Your Local Link Magazine July 2012

MORE PROPERTY INSIDE

Issue 106 JULY 2012

. . . r e m m u s s i h t k r o Y n i n o g n oi g h c u m With so

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the best of york

welcome...

If you thought that our chocolate obsession demonstrated by the Smarties-filled front cover of our April issue had calmed down, you’re wrong. Vicky is already counting down the days to Easter 2013 (280, apparently) and Lisa almost ripped Nic’s hair out after she made too much noise while eating a KitKat – Lisa’s on a diet at the moment to get trim for her holiday, so we advise the people of York and the surrounding areas to give her a wide berth and avoid eating anything that contains over 50 calories in front of her.

Lisa found it extremely difficult to handle the several boxes of free truffles that we were sent to us by the lovely folk at Monty Bojangles (check out our Food & Drink section to find out more – divine just isn’t the word). She soon cheered up, though. Mim thought that to get back at Nic for the Pamela From Thomas Cook Impersonation / Holiday Debacle she’d remove all but one of the boxes of truffles and fill the huge cardboard box with polystyrene. Nic,

Get in touch... call: 01904 767881

Email: info@yourlocallink.co.uk Fax: 01904 764843 Write: Your Local Link, Oak Tree Farm, The Moor, Haxby YO32 2LH

who was expecting to be able to drown herself in chocolate, was heartbroken and it wasn’t until the tears of laughter started rolling down Mim’s face that Sarah took pity and put her out of her misery.

Game, set and match to Mim, then.

Donna abandoned us to go to the States for a fortnight, and came back a different woman. She used to be a mild-mannered, wallflower kind of lady* but she came back loud, brash and smelling faintly of hotdogs. She also developed a new obsession for Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups** which Gini used to her advantage by dumping all of her spare packets on Donna’s desk (she carries a box of 50 around with her in her car every day, just in case she gets stuck in a field). By 4.15pm we found Donna with chocolate smeared across her chin and a glazed look on her face, swearing her allegiance to the Queen and disgust for all American confectionery. We think it was the 15th packet that did her in.

We’re starting to worry about Sarah, who seems to

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have developed a decidedly naughty streak lately.

Helen in Accounts had quite innocently bought some waterproof trousers (as you do) and the moment they were delivered to the office Sarah ordered her outside and directed the full force of the hosepipe at her. Poor Helen was soaked from the waist up and spent the rest of the afternoon shivering and trying not to drip on her keyboard, almost jumping out of her skin every time anyone walked past with a glass of water in their hand.

We’d like to formally welcome our new writer Howard to the team, and wish him luck – there are few blokes who can handle our office, and he’ll need all the help he can get. Please direct any messages of support to info@yourlocallink.co.uk and check out his column (even his 18-month-old daughter can boss him around...)

Until next month! *Yeah, right. ** Other peanut butter/chocolate combo snacks are available.

Publishers: Tracy Outram and Gini Guttery

Accounts: Helen & Claire Distribution: Dean, Jon, Ronnie Design: Rachel, Lisa & Jerry Editorial: Donna, Nicolette & Howard

Yourlocallink York

@locallinkyork

Space booking, copy, cancellation and editorial deadline for the August edition is 13th July 2012 and 20th July 2012 for recruitment.

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contents

132 It’s never too late to learn.

Whether you’re looking to train for a new career or try a new hobby, York College has the course for you.

Check out our guide to their adult learning offering.

Cover story:

Features:

from page 10.

With Charter Weekend, the Festival of the Rivers, Copmanthorpe Carnival, Mor Music Festival and York Early Music Festival, there’s no reason for any of us to be bored this month. Head to the Culture Column from page 10-13 and our events section from page 101 to find out more.

Regulars: 14-15. The way I see it Donna Hay has a few opinions. Every month we let her vent the crazy from her system.

16-17. Horoscopes What’s in your stars?

James Christie knows.

18-19. Join the club July is International

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136 Marketing made easy!

We offer our very own advice on how to make the most of your advertising budget and help your business to boom.

10-11. Culture Column Check out our special Galtres Festival discount, plus info on Copmanthorpe Carnival, the Early Music Festival and the opening of Goddards Housey.

12-13 Benjamin Till. Meet the man behind the music which will be sung by 800 York residents at Ebor Vox.

Friendship month. Make some new ones by joining a club!

22-23. Didn’t they do well! Congratulations are due to some very talented Yorkies.

32-33. Hotlist What’s sizzling in July?

40-41. Local Sport Report Dan Tait muses over the latest news of the sporting world.

34-41 Charities special. Twice a year we give over some of our pages to local charities. This time, we’re focusing on Snappy and St Leonard’s Hospice – find out how you can help and about the exciting fundraisers they have planned.

42-43. Gadget Guide We hulled a few strawberries; we knocked a tiny ball around. All in the interests of you, consumers...

we’ve got the lowdown. Plus ideas and inspiration for your wedding.

44-47. Motors All the latest news from things that go vroom...

58-67. Your Family Introducing our new writer Howard with his column, plus tips on getting the kids active and finding them something fun to do.

48-57. Health & Beauty We think you look lovely, but should you fancy a pamper

68-69.Your Pet Whatever pet you have there’s bound to be something helpful.

the best of york

Win WIn WIn 8-9. Competitions

Save some money on your tickets to Galtres Festival – quote Locallink767 for £3 off a day ticket, £5.40 off a weekend ticket and £15 off a family weekend ticket! Visit www.galtresfestival.org.uk

Win tickets to the Copmanthorpe Carnival and York Maze, as well as a gorgeous DAB Digital Radio from Herbert Todd & Son. Plus, Suzanne Carter is offering a weight loss and detox programme - head to page 56!

Told you that you’d be hooked!! (see front cover for details)

100-117 Events & Days Out “Mum, we’re bored!”

Run for the hills – or our events section.

70-83. Property & Interiors Brightening up your pad from the summer? Here’s a few bits to get your started.

restaurants? You might have to hit the gym before hitting the beach.

84-93. Gardening Check out our marvellous range of plant pots that will spruce up your patch.

118-1439 Classified – at a glance

114-116 Trades & Services directory 140-143 Jobs, jobs, jobs…

94-98. Food & Drink Chocolate truffles, spotted dick, glorious Yorkshire pubs and

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Fancy winning a weight loss and detox programme?

Head to our Health and Beauty section!

Head to our Gardening section to win a copy of Gardening: A beginners guide!

Win a D B R di !

No, we’re not being rude, but we really hope that you all get lost this summer – at York Maze. One of the largest maize mazes in the world, York Maze has won many awards including Yorkshire’s Best Tourism Experience and the UK Maize Maze of the year (maize is corn – just so you know). Each year the maze has a new design to solve, with previous designs depicting Harry Potter, the world’s largest Spitfire, and an astronaut. This year’s design will be revealed just prior to opening on 14th July. We’re hoping for it to be a gigantic Your Local Link logo, one big enough to be read from the space station, as our readership out in the cosmos is pretty low and we need the advertising. But for earthbound readers we have a fantastic opportunity – York Maze are offering three family tickets to the clever bod who can answer this question: Which famous wizard has been depicted by York Maze in the past?

Send your answer (along with your name, address and daytime contact number) on a postcard marked ‘York Maze Competition’ to the address on page five – or you can email your answer to info@yourlocallink.co.uk. The competition ends 20th July, so don’t delay.

Terms and conditions apply. Good luck!

SAVE £70 *

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With the recent celebration of the Queen’s jubilee and the Olympics coming up, the nation is proudly waving Union Jacks at every opportunity. What better way to follow the Games than by listening to a crystal clear commentary on a quintessentially British Union Jack DAB radio? Well, luckily for you, Herbert Todd & Son are giving away a Roberts Radio Revival DAB digital radio worth £199 to one lucky reader!

A vintage, 1950s look is combined with the latest technology to create a gorgeous piece of kit that sounds fabulous too! The radio features both DAB and FM wavebands, 120 hours of battery life, an easy-to-read display and auto tuning to a range of stations. It’ll make a great addition to any garden party!

For your chance to win, answer this question: What is the name of the flag displayed on the Roberts radio?

Send your answer (along with your name, address and daytime contact number) on a postcard marked ‘DAB Radio’ to the address on page five – or you can email your answer to info@yourlocallink.co.uk. The competition ends 20th July, so don’t delay!

SAVE £50

SAVE £50

your competitions

Learning made easy at home Email, Google, Skype & more!

Computer set-up

Car-Ni-Val!

All the best things started in the 1960s; Doctor Who, Opal Fruits and miniskirts.

But there is one other tradition that began in the decade of moon-landings and Liverpudlian singers, and that’s The Copmanthorpe Carnival. Since then the summer celebration of music and fun has gone from strength to strength and this year’s carnival certainly won’t be bucking that trend. Boasting a fantastic line up of live music and entertainment from the best talent North Yorkshire has to offer, on 7th July the main stage at the Copmanthorpe Recreation Centre will be thoroughly rocked by the likes of The Entertainment, The Likely Lads, Davey Richmond’s Black Crows and many more. There will also be fairground rides, birds of prey, a reptile road show, donkey rides and a bucking bronco. We’ve got five family tickets to give away that include a picnic hamper, Pimms and a carnival T-shirt signed by all the bands, plus backstage passes! To get your hands on these free tickets just answer this question: In which decade did the carnival begin?

Send your answer (along with your name, address and daytime contact number) on a postcard marked ‘Copmanthorpe Carnival Competition’ to the address on page five – or you can email your answer to info@yourlocallink.co.uk. The competition ends on 2nd July, so don’t delay. Terms and conditions apply. Good luck!

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The ever-popular Galtres Festival returns this August, with tickets now on sale – and a discount if you quote Locallink767 when you book! We’re getting far too excited about this fab festival, frankly, so we decided to catch up with musician Holly Taymar, who will play at Galtres, in a bid to calm down.* What sort of music do you play?

I’m a twenty-something from York with a penchant for writing and singing melodic acoustic tunes with this lovely voice and an acoustic guitar. There's also Chris Bilton in accompaniment, adding some more acoustic and electric guitar. We'd like to say we were the Beyonce and Jay-Z of York, but in reality we're much less cool and a lot more British.

What do you think of Galtres Festival?

It's an excellent music and beer festival set in a beautiful hilltop location just outside of York Crayke, to be exact. It's grown significantly since I first started performing there in 2006 to become a really prestigious festival for both local and national artists and bands to perform at. There's an excellent variety of things to see and do – live entertainment, interactive things to do for younger people, great food and a mind-boggling array of beers and ciders.

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Are you looking forward to it?

I always look forward to Galtres Festival – particularly as we're doing more gigs further afield nowadays, it's lovely to come back and see our friends over the whole weekend. The audience is always top-notch.

There's a real community feel about it, it's not in any way corporate. It's sort of like 'York Goes Camping' it really retains the friendliness of the city, but in a field.

So, if you weren't a musician, what would you be?

Sitting at home, trying to figure out how to be a musician. Or a quilt-maker. *It didn’t work.

See Holly at the Galtres Festival, Crayke, 24th-26th August. Find out more at www.hollytaymar.com

Book using our discount code (Locallink767) at www.galtresfestival.org.uk and get a six per cent discount – that’s £3 off a day ticket, £5.40 off a weekend ticket and £15 off a family weekend ticket! Bargain!

Cop a load of this!

Starting way back in the 1960s, Copmanthorpe Carnival has gone from strength to strength, attracting top acts and thousands of music lovers each year. This year will be no exception and the fun-packed day promises to be a summer sensation on 7th July. The theme this year is the Olympics, with lots of sporting activities, including York City FC Penalty Shootout. A host of local bands will be rocking the main stage at the Copmanthorpe Recreation Centre, including The Likely Lads, Ali & The Beachcombers and The King’s Parade. Along with Fairtrade stalls and a multitude of attractions including a bungee run and birds of prey, this should be a fantastic day out! Visit www.copmanthorpe.org.uk/carnival

Early Birds The fantastic York Early Music Festival will bring a host of awesome acts to venues across the city from 6th-14th July, with performers coming from as far afield as Mexico, Sweden and Israel. Embracing music from the Medieval period through to the Baroque era, the festival gives us a taste of how the music would have been performed at the time. It’s one of the country’s biggest Early Music events and will be filled with vibrant, exciting performances, and one of the highlights we’re looking forward to the most is I Fagiolini at the Minster on 12th July from 8pm. The audience members are allowed to roam around the building as the players perform – but no poking, please. For further information, call 658338 or visit www.ncem.co.uk/yemf

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As York celebrates the 800th anniversary of receiving its Royal Charter, the coming summer is packed with events. 9th July sees the finale of Ebor Vox – a musical extravaganza, with an especially written piece by composer and director Benjamin Till.

Howard Mosley-Chalk caught up with Benjamin to see how preparations are going and why he loves York so much.

“The main thing that strikes me about people from Yorkshire,” says Benjamin, “is that they’re proud to say they are from Yorkshire. They might tell you the city or town as well, but they’ll never specify whether it’s North, West, or South – they’ll say Yorkshire, and be proud of it. You never hear someone from Sussex saying that.”

A welcome guest Although born in Shropshire and spending most of his childhood in Northamptonshire, Benjamin has always felt a very strong emotional connection to Yorkshire, particularly York, after studying Music and

Composition at the University of York.

“It was there I learnt how to compose, and York has forever since been an important and magical place to me.”

It was that special connection that

IS0422_Rich.LocaLink/Straps/AW

20/7/11 11:49

inspired him to create A Symphony for Yorkshire, a 15-minute symphony involving more than 200 musicians, performed on Yorkshire Day in 2010.

“It was a piece that I hoped would

Page 2

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unify the ridings and include as many Yorkshire folk as possible – there’s something special about you lot,” he says, laughing. “You either get fully involved or you just don’t bother.”

The bells It was the massive success of his symphony that first caught the eye of Ebor Vox Director Stephen Burke.

“Stephen had lots of ideas about the performance, such as getting 800 singers involved and marching them through the streets. I thought that idea was astonishing.” The plan for the procession through the city is to start at York Minster. From there a huge crowd of choirs will begin to walk through the streets of the city.

“They will pick up the rhythm from the bells and run with it, letting the music grow and grow.” He laughs again. “Of course we can’t rehearse this. We have no idea how it will work. As the choirs march along the acoustics will change making it difficult for them to hear each other. It’s all very exciting.”

Poetry in motion The 30-minute procession will reach its crescendo by Clifford’s Tower when a brass orchestra will start up.

“It’s a big anthem they’re playing, very moving, very upbeat. I’ll be there conducting it all.” But what is most exciting, he explains, is that the lyrics sang by the choirs are based on two poems written by York residents. “At first we selected just one entry from the many submitted, but I was so impressed, I chose another – and was amazed to find it had been written by a ten-year-old girl! So the Symphony for Yorkshire was based on the poem

of a 98-year-old, and this is based on the words of a ten-year-old! I love that.” The show sounds like it will be truly amazing and a very fitting way to mark the 800th anniversary of the York’s freedom – a performance by the people, for the people.

The performance will take place on Charter Day, 9th July, beginning at the Minster. For more information visit www.yorkfestivals.com/ebor-vox Read the exclusive extended interview online at www.yourlocallink.co.uk

What is… York 800?

9th July see the celebrations for Charter Day. But what is it all about, anyway? Here are the facts.

• York 800 is not the 800th anniversary of York’s foundation, it instead marks 800 years since we were given our Royal Charter in 1212.

• A Royal Charter allowed York to take charge of its own affairs, form a council, elect a mayor and give a voice to its people.

• The charter was given by King John, the monarch who would later sign the Magna Carta, a document considered to be an early step in the evolution of the constitution of the UK.

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THE WAY I SEE IT...

The ups and downs of life as seen by our very own (very) Grumpy, (almost) Old Woman

Follow Donna on blog.yourlocallink.co.uk mixing and matching, etc etc. And I’m sure if I was Elle Macpherson I could probably get through a fortnight in Cabo with nothing more than a sarong and a pair of flip flops. But when you’re as accident-prone as me, you have to be prepared for the unexpected. What if, for instance, on the first day of your holiday you accidentally spilt suntan lotion all over the single pair of trousers you’d bought with you? Or what if you realised on day one that the pair of shoes you’d brought are as comfortable as a medieval torture method? It’s always good to have a back-up pair. Or, in my case – six.

There are some jobs around the house that count as Man’s Work.

Like cooking on a barbecue, taking out the rubbish and, in our house, operating the central heating thermostat (I don’t know why I can’t get my head round it, but I just can’t).

And packing. Like the thermostat, it’s not one of my skills. I can’t pack a single pair of shoes in an overnight bag without busting the zip. But fortunately my husband is a genius at packing.

He approaches it like a puzzle, folding the pieces together so they fit neatly in the smallest space imaginable. No matter how many holiday clothes I pile up on the bed, he can somehow pack them. Once he even accidentally packed the duvet and still had space for an extra pair of shoes.

It’s just as well he has this amazing skill, because there’s no way I can

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pack light. Again, I wish I could. Kelly in the office was telling us how she happily goes off on holiday with little more than a bikini, a denim skirt and a mascara. Blimey, I pack more than that to go round the corner to the Co-op. Seriously, if Captain Scott and

his team had had the contents of my handbag with them on their trip to the Antarctic, they would never have come a cropper.

Be Prepared I know the theory of packing light. I know all about capsule wardrobes,

Plus there are the toiletries. Yes, I do know they sell shampoo in Spain, but it might not be the kind I like. And why should I waste euros that would be far better spent on a cocktail, when I can get three for two toiletries in Boots?

Plus there’s the first aid kit. My husband says there are paramedics driving around motorways who are less well prepared than me for emergencies. Which is blatantly an exaggeration, since I’m not allowed to take my defibrillator on the plane. But I do have a fairly extensive selection of plasters, creams, ointments, plus three different types of painkillers. I also have over the counter treatments for almost every ailment known to man (and probably some medical science hasn’t yet stumbled across).

According to Donna...

There’s no better barometer on what’s hot and what’s not than our Donna. Here, she shares her thoughts on what’s in or out in her own unique style!

HOT

“Be honest,” my husband asked, “what are the chances of either of us getting cystitis or ringworm on holiday?”

Summer holidays. Don’t you just love them? Not if you’re a working parent with kids to entertain for six weeks, maybe. But at least it means I can get on the bus to Haxby without having to listen to the collected works of Pitbull on some schoolkid’s iPhone. Bliss!

Put like that, probably slim. But you never know, do you? And you can’t be too careful.

NOT

My sister has the right idea. She came over from Canada to visit recently.

Despite travelling halfway around the world, she breezed into Arrivals with just a small pull-along suitcase.

“Where are the rest of your clothes?” I asked, lost in admiration.

“In your wardrobe,” she replied.

I expect she’ll be wanting to get her hands on my three different painkillers, too…

the best of york

Medical Marvel

People who let their dogs bound up to you in the street. “But he’s very friendly,” they say, as the dog – which is usually about the size of a Fiat Punto – pins you to a wall.

I actually don’t care if it’s got more friends than Lady Gaga’s Facebook page, I still don’t want to get up close and personal with it, ok?

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Horoscopes July 2012

Starsign of the month...

Cancer (21st June - 22nd July)

here’s a few famous faces you share your sign with

L to R: Harrison Ford, Jessica Simpson, Sylvester Stallone, Lindsay Lohan

by James Christie n For details of private readings phone 07884 107100 or 01423 339770 Email: jcp@magepublishing.co.uk

You may be advised to back down in a clash of wills over family priorities.

Small sacrifices now lead to more significant gains later on. Swallow some pride and find a smile – this is not the time to be contentious or to go seeking confrontation. If you’ve recently made some important decisions, it’s probably best to stick with them; you may have boxed yourself into a corner but there will be a way out towards the very end of the month. All in all it’s quite a stressful month where emotions are concerned, complicated by feelings of nostalgia and regrets about certain aspects of your history.

While there may be some compensation coming in the form of finance and professional gain, you’re still likely to feel under pressure and experience some pretty dramatic mood swings.

Visit our website for extended readings... www.yourlocallink.co.uk

LEO (23th July - 23rd August)

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

You’ll experience a feeling of fresh starts and new beginnings, both where career ambitions are concerned and in all affairs of the heart. Parents enjoy a feeling of pride in the achievements of their children. You should be successful in all tests and exams.

(24th August - 22nd September)

(23rd September - 22nd October)

(23rd October - 21st November)

There’s time this month to relax a little, and to spend some time thinking about really long-term future plans. Property will be under discussion and there will be some legal links to sort out. You need to be a little security-conscious during the days ahead.

There will be some divisions of emotional loyalties, complicated by some insecurities coming to the surface in a lover or partner. This needs to be sorted out quickly.

To do this you need a direct nononsense approach, but it may put you in the position of having to make awkward decisions.

This is one of those months when you can’t do right for doing wrong!

Perhaps you’re trying too hard, and perhaps you should do a bit more to please yourself. Money spent on new clothes and personal appearance should be seen as an investment rather than a luxury.

Established 1957

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Sagittarius (22nd November - 21st December) You’ll take lots of pleasure in the little things in life and feel a strong family vibe. There may be some concerns over a third party’s health, but from a practical point of view you can’t do any more to help than what you are already doing.

maybe you need to be stubborn to prove your point and to be heard.

ARIES (21st March - 19th April) A number of opportunities come your way to broaden all the social aspects of your life, but to capitalise on this trend you must be prepared to break a few routines and bad habits. This may be easier said than done, given that there may be some opposition forthcoming from a partner who disagrees with your priorities.

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PARTIES * AFTERNOON TEA

CAPRICORN (22nd December - 19th January

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Travel aspects auger well and bring about at least one important reunion. Pay close attention to travel details and schedules. An old friendship gets reignited and there will be some interesting invitations that you should not refuse.

aquarius (20th January - 18th February) Who you know will be as important as what you can do, and this coincides perfectly with your ability (or good fortune) to be in exactly the right place at exactly the right time to change your luck. There’ll be niggling concerns over the reliability of cars and/or problems with public transport.

PISCES (19th February - 20th March) Other people try to change your mind – and worse, they try to change who you are. Don’t give in to this pressure. If you’re accused of being stubborn, then maybe you are being stubborn, but then again,

TAURUS (20th April - 20th May) Travel, in connection with business, brings profit and reward and enables you to find a brighter outlook when you look to the future. There’ll be important reunions during the first couple of weeks and it’s quite a favourable month financially, but there’s no room whatsoever for major luxuries.

GEMINI (21st May - 20th June) A greater degree of responsibility is being placed upon your shoulders at work. Your financial outlook is good, but you need to watch your energy levels. Self-employed members of the sign benefit from some very useful networking, so make use of who you know as much as what you can do.

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the

club

Having friends is a useful thing. You can talk to them, share hobbies and interests and they’re very handy if you’re moving house.

This month the fair citizens of planet earth will celebrate World Friendship Day, and what better time is there to increase that all important number on your Facebook profile by joining a few clubs. These ones here would be very happy to have you!

Wax lyrical Stamford bridge isn’t just a place where a bunch of cheeky Vikings caused a ruckus in 1066, it’s also home to the Stamford Bridge Singers – and trust us, they sound an awful lot better. If you love singing and making new friends then the Stamford Bridge Singers would love to hear from you. They are a very friendly mixed-age community choir who sing a wide range of music for concerts, church services, charity functions, weddings and other celebrations. You might be singing Mozart or Handel one minute and Andrew Lloyd Webber or Simon and Garfunkel the next. Rehearsals are held at Stamford Bridge School at 7.30pm on Thursdays in term-time. n To find out more, call 787181.

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Band together The York Concert Band is looking for new members to join its lively ensemble. It’s particularly interested in hearing from anyone who plays brass (particularly the trumpet), bassoon, bass clarinet, timpani or percussion. The group covers a huge variety of music, including pop, classical and show tunes, and it performs around eight concerts a year. Everyone’s welcome and there’s no need to audition.

Rehearsals take place on Mondays from 7.30-9.30pm. n Call 629065.

Keep Rolling

Poppleton Bowls Club on Main No matter what your ability, The ys interested in attracting new Street, Upper Poppleton, is alwa y the game, and if you’ve never members. It is a great place to enjo , the club offers free coaching rusty little a played before or you’re just 6.30-8pm. sessions on Tuesday evenings from n To find out more call 794686.

To dib and to dob

Are you a young person looking for some adventure or just mad keen on tying knots? The 1st Hew orth Scout Group has plenty of places for new recruits, with four scouting groups available for between the ages of six and 18. It’s especially eager to find members for its two newest sections: Beav ers (for ages six-eight) and Explorer s (for ages 14-18). n To find out mor e, call 431512.

Does your club or group need new members?

Or maybe you have some news you’d like to share.

If so, get in touch with us. Write to us at the address on page seven, or email us at info@yourlocallink.co.uk. Mark your message ‘Club News’.

Testing One... Two... Three

Fizz, crackle… Mayday, mayday! Atte ntion all radio enthusiasts! The York Radio Club is welcoming new members to its meetings in the Bishopthorpe Social Club on Thu rsdays at 8pm. Over. You’ll learn how to operate a radio transceiver and you can even take tests to allow you to transmit independently. Over.

The club offers its own equipme nt which can be used after training and new members can always expe ct a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Over. n Speak to the operator and ask to be connected to York 330502. Over and out. Crackle , fizz…

A roaring success

The York Lions are looking for new members. Don’t worry though, the entrance requirements don’t include hunting wildebeest on the Serengeti or hanging out in a pride. What the group need are volunteers to help in a range of ways – by assisting disabled people, mentoring pupils and prov iding hospital equipment. York is just one branch of a worldwid e network that aims to meet the needs of local communities whil e having fun along the way – the Lions reward themselves with regu lar social events. Luckily the York Lions are recruiting new mem bers at the moment, so now’s the time to grab the opportunity to join a truly worthwhile and fun social club! n To find out more, call 490410.

On a roll!

anniversary, Dringhouses Having recently celebrated its 80th ing down. Located at the slow of s sign Bowling Club shows no Road, the club is eagerly looking York Racing Stables on Tadcaster for new members. involved, call Mal on n If you’re interested in getting esbowlingclub.co.uk 709872 or visit www.dringhous

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Come with me and you’ll see…

Remember in Charlie and The Chocolate Factory when Charlie and the kids are wandering about the garden made of sweets and playing about in the chocolate river? That’s where we all wanted to go for our yearly Your Local Link team building session. We put this to the editor – and promptly found ourselves on the Moors, covered in mud and digging ditches in the rain. “There’s your chocolate river,” laughed Gini, pointing to a brown puddle, “now get digging!” It was during this valuable team time that we dreamt of a venue free of force-10 gales and filled with real chocolate. But that dream has become reality.

Chocolate: York’s Sweet Story now offers venue hire for anyone looking for a unique and memorable setting for a private celebration or corporate event. The brand new private hire programme is ideal for incentive evenings and team building events, hen parties and social celebrations. The on-site experience is led by a confectioneer guide and includes a private and extended tour of the attraction culminating in a live chocolate-making demonstration. n For more information call 0845 498 9412 or email events@yorkssweetstory.com

Get Motivated Appraisals are a vital tool for any business owner – they allow for a frank and open discussion, with both employer and employee able to raise any issues and suggest solutions and different techniques or systems for a productive, happy environment and a motivated worker. When done correctly, they can be extremely beneficial – but how do you do them effectively? The York branch of The Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce will run a morning course on 16th July that aims to explain how to make performance appraisals motivational. Run by Gaynor Hammond of Your Coach Professional Development, the session will include talks on understanding your role as an effective appraiser, defining the barriers to effective

IS0422_Rich.LocaLink/Straps/AW

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They’ve got it Made

appraisals and appraisal plans. The course runs from 9am-12.30pm at the IT Centre at York Science Park. n For further information, call 567838 or visit www.yourchamber.org.uk

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RICHARDSON GILDENER SOLICITORS 1 Peckitt Street, Opposite Clifford’s Tower, York YO1 9SF. Tel 01904 642727 Email mail@richardsonlaw.co.uk Website www.richardsongildener.co.uk

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Networking is an essential part of any business. It’s a great way of promoting your product or service to potential customers as well as building useful relationships. And now there’s a new networking group exclusively for businesses with a YO postcode. Made in YORK started life as an online Linkedin group. They’ve since come out of cyberspace to become one of the fastest growing networking groups in Yorkshire, with networking events, seminars, workshops and taster sessions throughout the year. They operate a two-tier membership system; either join the Made in YORK Linkedin Group for free and pay for events as you attend. Or upgrade to paid membership for £50 per year and enjoy additional benefits such as inclusion in the online directory, access to the membership database and website blog facility, as well as free networking events. n For more information, visit www.madeinyork.biz

business diary

FEDERATION OF SMALL BUSINESSES (YORK BRANCH) Meet on the third Monday of the month at the Riverside Farm in Skelton, York YO30 1XJ. Call 629777.

YORK CHAMBER EVENTS To book visit www.yourchamber.org.uk

YORK BUSINESS NETWORKING 17th July from 8-10am at The Toby Carvery, Hopgrove. Visit www.4networking.biz

Business Lunch, 4th July, 12noon2pm at the York Pavilion Hotel 45 –Main Street YO10 4PJ.

NETWORK NORTH Every Wednesday from 7.30-9.30am at The Beechwood Close Hotel. Visit www.networknorth.org.uk WIRE (WOMEN IN RURAL ENTERPRISE) YORK BRANCH Meet the first Tuesday of the month at Askham Bryan College, Committee Suite B. Email enquiries@ yorkwirenetwork.co.uk WOMEN’S BUSINESS CLUBS 3rd July from 9.30-11.30am at Middlethorpe Hall & Spa. Call 01903 201100

Introduction to Finance for Business, 2nd July, 9am-4.30pm at the IT Centre, York Science Park YO1 5DG.

Construction Lunch, 10th July 12noon-2pm at Sandburn Hall YO6 7RB York Chamber Business Forum, 12th July 5-6.30pm at HSBC Bank, 13 Parliament Street YO1 1XS How to make performance appraisals motivational, 16th July, 9am-12.30pm, at the IT Centre, York Science Park YO1 5DG. Business Strategy - making it work for you, 16th July, 1.30-5pm, at the IT Centre, York Science Park YO1 5DG. Pure Networking, 18th July, 7.309am at Piccolino, 18 Bridge Street YO1 6DA.

n If you have a business networking event coming up, please email details to info@yourlocallink.co.uk For more business news check out our new section on www.yourlocallink.co.uk

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Didn’t they do well Want to shout about a recent success? Won an award, or raised funds for charity?

Let us know about it, and we’ll tell the rest of York!

Web wonders

Five-star spa

York has a lot going for it. We’ve got the biggest gothic cathedral north of the Alps, the largest medieval city walls and, of course, Berwick Kaler, champion dame. But did you know that York also plays host to the best luxury hotel spa in the UK? The Cedar Court Grand Hotel and Spa has recently been given the prestigious World Luxury Hotel Award, beating London’s Dorchester Spa, in recognition for their excellence. Set within the The Grand’s atmospheric vaults, the spa offers a range of therapeutic face and body care treatments, along with access to a modern,

exceptionally equipped gym, sauna, swimming pool, steam room and relaxation rooms. General Manager of Cedar Court Grand Hotel & Spa, Maria Florou, said: “This is a remarkable achievement considering the calibre of competition we were up against. The win is a reflection not only of the quality of the spa and its staff, but also of all the hard work that the wider Grand team put into delivering a five-star experience.” We’re grabbing our towels – see you there! n For more details visit www.cedarcourtgrand.co.uk

Obviously drawing inspiration from our own amazing new website (we know, we just can’t help it), Matthew Cavanagh, Ed Phillips, Ben Gullwell, Warren Mead and Joshua Birch – all students of York College – have designed and built a brand new website for York’s Railway Institute. As part of their Foundation Degree in Internet and Business Technologies, the boys were tasked with creating a fresh and modern site for the club, which dates back to 1889.

Colin Weir, General Manager of the Railway Institute, was delighted with the new site which has been planned as part of the Institute’s new marketing scheme. “We hope that it will ensure further generations of people in York are aware of York RI and the community facilities it provides for Sports, Arts and Leisure,” says Colin. Well done you web wizards! Have a look for yourselves at www.yorkri.org.uk

Now it’s your turn... Just write to us at the address on page five, or email us at info@yourlocallink.co.uk, marking your message ‘Didn’t they do well’ and we’ll do the rest. And if you’ve got a photo for us, even better! Go on, big yourself up. You know you want to...

