THE people of York can keep their money in their pockets this weekend and sample the delights of the city for free.

York Residents’ Festival – previously known as Residents’ First Weekend – is now in its 13th year and attracts up to 20,000 people annually.

This year more than 50 of the city’s tourist attractions, including museums, tours and attractions are taking part in the weekend, offering free or discounted entry to residents with a valid YorkCard.

Attractions opening their doors with free admission over the course of the Residents’ Festival include Barley Hall, DIG, JORVIK, Richard III Museum, Micklegate Bar Museum, Bedern Hall, Haunted, the Merchant Taylor’s Hall, Murton Park, the National Railway Museum, the Regimental Museum, the Roman Bath Museum, the Mansion House, York Art Gallery, York Castle Museum, the Yorkshire Museum and York Dungeon.

Millers Yard in Gillygate will also be opening its doors and offering people free taster sessions including exercise classes, Cuban salsa, tai chi and sewing.

Holy Trinity Church will host the National Railway Museum’s resident actor Chris Cade who will perform The Life Of The Railway King while All Saints’ Church will give guided tours and show off its stained glass windows Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of Visit York, said: “We hope everyone enjoys the weekend and we would especially like to thank all the businesses in the city who have supported it.

“We hope by encouraging residents to explore what’s on their doorstep they will help us to spread the word about just what a great city York is.”

Visitors to York can also enjoy the festival, with free entertainment in the city centre over the weekend with bands playing on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. As well as a variety of live music, there will be a street circus and talent contests taking place in Parliament Street, and exhibitions across the city.

Andrew Waller, leader of City of York council said: “It is a great way to say thank you to the residents of York for the welcome that they offer to the city’s four million visitors every year, especially given the importance of the tourism for our local economy.”

For more details visit visityork.org or pick up a leaflet from the De Grey Rooms Visitor Information Centre in Exhibition Square.

The YorkCard is available free to residents living within the City of York Council area from any York library. A festival information point will in Parliament Street from Friday to Sunday.


Sound as a pound at air museum

The Yorkshire Air Museum is getting into the spirit of the York Residents’ Festival this weekend by reducing its admission charge to only £1.

The venue, at Elvington, will be opening up cockpits of historic aircraft such as the Douglas DC3 Dakota and the Harrier, which celebrates its 40th anniversary in April.

Visitors will also be able to inspect fire engines with members of the Civil Aviation Authority and a trained fire team on hand to answer questions about vehicles such as the mighty 38-tonne Reynolds Boughton Pathfinder airport foam tender, which played a key part in fighting the floods in York and Selby in 2001. There will also be a Range Rover V8 six wheel rapid intervention vehicle and a GMC pump.

The museum gates are open from 10am to 3.30pm and admission is £1 for York residents. Under-fives are allowed in free.

For further information, phone 01904 608595 or visit yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk