York News for Travel Writers/Feature Editors - Summer 2005

 

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

York Minster Restoration

Staff at the York Minster are busy on one of the Cathedral's biggest projects in recent years: the restoration of the East Front. The East Front features the magnificent Great East Window, which is roughly the size of a tennis court, and the biggest single expanse of medieval stained glass in the world. The window needs re-leading and tracery surrounding it needs to be replaced, which means that the Window itself will need to be removed, panel by panel. Most of the East Front stonework has not been repaired since it was built in the early fifteenth century, and needs extensive work. Some high level masonry has become unsafe and needs securing, and widespread erosion of the stonework means that many of the stones will have to be replaced. However, in order to do this vitally important work, sufficient funds need to be raised. A campaign was launched this summer to raise £30 million, and is being supported by celebrities such as Dame Judi Dench and Greg Dyke. The Duke of York is patron of the campaign. Press Contact Eleanor Course, York Minster Press Co-ordinator, Tel 01904 557216 email eleanorc@yorkminster.org

Walking Trails

York's city walking trails are going from strength to strength. Earlier this year we launched the Jospeh Rowntree Walk, a seven-mile walk mapped out in York around sites linked with Rowntree's work, both the chocolate side - which helped inspire Roald Dahl's character Willy Wonka - and his creation of three multimillion-pound trusts to promote social reform; the Joseph Rowntree Village Trust, the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust Ltd. In June we published 'Little Feet', the first ever city children's walking trail and in August we are launching our 'Guy Fawkes' tour, on the trail of the Gunpowder Plotters. Exploring York walking trails are available from the Tourist Information Centres in York and are an excellent way to discover and enjoy York's rich and colourful history on foot. All trails are available on line at www.visityork.org/explore Press Contact Kay Hyde.

Breadcrumbs..Read The Tale and Follow The Trail. New interactive storybook

Breadcrumbs is an interactive children's storybook on sale nationwide that follows Hansel-and-Gretal-like reflectors set into the pavements of York. Written for children and families the Breadcrumbs storybook takes the visitor back in time through York's amazing history. 'Before long visitors will find themselves trudging through the slime and grime of underground streets and sewers, following the little feet of children, zipping back in time or floating above rooftops.' Launched this summer the trail can be done by day or night but come armed with a torch in the evening otherwise you might miss the fun. Press Contact Kay Hyde.

World's Only Hands-On Psychic Experience Opened In York

Set in a beautiful 650 year-old building on Stonegate, the Museum of Psychic Experience - the only one of its kind in the world - opened this June. Visitors are led in groups of no more than twelve through fascinating mind-opening experiments. Here guests test the amazing phenomenon of psychometry by dowsing and see their body's energy fields revealed and projected with the pioneering PIP scanner and much more. The museum has been set up by the well-known astrologist Jonathan Cainer. Press Contact: Andy Auster, Museum of Psychic Experience. Tel 07946 517014 email adextrous@mac.com. New this autumn: Ghost events are planned (where visitors can stay overnight) the first one being on the 14th October. There are two 90-minute tours every day. Advance booking advised on 0800 138 9788. www.psychic.museum.com

Renaissance: Illuminating York

Renaissance:Illuminating York - The centre of the City of York is to be transformed when it is dark, by a stunning new programme of artists' commissions and the lighting of some of the most historic buildings in Britain.

The newly commissioned art installations and a new evening lighting project aimed at creating a new "evening vision" of York's historic buildings, squares, walls and river will be launched on 29th October.

Contemporary art installations and dramatically enhanced heritage sites, each using the most advanced lighting technologies, will light up York from 29 October 2005, the end of British Summer Time, to attract visitors to the City in the evenings. York Renaissance combines cultural objectives with those of the tourism and creative industries in York. The project aims to use creativity and innovation to animate this historic urban environment while inspiring, attracting and showcasing creative talent to create year-round drama and beauty. In total, around £750,000 will be invested in by the summer of 2006 many of the city's most charming attractions will be revealed by night in a new light. Rennaissance:Illuminating York is part of a ten-year strategy by the City Council, with an initial £1.8 million investment in the first three years, to encourage greater use of the city in the evenings, to combat fears of public safety at night and to enhance the evening environment. The initiative is funded up to March 2006 by Yorkshire Forward with assistance from the City of York Council and the Urban Cultural Programme. The newly commissioned art installations and the new evening lighting project will be launched on 29th October, the last evening of British summer time.

The programme is being delivered through a partnership of Yorkshire Forward, the First Stop York tourism Partnership and experts selected from the city's Art Commissioning agencies, galleries, museums and new media industries.Other elements of the project include investigating better interpretation of the city's medieval walls and an evening events programme in the Yorkshire Museum and Gardens. Press Contact Kay Hyde.

