In August York’s Leisure chief Cllr Sonja Crisp promised “As the birthplace of Guy Fawkes, we pledged last year that York would commemorate November 5, 2012, in style”. “We’ve been working hard with partners to ensure this happens, and it’s going to be a night to remember.”

She ignored warnings about previous events that had been held at the Knavesmire including one near disaster in the 1990s where a lack of security led to safety fears as almost 40,000 clambered to get into a “free” fireworks display.

It is a problem venue to manage at night with large crowds being difficult to control because of the open layout of much of the area. Unless adequate temporary lighting is installed, it can be chaotic.

Now the verdicts are coming in on yesterday’s event and it is clear that it will indeed be a night to remember for many of the 10,000 who attended. For many though it will be remembered for the wrong reasons.

On the positive side, the fireworks event at The Maze seems to have been another success. So perhaps smaller venues are the place to stage events of this sort.

Coming so soon after the Museum Gardens fiasco, questions will be asked about whether the York Council bit off more than it could chew.

The Council have bowed to public pressure, led by Liberal Democrats, and have published details of the North Yorkshire Credit Union crash and their proposed response. http://tinyurl.com/Credit-union-6th-Nov

The report confirms that the York Council is set to lose its £100,000 loan to the Credit Union while North Yorkshire will lose £200,000.

The report reveals that secret discussions aimed at getting a South Yorkshire Credit Union to open branches in York and Scarborough have been underway for several months.

The report proposes that the York Council will contribute £50,000 to the South Yorkshire organisation with a further £30,000 coming from the North Yorkshire County Council and £20,000 for Scarborough Council.

The Council are not required to give permission for a Credit Union to operate in their area so the South Yorkshire organisation is free to do so. However, as well as the £50,000 grant, the Council is offering “help in kind” – assumed to be office space at its new HQ.

At its closure, the North Yorkshire Credit Union had 5,762 members of whom 2,093 lived in York. Around £1.1 million was loaned to members, with £1.9 million invested.

The report gives no real insight into what went wrong with the Union. It quotes the reasons for the collapse as:
1. A high level of bad debts on loans made to customers
2. Relatively high overheads
3. Over dependence on a number of non-recurring grants.

Our view is that the Council needs to understand more fully what went wrong with the North Yorkshire Credit Union before it commits large sums of money to any replacement organisation. The 3 reasons for the collapse suggest major management failings which need to be remedied as conditions for any new support offered from hard pressed local taxpayers.

Otherwise the Council may be seen to be throwing good money after bad.

A Public Inquiry is essential if public confidence is to be restored.

NB. The North Yorkshire Credit Union web site has still not been updated to provide its members with any information about its collapse.

Believe it or not the Council have issued a media release saying,

” As part of the ongoing promotion of the i-Travel York programme, City of York Council is launching a competition for local primary school children to come up with a name for the i-Travel York mascot, currently known only as “i-Travel York Bee”.

The official launch of the competition will take place at Huntington Primary School on Thursday 8 November.

The bee will be at the school to meet the children and ask them to think about different methods of transport they can use to get to school.

All local primary school children are being asked to take part and the new name for the mascot will be unveiled at the winning pupil’s school in early December”.

The competition will run until 30 November and entry forms will be available in schools, or can be downloaded from the website: www.itravelyork.info

Honey, Stinger, Buzz, Buzzy, Biggy, Bumble, James, Janet, Begone???

City of York Council’s new road safety campaign ‘Be Bright, Be Seen’, is being launched next week to reduce accidents during dark winter nights.

During the week of the 5 November the council will be selling a number of different road safety items, including high visibility rucksack covers and bike lights.

Residents can also pick up free yellow, circular, prismatic reflectors (one per person, whilst stocks last).

Items can be bought from 9 St Leonards Place between 9-11am all week. For more information visit: www.itravelyork.info/

The final chapter of York Libraries’ first Children’s Book Awards came to a close last weekend, when the overall winners were announced at a grand ceremony at York Explore Library Learning Centre.

Two leading authors joined staff and residents at the inaugural Book Awards event on Sunday 28 October.

