YORK 50+ Festival coordinator Sue Lister is delighted by the response to put on events at the September 27 to October 5 celebration.

“At the beginning of July, only five event forms were in and the July 20 programme deadline was looming large on the horizon, but many phone calls later, an incredible 130 were in hand and ready to be typed up for our tenth annual festival,” says Sue.

“We have 49 sport and active leisure events, thanks to City of York Council Sport and Active Leisure and city clubs; 24 health and wellbeing events; 19 workshops; 11 social events; 11 displays and open days; nine shows and films; and nine talks. Exciting times!

“Now the next challenge is to get the programme to the printer on time.”

Once the draft has been checked by organisers, the full programme will be on the York Older People’s Assembly website, yorkassembly.org.uk/festival, by the end of the month.

Paper copies of the programme will be available from early September at all libraries and community centres, city outlets and at the Friends Meeting House in Friargate.

Demand to take part in the 50+ Information Fair on Wednesday, September 10 has led to an overflow from the original 30 stands at York Guildhall. There will be an additional six stands at Spurriergate Centre; six at All Saints, Pavement and two at St Sampson’s Centre.

“We’ll have an all-time high number of service organisations; legal and benefit/pension advice; learning, healing and sporting opportunities; charitable work and hobbies; housing; inland waterways; air ambulance; and support on advance decisions and funeral wishes,” says Sue.

“It’s a chance for older people to talk to someone informally and find out more to ease their mind or spark new interests.”

As a prelude to the festival, a 50+ Show with an historical talk, cream tea and variety show will be held at York Theatre Royal on September 22.