YORK residents really will come first at the 2003 Residents First Weekend, as more than 50 tourist attractions, museums and restaurants team up to offer two days of top-class entertainment.
Free entry, special offers and meals at bargain basement prices are all available at the event, organised by the First Stop York tourism partnership and sponsored by Science City York.
There is even a chance to win a night in a top hotel in association with the Evening Press.
Now in its eighth year, Residents First is held to say "Thank you" to York residents for the way they show hospitality to tourists throughout the year.
The event, to be held this year on January 25 and 26, is also aimed at encouraging more people to enjoy the delights of York by recommending favourite places to family and friends.
As always, a huge range of attractions is involved, with the list of popular regulars complemented by some new additions.
Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of York Tourism Bureau, said today: "York residents are important ambassadors who help to ensure four million visitors have a friendly welcome and an enjoyable stay here.
"We are again delighted that so many attractions will be opening their doors to residents to celebrate what a great place York is to live in and visit," she said.
Always in demand is the Yorkshire Air Museum, at Elvington, back on board this year to offer York residents free entry.
Also back this year is a guided tour round York Minster Stoneyard, which offers visitors the chance to see the masons and carvers workshops and the plastercast museum.
Newcomers include the Archaeological Research Centre (ARC), at St Saviour's Church, St Saviourgate, where visitors can investigate York's Viking past, and St William's College, in College Street, the former home of the Minster Chantry Priests.
All York residents need to get in free is a valid York Card and proof of address.
Food fans can enjoy the weekend by taking advantage of Residents Feast meal deals offered by a wide range of York's top restaurants.
Enjoy a special set-price for either a two-course lunch or dinner by simply taking along a copy of the Residents' First leaflet, York Card and proof of residency to participating restaurants. All offers are subject to availability and reservations may be required in some establishments.
A number of the eateries have extended the special offer past the official end of Residents First.
To get a York Card, visit the YORtime offices, at 20 Back Swinegate, York, between 10am and 6pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, noon to 8pm on Wednesday or 10am to 4pm on Saturday.
The cards are also valid throughout the year and give discounts on a number of City of York Council-owned attractions, sports centres and entertainment venues.
Some attractions are running tours on a limited ticket-only basis, so it is vital to check beforehand and book tickets if necessary.
There is also a special competition being run in association with the Evening Press, through which the First Stop York tourism partnership is offering residents the chance to spend a night in one of York's top hotels. Le Meridian Hotel, Monk Bar Hotel and the Quality Hotel will give three lucky winners dinner, bed and breakfast for two on the evening of Saturday, January 25. To enter, just answer the simple question on the coupon below, and send your completed entry in an envelope marked "Residents First competition" to First Stop York, 20 George Hudson Street, York, YO1 6WR, to arrive by noon on Monday, January 20, 2003. Further details about the weekend can be found in a Residents First leaflet, obtainable by phoning 01904 554425.
During the weekend itself, information will be available from the Residents First Information Point, in Parliament Street.
There is a big incentive to visit the information point, as competition forms will be available which will be entered into a draw - with a £250 Superbreak holiday voucher up for grabs.
Residents Feast
City Screen, Coney Street, tel 01904 612940
Dean Court Hotel, Duncombe Place, 625082
El Piano, Grape Lane, 610676
Frankie C's, Walmgate, 652383
Jaipur Spice, Haxby Road, 673550
Le Meridien York Hotel, Station Road, 653681
The Lime House, Goodramgate, 632734
Melton's Restaurant, Scarcroft Road, 634341
Melton's Too, Walmgate, 629222
Monkbar Hotel, St Maurice's Road, 638086
Rish, Fossgate, 622688
St William's Restaurant, College Street, 634830
The Brasserie at The Grange Hotel, Clifton, 644744
Tricksters Lane, Fossgate, 675576
York Moat House Hotel, North Street, 459988
York Pavilion Hotel, Fulford, 622099
Attractions
The ARC (Archaeological Resource Centre), St Saviour's Church, St Saviourgate, tel 01904 543403
Association of Voluntary Guides - Walking Tour, De Grey Rooms, Exhibition Square, 640780
Barley Hall, Coffee Yard, 610275
The Bar Convent Museum, Blossom Street, 643238
Farmers Market, Parliament Street, 551355
Guildhall, St Helen's Square, 551051
Hidden History of Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate, 613451
Impressions Gallery, Castlegate 654724
Merchant Taylors' Hall, Aldwark
Military Museum of the Royal Dragoon Guards and The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire, Tower Street, 642036
National Railway Museum, Leeman Road, 621261
Richard III Museum, Monk Bar, 634191
Roman Bath, St Sampson's Square, 620455
St William's College, College Street, 557233
YorkBoat - Guided River Trips, The Boatyard, Lendal Bridge, 628324
York Art Gallery - Special Exhibition - Making Journeys, Exhibition Square, 553125
York Castle Museum, The Eye of York, 653611
York Dungeon, Clifford Street, 632599
York Model Railway, at York Station, 630169
Yorkshire Air Museum, Halifax Way, Elvington, 608595
Yorkshire Museum and Gardens, Museum Gardens, 551800
Yorkshire Museum of Farming, Murton Park, Murton, 489966
Yorkwalk, Museum Gardens Gates, 622303
Yorvik Brass Rubbing Centre, Sir Joseph Terry's Almshouses, Skeldergate,
630456 (ext. 226.)
The attractions listed below have had to restrict entry due to limited tour capacity, so checking ticket arrangements is vital.
Clifford's Tower, Tower Street, 646940
Ghost Hunt of York, tour departs from Shambles at 7.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Ghost Trail of York, meet at the front doors of York Minster, at 8pm on Saturday
JORVIK - The Viking City, Coppergate, 643211
Mansion House - At the Lord's Table, St Helen's Square, 613161
Water World, Kathryn Avenue, Monks Cross, 642111
York Brewery, Toft Green, off Micklegate, 621162
York Minster, Deangate, 557216
York Minster Library Tours, Deans Park, 625308
York Minster Stoneyard, Deangate., 557226
York City Sightseeing Bus Tours, 640896
With all attractions, check times and availability before setting out.
Updated: 11:09 Thursday, January 09, 2003
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