York Update - Summer 2010
01/07/2010
Main News
New hi-tech Visitor Information Centre is the key to York and Yorkshire
Visit York has opened its new, hi-tech Visitor Information Centre at 1 Museum Street, replacing the service at De Grey Rooms in Exhibition Square.
Visit York's Information Centre is a one-stop-shop for all York, Yorkshire and national travel information, offering an accommodation booking service with a local, regional & national reach, and an itinerary planning service to help visitors and locals get the most from their time in York and Yorkshire.
A brand new shop at the centre also offers a range of locally produced goods including Yorkshire stoneware from Doncaster, handmade wooden toys and gifts from Tom Thumb designs in York, Wolds Way lavender, ceramics from Wold Pottery, chutneys and cakes from Lewis and Cooper in Northallerton, tea and biscuits from Taylors of Harrogate, cheese from the Yorkshire cheese company, toffee from Farrahs of Harrogate and gingerbread from Whitby....to name just a few! The new centre will also accept Euros, encouraging overseas visitors to take home a souvenir from Yorkshire.
Another new feature of the information centre is the launch of a new exhibition space. The first exhibition, by York Museums Trust, will allow visitors the chance to learn more about the York Castle Museum's latest attraction. Thomas Ward, the infamous turnkey from York Castle Prison will greet visitors as they enter the display, which will also include artefacts from the museum's collection.
Public contact: 1 Museum Street, York, YO1 7DT. Visit www.visityork.org or telephone 01904 550099 for a free guide to York.
Press contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager, Visit York, Tel: 01904 554451, email kh@visityork.org
Yorkshire Museum opening on Yorkshire Day 2010
1 August 2010
The Yorkshire Museum reopens on 1 August 2010 following a nine month, £2million refurbishment project.
Five new galleries will showcase some of Britain's finest archaeological treasures and many rare animals, birds and fossils, in brand new interactive displays.
The Yorkshire Museum is set to be a must-see destination in a tour around the city of York. The redevelopment is set to create a truly innovative home for the museum's collections - which include The Vale of York Viking Hoard, the most significant Viking find in more than 150 years, the head of the earliest portrait statue of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, and the famous ‘Cawood Sword', only the fifth Viking sword of its type ever to be found and by far the best preserved, with a mysterious inscription that has never been solved.
The city's Roman heritage will be the central theme for the new look museum, with major exhibitions also highlighting its strong medieval and natural history collections. The project, called Letting in the Light, will see much of the relatively modern interior walls removed to create a much more open and welcoming space. The gateway to the new-look museum will be the large, light and airy Central Hall which will recreate some of the original look of the Yorkshire Museum.
The refurbishment work has also restored the museum's Georgian building, letting in more natural light and opening up spaces that have been divided up over the years. The museum was opened in 1830 by the Yorkshire Philosophical Society and was one of the first purpose-built museums in the country.
Public contact: For more details on the plans for Yorkshire Museum, go to www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk
Press contact: For more information please contact Lee Clark, Media Coordinator at York Museums Trust on 01904 687673 or email lee.clark@ymt.org.uk
Headless Roman discovery in York sparks Gladiator debate
Archaeological researchers in York have identified what may be the world's only well-preserved Roman gladiator cemetery. The discovery - made during an on-going archaeological and forensic investigation - is of international importance and promises to shed a totally new light on life in Roman Britain.
York Archaeological Trust is throwing down the gauntlet to would-be archaeologists to see if they can solve a puzzle that has sparked debate about these remains, which were initially unearthed in York almost a decade ago.
The Trust uncovered 80 skeletons in Driffield Terrace, York, between 2003 and 2005 whilst assessing the area for housing development. The skeletons date from the late first century AD to the 4th century AD.
A Channel 4 documentary, aired on 14 June, ignited the debate about the skeletons' origins and follows the lead theory that the remains are those of Roman gladiators. But researchers at York Archaeological Trust are remaining open-minded to their stories which may include soldier, criminal or religious cult backgrounds.
However, the most significant pieces of evidence supporting the gladiator conclusion is a large carnivore bite mark - probably inflicted by a lion, tiger or bear, which archaeologists believe would have been sustained in an arena context.
