THEY came in hope; one clutching granny’s old painting that she joked was by Gainsborough, others with boot sale finds they believed must surely be long-lost Ming vases.
For most though, it was a chance to learn the history of treasured family heirlooms as the Antiques Roadshow set up stall in York for the first time since 2003.
Back then, items included a masonic collection of porcelain and glass valued at £18,000 as well as a book signed by Beatrix Potter which was worth £5,000.
Yesterday, some of Britain’s leading antiques and fine arts specialists were in a scorching Museum Gardens offering free advice and valuations to hundreds of visitors who had raided their attics hoping to find their own household treasures.
For many, of course, there was the agony and ecstasy of the ‘what’s it worth’ moment.
Pat Shaw, from Monk Fryston, had a pleasant surprise with her postcard from George Bernard Shaw. Her father was named after the great man and her grandfather, an avid fan, wrote to ask George if that would be alright.
“He sent this card back which said it was a ‘shocking outrage on a defenceless infant’. They valued it at £400 which came as a bit of a shock. I just never thought about it really. The card lives on a mantlepiece at the moment, but I think it will have to go somewhere more secure now.”
Among the highlights was Nestlé’s iconic marketing character, Mr York of York, Yorks, which expert Hilary Kay valued at £5,000, while Cynthia Snioch, of Ripon, struggled with her print of World Religions.
She knew nothing about it, and like everyone else had to queue four hours in the sun to find out.
But fans hoping to see Fiona Bruce were as disappointed as the punters who discovered their “Georgian” chair was only worth a fiver. The show’s host had to pull out at the last minute due to a family illness.
Few, if any, experienced a life- changing moment courtesy of the antique experts, but at least someone will be able to tell their granny once and for all that her painting is more likely to come from the town called Gainsborough, than the artist.
Friday, 29 July 2011
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
John Lewis eyes York site
YORK could be set to get a John Lewis store, as the company plans a major expansion across the country.
The retailer is in talks with a developer about a specific site on the city’s outskirts.
The firm wants to open ten “mini-stores” in cities where it has not been able to open full-sized stores. The new ones would be about half to two thirds the size of its regular branches.
In total, 3,000 extra jobs will be created as a result of the ten extra stores.
John Lewis declined to confirm or deny that it was examining a site in York, but The Press understands it has held talks with various parties about a number of sites, and is now in talks over a particular location.
The site is on the city’s outskirts, but The Press understands it is not at the new development accompanying the York Community Stadium project.
Andy Street, managing director for John Lewis, said: “There is a huge potential, and a clear demand from customers, for John Lewis to expand into more key locations in the UK.
“This new flexible approach to the size of our shops allows us to forge ahead with our growth plans to introduce John Lewis branches and our full-line assortment to cities and towns where we have long wanted to have a presence.”
Susie Cawood, head of York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce said the move would be a “fantastic boost for the city and an endorsement from an organisation that wants to do business here”.
She said: “It’s fantastic news. It’s very exciting. It’s a wonderful brand to have as a hook.”
But Adam Sinclair, owner of Mulberry Hall in Stonegate and chair of York Business Forum, said there was not a level playing field when it came to city-centre and out-of-town parking.
He said: “You have easy car access and free car parking outside York. Then you have an anti-car policy and expensive car parking (in the city centre) and a two-tier system which discriminates against people who are not from York.” John Lewis considers itself “under-represented” in Yorkshire, one source said, but the parent company John Lewis Partnership gained a foothold in York when its Waitrose arm opened in Foss Islands Road last year.
The scaled down stores will be about half to two-thirds the size of its normal shops, with shops averaging 65,000 to 100,000 sq ft.
John Lewis said they would offer shoppers the full range of homewares, fashion, toys and electrical goods because they would install computer terminals that could be used to order goods online.
The stores will also use television screens to broadcast catwalk shows and demonstrations of products that cannot be fitted into the store.
The retailer is in talks with a developer about a specific site on the city’s outskirts.
The firm wants to open ten “mini-stores” in cities where it has not been able to open full-sized stores. The new ones would be about half to two thirds the size of its regular branches.
In total, 3,000 extra jobs will be created as a result of the ten extra stores.
