New events for York Residents Festival

City of York Council is flinging open the doors of West Offices and the Mansion House to welcome visitors during York’s Residents’ Festival, sponsored by First, on Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 February. In addition, Explore York Libraries and Archives will be offering a behind-the-scenes look at its new Archives and Local History Service on Saturday 31 January.

.The Mansion House, home to the Lord Mayors of York since 1732, will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 3pm. Last year the building welcomed over 1,500 people who enjoyed its magnificent interior throughout the weekend. Residents will be able to see the Caps of Maintenance, worn by the Sword bearer on ceremonial occasions, including the one presented by the Queen during her 2012 visit, as well as a special display of the work of York Camera Club.

On Saturday at West Offices, author and railway historian Dr Bill Fawcett will tell the story of York’s first railway station in an illustrated presentation entitled ‘Still serving the people’. Bill has lectured and published extensively on railway and architectural history, twice receiving the David St. John Thomas award for best transport history book of the year. He has also assisted with the historical background to conservation development strategies for many railway buildings. He is editor of the journal York Historian and is a member of the Railway Heritage Trust advisory panel. His talk will be followed by a tour of the original station hotel, refreshment rooms and train shed canopy – now part of West Offices –and a look around the modern offices of City of York Council
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New adult education classes launched in York

Chop Chop! It’s time to sign up

Chop chop! Fast and Easy Oriental Cookery is just one of the many new and exciting courses and workshops residents can enjoy as part of the spring programme of Adult Learning opportunities from City of York Council.

This year busy residents can take time out on the largest selection yet of one-off creative workshops which offer a convenient alternative to full courses. These teach skills in a single intensive session and allow the participant to take their project home at the end. Easter workshops in fused glass decorations and felt chicks are both new to the programme and are covered in just a few hours. Residents can also enjoy learning at their own pace, with flexible learning offered in beginners’ and advanced computer courses.

The council’s York Learning team has introduced some fantastic new courses to its new programme which pick up on latest trends, from designing and knitting Fair Isle patterns, introducing i-pad and Android technology, beginners’ Ballet Fit and planting creative herb pots. The programme, Learning 4 Everyone, has also catered for the high demand of traditionally popular interests too, boasting over 29 Pilates courses and 12 different painting and drawing courses.

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Broadband drop in sessions to take place across York

Small businesses and registered charities across York will have the chance to benefit from face to face advice on how they can speed up their broadband, from a £3,000 grant, at a series of road shows taking place across the city.

The drop in sessions, which are taking place throughout January, will showcase the York Connection Voucher Scheme which has been helping small businesses in York increase their broadband speed. At the events advice will be available on how to apply for a £3,000 Connection Voucher* and how it can transform the way businesses and registered charities operate.

Current road show events which have been confirmed are:

  • Elvington Air Museum on Tuesday 13 January 8.30am-10.30am
  • Hilton Hotel, Tower Street on Wednesday 14 January 3.30pm-5.30pm
  • Holiday Inn, Tadcaster Road on Tuesday 20 January 8.30am-10.30am
  • Explore Acomb Library Learning Centre on Tuesday 20 January 12.30pm-2.30pm
  • West Offices Customer Centre Thursday 22 January 8.30am-11.30am

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Christmas carols in St Helens Square tonight

The Civic Party are inviting residents and visitors to its annual Christmas Carol Service which takes place on Christmas Eve and encourages visitors to be part of the service.

Mansion House Christmas

The event which starts at 7.30pm on Tuesday 24 December is supported by the Salvation Army whose band will be playing a wide array of festive songs in St Helen’s Square with the audience encouraged to form the choir. The service is expected to finish at around 8.30pm.

As this is an outdoor event residents and visitors are encouraged to wear suitable clothing for the cold temperatures.

The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Gillies said: “I am very much looking forward to this festive concert event which epitomises Christmas in the way that it brings people together to have fun. What better way to start your festive celebrations than to spend time in St Helens Square with residents and visitors in York? The voices of the public with the music from the Salvation Army will make for a truly magical evening. We are also hoping for a brief visit from Father Christmas to St Helen’s Square, which is sparkling with the lights which add to the festive feel of this occasion”

Traffic restrictions will be in place atSt Helen’s Square, Coney Street and Lendal, which will be closed to traffic from 6.30pm to 9pm as the event takes place.