02/12/2010

Main News

Investigate Coppergate - JORVIK Viking Centre continues its facelift

In January 2011, the JORVIK Viking Centre will be introducing two new galleries to the museum which will use new scientific research to tell us more about the objects and human remains excavated at Coppergate over 30 years ago. These new galleries have been funded through a grant by the Wolfson Foundation.

In a new "Investigate Coppergate" gallery, displays will include two human skeletons from the dig. Using newly commissioned  studies the female skeleton will be used to tell visitors how the Vikings of Jorvik lived, what diseases and afflictions they suffered from, what they ate and even what she looked like. Working with archaeologists from Universities across Britain this new research will be brought to the public for the first time.

The final gallery at JORVIK will be transformed to reveal "The Last Vikings of Jorvik" and takes a look at the final battles of the Viking-age in York which signalled the end of the Viking -age and the coming of the Normans. Skeletal remains showing battle wounds and a full skeleton with evidence of severe trauma will be placed on display and discussed in terms of what science can tell us about how they died. This gallery will also discuss the legacy of the Vikings and mix of cultures that survived in York after 1066.

JORVIK will not be closed for any of the installation of these galleries but some access will be limited at some times. JORVIK will fully reopen to the public with its new displays from February 2011 for the start of the 26th Viking Festival.

Press contact: David Scott, York Archaeological Trust, Tel: 01904 543426.

Last chance to dig up the past at Hungate in 2011

The Hungate dig is York's biggest ever archaeological dig in York city centre. 

Funded by Hungate (York) Regeneration Ltd, York Archaeological Trust's archaeologists - along with community archaeologists - have been uncovering 2000 years in the life of York and will continue until the end of 2011.  Archaeologists have already revealed a wide range of details about what life was like in York from Roman times to the start of the 20th Century.

Part of a Roman cemetery has been found in one corner of the site and the discoveries shine a further light on to Roman burial customs 1,700 years ago. 

A Visit to Hungate is one of those rare occasions when visitors can see the past being revealed before your eyes and with 2,000 years of archaeology a new discovery is never far away.  Guided tours of the site are carried out all year round (weather permitting) and special open days also give visitors access to the most recent discoveries.

The guided tour costs £1 and can be booked in advance by either visiting http://www.dighungate.com/ or calling 01904 615505.

Press contact: David Scott, York Archaeological Trust, Tel: 01904 543426.

Rare Roman burial finds displayed for the first time

An intriguing exhibition providing a glimpse into Roman funeral rituals is on display at DIG in York, giving visitors a magnified look at recent archaeological findings at the Hungate excavation.

Archaeologists from York Archaeological Trust, who are excavating the Hungate site, have unearthed a small Roman cemetery which has so far revealed 20 burials and six cremations.  Excitingly, in two graves, which contained the remains of Roman citizens was an assembly of rich grave goods.

Amongst the grave goods on display in the "Grave Matters" exhibition at DIG until February 2011 are intricate jet and shale jewellery, glass necklace beads, a glass perfume bottle and pottery vessels from Britain and beyond. 

Visitors will see the finds up close and can discover the background to how the items arrived at Hungate and the methods used by the Trust to excavate and then conserve them.

York Archaeological Trust is carrying out the excavations at Hungate, York, over a five-year period on behalf of Hungate (York) Regeneration Ltd, a joint venture between Crosby Lend Lease, Evans Property Group and Land Securities, who are creating a new Hungate neighbourhood.

The findings are on show in the ESI DIG exhibition area within DIG, York Archaeological Trust's hands on excavation attraction at St Saviourgate, York. 

ESI DIG is a temporary exhibition which will change four times a year to show the latest finds and new archaeological developments.  "Grave Matters" replaced the existing "Gladiators: A Cemetery of Secrets" exhibition which displayed one of the much talked about headless Roman skeletons as show on a Channel Four documentary in early 2010.

To find out more about DIG and the "Grave Matters" exhibition visit http://www.digyork.com/ or call 01904 615505.

Public contact: To find out more about DIG and the new "Grave Matters" exhibition visit http://www.digyork.com/ or call 01904 615505. Press contact: For more press information please contact Hannah Trinder at The Partners Group, Tel: 01904 610077

David Hockney's largest masterpiece travels to York

Bigger Trees Near Warter by David Hockney
10 February 2011 - 22 June 2011

David Hockney's painting Bigger Trees Near Warter, on loan from Tate, is the largest painting the artist has ever produced. Featuring two copses, a huge sycamore tree, buildings and early flowering daffodils, the painting comprises of 50 individual canvas panels and takes inspiration from a site at Warter in the Yorkshire Wolds. This will be the first time the painting has been seen in Britain outside of London.  

Public contact: For more information visit http://www.yorkartgallery.org.uk/  Free admission, open 10am to 5pm.

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

A passion for the nude: First major William Etty exhibition for over half a century on display at York Art Gallery in 2011

25 June 2011 - 22 January 2012

The life and works of one of Britain's most significant yet controversial artists will be explored in a major new exhibition at York Art Gallery next year.  William Etty: Art and Controversy, will be the first comprehensive reassessment of Etty's art in over half a century.  This will be the largest collection of his work including 78 paintings, more than 1,000 sketches and drawings, plus letters and other papers.

William Etty is York's most famous artist and was the first major British painter to specialise in the nude before the 20th century.  Born in York in 1787, he was the seventh child of a miller and baker and would often draw in chalk on his father's shop floor. In 1798 he was apprenticed to a printer, but in 1805 his uncle paid for him to go to London and to enter the Royal Academy Schools in 1807.

The exhibition will explore in depth Etty's equivocal status; from stalwart of the Royal Academy - elected to be an Academician ahead of John Constable - to being exiled from the artistic elite because of what was seen as a "perverse" passion for the voluptuousness of the female nude. 

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

Celebrating York's African Emperor 1,800 years on

1 February - 27 February 2011

Contemporary arts will combine with the ancient history of Roman York next February, to mark 1,800 years since the death of Septimius Severus, the African Emperor.  The ruthless Severus died in York on 4 February 211AD after ruling the whole Roman Empire from the city for three years.

Artefacts from the British Museum will also be shown alongside those in the Yorkshire Museum's collection from the time of Severus.  This will include impressive busts of the emperor and his son, Caracalla, who was proclaimed Emperor in York after the death of his father.  A replica of the Arch of Septimius Severus in Rome will also be built inside the museum.

To mark the anniversary, the Yorkshire Museum is working in partnership with arts groups and young people from across Yorkshire to hold Severus inspired events, as well as holding talks by leading Roman experts, object handling and fun half-term events.

More information will be released in the run-up to the event on http://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

Discover the secrets of the Hidden Minster

York Minster is known the world over as a magnificent example of religious architecture on the very grandest scale.  The building which contains some of the country's oldest and finest stained glass is now giving visitors a chance to go behind the scenes and explore the hidden depths of the Minster.

The following tours are available:

Bedern Glaziers' Studio

Tours every Wednesday and Friday at 2pm, £7.50 per person.

The Bedern Glaziers' Studio tour offers you a chance for a ‘behind the scenes' glimpse of conservators at work on some of the Minster's finest windows.  The conducted tour with a specialist guide will introduce visitors to the complex challenges of modern stained glass conservation in action. (Pre-booking is essential through the York Minster Box Office)

Evening Hidden Tours

28 January 2011 (on sale from 18 January 2011), 25 March 2011 (on sale from 15 March)

Tours start at 7pm and 8.30pm, Pre-booking essential.

Maximum10/tour, Minimum age: 16 years

These tours allow visitors to see parts of the Minster previously inaccessible to visitors.

The West End and Bell Towers

Visits the South West Tower, Clock Chamber, Ringing Chamber, Bell Chamber, the outside western gallery and the Great Peter ringing chamber.

The Chapter House Roof & Masons' Loft

Visits both the impressive structure of the Chapter House timber roof void and the fascinating Masons' Loft above the vestibule.

Early Minster

Explores the passages to the north and south of the Crypts as well as a breath-taking trip up to the top walkway over the Five Sisters window.

All of the above guided tours and the following specialist tours below can be arranged for pre-booked groups only at other times throughout the year. Tel: 0844 939 0011 or email groups@yorkminster.org

Stoneyard and East Front £5 - (Maximum 10/tour)

Tour begins in the Stoneyard where you will see the setting out office , masons' and carvers' workshops.  The tour moves to the East Front where, after ascending the hoist, it is possible to see the work being carried out on the Minster.

Broderers £5 per person (Maximum 10/tour)

A guided tour of the embroideries in York Minster, looking at altar frontals, hangings in the sanctuary, antimacassars and kneelers.

Press contact: Lisa Sinclair, Communications and Marketing Officer,  0844 939 0014 , 07843339979, lisas@yorkminster.org

Experience the exhilaration station at the National Railway Museum

Exhilaration Station is the NRM's brand new adrenaline-fuelled experience which will have visitors* racing round a train-themed track on Segways**. The unique custom-made track will allow visitors to whizz along inflatable railway tunnels and even through some level crossing barriers.

Segways are two-wheeled, self-balancing electric vehicles which were launched in 2001. Computers and motors in the base of the device keep the Segway upright and users control its movement by leaning forwards, backwards, left and right. Segways are driven by electric motors and can go up to speeds of 12.5 miles per hour.

Exhilaration Station is the first of a number of adrenaline-fuelled experiences destined to arrive at the NRM over the next year - announcements will be made about the new arrivals in 2011.

* Minimum height for Segway rides is 1.34 metres.

** Charges apply (£6 per person for 10 laps and £20 for a family ticket of up to 4 people)

Public contact: Visit http://www.nrm.org.uk/

Press contact: Gemma Sneyd, PR & Communications Officer, NRM, Tel: 01904 686271, Email: gemma.sneyd@nrm.org.uk

Arts and Culture top the list at the National Railway Museum for 2011

Film Week

10 - 17 January 2011

Enjoy a taste of nostalgic cinema during Film Week as we screen many famous British Transport Films in the Great Hall.

Japan Festival

9 - 24 April 2011

To mark the 10th anniversary of the National Railway Museum receiving the Shinkansen in 2001, the National Railway Museum presents an exciting Easter Holiday festival. Visitors can celebrate Japanese culture with live music, dance and martial arts.

Art Gallery opening

Dates TBC

The NRM will be launching a new contemporary art gallery space in late 2010/early 2011. The new space will showcase an exciting programme of temporary exhibitions of an unseen art collection and art works from across the world, inspired by the railways. The National Railway Museum art collection comprises 7000 posters, 3061 prints and engravings and 1049 Paintings.  Funded by The Foundation. Sport

Public contact: For more information visit http://www.nrm.org.uk/

Press contact: Gemma Sneyd, Senior Press Officer, 01904 686281, gemma.sneyd@nrm.org.uk

The Vikings are back!

19-27 February 2011

The annual JORVIK Viking Festival, now in its 26th year, is a city-wide celebration of York's Viking heritage organised by York Archaeological Trust. Recognised as one of the largest Viking Festivals in the UK attracting over 40,000 visitors to the city of York, Viking re-enactors from across Europe and media interest from around the world, its programme of family-friendly events, lectures, guided walks and battle re-enactments attracts an international audience, with many returning year after year to take part and enjoy the atmosphere.

The Festival in 2011 will revisit the events of the early 11th century, a time when King Ethelred sat on the English throne and struggled for survival in the face of repeated Danish invasions.  His ally, the Viking Olaf Haraldsson, will lead the fight against the Danes in the spectacular Festival battle finale on Saturday 26th February, which will see hundreds of armed warriors clash, before a fiery climax featuring fireworks and a boat burning at York Maze.

Visitors can enjoy spectacular cultural events from specially commissioned theatrical performances and music; hands on combat training and see some of the much talked about archaeological discoveries first hand at the Hungate excavation. 

www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk/viking-festival For event pre-booking please call 01904 615505.

