What’s on: New language courses start shortly in York

Je voudrais trois vin

Term starts mid September

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If you’ve ever been abroad, you’ll remember the difficulty you can face when the locals don’t speak English. It can make even simple tasks difficult. What if you could learn the basics to get you by?

We offer basic language courses in French, Spanish,Italian and German.

You can learn how to introduce yourself, order from a cafe and find your way around town. A 10 week course could be all you need to take your next holiday to the next level.

Unfortunately, we can’t get rid of the check-in queues… Sorry.

You can find all of our language courses here, including intermediate and advanced.

Sky Ride route for 13th September revealed

Sky-Ride-Cycling-York-2013-5-©-OneOther-345x230The York Council has announced that on Sunday 13 September 2015 Sky Ride York will take to the city’s historic streets in partnership with British Cycling.

Due to the size and scale of the event there will be a number of temporary traffic and transport changes to ensure the safety of everyone taking part.

To view the 2015 Sky Ride York route go to www.goskyride.com/Yorkskyride

The Route

The traffic free route has been extended for 2015 to allow residents and visitors to see more of York whilst taking in some of the city’s most historic landmarks such as Clifford’s Tower and The Minster.

The 7km route starts at Clifford’s Tower and will see cyclists head up Castlegate and Coppergate before joining onto Pavement and passing York’s most famous street, The Shambles.

Riders will then turn left onto Colliergate and briefly see King’s Square before turning right onto St Andrewgate. They will then head onto Aldwark, Goodramgate, and Deansgate when York Minster will come into view. Riders will then head across the Minster Piazza and onto Duncombe Place before passing over Lendal Bridge onto Leeman Road.

The route will then see cyclists turn right past Memorial Gardens and along Wellington Row, Skeldergate and Terry Avenue where they will follow the Ouse until Rowntree Park.

Cyclists will then head along Butcher Terrace and turn left onto Bishopthorpe Road before turning left on the cycle path to bring them back down to the river and over Millennium Bridge. They will then follow the riverside cycle path back to Clifford’s Tower.

Traffic and Travel

The Sky Ride York route will be closed to all traffic from 10.30am until approximately 5pm, or as soon as possible after the event has finished to ensure the safety of everyone taking part. The inner ring road will be closed at Lendal Bridge for general traffic for the duration of the ride.

Residents and visitors are urged to make use of the city’s extensive Park&Ride network on the day, particularly by using the Park&Pedal facilities at any of York’s six Park&Ride sites.
Bus travel

Bus routes will be altered to ensure that access into and out of the city centre is maintained, whilst avoiding those roads closed as part of the route.  Revised timetables will be put into place to ensure the smooth running of bus services. Residents and visitors are being encouraged to check their travel plans in advance and allow extra time for their journeys on the day. A complete list of bus route diversions will be available to download from: http://www.itravelyork.info/events/sky-ride-york-2015

Car Parks

Castle car park will continue to be open on the day, however there will be reduced capacity to allow for one of the Sky Ride ‘activation zones’ featuring activities for residents and visitors to enjoy. A traffic management stop/go process will be in place here to assist the smooth flow of traffic. Esplanande car park will also be open and will have a traffic management stop/go system in place. St George’s Field car park will be open but will have a reduced amount of spaces during the day.

Rowntree Park car park will be closed on both Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September due to the Festival of Cycling taking place, as in previous years. For safety reasons there will be no access to parking inside the route.

For more information on Sky Ride York, or to register for the ride visit www.goskyride.com/York

What’s on – Jorvik medieval festival

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archery-med-fest_229x344Date: Wed 19 Aug – Mon 31 Aug
Time: Various
Venue: Across York and Yorkshire
Cost: Vary per event

JORVIK Medieval Festival is a celebration of Yorkshire’s rich medieval heritage, with a series of special events on offer throughout the summer, there is something for everyone.  

Organised by The JORVIK Group, creators of the famous JORVIK Viking Festival, The JORVIK Medieval Festival offers visitors a wide range of events and activities for all the family to enjoy. 

 Try your hand as an eagle-eyed archer, discover mighty birds of prey with falconry demonstrations, see brave knights battle in thrilling re-enactments and spend the day in some of Yorkshire’s most idyllic settings.   

