WHAT did the Georgians ever do for York? Where will you find the city’s oldest medieval shops? Where did York’s Roman governor live 2,000 years ago? And what happened to York’s missing bridges?

You’ll be able to learn the answers to these and many other questions about York’s history in a series of free guided walks being organised by the York Civic Trust on Friday and Saturday next week.

The Trust is keen to recruit new members to help it in its ongoing campaign to protect York’s heritage.

The 24 free guided walks, which will leave every half hour from a York Civic Trust marquee in St Sampson’s Square, are designed to show off exactly what makes York so special.

Afterwards, there will be a chance to find out more about the work of the Trust from volunteers and trustees in the marquee. And you may even find yourself appearing on TV if you turn up for one of the Friday walks. That'sYork, the city's new local TV station which will be broadcasting on Freeview Channel 8, plans to come along to film...

So what walks will you be able to choose from?

They're all free, and they'll be running every half hour from 9.30am to 3.30pm on Friday June 23 and from 9.30am-2.30pm on Saturday June 24. Between them they aim to celebrate every aspect of York’s unique heritage.

They include:

  • A tour of York’s finest Georgian buildings, led by Georgian expert and former Civic Trust director Peter Brown
  • A complete circuit of the historic city walls, led by Keith Myers
  • A walk around the city’s medieval shops and townhouses in company with archaeologist Dr Peter Addyman
  • A tour of York’s bridges, including four that are there, one that was there, and two that should have been, in the company of estate agent Edward Waterson
  • A tour of the city’s war memorials with Trust chief executive David Fraser
  • A look at the impact of post-war modernism on the city - a marriage of brutalism but also elegance, according to guide John Fieldhouse
  • 'Women of York' - a walking tour visiting sites associated with the unsung women who have contributed to York's history, in the company of Sarah Jackson

“If you take part in one of these walks, we guarantee that you’ll find things out about this city we all love that you didn’t know before,” said Civic Trust board member Stephen Lusty, who has co-ordinated the programme of walks.

“There is no better way to delve into the history of this extraordinary city than in the company of an expert. These walks really are a chance to get to know your York in a way you never have before."

There’s no need to book a place on the walks in advance. They will be first come, first served. Just turn up at the marquee on the day of your choice, and put your name down for whichever walks catch your interest.

York Civic Trust chief executive Dr David Fraser said the hope was that some of those who come on the walks will feel so inspired that they will want to join the Trust.

“For 70 years, the Trust has been championing the heritage of this wonderful city, speaking out against inappropriate development, helping to maintain the city’s historic buildings and streets, running educational programmes for York’s young people, and putting up blue plaques to celebrate important people and events," he said.

“But we can't do any of this without members. And the more people who join us, the more powerful and effective our voice can be.

"So after you've been on your walk, please do come and chat to trustees and members in the marquee. We’ll be delighted to tell you more about the Trust’s work – and welcome you as a member, should you wish to join.”

BLOB To find out more about the Civic Trust and about the programme of walks scheduled for June 23 and 24, visit www.yorkcivictrust.co.uk

York Press:

YORK CIVIC TRUST

York Civic Trust was founded 71 years ago, in July 1946.

In the decades since, it has been a constant voice fighting to preserve what makes York special.

The Trust's achievements over the last seven decades have included:

  • providing the foundations which led to the establishment of the University of York
  • fighting for the first pedestrianised footstreets in the city centre
  • finding new uses for redundant churches - including St Sampson's, now a centre for older people
  • restoring several fine historic houses, including Fairfax House
  • installing bronze plaques (now blue plaques) on buildings across the city to commemorate York's famous sons and daughters, or important places and events

York Civic Trust today is managed by 15 Trustees and more than 60 active committee members, and has more than 1,100 members from all walks of life.

It is involved in a range of activities that affect everyone in the city, including:

  • keeping a watching eye on planning applications
  • managing the City Enhancement Fund, which is used to pump-prime small projects in York such as the restoration of the Rigg Monument
  • educational activities, including annual school public speaking competitions and the recent schools painting competition which saw children's artwork placed on the front of York Art Gallery
  • an extensive events programme
  • blue plaques. Next week will see new plaques to John Barry the film music composer and Edna Crichton, the first Lady Lord Mayor of York