We are delighted to announce that Fairfax House is reopening its doors again from Saturday 5th September after eight long months of hibernation. Opening times will be 11-3, Tuesday to Sunday.
Using our time away productively, we have conducted some exciting archival research that has unearthed new information about our collection, the Fairfax family and the history of eighteenth century Castlegate. The layout and content of the house reflects these new discoveries, and we can’t wait to share them with you! Opening safety is our paramount concern, so we will be admitting visitors at 15 minute intervals in households/bubbles of up to 6 people. Face masks are required and regular sanitising points will be available throughout the visit.You can read a full list of the safety measures in place on our website.
We can also now officially introduce you to our latest project, A Character of Home – an intimate promenade performance staged in Fairfax House featuring Anne and Viscount Fairfax – the characters of course!
The Character of Home
6th – 31st October 2020
Step back in time to the sumptuous world of 18th century York for an intimate performance staged in the finest Georgian townhouse in England.
Charles Gregory Fairfax bestows a magnificent gift upon his only surviving daughter, Anne. He builds her a resplendent house filled with beautiful things so that she might have a bright future in a glorious society…but, this place is wrestling with darker concerns and the household is haunted by the ghosts of its past.
Your task is simple. Enter a room and choose an object. Each object triggers an alternative version of the past and from a different historical perspective. Your choices not only change the drama but will even change your route through the house and the order of events.
The centres Trustees say that they don’t have the resources or expertise to run the centre under post COVID restrictions.
That would be a shame. Some of the user groups provide essential support services for the local community. Some of these services are even more important in the post pandemic fragile world that we now live in.
Some users groups may cease to exist if they don’t have at least some earned income.
The Council has postured over the last few mnths about the importance of “community hubs”.
It should now put its money where its spin has been and agree to properly resource centres like the one in Foxwood.
There have been no additional hospital deaths or positive test results reported in York today
There have been no further deaths in care homes with the total remaining at 77
According to the latestONS figures, up to 25th July, there had been 168 deaths registered in the City giving the cause of death as COVID-!9.
Where to find an “eat out” discount restaurant
Not too many restaurants in the Westfield area have registered yet for the government backed “eat out to help out” discounts. The list does include the Indian Ocean on The Green and the Carlton Tavern.
York Council offices – limited reopening using appointment system
The York Council has been under increasing pressure in recent days to provide a road map back to more normal public service access arrangements in the City.
West Offices
Today they have said,
“From 27th July we are starting to reopen our customer centre by appointment only.
Following government guidance we will continue to ask residents to use our website or contact our team by email or phone in the first instance. We do appreciate that it may not be possible to resolve all queries in this way, so our customer service team will book residents an appointment where needed.
Residents should not attend their appointment if they;
Have any symptoms of Covid-19 such as a fever, new repetitive cough, or change to sense of smell or taste
Share a household with anyone who is currently displaying Covid-19 or is self-isolating due to suspected Covid-19
Have been advised by the NHS track and trace to self-isolate as a precaution to prevent the spread of Covid-19
How will it work?
From 27 July we are reopening our Customer Centre by appointment only. We are asking people to call our customer centre to book an appointment. We will try, where possible, to resolve their query over the phone. However if this can’t be done, we will arrange an appointment.
Following government guidance, we will have a reduced number of staff in West Offices, with the majority continuing to work from home to support residents over the phone or by email.
Why by appointment only?
The safety and wellbeing of our residents and staff is our utmost priority. Government guidance remains that where possible people should work from home, throughout the pandemic thousands of queries have been resolved without the need for face to face appointments as people used the website or contacted our customer service team by phone. We understand there may be some queries or specific individuals that will require in person support and are opening on a limited basis from 27 July, by appointment only.
What safety measures are in place?
We have introduced a number of measures to help keep our staff and customers safe including:
Touchless hand sanitiser station for all customers to use on arrival
Perspex screens for personal protection
Time between appointments
Limiting the number of staff and customers in the building at any one time by operating by appointment only
What services can people access by visiting?
Appointments can be made when a query can’t be managed over the phone or online for the below services:
