On 29th & 30th October Walk the Walls at night – from Bootham Bar to Monk Bar (One Way) open from 6:00pm to 9:00pm as part of the “Illuminating York 2014” festival.

This event is organised by the Friends of York Walls and will give you the opportunity to see night time views of floodlit York Minster from the walls, which are not normally possible. FoYW Guides will be on hand + Book Sales at Bootham Bar.

START at Bootham Bar – ONE WAY ONLY. Last entry 8:45pm. Normal wall walk restrictions apply. Opening subject to weather and safety conditions. Walk at your own risk. All children MUST be accompanied. NO pushchairs.

This event is FREE – no booking necessary. Donations to FoYW would be appreciated to cover expenses.

You can also visit the Richard III Exhibition at the end of your walk (Admission charges apply).

ill_york

Share

Red Tower and Fishergate Tower will both be open between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September 2014.

This event, managed by The Friends of York Walls, is part of Heritage Open Days – organised by English Heritage so that people can visit places not normally open to the public.

When Red Tower was first opened by FoYW in January 2014, for the York Residents Weekend, a gecko was found lurking in the building. The gecko’s gone to a good home now, but visitors will be able to see inside this quaint little red brick building on Foss Islands Road, opposite Waitrose.

Built in 1492, it was the cause of a murder when city stonemasons became angry that the new tower was ordered in brick. At first the bricklayers were threatened and their tools stolen, but soon a bricklayer was found dead and a leading stone mason was charged with the crime.

Fishergate Postern Tower, at the end of Piccadilly, will also be open. There you can visit the upper floors, buy the new book “A Walking Guide to York’s City Walls”, and “Sponsor a Stone”

The Friends of York Walls are looking for volunteers to help show visitors around both Fishergate Tower and Red Tower. Anyone interested should contact:- friendsofyorkwalls@gmail.com  or see the website at https://www.yorkwalls.org.uk/

For information about other buildings opening in York for the event go to the Heritage Open Days website:- http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/

FOYW13092014

Share

Students from Bootham School visited Fishergate Postern Tower on Tuesday 1st July to experience some surveying work on the interior of the tower. They measured and recorded some of the damaged stonework. It is hoped that their survey will then form a part of the Conservation Plan for the tower and could be used to assist in seeking grants from organisations such as the Heritage Lottery Fund. The exercise was led by Glen McGowan, Chair of The Friends of York Walls.

The Friends of York Walls are working towards the restoration of and regular re-opening of Fishergate Postern Tower. They are seeking to raise funds for this project with a “Sponsor a Stone” scheme, and other fundraising activities and grants. See – https://www.yorkwalls.org.uk/?page_id=272

FPT - Measuring Up

Share

York Curiouser 2014 has selected several locations around York’s City Walls for the location of new artwork.The event runs until to 7th July 2014 at various locations around York.

Curious, Curiouser and York Curiouser: the city in the light of contemporary art interventions – fleeting glimpses, tiny openings and snatched words. See the map and details at http://www.yorkcuriouser.com/map/

Locations Specific to York’s City Walls :-

At Fishergate Postern Tower (At the end of Piccadilly at Lead Mill Lane) Janet Hodgson has recreated ‘The Workshop of Historical Correction’ where, as Janet says, ‘the forgotten, out-of-date, wrong or missing, misguided histories from York’s past appear to be being stored and reworked ready to go on display once again.’ A newly commissioned film “The Postern” is shown on the top floor. FPT is open Wednesdays through to Sundays daily 10 – 4 from 14th June to 7th July. CLOSED on Mondays & Tuesdays.

At Red Tower (On Foss Islands Road) Anna Heinrich and Leon Palmer say it is hard to imagine that there was once marsh land on that site and later a pond, except for the fact that the lower part of the building is now well below ground. They have recreated the lake or marsh land within the tower interior using mirrors, lights and water, plus planting. This landscape is viewed through a purpose made slot across the doorway. “Open” every day.

At St Antony’s Gardens (Yorks hidden gem behind the Quilt Museum, Peasholm Green) Sally Greaves-Lord, a textile designer, has produced a new series of artwork for York Curiouser which is sited in the recesses of the historic city walls near the Quilt Museum. Sally says, “I have been inspired by the Mediaeval Guilds in my banners. I was looking broadly at imagery, shapes and the composition of the guild banners. It is really interesting that St Anthony’s Hall was the hall used by, ‘Guilds who had no hall of their own’” Open when gardens are open.

At locations including Museum Gardens, The City Walls, Treasurers House & St Antony’s Gardens Karen Thompson, a ceramicist based in Scarborough, has placed artwork in the form of a multiple porcelain sandwich for York Curiouser. Rest a while, here and there, consume, devour, the convenient and cheap transformed into something of prestige. Ancient associations coming together with a contemporary twist.’ Open whenever locations are open.

Don’t miss the other York Curiouser Artwork locations including :-

John Wedgwood Clarke – Kings Manor and numerous snickleways around the city
Susanne Davies – Merchant Adventurers’ Hall garden
Matt Hawthorn – along the river Foss (June 28th ONLY Foss Island Road to The Blue Bridge)
Damian Murphy with John Wedgwood Clarke – Courtyard, Kings Manor
Jacques Nimki – National Centre for Early Music, around the churchyard

See http://www.yorkcuriouser.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/yorkcuriouser
Flickr group photos at https://www.flickr.com/groups/yorkcuriouser2014/

YW1

Share