LEISURE PARK

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Marathon man Running – something we only do when late for the bus (with both hilarious and disastrous consequences). So when we heard about what James Richardson had achieved, we were amazed and a little jealous. One day James decided to set himself the challenge of running 26.6 miles, across three events, in under three hours and twenty minutes (as you do). His aim was to raise £800 for charities York Against Cancer and York Lollipop, but being the champion athlete he is, James smashed that target with a total of £1069! He proudly completed all three races with just 75 seconds to spare, but still had breath left over to thank everyone who sponsored him.

Well done James. Now, what time is our bus? Oh no…!

Hi-ya!

When it comes to martial arts, here at Your Local Link we are all black belts.

There’s chocolate finger aikido, judo bouts over the last Pringle and we all suddenly disappear like ninjas when the bin needs emptying. So to hear about someone achieving a black belt in a real martial art impressed us. Holly Bamford from Haxby Shotokan Karate Club has been awarded her Black Belt, which she has been working towards since 2007, at the tender age of 13! Holly has therefore become the youngest black belt at the club and is probably more than a match for any of our chocolate-fingered attacks. n If you or your children would like to follow in Holly’s footsteps and become a black belt visit www.haxbykarate.co.uk

ASK THE EXPERT with simon crack

Social Media: Used or Abused?

I’m thinking of using Facebook to promote my business but I am worried it might get abused by my employees. How can I prevent this?

Social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter etc.) can be a great business tool when used correctly, but it is vital that a clear message is sent to all employees about what is and what isn’t permitted. The best way to achieve this is to put in place a social media policy and train your employees.

Ensure your policy deals with what is permitted inside and outside the work place e.g. are employees allowed to use social media at all during working hours, or at lunch times only? Consider blocking certain sites if you are worried about employees accessing them at work.

You need to also consider employees using their own mobile phones to access sites and your social media policy should state that it applies regardless of whether the social media is accessed using company IT facilities or equipment belonging to members of staff, such as mobile telephones. Your policy should also cover any comments or postings made by employees on a social media site outside of working hours.

It is essential that your policy is linked to your disciplinary procedure and your employees are aware that breaches of the social medial policy could result in disciplinary action being taken.

A member of staff has received some malicious comments via a social media site from another employee. These comments were made in the evening, online and not during working hours. Do I need to deal with this?

The short answer is yes. Bullying and harassment via a social media site should be treated in exactly the same way as it would if it was happening face to face. Whilst this happened outside working hours and online, that doesn’t mean it can be ignored.

You will need to treat this complaint seriously and carry out an investigation as you normally would before coming to a decision. An investigation would broadly involve meeting with the employee who raised the complaint to take more details and then interviewing the person against whom the complaint has been made.

You should refer to any policies you have in place such as your social media policy, anti-harassment and bullying policy and disciplinary procedure when investigating this matter. If you are unsure as to the best way forward you should seek legal advice.

Simon Crack is a partner at Hethertons LLP Solicitors and is Head of the Business Support Unit. Based at York Business Park, Hethertons provide the full range of legal services to businesses and individuals.

Tel: 528200 email: bsu@hethertons.co.uk, www.hethertons.co.uk Tudor Court, Opus Avenue, York Business Park, York, YO26 6RS 23

Do you have time or money to spare to help one of these worthwhile causes?

Make a difference Cycling shorts; tight, revealing and prone to smell of sweat. Never a great look (especially not on anyone in the Your Local Link office). So it’s with a great deal of respect, with hands held firmly in salute, that we announce the Independent Domestic Abuse Services Sponsored Cycle.

They are planning two cycle routes, one of 40 miles and another of a whopping 100 miles. Although they hope that the cycle will be a great deal of fun, it also has a very serious aim. The IDAS are looking for 100 cyclists to take up the challenge, to commemorate the 100 women who died last year as a result of domestic violence. The money raised will be used to help support children and young people who’ve lived with violence. n For more information or to register for the cycle email info@idas.org.uk So get pedalling!

A debt of gratitude

If being in debt was still a crime then this issue of Your Local Link would have been written on toilet paper and thrown carelessly over the walls of Doncaster Prison under the cover of night, given the cries of anguish every time one of us receives a credit card bill. Fortunately for us credit-card maxing shopaholics deby stopped being classed as unlawful in 1869, but for centuries before that York Debtors Prison played home to hundreds of ‘criminals’. The prison, which is now part of the Castle Museum, is undergoing a massive revamp which will see

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the space enlarged and modernised – and all in time for the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War, when the building was a military prison. The museum team are asking for any members of the public whose ancestors and family had some connection with the prison, especially from those related to the 140 York citizens with German-sounding surnames who were interred there during the war. n If you or a family member has stories of the prison buildings to share, please call 687687.

Keep Jamie Smiling We all love a smile and one little chap in particular has got a cracker. Jamie Inglis is a six year old boy living in York. At the age of four he was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of cancer. Although Jamie has already bravely battled and beaten the disease once before, unfortunately it has returned. His only hope to keep smiling is to travel to Germany to receive lifesaving treatment – and for that he needs your help! The cost of the trip and treatment comes to a whopping £250,000 that can only be raised through York residents’ generous donations. n Visit www.justgiving/jamiesappeal or text JAMY99 and your amount of £3, £4, £5 or £10 to 70070.

Ask the Expert...

investments advice with julie wilson

More to give

What did you do on your holiday? Lounge by the pool? Prop up the bar? Or did you build a much-needed nursery school in Africa? That’s exactly what Steve and Dawn Whitwell, owners of SN Motor Services in York, did after visiting Brufut in Gambia. They were so shocked by the nursery’s lack of basic amenities, including running water and electricity, that they decided to do something about it. The Whitwells paid to turn a derelict area next to the nursery into a new classroom.

But the school still needed basic equipment such as desks and chairs, so Steve and Dawn called upon their families, friends and customers to help. Fortunately the response was incredible, enabling the nursery to buy what it needed – but the work doesn’t stop there. The children are now in desperate need for a small kitchen to be built and Steve and Dawn are asking for your help. n If you want help to support the garage's fundraising efforts, or make a donation, contact Dawn at SN Motor Services on 479100.

Time to get charitable Twice a year Your Local Link is honoured to feature information about two fantastic local charities. We interview volunteers, speak to members of staff and meet the people who have been helped by their charitable works. We also find out about ways that the public can get involved, through donating time, energy and money. This month we feature two of the hardest working charities operating to make York a better place – Snappy and St Leonard’s Hospice. Flip to the charities section now to learn all about the amazing work they each carry out in our fair city – and how you can help.

How much of your money will end up in the Inheritance Tax Bucket?

Billions of pounds is collected from this unfair death tax every year.

Most people are brassed off with the two certainties in life – death and taxes. But it’s a real bummer when they both come at once! Yet “death tax” – that’s the tax payable if you’re worth more than 325,000 quid when you die – is pretty much voluntary.

There’s a few reasons why people don’t do something about this, (I’ve got to say some are better than others). Here are a few: • You don’t want to lose control of your money • You are confused about complicated schemes • You don’t know who to turn to for trusted advice • You’re not planning on dying yet • You don’t want anybody to get your money, ever • You wanna take it with you Well, I can’t figure out how you can take it with you. As my dear old Grandma used to say – they don’t make pockets in shrouds. But I do know lots of ways to avoid this tax AND keep control. (A word of warning - A lot of advisers get this horribly wrong). I can explain your options, without any gobbledegook, so YOU decide who gets your money – not the Government. After all – they haven’t got a brilliant track record in spending it wisely have they?

So why should you trust Pen-Life to fix your problem?

• We’re one of Yorkshire’s leading independent advisers in this area • We’ve got more than 30 years experience in tax planning • We’ve saved millions of pounds of unnecessary tax for our clients Which – the independent consumer champion – recommends you only seek advisers with specialist qualifications and accreditations for advice in this area – and trust me - we’ve got ‘em all.

Think this problem will go away? I wouldn’t bank on it– there’s been some form of death tax in the UK for at least 1,000 years. Or maybe you’re planning not to bother at all - because it’s not your problem?

Well you’re right there – you’ll be pushing up the daisies by then.

But you could make a difference. You could leave a legacy for your lifetime’s work. For your children. For your grandchildren. For future generations. For the donkey sanctuary, I don’t much care what you do with it. But do you really want to let the Government fritter away on MP’s expenses and jobs for the boys?

We plan to make a difference. Will you? You can’t fix this when you’re dead. Contact us NOW for a FREE consultation.

n Pen-Life Chartered Financial Planners, Equinox House, Clifton Park, York YO30 5PA Tel: 01904 661140; Fax: 01904 466206; Email: Julie@pen-life.co.uk; www.pen-life.co.uk Pen-Life Associates Ltd, Chartered Financial Planners, help individuals and small businesses make the most from their money and pay less tax, including advice on residential and commercial mortgages and equity release, individual and business protection, pensions and retirement planning, savings, investments, tax planning, Inheritance Tax and long term care.

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Feeling lost in the empty expanse of the universe? We know a few people who can help. July sees the original radio cast of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy reunited for a one-night-only performance at The Grand Opera House. We caught up with Geoffrey McGivern, Ford Prefect in the original series, to thank him for all the fish.

“It all started in York,” laughs the actor as he reminisces about his childhood. “I was at Archbishop Holgate School – head boy in fact – and that’s where I caught the acting bug.”

Geoffrey voiced the part of Ford Prefect – alien, guide book writer and friend to Arthur Dent – but his earliest roles were slightly more earth-based. “I played Balthazar in Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors at school. It was the first bit of acting I’d done and afterwards my English teacher suggested I should audition for the National Youth Theatre. Since then I’ve never looked back.”

First encounters But it was at Cambridge University that Geoffrey began to lay the foundations of his galactic career.

“I’ve always said that I studied English ‘part-time’ at Cambridge, as I spent all my time acting. I performed for the Floodlight review, a place to try out new material. A writer asked me to perform a monologue he had written about a teacher terrified of his kindergarten class. That young chap’s name was Douglas Adams.”

FREE

ESTIMATES

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After university Geoffrey toured the country performing in a number plays such as The Comedians, which in 1977 brought him back to his home town of York. After that it was back to London, where one day he received a plain manila envelope with a curiously funny science fiction radio script inside.

“As we were recording the first episode of Hitchhikers, in which I had been cast as the alien Ford Prefect, I was awfully nervous. In fact you can hear it in my first line. “Hello Arthur,” came out a little too high pitched!”

although one of my stage directions is to say a line with ‘dawning horror.’ Not sure how I’m going to do that yet.”

Homecoming

Returning to York for the first time in over 30 years is also something that Geoffrey is looking forward to.

“I’m hoping to see as much of the city as I can while there, especially the Minster. I remember having to give a speech there once while at school and I’d love to see what has changed.”

Nerves are not something Geoffrey is worried about this time though, as he prepares to return to York for the live show. “We’ve managed to get together the original cast, and along with a band providing music throughout, we’re performing some previously unrecorded material – which Douglas wrote for the final two novels. It’s all very exciting!” When asked how rehearsals are going, Geoffrey said, “Very well –

n The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Radio Show... Live! Will take place at The Grand Opera House on 5th July at 7.30pm. To book tickets call 0844 8713024.

With the original cast, the music, the lights – and the fact that it’s performed live – Geoffrey had the defining statement to sum up the show: “I really think that Douglas would have loved it.”

Mystery Men

We’re getting very excited about the forthcoming York Mystery plays, being held for the first time since the 1980s on a large-scale in the Museum Gardens. But you might be wondering… just what are the Mystery Plays? No, they’re not an Agatha Christie-style performance of murder and suspicion, but in fact an integral and important part of York’s rich history. Here’s what you need to know…

The plays started in 1376 and were intended to perform the stories of the Bible to people who could not read for themselves.

Originally the plays were performed on moving wagons that toured around the city. York’s merchant guilds were responsible for producing each play, and it’s from them we get the name; the guilds were known as ‘Mysteries’.

By the 16th century the plays went out of fashion, but were reintroduced in 1951. Performances continued every four years with Jesus being portrayed by a well-known actor and local amateurs making up the rest of the large cast.

Famous past performers have included Dame Judi Dench, Robson Green, Ray Stephenson and Christopher Timothy.

This year will be the first time since 2000 that the plays have been staged on such a large scale. Sir Ben Kingsley’s son, Ferdinand, has been cast in the role of God AND Jesus. No pressure then. n To book your tickets call The York Theatre Royal on 623568 or visit www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

www.fantasyworld.co.uk

and join us on facebook

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Mystery Machine

Author Susanna Gregory, AKA Liz Cruwys, has written a novel based in York especially for the Big City Read initiative, and will kick things off at the launch event on 25th July. We caught up with her to find out how she’s balanced adventures in Antarctica with writing about medieval mysteries…

Susanna Gregory – real name Liz Cruwys – is certainly multi-talented.

She’s worked as a police officer, has two degrees and until recently went on regular expeditions to the South Pole as part of the Scott Polar Research Institute at Cambridge University. So, what’s it like being a marine biologist and a writer of medieval mystery fiction? “Well I can’t manage to get a seal into a story, no matter how hard I try!” laughs Liz. “I am still part of the college, but writing takes up most of my time now, and my husband and I now have chickens so last year was our last expedition to the Pole. We couldn’t bear to leave our feathered friends behind, though Antarctica is magnificent – almost as magnificent as York!”

After being a bobby on the beat in Beeston, Leeds, for four years in the 1980s, Liz decided to pursue her passion and studied two degrees, at Durham and Cambridge, before becoming a Marine Biologist. How,

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then, did she make the leap into writing medieval fiction? “My husband, who is a historian, got the opportunity to go to Canada for the summer on a dig, and I was incredibly jealous. I decided that I’d write a novel while he was gone to prove a point, and I discovered that I really enjoyed it. I particularly liked that I could kill people off who I didn’t like!”

“I wrote my first novel to prove a point.”

The Mystery in the Minster book, part of the Matthew Bartholomew series, was written especially for York’s Big City Read initiative and is set in York – miles away from her usual location of Cambridge. “The characters have come to York for a holiday – I like to have them move about every few books or so, as it keeps it fresh, but I didn’t think I’d get them up that far!” says Liz, who adds that she enjoyed

visiting the city to research for the book. “Because I base my characters on real people, it’s important that details such as how far it would take to get to one place from another, or how big the abbey is, are correct so that I can recreate the setting authentically.”

However, the book might not have come about at all were it not for the Big City Read team, who asked Liz if she’d write a novel set in York. “I did some reading around and found out that an archbishop had died around the time the book was set, so there was an ideal reason for the characters to visit – the will!”

Liz is thrilled with the prospect of visiting York again, especially as the keen bell ringer will have the chance to try her hand at ringing the bells of the minster during her stay. “I’m part of the local bell ringing team at my home in Wales, so this will be like a local cricket team being able to go and play at Lourdes! The York Minster bell ringing

team are one of the best in the world, so will be great to get my hands on those ropes.” n Liz will appear at the launch of Big City Read at Explore York Library Learning Centre on 25th July. For further information, visit www.york.gov. uk/libraries. For further information on Liz’s books, visit www.matthewbartholomew.co.uk

Lesley

Calling all writers

@innovations

Once upon a time, there was a small, cheery and physically attractive editorial team. They worked tirelessly each month to write a whole magazine, bringing smiles to the honest faces of the citizens of ye ancient and loyal Citie of Yorke. “Ye gads,” cried Nicolette, the feisty leader of the troop, “there be some grand and clever entries for our short story competition.” She showed them verily to Sir Howard (of the castle), who received them with glee. “Gadzooks,” he declared, reading the tales, “surely there is talent aplenty in our fair, royal citie!” He handed the parchment to Donna of the Hay-stack, who quickly scanned the words with growing scowl. “Zounds,” she yelled, casting the papers ‘pon the floor, “no longer shall I write, for surely there is now too much competition!” And with that, she leapt out of the window.

There’s still time to enter our short story competition. We’re looking for up to 1000 words, with the opening line ‘The figure stepped out of a doorway in The Shambles’. Entries will be judged by a panel of experts, and the winners will be published in a special anthology. Send your entry to the address on page five, or email it to info@yourlocallink.co.uk to reach us by 7th September. Don’t forget to include your name and contact details. See our website for a full list of the rules

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JULY HOTLIST.... July is the month to....

Enter the Dragon

Headliners ASH and Chris Helme perfom at this years Galtres Festival

Feel the Music

Festival season is in full swing, and frankly we think there’s no better way to enjoy the great British summer than by bopping along to your favourite bands.

Galtres Festival, from 24th-26th August, is offering a stellar line-up as usual, with Ash, The Guillemots and Chris Helme all set to rock the stage. The good news is that you can save yourself some dosh by using our discount code! Quote Locallink767 for six per cent off – that’s £3 off a day ticket, £5.40 off a weekend ticket and £15 off a family weekend ticket! Bargain! It’s not your average festival fare, either – you can choose to dine on afternoon tea or a good old filled Yorkshire pudding, with plenty of other lovely grub to choose from, and there’s loads going on. The theme this year is Dragons and Knights, so there are lots of medieval-style activities to keep you entertained, including a live jousting display.

Grab your tickets while you can! Visit www.galtresfestival.org.uk Psst! Check out our interview with Holly Taymar in the Culture Column!

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This year is the tenth anniversary of the Dragon Boat Challenge, part of the Festival of Rivers, which sees participants race on a 250-metre stretch of the River Ouse between Scarborough Rail Bridge and Lendal Bridge, promising to be the best race yet. There’ll be a range of activities and stalls to keep spectators entertained while they wait for the race to begin, and funds raised will be donated to charity. The main charities this year are Brunswick Organic Nursery and Craft Workshop and York Blind & Partially Sighted Society – two thirds of the funds raised by each rower will be donated to a charity of their own choice. Your Local Link columnist Matthew Todd from Herbert Todd and Sons has made a habit of winning the race – we challenge you to beat him! For further details about how to enter the challenge and the main charities, visit www.yorkrotary.co.uk

Mark History It’s Charter Day on 9th July – check out our interview with Ebor Vox composer, Benjamin Till!

Make a Splash You will, no doubt, have noticed that there are ducks splashed all over our front cover. Figured out why? Well, part of the reason* is to celebrate the seventh Festival of the Rivers, set to kick off in York on 7th July and run until 22nd July, with a huge range of family-friendly activities on offer on and around the rivers. The festivities will launch with the city’s first ever flotilla on 7th July, where hundreds of boats will sail along the Ouse through the centre of the city. Plus, the ever popular Dragon Boat Challenge will return – see more details above. n For further information, call Liz Topi on 554253 or visit www. yorkfestivals.com/york-festival-ofthe-rivers *The other part of the reason?

We just love hook-a-duck.

We love any excuse to get dressed up, so we’re thrilled that the York Races have rolled around again. From 13th-14th July the John Smith’s Cup Meeting at York Racecourse will see frocked-up folk come from miles around to have a flutter and a glass of bubbly – and, of course, see who’s dressed the best! So, stick on your fascinators and dig out your finest summer dress, and wow the crowds! n Visit www.yorkracecourse.co.uk

Be A-mazed It’s that time of year again – York Maze, which is located on the B1228 off the A1079, will open to the public on 14th July. Fancied taking part in the Olympics, but never got the chance? Chance your arm at Cornlympics Day, where you can try out a range of maize-based sports – corn stalk javelin, pass the cob relay and cob putt to name just a few. If you’re more of a green-fingered type, why not enter the pumpkin growing competition? If you manage to beat the record for biggest pumpkin in the UK then you’ll bag £2000 – not bad eh? Judging will take place on 27th October, ready for the launch of the York Maze Halloween Festival which runs until 3rd November. So, get growing!

eXpect eXcellence

n For further information about York Maze, call 607341 or visit www.yorkmaze.com

summer

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Local

Follow DAN on blog.yourlocallink.co.uk

Sport report En-ger-land!

for me have been the Greece games – not just commentators trying to pronounce the likes of Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Kyriakos Papadopoulos, but the Greek physio who, following a player taking a massive boot to the head, ran onto the pitch using all his medical knowhow to squirt a bit of water on top to see him right.

At the time of writing, England have just finished their opening group game for Euro 2012. Who knows – by the time you are reading this we could have all been celebrating in the streets following a first major tournament victory since 1966. Or perhaps, and most likely, you have endured a familiar Gary Lineker quip, followed by endless pictures of players bemoaning their bad luck with the inevitable soundtrack of Oasis’ Stop Crying Your Heart Out’ or an Adele piano ballad in the background.

flash the cash

Talk to the animals It’s difficult to write about things that might or might not happen with regards to England, but there are a fair amount of experts trying to predict each team’s fortune. Of course I am talking about the new batch of animal psychics, following the success of Paul the Octopus who in the last world cup correctly predicted every match via picking a mussel from one of two boxes decorated with a country’s

32

with DAN TAIT

flag. Fame got too much for Paul who passed away peacefully in his sleep at the ripe old octopus age of three, but his successors are plentiful, including a hog named Khryak, an elephant called Citta and Fred the Ferret to name a few. I would love to know how they come to know that an animal is psychic – do they have to do a practice test to

see if any are daft enough to predict if Cheryl Cole would sing live on the voice?

water sports I am sure many people like me have been glad of the Euros to secure their football fix since York City are out of season following their epic promotion and trophy double. Early highlights

Away from football the most bizarre sports story I have recently come across was Basketball player DeShawn Stevenson who, after a 12-year playing career in the NBA where he has earned over $26million, decided to install a cash machine in his own kitchen. Placed next to his toaster, he can kill the toasting time by withdrawing cash, though it isn’t clear if it charges him a token fee for using it or if it reminds him to check over his shoulder to see if anyone is watching.

charity focus Having graced the hallowed turf of

ASK THE EXPERT WITH CAROLE CARTER

Wembley twice in eight days, a trip to Huntington Rovers as part of York City’s pre-season campaign may not seem too daunting for Gary Mills’ men but 13th July will be a game with a difference. In August last year 29-yearold Steve Myers, a talented goalkeeper who was a massive part of a Rovers side, tragically passed away. This unique friendly game will be played in Steve’s memory and act as a fundraiser for the charity ‘Steve Myers Safe Hands’, set up by his wife Vicky. The charity raises money for Ward 21 who looked after Steve during his illness, as well as a charity called Brain Tumour Research and Support, which supports patients with things like affording travel to appointments, equipment that allows them to live at home instead of in hospital, and medicines.

Match entry will be £3, which will include a complimentary programme, plus there will be plenty of collection buckets and raffles. York City have indicated they will be playing a strong side for the game and former European Cup winner Gary Mills may even put his boots on. It promises to be a glowing tribute to a player who was very highly thought of by all of his team mates. Special praise has to go to the Minster men for agreeing to play the fixture and helping to contribute to a great cause. The match will kick off at 6.30pm on 13th July at Huntington Sports Club. n For more on both these historic games, visit Dan’s blog at blog. yourlocallink.co.uk

Advice for landlords Carole Carter answers your questions and offers advice on being the perfect landlord My tenant has refused to pay his rent for the last two months.

Does he have squatters’ rights, and how can I evict him and get some money back?

The simple answer is ‘no’ your tenant would not have squatters’ rights as you would have had proof of occupancy such as a tenancy agreement. A squatter is when someone occupies an empty or abandoned property without the owner’s permission, often without his knowledge and without any normal legal right to do so. Once you have chased the tenants for the two months outstanding rent, you can start the eviction process and this is usually done by serving a Section Eight notice. My advice would be to use a reputable solicitor to do this for you as any errors made when serving the section 8 would only delay the eviction procedure further.

Am I within my rights to ask for proof of employment from a prospective tenant?

As a letting agent we use a third party reference company to confirm that the tenants are deemed acceptable to take on a tenancy agreement. The prospective tenants have to declare their full details, including names and addresses, previous addresses and details of their current or previous landlords. They must also declare any County Court Judgements against them, the details of their employment, length of time employed, start date and permanent or contract current salary. A declaration then has to be signed confirming that the information given is correct. The reference company then confirms all these details with the employer and credit reference agency and if the information is proven to be incorrect, the reference will automatically come back as unacceptable.

My tenant has complained to me about noisy neighbours.

Is there anything I should /could do?

Firstly, I would always suggest to the tenant to try to resolve the situation amicably with the neighbours in a friendly manner, asking them if there has been a party or special celebration – to see if it could have been a one off incident. If this wasn’t the case and they are continually noisy, I would suggest speaking to the neighbours about the noise and ask them if they wouldn’t mind ‘turning it down’, in a calm and friendly manner. If there is an adverse reaction to this, I would recommend a formal letter to the neighbours asking for their consideration to the tenants. If this is met with hostility it would leave you no option but to contact your local council and they will take the matter further.

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Charity Special!

There are some fantastic charities in York that do wonderful work in our city, and twice a year we dedicate some of our pages to a couple of them. In our charity special this month we’re focusing on SNAPPY, a great organisation which offers play provision for children and young adults in York, and the marvellous St Leonard’s

Hospice, where care is provided for people with life-threatening illnesses. Read on to hear about the vital work both charities do, their upcoming fundraising events and ways that you can get involved, as well as some inspiring stories from the people who benefit from them.

Make it

Snappy!

Snap out of it and see how you can help this local charity.

Local charity Special Needs Activities and Play Provision for York (better known as Snappy) seeks to maximise the personal development of children and young people with special needs in York.

Started 27 years ago by a small group of parents looking for something for their children to do during the summer holidays, the charity now runs projects and schemes all year round for young people aged between five and 25. They aim to give the children the best possible experiences; from play groups at the charity’s headquarters in The Groves, to

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abseiling down cliffs!

Snappy caters for more than 270 children and young people, all with a range of disabilities and special needs. Taking care of them are a dedicated team of 100 volunteers, aged from 16-78, who generously donate their time and talents.

But despite the fantastic and vital work Snappy does, it receives no funding other than what they can raise. They are solely dependent of the generosity of the community – and the amazing money-raising skills of the young people themselves.

A typical day at Snappy Snappy offers a wide variety of set activities as well as an opportunity for free play. In a typical day the kids can…

• Sing, dance and play with musical instruments • Get active whilst playing outside • Play in the sensory room • Create something arty • Go out on trips • Cook meals • Hang out with friends

Going for the

century Snappy’s Saturday Scheme is one of the most popular gatherings with the children and young people.

For ages five to 17, it’s an opportunity to play, socialise and spend one-to-one time with many of the multi-talented volunteers – and also a great chance for parents to hit the Saturday shops knowing their children are in a safe and welcoming environment. But the scheme is in trouble. To ensure the children can keep coming back every week Snappy must raise £10,000 each year – and that’s the reason for Club 100.

Club 100 is an opportunity for 100 York businesses and individuals to donate £100 each year to the Saturday Scheme. The sponsorship would mean close involvement with Snappy, who would in turn provide a certificate of registration and add you to the Club 100 list. This includes publicity on their website, mentions in their newsletters and at their Annual Governors Meeting and other fund raising events. A pledgee will also receive information about the scheme, what the children are up to and what adventures they go on.

If you own a business and would like to join Club 100, or if you’re an individual who would like to donate, visit www.snappyyork.co.uk/ Members or call 640562.

Volunteer Interview:

Alexander McNeil “Get stuck in… and enjoy it!”

25-year-old Alexander, a working doct or at Scarbourgh Hospital, talks about the fun he had volunteering at Snappy – and how it helped him to choose his career path.

“I used to live next door,” says Alex, “and my mum suggested I pop round and say hello.” Alex began as a volunteer by simply playing with the children. “It was a no-p ressure environment – we’d just play and have fun. I voluntee red as much as I could, and went back as often as possible.”

Alex was promoted to the position of manager for the Senior Snappy scheme, working with young peop le aged from 18-25.

“I really enjoyed the annual parties. We’d all go out for a big meal and then on to a club. I never felt like their carer, I felt like their friend out for a few drinks.”

When asked what he thought a good Snappy volunteer needs, Alex says you need to bring your skills to the table. “If you’re a musician, bring your guitar. If you’re an artist, set up an art table. The most important thing is to have an open mind and be prepared to play. Just get stuck in… and enjoy it!”

Did volunteering at Snappy help in his decision to become a doctor? “Absolutely! Before I started at Snappy I had no idea what I wanted to do. Because of Snap py I knew that I wanted to help people for a living.” n If you are interested in voluntee ring at Snappy call 640562 or email snappyvolunteers @btconnect.com

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Exciting Events Being involved with Snappy doesn’t just mean volunteering or donating money. By simply attending one of their special fundraising events you are already helping the children and young people live happier lives.

5th August: Run For All York 10K. Fiona Sefton, whose son Adam has attended Snappy for eight years, is running the York 10K to raise much needed funds for the charity. Go along to the day and cheer her on. Sponsor Fiona by visiting www.justgiving.com/ Adam-SNAPPY 15th September: Snappy’s Charity Ball at the Royal York Hotel. A black tie, dress to impress ball, in the beautiful surroundings of the Royal York. Welcome drinks served on the York Wheel, followed by a four-course dinner. Incredible entertainment from Celebrity Jazz, along with a raffle, fun

and games and charity auction. Tickets: £49 per person, £450 for a table of ten.

Call 07786 632892.

29th September: HUGE concert at York Racecourse. Get suited, booted and dressed in your best for a swanky night of music and fun. Popular local band HUGE will be rocking the main stage at the Knavesmire centre complete with a range of other entertainment, a buffet supper and the raffle of an antique diamond ring. For tickets, call 640562.

October (date TBC): A Snappy night of pampering. Spoil yourself rotten with the finer things in life, including cupcakes!

See www.snappyyork.co.uk for more details. n To keep up to date with all the latest goings-on at Snappy, search Snappy York on Facebook and follow them on Twitter: @ SNAPPYYork.

Snappy’s tireless work does not stop when the children reach adulthood – in fact it takes it up a notch.

The Senior Snappy club is mainly for young people aged from 17-25, who meet every Thursday evening. Just like any other group of young people they go clubbing, hit the local cinemas, pubs and bars and enjoy meals out.

Along with a small team of volunteers, the group learn life skills such as handling their finances, cooking their own meals, relationships

36

and sexual health and learning how to live independently. As with all of Snappy’s schemes, the Senior Snappy group receives no funding and so therefore must find it all themselves. In the past the group have been so inventive with their fund-raising, from bag-packing at a local supermarket to hosting gigs at City Screen, that it earned them a Duke of Edinburgh Community Initiative Award. n If you are interested in working with the Senior Snappy group, call 640562

ur pub!

Snappy needs yoking – but they

Parent testimonial:

Fiona Sefton

Fiona has been involved with Snappy for eight years, since her son Adam started attending the after school programme.

“It was perfect for me, as back then I was studying for my degree in the evenings and it was great to know Adam was somewhere safe and having fun,” says Fiona. Adam, who has in the past taken part in the summer and Easter schemes as well as attending on Saturdays, has now reached the age to join the Senior Snappy group. “It’s not school, nor is it home,” says Fiona.

“It’s somewhere else. There are fewer rules and far more freedom at Snappy.

Adam plays, he meets people… generally has lots of fun!”

Fiona, who is participating in the Run For All York 10K in aid of Snappy, was able to complete her degree and later secure a job because of the time Snappy gave her. Adam’s weekly get-together with his friends at Snappy is a chance for Fiona, and other parents, to have time to themselves. “It’s invaluable time, especially for families with other children who may feel they get less attention than their siblings with disabilities. It’s a lifeline and the whole family benefits.”

Fiona is running the Run For All York 10K on 5th August to raise money for Snappy. To sponsor her, visit www.justgiving.com/Adam-SNAPPY

y drin No, the kids haven’t started heav own a pub in York, you If se. hou lic do need your pub fancy speaking to the know someone that does or if you help Snappy. They landlord of your local, then you can regular quiz nights are looking for pubs and bars to host ded to start – except a and already have everything nee to boost local business venue. Quiz nights are a great way masters on the task, it’s and with Snappy’s dedicated quiz her information, certain to be great evening. For furt call 640562.

