In a new monthly column, our resident Canadian, E. Anne Dawson, explores York’s cultural side and shares her thoughts. This month she visited Spark:York. Pray silence…   There’s been a buzz of equal parts interest and disdain vibrating through the social media ether of York for nearly a year now. ‘Tearing down a relic’, some voices waiver in chagrin. ‘It’ll be an eyesore’. But on the other side of the grass-is-always-greener fence, come the celebratory hurrahs for progress. Development! New things! Flatten York to the ground and build it anew!

After six centuries of its tumultuous existence and three years of renovation and restoration by volunteers, the Red Tower is being formally opened by Rachael Maskell, MP on Saturday 19th May at 2pm. Rachael Maskell has followed the project closely and recognises its potential as a community hub. She recently commented: ‘The volunteers and everyone involved with the Red Tower restoration have done an amazing job. I’ve visited many times over the past three years through the renovations and know that the community around Navigation Road and Walmgate have a

Oliver Phelps, best known for playing George Weasley in the Harry Potter films, talks to us about swapping magic for murder as he makes his stage debut in The Case Of The Frightened Lady. What can you tell us about The Case Of The Frightened Lady? The Case Of The Frightened Lady is a thrilling whodunnit set in the 1930s, based on an Edgar Wallace novel. The police are called to an old manor house to investigate a murder. I love that aristocratic era in which it’s set. I play

Royal Wedding fever has hit York city centre, with the return of Brollywalk to the Coppergate Centre – with a special patriotic twist ahead of the big event this weekend (Saturday 19 May 2018), when the wedding will be shown on a screen for visitors. 36 Union flag umbrellas have been suspended down Coppergate Walk to mark Saturday’s wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle, which will be shown on a screen in Coppergate’s copper-coloured kiosk. “We did consider bunting, but wanted to have a little more fun and create

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu will be joining in the City of York-wide Thy Kingdom Come events this coming weekend. Archbishop Sentamu said: “This is going to be an amazing weekend of community events and celebrations where people gather to watch the Royal Wedding, the FA Cup Final and to enjoy one another’s company. I always say that the church should be a place of prayer and parties. In the midst of all the celebrations, I pray that we will all have a greater awareness of the presence of God

After the successful opening of York’s first Talking Point in the Acomb area, residents are being invited to have their say on the next stage of the programme. City of York Council is planning to open another hub to the north of the city and is asking residents to attend a community event at Oaken Grove Community centre on Tuesday 22nd May between 10am and 12pm. The second Talking Point is due be situated in Haxby and Wigginton, with the catchment area encompassing Huntington and New Earswick and Rawcliffe and

City of York Council is showing its support for mental health awareness week by inviting residents to a number of events which hope to provide information on the support that is available in the city. All are invited to one of three events we are holding where you will be able to speak to staff from 22 The Avenue, who have organised the events, as well as a number of partners across the city and collect information and advice about the services available in York. Monday 14 May, West Offices

If you would like to get more out of your visit to Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre this summer, these could be the talks and workshops for you. Go along to one of the special study afternoons and enjoy an entertaining and informative pre-show talk by a top Shakespeare expert. You’ll read key scenes together as part of the afternoon workshop and work with leading Shakespeareans to understand the play’s action, explore its language and the dramatic possibilities of each scene. You’ll also hear expert and lively perspectives on the play and learn about

Once a year, Beningbrough Hall holds a popular plant sale providing the perfect opportunity to buy plants propagated by the National Trust gardening team.   This year’s sale will take place at Beningbrough Hall, Gallery and Gardens on the 12th and 13th May, from 10.30am – 5pm, and for those of you who love gardening or are looking for the perfect present; this event is not to be missed.   Plants are sold in the Stables Shop all year round, but this sale offers the opportunity for discerning gardeners to

The fifth annual ‘Keep your pet’ Dog Walk on the Knavesmire on 7th May broke all records. In brilliant sunshine the event was attended by more than 120 dogs & more than 200 people, with the total raised exceeding £1,800. This year’s event was special in that ‘Keep your pet’ (KYP) had been selected as one of the Lord Mayor’s charities for 2017/18 and the event was run jointly with the two other Lord Mayor’s charities – Hearing Dogs for Deaf People & Refugee Action York. The Lord Mayor, Cllr.

Just prior to him coming to York to both unveil a plaque dedicated to Ken Dodd, and to perform his current stand up show, Howard grabbed five minutes with comedian Tim Vine, AKA the Sunset Milk Idiot. Tim: Yello Howard: Hi, is that Tim Vine? T: It is. H: Hi Tim, it’s Howard calling from Your Local Link magazine in York. T: Marvellous. I was expecting your call at precisely this time, so it’s good to know the system works. H: It is. How are you today? T: Good thanks,

Resident ‘Gadget Boy’ Howard takes a look at the month’s news in tech, science, and stuff that he would like people to buy him. Please. Be sure to scroll down for this month’s top gadgets… Alexa is listening… Do you own an Amazon Echo smart speaker? In fact, do you own any smart device that runs Amazon’s Alexa assistant software? If so, you probably enjoy the ease of use that blurting out “Alexa…” followed by the likes of “play that song by that band I like”, or indeed, “turn on

Kim Grace was due to get married on Saturday 5th May at the prestigious Carlton Towers. However, following the cancellation of her wedding, Kim made the generous decision to donate the venue to The Sick Children’s Trust so that the charity can launch its Big Chocolate Tea campaign with an exquisite Afternoon Tea. The event is to be held in memory of six year old Kayleigh Logg, whose family were supported by the charity while fighting cancer. In 2010, Kayleigh, from Castleford, was diagnosed with leukaemia and required specialist care

Ask a New Yorker if they’ve ever visited the Statue of Liberty and you might be surprised to hear that they haven’t. But surely all ‘Old’ Yorkers have made the most of their city’s iconic heritage and walked the entirety of the medieval walls, right? If you never have, come on – let’s walk the city walls!   For best results, open this page on your smartphone and, while you’re walking, refer to the instructions and tasty historical titbits. The map will help you find your way. We start our

On 26th May comedian Tim Vine will pay a visit to York to unveil a plaque at The Grand Opera House. The plaque will celebrate and remember Sir Ken Dodd OBE, who passed away earlier this year, and who performed at the theatre many times since the 1960s. Just prior to his final show at the theatre, in July 2016, Howard called Ken for a chat (as you do) and found out more about the comedy legend. We publish this now as a memorial to Ken.   Howard: Hello? Ken