NHS 111 is a new telephone based service for patients that will be available throughout the country no later than 1st April 2013.

Plans are in place to ensure that NHS 111 will be available in North Yorkshire and York, along with other areas of the country, no later than 1 April 2013.

The service is being introduced to support access to urgent and emergency healthcare and ensure patients are seen by a service most appropriate for their needs.

It will replace the existing NHS Direct telephone number.

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The Olympic Torch Relay is coming to York on 19 and 20 June 2012.

If you intend coming along to the evening celebration the organising partners would appreciate some idea of numbers, how you are getting there and where you are coming from? http://www.yorkgold2012.co.uk/register.php

The Torch Relay is the one part of the Games that goes across the UK, so it’s the perfect opportunity to showcase the people, communities and scenery that make the UK great. In York, with our York 800 celebrations in full swing, it will collectively be our moment to shine in the Olympic Torch light.

The Olympic Flame is lit at the Temple of Hera, at Ancient Olympia in Greece. It is created uniquely for each Winter and Summer Games by focusing sunlight in a parabolic mirror. At this point, it is the only place in the world where the Olympic Flame is alight. It then travels round Greece for seven days before being passed to the UK, where it begins the Relay in Land’s End.

The Torch arrives in the UK on 18 May 2012 and the Relay starts the next day from Lands End.
The Flame will travel for 70 days – 63 days around the UK and the final seven days around London.
The Torch will cover approximately 8,000 miles across the UK, through Torchbearing and travelling in convoy mode.
There will be 8,000 Torchbearers who will carry the Torch for approximately 300 metres each.

Olympic Torch Relay evening celebration locations – Yorkshire
Mon 18 June: HULL
Tue 19 June: YORK
Sun 24 June: LEEDS
Mon 25 June: SHEFFIELD
Tue 26 June: CLEETHORPES
Evening celebration, York

The early evening event in York will be on 19 June 2012 at York Racecourse on the Knavesmire. As part of the early evening celebrations, we will be co-ordinating opportunities for residents to try out new sports or games activities. More information will be shared nearer the time as much of the event will be presented by LOCOG’s presenting partners (see below).
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Love’s Labour Lost 1/5 May Tues/Sat Theatre Royal

Ebor Lecture 2nd May Wed 7:00pm Minster by Mr Will Hutton

Cirque du Ciel’s Shanghi 2/3 May Wed/Thurs Grand Opera House

Dust off your rackets 2nd May Wed 10:30am Rowntree Park http://yortime.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/dust-off-your-rackets.html

Fun Run 2nd May Wed 6:00pm York Racecourse York St John University is hosting its annual fun run http://yortime.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/york-st-john-fun-run-or-walk.html

10cc in concert 3rd May Thurs Barbican Not only were 10cc makers of some of the greatest hits of the 70’s, but they are currently one of the most exciting live bands in the country!

Paul Merton 4th May Fri Grand Opera House “Out of my head”

Northern Spirit Singers 5th May Sat 11:00am Minster

Baroque Day 5th May Sat 12:30pm Early Music Centre

Peppa Pig’s Treasure Hunt 5th & 6th May Sat Barbican Following the incredible sell-out success of Peppa Pig’s Party, Peppa is back with a brand new show featuring true to life puppets, perfect singalong songs and a new story that will charm and delight all her fans. Full sail! Ahoy! Arrrrr!

