There’s a course for all in the new Learning 4 Everyone brochure

autumn-2016-social-media-profile-1_500x500Do 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.

What’s on in York: Sky Ride returns to York for final lap!

Sky-Ride-Cycling-York-2013-5-©-OneOther-345x230Following the hugely popular Sky Ride in 2015 which saw over 8,000 cyclists take to the city’s famous streets, the country’s last ever Sky Ride big city event will take place in York on 11 September.

Following the hugely popular Sky Ride in 2015 which saw over 8,000 cyclists take to the city’s famous streets, the country’s last ever Sky Ride big city event will take place in York on Sunday 11 September.

Cyclists of all ages and abilities will have the chance to take to York’s historic streets on two wheels on a fantastic 7km route taking in some of city’s most famous landmarks, including York Minster and Clifford’s Tower.

During Sky Ride York there will be music and entertainment, competitions plus a traffic-free route to ride around the centre of York that will allow bike riders to see York from a different perspective.

Sky Ride York will launch at 11am at the scenic start location at the Eye of York overlooked by Clifford’s Tower, although riders can join anywhere on the route until 4pm. Road closures will be in place throughout the morning until approximately 5pm, or as soon as possible after the event has finished to ensure the safety of everyone taking part.

The York Festival of Cycling will take place on the same day and will once again give residents and visitors the chance to take part in all sorts of pedal powered activities in Rowntree Park, a stone’s throw away from the Sky Ride Route. A stunt team will also be on hand throughout the day to show off their jaw dropping skills.
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Finding Dory in York – summer swim sessions

As the summer holidays begin City of York Council is encouraging York’s children to ‘just keep moving’ this summer, with the nationwide interactive family swim sessions and a brand new 10 Minute Shake Up campaign – all inspired by the new Disney·Pixar blockbfind doryuster, Finding Dory.

The campaign from Disney, Change4Life and the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) sees the launch of themed family swim sessions at hundreds of pools across the UK as well as new 10 Minute Shake Up activities, in a bid to make exercise fun and help children get the 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity they need each day.

The Finding Dory inspired swim sessions, which are co-created with the ASA and run from 22 July until 4 September, will provide an hour of in-water storytelling for the whole family, teaching children key swimming skills as they are taken on a journey with Dory and friends, led by trained instructors.

The Change4Life 10 Minute Shake Ups with Disney are back for a third summer to encourage children to get the 60 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity they need each day with fun 10 minute bursts of activity. For 2016, there are even more interactive Shake Ups than last year, including those inspired by the new Disney·Pixar film, Finding Dory, which set a box office record for an animated film when it opened in the United States in June.

To coincide with the launch of the campaign, Disney, Change4Life and the ASA commissioned a survey of more than 1,000 children aged 5 to 11 and their parents on their attitudes towards physical activity. The survey revealed that three quarters of children aged 5 to 11 (73%) want to do more physical activity, and 56% of children miss taking part in school PE lessons over the summer. Finding ways for their children to be active is a challenge faced by families, with 61% of parents saying they struggle for ideas during the school holidays.

The research showed that more than half of children (55%) said that swimming is one of their favourite ways to keep physically active during the summer holidays.139% of 5 to 11 year olds also said that they would want to go swimming more often if they could go with family members.1

Physical activity helps children build social skills, boost self-confidence, improve bone and heart health and maintain a healthy weight, yet just 21% of boys and 16% of girls currently meet the national recommended level of activity of 60 minutes each day.

Councillor Carol Runciman, City of York Council’s Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health said: “This is a fantastic initiative to encourage children and families to get active. Increased physical activity can lead to better academic achievement, with improved attention span, behaviour and self-confidence. I would encourage people across the city to sign up”.

City of York Council’s Director of Public Health, Sharon Stoltz said: “In children physical activity is essential for mental and emotional health as well as physical health and a reduced risk of developing chronic conditions in the future.  The 10 Minute Shake Up is a great way to get the city’s children moving this summer!”

Search Change4Life online for Disney and Finding Dory inspired 10 Minute Shake Ups and don’t forget to book your swim session today at www.disney.co.uk/justkeepmoving.

Ex Factum seeks York’s lost amphitheatre!

The legend of where York’s long lost Roman amphitheatre lies beneath the city is to be battled out at Ex Factum!gladiators_1689905i

This one-off event is recruiting teams to pinpoint where this legendary venue could be, on Thursday 9 June.

Gladiators fought, rebels were executed and the Emperor may have addressed the VI Legion in the city’s amphitheatre. Now, some 2,000 years after it could have been built, City of York Council, York Museum’s Trust and AOC Archaeology Group are inviting ten teams to join Ex Factum and pitch their brilliant and best theories of where the amphitheatre’s remains could be.

The team that gets the biggest thumbs up from the public for its most convincing and entertaining arguments will win Ex Factum. The top team will have the chance to research its idea for the arena’s location in greater depth with the help of a professional archaeologist who can unearth specialist resources and share trade secrets.

