Experience a Traditional Family Christmas at Castle Howard

Castle Howard opens its doors for the festive season this year from the 28th November to 20th December 2009.

An enchanting attraction at yuletime, this 18th century house invites visitors and their families to experience a Christmas setting with roaring log fires and candlelight, giant Christmas trees in the Long Gallery and Great Hall – each with over 1000 baubles as decoration – as well as a traditional display of Christmas ‘twigs’.

Castle Howard’s seasonal opening is an award-winner, and adds to the magic that is Christmas time. With decorations, garlands and displays, as well as daily musical performances in the Gallery, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Christmas gifts will be available at the shops, and festive menus in the cafes, and if you visit at the weekend you can visit Father Christmas at his Lakeside Grotto!

Families will enjoy discovering the House and all its decorations following the children’s Christmas Trail, hunting for ‘Figgy Pudding’ and friends!

Father Christmas at the Lakeside Grotto

Why not take the Christmas Express to visit Father Christmas – found at his Lakeside Grotto every weekend throughout the opening, with a gift ready for every child. There will also be a new high-energy adventure playground, as well as the Lakeside Cafe where everyone can refuel with festive food and drink.

Father Christmas is available on the following days from 11.00am to 4.00pm:

Saturday 28th November, Sunday 29th November
Saturday 5th December, Sunday 6th December
Saturday 12th December, Sunday 13th December
Saturday 19th December, Sunday 20th December

Tickets to visit Father Christmas are £5 per child, and includes a gift and access to the Lakeside Cafe and Adventure Playground.  Adults accompanying children go free!  

Treats and Gifts at the Stable Courtyard

The different shops around the Stable Courtyard all offer choices on a range of Christmas gifts and produce.

Besides the Bookshop and Chocolate Shop, you will find homewares and gifts in the Carriage House; Christmas trees, wreaths and gardening gifts in the Plant Centre; and the Farm Shop will have the best local produce for your Christmas table, including free-range turkeys, home-baked treats, estate game and more.

The Courtyard Cafe will have a full Christmas menu available for breakfast, lunch or tea!

Admission times for the Stable Courtyard are from 10.00am – 5.00pm, with free parking available.

For further details, visit the links below or telephone 01653 648621.

External Links:
Traditional Family Christmas
Castle Howard
Times and Ticket Prices

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St Nicholas Fair – Parliament Street

 
This year the largest and most popular of York’s Christmas markets is open from Thursday 26th November to Sunday 29th November 2009.

St Nicholas Fair hosts stallholders and traders from across Yorkshire as well as the rest of Britain, selling fresh food and seasonal drink, handcrafted and unique gifts as well as the finest local produce that York and Yorkshire has to offer.

The open air markets, centred on Parliament Street, stretch across the city’s main squares and historic buildings, with craft markets and a medieval market thrown into the mix.

Hand-painted glassware, pottery, jewellery and wooden models will be on show and available to buy, as well as Christmas-themed collectables and trinkets. Local farm produce on offer will include venison and boar, as well as any number of traditionally hand made cheeses and dairy products from the county and beyond.

If you arrive with a shopping list of things to buy, or just want to soak up the festive atmosphere, then other highlights will include numerous pies and pasties, alongside punches and mulled wine to help the food go down!

St Nicholas Fair truly shows the festive spirit, with sights, smells and sounds to excite York’s residents and visitors alike. The streets and their stalls come to beautiful and bright life, with copious decorations, Christmas trees, and the all-important Christmas lighting.

Christmas time starts here, with the city of York bursting into yuletide life with buskers and carol singers throughout the four-day event. Be sure to visit – but wrap up warm! – and experience and authentic Christmas atmosphere at the St Nicholas Fair.

Times for St Nicholas Fair November 2009

Thursday 26th November 9.00am – 8.00pm
Friday 27th November 9.00am – 5.00pm
Saturday 28th November 9.00am – 5.00pm
Sunday 29th November 10.00am – 4.00pm

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Finding Santa Claus in his Grotto and around York and Yorkshire:

Yorkshire Museum of Farming with The Derwent Valley Light Railway

A traditional Christmas experience with a guided tour around Santa’s Village, with a visit to his house.
Meet the Elves in their workshop and take a train ride to meet Santa and receive an early Christmas present, before enjoying a mince pie and sherry in front of a roaring fire.