Clear out the junk with Snappy’s help

Do you have anything you would like to get rid of? If you have something for sale then Sna ppy would be happy to add it to the For Sale page on thei r website – completely free of charge! If you’re interested contact them on snappycroc@btconnect.com

Snap to it!

volunteer your time If you’ve been inspired to donate, ppy then visit their or just to find out more about Sna

.uk, website at www.snappyyork.co call 640562. or m email snappycroc@btconnect.co and follow them on Search Snappy York on Facebook Twitter: @SNAPPYYork

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Caring for Local People St Leonard’s Hospice in York has been caring for local people with life-threatening illnesses, and for their families, for more than 27 years. The Hospice never makes a charge for its services, and relies on the generosity of the local community for 70 per cent of its £3.4 million annual running costs.

Volunteers – in the Hospice itself and in its eight shops, as well as

people running one-off and regular fundraising events - are vital to St Leonard’s. And volunteers say they find friendships, gain extra skills and know they are making a real difference.

Hospice, and read how the last days of Diane’s mother were peaceful, contented and happy there.

And if you’re inspired to help, too, there are plenty of opportunities – not least the ‘It’s a Knockout’ fundraising event in September, which should not be missed!

Patients and their families have plenty of praise for the work of St Leonard’s.

Read on to see how Joe’s life has been transformed by Daycare at the

Lots of people are apprehensive about visiting a hospice, but Joe’s story shows how vibrant a place the Hospice is, and how the staff and volunteers make the experience of all the patients as positive and comfortable as possible.

Six months after a two-week stay in the InPatient Unit when he needed specialised care, Joe Cowan’s Macmillan Nurse suggested he attend Daycare at the hospice once a week, and he settled in immediately. “You don’t want for anything,” says Joe. “The staff understand you and are so patient – whoever picks them knows what they are doing. The volunteers are fantastic too.”

Joe now really looks forward to his weekly visits. “No two days are the same - sometimes I enjoy a game of domino’s, other days a spruce up by the Hairdresser or a massage from the Complementary Therapist, and then there are days when I just sit and chat with the other patients. We don’t often talk about our problems

Y H T A YORKSHIRE AND HUMBERSIDE

TEACHERS

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Quality blinds

you know, just whatever the topic of conversation is.”

Joe loves working with his hands and Adi, the Artist-in-Residence, noticed Joe’s flair with a paintbrush and encouraged him to begin using acrylics. “I haven’t painted since school,” Joe says, “But I have taken to it like a duck to water! I especially like painting ships and now I even have a small collection that takes pride of place at home.”

“It’s a very enjoyable and relaxing day, and it gives my wife a break too,” Joe adds. “She loves gardening when the weather is good and she reads an awful lot, so she gets the chance to do these things and have some time to herself while I’m at St Leonard’s.”

The Hospice’s Daycare welcomes up to 14 patients each weekday. They come from their homes to the Hospice to enjoy companionship, support and care, as well as activities of all sorts.

since 1984

27 Years of Care

St Leonard’s has come a long way since the idea for a Hospice was put forward in 1978. Here are some of their milestones...

1978 - The idea of a hospice in York is suggested by four local members of the Royal College of Nursing, and a public meeting was held to gauge support. The steering committee is formed by Trevor Copley, who remained Chairman of the hospice until 2002.

1978-1982 - Informal fundraising gets underway.

Can You Help?

There are volunteering opportunities at St Leonard’s Hospice at the moment which offer a fulfilling and rewarding way to make a difference:

Bereavement SupporterS Are you a good listener? A valued aspect of Hospice care is the offer of support to the family after a patient’s death. Training will take place between autumn 2012 and spring 2013.

Gardener A strong, fit person with an interest in plants is needed to join the gardening team on Thursday mornings.

Qualified Hairdresser This is a role that’s particularly appreciated by the patients at the Hospice. The team require a volunteer hairdresser who could offer a few hours every month on a relief basis.

Ward Helpers Ward Helpers usually work in pairs and help to serve meals to patients.

They keep the pantry area clean and tidy and take time to chat to patients.

The team particularly need Ward Helpers on Sundays at the moment. n For more information, or to find out about other roles, call 01904 77 77 65 or visit www. stleonardshospice.org.uk

May 1982 - Archbishop Stuart Blanch launches an appeal for £750,000.

November 1983 - Archbishop John Habgood lays the foundation stone.

February 1984 - The Day Hospice opens for one day a week.

February 1985 - First in-patient is admitted.

September 1990 - 1000th in-patient is admitted.

December 1990 - Extensions added with space for physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

June 1995 - 2000th in-patient is admitted.

October 1998 - £2 million Millenium Appeal is launched.

October 2000 - Foundation stone of annexe is laid by Archbishop Dr David Hope.

July 2001 - £2 million appeal target is reached.

July 2001 - HRH The Duke of York officially opens the new facilities.

December 2005 - Archbishop John Sentamu becomes President of the Hospice.

December 2009 - Hospice@Home scheme is launched.

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Diane’s Story Diane’s mum, Maureen Williams, spent six weeks at St Leonard’s Hospice as an inpatient. Diane explains how important the care at the Hospice was to her mother and the whole family.

“Seeing Mum being wheeled into the ambulance to go to St Leonard’s was heartbreaking. Deep down I knew that she would never come home again. Mum had terminal cancer and in April 2009 she had suffered a massive stroke, which had left her severely disabled. With the help of family, friends and an army of carers, we had managed to keep her at home for a year, but in the last few weeks she had become so ill that she needed more care than they could provide.

“It wasn’t Mum’s first visit to St Leonard’s.

For a few weeks she had been attending Daycare on Wednesday afternoons. For someone completely housebound, those afternoons were the high point of her week.

She loved to chat to the staff and tried her hand at various arts and crafts. I still treasure a beautiful watercolour of a poppy field she painted for me during that time.

“But now, Mum was entering St Leonard’s as an in-patient. She was frightened – and so was I. But that fear disappeared within moments of arriving. Everyone was so warm and welcoming, and I could see Mum visibly

40

relaxing. She knew she was among friends.

I could go back home to London, knowing that she was in safe hands.

“Mum stayed at St Leonard’s for six weeks altogether and I can honestly say that it was a very happy time. When I came up at weekends, she was cheerful and relaxed.

Thanks to some excellent medical care, much of the confusion and memory loss she had been suffering disappeared and we had proper conversations once more.

“Mum moved on from the Hospice to a nursing home where she passed away on 28th September 2010. I will always look back on St Leonard’s as a very special place, where Mum was able to find peace and contentment and to come to terms with what was happening to her. For me, it was the place where, for a few short weeks, I got my Mum back. For that I will always be grateful.”

‘Patients who need a short time to stabilise their condition and others who are in the last stage of life, are cared for by the In-patient unit at St Leonard’s Hospice.

The staff aim to give them the best quality of life, maintaining their comfort and their dignity.’

www.stleonardshospice.org.uk

Get Involved!

There are plenty of events going on to raise funds for St Leonard’s Hospice this summer – from a 10K run to an It’s a Knockout challenge! Here are the highlights...

Summer Fair, 1st July, 1-4pm Come along to the grounds of St Leonard’s Hospice and enjoy a wonderfully British summer fair! There’ll be a barbecue, live music and stalls including homemade cakes and crafts. Get stuck into the fun and games with a golf challenge and the test-your-strength contest, and the younger ones can enjoy the big red party bus while the grown ups have a tipple in the Pimms and beer tent!

Run For All York 10K, 5th August Fancy a challenge? Why not join Team St Leonard’s in the Run For All York 10K? The race starts at the Knavesmire and places are currently available through the Run For All website (www.forallevents.co.uk).

Entry for children into the junior or mini run is also free! If you’re not into running, you can still get involved by volunteering to marshal. For further information, call the fundraising department on 777777.

It’s a knockout, 2nd september Sillier, dafter and funnier than ever, the It’s a Knockout challenge at the Knavesmire will see groups of ten battle it out to become this year’s reigning champion. Get your team together! Call Annie on 777777. n If you’d like to keep up to date with all the goings on at St Leonard’s Hospice, search for St Leonard’s Hospice on Facebook and follow them on Twitter: @StLenH

Main office: 708553 / enquiries@stleonardshospice.org.uk Fundraising: 77 77 77 / fundraising@stleonardshospice.org.uk Shops and furniture donations: 409152 / enquiries@slhretail.co.uk

Shop and Help You may well have noticed the eight St Leonard’s Hospice shops in and around York, but have you ever taken a look at their wares?

There are plenty of bargains to be had, with new stock arriving ever y day all gene rously donated to help raise funds for the work of the hosp ice.

There are lots of special events to get involved with, too, including fashion shows and coffee mor nings, so it’s a great way to meet people if you fancy getting involved. Working in the shops is a rewarding and interestin g volunteering role, too, with the staff forming close bond s with one another and customers.

Want to donate, but not sure what you can give? All of the St Leonard’s shops accept used stamps, mobile phones for recycling, foreign coins and broken jewe llery. Got a new sofa, and happy to donate your old one? The Furniture Shop on York Road in Acomb can collect it for you to sell in-store – call 409152. If you’re looking for good qual ity furniture, it’s a great place to start!

Best of all, of course, all proceeds go towards helping to fund the vital work that’s done at the hosp ice.

n For information about shops, including donations and volunteering, contact 409152 or e-mail enquiries@slhretail.co.uk

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the

guide

The world of gadgets is a bewildering place (trust us, we’ve just been there). Whilst some gadgets are seemingly pointless, others win you over in disbelief that you’ve ever lived your life without it.

We’ve scoured cyberspace to bring you the best gizmos on the market, from the ingenious to the downright bizarre.

The mind boggles…

Shower Power

Null Hull Mmm, summer, is it? Tea on the lawn, strawberries and cream?

But gosh, the little green bits on strawberries don’t half annoy us. If only there was some way… STOP, there is. The Stem Gem Strawberry Huller is just the thing to daintily remove the stems of every Wimbledon fan’s favourite snack. We tried it out in the office, one hot and sticky day, and the results were very tasty. Although a bit fiddly and messy to begin with, once you perfect your aim you’ll be enjoying perfectly hulled strawberries in time for Murray to lose again. Check out our video review on our Facebook page. £5.95 from www.cookcraft.co.uk Gadget rating: 9/10

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Hitting the festivals this summer?

Unless you’re in one of the bands, staying in a swanky trailer complete with diamondencrusted bathroom, the chances are you may get a little muddy. But gone are the days when your only chance of a wash at a festival was in the foam party tent, thanks to the Pocket Shower. At just £11.99 this ten-litre capacity pouch, complete with sprinkler head, means that now you can shower anywhere! On a sunny day the specially designed black fabric reservoir will even warm the water and allow you belt out the bathroom ballads for up to seven minutes. Available from www.iwantoneofthose.com Gadget rating: 7/10

Smartphone APPS TuneIn Radio Whether you want to hear music, sports, news or current events, TuneIn Radio offers over 50,000 stations for you to choose from. For free.

Juice Defender Sick of your phone battery running low after twenty minutes?

Install Juice defender to see a radical improvement.

Tasker The ultimate automation app.

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Kobo Not a fan of Amazon’s Kindle app? Try this alternative and discover thousands of ebooks for free or at competitive prices.

Retro Camera Take photos like it’s 1970 on a wealth of old style, retro cameras. Like, say cheese, man!

Solar So Good Whether you’re on the beach, by the pool or at home in the garden we’re certain you’ll want to be keep your friends updated on what a lovely time you’re having this summer. But mobile phone batteries can be somewhat disappointing (especially when you watch as many funny cat videos on You Tube as we do) and you’ll be hard pressed to find a plug socket outside. But what’s that big glowing circle in the sky that hurts to look at? Why it’s the sun. Can I use that to

charge my phone? Yes you can, thanks to the FreeLoader Solar Charger. For only £39.99 these mini solar panels come with an array of adaptors to charge most mobile phones, allowing you tweet, post and ‘lol’ your way through summer. Good old science.

Available from www.firebox.com Gadget rating: 9/10

Pin it down So there you are on the beach sporting your most fashionable bikini or swimsuit and working on that tan.

You look so cool, people are passing by saying “Wow, if only I was as good looking as him/ her.” You smile, honour them with a wave… but then disaster; the wind picks up and blows your beach towel right over your face! “Forget what I just said,” say the passers-by, “they look like a wally!” If only you’d packed a set of Beach Towel Clips (£9.99 for four) to secure that unruly towel. These clever little clips fold up neatly in your case and can pin down a towel on even the blustery of British beaches.

We tried them out on York Beach (the speck of mud under Ouse Bridge), and together with a flock of overlyconfident geese, were very impressed. www.thebeachtowelclip.com Gadget rating: 8/10

Swing low!

Playing outdoors in the glorious summer sun? Pah! We cool kids are all inside, miniature bat in hand and knocking the heck out of a small ball.

Mini Swingball (£9.99) makes for a perfect indoor distraction should the weather this summer be less than we’d hoped for. Children and adults alike will get hours of enjoyment from this miniaturised version of the classic game. We wasted an entire afternoon watching Rachel and Lisa battle it out – one rally lasting close to an hour.

Eventually Lisa triumphed causing Rachel to grab the Mini Swingball and chuck it out of the window. Fortunately the robust build quality ensured it survived. Unlike a certain designer’s dignity.

Available from www.toysrus.co.uk Gadget rating: 9/10

FREE

Courtesy Car Subject to T&C’s

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Our very own ‘Stig’ looks at hot topics in the land of petrol heads App Happy

Wheely Naughty

You’d think that cyclists were law-abiding types, wouldn’t you? Well, apparently 57% of you bad bikers have admitted to jumping red lights in a poll by IAM. And that’s not all – a whopping 73% ride on pavements too! However, it may not be entirely the cyclists’ fault. The main reason giving for jumping red lights is that cyclists feel it’s safer to get ahead of traffic, and many feel they need to

ride on pavements because the cycle path doesn’t join up completely. Plus, a massive 94% of cyclists have spotted a driver cross an advanced stop line at junctions. So, you can’t blame them really… also, 54% say they think cyclists should follow the Highway Code at junctions. We’ll give them a slap on the wrist and let them off then…

We know there’s an app for just about everything, but driving?

Apparently so. Marmalade, an insurance provider that specialises in young drivers, has released a free app that gives you a score out of 100 to tell you how well you’re doing. The app picks up on the motion of the car and detects how smooth the driving is, and therefore how careful a driver you are. The thinking behind the app is to reduce insurance premiums and encourage people to review their driving and improve. For all you speed freaks, though, don’t worry – you’re secret’s safe, as the app doesn’t record how fast you were going. You’ll also be able to compare scores with friends on social media.

Miaowch!

Does your car seem to be losing power? Check your engine – there might be a furry friend hiding there.

A driver in Brazil was experiencing problems with his vehicle seeming sluggish, when he popped the bonnet to have a look and to his shock found a kitten trapped in the exhaust system. He took the car to a garage, where the mechanics noticed that the feline was still alive! They rushed the car part with the kitten inside to a nearby fire station, where it was set free before being taken to a sanctuary to recover.

Birch Park Vehicle Test Centre £15

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your motors

Dangerous Formula

Potty Power!

Let’s be honest, we never move as fast as when we’re desperate for the loo.

That’s the theory (we assume) behind the recent land speed record attempt in Australia – for a motorised toilet.

Jolene Van Vugt, a former Canadian motocross champion, managed an impressive 46 mph on her converted commode, smashing the previous attempt by 4.5 mph. Guinness are yet to confirm the record, and before they do we have a question: what does the powerful privy use for fuel?

Fun Fact: The most expensive city in the world to park in is London, where it can cost up to £578.87 per month. Ouch!

You could be forgiven for thinking that the Formula One drivers have it easy – it’s basically just having a little drive around a track for a couple of hours, right? Well, apparently there’s more to it than that. The Sauber team have released a Youtube video that shows a racecar sliced in half, and just sitting in it is a lot more difficult than it looks.

The driver’s bottom is just 10mm above the tarmac, and the fuel tank sits 5cm behind the seat. Apparently, the driver is safe(ish) though, as they’re protected by a carbon chassis. We still think we’ll stick to driving our little runaround, thanks.

Classic!

Are you a classic car enthusiast who tinkers, fiddles and endlessly cleans their four-wheeled pride and joy?

Well you’re in luck. As of November this year any car that predates 1960 will be exempt from the MoT test. It seems that all that loving attention you pay your motor has paid off with the government who now consider classic car enthusiasts to be some of the most careful and meticulous vehicle owners in the country. Great news, especially for cars that may only travel a few hundred miles each year.

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A breath of fresh air

Cycling City has already vastly improved the cycling provisions in York, and now i-Travel York will cast the net wider to provide practical and useful information on how to get around the city in other eco-friendly ways.

enhancements so that the residents of York have a wider choice of travel choices. “The main focus of changes will be in the north of the city, where there are high numbers of short car trips to employment and retail destinations,” says Graham. “We want to inspire the people of York to help look after our city by considering their travel options before making a journey.”

iTravel York will continue to build on the success of Cycling City York, a community-led partnership that was awarded government funding to encourage more people to cycle, and to develop York’s facilities for cyclists.

This month, i-Travel York will launch a website providing information on how to get around the city using a range of sustainable methods, including car sharing, using the bus, cycling, walking or riding a scooter, moped or motorcycle.

The aim is to reduce congestion and keep everyone moving, which will have the knock on effect of helping to reduce CO2 levels and improve air quality in the city.

“All these modes of travel, when used for daily short journeys of just a few miles, can contribute to the reduction of congestion,” explains Graham Titchener, Programme Manager at i-Travel York. “Our vision is that the i-Travel York programme will reduce congestion and emissions so as to

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reduce the impact of transport on the environment and enhance York’s prosperity and growth potential.”

The website will be full of both useful advice and practical information on how to get to various destinations in York via a range of sustainable travel options. For example, if you’re cycling to a York 800 event the website will explain which route to take and where to securely park your bike. If you want to car share there will be

information about providing lifts or finding someone who’s offering a lift to where you want to go, and bus routes will be described in more detail so website users can see which service will get them to a particular destination for shopping, leisure or business purposes.

The programme will deliver an integrated programme of personal, business and school travel planning combined with targeted infrastructure

Cycling will still be big on the agenda too – the Festival of Cycling is set to go ahead in September at Rowntree Park, and i-Travel York will be taking part in the national Summer of Cycling initiative, which encourages cyclists to get a ‘saddle-shy’ friend to get on a bike – visit www.summerofcycling. net for details on prizes and how to pledge!

There’ll be plenty of changes taking place over the next three years to make York a more sustainable and pleasant city, so to keep updated visit www.itravelyork.info

your motors

Motor On The boot is packed to bursting, the roof rack is loaded and sagging and the kids are belted up in the back – already asking if they are there yet. And then – NO! – the engine won’t start, stranding you on the drive with the dream of your holiday starting to crumble. You should’ve got rid of the whole car when you first heard that weird noise, and got yourself down to Copmanthorpe Motor Sales. With 47 years of experience and offering an extensive range of second hand cars, Copmanthorpe Motor Sales, Main Street, Copmanthorpe, can provide the right car at the right price. They stock most makes and models including Audi, Vauxhall, Ford, BMW and Volkswagen with prices to fit most budgets. Call 703467.

Car Heaven When we were children it was so simple; sitting in the laundry basket, rocking this way and that on the living room carpet, shouting ‘beep beep’ and ‘vroom’. But as an adult affording a new car can be slightly more difficult.

Fortunately we have Affordable Cars to help us, situated on Cotton Lane, just off the A64. With an extensive range of second hand cars featuring all makes and models, Affordable Cars can provide the right car at the right price and can offer very competitive finance deals to cater for your specific needs. Part exchanges are welcome and all cars are professionally valeted.

from £99

Paul Garland Ltd

A64 TADCASTER COLTON LANE

Service & MOT

BRIDGE

n Call 01937 834484 or visit www.affordable-cars.co.uk

A64 YORK

MCDONALDS AFFORDABLE CARS

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Whether it’s about false lashes or foundation we can help!

IN ASSOCIATION WITH KUKI HAIR & BEAUTY SPA 367 HUNTINGTON ROAD, YORK TEL: 01904 659007 www.kukispa.com Kuki Hair & Beauty Spa are here to help with all your questions and answers on achieving that look without breaking the bank.

Here’s some help from the experts at Kuki on how to protect your skin in the sun.

Everyone likes to have fun in the sun, but sunburn isn’t much fun at all! Make sure you protect your skin by following my top tips.

Q. There are so many products on the market – which are the best for my skin?

You’re right, there are so many sun protectors out there it’s difficult to know which to choose. Always choose one containing no fragrances or perfumes as these irritate the skin and can cause prickly heat. Avoid oils as they are usually low protectors.

Q. When should I use sun protector?

If you have a beauty question, write to us at the address on page five, or email info@yourlocallink.co.uk.

Don’t forget to mark your question ‘Q & A’.

I use it every day whether it is sunny, raining or cloudy.

Think of it as a daylight protector rather than a sun protector, as we are constantly damaging or skin from rays. Obviously when it isn’t sunny the UV rays are at their weakest but I believe it is better to always try to look after our skin and help slow down the ageing process.

Q. How can I be safe in the sun?

Whether on holiday or at home, you can protect yourself by following these simple rules: • Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm.

• Make sure you never burn.

• Aim to cover up with a T-shirt, hat and sunglasses.

• Remember to take extra care with children.

• Then use SPF15+ and keep re-applying.

Q. What products do you recommend?

I have used Dermalogica for over ten years now and I swear by it. It does not contain fragrances or perfumes but does contain natural soothing ingredients. I wear it every day no matter what the weather!

Q. I have age spots – how can I get rid of them?

Age spots, sometimes called liver spots, are a form of pigmentation. The small, dark spots are found generally on the hands and face, but any area exposed to the sun can be affected. Treatments are available on the market to remove or fade age spots.

n If you would like to visit our salon to receive a free Face Mapping Consultation and for help and advice on sun damage, give us a call. For personal and professional advice contact Lisa Carlyle, KUKI HAIR & BEAUTY SPA 01904 659007. Or visit our website www.kukispa.com or email mail@kukispa.com

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• Spa day packages inc. lunch • Semi permanent make-up • Hair studio inc. extensions/wefts • Caci/microdermabrasion • Line Fillers/Radiesse Treatment • Group parties • Mens Treatments

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Kuki Hair & Beauty Spa, Water Meadows, 367 Huntington Road, York YO31 9HR On-site car park available 48

IN ASSOCIATION WITH KUKI HAIR & BEAUTY SPA. 367 HUNTINGTON ROAD, YORK TEL: 01904 659007

Emergency Makeover!

When Lauren needed a hairdresser urgently on the day of her prom, she was really worried that she wouldn’t be able to get an appointment or the quality of the hairstyle wouldn’t be great. However, thanks to the experts at Kuki her special day was saved!

“I’d been looking forward to my prom for ages, so I was desperate to find a hairdresser that could help,” says Lauren. “The team at Kuki really helped me to relax and one of the most special days in my life was made complete by the way they pampered me and helped to create the finishing touch to my outfit. It was lovely!”

Kuki offer fantastic prom and special occasion packages, from styling hair in an up-do and painting nails for £25, to putting hair up, spray tanning, painting nails, shaping eyebrows and applying make up for £60. There are lots of great gift vouchers available too. It’s the perfect gift for a bride-to-be or for pampering A Level students after their recent hard efforts. n For further information, call 659007 or visit www.kukispa.com

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visit www.york-sport.com or email info@york-sport.com

IN ASSOCIATION WITH KUKI HAIR & BEAUTY SPA. 367 HUNTINGTON ROAD, YORK TEL: 01904 659007

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HOT Make a Statement Statement print trousers are officially in, and we’re already big fans. What better way to embrace the summer sun than with a pair of bright and bold pants?

It can easily go wrong and look too much if you wear top-to-toe print, but if you team the trousers with a plain, neutral top then you’re onto a winner. Plus, they’re best worn in a flattering wide-leg cut, so they’re comfy and cool too!

To The Max We’re bidding a cheery hello to the maxi dress, set to be big again this summer. The trend is so easy to wear that even we struggle to get it wrong, and the cut is oh-soforgiving that it skims over even our lumpiest bumps. Buy wisely, and you’ll be able to wear it to a number of

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occasions – weddings, evenings out with friends – and it’ll still be wearable come autumn if you throw on a shrug. Definitely an investment worth making this summer.

Eye, Eye Now, we know how temperamental the British summer can be, but if the sun does decide to peep its head out then the last thing we want is eyeliner running down our face, blinding us.

So, we’re making an effort to keep the slap to a minimum – think Vaseline to give definition to lashes and provide lips with a bit of shine, and a smudge of kohl pencil just on the outer corners of the eyes. Pop your hair in plaits or loose bunches and you’ll look effortlessly boho chic, instead of like a melted clown.

NOT Whiter Than White We’ve heard that floaty white clothing is set to be big this summer, and frankly we’re scared. Mainly because in our experience that colour seems to act like a magnet for tomato-based products, with the end result looking like a terrible accident in a pasta sauce factory. White clothes plus any kind of food is an awful combination, and we ain’t prepared to go hungry.

Pleathered We spotted a pair of pleather leggings on the train the other day. They were attached to a person, too, which only made matters worse. If you’re reading this, love, please don’t do it to yourself. Granted, you had fantastic pins, but pleather is just hideous. It’s unflattering and too shiny. Unless you’re a member of Right Said Fred who has recently turned vegan, we suggest leaving it well alone.

We adore this floaty maxi dress from Next, £68.

IN ASSOCIATION WITH KUKI HAIR & BEAUTY SPA. 367 HUNTINGTON ROAD, YORK TEL: 01904 659007

OPTREX ActiMist Eye Spray Hot weather, air conditioning and staring at a screen can all make our eyes dry and tired, so we were thrilled to be sent some eye spray to try. You spray it onto closed eyelids, and it works by replenishing the eyes’ natural moisture barrier and improving the hydration of the eyelids and the skin around the eyes. The mist is fine and doesn’t smudge your makeup, though we’re not sure the effect could last for as long as the ‘up to four hours’ that the packet claims. Still, on a hot day it’s a great boost and is really refreshing – and is much easier to apply than eye drops. £11.99 Superdrug www.superdrug.com

Supergoop Sun Wipes Ever had a bottle of suncream leak in your handbag, leaving all of its contents in a sticky mess? We reckon that’s happened once too often to the people at Supergoop, who have made these rather innovative wipes.

They’re impregnated with SPF30 UV protection and don’t leave skin feeling greasy like sun lotion can do, but we still think we’d feel safer with a good dollop of cream rather than a wipe. That said, we reckon they’re great to keep in your bag in case of emergencies, or to top up with sunscreen while out and about.

RRP: £30 for a pack of 40 wipes Huggle www.huggle.co.uk

IN ASSOCIATION WITH KUKI HAIR & BEAUTY SPA. 367 HUNTINGTON ROAD, YORK TEL: 01904 659007

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Developing skills

Now that summer’s here, it’s time to get fuzzfree. But don’t fret! Marcelle from Heavenly Nails and Beauty is here to help, and make the experience as pain-free as possible. Offering wonderful waxing treatments that don’t cost the earth, Marcelle provides a fully mobile service and can pamper you in the comfort of your own home, which is really convenient – we know, she visits our office every month! If you haven’t had time to hit the beach yet this summer, Marcelle’s on call with a spray tan service which will get you glowing in no time – and stop you from looking pasty when you brave the bikini!

Not only can the marvellous Marcelle make you as smooth as the proverbial baby’s bottom, she offers a fantastic array of nail treatments including both Minx and Shellac nails, which look superb and can really express your personality. If it’s

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Race offer!

Full set of acrylic nails £20 Shellac fingers and toes - £25 more of a relaxing pamper session you’re after, Marcelle can massage all those knots out of your body, leaving you feeling refreshed and tensionfree. Her reflexology is incredible, too – our Gini can’t go a month without her fix.

Fancy getting the girls round for a pampering night in? Marcelle can cater for groups too – what a great way to celebrate the sun! n To find out more, or to make an appointment, call Marcelle from Heavenly Nails & Beauty on 077106 69945 or 491196.

Hypnotherapy is a fascinating tool that’s used really effectively to treat a range of phobias and addictions, so it’s no wonder that the training courses at Yorkshire Hypnotherapy Training are so popular. The next courses in York, led by qualified hypnotherapist Debbie Waller, begin in September – and there’s an early bird discount available until 11th July, so now’s the time to enrol! There are two options on offer: you can take the Foundation course, which provides a comprehensive introduction to hypnosis and hypnotherapy, while the Practitioner level course qualifies you to be able to open your own practice. As part of the course, too, you’ll receive a Diploma in Smoking Cessation from the College of Integrated Therapies, so you can begin your career with a specialism in one of the most popular areas for clients. The new course is recently validated and is accredited by a number of professional bodies, so you can rest assured that the training you receive will be thorough and of fantastic quality. Time is running out, though – you must enrol at least one month in advance and it’s advisable to apply by 11th August to be sure you get a place. n For further information call 01977 678593 or visit www.yorkshirehypnotherapytraining.co.uk

No illusion Gymnastics is the perfect kind of exercise for young boys and girls, helping to develop balance and agility, as well as promoting health and fitness. That is why Illusions Gymnastics are now offering a range of gym classes for children aged two and up, at The Global Centre just off Boroughbridge Road. The sessions are run by experienced, qualified coaches and are now open in perfect time for the summer holidays. Be it morning, afternoon or full-day classes, there’s bound to be something for your child to leap into. n Call 07751 356247 or visit www.illusionsgc.co.uk

IN ASSOCIATION WITH KUKI HAIR & BEAUTY SPA. 367 HUNTINGTON ROAD, YORK TEL: 01904 659007

Let’s Talk About... with Jane Tai

Work / Love Balance Do You Love What You Do For A Living? Most people don’t. Most people go to work to support their lifestyle, or just to pay the bills. Work is just a drag that you have to do. To ease the tedium and stress of work, we try to find a good work/life balance, where we get to spend some time doing the things that we really enjoy, our hobbies, sports, spending time our families and friends, relaxing. But then on Monday morning we have to drag ourselves back to work for another week.

If you’re over 50 and in need of some gentle and social exercise, then perhaps Pilates is the activity for you. It’s is a fantastic way for both men and women to take low-impact exercise in a fun and friendly environment. Not only can it help improve balance and core stability, but it’s great for your posture – all of which can help a person to live longer. The great news is that City of York Council have added extra Pilates classes due to popular demand, so it’s now even easier to get fit and active. There is even a programme specifically run for people with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Sessions run every Tuesday and also on Saturday for the arthritis class. For more information call 552424.

Village Life York Sport Village, a new £9 million sports facility near the Grimston Bar Park and Ride, will open to the public next month. The centrepiece of the development, which is funded jointly by the University of York and City of York Council with support from Sport England, is a competition-standard eight lane 25-metre pool.

In addition, the venue will feature a learner pool, a fitness suite, three studios that will host dance, spin and aerobics sessions, a full size 3G astroturf pitch and three further five-a-side pitches. Plus there’s a sauna, steam rooms and a cafeteria to enjoy. There’ll be a forum for feedback from users, too, so you can ensure your opinion on the facilities gets heard! The activities and facilities are open to both members and non-members at competitive prices, and you can register interest now at www.york-sport.com.

What If Work Was Play? What if you loved what you did for a living so much that it actually felt like play? What if you loved your work so much that you almost felt you should be paying to go and do it! What if time just sped by when you were working and you felt disappointed at the end of the day when it was time to stop? Wouldn’t that be great? Balancing out the work element completely by loving what you do, instead of trying to anaesthetise it with work/life balance!

What Would You Do? Just imagine for a moment, that you could get paid whatever you need to do anything at all….what would you chose to do? You can go anywhere, do anything, there are no limitations. What would you love to do?

To ease the tedium and stress of work, we try to find a good work/life balance

What’s Stopping You? For most people it’s fear. Are you afraid that you couldn’t make enough money doing it? That you wouldn’t be good enough? You wouldn’t know where to start?

Are you worried about what other people would think? How your family would react? Are you afraid of having to move to a smaller home, or a different area? That you wouldn’t be able to provide the things that you do now for your family?

What Would Have to Happen? For you to get work/love balance, instead of settling for work/life balance? How can you start to make those things happen? Make a list of all the things that would have to happen or that you would have to do. That’s the elephant. You don’t eat an elephant whole, you just start.

You Can Make A Living Or Design A Life Want to know more about how to do the work you’d love to do and make a living doing it? Give me a call on Freephone 0800 083 1681 and let’s talk!