The Legend Rides Again

The legendary Flying Scotsman is back in action this summer with an extended programme of steam specials between York and Scarborough. The world's most famous locomotive will be hauling a twice-daily Ride The Legend service from 5 July-8 September 2005. The National Railway Museum launched its first series of steam specials last year following a successful campaign to save Flying Scotsman for the nation. More than 16,000 people had the opportunity to experience the power and the passion of the steam icon during a sell-out 2004 programme. The museum is now offering almost double the number of trains to meet the expected high demand for the forthcoming summer season. www.nrm.org.uk Media Contact: Keira Meheux, PR Executive, National Railway Museum. Tel 01904 686271 or visit www.nrm.org.uk

Mansion House Opens Its Doors To The Public

On the 1 July the Mansion House made history by quietly opening its doors to the public for guided tours every Friday and Saturday. This is a unique opportunity to see what was one of York's hidden gems. The decision to open the house came after the formation of the Mansion House Advisory Board whose proposals were accepted by the Executive Members of the City of York Council. Visitors will get the chance to see a sword that once belonged to the Holy Roman Emperor, what the Lords Mayors used to eat and drink, discover the secret drawers in a bureau and even see where the Lord Mayors kept the chamber pot! An enthusiastic group of volunteers has been formed to assist in the opening of the house. Each tour will last about and hour with up to a maximum of 30 visitors per tour. Tel: 01904 551051 Email: civicenquiries@york.gov.uk

Dig! makes history with Millennium Backing

York Archaeological Trust, the same educational charity who developed the famous attraction JORVIK, have recently been awarded a £750,000 funding grant from the Millennium Commission to develop a new tourist attraction in the centre of York. The Archaeological Resource Centre at St Saviours Church in York will close in July 2005 and will reopen as Dig! in March 2006. JORVIK is currently in its 20th year and has recently welcomed the 14 Millionth visitor - York Archaeological Trust are confident that they can launch another innovative experience that will capture the public's imagination as JORVIK does. Dig! will provide a unique and exciting archaeological experience. St Saviours will be transformed into a simulated archaeological investigation including an excavation, site hut, and science laboratory and research library. Visitors can excavate parts of a Roman fortress, Viking City, Medieval burial site and Victorian workers cottages. Press Contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager, York Tourism Bureau. Tel: 01904 554436 Email: kh@york-tourism.co.uk

Flying Scotsman In HLF Bid Success

The fascinating story behind the world's most famous locomotive, Flying Scotsman, will be told in a permanent interactive exhibition at the National Railway Museum due to a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant of £275,000. This fabulous news which was announced this summer will allow visitors to continue enjoying journeys behind the newly overhauled Flying Scotsman and combine this with a learning experience based on the rich history of the locomotive and its namesake, the express route from London to Edinburgh. Work will start on Flying Scotsman at the end of its operating schedule this year and the state-of-the-art exhibition will open in April 2006. In total, the work will cost £1.4 million with generous funding from HLF and Yorkshire Forward plus public and corporate donations. www.nrm.org.uk Media Contact: Keira Meheux, PR Executive, National Railway Museum. Tel 01904 686271 or visit www.nrm.org.uk

What's New At the Tower

With such strong links between Guy Fawkes and York, English Heritage couldn't let the 400th anniversary occasion go by without marking it in some way at Clifford's Tower. Throughout the summer the annual season of costumed interpretation at the Tower adopted the Fawkes theme and to mark the anniversary on 5 and 6 November a duo of costumed interpreters will uncover the truth behind the Plot and the lives of two of the traitors - Catesby and of course Fawkes. Looking ahead to 2006 the event programme at the Tower will focus on the Roman era and the 1,700 year anniversary since the election of Constantine the Great as Emperor. Tel 01904 646940 or visit www.English-heritage.org.uk

New Additions On The Restaurant Scene:

One 19 The Mount (previously Sous Le Mont) set within The Mount Royale Hotel in York offers an entirely new dining experience. Now under new ownership their head Chef Oliver Bell has created an imaginative and tantalising menu combining Mediterranean Cuisine and the best British produce. Tel: 01904 619444.

On Saxon Place, the owners of Symryn restaurant have created an, authentic yet modern, African Asian influenced eatery. Although they use only the finest ingredients, traditional methods and the best-trained chefs, the most surprising and unique thing about the Symryn is it is smoking and alcohol free: the owners believing that the flavour and fragrance of the food is compromised. Tel 01904 426293.

New Bar At The Tasting Room One of York's best-kept secrets, The Tasting Room in Swinegate Court East, now boasts a stylish new bar. Owners Sally Robinson and Nigel Stacey have invested £45,000 to create the luxurious bar area, giving diners the chance to enjoy a drink before dinner in a relaxed setting. Tel 01904 627879.

