01/03/2010

Main News

A new breed of Vikings arrives at the new JORVIK Viking Centre

The newly refurbished JORVIK Viking Centre in York has re-opened, after a £1 million redevelopment - bringing with it some new faces to the village of JORVIK.

Sigurd the antler worker, Unni the Woodworker, two Viking builders, an arguing couple and a rat have arrived in the city after a 4,000 mile journey from Ohio, where the lifelike animatronics have been created by US specialist, Life Formations.

The new characters take their places in the updated capsule ride around Viking Age York that forms part of the new-look Viking Centre. All of the characters are based on archaeological evidence from York Archaeological Trust's famous Coppergate dig, on which the Viking Centre now stands, and they will talk directly to visitors in Old Norse language.

No trip to JORVIK would be complete without some ‘old' favourites - ‘man on the toilet' will still be surprising visitors in his backyard - looking even more lifelike than before...

Public contact: Visit www.JORVIK-viking-centre.co.uk  for more information.
Press contact: Hannah Trinder or Karen Nixon at The Partners Group, Tel; 01904 610077.

Explore the Hidden Minster in 2010

Throughout 2010, York Minster will have a range of Hidden Minster tours on offer in the evenings, following their popularity amongst visitors.

Giving visitors the chance to experience areas of York Minster not normally accessible to the public, the tours will take place once every two months occurring twice during the evening, the first at 7pm and the second at 8.30pm.

The tours on offer will be:

Early Minster - which shows visitors the secret crypt passages below the cathedral and the dizzying views at the top of the Five Sisters Window.

The West End and Bell Towers - which takes visitors to see the many bells and floors that occupy the western towers, including Great Peter, a ten ton giant of a bell.

Chapter House Roof and Mason's Loft - where visitors can see the mysterious Mason's loft and the magnificent structure that is the Chapter House roof void.

Hidden Minster evenings will occur on 28th May, 26th July, 24th September and 27th November. Tickets cost £8.00 per person.

Public contact: To book your place on a tour, please call York Minster Box
Office on 01904 557208 or visit www.boxoffice.yorkminster.org , where you can
find a full list of Hidden Minster Tours on offer.
Press contact: Kendal Mosely-Chalk, Communications and Marketing Officer,
Tel: 01904 557248 / 07540 883 407 Email: kendalm@yorkminster.org

The Rose of York Minster

This March, the York Minster Rose was introduced to the public for the first time in
Dean's Park, next to the Minster.

The York Minster Rose is a repeat flowering floribunda bush with creamy full
petals which are a delicate pink , echoing the centre of the wonderful Rose
Window in York Minster. It will be officially launched at the Chelsea Flower show
in 2011 and commercially available the following autumn.

The York Minster Rose was developed by Harkness Roses of Hitchin, originally
founded in North Yorkshire, and was chosen by members of the York Minster
Fund and the Dean of York, the Very Reverend Keith Jones.

The new Rose bed will be visible from the West End entrance to Dean's Park,
with a plaque to commemorate this very special event in the life of the Minster.

Press contact: For more information please contact Kendal Mosely-Chalk on 01904 557248 or email kendalm@yorkminster.org  

Hungate DIG strikes gold as excavations continue...

A rare 14th century gold coin is the latest in a series of significant finds at the Hungate DIG in York, York's biggest excavation in over 25 years.

Found in what has been discovered to be a medieval rubbish pit, the gold coin eclipsed previous finds in this specific area of the dig which included animal bones, red brick tile, charcoal, a few copper coins and fragments of green-glazed pottery.

Other significant finds to date include a Viking building, the 1804 Lord Mayor of York's own personally branded bottle top and a corbel, thought to date from the late 13th or early 14th century and used on a building of religious institution.

Until 2012, York Archaeological Trust will be excavating Hungate to reveal the rich heritage and archaeology of this important area of York's city centre.

Public contact: To find out more about the excavations, their location and York Archaeological Trust's work visit www.dighungate.com  
Press contact: Hannah Trinder or Karen Nixon at The Partners Group on 01904 610077.

