York News for Travel Writers/Feature Editors - May 2006

 

Further Info & Photographs From: Kay Hyde, PR Manager or Sarah Lilleyman, PR Assistant, York Tourism Bureau. Tel 01904 554451/554436 Email: kh@york-tourism.co.uk  sl@york-tourism.co.uk

Would you like to visit York on a press trip? If you're interested in writing a travel feature about York we'd be delighted to hear from you. Looking for a different angle? Why not visit our website www.visityork.org/media click on themed fact sheets for ideas.

Main News

The NRM's New Yorkshire Wheel

The National Railway Museum has now become home to York's newest visitor attraction - the Yorkshire Wheel, which opened on 12th April. The London-eye style observation wheel soars sixty metres above the city and offers stunning views for up to 20 miles. Comprising 43 climate-controlled capsules for 8 people, the wheel is now the second tallest structure in York, standing just 10 metres below the Minster's famous Lantern Tower and offering extensive views of the Vale of York. The Yorkshire Wheel provides visitors with a unique view of the medieval city and its river and has already attracted over 33,000 visitors since its opening. York Minster forms a backdrop and Thomas Prosser's magnificent station roof can be seen from a new angle. Beyond the City, the Wheel gives views of York's setting, from the Pennines to the Yorkshire Wolds.

The Wheel is expected to bring up to a million new visitors to the city from across the UK and abroad over the next three years and create around 30 jobs. In addition to tourists and residents, there are plans to make the giant wheel available for school trips, with educational packages on offer. The Museum also plans to offer opportunities for private functions and for sponsorship of the wheel. Press Contact: Toby Wardman Tel: 01904 686281 Email: hazel.clemmit@nmsi.ac.uk . Public Contact: Tel: 01904 621621 or visit www.nrm.org

Rides start at 10.00 and the last ticket is at 17.15. Adults are £6 each, Children are £4 each (4-12 years old) and under 4s are free.

National Railway Museum Leeman Road York YO26 4XJ www.nrm.org.uk 24 Hour information 01904 686282 Tel: 01904 621261 Fax: 01904 611112

Dig! Makes history with Millenium Backing

Dig, the newest addition to York's visitor attractions, opened on March 24th, offering a unique and exciting archaeological experience. St Saviours Church (formerly the Archaeological Resource Centre), has been transformed into a simulated archaeological investigation including site huts, a science laboratory and research library. Visitors can try their hand at excavating parts of a Roman fortress, Viking City, Medieval burial site and Victorian workers cottages. Real and simulated artefacts from Roman times to Victorian are used to turn visitors into archaeologists for the day. Once an interesting object has been uncovered, visitors go to work to find out what they can discover about life in the past from their artefacts. Visit www.yorkarchaeology.co.uk Press Contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager, York Tourism Bureau. Tel: 01904 554436 Email: kh@york-tourism.co.uk

York Castle Museum's Kirkgate Face Lift

The most spectacular recreated Victorian street in the country has become even better thanks to a huge makeover. Kirkgate, the stunning Victorian street at the heart of the York Castle Museum, has thrilled millions of visitors with its life like scenes and atmosphere of days gone by. But the best of its kind has just set a new standard with a series of improvements costing hundreds of thousands of pounds. With the new heading 'You Have Seen The Street, Now Meet The People', Kirkgate now offers an exciting insight into the life and times of Victorian citizens.

Visitors can now explore for themselves some of the shops and businesses, such as the police station, bank and cells. And for the first time Kirkgate will have a night and day, with superb lighting and audio effects creating the illusion of passing time. Behind the scenes rooms have been magically transformed into new areas, such as the authentic Victorian classroom. And for the first time Kirkgate will have its own newspaper, The Kirkgate Examiner, full of scoops on the personalities and issues of the street. There will also be a through the key hole experience, where people can see a hi tech depiction of the drama of a Victorian pawn brokers. Opened 8th April, Kirkgate now has new faces, sounds and sights for 21st century visitors to enjoy. Public Contact: Tel: 01904 687687, Email: castle.museum@ymt.org.uk or visit www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk Press Contact: Lee Clark, York Museums Trust. Tel: 01904 687670 Email: lee.clark@ymt.org.uk

York Mystery Plays - 9th and 16th July

The Passion Plays of England are some of the oldest pieces of English literature. The first recorded performance was in 1376. Performances continued every year for 200 years until suppressed by the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. The best preserved of these religious pageant performances are those of York which were staged by members of the City Guilds and performed on carts or wagons drawn through the streets. Each craft guild or 'mysterie' would perform its own play as part of an agreed cycle which would take a full day to view at various stations throughout the City. Since 1992 there have been performances of the Plays in the streets of York, both on wagons and as 'processional' plays. The Guilds of York will stage the next quadrennial performance of the Mystery Plays in the City Centre on Sundays, 9th and 16th July 2006, 12noon to 6pm. The 2006 Mystery Plays include a graphic scene of the Crucifixion plus the recreation of twelve of the plays to be staged at four sites around the City and following medieval procedures, the stage sets are built onto wagons. The wagons are pushed through the streets, stopping at several places. Press Contact: Roger Lee, Tel: 01904 653698 Booking Line: Tel: 01904 658338, Event Line: Tel: 01904 607530, www.yorkmysteryplays.co.uk

