A TWELVE-FOOT plastic dinosaur made from household rubbish will be among the highlights of an event aimed at encouraging people to adopt a greener lifestyle as part of this weekend’s York Residents’ Festival.

The “Trashasaurus Rex” sculpture was created by Acomb resident Michelle Wyatt from her own “unrecyclable” plastic waste, and will be seen throughout York over the coming months.

It is going on display at Towards A Sustainable York, with a conference and workshop held at the Priory Street Centre between 10am and 4.30pm on Sunday and a social evening afterwards.

The free event, organised by York In Transition, includes presentations on local sustainable projects, a bring-and-share buffet and entertainment, and anybody wanting to speak at it should email yorkintransition@gmail.com

John Cossham, one of the organisers, said: “We are holding it as part of the Residents’ Festival because York’s real strengths are its residents – any new ideas and projects come from residents talking together and discussing how best to improve things.”

Visit York head Kate McMullen said: “This conference adds yet another dimension to the festival, offering local people the chance to get involved in community initiatives across the city, and we’d like to thank the community groups and businesses supporting it.”

The Residents’ Festival encourages local people to become tourists in York for the weekend, with free entry offered to many places and the chance to explore behind the scenes at places not usually open to the public. There are also discounts available at various dining destinations.

The festival is open to all York residents who have a valid YorkCard. Some attractions, tours and events must be pre-booked and have limited free tickets.


Hall welcome at Beningbrough

Beningbrough Hall, Gallery and Gardens will be open for the York Residents Festival this weekend.

Admission will be free not only for National Trust members, but also for anybody with a valid York Card.

Visitors can take advantage of a book sale, coinciding with the relocation of the popular reading room from the stable block into the former library of the house itself. The estate will be open from 11am to 3.30pm.