AHEAD of the Autumn term City of York Council has announced more than 250, among which are a wide range of one-day sessions.

These new all-day courses include crafts such as needle felting Christmas robins, and bookbinding at the Yorkshire Museum, while at Huntington School others can try mount cutting or making stained glass Christmas Angels. The courses run from mid-morning to mid-afternoon and teach the main skills needed to take these arts forward.

Also new are several IT classes including a couple focussing on the new operating system Windows 8.1 and using a computer cloud. In addition, courses to master I-pads, using the internet and social media are on offer alongside the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) qualification.

For those wanting to boost or maintain their physical fitness, the new programmes include Easy Fit for the Young at Heart at St Olave’s Church Hall, and Fitsteps and a free Cheerfit taster session which uses cheerleading routines will run at Huntington School.

The popular full bike maintenance programme is expected to be even more so in the slipstream of the Tour de France in York.

Cookery skills can be learned or honed at courses aimed at those wanting to turn out complete meals, including Scrumptious Starters, Mouthwatering Main Courses and Delicious Desserts.

While some old favourites of York Learning including an Introduction to Astrology, Lip Reading, Book-keeping or Languages.

The full programme can be found at www.yortime.org.uk (click on the learning link at the top) or hard copies can be picked up from all Explore York Libraries or from West Offices.

Courses can be booked and paid for at www.yortime.org.uk. Many courses are discounted for those on certain benefits, while courses costing over £100 can be paid for in four instalments. Call 01904 552806 for further details.

The sign-up sessions will be held on:

• Wednesday, September 3, 6-8pm at Huntington School

• Thursday, September 4, 6-8pm at Fulford School

• Monday, September 8, 10am-4pm at West Offices, Station Rise.

Cllr Janet Looker, Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Young People, said: “Whether people want to boost their skills for the workplace, pursue their interests to a higher levels or learn for the sheer pleasure of it, we’ve got a superb programme of courses which offer something for everything.”