Well, it’s not quite summer weather. But if we stay inside any longer we’ll go stir crazy. Stir crazy, we tell you!!
With that in mind, here’s a few out and about ideas for the coming weekend. They’re like a breath of fresh air…
Nature counts!
St Nicholas Fields is one of our favourite spots in York, and this weekend you can join its local nature experts as they count the wildlife on the nature reserve. If you’re an early riser (or mad) join the dawn chorus walk at 4.15am, or the early morning walk at 6am. Between 10am and 4pm there are all sorts of drop-in activities from worm hunts to wildlife bingo. You can meet writer and cartoonist Mike Barfield there too.
Shed Day!
When is the inside outside? When you’re in a shed. These humble structures are celebrated as the Plotting The Past team invite you to survey the wonderful sheds of York allotments on Saturday, May 18. A highlight is a talk on the history of these plots – which we previewed here. Then you head off around Bustardthorpe Allotments to find out about the sheds, what they’re made of and what they’re used for.
- Shed Day starts at Bustardthorpe Allotments on Bishopthorpe Road from 10am on Saturday, May 18
- To find out more, and book a place, visit the Plotting The Past website
York Does Vintage
Fresh from their their triumph at the York Tourism Awards, Now And Then Events are back with another vintage day this Sunday, May 19. With more than 40 stalls, workshops and a tearoom, the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall is the perfect place for a spot of time travelling. There’s even a chance to be snapped in a fun photo booth with some Great Gatsby-type props.
- York Does Vintage, Merchant Adventurers Hall, 10.30am-5pm, Sunday, May 19. Entrance: £1
York Record Fair
Like your music – and like it old style, on a CD or even those giant vinyl discs? Then head down to the Basement on Saturday for the York CD and Record Fair. Loads of collectables, plus plenty of bargains. And if you’ve some records and CDs you no longer love, bring them along for cash or swaps.
- York Record Fair is at The Basement, City Screen, from 10.30am to 5pm on Saturday, May 18. Admission is free
Artists exhibition
This city is blessed with many excellent artists and you can see some of their work collected together by the Friends of York Art Gallery this weekend. Works by more than 20 artists, including Adrienne French, Mark Hearld, Gerard Hobson and Caroline Riley will be on show. Paintings, prints and cards will be on sale, and all money raised goes to the fund to provide new art storage at the gallery.
- The exhibition is at St Olave’s Church, Marygate, from 10am-4pm on Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19, entrance fee £1
Fun with Fergies
Kids young and old love a tractor, and there’s no finer tractor than a Ferguson. This weekend at Yorkshire Museum of Farming, up to 50 of these very special vehicles will be on display as it hosts the Friends of Ferguson Heritage Rally. And you can check out the spring lambs while you’re there.
- The Friends of Ferguson Heritage Rally is at Yorkshire Museum of Farming on Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19
- The museum opens from 10am-5pm. Tickets range from £4 to £6, with a family ticket for £16