Sing-a-long-a ABBA 5th May Sat Barbican

Jimeoin: Lovely 5th May Sat Grand Opera House

Scarecrow festival 5th/7th May Haxby Methodist Church

Gala Day 6th May Sun 10:00am Little Knavesmire http://yortime.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/hamilton-panthers-fc-gala.html

Cello Recital 6th May 3:00pm Sun Middlethorpe Hall Cello Recital and Afternoon Tea

Nick Fletcher 7th May 2:00pm Mon Minster

Lunasa 7th May 7:30pm Mon Early Music Centre Lúnasa are internationally acknowledged as being the finest traditional Irish instrumental band of recent times, and one of the hottest Irish acts around today

Steel Magnolias 7/12 May Mon/Sat Grand Opera House

Providence Singers 9th May Wed 2:00pm Minster

Camille O’Sullivan—Feel 9th May Wed Theatre Royal

Bankers, Bogs & Chocs 9th May Wed 10:30am Cycle centre, Wellington Road http://yortime.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/bankers-bogs-and-chocolates-guided.html

Festival of New Music 9th/13thMay Wed/Sun University

Organ Promenade 11th May Fri 1:15pm Minster (weekly)

Birmingham Royal Ballet 11/12 May Fri/Sat Theatre Royal

Summer Crafts market 12th May Sat Parliament Street A special market in York showcasing the best in crafting from in and around the city

York Guildhall Orchestra 12th May Sat Barbican

Service your bike 12th May Sat Oaken Grove Community Centre COST: £65 Whether you need to strip down your gears or braking system, build and repair wheels or just do a general service, we have a course to cover it all plus much more

From Monks to Masons 12/13th May Sat/Sun Explore York Library Learning Centre http://yortime.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/from-monks-to-masons.html

Martin Taylor/Alan Barnes 13th May Sun 7:30pm Early Music Centre

Welly workout 14th May Mon 1:00pm West Bank park http://yortime.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/welly-workout.html

Never too late to learn 12/19th May Various Adult learners week http://www.york.gov.uk/education/Adult_and_community_education/events/

Ragazze Pazze 15th May Tues 11;00am Minster

Henry IV 15/18 May Tues/Fri Theatre Royal

Family History 15 & 25 May Tues/Fri Explore Library http://yortime.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/first-steps-internet-and-family-history.html

Get On line 15th May Tues Explore Library Library http://yortime.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/yorks-online-library-ebooks-and-online.html

Nazarene Choir 16th May Wed 11:00am Minster

Horse racing 16th/18th May Wed – Fri Racecourse (Dante Festival)

Brassed Off 16/19 May Wed/Sat Grand Opera House York Stage Musicals

That’s Entertainment 16/19 May Wed/Sat Theatre Royal

City Archives 17th May Thur 7:00pm Explore Library http://yortime.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/york-800-and-city-archives.html

Be inspired 17/19 May Explore Library http://www.york.gov.uk/education/Adult_and_community_education/events/

Homestart Concert 19th May Sat 7:30pm Minster

Miss York 2012 final 19th May Sat &;45 pm Barbican including X factor Finalist Amelia Lilly and upcoming urban pop sensation The Luminites.

Big City Read Launch 20th May Sun 11:00am Explore Library “Mystery in the Minster” http://www.york.gov.uk/leisure/Libraries/whatson/big_city_read2012/

Brit Floyd 21st May Mon Barbican—Pink Floyd tribute show

Crave & Illusions 21st/23rd May Mon/Wed Theatre Royal

Sally Morgan 23rd May Wed Grand Opera House: Psychic Sally on the road

Wasted by Kate Tempest 24th/26th May Thurs/Sat Theatre Royal

Farmers market 25th May Parliament Street

Scarberia 24th/2nd June Thur/Sat Theatre Royal

Merry Wives 25th/5th May/June Rowntree Park http://www.yorkshakespeareproject.org/main/index.shtml

Stewart Francis 25th May Fri Grand Opera House: Outstanding in his field

Summer Fair 26th May Sat 1:00pm Hob Moor http://yortime.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/hob-moor-summer-fair.html

Duane Eddy 26th May Sat Grand Opera House

Military Wheels & Wings 26th/27th May Sat/Sun Air Museum Battlegroup North Show

Fine Baking 26th May Sat 9:30am Mansion House http://yortime.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/traditional-yorkshire-baking.html

Take over comedy night 29th May Tues Theatre Royal

Simon Amstell: Numb 31st May Thurs Grand Opera House

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“This flagship development will feature a varied selection of 2, 3, 4 & 5 bedroom unique contemporary designed, energy efficient, homes set in an environment of well managed, public open space and parkland areas for the benefit of the whole community”. So says the advertising pitch from developers David Wilson Homes and for once they are probably correct. Prices range from £205,000 to £430,000. Homes are also available to rent and under “shared ownership” arrangements.

