City centre temporary road closures for New Year’s Eve

Seasonal city centre road closures are being planned for residents gathering to celebrate the new year alongside increased protection planned to combat the threat posed to UK cities by terrorists.

Road closures which prohibit vehicles will be in force from 22:00hrs on 31 December 2018 to 05:00hrs on 1 January 2019 on the following streets:

  • Duncombe Place
  • High Petergate (Bootham Bar to Duncombe Place)
  • Minster Yard
  • Blake Street.

The taxi rank on Duncombe Place will be temporarily relocated to Exhibition Square (St Leonards Place) from 22:00hrs on New Year’s Eve. The head of the temporary taxi rank in Exhibition Square will be at bus stop ‘ED’. The small taxi rank on the other side of St Leonards Place next to the Bar Walls, will also be closed from 22:00hrs. Signage will be in place to advise that the ranks have been moved, and to show the position of the temporary head of rank in Exhibition Square. All taxi ranks will revert to their normal locations when Duncombe Place is reopened at 05:00hrs the following morning, 1 January 2019.

In addition, no waiting or parking will be permitted on either side of Blake Street from 20:00hrs on 31 December 2018, or on Duncombe Place from 06:00hrs on 31 December 2018. The taxi rank will operate as usual.

Normal footstreet hours will resume after the Christmas markets on 26 December, and then after the new year festivities on 1 January. These prohibit vehicles in the footstreet areas from 10:30hr until 17:00hrs.

People attending the event are reminded to please behave considerately to allow everyone to enjoy the occasion. Please do not bring glass into the area and take any rubbish home.

For more information about the changes visit www.york.gov.uk/citycentreaccess

Superintendent Lindsey Robson, commander for the York and Selby area, said: “In the rare event of getting caught up in a weapons attack, we urge you to follow the Run, Hide, Tell advice. Run to a place of safety rather than surrender or negotiate. If there’s nowhere to go then hide and don’t confront. Finally, and only when it is safe to do so, tell the police by calling 999.  (more…)

Pharmacy opening hours in York over festive season

chemist-opening-hours-christmas-2016

City of York Council, the Vale of York CCG and pharmacies are reminding residents of the support available to help them stay well this winter, and the importance of getting the right care, first time.

Last month, figures released as part of the Humber, Coast and Vale Sustainability Transformation Plan (STP) revealed that:

  • 27 per cent of people who book a GP appointment could have had their issue resolved a different way
  • 40 per cent of A&E patients require no treatment.
    The cold weather can have a significant impact on people’s health and residents are being reminded of the services available to them this winter.

Pharmacies across the city can offer confidential, expert advice and treatment for a range of common illnesses such as colds, flu, minor rashes and pain relief.

They can also help answer any questions you may have about the medication you are taking. Many pharmacies are open late into the evening and all have a consultation room so you can speak in private. For a list of pharmacies in York go to www.nhs.uk/service-search.

Residents can also get advice from NHS111 before contacting their GP, the fast, easy and free NHS non-emergency number. When you call 111 you will speak to a highly trained adviser who is supported by healthcare professionals.

NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones. You should use the NHS 111 service if you need medical help or advice when it is not a life-threatening situation. Call 111 if:

  • you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency
  • you think you need to go to A&E or need another NHS urgent care service
  • you don’t know who to call or you don’t have a GP to call
  • you need health information or reassurance about what to do next.
    For more information on the 111 service visit: www.nhs.uk/111.

(more…)

Happy New Year York

Happy new Year MinsterWe’ll get over the flood problems quickly and make a fresh start!

and below our favourite “stories” from 2015

Today’s riddle for seniors… Here is the situation:

You are on a horse, galloping at a constant speed

On your right side is a sharp drop-off.

On your left side is an elephant traveling at the same speed as you.

Directly in front of you is a galloping kangaroo and your horse is unable to overtake it.

Behind you is a lion running at the same speed as you and the kangaroo.

What must you do to get out of this highly dangerous situation?

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

Get off the merry-go-round and go home, you silly old bugger!

Gone but not forgotten

Gone but not forgotten

 

and finally

Once upon a time there was a king who wanted to go fishing, so he  called the royal weather forecaster in for a weather update for the next few hours.

 The weatherman assured him that there was no chance of rain in the coming days.

 So the king happily went off fishing with his wife, the queen. On the way they met a farmer on his donkey. Upon seeing the king the farmer said, “Your Majesty, you should return to the palace at once because in just a short time I expect a huge downpour in this area.“

 The king was polite and considerate, he replied, “I hold the palace meteorologist in high regard. He is an extensively educated and experienced professional. Besides, I pay him very high wages. He gave me a very different forecast. I trust him and I will continue on my way,” and so he did.

 However, a short time later torrential rain fell from the heavens and the King and Queen were totally soaked.  Their entourage chuckled upon seeing them in such a non-regal condition.

 Furious, the king returned to the palace and gave orders to fire the weatherman at once!

 Then he summoned the farmer and offered him the prestigious role of royal forecaster.

 The humble farmer said, “Your Majesty, I do not know anything about forecasting. I obtain my information from my donkey. If I see my donkey’s ears drooping, it means with certainty that it will rain.”

 So the king hired the donkey and cut out the middle man – a fine enduring tradition in rich circles.

 And thus also began the time-honored practice of hiring asses to work in the government’s highest paid and most influential positions!