Eco-friendly clothing in York bucks the trend of ‘fast fashion'

ONE: Responsibly Gorgeous, York's only ethical clothing boutique for women's fashion, sets out to provide the finest range of designer and leading brand ethical clothing, shoes, accessories and gifts.

Boutique owner, Anne McCrickard saw sales rise substantially in 2009, with the business seeing a 20% growth in profit over last year. In a bid to buck the trend of ‘fast fashion' clothes at ONE are sourced from companies whose production and trading methods are far removed from the high waste world of the high street fashion industry and instead use suppliers with excellent environmental and ethical credentials.

Anne opened ONE: Responsibly Gorgeous in response to the need for ethically produced fashion to be accessible and available in a retail environment. Shopping at ONE is a unique experience designed to allow customers to learn about organic, fair trade and ethically-produced clothes manufacturing and fabrics, whilst receiving individual attention in a beautiful boutique environment.

Public contact: Visit www.responsiblygorgeous.co.uk  
Press contact: If you would like more information or to interview boutique owner Anne McCrickard, telephone 01904 777777 or email shop@responsiblygorgeous.co.uk

Celebrating 100 years of Girlguiding UK in Yorkshire

Girlguiding UK reaches an important milestone in 2010 - it will be 100 years since the creation of the Girl Guides Association (renamed Girlguiding UK in 2002).

The main UK Centenary event is the Centenary Camp at Harewood House, Leeds from 31 July until 7 August 2010, which was once home to HRH The Princess Mary - President of the Guide Association 1920 - 1965.

This will be the biggest camp ever run by Girlguiding UK, at 54 hectares - the equivalent of 74 football pitches, with over 5,000 UK Guides and Brownies and 1,000 international Guides and Girl Scouts from around the world including Nigeria, South Africa, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Phillipines, El Salvador, Canada, Denmark and Antigua. There will also be a special ‘Fusion' event on 4 August which is expected to draw another 20,000 visitors.

Public contact: Visit www.girlguiding.org.uk/centenary  
Press contact: Please contact Jean Hunter on 07836 268059 or email jean.hunter@girlguiding.org.uk  

Get green-fingered at Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens

Stillingfleet Lodge Garden and Nurseries, just 6 miles outside the City of York, offers visitors an interesting and enjoyable afternoon out in a stunning setting in the grounds of an 18th century farmhouse. It is one of the few Yorkshire gardens that are free for RHS members.

Established over 30 years ago, the gardens run over two acres, using cottage garden principles. In 2010, visitors can also take the opportunity to get involved and perk up their gardening and artistic skills, with a series of courses running over the open season, including:

· Keeping Poultry and how to do it
· Improve your garden
· Small trees for small gardens
· Try your hand at watercolour painting
· Make your garden a wildlife haven
· Meadows
· Fascinating Ferns
· Make the most of shade in the garden
· Grow and cook herbs

Stillingfleet Lodge Garden is open from 3rd April through to 29th September every Wednesday and Friday and the first and third Saturday and Sunday of every month from 1pm - 5pm.

Public contact: For more information about the courses running over 2010, or to find out more about visiting Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens, visit www.stillingfleetlodgenurseries.co.uk  
Press contact: Vanessa Cook, Email Vanessa.cook@stillingfleetlodgenurseries.co.uk ; tel: 01904 728506

Explore haunted York with Dick Turpin Tours

Dick Turpin Tours is one of York's newest events companies - giving visitors the option of two new ghostly experiences in York's city centre.

The Ancient Walks of York
This tour will give visitors the choice of a ghost walk or a historic walk leading through the stories and history of the haunted city of York.

In the Company of Ghosts
This is a unique chance to spend either an evening or a whole night in a haunted inn - the Black Swan Peasholme Green, circa 1417. Full apparitions, poltergeist activity and disembodied voices are a regular occurrence. Participants can enjoy a dinner by candlelight in a beautifully restored Grade II listed building, where the atmosphere of the inn creates the perfect setting for ghost stories and discussions of the paranormal.