A preview of the homes, and unique district heating system last Friday convinced most attending that the development will indeed rank with its predecessor New Earswick as a paradigm of innovative planning.
Meanwhile a planning application for the second wave of homes is recommended for approval at the Planning Committee which is scheduled to take place on Thursday. Outline planning permission was granted by the Secretary of State in May 2007 for the residential scheme of approximately 540 dwellings. Phase 1 of the development, accessed from Osbaldwick Village, was granted reserved matters approval in 2008 and this is the section which is currently under construction

The district heating system is provided by an Energy Centre which is located for efficient underground distribution. It will house plant, together with an underground store for the fuel (woodchips and pellets) that ‘fire’ the biomass boiler. The plant within the Centre will supply the heating and hot water needs for the whole community. This system is a key feature for delivering the low carbon component for the development. Derwenthorpe’s preferred bio fuel is woodchip. Woodchip will burn with extremely low pollution effects on the environment (compared to traditional sources like coal and oil) and can be sourced through both harvesting trees grown specifically for this purpose and recycling forestry thinning. It is anticipated that the woodchips will be sourced from a supplier in Yorkshire.

Homes have been designed and constructed to consume less heat to help save costs. Similar to the principle of a thermos flask, the new homes are extremely well insulated and the joints at windows, doors and roof details so robustly sealed that heat leaks from the inside at a significantly reduced rate compared to the average home in the UK

The Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust are providing a ‘Fibre to the Home’ (FTTH) service for all residents of Derwenthorpe. This infrastructure is state of the art and specifically designed for the development to ensure that high quality technology services such as broadband, telephone, television and radio will be accessible to all homes.

The latest planning application seeks reserved matters approval on land west of Metcalfe lane, Osbaldwick. It covers the siting, design and external appearance of the neighbourhood located in the south-west quadrant of the site and accessed from Temple Avenue.

There are 123 dwellings proposed as part of this reserved matters application, laid out around a circular outer road and internal cruciform street pattern. There are seventeen house types arranged in a mix of terraced, semi-detached and detached properties. Some of the properties have garages, which are either individual or in short runs and are to be red brick with plain clay tiles to the roof.
All properties have a parking space, whether within a garage, parking court, in-curtilage or on- street. Visitor parking spaces and two car club spaces are accommodate within the neighbourhood. Two Local Areas of Play are shown on the plans, one in the central square and one adjacent to the Sustrans cycle track.

David Wilson Homes can be found at http://tinyurl.com/Derwenthorpe-house-sales

The Joseph Rowntree Derwenthorpe web site address is http://tinyurl.com/JoRo-Derwenthorpe

More about Joseph Rowntree – an 19th century York Liberal

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Council officials are recommending approval of a planning application from the National Trust who own and currently occupy the Goddards site at 27 Tadcaster Road. The application is to open up part of the building as a visitor attraction. It is proposed to open up rooms on the ground and first floor to the public.

Opening hours to the public would be restricted to 9:30am and 4:30pm.

The gardens are already open to the public, for recreation, but potentially the permission could allow these to be used for events.

The house is grade 1 listed, it was built in 1926-27 by Walter Brierley* for Katherine and Noel Goddard Terry. It is recognised as the finest surviving work by the architect.

Access into the site is through the gatehouse, which fronts Tadcaster Road, the access road then leads to the main house and it’s gardens, and there is a car parking area to the north of the main house.

Planning permission was granted in 1983 for a change of use to convert the buildings on site from residential to office use. The permission was exclusive to the National Trust. Before 1983 the site was still resided at by the Terry family. The gatehouse reverted back to residential use from offices in 1999.