Open from 10.00am – Last Admission 3.00pm

Saturday 5th December – Sunday 6th December 2009
Saturday 12th December – Sunday 13th December 2009
Saturday 19th December – Tuesday 22nd December 2009

Yorkshire Museum of Farming
Murton Park
Murton Lane
Murton
York
YO19 5UF
Tel: 01904 489966

Yorkshire Air Museum: Santa’s Plane

Booking is essential to see Santa aboard his magical Airliner Grotto!

Saturday 12th December - Sunday 13th December 2009
Saturday 19th December – Wednesday 23rd December 2009

Yorkshire Air Museum
Halifax Way
Elvington
York
YO41 4AU
Tel: 01904 608719

North Yorkshire Moors Railway: Santa Specials

Santa Specials will run from Pickering Station and from Grosmont Station in December, you will visit Sanat in his Grotto, receive an early Christmas present, with refreshments and a mince pie.

Saturday 5th December - Sunday 6th December 2009
Saturday 12th December - Sunday 13th December 2009
Saturday 12th December – Tuesday 22nd December 2009

Tel: Bookings 01751 472508

Pickering Station
Park Street
Pickering
North Yorkshire
YO18 7AJ

Grosmont Station
Grosmont
North Yorkshire
YO22 5QE

Saturday 28th November – Sunday 29th November 2009
From 11.00am – 4.00pm

Clifford’s Tower
Tower Street
York
YO1

YorkBoat: Santa Cruises

Every child on board the YorkBoat Cruise will receive a personalised gift from Father Christmas, along with refreshments and fun onboard.

Cruise lasts about 1 hour, times of sailing are dependant upon the date booked.

Tel: Booking is essential 01904 628324

Event details
Dates and Times Dates Times
Thursday 3rd December 2009
Saturday 5th December – Sunday 6th December 2009
Thursday 10th December 2009
Saturday 12th December – Sunday 13th December 2009
Thursday 17th December 2009
Saturday 19th December - Sunday 20th December 2009
Tuesday 22nd December 2009

York River Boat Cruises t/a YorkBoat
The Boatyard
Lendal Bridge
York
YO1 7DP

Stockeld Park: The Christmas Adventure

After a 4000 mile long journey from the North Pole, Santa will complete the last mile on skis and will emerge from the Enchanted Wood to greet excited children and parents waiting to welcome him.

After saying a few hellos and ho-ho-ho’s, and dishing out free chocolate treats he will make himself at home in his favourite grotto where he will be in residence until Christmas Eve. 

Santa has presents suitable for all ages, including under 3′s.

Saturday 14th November – Thursday 24th December 2009
Weekdays to Thursday 18th December 3.00pm – 7.00pm
Weekends 12.00pm – 7.00pm
Weekdays from 19th December – 23rd December 12noon – 7.00pm
On Christmas Eve Santa will be in his Grotto between 12noon until 6.00pm York.

The Christmas Adventure
Stockeld Park
Wetherby
Yorkshire LS22 4AN
Tel: 01937 586333

Santa’s Underground Grotto at National Coal Mining Museum

Visit Santa in his unique underground grotto this Christmas season - 140 metres underground, Santa and his elves will be entertaining children of all ages.
 
Open from 10.00am – 5.00pm seven days a week.

Saturday 21st November – Sunday 22nd November 2009
Saturday 28th November – Sunday 29th November 2009
Saturday 5th December - Sunday 6th December 2009
Friday 11th December – Sunday 13th December 2009
Friday 18th December - Wednesday 23rd December 2009
   
National Coal Mining Museum
Caphouse Colliery
New Road
Overton
Wakefield
WF4 4RH
Tel: 01924 848806

Travel Through Narnia to Meet Father Christmas

Narnia: ‘Always Spring, forever Christmas’

Make an enchanted journey through the Wardrobe in the ‘Spare oom’ into the magical world of Narnia. Touch the lampost and meet Mr Tumness, Lucy, the Beavers and of course Aslan. Feel the cold of winter, under the icy grip of the White Witch, turn into the warmth and bursting into life of spring as you arrive for a special audience with Father Christmas in him own home.