See the remains up close at JORVIK this summer
A late third century skeleton - one of those thought to be a Roman gladiator - is going on display in York.
The skeleton will be available for public viewing at the JORVIK Viking Centre for 4 weeks from Tuesday 22 June.
It is one of 80 skeletons unearthed in the city by York Archaeological Trust over the last seven years, and this skeleton displays one of the most significant pieces of evidence supporting the lead archaeological theory that the skeletons are the remains of Roman gladiators - a large carnivore bite mark believed to have been inflicted by a lion, tiger or bear, probably in an arena context.
Public contact: For a chance to look at the evidence and solve the puzzle, visit www.headlessromans.co.uk
Press contact: Karen Nixon / Hannah Trinder at Partners PR, Tel: 01904 610077 email Karen@partners-group.co.uk / Hannah@partners-group.co.uk
Delve into York's history at the Micklegate Bar Museum
Delve into York's bloody history and explore the famous battles, uprisings and revolutions that have unfolded in York's walls through the centuries at the newly reopened Micklegate Bar Museum.
Situated on the route of the York's famous walls walk, Micklegate Bar Museum has stood sentinel to the city for over 800 years. As York's most important gateway, the bar has served a number of important roles since its construction in the 12th century, including being the main point of entry through which a reigning monarch enters the city.
Not only a gateway to the city, but also a home to many families until 1918. The stories of residents are brought alive in this exhibition, giving a real sense of what it is like to live in this historic building. However, it was also the heads of traitors and tyrants who were made at home here after execution for all to see - now visitors can get up close to the severed head of Richard Duke of York.
Discover how combat has evolved over the years and how armoury has adapted to follow this progression, from The Romans to the infamous War of the Roses.
Public contact: Visit www.micklegatebar.com for more information. Telephone 01904 615 505 or email micklegatebar@yorkat.co.uk
Press contact: Hannah Trinder or Karen Nixon at The Partners Group, Tel; 01904 610077.
A-maize-ing York Maze honours Battle of Britain
To commemorate this year's 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain the giant -acre field of maize at York Maze will be cut out in the shape of a Spitfire in tribute. Previous designs have included an Astronaut, the Statue of Liberty, The Starship Enterprise and the Flying Scotsman.
Farmer Tom Pearcy uses the latest GPS satellite technology to plot out the maze shape, and is cutting out the Spitfire design from the 1.5 million maze plants in the 30 acre field.
York Maze opens to the public on Saturday 17 July and will be open every day until Sunday 5 September 2010.
Tom started York Maze in 2002 as a means of farm diversification following the foot and mouth crisis. It has grown to become one of Yorkshires most popular summer tourist attractions welcoming over 80,000 visitors in the short seven weeks season.
York Maze will be open daily from Saturday 17 July to Sunday 5 September 2010 from 10am to 6.30pm (last admission 4.30pm). 2010 admission prices: Adult £8.95, Senior £8.45, Children (3-15) £7.95, Under 3s Free, Family (2 adults and 2 children) £32.00. Free parking. York Maze Elvington Lane (B1228), York, YO19 5LT, just off the A1079 Hull Road.
Public contact: Telephone: 01904 607341 www.yorkmaze.co.uk
Press contact: David Leon, Partners Leisure, T:01904 610077 david@partnersgroup.co.uk
York Theatre Royal pulls into Waterloo station
4 July - 4 September 2010
This summer, Waterloo Station will be the setting for this year's magnificent production of The Railway Children.
Sponsored by Welcome to Yorkshire, the venture will see the magical family production, first created for York Theatre Royal in 2008, transported to London - coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the Academy Award nominated film.
The Welcome to Yorkshire Theatre will open its doors on 4 July, with performances available until 4 September 2010.
Since its first summer run in 2008, The Railway Children has been a huge hit for the region, bringing in audiences from across the country and playing an important part in showcasing the high standard of regional theatre on offer in Britain. The Guardian gave the production a 5 star review labelling it a ‘runaway success... a triumphant reinvention of a children's classic' and in its second summer, box office sales shot up by a staggering 9.2%, with over 26,000 people watching the spectacular production at the National Railway Museum.