Public contact: For all those looking for that distinct insight into the history and ghosts of York, browse the website at www.dickturpintours.co.uk  or telephone 07501736103 for further details.
Press contact: Email info@dickturpintours.co.uk  

New Exhibitions

The New Schoolhouse Gallery

The New School House Gallery in York is a stunning contemporary gallery that showcases exceptional studio ceramics, jewellery, glass and textiles. Housed in a Grade II listed former schoolhouse, and set in beautifully landscaped gardens beside the city walls of York, the Gallery was established in December 2009 by two York residents.

Paula Jackson trained as a sculptor and worked as a teacher and lecturer before ‘a moment of midsummer madness' urged her to run a gallery with her partner, Robert Teed, a former freelance writer and photographer. The couple have an ambitious programme of exhibitions lined up for 2010 and beyond. Over the next six months the shows include:

Reclaim - how does recycling inform contemporary art and craft?
Navigation - journeys in reality and the imagination.
53 degrees North - an exhibition of degree work by B.A. and M.A. students from art and design colleges in the north
The Open - an open exhibition for all makers and artists in the York area

Public contact: Visit www.schoolhousegallery.co.uk  The New School House Gallery, at the Old Schoolhouse, Peasholme Green, York, YO1 7PW.
Press contact: Robert Teed and Paula Jackson, Tel: 01904 653603 Mobile: 07766 656030

Travel back in time to hear the voices of Stonegate at Barley Hall

Stonegate Voices is a new exhibition which explores the history of Coffee Yard, the home of Barley Hall, and Barley Hall in particular, from the late 1400s to the present day. Copies of York's earliest newspapers are on display, giving a direct account of life in old York.

The exhibition will give visitors an insight into life in and around Stonegate, Swinegate, Grape Lane, Coffee Yard, Petergate and Little Stonegate in the early 20th century. It will include records from census returns and other documents which are housed in the city archives, and exhibition material on many historic figures who lived in or near Stonegate. The exhibition has come together as a result of Barley Hall volunteers, who continue to uncover research on this exciting project.

As part of the project, York Archaeological Trust have published a book which records the memories of over 70 individuals who lived and worked in the Stonegate area, including Coffee Yard, in the 1900s. The book is the culmination of work by oral historian Van Wilson. This new publication includes a special foreword by Dame Judi Dench whose parents are remembered by individuals who lived and went to church in the area.

Public contact: For more information about the exhibition, please call 01904 610275.
Press contact: Please contact Hannah Trinder or Karen Nixon at The Partners Group on 01904 610077 or email Hannah@partners-group.co.uk  / Karen@partners-group.co.uk  

The 18th Century comes alive at Fairfax House in 2010

Exploring Lord Fairfax's wine cellar, candlelight tours, meeting some of the characters that would have lived in Fairfax House and the first exhibition of costume are all on offer as part of the 2010 Fairfax House experience. Now in its 26th year, Fairfax House has created an exciting programme of events and activities allowing visitors - of all ages - to experience Georgian life in a variety of different ways.

Public contact: For more detailed information about any of the activities planned for 2010, please visit Fairfax House website at www.fairfaxhouse.co.uk , email info@fairfaxhouse.co.uk  or ring 01904 655543.
Press contact: Hannah Phillip, Tel: 01904 66655543 Email: hannahppphillip@yorkcivictrust.co.uk  or Melanie Paris, Tel: 01904 647408 Email: hello@melanieparis.com  

The past meets the present at The Quilt Museum and Gallery

Inspired by the Past: Traditional Practice and Contemporary Conversations
26th March - 3rd July 2010

This new exhibition at Britain's first museum dedicated to quiltmaking and textile arts exhibits for the first time one of the Quilter's Guilds' most treasured items - a quilt made in 1887 by a Mrs Mills to celebrate Queen Victoria's Jubilee. Records show that Mrs Mills made the quilt in lieu of paying rent to her landlord and its silk and velvet fabrics and embroidery gave real meaning to the words ‘Victorian fancywork...'

In contrast, the exhibition will pair a traditional North of England wholecloth work featuring old quilting patterns, alongside a humorous work by quilt artist Sandie Lush.

‘Breakthrough' by Contemporary Quilt - one of the four specialist groups affiliated to The Quilters' Guild of the British Isles uses the interpretation of the word ‘breakthrough' - producing works of varying creativity.