Opening times are from 10.00am – 4.00pm

Sunday 6th December 2009
Saturday 12th December – Sunday 13th December 2009
Saturday 19th December - Wednesday 23rd December 2009

The Rock-Plex Centre
12 Priory Street
York
YO1 6EX
Tel: 01904 659475

Haxby Village Christmas Tree Festival with Santa’s Grotto

 
Aa weekend of Christmas music, festivities, fun and food! See Santa and his helpers arrive in style at 1.00pm both days. The Grotto will be open from 1.00pm – 3.30pm.
 
The Festival is open from 10.00am – 3.30pm

Saturday 5th December – Sunday 6th December 2009
 
Haxby Memorial Hall
The Village
Haxby
York
North Yorkshire
Tel:  01904 765780

Grassington Dickensian Festival with Santa’s Grotto

Victorian family fun day out featuring street entertainment, bands, choirs, traditional Christmas market, Santa’s grotto, torchlit procession, Punch and Judy show and lots more.

Festival open from 10.00am – 5.00pm

Saturday 5th December 2009
Saturday 12th December 2009
Saturday 19th December 2009

Grassington Square & Main Street
Grassington
Skipton
North Yorkshire
BD23 5AT

External Links:
Yorkshire Museum of Farming, Murton Park
The Derwent Valley Light Railway
Yorkshire Air Museum in December 2009
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Victorian Christmas: Clifford’s Tower
YorkBoat Website
Christmas Adventure at Stockeld Park
National Coal Mining Museum
Narnia at Rock Church
Haxby Memorial Hall
Grassington Dickensian Festival

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Since 2004, The Ice Factor has been a Christmas fixture for York residents and visitors to the city, a 600 sqm outdoor ice rink made from real ice!

 
This year the attraction is open from Saturday 14th November 2009 until Sunday 3rd January 2010,  from 10.00am until 9.30pm, and will be welcoming thousands of skaters of all ages and abilities.

Onlookers will enjoy the festive fun also, in a beautiful setting surrounded by Clifford’s Tower, the Law Courts and Castle Museum.

As well as the hourly sessions available to all, The Ice Factor also boasts York’s largest Christmas tree, theatrical lighting and log cabins – perfect for the romantics among us!

Minster FM will be in charge of the music, which sets the party ambience with tunes playing over the rink as well as inside the Ice Bar & Café, creating York’s very own Dancing on Ice.

The Ice Factor offers discounts and special prices to groups, Parents & Toddlers and York Residents, as well as running special offers for schools, further information can be found at the links below or by calling 0844 847 1523.

External Links:

Ice Factor
TicketWeb – Bookings
Ice Factor for Groups

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Christmas officially starts in your local city or town with the Christmas light switch on. Many of these ceremonies provide great family entertainment, xmas treats, some even with live music and celebraties to perform the honours.

We’ve put together as many Christmas light switch-ons as we could find near York and a little further afield.

If you know of anymore we would love to know so pop them in the comments box at the bottom of the page or email them to us at support@directoryofyork.net  as soon as possible.

Scarborough Christmas Light Switch On 

15th November 2009
Queen Street – Town Centre
4.15pm onwards

Harrogate Christmas Light Switch On

19th November 2009
Victoria Shopping Centre Piazza

Hull City Centre Christmas Light Switch On

19th November 2009
Queen Victoria Square
Entertainment from 5pm
Lights Switched on at 6.45pm

Bridlington Christmas Light Switch On

29th November 2009

Driffield Christmas Light Switch On

3rd December 2009
5.15pm

Selby Christmas Light Switch On

5th December
Selby Market Place
4.30pm

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A visit to one of the many Christmas Fairs and Christmas Markets held in York and North Yorkshire should definitely be top of your list for a great family day out in the next couple of months.

If you would like your event or venue’s link here just pop it in the comments box for me at the end of the page or email to Esther at support@directoryofyork.net 

We are busy collecting Christmas menus/party dates and any great ideas for Christmas in York and North Yorkshire. We post them all for free here and we are happy to link back to you.

I look forward to receiving all your events and entertainment promotions.

Don’t Forget To Check the York Weather Forecast Before Leaving Home

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Christmas in Chester and Cheshire UK 2009

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Tying up the results and headlines for October, York City are there or thereabouts at the right end of league, but with as many games drawn as games won, are the Minstermen battling enough?