Jane Tai (GHR Registered) – Oxford graduate and former highflying lawyer, who knows what it’s like to stop working to live and start living to work.

“My mission is to help people who are stuck in some area of their life to break out of old patterns, fears and habits, get unstuck fast and learn how to stop the struggle with life and thrive. If you want to change your habits, transform your life, be radiantly happy, full of energy and enthusiasm then call me now on FREEPHONE 0800 083 1681 and get ready to re-create your life.”

Call Jane Tai on FREEPHONE 0800 083 1681 www.mindworkssolutions.co.uk Find more on my blog www.janemtai@googlemail.com

IN ASSOCIATION WITH KUKI HAIR & BEAUTY SPA. 367 HUNTINGTON ROAD, YORK TEL: 01904 659007

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Family photos would look a bit weird if we weren’t all smiling – that’s why it’s important to have a big healthy grin.

Joseph Douglas

The best way to ensure you’ll always have a winning smile is to take great care of your pearly white gnashers. A strict routine of brushing, flossing and general oral hygiene is important, especially when you consider that millions of people discover they need to be fitted for dentures when they get older. Although dentures can be the answer to regaining that beautiful beam, most of us have probably met someone whose false teeth didn’t fit them very well. The whole appearance of their face may be affected by sagging muscles that make them look much older, and they could have problems eating comfortably. But surely denture wearing doesn’t have to be such an awkward experience?

Joe says, “For many, the transition from tooth loss to wearing dentures can be an emotional time. Many of the patients that attend the clinic recognise they have a broken down and unhealthy mouth and are looking for a long-term solution. Even one missing tooth can have a negative impact on your remaining teeth and oral health. When a tooth is missing the healthy adjacent teeth tend to tilt, rotate and shift, affecting how your upper and lower teeth meet. This causes problems when chewing and has a big impact on surrounding muscles and your jaw joints.”

Housed within Fresh Dental Smile Clinic in Rawcliffe is Changing Faces Denture Clinic. It is home to Joseph Douglas, a highly experienced Clinical Dental Technician, whose expertise is in creating the illusion of natural teeth. Joe can create dentures with

A perfect partnership has been formed between Jenny Kabir, a dentist at Fresh Dental Smile Clinics, and Joe; working together and sharing the same vision. Together they recognise the importance of replacing even

complete finesse and accuracy by treating the patient directly and getting to know them.

a single missing tooth and strive to go above and beyond the usual care and attention of most other dental technicians. They can work together to offer a solution for patients that require a partial denture that: • Stops further damage to your remaining teeth • Prevents your remaining teeth from tilting and moving • Restores your natural smile and general appearance • Makes eating a more comfortable and enjoyable experience Your gender and age – even your personality – will influence the design and construction of your superior set of dentures. Once correctly and expertly fitted, they will revolumise your face and restore your natural smile.

Plus, you’ll be able to munch through your dinner as if you had natural teeth, regaining a comfort and an enjoyment of food that you never realised you’d lost!

n And the best news is that Changing Faces Denture Clinic offer a free 45 minute consultation with no obligation.

You’ll be grinning from ear to ear in no time. For more information visit www.changingfacesdentures.co.uk or call 623687.

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IN ASSOCIATION WITH KUKI HAIR & BEAUTY SPA. 367 HUNTINGTON ROAD, YORK TEL: 01904 659007

Are you a registered organ or blood donor? From 9th-15th July the UK will celebrate National Transplant Week, a fantastic opportunity to highlight the need to increase awareness.

Incredibly, only 28% of us are cardcarrying donors but a staggering 10,000 people need transplants each year.

To register, go to www.organdonation.nhs.uk

Blood donor sessions 4TH JULY 5TH JULY 9TH JULY 24TH JULY

25TH JULY

Best Western Monk Bar Hotel 2-4pm & 5-7pm.

Rawcliffe Pavilion 2-4pm & 5-7pm New Earswick, The Folk Hall 2-4pm & 5-7pm.

Priory Street Centre 10am-12noon & 1-3.45pm.

Acomb Parish Church 2-4pm & 5-7.30pm Fulford, St. Oswalds Church 2-4pm & 5-7pm.

All dates correct at time of going to press. For more details call 0300 1232323.

The executive treatment You are spoilt, you lot. Not only do you live in one of the most beautiful cities in the country, with some of the finest and most luxurious hotels and spas – but now it seems things are getting even better! Lady Anne Middleton’s Hotel, Skeldergate, is renowned for its splendour and opulent surroundings, nestled in a secluded courtyard garden just minutes from the city centre. After the recent conversion of large conference rooms, the hotel now proudly boasts several deluxe executive suites. Ideal for bridal parties and business stays, these sumptuous rooms are decked out with modern furnishings, are all en-suite and are perfect as part of a pampered weekend away. n For more information and to book your stay visit www.ladyannes.co.uk

IN ASSOCIATION WITH KUKI HAIR & BEAUTY SPA. 367 HUNTINGTON ROAD, YORK TEL: 01904 659007

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What’s Your Pledge?

If you had to make a pledge to get more active, what would you do? The overall consensus in the Your Local Link office is a daily race where the winner gets to raid the biscuit tin first, though we’re not sure that’s exactly what the City of York Council are after with their Pledge appeal. In honour of the Olympics the team at City of York Council are encouraging the city’s residents to pledge activity hours – but you don’t have to run a marathon to take part. Whether it’s walking to work one day a week or training for a 10K run, every hour counts – so maybe our biscuit race is okay after all! n To make your pledge, and to find out about the exciting sporting events going on this summer, visit www.yorkgold2012.co.uk

Viva la Vida

Here in the Your Local Link office, some of us are starting to resemble the biscuit barrel that we love so much. We know it’s time to detox, but where do you start? Luckily for us weight loss and detox coach Suzanne Carter, who works at Plush Spa Health, Wellness and Weight Centre in York, is on hand to help – and she’s giving away a four-week weight loss and detox programme to two lucky readers, too!

What’s Included:Information on food intolerances, your very own weight loss folder, easy-to-follow eating plans, shopping lists and menus, three coaching sessions, a liver detox programme for rapid weight loss, free digestive cleanse sachet for an instantly flatter stomach

Be it your prom, a day at the races or just a particularly fancy barbecue, there’s always a reason to glam up during the summer months. If you desire a pampering session in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, confident that the hands you are in are professional and experienced, then look no further than Vida on Boroughbridge Road. Seasoned stylist Dannii is now back from maternity leave and along with the rest of the team can offer packages including a spray tan, a set of acrylic nails and a blow dry, for just £50. Look your very best this summer!

To enter, answer the following question: What is the name of the coach who runs the weight loss and detox programme?

n For further details call 799944.

Hair we go!

a weight loss and detox programme worth £120!

experience With two recent new members to the team, who have almost 40 years of styling Grove, Wain’s on between them, your luscious locks are in good hands at Hairport treatments by Dringhouses. What’s more, throughout July Hairport are offering 20% off all ready for the yourself get to new stylist Joanne Corrington, meaning there’s no better time 709806. sun (whether it comes or not). n Book your session now on

Send your answer (along with your name, address and daytime contact number) on a postcard marked ‘Weight Loss’ to the address on page five – or you can email your answer to info@yourlocallink.co.uk.

The competition ends 20th July, so don’t delay! To find out more about the programme, visit www.scdetox.co.uk

SANDBURN HALL YORK

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IN ASSOCIATION WITH KUKI HAIR & BEAUTY SPA. 367 HUNTINGTON ROAD, YORK TEL: 01904 659007

NG

DI WED

wishlist Happy Campers A family run company in York who specialise in chauffeur driven classic VW campers. ♥ LOVEDUB CAMPERS ♥ 01904 737864 www.lovedubcampers.co.uk

Garden Party, Wedding and beauty exhibition Blackwood Hall, Skipwith Common, Sunday 1st July, 11am-15.30pm ♥ ABBEY ALL EVENTS ♥

We realise it’s not really the right time of year to be dreaming about crisp white blankets of snow and cosy log fires during long dark nights – though at the time of writing this, the weather doesn’t seem too far off winter! However if you’re planning your special day for the cooler months then Sandburn Hall is the perfect venue to host your winter wedding. It will be love at first sight when you take a look at the beautiful

oak-framed Function Hall and arched windows, with stunning views across the golf course and lakes. Their Winter Wedding packages are now available from October to February and include complimentary drinks and canapés for your guests, flexibility on minimum numbers and a variety of menu options. n For details, call 469922 or email weddings@sandburnhall.co.uk

the beechwood close hotel

20th century house. Set in magnificent gardens. Receptions tailor made to make your day special 01904 658378 www.beechwood-close.co.uk

PERFECT PROP HIRE

Add the wow factor to your wedding with visually stunning theming. Thousands of beautiful props. ♥ EVENT PROP HIRE ♥ 0845 09081

‘Say Cheese’

wedding packages

Top quality tailor-made wedding cheese towers and artisan cheese selections for your big day at great prices. ♥ LOVE CHEESE ♥ 01904 622967 www.love-cheese.co.uk

as well as tailor made weddings in beautiful Tudor mansion with stunning grounds. ♥ THE OLD LODGE ♥

www.abbeyallevents.co.uk 01904 656622

CAKES TO ORDER Designed to your requirements. ♥ CELEBRATION CAKES ♥ 01937 831173

www.celebrationcakestadcaster.co.uk

Fletchers Fabrics One of the largest ranges of fabrics for the bride and bridesmaids in The North of England . ♥ FLETCHERS FABRICS ♥ 01904 692984 info@fletchersfabrics.co.uk

Your Wedding, Your Way

Let us plan a day that is uniquely yours.

Packages from £999. ♥ HOLIDAY INN, YORK ♥ 01904 777582

Kate’s flowers

aim to give specialist one to one service to make the wedding flowers of your dreams. ♥ KATES FLOWERS ♥ 01904 705495 55 Moorcroft Road, Woodthorpe

unique Setting The Merchant Adventurers’ Hall provides a truly unique setting for your wedding. This medieval guildhall is over 650 years old. ♥ MERCHANT ADVENTURERS’ HALL ♥ 01904 654818

Be Our Guest

We specialise in wedding parties with a personal service. Private grounds with racecourse view. ♥ KNAVESMIRE MANOR ♥ 01904 702941

IN ASSOCIATION WITH KUKI HAIR & BEAUTY SPA. 367 HUNTINGTON ROAD, YORK TEL: 01904 659007

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After last month’s Chocolate-gate, when we all fell out over the last square of Dairy Milk, we decided to get a man in. We were so impressed with his argument diffusing and tea making skills, we gave him his own monthly column.

A Bad Daddy..

Howard Mosley-Chalk is a father and husband. But more importantly he is a man.

As a boy he assumed he would grow up to be either an astronaut or the king of Middle-Earth, but at 30 he finds himself writing for Your Local Link. These are his (un)manly words.

The other day I took my eighteen month old daughter for a walk.

“Yes,” she said, jabbing a little finger at the road as we passed it.

“No, sweetheart,” I said, kneeling down, wet grass staining my trousers, “we can’t play on the A19.”

She looked up at me, frowned and then screamed “NO!” I persisted. I was firm-yet-fair daddy.

“Sweetheart, we can’t play on the road. Look at all the fast cars. It’s dangerous.”

A chubby palm filled my field of vision.

“No daddy!” she cried. A twisting, squirming, evasive move followed; one

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to make a rugby fly half envious. She dashed toward the busy road. I leapt, caught her by the arm and held on for dear life (during which I imagined my wife’s scariest face shouting “You were playing where?”).

FLOWER POWER A distraction was called for; a trick I’d used many times before. I snatched up a dandelion. “Look, a flower.

Much nicer than speeding traffic.” She stopped in her little tracks and span around, every inch of her face a frown.

I knew fear.

She considered the limp yellow flower in my sweating fingers, brow creasing.

IN ASSOCIATION WITH KUKI HAIR & BEAUTY SPA. 367 HUNTINGTON ROAD, YORK TEL: 01904 659007

opinions and desires. Such as playing in the middle of the A19 between Escrick and Riccall. What I hadn’t been expecting was how quickly it would happen.

Nothing. She kept walking.

I snatched up a dandelion. “Look, a flower. Much nicer than speeding traffic.

“And here, some bluebells!”

No, she marched on. In fact she marched all the way back to the house, stopping only to grumpily wait by the garden gate for me to nervously open it. “Mama!” she declared, and stormed into the kitchen. I meekly followed, feeling thoroughly useless.

She found her mama and, with an aggressive stab of baby sign language, asked for milk. My wife looked me, mouthed ‘What did you do?’ and quickly proceeded to feed her. And there she was, gulping down milk, curled in my wife’s arms and staring daggers of hate at me.

It was then that I realised that the number of women in my life who could legitimately boss me about had just increased by 100%. Our little baby had turned into a little girl.

TWO BOSSES To be honest, I had been expecting it. I was a baby once and so was my wife (and I assume you were too). The thing about babies is that they have the tendency, rude as it may appear, to grow up and begin to have their own

your family

She then started walking, thankfully away from the road and back along the pavement. Ah, I thought, it worked!

Flowers are the key; keep her from harm with flowers. “Look, another one. A daisy!”

Surely it was only a week ago that my daughter appeared (in the conventional manner that doesn’t need explaining here), all helpless and in need of my unrelenting care.

It seems like only yesterday that we were amazed by her first sounds, first laugh, first steps – but all of a sudden its “NO!” and I’m the bad daddy (‘baddy’); he who won’t allow fun and exciting rush-hour play. How did that happen?

Oh well. Maybe it’s a phase she’s going through and in a few months I’ll be her best friend again; she’ll sleep on my chest once more and laugh at all my jokes (why do elephants have big ears? Because Noddy won’t pay the ransom). Or possibly not. Either way, I feel I must prepare myself for the worst and wear a cricket box at all times.

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Time to Play!

You could accuse the Your Local Link team of acting like children some* of the time, and you’d be right. Now, this seems like a perfect day for us: to mark National Playday’s 25th anniversary on 1st August, York is celebrating 800 years of play with a range of fantastic events.

The day celebrates children’s right to play – an entitlement that we exercise fully here at Your Local Link – and this year the events are being incorporated into the York 800 festivities.

New Earswick Bowls Club will be embracing the Olympics fever with lots of indoor sports activities on 1st August – for free!

We’re trying to explain to Mim that just because she’s bigger than the other kids, this isn’t an opportunity for her to challenge the nearest four-year-old to a keepy-uppy challenge. She’s still smarting from the holiday prank... erm, sorry again Mim. n For further information on the New Earswick Bowls Club event call 750230, and for further information about Playday and how to set up your own event, call 553426. *For some, read most...

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The Adventure

Begins...

When we were little, all we had to play with was a broken garden gnome, his little face all cracked and sad. Our sand pit was the construction site next door and our swing set was dangling precariously by a knotted bed sheet from an upstairs window. There were no cushioned surfaces and safety attendants, and each play session would end with someone either spraining or breaking something vital.

So it’s with slightly more than envy that we look to today’s children, dashing around like maniacs, bouncing off padded walls and floors, and generally having a right laugh at Creepy Crawlies. Part of The Web Adventure Park, Wigginton Road, Creepy Crawlies has a treasure trove of areas to explore. There are separate Play Zones incorporating baby and toddler areas, a Sports

Arena, disco area, and a huge play frame for the over fives with Spooky Caves and the Mirror Maze. Little ones can enjoy a variety of role-play and dressing up, musical instruments, craft, puppets and messy play.

The outdoors Adventure Park includes a huge sand and water play

area, netted climbing forest, a den building zone, a jungle bridge and electric quad bike racetrack. Children over eight can try bush craft, survival skills and archery, as well as exclusive pottery painting sessions which are open to both children and adults.

There’s also a Mini Animal Farm with lots of cute animals such as chipmunks, donkeys, ponies, goats, guinea pigs, chickens and giant rabbits. Kids can get to pet some of them and watch during feeding time.

Combine all this with the fact that there is also an eco-friendly synthetic ice rink, Wired High Rope challenges and horse riding and it all adds up to making our plank-of-wood-balancedon-a-rock seesaw seem rather unimpressive. Oh well, we’ll see you there. Call 696003 and visit www. webadventurepark.co.uk

your family

She bakes, she makes, she decorates... frankly there’s nothing our very own domestic goddess Rachel doesn’t know. Every month she’ll be passing on some of her favourite money and time saving tips...

To remove the smell of bleach from your hands, pour some vinegar or lemon juice over them then rinse. It gets rid of that slimy feeling, too!

Spritz your favourite perfume onto a light bulb – it’ll fill the room with the scent when the bulb is turned on and it heats up. Make sure you only spray it on when the bulb is cold, though.

Got any stainless steel kitchen appliances? Use baby oil to wipe away fingerprints.

Those little bits of leftover soap always end up being thrown away – what a waste! Make sure you get every last bit used up by cutting a slit into one side of a face sponge and popping the bit of soap inside.

Air fresheners for cars can be expensive. I like to pop a tissue that I’ve spritzed with Febreze underneath each seat of my car to keep it smelling nice. For really bad odours, I put some ground up coffee beans onto the affected area and leave it for a couple of days to soak up the smell, then just vacuum it up.

Follow RACHEL on blog.yourlocallink.co.uk do you want to host an international student for bright world guardianships?

‘This is a great job and has provided our family with a valuable extra income as well as being lots of fun and a cultural experience for us all.’

Bright World Guardianships Ltd takes care of international children studying at UK boarding schools in the York area. We are looking for families to host our students for some weekends and half terms.

For more information please contact: Lindsay Tribe, Host Family Recruitment Manager lindsay@brightworld.co.uk or call 01273 835745 61

Training the best Growing tired of your job? Ever imagined a new and exciting career?

Now is the time to retrain for a role that will give you the satisfaction you deserve. If you thrive on working under pressure, demonstrating exceptional organisation skills and possess a keen attention to detail, Pitman Training Centre, Davygate, is where you need to go. Established more than a century ago, Pitman have been producing the highest calibre of fully-trained and prepared Personal Assistants for many years, able to work with the highest levels of decision-makers in any organisation. No previous experience is necessary, as Pitman can provide training and help to develop the skills required to succeed. Their Executive PA Diploma is probably the best recognised qualification in its field so it’s no surprise that Pitman Training students are in such high demand.

Recent success stories have seen students take up roles at the United Nations and Vogue magazine, with many others going into the legal sector. The salaries for those who have taken a Pitman Training course range from £20,000-£45,000. So what are you waiting for? n Set your career on the right path by calling Pitman Training on 0333 200 1305.

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The best possible start

This July we celebrate National Childcare Week, a chance to promote the importance of childcare and early years’ provision for children.

From 2nd-9th July The Daycare Trust is helping people understand how important it is to invest time and energy into childcare and activities outside of school.

The focus is on Early Years learning by encouraging parents and carers to ensure their children have the very best of educational foundations. n If you would like more information, or to hold your own event, email publications@daycaretrust.org.uk

Choosing Childcare: What to look for…

With many different child-minders, nurseries and clubs in York to choose from, how do you ensure you are making the right decision for your child? Here are some tips: • Give yourself plenty of time and visit several options in your area to get an idea of what would suit your child.

• Take your child with you and see how the staff talks to him or her.

• Go when other children are there so you can see if they are happy and occupied.

• Are they registered with Ofsted?

If so they will be inspected against a set of national standards.Ask to see a copy of their latest inspection report. n For more information visit City of York Council’s Family Information Service website: www.yor-ok.org.uk

your family

Music Marathon Apparently, last year’s Guitar Weekend wasn’t enough. Lynne and Phil O’Dea from Mor Music have taken on another epic charity raising music challenge, and this time it’s all tied in with the York 800 celebrations, too. The York 800 Mor Music Festival on 7th July will see York’s best local bands take to the stage on Parliament Street for a total of 800 minutes – that’s over 13 hours – to raise funds for the Help for Heroes charity. The couple, who have run the Mor Music shop since 2007, have even been asking celebrities to get involved. “I think it was all inspired by madness, really!” laughs Lynne (we don’t think she means the band). “We wanted the event to be bigger and better than last year, so we’ve been contacting everyone from Arnie to the cast of Corrie to ask them to record sound bites to introduce each band and boost the festival’s profile.” The event will feature refreshments too including alcoholic and soft drinks and a hog roast.

Entry is free – the audience are just asked to donate what they can if they like the music that’s on offer. n For further information, pop into the shop on Fossgate, call 646901 or visit www.mormusic.co.uk

Going for gold Whether you are a collector, a hoarder or an amateur Indiana Jones, Paul Dawson on The Shambles could be your answer to making money from that dusty old coin collection – or even starting a new one! He buys and sells Roman, Greek and Viking coins as well as World War One and Two medals, banknotes, treasurer notes and British and foreign gold and silver. Not only that but Paul also buys and sells gold and offers the most up-to-date prices based on Bullion Desk information. If you have old, broken and unwanted gold jewellery, with Paul’s help you could turn it into cash! His shop is a veritable treasure trove of historical artefacts, new and second-hand jewellery and even fossils! Lose yourself today in the one-stop shop for collectors and history fanatics. n For more information call 654769.

EXPERT TUITION

The Mount School, York Sundays (4pm-6pm) (4pm-6pm) Sundays

t: 01904 642666 & 01904 490339

www.yorkmontessori.com

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Get active!

Web Wonder

The summer months are the perfect time to get into a physical activity or sport. Whether it’s perfecting those soccer skills after school or treading the boards for a drama group, keeping as active as possible is the best way to help your kids battle childhood obesity. July welcomes National Childhood Obesity Week, highlighting the fact that one in three children are overweight and at risk of developing serious conditions such as diabetes and coronary heart disease. But by simply eating healthily and getting more exercise your children will reduce the risk of obesity – and have fun doing it. But they can’t do it without your help!

The week is being championed by MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition… Do it!) who are encouraging adults to make small changes to their family’s diet and exercise routine. n To take part in a MEND programme visit their website www.mendcentral.org

Jazz hands!

Angela Pickup, Principal of Razzamataz Theatre School in York, believes that any kind of physical activity can benefit a child’s wellbeing. “Theatre schools can keep their students motivated. It is far too easy these days for youngsters to become distracted with television or computers and with our country’s growing obesity problem, it is up to theatre schools such as Razzamataz to help solve the problem.” As well as the obvious health benefits, such as improving health and fitness, participation in theatre arts can benefit children in many different areas as they acquire life skills. n Find out more at www.razzamataz.co.uk/schools/york Anyone for tennis?

Caroline Buncall, founder of Tennis Tykes, the fun and educational pre-school tennis programme which currently runs at a number of venues across York, says, “Tennis is a great lifelong sport which can be enjoyed from age two to 82 and not only keeps obesity at bay but also develops a child's physical ABCs of agility, balance and co-ordination.” n To book your child onto one of Tennis Tykes summer courses, call 07843 342662 or visit www.tennistykes.co.uk

Check out our website for five Top Tips on battling childhood obesity. Visit www.yourlocallink.co.uk

Have you discovered York St John?

Come along to one of our open days on: • 18 August • 8 September Visit www.yorksj.ac.uk/opendays to book your place.

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Plenty of us of a certain age would love to get to grips with the internet and computers, but aren’t sure where to begin. Anita of Computer Start offers oneto-one tuition in using email and Google as well as Skype, grocery shopping, tracking family ancestry, saving photos and more – all in the comfort of your own home, using her personal laptop if you don’t have a machine. If you decide to buy your own computer she can set up your broadband and laptop and will install a free anti-virus too.

For older laptops, Anita can arrange for a free health check just to be on the safe side. n For further details call 07944 717019 - or if you’re already online but want to know more, send an email to anita@computerstartyork. com

your family

No kidding

Caring for children is no walk in the park, especially when the park is miles away! That’s why big congratulations are due to the staff of Quackers Playgroup, Copmanthorpe. There’s only six of them, bless ‘em, but two of the gallant carers are due to complete their foundation degrees next month and the Duty Manager has just finished CYC SENo training. Not only that, but a fourth member of the team is just about to be assessed for Early Years Professional Status. Add all that to the fact that Quackers have just been given a UNICEF Rights Respecting Setting Level 1 Award and you’ll be practically throwing your children at them (which is something UNICEF wouldn’t approve of). Well done you lot!

Time to learn It’s never too late to learn something new, and whether you have an interest in languages, home maintenance or just looking for something fun to do with the kids this summer, the WEA York Branch have got the right course for you. The Workers Educational Association is the UK’s largest voluntary-sector provider of adult education, organised by voluntary workers and aiming to provide a varied selection of courses in a friendly and supportive environment for all. The latest brochure detailing their courses, old and new, will be available from early July from libraries and local outlets. n If you would like to receive a brochure by post, call 0113 2453304 or visit www.wea.org.uk/yh

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your family

The switchover from analogue to digital has finally come our way. In Yorkshire some of us get signal from Tyne Tees, which will start the switchover on 12th September. If you get your signal from Tyne Tees and you have Freeview, Top Up or BT Vision, you’ll need to re-tune your equipment on both 12th and 26th September or you will lose channels. If you’ve got satellite or cable then you won’t be affected at all, but if you have analogue TV (five channels or fewer) then you’ll need to convert your TV equipment before 12th September. n You should receive a booklet explaining what you need to do from Digital UK, but for more information call 08456 505050 or visit www.digital.co.uk/tynetees.co.uk

Making improvements With over 25,000 members, The National Osteoporosis Society is the only charity solely dedicated to improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. The society has a dedicated team of 900 volunteers across the UK, and through tireless work they provide unrivalled expertise in the field of fragile bone diseases. On 26th July, at the Novotel on Fishergate, the group will host an Osteoporosis Medical Information Evening to mark improvements in patient services and treatment as well as to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the York Group’s foundation. Speakers will include consultants and medical staff from York Hospital and light refreshments will be available. n To book your ticket for the event call 413623.

Winner 2008 Best Care Employer

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PET TALK in association with MINSTER VETS

Got a problem with your pet?

Tracey Pulleyn of Minster Vets has the answer!

When you see the stray cat it may be worth using a water pistol (but only a small, low pressure one!) which might help deter them. It is important that you regularly treat your cat for fleas and worms with a veterinary licensed treatment and to ensure that vaccinations are kept up to date.

Q. I’m getting my first goldfish and have the tank and filter all set up. What are the essential things I need to know about looking after my fish?

Q. A homeless cat keeps waiting at my door and begging for food. I’m worried that it might pass on diseases or fleas to my cat. How can I deter the cat from returning?

There is a large population of stray cats in and around York which can lead to this problem becoming a

regular occurrence. Lots of people fall into the habit of putting a bowl of food out which encourages the strays to think that all humans are pleased to have them around. I would recommend, if you have a cat flap, to invest in one that is either magnetic or one that works by reading your cat’s identichip.

to disperse, or to use a water dechorinator. Some people either remove the fish and all the contents and then fully clean the tank, but most just change the water so as not to shock the fish.

It is also advisable not to change the filter at the same time as the water. The best method is to clean the filter in the water you are about to discard. I would fill a new

Essential starting material would be a bucket or two, a small net, some old towels and a siphon pump. I would also purchase some water dechlorination liquid. It is advisable that when you change the water that you fill a bucket of water twenty-four hours prior to allow the chlorine

Need help? Write to us at the address on page 5, or email info@yourlocallink.co.uk. Mark your question ‘Pet talk’.

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tank with water at least three days before putting the goldfish in. Try not to overfeed the goldfish as it can lead to the water becoming stale quickly which will require more frequent cleaning.

Q. I have two male dwarf hamsters in the same cage – if I buy a female dwarf hamster can I add it to the same cage?

Firstly I would stress that adding a female to a male environment will lead to mating and multiple babies in a very short time! Because they are quite territorial the best possible way is to move them

your pet

PET TALK in association with MINSTER VETS into different cages so they don’t have anything to protect against.

Introduce them one to one for a short period of time to begin with, placing them next to each other so they can see each other. Be aware that Dwarf hamsters can fight and cause quite serious damage to each other so try swapping the feeding and water bowls to allow them to smell each other’s scent before putting them both in together.

Courses for horses Pigs – the great enigma of the farmyard. Chickens – what are they really up to?

Whether you own or care for a smallholding of animals, or if you’ve ever hoped to, then these are questions that will play on your mind. Fortunately Minster Vets have the answers and are very keen to share them. Their smallholder courses are running throughout July and August and offer expert advice on such topics as poultry diseases, pig handling, breeding and practical techniques for catching and restraining live stock – all held at Askham Bryan College. If you think you could benefit from Minster Vets’ years of experience then book your place now. n Call 709007 or visit www.minstervets.co.uk for dates and times.

Give us a home...

Some friends of ours are looking for home.

Could you offer them the love and care they need?

Gracie is a sweet Labrador girl when she gets to know you. She can be slightly worried around people she has never met before so a quiet patient home is a must, but also someone who can give her the exercise she needs. Please find it in your heart to offer this lovely dog a new home.

Sonny is a Parson Jack Russell who has the sweetest nature. He needs to be with someone who is at home most of the time as he struggles to be on his own. Sonny is very sad in kennels and desperately wants to be part of a loving home. n If you could give any of these dogs a home call: 01904 654 949 or visit RSPCA, Landing Lane, York Corynn is a friendly puss whose owner’s children were allergic to her. Despite this run of bad luck Corynn has kept in good spirits. She’s an affectionate young cat and can’t wait to get back into a proper home environment.

Fred is a little bit shy but when he finally summons up enough courage to properly make your acquaintance you’ll have a friend for life. Like many cats, Fred’s owners had to move and were not allowed pets in their new house. Why not give this splendid chap a chance? n If you’re interested in finding out more about these adorable moggies, or any of the cats at York Cats Protection, call 760356.

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PROPERTY OF THE MONTH

Main Street, Bilbrough - Guide £475,000 A superb 3/4 double bedroom period detached house with an abundance of character and charming period features including beamed ceilings, exposed brick walls and a wonderful feature Inglenook fireplace with wood burning stove. Ground floor: hallway, 2 reception rooms, study/bed 4, country style kitchen, double bedroom and a bathroom/WC. 1st floor: master bedroom with ensuite shower room/WC, a mezzanine and a further double bedroom. The property has double glazing and GCH. Outside to the front the driveway leads to a garage and there is a private courtyard garden and a separate garden room in which to sit and relax.

For more details or to arrange a viewing call

01904 621532

Farriers Lodge New Forge Court, Haxby £499,950 An impressive sitting room with a stylish fireplace and feature gas fire. Formal dining room with double doors leading to the landscaped garden. Downstairs Cloakroom. Stunning kitchen featuring granite worktops, twin built in ovens with induction hob, dishwasher and tall fridge freezer. Tiled floor with underfloor heating to entrance hall, family room, kitchen and utility. Four bedrooms including 3 double, 2 with en-suite and 1 single. Family bathroom has a bath and separate shower and benefits from a tiled floor and underfloor heating. Integral double garage with remote control roller doors. Landscaped gardens 0845 790 60 30 www.hoggyork.co.uk 70

GARFIELD TERRACE, YORK A class of it’s own! Opus Estate Agents are delighted to present for sale this three bedroom terrace property, situated within this highly sought after location within walking distance of the city centre. The accommodation comprises of: entrance hall, two reception rooms, dining kitchen, downstairs wc and conservatory. three bedrooms and shower room. Outside there is a drive to the front of the property providing off street parking and a fully enclosed rear lawned garden. An early viewing is recommended as this property is sure to appeal to a variety of purchasers and we feel sure that this property will not disappoint. n For more details or to arrange a viewing contact OPUS on 790070 www.opusmove.co.uk.

43A THE COACH HOUSE 4 bed Detached House, £895 Per Month A unique 4 bedroom converted coach house situated in a quiet private development, offering flexible family living accommodation in this popular location with excellent schools and amenities close by. Accommodation comprises of: Decked entrance to property, Spacious entrance hallway, Fitted kitchen with open plan breakfast/dining room, Ground floor cloakroom, Good sized lounge, Master bedroom with ensuite shower room, Further double bedroom, 2 Single bedrooms,1 could be used as an office, Family bathroom, Communal garden, Car port, Further on street parking.

For details call 01904 652729 / 655454 or visit www.cityletsyork.co.uk

your home

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YOUR PROPERTY with PAULA MATTHEWS

On the move...