After over 1,000 votes, the favourite picture book was You Choose by Pippa Goodhart and illustrated by Nick Sharratt (http://www.pippagoodhart.co.uk/books.htm), and the favourite story book declared as the ever-popular Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl.

The awards were launched in March when children under the age of 14 were invited to nominate their favourite story and picture books of all time. Following the nominations, a short list of five in each category was announced, and children had until 16 September to vote for their favourite.

The short-list was:
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The Library Service have issued the following statement,

“To improve the service we offer customers we will be upgrading our IT systems from 5 November to 10 November. There will be some disruption to our normal service during the updgrade.

Between Monday 5 November and 9 November:
you will not be able to place a request for a book
staff will not be able to process any books that you have previously requested
our computers will not be bookable, although access will still be available on a first come first served basis

In addition, from the 5 November we are permanently withdrawing our 24 hour telephone renewals service. Telephone renewals will still be possible by contacting any library within opening hours.

You will be able to borrow and return books as normal and use the library’s online catalogue to search for books during this period.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused during this time.

New library website and catalogue

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• Festival of Remembrance 4th Nov Sat 7:00pm Barbican

• Fireworks display 4th Nov Sun 4:00pm Rawcliffe Country Park. Admission £7-50p (including bus ticket) Cars £40. Web site: http://www.kaboomyork.com

• Christy Moore 5th Nov Mon 7:30pm Barbican

• “Gunpowder Plod” and Fireworks 5th Nov Knavesmire Admission (adults) £12 Car parking in advance £5. Web site: http://www.gunpowderplod.com/

• Fireworks display 5th Nov York Maze Admission £12-95 Web site: http://www.yorkmaze.com/pages/bonfire_night.html

• Football City v Northampton 6th Nov Bootham Cres

• Joseph/Dreamcoat 6th / 10th Nov Grand Opera House

• Iolanthe 7th Nov Theatre Royal

• Alexander McCall Smith 7th Nov Tempest Anderson Hall

• Ben/Holly’s little kingdom 7th/8th Nov Barbican

• Aesthetica Short Film Festival 8-11th Nov Various see web site for details http://www.asff.co.uk/

• Which camera? 10th Nov 9:30pm Acomb Explore Library Basic digital camera course – buying advice and guidance Find out what to look for when buying a camera and understand the different jargon. You will learn to understand the different types, from simple point and shoot, standard compact and enthusiastic compact cameras. We will also discuss megapixels, zoom, lens, resolution, LCD screens, image stabilisation and ISO range.

• Football City v Wimbledon 10th Nov Bootham Cres

• York Music Society Concert 10th Nov Minster

• Burlesque 10th Nov 8:00pm Barbican

• Mamma Mia 10th Nov Racecourse

• Al Murray 12th Nov Grand Opera House

• Spirit of the dance 13th Nov Grand Opera House

• Get confident with computers 13th Nov 7:00pm Fulford School. 10 weeks course. A very ‘hands on’ course for those wishing to move on from using basic skills on a computer. You will learn how to use the features and functions of an ‘average’ computer by using some selected Microsoft Programs. Navigate the World Wide Web using web addresses, links and understand how to safely shop online; Create a variety of word processed documents by entering text and using different tools for editing that text. Create and understand template documents (i.e. letter headed paper). Use different formatting tools to aid meaning in your documents and layout your text by understanding how to create paragraphs change margins and spell check your work. Cost: £60

• Fascinating Aida 14th Nov Grand Opera House

• Jools Holland + Roland Gift 14th/15th Nov Barbican

• Poison Pen book launch 15th Nov 7:00pm Dringhouses Library Mother and daughter team Pauline Kirk and Jo Summers – writing as ‘P.J. Quinn’, discuss their new novel set in 1959. http://yortime.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/poison-pen.html

• The Manfreds 15th Nov Grand Opera House

• Bellowhead 16th Nov 7:00pm Barbican

• Farmers Market 16th/17th Nov Parliament Street

• Make your own Christmas stocking 17th Nov Sat 10:00am Quilt Museum Create a keepsake for tomorrow using simple folk art inspired images applied, by sewing machine, to a Christmas stocking base. Each stocking incorporates a deep cuff, which can be left plain, decorated with machine stitching or an appliquéd name/motif. http://yortime.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/make-your-own-christmas-stocking.html

• Chapter House Choir 17th Nov Minster

• Jon Richardson 17th Nov 8:00pm Barbican

• Glassy Jewellery 18th Nov Sun York Explore Library Learn how to make stunning jewellery from scratch.

