A Tadcaster Road resident has reacted to the news that YNET is likely to be awarded the contract, to maintain the Mayfield Grove Nature Reserve, at a Council meeting which is scheduled to take place on Thursday.

The resident says,

“The main objection to YNET is that for 14 years they did nothing to the site even though they were given £26,000.

There are no disabled access at the Aintree Court end suitable for the residents of Mayfield Court.”

* Chase Residents Association

Local Councillor Ann Reid will be speaking at Thursday’s meeting (Guildhall 4:30pm) in support of the CRA bid.

The AA are seeking volunteers to help with a detailed survey of highway conditions across the country.

They say,

“Each year AA Streetwatch volunteers help us check out the state of the nation’s neighbourhood roads and pavements. Our 2012 Autumn survey will commence on the 6 October and once again I am seeking your help with our simple survey.

We ask our volunteers to take about thirty minutes to stroll around their local area noting the number of various defects, such as potholes, that we have listed. It can be carried out on a day and time to suit you during the two weeks after 6th October. Surveys like Streetwatch are vital to the AA’s role as the motorists’ champion.

This time we are also asking whether any of the defects you see would be hazardous for cyclists. We will provide guidance, a checklist to take with you and tell you how to submit your results in a further e-mail to you once you have registered here http://tinyurl.com/AA-survey-2012

When completed your survey will provide valuable data that we can share with the highway authorities. Last year the information you provided was published in a report commissioned by the (LibDem) Transport Minister Norman Baker”.

Given the deteriorating condition of Yorks roads we hope as many volunteers as possible will help with the survey.

A wall of chocolate tablets is the mouth-watering medium on which people can etch their tales for York Stories 2012 from 25-30 September as part of this year’s Festival of Food and Drink.

As part of York Stories 2012’s Sweet Thoughts project, the out-size cocoa bars are housed in York Cocoa House’s marquee at St. Sampson’s Square from 9am-5pm daily and people can write or draw on it as part of York 800’s drive to collect people’s stories, thoughts or memories for future generations to enjoy.

So, what was your favourite chocolate bar? Or your weekly sweet treat? Did or do you work in York’s confectionary industry and have something to share about that? Tell your Sweet Thoughts on York’s unique chocolate wall.

Anyone can draw on the wall. The work on the walls will be photographed during the wall’s life.

City of York Council is joining forces with cities across Europe, including Dijon and Helsinki, by engaging local businesses and residents in tackling climate change.

In partnership with York Environment Forum, the council is launching a campaign this week (Tuesday 25 September) called ENGAGEd! which aims to encourage businesses and residents to understand the implications of a changing climate and take action by building a sustainable energy future for York.

The campaign will create tailor-made posters of residents and businesses in the city taking real actions, and hopes to encourage others to engage.
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The Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable, visited York on Thursday and took part in a roundtable discussion about the challenges in driving growth through infrastructure delivery. A range of key partners across the city and region discussed their experiences and ideas to enable the region to be an attractive proposition for investors and competitive in industry.

The event was hosted by Mark Perkins, Chief Executive of Shepherd Group Built Environment Division and chaired by Kersten England, Chief Executive, City of York Council. The roundtable included representation from the Homes and Communities Agency, Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, York and North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership, Network Rail, Persimmon Homes, York Economic Partnership and other key organisations involved in delivering development and infrastructure across the region.

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City of York Council’s Eng-AGE 50+ Games will be kicking off next week and getting the ball rolling for a whole week of sporting opportunities for people over 50 years old.

The games aim to promote sporting opportunities across the city that are available for people aged over 50 to take part in, linked to the York 50+ Festival and supporting Move Week, an annual European-wide campaign which promotes wider participation in sport and physical activity by The International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA) and its partners.

The week will be teeming with sporting tasters, coaching sessions and back to sport opportunities as sports clubs across York open their doors to help older people get more active and stay more active.

Events include a free taster of gentle Lyengar Yoga at York Yoga studio in Acomb, a beginners’ tap try-out at York Dance Works and coaching sessions for newcomers to indoor bowls at York and District Indoor Bowls Club.