Paula Matthews at Opus Estate Agents has been chatting to buyers and sellers all over York answering their concerns and queries Q. I am currently on the market with a very well established, reputable York agent and am more than happy with the excellent service I am receiving. I have had a couple of good offers from buyers who are not yet sold and have only been on the market a short time, but I’ve been bombarded with flyers every other day from other agents in the area saying that they can sell my house. Can I do anything about all these unwanted mail shots or is this usual practice?

There are a lot of properties that have been on the market a long time and not all vendors will be as happy with their agent as you are.

Sometimes a fresh approach will work for a seller so the agents are being pro-active in their approach in targeting your property. If you are receiving regular feedback, are happy with the service provided by your agent and have offers then stick with your current agent. There is not a lot you can do about this and a number of agents do this on a regular basis, spending thousands on marketing. I suppose they are maximising all opportunities for their business.

It sounds like you have a lot of activity on your

property so I don’t think it should take long for one of your prospective buyers to get a sale on their property so your sale can be tied up.

right for them. Talking it over with other family members will help you with what will be a very difficult decision and will ensure that they will be there to help you with the move. Options for moving home later in life include everything from general open market downsizing to sheltered housing. In your case, for practical reasons like being close to your family and downsizing from a large property, it sounds like it would be a great idea. As an agent it would be my job to make sure that you consider all the factors and then guide you through the process as best I can, to make sure that you achieve everything you need from your move.

Q. Our family have suggested that we

Q.

should move home as we live in a big house that has been our home for 40 years.

We are quite a distance from both of our children and would like to see them and the grandchildren more often, but it will be a huge upheaval, and we have a lot of sentiment attached to our present home.

What advice would you give us to make sure that it is the right thing for us?

I would always advise a seller who is a little older that they will know when the time is

We are first time buyers. What would be your main advice to us given the present housing market?

Make sure you budget wisely and you stick to what you can afford comfortably – don’t overstretch yourself with your mortgage. Make sure you speak to an Independent mortgage advisor to make sure you get the very best deal available to you.

n Opus Estate Agents Tel: 01904 790070 www.opusmove.co.uk

WE’LL BUY YOUR HOUSE

TODAY ANY CONDITION • SAME DAY CASH OFFER NO FEES • COSTS PAID

Providing a professional, discreet and reliable service since 1989.

(01482) 35•36•37 For an immediate cash offer (which will not change at the last moment)

www.westfieldhomebuyers.co.uk 74

your home

A Clear View...

Choosing the right sort of windows, blinds or garage doors to complement your home can be tricky – there’s such a large choice now that you really need advice from an expert to make sure you make the best decision. Luckily Stuart Senior, owner of family-run A&S Windows in Tadcaster, has 30 years of experience in the industry and is more than happy to visit clients’ homes and offer expert advice on what’s best.

Stuart doesn’t employ any hard sales techniques so you won’t feel pushed into a decision – he simply measures up, offers advice and shows you a sample of what you should expect to see if you place an order. Then, Stuart sends a detailed quotation – and you don’t pay anything until the installation is complete. There’s a huge range of products on offer, ranging from roller garage doors and electronic patio door shutters to conservatory blinds, composite doors and a variety of prefinished timber windows, doors and conservatories. There are even canopies and car ports to choose from – in fact, there’s very little Stuart can’t help with! All work comes with a full guarantee, and insurance-backed guarantees are also available.

For a free quotation, call Stuart on 01937 557999 or visit www.a&swindows.co.uk

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For more details scan the QR code to visit our website or call 0845 7 90 60 30 www.hoggyork.co.uk 75

What’s hot &what’s not We’ve got the lowdown on what the well dressed home is wearing

Use with care, though – there’s a fine line between boho chic and Little House on the Prairie.

Patchwork bedding set from www.notonthehighstreet.com Kitchen dressers.

Forget sleek and streamlined – the good old-fashioned kitchen dresser is making a big comeback! Go for reclaimed stripped pine or pastel painted, and pile it high with mismatched vintage china for a bit of Granny-style nostalgia.

HOT...

Patchwork. Not just on cushions and quilts, either – it’s on chairs, bedheads and even ornaments. Use it as a statement piece to liven up a plain decor, or mix and match your prints.

Spots. Red and white spots are spot-on trend at the moment. Look out for the iconic Baking Days design by Spode, or any number of imitations on the supermarket shelves. They look great

in a modern or traditional interior, and they’re easy to mix and match, too.

Deckchairs. Ditch that grubby garden furniture and treat yourself to some old-school deckchairs instead. They’re bright, fun and they don't take up much room in your garden shed, either.

Teatowels. These days teatowels are far too smart to dry your dishes on.

Some of them are like mini works of art. So why not frame them and display them as instant art for your kitchen?

Before you wipe your cups on them, obviously. Warning: does not work so well with a three for a fiver pack from Asda. Check out www.todryfor.com for some fab and funny designs.

Traffic Lights

B1363

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Kettlestring Lane

Clifton Moorgate

Bumper Castle

NOT...

Cream carpets. Yes, they look stunning, but avoid at all costs unless you a) have a full-time cleaner, b) have nothing better to do in life but vacuum or c) have no pets, children or friends and spend your entire life in slippers.

Actually, that last bit pretty much describes us, but we still wouldn't go there.

Shelving units. The ironic thing about shelving storage units is that they only look good when you don’t actually store anything on them. They look stylish in the shop with nothing more than a strategically placed vase and a couple of arty books.

But fill them with your DVDs, computer games and other stuff and they just look messy. For a clutter free decor, it’s better to invest in a cupboard and hide it all away.

your home

Estate agents. Ok, they usually feature somewhere between tabloid journalists and septic tank cleaners on the popularity scale, but in these troubled times an estate agent can be a house hunter’s best friend. They can advise you on the best way to get a quick sale, tip you off when your dream property comes on the market, and even help track down an elusive mortgage.

Old-fashioned conservatories. Or rather, they are hot. Too hot. Except from September onwards, when they’re Arctic cold. We spent all that cash on a conservatory, what a pity we can only use it for about three days a year.

Thank heavens the new breed of conservatories are far more energyefficient for all year round comfort.

Why not treat yourself to an upgrade – or even just some specialist insulated blinds to keep the weather at bay?

LOCAL FAMILY BUSINESS SINCE 1990

Breakfast bars. The kind you sit at that is, as opposed to the nutty cereal kind you buy to eat on the bus.

Although both are pretty pointless, when you think about it. What’s wrong with a table, for heaven’s sake?

Not to eat on the bus, obviously.

fREE

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Choice for Blinds

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CONSUMER CHAMPION Matthew Todd, from Herbert Todd & Son, explains how to make the most of the upcoming sporting events when watching at home.

Come on England!

As I write this England are warming up for the first of their group games at Euro 2012 – with a bit of luck, as you read this they will be preparing for the final. Whether they make it or not the summer of 2012 will be packed with sporting action for you to enjoy with Wimbledon, cricket, The Open and all that the Olympics has to offer just around the corner.

To maximise your enjoyment I’ve come up with a few tips you can implement in your own home to make viewing as pleasurable as possible.

Modern televisions are packed with electronic goodness, making them capable of all sorts of image enhancements, filters and picture aids. However sometimes these may not work in your favour, particularly when watching fast paced sporting action. You may notice, for example, that a fast moving football or tennis ball stutters around the screen – this can often be down

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to your TV simply not keeping up with the action. The likely cause is over-processing (the TV is trying to carry out too many tasks at once) and can be remedied by turning off all the enhancements within your TV’s picture menu. In the picture menu you may see things like ‘noise reduction’, ‘sharpness’, and a host of other systems dependent upon the manufacturer. Turn them all down or off and see if it improves the action.

You can then gradually turn them

back on until you find a compromise you are comfortable with.

Secondly it may sound obvious but if you have bought a TV in the last year it will most likely have a Freeview high definition (HD) tuner inside.

Because a lot of the sporting action is available on BBC1 or ITV1 you will find HD versions of these on your television guide. Turn to these for a picture with far more detail and a better sound to boot.

Finally, to make your sporting

experience as involving as possible you will want to turn the volume up! One downside of many modern TVs is that with the trend towards slimmer and more compact designs the sound your TV is able to produce on its own can suffer. It could be time to upgrade to a better sound system to make whatever you watch as involving as possible.

Freeview HD is often broadcast with full surround sound, but you can’t hear this extra detail unless you have a speaker system to match. These needn’t break the bank and will bring all the action to life.

If you need any assistance with your TV or would like to see what a huge difference the latest technology can make please drop in to either of our stores, we’re here to help.

Enjoy your summer of sport! n To contact Matthew, pop in to Herbert Todd & Son on Percy’s Lane, call 628676 or visit www.htodd.co.uk

your home

Gateway to improvement Wood – strong, versatile and beautiful to look at – the perfect material for building and adorning your property. But when your home has wooden windows, doors and gates it could mean a lot of sanding, painting varnishing and protecting. If only there was a way to have the look without the effort. Well now there is. PVC UK, a family business with many years of experience, can now offer wood-effect PVC windows and doors. Seeing truly is believing – the sturdy, energy efficient and safe qualities of PVC with the natural, authentic looking grain of quality timber. The best thing is that the only maintenance required is from an occasional wipe down with a damp cloth! PVC-UK offers a one stop shop from start to finish, complete with after sales service and a ten-year guarantee. They will also provide a noobligation quotation for your consideration. n So make that fuel efficient, hassle-free change today and call 0800 037 1947.

Time is running out…

We know what you’re thinking – it’s summer, the sun is shining and it’s roasting out there! Why are we talking about home insulation? Well, despite the weather this is the perfect time to get top quality loft and cavity wall insulation fitted in your home – because it’s completely free. Solarwall, York’s leading home energy company, is offering the service at no cost whatsoever, but can only do so until December when government funding runs out. After that the insulation could cost as much as £800! So get it while you can, pick up the phone and prepare to save hundreds of pounds on your fuel bills - each year, every year! n Call 690824.

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Keep up to date on the latest design trends and property news Moving On Up How many times have you moved house?

Apparently, the average Briton changes their abode eight times in their lifetime according to research by Bosch. However, we don’t usually end up that far from where we started out – on average, people move 32 miles with each house change, and end up 63 miles away from where they were born.

Only one in five settle 200 miles or more away from their first home, which begs the question – why move at all? It’s mostly to get away from our parents, apparently. We can kind of understand it – our kids bemoan our embarrassing ways almost constantly, and have promised to flee the nest as soon as they’re able. Ahhh, love you too...

For Love or Money Have you been saving up for your mortgage for what seems like forever?

Reluctant to part with your cash until you find ‘the one’? You’re not alone.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders released figures that show gross mortgage lending declined by 19% to £10.2 billion from March to April. However, the market was shown to be better off than it was in April last year. We’re all for waiting until you’re sure though – unless your heart skips a beat when you see those terms and conditions, it just isn’t right! Though we’re not sure that it’s humanly possible to get excited about terms and conditions...

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Shhhh!!!!

You have a relaxing summer’s day planned; feet up on the sofa with a good book and no interruptions. But the kids are raising hell in the next room and the washing machine is spinning a racket into your ears. If only there was a way to make these sounds less annoying. Well, there is (obviously, otherwise that intro is terribly cruel) in the shape of Richter

USA’s Acoustic Lightboard. More than just a pretty picture, this clever canvas helps reduce ambient noise by absorbing sound. What’s great is that any image can be printied on the surface, including a big pair of lips with a finger pressed to them. n More information at www.richter-veneertechnology.com

your home

How Much?!

She’s got a lot to answer for, that Queen of ours. Well, it might not be her fault, but we’re looking for someone to blame and since the Jubilee’s now been and gone (and we never received an invite to the afterparty) she’s as good a scapegoat as any. UK property prices have gone up a whopping 86 times while Liz has been on the throne – the average home in 1952 cost just £1,891, whereas now it’s £162,722. If you bought a house back then and haven’t sold it yet, lucky you! If we were you we’d sell it and travel the world on the proceeds. In fact, if you’re looking for anyone to travel with you, we make wonderful holiday companions...

Round the U-Bend Thinking of doing up your bathroom?

Maybe you fancy getting a flash new loo? Well look no further than the £10,000 Toto Neorest LE WC. There’s a sensor-operated lid, a deodoriser (which we actually think would come in handy) and warm air drying. You can even change the temperature of the seat to suit your preference. We’re a bit scared of getting sucked in by the Tornado Flush, though...

Spanning the gap Every Englishman’s home is his castle. Fortunately these days we don’t really expect our own castles to be besieged by rampaging Scots or attacked by angry mobs. But what we do expect is quality building work that can withstand any weather and keep us safe, secure and warm. Newspan, one of the north’s leading construction companies, can offer just that. They can undertake all kinds of building work from small extensions to large residential and commercial projects. Newspan offer a full service from initial design to completion. Whatever your requirements they can manage the whole project, allowing you to sit back, relax and let Newspan transform your dreams into reality. n For more details call 01845 597811 or visit www.newspanconservatories.com

Senior Citizen Discount

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d i re c t

sel by di rect

DOW & DOOR REPAIRS Replacement:WINDOW & DOOR REPAIRS • Misted glass replaced Replacement: Free • Door locks replaced • Misted glass replaced compost • Window locks/hinges • Door locks replaced • Garage Doors • Window locks/hinges alert!

• High security door cylinders Doors Don’t forget, City of York Council and Graham from Pond Planet offers hints and tips on helping • Garage No call out charge!

• High security door cylinders Yorwaste are giving York residents free your pond, and the fish who call it home, to thrive. compost this summer!

If you want to No call out charge!

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Te l :

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557999

get some growbag goodness, head parts with pond water, not tap water, so as not to damage Water temperatures are now high enough o to feedb summer M i l e: 07971 865573 Tel: down 01937 to the 557999 Yorwaste Harewood thea beneficial whichw live within your filter. growth foods. Choose a quality, high protein foodw. to w w a nbacteria ds in d oMobile: wWhin s. c o .uk 07971 865573 site on Tinker Lane off Wetherby improve the condition and size of your fish. Look out of Strong, excessive growth of pond plants can occur due towww.aandswindows.co.uk Road on 8th July between 9.30amfoods with added Spirulina which is a proven natural colour high nutrient conditions which can lead to unruly surface 2.30pm. Bring a shovel and bags enhancer. growth and extensive root systems. This leaves little or or containers with you to take your no open areas for your fish, so cut back these plants to The increased feeding due to warmer weather increases compost home in, and dig in and help provide vital swimming space. High nutrient conditions can the burden on your pond filter. During this period the filters yourself! For further information visit be reduced by undertaking a partial water change of up to fulfil an important function by biologically breaking down the www.york.gov.uk/waste 20%. chemical waste your fish produce. Filters should be checked and cleaned regularly at this time of year. Make sure to take n For more information, call Pond Planet on 01347 811897 the time to thoroughly wash mechanical and biological filter

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Windows • Doors • Conservatories • Roofline Local family firm • Local family firm Full Repair Service • Full Repair Service Car Ports • Car Ports Timber Range • Timber Range Sash Windows • Sash Windows Folding Sliding Doors • Folding Sliding Doors Garage Doors • Garage Doors Composite Doors • Composite Doors Replacement conservatory • Replacement roofs conservatory roofs All A Rated • All A Rated

Telephone: 01937 557999 Mobile: 07971 865573 Telephone: 01937 557999 w w w. a a n d s w i n d o w s.c o .865573 uk Mobile: 07971 www.aandswindows.co.uk 82

your home

Lofty ideas Ever tried to access your dusty old loft and ended up falling into a cobweb and crashing through the ceiling? As funny as it sounds it’s hardly the best way to use your loft. You need to get the professionals in. The Loft Space Company have years of experience and expertise in loft boarding and insulation.

They could transform your attic space in less than a day into a useful and accessible storage space – easily reached by one of their beautifully crafted wooden loft stair ladders. All their work is covered by a ten year manufacturer’s guarantee and they even offer a free, no-obligation survey. n So call today on 0800 5876662 or visit www.loftspacecompany.co.uk

Water pistols at dawn?

Hosepipe bans – not conducive to a fun summer holiday, especially after the purchase of a brand new Super Soaker and pack of water balloons.

But fear not, ye noble water-warriors, for the chances of a ban have been thankfully reduced by the recent rains. In its latest Water Resources and Drought report, the Environment Agency found that river levels and reservoir stocks have significantly improved, easing the pressure on the environment and water supplies. On hearing this news we cheered, grabbed the hosepipe and drenched each other – and unfortunately all our computers. Which is why this issue has been handwritten by a robot.

Solar Panels

STILL a great investment!

Donít miss out, install Solar PV now and; • Earn a return of up to 11% (or more) • Generate free electricity • Inflation proof for 25 years • Avoid new energy efficiency requirements coming in on April 1st

Call now for a free, no obligation, survey and quotation

p r o j e c t s

Call Free 0800 644 00 45

www.greenenergyprojects.co.uk

York Road, Easingwold, YO61 3EJ

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your garden

Ask Amanda...

Got a gardening problem?

Amanda from skelton garden centre can help

Q.How and when should I prune my rose bush?

Rose bushes can be pruned in late winter or when growth is resuming in the spring, but in colder areas leave until March. There are two types of rose bush and each require slightly different pruning. The floribunda type (cluster flowered) require the strongest stems shortening to 25-30cm above the soil. Prune back the less vigorous shoots more severely, and feed with a rose fertiliser. The hybrid tea roses (large flowered, and one flower to each stem) require the strongest stems to be pruned back to between four and six buds, 10-15cms from the base of the plant. Shorten back less vigorous shoots to between two and four buds 5-10cms from the base and give a good feed with rose fertiliser.

Q. Are any weeds good for your garden?

I love the look of the daisies on my lawn but I’m worried they may be taking away valuable water from the grass.

One of the major benefits of having a weedy lawn is that many weeds attract insects such as

butterflies and bees and these ‘good bugs’ help keep the ‘bad bug ‘ population at bay, as well as pollinating your plants. You are right to be concerned about the daisies taking the water from your lawn because if we are unfortunate enough to have a drought, the grass will perish quickly from the heat and lack of water but the weeds will still be there. Even so, the weeds will hold together the topsoil that will be vital when the rain returns and you can replant the grass.

However, weeds can become invasive in lawns and are not to everyone’s liking, and it may be wise to apply a lawn weed killer to contain the problem.

Q. How often should I water my cactus, and should I feed it a specific plant food?

Cacti require very little water. A good way of assessing water requirements is to lift the pot regularly to feel the weight, and when you have done this several times you will be able to tell when the pot is getting lighter and due for a drink. As a guide watering should be done once a month. Never allow the pot to sit in water as this can seriously damage the cactus and can lead to death. Plant in a specifically mixed

cactus compost and fertilise once or twice a year with a houseplant food which contains nitrogen and phosphorus.

Looking to brighten up your garden?

There’s a fantastic range of gorgeous summer bedding plants at Skelton Garden Centre at the moment, perfect to add a splash of colour to hanging baskets and plant tubs. The experts can offer personal advice on what will work best in your garden, too.

If you have a question for Amanda, write to her c/o Oak Tree Farm, The Moor, Haxby YO32 2LH

ESTABLISHED 1977 IN HAXBY. A Local Family Business Built on Customer Recommendations:

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your garden

Open Gardens There’s a reason the outdoors are great. The National Garden Scheme features hundreds of beautiful and tranquil spaces which are open to the public. Here are some of the best gardens open during July.

Havoc Hall, York Rd, Oswaldkirk, York, YO62 5XY. Started in 2009 and comprising six different areas, there is a large lawn with hornbeam trees and avenues of amelanchiers. Also a two-acre wildflower meadow and small lake.

Open 15th July, 1-5.30pm.

The Priory, Nun Monkton, nr York, YO26 8ES. A large country garden by the rivers Nidd and Ouse. A formal rose garden with mixed borders and a clipped yew hedge walk leading to informal parkland with a beck. Open 15th July, 11am-5pm.

Tree, Hedge & Shrub Care since 1907 Pruning . Planting . Removal Stump Grinding . Disease & Insect Control

Call 01904 784 956 or 07808 915 872

york@bartlettuk.com / www.bartlett.com FREE, NO OBLIGATION QUOTATION

Stamford Bridge Gardens, Stamford Bridge, YO41 1PD. Three interesting and contrasting gardens. Grove Lodge has a large collection of plants grown from seed or propagated from cuttings. Mill Timber has a good collection of perennials in a large sloping border. Daneswell House is a terraced garden that sweeps down to the River Derwent. Open 22nd July, 12noon-5pm.

The Nursery, 15 Knapton Lane, Acomb, York, YO26 5PX. An organic garden with many different vegetables grown both outside and under cover, including a large greenhouse. Productive areas interspersed with informal ornamental plantings provide colour and habitat for wildlife. Open 22 July, 1-5pm.

For more information visit www.ngs.org.uk or call 01483 211535

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Make sure everything in the garden’s lovely with the team at

Dean’s Garden centre

Delightful Dahlias Dahlias have an interesting history. The first tubers were first introduced in Europe at the end of the 18th century and were first regarded as a vegetable, but interests were soon switched from an edible tuber to the fantastic floral display given from late June right through to the first frosts. Dahlias brighten up any border instantly and for long periods, offering great value for money.

Varieties Dahlias come in two categories, perennial types which are grown from tubers and bedding types which are grown from seed. When the frosts blacken the top growth it is best to cut the plant back down to ground level and dig up the tuber, then store it in a cool, dry place ready for planting out next spring. With the bedding type you simply dig up the whole plant and put it in your compost bin.

There is an extensive range of dahlias on the market, ranging from Lilliput varieties which only grow to around a foot or less, all the way up to tall border varieties which can grow to four feet and above.

Dahlias are probably most known for their amazingly

striking range of colours and perfect flower formation within every flowering type. There are many different types of dahlias, ranging from single flowers, collerette, pompon and cactus to name but a few.

Care and maintenance When planting dahlias, to get the best show possible it is best to plant the bedding varieties about a foot apart, and three feet apart for the tall border types.

With the tuberous types, dig a hole about six inches deep and place the tuber inside so the crown of the tuber is three inches below the surface. When back filling with compost, make sure to fill the spaces between the tuber and firmly press the compost down with your fingers.

To ensure you get the best result from your Dahlias, water thoroughly during dry spells and feed once a month with a liquid fertiliser such as Tomorite, as it has a higher potash content to encourage more magnificent blooms.

Watch out for slugs, aphids, caterpillars and red spider mite which can be controlled early by spraying with a systemic insecticide such as Provado Ultimate

Bug Killer. In a wet summer sprinkle slug pellets around young shoots.

Help from dean’s Whatever you’re planning in the garden this summer, the team at Dean’s Garden Centre can help! With a wide range of bedding plants, trees, shrubs and seeds, as well as garden furniture and barbecues, there’s plenty to choose from and the staff can offer expert advice – after all, they have over 40 years of experience in helping gardens grow!

n Dean’s Garden Centre, Stockton Lane, Stockton on the Forest, York • Tel: 01904 400141

NEW SERVICE!

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Gardening Giveaway!

Do you dream of being greenfingered, but aren’t sure where to start? Well, you’re in luck, because we’re giving away ten copies of Gardening: A Beginner’s Guide from Need2Know Books!

The guide provides lots of useful, practical information on getting started including how to choose the right flowers and shrubs for your soil, how to get started creating a vegetable garden and maintaining it once it’s established. It’s written

by Angela Youngman, a gardening journalist who certainly knows a thing or two about horticulture – she grows enough fruit and vegetables to feed her family, and she’s written for a number of magazines including Grow It Yourself and Garden International. The book is written in plain English, using common plant names rather than the Latin versions and even includes a gardener’s dictionary.

To be in with a chance of winning, answer the following question: Who wrote Gardening: A Beginner’s Guide?

Send your answer (along with your name, address and daytime contact number) on a postcard marked ‘Gardening Guide’ to the address on page five – or you can email your answer to info@yourlocallink.co.uk. The competition ends 20th July, so don’t delay! To find out more about the guide, and any of the other books at Need2Know Books, visit www.need2knowbooks.co.uk

Link Loves!

Aside from the fact that the little squirrel hiding in the base of this plant pot is impossibly cute, it’s really useful, too.

The base acts as a built-in water reservoir to feed your plant, so when the water level goes down so does the squirrel. It’s available in brown and green, or brown and pink for £19.99 from Firebox – visit www.firebox.com

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your garden

GROW YOUR OWN with Debbie Pendle from Brunswick Organic Nursery Growing your own fruit and veg is rewarding, good for the planet – and your pocket. Here’s how…

Pretty Tasty...

This month the emphasis changes from preparing and sowing to growing and nurturing, as we start to see some returns for all the planning and effort. Container-grown plants are especially vulnerable to drought, as are recently planted crops that have not had chance to put roots down into the soil. Water each crop thoroughly to ensure the water soaks well into the soil where it’s needed - it encourages the plant to form a deep root system. If possible, water in the morning or evening when it is cooler as this will reduce the amount of water that evaporates off the surface of the soil.

or grated raw into salads. In addition, it produces bright green foliage which is incredibly tactile and brings an ornamental element to the vegetable, plot and can be used as a herb for flavouring dishes.

To help reduce water loss from evaporation, consider applying a layer of mulch to the soil surface.

This also has the added benefits of suppressing weeds, maintaining soil temperature and reducing soil erosion. The use of organic materials such as leaf mould, compost or grass cuttings will increase earthworm activity at the soil surface which will improve soil structure and reduce compaction caused by heavy summer rain.

Seed can be started off in pots under glass and grown on until ready to plant out, but as they do not like transplanting, it is best to sow in situ.

Sow thinly in rows 1cm (½ in) deep and 45cm (18 in) apart, and once germinated thin plants to 25cm (10 in) apart. Fennel looks like it should handle dry conditions with its fine feathery foliage, but it does not! So keep well-watered especially during dry conditions. Earth up the bulbs as they begin to swell as this will blanch them and make them taste sweeter.

Allow some of the crop to flower as they are very attractive to beneficial insects which help control pests.

Florence Fennel Even if the aniseed flavour of this vegetable is not to your taste, it has great decorative value. It is grown primarily for its white bulbous base, which can be braised in casseroles

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Fennel thrives in a warm climate so summer-sown crops are less likely to bolt than those sown in spring and will provide harvest well into autumn. This crop requires an open sunny spot sheltered from the wind and light, well-drained soil. A light sandy soil with well-rotted manure dug in the previous autumn is ideal.

Heavy clay soils should be avoided.

JOBS FOR JULY 3 Plant out leeks 3 Sow spring cabbage 3 Lift garlic and allow to

dry before storing 3 Harvest summer fruits 3 Regularly check plants for pest and

disease

Local Suppliers: Brunswick of York CIC, Appleton Road, Bishopthorpe, York YO23 2RF

n Brunswick Organic Nursery is a growing charity that provides opportunities for adults with learning difficulties in horticulture. Visit the online shop www.brunswickyork.org.uk

Waste Disposal All Garden & Household Rubbish Removed House Clearances Large or small, we clear it all Cheap Rates

Tangled in thorny brambles? Lost the kids in the dark forest that was the lawn? No clue how to go about restoring your garden to its former colourful glory? Call in the expert, and do it quick before badgers move into your forgotten shed. Claire Cadoux is a professionally trained and experienced horticulturalist and award-winning garden designer who loves nothing more than helping people get to grips with their own gardens. Claire will visit your garden for an hour and give you advice and help so you can manage it more easily. Her expert advice could save you valuable time and money.

call Mark for a free quote tel: 784415 mob: 07870 486408

n So call her today on 07712 890747 or email rosa_mundi@msn.com

Growing Pains Look, would you lot just calm down, you mad gardening fools! We know your type; sky diving one day, base jumping the next, then you really go extreme and weed your back gardens. The British College of Osteopathic Medicine has issued a warning to you danger-lovers out there about the risks of injury while gardening. Apparently the recorded cases of muscular injuries rises drastically at this time of year as frustrated gardeners are finally allowed out after months of being cooped up inside. But throwing yourself into the task (you crazy thrillseekers) can be as dangerous as playing sport without a thorough warm-up. So, as you venture out to give the lawn a cut and water the hanging baskets, take care and be careful, you nutty adrenaline junkies.

landscapes

DIVINE DESIGN Call PVC-UK Today on

Freephone 0800 0371947 01262605690 / 07831 584119

Patios & Paving Driveways & Brickwork Decking, Pergolas & Fencing Turfing & Planting / Design Ponds & Water Features Garden Maintenance tel: 01904 211021

mob: 07737 825621 www.weareedenlandscapes.co.uk

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your garden

Into the wilderness

Plant pots are a quick and easy way to brighten up your garden and give it a makeover – check out our selection of quirky planters and add a splash of colour and fun to your patch.

Mirror Image Make your garden shine with a mirrored planter. £27.99 Notcutts www.notcutts.co.uk

Keeping Buzzzy Bumble bees and wellies are a great combination, in our opinion – especially as a cute plant pot. £1 Poundland www.poundland.co.uk At Sea Go for a nautical theme with a trio of chic pots that pay homage to the watery depths. £3 each Matalan www.matalan.co.uk

Bring the Outside In Don’t let living in a flat stop you from living the good life – this indoors allotment set even has a miniature shed and picket fence, as well as seeds so that you can grow your own herbs. £24.95 www.prezzybox.com

From the Heart Surely nothing can woo her better than a plant that you can nurture and grow together? In a trio of pots with hearts on them? £16.99 Retreat Home www.retreat-home.com

Storm in a Teacup Jump down the rabbit hole with an oversized teacup and saucer plant pot. £159 Rume www.rume.co.uk

Call Stephen Dunning on

Tel: 07737 190150

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your garden

Apple a Day Keep the doctor away and plant some vegetables in a gorgeous wooden apple crate planter. ÂŁ39.99 Getting Personal www.gettingpersonal.co.uk

Take a Seat The ultimate in vintage chic, this cream metal planter bench will add a touch of charm to any garden. ÂŁ29.95 Melody Maison www.melodymaison.co.uk

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Keep up to date with all the green fingered gossip!

Lo o

your garden

gardening

k

at wh

we found ....

We adore this cute watering can – it’s pretty in pink and holds four litres of water. We’re planning on getting a series of gardening accessories to match!

Get yours for £15.99 from www.girliegardening.com

I, Mow-bot *

Not So Sweet...

We don’t know about you, but we like the fact that flowers smell nice. Apparently, though, the folk at Cornwall’s Eden Project disagree. The team has grown the world’s largest flower, which has reached a whopping eight feet five inches (ahhh) that emits a stench that smells like, well, rotting flesh (erm... urgh).

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The titan arums typically grow for between seven and ten years and are a distant relative of the lily, which we find extremely difficult to believe. The disgusting scent apparently attracts insects, though we don’t think we’ll be planting one in the back garden in a bid to help boost the bee population.

It’s started, hasn’t it? At first we had them doing simple tasks like assembling cars. Then they were fighting each other on TV for our entertainment.

Now the robots are in our gardens! RUN FOR THE HILLS! GET UPSTAIRS, THEY HATE STAIRS! But fear not dear readers, for these are happy horticultural robots and the only thing they want to exterminate is your overgrown lawn.

Ambrogio Robotic Lawnmowers are the perfect gift for the lazy, gadget obsessed gardener. It’s so sophisticated it will even stop if there is an object or person in the way (quite unlike The Terminator) and has a battery life of five hours, so even the biggest of lawns should fear its mighty robotic blades. *Rejected titles: Ro-Mow Cop, Blade-runner.

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Ever been stung by a bee? Not much fun is it? Although it can be a few minutes of pain for us, in most cases it means a one-way trip to bee heaven for our stripy friends. “So what?” we hear you call, “my toe really hurts!” But think again.

Without bees to pollinate many different kinds of flowers we could suddenly find ourselves with a lot fewer strawberries, apples or even (and you might want to sit down for this) coffee! Environmental campaigners Friends of the Earth are starting a scheme to save the buzzing bees, whose numbers have been swiftly dropping in Britain in recent years. They blame the decline of the bee’s natural habitat and urge the general public to take a kinder attitude when encountering them in the garden. It’s not just about honey!

Tweet Deck Now we think bird boxes are a fabulous addition to any garden, but we fear that this might be slightly over the top. Cuprinol, the wood preservative people, ruffled a few feathers recently when they created Peckingham Palace, a replica of Liz’s place – complete with pillars, arches, balconies, and even an internet connection.