• Slade & Sweet 18th Nov 7:30pm Barbican

• The Queen 18th Nov 2:00pm Barley Hall & Mansion House unique opportunity to view costumes worn in this acclaimed film by Dame Helen Mirren, before settling down to a special screening, complete with tea & cake, in the opulent setting of the state room in York Mansion House.

• InterFAITH week 18th – 27th Nov Various Celebrating Interfaith Week, this is an opportunity for York’s diverse and vibrant faith communities to showcase their beliefs, traditions and values

• Calendar Girls 19th/24th Nov Grand Opera House

• Wellie workout 19th Nov Mon 1:00pm Acomb Wood we will be coppicing hazel. This is an old management technique used to provide young growth on the tree, even as the tree ages. So come along and have fun – all tools will be provided. Please contact Jenny Cairns on 07833 436832 or jennifer.cairns@york.gov.uk for more details.

• Frankie Boyle 20th Nov 8:00pm Barbican

• Phoenix Dance Theatre 20th/21st Nov Theatre Royal

• History Lectures 20th/21st Nov 5:30pm Kings Manor York Minster in 1212 and Life in the City 1412. See http://yortime.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/york-800-public-lecture-series.html

• Rufus Wainwright 21st Nov 7:00pm Barbican

• King Lear at York High 20/21st Nov York High School

• King Lear 23rd/24th Nov Theatre Royal

• Take That 2 23rd /24th Nov Racecouse

• Showaddywaddy 23rd Nov 7:30pm Barbican

• Football City v Torquay 24th Nov Bootham Cres

• Mohiniyattam 24th Nov Minster In celebration of Interfaith week Manasamitra in partnership with York Minster present Mohiniyattam, the graceful dance style of Kerala which is located on the South West coast of India. Using a traditional lullaby from the 19th century as the backdrop, the reading of the poem is accompanied by a languid interpretation through dance and music. A beautiful visual art piece made with spices and representing Kerala will form the centrepiece. There will be a Q &A session following the performance and Coconut delicacies will be on offer to taste.

• Windows of Mens Souls 24th Nov 7:30pm St Helens Church York based chamber choir, Spectrum, directed by Ben Horden, perform music from both the Anglican and Catholic disciplines of Tudor England with music by Thomas Tallis, William Byrd and Robert Parsons

• The holly & the Ivy 24th Nov 9:30am Mansion House This half day workshop will introduce you to the popular art of Sugarcraft and later you can reward your hard work with tea and mince pies.

• Jeremy Hardy 24th Nov Theatre Royal

• A Time for Silence 24th Nov Minster (Micklegate singers)

• The Overtones 24th Nov 7:00pm Barbican

• “Classical on Demand” 24th Nov St Michael Le Belfrey

• Bike ride 26th Nov 11 am Millennium Bridge Enjoy a largely traffic free bike ride along Route 65 to Bishopthorpe. Refreshments available at Rowntree Park Reading Cafe including a special offer for all riders!

• The Upbeat Beatles 26th Nov Grand Opera House

• The Saw Doctors 27th Nov Grand Opera House

• Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman 27th Nov 7:30pm Early Music Centre

• A Government Inspector 27th – 1st Dec Theatre Royal

• Les Miserables 28th/29th Nov Theatre Royal

• The Nutcracker 28th Nov Grand Opera House

• Marty Wilde 29th Nov Grand Opera House

• St Nicholas Fayre 29th Nov – 2nd Dec Various The Fayre offers a range of markets specialising in gifts, crafts, and the very best in local farm produce. Outside markets move into Parliament Street, St Sampson’s Square and Coppergate while York’s grand medieval Guild Hall provides a home for ‘Made In Yorkshire’ artists and crafters from across the region. The magnificent medieval townhouse, Barley Hall, presents a special medieval market with live crafting, mulled wine and costumed traders and St William’s College houses an arts and crafts market for fine hand-made items not to be found in the shops. Carol singers and buskers flock to the city to perform over the weekend to thousands of festive shoppers.