Cold War Relic Opens to the Public

From 15 May 2006 visitors will be able to take a guided tour of a semi-submerged secret bunker on the outskirts of York. At the height of the Cold War, Britain had a total of 1,561 nuclear shelters, designed to withstand severe bombardment. The shelter was one of the best surviving examples of its type in the UK, and the first to be designated a Scheduled Monument. Now, complete with original fixtures and fittings, visitors can experience an atmosphere as authentic as that found in films such as the Ipcress File or the TV serial Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. Visits to the Bunker will be by pre-booked guided tour only. Visit www.english-heritage.org.uk Tel: 01904 601901. Press Contact: Nicola Bexon, Email: Nicola.Bexon@english-heritage.org.uk

J Baker's Bistro Moderne

Critically acclaimed Michelin Star chef Jeff Baker has finally decided to go it alone following a fantastic ten years spent cooking at Pool Court in Leeds city centre. Jeff, one of only a handful of Chefs that have held and retained a Michelin Star for 10 years back to back, is now ready to launch J Baker's of York. The Bistro Moderne brings you a whole new dining experience. One which is 'less exclusive and more inclusive'. J Baker's is a contemporary modern bistro with a cosy, informal atmosphere in the centre of historic York. The food is simple but bold, familiar yet new. Guests can relax in the daytime as they casually pick and choose creations from the grazing menu and set the tempo; long and lasting or fast and snappy. In the evening, intimate or social, the fixed price à la carte menu has everything to offer. Every dish served brings you the very best produce from the greatest Yorkshire suppliers. For more information Tel: 01904 622688, Email: info@jbakers.co.uk or visit www.jbakers.co.uk

NRM's Giants of Steam

Giants of the steam age will be thundering across the English countryside again this year (2006) as the National Railway Museum plans to expand its rail operations. For the first time in its 30-year history, the NRM is bringing together three of its biggest icons for a new, extended range of rail excursions called Giants of Steam. In addition to its established season of summer steam excursions between York and Scarborough, the Museum also intends to run trains over the beautiful Settle to Carlisle line, and from York to London Kings Cross. With the help of the 5305 Locomotive Association and the Eastleigh Railway Preservation Society, the NRM will run a Scarborough Spa Express service with three greats from the National Collection - Green Arrow, Sir Lamiel and Lord Nelson.

In response to public demand, the new service will run every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 18 July to 31 August 2006, departing York at *11.00 and returning at *19.05 to allow passengers to enjoy a longer stay in Scarborough. Five new steam excursions are also planned: The Hadrian Express, The Dales Discoverer, The London Lights Express, The York Festive Flyer and The Westmorlander. For more information visit www.nrm.org.uk or call the information line on 0870 421 4472. Press Contact: Tel: 01904 686271/281

New Artefacts Alive Gallery at JORVIK

The artefacts Gallery at JORVIK currently contains over 400 Viking Age artefacts discovered during the famous Coppergate dig in York. Visitor feedback has shown that the objects were not well understood therefore a series of new installations aims to enhance the display which opened in January to the public.

The project, "Artefacts Alive", consists of the creation of six new interactive multimedia installations and four talking "Viking Ghosts" which have been installed in the Artefacts Gallery to explain the displays. The interactive multi-media installations use 3 dimensional modelling, video excerpts, text, and accessible games, to describe the techniques of archaeological discovery, for example: methods of conservation and research. Viking inventions are also explored contrasting them with modern day technologies; as well as the Viking use of medicine, diet, crafting techniques and Viking navigational methods. All six installations use "Find Out More" screens that allow visitors to find out more in depth information about the work of the York Archaeological Trust. Public Contact: 01904 543403 Press Contact: Emma Hunt, Tel: 01904 543413 Email: ehunt@yorkarchaeology.co.uk or Visit www.jorvik.co.uk

Exhibitions

Constantine the Great

On 25 July, 306, in the city of York, a period of Roman history began which was to shape the future of Europe for centuries to come. When Constantine the Great was proclaimed as emperor on that day, it signalled the start of a period which saw Christianity adopted as the main religion of Europe, the unification of the western and eastern halves of the Empire and the creation of a new city which would become Constantinople, now Istanbul.

