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MINSTER GATES CLOCK
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Rotary Club of York in 1971 a new clock was donated to the city installed in Minster Gates in 1971. In making the Presentation on 27th September 1972, the Rotary Club of York President Cy Read asked the Lord Mayor, Councillor Vic Boulton, “to accept the clock as an acknowledgement by each Member of the Rotary Club of York of the happiness derived in fellowship and service and in the pride and privilege we feel in our citizenship of this great City”. The York Clock Group actively works to restore the city’s public clocks. The Rotary clock could be the next with extra support.
SNICKELWAYS
Alleyways, Ginnels and Snickets across York are interesting ways of moving around the city to escape the crowds and discover more about the history of York. Mad Alice Lane, Nether Hornpot Lane or Lady Peckitt’s Yard suggest colourful pasts. These unique thoroughfares (snickelways can only be found in York -the term being coined by Mark Jones to describe York’s lanes) are often strewn with rubbish or only appeal to the most hardy of explorers. Each ‘snickelway’ needs to be rejuvenated to welcome people to discover another York as intriguing as the city walls.
POCKET PARKS
York city centre is lacking in quiet spaces to sit and escape the bustle and bustle of the busy streets. York Civic Trust started a programme of working with local partners to unlock existing spaces to provide some respite with its project at All Saints Church on Parliament. Similar projects could be put into action in other under-used and under appreciated parts of the city centre.
STATUE OF MINERVA
To celebrate the prominence of Stonegate and Minster Gates as a centre of printing and bookshops a wooden statue was installed of Minerva the Roman God of Wisdom. The statue, one of the most photographed in York, was last painted in 2014. The changing climate has led to it rapidly becoming in need of repainting once more. This cyclical maintenance is a necessity to ensure that the city’s heritage is in good condition to survive for the centuries to come.
OUSE, SKELDERGATE AND LENDAL BRIDGE – LAMPS
Crossing the River Ouse has always been a key part of life in York. In 19th century the three main bridges – Lendal, Skeldergate and Ouse bridges were constructed. Built for horse drawn traffic and pedestrians they were illuminated by ornate gas lamps. Electrified in the 20th century the iron work is in need of repair and repainting.
MUSEUM STREET WATER FOUNTAIN
Built in 1880 to provide clean and free water to the public this fountain no longer is in use. Today it lacks a water supply and the stonework is in need of repair. If the fountain could be brought back into public use – a large project – it could help reduce our use of plastic bottles, save money and help to alleviate the increasingly hot summers that we are experiencing.