The star of the show, the Stirling Single steam train, will once again be taking centre stage in the London production. Travelling from its home at the National Railway Museum in York to sit proudly at Waterloo Station, it will no doubt be a great sight for all the thousands of commuters in the capital city.
Public contact: Running from 4 July to 4 September 2010. Welcome to Yorkshire Theatre, Waterloo Station, SE1. Box Office: 0871 2970740. Performances on Mondays and Wednesday - Saturday at 7.30pm, Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm. Matinees on Sundays at 1pm and 5pm.
Press contact: Rebecca Storey, Press and Media Manager, Tel: 01904 550149. Email: rebecca.storey@yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
Nimrod flys into Yorkshire Air Museum
Yorkshire Air Museum has recently become the only museum in the world to display a live example of the Nimrod military reconnaissance aircraft.
Nimrod MR2, XV250 was flown from RAF Kinloss into Elvington on 13 April 2010, where it will be maintained in full ground operational capacity as a ‘live' aircraft.
The Nimrod will be part of the Museum's world-class collection, alongside the huge Victor V-Bomber and Buccaneer Strike aircraft and will stand as a permanent tribute to the 14 British servicemen killed in Afghanistan when Nimrod XV230 crashed at Kandahar on 2 September 2006.
Public contact: For more information, visit www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk Tel: 01904 608595 or email museum@yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk
Press contact: Ian Richardson, Communications Manager, Tel: 07740 992 832
National Railway Museum sets the wheels in motion for NRM+
NRM+ is the name of the exciting £20 million redevelopment project which will completely transform the Museum's largest exhibition space, the Great Hall. NRM+ will tell the story of how railways have shaped our lives and the modern world through amazing new multimedia and multisensory displays, greater access to the collection and improved visitor facilities.
Press contact: Gemma Sneyd, Senior Press Officer, 01904 686281, gemma.sneyd@nrm.org.uk
Become a Medieval Merchant Adventurer of the digital age
York's medieval Merchant Adventurers' Hall has launched its very own ‘Be a Merchant Adventurer' game, available to play on its website www.theyorkcompany.co.uk
It is part of a series of initiatives designed to promote the Hall to local residents and visitors in York and across the globe.
The hall has also launched its own facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/York/Merchant-Adventurers-Hall/108572612508591
The semi-timbered medieval guild hall has been the home to the Company of Merchant Adventurers of the City of York for over 650 years and is one of the finest guild halls in the world still open today for visitors, business and private functions. Operating as a charitable trust, all income is used to maintain the Hall for future generations.
Governor of the Company Paul Shepherd said "650 years ago Merchant Adventurers travelled widely to all parts of Europe seeking trading partners and goods to bring back to York. Today we are adventuring onto the world wide web with our new Facebook page to promote the Hall to friends and visitors all over the world. Merchant Adventurers were the original serial networkers so it is natural to embrace new technologies and social networking innovations such as Facebook."
For more information and to try the game visit www.theyorkcompany.co.uk
Press contact: Lauren Marshall, Hall Manager 01904 654818, email hall.manager@theyorkcompany.co.uk
Meet Yorkshire Food Heroes at the 2010 York Food Festival
17 - 26 September 2010
This year's York Food and Drink Festival is set to introduce visitors to Yorkshire's finest food heroes.
Informal daily tastings, Yorkshire food stands, the Yorkshire food market place and demonstrations by Yorkshire producers will include:
- A comparative tasting by Tom Wallis of Lowna dairy of his award winning Goat's Cheese.
- Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil discussing the production, health and gastronomic benefits of their oils
- A series of producers from the southern Dales, led by Robert Phillip of Hellifield Beef will take a stand at the festival. Robert's Highland cattle play an important role in maintaining the flora of Yorkshire's limestone landscape.
This year's festival market place will see key Yorkshire attendees including Penny Hodgeson, producer of Thornhill Dexter Beef, Whitby Seafood and Richard Elmhurst of Round Green Venison. Yorkshire's smaller producers are not forgotten with Brunswick Organic Nursery, which provides a workplace for adults with learning difficulties, and Yorkshire Wold's Apples making an appearance.
York's regular Farmers Market will take place within the festival on Friday 24 September.
Demonstrations from Yorkshire producers include Phillip Leverington of Fresh Catering who will work with producers at the festival and James Wright of Taste Tradition who will do a butchery demonstration of rare breed meat raised in the North Yorkshire Moors.