• The Office Party 29th/2nd Dec Friargate Theatre

• Santas Steam Adventure 29th /2nd Dec NRM Everything is ready for Christmas but Santa has lost his presents! Come and help us track them down at the North Yorkshire Pole. The journey begins in our Station Hall which has been transformed into Santa’s depot. From here Santa’s helpers will climb onboard a beautiful festive carriage pulled by a steam engine to take part in a special interactive story telling adventure. Before the magical steam journey is over, children will meet Santa Claus himself and receive a special present to take home.

• Stick granny on the roof rack 30th Nov Theatre Royal

• Giant Advert Wreath 30th Nov 11:00am York Minster

• Kevin Bridges 30th/1st Dec Grand Opera House

• UK Snooker Championships 1st/9th Dec Barbican

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The Lord Mayor of York and Play Team are launching an exciting new award to recognise and celebrate the achievements of children and young people around York.

The awards are looking at how children in York have had made a postive impact to their local community. Whether they have made an actual difference or if they are inspiring other people to get more involved in local life.

There are 10 awards, which are separated into five different catergories which are Parks and Environment, Sport and Active Leisure, Arts and Culture, Libraries and Archives, and Play.
Anyone can nominate a young person who is between the ages 5-14 years old.

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Book launch evening – Thur 15 Nov, 7pm to 8.30pm at Dringhouses Library

P J Quinn are a mother and daughter team who have written a series of crime novels. Their new book, Poison Pen, the second in a series featuring D I Ambrose, will be launched at Dringhouse library.

The crime is set in Old Chalk Heath village, and the writers set riddles and lay out the crime scene for you to solve.

The mother, Pauline Kirk, is a poet and her daughter, Jo Summers, is a lawyer who writes text books for the legal press.

Come along and hear Pauline and Jo explain their books and unveil dastardly crimes in Saltaire.

Tickets £2, includes free glass of wine. To book and for further information please contact Dringhouses Library, tel.01904 552674, email: dringhouses.library@york.gov.uk

See also click http://www.pjquinn.co.uk/index.html

The Councils East area planning committee will meet on Thursday with one of its longest agendas in recent times. Whether this signals an upturn in the local economy we will have to wait to see but an increase in investment levels is welcome.

The projects to be considered include:

• The erection of three-storey block of 16, 2 bedroom apartments and 7, two storey 3 bed houses with associated access at the former YWCA on Water Lane.

• Change of use from offices to 8 residential apartments at Hollycroft in Wenlock Terrace

• The installation of roof mounted flues and associated external plant and machinery with a ground mounted fresh air handling unit to ventilate the Nanocentre, a facility within the building associated with research into the production of solar cells and precision silicon fibre optics. The building is located at Helix House on Innovation Way in Heslington and is being challenged by local Cllr N Barnes. (No doubt many will think that this is just the kind of hi tech industry that the Council should be encouraging?)

• The erection of a single 50kW wind turbine with a hub height of 25 metres at Crockey Hill Road near Wheldrake

• Erection of six houses and the conversion of a barn into three dwellings on land to the rear of the Fox Inn Public House located on The Village in Stockton-on-the-Forest.

• The temporary use of part of a car park at the Designer Outlet on St Nicholas Avenue for a funfair

• A change of use and conversion of existing property to an 8 bed house in multiple occupation in Wilberforce Avenue

• A mooring for one vessel on the towpath adjacent to the Millennium Bridge on the eastern side of the River Ouse to be used as a café.

• The erection of a dormer bungalow to rear with access from Thirkleby Way at 305 Hull Road

• Substantial open-sided steel framed barn at the eastern edge of the Market Garden, Eastfield Lane Dunnington

Full details of the proposals can be found by clicking here: http://tinyurl.com/East-Plan-8th-Oct