Public contact: Visit www.quiltmuseum.org.uk  or phone 01904 613242. Admission charges apply.
Press contact: Fiona Diaper, Museum Director, Email director@quiltmuseum.org.uk  

Witches are burnt alive in York's scariest exhibition to date...

From April, York Dungeon is throwing the public into a crucible of heresy and witchcraft as they launch their most scary and shocking exhibition ever... Witches: Burned Alive.

Using state of the art fire and smoke effects, the Dungeon burns a witch to the bone before the eyes of petrified visitors, sparing no gruesome graphic detail.

The hellish show transports visitors back to one of the most horrific passages in history; ‘the Burning Times' of the 16th and 17th centuries when an estimated 200,000 people were condemned for witchcraft. After suffering shambolic show trials where the guilt of the accused had in many cases been pre-determined, hundreds of victims were condemned to burn alive at the stake.

2010 will also see York Dungeon an all new putrefying plague show, complete with horrific ‘death-like' corpse, a freshly re-tortured Guy Fawkes show and a terrifying re-twisted Turpin: Highwayman from hell show.

The newfangled York Dungeon will creak its doors open Easter 2010.

Public contact: For more information, please visit www.thedungeons.com
Press contact: Krissi Neal, Marketing & Events Coordinator, Tel: 01904 632599 Email: krissi.neal@merlinentertainments.biz  

Upcoming Festivals / Events

Mystery Plays return to York for 2010
11 July & 18 July 2010

The Passion Plays of England are some of the oldest pieces of English literature. They were performed on the streets of our medieval cities on the church Feast Day of Corpus Christi, around midsummer.

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.

The 2010 production will again fill the City streets with drama and spectacle, offering a truly unique experience for local and visitor alike. The plays will be performed on wagons at various locations throughout the City, on Sunday 11th July and Sunday 18th July 2010.

On 2 consecutive Sundays 12 plays will be performed on wagons moving through the City streets accompanied by music - a colour and vivid spectacle.

They will stop and perform at 4 different stations:

11th July - Deans Park (ticketed seating and free-to-view), College Green (free), Parliament Street (ticketed seating and free to view), Eye of York (ticketed seating and free to view))

18th July - Deans Park (tickets & free to view), College Green (free), St. Sampson Square (tickets and free to view), Museum Gardens (tickets and free to view).

Performances start at Noon and will finish around 6.00pm. Because this is a long time, the production is in two parts, with ticketing available for either halves or both. People can comfortably watch one part and then explore the City coming across other performances as they wander.

Ticket prices yet to be fixed. The production will involve over 500 local people in various roles.

Public contact: For more information, visit www.yorkmysteryplays.co.uk  or email info@yorkmysteryplays.co.uk  
Press contact: Roger Lee, Tel: 01904 653698, email roger@yorkmysteryplays.co.uk

Food and Drink News

The Hairy Fig - Purveyors of fine fodder
A fabulous hidden gem of the food and drink scene in York

As well as being voted 3rd in the ‘Best Foodie Street' in Britain category of the Google Street Awards, Fossgate in York is the home of The Hairy Fig - a shop smelling of meat and cheese, containing shelves, walls and ceilings full of intriguing and tasty foods.

Proprietor Sue Hardie wanted to stock the very best of local (but not just local) produce and the very best from further afield from ‘small' people who are passionate about what they produce. Having produced tapas dishes in The Blue Bell pub in York, where she has lived for the past ten years, her passion was dabbling making flavoured vinegars and oils - which she now produces on tap in the shop.

Ampleforth Abbey with Father Rainer produces the most amazing ciders, gins and liqueurs of which she is the only outlet in the UK selling these on tap. At present Sue is selling his new amber liqueur, and Sue is now selling Ampleforth cider out of a cask (the first time this has ever been done), which took Father Rainer a year to devise for her.

Sue also sells Damian Allsop chocolate which is not available outside of his shop in London because she says ‘the passion he puts into this quality product is amazing' and he now provides top chefs with this in London.