John Lewis declined to confirm or deny that it was examining a site in York, but The Press understands it has held talks with various parties about a number of sites, and is now in talks over a particular location.
The site is on the city’s outskirts, but The Press understands it is not at the new development accompanying the York Community Stadium project.
Andy Street, managing director for John Lewis, said: “There is a huge potential, and a clear demand from customers, for John Lewis to expand into more key locations in the UK.
“This new flexible approach to the size of our shops allows us to forge ahead with our growth plans to introduce John Lewis branches and our full-line assortment to cities and towns where we have long wanted to have a presence.”
Susie Cawood, head of York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce said the move would be a “fantastic boost for the city and an endorsement from an organisation that wants to do business here”.
She said: “It’s fantastic news. It’s very exciting. It’s a wonderful brand to have as a hook.”
But Adam Sinclair, owner of Mulberry Hall in Stonegate and chair of York Business Forum, said there was not a level playing field when it came to city-centre and out-of-town parking.
He said: “You have easy car access and free car parking outside York. Then you have an anti-car policy and expensive car parking (in the city centre) and a two-tier system which discriminates against people who are not from York.” John Lewis considers itself “under-represented” in Yorkshire, one source said, but the parent company John Lewis Partnership gained a foothold in York when its Waitrose arm opened in Foss Islands Road last year.
The scaled down stores will be about half to two-thirds the size of its normal shops, with shops averaging 65,000 to 100,000 sq ft.
John Lewis said they would offer shoppers the full range of homewares, fashion, toys and electrical goods because they would install computer terminals that could be used to order goods online.
The stores will also use television screens to broadcast catwalk shows and demonstrations of products that cannot be fitted into the store.
£19m upgrade plan for York Minster facilities
FACILITIES for staff and visitors at York Minster could be in line for an upgrade as part of a multi-million-pound conservation project.
Plans to improve accommodation for the historic cathedral’s team of workers and volunteers in its Chapter House Yard, as well as providing better public toilets, have been handed in to City of York Council.
The proposals are part of the £19 million York Minster Revealed scheme, which is aiming to safeguard the future of the building’s East Front and Great East Window, as well as providing new “learning and interpretation” facilities and enhancing access to the building.
The Dean and Chapter of York have said one aspect of the project is to ensure the Minster can be managed “more effectively”, leading to the accommodation and toilet facilities in Chapter House Yard, which have been described as “inadequate”, also coming under the microscope.
“The successful administration of the Minster relies on a large team of staff and volunteers,” said the agents for the scheme, Arrol & Snell Ltd, in a planning statement submitted to the council.
“However, the back-of-house facilities provided within the Chapter House Yard extension are cramped and inadequate. The toilet facilities for visitors are also grossly inadequate.
“The aim of the Chapter House Yard project is to improve the facilities provided for staff, volunteers and visitors. This will be done by improving the provision of public toilets and for services and storage. Access into and out of the Chapter House Yard building will also be greatly improved.”
The firm said that, if the application is approved by planners, temporary accommodation for staff and volunteers and alternative parking arrangements will be put in place nearby.
The scheme would provide improved facilities for the Minster Police, the cathedral’s vestment keepers and its cleaners and flower arrangers, as well as for visitors and worshippers.
A decision on the proposals is expected to be made in September.
Plans to improve accommodation for the historic cathedral’s team of workers and volunteers in its Chapter House Yard, as well as providing better public toilets, have been handed in to City of York Council.
The proposals are part of the £19 million York Minster Revealed scheme, which is aiming to safeguard the future of the building’s East Front and Great East Window, as well as providing new “learning and interpretation” facilities and enhancing access to the building.
The Dean and Chapter of York have said one aspect of the project is to ensure the Minster can be managed “more effectively”, leading to the accommodation and toilet facilities in Chapter House Yard, which have been described as “inadequate”, also coming under the microscope.
“The successful administration of the Minster relies on a large team of staff and volunteers,” said the agents for the scheme, Arrol & Snell Ltd, in a planning statement submitted to the council.
“However, the back-of-house facilities provided within the Chapter House Yard extension are cramped and inadequate. The toilet facilities for visitors are also grossly inadequate.