An outline of the full Festival timetable is available at www.yorkfoodfestival.com. The markets and many of the demonstrations are free to enter. For other events, the ticket line is 01904 466687 or tickets can be obtained through the website.
Press contact: For further information please contact Michael Hjort or Debbie Waite on 01904 635149.
Let's enjoy a night at the theatre....
York Theatre Royal is one of the oldest producing theatres in the country. With two performance areas; the Main House seating up to 840 and the intimate Studio Theatre with 102 seats, the Theatre Royal offers a great variety of drama, music, comedy, dance and musical theatre.
The coming months will see big performances such as:
The Wind in the Willows
22 July - 21 August 2010
Nature will take over this summer at York Theatre Royal and four new friends will be appearing at the theatre. The foyer will become grassy woodland, trees will sprout up from the floor and theatre-goers can even enjoy a picnic on the indoor lawn.
The same creative team that brought the Railway Children have come together once more to create a magical world for all the family to enjoy. The main house will be like nothing you have seen before, as a new stage is built allowing the audience to sit all around the action at Toad Hall.
Public contact: Visit www.beyondthewildwood.com Follow the stars on Twitter @YorkMole, @YorkBadger, @YorkRatty, @YorkToad
TakeOver Festival
1 wk in October 2010 & 2 wks in Feb 2011
Work with young people has always been central to York Theatre Royal's work. Consequently the theatre has reduced ticket prices for Under 25s (just £5), has a budding youth theatre, works extensively with schools and colleges and has, following an Arts Council grant, pioneered the development of a completely youth-led festival - TakeOver.
Now in it's second year, TakeOver sees the venue completely handed over to young people for a period of three weeks as they manage, programme, market, produce and curate a festival programme for all ages. TakeOver was not only a first for York, but a groundbreaking festival for the theatre industry, with over fifty under 26 year olds involved in the running of the theatre.
Public contact: For more information visit www.takeoverfestival.co.uk
Public for York Theatre Royal: Visit www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
Press contact for York Theatre Royal: Rebecca Storey, Press and Media Manager, Tel: 01904 550149, Email Rebecca.storey@yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
Get Creative at Bar Lane Studios
Bar Lane Studios is a new venture recently opened on Micklegate, York.
Incorporating a gallery space, 21 artist studios, a digital media suite and print workshop as well as offering art courses and creative workshops, Bar Lane Studios is one of the largest visual Arts Centres in Yorkshire.
In addition to all this our Community Arts Cafe overlooks the historic York City Bar Walls and is the perfect place to relax in attractive, inspiring and comfortable surroundings. The Cafe area is host to an ongoing exhibition of art works displaying a wide range of styles from local artists. We offer a self service selection of hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and snacks as well as our tempting range of delicious scones, pastries and cakes homemade by local pastry chef Paula.
The café is keen to promote healthy eating and Bar Lane is a family friendly venue offering specific child friendly food and drink. Bar Lane Studios is a ‘not-for-profit' social enterprise that acts as an outlet for our region's creative talent and supports emerging artists. The studios are committed to supporting all local businesses and our sandwiches and cakes are both supplied by local small businesses.
Bar Lane Studios
1 Bar Lane, York, YO1 6JU Tel: 01904 635563
Email: enquiries@barlanestudios.com
For more information visit http://www.barlanestudios.com/
Press contact: For more information contact Kay Hyde, PR Manager at Visit York, Tel: 01904 554451, email@ kh@visityork.org
Yorkshire Licensees are National ‘Publicans Of The Year'
Licensees Ashley and Kelly McCarthy, who own Ye Old Sun Inn in Colton near York are truly on a winning streak with their latest accolade of ‘Publicans of the Year' announced at the 2010 Publican Awards - known as the industry ‘Oscars'.
Over 1,500 of the industry's top professionals attended the event which are run annually by The Publican Magazine, and recognise the best of the best in the industry. Ye Old Sun Inn beat five other finalists to the top spot in the Publican of the Year category.
In 2009, Ye Old Sun Inn clocked up no less than four high-profile trophies: Local Food Pub of the Year and Front of House Team of the Year in the 2009 Publican Awards; and Yorkshire Life Traditional Pub of the Year. Ye Old Sun Inn was also a finalist in the Taste of York category at Visit York's Tourism Awards 2010.
