Month: June 2026

Volunteers Wanted – to help us decorate our 2026 York Minster Christmas Tree

The Friends of York Walls have applied for and been allocated a Christmas Tree to decorate as part of the annual “York Minster 2026 Christmas Tree Festival” event.

The York Minster Christmas Tree Festival = Opening Times –

The festival will take place inside York Minster and will be open to the public on Saturday 28th November, with a specialfamily friendly Saturdayservice at 10am, to which all participating organisations are invited, and then run until Tuesday 5th January 2027.

Entrance to the Minster is free to York residents with proof of address and will also be free to participating organisations.

 

FOYW are now asking for volunteers to help with making tree decorations and decorating our tree.  All ideas and skills are very welcome.

We are looking for volunteers to help with –

  • decoration ideas, (see link to speadsheet at  HERE)
  • making the decorations,
  • help with co-ordinating activities,
  • hanging decorations on our allocated tree in the Minster  (November 26th or 27th – actual date and time slot tba !),
  • collecting the decorations at the end of the exhibition period (January 6th or 7th 2027 – date and time slot tba !).

If you would like to get involved – please email   friendsofyorkwalls@yorkwalls.org.uk  with subject “Christmas Tree Volunteering”

For more information and fuller details SEE HERE

 

Posted 19th June 2026  af

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Crucifer by walls leading to Red Tower – Simon Mattam

It is with the greatest sadness that The Friends of York Walls have to report the death of Simon Mattam – a Volunteer, Friend, Committee Member and Trustee of FOYW since 2011

Simon Mattam sadly passed away on Thursday 4th June 2026.  He died relatively peacefully, but suddenly.   A wonderful husband to Ann, father of daughter Bryony, a good friend and mentor to many.  His knowledge, wisdom and guidance has been a major influence on The Friends of York Walls and he will be sorely missed. His legacy and memory will remain with us all.

Simon was among the early members of The Friends of York Walls, formed in 2011. He has worked tirelessly over the years helping to build up the group  and promote York’s City Walls. He has long service as a Committee Member and as a Trustee.  Simon will be remembered for his many contributions to FOYW activities, including his model building skills, his displays, his hand-drawn maps and notices, his writing and publishing of the book “A Walking Guide to York’s City Walls”, his knowledge of flora around the walls, and many many articles and news items on a whole variety of subjects. More recently Simon’s health and breathing difficulties forced him to take a step back from the more demanding and physical activities, but he was always there to impart his knowledge, wisdom and opinions.

The Friends of York Walls owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Simon for his many years of establishing the foundations of what we are about as a charity. He was a meticulous worker and a person of the highest integrity and commitment. In particular the public have lost an indefatigable champion of their interests, a tradition we will work hard to live up to.

Simon will be fondly remembered by all of his friends and colleagues at FOYW,  and we pass on our deepest sympathy and condolences to wife Ann, daughter Bryony, and to all of his family.

A simple family graveside reading took place on 26th June when Simon was laid to rest in York Cemetery, at the end of “The Butterfly Walk”.   Any donations “In Memory of Simon” can be made to OXFAM

Rest In Peace,  Simon. 

 

Published  5th June 2026        A F
Updated on 26th June 2026    AF

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