Gordon Bennett, it’s 2020. A whole new decade, sings Aladdin, on his time-travelling magic carpet. I’d say I can’t believe it’s January, but that’s getting old now. I couldn’t believe it was December, November or October either. As a nation we always seem surprised by the autumn and winter months. You don’t hear people being surprised by July though. “Ooh, I can’t believe it’s July.” Don’t hear that too much.
So, to celebrate this momentous occasion, I’ve decided to put together a little timeline of York’s most memorable moments over the last decade. How many of them do you remember?
THE QUEEN VISITS YORK – April 2012
We all love Her Maj, so can you imagine how crazy excited we were when she decided to pop in to say hello? So crazy excited that people took time off work and formed crowds (stampedes) around every shop, landmark, nook and cranny in York. For a short while, our lovely little city became the most important place in the country.
I mean, I (and other residents) obviously think it’s the most important place all the time. In the world, never mind the country. But you can’t really argue with that statement at all when the Queen’s there.
YORK CITY ARE PROMOTED TO FOOTBALL LEAGUE – May 2012
May 2012 was possibly the most important time for the Minstermen in a very long time. With two trips to Wembley in just eight days, then-manager Gary Mills and his team took home the FA Trophy – and saw themselves promoted back into the Football League after beating feisty Luton Town 2-1.
I was there for the FA Trophy final against Newport County, which was my first experience of a live match at Wembley. The nerves were still rife though, as most City fans would agree that beating Luton Town for the promotion was more ‘important’. It happened. They did it. Good times.
VANGARDE OPENS AT MONKS CROSS – April 2014
Most of us have taken to the Vangarde development at Monks Cross like a duck to water – but can you believe we’ve actually only had John Lewis and co. in our lives since 2014? That’s right, back in April we saw the grand opening of the elite department store, as well as neighbouring shops Next and Marks & Spencer.
The novelty of this new shopping precinct was clearly more dominant than my actual need to purchase anything, as I visited regularly without spending a penny. I still haven’t, to this day, bought anything from John Lewis. I mean, I still go in all the time and make a little list of all the things I want my imaginary boyfriend to buy me – but that list is no longer little and my boyfriend is still imaginary. Go figure.
THE TOUR DE FRANCE COMES THROUGH YORK – July 2014
Where were you when the Tour de France came through York? Which yellow bike did you spot first? Which piece of memorabilia were you donning? I had the little bandana, personally.
Even if you weren’t a fan of the Tour de France – or cycling in general – you had to be involved in this event because it was such a big deal. The world’s biggest cycling race was coming through our little city.
I worked in retail at the time – in the since-closed Vodafone store on Coney Street. And we probably had some of the best seats in the house, as the cyclists went straight past us. That being said, we didn’t get any customers. 1. You couldn’t get past the crowds to get in the shop, and 2. No one in their right mind was going to go to York to actually shop on the day of Tour de France.
THE 2015 FLOODS – December 2015
Residents of York won’t be surprised by flooding in our historic city. But the ‘Boxing Day Floods’ of 2015 were in a whole other league to the almost-annual bout of extra rainfall we usually face.
The Environment Agency chose to raise the Foss Barrier after the Ouse and Foss pumping station flooded, resulting in the flooding of over 600 homes.
I was lucky as I live in one of the highest places in the area – but I couldn’t get to work. And I knew many people whose houses were gutted. It’s fair to say it was a devastating time for all residents.
ELLIE GOULDING GETS MARRIED AT YORK MINSTER – August 2019
British singer/songwriter and international music sensation Ellie Goulding most recently brought superstars from all over the world to our humble city and its outskirts for her wedding at York Minster.
The ceremony was attended by celebrity guests including Orlando Bloom and fiancée Katy Perry, and James Blunt – and our very own Archbishop of York led the bride in to meet her groom.
Needless to say this event brought a lot of Yorkies out to celebrate. The York Pride that we all have for our beautiful city bounded through residents everywhere as we shared in the excitement that yes, international superstar Ellie Goulding is getting married HERE. In YORK. Because York is the shizz.
So there we have it.
Quite a decade we’ve had there – and believe me, I’ve shortened it. A lot. Some honourable mentions include the 2012 Olympic torch coming through York; and the building of the new community stadium. Let’s see what the next ten years bring, eh?
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