Anyone – inquisitive residents, experts in the field or informed amateurs – is invited to take part in the Ex Factum search in any of three ways:

• Put together a team to argue the case to an audience on 9 June at the Yorkshire Museum. You will have just eight minutes to convince the audience where the amphitheatre is and how it can be found. If the team wants an archaeologist to help them, they’ll be given a professional mentor – just like that well-known talent show! With places for just 10 teams available, tell us why yours should be chosen before the deadline of 5pm on Wednesday 18 May. Choose a likely location to explore and register the team’s details on www.yorkslostamphitheatre.com

  • • Create a poster – A2 maximum size – showing where the amphitheatre is located and what it looked like. There will be special Roman prizes for the best posters/ drawings for the under 10s, under 18s, and over 18s. Submit the finished poster or drawing before Thursday 26 May at 5pm.
  • • Vote for your favourite location – either by joining the audience at the Yorkshire Museum on 9 June at 6:30 pm – book your free tickets at www.yorkslostamphitheatre.com – or vote remotely on the website.
    All the details of how teams can sign up and posters can be submitted at www.yorkslostamphitheatre.com . Here too, tickets can be booked to the presentation and voting event at the Yorkshire Museum on 9 June at 6:30pm is set out. A stash of information sheets and links to further resources can also be found at the website.

Councillor Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, said:
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First gliding and kung fu sessions to be offered at York’s biggest 50+ Games

kungfu pensionersKung fu, gliding, kick boxing, weight lifting and fencing taster sessions are being offered for the first time at this year’s 50+ Games which run from Saturday 26 September to Sunday 4 October.

The Eng-AGE 50+ Games is a nine-day event organised by City of York Council in partnership with local sports clubs and coaches and runs alongside the popular York 50+ Festival. It offers an exciting, mainly free programme of taster sessions to introduce those aged over 50 to the broad range of health and fitness activities which take place regularly in venues throughout York.

This year’s record programme boasts 41 sessions and involves 17 different sports clubs. Their offer includes cardio tennis, swimming, walking, running, boxing, walking football and tennis, whilst residents who prefer gentler activity can enjoy bowls, yoga, pilates and seated tai chi. Also on offer is a motorised gliding experience at York Gliding Centre in Rufforth.

All abilities and fitness levels are welcome and the ethos of the Games is as much about meeting new people and taking part than winning!

Councillor Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism said: “The Eng-AGE 50+ Games offers residents a fantastic chance to try new sport in a friendly setting and discover where they can continue to take part throughout the year.

“All adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of physical activity a week – just 30 minutes a day will hit that target. Regular sport and activity benefits physical and mental wellbeing, and for older people it’s important to help balance and co-ordination, bone strength and flexibility to maintain a full and independent life.”

The full programme can be found at www.york.gov.uk/engage and leaflets can be picked up from libraries.

For further information contact Megan Hale, Older Peoples Physical Activity Officer, on 01904 553377, email megan.hale@york.gov.uk

York Council – Weekly news round up

York City seek mature players?

walking-football-engage-day-2015

Aged 70, I’m at last playing football”- and you can too!

Following a successful pilot scheme between the council and York City Football Club Foundation a new opportunity is available to anyone aged over 50 who would like to step up to walking football.

Walking football is a popular, slower-paced version of the game where running is treated as a foul. This ruling makes it suitable for older people who would like to return to sport or take up a new challenge.

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Have your say on the council’s key priorities for the next four-years

Whether it’s focussing resources on providing more housing, good quality jobs or ensuring that there is a focus on delivering key frontline services, the council feels it’s important that everyone has the opportunity to contribute towards these priorities and feedback their views.

York residents and businesses have until Wednesday 26 August to feedback on the draft proposals, which are based on the new administration’s priorities and the council’s statutory responsibilities.

The plan is built around three key priorities, including:

  • A prosperous city for all – where local businesses can thrive and residents have good quality jobs, housing and opportunities
  • A focus on frontline services – to ensure all residents, particularly the least advantaged, can access reliable services and community facilities
  • A council that listens to residents -to ensure it delivers the services you want and works in partnership with local communities.

Feedback can be made via a number of ways below, which will be bought back to an Executive meeting in September for final approval:

  • Online: www.york.gov.uk/councilplan
  • In person: drop by and see officers at West Offices on Wednesday 12 or Thursday 14 August
  • Drop-off points:  at libraries or Explore Centres until 26 August.
  • Social media: ‘tag us’ @CityofYork on Twitter or @CityofYorkCouncil on Facbeook using #councilplan
  • By post: send feedback to FREEPOST RTEG-TYYU-KLTZ, Business Intelligence Team, City of York Council, West Offices, York YO1 6GA.

Number of York jobseekers falls again

National statistics released today have revealed the number of residents claiming Job Seekers Allowance in York has fallen for the fourth consecutive month.

The number of claimants in York has fallen by 49.8 percent in the last year. There are now 791 claimants in York, a fall of 98 from last month and of 1,577 from June 2014. Today’s figures also showed a 58.2 per cent fall in the Youth unemployment count since June 2014.