 
Of course, it’s always going to be difficult in a league of scrappers, but boss Martin Foyle knows what he wants, and isn’t afraid to speak out about his team’s shortcomings…

Even after York City FC record a two-nil win!

York City FC Blue Square Premier Result

Saturday 3rd October 2009
 
York City FC 1 – 1 Stevenage Borough
(Sangare 90)            (Parslow 34og)
 
Visitors Stevenage took the lead against the run of play after an Andrew Drury corner was headed in by Daniel Parslow for an own-goal.

York continued to dominate and wouldn’t let up, going close with Michael Brodie, Alex Lawless and Adam Smith.

Eventually the perserverance paid off when Djoumin Sangare headed in the equaliser in stoppage-time.

York City FC: played 13, won 6, drawn 5, lost 2, GD 8, position 9th, points 23

York City FC Blue Square Premier Result

Tuesday 6th October 2009
 
Tamworth FC 2 – 3 York City FC
(Tait 18, 87)                (Ferrell 40,
                                         Brodie 61,
                                         Sangare 78)
 
York City go ten games unbeaten and give Tamworth their first home defeat of the 2009/2010 season.

Richard Tait headed the Lambs in front, but Andy Ferrell grabbed an equaliser before the break.

On the hour, Ferrell crossed for Richard Brodie to head in his tenth goal of the season, then set up Djoumin Sangare to nod in the third.

Tait claimed his second late on with another header, but the visitors had done enough. 

York Manager Martin Foyle said afterwards: “Defensively we were all over the shop, it wasn’t a good enough performance for me.
“Sometimes the points can hide a multitude of sins and we need to get back on that training pitch quickly because we were a bit off the pace.”

York City FC: played 14, won 7, drawn 5, lost 2, GD 9, position 4th, points 26

York City FC Blue Square Premier Result

Saturday 10th October 2009
 
Salisbury City FC 1 – 0 York City FC
 (Tubbs 4pen) 
 
Matthew Tubbs scores a controversial penalty to claim his fifth strike in four matches, as Salisbury City claim four wins in a row and end York City’s unbeaten run.

An edgy game was ensured when Djoumin Sangare seen to have fouled Tubbs in the area inside the first five minutes.

Richard Brodie went close twice for York, hitting the bar for one and being ruled offside for another. York City tried everything but could not break the home side down.

York City FC: played 15, won 7, drawn 5, lost 3, GD 8, position 7th, points 26

York City FC Blue Square Premier Result

Saturday 17th October 2009
 
York City FC 1 – 1 Oxford United
 (Rankine 71)          (Clist 81)

High-flying Oxford United needed a late equaliser to share the spoils at York.

York City looked like they were going to inflict Oxford’s second defeat of the campaign when Michael Rankine scored from Andy Ferrell’s cross after seventy minutes.

But Simon Clist drew the visitors level 10 minutes later, and immediately James Meredith was sent off for york for a second yellow card.

York’s top scorer Richard Brodie received a fifth booking of the campaign, which could mean he misses the next match against Luton. 

A very happy Martin Foyle said: “The fourth official got the wrong man. It should have been Adam Smith, not Richard Brodie who was booked.
“But we’ve told the referee. He can look at it before he hands it in his report and he says he will do that, to be fair. And, if that doesn’t get rescinded, we may as well give up.
“It was a great advert for Conference football.
“They’ve only had one shot. And our two strikers got around Mark Creighton and Luke Foster, which we’d been working on.
“And I thought Michael Rankine was unplayable. He looked a league player today.”

York City FC: played 16, won 7, drawn 6, lost 3, GD 8, position 6th, points 27

York City FC Blue Square Premier Result

Tuesday 20th October 2009
 
Luton Town 1 – 1 York City FC
(Hall 65)                   (Barrett 36)
 
Neil Barrett opened the scoring with his first goal for York City following a cross from Richard Brodie.

But Luton battled back, with York keeper Michael Ingham doing well to keep them out.

But Asa Hall fired in the equaliser from 20 yards out, with York almost winning with the last kick of the game but Adam Boyes put the ball wide. 

Martin Foyle was upbeat with the draw: “It was a very good performance. I’m delighted with the first half, we could have been 2-0 up. We had two blatant penalties turned down – the lads were livid.
“We’ve had a hard run. We’ve got some home games coming up so there’s a chance to get some points on the board.”