Public contact: For more information visit www.yeoldsuninn.co.uk
Press contact: For further information, please contact Michelle Luscombe at Progressive PR & Marketing on 07734 109200 or michelle@progressivepr.co.uk
Scoot around York and Yorkshire on a bike
For visitors staying in or around York, the chance to rent or hire a bicycle gives you that chance to see so much more.
SCOOT cycling holidays offer visitors to York and Yorkshire the very best cycling holiday experience, in the surroundings of the Yorkshire countryside. A self-guided Yorkshire cycling holiday is a great way to discover this very special part of the world.
SCOOT doesn't charge extra for bike or equipment hire, and the planned tours are all graded so that holidaymakers can be confident they have chosen the cycling holiday that matches their experience and interests.
SCOOT works with local accommodation providers, working closely with the owners and their staff to ensure that after an enjoyable day in the saddle, the necessary touch of comfort to relax and recharge batteries, is available.
Cycling holidays can be adapted for everyone, from beginners to seasoned cyclists or families looking for that active, action-packed break. SCOOT also offer one-off tours for that extra special Yorkshire experience, with short breaks in York.
SCOOT also offer a cycle hire service and York city tours on bike - allowing visitors to see the city from a different perspective.
For more information visit www.scootcyclingholidays.co.uk
Press contact: Steven Morrison, Tel: 01904 720003 / 0781 206 4322.
... or make it a joint effort and hire a tandem to see the sights
Tandem Yorkshire is based right in the centre of York and supplies tandems, mountain bikes, city bikes, folding bikes, children tag-ons and child safety seats. They also supply luggage for touring, maps, helmets and high visibility vests for your safety. Rates start from £30 per day.
Visitors can telephone in advance of their visit to York, or simply book on arrival.
Telephone: 01904 236179 or visit www.tandemhireyorkshire.co.uk Email: info@tandemhireyorkshire.co.uk
Press contact: Paul Calvert, Tel: 01904 236179
Trail paints a picture of Turner's Yorkshire
The famous views of Yorkshire are to be brought to life using the work of renowned British artist JMW Turner.
The ‘Turner Trail in Yorkshire' will turn the spotlight on the region's link to Turner, who spent several years touring the county producing some of his finest pieces of work. During visits to the region he was inspired to produce over 800 sketches and paintings of Yorkshire.
One of Welcome to Yorkshire's major initiatives for 2010, the Turner Trail includes over 70 sites across the county, from historic houses and holy places to the stunning landscapes of the dales and dramatic cityscapes. Visitors will be able to follow the trail and walk in Turner's footsteps, and see the views he captured on his frequent visits to Yorkshire.
The route is a pan Yorkshire route covering North, South and East Yorkshire and will cover over 70 sites across the region. Many of the sites will be highlighted to visitors by the Turner Trail benches, allowing visitors to sit and take in the views which so inspired Turner. Accompanying interpretation boards will provide additional information about Turner and the artwork for that view.
Public contact: For further details log on to www.yorkshire.com/turner
Press contact: Lucy Allen, Press Officer, Tel: 0113 322 3563 / 07950 325 901, Email: lallen@yorkshire.com
New Exhibitions
New Exhibitions at York Art Gallery...
From York to China, a journey to the East
Main Gallery
Until 5 September 2010
Spanning 3,000 years of Chinese history and culture, this new exhibition at York Art Gallery explores the themes of play and performance, technology, belief and festivals, food and drink, and language and writing.
Featuring over 100 objects from the British Museum, this exhibition is the largest loan of Chinese material the Museum has made in the UK. The exhibition also includes objects from the collections of some of the partner museums and from elsewhere within the regions.
Mystery Plays manuscript on display for all to see
Little Gallery
Until 8 September 2010
The only surviving copy of an original manuscript of the world famous York Mystery Plays is on show in one of York Art Gallery's newest exhibitions.
The document, dating from the 15th Century, is on loan to the gallery from the British Library in London. It will feature alongside paintings and works on paper showing the original stopping places of the wagons in the city and other documents and artefacts from the time they first ran and when they were reintroduced in the 1950s.
