March and Rally in York

Union banners outside York Minster earlier this afternoon. Public sector workers in the UK are on strike today, many for the first time in their working lives, in protest at the government proposals to alter pension provision. The government intends to increase the retirement age to 68, increase the contributions paid by public sector workers into their pension, and reduce the amount eventually paid out.

Todays protest is aimed at getting the government to talk to unions to help reach a negotiated settlement rather than just issue an ultimatum.

There He Goaz

Another picture from the  York Traditional Dance Festival. These are long sword dancers and likely to be a local group as this form of folk dancing is performed mainly in Yorkshire. The dancers often wear a military type costume, and make a series of intricate movements whilst holding wooden handled swords. The dance is completed when the six swords are locked together to form a star which is held aloft by the dance captain.

There He Goaz in the background was taking the hat round collecting money as the dancers performed. He has a plough sewn onto the back of his coat, long sword dancers often perform at plough blessing ceremonies in their local church.

Raiding the Coffee Shop

Still kicking myself for not getting THE shot. When first spotted this Viking lady not only had a cup of coffee in one hand but was using her mobile phone with the other!

Who is that Masked Rider?

The second annual York Cycling City Cycle Races took place on August 11^th 2011. This was the first event, the Brompton Team Challenge for folding bicycles. Each of the riders had a different coloured folding cycle. The circuit included Blake Street, St Sampson’s Square and Goodramgate, with a finishing sprint past the Minster into Duncombe Place. I fear one of the riders may have come to grief as the next vehicle to pass down this street was an ambulance.