“The aim of the Chapter House Yard project is to improve the facilities provided for staff, volunteers and visitors. This will be done by improving the provision of public toilets and for services and storage. Access into and out of the Chapter House Yard building will also be greatly improved.”
The firm said that, if the application is approved by planners, temporary accommodation for staff and volunteers and alternative parking arrangements will be put in place nearby.
The scheme would provide improved facilities for the Minster Police, the cathedral’s vestment keepers and its cleaners and flower arrangers, as well as for visitors and worshippers.
A decision on the proposals is expected to be made in September.
Monday, 25 July 2011
Body found in River Ouse search after York man jumps in
Updated: A young man from York jumped into the River Ouse from a waterfront balcony and drowned.
Police say “a moment of misplaced exuberance” cost the 21-year-old his life yesterday morning.
Witnesses said they saw the man struggle in the water briefly before disappearing from view at about 6.35am.
Underwater search teams from West Yorkshire Police were at the scene for most of the day. A police spokesman confirmed that a body was recovered from the river in the afternoon, but said it was too early to formally identify the person.
It is understood the man had just finished work at a nearby bar and had jumped into the water from a walkway near the City Screen cinema and Revolution Vodka Bar, off Coney Street. Revolution remained closed throughout the day on Sunday.
Police said a man, who was part of a group of friends with the jumper, dived in in a desperate rescue attempt.
However, after getting into difficulties himself, he managed to pull himself out to safety.
Police confirmed the man’s death was not being treated as suspicious.
His family has been informed, but are understood to be out of the country at the moment.
The tragedy comes after three men were arrested after jumping into the river in the centre of York a week earlier.
Police and fire crews, including York’s rescue boat, were called to the same stretch of river by the Pitcher & Piano bar, off Coney Street early last Saturday evening. All three men, who are in their 20s, had got out of the river by the time emergency services arrived.
Inspector Mark Henderson, of the York City Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “York has been a very sombre place today knowing that a young man with everything to live for has paid the ultimate price for a moment of misplaced exuberance.
“It is a tragedy that his parents, family and friends will struggle to come to terms with. I personally do not wish to take away from their heartbreak and grief at this terrible time, however people need to wake up to the fact that rivers in general are extremely dangerous, and the Ouse itself is a particularly treacherous stretch of water.”
He said: “To avoid further tragic outcomes like this one, I urge people to take much greater care and respect the very real dangers that rivers pose.”
David Wade, 29, a freelance photographer from York, said he was close to the Park Inn Hotel when he saw the police diver in the water signal to colleagues at about 5pm yesterday before police officers moved people away from the area.
“I saw the divers and saw the police had cordoned off the area,” he said. He believed they had just found the body.
Police say “a moment of misplaced exuberance” cost the 21-year-old his life yesterday morning.
Witnesses said they saw the man struggle in the water briefly before disappearing from view at about 6.35am.
Underwater search teams from West Yorkshire Police were at the scene for most of the day. A police spokesman confirmed that a body was recovered from the river in the afternoon, but said it was too early to formally identify the person.
It is understood the man had just finished work at a nearby bar and had jumped into the water from a walkway near the City Screen cinema and Revolution Vodka Bar, off Coney Street. Revolution remained closed throughout the day on Sunday.
Police said a man, who was part of a group of friends with the jumper, dived in in a desperate rescue attempt.
However, after getting into difficulties himself, he managed to pull himself out to safety.
Police confirmed the man’s death was not being treated as suspicious.
His family has been informed, but are understood to be out of the country at the moment.
The tragedy comes after three men were arrested after jumping into the river in the centre of York a week earlier.
Police and fire crews, including York’s rescue boat, were called to the same stretch of river by the Pitcher & Piano bar, off Coney Street early last Saturday evening. All three men, who are in their 20s, had got out of the river by the time emergency services arrived.
Inspector Mark Henderson, of the York City Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “York has been a very sombre place today knowing that a young man with everything to live for has paid the ultimate price for a moment of misplaced exuberance.