The manuscript will be on show until Thursday 5 August 2010 and will be opened at two different pages during its stay.
In an English Country Garden...
The Pot Gallery
Until 1 September 2010
A garden of ceramic riches will spring into life at York Art Gallery this summer. An ‘English Country Garden' will see works inspired by plants, flowers, animals and birds displayed in a space inspired by beauty of a summer garden.
Featuring pieces by internationally renowned ceramicists such as Kate Malone and Rosemary Wren as well as Rockingham Pottery and items from the gallery's nationally important studio pottery collection.
Public contact: York Art Gallery is free to all. Open 10am until 5pm seven days a week (closed December 25, 26 and 1 January) For more information go to www.yorkartgallery.org.uk
Press contact: Lee Clark, Media Coordinator, Tel: 01904 687673 or email lee.clark@ymt.org.uk
Coming up......
An exhibition to turn heads at York Art Gallery this Autumn
The etiquette of when and where to wear hats is the theme of a new exhibition opening at York Art Gallery this Autumn.
Works featuring hats by Bernini, Jacques-Émile Blanche and Spencer Gore will be displayed alongside real 19th and 20th Century head garments from the York Castle Museum Collection. The exhibition will use the works as a basis to explore some of the social rules and trends which have influenced headwear in the last 400 years.
Around 30 oils and works on paper will feature in the show, including Dame Barbara Hepworth's Surgeon Waiting, William Etty's The Missionary Boy, Spencer Gore's The Balcony at the Alhambra, Roger Bissiere's Woman in a Straw Hat and Jacques-Émile Blanche's Knightbridge from Sloane Street. The labels will give information on the work but also a brief description of the etiquette and meaning of wearing the hat in that context. The hats on show include a 1920s cloche, a late 19th century girl's straw hat, a 1960s surgeon's hat and a collapsible opera hat.
For more information visit www.yorkartgallery.org.uk
Press contact: Lee Clark, Media Co-ordinator, York Museums Trust Tel: 01904 687673, or e-mail lee.clark@ymt.org.uk
Experience a 21st century flood at York St Mary's
Until 31 October 2010
A 21st century flood will engulf the ancient space of York St Mary's this summer at this year's contemporary art installation.
Renowned artist Susan Stockwell's work will see a tower of computer components pouring from the roof of the medieval church, filling the nave with a brightly coloured pool of metal and wire.
Flood draws on themes such as communication, consumerism and capitalism, to create a thought-provoking and visually stimulating installation which strikingly complements the stone architecture.
The piece is the fifth installation to be commissioned by York Museums Trust, funded by the Arts Council.
York St Mary's is open 10am until 4pm and free to all.
Public contact: For more information on the church, Flood and past installations visit www.yorkstmarys.org.uk
Press contact: Lee Clark, Media Coordinator, Tel: 01904 687673 or email lee.clark@ymt.org.uk
Great Western Railway Reflections
Until 1 November 2010
The National Railway Museum in York is celebrating the 175th anniversary of one of the largest and most well known railway companies in the world in a brand new free exhibition that provides an insight into the history of the Great Western Railway (GWR).
The ‘Great Western Railway Reflections' exhibition is on display within Search Engine, the NRM's research and archive centre. The Museum's collections of small objects, posters and paintings have been used to explore the image of the GWR through the technology, advertising and paraphernalia it produced.
The ‘Great Western Railway Reflections' exhibition is part of the celebrations that are happening throughout the GWR region to mark the 175th anniversary of the founding of GWR. To find out more about these events visit www.nrm.org.uk/gwr
Press contact: Louise McKenzie, Press Officer on 01904 686281 or email louise.mckenzie@nrm.org.uk
Dress to Impress
Revealing Georgian Fashion: 1730 - 1780
Until Friday 21 November 2010
Unlocking the wardrobe of Georgian York's upper classes, the latest exhibition in Fairfax House ‘Dress to Impress' throws a spotlight on the clothes and accessories worn by members of ‘polite society'.
The exhibition is the first of its kind in York and reveals the sumptuous fabrics, skilled craftsmanship and elegant embroidered detail of costume from the mid-eighteenth century, 1730 to 1780. It explores the fashions and changing styles of this extravagant period and looks at how fashion was conveyed to the provinces.
