A group of York students has won the opportunity to have their very own I-phone application developed after winning The App Challenge final, held at the Ron Cooke Hub on Wednesday, January 18.
YUSU Welfare officer Bob Hughes has warned students to be vigilant after a student loans phishing scam has been revealed.
Her Majesty the Queen will be visiting York on Maundy Thursday, 5th April, as part of the 800th anniversary of York’s Charter for the traditional “Royal Maundy” ceremony.
A flood caused by a heating system “failure” forced the university IT services to shut down many essential systems on Sunday night, causing problems for many students on the eve of their exams and assignment due-dates.
This year’s York Carnival will be bigger and better than ever in spite of budget cuts, say the University students organising the event.
The student-run one-day festival, which takes place next Saturday, features music, dance and street entertainment from both university and local groups.
“It’s our way of giving something back to the community”, said Danielle King, chair of the 18-member Carnival committee.
“It’s just a day of celebration, to acknowledge the vast array of talent we have in York”.
This year’s theme is outer space, and organisers have been working with community and children’s groups including SNAPPY, a play and leisure group for young people with learning difficulties.
“SNAPPY have been brilliant,” said Samantha Burton, part of the Carnival’s outreach team, “and [local people] have on the whole been very interested. It gets students and the community mixing”.
The Carnival was started in 2004 with the aim of breaking down barriers between students and the local community. “We want to dispel the [myth that] all students do is drink and cause havoc,” said Grace Teh, another member of the organising team.
“[Community groups] have come back year after year, because they enjoy it so much. We’ve had a really positive reception”.
The event usually shares equipment costs with City of York Council’s Fiesta, a showcase for local arts groups, which was held on the same weekend. But slashed local government budgets have forced the council to cancel the event this year—and this has put a strain on funding for the Carnival.
“We normally receive some funding from York Council, but this year due to budget cuts we didn’t receive it”, King said. “It’s been quite stressful… we have been working on a very tight budget, and I feel everyone has worked exceptionally hard to make this day as successful as it can be”.
She stressed that the council remains supportive of the Carnival, which is completely free and staffed by volunteers. “They’re still helping us with a lot of things, and still on board”, King told The Yorker.
This year’s parade, which involves young people from schools across York, leaves the Minster Gardens at 12.30pm. Events are spread throughout the city centre, with stalls and workshops centred around Parliament Street.
Also at the Carnival will be performances from local and student bands—plus some more unusual displays, including belly dancing and pole exercise workshops.
“The carnival has something for everyone”, said King. “I’m looking forward to the day, and hoping that as many people as possible will come down to celebrate with us”.
looks awesome! excited first year on the way!!
As a third year who had been two York Carnival twice before I am really looking forward to going again this year. It should be a great way to celebrate after exams are over. It's supposed to be sunny too!
You must log in to submit a comment.
Report