What a fantastic night! – East met West at a very enjoyable concert on 14th January 2013.

St Helens Church full to brimming. The singers, dancers and all performers were fantastic. Many thanks to Nana Zheng for organising the event. We also thank the students and friends of the University of York, of York St. John University, and York’s Ebor Morris Dancers for all their talents and generosity of time in making this varied and exciting program for the benefit of the Friends of York Walls. A very enjoyable evening of entertainment was had by all!

Thank must also go to Peter Moulton for his input for the wine and his unseen catering supplies, to Keith and Peter for finding the sponsor prizes, to Chris and John Dowell for much background work, and to all those other people who helped to make the evening a great success .

The winning raffle ticket numbers were drawn by the Lord Mayor of York Councillor Keith Hyman. Ticket numbers and prizes are as follows :-

Ruby Cameron Box of cleaning products 1068
Lucy & Paul Mackenzie Complementary Stone 1946
Mike Collins Family Ticket York Wheel 1038
Iris Galley Richardson Meat voucher 1060
Christine Hanby Betty/Taylors Cafetière 1393
Dorothy Reed Guided tour of the Walls 1490
Paul Sanderson Visit York Family ticket 1810
Mrs Corkish Kennedy’s Dinner for 2 1771
Steve Moehr B & B Holiday Inn – York 1029
Noel Walker Tea for 2 – Dean court Hotel 1041
Gillian Morley Meat Voucher – Ged Bell & Son 1763

EastWest

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The solution to last weeks Picture Number 9 –

Mystery9

Monk Bar, the largest and most ornate of the bars, dates from the early 14th century. It was a self-contained fortress, with each floor capable of being defended. On the front of the bar is an arch supporting a gallery, including ‘murder-holes’ through which missiles and boiling water could be rained down upon attackers. Monk Bar has the city’s only working portcullis, in use until 1970. Like the other main gateways, Monk Bar originally had a barbican on the front but this was demolished in 1825.

The rooms above the gateway have had various uses over the years. The Bar once contained Little Ease prison, which once housed Alice Bowman in what was a tiny prison cell, measuring just 1.6 metres across. Bowman was imprisoned for her Catholic beliefs during Queen Elizabeth’s reign.

Picture Number 10 :-

Mystery10

I am just a number – but where am I ?

The answer will be given here on our FaceBook page.

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Time for – “Mystery Pictures 8 & 9”.

The solution to last weeks Picture Number 8 –

Mystery8

The steps at Micklegate Bar lead up onto the wall walk going towards Baker Tower and Lendal Bridge. Micklegate Bar was the most important of York’s four main medieval gateways and the focus for grand events. The name comes from ‘Micklelith’, meaning great street. It was the main entrance to the city for anyone arriving from the South. Many reigning monarchs have passed through this gate and by tradition they stop here to ask the Lord Mayor’s permission to enter the city, as did Queen Elizabeth II on 5th April 2012.

The lower section of the bar dates from the 12th century, the top two storeys from the 14th. The building was inhabited from 1196. Like the other main gates, Micklegate Bar originally had a barbican built on the front, but this was demolished in 1826.

Picture Number 9 :-

Mystery9

16th century Alice Bowman didn’t like this place !

The answer will be given here on our FaceBook page.

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Mike Laycock’s report, “Lost in York… Where’s the Minster?” (The Press, December 29), highlights the difficulty visitors to our beautiful city of York have in finding their way around. With budgets forever being squeezed, Visit York and the City of York Council will not be able to resolve this situation in the near future.

The Friends of York Walls plan to have Volunteer City Guides operating around the city centre offering friendly advice and directions to visitors.

We hope to have them in place for this summer season. We would like to make a plea for volunteers and sponsors for this service. If you think you can spare a couple of hours or so and have a good knowledge of the city’s attractions and places of interest please contact us. We would also appreciate sponsors for this service and to cover the set up costs.

Keith Myers,
Chairman, Friends of York Walls

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