A year ago, The Hairy Fig expanded into the premises next door, which now boasts a café where you can eat and drink the products sold in the shop. All the furniture is made from reclaimed Yorkshire wood in quirky seats and tables. The front of the cafe offers speciality chocolates, loose teas and coffees, again all sourced for their origin and excellence.

Public contact: Visit www.thehairyfig.co.uk  Tel: 01904 677074 and open from 9.00 until 6.00pm excl. Sundays.
Press contact: Sue Hardie, The Hairy Fig, Fossgate, York, Tel: 01904 677074

Accommodation News

Go Dutch in York

A new 5 star self-catering property in York's oldest brick-built house is the latest addition to York's luxury self-catering offer.

Situated on the street of Ogleforth in York, not one of the most visited streets in York but it is one of York's finest residential streets steeped in history.

The Dutch House is believed to be York's oldest brick built house dating from 1648. By 1960, the house had fallen in to a derelict state and started to collapse. It was York Civic Trust's first ever project in the city and their essential works ensured the house remained standing. For a further 50 years the house was left unoccupied and in much need of very expensive and essential restoration works.

In January 2009, husband and wife team, Colette and David Rogers, two prominent York business people involved in development, purchased the Dutch House and the adjacent former Brewery with a very clear vision.

They immediately set to work on converting the brewery to 12 stunning apartments. In the meantime they had special plans for The Dutch House. Already involved with tourism industry in York, they decided The Dutch House was something York should be proud of and visitors to York should have the opportunity to see and more so live in.

York's oldest brick house is now a 5 star self-catering property, spread over 3 floors and furnished to an exceptionally high standard, with under floor heating throughout. This is a luxurious two double-bedroom house with individual en suite facilities, comprising of a fully equipped handmade kitchen and open plan lounge which offers a very sociable room.

Public and press contact: Colette Rogers Email: coletterogers@rogersliving.com  Tel: 01430 861951. Prices from £695 per week.

Self-catering York

York is vast becoming renowned in the UK for its extensive selection of four/five star self-catering properties.

York has a diverse portfolio of luxurious self-catering accommodation, many of which are located close to the heart of the city centre.

The Dovecote Barns York
www.dovecotebarnsyork.co.uk  
Tel: 01757 249332
A sustainable low carbon self-catering holiday accommodation offering an eco-friendly city break. This environmental development features the renovation of three 18th century barns into luxury units suitable for couples, friends and family alike or groups of up to 12 persons.

Renewable technologies are used throughout to offer complete luxury and comfort with no compromise to either the visitor or the environment. A demonstration control room offers the visitor an insight into the technology that lies behind this complex development. Sumptuous furnishings, handmade country kitchens, six luxury en-suite bedrooms, log stoves and landscaped gardens all go towards making the visitor feel surrounded by the very best there is to offer.

3 Bedford Mews
www.bedfordmewsyork.co.uk
Tel: 07905 070684
In the heart of historical York, this 5-star self-catering property offers a modern and comfortable base to explore York. Appealing to both families and couples looking to enjoy what York has to offer, this stylish first-floor apartment provides two spacious bedrooms and two bathrooms. Only a 10 minute walk away from York's vibrant city centre.

Music House Apartment
www.cafeconcerto.biz  
Tel: 01904 610478
Taking up the entire top two floors above the award-winning Café Concerto on High Petergate, and looks out over the beautiful historic York Minster. Housed in a Grade-2 listed building, this deluxe two-bedroomed, split-level apartment is available for weekly lets and short breaks.

Press contact: For a full portfolio of York's self-catering properties, or to find out more about the self-catering offer available in York for an upcoming feature, please contact Kay Hyde, PR Manager, Visit York, Tel: 01904 554451, email: kh@visityork.org

For more ideas on York themes for 2010, visit www.visityork.org/media  

Journalists: If you would like to visit York on a press trip we'd be delighted to hear from you, please contact:

Kay Hyde
PR Manager
Visit York
20 George Hudson Street
York
YO1 6WR

Email kh@visityork.org

Visit www.visityork.org/media

Public Contact: York Visitor Information Centre, Tel 01904 550099 or visit www.visityork.org