Drawing upon collections from around Yorkshire including York Castle Museum and Leeds Museums & Galleries, this exhibition brings together a range of superb men's and women's fashions including corsetry, shoes, exquisite fans and even headwear.
The exhibition showcases the elements of dress typically worn by the upper echelons of society, and using documentary evidence specifically reveals the clothing worn by the original inhabitants of Fairfax House, Viscount Fairfax and his daughter, during the 1760s.
Admission to the museum also includes entry to the exhibition and cost £6.00 (concessions £5.00). Please visit www.fairfaxhouse.co.uk for more information.
Press contact: Hannah Phillip, Director, hannahphillip@yorkcivictrust.co.uk or telephone 01904 655543.
Upcoming Festivals / Events
Stone Carving Festival at York Minster
14 - 15 August 2010
Masons, Carvers, Sculptors and Apprentices from across Britain and abroad will descend on York Minster in August, as it holds The Stone Carving Festival for the first time in ten years.
The festival is the first to be held since the hugely successful York Stone Festival in 2000, when the octagonal stone bench in Dean's Park, behind the Minster was created. Up to eighty Masons and Carvers will be working on stones in the Minster School Grounds during the festival, to be held on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 August. The public are invited to come and meet the Carvers and Masons on Saturday and Sunday, witnessing their individual interpretation of the theme within the stones they will be working on.
The stones will then be auctioned off to the public on Sunday and all the proceeds will be divided between York Minster Fund and York Against Cancer.
Please check www.yorkminster.org for regular updates.
Press contact: Kendal Mosley-Chalk, Communications and Marketing Officer,
Tel: 01904 557248 / 07540 883 407 Email: kendalm@yorkminster.org
Shopping
A Vintage experience at York's newest clothing and café emporium
Visitors to York can step back in time with a visit to The House of Avalon in York - combining a stylish café alongside a vintage couture clothes room with its own resident vintage hairstylist.
The House of Avalon is a quirky retail outlet selling classic vintage clothing and accessories in the styles of the 1910 to 1960's era. And to complete the look from top to toe, a professional hairstylist can complete the look of the outfit with a classic vintage style.
With exquisite cupcakes and classic Hollywood movies playing in the background, The House of Avalon gives a quintessential English feel with a large dose of high fashion vintage couture.
Public contact: For more information, visit www.thehouseofavalon.org.uk
Press contact: Ella Gascoigne on 07896 595527 Email: ella@startuppr.co.uk or Rachel Auty on 07545 917 044 Email: r.auty@fourfrontmarketing.co.uk
Shop & the City
Shoppers to York this summer can take advantage of the ‘Shopping Passport' designed by Visit York, to take advantage of over £70 worth of exclusive shopping vouchers and discounts in the city.
The passport offers can be downloaded for free at www.shopandthecity.org or the passport is available from the Visit York Information Centre at 1 Museum Street - allowing visitors to York to access discounts ranging from 15 per cent off at L.K Bennett to 25 per cent off a luxury hand and nail pampering session at Nail Bar One.
Visitors can also follow Visit York's four themed shopping trails - designer wear, antiques, unique gifts and a ‘male trail' - for a unique guide to York's shopping offer.
Leaflets are available from York's Visitor Information Centre or visit www.shopandthecity.org
Press contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager, Visit York, Tel: 01904 554451 or email kh@visityork.org
Food and Drink News
Bringing the outside in at Burn Hall
A new fine dining experience at Burn Hall is bringing the garden inside to Burn Hall. The Garden Room Restaurant is an intimate 26 seat restaurant with a focus on quality local produce and superb service.
One of the key areas to the new Garden Room Restaurant is the launch of the Burn Hall Kitchen Garden, where the first crop of salads and vegetables has already been harvested. This makes the distance from ground to fork only a matter of yards and highlights the commitment of Burn Hall to use produce as fresh and as local as possible.
Other suppliers to the new restaurant, all handpicked, will be as near as the farm across the road and many more just a few miles away.
Public contact: Table reservations can be made by calling 01347 825400.