York City FC: played 17, won 7, drawn 7, lost 3, GD 8, position 6th, points 28

York City FC FA Cup Fourth Round Qualifier Result

Saturday 24th October 2009
 
York City FC 2 – 0 Bedworth United
 (Rankine 8,
     Brodie 42)

An unimpressed Martin Foyle was dissapointed with his squad after Michael Rankine and Richard Brodie put York City through to the FA Cup first round proper.

He said after the match: “There was quite a few disappointing performances today but as I said after the game the object was just to get into round one.
“I’m not making excuses. I didn’t think we were sharp enough, quick enough.” 
“There were a lot of things that weren’t right.
“It’s a wake-up call but again we’re unbeaten at home and we’re into the next round.”

Foyle said he wants York to go on a run in the FA Cup and he is ready to take on whoever they are drawn against.
 

York City FC’s next game is on Saturday 31st October, against Crawley Town at Broadfield Stadium.

Check out York City Football Club’s Home and Away Fixtures for the 2009/10 season:

York City FC Fixtures List 2009/10

Read more about:  York City Football

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Scarborough Dance Festival 2009

Has Strictly left you with a desire to dance?

Perhaps you are a seasoned professional?

Either way, the Scarborough Dance Festival has something for you!

Dancing is a great way to get active and to meet people: The Scarborough Festival has 12 years experience in putting on first-class entertainment and tuition for aspiring and seasoned dancers, and is a great way to spend a day out, weekend, or a whole week hot-footing! 

Each Day follows a pattern with both beginners’ and improvers’ workshops in the Ocean Ballroom and Grand Hall of the Scarborough Spa Complex. These classes are then followed by a Dance and Cabaret Night in the Ocean Ballroom.This is a modern and latin dance night where you can practice the moves you have learned during the day. You will also learn more from the nightly demonstrations from the Young Dance Stars in Cabaret.

On Saturday night the 14th November, the highlight of the week is The Gala Dance Night.
Featuring Ross Mitchell and his Band for you to dance to and the Scarborough Open Waltz Competition.
This is bound to be the most popular event so booking is highly recommended.

Sunday 15th November is when there will be a competition for every age and discipline:
This is a chance for you to either compete on the strength of the week’s learning, or to let the professionals show you how it’s done in one of the Exhibition Dances.

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The event is being hosted by the Scarborough Spa Complex in Scarborough’s South Bay – the complex provides an ideal location for both dancing and socializing.

Scarborough Spa Complex
South Bay
Scarborough
YO11 2HD
Tel: 01723 376 774 Tickets:

It is very easy to take part in the festival.
Individual events cost between £4 and £7, a Day Pass £8 – £13.
This year there is also the option to buy a full week pass for £49, it is totally flexible so that you can do as much or as little as you want!

For Further Information, visit the Spa, Scarborough website.

 

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We are busy collecting Christmas menus/party dates and any great ideas for Christmas in York and North Yorkshire. We post them all for free here and we are happy to link back to you.

I look forward to receiving all your events and entertainment promotions. Bye for now

Don’t Forget To Check the York Weather Forecast Before Leaving Home

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Christmas in Chester and Cheshire UK 2009

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York Ghost Festival: ‘Orribly Original

A host of ghostly goings on are manifesting in York over Halloween from Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November, when the sixth York Ghost Festival takes place in a spirited celebration of the paranormal.  

Since 2004, the York-based Paranormal and Spectral Investigations (PSI) group in conjunction with Haunted has been organising a feast of supernatural activities in England’s most haunted city, and this year there will be eerie events galore with Haunted Treasure Hunts taking place every night throughout the festival from 7pm until 10pm.

Spooky characters will be around to recount free ghost stories, presided over by celebrity astrologer Jonathan Cainer, with history tours, plenty of thrills and chills and audience participation broadcast live by Minster FM. Ghost vigils will be held at venues throughout York with live feeds to a giant screen from haunted locations including the Golden Fleece Pub in Pavement and the Treasurer’s House in Minster Yard.

At Haunted itself there’ll be ghost tours taking place until 10pm every night. Over the years, the house has been the scene of ghoulish materialisations when visitors have reported feeling the icy touch of invisible fingers or heard spine-chilling screeches emanating from the attic. Recently, the professional phantom hunter, Derek Acorah had a very spooky experience at the house on TV’s Most Haunted programme when he was held in a ghostly stranglehold whilst the entire film crew bolted the premises screaming.