A public consultation event was held on site in Sept 2011 and attended by 87 persons. Officers report that, “All were in favour of the visitor attraction, and saw the proposed use as an important part of York’s history”.

The Planning Committee (West) will consider the officer recommendation at a meeting on Thursday.

*Walter Henry Brierley (1862–1926) was a York architect who practiced in the city for 40 years. (more…)

The transfer of the management of the City’s Museums and Art Gallery to an independent Trust has been one of the success stories of the last 10 years.

Attendances have almost doubled and a major refurbishment of the Yorkshire Museum took place last year.

There are now plans in hand for a major remodelling and expansion of the Art Gallery which could see it closed to the public for over a year. Improvements will extend to include a reshaping of the Museum Gardens to the rear of the building.
The work would be completed in 2015.

Major changes are also scheduled for the Castle Museum.

“Real people” will be introduced into Kirkgate in April 2012.

The second Castle Museum project is to open up the green and riverside areas behind the museum, comprising the medieval Castle, the River Foss and Raindale Mill. This will enable a walk way along the river, a flexible event space, an area promoting wildlife conservation, and the area next to the Mill having a suitable 19th century garden added. Visitors will also have the opportunity to see areas of York Castle that are currently ‘out of bounds’ that will be interpreted. This project will be completed by April 2012.

The third and most ambitious part of the Castle Museum project is to create new gallery spaces across the whole of the first floor of the Debtors Prison. The project is called 1914 and will look at how life changed during the period 1914-1918 due to the impact of the First World War This project will open in spring 2014.

Against that background the Council is now planning to cut their grant to the Museums Trust by 25%.

The Trustees have responded by offering to take a 20% cut recognising the need to be as self sufficient as possible in difficult economic times.

Of course the writing was on the wall for this Labour initiative as soon as it was revealed that one of their former Councillors was to chair the “Fairness Commission”. Ruth Redfern is a former Labour MPs aide and most recently was employed by the Labour appointed QUANGO Yorkshire Forward.

Not surprising therefore that the “Commissions” interim report is so predictable and biased.

It may not be quite as bad as the “Beautiful City” report of 2010 which relied almost entirely on anecdotal comment from the usual advocates of bus stations, boat building on the Ouse and river taxis.

But it does fall into the trap of regurgitating the same stats that Councillors have struggled with for over a decade.

York is a relatively wealthy City but some of its residents are less well off than others. That is a fact, although not a particularly surprising one.

So the last council took action.

It maintained and increased the amount of investment that was made in care for the elderly and people with disabilities.

This involved an increase in expenditure in every year since 2003 – without exception.

Innovative projects like the one in Kingsway sought to address those issues faced by communities that were identified by (it has to be said) fairly crude national indicators of “deprivation”.

Deprivation in this case was effectively any neighbourhood (IMO) which had a large number of elderly people dependant on the state pension. The more success that the Council had in ensuring that people received the benefits that they were entitled to, the worse was the “deprivation” score.

But not to worry, there was an issue to be addressed and progress was made.

So now the “Fairness Commission” tells us that in order to focus more money on inequality issues, basic services such as highways maintenance should be cut back while the ward committee improvements budget should be centrally allocated (and to fewer parts of the City).

Not content with this they suggest a 6% increase in Council Tax levels and this at a time when central government is offering the City £1.8 million to freeze tax levels for another year.

That could make a lot of difference to large numbers of people in York who face genuine hardship as a result of higher energy prices and – in some cases – lower real terms income levels.

In the longer term, they are looking to eliminate the subsidy paid to the Theatre Royal and Visit York – the tourism body that helps to sustain 10,000 jobs in the City.

Some of the proposals would require national legislation – they want, for example, to introduce a “tourist tax”.

Some are bizarre – they advocate that the Council should pay staff a “living wage”. Since when were council employees amongst the poorest in society? All benefit from the minimum wage legislation anyway.

