The Council have installed two cast iron bollards at the end of Davygate. No vehicular access is now permitted into Davygate during the – recently extended – pedestrian hours.

The robust bollards require two men to lift them into place.

Davygate

Not Davygate

They are apparently modelled on the ironwork used to discourage Panzer tank attacks in the Second World War. (They have been remarkably successful as we understand that not a single King Tiger has managed to get as far as New Street during the first 3 days of this week).

Unfortunately the average Ford Fiesta can still find its way into the area with some ease. The bollards have been placed too far apart to stop the average family car.

Apparently the reason for this is that the horse and carriage – which transports visitors through this part of the City – must be allowed to pass unhindered.

At the Parliament Street end of Davygate the predestrian area ends.

There is still disabled parking provision in St Sampson’s Square.

Unfortunately there is no indication of the end of the pedestrian zone so pedestrians (and horses) may have a false sense of security!

It looks like the popular Toy Bus service – at which parents can borrow a variety of toys for use by their children – may end sooner than was planned.

An ambiguous notice has been placed on the Toy Bus web site (click here)

Labour had originally planned to axe the service in 2014 but now it seems that the bus may be scrapped much earlier.

The service could stop as soon as the end of this week.

46 residents have signed a “Save the Toy Bus” petition on the Council’s web site. It runs until 5th April. Click here to access it

Now Liberal Democrat Councillors will call on Labour to reverse plans to scrap the Toy Library Bus at tomorrow’s (28th March) Full Council meeting.

It was originally thought that the cut, which was forced through by Labour at last month’s Budget Council, would see the toy-lending service end in 2014/15; however, subsequently – still secret – plans have apparently been put in place to stop the service at the end of this week.

It is unclear who has taken this decision which has not appeared on the Council’s Forward Plan.
(more…)

A new web site aimed at 11-18 year olds has been launched.

Click here to access it.

Yor-zone.org.uk will provide for the first time a place where young people in the city can find support and advice on a variety of issues such as jobs, money, health, drugs, alcohol and disabilities.

Yor-Zone web page

The website also provides a one-stop shop for information about activities and events around the city from scouts and sea cadets to stamp collecting and skating- there is something for everyone. There are also over 70 opportunities for young people to volunteer and help others.

The site was designed in conjunction with young people across the city. “Yor-zone aims to be responsive to young people, providing opportunities to contribute content in terms of articles about things they have been doing, as well as opportunities to have their say through a poll on the front page, and the involvement pages”.

Adam Chapman (12, York High student) who worked on the creation of the website says: ‘Creating the website has been worthwhile, it will work in a way that will be handy to kids in York. It pulls all the information together in one easy place for young people. I think young people in York will benefit from this website. I will definitely.’

The website will be launched this week with presentations by the young web designers (Nathan Bargate, Fred Garside, Adam Chapman and Richard Blair- all young people from York).

(more…)

There was a time when mentioning play facilities for children in York would be guaranteed to provoke a lively discussion. Groups like playspace were proactive in their dealings with the Council.

These days decisions on play facilities – like other public services – are taken behind closed doors.

A report on play provision in the City was nodded through at a private meeting yesterday. The only hope of an open debate would be if 3 Councillors decided to “call in” the report within the next 24 hours.

Ann Reid at Leeside playground which benefited from a lottery funded improvement in 2011

The report highlights the success of a 5 lottery funded projects which saw £328,000 invested in 5 play areas while the Coalition Governments £1 million improvements programme has seen 22 play areas improved.

But question marks exist over future plans.

It is extraordinary that the report fails to detail any consultations undertaken with the voluntary sector and local residents about play.

It seems that funding decisions for voluntary sector and “community” groups involved with play provision will be handed over to a QUANGO with the inevitable acronym of “Community York”.

It is a cynical ploy by Labour to shift blame for the consequences of inadequate resourcing onto others.

If mistakes are made then politicians will claim others are responsible.

The strategy itself holds few surprises and is largely derivative.

It markedly fails though to address the main concern of parents – the maintenance quality standards at existing playgrounds and the need for regular modernisation programmes as equipment wears out.

Another ommision is any reference to known cuts which Labour have in the pipeline. They have said, for example, that they intend to scrap the “toy bus” next year.

The report would have been worthy of more consultation and a public debate.

A special Easter Fayre is being held in St Sampson’s Square and Parliament Street alongside the city’s York Chocolate Festival from Thursday 28 to Saturday 30 March, 9am – to 5.30pm.

The Easter Fayre brings together some of the regions best makers and their chocolate-based products, alongside the creations of some exceptional local crafts people.

Shoppers and browsers will also be able to enjoy the market for longer each day, because the City is trialling longer opening hours for the city centre’s foot streets which will remain pedestrianised until 5pm every day.

St Sampsons Square

St Sampson’s Square will be given over to a delicious display of gourmet treats from chocolate-based wines and liqueurs to a mouth-watering selection of cakes, truffles, brownies and cookies in white, milk or dark chocolate.

This specialist market will run alongside and complement the city’s Chocolate Festival which includes a programme of chocolate-themed events at the Mansion House.