On the night of Halloween on 31st October in a grand climax to the festival, you can become part of an attempt to stage the World’s Biggest Ghost vigil. Everyone is invited to assemble beneath The Eye of York at the foot of Clifford’s Tower to listen out for signs of paranormal activity and devilish disturbances.

Mr Cainer is hoping that some ghoulish participants will make an appearance to swell the numbers: “It will be a celebration of Samhain – the ancient pagan festival of the ancestors,” he told The Press, “and we’ll be inviting the ghosts and spirits of York to join us.
“The Eye of York is famously nasty. They did hangings there and it’s also a place where witches were persecuted.”

Last year, although the attempt to stage the World’s Biggest Ghost Vigil at York didn’t break the record, a staggering total of 700 people looked and listened for signs of spectral activity at Haunted on Stonegate and across various locations. This year it’s hoped to smash all previous records by signing up a total of more than 900 people. Once the vigil ends, there’ll be an overnight investigation at Haunted by brave and intrepid members of PSI.

The York Ghost Festival has become so successful that several other cities including Edinburgh, London and Stratford-upon-Avon have followed suit and organised their own Ghost Festivals based on the same ideas.

The concept was first spawned back in 2004 when, after a lifetime interest in ghost stories and several years of attending paranormal investigations, founder Rachel Lacy decided it was time to set up her own group in her hometown of York.  PSI –Chicks was formed with the name reflecting the predominantly female membership of the group.

Since that time, PSI, under the leadership of Ghost Master General Rachel has carried out many investigations at a host of spooky venues including York Brewery, Lendal Water Tower and St Nicholas’ Fields.

With regular ghost detectives headed by the celebrity medium Diana Jarvis, the entourage have encountered more than their fair share of spectres; at haunted locations like the York Brewery and the York Castle Museum, that have included a tall, thin shadowy figure who left an overwhelming sense of evil, a phantom dressed in 1940’s attire and mysterious lines that materialised in flour traps at the brewery during the night.

Previous ghost vigils have unearthed some strange goings on too including THAT photograph taken at The Ebor Inn in Bishopthorpe that revealed hidden properties when displayed on computer. Who was the mysterious, bespectacled lady reflected in a mirror on the wall of the pub, who was not present at the investigation? What were the strange orbs that appeared to follow the landlord around the premises?

You might think that these experiences would be enough to send the PSI into quiet retirement but this year, undaunted, members intend to kick off the festival on October 24th with a one person/one room investigation.

“Despite doing investigations now for nearly ten years, it’s still scary contemplating spending a night alone in a haunted location!” says the intrepid general Rachel Lacy, “I last did it in 2003 when I spent Hallowe’en in the roman bathhouse in York alone, so I know I can do it, but the venues have a very different feel to them and last time it wasn’t on camera.”

You can watch Rachel and other group members’ vigils via the Haunted website www.hauntedhouseyork.co.uk where events will be streamed live throughout the night.  If you intend to host a ghost vigil yourself and would like it to be broadcast live on the public screen, contact Lucy on 07855 444069.

For anyone wanting to spend a few days ghost hunting, good value overnight accommodation is available throughout the festival at York University where B&B for a single room costs from £35 and a twin room £46 – it is, as far as we know, not haunted.

These treasure hunts are in the form of an East Walk from Haunted – a genuine haunted house, over 700 years old, located at 35, Stonegate – and a West Walk (a shorter option) from Micklegate Bar. The trails take intrepid participants on an enthralling hunt around the city, picking up pieces of information and clues along the way. At the end you can enter your answers in a prize draw for a chance to win a special Hallowe’en prize.

The attempt to break the record will be followed by séances and investigations at Haunted. The official vigil takes place at 9.30pm but the event will run from 7.30pm to 10pm. Entry is free but donations will go to the Inspiration Foundation’s Stables Project which helps young people who have difficulty fitting into mainstream education to achieve their potential.

Whether they will still be there in the morning or not, only remains to be seen.

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External Links:
York Ghost Festival 2009
Haunted: York’s Most Haunted House
PSI-Chicks

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