Yep, the birdies’ movements are linked to Twitter: every time a bird leaves or lands, a tweet is sent via @PeckinghamTweet. We know that our feathered friends were the inspiration for the social networking site’s name, but really? Actually, we’re just jealous – as you may remember Donna explaining in her column a few months back many of us struggle to operate an electric kettle, so the thought of bird-brain being more in touch with the world than we are is understandably disconcerting.

Thank goodness we’ve got Rachel to Tweet for us...

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Market Days

12th-15th July. Summer Crafts. A special market in York showcasing the best in crafting from in and around the city.

21st July. The York Auction Centre’s Farmers’ Market. A monthly event, featuring plenty of high-quality produce.

27th July. Parliament Street Farmers’ Market. One of York’s most popular trading events, featuring a range of cheeses, meats, chutneys, baked goods, fruit and vegetables direct from the producer. The event takes place on the last Friday of every month. n All dates correct at time of going to press. For more information visit www.york.gov.uk/markets

Proper Brit ish Spotted Dick No longer the mainstay of school dinners, Spotted Dick (stop laughing) is making a come back. This is a simple and effective recipe, and in only a couple of hours you’ll be enjoying the very best of British cuisine.

Ingredients:

Method:

3 115g / 4oz raisins

Mix raisins, currants, sugar and lemon in a bowl. In a larger bowl sift the flour, and add the salt and suet. Add the milk slowly, stirring with a blunt knife. Finally, use your hands to knead the dough-like mixture until it becomes tougher and elastic.

3 55g / 2oz currants 3 75g / 3oz dark brown sugar 3 Grated zest of 1 lemon 3 225g / 8oz self-raising flour 3 115g /4oz shredded suet 3 Salt 3 55ml /2 fl oz milk

Next, flour a flat surface and spread the dough into a rough rectangle shape that’s about 20cm by 30cm. Spread the filling over the dough, being careful to

leave a narrow border around the edge. Paint this border with some cold water.

Dampen a clean tea towel in hot water and wring dry. Lay it on top of the mixture and roll the pudding into the towel, fastening with kitchen string.

Place your mixture into a steamer for two hours, or in an oven at 200˚C for an hour and a half.

Unwrap, cut into slices and serve with custard. Serves six.

Proud to be British

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Take Your Pick!

Picking your own fruit is a great way to keep kids occupied – it’s one of the few foolproof ways that we’ve found to encourage our fruit-shy children to get excited about healthy food – and us Yorkies are lucky to have plenty of farms around the area that run PYO schemes. The Balloon Tree Farmshop and Café’s trail is easy to follow, and you can pick your own fruit and vegetables from the first strawberries in May to the last pumpkin in October. The farmshop offers homegrown summer vegetables, too, which pack extra flavor and nutrients as they’re only minutes or hours old, rather than a few days. The play area lets the children burn off some energy while you relax in the stunning landscaped café garden, selecting tempting treats from the specials board. Plus, the new addition of the tiny and adorable Kune Kune pigs to the animal field will enchant both children and adults alike! Finish off your family day out with a barbecue at home – the farmshop provides all the ingredients you’ll need, including rare breed meats, superfresh salads, homegrown new potatoes, dressings, chutneys and a wide range of homemade desserts. Scrumptious. n For further information, call 01759 373023 or visit www.theballoontree.co.uk

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Thank You, Perfect pub... Mr B ojangles

The Lord Collingwood is a picture perfect village pub. Overlooking the green at Upper Poppleton, it has original oak beams, a cosy log fire and a beautiful, newly renovated beer garden.

But it’s not just the setting that’s perfect. In the 14 months since they took over,Ray and Gill have built up a reputation for good food and beer. Their seven real cask ales earned them a place in the CAMRA good beer guide within six months, while new chef Ben Ward has upgraded the menu, using all fresh foods from local sources.

But is it as good as it sounds? We sent our Claire and her husband Jonny along to find out...

“Unlike some village pubs, you don’t feel like a stranger when you walk in. Everyone is so welcoming, it’s like putting on a comfy pair of slippers.

“They serve proper pub grub, but beautifully cooked and presented. For starters, I had ribs, which just fell off the bone. Jonny had garlic mushrooms on bruschetta, which were just to die for!

“Jonny opted for one of the pub’s signature steaks for his main course. I couldn't tell you what it was like because it was so delicious he insisted on keeping it all to himself! I had the Lord Collingwood burger, which was an impressive

tower of home made burger, lettuce, mayo, tomato and no less than four home made onion rings. Like the steak it came with handcut chips, which were amazing.

“I was almost too full for pudding, so I went for the brandy snap basket with three different types of sorbet – lemon, raspberry and mango. The mango was especially delicious. Jonny had the apple crumble, but again it was too nice to share!

“The service was helpful and friendly – our young waiter couldn't do enough for us. Gill and Ray also took the time to chat to all their customers, which was a really nice touch. We really enjoyed our meal and the whole experience. We’ll definitely be back when the weather gets better to try out the beer garden!”

n For more information, call 337537 or visit www.thelordcollingwood.co.uk

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There’s not much that can bring this office to a standstill, but if you want to quieten the salesroom then chocolate is your best bet. That said, in all our years of chocolatetesting we’ve never known the office to be as quiet as when the lovely folk from Monty Bojangles sent over some delicious handmade French truffles. Gorgeous just isn’t the word – the sea salt-infused butterscotch ones are our faves, but the chilli ones really are ‘hot and heavenly’ like their name suggests. The hazelnut flavour chocs provide a grownup fix for Nutella lovers, and the orange ones are so zesty we’re pretty sure they count as one of our five a day (that’s what we’re telling ourselves anyway).

Alongside all of these gorgeous flavours were a box of spicy ginger truffles, toffee and salt ones and cookie flavour chocolates – which had tiny pieces of cookie goodness inside. Though some of us thought we were happily married, we’re seriously considering asking Mr Bojangle if he’d like a harem – even Howard. The chocolate is just so smooth... Lucky for you, they’re available at Food For Thought in Haxby – at a really reasonable price, too (trust us, we’re skinflints). n To buy your first box of paradise (you may think we’re exaggerating. We’re not.) pop in to Food For Thought at The Village in Haxby or call 765878.

Alternatively, visit www.whoismontybojangles.com

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Keeping hunger at Bay

We suppose you could stay at the office for lunch or eat at home tonight for dinner. That microwave lasagne looks delicious… doesn’t it?

No, it doesn’t. See sense people, because you all live but a stone’s throw from The Bay Tree in Stillington. There you’ll find lovingly prepared and locally sourced food and drink, served with care and attention in a very homely public house. During the sunnier months the garden makes an enchanting setting for those lazy summer days and evenings, whether you’re popping in for pint or for a multi-course slap-up meal. And, hark at them… they’re even serving up a fresh new menu, and putting on a Thai evening. n For their comprehensive menu visit www.baytreestillington.com

Sumptuous Steak Steak and chips is the meal of kings – and half price steak and chips is the meal of very clever kings. Luckily for us, premier steak house The Steer Inn on Hull Road in Wilberfoss are offering half price dining on their main menu and steak menu, between 4-8pm on Sundays and from 5-8pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The fantastic chefs at The Steer Inn grill their steaks to perfection, and ensure they cook it just the way you like for a mouthwatering result.

If you’re not a steak lover, there’s a delicious array of homemade, locallyproduced food to choose from on the main menu, and the kids’ play area will keep children occupied while you dine n Just make sure you book in advance to redeem the offer – call 01759 380600 or visit www.thesteerin.co.uk for further information.

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yorkonafork

The Hotel and Restaurant

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EVENTS KEY: n WALKS & TOURS n LOCAL & COMMUNITY EVENTS

n DAYS OUT & ATTRACTIONS n CONCERTS n FAIRS & markets

July? Already? Seems so. By the end of the month the kids will be off school and staring at you with wide and expectant eyes, silently pleading to see fun things like animals and mazes and castles and boats and games. Not sure what to offer them, but damn sure you can’t disappoint them this summer hols? Relax, we’re here and we’ve done all the work for you. Here are the best of the bestest things to do in July. You’re welcome.

EVERY DAY n NEWGATE MARKET 9am – 4pm (4.30pm Sat and Sun). York boasts the brightest and possibly best daily open market in the North.

Newgate market has 110 stalls offering something for everyone every day including a wide variety of goods, fruit and vegetables, as well as a good selection of fresh fish and meat.

Call 07887 754455 n YORK DUNGEONS, 12 Clifford Street. See the Dungeons’ latest show, ‘Execution: Traitors of York’. Travel back to the 15th century and join the crowds gathered to witness the careless executioner as he shares the gory tales of York’s Micklegate Bar. But watch out… there is a traitor amongst you. Will you be next to lose your head?

Call 632599. n YORKWALK , Museum Garden Gates, Museum Street. A wide range of tours, including Essential York, Snickleways, Secret York and Roman

York, with several taking place every day. Call 622303 or visit www.yorkwalk.co.uk for full times and details. n YORK MINSTER, 7am-6.30pm. Learn about the Minster’s Eight Wonders, a new project launched earlier this year, helping visitors to discover what makes the iconic structure so magnificent. On every trip up the Minster Tower visitors will pass medieval pinnacles and gargoyles and see over York Minster’s rooftops to the best views of Yorkshire. Every day there will be fun activities for children and families to do together.

Brand new family backpacks are available to help families enjoy their time exploring in the Minster, including binoculars, magnifying glasses, pencils and other bits and bobs to bring out the detective in the family! Call 0844 9390015 or visit www.wonders. yorkminster.org n CHOCOLATE: YORK’S SWEET STORY, King’s Square, York, 10am-5pm. See the world

of chocolate come to life, hear generations of chocolate secrets, explore from bean to bar and taste your way through York’s confectionery history.

This month they celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of Rowntree’s in York. To celebrate the contribution of this great family to the city they offer 25% off admission to throughout July for ex-Rowntree and current Nestle employees – simply show your factory ID when you arrive for you and up to three friends or family members to receive the discount. Prepare for a mouth-watering journey through the story of chocolate in York and sample some traditional chocolate recipes from the Rowntree archives. Terms and conditions available at www.yorkssweetstory.com Call 08454 989411. n DOG WALKS, throughout Yorkshire. Dog Walks Yorkshire provides maps and information for a wide range of dog walks within the area’s beautiful scenery. Visit www.dogwalksyorkshire. com

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events

n CITY SIGHTSEEING YORK, Departs Exhibition Square, 9am-5.30pm. Running every 15 minutes and with stops near to all the major attractions, City Sightseeing York is the perfect way get around the city. Call 633990 or visit www.city-sightseeing.com n PICK YOUR OWN, The Balloon Tree Farmshop, Gate Helmsley. Home-grown strawberries are now ready for picking! The multiaward winning Balloon Tree Farmshop and Cafe have been growing soft fruit and vegetables for over 20 years so they know how to get the best fruit possible! Come and PYO or buy ready picked strawberries from the farm. Visit www.theballoontree.co.uk or call 01759 373023 n YORK MAZE, Open 14 July-2 September, 10am-6.30pm daily. One of the largest maize mazes in the world, York Maze has won many awards including Yorkshire’s Best Tourism Experience and the UK Maize Maze of the year.

Each year the maze has a new design to solve, with previous designs depicting Harry Potter, the world’s largest Spitfire, and an astronaut. This year’s design will be revealed just prior to opening on 14 July. Visit www.yorkmaze.com

(Sat), 10am-7pm (Sun). Racing and go-kart hire throughout the day – perfect for old and young speedsters during the summer holidays.

Call 673555 or visit www.karting.uk.com

n PLAY AND EXPLORE, Beningbrough Hall and Gardens, 11am-5.30pm daily. Open every day throughout the school holidays including adventure in the wilderness play area, build a den or find a geocache in the parkland. Rainy days are perfect for a visit to the top floor portrait galleries, where you can discover your inner Georgian. Call 472027.

EVERY NIGHT

n GHOST TRAIL OF YORK, West Doors of York Minster. 7.30pm. Dare you cross the centuries and discover York’s spine-chilling history?

From tragic plague victims to murdered orphans and the plumber who spotted an entire Roman legion marching through a basement, you’ll find out n F1 RACING, JMD Raceway, Kathryn Avenue, how York earned its reputation as one of the most 046_BH_Wedding Offer_Local Link 14/6/12 08:08 Page 1 Monks Cross, 10am-9pm (Mon-Fri), 9am-9pm haunted cities in the world. No need to book, just

turn up. Call 633276.

EVERY SUNDAY n GIANT CAR BOOT SALE, Home Farm (opposite Wigginton Village), Wigginton, 7am1pm. Established for 22 years. Includes toilets and refreshments. Call 768463.

EVERY MONDAY n SELBY MARKET. The whole family will find something within the beautiful market town. The Selby Farmers’ Market is also held on the first Wednesday of every month. Call 07808 768186.

2012

WEDDINGS AT BURN HALL FOR

£2012

£2012 BURN HALL WEDDING OFFER INCLUDES • Three course Wedding Breakfast for 40 guests • Arrival drinks for guests • Wedding Toast • Traditional Buffet or Hog Roast for 80 guests • Use of the Mulberry Ceremony Room and Minster Suite • Complimentary standard bedroom • Use of mirrors and lily vases • Complimentary wedding stationery

Call us on 01347 825 400 or email enquiries@burn-hall.co.uk Tollerton Road I Huby I York I YO61 1JB I

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UNWRAPPING YORK’S CHOCOLATE STORY AT YORK’S NEWEST VISITOR ATTRACTION

King’s Square, York YO1 7LD Tel: 0845 4989411 www.yorkssweetstory.com www.burn-hall.co.uk

Open daily 10am – 5pm

EVERY TUESDAY & THURSDAY n GEORGIAN WALKS, Roman column by the minster, 7.30pm (Tues) 11am (Thurs). From 26 June until 13 September – Explore Georgian York with a local guide. Humour guaranteed! The walks are free with optional voluntary contributions and are two hours long.

RUNNING UNTIL 1 JULY n CHAGALL AND MIRÓ: MODERN MASTERS EXHIBITION, Nunnington Hall, 11am–5pm. An exhibition of original prints, posters and photographs, showing the works of modern masters Marc Chagall and Joan Miró. Chagall’s dream-like and haunting works are awash with vibrant colour. Picasso once said of Chagall that he was one of the few artists who really understood and used colour in its proper form. Joan Miró’s organic forms and flattened picture lines within the body of his work make him one of the best known and well loved modern masters of the Surrealist movement. Enjoy the works in the beautiful surroundings of Nunnington Hall. Call 01439 748283 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ nunnington

Until 30 JUNE n THE YORK FESTIVAL OF IDEAS, multiple times and locations. A host of stimulating and interactive experiences for people of all ages, with over 50 events aimed at both residents and visitors.

Visit www.yorkfestivalofideas.com

22 JUNE n LITERARY DINNER: AN EVENING WITH ANDY SEED, The Grange Hotel, 7pm.

Andy ‘s book All Teachers Great and Small is the Waterstones Book of the Month, so enjoy a two course dinner, glass of wine and after dinner talk by Andy Seed. Call 644744.

23-24 JUNE n CITY OF YORK OPEN AIR EXHIBITION, Parliament Street, 9am-5pm (Saturday) 10am-4pm (Sunday). Local artists and potters will be displaying and selling their work on this two day event. Call 552273. n YORK CYCLE SHOW 2012, York Racecourse, 10.30am-6.30pm (Sat), 10.30pm4.30pm (Sun). The great weekend cycling festival!

There will be something for cyclists of all ages at this bike bonanza. Organised Rides from 25Km to 150Km, Savage Skills Stunt Show, a Cyclists’ Service at the Minster and the Grand Parade through the city. For more information and to book your caravan or campsite space, visit www.ctc.org.uk Call 0844 7368456 n ANTIQUE AND COLLECTORS FAIR, Ripley Village Hall, 9-4pm. Call 01423 889163.

23 JUNE n BOOK-BINDING FOR ADVANCERS, Space 109, Walmgate, 10am-4pm. Ian Cameron teaches complicated techniques, with all materials supplied. Call 612790 or visit www.space109.org n HEARING DOGS FOR THE DEAF, Wigginton Recreation Hall, call for time. Presented

by Rob Mills and his dog Melvyn. Call 764688. n ACADEMY OF ST. OLAVES: SUMMER CONCERT, St. Olave’s Church, 8pm. The music

of Beethoven, Wagner and Schumann takes centre stage. Visit www.academyofstolaves.org.uk or call 550099

24 JUNE n WHITE ROSE POLO – THE CASTLE HOWARD CUP, Castle Howard, 11am.

Experience the thrill and excitement of Polo in the beautiful surroundings of Castle Howard. Bring a picnic or for an extra special day out buy a VIP ticket, which includes a delicious lunch. Visit www. whiterosepolo.co.uk or call 01653 648333 n DRIFFIELD ANTIQUE AND COLLECTORS’ FAIR , Driffield Showground, 9am-4pm. Large collection of quality collectables.

Call 01377 254768 n YORK DOES VINTAGE FAIR, Merchant Adventurers Hall, 10.30am-5pm. An incredible shopping experience with lots of vintage clothing, gems and goodies. Celebrate the Jubilee in classic British style, browsing the stalls and sipping tea from the bustling traditional tearoom. Also included in the day will be live music, hair and beauty stands as well as lots of workshops to get involved in. Think strawberries and cream, Union Jacks and the very best of British! More information www.facebook. com/yorkdoesvintage or call 07896 840397

27 JUNE n UNIVERSITY CHOIR AND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, York Minster, 7.30pm. A wonderful conclusion to the University of York’s festival season, the concert features music

by Puccini and Verdi. Visit www.york.ac.uk/concerts

SPECIAL EVENTS THIS SUMMER: PIG RACING Everyday from the 21st July to the 31st August 3 LITTLE PIGS STORY TELLING AND ACTIVITIES 28th and 29th July OLYMPIGS SILLY SPORTS Fun for all the family on the 4th and 5th August

‘TIL 10AM M P 0 5.3 YDAY EVER

2012 SEASON: 31ST MARCH – 4TH NOVEMBER ADVENTURE FARM PARK DAY TICKET PRICES:

ADULT CHILD CONCESSION FAMILY

Weekends, School & Bank Holidays £5.75 £6.75 £4.75 £23

Term Time Offer (mon to fri term time) £2.50 £4 1’s der E £2 Un FRE o g £12

Child: 1 – 16 years old, Concession: Senior Citizen, Disabled, Disabled Carer Family: 2 adults and 2 children (or 1 adult and 3 children)

10% OFF A £23.00 FAMILY TICKET

WHEN THIS VOUCHER

IS PRESENTED Not valid with any other offer.

Expires September 2nd 2012.

PIGLETS ADVENTURE FARM PARK AT THE FARMER’S CART TOWTHORPE GRANGE, TOWTHORPE MOOR LANE, YORK, YO32 9ST TELEPHONE 01904 499700 WWW.PIGLETSFARMPARK.CO.UK WWW.THEFARMERSCART.CO.UK

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events

28 JUNE n VALE OF YORK CLINICAL

COMMISSIONING GROUP PUBLIC AND PATIENT CONGRESS, Riccall Regeneration Centre, 6pm. CCG is trying to involve local people and give them a real opportunity to influence healthcare provision in the area. Call 01423 859616.

29 JUNE n CHARITY FASHION SHOW, The Bar Convent, 7pm. Enjoy a stylish evening with Sue Ryder and Dress For Less! A fashion show and charity sale afterwards, with all proceeds going to The Friends of The Bar Convent and Sue Ryder.

Visit www.bar-convent.org.uk or call 643238

30 JUNE – 1 JULY n BRASSED ON YORK 2012, Museum Gardens, York, 10am-1pm (Sat) and 12noon-5pm (Sun). Free concerts by York’s brass bands with massed bands finales will be adding a Yorkshire flavour to the city’s summer of celebrations for York 800 and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Unseated event – bring a rug and a picnic! Visit www. brassedon.org or call 623568. n WELCOME CRAFT FAIRS, Ryedale Folk Museum, Hutton-le-Hole, 11am-4pm. A great day out in North Yorkshire. www.welcomecrafts.com

30 JUNE n A CUBIST’S VIEW, Space 109, Walmgate, 10am-4pm. Instructed by Gaby Lees. Gain a better understanding of modern artists’ alternative perspectives and explore new ways of drawing. Call 612790 or visit www.space109.org

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n IF MUSIC BE THE FOOD OF LOVE…, Fairfax House, 7pm. This concert of popular and best-loved pieces from the 18th and 19th centuries is inspired by the theme of love. It promises to be an evening of beautiful melodies showing that music truly is the ‘Food of Love.’ Featuring the superb voices of quartet Frances Brock, John Gill, David Howard and Sue Lindley. For tickets call 655543. n YORKSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY FAIR, York Racecourse, 10am-4.30pm.Around 100 history societies, genealogists and booksellers will descend upon the Knavesmire Exhibition Centre, including The National Archives, The Society of Genealogists and wide variety of commercial stands. A perfect opportunity for those fascinated

by history or those looking to trace their own family tree. For more information visit www. yorkshirefamilyhistoryfair.com n AN EVENING WITH MICHAEL DE COSTA AND FRIENDS, York Guildhall, 7.30pm. A night of popular music and evergreen songs. Call 610341.

JULY n GALTRES FESTIVAL 2012 –

DISCOUNTED TICKETS ON SALE ON! This year’s festival (24-26 August) promises to be better than ever! Confirmed bands include Ash, Adam Ant, Buzzcocks, Chris Helme and Seth Lakeman. For fun lovers the theme of this year

is Dragons and Knights with a host of activities planned in the medieval village including live jousting tournaments, archery and falconry displays.

Book your discounted tickets now from www. galtresfestival.org.uk using code ‘Locallink767’

RUNNING UNTIL 30 JULY n LOCAL LANDSCAPES BY MALCOLM LUDVIGSEN, Auden House, 17 St Ann’s Court, 10am-4pm, Mon-Sat. An exhibition of local landscapes including Walmgate Stray, the Ouse and Clifton Ings. Visit www.malcolmludvigsen.org.uk

2 JULY – 15 SEPTEMBER

co.uk or call 658338

n KATE AT 68 EXHIBITION, Cafe 68 Gillygate, open daily. Exhibition of landscape paintings by York artist Kate Kenney. Visit www. katekenney.co.uk

6 JULY

2 JULY – 2 SEPTEMBER n THE GLORY OF YORK EXHIBITION, Blue tree Gallery, 10am-5.30pm, closed Sundays.

Works by Colin Carruthers on the rivers and bridges of York; Richard Burel on York city life; Giuliana Lazzerini on the architecture of the city and Graham K Cook on the doors of York. Call 620660.

n THE SIXTEEN, York Minster, 7.30pm.

World-renowned choir The Sixteen is delighted to present the 12th Choral Pilgrimage tour, The Earth Resounds. Visit www.boxoffice.yorkminster.org

7-22 JULY

n BEYOND MONOPOLY EVENING GAMING MEETS, York RI, 5-10pm. Yorkshire’s leading board game club for adults. Email bmyork@ gmail.com

n THE FESTIVAL OF THE RIVERS, Throughout York. York’s rivers will take centre stage in July for the seventh annual Festival of the Rivers. The popular festival promises to be bigger and better than ever this year, with a wide range of cultural and leisure activities to celebrate York’s rivers – The Ouse and The Foss. The Festival of the Rivers has something for everyone, whatever their age or interest! This years’ festival will host a Flotilla on 7 July. If you own a vessel and would like to take part in the event, please visit www.yorkfestivals. com

n ROSE SCULPTURE: OUTDOOR EXHIBITION, Castle Howard, 9am-5.30pm.

Funded by the Cultural Olympiad, Paul Cummins will install an exclusive display of 30 ceramic rose sculptures in the grounds at Castle Howard. This exhibition is included in the admission ticket. Visit www.castlehoward.co.uk or call 01653 648333.

5 JULY

7 + 21 JULY

n RIVER FOSS SOCIETY LITTER PICKUP, Sainsbury’s car park, Foss Bank, 2pm. Gardening clothes and gloves advisable, equipment provided.

Call 766196.

n BEYOND MONOPOLY ALL-DAY GAMING MEETS, York RI, 10am-10pm.

Yorkshire’s leading board game club for adults.

Email bmyork@gmail.com

6 – 14 JULY

1 JULY

7-8 JULY

n YORK EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL 2012 The York Early Music Festival is Britain’s premier festival of historically informed music – performed in some of Yorkshire’s most beautiful venues. The 2012 Festival will reflect the Olympic ideals of excellence and aspiration with a focus on music from the Renaissance, when new ideas and styles crossed many European borders to create an interconnected musical world. Visit www.ncem.

n MEET THE KING, Clifford’s Tower, 11am5pm. King John himself will be returning to the centre of York Castle at Clifford’s Tower for one weekend only. Come and see the king on his throne in full regalia ready to receive his subjects and anyone who wishes to petition the king. Visit www.english-heritage.org.uk

RUNNING UNTIL 1 SEPTEMBER n EXHIBITIONS OF QUILTS AND TEXTILE ARTS, The Quilt Museum, 10am4pm. Small is Beautiful & Celebrating Diversity – a guest exhibition of work from members of the European Quilt Association. Call 613242.

1 JULY - 31 AUGUST

n THE ART OF BEEKEEPING, Yorkshire Museum of Farming, all day. Learn about bees with the Yorkshire and District Beekeeping Association.

Suitable for all ages. Call 489966. n HIDDEN GARDENS & STREET FAIR, Brafferton and Helperby, 12noon-5pm. Music, stalls and children’s activities. Find them at YO61 2QN.

4 + 27 JULY

Yorkshire Medie◊al Festi◊al 4th - 12th August

A new festival for Yorkshire from the creators of JORVIK Viking Festival For more information visit

www.yorkshire-medieval-festival.com

WHAT’S ON Thursday 12 July | 10.15pm

I Fagiolini’s Striggio Mass in 40 Parts York Minster Special Late Night Illuminated Promenade Performance

Box Office

Special Under

01904 658338

£10!

www.ncem.co.uk

30s ticket York Archaeological Trust is a registered charity in England & Wales (No. 509060) and Scotland (No. SCO42846)

St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate,York

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n DUNCOMBE PARK TRACTION ENGINE RALLY, Duncombe Park, Helmsley.

Classic steam contraptions gathered together again for the return of the popular annual event. Visit www.gytec.weebly.com n BIRDS OF PREY DISPLAY, The Farmer’s Cart, Towthorpe Grange. Call 499183 and visit www.thefarmerscart.co.uk

7-8 + 21-22 JULY n HOLGATE WINDMILL OPEN WEEKEND, Holgate, 11am-4pm. Enjoy this wonderful machine and the story of its careful restoration, now nearly complete. As part of York’s Festival of Ideas there is an exhibition in the mill called ‘Original Concepts of Development in the Windmill Industry’. The exhibition tells the story of the inventors who made the mill’s design possible, and also of the people who built, owned, protected and helped to restore it. Please park on Acomb Road. Call 331402.

7 JULY n COPMANTHORPE CARNIVAL 2012, Copmanthorpe Recreation Centre. Running since the 1960s, this is one of York’s best and brightest festivals. This year will be no different from the success of the past, with live music, children’s activities and fairground stalls. Visit www. copmanthorpe.org.uk/carnival or call 01347 822456 n CAGE CONFRONTATION, Energise Sports Complex, Cornlands Road, 6pm. An exciting evening of caged combat and modern-day gladiatorial bouts. Food and drink available from the licensed bar. Find the advert in these pages for

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an exclusive £5 ticket reduction offer. For more information call 07956 612667 n FLOTILLA AND EBOR VOX AFLOAT, King’s Staith, 1pm. To launch the Festival of the Rivers 2012, hundreds of colourful boats of all shapes and sizes will travel along the River Ouse through York City Centre from lunchtime onwards.

A first peek at the Ebor Vox choirs singing on the riverbanks. Visit www.yorkfestivals.com n MOR Music Festival, Parliament Street, 10.30am-Midnight. 800 minutes of live music of many different types. The Buccaneers, FUNKtion, Chris Helme, Jonny Gill, Plumhall, David Ward Maclean, Hungry Ghosts, Turnpike Trust, We Could Be Astronauts, The Pepper Hearts, Captain Zippy, Aynt Skynyrd, Holly Taymar, Nathan Luke & the FALLEN. www.yorkfestivals.com n CATS PROTECTION CHARITY OPEN DAY, Adoption Centre, 582 Huntington Road, 1-4pm. Stalls include home produce, plants, tombola and much more. Call 760356. n PERFORM WITH A VENGEANCE, Grand Opera House, 2.30pm+7pm. Electrifying dances with extreme individuals and striking songs from both West End and popular productions – Directed by Emma Bassett. To book tickets call 0844 8713024 n OPEN DAY, Archways Intermediate Care Unit, Clarendon Court off Rose Street, 10am–4pm.

Stalls, competitions, cakes, books, plants, small brica-brac and so much more. Call 07963 812090. n LATE MUSIC PRESENTS THE MICKLEGATE SINGERS, Unitarian Chapel, St Saviourgate, 8pm (pre-concert talk at 7.15pm).

A wonderfully eclectic concert from Will Todd’s Christus et Stella to Betty Roe’s delightful Three English Folksongs. The programme also includes music by Kerry Andrew and Paul Mealor’s Ubi Caritas, which was performed at the Royal Wedding in April 2011. Call 426372.

8 JULY n DRAGON BOAT RACES, River Ouse, throughout the day. One of the highlights of the Festival of the Rivers. Visit www.yorkfestivals.com n SIMPLY VINTAGE, Parliament Street, 10.30am. A collection of all that is vintage from crockery to cloths, plus a vintage scooter display.

Visit www.facebook.com/yorkcitycentre n COMMUNITY HU CHANT, The Garden Room, York Central Library, 12noon. A brief discussion on a spiritual topic follows the chant which aims to help you better understand your own personal growth. All welcome. For more information call Annette Backlar on 01423 780002, or email annettebacklar@yahoo.co.uk

9 JULY n YORK 800 CAKE GIVE-A-WAY, Parliament Street, 3pm. 800 cakes, lovingly made by students at York College will be given away. Join them for a good old fashioned celebration of York 800 with tea and cake! Visit www.yorkfestivals.com n EBOR VOX ‘THIS YORK’, starting at The Minster, 6pm. York is hosting a large scale choral project, Ebor Vox, and will see hundreds of people from York coming together to form a huge community choir, which will perform at the Eye of York with dancers, puppets and the wonderful Shepherds Brass Band. They will sing a new piece

‘This York’, composed by acclaimed composer Benjamin Till. Visit www.facebook.com/EborVox

International Keyboard and Vocal artiste Chiho Sunamoto. Call 448178

skirts and coconuts. Prize for best and worst dressed Hawaiian costume. Call 337537

10 JULY

13 JULY

n YORKSHIRE CRAFT AND PRODUCE MARKET, Castle Howard, 10am-4pm. Shop for delicious food and beautiful crafts all sourced or produced in Yorkshire, and in many cases locally to the Castle Howard Estate. Call 01653 648333.

Psychic event: World renowned Clairvoyant

n DEMO DAY, Fulford Cycles, Fulford Road, 10am-4pm. The latest range of road racing bikes in store, from the entry level Giant Defy 5 to the top of the line Giant Advanced Series road bikes.

Representatives will be on hand all day from Fulford Cycles, Moda UK and KTM, to answer all of your questions. Whether you are interested in taking up cycling for the first time, buying your first road bike, or even upgrading to a higher specification model, we will be here to assist you. If you are interested in trying a demo bike out please call 620349.

12 JULY n ILLUMINATED PROMENADE PERFORMANCE, York Minster, 10.15pm (main concert at 8.30pm). As part of this year’s York Early Music Festival, I Fagiolini will present a late night illuminated performance of Alessandro Striggio’s Mass in 40 Parts. To book tickets go to www.ncem. co.uk/ifagiolini or ring the national Centre for Early Music Box Office on 658338. n AN EVENING OF MUSIC, Stockton-onthe-Forest Village Hall, 7.30pm. Featuring Japanese

Medium Sue, The Old Lodge Hotel, Malton.

