Concern over Illuminating York 20% price hike

Liberal Democrats have raised concerns that ticket prices for this year’s Illuminating York Festival have significantly increased despite the 2012 event being branded a “disappointment”.

Illuminating York 2013

Illuminating York 2013

The Labour run City of York Council introduced charging for the – previously free – event last year. There were complaints about the £5 admission charge while Vic Reeves’ ‘Wonderland’ production received a backlash of negative comments and poor reviews.

However, the admission charges and £26,000 contribution from council funds meant the event made a £16,000 ‘profit’ which Labour promised would be “invested in next year’s event”.

Many hoped that this promise would see a return to the previous free admissions policy.

However, this year’s event, which will runs from October 30th – November 2nd, sees admission charges for the overall festival for adults increase from £5 to £6 and for under 16s from £1 to £5, with under 5’s still going free.

This means that a family of four, with two school-age children, would see their ticket costs rise by a whopping 83%.

The increase has been described as contrary to the Labour Leaders statements about the need to control the cost of living

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Over 30 sports and fitness opportunities at Just 30 Fair on Saturday!

York’s sixth annual family fitness day will be getting everyone up and active at Rowntree Park on Saturday 21 September from 12noon to 5pm. The Just 30 Fair aims to inspire people of all ages to try new sports and fitness activities and discover more of what’s available in York.

The Just 30 Fair is set up to encourage everyone to do just 30 minutes exercise every day for a happier, healthier lifestyle. If you would like to find out more about how to get fitter and more fabulous, then this event is for you! We’ve invited over 30 sports clubs, leisure facilities, organisations, gyms and individual tutors and coaches to advise you and give out information: whatever your interests, abilities or levels of fitness there will be something to help get you up and more active. They’re all there to welcome and encourage you do Just 30!

Most organisations will be staging try-it sessions, demonstrations and mini-games to join in. Professional sports clubs like York City FC will be there alongside community clubs offering sub-aqua, aikido, bowls, volleyball, dance, yoga, running, boxing, kendo, Nordic walking, zumba and tennis.
Just 30
For the first time, basketball, wheelchair basketball, and hula hooping will be part of the Fair this year, offering everyone the chance to have a go.

While limbering up for their race, are the mascots from the city clubs! Yorkie from York FC, Ronnie Rhino from the Leeds Rhinos, and Kernal, Fluffy and Donut from York Maze will challenging last year’s winner Snappy Crock from SNAPPY in a hilarious race of the sporting mascots. The race starts at 2pm

For further information about the Just 30 Fair visit www.york.gov.uk/just30 or call Neil Gulliver from City of York Council on 01904 553377 or email neil.gulliver@york.gov.uk.

Blow for Sports Village hopes. Community Stadium to be delayed?

The Council has announced that it will no longer be funding an athletics track at the Sports Village on Hull Road.

The facility was to have opened this year.

The proposal to establish a sports village – which also includes swimming pools, 3G football pitches, a fitness suite, a outdoor cycling circuit and spa facilities – was agreed over 3 years ago and most of the facilities are now in use.

Athletics stadium Sept 2013

However, the provision of a new £2 million athletics stadium was to be the final jewel in the crown.

The intention had been to maximise the use of shared facilities such as the refreshment area, physiotherapy, spa and changing rooms.

Now the Council has decided to refurbish the University of York running track on Heslington Lane which is nearly 2 miles away from the Sports Village. The Heslington/Fulford area already suffers from traffic and parking issues

The implications for the running costs of both facilities remain unclear as does the financial commitment of the Council to the whole Community Stadium project.

A spokesperson for the Labour run council has claimed that the new site will be “cheaper”.

However, the athletes are claiming that the Council has agreed to subsidise the York Athletic Club for “5 years”.

Who has agreed such a subsidy, with what restrictions and for how much remains a mystery?

Behind closed doors logo

This major change in policy was taken at another behind closed doors meeting, so taxpayers are being kept in the dark

Moving the athletics track from the Huntington Stadium was an essential precursor to work on the new stadium starting.

It now seems that athletes will leave Huntington in late 2014 prior to occupying the refurbished University track in 2015.

Completion of the Community Stadium has already been put back to 2016 and further delays cannot be ruled out.

York hosts its first ever Sky Ride City event

On Saturday 14 September York will be hosting it’s first big bike ride event, Sky Ride York. In partnership with British Cycling, the City of York Council is hoping this free event will encourage more people in York to get on their bikes and ride for fun.

click for more details

click for more details

The Sky Ride will take in some of York’s most famous landmarks and picturesque views including Clifford’s Tower, York Minster and Rowntree Park. Residents and visitors will be able to ride the traffic free route from 10:30am until 4pm.

The first 1,000 cyclists that register for Sky Ride York will be entered into a prize draw to win a signed Team Sky jersey. This exclusive prize has been signed by the 2013 Tour de France winner Chris Froome and other members of Team Sky Pro Cycling. To register for Sky Ride York, visit www.goskyride.com/YorkSkyRide.

This summer York residents can also enjoy taking part in a series of free guided bike rides with Sky Ride Local. Guided by friendly British Cycling Ride Leaders along scenic planned routes, they’re a great way to get out and see your local area on two wheels. With different levels, there are rides for all abilities – whether you’re building your confidence or already comfortable on a bike and looking for a challenge. To book you and your family onto one of these fun local bike rides, visit goskyride.com/York

To get more women on their bikes, British Cycling’s Breeze network is also coming to York. Breeze is the biggest programme ever to get more women into riding their bikes for fun. The aim is to help thousands more women feel confident and comfortable about going on a ride, to find out more about Breeze, visit breezebikerides.com

To find out more about cycling in York go to www.york.gov.uk/getyorkcycling