Events

Constantine The Great- York's Roman Emperor - 2006 Anniversary Year

31 March - 29 October 2006 at the Yorkshire Museum. 25 July 2006 is the 17000th anniversary of the proclamation of Constantine of York as emperor, which took place in York on the 25th July 306. To celebrate this anniversary, York Museums Trust will be hosting a major loan exhibition at the Yorkshire Museum on the story of Constantine and his legacy to Europe, the Mediterranean world and ultimately to the rest of the world. The exhibitions will bring together contemporary writings, and allow the visitor to explore the history and richness of the Late Roman World with exhibits of important sculptures, silver plate, gold jewellery, mosaics, textiles and paintings. The exhibition will also explore the Anglo-Saxon legacy of Constantine in Britain with monuments of the church. It will be accompanied by a scholarly publication with essays and a full catalogue of 276 exhibits. For further details about the exhibition visit www.york.trust.museum Press Contact Lee Clark Tel 01904 687670. 17-20 July - Constantine and the Late Roman World - International Conference at the University of York.

York Festival of Food and Drink - 16-25 September

Now in its ninth year, this year's Food and Drink festival theme will be 'Promoting Yorkshire Produce' and there will be no end of opportunities to discover where to eat and how to cook fine food and drink from all over the region. For the first time there will be a special feature of using York's historic venues, especially the Guildhall and Mansion House to stage demonstrations, dinners and tastings. Tel 01904 466687 or visit www.yorkfestivaloffoodanddrink.com

Festival City York

The city of York has a new brand for 2005 - York City Of Festivals - an initiative of York@Large. York@Large was set up to encourage creative expression and promote the cultural sector's contribution to York's economy. The City of Festivals initiative aims to both enhance the quality of life for residents and improve the visitor experience. Showcase events for 2005 include the York Roman festival in August and the York Festival of Food and Drink which will be launched on the evening of Thursday 15th September with a champagne reception. The York Festival of Food and Drink is the region's annual showcase of the very best of food and drink from Yorkshire and beyond. Visitors can sample and buy a variety of produce from rare breed pork reared in the Vale of York to Whitby crab and lobster. Press Contact Kay Hyde.

The Great North Show - 16,17, 18 September

The massively popular Northern Motorcaravan Show is returning once again to the York Racecourse this September for the 11th year, the show is being held over the weekend of the 16, 17 & 18 September. Firmly established as the finest outdoor leisure show of its kind in the North of England this event continues to grow in size and popularity every year. The event's massive exhibition area will present a broad range of over 200 specialist outdoor traders including the UK's leading motorhome dealers showing a huge variety of British, European and American motorcaravans - both new and pre-owned. The York show has a fantastic reputation for great entertainment and this year they are really pushing the boat out with top comedian Brian Connelly starring in Saturday evening's show. Tel 01778 391123 or visit www.northernmotorcaravanshow.co.uk

York National Book Fair 2005 - 23/24 September

The York National Book Fair's reputation is as one of the biggest and the best Antiquarian Book Fairs in Britain. For the second year running, the fair will be held at the Knavesmire Suite at York Racecourse on 23rd September (12pm - 7pm) and 24th September (10am - 5pm). For those coming by train or just wanting access from the town there will be a free shuttle-bus between York Railway Station and the Racecourse, every 15 minutes. Around two hundred exhibitors, including key London and international dealers as well as more locally based booksellers will have books for sale, with an estimate of 100,000 books on offer. Visit the web site, www.yorkbookfair.com, to view a full catalogue for the book fair and to print out complementary tickets else admission is £2.00 at the door. Tel Janette Ray 01904 623088

Yuletide York 18 November - 18 December, St Nicholas Fayre - 24-27 November

York's Yuletide York festival runs from 18th November through to 18th December incorporating Christmas markets every weekend on the run up to Christmas, the Early Music Christmas and the Festival of Angels. New for this year is a Children's Christmas Fayre (18-20 November) at St Sampson's Square. This new event for York will herald the launch of the city's Christmas activities and also the switch on of York's Christmas lights featuring the spectacular illumination of York Minster. For full details on Yuletide York and the St Nicholas Fayre contact Nicola Booth Tel 01904 554426 or visit www.yuletideyork.com