“It is a tragedy that his parents, family and friends will struggle to come to terms with. I personally do not wish to take away from their heartbreak and grief at this terrible time, however people need to wake up to the fact that rivers in general are extremely dangerous, and the Ouse itself is a particularly treacherous stretch of water.”
He said: “To avoid further tragic outcomes like this one, I urge people to take much greater care and respect the very real dangers that rivers pose.”
David Wade, 29, a freelance photographer from York, said he was close to the Park Inn Hotel when he saw the police diver in the water signal to colleagues at about 5pm yesterday before police officers moved people away from the area.
“I saw the divers and saw the police had cordoned off the area,” he said. He believed they had just found the body.
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Acomb planker, 14, "could have caused untold grief"
A BOY could have died an “horrendous” death as he lay down on the East Coast main railway line near York, magistrates have said.
Kathryn Reeves, prosecuting, told York Youth Court that a train thundered past on one track as the 14-year-old boy lay across a second line near Hob Moor.
The boy was taking part in the “planking” craze in which people lie flat in bizarre or dangerous places, and told magistrates he no longer regarded his actions as a joke. He was given a four-month referral order.
Francesca Horsfield, sitting with two magistrates, issued a stark warning against playing on railway lines, as thousands of children prepare to break up for the summer holidays.
She told the boy, from Acomb: “It could have caused untold grief not only to your family, but to others as well, such as the train driver who would have had the horrific experience of watching you being killed in a horrendous manner.
“You committed what can only be described as an act of total stupidity. It wasn’t brave at all.”
The bench gave the teenager a four-month referral order and ordered him to pay £85 prosecution costs after he admitted trespassing on the railway. He cannot be identified for legal reasons.
Ms Horsfield told him: “Your moment of fame is costing you dearly.”
The boy was prosecuted after The Press highlighted the dangers of “planking” by publishing the photo, which a friend had taken of him, on our front page.
Within hours, an anonymous caller identified him to police and he was arrested. Ms Reeves told the court: “This was done as a joke, but the consequences could have been fatal.”
The boy, who represented himself, told magistrates about his actions.
He said: “You don’t realise what you’re doing until you’ve done it.
“It’s not funny when you look at it again.”
He had told police he did it because he had nothing to do and wanted to have a picture of himself doing “something dangerous”.
His father said he was “appalled” by his son’s actions and claimed the people behind an online “planking” page were more concerned about the number of hits it got than their “duty to the public”. Both he and his son believed the “planking” craze was dying down.
Planking has previously been linked to the death of a man who fell from a balcony in Australia.
Kathryn Reeves, prosecuting, told York Youth Court that a train thundered past on one track as the 14-year-old boy lay across a second line near Hob Moor.
The boy was taking part in the “planking” craze in which people lie flat in bizarre or dangerous places, and told magistrates he no longer regarded his actions as a joke. He was given a four-month referral order.
Francesca Horsfield, sitting with two magistrates, issued a stark warning against playing on railway lines, as thousands of children prepare to break up for the summer holidays.
She told the boy, from Acomb: “It could have caused untold grief not only to your family, but to others as well, such as the train driver who would have had the horrific experience of watching you being killed in a horrendous manner.
“You committed what can only be described as an act of total stupidity. It wasn’t brave at all.”
The bench gave the teenager a four-month referral order and ordered him to pay £85 prosecution costs after he admitted trespassing on the railway. He cannot be identified for legal reasons.
Ms Horsfield told him: “Your moment of fame is costing you dearly.”
The boy was prosecuted after The Press highlighted the dangers of “planking” by publishing the photo, which a friend had taken of him, on our front page.
Within hours, an anonymous caller identified him to police and he was arrested. Ms Reeves told the court: “This was done as a joke, but the consequences could have been fatal.”
The boy, who represented himself, told magistrates about his actions.
He said: “You don’t realise what you’re doing until you’ve done it.
“It’s not funny when you look at it again.”
He had told police he did it because he had nothing to do and wanted to have a picture of himself doing “something dangerous”.
His father said he was “appalled” by his son’s actions and claimed the people behind an online “planking” page were more concerned about the number of hits it got than their “duty to the public”. Both he and his son believed the “planking” craze was dying down.
Planking has previously been linked to the death of a man who fell from a balcony in Australia.
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