At the same time on Parliament Street the Easter Crafts and Food Fayre will be in full swing where some 40 artists, potters and jewellers will be selling a wide range of hand-made, individual pieces of work – some Fair Trade – for that perfect Easter treat.

Parliament Street will also host the Deliciouslyorkshire market. There foodies can relish the locally-sourced goodies from tasty cheeses, pickles, baked goods, to fudges and preserves on tantalising offer: it’s local food at its best.

Every trip to York’s city centre should include a visit to Newgate Market, nestled between Parliament Street and the Shambles – voted Britain’s prettiest street. This daily market not only has an abundance of fresh produce including local meat and North Sea fish for the Easter table, but flowers and plants as well as a selection of crafts, clothes, jewellery and antiques.

The quality offer and extended opening hours give everyone a chance to linger longer in the city centre for a memorable Easter eggs-perience.

A multi-millon pound scheme to help protect residents’ homes and businesses from the risk of flooding is now underway in the Water End area of York.

The £3.2million scheme starts after an extensive public consultation by the Environment Agency over the past two years. The work will help to reduce the flood risk to over 300 homes and businesses in the area.

The defence work will consist of building a brick-clad flood wall that will be approximately 300 metres long, along the section of Water End between Landing Lane and the river bridge. Flood defences will also be installed around Landing Lane. The existing embankment behind Swinerton Avenue and the park land behind St Barnabas School will also be raised as part of the scheme.

To stop river water entering Yorkshire Water’s sewerage system, a series of underground valves called penstocks will be upgraded. Innovative remedial work will also help to decrease seepage through existing flood embankments.

Helen Tattersdale, Environment Agency project manager, said: “We’ve worked closely with the local community and our key partner, City of York Council, and have produced a scheme that will reduce the risk of flooding and help to give residents greater peace of mind. Construction has now begun and we aim to complete the works as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Temporary footpath and cycleway closures will be in place from Monday 8 April. Residents with queries about the scheme are welcome to drop in at the site compound at any time.

The works are expected to be completed by December 2013. More information on the scheme click here

Urban Fantasy Author Jerry Ibbotson will be giving a talk about writing, self-publishing and the world of e-books.

• Location: Dringhouses Library

• Time: 17:30 – 18:30

• Cost: Tickets £2, includes glass of wine/squash and nibbles

Background click here

Jerry is the author of two novels, Chosen and The Veil. His writing combines the ordinary world with extraordinary characters and incredible events.

‘Chosen’ and ‘The Veil’ were self-published and Jerry is well placed to answer questions from anyone interested in this expanding part of the publishing world.

He’ll also be talking about the creative process and how to get your ideas into print – on paper or ebook.

Tickets £2, includes glass of wine/squash and nibbles.

To reserve a place contact Dringhouses Library on (01904 552674) or dringhouses.library@york.gov.uk

Action Fraud – the central point of contact for reporting fraud and financially motivated internet crime.

Click here

From Monday 25th March 2013, the four police forces of Yorkshire and the Humber will join the rest of the UK’s police forces in launching Action Fraud; the central point of contact for reporting fraud and financially motivated internet crime.

Action Fraud is being launched nationally on 1st April 2013, but from the 25th March members of the public from across Yorkshire and the Humber will be encouraged to report fraud and internet scams directly to Action Fraud via www.actionfraud.police.uk/ or by calling 0300 123 2040.

The four forces have been working together to ensure that the new reporting system is adopted consistently across the region and, in doing so, remain committed to tackling fraud, scams and con-artists at a local and regional level.

(more…)

The Mansion House is hosting an programme of chocolate-themed events this Easter as part of the York Chocolate Festival.

York Cocoa House will be on hand to teach a variety of classes suitable for both adults and children, including how to make an Easter chocolate nest; make and decorate your own chocolate Easter egg and a chocolate truffle torte that you can take home and enjoy.

Children can also take part in the Lord Mayor’s Easter Egg Hunt, where they will be given six clues that will lead to places around the city centre, with a chocolate surprise awaiting them at each one.

For adults, the Whisky Shop is holding a chocolate and whisky tasting, where guests can compare flavours and textures to find the ideal combination of the two.

Ever wondered what was in St Helen’s square before the Mansion House? Or what shops used to be in the square? The Mansion House will host ‘The quest for a Mansion, with views fit for a Lord’. The event will see local historian Ivan Martin exploring the background to the establishment of the Mansion House, Guildhall & council chamber and the history of the development of St. Helen’s Square.

There is also the chance to visit the Georgian Mansion House and see the staterooms, before heading to the kitchen to witness the Victorian Cook in full swing creating tasty chocolate treats. The cook will be portrayed by Dr Annie Gray, a food historian, who will explain the Victorian way of cooking and food preparation.

The Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Keith Hyman, said: “York is well known for being a chocolate city, and the Chocolate Festival is one of the highlights of the year. Over at the Mansion House we have a great programme of events with something for everyone to get involved in.”

For more information on tickets, prices and how to book click here