They want a “youth card” which would attract retailer discounts ( yet it is already available with YoZone card)

There are recommendations in the report that few would disagree with.

Some, although not original thinking by any means, could attract cross party support. They include proposals to:
• Put benefit advisors where they are most easily accessible to users
• Continue and expand work to reduce the living costs/bills of those in greatest need (e.g. through energy efficiency measures and tackling fuel poverty).
• Ensure economic development strategy and activity focuses on the quality and accessibility as well as the quantity of jobs, and on inclusion as well as growth.
• Deliver a programme of action that tackles barriers to work (e.g. child care).
• Encourage the creation of „green jobs‟ in sustainable industries (already started by the last Council).
• Make training and employment opportunities for young people a priority and radically expand the number of apprenticeships on offer (an initiative announced by the Coalition government last week).
• Work together with and support the voluntary sector more closely and extensively.

But a document that pretends to “help” in a budget setting process and which does not include a single figure indicating the cost of the alternative plan is one that is at best a distraction, or at worst counter-productive to addressing fundamental issues about how public services can be sustained in the future.

The Commission admits to spending over £18,000 directly on coming to their conclusions.

The ever popular St Nicholas Fayre 24 – 27 November, has everything from gifts and crafts to the best local produce including venison, suckling pig, ostrich, kangaroo and wild boar. Why not try some famous Swaledale cheese or heavenly herbal punch made to a traditional recipe? ….See the City come alive with Victorian costumed traders, carol singers and the delicious smells of roasted chestnuts and hot chocolate laced with brandy.
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. The magnificent medieval townhouse, Barley Hall, presents a special medieval market with live crafting, mulled wine and costumed traders.

Other events include
Fri 21 Oct 2011 – Sat 24 Dec 2011
• Christmas Adventure at Stockeld Park – Christmas Adventure
Wed 23 Nov 2011
• Wines for Christmas at Fairfax House
Thu 24 Nov 2011
• Mansion House at Christmas at Mansion House
Thu 24 – Sat 26 Nov 2011
• St Nicholas Fair – Craft Event at Quilt Museum and Gallery
Thu 24 – Sun 27 Nov 2011
• St Nicholas Fayre at Barley Hall at Barley Hall
Sat 26, Sun 27 Nov 2011
• An Audience with Victorian Father Christmas at Clifford’s Tower
Sat 26 Nov 2011 – Sun 18 Dec 2011
• Christmas at Castle Howard at Castle Howard
Sat 26, Sun 27 Nov 2011
• Christmas Music and Lights at Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal
Sat 26 Nov 2011
• Four Seasons By Candlelight at York Barbican Centre
Sat 26, Sun 27 Nov 2011
• Meet Father Christmas at Castle Howard at Castle Howard
• Santa’s Steam Adventure at National Railway Museum
Sat 26 Nov 2011 – Sun 8 Jan 2012
• The Ice Factor – Outdoor Ice Skating at York Designer Outlet
Sat 26 Nov 2011
• York Walk – Choccy & Sweetie Tour at Museum Gardens
• York Walk – St Nicholas Tour at Museum Gardens
Sun 27 Nov 2011
• Artsmix- Christmas Contemporary Art Market at Castle Howard
Mon 28, Tue 29 Nov 2011
• Yorkshire Christmas Craft and Produce Market at Castle Howard
Tue 29 Nov 2011 – Sat 3 Dec 2011
• The Keeping of Christmas at Fairfax House
Wed 30 Nov 2011 – Sat 10 Dec 2011
• York Early Music Christmas Festival at National Centre for Early Music

For more details visit
http://www.visityork.org/inspire/christmas/stnicholas.aspx

People causing anti-social behaviour over the Halloween and Bonfire Night period can expect a swift response from North Yorkshire Police.

