm Barbican

• Rock DJ 12th Dec Wed 6:30pm Door 84 Lowther Street York Arts Academy rock bands, and local young D.J’s get a chance to show what they can do at this exciting performance! All welcome, tickets available on the door – cost £1 For more information contact Ted Schofield ted.schofield@york.gov.uk or 01904 554275

• Robin Hood & his Merry Mam 13th Dec/2nd Feb Theatre Royal

• Sleeping Beauty 14th Dec/6th Jan Grand Opera House

• Carol Concert 14th Dec Minster

• Kate Rusby at Christmas 14th Dec 7:30pm Barbican

• Christmas Crafts 14th Dec Fri 10:00am Rowntree Park Join us on the terrace of the cafe to make your own Christmas wreath. We will use willow to make a frame that you can then decorate with materials collected from the parks. Afterwards why not pop into the cafe for a hot drink to warm up! Cost: Free Please book your place by contacting Jenny Cairns on 07833 436832 or emailing jennifer.cairns@york.gov.uk

• Festival of Angels 15th/16th Dec 10:00am The Quarter The Festival of Angels is a true winter festival, bringing York a winter wonderland of ice-sculptures, stalls, outdoor food and drink, street entertainment. A true Christmas festival, transforming York’s most unique streets into a winter wonderland of ice-sculptures, stalls, al fresco dining and street entertainment. Popular with both visitors and residents, across the streets of the Quarter (Swinegate, Back Swinegate, Grape Lane) through to St Sampson’s Square, Stonegate and Petergate

• Football City v Bristol 15th Dec Bootham Cres

• A Ceremony of Carols 15th Dec Minster (Ebor Singers)

• Create a “Christingle” 15th Dec Minster

• Santa’s Circular Cycle 15th Dec Sat 11:00am Millennium Bridge A circular bike ride to Heslington common via the golf course and the University, approximately 6.5 miles. We will be using mostly off-road cycle paths, tarred tracks and bridleways. This will be the last ride before Christmas and will finish at Rowntree Park Café for refreshments and a Festive quiz! Ho Ho Ho! For more information contact Sarah Prescott on 01904 553377 or Email: sarah.prescott@york.gov.uk or visit www.york.gov.uk/cyclerides

• Musical Family Day 15th Dec Sat 10:00am Canon Lee School

• Community Carol Concert 16th Dec 2:30pm Barbican

• “La Nativite du Seigneur” 17th Dec Minster A meditative organ recital with readings featuring the Minster’s Grand Organ

• A Victorian Christmas 18th Dec 7:30pm Early Music Centre

• Carols by Candlelight 19th /21st Dec Minster (Chapter House Choir)

• The York Waits 20th Dec 7:30pm Early Music Centre

• Football City v Gillingham 22nd Dec Bootham Cres

• Music Night 22nd Dec Jo Ro Theatre

• Festive sing along 22nd Dec Sat 6:00pm Micklegate glass centre http://www.micklegatequarter.co.uk/events/winter-festival

• Nine Lessons and Carols 23/24th Dec 4:00pm Minster

• Cinderella 21st/30th Dec Barbican Starring Dani Harmer

• See in the new year 31st Dec/ 1st Jan Duncombe Place

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Despite recent concerns about standards at some nurserys in the City a report says that local standards are generally higher than can be found elsewhere in the Country.

A recent Ofsted report has placed York’s Early Years and childcare providers and Children’s Centres significantly above both the national and regional averages. The report also demonstrates an improvement when compared to last years statistics.

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City of York Council’s St Nicholas’ Fayre is making a welcome return to York this week for four days of seasonal market trading across the city.

The popular Christmas Fayre is back for its 21st year to offer a range of markets specialising in the very best of gifts, crafts and local food producers from the ‘deliciouslyorkshire’ group.

Parliament Street, St Sampson’s Square and Coppergate will be lined with the eye-catching wooden huts that house a range of traders, each offering up different festive delights.

The Guildhall is the venue of a regional ‘Made in Yorkshire’ art and craft market, whilst Barley Hall will present a special medieval market with craft demonstrations, mulled wine and costumed traders. St William’s College is also hosting an arts and crafts market for handmade items exclusive to the market.

The Fayre also adds another element to York’s evening offer over the Christmas period for those visiting the city to soak up the festive atmosphere.

The St Nicholas’ Fayre started in 1992 with only 20 stalls trading for three days. Today there is over 200 stalls on offer and it is one of York’s biggest visitor attractions of the year.

St Nicholas’ Fayre will run alongside the permanent Newgate Market from 29 November-2 December, between 9am-6:30pm each day.

For more information visit www.yorkfestivals.com

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

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York is opening a new chapter in its housing services with its first ever guide for older people who are considering their housing options.

‘Positive Ageing – Housing Choices: the Older Person’s Guide to Housing Options’ aims to inspire and inform older people in the city about the range of housing options available to them.

The launch will take place as part of City of York Councils’ first ever Housing Week which aims to share best practice and promote innovation to meet the city’s housing challenges. It will take place on Friday 9 November 2012 from 10am – 1pm at Auden House, a sheltered accommodation scheme with extra care managed by York Housing Association and built at the heart of a £20 million project to replace nearly 100 post-war pre-fab bungalows with almost 200 high-quality mixed tenure homes constructed with partners including York Housing, City of York Council and Fabrick.
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Around fifty members of the Special Constabulary worked alongside their regular colleagues in a variety of roles, providing an additional 320 hours of policing.

The Special Constables made five arrests, carried out a range of duties which included foot patrol in the city centre, checks on licensed premises, taking witness statements, searching suspects and carrying out road traffic enforcement patrols.

A highlight of the weekend was when a special constable and traffic officer assisted a new mum after she delivered a baby. SC Chris Hartley and TC Alison Travis were on duty on Fulford Road when a man taking his wife, who was already in labour, to hospital asked for help. They escorted the couple through traffic. However, the mother gave birth in the car as they travelled across the city. Following the birth the officers made sure that both mother and child were safe and well before closing a stretch of the road to give them some privacy when the ambulance arrived.

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