Sue has been reading professionally since 1970, and since then she has consulted with thousands of clients both nationally and internationally. Her clients include people from all walks of life, including Hollywood stars and even royalty! Call and reserve your tickets, or call in for tickets prior to the event. www.spiritualevents.co.uk

14-15 JULY n GO POTTY! Yorkshire Museum of Farming, all day. A potty weekend – get crafty with clay! Call 489966.

14 JULY n HAWAIIAN THEME NIGHT, The Lord Collingwood. Get out your Hawaiian shirts, grass

n JUBILEE SPITFIRE PROMS, Ripley Castle, 7.15pm. As the UK Philharmonic Orchestra plays your favourite themes, a dramatic ten minute aerobatic display will open the Jubilee Spitfire Proms, by one of the last remaining Spitfires.

The rousing finale of flag waving favourites from the Last Night of The Proms will be closed by a spectacular firework display. Ripley Castle is the

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perfect backdrop for an evening of national pride and jubilee celebration. Pack a picnic, chill the wine and bring your tables and chairs, and join us for an evening under the stars. Tickets available from www.kalmusic.co.uk or 01603 308923 n WELCOME CRAFT FAIRS, The Golden Fleece, Thirsk, 10am-4pm. A great day out in North Yorkshire. Visit www.welcomecrafts.com

15 JULY n RSPCA SUMMER FAIR, York RSPCA Animal Home, Water End, Clifton, 11am-3.30pm. Come and see the animals, all of which need homes. £2 entry, kids free. Visit www.rspca-yorkhome.org.uk or call 654949 n THE WANTED, Ripley Castle, 6.30pm.

One of Britain’s most successful pop bands, The Wanted have been taking the nation by storm since their debut single All Time Low reached number one, just 18 months ago. Their first album has sold more than 400,000 copies and the followup, Battleground, is fast becoming another huge success. The hard-working group are excited to be playing in the stunning surroundings of Ripley Castle, and the lakeside setting will make a perfect backdrop to what promises to be a fantastic night of music. Tickets available from www.kalmusic.co.uk or 01603 308923 n HISTORIC VEHICLE RALLY, Newby Hall and Gardens, 10.30am-5pm. Over 1,000 vintage cars of all kinds and assorted auto jumble brought together by the North East Club for pre-war Austins. There will also be stalls. For details call 01423 322583 opt 3. www.newbyhallandgardens. com

n UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS, Treasurer’s House, 2pm. June 1900 is when Treasurer’s House hosted the Royal visit of the Prince of Wales who later became King Edward VII. Discover what this meant for the staff of the house on a guided tour of their living quarters in the attics followed by a glimpse of high society with a decadent afternoon tea. Booking essential. Call 624247.

18 JULY n DRIFFIELD SHOW, Driffield Showground.

One of the biggest one-day agricultural shows in the country, the Driffield Show is a truly great family day out. The market gives you the chance to buy the finest East Riding of Yorkshire goods direct from the producers. Visit www.driffieldshow.co.uk n A HISTORY OF CASTLE HOWARD IN TWELVE OBJECTS, Castle Howard, 6.30pm.

This special evening, in the company of our Curator, gives our guests the opportunity to view and even handle particular rare treasures from the Castle Howard collection. The evening concludes with wine and canapés. Call 01653 648333

20-21 JULY n YORK STAMP AND COIN FAIR, York Racecourse, 11am-6pm (Fri), 10am-4pm (Sat). The largest stamp and coin fair outside of London. More than 95 stamp dealers and 60 coin dealers. Visit www.stampshows.net n DUNNINGTON PLAYING FIELDS FAYRE, Dunnington Sports Club, 8pm (Fri), 11am-11.30pm (Sat). Comedy family fun and late night disco. Visit www.dpff.org.uk

20 JULY n THE SPECTRE, Burn Hall Hotel, Huby, 8pm.

A special performance from the fantastic tribute band The Spectre playing a selection of Twotone and Ska. Food will be available to purchase throughout the evening. For tickets call 01347 825400 or email enquiries@burn-hall.co.uk n HAXBY AND WIGGINTON U3A, Wigginton Recreation Hall, 2pm. The Macmillan Charity; 100 years plus with Sally Millington. Call 764688

...it’s amazing!

Visit one of the largest mazes in the world Open daily 14th July - 2nd September 2012

Plus...

Jumping Pillow Crowmania Ride Adventure Play Maze of Illusions Farm Animals Cobstacle Course

(new for 2012)

Café & BBQ Gift Shop

www.yorkmaze.co.uk Tel: 01904-607341 106

21 JULY

n SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, 11am-4pm. Follow the clues on our trail and join in with drop-in craft activities in Swanley Grange.

Visit www.fountainsabbey.org.uk

n MUSIC FOR TWO HARPSICHORDS, Church of St. Chad on the Knavesmire, Campleshon Road, 7.30pm. Works by WF Bach, Couperin, Handel and others. Visit www.masumiyamamoto.com

21 JULY-2 SEPTEMBER

n CORNLYMPICS DAY, York Maze, 10am6.30pm. Never mind the small event going on in London, get involved in a whole host of maize based sports instead. Corn stalk javelin, pass the cob relay and cob putt Visit www.yorkmaze.co.uk

n SUMMER HOLIDAY FUN, National Railway Museum, 10am-6pm daily. Make your very own ‘hook a train’ game in our brand new craft activity, and dress up in Edwardian costume. For more adventures follow our summer family trail, and sing along with our seaside puppet shows. Call 08448 153139. n TIME TRAVELLERS GO... ROYAL, Clifford’s Tower, 11am-5pm daily. Become the king for a day! Children can dress up as medieval nobles in splendid costumes and hats, including a medieval crown. Discover medieval etiquette and then step forward to sit on the throne. Visit www.englishheritage.org.uk

21-22 JULY n MASHAM STEAM ENGINE AND FAIR ORGAN RALLY, Masham, 9.30am-5.30pm. Call 01765 689569.

n FLYBALL! Yorkshire Museum of Farming, all day. See the Monsters Flyball team in action. Bring your own dog and have a go! Call 489966. n ORILLO CINEMA IN THE PARK, Dean’s Park, York Minster, The people behind the secret cinema in the Museum Gardens last year bring us an evening of street-party style entertainment in Dean’s Park. Featuring a British film or a film strongly inspired by Britain.

Visit www.orilloproductions.co.uk

24 JULY n HAXBY MEMORIAL HALL TRUST

n ALL SEASONS MARKET, Guildhall, St. Helens Square 10am - 4pm. Craft fair and market stalls. Call 07838 420209

PUBLIC ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING,

n THE BISHOP WILTON SHOW, Bishop Wilton, all day. The 114th Annual Show featuring the Morley Exotic Animal Rescue Trust. Visit www. bishopwiltonshow.com n MONUMENTAL TOUR, Castle Howard, 10.30am. This circuit walk covers the heart of the famous 18th-century landscape taking in the Avenue, Gatehouse, Mock Fortifications Pyramid, Mausoleum and Temple with exclusive access to these buildings. Call 01653 648333.

22 JULY

21-31 JULY n PIG RACING AT THE FARMER’S CART, The Farmer’s Cart, Towthorpe Grange. Call 499183 and visit www.thefarmerscart.co.uk

n THE MALTON SHOW, Scrampston Park 8am - 6pm. A dog, sheep and cattle show – along with fun for all the family. Call 01653 693382

CONTINENTAL ROAD RACES, Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough. Call 01723 373000.

A summer of fun!

New! Childrens’ playground!

Living History & The Derwent Valley Light Railway

Haxby Memorial Hall, 7pm. Contact kaymulroney@hotmail.co.uk

25 JULY n RYEDALE MUSIC FESTIVAL TRIPLE CONCERT, Castle Howard, 7pm. The Triple Concert features three contrasting concerts, each performed three times, with the audiences rotating between performances. For tickets visit www.ryedalefestival.co.uk

26 JULY

n CASTLE HOWARD RACE, Castle Howard, contact for times. The stunning surrounding scenery with Castle Howard’s 10,000 acres forms arguably the most physically challenging triathlon course of the series. Visit www.castletriathlonseries.co.uk

n COCK O’ THE NORTH

events

21 JULY-3 SEPTEMBER

n FUND-RACING, F1 Racing, JMD Raceway, Kathryn Avenue, Monks Cross, 7pm. On the last Thursday of every month F1 Racing will host a Daytona 120 (two hours) to help raise money for the charity York Against Cancer. Teams will have to complete as many laps as possibly within an allotted time. Anyone may enter a team. Teams must consist of between four and six drivers. Call 673555 or visit www.karting.uk.com

A summer of fun!

New! Childrens’ playground!

Living History & The Derwent Valley Light Railway

The Art of Beekeeping July 1st Go Potty with clay July 14 & 15th Open Flyball July 22nd 10am—5pm Rural Games August 4 & 5th Teddy Bears Picnic August 8th & 15th Bank Holiday Special August 25th—27th

The Art of Beekeeping July 1st Go Potty with clay July 14 & 15th Open Flyball July 22nd 10am—5pm Rural Games August 4 & 5th Teddy Bears Picnic August 8th & 15th Bank Holiday Special August 25th—27th

The Ar Go Pot Flyball Rural G Teddy Bank H

For details: (T) 01904 489966 www.murtonpark.co.uk

For details: (T) 01904 489966 www.murtonpark.co.uk

For de 107

events

28 JULY-5 AUGUST

(Ottobeuren). Visit www.boxoffice.yorkminster.org

4 AUGUST

n MUSTON SCARCROW FESTIVAL, Muston, Filey, 9am-9pm. The world famous Muston Scarecrow Festival is making a welcome return to North Yorkshire. Visitors to the festival can expect to see over 100 scarecrows on display all over the village of Muston. Judging takes place on the first day and the results are then sealed and kept secret. Call 01723 513678

30 JULY

n LATE MUSIC PRESENTS PAUL CAREY JONES & IAN RYAN, Unitarian Chapel, St Saviourgate, 7.30pm. ‘Adieu to all alluring toys’ – a celebration of British Song in the Twenty-first Century. The programme includes Roger Marsh’s beautiful Lullaby and a World Premiere by Sadie Harrison. Call 426372.

28-29 JULY n THE GREAT WETHERBY

RACECOURSE ANTIQUES FAIR, Wetherby Racecourse, 9am-5pm. The fabulous Bramham Hall Exhibition Centre and Millennium Grandstand plays host to the fair with numerous outside pitches and catering. Call 01332 830444 n YORKSHIRE CRAFT FAIR, St William’s College, 10am. An opportunity for the public to see a wide range of crafts and gifts not available in their standard high street shops. Call 01274 835588 n 3 LITTLE PIGS, The Farmer’s Cart, Towthorpe Grange. Storytelling, walking around the site and activities four times a day. Call 499183 and visit www.thefarmerscart.co.uk

28 JULY n MAZE MAGIC DAY, York Maze, 10am6.30pm. Join the resident magician on stage for the “magic x-factor” and show off your tricks, prizes await for any visitors that can fool him.

Visit www.yorkmaze.co.uk n SUMMER ROYAL RECITAL: JOSEF MILTSHITZSKY, York Minster, 7pm. Jubilee - themed organ concert by Josef Miltshitzsky

n ANTIQUE RETRO & COLLECTORS FAIR, York Racecourse, 9am. www.yorkantiquefairs.com

1 AUGUST n YORKSHIRE DAY, York Maze, 10am6.30pm. Celebrate all that is great in Yorkshire.

Enter the round straw bale rolling race and the Yorkshire pud throwing contest - ay up!!

Visit www.yorkmaze.co.uk

3 AUGUST n LATIN DANCE NIGHT, La Tasca, 21 Back Swinegate, Displays of Salsa, Samba and Tango with the opportunity to learn a few routines and time for lots of freestyle dance. Buffet supper included in the ticket. Tickets and time from Amnesty Bookshop, Goodramgate or by calling 07981 339602 or emailing yorkamnestyuk@gmail.com

4-12 AUGUST n YORKSHIRE MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL, Throughout Yorkshire, times TBC. Combining falconry, archery, thrilling re–enactments, activities for children, dramatic performances and guided visits to a host of stunning medieval sites in gorgeous settings, the Yorkshire Medieval Festival promises to be a brilliant new addition to the region’s calendar! Visit www.barleyhall.org.uk

4-5 AUGUST n RURAL GAMES, Yorkshire Museum of Farming, all day. Traditional rural games and activities. Call 489966.

n WORLD SWEETCORN EATING CHAMPIONSHIPS & FESTIVALS, York Maze, 10am-6.30pm. Watch the excitement of the World Sweetcorn Eating Championships, or join in yourself. Could you be the one to set a new record and walk away with a cash prize? Visit www. yorkmaze.co.uk n WALK TEN CASTLE HOWARD FOR MARIE CURIE CANCER CARE, Castle Howard, 6pm. Join Marie Curie Cancer Care for a 10K summer evening sponsored walk at the historic estate of Castle Howard. Stroll with hundreds of people through rolling countryside, past monuments and lakes before returning to this impressive house. Relax into the evening and enjoy a torch-lit picnic, live entertainment and fireworks.

Each step that you take will help to raise vital funds for your local Marie Curie Nursing Service, who provide specialist nursing care, completely free, to people with terminal illness in the comfort of their own homes. To find out more or to register go to www.mariecurie.org.uk or call 08700 340040. n ALL SEASONS MARKET, Guildhall, St. Helens Square 10am - 4pm. Craft fair and market stalls. Visit www.allseasonevents.co.uk or call 07838 420209

// KICK boxing classes // Fitness classes // thai boxing classes // mma (mixed martial arts) // kids classes

i session free

Tel: 07956 612667 07798 765259

terms & conditions apply

www.unitedmasters.co.uk

st

Call to book your place. cut out voucher and bring along to the gym.

108

unit 2, 14 redeness street, layerthorpe yo31 7uu.

workshops. Enjoy family hands-on activity in the Minster, or climb the East Front Scaffolding for a oncein-a-lifetime tour. Call 0844 939 0015.

n SUMMER FAIR, Grimston Court Residential Care Home, Grimston, 2-4pm. Come and join the fun, with stalls, tombola, raffles, face painting, crafts, children’s fancy dress and a bouncy castle. Call 489343.

n FUNDRAISING DAY, York Maze, 10am-6.30pm.

York Maze will be teaming up with local charities to help raise valuable funds to help in their work. Join in the fun and games on the day with stalls and activities. Visit www.yorkmaze.co.uk

5 AUGUST

11 AUGUST

n TOCKWITH SHOW, Tockwith & District Showground, Cattal Moor Lane, Tockwith. A traditional country show with a county-wide reputation for its displays of working rural crafts, farmers’ market and wide range of attractions. They also boast one of the largest Farriers’ competitions outside the county show circuit. The show offers great value for money, with a full and varied day of entertainment and education. Call 07702 264715 and visit www.tockwithshow.org.uk

n SUMMER ROYAL RECITALS: DAVID PIPE, York Minster, 7pm. Jubilee-themed organ concert by David Pipe (Assistant Director of Music). Visit www. boxoffice.yorkminster.org

8 + 15 AUGUST

14 AUGUST

n TEDDY BEARS PICNIC, Yorkshire Museum of Farming, all day. Call 489966.

n JONATHAN ROYALE – COMEDY PSYCHIC SHOW, City Screen Basement, 7.30pm. Laughs aplenty for this Derren Brown parody. Call 0871 9025726.

9 AUGUST n ANTIQUES AND AFTERNOON TEA, The Bar Convent. Enjoy an afternoon of Antiques and Afternoon Tea in aid of The Bar Convent charity funds.

Experts from Tennants will be providing free valuations and a talk on afternoon tea items. Please book in advance by contacting Lynn Gale on 643238. Visit www.bar-convent.org.uk

10 AUGUST n STONEYARD OPEN DAY, York Minster, 9.30am-3pm. Explore behind-the-scenes, meeting expert local craftspeople and apprentices in the

A great family night out

events

n SUMMER ROYAL RECITAL: FRANCIS JACKSON, York Minster, 7pm. Jubilee-themed organ concert by Francis Jackson (Organist Emeritus). Visit www.boxoffice.yorkminster.org

12 AUGUST n ALFA RALLY, Newby Hall and Gardens, 11am5.30pm. Join the Alfa Romeo Owners Club for their annual gathering. Call 0845 4504068.

17 AUGUST n THE UNTHANKS WITH BRIGHOUSE & RASTRICK BRASS BAND, York Minster, 8pm. A unique collaboration between England’s peerless pioneers of folk and the National Brass Band Champions of Great Britain. Your Local Link readers get a 15% discount code off all rear nave seats, subject to availability. Valid 01/07/2012-21/07/2012. Use code: link2012 at time of booking. Call 0844 939 0015.

Cage confrontation

//Saturday 7th JULY 2012//

doors open 5pm first fight 6pm

energise sports complex, cornlands road, york yo24 3dx any standard ticket Licensed bar & food. all ticket enquiries contact terms & conditions apply united masters gaz 07798 765259 or tony 07956 612667 V.I.P. Table (seating 8) £40 per person • Standard £25 • under 14’s £10 (pay on the door) sponsored by: 109

City Screen: 0871 902 5726 www.picturehouses.co.uk/york Reel Cinema: 0870 801 0870 www.reelcinemas.co.uk

Top Five Summer Films on DVD It’s a good idea to have a stock of emergency DVDs on standby this summer, just in case the weather disappoints and the kids are trapped indoors. Here are our top five recent releases that are sure to keep the whole family entertained!

5. Tintin: Secret Of The Unicorn. Quite frankly this terrified us; is it a cartoon, is it live action? But the kids will enjoy the non-stop action and comedy from Steven Spielberg.

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES. Everyone’s favourite bat-obsessed sociopath with daddy issues is back! Ever since Christopher Nolan’s gritty reimagining of Gotham City’s darkest hero in Batman Begins, audiences have been tearing off their finger nails in anticipation of sequels. 2008’s follow up The Dark Knight was a massive box office success, and we have similar hopes for this latest bat-outing. Eight years after Batman took the fall for Two Face’s crimes, a new terrorist leader, Bane (Tom Hardy), overwhelms Gotham’s finest, and the Dark Knight resurfaces to protect a city that has branded him an enemy.

THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN. Really?

Again? But it’s only been a few years… Ok. Well it seems as if we’re in for another reincarnation of spidy; he of the sticky hands and secret geek persona. Quite frankly we’re just going with it,

despite Tobey Maguire being replaced with Brit kid Andrew Garfield. Peter Parker finds a clue that might help him understand why his parents disappeared when he was young. His path puts him on a collision course with Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans), his father’s former partner.

ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT. If there’s one thing guaranteed to make us laugh, its talking, wise-cracking, extinct animals. Let’s hope scientists soon perfect Jurassic Park-like DNA cloning so we can all have a chat to grumpy woolly mammoth. But in all seriousness, the money-making juggernaut that is the Ice Age series is back, and this time our heroes are set adrift. Manny, Diego, and Sid embark upon another adventure. Using an iceberg as a ship, they encounter sea creatures and battle pirates as they explore a new world.

4. The Smurfs. Everyone’s favourite blue characters are given a 21st century makeover (which means remade in CGI) and let loose in New York City.

3. Pirates Of The Caribbean 4: On Stranger Tides. Stranger indeed. But the sight of warm, balmy beaches and Johnny Depps’ sweaty face is certain to pique the interest of even the most frustrated of children.

2. Hugo. A Martin Scorsese film you’ll be happy for your kids to watch. A wonderful adventure and story of discovery.

1. Harry Potter Complete Box Set. This has to be the winner! All eight magical films in one box at last. Even if the rain pours down all summer, this is bound to keep the kids happy. Say Expelliarmus to boredom and Avada Kadavra to the rain.

Patricia Hodge

NicHolas le Prevost

Pinero’s classic comedy a vicar, His sister aNd a rUNaWaY Horse!

Adapted & Directed by cHristoPHer lUscombe Design JaNet bird Lighting PaUl PYaNt Music Nigel Hess Sound gregorY clarke

tUe 14 - sat 18 aUgUst

0844 871 3024 (bkg fee)

ticketS £10 - £27 (preMiuM SeAtS AvAiLAbLe) box office 0844 871 3024 www.atgtickets.com/york (bkg fee)

(bkg fee)

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*Listings correct at time of press.

events

Film guide

Vue: 08712 240 240 www.myvue.co.uk

POCKLINGTON ARTS CENTRE 1 Studio Night 5 Let’s Hang On: A Tribute To Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

THE DUCHESS 1 DV8 Festival 4 Wooden Wand 6 Heaven 17 7 Andy Doonan 9 Rams’ Pocket Radio 10 Howler + Splashh 13 The Undertones 14 Geno Washington

& Yoyo Blues 15 Darrell Scott 18 Warbringer 19 Raghu Dixit 20 Go Beyond Presents... With

One Last Breath 27 We Are Scientists

FIBBERS 1 Modulate 4 Diamond Head 6 La Petite Mort 7 Rag ‘n’ Raw Records 8 Alejandro Escovedo & The

Sensitive Boys 13 Spear of Destiny 14 A Joker’s Rage 20 The Guns ‘n’ Roses

Experience 21 Skylights

BASEMENT 1 Hyena Lounge Comedy Club 4 YPS Cafe Scientifique 5 Luke Jermay’s Psychic

Cabaret 6 Tv’s Over presents TV Smith 7 Hyena Saturday Night

Lounge 8 Hyena Lounge Comedy Club 9 Please Please you presents

The Smittens 12 The UK Vader 13 NTH 14 Hyena Saturday Night

Lounge 15 Hyena Lounge Comedy Club

Edinburgh Previews 18 Basement Sessions: Alice

Ostapjuk 19 Larkin Poe

STEREO 2 Ducking Punches 5 Battle of the bands 9 SHHHH! Acoustic 12 Battle of the bands 13 Dropout Dan 14 Darklands and Diviation 20 Bloodwrath 23 SHHHH! Acoustic 24 Orange 26 Wolves

29 Tashaki Miyaki BLACK SWAN FOLK CLUB 5 Folk Club - Singers

& Musicians Night 9 Pagan Moot 12 Folk Club - Debby Mcclatchy 15 Wee Folk 19 Folk Club - Young

Singers Night 21-24 The Beggar’s Opera 26 Folk Club - Allan Taylor 27 Spiritual Medium NATIONAL CENTRE FOR EARLY MUSIC 4 Blackbeard’s Tea Party 6-14 York early Music

Festival 2012 LATE MUSIC – ST SAVIOURGATE UNITARIAN CHAPEL 7 Micklegate Singers

XII III

IX

28 Charlotte Church 31 Vintage Trouble

Hyena Saturday Night Lounge Hyena Lounge Comedy Club Edinburgh Previews Please Please You presents Luke Ritchie NA Vikings of Comedy Halloe Away Hyena Saturday Night Lounge Comedy Hyena Lounge Comedy Club Edinburgh Previews

Basement: 612940 Stereo: 0121 2345678 Black Swan Folk Club: 679131 The National Centre For Early Music: 658338

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Barbican 1 GymFusion

21 22

24

25 26 27 28

29

events

Venue Contacts: Barbican: 0844 8542757.

Pocklington Arts Centre: 0175 9301547 The Duchess: 641413 Fibbers: 651250

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events

Theatre

GRAND OPERA HOUSE To book: 0844 8713024 THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY RADIO SHOW...

LIVE! (5 JULY) The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy became an instant classic on its launch as a radio series. Now Douglas Adams’ immortal creation explodes back into life, re-born in this groundbreaking new stage production - a radio show like you never saw before - in surround sound, packed with laughter, robots, really wild sound effects and drinks with extremely silly names.

Courtyard Craft & Local Produce Markets Tuesday 10 July 2012 Wednesday 1 August 2012 Over 20 stalls of Yorkshire crafts and produce in the Courtyard | Visit the Farm Shop, Garden Centre, Gift Shops and Cafés | Open 10am | Free admission and parking Castle Howard, York YO60 7DA www.castlehoward.co.uk

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FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (2-4 AUGUST) This summer’s Stage Experience production, in which young and talented performers from across York work with an experienced and professional team, will be tackling the classic tale of Fiddler on the Roof!

Rehearsed and performed in just two weeks, Fiddler on the Rood marks the tenth anniversary of Stage Experience with a bang. With themes of nationality and religion, the show will burst at the seams with humour and tragedy, joy and sadness and is sure to touch audiences with its warmth and honesty.

BOILING FROG (11 AUGUST) Lewis Angel has the perfect life. A perfect perception that is. So when his wife announces that she wants a divorce, Lewis finds himself in a freefall into reality. But what is real

anyway? What is this unforeseen torment? How will the kids react?

What about their friends? How will he survive life as a single parent? Boiling Frog takes you on an emotional rollercoaster with events that threaten to engulf Lewis, his family and his mind…

DANDY DICK (14-18 JULY) Dandy Dick tells the hilarious story of the Very Reverend Augustin Jedd, a pillar of Victorian respectability, who preaches regularly against the evils of the Turf. But a visit from his tearaway sister, herself a habitual gambler, leads him to risk all at the races, much against his better judgement. Mayhem ensues, with romantic intrigue, mistaken identity and a runaway horse... Following his huge success with The Madness of George III in the West End, Christopher Luscombe directs a solid gold cast of comic actors in what is surely the must-see comedy of 2012.

LEGALLY BLONDE (4-8 September) The international award-winning hit Legally Blonde The Musical goes on tour. Winner of seven major awards including Best Musical 2011 (Olivier Awards) this all-singing, all-dancing romantic comedy is about knowing who you are and showing what you’ve got! Elle Woods can handle anything. So when her boyfriend, Warner, dumps her she decides to follow him to Harvard Law School and win him back. With some help

from new-found friends Paulette, Emmett, her Chihuahua Bruiser, she learns that it’s so much better to be smart.

ALSO ON AT THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE IN JULY: MICHAEL MCINTYRE (2ND-4TH) PERFORM WITH A VENGEANCE (7TH) ROY CHUBBY BROWN (12TH) IMMORTAL ATTITUDE (14TH) SHOWTIME 2012 (15TH)

41 MONKGATE To book: 623568.

PLAYHOUSE CREATURES (10-14 JULY) It’s 1670. For the first time ever actresses are now allowed to perform on the English Stage. Amidst the bear pits of the theatres, five actresses struggle to push themselves to the forefront, fighting against the prejudice of the industry, the preconceptions of the public and the bitter rivalries they share. Ogled and abused by their audience, underpaid by their bosses and in a world where ageing brings only unemployment. Staged by Hedgepig Theatre.

MUSEUM GARDENS To book: 623568 YORK MYSTERY PLAYS 2012 (2-27 AUGUST) From Creation to the Last Judgment, these plays form one of the greatest stories ever told. In summer 2012 the story of God, of man and woman and of the cosmic struggle between good and evil will be presented on an epic scale against the magnificent backdrop of St Mary’s Abbey. For the first time since 1988 in a production of this size, the Plays will return to York Museum Gardens, where a 1400-seat covered theatre will be constructed within the ancient walls of the Abbey.

FOUNTAINS ABBEY To book: 0844 2491895 KING ARTHUR AND THE SWORD IN THE STONE (7 JULY) Bring a picnic and join us for an evening of outdoor theatre as the Cambridge Touring Theatre take a merry romp through the world of magic and mystery with their robust and comical musical adaptation performed in the Abbey ruins. This is family outdoor theatre at its liveliest as the future King Arthur goes on a quest for the sword that is his destiny.

Hilarious, interactive fun for all ages.

OPEN AIR SHAKESPEAREMACBETH (21 JULY) Enjoy a performance of Shakespeare’s thrilling Scottish play in the atmospheric Abbey ruins. When

the triumphant soldier Macbeth discovers he’s destined to be the next King of Scotland, he and Lady Macbeth decide to risk everything in a desperate attempt to gain the throne.

Macbeth’s violent dream of power becomes a paranoid nightmare...

Join The Lord Chamberlains Men, performing with an all-male cast, aiming to revive the traditions of Elizabethan theatre, in this devastating and gripping thriller.

HELMSLEY ARTS CENTRE SALT OF THE EARTH (9 AUGUST) CASTING CALL! Badapple Theatre are seeking enthusiastic and talented 16-26 year olds, with an interest in pursuing acting or theatre technical management as a career, to get involved with a new summer touring project of John Godber’s Salt of the Earth. They are looking for 11 actors (six female, five male) and two technicians who will work with acclaimed director Sue Rosser for two weeks, to produce Salt of the Earth by John Godber. The play will be performed at Helmsley Arts Centre on Thursday 9th August, and will then tour local small venues on the 10th, 11th and 12th. This is a great opportunity for young people who are considering further training or a career in the theatre. It will be hard work, but extremely rewarding and great fun. To book your place at the audition or for further info email suerosser@hotmail.com To book tickets for the show call 01439 771700

7–22 July

There’s something for all the family including exhibitions, York Canoe Race, Come and Try-It Canoe Sessions, music, poetry and riverside walks!

7 July, from 11am - York 800 flotilla and riverside entertainment

Join in as 800 boats process down the river, watch the boats and much more!

8 July, 10am - Dragon Boat Racing www.yorkfestivals.com

CASTLE HOWARD BLACK BEAUTY (26-27 JULY) PEEL Heritage brings the classic novel ‘Black Beauty’ to life this summer at Castle Howard in a stylish and contemporary open-air theatre production. As told through the eyes of the stallion, the story follows Black Beauty’s life as a workhorse in the 19th century – from his carefree days on a country farm to a more gruelling existence pulling cabs in London, and his dark days down the mine. The first 20 minutes of the production will be performed in promenade, providing a perfect setting to enjoy the story.

There will also be the opportunity to meet a ‘real life’ Black Beauty.

Bring a picnic and be entertained on a summer evening. Performance starts at 7.30pm. To book visit www. castlehowardestate.co.uk

what will you

discover?

Play and explore at Beningbrough Hall and Gardens this summer.

Adventure in the wilderness play area, build a den or find a geocache in the parkland. Rainy days are perfect for a visit to our top floor portrait galleries, where you can discover your inner Georgian.

Open 7 days during local school holidays.