Guy Fawkes 400 - Summer - November 5th

Full media pack on Guy Fawkes is available on request. 2005 is the 400th anniversary year of the famous gunpowder plot, instigated by Guy Fawkes who was born, bred and educated in historic York. The plot was a conspiracy to blow up the English Parliament and King James I in 1605. Since 1605, when Parliament declared 5th November a public holiday to celebrate the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot, the ritual of burning of effigies of Guy Fawkes on bonfires has become ingrained in British culture. York will be commemorating the anniversary of the failed plot and its links with Guy Fawkes with a series of events and activities from July to November culminating in a spectacular display of pyrotechnics on November 5th. Guy Fawkes 400 will be officially launched in August when a new Guy Fawkes walking trail will be produced. A timely addition to York's hotel scene is the Guy Fawkes Hotel and Guido's Lounge Bar, enjoying probably one of the finest locations in York. This town house, yards from York Minster, offer twelve rooms, all individually designed and furnished to a high standard offering Four Posters, some with Minster views. The Cottage room at the rear of the hotel is reputedly the birthplace of Guy Fawkes who was christened in York's St Michael Le Belfrey church. Special dinner, bed and breakfast packages with Guy Fawkes theme for Nov 5th. Media Contact: Kay Hyde Tel 01904 554451 Email kh@york-tourism.co.uk or visit www.theguyfawkeshotel.com

York Theatre Royal

Following hot on the heels of a hugely successful summer season, York Theatre Royal's exciting autumn season offers a diverse range of great events that are not to be missed. Highlights include the World Première of Steptoe and Son in Murder at Oil Drum Lane, written by Ray Galton, David Leonard's directorial debut with The Importance of Being Earnest, a host of impressive first time visits and welcome return of some of the country's leading touring companies including English Touring Theatre with Hamlet, the co-production between York Theatre Royal, resident theatre company Pilot Theatre and Octagon Theatre with East is East, and finally the return of a pantomime legend Berwick Kaler in York Theatre Royal's production of The Lad Aladdin. For further details about York Theatre Royal contact Duncan Clarke, Public Relations Officer on 01904 550149.

Luxury Fortnight At McArthurGlen.

The McArthurGlen Designer Outlet will launch a new initiative in September - a luxury fortnight 29th September - Thursday 13th October. All services, events, offers, discounts and competitions will be of a luxury nature. Champagne will be offered upon arrival by meeters and greeters, hand massages and make-overs will also be on offer plus the chance to win a diamond ring. Targeted at the ABC1 profile (affluent market, high income earners) the centre aims to increase sales and awareness of their luxury ranges. Press Contact Kay Hyde.

Hotel News

Facelift For Royal York

Exciting times are ahead at The Royal York Hotel & Events Centre, part of the Principal Hotels Group, after the completion of a £7.5 million, two-year programme of refurbishment and the introduction of a new management team. The facelift of the Royal York Hotel & Events Centre has included the upgrade of all 167 ensuite bedrooms, the renovation of the reception area and corridors and the introduction of new lifts and new signage. 'Tempus Bar' has also been unveiled in the newly built conservatory area. The result is a spectacular new look hotel. Tel 01904 653681 or visit www.principal-hotels.com

Exhibitions

The Ice Age - Yorkshire Museum - Until 31 December

Yorkshire Museum's Ice Age Exhibition is proving a bit hit with visitors. Did you know that an ice sheet nearly 2km thick once covered the whole of Yorkshire? That hippopotamuses wallowed in the mud in Leeds? How rocks from Norway found themselves on the beaches of Yorkshire? That Britain could be gripped by another Ice Age in just 500 years? The last two million years of the Great Ice Age has seen Britain become a frozen desert like the Antarctic and then as rich in exotic wildlife as the Serengeti. This exhibition will show the Yorkshire Museum's outstanding collections from the Great Ice Age and will tell the story of how the Ice Age has shaped our landscape, our wildlife, and our own evolution. Discover how the Ice Age is so much bigger than the Mammoth. The Ice Age - 28 May until 31 December 2005. www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk Media Contact: Lee Clark, Media Co-ordinator, York Museums Trust. Tel: 01904 687670 Email: lee.clark@ymt.org.uk

Stay Longer..

Stay Longer . this special promotion will run from 1 November 2005 to 31 March 2006. If you book for 3 nights you can benefit from up to 50% off advertised rates at a range of guests houses and hotels. There are 4 price bands depending on the rating of accommodation booked. Quote 'Stay Longer' offer when booking at the Visitor Information Centres. Tel 08701 203115. Rates are per person (total cost for a 3 night stay) based on sharing an en-suite twin or double room bed and breakfast and are subject to availability. New for this year, free themed itineraries are available at the time of booking based on culture, history and heritage shopping and nights out. Visitors can buy a three day York Pass (allowing entry into thirty visitor attractions) for the price of two days at a cost of £25 - saving £7.

Bronze Band £ 69.00 3 diamond properties

Silver Band £ 89.00 4 diamond & 2 star

Gold Band £ 119.00 2/3 star

Platinum Band £149.00 3/4 star

 

York Tourist Information Centre - For your free guide to where to stay and what to do in York, telephone 01904 550099 email tourism@yorkvic.co.uk or visit the website at www.visityork.org