Press contact:  Karen Nixon or Hannah Trinder at The Partners Group, 01904 610077 or karen@partners-group.co.uk

Yorkshire Museum brings history to life in the 21st century 

The Yorkshire Museum reopened its doors on 1 August 2010 following a nine month, £2million refurbishment project.

Five new galleries showcase some of Britain's most significant archaeological and geological treasures in brand new interactive displays.

The Yorkshire Museum is a must-see destination in a tour around the city of York.  The redevelopment has created a truly innovative home for the museum's collections.  Significant displays include:

The Vale of York Viking Hoard - the most significant Viking find in more than 150 years; the Head of Constantine - from what is thought to be the earliest portrait statue of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great; 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 Middleham Jewel and Ring -thought to be the finest pieces of Gothic jewellery found in Britain; The York Helmet - Dated to approximately 750 to 775, this iron and brass helmet is the most outstanding object of the Anglo-Saxon period to survive in Europe.

For more information about all of the finds on display at the Yorkshire Museum, visit http://www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk/

Press contact: contact Lee Clark, Media Coordinator at York Museums Trust on 01904 687673 or email lee.clark@ymt.org.uk

Have the last laugh in York with Vikings of Comedy in 2011

From February 2011, The Grand Opera House York will be hosting a monthly comedy night in partnership with The Last Laugh Comedy Club, which has been making people laugh for nearly 20 years.

Three comedians will perform each comedy night with Toby Foster as MC - the resident MC at The Last Laugh Clubs.  A stand-up for over ten years, Toby has also graced our TV screens as Les the drummer in Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights, Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere, and other TV bits and bobs, right up to featuring in Extras - The Finale with Ricky Gervais.

Vikings of Comedy's first comedy night is Thursday 24 February 2011, with comedians being announced in late Autumn 2010. 

Public contact: For more information please contact Dean Feasby by emailing deanfeasby@theambassadors.com

Press contact: Celestine Dubruel, Press Officer, Tel: 01904 678711, Email: celestinedubruel@theambassadors.com

New exhibitions at the Quilt Museum and Gallery

The Averil Colby Legacy - 4 February to 2 May 2011

Quilt Art, an international group of 20 textile artists, celebrates its 25th anniversary next year at The Quilt Museum and Gallery in York with an exhibition that demonstrates its diversity of inspiration, artistic and technical skills.   The exhibition will be held in the Great Hall from 4 February to 2 May 2011.

Throughout its exhibition history, Quilt Art has sought to create a separate platform for artists whose work was non-traditional, experimental and sometimes challenging.  Its success in promoting quiltmaking as an art form can be measured by the fact that individual members have won major awards and had their work purchased for national and international collections including the Victoria & Albert Museum in London; the Museum of Art & Design in New York; the International Quilt Study Center in Nebraska; and the Quilt Museum in York.

The group mounts major exhibitions every two to three years and publishes an accompanying book. Following its appearance at the Quilt Museum in York, ‘Quilt Art at 25' will travel to various UK and European venues.

The second exhibition celebrates influential quiltmaker Averil Colby (1900 - 1983).  Gardener, quilter, designer and author, this formidable lady was particularly known for ‘foraging' fabrics and her use of the traditional English hexagon shape. She did not believe in using a sewing machine and thought patchwork was an excellent way of teaching plain sewing. One of her most cherished pieces is a collection of the floral fabrics she used, some of which represent the ‘cream' of 19th century cotton printing.  Now catalogued, these fabric samples have proved invaluable in helping quilt historians date old quilts. A selection of the Averil Colby fabric samples will be included in the exhibition being staged in the Bailey Gallery. 

Public contact: For more information, please visit http://www.quiltmuseum.org.uk/ or telephone 01904 613242.  Admission charges apply.