Press contact: Email sarah.pulleyn@burn-hall.co.uk
Bringing New York to York
The Grange Hotel has opened a new restaurant in the heart of York, The New York Grill. As the name suggests the restaurant specialises in steaks & grills with the menu featuring 7 different cuts of steak ranging from an 8oz rump at £12.95 to a Cote de Boeuf for 4 people at £68.00.
Situated in the hotel's historic brick vaulted cellars the ambience is relaxed and informal with friendly and efficient, but not intrusive service. Black and white photos of New York decorate the pastel toned walls, soft music plays in the background and there's a sophisticated yet relaxed feel to the restaurant.
The restaurant boasts moderate prices and is open to residents and non-residents for lunch and dinner 7 days a week.
Press contact: For further information on The Grange Hotel, please contact Adrienne Dyson, Sales Manager, The Grange Hotel ,1 Clifton, York, YO30 6AA. Tel: 01904 644744 www.grangehotel.co.uk or email info@grangehotel.co.uk
Bottle up a taste of Yorkshire on a visit to York
It's rare to find shops closing for a whole day in midsummer but Demijohn, the liquid deli in York, did just that to ensure they have one of their bestselling products onto the shelves in plentiful supply.
The whole Demijohn team closed the shops in Edinburgh, Glasgow and York and headed out to pick elderflowers for their delicious Elderflower Vinegar. The recent warm weather brought the elderflowers into flower very quickly so two whole days were spent collecting enough elderflowers in Yorkshire and Scotland to produce about 600 litres of Elderflower Vinegar, enough at least to partially satisfy an ever growing demand.
Elderflower Vinegar is a rare creation and epitomises the fresh, sweet smell of summer. Its delicate flavour is similar to the traditional elderflower cordial but is sharper and more exciting to taste. It can either be used as a stunning dressing for salads - good enough on its own or mixed with extra virgin olive oil - or it can be used as a cordial - mix one third vinegar with two thirds sparkling mineral water for a dramatic de-stress drink after a hard day. Priced at £1.60/100ml it is a must.
Demi John York
11 Museum Street, York, YO1 7DT, Tel: 01904 637487
Press contact: For photography, further press information or press samples, please contact: Fenella Taylor at Fenella Taylor PR, Tel: 01389 830390, Mobile: 07721 324696, Email fenella@fenellataylorpr.co.uk
York - An award-winning city
2010 - Most Friendly Place To Live
York was named ‘friendliest place to live in the UK' in June 2010, beating 28 other UK destinations including Cambridge, Newcastle and Edinburgh. Coined the Friendly Index, a survey questioned 3,000 people in the UK about how often they spoke to their milkman, postman or local policeman.
2010 - York - ‘City of the Year' - Coach Tourism Awards
York was crowned ‘City of the Year' at the 2010 Coach Tourism Awards. Coach operators and readers of Coach Monthly Magazine, which organises the awards, voted for York above other tourism hot spots including Bath, Chester, Liverpool and Southport. This is the third time York has won this accolade at the Coach Tourism Awards having scooped the ‘City of the Year' title in 2006 and 2008.
2010 - York - 2nd Most Group Friendly Destination in the UK
The Group Travel Awards are organised by Landor Travel Publications and voted for by the 10,000 readers of Group Travel Organiser Magazine, a publication aimed at group travel specialists throughout the UK. (Hull winner).
2010 - Google Street View Awards -
The Shambles - Most Picturesque Street in UK
Stonegate - 2nd Best Street for Fashion in Britain
Fossgate - 3rd Best Street in Britain for Food
Gillian Cruddas, Chief Executive of Visit York said, "It's fantastic news for York to secure a hat trick in the Google Street Awards and just goes to show there's no other city in the UK quite like York. It's quite amazing that the Shambles, mentioned in the Domesday book and York's oldest street, has now been voted for on line through Google - a real case of the modern world appreciating our heritage. We hope this award will bring more visitors into York to explore the wonderful shops and cafés, both in the Shambles and across the city."
For a complete history of York's awards, please contact Kay Hyde, PR Manager on 01904 554451 or email kh@visityork.org
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
1 Museum Street - *New Address
York
YO1 7DT
Email kh@visityork.org
Visit www.visityork.org/media
Public Contact: York Visitor Information Centre, Tel 01904 550099 or visit www.visityork.org