The claimant count represents 0.6 per cent of the working population and contrasts to the regional average which stands at 2.4 per cent. The figures are also much lower than the national average which stands at 1.7 per cent.

Spinach

Spin bowler

Councillor Keith Aspden, Deputy Leader of City of York Council said: “It is pleasing to see that partnership working across the city is helping to keep unemployment low and defy the national trend which has seen the number of jobseekers increase in the last quarter. The new Executive is committed to building on this and as part of our Emergency Budget we are boosting support for small local businesses. I am also working with officers to increase the number of apprenticeships in the council and across York.

Adult learners offered more than ever before

York Learning is offering its widest range of adult learning opportunities ever with its new Learning 4 Everyone programme which is being rolled out across the city.

On offer for the first time too is the widest ever selection of courses from learning partners across the city, such as the University of York and York College. The WEA which features in the brochure has reported an enormous amount of interest following their inclusion in the brochure.

The new programme can be picked up from libraries across the city and holds information on over 300 courses taking place over the coming months.

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Vote proposed for Business Improvement District

Plans for a ballot to take place in November to allow city centre businesses to decide on a proposed Business Improvement District (BID) will be put to the cross-party Economic Development and Transport Policy and Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday 22 July.

Then, on Thursday 30 July, Executive will consider the report which recommends approval of the continuing development of a Business Development District as well as approve a ballot in November 2015 when city centre businesses will be asked to vote on whether they would like to form a BID.

The initiative, led by City Team York, a group of local businesses chaired by Adam Sinclair, would see businesses predominantly within the inner ring road come together to form a BID company to decide how they pool resources to benefit the local economy.

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Public Health report on Dementia Published

City of York Council has published the latest monthly chapter of its Director of Public Health annual report for 2015 which focuses on dementia.

The council’s Director of Public Health is legally required to produce an annual report on the health of the local population.

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Low awareness of ‘non-lump’ breast cancer symptoms puts over 70s’ health at risk in York

City of York Council is supporting Public Health England’s ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaign launched today which is aimed at women aged 70 and over.

  • just under a half of women aged 70 and over were able to name a symptom aside from a lump
    • latest annual figures show 15 women aged 70 and over died from breast cancer in York in 2013

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Parliament Street fountain demolition to be reviewed

Parliament Street fountainYork’s Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Leisure, Culture & Tourism has called for a review of the plan to demolish the fountain on Parliament Street.

 Make It York, the city’s new destination management organisation, said earlier this month that the fountain should go in order to create a more attractive open space which could be used by festivals. It is understood that the previous Labour Cabinet Member had given the green-light to demolition, but since last week residents have said that they want the fountain to stay and an online petition has been launched. This petition runs until August.

The fountain was originally installed 25 years ago, but the power supply was switched off in 2012 when the Parliament Street toilets were demolished.

Cllr Nigel Ayre, Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Leisure, Culture & Tourism, has now said that there should be a cross-party look at the options. He commented:

“The previous Labour administration wasted millions on vanity schemes in the city-centre that had no cross-party or public support such as the controversial King’s Square redevelopment. We are taking a different approach and therefore, when the petition closes, I will ask the council’s cross-party Learning & Culture policy committee to undertake a review.

“This review will allow councillors and residents to have their say and decide how they want the space in Parliament Street to be used within the budget constraints which currently exist. It should be a short review which will also involve proper consultation with market traders and with Make it York.”

 

NB Cllr Ayre aims to initiate the short review at September’s cross-party Learning & Culture Policy and Scrutiny Committee and no formal decision on the fountain will be taken before

New tennis league open to all

Tennis players in York have a smashing new opportunity to play friendly, competitive matches organised by the group Local Tennis Leagues in partnership with City of York Council.

The competition invites adult players of all standards to pick up their racquets and sign up to a local singles league. Participants are organised into groups and then liaise with their opponent to arrange a mutually convenient time to play, at a court in the city to suit them both. Each round runs for eight weeks and round one launches on Thursday 9 July during Wimbledon 2015.

The local league aims to open up competitive tennis to everyone, whether or not they are members of a club. It will make it easier to compete on public courts by matching interested partners of similar standards and will be a way of meeting new people through sport. The initiative is one of many opportunities across the city to encourage residents to play sport more often and exercise for the recommended 150 minutes a week.  

Top spin

Top spin

Cllr Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism said: “Anyone who is inspired by Wimbledon will love this opportunity to play competitively against new opponents in the city. Sporting opportunities such as this are an enjoyable way to build friendships as well as keeping fit.”

The league gives a can of free tennis balls to every player who completes three matches by the half way point and there are prizes for the winners of each group. It is affiliated to the sport’s governing body, the Lawn Tennis Association.

To enter the league visit www.localtennisleagues.com/york and register by Monday 6 July. The entry fee is £15 and further information is available from Local Tennis Leagues members on 07503 281732 or email yorktennisleague@gmail.com