YORK'S 50+ Festival later this month will feature a record 130 events, including 49 sports and 19 workshops.

The festival for the over-50s, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, takes place from Saturday September 27 until Sunday October 5.

Festival coordinator Sue Lister said the Eng-AGE 50+ Games offered 49 opportunities for participation in sports ranging from aikido and kendo to sailing and swimming, and from tennis, table tennis and tap dancing, badminton, bowling and boccia to cycling, running and walking.

"If you value your health, now is the time to try some exercise," she said. "It could be fun! Yoga, T’ai Chi and Qi Gong are also available.

" All clubs are invited to take part in a CYC Dementia Friendliness programme so that people with dementia can take part in sports for as long as possible."

She said the 19 workshops would offer computer skills at local libraries, rag rugging, making a cobweb felt scarf, eco-crafting, making prayer flags, singing in a French choir, overseas volunteering, funeral planning, what it means to be a Quaker today, and making your own professional DVD recording.

"You have a choice of 24 healing practitioners: whether you have back problems, need some relaxation and pampering, are concerned about your body image and food, need a helping hand with life counselling, want a good laugh or fancy some belly dancing, they are all on offer in the 50+ Festival."

She said 11 social activities would range from coffee mornings for carers to knit & natter, and from “Food, Fun and Good Company” to quizzes, church services and line dancing.

"Meanwhile, among the festival’s nine entertainments, don’t miss the 50+ Festival Show plus history of the Theatre Royal and cream tea on Monday September 22, or there are films at City Screen and Clements Hall, The Perfect Murder is at the Grand Opera House, a singing extravaganza at the Poppleton Road Primary School, various musical entertainments, playback theatre and Dementia & Me by the Real People Theatre at Clements Hall. "

The full festival programme can be seen at the York Older People’s Assembly website www.yorkassembly.org.uk/festival, with hard copies available in libraries, community centres and at the Quaker Meeting House in Friargate.