Press contact: Janet Rae, Email: janrae@ednet.co.uk

York Theatre Royal transforms itself all a-round

York Theatre Royal will be transforming its main stage into the round for an ensemble season in 2011, after the success of 2010s summer production, The Wind in the Willows.  This was the first production to ever be performed in the round at this historic theatre and proved so popular with audiences that the theatre has decided to transform the stage for up to eight months of 2011.  They will be creating a repertory company of actors that will produce a collection of work to be announced later in 2010.

Public contact for York Theatre Royal: Visit http://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

Hands-on art gallery opens in the centre of York

A brand new arts and crafts gallery has opened in the centre of York, giving customers the opportunity to browse a wide variety of art and craft ranging from original watercolours, jewellery, stained glass, ceramics and interior furnishings.

Newgate Gallery, on Newgate just off The Shambles, combines the buildings 700 year old wooden beams and ghostly history with modern displays and seating plans with open accessible spaces, is packed full from floor to ceiling and visitors are encouraged to touch and handle the work for sale.

Public contact: Visit http://www.newgategalleryonline.com/

Press contact: Gavin Pollard, Tel: 07824392475

Art... According to McGee

After 5 years of holding edgy contemporary art exhibitions, York's ArtSpace has rel-launched with a new look, new name and a new vibe and opened with 1960's legend Doug Binder's solo show ‘Full Circle'.

Says co-owner Greg McGee, "We've had great success in running both shows from internationally established artists in close proximity with shows from emerging artists.

We thought, how better to celebrate the past 5 years than by upping our game, stepping up to the plate and relaunching ArtSpace as something less generic and celebrating what we, our staff and Ails and I do so well: flying the flag for original art which turns the blood to smoke and engenders gasps of awe when displayed on our white walls. If it's coming from us as a gallery, then we're happy to put our stamp on it: hence from now on ArtSpace is ‘According to McGee'."

Public contact:  For more information, visit http://www.accordingtomcgee.com/

Press contact: Greg McGee, Tel: 01904 671709, email: theartspace@googlemail.com

York - A Break with Tradition

Visit York is making it easier to blow away the cobwebs and put some light back into people's lives this winter by offering A Break with Tradition offer of three nights for the price of two at participating hotels and guesthouses throughout the city.  The offer is available until the end of March 2011. 

It takes less than two hours to get to the centre of York by train from London and the city can be reached the same morning from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Liverpool.

Telephone Visit York Information Centre on 01904 550088 and quote ‘York - A Break With Tradition' when booking or visit www.visityork.org/3for2 for details of this and other shopping, food and drink offers during the special offer period.

Press contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager, Visit York, Tel: 01904 554451, email: kh@visityork.org

York Mystery Plays to make a return in 2012

2 - 27 August 2012

The world famous York Mystery Plays are set to make a return to their original setting in Museum Gardens in the summer of 2012.  The Passion Plays of England are some of the oldest pieces of English literature. They were performed on the streets of Britain's medieval cities on the church Feast Day of Corpus Christi, around midsummer.  This spectacular production is returning to York in a joint production from York Theatre Royal, Riding Lights Theatre Company and York Museums Trust.

York Mystery plays have a very historic tradition and have been performed in York since the middle of the fourteenth century until 1569, suppressed in the Tudor times and resurrected when published in 1885. Large scale productions then began in 1951 on a 10 year cycle. The original production in 1951 was in Museum Gardens against St Mary's Abbey, so York Theatre Royal's production in 2012 is taking these historic plays back to its famous setting.

There are only four cities in the UK that do the cycles historically and York is the most famous one.  This production will be one of the biggest, most historic theatre productions in the country, staged outdoors in the Museum Gardens against the backdrop of medieval St Mary's Abbey.

A manuscript of the York Plays dating back to 1463 still survives in the British Library. 

Past performers of the York Mysteries have included Judi Dench (launching her career),  David Bradley (playing Jesus in 1976), Christopher Timothy (Jesus in 1980), Simon Ward, Robson Green

Press contact: Rebecca Storey, Press and Media Manager, Tel: 01904 550149, Email Rebecca.storey@yorktheatreroyal.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