£

Family entry only 21 Under 5s and members go FREE

Call 01904 472027, download our FREE App or visit nationaltrust.org.uk/beningbrough © National Trust Images/John Millar Registered Charity, Number 205846

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Peter Holmes 701129 128 Pipe solutions Plumbing Svs 707484 128 Poppleton Plumbing & Heating 07903 979712 128 Rapid Response Plumbing 07947 525227 128 RPH Plumbing 07504 032370 128 S Williams Plumbing & Heating 07716 788680 128 Scurr Heating 07976 394117 128 Sleepsafe Gas Services 07799 474565 128 T Whitelam 07729 980253 128 Tom Plumb 07971 437359 128 TP Plumbing 761919 128 Websters Plumbing Services 07704 858144 128 Yorkshire Central Plumbing 780780 126 DRS Installations 07866 387846 126 The Direct Boiler Co 295033 7 pointing Grove Property Repairs 780910 119 printing/design York Graphic Designers 07821 074637 9 Property Services All Trades Network 07725 574860 81 removals/Storage 1 Van 1 Man 785022 129 A2B 07772 568526 129 2 Anywhere 07952 843398 129 Mr Shifter 07710 450672 129 Ridings Removals 07854 747129 129 Hughes removals 0800 435449 26 renewable energy Green Energy Projects ltd 01347 833329 83 Peak Power systems 01751 476989 10 roofing Flat Roof Company 0800 212548 129 Able Roofing (York) 07908 558954 29 Advanced Roofing 07867 774747 131 Elite Roofing 750166 129 Flat Roof Company 0800 212548 83 Future roofs 07773 388141 129 Haxby Roofline Company Ltd 07718 521107 130 N Malarkey Roofing 07932 067701 129 Roofs Above 0800 0855 688 37 Mark Winters Lead Work 07976 845678 131 Peter Dodds Roofing 500232 81 Fibretech Ltd 07880 726122 130 Ian Young Roofing 07906 590626 129 M Thorne Property Dev. 07880 726122 130 SD Roofing 07889 652091 131 Shops/stores Barnitts 625601 14 Supersave 625735 23 Corkys 625075 106 Blue Moon trading 624141 21 Fantasy World 621328 27 Flax and Twine 289151 17 GA White 624643 16 Hambleton Furniture 622707 22 Herbert Todd 628676 8 Rydenor 476216 26 Time out 626949 26 Wall Of Sound 704107 81 York Community Furniture 426444 19 Moneyspinners 655866 1 Paul Dawson (York) Ltd 654769 3 Skips/Waste Removal A - Z Waste 07802 434349 88 Acomb Waste Disposal 07724 441630 87 York Waste 07763 630343 88 D Boswell 488632 92 Ebor Skip Hire 400997 89 Waste Disposal 07870 486408 89 Wrights of Crockey Hill 620626 93 Solicitors Richardson Gildener Solicitors 642727 66 Richardson Gildener Solicitors 642727 12 Richardson Gildener Solicitors 642727 20 Hethertons Solicitors 528200 23

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Ardent Law Ltd 782958 60 Harland & Co Solicitors 655555 13 Harrowells 558600 11 Harrowells 558600 19 Sports/Clubs/Activities New Earswick Bowls Club 750230 112 York Golf Range 499275 18 Tilers Mr Multitrade 07946 378665 124 Dockers Tiling Services 731638 116 Tool Hire A Plant 691888 119 travel/holidays Allerdale Hotel 01803 292667 3 Hornsea Leisure Park 01964 535352 22 Fairmont Chauffeurs 07802 376970 5 Venue Hire Haxby memorial Hall 764358 15 Weddings Beechwood Close Hotel 658378 57 Celebration Cakes 01937 831173 57 Merchant Adventurers 654818 57 Abbey All Events 07552 962407 57 Event Prop Hire 0845 0940816 57 Fletchers Fabrics 692984 57 Holiday Inn 777515 57 Jonathan’s Discos 07505 491578 52 Kate’s Flower’s Woodthorpe 705495 57 Knavesmire Hotel 702941 57 Love Cheese 622967 57 Love Dub campers 737864 57 Sandburn Hall 469914 56 The Old Lodge 01653 690570 57 York Register Office 654477 56 will Writing JMD Associates UK 799282 21 Window Cleaning Claires Window Cleaning 07717 756431 121 Window/Door Repairs All Double Glazing Repairs 481148 125 Access All UPVC Repairs 410069 131 DR Glazing 654274 131 PVC Window Doctor 07732 822525 131 Windows/Doors/Cons A&S Windows 01937 557999 82 D.G.M.S Windows 479944 15 Eliments 08000 436005 6 Value Doors (York) 07943 867835 2 Newspan 0800 5873423 11 York Millenium Window 691122 18 Crystal Clear Home Improv. 720611 2 Quickslide Windows 653885 144 Square Deals Ltd 0800 7315435 3 York Trade Windows 541919 9 Arrow Property Care 792731 131 Window Solutions 07842 532133 131 worktops/kitchens Dales of Thirsk Ltd 01845 522523 80 Work Top Man 07891 858873 81

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AERIALs

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AERIALs / building & property maintenance

Call: 08454 675672 Mob: 07725 574860 www.alltradesnetwork.net

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Local businesses at your fingertips

Building / property maintenance

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119

building & property maintenance / cleaning



      



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Local businesses at your fingertips

cleaning / decorators

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decorators / electricians

Gary Roe

Painting & Decorating all aspects of decorating Interior & Exterior No job too small Free quotes & advice given All insurance work undertaken

call today on

01904 612419 or 07717 116489

MR & MRS

PAINTING & DECORATING

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Local businesses at your fingertips

electricians / guttering / garage doors

Electrical

FASCIAS • SOFFITS • GUTTERING

POLYPLAS FASCIAS • SOFFITS • GUTTERING

We Are 100% Roofline!

York’s Longest Established Fascia & Soffit Replacement Company

Find us at www.polyplas.net E: info@polyplas.net

Tel: 01904 782300

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garage doors / handypeople / joinery

No VAT

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Local businesses at your fingertips

locksmiths / plastering

“Unlike other Repairers we do not sell Windows & Doors�

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locks safe?

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plastering / plumbing & heating

COMPLETE BATHROOM FITTING SERVICE (including tiling)

P L U M B I N G

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L T D

Local businesses at your fingertips

plumbing & heating

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PLUMBING & HEATING

Tel:07966 344950

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plumbing & heating / removals

NEW SHOWROOM Now Open

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Local businesses at your fingertips

removals / roofing

APPROVED INSTALLERS

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roofing 130

Local businesses at your fingertips

roofing / windows, doors & conservatories SPECIAL DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE! CALL FOR DETAILS!

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Adult Education Supplement ADULT LEARNING

Adult Education can help you whatever your circumstances. If you’re a twentysomething office executive looking to get further in your career, or an experienced hairdresser wanting to open your own salon, Adult Learning can help. And of course, if you just want to try a new hobby there’s something for you too.

“The phrase ‘Adult Learning’ covers a really broad range of studies nowadays,” says Mike Saunders, Head of Studies, Lifelong Learning and HE. “There are Access courses for people wanting to get back to Higher Education, professional courses for people seeking to further their careers, Apprenticeships, art and creative

courses and even basic skills courses for those who want to brush up their English and Maths. Whatever your 132

reason for learning, we’ve probably got something for you.”

The college’s excellent track record with adult learners is proven by its success stories. Student Ian Park

won Adult Student of the Year during Adult Learner’s Week in 2011, Chris Granger published his first novel at the age of 71 after studying at the college and Victoria Robinson successfully completed a Foundation Degree in Business Management, giving birth to

her fourth child while on the course.

The range of adult learners who attend the college is huge, and as varied as the reasons why they attend.

The excellent facilities coupled with an expert standard of tuition – the pass rates are above the national average – make the college a wonderfully inspiring place to learn, enabling you

to gain practical and useful skills. The convenient location is ideal for those of us who are learning later in life,

too – the college is local, so there’s no need for a long commute, meaning that it’s easy to fit college work around other commitments such as work or family life.

In this edition of Your Local Link we’ve

included a list of the Adult Learning courses offered at York College in September, and on the following pages you can find out all you need to know about Adult Learning at York College.

The Right Course Whether you’re hoping to be the next Richard Branson or simply wanting to learn how to tune up your car’s engine, at York College you’ll be sure to find the right course for you. Plus, the college can offer a greater amount of contact time with your course tutors than a university can, meaning more can be learned in less time – perfect for somebody with pre-existing commitments such as a family or a job.

York College has an outstanding track record of working with adult learners. In fact student Ian Park, whose case study can be found on the next page, was awarded the ‘Adult Student of the Year’ award during Adult Learner’s Week in 2011.

York College courses are not all classroom based. Many, such as those listed below, involve getting on your feet and earning first-hand experience in your chosen vocation.

on courses that people will want to do and that will make a real difference to their lives. “We’ve tried to cover all of the home improvements essentials such as basic plumbing and decorating so our students can have confidence when they take on these jobs at home,” says Kevin. “The courses are fun as well and are suitable for anyone – we have men and women of all ages coming to college to improve their DIY skills.”

practitioners in the field. Many are artists and designers themselves and they have their finger on the pulse and are ready to share their skills and knowledge. Our exciting new Art School courses really respond to the artists and designers out there who ask ‘Can we come and be creative, do our own thing and not do a qualification?’ Well now – yes you can! You will be guided by an artist, designer or professional practitioner and enjoy working with a like-minded group in our wonderful studios and workshops.”

Art attack

There are always jobs that need doing around the house and the cost of getting someone in to see to them can be astronomical. By taking one of York College’s DIY courses you could not only save money in tradesman bills but also go into business yourself!

There’s Furniture Making for the crafty ones amongst you and Introduction to Home and Garden Maintenance Skills for learning those handy tricks like removing radiators, fixing security locks and putting up shelves. There’s also Practical Home and Garden Improvement Skills for painting, decorating and brick laying skills and Introduction to Vehicle Technology for budding mechanics.

Constructional Divisional Head Kevin Clancy says that the college tries to put

Who can apply?

…and relax!

Something smells nice, because as part of its Health and Beauty courses York College is now offering a Diploma in Aromatherapy. This part-time course is perfect for people with existing experience or qualifications in physical therapy and massage treatment. You will be provided with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to prepare for and

Do it yourself

authentic setting, and some is done on the job. There’s a wide range of Apprenticeship courses offered at York College, including Accounting, Beauty Therapy, Plumbing and Engineering.

Turn a hobby into a qualification! By taking one of York College’s art and craft courses you’ll find yourself well on the way to your exhibition at the Tate Modern. There’s a plethora of classes to take, including Ceramics; Kiln Formed Glass; Painting and Drawing and also Photography (Digital and Photoshop). For anyone who has ever walked by the Minster and wondered how it is all done, there’s Stone Carving, and for those wanting to break into graphic design there’s Images on Apple Macs. If you’re more of a lover of bling, then the two levels of awards in Creative Jewellery Craft are for you. Meanwhile, classes on Saturday mornings for young people between the ages of 12 and 16 allow youngsters to learn skills, too.

Helen Ventress, Head of Fine Art, Design and Craft says: “We have a fantastic state-of-the-art department with excellent facilities – but best of all we have dedicated tutors who are

Anyone living in England who is over 16 and not on any other full-time course can apply to do an Apprenticeship. But it’s not just for young people - Apprenticeships are becoming increasingly popular amongst older people who are looking to retrain. All Apprenticeships include an NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) and you’ll also be working towards Key Skills or Functional Skills qualifications in Maths, English and in certain cases IT, and most Apprentices will work towards a Technical Certificate or Diploma.

Employers – save yourself some money!

provide full aromatherapy treatments on members of the public.

Earn while you learn Apprentices are paid employees who train whilst working in a relevant environment. If you become an apprentice you’ll attend York College on a day release basis and work towards a qualification. Some training is classroom based, some is practical, using the facilities such as the salon or a workshop to hone skills in an

If you are an employer looking to take on an Apprentice then you could find yourself financially better off, with 76% of employers saying that Apprenticeships provide higher overall productivity and 77% believing Apprenticeships make them more competitive. If you would like to speak to someone about taking on an Apprentice, call 770368 for more details.

Turn the page for more information on Apprenticeships.

Remember to look through the full course menu, included with this month’s issue!

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Case Study: Victoria Robinson

Case Study:

Ian Park

“Winning the student of the year prize was a massive boost for me.”

After many years working as a cleaner and bus driver, Ian Park has been given an Outstanding Individual Adult Learner Award and has been nominated for a national VQ Learner of the Year Award. Ian had previously been out of education for almost 20 years when he began the Foundation Degree in Internet and Business Technologies. However, whilst studying Ian suffered a stroke and was hospitalised for several weeks.

His determination to complete his

studies was an inspiration to his tutors and classmates and when his health improved he returned to complete his degree. Ian was awarded York College’s Student of the Year prize 2010/11 in recognition of his ability to balance college and family life, as well as dealing with a major illness. Ian is now working as a software developer in York and is working toward his Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer qualification, sponsored by his employer.

“Taking on the degree filled me with confidence.”

Victoria started at York College in 2007 to study a Foundation Degree in Business Management.

Although she left school with just GCSEs, the tutors at York College were particularly interested in her experience in a business environment. Victoria even had her fourth child while studying one day a week for the course. “The tutors were absolutely wonderful.

They helped me in every way they could,” she says. After finishing her

course Victoria went on to study for a teaching qualification and plans to pass on her business knowledge to others. “Studying at York College has been totally life changing,” says Victoria. “My learning experience has been so positive, giving me a career to focus on, and I’m now able to earn a rate of pay that I wouldn’t have believed possible before. The tutors went the extra mile to accommodate my situation and to help me achieve my goals.”

The Power of Learning Chris Granger is one of York College’s biggest success stories.

Having enrolled at 60 to formally study GCSE and A Level English, he became a published author at 71. We caught up with him to find out about his experiences at York College.

Why did you choose to enter education again at the age of 60?

I entered further education later in life due to circumstances as a child in the 1950s. I was unable to get anything more than a basic education, though I did receive further education during my 25 years in the Fire Service. My younger sisters turned first to adult education, both receiving excellent results in English. It was they who encouraged me to do the same, and at the age of 60 I achieved my one and only GCSE, and the following year my one and only A Level, in English Literature. This was my introduction to York College.

As there are lots of young people studying at the college, what was your experience like as a mature student?

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The youngest student being 17, I was by far the oldest member of a class of about 16 students and I put my hand up to answer questions like everybody else. I enjoyed the experience, found it greatly beneficial and would urge anyone beyond what is considered ‘school-age’, to do the same.

How do you think the experience helped you?

Quite simply, if I hadn’t attended the classes at York College I would never have had a novel published. I found the experience inspirational and was encouraged, as was everyone, to make good use of the education we were being given. My advice to anyone considering taking a course is don’t hesitate, have a go. You only fail if you don’t try.

How did you feel when you got your first novel published?

Have you got any other novels in the pipeline?

All my life my one enduring ambition was to have a novel published and to see it displayed in a public library or a bookshop, yet when it finally happened it was an anti-climax and my immediate reaction was “Can I do it again? Can I write another?”

Immediately, all of my energies were focused on doing just that. It must be pointed out that I have not done anything that no-one else can do.

My great satisfaction has come from how well it has been received: there have been some great reviews on Amazon and York College purchased 13 copies to give as awards to students who have excelled. The college would not do that if they did not think the novel had literary merit, so that’s a great achievement for me.

I am currently writing a second novel called ‘Shula and the Goats From Tala’. It is set in Kenya ten years after independence, and should be published sometime next year.

What are your strongest memories of the college?

My strongest memory of York College is the quality of education afforded by the teaching staff, a dedication which does not stop even after you leave, as I have found to my own good fortune.

Chris’s first novel, ‘Some Lessons in Gaelic’, is available at Waterstones in York and www.amazon.co.uk

Facilities

York College is extremely proud of its state-of-the-art facilities, housed in an impressive £60 million building on Sim Balk Lane. These incredible resources cater to and enhance the college’s huge range of courses and subject areas, and York’s residents are always welcome to sample the sumptuous salon, fantastic restaurant and wonderful theatre, all at a fraction of the cost you would usually pay.

The great thing about the facilities is that the students working in these areas get an authentic experience, and fellow students and the community benefit from reduced-price treats.

Ashfields Restaurant

The on-site training restaurant is located on the ground floor of the central atrium. Daytime and evening menus are all presented in true cordon bleu style for a fraction of the cost, giving students the opportunity to both cook and serve a range of meals.

Alan Ayckbourn Theatre Named after Yorkshire’s greatest living playwright, the theatre can be adapted for a wide variety of performance: for theatre, dance and music events. Seating up to 200, the theatre possesses state-of-the-art lighting and sound equipment, making it an ideal place for creativity. Soon the space will be available to hire for local groups and companies.

Salon The modern facilities include a spa that houses a UV solarium, sauna, steam capsule and hydrotherapy bath. The salon is run as a realistic working environment to facilitate learning, and all workshops are supervised by highly trained and experienced staff.

Art Facilities Whether you’re taking a part-time art course as a hobby or studying at degree level, the Art School is a great place to practise and learn. With excellent quality facilities for a number of materials including textiles, paint and glass, you’re able to bring in your own projects to work on under expert guidance.

Add to all this the top quality learning centre that’s equipped with books, periodicals, computers and specialists who can help with your query, state-ofthe-art sports facilities, and the Construction Centre at Osbaldwick and you get a truly diverse range of excellent facilities. n

To find out more, visit www.yorkcollege.ac.uk/facilities

Apprenticeships for all ages Apprenticeships are thriving at York College. The College’s Business Development Unit (BDU) is on hand to help with any questions people have about becoming or taking on an Apprentice, and Employer Engagement Manager Sue Hirst is keen to point out that they’re not restricted to young people.

“Apprenticeships are for people aged 16 and over and there’s no upper age limit. There is still a small element of cultural attitude that people assume Apprenticeships are for the less academic student and this is not the case. A lot of people don’t realise that we have a growing number of adult Apprentices, as well as younger people that have decided not to go to university,” she says.

Apprentices are employed just like any other member of staff with the added bonus of learning while they are earning. “The course delivery

will vary,” says Sue. “An Apprentice might attend college on a day release or block release basis.

Some work is practical, say in a workshop or laboratory, while some might be in the classroom; it really depends on the type of Apprenticeship you’re doing.”

Apprentices and we’re always looking for new companies as we have applicants looking for work,” says Sue.

She adds that Apprenticeships provide a framework of qualifications, as well as developing work skills, and can take between one and five years to complete. “At the moment there are real financial incentives for employers to take on

If you’re thinking of becoming an Apprentice, or you’re an employer and you want to take on an Apprentice, you can call the Business Development Unit at York College on 770368 or www.yorkcollege.ac.uk/employers

n It’s

easy to enrol on a course at York College, simply choose an option from below.* By phone: Simply call 770200 to speak to one the staff.

In person: Pop down to the InfoZone in the college’s main reception. Evening enrolment is available until 7pm MondayThursday until the end of June. After that evening enrolment will take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings until 7pm. *Please note that if you are applying for funding and fee remissions you must apply in person to present the required documents.

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Marketing

weathering the storm During times of economic downturn and recession it may feel like the safest thing to do is slash spending on marketing, bury your head in the sand and hope for the best. But cutting your marketing budget during financial difficulties is often the wrong thing to do and has left many businesses unable to survive.

During recession your customers tend not to have the luxury of shopping around and will want to put their trust in a company that appears strong and confident. If they see your company continuing to advertise with an eye-catching and positive campaign you’ll be sure to grab their attention.

So, you have a story to tell and want to get some editorial in a magazine or newspaper – here are our top tips on writing a press release that will get used, or at least rea d. We should know: we get loads every day, and the ones that follow these tips don’t end up in the black hole known as the ‘editor ’s round file.’

(Failing that, copious amounts of hand-delivere

Keep calm and carry on

• First of all, make sure the informati on is newsworthy. If not, the editor who receives it won’t bother to print the story or follow it up. Make sure you wait until you have something with enough substance to issue a release.

• Check each publication’s deadline!

There’s no point sending the release to a magazine whose deadline has already passed. Even if the editor likes your story it will be too late to print it.

• Keep your title simple and include the most important keywords.

• Think about who your story is going to and tailor the wording to match the voice or style of the publication. There is mor e chance of the editor running with it if the press release already seems like the kind of thing they publish.

• Make sure you start with the details of the story first, then include information abou t your company – never the other way around.

(marketing yourself) • Reinvest in your current customers.

During a recession they're more likely to go with the more trusted source – that should be you. Make it easier for them to come back to you by marketing directly to them. Ask current customers what they need, and care for them.

They’ll be even more likely to stick with you if the going gets tough.

• A recession slows everything down. Use the extra time you may find you have to invest in your online presence. Smarten up your website and your social media presence – advertising services on Facebook and Twitter are completely free and extremely effective.

• Add value, not price. Continuously adding value to your services is the way to get repeat customers and new business through referrals.

Adding price without value is a surefire way to lose those precious customers.

• The main body of the text should rang e from 300-800 words.

d chocolate works for us…)

• Your lead paragraph needs to anno unce your most important news and, where possible, include a link to your webpage – most editors will be receiving the relea se via email.

• Make sure the first ten words of your release are effective, as they are the mos t important. Deal with the facts.

• Provide as much contact information as possible – who to contact for more information, their address, phone num ber and email. Also include your web addr ess again.

• Include an interesting photograph – in JPEG form, not embedded within the word document – giving editors one more reason to assign coverage to your news instead of a competitor’s.

• Remember to keep your press relea se simple, lively and interesting. Journalists will always be more interested in human interest stories – so make sure there is a personal angle to the news and someone for them to speak to.

• And most importantly… keep advertising!

We already traipse down every driveway in York with Your Local Link, so we might as well take your leaflet or menu with us.

Cost? £28 per 1000.

You try delivering 1000 leaflets by yourself; it would cost you more in If you want customers from further afield (not from shoe leather and chiropractic a field) then these are spot on! They’re delivered by treatments to recover Royal Mail into every letterbox in Bridlington, Driffield, than what we charge!

Filey, Flamborough, Hornsea, Scarborough and beyond. In total, that means another 82,000 homes and businesses that will have your ad right there in front of them when they need it.

help you e of the other things we do that might

som As if we weren’t busy enough, here are rs! ome cust in your bold quest for new

Jam packed full with events, news, blogs, local info and all manner of silly and sensible stuff.

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A really neat publication that goes out to all hotels, B&Bs, Visitor Info Centres, Park & Rides, attractions… (you get the idea.)

Absolutely perfect if you want to attract tourists to your business.

We don’t often shout about ourselves – we like to think that our products do the talking for us. However, we get so many requests for further information that we thought we’d take this opportunity to answer your most frequently asked questions.

Shipton by Beningbrough

Strensall

Wigginton

Haxby Where does Your Local Link go to?

See the map opposite. Imagine driving all the way from Strensall to Acaster Malbis, or Angram to Dunnington: every house, flat, bungalow and business (and the odd wooden shack) you pass gets a magazine delivered every month. Phew, that’s a lot of magazines – over 88,000 in fact. Did you know there are 88,167 letterboxes in York and the surrounding villages? Neither did we until we asked the nice people at Royal Mail, and they should know.

How much does it cost to advertise?

Not as much as you might think! As little as two bottles of drinkable wine a week or one takeaway for you and your significant other (unless you’re greedy), or four pints of beer at your local….okay, in money terms from as little as £12.50 a week.

Bargain! Of course for the extravagant amongst you or those with loads to shout about there are bigger ads as well. Just ask – we don’t bite, unless it’s chocolate you’re paying us with and then there are no guarantees.

Does advertising with you actually work?

We’d like to think so, it is our life’s work and consumes our days and we’d hate to think we were wasting our time, but our greatest advocates are our advertisers themselves. Turn the page for a few of their comments: and no we haven’t bribed, paid or otherwise cajoled and browbeaten them into saying nice things about us.

If in doubt, ring them up and ask them. Can’t say fairer than that.

But I don’t have any artwork? Don’t worry! You might be the best plumber in the world, or the best five star hotel – you are hopefully really, really good

Clifton Moor

Nether Poppleton

Knapton

Rufforth Angram

Rawcliffe Clifton

New Earswick

Warthill

Holtby

Bellfarm

Dodsworth Av. Heworth Bootham Monkgate Tang Hall Poppleton Rd The GrovesLayerthorpe Exhibition Sq. Beckfield Ln Foss Islands Osbaldwick Holgate Piccadilly The Mount Chapelfields Clementhorpe Acomb Fishergate Scarcroft Southbank Foxwood

Murton

Dunnington

YORK

Dringhouses

Askham Askham Bryan Richard

Bilbrough

Stockton on the Forest

Skelton

Overton

Upper Poppleton

Earswick

Heslington

Fulford

Middlethorpe

Copmanthorpe

Bishopthorpe

Acaster Malbis

at what you do, and we are really, really good at what we do (there we go blowing our own trumpet again!) and we will do the artwork for you. Over 99% of the ads you see in Your Local Link are designed and written by us. We have the most fabulous in-house team here at Link HQ who love nothing more than getting their hands on a new customer (figuratively speaking of course, unless your first name is Brad and your second is Pitt) and coming up with a cracking ad for them. And it’s for the best Yorkshire price… nowt, nothing, zero. Really.

I’m afraid you’ll sell me something just to make your target, not to suit my business.

We won’t sell you anything unless you need it. We’re kinda old fashioned and believe in marriage, not one night stands. Our sales team are very unique (in more ways than one) and are often heard telling customers (much to the

Naburn

Elvington

Crockey Hill

Wheldrake Deighton

annoyance of our accountant) that they don’t need a really big ad, just one that does the right job for them. Test them out if you want, go on, we dare you!

I only want to attract high-income customers and you are not a ‘lifestyle’ publication… We may not look like a traditional lifestyle publication but we are the only publication that will go to every single high-end, posh, ‘loads of money’ home. So if you want to attract really posh customers, we can do that for you in spades. As Cedar Court – York’s only five star hotel – said to us recently: “Advertising with you shouldn’t work for us, it goes against everything we would normally do. But it is the best response-generating advertising we do in York, without exception. It attracts the kind of customers we want time after time. We don’t know how you do it, but we are very, very happy with what you are doing.”

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Without any bribery or coercion, this is what our lovely customers have had to say about us recently.

I had a fantastic response to just one advert, it brought me in at least £1000 in business, so it was definitely worth the £86 investment.

Richard, Kilnwick Gardens

A belated many thanks for putting the article in about the event. Looks like we have record entries for the event this year which is brilliant. Keith Yet again, the newcomers to the most recent fruit sharing event have said that they read about us in Your Local Link and people have come to Haxby from Strensall, Skelton, Clifton and even Bishopthorpe. The special article on saving fruit last month has had some keen reactions and we have had calls from all over York.

Tim Bos, Creating Cooperative Community Just been reading the new issue of Your Local Link, and thought I should tell you it's brilliant!

No need for any other magazine with my coffee this morning! It’s really informative – loved the Knowing Me, Knowing You bit about the staff. I wanna advertise with you guys!

Paula Howell, The Granary Picture Framing Just to say a huge thank you for the advert and listings in the events guide and the Join the Club section. The advert looks fantastic and the text you have included sounds perfect. We are extremely pleased with everything. Thanks again and hope to speak soon! Ewa This is just a brief note to say thank you for mentioning the neutering campaign again in the January issue. I would not hesitate to recommend Your Local Link to anyone looking for good value advertising in the York area.

Colette Fowler, Publicity Officer, York Cats Protection

The ad has been going quite well, generating approximately three leads a month of which at least one paid job has resulted each month, and I'm expanding to cover house moves.

Thought you might like the feedback. Simon Our Come and Sing Faure Requiem at St Clements Church on Saturday was a huge success thanks to the adverts in Your Local Link, with nearly 70 singers attending. Everyone enjoyed the day and we concluded by performing the work in the late afternoon. £100 was donated by the audience for St Leonard’s Hospice. Thanks for all your help!

John Guest

Advertising in Your Local Link generates us more response than any other publication.

Treasurers House Thanks so much for covering Space 109’s October activities in your magazine. Not only have you promoted our activities to the whole of York and beyond, you have also added important endorsement to our organisation. I can’t thank you enough for your support. Jo Thank you for our recruitment ad for Tread The Boards Academy Of Performing Arts. The quality of applicants was very high, and we have found a fantastic new dance teacher who can't wait to start!

We'll certainly be using Your Local Link for our advertising in future. Alison, Tread The Boards Your Local Link has proven so successful for us since we started advertising. We may decide to try a different type of advert as well: if we do, we will certainly come to you to trial it.

Thanks for your help.

Richard Kay, Marketing Consultant, EnviroVent Just to say thanks for your help with the “Meet the Advertiser” piece. The phones have been ringing and jobs have been booked in. Thanks again.

Tim Stockdale

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Thank you for the advertisement. We have received seven calls in two days! Portal Fencing I was absolutely over the moon with your service for printing my menus. Not only did you do a top notch printing job (many customers have commented on them!), your communication throughout was superb and the job was finished earlier than the deadline. I can certainly say that you under-promise and over-deliver. Keep up the good work and I will be bringing all of printing needs to you. Thank you Link Print!

Miss Roe, Honeypot Cafe, Scarborough I am a great fan of your first-class leaflet distribution service. Using Your Local Link to distribute our leaflets was the most cost-effective advertising we did last year. It generated lots of new patients and outperformed the advertising we did in the local press and radio as well as Yellow Pages. Pound for pound, it was by far the best.

Stephen Davies, Ainsty Dental Practice, Boroughbridge Road

Advertising in Your Local Link has done very well for me, getting my business in the public eye. The magazine must be well-read because it’s attracted a lot of good students to my courses.

Bob Lambert, Woodworking Courses I just wanted to thank you for publishing not one but two articles about the newly-restored Clements Hall (Nunthorpe Road) in your January edition. Many people have come through our doors saying they saw us in Your Local Link, which has helped us reach a much bigger audience. As a not-for-profit organisation, running facilities for the local community and the people of York, you can appreciate that paying for publicity is beyond us, but in any case money could scarcely have bought the increased awareness you have raised for us.

Pauline Buchanan, Chair, St Clements Hall Preservation Trust

It’s all very well telling customers how great you are through marketing, but the key to any good business is finding out what they think, too – which is why we’re giving the floor over to you. We want to know how you feel about Your Local Link: what are we doing right, what are we doing wrong, and if there’s anything we can do to make it even better. Either fill in the survey and send it to us at the address on page five (mark your letter ‘Survey’), or visit our website and complete the survey online. All returned surveys will be entered in a draw at the end of July and the winner will receive a special prize!

How often do you read Your Local Link?

Have you entered any or our competitions? m Yes

m No

m Every month m Sometimes m Never What’s your favourite section of the magazine? You can tick more than one!

Have you ever used a company as a result of seeing their advertisement in Your Local Link?

m Competitions

m Yes

m No

Are you:

m The best of York (news, views and interviews) m Donna’s column m Horoscopes m Join the Club m Sports Column m Gadget Guide m Motoring m Health & Beauty m Weddings m Family m Property & Interiors m Gardening m Food & Drink m Events Diary m Film guide m Gig Guide m Theatre column What was your favourite feature in this month’s magazine?

Have you ever used a company as a result of seeing their editorial coverage in Your Local Link? m Yes

We’d like to get to know our readers better, so we’d love it if you could tell us some information about yourself. Anything you tell us will be kept in strict confidence, and will not be passed on to any third party. m Male m Female How old are you? m Under 25 m 25 - 44 m 45 – 64 m Over 65 Do you have children?

m No

m Yes m No In general, do you feel Your Local Link is:

If so, how old?

m Poor quality m Average m High quality

m Under 5 m 5 – 10 m 10 – 18 m Over 18 What are your hobbies and interests?

How often do you use the internet?

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m Often m Sometimes m Never

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How often do you visit our website?

If you’d like to be entered in our prize draw, please give us your contact details: (Name, address, telephone number)

m Once a week or more

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m Once or twice a month

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m Never

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How would you rate our new website?

(1 = poor, 10 = excellent)

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Clear and easy to read (scale 1 – 10)

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What was your least favourite?

Are there any other comments you’d like to make about the magazine? We do listen and we’d like to know how we can improve!

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Is there anything you’d like to see more of?

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Informative (scale 1 – 10) Entertaining (scale 1- 10)

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When you’re looking for something, it’s not always easy to know where to start. But, as our mums used to say, if a job’s worth doing it’s worth doing properly.

That’s why we hired Sue, our resident recruitment expert. She understands how vital it is to your business that you hire the right person when a position becomes available – and just how much of a difference hiring the right person can make.

The best thing about the Recruitment section in Your Local Link is that we reach both the people who are jobsearching, and those who might not be actively looking for work but who might just change jobs if the right one came along.

That person could be the best choice for your business, and how else will you reach them if they aren’t looking at job sites?

With adverts that are designed especially for your company to target the type of person you want

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– and reach over 88,000 homes and businesses across the city – recruiting with Your Local Link really works. What’s more, adverts in our Recruitment section start from as little as £42 plus VAT, making advertising with us massively more cost effective than other ways of recruiting. When you think that our magazine is delivered to four

times more readers than other local publications, we think that’s money well spent.

With a vast range of skilled professionals right here in York, why go further afield?

Call Sue on 767881 – she’d love to find your next star employee for you.

Tockwith, Nr York

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We are the leading supply teaching agency in North Yorkshire.

Now recruiting high quality teachers and teaching assistants.

Y H T A YORKSHIRE AND HUMBERSIDE

TEACHERS

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• Local York branch • Excellent rates • Immediate work • Established 10 years • Primary and Secondary work available • Permanent placements

Call:01904 500595

or apply online at: www.principalteachers.co.uk

Staff Nurse (RMN) Opportunities At The Retreat we are proud of our reputation for excellence, providing care of the highest standard and quality. With over 200 years experience, we have always led the way in mental health care. We have a number of exciting opportunities for Registered Mental Health Nurses to join our team and be part of our future.

Being a successful staff nurse at The Retreat means being committed to high standards of Professional Nursing Practice, having good written, verbal and IT skills, and above all being able to demonstrate a passion for the work of The Retreat and its values. We have opportunities to work on a number of units, supporting different patient age groups with a range of mental health issues. In return we offer an excellent benefit package and a unique working environment.

So come and join us – we have written our history – now you can be part of our future.

For more information on these job opportunities and to apply, please visit our website www.theretreatyork.org.uk, or scan the QR code with your smart phone.

The Retreat York Heslington Road York YO10 5BN Registered Charity 1089826

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