With an exciting programme of events and activities on offer; from interesting talks and lectures on subjects from battle wounds inflicted in the Middle Ages, to the re-discovery of Richard III, to family-friendly including ‘Medieval Merriment’ at the atmospheric Knaresbourgh Castle and the historic Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, as well as our themed ‘Little Diggers’ sessions at DIG you are sure to find something to keep you entertained this August.  

Discover all the events on offer at www.jorvikmedievalfestival.com. 

Church Explorers!

We’ve also teamed up with over 20 churches across Yorkshire for our ‘Church Explorers!’ programme, where you and your family are invited to discover the hidden medieval histories of some of God’s Own County’s most beautiful ecclesiastical buildings. With each church organising their own special event, with crafting opportunities, guided tours and local refreshments you are sure to have a unique experience at each venue.

Explore the Churches Involved (http://www.jorvikmedievalfestival.com/about/churchexplorers/)

For the latest news and events on JORVIK Medieval Festival sign up to our eNewsletter and follow the action on Twitter using the hashtag #JORVIKMedFest

Chance to brush up your decorating skills

The Bell Group, who are carrying out painting to Council owned homes in the Foxwood area, have teamed up with Foxwood Residents Association to give people in the area the chance to hone their decorating skills.

A taster day is being organised for Wednesday 19 August from 10am until 2pm for anyone interested in learning new skills or discussing a career in painting and decorating.  As part of the day, a room at Foxwood Community Centre will be given a makeover and those attending will have the opportunity to win a prize of £50 worth of decorating vouchers from Johnstones.

Home-decorating

For further information contact Karen Fletcher on 07721 747070.

York Apprentice recruitment event 18th August

Apprentice event 18th Aug 2015

 

The city’s recruitment event in March this year was hugely successful, attracting over 500 young people and parents looking for information on Apprenticeships and Apprenticeship vacancies across the city and businesses are being urged to book their free space. The event helped many employers including Nestlé, Portakabin, Purenet, Riccall Care, Your Bike Shed and Network Rail meet with aspiring young people to fill their apprenticeship positions.

The recruitment event, which takes place at West Offices between 4.30pm and 7.30pm on 18 August, comes after students across the city have received their A Level results and takes place the same week that GCSE results are published.

The event offers businesses the chance to speak to young people about employment opportunities and also looks to highlight both the business benefits of hiring apprentices and the individual benefits of pursuing an Apprenticeship job with training. 
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Dust off your bike and join Sky Ride York

City of York Council is encouraging residents to dust off their bikes this summer and register for Sky Ride York, a traffic free bike ride for all abilities on Sunday 13 September.

City of York Council is encouraging residents to dust off their bikes this summer and register for Sky Ride York, a traffic free bike ride for all abilities on Sunday 13 September.

A circular route taking in some of York’s most historic landmarks, including The Minster and Clifford’s Tower, will be closed to traffic between 10.30am – 4pm, allowing cyclists of all ages and abilities the chance to celebrate cycling on traffic-free streets.

The route will also take in the York Festival of Cycling in Rowntree Park where riders will be able to stop off and take a look around. There’s something for everyone with have-a-go sessions, an AirBag for BMXers to try tricks on and professional cyclists will also be giving a breathtaking display in stunt cycling.

Spin class

Spin class

Cllr Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism, said: “Sky Ride York gives residents and visitors the rare chance to ride a stunning traffic free route around York. After the amazing turnout of over 10,000 people in 2014 I hope even more people will get on their bikes and come along to Sky Ride York.”

Residents who want to hone their cycling skills ahead of the event can also register to join a Sky Ride Local bike ride, with many different rides taking place. There are rides to suit all abilities with steady rides from 7 miles up to challenging 30 mile rides. For more information visit http://www.goskyride.com/york
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Dringhouses Community ‘Bake-Off’

Local residents are invited to join in the ‘Community Bake-Off’ to be held on the afternoon of Sunday 20th September at the Moor Lane Youth Centre on Wains Road.

The event is being organised to help bring the community together and promote the re-launch of the Dringhouses West Residents Association. Participation in the Bake-Off is optional, but of course there’ll be an opportunity for everyone to sample the produce!

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Ward councillor Stephen Fenton is encouraging residents to come along for what should be an enjoyable afternoon: “Whether you are entering the bake-off or not, this is a great way to spend an afternoon getting to know more about the local community or sharing your knowledge with people who are new to the area.”