The anniversary of this key world event will be celebrated by York Museums Trust with a major exhibition and accompanying publication in 2006. The exhibition Constantine the Great - York's Roman Emperor tells the story of the events in York, when Constantine was proclaimed emperor by military supporters of his father, Constantius. The exhibition brings together a wide range of artefacts to tell these stories from collections across Britain and Europe such as a marble sculpture of Constantine's head, roughly double life size, which was discovered in York city centre in the early 19th century which is believed to be the earliest portrait of him in the Roman world and a mosaic, dating from about 350, showing an image of Christ, which was discovered in a Roman villa in Dorset, at Hinton St Mary. The exhibition runs March- 29th October 2006. Visit: www.yorkshiremuseumstrust.org.uk Media Contact: Lee Clark, York Museums Trust. Tel: 01904 687670 Email: lee.clark@ymt.org.uk

The Flying Scotsman

The National Railway Museum has launched a new permanent exhibition dedicated to the legendary steam locomotive, Flying Scotsman. The £700,000 exhibition backed by Yorkshire Forward and the Heritage Lottery Fund, is called The Flying Scotsman Story and opened at Easter 2006. The permanent new exhibition tells the remarkable story behind the world's most famous steam locomotive and the prestigious East Coast rail service that made its name. It also traces Flying Scotsman's extraordinary journeys to the USA and Australia, as well as tackling the biggest question of all.just why is the vintage locomotive so famous? Other key features of the new display will include:

· Personal stories of the people intimately linked with the locomotive and service - from passengers and crews to owners and admirers.

· Visual access to the behind the scenes world of NRM locomotive preparation prior to operating on the main line.

· A sought-after glimpse into Flying Scotsman's footplate when it is on display within the exhibition.

· Guest appearances by other famous locomotives and engines from the route of the Flying Scotsman and held in the national collection.

· A 1930s buffet car illustrating the story of the dining experience for passengers travelling on the Flying Scotsman service over the last 70 years.

· Rare film footage along the Flying Scotsman route and from all the periods of the locomotive's life.

Plans for the exhibition have been informed by the results of research commissioned by the NRM to find out what the public would like to see. It is expected to attract visitors from all over the world keen to find out what makes Flying Scotsman so special. Press Contact: Hazel Clemmits, Tel: 01904 686281 Email: hazel.clemmit@nmsi.ac.uk Public Contact: Tel: 01904 621621 www.nrm.org.uk

Artexny at Castle Howard

(Art Exhibition North Yorkshire)

The stately Castle Howard, located in the rolling Howardian hills of North Yorkshire, will provide the stunning backdrop to a showcase of outstanding contemporary art by North Yorkshire's leading artists to be held in September 2006. The exhibition - artexny-2006 (Art Exhibition North Yorkshire) is being organised by local charity York Against Cancer. It will be a first for the county featuring the work of more than 30 artists, leading painters, sculptors, ceramicists and photographers currently living and working in Yorkshire and those who were born and brought up here. These artists rarely have the opportunity to meet or display their work together-hence a first.

York Against Cancer hopes that this new exhibition will become a regular event and Mr & Mrs Howard are themselves keen collectors of modern art. Proceeds from the event will go towards a major appeal launched by York Against Cancer to fund much needed transport for cancer patients. artexny will be launched with a glamorous black tie Private View on the evening of the 1st September hosted by the Hon. Simon and Mrs Howard, it will then be open to the public over the following 2 days - Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd September. All works on display will also be for sale. Public Contact: Tel: 01904 01653 648444, Email: house@castlehoward.co.uk or visit www.castlehoward.co.uk Press Contact: Nicole Hingley, Tel: 01653 648444, Email: nhingley@castlehoward.co.uk

The Contemporary Art Society's Touring Exhibition, 'Tom Bendhem' - Until 25th June

A STUNNING collection of work by some of the best artists from the end of the 20th century is to go on show at York Art Gallery this spring. The Contemporary Art Society's (CAS) Touring Exhibition, 'Tom Bendhem: Collector', arrived at the gallery on April 8. Work by Turner Prize nominees Langlands & Bell are one of the highlights of the exhibition celebrating the art collection of Tom Bendhem, which was bequeathed to CAS on his death in 2002. The diverse group of contemporary works of art was amassed at his London home since the late 1960s, and reflects the collector's passion for painting, drawing, sculpture and photography. The reason for the tour is to celebrate - and further encourage - the role that private collectors play in creating museum collections.

The CAS touring exhibition and its catalogue pay tribute to Tom Bendhem as a collector of contemporary art. He bought early works from artists such as Peter Sedgley and David Mach - sometimes the first piece the artist had sold. He bought repeatedly from artists whom he admired. His house was a treasure trove that also reflected an artist's eye, for Tom Bendhem was a painter after his retirement from business. He trained as an associate student at the Slade School, benefiting from the advice and tuition of artists who were also his friends. Public Contact: Tel: 01904 687687, Email: art.gallery@ymt.org.uk or visit www.yorkartgallery.org.uk . Press Contact: Lee Clark, York Museums Trust. Tel: 01904 687670 Email: lee.clark@ymt.org.uk

 

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