As part of a fantastic year of sport with York Gold 2012, the Eng-AGE 50+ Games have been granted the Inspire Mark in recognition that this innovative project has been directly inspired by the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics and promotes the Olympic Legacy to the local community.

For a full list of all the events on the programme visit www.york.gov.uk/yorkgold2012

click to enlarge

Work has stared on a scheme which will see Deangate paved and the entrance to the south transept of the Minster improved.

The work forms part of the Minster Revealed project which has attracted financial support from both the National Lottery and the York Council.

During the works, access to Deangate will be limited and it is likely that cyclists will have to dismount and walk for a distance of about 25 metres.

Work starting on Deangate

The area is to be paved with a gradual ramp making access to the Minster south door much easier for those with walking problems.

The Minster will also unveil a new “Orb” next month.

This is described on their web site (http://www.yorkminster.org/home.html) as “an elliptical treasure-house, showcasing some of world’s most important stained-glass, medieval art”.

The event starts on 31st October as part of the Illuminating York project

It is a precursor to the opening of an exciting new permanent exhibition in the Minster Undercroft next May which will tell – using modern technology – the story of York’s most famous building.

Mayfield Grove nature reserve

Council officials are recommending to a meeting which will take place on Thursday that the open space in Mayfield Grove is managed by the York Natural Environment Trust (YNET).

The recommendation will come as a surprise and disappointment to the Chase Residents Association who had put forward a detailed plan which would have seen them manage a site which lies at the heart of their community.

Although YNET has experience in managing local nature conservation areas, the proposal does seem to fly in the face of both Council and Government policy which seeks to involve local residents in maintaining neighbourhood facilities.

An officer report confirms that land, to the rear of Hob Moor Terrace which was sold in error by Taylor Wimpey, has now been secured by the Council.

It is to be hoped that a compromise can be found which will utilise the expertise of YNET while fully harnessing the drive and enthusiasm shown by the Chase Residents group.

Thursday’s meeting is open to public who can register to speak if they wish.

Details can be found at http://tinyurl.com/Mayfield-27th-Sept-12

Criminals are living it up at our expense – Why should they?

North Yorkshire Police is launching the 2012 Why should they? campaign today (21 September 2012) with another £25,000 of criminals’ cash up for grabs.

The Police media release reads, “This is the third year in a row that the force has made the cash available to local good causes, having seized it from crooks who have made money from their crimes.

Between Friday 21 September and 31 October 2012, non-profit making organisations, charities, volunteer and community groups whose work makes a positive contribution to reducing crime or anti-social behaviour can apply for up to £3,000 from the fund.

The Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) allows the police to take money and assets from criminals such as drug dealers, fraudsters and thieves if they have gained them as result of their criminal activity.

Over the last two financial years, North Yorkshire Police’s Financial Investigation Unit seized more than £2.3m from criminals under POCA. Some of this money is returned to North Yorkshire Police and other criminal justice partners, and it is by using some of this cash that the Why should they? campaign can help local communities.

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York Council's preferred cycle path route. Click to enlarge

The Council is advertising its preferred route for the Rufforth to Knapton cycle path.

Effectively it is trying to use existing rights of way to establish a Bridleway. This would allow cycles to use the route. The route passes to the north of the Harewood Whin waste disposal site.

However the route suggested, as well as being likely to attract objections from landowners, is approximately twice the length of a more direct, and flatter, route which could be established alongside the B1224.

The latter is the route which would have been facilitated by the land acquisition required to establish a salvage centre at Harewood Whin.

Another alternative, which would be quicker for cyclists wanting to access Acomb Front Street & York City Centre, would have been to use the Grange Lane/Airfield bridleway which was reopened a couple of years ago.

Moor Lane Knapton A1237 crossing point

In all cases the main problem involves cyclists crossing the A1237 safely. The Councils preferred line uses the existing crossing point at Moor Lane (Knapton) which is less than perfect.

Whichever route is preferred, there is a strong case for installing a foot/cycle bridge (or underpass) to minimise risks at the northern by pass intersection.

Full details of the Council’s plans can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/Rufforth-cycle-path