As well as having extra patrols out to deal with problems quickly, police are asking everyone to play their part to ensure that Halloween and “mischief-night” pass off peacefully and that people don’t use the nights as an excuse to cause anti-social behaviour.
Young people are reminded to take personal responsibility for their actions and not to cause people undue concerns. Some people find ghosts and ghouls calling at their homes distressing.
Parents are asked to make sure they know where their children are and what they are doing. They are also asked to make sure that youngsters know the dangers of playing with fireworks, not only to other people, but also to themselves.
And shopkeepers are being urged not to sell items that can be misused to cause damage, such as cans of shaving foam, flour, eggs and matches, to young people.
North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service will be working together to ensure that any illegal fires are quickly extinguished and those responsible for starting them are dealt with rapidly.
Sergeant Daniel Spence, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “Police will not tolerate any behaviour that causes problems in our communities and will deal with those responsible robustly.
“As well as stepping up patrols across the county, officers have also been visiting schools to explain to pupils that not everyone enjoys this time of year and it can raise the fear of crime.
“People out ‘trick or treating’ should remember throwing eggs and flour at buildings, writing graffiti and other acts of vandalism will be regarded as criminal damage and that anyone caught will dealt with accordingly.
“I would also like to ask that if you have an elderly or vulnerable neighbour that you keep an eye out for them and check that they are alright.”
“If you don’t want people visiting your home to trick or treat, you can download a poster from our website to display in a window.”
If you would like to download a poster please visit www.northyorkshire.police.uk/crimeprevention and then click on the special occasions link.
Useful information
Firework Facts
It is illegal for under 18s to buy fireworks, shops should refuse to sell to people under 18 and ask for proof of age if there is any doubt.
It is against the law to carry or use adult fireworks if you are under 18. An adult firework is any firework except a cap, cracker snap, novelty match, party popper, serpent, sparkler or throw
down
Under the Explosives Act of 1875, It is illegal to let off or throw a firework in a public place.
It is illegal to sell fireworks form unregistered/licensed premises.
Don’t light fireworks after 11pm, or midnight on 5 November, 1am on New Year’s Eve, Diwali or Chinese New Year.
No one of any age should be in possession of a category four firework unless you are a professional display organiser.
If anyone believes they have information about the illegal sale, use or possession of fireworks, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 0845 60 60 247. Or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Some Safety Advice for Children
Do’s
Only trick or treat in your own neighbourhood unless you’re with an adult
Stay in well lit areas where there are plenty of houses
Make sure an adult knows the area you plan to visit and what time you’ll be back
Look out for ‘no callers please’ posters and respect your neighbours
Keep to pavements and trick or treat on one side of the street before crossing safely to the other side – don’t criss-cross
Don’ts
Don’t cut through back alleys, ginnels or fields, and don’t trick or treat too far from home
Don’t go alone – take an adult with you or stay in a group
Wait to eat any treats until you get home so that an adult can check them

With temperatures rising and spring in the air, it’s easy to forget how cold a home has been over the winter months. The Energy Saving Trust and City of York Council are urging residents to act now, prepare for the next cold snap and have a go at winning £250 of loft insulation.
Half the heat generated in a typical home is lost through the walls and loft, so insulating a properly can save around £250 a year in heating costs. To give a helping hand, North Yorkshire & Humber Energy Saving Trust advice centre in partnership with City of York Council, are offering one lucky winner the chance to win £250 worth of loft insulation to help keep them snug and cosy throughout the next big freeze.
There are two ways to enter:
1. Come along to visit the Energy Saving Trust stall at the council’s Climate Week event in St Sampson Square on Friday 25 March 2011. The stall will be there all day and, as well as entering the loft insulation competition, visitors can pick up plenty of energy-saving advice and top tips on saving money by living more sustainably.
2. Email the Energy Saving Trust at advice@est-nyh.org.uk with your full name, address and telephone number.
Anyone wanting free, impartial advice about saving energy and money, call the Energy Saving Trust advice centre for free impartial advice: 0800 512 012. We’re here to help.