Swim Britain launched at Energise

 

David Williams and Kerianne Payne

David Williams and Kerianne Payne

Energise is encouraging York residents to get back in the water this summer for British Gas SwimBritain 2014.

Supported by a host of big-name swimmers including fellow London 2012 medallists Ellie Simmonds, Michael Jamieson, Rebecca Adlington, Keri Anne Payne and comedian David Walliams, SwimBritain is a series of fun team relays that are taking place this September which hopes to inspire 500,000 people across Britain to swim more regularly – and get fit!

Swimmers can take the challenge in 2 ways.

SwimBritain1000 is a four-person relay where each team member swims 250m four times around a specially-designed course in a dedicated 50m pool.

SwimBritain500 is a shorter distance where team members use the same course, swimming half the distance (125m four times) and the nearest participating venue to York is Ponds Ford in Sheffield.

Rebecca Adlington, who retired from competitive swimming at the age of 23 last year as Britain’s most successful swimmer, said: “I may have retired from professional swimming but I will always love being in the water and a challenge like British Gas SwimBritain is brilliant as it’s really inclusive – not just for professional swimmers. Swimming offers everyone a full range of health and fitness benefits so the more people we can encourage to swim regularly, the better. It’s a full body workout without any stress on the joints. A gentle half hour swim can burn up to 200 calories, so I’d love to see as many people as possible joining in and giving SwimBritain a go.”

Swimfit at Energise costs £3.85 for adults with a York Card and £4.80 without. There is no need to book in advance.

Registrations are now open. For further information on venues, how to sign up your team and get training plans and tips, visit swimbritain.co.uk/challenge

 

Local Sky Ride dates announced

Sky ride

With the Tour de France coming to York on 6 July, City of York Council in partnership with British Cycling and Sky is inviting residents who have been inspired by the great race to sign up to a series of free guided bike rides around the city.

The Council says, “Ahead of Stage 2 of the 2014 Tour de France starting in York Sky Ride Local offers people the chance to join organised, guided rides of varying distances and difficulties. These range from easy-going spins around picturesque parts of York through to ‘steady’ and ‘challenging’ rides, for those seeking a little more adventure.”

The next rides coming up are:

Date: 12 July

Time: 1pm

Location: York Cycle Circuit. Meet at York Sports Village, Lakeside Way

Date: 13 July

Time: 10am

Location: Solar System ride: To the planet Pluto and back. Meet at Rowntree Park

Date: 23 July

Time: 1pm

Location: Solar System ride: To the planet Pluto and back. Meet at Rwontree Park

What’s more, residents who take part in two or more Sky Ride Local rides in July can grab themselves some great British Cycling gifts, including water bottles, neck Buffs and the chance to win a VIP cycling experience to the Tour of Britain this September.

To register for one of these rides and for more information about Sky Ride Local and other bike riding opportunities in York this summer visit www.goskyride.com/York

For more information on the Tour de France and cycling in York visit www.york.gov.uk/tourdefrance

Free compost on Sunday

City of York Council and Yorwaste Ltd are giving away compost for free again this year.

2014 dates are confirmed as:

  • Sunday 1st June
  • Sunday 13th July (expected)
  • Sunday 3rd August

The site will be open from 8am – 3pm on collection days. Please bring a shovel and suitable container to put the soil improver in.

Location: Harewood Whin (Yorwaste’s waste management site) Tinker Lane, off Wetherby Road, Rufforth

Directions: From Acomb, the site is located on the B1224 on the right hand side, just before you enter Rufforth Village.

If you need any further information please contact us on 01904 551551

More Tour de France events announced for York

Tour de France WINNER

More and more events are joining in York and the UK’s first ever Fête du Tour to celebrate the Tour de France’s imminent arrival. The Fête du Tour (festival of the Tour) is a long-standing French tradition which involves communities along the route celebrating and building the excitement.

On Saturday, York city centre will have lots of French, cycling and yellow-themed activities to help residents and visitors get into the spirit of the Tour.

The fun takes place from 10am to 4pm and will include members of Riding Lights Theatre who will be performing on a rotating stage, powered by bikes, whilst dressed in French costume and accompanied by an organist.

Visitors to the city centre can also pose as Sir Bradley Wiggins with the help of a cut out and mask.

Information tents will have details about the Tour de France in York and the Made in Yorkshire market will be taking place from 29 May to 1 June, offering delicious treats for your Fête du Tour picnics and parties.

There will also be the opportunity to purchase York’s ‘Experience the Race’ merchandise.

York’s city centre will be dressed with yellow bunting in Parliament Street, St Sampson’s Square and Coney Street to bring a truly festive spirit to the centre of York.
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St John’s University accepts responsibility for womans adultery

wagon Plays

This year the Mystery Plays, presented by the York Guilds and Companies, will be performed on Wagons in York on Sunday 13th and 20th July 2014.

 Volunteers are needed to help sell programmes and see people to their seats.

The plays start at noon and are in two halves therefore a volunteer may work one half only or the full afternoon.

There is also a Music Festival from 17 to 19 July in the City Centre Churches where volunteers are needed to steward for about 2 hours.

If you are interested, contact 01904 481992 or e mail juneparker142@hotmail.com

Responsibility for producing the 12 individual Plays was allocated by the Lord Mayor of York earlier today

  1. Creation of the World to the Fifth Day – The Guild of Building
  2. The Fall of Man – The Gild of Freemen in partnership with Canon Lee School
  3. The Shepherds – The Guild of Scriveners
  4. Slaughter of the Innocents – Heslington Church
  5. The Baptism – A group under the directorship of Laura Rice
  6. The Woman taken in Adultery and The Raising of Lazarus combined into one play – York St John University
  7. Entry into Jerusalem – York Mystery Plays Supporter’s Trust.
  8. Christ before Annas and Caiaphas – The Company of Cordwainersin partnership with York Settlement Community Players
  9. The Crucifixion and The Death of Christ combined as one play – The Company of Butchers in partnership with Parish Church of St Chad on the Knavesmire
  10. The Harrowing of Hell – Parish Church of St Luke the Evangelist
  11. The Resurrection – The Company of Merchant Taylors who will put together a cast under the direction of Lindsay Ibbotson
  12. The Last Judgement – The Company of Merchant Adventurers in partnership with Pocklington School

 

St Nicholas Fayre extends to 3 weeks.

St Nicholas Fayre York

One of the UK’s favourite Christmas markets is extending from four days to over three weeks for the first time in its 23-year and highly successful history.

This year, shoppers can enjoy St Nicholas Fair for fabulous pre-Christmas shopping for 25 days from Thursday 27 November to Sunday 21 December.

There will be a bigger build-up to Christmas this year with increased marketing and promotion, including a special grand opening weekend which will feature across the city centre. There’ll be lots to celebrate, including a rolling programme of different market stalls throughout the Fair, and themed weeks of speciality stall featuring Food, Sparkles and Toys.
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